Ernest C. Youngstrom 1881 - 1956

YOUNGSTROM, KREKEL, HIRLEMAN

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 11/18/2010 at 20:02:20

YOUNGSTROM DIES AT 74
Ernest C. Youngstrom, 74, retired Des Moines County recorder, who held county office probably longer than anyone else in Iowa, died Tuesday at 9:50 a.m. in the Burlington Hospital.
He retired December 1954, because of ill health after after 44 consecutive years as county recorder. He formerly lived at 838 S. Leebrick, but recently had been making his home with a son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Krekel. He entered Burlington hospital after suffering a stroke on March 10.
The body is at Wallen's chapel, where services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Donald Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Born May 30, 1881, near Vadstena in the Swedish province of Ostergotland, he was the youngest of seven children of Gustave and Hedda C. Youngstrom.
The Youngstrom family came to the U.S. in 1885 and settled in Henderson County near Stronghurst, Illinois. In 1892 the family moved to the old Mason farm on Mason road and moved into the city in 1898.
A harness maker, by trade, Youngstrom started work when he was 16 at the S. R. & I C. McConnell Wholesale Saddlery Company. The firm was then located at the present site of Hotel Burlington. He worked at the saddlery for 13 1/2 years.
He was first elected county recorder in 1910 as a Republican and served 22 consecutive terms. Quiet but effective when seeking votes, he was regarded as an able and clean campaigner. He was known as a serious and conscientious worker. He usually worked Saturday afternoons and sometimes when the occasion demanded on holidays.
He was succeeded as county recorder by Marie Lideen, who began work in the office as deputy in 1916. Miss Lideen became the first woman to hold the post in Des Moines County history.
A well-known singer in his youth, he had been a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church choir for 37 years. He had been a trustee of the church for 37 years and served as financial secretary for 20 years.
He was a long time member of the Elks and Izaak Walton League. His favorite hobby was gardening.
In 1915, he married Esther H. Bloom in Burlington. She died April 19, 1919.
Surviving are three children, Mrs. Krekel, Ralph O. Youngstrom, both of Burlington, and Mrs. Marjorie A. Hirleman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 10 grandchildren, a brother Elmer of Aurora, Illinois, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The Hawk-Eye Gazette Newspaper, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, November 20, 1956, page 4