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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

O. RALPH ANDERSEN (alternate: Ralph O. Andersen) - Vol II, pg 601-602
Minneapolis numbers among her foremost citizens O. Ralph Andersen, 
president of the Liberty State Bank. He was born in Ridgeway, Iowa, on 
the 3d of January, 1877, a son of Anton and Elizabeth (Olsen) Andersen, 
natives of Norway. They came to the United States in 1876 and settled in 
Iowa, where they remained one year, the father engaging in the shoe 
business. At the termination of that time they returned to Norway, where 
they lived five years. Returning to the United States, they located in 
Nebraska for two years and then again went back to their native land. 
Mrs. Andersen's death occurred in Norway, in 1883, and Mr. Andersen 
continued to reside there until September, 1887. In that month he sailed 
again for this country and located in Minneapolis. He engaged in the shoe 
business in this city for some years and achieved substantial success. 
Before returning to this country the last time Mr. Andersen married 
Augusta Olsen, whose death occurred in 1915. Mr. Andersen lived retired 
for some time prior to his demise in 1914. To the first union two sons 
ana one daughter were born, O. Ralph, whose name introduces this review, 
being the second in order of birth.

In the acquirement of his education O. Ralph Andersen attended the public 
schools in this country and in Norway. Subsequently he enrolled in the 
University of Minnesota and was graduated in 1898, as a pharmacist and 
chemist. He made his initial step into the business world as a pharmacist 
and later established a store at Lake Park, also conducting stores at 
Ulen and Hawley. In 1915 he came to Minneap­olis and engaged in the 
manufacture of chemicals as a member of the Bora Septic Chemical Company, 
of which concern he is now president and treasurer. He has business 
interests in Ulen and is a director in the Ulen State Bank, and is also 
president of the Atlas Chemical Company. In 1921 Mr. Andersen became 
president of the Liberty State Bank in this city and has continued to 
hold this important position. The dominant factors in Mr. Andersen's 
success have been energy and enterprise, to which is added everyday 
common sense, guided by resistless will power.

In Minneapolis, on the 12th of July, 1904, was celebrated the marriage of 
Mr. Andersen and Miss Jennie Amonson, a daughter of Martin Amonson of 
Minneapolis. The Amonsons are among the oldest and most honored families 
in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Andersen have two children, Earl and Margaret. 
Mrs. Andersen is a woman of culture and refinement and she is prominent 
in the clubs and social circles of Minneapolis.

In his political views Mr. Andersen is a stanch democrat and for some 
time was a member of the democratic committee of Clay county. Fraternally 
he is identified with the Masons, holding membership in Lake Park Lodge; 
is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to the 
Crookston Lodge; and religiously he is a consistent communicant of 
Golgotha Lutheran church, of which he is a trustee. He is an active 
member of the Citizens Club and is treasurer and director of the Franklin 
Avenue Business Men's Club. Mr. Andersen is essentially an outdoor man 
and is fond of all sports, spending a great deal of his spare time in 
hunting and fishing. In matters of citizenship, as in those of business, 
Mr. Andersen is diligent and pro­gressive, giving his endorsement to all 
worthy enterprises and cooperating in promot­ing every movement which is 
calculated to advance the intellectual, moral or material welfare of the 
community.