Gilbert Swenson
Among the progressive and enterprising young farmers of
Allamakee county is numbered Gilbert Swenson, who owns and
operates a fine property in Post township. Upon this he has
resided since he was seven years of age and its excellent
condition at the present time is largely due to the care, skill
and practical knowledge which he has displayed in its management.
He was born in Franklin township, this county, on the 25th of
February, 1878, and is a son of Jargen and Mary (Gilbertson)
Swenson, natives of Norway, the former born on the 10th of May,
1839, and the latter in Christiania on the 22d of October, 1848.
The father crossed the Atlantic when he was twenty-two years of
age and, locating near Madison, Wisconsin, worked in the employ
of others for about one year, after which he came to Iowa,
settling in Grand Meadow township, Clayton county, in pioneer
times. He rented land in that locality and after a number of
years purchased a farm in Franklin township, just across the line
from Post township, and there he resided for ten years, becoming
one of the representative and prosperous agriculturists of the
cummunity. Eventually, however, he removed to South Dakota,
taking up his residence near Chamberlain, that state, but at the
end of three months he returned to Iowa, settling on the farm
where the subject of this review now resides. In October, 1912,
he retired from active business life and removed to Clermont,
where he still resides.
Gilbert Swenson acquired his educaton in the West Grove district
school of Post township. He has lived upon his present farm since
he was seven yaers of age and from his childhood assisted with
the work of its cultivation, early becoming familiar with the
best agricultural methods. At twenty-three he rented and assumed
the management of the home farm and in the fall of 1912 bought
the property, whereon he has contiinued to reside to the present
time. Being progressive and enterprising, he has carried on its
cultivation along modern and practical lines and had made
substantial improvements upon it, erecting a modern residence,
fine barns and outbuildings and installing the necessary
machinery. He carries on general farming, giving a great deal of
attention to the raising of cattle, horses and hogs, and his
business interests, being carefully and capably conducted, have
brought him a gratifying measure of success. He is a stockholder
in the Farmers Cooperative Store and the canning factory in
Postville and is connected also with the Luana Creamery Company
and the Elgin State Bank.
On the 24th of October, 1912, Mr. Swenson was united in marriage
to Miss Tillie Gunderson, who was born in Clermont township,
Fayette county, Iowa, on the 21st of October, 1888. She is a
daugher of Arney and Anna (Gunderson) Gunderson, natives of
Norway, the former born on the 22d of February, 1848, and the
latter on the 24th of February, 1845. At the age of nine the
father crossed the Atlantic with his parents and located with
them in Fayette county, where he grew to manhood, becoming an
extensive landowner and a prosperous farmer. He served as county
supervisor for one term and was also representative from his
district to the state legislature. He is still prominent and
active in public affairs and is doing capable and progressive
work as a member of the school board.
Mr. Swenson gives his political allegiance to the republican
party and, although not an office seeker, is interested in the
growth and development of his native county. He is still a young
man but is already numbered among the progressive and successful
agriculturists of Post township, and his record is a credit to a
name that has been honored and respected in Allamakee county
since pioneer times.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913;
pg. 28 & 29
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall
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