Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

One of tile finest and most up-to-date mercantile enterprises of Albert City is that owned by Ephraim Carlson, who has been engaged in business here since 1902.  He carries a full line of groceries, dry goods, boots, shoes and men's furnishing goods, the stock being valued at eleven thousand dollars, and he also owns the building, a fine modern structure, in which the business is conducted.

Ephraim Carlson was born in Sweden. February 20, 1857, and at the early age of twelve years emigrated alone to the United States.  For five years after his arrival in America he worked at farm labor in Paxton, Ford county, Illinois.  Becoming imbued with the spirit of progress and enterprise that prevailed in the new world, at the early age of seventeen years Mr. Carlson engaged in general merchandising at Purdueville, Ford county, and was thus successfully engaged until 1902, when, seeking a broader field in which to give scope to his activity and energy, he came to Albert City and purchased a stock of general merchandise, including groceries, dry goods, boots, shoes and men's furnishings.  He at once won the confidence of the public, who gave him their patronage, and through his honesty and integrity, which has proven his best advertisement, his trade has extended over a wide area and he now carries a stock valued at eleven thousand dollars.  His aim is at all times to meet the demands of his trade and to charge reasonable prices for his goods.  He has a kindly, genial nature and is very considerate in his intercourse with all people, being to all equally affable, whether they are poor or have wealth.

Mr. Carlson was married in Ford county, Illinois, to Miss Freda Skogg, and their union has been blessed with six children, all of whom, with the parents, hold membership in the Swedish Lutheran church, of which Mr. Carlson is serving as a deacon.  He gives his political support to the republican party and has served on the village council and as a member of the school board.  He deserves particular mention for the success he has achieved in the business world, for he came to America a mere boy, ignorant of the manners and customs of the people, but, quickly adapting himself to the changed conditions which he was forced to meet, he availed himself of the opportunities as they were presented.