T. O. Lund
T. 0. Lund needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is a member of the firm of Lund Brothers, general merchants of Northwood, and one of the foremost business men of Worth county. Closely studying business situations, he has been able to direct his efforts along lines where fruition is certain. He has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way and his progressiveness and even-paced energy have carried him into important relations. He belongs to that valued class of citizens that Norway has furnished to this state. His birth occurred in Voss, January 18, 1867, His, parents being Ole Nelson Ygre and Svgre (Styrkdotter) Ygre, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun, where they spent their entire lives.
T. 0. Lund was reared in his native country and acquired his education in the district schools there. He was one of a family of thirteen children and his youthful days were spent upon the small farm which was cultivated by his father. He was ambitious to do something for himself at an early age and when a youth of but fifteen years he struck out on his own account. He bid adieu to friends and native country, he turned his face westward and secured passage on the old steamship City of Rome bound for the United States. He had no relatives in this country and after landing in New York city with but a single dollar in his pocket he at once started westward and ultimately reached Northwood, Iowa, where he arrived a stranger in a strange land, without funds and with an indebtedness for his passage money to this country. He had found it necessary to borrow sixty dollars to bring him to the United States. Necessity therefore rendered it imperative that he obtain immediate employment and he at once sought work, which he secured in the wagon shop of Hans Madison, by whom he was employed for five years. During this period he carefully saved his money, for he was ambitious to advance and become something more than a wagon maker in the employ of others. He then went to Decorah, Iowa, where he pursued a course in Slack's Commercial College, from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1888. He then returned to Northwood and secured a position as clerk in the general store of J. M. Henderson, acting in that capacity for three years. In January, 1891, he entered into partnership with Albert Holland and purchased the business of the old pioneer firm of Johnson & Klove, which at that time was the oldest business firm in Northwood. Mr. Lund began his independent business career as a member of the firm of Holland & Lund, general merchants, and the partnership was maintained until 1898, at which time Mr. Lund disposed of his interest in the firm and because of impaired health spent about a year and a half in recuperation. On the 1st of September, 1899, he formed a partnership with N. . Christianson, forming the firm of Christianson & Lund, general merchants. This association was maintained until July 25, 1904, when Mr. Lund withdrew from the firm and on the 1st of October of the same year entered into partnership with his brother, 0. 0. Lund under the firm style of Lund Brothers. They have since conducted one of the leading mercantile enterprises of the city and enjoy a large, growing and prosperous business. They carry an attractive and extensive line of goods and put forth every effort to please their patrons, while their business methods conform to the highest standards of commercial ethics. Mr. Lund is also the president of the Northwood Savings Bank, is a stockholder in the First National Bank and a stockholder in the Worth County State Bank and the Forest City Bank. He was one of the organizers and heavy stockholders of the Northwood Telephone Company, of which he served as a director until recent date, when it was sold to the Western Electric Company. He is likewise a stockholder and a director in the Northwood Lumber Company; a stockholder in the Northwood Kensett Electric Company; and a stockholder in the Farmers Butter & Cheese Association, and also the Farmers Elevator Company. He owns considerable city property and a number of tracts of farm lands in Minnesota and is today one of the most substantial citizens of Worth county, a position which he has reached entirely through his own efforts.
On the 8th of September, 1898, Mr. Lund was united in marriage to Miss Currie G. Johnson, of Northwood, a daughter of E. L. and Marie E. Johnson, both of whom were natives of Norway, born near Christiania in 1841. They came to the United States on one of the old-time sailing vessels in 1857 and settled in Monroe, Wisconsin, where they were married in 1868. In 1873 they removed to Northwood and the same year the father organized the firm of Johnson & Klove, establishing the business to which Mr. Lund and A. Holland succeeded in 1891. The parents of Mrs. Lund are both now deceased
Mr. Lund is well known in fraternal circles. He belongs to Northern Light Lodge, NO. 266, A. F. & A. M., and he was one of the active movers in the erection of the Masonic Temple of this city. He also belongs to Herndon Chapter, No. 137, R. A. M., and he is today the only remaining charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America in Northwood. He likewise has membership) with Ryuken Lodge, No. 173, of the sons of Norway. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and in 1906 he was elected to the board of councilmen of Northwood and has served continuously since. He has the most unusual and highly to be commended record of having never missed a council meeting since his first election twelve years ago. He has indeed been most loyal to the interests of his city and has put forth every effort on his part to promote its progress and upbuilding and to uphold its civic standards. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and they closely adhere to its teachings. Mr. Lund certainly deserves great credit for what he has achieved. He came to the new world a poor boy, unacquainted with the language of the people, but actuated by a determined spirit and the laudable ambition of accomplishing something for himself. He has never faltered in the accomplishment of his purpose and each forward step he has taken has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He has displayed marked sagacity and keen discrimination in placing his investments and has so directed his labors that he is today one of the most prominent business men of Worth county, controlling interests of large volume. Moreover, he is a most loyal and patriotic citizen of Northwood and on more than one occasion has sacrificed his own interests to build up and advance the welfare of the city and promote its prestige.
SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 90-92
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, January 5, 2006