SAMUELSON, Gust - 1912 Bio (1859-1907)

SAMUELSON, ANDERSON, FRAY, RAM

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/30/2007 at 10:21:06

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 444-445

Gust SAMUELSON, who passed away on the 30th of December, 1907, enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the substantial agriculturists and prominent citizens of Black Hawk township. His birth occurred in Ostergotland, Sweden, on the 6th of August, 1859, his parents being Samuel and Gertrude Sophia (ANDERSON) SAMUELSON, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of John O. SAMUELSON, a brother of our subject. Gust SAMUELSON was a lad of eleven years when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States with his father and was reared to manhood under the parental roof in Black Hawk township, Jefferson county, Iowa. He followed farming in association with his father and brother for several years prior to his marriage and at the age of thirty-five years started out upon an independent career. Making his way to the state of Washington, he there worked by the month for a year and then returned to the home farm in Black Hawk township, this county. Subsequently he took a trip to his native land, returning to this country at the end of a few months. Again journeying to the state of Washington, he there remained for two years and on the expiration of that period returned home, working with his father for three years. A short time previous to his marriage he purchased a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Black Hawk township, this county. On that place he spent the remainder of his life, extending its boundaries by an additional purchase of eighty acres. He won a gratifying measure of prosperity in his undertakings as an agriculturist and was numbered among the successful and representative citizens of the community. In 1908 his widow removed to Packwood, where she purchased a nice home and began the work of educating her children. She intends to provide them with the advantages of a collegiate course of study and in the future will probably take up her abode in Fairfield, that they may attend Parsons College at that place. Mrs. SAMUELSON leases her farming property and is one of the well known and highly esteemed women of Packwood.

It was on the 12th of May, 1897, that Mr. SAMUELSON was united in marriage to Miss Augusta FRAY, who was born in Sweden, on the 8th of January, 1870, her parents being John W. and Louise (RAM) FRAY, likewise natives of that country. John W. FRAY, who served in the Swedish standing army for fifteen years, emigrated to America in 1885 and located in Jefferson county, Iowa, operating rented farms in Polk and Black Hawk townships for a number of years. In 1907 he removed to Keokuk county and purchased a farm of eighty acres and also the Manhattan Rolling Mills, which he owns and operates at the present time. His wife is also living and they are pleasantly located on their farm just a quarter of a mile from the mill.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. SAMUELSON were born four children. Grant Dewey, whose birth occurred February 2, 1898, is named for General U. S. Grant and Admiral George Dewey and is now attending the Packwood high school. Samuel Edward, whose natal day was September 16, 1900, is also attending the Packwood schools. Ruth Margaret, who was born on the 16th of January, 1902, is likewise pursuing her studies at Packwood. Retha Irene, born June 6, 1904, is a public-school student at Packwood.

Mr. SAMUELSON exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but neither sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith was that of the Swedish Lutheran church, to which his widow also belongs. Prior to his marriage he was identified with the Knights of Pythias at Fairfield but eventually dropped out of the lodge because of the long distance to town. While his life was quietly passed in some ways, it was nevertheless fruitful of good in that he was always faithful to every trust reposed in him, progressive in his citizenship and reliable in his business connections.

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