THE SWEDES IN
KNOX COUNTY
Biographies
A. W. BERGGREN
is emphatically a self-made man, having risen by his own efforts from an
apprenticeship to exalted stations of honor and trust.
He was born in Ockelbo parish, Sweden, Aug. 17, 1840, and is the
son of John and Karin (Hanson) Berggren. His father, a self-educated man, held
several minor offices and looked after cases in courts, administering estates
and the like. For thirteen years he ran a flouring mill. Afterwards he purchased
a farm, on which he lived until he emigrated to this country in 1856.
The subject of this sketch is an example
of the accomplishment of much in spite of limited educational advantages. He
attended the village school in Sweden until he was fourteen years of age, living
at the same time on a farm. Then he was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade.
When the father decided to emigrate to this country he was obliged to pay the
master tailor fifty riksdaler for the release of his son from the apprentice's
contract.
Mr. Berggren first came to Oneida, Knox
county, and then went to Victoria, where he found employment in the tailoring
establishment of Jonas Hallstrom. He then came to Galesburg and worked at his
trade, where opportunities were presented. In 1860 he moved to Monmouth, Warren
county, and worked for Captain Denman, a merchant tailor of that place.
About the close of the war he returned to
Galesburg and became a solicitor of life insurance. During these years he
devoted considerable attention, with fair success, to music. He played the
violin, became a leader of string bands in Galesburg and Monmouth, and arranged
music for them.
Mr. Berggren, for no fault of his, lacks
a military record. At the first call for volunteers to put down the Rebellion he
went to Knoxville and joined the Swedish company, commanded by Captain Holmberg.
Two companies were there: one composed of Americans; the other, of Swedes. The
former was mustered into service; the latter disbanded. He then went back to
Monmouth, where he remained until his return to
Galesburg in 1864.
Mr. Berggren has held many important
offices. In 1869 he was elected justice of the peace in the city of Galesburg.
While holding that office he was nominated by the Republican convention for the
office of sheriff, and elected in the fall of 1872. With great credit he held
the office for four terms. In 1880, while yet sheriff, he was nominated and
elected senator from the Twenty-second district, composed of Knox and Mercer
counties. Four years afterwards, he was reelected from the new district,
composed of Knox and Fulton counties. When the senate was organized in 1887, he
was chosen president pro tempore of that body. On May
1, 1889, the governor appointed him warden of the
Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, which position he resigned in 1891, to
take active supervision of the Covenant Mutual Life Association of Illinois,
with principal offices in Galesburg.
His public
spirit is fully shown by his connection with various
public enterprises, such as the Galesburg Stoneware Company: the National
Perefoyd Company; the Galesburg Paving Brick Company. He was a member of the
firm Berggren and Lundeen, later the J. A. Lundeen Company, and still later the
Berggren Clothing Company. From its organization, for twenty years, he was
president of the Covenant Mutual Life Association, and after that its treasurer,
until it was merged with Knox County
the Northwestern Life Assurance Company of Chicago in Dec., 1899. He was
one of the organizers of the Galesburg National Bank in 1884; continuously one
of its directors and at present its vice-president.
Mr. Berggren is both an Odd Fellow and a
Mason, joining the former order in 1868, the latter in 1869. He is a member of
the several Masonic bodies in Galesburg, and in the Order of Odd Fellows has
taken a very active interest, filling every office of
the subordinate bodies, and the principal offices of the Grand Lodge. He was
Grand Master and presided over the deliberations of the Grand Lodge at Danville,
Ill., in 1880, and represented the Grand Lodge in the
Sovereign Grand Lodge at Baltimore, Md.
Mr. Berggren has broadened his life and
added greatly to his store of information by quite extensive travel. He has
visited almost every state in the Union, and in 1882 took an extensive trip
through England, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Scotland and
Ireland.
His charities have been of a practical
kind. He has given to the Swedish M. E. Church and parsonage; to several other
churches; to Knox College, Lombard Gymnasium and Cottage Hospital.
His religious affiliations are with the
Swedish M. E. Church, although in 1856 he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church
in Sweden. He served as lay-delegate in the General
Conference at Cincinnati in 1880.
In politics, he is a stanch Republican.
He is not only a worker, but has been one of the leaders in his party.
Mr. Berggren was married March 8, 1866, to Christina Naslund, born Feb. 10,
1845, whose parents came to this country in 1854, joining the Bishop Hill
colony. Six children were born to them: Capitola Maud, married to Rev. F. E.
Jefferey, a missionary to India; Guy Werner, married to Minnie Belle Flanders;
Ralph Augustus, killed in a railroad accident in 1887; Claus Eugene; Jay
Valentine, married to Bessie Sears, and Earl Hugo.
Jan. 1, 1900,
Mr. Berggren withdrew from active life and has since lived in retirement at his
home, 529 Losey St.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs
31-33, submitted by J. Crandell)
August Werner Berggren.
The name of August Werner Berggren is closely interwoven with
the history of the industrial, commercial and financial enterprise in Galesburg
and also with the political history of county and state, for he has been called
to various positions of public honor and trust. At the present time, however,
(1912) he is living retired, having with the incoming of the twentieth century
given up all active business associations save for the supervision of his
interests in property and investments. He was born August 17, 1840, in Amots
Bruk, Ockelbo Socken, Sweden, his parents being Johan and Karin (Hanson)
Berggren. The father was the third in a family of six children whose parents
were Jan and Stina ( Person) Larson, who were married in 1787. The latter was a
daughter of Anders and Maria (Hanson) Person and they were married in 1759.
