Charles J. Charlson (1846-1913)

CHARLSON, HAGEN, JOHNSON, SANDVIG, DOWNING, MEHL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/6/2024 at 13:11:38

From Story City Herald August 21, 1913 (page 1)

EARLY SETTLER PASSED AWAY

C. J. CHARLSON DIED LAST THURSDAY NOON AFTER LONG ILLNESS

C. J. Charlson (Hagen), known familiarly for many years as "Charlie" Charlson, died at this place at noon last Thursday. He was stricken with paralysis about four years ago, since when he has been a gradually declining physical condition, though able to be up and around for the greater part of the time.

Death crept in so slowly that both the deceased and his family were not taken unaware, through the breaking of the ties of earth were none the less painful to all concerned.

The funeral services will be held to-morrow (Friday) at 1:30 from the house and at 2 o'clock in the St. Petri church. The funeral has been held off thus long in order to enable one of the daughters, Miss Nellie, to get here. She was on the ocean homeward bound from Norway when her father died. She arrived in New York Tuesday morning, where the sad message reached her. She arrived home this morning.

In the death of C. J. Charlson this community loses on of it oldest citizens. Coming here as a mere boy he lived among us for fifty-five years. During a large part of that time his influence was great in a wide circle, both in a business and political way. As a man he was of a congenial nature and made friends easily. As a neighbor he was loyal and unselfish. As a citizen he was public spirited and patriotic. In all the years we knew him we never heard him speak ill of any man, which indicates his generosity of judgment and largeness of heart more than anything that could be said of him.
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C. J. Charlson (Hagen) was born in Aardahl, Norway, March 15th, 1846, and died in Story City August 14th, 1913, age 67 years, 4 months and 29 days.

At about the age of eleven he with the rest of his family immigrated to America and settled in LaSalle county, Ill. Some time in the year 1858 the family loaded their few belongings into a wagon and emigrated westward to Story county, the boys walking the greater part of the distance. In the vicinity of Story City the boys and girls of this family grew to be men and women and experienced the hardships and privations, the joys and sorrows incident to pioneer life.

The subject of this sketch was a member of the first confirmation class of Rev. N. Amlund, being confirmed in Rev. Amlund's residence two miles east of Story City. Mr. Charlson was a member of the St. Petri Lutheran church from the time of its organization until his death, more than half a century.

His early education was limited to just a few winter terms in the rural schools. By far the greater part of his education was obtained in the school of hard knocks and experience.

Of his brothers and sisters only one now remains, Mrs. M. Morrison of Birmingham, Ala.

On Dec. 23, 1871, Mr. Charlson was married to Miss Julia Johnson (Sandvig) by Rev. P. A. Rasmussen at his residence south of Yorkville, Ill.

To this union were born eleven children, three of whom are dead. Mrs. Charlson with eight children are: Josie (Mrs. G. T. Johnson), Belmond; Helen, Iowa Center, Wyo.; Elmer, Forest City; Edward, Story City; Belle (Mrs. C. O. Downing), Iowa Center, Wyo.; Lenora (Mrs. J. M. Mehl), Nellie and Cora, Story City. There are eight grandchildren.