Among the leading men of Stockholm township, Alfred J. Clauson has won recognition by special
ability both as a farmer and a public official. He is a native of Sweden, born October 20, 1865,
a son of Carl Frederick Clauson, who is a son of Claus and Anna Clauson, both of whom died in the old country. There were eight children in their family, two of whom besides C. F. are now living,
namely: Swan A., who still makes his home in Misterhult, Sweden; and Charlotte, the wife of N. P. Erickson, of Alcester, South Dakota.

C. F. Clauson was educated in the common schools of his native land and continued in Sweden
until 1868, when he came to America, locating in Stockholm township, Crawford county, Iowa. He
is now living upon the old homestead, which comprises three hundred acres and is one of the
valuable farms of the township, having been greatly improved under his directions. He was
married in Sweden to Miss Helen Pearson, a daughter of John and Sarah Pearson. To this union
eleven children were born, six of whom are now living, namely: John A. and Alfred J., both of
whom make their home upon their father's farm; William, of Crawford county; Edward, of Kiron;
Ida, the wife of Ed Anderson, of Crawford county; and O. E., also of this county. The beloved
wife and mother passed away in April, 1892. She was a woman of excellent character and many
admirable attributes which greatly endeared her to those with whom she was associated. Mr.
Clauson is a member of the Baptist church and politically gives his support to the republican
party. He has served as school director and road superintendent, displaying the same interest in
public affairs that he exercised in his own business. For more than forty years identified with
Crawford county, he is justly regarded as one of its leading and substantial citizens. He has
shown those elements of courage, energy and perseverance which are so important in accomplishing
worth objects in life, and his success in his adopted country is the result of the wise
application of those principles. He is now living retired and younger members of the family have
assumed the responsibilities and labors necessary in the maintenance of the farm.

Alfred J. Clauson, whose name introduces this review, came to America with his parents in early
childhood and was reared in Stockholm township. He was educated in the public schools and
continued to assist his father upon the home farm until twenty-seven years of age, when he began
farming upon his own account by renting land. After two years he rented the old homestead, upon
which he has since lived. He makes a specialty of raising red polled cattle and Duroc Jersey
hogs, and as he understands how to take care of farm animals and handles only the best grades he
has met with deserved success. The position he has attained in the respect of those who know him
is the result of faithful application and a deep interest in a work to which he is devoting the
best energies of his life.

In 1893 Mr. Clauson was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Anderson, who was born in Sweden in
1866. Five children have blessed this union, namely: Edith, Ethel, Ruth, Lillie and Myrtle. Mr.
and Mrs. Clauson are active members of the Baptist church of Kiron and are rearing their
children in the same faith and also giving them every desirable advantage of education.
Politically he supports the Republican party and has been very active in its councils in his
part of the county. He served as township clerk one term, justice of the peace two terms and is
now member of the school board and assessor of the township, having filled the latter position
very acceptably for the last nine years. He is a man of high character and great perseverance
and he generally succeeds in what he undertakes. He is thoroughly practical in his work and his
name is associated with improvement in public as well as in private affairs, no man in the
township ranking higher than Alfred J. Clauson.

Son:  CHARLES WILLIAM CLAUSON

For sixteen years William Clauson has been engaged in the cultivation of a farm in Stockholm
township. A native of Crawford county, his birth occurred on the 14th of July 1869, a son of C.
F. and Catherina Clauson, who emigrated to the United States from Sweden in 1868, and located
upon a farm in Stockholm township, where the father continues to live at the venerable age of
seventy years. The mother, however, passed away on the 10th of April 1892. Fourteen children
were born to them, five of whom still survive: Alfred J., a resident of Crawford county;
William, our subject; Edward E., living in Kiron; Otto E., also of this county; and Eda C., now
Mrs. Edward Anderson, of Crawford county.

The education of William Clauson was acquired in the district schools of Crawford county. He has
always been engaged in agricultural pursuits first assisting his father in the management of the
homestead, following which he rented eighty acres in 1895 which he has farmed continuously
since. He has met with reasonable success in his undertakings and has invested in a forty acre
tract on section 21, Stockholm township. Although he is engaged in general farming he devotes
considerable energy to stock raising, in which he is meeting with gratifying returns.

On the 19th of January 1895, Mr. Clauson was united in marriage to Miss Annie Naslund, a
daughter of John and Sarah M. (Hanson) Naslund. Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs.
Naslund: Annie, and Peter, a resident of Crawford county. Mr. and Mrs. Clauson have become the
parents of five children, two of whom, Edward and Myrtle, the second and third in the order of
birth, have passed away. The others are: Clarence, Eldon and Mabel, all of whom are at home.

