Clarence Norman BRUNSDALE

1891 - 1978  (86 years)

• Name	Clarence Norman BRUNSDALE
  Birth	9 Jul 1891	Sherbrooke, Steele County, North Dakota, USA   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1951-1957	North Dakota, USA   [2, 3]
  	Governor
  	24th Governor of North Dakota.
  Occupation	19 Nov 1959-7 Aug 1960	Washington, District of Columbia, USA   [3]
  	U.S. Senator
  	He was appointed upon the death of Senator William Langer and served until the next special election.
  Residence	Nord Dakota, USA
  Death	27 Jan 1978	Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota, USA   [3]
  Notes	Manuscripts by Subject - Politics / Government - #10035 Title: Clarence Norman Brunsdale Papers Dates: ca. 1904-1974 Collection Number: 10035 Quantity: 3 ft. + oversize INTRODUCTION Provenance: The donor of this collection is Margaret Brunsdale Larson. Elizabeth Anderson delivered the collection to the Archives in June 2009 on behalf of Ms. Brunsdale Larson. Wendell Herman, head of the Brunsdale estate, is the executor of the gift agreement. Archives Specialist Emily J. Ergen prepared the inventory to the C. Norman Brunsdale Papers in August and September 2009. The biographical sketch was researched and written by Erlys Fardal. Property rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection. Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed. Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection, title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota all bibliographic references. Transfer: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH C. Norman Brunsdale, a man of ability, integrity, and vision, was dedicated to his community, state, and nation. Clarence Norman Brunsdale was born at Sherbrooke, Steele County, North Dakota, on July 9 1891. He was the son of Knute and Margaret Brunsdale. Although his first name was Clarence he was called by his middle name, Norman. At the time of his birth, C. Norman's father was serving as county treasurer. The Brunsdale family moved from their farm to Sherbrooke since the court house and Knute's office were located there. After serving two terms as treasurer, the family returned to their Beaver Creek Township farm. The county seat of Steele County had been moved from Sherbrooke to Finley, and the people and buildings were moving out of town. Knute kept his interest in banking in Finley and Portland while practicing modern farming even while working as treasurer. Knute, born in Wisconsin to Norwegian immigrant parents, was a man of unusual ability and high ideals, who was gifted with a fine mind. As a result, he was successful in all his undertakings. The family name had been Brunsdalen in Norway, but Knute's father dropped the "n" when he came to the United States. Knute Brunsdale passed away on January 17, 1899 while attending a board of education meeting of Mayville Normal College. He was 44 years of age and left his widow, Margaret, with five young children, ages 9 to unborn. Two years after Knute Brunsdale's death, Margaret moved to Portland, ND. She had emigrated from Norway with her parents when she was seven months old. Margaret possessed unusual business ability and took over where her husband had left off. Knute had left a sizeable estate and Margaret managed it. She added to the estate by purchasing grant lands in Trail, Steele, LaMoure and Stutsman Counties and by practicing good management. In 1920 the KC Brunsdale estate owned eleven sections of land in Trail County and fourteen sections in Steele County. Margaret Brunsdale died April 1, 1927. Even after she had moved to Portland, the family remained interested in farming and would ride horses out to the farm. The heirs, including Norman, managed the estate. Six children were born to Knute and Margaret Brunsdale. They were: Anna Elizabeth, born September 10, 1884, died October 2, 1991, married Joseph Kjos and lived in Mayville; George Elmer, born February 23, 1890, died March l, 1970. George made his adult home in Mayville; Clarence Norman, born July 9, l891, died January 27, 1978; Kristen Edward, born August 16 1892, died July 15, 1984, lived in Minneapolis; Karl, born October 30, l896, died December 2, 1967, was a resident of Fargo, ND; William Rudolph was born May 10, 1899, four months after his father's death. William was killed in an automobile accident in 1908. The oldest Brunsdale child was born 1889 and died at 7 months of age. Norman's education began when he lived on the Beaver Creek farm and attended school in the one-room school house in Beaver Creek Township. Although Elmer was older than Norman they started school together, but on the first day of school the two boys fled together from school. The next day their father took them back and that was the last time Norman fled from education. He finished his elementary and high school education at Portland. Norman completed four years of high school, and a business course at Bruflat Academy, a Lutheran boarding school in Portland. Both Norman and Elmer continued their education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Norman was popular at Luther and was elected president of his class as a freshman, sophomore, and junior. Tradition said that the class valedictorian was the