C. T. Christianson

An entire lifetime, covering a period of six decades, passed upon the same farm has made C. T. Christianson widely known throughout Paint Creek township, where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born on his present home farm on the 20th of June, 1853, a son of Thyge Christianson, who was born in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway, August 20, 1824. As a young man the father came to America in 1848 and located first in the Norwegian settlement in Rock county, Wisconsin, where he remained for two years. He worked as a farm laborer during that period and was able to save sufficient money with which to buy a yoke of oxen and a wagon. With this outfit he drove across the country to Allamakee county, Iowa, arriving in this state when it was still a frontier district. He purchased a wild tract of land, which is now the home of his son, and in those early days experienced all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. His first investment made him owner of eighty acres of land in Paint Creek township, to the cultivation of which he at once directed his attention. His first home there was a log house which he erected and which subsequently was replaced by the frame structure now occupied by our subject. As time passed and he prospered, he added to his original purchase, at one time adding eighty acres and subsequently a tract of one hundred and twenty acres. thus he became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres which was the visible evidence of a life of activity and enterprise. His was an excellent record for he started out in business life a poor man and worked his way upward until he ranked among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of his section. He died on that farm on the 25th of August, 1909. He had married, in Allamakee county, Miss Ingeborg Larson Lien, who was born in Norway on the 1st of April, 1826, and died July 14, 1912, at the home of our subject. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: C. T., of this review; Isabel, deceased; L. T., a resident of Center township who is mentioned on another page of this work; Ole, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Mary, who is also deceased; Albert, who passed away at the age of twenty years; and one who died in infancy.

Spending his boyhood days amid pioneer environment, C. T. Christianson grew up with this district and during the period of more than sixty years in which he has been a resident of Allamakee county has witnessed many of the changes which have marked the general advancement and growth of the commonwealth. He was reared to farm life and upon attaining his majority he wisely chose that occupation as his life work. On the death of his father he inherited one hundred and sixty acres of the home farm, and to the cultivation of this tract he is now giving his attention. It is well improved and thereon Mr. Christianson carries on general farming, his careful methods and well directed efforts meeting with gratifying success.

Mr. Christianson married Rica A. Peterson, the ceremony taking place in Allamakee, her native county. She is a daughter of Knut and Reddina Peterson and by her marriage has become the mother of four sons, Theo, Albert, Ingwald and Cornelius, all yet at home.

The parents are members of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Christianson gives his political support to the republican party. He is public- spirited in his citizenship but has never had desire for public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his agricultural pursuits. The long period of his residence in this district has given him a large acquaintance, and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from childhood is an indication that he possesses those qualities which win and hold friendship and command respect and esteem.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Jan Miller

Return to 1913 biographies index