L.B. Swenson

L. B. Swenson is cultivating and developing a part of the farm upon which he was born on section 11, Paint Creek township, Allamakee county, and is ranked among the progressive, substantial and representative agriculturists of his district. He was born August 14, 1859, and, as the name indicates, comes of Norwegian parentage. He is the son of Bennett Swenson, who was born in Hemsendal, Norway, on the 25th of December, 1824, and in 1845 emigrated to the United States, settling on Rock Prairie, Rock County, Wisconsin. Several years later, in 1850, he went to California by way of the New York and Cape Horn route, going from San Francisco up the river to Sacramento, where he engaged in mining for a time. In 1853 he returned to Wisconsin by way of the isthmus of Panama and by rail from New York. In the following year he came to Allamakee county, Iowa, settling on one hundred and sixty acres on sections 10 and 11, Paint Creek township. When it came into his possession the land was but slightly improved, he having been the third owner since it had been taken up from the government. In October, 1854, he was married to Miss Augusta Thorsen, who was born in Norway and passed away on the homestead farm on the 29th of September, 1875. There Mr. Swenson also spent his remaining days. They were faithful members of the Lutheran church and were the parents of six children, as follows: Swen Bennettson, deceased; Thorsten Swenson, a resident of Polk county, Minnesota; L. B., of this review; Julia, the wife of Eric Hemrie, of Crookston, Minnesota; Andrew, of Paint Creek township; and Isabel, who married William Ralsdon, of Waterville, Iowa.

Amid the wholesome environment of farm life L. B. Swenson was reared to manhood and in early life attended the district school in the acquirement of an education. His practical training, too, was broad and thorough, received under the direction of his father, after whose death he and his brother Andrew operated the old homestead in partnership for several years. Subsequently, however, they divided the farm, L. B. Swenson now being the owner of one hundred and thirty-five acres on section 11, Paint creek township, equipped with substantial buildings erected by his father. He carries on general farming, in which he has been most successful, and everything about his place is indicative of the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. To his place he has given the name of the Maple Spring Trout Farm.

Mr. Swenson married Bertha Seando, who was born in Allamakee county, a daughter of Forkel Seando, and unto them have been born six children, Irene, Bernice, Stella, Myrtle, Isabelle and Bernard, but the last named died at the age of two years.

Agricultural pursuits have fully occupied the time and attention of Mr. Swenson, who has never sought nor desired to enter public life in any way, although he is deeply interested in the welfare of the section in which he resides and supports all those projects which affect the general growth and development of the county. A residence of the same farm of more than half a century has gained him a wide acquaintance throughout the township, and he is held in high esteem by all with whom he has been brought in contact.

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

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