INDUSTRTY AND ECONOMY THE SECRET OF SUCCESS
So Says Class Nordstrom, Who Began on 85 Cents at 21 and Retired on Competence at 58

Class Nordstrom has been busy for a week or two adding sleeping porches to his home.   Thus does he keep abreast with the aesthetic and hygienic requirements of this age. To sleep in the open, where the fresh, cool night air fills the lungs, tends not only to comfort, but to general health and longevity.   Many sleep in tents on the lawn or on the roof, but in time even modern house will have its sleeping porches, the architict [sic] will count them an essential feature in the plans.    Mr. Nordstrom's house, already comfortable and elegant is improved by this addition.

By the way, Class Nordstrom is a good example of life-success to set before the young men of today. With sleeves rolled up he was taking part in the work of building the sleeping porches, but he doesn't have to work. He was never an idler or a loafer, and is not now elegible to membership in thy ancient order of the Sons of Rest of the curbstone variety, but he has reached a point in life where he can take things easy. He is not rich—that is, not absurdly rich, but is beyond the reach of want, above the necessity of hard work that pressed upon him in earlier life. He might have kept on toiling in the fields, piling up dollars, but some six years ago he knew he had enough and quit to give the other fellows a chance. He was also kindly warned by nature through certain physical ills that he had better let up—he had overworked his powers. He began early in life to work and save with a wise economy and with a definite purpose, looking forward to this very time when enjoyment, not struggle, should be his occupation.

He was born in Sandhem, Sweden, in 1848. His father died when he was eight years old, leaving the mother with seven children, all younger than Class—four boys and three girls. They were of the common people, that class which Lincoln said God loves because he made so many of them. The father left his family no great inheritance for it is not easy to lay up money in the older countries. At ten years Class went out to work to help maintain the family. He worked on a farm and then he drove a team of horses in railroad work. Here he learned the lessons of industry and economy that served him well through after life. Even with the small wages he received he laid up $50 the first year and then $110 the next and so on. While boys in their teens he and his brother, Axel, resolved to go to America where greater opportunities and larger rewards for their labors would open to them. It took them four years to save enough to take them over the sea.   The two boys then emerging into manhood put their savings together and had enough to buy passage for one. Axel came first, and in a year sent, back money for Class to come. When he reached his brother in Henderson county, Ill., Class had just 85 cents in his pocket. It was enough for a nest egg. He went to work for Jonathan Chandler, brother of Mrs. Sutton, the doctor's wife. From that day on throughout his life he has never been, without money—never "broke" or in want. He worked for Mr. Chandler two years, but at the end of the first eight months he had $125 ahead. This he put at interest at 10 per cent. At the end of two years he and Axel put their earnings' together, bought a team and necessary farm implements, rented eighty acres of ground and Class went to farming while Axel continued to work out. They remained in Illinois eight years and laid up almost $500 a year. Then they moved to Iowa, Axel coming first.   This was in 1875.   Class came in '80 and engaged in buying and selling horses, making money at it.   In 1882 he was married and settled down to farm and home life.   The little birds do not tell us that there was any romance in his courtship and marriage, but like his business ventures he chose wisely and well the woman who was to be henceforth his partner in joy and sorrow, work and success. But there has been no sorrow, no regret.   The pathway shared by her has been bright—at least more sunshine than clouds.

The first farm was close to Norwich. This he sold and bought another near Bingham which he still owns, a farm of 550 acres. Lived on this farm twelve years, worked hard at farming and stock-raising. Worked too hard—doing all his work in the winter time, himself, a hired man only in summer. He made his fortune at farming. At the end of the twelve years he rented the big farm and bought 80 acres just south of Shenandoah, where Charley Banner lives now—bought it for $82 an acre, sold it for $169. It is now worth $225 an acre.
Thus has Mr. Nordstrom won success, by persistent industry, foresight, living within his means, saving his earnings, good habits and making his money earn more money. The whole secret is in earning and saving. With financial success comes other success—better home, more comforts, greater conveniences, culture, refinement, the association of noble men and women, the opportunity to do good and assist others, the joy of a well spent life. He got his education in the school of hard knocks. He puts the right valuation on his wealth, for he earned it. He is confident that if he should lose all he has he could go out and win success again. Every young man can win success if he will work, save, live right. There are just as good openings now as there ever was. There are diamonds under our feet still.

[Sentinel Post, Shenandoah, Iowa, May 21, 1912]