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Oscar E. Gunderson

Oscar E. Gunderson, who holds the responsible position of cashier of the Citizens Bank of Elgin, has the honor of being a native of this county. He was born in Clermont Township, on the 28th of October, 1864, and is a son of Ellef and Johanna Gunderson, both of whom were natives of Norway. His father was a religious teacher in the old country and after coming here followed the same calling for a short time. It was in the year 1858 that he, his wife and five children crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled in this county on a farm. He also acquired a farm in Mitchell County, Iowa, which he rented, and while on a trip to that place to look after his interests his death occurred in October, 1888, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. His wife still survives him and is now sixty years of age. Their family numbered ten children, as follows: Arney, a resident farmer of this county; Anna; Gunder, who is engaged in farming in Mitchell County, Iowa; John, who follows the same pursuit in this county; Gustaf, who is engaged in clerking in Elgin; Anton, a merchant of Elgin; Oscar E., whose name heads this sketch; Bertha, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Julia and Edwin.

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on his father's farm and his primary education, which was received in the common schools, was supplemented by a three years' course in Augsburg Seminary, of Minneapolis, Minn. On the completion of his school life, he returned to work upon the farm and followed that pursuit until March, 1885, when his present position was offered him. Accepting, he has since been cashier of the Citizens Bank of Elgin and proved himself worthy of the trust reposed in him.

On the 4th of May, 1885, Mr. Gunderson was united in marriage with Miss Anne O. Lien, daughter of Ole Lien, who on emigrating to America became one of the early settlers of Clayton County, Iowa, where the wife of our subject was born November 8, 1864. By their union have been born three interesting children, daughters, Ella, Rose and Lydia. Both Mr. Gunderson and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church and in political sentiment he is a supporter of Republican principles. He is recognized as an efficient bank cashier and has won the entire confidence not only of the trustees but also of the patrons of the bank