P.J. Quandahl

P. J. Quandahl, an honored and respected citizen of Waterloo township, was born in Norway, March 25, 1851, and is a son of Jacob N. Quandahl, also a native of that country, who came to America with his wife and family in 1854 and settled first in Winneshiek county. From there he moved three years later to Waterloo township, Allamakee county, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, a property which he afterward sold, buying another farm on section 30. Here he operated a grist mill and a mercantile store in partnership with his two sons, the subject of this review and his brother Nels. They were very successful in the conduct of this enterprise and the father became one of the prosperous and prominent business men of this vicinity. He died in Waterloo township at the age of sixty-eight, having survived his wife only a short time. Three children were born to their union, of whom only one, the subject of this review, now survives.

P. J. Quandahl was reared in his parents' home, having come with them to America when he was three years of age. When he had attained his majority he joined his father and his brother Nelse in the conduct of a grist mill and a general store and also in the operation of one hundred and eighty acres of land in Waterloo township. Their association continued for seventeen years, at the end of which time the property was divided between the two sons. P. J. Quandahl now owns one hundred and sixty acres of improved land and gives a great deal of his time to its cultivation, although he also follows his trade as a millwright. He has recently turned over eighty acres of his land, and his mill, to his two oldest sons. He has at all times conducted his business interests in a careful and capable manner and has gained recognition as one of the resourceful and farsighted business men of this locality.

In 1873 Mr. Quandahl was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Severson, a native of Norway, and they became the parents of nine children. Jacob and Knut are in partnership with their father, operating the mill and part of the homestead. Both are married and Jacob has two children, Evelyn P. and Truman J. The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Quandahl are as follows: Helen, who married Alfred Opheim, of Montana; Sarah, the wife of Michael Bakkum, of Spring Row, Minnesota; Clara, the wife of George Burnett; Martha, who married S. Johnson, of McKenzie county, North Dakota; Bertha P., who resides at home; Elmer, of Montana; and Olaf S., also at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Quandahl is a republican in his political beliefs and is interested in community growth and advancement. He has served in an able and efficient manner as trustee of Waterloo township and never neglects the duties of citizenship. He has now made his home in Allamakee county for fifty-six years and his life record, ever honorable and upright, has gained for him the warm esteem and unqualified confidence of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Jan Miller

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