Sven J. Chilberg

Sven Jacob Chilberg was born Oct. 6, 1843, in Kisa, Sweden. When but a mere child of scarcely six years his parents, Nils M. and Margaret Elizabeth, emigrated to this country. Then, in 1849, the sea voyage was quite an undertaking, and their party required two months for the trip. The family was bound for the West and reached what is now known as Swedona by river, canal and wagon. They were the first Swedes to settle in Mercer co., Illinois.

Mr. Sven Chilberg received his early training in the county public schools. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Co. C. 43d Ill. Vol. Infantry, returned, and was discharged at Little Rock, Ark., Sept. 30, 1865, reaching home Christmas eve of the same year.

He was appointed postmaster at Cambridge by President Benjamin Harrison and served for four years. His present appointment as postmaster was mad by President William McKinley.

He belongs to the Order of Masons, the G. A. R and the A. O. U. W.

Mr. Chilberg married Miss Margaret Lafferty in 1870. Their daughter, Martha P., is assistant postmaster in Cambridge, and their son, Nelson Guy, is and artist with the Illinois Engraving Co. in Chicago.

Swedes in Illinois

Transcribed by Corena Daniel

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Illinois Ancestors