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.

Early life

Hugo Ruben Magnuson was born in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. He was one of four children 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 bear 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]

Persoal 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
19641972
Succeeded by
C.P. O'Neill

References


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