G A Sandberg

SANDBERG

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/15/2010 at 13:09:10

G A Sandberg is successfully engaged in the conduct of a blacksmith shop and the manufacture of wagons in Madrid. Although his early educational opportunites were limited, he is a well imformed man, as he has been a lifelong student, and today he is conversant with all issues and questions that affect the welfare of thee nation. Mr Sandberg is a close observer and has derived much of his knowledge from travel. He also studies all public questions intelligently and cannot be confused on any of the political and moral contreversies that arise. Moreover, Mr Sandberg is a most successful business man who combines the sturdy qualities of his native race with the aggressiveness of the American business man.
G A Sandberg was born in Sweden October 13, 1853, and received his schooling in that counrty. His parents were Carl F and Louisa Catherina Sandberg, natives of Sweden, who are now deceased. They had the following children, all born in Sweden: G A of this review, Mrs Sophia Andersn, Bernard a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, Mrs Matilda Lock, also of that city, Mrs Emily Reiberg and Andrew both of Sweden, John deceased, Mrs Bertha Falk, who aslo resides in her native land and Werner, a blacksmith of Des Moines.
Perceiving the opportunites which were awaitig young men on this side of the Atlantic. Mr Sandberg crossed the ocean, landing in Canada, January 1, 1873. Thence he crossed the border into the United States at Port Huron and from there went to Marquette, Michigan , where he was employed by the Thomas Connolly Company and the Illinois Central Railroad. He next made his way to Fayette county, Iowa where he engaged in farm work, but subsequently went to Webster City, where he was employed on the Hamilton county courthouse. He then did some work on the Crooked Creek Railway running out of Lehigh and subsequently was engaged in coal mining at that place. Coming to Boone county he worked for a time in a brickyard at Boone but in 1879 returned to Hamilton county, where he continued work along the same line. He was employed in Webster and Boone counties up to September 26, 1882, when he began to devote himself entirely to his trade of blacksmithing and woodworking in Madrid, of which city he has been a resident since. He left his native land on account of the unsatisfactory labor conditions, recieiving many times but twenty-five cents a day for this work. By industry, economy and perseverance he has built up one of the most successful blacksmithing and wagon maunfacturing establishments in Boone county. In 1883 he formed a partnership with Rudolph Schoonover and they have since been most successful in their business transactions. The shop is one of the best equipped in the county, and in order to give an idea to the extent of their business it may be stated here that in the thirty-one years since the firm has been established, on an average of seven hundred plows have been sharpened annually in their shop. A ton of horseshoes is used annually and quite a number of top buggies and spring wagons are manufactured. The honorable methods which Mr Sandberg follows in all his transactions have been the foudation of his success and he enjoys today the utmost confidence of his patrons and the people of Madrid. Prosperity has come to him because he has been untiring in his efforts and because he has managed his business affaris circumspectly, taking advantage of opportunities as they offered themselves.
In 1901, after an absence of over a quarter of a century, Mr Sandberg retuned to his native land for a visit. He has used these opportunites of travel for observation and education and is today considered one of the best informed men upon all public quesitons in Madrid. He was first attracted to that city and became aware of its possiblities as a favorable location while on a visit to this uncle, Mason Anderson in 1882.. Not only does Mr Sandberg speak Swedish but he also is proficient in French and German, which was of decided advantage to him as the first person he met in Madrid was one with whom he could make himself understood only in the French tongue. Mr Sandberg is equally well versed in English and he has therefore the advantage of drawing views and progress by reading in their own languages. Mr Sandberg is an expert at his trade and this has been one of the causes of his success. When he arrived in Madrid this was his greatest asset, for his cash capital was but small. He experineced sickness and oher drawbacks and obstacles, hindrances which would have discouraged many a stout heart, but he never lost sight of th goal and moved onward, and the years have brought him the reward for his indomitable energy and incessant labor.
On October 28, 1885, G A Sandberg married Miss Abigail Fread, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, Arpil 27, 1856. Both her parents died in Illinois and Mrs Sandberg came to Boone county in 1881. She was one of ten chidlren as follows: Albert, Absalom, Philip, James and Mrs Louis Luther, all of Illinois, Mrs Ellen Bagwell, of Califorina, Mrs Abigail Sandberg, Mrs Eve Story also of the Golden state, Mary and Angie, both of Illinois. The only child of Mr and Mrs Sandberg died in infancy.
Politically G A Sandberg is independent, preferring to follow his own judgment in the support of measures and candidates. He has taken a deep interest in all public questions and in private capactiy does everything in his power to further the general welfare. The progress and growth of Madrid has been stimulated by his business activites and by his personal participation in many measure that have proven of the greatest benefit to the community. Fraternally he is a member of Star Logde, No 115, A F & A M of Madird, and Mrs Sandberg belongs to the Eastern Star, Yeoman and Rebekah lodges. They own a handsome modern home in that city where they entertain their many friends. Mr Sandberg is very popular and stands high in the communtiy not only because of his financial success but because he embodies those qualities of character which typify honorable manhood and loyalty to all tasks and obligations imposed upon him.

1914 Boone County History Book