senior president, so Norman missed having that position. Norman liked sports, but was very nearsighted, which kept him off teams. He did play tennis and baseball and managed the basketball team and gymnastics teams. He enjoyed debate, oratory, literary science, and worked on the college paper. In 1914 Norman graduated summa cum laude from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. After graduation Norman and Elmer returned to Mayville to begin a career in farming, but Bruflat Academy needed a business teacher and Norman was asked to fill the position. He thought it would only be for a short time or until they hired a teacher for the position, but ended up teaching for the entire year. In 1915 Norman and Elmer took over the management of the farming operations in Trail and Steele Counties. They had learned sound farming and financial practices from their father; the farms prospered. Norman and Elmer farmed some of the land themselves and rented some to tenants. In l920, the estate was divided with one fifth going to each living child of Knute and Margaret Brunsdale. Norman loved the farm and spent every day he could there; he was a real farmer. He planned the crops and the year's work as well as helping in the fields. Norman was generous to his tenants by helping them through the depression with feed and financing. He never asked to be paid back, but most tenants did repay his kindness. Norman continued farming until 1950 when he became governor. In l960, when he retired from his political career, Brunsdale farmed land near Hillsboro. In l968 he had an auction sale and retired from farming. Some people called Norman a banker because of his involvement with the Portland and Mayville banks, but he only spent a few hours a month at banking. Farming was always his vocation and he loved the farm. Norman Brunsdale married Carrie Lajord at her home in Minneapolis. They had met when Carrie was teaching at Bruflat Academy, but Norman was farming and did not get to know Carrie well until she returned to Minneapolis to teach. He attended Russell Grader Manufacturing Co. directors meetings there and contacted her, which lead to their courtship and marriage. After the wedding the couple returned to Mayville, where they made their home. In 1926 they built their family home in Mayville; Norman did much of the construction himself. He set aside a room for his office and it was the hub of his business activities and bookkeeping during his lifetime. Norman and Carrie raised two daughters, Margaret Marie, and Helen Lucille. Margaret graduated from the University of North Dakota (UND) and worked at the University of Minnesota. She married Edson G. Larson on October 8, l955 at the Governor's mansion in Bismarck. They resided in Mayville where Edson engaged in farming. Helen graduated from Vassar College, and held newspaper and other journalistic positions. Helen married Percy D. Williams on August 4, l954, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck. The couple made their home in Houston, Texas, where Mr. Williams practiced law. Norman's three granddaughters were born to them. In 1926 Norman was elected to the North Dakota State Senate from Trail County, which began a political career which would span the next 34 years. He was reelected in l930, but was defeated in 1934 by the Non-Partisan League (NPL) candidate. Norman nearly retired from politics at that time, but in l939 was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Henry Leum, the sitting senator, who had been killed in an automobile accident. Brunsdale was reelected in 1942 and 1946. He served as senate majority leader for three sessions and served as president pro tem in l943. He was a popular senator, and after the day's session other senators would gather around him for discussion. Brunsdale judged legislative bills on their merit, and centered his argument on the purpose of the measure and what it would do if enacted. In November 1950 C. Norman Brunsdale was elected Governor of North Dakota. The Republican Organizing Committee had recognized his outstanding performance in the senate, which was the main reason for his selection as their candidate for governor. On January 3, l951, C. Norman Brunsdale was sworn in as the twenty third Governor of North Dakota. Brunsdale was reelected in l952 and again in l954. A very popular governor, Brunsdale received four out of every five votes cast in the state. His margin of victory was 86,843 votes. In 1959, Norman returned to his home in Mayville, retiring after three terms as governor. During his terms as governor, C. Norman was a supporter of water development, and promoted the Garrison Dam and Conservancy district. The Dam was dedicated June 11, 1953. Brunsdale was also a champion of constructive legislation relating to agriculture, education, and mental illness. In l950 the Highway Department was established, and under Brunsdale, major highway bills were passed. C. Norman Brunsdale was called out of retirement in the fall of l959 to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by the death of William Langer. After initially declining the appointment and suggesting names of those he thought would better fill the position, Brunsdale was encouraged by his supporters