Sven C. Blomquist

ANDERSON, BLOMQUIST

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/28/2006 at 14:59:45

Swan C. Blomquist, a representative farmer of Penn township, was born in Sweden on the 27th of March, 1869, a son of Justen and Anna C. (Anderson) Blomquist, both of whom were also born in that country. Although the father was a carpenter and stonemason in Sweden, following his emigration to America in 1882 he farmed in Nebraska. He resided there for several years and then removed to the state of Washington. The mother of our subject was married second time, becoming the wife of Charles J. Anderson, who died in February, 1915. She is still living in Jackson township, this county. To her first marriage were born four children: Swan C.; A. J., who is farming in Nebraska; B. August, a farmer of Adair county, Iowa; and J. D, a carpenter living in the state of Washington. To her second marriage was born a son, E. A. Anderson, who is residing with his mother on the farm in Jackson township.

Swan C. Blomquist was eleven years of age when he came to America with his brother, R. August, who was only six years old. Although they were both but children they made the long journey by themselves and on arriving in this country continued westward to Des Moines, where they joined their mother, who was a resident of that city. Our subject went to work on a truck farm the fall that lie arrived in the United States and the following year came to Earlham, Madison county, Iowa, and soon after entered the employ of Charles Anderson, a farmer of Jackson township. He continued to work for Mr. Anderson until he became of age and then began his independent career. For ten years he rented land and carefully saved his money with the end in view of purchasing land. In 1895 he bought eighty acres from H. L. Kail and later added another eighty acre tract, which he purchased from S. M. Holmes. The quarter section of land in Penn township which he now owns is one of the well developed properties of that township and most of the improvements have been made by Mr. Blomquist. When lie first removed to the farm there were no buildings upon the place save the residence, but in 1908 he erected a fine barn and in 1914 built the cattle barns. He is progressive and energetic, devoting much time and thought as well as money to the development of his place and his improvements not only increase the value of his farm but also enable him to work to better advantage. About twenty-five years ago he began threshing with an old style horse power outfit, but after three years he purchased a steam power threshing outfit and during the years that have since elapsed he has received a good share of the patronage of the farmers in Madison county. For several years he shipped his outfit to north-western Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota and engaged in threshing in those states during the season, which is later than the season in Madison county, and by so doing added materially to his income.

Mr. Blomquist is a republican and for five years was trustee of Penn township, while he is now serving his second term as school treasurer of that township. He is a self-made man and has always given the closest attention to his work as a farmer and stock-raiser as he has realized that success is dependent upon industry and good management. He believes in the wisdom of raising a good grade of stock and as his cattle and hogs are always in good condition when sold he receives high prices for them in the market. The same spirit of progressiveness that distinguishes him as a farmer is characteristic of him in all of the relations of life and he is justly held in high esteem.

Information taken from the book, "The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915," by Herman Mueller