WALGREN, August - 1890 Bio (1827-1914)

WALGREN, SAMUELSON, PETERSON, KRUMBOLTZ

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/3/2007 at 10:23:15

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 355-357

August WALGREN, a farmer residing on section 9, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, was born on the 11th of September, 1827, in Sweden. Most of his family were engaged in agricultural pursuits but his grandfather was in the government service, inspector of government land. His father in his youth learned the tailor's trade which he followed for many years. He also operated a farm for some time and could turn his hand to almost any kind of labor. In 1826, he married Miss Christina WALGREN. His own name was Peter SAMUELSON, but our subject took his mother's name. Mr. SAMUELSON continued business operations in his native land until his death. which occurred in 1850. Soon afterward the family came to America and made a settlement in Burlington, Iowa, where they remained one year. There were five children in the family, the eldest of whom is August, the subject of this sketch; Caroline died in Jefferson County; John went to California in 1852, and was last heard of in 1864 when he started home, but he never reached his destination and it is supposed that he was murdered while on a Mississippi steamer; Andrew, a resident of Burlington, is in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He served in the First Iowa Infantry during the late war and was Sergeant at the battle of Wilson's Creek. Lewis Peter entered the service in the First Nebraska Regiment and after being wounded received his discharge. Later he re-enlisted in the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, was made Sergeant and remained a faithful follower of the old flag until the close of the war. He is now living in Ft. Davis, Tex.

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land and the year succeeding his arrival in America, was united in marriage with Miss Anna PETERSON, who came to this country in 1849. Their union was celebrated in Burlington, June 24, 1851, and the succeeding autumn they sought a home in Jefferson County, locating in Lockridge Township, where Mr. WALGREN purchased sixty acres of land. That tract was covered with timber, deer and smaller wild game was to be found in abundance and the Indians were yet frequent visitors in the settlement. Not a furrow having been turned upon his land, he had to begin at the very first to develop a farm and for ten years he devoted himself exclusively to work in that line in which period a great transformation was wrought, changing the hitherto uncultivated tract into rich and fertile fields which yielded abundant harvests.

But in the meantime events were shaping themselves which changed his mode of life. The Civil War was in progress. His country needed men and no longer could he resist the appeals made for volunteers but with his heart in the cause and himself ready to give up his life if need be for his country, he entered the service on the 19th of October, 1861, as a member of Company M, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. His regiment was engaged in warfare against the guerrillas in the Southwest and although their duty did not win them fame as other service might have done, it was none the less arduous or important. On account of the hardships and exposures incident to that life, Mr. WALGREN was taken with bleeding at the lungs and became so weak that he had to be lifted on his horse. At length he was granted a sick furlough of thirty days but it took twenty-eight days to reach St. Louis and so his time was extended. When he again reported for duty he was made ward master in the hospital at Keokuk and was transferred to the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Veteran Reserve Corps. After three years and two months he received his discharge, the war having then been brought to a successful termination.

After his return home, Mr. WALGREN acted as traveling minister for some eleven years in Iowa, and also spent two years in Michigan and one year in Illinois, in the same capacity. His labors were arduous but his interest in the work allowed him little rest until at length, in 1873, broken down in health, he had to retire to his farm for recuperation. Five years later he removed to his present home where he owns and operates a good farm of three hundred and forty-five acres, on which may be found good buildings, all necessary improvements and a commodious and tasty residence just completed. In connection with the operation of his land he operates a stone quarry and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, making a specialty of Short-horn cattle and Belgium horses. With no capital save a young man's bright hope of the future he started out in life. The New World furnished attractions for him and he resolved to here seek his fortune. Choosing the West as the scene of his labors he began operations, determined to succeed if he could accomplish success by honorable methods. Almost a third of a century has since come and gone, and in the exercise of his business talents and by industry, perseverance, and above all, by fair and honest dealing, he has won a handsome competence and gained the respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. His life work is worthy of emulation and with the hope that some one will be inspired with renewed efforts by the perusal of this brief sketch, we insert it in the volume of his county's history. Socially, Mr. WALGREN is a member of George Strong Post, No. 19, G. A. R., of Fairfield. In his earlier years, his views were in harmony with the principles of the Democratic party but ere he had attained the right of citizenship his ideas underwent a change and he cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. The Republican party has since found in him a stalwart supporter.

We have said little concerning Mrs. WALGREN who has been a true helpmate to her husband along life's journey. For thirty-nine years she has shared with him the joys and sorrows, the adversity and successes which checker the life of men and by her assistance and encouraging words has done not a little for his prosperous efforts. Their union has been blessed with fourteen children, the eldest of whom, Andrew W., is now living in Salina; Albert is at home, Anna R., is now a resident of Wyoming where she owns some land; Arthur W., and Joseph O., are also living in Wyoming; Emma F. is the wife of Mr. KRUMBOLTZ; Lewis is located in Denver, Col.; Henrietta lives in Wyoming; Wesley, Franklin, and Hannah May, are still at home. The other members of the family are deceased.

The children have all received good educational advantages, thus being fitted for the practical duties of life, and like their parents are members of the Methodist Church. The family, so widely known throughout Jefferson County, is well worthy of representation in this volume.

[Transcriber's note: The G.A.R. is the Grand Army of the Republic, the fore-runner of the American Legion.]

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