Frank V. Samuelson

As printed in 1910

FRANK V. SAMUELSON.

Frank V. Samuelson, who is engaged in the hardware and farm implement business in Orion, Ilhnois, was born in Western township, July 14, 1861, and is a son of A. P. and Joanna (Gustafson) Samuelson. The parents were both born in Sweden, the father in 1824, the mother in 1828, and came to the United States in 1854. They settled in Henry county, Illinois, where the father followed farming until 1890, when he retired from active life. For about thirteen years he lived on the old homestead and then in 1903 removed to Orion, where he passed away December 29, 1907. He supported the republican party for he firmly believed in the principles enunciated in its platform. Mrs. Samuelson still survives, making her home in Orion. Ten children were born to the couple, only four of whom are now living. They are Henry, who lives in Kansas; Frank V., of this review; Otto, a retired farmer who lives in Orion; and Hulda, who is the widow of August Johnson and resides in Woodhull, Illinois.

Frank V. Samuelson was reared at home and attended the common schools of the township, and then for seven or eight years worked at home and at odd jobs, earning his tuition and board for a course in college. He spent thirteen weeks at a business college in Davenport, Iowa, but short though the time was he made the best possible use of it and found himself not ill prepared for the affairs of life. He rented a farm from his father until 1895, when he embarked in the farm implement business. After seven years' experience he sold his stock and returned to farming, abandoning that pursuit at the end of two years to travel for a Chicago machinery house. In 1908 he reopened his store in Orion with a complete line of farm implements and hardware, and in January, 1910, removed to the fine double store building he owns on Jackson street. Being of a mechanical turn of mind he has been very successful in the line of work to which he has chosen to devote himself.

On the 20th of March, 1886, Mr. Samuelson was united in marriage to Miss Hilma J. Bergstrom, a daughter of C. J. and Christine Bergstrom, both natives of Sweden. Mrs. Samuelson was also born in that country in 1868 and was thirteen years old when her father came to America to make a home for his family. Two years later they came to Henry county, where Mr. Bergstrom had procured a farm, on which he Hved until his death, which occurred October 26, 1909. His wife is still living and makes her home with her son-in-law, Mr. Samuelson. Mrs. Samuelson was one of a family of five children, the three others now living being Axel, whose home is in Colorado; Fredolf, a Lutheran minister, of Chicago; and Albin, who lives in South Dakota.

To Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson have been born two children. Bert M., born October 29, 1886, for the past three years has attended Augustana College, Rock Island, from which he hopes to graduate in 1910. He may then take a six months' course in any business college he may elect. In the summer, for the past few years, he has taught in the Swedish church school in Ottumwa, Iowa. Cora, born April 6, 1888, is a graduate of the Orion high school and for the past year and a half has been chief clerk in the postoffice in Orion. To add to her other accomplishments she possesses not a little skill as a musician. Of both of his children Mr. Samuelson is pardonably proud, for they are growing to a fine manhood and womanhood and have done credit to the many advantages which he has been able to give them.

In politics Mr. Samuelson is a republican and he served as school clerk in his district from the time he was twenty-two years of age until he left the farm. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen, in all of which he is active and has held numerous offices. His religious allegiance is given to the Lutheran church, in which he has been prominent. He really started the battle of life at the age of thirteen, with nothing to his credit but a capacity and willingness to work, but he now is in the enjoyment of many comforts. He owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres to the east of Orion and a fine home on Bank street, which he built in 1903. It is modern and handsome, both within and without, bespeaking the broad-mindedness and liberal culture of its inmates. His success, honestly won, has brought with it the respect and good will of his friends and neighbors.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.