BENGTSON, Charles E.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 1284-1285

Charles E. BENGTSON is a member of the firm of BENGTSON Brothers, dealers in cigars, tobacco, snuff, sporting goods, etc.  They have a fine and well-arranged store located at No. 619 Seventh Street, where they have been doing an extensive business, being wholesale dealers in snuff.  Theirs was the first business of the kind started on the famous *Phoenix* Street.  For five years they have carried on operations under the title of BENGTSON Brothers, Fred BENGTSON being the partner of our subject.

The BENGTSON family came to Rockford in 1866.  Charles E. was born in Sweden on 09 Jan 1863, and was therefore quite small when with his parents he crossed the Atlantic to America, the family coming on at once to Rockford.  The father, Andrew BENGTSON, died in this city when little past middle life.  His wife still makes [p 1285] her home with her sons in Rockford, at the age of 60 years.  She is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, to which Mr. BENGTSON also belonged.

Charles E. BENGTSON has spent almost his entire life in Rockford.  He was here reared to manhood and acquired his education in the public schools.  Since attaining his majority he has voted with the Repubican party, of which he is a stalwart supporter, and socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Society on the East Side.  On embarking in business, he chose the enterprise to which he yet devotes his energies.   The BENGTSON Brothers are wide awake and industrious young men, ambitious and persevering, and are already winning a well deserved prosperity.  Their trade yields them a good income and is constantly increasing.  In connection with their other interests, they also own 17 furnished rooms in a flat immediately over their store.   They are also stockholders in the Royal Sewing Machine Company in this city, and have interests in other local enterprises, and in real estate.  Mr. BENGTSON, who has so long resided in this city, is well known, and among his wide circle of friends are many who have been his acquaintances since boyhood.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.