Nils M. Lunde

Nils M. Lunde was born in 1881 in Stavanger, Norway.  He was the eldest son of Martin and Carn Lunde who immigrated from Norway to Griggs County in 1882.  He died in 1956.

Nils M. Lunde joined Greenland Farm Machinery firm in 1908 and the name was changed to Greenland Lunde Company.  The firm sold farm equipment including Case steam engines and separators, Delco light plants, Mogel tractors, Overland and Buick automobiles and a complete line of seeders, drags, buggies, binders.  The company obtained the John Deere franchise in approximately 1925 and later the Chevrolet franchise also.  He was active in this business until 1946 and was elected president of the North Dakota Implement Dealers Association in this period of time.

Mr. Lunde served as president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, board member of the Griggs County Oil Company, in partnership with Martin Garlid and Martin Bolstad in the construction of the J. C. Penney building as owners.

Mr. Lunde was elected mayor in 1918 and during his term a bond issue was passed for the Cooperstown Water Works.  This action helped establish Cooperstown as one of the most progressive and booming trade centers in the state.  He served as a county commissioner.  The commission was known as one of the hardest boiled boards of county commissioners in the state.  He was active in the Trinity Lutheran Church serving on various boards including the board of trustees.  He was a long time member of the fire department also.

In 1910 Nils married Clemence Krantz of Enderlin, North Dakota.  The children born were: 

1.     Eunice

2.     Donald (died in childhood)

3.     Mayvis

4.     Lorraine

5.     Corinne

6.     Arlys

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 72