DANIELSON, Frank Oscar - 1890 Bio (1839-1903)

DANIELSON, ANDERSON, LAMSON, STEPHENSON, PETERSON, CASSEL, NELSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/4/2007 at 11:25:28

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 414-415

Frank O. DANIELSON, a leading farmer residing on section 21, Lockridge Township, and one of the representatives of that worthy Swedish colony that emigrated to America in 1845, making a settlement in Jefferson County, Iowa, was born in Kisa County, Sweden, September 13, 1839. His father, John DANIELSON, was born in Hyklinge County, Sweden, August 25, 1799, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth ANDERSON, was born in the same neighborhood August 18, 1792. For many years he was a foreman of a large farm -- Folingso, and later he operated a mill. He was an influential citizen who was ever found on the side of right and stood high in his community. After coming to this country he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. In their earlier years both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, but after coming to America accepted the doctrines of the Methodist Church. In politics, he was first a Whig and later a Republican and in the social and business world he ranked high. His death occurred on the 8th of November, 1884, and his wife passed away August 31, 1885. In their family were five children -- John A., who enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, as a private, rose to the rank of Captain and was wounded at the battle of Shiloh from the effects of which he died; A. Victor died at the age of twenty-five years; Maria A. is the wife of Ward LAMSON, of Fairfield; and Matilda S. is the wife of John STEPHENSON who resides in Lockridge Township. The fifth member of the family, Frank O. DANIELSON, received very limited educational advantages in his youth but by his own efforts has acquired a good practical knowledge. He was quite young, a lad of but six summers, when the family crossed the Atlantic to seek a home in the New World. He was therefore reared in Jefferson County and remained at home until 1859, when he went to Harrison where he earned his first money. While there, the Civil War broke out and taking up the cause of the Union, on the 2nd of July, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Iowa Infantry. He shared in a number of important engagements including the battles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, the two battles of Jackson, the engagement at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, White Oak Hills, Resaca, Iuka, the capture of Atlanta and the battles of Jonesboro, where he received his discharge on September 4, 1864, after a service of over three yeras. At the battle of Cherokee Station, he received a slight wound but was otherwise uninjured and returned to his home with the consciousness of having faithfully performed his duty in every instance at the hazard of his life.

On being mustered out of service, Mr. DANIELSON returned to Jefferson County and on the 2nd of September, 1866, was united in marriage with Mrs. Matilda M. PETERSON, daughter of Peter and Catherine (ANDERSON) CASSEL. She was born in Kisa County, Sweden, January 27, 1834, and by her former marriage had two children but lost one in infancy. The surviving daughter, Henrietta, is now the wife of Rev. N. G. NELSON, of Seattle, Wash. To Mr. and Mrs. DANIELSON was born a daughter -- Della E. who died at the age of nine years. The parents are of the Methodist faith and in the church to which they belong are active workers. Casting his first Presidential vote for Douglas, Mr. DANIELSON continued to affiliate with the Democratic party until during the war, when he changed his views and has since been a stanch advocate of Republican principles. He is now in comfortable circumstances, owning a good farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres as the result of his own efforts. Practical yet progressive, he is ready to accept any tested improvement and about his home is found all the accessories necessary to a model farm of the nineteenth century. His value as a citizen is unquestioned and therefore he merits a representation in this volume.

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