Johan Berggren
was born in 1793 and he and two of his
brothers adopted the surname of Berggren, which he afterward bore. It was in
1828 that he wedded Karin Hanson, who was born in 1800. He was a self-educated
man and won his way to success by his shrewdness and native ability. He read
broadly but learned his most valuable lessons in the school of experience. At
different times he held minor offices and looked after cases in court, also
administered estates and did other public service of similar character. For
thirteen years he operated a flouring mill and afterward purchased a farm, on
which he resided until he emigrated to America in 1856. His death occurred
February 1, 1863, while his wife passed away in
Sweden, February 24, 1845.
August W. Berggren was a
pupil in the village schools of Sweden until fourteen years of age, during which
time he lived on the home farm. He also later attended the public schools of
Galesburg for a short time, when not employed at his trade. In his fourteenth
year, he was apprenticed in his native land to learn the tailor's trade, the
contract, drawn by his father, providing that for the first three years he
should work for his master without remuneration and for the fourth year he was
to receive thirty-five riksdaler and for the fifth forty riksdaler, each coin of
that denomination being equal to about twenty-seven cents in American money. His
father was also to furnish the cloth for the tailor to make the apprentice's
clothing. In case of the death of the boy during the first year of his
apprenticeship, the father should pay the tailor fifteen riksdaler, and when
Johan Berggren decided to emigrate to this country he was obliged to pay the
master tailor fifty riksdaler for the release of his son.
The family home was
established in Knox county, and at Victoria August W. Berggren first found
employment in the tailoring establishment of Jonas Hallstrom at eight dollars
per month, in addition to which he was to receive his board and laundry for a
year. In 1857 he came to Galesburg, where he followed his trade as opportunity
offered and in 1860 he went to Monmouth, Warren county, where he was employed by
Captain Denman, a merchant tailor of that place. Before the close of the war he
returned to Galesburg and became a solicitor of life insurance. During that
period he devoted considerable attention to music, playing the violin and acting
as leader of string bands in both Galesburg and Monmouth and arranging the music
for these bands. For many years after the war his time and energies were largely
devoted to public service and eventually he became closely associated with the
important business interests of Knox county as an investor in the Galesburg
Stoneware Company, the National Perefoyd Company, the Galesburg Paving Brick
Company, the Galesburg National Bank, the Bank of Galesburg and the firm of
Berggren & Lundeen, which was succeeded by the J. A. Lundeen Company and still
later by the Berggren Clothing Company. In 1884 he was
one of the petitioners for
the charter of the Galesburg National Bank and has since been a member of its
directory, while for several years he has served as its vice president, in which
connection he still continues.
Mr. Berggren's military experience had its beginning at the first call for
volunteers to put down the Rebellion, at which time he went to Knoxville and
joined the Swedish company commanded by Captain Holmberg. Two companies were
there—one composed of Americans, the other Swedes—and the former was mustered
into the service, while the latter was disbanded. He then went back to
Monmouth, where he remained until returning to Galesburg in 1864. It was
five years later that he was elected justice of the peace and while serving in
that office he was appointed one of the supervisors for the city. His efficiency
and fidelity in each position which he filled recommended him for other official
service. In 1872 he received the republican nomination and was elected sheriff
of the county, to which office he was reelected in 1874, 1876 and 1878. In 1880,
while still the incumbent in that position, he was nominated and elected senator
from the twenty-second district, composed of Knox and Mercer counties. Four
years later he was reelected from the new district composed of Knox and Fulton
counties, and when the senate was organized in 1887 he was chosen president pro
tempore of that body. On the 1st of May, 1889, there
came to him the appointment of warden of the Illinois state penitentiary at
Joliet, which position he resigned in March, 1891, to take active supervision of
the Covenant Mutual Life Association of Illinois, with principal offices in
Galesburg. He had been president of the company from its organization and during
the last three years prior to its consolidation with the Northwestern Masonic
Association of Chicago, W. H. Smollinger served as its
president, with Mr. Berggren as treasurer of the association.
On the 8th of March, 1866, at
Knoxville, Illinois, Mr. Berggren was married to Miss
Christina Anderson, a daughter of Olof and Brita Anderson, who with six of their
seven children emigrated to this country in 1854, joining the Bishop Hill
colony. Mr. and Mrs. Berggren became the parents of six children: Capitola Maud,
the wife of the Rev. Franklin E. Jeffery; Guy Werner, who married Minnie
Flanders of New York; Ralph Augustus, who was run over
by a train of cars and killed in 1887; and Claus Eugene, a bachelor, Jay
Valentine, who married Bessie Sears, and Earl Hugo, who married Margaret Newton,
all of Chicago.
In politics Mr. Berggren has
always been a republican and was for a long period a recognized leader in the
ranks of his party in this county. He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, having
joined the former order in 1868 and the latter in 1869. He is now affiliated
with the several Masonic bodies in Galesburg and in the Odd Fellows society has
taken a very active interest, filling every office in the subordinate bodies and
the principal offices of the grand lodge. He was grand master and presided over
the deliberations of the grand lodge at Danville, Illinois, in 1880, and
represented the grand lodge in the sovereign grand lodge at Baltimore, Maryland,
in 1885. Through his influence the First Scandinavian Lodge, No. 446, of
Galesburg, was organized in 1871. It was the first Odd Fellows lodge in the
world composed exclusively of Scandinavians, as its name indicates, Mr. Berggren
has also been a member of the Galesburg Club from an early period in its
existence. He was confirmed in the Lutheran church in Sweden the year in which
he emigrated to America and since coming to this country has affiliated with the
Swedish Methodist church, in the work of which he has taken an active and
helpful interest. He served as a lay delegate to the general conference of the
Methodist Episcopal church in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1880.
Mr. Berggren has also been
interested in educational matters and has on different occasions contributed
liberally to Knox College when calls for aid have been urgent.
