Andrew Hultgren is one of the
sturdy, vigorous and determined men who has not missed
the true purposes of life nor waited for circumstance to
mould or change his fate. His stewardship has been shown
in steadfast integrity, invincible determination and
indefatigable industry, the result being that in the land
of his adoption he has won worthy success and an
independent position as one of the essentially
representative agriculturists and stock-growers of
Clayton county. He is a scion of the fine Scandinavian
element that has contributed greatly to the social and
material development and progress of the great
northwestern portion of our national domain, and is
thoroughly in harmony with American sentiment and
institutions; the while he consistently treasures the
traditions and honors the history of his native land. He
was born at Philipstad, Wermland, Sweden, on the 28th of
July, 1861, and is a son of Andrew Hendricksen and Annie
(Walberg) Hultgren, both of whom passed their entire
lives in that district of Sweden, where the father was a
substantial farmer, and both of whom were earnest
communicants of the Lutheran church. Of the children the
subject of this sketch is the eldest, and the younger is
Annie Sophia, who is the wife of Carl Granberg, their
home being still in Sweden. He whose name introduces this
article gained his early education in the schools of his
native land and as a youth he there found employment in
iron mines. In 1881, with the determined courage born of
worthy ambition, he set forth to seek his fortunes in the
United States, where he felt assured of better
opportunities for the winning of success through
individual effort. Soon after his arrival in America he
made his way to Clayton county, Iowa, and established his
residence in Mendon township, where for three years he
found employment in a saw mill. In the meantime he
further showed his spirit and good judgment by attending
school when opportunity afforded in order that he might
acquire a better knowledge of the English language. After
remaining in the county somewhat more than three years
Mr. Hultgren went to the city of Chicago, where he found
profitable employment and where he remained unlil 1893,
in which year he returned to Clayton county and purchased
a farm of forty acres, in Mendon township. Pressing
forward to the high mark of his ambitious purpose, he
finally sold this property and purchased his present fine
landed estate of three hundred and twenty acres, upon
which he has made numerous improvements and which he has
developed into one of the model farms of Mendon township,
his attention being energetically given to diversified
agriculture and to the raising of good grades of live
stock. Mr. Hultgren has entered fully and loyally into
community affairs, is a Republican in his political
proclivities and has served effectively as a member of
the school board of his district. Both he and his wife
are zealous members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in
which he is serving as a deacon, and he is affiliated
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Woodmen of the
World. November 24, 1887, recorded the marriage of Mr.
Hultgren to Miss Caroline Olson, daughter of Ole and
Christine (Beckman) Olson, of Mendon township, this
county. Mr. and Mrs. Hultgren became the parents of seven
children, all of whom are living and still residents of
Mendon township except the youngest, Walter, who died in
early childhood. The names of the surviving children are
here entered in the respective order of birth: Arthur
Otto, Edwin B., Carl W., Elmer G., August C. and John A.
The sons are identified with agricultural pursuits in
Mendon township, and the eldest son, Arthur 0., and his
wife are the parents of two children, Alice and Richard.
Ole and Christine (Beckman) Olson, parents of Mrs.
Hultgren, were born in Jutland, Sweden, where their
marriage was solemnized and whence they immigrated to
America in 1870. They established their home in Clayton
county and still reside on their old homestead farm, in
Mendon township, venerable in years and honored by all
who know them. Mr. Olson was born July 29, 1835, and his
wife on the 22d of June 1842. Both are devoted
communicants of the Swedish Lutheran church and he is a
stalwart Republican in his political adherency. Of the
children, Mrs. Hultgren is the first-born; August has
charge of the old homestead farm of his parents; and
Hannah died in childhood. -source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to
the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; pg 187-189 |