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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
Tri 9 M.I
Ml It w IJJOIr
L161 O-1096
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT
IN ILLINOIS
s
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT
IN ILLINOIS
SURVEY OF THE PAST SEVEN
DECADES
BY
ERNST W. OLSON
WITH LIFE SKETCHES OF
MEN OF TOD A Y
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO, 1917
SWEDISH-AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHERS
COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY
SWEDISH-AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION
PRESS OF THE
PETERSON LINOTYPING COMPANY
HALFTONE WORK BY
BLOMGREN BROS. AND COMPANY
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Introductory 9
PART I.
PAGE PACE
The Pioneer Period 15-22 Earliest Known Swedes in Illinois
Earliest Known Swedes in Illinois 15 Jonas Hedstrom, Methodist Pioneer 16
Senator Raphael Widen 15 Swedish Pioneers in Chicago 19
Doubtful Swedisli Names in Early Rec- Christian Benson, Pioneer Farmer 21
ords 16
PART II.
The Period of Settlement and Founda- The Bishop Hill Colony
tion 25-94 New Religious Activities 55
The Beginning of Swedish Immigration. . 25 Civil War Service 56
The Earliest Settlers at Andover 27 Recent Anniversaries 56
Victoria, the Cradle of Swedish Methodism 28 Prominent Descendants of Bishop Hill Col-
Co-laborers of Jonas Hedstrom 29 onists 58
Early Methodist Communions o3 Early Lutheran Pastors and Churches 61
The Bishop Hill Colony 37 Relations with American Lutherans 70
Origin of the Janssonist Movement 37 The Scandinavian Professorship and
Emigration of the Janssonists 41 Early Educational Work 70
Founding of the Community 42 Lars Paul Esbjorn, Pioneer Lutheran
Devotional Life 43 Churchman 73
Material Development 44 The Swedish Protestant Episcopal Church
Methods of Labor 46 of Chicago 77
The Mode of Living 47 Gustaf Unonius, Pioneer and Pastor .... 79
Ravages of the Cholera Plague 48 The First Swedish Baptist Church in Amer-
Tragic Result of Marriage Regulation... 49 icn Founded at Kock Island 81
Erik Tansson Slain 50 Gustaf Palmquist's General Career 83
Incorporation of the Colony 51 Life Sketch of Anders Norelius 84
Decadence of the Colony 53 Religious Controversy 85
Dissolution of the Colony 54 Founding of the Swedish Publishing Busi-
Thc Colony Case in Court 55 ness 91
PART III.
The Period of Growth and Establish- Religious Activities
ment 97-179 . \ugustana College and Theological Sem-
Illinois Swedes in the Civil War 97 inary 120
Company C, Forty-third Illinois YoKui- Dr. Tuve Nilsson Hasselquist 127
teers 99 The Swedish Theological Seminary of the
Company D, Fifty-seventh Illinois Yolun- Methodist Church 131
teers 99 The Swedish Baptist Seminary ami Its
Col. Oscar Malmborg, Fifty-fifth Illinois Founder 135
Volunteers 101 The Church of the New Jerusalem 139
Brigadier-General Charles John Stcl- The Mission Friends, an Outgrowth of
brand, Chief of Artillery and Inventor. 105 Lutheranism 142
Battery II, First Artillery, Captain Silf- The Mission and Ansgarius Synods 143
versparre 109 Publishing Activities 145
Sundry Officers of Swedish Descent Ill The Swedish Lutheran Publication So-
Swedes in Political and Civic Life 113 ciety 145
Lincoln Park Laid Out by Swedish Land- Anders Richard Cervin. Editor and
scape Gardeners 117 Teacher 147
Religious Activities 118 Erland Carlsson, Churchman and Fi-
Founding of the Augustana Synod 118 nancier 149
6 CONTENTS
PAGE PACE
Publishing Activities A Swedish- American Industrial Center
Representative Secular Journals 151 John Nelson and the Knitting Industry. . 163
Journalists and Writers of Note 152 The Furniture Industry 167
beginnings of Swedish-American Art 155 Affiliated Industries 170
Some Early Swedish Artists 155 Early Fraternal and Insurance Societies. . . . 174
Music and Musicians of the Period 158 TheSvea Society 175
A Swedish-American Industrial Center 162 The Scandinavian Mutual Aid Associa-
Early Swedes in Rockford 162 tion 177
PART IV.
The Period of Cultural Progress 183-362 Commercial Institutions and Enterprises. . .296
The Cultural Movement 183 State Bank of Chicago 296
Publishing and Printing- 185 John R. Lindgren, Banker and Philan-
Augustana Book Concern 185 thropist 301
file Engberg-Holmberg Publishing Co. . .190 The Union Bank of Chicago 302
The Peterson Linotyping Company 193 Other Swedish Bankers 303
Blomgren Broi. and Company 193 Scandia Life Insurance Company 303
Literature, Education and Science 196 The Rose Hill Nursery 306
Learned Societies 211 The Oak Hill Cemetery 307
The Swedish Historical Society of Hospitals and Benevolent Institutions 309
America 211 Augustana Hospital 309
The Society for the Advancement of The Old People's Home at Evanston 315
Scandinavian Study 213 The Englewood Hospital 315
Institutions of Learning 214 The Washington Park Hospital 317
North Park College 214 The South Shore Hospital 317
Broadview Swedish Seminary 218 The Swedish-American Hospital of Rock-
Scam'.ia Academy 219 ford 317
The Fine Arts 220 Beneficiary and Technical Societies 318
Music 220 The Independent Order of Svithiod 318
The American Union of Swedish Sing- The Independent Order of Vikings 322
ers 221 The North Star Benefit Association. . 327
Augustana Conservatory of Music.... 225 The Swedish Engineers' Society 329
Gustav Stolpe. Composer and Virtuoso. 231 Political Activities 333
The Svea Male Chorus of Moline 233 The Swedish-American Republican
Svea Siiner of Rockford 234 League 333
The Lyran Singing Society of Rockford. 235 Swedish-Americans in Public Life 341
Svithiod Singing Club 238 The Swedish Consular Service 345
The Swedish Choral Club 238 Swedes in the Spanish-American War. . .346
The Swedish Club 239 Religious Activities 347
Robert Lindblom A Man of Mark.... 246 The Mission Covenant 347
Swedish-American Composers of Note. 248 Carl August Bjcirk, a Leader in the
Noted Artists, Teachers and Directors. 251 Mission Covenant 353
Painting and Sculpture 259 Sv.inmary of the Churches 355
Swedish-American Art Exhibitions. .. .261 The Swedish Lutheran Church 355
Prominent Painters and Sculptors ...265 The Mission Covenant 358
Resumg of Exhibitions 292 The Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church. 359
The Linne Monument 292 The Swedish Baptist Church 361
Architecture 293 The Swedish Protestant Episcopal Church.362
Life Sketches of Men of Today ...365
General Index ggg
Biographical Index 599
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE PACK
The John Ericsson Banquet, 1912, the Fif- Edward A. Wimmerstedt 159
tieth Anniversary of the Battle Between Anna Frederika Magnusson Jewett 160
the Monitor and the Merrimac Rosalie Magnusson Lancaster 161
Frontispiece Factory of the Forest City Knitting Corn-
Swedish Pioneers of Illinois Jonas Heel- pany 166
Strom, Olof Gottfrid Lr.nge, Polycarpus The Co-operative Furniture Company's
von Schneidau, Jonas Olson, Gustaf Plant 168
Unonius, Lars Paul Esbjorn 17 P- A. Peterson ...172
Rev. Sven Bernhard Newman 31 Nels Nelson 178
Rev. Victor Witting 32 Dr. S. P. A. Lindahl 186
Capt. C. M. Lindgren 36 Augustaria Book Concern Publishing
Old Colony Church, Bishop Hill 40 House of the Augustana Synod 188
Ola Colony Building 44 Andrew G. Anderson 189
The Steeple Building 48 The Peterson Building
Monument to Bishop Hill Soldiers 52 Edward C. Westman
Facsimile of Eric Janson's Handwriting... 60 Charles J. Stromberg
Rev. Lars Paul Esbjorn 62 1)r - L - G - Abrahamson 198
Early Swedish Lutheran Churches 64 Monument to Dr. Carl Swensson on the
Rev. Tuve Nilsson Hasselquist 66 Bethany College Campus 201
Communion Service Donated to the St. Ans- Dn - Tohn A - Udden
garius Church by Jenny Lind 76 Dr " J osua Lindahl 204
Gustaf Unonius 78 Dn Jakob B "Sg re 206
Gustaf Palmquist 80 Oliver A " Linder 208
Col. Hans Mattson 82 Dr ' 1)avid N ^' a11 216
Antler, Norelius . ..84 American Union of Swedish Singers 22
r -c- -KT i- IT- i. r ii A John R. Ortengren 224
Dr. Eric Norelius, Historian of the Augus-
c , , Dr. Gustav Stolpe 226
tana Synod 86
. . ., i r> Mrs - EJla Lund 228
Hasselquist s House and Printing Shop 111 -,,,,
Galesburg, 1855, with Facsimile of the " ,, " TJ n Y> i < i
Svea Music Hall, Rockford 234
First Swedish Newspaper 92 .. , . ., .-., ^
Swedish Singers at the Olympic Games,
Swedish Commanders in the Civil War Ch'caeo 19H 236
Col. Oscar Malmborg, Capt. Eric Forsse, Clubhouse of the Swedish' Club of Chicago. 239
Brigadier-General Charles John Stol- T , )e Swedish Glee Club, Under the Direc-
brand, Capt. Axel Silfversparre, Capt. tion of Qrtengren 240
Andrew Stenbeck 100 Frhz Schoaltz 241
Olof Benson 117 Charles S. Peterson 242
Laymen Founders of the Augustana Synod. 119 Magnus Olson 243
Augustana College Buildings at Paxton...l22 Swedish Arts and Crafts Exhibition at the
Augustana College General view 124 Swedish Club in 1912 244
Dr. Olof Olsson 126 \yilliam Dahlen 245
Dr. Gustav Andreen 128 Robert Lindblom 247
Swedish Educational Institutions Augustana Prof. J. Victor Bergquist 249
College, Rock Island; Fisk Hall, Home ot Gustaf Holmquist
the Swedish Institute of Chicago Theo- Nicoline Zedeler 256
logical Seminary; North Park College, Art Exhibition at the Swedish Club, Chi-
Chicago; Swedish Theological Seminary, cago 260
Evanston 132 Nyholm "Home from the Market" 262
Dr. William Henschen 134 Nyholm "The Novelette" 264
Dr. Johan Alexis Edgren 136 Nyholm Portrait of Himself 266
Dr. C. G. Lagergren 138 Hallberg "After an Atlantic Storm" 268
Mrs. M. B. Ogden 140 Charles E. Hallberg 269
Jonas Engberg 144 Sandzen "Lake Shore in Vestergotland".270
G. A. Bohman 147 Lindin "Twilight" 27:
Rev. Erland Carlsson 148 Grafstrom "Silver Lake, Washington" 275
Frans Albin Lindstrand 152 Jansson "Country Home" 276
Job. A. Enander 153 Haag "Emigrants" 278
Carl Fredrik Peterson 155 Edstrom "Clouds"
J. F. Ring. . 158 Gustafson "Excelsior" 280
8 ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE PAGE
Chicago Architecture Apartments Designed The Viking Valhalla at Gurnee, 111 325
by Andrew Sandeg-ren 282 Staff of Thorsten Lodge, No. 19, Joliet, 111. .326
The Gas Building, Erected by Andrew John Ericson 330
Lanquist 284 Guests of Honor at the John Ericsson Day
The Robert Lindblom High School, A. Banquet, 1912 Gov. Charles S. Deneen;
F. Hussander, Architect 286 Gov. A. O. Eberhart; President William
Fromen -Dancing 1 Figure 287 H. Taft; Congressman George E. Foss;
Chicago Architecture Twentieth Century Hon. Charles F. Hurburgh 332
Building, Erected by Henry Ericsson ... .288 Henry Reuterdahl "Battle Between the
Axel Elias Olsson 289 Monitor and the Merrimac" 334
The Linne Monument in Lincoln Park 290 Committee of Arrangements for the John
Henry Ericsson 294 Ericsson Day Celebration in 1912 John
John R. Lindgren 298 E. Ericsson, Alfred A. Norton, Edward C.
State Bank of Chicago Interior of the Westman, Edwin A. Olson, Henry S.
Commercial Department 299 Henschen 336
Henry S. Henschen 300 Portrait of John Ericsson, by Arvid Ny-
N. A. Nelson 304 holm, Presented to the National Gallery,
Edwin A. Olson 305 Washington 339
Pehr S. Peterson 307 Presentation Committee of the League. Pho-
Covenant Hospital, Chicago; Augustana tographed in Washington, Together with
Hospital, Chicago; Lutheran Hospital; Officials of the National Museum 340
Moline; Swedish Societies' Old Peoples' Facsimile of Letter from King of Sweden.. 342
Home, Evanston; Augustana Home for Rev. J. M. Sanngren, First Mission Church
the Aged, Chicago 308 Preacher in Chicago 347
Dr. M. C. Ranseen 310 The New Tabernacle Church, Chicagj 348
Theodore Freeman 311 Rev. Carl August Bjc'irk 349
Lutheran Hospital, Moline Present Build- Humboldt Park Mission Church, Chicago. . .350
ing; Lutheran Orphans' Home, Andover.314 Rev. John G. Princell 351
Swedish-American Hospital, Rockford ....316 Mission Church in Galesburg 352
Simon Hallberg; John Sandgren 319 Rev. Eric Gustaf Hjerpe 353
Verdandi Hall 320 Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Chicago 354
Officers of Military Council, Uniform Rank, Salem Lutheran Church, Rockford 356
I. O. S 321 First Lutheran Church, Rockford 357
Officers of the Grand Lodge. I. O. V. Sharon Lutheran Church, Chicago 358
Oscar Hanson, Nils J. Lindskoog, Alfred Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, Ev-
Hult, Henry Lind 323 anston 360
The Viking Temple 324 Rev. Eric Wingren ...361
INTRODUCTORY
Our danger is not so much from the man who loves two countries as the man
who loves none. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the man who has a lingering
affection for the fatherland no matter where his fatherland may be is a true
nationalist and a true patriot. It is the man who believes that his own passions
and his own desires are superior to those of the state, who would destroy nationalism
just as he would destroy the family, who is the real menace to the nation. Here,
and not with the one who would clasp hands across the sea, we find the man who is
to be watched as a possible viper in the bosom of America.
Charles Warren Fairbanks.
There is a certain sense in which we do America an injustice by classifying
ourselves as native-born .and foreign-born. And I have always pleased myself with
the idea that America in 'some degree exists in spirit all over the world and that
there are men coming to these shores who have displayed their force in our affairs,
who bring to America a more vivid conception of what it means than those of us
who were born and bred here ourselves entertain
If I go to a country reputed to be a country of equality and liberty I must
expect to find constant, visible and open signs of liberty and equality; and there-
fore I carry to that country a demand which that country must satisfy. But I carry
it only on one condition, namely, that I have gone to America because I was really,
without knowing it, an American.
Woodroiv Wilson.
"Some day a new Scandinavia will flourish in the Mississippi Valley."
On her visit to America and the West, Fredrika Bremer, the Swedish
authoress, made this prediction in the year 1850, when as yet but a few
Swedish and Norwegian settlements, hundreds of miles apart, dotted
the western plains. The author of "The Homes in the New World"
proved to have the true vision of a seeress, for well within the next fifty
years her prophecy was amply fulfilled.
The immigrants from the North soon furnished armies for the
peaceful conquest of the West and the Northwest. They turned the
glebe of the prairies, and the clearings in the woods resounded with the
stroke of their axes. In less than twenty-five years the territory com-
prised within the boundaries of the four states of Illinois, Wisconsin,
Minnesota and Iowa was studded with Swedish and Norwegian agricul-
tural colonies, which grew prosperous in time and under favorable con-
ditions. This Scandinavian winning of the West presents points of
material difference from the form of conquest commonly met with in the
various histories of the United States. The ordinary mode of civilizing
the wild West, we find, was to press into the interior, build forts and
10 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
establish trading posts. By depleting the country of its fur-bearing fauna,
large fortunes were amassed by individuals, while the government was
put to great expense protecting the traders and getting little or nothing
out of the trade. The Yankee usually got the better of the bargain with
the Indians, and when the savages rose in armed protest, the little army
post on the frontier ofttimes got the worst of it.
This was not developing the new territory in the true sense of the
term, rather quite the reverse. True development could not come with-
out the cultivation of the soil. And it was here the Scandinavian, like
the German element, performed its first great service to the American
nation. They came to the new territory, not for love of adventure or
with mercenary motives, but intent on making the very soil their own.
Agriculture did not interfere with the rights and privileges of the
aborigines to the same extent as did the encroachment of trappers and
frontiersmen on their hunting grounds. It is safe to say that fewer forts
would have been needed if the advance guard of civilization had carried
more hoes and scythes and fewer guns. The Swedish colony on the
Delaware furnished the first evidence on this point. The benefits derived
by the entire country from the extensive tilling of the soil by the western
pioneers entailed no direct outlay by the government. It \vas the Scan-
dinavians and Germans who, by settling up the great West, built and
filled the granaries of the country and of the world.
On the heels of cultivation followed culture. The schoolhouse and
the church were built as soon as the dugout, the log cabin, or the sod
house had been completed to provide a dwelling for the settler and his
family. Newspapers were published to disseminate knowledge of the
new country and its political institutions ; books were published as means
of religious instruction and edification and as a medium for conserving
the cultural heritage from the mother country. Higher institutions of
learning were planted on the prairies, first, to provide teachers and pas-
tors for the newcomers, in the second place to impart a knowledge of the
mother tongue of the settlers to their children and their children's chil-
dren. Next followed eleemosynary institutions of various kinds. Until
recently, all these institutions were, without exception, the fruits of
religious activity, secular organizations being the outgrowth of a later
period.
The entire Upper Mississippi Valley was being flooded with immi-
grants from the North of Europe, and yet there was no "foreign prob-
lem" to puzzle over. The formula, foreign birth -j- American citizenship
= sedition, had not yet been invented. It remained for the political
wiseacres and the ripe scholars of the science of government in a much
later era to discover a divided allegiance and a national peril in the citi-
zenship of those who have come to this country so recently that they still
cherish their old name and think tenderly of their old home. The new-
comers of those days were Americanized to a certain degree before they
reached the American shores. The impulse which started them across
INTRODUCTORY 11
the sea was not the consideration of material welfare alone; their com-
ing was induced by a distaste for certain conditions under which they
had been living and by a keen desire to live under the freer institutions
of the American republic. The words of Governor Arthur Capper,
spoken of the foreign-born element in the State of Kansas today, would
have as truly described the immigrants that came to Illinois in the forties
and fifties :
No one in Kansas doubts their Americanism any more than he doubts his own.
They and their children own more of Kansas than any other like number of
citizens. We have no finer, more useful, more law-abiding, more God-fearing people.
They came here with little. But they have been thrifty, honest and indus-
trious. Now they are property owners, famous farmers, home-builders, .sehool-cnd-
church-builders, bank depositors, taxpayers. Never tax-dodgers.
In thrift and industry, in whatever they undertake, they have sot us all a
most eloquent and striking example of persistent, intelligent, successful endeavor.
Their family and religious life is nearly ideal. Their children are carefully reared
and invariably well educated. They produce no loafers, no physical or moral weak-
lings. Their contribution to the criminal class is the smallest.
How can anyone doubt the patriotism of such citizens? They live it!
As far back as the earliest history of Kansas, during the border war for human
freedom that preceded the Civil War, and in that greater conflict, our citrons of
German birth and those from Sweden, Norway and Denmark marched shoulder to
shoulder with the American born and pledged their lives as freely, as frequently, as
gladly and as unquestionably as we did, that the nation might live and be free.
How can anyone doubt the loyalty of these citizens to the home and country
they have made their very own?
In Kansas we do not and we never have. We concede to them an Americanism
as strong and deep and true and virile as our own. Our flag is their flag and ever
will be. It is their flag as much as it is ours. They have toiled or shed their
blood for it and they will defend it just as devotedly in time of trial or need.
In the words of Governor J. A. A. Burnquist, the fourth Swedish-
American to be elected chief executive of the State of Minnesota, we find
another close parallel with Illinois conditions :
"The Americanization of our foreign-born population has never been a serious
problem in our. State. The great majority of them very soon after their arrival
learn our language, become citizens and send their children to our schools. They
bring with them and retain the best of their traditions, their art, literature and
music, but their loyalty to the United States cannot be questioned. It is significant
that, according to United States census figures, of the children of foreign or mixed
parentage, 89.2 per cent attend school, a slightly better proportion than the children
of native born parents, of whom 88.8 per cent attend."
The new citizens of the early settlement period in Illinois and
adjacent states were soon to have their American patriotism put to the
test. How well their loyalty stood the ordeal is recorded in the annals
of the great civil conflict of 1861-1865. Those who would question the
devotion of the newcomers to the country of their choice will find a com-
plete answer in the muster rolls of Co. C of the Forty-third 111. Volun-
teers, Co. D of the Fifty-seventh, Battery H, First 111. Light Artillery,
12 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Col. Hans Mattson's company of Minnesota Volunteers, and the famous
Fifteenth Wisconsin, or in the military records of Brigadier-General
Stolbrand, Colonel Malmborg, Majors Forsse and Bergland, and Cap-
tains Silfversparre, Eric Johnson, Edvall, Arosenius, Wickstrum, Warner,
Stenbeck, Sparrestrom, and others.
Having received their baptism of blood, the Swedish-Americans of
Illinois returned from the battlefields of the Civil War to serve their
state and its local municipalities in public office and to help build up the
communities by private pursuits. The Swedish- American of the earlier
period was rarely an office-seeker, and his services for several decades
were rendered almost exclusively in his capacity of private citizen. His
rise to conspicuous public station is of comparatively recent date.
Literary activity on broader lines than mere journalism of a religious
or secular character began to develop in the eighties, as also the higher
cultivation of the musical art, painting and sculpture being the most
recent flowers to spring from the creative energy inherent in the Swedish
blood. In educational work and in the various learned professions
Illinoisans of Swedish extraction are coming to the front in ever increas-
ing numbers. We find them at the head of many large industrial estab-
lishments of their own, while furnishing much of the brain and the sinew
in a number of the great manufacturing plants of the state not under
their control. In all mercantile pursuits they are meeting with success,
and strong financial institutions are being built up with Swedish-American
capital.
The new Scandinavia seen in the vision of sixty odd years ago is a
reality, not as a foreign sphere of political influence, but as a component
part of the commonwealth, a vital organ in the body politic.
For seven decades Swedish blood has been coursing through the
heart of the country. It is now pretty well mingled with the general
mass, yet blood will tell, and the following pages are part of its story.
PART I
THE PIONEER PERIOD
PRIOR TO 1846
PART I
THE PIONEER PERIOD
EARLIEST KNOWN SWEDES IN ILLINOIS.
SENATOR RAPHAEL WIDEN.
By an accident of history, a man of Swedish origin and birth came
to play an important part in the civil life of Illinois for several years prior
to the admission of this territory to the union of states. That there were
others of his countrymen among the settlers of the territorial period admits
of little doubt. In the case of Raphael Widen the record is indisputable,
while in certain other instances the nationality of pioneers of supposedly
Swedish extraction does not admit of historical proof.
It is noted in the Territorial Records that Widen was appointed jus-
tice of the peace of St. Clair county Jan. 12, 1814, by Norman Edwards,
the territorial governor. He lived at Cahokia, the county seat, where in
the year 1818 he married into a French family. Upon his removal to
Kaskaskia, Randolph county, he became one of the fourteen justices who
conducted the affairs of that county from December, 1818, to May, 1819.
Widen was still serving as justice in the year 1831. He was a man of
more than local prominence. In the second and third General Assemblies
he represented Randolph county ; in the fourth and fifth he was a member
of the Senate, serving during the second session in 1826 as president of
the Senate.
His legislative career was coincident with the period of heated debates
on the slavery question. Widen took a stand by which he earned lasting
honor and respect. When in February, 1823, a motion was made in the
House of Representatives to submit to a popular vote the question of call-
ing a convention to revise the constitution in the interest of the slave-
holders, he spoke fearlessly and voted resolutely against the measure. He
was one of two representatives from the middle and southern sections
of the state who opposed the proposition, which, after barely passing the
Legislature, was defeated by the popular vote.
When General Lafayette visited Kaskaskia April 30, 1825, Widen
lived there, and a mention at the time of "Edward Widen, the polished
gentleman and enterprising merchant," as having been present at the
reception given to the French hero, may refer to a relative or to Raphael
Widen himself under a wrong name.
The year and place of Widen's birth are not known, but it is a mat-
ter of record that at the age of eight he was brought from Sweden to
15
16 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
France, where he was educated for the priesthood. The year of his com-
ing to this country is unknown. In 1833 he passed away at his home
in Kaskaskia, a victim of the cholera. His civil and political record is a
distinguished one, placing him well to the front in the annals of Illinois,
while he takes first place in the list of notable Swedish-born citizens of
the state.
DOUBTFUL SWEDISH NAMES IN EARLY RECORDS.
In the earliest annals of Illinois names with a Swedish ring are often
met with. One Paul Haralson (also written Harrolson and Harelston)
is said to have settled west of Kaskaskia River, near the mouth of Camp's
Creek, as early as 1802. He was a man of some consequence in the com-
munity, serving as county commissioner and also as county clerk of Ran-
dolph county in the period of 1803-09. He is reported to have held the
office of sheriff for a short time ; of this there is no public record, but in
the list of county surveyors the name of Paul Harrolson is third in order,
the appointment by Governor Edwards being dated April 7, 1814. It is a
fair conjecture that his name originally had the Swedish form Haraldson.
In the lists of the members of the Illinois militia who served in the
War of 1812-14, a number of names have a Swedish appearance. One is
Bankson, an Americanized form of Bengtson common among the Swedish
colonists on the Delaware, one of their eminent men being Andrew
Bankson. Here we find one Andrew Bankson as a lieutenant of the
Second Regiment, from St. Clair county, before the war. Having appar-
ently served during the war as a private in a troop of mounted riflemen,
he was subsequently promoted second lieutenant under the name of
Bankston, manifestly misspelled. April 5, 1817, Andrew Bankson was
appointed major of the Second Regiment of militia by Governor Edwards,
and March 3, 1818, he was made colonel of the Tenth militia. He resigned
shortly afterwards, but the name of Col. Andrew Bankson reappears in
the old records ten years later, in the list of regents of McKendree Col-
lege, elected in 1828. In the military lists we find also James Bankson,
sergeant of Capt. Nathan Chambers' infantry company, and his brother,
Patton Bankson, a private. A third brother was Elijah Bankson. The
probability that all these may have been of Swedish colonial stock is not
strengthened by the known fact that they came to Illinois from Tennessee.
Among the comrades of Andrew Bankson was one David Eckman,
and among the privates of Capt. Dudley Williams' company of the Fourth
111. militia were John and Andrew Hallin, all of whose names betray
Swedish descent.
JONAS HEDSTROM, METHODIST PIONEER.
As Raphael Widen gained prominence in the early political life of
Illinois, so Jonas Hedstrom became renowned as a pioneer in the religious
field in the young state. He was the first man to preach the Gospel in
c,
THE PIONEER PERIOD 17
the Swedish language here and is the acknowledged founder of Swedish
Methodism in the West.
Urged hy his older brother, Olof Gustaf Hedstrom, who visited
Sweden in 1833 after having lived in the United States for seven years,
Jonas Hedstrom accompanied him to this country on his return voyage
the same year. Jonas was then a youth of twenty, having been born
Aug. 13, 1813. During a storm at sea he was converted, doubtless through
the instrumentality of his elder brother, who was a devoted member of the
American Methodist Church since his marriage to a young woman of that
faith in New York City in 1829. The elder Hedstrom remained in New
York, laboring as itinerant preacher in the Catskill circuit for ten years
and subsequently as Swedish seaman's missionary on the Bethel ship in
New York harbor until 1875, and passing away May 5, 1877, at the age
of seventy-four. The younger brother drifted out west in 1837 or the
year after, leaving to join his affianced, Diantha Sornberger, the daughter
of a family who moved to Knox county shortly before. A blacksmith by
trade, Hedstrom, after his marriage, located in Farmington, Fulton county,
and opened a shop. He was licensed to preach, which he did as vigorously
as he sledged. He later located in Knox county and became one of the
founders of the town of Victoria. By plying his trade he acquired the
means to build a comfortable home, where many a poor immigrant in
succeeding years enjoyed his hospitality. He preached in Fnglish in the
schoolhouses about Victoria, and also in Lafayette, Knoxville, and else-
where. When about the year 1845 groups of Swedish immigrants began
to arrive at New York, Olof Hedstrom in his capacity of seaman's mis-
sionary met them not only as spiritual adviser but also as counselor in
temporal matters. With his knowledge of conditions in Illinois he was in
a position to recommend that region to prospective settlers, and thus
numbers of his countrymen were directed to Victoria, where Jonas Hed-
strom was prepared to render further assistance. He now brushed up his
mother tongue, which had fallen into disuse, and on Dec. 15, 1846, he
preached his first sermon in the Swedish language. On that occasion he
organized, in a small blockhouse about three miles from Victoria, the
first Swedish Methodist Episcopal church in the United States. The
little congregation of five members here formed was the first Swedish
church founded on American soil since the time of the Swedish settlements
along the Delaware River, a fact which made the little log cabin in the
woods an historic landmark. Hedstrom from now on conducted vigorous
missionary work among the newcomers and organized several other com-
munions in the next few years.
Owing to restless endeavors and the strain and hardship of constant
travel Hedstrom's health broke down early, compelling hir retirement in
the fall of 1857. He passed to his reward May n, 1859, in his forty-sixth
year. A monument in the Victoria cemetery marks the last resting place
of the father of Swedish Methodism in Illinois.
Jonas Hedstrom has been very differently judged, depending on the
SWEDISH PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS
JONAS HEDSTROM OLOF GOTTFRID LANGE
POLYCARPUS VON SCHNEIDAU
GUSTAF UNONIUS
JONAS OLSON
LARS PAUL ESBJORN
THE PIONEER PERIOD 19
viewpoint of those making the appreciation. Both his friends and his
religious antagonists appear to have exaggerated his personal traits. Dur-
ing these early days the lines of demarcation between the different religi-
ous groups were very sharply drawn, and the border warfare known as
proselyting was hotly waged. Hedstrom was intensely devoted to his
church and did all in his power to bring his countrymen of other religious
affiliations into its fold. He worked alike among Lutherans and the fol-
lowers of Erik Jansson, who at this time established the Bishop Hill colony,
and his excess of zeal frequently gave rise to serious controversies with
other believers, themselves intolerant and lacking in spiritual moderation.
That he worked with the laudable motive of promoting the Master's cause
and the interest of his church as he saw it there is no one to gainsay.
SWEDISH PIONEERS IN CHICAGO.
The earliest known Swedes locating in Chicago were Olof Gottfrid
Lange, Gustaf Flack and Polycarpus von Schneidau.
Lange was a native of Goteborg, born 1811, who first reached Amer-
ican shores in 1824, as a sailor on an American brig. After serving on
American and British ships for more than ten years, he abandoned the sea
in 1838, and came to Chicago (September 30). He did not find any of his
countrymen there ahead of him, but met a number of Norwegians, whom
he is said to have given instruction in English, meeting his adult pupils
in old Fort Dearborn. He later located in Milwaukee and in the year 1841
welcomed the immigrant party conducted by Gustaf Unonius, the founder
of the Swedish settlement in Pine Lake, Wisconsin. On her visit to the
United States Fredrika Bremer, the Swedish authoress, was a guest in
the home of Lange in September, 1850. Her host subsequently accom-
panied her to the Pine Lake settlement.
After several changes of residence and occupation Lange in 1856
started a foundry in Kenosha, Wis., which four years later was removed
to Chicago and located at Kingsbury and Michigan streets.
On his return from a visit to Sweden in 1866, Lange brought with
him a library of 500 volumes and a number of art portfolios for the Svea
Society, a large part of the collection being the gift of King Charles XV.
of Sweden.
Lange is said to have tempted fortune on the Board of Trade, with
what success we do not know. He was engaged in writing life insurance
during the last twenty-five years of his life.
"Captain" Lange, commonly so called, doubtless by reason of his early
seafaring career, was a man of culture and public spirit. It was he who,
prompted by the 25oth anniversary of the landing of the Swedish colonists
on the Delaware, commemorated in the fall of 1888, proposed in 1889 an
annual celebration of "Forefathers' Day," a suggestion which was car-
ried out in a number of Swedish localities in the next few years. This
venerable Chicago pioneer passed away at his home, 292 Irving avenue,
2() THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
July 13, 1893, at the age of eighty-two years. His likeness was preserved
in a bust which is to be seen in the hall of the Svea Society.
In the early forties Gustaf Flack, of Alfta, Helsingland, was found
among the settlers of Victoria, 111., and in 1843 ne was conducting a
small store in Chicago, near the Clark street ferry landing. The year of
his arrival in Illinois is not known. He returned to Sweden in 1846 and
died suddenly on his way from the city of Gefle to his native place. The
laudatory letters he wrote to friends at home, giving glowing descrip-
tions of the new West, are supposed to have influenced Erik Jansson and
his followers in their choice of location for the future Bishop Hill colony.
Flack thus shares with Jonas Hedstrom the credit for directing the cur-
rent of Swedish immigration to Illinois.
In 1845 Polycarpus von Schneidau removed to Chicago from the
Pine Lake settlement. He was born 1812, at Kisa, Ostergotland. the son
of Major von Schneidau of the Swedish army. Having risen to the rank
of lieutenant in the Svea Artillery, the son put himself in bad odor with
his family and his fellow officers by wedding a woman of Jewish blood.
To escape the odium of social ostracism he emigrated in 1842, joining the
settlement founded by Unonius, with whom he had an early acquaintance.
His wife and her mother followed later. After enjoying hospitality in the
log cabin of his friend, the young army officer moved with his famliy to
a tract of land purchased by him and went to farming. For this occupa-
tion he was incapacitated by an injury to his leg received on shipboard,
and with hired help to till the little farm the family fared but ill. The
plight of the invalid farmer and his Jewish wife has become historic.
Thus we read in Fredrika P>remer's ''The Homes of the New World"
a pathetic description of their hardships. She says:
"Margaret Fuller (later Marquise Ossoli) was making a tour of
the western states. Chance brought her to the Pine Lake settlement.
Captain Schneidau for several months back sat on his sick bed with a
severe injury to his leg. His beautiful young wife during the hard
winter had been compelled to perform all manner of hard labor, and
had seen her first born die from cold in its bed, in a room where rain
and snow penetrated the walls. They were alone in the wilderness.
They could not afford to hire help expensive as that was in these parts.
The maid employed by them for some time past had just left them, and
their neighbors were too far distant, or possibly subjected to like hard-
ships. Then came Margaret Fuller from Boston. In her 'Summer on
the Lakes' she describes the visit to the Schneidau cabin in these words :
'In the inner room sat the man of the house. . . . His young and
pretty wife nursed and waited upon him, while managing the house and
farm. How well she performed these unaccustomed duties the objects
of her ,care bore testimony. Everything in the house, however rough-
hewn and plain, was neat and in order. The invalid, sitting in an uncom-
fortable wooden chair (they had been unable to get anyone to bring a
more comfortable one from town), looked well-dressed and elegant, as
THE PIONEER PERIOD 21
though groomed by a duke's valet. He was of northern blood and type,
with large, clear, blue eyes, calm features, combining in his appearance
the soldier, the student, and the man of the world. He contrasted
strongly, but pleasingly, with his wife, whose warm color and soft, dark
eyes bespoke descent from a land more favored by the sun. He looked
as though he might be able to sit there yet a long time containing his
soul in patience and biding the time ; she, as if she might bear every-
thing for love's sake, yet made to feel the full weight of every passing
moment.
" 'When I saw an album full of little paintings and verses that bore
testimony of a circle of intimate friends of tine accomplishments, left
behind in the fatherland, I could not but see that the young wife stood
in need of a sister and the husband a friend, who might enliven their
solitude by the association of kindred souls.'
"Margaret Fuller does not speak of it, but I have heard here of the
practical benevolence exercised by her and her friends in behalf of the
ill-fated Swedish settlers and whereby they soon brought about a com-
plete change in their condition. From the solitary cabin in the woods
the family was transferred to Chicago. Schneidau received skilled med-
-ical aid and was cured, and he is now a most accomplished daguerreotypist,
probably the foremost in all Illinois, enjoying as such a very considerable
income. He is generally liked here. His vivacious and pretty little wife
now between tears and laughter tells of her experiences in the wilderness,
in a ludicrous mixture of Swedish and English."
It was in 1845 Schneidau moved to Chicago. Being a skillful civil
engineer he soon obtained profitable employment. In 1848 he was made
superintendent of construction on the first railroad out of Chicago the
Chicago & Galena Railway. A statement that Jenny Lind, on her tour
of America in 1850, furnished Schneidau the means to set him up in the
daguerreotype business is corrected by Miss Bremer's assertion that he
was already at that time the leading man of the state in that branch.
After Scandinavian immigration to Chicago and vicinity had acquired
greater proportions Schneidau was appointed Swedish-Norwegian vice-
consul in 1854, being the first to hold that office in Chicago. He resigned
the position, owing to failing health, and was succeeded by his friend
Unonius. On Dec. 28, 1859, Schneidau passed away, aged forty-eight.
CHRISTIAN BENSON, PIONEER FARMER.
With one Captain Baxter, who on a visit to the West had been
favorably impressed with the country, Christian Benson, a Swedish ocean
pilot, came to Western Illinois in the year 1835, locating in Portland
township, four miles south of present Erie, Whiteside county.
He was born in Goteborg in 1805, the son of a vessel owner engaged
in lumber shipping on Lake Vanern. The boy went to sea at the age of
thirteen, and served for seventeen years on American vessels, visiting
22 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
many of the world's foremost seaports, including those of far-off China.
From 1825, for ten years, he served as pilot on a line of vessels plying
between New York and Providence, R. I. In 1827 he was married to
Maria Brotherson of the latter city, a lady of Scotch descent. A disaster
to a vessel belonging to Commodore Vanderbilt caused Benson, at the
earnest entreaties of his wife, to quit the sea. He then came to Illinois,
followed by his brother in 1840.
In 1849 both went to California, but by different routes, and the
brother was never heard from again. Christian Benson did not go into
the gold diggings, but located in San Joaquin Valley, at the junction of
the Overland Trail and the route from San Francisco to Sacramento.
There he conducted a resthouse for travelers and maintained horses and
men to go out in the desert a hundred miles or more eastward and assist
tired and famished parties in reaching their destination. The place is
known as Benson's Crossing to this day.
Christian Benson lived in Illinois for fifty years, passing away in
1885, at the age of eighty. He left two children, with whom he lived
in his old age. His grandson, R. C. Benson, resides in Rock Island, where
he conducts a grain and feed business. His recollections supplied the
data for this sketch, amplifying and correcting in part what information
is contained in an earlier work. 1
1 C. F. Peterson and Eric Johnson, "Svenskarne i Illinois," 1880.
PART II
THE PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT
AND FOUNDATION
18461860
PART 11
THE PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT
AND FOUNDATION
THE BEGINNING OF SWEDISH IMMIGRATION.
The general emigration from Sweden to the United States in modern
times began when Gustaf Unonius came over with a small party in the
year 1841. These were the first emigrants permitted to leave the country
to settle in foreign lands without special privilege granted by the King,
a requirement under the old emigration law. The Unonius party located
at Pine Lake, Wisconsin. In 1845 Peter Kassel followed with a party
from the province of Ostergotland who founded the settlement of New
Sweden, Iowa. The following year saw the advance guard of the influx
from Helsingland province, composed of the adherents of Erik Jansson,
a leader in a movement of dissenters from the Church of Sweden. Other
followers of this religious leader came in successive parties, most of them
arriving during the next five years. These formed the largest group of
newcomers from Sweden, soon numbering at Bishop Hill, Illinois, a
community of several hundred souls.
The floodtide of immigration from Sweden to this country was now
on, and within a few years it assumed dimensions compared to which the
earlier influx in colonial times shrank into insignificance.
The idea having been suggested by the first sporadic pioneers in
letters to their friends at home, and the way opened by the removal of
legal restraint, the exodus was led by the first small emigrant parties,
group after group following from various parts of the old country.
There being no mutual connection, they were led entirely by circum-
stances and settled in localities far apart. An early settlement sprang
up in Sugar Grove, Pa., and Jamestown, N. Y. Thus the first comers
were scattered about from the boundaries of New York and Pennsylvania
to the woods of Wisconsin and the plains of Iowa and Illinois.
It was in this state, however, that these settlements first began to
group themselves together and centralize for mutual contact and inter-
course. Prior to 1850, Swedish settlements or colonies had grown
up in Andover, Chicago, Galesburg, Victoria, Moline and Rock Island,
Princeton, and elsewhere, while the Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Iowa
settlements still remained in isolation.
In the summer of 1853 immigration increased materially over former
years. While in previous years the greater number of newcomers were
Erik Janssonist dissenters, many remained true to the faith of the
25
26 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
established church, and their number constantly increased while the inflow
of dissenters practically subsided after the arrival of the last party of
Janssonists in 1854.
The American Methodist Episcopal church had established a sea-
man's mission in New York in charge of a Swedish pastor, Olof Gustaf
Hedstrom by name. When immigration from Sweden began, his zeal
naturally led him to extend his pastoral work so as to embrace also the
newcomers passing through the city. His efforts, though not entirely
disinterested from a denominational point of view, were most laudable
under the circumstances, and should not be despised, as has been done
:n the heat of partisan discussion. Through cooperation the brothers
Hedstrom built up a settlement at Victoria, where Jonas Hedstrom
established a Swedish Methodist congregation. At Chicago the Protestant
Episcopal church through Gustaf Unonius conducted Swedish missionary
work, and at an early date Swedish Baptist missionaries appeared among
the settlers. These circumstances furnish the groundwork for a true
understanding of the intense church rivalry carried on among the settlers
for a decade or two before the various denominations became properly
organized and established each in its own field.
The story of the first settlements in Illinois soon became the story
of the earliest churches planted on the plains of the Prairie State. It is
worthy of note that the first properly organized or mother churches of
no less than three distinct Swedish denominations were founded in this
state prior to the year 1853, exclusive of the religious communion headed
by Erik Jansson. In more recent times the first church of what is now
known as the Mission Covenant was added, and also a congregation of
the New Church, Swedenborgian, so far as known the mother church of
Swedish-Americans of that faith.
Inasmuch as the cohesive factor and the bond of union in the new
settlements was everywhere a community of religious faith, although the
motive for emigration from Sweden was not by any means a religious
one as a general rule, there is little to relate of them up to the point
where the church organizations began to make history and record it.
These first churches were organized in the following order: Meth-
odist Episcopal, at Victoria, 1846; Protestant Episcopal, at Chicago, 1849;
Baptist, at Rock Island, 1852; Lutheran, at Andover, 1850, the second in
the United States, the first having already been organized by the settlers
in New Sweden, Iowa, in I848. 1
In the fifteen years from 1846 to 1860 the prairies of Illinois were
literally studded with new Swedish settlements located in a belt running
in a general direction west and southwest from Lake Michigan to the
Mississippi. Among these, aside from those already mentioned, were
the following, being partly new and independent settlements, partly
Swedish communities in older municipalities: Princeton, St. Charles,
1 This corrects an erroneous statement in "History of the Swedes of Illinois,**
P. 430.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 27
Geneva, Orion, Knoxville, Wataga, Swedona, Altona, Rockford, Geneseo,
DeKalb, Galva, Batavia, Monmouth, Kewanee, Elgin, Aurora, Lafayette,
Henderson Grove, Beaver, Pecatonica, Wyanet, New Windsor, and
others.
While bits of interesting information relating to the pioneer days
may be gleaned from the early records of all these places, the chief points
of activity and achievement by the Swedish people in the state are less in
number. Their centers of population and the nuclei of their influence are
found in Chicago, Rockford, Rock Island and Moline, Galesburg, and in
Henry, Kane, and one or two other counties, Chicago claiming at least
half of our attention and the other communities. combined the other half.
THE EARLIEST SETTLERS AT ANDOVER.
The first Swedish settler at Andover was Sven Nilsson, a sailor, who
located there as early as 1840. In 1849 ne wedded a woman known only
as Stigs Lena, recently arrived from Hassela, Helsingland, Sweden, with
a party of Erik Janssonists. He lived here in almost perfect seclusion for
almost forty years, dying in the late seventies. In 1847 Johanna Sofia
Lundquist came there from Bishop Hill and took a place as domestic in
an American family. Her father, J. E. Lundquist, a paper mill proprie-
tor, of Forssa parish, became an adherent of Erik Jansson, and emi-
grated in 1846, after his wife had been fined for taking part in a demon-
stration antagonizing the Church of Sweden two years before. She mar-
ried P. W. Wirstrom, a retired sea captain, the two founding the first
Swedish family in the settlement. Wirstrom, born at Vaxholm, 1816,
came to this country prior to 1846 and sailed on the Great Lakes. He
conducted a party of immigrants from Buffalo to Bishop Hill, and served
as interpreter and also as medical adviser, having some little knowledge
of the curative art. In 1847 ne located in Andover. Shortly after their
marriage, Wirstrom and his wife went to New Orleans, where the for-
mer captain hired out as overseer of a plantation. The business of slave
driving was not to his taste, and the couple returned to Andover in 1849.
Smitten by the prevalent gold fever, the Wirstroms joined a California
party in April, 1850. After spending some years as proprietor of a
hotel, Wirstrom, with broken health, returned to Illinois in 1854, and
died at Bishop Hill, Feb. 25, of the following year. His wife then re-
turned after having closed out the hotel business, yielding a sum given
variously as $3,000 and $8,000. In 1856 Mrs. Wirstrom became the
wife of M. B. Ogden, of Galva, and the pair located on a farm in the
Victoria settlement. After more than twenty years they removed to
Riverside, Cal., where Mrs. Ogden died June io, 1904. Mrs. Ogden did
not adhere to the religious views held by her parents, but was a devoted
disciple of Emanuel Swedenborg, being one of the first adherents of the
New Church among the countrymen of the Swedish seer living in the
West. A younger sister, Mathilda Gustava Lundquist, who came over in
28 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
i8=;o. married ]. W. Florine, the two locating in Andover, in 1855, where
her husband became the first physician, druggist and photographer
(daguerreotypist) in the settlement. Florine served in the first year of
the Civil War, as second lieutenant in Company H, Forty-third Illinois
Volunteers, then asked for his discharge and died in 1862. Mrs. Florine,
like her sister, embraced the New Church faith.
In 1849 tne Andover settlement received a substantial addition to
its population, when in the summer the bulk of an emigrant party of 300
located there, and in the fall a party of 140 arrived under the leadership
of Pastor Lars Paul Esbjorn, who there founded the first Swedish
Lutheran church in Illinois.
Other early settlements will be spoken of only in so far as they
have played a part in the subsequent history of the Swedish element in
the state of Illinois.
VICTORIA, THE CRADLE OF SWEDISH METHODISM.
In a little blockhouse in the woods, about three miles southwest from
the present Victoria settlement, Jonas Hedstrom preached his first ser-
mon to the Swedish settlers on December 15, 1846. The Swedish Method-
ist Episcopal congregation or class formed then and there was com-
posed of five members, Hedstrom and his wife, Andrew Hjelm and wife,
and Peter Newberg. These constituted the first Swedish Methodist Epis-
copal church in the West. During the ensuing Christmas holidays sev-
eral others were added to the group. For some time Hedstrom continued
to minister to their spiritual wants while still following the blacksmith's
trade, but as his flock grew he gave way to the urgings of the members
to devote his whole time to the gospel work.
He was duly appointed missionary to the Swedish settlers upon being
received on probation into the Rock River Conference in August, 1848,
after almost two years of independent work in that field. From now on
he devoted himself exclusively to preaching. He labored with untiring
energy and within the next year he founded churches at Andover and
Galesburg. To the conference of 1849 ne was ao ^ e to report no less
than six charges at Victoria, Galesburg, Andover, Lafayette, Moline,
and Rock Island, a total of sixty members in full connection and thirty-
three on probation. About this time Hedstrom received an assistant in
the person of John Brown, and late in 1849 a second assistant in C. P.
Agrelius, sent him from New York by the elder Hedstrom. The follow-
ing year new reinforcements were received Andrew Ericson and A. G.
Swedberg. In May, 1850, a new field was taken up among the settlers
of Jefferson county, Iowa, where the founder of New Sweden embraced
the Methodist faith and himself became the preacher.
The records of the 1850 conference showed its Swedish missions to
comprise four circuits with six preachers and 195 church members.
Two other men were added in 1852, namely, Peter Challman (Kail-
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 29
man) and Eric Shogren (Sjogren), who returned from a gold-seekers'
expedition to California in 1851. They were not received on probation
until 1853, when S. B. Newman, who had served two years as seaman's
missionary with Hedstrom on the Bethel ship in New York, also was
added.
In December, 1852, the first church was organized in Chicago, and
Newman became its first pastor the following month. Peter Newberg,
Hedstrom's former helper in the blacksmith shop, in 1854 left the anvil
for the pulpit. The following year added to the field forces a very valu-
able man in Victor Witting.
In spite of reinforcements, the labors of Hedstrom himself were
increased rather than lightened, the enlargement of the field necessitating
frequent long journeys to the widely scattered settlements in order to
exercise supervision. His field now extended from Chicago to New
Sweden, Iowa. The progress of Methodism among the Swedish settlers
was continuous. In 1856 all the Swedish churches in Illinois, Iowa and
Indiana were combined to form a special district with Jonas Hedstrom as
presiding elder. His health having been undermined, he was compelled
to retire after one year, and on May u, 1859, death ended the career of
the founder of Swedish Methodism in Illinois and the West Jonas
Hedstrom.
CO-LABORERS OF JONAS HEDSTROM.
John Brown ( 1813-1875) was a Danish sailor, who came to New
York in 1843 an( l thence drifted to Bishop Hill. With a number of other
deserters of Erik Jansson, he soon located at Lafayette, Stark county,
eight miles east of Victoria. He there embraced Methodism and, yield-
ing to Hedstrom's promptings, engaged in missionary work, preaching
first in Lafayette and later with marked success in Rock Island county.
He was later sent to labor among the Norwegians around Leland. Brown
is described as a preacher of zeal, energy and a warm heart, and a very
successful revivalist. When he got warmed up by his text and the sum-
mer heat on the prairies as well, he would throw off his coat and neck-
wear, and sometimes his vest, and go on preaching with a vim that was
overpowering.
Carl Peter Agrelius (1798-1881) had prepared at Upsala Univer-
sity, and was ordained to the ministry in the Church of Sweden, probably
in 1822. After twenty-six years of service he was prompted to emi-
grate, coming to New York in 1848. After an unsuccessful attempt to
found a Swedish Lutheran congregation there, he went over to the
Bethel ship communion, where he served for a year as assistant to Hed-
strom before going to Victoria, in October, 1849. After preaching in
Illinois for six months, he was sent to Wisconsin. He labored in that
state and in Minnesota until 1867. Agrelius was a man of tractable and
peaceful disposition, hospitable almost to a fault, thoroughly educated
bu<- lacking in practical ability.
30 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Andrew Ericson (1815-1878) came over in the Esbjorn party in
1849, w i tn hi s w if e > anc l was one f a numD er whom Hedstrom soon in-
duced to leave Andover to settle in Victoria, where Ericson began
preaching. He preached in Illinois until 1856, when he was stationed at
Swede Bend, Iowa, where a church had been founded two years before.
He labored there until 1860, then returned to Illinois, and labored in
Leland and Andover, retiring in 1863 to his farm in Swede Bend.
Anders Gustaf Swedberg, born at Hudiksvall, in 1827 or 1828, was
also of the Esbjorn party of immigrants. He located in Galesburg. In
Sweden he had been one of the so-called "Luther Readers," or Hedberg-
ians, and occasionally appeared as exhorter at their meetings. Now he
joined the Methodist flock in Galesburg, and in 1851 became local preacher
there. He was but twenty-one years of age, possessed a good education,
was a fluent speaker and promised well for the Methodist church, when
in 1853 he was suddenly converted to the Baptist faith and placed in charge
of a new church of that denomination at Village Creek, Iowa.
Peter Challman (1823-1900) joined the Janssonist movement in
Helsingland, in 1844, and served as one of Erik Jansson's so-called apos-
tles. He came over with a party of Janssonists in 1846, but finding
conditions in Bishop Hill not to his liking, he located first at Lafayette
and then at Galesburg, where he plied the carpenter's trade and preached
occasionally to the Methodists. In January, 1850, he led a California
party, in which were also Erik Shogren and Victor Witting. Returning
to Victoria after a year in the diggings, Challman, who had not yet
joined the Methodist church, was induced by Hedstrom to take up preach-
ing. Having joined the Victoria church, he became local preacher, being
ordained deacon by the conference in 1853. He traveled the circuit for
a year, then served the churches in Andover and Rock Island, and later
in Victoria and Galesburg. In 1857 he succeeded Hedstrom as presid-
ing elder, on recommendation of the retiring officer, and served until
1865. In 1867 he joined the Free Methodists and now began to work the
same fields again in behalf of that group of believers. At Center Prairie,
near Victoria, he gathered a flock and built a house of worship at his own
expense. This flock disbanded after four years, and Challman himself
gradually transferred his interests from the mission field to the corn-
field, and in the seventies acquired large land holdings. After his removal
to Iowa in 1884, he sought to correct his misstep in 1867, by joining the
American M. E. church. Among the Illinois churches stories are still
being told of the revivals that followed on Challman's powerful preach-
ing. He is said to have won 800 converts to Methodism in a single year.
Erik Shogren (1824-1906) was instrumental in gaining large numbers
for his church during a long period of activity. An adherent of the
group of believers in Helsingland called Readers, or Devotionalists, he
felt strongly drawn to Methodism when, upon landing in New York in
1849, ne attended services on the Bethel ship, and Hedstrom easily per-
suaded him to join his brother at Victoria. Disappointed with the place,
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION
31
he located in Galesburg, joining the Methodist church there early the
following year. Returning from his trip to California in 1851, he located
at Victoria and began to conduct meetings throughout the circuit. He
was ordained deacon in 1854 and made elder the year after. From that
time on he labored in many fields, including the following in Illinois :
Chicago, 1855-59 an d I 64-65; Bishop Hill, 1870-76; Galesburg, 1883-84;
Rockford, 1884-85. He served as presiding elder of the Chicago district
in 1885 and 1886, and afterwards as pastor in South Chicago, retiring
in 1889. Shogren was a self-taught man, who, by assiduous study fitted
himself well for the pastoral calling, in which he evinced remarkable
power and exerted wide influence.
In January, 1845, Sven Bernhard Newman (1812-1902), a young
Swede, preached in faltering English to an American Methodist audi-
ence at a place near Mobile, Alabama. A brother of his had emigrated
and located at Mobile and Sven followed in 1842. Through his brother
he was brought in contact with the Method-
ists and joined them after two years. In
Alabama he was ordained deacon in 1847 an( l
made elder in 1849. After two years in New
York (1851-52) as assistant seaman's mis-
sionary, Newman was assigned to Chicago in
1853, to gather the scattered members of the
church organized there the year before. In
1855 ne was again assigned to New York, four
years later to Jamestown, and was returned
to Illinois in 1866 on assignment to Galesburg.
Two years later Newman was appointed pre-
siding elder of the Chicago district. While
serving as such he raised a considerable fund
for the seminary at Evanston. He subse-
quently served at Rockford, Wataga-Peoria.
Batavia-Geneva, Evanston, Moline, Chicago, Evanston, Ottawa. He was
placed on the superannuated list in 1890. At the request of the Swedish
Northwestern Conference, Newman, in the early nineties, published his
autobiography, a minute account of the life and labors of this frontiers-
man of Swedish Methodism.
Peter Newberg (1818-1882) was a ship's carpenter, on a vessel
which brought a Janssonist party across the Atlantic in 1846, and ac-
companied the immigrants inland. Disappointment with Bishop Hill soon
brought him to Victoria, where he became one of the five organizing
members of the Methodist church. Newberg helped Hedstrom make
plows that winter, then went to Peoria and worked for a Swedish archi-
tect and contractor named Ulricson, who is said to have lived there long
enough to have entirely forgotten his mother tongue. Newberg and
Peter Challman were in partnership as house builders for two years until
J 853, when the former continued as building contractor on his own ac-
REV. SVEN BERNHARD
NEWMAN.
REV. VICTOR WITTING.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 33
count. He erected the Swedish Methodist church dedicated at Victoria,
in 1854. Having been converted in 1853, Newberg began to make preach-
ing tours. While on probation he served at New London, la., Andover,
and Galesburg. Ordained deacon in 1857, he was promoted to the office
of elder. His subsequent stations in this state were: Victoria, Rock-
ford and Swedona. He retired to his farm at Victoria about 1873.
Victor Witting (1825-1906) was destined to play an important part
in the Swedish M. E. church of America. He was born in Malnio, the
son of a captain of artillery, and educated in the higher educational institu-
tions of Landskrona and Malmo. His early longing for America was finally
fulfilled in 1847, when he served as steward on a vessel bringing over a
party of Erik Jansson's adherents and accompanied them westward. Two
years before, he had been deeply impressed with the religious zeal of
a similar party on board a ship on which he was then serving. In Bishop
Hill Wetting remained only about a year and a half ; then obtained a
position with a pharmacist in Galesburg. Witting and his wife soon
joined the Methodist church there. Returning from the aforesaid trip to
California in 1852, Witting, together with Erik Shogren, started cultivat-
ing medicinal herbs at Victoria. After two years it had proved a losing
venture. While in New York to dispose of a shipment, he met Hed-
strom, and that proved the turning point in his life. On his return home
he began to preach in Victoria, and was soon appointed class leader. While
employed later in Peoria he preached to a handful of Swedes then found
in that city.. From 1855 he devoted himself exclusively to the work of
the church. He was stationed at Victoria and later at Rockford, where
he became editor of the denomination mouthpiece Sandcbudet. As such
he wrote and campaigned for the founding of a seminary, a project real-
ized in 1869. Witting went to Sweden in 1867 to preach Methodism in
that Lutheran country, and succeeded so well that he resolved to remain
there. After the passage of the Dissenters Law of 1873, extending free-
dom of belief, his work was no longer hampered by restrictions, and in
1875 the Methodist church of Sweden, largely the fruit of his labors,
was organized by Witting and nine other ministers. After ten years he
returned to the United States, only to be returned shortly after as super-
intendent of the churches in Sweden. His term of service was cut short
by his leaving the Methodist church and coming back to America in 1879.
He published Stilla Stunder, a devotional monthly, for two years in Chi-
cago, whereupon the breach between himself and the church was healed,
and he again became editor of Sandebudet, serving for six years. After
1889 he labored in the East, where he edited another church paper. His
memoirs published in 1901 constitute his chief literary work.
EARLY METHODIST COMMUNIONS.
Victoria was from the outset a Swedish Methodist settlement and has
so remained. Among its earliest settlers, prior to 1850, were many who
either moved there of their own accord from Bishop Hill or were won
34 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
over by the zealous missionary labors of Jonas Hedstrom. Such were
Olof Olson from Ofvanaker, Helsingland, and Jonas Hellstrom, the latter
a tailor, who plied his trade there for many years and then enlisted for
service in the Civil War, and one Beck from Bollnas, Helsingtand. An-
other Olof Olson, from Alfta ; Helsingland, and later of Bishop Hill,
also located there. After these came in rapid succession, Hillberg, Hans
Hansson, Carl Magnus Peterson, Sven Larson, Lars Larson, Charles
Peterson from Csterunda, Upland, John E. Seline, who had been one of
Erik Jansson's apostles in Sweden, but later in life became an agnostic
of the Ingersoll type. Another Janssonist deserter was Peter Dahlgren,
and from Esbjorn's party one Peter Skoglund, a tailor, settled in Vic-
toria. The large settlement of which Victoria was the center, early
grew to be one of the most flourishing localities in the state. The Swed-
ish Methodist church is the only one there, and most of the population
of the settlement have been affiliated with it from its earliest period to
the present time. No other denomination has gained entrance to this
stronghold of Swedish Methodism. After two years this church had
grown to number ninety members, mostly people well informed in re-
ligious matters and holding deep convictions. The old church edifice,
erected in 1853, still remains a landmark in the place. In 1857 the large
Victoria circuit was divided into three, Andover and Galesburg forming
independent congregations. The following year new fields were taken up
in Kewanee, Nekoma and Oneida. The mother church at Victoria in
recent years has had an average membership of one hundred.
The foundation for the Andover congregation was laid by Hedstrom
in 1848 some say the year before, others the year after when on Sun-
day, Aug. 26, he followed up his sermon by organizing a class of twelve.
A year later the flock numbered seventy-four. A church edifice was built
in 1854. In Andover the first Swedish Methodist camp meeting was held
the following year.
The Galesburg church was organized by Hedstrom in September,
1849, anc l is classed as the third oldest. That city was a field for much
denominational strife in the early period. Hedstrom met with indiffer-
ence as well as direct opposition. In 1852 came the rivalry of the Swed-
ish Lutheran church and in that same year a powerful Baptist propa-
ganda shook the little Methodist church in its very foundations. Several
of its members were re-baptized, including the young pastor, Anders
Gustaf Swedberg. The movement was of short duration and so super-
ficial was the conversion that several converts to the Baptist faith soon
returned to their former church. The Swedish and American Methodists
in 1851 united on a common house of worship, which the latter subse-
quently claimed as their exclusive property, despite the contributions of
the Swedes to the building fund. This was looked upon as sharp practice
and stirred up much bad blood in the community. Late in the year 1856 a
small edifice was erected, and the church, then numbering sixty-nine
members, was made independent.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 35
At Moline Hedstrom had preached from the time the first few
Swedish settlers could be brought together for divine services, and pre-
sumably in September, 1849, ne organized the class that became the foun-
dation for the independent church established in 1862. Seven persons
joined at the organization, and in 1855 the number barely reached twenty,
the majority of the settlers of religious convictions joining the Lutheran
church then in charge of the energetic Pastor O. C. T. Andren. From
1852 to 1855 there existed in Rock Island a small but vigorous Methodist
congregation, which was later almost depleted by removals, the remaining
members going over to the neighboring Moline church.
Swedish Methodist activity in Chicago dates from 1852, when the
Hedstrom brothers, after a season of preaching in the Bethel Chapel of
the Seaman's Mission, in December, formed a class part Swedish, part
Norwegian. The membership at first is said to have approximated sev-
enty-five, many subsequently joining the Swedish Lutheran church, or-
ganized the following month. By united effort Newman and Jonas Hed-
strom again recruited the flock to sixty-five, and in September the Chi-
cago, St. Charles and Poolsville, Ind., classes of probationers totaled 123
members.
The chief pillar and support of the Chicago church was C. M. Lind-
gren, a sea captain. Born at Dragsmark, Bohuslan, in 1819, he went to
sea at fourteen, and in 1849 he was in California, first as a goldwasher,
and later engaged in the freight traffic. After a number of business
ventures he purchased a couple of freight vessels and engaged in ship-
ping lumber from Michigan to Chicago. The failure of a timber com-
pany entailed heavy financial loss to him. After 1860 he again engaged
in shipping with a larger vessel. This enterprise proved fortunate, and
vessel after vessel was added until in 1870 he owned a fleet of six. with
a combined tonnage of 4,500. He had three more large freighters built
in 1871, one being named Christina Nilsson in honor of the Swedish
singer, who at that time visited Chicago. Captain Lindgren in 1877 re-
tired from business. He was a man of philanthropic bend, and showed
particular liberality toward the struggling church in Chicago. He gave
generously to the fund for the theological seminary opened in January,
1870. Capt. Lindgren passed away Sept. i, 1879, leaving a son, John R.
Lindgren, who grew wealthy as a banker and manifolded the benefactions
of his father.
In the Beaver settlement, in Iroquois county, a Swedish Methodist
church was established May 4, 1854, with nine members. A church was
built there in 1860. A rival Lutheran congregation was started there in
1870, but later surrendered the field to the earlier church which in recent
years has grown prosperous and became the center of a populous circuit.
Work iii Rockford was taken up in 1854, by Newman, who organized
a class which was left in charge of one of its members, Mr. Westergreen,
father of N. O. Westergreen, who began preaching the following year.
After two years the class disbanded, but was reorganized by Witting in
CAPT. C. M. LINDGRES.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 37
1 86 1, with twelve members. The Hock grew larger by degrees, thanks to
the efficient work of Pastor Witting, carried on under difficulties and
against opposition. In 1863 the flock numbered forty-three adults, and
was strong enough to undertake the erection of an edifice.
THE BISHOP HILL COLONY. 1
ORIGIN OF THE JANSSONIST MOVEMENT.
About one hundred and fifty miles southwest of Chicago, in the
southeastern part of Henry County, Illinois, there is a little village by
the name of Bishop Hill. This rural community has several large brick
buildings, the reason for whose presence in such a small town one might
be disposed to ask. But when the fact is ascertained that these buildings
were once built and occupied by a good-sized communistic settlement
which laid the foundations of the town and made it their principal scene
of activity for about fifteen years there appears to be an answer.
The history of the social organization which existed at Bishop Hill
more than fifty years ago takes us back into the first half of the last
century and across the ocean to the Kingdom of Sweden. We shall learn
that there was, at the bottom, a religious motive the pursuit of which
culminated in a colony on the prairies of Illinois.
On the i Qth of December, 1808, there was born in one of the parishes
of central Sweden a boy who in his manhood years was to become the
most important individual in the founding of the Bishop Hill Colony.
His name was Erik Jansson. 2 At his confirmation at the age of fifteen
he showed marked ability in dealing with religious subjects. As he
became older his interest in matters theological increased and he employed
his spare moments, when he was not attending to his farm duties, in
studying devotional books by Luther, Arndt, Nohrborg, and others. At
the age of twenty-two he wrote poems and short compositions.
He discarded, presently, all religious books except the Bible. He
declared that the Bible is all-sufficient for study and meditation and that
it alone is the guide to salvation from sin. He held that belief in God
and Christ led to a complete forgiveness of sins.
In the beginning of January, 1843, he made his first journey to the
distant province of Helsingland to look up others of a like devotional turn
of mind ; for men and women lived here and there who revolted against
the low morality practised by many of the clergy of the Established
1 In order to have the story of Erik Jansson and his colony presented from
a new viewpoint and with added details not familiar to outsiders, Mr. PHILIP J.
STONEBERG of Bishop Hill, the son of one of the prominent colonists, was asked to
write on th subject for the present work.
2 While noting that in this country the owner wrote his name Eric
Tanson, we prefer to use the form in which it is known to Swedish church
history.
38 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Lutheran Church. These men and women sought a life of conscientious
morality by private devotions and a frequent study of the Scriptures in
their homes, receiving thereby the nickname of "devotionalists."
Jansson stopped one night at the farmhouse of Jonas Olson who,
with his brother Olof, was an ardent devotionalist. Jansson attended a
gathering of spiritually minded men and women and made a deep and
favorable impression. A number of places were visited by Jansson upon
this journey.
He started out on his second trip towards the end of February and
did not arrive home until the close of April, visiting upwards of a dozer
parishes. He then remained at home for about two months, attending
to his family affairs, whereupon he made a third trip to Helsingland.
This time he met with considerable hatred on the part of the clergy who
had combined to drive him out. Near the close of 1843 ne made his
fourth journey northward and settled in that region with his family in
April, 1844.
The number of those who believed in the doctrines and ideas preached
by Jansson steadily increased. Several men who had the gift of exhorta-
tion conducted meetings in private houses in various parishes in central
Sweden; and such persons as believed in the principles expounded were
urged to practise them in order that pious lives might be the result.
In the eyes of conservative laymen and clerics of the Church the
new movement was fanatical and ought to be suppressed. The name of
Janssonism was given to it, and that of Janssonists to the believers
themselves, on account of the important part taken by Erik Jansson in
the revival.
The Janssonistic disbelief in the use of books other than the Bible
was emphasized before long as strongly as it could well be done. In a
certain village, on the nth of June, 1844, a large number of religious
books excepting the Bible, the hymn-book, and the catechism were
thrown into a heap and ignited. The fire consumed one book after
another, so that in a few minutes a few charred scraps fluttering about
on the blackened ground were all that was left. In October of the same
year a similar event took place in another parish, when not even the
hymn-book and the catechism were spared. And still a third bonfire of
theological tomes was brought about in December, as if the passion for
such deeds was becoming insatiable.
If the religious views of the Janssonists were provoking opposition,
if the simple devotional gatherings in private houses were regarded by
the church authorities as unseemly, with what feeling of horror must
the burning of religious books have been viewed by the conservative as
well as the ultra-orthodox ! For these bold acts the perpetrators were
visited by the law and required to pay fines.
It would be natural to suppose that the leader in the new religious
movement would be subjected to a great deal of persecution. And so he
was. Jansson was placed under arrest six different times within the space
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 39
of two years. His first taste of the prison was in the parish of Osterunda.
Shortly after, he was set free by the court. But it was not long before he
was again placed in bonds and transported, this time, to the prison in the
city of Gefle, whence he was removed to another place. Through the
intercession of four of his devoted co-workers at the royal court, Jansson
was set free once more. In September, 1844, he was arrested for the
third time but was released, though he was taken in custody soon after
for his part in burning devotional books.
After another brief interval of freedom Jansson found himself
within the prison walls on Christmas Day. Here he remained for nearly
four months, whereupon he was set free, in April, 1845, through a petition
to the King. But because of his bold utterances and increasing popularity
he seemed to be a target for the police authorities. He was in hiding for
fifteen weeks when he decided to give himself up voluntarily to the court
in the parish of Delsbo. Here he was put on trial. After the arguments
in the case were over, the judge concluded to acquit the prisoner; but
because of the bitter opposition to Jansson, it was thought best to conduct
him to the prison at Gefle. While he was being conveyed thither he was
rescued in a daring manner by three or four of his faithful brethren, after
which he made good his escape, wandering from one parish to another,
hiding in this farmhouse and that, until at length he crossed the mountains
and came to one of the ports of Norway whence he embarked for America
in January, 1846. The party consisted of himself, his wife and two
children, and three other persons.
Meanwhile, what befell some of Jansson's co-workers? In the sum-
mer of 1844 a complaint was lodged by a parish priest against a number
of persons because of their religious faith and each one was fined a
considerable sum of money. In December of the same year the brothers
Olof and Jonas Olson were arrested for preaching in the open air but
were released when it was learned that they were summoned to appeal-
before the church authorities at Upsala. A man high in judicial circles
kindly helped them out of their dilemma.
On New Year's Eve Jonas Olson was arrested and brought to Gefle
where he was incarcerated among prisoners whom he himself as an officer
of the crown had formerly sentenced. He was shortly released. Some
time afterwards the two brothers, Olof and Jonas Olson, were summoned,
for the second time, to appear before an assembly of the clergy at Upsala.
They were now threatened with banishment if they persisted in conducting
devotional gatherings.
On one occasion Jonas Olson was fined for reading a passage from
the Scriptures and reciting the Lord's Prayer in a private house. In a
certain parish his brother Olof was fined one hundred crowns for a similar
proceeding; and since his conduct was regarded by the authorities as
"Sabbath-breaking" he was fined ten crowns more !
On the forenoon of May 12, 1845, a devotional meeting was in
progress in a private house in the parish of Osterunda. While one of the
40 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
guests, Olof Stoneberg, was reading a portion of Scripture several men
forced their way in and assaulted him. On the next Sabbath the same
Stoneberg was reading from the Bible to a gathering in another house,
when a mob of men appeared in the yard, including the priest. Only
after repeated orders of the crown officer present did the crowd disperse.
From the instances given it is evident that the Janssonists were
subjected to persecutions. Furthermore they were denied participation
of the Eucharist. They were also deprived of the right to testify in the
courts of law, being thereby rendered defenseless in legal actions against
them. In view of all this, it appears that these men and women were
OLD COLONY CHURCH
being shorn of those old-time rights, privileges, and pleasures to which
they as well as their forefathers had been accustomed. Two courses
remained open to them : the one, to renounce their newly-begotten ideas
on religion and dwell unmolested among the lakes and mountains of their
childhood clays ; the other, to adhere to their beliefs and leave their native
land. They chose the latter course.
Before he left Sweden, Erik Jansson with some friends had deter-
mined upon a plan for the emigration of the Janssonists to America, the
land known to be a haven for the persecuted and oppressed. It was
thought best for all to live together in one community in the western
world, for spiritual as well as economic benefit. Jansson, it should be
added, had developed exalted notions of himself since he first began to
preach. He now was coming to regard himself as the representative of
Christ in the New Jerusalem which he and his followers would build in
the New World. He compiled a hymn-book and wrote a catechism which
were to be used in the new community, both published in Soderhamn in
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 41
1846. Thus, from a spiritual viewpoint the establishment of a colony was
manifestly desirable.
From the economic standpoint it was believed that one social organi-
zation would be necessary and that this must be based on a community of
property. Some of the Janssonists were penniless, others had but small
means, while some were well-to-do. In order that all might obtain
transportation across the ocean and to their ultimate destination it would
be necessary for all to put their means into a common fund. The welfare
of every individual in the new home would further require a common
treasury out of which to pay for the necessaries of life until the people
could obtain food and raiment through their o\vn labors.
Mindful of the apostolic plan, Erik Jansson appointed seven men as
leaders of the emigration, among whom were Jonas Olson, Andrew Berg-
lund, Olof Johnson, and Olof Stoneberg. These were to have charge of a
common fund out of which should be paid all debts which rested upon
any individuals who were anxious to join in the emigration. The trans-
portation of every emigrant was also to be paid out of this fund, while
the surplus was to be used in the establishment of the new colony. The
common treasury was created by the contributions of the Janssonists who
sold their houses, lands, goods and chattels to that end.
EMIGRATION OF THE JANSSONISTS.
There being upwards of a thousand persons desiring to emigrate, the
undertaking was no small affair for those days. Passes had to be obtained
from the authorities, a difficult matter in some cases. Furthermore, an
ocean voyage in those days was fraught with hardship. The vessels
were at best small and uncomfortable, some old and unseaworthy. The
emigrants assembled in the ports of Goteborg, Soderhamn, Stockholm and
( iefle and from these points the ships for America made their departure.
The first shipload of emigrants that left Soderhamn suffered shipwreck
on the Swedish coast. One ship with half a hundred passengers was
lost without a trace. Another was wrecked on the coast of Newfound-
land. One vessel was five months on the voyage, six or seven weeks
being spent in England to repair the vessel.
As early as 1845 Olof Olson had left for America with a commis-
sion to find a locality suitable for a settlement. In New York he became
acquainted with a countryman of his by the name of Olof Hedstrom, a
Methodist minister, who preached regularly in an old discarded ship fitted
up into a meeting-house. Hedstrom's brother, Jonas, lived at Victoria
a small village in Knox County, Illinois. Olof Olson was persuaded to
visit the latter and examine the Illinois country, which was receiving
considerable attention at that time because of its agricultural possibilities.
He came to Illinois, he saw the rich prairies and he was conquered.
