OVERSTROM, Charles John - 1912 Bio (1847-1919)

OVERSTROM, PETERSON, OLSON, ANDERSON, TENANT, RAWSHER, RAUSCHER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/25/2007 at 17:00:07

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 326-327

Charles J. OVERSTROM, who for the past twenty-three years has been successfully identified with the business interests of Jefferson county as a merchant of Lockridge, is at present conducting a grocery and furniture store in association with his son. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 12th of July, 1847, his parents being Isaac and Caroline (PETERSON) OVERSTROM, who were likewise natives of that country. In 1857 the family crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made their way direct to Jefferson county, Iowa. He was a stone mason by trade and had followed that occupation to some extent in Sweden, where he served in the regular army for twenty years. He was crippled at Pittsburg Landing and throughout the remainder of his life was unable to do much work. After the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south he returned to Jefferson county, Iowa, residing near Lockridge until called to his final rest in 1899. His wife, surviving him for four years, passed away in 1903.

Charles J. OVERSTROM began his education in his native land and after coming to the United States continued his studies in the district schools of Lockridge township, this county. After putting aside his text-books he secured employment as a farm hand and thus worked for ten years. On the expiration of that period he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, operating a rented farm in Henry county for one year. He then returned to Jefferson county and for some time operated his father's farm in Round Prairie township. Subsequently he purchased a tract of one hundred acres adjoining his father's property, cleared and improved the same and cultivated both farms until 1888. In that year he abandoned agricultural pursuits and took up his abode in Lockridge, where he opened a general mercantile establishment which he has conducted continuously since. During this period he has held the office of postmaster for twelve years. At the present time he is conducting a grocery and furniture store in association with his son. His reasonable prices and earnest efforts to please his customers have brought him a large and gratifying patronage. He owns a fine home in Lockridge and is well known and highly esteemed as one of the representative and prosperous citizens of the community.

In January, 1878, Mr. OVERSTROM was united in marirage (sic) to Miss Hannah A. OLSON, a daughter of John and Hannah (ANDERSON) OLSON, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Emigrating to the United States, they took up their abode in Monmouth, Illinois, in 1867 but after a short time removed to Henry county, Iowa, where Mr. OLSON purchased and improved a farm, operating the same until he passed away in 1905. His wife was called to her final rest two years later. Mr. and Mrs. OVERSTROM have three children, as follows: Nora E., residing in Burlington, Iowa, who is the wife of H. B. TENANT, a traveling salesman; Nettie H., the wife of Henry RAWSHER (sic - RAUSCHER), an implement dealer of New London, Iowa; and John M., a young man of twenty-four years, who is engaged in business with his father. All were born in this county.

Mr. OVERSTROM gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as road supervisor and school director of his district. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. He has now been a resident of this part of the state for more than a half century and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

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