MAGNUSSON, CHARLES

MAGNUSSON, HALSTROM, LEE, LUND

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 1/8/2004 at 08:35:49

Biography reproduced from page 277 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Charles Magnusson, a prominent business man of Algona, was born in central Sweden, April 19, 1857. He was a son of Adam and Elizabeth Magnusson, also natives of Sweden, who lived, labored and died in the land of their nativity. The father was a sexton in a state church. He contracted two marriages and by the first wife two sons, John and Charles, were born. After the passing of the mother, which occurred when Charles was two years of age, Adam Magnusson married a second time and by the union had four children: Clara, Matilda and Bertha, all of whom are residents of Sweden; and Louisa.

Charles Magnusson was educated in the common schools of Sweden and remained at home until eighteen years of age. His venturesome spirit at that time prompted him to emigrate to the United States, which he did, first settling New Jersey, where he remained one year, working on a farm, after which he spent two years in New York city. From there he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and spent one year. Then he turned his face westward and lived in Henderson, Illinois, for a brief period. He next came to Kossuth county, Iowa, where he spent the first year on a farm near Algona and has since been a resident of Algona. He was engaged in the dray and transfer business until 1894, when gradually he shifted his activities to the ice business. During the first year of his connection with this line he only handled forty tons of ice but his business has so increased as to now require an annual storage of two thousand tons. He erected a large ice house here and also rebuilt the river ice house, adjoining which he owns thirty acre of land. He and his family occupy their own pleasant home in Algona.

In 1882 Mr. Magnusson married Miss Amanda Halstrom, also a native of Sweden, and they have five children: Julia, who is now the wife of Sim Lee and resides near Irvington, Iowa; Mabel, the wife of Henry Lund, of Algona, Iowa; Jennie, who follows the profession of teaching; and Eva and Louisa, both at home.

Politically Mr. Magnusson is a republican. His church relations are with the Presbyterian congregation and he is a trustee of the church. His wife and children are also members of the same denomination. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen of Algona. His success in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts and today he stands deservedly high in business and social circles.