Elvin Akre was born on March 9, 1903 in Horace, North Dakota to Olai Johan Akre and Anna Lydia Johnson, who were both of Norwegian descent. Elvin had one brother and four sisters, but his brother and one sister died from small pox. The children were raised on a farm south of Lidgerwood, North Dakota. Elvin's father, who had attended school at St. Olaf and Concordia, was a teacher and choir director, and his mother worked in the fields. Elvin himself was also well-educated, attending school in Allendale, North Dakota for one year and Concordia from 1924 - 1928, where he took Greek, Latin, and Music. Following graduation, he taught English in Ryder, North Dakota for a year and then became the principal at Deering, North Dakota. He went on to become the Dean of Men, Choir Director, and History teacher at Pleasant View Luther College. When the college closed four years later, he got a job teaching English in George, Iowa, where he met his wife, Magdalyn Baumgaertner. Magdalyn's father was the minister at the church where Elvin directed choir.
From the description of Elvin Martin Akre Oral History Interview 1980. (Eugene Public Library). WorldCat record id: 183207683
