Phillip Tollef Megaarden

MEGAARDEN

Posted By: Allamakee county coordinator (email)
Date: 6/16/2004 at 03:39:56

Phil. T. Megaarden, chief deputy sheriff of Hennepin County, is a native of Iowa and by descent of Norwegian extraction. His parents were both born in Norway. The father, Tollef K. Megaarden, was a dealer in livestock and later a railroad contractor. He lived in Allamakee
County, Iowa, at the time of the breaking out of the war, and enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, serving three years. At the close of the war he removed to Dickinson County, where he lived until 1877, when the family removed to Minneapolis. Philip was born in Allamakee County, on October 2, 1864. He was the oldest of seven children. During his early childhood he attended the public schools near his home in Iowa and in Minneapolis. In the fall of 1878 he had resolved to prepare for the Lutheran ministry, and entered Augsberg Seminary, Minneapolis, but the next year his father died suddenly leaving Philip at the head of a family of seven and with little means for their support. Putting aside the plans which he had made, the boy commenced a struggle for a livelihood. He obtained such employment as he could, first as clerk in a fuel office, then bookkeeper and later as court officer in the municipal court. All this time he was studying as best he could, sometimes attending evening school and again employing a private instructor. He managed to get a course in a business college and at last entered the university law school, from which he graduated in 1892, taking the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the bar in the supreme court during the same year. In 1893 he completed a post-graduate course in the law school and received the degree of LL. M. Mr. Megaarden commenced the practice of law, but on January 1, 1895, discontinued it to accept the office which he now holds. He intends to resume practice upon leaving the sheriff's office. Since coming of age Mr. Megaarden has been a staunch Republican, and has taken an active part in political affairs. He is a member of the Union League and other political clubs. He has taken a prominent part in the order of the Knights of Pythias and is at present Chancellor Commander for the second time of Monitor Lodge No 6, K. of P. He has at time filled nearly every office in this lodge. Repeatedly elected to represent his lodge in the Minnesota Grand Lodge, and being a member of the Grand Lodge of the Domain of Minnesota, he has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the order in the Northwest. He has held the office of Deputy Grand Chancellor of the Grand Lodge. Mr. Megaarden is also a member of North Star Division, No. 1, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias. He holds membership in the Khurum Lodge, No. 112, A. F. and A. M., and is also a member of Ridgely Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., and of Minnewa Tribe, No. II, of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Minneapolis Commercial Club. Mr. Megaarden is unmarried.

-source: Progressive Men of Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN: Minneapolis Journal, 1897; by Marion D. Shutter; page 472-473

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