PAULSON, Margarethe Christine (Bahnsen) 1896-1991

BAHNSEN, PAULSON, WOHLERT

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 10/20/2011 at 16:18:36

Margaret (Margarethe) Christine Bahnsen was born on March 3, 1896 at Wyoming township, Jones County, Iowa to Christian Carsten Bahnsen and Margaretha Wohlert. She had nine siblings, all born in Iowa: Carsten John, Johann Henry, Christine Augusta, Bertha, Hans, William C, Lynda Louise, Harold C and Ralph William.

In 1903, when Margarethe was but four years old, she, her parents and siblings left Wyoming, Iowa and returned to Germany to visit. They can be found on the ship's list leaving Hamburg, Germany on October 1, 1903 to return to America. The Ship name was Blücher; the Shipping Line: Hamburg-Amerika Linie (Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft); the Ship type: Dampfschiff.

They traveled 2nd Klasse under the Ship flag: Deutschland and arrived at Southampton, Cherbourg; New York; (from Volume: 373-7 I, VIII A 1 Band 148; Page: 2488; Microfilm Roll Number: K_1781.)

After returning from Germany, Margaret & her parents moved to a farm at Rock Grove, Floyd, Iowa and later moved again to a farm in Falls township, Cerro Gordo Co, IA. Her parents were both from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Found in the 1900 and 1915 censuses at Falls, Cerro Gordo, Iowa:
1900: Chris C Bahnsen 33, Maggie Bahnsen 31, Cass John Bahnsen 8, John H Bahnsen 6, Maggie Bahnsen 4, Christine Bahnsen 2, Babey Bahnsen 0/12, Volkand Collie 21 (hired man).
Found in the 1910 census at Rock Grove, Floyd, IA.: Chris Bahnsen 42, Margaret Bahnsen 40, Carsten Bahnsen 18, John Bahnsen 16, Margaret Bahnsen 14, Christina Bahnsen 12, Bertha Bahnsen 9, Hans Bahnsen 8, William Bahnsen 6, Lynda Bahnsen 3.

Margaret married Gustav Paulson on May 21, 1919 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo, IA. The couple rented a farm in Rock Township, Section 33 of Mitchell County, Iowa and later puchased a farm in Section 20 of the same Township. They were life long members of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church of Meroa, IA.

Margaret was an accomplished seamstress, making most of her childrens' clothing. She was also an avid gardener. She made their own laundry soap, butchered their meat and preserved & canned garden items. All five of her children were educated at Rock #5 country school and graduated from Osage High school. The children were expected to help at home, do chores and participated in church activities and in 4-H. After WWII, the family moved to an 80 acre farm in Worth County.

Found in the 1925, 1930 censuses at Rock, Mitchell, IA:
1925: Huit (should be Gus)Paulson 30, Margaret Paulson 28, Joyce Paulson 6, Gelen Paulson 4, Carroll Paulson 2, Mantin Solbery 35, C H Brenden 46.
1930: Gustav Paulson 35, Margareth Paulson 34, Joise Paulson 11, Garlan Paulson 9, Carrol Paulson 7, Bonna Paulson 4, Twyla Paulson 1 11/12, John Hagon 21.
(Note: Censuses transcribed as found without correcting obvious spelling errors.)

Gus Paulson died at a V.A. Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas while they were on vacation January 28, 1954. Margaret rented the farm next door to her daughter, Bonnie, and moved into a remodeled schoolhouse on the property. Finally, she moved to the Marshalltown Vets Home. She died from complications of a stroke at the hospital on January 25, 1991 at Marshalltown, Marshall, Iowa. She is buried at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, IA.

Gus and Margaret Paulson had 5 children, they were:
Joyce (November 18, 1918 to November 21, 2006);
Gaylon Willis (May 16, 1920 to November 29, 1990);
Vernon Carroll (June 26, 1922 to April 5, 2006);
Twyla Grace (April 18, 1928 to 2005) and
female (still living in 2011).

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SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX:

PAULSON, MARGARET C.
B: 03 Mar 1896
D: 26 Jan 1991
AGE: 94
RES: 50464 (Plymouth, Cerro Gordo, IA)
SSN: Iowa 482-52-1003