Christofferson, Carl Reuben 1879 -

CHRISTOFFERSON, HOLTER, RATHBURN, MEYER, KOENIG, KAISER, ROSE, SCHROEDER, RUCKDASCHEL

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/19/2014 at 11:15:57

CARL REUBEN CHRISTOFFERSON

Prominent among the energetic, successful and progressive farmers of Winneshiek County is numbered Carl Reuben Christofferson, managing two hundred acres of land on section 25, Bloomfield Township. He is a native of Iowa, born in Allamakee county, November 22, 1879, a son of Hans and Caroline (Holter) Christofferson, natives of Norway, who came from that country to America, locating in Allamakee county. There they remained for some years, but in the spring of 1900 moved to Winneshiek County, where the father purchased two hundred acres of fine land on section 25, Bloomfield Township. Upon this property he resided for some time, carrying on the work of its improvement and development, but he is now living retired, making his home in Postville. His wife has passed away. To their union were born four children: Carl Reuben, of this review; Albert, who lives in Castalia; Anna, the wife of Blake Rathburn; and Herman, who resides in Postville.

Carl R. Christofferson grew up on his father's farm in Allamakee County and acquired his education in the district schools. He came to Winneshiek County with his parents and when he was twenty-one years of age turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which he followed thereafter for about six years. At the end of that time he returned to the homestead and assumed charge of its operation in 1907. He has two hundred acres of fertile land, upon which he has steadily carried forward the work of improvement and development, his progressive and practical methods resulting in a gratifying measure of success. Aside from general farming he is also extensively interested in stock-raising and keeps on hand a number of fine cattle and hogs. His interests are all well managed and profitable and he is regarded as one of the most prosperous agriculturists in the county.

On the 26th of February, 1904, Mr. Christofferson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Koenig, a daughter of William F. and Charlotte (Meyer) Koenig, natives of Germany, who came to America about the year 1868, locating first in Clayton County, Iowa. After residing there for about four years they moved to Winneshiek County, upon a farm on section 23, Bloomfield Township, where they make their home at the present time, the father living retired. To their union have been born nine children: Louise, the wife of Charles Kaiser, of Monona, Iowa; Louis, who resides in Postville; Minnie, who married Herman Rose, also of Postville; Mary, the wife of George Schroeder, of the same city; Rosina, who married Fred Ruckdaschel, also of Postville; William, who lives at home; Lena, the wife of the subject of this review; Fred, at home; and Emma, twin to Fred, who has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Christofferson have two children: Otis Dean, who was born on the 1st of May, 1907; and Harold Carl Lewis, born March 19, 1910.

Fraternally Mr. Christofferson is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Northwestern and Milwaukee Life Insurance Associations. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican Party and has rendered his township capable service as school director. He is one of the most substantial farmers of his locality, well known throughout Bloomfield Township for his diligence and enterprise, and he deserves great credit for his present prosperity, which is due entirely to his own exertions

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913