Fairfield Journal
Wed., Mar. 18, 1914, 2-2.

Death of August WALGREN, Co. M, 4th Iowa Cav..... Bur. Four Corners.

Lockridge Herald, Mar. 20, 1914.

A WALGREN PASSES AWAY (Long).

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"Fulton's History of Jefferson County, Iowa," Pub. 1912, Vol. 2, page 103.

Rev. WALGREN was born in Sweden, Sept 11 1827, son of Peter and Christine (WALGREN) PETERSON. The father died on his way to Iowa in 1849. He was a tailor by trade and also owned and cultivated a farm. Following his demise his widow came with her children to the new world, reaching Burlington, Iowa in 1850. There were four sons and a daughter in the family and all that they had left when they arrived at Burlington was ten dollars in cash. Of the children August was the eldest and the others were: John, who died in California; Andrew, who served for 90 days in the First Iowa Infantry during the Civil War and is now living in Burlington; Louis P., who enlisted in the Seventh Iowa Cavalry and afterward served for about two years in a Nebraska regiment, becoming subsequent to the war a resident of Texas, where his death occurred, and Mrs. Caroline HILLERY, who died in Jefferson County. Rev. August WALGREN was a young man of about 23 years when he came with his mother and the younger members of the family to the new world..... There were so many PETERSONS living in the county that after his arrival in the United States he changed his name to WALGREN. The first work that he did was to chop wood at fifty cents per cord.....

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History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 103-106

Rev. August WALGREN. No history of Jefferson county would be complete were there failure to make mention of Rev. August WALGREN, now one of the most venerable citizens, having passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey. The greater part of this period has been spent in Iowa and Jefferson county has long numbered him among its most worthy citizens. He attained a high degree of success in life through earnest, persistent labor, and at the same time developed a Christian character in keeping with his professions as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. WALGREN was born in Sweden, September 11, 1827, a son of Peter and Christine (WALGREN) PETERSON. The father died on his way to Iowa in 1849. He was a tailor by trade and also owned and cultivated a farm. Following his demise his widow came with her children to the new world, reaching Burlington, Iowa, in 1850. There were four sons and a daughter in the family and all that they had left when they arrived at Burlington was ten dollars in cash. Of the children August was the eldest and the others were: John, who died in California; Andrew, who served for ninety days in the First Iowa Infantry during the Civil war and is now living in Burlington; Louis P., who enlisted in the Seventh Iowa Cavalry and afterward served for about two years in a Nebraska regiment, becoming subsequent to the war a resident of Texas, where his death occurred; and Mrs. Caroline HILLERY, who died in Jefferson county.

Rev. August WALGREN was a young man of about twenty-three years when he came with his mother and the younger members of the family to the new world. His education had been acquired in his native land at his mother's knee and his home training taught him the value of industry and perseverance. There were so many PETERSONs living in the country that after his arrival in the United States he changed his name to WALGREN. The first work that he did was to chop wood at fifty cents per cord and thus he made enough money to pay his board. In 1851 he went to Lockridge township, Jefferson county, where he bargained for sixty acres of land. He had no money with which to make payment but agreed to pay twenty percent interest and thus at the outset of his career assumed an indebtedness that under the circumstances would have utterly discouraged and disheartened many a man of less resolute purpose. He at once sought employment, working for from forty cents to a dollar per day and using whatever time he could to develop his own farm. He walked to and from Burlington, a distance of forty-two miles, in order to cultivate his land which was covered with timber that he had cleared away as he found opportunity. In time the fields were ready for cultivation, crops were planted and in due time substantial harvests were gathered. Taking up his abode upon the property he continued to make his home there until the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil war. In the opening year of the contest between the north and the south he joined Company M of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry and was at the front for three years and three months, serving in the hospital corps toward the end of the time. His health became so impaired through the rigors and hardships of the war that for about three years after the cessation of hostilities he was unable to work. However he labored earnestly in behalf of Christianity, serving for ten years as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. When his health had so improved that he could once more undertake the task of cultivating the fields he bent his energies toward the further development and improvement of his property and as his financial resources increased he added to his holdings until he had six hundred acres north of Lockridge, becoming one of the extensive farmers of the community. Of this he has since sold one hundred and twenty acres so that his holdings at the present writing are four hundred and eighty acres. He engaged in farming until advanced age came upon him when he retired to Fairfield about seven years ago. He had erected a fine residence upon his land and left it well improved for he had brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and had added all of the equipment and accessories of a model farm. His home was a large three-story residence with French roof, the first story being built of dimension rock and the remainder of brick. The house contains eleven rooms and was erected in 1890. He put in an artificial pond by the house covering two acres which was well stocked with fish and he set out a fine grove, making personal selection of all the trees. The lawn, too, was kept in splendid condition and his home was the finest in Lockridge township. Everything about the place indicated his progressive spirit and practical methods. In 1888 he built a large bank barn, fifty by sixty feet, there being a stone wall on an average of nine feet under this for the superstructure was of heavy timbers. He spared neither time nor expense in beautifying his home as well as making it comfortable and convenient and the WALGREN farm became one of the finest in the county. In business affairs Mr. WALGREN displayed keen sagacity and discernment and to indefatigable industry he added careful management so that the years brought him substantial, well merited and gratifying success.

