Ancestors of Gary and Ardis Dahlstrom Morrison

The 1900 Federal census lists John, age 26, as still single and living at home.  It lists his occupation as Engineer.  However, the 1910 census shows him married, living in Davis County, and records that he was not able to read or write.  The term Engineer must have been used loosely in those days.  The 1910 census shows him to be a farmer in Marion Township, Davis County, Iowa, with a mortgaged farm, schedule 67.

The 1915 Iowa census shows the family living in Wapello County, near Blakesburg.

By 1920 John and family were in Sugar Creek Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa where he was a laborer with a farm home at schedule 121.

The 1925 Iowa census shows John and family still in Sugar Creek Township.  This census records the fact that John finished the eighth (8th) grade and could read and write.  Additionally the 1930 Sugar Creek Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa census, where John is a general farm laborer, says that he can read and write.  These contradict the 1910 census.

According to his obituary, in 1930 his health began to fail and since that time he had been a constant sufferer with asthma and heart trouble.  But it was just a week before his death that he became critically ill.  During that time he suffered intensely and "all that loving hand could do gradually failed."  The death record states he died of asthma and heart trouble.  John was buried originally in Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa according to the "Index of Mahaska County Iowa Deaths 1932-1940".  This would have meant he was subsequently disinterred and reburied in Mounts Cemetery, NE1/4 of section 21 of Marion Township in Davis County, Iowa.  However the obituary states he was laid to rest in Mounts Cemetery.  It would appear the death index is incorrect.

The 1885 and 1895 census records both state that John was born in Wapello County, while the obituary states Davis County.  Also, the ages on all the census records show John to have been born in 1873, including the 1900 census that says he was born November 1873, while the obituary says 1874.  I side with the census records in recording his birth statistics.

The 1900 Federal census identifies Florence as living with her parents with an occupation of teacher.  The 1925 Iowa census records that she finished the eighth (8th) grade.  It did not take much of an education to become a teacher at the turn of the century, only an eighth grade diploma and some high school training.

The 1910 Federal census lists Floyd, age 4, and states that she and John have been married 7 years.  She had given birth to two children, with 1 still alive at this census taking.

Florence is buried in Mounts Cemetery, NE1/4 of section 21 in Marion Township of Davis County, Iowa.

The Prairie Township, Mahaska County, Iowa 1910 Federal census entry shows Harley as a farm laborer on a rented farm.  This census noted that Harley was not out of work on April 15, 1910, but did spend 16 weeks out of work in 1909.  In the 1915 census Harley, age 26, was a farmer.  He earned $700 in 1914.  The 1920 Federal census shows Harley and family in Sugar Creek Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa.  Harley is a farmer on schedule 21.  In the 1930 Federal census for Prairie Township, Mahaska County, Iowa he is shown as a tenant farmer.  He was a farmer for most of his adult life.  After he retired from farming, he and Lena lived in New Sharon and he worked as a delivery man for the local grocery store.

Harley and Lena are buried in the Friends Cemetery at the south end of New Sharon, Iowa.

Lena was a homemaker during Harley's farming years.  After Harley's retirement from farming Lena took in washing and ironing to supplement their retirement income.

In addition to raising her 4 children, she also raised one of her grandsons to adulthood, and then had one of her great grandsons living with her at the time of her death.  The back yard of their home in New Sharon was always a fun place to visit.  They had their own private zoo with cages containing fox, racoon, hawk and all sort of other wildlife.

It is unclear whether Emil was born Anderson or Dahlstrom.  Among the photos in the Andrew Dahlstrom Album is one of Emil's baptism entry in Ishpeming, Michigan.  That entry shows his parents' entry Anders August Anderson Dahlstrom and his wife Anna Lovisa.  That marks the first time where the change from Anderson to Dahlstrom is recorded.  It is unclear when that name change occurred in relation to Emil's birth.

Emil worked as blacksmith and farmer, and finally as owner and proprietor of Dahlstrom Lumber Company of Thornburg in Keokuk County, Iowa.  While working as a blacksmith he was kicked in the hip by a horse.  This injury caused him great pain the rest of his life, causing him to use a cane and keeping him from being able to stand erect.  When he was no longer able to handle the lumber business by himself his oldest son moved back to Thornburg to assist, and eventually take over the business.

Emil and Icie are buried at Sixteen Cemetery west of Thornburg, Keokuk County, Iowa.

Icie worked as a telephone operator in Gibson, near Thornburg, Keokuk County, Iowa in the days of the old manual switchboard and party lines.

Joe moved with his family to Keokuk County, Iowa in 1908.  He farmed his entire adult life on 80 acres north of Thornburg, Keokuk County, Iowa.

This article from an unknown newspaper, written by Rev. J. D. O'Dell is a very interesting illustration of the writing style of that day.  "On Wednesday P. M. October 22 a Sedan flivver pulled up at the Webster parsonage of the M. E. church and we confess meeting old acquaintances is always a joy to us but when the parties have that twinkle in their eyes that suggests a pleasant surprise in something unusual about to happen, why of course our doors are always open and we are more than glad to put all at ease in our very best fashion.  Such was the occasion when the McKays and Zimmermans of Thornburg called.  The program was soon put in our hands and after the usual information was given in a jolly good humor Miss Luella McKay and Mr. Joe Zimmerman arose and by joining their right hands pledged their faith and love in Holy Matrimony while Rev. J. D. O'Dell solemnized their vows and invoked the blessing of Almighty God upon the union of their young lives and pronounced them husband and wife.

"Mrs. Zimmerman is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam McKay and is a young lady of splendid home training, always jolly and lots of pep; just the kind that makes things go.  Mr. Zimmerman is the youngest son of Mr. August Zimmerman and has been associated with his father in large business enterprises both on the farm and in the store; so that we predict more than an ordinary career for these young people and our best wishes go with them."

Joe and Luella are buried at Sixteen Cemetery west of Thornburg, Keokuk County, Iowa.

Luella was a homemaker on the farm as long as Joe was alive.  After he died, Luella sold the farm and retired to What Cheer, Keokuk County, Iowa.  She enjoyed extensive traveling in her retirement years, going with a number of seniors in the area on a tour bus that originated from What Cheer.  She traveled to nearly all the 48 contiguous states and Canada.  She truly enjoyed life.