Progressive Men of Minnesota

Minneapolis Journal 1897

OLE H. HELLEKSON is a member of the firm of Erickson & Hellekson, dealers in hardware, lumber and machinery at Wheaton, Minnesota.  His father, Hellek Hellekson, is a farmer in Iowa County, Wisconsin, and in fair financial circumstances.  He emigrated from Norway in 1841, coming to Wisconsin and settling on the farm where he has resided ever since. He served throughout the Civil War and has an honorable war record. His wife, Julia Loftsgaarden (Hellekson), the mother of the subject of this sketch, was also born in Norway.

Ole H. Hellekson was born on the farm in Iowa County, Wisconsin, on January 13, 1859, where he lived until he was twenty-one years of age. He received his early education at the common schools of his district, attending them as much of the time as he could be spared. When of age he borrowed sufficient money to enable him to take one term at college, after which he taught school for two terms, returning to college to take the commercial course with the money that he had earned.  In 1885 he came to Minnesota and located at Wheaton, commencing work as a clerk at the salary of fifteen dollars a month. Later he was promoted to the position of bookkeeper, and finally became manager in 1886.  He bought a quarter interest in the business the following year, and in the two years following purchased enough more to get a one-half interest in the present business, that of dealing in hardware, lumber and machinery, under the firm name of Erickson & Hellekson. Mr.  Hellekson owes his success in business to his close attention to the same and to his strict adherence to the principles which produce business success.

His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he takes an active interest in local affairs, having served as president of the village council for three successive terms.  His church connections are with the Lutheran church. He was married February 24, 1887 to Lena Olson Dokken. They have three children living, Cora Francis. Minnie Henrietta and Spencer Howard.