In July, 1846, Erik Jansson together with a few followers, arrived
in the village of Victoria. After further prospecting, a piece of property
42 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
was bought in the next county on the north. This property was bought
for $250, on the first day of August, in the name of Olof Olson, and
consisted of sixty acres of land. On August 21 the party purchased in
the same county for a consideration of $1,100, a farm of one hundred
and fifty-six acres with buildings, live stock and grain. Hither moved
Jansson, Olof Olson and the rest of the party. After a further examina-
tion of the neighborhood a location for the colony was picked out. This
site was secured on September 26, 1846, when four hundred and eightv
acres of government land were bought at $1.25 per acre.
The new settlement was called Bishop's Hill an exact translation of
the name of the Swedish parish where Erik Jansson was born, but the
!\'in:e was afterwards spelled without the "s."
In the fall of the year a number of emigrants arrived in New York.
Thence the journey was continued up the Hudson River to Albany, and
on the Erie Canal to Buffalo. After that the travelers took steamboats
on the Great Lakes to Chicago, whence many of the early emigrants went
on foot to their destination, while wagon transportation was obtained for
the luggage and for those unable to walk. Other bands of emigrants
went from Chicago by water to La Salle, or Henry or Peru, whence they
walked or rode. Those who came in 1854 traveled by rail the whole dis-
tance from New York to Galva, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
Railroad being then completed to that point. The journey from New
York before the days of the railroads required about three weeks.
FOUNDING OF THE COMMUNITY.
A few loghouses and tents accommodated the first arrivals. But
when the colonists came in large numbers in October, 1846, dugouts were
made in the sides of the ravine passing north and south through the set-
tlement. The rear wall of a dugout, as well as the rear parts of the side
walls, were of earth, but the front parts and the front wall were of logs,
there being a door at the front flanked by two small windows. The roof
was of rails, sod and earth. A dugout was ordinarily about eighteen feet
wide and twenty-five or thirty feet long. There was a fireplace in the
back wall. Usually two tiers of berths ran along the side walls, accom-
modating about twenty-five or thirty persons. Before the close of the
year there were about four hundred persons in the colony, including
seventy who made their abode at Red Oak Grove, a few miles northwest
of the main settlement. In the following February there came to the
colony a company of twenty-one men, and a woman who served as cook.
These had left New York the month before and traveled across the
country by boat, rail, stage and on foot. In June, 1847, there came about
four hundred additional emigrants, who had reached New York by
various ships during the winter and spring, those coming to that port in
the winter being obliged to remain there and in Brooklyn until the water-
ways were again open.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 43
DEVOTIONAL LIFE.
Attention to their spiritual wants was naturally uppermost in the
minds of the colonists. To this end they erected a church in the autumn
of 1846. It was built of logs, in the shape of a cross, and covered with
canvas, whence it was called "the tent church." At the north end was
the pulpit and at the south end a gallery and a fireplace. It is said that
this structure seated about eight hundred persons.
At first two services were held each week-day in the tent church and
three on Sunday. Every morning Jansson roused the people early for a
service in the church before breakfast. At Christmas time, 1846, a bell
was procured, which throughout the colony period served the double pur-
pose of calling the people to worship and to their meals. It now hangs
in the cupola of the village schoolhouse, calling the children to school.
The second service was held in the evening and some years elapsed
before candle light was displaced by oil lamps. During the first two
summers services were held in the grove in the north part of the settle-
ment, usually only at noon, when work in the fields was pressing. Jansson,
wearing a cloak of black, conducted the services and preached frequently.
Others who served as preachers were : Jonas Olson, Olof Stoneberg,
Nels Hedeen and Andrew Berglund. Still others would be called upon,
sometimes at a moment's notice. As time went on the week-day morning
services were discontinued, while the evening services became less fre-
quent, and one of the three Sunday services was eliminated.
During all this time, however, the place of worship was not the same.
The tent church was destroyed by fire in 1848, along with some log-
houses, when a pile of chaff from flax was set on fire by a man smoking
a pipe. A frame building was erected that year, the basement and first
story containing living rooms, and the second story the church proper.
Siding and finishing lumber were hauled from Peru, while pews of walnut
were made in the colony.
Erik Jansson's own hymn-book, printed in Sweden in 1846, was used
in the church services. Besides hymns, it contained several prayers.
Later on a choir led the singing and an organ was introduced, which was
played by Swan Bjorklund, a musician who came over in 1852. A revised
edition of the hymnal was printed at Galva in 1857.
It was part of Jansson's plan to send out twelve men to spread the
faith in this country. To that end the men selected began to receive
instruction in English in a dugout. A small English-Swedish word-
book had been printed in Sweden in 1846, which contained the principles
of English pronunciation. In 1848 the missionaries were sent out by
twos, being required to earn their own support on their tour. Two of
them, Olof Stoneberg and Andrew Blomberg, visited the Shakers at
Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, a colony then numbering about three hundred.
The missionary scheme, however, proved a failure.
In order that the children of the colonists should be brought up
44
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
in the same faith as their elders instruction was given in Swedish in
Jansson's catechism of 1846. The Swedish school, however, was not
regularly kept up.
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT.
The colonists who arrived during the first two or three years met
with considerable hardships. The accommodations were not the best,
the food supply was often scant, fasting was made compulsory, and so
malaria and dysentery attacked the enfeebled settlers, and the death toll
was heavy.
There was no supply of sawed lumber to make coffins for the dead
during the first winter, and sheets alone had to suffice. Sometimes one
OLD COLONY BUILDING
grave was made to serve for several bodies. Funeral services were dis-
pensed with and the place of burial was not always known. It is said
that a number were thus buried in a large grave in the west part of the
settlement near the southern edge of the grove, but the exact spot is
unknown. At the east edge of Red Oak Grove, where fifty colonists
were buried in 1846 and 1847, a monument was erected in 1882.
These hardships proved too much for some of the settlers, who ac-
cordingly went to other places to seek a more congenial environment.
Some settled at Lafayette, others at Victoria, and a few went to Gales-
burg.
But if some removed to other localities, the ranks of the colonists
were filled up by the arrival of other bands, especially in 1849, I &5>
and 1854. The material welfare of the community also improved in
consequence. In 1858 the membership of the colony consisted of 655
persons, of whom 147 were men and 258 women over twenty years of
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 45
age, 78 boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 20, and 172 boys and
girls under the age of 15 years.
Following the increase in population and in material prosperity, bet-
ter and larger buildings were erected. At first small houses made of sod
and rails were used for kitchen and dining room purposes. In 1847 a
few houses were built of clay mixed with coarse grass, which stood for
several years. In that year the first frame house was built, part of which
was occupied by Erik Jansson and his family. A sawmill was early se-
cured by the colonists, then exchanged for another, and in 1848 a third
one was bought, the colonists thus making their own lumber. But as
not enough timber could be obtained from the neighboring woods, some
finished lumber had to be hauled long distances from the nearest towns,
as Peru and Rock Island.
In 1848 the making of kiln-dried brick was begun. Both men and
women were engaged in this work. The kilns were fired a short distance
west of the village, where suitable clay was obtained. During the first
month 100,000 brick were made. It is said that in all five million brick
were manufactured, both for the market and for home use. Of this
material a number of substantial buildings were erected, some of the
bricklayers being women. From the chalk-stone in the ravine cement
was manufactured and sand was procured in the neighborhood.
A four-story brick building forty-five feet wide and one hundred
feet long was begun in 1849 an d finished in the next year. The first
story became the kitchen and dining hall. In 1850 the work of extending
this building another hundred feet on the south was begun, the new
part being completed in 1851, and the common kitchen and dining hall
were extended to occupy the entire first floor, the dining hall in the north
part being then used for the children and that in the south part for the
adults. This structure, called the kitchen building, later came to be
designated the "big brick." The three upper stories were partitioned
off into six halls with four dwelling rooms opening into each hall on
each floor. After the colony had disbanded, the first story was likewise
fitted up into dwelling rooms, making a total of ninety-six rooms, ex-
clusive of the six halls.
Another of the more important brick buildings was the steeple
building erected in 1854, and designed for a hotel, but finally converted
into dwelling rooms. Some of the rooms were used for school purposes
until the present schoolhouse was built. In the tower a clock was in-
stalled in 1859, made by three of the colonists, Lars Soderquist, P. O.
Blomberg and Swan Bjorklund. It was modeled after a hall clock
brought from Sweden. Since the day it was first set running, this old
clock has been performing its duty of telling the time and striking the
hours.
A short distance east of the kitchen building was erected another
building of brick the bakery building. Here was baked Swedish hard-
tack, with a hole in the center, to be hung up on poles. Here, too, was
46 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
brewed small beer, a Swedish non-intoxicating drink. Another brick
building was used for the storage of meat. Still others were erected
for industrial purposes, one being used as a wagon shop and paint shop,
another as a blacksmith shop.
At first the colonists ground their corn on hand-mills, which had
to be worked night and day to supply the need. To get wheat ground
into flour it was necessary to go twenty-eight miles to Green River, or
else to Camden, now Milan. But in 1847 a grist mill run by water was
erected on the creek. When the water was low the men who were study-
ing to prepare themselves as missionaries for Janssonism sometimes trod
the wheel. In 1848 a wind-mill was built. This was succeeded by a
four-story brick steam mill completed in 1851. Here a hundred barrels
of flour could be turned out in a day. Much flour was marketed and
there was a large custom trade. A fourth mill, driven by water power,
served for various industrial purposes. After the dissolution of the
colony the old steam mill was torn down.
The majority of the colonists were from the Swedish province of
Helsingland, famous for its flax culture and linen textiles, so they trans-
planted this industry to the new settlement. At first the flax was pre-
pared by hand, but afterwards water power was used. All spinning and
weaving was done by hand. Coarse and fine goods, linens, w r oolens, and
carpets were made. The largest production for the market for a single
year was in 1851, when 28,322 yards of linen and 3,237 yards of carpets
were produced. From 1848 to and including 1860 the manufacture of
textiles appears to have reached a total of 169,386 yards.
Clothing was made by the colony's own tailors. A home tannery
prepared the leather for its shoemakers. Brooms were manufactured.
There were carpenters to make the furniture and some artisans to help
the blacksmiths make agricultural implements and wagons. Every de-
partment of the colony's industries had its overseer, and each member
belonged to some department, according to inclination or aptitude.
METHODS OF LABOR.
The colonists had been farmers for the most part in the Old World
and this occupation they retained. With the increase in material re-
sources more land was purchased until the total holdings are said to have
been 10,857 acres.
In the busy season of farming the shops had to yield their workmen,
both men and women, who then labored in the fields and meadows. At
certain places distant from the village there were buildings for the ac-
commodation of laborers and animals employed on the outlying tracts
far from home. Both horses and oxen were employed at first, the latter
being gradually replaced altogether by horses. It was the duty of the
men and boys to care for the horses and oxen, while the women and
girls milked the cows and fed the calves and hogs.
When prairie land was first broken, a thirty-six-inch plow, pulled
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 47
by eight yoke of oxen, was used. Later a smaller plow was used, drawn
by three yoke of oxen. In the plowing of cultivated land horses were
usually employed.
For several years Indian corn was planted according to this method :
Two men stood at opposite ends of a field, or part of one, each with a
stake to which was fastened a long rope stretched out between them
and marked off every four feet by a piece of ribbon. At each ribbon was
posted a woman with a hoe, and some seed corn in her apron, who planted
a few kernels in each hill. When the operation was completed the men
moved the rope forward the proper distance, followed by the women,
and another row of hills was planted.
After a time corn was planted in another manner. A wooden
marker constructed with runners was driven over the field twice, at
right angles, and where the lines crossed girls dropped the kernels,
after which women, carrying hoes, covered up the seed.
Wheat and oats were cut with a plain scythe at first, but in 1848
the cradle appeared, which was a hand implement consisting of a handle,
a scythe-blade and above the latter a light frame of wooden prongs
which caught the grain and laid it evenly in a swath. Then the grain
was bound into sheaves, mostly by women, and boys and girls carried
the bundles into piles, while men made the shocks. Sometimes at the
close of a harvest day the laborers would form in line and march to the
village, singing the songs dear to them.
THE MODE OF LIVING.
In the early clays of the colony the colonists were often compelled
to fast, but changes soon came for the better. While a greater variety
of food was prepared for breakfast and dinner as time went on, the
regular article of food for supper \vas mush made of corn-meal or mid-
dling, and served with skim-milk or a beverage consisting of small beer
and molasses. Hard-tack was the principal kind of bread used during
the whole period of the colony. Butter was used only at Sunday break-
fast at first, but oftener at later stages. Coffee was served only at break-
fast, as a rule. At first, however, there was but little genuine coffee, a
kind of roasted bread, made of corn-meal or middling with some potato
flour and molasses, being used as a substitute. Sometimes wheat was
roasted and mixed with the coffee. Milk and molasses took the place
of cream and sugar. The usual beverage was small beer. Being ac-
customed to fish in their lake-dotted home land, the colonists made spe-
cial efforts to secure their favorite food. For several seasons fish were
. obtained from the Mississippi River, a fishing cam]) being maintained on
the present arsenal island at Rock Island. Henry and Chillicothe were
also visited to secure fish from the Illinois River.
Refreshments between meals became a custom as the times bright-
ened, bread, cheese or meat, and small beer being distributed to the
laborers.
48
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
RAVAGES OF THE CHOLERA PLAGUE.
In the summer of 1849 a P art y f Norwegian immigrants brought
the Asiatic cholera to the colony. The disease spread quickly among the
colonists. Strong men fell a prey to the grim disease. Jansson ordered
a number of the people who were well to hurry off to the farm operated
by the colony east of La Grange, now Orion, and remain there until the
cholera was stamped out at Bishop Hill. But it was all in vain, for on
the day they arrived at the farm the first case broke out among them to
be followed quickly by others. Physicians prescribed, but the disease
held sway.
THE STEEPLE BUILDING
At the farm near La Grange the deaths were most numerous.
Trenches were dug for the dead, no coffins being used. At Bishop Hill
the number was less, the burials were in the village cemetery opened in
1848, and coffins were used. Some who stayed at a place near Cam-
bridge were attacked by the disease, and fatalities occurred there also.
Jansson took his wife and two of his children to the fishing camp on
the government island at Rock Island but it was of no use, for she and
the two little ones succumbed to the terrible disease and were buried
there, the location of the graves being unknown today.
The cholera ran its course in about three weeks, claiming over a
hundred victims. Seventy died on the La Grange farm, where a mon-
ument was erected in 1882, on section 36, Western township.
In 1850 a company of emigrants bound for the colony were attacked
by the cholera on the Great Lakes, and a number died en route.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 49
TRAGIC RESULT OF MARRIAGE REGULATIONS.
Owing to the strained economic circumstances in the first few years
Jansson discouraged new marriages, but the restriction proved irksome
and in 1848 the ban was removed. Immediately, it appears, a number
of the men and women were paired off regardless of personal likes or
dislikes. Nevertheless, obedience had been a cardinal virtue and re-
mained so in this case. The weddings took place on Sundays. Ac-
cording to the marriage records of Henry County, Jansson joined four
couples on June 25, 1848, three on July 2, four on July 9, and five on
July 16. On July 23 he married twenty-four couples and on July 30 six-
teen couples. Two couples were married in August and seven in Sep-
tember, showing the marriage epidemic to have subsided.
Among those who were married in 1848 were John Root, a Swede
who came to the colony in that year, and Charlotta Jansson, a cousin of
Erik Jansson. An agreement was entered at the time of the marriage
that if the husband should ever decide to leave the colony he should
obtain a divorce and let his wife remain. In his absence his wife gave
birth to a son; the father on his return decided to take his wife and
child away, but Jansson interposed, nor did Mrs. Root desire to leave.
One day in 1849 Root came to get his family. In the carriage with him
was a man named Stanley from Cambridge. Mrs. Root and the child
were taken into the buggy and they were off. But the act was soon dis-
covered and several men who started in pursuit on horseback succeeded
in overtaking the carriage and in bringing back Mrs. Root "and the child.
Later Root got his wife away to Chicago, where she had a married sis-
ter and a brother-in-law, but she and the child were again brought back
to Bishop Hill by colonists. Deprived of his wife a second time, Root
is said to have gone to the Green River neighborhood whence he brought
a number of men with him to Bishop Hill to search for his wife and for
Jansson and his principal agents. The destruction of the place being
threatened, Jansson and family, Mrs. Root and child, Jonas Olson, and
a few others got away and went to St. Louis.
About this time the California gold fever had reached the colonists
as it had reached so many others. Their finances being at a low ebb
the colonists decided tq send an expedition to the distant El Dorado.
Some of the men implicated in the Root affair joined the expedition.
The party set out in March and consisted of nine men, Jonas Olson
being one of the number. Three of them started overland by way of
Rock Island, while the others went by way of St. Louis and the Mis-
souri River, all meeting in the region of Council Bluffs. In August
they reached Placerville, California, where they located, fifty miles from
Sacramento. Gold was hard to find and living was expensive. Some
of the men were taken sick with mountain fever and one of them died.
On April i, 1850, Root came with a second company of men to
Bishop Hill to demand the surrender of his wife to him, but she was
50 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
still absent. Settlers in the Red Oak neighborhood dissuaded the com-
pany from violence.
ERIK JANSSON SLAIN.
Jansson returned from St. Louis on Saturday, May n, 1850. On
the following Monday he went to Cambridge to attend the circuit court,
the May term of which opened that day. Jansson was the defendant,
as the head of the colony, in a number of cases. Root also, it appears,
had a case, being the plaintiff in a trespass case against a certain Peter
W. Wirstrom, continued since 1848. At the noon recess, while Jansson
was in the court room, Root appeared in the doorway and with a re-
volver fired two shots at Jansson, killing him instantly.
Root was placed under arrest, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty.
His case was taken up the next day and continued. It was again con-
sidered at the November term of court in 1850 when his plea of not
guilty was withdrawn. The case w r as up again at the May and October
terms of 1851. The defendant secured a change of venue to the Knox
County Circuit Court, where his case was taken up at Knoxville at the
April term, 1852, and continued till the September term. That year a
jury of twelve men was finally impaneled after ten panels had been ex-
hausted. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against the de-
fendant and fixed his period of imprisonment in the state penitentiary
for two years. The court then ordered the defendant brought to the
state penitentiary at Alton, the first five days of his imprisonment to be
in solitary confinement and the rest at hard labor, the defendant further
to pay the cost of the prosecution. At the end of a year Root was par-
doned by Gov. Joel A. Matteson, on petition. Root's last days were
spent in Chicago, where he died not long after his release, Rev. Eric
Shogren, a Swedish Methodist preacher, officiating at his funeral.
The death of Erik Jansson was naturally a great shock to the col-
onists. The body lay in state for a few days. The funeral sermon was
preached by Andrew Berglund. The remains were then laid to rest in
the village cemetery, where a wooden slab marked his grave until re-
placed by a marble monument, the gift of some of his friends.
After the death of his first wife Jansson had married again the
same year. His second wife was a Mrs. Gabrielson, a woman of varied
experiences. It is said that she had been left an orphan at an early age
in Sweden and adopted by a family in Goteborg. At fifteen she ac-
companied this family to New York in 1832. There she is said to have
married a sailor who went to sea and never returned. She next married
a teacher named Pollock, who gave her an education while she in turn
assisted him as teacher in a private school of which he was the principal.
She went to hear Rev. Olof Hedstrom at the Bethel Ship mission, who
considered her one of his most earnest hearers. On the Bethel Ship
she heard Erik Jansson when he arrived in New York in 1846. Jansson
also called upon her and won her over to his belief. She then decided
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 51
to accompany Jansson and his party to Victoria. Mr. Pollock tried to
persuade her to return to the East, but to no avail, and he died, broken-
hearted, at Victoria. At Bishop Hill she married Lars Gabrielson in
July, 1848. A son was born in this marriage. Mrs. Gabrielson exer-
cised quite an influence in the colony, having become the head teacher
for the children's English school, a position which she held for some
time. Her third husband, Mr. Gabrielson, died of the cholera in 1849.
Upon her marriage to Erik Jansson she became superintendent of the
work of the women.
Jansson is said to have asserted on various occasions that the leader-
ship of the colony was to be hereditary within his own family. He had
a son and a daughter by his former marriage, and it was his wish that
the son should become his successor.
At the funeral of the departed leader Mrs. Jansson, by virtue of her
position, appointed Andrew Berglund guardian of her stepson and leader
until the boy should attain his majority. Meanwhile the news of Jans-
son's death reached the Bishop Hill gold seekers in distant California.
In November, 1850, Jonas Olson started back alone by way of Central
America and New Orleans and arrived home the following February.
Of the seven remaining miners all but one eventually returned to Bishop
Hill. Jonas Olson before long took the reins of government in the colony,
and Berglund had to step aside. The idea that the control of affairs
should remain in the Jansson family came to naught.
INCORPORATION OF THE COLONY.
Up to this time the property of the colony had been held in the names
of various individuals. Upon the death of any one of these his estate
was sold by order of the county court and purchased for the benefit
of the colony. As the wealth of the colony became greater the system
was found unsatisfactory. Accordingly, by an act approved by the
legislature on January 17, 1853, the colony was incorporate:! under a
state charter. The number of trustees was fixed at seven and the fol-
lowing were by this act constituted trustees : Olof Johnson, Jonas Olson,
Jonas Ericson, Jacob Jacobson, Jonas Kronberg, Swan Swanson and
Peter Johnson. The last named was a brother of the founder. He re-
signed January 10, 1859, and was succeeded by Olof Stoneberg.
The charter provided that the trustees should hold office during good
behavior, but that they were liable to removal for good cause by a vote
of the majority of the male members of the colony. Vacancies in the
office of trustee were to be filled in such manner as should be provided
by the by-laws. The trustees were to have the power of making con-
tracts, purchase real estate and again convey the same whenever they
thought it proper to do so. The business of the corporation should be
manufacturing, milling, all kinds of mechanical work, agriculture, and
merchandising.
The by-laws were adopted May 6, 1854. In the course of time the
52 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
total number of adult signers grew to more than 500. The by-laws
provided that any person of good moral character might become a mem-
ber of the colony by transferring to the trustees thereof all his real and
personal property and subscribing to the by-laws. On the withdrawal
or discontinuance of membership a person was entitled to no compensa-
tion for any services or labor performed while a member. The trustees
might, however, at their option, give to such person whatever they
MONUMENT TO BISHOP HILL SOLDIERS
deemed right and proper. Any member guilty of disturbing the peace
and harmony of the colony by vicious and wicked conduct or by preach-
ing and disseminating doctrines of religious belief contrary to the doc-
trines of the Bible as generally understood and believed by the colonists
might be expelled.
The by-laws further stated that it was the duty of the trustees to
regulate and direct the various industrial pursuits and business of the col-
ony in person or by such agents or foremen as they might see fit to ap-
point from time to time and to require such agents or foremen to account
to them in such manner as they should deem proper. Annually on the
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 53
second Monday of January a meeting of the adult members was to take
place, when the trustees were required to make a complete report
of the affairs of the colony for the past year.
It was further provided that the property and industries and the pro-
ceeds thereof belonging to the colony should constitute a common fund
from which the trustees were required to provide for the subsistence,
comfort and reasonable wants of every member of the colony ; for the
support of the aged and infirm ; for the care and cure of the sick, and
the burial of the dead ; and for the proper education of the children and
the transaction of all business necessary to the prosperity of the colony.
At the death of Erik Jansson the colony was in debt to the extent
of $8,000 and affairs were not in the best shape, but after its organiza-
tion under the charter the colony grew more prosperous and continually
increased its property. More land was purchased and paid for, new
buildings were erected and various improvements were made.
The colonists did much to build up the town of Galva, which was
laid out by J. M. and W. L. Wiley in 1854. In the first place they graded
a portion of the roadbed of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
which passed through the new town. Then they bought fifty town lots
and built the first house and dug the first well there. They also erected
a brick warehouse and used the new railroad in marketing their surplus
products. For a short time they published a Swedish weekly newspaper
in the town. One of the trustees, Olof Johnson, had much to do with
the affairs of the colony at Galva and was given the privilege of naming
it. He named it Gefle, from a Swedish seaport, the name being subse-
quently corrupted into the present Anglicized form.
At a meeting of the trustees August 16, 1854, Olof Johnson, Jonas
Olson and Jonas Ericson were appointed general agents and were author-
ized to buy, sell and convey real estate and all kinds of property and to
sign any instrument in writing. The following January the trustees
made their first report, stating that the colony owned 8,028 acres of land,
50 town lots in Galva, ten shares in the Central Military Tract Railway,
586 head of cattle, 109 horses and mules, 1,000 hogs and other assets
such as wheat, flax, broom-corn, provisions and general merchandise.
DECADENCE OF THE COLONY.
The colony soon entered upon business ventures which proved dis-
astrous in the panic of 1857. The need of funds having become press-
ing, the trustees at a meeting December 30, 1857, empowered Olof John-
son to procure a loan for the colony of $50,000 or upwards, on real
estate security. In 1858 the sum of $40,000 was borrowed of Alex-
ander Studwell, of New York City, and a mortgage executed for the
same.
The business reversals which hit the colony produced strife and
discord. The old-time religious ardor, which had caused the early col-
onists to submit without murmur to many hardships, had abated. The
54 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
principle of celibacy held by the Shakers was introduced at one time,
while connubial abstinence on the part of the married was propounded,
to the chagrin of many and causing the departure of several from the
colony. Contact with the outside world revealed the possibilities of
individual profit from individual labor. The rising generation was not
swayed by the power of religious enthusiasm such as had actuated their
parents in the days of persecution and material hardships.
During the closing years of the colony two factions developed
the liberals, led by Olof Johnson and others, and the conservatives, led
by Jonas Olson and others. This was shown in the matter of education
for the children. The conservatives were of the opinion that only so
much schooling should be given as was required by law in order to obtain
a share of the school fund. When the proposition of building a brick
schoolhouse was being considered the liberal side succeeded in having a
plan drawn for a school building of two stories. The work was begun
and the walls of the first story were almost completed when a bolt of
lightning struck one corner and turned the scale in favor of the con-
servatives.
DISSOLUTION OF THE COLONY.
As a result of factions, discontent, and disappointment with the
management of the financial affairs, a division of the property was finally
decided upon. Proceedings were instituted on February 14, 1860, looking
to a final distribution of the property after the corporate debts and obliga-
tions had been discharged.
The property was divided into two large subdivisions, the Olson
party representing 265 shares and the Johnson party 150. The subdivi-
sion was made in a general meeting of the members. A full share ap-
pears to have consisted of about twenty-t\vo acres of land, the number
varying according to value. There was also a timber lot of nearly two
acres, one town lot, and an equal share in all barns, buildings, domestic
animals, farming implements and domestic utensils. The smallest frac-
tional share in the realty was about eight acres.
Committees were appointed to apportion the real and personal prop-
erty. A surveyor surveyed and allotted to each individual member the
share of his or her real estate by metes and bounds. All the colony
lands were then platted by authority of the county surveyor, accord-
ing to the surveys made and the plates recorded in the county recorder's
office. In the case of a family the property which fell to its members
was deeded to its head. The real estate subject to distribution consisted
of 10,857 acres, while the personal property was of considerable value.
The members were not to receive deeds to their lands until the debts
were paid or until the individual shareholders had paid their own pro-
portion. In 1860 the debts of the colony amounted to about $112,000.
In the spring of 1861 the Johnson party perfected the individualization
of its property. In the same year the Olson party was subdivided into
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 55
three subdivisions, headed respectively by Jonas Olson, Olof Stoneberg
and Martin Johnson. Later these subdivisions also effected a complete
individualization.
In August, 1865, the trustees made an assessment of $200 per
share to be applied on the payment of debts. Deeds were made out and
left in escrow for the members who should pay their assessments. But
the response was not satisfactory. A second assessment was levied in
March, 1868, account being taken of the amount each member had paid
on the first assessment. But believing that the majority of the members
were unable to pay their respective assessments, the trustees thought it
advisable to find a capitalist who would advance moneys or assume lia-
bilities for such members. The trustees secured Elias Greenbaum of
Chicago to perform this service. The trustees claimed that all of the
debts might have been paid by the autumn of 1868 if this plan had been
followed by all.
THE COLONY CASE IN COURT.
In July, 1868, a bill of complaint was filed in the Henry County
Circuit Court by six colonists as complainants, with the Bishop Hill
colony and its seven trustees as defendants. Because of this lawsuit
thousands of dollars were spent in paying the attorneys in the case,
while the special master in chancery, W. H. Gest, of Rock Island, alone
received $9,000 in fees for his services in the case. In 1879 the case
was ended by an agreement between the attorneys concerned.
The year last named many tracts were sold by the special master
in chancery. Among the lands sold was that of John Root, which had
been bought for the benefit of C. C. Bonney, who was one of the com-
plainants' attorneys in the colony suit. A writ of assistance having
been granted, directing the sheriff to put the petitioner, Lyman M. Payne,
acting for Bonney, in possession of the land, Root appealed the case to
the Appellate court, where the judgment of the lower court was reversed.
Payne carried the case to the Supreme court, w r here the judgment of the
Appellate court was affirmed in 1887. The law had thus been deter-
mined in cases of this kind. The original Bishop Hill case was then
abandoned and was omitted from the docket of the Henry County Cir-
cuit Court for the February term, 1888. The legal troubles which had
dogged the colonists after the individualization of the property were
thus at an end.
NEW RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES.
With the change in the economic life which accompanied the dis-
solution of the colony came a change in the religious life. Some, em-
bittered by the life in the colony, became indifferent to religion. Others
became affiliated with other movements. Thus a Methodist organization
was formed in 1864, in a living room in the Colony church building, a hall
was secured temporarily, and a church was erected in 1868. Andrew
56 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Berglund and Olof Stoneberg became local preacbers in this denomina-
tion. Today the Methodist is the only active church organization in the
community. In 1870 the Seventh Day Adventists effected an organ-
ization and took possession of the colony church. Jonas Olson became
allied with this sect, and he and another colonist, Olof Osberg, served
as its ministers until the infirmities of old age overtook them. A society
of the Mission Friends existed at one time, but its church edifice was
sold some years ago.
CIVIL WAR SERVICE.
When the Civil War broke out a company of men at Bishop Hill
had been drilling for some time under the command of Eric Forsse,
formerly of the Swedish Army. The Bishop Hill Company ultimately
became a large part of Company D, of the Fifty-seventh Regiment, Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered in Dec. 26, 1861. Eric
Forsse was the first captain of the company, was then promoted major,
but resigned after the fall of Atlanta in 1864. He subsequently went
west and became one of the founders of Falun, Kansas. The next
captain was Eric Johnson, the son of the founder of the colony, who
was promoted to this position from a lieutenancy, but resigned in 1862
and was succeeded by Peter M. Wickstrum. One of the original sec-
ond lieutenants was Eric Bergland, son of Andrew Berglund. He was
promoted first lieutenant in 1862. In the autumn of 1864 ne received
an appointment as cadet at the United States Military Academy at West
Point, entering July i, 1865. Four years later he was graduated at the
head of his class, having the further distinction of being the first Swede
to be admitted to West Point. Commissioned second lieutenant in the
army, he was successively promoted first lieutenant 18/2, captain '84,
and major '95. Retiring in 1896, he has since resided at Baltimore.
In July, 1862, Company D took part in a competitive drill for a
beautiful silk flag offered by the colonel of the Fifty-seventh regiment
to the best drilled company in the regiment. Company D was com-
manded by Lieutenant Eric Bergland. This company won the flag as
the result of this competition, a German company standing second.
RECENT ANNIVERSARIES.
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Bishop Hill colony
was celebrated on September 23 and 24, 1896. A granite monument
consisting of a single large shaft was then unveiled. The address of
welcome was given by Rev. Axel Gabrielson, the then pastor of the
M. E. church at Bishop Hill, and the response was by John Root of
Galva. Addresses were given by Capt. Eric Johnson, who then resided
at League City, Texas, and by Jonas W. Olson of Galva. An historical
sketch was given by Philip J. Stoneberg of Bishop Hill. Songs were
sung by a mixed chorus and by a quartet. In the Steeple building two
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 57
rooms were devoted to relics. A considerable number of the old col-
onists were still living, among them two of the trustees, Jonas Olson
and Swan Swanson. Ever since 1896 annual reunions have been cel-
ebrated.
The seventieth anniversary of the founding of the colony was cele-
brated Sept. 23, 1916. This proved to be the best attended of any of
the reunions so far. It was estimated that between three thousand and
four thousand persons were in attendance. John Root of Galva, the
president of the Bishop Hill Old Settlers' Association, presided. At the
forenoon service an address of welcome was given by Philip J. Stone-
berg and a response by Capt. Eric Johnson of Clearwater, Calif. At
noon the crowd was reinforced by the arrival of 126 persons from Chi-
cago, who had journeyed to Galva that morning in a special train char-
tered by the Swedish California Club. The first address of the afternoon
was by Henry S. Henschen of Chicago, whose grandfather, Judge Hen-
schen, befriended the Janssonists in Sweden by issuing a writ of man-
damus whereby they were able to secure emigration passports. Capt. Eric
Johnson was the next speaker. Edwin A. Olson of Chicago, whose
parents were colonists, spoke and was followed by Congressman Edward
J. King of Galesburg. The musical numbers were by a mixed double
quartet which rendered Swedish songs ; Jacobson's Orchestra of Galva,
which rendered the instrumental selections, while Mrs. Florence Chaiser-
Hendricks of Chicago, whose father was a colonist, sang several solos.
Casten's band of 40 boys from Cambridge played during the day, while
the Galva band accompanied the Chicago delegation from Galva and
played at the noon hour.
There was a large collection of relics on exhibition at the Colony
church. Here could be seen letters by Erik Jansson and a part of his
autobiography in his own handwriting, letters written by Jonas Olson in
Sweden, a contract between the captain of a vessel and a party of Jans-
sonists made in 1850, Jansson's hymn-book, original edition, 1846, re-
vised edition, 1857; Jansson's Catechism, 1846; English-Swedish word-
book, 1846. There was also a number of copper utensils and a variety
of tools and implements, baskets, lanterns, many of which were made by
the colonists. There was also colony paper money on exhibition and
several pieces of Swedish plate money. The prize silk flag won by
Company D, 57th Regiment, was shown ; also the hall clock from which
the clock in the Steeple building was modeled. The large collection of
portraits of colonists painted by the late Olof Krans of Altona, him-
self a colonist, had been hung from the walls of the church. His paint-
ings of industrial scenes in the colony, buildings, etc., hung on the walls
of a room on the first floor near the entrance.
A few of the original colonists of 1846 still survive. When the
last of them shall be gone the memory of the Bishop Hill colonists will
still be cherished by their descendants and by all who take an interest
in the early Swedish pioneers of Illinois.
58 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
PROMINENT DESCENDANTS OF BISHOP HILL COLONISTS.
JONAS W. OLSON was born in Soderala parish, Sweden, June 30,
1843. H G was a son f Olof Olson, who arrived in New York in 1845
as the agent of the Janssonists, sent here to secure a location for the pro-
posed colony, which materialized in the Bishop Hill settlement.
Jonas was brought to this country by his aunt some time after the
emigration of his parents. He was soon orphaned and left alone except
for his aunt, who had married Peter Dahlgren and was residing in
Galesburg.
Being obliged to provide for his own support after having been given
some schooling, he learned the shoemaker's trade at Lafayette, and earned
funds that enabled him to continue his education in the Galva high school.
When his money gave out he returned to his trade, and so worked and
studied alternately for some time.
Later he devoted his spare time, when not plying his trade, to the
study of law, and in 1869 he passed the required examination for admis-
sion to the bar. In 1870 he was elected a representative from Rock
Island and Henry counties in the twenty-seventh general assembly. A
short time before his election a large number of Swedish immigrants
working on the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad had been swindled out of
their wages through the insolvency of the contractors. To remedy such
evils as this one Mr. Olson procured the passage of a law, of which he
was the author, giving to laborers who work for railway contractors or
subcontractors, a lien upon all property of the railroad corporation to
secure their wages.
In 1880 and again in 1884 Jonas Olson was the democratic candidate
for the office of state's attorney in Henry county, but could not over-
come the strong republican vote.
He was postmaster at Galva during Cleveland's first and second
administrations. At the end of his second term as postmaster he was
nominated by the democratic party of his district as its candidate for rep-
resentative in congress, but suffered defeat.
He was married to Miss Carrie Matteson in 1869.
In 1912 his lower limbs were paralyzed, rendering him a helpless
invalid. But his wife and three daughters have cared for him most nobly
during his years of affliction.
JOHN ROOT was born at Bishop Hill, 111., Oct. 25, 1849. His father,
John Root, came to this country from Sweden and served in the Mexican
war. He later reached Bishop Hill, where he married a cousin of Eric
Janson. The father died in the early 5o's in Chicago, while the mother
lived until 1905.
The son spent his boyhood and youth in the Bishop Hill colony
When the colony was dissolved he began farming near Bishop Hill. He
established his title to his land in the supreme court of Illinois, after the
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 59
financial difficulties of the colony had caused holders of colony lands con-
siderable expense and trouble in securing their lands.
In 1872 he became a student at Knox College and he later studied
law, being admitted to the bar in 1880. In the meantime he taught a
country school during the winter months for some years. In 1888-89 ne
took a course in the Union College of Law, connected with the North-
western University. In 1893 he removed to Galva. For a number of
years he was master in chancery of Henry county. In 18/4 he was mar-
ried to Miss Betsy Ogren.
Capt. ERIC JOHNSON, son of the founder of the Bishop Hill colony,
was born in Westmanland, Sweden, July 15, 1838. He accompanied his
parents to America in 1846.
Mr. Johnson grew to manhood in the colony. He received instruc-
tion in the English language of Mrs. Pollock, who with her husband,
accompanied the family from New York to the west, and who became his
stepmother in 1850. He attended the village school in 1856 and the
next year became a clerk in the colony store, remaining till 1858.
He enlisted in the Union army Sept. 16, 1861, and when Company D,
57th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, was organized, largely of Bishop Hill
boys, he was made lieutenant. He participated in the siege of Fort Don-
elson and was promoted to be captain of his company after the battle of
Shiloh. At Corinth, Miss., he was seized with illness and upon medical
advice resigned from the service.
In 1864-65 he was editor and publisher of the Galva Union at Galva.
In 1866 he removed to Altona, where he was a clerk in a store, and in
1868 bought the Altona Mirror, which paper he issued together with the
Galva Union, now renamed the Galva Republican.
In 1869 he~~founded the Illinois Swede, thus publishing three news-
papers simultaneously. In that year he received as partners Andrew
Chaiser and C. F. Peterson, in the publication of the Illinois Swede.
The name was changed to Nya Vcrldcn and when the paper was moved
to Chicago in 1871 Johnson withdrew from it. This paper was afterwards
consolidated with a couple of other papers under the name of Svenska
Trib unen.
In 1870 Capt. Johnson was nominated for representative in the state
legislature, but had to withdraw, not having resided sufficiently long in
the district to be eligible. He was, however, made journal clerk of the
Illinois house of representatives in 1871.
In 1873 he removed to White City, Kan., engaging in business, but
drouth and grasshoppers played havoc with the prospects and in 1876
he came back to Illinois and began a hardware and lumber business at
Nekoma.
In 1879 he gathered the material for a work entitled "Svenskarne i
Illinois," which was published by him and C. F. Peterson in 1880. In
the same year he began the publication in Moline of The Citizen, with
J. E. Osborn as co-partner. After two years he sold his interest and held
60
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
a clerkship in the war department at Washington, D. C, until 1885. For
one year he edited the Republican at Stromsburg, Neb., and then was in
the newspaper business at Holdrege, Neb., until 1891. In 1888 he was
elected a member of the Nebraska legislature. In 1891 he was chosen
chief clerk of the house, and was unanimously re-elected in 1893.
The next year he moved to Texas and was engaged in the land busi-
ness till 1896, when he returned to Nebraska and became editor of the
Wahoo Nczv Era. In 1906 he sold this paper and issued the first number
of The Viking, the last number of which was published in August, 1907.
He moved to California and settled at Clearwater in 1907. In 1909
he devoted a part of his time to gathering material for Ernst Skarstedt's
book, "California och dess Svenska Befolkning." In January, 1913, he
was chosen assistant clerk in the California legislature. In 1863 Capt.
Johnson was married to Miss Mary Octavia Troil, who died in 1890.
Miss Georgia A. Tillinghast in 1902 became his second wife.
FACSIMILE OF ERIC JANSON'S HANDWRITING
Major ERIC BERGLAND, son of Andrew Berglund, one of the preach-
ers in the Bishop Hill colony, was born in Alfta parish, Helsingland,
Sweden, in 1844 and accompanied his parents to Bishop Hill in 1846.
He received his elementary schooling at Bishop Hill and in 1856 became
an apprentice in the printing office of Svenska Rcpublikanen at Galva,
taking charge of this office when S. Cronsioe, the publisher of the paper,
moved his publication to Chicago. He belonged to the military company
at Bishop Hill commanded by Eric Forsse, who had been a sergeant in the
Swedish army, and enlisted as a volunteer in the Union army Sept. 16,
1861. He became second lieutenant in Company D, 57th Regiment Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry on Dec. 26, 1861, and first lieutenant the fol-
lowing year.
While still in the army he was appointed a cadet at the U. S. Mili-
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 61
tary Academy at West Point, N. Y., in the autumn of 1864, and entered
in July, 1865. In the interval he was ordered to Johnson's Island, O.,
for duty as assistant to Captain Tardy's Corps of Engineers.
He was the first native of Sweden to enter West Point. In June,
1869, he was graduated with the highest honors in a class of thirty-nine.
He should have been appointed to the engineer corps upon his grad-
uation in view of his high rank. But the staff was then closed by act of
Congress, and he was given a place in the artillery, being commissioned
second lieutenant of the Fifth Artillery and stationed at Fort Warren,
Mass. ; next at Fort Trumbull, Conn., and in 1870 in the field on the
Canadian boundary during the Fenian raid. In 1872 he taught in the
artillery school at Fort Monroe.
The engineering corps being again open for appointments, he was
transferred to that branch in 1872, with the rank of first lieutenant. He
was ordered to Willet's Point on Long Island, where he remained till
April, 1873, when he became instructor in military engineering and math-
ematics at West Point for two years. He then became assistant engineer
on western surveys in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and
Colorado, being engaged in this work for three years. In 1878 he again
became a teacher at West Point, being assistant professor of ethics and
law for three years.
He was promoted to the rank of captain on January 10, 1884, and
to that of major Oct. 12, 1895. In addition to the services aforemen-
tioned he was subsequently engineer in charge of river and harbor
improvements in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
He was also in command of Company C, Battalion of Engineers, and
instructor in civil engineering at the U. S. Engineer School at Willet's
Point, N. Y. He was ordered to Johnstown, Pa., a week after the great
flood there, in charge of a detachment and bridge train and ordered to
replace by pontoon bridges those which had been swept away by the flood.
In 1891 he was ordered to Baltimore as engineer of the 5th and 6th
Lighthouse Districts and during four years' service built lighthouses at
various points on the Atlantic seaboard.
Bergland retired from active service March 31, 1896, on his own
application after more than thirty years of service in the military branch
of the U. S. government. Since his retirement he has resided at Balti-
more.
In 1878 he married Miss Lucy Scott McFarland, of Kentucky, a
cousin of the wife of President Hayes.
EARLY LUTHERAN PASTORS AND CHURCHES.
Lars Paul Esbjorn was the first missionary from the Church of
Sweden to seek out his scattered countrymen in the far West in order
to minister to their spiritual wants. As the father of the present Swed-
ish Lutheran church in America his title is clear. Leaving his pastorate
REV. LARS PAUL ESBJORN
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 63
at the Oslattfors Iron Works in the province of Gestrikland, he came
over in the summer of 1849, with a small missionary allowance from the
Swedish Missionary Society. With him came his own family and a
large party of other emigrants from the same locality. After a voyage
fraught with hardships, including the loss of a child by death, and a
difficult journey inland, Esbjorn, with his party, finally reached Andover,
where they located.
In his isolated position, antagonized by the Janssonists on the one
side and Jonas Hedstrom and his zealous new converts to Methodism
on the other, Esbjorn at first turned to the American Board of Home Mis-
sions (Congregational) for aid. This was granted on certain conditions.
He was to be a member of the Central Association and responsible to
that body, and the field assigned to him embraced Andover and Gales-
burg, with 1 80 and 100 Swedes in the respective settlements at that time.
Esbjorn was to labor as a Lutheran missionary, no condition of mem-
bership in the Congregational church being imposed. He was granted the
sum of $300 for work in Galesburg for the twelve months of 1850.
Esbjorn soon extended his work also to Swedona, then Berlin, and
Rock Island. In February, 1850, he was able to report that the people
in Galesburg had begun to build a Swedish Lutheran meeting-bouse, with
a fund of $550 already subscribed. He complained, however, of the gen-
eral poverty among his people, causing them so great worry over the
question of earning a livelihood that their minds were not open to the truth
of the gospel. He also touched on the exodus of goldseekers to California,
a movement causing such a stir that few took time to think of their spiritual
welfare.
In the early part of March, Esbjorn was able to report an average
attendance at services as follows : Andover, 70 ; Galesburg, 80 ; Rock
Island, 30; Berlin, 12; also that a temperance society of forty-three mem-
bers had been formed at Andover.
On March 18, Esbjorn organized the Swedish Lutheran Church of
Andover, the first of its kind in Illinois and the second in the United
States. The meeting took place in the home of Mrs. Anna Lovisa
Gustafson, otherwise known as "Captain Mix's Place." The first mem-
bers were ten in number, viz.: Esbjorn and his wife, Jan Anderson, Mats
Ersson, O. Nordin, Sam. Jansson, And. Pet. Larsson, Mrs. Jansson,
Christina at Knapp's, and Stina Hellgren. The names are given as jotted
down on a slip of paper. Esbjorn did not register them in his regular
church record book for fear of the charge that he was here to retain the
emigrants as members of the Swedish State Church, a thing resented by
many newcomers of free church tendencies. On March 23, there was
an accession of more than thirty members, and at the end of the year the
church numbered forty-six members, with an average of fifty to sixty
at divine services.
A number of immigrants had settled in Moline, first among whom
were Olaus Bengtson, who came from Sweden in 1847 and located on a
EARLY SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURCHES, INCLUDING IMMAXUEL.
CHICAGO (upper right), AND ANDOVER CHURCH (below).
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 65
farm near Rock River, and Carl Johanson, a tailor, who came there from
Andover the following year. They were soon joined by many of their
countrymen, including Sven Jacobson, Carl Peter Anderson, Gustaf John-
son, Eric Forsse, Jonas Westberg, M. P. Peterson, Peter Soderstrom,
Sven J. Johnson, who for thirteen years ran a ferry between Rock Island
and Davenport, and Abraham Anderson of Gnarp, Helsingland, who,
after a few years willed to the local Swedish Lutheran church a house
and lot to be used as a parsonage. Eric Forsse served in the Fifty-seventh
Illinois in the Civil War, and rose to the rank of major. In 1850 came
Jon Olsson, from Stenbo, Helsingland, a man reputed wealthy, and whose
son Olof Stenberg, later known as Stoneberg, became one of the leading
men in Bishop Hill. With Olsson in Moline lived Per Anderson from
Hassela, and Per Berg from Hog, Helsingland, both of whom went to
Minnesota in 1851, and there founded the Chisago Lake settlement.
After preaching repeatedly to his countrymen in Moline, Esbjorn
founded a church there in 1850, the first Swedish organization in the com-
munity, known today as the First Swedish Lutheran Church. The congre-
gation was organized in the home of Carl Johanson, the second Swedish
settler, where divine services had been conducted by Esbjorn. Shortly
after, Jonas Hedstrom began to hold meetings in the home of Olaus
Bengtson, the first settler, and as a result a Swedish Methodist Episcopal
church was founded late in the same year or early in 1851.
Soon the question of a church building arose. The members were
all poor settlers, unable to meet the cost without aid. After the manner
of the early missionaries the pastor was obliged to start out on a soliciting
tour. In April, 1851, he left for an extended trip to the East, visiting
Columbus, O., New York, Boston, and other points, to solicit aid from
brother Lutherans toward the erection of churches in the Swedish settle-
ments served by him. In Boston he was fortunate to meet Jenny Lincl,
then on her American tour, and received from the noted Swedish singer
a donation of $1,500. This was not the first time the devout young artist
acted as the angel of her Christian fellow countrymen, she having already
donated an equal amount to the building fund of the Ansgarius Church
of Chicago. In eleven weeks Esbjorn raised a total of $2,200, which,
after his return, was divided between Andover and Moline, two or three
hundred dollars being also appropriated to the church in New Sweden,
Iowa.
In Galesburg Swedish newcomers had begun to locate in the middle
forties. As far as known the only Swedes living there in 1847 were:
John Youngberg and family, who had moved in from Bishop Hill ; Nels
Hedstrom, a tailor by trade; Anders Thorsell from Djurby, \ r estmanland,
who came over with a party of Janssonists in 1846, but did not join their
colony ; a family by the name of Modin ; Kristina Muhr, a widow, and
Olof Nelson, a shoemaker. Thorsell plied the same trade. No great
number was added prior to 1854. After laboring among them for about
a year, Esbjorn in 1851 gathered a small flock and organized it into
REV. TUVE NILSSOX HASSELQUIST.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 67
a congregation, which exists today as the First Swedish Lutheran church
of Galesburg.
Esbjorn also extended his missionary work to Knoxville, Princeton,
Burlington, and New Sweden. A church was organized by him at Knox-
ville in 1853, and at Princeton the following year.
Of Esbjorn's work as a pioneer missionary during these years Dr.
Eric Norelius. the historian of the Swedish Lutheran Church in America,
writes from personal observation: "He stood like a father among his
fellow countrymen in dispersion, particularly those in Illinois and Iowa.
He was tireless in traveling about among them, preaching the Word of
God, administering the sacraments, and giving advice, aid and comfort
to them in every way possible."
Esbjorn soon realized that were the Lutheran churches founded by
him to survive and grow, more pastors and a common organization was
needed. He had found co-operation with the American Congregational-
ists unsatisfactory, even on the liberal basis agreed upon. When a num-
ber of American Lutheran churches organized the Evangelical Lutheran
Synod of Northern Illinois, at a meeting in Cedarville, Stephenson county,
111., in September, 1851, he joined the other seven Lutheran pastors in that
organization and entered his pastoral charges as members of the Synod.
It was not without some hesitancy that he took this step, knowing that
some of the brethren wavered in their allegiance to the Lutheran con-
fession. But there was no other Lutheran organization in these parts,
and when he joined it was in the hope of greater doctrinal stability in
the future and with the reservation that he and his congregations were to
abide by the pure and unaltered confession of the Lutheran church, a
right never to be denied them by the synod.
The first step taken by Esbjorn to secure more laborers in the new
field was to issue a call to Pastor Tuve Nilsson Hasselquist of the diocese
of Lund, Sweden. While waiting for assistants from the home church
he looked about for young men who might be trained up as co-laborers.
On his trip to the East in 1851 he took with him the aforesaid Norelius,
then a young man, and placed him in the Capital University of Columbus,
Ohio, to be educated for the ministry.
In the summer of 1852 Hasselquist arrived and took charge of the
Galesburg church. With his coming better times dawned for the strug-
gling but rapidly growing churches, now constituting entirely too extensive
a pastorate for one man. Hasselquist was gifted and strong, qualities
fitting him well for the new field. In addition to his work in Galesburg.
he visited the new Swedish communities springing up on every hand,
organizing churches wherever the field was ripe.
Early in 1853 he visited Chicago, where Swedish immigrants now be-
gan to arrive by the hundreds and thousands, and organized the Im-
manuel Swedish Lutheran church in that city. This was a most impor-
tant point, where a capable man ought to be stationed. He turned to his
old friend. Peter Fjellstedt, in Sweden, for aid, and Pastor Erland Carls-
gy THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
son of the Vexio diocese was found willing to come. He arrived in 1853
and remained in charge of that church for nearly twenty-two years.
Carlsson was energetic and zealous, and in the next few years he visited
surrounding settlements and organized numerous churches, extending his
missionary journeys to Minnesota and other states.
The need of teachers grew apace. In 1854 and 1855 three young
men who had studied in Sweden, and two of whom had prepared further
in American schools, were ordained to the ministry in the Synod of
Northern Illinois. These were P. A. Cederstam, Eric Norelius and A. An-
dreen, the last named heing stationed in Rockford, while the other two
took up work outside of the state.
New calls were sent across the waters, in response to which, in
1856, two gifted clergymen came over O. C. T. Andren, from the diocese
of Lund, and Jonas Swensson, from that of Vexio. The former took
charge of the Moline church, and the latter also labored successfully in
this state after having served the Sugar Grove- Jamestown field for a
time.
In the parochial reports published in the minutes of the Synod of
Northern Illinois Esbjorn is credited with the charge of four churches
till 1853, when Hasselquist had four, Carlsson two, and Esbjorn one. The
total number of communicants under their charge was 541, distributed
as follows: Esbjorn 210, Hasselquist 191, Carlsson 140. Hasselquist
had received 165 new members and Esbjorn 55. The parochial report for
1854 showed 280 communicant members in the Andover church, new
accessions, 62 ; 270, with 1 1 new members, in the three churches in Has-
selquist's charge, and in Carlsson's three congregations 230, with an ac-
cession of 117. In 1855 Esbjorn reported: i church, 358 members, 88
received ; Hasselquist : 3 churches, 290 members, 34 received ; Carlsson :
3 churches, 396 members, 166 received. Two Minnesota churches of the
synod reported a membership of 300 and 307 respectively. These figures
will serve to show the rapid increase in the new churches planted here,
and. by inference, the rapid growth of the Swedish settlements with the
constantly rising flood-tide of Swedish immigration from 1853 on.
Norwegian churches had joined the synod as well, and the Scandi-
navian members constituted two conferences in Illinois, the Mississippi
Conference (Swedish) and the Chicago Conference (Norwegian), the
Minnesota Conference being formed in 1858. These heM, alternately,
separate and joint meetings.
The Scandinavians soon grew dissatisfied with their churchly con-
nection, the synod embracing a number of men with loose conceptions of
Lutheranism. With increasing strength and influence, they eventually
brought about a resolution imposing on all members of the synod strict
adherence to the Augsburg Confession. But in the course of years a
number of new Lutherans, so-called, joined, men who discarded all con-
fessional books and would remove all strictures on individual liberty of
teaching. When the Scandinavian pastors finally discovered that the
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 69
synod of which they constituted half the membership would not adhere
to the Lutheran confession, despite its own resolution to that effect, the
unavoidable breach took place, brought on partly by disagreement over
the administration of the funds for the Scandinavian chair at the synod's
theological seminary at Springfield and the incompatible position in which
its occupant, Prof. Esbjorn, was placed. A complete secession from the
Synod of Northern Illinois occurred and in 1860 the Swedish and Nor-
wegian pastors and lay delegates met in the Jefferson Prairie church, near
Clinton, Wis., and organized a new all Scandinavian church body, the
Augustana Synod, a direct outgrowth of the Illinois churches. The situ-
ation has been briefly described by Dr. Xorelius from whom we quote in
part:
"The directors of the institution could not tolerate the influence of
Esbjorn's theological instruction on the Scandinavian students, yet they
were loath to pronounce against it, as that would have too plainly betrayed
objection to the purpose of the Scandinavian professorship. They con-
sequently burdened him with the duty of teaching a number of subjects
foreign to his department and interfering with the exercise of his proper
calling. The Scandinavian members complained, and better conditions
were promised, but matters grew worse instead. Finally the Scandinavian
students at the Illinois State University the Lutheran Seminary was
so styled and their teachers were forbidden to hold communion services
in their own language. In consequence of all this, .Prof. KsbjY.m was
constrained to resign his position as Scandinavian professor at the sem-
inary, being no longer able to exercise his duties as professor of theology.
This step created consternation among the American members of the
synod, who looked upon it as an outright rebellion, denouncing the action
in the sharpest terms as unconstitutional and unchristian. When the
Scandinavians met in joint extra conference at Chicago, April 23-28,
1860, their most influential men in the synod and the institution 'appeared,
partly to lay charges against Esbjorn, partly to exonerate themselves,
and further to stave off the threatened withdrawal of the Scandinavian
churches from the synod.
Prof. Esbjorn submitted his report on all that had transpired at
Springfield, giving his reasons for his resignation and personal with-
drawal from the synod. After having listened for almost an entire day to
the charges and innuendos against the Scandinavian professor offered by
the American brethren and to the artificial justification of their acts, the
joint conference unanimously endorsed Esbjorn's action and thanked him
for it. Its next action was a unanimous resolution of secession taking
immediate effect, followed by a decision to meet June 5 to organize an
independent synod and establish a separate theological seminary.
This decisive action formed an epoch in the history of the Scandi-
navian Lutherans. They had passed through a period of trial which
taught them the value of a pure and firm confession. They had learnt the
impracticability of co-operating on a unionistic platform with com-
70 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
munions holding different religious views, and now rejoiced in the oppor-
tunity to begin a new epoch of activity, untrammeled by brethren in the
faith who were Lutherans in name only."
RELATIONS WITH AMERICAN LUTHERANS.
THE SCANDINAVIAN PROFESSORSHIP AND EARLY EDUCATIONAL WORK.
Love of learning is a characteristic of the Swedish people. The very
excellent and efficient system of public education in Sweden is too well
known to require discussion. So likewise is the fact that illiteracy is al-
most unheard of among Swedish immigrants who enter our American
ports. The institutions of learning which have sprung into existence in
the Augustana Synod within its first half century prove further that
the Swedish immigrants who have become American citizens have abated
nothing in their appreciation of sound culture. And yet for all this it
was not their general appreciation of culture which led to the establish-
ment of the first institutions of learning. More deep-seated even than
their regard for learning was their veneration of God and the love of the
Lutheran faith with which these immigrants were inspired. Thrown into
the bewildering novelties of a new and cosmopolitan country, confronted
by the relentless struggle for existence, and surrounded by influences which
made for the undermining of their faith, these immigrants were chiefly
concerned about their religion ; they were anxious to take measures by
which the distinctive elements of their Christian faith might be safe-
guarded and perpetuated for themselves and their children. They were
Lutherans ; they lived in scattered communities most of them in the
Upper Mississippi Valley; they spoke as yet chiefly or exclusively the
Swedish language, and they had but few pastors or other spiritual leaders.
They therefore felt the need of communion with others of the same faith;
and so, as early as 1851, we find them beginning to affiliate with the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Synod of Northern Illinois. 1
As an adequate supply of pastors for these pioneer congregations
could not be obtained from the mother country, the idea was conceived of
establishing a Scandinavian professorship in the so-called Illinois State
University at Springfield. This was a college and seminary owned and
controlled jointly by the Synod of Northern Illinois and the Synod of
Illinois.
It has been stated that the first step toward the establishment of such
a professorship was taken by the Chicago and Mississippi Conference
at its meeting in Waverly, LaSalle county, Oct. 2, 1855. The minutes 2
show no record of such an action, and the report made to the Synod three
days later by its committee on the minutes of the Chicago and Mississippi
Conference contains only this reference to the subject of educational
work:
1 I. M. Anderson in "The Augustana Synod, 1860-1910."
2 As printed among other old documents in Tidskrift, 1899.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 71
"In view of the great want of ministers among our Swedish and
Norwegian churches, and the time which must necessarily expire before
any can be fully prepared at our University; therefore,
"Resolved, That we bring before Synod for its consideration the sub-
ject of sending one of our brethren to Sweden and Norway for the pur-
pose of interesting our brethren in the faith there in our University, and
in the upbuilding and general welfare of our Scandinavian churches."
The Synod "deemed it of utmost importance that there should be
established in our University at Springfield a professorship of the Scan-
dinavian languages" and appointed the Rev. L. P. Esbjorn, and in case
he should find it impossible to accept, the Rev. T. N. Hasselquist, to
collect funds in America and Europe for the accomplishment of this
object. In addition to the collection of funds for the endowment of the
proposed chair, the agent "was desired to make efforts to obtain a number
of faithful and devoted ministers in Europe to occupy important fields
of usefulness in this country, and to induce pious students, who may have
enjoyed some advantages of education, to come to this country and com-
plete their studies in our University here, and thus be qualified for the
work of the ministry among us." 1 The Synod elected Esbjcrn on the
board of trustees for the University for a term of four years, but there
were many more preliminaries to be gone through before the professor-
ship was actually established.
An extra session was held at Geneva, May 8 and 9, the following
year, principally to consider matters relating to the Scandinavian pro-
fessorship to be. President S. W. Harkey reported that Esbjorn in the
two and one-half months devoted to the work had obtained in all, up to
that time, subscriptions to the amount of $2,147.50, of which $878 had
been paid. His trip abroad was postponed for one year by reason of
"the present state of Europe." It was resolved that the new professor-
ship should be a theological one, and, as the object contemplated was to
qualify young men for the Gospel ministry among the Scandinavian
brethren, such professor was also to give instruction in the Scandinavian
languages and literature, while required, under the direction of the board
of trustees, to render assistance in other branches of learning. The
Synod reserved the right of nominating the incumbent of the chair, pro-
viding always that such nomination be in accordance with the wishes of
the majority of the Scandinavians represented in the Synod, the Swedes
and Norwegians to have equal rights in all things pertaining to the pro-
fessorship. The moneys collected were to be turned over to the treas-
urer of the University for safe investment, the interest only to be used
for the support of the Scandinavian chair. Another point, that of the
doctrinal basis of teaching, was settled according to the expressed desire
of the Scandinavian brethren, by a resolution stipulating that the Scan-
dinavian professor be required solemnly to promise to teach according to
the Word of God and the Augsburg Confession, before he should be
1 Minutes of the fifth session, 1855.
72 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
installed into his office. Before this matter was definitely settled doc-
trinal differences as well as financial difficulties arose which soon caused
a split in the young Synod of five years and disruption in the still younger
institution of learning. As to the finances, we are told that the funds
confidently turned in for an endowment were eventually used up among
the current funds of the institution.
At the regular session at Dixon, in October, 1856, the president
reported that Esbjorn had raised $2,640 in subscriptions, $1,374 being
paid in cash. The action of the special session with respect to the new
chair was ratified by the passage of substantially identical resolutions.
At Rockford, in September, 1857, the Chicago and Mississippi Con-
ference deemed the time ripe for action and proceeded, without expressed
authority from the Synod, to nominate the Scandinavian professor.
Esbjorn, receiving all the votes but two, was declared its candidate, and
he became the choice of the Synod at its meeting in Cedarville, when, on
October i, a committee consisting of Hasselquist, Carlsson, and Andrew-
son reported that Rev. L. P. Esbjorn had been unanimously x nominated.
The professor-elect was continued as solicitor, pending his accession to
the chair. He did not enter upon his duties at Springfield until October,
1858. For almost two school years he taught there.
In view of the resolution recently quoted making his chair chiefly
one of theology, it seems odd to read in the annual catalogue of 1858-59:
"Rev. L. P. Esbjorn, Professor of Scandinavian Languages, Chemistry,
Astronomy, etc." We find in the list of alumni and students of that
year : Theological department Revs. Andrew Andreen and Lewis H.
Xorem, '56 ; Rev. Peter H. Peterson, '58 ; Abraham Jacobson, John Pehr-
son, '59. College department Amos Johnson, '59. Preparatory depart-
ment Charles Anderson, John A. Esbjorn, Joseph Esbjorn, Gustavus
R. lisping, T'engt M. Halland, Christian F. Hang. Thomas S. Holloque,
Isaac Jensen (Jenson?), Sven G. Larson, John Nesse (Nasse?), George
Olsen, Halvor H. Strand, Olof Suneson, all Swedish or Norwegian
students. Professor Esbjorn here formed a personal acquaintance with
Abraham Lincoln and taught his son Robert T., who was a junior in 1858.
In another part of the catalogue it is noted that Esbjorn's appointment
had strengthened the theological department recently, yet in the catalogue
for 1859-60 he is designated merely as professor of Scandinavian lan-
guages. That year the following Scandinavian students were added :
Swedes John F. O. Duvell, C. Otto Hultgren, Andrew W. Dahlsten,
Andrew Lindstrom. Norwegians K. Edward Ericson, Ole Ostroem
Knud Olson. It appears from the records that during Esbjorn's incumb-
ency there were twenty-four Scandinavian students at the institution, the
total attendance being one hundred and twenty at the end of the second
year.
1 The discrepancy between this report and the minutes of the Rockford conven-
tion has not heen explained.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 73
A Tatters came to a crisis in the early spring of 1860, when, on March
31, Esbjorn resigned his professorship at the Springfield institution and
at once removed to Chicago, followed soon afterwards by all but two of
his Scandinavian students. This move Esbjorn had contemplated for
some time. As previously decided the Scandinavian conferences of the
Synod (the Chicago and Mississippi and the Minnesota) held a joint
meeting in the Immanuel Swedish Lutheran Church of Chicago, April
23-27, when the whole matter was canvassed at length. Professor
Esbjonrs resignation was approved ; a committee was appointed to draft
a constitution for an independent Synod, and another to draw up a con-
stitution for an institution of learning to be founded and maintained by
the Synod about to be formed. The date of the appointment of these com-
mittees, April 27, is held by some to mark the founding of the new school,
but not the new Synod, and it is so celebrated by the institution, which
at its formal organization was named Augustana Seminary. This was
virtually a continuation of the Scandinavian department of the Springfield
institution, a fact which makes the date of actual founding difficult of
determination. We have traced the beginning of the school to the found-
ing of Esbjorn's professorship by resolution adopted Oct. 6, 1855, at
Waverly Station, LaSalle county. If an earlier date than June 6, 1860,
is to be assigned, that, or the date in October, 1858, when he began teach-
ing, would seem to be the correct one. The Augustana Synod was founded
on June 5, 1860, a circumstance precluding the founding of the school by
the Synod prior to that date. The action taken by the Synod at its
organization meeting was, to recognize the fact that Esbjorn had resigned,
that the Scandinavian professorship was not thereby abolished, but had
merely been transferred ; to found a new school in Chicago, and to
designate and appoint Esbjorn Scandinavian and theological professor.
The general impression, as conveyed by the wording of a special resolution,
that Esbjorn had continued to teach his students in Chicago until the end
of the school year is removed by the statement of his son that instruction
did not begin again until September i of the same year. 1
LARS PAUL ESBJORN, PIONEER LUTHERAN CHURCHMAN.
The American career of Lars Paul Esbjorn spanned the years from
1849 to T 63, a period into which he crowded a mass of useful work as
missionary preacher, pastor, writer, educator and leader of the church
of his planting. His name is written large in the annals of the settle-
ment period, which embraced his principal activities.
His birthplace was the parish of Delsbo, in Helsingland, Sweden,
and the date of his birth Oct. 16, 1808. His parents were Esbjorn Paul-
son, a country tailor, and his wife Karin Lindstrom. Orphaned in early
childhood, he was taken in hand by a faithful maidservant of the house-
hold, who taught him the rudiments and entered him in a school at
1 C. M. Esbjorn's Anniversary Address, 1910.
74 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Hudiksvall in 1820 after having noticed in him more than ordinary
aptitude for study. After five years the boy entered the college of
Gefle, taking up astronomy, higher mathematics and navigation, along-
side of the prescribed course. Owing to his predilection for mathematics,
he was advised to join the corps of military survey in order to earn
means for further study, but he was fixed in his purpose to prepare for
the ministry. His inheritance of 300 crowns, eked out with means fur-
nished by his self-sacrificing foster-mother, provided the necessary funds.
At the age of nineteen, his college course completed, he entered the theo-
logical department of Upsala University. Having finished the four-year
divinity course, he was ordained to the ministry in 1832. He served as
assistant pastor of Oster-Vahla parish, Upland, for three years, and as
pastor at the Oslattsfors factory and school teacher at Hille for fourteen
years.
About this time Esbjorn's religious convictions were deepened, and
he became an earnest pietist and zealous devotionalist preacher while
still a strict conformist to the church. In the early forties he became a
champion of temperance and contributed by speaking, writing, and form-
ing societies toward that change in the public mind which ultimately
resulted in the abolition of private distilleries and the lessening of drunk-
enness.
The exodus of Janssonists from his native district directed Esbjorn's
attention to the western land of promise, and when other emigrants, who
wished to remain true to the home church, began to voice their spiritual
needs and deplore the lack of Lutheran pastors, Esbjorn's heart was
touched.
Promised some slight financial aid from the Swedish Missionary
Society, he obtained leave of absence and embarked for America in June,
1849, at the head of a party of 140 emigrants from the provinces of
Gestrikland and Helsingland. We have seen how, upon locating at
Andover, he organized Lutheran churches there and in adjacent settle-
ments. For three years he was alone in the Lutheran field, except as the
Janssonists, the Methodists, and later the Baptists sought to assist him
by reducing his flocks. In 1852 he received assistance in the persons of
Pastors T. N. Hasselquist and C. J. Valentine, who took charge of his
churches at Galesburg and Moline, respectively.
In 1856 Esbjorn transferred from the church of Andover to that of
Princeton, which he served until he assumed his professorship in Spring-
field and subsequently in Chicago. Esbjorn as an educator and scholar
has been thus characterized by his son, Dr. C. M. Esbjorn, himself for
many years occupant of the chair of Christianity and Swedish at Augus-
tana College :
"As he had been the chosen instrument of God in the founding of the
Swedish-American Lutheran Church, so he proved the right man for the
place in his capacity as our first educator. Though primarily a pastor
and theologian in head and heart he had urged a reform in the divinity
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 75
courses of Sweden whereby original research in church history, especially
the study of the Church fathers, would be made an added requirement,
his favorite study was mathematics, and he often quoted the saying of
Charles XII., 'He who knows not mathematics is but half a man.' Other
studies to his particular liking were astronomy, physics and chemistry,
a fact quoted in rebuttal of the charge that at Augustana College the
natural sciences have been looked upon as a peril to religion and theology.
That man carried the germ idea of photography in his brain simul-
taneously with Daguerre; defended Laplace at a ministerial conference;
proposed the founding of an observatory under the equator and corre-
sponded with the government of Ecuador on the project; devised a new
system of counting time ; discovered erroneous computations in the official
Swedish almanac all this while maintaining a lively conviction of the
operation of dynamic and spiritual agencies in the directive forces of the
world and a childlike belief that 'all things give us occasion to think of
the King and Lord of nature and to see in Him the very life and innermost
essence of nature's works.' Furthermore, he was thoroughly versed in
navigation, surveying, meteorology, music and medicine. Only botany
he detested on account of its wretched Latin, for, according to Prof.
D. A. Sunden, 'he was fed fat on Latin;' Once at a place in Illinois he
preached in Swedish, Norwegian, English and Swedish in close succes-
sion. At our evening readings in the home I often heard him read in
Swedish, off-hand, some interesting English or German book. There
were few branches of learning with which he was not conversant. As
an instructor he possessed the ability to present any subject in a simple
.and lucid manner, and he knew the art of correcting without giving
offense. It is said that after his withdrawal from the Augustana Semi-
nary many a year elapsed before such instruction as he gave during its
first years was again imparted at the institution."
Prompted by a longing for his native soil, and his disapproval of the
plan to locate the school at Paxton, Esbjcrn resigned in 1863 and returned
to Sweden, to his early charge at Oster-Vahla, now as rector of the
parish. His appointment had been made as early as 1862, notice of
which reached him in October. In this quiet spot he rounded out his
career with seven years of faithful pastoral work, ending with his death
July 2, 1870. Esbjorn was the author of ten published books and tracts
on a variety of subjects.
Esbjorn was thrice married. In the first union were born six chil-
dren, including Paul and Joseph, both of whom served in the Civil War,
the former dying in 1861, the latter, Joseph Osborn, promoted to a cap-
taincy, living in Minneapolis ; John, connected with the Swedish railway
service and living at Karlskrona ; Maria (Mrs. Schnur), deceased; in
the last union the children were: Constantin Magnus Esbjorn, Ph.D.,
pastor of the Augustana Synod, who died in 1911 ; Carl L. Esbjorn, pro-
fessor at Augustana College, and Paul Oscar Esbjorn, M. D., deceased
1908.
COMMUNION SERVICE DONATED TO THE ST. AUSGARIUS CHURCH
BY JENNY LIND.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 77
THE SWEDISH PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF
CHICAGO.
Gustaf Unonius, founder of the Swedish settlement at Pine Lake,
"Wis., after having been invested with holy orders by Bishop Kemper
of the Protestant Episcopal Church at the theological seminary in
Nashota, Wis., visited Chicago in 1848 and preached his first Swedish
sermon to his fellow countrymen there. He was preceded in 1847 . v olie
Gustaf Smith, who claimed to be a Lutheran clergyman, but turned out
to be an adventurer and a religious renegade and freebooter. His attempt
at gathering the Swedes and Norwegians into a common fold had pro-
gressed to the point of building a church, when Smith absconded with
some $600 of the building funds. The Norwegian Lutherans formed a
congregation among themselves in 1848, but the Swedish settlers of
religious convictions were still unorganized.
On the advice of Schneidau, the influential man among them, the
former members of Smith's church decided to call Unonius as their
pastor. They reorganized as a Scandinavian Episcopal Church, named
St. Ansgarius, 1 from the first Christian missionary in Sweden. The com-
mittee which drew up the constitution met March 5, 1849, m Schneidau's
home, and the organization was completed in May. The members of the
committee were : Polycarpus von Schneidau, Anders Larson, Pehr
Ersson, J. Fr. Bjorkman, Swedes; And. B. Johnsen, Hattolf Markusen,
Knut Gunderson, Norwegians. Thirty-four voting members signed the
constitution at the time of organization. Pastor Unonius and bis wife
were present, and their names appear in the first membership list. On
the first board of trustees, with most of those mentioned, served A. S.
Sheldon and John Anderson.
Unonius removed to Chicago from his charge at Manitowoc, Wis.,
and at once began soliciting funds for an edifice. Accompanied by his
faithful friend Schneidau, he visited the descendants of the Swedish colo-
nists in Pennsylvania, and among them he is said to have raised more
than $4,000. In the spring of 1850 building operations began at Franklin
and Indiana streets on a structure 33x50, to seat about 300. Apparently
all the funds were not used for building purposes, for soon Unonius and
Schneidau had to start soliciting anew. Later in the year Unonius went
to New York and laid his cares in the lap of Jenny Lind. who then toured
this country, and received a donation of $1,500. She subsequently
donated a silver communion set valued at $i,oco, which is still used by the
Ansgarius Church. For the funds now available the church edifice and
a comfortable rectory were completed.
For nine years Unonius labored in this field. He also visited other
points where Swedes were located in numbers, but founded no new
1 St. Ansgarius was to be an "Evangelical Lutheran congregation." although
"affiliated with the Protestant Episcopal Church." Norelius. "History of the Lu-
theran Congregations, etc./' T, 368.
GUSTAF UNONIUS.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 79
churches. St. Ansgarius remained the sole Protestant Episcopal com-
munion among the Swedish-Americans for many decades, and not until
recent years was there a companion church organized in Illinois that of
Galesburg. In its third year the St. .Ansgarius Church numbered 195
members, the highest point reached during the incumbency of Unonius.
