Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 560
GUNNAR E. NORDAKER

Gunnar E. NORDAKER, one of the enterprising business men of Dunlap, has been a resident of the city since the spring of 1884. He is a native of Norway, born September 10, 1863. His parents were Erick and Christena NORDAKER, who reared a family of nine children. At the age of fourteen years our subject engaged as a clerk in a general store. He received his education at the High Schools of his native country, and also took a business course, preparatory to entering a business establishment. He followed office work in the mercantile business until he left Norway, in 1884, coming direct to Dunlap, Iowa. Upon his arrival he almost immediately engaged with PATTERSON, DALLY & CO., in their general store, and there remained until the firm was changed to M. C. DALLY & Co., and continued with the firm until October, 1889, when he established his present business. He started in with a small stock of general merchandise, and has increased until he now carries one of the largest in the county. Through good business principles, he has built up a large trade throughout Harrison, Crawford, Monona and Shelby Counties. He has in his employ, five well-trained clerks, besides extra help on special occasions.

Mr. NORDAKER may well be termed a self-made business man, who had nothing to start with in life except energy and perseverance. Politically he is a Republican, yet is not a radical party man, believing in the theory that the best men should hold the local offices. Like so many of the intelligent business men of Harrison County, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Order, as well as of the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America.

He was married July 3, 1888, to Miss Ida M. DUNSTON, who was born in Dunlap April 4, 1870. She is the daughter of William and Jane (KEAST) DUNSTON. The father is deceased, and the mother lives in Dunlap.

The home circle of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of one child, Inger Erik, born February 27, 1890. Mrs. NORDAKER is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Return to 1891 Biographical N Surnames Index

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