WI BIO - Dane Co - MANDT, Gunder G.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 492-493

Gunder G. MANDT, editor and publisher of the Dane County Sun, at Mount Horeb, 
was born in Pleasant Springs Township, Dane County, WI, 28 Jul 1864, a son of 
Gunder T. MANDT, who was born in Thelemarken [Telemark fylke], Norway, 12 May 
1811. The latter came by sailing vessel to America in 1848, and on account 
of severe storms was fourteen weeks in reaching WI. He was married in 
Norway, and to that union was born four children: (1) Margit, now Mrs. 
Lisby, of Sandyville [Warren County], Iowa; (2) Targe, deceased in Michigan; 
(3) Halvor, who died in Norway, and (4) Groe, now Mrs. Rasmus PETERSON, of 
New Denmark, Brown County, WI. The mother died, and in 1839 in Norway, Mr. 
[Gunder T.] MANDT married Jorand SENNES, a native of that country. They were 
the parents of twelve children: (1) Targe, a resident of Stoughton [Dane 
County], WI; (2) Haege, now Mrs. T. ASBERG, of Stoughton, WI; (3) Annie, 
wife of E. H. REPPEN, also of Stoughton, WI; (4) Engebor [Engeborg?], wife 
of C. E. GRANN, of Chicago [Cook County, IL]; (5) Engel, who died in 
Pleasant Springs Township, Dane County, WI; (6) Peter*, of Janesville [Rock 
County], WI; (7) Mikkel, of Stoughton; (8) Elsie, wife of A. BURULD, also 
of Stoughton; (9) Peter, deceased in Pleasant Springs Township; (10) Dagne, 
now Mrs. T. O. HOMME; (11) Gunder G., our subject; and (12) Carrie, of 
Stoughton, WI. [* It is not unusual in Norwegian families of this period to 
find a child with the same given name as a previously deceased sibling.]

Gunder G. MANDT, our subject, remained on the farm with his parents until 
eight years of age; the following year attended the public schools at 
Stoughton [Dane County, WI]; and then worked in his father's furniture store 
in that city until sixteen years of age. A short time afterward he began the 
photography business at Stoughton, continuing one year; followed the same 
trade at Mount Horeb six months; next worked in the general mercantile 
establishment of O. B. DAHLE about three years; was proprietor of a paint and 
carpenter shop in that village three years; then established a weekly 
newspaper, the Blue Mounds Press, at Blue Mounds [Dane County, WI]; next the 
Mount Horeb Sun, at Mount Horeb, and [p 493] then the Star at Daleyville 
[Dane County, WI]. On 16 Jun 1888 Mr. MANDT was burned out, leaving him with 
nothing but a slight insurance. He then established his present paper in 
Mount Horeb, and is also engaged in the real estate business. In his 
political relations he is independent.

Mr. [Gunder G.] MANDT was married 31 Jul 1888 to Andalena ARNESON, a native 
of Ridgeway, Iowa County, WI. They have two children, Lenore and Amy, both 
at home. Our subject is an intelligent and congenial gentleman. His 
knowledge of both English and Norwegian languages gives him a field of 
usefulness, which is filled with ability, and to the advantage of the people 
among whom his influence extends. In addition to his two papers, printed in 
both languages, he also edits and prints various papers for persons 
throughout the country.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly