Henry N. Dybvig
Henry N. Dybvig was born near Dell Rapids on Feb. 10, 1890, educated in country schools and a short business course in Sioux Falls. He joined his father, Nels Dybvig, in the nursery business in 1909 near Colton and expanded to Baltic in 1935. Two sons—Melvin and Clarence—now operate the Dybvig Nursery at Colton and Baltic.
He married Agnes Sundal of Colton on Aug. 9, 1916. The Dybvigs have eight children. Besides Melvin and Clarence, they include: Mildred (Alvin) Anderson, Sioux Falls; Dorothy (Dennis) Schear, Mandan, North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã; Ruth (Donald) Bliss, Sioux Falls; Carol (Herman) Lordal, Baltic; Robert of Rock Rapids, Iowa; and Rhoda, a teacher in Columbia, South America. A ninth child, James, died in 1940.
Dybvig has been prominent in many farm organizations, church and civic groups during his many years as a South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã farmer and nurseryman.
He has been a member of the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State Horticultural Society since 1910—serving as president and state treasurer. He has never missed a state meeting. From 1925-1950, he was president of the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Nurserymen’s Association. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau board in Minnehaha County which hired the first county extension agent. He was president of the first cooperative oil company formed in Minnehaha County about 1920.
He is now president of the State Weed Board. He is a member of the Keep South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Green Association, the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Tree Farm Committee and the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Parks Association.
His nursery has cooperated with State College to increase new tree releases in the state. He helped promote the Black Hills spruce as the state tree in 1947. Dybvig served on the local school board for 27 years and on the old Minnehaha County Fair Board Association.
He is a member of Dell Rapids Lutheran Church and is national vice president of the Lutheran Brotherhood. From 1919 to 1934, he was a trustee at the Colton church.