After his return to Sweden in 1858, the congregation dwindled down
to a small flock, served by American clergymen and known to them as
St. Barnabe's Mission. In 1862 Jacob Bredberg, a former Methodist
preacher, succeeded to the charge. That same year the Norwegian mem-
bers withdrew, but others were added. The old church, extensively
remodeled in 1868, at an outlay almost equal to the original cost, was
destroyed in the great fire of 1871. In the same year the foundation
for the present edifice on Sedgwick street was laid, and it was opened
for the first service on Christmas morning, 1872. The cost was $30,000,
the Illinois diocese contributing two-thirds of the amount.
GUSTAF UNONIUS, PIONEER AND PASTOR.
The career of Gustaf Unonius is bound up with the Pine Lake
colony and the St. Ansgarius Church, and divided in two nearly equal
periods by his removal to Chicago. Unonius lays claim to our interest
in two capacities, first, as the founder of the first settlement of Swedish
immigrants in this country ; secondly, as the first Swedish pastor to labor
among these immigrants in the West. It will be noticed that his ordina-
tion was simultaneous with the beginning of Olof Gustaf Iledstrom's
work as seaman's missionary in New York harbor.
Gustaf Unonius was born in Helsingfors, Finland, Aug. 25, 1810, his
father being an attorney at law. When Finland was lost to Sweden, the
family moved across the Baltic and located in Grisslehamn, where the
elder Unonius was appointed customs officer. At thirteen the son entered
the Karlberg Military Academy as a cadet. He soon went to Upsala,
completing his college course there in 1830 and two years later the course
required for entering the civil service. He subsequently studied juris-
prudence for two years, and later took up medical studies, but completed
neither of these courses. After his marriage in 1841, to Charlotta Mar-
gareta Ohrstromer, he decided to leave for America. He headed a party
of emigrants who stopped at Milwaukee and after due investigation
located at Pine Lake, near Nashota, Wis. These people were mostly of
the genteel class, not of the rugged type that makes the best farmers, and
at agriculture they had but scant success. When certain Protestant
Episcopal missionaries started a seminary at Nashota for the training of
men for pastoral work, Unonius took up studies there and after three
years was ordained (1845) as Scandinavian missionary. He later served
an American church at Manitowoc until 1849, when he went to Chicago.
His pastoral work in the St. Ansgarius Church has been briefly recounted.
For some time Unonius served as Swedish vice-consul.
GUSTAF PALMQUIST.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 81
A wish entertained by him for years in 1858 prompted his return
to Sweden. He would gladly have entered ihe service of the Church of
Sweden, but obstacles being interposed he entered the customs service
and in 1863 was made customs collector of the port of Grisslehamn, the
office formerly held by his father. After twenty-five years he was retired
on a pension. Both prior to his retirement and after, he served the
Church of Sweden, and his orders in the Church of England he retained.
This Swedish-American pioneer was claimed by death at the ripe age of
ninety-two, on Oct. 14, 1902, at his old age home in Hacksta, Upland,
provided by his son-in-law, Hugo Tamm, manufacturer and member of
the Riksdag.
In 1861-2 Unonius published his memoirs of seventeen years in the
American Northwest, a valuable contribution to Swedish-American his-
tory. A polemical supplement directed against the history of the
Lutheran churches by Norelius (Vol. I, 1890) followed in 1896. His
other literary work of consequence is a history of the origin, development
and confession of Mormonism, published in 1883.
THE FIRST SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH IN AMERICA
FOUNDED AT ROCK ISLAND.
Gustaf Palmquist, a former schoolmaster, came over from Sweden
in the year 1851 and joined the American Baptist Church in Galesburg
the following year. The Home Missionary Society soon after engaged
him to carry on missionary work among the Swedish settlers in various
localities. In this capacity he became instrumental in organizing at Rock
Island the first Baptist church among the Swedish-Americans. It may
be stated by the way that sixty years earlier, or 1790, a Baptist of Swedish
birth, named John Asplund, published "The Baptist Register," a work
still considered authoritative on the early history of the American Bap-
tists. Palmquist, however, was the first Swedish Baptist preacher in
this country.
From the meager records its appears that a few members of a party
of religionists known as Hedbergians, who came over in 1850, located in
Rock Island and Moline. These knew Palmquist from Sweden, and he
came here primarily to serve them as pastor. He found his intended
flock widely dispersed, and naturally turned first to the little group still
holding together in the two cities. These Hedbergians, also called Luther
Readers, he soon won over to his new faith, and on Aug. 8, 1852, he
baptized three adults, one of whom had been a member of the Lutheran
Church of Moline. On the I3th of August 1 a congregation of six mem-
bers was formally organized. These were: A. Theodor Mankee (or
Mankie), A. Boberg, Fredrika Boberg, Peter Soderstrom, Karl Johanson
(Charles Johnson), and Anders Norelius. Palmquist himself seems to
1 In the absence of church records the date, variously given also as Sept. 13 or
26, cannot be verified.
COL. HANS MATTSON,
A Western Illinois Pioneer.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 83
have retained his membership in the Galesburg church. By May, 1853,
the flock numbered thirteen, including Hans Mattson, who left soon and
seems to have deserted the Baptist denomination shortly afterwards. In
his published memoirs Colonel Mattson forty years later refers to this
church connection. As supplementing the scant records of this church,
his reference may here be quoted : "Dr. and Mrs. Ober were deeply
religious people and members of the Baptist Church ; and as I was now
under their influence and soon came in contact with Gustaf Palmquist,
the Swedish Baptist preacher, and the handful of people who formed the
core of the first Swedish Baptist Church in America, I became one of
their circle before spring and doubtless would have remained one of them
to this day, but for the fact that circumstances over which I had no
control brought me into different environments and another field of
activity. The same winter Pastor Wiberg of Stockholm visited Moline,
when I likewise formed his acquaintance." The occasion of Anders
Wiberg's visit was when a council of delegates from American churches
met at Rock Island, May 5, to give official recognition to the new church.
Hans Mattson became one of the organizers of the Swedish Lutheran
Church of Vasa, Minn., in 1855. A revival brought the membership lip
to fifty, and that summer Fredrik Olaus Nilson, a pioneer Baptist preacher
of Sweden, where the denomination was but four years older, arrived
with a small party of followers, some of whom joined the Rock Island
church. i
With the support of the Missionary Society Palmquist served this
charge until 1857, but did mission work in Iowa and Minnesota, also in
Chicago and New York, during the last two or three years.
!
GUSTAF PALMQUISTS GENERAL CAREER.
He was a native of Smaland, where he was born in Solberga parish,
May 26, 1812. In 1839 he obtained a situation as schoolmaster in Filip-
stad, Vermland, and later taught at Gustaf sberg, near Stockholm. After
his conversion there he began evangelistic work in the tenements and
prison cells of Stockholm. In 1845, according to his own statements,
he had his faith in infant baptism shaken by the study of the Bible,
church history, and the writings of Luther, Martensen, Pengilly, Hinton
and others. On all other doctrinal points he considered himself a sound
Lutheran. When he came to Galesburg he still had in mind the forming
of a pure Lutheran Church in this country, and his new views did not
ripen into full conviction until the following year. While he was still
wavering between the Lutheran and the Baptist faith, Esbjorn asked him
to preach to his people in Galesburg, which he did, remaining over winter
in charge of the Lutheran Church there.
In August, 1857, Palmquist went back to Sweden. Upon leaving
he gave out a statement of the number of members in the Swedish
Baptist churches, including only two in Illinois: Rock Island, 45 mem-
bers, and Chicago, 25. In Galesburg the 8 Swedish converts belonged to
84
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
the American church. In that year, however, seven persons met and
organized a Swedish church in that city. This was the fruit chiefly of
Palmquist's work, as were most of the nine churches in other states.
In Sweden Palmquist found a larger field, the cities of Stockholm,
Orebro and Sundsvall being given into his charge as missionary fields.
He also conducted private schools for the training of missionaries. After
ten years of labor in Sweden, more successful than here, he passed to his
reward Sept. 18, 1867. A book of "Pilgrim Songs" was compiled chiefly
by him.
LIFE SKETCH OF ANDERS NORELIUS.
Palmquist was succeeded at Rock Island by Anders Norelius, who
was among the first members of that church. He was in pastoral charge
until 1858. This man's life is worth recording, embracing as it does much
interesting detail. He was born July
i, 1830, at Hassela, Helsingland, and
emigrated at the age of twenty, in
company with his brother, Eric Nore-
lius, who attained great prominence
in the Lutheran Church. They left
home in July, 1850, with Andover as
their objective point. Eric took up
studies, on the advice of Pastor
Esbjorn, but Anders went to work
with farmers at $8 to $10 per month.
In 1855 he was married to Christina
Peterson, and about the same time he
began his pastoral work. In 1858 he
moved to Vasa, Minn., where he
bought a farm and built his first home.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he
wished to enlist, but was dissuaded by
his friend, Hans Mattson, who or-
ganized a Swedish company there, yet
held Norelius to be more useful, just
then, at home than in the ranks, which
he might join later if he chose.
Removing, to Isanti county in
1862, Norelius located on a homestead
and built his second home. He was
elected county supervisor and served as registrator. In 1864 he finally
enlisted and served until the close of the war. Upon his return home he
was elected county treasurer and reflected two years after. In 1868 he
resigned and after two years removed to Kiron, Iowa. When the first
postoffice was opened there, Norelius was appointed postmaster and served
for eighteen years. He served on the school board, part of the time as its
ANDERS XOREL1US.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 85
secretary. In 18/9 he was one of the organizers of a mutual fire insurance
company, whose president he was for nine years and secretary for twenty-
five years, whereupon he retired from active pursuits. Norelius left the
Baptist church when he ceased his pastoral services, and did not join any
other church. In 1891 he joined the Populist party, became a member of
its central committee, was twice nominated presidential elector and once
given the congressional nomination.
The pulpit of the Rock Island Church was vacant for four years
from 1858 when Norelius left, except for a six months' pastorate by F. O.
Nilson. Its next pastor was L. L. Frisk. Owing to neglect, consequent
to lack of pastors, this first church did not perceptibly increase after the
first year, the members numbering but 72 after twelve years. A period
of prosperity set in about 1870, when Pastor Olof Lindh took charge.
Under his care the church membership reached 200, many removals not-
withstanding. When he left after six years of service there was an
amicable division of the flock, the Moline members organizing their own
church.
The old congregation had no house of worship until 1857, when a
small frame edifice was built, seating seventy persons, and remarkable
but for being the edifice of the first Swedish Baptist church on American
soil.
The earliest Swedish Baptist church in Chicago was organized in
1853 and existed until 1864, when the members disbanded.
RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY.
The Swedish churches of the Delaware colony were the first Lutheran
congregations to be established in the United States, antedating the Dutch
Lutheran churches in present New York State by about twenty years. 1
Those, of the old Swedish churches of the colonial period which had
survived down to the first decades of the nineteenth century finally passed
into the hands of the Protestant Episcopal Church, the last, the Gloria Dei
Church of Philadelphia, before the death of its last Lutheran pastor in
1831. ; But this was not to be the end of the Swedish Lutheran Church
in America. Gradual assimilation with and final absorption by the Epis-
copal Church was possible in the case of the dwindling churches of the
East, but not for the large and vigorous Lutheran communions which
sprang up thirty years later in the new West, constantly recruited with
fresh material from the Lutheran fatherland.
There were, however, men who had studied the later developments
on the banks of the Delaware so thorongbly that they had come to believe
this to be the normal course of things as between Lutheranism and Epis-
copalianism. Among the immigrants of the West the one noted propa-
gandist of the theory of close kindship between the Church of Sweden
and the Established Church of England and its daughter, the American
'Cf. Lovgren's Church Hi?tory, augmented by M. Wahlstrom and C. W. Foss.
DR. ERIC NORELIUS, HISTORIAN OF THE AUGUSTANA SYNOD.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 87
Protestant Episcopal Church, was Gustaf Unonius. Acting on this
theory, he was ardent in his efforts to gather the Swedish newcomers
into the Episcopal fold, which he himself had but recently entered. In his
church in Chicago he introduced the main features distinctive of divine
service in the Church of Sweden, for the manifest purpose of impressing
upon his audiences the alleged identity and the legitimacy of his claims.
And it must be remembered that Unonius was a man of learning and
capacity more than a match for many of the other pioneer pastors.
Although practically alone against a number of able Lutheran clergy-
men from Sweden, he maintained a sharp controversy with them for
years, and competed for Lutheran membership in Chicago with measur-
able success. His preaching tours through the various settlements for
the purpose of gaining adherents, while not without effect at the time,
nevertheless proved fruitless, inasmuch as a second church on the doc-
trinal basis of the St. Ansgarius of Chicago was never founded by him.
The parting shots in this fight were fired across the waters as late as the
nineties, when the publication of the "History of the Swedish Lutheran
Congregations and the Swedes of America," by Eric Norelius, was fol-
lowed by "Supplement" (1896) to "Reminiscences of Seventeen Years in
the American Northwest," published by Unonius in the early sixties.
Out of a mass of charges and incriminations of a personal character from
both sides must be extracted the subject matter of this controversy, the
only thing which now concerns us. The fact that the Protestant Epis-
copal Church has not yet abandoned its endeavor to build up Swedish-
American churches in the United States with Lutheran timber on the
unhistoric ground of identity of faith and doctrine prompts an inquiry
into the merits of the. case from its inception in the year 1849.
The original sources do not show that the Swedish colonial churches
turned Protestant Episcopal by reason of doctrinal correspondence.
In a letter to Jesper Swedberg of Skara, Sweden, whose diocese
embraced the Swedish Church in London and those in America, Andreas
Sandel, who was made dean of the churches in Pennsylvania, touches
upon the relation between the Swedish churches and those of the Estab-
lished Church of England in the colonies during the early part of the
eighteenth century. The letter, dated June 17, 1714, which is reproduced
in Swedberg's "America Illuminata" (Skara, 1732), reads in part as fol-
lows :
The good confidence in the English Church so often urged in the letters of
Your Eminence, \ve have always endeavored to maintain. Thus we keep up a
friendly, mutual intercourse. Their pastors, with whom we associate, call us
brethren ; so do we style them ; our Lutheran Church they call their sister Church.
Their letters to the Bishop of London relating- to the general spiritual condi-
tion we are requested to sign. We also give our recommendations and testi-
monials to the English priests who, after a period of service here, return to
England.
In the article on predestination they are of the very same faith as we. As to
the Sacred Coena we differ. Upon the advice of Your Eminence in a letter to me,
we do not enter into discourse with them, nor with the heretics in this country,
8 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
except as we may have especial occasion to show them their error. There are many
enough here who discuss and write books one against the other, all making their
appeal to statum primitive? ecclesice (the state of the primitive Church) to which
each claims to stand most closely. I have often thought that if they would with
like zeal and anxiety seek after spiritum primitives ecclesice (the spirit of the primi-
tive Church), their Christianity would be better. But as it is, certain ones care only
for forma primitives ecclesice (the form, etc.) and abandon that which is most im-
portant. That which remains of their Christianity thus becomes a body without
life, without faith, without charity, etc. Our Swedish people care nothing for
such things, but hold fast constantly to the Evangelical doctrine. I know of none of
them (the Swedes) who have gone over to them. This the English have observed
with some degree of wonderment.
This was the situation after half a century of English rule over the
former Swedish possession. For obvious reasons the Swedish pastors
were deferent to the church of the dominant race, yet they did not yield
up their religious convictions. The most significant proof that there was
here no merging of the two national churches is found in the fact that the
Swedish congregations remained under the direct supervision of the bishop
of Skara. In his writings relative to them, Jesper Swedberg signed him-
self "Bishop of America." x That the surviving congregations, after
existing nearly two hundred years as an integral part of the Church of
Sweden, finally, when abandoned to shift for themselves, were absorbed
into the Episcopal communion was not the result of a belated discovery
that the two churches were confessionally one. It was purely the result
of resistless outward circumstances.
As early as 1851, Pastor Gustaf Unonius in a letter to Eric Norelius,
then a young student, defined his position, and followed with an offer to
place him in an Episcopal seminary. He wrote in part :
I learnt from the divisions in the Lutheran Church here and its departure at
many points from the doctrines as well as the outer organization of the Church of
Sweden, that here was a question of fact, not of name. I thus found that the
Protestant Episcopal Church is the one which in all things most closely corresponds
to the Church of Sweden, from whose doctrine and communion I am unwilling to
deviate. I found, in a word, that this church was the church in this country, and
that by joining any other religious communion I would be guilty of schism. There-
fore I have been duly ordained in that church, and with that church the parish of
which I am pastor has been affiliated. But we have not thereby deserted the faith
of our fathers. On the contrary, we are being daily convinced that the only means
of maintaining that faith is found in a union with the Episcopal Church.
On the plea that the Lutherans in the United States were divided,
and on the basis of his own opinion that his was the church in this country
and the one which most closely resembled the Church of Sweden, Unonius
thus set about substituting the likeness for the original, in his work among
the Lutherans of Illinois. For the fact remained that the men whose field
he entered were ordained in the Church of Sweden and sent by the Church
of Sweden as missionary pastors to their expatriated countrymen at the
'The title page of the work above quoted reads: "America Illum'mata, Written
and Published by its Bishop, Jesper Swedberg. in the year 1732."
89
request of the latter. In the circumstances then obtaining, Unonius
plainly laid himself open to the charge of proselytism among the people
served by pastors from Sweden.
When later the work was taken up by pastors ordained here and
whose ordination the Episcopal Church did not recognize, its claims car-
ried greater weight, and through his "Reminiscences" and otherwise
Unonius sought to advance them after his return to Sweden. This caused
President Hasselquist of the Augustana Synod, a body formed by the
Swedish and Norwegian churches, to seek definite information on the
attitude of the home church in the matter at issue. His letters of inquiry
brought a number of replies from prominent churchmen in Sweden, all
legitimizing the Swedish Lutheran churches and characterizing the
efforts of the Episcopal Church as a proselyting movement. The occasion
was furnished by the authorization by the Swedish Riksdag of a form of
certificate of removal in which the emigrants were commended to the care
of the bishops and priests of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States in the event of settling in localities where they would find
no access to Swedish Evangelical Lutheran congregations.
Dean P. Wieselgren replied in part as follows:
I can readily realize the situation in which you Lutherans in America have been
placed and appreciate the praiseworthy vigilance exercised by you, our brethren, in
watching the signs of the times. 1 We have seen how the Lutherans of New Sweden
were swallowed up in the past century, and this will be your fate, lest you are mind-
ful of the danger. . . . May we all be one in a living faith and in the love that
dwells in the heart. But so long as the Shepherd does not make one fold for
all His sheep, it is meet that each church guards its own confession. The least
anti- or syncretism would bring on numberless wordy wranglings. If we leave our
confessions intact, there will be no need of quarreling.
Bishop G. D. Bjorck gave it out as his opinion that a union of the
Church of Sweden and the Protestant Episcopal Church could hardly be
accomplished so long as the Twenty-ninth Article in the symbolical book
of the Church of England still remains.
Dr. Peter Fjellstedt, the noted exegete, seconded all that Wieselgren
had written, including a reference to the existence in the Syrian Church
of doubt as to the legitimacy of English orders, they having been derived
from the schismatic Church of Rome (Christian Researches in Asia, by
Dr. And. Buchanan, London, 1811). On this point Fjellstedt added this
commentary : "I bow in deep humility to the apostolic order, but papist
orders we are bound to reject, and to this very hour the Protestant Church
needs to be on its guard against popish elements. The successionist idea
marks a return from the spirit to the flesh, from Christ to the
sons of Aaron, and it is in fact contrary to the letter and spirit of the
1 Hasselquist had pointed out that the document in question was to be used
as proof of the legitimacy of the Episcopal activity among the Swedish Lutherans
and that one of the purposes of the visit to Sweden of Bishop Whitehouse of Chi-
cago in 1866 was to open the door for such activity among the Swedish new-
comers.
90 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
New Testament. As transmitted through a chain of popes the succes-
sion becomes still more unreasonable.'"'
In his annual report to the Synod President Hasselquist dealt at length
with this matter, whereupon the Synod resolved : "That the officers of
the Synod be authorized to bring to the attention of the Church of Sweden
the attempts made by the Episcopal Church at proselyting among emi-
grated Swedes, as also to make the situation of our church in this country
better known in the mother country."
Just prior to this action Bishop Whipple of Minnesota had made this
statement in his annual message : "The position of the members of the
Church of Sweden in our state has long been of deep interest to myself.
With a valid ministry, a reformed faith, and a liturgical service, they
ought to be in communion with ourselves. For lack of their own episco-
pate, as a bond of union between them, they are becoming divided and
losing their distinctive character as members of the Church." He further
stated that during the visit of Bishop Whitehouse to Sweden "arrange-
ments were made whereby the clergy should give letters of recommenda-
tion to us (the Episcopal Church) wherever they had no clergy of their
own." This matter was referred to a special committee, and when one of
its members came to Pastor Norelius for information these facts were
pointed out to him : .
1. Most of the Lutheran pastors had not received episcopal ordina-
tion, and were not a valid clergy within the meaning of the bishop's words.
2. The letters of recommendation therefore could easily be con-
strued in favor of the Episcopal Church only.
3. Consequently nearly all Swedish Lutherans in the United States
would automatically fall to the share of the Episcopal Church, and this
without any act of union or declaration of correspondence in doctrine
and polity having been passed by the two State churches concerned.
The aforesaid arrangement did not work out in practice. The next
official attempt at winning the Swedes over was made in 1870. Then the
Joint Committee on Friendly Relations with the Church of Sweden, in
existence from the year 1856, presented an elaborate plan, according to
which the Church of Sweden was to appoint a bishop for the Swedish-
American Lutherans, such bishop probably to be received as a member
of the House of Bishops of the American Protestant Episcopal Church.
Such action was said to be "justified by the first example and colonial
work which the Swedes undertook in America 233 years ago, when Bishop
Swedberg had charge of the Swedish colonies on the Delaware in 1637
in conjunction with the Bishop of London." l It was stated further that
"The American Church does not want this action except for the glory of
God and the church. But we think the Swedes in America need this
action for the safety and blessing of themselves and their children."
'There are two errors here, one a matter of dates, Jesper Svvedherg, born 1653.
being made bishop in 1702; the other in the matter of joint episcopal government,
such cooperation being nowhere found recorded in Swedish church history.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 91
The -plan was as devoid of results as the foregoing schemes along the
same lines. The underlying idea has never been abandoned, no matter
how often it has collided with hard and stubborn facts. Some of the facts
are these :
The ordination of Unonius as an Episcopalian was described by Arch-
bishop Reuterdahl as a "downfall," and upon his return to Sweden he was
unable to gain entry to the clergy of the Swedish Church. On the other
hand, L. P. Esbjorn was appointed to a parish in Sweden before his return.
Not one Swedish clergyman in good standing in his home church trans-
ferred to the American Episcopal Church, according to Norelius. 1 The
one Swedish Episcopal Church in Illinois, the St. Ansgarius of Chicago,
.after more than fifteen years of work confessed its weakness by appeal-
ing to the Gustavus Adolphus Society of Goteborg for financial aid
this at a time when there were no less than twenty self-supporting Swedish
Lutheran churches in the same field.
In recent years the American and English churches have renewed
their overtures to the Church of Sweden, particularly in the English-
Swedish Church Conference at Upsala in 1908, without any more
tangible results than an exchange of courtesies. Lectures have been
given in America on the Church of Sweden, and books and pamphlets
have been published on the subject, manifestly with a view to establishing
closer relations. After well-nigh seventy years we find the old claim of
; Gustaf Unonius reiterated in the parish paper of his oldtime church in
: this form :
"Who are members of this parish? All who have been properly
baptized and, of course, all who have been confirmed, and have not
formally removed, or been removed, from the parish. Then there is a
considerable number of those who have come from Sweden, who, by
virtue of their baptism and confirmation in the Church of Sweden, and
as long as they have 'taken on' no new faith, are automatically, as it
were, members of this parish. Indeed, it was for these and for their
children this church was organized, as the old records, both in Sweden
and in this country, will show."-
All efforts and claims notwithstanding, the three Swedish Episcopal
churches now existing in Chicago and Galesburg, backed by so remark-
.able a propaganda, are not flourishing.
FOUNDING OF THE SWEDISH PUBLISHING BUSINESS.
In December, 1854, Pastor ' Hasselquist, of Galesburg, purchased
type for a printing office which was opened in March, 1855. when the
type arrived from New York. Prior to that time the New Testament
and a few tracts had been published in Swedish in the United States,
1 Tidskrift, 1899, p, 45.
-Quoted from The Messenger of St. Ansgarius, Oct., 1916.
ULANBIT*
DET GAM LA OC'll DEI ' 3TV A.
HASSELQUIST'S HOUSE AND PRINTING SHOP IN GALESBURG, 18SS, WITH
FACSIMILE OF THE FIRST SWEDISH NEWSPAPER.
SETTLEMENT AND FOUNDATION 93
but the Galesburg office established by Hasselquist was virtually the
first Swedish-American publication concern.
The three Swedish Lutheran clergymen, Esbjorn, Erland Carlsson
and Hasselquist, had for some time planned a newspaper to be published
at Chicago by Carlsson. Owing to much work among the incoming
immigrants, Carlsson did not get the enterprise under way, and it
devolved upon Hasselquist to carry out the plan. The first number of
the new paper, named Hcmlandct, was issued from an American news-
paper office at Galesburg in January, 1855. In a previous prospectus
the members of the Lutheran congregations had been asked to contribute
fifty cents each over and above the subscription price, and these contri-
butions were later invested in the new printing office, which thus became
in a way, the property of the churches.
The first typographer was N. P. Armstrong, from Karlshamn, who
came to Boston early in 1854, and began composition on Hcmlandet at
the end of the year. In the following summer there was added to the
office force Jonas Engberg, who had come over from Bergsjo, Helsing-
land, in December, 1854. He began work on No. 9 of Hcmlandct and
No. i of the series of books published by Hasselquist. Engberg appears
later as one of the laymen who helped to organize the Augustana
Synod and as a partner in the publishing house of Engberg and
Holmberg.
Serving three congregations at this time, Hasselquist was assisted
in his editorial work by P. A. Cederstam, a theological student, in
1854-55, and in 1856-57 by his brother-in-law, A. R. Cervin. In July,
1856, a second paper, called Det Ratta Hcmlandet, was put out. This
was exclusively religious, while the former combined religion, politics
and general information in its program. During the years that the
publishing office remained in Galesburg (1855-58) a number of books
and tracts were issued, chief among which were: "Enchiridion, Dr. M.
Luther's Lilla Cateches" (1856), an accurate translation by Esbjorn:
"Augsburgiska Bekannelsen," 21 articles (1857); "Luther-Boken"
(1858). In 1856 the Mississippi Conference officially took a hand in
the management of the concern, which remained in Hasselquist's charge
for the next two years. After that it was deemed advisable to organize
a publication society in order to relieve Hasselquist of the burden of
personal responsibility for the publishing business of the conference.
The organization took place in December, 1858, and in February of the
following year Prof. Esbjorn, then in Springfield, had it chartered under
the name of the Swedish Lutheran Publication Society in the United
States. This society comprised all the pastors and lay delegates of the
Mississippi and Minnesota conferences. Pastor Carlsson is spoken of
as the chief promoter of the organization ; he also became its manager
when the society transferred the publishing concern to Chicago in
December, 1858. Its publishing activities fall chiefly within a later
period.
94 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
One other Swedish publishing enterprise dates from the middle-
fifties. In 1856 the leaders of the Bishop Hill colony fitted up a printing
office in Galva and began to issue a weekly newspaper, the full title of
which was Den Svenska Repiiblikancn i Norra Amcrika. The editor
was S. Cronsioe, and in this same shop two well-known Swedish-
Americans, Andrew Chaiser, the newspaper publisher, and Major Eric
Bergland, of the U. S. Army, began their careers as printer's devils.
The paper was ardently republican in politics, and in church matters as
nonpartisan as might be expected from a paper dependent principally
on the Janssonist colony. The first issue was dated July 4, 1856. In
the next year the paper was moved to Chicago, where it was 'issued
until July, 1858, under the proprietorship of Cronsioe. It died from
lack of support, according to the statement of the publisher. In its
later stages it appears to have deviated from its nonpartisan course in
church matters, for, according to C. F. Peterson, it "succumbed in the
fight with the Lutheran Church." Hemlandct, its rival, continued for
more than sixty years.
The need of accessories for cultural development, as well as an
increased number of spiritual teachers, was accentuated at an early date.
The first definite proposition for the establishment of a library is
recorded in the proceedings of the Chicago and Mississippi Conference
convention held at Waverly in October, 1855. With a view to accumu-
lating a library for the use of the Scandinavian pastors affiliated with
the Synod of Northern Illinois, the conference resolved to issue a request
to authors and publishers in the Scandinavian countries and in America
that they send free copies of their works or publications to a designated
commissioner. The Gustavus Adolphus Society in Sweden was asked
to lend its aid to the plan, and Rev. Erland Carlsson was appointed
commissioner. The absence of his report in subsequent proceedings,
however, would seem to warrant the conclusion that the plan failed of
accomplishment.
PART III
THE PERIOD OF GROWTH AND
ESTABLISHMENT
1860 1893
PART III
THE PERIOD OF GROWTH AND
ESTABLISHMENT
ILLINOIS SWEDES IN THE CIVIL WAR.
In the year 1860 the great influx of immigrants from Sweden had
but fairly begun, yet there were Swedes in every rank and station fight-
ing and working for the cause of human liberty and for the Union. The
Civil War marks the beginning of their general participation in public
affairs.
When the Swedes came to the land of the free, they were struck
with the incongruity of finding half of the territory of this great republic
a home for legalized slavery. To them it was well-nigh inconceivable
how the fathers of the American nation, who drew up the Declaration
of Independence and framed the Constitution, could maintain slavery as
an economic institution after having declared all men free and equal. The
political and religious training of the Swede from the old country fitted
him for citizenship in the republic and predisposed him against the slavery
system. Little wonder, then, that the Swedish newcomers almost to a man
affiliated with the Republican party, formed about this time to champion
the cause of freedom, and rallied to the support of Lincoln with equal
loyalty at the polls in 1860 and at the recruiting stations in 1861. The
Swedish-Americans, then less than 20,000 in number and mostly new
arrivals from their native land, hastened to respond to Lincoln's call for
defenders of the Union and enlisted in the service of their adopted country
as eagerly as the most patriotic of her native-born citizens.
The general census of 1860 records a total of 18,625 persons of
Swedish nationality in the United States. Of these, 11,800 were living
in the four states of Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. The
immigration from Sweden in the next two years was 2,300. Allowing
two-thirds for those four states, their combined Swedish population,
males predominating, during the period of early enlistments would ap-
proximate 13,500. The best estimates of Swedish enlistments in the four
states gives a total of 2,250, or one-sixth of their Swedish population.
Illinois, with a Swedish-born population, in 1860, of 6,470, and approxi-
mately /,coo at the end of the year 1861, contributed no less than 1,300
Swedish volunteers. Of the total population in Illinois one out of every
seven persons enlisted. The Swedes of Illinois, many of whom were
not yet legal citizens, showed a slightly better percentage one out of
every five. These facts and figures are the result, not of rough estimates,
97
98 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
but of a laborious search through nine volumes of names of Illinois vol-
unteers, undertaken by the writer during the compilation of another work. 1
The great majority of Swedish volunteers enlisted for three years.
Judged by the two all-Swedish companies in the Forty-third and Fifty-
seventh regiments, they very generally re-enlisted as veterans. Some
undoubtedly went out of the state to enlist, but probably a larger number
of Swedes came from other states for the same purpose. Sympathy for
a republic struggling to maintain free institutions brought many volun-
teers from continental Europe. Not a few came over from Sweden to
fight for the freedom of the slaves. Illinois being the state pre-eminently
settled by the Swedes, many of their countrymen naturally came here
before enlisting. All things considered, it would be safe to claim fifteen
hundred Swedes in the Illinois regiments, the number found in the canvass
of the 255,000 names in the adjutant-general's reports being subject to
changes from the fact that in many cases Swedish names are too cosmo-
politan to establish the nationality. Any skepticism as to the resultant
higher ratio of Swedish volunteers to the Swedish population would then
be disposed of by two unquestioned facts that the census and immigra-
tion figures are commonly too low, and that these volunteers had not all
been enumerated as residents of the state.
The fighting qualities of the Swedish volunteers were tried on many
a hotly contested field. Most of them had an advantage over their Amer-
ican-born comrades by having received military instruction in their native
country. They submitted more readily to military discipline than the
American citizen soldiery and took greater pride than these in develop-
ing tactical skill, order and precision in drill as well as in actual fighting.
The Bishop Hill company of the Fifty-seventh Illinois Regiment proved
itself the best drilled company in that regiment ; Col. Oscar Malmborg
made the fifty-fifth what it was the best all-round regiment from Illi-
nois, and in further proof of the claim it may be added that Company D
of Col. Hans Mattson's regiment, the Third Minnesota, was admittedly
the crack company of this model regiment of that state.
From good soldiers naturally come able commanders. There is
justice in the complaint that American history gives but scant credit to
the foreign elements which rendered such substantial aid in putting down
the rebellion. While the Swedes were fairly well rewarded in the way of
minor promotions, it is but the plain truth to say that they earned well
every advancement accorded them, and in sundry cases rendered yeoman
service for which others reaped the honors. The history of the Fifty-fifth
Illinois furnishes convincing proof that Col. Stuart received his ill-fated
appointment as brigadier-general as the result of the fighting done under
the direction of his Swedish lieutenant-colonel. Charles J. Stolbrand did
duty as brigadier-general a year or two before he was given that rank,
and not until he had resigned in mild protest against official ingratitude
did the promotion come. Many an officer has attained similar rank for
1 History of the Swedes of Illinois, 1908 (Engberg-Holmberg Pub. Co.)-
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 99
services less brilliant than the parts played by Col. Malmborg and Captain
Silfversparre on the first day at Shiloh in staying the enemy's last
onslaught and saving General Grant's forces from utter rout.
COMPANY C, FORTY-THIRD ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
Upon President Lincoln's first call for volunteers a company consist-
ing exclusively of Swedish-Americans was organized in Galesburg. It
was deemed supernumerary, but upon the second call it was reorganized
under new command, its first captain, Leonard Holmberg, and many of
the men previously enlisted having entered other regiments. At Camp
Butler the company, consisting of one hundred Swedes and three Germans,
elected their own officers, Dr. Hugo M. Starkloff, a German, being made
captain, Olof S. Edvall first lieutenant, and Nels P. McCool second lieu-
tenant. When Dr. Starkloff soon after was made regimental surgeon,
Edvall succeeded to the captaincy. As a part of the Third Brigade of
Gen. McClernand's Division of the Army of the Tennessee, the Forty-
third fought in the two days' battle of Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh), par-
ticipated in the advance on Corinth, and then was sent to Bethel, Jackson,
and Bolivar, Tenn. At Bolivar, Carl Arosenius, quartermaster sergeant
of the Fifty-ninth Illinois, was transferred and commissioned captain of
Company C. The company saw further service in the battle of Salem
Cemetery, Tenn., in skirmishes around Somerville, Tenn., at the siege of
Vicksburg, the occupation of Little Rock, the battle of Prairie D'Ahu
and at Jenkins' Ferry. During a 3O-day furlough in December, 1863, the
company secured thirty recruits, all Swedish-Americans, to fill up their
depleted ranks. Those who served as subordinate officers of Company C,
besides those mentioned, were: First lieutenant, John P. Andberg;
second lieutenant, Nels Knutson; first sergeant, Magnus M. Holt; ser-
geants, Nels Peterson, Nels Anderson.
COMPANY D, FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
In the summer of 1860, without any thought of an early war, a
number of young men in and around Bishop Hill organized a company
for military drill, with Eric Forsse as their captain. When war broke
out, they promptly tendered their services to the state and the nation.
The company was mustered in at Camp Douglas, Chicago, and sent south,
serving, like Company C, Forty-third Illinois, at Shiloh and Corinth, and
later at Mitchell's Mill, Tenn., where the men were engaged for a long
time in cutting down timber, in the absence of rebels, and operating a
sawmill. After the expiration of the -three-year term the members of the
company very generally reenlisted, and after a month's furlough they
returned to the South to join Sherman's army at Chattanooga. With their
regiment the Swedish boys in blue marched with the Army of the Ten-
nessee in the Atlanta campaign, fighting at Resaca, taking part in the
operations around Rome, Ga., and lastly joined in the initial movement
of the famous "March to the Sea," finally on Dec. 21, 1864, reaching
SWEDISH COMMANDERS IN THE CIVIL WAR.
COL. OSCAR MALMBORG CAPT. ERIC FORSSE
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CHARLES JOHN STOLBRAND
CAPT. AXEL SILFVERSPARRE CAPT. AXDREW STENBECK
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 101
Savannah, just evacuated without a fight. They had their last encounter
with the Confederates at Bentonville in March, 1865. After having taken
part in the grand review at Washington, the regiment was mustered out
at Louisville, Ky., but retained its organization until reaching Chicago.
The officers of Company C from time to time during its three years
and ten months of service were : Captains, Eric Forsse, Eric Johnson,
Peter M. Wickstrom ; first lieutenant, Eric Bergland ; second lieutenants,
George E. Rodeen, Andrew G. Warner, Olof Anderson; sergeants, Olof
Crans, Peter Wilson, Olof Olson.
COL. OSGAR MALMBORG, OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
Oscar Malmborg, a man of military education from Sweden, was
virtually the maker of the Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Regiment. For
reasons that can only be conjectured he has been accorded but meager
credit. A search of the war records, however, reveals the fact that in
point of skill and brilliancy as a tactician as well as personal valor he was
the equal of other able Swedish commanders, such as Stolbrand and
Silfversparre, and all the facts lead to the conclusion that there were but
few, if any, braver and better fighters of any nationality in the Union
army than was Col. Malmborg.
Oscar Malmborg was born in Sweden in 1820 or 1821. He com-
pleted a six years' course at the Karlberg Military Academy and saw eight
years of active service in the Swedish army. He tendered his services to
our government in the Mexican war. Denied a commission apparently
because of his imperfect knowledge of English, he entered an artillery
corps as a private and served until the close of the war, earning promotion
to some grade above the ranks. In 1852 he located in Chicago and was
connected with the immigration department of the Illinois Central railway
when the Civil War broke out. He took charge of the Fifty-fifth at Camp
Douglas, Chicago, as commander and drillmaster and transformed the
raw recruits into a military unit which later became noted for its discipline
and was reputed one of the model regiments of the volunteer army. Tac-
tical knowledge was at this stage a rare acquirement among volunteer
officers, and Malmborg's discipline was too rigid to suit his subordinates,
especially such as had enlisted to command, not to obey, or under the
erroneous impression that the campaign was to be an easy triumph. Two
Methodist preachers, Haney and Presson, who had been active in raising
recruits, were made captains of companies, but like most patriots, they
were "willing to serve as brigadiers" or, at least, regimental officers, so
when Malmborg was appointed lieutenant colonel and as such put in active
command these reverend gentlemen felt grievously disappointed. They
apparently exercised great influence over the rank and file, and if we are
to believe "The Story of the Fifty-fifth Regiment," published years after
the close of the war to air the grievances of these men and defame the
character of Malmborg, the regiment must have been constantly on the
verge of mutiny. And yet Col. Malmborg ridiculed for his brogue,
102 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
denounced as a tyrant, hated for his "martinet discipline," branded as
un-American and pronounced unfit to command free-born citizens led
this regiment through a score of battles, in which none fought better and
few won greener laurels. Whatever his shortcomings, Malmborg proved
himself a highly capable military leader whose achievements on the field
of battle, praised by his superiors again and again, give the best answer
to these charges. He was, as a matter of fact, a gentleman of culture,
enjoying the respect of his associates in private life, as witnessed by his
recent appointment as consular representative of Sweden and Norway at
Chicago.
Malmborg's mettle was tried early in the campaign. At Pittsburg
Landing his regiment stood its ground when others retreated or fled, and
on Gen. Grant's personal order he organized and commanded a line of
some 3,000 troops early in the first day's fighting, maintaining his organ-
ization throughout that day of confusion and disintegration. In this,
the initial engagement of the regiment, its loss was the heaviest of any
Federal regiment except the Ninth Illinois. How splendidly Malmborg
acquitted himself in that desperate struggle may be inferred from the
report of Col. Stuart on the day's work of his brigade, running in part
as follows : "I was under great obligations to Lt. Col. Malmborg, whose
military education and experience were of every importance to me. . . .
He was cool, observant, discreet and brave and of infinite service to me."
After the battle, Malmborg reported to the colonel a long list of names of
officers and privates who had merited promotion or approbation for
bravery. Among them was First Lieutenant Lucius B. Crocker, whose
elaborate vilification of Col. Malmborg seven years after the latter's
death was probably his most notorious achievement as a civilian.
During the advance on Corinth Malmborg had charge of the strategic
movements of his brigade and later of the entire division, in the matter
of selecting positions and planning and building fortifications. For this
work he was complimented by his superiors, including Generals Grant
and Thomas. After Shiloh, Grant learnt the value of intrenchments, and
Malmborg was his instructor. The complete system of intrenchments
executed by his direction around the federal position at Corinth are yet
to be seen in almost perfect outline. "The Fifty-fifth did its full share
of digging, and the fortifications built by the regiment were the pride of
Lieutenant Colonel Malmborg's heart," says Crocker, who sneeringly
adds, "He was never so happy as when displaying his alleged engineering
skill." Expert military writers have taken a different view, deploring the
absence of intrenchments on the Shiloh battlefield, and they doubtless
agreed that a few prior lessons in digging trenches might have wholly
changed the aspect of that battle.
Malmborg and his command shared largely in the credit for the vic-
tory at Arkansas Post, after which Malmborg was again highly compli-
mented by his superior officer, Col. Thomas Kilby Smith. At Vicksburg
he participated in the assaults of May I9th and 22nd, being wounded both
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 103
times. Nevertheless, he was active throughout the siege, spending twenty
full nights prosecuting the work allotted him by reason of his experience
and capacity as a military engineer. We quote from the report of Col.
Kilby Smith: "With Col. Malmborg, of the Fifty-fifth Illinois, I have
been side by side in seven battles ; have stood with him literally amid heaps
of slain. He is always cool, prudent, and of dauntless courage, and in the
recent engagements, although wounded twice, and, by strange fatality,
first in the right and next in the left eye, displayed those qualities with the
ardor and cheer so necessary in a charge."
At Chattanooga Malmborg played a conspicuous part. One night,
commanding his brigade in the absence of his superior officer, he manned
a fleet of pontoon boats in North Chickamauga Creek and, descending and
crossing the Tennessee during intense darkness, captured the enemy's
pickets a feat conceded to be one of the most daring exploits of the
campaign.
At Larkinsville the Fifty-fifth, after exacting the right to elect officers,
reenlisted as veterans. All the existing field officers, Malmborg included,
failed of election, the strained relations within the regiment having been
aggravated as time passed.
As early as the fall of 1862, steps were taken to oust Malmborg. In
a letter to Governor Yates, twenty-one subordinate officers urged military
incapacity, harsh discipline, and abusive treatment of subordinates against
Malmborg's succession to the colonelcy about to be vacated by Stuart's
promotion. The latter foiled the attempt by another letter to the governor,
who replied by issuing a colonel's commission to Malmborg in December.
No one could wish for higher commendation than was contained in this
letter, here quoted in part :
"Col. Malmborg is a strict disciplinarian and exacting officer, who de-
mands from every officer the active and complete discharge of his duties.
There are very few of them who do not feel pretty well contented with them-
selves when they somewhere near half perform their duties; such men are
not only not patted on the back by him, but they are sternly and promptly
reproved by him, and are driven up and compelled to do their duty. They
would like to get rid of him and have a slipshod, easy-going time of it. It
is this vigilance, zeal and discipline, which has made this regiment in every
regard today the best one in this army. I claim boldly for it (and it will be
conceded by the commanding generals), that it is the most efficient, the best
drilled, best disciplined, best behaved, cleanest, healthiest, and most soldierly
regiment in this army. This perfection has not been attained, nor these
qualities acquired, without great labor and care, constant and earnest vigi-
lance. I have, of course, the reputation of having accomplished this, among
those who know only generally that I am at the head of the regiment; they
who know us more intimately are well informed of the consequence Col.
Malmborg has been to me. It would be not only ungenerous, but ungrateful
in me to appropriate any share of the credit and honor which so justly belongs
to him, to myself.
There was scarcely an officer in this regiment who, when he entered it,
knew his facings; they have learned here all they know (and with some of
them the stock of knowledge on hand is not burdensome even now), but by
104 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
dint of hard work and doing their work for many of the officers, we can get
alon an( ] do. They ought to be grateful to Col. Malmborg for what he has
done for them, but vanity, selfishness, and "that prurient ambition for fame
not earned," which afflicts most men, makes them insensible to the better,
nobler and more generous sentiments of their nature.
I desire frankly, and truthfully, to bear witness to you, as our chief, that
this regiment, which has done and will do honor to your state, owes its effi-
ciency, its proficiency, and everything which gives it superiority or a name, to
Col. Malmborg I owe most that I know to him the officers owe all to him.
Col. Stuart was appointed brigadier-general by the President, but
when the promotion failed of confirmation he left the service.
The opposition, having failed to oust Malmborg, bided their time,
after five officers had resigned in disgust at Malmborg's official promotion
to the position actually filled by him all this time. The mustering out of
six first lieutenants for disability followed, at the colonel's recommenda-
tion, made likely in a spirit of retaliation. In the summer of 1863 a futile
attempt was made to have Malmborg tried before a general court-martial.
The charges, alleging intoxication and profanity, were withheld and finally
suppressed by the commander of the brigade. The real crisis did not come
until early in 1864, when the regiment demanded the right of election as
the price of reenlistment. Then Chaplain Milton H. Haney was chosen
colonel, Malmborg and all the other officers being sacrificed to the ambition
of this man and his party of malcontents. Haney had served as captain
of a company until the regiment reached the front in March, 1862, when
he resigned to take the less exposed position of chaplain. So ignorant
was he of military tactics and so diffident about his ability that he dared
not accept the command. To complete the reform, the principal musician
was elected sergeant-major and a man hardly able to sign his name was
made quartermaster. The whole procedure was a ridiculous farce. Gen-
eral Logan, commander of the army corps, is quoted as having said to
Col. Malmborg, "We have been accustomed to look upon the Fifty-fifth
as the best regiment in the army, and how shall I express my astonishment
to find they are after all a set of d - fools? Electing a chaplain, a
civilian, a know-nothing for their colonel ! Are they prepared to go into
battle under such a man? Do you suppose that I, now on the eve of the
most important campaign of the war, am going to send that regiment into
battle under that man? Do you suppose the Governor and the Adjutant-
General of Illinois will commission him?"
As a matter of fact only the officers in line of promotion were com-
missioned, and the most notable achievements of the Fifty-fifth Regiment
were all a matter of the past.
Malmborg subsequently served as chief engineer of the Seventeenth
Army Corps and was later detailed by Sherman to visit the military posts
along the Mississippi, all this while retaining his colonel's commission.
He finally resigned and was mustered out Sept. 20, 1864, whereupon he
returned to Chicago. On Jan. i, 1865, he was commissioned colonel in the
First Veteran Army Corps and assigned to duty as recruiting officer in
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 105
Chicago. His last commission was that of colonel of the Second Regiment,
and as such Malmborg became the commander of the only brigade in this
army corps that was ever organized. Owing to impaired eyesight and
threatening blindness, partly from injuries received in his first battle,
Malmborg asked for his dismissal, which was granted May 31, 1865.
Col. Malmborg was now given a position in the departments at
Washington. His vision being further impaired, he returned to Sweden,
where he died in Vishy, Gotland, April 29, 1880, in his sixtieth year.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CHARLES JOHN STOLTSRAND, CHIEF OF ARTILLERY
AND INVENTOR.
On May n, 1821, there was born at or near Kristianstad, Sweden,
a boy named Carl Johan Moller, who was destined to render eminent
military service to the United States in the great internal conflict. At
eighteen he was enrolled as constable cadet in the Royal Vendes Artillery,
then changing his patronymic for the martial name of Stahlbrand. He
attained the rank of sergeant in 1843, serving as such until 1850, when
he resigned and came to the United States the following year. He
obtained a position with the Cook county recorder and was prominent in
Swedish circles here. At the first call for troops in 1861 his martial spirit
was rekindled, and he raised a company of recruits, which was disbanded
when it was found that the Illinois quota had been filled. At the second
call for volunteers he recruited a new company at Sycamore, which was
mustered in October 5, 1861, as Battery G, Second Illinois Light Artillery,
with Stolbrand as captain. On Dec. 31 he was promoted major and sub-
sequently he was made chief of artillery under General John A. Logan,
who was an enthusiast for the artillery branch of the army. After his
last named promotion, in 1863, he virtually assumed the duties of brigadier-
general. Displeased at being obliged to render such service for the meager
compensation connected with a major's commission and after having
waited in vain for promotion Stolbrand finally resigned as chief of artil-
lery of the Fifteenth Army Corps on Jan. 28, 1865. Gen. Sherman,
apparently accepting his resignation, asked him to deliver "important
papers" to President Lincoln before his return home. When Lincoln had
examined the papers, which included a recommendation for Stolbrand's
promotion to the rank of brigadier-general, he turned to Stolbrand, ad-
dressing him by that title.
The army records show the following dates and facts pertaining to
Stolbrand's military career: In September, 1862, as major, he was in
command of five batteries of Brig.-Gen. Logan's artillery brigade, in the
district of Jackson, Tenn., and in November he commanded nine batteries
of Maj.-Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut's division. In the siege of Vicksburg
he directed the operations of five batteries, and at one time he had as large
a force as ten batteries under his charge. Ample testimony to Stolbrand's
usefulness in the operations at Vicksburg is given by Gen. Logan, who
in his report compliments him repeatedly ; thus in the report of May 26,
106 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
1862, he says : "The admirable manner in which this battery was handled
reflects the highest credit upon Maj. Stolbrand, my chief of artillery."-
"The respective batteries . . . under the personal supervision of Maj.
Stolbrand rendered incalculable aid in effectually shelling the enemy."
"To Maj. Stolbrand, my chief of artillery, I am indebted for valuable
aid."
In the siege of Savannah, Stolbrand on Dec. 19, 1864, placed half of
his batteries before the Confederate forts and uncovered and silenced the
enemy's heavy artillery, whereupon the Confederates under cover of
darkness abandoned the fort and the city, leaving guns and ammunition
behind. On this and other achievements Maj. -Gen. P. J. Osterhaus
reported: "To Maj. Stolbrand I have to acknowledge important services
during the campaign as chief of artillery of the corps. Through his
energy and skill that branch of the arms which was under his immediate
care was in most excellent condition." On Sept. 4, 1864, while the Army
of the Tennessee was encamped at Kingston, Stolbrand had the misfortune
to fall in the hands of the enemy, being taken captive by a squad of cavalry
while out reconnoitering by direction of Gen. Logan. The following
month, however, he again figured in the reports as chief of artillery.
In his recollections of Stolbrand 1 , Lieut. Joseph E. Osborn relates
sundry instances of his bravery, as told to him by credible eye-witnesses.
They are here given in his own words.
At Jackson, Miss., our army fought the enemy behind breastworks,
and they fought fiercely. Suddenly in the afternoon the firing ceased and
our generals, Logan and McPherson, were puzzled as to what it all meant.
They surmised that the enemy was up to some trick. Major Stolbrand
conceived the idea that they had evacuated. This they ridiculed, as the
enemy was strongly fortified. "I will show you," said the major, putting
the spurs to his horse, and to the amazement of all he galloped across the
whole battlefield, leaped the trenches and rode up the embankment. Turn-
ing around, he waved his hat. Not a rebel was there.
Later on, at the battle of Champion Hills, about sixteen miles in the
rear of Vicksburg, Major Stolbrand's actions virtually decided the day,
a day of terribly hard fighting. The lines were drawn up on two parallel
ridges, and although the battle raged fiercely, neither side would budge.
About midway between the lines ran a lower ridge. Towards evening our
lines, tired as our men were by continuous marching and fighting for
days, began to waver. On seeing this, the enemy commenced to pour down
the slope in order to take possession of the intervening ridge and force our
lines to retreat. But Stolbrand was there. Rushing up to McAllister's
battery, consisting of six twelve-pounder Howitzer guns, he ordered them
to speedily double load with canister and grape. This done, he gave the
order, "Limber to the front! Double quick, march!" and broke out of
the line, galloping down the hill so that the dust rose high in the air,
Stolbrand's long, red whiskers floating behind him. Generals McPherson
1 In Yearbook of the Swedish Historical Society, 1909-1910.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 107
and Logan caught sight of him just as he had started, and shouted to
him: "Come back with that battery," but Stolbrand, never turning his
head, galloped on with the battery down the hill and up the intervening
ridge. Just as he reached the crest of the hill he ordered ''action front,"
and the rebels, scrambling up the other side of the same hill, were literally
mowed down ; those who were not killed or wounded rushing back to their
lines as fast as their legs would carry them. This done, Stolbrand came
leisurely riding back, not a gun or man lost. This closed the battle for the
day. The next morning the enemy had retired.
At General Logan's famous headquarters in the trenches investing
Vicksburg his staff was almost within speaking distance of the enemy.
Guns were mounted in embrasures in the temporary redoubts. One day
in a fit of cold-blooded rashness, Stolbrand went up to one of the embra-
sures and stuck his head out beside the siege-gun just to draw the enemy's
fire. This act was answered by scores of musket balls that imbedded them-
selves in the embankment close to his head, covering his hair with flying
dirt. "Go on, shoot!" he shouted with an oath, when General Logan
pulled him back, sharply upbraiding him for his foolhardiness. "Ah,
there's no danger," rejoined Stolbrand, stroking his long red beard, "the
rebels never fire on the hospital flag!"
There are several versions of the story of Stolbrand's capture and
imprisonment. Lieut. Osborn tells it as follows : After being taken
captive he was taken to that hell-hole known as Andersonville Prison.
How a man of his temperament must have chafed and fretted there, we can
all understand ; and, therefore, it it not strange that he there performed
one of his most daring deeds, as I am credibly informed. In an attempt
to escape he got over the "dead line," but was recaptured. He must have
given Captain Wirz, the commander of the prison, great anxiety. But
hold Stolbrand he could not. This restless spirit that knew no fear
planned another escape, and succeeded. Sleeping at night in the huts of
the ever loyal negroes, following their guidance during the day, he picked
his way back to the Union lines and liberty, to fight the enemy so much
the harder.
John A. Anderson, who served as lieutenant in Battery H, First
Illinois Light Artillery, originally known as Silfrersparre's Battery, sev-
eral years ago gave the writer the following version of the incident: 1
"During the advance in Georgia the two forces were near each other
many times, as at Kingston, Ga. The enemy was in the woods, separated
from our army by a river in an open space of perhaps 200 yards. When
our men went into the open they were fired on by the enemy and
could not advance. General Logan, calling for some one to volunteer to
reconnoiter on the bridge, accepted Major Stolbrand's offer rather unwil-
lingly. The latter rode to the bridge with a negro servant, threw the reins
to him and began to cross the bridge on foot. When he had walked more
1 Subsequently published in Yearbook of the Swedish Historical Society,
1909-1910.
IQg THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
than half the distance, several heads popped up and demanded his sur-
render. This done, he was told to order the negro to bring the horses.
Stolbrand invited them to fetch the horses themselves. After being taken
to the rear, he was robbed of his clothes and accoutrements and given
castaway garments in their place. On being brought before the colonel of
the regiment, Stolbrand upbraided him for ingratitude. The rebel colonel
finally recognized in him the Yankee officer who had once taken him
prisoner and given him good treatment, both being Masons. He therefore
had Stolbrand's property returned to him. General Logan had to exchange
two Confederate generals in order to get Stolbrand, his chief of artillery,
released."
After his promotion, Stolbrand was sent back to General Sherman by
the President, with the words, "I need you in the Carolinas." A month
later Sherman placed him in command of the Second Brigade, Fourth
Division, of the Seventeenth Army Corps, the brigade being made up
of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infan-
try. It marched north and passed in review at Washington at the close
of the war. Stationed at Fort Leavenworth, it served on the western
plains until September, when it was mustered out, thereby terminating
Stolbrand's command. He held his commission until January, 1866, when
he received his discharge.
He soon took up his residence in South Carolina, locating at Beaufort,
where he owned a plantation. In that state he attained prominence in
political life. In 1868 he was elected secretary of the constitutional con-
vention, also delegate at large to the Republican national convention and
presidential elector. For some time he was superintendent of the state
penitentiary and during Harrison's administration he was in charge of
the government building at Charleston.
King Charles XV. in 1866 recognized Stolbrand's soldierly achieve-
ments by decorating him with the Royal Order of the Sword.
While his later career was chiefly political, Stolbrand was also engaged
in mechanical inventions, making various improvements in steam engines
and boilers. For what we know of his mechanical genius we are indebted
chiefly to Col. John F. Hobbs, Stolbrand's confidential friend and legal
adviser in his later years. According to Hobbs, Stolbrand practically
completed the invention of a successful submarine boat of a peculiar type.
He carried on experiments along this line until an accident which occurred
in Charleston harbor came near ending his life. "But for this accident,"
says Hobbs, "I believe that Gen. Stolbrand would have revolutionized the
construction of submarine craft as completely as his compatriot, John
Ericsson, revolutionized other naval vessels by his construction of the
Monitor with its revolving turret." The account by Hobbs runs substan-
tially as follows :
"The world has never been fully acquainted with these experiments.
Stolbrand had all but completed a military submarine capable of being
lengthened and shortened, raised and lowered at pleasure. He was
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 109
engaged in perfecting a method of condensing air by hydraulic power and
an ingenious system of searchlights whereby the waters could be recon-
noitered under-sea for three or four miles around the submerged craft.
Had his inventions been completed, he would have produced two
kinds of submarines, one adapted for operations in enemy harbors, detect-
ing and destroying mines, the other to serve as pilot boat in guiding ships
through mined fields. His submarine was to be provided with torpedoes
to be pressed against the keels of ships by means of bags automatically
inflated and then exploded from a distance by electricity. While he was
experimenting with a small model submarine one day in the harbor of
Charleston, the machinery became disordered, the air supply gave out,
and he narrowly escaped suffocation or drowning. Sickened by the dis-
aster, he discontinued his experiments for a long time.
I believe, however, that if Stolbrand had put himself in communica-
tion with the Navy Department at Washington, he would have obtained
all needed assistance in the perfecting of his inventions and in maintaining
secrecy about them. This he did not do, and nothing came of his en-
deavors, although the experiments proved that his appliances required
very little improvement of details to work out successfully. On these
final improvements he was engaged at the time of the disaster."
BATTERY H, FIRST ARTILLERY, CAPTAIX SILFVI-:RSPARRE.
Swedish soldiers formed a little more than half of this efficient artil-
lery unit, which was recruited and trained by Capt. Axel Silfversparre and
served under him during the first year of actual campaigning, and subse-
quently under the command of Captain Levi Hart and Second Lieut.
FYancis De Gress.
Axel Silfversparre, son of Viscount Gustaf Johan Silfversparre of
the Royal Horse Guards, was born in Strangmis, Sweden, May 8, 1834,
and prepared at Upsala University. Joining the Svea Artillery in 1852,
he was promoted second lieutenant the following year and served until
1858, when he entered the artillery school of Marieberg. He came to the
United States in 1861 and under a commission from General Fremont
first served as military engineer in Missouri. At the close of the year
he secured a commission to raise an artillery company, and at once set
about organizing a Swedish battery, recruited largely from the Swedish
settlements and supplemented by men of other nationalities in the same
localities. Silfversparre being elected captain, all the other commissioned
offices were given to men of other than Swedish descent.
The battery was mustered in on Feb. 20, 1862, as Battery H, First
Illinois Light Artillery, and left Chicago in March for the drill grounds at
Cape Girardeau, Mo. The battery reached Pittsburg Landing the day before
the battle, and aided materially in checking the Confederate onslaught in
the first day's fighting. According to Silfversparre's own memoranda of
the battle, he had his guns planted and well protected by earthworks, his
men being provided with spades, picks, and axes after the manner of the
HO THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Swedish artillery. In his account of the battle Major Reed says: "We
find at Shiloh that with three exceptions no breastworks were prepared
by either side on Sunday night. Of these exceptions a Union battery near
the Landing was protected by a few sacks of grain piled up in front of the
guns." The inference would be that Silfversparre's battery furnished one
of the exceptions. Sergeant John A. Anderson, who had aided in recruit-
ing the battery, differs from Silfversparre in his recollections, averring
that upon arrival there was no time for building breastworks, which, how-
ever, may have been done in preparation for the second day's battle.
We quote from Anderson's story of the fight : "We went up the
river on Saturday night, April 5, 1862. It was just getting dark and we
could do nothing except land the horses and picket them. Early in the
morning, when the battle commenced, there were no general officers to give
orders. We hitched eight teams to the guns and drew them up the hill.
There was a ridge along the road, which bordered a ravine. We were
told to plant our guns to cover the ravine, which was done. The caissons,
with ammunition, were down near the Tennessee river bank. One or two
were pulled up the ravine during the day, by hand. My recollection is
that cracker boxes, and not grain bags, as stated by some participants,
were heaped about the guns. We put double charges of canister in our
guns, each canister being sixteen inches long and containing 275 balls.
When the guns, thus loaded half full, were discharged at the advancing
enemy, we swept everything in sight.
"Frank Leslie's Weekly came to us not long after the battle. The
issue had a picture of our battery, and stated that had it not been for
the gunboats and Silfversparre's battery, the Union soldiers would have
been swept into the river on that first night." It may be added that
Silfversparre was personally thanked by Grant and Sherman at the end
of that day for his part in checking the advance of the enemy, though,
like most of the heroes of the day, he received no mention in Grant's
report of a battle that was so nearly lost.
Shortly after, the Silfversparre battery was transferred to Gen.
Sherman's division, and it belonged to the second division of the Fifteenth
Army Corps until the close of the war. In September, Capt. Silfversparre
was assigned to Fort Pickering, near Memphis, Tenn., where he took
charge of the fixed batteries, mounted heavy guns, and instructed the artil-
lery officers in the gun manual. He also served as drillmaster of four
companies of garrison, which, in case of action, he was to command.
About the beginning of the following year he was assigned as drillmaster
of General Hurlbut's division, in addition to his other duties. Being
apparently overburdened with work, he resigned his commission Feb. 22
to take a position in another department of the army. Before the transfer
could be made he suffered the humiliation of capture and was sent to
Libby prison at Richmond. After ten months' imprisonment he escaped,
by bribing a guard, it is said, and went to Wilmington, S. C, disguised as
a Confederate officer. Here he was engaged as engineer on the blockade
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT HI
runner Cornubia, which, being pursued by Union vessels, sought refuge
in the Bermudas. Such was the awkward episode that closed the military
career of this gallant artillery officer.
Making his way to New York, Silfversparre collaborated with Col.
W. W. Adams in plans for a suspension bridge across East River, which
were afterwards used in the designing of the Brooklyn suspension bridge.
Late in 1864 he was employed as engineer in the Quincy copper mine in
Michigan. For the next fifteen years he figured in the municipal life of
Chicago, holding various public positions until 1880, when he went to
Colorado. That year he drew plans for the city of Denver, and was next
engaged in the survey of the Denver and Rio Grande railway. A map of
Colorado worked out by him was published in Chicago. In 1886 he
secured a position as draftsman in the Department of Agriculture and the
following year he completed a map of the capital city. Silfversparre's
unhappy marital union with Mary Jane Gunning of Chicago in 1886 was
dissolved after eighteen years. Since 1888 Silfversparre spent most of his
time at various homes for old soldiers, passing away at Danville, 111.,
March 2, 1906. His son, Servais Zacharias Silfversparre, became pub-
lisher of Ores and Metals, a Denver mining journal.
Under Hart and De Gress, Battery H continued its honorable career.
The latter led it in all the engagements of the second division, the battery
distinguishing itself for brilliant work especially in the taking of Atlanta,
July 21-22, 1864. After Atlanta, it continued to add to its laurels, and
became a famous one in Gen. Sherman's command. It took part in the
victorious march to the sea, passed in review at Washington, and was
mustered out at Springfield, June 14, 1865. The surviving members of
the battery, in the records of the organization are said to have been a
unit in praise of Silfversparre as a commander, declaring him as brave
as any and a tactician of more than average skill, but they were of the
opinion that his ironclad Swedish discipline was impracticable in an army
of volunteers.
SUNDRY OFFICERS OF SWEDISH DESCENT.
Capt. FREDERICK SPARRESTROM enlisted in Stolbrand's battery, and
was commissioned first lieutenant at muster-in Sept. 16, 1861, of Battery
G, Second Light Artillery. He served as second in command until Dec. 31,
when upon Stolbrand's promotion, he succeeded to the captaincy. During
the siege of Vicksburg he had temporary command of Battery D, First
Artillery, his own battery having not yet been re-equipped after losing
its horses and guns in a river accident. His own battery subsequently
served under him with marked efficiency until Aug. 22, 1864, when
Sparrestrom resigned the command. Sparrestrom came from Stockholm,
where he served in the Royal Life Guards simultaneously with Prince
Charles, afterwards King Charles XV. He is said to have been a splendid
horseman. After the close of the war he located first in Chicago, then
went to Colorado, where he died.
112 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Major ERIC FORSSE was the original organizer of the private military
company of Bishop Hill, serving as its captain and heing given the same
rank when it joined the volunteer army as Company D, Fifty-seventh
Illinois. He had seen twelve years of service in the Swedish army prior
to his emigration in 1850. On April 15, 1862, he was promoted to the
rank of major of the regiment to succeed Norman B. Page, who fell in
the battle of Pittsburg Landing. His military skill was recognized by
his superiors, and on occasion he was called upon to command larger
forces, at one time an entire brigade. After the fall of Atlanta, he
resigned, together with a large number of other officers, confident that
their services would be little needed from that time on. Returning home,
he located on a farm near Galva. In 1869 he removed to Saline county,
Kansas, heading a party of some fifty Swedish Illinoisans who located at
or near Falun. At this time large numbers of Illinois settlers were drift-
ing farther west, as they had drifted northwest in the fifties. At Falun
Forsse served as postmaster, township trustee and justice of the peace
for a long term of years, and was elected to the Kansas legislature in
1872, serving one term. This gallant soldier and trusted citizen passed
away at Falun April 18, 1889. He was a native of the Swedish province
of Dalarne, born in Mailing parish March 4, 1819.
Captain ANDREW G. WARNER enlisted with Company D, Fifty-
seventh Illinois, and w : as appointed first corporal. At Shiloh he was
wounded, but continued in the service, carrying his arm in a sling. He
was soon promoted first sergeant and subsequently second lieutenant.
In 1864 Warner volunteered to accept the command of a colored regi-
ment, and on March 7 was commissioned captain of Company A, Sixty-
third United States Infantry, serving in that capacity until mustered out
Jan. 9, 1866. He then settled down as a farmer at Andover. In 1868 he
was elected sheriff, having been nominated by an independent convention
of Swedish voters, whose request for representation on the Republican
ticket had been denied. At the close of his term he sought a new home,
locating in Page county, Iowa, in 1871. On Dec. 4, 1865, Capt. Warner
had been united in marriage with Mathilda Johnson, only daughter of
Eric Janson, the founder of the Bishop Hill community. He passed
away ten years later, Dec. 5, 1875.
Captain ANDREW STENBECK commanded Battery H, Second Illinois
Light Artillery, from date of muster, Dec. 31, 1861, until May 25, 1863,
when he resigned. He was a native of Hafvarod, Skane, where he was
born Feb. 12, 1828, and had emigrated in 1854, locating at Galesburg.
He was made captain on recommendation of Stolbrand, a former com-
rade in the Swedish army. He fought at Fort Donelson. Shiloh, Clarks-
ville, Nashville, and led his company in a number of engagements in the
Tennessee campaign. After his resignation he served as superintendent
of Benton Barracks, at St. Louis, until 1866, when he removed to Chicago.
His application for a captaincy in the regular army being denied by
President Johnson, Stenbeck settled down to a civil vocation, and \vas
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 113
employed for many years as tuner for the Julius Bauer Company. He
served for a short time as deputy under Sheriff Mattson. Capt. Stenbeck
died at his Chicago home Dec. 14, 1891.
Captain CARL AROSENIUS, who had enlisted and been mustered in as
corporal of Company A, Fifty-ninth Illinois, and subsequently promoted
quartermaster sergeant, was transferred to the captaincy of Company C,
Forty-third Illinois, on Oct. 9, 1862, to succeed Capt. Olof S. Edvall,
who on May 7 had died of wounds received at Pittsburg Landing. After
re-enlisting with most of his company in 1863, Arosenius remained in
command until it was mustered out. He was a resident of Galesburg and
in 1859 became editor of a weekly paper, Frihetsvanncn, which ran for
about a year. After the war he was one of a company who formed the
weekly Svenska Amerikanaren of Chicago. Of his subsequent career no
data are available.
C. E. LANDSTROM, a resident of Knoxville before, and of Galesburg
after the war, who was employed in Des Moines, la., at the time, joined
Company B, Fifteenth Iowa Volunteers, which company had been partly
recruited by him in November, 1861, as second lieutenant. He was pro-
moted first lieutenant shortly, and in 1863 attained to the rank of captain,
serving until the war closed. Returning in 1865, he located in Galesburg,
engaging in business in partnership with one Bancroft. Shortly before
going to the front Landstrom was married at Des Moines to Miss Crocker,
sister of General Crocker.
SWEDES IN POLITICAL AND CIVIC LIFE.
Their efficient service during the war gave the Swedish-born citizens
a strong claim on political recognition. They presented at this time a
solid Republican front at elections, a condition which did not change
materially during the subsequent forty years. As late as 1898, it was
still estimated that they voted the Republican ticket according to the
time-honored proportion of ninety-nine out of a hundred. 1
But there was a prior reason for due recognition. It is pointed out
by the writer to whom reference has just been had and from whose work
the following is a free quotation.
Sweden was a staunch friend of the Union, and her sons in America
were a unit on that point. A small factor may sometimes, owing to its
momentary relation to other and greater factors, become indispensable
for the attainment of a certain object of momentous subsequent import
in human history. That was the position of the Swedish-Americans in
the great national crisis. At the time they were not many enough to
determine the outcome of a test of strength on a battlefield, but, incredible
as it may sound, they were sufficiently numerous and strong in their unity
to decide the presidential election which in turn determined the outcome
of the Civil War.
1 C. F. Peterson, "Sverige i Amerika," p. 215.
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
A person totally impartial and one intimately conversant with the
question, a former state governor, 1 has shown conclusively that Lincoln
could not have been elected president but for the unanimity with which
he was supported by the Scandinavians of the western states. The out-
come of the presidential election in 1860 and again that of 1864 hung on
a very small margin, and had the Swedes been less enlightened, less
moral, less liberty-loving, they would likewise have been less zealous in
their efforts to accomplish the election of Lincoln. And had he failed of
the choice, what of the Union cause? Possibly some say certainly a
compromise would have secured the permanence of slavery in the old
slave states. But with Lincoln after 1864 no compromise was possible,
and for his election the country owes a great measure of gratitude to the
Swedes in Illinois and Minnesota, whose votes were sufficient to tip the
balance in favor of the Lincoln electors.
Practical politics made no strong appeal to the Swedish-born citizens
of the earlier period. The class of men who had come over from Sweden
had no previous training for office-holding, and down to very recent times
their history in this state does not present one notable instance of a Swede
practicing politics as a profession or seeking public preferment for gain
or emolument. No matter how keen his interest in public questions, he
is constitutionally averse to taking the gambler's chance involved in the
average political campaign. He is satisfied to do his duty as a private
citizen, and does -so with almost religious devotion, paying less attention
to local partisan struggles than to the problem of taking the right stand
on the great national issues.
The few men of Swedish descent who filled public office in Illinois
during the first generation after immigration are the exceptions which
prove the rule. The second and still more the third generation have
shown a growing tendency to engage in the free-for-all contest with
greater reliance on the principle of equality and the justice of their claim
to representation in public government.
Captain Eric Johnson, son of the founder of the Bishop Hill com-
munity, was an early champion of Republicanism among his nationality.
Compelled by ill health to leave the captaincy of Company D, Fifty-
seventh Illinois, in 1862, he soon after became publisher of several local
newspapers in turn or simultaneously, and in 1869 founded The Illinois
Swede, a general newspaper. That year he was given the secretaryship
of a legislative committee, and in iS/o he was nominated for the legis-
lature, but had to forego the candidacy on account of too short a residence
in his district. Jonas W. Olson of Galva was then named and elected in
his stead. In 1872 Johnson left the Republican party, being of the opinion
that it had outlived its usefulness, and supported Greeley. He was put
up as a presidential elector on the liberal ticket in that campaign. In 1871
he was made journal clerk of the House of Representatives, serving during
1 Name not given by the author.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 115
one regular and one extra session. He held a position in the War Depart-
ment at Washington for a short time in the middle eighties.
Captain Johnson narrates a political incident which throws light on
the political situation in 1862 and how the Swedish voters dealt with it.
After so many Republicans had enlisted and gone to the front, the Demo-
crats secured power at home, and to make hay while the sun was shining,
they framed up a new constitution. Among the pro-slavery articles sev-
eral were submitted to the voters. To make a show of fairness, they per-
mitted the Illinois soldiers in the field to vote on the proposed constitution,
and sent a commission of three Democrats, with the notorious "Sam"
Buckmaster as chairman, to poll the vote of the soldiers. As each soldier
appeared, he was asked how he wished to vote on each proposition. When
it came to the negro propositions, if the vote of the soldier was not satis-
factory to the commissioners, they would say, "You do not want to find
your sister married to a negro when you return home?" Of course the
soldier answered no, and this answer was then recorded as his vote on a
proposition to which the voter at first assented. When the boys of Com-
pany D noticed how the soldiers were being confused, they went to Captain
Johnson and said, "Captain, we want you to vote first, and when our turn
comes, we will have them record our votes the same way." Captain
Johnson voted not only against all the Democratic propositions on the
negro question, but against the entire pro-slavery constitution as well.
To a man his company voted the same way. When the last vote of Com-
pany D had been polled, Buckmaster remarked with an oath, "That was
the d dest black abolition company in the service."
Jonas W. Olson is said to have been the first Swede to be admitted
to the bar in Illinois. Upon his election to the legislature in 1870 he
served with credit for one term, being the first Swede in the Illinois
legislature since Raphael Widen. He was the son of one of E->ic Janson s
staunchest followers in the Bishop Hill colony, Olof Olson, who emi-
grated from Soderala, Helsingland, in 1845. Jonas was born two years
before. In his latter years he held several local offices in his home town
of Galva, including those of town collector and police magistrate.
A. W. Berggren, a resident of Galesburg, served as sheriff of Knox
country from 1872 to 1880, being elected for four consecutive terms.
While still serving as sheriff he was elected state senator and re-
elected in 1884. When the senate was organized in 1887 Berggren was
chosen president pro tempore of that body. In 1889 the governor ap-
pointed him warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary, a position from
which he resigned in 1891 to take active supervision of the Covenant
Mutual Life Association of Illinois, at Galesburg.
