Oscar Swenson owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty areas on section 30, Oneida township, and his intelligently directed labors secure a competence. He was born in Sweden on the 16th of February, 1876, a son of Swen and Elna Swenson, both natives of that country, where they still reside. The six children born to their union are all living.

         Oscar Swenson received his education in his native land and was there reared. In 1892, when a youth of sixteen years, he decide to emigrate to the new world and discover if the accounts which he had heard of the wonderful resources and opportunities of this country were true and accordingly in that year he came to America. He immediately made his way to Delaware county, Iowa, and first found employment as a farm hand. He thus gained an excellent knowledge of the crops and methods of agriculture best suited to this region and when he later rented land he proved an efficient as well as energetic farmer. In 1911 his financial resources were such that he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Oneida township where he now resides. He understands well the principals of stock-raising and as he also makes a careful study of Market conditions he receives a gratifying annual income from his farm.

     Mr. Swenson was married in 1898 to Miss Carrie Goreson, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Goren and Hannah Gorenson, also natives of Sweden. The mother is deceased but the father still resides in that country. To Mr. and Mrs. Swenson has been born a daughter, Gladys H. E., whose natal day was December 26, 1903.

     The parents belong to the Swedish Lutheran church, in which faith they were reared, and are always willing to aid in widening its circle of influence. Mr. Swenson is at present secretary of the local church and gives his best efforts to his work in that connection. He supports the republican party at the polls and manifests great interest in local and governmental affairs. When he arrived in this country, a boy of sixteen, he was not only unfamiliar with the language but he had no capital nor friends to assist him, but his willingness to work, his intelligence and integrity won the approbation of those with whom he came into contact, and as he was capable and efficient and carefully saved his earnings he soon acquired sufficient capital to enable him to start in life upon his own account and the fact that he owes his success entirely to his own labors is a source of pride to him.