JOHN FREDERICK AHLSTROM

JOHN FREDERICK AHLSTROM
from A HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA AND AN
EXTENDED HISTORY OF IT'S SOUTHERN COAST COUNTIES
Vol. II
BY J.M. GUINN, A.M.
Historical Record Company
Los Angeles
1907

JOHN F. AHLSTROM. The development of Los Angeles county and Southern California in general has had in John F. Ahlstrom one of its most interested witnesses, and as well a citizen whose best efforts were always given toward the furtherance of every movement which tended to upbuild his community. He is a native of Sweden, born May 14, 1848, the son of John F. and Johanna (Warlin) Ahlstrom, also natives of Sweden: both are deceased, the father dying, when seventy-two years of age, and the mother when thirty-six. The father was a cooper by occupation, a trade which he followed throughout his entire life. Of their family of eight children two sons and two daughters are located in the United States, the others being residents of their native land. The Lutheran State Church of Sweden claimed the religious allegiance of the parents and their children have been true to their early teachings.

John F. Ahlstrom was reared to young manhood in his native country, receiving a limited education in the public schools, after which he learned the trade of carpenter. He worked at his trade in Sweden until 1873, when he immigrated to America, and coming direct to California, located in the vicinity of Niles, Alameda county, where he engaged as foreman in a nursery. After twenty months he went to Yuba county and in Marysville engaged in carpenter work, following this with a period of ranching in Sutter county. He then went to Mendocino county and engaged in the logging business in the Redwoods, and after one year, on the 20th of May, 1876, he arrived in Los Angeles, where he engaged at ranching and other pursuits in the vicinity of Anaheim. A little later he accepted employment in the planing and grist mills of this section, remaining thus occupied for two years when he went to Chatsworth and engaged in ranching for a time, finally disposing of these interests because of dry seasons. After his marriage in 1881 to Miss Hannah J. Johnson, a native of Utah, he came to Los Angeles and engaged in carpenter work and also worked on the street cars. In 1894 he purchased his present property, which consists of eleven acres of land devoted principally to the raising of berries. He has placed many improvements on the place and by an intelligent cultivation also has added to the value of the property.

Mr. and Mrs. Ahlstrom are the parents of the following children: Arthur, Grace, Reuben, Bertha, Lilian, Maie Corinne, Charles and Eleanor. In his fraternal relations Mr. Ahlstrom is associated with the Independent Order of Forestors of Los Angeles; politically he takes an active interest in the principles of the various parties, but reserves the right to cast his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified for public duties. With his family he belongs to the Baptist Church. Mr. Ahlstrom is a man of many admirable traits of character, faithful in the discharge of all duties that fall to the lot of a citizen, earnest in his efforts to advance the best interests of the community, and as such a man, citizen and neighbor he has won a large number of friends who best appreciate the qualities so demonstrated throughout his life.

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