Carl J Cassel

CASSEL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:03:50

Carl J Cassel , almost without a contemporary in years of continuous residence in Boone county,
Carl J Cassel is numbered among the honored pioneers, having since 1849 made his home within this portion of the state. Four years before he arrived in Iowa, but Boone county has numbered him among its honored representatives for fifty-three years. He is a native of Sweden, his birth having occurred there on December 26, 1821. His school privileges were limited and he had no knowledge of the English language when he came to America. He emigrated to the new world with his father and family in 1845, taking ship at Guttenberg. The voyage across the Atlantic was made in a sailing vessel and after eight weeks anchor was dropped in the harbor of the new world. During the trip they had experienced some stormy weather and severe gales had arisen, but then reached p rot in safety. The family proceeded form the eastern metropolis to Philadelphia, thence to Pittsburg and on down the Ohio river to Cairo and up the Mississippi river to Burlington, Iowa, reaching their destination in 1845. The family located in Jefferson and Henry counties and were the first Swedish people to take up their abode within the borders of Iowa.
Carl J Cassel of this review, remained in Jefferson county for about one year and aided his father in opening up and improving the farm there. He then spent two years in Fairfield, Iowa, working at the cabinet maker’s trade, or at any employment which would yield him an honest living. In 1849 he came to Boone county, his brothers-in-laws having previously entered land here. Mr Cassel became connected with them for some time. The developed a farm of 320 acres, where the town of Madrid now stands. When several years had passed, the partnership was dissolved. Mr Cassel remaining upon the old home place. They had also built a steam four mill in Madrid, and engaged in the milling business successfully for a number of years. Mr Cassel had become familiar with the business in Sweden, and at the time of the erection of the mill in Boone county, assumed charge, continuing its operation for some time. He has improved some residence properties in Madrid, and has added materially to the development of the town and county. He belongs to that class of representative American citizens who while advancing individual success, has also added to the general prosperity by directing their labors along lines of general good.
Mr Cassel was married in Fairfield, Iowa in 1848, to Miss Ulrich Dealander, a native of Sweden, who was brought to the new world in 1846, in which years she became a resident of Iowa. To her husband she proved a faithful companion and helpmate for a third of a century and on May 30, 1891, they were separated by the hand of death, Mrs Cassel being called to the home beyond. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, three sons and six daughters. John a resident farmer of this county, Peter, a pharmacist, who is employed in the line of his chosen calling in Madrid, Charles W who resides with his father and carries on farming in this county, Matilda the wife of Charles Oakleal who follows arming east of Madrid, Ulla, the wife of A N Anderson of Webster, Nebraska, Clara at home, Johanna the wife of J W Johnson, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits east of Madrid, Mary the wife of J H Peterson, of Henry county, Illinois, and Amanda, who is acting as housekeeper for her father and brother.
Politically Mr Casssel is a stanch Republican, supporting the men and measures of the party with unfaltering faith in the righteousness of its principles. He has been elected and served as supervisor of this township, filling the position for two years. Later he was for a number of terms township trustee and has frequently been chosen as a delegate to the county conventions of his party. He has always been loyal to the public good, whether in or out of office, and his life has ever been in consistent harmony with his professions as a member of the Lutheran church. His member forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present of Boone county. On all sides was the wild prairie, unbroken and productive, awaiting the awakening touch of man to transform it into rich fields. The site of now flourishing towns and villages was then unmarked by cabin or place of business. Mr Cassel laid out the present town of Madrid and has contributed in a very large measure to its improvement and progress. He has aided materially in its development and is widely known as a man of integrity and worth, loved by his family, respected by his many friends and held in high regard by all who know him.

1902 Boone County History Book