History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 261

IIST0I~Y 01/' TEXAS. 261

UG UST SWENSON, one of the popular,
progressive and thrifty farmers of
JJ ^ - Williamson county, was born near
J'aukoping, Swede;n, June 30, 1835.
According to the Swedish custom lie does not
bear the name of his father, Swan Nelson,
who was born April 1, 1797. Mr. Nelson
was a farmer by occupation, and also carried
on a milling business. He married Annika,
a daughter of Nels Peterson, and there were
born to them six children: N. J., a son, took
the surname Westberg; he is a resident of
Williamson county; Magdalena is the wife of
P. M. Peterson; August is the subject of this
biographical notice; P. M. is a resident of
Sweden; Annisteno is the wife of John Peterson,
and still lives in Sweden. August
Swenson secured a thorough education, the
lawful heritage of every native of his coulltry.
For a number of years lie followed
farming, and finally turned his attention to
cabinet-making, being desirous of mastering
a trade. He became very proficient in the
use of tools, but money came slowly to him,
and he was anxious to make more than a
mere living. He concluded to seek a home
in the New World, where he might secure
many advantages to himself and family, and
with this in view embarked at Guttenberg,
sailing by way of Hull and Liverpool for
New York; thence he came by water to Galveston,
and on to Austin by the usual route.
arriving at his destination in 1868. His first
year in America was spent in farming, and
thie two years following in carpentry; he was
foreman of a lumber-yard in Austin, and
afterward held the same position in a cabinetshop
and planing-mill. He was not disappointed
in his hopes of laying up a little
money, and in 1882 he had accumulated a
sufficiently large suim to invest in unimproved
farming land. This proved a most

profitable venture, and he lias since developed
one of tlle most desirable farms witliin tlhe
borders of Williamson county. IIe owns 400
acres, 250 acres being in an advanced state
of cultivation. lie has alsb erected a coinfortable
residence, and all his buildings are
of a most substantial character.
Mr. Swenson was married in 1858, to Johanna
Peterson, and four children were born
to them: Matilda is the widow of Mr. Peterson
and resides in Austin; Carl, Annie and
Esther are at home. They have been given
exceptional educational advantages, which
llave been well improved. The family are
members of the Lutheran Church.
[ON. FELIX E. SMITH, deceased,
whose record is an honor to his
Jj A country and a just source of pride to
his descendants, was born in Lincoln
county, Tennessee, August 10, 1831. He
secured an inferior education in the common
schools of his day, but by close application
to hlls studies fitted himself for teaching.
This profession was not followed through
life, however, but was abandoned for agriculture,
which lie regarded superior to all other
callings, in that excellent health was easily
secured, as independent living was certain,
and leisure time for intellectual pursuits
could be enjoyed. His residence in Texas
Legan in 1851, when he located with his
father near Bluff Springs, seven miles south
of Austin; there he lived, prospered, reared
a family, and died, the date of his passing into
the great unknown being February 5,
1891.
At the beginning of hostilities between
the North and' South he declared himself
ready to do and dare for the fair Southland.

HISORYOF TXS

261