Thus his interests and
activities have been broad and varied, his influence being always found on the
side of progress, reform, improvement and advancement. In business his well
formulated plans have brought him success, and his energy and determination have
carried him into important relations, enabling him at length to put aside all
business cares and enter upon a well earned rest. His official record, too, is
most commendable, for over the record there falls no shadow of wrong or
suspicion of evil. All through his life he has been actuated by high and
honorable purposes and his labors, whether for the benefit of himself or for the
community, have been fruitful of good results.
(History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages
153-154,
submitted by Janine Crandell)
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NELS M. BURGLAND
was born in Gammalstorp, Blekinge, Sweden, Dec. 25, 1846.
Emigrating in 1867, he landed in America Sept. 1, destined for Galesburg which
has ever since been his place of residence. His education was limited to that
acquired in the common school in his home district in Sweden. In Galesburg Mr.
Burgland embarked in business as the proprietor of a meat market which with time
has gained an extensive patronage. He learned the meat cutter's trade while in
the employ of his uncle, Henry Burgland, for five years following his coming
to Galesburg. For the next nineteen years he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, Swan Johnson. The
firm owned a large farm, on which were raised most of the cattle which they butchered and shipped.
In 1892 Mr. Burgland, severing the partnership, engaged in the same line of
business independently and continues to the present time.
Jan. 7, 1873, Mr. Burgland was married to Jennie Jacobson, a daughter of Jacob
Nilson, of Jemshog, Blekinge, who operated a flour mill there. Mrs. Burgland
was born May 14, 1852. Their children are, Charles M., George H. and Arthur T.
Mr. Burgland has served the community as a member of the city council. In
politics he is a strong Republican. He is a stockholder and director of the
Bank of Galesburg, the Galesburg Telephone Co. and the Illinois-Canadian Land
Co. He has likewise served on the board of the Galesburg
Business Association.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs
33-34, submitted by J. Crandell)
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JOHAN ENWALL settled in Galesburg
in the spring of 1868, immediately after his arrival from Vestra Eneby, Sweden,
where he was born Nov. 4, 1833. In this city he has plied his trade as a tailor
for a long term of years.
He is a devoted Lutheran and is one
of the oldest living members of the First Swedish Lutheran Church of the city.
He has given his services to the congregation for many years past as a member of
the board of deacons of the church. All his interests have centered around his
family, his church and his trade.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pg. 34, submitted by J. Crandell)
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PHILIP N. GRANVILLE is a
native of Knox county, having been born and raised at Abingdon. Having finished
public school, he was sent to Knox Academy where his schooling was completed.
When the Bank of Galesburg was organized in 1889, Mr. Granville was selected as
assistant cashier. In 1892 he became cashier and still retains that important
position. Mr. Granville has been a director of the bank since its incorporation
in 1891.
In 1887 Mr. Granville was elected treasurer of the city
of Galesburg, serving in that capacity until 1889, and at the spring election in
1906, the citizens of the Second ward elected him with a handsome majority to
represent them in the city council.
Mr. Granville is prominent in fraternal circles, holding
membership and office in the following orders: Prelate of Galesburg Commandery
of Knights Templar, P. G. of First Scandinavian lodge of the I. O. O. F.; P. H.
P. of the Colfax Encampment, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Galesburg
Business Association.
In 1903, Nov. 1, Mr. Granville was married and the union
has been blessed with a son, born in 1904, and a daughter, born Nov. 24, 1906.
The family attend the Swedish M. E. Church, of which Mr. Granville is a
respected member.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 34-35, submitted by J. Crandell)
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WESLEY HOLT was born on a farm near Swedesburg,
Henry co., Iowa, May 3, 1874. There he spent his early years assisting in the
work on the farm in summer and attending the public school in winter. Desirous
of a general education, he entered the State University of Iowa, from which he
graduated in 1899, receiving the degree of A. B. Having decided upon the law as
his vocation he pursued the study of it in the College of Law at the same
institution. The following year he received the degree of LL. B. and was
admitted to practice in the state and federal courts.
While in college, Mr. Holt early exhibited marked abilities as a debater and
speaker. He was chosen to participate in the Inter Society Debate and the
University oratorical contest. His ability as a writer was recognized in his
selection as editor-in-chief of the State University of Iowa Quill, and staff
representative on the Western College Magazine. He was looked upon as a leader
among the students.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, Mr. Holt was just entering upon
his life work. For him to enlist at that time was no small sacrifice, but no
selfish interest deterred him. As a true patriot he heard his country's call. He
enlisted and served through the war with Co. I, 5Oth Iowa Regt. Volunteer
Infantry, a part of the 7th Army Corps under Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's command.
Mr. Holt came to Galesburg in the spring of 1901 and was admitted to the bar
in Illinois in the autumn of the same year. He opened an office in partnership
with Walter C. Frank under the firm name of Holt & Frank immediately after
admission and was the only Swedish lawyer in Galesburg.
Mr. Holt was active in religious work, being a member of the First Swedish
Lutheran Church and one of the members of its board of trustees.
In politics Mr. Holt was a zealous Republican. He took an active part in the
campaigns of the party on the stump and otherwise. He made his first political
speech in 1896 for Wm. McKinley.
In 1903, although he had lived but a short time in Galesburg, he had already
gained the confidence of the community, as evidenced by his election to the
office of city attorney in the spring of that year.
Mr. Holt's creditable and highly promising career was cut short by his
untimely death July 8, 1904. (History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 35-36, submitted by J. Crandell)
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CHARLES F. HURBURGH was born in Sweden, Jan.
10, 1872. A year later his parents emigrated, settling at Altona, Ill., where
the boy was raised. After finishing public school, he obtained a liberal
education at Abingdon Normal College and Knox College, institutions both
situated in his home county. From the former institution he was graduated in
1892 and from the latter in 1895.
Mr. Hurburgh has served his county in the capacity of sheriff for the
official terms of 1902—04 and 1904-06, having acted as deputy sheriff for two
years, 1900 to 1902. Prior to entering the service of Knox county, he held the
position of principal of the public schools of Maquon, Ill., from 1895 to 1900.
In 1906 Mr. Hurburgh was elected a member of the state legislature and took an
efficient part in railway legislation last winter.
Aug. 6, 1903, he was married to Miss Anna Scott at Duncan, Ill. Mr. and Mrs.
Hurburgh are members of the Congregational Church. He is a popular member of the
Galesburg Business Association.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pg. 36, submitted by J. Crandell)
CHARLES F. HURBURGH.
Charles F. Hurburgh, state senator from Knox
county and recognized as one of those who is close to the present
administration, in an effort to secure the passage of meritorious measures and
prevent the corruption and graft which have been entirely too prominent in the
political history of the state, was born January 10, 1872, in Smaland, Sweden, a
son of Gustav and Susanna (Johnson) Hurburgh, the latter a daughter of Yngakarin
Johnson. The father died in Sweden in 1885, at the age of fifty-five years, and
the mother passed away in 1909, when nearly seventy years of age. There were two
children in the family but the elder, a sister, died in infancy. Charles F.
Hurburgh was a little lad of four years when, owing to the illness of his
mother, he went to live with his uncle, A. J. Johnson, who was born in Sweden,
November 18, 1842, and came to America in 1868. He first located in Plymouth,
Indiana, and in 1873 he married Mrs. Louisa Christina Anderson, the widow of
Swan Anderson. She also bore the maiden name of Anderson and was born in Sweden,
May 18, 1830, a daughter of Samuel and Analine
(Hansen) Anderson. She came to the new world when twenty-four years of age,
making her way to Laporte, Indiana, where she lived until her marriage. Mr. and
Mrs. Johnson established their home in Knox county and his energies were devoted
to farming up to the time of his death, which occurred about 1907. His widow
still resides upon the home farm. Her only child was David Anderson, who was
born February 8, 1875, and is now a farmer of Walnut Grove township.
He married Hannah Linderholm, a daughter of John and
Hedda Linderholm, her father a merchant of Galesburg.
Spending his youthful days in
the home of his uncle, Mr. Johnson, Charles F. Hurburgh, whose Swedish name was
Frederick Carl Hurburgh but who adopted the simpler American name of Charles F.
pursued his education in the district schools and afterward in the Swedish
Lutheran school. He also attended the high school of Altona, from which he was
graduated, and for a time was a student in the Abingdon normal school, in which
he completed a course in 1892. He afterward entered Knox College and is numbered
among its alumni of 1895. Taking up the profession of teaching, he was principal
of the Maquon school from 1895 until 1900. During that period he took up the
study of law in Galesburg, devoting his leisure hours to the mastery of the
principles of jurisprudence. All through his boyhood days he had worked when
opportunity offered and had thus largely supplied the means for meeting the
expenses of his education. At different times he worked at farm labor in the
home neighborhood and assisted in threshing until an accident finally prevented
his further work in that direction. His entire life has been one of unfaltering
activity and his intelligently directed labors have constituted forceful factors
in the accomplishment of what he has undertaken. In 1900 he withdrew from
educational work to accept the position of deputy sheriff under R. G.
Mathews and after two years' service in that capacity
was elected sheriff of Knox county, which position he filled until 1906, when he
was elected to the state senate.
Charles F. Hurburgh has made
an excellent record as one of the Illinois legislators. He found the senate in
the grip of a powerful combine and united with other men of high principles
holding to high ideals of government to break the force of this combine and
wrest the state from machine rule. History records the success of their efforts
and indorsement of his course was given him in his reelection. When he entered
upon his second term he was recognized as one of the senate leaders and all
through the regular and special session was in close association with the
governor in urging the passage of meritorious measures. His efforts were an
effective force in promoting the passage of the two-cent-passenger-fare bill and
he was made chairman of the committee on appropriations, one of the most
important of the senate, doing much to keep the demands made upon the state
treasury within the limit. His work on that committee disclosed his large grasp
of details and his broad understanding of a multitude of situations which came
up for discussion. When the facts developed regarding the scandal attached to
the election of a United States senator Mr. Hurburgh,
who had respected the vote of his district on the senatorship, was one of the
foremost in the senate to urge an investigation and as the result of his
position and that of a number of his colleagues a committee was named that
brought out many facts relating to the case and helped purge the legislature. In
all this he disclosed himself a foe to graft.
In his home town of Galesburg
and throughout the county, where he is very widely known, Mr. Hurburgh is
popular. He is a member of the Trinity Lutheran church and his influence is
always on the side of progress, reform and improvement. As a republican leader
in Illinois he is today prominently before the state and his fellow citizens are
strongly urging his candidacy for governor. In a recent meeting held in
Galesburg the following resolutions were unanimously passed:
We, citizens and residents of
Galesburg and of Knox county, friends and neighbors of Charles F. Hurburgh, one
of our leading citizens, distinguished member of the state senate of Illinois,
having noted with a great deal of pride the favorable comment upon the
announcement of his candidacy for the republican nomination for the governorship
at the April primaries, Resolve that,
Whereas, Charles F. Hurburgh
has grown up among us and in all his life has walked on the high plane of good
citizenship, never swerving from right conduct, actuated by lofty motives, and
has been untiring in his efforts to promote the material and moral welfare of
this city and county in all its enterprises, and has been a public-spirited
citizen whose aid has always been freely given to worthy undertakings; and,
Whereas, both as county
officer and state senator he has by his wisdom and courageous course reflected
honor upon himself and credit upon the city and county and district; and,
Whereas, while a member of
the senate, Charles F. Hurburgh has been one of the chief supporters and
advocates on the people's side of legislative questions, always a foe to the
spoils and to corrupt practices of all kinds, and in general always identified
with all that is best in legislation; and,
Whereas, he has shown himself
in all his official acts a true believer in progressivism in the sense that
progressivism means the doing away with special privilege, the defeat and
extinction of spoils politics, the conservation and development of natural
resources and the restoration to the people of the essential powers of
government;
Therefore, Be It Resolved,
that as citizens vitally interested in the future welfare
of this city and community and of this state, we hereby express the utmost
confidence in Charles F. Hurburgh as a candidate for
governor of Illinois and recommend his candidacy to the people of the state;
that we aid his candidacy in every possible way and tender him our heartiest
support in his efforts to secure the nomination at the primaries and to this end
we pledge our loyal and active support and resolve that we will individually
exhaust every honorable means to bring about the nomination and election of
Charles F. Hurburgh as governor of Illinois.
