Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 488] CHARLES GRUE, of the firm of COTTINGHAM & GRUE, Aurelia, was born in Norway, July 28, 1847. He is a son of CHRISTIAN and OLEANA (SORENSON) OLSON. He took the name of the county in which he was born, bade farewell to his native clime, and sailed away to the New World, arriving in Chicago, that typical American city, June 24, 18**. He had served an apprenticeship of five years at the cabinet-maker's trade in Christiania, Norway, and after coming to this country he worked at the business in Chicago for three years. Desirous of seeing yet more of this land, he went to Utah, and for sometime worked at his trade in Salt Lake City. One summer he assisted in building a quartz mill, remaining in the Territory in all three years. He then journeyed toward the east, and settled in Cherokee County, Iowa. His brother, MARTIN CHRISTIANSON, was then at Alta, and he remained there six months, after which he came to Aurelia in 1877. There he opened the pioneer furniture store of the place, and has since continued in the business, having disposed of a part of his interest to Mr. COTTINGHAM. They are agents and manufacturers of the Mitchell Washing Machine. Mr. GRUE was married at Christiania, Norway, August 15, 1869, to Miss ANNA JOHNSON. Three children born on this union: FANNY, LIZZIE and SOPHIA. One died at the age of two years. Mr. GRUE was a member of the town council for eleven years. In church matters he has always taken an active interest. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, of which he was secretary and treasurer for twelve years. For six years he was prominently connected with Missionary Society. ===========================================================================