On the 28th of January, 1851, occurred the marriage of August WALGREN and Miss Anna PETERSON, who was born in Sweden in 1829 and came to Burlington in 1849 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew PETERSON, the journey being made in a lumber wagon from Chicago, for there were no railroads at that day. The father died soon after his arrival here. Mr. and Mrs. WALGREN became the parents of a large family: Andrew, living in Galesburg, Illinois; Albert, who occupies his father's farm in Lockridge township; Joseph Oscar, a resident of California; Arthur, of Idaho; Louis, residing in Denver; Wesley Grant, who occupies one of his father's farms; Franklin B., a resident farmer of Lockridge township; Anna Caroline, at home; Emma, the wife of William CRUNPOLTZ, of Lockridge; Etta, residing in Wyoming; and Boswick, at home. There was also a daughter who died in infancy; another, Emily, who died at the age of eight years; while Frances passed away at the age of five years, there being altogether fourteen children in the family. Mr. and Mrs. WALGREN also have reared four of their grandchildren. For more than sixty years they have traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. In politics Mr. WALGREN is a stanch republican, never faltering in his advocacy of the princples of the party which was the defense of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war and has always been the party of reform and progress. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in George Strong Post No. 19, G. A. R., of Fairfield. His has indeed been a well spent life. He came to the new world a young man empty-handed, unfamiliar with the language and the customs of the people, and in the early period of his residence in Iowa he worked near Burlington for Hon. Charles Mason, the first supreme court judge of the state. Carefully saving his earnings he was enabled at length to make his payments upon his property and later to add to his holdings until a notable measure of success was his. The record of his life commands admiration for it indicates the strength of his character and the extent of his resources and ability. He has today passed the eighty-fourth milestone of life's journey and can look back over the past without regret for he has neglected a few opportunities, having on the contrary made wise use of his time and talents, nor has he been self-centered in his work for his labors have been an element in the agricultural development of the district and in various other ways he has cooperated in the work of general improvement and upbuilding.

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Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 395-397

August WALGREN, a farmer residing on section 9, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, was born on the 11th of September, 1827, in Sweden. Most of his family were engaged in agricultural pursuits but his grandfather was in the government service, inspector of government land. His father in his youth learned the tailor's trade which he followed for many years. He also operated a farm for some time and could turn his hand to almost any kind of labor. In 1826, he married Miss Christina WALGREN. His own name was Peter SAMUELSON, but our subject took his mother's name. Mr. SAMUELSON continued business operations in his native land until his death. which occurred in 1850. Soon afterward the family came to America and made a settlement in Burlington, Iowa, where they remained one year. There were five children in the family, the eldest of whom is August, the subject of this sketch; Caroline died in Jefferson County; John went to California in 1852, and was last heard of in 1864 when he started home, but he never reached his destination and it is supposed that he was murdered while on a Mississippi steamer; Andrew, a resident of Burlington, is in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He served in the First Iowa Infantry during the late war and was Sergeant at the battle of Wilson's Creek. Lewis Peter entered the service in the First Nebraska Regiment and after being wounded received his discharge. Later he re-enlisted in the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, was made Sergeant and remained a faithful follower of the old flag until the close of the war. He is now living in Ft. Davis, Tex.

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land and the year succeeding his arrival in America, was united in marriage with Miss Anna PETERSON, who came to this country in 1849. Their union was celebrated in Burlington, June 24, 1851, and the succeeding autumn they sought a home in Jefferson County, locating in Lockridge Township, where Mr. WALGREN purchased sixty acres of land. That tract was covered with timber, deer and smaller wild game was to be found in abundance and the Indians were yet frequent visitors in the settlement. Not a furrow having been turned upon his land, he had to begin at the very first to develop a farm and for ten years he devoted himself exclusively to work in that line in which period a great transformation was wrought, changing the hitherto uncultivated tract into rich and fertile fields which yielded abundant harvests.

But in the meantime events were shaping themselves which changed his mode of life. The Civil War was in progress. His country needed men and no longer could he resist the appeals made for volunteers but with his heart in the cause and himself ready to give up his life if need be for his country, he entered the service on the 19th of October, 1861, as a member of Company M, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. His regiment was engaged in warfare against the guerrillas in the Southwest and although their duty did not win them fame as other service might have done, it was none the less arduous or important. On account of the hardships and exposures incident to that life, Mr. WALGREN was taken with bleeding at the lungs and became so weak that he had to be lifted on his horse. At length he was granted a sick furlough of thirty days but it took twenty-eight days to reach St. Louis and so his time was extended. When he again reported for duty he was made ward master in the hospital at Keokuk and was transferred to the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Veteran Reserve Corps. After three years and two months he received his discharge, the war having then been brought to a successful termination.

