Bio of BACKDAHL, Axel Theodore (b.1877), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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A. T. BACKDAHL (Axel Theodore Backdahl) - Vol III, pg 427-428
A. T. Backdahl, cashier of the Gateway State Bank, is numbered among the native
sons of Sweden who, recognizing the opportunities of the new world, came to
Minne­sota and now constitute a most valuable and substantial class in her
citizenship. He was born in Jonkoping, Sweden, November 13, 1877, a son of Nels
J. and Kristina Backdahl, deceased, who were also natives of the same country.
There the father passed away.
A. T. Backdahl was educated in the schools of his native country, which he
attended to the age of sixteen years and then in 1893, attracted by the
favorable reports which he had heard concerning America and its opportunities,
he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world. Arriving
in New York city, he did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way at
once into the interior of the country, with Minneapolis as his destination. Here
he became connected with the drug trade of A. Backdahl & Company at No. 313
South Washington avenue, spending about five years in that establishment. He was
afterward for a year and a half an employe of the firm of A. D. Thompson &
Company and then entered the employ of the Swedish-American National Bank, with
which he remained until that institution was consolidated with the Northwestern
National Bank in November, 1909. He became associated with the
Scandinavian-American National Bank on its organization and was one of its
employes until September 15, 1915, when he became identified with the Gateway
State Bank, which was a newly organized institution, of which he was made
assistant cashier. In January, 1921, he was promoted to the position of cashier
and is proving a most courteous and obliging official, carefully safeguarding
the interests of the patrons and also of the institution. His business ability
has developed through the exercise of effort and he has become one of the
representative young bankers of Minneapolis who in the years of his connection
with the banking business has thor­oughly studied every phase thereof and
rendered his service of value to the institution which he represents.
On the 18th of August, 1913, Mr. Backdahl was married to Miss Gertrude C.
Nystuen of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and they have become parents of a daughter,
Margaret. They reside at No. 3920 Pleasant avenue. Mr. Backdahl certainly
deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. After coming to Minneapolis
he attended night school in order to learn the English language, studying in his
room until he had mastered the tongue of his adopted land. He also closely
observed manners and customs until he had become a part of the life of the
country and through earnest effort, determined purpose and laudable ambition he
has steadily worked his way upward in business circles until his position is an
enviable one. He is a member of the Odin Club.