Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Swenson, M. D., Karl J. 1879 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 31, 2010, 11:18 am Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 344- 345 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company DR. KARL J. SWENSON, M. D., of Portland, is entitled to the respect of his fellowmen both because of his professional skill and ability and for his loyal service during the late war. Dr. Swenson was born in Salina, Kansas, in 1879, and is a son of Emanuel E. and Hannah (Hanson) Swenson, both of whom were born in Sweden. They came to the United States with their respective families in childhood and were married in this country. The mother died in 1891 and the father is now living at Beaverton, Oregon. They became the parents of seven children, two sons and five daughters. Dr. Swenson received his early education in the public schools of Salina and attended Bethany College, at Lindsborg, Kansas. He entered the medical school of the University of Pittsburgh was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and served his interneship in Allegheny General Hospital in that city. In 1910 he came west and, being in Portland while the state medical board was giving a regular examination, he took the test, which he passed successfully and was licensed to practice in this state, after which he opened an office and has been actively engaged in professional work here to the present time. He has built up a large and representative practice, is on the medical staff of Emanuel Hospital and is regarded as one of Portland's representative physicians. Dr. Swenson was united in marriage to Miss Maude Evans, who was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and graduated in nursing from Allegheny General Hospital. They are the parents of a son, Karl Reed. Dr. Swenson is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted in the United States Medical Corps in 1917. He was stationed with the Ninety-first Division at Camp Lewis, Washington, and received a commission as first lieutenant. He was sent overseas, where he commanded the Three Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ambulance Corps, making an exceptionally fine record, for which he was given the Distinguished Service Cross in November, 1918, and the French Croix de Guerre. On his return to this country he was honorably discharged with the rank of major, and now holds a commission as lieutenant colonel in the Medical Reserve Corps. He is a Mason, a Knight Templar; a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and a member of the Army and Navy Legion of Valor. He is also a member of the Kiwanis club, the Swedish Business Mens Club and the Sigma Nu medical fraternity. His religious connection is with the Lutheran church. He maintains professional affiliation with the Multnomah County Medical Society, the Oregon State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has been loyal to duty in every relation of life, is closely devoted to his profession and is in every way worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by his fellowmen. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/swensonm1092gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb