MADSON, C. R.

MADSON, LARSON, HANSON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 1/10/2004 at 14:10:49

Biography reproduced from page 577 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

C. R. Madson, manager of the Algona Buick & Tile Works, was born in Denmark, April 29, 1877, and is a son of S. J. and Hansine Madson, both natives of that country. The father and mother were married in their native land but, being ambitious to improve their condition and that of their family, the father emigrate to America in May, 1883, preceding his family a little over a year and settling in Goldfield, Wright county, Iowa, where the parents still live. The father was a woodworker and while in his native land was engaged in the manufacture of wooden spoons. After a time he took up agricultural pursuits and became a farmer, an occupation which he still follows. To S. J. and Hansine Madson were born six children: Carl C., of Algona; H. P., of Goldfield; C. R; Anna M., the wife of L. R. Larson, of Schaffer, North Dakota; M. E., of Goldfield, Iowa; and A. M., at home.

C. R. Madson, coming with his parents to Iowa when a lad of seven years, was educated in the public schools of this state. In early life he learned the jewelry business, but shortly afterward he embarked in the brick and tile business in Goldfield, Iowa, where he remained nine years. After that he spent one summer in ditching and manufacturing cement tiling, locating in 1909 in Algona, where he was made manager of the Algona Brick & Tile Works. He was ambitious and untiring in the discharge of his duties and soon after his connection with the local factory he put in a dryer and greatly added to the facilities of the works. By skilful management he has increased the demand for the output of the factory and has greatly extended its trade connections. In the year previous to his connection therewith twenty-one kilns were burned but since that time as many as thirty-nine kilns have been manufactured and placed on the market in a single year.

On March 1, 1899, Mr. Madson was married to Miss Anna L. Hanson, also a native of Denmark, who had emigrated with her family to the United States in 1881. To Mr. and Mrs. Madson six children have been born, Mildred H., Gladys, Rosa, Clifford, Ethel May and Florence Elinor.

Mr. Madson’s political affiliation is with the republican party, in which he takes as active an interest as is consistent with his business obligations. His fraternal association is limited to membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Madson are members of the Lutheran church but are attending the Congregational services here. By his vigorous and able business management of the Algona Brick & Tile Works Mr. Madson has formed a large business acquaintanceship not only in Algona but with the best class of agriculturists throughout Kossuth county, and is widely known in a business way in many communities. Reliable and just in all his business dealings, social and affable in his contact with the people of Algona and congenial of disposition among all classes, he enjoys a prominent and worthy position in this community. He is one of the really substantial and influential business men and one of those without mention of whom no history of Kossuth county would be complete.