Anundsen, Brynild 1844 - 1913

ANUNDSEN, HOFFSTREM, HEGG

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/18/2024 at 10:14:29

Source: Decorah Republican Mar 27, 1913 P2 C3-4

DEATH CLAIMS B. ANUNDSEN
After an illness of two years and a half from paralysis, B. Anundsen, founder of Decorah Posten, died at his home on East Main street, Tuesday morning, March 25th, 1913, aged 68 years, 2 months and 24 days. He is survived by his wife and young son B. B., and his son F. H. Anundsen by his first marriage.
Brynild Amundsen was born December 29, 1844, in the city of Skien, Norway, where he grew to young manhood. At the age of seven years necessity compelled the subject of this sketch to take up life’s battle on his own account, and at the age of fifteen he had learned the printer’s trade. Subsequently he spent two years before the mast as a sailor. In 1864 he came to America, locating in Wisconsin where he engaged in various occupations. Late in 1865 he enlisted in the 22d Wisconsin Infantry, serving for about two months, when the war closed and he was mustered out. He always referred to this service jokingly, but had the war continued he would have served well and faithfully as he did in all things that he undertook. On returning to Wisconsin he worked as a compositor on one of the pioneer Norwegian newspapers—Faederlandit. In 1866 at La Crosse he started “Ved Arnen,” the first Norwegian magazine to be published in America and continued until 1868. In that year the Lutheran Synod made him a proposition to move to Decorah to do their printing. He accepted, and until 1877, when the Lutheran Publishing House was established he printed their various church papers, etc. He also printed “For Hjemmet,” a literary publication edited by the late Prof Siewers and others. He also continued the publication of “Ved Arnen” and established a local Norwegian paper called “Fra Fjernt og Naer.” In 1870 he discontinued these, but in 1874 he launched Decorah-Posten and from that year he began to prosper. Progress was slow at first but gradually his paper became known in a wider and constantly widening field until in the late eighties it found its way to almost every quarter of the globe. In 1885 he resumed the publication of “Ved Arnen” as a supplement to the “Posten,” and in 1895 or 1896 changed to the semi-weekly form. Increase of business demanded the newer and more modern equipment, and he augmented his plant until he made Decorah known as the smallest city in the United States possessing the facilities of the large city dailies. He might have done a greater business and increased his wealth many times had he chosen to go to a larger city and follow the usual course of most of the big newspapers, but in an early day he set a standard by which he governed his course, and often he refused lucrative offerings that another would have accepted unquestioningly, simply because he felt that an acceptance would lower the tone of his paper and he himself, would be placed in a questionable position.
His activities were not confined to his business. He was one of the charter members and for many years president of Norske Selskab of Decorah, and later one of the founders and the first president of Norske Selskab of America. He was also a moving spirit and first president of the Scandinavian Press Association of America, and it is a notable fact that he was the most beloved man in the organization, being on terms of sincere friendship with all its members. He was also a member of Symra, the local literary society.
In his business and social relations in his home community he claimed a large acquaintance in the closest friendship and thorough respect. He took an active interest in all matters that were for the welfare of the city, the county and the state, and he was always a generous contributor to the various public enterprises of the community.
While Mr. Anundsen never sought honors his achievement did not pass unnoticed. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of Decorah-Posten he was given a testimonial banquet by his countrymen which was attended by friends and people of note from both near and far, and in 1906 he was decorated by King Haakon with the title of knight of first rank of the Order of St. Olaf.
Mr. Anundsen’s home life was ideal in its happiness and devotion. On October 26, 1865, he was married at La Cross to Matilda Hoffstrem. There followed years of struggle in which often it was difficult to keep the wolf from the door, but when Miss Hoffstrom became his wife she also became his helpmeet in the fullest sense, and in a souvenir which he issued at the time of Posten’s twenty-fifth anniversary Mr. Anundsen told with pardonable price the story of her devotion and how, but dint of unremitting toil she helped him to tide over the periods when it seemed impossible for them to continue in business. Three children were born to them—two sons and a daughter. The latter died in young girlhood and his oldest son—Arthur F. Anundsen—passed away three years ago. Mrs. Anundsen died on January 2, 1899. On August 10, 1891 Mr. Anundsen was married to Helma Hegg . One son was born to them.
Mr. Anundsen was a member of the United Lutheran church and the local congregation has cause to remember him for many large and timely contributions toward the maintenance of its property as well as to the various funds and benevolences.
Three years ago this spring friends of the deceased were aware that his health was failing. At that time his ailment was not considered serious but in the fall he sustained a slight stroke of paralysis, followed soon after by another and severer one which made him an invalid and has since confined him to his home, except as he was able to be out in a wheel chair. Every care and attention that the thoughts of a loving family and friends could suggest have been bestowed upon him and it will be a happy memory to them that they were in some measure permitted to repay in devotion the kindness and consideration that he showed for all who came near to him in his days of strength and health.
In his daily walk it was his wish and aim to be worthy of the respect of his fellowmen and to do those things that build for manhood, and he leaves to his family and friends a heritage of accomplishment that marked him as one of America’s foremost foreign born citizens.
The funeral will be held this afternoon at two o’clock, brief service at the home preceding service at the church, Rev. O. E. Schmidt officiating. Interment will e made in the Norwegian cemetery.

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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