Ernest C. E. Carlson

As printed in 1914

ERNEST C. E. CARLSON.

The name of Ernest C. E. Carlson figures prominently in connection with commercial activity in Boone, where he is now conducting business as a partner in the firm of S. A. Nelson & Company. He is a self-made man and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when ambition points out the way and when energy and determination lead to the goal of success. He was born in Sweden, March 28, 1864, and is a son of Charles J. and Anna Sophia (Carlson) Carlson, who were also natives of that country. In the year 1885 they crossed the Atlantic to the new world, and the father continued farming in America until called to his final rest on the 22d of April, 1912. His widow survived until the 20th of May, 1913. In their family were two children: Ernest C. E.; and Caroline, now the wife of Charles Olson, of Boone.

Ernest C. E. Carlson pursued his early education in the public and high schools of Sweden. He was a young man of about twenty-one years when the family came to the United States, and after arriving on this side the Atlantic he devoted some time to general agricultural pursuits. In 1889 he accepted a clerkship in the grocery store of A. T. Davis and later purchased the business, which he conducted alone until 1890, when he consolidated his interests with those of C. V. Nelson and Alfred Zandell, the business being then conducted under the firm style of Nelson, Zandell, Carlson & Company. Two years later Mr. Carlson disposed of his interest to his partners and devoted the succeeding year to the improvement of his education. Lie then purchased another store, which he conducted under the firm name of Carlson & Company until 1894. He then joined forces with Alfred Recksen and S. A. Nelson. In 1897 he was appointed deputy treasurer of the county and served for four years. Within that period Alfred Recksen retired from the company and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of S. A. Nelson & Company, Mr. Carlson remaining as one of the partners. They carry a large and well selected stock of general merchandise, and the neat and attractive arrangement of their store and their reasonable prices have secured for them a liberal and well merited patronage, which is increasing year by year.

On the 28th of May, 1890, Mr. Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Peterson, a native of Sweden, and unto them have been born eight children:

Harold E., born August 13, 1891; Walter A., born February 2, 1893; Dora E., July 24, 1897; Gerhard M., February 15, 1900; Eldon L., February 1, 1903; Eveline J., April 4, 1906; and Bernadine I., January 23, 1911. A daughter, Ruth E., passed away June 29, 1906.

In his political views Mr. Carlson is an earnest republican but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies and efforts along other lines. He is the president of the Swedish Mutual Insurance Company and secretary of the Swedish Old People's Home. He belongs to the Swedish Mission and is an elder of his church. He takes an active and helpful interest in the moral progress of the community and his influence is always on the side of right, reform, truth and justice. In his business career he has gone upon the principle that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and he has never sacrificed honorable dealing to a desire for gain.

As printed in History of Boone County, Iowa (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.