Whether elected to office or
not, there is no question in the minds of his friends that Charles F. Hurburgh
will ever stand, as he does today, for clean government and for the exercise of
party strength in behalf of the entire people and not for the benefit of a
coterie of politicians.
(History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages
262 & 265-266, submitted by
Janine Crandell)
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CARL G. JOHNSON, physician and surgeon, was
born in the city of Oscarshamn, Sweden, Jan. 5, 1865. As a young boy he
accompanied his parents, C. X. and Helena S. Johnson, to this country in the
spring of 1869. The family located in Galesburg, and here the boy obtained his
public school education. After that he worked in a boiler factory and at fifteen
he went to work on farm for three years. At the opening of the school year in
1883 he was matriculated at Augustana College, Rock Island, and graduated with
the degree of Bachelor of Science in June, 1889.
In the fall of the same year he entered the Long Island College Hospital
medical school, from which he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in
March, 1892. Then he accepted an appointment as interne and ambulance surgeon to
the Eastern District Hospital in Brooklyn, remaining until the following
September, when he resigned to become house physician and surgeon to the
Minneapolis City Hospital. Having served in that capacity for one year, Dr.
Johnson passed the state board examination in Minnesota in October, 1893, and
engaged in private practice in Minneapolis.
In January, 1895, he moved back to his old home city of Galesburg to take up
practice. Just after having established himself, he was honored by an
appointment on the staff of the Galesburg Cottage Hospital. This position he has
retained by reelection up to the present time, and in October, 1901, was elected
chief of the medical staff. He is now commissioner of health of Galesburg.
In 1897 Dr. Johnson made a European trip for the purpose of observing the
hospital systems of England, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. He improved the
opportunity by taking post-graduate courses at Brunswick and Berlin. He is a
member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society
and the Knox County Medical Society.
Aug. 5, 1896, Dr. Johnson was married to Miss Hannah Larson of Moline, born
Sept. 1, 1863. There is one child, Helena Katharine, born in 1900. They are
active in church work, being members of the First Swedish Lutheran Church. The
doctor gives much time to the Young Men's Christian Association, and has been
one of its directors for several years past.
The Augustana Synod in 1899 elected Dr. Johnson on the board of directors of
Augustana College and Theological Seminary for a term of four years, at the
expiration of which he was again elected for a like term. In 1904 he was chosen
a member of the board of Augustana Hospital in Chicago for a term of three
years.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 36-37, submitted by J. Crandell)
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CHARLES J. JOHNSON was born July 11, 1871,
in Villstad parish, Smaland, Sweden. Emigrating in 1889, he came to Galesburg as
a young man of eighteen, equipped with a common and high school education from
the old country. He continued his studies here, however, to acquire the language
of the land, and graduated in Brown's Business College in Galesburg.
Subsequently entering the employ of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railway
Co., he has risen in their service to the position of foreman of the fuel
department at the shops in Galesburg. Some seventeen years ago he went to work
in the car department of the company, and was promoted to the aforesaid
foremanship about eight years ago.
A leading member of the local lodges of the Masonic order, the Svithiod order
and the A. O. U. W., Mr. Johnson has filled various offices in all three
organizations.
Mr. Johnson's parents, Johan and Anna Pehrson, remained in Villstad, where
they are still living. Dec. 6, 1900, he founded a family of his own by marrying
Miss Elfrida Moller from Kristianstad, Sweden. They have two children.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 37-38, submitted by J. Crandell)
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C. T. E. JOHNSON was born and bred in
Galesburg. The date of his birth was Feb. 3, 1865. Having finished his education
in high school and business college he turned his attention to the machinist's
trade. For seventeen years he was in the employ of Frost Manufacturing Co., the
last ten being spent on the road, erecting machinery for the firm. In 1903 he
was appointed superintendent of the city water works.
Mr. Johnson is a loyal and useful member of the First Swedish Lutheran
Church. He was elected several years ago on the board of deacons and also made
assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. He is active in the Men's Luther
League of the church.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 38-39, submitted by J. Crandell)
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JOHN J. JOHNSON, clergyman of the Mission
Covenant, was born in Grasmark parish, Vermland, Sweden, July 3, 1867. At the
age of twenty-one he arrived in America. His parents, Jan Jonsson and his wife
Birgitta, who were industrious farmer folk, brought up their children in the
Christian faith. The son, soon after his arrival, decided to prepare for the
ministry of the Gospel, and for that purpose came from Fort Wayne, Ind., where
he had settled, to Chicago, entering the Chicago Theological Seminary. After
having completed the course, he was stationed as pastor at Odebolt, la., before
coming to Batavia, Ill., were he labored for many years. Since 1907 he is pastor
of the Swedish Mission Church at Galesburg, which has a membership of 230
people.
