Louis Kilson

KILSON, NELSON, WOODWORTH, WILKES

Posted By: Diane (email)
Date: 3/6/2002 at 21:33:40

Louis Kilson was also an early settler, residing on section 29. He was born in the District of Bergen, Norway, October 30, 1807. He received the advantages of education in his native land, which were common in those days. Mr. Kilson was confirmed in the Lutheran Church; married in June, 1838, and came immediately to America, landing in New York City the first day of the following September, soon after starting for Cincinnati, a journey which was a great undertaking in those days. His route was via the Hudson river to Albany; to Buffalo by the Erie canal; to Cleveland by boat on Lake Erie; thence by the Ohio canal to Portsmouth on the Ohio river, and to Cincinnati on a flat boat.
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Soon after reaching Cincinnati he was sick for about three months. On his recovery he started for Quincy, Illinois, going by water. He settled in Adams county, where he lived about twelve years. In 1851, he went to Dane county, Wisconsin, remaining about one year, thence to McHenry county, Illinois. In 1855, he came to Butler county, and has been a resident of West Point township. He entered 240 acres of land, which still constitutes a part of his homestead.
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Mr. Kilson, losing his first wife at Quincy, Illinois, was married in Dane county, Wisconsin , to Carrie Nelson, in 1852. She died November 10, 1881. Mr. Kilson had six children by first wife, only three of whom are living – Anna L., now wife of Silas F. Woodworth, residing in Placer county, California; Albert M., living in Kansas, and Martha M., wife of John Wilkes. He had five sons and one daughter by second wife, of whom four sons and one daughter are living – Franklin S., George E., Charles G., Walter Louis and Alice L. The name of the deceased son was Albert Oscar.
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Mr. Kilson’s farm contains 320 acres; he has also 43 acres of timber land in Pittsford township. Mr. Kilson has been an extensive reader, and is possessed of much general information. He has always been a student of history, and excels in a knowledge of the history and literature of his native land.
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Source: History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa
Union Publishing Co., Springfield, IL, 1883
Page 743