Charlson, Stone

CHARLSON, KNUTSON, ANFENSON, KALVIG, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 4/4/2011 at 11:05:43

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, vol. II, 1912, J.W. Lee, p. 180.

For more than forty years Stone Charlson has been identified with the agricultural interests of Scott township, where he owns three hundred and sixty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. He is one of the pioneers who came to Hamilton county practically empty-handed and through the intelligent concentration of his effort and unceasing energy has become numbered among the substantial agriculturists and efficient business men of his community. He was born in Norway in 1836 and is a son of Charles and Bertha Charlson, who were natives of the same country and there passed the greater period of their lives. They subsequently emigrated to the United States, and their latter years were spent in Scott township, where they both passed away. They also had one daughter, Mrs. Catharine Knutson, who is residing in Scott township.

The first eighteen years in the life of Stone Charlson were passed in his native land, where he received his education. In 1854, he emigrated to the United States, taking up his abode in Grundy county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Sixteen years later, in 1870, he came to Hamilton county, Iowa, which at that time was but sparsely settled, and purchased eighty acres of land in Scott township. He applied himself diligently to the cultivation of his soil, and as soon as his circumstances warranted, increased his holdings by the purchase of an adjoining tract. As the years passed he continued to extend the boundaries of his farm until he now holds title to three hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. One of the most attractive features of his farm is a beautiful grove of pine trees, which
he planted during the early period of his residence and carefully tended and today it is one of the finest groves in Hamilton county.

In 1870, Mr. Charlson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Anfenson, a native of Norway, the event being celebrated in Scott township, which he visited on several occasions before permanently locating here. Mrs. Charlson came to the United States in early life with her parents, George and Betsey Anfenson, who passed their latter years in Scott township. The family also numbered two sons and one daughter: Anfen, who is a resident of Scott township; Oren, a veteran of the Union army, now residing at the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown ; and Alice, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Charlson have been born thirteen children, in the following order : George and Lewis, residents of Scott township ; Bert, who lives in Roland, Iowa ; Gustave, of Scott township; Eric, who is living on the home farm; Charlie and Austin, also at home ; Mrs. Turene Kalvig, a resident of Scott township; Mrs. Bertha Williams, of Ellsworth township; Selma, who is at home; Henry Thomas, deceased; Charles, deceased; and Henry Thomas (2), also deceased.

The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Scott township, and in politics Mr. Charlson is a stanch republican.

Practically the entire period of the domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Charlson has been passed in the immediate vicinity of their present home, where they located during the first year of their marriage. Their early experiences were very similar to those of the other pioneers of Hamilton county. They endured innumerable hardships and privations, but they possess the tenacity of purpose and determination which never recognizes defeat and ultimately achieved success. Their latter years are being spent on the farm, which stands as a monument to their long years of thrift and industry, in a residence provided with every modern convenience and bearing little resemblance to the crudely constructed house they first erected here.

Hamilton Biographies maintained by Lynn McCleary.
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