Rev. Johnson was married Sept. 8, 1894, to Emma Josephine Blom, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Blom, who came to this country in 1870 and had got settled
in Chicago just before the great fire. Rev. and Mrs. Johnson have five children,
Ruth Victoria, born 1895; Judith Delphine, 1897: Vernon Emanuel, 1899: Dagmar
Naomi and Hilding Nathanael, twins, born in 1903.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pg. 39, submitted by J. Crandell)
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NELS OLOF GOTTFRID JOHNSON was born in
Mollegarden, Skane, Sweden, Jan. 10, 1844, but grew up in Maglarod in that
province, whither his father removed shortly afterward. Both parents died there
in recent years. The elder Johnson was a merchant in his younger days and in
later years operated a large farm, now owned by his youngest son. Mr. N. O. G.
Johnson's mother, Bengta Pehrson, was the daughter of Nels Pehrson of Skeinge;
Skane, who owned a large dairy farm and also traded in grain and iron. The son
was educated in private and public schools and grew to manhood in Sweden, which
he did not leave until 1869. In May of that year he landed in New York,
proceeding thence direct to Galesburg where he has been a resident since that
time.
After his arrival in Galesburg, Mr. Johnson farmed for the first three years,
then engaged in business as a partner in the grocery firm of Clarkson and
Johnson. Then after nine years, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Johnson
engaged in milling in partnership with a Mr. Anderson. The Anderson and Johnson
mill was profitably operated by them for a number of years; after that Mr.
Johnson made heavy real estate investments and has been dealing in realty to the
present time. He is treasurer and one of the directors of Illinois-Canadian Land
Co. and prominently connected with other commercial interests, being director
and vice-president of the Bank of Galesburg and sustaining the same relations to
the Commercial Union.
His prominence and influence as a citizen and Republican has never induced him
to seek public preferment. To the local Swedish Lutheran Church he has given his
services for a number of years as a trustee.
The liberal education afforded by travel Mr. Johnson has enjoyed in full
measure. By extensive tours in the United States, Canada and Mexico he has
thoroughly informed himself on conditions in these countries, besides what he
has learned of old world conditions by travels in England, Scotland, Ireland,
Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Mr. Johnson has been twice married. His first wife was Sophia Anderson of
Galesburg, whom he married in 1878 and lost by death in 1882. There were in this
union two children, Blenda Amelia, now Mrs. Charles E. Johnson of Galesburg, and
Arthur Newton. On June 11, 1890, Mr. Johnson took for his second wife Miss Anna
Bennett, of Galesburg, born May 6, 1865, daughter of Bengt P. Bennett. To them
have been born: Frances Evangeline, born 1892; Ruth Genevieve, born 1896: Aldis
Bennett, born 1900; Craig Russell, born 1901; Vivian, born 1904, and a daughter
who died in infancy. The family residence is at 527 E. Main St.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 39-40, submitted by J. Crandell)
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HAROLD L. LINDQUIST, minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, was born at Beaver, Iroquois county, Ill., Oct. 12, 1859. His
father came over from Sweden in 1852 and became one of the pioneer Swedish
settlers in Jamestown, N. Y. Five years later he entered the ministry, serving
various churches in this state up to 1867, when he removed to Minnesota. The
son, Harold, after attending Folsom's Academy, Minneapolis, determined on
following in his father's footsteps and began fitting himself for the ministry
at the Swedish Theological Seminary in Chicago. The course completed, he was
ordained and has since labored in the following fields: Oakland, Neb., 1881-82;
Stromsburg, Neb., 1883; Des Moines, Ia., 1884; Red Oak and Essex, Ia., 1885-87;
St. Louis, Mo., 1888-92; Burlington, Ia., 1893-97; Keokuk, Ia., 1898-99;
Galesburg, 1900 to the present. As pastor at these places Rev. Lindquist has
been in the service of the Central Swedish Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 40-41, submitted by J. Crandell)
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ANDREW O. LINDSTRUM is one of the
representative Swedish-Americans of Galesburg. He was born on a farm near Bishop
Hill, Henry county, on the 29th of May, 1873, his father being a member and one
of the founders of the Bishop Hill Colony.
At the age of thirteen years, he lost his mother and before he had seen his
sixteenth summer, he was also bereft of his father. He left the farm in the fall
of 1890 in quest of an education. He had chosen Knox College, located at
Galesburg, for his Alma Mater, and from that institution he was graduated in the
spring of 1895 when he received the degree of B. S. He was business manager of
the College Annual of 1893; was president of the Gnothautii Literary Society:
vice-president of the National Republican League of
college clubs; major of the cadet corps, and commissioned brevet-major of the
Illinois National Guards by Governor Altgeld. He early identified himself with
the Republican party and served as president of the Knox College Republican Club
in the fall of 1894.
Mr. Lindstrum is a 32d degree Mason, Knight Templar and Shriner.
Mr. Lindstrum is a young man of keen intelligence and naturally the field of
journalism early became attractive to him as it afforded a splendid opportunity
for the development of native ability along lines in perfect harmony with his
tastes. Upon the completion of his college course, he became an assistant in the
organization of the Geneseo Daily Arena.
His residence in Geneseo was brief and he soon severed his connections with
the Daily Arena to promote the organization of the Kewanee Daily Courier. In
1897 he accepted the position of business manager of the Galesburg Evening Mail.
This position, he filled acceptably for four years and then resigned to accept
the appointment of Deputy Clerk of the County Court of Knox County. At present
he is manager and part owner of the Galesburg Evening Mail.
He was appointed one of the directors of the Galesburg Public Library in 1907
He was married on the 3d day of October, 1898 to Miss S. Winifred Chaiser.
They have one son, Herbert James.
