Hugo Magnuson

Hugo R. Magnuson (May 23, 1900 – May 20, 2003) was an American businessman and politician. He founded the regional Hugo's grocery store chain. He was the mayor of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, from 1964 to 1972; he also served as a city council member for seventeen years.

Hugo R. Magnuson
Mayor of Grand Forks
In office
1964–1972
Preceded byNelson Youngs
Succeeded byC. P. O'Neill
Personal details
Born(1900-05-23)May 23, 1900
Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedMay 20, 2003(2003-05-20) (aged 102)
Resting placeMemorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S.
Known forFounder of Hugo's grocery stores

Early life

Hugo Ragnar Magnuson was born in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. He was one of six children (including Minnie, Ernest, Esther, Hans, and Alfred) born to Carl Victor Magnuson (1863–1949) and Mary Sjobeck Magnuson (1866–1961).

Career

He is best known for the chain of grocery stores which bears his name. He opened his first grocery outlet in Grand Forks in 1939 as a Pure Foods Store. For many years, Magnuson's stores carried the name Piggly Wiggly. That name was dropped in 1984, with the arrival of a new wholesaler, Nash Finch Company. Hugo's stores are located in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.[1][2][3]

Personal life

He was married to Dorothy (Swenson) Magnuson (1908–1989), with whom he had four children. The city of Grand Forks declared May 2000 as "Hugo Magnuson Month", in honor of his 100th birthday. Magnuson died three days before his 103rd birthday in 2003. He was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks, North Dakota.[4]

See also
Preceded by
Nelson Youngs		 Mayor of Grand Forks
1964–1972		 Succeeded by
C.P. O'Neill

References
  1. "Hugo's president grocer of the year". Grand Forks Herald. September 26, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  2. Hugo Magnuson Mother's Maiden Name: Sjobeck (Minnesota Historic Society)
  3. "Hugo Magnuson (The Lutheran)". Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2006.
  4. Hugo Ragnar Magnuson (North Dakota Department of Health).


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