John A. Kullberg
John A. Kullberg, deceased, was for twenty-eight years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Crawford county, where he served as an admirable example of what may be accomplished by industry and application.
Born in Kalmarlan, Sweden, May 6, 1855, he was a son of Andrew Kullberg, the other surviving members of the family being as follows: Carrie. who maltied Alfred Thorngren and lives in Sioux City, Iowa; Louisa, who became the wife of Nels Larson of Sweden; Christina, the wife of Alfred Norman of Pennsylvania; Emma, who married Swan Benson, of Odebolt, Iowa; Selma, whu became the wife of Alfred Anderson and lives in Sweden; Charles. who resides in Sioux City, Iowa; and Andrew P. E., of Lake View. Two other children are deceased.
John A. Kullberg remained in his native land until he was twenty-five years old, when he became convinced that he would find broader fields for business opportunities in the new world and accordingly in 1880 he came to the United States, making his way to Sac county, where he remained for two years. In 1882 he moved to Crawford county and rented a section of land, which he continued to cultivate for about six years, at the expiration of which period he bought four hundred and forty acres, which he cleared and fenced and upon which he erected good buildings. He sold forty acres of this and also disposed of more land to the railroad when it was built through the locality, leaving him three hundred and seventy-four acres, which his three sons took charge of in March, 1911, and where they will continue to follow general farming on the scale outlined by their father.
The marriage of Mr. Kullberg occurred February 5, 1885, when he was united to Miss Christina Freeman, of Harcourt, Iowa, a daughter of Samuel and Ann (Johnson) Freeman. Unto them were born ten children, of whom the following survive: Carl A., John E., Ernest M., Alice A. and Annie S., all of whom are residing under the parental roof. The other five children died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Kullberg was always a republican and fraternally was affiliated with the Masonic order. He passed away August 17, 1910, and in his death the community realized that it had lost a useful and valuable citizen-one who had always led an upright and honorable life in all his relations with his fellowmen. He was what may be termed a self-made man, for he began his business career without capital or influential friends to aid him and his success was due entirely to his unaided efforts and sound judgment in business affairs. His many friends held him in the highest regard and to his family he was a loving husband and father.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.