Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Frank August Gabrielson, well known in Clay county by reason of his former connection with commercial interests and his present connection with agricultural affairs, now lives in Garfield township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land.  There he follows general farming and stock-raising and in his well directed business efforts is meeting with gratifying success.

He was born in Webster county, Iowa, March 3, 1861, a son of John and Florence (Peterson) Gabrielson, both of whom are natives of Sweden.  It was in 1857 that his parents came to America and the following year settled in Webster county.  The father was born in Boxholm, Sweden, November 16, 1826, and on the 24th of June, 1850, he wedded Florence Charlotta Peterson.  They lived for about seven years thereafter in their native country and then, as stated, came to the new world, establishing their home in Galesburg, Illinois, where they resided for about a year.  In 1858 they came to Webster county and were pioneers in that part of the state.  During the period of his residence in Galesburg Mr. Gabrielson was converted and became an earnest Christian worker.  Following the establishment of his home in Dayton, Iowa, he became a local preacher and a deacon in the Methodist church.  For many years he engaged in preaching the gospel and at all times was most active and earnest in promoting the various departments of the church work.  He not only followed the call of "Onward Christian Soldiers," but also proved a faithful soldier of his country in her hour of need, enlisting at the time of the Civil war as a member of Company C, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry.  His memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him because of his loyalty to principles of truth, justice, right and honor.  The world is better for his having lived for his labors were ever a potent element for good in the community in which he made his home.  He died May 28, 1908, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hans Shold, of Dayton, Iowa, his wife's death occurring January 4th of that year.

In the family of this worthy couple were ten children of whom the eldest died in infancy.  Axel C., born in 1855, is now living in Dayton. Iowa.  Charles J., born in 1857, died in 1900.  Hattie C., born in 1859, passed away in 1886, Frank August is next in order of birth.  Mary C, born in 1862, is the wife of Hans Shold, a blacksmith residing in Dayton.  George A., born in 1864, married Anna Burk and makes his home in Dayton township, Webster county, Iowa, on the old homestead farm which joins the corporation limits of Dayton on the north.  Edward, who was born in 1866, married Kate Entermill and died in 1907.  Victor, born in 1868, was married June 21, 1893, to Hannah Sokinson and lives in Dayton.  A daughter died in infancy.

Frank August Gabrielson was reared in Dayton under the refining influence of a good Christian home.  He pursued his education in the public schools, enjoying the pleasures common in the youth of that day and did such tasks as were assigned him through parental authority.  In the fall of 1882, when a young man of twenty-nine years, he removed to Sioux Rapids, where he engaged in the hardware business.  The enterprise prospered from the beginning and as the years went by he enjoyed an increasing business and became well known as a merchant of the town.  In 1907, however, he sold out and located on the farm which he now occupies, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land in Garfield township.  Here he follows general farming and stock-raising and has a well equipped place, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision and practical methods.

It was on the 26th of January, 1887, that Mr. Gabrielson was married to Miss Ida Jansen, a daughter of K. M. and Laura (Dean) Jansen, who were natives of the state of New York.  They were married January 8, 1856, and settled near Fort Wayne, Indiana, at an early day.  Mrs. Jansen was born near Macedon, Now York, May 27, 1832, and died January 8, 1900, the last two and a half years of her life being passed in Linn Grove.  She was the mother of the following children:  Frank, who married Mollie Harp and resides in Humboldt, Iowa; Ella, the wife of Arthur Stevens, a resident of Seibert, Colorado; Irena, the wife of John J. Jacobson, living in Lebanon, South Dakota; Cora, who is a teacher in a public school of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; John, who resides in Dallas, South Dakota; and Birdie, a professional nurse now located in Portland, Oregon.  The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gabrielson has been blessed with several children, but they lost their first born in infancy.  The others are:  Ira N., who was born September 27, 1889, and is attending Morningside College; Guy G., who was born May 22, 1891, and is attending school in Sioux Rapids; and Rush R., who was born April 7, 1897, and is a student in a home school at Webb.  The family are [sic] members of the Methodist church at Webb and are well known socially, having the warm regard of all who know them.  Mr. Gabrielson is a member of Buena Vista Lodge, No. 574, I. 0. 0. F., and both he and his wife are members of Sioux Valley Lodge No. 387, of the Daughters of Rebecca.  He is also connected with the Court of Honor and the Yeomen, and in his political views is a stalwart republican.  In all life's relations, whether as a business man, citizen or in social affairs, he is progressive and believes that the individual should continually advance through the recognition and improvement of the opportunities which come to all.  He well deserves classification with the foremost leading citizens of his community.