IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 A'S Oscar F. Albertson Sioux City is famous for many things out of the ordinary, especially in the way of manufactures, one of which is the plant of Albertson & Company, which is the largest factory in the world devoted exclusively to the manufacture of valve grinding tools, and the phenomenal growth of this business has been largely due to the technical skill and ability of its president, Oscar F. Albertson. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on the 25th day of January, 1882, and was educated in the public and high schools of that city. His father was superintendent of a large tool-making plant in that city and the son spent his vacation periods and Saturdays in the factory, where eventually he served a regular apprenticeship. He became an expert toolmaker and in 1901, at the age of nineteen years came to the United States. Landing at New York city, he remained there about a year, working at his trade, and then went to Chicago, where he spent ten years as a toolmaker. In 1912 he came to Sioux City to visit a friend who was employed in the Sioux City Machine and Tool Company's plant, a small concern at that time and which he then little dreamed was to be the foundation on which he was to build a great business. he was induced to remain here and took a position in that plant, where he worked for two years, and on December 1, 1914, he was one of the organizers of a company which took over the business of the concern for which he had been working. The new enterprise was incorporated as Albertson & Company, of which O. F. Albertson was made president, and they continued operations in the old plant until 1921. Under his management and supervision the products of the plant were of such a character as to at once attract the favorable attention of tool users and the business of the company grew by leaps and bounds. "Sioux" tools, under which brand their products were made, were recognized everywhere as of superior quality and the demand for them increased to such an extent that it became necessary to acquire larger working space. To this end they built a fine new plant at 3100 Floyd avenue, which is considered one of the most modern industrial plants in the United States. At that time it consisted of two stories and basement but in the course of time additional room was demanded, so that two more stories were added to the original structure, in 1925, thus giving them four full stories and basement. They make valve lathes, flexible shafts, valve face grinding machines, valve grinders, valve seat reamers and carbon removing brushes. Over one hundred men are employed and the plant is kept running to full capacity at all times to fill the orders pouring in from jobbers in Europe, Australia, Canada and every part of the United States, the firm having representatives in practically every city in this country. Mr. Albertson has devoted himself indefatigably to the upbuilding of the business and is recognized in commercial circles as a man of extraordinary capacity and ability. While living in Chicago, Mr. Albertson was married to Miss Sophia Anthony, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States with relatives in girlhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Albertson has been born a son, Frank O., who graduated from Shattuck Military School, at Faribault, Minnesota, in the class of 1926 and is now attending Iowa State College, at Ames, Iowa. Mr. Albertson is a member of Tyrian Lodge, No. 508, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Sioux City Cinsistory, No. 5, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Abu-Bekr Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and Sioux City Lodge, No. 112, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Sioux City Country Club and his religious connection is with the Swedish Lutheran church. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he is nevertheless a man of strong character and sterling worth, who has made a deep impression on the community, and by his acquaintances is held in the highest personal regard. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/