Hans Mattson, who came to Illinois from Sweden in 1851 as a young
man of nineteen, and who appeared among the first members of the Bap-
tist congregation in Rock Island and Moline, achieved political success
in Minnesota, where he was elected secretary of state in 1869 and again in
1887. In 1881 he was appointed United States consul general of India
11(5 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
and served in that capacity at Calcutta for about two years. He organized
a Scandinavian company which took the field in November, 1861, and
served through the Civil War. In April, 1863, he was promoted to the
rank of colonel. Mattson died March 5, 1893.
Charles J. Sundell of Chicago was appointed American consul at
Stettin, Germany, in 1861, by President Lincoln. He resigned the office
of vice consul of Sweden and Norway, held by him since 1858, when he
assumed the new position in the American consular service. This seems
to have been the first Federal office given to a Swedish Illinoisan. Sundell
served at this post until the change of administration in 1867.
In 1862 F. E. Jocknick obtained an official position in the Chicago
postoffice, serving for eight years. He was succeeded in the department
by C. Blanxius.
As early as 1864, before the Swedes of Chicago had any numerical
strength, one of their number, John A. Nelson, won out in his cam-
paign for the office of sheriff, the most remunerative political position
attained by a Swedish Chicagoan up to that time. His election is said to
have been due to the strong support given him by his predecessor, A. C.
Hesing, under whom Nelson had served as deputy, and of the German
element.
P. L. Hawkinson served as justice of the peace about this time and
was repeatedly reappointed, for the third time in 1879. In the sixties
(.). Larson, a Swedish civil engineer, was attached to the Chicago de-
partment of public works. By appointment of the governor, John A.
Enander was made a member of the State Board of Education and was
serving in that capacity in 1880.
In 1874 C. G. Linderborg was nominated for representative on the
Republican ticket, and John A. Arvidson was given a like position on the
Democratic ticket. Both were elected.
In the custom house P. A. Sundelius, a newspaper man, held an office
for some time, subsequently transferring to the recorder's office as chief
clerk. In 1884 ne was sen t to the legislature and served for three terms.
His most notable service as a legislator was the framing of the compul-
sory education bill.
Captain Axel Silfversparre of Civil War fame in 1865 became assist-
ant city engineer of Chicago, a place retained by him for several years.
The year following the great fire he assisted in the work of drawing the
new city plans. He sought a place on the police board in 1872 and was a
candidate for the office of county surveyor in 1876, suffering defeat in both
elections. Part of the years 1878-79 he worked under Gen. McDowell,
who superintended the construction of the Federal building in Chicago.
We find no Swedish names in the political history of Rockford
before 1880, when S. A. Johnson was elected alderman of the Sixth
Ward. In 1881, C. E. Knutson was elected alderman in the Seventh
Ward. G. A. Salstrcm was alderman of the Sixth Ward in 1887-1895.
He was succeeded bv Albert Hollem and Gust Holm in the same ward.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT
117
In 1891, A. J. Anderson entered the city council; at the same time F. G.
Hogland was elected city clerk, a position he held for five years. G. V.
Lindblade also served in the city council, and about the same time A. F.
Bargren was elected chief of police, a position he still holds.
LINCOLN PARK LAID OUT BY SWEDISH LANDSCAPE GARDENERS.
The original plan of Lincoln Park was the work of a Swedish land-
scape gardener. In the year 1865 the city of Chicago, more than thirty
years after its incorporation, was still without a public park. That year
the city authorities awoke to the fact and forthwith set about beautifying
the municipal environment. It must have been
sadly needed, for according to Fredrika Bre-
mer, who visited the place fifteen years before,
the general verdict of travelers was that Chi-
cago was then a most repulsive and disreputable
looking community.
A prize of two hundred dollars was offered
for the best plans for the two new parks to be
laid out Lincoln and Union parks. The prize
was captured by Sven Nelson. In the early
fall of the same year he began work on the
tract assigned for Lincoln Park, with an appro-
priation of $1,500 for the first year. The next
year he formed a partnership with O. Benson,
and the two men carried on the business of
landscape gardening on a fairly extensive scale for nine years. In 18/5,
when the firm was dissolved, Benson was appointed park superintendent
by the commissioners. The principal work was laid down on the north
side park, that on the west side being rather neglected for a time.
The pioneer landscape artists and park superintendents of Chicago
both hailed from the Swedish province of Skane, where they were born at
Fjelkestad. They emigrated the same year (1852), Nelson at the age
of twenty-four, Benson at fifteen. After spending the first three years in
Ohio they came on to Chicago in 1855.
Nelson persevered in his original occupation of landscape gardening,
which he had learned on the estate of Count Wachtmeister at Wanas. In
1857 ne was married to Sophia Johanna Hoffman of Kristianstad.
Benson is said to have engaged in teaching in Ohio shortly after his
arrival. He left Chicago after a year to work as a compositor in the print-
ing office of Svcnska Republikanen, started at Galva in July, 1856, after
having had similar employment in the office of the Chicago Tribune. He
subsequently entered high school in Chicago, graduating with high standing
after three years. At the outbreak of the Civil War he volunteered for
service and remained in the army for three and a half years. His wife was
an American by birth.
OI.OF liKXSOX.
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
A third Swedish landscape artist connected with the development of
Lincoln Park was Pehr S. Peterson, the founder of Rosehill Nursery.
Having received his professional training at the large estate of Ovedskloster
in Skane, the ancient manse of which was surrounded by an elaborate
private park, Peterson came to Chicago in 1862, after spending seven
years in the East, and broke ground for the now famous Rosehill Nursery
the same year. Much of the nursery stock used in Lincoln Park has been
supplied by this establishment from the outset.
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES.
FOUNDING OF THE AUGUSTANA SYNOD.
It was Illinois men of Illinois churches that formed the majority of
the convention which framed the Augustana Synod. On April 26, 1860,
at Chicago, the pastors and congregations declared their independence of
the Synod of Northern Illinois by unanimous resolution peacefully to
dissolve their churchly connections with that Synod. On June 5, at Clin-
ton, Wis., in a convention called for that specific purpose, these same
churches, through their pastors and lay delegates, voted unanimously and
with enthusiasm to organize an independent Scandinavian Synod. All but
one of the pastors were present, eleven Swedish and seven Norwegian,
eighteen out of a total of nineteen. To these were added fifteen lay dele-
gates. Of the Swedish pastors and laymen the sole survivors are Dr. G.
Peters and Mr. John Erlander, both residents of Rockford. Before the
close of the convention eight were added through ordination.
The regular delegates acted on behalf of thirty-six Swedish congre-
gations of 3,747 communicants, and thirteen Norwegian churches com-
prising 1,220 communicant members, a total of close to 5,000 Scandinavian
church members.
The convention lasted from the 5th to the nth of June. On the 6th
and 7th the Synodical Constitution, drafted in the main by Prof. L. P.
Esbjorn, was discussed and adopted. The new church body was named
the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North
America, or in short, the Augustana Synod. The name Augustana, from
the Latin name of the Augsburg Confession, was suggested by Eric Nor-
clius as appropriate for a synod "determined on holding fast to that
glorious confession in its entirety."
The constitution adopted June 7 provided for the founding and main-
tenance of a theological seminary. Then and there, maintains Dr. C. M.
Esbjorn, 1 the foundation was laid for the first Swedish-American institu-
tion of learning. The 7th of June is the true "Founders' Day," according
to the same authority.
The first act of the newly organized Synod was to take steps towards
carrying out that constitutional provision. On June 8, Art. I of the con-
stitution for the seminary was adopted, reading as follows : "The Au-
1 Anniversary Address, 1910.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT
119
gustana Synod shall establish and maintain a theological seminary which
shall be located temporarily in Chicago and known as the Augustana Semi-
nary." A preparatory and theological department were provided for, and
Rev. L. P. Esbjorn was appointed "Scandinavian and theological
professor."
"Thus did our fathers from the very outset aim to further the cause
of education; and if the origin of this institution is intimately connected
with the history of the founding of the Swedish-American church, it is
because the organizers of the synod had at heart not only the religious
LAYMEN FOUNDERS OF THE AUGUSTANA SYNOD.
JOHN ERLANDER, P. PALMQUIST, JOHAN JONASON,
O. PAULSEN, N. DAHLGREN, JONAS ENGBERG, C. SKOLD.
interest but cultural and national interests as well. If their connection
with the Synod of Northern Illinois had been to them as Lutherans and
Swedes a sort of Egyptian slavery and the meeting in Chicago was the
crossing of the Red Sea, then the meeting at Jefferson Prairie was their'
Sinai, where they were formed into a covenant and an ordered communion.
The former is the Easter, the latter the Pentecost of our church. If, to use
another figure, the Chicago meeting was the beginning of travail, the Jef-
ferson Prairie was the very moment of birth. There the Swedish-Ameri-
can church was born, there was born a new Sweden in America, for not
until now did the Swedish element assert itself and claim its fixed place,
historically and culturally, among the other nationalities in this land of
intermingled races. We rightfully dwell on the importance of the new
body for the Swedish element, for although Norwegians took part in the
120 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
organization, the Swedes were predominant in numbers and influence, and
furthermore, the connection between the two elements was rather loose,
each having its own interests, so that the separation which followed ten
years later was practically implied from the first." 1
The Augustana Synod eventually grew from a small group of
churches in Illinois and a few in Minnesota to a nation-wide organization
of Swedish Lutherans. The former Mississippi Conference, now known
as the Illinois Conference, constitutes that part of the Synod which con-
tinues to figure in the Swedish religious activities within the state, together
with the two synodical institutions at Rock Island, namely, the college
and seminary and the publishing house.
AUGUSTANA COLLEGE AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
It is to the organization meeting of the Augustana Synod, held at
Jefferson Prairie, near Clinton, Wis., June 5-11, 1860, that Augustana Col-
lege and Theological Seminary traces its origin as an independent institu-
tion. The way had already been paved- by Esbjcrn's act of removing to
that city with the manifest intent of continuing his work of teaching. The
first article in the constitution adopted for the school (June 8) reads :
"The Augustana Synod shall establish and maintain a theological seminary
for the present at (or, to be located in) Chicago and to be known
as Augustana Seminary." It was an oddly worded article, foreshadowing
the strife over the question of location which agitated the Synod from time
to time down to recent years. The second article reads : "The purpose
of this institution of learning shall be to educate young men for the gospel
ministry in the Lutheran church, particularly the congregations belonging
to the Augustana Synod, and also to prepare young men for the profession
of teaching." This scope was eventually widened, and a complete college
department was developed by the middle seventies, the first college class
being graduated in 1877.
At the very outset the founders had in view a plan to purchase land
and start farming for the benefit of the school. The door was opened
for experiment, and we find the sponsors and promoters again and again
in quest of land where the institution might be located in the heart of some
populous Swedish agricultural section. The institution was removed, first
to Paxton, in 1863, then to Rock Island, in 1875. In Chicago the school
was conducted on the premises of the Immanuel church, Esbjorn serving
as its first president and principal teacher, with various assistants. Means
for its maintenance were solicited both in Sweden and in the United States.
On one occasion Esbjorn was appointed to go on a special mission to
Columbus, O., to secure the transfer to the seminary of $1,500 given by
Jenny Lind to the Capital University as a foundation for a Scandinavian
chair, which was never established. Recent inquiry as to this fund brought
the following explanation from Dr. Norelius, then the only Swedish stu-
1 C. M. Esbjorn in Anniversary Address, 1910.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 121
dent at that university : Dr. Reynolds, then president of the institution,
arbitrarily used the money without rendering any account of it to the board
of regents, and upon inquiry into the matter no trace of the fund was
found, either in the treasury or in the records. This man later became
president of the Springfield seminary, and it was partly due to his manip-
ulation of the funds solicited by Esbjcrn that the latter resigned.
The Church of Sweden appropriated two annual collections for the
cause, and private soliciting, first by O. C. T. Andren, who resigned as
emissary in Sept., 1861, to settle down in Sweden, then by Esbjorn,
brought a total of $10,846 from these sources. In addition, King Charles
XV. donated 5,000 volumes from his private collections. This was the
nucleus for Augustana Library, now housed in the Denkmann memorial
building. While in Sweden in 1862, in the interest of the seminary, whose
only regular teacher he had been up to this time, Esbjorn resigned his posi-
tion and accepted an appointment by the crown to become pastor of the
parish of Oster-Wahla. The chief motive for this step doubtless was his
devotion to his native land and a desire for more settled conditions of life
than had been afforded the pioneer preacher and teacher for the past
twelve years. But he had other reasons. On many points he and Pastor
Hasselquist held different views. The latter is said to have privately
opposed Esbjorn's election to the Scandinavian professorship, having nego-
tiated with Peter Fjellstedt of Sweden to take that place, and about this
time the two men took issue with one another in the proposed removal of
the seminary to Paxton. The board of directors had urged Hasselquist to
move to Paxton and use his influence as president of the Synod in promot-
ing a colonization plan in behalf of the school. He thus became pastor of
the new congregation there and as such would naturally have a voice in
the affairs of the institution. Disliking to stand in the w ? ay of either the
financial plan or the personal ambitions of his brother churchman, Esbjorn
yielded at the favorable opportunity. After Paul Peter Waldenstrom of
Sweden, who later led a dissenters' movement, had declined the position,
Hasselquist was chosen temporarily to fill the vacancy. Failing in 1863
to secure Rev. Sven L. Bring or some other capable man from Sweden,
the Synod also made Hasselquist the temporary incumbent of the theologi-
cal chair. Hasselquist retained that position and also served as president
of the institution until his death, Feb. 4, 1891. It has often been asserted
that Hasselquist's presidency was never made permanent. C. M. Esbjorn,
however, after having made a careful search of the records, states that on
Sept. 22, 1875, the day when the school opened for the first time in Rock
Island, the board of directors formally elected Hasselquist president.
Neither Hasselquist nor the president of the synod made note of this in
the subsequent annual reports. During the twelve years Augustana Col-
lege and Seminary, so named upon its removal, remained at Paxton, its
property consisted of a farm and four small frame houses scattered over
a plat of ground donated for a school site. In 1865 it was chartered under
that name and allowed $50,000 worth of property free of taxation. An
AUSGUTANA COLLEGE BUILDINGS AT PAXTON.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 123
amendment of the charter was granted in 1869, changing the name to Au-
gustana College and Theological Seminary, raising the limit of non-assess-
able property to $100,000, and lixing no definite locality for the school.
Instruction was given in collegiate branches as early as 1866, but a senior
class was not formed until 18/6. The school did not prosper at Paxton,
and the average number of students up to 1870 was about thirty-five.
The desirability of a new and more central location had been growing
apparent from the fact that the stream of Swedish immigration bore
mainly to the west and northwest from Chicago. Finally Rock Island
was settled on as the most favorable location available, and in 1873 nine-
teen acres of ground in the hills of the east part of the city were purchased
for $10,000. On this site a main college building was erected with all pos-
sible expedition, and upon its completion, in 1875, the school was opened
there Sept. 22. The dedication took place Oct. 14 of the same year. The
main building, a four-story brick structure, costing $35,000, and two auxili-
ary buildings, were erected. By synodical resolution in 1873 every com-
municant member of the Synod was required to pay 25 cents per year to-
ward the support of the institution.
In 1879 tne college was placed on a level with colleges in Sweden by
act of the Department of Ecclesiastics granting its graduates admittance
to the Swedish universities without examination. A Conservatory of Mu-
sic was established privately in 1886, and this was made one of the depart-
ments of the institution in 1888 ; a Commercial Department was added also
in 1888; a Normal Department followed in 1891, and an Art Department
in 1895.
In the college proper ten departments of teaching have gradually been
established. Post-graduate courses were introduced in the college in 1891,
and in the seminary one year later.
The Synod, in 1883, resolved to erect a new main building at an esti-
mated cost of $55,000. When, on Nov. 6, 1884, the corner stone was laid.
$30,000 had been subscribed, and the next year P. L. Cable, of Rock Island,
came to the assistance of the Synod by donating the sum of $25.000 to the
building fund. Then the building plans were changed, whereby some
$30,000 was added to the original estimate. The building was not com-
pleted for occupancy until 1888, when recitations began in the new halls in
January. This is the most monumental building heretofore erected by
Swedish-Americans. Dr. Hasselquist was succeeded in 1891 by Dr. Olof
Olsson, who served as president until his death in May, 1900. After an
interim, during which Dr. C. W. Foss acted as president, the Synod in
June, 1901, elected Dr. Gustav Andreen, the present incumbent of the pres-
idential office.
Augustana is fortunate in the possession of a museum containing
comprehensive and valuable collections which facilitate the study of the
natural sciences. It has also ethnographic and numismatic collections.
The historical collection of American Lutheran and Scandinavian-Ameri-
can literature, already grown to considerable proportions, should prove a
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 125
valuable aid to research. In 1910 the library was estimated at about 26,000
volumes.
The Handel Oratorio Society, originally called the Augustana Ora-
torio Society, was organized in the fall of 1880. This was the first society
of its kind in this section of the United States. Its influence in developing
a taste for classical sacred music in the community and throughout the
Synod cannot be too highly estimated. Prof. Olof Olsson of the theological
seminary was its founder and enthusiastic supporter.
Dr. A. W. Williamson, professor of mathematics, one of the warmest
friends the college ever had, in 1886 presented to the institution five acres
of land adjoining the college grounds on the south. The campus was
further extended through friends of the institution who organized in 1891
tinder the name of the Augustana University Association. About this time
its friends began to have visions of a greater Augustana, as implied in the
very name chosen. The express purpose was to promote the growth and
higher development of the college. It seized the opportunity of purchasing
for $25,000 a tract of ten or twelve acres of ground directly north of the
campus. The financial depression during the next few years came near
frustrating its plan to deliver this tract to Augustana, but when State
Senator C. J. A. Ericson, of Boone, la., promised a donation of $12,800 on
condition that the association raise an equivalent amount towards paying
the indebtedness, the enterprise was saved. The condition fulfilled in
October, 1899, the property, henceforth known as Ericson Park, was
turned over, clear of debt, to the institution, making the college grounds
about thirty-six acres in extent.
With the exception of a few notable donations in large sums, the great
bulk of the funds needed to erect and maintain the necessary buildings,
and to meet the running expenses of the institution has been faithfully con-
tributed by the rank and file of the synod. In addition to the donations
by P. L. Cable and C. J. A. Ericson, already mentioned, Augustana grate-
fully acknowledges the following large donations, namely : 160 acres
of Iowa farm land and the coal rights in 120 acres, by Senator Ericson;
subscriptions by Oscar Ekman and other friends in Sweden, aggregating
$27,000, as a fund for the endowment of a chair of science to be known
as the Oscar II. Professorship, and finally the most munificent of all gifts
to Augustana by the Denkmann family, of Rock Island. Public announce-
ment was made in January, 1909, that the heirs of Mr. and Mrs. F. C. A.
Denkmann would erect, at a cost of not less than $100,000, a library build-
ing for Augustana College to be known as the Denkmann Memorial Li-
brary. When the building was completed and turned over as a gift to the
institution in May, 1912, it was found that the donors had builded better
than they promised, for the memorial structure complete represented a
total outlay of $208,000, and is recognized as one of the finest and best
appointed libraries in the Middle West.
A movement was set on foot by the synod at Paxton, in 1903, mak-
ing for permanent endowment of the institution. Four years later the de-
DR. OLOF OLSSON.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 127
tails of the plan were arranged. The synod expressed its determination
to raise a general endowment fund of $250,000, the work to be completed
by June, 1910, when Augustana College and Theological Seminary and the
Augustana Synod were to commemorate their fiftieth anniversary. To
this, the so-called Jubilee Fund, the Iowa Conference as early as 1906
pledged $40,000; Illinois followed in 1907 with a promise to raise $140,-
ooo; in 1908 Minnesota promised to contribute $50,000; Kansas, $7,000;
Nebraska, $10,000; New York, $20,000, and California, $1,000. In clue
time it was reported that the Jubilee Fund had reached $268,000, $18,000
above the quarter million. After the jubilee of 1910 it appeared, however,
that several conferences were delinquent, and their promised contributions
are still owing to the endowment fund in whole or in part. Despite these
delinquencies, the Jubilee Fund on March 31, 1916, was $245,153. All
funds available to the institution on the same date aggregated $453,481.
The annual attendance in all departments of Augustana College in recent
years varies from 650 to 675.
DR. TUVE NILSSON HASSELOUIST.
In the person of Dr. Hasselquist the Augustana Synod honors the
chief figure in the first half century of its history. In the milieu of pioneer
times he stands out as the foremost preacher and missionary among the
Swedish settlers ; in the founding of their early institutions he had a hand,
where he was not himself the prime mover; the education of their pastors
lay chiefly with him for almost thirty years; the purity of faith, the unity
of doctrine and the stability in church polity and life characterizing the
Augustana Synod today are largely the result of the sound indoctrination
and steadfast guidance at his hands during its formative period. Twenty-
six years have elapsed since this patriarch of his people passed to his
reward, yet he lives in works that endure, in spiritual impulses still in
force.
Pastor Hasselquist came to this country in 1852, at the age of thirty-
six, a mature man, liberally educated and prepared at the college of
Kristianstad and the old University of Lund, ordained to the ministry in
the Church of Sweden by Bishop Faxe in 1839, an( l w ' tn ample pastoral
experience gained from five charges in the Lund diocese to fit him for
his labors in the larger field the Lord assigned to him in the New World.
When he accepted a call to serve the newly organized Swedish Lutheran
Church of Galesburg, 111., this was on a three years' leave of absence,
but once engaged in the missionary service in the West, arduous, ill-paid
and fraught with hardships, he never, so far as evidence goes, contem-
plated a return to his well-ordered parish back in his native province.
It is a matter of record that Hasselquist, when seeing Pastor Lars Paul
Esbjorn at the head of a company of emigrants in 1849, at Helsingborg,
had expressed his unwillingness to go to America, yet only three years
later we find him accepting a call that brought him here for life.
Hasselquist's labors for the next few years were by no means limited
DR. GUSTAV ANDREEN,
President of Augustana College.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 129
to the Galesburg church and the adjacent charges in Knoxville and else-
where. In the fifties a constant stream of Swedish immigration inundated
the upper Mississippi Valley. He visited the newly planted colonies in
Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana, gathering his fellow countrymen
around the Word of God and organizing congregations wherever condi-
tions favored such a step.
He soon realized the need of an organ of communication among the
scattered settlements, and with the council of several brethren, chiefly
Pastors Esbjcrn and Erland Carlsson, he founded "Hcmlandct, Det
Gamla och det Nya," the pioneer Swedish general newspaper in the United
States (1855). His little printing office in Galesburg, putting out also a
number of tracts and books, was the cradle of the quite extensive general
publishing business in the Swedish language now flourishing in centers of
Swedish population like Chicago, Rock Island and Minneapolis. A year
later, prompted by the demand for religious literature, he founded Det
Riitta Hcmlandet, through which for many years he championed the cause
of Lutheran faith and teaching as against the vigorous proselyting cam-
paign of various sects among the Lutheran newcomers.
From the first the Swedish, as also the Norwegian, missionaries affili-
ated with the Synod of Northern Illinois. Peculiar conditions soon led
to the forming of several conferences which in 1860 were merged into
the Scandinavian Augustana Synod. Hasselquist became its first and
only president, serving until 18/0, when the Swedish and Norwegian
brethren separated amicably and the latter organized an Augustana Synod
of their own.
With the severance of synodical ties in 1860 came the establishment
of a new theological seminary at Chicago, headed by Rev. Esbjorn, who
had taught theology and the Scandinavian branches in the seminary at
Springfield. In his home in Galesburg, Hasselquist had prepared several
men for the ministry by private instruction, and when, in 1863, Esbjorn
returned to Sweden, Hasselquist was appointed his temporary suc-
cessor and served for a period of nearly twenty-eight years as president
of Augustana College and Theological Seminary under a call which,
curiously enough, was never made permanent by action of the Synod,
merely by the board of directors.
The institution was removed from Chicago to Paxton that same year.
Hasselquist left Galesburg for Paxton principally to build up and serve
a congregation there, while incidentally conducting the classes and man-
aging the affairs of the struggling young school, where at times he \vas
obliged to teach no less than fifteen subjects. However, both the school
and the congregation prospered under his charge. He was a dynamo of
physkal and mental energy, except for the last few years of his life.
Burdens and discouragements which would have broken an average man
he bore with remarkable strength and fortitude. He labored with an eye
single to the interests of his church. While on a visit to Sweden in 1870
he did not look about for a comfortable charge for himself there, but
130 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
rather devoted his time to inducing young divinity students to come to
the aid of the daughter church in the far West. Hasselquist remained at
the head of the synod's educational institution up to the time of his death
in 1891 (Feb. 4th), meanwhile serving the First Lutheran Church of that
city and editing the synodical organ Augustana, except for the last two
years.
As an index of the successful and conscientious manner in which
Hasselquist accomplished every task entrusted to him, a few significant
figures may be adduced. The church in Galesburg, taken over with but a
handful of members, he left with a communicant membership of 316,
although he made frequent missionary trips and his time was largely
occupied with editorial work on two papers and with synodical affairs.
In Paxton he built a congregation literally from the ground up and left it
after eleven years as a prosperous parish of 525 communicants. While
located there, the college and seminary grew in attendance from ten to
eighty-one, and in Rock Island during his presidency from the latter figure
to 342. His church in Rock Island during his pastorate enjoyed a mod-
erate increase in membership from 121 to 174, probably quite proportionate
to the slow influx of Swedish population to the city in that period.
The gift of song was one of Hasselquist's endowments. In pioneer
days he led the singing, as well as conducting the main part of the divine
services. Organs there were none and of clavichords and psalmodicons
few, and his clear, firm voice lifted up in sacred song is a memory as dear
to many as that of his positive and simple preaching of the saving Truth.
His was one of the first Swedish homes in the West made cheerful by the
piano. Both he and his children cultivated the art of music, and even in
his ripe old age the venerable church veteran was sometimes heard as
soloist in sacred concert.
A woman of marked accomplishments was Miss Eva Cervin, who
became the helpmeet of Pastor Hasselquist in May, 1852, just prior to his
departure for the United States. Thoroughly educated in a girls' semi-
nary in Sweden, she spoke French, German and English, besides her
mother tongue, and possessed a reading knowledge of Italian and Spanish.
It was with her assistance and advice that Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb, of Gales-
burg, produced their meritorious translation of Tegner's master work,
"Frithiof's Saga," and at Paxton she taught French to a private class.
A Swedish version of "The Luther Book," by Herman Fick, translated
from the German and published at Galesburg, is said to be the work of
her pen. She would often take notes of her husband's sermons and write
them out more fully at her leisure, thus assisting him materially in the
preparation of copy for his paper.
From the many tributes to the high character and abiding influence
of this eminent Swedish-American churchman a few excerpts are given,
which, by pointing out details and accentuating particular features, serve
to complete the portrait and visualize the greatness of his work.
As an exegete, or one skilled in the exposition of the Scriptures, he
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 131
still stands unexcelled among the ministers of the synod. Although his
discourses were masterpieces of the art of sermonizing, they were always
delivered in plain, simple language, so that even the unlettered might
profit by them, and they were mostly preached to plain, unassum-
ing audiences in very modest and humble church edifices. He was not
easily carried away on some passing wave of popular enthusiasm, and
especially was he careful not to pass indiscreet judgment on his fellow-
men. Even in the most heated controversies, he never ascribed improper
motives to his antagonists or attempted to sit in judgment over them. He
knew his limitations, and he never tampered with things he knew he was
not fit for. It was his childlike artlessness, combined with his towering
intellect and eminent spiritual gifts that made him truly great.
He maintained the position that a sound faith and a consecrated life
are insolubly bound up with a firm and stable confession. To him the
confessional books of the Lutheran Church were living guides on the
way of salvation. He was actively engaged in the struggles during the
great schismatic movements (in the fifties and again in the seventies).
For his unswervable doctrinal stand he was harshly judged by those whose
plans he frustrated.
While fighting for pure doctrine as though it were for life, which,
indeed, to him it was, he was ever charitable to the person of an opponent
denying more or less of the teachings of the Church which to him were
essential. Never did he pronounce upon their spiritual condition, but often
rejoiced over the good works accomplished by other denominations.
With great energy he worked and fought in behalf of common
interests, throwing his weighty influence in favor of union and strength
everywhere throughout the synod. Every office held he enhanced and
exalted by his faithful administration. Faithfulness in all things was his
characteristic trait.
His word often carried greater weight than a resolution of the synod.
Still, it would be wrong to assume that the patriarchal president was an
arbitrary autocrat. Had he acted on such a presumption, he probably
would not long have occupied the presidential chair, although he ranked
first among the Swedish Lutheran patriarchs.
During Hasselquist's term of service in the theological seminary no
less than two hundred and eighty-one candidates for the ministry were
sent out. Up to the school year of 1876-77 he was the sole theological pro-
fessor, teaching nearly all the disciplines of theology. His most masterly
handling of any subject in the class room was his exegesis of the sacred
books of the New Testament. Evidence in point is found in his published
work on the Epistle to the Ephesians (1887).
THE SWEDISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH.
About 1865 steps were taken to establish a divinity school for the
Scandinavians of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the initiative being
taken by Victor Witting. The matter was discussed at a convention in
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GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 133
October, when it was resolved to found such an institution. Witting
and other pastors were appointed to solicit funds and teachers were desig-
nated. The plan was well under way when Witting, the soul of the
project, was sent to Sweden. Then the work lagged, and more than half
the amount subscribed for the school fund is said to have been forfeited
through negligence in making collections. The Scandinavian plan was
soon thought impracticable, and a separation between the Swedish and
the Norwegian brethren followed, each group continuing to work for a
school of its own. This split delayed the establishment of the Swedish
seminary until 18/0, when it was opened at Galesburg, with Rev. N. O.
Westergreen as teacher. During the first year there \vere but four stu-
dents. The school occupied the upper story of a private house belonging
to Peter Hillgren, and was eventually transferred to Westergreen's own
residence. About a dozen pastors were prepared at the school while in
Galesburg. After two years it was transferred to Galva, Rev. C. A.
Wiren succeeding to the teacher's chair.
In 1875 the institution was located in Evanston, in an affiliated con-
nection with the Northwestern University and Garrett Biblical Institute.
The Swedish students were housed free of charge in Heck Hall, a large
dormitory. In July, 18/5, Rev. Wiren was compelled, by failing health,
to resign from his position, and Dr. William Henschen was elected to
fill his place. As Dr. Henschen also held the office of editor of Sandcbudet
and was pastor of the congregation in Evanston, he was unable to teach
all the classes, and the exigency was met by locating the Freshman class in
Galva, where the new students were taught from 1877 to 1879 by Rev.
Frederick Ahgren, a gifted young minister from Sweden, who spent
a couple of years in America. The two following years the first class was
maintained and taught in St. Paul and Minneapolis by one of the pastors
in those cities, Rev. J. O. Nelson. In 1883 Dr. Henschen resigned from
his position and Prof. Albert Ericson became the head of the seminary,
after all the classes had been consolidated at Evanston. The course was
changed from two to three years. He was the sole teacher of the school
up to January, 1889. At that time the Swedish Methodists in America
had, with the aid of Mr. John R. Lindgren, started the Swedish M. E.
Book Concern at Chicago, and began a new religious weekly named
Vaktarcn, both enterprises being entrusted to Prof. Ericson. As it was
found impossible for him to perform all these duties alone, the
board of trustees called to his assistance C. G. Wallenius, who had come
shortly before .to America in order to complete his studies in Boston
University. He became professor in the academic department, which was
organized at that time. Professor Wallenius held this position until 1896,
when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. N. O. Westergreen, who
served for one year. The following three years the seminary again had
only one teacher, Dr. Albert Ericson, as special arrangements had been
made with the Academy of the Northwestern University, whereby the
Swedish students received their academic training in that school. In
DR. WILLIAM HENSCHEN.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 135
1900 Professor Wallenius was re-elected and served until 1906, when
Rev. J. E. Hillberg was called as his successor. The latter held the posi-
tion until 1910, when he was elected editor of Siindebudet. After twenty-
six years of faithful and efficient service as president of the Seminary,
Dr. Ericson resigned, in 1909, and was succeeded by C. G. Wallenius.
The following year Dr. F. A. Lundberg was called to fill the chair of
natural science, English and church history.
The control of the institution is vested in a board of twelve trustees.
elected by the six annual conferences of the Swedish Methodists in
America, seven being clergymen and five laymen.
The institution was started on a fund of $4,000, which since has
grown to about $40,000. This does not include the value of the real
estate belonging to the Seminary. A building for lecture rooms and dor-
mitory was erected in 1883, at a cost of $8,000, on ground owned by the
university. In 1902 the board of trustees appointed Dr. C. G. Nelson as
financial agent to raise funds for a larger building. He worked with
energy and zeal from 1902 to 1910 in this capacity, and during this time
a beautiful site was secured at Orrington avenue and Lincoln street, a
large, commodious building erected, a home for the president built and the
endowment fund increased. The property is now valued at $65,000.
The course of study covers a period of four years, the first two being
devoted to academic instruction, while the two higher classes are com-
prised in the theological department. More than two hundred young men
have been graduated from this institution, the great majority of whom are
pastors of the Swedish Methodist Church.
THE SWEDISH BAPTIST SEMINARY AND ITS FOUNDER.
In 1871 a Bible school was opened in Chicago by Rev. Johan Alexis
Edgren, who by that act founded the institution long located at Morgan
Park, Chicago, and known as the Swedish Baptist Theological Seminary.
Returning, in 1870, from Sweden, where he had taught in the Bethel
Seminary at Stockholm, Edgren was alive to the importance to the Swed-
ish Baptists on this side of the water of educating their own ministers, as
their brethren in Sweden were doing. At first his intention was to conduct
a school in the Oak Street Baptist Church, but when the doors of the
Baptist Union Theological Seminary were opened to him he gratefully
availed himself of the opportunity to teach there. In the fall of 1871
Swedish instruction was begun at that institution in a small way, only one
student appearing at the opening of Edgren's department.
In 1873, Edgren was officially called to conduct a Scandinavian de-
partment at the seminary with the added burden of providing for its
maintenance and his own support. Accepting the position, he worked un-
der disheartening conditions for the next five years. After the removal of
the seminary to Morgan Park, in 1877, he continued in charge of the Swed-
ish department until 1884, when an earlier resolution to establish a sepa-
rate Swedish seminary was carried into effect by the removal of the Swed-
DR. JOHAN ALEXIS EDGREN.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 137
ish department to St. Paul, Minn., pending a permanent location. That
year ample means for its support were received, while $20,000 were sub-
scribed to the building fund and a site between the Twin Cities was offered.
A year later, however, the school was removed to Stromsburg, Neb., where
it was given a ten-acre site and a bonus of $10,000. Its location there
seems to have been dictated by private interests, and naming the school
Central Bible Seminary did not make it any more centrally located in rela-
tion to the majority of the churches. In 1888 it was generally recognized
that a mistake had been made, a majority of the directors favored a
new and truly central location, and the outcome of negotiations was that
the school was reunited with the Chicago institution.
Impaired health caused Edgren to retire, in 1887, after having taught
for fifteen years, with one interruption. Rev. C. G. Lagergren was then
called from Sweden to take his place, Eric Sandell and N. N. Morten con-
tinuing as assistants. In the fall of 1888 the school again opened at Mor-
gan Park, the Baptist Theological Union having agreed to provide lecture
halls and dormitory accommodations for the students, and to pay the sal-
aries of two of the Swedish professors, the department to be under the
supervision of the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. Dr.
Lagergren, who accepted the call in 1888, still remains at the head of the
Swedish Seminary. In 1895 Sandell and Morten were succeeded by Profs.
W. A. Peterson and Olof Hedeen, the latter an acquisition from the clergy
of the Lutheran Augustana Synod. Pastors Eric Wingren and John Ong-
man are among those who have taught for various periods. While the
majority of those who have received instruction are Swedes, there has
been a fair Norwegian and Danish element among the students from the
outset.
The work of Rev. Edgren, the founder, in behalf of the Swedish Bap-
tists on this side of the Atlantic probably was of broader scope than that
of any other man. Born Feb. 20, 1839, a native of Ostana, Vermland, he
prepared for three years at the Karlstad elementary school, then aban-
doned his studies in 1852 to go to sea. He got his fill of adventures on the
very first trip, but after a stay at home entered the school of navigation
at Stockholm and resumed his seafaring life after graduation for the posi-
tion of captain's mate. During a terrific storm on one of his voyages he
gave his heart to God and pledged himself to the Lord's service as a mis-
sionary. After some hesitation between the Methodists and the Baptists,
he joined the latter and was baptized at New York in 1858. He then re-
turned to Sweden to complete another two-year course in navigation. In
one year's time he earned his captain's diploma. On a subsequent voyage
to American ports as second mate on a Swedish brig, Edgren, at Charles-
ton, S. C., received his first impressions of slavery, which later prompted
him to lend a hand in crushing out that curse. He was in the service of
the Swedish merchant marine at the beginning of the Civil War and on
board a vessel in Charleston harbor chanced to be an eye-witness to the
first shots exchanged in that great conflict.
DR. C. G. LAGERGREN.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 139
After his return to Sweden to establish a navigation school at Stock-
holm, he became a close associate of Rev. Anders Wiberg and preached
occasionally, but did not as yet see his future mission clear. In 1862 he
visited the United States again to see his brother, Hjalmar, who was
serving in the Union Army and had just then witnessed the memorable
battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac off Hampton Roads. He
found him at Fort Rip Raps, whence he went to New York and applied
for admission to the U. S. Navy as a non-commissioned officer. Upon
examination he was, however, given a commission, and served as naviga-
tor in the Atlantic blockade. Both brothers resigned from the service, and
the naval officer took up theological studies at Princeton University, but
after a year returned to the navy. He was given command of the small
armored cruiser Catalpa and ordered to report to Admiral Dahlgren at
Port Royal. Finding life tedious on board a blockading ship, Fclgren, at
his own request, was transferred to a battery at Gumming' s Point. From
now until the fall of Charleston he was almost constantly on the firing
line, and was again present when on that memorable I5th of April Gen.
Anderson hoisted anew the Union flag he had been compelled to haul
dow r n from the shattered ramparts of Fort Snmter at the opening of the
war.
Resigning from the navy at the close of the war, Fdgren was engaged
as seaman's missionary and colporteur at New York, by the American
Baptist Publication Society. After having studied at Madison University
one year, he was appointed missionary in 1866, and accompanied Pastor
Wiberg to Sweden, where he became professor of mathematics and natural
sciences at the Bethel Seminary in Stockholm at the opening of that in-
stitution. Later he removed to Upsala, where he served the little Baptist
flock, while pursuing theological studies. After having labored for a time
as a missionary in Goteborg, Edgren returned to America and accepted
a call from the Chicago Swedish Baptist Church. It was while serving
this church that he conceived the idea of a Bible school for the Swedish-
speaking brethren, and personally realized the plan. During his fifteen
years at the head of the school it reached a maximum annual attendance
of forty students. In 1880 the University of Chicago conferred upon Prof.
Edgren the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was an able scholar and
Bible commentator, and published interesting reminiscences of his past
life. Twelve other works by him have been published in book form. The
church papers edited by him were Zions Vakt, started in 18/3, and pub-
lished for a short time, and Evangclisk Tidskrift, established in 1877, and
continued by him until 1880. Owing to failing health, Dr. Edgren with-
drew from the active service of his church in 1887, and lived in retirement
in California, where he died Jan. 26, 1908.
THE CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM.
Among the large group of religious denominations in Illinois we also
find the Church of the New Jerusalem. From the name of Emanuel
140
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Swedenborg, the illustrious writer of its doctrines, its members are gen-
erally called Swedenbprgians,
The first organization of the New Church in Illinois was established
in Chicago, in 1843, by the Hon. Jonathan Young Scammon, and a few
others, under the name of The Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem.
From that small beginning it grew, mainly among the Americans, until it
is now spread to every part of the state, and counts among its members,
representatives of many nations, of whom the Swedes and Germans pre-
dominate. In Chicago there are eight congregations, and in five of them
are a large number of Swedes and their descendants. In Glenview, 111.,
is a flourishing New Church settlement, with many members of Swedish
birth and extraction. This settlement has its own day-school where chil-
dren are educated up to first year high school, and for those who wish to
further round out their education under New Church auspices. The Acad-
emy of the New Church, at Bryn Athyn, Pa., offers college training. In
connection with it is also a theological seminary. There is another theo-
logical school at Cambridge, Mass.
As far as it is known, the first Swedish believers in the New Church
in Illinois \vere Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Lundquist and their two daughters,
Mathilda G., and Johanna S. (Mrs. J. W. Florine, of Andover, 111., and
Mrs. M. B. Ogden, of Riverside, Cal).
Lundquist, who was a paper manufacturer
in Helsingland, Sweden, after having become
affiliated with the followers of Erik Jansson,
disposed of his property and came to this
country in 1846, locating in Bishop Hill. This
affiliation did not appear to be a hard and
fast adherence to Janssonism, for the family
is claimed to have constituted a group of
Swedenborgians from the time of their ar-
rival. Being unable to speak English they
did not associate themselves with the Illinois
Association of the New Jerusalem, then
recently formed, nor did they make any
propaganda in behalf of their faith among
their fellow countrymen, but only studied in
private the revelation of the new age. But Mrs. Ogden later became a
member of the Riverside Society, in California, where she belonged until
her death, and Mrs. Florine made herself well known by giving $10,000 to
the Church Building Fund in Stockholm, Sweden, and a mortgage of
nearly $3,500 to the Western New Church Union, of Chicago.
Among the first Swedish believers in the New Church in Chicago
were Swain Nelson and his wife, Johanna Sophia Hoffman Nelson, and
Olof Benson, who joined in 1858. These three came from the vicinity
of Kristianstad, Sweden, in 1852, and as Mrs. Nelson was a daughter of
a zealous member of the Kristianstad Society, they were then more or
MRS. M. B. OGDEN.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 141
less imbued with the faith and the knowledge of the New Church. Messrs.
Nelson and Benson, being landscape engineers and practical gardeners,
later became much interested in the private and public development of
Chicago, and were also the ones to whom was assigned the work of laying
out Lincoln Park. This they did, and after its completion, Mr. Benson
served as its superintendent for seventeen years. Mr. Nelson spent his
last years peacefully with his oldest son, Seymour Nelson, and daughter-
in-law, Mrs. Annie Florine Nelson, in Glenview, 111., until death claimed
him, Jan. 18, 1917.
But as the years passed on, more Swedish names were added to the
receivers of the New Church. Among them we find Mrs. Anna Frederika
Magnusson, who joined in 1866, Mr. and Mrs. Nels Johnson, Mr. Leonard
Gyllenhaal, the editor, a grandson of the great entomologist of the same
name, Mr. and Mrs. Blid, Mr. C. F. Peterson, the editor and author,
Dr. J. W. Marelius, Dr. Oscar Oldberg, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Gustafson
and many more. Besides these, some of their wives were born in this
country of Swedish parents, and several of them have left large families.
But no effort was made by those to establish a distinct New Church
society, mainly because of the ease with which Swedes take to English
and American ways. Public discourses were indeed delivered now and
then, as for instance by Prof. Carl Th. Odhner, of Bryn Athyn, Pa., in the
early eighties, and Mr. C. F. Peterson, in the late nineties, but as immediate
results did not follow, the efforts lapsed.
The first permanent public propaganda among the Swedes in Illinois
was started by the Rev. John Headsten in 1898. As a layman he then
'began by establishing a book depot and advertising its contents; secured
authorization to preach from the Illinois Association ; held meetings in
private houses, and from time to time preached and delivered lectures in
churches and halls in Illinois and elsewhere. In July, 1903, the Swedish-
American New Church Society was organized under his auspices, with
twenty-one charter members, Dr. C. V. Urbom of Rock ford being elected
president, Mr. John Headsten, secretary, and Mr. Eric Hawkinson,
treasurer. This continued as a highly useful body until Mr. Headsten
entered the theological school, in Bryn Athyn, in 1911, when its use
naturally passed over to the Extension Fund of the General Church.
A Swedish Society was organized in Rockford, in 1904, by Dr. C. V.
Urbom and friends, that is still in existence, but in a dormant state, owing
to the lack of a leader.
After Mr. Headsten had completed his course at the theological
school, he entered upon the work of building up a society mainly of
Swedes, using both Swedish and English to gain his purpose. This he
succeeded in doing. The Swedenborg New Church Society was organ-
ized as a consequence in January, 1914. That society has now thirty-five
members. Although most of them are Swedes, or of Swedish descent,
there are six other nationalities represented in it.
In 1915 Mr. Headsten began publishing The N civ-Church Evangelist,
142 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
in English, which ran for one year. Each issue of this contained a sermon
unfolding the spiritual meaning of the Word, extracts from Swedenborg's
theological writings, and an editorial on things pertaining to a practical
Christian life.
As far as can be ascertained, there are at present about 816 members
of the New Church in Illinois, and of these at least 130 are Swedes, or of
Swedish extraction.
Olof Benson was an active worker within the Chicago society, and
served for many years as its secretary. After the great fire the society's
North Side Sunday-school was held for some time in his home. In 1873
he built for the society a chapel near the junction of La Salle avenue
and Clark street, at the border of Lincoln Park. This was erected at a
cost of $1,500. In the early seventies Benson was superintendent of the
Sunday-school, and from 1878 to 1882 he served as assistant secretary
and as secretary. "For thirty-five or more years," says Ralph Williams, 1
"Benson and his wife" (Jessie E. Arnold, who married him in 1865) "were
industrious and useful members of the church, Mr. Benson much of the
time being a leader in the Sunday-school, and many years an officer and
prominent and efficient committeeman."
THE MISSION FRIENDS, AN OUTGROWTH OF LUTHERANISM.
The group of religionists comprised in the general term Mission
Friends is the outgrowth of a movement in the Church of Sweden known
as devotionalism, characterized by a trend toward deeper spirituality,
greater freedom from dogmatism and set forms of worship and church
practice, the exclusion of all but true believers from the Eucharist and
ultimately from the new congregations when formed independent of the
State Church. Many devotionalists, or so-called Readers, remained loyal
to the Church of Sweden, but about the middle of the last century many
of them turned Methodists, Baptists, and Janssonists. In the sixties and
later others of this element organized "communion societies," and mission
societies, which ultimately crystallized into a distinct denomination which
was organized in Sweden in 1878 under the name of the Mission Covenant.
Its counterpart in this country is the Mission Covenant organized in Chi-
cago in 1885, which was long the only well defined body of Mission
Friends in the United States, while others of the group who for some time
would tolerate no form of denominational organization were designated
as the Free Mission Friends until 1908, when they organized the Swedish
Evangelical Free Church. Still others were too free even to affiliate with
the Free Church, and some, chiefly those living in the eastern states,
associated themselves with the American Congregational Church.
A number of Mission Friends from Jonkoping, Sweden, came to
Chicago in 1867, and joined the Immanuel Swedish Lutheran Church.
They soon formed a group by themselves and began holding devotional
meetings in the various homes. One Martin Sundin would read to them
1 In "The New Church and Chicago," 1906.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 143
from their favorite church paper, Pictisten, but as yet they had no recog-
nized leader. The next year John Peterson, who had been a lay preacher
in Sweden, joined them and naturally took a leading part in the conduct
of devotionals. Another of their early preachers was C. J. Lindahl, who
took a prominent part about 1869. But the arrival of J. M. Sanngren
is said to have been the real impetus to the work, and on Dec. 26, 1868,
at a meeting held in the home of Martin Sundin, 134 East Superior street,
the first step was taken toward the organization of a mission association
patterned on those in Sweden. This was the beginning of the Lutheran
Mission Church on the North Side.
Sundin, who came to Chicago in 1864 from Gefle, Sweden, is spoken
of as the pioneer of the group. He was a member of the Immanuel
Church and served for a time as deacon. Next after him came Henry
Palmblad, Johan Lof, J. E. Wretlof, August Hanson, M. Engquist, and
others. For their early meetings they are said to have been given the
use of a room by D. L. Moody, in his church.
Lindahl had come in 1868 as a student from the Ahlberg school in
Sweden. Being a brother of S. P. A. Lindahl, then a student in Paxton,
he was well received by Rev. Erland Carlsson of the Immanuel Church
and was soon engaged as city missionary. As the two brothers, Anders
and Eric Norelius, had joined one the Baptists, the other the Lutherans,
so here the brothers Lindahl were on the point of separation. Lindahl,
however, did not long remain with this movement, although "hyper-
evangelical" in his tendencies, but was discharged from the position of Lu-
theran city missionary on that ground. He later joined the Lutheran
General Synod.
Sanngren, a native of Alsheda parish, Smaland, born 1837, had
studied with Pastor Ahlberg in his school at Ahlsborg, whence he came
to Chicago in September, 1868. He was engaged as lay preacher in the
Augustana Synod, and when he appeared in Immanuel his sermons ap-
pealed strongly to the group of Mission Friends. When they had com-
pleted their own meeting-house on Franklin street in 1869 they called
him as their preacher. Upon the subsequent organization of the society
as a church communion, he remained its pastor until 1876, then leaving
for Lund, Wis. Sanngren became the first president of the Mission
Synod in 1873, remaining in that office until his death in 1878.
THE MISSION AND ANSGARIUS SYNODS.
The North Side Mission Church was the first of that denomination in
this state. Partly through early missionaries sent out from here similar
churches soon were established in various localities, including Princeton,
Rockford, and Galesburg, Keokuk and Des Moines, Iowa, and St. Paul
and Minneapolis, Minn. The need of union and cooperation soon became
apparent, and at a meeting of Mission Friends held at Princeton in 1871
it was proposed by representatives from the Chicago church to form a
synod. Acting on this suggestion, a small group of laymen and preachers
JONAS ENGBERG.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 145
met at Keokuk, and on May 22, 1873, organized the Swedish Evangelical
Lutheran Mission Synod. It was incorporated by Peter Englund, Charles
Anderson, C. G. Swenson, S. W. Sundberg, and C. A. Bjork.
In 1874 the synod began publishing a religious monthly styled
Missions-Vannen, which was changed to a weekly in 1880. The organ-
ization of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Ansgarius Synod followed
in 1874. This was brought about through the efforts of Rev. C. Anderson,
a pastor of Danish descent, who was called by the Mission Church in
Galesburg, organized in 1868 as the Second Swedish Lutheran Church of
that city. Anderson, who was a member of the Synod of Northern
Illinois, in 1873 opened a theological school in Keokuk. He had partici-
pated in the organization of the Mission Synod, and was enthusiastic for
new workers in the mission field. Upon the refusal of that synod to
affiliate with the Northern Illinois Anderson withdrew from the former,
his only remaining backers being a few mission churches who did not
join the Swedish synod. In 1871 he had begun publishing Sions Bancr, a
religious journal. When in 1874 he was soliciting funds for a school
building, James Knox offered him $12,000, provided he would locate his
school in Knoxville. The offer was accepted, and after $5,000 had been
added by the city and $3,000 solicited at large a building was erected.
Anderson, however, deemed it advisable to have a synod control and back
the institution, and in consequence the Ansgarius Synod was organized
May 1 8, 1874, at Galesburg. It was formed on practically the same con-
fessional basis as the Mission Synod, nevertheless a misunderstanding soon
arose between the two bodies, neither of which was strong, and the breach
was widened when the younger synod joined the Lutheran General Synod.
In 1878 it proposed a union between the Mission and Ansgarius Synods,
in order to secure better support for the school, now known as Ansgarius
College, but the sister synod declined to cooperate.
The churches of these two synods, together with certain independent
churches, later gave rise to the Mission Covenant founded in 1885.
PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES.
THE SWEDISH LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY.
The publishing business founded at Galesburg by T. N. Hasselquist
and reorganized at Chicago in 1859 under the name of the Swedish
Lutheran Publication Society was conducted under the control of the
Augustana Synod for fourteen years. During its first years and while
the Civil War was on it flourished but moderately, but from the middle
sixties its success was more marked, as indicated by the fact that the
business could be sold for $17,000 in 1874, after the weekly newspaper
Hemlandet had been disposed of for $10,000. It must be explained, how-
ever, that in these deals the good will of the church body was a consid-
eration of much greater value than the tangible property included in the
sales. This becomes all the more evident from the fact that the plant of
J46 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
the publishing society had been totally destroyed in the great fire shortly
before, the loss being only half covered by the insurance collected. The
publication society and its successors for about a quarter of a century put
out the great bulk of the Swedish books published in the United States.
When the business was reopened in Chicago in January, 1859, Rev. Erland
Carlsson, .pastor of the Immanuel Church, was made business manager
with the assistance of Jonas Engberg, while Rev. Eric Norelius became
editor of the two papers issued by the society. Norelius and Engberg had
merged their paper, Minnesota-Posten, with Hemlandet when they entered
the employ of the society. The plant was established in the schoolhouse
of the Immanuel church, at 190-192 Superior street, and later housed in
the basement of the church. Norelius resigned the editorship after nine
months, and Engberg left in October, 1864, after having served as editor
of Hemlandet in addition to his duties as acting manager under Carlsson,
whose pastoral work and many other duties as a churchman occupied the
greater part of his time. Engberg was succeeded in both capacities by
Rev. A. R. Cervin, while Carlsson continued at the head of the business
until 1868. When Cervin left at the close of that year to assume a chair
of teaching at Augustana Seminary in Paxton, J. G. Princell, his assistant,
took editorial charge for half a year, until succeeded by P. A. Sundelius.
Apparently spurred by competition since 1866 with the new secular weekly
Svenska Amcrikanaren, the publishers now changed Hemlandet from a
mainly church weekly to a general political newspaper. It remained for
John A. Enander, who became editor after Sundelius in December, 1869,
to shape the editorial policy of that paper, with a short interval, for the
next forty years.
The chief work of the publishing concern was to supply the need of
the Lutheran churches in the way of hymnals, textbooks for the parish
schools, and religious and devotional works. At first most of these were
imported, but by slow degrees the publishing of such books was brought
about. The first American edition of the Swedish Psalmbook was pub-
lished in 1864, a revised edition of Luther's Catechism in 1868, Esbjorn's
translation having been previously in vogue. "Hemlandssanger," first pub-
lished in 1860, proved popular and ran through a number of editions, a
music edition being added in iS/o.
In the Chicago fire of 1871 the society suffered a loss estimated at
$18,000, recovering but $5,000 of insurance. The plant at 169 Clark
street being gutted, the business was subsequently established at 94 East
Chicago avenue.
All these years the concern had yielded no profit. This fact added
force to an old agitation for years past in favor of disposing of the busi-
ness. The management was now vested in the board of directors of
Augustana College and Theological Seminary, with a view to turning the
accruing earnings over to that institution, then hard pressed for money.
The question was whether to sacrifice one or the other of the two estab-
lishments for the benefit of the remaining one. The educational institu-
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT
147
G. A. BOHMAX.
tion being deemed of greater importance, the publishing house had to go.
First the general newspaper Hemlandct was sold, in 1872, for $10,000 to
J. A. Enander and G. A. Bohman, bringing the school that amount in ten
annual installments. It had at that time fifty students and paid annually
but $1,600 in teachers' salaries, but large sums were needed to insure its
permanence after the relative failure of the
land speculations in Paxton entered into for
its maintenance there. In the next two years
the removal of the school to Rock Island was
determined upon, and funds were in still
greater demand to complete the first main
building. So the sale of the book publishing
business followed in 1874, the board realizing
another $17,000 for the institution. The pur-
chasers, Jonas Engberg, C. P. Holmberg, and
C. O. Lindell, were to pay that sum in semi-
annual installments distributed over a period
of fifteen years.
The directors of the school, acting on
behalf of the synod, had entered into a
formal agreement not to start any new political newspaper and
never to lend their support to any other such paper than Hcrnlandet.
When the book business was sold, there went with the sale "all the rights
and privileges" of the former corporation (which was identical with the
synod), as stipulated in the charter of the publication society. The essence
of these rights and privileges was, "to establish a book establishment for
the circulation of books of a generally useful or Christian character, espe-
cially of the Lutheran confession" (Charter, Section 4). Nevertheless,
as subsequent events \vent to show, neither of the two new firms were
protected, as they had a right to suppose, from competition from within
the synod at large and the educational institution to which they were
paying their money.
ANDERS RICHARD CERVIX, EDITOR AXD TEACHER.
For a period of forty years Dr. A. R. Cervin rendered notable service
chiefly in the two capacities of teacher and editor. From 1865 until his
death in 1900, except for his years of decrepitude, he was constantly in
the active service of the Augustana Synod, 1865-68 as editor of the
synodical periodicals, 1868-78 as professor in Augustana College, and
during the subsequent period, up to the time of his disability, nominally
as proofreader but practically as office editor of the synodical organ,
Augustana och Missiondrcn, and also of various other periodicals and
publications issued by private publishing concerns and later by the official
synodical publishing house.
Cervin was a man of scholarly attainments and one of the few men
of university training in our early period who had earned the doctor's
REV. ERLAND CARLSSON.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 149
degree in cursu. His studies, extensive and diversified, were further
deepened during eighteen years devoted to the profession of teaching.
Born in the city of Kristianstad, he went through the Swedish ele-
mentary school and prepared further at the University of Lund, attaining
the degree of doctor of philosophy in 1847 a t the age of twenty-four.
Next he studied jurisprudence for a short time, while teaching privately
in Lund, and specialized along other lines. During the next six years
he taught in the college of Helsingborg, then spent one year in the United
States, assisting Pastor Hasselquist, his brother-in-law, at Galesburg,
chiefly in editorial work. Returning to Sweden, he took a position to
which he had been appointed before leaving and taught for three years
in the college of his native city, whereupon he completed a four-year
divinity course, studying partly in Lund and partly in Upsala, and received
ministerial ordination in September, 1864. Shortly after, he came to this
country for the second time, and in October, 1864, assumed the editorship
of Hemlandet, now issued from Chicago. The statement made in certain
biographies that Cervin championed the cause of the Union in the columns
of this paper during the years of the Civil War is patently erroneous,
the war ending a few months after he began work on the paper. He was,
however, a staunch adherent of the Union cause and maintained a firm
Republican tone in the paper. After having served as editor for nearly
four years, he left the editorial chair in Chicago for the professor's chair
at Paxton in the fall of 1868. After serving Augustana College as teacher
of mathematics, Greek and the natural sciences until 1878, he resumed
editorial work, continuing in that capacity until old age and broken
health compelled his retirement. He died Jan. 5, 1900, in his home in
Rock Island, built in 1874, just prior to the removal of Augustana College
to that city.
Among his children are Olof Z. Cervin, an architect of his home city,
who holds an appointment as official church architect of the Augustana
Synod, and Louisa Elizabeth (Lillie) Cervin, a teacher in the Augustana
Conservatory. Fifty years after Cervin's promotion as doctor of philoso-
phy, his university conferred signal distinction upon him by awarding him
the honorary title of Jubilee Doctor of Philosophy.
ERLAND CARLSSON, CHURCHMAN AND FINANCIER.
Erland Carlsson came from Sweden in August, 1853, upon a call to
become the first permanent pastor of the Immanuel Swedish Lutheran
Church of Chicago, organized in January of the same year by Pastor
T. N. Hasselquist. His first years in Chicago were laborious in the
extreme and conditions were often discouraging. Among the Swedish
emigrants pouring into Chicago by the hundreds and thousands the Asiatic
cholera was making its ravages at this juncture, and Pastors Carlsson and
Unonius were overwhelmed with work in their earnest efforts to lend aid
and succor, both material and spiritual, to suffering and indigent new-
comers. But conditions soon changed to the better ; Carlsson's church
150 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
grew large and relatively prosperous, 114 new members being added
during his first year in charge. From 1860 on, when immigration in-
creased, owing partly to the great demand for men in the peaceful avoca-
tions during the drain caused by the war, 1 the Swedish population of
Chicago grew at a rapid pace, and in five years Carlsson added more than
300 new members. For ten years the congregation rented out space, first
in its schoolhouse, then in the basement of the church, to the Swedish
Lutheran Publication Society, and rooms to other parties, collecting in
rents more than the total cost of the improvements on its church property
in that time.
For about nine years Carlsson was at the head of the Lutheran pub-
lishing business, as business manager, and at intervals as editor of its
periodicals. It has been stated that he served without salary, but as
throughout his term of service no reports were ever rendered to the synod
and incorporated with its records, this cannot be established. Carlsson's
executive ability seems to have been either overtaxed or overrated. Both
Esbjorn and Hasselquist had looked to him to start the paper in Chicago
which Hasselquist later began publishing in Galesburg, feeling that the
matter should no longer be put off. Of Carlsson's early commission to
collect a theological library for the use of the early Scandinavian ministers
of the Synod of Northern Illinois nothing came not even a report. From
a close study of letters and papers that have been preserved from the time
of the publication society we have not found that Carlsson did any editorial
routine work either on Hemlandct or on the books published. The office
management, bookkeeping, and editing was done by Jonas Engberg and
A. R. Cervin the greater part of the time, and in justice to them credit
should be given where due.
Thus it appears that Carlsson devoted himself chiefly to his pastoral
work. He began by serving the congregation in Geneva and St. Charles,
besides that in Chicago, and did much work as a traveling missionary,
organizing a number of congregations, including churches in Rockford
and De Kalb. He remained as pastor of the Immanuel church for twenty-
two years.
Removing to Andover in 1875, he served as pastor there for twelve
years, meanwhile managing the Andover orphanage and leaving it free
of debt in 1887. He became business manager of Augustana College that
year, resigning after two years and removing to his farm near Lindsborg,
Kansas, to live in retirement and seek to better his impaired health.
While in Chicago Carlsson made judicious investments that in time
yielded substantial returns. His homestead and premises in Chicago were
sold to the Illinois Conference, for hospital purposes, for $35,000, and
Carlsson was one of the founders of the Augustana Hospital located there.
Erland Carlsson was born in Elghult parish, Smaland, Aug. 24, 1822.
He began his studies in 1839 and earned his college degree in five years,
subsequently pursuing theological studies until 1848. He was ordained
1 Norelius, in "Augustana-synoden, 1860-1910."
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 151
to the ministry of the Church of Sweden the following year, and served
as pastor at the Lessebo paper mills until called to Chicago. He was
always a prominent figure among Swedish- American Lutherans and many
important trusts were committed to his hands. Norelius is probably too
optimistic in his estimate that the $27,000 realized for Augustana College
by the sale of the newspaper Hemlandet and the book publishing estab-
lishment was chiefly the fruit of Carlsson's labors. We find greater justice
in the appreciation of him given by C. F. Peterson, who says : "Pastor
Carlsson was probably the most energetic, most tireless, and most suc-
cessful promoter of the Swedish Lutheran Church in America." In rec-
ognition of his practical services he was awarded the honorary degree of
Di D. by Augustana College in 1892. Carlsson was married, in 1854, to
Eva Fredrika Anderson ; he died October 19, 1893, leaving his wife and
three children, Eben Carlsson of Lindsborg, Kan., and Samuel E. Carlsson
and Mrs. Emmy Evald, both of Chicago.
As a financier, Carlsson took a prominent part in the establishment
of Augustana College at Paxton in the early sixties and again in the
eighties at the founding of Augustana Hospital in Chicago.
REPRESENTATIVE SECULAR JOURNALS.
Scores of newspapers and periodicals in the Swedish language have
been published in the State of Illinois from 1855 down to the present.
The enumeration of them, with a few data on each one, would largely
partake of the nature of an antiquarian's catalogue, for many have been
shortlived, and copies of them are now rare, even in the files of collectors.
The representative Swedish secular newspapers founded during this
period (1860-1893) were Svenska Amcrikanarcn I and II, there having
been two different papers by that name; Svenska Tribuncn, and Svcnska
Kurircn.
On April 16, 1866, a number of men in Chicago and elsewhere in the
state issued a circular inviting their fellow countrymen to join in forming
a stock company with a view to publishing a weekly newspaper of liberal
tendencies to oppose the alleged intolerance and bigotry of the religious
papers, referring chiefly to the Lutheran papers and the Methodist organ,
Sandebudet, the only ones then in existence. The organizers were : John
A. Nelson, president; M. E. Nelson, vice-president; P. J. Hussander,
treasurer ; P. L. Hawkinson, secretary ; Charles J. Stromberg ; P. L. East-
man, C. F. Billing, F. T. Engstrom, P. M. Almini, all of Chicago; John
Peterson, Galesburg; A. A. Schenlund, Princeton, and Olof Johnson,
Galva. In Charles J. Sundell and O. G. Lange of Chicago the enter-
prise had two strong backers. The corporation, named the Swedish-
American Publishing Company, on September 8, 1866, published the first
issue of the new paper, styled Svenska Amerikanaren. Col. Hans Matt-
son of Minnesota was the nominal and Herman Roos the acting editor-
in-chief. In 1869 Roos was succeeded by Peter A. Sundelius, who had
for six months edited the rival paper, Hemlandet. Roos had maintained
152
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
continuous warfare with that paper on a variety of topics, principally the
secret society question, and his successor hewed close to the line. Sunde-
lius was a capable and forceful writer, who took the keenest delight in
polemical duels. He conducted the policy of the paper until 1873, when
Charles J. Stenquist purchased it and changed the name to Nya Svenska
Amerikanaren.
Svenska Tribitnen was founded in 1877. It was the direct successor
of Nya Verlden, and absorbed Nya Svenska Amerikanaren that year and
in 1878 two other papers, Skandia of
Moline and Nya Folkets Tidning.
After the first consolidation Nils An-
derson and Herman Roos appropriated
the name Svenska Amerikanaren for their
paper, published prior to that time under
the name of Svenska Fasten. This oc-
curred in October, 1877. In September,
1884, Anderson sold his paper to the
Swedish-American Printing Company,
composed of Sundelius, N. P. Nelson, and
Gabriel Hjertquist, C. F. Peterson join-
ing them shortly after. In 1886 A. E. G.
Wingard became a stockholder, and in
1888 Frans Albin Lindstrand, who was
the directing power in this paper for the
next twenty years.
Svenska Kuriren as a newspaper dates from December, 1887, when
it succeeded a comic weekly published by F. W. Ankarfelt. It was turned
over to John Harder, of Harder, Luse & Co., for debt, and he in turn
placed it under the management of Alex. J. Johnson in August, 1888. In
January, 1889, Hr. Johnson secured possession and has been its pub-
lisher and editor ever since.
FRANS ALBIN LINDSTRAND.
JOURNALISTS AND WRITERS OF NOTE.
As publisher, journalist and author, JOHAN ALFRED ENANDER has
rendered valuable service to the Swedish press and literature in this state
and throughout the country. As a young man he came to the United
States, proud of his native country and its achievements, and during his
American career of forty odd years he made himself the foremost cham-
pion of Swedish letters and culture on American soil. In the work of in-
spiring in the immigrants and their children love of and taste for the
language and literature of Sweden he unquestionably deserved greater
credit than any other man. In this mission his eloquent tongue ably sec-
onded his pen. As editor and publisher of Hemlandet, he accomplished
the bulk of his work, yet he found time for independent authorship.
In the years 1875-80 he compiled a history of the United States, of four
TOH. A. ENANDER.
154 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
volumes, in the Swedish language. His historical essays, together with
stories and poems, were published in 1892 in a volume entitled "Valda
Skrifter." As a verse-writer he was not prolific, but we concede to his
verse a quality and literary finish that is rare in Swedish-American poets.
Among minor works by Enander the following have been published :
"Nordmannen i Amerika" (1892) ; "Vara faders sinnelag" (1894) ; two
compilations "Ur Svenska sangen," an anthology of Swedish poetry
(1901), and "Eterneller och Varblommor." He edited Ndr och Fjerran, a
literary magazine, and Ungdomsvanncn, a young people's paper, in the
latter seventies. The firm of Enander and Bohman, which published
Hemlandet from 1872 to 1889, also did an extensive book publishing busi-
ness.
Enander was a native of Vestergotland, Sweden, born in the parish
of Harja May 22, 1842. As a youth he began to contribute to provincial
papers, and wrote a short history of Mormonism, published in 1863. After
having received private instruction, he entered the elementary school in
Venersborg in 1866. In August, 1869, he came to this country to enter
the Augustana Seminary at Paxton. After one term of theological study
his newspaper experience secured him an editorial position on Hemlandet.
In 1890 Enander was called to the chair of Swedish at Augustana
College, and taught until 1893, when he resigned. In 1896 he resumed
the editorship of Hemlandet, having edited Svenska Journalen for two
years in the interval. From Augustana College he received the degree of
LL. D. in 1892, and King Oscar II. in 1905 awarded him the Litteris et
Artibus medal in recognition of his authorship. The Swedish Academy
awarded him 500 crowns in 1910 in consideration of his literary achieve-
ments in general.
Enander died at his home in Chicago September 9, 1910. Some time
prior to his demise he was incapacitated by paralysis, and retired from his
editorial work. During his forty-one years in America Enander did not
acquire the English language, and was therefore not a true exemplar of the
Swedish-American citizen, but, showing little receptiveness to American
influences, remained a fine type of the ultra-patriotic Swede.
CARL FREDRIK PETERSON ranks with Enander in point of general
authorship. His published works are: "Svenskarne i Illinois" (1880),
compiled in cooperation with Capt. Eric Johnson, but written by Peterson ;
"Forenta Staternas Historia ;" "Republiken och dess institutioner ;"
"Amerikanska Valtalare," compiled and translated ; "Karlek och plikt," a
novel; "Larobok i Geografi ;" "Ett Hundra Ar;" "Politisk Handbok," and
"Sverige i Amerika."
Peterson was born at Fittja, Sodermanland, Sweden, April 16, 1843.
As a young man of eighteen he came to the United States in 1861, intend-
ing to fight for the Union cause and the abolition of slavery. He was re-
jected for defective sight, and spent the next nine years in various occu-
pations. In 18/0 he entered upon his journalistic career as editor of Mm-
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT
155
nesota-Postcn, at St. Paul, transferred after a few months to the Illinois
Sivede, at Galva, and remained with this paper through its various changes
of name and character until 1880 as editor-in-chief, continuing for the suc-
ceeding four years as associate editor. He then went over to the second
Svenska Amerikanaren, remaining until 1888 as editor and part owner.
After editing two short-lived newspapers during the next three years.
Peterson devoted himself to independent literary work for a number of
years. After the death of his friend
Andrew Chaiser, Peterson as adminis-
trator took charge of his paper, Svenska
Tribunen, in 1899, until it was sold
shortly afterwards. In 1901 he tried a
new venture, a weekly paper named A T a-
tional-Tidningen, which ceased publica-
tion after a few months, when Peterson
was stricken with an illness that ended
his life June n.
Up to 1885 Peterson was a Repub-
lican, then turned Democrat, and at the
flood-tide of Populism embraced that
political faith, championing in turn these
various views with a vigor that seemed
born of long-established conviction. His
political articles were characterized by
depth and thoroughness. Self-taught as
he was, Peterson attained a remarkable
degree of intellectual development. With a better start in early life his un-
usual talents ought to have earned him greater recognition than he re-
ceived. He was an adherent of Swedenborg's religious teachings and a
student of occultism and religio-philosophical subjects.
CARL FREDRIK PETERSON.
THE BEGINNINGS OF SWEDISH-AMERICAN ART.
SOME EARLY SWEDISH ARTISTS.
It was not until the second period of development set in that a craving
for art works awoke in the minds of the settlers. Then frescoes and altar
paintings began to appear in the Swedish churches, and the decoration of
the private homes began to betray the artistic instinct. The artists of this
period were Almini, Peterson, Torgerson, Fredrik and Lars Blomberg-
son, and Peter Roos, who taught at the University of Illinois.
PETER M. ALMINI (1825-1890), a skilled painter from Sweden, who
had assisted in the decoration of the royal palace at Stockholm, came over
in 1852, locating in Chicago. He made himself known for skillful and
artistic fresco work for churches and public halls in this and other cities.
In 1868-71 Almini and Jevne published a journal entitled Chicago Illus-
156 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
tratcd, each part containing four lithographed pictures in color, with de-
scriptive text. The grandfather of Almini was an Italian artist, who was
called to Stockholm by King Carl XV Johan to decorate the interior of
the royal palace, and who made his home in Sweden. The business
founded by Almini in 1853 is still continued under the name of the Almini
Company. He was chiefly a commercial artist, painting sketches and pic-
tures for mere study or pastime. He became vice-president of the Master
Painters' and Decorators' Association of Chicago and treasurer of the Na-
tional Association of Painters and Decorators, having aided in the organ-
ization of both associations. He was a member of the Chicago Academy
of Design.
Peter M. Almini was born in the province of Smaland, Sweden,
March 21, 1825. His boyhood was spent in the ordinary routine of
country life. His father dying while he was still young, he was left to
the care of his mother. His educational advantages were only such as
fell to the lot of the majority of farmers' sons, and he relied on his inborn
intelligence to direct him in gathering the crumbs of knowledge which
fell within his reach. That he did this to good advantage, his after life
afforded ample proof. At the age of fourteen, young Almini, becoming
ambitious to improve his fortune, left his home for the provincial town
of Eksjo, where he became apprenticed for five years to a painter.
Having finished his apprenticeship with credit, he spent a year in the
city of Norrkoping, and subsequently removed to Stockholm, where,
under the stimulating influences of this wider field, he labored patiently
for six years to perfect himself in his trade. How well he succeeded
is attested by the fact that he was engaged for two years in the work
of decorating the royal palace. Slightly enriched in pocket after the
completion of that work, but more by the artistic knowledge acquired,
he was seized with a desire to seek new fields. He first went to Russia,
but conditions there were not of a nature to appeal to the liberty-loving
young Swede, so he embarked for America, landing at New York in
1852, at the age of twenty-seven. The abundant opportunities of the
great West attracted him, and before the close of the year he was
settled in Chicago, then a city of about 30,000 inhabitants. Eager to
exercise the skill he had spent so many years to develop, but which
the requirements of the young city then drew very lightly upon, he soon
resolved to establish a business for himself, the result being the firm of
Jevne and Almini in 1855. The success of this firm enabled Almini to
accomplish a purpose which he had had in mind for some time that
of contributing to the pleasure and cultivation of his adopted city by
the establishment of an art gallery, the first of its kind in Chicago. When
the city was swept by the flames in 1871 he saw with 'many others the
result of years of labor destroyed, but in the spirit of most of his fellow-
sufferers he reestablished himself in business alone. Three years later
Almini was again a sufferer by the destructive fire of 1874. Recovering
from this second stroke, he abandoned the business of general painting
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 157
and devoted himself to the higher grades of fresco work. The \visdom
of his choice was manifested in the decorations of a large number of
fine homes and public buildings in different parts of the country. He
stood at the head of his profession, a position reached by painstaking
labor and actual merit. He never solicited a job of work, and practiced
none of the tricks of self-advertisement. The quality of his work
attracted to him more business than he was able to handle. Almini
had made a thorough study of both ancient and modern art, and skill-
fully used the acquired knowledge in the execution of his art. The
Painter, in its issue of July, 1882, from which we have quoted, concluded
its sketch with the words : "Faithfulness, love of his trade, and perse-
verance, coupled with good natural abilities, have made Mr. Almini one
of the greatest fresco artists of his time."
Another Swedish member of the Academy of Design was HENRY E.
C. PETERSON, portrait painter, who for a time taught the life class in the
academy, which in the sixties was a flourishing institution, and, after the
fire, erected its own building in Michigan avenue. Peterson located in
Chicago after having served in the U. S. Navy during the first three years
of the Civil War. He was born (1841) and educated in Stockholm. In
recent years Peterson has had the bulk of his work in New York City.
