Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

John P. Hultgren owns and operates one hundred acres of land on section 2, Nokomis township, which has been made a valuable property on account of the improvements which he has here made. Mr. Hultgren was born in Sweden, November 10, 1847, and acquired a good education in his native country.  He was a young man of nineteen years when, in 1867, the father with his family emigrated to the United States.  They took passage on an ocean steamer at Guttenberg and after spending two weeks on the Atlantic arrived in New York on the 14th of May of the above year.  The family at once made their way to Burlington, Iowa, where lived an uncle of our subject, and in Des Moines county the father located a farm.  The entire family at once began to study the English language and in due course of time had n fair knowledge of the language, manners and customs of American people.

Soon after coming to Iowa John P Hultgren found employment with Nealley Brothers of Des Moines county, Iowa, who were extensive fruit growers and nurserymen.  He remained with the above firm for four years and subsequently spent five years as clerk in a store and in this way received a good business training.  It was about this time in his life that Mr. Hultgren established a home of his own by his marriage on the 31^st of December, 1875, to Miss Carrie Peterson, their wedding being celebrated in Burlington, Iowa.  Mrs. Hultgren, like her husband, is a native of Sweden, whence she emigrated to America in 1869.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hultgren removed to Henderson county, Illinois, where Mr. Hultgren was employed at farm labor for one year.  He then rented a tract of land which he operated for ten or eleven years.  In 1889 he returned to Iowa, this time locating in Buena Vista county.  He rented a farm in Nokomis township, which he operated for several years, but eventually purchased his present farm property in 1899, to which he removed the following' year, having for one year rented the place to other parties.  He has built a good house, two barns and sheds for the care of his stock.  Three good wells on the farm furnish an ample supply of water for stock and household purposes and everything about the place presents a neat and thrifty appearance, indicating the progressive methods of the owner.  In addition to general farming, Mr. Hultgren raises shorthorn cattle, having a pure blooded male at the head of his herd and he also raises Poland China hogs.  He is a stockholder and a director in the Alta creamery.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hultgren has been blessed with three children.  George W. C. is married and has two children, Pearl and Curtis.  He follows farming in Nokomis township. Horace R. E. is also married and is engaged in farming in this township.  Esther A. C. is the wife of Robert Peterson, a farmer of Scott township.  They have three children, Grace, Earl and Russel [sic].  Mr. Hultgren is a stanch [sic] supporter of republican principles and for two years served as justice of the peace of Nokomis township and for fifteen years he has been identified with the school board, of which he is at present the secretary.  The parents are members of the Swedish Lutheran church at Alta.  Mr. Hultgren is known for his industry, honesty and integrity and has thereby won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is brought in contact, either in business or social relations.