1. Came from Sweden to Altoona, Illinois in 1868, then to Virginia, Illinois where he farmed. He was first married to Hilma Augusta Anderson. They had four children before her death in 1886. His second marriage was to Hilma Maria Anderson (sister of Hilma Augusta). He had four (?) more children with his second wife. [47]

2. His father’s name was Carl Adam Fredriksson. Claus changed his name when he moved to America. My guess is the name Carlson came from his father Carl. He, being Carl’s son, and as a result came up with Claus Frederick “CARLSON” (just a guess on my part).

3. From the 1900 US Census, Illinois, Cass, Virginia Precinct (exclusive of city), District 13, Sheet 2, Enumerated 6 June 1900:
C.F. Carlson; Head; DOB Sep 1846; Age 53; Widowed; POB Sweden; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden; Naturalized 1868; No. of Years in USA - 32; Occupation - Farmer; Owns Home, Farm; Free of Mortgage; Able to Read, Write and Speak English
Ellen Carlson; Daughter; DOB 1881; Age 18; Single; POB Illinois; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden
Axell Carlson; Son; DOB Jan 1884; Age 16; Single; POB Illinois; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden; Occupation - Farm Laborer
Hilma Carlson; Daughter; DOB Oct 1890; Age 9; POB Illinois; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden; Attends School
Elmer Carlson; Son; DOB May 1892; Age 8; POB Illinois; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden; Attends School
Josephine Carlson; Daughter; DOB Feb 1895; Age 5; POB Illinois; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden

1. Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763 - 1900:
Groom: CARLSON, CLAUS F.; Bride: ANDERSON, AUGUSTA; County: MORGAN; Date: 06/08/1875; Vol/Page: 00C/0096
NOTE: The Illinois Statewide Marriage Index has both of Claus’ wives listed, but in reverse order. I am strickly going by the dates of marriage listed here, compared to the death dates of his wives, in my decision to switch the names in these records.

2. From the 1880 US Census, Illinois, Cass, City of Virginia L-17-R-10, ED 56, Page 22B, Enumerated 11 Jun 1880, Lines 16-22:
Claus F. Carlson; Head; Age 30; Born Sept; Married; Occupation - Brickmaker; POB Sweden; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden.
Hilma Carlson; Wife; Age 28; Born Oct; Married; POB Sweden; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden.
John F. Carlson; Son; age 3; Born Mar; POB Illinois; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden.
Adolph Carlson; Brother; Age 21; Single; Occupation - Laborer; POB Sweden; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden.
Frank Carlson; Brother; Age 17; Single; Occupation - Laborer; POB Sweden; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden.
Anton W. Anderson; Cousin; Age 33; Single; Occupation - Brickmaker; POB Sweden; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden.
August Lembere; Servant; Age 22; Single; Occupation - Laborer; POB Sweden; Father POB Sweden; Mother POB Sweden.