Axel A. Nork, the present efficient county clerk of Marshall county, was born near Joukoping, Province of Westergotland, Sweden, November 6, 1867. He is a son of John August and Josephine (Josephson) Nork, both natives of Westergatland, Sweden, where the father was a farmer. The Nork family immigrated to America in 1870, settling in Murray township, Marshall county, Kansas. The father took a homestead, upon which he resided four years, when it was discovered that there was a mistake in his location, and the records having been burned in Topeka, he lost his homestead. In 1875 he bought another farm, and engaged in farming and stock raising until 1880, when he removed to Kansas City, Mo., where he now resides.

Axel A. Nork was reared in Marshall county and attended the public schools which at that time were not up to a very high standard. However, he has always been a close student and has devoted himself to such self-study, while in school as well as in later years, and in this way has acquired a broad and substantial education. About the time his father went to Kansas City he also located there and began life for himself as a painter, after learning the trade, and after a few years engaged in the painting and decorating business for himself, doing contract work. In 1900 he returned to Marshall county, locating at Axtell, in the same line of business. He had a store in connection here and carried on an extensive interior decorating business, having thoroughly learned this branch of the business while in Kansas City. While his brother attended to the business at Axtell, Axel A. attended to their extensive business throughout the northeastern counties of the State. During this time they also did some business in Kansas City, Mo. He painted the court house of Marshall county, and did the interior decoration. During 1909 and 1910 he did not push his business as hard as in former years on account of failing health. In 1910 he made the race for the office of county clerk and was elected on the Republican ticket by a flattering majority, and reëlected in 1912 without opposition.

Mr. Nork was united in marriage June 19, 1897, to Miss Ida W. Walen, a native of Sweden. Her father was a cabinet maker and followed that occupation throughout his life. He died in his native land. The mother died in 1894, shortly after immigrating to America. Mrs. Nork received her education in Sweden, and came to this country at about twenty years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Nork have been born three children: Nels B., Hjalmar A. and Robert August, all of whom are students in the Marysville public schools. Mr. Nork is a Republican, and has taken an active part in politics, having served as a delegate to several conventions. He has served on the city council of Axtell one term, and has also been mayor one term. He was elected on the extension plan for Axtell. There were a number of fine houses built adjoining the town, and he made the fight to extend the city limits in order to include this taxable property, and succeeded in carrying out his purpose. He is a progressive citizen, always endeavoring to better his community and improve his opportunities. At the present time he is a law student of the American Extension University, at Los Angeles, Cal., and is making an exceptionally fine record. While he was not able to take up this work earlier in life, he is determined to accomplish the end of his ambitions now.

He is a Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason; a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Knights of the Maccabees. He and Mrs. Nork are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is treasurer of the Sunday school.