Representative Edward Johann Detlef Svendsen View All Years
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Edward Johann Detlef Svendsen
Clinton County
Born in Kiel, in the Province of Holstein, Germany, October 9, 1830, and is the son of William and Gishen (Reymars) Swendsen. Mr. Swendsen came to America in July, 1852, and landed at Quebec. He received his education in the high schools at Kiel, and in that place graduated. He was also active as a volunteer in the war of 1848, the object of which was to secure a Republican form of government in Holstein. He served three years in Germany as a clerk in the custom-house. He came to Iowa in July, 1852, and located in Davenport, remaining until March, 1853, when he came to Clinton County, and located in Deep Creek Township. On August 9, 1862, he enlisted in the 26th Iowa Vol. Inf., Co. E, under Col. Smith. He went into service as a private but was appointed First Lieutenant of his company. They were ordered at once to Helena, Ark., but remained only a short time, taking a part in the struggle of Arkansas Post. He was in all the battles of the 5th Corps, was with Sherman in his noted march to the sea, and was finally discharged in June, 1865, and was mustered out at Washington, D. C., and from there returned to his native land in the fall of 1865, with the strong desire to once more behold the old familiar places. In the spring of 1866, on the 30th day of March, he was united in marriage with Caroline Reiff, and the newly-wedded pair at once started from Hamburg for America. He has been Supervisor of his county and served three years; was elected to the General Assembly, in 1874, and served two years; was also School Director.
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