Axel E Skortman

SKORTMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/21/2010 at 14:24:34

Axel E Skortman has been a resident Madird for nearly a half century and throughout practically his entire life. He is sucessfully engaged in business as a merchant, owning half interest in a stock of implements. His birth occurred in Sweden on November 5, 1864, his parents being August and Carolina ( Anderson) Skortman, who were likewise natives of that country, the former born in 1838 and the latter in 1842. In the summer of 1865 the family crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled at Madrid, Boone county, Iowa, where August Skortman worked at the tailor's trade for three years. On tth expiration of that period he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits in Douglas township and in 1874 took up his abode on a farm in section 24, Garden township, where he spent the remaineder of his life, passing away in 1902. He paid but four dollars per acre for his first farm and the land has sice steadiy increased in value until it is now worth two hundred dollars and acre. In his demise the communtiy lost one of its substantial, esteemed and representative citizens. His widow, who still survies, now makes her home in Slater, Story county, this state.
They were the parents of ten children, including the following named: Axel E of this reivew, Mrs Anna Cross who is a resident of Sac City, Iowa, Charles living in Slater, Iowa, Emil who makes his home in Minnesota, Mrs Nellie Swanson, of Story county, Iowa, Minnie who is married and resides in Garden township, this county, Mrs Selma Peterson also of Garden township, and Edward who passed away at the age of twenty-one years. All were born in Boone county, Iowa with the exception of our subject, and all were reared and educated here, attending the early schools of the county.
Axel E Skortman grew to manhood in Madrid and as above stated, has always remained a resident of the town. Success has attended his undertakings in the business world until he is now numbered among the prosperous and representative citizens of his community, owning a valuable and well improved farm of 160 acrs in Madison township, Polk county, and also a half interest in a stock of implements in Madrid. He likewise owns an attractive and well appointed home in Madrid and is one of the best like and most enterprisning residents of the town.
On March 7, 1888 Mr Skortman was united in mariage to Miss Dora Cross, who was born in Madison twonship, Polk county, Iowa on May 5, 1868, her parents being Homer and Samantha (Scheidler) Cross, natives of Ohio and Indiana erspectively. They took up their abode in Garden township on coming to this county and are now residents of Madrid. Their two daughters are as follows: Mrs Dora Skortman, who grew to womanhood in this county and has always remained a resident here, and Mrs Ina Edwards a native of Garden township, Boone county, who now resides in Des Moines, Iowa. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Mrs Violet Kinsey, who was born in Madison township, Polk county, Iowa on March 15, 1892, and grew to womanhood in Polk county. She pursured a high school course in Madrid and was married in that town.
Mr Skortman is a repbulcan in politics and has done valuable servie as a member of the town council of Madrid. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church of Madrid to which his wife also belongs, and fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Star Lodge, No 115, A R & A M of Madrid. He is likewise connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias of Madrid and the Yeomen. By nature he is social and genial and has many attractive qualities which have won him a circle of warm friends.

1914 Boone County History Book