KULANDER, HENRY, D. D. S.

KULANDER, DAHL, THORNBLAD

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 1/29/2004 at 13:07:59

Biography reproduced from page 244 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Dr. Henry Kulander, who is the only representative of the dental profession in Swea City, where he has built up an excellent practice and is held in high esteem as a citizen, was born in Winthrop, Minnesota, June 19, 1872. He is a son of the late Swan and Anna Kulander, who were born, reared and married in Sweden. They emigrated to the United States in 1868, settling in Sibley county, Minnesota. There the father acquired government land in the vicinity of the present site of the town of Winthrop. That section of the state was but sparsely settled at that time and Mr. Kulander’s nearest trading post was St. Peter, which was located thirty miles away. Despite the many obstacles and hardships that confronted him, he set himself energetically to cultivating and improving his land, and during the succeeding thirty years had the satisfaction of seeing it develop into one of the attractive and valuable properties of that section. The latter years of his life Mr. Kulander spent in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Dahl, who lived near the old homestead, and there he passed away. The mother died some years previously.

The early life of Dr. Henry Kulander was passed on the farm where he was born. In common with other country lads he assisted his father with the work of the fields and care of the stock while pursuing his elementary studies in the district schools. When he had attained his manhood he went to Rock Island and entered Augustana College, remaining a student of that institution for three years, during which period he completed his academic course. Having decided to adopt dentistry for his life vocation he subsequently matriculated in the College of Dentistry at Keokuk, this state, being graduated from there with honors in 1904, after a three year course. Immediately after being awarded his degree he returned to Winthrop, Minnesota, where he was located for a short time, but in September, 1904, he came to Swea City, where he has ever since been established. When he first came here Dr. Kulander opened an office in rooms over the Berggren meat market, but he later removed to his present quarters in the Nelson block. He is ambitious, and although he is without competition and has built up a lucrative practice, he is constantly striving to improve the standard of his work, and in 1910 went to Chicago and took a post-graduate course in the Northwestern Dental College. He keeps in close touch with the progress of his profession and the various scientific discoveries that are helpful in the practice of dentistry through the medium of different professional journals.

At Ashland, Wisconsin, on the 3d of August, 1904, Dr. Kulander was united in marriage to Miss Othelia Thornblad. The father was for many years a well known photographer at Ironwood, Michigan, where he passed away prior to the marriage of his daughter. The mother continued to make her home in Swea City, Iowa, until her death in 1906. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Kulander, as follows: Elliott Lawrence, who is six and a half years of age and is attending school; Henrietta, who is five and a half; and one child, who died in infancy.

Dr. and Mrs. Kulander are active members of the Swedish Lutheran church of this city and he is superintendent of the Sunday school. He maintains relations with his fellow practitioners through the medium of his connection with the State and District Dental Associations, and gives his political support to the republican party. Dr. Kulander is a man who takes a deep interest in all public questions, and while in college he was one of the active members of the various debating and literary societies. He has made many friends during his residence here and is highly esteemed in business, church and social circles of the town.