Among noted Americans who have sat for him were Brigham Young,
president of the Mormons, and John and Moses Wentworth, pioneers of
Chicago.
FREDRIK B. BLOMBERGSON, from Bergsjo, Sweden, lived in Chicago
about 1868-73. Landscape painting was his specialty, and, finding little
demand for his canvases here, he soon returned to Sweden, locating in the
city of Soderhamn.
AXEL WILLIAM TORGERSON (1833-1890), born in Stockholm and edu-
cated at Upsala University, came to Chicago in 1856. He took up paint-
ing in 1870 and developed into a marine artist of recognized ability.
LARS AXEL BLOMBERGSON (1841-1879), came to Moline in 1868 from
his native city of Soderhamn, Sweden. As an interior decorator he evinced
artistic taste and talent. A number of churches were decorated by him
during the eleven years he lived in Moline.
The chair of industrial art and design at the University of Illinois was
for ten years (1880-90) occupied by a Swedish artist, PETER Roos, a native
of Skane, Sweden, born at Lyngby, February 22, 1850. He prepared at
Kristianstad and came to Boston in 1872, establishing himself there as a
fresco painter and designer. After teaching drawing in the evening schools
of the city, he established an art school in 1874, named the Boston Art
Academy. In 1876 he took a position as instructor at the University of
Illinois, teaching that school year and in the winter and spring terms of
1880, prior to his election to the professorship of art and design. After
studying and practicing landscape painting for some years in the nineties,
Roos in 1896 became director of art study in the public schools of Cam-
bridge, Massachusetts.
158
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
J. F. RING.
Music AND MUSICIANS OF THE PERIOD.
The Immanuel church choir of Chicago has the distinction of hav-
ing been the first Swedish church choir in Illinois, except for a temporary
aggregation of singers in Galesburg directed by Jonas Engberg for a
month or two in the year 1855. Engberg, who served as organist of
the Immanuel church in 1863-67, was the organizer also of the Chicago
choir. It was the first Swedish-American chorus to render so large a
choral work as a cantata. Root's "Queen Esther" was rendered by it
at the opening of the Augustana College at
Paxton in 1863, the performers being Jonas
Engberg, Emma Peterson, Anna Carlsson,
Tilda Swedman, Hannah Carlson, John J.
Engberg, Lars E. and P. Lindberg. The can-
tata was later repeated in Chicago, and the
choir sang at church conventions in Moline
and Geneseo. Lars E. Lindberg became choir
master in 1867; Joseph Osborn in 1869; K.
Sandquist served in 1870-74, and J. F. Ring
for some five years, until 1879. This choir,
reorganized in 1883 by Mrs. Emmy Evald,
and increased to about one hundred members,
joined with the choirs of the Gethsemane and
Salem Lutheran church choirs in rendering,
under Osborn's direction, a number of "Messiah" choruses and "Psalms
of David," by Wennerberg, at a jubilee concert given in Central Music Hall,
Chicago, Nov. 10, 1883, in commemoration of the four-hundredth anni-
versary of the birth of Martin Luther. Mrs. Ella Carlson was the soprano
soloist, and the Augustana College orchestra also participated. This
organization had just assisted in a similar celebration at the college on
Nov. 7 and 8. This choir has maintained its organization under many
different directors, and rendered a number of cantatas and other large
choral works from time to time.
EDWARD A. WIMMERSTEDT is said to have been the earliest profes-
sional musician among the Swedes of Illinois. He was born at Skarstad,
near the city of Jonkoping, Sweden, Jan. 18, 1838, the son of an organist,
composer and musical director named Anders Wilhelm Wimmerstedt.
The son emigrated in 1863, locating first in Chicago, where he was a
piano teacher for three years. He moved to Jacksonville, 111., in 1866,
and there took a position as director of the musical department of the
Illinois Female College, giving instruction also at the Illinois School for
the Blind. Together with his wife, who was Miss Marion Phillips, a
soprano and pianist, Wimmerstedt gave a number of recitals. He was
the composer of many songs and opuses for the piano which enjoyed
popularity in the seventies and eighties. His musical talent is said to
have made him moderately wealthy. Attacked by consumption, Wim-
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT
150
merstedt about 18/9 moved to Napa, Cal., and engaged successfully in
fruit raising. He died at Oakland, Cal., Oct. 28, 1883, from injuries
sustained in falling from a tree.
Among the early Swedish Chicagoans was Lewis J. Magnusson,
who came to the city with his family in 1855. He had lived in
New York, where he was mar-
ried to Sarah Corning, a lady of
Huguenot and New England an-
cestry, who possessed literary
talent. They moved to Stock-
holm, Mr. Magnusson's birth-
place, and there he grew pros-
perous as a merchant. Mrs.
Magnusson became thorough!}'
acquainted with the Swedish lan-
guage and rendered a number of
Swedish poems into English.
They mingled in the literary and
musical circles of the Swedish
capital and numbered Crusen-
stolpe, Frederika Bremer, Jenny
Lind and Ole Bull among their
personal friends. In Stockholm
were born to them two daughters,
who became noted in musical cir-
cles in Chicago and elsewhere.
These were ANNA FREDERIKA
and ROSALIE MAGNUSSON.
The two daughters began the KDWARD A. WIMMERSTEDT.
study of piano at an early age. At
the age of thirteen Anna appeared as orchestral accompanist at a series of
Saturday afternoon concerts given under the direction of one of the
early Chicago musicians. After serving as organist in several churches,
she was sent to New York to study voice with Barille, the brother and
teacher of Adelina Patti. In 1860 she went to Hamburg to study with
Mme. Cornet, being, it is claimed, the first Chicago girl to study music
abroad. With the advice of Jenny Lind, she became a pupil of Lam-
perti, a noted vocal teacher of Milan. She studied operatic singing with
him, dramatic art with Fiorvanti and trained as accompanist under Al-
berti during a three years' stay in Italy.
Returning to Chicago in 1864, Miss Magnusson sang at the Chicago
Philharmonic Society's concert and was enthusiastically received. She
was heard also in the Immanuel and St. Ansgarius churches. Shortly
after accepting an engagement with Strakosch for a season of grand
opera, a recurring illness compelled her to abandon the operatic stage.
In Chicago she opened a study in the Crosby Opera House building and
ANNA FREDERIKA MAGNUSSON JEWETT.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT
161
entered upon a successful career as a vocal teacher. Among the pupils
trained by her was Marie Engel, the opera singer. She married Fred-
erick Jewett. No less than six languages were familiar to her, and her
deft pen prepared many articles for musical journals. Mrs. Magnusson
Jewett passed away May 8, 1894.
The younger daughter, Rosalie Magnusson, was equally talented.
While still a little girl, she became a pupil of Louis Staale, of Chicago.
After another period of study in New
York, she went to Berlin in 1871 and
studied with the ablest musicians. In
Vienna she enjoyed the advantage of
studying under the personal direction of
Rubinstein, who took a kind interest in
her.
After three years of intense artistic
application, she returned to the United
States. Having married Alvin M. Lan-
caster, she achieved high repute as a con-
cert pianist on the Pacific Coast, the pair
having made their home in southern Cali-
fornia. She trained a number of concert
pianists and piano teachers and was gen-
erally regarded as standing at the head of
the profession. The Lancaster Musical
Club was named in her honor.
Mrs. Magnusson Lancaster returned to Chicago some ten years ago
and continued to give instruction on her chosen instrument. Like her
sister, she became known as an able writer on musical subjects.
In 1869 an organization known as the Scandinavian National Quar-
tette toured Wisconsin and Minnesota, appearing in national costumes.
It was directed by John L. Swenson, and the other two Swedish mem-
bers were Oliver Larson and C. J. Blomquist, and the Norwegian mem-
bers Evert, Jacobsen and Olsen.
After their return to Chicago they became the nucleus around which
was formed the Freja Society in the fall of that year. This was a male
chorus averaging sixty members. Its history merges with that of the
Swedish Glee Club and the Swedish Club.
Another musical organization, known as Svenska Sangforeningen,
was formed by Alfred Lagergren in January, 1875. Singers of both
sexes were admitted, and it soon grew to a membership approximating
one hundred. It existed until 1879 and did commendable work while in
its prime. Lagergren was a native of Christianstad, Sweden, born May
29, 1840. In 1869 he came to New York as a steamship ticket agent, and
in 1871 opened a branch office of the White Star Line in Chicago. He
returned to Sweden in 1883, after having been active in musical circles
in Chicago for twelve years.
ROSALIE MAGNUSSON
LANCASTER.
162 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Among Swedish musicians in the seventies were one D'Ailly, a
singer, and Benjamin Owen (Oven), an organist. The latter held a posi-
tion in the Plymouth Church about 1878. Owen was a capable theorist
and composer. Some of his anthems, as the "Ave Maria," are still being
sung. He moved to Wisconsin, where he died in the early eighties.
D'Ailly was the possessor of an extraordinary bass baritone voice. Grau,
the impresario, was so struck with the quality of it that he for a time
def rayed ^the expense of further schooling. D'Ailly, however, did not
make the most of his opportunity, and after a short time Grau's interest
in him ceased.
A SWEDISH-AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL CENTER.
EARLY SWEDES IN ROCKFORD. If there be any city in Illinois which
holds a particular interest for the Swedes, that city is Rockford. Its his-
tory is linked very closely with that of the Swedes. Here they have taken
a larger part, proportionately, in the industrial and commercial develop-
ment than in any other city.
Available sources state that the first Swedish immigrants arrived in
Rockford in 1852. There is reason to believe, however, that Swedes lo-
cated there at an earlier date. Thus in May of 1838 one Isak Johnson
served on the jury of the District Court of Rockford, and it appears that
he was of Swedish birth.
In the year 1852 a company of nearly thirty immigrants came to Rock-
ford. Among these were many who have written their names indelibly
into the history of the city. The following, among others, were in the
company : S. A. Johnson, John Nelson, Andrew Hollem, P. G. Hollem,
Alexander Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Hokanson, P. A. Peterson Sr.
and wife, P. A. Peterson Jr., Claus Peterson. John Stibb arrived in 1854,
and his son Frank G. was the first boy born to Swedish parents in Rock-
ford, while Mrs. Augusta Lind, daughter of Jonas Anderson, was the first
girl of Swedish extraction. From this time on, each year brought a
stream of .Swedish emigrants, but the years of the cholera epidemic, 1853-
54, served, as did the Civil War later, to inhibit the immigration, which did
not grow to dimensions of importance here before 1867.
S. A. Johnson came from Wing, Elfsborg Lan. He very soon became
one of Rockford's most distinguished business men and one of the first
pillars of the Lutheran Church.
Among the early arrivals was John Erlander, from Slatthog, Krono-
berg Lan. He was born April 27, 1826, and was a tailor by trade. In his
party were an elder brother, P. Erlander ; a sister ; Peter Lindahl, a grain
broker; A. P. Peterson from Ostergotland, machinist; Isak Lindgren ; G.
Scott ; Adolf Anderson, who fell in the Civil War, and A. C. Johnson from
Blekinge, in company with his father, three brothers and a sister.
Immigration was relatively strong in 1856-66, and the latter year the
number of Swedes in Rockford reached 2,000. Most of them came from
Smaland, principally Oland, and from Vastergotland.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 163
JOHN NELSON AND THE KNITTING INDUSTRY. The one name most
intimately connected with the knitting industry of Rockford is that of John
Nelson. Other men were associated with him in working out his ideas and
the perfection of the machine that bears his name, but his title to the credit
for the invention of a more perfect knitting machine than any in use be-
fore his time remains undisputed.
John Nelson was born in Karrakra, Vestergotland, Sweden, April 5,
1830. When a young lad, he lost his father by death. The widowed
mother was left with but little of this world's goods, but, being a woman
of more than ordinary intelligence, she succeeded well in providing for her-
self and family. The son John seemed born with mechanical talent, and
when quite young became a maker of spinning wheels. He remained in
the place of his birth until twenty-two years of age, when he left for the
United States. He arrived in Chicago in the spring of the year 1852 and
stopped there a few weeks, going in turn to St. Charles and Rockford
the same year. Being obliged to take whatever work was offered, he left
shortly for Elgin and worked on the railroad, returning to Rockford after
several months. After a siege of sickness he again left for Elgin, and then
went to Chicago, where he worked for a time as a turner and joiner. In
1854 we find him back in Rockford, but two years later he established a
cabinetmaker's shop in Sycamore, continuing in business there for a year.
In 1857 he finally located permanently in Rockford. After being em-
ployed as a woodworker for a time, he opened a turner's and cabinet-
maker's shop of his own. From now on John Nelson began to ponder
on various mechanical problems. One of these was solved by the in-
vention of a dovetailing machine, which was in use for many years, first
in Nelson's own shop and afterwards in the sash, door and blind factory
operated by John Nelson, A. C. Johnson and Gust Hollem about 1865.
About the same time Nelson was associated with one Berglund in a
similar enterprise in Water Valley, Miss., but when the latter betrayed
the confidence placed in him, Nelson abandoned the undertaking in dis-
gust, leaving valuable machinery in Berglund's possession without any
compensation.
In 1866 John Nelson associated himself with William Worth Bur-
son, inventor of the grain binder, whose numerous patents on harvester
machinery were acquired by the McCormick, Deering, Whitely, Walter
A. Wood, Piano, and Milwaukee harvester companies. The two con-
centrated their genius on the task of inventing a family knitting machine.
After much tedious labor on the part of both men, a power machine
was perfected, on which patents were issued in 1868, iS/o and 1875. In
1874 they also secured a patent on hose. On the 25th of December, 1869,
the very essential part now known as the presser hook was developed, and
in July, 1870, the first sock was knit by an automatic machine in the city
of Rockford. This was also the first practical automatic knitting machine.
The socks came from this machine joined together and were separated by
hand, Hand work was also required in closing the toe.
164 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
This result did not satisfy Nelson, however, and he continued
puzzling over the problem of producing a machine that would turn out a
complete hose. In 1872-73 the so-called parallel row machine was devel-
oped by him. This closed both heel and toe, producing a stocking ready
to wear without hand work. The parallel row machine has since been
brought to a much higher degree of perfection by successive improve-
ments, but it was sufficiently practical even then to lay the foundation for
Rockford's knitting industry. The Rockford product was the pioneer in
seamless hosiery and superseded the old line of goods in every market
reached on account both of greater durability and the cheaper cost of pro-
duction.
Burson continued as a member of the firm of Burson and Nelson
until 1878, when he withdrew and independently continued his experi-
ments, evolving several new devices, including a machine with a mitten
pattern, having a double wrist.
Another man connected with John Nelson in the making and per-
fecting of the Nelson knitting machine was John Nido. He was a native
of Stockholm, and, emigrating in 1867, came to Rockford the following
year. Being a skilled mechanic, he was at once engaged by Nelson to as-
sist in building the machine on which he was then at work. Nido re-
mained with John Nelson until the latter's death.
In October, 1877, the Burson and Nelson company was succeeded
by F. R. Brown and William Nelson, son of the inventor, the style of the
firm being F. R. Brown and Company.
Brown and Nelson were engaged in the manufacture of hosiery in
a limited way for several years. About 1879 twenty-eight machines were
in operation in Rockford, while twenty-one of the same make were in
use in Manchester, N. H. During the same year the elder Nelson spent
ten months in Europe, introducing a number of the Nelson knitters in
France and obtaining patent rights in all the countries of Europe.
In 1880 the Nelson Knitting Company was organized through a con-
solidation of the Burson interests with F. R. Brown and Company. Frank
R. Brown became president ; John Nelson, vice-president ; and A. S. Ruhl,
secretary and treasurer.
The practicability of the Nelson machine having been fully demon-
strated, it remained to interest capital to exploit the invention. In iSSi
a second company was organized, with a capital stock of $20,000, known
as the Rockford Mitten Company. John Nelson became its vice-presi-
dent. The company was reorganized as the Rockford Mitten and Hosiery
Company, the capital stock increased to $160,000, and the capacity of the
plant largely extended.
Reverting to the life story of John Nelson, it remains to be told that
he was united in marriage, November 4, 1854, to Miss Eva Christina Per-
son, whose acquaintance he had formed on board the ship that carried
them across the ocean. She, too, was a native of the province of Vester-
gotland, born May 6, 1834. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were born seven
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 165
children, two of whom have departed this life. The son, Alfred, who in-
herited his father's inventive genius, made some important improvements
on the Nelson knitting machine, such as the device for widening the leg of
the stocking while in process of knitting. He gave promise of a success-
ful career, which was, however, cut short by his untimely death at the age
of thirty-three years. He proved the errant knight of the family. Going
out West, he took as his wife an Indian maiden in disregard of his
parents' wishes. Upon being paid a handsome amount after her hus-
band's death, the widow relinquished all further claims against the Nelson
estate.
One son, named Frithiof, died in early childhood. William and
Oscar are residents of Rockford, and Frithiof (Fritz), the second son by
that name, is associated with his brothers in many of their business enter-
prises, as is also Franklin, another brother. Anna C., the only daughter,
is the wife of Samuel H. Reck, a graduate of Augustana College, the
Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and the Northwestern
University law school.
John Nelson passed away at Rockford on April 15, 1883. After
eighteen years of study and experiment his invention had proved a com-
plete success, yet he cherished the idea of bringing the little mechanical
wonder to a still higher degree of perfection.
It was not alone his great inventive genius that made John Nelson
an honored and highly valued citizen of Rockford. He possessed also
personal traits of character that endeared him to many. He was kind
and considerate to all, and to his friends and associates generous to a fault.
Many were the needy newcomers from Sweden that received aid from
him, especially during the early period of settlement. Numerous in-
stances of his unselfish generosity are related.
John Nelson was withal an earnest Christian, and he left his family
an untarnished name. What he accomplished in the line of invention
entitles him to rank with Whitney, Arkwright and others who have
achieved fame in the world of industry, and among American inventors
of Swedish birth there is only one greater John Fricsson.
No higher tribute could be paid to Nelson and his machine than that
accorded by General U. S. Grant, who, as President of the United States,
visited Rockford after completing his tour around the world. While
there Grant inspected the factory of the Nelson Knitting Company, and,
after looking over the machinery and seeing its wonderful work, declared
with enthusiasm that on his entire tour of the globe, visiting many of the
large cities and inspecting the principal factories, he had never seen any-
thing in the way of machinery to equal this.
A knitting plant entirely controlled by the Nelsons, the Forest City
Knitting Company, was established in 1890 by sons of the inventor. Wil-
liam Nelson was made president ; Oscar Nelson, vice-president and super-
intendent ; and Frithiof F. Nelson, secretary and treasurer. The original
capital invested was $60,000. The Forest City company engaged in a dif-
166
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
ferent line from that of their competitors, by taking up the manufacture
of a better grade of hosiery. They kept several hundred machines in oper-
ation, employed about 150 factory hands and turned out on an average
1,500 dozen pairs of hose per day. The story of the Nelson knitter would
not be complete without reference to John Franklin Nelson, one of the
sons of John Nelson, who also inherited his father's inventive talent.
Franklin took up the work where the elder Nelson left off, and, after
years of patient work and experiment, ultimately evolved an ingenious
yet simple device for turning out a complete stocking, including the ribbed
top, without a change of machine. This ribbing attachment added the
finishing touch to the Nelson machine and places it as near perfection as
human ingenuity could well do.
FACTORY OF THE FOREST CITY KNITTING COMPANY.
It may be added that the method invented by the elder Nelson for
closing the toe has been modified and improved upon by William Nelson,
who is credited with having contributed other ideas making for mechani-
cal perfection in certain details.
Franklin is credited with an arrangement by which the end of the
yarn is drawn in at the toe ; an arrangement by which in double-knitting
the heel and toe both sides are knit at the same time (a gain of 100% in
time) ; a simplification of the machine which increases the speed from 58
to 80 strokes per minute; an automatic press for shaping the completed
stocking before packing; plus the impossible, as it was called by all the
technically informed, until it was accomplished by Franklin Nelson. The
miracle is a speed-knitter which automatically knits a stocking or hose
in four minutes, complete in every detail, without a single touch, shift, or
reversal of the machine by an operator.
The Nelson Knitting Co. has now reached a capacity of 5,000 dozen
pairs (men's hose) per day. But this plant uses the original type of ma-
chine exclusively, without any of the improvements of the sons of John
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 167
Nelson. This type produces only 12 dozen pairs per day of 24 hours, as
against 18 dozen pairs by the improved model. And a more essential
advantage lies in the circumstance that one man can manage only twenty-
seven of the older model machines, against forty machines per man of the
improved type.
While the Nelsons have purposely laid the emphasis on mechanical
perfection, their competitors have been making the most of the old pat-
ents. In 1898 William Burson, partner of John Nelson from 1875, estab-
lished a large factory. It uses the old Nelson machine somewhat modified.
The capacity of the machine is low, but, nevertheless, the net earnings are
high. The Burson factory makes a specialty of ladies' hose of a lighter
quality.
Another large enterprise founded on Nelson's invention is the Rock-
ford Mitten and Hosiery Company. Of late years still another plant has
come into existence, called the B. Z. B. Co. (Brown, Ziock & Burson).
These results show what the original John Nelson invention has meant
to Rockford. But the Nelsons have not altogether held aloof from prac-
tical production. Their factory, founded in 1892, and known as the For-
est City Knitting Company, has a present capacity of 3,000 dozen pairs
per day. The total capacity of all Rockford knitting concerns may be
roughly estimated at 15,000 dozen pairs of hose per day.
In connection with their factory the Nelsons have developed an ex-
tensive machine shop known as the Rockford Drilling Co.
Like their father, the younger Nelsons are known for a spirit of phil-
anthropy and of democratic modesty. When they are approached on the
subject of their own contributions to what might be called their family
invention, they will invariably dismiss the matter as of small moment. But
they honor their father's memory. As a monument to him they built a
large and elegant hotel at a time when Rockford was as yet a small town
the Nelson Hotel. When travelers arrived in John Nelson's city, they
wanted them to be housed in decent fashion. But when the city had grown
up to the hotel, they sold out their interests, relinquishing the enterprise
about the time it began to turn into a profitable establishment.
THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY. Among the three hundred manufactur-
ing plants of Rockford, a large number were founded and are owned and
controlled by the Swedish element of the city's population. The Swedes
have shown particular aptitude in the woodworking industries there, and
control a large number of the thirty-two furniture factories of the city.
Without their enterprise Rockford could not now claim second place
among furniture manufacturing centers in the United States, yielding only
to Grand Rapids.
In 1875 a number of workmen of Swedish birth conceived the idea
of engaging in manufacturing on their own account, after having been
engaged along the same line in the employ of others. None of them, how-
ever, possessed any considerable amount of capital ; so the cooperative
system was the only possible one. Their plans materialized in the Forest
168 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
City Furniture Company. Fifteen Swedish- Americans were the incorpo-
rators, and the capital was $50,000, half of which was paid in at the out-
set. After five years, the factory employed one hundred men, and had
an average yearly output valued at $125,000. Air. A. C. Johnson was
superintendent. Additional capital being needed, several Americans were
soon admitted, including Gilbert Woodruff, who is now erroneously stated
to be the founder. 1 The factory was one of the pioneers in this field, and
struck the keynote to the city's future as a furniture center.
^'hen the Forest City company was well under way a number of its
stockholders withdrew, and, together with others of their fellow country-
men, organized the Union Furniture Company. This began work in 1876,
with $io,oco out of the $30,000 capitalization paid in, the stockholders
THE CO-OPERATIVE FURNITURE COMPANY'S PLANT.
numbering twenty-five. The first year's production amounted to $20,000 ;
the second, $35,000 ; and the fourth, about $60,000, showing a fair degree
of prosperity in a factory employing less than fifty operatives. Its offi-
cers were A. Kjellberg, president ; P. A. Peterson, secretary ; and Jonas
Peters, treasurer.
The third Swedish furniture factory in Rockford was started in 1878.
This was the Central Furniture Company, organized on a cooperative basis
by forty-six Swedish stockholders, and starting operations with a paid-up
capital of $22,500. The officers were: President, S. A. Johnson; vice-
president, L. M. Noling; secretary, August Peterson; treasurer, A. P. Flo-
berg. The force of fifty workmen, nearly all shareholders, was superin-
tended by A. C. Johnson and Andrew Noling.
These pioneer cooperative furniture factories were followed by many
others, too many to be given more than brief mention. In 18/9 the Co-
operative Furniture Company was formed with a capitalization of
$100,000. It is Swedish-owned down to the present, the officers being
Alfred Larson, E. C. Jacobson and C. J. Lundberg. Recent figures give
1 See "Rockford 1912," issued by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 169
an operative force of 125 and the annual output at more than $200,000.*
The Rockford Standard Furniture Company, established 1886, with
$75,000 capital, later raised to $125,000, employs 150 workmen. The man-
agement is in the hands of J. E. Swanson, while P. A. Peterson is presi-
dent, and F. E. Lundgren vice president. Among the oldest and strong-
est concerns is the Rockford Chair and Furniture Company, capitalized
at $100,000, and under the management of Robert C. Lind, C. A. New-
man and Andrew Kjellgren. A few years later a period of overspecula-
tion in these cooperative investments set in, embracing not only the fur-
niture industry, but other lines of manufacturing as well. A glance at
the following list of new plants that sprang up in this one city in a very
short time and financed to a great extent by home capital should convince
the most sanguine financier that an abnormal condition prevailed. The
list of new factories organized from 1889 up to and during the first year
of the panic, and owned in whole or in part by the Swedish people, was
as follows: Scandia Furniture Company (1889), capital, $50,000; presi-
dent, P. A. Peterson ; secretary-treasurer, W. A. Brolin. The Mechanics
Machine Company (1889), capital, $10,000; president, Gust Dalin ; secre-
tary-treasurer. Levin Faust. The Mechanics Furniture Company (1890),
capital, $75,000 ; president, L. M. Noling ; secretary, Jonas Peters ; treas-
urer, A. P. Floberg. Forest City Bit and Tool Company (1891), capital,
$10,000; principal organizers, L. M. Noling and A. P. Floberg. Rock-
ford Mantel and Furniture Company (1890), capital, $10,000; president,
Alex Johnson; secretary-treasurer, L. Sandine. New Royal (Illinois)
Sewing Machine Company (1890), capital, $100,000; president, John
Budlong; vice president, P. A. Peterson; secretary, J. A. Bowman; treas-
urer, S. Budlong. West End Furniture Company (1890), capital,
$50,000; organizers, B. A. Knight, O. W. Haegg, P. F. Schuster, John
Sampson, Frank G. Hogland, Emil Stenholm, C. E. Carlson and P. A.
Peterson. The Rockford Manufacturing Company for farm implements
(1889), capital, $200,000; president, John A. Johnson; vice president, L.
M. Noling; secretary, August Lind; treasurer, A. P. Floberg. Royal
Mantel Furniture Company (1892), capital, $TOO,OOO; Rockford Cabinet
Company (1894). Several of the concerns here named, as well as others
founded by Swedish-Americans, have passed out of their control.
During the financial crisis of 1893 and the following years, many of
these cooperative companies were hard pressed, and not all weathered the
storm. A tremendous slump in stock caused enormous losses to the mass
of small shareholders, while those who were able to protect their holdings
and acquire the stocks that went begging for takers, found themselves
moderately wealthy shortly after normal industrial conditions returned.
Then began a new epoch of far greater prosperity in the furniture industry
and all other branches of manufacture in which the Rockford Swedes
are now engaged.
1 Data and figures here quoted from "Svenskarne i Rockford," 1910, are
now only approximately correct.
170 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
But the organization of new companies did not entirely cease during
the intervening years. In 1896 the Rockford Desk Company was incor-
porated with a capital of $70,000. The following year the Rockford
Palace Furniture Company began business with $30,000 capital. Its pres-
ent officers are : Anton E. Carlson, J. Godfrey Grant and Otto Grantz.
As better days dawned, the old establishments, which had been almost
crushed, regained strength and resumed business on a larger scale.
New plants were added from time to time. Among those of later date
are:
Illinois Cabinet Company (1905), capital, $100,000; annual output,
$250,000; present officers, J. P. Lindell, president; K. E. Knutson, secre-
tary-treasurer. Rockford National Furniture Company (1907), capital,
$80,000 ; annual output, $250,000; present officers, C. F. Johnson, presi-
dent ; August Peterson, secretary ; G. A. Peterson, treasurer. Rockford
Book Case Company, capital, $60,000 ; officers, P. A Peterson, president ;
William Pearson, vice president ; W. L. Anderson, secretary ; A. E. John-
son, treasurer.
AFFILIATED INDUSTRIES. In close relation to the furniture industry
stand a number of other Swedish-owned plants, such as the National Lock
Company, the National Mirror Works, the Rockford Varnish Company,
and a number of machine shops. The National Lock Company dates
from 1903. Its original capital of $10,000 has been successively increased
to $50,000 in 1904, $150,000 in 1906, and subsequently to a quarter million.
The mainspring of this going concern is Frank G. Hogland. The National
Mirror Works are under a management consisting of W. A. Brolin, C. F.
Blomberg, J. P. Lundell and J. R. Anderson. The Rockford Varnish
Company, established in 1906, with a capital of $100,000, found customers
in practically all the local furniture and cabinet works, and early made
annual sales aggregating $150,000. The officers are : Otto Grantz, presi-
dent ; C. F. Anderson, vice president ; C. A. Jonson, secretary-treasurer
and general manager.
One of Rockford's largest manufacturing establishments is the plant
of the Haddorff Piano Company, incorporated in 1891. Capitalized at
half a million dollars, the company now employs about 300 workers and
puts out instruments valued at $800,000 per year. The Haddorff plant
has a floor area of no less than 208,000 square feet. P. A. Peterson is
president of the company and C. A. Haddorff the mechanical head, the
secretary-treasurer being A. E. Johnson.
The Swedish-Americans most prominently connected with the indus-
tries of Rockford will be found by the frequent mention of them in an
official capacity in the foregoing account. Those of the first order are
John Nelson, the inventor of the automatic knitting machine and the
virtual founder of the Rockford knitting industry, said to be the most
extensive in any city in the world, and P. A. Peterson, the great modern
captain of Rockford industry. Between these two there is a long chain
of men who have contributed much towards making Rockford one of the
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 171
great manufacturing centers of Illinois and the Middle West. These are
some of them: Lars M. Noting, Jonas Peters, August Peterson, A. P.
Floberg, Robert C. Lind, Otto Grantz, W. A. Brolin, C. J. Lundberg and
Frank G. Hogland.
PEHR AUGUST PETERSON, the organizing genius and directing power
of a large number of Rockford's industrial establishments, has been
directly interested in manufactures in his home city for the past forty
years. Born in Wing, Vestergotland, Sept. 8, 1848, he was brought
to this country as a boy of four, his parents locating at Rockford in
1852. They settled on a farm near the little town, and the son's early
training consisted of much hard work on the farm and but little school-
ing. At twenty-seven he entered a business college, and when, in March,
1876, the Union Furniture Company was organized, he was given the
position of secretary, the first step in his business career. He soon
found the outlook bright for the manufacture and sale of furniture in
the West, and realized the advantages of the cooperative system for all
concerned, whether officers or workmen. During the next fifteen or
more years, one company after another was organized by the Swedes
on this plan, and in a great many instances Mr. Peterson was one of
the promoters, and, becoming one of the principal shareholders, was
chosen one of the directors or officers.
When the panic of 1893 played havoc with the industries of Rock-
ford, as elsewhere, several establishments went down in the general
crash, only the stronger ones riding out the storm. New plants had been
built largely on credit and on the confidence reposed by moneyed men
in Mr. Peterson and those interested with him. The task of pulling
these infant industries through the crisis would have driven most men
to despair. He drew on every resource, but without avail, and some
of the enterprises he had helped to float went by the board. But with
the revival in business following the crisis, Mr. Peterson and his asso-
ciates soon rallied their forces and put the crippled plants on a sound
footing anew. The industrial captain himself rehabilitated himself finan-
cially in a manner that did credit to his head and his heart alike not by
wiping out old scores and opening new books, but by conscientiously
settling up old accounts as fast as his new resources would permit. The
writer was creditably informed many years ago that not one of the
many who had made investments by dint of their faith in him had
suffered pecuniary loss, Mr. Peterson having made satisfactory restitu-
tion in every case. Commenting on this mark of business integrity in
the presence of Mr. Peterson, we were told by this modest and plain-
spoken financier that "no man is entitled to any credit for paying his
debts."
He has been connected with sundry business enterprises other than
industrial ones. Prior to the panic he had large investments in realty,
and about 1890 built a large number of houses in the east part of the
city, thereby aiding substantially in the development of that quarter
P. A. PETERSON.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 173
of the municipality. P. A. Peterson, now reputed one of the big men
of the state financially, is peculiarly reticent as to his own achievements.
ANDREW C. JOHNSON, born in Torneryd, Blekinge, Sweden, Aug. 16,
1836, is said to have been the first individual Swedish furniture manu-
facturer in Rockford, where he located in June, 1855. Ten. years after-
ward, having learned the cabinetmaker's trade in that city, Mr. Johnson
entered partnership with John Nelson and Gustaf Hollem in order to
engage in the manufacture of sash and doors. After four years he
bought out his partners. About that time he began making furniture on
a small scale. Having associated himself with J. P. Anderson in 1871,
he developed the furniture branch of the business so as to enter the
general market. L. D. Upham having entered the firm in 1873, a factory
was built on the present site of the Central Furniture Company's plant.
One year later Mr. Johnson sold his interest to E. L. Herrick, and at this
time Cuthbert Woodruff became interested in the enterprise. In 1875
the business was reorganized as a cooperative concern named Forest
City Furniture Company, with Mr. Johnson as superintendent, a position
he retained for a long period. Mr. Johnson, in 1855, joined the First
Lutheran Church of Rockford, of whose church council he was a member
for a number of years. He served the city on the board of supervisors
for some time in the seventies.
LARS M. NOLING was one of the men who have aided most materially
in building up the reputation of Rockford as a manufacturing center. He
was a living factor in the city's industrial progress in the eighties and
early nineties and became personally engaged with a number of concerns.
He was president of Mechanics Furniture Company, Forest City Bit &
Tool Company and Rockford Manufacturing Company, and held stock
in several other enterprises, including Skandia Coal Company, Rockford
Furniture & Undertaking Company, and the Swedish Building and Loan
Association, the Scandinavian Cemetery Association, and was for a time
vice president of the Illinois Sewing Machine Company. He was equally
active in a political way. His legislative district sent him to Springfield
as its representative in 1894 and again in 1896. As a member of the
Illinois legislature, Noling fathered at least two acts of special merit, one
reducing the tax redemption rate of interest from 8 per cent to 6 per cent,
the other relieving building and loan associations from the state tax. As
a member of the Board of Education for a term of years he acquired an
intimate knowledge of the school system and its management, which
in November, 1905, led to his appointment as president of the school
board.
Noling was a native of Vestergotland, born May 4, 1843, anc ^ erm -
grated to Rockford at twenty-one. Here he was first employed as a car-
penter in N. C. Thompson's shop, and after working for his uncle, John
Nelson, for a time, went back to the Thompson shop for fifteen years.
Anticipating the future growth of the city in that direction, he purchased
an eighty-acre farm just outside of city limits, near Kishwaukee street.
174 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
This tract, laid out into building lots, was eventually turned into a pros-
perous city district. Having early joined the First Swedish Lutheran
Church, Noling held many positions in the congregation, including the
trusteeship for thirty years. His death occurred on Christmas day, 1906.
EARLY FRATERNAL AND INSURANCE SOCIETIES.
In January, 1917, the Svea Society of Chicago completed the sixtieth
year of its existence. Outside of the religious field, this is the earliest
known organization of Swedish-born citizens of Illinois, and it ranks
with the oldest of similar organizations in other parts of the country,
among which are the Swedish Society of New York City and Sodetas
Scandinaviensis, which was founded in 1769, but fell into a dormant
state tantamount to dissolution, and was organized anew in April, 1870,
under the name of the Scandinavian Society of Philadelphia.
The Svea Society had a few contemporaries during the early years,
none of which survived down to the present time. Among these defunct
organizations were the Freja Society of Moline, the "Knox Svea
Bildningsforening" of Knox county, the Scandinavian Benevolent Society
of Moline, and the First Swedish Lodge of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, of Chicago.
The Freja Society of Moline was formed in September, 1869, as a
social and beneficiary organization, flourishing for eight years and attain-
ing a membership ranging close to the one hundred mark. It had its
own building, erected in 1874, at a cost of $8,000. Three years later
the hall was sold and the society dissolved, owing, apparently, to the
pressure of debts incurred. Under the auspices of Freja there was
organized the Swedish Band of Moline, which for a time was a popular
local musical organization. John A. Samuels, Gustaf Swenson, C. A.
Westerdahl, Andrew Swanson, F. O. Eklund and Eric Asp figured as
presidents in the records of the Freja Society. It was preceded by
another beneficiary organization, the Scandinavian Benevolent Society,
founded in 1866, which outlived the Freja.
The Knox Svea was a literary society which was founded at Gales-
burg in 1858 and existed for one year, under the direction of Sven
Peterson and Dan J. Ockerson. It was revived in "Svea Bildnings och
Laseforening," in December, 1865, and continued under the new name
for about seven years. Pehr Mattson and Torkel Nilson appear to have
been its leading members.
The first Swedish Lodge, No. 479, I. O. O. F., dates back to Feb. 22,
1872, when it was organized with ten original members, only three of
whom were of Swedish birth. After the lodge got under way, the
others withdrew, and an all-Swedish lodge soon numbered among its
a gg re gate membership of one hundred and fifty some of the best-known
Swedish-Americans of Chicago. In the list of its leading members in
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 175
the early period we find the names of P. A. Felt, Henry Allen, J. T.
Appelberg, D. W. Modeen, Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal, John Mountain,
P. M. Nelson, P. G. Bowman, August Nieman, E. O. Forsberg, W. T.
Eklund, Charles J. Stromberg, and others.
The SVEA SOCIETY of Chicago, of recent years but one unit in a
large number of similar organizations, many of which have far out-
stripped it in point of membership, strength and influence, was some-
what of a history-maker in its early career. Charles J. Sundell, in
response to a growing demand for a purely secular society of Swedish
Chicagoans, issued a call for a preliminary meeting, to be held Jan. 22,
1857, to discuss the matter. The meeting was presided over by Charles
John Stolbrand, subsequently of Civil War fame, while Sundell, then
Swedish-Norwegian consul at Chicago, served as secretary. He out-
lined the plan of organization, the purpose of which should be to work
for the education and ennoblement of its members by means of high-
grade public entertainments and giving access to a library of Swedish
literature to be collected and maintained by the society ; furthermore, to
carry on benevolent work by rendering every assistance to the Swedish
people of the city. The plan met with favor, and a society, to be known
as Svea, was immediately organized, with the temporary officers made
permanent, C. F. Billings being added as the first treasurer. The col-
lection of books was one of the first concerns. Rev. Gustaf Unonius
of the St. Ansgarius Church donated a small collection, to which was
later added a collection originally donated to the church library. With
the books purchased with the net proceeds of a bazaar, this made a
foundation of four hundred volumes for the society's library.
During its first year the society met in the building erected at Kinzie
street by P. M. Almini, the painter and decorator. During the first
seven years Stolbrand and Sundell alternated as presiding officers, with
F. E. Jocknick serving as librarian. A sick benefit clause was early
added to the constitution.
At the outbreak of the war a number of the members enlisted in
the Silversparre Battery, while Stolbrand himself set about organizing
a Swedish infantry company. While encamped at Savannah, after the
victorious battle of Atlanta, the battery was granted a furlough, and
the Swedish artillerists, upon their return to Chicago, were given an
enthusiastic reception by the Svea Society. On this occasion a flag of
blue satin, embroidered with the names Shiloh, Vicksburg, Atlanta, was
presented to the battery. This historic trophy, designed to commemorate
the great victories the Silversparre battery had had a part in achieving
was lost, together with the society's other paraphernalia and its library,
in the great fire. The loss of the library was felt all the more as a
collection of five hundred volumes donated from Sweden had been
added to it in 1866, through the efforts of Olof Gottfrid Lange. A
number of these w r orks were presented by members of the Swedish
royal family.
176 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
During the famine in northern Sweden in 1867 the society raised
7,000 crowns for the sufferers by means of a fair. The same year
it undertook to establish an immigrant home or hospice for the care of
newcomers from Sweden and their protection against unscrupulous
agents and immigrant "runners." The prime mover in this enterprise
was Charles Eklund. A temporary shelter was maintained at Ohio and
Franklin streets, a cooper shop having been remodeled and fitted up for
the purpose. There many immigrants are said to have been housed in
transit through Chicago to other points. Soon an immigrant house
was built at 120 Illinois street, where thousands of immigrants are said
to have been sheltered and fed, in part at the expense of the society
and its ladies' auxiliary.
Differences among the members as to the maintenance and admin-
istration of this institution led to the sale of the property in September,
1871, for $6,000 just a month before it shared the general fate by
being destroyed in the great fire. About this time Svea averaged three
hundred members.
The great gala event in the annals of the society was its reception
and entertainment of the renowned Swedish singer, Christina Nilsson,
in December, 1870. In the evening of the 22nd a great national cele-
bration took place in the German Theater at Wells and Indiana streets,
under the auspices of Svea, other persons of prominence in local Swedish
circles cooperating with its festival committee. The hall was crowded
to the doors with people who had cheerfully paid five dollars for the
privilege of hearing their famous countrywoman sing. The prima donna
was feted in splendid style, crowned with a golden wreath, given homage
in speech, verse and song, and finally toasted at a banquet board spread
in her honor. This was the first Swedish national celebration in Chicago
arranged on a large scale.
In 1872 the Svea Society rallied from the stroke dealt by the great
fire ; after five years it secured permanent quarters at Chicago avenue
and Larrabee street. By 1880 it had re-established its library, which
then numbered more than five hundred volumes. Since 1867 Anders
Larson had served as librarian. The following is a list of its presidents
for the first twenty-five years : Charles John Stolbrand, Charles J. Sun-
dell, J. P. Hussander, J. A. Nilson, Oscar Malmborg, C. Blanxius, Th.
Engstrom, Charles J. Stromberg, C. F. Billings, Gerhard Larson, Olof
Gottfrid Lange, N. Torgerson, Conrad Gothe, one Berglund, Peter M.
Almini. J. M. Schonbeck, Gylfe Wolyn, Carl Gustaf Linderborg, A. Asp-
man, Sven Olin, A. J. Westman, Knut Nelson.
A congratulatory cablegram was sent to A. E. Nordenskiold, the
Swedish explorer and discoverer, immediately upon his reaching Yoko-
hama, Sept. 2, 1879, after having completed the voyage north of Asia,
thereby discovering the Northeast Passage. Count NordensViold
acknowledged the communication in a letter to the society, which is
preserved in its archives.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 177
Rendered into English, the Nordenskiold letter reads as follows:
Honored Sirs: Through Major Elfving, the Swedish General Consul, I
learn that my letter expressing grateful acknowledgment of your telegraphic
greeting, received from the Svea Society upon my arrival at Yokohama, did
not reach you. Without attempting to account for this, I beg to acknowledge
again the receipt of your message and to express the gratitude and pride I felt
at being thus remembered by my countrymen beyond the Atlantic because of
the voyage of the "Vega." It is a source of pleasure to us at home to know that
those of our countrymen who have made their home in the New World per-
severe in cherishing the old fatherland in its triumphs as well as its sorrows.
The message of greeting from them will ever remain one of the fondest memo-
ries from my memorable voyage around Asia and Europe.
With utmost respect, I am yours gratefully,
Stockholm. Oct. 12, 1880. A. E. NORDENSKIOLD.
Paul B. Du Chaillu, the noted traveler and writer, was elected to
honorary membership in 1882, upon the publication of his work entitled
"The Land of the Midnight Sun."
Anders Larson (1801-1884), who served as librarian of the society
some fifteen years, was one of Chicago's very first Swedes. Born in
Torstuna, Vestmanland, he came to this country with a party of Jans-
sonists as early as 1846. Instead of going to Bishop Hill with the rest,
he located in Chicago. Among his eight children, Emma Larson (wife
of Henry E. C. Peterson, the portrait painter) won public favor as a
singer in the seventies and eighties. Mrs. Anders Larson and Mrs.
Gustaf Unonius are said to have been largely instrumental in securing
from Jenny Lind her generous gifts to the St. Ansgarius.
The latter half of Svea's history has been less eventful than the
former. In 1901 its library, then comprising about 2,000 volumes, was
transferred to Schott's Hall, on Belmont avenue, where the meetings
were subsequently held.
The present officers of the Svea Society are : President, William
C. Nelson ; vice president, John Hultgren ; secretaries, E. Sterner and
Andrew \V. Nelson; treasurer, Charles P. Funk; librarian, Justus B.
Tengberg. The sixtieth anniversary of the society was commemorated
at a banquet given on January 18, last.
THE SCANDINAVIAN MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION
Rev. S. P. A. Lindahl, who in the eighties served the First Swedish Lu-
theran Church of Galesburg, was a strong opponent of secrecy in fraternal
organizations of whatever kind, and publicly voiced this opposition in the
pulpit as well as in a small paper published for a time under the name of
Scliibbolcth. After a particularly strong sermon by Pastor Lindahl one
Sunday, one of his hearers, B. A. Stredain, called on the pastor and the
two together discussed at some length the suggestion of Mr. Stredain that
a Swedish insurance society be organized having none of the objectionable
178
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
features so vigorously criticised by the pastor. The two men then and
there formulated a plan which was laid before a meeting called shortly
afterwards. This meeting, held in the schoolhouse of the First church,
July 20, 1883, was largely attended by Swedish- American citizens of
Galesburg. Pastor Lindahl, who presided, stated the purpose of the meet-
ing, which was to discuss the best and cheapest plan for a reliable life
insurance society. After a full discussion those present unanimously-
resolved to organize the Swedish-American Mutual Ajd Association, with
headquarters at Galesburg. A committee, in-
cluding Rev. Lindahl, B. A. Stredain, Nels
C Nelson and six others, was selected to draft a
constitution and by-laws. At the second meet-
. ing, held Aug. 3, it was explained that 200
applicants for membership were required be-
fore the association could be incorporated.
Eight persons were appointed to secure appli-
cations, and upon the discovery that the name
adopted was already used in part by another
organization, the name was changed to the
Scandinavian Mutual Aid Association. On
Aug. 24 following, the directors were chosen
who were authorized as incorporators of the
association. Rev. Lindahl headed the list,
which included further Nels Nelson, J. A.
Oberg, N. J. Oleen, J. A. Johnson, Charles A. Peterson, B. A. Stredain,
Charles A. Lindstrom and John F. Ostrand.
The first annual meeting of the association was held in Galesburg,
111., January 28, 1885, with Dr. Lindahl as president, and Nels Nelson as
secretary, and Jonas A. Johnson as treasurer. In these minutes the chair-
man speaks of the cause for organizing a life insurance company being
principally to prevent the Lutheran members from joining secret societies,
as well as for the purpose of assisting one another financially in case of
death.
From the secretary's report it appears that at this time there were
1,144. members, with insurance in force of $2,139,000. The association
flourished for a time, the membership running as high as 16,000. How-
ever, having started on a very low rate, the money went for death losses
as fast as it came in. At the end of the first year's operation the total
receipts were $8,602, and the death losses and expenses consumed all ex-
cept $354. Therefore, after having operated a short period, it became
apparent to the management that a reserve fund ought to be accumulated,
hence 10 cents was added to the monthly assessment. In later years the
assessment was increased. However, the death losses were heavy and
about the year 1900 notice was given that the association could not con-
tinue on the basis on which it was operating, and that either a radical
change would have to take place in the rates or the association would have
NELS NELSON.
GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT 179
to be sold out or transferred to some old line company which would over-
take all the risks on a certain basis. Several meetings were called, with
the final result that a new schedule of rates was adopted, and liens were
placed against the policies. It was also decided to transfer the association
to Chicago and give it a new name, the Scandia Mutual Life Insurance
Company. At this time Dr. L. G. Abrahamson was elected president ;
Charles H. Roman, secretary, and N. A. Nelson, treasurer.
Prior to the reorganization, S. P. A. Lindahl had served as president
and Nels Nelson as secretary of the association continuously since they
aided in its founding.
PART IV
THE PERIOD OF CULTURAL
PROGRESS.
PART IV
THE PERIOD OF CULTURAL PROGRESS
THE CULTURAL MOVEMENT
John Richard Green, the historian of the life of the English people,
pleaded, not unreasonably, that more space should be given in human
chronicles to the missionary, the poet, the painter, the merchant, the
philosopher.
True, in the annals of the nations of the Old World the deeds of
rulers and warriors preponderate over all other human achievements com-
bined. Down to recent times it could be said of any country as was
said of Sweden by one of its noted historians that the history of the
nation is the history of its kings. One who attempts to tell the story
of any national element that has entered as a component part in the
making of the American nation will soon discover that here history
treads new paths. From the Plymouth of the Puritans to the southern-
most mission of the Spanish friars, the missionary is a dominant figure,
second only to the expeditionary commander or the colonial governor,
where he does not hold that rank himself. The first annals of many of
the American colonies read very much like chapters in church history.
The men of the church were the first nation-builders on our shores, and
the missionaries not only had a hand in the making of history but fre-
quently wielded the pen that preserved the earliest records.
This is true of the New Sweden colony founded on the banks of the
Delaware, whose foremost men, except for the first few years, were
clergymen of the Church of Sweden. Their work furnished the cohesive
force that held the Swedish settlements together for more than a cen-
tury and a half, and to several of them we are indebted for historical
material now invaluable.
Again in the Swedish settlements of the nineteenth century, as we
have seen, the missionaries and preachers were the leaders among the
pioneers. They shaped the history of the Swedish element almost wholly
during the first two decades, and the church communions founded by
them naturally continue to play a large part in all distinctively Swedish-
American activities by dint of priority, numbers, power and influence.
Cultural factors other than religious and educational, as provided
by the churches and their institutions, have been brought into play by
degrees and at a much later time. We are privileged to chronicle notable
achievements of poets and painters, singers and virtuosos, composers,
183
184 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
sculptors and writers, merchants, manufacturers and financiers, archi-
tects, inventors and civil engineers, surveyors and scientists, jurists and
legislators, scholars and thinkers, but not until a generation has passed.
The elements of general culture among Swedish-Americans up to
recent years were, in fact, so sporadic or volatile that observers from
abroad made bold to question their existence, and that, too, with a show
of truth. The best they were able to do was to recognize the church
institutions and here and there an individual exponent of other than
material interests.
The last quarter century has wrought a change that no close student
of conditions can overlook. The elements formerly found in a fluid
state have solidified to a degree. Unity of purpose has been shown along
many lines. Organizations have been formed to accomplish 'things unat-
tainable by individual endeavor. Cultural progress has, in the main,
followed the channel designated by nationalistic interests up to the point
where the brook and river meet, i.e., when complete Americanization has
taken place. Here we note a division of the current. From this point
on only a part of the Swedish element adheres to distinctively Swedish-
American activities and ideals. Educated and equipped according to
American standards, large numbers enter the various vocations regard-
less of locality and racial environment and with the stamp of their origin
almost obliterated.
The Swede in a foreign land does not cling tenaciously to his mother
tongue. Many Swedish-Americans discard their native speech like a
cast-off garment. Even the early letters of men of Swedish education
such as Unonius and Esbjorn abound in Americanisms. In educational
institutions under Swedish control the general medium of instruction is
English sometimes even in the teaching of Swedish. This propensity
constantly operates to level the chief bulwark of Swedish culture in
this country the Swedish language. The result is a language problem
with which many minds are wrestling in vain ; for it is not susceptible
of solution by human devices. There is a drift from Swedish to Eng-
lish, propelled by natural causes, moving on in its course without let
or hindrance. The transition period is now, and the best that any Swe-
dish-speaking churches or secular organizations can do is to accommodate
themselves to the new conditions. Patent instances of such adjustment
are found in the recent organization of upwards forty English-speaking
congregations within the Augustana Synod, heretofore a Swedish-speak-
ing church body ; also the formation of English-speaking lodges which
are part and parcel of orders exclusively Swedish-American in their
membership.
It is a singular fact that a more general participation by the Swedish
element in the cultural life of the nation in its literary, artistic, scien-
tific, political, social and economic activities should be coincident with
the linguistic transition. While this may seem discouraging to those
who believe the Swedish language to be the sine qua non for the propaga-
CULTURAL PROGRESS 185
tion of Swedish ideas and the survival of Swedish genius in America, it
brings cheer to the hearts of others, who hold that the value of the gift
lies not in the vessel in which it is conveyed. In any event, the develop-
ments in the last twenty or thirty years appear to warrant the assumption
that Americans of Swedish origin are capable of bringing valuable con-
tributions to American civilization from their home land, even though
they should be unable to preserve their cultural heritage among them-
selves in its original form through the vehicle of speech.
PUBLISHING AND PRINTING.
AUGUSTANA BOOK CONCERN, located in Rock Island, in close prox-
imity to Augustana College, is the official publishing house of the Swedish
Lutheran Church and the principal publishing concern in the United
States established and controlled by the Swedish element. Although
dating its existence as a synodical institution from the year 1889, when
a private plant was taken over by the Augustana Synod, several years
passed before it assumed larger proportions, and inasmuch as its devel-
opment and most efficient service falls within the compass of the past
twenty years, it may well be accorded first place in an account of the
factors and forces that have made for cultural progress among Swedish-
Americans in the present period.
The evolution of the present quarter-million publishing establish-
ment, with modern equipment in all departments, from the modest
printing shop and book store of twenty-odd years ago will appear from
the sketch that follows.
The first official step in the act of establishing the present publishing
house of the Augustana Synod was taken at the annual convention of
1889, held at Rock Island and Moline in June. A board of publication
was then elected, the first members of which were: Pastors S. P. A.
Lindahl, M. C. Ranseen, V. Setterdahl, C. J. Petri, and Messrs. C. G.
Thulin of Moline, C. G. Chinlund of Chicago and Nels Nelson of
Galesburg. The duties of this board were defined thus : To bring about
uniformity in the textbooks used in parochial schools and synodical
institutions of learning; to publish and circulate books and periodicals,
and to purchase for the synod the property and publishing rights of the
privately owned Augustana Book Concern in Rock Island.
The board, after being incorporated as the Lutheran Augustana
Book Concern, agreed to purchase all the property of the old corporation,
the terms being 80 per cent of the par value of all paid shares, payable
in five years, with interest at the rate of 6 per cent. The purchase,
consummated in September, was dated back to August i. Dr. S. P. A.
Lindahl was made president, Dr. M. C. Ranseen vice president, and
Mr. Nels Nelson secretary. Mr. Andrew G. Anderson, who had served
the former concern in the capacity of foreman of the printing depart-
ment and assistant manager, was elected manager and treasurer, a posi-
tion ably and creditably filled by him to this day. Under his management
DR. S. P. A. LINDAHL.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 187
the publishing business of the synod has been uniformly progressive,
assuming proportions far beyond the expectations of its promoters
twenty-five years ago. Dr. Lindahl continued as president of the board
until his death, March 27, 1908.
For several years there was some hesitation about the question of
location, and the board did not wish to make further investments until
that had been decided. There had been much discussion over the mistake
made in removing the educational institution from Chicago, and the
former publishing house of the synod had been located in that city.
For these reasons the board in 1892 proposed to move the business
to Chicago, and asked the synod to pass on the question. The vote was
in favor of Rock Island, and that practically settled the matter.
In 1898 a new fireproof brick structure replaced the old frame
building that went with the purchase in 1889. Ten years more, and the
business had outgrown this building, necessitating further building oper-
ations. Then an addition was erected, fully doubling the floor area of
the plant. The first main building was completed at a cost of $22,000,
and the cost of the addition, erected in 1911, approximated $30,000.
The institution, as it stands today, has six main departments, book
store, business office with counting and shipping rooms, editorial rooms,
composing rooms, press rooms, bindery the last two with their respec-
tive stock rooms. The mechanical departments are equipped with modern
machinery and appurtenances representing investments running into
the tens of thousands.
One of the purposes for which the publishing house was established
was to provide funds for the maintenance of Augustana College. A
similar promise was made by the private concern which had gone before,
but during the twelve years of private publishing activities professedly
in the interest of Augustana College, no profits ever accrued to the
institution, so far as revealed by the records. It is, therefore, all the
more gratifying to record that during its first twenty-five years Augustana
Book Concern turned over to the synod's educational institution no less
than $37,000 out of its profits, meanwhile making investments and devel-
oping the plant to the value of $216,000. Appropriations to other synod-
ical purposes in the same period aggregated $17,163, making total appro-
priations of $54,163. During its first quarter-century the publishing
house increased its net worth from $6,107 to $216,766. The gain made
by the synod through this source thus reached $265,000 in the period
stated.
The chief aim, however, is not to earn money for another institution,
but to propagate religious truth through the circulation of Lutheran
literature for home and church devotion and for instruction in the paro-
chial and Sunday schools. Although purely spiritual culture is the
primary object, intellectual and esthetic requirements among the Swedish
element of the nation have not been overlooked. The idea was early
expressed by Dr. Hasselquist that the synod should aim to circulate such
188 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
literature as will "make for true culture and prove useful in the promo-
tion of private and public welfare." The Augustana Book Concern has
sought to attain this object in a twofold way, first, by importing and
keeping for sale all the standard works in all the branches of Swedish
literature, besides the best current literature in its various branches ; in
the second place, by encouraging .Swedish-American endeavor in litera-
ture and art through the publication of works by writers, painters and
musicians of Swedish extraction.
The list of more than 500 different books and pamphlets published
up to the end of the year 1916 comprises quite a number of original
AUGUSTANA BOOK CONCERN PUBLISHING HOUSE OF THE AUGUSTANA SYNOD.
works by Swedish-American writers. In the field of poetry \ve find
A. A. Sward, Ludvig Holmes, Jakob Bonggren, C. A. Lonnquist and
John A. Enander. The collected works by Dr. Enander and by Dr.
Olof Olsson have been published, besides books of stories, essays, remi-
niscences and travels, by Birger Sandzen, C. W. Foss, Johan Person,
Ernst A. Zetterstrand, C. A. Hemborg, Vilhelm Berger, K. N. Rabenius,
Carl W. Andeer, Anna Olsson, S. J. Kronberg and others. Of historical
and biographical works there is the compendious work in two volumes
by Dr. Eric Norelius on the history of the Swedish Lutheran churches
and the Swedes of America, the most comprehensive historical work in
this field published so far. Other historical and biographical works are
two compilations on the history of the Augustana Synod published in
Swedish and English at the synodical jubilee in 1910; the "Luther-
Kalender" of 1883, a biography of Dr. T. N. Hasselquist by Norelius,
and two volumes of "Life Pictures" from the Church of Sweden and
CULTURAL PROGRESS
189
from the Augustana Synod, by Dr. Nils Forsander. A collection of
translations of masterpieces from Swedish literature has been published
in two volumes, and an annual of literature, history and art, entitled
"Prarieblomman," in thirteen volumes. In recent years the house has
sought to meet the demand for textbooks and annotated texts for the
study of Swedish in the general schools by the publication of such peda-
gogical works, compiled, edited and annotated by Jules Mauritzson,
Edw. J. Vickner, A. Louis Elmquist, Joseph Alexis, A. A. Stomberg
and Ernst W. Olson. The
principal original works in
music in a long list of musical
publications by this" house are a
cantata for the fiftieth anniver-
sary of the Augustana Synod,
written by Ernst W. Olson and
composed by R. Lager strom, the
oratorio "Golgotha," by J. Vic-
tor Bergquist, Christmas can-
tatas by Alfred Bergin and J.
Victor Bergquist, and by Frank
J. Johnson, and Reformation
Cantata for the Augustana
Synod celebration of the quad-
ricentennial in 1917, written
by Ernst W. Olson and com-
posed by Prof. Bergquist by
special commission from the
synod. The strong trend among
the Swedes toward the use of
English exclusively has caused
the issuing of quite a number
of books in that language in
the last decade, though the great bulk of the output is still
Swedish.
Newspapers and periodicals form a large part of the product of
the Augustana presses. The official organ of the synod, named
Augustana, is now in its sixty-second year, being the indirect successor
of the religious monthly founded by Hasselquist in 1856. Two Sunday
school papers are published, one in each language The Olive Leaf,
started in 1883, an d Barncns Tidning, founded by S. P. A. Lindahl in
1886. The synod publishes a second official organ in English, The
Lutheran Companion, which originated in 1892 in the form of a college
publication. A general literary illustrated monthly magazine named
Ungdovnsvdnnen is published to conserve the literary and cultural inter-
ests of the Swedish-American public in general. Tidskrift is a quarterly
magazine devoted to theology and churchly matters.
ANDREW G. ANDERSON.
190 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
The volume of the published output per year may be indicated by
giving a few totals for the year 1915, when the number of copies of
books and pamphlets printed reached 218,340, of which 113,390 copies
were of new publications. Counting one issue of each of the newspapers
and periodicals, the combined circulation reached 112,300. The total
number of books and pamphlets published since the founding of the
publishing house had reached 3,785,585 at the close of that year, and the
number is now approximately 4,000,000.
For some years past Rev. Frank A. Johnsson of Galesburg has served
as president of the board and Prof. Isaac M. Anderson of Augustana
College as secretary. In the management Mr. A. G. Anderson is assisted
by Mr. Grant Hultberg. The permanent editorial force consists of the
following : Revs. L. G. Abrahamson, D. D., Oscar V. Holmgrain, Carl
Kraft, Carl J. Bengston ; Messrs. Ernst W. Olson and Carl E. Nelson.
Among the editors employed outside of the institution are Drs. Claude W.
Foss and Sven Gustaf Youngert, besides persons selected for temporary
assignments. Two foremen, Messrs. C. A. Larson and C. L. Ackerlind,
have held their respective positions for more than thirty years, having
been connected with the printing department since 1886.
THE ENGBERG-HOLMBERG PUBLISHING COMPANY. When the Eng-
berg and Holmberg firm in 1874 took over the official publishing concern
of the Augustana Synod, it came in possession of a business which dated
back to the very earliest publishing activities of the Lutheran church, but
which had taken more definite form in the Swedish Lutheran Publication
Society which had been in control from the beginning of the year 1859.
The present Engberg-Holmberg Publishing Company is consequently the
oldest Swedish-American publishing house. From 1874 to 1889 it was
recognized as the authorized publishing house of the Augustana Synod.
By virtue of the stipulations in the bill of sale and the original charter,
this authorization still holds, the corporation maintains, while the Synod
itself in 1889 officially denied this claim by its act of establishing a new
synodical publishing house, not by purchasing back the old business, but
by acquiring a concern privately established. An inquiry into the facts
and circumstances reveals no true justification for this deal, considered
as a synodical act, however conscientious the individuals who brought it
about in the conviction that the publishing business ought never to have
passed out of the Synod's hands.
The twenty-fifth anniversary publication of the Augustana Book
Concern (p. 45) puts the following construction upon the act: "Ten
years had now elapsed since the sale of the publishing business took place,
and meanwhile the Synod's communicant membership had almost doubled,
the number of Swedes in America not affiliated with the Synod doubtless
having increased in a much greater proportion. The field for this activ-
ity had consequently been much enlarged, and in view of the improved
economic conditions now prevailing, there was room enough for more
than one publishing concern without undue crowding, provided some
CULTURAL PROGRESS 191
measure of Christian tolerance had been exercised." Dr. Eric Norelius,
the historian of the Synod, evaded the subject by confessing his incom-
petency to pass upon the rectitude of the transaction. Writing of Jonas
Engberg (Vol. II, p. 19), he says: "When he had been relieved of his
work in the office of Hemlandct, Engberg, together with S. P. Holmberg,
purchased the synodical book and publishing business, which was offered
for sale and which was subsequently developed into a very considerable
plant. Unfortunately there arose later on, when the Synod, through Dr.
Lindahl, had opened a new book store, difficulties on which I am not
competent to express myself. Very likely there were misunderstandings
on both sides, if (as) the contracts were rather loosely formulated."
The firm of Engberg and Holmberg carried on an extensive pub-
lishing business for the Augustana Synod for the first six or eight years,
whereupon the synodical business was gradually decreased by other con-
cerns engaging in the same line. The board of directors of Augustana
College undertook the publishing of a new Catechism and Bible History
for the parochial and Sunday schools of the Synod, the Illinois Confer-
ence put out a devotional work on its own account, and the firm of Enander
& Bohman developed quite a large book publishing business in connection
with the newspaper purchased from the Synod. Among its publications
was the Swedish Psalmbook and Chorale Book in various editions, a
specific branch of business which ought to have been reserved for the
publishing house authorized by the Synod.
In 1884 the old firm was incorporated as a stock company known as
The Engberg-Holmberg Publishing Company. Jonas Engberg, the pio-
neer publisher, died Jan. I, 1890, shortly after he had seen his concern
deprived of the prerogatives granted it in 1874 by the founding of a new
synodical publishing house. Charles P. Holmberg remained in active
charge of the business ten years longer, retiring in 1900. He died May
20, 1903. Since 1900 the publishing business has been carried on by
Oscar and Martin Engberg, sons of Jonas Engberg, the former retiring
in 7916.
After having occupied quarters on Chicago avenue for thirty-eight
years, the concern in 1912 moved to 901 Belmont avenue, near Clark
street, its present place of business.
Besides keeping on sale a large stock of imported Swedish books,
this house has published several hundred larger and smaller works, relig-
ious and secular, including schoolbooks and textbooks in language, his-
tories and books of travel, devotional and other religious works, Sunday
school story books, hymnals, music books, and sheet music, collections
of poetry, works of fiction and miscellanies. Notable among original
works are most of C. F. Peterson's works, several of O. Olsson's, chiefly
his "Till Rom och Hem Igen," Gustaf Sjostrom's "Jan Olson's Afventyr,"
G. N. Malm's "Charli Johnson" and the large work in English by Ernst
W. Olson (assisted by A. Schon and M. J. Engberg) entitled "History
of the Swedes of Illinois."
THE PETERSON BUILDING.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 193
THE PETERSON LINOTYPING COMPANY is one of many large, flourish-
ing Swedish establishments that have sprung into being in late years. It
was founded in the year 1899, an< 3 now, in its seventeenth year, ranks with
the largest printing plants in the United States.
The head of the concern, Mr. Charles S. Peterson, began work in
Chicago at the age of fourteen, in the printing office of the weekly Hem-
landet. In 1895 he became linotype operator with another Swedish weekly,
Svcnska Amerikanarcn. After four years he saw the possibilities for devel-
opment in machine composition and engaged in business for himself under
the name and style of the Peterson Linotyping Company. The plant grew
by rapid paces, and soon a long array of Mergenthalers were in constant
operation in the busy concern. In 1908 Mr. Peterson acquired an interest
in the old and well established printing house of the Regan Printing Com-
pany. After six years he purchased the entire Regan concern, also the
G. D. Steere Bindery, together with the building occupied by them at 527-
531 Plymouth court. By this deal he became the sole proprietor of one of
the largest printing and bindery establishments in the city, employing a
total working force of eight hundred. The three departments form a
complete plant equipped for all the multiplex requirements of present day
publishing in all branches books, magazines, trade journals, newspapers
and commercial printing. For the accommodation of this entire estab-
lishment there is now in course of erection a twelve-story structure on a
site embracing Nos. 521-537 Plymouth court. This building, to be known
as the Peterson Building, is designed to be the last word in construction
for the needs of the printing trade. The new Peterson Building will be the
handsomest structure in the country to be occupied by the printing craft. It
is to be of white enameled tile, with terra cotta front, and an entrance of
gray marble with verde antique trimmings and ornamental iron work.
Of the eleven stories and basement all but four stories will be occupied
by the Regan Printing House and the Peterson Linotyping Company. The
Columbian Engraving Company is to have the top floor and the Acme Elec-
trotyping Company the seventh floor. The rest of the space not yet pro-
vided for will probably be taken by publishers and others in allied printing
lines or supply houses, so that everything in the preparation of a book or
publication may be had without going outside of the building.
The northern half of the building is being erected by the McCormick
Estate for Mr. Peterson under a thirty-year lease, and is to be ready May I,
1917. The southern half, which is to be finished May i, 1918, is to be
erected for Mr. Peterson on ground he holds under a hundred-year lease.
When completed, the structure will be a splendid monument to Swedish-
American commercial enterprise.
BLOMGREN BROS. AND COMPANY. This corporation, so closely affili-
ated with the printing craft, is one of the oldest electrotyping concerns in
the West. It was organized as a copartnership business in 1875, by Claus,
Oscar, John and Richard Blomgren and their brother-in-law, Gustaf
Hockinson. The Blomgren brothers were sons of Carl Blomgren, who in
EDWARD C. WESTMAN.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 195
1852 started a tailoring establishment, which grew to be one of the largest
in the city, at one time employing thirty-five men in the shop and fifty
outside, and keeping twenty-five machines going, the weekly output reach-
ing 1,500 garments. Two of the brothers devoted themselves entirely to
the new establishment, while the other two, John and Richard, also con-
tinued the old tailoring business after the retirement of their father. About
1880 the stereotyping plant of the Blomgrens is said to have been the
largest of its kind in Chicago. The size of similar plants at that time may
be conjectured from the fact that this firm then employed about twenty-five
workmen.
Originally the firm was a modest electrotyping and wood and wax
engraving concern, whose reason for existence was to produce advertising
cuts and plates for what was then a small and struggling town. As Chicago
grew, the firm grew with it. It was their connection with the famous
inventor of the reaper that started them on the road to greater success. As
Chicago grew to be a world center for the manufacture of farm machinery,
the Blomgren engravings made known to the world each successive inven-
tion and improvement in agricultural implements and harvesting ma-
chinery.
The firm continued in business as such until 1890, when the brothers
Claus and Oscar Blomgren bought out their partners and changed the firm
into a stock company. Edward C. Westman, who became a stockholder
of the company, soon took a very active part in the development of the
business, and in 1905 headed the concern as president and treasurer. He
has gradually absorbed the bulk of the stock and conducts the business
with the able assistance of men who have practically grown up with the
business. John Soderterg, now secretary and treasurer, entered the employ
of the Blomgrens as bookkeeper in 1876 and has remained with the business
without interruption to this day.
The plant employs at present an average of one hundred workers,
and the annual output foots up to $200,000. The business comprises all
branches of the reproductive art, designing, engraving, electrotyping and
nickeltyping, the last-named process, by the way, being the invention of a
Swedish Chicagoan, the late Olof F. Nelson, a member of the Osgood
Company.
Blomgren Bros. & Company appreciate the value of contentment in
their employees as an aid to efficiency. There can be no better testimony
for a business concern than the fact that its workmen will spend a lifetime
in its service, and they seek to cultivate this habit by suitable testimonials
to their men when they complete twenty-five years of service. Five of its
veteran workmen already have been remembered with honors and valuable
mementos upon completing their quarter century in the Blomgren estab-
lishment, including Messrs. John Soderberg and John E. Anderson.
The great Chicago printing establishment of Stromberg, Allen & Com-
pany is largely the result of Swedish business enterprise embodied in the
person of CHARLES J. STROMBERG, one of the Swedish pioneers in Chicago.
196 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
He came over from Sweden with his parents in 1854. They located in
Chicago two years later, he being then a young man of eighteen. After
working for W. B. Keen & Company for seven years he quit his position
to join the Union Army. When the war closed he was employed by the
stationery firm of J. M. W. Jones & Co., rising successively to the position
of manager and member of the firm. In 1888 he withdrew to found the
present firm of Stromberg, Allen & Company,
with which he was connected until his death
in 1904.
Stromberg's connection as stockholder
with Jones & Company dated from 1877. This
was a large blank book, stationery and printing
concern for that day, keeping about thirty large
and small presses busy, in addition to much
ruling and binding machinery, and employing
upwards of two hundred workmen. The vol-
ume of business was about one million per year.
One of its specialties was the printing of rail-
way tickets, for which Mr. Stromberg invented
and had patented a simplified process.
CHARLES j. STROMBERG. ' In addition to the larger plants, heretofore
mentioned, there are in Chicago quite a few
printing and publishing plants of Swedish ownership besides those spoken
of in connection with the publishing activities of the churches. The older
shops of Williamson and of Lindell have been followed by the more recent
establishments of Broman, Almberg, Jacobson, Martenson, Linden, and a
number of others. In the general printing trade throughout the state
Swedes are everywhere to be found, and often at the head of the craft in
the newspaper plants and the larger establishments.
LITERATURE, EDUCATION AND SCIENCE.
Dr. OLOF OLSSON rendered eminent service to the Swedish-Americans
in various capacities, principally as a pastor, educator and author. His
pastoral work was performed mostly during the years he was in charge of
the church in Lindsborg, Kansas, but he continued to be an influential and
highly popular preacher in the Augustana Synod until his death. As an
educator, he was for twenty-one years connected with Augustana College
and Theological Seminary, serving as its president during the last nine
years. His authorship, comprising devotional works or books of travel
written from the churchman's point of view, is mostly work done on spare
hours snatched from his last twenty years of close application to many
official duties, yet his works rank with the best Swedish literary produc-
tions in the United States.
Olof Olsson was a native of Vermland, Sweden, born at Bjorntorp,
Karlskoga parish, March 31, 1841. His parents were pietists of the strictest
CULTURAL PROGRESS 197
type. At an early age the son was imbued with their spiritual ardor.
Being studious and betraying marked musical talent, he was placed under
the tutorship of the organist and cantor of Fredsberg parish, in Vestergot-
land, who took his apt pupil quite a little way in his musical studies.
Responding to Dr. Fjellstedt's ringing appeals for missionary workers,
Olsson in 1858 entered the Fjellstedt missionary institute, friends of the
family guaranteeing the needed support. After one year, the authorities
of the school concluded to send him to the Leipsic missionary institute for
further training. The state formalism and high orthodoxy pervading that
institution proved repulsive to him, and he soon returned home disheart-
ened and with shattered ideals. Shortly afterward he went to Upsala to
prepare for the university in the Church of Sweden, completing his college
course in 1861 and his theological studies two years later.
After his ordination, Olsson labored fruitfully as a minister of the
state church for about five years. By his affiliation with the evangelistic
movement of the Devotionalists (Readers) he gained the favor and confi-
dence of his more earnest brethren of the clergy, but incurred the odium
of certain worldly-minded clergymen, and finally concluded that true
Gospel work could hardly be carried on under the trammels of a state
church. To escape the restraint, he resolved to emigrate.
In 1869 he headed a party of emigrants who shared his views, and
with them founded the settlement in McPherson county, Kansas, which
was subsequently named Lindsborg. Olsson became their pastor and
served as their adviser in temporal as well as spiritual things for seven
years. After some little hesitation the congregation joined the Augustana
Synod. While at Lindsborg, Olsson served as county superintendent of
schools and for a term represented his district in the Kansas legislature.
In 18/5, Rev. Olof Olsson had gained so high a standing in the synod
that he was elected to a chair in its theological seminary. Entering upon
his duties as theological professor, he taught in the Augustana Seminary
for a period of twelve years, then resigned and spent about a year in
Europe in travel and study. Upon the death of Hasselquist, in 1891,
Olsson was called as acting president and was elected his permanent
successor the same year. In the capacity of president of Augustana
College and Theological Seminary, Dr. Olsson served until his death,
May 12, 1900.
