Peder Otto Onstad (June 4, 1874 – March 17, 1961) was an American educator and politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Otto Onstad | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly | |
| In office 1908–1912 | |
| Constituency | Dane County Second District |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Peder Otto Onstad June 4, 1874 Christiana, Dane County, Wisconsin, US |
| Died | March 17, 1961 (aged 86) Stoughton, Wisconsin, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Luther College |
| Occupation | Teacher, farmer, politician |
Early life and education
editPeter Otto Onstad was born in Christiana, Dane County, Wisconsin.[1] He was one of ten children born to Johannes (John) Christensen Onstad and his wife Anna Lee. His maternal grandfather Erik Lee was a supporter of the Haugean movement and left Norway following religious persecution, becoming the first settler in the Christiana area.[2] His brother L. Henry Onstad lived in Stoughton until his death.[3] His brother Erick J. Onstad served as an attorney and was deputy state treasurer of Wisconsin underneath Solomon Levitan in the 1920s.[4][5] Following the death of one of his siblings, Onstad raised four of his nieces and nephews.[1]
He attended Albion Academy and later studied at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.[1] He later began teaching in Cambridge and returned to teach at Albion Academy, specialising in mathematics.[1] In 1901, Onstad left education and returned to farming.[1]
Political career
editIn 1909, Onstad was elected to represent Dane County in the Wisconsin State Assembly as a member of the Republican Party.[1] He was reelected in 1911.[1] In 1913, he served as superintendent of public property for the Wisconsin State Capitol.[1]
In 1932, he moved to Madison and served as inspector of the Wisconsin Highway Commission for two years. In 1935, he began joined the register of deeds staff for Dane County.[1]
Personal life
editHe was a member of East Koshkonong Lutheran Church in Cambridge and Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Otto Onstad (1874-1961)". Wisconsin State Journal. March 18, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jan. 1st is Red Letter Day for Henry Onstad". The Capital Times. January 3, 1941. p. 8. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "L. Henry Onstad Dies at Age of 81". The Capital Times. March 10, 1953. p. 4. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Onstad is Named Sales Record Clerk". The Capital Times. January 5, 1935. p. 2. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Levitan Selects Onstad as Deputy". Wisconsin State Journal. December 26, 1922. p. 4. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
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