CARL J. DAHLBERG, the oldest Swedish living settler of Riley County, dates his arrival here from the fall of 1857, and thus has been a resident for the long period of thirty-two years. A course of industry and prudence has made him comparatively independent and the owner of a valuable farm of 520 acres, occupying the greater portion of section 6, Jackson Township. Personally, Mr. Dahlberg is a pleasant and companionable old gentleman—one whose hospitable doors are always open to both friend and stranger, who are at once impressed by the excellence of his character.

The Dahlberg family originated in Sweden several hundred years ago. The father of our subject, Magnus, was a native of Kalmarland and the son of Gustav N. was also born there and the owner of a large estate. The former was reared to farming pursuits which he prosecuted through life. He died when Carl J. was ten years old. His wife, Maria, was likewise of Swedish birth and parentage and the daughter of Peter Dahlherg, another large farmer of that region. Her death occurred in Sweden in 1874, after she had reached the advanced age of ninety-five years; she was a member of the Lutheran Church. Their three children were Peter M. and Stina E.. both deceased; and Carl J.

The subject of this sketch was born in Christdala Soken, Kalmarland, Sweden, July 27, 1823, where he was reared on a farm and grew to man's estate. There also was born the famous singer, Jenny Lind, who subsequently uttered her wonderful notes, not only before the crowned heads of Europe, but also the people of America, and Mr. Dablberg became personally acquainted with her. He enjoyed the advantages of the common schools, acquiring an excellent education in his native tongue. He lived with his mother until reaching his majority and then having fallen heir to quite a fortune in the shape of a large farm, he began cultivating this and was subsequently largely interested in stock-raising. In the fall of 1854, however, Mr. Dahlberg disposed of all his possessions in his native land and set out for America. He was six weeks making the voyage from Liverpool to New York City, and thence proceeded to Rock Island, Ill., where he sojourned one year. At the expiration of this time he purchased eighty acres of wild land in the vicinity of Andover, Henry County, upon which he operated until 1857. Then, on account of failing health, he determined to seek a dryer climate and started overland with an ox-team for Kansas Territory. He crossed the Mississippi River at Burlington and the Missouri, at St. Joseph, and after one months travel, July 15, struck the Big Blue and purchased 160 acres of raw land. He put up a log-cabin, broke the soil with an ox-team and gained notoriety as being the third Swedish settler on the Blue, and the first Swedish settler in Riley County. Indians were often seen in that region and in 1864 Mr. Dahlberg served for a time in the State Militia for the protection of the frontier.

The career of Mr. Dahlberg in Kansas has been one of uniform success, and be was at one time the owner of 740 acres of land. He has parted with over 200 acres of this to his children. He has effected first-class improvements, including a substantial stone house built in 1870, and has a good barn with a windmill, water tank, orchards and groves, the whole situated about two miles from Randolph, Riley County.

In the early days Mr. Dahlberg freighted his produce to the river points —Atchison, Leavenworth, etc. In addition to general farming he keeps a goodly assortment of livestock, usually about 200 head of cattle, and a numbers of swine. The farm is now (1889) operated by a tenant on shares.

In Sweden on the 14th of October, 1845, occurred the marriage of Mr. Dahlberg with Miss Johanna Gustafson. This lady was born near the early home of her husband and they are now the parents of seven children, only two of whom are living: Carl Victor, who is represented on another page in this work, and Clara J. who lives in Pottawatomi County; Johanna died when seven years old and Josiah at the age of three years; John S. , Emily C. and Amanda died of typhoid fever within 1 month, in November, 1885, aged respectively, twenty-five, twenty-three and twenty years. Clara J. is the wife of Axel Axelton, a farmer of Pottawatomie County.

Mr. Dahlberg assisted in organizing Jackson Township and his school district. He assisted in building the first school house, and has always encouraged the education of the young, believing that they should receive every advantage which will make of them good citizens. He is a charter member of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Mariadahl, and assisted in building the church edifice, being one of the committee. Last year he resigned the office of Deacon which he had held for some time, but he officiates as Trustee.

Upon becoming a voting citizen he allied himself with the Republican party, of whose principles he is a strong supporter and is frequently sent as a delegate to the county conventions. The Dahlberg homestead, cheerful and hospitable and partaking largely of the character of its projector makes a pleasing picture in the landscape, and is duly illustrated on another page.