The religious views of the family are indicated by their membership in the Baptist church of
Kiron. Mr. Clauson votes in accordance with the dictates of the Republican party and always
takes a prominent part in local politics, having held various offices in his township and is now
serving as constable. He is well regarded in the community where he has spent his entire life
and has many friends who esteem him for his worthy qualities as a citizen and neighbor.

Son:  EDWARD E. CLAUSON

Prominent among the business men of Kiron and vicinity is Edward E. Clauson, a member of the
firm of Clauson Brothers, for the last eight or nine years a flourishing concern of Crawford
county. He was born in this county, February 8, 1871, a son of C. F. and Katherine (Johnson)
Clauson, both natives of Sweden. They came to America in 1865 and located on a farm in Stockholm
township, which became the family homestead. The mother passed away about 1890, but the father
is now living at his old home and has arrived at the age of seventy years. Fourteen children
were born to them, five of whom still survive, namely: Alfred J., William C., Edward E., Otto E.
and Eda C., now Mrs. Edward Anderson. All reside in Crawford county.

Edward E. Clauson was reared under the protecting influence of a good home and received his
early education in the district schools. He assisted his father in farm work until twenty years
of age and then, being attracted to mercantile pursuits, entered the employ of N. L. Hunts, the
owner of a general store at Deloit, where he continued for four years, also filling the position
of assistant postmaster. He next came to Old Kiron and clerked in a store for two years, also
filling the position of postmaster in this town about ten years. In 1902 he moved to new Kiron
and has since been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business under the title of Clauson
Brothers and has served for six years as postmaster. He is a man who possesses a variety of
talents and as an auctioneer he has gained an enviable reputation in this section. He is
thoroughly wide-awake and energetic, and as he has the confidence of the community his efforts
are yielding handsome returns.

In February 1901, Mr. Clauson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lundberg, who was born in Sac
county, Iowa, a daughter of Axel and Matilda Lundberg, both of whom are natives of Sweden. They
came to America in the '60s and located in Sac county, where they now reside. There were nine
children in their family, all of whom are still living. Four children came to bless the union of
Mr. and Mrs. Clauson, namely: Raymond B., Berniece O., Newell F. and Ralph C.

Mr. and Mrs. Clauson are both earnest members of the Free Mission church, in which he takes an
active interest and served for eleven years as superintendent of the Sunday school, being now
treasurer of the same organization. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party,
and although he has not urged claims for office, he was the first treasurer of Kiron. The
excellent business ability of Mr. Clauson is exemplified in the prosperity of the firm with
which he is connected, and his reliability is beyond question. His life has been characterized
by principles of industry and justice which are recognized the world over as of enduring worth.

Son:  OTTO E. CLAUSON

Among the young business men of Crawford county who are every year advancing to greater
responsibilities is Otto E. Clauson of Kiron. He has from the beginning of his business career
shown an ability and interest in his work which gives bright promise as to the future. He was
born in Stockholm township, August 9, 1876, son of C. F. and Kathrine (Johnson) Clauson, mention
of whom is made in the sketch of Edward Clauson, elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Clauson of this review grew to manhood under the paternal roof and attended the district
schools, where he secured the foundation of an education that has assisted him very materially
in his contact with the world. At eighteen years of age he began farming on his own account by
renting part of his father's land, which he cultivated industriously for seven years. He then
purchased twenty acres in Stockholm township and also a house and lot in Kiron. In 1904 he took
up his residence in town and entered into partnership with his brother in the furniture and
undertaking business. They also handle real estate, and as they are active and efficient and pay
close attention to the needs of their patrons, they have attained a gratifying measure of
prosperity. In 1901 Mr. Clauson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lundberg, who was born in
Sweden, a daughter of John and Anna Lundberg. The parents came to this country and located in
Sac county, Iowa, where the father is now living, the beloved mother having passed away in 1910.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clauson, namely: Leslie Myron, and Eveline and Emma,
both of whom are deceased. In 1904 the mother of these children was called from earthly scenes
and in 1905 Mr. Clauson was married to Miss Alfena Lillieholm, who was born in Rockford,
Illinois, and is a daughter of A. F. Lillieholm.

Politically, Mr. Clauson ever since reaching manhood has given his support to the Republican
party. He has taken quite an active and influential part in public affairs, serving as assistant
postmaster of Kiron for six years and as mail carrier for three years. He has also held the
office of justice of the peace and school director of Stockholm township and was a member of the
town council of Kiron for six years. He is not connected with any religious denomination but his
wife is a valued member of the Free Mission church. He readily makes friends as he has a genial
address and pleasing manner and possesses in a high degree the warm regard of all with whom he
associates.