Nels August Carlson

 

Nels August Carlson was born Dec. 22, 1863, near Ystad, Sweden. He emigrated in 1882 and immediately settled in Galva, Ill., where at present he is engaged as a manager of a lumber yard. Besides his regular business he has many other interest, that of writing poetry being foremost. In 1893 he published a volume of poems entitled “Hoppets behad och andra dikter.” Some years ago he secured prizes in a poetical contest instituted by Minneapolis Veckoblad.

Although Mr. Carlson has attended no school in this country, he has through indefatigable efforts so far mastered the English as to make successful translations from Swedish into English and vice versa. Among his translations is one of Thomas Campbell’s “Pleasures of Hope.”

Mr. Carlson is a member of I. O. O. F. Lodge and Valhalla Lodge No. 31, Independent Order of Svithiod, of which he is president since its organization, also of the Encampment and Rebekha branches of the I. O. O. F.

He has been town clerk of Galva township for four years and has been elected to the city council.

 

Swedes in Illinois

Transcribed by Corena Daniel

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Illinois Ancestors