G.N. Nordgaard
G.N. Nordgaard, a well-to-do and prosperous agriculturist of
Waterloo township, was born in Norway in 1853, a son of Nels O.
And Eline Nordgaard. The parents were married in Norway and in
1861 emigrated to America, settling in Winneshiek county, Iowa,
where the father purchased land. He added to his holdings from
time to time and finally accumulated two hundred and twenty acres
of land, upon which he carried on the general farming and
stock-raising until his death. He passed away in 1912, at the
advanced age of ninety-two, and is survived by his wife, who
still resides upon the homestead. In their family were eleven
children: Ole, of Decorah, Iowa; G. N., the subject of this
review: Christian, deceased; Maria, at home; Olava, the wife of
Andrew Peterson, of Canada; Margaret, the widow of K. Brunsdale,
of North Dakota; John, a resident of South Dakota; Rev. Nels, of
Minnesota; Lena and Martin, both at home; and one, who died in
infancy.
G.N. Nordgaard acquired his education in the public schools of
Winneshiek county and graduated from a business college in
Decorah, having been only eight years of age when his parents
settled in Iowa. He was reared at home and from his childhood
assisted with the work of the farm, becoming in this way familiar
with the best agricultural methods and with everything connected
with farm operation. At twenty-nine he purchased the property
which he now owns and he has devoted practically all of his
attention to its development and cultivation since that time. He
has one hundred and twenty acres, which lie in Waterloo township
with the exception of eighty acres in Winneshiek county. His land
is highly improved, being provided not only with an excellent
residence but barns, outbuildings and modern machinery, and the
attention which he has given to it has made it one of the most
desirable properties in this locality. Mr. Nordgaard is president
of the Arctic Spring Creamery at Quandahl, Allamakee county, and
is a far-sighted and discriminating business man, his ability
being widely recognized in commercial circles.
In 1879 Mr. Nordgaard was united in marriage to Miss Berit
Haugen, a native of Norway, who came to America with her parents
in 1855 and settled in Winneshiek county, where her father and
mother passed away. She was one of five children born to their
union, two of whom survive. Mrs. Nordgaard died in 1906, leaving
ten children: Nels, who is married and is engaged in farming in
North Dakota; Germond, of North Dakota, who is married and is
engaged n farming and carpentering; Martin, who follows
agricultural pursuits in the same state; Albert, who is married
and resides upon his farm in North Dakota; Marie, taking a course
as trained nurse at Northwood, North Dakota; Katherine, at home;
John and Edwin, at home; Emma, who is taking the teachers’
course at Decorah; and Nora, at home.
Mr. Nordgaard gives his political allegiance to the republican
party, to which he has always been loyal, and he served his
township efficiently as assessor for ten years. He is well known
throughout Allamakee county and his progressive and enterprising
spirit has gained him the respect and esteem of the entire
community.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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