St Olaf College - Viking Yearbook (Northfield, MN)

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President J. N. Kildahl CHN NATHAN KILDAHL was born Jan. 4, 1857, in Naindalseidet, Norway, about fourteen Norwegian miles north of Throndhjem. He spent nine years of his childhood in this place. His parents were Johan Kildahl and Nicoline, nee Buvarp. ln 1866 the family emi- grated. came 'to America and settled in Goodhue County, Minn. Here john N. received the usual education preparatory to conhrmation and was coniirmed by the late Rev. B. I. Muus in the year 1872. This was in the-early days of the history of our Norwegian Lutheran Church in this country. Rev. Muus belonged to the Norwegian Synod and was at that time a staunch supporter of this Synodical body. The great need of the church at that time-and it is the great need of the church today-was men. Progressive and farseeing men like Rev. Muus were on the lookout for bright and intelligent boys. Luther College was at that time the only Norwegian College in the country that afforded a full college course, and that in only one department, the classical. lts special aim was to prepare young men for the study of theology. Young J. N. Kildahl was urged, especially by Rev. Muus, to attend this school, and in the early part of 1874 he carne and registered with the class of 179. Luther College had at 'that time no preparatory department. The college and pre- paratory courses were merged into one, covering a period of six years. Young Kildahl came half a year late, but seemed to have no difficulty in making up for lost time. From that time and to the end of our theological course we were class- mates. Qne of my earliest recollections of him is connected with a wrestling match in which he came out second best. But the grit of the man showed itself at this early stage in his refusal to admit himself beaten. In later years I have often thought of this episode. President Kildahl has bumped up against many obstacles in his career and one of the things he to this day hates to do is to confess himself vanquished. Nor has there been much necessity for his so doing. After completing the regular six years' course Kildahl graduated in 1879. As has already been stated, the special aim of Luther College was to prepare the student for the study of theology. VVhen we graduated the whole faculty took it for granted that in the fall we would enter Luther Seminary, then located at Madison, XVis. The president gave each of the graduates a letter of recommenda- tion to the president of Luther Seminary and charged us not to forget transmitting 6

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N V E' IFJ' EEJEHIE X+:11 qw EJECHZ' S 'L-Q 'Q E.:,,- 1 -E, H -:ifirffj L...-f -'ij-1 -,gf Viking 'os 9 NCQ IKEVjk1.HgS of old, Go forth full of courage, Be brave--yet not bold. Like your ancestors sturdy, Conquer ai! whom you meet,- Yet the Vikings were feared-- Don't attempt such a feat. May you meet with smooth sailing, May all storms pass you by, May the fates treat you kindly As your journey you ply ! You have claimed our best efforts, What they achieved you present,- We trust we have huilded A strong monument. 5

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PRESIDENT J. N. KILDAHL. 433: