John Carson

CARSON, COOLEY, HICKOK

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/8/2010 at 05:25:09

JOHN CARSON

John Carson, mayor of Forest City, is making an excellent record in office, his course showing an even balance between that conservatism which precludes useless expenditure and that progressiveness which looks ever to the upbuilding and furtherance of public interests. He was born in Cook county, Illinois, December 12, 1857, a son of John and Elizabeth Carson, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to the United States in the early '40s and, settling in Cook county, Illinois, were there identified with farming interests, both passing away in that county.

John Carson acquired a public school education at Arlington Heights and in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Chicago. His early training was that of the farm bred boy and through the periods of vacation he assisted with the work of the farm and also after his text-books were put aside gave his attention to the work of the fields for a considerable period. In 1887, however, he came to Winnebago county and settled in Forest township, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land. With characteristic energy he took up the work of further developing and improving his farm, which he cultivated until 1891, when he leased the property and removed to a farm of eighty acres which he purchased a mile and a half from Forest City. His attention was chiefly given to the work of the fields there until 1910, when he retired from agricultural life and took up his abode in the county seat. Since then he has lived retired from active business cares but still retains the ownership of his farm property, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. His life has been a busy and useful one fraught with success that now permits the leisure which enables him to give most of his attention to public service.

In February, 1888, Mr. Carson was married to Miss Clara A. Cooley, a native of Cook county, Illinois, and a daughter of Charles and Clara Cooley. They have but one son, Carroll, who is farming the old home place. He wedded Vera Hickok and has one son, David Hickok Carson.

Mr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Congregational church, to the support of which they make liberal contribution, while of its teachings they are loyal adherents. In politics he has been an earnest republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as township clerk, as secretary of the school board for thirteen years, and in March, 1916, was elected mayor of Forest City for a two years' term, so that he is now the incumbent in the office, in which connection he is concentrating his efforts upon a wise, safe and equitable administration of public affairs.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 328-329.