Mr. Lindstrum is a young man of sterling character and is a recognized leader
among the younger element of the Swedish-Americans of Galesburg. He stands high
in his community in point of energy, honesty, and integrity. He is a young man
of force, who has forged to the front and achieved his success at every stage of
his career.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 41-42, submitted by J. Crandell)
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PETER TRUED OLSON, the son of Trued Olson of
Hastveda, Skane, Sweden, was born there Feb. 10, 1860. His father died in the
old homestead in 1902. The son has enjoyed no education beyond that obtained in
the common school of his native place, supplemented by a couple of years in our
public schools subsequent to his arrival in America in 1879. For three years he
lived in Henry Co., Iowa, then, in 1882, located in Galesburg, which became his
permanent home. The same year he adopted the brick mason's trade, which he
followed for the next ten years.
Having become familiar with the various phases of building construction Mr.
Olson in 1892 embarked in business on his own account as contractor and builder.
Since then a number of the large buildings in Galesburg have been erected under
his supervision, bearing testimony to his practical skill in his chosen
vocation. Among these are several public buildings including a half dozen school
houses, bank and office buildings and private residences.
Mr. Olson is devoted to the Lutheran faith and for a number of years has served
as a trustee of the First Swedish Lutheran Church. He is not active in politics
and has never sought public office, but his citizenship is unimpeachable. He has
found no time to devote to fraternal societies and orders, living, as he does,
for his business and his family. The latter consists of a wife and five
children. Carolina Charlotta Edoff, daughter of Per August and Maria Charlotta
Edoff of Galesburg, born April 16, 1865, became his wife in November, 1889. The
children born to them were seven in all, viz.: Oscar Mauritz, 1890; Agnes
Mildred, born 1892; Carl Nathan, born 1894: Hilda Maria, born 1896; Ernst
Joshua, born 1898, deceased: Ellen Olivia, born 1901; Ruth Carolina, born 1903.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 42-43, submitted by J. Crandell)
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PETER PETERSON was born in Fryksande, Vermland,
Sweden, Nov. 21, 1866. His parents were Per Person and his wife, Marit Bengtson,
who were tenants on an estate. The family came to America in the summer of 1869
and located in Meeker co., Minn. Six weeks after reaching this place, the father
was accidentally drowned while fishing in Lake Collinwood, and the mother was
left in destitute circumstances, to raise a family of seven children.
The subject of this sketch attended the country school and parochial school at
Moore's Prairie, and was confirmed in the Swedish Lutheran Church of this latter
place in 1882. From high school, at the age of nineteen, he entered the
academical department of Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn.. and
graduated from the collegiate department of that institution in 1892 with the
highest honors of the class, and from Augustana Theological Seminary in Rock
Island in 1894. After his ordination on June 10, 1894, he served the Mission
Board of the Augustana Synod as missionary in Ogden, Utah, for one year. He then
accepted a call to the St. John's Swedish Luth. Church of Essex, Iowa, and
remained there over three years. On Nov. 1, 1898, he entered upon his duties as
pastor of the First Swedish Lutheran Church of Galesburg.
Rev. Peterson was married Oct. 17, 1894, to Miss Mathilda Johnson of
Vermillion, S. Dak. Three children have been born to them; Elmer Petri Theodor,
Aug. 5, 1896; Mildred Mathilda Ingeborg, Dec. 8, 1897; Ruth Sigrid Marie, Aug.
26, 1902.
Dec. 1, 1905, Rev. Peterson removed to St. Paul to assume pastoral charge of
the First Swedish Lutheran Church in that city.
Rev. Peterson is at present a member of the executive committee of the
Minnesota Conference and serves on the board of directors of Minnesota College
at Minneapolis, and on that of the Deaconess' Institute at Omaha.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 43-44, submitted by J. Crandell)
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PETER F. SWANSON was born in Gumlosa, Skane,
Sweden, Jan. 12, 1866. He graduated from high school at the age of fourteen with
highest honors in a class of 50. The father died when Peter was only a child not
yet a year old. After leaving school at the age of fourteen he had to work for a
living, and for three years was engaged in farm labor, also learning the
butcher's trade. As his father had been a carpenter and builder, the son,
however, inclined to artisanship and began to work for P. Ljungberg in
Hessleholm, then operating a large wagon shop. After serving his apprenticeship
as a wagonmaker, he continued in this shop until he was seized with a desire to
emigrate to America. Leaving Sweden in March, 1886, he went to Galesburg, which
has since been his home. After working on a farm for four years, he again turned
to carpentry and affiliated himself with the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union,
soon becoming one of the leading members of that body, and for four successive
terms held the office of financial secretary. He also represented this body for
two terms in the Trades and Labor assembly, holding the same office there.
Having had no schooling in this country and desirous of a business education, he
joined the night school of Brown's Business College in the fall of 1893. Not
satisfied with night school, he entered for the full business course, which he
did not complete owing to the opening of the spring work. A year later he
started in business for himself as general contractor and builder. He employs
only skilled labor and pays good wages, believing that to his employees he owes
much of his success.
Mr. Swanson was married Nov. 27, 1895, to Miss Anna Nieleu of Sioux City,
Iowa, and they reside at 146 N. Whitesboro St.
In politics Mr. Swanson is a strong Republican and has represented his ward
at a number of conventions. He has served on the central committee for two
terms, and at the last McKinley election was vice-president of a McKinley club.
He represented the Fourth ward in Galesburg City Council in 1901-02.
Mr. Swanson is a member of the Swedish-American Republican League of
Illinois, and of a number of social and fraternity societies; he is a prominent
Odd Fellow, holding the post of secretary of the Joint Board of Odd Fellows and
executive committee of Galesburg.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 44-45, submitted by J. Crandell)
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JOHAN SALLSTROM, clergyman of the Swedish
Evangelical Mission Covenant, was born March 12, 1866, in Grasmark in the
province of Vermland, Sweden. He is of mixed Norwegian and Swedish stock, his
father being a Norwegian and his mother a Swede. His education was obtained in
the common schools and later supplemented by private study. In 1883 Mr.
