Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Gunderson, Olie 1845 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 8:06 am Author: History of Grundy County 1914 Gunderson, Olie (deceased) – Norway is well represented in Grundy County, for those of this far northern country were attracted here both by the mines and the agricultural possibilities. They prospered, too, for being willing to work and save, they forged ahead of those who looked for a royal road to fortune. One of the men who has made the name of his native country stand for honesty and uprightness, was the late Olie Gunderson of Nettle Creek Township. He was born in Norway, March 25, 1845, a son of Gunder and Asjer (Oswood) Gunderson. The father died in Norway, where he had been born and spent his useful life. In 1867, Mr. Gunderson left Norway, and came to Nettle Creek Township, Grundy County, Ill., where in 1874, he married Julia Johnson, also born in Norway, a daughter of John Johnson. After marriage, he rented an eighty-acre farm for two years in Saratoga Township and then rented for a year in Nettle Creek Township. By this time he was able to buy eighty acres in the latter township, to which he later added forty acres. This he improved and made into a fine farm, raising grain upon it until his death which occurred January 22, 1912. His wife died May 18, 1907. They had the following children: Gerhard, who is on the home farm; Ellen J., who died in infancy; Emma J. who was Mrs. Ed. Thorson, of Saratoga Township, is deceased; Effie, who is Mrs. Lewis Thorson, of Saratoga Township; Jane, who is Mrs. Ed. Wicks, of Erienna Township; Mary, who is Mrs. Peter Cassem, of Lisbon Township, Kendall County, Ill.; Joseph and Thor, who are on the home farm; Luella, who is Mrs. Bert Thorson, of Saratoga Township; Lilly, who is on the home place; Lillian E., who is Mrs. Earl Lynes; Julia, who died in infancy; and Lenora, who is on the home place. Mr. Gunderson was a Lutheran in religious faith, and enjoyed his church connections. Politically he was a Republican but never sought or desired office. A hard-working, thrifty man he provided for his family and left behind him an estate that proved his astute business judgment. Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. Publishers; 1914, p821 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/gunderso212nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 2.8 Kb