Edward Knute Skaro

Edward K. Skaro, one of the leading business men of Madison, Minnesota, is a prominent citizen of this thriving town. He has resided in Lac-qui-parle county for many years and has become identified with the commercial and social interests of the locality where he makes his home. He is a gentleman of exemplary character and well merits the success and high standing which he enjoys.

Mr. Skaro was born on a farm in Sibley county, Minnesota, in 1869. His father was born in Norway and was of Norwegian parentage. He was a farmer by occupation. Our subject was the eldest of a family of six children and he was reared in his native county, gaining his schooling there and assisting his father with the work on the home farm. He later attended Red Wing Seminary and at the age of twenty years began to earn his own way in the world. He followed clerking in a general merchandise store in St. Peter, Minnesota, and there, during ten years of service, he received a thorough knowledge of the business. In 1899 he came to Madison and in partnership with Ton Halvorson established a general merchandise business. This partnership continued for a year and a half. In the fall of 1900 the stock was destroyed by fire and the loss was heavy with but light insurance. The following month, with his characteristic energy, Mr. Skaro opened a store again and M. T. Hoff became a partner. The firm has continued since that time and they have prospered to a marked degree and have been obliged to enlarge their store building from 25 by 60 feet to 50 by 60 feet. They carry a complete stock of general goods and have a large and growing trade in Madison and surrounding country.

Mr. Skaro was married in 1895 to Miss Antina Hoff. Mrs. Skaro's father was born in Norway and was a farmer by occupation. He died in 1889. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Skaro are the parents of two children, Edna, born in 1896, and Raymond, born in 1897. Mr. Skaro is a prominent member of the United Lutheran church and is secretary of the local church. He takes a leading part in all church work and is a consistent member. In political views he is a Republican.