Bio of GRIMSRUD, Christian (b.1864), 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

CHRISTIAN GRIMSRUD - Vol III, pg 76-79
A notably successful career is that of Christian Grimsrud, whose life history is
an interesting one, indicating what may be accomplished when determination,
diligence and courage lead the way. From an early age he has been
self-supporting and his enterprise and ability have carried him steadily forward
until he now ranks with the foremost representatives of mercantile interests in
Minneapolis. He is one of Norway's native sons, his birth having occurred at
Drammen on the 5th of September, 1864, and his parents, Andrew and Karen
Grimsrud, were also natives of that country. In 1870 they emigrated to the
United States, and making their way to the Northwest, settled at Atwater,
Minnesota. Three weeks later the mother was killed by lightning, thus leaving
the father with four small children to care for. The father secured employment
with the Minneapolis & Pacific Railroad Com­pany, working for ten cents per
hour, or a dollar a day. He subsequently moved to Milnor, North Dakota, where
his death occurred.
Christian Grimsrud received very limited educational advantages, attending the
country schools near his home, and was obliged to lay aside his textbooks when
he had advanced no further than the fourth reader. He was employed at farm labor
until 1882, when he secured a clerical position in the shoe department of a
general store at Fargo, North Dakota, operated by the firm of Yerxa Brothers,
receiving a salary of forty dollars per month. He remained with them until 1885,
when he came to Minnesota and was employed in a shoe store in St. Paul for five
years. In September, 1890, he organized the shoe department of the Golden Rule
Department Store, with which he was connected until 1898. He then went to
Chi­cago, Illinois, and opened the shoe department for the Hillman company, one
of the leading department stores of that city, and there organized and carried
on a large business. He remained in their service for two years and in the fall
of 1900 came to Minneapolis, entering the wholesale shoe business, with which he
has since been connected. Broad practical experience, initiative and
administrative ability have enabled him to build up a business of large
proportions and he conducts his interests under the style of the Grimsrud Shoe
Company, of which he is president. The concern produces the "Wear-U-Well" brand
of shoes, which it distributes direct to consumer through one thousand and
thirty retail branches, in which its brand of shoes is sold exclusively. Owing
to the merit of the shoes and well placed advertisements this brand of footwear
has become widely and favorably known. The company employs a large number of
people, including twelve traveling auditors who constantly keep in touch with
the retail branches. The success of the firm is attributed to the fact that Mr.
Grimsrud has made the "square deal" a principle of his life, never
misrepresenting his goods and always treating patrons with courtesy and
consideration.
On the first of January, 1885, Mr. Grimsrud was married to Miss Severine Hamborg
of Fargo, North Dakota, and they have three children, two sons and a daughter.
Aimer O., the eldest of the family, conducts a large shoe business at Kansas
City, Missouri. At the time of the destructive forest fire at Moose Lake,
Minnesota, he did heroic work as a member of the motor corps. Regna C. married
George W. Hanson, who is also connected with the Grimsrud Shoe Company. George
T. is serving as secretary of the Grimsrud Shoe Company.
Mr. Grimsrud is the possessor of a genial, affable disposition and his
appreciation of the social amenities of life finds expression in his membership
with the Odin Club. Mr. and Mrs. Grimsrud are members of the Salem English
Lutheran church. He occupies an enviable position in business circles of
Minneapolis and is loyal to all those interests which make for honorable manhood
and progressive citizenship. The conditions of his early youth aroused his
self-reliance "and independence, developing in him a forceful personality and
strength of will, which have enabled him to cope with the problems of life and
find for them a ready and accurate solution. The most envious cannot grudge him
his success, so worthily and honorably has it been won.