Malakias Wahlstrom

WAHLSTROM, GOOTHBLAD, BARGLOF, JOHNSON, MATHISON

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/15/2011 at 07:43:39

Malakias Wahlstrom, one of Sweden's industrious sons who settled in this country with little more than his health and strength, was born January 9, 1855, a son of Andrew and Anna Wahlstrom, his father and mother both having been natives of Sweden, where they resided on a farm until their death. In their family were four children, namely: Christina, who resides in her native land: Malakias, our subject; Charlie, who is an agriculturist of Lincoln township, this county; and Matilda, who resides in Spencer, Iowa.

Malakias Wahlstrom was reared on his father's farm in Sweden, where he learned the various phases of this occupation, and in the village schools he acquired his education, remaining on the home farm until 1880, when he came to the United States and located in Lincoln township, Clay County, Iowa. Shortly after his arrival he bought a tract of land, and meeting with splendid success in its cultivation, was soon able to increase his holdings to two hundred and forty acres, his land being located on sections 18 and 20. The land is now highly improved, Mr. Wahlstrom having himself built all the buildings and fences upon it, including a fine residence, barns and outbuildings, and the attention which he has given his property has made his farm one of the finest in the township. He engages in general agricultural pursuits, raising hay and the various kinds of cattle, sheep and hogs.

In the year 1880 he was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Goothblad, a native of Sweden, who came to this country during that year. Mr. and Mrs. Wahlstrom have been blessed with the following children: Ellen Amelia, who became the wife of Albert Barglof, an agriculturist of Greenville, Iowa; Carl Harry, who wedded Hilma Johnson, and is a farmer of this township; Alfred Rudolph, who wedded Esther Johnson, and also resides in Lincoln township; Anna Matilda, wife of Peter Mathison, who is engaged in blacksmithing in Moneta, Iowa; and Ernest Gerald; Gustave Edwin; Walter Edward; Edith Elizabeth; Olga Sylvia; and Julia Victoria, all at home. In Politics Mr. Wahlstrom is a republican and while he is not an active politician he takes considerable interest in public affairs. As to his religious faith, he is a Lutheran and with his wife attends divine services at the Swedish Lutheran church in Lincoln township. He is one of the most enterprising men in the vicinity, always ready and willing to do what he can for the general improvement of the township, and is held in high respect as a congenial and progressive neighbor.

Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 263.