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STEEN A. HOFTO.
Having come to the United States a boy of thirteen years of age and successively worked as farm hand, as a farmer
on his own account, as a merchant and again as a fanner, Steen A. Hofto, one of the best known and most highly
esteemed residents of the village of McIntosh, this county, has had a varied experience in life and borne his share
of trials and privations. But through every part of his career he has made steady progress financially and in the
good will and regard of his fellow men.
Mr. Hofto was born in Valle, Norway, February 13, 1855, and is the son of Arne and Gunnel (Aakre) Hofto, who were
also natives of Norway. They cmirated to the United States in 1868 and located on a farm in Waseca county, Minnesota,
on which they lived about twelve years. In the spring of 1880 the family moved to Grand Forks county, North Dakota;
where the father died when he was seventy-three years old. The mother died at the home of her son Steen after she
had passed the age of eighty. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Steen A. was the fifth in the order
of birth.
He came to this country with his parents in 1868 and lived with them in Waseca county, Minnesota, until 1878. He
then accompanied them to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and there took up a homestead of 160 acres and a tree
claim of 160 acres in Amcricus township. He lived on his land until 1891, breaMng and cultivating it and putting
up good buildings for the shelter of his family and himself and the protection of his crops and his live stock.
In the fall of 1891 Mr. Hofto moved to Polk county and entered the hardware business in McIntosh in partnership
with his brother, Knute Hofto, and during the next five years they conducted the business together under the firm
name of Hofto Bros. At the end of five years he bought his brother's interest in the business and became its sole
proprietor. Afterward he again turned his attention to farming and followed that occupation for about ten years
in King township, this county, and at the expiration of that period rented his farm and took up his residence in
McIntosh, where he has since had his home. He still owns his farm of 160 acres just east of McIntosh, which he
has improved with commodious and comfortable bthldings. He also erected the block just north of the West Hotel
in McIntosh.
While living in North Dakota Mr. Hofto held several township offices, among them that of township assessor, of
which he was the first incumbent, and since locating in Polk county he has served as a member of the village council
of McIntosh and township assessor of King township. In the autumn of 1883 he was married in Grand Forks county,
North Dakota, to Miss Gyro S. Jora, who was born in Norway August 23, 1863. They have three children, Âme,
Samuel and Knute. The parents are active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
FROM:
Compendium of History and Biography
of Polk County, Minnesota
Maj. R. I. Holcombe, Historical Editor
William H. Bingham, Feneral Editor
W. H. Bingham & Co.
Minneapolis 1916
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