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1907 Past and Present Biographies

L. F. Lofstedt

L. F. Lofstedt, who owns and operates an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township, Greene county, was born in the central part of Sweden on the 7th of October, 1847, his parents being Andrew and Mary Lofstedt, who emigrated to the United States in 1865. The father was a manufacturer in Sweden, but on coming to the new world took up agricultural pursuits in Illinois. He afterward came to Greene county,Iowa, in 1872, where he remained until his demise in 1882. His wife survived him for a number of years, passing away in 1904, and by her marriage she had become the mother of nine children, only three of whom make their home in Greene county, namely: John and August, farmers, of Washington township; and L. F., of this review.

L. F. Lofstedt reecived a good edcuation in the schools of his native land, being a graduate of a college there. In 1866, however, he crossed the Atlantic to America in the hope of benefiting by the broader business opportunities offered in the new world. In 1876 he took up his abode in Greene county, Iowa, where he rented land for three years and then, with the capital which he had saved by reason of his economy and industry, purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township, Greene county, which he still owns and operates, meeting with a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests.

In 1871 Mr. Lofstedt was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Fritz, a native of Illinois, but of German descent. To this union has been born one child, Bertha, who is at home. Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Lofstedt has given his political support to the republican party and is prominent in the local ranks of his party, having served for eighteen years as township treasurer and for seven years as county supervisor, his incumbency in the latter offce ending in 1906. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both of Rippey, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. His wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in the community where they have now resided for almost a third of a century both Mr. and Mrs. Lofstedt are widely and favorably known, being recognized as people of genuine personal worth and commendable traits of character. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized, for through the utilization of the business advantages here offered he has gained the success that now ranks him among the enterprising and representative agriculturists of Greene county.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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