Trails to the Past

Steele County North Dakota Biographies 

North Dakota History and People
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Chicago, Ill. 1917

KNUTE H. BRUNSDALE, one of the prominent figures in the development of North Dakota, was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, May 1, 1855, and passed away January 10, 1899.  Although his life record was of comparatively short duration, covering a little less than forty-four years, he accomplished much in the attainment of success and in his contribution to the world’s work, he was a son of Knute Halverson Brunsdale, who took his family name from the place of his birth, the latter syllable signifying “dalen” or dale and the first syllable meaning ‘ brun” or well. The name, however, has been anglicized in its present form. The father was born in Norway about 1820 and came to the United States in 1840.  About the same time Miss Gunild Olson Veglie crossed the Atlantic and they were subsequently married. Representatives of the Brunsdale family in the United States were of sturdy stock and were fairly well educated and thrifty people. They gave their children all the advantages of the common schools and as Knute H. Brunsdale was a studious youth be made the most of his educational privileges. He was also a diligent student of the Bible and acquired a broad fund of information on scriptural subjects. After completing his com-mon school studies he took a business course in a commercial college at La Crosse, Wisconsin, and in 1882 he came to the territory of Dakota, acquiring land in Steele county. There he began the work of reclaiming the land from the prairie and met all of the hardships and privations incident to residence on the frontier, but his labors were wisely, carefully and systematically directed and brought splendid results as the years went on.

In 1886 Mr. Brunsdale was elected county treasurer of Steele county by a very large majority and was twice reelected to the office, his efficiency in business methods demonstrated itself in his organization of the financial system of the county, which was long remembered by his fellow citizens. He retired from office to resume the pursuits of agricultural life and became one of the foremost farmers of the county, acquiring one and a half sections of land nine miles west of Hatton, upon which farm he resided until his death, devoting his time to the further development and improvement of his land, which he con-verted into a valuable farm property. He was also one of the pioneers in banking circles in North Dakota and in teaching the public those lessons of finance which have made his part of the state unusually prosperous. He became a leader in local banking circles, figuring actively in the, successful conduct of a number of banking institutions. He was president of the State Bank of Portland, president of the State Bank of Finley and vice president of the Goose River Bank, and his sound judgment was a feature in their successful management and control.

At Decorah, Iowa, on the 29th of May, 1888, Mr. Brunsdale was married to Miss Margaret Nordgaard, a daughter of Nels and Kline Nordgaard. She was born in Norway, June 1, 1860, a year before her parents came to the United States, at which time they made settlement in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Brunsdale became the parents of seven children, of whom two are deceased. Those who survive are George Elmer, Clarence Norman, Kristian Edward, Anna Elizabeth and Karl Henry.

The death of the husband and father occurred January 16, 1899, subsequent to which time Mrs. Brunsdale took charge of the large estate and her administration thereof has been characterized by marked business ability. It is said that the property under her management has been increased many times in value. She is the presiding genius and active business manager of the estate, which comprises a very large area of fertile and valuable farm lands in Steele and Traill counties, besides many other important interests and investments, over which she holds the stewardship. She was a worthy helpmate to her husband during his lifetime and has been a capable successor to him in the management of the business affairs which he left. Mrs. Brunsdale and her family are members of the Lutheran church and her children have been educated at the Lutheran College. Mr. Brunsdale was always a firm believer in the cause of education and it was his desire that his children should have excellent advantages along that line. For several years and up to the time of his death he was a member of the board of trustees of the State Normal School and an eloquent tribute was paid his memory by resolutions that were passed by the Normal School board on the day following his demise. He was a very strong advocate of prohibition and gave of his time and money in order that North Dakota might enter the Union as a prohibition state. Everywhere he was known he was spoken of in terms of the highest regard. His ability brought him prominently before the public in his business relations and his life record indicated what might he accomplished when determination and energy lead the way.  The integrity of his business methods was unassailable and his life history proved that success and an honored name may he won simultaneously.

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