Swayne A Bengtson

BENGTSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 12:45:07

Swayne A Bentson, who now lives in well earned retirement in Madrid after a successful career as a farmer and an implement dealer and also in connection with the milling business, still owns important interests in this city and is vice president of the Farmers Savings Bank, many public honors have come to Mr Bengtson from his city and county, for five years he served as the county treasurer, while for seven terms he was city clerk of Madrid, for three terms an alderman and for two terms the mayor. Swayne A Bengtson was born in Sweden May 1, 1861, and when about nine years of age came with his parents to America in 1870, the family locating in Madrid on August 1 of that year. He has ever since been a resident of this community. Mr Bengtson is a son of S G and Carolina Bengtson, natives of Sweden, both of whom died in Madrid the former on November 8, 1904, and the latter October 1, 1897. They had the following children: Mrs Christina C Swanson of Madrid, J G who died in this city, Swayne A of this review, Mrs Hulda Larson, who also passed away in Madrid, Anna Lovisa, who passed away in Oakland, Nebraska, the wife of Rev J M Olson and Mrs Linda Otto, an adopted daughter who died in Garden township. The four elder children were born in Sweden and the two younger ones in Boone county.
Swayne A Bengtson began his education in his native country and completed his school work in Madrid. He located with his parents of a farm two miles northwest of Madrid in 1870, but in 1873 they moved into the town. The father was a tailor by trade and was successful in this occupation Swayne A Bengtson, his brother and a sister for thirteen years operated a farm being so engaged until 1887, their efforts being rewarded with most gratifying results. In that year he and his brother turned their attention to the implement business when the firm of Johnson, Bengtson & Comapny came into being. Mr Johnson continued as senior member for about two years, at the end of which time the brothers purchased his interest in the business. The business was continued under the name of Bengtson Brothers, but in the fall of 1892 Mr Bengtson's brother died. S A Bengtson continued the business under the name of S A Bengtson & Company, his father being the company, until the fall of 1899, when he sold out, interesting himself in the Madrid Milling Company, of which he served as secretary, treasurer and general manager until November 1, 1901. In his business transaction S G Bengtson showed rare executive ability, and by reason of this quality and his fair methods he attained prosperity, He still owns a fourth interest in the Madrid Milling Company. In 1901 he was elected treaserer of Boone county and on January 1, 1902, assumed the duties of the office. He continued in this positon for five years, serving an extra year on account of the biennial election law going into force during his term. Mr Bengtson made an excellent record as treasruer of Boone county, He administrated the affairs of his office with the greatest care and gave the best that was in him to the pubic's affairs. He earned the highest commendation for his efficienty work and well merited all the praise given him, for Boone county's financial affairs prospered under his administration.
On July 2, 1896, Mr Bengtson married in Madrid, Miss Ida F Carlson, who was born in Sweden on April 8, 1863. She came to America in 1887 after having received a thorough education in her native land. Her first home was in Omaha, Nebraska. Her parents, Carl Johann and Sarah Maria (Vikstrom) Nilsson, were born in Sweden, the former March 14, 1824, and the latter December 8, 1821.They died in their native land, the father March 8, 1891, and the mother November 8, 1905. In their famiy were four daughters and two sons: Rev Carl Vilhelm, born June 11, 1850, who resides at Taraboda, Sweden, Augusta Carolina born January 14, 1853, who also remained in her native land, Hannah Sofia born April 13, 1855, of Seattle, Washington, Lars Gustav, born March 9, 1857 one of the earlier merchants of Madrid, Mrs Sarah Ulrika Sundberg, born July 27, 1859, and residing in Sweden, and Mrs Bengtson the youngest of the family and the wife of our subject. All the children were reared and educated in Sweden. Mr and Mrs Bengtson had the following children: Vladimir Gustav Gideon, born in Madrid August 17, 1897, who is attending high school in this city .Olga Vendela Maria, born at Madrid, March 6, 1901, who died in Boone, Iowa May 14, 1902, and Linnia Hortense, born in Boone December 7, 1904, who is attending pubic school in Madrid.
Mr Bengtson is a most public spirited man, thoroughly conversant with the political and public issues of the day and particulary interestd in local governmental affairs. He is ever ready to give support to valuable enterprises of a public nature, and his community and county have benefited by his activity. He served for seven terms as city clerk of Madrid and for three terms as alderman of the city and in these offices made such excellent records that the people chose him as mayor of the city .For two terms Mr Bengtson served as the exectuive and under his stimulating influence many important improvements were made-improvements which have been of the greatest benefit to Madrid. Mr Bengtson is still interested in the Madrid Milling Company and also stands high in the financial world of Boone county, having been a director and vice president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Madrid for a nubmer of years. He has other property interest and is considered one of the most substantial citizens of his community. Both Mr and Mrs Bengtson are memers of the Swedish Free Mission church and in its connection it may be metioned that his father was one of the founders of this organization. Mr Bengtson has held all the offices in his church and has always been sincerely devoted to its work He has many firends in Madrid who hold him in the highest regard not only for what he has achieved in life but for those qualities of mind and character which have made it possible for him to reach the position which he now holds in the community.

1914 Boone County History Book