Olsson was a man of profound scholarship, attained largely by private
study, travel and research ; he possessed a wide knowledge and experience
acquired in the school of active life. Dr. Norelius says of him: "Prof.
Olsson was a man of many good qualifications, who labored with note-
worthy success in any position entrusted to him. As a pioneer pastor
among the Kansas settlers he made an excellent record, but he was still
better fitted as teacher in a circle of divinity students, to whom he might
freely open his heart. There was in that man profound spiritual depth,
though he would at times allow his feelings to run away with him." When
in 1892 Augustana College conferred on him the degree of D. D. and the
DR. L. G. ABRAHAMSON.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 199
University of Upsala the following year made him Doctor of Philosophy,
these were no empty honors.
Aside from his other services to Augustana College, Dr. Olsson at
one time solicited about $17,000 for the maintenance of the school, chiefly
through appeals from his pen. After a European trip in 1879 he presented
several new ideas which matured in great oratorio festivals at Rock Island
and at Lindsborg, and also led to the founding of the Augustana Hospital
in Chicago and the Augustana Conservatory of Music in Rock Island.
During the defection from the Synod to the free evangelism of the Mission
Friends, prevalent in the seventies, Olsson, although favoring true evange-
listic ideas, took a determined stand in opposition to the movement on
doctrinal grounds. He stamped the Waldenstromian doctrine of atone-
ment as a new form of the old heresy of Socinianism, and but for him the
Synod's loss to the Waldenstrom following unquestionably would have
attained much larger proportions.
Dr. Olsson's works were published in comparatively large editions and
are still enjoying popularity. His published books and pamphlets are:
"Vid korset"; "Det Kristna hoppet" ; "Helsningar fran fjarran," being his
first book of travel dealing with his trip abroad in 18/9; "Nagot om
kanslans bildning" ; "Reformationen och socinianismen" ; "Vi bekanna
Kristus" ; "Till Rom och hem igen" (1890), his second book of travel,
containing an arraignment of Romanism, snatches of ecclesiastical and
profane history, descriptions and meditations in pleasing profusion ;
lastly, a posthumous volume of sermons and addresses (1903).
The collected works of D.r. Olsson are being published in four volumes
by the Augustana Book Concern. Dr. Olsson's literary style possessed a
peculiar fascination, and his writings, like his public addresses, abound in
wit, epigram, keen and apt observations, delicate sentiment and the fruits
of ripe scholarship and profound thought.
Prominent in the educational work is GUSTAV ALBERT ANDREEN,
Ph. D., president of Augustana College since 1901. Having taught at
Augustana and Bethany Colleges from 1882 to 1893, he entered Yale
University for post graduate work and after obtaining the degree of Ph. D.
in 1898 remained as instructor at the university and was subsequently
appointed to the chair of Scandinavian. He had spent two years at
Scandinavian universities in preparation for this position when elected
president of Augustana. Dr. Andreen has published his doctoral thesis
on "Studies in the German Idyl" and a short treatise on the Swedish
language in America.
The Rev. L. G. ABRAHAMSON, D.D., serves as the editor-in-chief of
Augustana since his election to that position by the Augustana Synod in
1909. Prior to that time he had conducted the mission department in
that paper for a long term of years. Under the common title "Herrens
behagliga ar," three volumes of devotional meditations by him have been
published in the last three years. He did his full share of writing for
the "Jubel-Album," published in 1893 conjointly with Dr. Carl Swensson.
200 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Dr. CONRAD EMIL LINDBERG is the author of a textbook in dogmatics
and of "Syllabus i konstruktiv luthersk kyrkorattslara" and a book of
meditations on the opening chapters of the Apocalypse. He has just
completed a work on apologetics, recently issued.
Dr. NILS FORSANDER, emeritus professor of Augustana Theological
Seminary, has written numerous articles for Lutheran periodicals, and
edited the Lutheran Quarterly. He wrote most of the articles on the
Church of Sweden for the "Lutheran Encyclopedia," and is the author of
a commentary on the Augsburg Confession, published in two editions,
and of two recent books, "Life Pictures from Swedish Church History,"
and the first of a series entitled "Lifsbilder ur Augustana-synodens
Historia."
S. P. A. LINDAHL, D.D., who was a prominent figure in the Augustana
Synod for more than thirty years, was chosen editor of the synodical organ
Augustana in 1890 to succeed Dr. Hasselquist, and served in that capacity
until his death in 1908. He remained the head of the synodical publishing
house during the same period. Besides editorial work, he translated
and compiled a number of small devotional or juvenile books issued by
the same house. While pastor in Galesburg he published an anti-secret
society paper known as Schibboleth.
Rev. SVEN GUSTAF YOUNGERT, D.D., Ph.D., is one of the editorial
contributors to Hastings' Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, now in
course of publication. As such he has written many extensive articles
on the religion and mythology of the Teutonic race, including Teutonic
cosmogony, Ragnarok and the Regeneration of the World, Loke and
Evil, Sacrifices, Salvation, etc. For more than a decade Dr. Youngert
occupied a chair in the Augustana Theological Seminary, and during that
time edited the literary magazine Ungdomsvdnnen and served on the
staff of Tidskrift, a Lutheran quarterly. He has published Pontus Wik-
ner's philosophical lectures, with supplementary notes.
Dr. CARL SWENSSON (1857-1904) holds a prominent place in the
literary and educational life of the Swedish-Americans. While a student
at Augustana College, he began to contribute to the press and continued
to do so throughout his career. His weekly articles, published in a num-
ber of papers, were probably more generally read than anything written
for Swedish- American newspapers before or after. To judge him by
these newspaper letters, however, would not be fair, for they were often
the hurried productions of his pen on board railway trains or in moments
when a hundred cares stood waiting at his elbow. But taking him at
his best, in his books of travel, "I Sverige" and "Ater i Sverige," you
will find him an alert observer, a skillful word-painter, a brilliant nar-
rator and altogether a charming writer. The first-named work was pub-
lished in Chicago and Stockholm, the latter in Chicago in Swedish and
English editions. Other works by Swensson, nearly all published in
Chicago, are: "Vid hemmets hard" (reprinted in Sweden); "Forgat-
mig-ej"; "I Morgonstund," and "Jubel- Album," a large illustrated his-
CULTURAL PROGRESS
201
torical account of the Augustana Synod, compiled in collaboration with
Dr. L. G. Abrahamson. Together with others, Swensson edited the church
annual 'Korsbaneret" for five years and the monthly Ungdomsvanncn
from 1880 to 1887.
Swensson was the founder of Bethany College, at Lindsborg,
Kansas. Among Swedish-Americans of the second generation he stands
as the most notable figure.
DR. CLAUDE W. Foss,
professor of history at Au-
gustana College, is the au-
thor of one independent
work, a book of travel en-
titled "Glimpses of Three
Continents," and the trans-
lator of a series of "Stories
for Children" from Topelius,
and a number of Swedish
poems. Dr. Foss is an able
lecturer on historical sub-
jects.
A name prominent in
American pharmacy is that
of OSCAR OLDBERG, who was
appointed dean of the School
of Pharmacy of Northwest-
ern when the school was es-
tablished in 1886. He is the
author of several well-
known text-books on chem-
istry, pharmacy, metrology
and related subjects. Oscar
Oldberg was born in Alfta
parish, Helsingland, Sweden,
Jan. 2.2., 1846, the son of
Pastor Anders Oldberg, au-
thor of "Hemskolan" and other pedagogical books. After having completed
his college education, he studied pharmacy in Falun, under the well-known
F. W. Helleday, a pupil of Berzelius. As a licensed pharmacist Oldberg emi-
grated in 1865. In 1869 he entered the faculty of the School of Pharmacy of
Georgetown College, D. C.,and later became dean and professor of pharmacy
at the National College of Pharmacy in Washington. When he severed his
connection with that institution in 1881, the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy
was conferred upon him honoris causa. In 1874 he had become connected
with the U. S. Marine Hospital service. He was chief clerk and acting
medical purveyor until 1881. In 1880 he was elected member of the Com-
mittee of Revision and Publication of the Pharmacopoeia of the United
MONUMENT TO DR. CARL SWENSSON ON THE
I5ETHANY COLLEGE CAMPUS.
202
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
States. At the expiration of his term of service, on that committee in
1890 he was reappointed for another ten years, and again appointed in
1900 for a like period.
A second Swedish-American authority on pharmaceutical science in
the United States, of equal standing with Prof. Oscar Oldberg, is CARL
S. N. HALLHERG, a native of Helsingborg, Sweden, who came with his
parents to Altoona, Pa., in 1869. Having studied pharmacy in Philadel-
phia, he came to Chicago in 1877, and was for eight years engaged in phar-
maceutical manufacturing, reengaging
in that line after a period of teaching
pharmacy by the correspondence system.
Hallberg became editor of The
Western Druggist in 1882, and in 1890
accepted the position of professor in
the Chicago College of Pharmacy.
Selected a member of the commit-
tee on the "National Formulary" at its
formation in 1886, Mr. Hallberg con-
tributed largely to the first edition of
this work. At the Pharmacopoeial Con-
vention at Washington in 1890 he was
made a member of the Committee on
Revision and worked on its sub-com-
mittee on Pharmaceutical Preparations.
He has contributed a number of papers
to the American Pharmaceutical Asso-
ciation, and has served as secretary and as chairman of the Section of Sci-
entific Papers. He has also been active in the Section of Education and
Legislation. In the American Medical Association he has held the position
of secretary of the Section of Materia Medica, Pharmacy and Thera-
peutics. In 1903 the honorary degree of M. D. was conferred on him in
recognition of his notable services to medical science.
Dr. JOHN A. UDDEN, Ph. D., for many years professor of natural
science at Augustana College, now occupying a chair in the University of
Texas and prominently connected with the geological survey of that state,
has written extensively on scientific subjects, principally on geology, his
special branch. His name is prominent in American geological science and
scientific journals have contained many articles from his pen. His most
recent work is a survey of the geology of Texas. Among his earlier pub-
lished works may be mentioned : "Erosion, Transportation and Sedimenta-
tion Performed by the Atmosphere" ; "Dust and Sandstorms in the West" ;
"Loess as a Land Deposit" ; and "The Mechanical Composition of \Vind
Deposits."
In "An Old Indian Village" he has described some prehistoric remains
in Kansas, found and investigated by him. Much of his work is found in
official reports of geological surveys in many states with which he has been
DR. JOHN A. UDDEN.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 203
connected. During 1892 he served as assistant to the state geologist of
Illinois, preparing a collection for the state exhibit at the World's Colum-
bian Exposition.
Dr. Udden is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and of
the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Prof. TORILD ARNOLDSON, who died last fall in Salt Lake City, after
having occupied the chair of modern languages at the University of Utah
for ten years, was for some time prior attached to the University of Chi-
cago, occupying the Scandinavian chair. He was a graduate of Monmouth
College and recently earned his doctoral degree at the local university.
Prof. Arnoldson was the son of the noted peace advocate of Sweden,
K. P. Arnoldson, who was awarded the Nobel peace prize not many years
back. The son, after having obtained his elementary education in Sweden,
studied and traveled in France, Germany, England and Spain before com-
ing to America and was noted as a linguist.
The founder of the Northwestern College of Dental Surgery is said
to have been HOWARD C. MAGNUSSON, the son of Lewis J. Magnusson, one
of the early Swedish Chicagoans, who located in this city in 1855 and was
engaged in business here.
Dr. OLOF A. TOFFTEEN is the author of several published works on
biblical and oriental subjects, such as "Myths and Bible," "Ancient
Chronology," "Ancient Records of Egypt," "Researches in Assyrian
Geography" and "The Historic Exodus," also a work on the Church of
Sweden, entitled "Vara Faders Kyrka." Several lesser productions have
issued from his hand.
Not many names of Swedish- Americans have been as familiar as
that of Dr. JOSUA LINDAHL to the American scientific world. He had
attained a name as a scientist in his native country before coming to the
United States. Here he made himself widely known for painstaking
research in the natural sciences, as a college teacher, and in the capacity
of curator of state and private museums of natural history.
A native of Kongsbacka, Sweden, Lindahl entered the University of
Lund in 1863, at the age of nineteen, and finished his post-graduate course
in science and earned the degree of Ph.D., in 1874. He was then appointed
instructor at the university, a position held by him until he took the chair of
natural science at Augustana College. He was secretary of the Swedish
commission at the International Geographical Congress of Paris in 1875,
and served likewise at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876.
Prior to that he had participated in two British scientific expeditions, and
served as zoologist in a Swedish expedition to Greenland, besides taking
part in deep sea dredgings along the Swedish coasts during two summers.
He served as assistant to Prof. Otto Torell, of Lund, and to Prof. Sven
Loven at the Royal Museum in Stockholm both eminent men of science.
Dr. Lindahl taught at Augustana for ten years from 1878, and dur-
ing that time created a scientifically arranged museum of natural history
at this institution. He took the position of state geologist and curator of
DR. JOSUA LINDAHL.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 205
the museum at Springfield in 1888, and during his five years' service put
the chaotic natural history collections there into scientific order, appar-
ently for the first time since the founding of the institution. In 1895 Lin-
dahl was appointed director of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History,
remaining for eleven years. He has published a number of scientific
papers, one having appeared in a French journal, several others in the
Journal of the Cincinnati society edited by him. Vol. VIII of the Geo-
graphical Survey of Illinois is Lindahl's work, and his doctoral thesis was
incorporated in the Transactions of the Swedish Academy of Science. He
was a member of many learned societies, an Orficier d'Academie of France
and a Knight of the Swedish Order of Vasa.
Dr. Lindahl's services to the State of Illinois in his scientific capacity
might have been further extended but for the fact that he refused to look
upon his position as a political one, preferring his official duties to earning
his reappointment through campaign activity. Lindahl was charged with
the arrangement of a geological exhibit in the Illinois State Building at
the World's Fair, a task which required the better part of two years. He
was appointed on the International Committee on Awards, to fill a
vacancy in the Swedish delegation.
Dr. Lindahl was included in the National Encyclopaedia of American
Biography and in "American Men of Science."
Dr. ANTON J. CARLSON, professor of physiology at the University of
Chicago, stands high in the scientific and educational world. Years of
experimental work and investigation have revealed to him many facts
relating to the action of the heart, the stomach and other vital organs,
heretofore unknown to physiological science. Upon publication in scien-
tific journals his discoveries have attracted wide attention and caused
authors on physiology to revise some of their former views. Augustana
counts Dr. Carlson among its college graduates and awarded him his
master's degree for post-graduate work.
Dr. AXEL WERELIUS, the noted Chicago surgeon, whose skill and
methods in performing operations have proved a revelation to his col-
leagues everywhere, is a native of Blekinge, Sweden, and comparatively
young for a celebrity forty-six years of age. He was graduated from the
Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1902 and gained experience
as interne at the Michael Reese Hospital. In his rapid career, he has mas-
tered some of the most difficult physiological problems, and discovered
new and more successful methods in dealing with puzzling and obstinate
cases, methods susceptible of technical explanation alone. Numerous
articles by Werelius have appeared in medical journals. His demonstra-
tions before the Surgical Congress in Chicago, 1913, caused the officers
of the American Medical Association to ask him for a detailed presenta-
tion on the subject at the next annual convention. Some of his special
investigations relate to struma of the thyroid gland, floating kidney, anasto-
mosis, etc.
DR. JAKOB BONGGREN.
Portrait sketch by Zorn.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 207
The man who made Svenka Amcrikanarcn a leading Swedish news-
paper, and one of the few successful weeklies published in that language
in the United States, was FRANS ALBIN LINDSTRAND. For twenty years
he was active in Swedish newspaperdom in the double capacity of pub-
lisher and writer. For a self-taught man, Lindstrand achieved remarkable
popularity as a writer, making his pen name, "Onkel Ola/' so well known
among newspaper readers in general that many knew him by no other
name. His weekly letters to his readers, while not of high literary merit,
were savory fare for the average stomach and seasoned to the taste of
the not too fastidious. Mr. Lindstrand traveled extensively, and his
observations on a tour of Europe, Asia Minor and Egypt are well told in a
volume entitled "I Oster och Vasterland," which excels many a similar
book by more scholarly travelers. He was public-spirited, and in many
instances generous to a fault. Nationalist movements among his fellow-
countrymen had his whole-hearted support, and at least one organization,
the Swedish National Association, owed its continued existence chiefly to
his moral and financial aid. None the poorer for his generosity, Lind-
strand retired in comfortable circumstances after disposing of his paper,
and gave the last few years of his life undividedly to his family and his
friends. A big heart, an open hand and rare food-fellowship combined to
perpetuate his name.
Mr. Lindstrand knew how to chose well-qualified journalists as his
associates in the editorial work. He retained on the staff JAKOB BONGGREN,
now a veteran in the service of the paper, having occupied his position for
almost thirty-five years. He is a poet of rare ability, an essayist of broad
scholarship and a seasoned journalist of wide and diversified experience.
Out of the wealth of his poetic production may be culled many of the classic
gems of Swedish- American literature. A volume of his selected poems has
been published under the title, "Singer och sagor," but much of his best
work is still in manuscript or scattered in newspaper files and various
periodical publications.
Another man of Mr. Lindstrand's choosing who has proved valuable
to Amerikanaren is OLIVER A. LINDER, employed on the paper for a quar-
ter century and now editor-in-chief. For practical ability as a journalist
he has few equals in the Swedish press in this country. In him that quality
has not dulled his taste for idealistic writing, although necessarily limiting
the output. A volume of verse, short stories and sketches, entitled
"I Vasterland," contains some of his best work. Certain reviewers, how-
ever, are of the opinion that as a humorous writer he is at his best, and
deplored the lack of the comic element in the book. Once on a time Linder
did publish a little packet of humorous chaff calculated to raise a laugh,
and after that, like O. W. Holmes, he does not dare to be "as funny
as he can." To the new edition of the Swedish Encyclopaedia (Nordisk
Familjebok), now almost completed, Linder has contributed a large num-
ber of Swedish-American biographies and articles, this being the first
time that work takes note of Swedish activities on this side of the Atlantic.
OLIVER A. LINDER.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 209
A third member of the editorial staff of Amerikanaren is FRITHIOF
MALMQUIST, who commands an able pen in prose and verse, whichever he
chooses. A volume of his poems has been privately printed.
Prof. C. G. WALLENIUS, president of the Swedish Theological Semi-
nary at Evanston, heads the educational work of the Swedish Methodist
Church of the United States. In addition to his pastoral and educational
activities he has conducted historical research, the results of which are
embodied in a history of the Swedish Methodists (Svenska Metodismens
Historia), written and compiled chiefly by him, with the assistance of two
elder brethren in the church. His former colleague in the seminary
faculty, Rev. J. E. HILLBERG, now conducts the denominational organ
Sandebudetj maintaining the literary traditions established by his veteran
predecessors, among whom were Witting, Ericson and Henschen. There
is force and snap in Hillberg's editorial pen. A volume of pen pictures
from the lands of the Bible is the fruit of his travels in the Orient.
The literary testament of THEODORE HESSELL, a journalist and writer
who spent his last years in Chicago, has a curious interest. It consists of
two volumes entitled, "Farbror Slokums Memoirer" (1909 and 1910),
which are in fact an autobiography containing much material bearing on
Swedish- American events and conditions.
The poetic works of two writers of high order, Rev. A. A. SWARD and
Dr. LUDVIG HOLMES, have been published here, while they themselves only
incidentally belonged to the state of Illinois. ERNST SKARSTEDT, his-
torian, essayist, poet and critic, spent some time in Chicago back in the
eighties, working on Swedish weeklies here. Most of his literary produc-
tion is of more recent date. Skarstedt is a prolific writer. He has com-
piled four volumes containing the history of the Swedish population in
the Pacific Coast states, an anthology of Swedish- American writers ("Vara
Pennfaktare"), several collections of verse and short stories, and is now
engaged on a work on the Swedish- Americans ("Det svensk-amerikanska
folket") to be published in Sweden.- Among Chicago writers of a former
period we note MAGNUS ELMBLAD, the first Swedish-American poet of
rank.
CARL GUSTAF NORMAN early began to contribute verses to the Swe-
dish-American press. He was editor of Framat, a Kansas weekly, in
the eighties ; entered the ministry, but returned to journalism and edited
a paper of the same name in Providence, R. I., for several years. His
next position was with Svca of Worcester, Mass., whence he came to
Svenska Tribunen, Chicago, 1906, remaining with that paper (later con-
solidated with Svenska Nyhcter) until his death in 1916 (Jan. 16). In
1914 he published on his own account a collection of his best poems under
the title "Emigrantens sanger." He was a prolific writer of newspaper
verse, furnishing weekly installments for his paper for many years.
Norman's legitimate poetic productions are uniformly well modeled, often
sentimental in tone, always characterized by a musical ring and smoothness
of diction.
210 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
JOHAN PERSON wields one of the truly capable pens enlisted in the
service of the Swedish press in this country. He was added to the staff
of Svenska Tribunen in the nineties and has since worked on Swedish
weeklies in various parts of the United States, returning to Chicago time
and again after much journalistic knight errantry. He was engaged with
Svenska Amerikanaren for a time, and is now on the staff of Svenska
Kurircn for the second time. He is the author of a volume of short stories
entitled "I Svensk-Amerika," which has been followed by a number of
well-written stories, sketches and essays only partly published in book
form. A number of his newspaper articles on Swedish-American life
have been published in a volume entitled ''Svensk-Amerikanska Studier."
As a "columnist" Person has for years furnished clever material for a
number of papers. His style is fluent and forceful, inclined to be caustic,
but tempered with a modicum of wit and humor.
From the sixties down to the present time the Swedes have been
engaged in editing and publishing general newspapers in Illinois in English
as well as in the language of the home land. Capt. Eric Johnson, who
seems to have been the first among them to engage in the publishing of
local newspapers in the language of the land, has had many followers,
both as publisher and editor. In the smaller towns they have taken a rel-
atively greater interest in the local press, but instances can be quoted from
Rock ford, Moline, Galesburg, Aurora, and even Chicago to show their
activity in the dissemination of news and the shaping of public opinion
through the medium of the daily and weekly newspapers. The largest
publishing enterprise of this kind, though shortlived, was the Daily Press
of Chicago, published for a short period in the early nineties by Robert
Lindblom and others.
Out of fifty-eight general newspapers published in the Swedish lan-
guage in the United States, sixteen, or almost thirty per cent, are issued in
Illinois. The only Swedish newspaper center to approximate Chicago in
importance is Minneapolis, where seven similar periodicals are issued.
The success of Swedish-language newspapers in Chicago in recent
years is worthy of remark. Several of them have attained circulation
figures that would not have been believed if told to the successful Swedish
newspaper publishers of the eighties and nineties, when immigration con-
stantly added to the number of Swedish newspaper readers. Two weeklies,
Svenska Amerikanaren and Svenska Tribunen-Nyhetcr, have doubled or
trebled their former strength, while Svenska Kuriren, the third of the
older journals, holds its own field and maintains its popularity facts
which go to show that the complete language transition is still a long way
off. The only old and established Swedish paper to cease publication was
Hemlandct, the pioneer of them all, which has been merged with Svenska
Amerikanaren. Its present publisher, Francis A. Larson, who succeeded
to the ownership in 1908, has made this the most representative Swedish
general newspaper in the United States.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 211
LEARNED SOCIETIES.
THE SWEDISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA.
The first person to realize the importance of preserving records and
material for the history of the Swedes in America in modern times was
not a Swedish- American it was doubtless Gustaf Erik Klemming of the
Royal Library in Stockholm. Nearly sixty years ago he took steps
towards building up a collection of such material in the national library.
In the year 1859 Rev. T. N. Hasselquist, then pastor at Galesburg, was
commissioned by that institution to subscribe for or purchase Swedish-
American newspapers, books and publications of all kinds. This he did
and, largely through his activity, the collection grew year by year. But
even at this early date some interesting material had been lost in
the interval of about fifteen years that had elapsed since the first parties
of immigrants arrived. Nevertheless, the most complete Swedish-
American historical collections are to be found not in this country but
across the waters, in the Royal Library of the Swedish capital. After
Hasselquist, according to G. X. Swan, Herman Stockenstrom of Minne-
apolis, Rev. Herman Lindskog of Chicago, and Dr. Gustav Andreen have
served in the same capacity.
It was not until much later that a similar collection was begun at
Augustana College in Rock Island, credit being due to Dr. C. W. Foss
for the bulk of the work done in that direction.
In 1889, at tne suggestion of Dr. J. A. Enander, an organization by
the name of the Swedish-American Historical Society was formed and
incorporated by a number of persons in Chicago, alive to the fact that
an important work was being sadly neglected. Its interest in the object
for which it was organized apparently subsided at once, for the society
left no traces of its activity in any form, so far as has been ascertained.
Interest in the cause of historical conservation received a new
stimulus in 1905 when a circular was issued, dated May 12 and bearing
thirty-four signatures of well-known Swedish-Americans, projecting a
new Swedish-American historical society and inviting to membership.
A week later there was issued a call to a preliminary meeting, to be held
at the Palmer House, Chicago, on May 27. So far, Louis G. Northland,
a journalist, had conducted the preliminary work. At this meeting,
presided over by Dr. L. G. Abrahamson, a committee on organization
and constitution was appointed, composed of the following gentlemen, viz. :
Dr. L. G. Abrahamson, Judge Axel Chytraus, Col. C. A. Smith, Prof.
Torild Arnoldson, and Messrs. A. G. S. Josephson, Anders Schon,
Ernst W. Olson and Louis G. Northland. Of these, Chytraus, Smith and
Arnoldson did not serve.
The organization meeting took place July 22 in the Chicago Historical
Society building, 142 Dearborn avenue, when the proposed constitution
was adopted and a council of fifteen members was elected. Of these
212 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
many never showed any activity in behalf of the society ; this is also true
of a number elected later, especially those residing at a distance from
Chicago. Those who took active part in the work were : J. A. Enander,
A. G. S. Josephson, C. G. Lagergren, A. Schon, C. G. Wallenius, J. S.
Carlson, D. Nyvall and G. N. Swan. The council on August 29 elected
the following officers : President, J. A. Enander ; vice president, Gustav
Andreen ; secretary, Anders Schon ; treasurer, A. G. S. Josephson.
In 1908 (April 10) the society was incorporated under its perma-
nent name, The Swedish Historical Society of America.
After Dr. Enander, the following persons have served as president
in the order named : C. G. Lagergren, Jostia Lindahl, C. G. Wallenius,
D. Nyvall, C. A. Lindvall and Edw. C. Westman. The secretaries, on
whom the bulk of the work has fallen, have been Anders Schon, A. G. S.
Josephson, Joseph G. Sheldon, Ernst W. Olson, C. G. Wallenius and Fritz
N. Andren.
During the first ten years of its activity the society's historical
collections have grown to approximately 6,000 books and pamphlets
and a large number of newspaper files.
Four yearbooks have been issued at irregular intervals, containing
contributions of a historical character and proceedings.
The most valuable publication heretofore issued by the society is
a new edition of J. C. Clay's historic work, "Annals of the Swedes
on the Delaware," published in 1914, the cost of publication being
advanced by Mr. Henry S. Henschen, who prefaced the reprint with
a brief introduction. In 1911 the society decided to publish a small
quarterly called "Chronicles," the first and only issue of which was
put out by Ernst W. Olson, as secretary, in February, 1912. The lack
of means has been a constant check to the publishing activities as well
as the work of collecting material.
A great service to the society has been rendered by the Swedish
Theological Seminary of Evanston, in housing the historical collections
for many years past without charge. For some time plans have been
on foot looking towards procuring a building suitable for a historical
library and society headquarters. In 1914 a movement was begun to
raise the sum of $10,000 for a building fund, and Alfred Soderstrom
was appointed solicitor and financial agent. He also acted as corre-
sponding secretary, and as such procured many new members and
added materially to the collections.
The specific objects for which the Swedish Historical Society
exists and works are stated in its constitution as follows :
First : To promote the study of the history of the Swedes in
America and their descendants.
Second : To collect a library and museum illustrating their devel-
opment in America.
Third : To issue publications relating to the history of the Swedish
people in Sweden and America.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 213
Fourth: To encourage the study of Swedish history and litera-
ture in American universities.
The last published list (1915) includes five living honorary mem-
bers, five life members, 382 annual members, six being societies and
the remaining 376 individual members.
THE SOCIETY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCANDINAVIAN STUDY
is a recent organization with purely cultural aims, founded in the state
of Illinois, but of nation-wide scope. In May, 1911, a number of
persons interested in Scandinavian culture met at the University of
Chicago to found a society whose aim was to be the promotion of the
study and teaching in this country of the languages, literature and
culture of the Scandinavian North. Among its Swedish organizers
were Prof. Jules Mauritzson of Augustana College, Martin J. Engberg
and Ernst W. Olson of the Engberg-Holmberg publishing house, Aksel
G. S. Josephson of the John Crerar Library. The prominent Norwegian-
Americans taking part in the organization work were Prof. Julius E.
Olson of the University of Wisconsin and Prof. George T. Flom of
the University of Illinois. Prof. Chester N. Gould represented the
Scandinavian department of the University of Chicago. Prof. Olson
was elected the first president of the society and Prof. Flom its first
secretary.
The society meets annually in May, the organization meeting, held
under the auspices of the University of Chicago, being followed by
meetings held, respectively, at the Northwestern University, Augustana
College, the University of Minnesota, again at Northwestern, and at
the University of Wisconsin.
At these gatherings scholarly papers are presented and discussed,.
and plans are laid for the furtherance of the cause for which the society
stands. The meetings have been productive of excellent results so far.
For the accomplishment of the desired ends the society works along
a number of lines, both for maintaining the languages among the Scan-
dinavians themselves, and in extending the knowledge of Scandinavian
literature and culture among Americans not of Scandinavian descent.
Of particular importance is the work of the Society in encouraging
the introduction of the study of Scandinavian languages in the schools,
of this country. The organization is also attempting to improve the
conditions that surround the teaching of these subjects at the present:
time ; this is done by encouraging the preparation of adequate textbooks,
by competent scholars for this instruction and in many other ways.
The work that lies before the society is obviously very great, and
during its short existence the society has only as yet entered upon it.
The Publications of the Society for the Advancement of Scandi-
navian Study, published three times a year, contain scholarly articles
and papers read at the annual meetings dealing with the Scandinavian
languages and literature. A particularly valuable feature of the Publi-
cations is the department of notes, containing brief mention of new
214 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
books that have appeared (both in this country and in the Scandinavian
countries) dealing with the Scandinavian languages, literature and
culture. In this publication are also reports and papers dealing with
the spread and progress of Scandinavian study in this country, and the
reports of the annual meetings, together with lists of the members of
the society.
At the present time there are in the United States more than two
thousand young Scandinavians studying their native languages in public
high schools alone. This figure does not take into account our American
universities and colleges, academies and seminaries, and public schools
below the grade of high school.
Heretofore, the chief officers of the society have been : Presi-
dents Julius E. Olson, Jules Mauritzson, Chester N. Gould; secre-
taries George T. Flom, Chester N. Gould, A. Louis Elmquist, Joseph
Alexis. Prof. Flom has served as editor of Pitblications.
The society has acquired a considerable membership throughout
the United States, including many educators. Illinois furnishes by
far the largest quota of any state, or about one-fourth of the entire
membership.
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
NORTH PARK COLLEGE.
At the conference in Chicago in 1885 to organize the Mission
Covenant, the very first question, after the organization was affected,
was to establish a school. Upon the suggestion of men at the Chicago
Theological Seminary that a Swedish department might be opened in
connection with their school, a form of cooperation was entered into.
Through the Covenant and its president, C. A. Bjork, Prof. Fridolf
Risberg was called from Sweden and a Swedish seminary department
was opened the same year.
For five years this cooperation continued, and in 1888 the Covenant
called to the aid of Prof. Risberg an assistant instructor in the person
of David Nyvall. The arrangement with the seminary proving far
from satisfactory, there was a growing conviction that the Covenant
ought to have a school of its own, and one not limited to the work
of educating ministers and missionaries.
After two years, Nyvall resigned to be free to work for a Covenant
school on a basis insuring complete control and permanent service. He
associated himself with the Rev. E. A. Skogsbergh and his school in
Minneapolis,' and the two offered this school the following year to
the conference assembled in Phelps, Nebraska. The offer was accepted,
and the Covenant decided unanimously that the school was to open
in the autumn as the Covenant's own school. The seminary people
cheerfully accepted the new situation. The presidency was then ten-
dered to Prof. Risberg. \Yhen he declined the call, not wishing to
CULTURAL PROGRESS 215
sever his connection with the Chicago seminary, Nyvall, who had been
made temporary president, was given a permanent call, and the Covenant
school was opened at Minneapolis in the fall of 1891.
The school was at that time an ungraded English elementary school
and a commercial school combined. It had been in existence since
1885, maintained through the untiring efforts of Skogsbergh, assisted
by J. A. Lindblade, instructor in the English and commercial classes.
To the former departments was now added a theological one, a so-called
Bible school, with Nyvall as sole instructor. The beginning was alto-
gether hopeful. The first year the students in the commercial school
numbered seventy-two, in the seminary seventeen. The treasurer,
Charles Wallblom, reported a surplus over all expenditures.
The second year opened even better than the first. The Rev. Axel
Mellander, who had been called as assistant instructor in the seminary,
took up this work. He is now the senior professor, having given the
school almost twenty-five years of uninterrupted service. The third
and last year in Minneapolis opened not quite as propitiously in point
of attendance, the total being 125. The first class to graduate from
the seminary numbered five members. These first graduates of the
Covenant school of theology were (). W. Bengtson, Alfred Nelson
Ahnfeldt, O. G. Olson, K. E. Peterson and M. Thornberg. At the
last commencement in Minneapolis, held April 27, 1894, Dr. Carl von
Bergen of Sweden, then on a lecture tour in America, was the speaker
of the day.
In looking for a suitable location, the Covenant had invited com-
petitive bids from different localities, such as Chicago and Des Moines,
besides Minneapolis and St. Paul. This rivalry reduced itself to a
choice between an offer from Chicago and several offers from the Twin
Cities. After extended deliberation and investigation, the Chicago site
was accepted. That offer, as it came from the University Land Asso-
ciation, included eight and one-half acres of land in North Park, a
suburb of Chicago, and a donation of $25,000, of which sum $15,000
was to be expended for a suitable building and $10,000 to be set aside
as a fund bearing interest after five years. This was donated on con-
dition that the Covenant for a period of fifty years continually use
the property for mission school purposes only. After the lapse of
fifty years, the deed, held in escrow, was to be delivered to the Covenant
authorities. In consequence of this grant, the school was located in
North Park in the year 1894.
The land association, owing to subsequent hard times and to dis-
appointments in their calculations, failed to donate the promised fund
of $10,000. After years of contention and discussion a compromise
was effected in 1901 whereby the Covenant, by releasing the land
association from its promise of $10,000 and paying a certain mortgage,
was given clear title, thus after seven years coming into possession of
valuable school property.
DR. DAVID NYVALL.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 217
Gauging the success of the school by the attendance, the first seven
years in North Park were discouraging. The school closed its first
year in Chicago with an attendance of seventy-four. In 1900-01 the
enrollment sank to its lowest ebb, a total of sixty-eight. In spite of
this, the years had been well spent and real progress made. In the
academy the work had been arranged to meet the entrance require-
ments of the universities ; the school year had been lengthened by one
month, and a corps of teachers enlisted, sufficient in number and com-
petent for the work. In the seminary the president and Prof. Mellander
gave instruction as before, and Mr. Lindblade was retained in the
commercial school. In the academy the principal teachers were A. W.
Fredrickson and C. J. Wilson. The former was called to this position
as early as 1894, and taught until his death fifteen years later. The
latter was added to the faculty in 1896. A just appreciation of the
work of the school came in 1899 in the form of an official recognition
of its academic courses by the State Normal and the University of
Illinois.
When the eighth school year opened at North Park College in 1901,
larger things were already in sight. A donation of $30,000, known
as the P. H. Anderson donation, had been accepted and part of the
money put into two new buildings, a boys' dormitory and a home for
the president. The attendance increased from sixty-eight to eighty-
nine, and two years later reached 165.
Internal disturbances in 1905-06 brought a slight decrease in the
attendance and caused the resignation of Prof. Nyvall from the presi-
dency. From the high water mark of 268 the following year the figures
sank by degrees to 141 in 1911-12. After that there has been an
upward tendency, the school year of 1915-16 closing with a net total
attendance of 300 students. Upon the resignation of Prof. Nyvall in
1905, Prof. A. W. Fredrickson was chosen president, serving as such
until his death in 1909.
The development .af the academy during recent years has been the
most marked feature iri'^e growth of the institution. In the past four
years the classes have averaged double the size of those of the foregoing
ten-year period.
In 1905 Rev. Carl Hanson was elected Nyvall's successor as in-
structor in New Testament and other subjects. Upon the death of
Prof. Fredrickson he also succeeded to the presidency of the school,
remaining at the head of the institution until 1911. For one year Prof.
C. J. Wilson was acting president, whereupon Prof. Nyvall was reflected
to his former position.
In the year 1916 new facilities were placed at the command of the
school, in the form of a large modern building for use as gymnasium and
assembly hall, and containing rooms for the conservatory of music. The
building was completed at a cost of $30,000.
In 1902-04 freshman and sophomore classes were maintained, but
218 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
these were subsequently discontinued, the college department still re-
maining to be established when the time shall be found ripe for such
an advance step.
The Alumni Association has pledged $5,000 toward the gymnasium
building fund, and an Honor Guard was organized in 1912 for the pur-
pose of collecting a permanent building fund. On a plan to solicit pledges
of $25 per year for five years about ninety members had been secured
and $11,000 pledged up to the end of the last school year. The goal set
is 500 members and a fund of $62,500. The graduates of all depart-
ments now number more than 600.
The faculty consists of nine regular professors and fourteen instruc-
tors. The latest catalogue issued showed the following classification of
attendance in 1915-16: theological seminary, 18; academy, 86; elemen-
tary courses, 24 ; school of commerce, 38 ; school of music, 163 ; evening
school, 58.
Prof. David Nyvall, head of North Park College, is a graduate of
Gefle College, Sweden, 1882; M.Ph.C. of Upsala University, 1886; was
instructor in Chicago Theological Seminary one year ; president of
\Yalden College, McPherson, Kan., 1905-07; professor of Scandinavian
in University of Washington, Seattle, 1910-12. He is the author of a
number of minor works in Swedish and English and the author of a
book of verse. He is an effective platform orator and an educator of
capacity and wide influence within his church.
BROADVIEW SWEDISH SEMINARY. Educational work among the
Swedish Seventh Day Adventists began with a mission school started at
Chicago in 1885. In the year 1889 a Scandinavian department was estab-
lished in connection with the Battle Creek College, and the following year
this department was moved to Union College, at College View, Neb. Here
Swedish educational work was prosecuted for a period of twenty years,
from 1890 until 1910, and many of the laborers in the Swedish fields of
the denomination received their training there.
For years it was evident that a more thorough training should be
given in Swedish. But not until the meeting of the fall council of the
General Conference in College View, in October, 1909, was a definite
step taken towards establishing a separate Swedish school. On April 25
following, a committee comprising among its members several of the
Swedish brethren met in Chicago to study the question of locating a
Swedish seminary. Several liberal offers were made in other states.
There w r ere, however, considerations of greater importance than money
or land. To carry out the purpose the location should be such as to offer
the best advantages for a Swedish school. The committee finally decided
to locate the school on a farm about thirteen miles west of the center of
Chicago, about half a mile from the Broadview station on the Illinois
Central Railway, near La Grange.
An old building on the place was remodeled, and the first school
year began September 28, 1910, in the new institution. The attendance
- CULTURAL PROGRESS 219
during the year reached twenty-two. This number was more than trebled
in the sixth year, 1915-16, when the catalogue showed a total enrollment
of seventy.
There are three buildings devoted to school purposes. The oldest,
a brick structure, was enlarged in 1913, by an annex 32x40, making
its dimensions 32x72. A two-story gray stucco building is known as
North Hall and another two-story structure is known as West Hall.
During 1911 a fourteen-room duplex house was built for the teachers.
Connected with the school is a farm of seventy-eight acres, operated
for the benefit of the institution. One of the rules of the school reads
as follows : "Each student in the school is required to do two hours'
work a day and under no circumstances, except in case of sickness, less
than seven hours a week in addition to the charge of tuition, home ex-
penses and board. All lost time must be made up or paid for at the
rate of ten cents per hour, unless excused on account of sickness by the
one in charge."
The Broadview Swedish Seminary is owned and managed by the
Seventh Day Adventists in general, not by the Swedish contingent exclu-
sively. While it is a denominational institution serving primarily the
interests of the Adventist Church, no religious test is made. Its doors
are open to students of other denominations or no denomination, all
students being expected to show due reverence for the Word of God and
attend religious services at the school.
G. E. Nord was placed at the head of the seminary as principal and
business manager at the outset. A fair idea of the resources and educa-
tional equipment with which the institution began work is gained from
a review recently given by him, the substance of which is here given.
Soon after his arrival in July, 1910, he received a box of freight from
College View containing all the equipment of the Swedish department.
This consisted of a teacher's lecturn and a few worn books and maps,
having a total value of $23. But a sum of $25,000 had been pledged,
out of which $3,000 was expended for new equipment, remodeling and
furnishing, the balance going towards payments on the $20,000 property
purchased.
At the close of 1914 the school property was valued at $45,000, partly
offset by a debt of $17,000. A subscription campaign began in 1915
resulting in the wiping out of the debt, and an increase in assets to about
$50,000, the present net worth of the school property and equipment.
The faculty includes five Swedish members Professors G. E. Nord,
H. O. Olson, J. M. Erickson, Mrs. H. O. Olson, O. R. Swanson, besides
Oscar Olson in the department of industries.
SCANDIA ACADEMY was organized June 26, 1913, and incorporated
under the laws of Illinois. The government of the school is in the hands
of a board of directors who have entrusted the management of the academy
to its rector, Dr. Olof A. Toffteen. According to the announcements of
the institution, "Scandia Academy assures its students of a higher degree
220 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
of learning in a shorter time and at less cost than does any other American
school. It aims to substitute homelike surroundings for the conventional
classroom. It transfers the high school instruction from the fifteenth to
the ninth year." In this last instance, it follows the precedent of the
schools of continental Europe. Assuming it to be the duty of the school
to look after the educational needs not only of the children but the entire
community, this academy has incorporated with its plan two schools for
adult students, called the Continuation School and the Vocational School.
It limits its classes to twelve pupils. It holds that home study should be
given equal standing with residence study, requiring, however, all examina-
tions to be passed at the school. Therefore a correspondence department
has been added, known as the National Institute of Education.
The school was started without any visible means, with no backing
and without any prospective attendance. The rector began with $250 of
borrowed money and an experience covering thirty years in educational
work. He rented suitable quarters, and on Sept. 15, 1913, the school
opened with twenty-five students enrolled. From that day till March 31
following, more than two hundred were enrolled. The average attendance
was 65 during the first year and 84 in 1916. The number of teachers
employed in the same period was increased from six to twelve. The school
is located at 4753 Dover street, in the city of Chicago.
THE FINE ARTS.
MUSIC.
Like the soil of their native land, the temperament of the Swedes
is composed of extremes. In the serene calm of the Swedish character
there is mingled a melancholy strain which is in strong contrast with
its underlying exuberance of spirit and indomitable love of life and
nature in all their manifestations. Lyricism is the spontaneous expres-
sion of such a race. The Swedes possess great musical and poetical
gifts ; they are endowed with a melodious language, and a land more
rich in song than any other country in the world, with the possible
exception of Wales and some tropical or semi-tropical lands, like Hawaii
or southern Italy.
The Swedes in America have remained a people in whom the lyrical
temperament persisted side by side with their constructive skill. The
lot of the early immigrants, whether cast in the primeval forests of
Delaware, Maine or Oregon, or on the prairies of the Mississippi, the
Red River and the Saskatchewan valleys, was ever one of hardship.
To their daily toil and the upbuilding of families, homes and churches,
they applied the heroic patience and inventive resourcefulness of the
race, keeping for Sundays and holidays their irrepressible craving for
lyrical outburst in song.
Truly great was Gunnar Wennerberg, the Swedish poet and patriot,
as a composer of patriotic songs in four-part harmony. Austria is
CULTURAL PROGRESS 221
proud of possessing a national hymn to which Haydn wrote the music,
but no other country can adorn the brow of its national genius with
such a diadem of gems as that which Wennerberg wrought for Sweden
by his songs of lofty patriotism, such as "Hear Us, Svea," Banner
March, "O God, Who Rulest Fate of Nations," and others.
The Swedes of America have faithfully cultivated the treasure of
;song left by Wennerberg. Every church choir sings his Psalms, every
singing club his patriotic songs, and they unite in choral bodies in
hundreds of voices to produce them with an ensemble of admirable
discipline. Congregational choir singing is more developed among the
Swedes in this country than at home, probably being an outgrowth of
the greater democratic spirit in social and religious life. Among the
Lutherans, the Augustana Synod has taken the lead, closely followed
by the Mission Covenant, while earnest interest in Swedish choir music
is shown also by the Methodist, Baptist and Episcopal churches. 1
The ardent Wennerberg culture culminated in the raising of a
statue to the poet-composer, a masterpiece by Carl Eldh of Stockholm,
which was unveiled in Minnehaha Park at Minneapolis on Midsummer
Day, 1915. Credit for this must be given to the initiative of the execu-
tive committee of the American Union of Swedish Singers.
THE AMERICAN UNION OF SWEDISH SINGERS.
This organization is purely musical in its object, which is to culti-
vate Swedish song and music in general and Swedish male chorus
singing in particular, and to make these elements of Swedish culture
known and appreciated in this country through the medium of biennial
music festivals. The union was formed on Thanksgiving Day, 1892,
in a convention at the Swedish Glee Club of Chicago, to which nine
singing clubs in the states of New York, Illinois and Minnesota had
sent delegates. The real organizers, found among its first set of officers
and first executive committee, were Magnus Olson, Gustaf Hallbom
and Fred R. Franson of Chicago, Charles K. Johansen of New York,
and Victor Nilsson of Minneapolis. Today the union numbers fifty-
four clubs, with a total membership of 1,116 singers. Its branches
are found in every center of Swedish- American life from the Atlantic
to the Rockies. The eastern and western subdivisions have their own
festivals about simultaneously every fourth year, alternating with the
great quadrennial joint festivals.
The first of these was given in Chicago in connection with the
three official Swedish days at the World's Fair in 1893, and was highly
successful. The soloists were Caroline Ostberg and Carl Fredrik
Lundquist of the Royal Opera at Stockholm, and Conrad Behrens, the
German-born Swedish basso of cosmopolitan fame, while the orchestra
of the exposition, under the direction of the late Theodore Thomas,
1 Free use has been made here of Victor Nilsson's series of articles on
"Northern Music in America," published in the American-Scandinavian Review.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 223
played exquisite symphonic music by such Swedish composers as
Berwald, Norman, Soderman and Hallen. This was the first inter-
national victory for the music of Sweden, at which both the vocal
and the instrumental branches were richly and worthily represented.
New York was the scene of the second of these great festivals,
held in 1897. After its conclusion, a chorus of fifty-four voices, under
the baton of John Ortengren, made a concert tour of Sweden, which
proved one unbroken series of friendly conquests. Again, in 1910, after
another and even more successful festival in New York, at which the
court singer, John Forsell of Stockholm, was the star soloist, an elite
chorus of forty-five voices made a tour of Sweden, more extended than
the first. For the second time the "old country" welcomed the Swedish-
American singers with boundless hospitality and with unreserved enthu-
siasm for the high standards attained by them. The venerable King
Oscar II., with tears in his eyes, had toasted and sung with the chorus
of 1897. In the same suite of state apartments in the Royal Palace of
Stockholm, King Gustaf V. conferred the royal order of Vasa upon
Olof Nelson and John Ortengren of Chicago, president and musical
director, respectively, of the elite chorus of 1910. Five years later he
decorated with the same order Charles K. Johansen, twice president
of the American Union of Swedish Singers.
The excellent results attained by the individual singing clubs of
Brooklyn, New York and Chicago, as well as by the large choruses of
the festivals, are chiefly due to two men, John Ortengren and Arvid
Akerlind, who alternated as directors-in-chief of the union until 1910.
Ortengren then returned to Stockholm, where he had been a member
of the Royal Opera before his twenty-one years of residence in Chicago.
Not long afterwards Akerlind's health broke down, and he died in the
spring of 1914, in his beloved Upsala, where for many years he had
been assistant director of the famous university choruses and the
trusted co-worker of Ivar Hedenblad, the musical director of that
institution.
At the convention of the union held in connection with the music
festival at Minneapolis in 1914, Joel Mossberg, the eminent baritone
and choral director of Chicago, formerly a pupil of Ortengren, was
elected to succeed Akerlind as director-in-chief. Mr. Mossberg will
conduct in the seventh quadrennial, to be held at Worcester, Mass., in
1918, and also directed the Western Division festival in Omaha in
June, 1916. A third concert tour to Sweden in 1920 was decided upon
in the Minneapolis convention.
Some of the individual artists who have helped to make Swedish
song beloved in this country are mentioned above. The names of a
few more should be added. A favorite of Swedish-Americans was
the late Anna Oscar of the Royal Opera in Stockholm, who visited
the United States four times and was well known for her work as
soloist at the festivals in Minneapolis, Chicago, and in Seattle and
JOHN R. ORTENGREN.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 225
Tacoma. Other popular singers who have taken part in these festivals
are Johannes Elmblad, Martin Oscar and Julia Claussen, all of the
Royal Opera, and the court singer, Signe Rappe. Special gratitude is
due Ortengren, Lundquist, Forsell and Baroness Rappe for having
introduced a style of vocal solo with orchestra which is original with
Swedish music. Among the Swedish-American artists, Gustaf Holm-
quist and Joel Mossberg have devoted themselves to interpretations of
Swedish ballads with orchestra, while with them must be mentioned
two younger artists, Marie Sundelius of Boston and Albert Lindquest
of Chicago, both of great promise.
AUGUSTANA CONSERVATORY OF Music. The history of music at
Augustana covers a period almost as long as that of the institution itself.
It would seem strange indeed if a group of Scandinavians, founding an
institution of learning in a new land, and seeking to embody in that
institution the spirit of their fatherland, should forget to make provision
in some wise for the cultivation of that love of melody so characteristic
of their people.
In June of 1873, President Hasselquist in his annual report to the
Synod, included the following paragraph : "I also beg to call the atten-
tion of the Synod to the necessity of providing for an old but increasing
need of our institution, namely, that of instruction in music, vocal and
instrumental. The love of music and the desire to develop its art have,
ever since the days of Luther, constituted a marked characteristic of
the Lutheran Church, and we must not allow it to be blotted out in the
midst of our new circumstances here. No one of our instructors is
possessed of sufficient musical training to be able to assume the duty
of instructing in this subject, and besides, all the instructors are more
than amply provided with work now. Even though it should prove
impossible to do anything in this matter now, yet it should not be for-
gotten, but rather kept actively in mind." No action is recorded, but
the Board of Directors evidently found some solution of the difficulty,
for the catalogue of the institution for the year 1873-74 includes in the
list of faculty members the name of Mr. Albert Wihlborg as instructor
in voice.
In the spring of 1879 Dr. O. Olsson, on a trip to Europe, found
opportunity to hear a rendition of Handel's "Messiah" in London. This
impressed him very deeply, and on his return he emphasized strongly
the necessity of greater musical activity at Augtfstana College. In an
article published in Augustana, he speaks at length concerning this mat-
ter, and there is no doubt that in this article is to be found expressed
the germ idea of a conservatory at the college.
Mr. Wihlborg's period of service extended over several years. In
the fall of 1878, Mr. J. F. Ring became instructor in vocal music and
served in this capacity and that of organist until 1882, when Gustav
Stolpe, then of Denver, Colo., became Musical Director, and Augustana
announced her first professor of music.
DR. GUSTAV STOLPE.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 227
The year 1886 was a very important one for musical Augustana.
During the previous year the faculty had held a number of informal
meetings for the purpose of discussing the possibility of establishing a
school of music at the college. It seems that the Board of Directors,
while entirely favorable to the movement, was unwilling to assume the
responsibility for such an undertaking. The result was that on January
18, 1886, the Augustana Conservatory of Music was established as a
private undertaking, governed by the following Board of Trustees:
Professors Gustav Stolpe, principal of the department ; O. Olsson,
president ; C. W. Foss, secretary and treasurer ; Josua Lindahl, C. L. E.
Esbjorn and G. W. Sandt. Courses were offered in hannony, voice,
organ, piano and violin.
The Conservatory was controlled by the following comprehensive
Board of Trustees : Professors O. Olsson, Gustav Stolpe, C. O. Granere,
C. W. Foss, Josua Lindahl, G. W. Sandt, C. L. E. Esbjorn, Rev.
Mauritz Stolpe, and Messrs. J. A. Enander, G. A. Bohman and Johannes
Peterson. Miss Marion Reck was added to the faculty as assistant in
piano, and seventeen students were enrolled. The following paragraph
quoted from the catalogue of that year serves to show the function of
the Conservatory as originally conceived of by the founders : "The
object of the Conservatory was originally, and is still, in the first place,
to furnish a means of educating organists for the churches of the
Swedish Lutheran Augustana Synod, and, in the second place, to offer
our young people an opportunity of securing a classical musical educa-
tion. We also hope by this means to make the institution an important
agency for improving the musical taste of the people in general, and
especially those of our own nationality."
At the Synod meeting of 1887, held in Chicago, the Augustana
Conservatory of Music was incorporated as a department of Augustana
College.
The fall of 1887, then, marks the beginning of the Conservatory as
an integral part of the institution, and thirty students were enrolled
that year.
From 1890 to 1893 the Conservatory made rapid progress in the
way of raising and organizing its standards. During 1890 to 1892 Pro-
fessor Stolpe was assisted by Professor Alfred Holmes of Chicago, an
able musician. In 1892-93 the work in the Conservatory was organized
into three distinct departments ; a graduate department leading to the
degree of Bachelor of Music ; an organist department designed espe-
cially to train students as organists ; and a choral and vocal department
affording instruction and drill in solo, quartet and chorus singing. That
year the faculty grew to include five members, namely, Professors Gus-
tav Stolpe, W. Swensson and G. E. Griffith, Miss Alma Larson, and
Mr. G. N. Benson.
In the spring of 1893 Professor Gustav Stolpe, probably because
of dissatisfaction with the policy of the institution relative to the Con-
228
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
servatory, severed his connection with it as director and professor of
music, and the department thereby sustained a severe loss. Professor
Stolpe was a man of powerful personality, splendid appearance, and
marked ability. Time and again in documents relative to the work of
the Conservatory he is referred to with marked respect for his true
musicianship and excellent ability to perform. While his ability as a
teacher may not have been far above the ordinary, yet the management
dealt in no exaggerations when they advertised that the Conservatory
was "under the directorship of a
master musician,'' and the success-
ful status of the Conservatory today
is largely due to the pioneer work
of Dr. Stolpe.
After Dr. Stolpe had left, the
department continued with no man
definitely at its head until 1905.
During these years a large number
of persons served at various times
on the faculty, among whom we
notice especially Professor A. D.
Bodfors and Professor F. E. Peter-
son. The former served on the
Augustana Conservatory faculty
from 1895 to 1904 before resigning
to organize his own school at
Moline. The latter served as pro-
fessor of piano and harmony from
1897 to 1906. Others were : Pro-
fessor G. E. Griffith, who served on the faculty 1892-1895; Miss Alma
Larson, 1892-98; Professor Henry Schillinger, 1893-1896; and Professor
Franz Zedeler, 1897-1904. In 1895 Mrs. Edla Lund joined the faculty as
professor of voice and served till the year 1912. During these years she
laid down a work at Augustana hard to equal. She is possessed of splen-
did teaching ability, and has few equals as a director of ensemble singing.
In 1904 Prof. Emil Larson became a member of the faculty, and a
year later the director of the department. Under his splendid leader-
ship, which extended over the period from 1905 to 1908, the Conserva-
tory received an added impetus. He was assisted by Professor Christian
Oelschlagel, a violinist of a great deal more than ordinary ability, but
perhaps better equipped as a performer than as a teacher ; Mrs. Noack,
an exceptionally good pianist ; and Miss Lillie Cervin, who is still a
member of the Conservatory faculty, having served for fourteen years.
During this period the Conservatory enjoyed also the services of a truly
great pianist, Professor Sigfrid Laurin. He was connected with the
department from 1906 to 1908, and won the admiration of all for his
marvelous technique and power of interpretation.
MRS. EDLA LUND.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 229
In 1908 Professor Larson was succeeded by Professor Peter John-
son, of St. Paul, Minn., who resigned in 1912. Then the Board selected
as director the active and energetic Professor J. Victor Bergquist, of
Minneapolis, a man eminently fitted for the position. Professor Berg-
quist took up his duties in the fall of 1912, and with him came Professor
L. B. Canterbury to take charge of the department of voice. Professor
Algert Anker, who had joined the faculty as head of the violin depart-
ment, remained in that position.
In the fall of 1915, the Conservatory faculty made a valuable acqui-
sition in the person of Arvid Samuelson, as professor of piano, a highly
skilled master of his instrument, who was formerly connected with the
University of Nebraska.
Now the Conservatory has become a department of high standing
at Augustana a department more than able to take care of itself finan-
cially as well as musically. It has at its head a man who is director not
in name only but in the fullest sense of that term, and who is not only a
great musician and composer, as well as a splendid teacher, but also a
man of fine executive ability. He is loyally supported by a faculty
who have been picked individually not only for their musicianship but
for their ability to teach a most important qualification often lost sight
of in the choosing of teachers.
Connected with the Conservatory are two other branches, elocution
and painting. The department of art became connected with the Con-
servatory in 1897, and up to the present time it has been under the
supervision of Professor Olof Grafstrom, one of the noted Swedish
artists in the United States.
Among the organizations affiliated with the Conservatory is the
Augustana Silver Cornet Band, which has enjoyed a long, splendid and
useful career, having been organized as far back as 1874.
The Handel Oratorio Society, founded in 1881, was the first society
of its kind in this part of the country. It came into existence through
the influence of Dr. O. Olsson, and its object has ever been the study
and rendering of oratorios and other sacred compositions. The society
is likely always to remain a very vital part of the musical life of the
institution. At least one and sometimes two or three concerts have been
given each year.
The Wennerberg Male Chorus, now in its fourteenth year, is de-
cidedly deserving of recognition in the field of music at Augustana.
During the last ten years the chorus has enjoyed the privilege of having
as its director the head of the Conservatory, and to this as well as to
its solid organization, which has always been maintained, is due, to a
very large extent, the great success and wide popularity to which it has
attained. The chorus makes annual singing tours among the churches
of the Augustana Synod. But the service that it renders to the Con-
servatory, and, indeed, to the whole institution by its very existence,
by its close and persistent adherence to high and thorough standards in
EMIL LARSON.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 231
its work, can well be appreciated by those who have observed the very
opposite influence wrought by the average nonsense-producing glee club
of many small colleges.
The last five years have seen great changes in the courses of the
Conservatory. It is become, in a sense, a college of music instead of a
department of music. It teaches emphatically that knowledge of music
is a necessity rather than a luxury, a duty rather than a gift. It seeks
to make its influence felt over the entire student body of the institution,
not merely over those whose names are found on the Conservatory
enrollment cards; and here, after thirty years, we again find the
advocacy of a required course of music for all, though appearing this
time in an entirely different form. The Conservatory today would require
the attainment of at least sonic musical knowledge, but they would do it
by an appeal to interest, by persuasion and silent influences rather than
by obligatory courses.
GUSTAV STOLPE, COMPOSER AND VIRTUOSO. It is being more and
more recognized as a fact that Dr. Gustav Stolpe was one of the truly
great musicians of his period. Among musical creators he must still be
conceded first place within his nationality in this country.
Stolpe took the position of professor of music at Augustana College
in 1882, and this connection soon resulted in the establishment of the
Augustana Conservatory, of which he was the virtual founder. At a
time when there were no musical organization in Rock Island or Molinc
worthy of mention, Stolpe played the great masterpieces for organ, piano
and violin on programs which were only too far in advance of the
musical culture of these communities. On one occasion during his long
tenure of the position of organist of the First Lutheran Church of
Moline, the First Congregational Church offered him a similar position
at double the salary, but Stolpe, sturdy and devout Lutheran that he was,
declined. The incident proves there were people that knew who was the
one musician of note in the community. Stolpe and his music stood for
the highest musical idealism. Never before or since was there created
such community enthusiasm for music as in his years of greatest effi-
ciency, while he had the aid and support of that glowing musical enthu-
siast, President O. Olsson, of Augustana College, himself a graduated
organist from Sweden, to back his artistic achievements. Stolpe was
the pioneer Swedish-American in the field of great music, and a friend
of his, Prof. Adolf Hult, has styled him not inappropriately "our chief
musical knight of tonal pomp and circumstance."
His very person was full of interest to those who had the advantage
of intimate acquaintance. Here was a truly refined man of the old school
of polite life, a grand seigneur as to bearing and prerogatives. It causes
a sad smile today to think of the lack of sympathy that often met this
courtly but sometimes peevish gentleman of the stately old days. How
cocksure some were that he was altogether too superior and sublime,
when the fact was that we, with our western prairie-land experience,
232 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
had not caught up! He was a pure and plain musical idealist of the
romantic school, with strong leanings toward the Bach type, especially
in his church music. He came perhaps too early for our church and
community history. But did Stolpe actually arrive too early? Was it
not always thus, that the bold lovers of the ideal in life, in literature
and in art must hew a path through the tanglewood for the footsteps
of Beauty and Greatness? No one would deny the wealth of Dr.
Stolpe's contribution toward upbuilding and advancement in our musical
culture. He was the first adequate church musician in the Augustana
Synod, a loan from Sweden which was never returned a gift outright.
He lived and died in our land as one of us, even if his European car-
riage, his transatlantic thoroughness, his Swedish gentlemanly spirit of
the noblest type, his culture worked into his character, even if all this
and more gave proof that he was not one of us. Stolpe was more than
a musician. There surged within him strong cultural and spiritual,
profoundly spiritual, movements. He was a churchman convincingly
church-musical, not only rendering the ecclesiastical music out of pro-
fessional urgings, but also from conviction and mature churchly
character. 1
Gustav Erik Stolpe was born September 26, 1833, in Torsaker
parish, in the Swedish province of Gestrikland, where his antecedents
had been organists for a period of one hundred and forty years. At
the age of five he began studies in piano and violin under the direction
of his father, Johan Stolpe. When but ten years old he played the organ
at the regular divine services in his home church on one occasion, and
also made his first appearance in concert. At twelve he rendered, at his
mother's burial, a funeral march of his own composition. He attended
the Royal Conservatory of Music at Stockholm from his fifteenth year,
graduating at twenty-two with the degree of Director Musices et Cantus.
About this time he was accompanist and piano soloist to Jenny Lind on
a concert tour in Sweden.
In 1856 Stolpe became director of the orchestra of two of the
theaters in Stockholm, those of Ladugardslandet and Humlegarden. He
either composed or arranged the greater part of the orchestral repertory
during his connection with the theater, and wrote no less than thirty-
eight operettas, each of from fifteen to twenty-four pieces.
Removing to the city of Varberg in 1863 to become organist of the
city church, he taught at two institutions in that city for a number of
years. Stolpe early acquired a mastery of three instruments, organ,
piano and violin, and displayed his virtuosity on a number of concert
tours.
Twenty-four piano etudes by Stolpe were published in Stockholm
about 1880. The following year he started on an American concert
1 Free excerpt from Prof. Hult's appreciation in the Stolpe Memorial Bulletin,
December, 1916.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 233
tour. It did not prove a financial success, and when a teacher's position
at Augustana College was offered him, he at once accepted and remained
with the institution until 1895. After conducting a private music school
in Rock Island for five years, Stolpe was made head of the music
department of Upsala College, at Kenilworth, N. J., where he remained
until his death, October 3, 1901.
Among Stolpe's pupils several attained to eminence. It is of interest
in this connection that Conrad Nordqvist, kapellmeister to the king of
Sweden, played second violin in Stolpe's theater orchestra. After the
death of Mankell, the noted hymn composer, Stolpe headed the list of
three candidates nominated to succeed him as professor at the Royal
Academy of Music. A fourth applicant, however, secured the place, by
dint of strong personal backing, it is claimed.
Stolpe's compositions were recognized and rendered by such men
as Ludvig Norman, the court kapellmeister, and Prof. Bolander of the
Academy of Music; and August Soderman, the composer, was his
personal friend.
Only an imperfect idea of Stolpe as a composer can be gathered
from the following enumeration of his works :
38 operettas, all given in Stockholm ; about 25 orchestral works,
overtures, marches, fantasias, etc. ; 25 pieces for brass band ; a string
quartette; several instrumental trios; 13 duets for violin and piano; a
number of piano duets, and fantasias, symphonies and concertinos for
organ, besides 50 organ preludes ; 24 etudes for piano ; 20 original polkas
from Gestrikland, composed by Per Stolpe in 1756, Johan Stolpe in
1792, and by Gustav Stolpe in his youth, all harmonized by him ; about
25 piano solos ; 24 sacred choruses for mixed voices ; a cantata for
chorus and organ ; a jubilee cantata for the celebration in 1893 of the
anniversary of the Upsala Council ; 24 male chorus songs ; 100 songs
for children's voices ; about 1 5 songs with piano accompaniment, and
many others. Stolpe's opus No. 94 was published in 1895, and his
individual compositions, contained in his various collections, would prob-
ably number one thousand, all told. It was due to Stolpe's ability as a
composer that the New York Conservatory of Music in 1891 conferred
on him the degree of Doctor of Music.
THE SVEA MALE CHORUS OF MOLINE. The Arion Quartette, organ-
ized at Moline in 1885 by Charles M. Carlstedt, William Chester, Adolf
Hult, Charles Brunstrom and Axel Westman, was virtually the beginning
of the Svea Male Chorus. In cooperation with Dr. Gustav Stolpe,
organist, and Vilhelm Ljung, parochial school teacher of the First Lu-
theran Church, these same gentlemen about two years later enlarged
their little brotherhood of singers into a male chorus of fourteen mem-
bers. The organization took place on August 23, 1887, when Mr. Ljung
was chosen director. So rapidly did the chorus develop in skill and
numbers that it was able to make a very creditable appearance after
four years, at the great Scandinavian song festival in Minneapolis in 1891.
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
In the musical activities of its home city the Sveas took an important
part from the outset.
When the American Union of Swedish Singers was formed, Svea
was one of the choruses taking part in the organization, and the chorus
has attended every quadrennial singers' convention and festival from
that time on. There is no record of the number of appearances of the
chorus in concert or at other public occasions, but with twenty-nine
years back of it, the Svea Male Chorus lays claim to the gratitude of
the community where it has so
long and so well cultivated the
art of song, while many less
successful organizations have
come and gone.
Among its directors, fol-
lowing Ljung, may be men-
tioned Mrs. Edla Lund, Rev.
Walter Pearson and the pres-
ent director, Prof. J. Victor
Bergquist. Under him the
number of singers has grown
to thirty-seven, making prob-
ably the largest individual
male chorus in the Singers'
Union. In recent years the
chorus has added supporting
members to the number of
about seventy-five, thus making it a strong social organization as well.
The Svea forms the backbone of the Swedish National Chorus, to which
three male choruses of Rock Island also belong.
Three members, Charles and Victor Carlstedt and Gustaf Carlson,
have been awarded medals of honor for active service in the chorus for
a period of twenty-five years.
Two Swedish male choruses have flourished in Rockford for more
than twenty years, namely, Svea Soner and Lyran, the former having
been in existence since 1889, the latter since 1894.
The singing society known as SVEA SONER was organized Feb-
ruary 22, 1889. The occasion was a peculiar one. Prof. C. H. E. Oberg,
an able musician, had just lost his position as organist of the First
Lutheran Church, and it occurred to a number of young men to avail
themselves of his ability by engaging him as director of a male chorus,
whereby he might also be induced to remain in Rockford. After serving
the new chorus for one year, however, Oberg removed to Minneapolis.
He was a musician of high rank, having been awarded the degree of
Director Musices et Cantus from the Royal Conservatory of Stockholm.
He composed several part songs for male voices and edited two collec-
tions, "Xar och f jarran/' and "Skandia." He died at Minneapolis in 1894.
SVEA MUSIC HALL, ROCKFORD.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 235
Through correspondence with the Royal Academy of Music at
Stockholm, Wilhelm Swenson was later secured as director. He served
but one year, and soon after the chorus secured in Prof. John R. Orten-
gren of Chicago its first permanent director. The chorus sang under his
baton for the next sixteen years, making fine headway musically and
otherwise during that period. When he resigned in 1910 to remove to
Sweden the chorus elected as his successor one of its own number,
Gustaf Olson, who is said to have maintained the high standard of
choral work attained by the organization under Ortengren.
In the early nineties Svea Soner undertook the erection of Svea
Music Hall. During the ensuing financial crisis the building was lost
to the members before it could be completed. A local capitalist finished
the structure and rented it to the chorus for many years. It was finally
offered to the club on easy terms and accepted at a figure of about
$30,000, the estimated value being close to $50,000. The structure,
located at Seventh street and Third avenue, contains a concert hall and
commodious club rooms, besides business locations on the ground floor.
The club has a total membership of more than three hundred, the great
majority being social members, not singers. Among the leading pro-
moters of the chorus and the club, Alfred G. Larson and Levin Faust
deserve special mention. Gustaf Ekstrom, Charles Hoglund, Axel John-
son, John Stoneberg, Lawrence Pearson and Hugo Olson also have given
the club excellent service in a presidential capacity. Through the efforts
of Svea Soner the people of Rockford have been given opportunity to
hear the foremost singers of Sweden and several musical organizations
from that country who have toured the United States, such as Conrad
Behrens, Johannes Elmblad, the Liitteman Sextette, Madame Hellstrom-
Oscar, the Lund University students' chorus, the Vendes Artillery Regi-
ment Band, and others.
THE LYRAN SINGING SOCIETY. On June i, 1894, the Lyran male
chorus was organized with eleven members, Charles Samuelson being
chosen president and Oscar Swanborg secretary. The other organizers
were C. A. Engquist, E. Carlson, L. J. Swenson, R. Winquist, C. Erick-
son and four Swanborg brothers. This organization has attained to a
total membership of about 230, with an average of 25 singers. Although
the chorus was formed from seceding members of Svea Soner, yet the
friction between the two organizations long ago gave way to a friendly
rivalry which has proven beneficial to both clubs. Their mutual rela-
tions in recent years have been such as to set an example for other
organizations of like character competing for public favor in the same
locality. In witness of this spirit, the veteran members of both choruses
some years ago sang as the Lyran-Svea Soner Chorus under Prof.
Ortengren's direction.
The Lyran secured its own home in 1911, when a $25,000 club-
house was built a short distance from the Svea Music Hall. Its concert
hall, reputed one of the finest of its size, seats i ,200 persons.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 237
The chorus has had the services of the following musical directors,
namely, Frithiof Swenson, L. J. Swenson, Frank Shelain, Charles Ohlson,
Joel Mossberg of Chicago, and Gust Ohlson, its present director.
Charles Johnson now serves as president of the Lyran Society, and
G. A. Ennes as secretary. There are five honorary members, A. L.
Johnson, R. Noreen, F. Ohlson, E. Ohberg and V. Flood, chosen as a
tribute to their patriotism, all having served as volunteers in the Spanish-
American War.
There are a number of Swedish male choruses in Chicago, and other
Illinois cities, with a history that might have been told here, but for the
fact that in some instances it is quite eventless, in others, too short for
record. Among the older singing clubs are the NORDEN and ORPHEUS
of Chicago and the OLIVE of Moline. A male chorus named the APOLLO
GLEE CLUB has existed in Rock Island for the past five years. Four
years ago the SWEDISH NATIONAL CHORUS was organized by the union of
five male choruses in Rock Island and Moline for the purpose of giving
annual charity concerts for the benefit of the new local Swedish hos-
pital, and to contribute to the programs of the midsummer festivals ar-
ranged by the Swedish National Association of the two cities. The
chorus numbered approximately one hundred singers from the Svea,
Olive and Apollo, and of the Wennerberg and Lutherman choruses of
Augustana College. Four successful benefit concerts have been given
under the direction of Prof. J. Victor Bergquist.
When in July, 1913, the Chicago Athletic Club and kindred organiza-
tions, with Mayor Harrison as honorary president, arranged for a series
of athletic events on a grand scale at Chicago, as a preliminary tryout for
the international Olympic games, then expected to take place in 1916, a
sort of international musical tournament was made part of the week's
program. Mr. Charles S. Peterson was requested by the general com-
mittee to assume charge of the arrangements for the evening set aside for
the Swedish singers. He secured the willing cooperation of all but one of
the local Swedish male choruses, and enlisted similar talent from other
Illinois clubs, thus recruiting a grand chorus of no less than four hundred
trained singers. They appeared in attractive uniform, marched in splendid
order, and sang with more than the customary enthusiasm and brilliancy
of the united choruses. In the competition with choruses of other nation-
alities, some smaller but others larger, the Swedish boys carried off the
honors, if the general comment at the time was to be trusted. They were
directed by Hjalmar Nilson, of Minneapolis. It may be added that the
entire expense for the "Swedish Night" at the games was defrayed by
Mr. Peterson, to whom credit is due for making possible this new triumph
of Swedish song.
The SVITHIOD SINGING CLUB, a male chorus always of great promi-
nence in Chicago musical circles, is the outgrowth of an organization of
singers formed in 1882 among the early members of the Svithiod Society,
the forerunner of the Independent Order of Svithiod. It was directed
238 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
successively by Bjornholzt, E. Becker, August Elfaker and others. On
Feb. n, 1893, the chorus was organized under its present name and char-
ter as a singing and social club. Theodore Sjoquist, then chosen director,
shortly gave place to John Swenson, who continued to direct the Svithiod
until 1906, when Prof. Ortengren assumed the baton. The new organiza-
tion took an active part in the Swedish musical festival on Swedish Day
at the World's Fair. A memorable day in the history of the Svithiod
Singing Club was Jan. 1 1, 1896, when a song tournament took place at the
Auditorium, the male choruses of seven nationalities competing for the
trophy. With its twenty-four voices, the Svithiod Club competed with
choruses twice or thrice its size, and came out victorious. W'ith Jahnke's
"Sjomannen," sung with fine spirit and consummate finish, they captured
the prize, a costly banner bearing the inscription, "The Champion Singers
of Chicago." Besides, a gold medal was awarded to John L. Swenson,
who directed the winning chorus.. The judges of the contest were three
noted musicians of Chicago.
To the elite chorus that made a tour of Sweden in 1897, the Svithiod
Club contributed no less than sixteen singers, almost one-third the entire
number. These appeared also as a separate chorus on the programs of the
tour.
The Svithiod Club, which consists of several hundred supporting
members, besides the singers, owns its clubhouse, located on Wrightwood
avenue, to which, in 1901, there was annexed a new concert hall, accom-
modating several hundreds. The present director is Edgar Nelson, a man
of accepted musicianship, under whose baton the male chorus stands to
regain, if not to exceed, its former artistic heights.
One of the strongest promoters of the club was Olof. F. Nelson, who
held the presidency for many years. His present successor is John E.
