SONDROL, Andrew I.

SONDROL, HANN, PALMER, DENNEY

Posted By: Jennifer Gunderson (email)
Date: 3/14/2021 at 19:57:04

One of the estimable citizens of Clear Lake whose loss is still a matter of deep regret was Andrew I. Sondrol, of the firm of Halvorson and Sondrol, general mercantile dealers. Mr. Sondrol was born in Norway, December 11, 1856, and died in Clear Lake, October 22, 1906. He was the son of Iven and Mary (Hann) Sondrol, both of whom lived and died in their native place. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom are living. Three of these live in Norway, and Einor is a citizen of Esterville, Iowa.

Mr. Sondrol was reared on a farm in the mountainous district of Norway and received a good education, attending a college for a time. In 1876, when he was twenty years of age, he concluded to seek his fortunes in the land of great opportunity and resources as yet undeveloped, where a great many of his associates had preceded him. Upon landing he looked about him for awhile and then came on to Iowa, locating at Decorah, where for a year he attended the Norwegian College. He then found employment as a clerk, and in 1881 returned home on a three mouths' visit. The spring of 1882 found him again in the United States and located in Esterville, Iowa, where he established himself in the general merchandise business. In 1885 he sold out and in March of the ensuing year went to Clear Lake, which was to prove his permanent home. Here he entered a business partnership, forming the firm of Halvorson & Sondrol, this continuing until 1889, when Mr. Sondrol purchased his associate's interest and thereafter until his death conducted the business alone. He was a successful man and whatever success he achieved was due to his sound business methods and integrity. Politically he gave his support to the Republican party and denominationally M'as a Lutheran. He held membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.

On October 14, 1883, Mr. Sondrol was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Palmer, born at Spirit Lake, Iowa, November 29, 1864. She was the daughter of Eben and Lydia (Denney) Palmer, the former born at Canton, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1835, and the latter in Pennsylvania, May 5, 1838. These pioneers came west to Iowa, making the journey by wagon, and located at Spirit Lake, where for years the father was engaged in the hardware business. He retired from business some time ago and in 1908 came to Clear Lake, where they reside with Mrs. Sondrol. Besides his widow, Mr. Sondrol is survived by two children, Thorkel, who has conducted the store since his father's death, and Edith.

Source: WHEELER, J. H. History of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. Vol. II. Lewis Publ. Co. Chicago. 1910. Transcribed by Jennifer Gunderson (Mar 2021).