Ole J. Kvale

Ole Juulson Kvale was a Lutheran minister and U.S. representative from Minnesota.

Background

Ole Juulson Kvale was born near Decorah, Iowa. He was one of six children born to Jule Qvale and Gro Qvale, both of whom were immigrants from Norway. He inherited his family name from the Kvåle farm in Vestre Slidre Municipality in the Valdres valley district. He attended rural schools in Winneshiek County, Iowa. He was graduated from Luther College in Decorah in 1890, from Luther Theological Seminary, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1893 and from the University of Chicago in 1914. He was ordained to the Lutheran ministry in 1894 serving parishes in Orfordville, Wisconsin, from 1894 to 1917 and in Benson, Minnesota. In 1917, he became the secretary of the Norwegian Synod.

Career

Kvale had been an unsuccessful candidate as an Independent Republican for election in 1920 to the 67th congress. He was elected as a Farmer-Labor candidate to the 68th, 69th, 70th, and 71st congresses and served from March 4, 1923, until his death.

Personal life

He was married to Ida Tonette Kvale. They had six children including United States Representative Paul John Kvale. Ole Kvale died in a fire in his summer house near Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota, on September 11, 1929. His interment was in Benson Cemetery, Swift County, Minnesota.

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