Ericsson, who takes equal pride in pushing the organization to the front
and keeping it there.
THE SWEDISH CHORAL CLUB is a strong musical organization of Chi-
cago, in existence since 1915. That year it appeared publicly for the first
time, giving a highly successful rendition of Haydn's ''Creation,'' under
the direction of Edgar Nelson. The club consists of 180 selected singers,
and Mr. Nelson remains in the capacity of director. Similar choruses of
mixed voices have been formed in Chicago on one or two occasions to
sing at particular festivals, none of them retaining their organization for
any length of time. The present one is fortunate in having as its backers
men who are willing to make financial sacrifices in the interest of the
musical art, a circumstance which augurs well for its future. At Christ-
mas, 1916, the Choral Club added another public rendering of the highest
order by giving Handel's "Messiah."
A plan is under way to take the Choral Club across the water for a
tour of Sweden in the year 1918, provided the state of Europe at that time
shall raise no bars to the success of the undertaking. The idea would be
to give Sweden a taste of the musical art, as cultivated by American-born
CULTURAL PROGRESS
239
Swedes, the members of the club being practically all of the second or third
generation of Swedish- Americans. In pursuance of the same idea leading
Swedish-born singers of the United States would be selected as soloists,
these three having been tentatively suggested Marie Sundelius, of the
Metropolitan Opera Company, of New York; Gustaf Holmquist and
Albert Lindquest, both of Chicago.
A simultaneous traveling exhibition of works by Swedish-American
painters and sculptors is part of this project, which thus would exemplify
the particular forms of art most highly cultivated by the Swedes of
America up to the present time.
CLUBHOUSE OF THE SWEDISH CLUB OF CHICAGO.
THE SWEDISH CLUB. The records of Swedish singing organizations
prior to 1870 are very meager. Of the Freja Society, the direct fore-
runner of the Swedish Glee Club and the Swedish Club, a few scattered
data have been picked together in recent publications. As culled from
various sources, they furnish a fragmentary chapter of early musical
history.
Freja was organized in the fall of 1869 as a Scandinavian singing
society, composed of both Swedish and Norwegian Chicagoans. The
initiative was taken by John L. Swenson when he returned with a little
company of Chicago singers from a tour of the Northwest. The under-
lying idea was to unite all Scandinavian singers in the city into one
strong organization. Its director for ten years was Mr. Swenson him-
self, who may well be called the father of Swedish male choruses in
Chicago.
The membership is said to have averaged sixty singers, the majority
being of Swedish birth. A few of the Freja members are still living,
among whom are L. E. Anderson, C. T. Carlson, Charles E. Erickson,
o *f
Gustaf Hallbom, Charles A. Nelson, Charles E. Schlytern, Charles Wahl-
gren, Adolph Walters and William Wilson.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
241
Freja flourished and made a brilliant career for about a decade.
It had many fine voices, including the beautiful tenor of Mr. Hohn,
a Norwegian, and the remarkably sonorous bass of Mr. Carlson, who,
however, preferred bricklaying to the cultivation of his gift of
song.
The society gave many excellent programs, attracting audiences
numbering as high as one thousand persons. Among its presidents were
C. Bryde, G. Nyquist, Henry L. Hertz and Charles Ferm.
A sick and death benefit was an
added feature of its organization, but
the chief beneficiaries are said to have
been "Bikupan" (The Bee Hive) and
Skow, Peterson, Isberg & Co.'s bank,
two Swedish financial ventures, in the
failure of which Freja lost $500 and
$200, respectively.
The setback thus suffered by the
society may have had something to
do with its gradual decline about
1880. For reasons unknown, Swen-
son, a man of fine musicianship, left
the directorship that year, and the
society practically died in conse-
quence of his withdrawal. It dis-
banded definitely in iSSi, dying not
without honor and glory, after a bril-
liant appearance at the sangerfest of
the German societies, which was held
that summer in the old exposition
building on the lake front. The
chorus on that occasion numbered about eighty voices and gave splendid
renditions of "Hor oss, Svea," "Brudefarden" and several encores.
The society had no successor in the form of a musical organization
for several years. In 1882 a number of representative citizens organ-
ized the Swedish Club (Svenska Klubben), a social organization some-
what like the Swedish Club of today, its object being to conserve interest
in the Swedish language, customs and traditions. It was a strictly social
organization, gave many fine dinners, brilliant balls and excellent enter-
tainments, but made no pretense beyond that, and made no permanent
mark in the promotion of cultural interests pure and simple.
In the spring of 1886 Mr. Gustaf Hallbom, one of the Freja men,
inserted in the weekly Hemlandct an appeal to Swedish singers of Chi-
cago to get together. A copy was sent to Mr. Swenson. He met with
a number of singers and the outcome was the organization known as
the Swedish Singing Society (Svenska Sangsallskapet) of Chicago. It
met for rehearsals in one of the rooms of Brand's Hall, gave a number
FRITZ SCHOULTZ.
CHARLES S. PETERSON.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
of concerts, and eventually developed many singers who later became
eminent. The writer of the appeal at that time picked up William
Dahlen, who up to his recent demise, sustained the reputation of being
a tenor with few, if any, equals among his contemporary countrymen
in the United States. Besides Dahlen, Almberg, Lars Anderson, Gra-
nath, Hultin, Swenson, Westerberg, Youngdahl and Hallbom were
among the most active members. Of these Dahlen, Hultin, Swenson
and Westerberg have passed away. Anderson, Granath and Hallbom
have withdrawn, and Youngdahl has gone -to the "West Coast. This
leaves Mr. S. Th. Almberg the sole survivor
among the organizers of 1886, who still retains
his membership in the present club.
In 1889 several other old members of
Freja were admitted, and the name was
changed to "Svenska Sangsallskapet Freja."
Magnus Olson, one of the men who now re-
sumed singing, through his amiable personality
became a prominent member and an influence
for good among the younger singers. He re-
mained a valuable club member until his death.
The Freja Singing Society was consoli-
dated with the Swedish Club the same year.
This step was taken largely through the efforts
of Robert Lindblom, whose strong person-
ality and liberal views, coupled with a gen-
erosity often expressed in cash donations, made for the advancement
of the united organization. The new club, which was given the
incongruous name "Svenska Gleeklubben," was destined to become the
foremost Swedish singing society in America. At the sangerfest of the
Scandinavian Singers of America in Minneapolis, at the W'orld's Fair
in Chicago, and in Carnegie Hall, at the festival of the American Union
of Swedish Singers, the Swedish Glee Club took honors equaled by none
of the competing clubs. The leader chosen after the consolidation was
John R. O'rtengren, recently arrived from the old country, a young,
capable musician whose efforts soon put the club on a high plane of
excellence. It took the lead at the great music festival of 1893, at the
Columbian Exposition, when it sang repeatedly to audiences of more
than ten thousand people. Probably the greatest triumph for Prof.
Ortengren and his singers was scored at the Carnegie Hall festival
when the Swedish Glee Club, after having sung its number on the pro-
gram, was compelled to give five extra numbers in succession and then
decline to respond further to the plaudits of the assemblage.
This club was the prime mover in bringing Swedish artists of inter-
national fame to this country in recent times. It was due to its efforts
that such artists as Carolina Ostberg, Carl Fredrik Lundquist and Con-
rad Behrens made their public appearance in Chicago and elsewhere.
MAGXUS OLSON.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
245
In 1897 Prof. Ortengren toured Sweden with a picked chorus of Swedish-
American singers, the nucleus of which was formed from the b?st talent
found in the Swedish Glee Club. Again in 1910 an elite chorus toured
Sweden under the direction of Ortengren, many of the Glee Club mem-
bers taking part and sharing in the artistic triumph. The new organi-
zation was incorporated May 13, 1891, by Lawrence Hesselroth, C. Frith-
iof Larson, Gustaf Nyqvist, John Melin, Emil Granath and Andrew
Erickson.
April 13, 1896, was a memorable day in the annals of this organiza-
tion. On that date it moved into its present home at 1258 North La
Salle street. The building was purchased by
members, forming a stock company incorporated
under the name of the Swedish Club.
Prof. Ortengren severed his connection
with the singing contingent of the club and some
time thereafter located in Stockholm. When he
left, or some time prior, interest lagged, singers
dropped out of "Svenska Gleeklubben" and sub-
sequently formed the Swedish Glee Club, com-
posed entirely of singers and adopting the name,
of the parent club in anglicized form. For this
reason the old organization in 1910 changed its
name to "Svenska Klubben," its old name of
thirty years back.
The plans for the erection of an annex w r ere carried out in 1910,
doubling the capacity of the clubhouse and giving the club a handsome
hall adapted for a variety of purposes. The annex was built at a cost
of $25,000.
In its new banquet and concert hall the club was able to undertake
functions not heretofore attempted. In 1911 it arranged its first Swedish-
American art exhibition, followed by many others, public interest in the
series being constantly on the increase. These exhibitions (further
described elsewhere in this volume) are the leading events in Swedish-
American art circles and have done much to make the public acquainted
with the finest achievements of Swedish- American artists in the field of
painting and sculpture. The club itself has earned grateful recognition
for undertaking to promote the interest of art, and so far its assembly
hall is the only Swedish-American home in Illinois of the fine arts.
An exposition of a different character was held in this same hall
in the fall of 1912, when the leading industrial art firms of Sweden had
been persuaded to send to Chicago specimens of the best that Sweden
has to show in art craft. Fifteen leading firms were represented with
somewhat more than 10,000 articles, and during the exposition goods
were sold for upwards $10,000.
Many brilliant social affairs have been given here, and the club is
first to tender the hospitality of Chicago to distinguished visitors from
WILLIAM DAHLEN.
246 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Sweden. On behalf of the Swedish-American citizens it has entertained
Swedish savants like Oscar Montelius and Svante Arrhenius, noted
singers like John Forsell, Anna Hellstrom and Julia Claussen, Commis-
sioner Richard Bergstrom, not to mention other notable guests.
The following have served as presidents of the club since 1890, viz. :
Lawrence Hesselroth, three years ; Magnus Olson, five years ; S. A.
Swanson, one year ; Gustaf Lundquist, two years ; William Dahlen, one
year; G. Bernhard Anderson, two or more years (the records for 1904-
06 being lost) ; Robert Lindblom, one year; O. C. Nylund, one year, and
C. S. Peterson, the present incumbent, eight years. Mr. Fritz Schoultz
is honorary president, and the list of honorary members comprises Hon.
W. A. F. Ekengren, Minister for Sweden at Washington ; Hon. Edward
F. Dunne, Governor of Illinois ; Hon. William Hale Thompson, Mayor
of Chicago; Hon. Adolph O. Eberhart, ex-Governor of Minnesota;
Herman Lagercrantz, ex-Minister for Sweden; John Forsell, Royal
Court Singer of Stockholm.
ROBERT LINDBLOM A MAN OF MARK. Robert Lindblom (1844-
1907) was easily the foremost man in the Swedish Club and the one
Swedish-American of his generation who made his mark in the city
of Chicago. Coming to this city in 1877, after having made and lost his
fortune in speculations on the Milwaukee Board of Trade, he began
operations on the local Board of Trade and in the early eighties he was
reputed one of its largest speculators, often buying and selling 500,000
bushels of wheat in a single day. At the height of its success his
firm maintained branch offices in New York and other large financial
centers.
He \vorked energetically for bringing the W 7 orld's Columbian Ex-
position to Chicago, drew up the first public statement in the matter,
and was one of a number of wealthy Chicagoans who subscribed half
a million each to the World's Fair guarantee fund. He was one of the
thirty-six directors, and was acting commissioner for Sweden prior to
the arrival of Arthur Lefrler, the regular Swedish commissioner. In
his capacity of director Lindblom was in a position to extend courtesies
and render material services to the Swedish government, which were
recognized by King Oscar II. and signalized by the awarding of the
Royal Order of Vasa.
As a member of the Board of Education (1893-96) Lindblom served
as chairman of the finance committee, doing much to facilitate and sim-
plify business and raising the effectiveness of the department. By Mayor
Carter H. Harrison he was appointed a member of the Civil Service
Commission and served as its chairman during his tenure of this office
(1898-1902), bringing about reforms in sundry branches of the civil
service.
Lindblom was a staunch Democrat, with radical tendencies in social
economy. Governor Altgeld conferred upon him the empty honor of
an appointment on his staff (1893-97) w ith the nominal title of colonel.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 247
In 1897 he sought the nomination to the mayoralty, but withdrew in
favor of Harrison, who subsequently paid his obligation with the afore-
said appointment. During Bryan's first presidential campaign, Lind-
blom did yeoman service in his behalf, appearing as one of the most
ardent champions for the "free silver" doctrine in national finance. We
have the editorial word of his old friend, Alex J. Johnson, publisher
of Svenska Kuriren, that "had Bryan won out, Lindblom's appoint-
ment as Secretary of the Treasury would have been highly probable."
In 1906 the Independent League of Chicago nominated Lindblom for
the presidency of the Cook County Commis-
sioners, the office, however, going to his Repub-
lican competitor.
From Milwaukee, where he started as a
newspaper reporter, Lindblom carried the
journalistic germ in his system. In the early
nineties, for a brief period, he published the
Chicago Daily Press, a Democratic paper tinged
with socialistic views. The venture apparently
proved unprofitable. A book, entitled "Un-
rest," in which his views on social and civic
questions are expressed in the form of a novel,
is one of the products of Lindblom's pen.
Being a member of the Union League Club
and "Svenska Gleeklubben," Lindblom did not ROBFRT i IXDHLOM
neglect the Swedish club for the cosmopolitan
one. His love of his native land and his interest in the associations
tending to keep its memory green on American soil were evidenced
in many ways. To the Scandinavian singers he donated a splendid
standard of embroidered silk, representing the North and intended by
him as a prize for the best local aggregation of singers appearing at the
convention festivals. It was captured at Minneapolis, in 1891, by the
Brooklyn Glee Club. The donor having made himself unpopular with
the Norwegian contingent, these brethren at the next annual convention
refused to compete for the banner, which in consequence remained in
the possession of the Brooklyn club.
When the Swedish Club, several years before Lindblom's death, was
hampered by financial embarrassments, Lindblom was the man who re-
established it on a sound basis. He was its honorary president at the
time of his demise.
In the late nineties Lindblom was caught in the meshes of the Leiter
wheat deals on the Board of Trade, from which he was unable to extri-
cate himself. He failed and saved but the wreckage of a fortune which
has been estimated one of the largest accumulated by any Swedish-
American.
We have been reliably informed through one who stood close to
Mr. Lindblom that, according to his own estimate, his fortune had been
248 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
near the half million mark at two different times during his variable
financial career.
Robert Lindblom hailed from the Swedish province of Nerike, where
he was born in the parish of Asker. Having prepared at the Hogs jo
school in Sodermanland, he was in turn employed as a surveyor, in a
wholesale establishment in Orebro, and in the Orebro Private Bank. He
emigrated at twenty, locating in Milwaukee, where he became cashier of
the grain and packing house of Higby & Co. before establishing himself
independently in the grain commission business and entering the Board
of Trade. Miss Hattie Lewis of Milwaukee became his wife in 1874.
Their children are Leriore Lindblom and Mrs. Vesta Raven Pauli, wife
of Lieut. Ake Pauli, of.. Ystad, Sweden.
In commemoration; of the public services of Robert Lindblom, a
Chicago high school building, designed by Arthur F. Hussander, a Swedish
architect, and now in the course of erection in Englewood, at a cost of one
million dollars, is to bear the name Robert Lindblom High School.
SWEDISH-AMERICAN COMPOSERS OF NOTE.
The highest rank to be attained by any Swedish- American com-
posers now living undeniably has been reached by J. Victor Bergquist
and Arne Oldberg each prominently connected with an Illinois con-
servatory of music, Mr. Oldberg at the Conservatory of the North-
western University, Mr. Bergquist at that of Augustana College. The
latter institution has to its credit, in addition, another name noted in
musical literature, namely, that of the late Gustav Stolpe, Dir. Mus. of
Stockholm, and awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Music by
an American conservatory.
J. VICTOR BERGQUIST studied organ in Berlin with Franz Grunicke,
composition with Wilhelm Berger, and piano with Xavier Scharwenka,
afterward pursuing organ studies under the great master, Alexander
Guilmant of Paris.
Speaking of an organ recital given by Bergquist in Berlin in Feb-
ruary, 1902, Der Klavier-Lehrer, published in that city, had this to say :
"J. Victor Bergquist, a pupil of the noted master organist, Franz Gru-
nicke, proved himself an organ virtuoso of the first rank. His playing
was characterized by extraordinary clarity and seriousness, the phrasing
being thoroughly true to style and the technique of manuals and pedals
perfect throughout."
Of Bergquist's organ sonata in B flat minor, dedicated to Hamlin
Hunt and played by him in Minneapolis, Caryl B. Storrs, the Tribune
critic, \vrote : "The incoherence of the first and second movements are
emphasized by the splendid clarity and scholarly construction of the last,
which is the best music that I ever have heard by Mr. Bergquist. Here is
pure sonata form that need not fear to stand with that of the masters."
Harlow Gale of the Nezvs said of the same work : "Two movements
from the organ sonata dedicated to Mr. Hunt make us realize again
CULTURAL PROGRESS
249
with pride and regret what a rarely fine musician we have recently lost
to Augustana College."
The oratorio "Golgotha" was the first choral work from Bergquist's
pen. It is a serious work in large, adequate form, possessing some
excellent themes handled in a musicianly manner. It embodies the
impressions made upon the composer's mind by the presentation of the
Passion Play at Oberammergau. As a whole the work is impressive,
maintaining a high level of
musical composition. The
leading themes chosen are en-
tirely original in conception
and deeply expressive. The
choruses are strong, with fine
climaxes and splendid tone
massing. "If 'Golgotha' is a
fair evidence of what Mr.
Bergquist can do in the way
of oratorio composition," says
Howard Boardman, "works
which will be of the highest
rank may be expected from
his pen."
Upon his resignation from
the secretaryship of the
Minnesota State Teachers'
Association in 1912, Prof.
Bergquist received the en-
dorsement of the association
in the highest terms, running
in part as follows : "The
Association took on, last June,
what it is only right to call a new lease of life. It assumed a position in the
practical affairs of musical advancement which it had not until then at-
tempted to assume, and it is simple justice to say of Mr. Bergquist that
as chairman of the committee on examinations he was the leader of the
movement. . . . We shall have cause to remember that our work is. in a
sense, a monument to Mr. Bergquist's tireless and unselfish labors."
The Augustana Synod in 1916 commissioned Mr. Bergquist to com-
pose, to text written by Ernst W. Olson, a Reformation Cantata for
rendition at the Lutheran quadri-centennial celebrations in 1917. This
opus, recently completed, is a large work dealing with the spiritual
content of the Reformation through Luther. It approaches in volume
and earnestness of treatment the oratorio "Golgotha," and has elicited
high commendation from musical men of authority like Rossetter G. Cole,
Glenn Dillard Gunn, Adolf Weidig and others who have studied the
work- Mr. Gunn says : "When musicianship of the high order you
PROF. J. VICTOR BERGQUIST.
250 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
have demonstrated in this work is able to express itself with this sim-
plicity, I speak no flattery when I say that it marks an approach to
genius."
ARNE OLDBERG is a native of Ohio, having been born in Youngs-
town in 1874, and is of pre-Revolutionary American descent on his
mother's and Swedish descent on his father's side. His early training
in piano playing was received in Chicago, from August Hyllested. Later
he studied composition and orchestration with Adolph Koelling, Frederick
Grant Gleason and Wilhelm Middleschulte. In 1893 Mr. Oldberg went
to Vienna for a two years' stay with Leschetizky, who was then at the
height of his powers.
After three years' further study in Chicago, there was another trip
to Europe for a season's study with Rheinberger in Munich. Since 1899
Mr. Oldberg has been connected with the Department of Music of North-
western University, at Evanston, 111., where he is the director of the
piano department and holds the chair of composition.
During his connection with this school Mr. Oldberg has a long list
of orchestral and piano works to his credit. In addition to being a
writer he is a highly skilled performer on the piano.
It is therefore natural that he has written much for that instrument.
His style of writing does not betray an interest and thought confined
within the narrow limits of the piano, rather it shows a broader musical
mind that finds ready and adequate means of expression through this
medium. His piano compositions range from little half-page pieces to
the last word in piano composition a piano Sonata and a Concerto
Op. 17. Many of the smaller pieces, while they are not technically exact-
ing, are compositions of distinct worth and beauty. Among these are
his very early works, Opus 7, a group of one and two-page lyrical pieces
with individual titles ; Opus 8, a suite of five numbers, none of great
difficulty, and another group of three pieces Op. 13. A tremendous
stride in development and style is apparent in the next group of works
for the piano ; a set of remarkable original variations Opus 25, of great
difficulty and novel content ; a Legend Op. 26, a tone poem for piano ;
three miniatures Op. 27, which display a mature fantasy in the smallest
forms ; a Sonata Opus 28, played by Mme. Zeisler throughout the coun-
try ; an Arabesque Op. 31, a brilliant, ebullient composition, an impro-
visation Op. 32, a Russian Prelude Op. 33, and a Cansonetta Op. 30.
This last named group of piano works demand the utmost resources of
instrument and performer.
Mr. Oldberg has made several additions to the literature of chamber
music.
There are a quartet for strings Op. 15; a quintet for piano and
strings Op. 16 ; a quintet for wood wind and piano Op. 18, played twice by
the Longy Club in Boston, and several times by players from the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra ; a Horn Concerto Op. 20 ; a quintet for piano and
strings Op. 24, this last work being the only one published as yet.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 251
Mr. Oldberg's orchestral compositions include (besides a piano con-
certo Op. 17, an organ concerto Op. 35, and a horn concerto Op. 20)
a set of variations on an original theme Op. 19; a dramatic overture,
"Paolo and Francesca," Op. 21; a song cycle Op. 22; a symphony in
F minor Op. 23, which was awarded the second prize by the National
Federation of Musical Clubs in 1911 ; a festival overture Op. 29; a sym-
phony Op. 34, in C minor, and a rhapsody Op. 36. These orchestral
compositions have been performed repeatedly in Evanston and Chicago,
under the direction of the composer and of Frederick Stock, by the Chi-
cago Symphony Orchestra, and one, "Paolo and Francesca," also by
the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in its home city.
NOTED ARTISTS, TEACHERS AND DIRECTORS.
From the time JOHN R. ORTENGREN came to the United States in 1889
his voice secured him positions as soloist in some of the larger churches,
and he was soon attached to the Chicago Musical College as teacher of
voice, a position retained by him for some twenty years and only relin-
quished upon his determination to locate in Stockholm. He was one of
the foremost teachers and choral directors in Chicago and at many sanger-
fests led the American Union of Swedish Singers as well as the local male
choruses of Chicago to many of their great triumphs. The choruses
directed by him, whether the Swedish Glee Club, the Svithiod Singing
Club, or the Svea Soner of Rockford, were always at the forefront at the
song festivals of the united choruses. His great service to his nationality
in the United States consists in having raised to its highest pitch the interest
of his countrymen in the songs of the Swedish fatherland. He studied
with Fritz Arlberg in Stockholm and later was a pupil of Prof. Julius
Gtinther at the Royal Academy of Music for two years, meanwhile earning
a scholarship. In 1886 he went to Paris, studying for a year with Romaine
Bussine. Upon his return to Sweden he was attached to the Royal Opera
until his emigration in 1889.
In 1897 and again in 1910 Ortengren directed choruses of picked
singers from the Swedish-American male choruses on tours in Sweden,
which, though rather ambitious in view of the high culture to which male
chorus singing has attained there, met with remarkable success. In recog-
nition of his eminent services in behalf of Swedish music in the United
States, Prof. Ortengren in 1910 received the insignia of the Royal Order
of Vasa from King Gustav of Sweden.
SIGFRID LAURIN, a piano teacher and composer, who spent a number
of years teaching at musical conservatories in Illinois and elsewhere, was
a gifted musician and a performer of remarkable technical and interpret-
ative skill. He studied at the Royal Conservatory of Stockholm, graduat-
ing as organist and cantor after three months by virtue of thorough prior
musical preparation at the Cathedral School. He continued his studies at
the conservatory, however, taking piano with Hilda Thegerstrom. a pupil
of Liszt, and other capable teachers, and studying voice under Prof. Julius
252 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Giinther, and counterpoint with Josef Dente. At his final graduation he
won the gold medal for "remarkable proficiency." Laurin maintained a
studio in Chicago for a time and meanwhile headed the piano department
at the North Park College conservatory. For several years subsequently
he was professor of piano at the Augustana Conservatory. As a composer
Laurin is known to the public only as far as he has rendered his own com-
positions, mostly from the manuscript. He was a profound student of
Chopin, whose works he placed above all others and gave them masterful
and devoted rendition. Prof. Laurin gave many piano recitals at which
his exceptional playing earned him the admiration of his hearers and the
unstinted praise of able critics. He taught at Lindsborg, Kansas, for seven
years, at North Park one year, and at Augustana Conservatory for a term
of years just prior to his return to Sweden about 1910.
The works of Prof. Laurin, most of them in manuscript, comprise
eighteen songs, romances and ballads for voice, and many compositions
for piano, several of the latter being quite large. The vocal pieces are :
Songs "Bon," "Mitt hjartas vittnesbord," "Julens stjarna" ; romances
"Vid grafven," "Solen sjunker," "Hemlos," "I Gethsemane," "Sorgen."
"Den doende krigaren," "I hdstlig tid" ; ballads "Vid hafvet," "Farval,"
"It Is Done," "At Eventide," etc. ; romantic ballad "Brustna strangar."
Among his piano compositions are, a rhapsody, a berceuse, concert etudes,
and a symphonic fantasia of great length, requiring an entire evening for
its execution.
Mrs. EDLA LUND is one of the most efficient of Swedish-American
teachers of music and a singer of high rank. Coming to America in 1887,
she was connected with conservatories at Swedish-American schools for
more than twenty years, subsequently going to American institutions. A
native of Stockholm, she obtained her musical education with skilled
teachers in the Swedish capital. She was one of five selected from thirty
applicants to gain admission to the Royal Academy of Music in 1884.
After having taught at the Bethany Conservatory of Kansas for four years,
she returned to Stockholm and took up advanced voice training under Dina
Edling.
A gentleman connected with the University of South Dakota, who
heard her sing at a concert in Stockholm, was struck with the beauty and
clarity of her fine northern type of soprano voice, and was instrumental
in securing her as teacher in the music department of the institution at
Vermillion. There she did not long continue, but accepted a call to the
Augustana Conservatory at Rock Island. Her best services were rendered
at this institution, Avhere she remained for no less than seventeen years.
To no one person, with the single exception of Dr. Stolpe, does the Augus-
tana Conservatory of Music owe so great a debt of gratitude for its devel-
opment in the past as to Mrs. Lund. Besides being an energetic teacher,
she is a pleasing and artistic performer, who contributed of her talent
without stint at numerous musical and other public occasions. Further-
more, she possessed marked ability, rare in a woman, in drilling and direct-
CULTURAL PROGRESS 253
ing choral organizations, from the small chapel choir to so large a body of
singers as the Oratorio Society. Mrs. Lund has been heard in concert on
numerous tours in the central West, the East and in the Pacific Coast
states, and as special soloist at several large public celebrations. At the
present time she is connected with an Oklahoma institution.
GUSTAF HOLMQUIST has achieved the highest popularity and the
greatest artistic success of any Swedish-born American singer so far. He
is an artist of the highest type, possessing a voice which, while he claims
it to be a basso cantante, in its unusual range easily reaches the highest notes
of the pure baritone. It is finely resonant, expressive and well placed, and
he uses it with excellent regard for the fundamental elements of correct
singing. It combines power with tenderness and flexibility to a high degree.
Mr. Holmquist sings with ease and that consummate artistry of expression
which fully account for the fame attained by him on the concert stage. A
chief point in his favor is his convincing sincerity and a rare chastity of
style in everything he offers. Such qualities as these have gained for him
an enviable position among American male soloists.
His successes with the leading choral societies of the country, as the
bass soloist in Handel's "Messiah," "The Creation" of Haydn, Men-
delssohn's "Elijah" and "St. Paul," Gounod's "Redemption" and kindred
works prove him an oratorio singer par excellence. His song recitals have
been the subject of most enthusiastic approval, his interpretation of the
standard German, French and English songs winning for him the highest
commendation, and his authoritative rendition of the Swedish folk and art
songs lending peculiar interest and novelty to his programs.
Mr. Holmquist was born and reared in the little Swedish town of
Nora, but came to Minneapolis as a boy of fourteen. Not until twenty-
one did he begin to cultivate his naturally musical voice ; His American
teachers in turn were A. W. Porter, of Minneapolis ; Burritt and Hubbard,
of Chicago. After having already appeared with such success as might
satisfy most artists, Mr. Holmquist not many years ago went to Paris for
further training and finish under the direction of Jean de Reszke.
During the season of 1901 Mr. Holmquist made his first appearance
before the larger public as one of the soloists selected for the great Chau-
tauqua concerts. The same year he sang in Jamestown also as soloist of
the American Union of Swedish Singers. From that time on that organi-
zation has called for his services on their festival programs time and again.
The Evanston Musical Club chose him as soloist for their appearance at the
St. Louis Exposition, where he aided the club in winning a competitive
prize of $3,500. There is scarcely a choral society of rank in the United
States with which he has not appeared in the principal choral works. In
the Messiah Festival at Lindsborg, Kansas, where many of the great
singers of Europe and America have appeared during the more than thirty
annual renditions, no singer gave greater satisfaction than he. "Never
have we heard the 'Messiah' solos, for bass, sung as they have been sung
this week by Mr. Holmquist," was the verdict in 1913. In Sweden also,
GUSTAF HOLMQUIST.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 255
during a tour of fifty Swedish- American singers in 1910, Holmquist's
magnificent voice was gladly heard and generously commended wherever
he appeared.
Since the opening of the fall semester of 1916, Mr. Holmquist is
connected, as teacher of voice, with Chicago Musical College.
EDGAR NELSON is one of the younger musicians of Swedish extraction
who have forged to the front in musical Chicago in the past few years, his
ability, both as a teacher and choral director, being now widely recognized.
Having begun his piano studies with Emil Larson, he continued with
Harald von Mickwitz, and later took instruction in organ from Clarence
Dickinson. In the Bush Conservatory he earned the degree of Bachelor
of Music, and subsequently took the position of assistant director of that
institution. He has been appointed to the following positions : Organist
of the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Park, of the Sunday Evening
Club and the Apollo Club ; pianist of the Chicago Operatic Club, and direc-
tor of Svithiod Singing Club and the Swedish Choral Club. The Chi-
cago Artists' Association has named Mr. Nelson president.
ALBERT LINDQUEST was studying law at the University of Chicago in
the year 1911-12, when Bond, on a casual visit, accidentally heard him
sound a few high notes in one of the corridors. He invited the young man
of twenty to his hotel to put him to the test, with the result that Lindquest
suddenly abandoned his law-books for the music sheet. He became a pupil
of Albert Barrow, of this city, his only teachers prior to that being the
Victrola records that he had sought to imitate. In 1912 he had his first
tryout on a concert tour. The following year he was heard here during a
week's engagement in connection with the "World in Chicago" mission
demonstration at the Auditorium. The quality of his exceptional tenor
voice was generally recognized, and engagements now followed in rapid
succession. At his first appearance before an audience of Swedish-
Americans at a musical festival in Orchestra Hall, May 30, 1914, this new
singer divided honors with Countess Signe Rappe, a noted court singer of
Stockholm. Mr. Lindquest went to Europe in 1914 to study with Italian
teachers, but the war compelled his early return. He has appeared as
soloist with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, and filled other notable
engagements in the last two years. With but four years of musical train-
ing back of him, Mr. Lindquest already ranks \vith the best American
tenors. As an artist he is in a class with the two other great Swedish-
American singers, Marie Sundelius, the Boston soprano, and Gustaf
Holmquist, the Chicago basso. Mr. Lindquest is a Chicagoan by birth.
His wife, who was Miss Lenora Allen, of Decatur, 111., is an excellent
concert singer.
JOEL MOSSBERG is a prominent Swedish baritone and musical director,
who came to Chicago in 1892 with some musical education and here took
up studies under Hinshaw and Ortengren. His excellent voice soon won
for him a scholarship at Chicago Musical College, and continued study and
training has earned him recognition and a place among the popular bari-
256
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
tones of the country. The music houses handle a number of records of
Swedish songs sung by him. Mossberg has directed a number of male
choruses of Chicago and vicinity in the past, and recently succeeded his
former teacher in directing the American Union of Swedish Singers.
Rock Island and Chicago divide the honors for having produced in
NICOLINE ZEDELER one of the foremost instrumental artists on the Amer-
ican concert stage today. She was
born in Stockholm, Sweden, and
brought to this country at the age of
five, by her parents, her father coming
to take a position as teacher of violin
at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan-
sas. There she began to study violin
at five and made her first public ap-
pearance at six. Later Prof. Zedeler
took a like position in the Augustana
Conservatory at Rock Island, where
she continued her violin studies under
her father, until Mrs. L. S. McCabe,
of that city, having discovered unusual
talent in the girl, sent her to Chicago
for further development. While in
Rock Island she often played in public
at Augustana College, and also di-
rected a children's orchestra, all of
which brought out exceptional ripe-
ness of musical scholarship in one so
young.
At Chicago Musical College she
soon won a free scholarship, and sub-
sequently was twice awarded the dia-
mond medal for proficiency and scholarship in music. During these
years she and her brother, Nicolai Zedeler, organized the Zedeler
trio, which on its tours drew the attention of the public and the
musical critics alike.
At this time Mrs. Shaw-Kennedy, mindful of Nicoline Zedeler's
talents, offered to defray her expenses for a course of study abroad.
This gave her an opportunity to study with Theodor Spiering in Berlin.
\Yhile in Europe she made successful concert tours in Germany and
Denmark. After her appearance at Heidelberg she was most enthu-
siastically received and given an old-fashioned ovation in having her
carriage drawn through the streets by the students amid singing and
exuberant demonstrations.
The greatest triumph of the young artist came in the season of
1910-11, when she was engaged as violin soloist by John Philip Sousa
for the world tour of Sousa's famous band. At Sydney, Australia, a
NICOLINE ZEDELER.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 257
generous music lover presented her with a genuine Lupot violin in token
of his high appreciation.
Since that time Miss Zedeler has been engaged in giving independ-
ent recitals, when not appearing with the Sousa, Pryor, or other orches-
tral aggregations on their tours. There are few American cities of
consequence in which Nicoline Zedeler has not already appeared and
made her artistic reputation secure.
One of the Swedish-American musical artists of Chicago who has
toured Europe with success is EBBA HJERTSTEDT, a native of the western
metropolis, where her parents have been Lake View residents for many
years. Her musical education was founded at the Chicago Musical
College, where she studied violin for Prof. Bernhard Listeman, proving
one of his honor pupils and capturing two gold medals. She continued
her studies with eminent masters abroad, and appeared prior to 1909
in symphony concerts in Berlin, Dresden, London, Stockholm and other
cities in Europe. In 1913-14 she toured Europe as violin soloist with a
concert company. After her appearance in a great Mozart-Beethoven
concert in Dresden, November 6, she received a most laudatory endorse-
ment from Hermann Starcke, one of Germany's noted music critics, in
the Allgemeine Musik-Zeitung. He wrote in part: "From among the
host of concert virtuosos that encumber the earth there emerged a new
and pleasing apparition, Ebba Hjertstedt, a young American, who ap-
peared greatly to her advantage in our concert hall. With the rare
elegance and charm of her performance she combines a brilliant tech-
nique and complete mastery of the scale, the fioritura, and, above all,
the artistic style and conception. To me she seems to be an artist to
be named among the celebrities, deserving as she does our highest
commendation." Miss Hjertstedt has resided for the past two or three
years in Stockholm. In January, 1916, she was honored with an engage-
ment to appear in a symphony concert in the Royal Opera House.
The Swedish critics then spoke with some reserve about the Swedish-
American violinist, crediting her, however, with intelligence and talent,
which is said to be quite a concession to foreign artists on the part of
the average Stockholm critic. Especially as regards musicians of Swedish
descent coming from the United States, they are in the habit of speaking
in condescending tones, a friendly word from that source being con-
strued by the artists themselves as the highest praise.
MRS. MINNIE CEDARGREEN-JERNBERG, the violinist, during her studies
at the American Conservatory of Chicago, took highest honors in violin
and was awarded the Paganini medal by that institution. She is a native
of Des Moines, Iowa, where her musical education was begun at High-
land Park College, being continued later at Iowa State College. Her
early teachers were Mrs. Edmann and Mary Belle Smith, of Boone,
Iowa, and Dr. Arthur Heft, of Des Moines. In Chicago she studied
with Herbert Butler, and subsequently went abroad, studying with Isay
Barmas. of Berlin. She has been heard in many of the leading churches
258 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
of Chicago and, besides, in two recitals in the Fine Arts building. She
has filled engagements repeatedly at Orchestra Hall and appeared with
the Musicians' Club and the Lake View Musical Society. In addition
to successful tours of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and the South-
west, she has many individual appearances in Illinois, Michigan and
New York to her credit.
MRS. ELSIE OBERG-BENNINGHOVEN is one of the brilliant pupils of
Bernhard Listeman and Herbert Butler. Since her thirteenth year she
has appeared as a public performer, showing unusual mastery of the
violin. Born in Chicago, October 22, 1888, she took up the study of
violin at the early age of seven. At fifteen she graduated from the Chi-
cago Musical College, subsequently completing a four years' course of
post-graduate study with Herbert Butler in the American Conservatory.
Much sought for as an instrumental soloist at concerts and musicales,
she has played in practically all the Swedish churches and before many
Swedish clubs and societies in Chicago. She is an active member of
the Lake View Musical Club.
MRS. MARIE SIDENIUS-ZENDT, a soprano of fine quality, is a mem-
ber of the faculty of the American Conservatory. As soloist she has
appeared with the Apollo Club of Chicago, and has filled many engage-
ments in other cities.
HARRY WILHELM NORDIN combines teaching ability with proficiency
as a singer. During the past two years he has been connected with Bush
Conservatory as instructor of the public school music classes. As a
baritone singer he has won favor with Chicago audiences, having re-
cently appeared in "Elijah," "The Holy City," "Stabat Mater," and
many other classical works. Born at Pullman in 1883, he went to New
York state at thirteen. After having graduated from the Ithaca Con-
servatory in 1904, he studied t\vo years in Berlin, then returned to take
a teaching position in the same conservatory. Three years later Nordin
was engaged as director of the Brenau College Conservatory in Eufaula,
Ala., teaching there for three years, and next in the Woman's College
of Alabama, at Montgomery, for a like period. He now holds engage-
ments for teaching next summer in the extension courses of the univer-
sities of Wisconsin and Minnesota. A call extended to him recently to
join the faculty of the Augustana Conservatory at Rock Island was
declined. Nordin is with the Weber Opera Concert Company, presenting
excerpts from opera under its auspices. He has charge of the music
in the high school of La Grange and directs the Suburban Musical
Association of that city.
AUGUST HYLLESTED, a successful teacher of piano in the Chicago
Musical College from 1886 to 1891, was born in Stockholm, but was of
mixed Norwegian-Danish parentage.
Coming from Sweden and locating in Chicago as vocal teacher and
coach to advanced pupils in voice, Mme. RAGNA LINNE has met with the
same success here as she previously enjoyed as a vocal artist, abroad. She
CULTURAL PROGRESS 259
won many triumphs as a member of the Metropolitan English Grand Opera
Company and of the Castle Square Opera Company.
OLIVE FREMSTAD, the noted opera and concert singer, who has often
been heard in Chicago, in the Wagnerian characters Brunhilde, Kundry,
Isolde and in other leading roles, was born in Stockholm of a Swedish
mother and a Norwegian father. She studied in Germany and there met
with her first operatic successes. Nevertheless, as she has passed the
greater part of her life in the United States, she has chosen most often to
give expression in song to the Americanism that is in her.
A genuinely Swedish vocal artist of the first order is JULIA CLAUSSEN,
who for the past seasons has been connected with the Chicago opera. A
voice like hers, a rich, colorful contralto, could not help being noted and
admired in any aggregation of singers of the highest standard. The high
regard won by her from Chicago audiences is richly merited.
PAINTING AND SCULPTURE.
A sprig of Swedish art began to flourish in this country at an early
date, as witness the fact that the Swedish colonial painter Hesselius
has been, styled "the father of American art." Of late years we find
Swedish names in the catalogue of every exhibition, and these names
are usually found as signatures to paintings of rank. In many instances,
however, the Swedish painters and sculptors are unknown to their own
fellow countrymen here and in the fatherland. Until recently they have
met with little or no encouragement from these, and their works have
found purchasers almost exclusively among art lovers in general. In
the past good art works have usually been looked upon as expensive
luxuries beyond the reach of people of moderate means. As a result
there was developed a taste for inferior, cheap and trashy so-called art
products, which proves hard to overcome, even after the lack of means
is no longer an obstacle to the adornment of Swedish-American homes
with genuine works of art.
By slow degrees it has been discovered that acquaintance with pic-
torial and plastic art is no less worth making than the attainment of
ability to enjoy the art of music or literature. In single instances this
acquaintance has ripened into friendship and devotion. But as yet there
is no such common love for these arts as that which prompts Swedish-
Americans by the thousands to attend concerts and musical festivals.
They have built churches for religious worship, schools for intellectual
education, conservatories and concert halls for the cultivation of the
esthetic sense through the medium of music, but the founding by them
of an art gallery, exhibition hall or museum proper is yet to be recorded.
The nearest approach is the art department at their educational institu-
tions, established, the first at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan., the
second at Augustana College, Rock Island.
To put fine art in possession of the people, as it was in the classic
CULTURAL PROGRESS 261
days of Greece, when the finest specimens of domestic utensils now in
our museums may have graced the board of the average citizen that
is the purpose of the modern movement in Europe and America towards
adorning the schools with art works, establishing art departments in
connection with colleges, introducing drawing and designing in the
graded schools, and the engagement of artists and expert designers by
the manufacturers of porcelain, queensware, pottery, furniture, carpets
and textiles. The artist and the artisan are being made to work hand
in hand. Esthetic education is becoming recognized as equally essential
with purely intellectual development. We shall find this to be the trend
of Swedish-American cultural progress more particularly in the last
decade or two.
Nevertheless, while there are excellent choirs, choruses and musical
associations everywhere, and great festivals of music and song are of
frequent occurrence in Swedish communities, while there are now art
departments in connection with most of the higher schools and art exhi-
bitions are being arranged from time to time, yet no general art association
has so far been formed to stimulate interest in art by arranging exhibitions
of Swedish and Swedish-American art. This shortcoming was deplored
many years ago by Birger Sandzen, of the Bethany Art School in Linds-
borg, Kan., who, together with Carl Lotave and G. N. Malm, accomplished
what such an association ought to have done long ago, by arranging an
exhibit at Lindsborg (1899) and later by giving annual art exhibits at his
school, and more lately showing similar exhibits in other localities. In
Minneapolis the interest in Scandinavian art some time ago took concrete
form in an organization named the Scandinavian Art Society. That it
exists and works not for itself alone but also for the interest of the entire
community was evidenced by its recent act of purchasing for the Minne-
apolis Art Institute two paintings, by Gustav Fjaestad and Mas-Olle, from
the recent Swedish art exhibit shown in many American cities, these being
the first of a proposed Scandinavian art collection for the Minneapolis
gallery.
In Chicago the absence of a local Swedish art society has been com-
pensated for to a degree in recent years by the activity of individual artists
and art lovers. Here a society of artists was formed in 1905. It did not
long survive, but gave one fairly representative exhibition before its dis-
integration.
SWEDISH-AMERICAN ART EXHIBITIONS.
The ephemeral Swedish-American Art Association was organized
Feb. 5, 1905, by a number of Chicago artists assembled on the initiative
of Carl J. Nilsson, who was chosen president, Arvid Nyholm being made
secretary and Hugo von Hofsten treasurer. An exhibition comprising
eighty numbers was opened the following October at the Anderson Art
Galleries and continued for three weeks, the following Swedish-American
artists participating, viz., Gerda Ahlm, Aug. Franzen, E. Gelhaar, C. E.
NYHOLM "HOME FROM THE MARKET.'
CULTURAL PROGRESS 263
Hallberg, Hugo von Hofsten, S. Holmberg, Alfred Jansson, Arvid Ny-
holm, Carl J. Nilsson, John A. Nyden, Axel Elias Olsson, Henry Reuter-
dahl, Birger Sandzen, A. G. Wahlgren. In addition, Anders Zorn, Carl
Larsson, Bruno Liljefors and Anshelm Schultzberg had sent canvases from
Sweden, and Charles Friberg three sculptures. While attracting no little
public attention and drawing a fair attendance, the exhibitors did not
receive the encouragement counted upon, a fact responsible for the subse-
quent discontinuation of their joint activities.
No similar project was launched for the next five years. In 1910
the initiative for a general exhibition on a larger scale by Swedish artists
throughout the United States was taken by Mr. Charles S. Peterson,
president of the Swedish Club of Chicago. Largely due to the enterprise
of the originator and promoter of the plan, backed by his associates of
the club, the undertaking proved a success from the artists' point of view,
even though it entailed no little sacrifice on the part of the chief promoter
and Messrs. Charles E. Hallberg and Arvid Nyholm, the two artists asso-
ciated with him in the executive work. The exhibition opened March
n, 1911, in the main hall of the newly erected annex to the Swedish
clubhouse on La Salle avenue. Prior to the opening, one hundred and
forty-two paintings and other art works were passed upon by a jury of
four artists, Mr. Wellington J. Dressier and Mrs. Bertha Menzler Dress-
ier of the Chicago Art Institute acting with two Swedish-American
artists, Arvid Nyholm and Alfred Jansson. Eighty-three paintings by
twenty-three artists, and fifteen sculptures by three artiste, were accepted
a total of ninety-eight works by twenty-six artists. Those whose works
were admitted were : Painters M. J. Ahlstromer, Gerda Ahlm, Oscar
Anderson, Eddy Carlson, John Carlson, Aug. Franzen, Olof Grafstrom,
Emil Gelhaar, Thomas Hall, Charles E. Hallberg, Ben Hallberg, Henrik
Hillbom, Alfred Jansson, Ava Lagercrantz, Carl Lindin, B. G. O. Norden-
feldt, Arvid Nyholm, Henry Reuterdahl, Carl Ringius, Birger Sandzen,
E. F. Sodervall, Thure de Thulstrup, John Westerberg; sculptors
Charles Haag, Carl J. Nilsson, Axel E. Olsson.
Of the art works on view thirteen were sold, netting their exhibitors
a total of upwards $2,000, and the following prizes were awarded accord-
ing to the decision of a special prize jury composed of three artists of the
Chicago Art Institute :
For paintings first prize, $100, offered by C. S. Peterson, went to
John Carlson, New York City, for his canvas, "Solitude" ; second prize,
$50, by Andrew Lanquist, to Arvid Nyholm for portrait of himself ;
third prize, $25, by John E. Ericson, to Prof. Birger Sandzen, Lindsborg,
Kan., for his "Early Moonrise." For sculpture first prize, $50, by Dr.
William Scljultze and Dr. O. Lange, to Charles Haag, Winnetka, 111., for
his statuette entitled "Effort"; second prize, $25, by Judge Axel Chy-
traus, to Carl J. Nilsson for his portrait bust of Dr. J. A. Enander. Hon-
orable mentions were accorded Charles E. Hallberg for "The Approach-
ing Flood" and Carl Lindin for "Evening Light."
NYHOI1M "THE NOVELETTE."
CULTURAL PROGRESS 265
In 1912, one year later, an equally successful exhibition was given
in the same hall and under the same management. The prizes for oil
paintings were awarded to Arvid Nyholm, Birger Sandzen and Alfred
Jansson in the order named. Henry Reuterdahl was awarded a prize for
water color work and Eddy Carlson one for miniature painting. The
prize for sculpture went to Miss Agnes Fromen. No less than thirty
art works were sold, including Prof. Sandzen's largest canvas, which was
purchased by Mayor Harrison of Chicago.
Again in 1913 the Swedish Club, headed by Mr. Peterson, its ener-
getic and enterprising president, arranged an art exhibition along similar
lines. Owing to a noticeable falling off in the attendance, the next exhi-
bition was postponed for two years.
The result was increased attendance and a greater measure of suc-
cess for the next succeeding art showing, that of 1915. At length it ap-
peared that the ice had bsen completely broken between the Swedish-
American public and the artists of their own nationality. The position
of these artists as representatives of aesthetic culture now seemed fully
established. Again Messrs. C. S. Peterson, Arvid Nyholm and Charles
E. Hallberg, by appointment of the Swedish Club, cooperated, the last
named in the capacity of commissioner, and earned personal credit for
the signal triumph now scored.
A total of 154 art works were submitted for selection. The jury,
composed of W. J. Reynolds, Arvid Nyholm and L. Hartrath, after reject-
ing about one-third, admitted 105 numbers, 88 being paintings and the
remainder pieces of sculpture.
PROMINENT PAINTERS AND SCULPTORS.
ARVID NYHOLM is a pupil of Anders Zorn, whom he approaches in his
admirable skill in producing likeness in portraiture, without conveying the
photographic impression. After studying for more than two years at
the Academy of Liberal Arts, he placed himself under the masterly instruc-
tion of Zorn. In the fall of 1891 Nyholm came to New York, where he
maintained a studio for twelve years, devoting himself to both portrait and
landscape painting. His work was frequently seen at exhibitions of the
New York Water Color Society and the National Academy of Design.
He has made Chicago his home since 1903. He is a prominent mem-
ber of the Palette and Chisel Club, and has participated in the exhibitions
of the Art Institute, and in all the Swedish-American art exhibits since
1911.
While still in Sweden, Nyholm made a name as a skill ful water color
artist, and today he is a recognized master in that line, while his landscapes
and portraits in oil show a technique of the highest order. Much of the
success attending the displays of Swedish-American art work in Chicago
in recent years is due to the leadership and energetic interest taken by
Nyholm. His father at first intended him for the architect's profession,
and pursuant to that plan sent him to the Royal Technical High School of
XYHOLM PORTRAIT OF HIMSELF.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 2G7
Stockholm, his native city, when he was twenty years old. Probably a
very good architect was lost in him, but this has its compensation in a
painter whose work takes precedence of much that is adjudged admirable in
art circles.
In his portraiture. Nyholm has the knack of accentuating the character
lines and distinguishing features of his subjects instead of obliterating
them, as is often done. This applies equally to the outer and inner man.
His reproduction thus bears the hallmark of authenticity. His John
Ericsson portrait, ordered by the Swedish-American Republican League
of Illinois, for presentation as the gift of the League to the National Gal-
lery at Washington, in 1912, was a noteworthy achievement of this
acknowledged master. His John Ericsson is a man of energy and well-
knit build, though not quite the type of scientific pioneer one commonly
pictures to himself, but rather a somewhat aristocratic gentleman with
fine hands and carefully adjusted tie. Nevertheless, Nyholm seems to
have got very close to the true personality of the great inventor and engi-
neer. For Ericsson's greatest achievements were of the head rather than
of the hands, and a certain disposition to retire into splendid isolation is
known to have been a salient characteristic of the man. "A Family Circle,"
by Nyholm, remarkable for ease and delicacy of composition and group-
ing, was well deserving of the first prize. "An Amateur," showing the
interior of an artist's studio, with the figure of a woman studying a port-
folio of etchings, has been pronounced equally meritorious. The long,
rhythmic lines of the figure and the bold, yet harmonic yellow of the gown,
are marvelously fetching. A long array of portraits by Nyholm have
proved focuses for the public eye in the exhibition series.
One of our foremost landscape painters is ALFRED JANSSON, who
received his first training in Paris, and located in Chicago a few years ago.
He has found a world of beauty in the surroundings of this city, studying
them with diligence and intimate understanding. His subjects are extremely
simple, for instance, a bit of prairie with a few trees. in the foreground,
a sparse grove of oaks with a red barn or a yellow dwelling in the distance,
a hillside with a path winding between rocks and shrubbery, a river bank
with trees and rocks, and the like. He has a predilection for autumn and
winter effects. Take his little canvas, "Winter/' for analysis. A hazy
winter day is waning. Daylight still has the upper hand, but the air is
shading into a yellowish red ; the snow-covered ground reflects the atmos-
pheric glow, but in colder tone. Straight, slender, green-violet trunks
form an exquisite decorative pattern against snow and sky. Here and
there the sear, brown leaves still left on the limbs add warm, light-brown
touches to the screen-like pattern. The touches of his brush are firm and
decided. His colors are pure, but subdued. There is not a trace of impur-
ity in them. In short, there is an air of solemnity about the picture which
at once calms and edifies the spectator. This canvas is now the property
of Professor Thorsen, of Lindsborg, Kan. Jansson's pictures combine a
highly decorative quality with a refined realism in the treatment. His
CULTURAL PROGRESS
269
splendid "Beginning of Fall" was awarded third prize in the 1912 exhibi-
tion, and subsequently purchased by the Swedish Club.
Alfred Jansson came to Chicago in 1889, after having acquired his
artistic education in Stockholm, Christiania and Paris. It was not long
before his fine landscape work commanded attention. For his motifs he
did not go far afield, his canvases mostly depicting scenery from the
regions around Chicago. His work was hung in many exhibitions, not
only here, but in Philadelphia,
St. Louis, Denver and else-
where. In 1902 one of the not-
able pictures in the local ex-
hibition in Chicago was his
"Approach of Winter," which
was purchased by the Clio As-
sociation. Through the Swed-
ish-American exhibitions his
fellow-countrymen have be-
come familiar with some of his
best work.
CHARLES F. HALLBERG has
the rare advantage of pleasing
both the artists and the public
taste. He has the waters under
complete command, and is able
to reproduce them in all their
various moods. He paints rag-
ing storms and towering waves,
and with his brush, as the
magic wand, produces at will
moonlight scenes, sunsets, sun-
rises, gray clays and sparkling
sunlight. His impressions are hurled on the canvas, his brushes are of the
broadest and there is a merciless consumption of pigments. To analyze or
bury oneself in details is not for him. His art is thoroughly subjective, a
. free, personal interpretation of nature. Like Turner, he paints his personal
impressions of nature, not nature per sc. He has the ability to translate
his mariner's dreams of beauty into colors by few strokes and simplicity of
tones a manner evidently in full harmony with his artistic nature. A
poetic, one might say musical, strain is characteristic of Hallberg's art.
He is himself at all times, never attempting to imitate other marine
painters.
Let us attempt a description of some of his most typical marines.
Across a sky in fresh, cold blues and greens a group of reddish-violet
clouds with roseate linings lead a mad race. A strong breeze is blowing,
whipping up the heavier waves to a vain attempt at following the pace of
the aerial competitors. At the sky line a couple of sluggish sails are labor-
CHARLES E. HALLBERG.
SANDZEN "LAKE SHORE IN VESTERGOTLAND."
CULTURAL PROGRESS 271
iously following the race. Or a morning fog, which almost blotted out
the horizon, is slowly giving way to the first rays of the sun. They have not
yet broken through the solid front of the mists, but the sky and the water
is overcast with a reddish haze. Or an early moonrise on the lake. The
air is almost cloudless, the surface calm. A faint yellow moon against a
distance in green and blue. It is hard to say which of Hallberg's paintings
is his best. Now you prefer his "Summer Morning on Lake Michigan" ;
anon his "Clearing After an Atlantic Storm" seems to be first in your favor.
Admittedly, Hallberg is one of the men who blazed the trail for Swedish-
American art in the West, and his position as an artist, at first questioned,
is now secure.
BIRGER SANDZEN, a Kansan, who has added greatly to the public inter-
est in the Chicago exhibitions from year to year, is probably the most
individualistic of Swedish-American painters. A subtle analysis of his
work doubtless the best made so far is found in an essay by Mary E.
Marsh, published in the American-Scandinavian Review. The essence of
this writer's just and intuitive appreciation had better be here given than
any general remarks not based on an equally intimate study of his works :
"The flat, monotonous prairies of the West have generally been con-
sidered ugly and unworthy of artistic expression, while our painters have
sought either the majesty of the mountain and the sea or the soft, appeal-
ing beauty of the eastern states. Yet one American artist, Birger Sandzen
by name, has found a new, strange beauty in the desolate, flat-topped buttes
and distant white-walled river banks, in a lonely grove of cottonwood
trees or an isolated ranch-house, and has expressed the truth of what he has
seen in a personal and straightforward manner.
"It was quite a step from Sweden to Kansas. A transplanted tree does
not strike roots at once. The work of adaptation is slow. For several
years Sandzen painted but little. His work was still inspired by his Euro-
pean experiences, and was of slight value. He was neither a Swede nor
an American. He had not forgotten the Old World, nor did he yet grasp
the New.
"As he continued to live on the plains, however, he began to see a kind
of beauty in the endless sweep of country. The idea that here at his hand
lay a new field for artistic expression began to germinate in his mind.
Instead of looking backward, he began to look forward. His career as an
artist began.
"Sandzen began to solve his problem, namely, to find an adequate per-
sonal technique that would interpret the plains he had begun to love. Ten
years he spent in constant study and experiment. Some of these experi-
ments were failures ; many were very crude, while some were successful.
"His wife and a few of his friends realized the value of the experiments
and could understand the goal toward which he was striving. The rest
looked upon his paintings as the foibles of an otherwise sane and charm-
ing man.
"Gradually, however, the years of work began to bear fruit. Experi-
CULTURAL PROGRESS 273
ments ceased to be only experiments. A friend here and there became
interested, and at last some few discerning persons began to buy. A few
exhibitions opened their doors to him, although his work is even now
comparatively unknown. Yet appreciation is coming. The pioneer days
are almost over, and we may hope that this sincere artist will soon obtain
the recognition he deserves.
"As might be inferred, this artist is an arch-revolutionist against all
formulas and rules, good or bad. To him nature is the only teacher, life
the only school. He believes that each individual must discover or redis-
cover certain truths before these truths can mean anything to him. The
popular method of stealing a trick of handling from one master, a tone
from another, a composition from a third, he abhors.
"The method of working which Sandzen has devised is, like all he
does, the product of his own temperament. In studying a landscape he
makes as many as fifty sketches of it in charcoal or pencil, followed by
studies in color, and the final painting is the very synthesis of the land-
scape, sure, clear, and beautiful.
"Certain moods of nature fascinate this Western painter. There is a
particular hour of twilight often seen on the plains after the sun has set,
when the sky is still full of color, but the earth is beginning to darken. A
moon rises in the east, and the earth fairly quivers in a transparent light
which is neither moonlight nor sunlight, but partakes of both. This mood
is a favorite one of Sandzen's, and he has expressed the beauty of this
hour with considerable poetry.
"Hot sunlight appeals to him, especially when it shines on barren cliffs.
The rock formations of the West often assume strange figures, formations
which resemble castles or ruined temples are common. He likes to draw
these rocks in charcoal and pencil or paint them in sunlight, twilight, or
morning light. He loves lonely pines against sunset skies and stately
groves of trees seen at a distance. The dry, white-walled creek beds of
the plains interest him. Desolate, sun-beaten ranchers' cabins he has
drawn and painted, although nature, with no hint of man's nearness, more
often appeals to him.
"As a painter, teacher, writer, and lecturer, he exercises a powerful
influence on the development of the young national art of the Southwest.
Birger Sandzen should be named with the group of men and women like
Mary Antin, Jane Addams, Joseph Pennell, and Solon Borglum to men-
tion but a few who are trying to free America from outworn traditions
and are looking forward to a new day."
We may add that Birger Sandzen is now a man in the prime of physical
and mental vigor at forty-five. From the provincial college in Skara,
Vestergotland, he went to the University of Lund. At about twenty his
growing desire for art training caused him to go to Stockholm, where he
soon joined the Artists' League (Konstnarsforbundet). In the studios of
Anders Zorn, Richard Bergh and others, his taste for a personal expression
in art was first whetted. After two years he entered the studio of Aman-
CULTURAL PROGRESS 275
Jean of Paris. Here he met many Americans and through them he became
interested in America. Coming here in 1894, he took a teacher's position
in Bethany College, at Lindsborg, Kan., where he remains as teacher and
director of the Art School.
Prof. Sandzen has made two visits to Europe, studying and traveling
in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, also a tour of Old Mexico. He writes
enjoyably on art and other topics, a selection of his best essays and stories,
interspersed with reproductions of his paintings and with pictures from his
travels, having been published under the title, "Med Pensel och Penna."
Prof. OLOF GRAFSTROM, of Rock Island, has grown liberal and modern
in his later works, as shown particularly by his exhibits in 1912, when he
surprised those who may have expected to find him still representing the
old conservative school of landscape painting. Of the three canvases shown
that year his "Autumn" undoubtedly excelled. It showed a hillside with
a wooded foreground, with blue air and white clouds above. The fore-
ground was firmly drawn and fresh in color, with patches of green, red and
yellow.
Professor Grafstrom, head of the art department of Augustana Col-
lege, has done much as a teacher and painter to develop the art instinct of
the Swedish-American public. In North Central Sweden, his birthplace, he
imbibed with the very atmosphere his great love for the Northland, whose
scenic beauty he never tires of reproducing on canvas. He studied at the
Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, where he worked side by side with
Zorn, Liljefors, Berg and Tiren. He made extended tours for landscape
sketching in North Sweden. One of his canvases painted there was pur-
chased by King Oscar II. In 1886 Grafstrom came to America, locating
in Portland, Oregon. The magnificent sceneries of the far Northwest were
finely reproduced by him in many pictures now found in public buildings
and private collections on the Coast. He showed a number of landscapes
in Portland and Spokane exhibitions, a scene from Lapland capturing a
silver medal. In recent years Grafstrom has devoted most of his time to
teaching and to the painting of altar pieces for Swedish- American churches.
At twenty years of age HUGO VON HOFSTEN came to the United States
equipped with an art education acquired in the art schools and studios of
Stockholm. Here he began as illustrator on the New York Graphic and
other periodicals. Coming to Chicago in 1893, he was similarly employed
on the Chicago dailies and their Sunday editions in particular.
Mr. Hofsten made a specialty of portrait drawing, an art soon after
supplanted by the half-tone. Aside from the routine work in the illus-
trating department of the daily newspaper, he devoted himself to legitimate
art, as exemplified in his wash drawings and oils, exhibited at various local
exhibitions. He has been successful as a book illustrator, his pictures
drawn for the "Mother Goose Jungle Book" published some years back-
exhibiting a sense of humor as keen in the artist as in the author of the
book. A number of his works have been seen in the Swedish-American
art exhibits in Chicago.
TANSSON "COUNTRY HOME."
CULTURAL PROGRESS 277
Hugo von Hofsten comes from a Swedish family raised to the nobility
in 1726. He was born in 1865, in Vermland, where his father was a man-
ufacturer at Karlskoga. Many of the family attained positions of honor
in the state, others became prominent in commerce and the industries, still
others became known through literary pursuits. Among the latter is J. C.
von Hofsten, an authoress who enriched the literature of Sweden with
many delightful sketches and stories of life in the province of Vermland.
CHARLES HAAG, the sculptor, has lived and worked in Chicago long
enough for us to claim him as a home artist. During several years of resi-
dence at Winnetka he has been highly productive and entered with keen
interest in the movement here begun in recent years to make known and
popularize the work of Swedish-American artists.
Haag came to this country some thirteen years ago, after having
studied the sculptural art in Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland, also
having been actively engaged as a producing artist, and a teacher of art
at Zurich. Thence he came to this country, spending the first six years
in New York and other eastern cities. His works attracted notice and
elicited much favorable comment wherever exhibited. Born and reared
in poverty, Haag deals feelingly with the problem of depicting in plastic
form the life of the lowly, the toiler, the man under the burden.
He was the first Swedish sculptor to have his work accepted at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. A work of his entitled
"Accord" was shown there in 1906 and subsequently purchased for the
permanent collections of that institution. A replica was shown in Chicago
at the first Swedish exhibition in 1911. Other works by him seen here
are : "Emigrants," "The Universal Mother," purchased by Mr. Stickney,
publisher of The Craftsman, and "Effort," awarded first prize in 1911. A
large number of smaller works by him, which grace his studio, have never
been placed on exhibition in Chicago.
In April, 1916, Haag exhibited jointly with Charles P. Gruppe, the
painter, at the gallery of the Milwaukee Art Society. At that time Dudley
Crafts Watson, the director, wrote with evident appreciation of "some
na'ive and wholly individual works of sculpture of American creatioi,
which come by the way of the traditions of the Norsemen" the particular
Norseman being Charles Haag. We quote his words from the Milwaukee
Free Press:
"The presence also of Charles Haag, of Silvermine, Conn., who was
born at Norrkoping, Sweden, and who has with him the joyous collection
of wood carvings and bronzes, which he has done with a big sculptural
spirit, has lent much to his exhibit.
"However, no personal presence, or outside human interest, can add
much to the art which is contained in every statuette shown. Somehow,
we prefer the wood carvings, although the bronzes are magnificent to a
universal degree. There is something thrilling, something inexplainable,
in the genius of every bit that he has done. The limb of a human tree has
been taken and tenderly brought to life in a beautiful reincarnation. It
HAAG "EMIGRANTS."
CULTURAL PROGRESS 279
still remains the limb of a tree, its sap cells, its tissue, its upward reaching,
its very life has been the material through which the new life is expressed.
"A sad, crushed old woman ; a weather-beaten, ancient man ; a woods-
man, in search of himself, a pioneer's face speak eloquently from the brown
wood of bygone trees, which have been chiselled and carved by a master
woodsman. The joy of touching these things, of feeling their life in one's
hands, glorifies, not only the artist and the tree, but the art of man and
the life of those who toil.
''These wood carvings are not all profoundly serious ; there are some
which are unbelievably funny, full of delicious humor, that only well done
EDSTROM "CLOUDS."
grotesque caricatures can ever convey. I am not sure, but I like these
grotesques the most, they add much to the fun of living.
"In bronze, Charles Haag, this giant sculptor, who is but five feet tall,
with a pair of laughing blue eyes, a finely chiselled nose and a delightful
red beard, with a bountiful waist line, a radiant humor and a childlike
joy in all things of life, is always profoundly serious. His relief, 'For-
gotten,' sends a shudder of loneliness over one ; 'The Emigrants,' mighty
moving mass of clay, bearing their load onward to the making of this
America; his 'Hayman,' lifting the great load over his shoulders, are
typical examples.
"It is interesting to note the contrast in feeling between the wood and
bronze. The bronze is heavy, metallic, of the earth; the lines are solid,
realistic, deeply emotional. In wood the carving is light, the lines are
tender, but never soft, and the surfaces are left directly the intention is
suggested. Everyone in our midst who is interested in sculpture, should
not fail to spend hours with these beautiful things. It is seldom that we
have seen such eloquence in such small dimensions. It proves again that
GUSTAFSON "EXCELSIOR."
CULTURAL PROGRESS 281
priceless things may come in small parcels, and nat the bigness of a work
of art does not depend upon its size."
DAVID EDSTROM, the Swedish- American sculptor, whom European art
critics have taken the trouble to discuss from all points of view, is less
known in America than abroad, and he has not shown enough of his work in
exhibits here to give Chicagoans an adequate conception of his talent. Two
pieces of his sculpture were sent one year, but with the reservation that
they were not entered in any contest for awards, Edstrom, with other
non-academic artists, being opposed to such artificial verdicts upon art.
Lkit if we have not seen much of Edstrom here in the past, that oppor-
tunity may come any time, hence, a review in this connection may serve to
cast his shadow before and a shadow, too, that looms large from the
intense light thrown upon him from across the water.
Of Edstrom, John Hertz, the Swedish author, says :
''The battle between different tendencies in art and the changeableness
of a sensitive artist's nature with varying sympathies, can be read clearly
in any of his works. Hellenic purity of form with Egyptian line-style
seems to him as important at times as models are at other times. At certain
stages of his development it has been necessary to fly to a summary realism,
at another time he finds expression in an art of merely suggested contours.
David Edstrom brings forth the objective less than the subjective
truths, except in some of his portraits. His art is to throw a veil over his
objects, to wrap them in a magic mantle which reveals a mysterious form
beneath. He is the subjectively seeing thinker who sees beneath the sur-
face and seeks the motive, the will, the mighty power beneath the obvious
and superficially tangible, but when the hidden refuses to be unveiled he
constructs his own solution and creates new values where the world has
been habituated to conventional ideas. This artist thinks plastically, even
when the modeling is made secondary to the power of freedom, of con-
ception. Therefore, many of his works carry conviction because of their
inner compellingness rather than because of their outward form. * * *
Conventional conceptions have little place in Edstrom's art."
Dr. Axel Romdahl, director of the Gothenburg Museum, and author
of "History of Swedish Art," sums up Edstrom's art in these categorical
words : "Both sense of style and deepened observation bring Edstrom's
ideals nearer and nearer to what is and will be the Alpha and Omega of
sculpture the antique. Occasionally one might take one of Edstrom's
heads for some unearthed antique fragment, not because of any, however
unconscious, imitation in form, but because of the affinity of feeling.
Especially these pieces of work give us the promise of a monumental sculp-
tor of the highest rank." A German critic, Georg Hartmann, has this to
say : "Edstrom is a sculptor of the purest idealism and the kind of man
who would devote himself to a cause for which he would be willing to
sacrifice his life. Everything he does gives evidence of intense personal
analysis. Edstrom, as an artist, goes beyond pure impressionism. One
mav mention him in the same breath with Rodin, but one must not call
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CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE. APARTMENTS DESIGNED BY ANDREW SANDEGREN.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 283
him a pupil. He stands, so to speak, between Rodin, Meunier and Van der
Stappen. Occasionally one is reminded of the Italian Medardo Rosso, for
example, in the charming head of a child. With a technique like this, Rosso
seeks to express life, and yet Rosso and Edstrom are two different natures.
Edstrom is much deeper, more imaginative and passionate. * * * As
he himself says, he seeks to express in his 'Rhapsody' how organic life rises
toward the sun. The figure is intended for a park, where the light falling
through the leaves may play on the upturned face. He says, "I have con-
structed the lines just as a poet constructs the metre in his poems, to express
the thought of aspiration, the soul of the flower which forces its way
through the hard soil, pouring forth its fragrance as a holy sacrifice to life.
* * * Wherever he is, he shows himself to be an artist with new ideas
and new impulses. Even when we do not like to follow the
flight of his thought, he compels respect because he is one who has some-
thing to say* * * ."
Writing in the London Obscrrcr, P. G. Connody essayed to define
Edstrom in this paragraph :
"After the barrenness of the two sculpture rooms at the Royal Acad-
emy, it is a delightful experience to stroll into the little Patterson Gallery
in Old Bond Street, and to spend an hour or so among the fascinating crea-
tions of a sculptor who not only has something to say that is worth saying,
but who also expresses himself in a language as forcible as it is personal.
Mr. David Edstrom is Swedish by birth, American by bringing up, and cos-
mopolitan in his art. He studied art at Stockholm, Florence, and Paris,
but, to judge from the examples of his work now shown, he owes little or
nothing to any particular master or modern school. He has assimilated the
teaching of the ages, of the great periods of glyptic art, following invariably
the spirit rather than the letter, and adopting this spirit to his very individ-
ual conceptions.
"In the course of his artistic evolution he has taken hints from the
primitive Egyptians, the Greeks, and Romans, and Gothic stone-carvers,
the Renaissance masters, and the modern impressionists, but he has never
been an imitator of the superficial appearance of the work of different
periods. The treatment of the material always remains his own. He seems
to have a sort of contempt for surface quality, and depends entirely upon
the point of view of construction. He is ever searching in his portraiture
for expressive angles which enable him to seize the psychological sig-
nificance of each head. It is the accentuation of these angles that make his
busts so strangely interesting. I do not know whether he has been par-
ticularly fortunate in finding sitters of pronounced individuality and intel-
lectuality, but it seems to me more likely that the psychological acuteness
of these portrait busts, most of which are of a colossal scale and left in a
somewhat rough and uncouth state, owes more to the artist than to the
sitters. Each head gives not only a convincing impression of the most char-
acteristic aspect of the model, but represents, at the same time, in a boldly
synthetized form some particular general type of humanity."
f W 9 W wm
* lira 1 1 1 1
CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE. THE GAS BUILDING, ERECTED BY ANDREW
LANOUIST.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 285
Another English writer, Haldane MacFall, author of "History of
Art," etc., has given this estimate :
"The American-Swede, David Edstrom, is creating so fine a move-
ment in the art of the North that it is impossible, nay imprudent, to ignore
him. His career reads like a romance, and out of that astounding career
has evolved a personality and a vigorous soul such as was bound to utter
itself in rare fashion and compelling art if the desire for utterance came to
him. * * * .
"Above all, the small clay sketches reveal a man gifted with powers
extraordinarily trained to design large sculptural schemes for the decora-
tion of great spaces. There is a bigness and simplicity in the man's vision ;
an intensity of feeling and impressionism that have scant concern with the
academic and cold tradition."
One American critic, at least, has discovered Edstrom, Christian
Brinton, author of "Impressions of the Art at the Panama-Pacific Exposi-
tion," who remarks :
"In the Swedish section the powerful and broadly monumental con-
ceptions of David Edstrom dominated all others. Most modern sculpture
is fictile, that of Edstrom is glyptic. He gets his effects from the hardest
granite, not the ready tractability of clay."
Some of the works of this artist we find described thus :
"Idealism, a self-conscious battle against an earth-bound naturalism,
the redemption of the promise, finds expression in the fantastic allegories
of 'Envy,' 'Fear/ and 'Pride,' as well as in the symbolic compositions,
'Clouds' and 'The Cliff' ; in 'Rhapsody,' his free-giving exaltation in praise
of light. If the tangible expressions of the lower propensities are interest-
ing in their delineation of the toil of achieving purer heights, 'Clouds' and
'The Cliff' witness still more to the stern conviction of their original creator.
Full of dreamy motion, whole and compact as composition, 'The Clouds'
give with dreamy sweet poetry the contours of two lovers in airy flight
toward distant harmonious spheres. In a rare way he gives his massive ma-
terial a soul of movement. Such a head as 'Doctor Oppenheimer,' is stone
lit up with spirit ; extraordinarily his dead material seems to flicker up
with indwelling life ; looking so you would swear that they had just moved,
almost imperceptibly, and had again composed themselves to immobility.
Such works as are best in the exhibition are not produced unless one is very
much of a genius, said a Gothenburg critic, after studying Edstrom's por-
trait busts of Baron Beck-Fries, Countess von Trolle and others. One
must go a long way to find such excellent portrait busts as those of Fran-
cisco D'Andrade, Frederik van Eeden, Dr. Franz Oppenheimer, his Excel-
lency Erik von Trolle, and others. He is a splendid psychologist. His
'Old Italian Soldier' is a masterpiece."
Carl Larson and David Edstrom exhibited together at Amsterdam,
and the Dutch papers contained columns of enthusiastic praise. "It is
difficult to judge which of the two artists had the greater success. Both
sold works at high prices," commented the Allehanda of Stockholm.
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35
CULTURAL PROGRESS
287
Edstrom has exhibited successfully in London, Paris, Florence,
Vienna, Munich, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Gothenburg. He was born
in Smaland, bred in Iowa, and his art studies he pursued in Stockholm,
Paris and Florence. He is the only non-member who has entered sculpture
in the exhibitions of Konstnarsforbundet of Stockholm.
