Ed Carlson was born Carl Gustav Edward Carlson on June 17, 1897 in Åsa, Småland, Sweden. Ed's parents, Emma and Johannes Carlson, had three other children: Einar, Alved, and Selma. Ed attended school for seven years and worked on a farm after classes. In 1916 Ed left for the United States on his own and settled in Aberdeen, Washington. After working for a time in a shipyard building boats for the army, Ed got a job at a Swedish sawmill where he worked for 25 years. In 1924 Ed married Anna Anderson, and they had four children. Ed is a member of the Vasa Lodge where they practice Swedish traditions; he still speaks the language at times. Ed has taken several return trips to Sweden, although he is glad that he lives in America.
Lineage
Father: Johannes Carlson. Mother: Emma Carlson. Paternal Grandfather: Carl Granat Maternal. Grandfather: Lindblad. Brothers and Sisters: Einar Carlson, Alved Carlson, Selma Carlson. Spouse: Anna Anderson Carlson. Children: Dale Carlson, Alan Carlson, Paul Carlson.
From the guide to the Ed (Carl Gustav Edward) Carlson Oral History Interview, 1981, (Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection Archives and Special Collections Department)
