Jonas M. Engstrand

 

Jonas Magnus Engstrand was born Feb. 15, 1841, in Tveta parish, Småland, Sweden. He enjoyed practically no schooling and in 1852, when his father, N. P. Anderson, died, the son was apprenticed to a shoemaker, to help earn a living for the family which was left almost destitute. He emigrated in 1864, reaching Castle Garden on Aug. 15, destined for Galesburg, Ill. He left a few days later for Blockfield, Missouri, but soon returned to this state, settling permanently at Galva, in 1871, after living in turn at Galesburg and Monmouth.

 

Since his arrival in this country Mr. Engstrand has been in the shoe business, meeting with success in a mercantile way, barring the misfortune of being burned out three different times.

Mr. Engstrand was married to Miss Anna Lundquist in 1867. Of their seven children but five survive: Eben Oscar, born 1867; Ester M., born 1873; Lillie O., born 1875; Annette, born 1883; and Ernest LeRoy, born 1887.

Mr. Engstrand figures prominently in church work. In the Swedish Lutheran congregation to which he belongs he acted as Sunday school superintendent and treasurer for years.The son Eben Oscar was maried to Miss Jessie Arvidson in 1892, the daughter Ester to Byron Kennedy in 1902, and the second daughter Lillie to L. W. Barlow in 1899.

 

Swedes in Illinois

Transcribed by Corena Daniel

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Illinois Ancestors