In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. A few names of people born after 1905 are withheld for privacy. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1875
From Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement (1913)
SANDER O. SWENSON.
One of the substantial, prosperous and deservedly successful farmers of Post township is Sander O. Swenson, who owns and operates a fine property of two hundred and sixty acres of land, upon a portion of which he was born March-5- 1875. He is a son of John and Oline Swenson, natives of Norway, both born in the vicinity of Christiania, the former on the 13th of February, 1845, and the latter on the 23d of July, 1844. Their marriage occurred in Norway in 1868 and they afterward came to America, settling first in Franklin township, Allamakee county. They later removed to Post township and here the father purchased land, buying one hundred and eighteen acres, upon which he carried forward the work of improvement and development until his death, which occurred on the ist of December, 1891.
Sander O. Swenson acquired his education in the Highland district school, which he attended until he was thirteen years of age. He was still very young when his father died but he afterward assumed the entire management of the farm, which he has continued to further improve and develop since that time. He has added to the improvements made by his father, erecting a number of modern buildings, installing a windmill and equipping the property with all the necessary labor-saving machinery. In addition to the work of the fields he engaged extensively in stock-raising and this has come to be one of the most important sources of his income. He is a practical, modern and able farmer, and his labors through the years have been crowned by success, his farm being today one of the finest agricultural properties in this part of Iowa.
On the i8th of October, 1898, Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Miss Cora A. McGhee, who was born in Franklin township, near Hardin, November TO, 1876, a daughter of Lucius and Ruth (Eaton) McGhee, the former a native of Ohio, born July 17, 1852, and the latter of Iowa, born February 17, 1849. Throughout his entire active life the father engaged in farming, becoming one of the largest landowners in Franklin township and continuing to manage his property there until his retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have four children: Lloyd Lucius, whose birth occurred on the 12th of March, 1900; Harlin Willard, born July 26, 1903: Ruth May, born November 9, 1904; and [name withheld], born March 28, 1908.
Mr. Swenson is a member of the United Brethren church and fraternally is connected with the Yeomen. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon the conduct of his farm. He is one of the most successful and capable business men and substantial farmers of the locality and is a native son of whom Post township has every reason to be proud.
As printed in Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1913. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.