A.J. Carlson was like so many other immigrants to America in the 1850s and 1860s; he worked hard to save money for land, and did his service in the Union Army. What sets A.J. Carlson apart was the written record he left behind; a record of trials, hard work, social commentary, and pioneer life.
A.J. Carlson was born Anders Johan Carlsson on April 20, 1837 in Kronosbergs lan, Sweden to parents Carl Andersson (1800-1879) and Anna Isacsdotter (1796-1852). Carlson was raised with his many siblings: Rev. Peter Carlson, Ingrid Carlsdotter, Christina Carlsdotter, Catarina Carlsdotter, and Maria Carlsdotter. In 1854, at the age of 17, Carlson emigrated to America, traveling with many of his siblings. The group landed in Boston on July 22.
Over the next five years, A.J. Carlson worked in factories and on the farm work throughout Illinois, building up savings to purchase land. In 1860, he traveled to Minnesota where he purchased 80 acres of land in San Francisco Township, Carver County. He then returned to Illinois to finalize his affairs before settling in Carver County permanently in 1861. During this time, his name was “Americanized” to Andrew John Carlson.
Shortly after starting his life as a bachelor farmer, the Civil War broke out, and Carlson enlisted to “free the slaves”. He was mustered in as a foot soldier in Company H of the Ninth Minnesota on August 21, 1862. He saw service in both the U.S.-Dakota and Civil Wars for the next three years, before being mustered out August 24, 1865. He then returned to Carver County and became one of East Union’s most active and prominent citizens. Carlson worked his land, worked as secretary at the Beven’s Creek Milling Company, was a member of the County Fair Association, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Carver County, served as a State Senator, was East Union Postmaster from 1873-1893, and owned and operated a general store. On top of all this, Carlson was instrumental in founding St. Ansgar’s Academy in East Union in 1862, and later involved in the decision to move the school to St. Peter where it was renamed Gustavus Adolphus College. He later served on the Board of Directors for the school. Carlson was also a member of the Minnesota Scandinavian Relief Association.
During this time, Carlson wed Maria (Mary) Wilson (Oleson) on September 16, 1865. The couple had seven children: Victor E., Lydia, Elise, Levi, Carl, Ernest E., and Alice Jeannette. Maria passed away June 1, 1883. Two years later, Carlson wed Mathilda Wicklund on October 11, 1885. A.J. Carlson passed away March 20, 1909, just one month shy of his 72nd birthday.
Carlson did more than serve as an active citizen of East Union. He also kept a detailed journal of his time serving in both wars, and provided wonderful insight and social commentary about the times in which he lived. When he returned from the war, he brought home only 2 things- his bayonet and his journal. This journal was preserved in newsprint in the East Union News published by his son E.E. Carlson.
When Carlson’s son, Ernest E. or E.E. was 11 years old, he began publishing a small 4-page, 4 x 6 inch newspaper of local happenings for “fun and pleasure”. This was the East Union News. In this newspaper, E.E. published his father’s journal documenting A.J.’s time serving his country. “A Narrative of the Late War” was published over several years, beginning with the February 1, 1895 and ending with the April 15, 1897 edition. The East Union News account also included other newspapers’ articles, court documents and various personal accounts to round out A.J’s commentary.
In 2013, the CCHS was made aware of these accounts by a visitor looking to find the “rest of the story” to complete the two East Union News newspaper sections in her ownership. Very few copies of The East Union News have survived. Working with Carlson’s grandson, Howard Arneson, and East Union historian, Mike Coleman, the full account and original surviving newspapers were located. With the blessings and support of the family, and the hard work of museum staff, the News articles were compiled into a book. The title of the book, Two Wars on the Frontier, originates from the name A.J. had given for his account of the wars. A.J. Carlson was active in civil affairs, a pioneer of East Union and a foot soldier. His life in the two wars is preserved through the journals, The East Union News, and now a book documenting life during the U.S.-Dakota and Civil Wars.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Petersen-Biorn, Wendy, editor and Darlene Fasching, compiler. Two Wars on the Frontier. Louisville, Kentucky: Four Color Print Group, 2014.
