Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

George Sundholm, who is proprietor of the only hotel in Albert City, is a native of Sweden, born in the city of Ebsjo [sic], April 25, 1863, a son of Olaf and Christine (Ohlstrand) Sundholm.  The former was a dyer by trade but is now deceased.  The mother still survives and is living at the old home.  The son spent his boyhood and early youth in his native country but at the age of sixteen years, foreseeing that there was no future there for him and having heard much of the new country, he resolved to try his fortune in America and accordingly set sail at Goteborg, Sweden, for Bremen, Germany, making his way thence to Baltimore, Maryland, the trip between the two latter places requiring one month.  He at once made his way to Monmouth, Illinois, where lived relatives.  He spent seven years in that city, being employed by the Wier Plow Company.  His first duties were to run the machinery but he was later promoted until he became assistant shipping clerk.

Believing that farming might prove more congenial, however, Mr. Sundholm in 1885 made the overland journey, a distance of four hundred and fifty miles, from Monmouth to Pocahontas county, Iowa, and located on one hundred and twenty acres of prairie land, which he had previously purchased.  He built a home and improved the place, making his home thereon for one year.  He then removed to a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Fairfield township, Buena Vista county, which had been broken, but there were no buildings on the place.  Mr. Sundholm then built fences and erected a house and substantial outbuildings and in due course of time added an additional one hundred and sixty acre tract, all of which is located on section 28, Fairfield township.  He continued to follow agricultural pursuits until the 1st of October, 1908, when he removed to Albert City and opened up a hotel, which he is now conducting with good success, having the only' enterprise of the kind here.  He has sold his farm here but still owns a half section of land in St. James, Minnesota.  While on the farm he was for ten years a salesman for the International Harvester Company and left their employ only a few months ago.

It was in Monmouth, Illinois, that Mr. Sundholm was married on the 27^th of July, 1886, the lady of his choice being Miss Lena Carlson, likewise a native of Sweden.  She came to America when a young lady.  By her marriage she has become the mother of four children:  Edith, the wife of Ed Swanson, by whom she has one child; Emy [sic], now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Johan Elmer, who is on the father's farm; and Edwin, at home.

Mr. Sundholm gives his political support to the republican party and for the past eight years has served as a member of the school board.  He and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church.  His hostelry ranks favorably with those of many a larger place and its genial proprietor neglects nothing that can add to the comfort of the guests, while as a citizen he is highly esteemed.