and reluctantly accepted. He served until June 1960, when a special election was held and Quentin Burdick was elected to fill the U.S. Senate Seat. Norman Brunsdale's appointment was made by Governor John Davis. Brunsdale served seven months in Washington D.C. He and Carrie made their home in Washington, D.C. and enjoyed the experiences of national government. In 1960, Brunsdale announced his retirement from politics. Norman and Carrie returned to their home in Mayville, and Norman resumed his farming until 1968 when he had an auction sale. Although Norman and Carrie Brunsdale had many addresses in their lifetime Mayville was always their permanent residence. They lived in Bismarck from 1950 to 1959 and in Washington, D.C. from late l959 to June 1960. After retirement they spent winters in Arizona and California. Their last years were spent at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville. Much honor and recognition came to C. Norman Brunsdale because of his contributions to his state and community. In 1951, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa; He was a trustee of the college. He later received the Sioux award from UND for his support of higher education. Norman was named in Who's Who in North Dakota in l955 and l958. Brunsdale also served as chairman and an organizer of the Republican Organizing Committee, served on the Board of Directors of Concordia College in Moorhead (Minnesota), was a Director of the Lutheran Welfare Society, first President of Mayville State Teachers College Foundation, member of the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church from1932-1950 , President of the Goose River State Bank in Mayville, director of the First and Farmers Bank of Portland, Vice President of the Russell Grader Manufacturing Company, member of Mayville Lutheran Church (serving on the church council and as Congregation president), associate member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck, organized and served as President of the North Dakota Agricultural Business Council, headed the Heart Fund Campaign, and was a member of the Sons of Norway. Clarence Norman Brunsdale died January 27, 1978. Funeral services were held at Mayville Lutheran Church where he had been member for many years. His burial was at Mayville Cemetery. Carrie Brunsdale passed away March 23, l982. Clarence Norman Brunsdale was a man of the people, of the community, and of the state. He was dedicated to the betterment of the people of North Dakota. His calm and self confidence, along with good judgment, experience, and a sense of fairness, made him an effective leader. SOURCES: C. Norman Brunsdale Papers, MSS 11035, State Historical Society of North Dakota, State Archives, Carrie Brunsdale scrapbook, 1959-1971 (copy in box 1, folder 10; original in phase box). "C. Norman Brunsdale Remembered" (editorial), Traill County Tribune, 2/1/1978: 4. "Former ND Governor Dies at Age 86," Fargo Forum, 1/28/1978: 1-2. "Funeral Held for Former Governor C.N. Brunsdale," Traill County Tribune, 2/1/1978: 1. Hatton Centennial, l884-l984, published by Steele County Press (Finley, North Dakota), l983: 193. "He Does Everything Well, Friend Says of Brunsdale," Lloyd W. Sveen, Fargo Forum, 03/26/l950: 12. Mayville Diamond 75th Jubilee: Mayville, North Dakota, July 2, 3 & 4, 1956, 1956: 7 and 55. North Dakota Blue Book, 1942. North Dakota Blue Book, 1954: 47. Pillars of Time: A History of Pioneering on the Goose River Area of North Dakota from 1860 to the l920's, Thea Burner and Merilla Brasel, 1980: 96-97. A Saga of Two Cities, 1881-1981: A History of Mayville-Portland and the Area of the May-Port School District of Traill and Steele Counties, North Dakota, compiled by the Centennial Book Committee, 1981: 52-53, 124, and 143. Steele County, 1893-1993: A Centennial Commemoration, Steele County Historical Society, published by Steele County Press (Finley, North Dakota), 1983: 301. Who's Who in North Dakota, l955: 1560. Who's Who in North Dakota, l958: Yesteryears in Traill: Traill County, North Dakota, prepared by Leonard Beal, Beatrice O. Anderson, Clarence Anderson, published by the Traill County Historical Society: Red River Valley Historical Society, 1976: 45. [4]
  Person ID	I6867	Valdres Slekt
  Last Modified	31 Jan 2010

  
  

  Family	Carrie LAJORD,   b. 1 Apr 1890, Waseca, Minnesota, USA d. Yes, date unknown
  Marriage	30 Aig 1925	Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA
  Children	1. Margaret Marie BRUNSDALE   2. Helen Lucille BRUNSDALE
  Family ID	F3220	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	31 Jan 2010

  
  

• Sources

  [S364] Wikipedia, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki), accessed 31 Jan 2009), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Norman_Brunsdale (Reliability: 3). [S223] Anders Frøholm, Valdres bygdebok I, Del A, Garder og slekter i Vang, (1985), 866 (Reliability: 3). [S364] Wikipedia, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki), accessed 31 Jan 2010), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Norman_Brunsdale (Reliability: 3). [S365] State Historical Society of North Dakota, (http://history.nd.gov), accessed 31 Jan 2010), Clarence Norman Brunsdale Papers (Reliability: 3).