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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 151 - 152 |
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CHARLES J. CARLSON
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Charles J. Carlson, who is engaged in general farming on section 32, Clam Lake township, was born in Sweden, on the 26th of January, 1861, his parents being Charles H. and Johanna (Johanson) Carlson, both of whom were natives of Sweden and are now residents of Osceola county, Michigan. When the subject of this review was but twelve years of age he came with his mother to America, the father having crossed the Atlantic in the previous year. In 1873 they settled in Cadillac, Wexford county, and in 1874 removed to Sherman township, Osceola county, where they have since resided, Mr. Carlson being identified with agricultural interests there. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, but they lost four of that number in infancy and one, John Alfred, was accidentally killed. Charles J. Carlson of this review is the oldest of the three who are yet living. He continued under the parental roof up to the time of his marriage. He obtained a common school education in his youth and became familiar with farm work in its various departments, as he aided his father in the labors of field and meadow. The occupation to which he was reared he chose as a life work and has become a progressive farmer, well known in the community in which he makes his home. It was on the 26th of December, 1885, that Mr. Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Peterson, a daughter of Swen J. and Stena Lena (Johanson) Peterson, well-known residents of Clam Lake township, who came to this country from Sweden. Mrs. Carlson was also born in that land, her natal day being September 14, 1860. She was a young lady of nineteen years when she came to America and here she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Carlson. After the marriage Mr. Carlson was employed in a shingle-mill at Muskegon for about five years, but in 1891 he settled upon the farm which has since been his home. It is located on section 32, Clam Lake township, where he has erected a good home, built in 1900. Here he owns one hundred acres of land and already he has placed under cultivation forty acres of this tract. He labors untiringly and in a manner to produce good results and his farm is becoming one of the valuable country places of Wexford county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Carlson has been blessed with six children: Clyde H., Edgar W., Esther M., Edith M., Ruth V. and Helen E. In his political views Mr. Carlson is an earnest Republican, who keeps well informed on the issues of the day and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He has held the office of treasurer of Clam Lake township for two terms and from the spring of 1899 until the spring of 1903 he was justice of the peace. In the discharge of his duties in that position he manifested marked impartiality, basing his decisions upon the evidence and the equity of the case. He is widely known as a man of honorable purpose who is reliable in his business affairs and trustworthy in all public positions. His friends and family find him a considerate and kindly companion; he is regarded as one of the leading and prominent citizens of Wexford county, and it is therefore with pleasure that the record of his career is here presented. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson are adherents to the Swedish Mission church. |