Buena Vista County, IA
IAGenWeb Project

H. J. Poulson deserves mention in this volume from the fact that he is numbered among Buena Vista county's old settlers, for he has made his home here since the spring of 1874, covering a period of more than three decades. He was formerly actively engaged in farming pursuits and although he still own valuable farm property covering three hundred and twenty acres, he is now living retired in a comfortable home in Alta.

Mr. Poulson was born in Denmark, June 15, 1845, and was there reared and educated.  Hearing favorable reports concerning the advantages to be enjoyed in the new world, when a young man of twenty years he decided to emigrate to this country and accordingly, in 1865, made his way to the United States. He located first in Chicago, Illinois, where he learned the carpenter's trade and subsequently did contracting and building, and he was also engaged in railroading for a time in that city. It was during his residence there that he was married, the date being June 24, 1871, and the lady of his choice, Miss Marie C. Peterson, who was likewise a native of Denmark, where she was reared.

Following their marriage the young couple remained in Chicago during the succeeding three years, or until the spring of 1874, when they made their way to Buena Vista County, Iowa, where Mr. Poulson had previously made a trip and purchased land. Taking up his abode thereon, Mr. Poulson at once began to clear and develop his tract and in due course of time had opened up a good farm. He likewise built a good residence, barn and outbuildings and form his tract of one hundred and sixty acres annually gathered rich harvests. After a residence of four years on his farm, he removed to Alta, where he erected a modern residence. He there engaged in buying and shipping stock and as he prospered in his undertakings, he accumulated a competence that enabled him to invest in more land, becoming an owner of two farms in Nokomis township, one comprising two hundred and fifty acres and a second of one hundred and sixty acres.  He still retains possession of the land from which he derives a good rental. He has been an active factor in the advancement of Alta, having built and operated the flouring mill at this place for several years. He also completed a modern home for himself.  He has led a very busy and active life and well deserves the rest which he is now enjoying.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Poulson has been blessed with seven children, but one daughter, Emma, died at the age of two years and a son died in infancy. The living members are: William, who is engaged in business in Colorado; Ames, a farmer of Nokomis township; Emma, the wife of A. B. Converse, who is connected with the First National Bank in Sioux City, Iowa; Bertha, the wife of Julius Bold, a business man of Story City, this state; and Alice, a young lady at home.

Where state and national questions are involved, Mr. Poulson gives his political support to the men and measures of democracy, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has filled some public offices, having served on the village council for eighteen years and has been president of the school board at Alta for a number of years. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Poulson was formerly a Master Mason but has demitted from that order. He takes a just pride in the progress which his hometown had made in the past few years, and in every movement and measure that is calculated to benefit his community he takes a deep interest. He has made good use of the opportunities that have come to him since he first located in America and by his indomitable perseverance and energy has worked his way upward until he is now classed with the well-to-do citizens of Buena Vista county.