From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 677
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
G. F. AHLBERG
The subject of this review is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining public right. Mr Ahlberg is now one of the well known young attorneys at Lyons, where he has already won a prominent position since his admission to the bar in 1894. He is one of the native sons of Rice county, his birth having occurred near Lyons, on the 9th of March, 1874. Like many of the intelligent and progressive citizens of the west, he represents Swedish ancestry. His father, David Ahlberg, was born in Sweden and belonged to a family celebrated for intelligence, industry and reliability in all the walks of life. In his native country the father was reared, acquiring a good education in the Swedish tongue. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world he spent a few months in the east and then proceeded westward to Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois. In that locality he took up his abode on a farm, and as a companion and helpmate on life’s journey he chose Miss Marie Enstrom, the wedding being celebrated in Illinois. The lady was born, reared and educated in Sweden. They began their domestic life in Henry county, where they remained until 1871, when they came to Rice county, Kansas, the father securing a homestead near Lyons. He transformed the land into a valuable tract and is today regarded as one of the leading and representative agriculturists of his community. Unto Mr and Mrs Ahlberg were born four children, namely: Mrs Reed, now a widow; Mrs Hoffman, who is residing in Los Angeles, California; Mrs Shay, also in Los Angeles; and G F, of this review.
In taking up the personal history of G F Ahlberg we present to our readers the life record of one who has a wide acquaintance in Rice county. He spent his youth upon the old homestead farm, and as age and strength permitted assisted in the work of field and meadow, thus developing a strong constitution. He attended the public school of the neighborhood during his youth and afterward matriculated in the Nebraska State University, where he was graduated with the class of 1894, having pursued the law course, which fitted him for admission to the bar. His knowledge of the science of jurisprudence is comprehensive, for he is a close and discriminating student and is continually broadening his mind by reading and study. He prepares each case which is entrusted to him with marked care and precision and is well equipped to meet the opposing arguments. In his political views he is a stalwart Democrat, being regarded as one of the leaders of the party, wherein his counsel carries weight. He was considered a popular candidate for the position of county attorney on the fusion ticket in 1900, but lost in the great landslide of Kansas in that year, the Republicans carrying the entire state. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. That the friends who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest admirers is an indication that his career has been an honorable and upright one, worthy of high regard. He has always resided in Rice county, and his success sets at naught the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country. He has already won distinction by his legal skill and ability, and is now enjoying a good business as one of the capable young lawyers of the community.