EDWARD ARTHUR CARLGREN

Edward Arthur Carlgren has farmed and resided near Norway since 1907.  He came to Republic County from Sibley Township in Cloud County where he was born November 19, 1886.  His mother, Caroline Jonson, came to America from Sweden in 1884 to the home of her sister, Christine Bade.  She was born July 31, 1861.  His father, Carl F. Carlgren, was born in Sweden, March 13, 1842.  He came to Chicago in 1868 and later homesteaded in Sibley Township in 1869.  He died February 11, 1916.

E. A. Cargren was married to Inga Tiller December 29, 1909.  They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary December 29, 1959, with open house at their home east of Norway where they started housekeeping.  Six children, five boys and one girl, were born to them.

Carrol, now deceased, was born October 17, 1910.  He was married to Gladys Axelton of Manhattan on March 10, 1934.  Their children are David, Arthur, Doris, and Carl.

Ivan, born September 2, 1912, was married to Aileen Nelson of Kackley, Kansas, on June 27, 1943.  Their children are Robert, Elaine, Ina Jean, deceased, and Edward.

Loren, born May 4, 1916, was married to Norma Aspegren of Scandia, Kansas, on October 31, 1945.  Three children were born to them; Katheleen, Dennis, and Lee Ann.

Evelyn was born May 1, 1919.  She was married to Rev. Bernhard Heltne of Decorah, Iowa, June 7, 1944.  Their children are Carl, Paul, Rebecca, and Ila Jean.

Joseph, now deceased, was born April 17, 1921.  He was married to Clarice Widen of Concordia, January 27, 1946.  Two boys were born to them; they are Jerry and Don.

Charles, born August 8, 1923, was married to Vivian Sherwood of Talmo August 6, 1950.  There children are Cheryl, Nancy, and Lynette.

Ivan, Loren, and Charles farm in partnership with their father and they live near Norway.  Joe lived and farmed east of Norway, and Carrol, southwest of Concordia.  Evelyn lives at Goodridge, Minnesota, where Pastor Heltne has a parish charge.  Loren and Joseph were both over seas in the United States service in World War II.

Edward Carlgren served several terms on township board and on the Lutheran church board.  He served 25 years on the Norway school board and signed the high school diplomas for each of his children.  He worked hard to help get rural electricity in Republic County.

Mrs. Carlgren remembers her father, Ole Tiller, who homesteaded a half mile east and a mile south of Norway, as being very thoughtful of fellow travelers due to the hardships in finding water between junction City and his home.  He dug his first well near the road where many weary travelers drew water with the old oaken buckets to water themselves and their teams.  Many hogs were also watered down there on their way to market.  Mrs. Carlgren has lived in Section 22 of Norway Township since her birth which was December 29, 1888.