Carlson, John Alfred (1853-1922)

CARLSON, PETERSON, SACKRISON, YOUNGBERG, WAHMAN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Stratford Courier
June 1, 1922

J.A. CARLSON, PROMINENT TOWNSMAN, IS STRICKEN SUDDENLY

The sudden death of John A. Carlson last Thursday morning caused unusual consternation and sorrow to the many friends of the deceased and the family here. Mr. Carlson had been to the post office for his mail and shortly after his return went to the barn on his place on some errand. Next he was seen lying by the barn door. His son rushed to him and found that he was dead. Heart trouble is given is the cause of his sudden passing. For some time he had complained of pains in his chest and his health had not been the best for several years, yet his death was entirely unexpected and came as a very sad blow to his family.

Deceased was one of the solid and substantial men of this community. He had held a number of offices of trust and he had always proven entirely local to that trust. He was honest and known for his trueheartedness to everyone. He was a man who never did things unless he did them well. During the years that he lived on the farm he was one of the busiest of them all and he was not happy nor contented unless he was working. The same was true after he moved into Stratford. His garden, his chickens and his door yard kept him continually busy and always then was he contented. His was a cheery face and his handclasp was the welcoming kind which made you feel at home and contented. He will be missed in this community where he had lived for so many years and which he had made better by having been a part of it.

John Alfred Carlson was born five miles southwest of Stratford in Webster County on February 5, 1853 and departed this life May 25, 1922, at the age of 69 years, 3 months, 18 days.

He was the youngest of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Carlson, pioneer settlers of this community and is said to have been the second white child born in Webster County. One sister, Mrs. L.F. Peterson, of Stratford, survives.

He was united in marriage to Mary Sackrison, Dec. 30, 1875. To this union eight children were born, four sons and four daughters. One daughter, Mabel, preceded him in death fifteen years ago.

In 1876 he with his wife moved to the farm in South Marion where they resided for thirty-seven years, moving to Stratford in 1914. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife and seven children: Franklin, who lives on the old homestead in South Marion; Mrs. A.R. Youngberg of Des Moines; Vernie Carlson of Boone; J.E. Carlson of Minneapolis, Minn.; Mrs. Pearl Wahman of near Stanhope; Morris and Miss Nettie Carlson of Stratford; eight grandchildren, two daughers-in-law and two sons-in-law; one sister; and a large host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held from the family home Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and from the M.E. church at 2:30. The church was crowded with many friends who came to pay their last respects to the beloved friend. The pall bearers were nephews of the deceased, C.E. Carlson, W.F. Carlson, Elmer Carlson, C.L. Carlson, M.R. Peterson and George Peterson, and the flowers girls were nieces, Misses Orlan Carlson, Clarice Carlson and Marie and Mabel Carlson. Interment was made in South Marion cemetery.