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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 loth 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 community.
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 education in the West Grove district school of Post township. He has lived upon his
present farm since he was seven years 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 continued to reside to the present
time. Being progressive and enterprising, he has carried on its cultivation along modern and practical lines and
has 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 Billie Gunderson, who was born in Clermont
township, Fayette county, Iowa, on the 21st of October, 1888. She is a daughter 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 hi 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.
From:
Past and Present of Allamakee County, Iowa
A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievemant
By: Ellery M. Hancock
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1913
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