AUGUST, John - 1890 Bio (1832-1900)

AUGUST, SAMELSON, JOHNSON, LUNDGUIST, LUNDQUIST

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/26/2007 at 19:15:26

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 510-511

John AUGUST, whose home is in Fairfield, Iowa, was born in Hohen Soken, Sweden, May 8, 1832. His parents were very poor, so much so that, until he was fifteen years of age, on special occasions he wore his mother's shoes having none of his own. As soon as he was large enough to perform any kind of service, he was put to work, and when he was thirteen years of age could accomplish as much work as a full grown man. He never attended school a day but at home he learned to read the Bible. Having decided to come to America he knew that he must secure the money needed to defray the expenses of an ocean voyage for himself and parents. In one year, by making tar and burning charcoal, he almost acquired a sum sufficient to defray the expenses. He worked day and night and happy indeed was he when, after selling all their worldly effects he found that he had enough to bring them to the "poor man's country." In 1853, they sailed for Quebec but on reaching that city their exchequer was exhausted. They were in a strange land among strangers and although it was somewhat difficult to make a start, in the years which have since passed away little adversity checked the prosperous career of Mr. AUGUST. From Quebec, his parents were given a free pass to Chicago and he went to work on the canal near Montreal. In the meantime his parents had nothing to live on. They obtained shelter with another Swede family that was fixed but little better than themselves, and Mr. AUGUST and his wife slept on the floor, faring very hard indeed. He worked at whatever he could get to do until he was taken sick and they would almost have perished through want of food had it not been for two little girls belonging to the family where they stopped, who collected from hotels of wherever they could enough to sustain them until Mr. AUGUST was again able to work. After he had been employed about eighteen days upon the canal, his son John joined him and relieved their necessities. Soon afterward the father died being then sixty-two years of age. His widow spent her remaining days with her faithful son, being surrounded in her declining years with all the comforts which his loving care could provide, and passed away in her seventy-third year.

Our subject left Chicago to work on the Illinois Central Railroad, and after having labored there through the autumn and part of the winter his employer ran away owing him some $200. When spring came he had neither money nor clothes. Going to Stillwater, Wis., he hired on a raft and floated down the Mississippi to Keokuk, where the raft was sold. His future history is connected with that of Iowa. Going to Burlington he worked in the harvest field for a time but was soon taken sick with ague and had to spend all that he had accumulated. After chopping wood on the island below Burlington for a few months, he hired out to work in a stone quarry for $13 per month and continued that occupation for three years, his wages being advanced in the meantime to $25 per month. The year 1858 proved to be an eventful one in his history as it witnessed his arrival in Jefferson County, where by the exercise of industry, good management and business ability he has acquired a comfortable competency. On his arrival here he purchased forty acres of brush land and ten acres of worthless timber in Buchanan Township for $380, paying $100 down and giving twenty per cent for the use of the remainder. By unceasing toil, perseverance and energy he was enabled to add to his possessions until he is now the owner of four hundred and ten acres of good land, together with some property in Fairfield.

On the 22d of September, 1858, in the home of Ward Lamson, Mr. AUGUST and Matilda SAMELSON were united in marriage. The lady was born in Kisa County, Sweden, April 12, 1835, and when eighteen years of age came to this country with a Swedish family for whom she was to work to pay her passage. After his marriage, Mr. AUGUST settled upon the farm which he had purchased and as soon as he and his wife had gained a sufficient surplus, they sent for her parents to come and spend their last days with them. Eight children were born unto them, of whom three were deaf mutes. One of the three and also three others died in childhood. The living are Emma E., wife of Christian JOHNSON; Albert A.; Alfrida A., wife of Frank LUNDGUIST (sic - LUNDQUIST); and Hannah E. Both Mr. AUGUST and his wife are Lutherans and in politics, he is a Republican. The life of Mr. AUGUST has been thus minutely detailed that some idea may be gotten of the hardships through which the early foreign emigrants had to pass and also to show how he, without money, friends or education, has won a place in the front ranks of the farmers of Buchanan Township. Many of his characteristics are worthy of emulation and his record is one of which he may well be proud.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.