Anna Charlotta Monson

Stratford Curior

Mrs. Charlotte Monson was born in Kisa parish, Ostergotland, Sweden, November 5, 1932. She and her father (Lars Hagg) came to this country in the year 1852, first making their home in Galesburg, Ill. and later settling on a farm in New Sweden, Iowa. Here she was married to Charles Monson, February 12, 1856. They made their home on a farm in the Swede Bend community for many years and then moved to Stratford where Mr. Monson died in 1902. The Monson family was blessed with eight children of whom six of them have preceded her in death. Grandma Monson died June 11, 1933 at the age of 100 years, 7 months, 6 days. She leaves to mourn, two children, Mrs. Andrew J.(Madora) Dahl of Willmar, Minn. with whom she had made her home since 1919, and E.W. (Ernest Wesley) Monson of Stratford. Twenty-one grand children and 22 great grand children, also survive, as well as many hosts of friends.

The deceased was converted at an early age and has always tried to do what was right in the eyes of the Master. She was the last of the charter members of the South Marion Swedish Methodist Church near Stratford. Her faith has left an imprint on the lives of those wihich she has witnessed. As she had been a blessing in life so is her death a reward from the Master for a life lived for him. She has been a faithful steward in the name of the Lord. Funeral services were held in the Swedish Mission church in Willmar, June 13, and in the Swedish Methodist church near Stratford the following day. The Rev. Englund of Boxholm delivered the sermon and spoke words of comfort. A quartet of grandchildren sang at the services at Willmar and also at Stratford. A short burial service was held in the South Marion cemetery where the remains were laid to rest.

How they met.

There was an internate preacher who was serving both the New Sweden and Swede Bend Churches, traveling between the two by horseback. Swede Bend was a Swedish settlement along the Des Moines River, about 150 miles north of New Sweden. It seems that the new preacher felt that young Charles Monson should get married and settle down on the farm which he had purchased in the woods along the river. He suggested that Charles should meet this fine young lady, whom he knew in the New Sweden Church. Charles apparently thought well of the plan, so accepted an invitation to go along and attend services in the New Sweden Church. The two were introduced and it was love at first sight.

They were married at New Sweden, on a cool February day in 1856, and the young Charles whisked his young bride away to Swede Bend on a sleigh which he had made himself, and drawn by a big fine horse.

In 1857 they purchased 120 acres for $3 an acre south of Stratford, Iowa