John W. Nordstrom (born Johan Wilhelm Nordström, Swedish pronunciation: [ˈjuːhɑn ˈvɪlːhɛlm ˈnuːr(d)strœm]; February 15, 1871 – October 11, 1963) was a Swedish American businessman who was the co-founder of the Nordstrom department store chain.
While working at a sawmill he read a newspaper account of the discovery of gold in the Klondike and headed to Alaska to make his fortune.
After he sold it, he split the money with his two partners, and returned with his share ($13,000) to the warmer climate of Seattle.
He and Carl opened Wallin & Nordstrom, a shoe store, at Fourth Avenue and Pike Street in 1901.
Children: Nordstrom's only sister Maria's grandchildren and great-grandchildren still live in Alvik, the village where he was born, and in the nearby city of Luleå, all in the north of Sweden.