Untitled Document

Oscar T. Gustus

Oscar T. Gustus was born Sept. 27, 1864, in Lynn tp., near Ophiem. His father, Nelson Gustus, born in Hvena, Småland, came to America in 1854, being among the emigrants of the first decade. His mother, Clara Magnuson Gustus, born in Sun, Östergötland, emigrated to this country in 1851. She was a sister of Mrs. L. P. Esbjörn. After being bedridden for ten years she died Aug. 3, 1888 at her home near Ophiem. Mr. Oscar Gustus took a two years’ course in Western Normal College at Bushnell, Ill., in 1883-84. In 1887 he became part owner of Orion Mercantile Co. Moving to Denver, he went into the real estate business. Thence he removed to Page City, Kansas, where for seven years he was engaged in selling lands for the Union Pacific. Part of the time Mr. Gustus was the publisher and editor of the Page City Messenger. During his stay in Kansas he was also employed by the Southwester Swedish Town Site Co. and by Victor Rylander in handling real estate.

Returning to Illinois in 1896, he moved on his father’s farm near Ophiem, where he has since been engaged in farming.

He has been a member of the Swedish Lutheran Churches at Ophiem, Page City and Swedona, generally serving as a trustee and frequently as secretary.

An independent Republican, he was the first secretary of the first Swedish-American Republican club organized in Henry county. He has repeatedly refused nominations for local political offices, except that of school director, which he has filled for a number of years.

Mr. Gustus was married July 25, 1889, to Miss Clara C. Johnson of Page City, Kans., born June 23, 1865, at Berwick, Warren co., Ill., whose parents, John G. and Karin Johnson, both died at their home in Page City during 1906, the mother on her eightieth birthday, Jan. 6, and the father in his seventy-ninth year, July 9. Mr. and Mrs. Gustus have three children, towit, Reuel Theron, 1890; Lyman Ellory, 1893; Gladys Opal, 1896.

With his brother, Prof. J. Edwin Gustus of Moline, he has recently purchased land near the city of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, a territory now attracting many Swedish settlers, and later in the Pan Handle of Texas, near the city of Amarillo.

Swedes in Illinois

Transcribed by Corena Daniel

Illinois Ancestors