After his return home, Mr. WALGREN acted as traveling minister for some eleven years in Iowa, and also spent two years in Michigan and one year in Illinois, in the same capacity. His labors were arduous but his interest in the work allowed him little rest until at length, in 1873, broken down in health, he had to retire to his farm for recuperation. Five years later he removed to his present home where he owns and operates a good farm of three hundred and forty-five acres, on which may be found good buildings, all necessary improvements and a commodious and tasty residence just completed. In connection with the operation of his land he operates a stone quarry and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, making a specialty of Short-horn cattle and Belgium horses. With no capital save a young man's bright hope of the future he started out in life. The New World furnished attractions for him and he resolved to here seek his fortune. Choosing the West as the scene of his labors he began operations, determined to succeed if he could accomplish success by honorable methods. Almost a third of a century has since come and gone, and in the exercise of his business talents and by industry, perseverance, and above all, by fair and honest dealing, he has won a handsome competence and gained the respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. His life work is worthy of emulation and with the hope that some one will be inspired with renewed efforts by the perusal of this brief sketch, we insert it in the volume of his county's history. Socially, Mr. WALGREN is a member of George Strong Post, No. 19, G. A. R., of Fairfield. In his earlier years, his views were in harmony with the principles of the Democratic party but ere he had attained the right of citizenship his ideas underwent a change and he cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. The Republican party has since found in him a stalwart supporter.

We have said little concerning Mrs. WALGREN who has been a true helpmate to her husband along life's journey. For thirty-nine years she has shared with him the joys and sorrows, the adversity and successes which checker the life of men and by her assistance and encouraging words has done not a little for his prosperous efforts. Their union has been blessed with fourteen children, the eldest of whom, Andrew W., is now living in Salina; Albert is at home, Anna R., is now a resident of Wyoming where she owns some land; Arthur W., and Joseph O., are also living in Wyoming; Emma F. is the wife of Mr. KRUMPLTZ; Lewis is located in Denver, Col.; Henrietta lives in Wyoming; Wesley, Franklin, and Hannah May, are still at home. The other members of the family are deceased.

The children have all received good educational advantages, thus being fitted for the practical duties of life, and like their parents are members of the Methodist Church. The family, so widely known throughout Jefferson County, is well worthy of representation in this volume.

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Fairfield Ledger
July 3, 1962, Page 1.

PHOTO: Mrs. Carl ANDERSON, Salina, holds giant homemade flag which was flown regularly on Fourth of July by her grandfather, August WALGREN, Jefferson County preacher and Civil War veteran. Forty-four star flag is more than 60 years old.

Salina flag once flew from house with red, white and blue shingles. Photo: Patriot's Home- - Here is August WALGREN home built in 1885 east of Salina. WALGREN displayed his patriotism by painting roof shingles in bands of red, white and blue..... Brick Home. WALGREN was born in Sweden in 1829 (sic. 1827). He came to Iowa as a youth and later built a three-story stone and brick home east of Salina on the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Andrew CRILE. Completed in 1885, the landmark residence was destroyed by fire about 1919. The WALGRENS owned one of the county's first sewing machines and the flag may have been made by their oldest daughter, Annie WALGREN. The stars were made of wool and sewn on the flag by hand. The flag, now more than 60 years old, is a prized family heirloom owned by Mrs. Carl ANDERSON (Maude Krumboltz Anderson ), who lives two miles east of Salina. In excellent condition despite its age, the homemade flag is about 10 feet long. WALGREN was a member of Company M, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, serving as a medical nurse during the Civil War. He was intensely patriotic and he never missed an opportunity to display the large family flag. His 12-room house had a hip roof with dormers on all four sides. When the shingles were up, WALGREN painted them in horizontal bands of red, white and blue. A giant American flag flying from a house with red, white and blue shingles was once a common sight on the Fourth of July for residents of the Salina area. WALGREN was both a farmer and an ordained Methodist minister. He was pastor of the New Sweden Methodist Church near Four Corners for several years. WALGREN left the farm and moved to Fairfield about 1900..... Mrs. ANDERSON obtained the flag from her mother, Emma WALGREN KRUMBOLTZ, after her grandfather's death. Many members of the WALGREN family remember the flag and the farm home with its colorful shingles. They include a grandson, Dr. Roy L. WALGREN of Pearl City, Ill., who was reared by the WALGRENS. Dr. WALGREN graduated from Parsons College in 1912.



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Note: The daugther mentioned in some of the biographies was Emma - she married William Henry Krumboltz. That surname got scrambled in some of the original published biographies.