On November 2, 1876, Mr. Severson was united in marriage to Miss Arabella Sheldahl, a daughter of Eric and Betsy (Ness) Sheldahl, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father emigrated to the United States in 1845, the mother arriving two years later and both locating in Kendall county, Illinois, where they were married. In 1856 they came to Story county, Iowa, and here Mr. Sheldahl entered one hundred and twenty acres of government land, to which he later added by purchasing forty acres of adjoining land. Owing to his splendid business ability and years of well directed labor he is now enabled to live in retirement, which he has done for the past ten years, making his home in Roland, Story county. He resigned the management of the farm to his sons, who are conducting it in the same capable manner as did their father. To Mr. and Mrs. Severson were born seven children, namely : Edwin, a lawyer in Stanley, North Dakota, is married and has one son, Edgar. Bertha is the wife of fans Igland, a farmer residing in North Dakota, where he owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, and they have two daughters, Anna and Sylvia. Oscar, Martin and Arthur own about eleven hundred acres of land in North Dakota, upon which they now reside. Bessie is the wife of Henry Scala, a carpenter of Story county, and they have two children, Wilfred and Arnold. Elmer is at home with his parents.
In politics Mr. Severson has always given his support to the republican party and has devoted his spare time to the welfare of his township, having served as road supervisor and a member of the school board for several years. Not only has he reached a conspicuous position among the business men of Story county, he has shown what splendid success can be attained as the result of well directed efforts and determination and he stands today one of the most highly esteemed and honored citizens of Union township.
CHARLES A. COOPER.
Charles A. Cooper, one of the successful and enterprising agriculturists of Collins township is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land comprising the northwest quarter of section 5. His birth occurred in Lee county, Illinois, on the 12th of December, 1857, his parents being John and Charlotte (Black) Cooper, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Soon after their marriage they emigrated to the United States, locating in Lee county, Illinois, where the father passed away in June, 1870. The mother subsequently wedded Thurman Collins, likewise a native of the Emerald isle, whose demise occurred about ten years ago. Mrs. Collins still survives and yet makes her home in Lee county, Illinois.
Charles A. Cooper was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education but his opportunities in this direction were somewhat limited. He lost his father when little more