HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, VOL. II, 1918, page 272

The life record of Paul A. Paulson rounded out the psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, yet deep regret was felt at his passing, for he had been a citizen of worth and therefore his demise was the occasion of sincere and widespread sorrow. He had for a long period been identified with the agricultural interests of Worth county and in his last years he lived retired in Northwood. He was born in Hadeland, Norway, July 13, 1843, a son of Andrew and Karen (Hendrickson) Paulson, who were likewise natives of that country, where they were reared and married. In 1849 they made arrangements to come to the new world and for a year and a half they were residents of Koshkonong, Wisconsin. They afterward removed to Argyle, Wisconsin, where the death of the father occurred in 1863. His widow afterward became a resident of Northwood, Iowa, where she passed away.

Paul A. Paulson was a little lad of but six years at the time of the removal of the family from Norway to the United States. The vessel on which they sailed was sixteen weeks in crossing the Atlantic, and going by way of the Great lakes, the party proceeded westward to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and from that point overland to Koshkonong and later to Argyle, Wisconsin. It was in 187I that Paul A. Paulson arrived in Worth county, at which time he took up his abode in Deer Creek township, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he developed and improved. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and cared for his crops and as time passed he won substantial success through his well-directed efforts. To his original quarter section he added another tract of one hundred and sixty acres and he continued to cultivate his farm until 1901, when he retired from agricultural life and removed to Northwood, where his remaining days were passed. He lived to enjoy twelve years of honorable retirement from business, passing away April 29, 1913, at the age of seventy years. There were many interesting chapters in his life record. In August, 1862, he responded to the call of his adopted country for aid in preserving the Union and joined the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Iowa volunteers. His father died while he was with his company, encamped near Louisville. In August, 1865, Paul A. Paulson was honorably discharged, having for three years been a loyal defender of the stars and stripes. During the Civil war, while his company was near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he attended the Norwegian church and remained to partake of communion. The delay occasioned by this caused him to overstay his appointed leave of absence and receive punishment, but the deep religious nature of Mr. Paulson prompted him to take the punishment rather than miss the communion service. The hymn book which he carried through his three years of army experience was deposited in the cornerstone of the Deer Creek Church Synod at the time the building was erected on the corner of his land several years ago. In addition to his property interests in Deek Creek township, Mr. Paulson was the owner of a farm in Polk county, Minnesota, comprising two hundred and sixty acres, and he had also homesteaded in Roseau county, but he afterward sold his right to that land.

On December 25, 1867, Mr. Paulson was united in marriage to Miss Anne Marie Bratholt, a daughter of Louis and Elsie (Olson) Bratholt. She, too, was a native of Hadeland, Norway, and in that country her mother died, but the father afterward came to the United States and spent his last days in Montevideo Minnesota.

The death of Mr. Paulson occurred after a long illness, although he was confined to his bed for only a brief period prior to his demise. His funeral services were held in the Northwood Lutheran church and the large numbers in attendance indicated the high regard in which he was uniformly held. All who knew him esteemed him for his sterling worth. He was a man of industry and enterprise in connection with business affairs and at all times he was honorable and upright. recognizing his duties and his obligations to his fellowman, while in his business transactions he was ever straightforward and reliable. He displayed many sterling characteristics worthy of commendation and of emulation, and his example may well be followed by those who wish to win success and an honored name simultaneously. In matters of citizenship he was ever as true and loyal to his adopted land as when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south.

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Transcribed by Gordon Felland - July 14, 2005