John Oscar Stromquist, of Lindsborg, editor of the "Lindsborg Record," secretary and business manager of Bethany Printing Company and one of the popular and well known business men of central Kansas, was born in Fremont, McPherson county, Kansas, April 4, 1873, a son of John Peter and Matilda (Asp) Stromquist, who were natives of the Smaland province in Sweden, from which locality they came to Burlington, Iowa, in 1863. Later they removed to Galesburg, Ill., and in 1868 settled in Fremont, Kan., where the father became a successful farmer, which occupation he followed until his death, June 6, 1909, and the mother passed away on Feb. 5 of the same year. The father was secretary of the Galesburg Land Company, and in that capacity was instrumental in doing much toward locating the Swedish colony in McPherson county, and he afterward became one of the most influential men in that community. Of the surviving children of this honored couple, Nannie Christina is the wife of G. A. Berg, of Fremont, Kan.; John O. is the next in order of birth; William Alfred resides in San Diego, Cal.; Rev. Luther is a resident of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Peter L. is a farmer and resides at Fremont, Kan.; Edna is a former deputy county clerk of McPherson county and resides at Los Angeles, Cal.; Otto is a resident of Axtell, Kan., and Ida, of Fremont.

J. O. Stromquist was born and reared on a farm, but received a liberal common school education and afterwards attended Bethany Academy at Lindsborg and one year at Bethany College. From 1892 until 1897 he followed agricultural pursuits. In the last named year he received the appointment as deputy county clerk of McPherson county and served in that capacity until 1904, when he was elected to the position of county clerk, being reëlected in 1906 and serving until 1909. Upon retiring from the clerkship, in January, 1909, he purchased an interest in the Bethany Book & Printing Company, publishers of the "Lindsborg Posten" and the "Lindsborg Record," becoming editor of the last named periodical and the business manager of the company. He has built up a fine printing business, the plant is equipped with modern machinery, and he has shown himself possessed of fine executive ability and well adapted to editorial work. Throughout his entire career Mr. Stromquist has shown a decided inclination to politics, and as a leal and loyal Republican served as chairman of the county central committee from 1905 until 1908, besides being otherwise active in party affairs. He is a man of rare literary attainments and possesses all the qualifications of a good editor and companionable gentleman. He is a man of broad general information; is well read, and his powers of observation and assimilation have caused him to be recognized as an authority on all subjects of general interest. He is a man of infinite good humor; possesses a genial disposition, and is popular with the people of McPherson county, which means that he has measured up to the full standard. He is treasurer and also a trustee of the Lutheran church at Lindsborg. On Dec. 15, 1898, Mr. Stromquist was united in marriage to Miss Nancy E., daughter of Andrew P. Renius, of Marquette, Kan., and this lady presides most graciously over their beautiful home. They are the parents of four children: Hazel Leona, born Dec. 10, 1899; Geneva Evangeline, born Dec. 20, 1902; Grace Josephine, born March 28, 1905; and Vivian Andrew, born Aug. 18, 1909.