The subject of this sketch was born in Sweden, September 6, 1859, a son of Johannes Larson and Anna Cajsa, both natives of Sweden and both spent their entire lives in their native land. The father died in 1906 and followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. They were members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and were the parents of eight children: Swanta, August, John, Henry, Alfred, Ida, Augusta and Hilma.

Alfred J. Wicklund was educated in the public schools of Sweden. When not in school he found abundant opportunity in the training of industrial habits by working on his father's farm in Sweden. In 1881, soon after attaining his majority, he followed the example of many others of the hardy Swedish youth by coming to America, where there was a prospect of better opportunities for applied industry and energy to be rewarded with due compensation. After landing in New York he followed the footsteps of others of his countrymen and found his way to Carver county, Minnesota, and soon found employment working on a farm near East Union, of that county. He spent about a year in this employment and then got a position in a mill, at East Union, and applied himself to learning the trade of a miller. He soon became proficient in this trade and held the position as an expert miller in that mill for fourteen years. In 1896 he left that mill and went to Jordan, Minnesota, where he took a position as night miller at that place, continuing in that position for five years. In 1900 he came to Bingham Lake, Cottonwood county, and, in association with A. L. Holt, opened up a general merchantile store, and has continued in this business ever since. In this, as in all other business ventures in which Mr. Wicklund has been engaged since coming to this country, he has been quite successful. The store is enjoying a good trade, with a substantial patronage of the people from there and the surrounding country.

Mr. Wicklund was married, in 1889, to Emma Holt, daughter of John Holt. To this union four children have been born; Edward P., Effie M., Harry E., Lillian C. Their church affiliation is with the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Wicklund's political affiliation is with the Republican party. Mr. Wicklund's name when he came to America was Alfred Johnson, but on account of mail being mixed up so much, he took the name of Wicklund.