Bio of EKLUND, Nels P. (b.1860), Hennepin Co., MN
=========================================================================
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information
on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities,
as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is
obtained from the contributor of the file.
These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or
presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to
use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written
consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter,
and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.

If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives 
Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm
Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find 
the submitter information or other files for this county.
FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives

Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Laura Pruden
Submitted: June 2003
=========================================================================
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
========================================================
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
========================================================

NELS P. EKLUND - Vol III, pg 422-423
One of the representative merchants in the city of Minneapolis is Nels P.
Eklund, president of the Eklund Clothing Company at East Hennepin and Fourth
street. He was born in Sweden, on the 10th of August, 1860, a son of Peter and
Aleana Pearson Eklund, natives of that country, where they resided until death.
Nels P. Eklund received his education in the public schools of his native
country and after putting his textbooks aside worked for three and one-half
years in a general mercantile store in Sweden. At the age of eighteen years he
came to the United States and located at Burlington, Iowa, where he held various
positions for three years. He then became a clerk in a clothing store and
remained in that capacity twelve years, during that time taking advantage of
every opportunity that presented itself to become thoroughly familiar with every
phase of the business. In 1894 he came to Minneapolis and made his initial step
in mercantile circles on his own account. The business was conducted under the
name of Nelson & Eklund and was located at No. 419 East Hennepin avenue, then
known as Central avenue. One year later the business was removed to its present
location at No. 401 East Hennepin avenue. Mr Nelson and Mr. Eklund remained in
partnership for ten years and then Mr. Eklund bought out his partner and changed
the name of the firm to the Eklund Clothing Company, by which name it is now
known. The Eklund Clothing Company was incor­porated in 1910 and Mr. Eklund
became president. Under his executive guidance the business has had a steady
growth and it is one of the representative enterprises in Minneapolis and one of
the oldest mercantile firms in this city.
Mr. Eklund has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Anna Swanson of
Burlington, Iowa, who died in December, 1900. Mr. Eklund was married the second
time in Minneapolis, in August, 1904, Miss Augusta Swanson of this city becoming
his wife. He is the father of the following children: Arnold and Alan, twins,
who are graduates of the East high school; Neil Bayard; and Marie. Mrs. Eklund
is a woman of charming personality, prominent in the club and social circles of
this city, and greatly interested in church work and various charitable
organizations.
In his political views Mr. Eklund is a republican and he maintains an active
interest in party affairs, although he has never sought nor desired political
preferment. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. He belongs to Emanuel Lutheran church, and is a zealous church worker,
being a member of the board of the church and has been a trustee for over twelve
years. Mr. Eklund is one of the thirteen men who organized the St. Anthony
Commercial Club, and was a member of the board of directors of that organization
for many years. He holds membership in the Odin Club, the Minneapolis Auto Club,
the Minneapolis Civic and Commerce Association and the Twin City Golf Club. He
finds recreation from hid many business duties in the great out-of-doors, is a
lover of golf, and is fond of motoring and fishing. The success he has achieved
since coming to America is the result of his own intelligently directed efforts,
stanch determination and laudable ambition and Minneapolis is proud to number
him among her foremost citizens and most substantial business men.