Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1116

 968 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY and settled in Yasa township, where they took up a homestead of 160 acres of land, which the father broke, cleared and im- proved, remaining there until 1865. when they removed to Belle Creek and bought a farm consisting of 160 acres, of which Gustaf Carlson owned a half interest, and carried on a general line of farming. Later Mr. Swanson purchased Mr. Carlson's interest. J. A. Swanson received his education in the public schools of Belle Creek and worked on the home farm, where he still remains. J. E. Swanson. the father, died in 1902 and his wife is still liv- ing. J. A. is one of four children, of whom two are living. Alary Louise and Emma < '. arc dead, and ( '. E. and Albert live on the farm. Albert was married in issti to Elizabeth Smithson, daughter of Roberl and Sarah Smithson. natives of England, who emigrated to America in 1858 and settled in Belle Creek township, where they purchased 320 acres of land and have since carried on general farming. The father, Roberl Smithson, died in 1906 and the mother in 1874. To Albert Swanson and his wife have been born nine children, of whom the six living are: Arnold, Charlotte, Gladys, Harold. Raymond and Laura. The Swanson brothers are Republican in polities, and attend the Swedish Lutheran church. Hans Mattson, pioneer and soldier, was horn December 23, 1832, in Omiestad. Skane, Sweden: died .March 5, 1893. The "North," at the time of his death, gave the following biography of him : "He received a good education in Kristianstad ; served a year and a half in the Swedish army as cadet of the artillery. Emigrated in the spring of 1851, arriving at Boston June 2!). Suffered in the hardships and disappointments incident to igno- rance of the English Language, and inability to perform hard manual labor. AVenl west to Illinois in 1S.V2. settling the next year in Minnesota, which henceforth remained hfs home. Was married in 1855 at Yasa, Goodhue county, Minnesota, to Cherstin Peterson, who, with five children, survives him. Quit farming and went into mercantile business, but was caught in the crisis of 1857. Read law at Red Wing and was admitted to the bar, but soon gave up practice to become county auditor of Goodhue county. Commenced to take active part in politics as a Repub- lican. During the summer of 1861 organized a company of young Goodhue county Swedes and Norwegians, with whom, in the fall, he reported at Fort Snelling, was elected its captain and went south with the Third Regiment in November. Was pro- moted to major the following year ; was on his way back after having been home, sick, on furlough, when the regiment sur- rendered at Murfeesboro. Was made lieutenant colonel after the surrender of Vicksburg, and in April, 1863, was promoted to colonel, remaining in command of the regiment until September