C. J. Tellgren
C. J. Tellgren, who was formerly engaged in agricultural pursuits in Crawford county but is now living in Kiron, where he has a wagon and repair shop, is a native of Sweden.
He is a son of G. F. and Elizabeth Katherine Tellgren, also natives of Scandinavia, his birth having occurred on the 30th of January, 1862. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1885, and in February of which year they settled on a farm in Crawford county, Iowa. The father passed away on the 21st of March, 1908, but the mother is still living, although she has passed her seventy-fifth anniversary. They were the parents of five children, who were as follows: C. J., our subject; Andrew, deceased; O. F., living in Crawford county; Enoch, who resides in Ida county; and Alfred, also of this county.
C. J. Tellgren received his education in the common schools of his native land, remaining a member of his father's household until he had attained his fifteenth year, at which time he started out in life for himself. He worked as a farm hand for two years and then entered the army. After two years' service, he decided to become a citizen of the United States and after receiving his discharge he took passage for America. Upon his arrival he made his way westward, locating in Crawford county, Iowa, where he obtained employment upon a farm, continuing to work for others for three years.
At the end of that period he had accumulated sufficient means to enable him to farm as a renter and for sixteen years he cultivated leased land. In 1900 he gave up agricultural pursuits and removed to Kiron, where he opened a wagon and repair shop, which he is still conducting. Mr. Tellgren is an excellent mechanic, having been a high class engineer in Sweden when he was seventeen years of age. He has met with moderate success in his various ventures and owns his residence and two lots, as weIl as his shop and a building and two acres of land within the village limits.
Mr. Tellgren was married on the 3d of July, 1889, to Miss Matilda Swanson, one of the five children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Swan Nelson, of Sweden, who spent their entire lives in their native land. Three children have been bom unto Mr. and Mrs. TeIlgren, as foIlows: Maud T., Anna V. and Minnie M. They are all graduates of the high school and the eldest and youngest are now at home, but the second daughter is attending college in Des Moines.
They attend the services of the Baptist church, and Mr. Tellgren always supports the candidates and measures of the republican party. He takes an active interest in all municipal matters and at the present time is a member of the board of aldermen. The family is highly regarded in Kiron, figuring prominently in all of the social activities.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.