Grondal, Bror G.

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

Bror G. Grondal. At the very head of the profession of photography in Kansas stands Bror G. Grondal, who for thirty consecutive years had conducted the leading studio at Lindsborg. Mr. Grondal both in his profession and in other lines of activity is a man of widely diversified experience. His career is an interesting one since he came to America in childhood years and had fought continuously a brave and unremitting struggle until he placed himself in a position where he is master of a congenial profession. Mr. Grondal is a former president of the Kansas State Photographers Association.

He was born in the famous university City of Upsala, Sweden, January 11, 1855. His parents, John G. and Sophia (Yack) Grondal, spent all their lives in Sweden. He lived in his native country until he was fourteen and in the meantime attended the University of Upsala. Bravely facing the world alone, he set out for America, and landed at Savannah, Georgia, without means or influence. The first year he worked as clerk in a general merchandise store at Sanford, Florida. The next year he was employed as a chainman with a surveying corps and also put in one year in a sawmill. Other experiences followed and for a year he was a salesman in New York City and then enlisted as a sailor, and sailed for five years, two years in the United States Revenue Service and three years in the Deep Water and Coastwise Service, going around the world and seeing all the different foreign countries.

On leaving the sea he came inland and lived in Chicago for a number of years. While there he was a grocery salesman five years and then took up the study of photography. Mr. Grondal worked under the guidance of some of the experts and masters of the art in that city, and later he was employed for three years in some of the best studios of St. Paul, Minnesota. For four years he had studios of his own at different cities in Texas, and in 1887 he came to Lindsborg and opened a studio which he had conducted now for thirty years. His proficiency and the quality of his work have improved from year to year, and there is great advantage derived from the fact that he had been so long situated in one community. He had had customers from all over the state and his work had received unstinted praise both in and out of the profession. He knows all aspects of practical photography and is also an expert in color work. Some years ago Mr. Grondal erected a brick building especially designed and equipped for the purposes of a modern photographic studio. Besides his service as president of the Kansas State Photographers Association he was its treasurer a number of years.

On October 21, 1886, at Round Rock, Texas, Mr. Grondal married Miss Sarah M. Noyd. Mrs. Grondal is of Swedish parentage and was born in Illinois February 4, 1859. Seven children have been born to their marriage. Edith, who graduated from Bethany College at Lindsborg, is now the wife of Paul Carlson, of Seattle, Washington; Bror L., also a graduate of Bethany College, is an instructor in the Washington University at Seattle; Ruth Sarah, who graduated from Bethany College, is now a teacher; Eunice had graduated from Bethany College and is teaching in the State of Washington; the daughter Rose is now deceased; Lillian and Elsie, the youngest daughters, were both educated in Bethany College. Mr. Grondal and his family are popular members of social circles in Lindsborg and are active members of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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