Carl Carlson (1853-1941)

CARLSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/23/2022 at 21:52:02

Carl Carlson
(1853 – 1941)

The prosperity and advancement of Iowa is based upon its great agricultural interests. It is one of the leading farming states of
the Union and its products are sent into all parts of the United States. A worthy representative of the agricultural interests of
Calhoun County is Carl Carlson, who resides on section 23, Elm Grove Township, where he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, owning over two hundred and forty acres of land.
As his name indicates, Mr. Carlson is of Swedish birth and first opened his eyes to the light of day in 1853. He acquired a good education in his native tongue, but is self-educated in the English language. He was married in Sweden in the fall of 1880 to Miss Kate Olson, also a native of that land, and together they started for the new world, the voyage across the Atlantic being their wedding journey. They landed safely at Castle Garden and afterward spent two years in the Empire state, but believing that still better business opportunities might be gained in the west, where competition was not so great, they arrived in Iowa in 1882. Here Mr. Carlson purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land and in a little cabin home resided for three years. Later he purchased another tract of eighty acres, and has added to his farm until within its boundaries two hundred and forty acres are found, a greater part being under a high state of cultivation and yielding to the owner a rich tribute for his care and attention. He has long since replaced his primitive home by a good substantial residence, has also built large barns
and granaries and put up cribs and a windmill. He has bought a corn-sheller and feed-grinder, and the latest improved machinery
is found upon his place, thereby facilitating the work of the farm. He has planted fruit and shade trees and is engaged in the raising of a high grade of stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson had very little capital when they arrived in the new world, but their united efforts have led to the accumulation of a comfortable competence. Unto this worthy couple have been born five children: Oscar, who assists in carrying on the home farm; Mary, Julia, Arthur and Samuel, all of whom are yet under the parental roof. In his political views Mr. Carlson is a Republican, giving firm support to that party, from the principles of which he believes good government results. Both he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith, and are consistent members of that church. His residence in the county covers a period of twenty years, in which he has seen many changes. Towns and villages have sprung up and all of the business industries and commercial pursuits known to the oldest have been introduced. The wild land has been made to bloom: and blossom as a rose, and progress has been carried on at a rapid rate until Calhoun county now takes its place with the leading counties of this great commonwealth. Mr. and Mrs.
Carlson are well known in their part of the county, and he is held in high regard as a man of integrity and sterling worth, while his estimable wife also shares in the high esteem accorded him. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.340]