Sallstrom, having affiliated himself with the Mission Covenant of Sweden, became
one of its preachers. Two years later he came over to this country, entering at
once the service of the Mission Covenant of America. In 1898 he became pastor of
its church in Galesburg, where he has since been stationed, except for a recent
journey to the Holy Land and a protracted sojourn in Sweden, until the present
year, when he removed to Ishpeming, Mich.
Rev. Sallstrom was married at Tacoma, Wash., in November, 1898. His wife,
Julia, was born in Wose parish, Sweden, Feb. 16, 1873. They have four sons,
Hjalmar Ferdinand, Enoch Ludvig, Paul Ansgarius and Bertel Melanchton.
His observations in the Holy Land Rev. Sallstrom has embodied in an
attractive volume, published in 1907, entitled, "Med Penna och Kamera genom
Loftets Land." Rev. Sallstrom has given interesting lectures on Palestine and
the manners and customs of the Orient.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 45-46, submitted by J. Crandell)
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MOSES O. WILLIAMSON was born on the Atlantic
ocean, July 14, 1850, of Swedish parentage. His father, William (Olson)
Williamson, was a farmer by occupation. He and his family came direct to
Illinois and settled in Sparta township, near Wataga, in Knox county, where the
father died in 1853 and the mother in 1885. Here the boy grew to manhood and has
since resided.
When a lad of fourteen he learned the harness making trade with Olson & Gray
at Wataga, served an apprenticeship of three years and worked at the bench more
than twenty years thereafter. He attended the district school up to the age of
thirteen, with a term of six months in the village school at the age of
seventeen.
Mr. Williamson was married Oct. 18, 1871, to Mary A. Driggs of Wataga, Ill.
There were born to them one son, who died in infancy, and two daughters,
Adelaide F., born April 22, 1878, married May 13, 1902, to Edward Clyde Slocumb,
division civil engineer on the C. B. & Q. R. R. for the St. Louis division,
their home being at Beardstown, Ill.; and Nellie M., born May 6, 1883, who is
unmarried and lives at home. Mr. Williamson is a church attendant, without being
affiliated with any one denomination.
Mr. Williamson was elected and served as town and city clerk for seventeen
years, alderman and justice of the peace, was elected county treasurer of Knox
county in 1886, was elected county clerk in 1890-94-98, was elected treasurer of
the state of Illinois in 1900. He has been a member of the Republican county
central committee for twenty-three years, serving as chairman or secretary most
of the time. He was one of the organizers and an active member of the
Swedish-American Republican League of Illinois and was its president in 1897.
He is a Knight Templar Mason, an Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias. In 1890 he
with his family removed to Galesburg, Ill., which has since been his home. He
is, at present, president of the Swedish Old Settlers of Knox county. He has
held membership in the Business Men's Club of Galesburg and in the Hamilton and
Marquette Clubs of Chicago. For two years he was a member of the Lincoln
Monument Association of Illinois, and it was during his term that the rebuilding
of the Lincoln monument at Springfield, Ill., was completed and the remains of
the martyred president were laid in their final resting place in the monument.
Mr. Williamson is, at this time, president of the People's Trust and Savings
Bank of Galesburg, one of the largest and most successful financial institutions
in the state outside of Chicago.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pgs. 46-47, submitted by J. Crandell)
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LARS EUGENE OLSON was born in Sparta township,
near Wataga, Ill., Sept. 16, 1862. He attended district school and took a short
course in a commercial college at Galesburg. Until 1885 he worked in a store
owned by his father, Lars W. Olson, now retired, and then engaged in farming for
the next ten years. In August, 1895, he bought out a grocer in Oneida, where he
has since carried on a thriving grocery business.
Mr. Olson is a. Republican and a man of public spirit who has given his
services to the community in several official capacities. For eight successive
years from his first election in 1898 he has been a member of the aldermanic
council of the city of Oneida and from 1902 to 1904 he served on the Republican
central committee of Knox county. From 1897 to 1907 he held the office of
assessor of Ontario township. He is affiliated with the Swedish Lutheran church
of the adjoining city of Wataga, and with the local lodge of the Knights of
Pythias.
Mr. Olson was married in 1891, to Miss Minnie C. Danielson, whose death cut
short the union. One son, Robert E. was born to them. Sept. 21, 1896, Mr. Olson
entered into a second matrimonial union, with Miss Christina E. Nelson of
Soperville, Ill., daughter of Nels P. and Brita N. Nelson. The second Mrs. Olson
has presented her husband with six children, as follows: Helen M., born 1900;
Laura L. and Lawrence E., born 1901: O. Raymond and Paul W., born 1903, and
Charles Leo, born 1906. Four of these survive.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pg. 47, submitted by J. Crandell)
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HJALMAR W. WILLING clergyman of the Methodist
Episcopal church, was born in Helsingborg, Sweden, March 21, 1871. He came over
from Sweden with his parents in 1880 and they settled in Brooklyn, N. Y. He
afterwards entered the Swedish Theological Seminary in Evanston in 1901 and was
ordained in 1904 as a minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Church. He
preached for three years at Joliet, Ill., four years at New Windsor, Ill., and
then at Aurora, Ill., before being stationed in Chicago, where he became pastor
of the Emanuel Swedish M. E. Church and where he remained four years.
His present charge is at Victoria, Knox county, Ill.
(History of the Swedes of
Illinois, Vol. 2 (1908), edited by Ernst W. Olson
& Martin Engberg, pg. 48, submitted by J. Crandell)
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