AGNES VALBORG FROM EN, of Chicago, is the only Swedish woman
sculptor in the United States. She came here from Australia in 1905,
on her way to Paris for study,
and concluded to stay. She en-
tered the sculpture classes at the
Art Institute, and after three
years her work was on display
in the exhibition rooms. Soon
after, she was honored with an
invitation to join the artists in
Lorado Taft's studios, on the
Midway, where she is working
under his direction in the pro-
duction of sculptural works for
municipal ornamentation on a
grand scale.
Besides regular contributions
to the exhibitions at the Art In-
stitute, Miss Fromen's work has
been displayed at the Panama-
Pacific Exposition, and two ex-
amples are now in the traveling
exhibition of the National Sculp-
ture Society. Her "Spring
Fountain," a permanent feature,
in marble, at the Institute, won
the 1912 Municipal League
prize. Twice her compositions
have received first prize at the
annual art exhibit of the Swed-
ish Club. An excellent speci-
men of her graceful modeling is her small bronze statuette labeled sim-
ply "A Dancing Figure."
Miss Fromen is enthusiastic in furthering American appreciation of
Scandinavian art, and aided in promoting the success of the recent Scan-
dinavian and Swedish circuit exhibitions in Chicago. Her favorite sub-
jects are ideal studies and sculptural portraiture.
From Valdemarsvik, Sweden, her place of birth, Miss Fromen went
to Australia, then to Paris to study designing, and back to Australia.
Almost by accident she turned her talent to sculptural work after matricu-
lating at the Chicago Art Institute.
FROMEN "DANCING FIGURE."
Ill III III II!
CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE. TWENTIETH CENTURY BUILDING,
ERECTED BY HENRY ERICSSON.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
289
AXEL ELIAS OLSSON is one of the few Swedish-Americans who have
made a success at the sculptor's art. He prepared at the Academy of
Liberal Arts in Stockholm, and worked as a carver and modeler until 1881.
when he decided to try his fortunes abroad. He located in Boston, where
he was engaged until coming to Chicago shortly before the World's Fair.
Here he worked for months on models for the Machinery Hall, the Live
AXEL ELIAS OLSSON.
Stock Building entrance, and for the great obelisk at the exposition, and
in 1892 spent the summer on the exposition grounds reproducing his models
full size.
Among the places where Olsson's plastic work may be seen are : the
U. S. postoffice, Del Puento, Colo. ; Normal School, DeKalb ; court house,
Fort Wayne, Ind. ; Edison Electric Building, Chicago ; State Historical
Library, Madison, Wis. ; Carnegie Library, Muncie, Ind. Examples of his
decorative art work while in the East are found in the interior plastic
decorations of The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt's villa at Newport. Two
of his reliefs, "Spring" and "Autumn," were exhibited and sold in Boston.
These and other work in high relief show a certain delicate refinement
THE LINNE MONUMENT IN LINCOLN PARK.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 291
and daintiness in his handling of the human figure which betray a pro-
nounced poetic instinct. He is the romantic poet of the modeling board
and the marble block, chiseling lines and forms comparable to the subtlest
beauties created by the pen. His "Football Scrimmage," to be seen in the
Chicago Athletic Club, strikes one as almost too idealistic a presentment
of that virile and roughshod sport.
In 1903 Olsson completed a marble group in high relief, representing
"Psyche and the Zephyrs," also a statuette, "The Whisper." Both were
received with public appreciation when placed on exhibition at the Art
Institute. The Psyche group had a place in the art hall of the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, while "The Whisper" adorned the art
room of the Swedish Building.
An art critic writing on the conception and production of the Psyche
bas relief concludes with the statement that it was undoubtedly one of the
sculptural attractions of the exposition, adding : "How could it be
otherwise? Note the wonderful beauty of form and the energy displayed
by the Zephyrs, or Cupids, as others might term them, while the figure of
Psyche herself and the suggestion of air amid the bit of drapery is superb.
Mr. Olsson has the true art temperament, creating his own art atmosphere,
rather than seeking for it elsewhere."
"The Whisper" is a delicately modeled creation, extremely refined,
showing the little love god whispering his message in the ear of the young
maiden, whose figure, slightly draped and exquisitely posed, presents a fine
conception of virgin beauty and modesty.
CARL JOHAN NILSSON studied in the private studio of the Swedish
sculptor Oscar Berg and later at the Academy of Liberal Arts in Stock-
holm, under the tutorship of the noted Johan Borjeson. In 1899 ne se ^ ut
for the United States to exhibit here a Biblical Gallery, comprising sixteen
groups of statuary depicting incidents in the life of Christ, these works
having been shown at the Stockholm Exposition in 1897. In 1905 Nilsson
located in Chicago as modeler in a terra cotta plant. Since that time he
has been prolific in the execution of decorative groups and bas reliefs for
architectural ornamentation. He designed the group "Justice, Law and
Bondage" for the courthouse in Greensburg, Pa. He has exhibited busts
of August Strindberg, Oscar II. and of Dr. J. A. Enander at art exhibits
in this city, one or two winning prizes.
While in Sweden, Nilsson executed a number of portrait busts and
groups for the Panoptikon in Stockholm, plastic and sculptural work for
the Northern Museum, the Royal Armory, the Royal Artillery Museum,
the Gothenburg Museum and for other public institutions. For two years
he was assistant to Borjeson in modeling the monumental statues of
Charles X. and Magnus Stenbock for the cities of Malmo and
Helsingborg, respectively. For the Russian war department Nilsson de-
signed a collection of plastic figures which were part of the Russian exhibit
at Paris in 1900. -Probably impelled by circumstances, Nilsson has turned
his artistic talent mostly to purely commercial uses.
292 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
RESUME OF EXHIBITIONS.
The results of the fine art exhibitions heretofore given at the Swed-
ish Club are enheartening. They have brought out a large number of
Swedish artists able to qualify for the exhibitions. The list of twenty-
seven exhibitors in 1911 included no less than sixteen names of artists
living permanently in Illinois, or who have spent some years here. The
next year there were eleven new participants, seven of whom were
Chicagoans. Three Chicago artists and two outsiders entered the exhibi-
tion in 1913. Two years later there were five new artists represented,
all of Chicago. The most notable new acquisition was FRANK GUSTAF-
SON, a man of mature years, who suddenly evinced sculptural talent of a
character to command respect. His "Resting Athlete" and "Excelsior"
elicited comment and admiration. The 1916 catalogue of exhibits pre-
sented nine new names, seven of Swedish artists in Chicago. The most
notable new participant was David Edstrcm, now of Sewanee, Tenn.,
who unfortunately did not have any of his most representative work to
send.
The works of no less than fifty-seven artists fifty painters and
seven sculptors have been brought to public notice through the good
offices of the Swedish Club of Chicago. The fact that something like
forty of these artists are exponents of Swedish-American art in Illinois
and the middle \Yest is gratifying and significant.
THE LINNE MONUMENT.
The most notable example of Swedish art in Chicago is the Linne
monument in Lincoln Park. This magnificent memorial to the world-
renowned "Flower King'' of the North, was reared by the Swedes of Chi-
cago with funds solicited here and in other populous Swedish centers
through the efforts of a temporary organization known as the Linne Mon-
ument Association.
The idea, after having been discussed for some time, took definite
shape in June, 1887, when the association was formed and the work of
gathering the required funds was started. At the initial meeting Charles
J. Sundell presided, and the principal promoters were John A. Enander,
the first permanent president; Robert Lindblom, Pehr S. Peterson, Olof
Gottfrid Lange, P. M. Almini, Andrew Chaiser, Per. W. Nilsson, Law-
rence Hesselroth, H. P. Brusewitz, Charles Eklund, C. Widestrand, and
John R. Lindgren.
The enterprise was of national scope, and no less than five hundred
solicitors were appointed all over the United States. Differences of opinion
as to the location of the monument soon arose, New York and Minneapolis
bidding for it, and when the Chicagoans refused to yield, after having
originated the idea and taken active measures towards its realization, their
countrymen in many sections withdrew their aid, leaving the task of
realization chiefly to the people in Chicago.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 293
The proposed monument was to be a replica of the statue of Linne
modeled by Dyfverman and erected in Humlegarden, Stockholm. In
November, 1888, the order was placed, amounting to 28,000 crowns, with
the elimination of the allegorical figures surrounding the main figure.
Later, however, it was decided to reproduce the monument in its original
form, whereby an additional expense of 34,000 crowns was incurred,
making the total cost 62,000, exclusive of the base and pedestal.
The means were eventually raised, in part by the publication of a
volume of verse suitably entitled "Linnea," to which the Swedish Chicago
writers contributed, including J. A. Enander, C. F. Peterson, Jakob
Bonggren and Ernst Lindblom.
Before the necessary funds had been collected, the heroic bronze figure
was mounted on its gray granite pedestal, and on May 23, 1891, the i8-j.th
anniversary of the birth of Carl von Linne, the monument was unveiled
with imposing ceremonies in the presence of a great concourse of Swedish-
Americans of Chicago and elsewhere.
The association continued to solicit funds up to July, 1893, when the
total had reached $18,970, or a little more than 70,000 crowns. By elimi-
nating; the bronze tablets on the original, it seems that the total cost of the
monument was brought within that limit.
Presidents Enander and Lindblom of the monument association re-
signed in turn and to Andrew Chaiser, as acting president, seems to be due
the credit for the completion of the required fund.
ARCHITECTURE.
The artistic tone in modern Chicago architecture is very largely due
to the skill and good taste of Swedish architects. Many of Chicago's hand-
somest apartment buildings were designed by ANDREW SANDEGREN, who
opened an architect's office in this city in 1893. His work is of the highest
grade, as exemplified also in public buildings, such as churches, hotels,
hospitals, schools and institutional buildings. Mr. Sandegren is a native
of the Swedish city of Halmstad.
The Ralph C. Otis apartment building, erected at Fullerton Park-
way and Lincoln Park, is a fine specimen of the builder's art, designed
by Mr. Sandegren ; as is also the apartment building designed by him for
Mr. Francis A. Larson and erected by Mr. Strandberg.
A progressive young architect is ARTHUR HUSSANDER, whose ability-
is shown in the monumental lines of the new Robert Lindblom high
school. The work of these men and many of their fellow countrymen in
the same line means much to the city of Chicago in the way of making
its exterior aspect attractive, and the interiors of its collective homes
known as apartments comfortable and pleasant to live in.
The massive and attractive structure named the Gas Build-
ing, is probably as fine an example of the combination of the useful
with the beautiful in modern business blocks as any to be seen in Chi-
cago. The rearing of this imposing pile was the work of ANDREW LAN-
HENRY ERICSSON.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 295
QUIST, of the Landquist & Illsley Company. This is but one of a number
of the largest and most representative buildings in the down-town district
erected by them. Mr. Landquist is said to be one of the largest building
contractors in the United States, and there is no limit to the size of con-
tract that he is willing to undertake.
HENRY ERICSSON is one of the men who have aspired to the ideal
of not only a greater, but a higher Chicago. He was a pioneer in the era
of sky-scrapers. The Manhattan Building of sixteen stories, erected
by him in 1891, was the second building of great height to go up in Chi-
cago the Masonic Temple being the first. In the construction of large
buildings he was one of the leaders for years the Monon, the Harvester
and the Borland blocks being among the early examples of this Swedish
builder's skill. Others are the Chicago Musical College, the two Mc-
Clurg blocks, the Railway Terminal and the Pugh Terminal ware-
houses, the latter being the largest in Chicago in point of area. Thirty-
seven of Chicago's school buildings have been built by Ericsson, and the
great City Hall Square and Conway buildings are his architectural
achievements.
Among Swedish Chicagoans who are conducting building operations
on a large scale we find ERIC PETER STRANDBERG. He started in business
as a building contractor at Joliet in 1885, three years after coming to
America, and soon after established himself in Chicago. Among his earlier
work were such structures as the Chicago Orphans' Asylum, Reed Memo-
rial Library and Chapel, Smith Hall at Lake Forest University, a number
of large railway stations, and splendid residences for Simon Mandel, Fred
T. Haskel, Noble B. Judah, Wm. Dickinson and Mrs. Wm. Hoyt. In 1902
Mr. Strandberg's business was incorporated as the E. P. Strandberg
Company. Since then this concern has erected a great number of the
largest and finest new buildings in Chicago and vicinity.
Some of Mr. Strandberg's best recent work in construction is evi-
denced in the magnificent private homes of W. V. Kelley, Clyde M. Carr
and J. E. Ryerson in Lake Forest, and that of Adolph Lichtenstern in
Glencoe. The complex of new buildings for the Wartburg Seminary at
Dubuque, Iowa, is as interesting a piece of architecture as any he has
done.
A close competitor with the master builders just named is C. E.
CARSON, who has erected many of the modern public school buildings
in Chicago, and has other large accomplishments to his credit. Several
of the Northwestern University buildings are his work, as also the Sec-
ond Regiment Armory in Chicago, and the new County Court House in
Rockford.
Another Swedish specialist in residence building is CHARLES BO-
STROM, the present building commissioner of Chicago.
Swedish builders in Chicago might be named by the score. Those
who have shown more than common ability and enterprise, both as con-
tractors and as private builders, are John E. Ericsson, connected with the
296 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Lanquist firm, Frank Gustafson, August West, Charles T. Green, Alvin
Nelson, arid many others.
ANDREW E. NORMAN has erected a number of public and private
buildings, notably churches. The Ebenezer church, the first of a number
of very fine modern Swedish Lutheran churches in Chicago, was built
by him, as was the plainer structure known as the Viking Temple.
The veteran of Swedish architects and builders in Illinois was LARS
GUSTAF HALLBERG (1844-1916). Coming here shortly after the Chicago
fire, he became one of the men who built the city literally from the
ground up. Hallberg was among the first to introduce concrete construc-
tion here. He died Jan. 4, 1916, after having been engaged in business
here for almost forty-five years.
COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ENTERPRISES.
BANK OF CHICAGO. The history of the State Bank of Chi-
cago is an honorable record of uniform and unimpeded gro\vth, due in
the first place to the sagacity and conservatism of the two men who
founded and continued to manage this commercial institution as long as
they lived.
On December 8, 1879, m modest quarters at 57-59 La Salle street,
the firm of Haugan and Lindgren, bankers, first opened its doors. The
partners H. A. Haugan, a native of Norway, aged thirty-two, and
John R. Lindgren, a Swedish Chicagoan born and bred, aged twenty-
four, were known in their circle of friends and acquaintances as busi-
ness men of ability and promise. They were impressed with the idea
of the opportunities for a well-managed bank which would enjoy the
patronage of the ever-increasing Scandinavian element in Chicago and
vicinity. On this foundation they hoped in time to establish an institu-
tion large and strong enough to attract the deposits of other nationalities
as well.
The anticipated business with Scandinavian residents was at first
slow in coming, the disastrous ending of two former Scandinavian banks
being still fresh in mind. Gradually, however, the substantial character
of the new institution inspired confidence, so that at the end of the first
year's business the deposits were $33,860 and at the close of the second
year $66,597. The venture was proving a success.
In 1884, Mr. H. G. Haugan, of Milwaukee, land commissioner
of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway, was admitted to part-
nership, and the capital stock was increased to $100,000. The total de-
posits had grown to $346,551 in 1887. Gradually the institution was
acquiring additional business among non-Scandinavians, while extend-
ing its clientage among the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish people.
Haugan and Lindgren saw their business expand until, in 1890, theirs
was one of the foremost private banks in the city. A statement issued
January 2, 1891, showed deposits of $831,747, total assets of $1,034,541
and a cash capital of $200,000.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 297
At this time the members of the firm were occupied with the plan
of enlarging the scope of the business and placing it on a more enduring
basis by forming a corporation to succeed the firm of Haugan and
Lindgren. Their original purpose was to organize "The Northern Na-
tional Bank," and in the summer of 1890 this plan had proceeded so
far that part of the proposed bank's stationery had been printed and
delivered. The advantages of a state charter to an institution doing
business as a savings bank, however, became so apparent to the members
of the firm that the idea of a national bank was abandoned and in its place
the State Bank of Chicago was organized and duly chartered early in
1891, with a capital stock of half a million dollars fully paid up. Thus
the banking firm of Haugan and Lindgren, after an honorable career of
more than eleven years, transferred its business to its successor, the
present institution. Among the Scandinavians chiefly interested with
H. A. Haugan, John R. Lindgren and H. G. Haugan in forming the
State Bank of Chicago were : C. Jevne, grocer ; P. S. Peterson, nursery-
man ; Theodore Freeman, grocer, and A. P. Johnson, president of the
Johnson Chair Company. Among the eleven members of the first board
of directors were elected Theodore Freeman, H. A. Haugan, A. P. John-
son, John R. Lindgren and P. S. Peterson. At their first meeting the
directors elected H. A. Haugan president, John H. Dwight vice president
and John R. Lindgren cashier. The executive management rested with
Messrs. Haugan and Lindgren. Among stockholders not in the board of
directors were the following: William Anderson, Axel Chytraus, Nels
Johnson, John Mountain and Peter Svanoe.
During the panic of 1893 the State Bank of Chicago weathered
the storm bravely and withstood a run on it lasting several days by paying
out in a constant stream several hundred thousand dollars in gold coin.
The crisis had in no wise affected the solvency of the institution.
The more auspicious times inaugurated early in 1897 gave the State
Bank of Chicago a second impetus to growth. At this time it moved into
its present quarters in the Chamber of Commerce Building.
In November, 1899, the capital stock was increased from $500,000
to $1,000,000, the old stockholders being privileged to subscribe for an
amount of stock equal to their holdings. At the same time a dividend
of 40 per cent, or $200,000, was ordered paid from the surplus account.
The deposits had grown from $2,261,381 on Feb. 13, 1897, to $4,696,-
403, a net increase of $2,435,022, or 108 per cent. Dividends at the rate
of 6 per cent per annum had been continuously paid since the incorpora-
tion in 1891, an aggregate of $270,000, making with this extra dividend
of 40 per cent a total of $470,000 paid to stockholders under the old
capitalization of $500,000. During the years 1900-1904 dividends were
continued at the same rate on the new capitalization of one million. These
dividends, aggregating $300,000, added to former dividends paid, make
a grand total of $770,000 paid to shareholders since Feb. 10, 1891. To-
these earnings should be added the surplus and undivided profits on hand,
JOHN R. L1NDGREN.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
299
which on Dec. 4, 1904, were $556,000. This, added to $770,000 in divi-
dends distributed, showed the net earnings of the bank since its incorpo-
ration to be $1,326,000.
In January, 1894, the State Bank of Chicago qualified under the
laws of Illinois to act as a trust company, and deposited with the State
Auditor at Springfield $200,000 as a guaranty fund.
Ever since the bank was established it has conducted a real estate
loan department.
STATE BANK OF CHICAGO. INTERIOR OF THE COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT.
Another branch of the bank is its foreign department, through which
it has connections with hundreds of foreign cities, drawing drafts on
them and issuing letters of credit for travelers, a branch developed largely
by the fact that the bank's clientage embraces a large number of foreign-
born citizens. The development of the export and import business also
has created an increased demand for foreign exchange facilities.
In April, 1898, the bank inaugurated its bond department, at a time
when but one or two Chicago banks had taken up this branch of banking,
which has since become a recognized department of so many other bank-
ing houses. Shortly after the establishment of the bond department the
United States government floated its Spanish War loan of $200,000,000,
and in placing these bonds with the public the bank took an active part.
In 1900 it was the western agent in this country for the 2,000,000
Swedish government loan, the bank negotiating for its participation in
HENRY S. HENSCHEN.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 301
the loan through its bond department manager, who went to Stockholm
at the time.
Messrs. Haugan and Lindgren founded the Bank of Galesburg in
1889, together with Philip N. Granville, who has held the office of cashier
of that institution ever since.
On June 12, 1902, the State Bank of Chicago became a member of
the Chicago Clearing House, an association of the city's leading banking
houses for mutual protection in times of financial stress and for con-
serving the common interests of these institutions.
A statement published in December, 1902, showed deposits of $10,-
092,557. Three years later they exceeded $15,000,000. In June, 1909,
the figures were $20,105,724; in September, 1911, $25,287,447, and ac-
cording to the published statement of January, 1917, the deposits reached
the enormous figure $32,000,000.
In 1909 the capital was increased to $1,500,000, and today the sur-
plus and profits amount to $3,660,000. Dividends have been paid at a rate
which has steadily increased since 1905, being then raised from 6 per cent
to 8 per cent, two years later to 10 per cent, in another year to 12 per cent
and in July, 1915, to 16 per cent.
Death has recently removed the two founders of the bank, and one
of its directors for many years, Mr. Theodore Freeman. At present
five of the ten directors are Scandinavians, among these two Swedish
businessmen of prominence in other fields, Andrew Lanquist, of the
Lanquist & Illsley Company, and William A. Peterson, proprietor of
the Peterson Nursery, formerly known as the Rose Hill. Henry S.
Henschen is cashier, and one of the assistant cashiers is C. Edward
Carlson, while Henry A. Haugan has succeeded to the vice presidency.
Among the one hundred and fifty stockholders of the bank a num-
ber of the twenty-five bearing Scandinavian names hold large blocks of
shares, and the institution continues to be very largely Swedish and
Norwegian in its constituency.
JOHN R. LINDGREN, BANKER AND PHILANTHROPIST. A worthy son
of a noble sire these words best describe John Richard Lindgren, the
Swedish partner in the Scandinavian banking firm on whose enterprise
the State Bank of Chicago was founded. His father, Captain Charles
M. Lindgren, was a ship-owner, whose benevolences did much to estab-
lish the Swedish Methodist Church in Chicago. Born in this city Feb.
20, 1855, the son was educated in the grammar and high school and entered
business life as an insurance and vessel agent. Upon his father's death,
in 1879, he abandoned the shipping business to engage in that of bank-
ing, in which he was highly successful. In 1892 he was appointed
consul of Sweden and Norway, and was consul for Sweden only from
1905 until his death, April 29, 1915.
He was one of the founders of the old people's retreat of the Swedish
M. E. Church, known as Bethany Home, an institution to which he
donated $20,000 at the time it was founded.
302 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
In his latter years he extended his generosity to the promotion of
causes other than those of his church. With the Northwestern Univer-
sity he deposited the sum of $25,000 as a foundation for the promotion
of universal peace. About the same time the chair of Scandinavian
languages and literatures was established at the same university, after
Mr. Lindgren had made financial provision for its maintenance in
an equal amount.
Mr. Lindgren was a man of simple habits and modest, unassuming
ways. His home in Evanston was like the average comfortable home.
He had a marked predilection for music, and served at different periods
as president of the Evanston Musical Club and the Apollo Club of Chi-
cago and as trustee of the Theodore Thomas Orchestra. Despite his
many large and varied donations, benevolences and charities, he left at
his death an estate of $1,200,000, the accumulations of a fair-sized in-
heritance well handled during a banking career of thirty-five years.
In his will Mr. Lindgren made ample provision for his family and
remembered a number of relatives with handsome bequests. But the
institutions favored by him in his lifetime were not forgotten. When
the estate shall have been settled, there will be added to his list of
benevolences gifts which may be given in tentative figures as follows :
Bethany Home, $30,000 ; Young Men's Christian Association of Evans-
ton, $10,000; Swedish Theological Seminary of Evanston (the Swedish
Methodist Episcopal Theological School), $8,000; the Northwestern
University (estimated), $112,000.
This faithful churchman and capable man of affairs, while accu-
mulating one of the few large fortunes amassed so far by Swedish-
Americans, is thus found to have given his tithe for public uses in double
measure roundly while he lived, but still more amply at his death.
THE UNION BANK OF CHICAGO was organized May i, 1905, upon the
initiative of Gustaf Hallbom. It started in business as a state bank with a
capital of $25,000. The first board of directors consisted of nine men,
namely :
H. A. Boedker, Nils Arneson, Fritz Franzen, C. W. Johnson, Tom
Olson, Charles E. Schlytern, John M. Erickson, G. Hallbom, John S.
Rydell, F. A. Lindstrand, E. Hegstrom.
Of these men, Arneson, Linstrand, Johnson and Boedker have since
died.
The first board consisted entirely of men of Scandinavian birth, prin-
cipally Swedish-Americans, and out of eleven directors today eight are
of the same nationality.
Out of approximately $3,000,000 of deposits at present the larger
share belongs to Swedish depositors. Within three years the original
quarters on La Salle street proved inadequate for the growing bank, and
an effort was made to find a larger bank room and one more centrally
located. A long time lease was obtained on the bank floor at 115 Dearborn
street (old number), and the building was renamed Union Bank Building.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 303
In the year 1910 the capital was increased to $500,000.00 and the sur-
plus to $100,000.00.
The following year the bank purchased the building, thereby giving it
a permanent home in the very center of Chicago.
The continued increase in business necessitated the remodeling of the
building, which was accomplished during the year 1915, and the bank now
occupies additional space on the ground floor of its building for the Real
Estate and Savings Departments.
The officers are : Chas. E. Schlytern, president ; G. Hallbom, vice-
president and cashier ; W. W. Holmes, assistant cashier ; John Gulliksen,
assistant cashier.
The present directors are : G. L. Clausen, John M. Erickson, Henry
Ericsson, Joseph B. Fleming, G. Hallbom, Emory Nonnast, Olaus O.
Krabol, Tom Olson, John S. Rydell, Chas. E. Schlytern, Werner A.
Wieboldt.
OTHER SWEDISH BANKERS.
In the banks of the state not controlled by Swedish capital, a large
number of Swedish names are found in the list of directors and officers.
Not to mention lesser cities, Swedes are largely connected with banking in-
stitutions in Chicago, Galesburg, Rockford, Rock Island and Moline. The
Bank of Galesburg was founded by the banking firm of Haugan & Lind-
gren, of Chicago; the Swedish- American Bank of Rockford has been in
existence since 1912, and in the banks of Moline the Swedish element is
heavily interested, without, however, controlling any of them. Recent
bank elections in Chicago reveal Swedish names in the directorates and on
the roster of officials of no less than twenty-five banking institutions, not
including the State Bank of Chicago and the Union Bank, both strongly
Swedish. The Swedish-American National Bank of Rockford is exclu-
sively what the name implies, the present personnel being as below :
President John A. Alden ; vice-president William Johnson ; cashier
G. A. Peterson ; assistant cashier C. A. Rohlen. Directors C. A.
Haddorff, August Eklund, Carl Isaacson, A. E. Freburg, William Johnson,
J. T. Peters, J. A. Alden, A. E. Anderson, G. A. Rohlen och G. A. Peterson.
Among the organizers of the People's Trust and Savings Bank of
Galesburg was Moses O. Williamson, who was made president of this
strong financial institution.
SCANDIA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. The Scandia Life Insurance
Company of Chicago was organized in 1905, but as the successor of the
Scandinavian Mutual Aid Association of Galesburg its history goes back
to the year 1883, when this last-named assessment insurance association
was organized, as recorded in foregoing pages. Like so many of the
earlier assessment insurance societies, the Mutual Aid had established
an inadequate rate, and after operating successfully for over fifteen years,
the average age grew so high and the death losses so heavy that reorgan-
ization was compulsory. This was accomplished, and under the new name
N. A. NELSON.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
305
of Scandia Mutual Life Insurance Company the association began busi-
ness with headquarters in Chicago. The first set of officers of the reor-
ganized company were : Dr. L. G. Abrahamson, president ; Charles H.
Boman, secretary, and N. A. Nelson, treasurer. An effort was made to
continue writing insurance on the assessment plan under a new rate.
The outlook, however, did not promise well, and from April, 1902, when
the transfer was concluded, until late in the year 1904 the new company
met with but moderate success. Then Mr. Nelson, the treasurer, pro-
posed the organization of an old
line insurance company as the best
and probably the only way to per-
petuate the concern. The trial had
made it clear that the younger gen-
eration had lost confidence in the
assessment plan, as heretofore fol-
lowed, and upon this initiative the
board of directors, after a two
days' session, decided to organize a
new company on the legal reserve
basis.
For the new company $100,000
was raised as the requisite capital
stock, and after several preliminary
meetings the members of the mutual
company at their annual meeting in
January, 1905, ratified the decision
of the hoard to remain in the new
legal reserve company. For some
technical reason the action was not
sanctioned by the State Insurance
Department, hence a second meeting of members was held in April, when,
after a two-days' session, the reinsurance proposition carried. This action
was ratified by the state department, and the new concern, named the
Scandia Life Insurance Company, forthwith assumed the business of the
mutual company. On April 14, 1905, the transfer was consummated, and
on May 25 the first policy was issued under the legal reserve plan.
At the time of the second reorganization, or transfer, there were
between 8,000 and 9,000 assessment members. Quite a number of these
transferred to the old line plan, and they have continued to transfer ever
since. In the meantime many deaths have occurred among the earliest
members, leaving a total of only about 3,000 assessment members carrying
approximately $3,000,000 insurance. On the other hand, about 16,000
legal reserve members have been added, with insurance in force of $23,-
000,000. The total assets today are about $2,500,000, with a total of
$26,000,000 of insurance in force.
Scandia Life is one of five strictly level premium companies in the
306 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
entire West, and is the youngest of the thirty-two companies which do
not have the preliminary clause in their policies. It is purely mutual in
that it now has no stockholders to draw any part of the profits, the
original $100,000 stock having been cancelled shortly after the second
transfer. Scandia furnishes absolute security to its policyholders by
operating under the Deposit Law and Registration Act whereby securities
covering the legal reserve on every policy are deposited with and held in
trust by the State of Illinois.
The company operates in nine states, namely, Illinois, Minnesota,
Iowa, Connecticut, North and South Dakota, Michigan, Nebraska and
Washington. In 1916 all its policy forms were revised so as to contain
the latest and best features known to the life insurance science, one
being the elimination of the preliminary term clause, the company now
operating under what is known as the full legal reserve plan, paying
dividends at the end of the first year, and giving thirty days of grace
for the payment of all premiums.
N. A. Nelson has served as president since the organization on the
legal reserve basis in 1905 ; Charles H. Boman has been secretary since
1902, and Edwin A. Olson has had charge of agencies and served as the
company's legal counsel, serving now also as vice president. Dr. William
A. Peterson is medical director, and Nels Nelson, the veteran secretary
of the old Scandinavian Mutual Aid, was actuary until his death four
years ago.
The growth of the business of the Scandia Life is shown by the
following figures : 1906, one year from the time of reorganization, a
total of $9,330,000 of insurance had been written; 1908, $10,761,000;
1910, $14,074,000; 1912, $17,202,000; 1914, $20,303,000; 1916, $26,000,-
ooo. In the same period the total resources of the company increased
from $552,000 to $2,250,000.
THE ROSE HILL NURSERY. A commercial enterprise on a large scale
started by a Swedish landscape gardener and nurseryman, while Chicago
was still a small city, is the Rose Hill Nursery, the work of Pehr S. Peter-
son, and still managed by his son, William A. Peterson.
The creator of this establishment, which has grown to very large
proportions, came to Chicago with long experience and expert training for
his chosen vocation. The story of the man and the establishment began
and developed by him is well worth the telling, inasmuch as he was a
pioneer in his field, and became the most widely known Swedish horticul-
turist and nurseryman in America, his only competitors in skill and tech-
nical insight being the Germans. Born at Nobbelof , near the Swedish city
of Kristianstad, June 15, 1830, he early manifested a love of nature, and
acquired a practical knowledge of horticulture while employed on various
large estates, principally Ovedskloster and Maltesholm. To fit himself
scientifically for his work he spent three years in Germany and Holland,
studying at the leading horticultural schools and establishments at Ham-
CULTURAL PROGRESS 307
burg, Erfurt and Ghent, in the last-named city under the famous Van
Houtte.
Peterson emigrated in 1851, going first to Toronto, then to Rochester,
the great center of the nursery industry. He worked for Frost & Co. as a
day laborer for several years, while acquiring the English language, then
secured a better position with Ellwanger & Barry. In 1854 he went to
California to prospect for gold, but aside from his budding of a lot of
fruit trees the venture was unproductive. Returning east, Peterson located
in Chicago. In 1856 he established a nursery
in a modest way, on a small plot of rented
land some miles beyond the city limits. The
next year a ten-acre woodland tract was pur-
chased. This was added to from time to time.
The nursery soon made a name for itself
throughout the west, not least by virtue of its
specialty of transplanting large trees at the
proprietor's risk. This proved a paying propo-
sition, such orders yielding anywhere from
twenty-five to one hundred dollars per tree.
In 1879, Mr. Peterson had increased the
area of the nursery to 200 acres, and then had
about 3,000,000 young trees growing, chiefly
park trees, such as elm, ash, maple, larch and pEtm s. PETERSON.
spruce. He imported from Europe many of
its finest varieties at one time as much as 800,000 in one order from
Scotland. Naturally, he introduced a number of Swedish varieties that
would do well in the soil and climate of the Central West.
The property has since been more than doubled, and when in 1889 the
outlying district in which it was located was annexed to the city, this tract,
then 495 acres, became the largest single piece of acre property in Chicago.
It lies seven miles north and somewhat west of the City Hall, and embraces
one of the finest collections of ornamental nursery stock in the United
States.
Mr. Peterson's attainments in horticulture found appreciation at home
and abroad, being recognized by many scientific societies. He was the
second man in more than half a century to be elected an honorary member
of the Horticultural Society of Stockholm, and King Oscar II. showed him
signal honor in decorating him with the Order of Yasa. In 1865. Mr.
Peterson was married to Mary A. Gage, of Boston. Their only child was
William A., who succeeded to the management of the establishment in
1895. After his retirement from active business, the elder Peterson spent
much of his time abroad. Upon his death, Jan. 19, 1903, the entire property
passed to the son, who conducts it on the broad lines laid down by his
father, having renamed it the Peterson Nursery in honor of the founder.
The OAK HILL CEMETERY is an enterprise founded and managed by
Swedish-Americans. It was organized in 1902, when E. P. Strandberg
88
CULTURAL PROGRESS 309
was elected president and N. A. Nelson secretary. Mr. Nelson, under the
direction of the board, sold $100,000 of stock in the company, which is
known as the Chicago Cemetery Association.
A tract of 160 acres of land was purchased, lying directly south of
of HQth street and west of Kedzie avenue. After the cemetery had
been surveyed, driveways, drains and an entrance built at HQth street
and Kedzie avenue, the association had a debt of about $30,000. About
three years ago the capital stock was increased to $150,000, and enough
stock was sold to clear the debt, so that today the association has no encum-
brance. Oak Hill is a public cemetery and not for the exclusive use of
Scandinavians. In order to reserve the main tract for the white population,
a separate cemetery for colored people has been established, known as the
Lincoln Cemetery, with entrance four blocks farther south. About five
thousand interments have taken place here in the past fourteen years. The
enterprise is on a sound basis, and the management a responsible one. Mr.
Strandberg continues at its head, with Louis Olson as secretary, treasurer
and superintendent.
HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
AUGUSTANA HOSPITAL, the foremost eleemosynary institution estab-
lished so far by Swedish people in Illinois or anywhere else in the
United States, is owned and controlled by the Illinois Conference of the
Augustana Synod. The direct management is vested in a board of
directors elected by the Conference.
The first attempt by Swedish Lutherans here to care especially for
the sick and suffering among their own countrymen was made by the
Rev. Erland Carlsson of Chicago, who early in his pastoral career in
this city opened a home for sick and destitute immigrants. His enter-
prise was subsequently merged with a charitable institution founded by
the Rev. Dr. Passavant. This was destroyed in the fire of 1871, but it
was soon rebuilt and is known today as the Passavant Memorial Hospital.
In the year 1888 Prof. Olof Olsson, upon his return from a tour
abroad, resuscitated the old idea of Dr. Carlsson and advocated the
establishment of a Swedish Lutheran hospital in Chicago. A number of
pastors and influential laymen seconded him, among others Pastors C. A.
Evald, M. C. Ranseen, G. Peters, C. P. Rydholm, C. B. L. Boman, and
Messrs. C. P. Holmberg, Peter Colseth and John Erlander. The Im-
manuel Church of Chicago was the first to render material support, by
donating the sum of $70.
The plan was to combine a hospital and a deaconess institution to
be located in Chicago. The Illinois Conference approved the plan and
in 1881 stood sponsor for the new-born child. In 1882 the leaders of
the movement resolved to locate the institution in Lake View. The
Conference authorized the purchase of ground not to exceed $10,000
in cost. In the meantime hospital work was to be carried on in rented
CULTURAL PROGRESS
311
quarters. On February 13 the institution was incorporated and the first
officers were chosen from the hoard elected by the Conference shortly be-
fore, Erland Carlsson being made president, O. Olsson vice president, C.
P.. L. Roman secretary, and C. P. Holmberg treasurer. Other members of
the first board were Rev. M. C. Ranseen and Messrs. G. A. Bohman and
John Erlander.
After two years, in March, 1884, the hospital was opened in the
Carlsson residence, located on the present grounds of the institution,
at the intersection of Lincoln, Garfield and Cleveland avenues. The
dedication took place May 24.
At this time the board accepted an offer from Dr. Passavant to
lease for twenty years four acres of certain grounds in Lake View
donated for hospital purposes and controlled by
him. A building costing from $5,000 to $10,000
was to be erected for use by the Augustana Hos-
pital on condition that a certain number of
patients be given free care at the new institution.
This agreement was sanctioned by the Confer-
ence.
Hospital work was carried on for some
months in the old frame structure until October
29, when a fire put a stop to the work. In the
meantime the offer of Dr. Passavant was re-
jected, although it offered apparent advantages
over the present arrangements. The small
wooden structure was unfit for the purpose to
which it was put, and would have been condemned under modern build-
ing ordinances. Not heeding the warning given by the fire, Carlsson and
the board had the house renovated and another story added, and early in
1885 the enlarged frame structure was again filled with patients. It soon
proved too small and wholly inadequate to the growing needs.
In 1886, Rev. Carlsson set a price of $35,000 on the house and
several lots adjoining its site, offering $1,000 of the purchase price as
a donation another way of asking $34,000 for the property. His offer
was not at once accepted, the directors first purchasing four lots at
Belden avenue and Larrabee street for $12,000 from a real estate firm.
When it was found that the owner himself had sold the same site for
$500 more to another party, the board relinquished its efforts to obtain
possession, and in February, 1887, closed the deal with Rev. Carlsson
at his own figure. The wedge-shaped piece of ground secured at Lin-
coln and Cleveland avenues cost the board almost three times what the
somewhat smaller site a few blocks away brought at this time.
February 12, 1893, the corner stone of a new building, 68x84 and
six stories high, was laid, the structure being completed in the fall of
1894. The cost was $85,000, the conference members contributing but
a few thousands, while large sums were realized in Chicago by means
THEODORE FREEMAN.
312 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
of bazaars. A debt of $50,000, incurred through a building loan, was
subsequently paid off with the earnings of the hospital, as had the bulk
of the purchase price of the realty.
The first section of the hospital building accommodated 125 patients,
but after two years the institution was again crowded for room and had
to resort to the expedient of housing the nurses in the old Carlsson
house and in rented quarters, thereby increasing materially the capacity
of the hospital. In 1900 the number of. patients for the year passed
the 1,500 mark.
Two years later the Conference authorized the completion of the
building in accordance with the original plan, and the directors took
the necessary steps, but an ugly fight on those in control delayed building
operations for some little time. The addition, completed about December
i, 1904, at a cost of $100,000, increased the capacity by about 100 beds,
making the total present capacity of 220 beds.
In 1894 a training school for nurses was opened, comprising a two
years' course. This school took the place of the deaconess work origi-
nally contemplated by the institution and implied in its corporate name,
the Augustana Hospital and Deaconess Institution. In the natural course
of development the hospital has ceased to be an exclusive hospital for
patients of a particular faith or nationality, and has become an institu-
tion for the general public, entirely controlled, however, by the Swedish
Lutherans and pervaded by the religious and moral influences of that
church.
The men who have rendered most efficient services to Augustana
Hospital as members of its board are : Dr. M. C. Ranseen, who has
served from the organization to the present time, except for one term
of three years; Dr. C. A. Evald, from 1884 until his death in 1909;
Dr. L. G. Abrahamson, from 1886 to the present; Samuel Anderson,
for many years, and Theodore Freeman, from 1892 until his death in
1916. The present superintendent and hospital pastor, Dr. Matthias
Wahlstrom, former president of Gustavus Adolphus College at St. Peter,
Minn., has served in that position since the year 1904.
Events of the year last past point to a new period of progress for
the Augustana Hospital. The Illinois Conference in 1916, upon the
presentation of new plans by the board, authorized the expenditure of
$250,000 for development. The institution having practically reached
the limit of growth in its present site, a new and larger building site
has been purchased for $100,000. It fronts on Garfield avenue and
adjoins Sedgwick street, being only one block removed from the present
location. The new plan contemplates the erection of a new and larger
hospital building, an apartment building for nurses, and a residence for
the superintendent, all grouped together on the hospital grounds, which
measure about 380 by 250 feet. The old hospital property is offered
for sale for about $350,000. Building operations probably will begin in
the summer of the present year. All signs indicate that the Augustana
CULTURAL PROGRESS 313
Hospital will continue to be, as it has been in the past, the largest and
most representative Swedish hospital in the United States.
The greatest single factor in one individual making for the suc-
cess of this institution is Dr. A. J. Ochsner, the noted German-
American surgeon. This man and the institution have literally grown
up together. Dr. Truman W. Miller, who was the first chief physician,
resigned in 1890 and was succeeded by Dr. Charles T. Parkes, with
Dr. Ochsner as attending physician and surgeon. Upon the death of
Dr. Parkes one year later, Dr. Ochsner succeeded him as chief surgeon,
a position in which he has rendered invaluable service these twenty-five
years. Under him many Swedish-American physicians have been con-
nected with the hospital during this period, but nationality has always
been subordinated to professional skill under his administration of the
technical branch of the institution.
The following statistical data for 1915 will show the magnitude of
the work done :
Patients admitted during year 3>5 10
Surgical cases 1,760
Medical cases 970
Ophthalmic and Otological 58
Obstetrical and gynecological 356
Rhinological and Laryngological 456
Gastro-enterological 2,007
Roentgenological 2,678
Discharged 3,323
Deaths 188
Death rate, per cent 535
Number of days of treatment 58,278
Daily average of treatments 160
Average number of nurses in Training School in 1915 92
Earnings of Training School, special nursing $12,504.30
Number of graduates from Training School in 1916 32
Total number of graduates from Training School
since 1896 377
Total earnings of hospital from all sources $151,224.25
Total cost of maintaining hospital 112,392.34
Charity to patients 16,128.29
Cash income from patients 132,689.15
Cash income from church collections, Illinois and
Superior conferences 805.61
Cash income from all sources 153,634.56
Cash disbursements 149,254.19
Down to a very recent date all Swedish institutions, be" they schools,
hospitals, orphanages or homes for the aged, were the product of religious
activity and received their support almost exclusively from some one
LUTHERAN HOSPITAL, MOLINE. PRESENT BUILDING.
LUTHERAN ORPHANS' HOME, ANDOYER.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 315
church denomination. Now such institutions are growing up by the
united effort of fraternal organizations, members of various church bodies,
or by the efforts of individuals or groups, regardless of affiliation. In
Illinois there are several young institutions called into existence in this
wise, such as, the Old People's Home in Evanston, the Englewood and
Washington Park hospitals of Chicago and the Swedish-American Hospital
of Rockford.
The OLD PEOPLE'S HOME at Evanston is an institution maintained
jointly by a large number of societies in Chicago, organized under the name
of the Swedish Societies' Old People's Home Association. The idea of
founding such an institution first germinated in the minds of Dr. C. W.
Johnson and Hans Anderson about 1893. The following year the Swedish
Societies' Central Association was formed, but the establishment of an
old people's home was not made part of its plans until several years
later. In 1896 a building fund was started, and in 1899 grounds, with a
building, were purchased in Park Ridge for $4,500. This property was
used as an old people's home from 1900 till 1909. The association, after
having reorganized in 1908, purchased a new site in Evanston and began
raising funds for a new and larger institution. The corner stone of the
new building was laid June 12, 1909, and the central portion of the build-
ing was completed forthwith. The completed building, as shown in the
illustration (p. 308), represents the result of the united efforts of Chi-
cago societies and individuals, who have unselfishly put themselves back
of this laudable undertaking. So many have co-operated in this work that
to give clue credit all around would extend the sketch of the institution
beyond all bounds. Among its staunchest supporters have been the lodges
of the Svithiod and Viking orders, many individual societies, and a num-
ber of persons of influence, means and interest for the cause.
The ENGLEWOOD HOSPITAL, now an institution not controlled by any
one nationality, was founded by Swedes. Several meetings were held by
Swedish -representatives on the south side who felt the need of a Swedish
hospital on account of the large Swedish population. Finally in 1904 an
organization was effected. Dr. A. P. Fors was elected its president, Fred
Westberg, secretary, and Carl Lundberg, treasurer. Ground at the corner
of 6oth and Green streets was secured. Plans for a building were im-
mediately drawn by Architect Hallberg of Chicago. At this time the
association was approached by the Englewood Union Hospital Association,
then located at 64th street and Union avenue, with the result that in 1905
a consolidation was effected, the Englewood Union transferring all its
furniture and belongings to the Swedish-American Hospital Association,
owners of the Englewood Hospital. The same year a building was erected.
Dr. Fors continued for some time as president and Miss Amelia Dahlgren
was elected superintendent, which position she held for ten years or until
a year ago, when she resigned to take charge of the Moline Lutheran
Hospital. Today Mr. Wm. Rathje is president, Mr. A. F. Eidman vice-
president, Mr. Ruppstorf treasurer, and Mr. John Nylen secretary. Al-
CULTURAL PROGRESS 317
though it was understood and agreed in writing that the Swedes should
always hold the offices in the Englewood Hospital Association, there are
now very few left in official capacities. The present superintendent, Mr.
Olsen, is a Norwegian by birth. E. P. Strandberg, Carl Lundberg, N. A.
Nelson, Robert Anderson, and Fred Westberg still continue as members
of the board of directors.
The WASHINGTON PARK HOSPITAL was organized in 1904 and opened
on September 4. The officers were : George E. Q. Johnson, president ; Ed-
ward H. Olson, vice-president ; V. Hegstrom, treasurer ; Dr. O. Theo.
Johnson, secretary, and Dr. C. O. Young, general manager and superin-
tendent.
It was opened in a temporary building at 6010-12 Vincennes avenue.
The corner stone of the first wing was laid on Labor Day, 1905, and the
building was opened for patients in February of 1906. A second addition
was built in 1909, and a third addition in 1913.
The hospital has a capacity of one hundred and ten beds. The institu-
tion conducts a training school for nurses.
THE SOUTH SHORE HOSPITAL of Chicago was founded in 1912 and owes
its rapid success to the reputation of its chief surgeon, Dr. Axel Werelius,
a man who in the short space of twelve years of independent practice has
taken his stand at the head of his profession. Together with his colleague,
Dr. Andrew Dahlberg, he opened the institution at Eightieth street and
Luella avenue in November, 1912. Located in a remote district, the hos-
pital nevertheless attracted five hundred patients during the first year, and
since then has been filled at all times. The entire personnel of the institu-
tion is Swedish. Many notable operations performed here by Dr. Werelius
have served to give the new and comparatively modest institution a renown
similar to that of the famous hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.
Dr. Werelius was born at Holje, Blekinge, in 1871, and came from
Sweden with a college education. He taught gymnastics at North Park
College prior to taking a course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons
in Chicago. His surgical achievements, elsewhere noted, are attracting
patients from every quarter of the United States.
THE SWEDISH-AMERICAN HOSPITAL OF ROCKFORD has just been estab-
lished through the enterprise of the Swedish element in general. They
organized themselves into the Swedish-American Hospital Association of
Rockford during the month of June, 1911. A board of twenty-five
trustees was elected, consisting of the following named persons: J. A.
Alden, Gust Ekstrom, John Erickson, Alf. Turnstrom, Mrs. Emma Rehn-
berg, Carl Roseland, Hjalmar Lundquist, Hjalmar Bergsten, Carl Isaac-
son, G. Adolph Peterson, Gust Holm, Frank Hogland, Rev. N. P. Sjo-
strom, W. A. Brolin, William Johnson, Levin Faust, Nels Swenson, John
Kullberg and Robert Lind. The first officers of the Association con-
sisted of the following: William Johnson, president; Rev. N. P. Sjo-
strom, vice-president ; G. Adolph Peterson, treasurer ; Hjalmar Lund-
quist, secretary. The present officers are : Robert C. Lind, president ; C.
318 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
A. Roseland, vice-president; William Johnson, secretary; G. Adolph Pet-
erson, treasurer.
The Association purchased a site consisting of practically two acres
on Charles street, between Qth and loth streets, in the city of Rockford,
at a cost of $11,500.00. A four-story hospital building is now under
construction and almost completed. The hospital will have modern equip-
ment and will cost approximately $100,000. The funds for the site and
building are being raised by popular subscription among the Swedish-
American people in the city and county. It is the plan of the Association
to have the building and equipment fully paid when completed and ready
for occupancy. The corner stone of the hospital was laid on September
24, 1916.
BENEFICIARY AXD TECHNICAL SOCIETIES.
THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF SVITHIOD is a large Swedish fra-
ternal and beneficiary society in Chicago and vicinity, dating back. to
the 3rd of December, 1880, when the Order had its inception. Its founder
was one Simon Hallberg, who, aided by seven other gentlemen, formed
the first lodge and gave it the name that is still retained and cherished.
He departed this life July 7, 1882, only thirty-two years of age. Several
of the members who joined during 1880 and 1881 still survive, namely:
Charles Lundstrom, Andrew Benson, P. G. Johnson, Ludwig Johnson,
A. G. West, Emil W. Stylander, C. O. Peterson, John Wolgren, P. J.
Rosberg, Swan W. Johnson, Frank Lindquist, J. P. Johnson and Oscar
Stuberg.
The new society increased and prospered, and the need of a charter
was soon felt. Articles of incorporation were submitted, and on Sept.
'2, 1 88 1, a charter was granted, liberal in scope and all the more valuable
now that recent legislation has narrowed the rights and privileges of
similar orders. The constitution adopted laid down these fundamental
provisions: "The purpose of the order shall be to unite in brotherly
love and cooperation Swedish men of sound health and good character;
to exercise among its members an influence for moral betterment, and
to render material benefits ; to give assistance to members in need and
affliction, and to pay, upon the death of members, certain beneficiary
sums to their nearest kin."
In spite of the early loss of its organizer and energetic promoter,
the order continued its wholesome growth. Among the men who have
since carried forward the work perhaps no man deserves greater credit
than Axel Blomfeldt, who succeeded to the post of Grand Master. By
January, 1885, the order numbered two hundred members. That year
John P. Johnson was chosen Grand Master, succeeded later by Bernhard
Peterson.
Prior to this time other societies had been formed among our Swed-
ish-born citizens for the purpose of rendering aid to needy people and
CULTURAL PROGRESS
319
to furnish sick and funeral benefit to its members, but Svithiod was the
first organization formed with the idea of branching out and through
the formation of subordinate lodges to extend its activity and scope of
influence. It required several years, however, before the plan could be
carried out, and not until October 12, 1890, was the second lodge in-
stituted, namely, Manhem Lodge No. 2, located on the west side. On
October 25, of the same year, followed the institution of Verdandi Lodge
No. 3, then located in Lake View. From time to time other lodges were
instituted, until now the lodges number fifty-four and the field of
operation extends to the states of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota
and Washington, with a total membership touching the 10,000 mark.
SIMON HALLBERG.
JOHN SANDGREN.
After the lodges numbered five or six the members began to realize
the need of a representative central organization, or grand lodge, to
transact their common affairs. On June 25, 1893, the Grand Lodge,
I. O. S., was organized. Its first chief officers were : High Grand
Master, Axel Blomfeldt, Verdandi Lodge ; High Grand Secretary, Bern-
hard Peterson, Svithiod; High Grand Treasurer, John Peterson, Ver-
dandi. The first executive board was made up of the following: Gust
Oman, H. E. Hanson, Sigfrid Franson, Frank Lindquist, and John P.
Johnson.
The organization of the grand lodge marks the beginning of a period
of greater progress. During the first twelve years of its existence the
order had acquired a membership of 750. Its rate of growth in subse-
quent years is far greater. At the end of 1908, the number of lodges
was thirty-nine and the total membership exceeded 6,000. During the
last eight years no less than fifteen new lodges have been formed, and
the older ones have had a phenomenal increase in membership.
320
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
On July 2.2., 1894, the order had been extended beyond the city
limits of Chicago and the state boundary line, by the organization of
Bjorn Lodge No. 7, in East Chicago, Indiana.
The names of lodges were originally selected from early Swedish
history or the Norse mythology, a practice not later adhered to without
many exceptions. Thus the earliest lodges were named successively
VERDANDI HALL.
Svithiod, Manhem, Verdandi, Mimer, Frithiof, Gylfe, Bjorn, Ring,
Hilding, Odin, Thor, Balder, followed by Stockholm, Svea, Linden Park,
Frej, Vasa, Nore, Andree, Irving Park, Linne, Tegner, John Ericsson
lodges, etc., all going to show the general trend of Swedish patriotism
throughout the order.
The original charter granted no right to levy assessments for the
creation of a reserve fund. Many members saw in the absence of such
a guaranty fund a danger which ought to be removed. This was done
when on April 17, 1901, the order agreed to comply with the new insur-
ance law of 1893 and thereupon was licensed to do business on the legal
reserve basis.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 321
In the conduct of the business and the ceremonial work the Swedish
language is used, except in Central Lodge No. 42, Unity Lodge No. 44,
Alpha Lodge No. 50, and North Shore Lodge No. 53, where English
is used exclusively. The North Shore is the youngest lodge, having been
organized in October, 1916. Membership is restricted to men of Swedish
birth or descent, from eighteen up to fifty years of age.
The Svithiod Order has been a leader in Swedish fraternal work.
It was the first Swedish death benefit organization to adopt the National
Fraternal Congress Table of Rates, successfully operating under that
OFFICERS OF MILITARY COUNCIL, UNIFORM RANK, I. O. S.
plan since Jan. i, 1913, and its financial standing is the best. During
its thirty-six years of operation it has paid all just claims promptly upon
presentation of death proofs.
Other charitable and benevolent organizations have also received
loyal and consistent support in their various undertakings for the benefit
of the Swedish-born people, and clubs and societies formed for purely
social or cultural purposes have always found strong supporters among
the Svithiod membership.
A very marked factor in the success of the Order is the economy
with which its affairs are managed, the total expense averaging only
ninety to ninety-five cents per capita per year, which is from one-half to
one-seventh of what other similar organizations expend in conducting
their business. This fact is recognized and commented upon by several
insurance departments.
322 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Since its organization the Independent Order of Svithiod has paid
out in benefits a total of $1,200,000, including $30,000 in donations, pure
and simple. The total assets of the Order, Grand and subordinate lodges
combined, are, according to reports from headquarters in October, 1916,
$350,000.
Mr. John A. Sandgren has served as grand secretary of the Order
continuously for the past fifteen years. The other officers of the Grand
Lodge for 1916 were: High Grand Master, Andrew P. Olson, Chicago;
Vice High Grand Master, Col. F. Warner Karling, Kansas City, Mo. ;
treasurer, John G. Carson, Melrose Park, 111. ; chief medical examiner,
Dr. A. P. Paulson, Chicago ; the trustees were : Charles A. Carlson, chair-
man ; Nels H. Olson, Peter J. Plantin, John A. Swanson, Albert Swan-
son, all of Chicago.
The Verdandi Lodge was the first to build a home of its own, a
$20,000 lodge hall located at 5015-17 North Clark street.
A large number of auxiliary lodges known as Independent Order
of Ladies of Svithiod have been formed. In 1916, by amendment of
the Constitution of the Grand Lodge, woman members are admitted on
the same terms as men, and a number have already joined under the
new regulations.
The total insurance now in force exceeds six millions.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF VIKINGS. A small group of young men in
Chicago who met for outdoor exercise and athletic sports on the north
side formed the nucleus for the Viking Society, which, in turn, was the
original lodge of the present large organization known as the Independent
Order of Vikings, of which the fifty-third and fifty-fourth lodges were
recently organized.
The young men who first came together for the purposes aforesaid
were: Ed. J. and C. W. Meurling, C. J. and G. A. Carlson, A. J. and
R. Wallden, G. E. Johnson and Charles H. Viktorin. After they had
been joined by Charles Henry, N. Hallers and August Johnson, they
met June 2, 1890, in a private room at 86 Sedgwick street and formed
a properly constituted society which was named "Vikingarne/' The
purpose for which they were organized was not defined at the time,
the only formality being the election of officers. Edward Meurling was
chosen president ; August Wallden, secretary, and Charles J. Carlson,
treasurer. The question whether to make it a pleasure club, a debating
club or a benefit society hung fire for a time, whereupon the members
agreed on the latter object, and in September a committee reported a
constitution which made the objects clear in these paragraphs :
Objects. i. To acquire moral, intellectual and economic strength
by unity and cooperation and to support all good and noble endeavors
on the part of its members.
2. To establish and maintain a library of Swedish and English
literature and to provide a reading room.
3. To render sick benefit and funeral aid to its members.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
323
The society held its early meetings at Horn's Hall, Sedgwick street
and Beethoven place, and at Meyer's Hall, Sedgwick and Sigel streets.
During the first year the membership stopped at thirty. Early in 1891
the society was incorporated, and before the end of that year the mem-
bership had grown to 232.
One of the first events of note in the history of the Viking Society
was its participation in the festivities attending the unveiling of the
OFFICERS OF THE GRAND LODGE, I. O. V.
OSCAR HANSON, Grand Chief, 1916. NILS J. LINDSKOOG, Grand Secretary.
ALFRED HULT, Grand Treasurer. HENRY LIND, Member Executive Committee.
Linne monument, in Lincoln Park, on May 23, 1891, when the Vikings
made a splendid appearance, their new uniforms and regalia being pat-
terned after the costumes of the Viking age.
When the membership reached four hundred, the society set about
changing its organization for the purpose of enlarging its scope. After
having revised the constitution and by-laws, the society, on Oct. 3,
1892, organized the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Vikings,
the original society forming lodge number one of the new order. In one
month a second lodge was added, and in the course of the winter three
more, their names being Brage, Drake, Angantyr and Frej. The names
CULTURAL PROGRESS
325
selected were Norse, and this system of nomenclature has been con-
sistently adhered to in the Viking Order.
When the time was ripe for the establishment of an insurance plan
it was found advisable to secure a new charter, which was granted in
1895, November 30. The incorporators on the new plan were: Andrew
A. Carlson, Otto Anderson, Alex. Holm, Nels L. Anderson, Gustavus
J. Bird, Gust Myhrman, Peter E. Almberg, Andrew Soderlin, John An-
derson and Bengt A. Wester. The new insurance plan was put into
effect Jan. 2, 1896.
THE VIKING VALHALLA AT GURNEE, ILL.
The first roster of officers of the Grand Lodge was as follows :
Grand Chief, A. Holm ; Vice Grand Chief, C. Viktorin ; Grand Secre-
tary, Alfred Carlson ; Grand Treasurer, P. A. Noren ; Grand Organizer,
G. Carlson.
In 1901 the order outgrew the boundaries of Chicago and Cook
county, when the Thor lodge was organized in Moline. Later it ex-
tended beyond the state lines, and its fifty-four lodges are now scattered
throughout Illinois and neighboring states.
In 1899 the official mouthpiece of the Order was started under the
name of Vikingen.
Brage Lodge, No. 2, in 1909 began to formulate plans for the erec-
tion of a lodge hall of its own, and a club formed by its members saw
the enterprise through, the result being a building completed and dedicated
in August, 1910. The building, completely equipped and furnished, repre-
sented a total outlay of $62,000.
326
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
\Yith a forward look, the leaders of the Order in 1908 began to
realize the future need of a retreat for aged members. The following
year, after a small sum had been given for that purpose by an individual,
a committee set to work in furtherance of the enterprise. Four men
put in charge of the work were Frithiof Malmquist, Herman Carlson,
John A. Linden and A. W. Johnson. The result was the incorporation
of the Vikings' Valhalla Association, March 29, 1909.
The object for which it was formed, as stated in the application for
a charter, was to render all possible assistance to worthy and needy
STAFF OF. THORSTEN LODGE, NO. 19, JOLIET, ILL.
members of the Order and to those dependent upon them, and to the
widows, widowers, orphans and dependents of deceased members, as
well as to others of Swedish nationality, by the establishment of bureaus
for the care of the aged and infirm, for hospital service and medical aid,
for employment and for legal advice ; also other bureaus and agencies
for benevolent and philanthropic activity ; furthermore, by acquiring
lands and erecting buildings for the accomplishment of these object, the
resultant institution to be known as the "Vikings' Valhalla."
In June, 1911, the association resolved to purchase a tract of thirty-
six acres on Deep Lake, in Lake county, for $6,500, paying down $3,500
of moneys raised principally at a "yule market," arranged in December,
1910.
But in August, 1912, a property in the village of Gurnee, five miles
west of Waukegan, was offered for sale. It was a forty-three acre tract
CULTURAL PROGRESS 327
laid out into a private park, with orchard and garden, surrounding a
large modern residence, with keeper's lodge and outbuildings for all
practical purposes. Upon their visit, the beauty of the place took the
delegates of the association fairly off their feet. They voted almost to
a man to purchase the place, the owner (David Beidler) agreeing to
take the equity in the Deep Lake tract in part payment. The sum of
$30,000 was offered, and the property was finally acquired at a price of
$36,000, inclusive of the $3,500 equity.
The association assumed the property in February, 1913, and suc-
ceeded by means of raffles, bazaars and otherwise in raising funds to
meet the payments, until $18,000 remained, when the Grand Lodge
stepped in and decided to purchase the mortgage and to replace the
Valhalla Association by a board of directors chosen by the Grand Lodge
of the Order. The Valhalla home is as fine a property as any owned
and controlled by a Swedish fraternal organization in any state, and is
calculated to serve well the purposes of an old age retreat for members
of the Viking Order in years to come. It should be added that hereto-
fore the need has been little felt, few members so far having attained
to veteran age and fewer still having been reduced to the necessity of
accepting charity. The institution, therefore, has been operated partly
as a summer resort.
In April, 1904, the first lodge of the Ladies' Independent Order of
Vikings was organized, the Valkyria Lodge, No. i, being the forerunner
of the woman's auxiliary organization. Six other women's lodges fol-
lowed within the year, and these in January, 1905, organized a Grand
Lodge of their own. At the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Order of
Vikings (1915) this comprised no less than thirty-four lodges.
The I. O. V. Band was organized in 1895 and officially authorized
by the Order the following year. It has been under the direction of
William Walters, Mr. Janssens, Knut Holmberg and, principally, Gustaf
A. Carlson.
The Order completed its first quarter century with a splendid cele-
bration at Medinah Temple, Chicago, on Sunday, May 30, 1915, fol-
lowed by an excursion to the Valhalla institution at Gurnee on the
following day, then celebrated as Decoration Day. In connection with
the anniversary there was published a volume of almost 400 pages, en-
titled "Runristningar" (Runic Inscriptions), containing a wealth of de-
tailed information relating to the history of the Order and each and
every one of its lodges and subsidiary organizations. For a long term
of years Nils J. Lindskoog has served as grand secretary of the Inde-
pendent Order of Vikings. At the close of its twenty-fifth fiscal year
the Order comprised 8,000 members, carrying $1,631,600 of fraternal
insurance.
THE NORTH STAR BENEFIT ASSOCIATION. The organization of The
North Star Benefit Association is mainly due to the efforts of Dr. E. A.
Edlen of Moline. Early in his practice of medicine he became interested
328 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
in life insurance and, after a thorough study of the different kinds of life
insurance, he came to the conclusion that fraternal insurance offered the
best and cheapest protection. But fraternal insurance societies being gen-
erally secret organizations, they excluded a large part of the people who,
from religious convictions or early training, objected to secrecy. He also
found that the by-laws of fraternal societies could be improved upon.
In the latter part of 1898 Dr. Edlen called together a number of repre-
sentative men of Moline and Rock Island and laid before them his project.
The idea was favorably received and it was generally admitted that a
society such as was proposed, without secret and religious formalities,
would be acceptable to a great many people. New features, such as scaling
of benefit certificates, paying old age and also accident disability benefit,
and later the gradual increase of amount due beneficiaries by giving 10
per cent of the amount paid into the benefit fund, were acknowledged to
be a great improvement. Committees were appointed to draft a constitu-
tion upon the principles outlined and to secure the necessary five hundred
members, required by the law of Illinois, for the purpose of organizing a
fraternal insurance society, to be known as The North Star Benefit Asso-
ciation.
On July 1 8th, 1899, incorporation papers were issued by the Insurance
Commissioners of Springfield, 111. The incorporators were :
Rev. J. L. Murphy, G. L. Peterson, Dr. E. A. Edlen, F. A. Landee, J.
A. Godehn, Prof. V. O. .Peterson, Dr. Jas. F. Myers, Geo. W. Johnson,
Wm. Carstens, A. C. Peterson, A. G. Edlen, Chas. G. Carlson.
The members were called to meet at the first Grand Observatory on
August ist, 1899, in Moline, 111. The constitution and by-laws, as well as
the jritual, were adopted at this meeting. The following men were elected
the first officers of the Grand Observatory :
Chief Astronomer Rev. J. L. Murphy, Rock Island.
Asst. Chief Astronomer Geo. W. Johnson, Moline.
Chief Recorder G. L. Peterson.
Chief Treasurer F. A. Landee.
Chief Medical Director Dr. E. A. Edlen.
Members of the Board of Directors Prof. V. O. Peterson, Rock
Island ; Ole O. Roe, Des Moines ; Rev. Oscar Nelson, Batavia ; Dr. Olof
Sohlberg, St. Paul ; C. G. Carlson, Moline ; Dr. Jas. F. Myers, Rock Island ;
M. O. Williamson, Galesburg. Chief Conductor Frank Hubenet, Joliet ;
Chief Sergeant-at-arms Joshua Hasselquist, Rock Island.
On January ist, 1900, after five months of existence, the Association
had 1,009 members, and since that time it has had a steady growth.
Owing to the great care in the selection of risks, the death rate has
been exceptionally low, which has greatly assisted in building up a large
reserve fund. The chief officers have, by careful management, avoided
legal entanglements and thus retained for the Association the goodrwill of
the general public, as well as considerable sums of money.
Until the time of the meeting of the Grand Observatory at Galesburg,
CULTURAL PROGRESS 329
in August, 1911, there was only one class of insurance. At that time,
however, it was deemed prudent to add two other classes in order to give
the Association greater strength and stability, as well as to meet the require-
ments of certain states.
The Association is, financially, in first class condition. At present
there is in its hands one-third of all the money paid by the members into
the benefit fund. The funds of the Association are placed in first class
mortgages, bearing 6 per cent interest.
The membership on January ist, 1917, was somewhat over seven
thousand. The assets reached nearly one-quarter million of dollars, 01
more than $35.00 per member.
At the last Grand Observatory, held at DeKalb, in August, 1914, the
present Chief Officers were elected. They are :
Chief Astronomer Dr. Jas. F. Myers, Rock Island.
Asst. Chief Astronomer Rev. J. B. Iclstrom, Hibbing, Minn.
Chief Recorder John A. Swanson, Moline.
Chief Treasurer Rev. Carl J. Johnson, Chicago.
Chief Medical Director Dr. E. A. Edlen, Moline.
Chief Conductor E. J. Dalander, Joliet.
Members of the Board of Directors C. J. Searle, Rock Island ; |. C.
Coster, Muscatine, Iowa ; P. E. Holmstrom, Joliet ; John S. Bloom, Rock-
ford; C. J. Peahl, Minneapolis, Minn.; Rev. F. H. Burrell, Clinton, Iowa;
Arthur A. Peterson, St. Paul, Minn.
The North Star Benefit Association, although very largely Swedish
in point of membership, was never designed to exclude members of other
nationalities.
THE SWEDISH ENGINEERS' SOCIETY. A number of Swedish civil
engineers and other men of technical training in Chicago, after having
been members of the Scandinavian Technical Society, seceded on Septem-
ber 5, 1903, and at a meeting held October 10 formed a society of their
own, which was named the Swedish Engineers' Society. Preliminary
action had been taken by an investigation committee headed by G. A. Aker-
lind, who presided at the organization. The names of others prominent!)
connected with the organization of the society appear in the first roster
of officers and directors, to wit: president, Henry Nyberg; vice-president,
Albin Rissler ; recording secretary, Mr. Akerlind ; financial secretary, F.
Seaberg; directors, John Brunner, Henry Ericsson, A. G. Lund, F. Norlin.
The present society succeeded a former Chicago organization of
Swedish engineers which flourished in the nineties, but expired from
waning interest and gradual loss of vitality. The new organization, on
the contrary, has been growing more vigorous in the course of years.
The membership book published in June, 1916, conveys information show-
ing the growth by years to have been as follows : first year, 74 ; second,
120; third, 179; fourth, 209; fifth, 265; sixth, 276, seventh, 279. This
number includes all classes of members, honorary, life, active, associates,
and corresponding, the active class numbering 157. The -honorary mem-
JOHN ERICSON.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 331
bers are Mr. G. A. M. Liljencrantz, asst. U. S. engineer (retired), and
Dr. Anton J. Carlson, professor of physiology, University of Chicago.
A study of the yearbooks of the society shows how extensively
Swedish mechanical talent and technical skill is employed. Of the leading
manufacturing establishments in this, as in other states, there are few
if any that do not draw on the talent of Swedish engineers, drafts-
men, master mechanics, technical experts, and others, prepared either
by the thorough theoretic courses in the technological schools of Sweden
or in the preeminently practical institutes or establishments here, or, best
of all, in both.
Of a society of this character it is, in a sense, true that the parts may
be greater than the whole. Men of large caliber, technically, do not have
their efficiency enhanced or their standing raised by the medium of an
association, most of the benefit being conveyed by the member to the society,
not vice versa. Yet the organization promotes a sense of strength and
solidarity that is wholesome to the newcomer or the man who feels the
need of contact with those more energetic, aggressive and successful
than he. In strengthening the morale of the technical brotherhood the
society serves its chief purpose.
The presidency of the society has been held by the following in the
order named: Henry Nyberg, G. A. M. Liljencrantz, Dr. Ernest J. Berg,
John E. Ericson, Henry Ericsson, Albin P. Rissler and John Brunner,
John Ericson having served two different terms.
The congress of Swedish Engineers held in Chicago in 1915 was
made a reality through the joint efforts of the Swedish Engineers' societies
of Chicago and New York and that of Sweden. The congress opened
September 9, with 173 delegates present, including fifteen from Sweden.
The congress was divided into two technical sessions and several excur-
sions to points of interest from the engineer's point of view, closing with
a banquet. Many of the participants connected their attendance with a
visit to the exposition in San Francisco.
GUSTAF AEOLPH MATHIAS LILJENCRANTZ was one of the noted men
of the civil engineer's profession in Chicago for more than a generation.
A native of Upland, Sweden, born 1842, the son of Baron J. C. Liljencrantz,
he was graduated from the Royal Technological Institute of Stockholm
as civil engineer in 1866. ,He served as assistant engineer in the construc-
tion of the Dalsland canal for three years, whereupon he came over and
located in Milwaukee. Coming to Chicago in 1871, he entered the U. S.
engineering office as draftsman, soon advancing to the position of assistant
engineer which he held until a short time ago, when he resigned to return
to his native country, after death had bereaved him of his wife and his
daughter, Ottilie, who made the family name noted in American litera-
ture through her successful novels on old Norse subjects.
In the federal service at Chicago we find, along with Mr. Liljen-
crantz, STEPHAN CREUTZ, who in 1889 entered the civil service as U. S.
inspector of river and harbor improvements. At various times he has
GUESTS OF HONOR AT THE JOHN ERICSSON DAY BANQUET, 1912.
Governor Charles S. Deneen. Governor A. O. Eberhart.
William H. Taft, President of the United States.
Congressman George E. Foss. Hon. Charles F. Hurhurgh.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 333
superintended construction work also for the Illinois Steel Company and
the Illinois Central Railway. He was born in Stockholm, 1856, the son
of Baron Creutz, captain of the Grenadier Corps of the Royal Life
Guards.
---..POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.
THE SWEDISH-AMERICAN REPUBLICAN LEAGUE. For many years
Swedish-American citizens, mostly loyal to the Republican party, exer-
cised their civic duties without the aid of any political organization among
themselves. They were members of the local clubs and county organi-
zations, but did not usually exert sufficient influence to compel due
recognition and give them their due share of the offices. In time, there-
fore, they found it expedient to organize distinctly Swedish-American
clubs in localities where the number of Swedish voters warranted such
action. In Chicago, Rockford, Galesburg, Moline and at other points
such clubs sprang up, and in Chicago the ward clubs were combined into
what was termed the Central Republican Club of Cook County. Then
the idea of a state-wide organization naturally suggested itself a repre-
sentative body capable of speaking for the great bulk of Swedish voters
in the state.
In the fall of 1894 this idea took definite form. A meeting was called
for December 4, at Chicago, and that day saw the birth of the Swedish-
American Republican League of Illinois. The organization was incor-
porated on the thirty-first of the same month.
Among those present and participating in the organization were :
Edward C. Westman, Will S. Hussander, Charles Hoglund, C. A.
Edwards and Gustaf L. Nelson, of Cook county ; M. O. Williamson and
A. W. Truedson, of Knox county ; A. L. Anderson and John S. Smith, of
Henry county ; Rev. C. O. Gustaf son, of Will county ; George W. Johnson,
Frank A. Landee, Alfred Anderson, Frank A. Johnson, C. G. Carlson
and G. L. Peterson, of Rock Island county ; A. J. Anderson, L. M. Noling
and Carl Ebbesen, of Winnebago county.
The organization was perfected by the election of officers, as follows :
Edward C. Westman, of Chicago, president ; Hjalmar Kohler, of Moline,
vice president ; Will S. Hussander, of Chicago, secretary ; A. L. Anderson,
of Andover, treasurer. The league was first planned by the leading men
of the Central Republican Club, the most actJve of whom was Mr. West-
man, and his election as the first president of the new organization was
merely just recognition of his initiative in the matter.
The league is made up of delegates chosen by the local Swedish
city or county clubs, and the representation is by counties on the basis
of one delegate for the first one hundred voters of Swedish descent in
each county, and one additional delegate for every three hundred such
voters.
Q 8
P-H C
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O *<>
CULTURAL PROGRESS 335
In casting about for some historic anniversary as a fitting date for
holding the annual convention, the organizers happily selected March 9,
the day on which the memorable battle between the Monitor and the
Merrimac was fought in 1862. In the greatest single achievement of a
Swedish-American, the construction of the Monitor by John Ericsson,
was found a most worthy cause for celebration by fellow countrymen
of the great mechanical genius. Hereby was established the annual com-
memoration of that historic event on the ninth of March, now known
as John Ericsson Day, by the Swedish-born citizens of Illinois, and the
example set by them has been followed by their countrymen in other
states organized in leagues patterned after that of Illinois.
The sequel to each annual convention and the one outstanding feature
of the occasion is a banquet at which the name and fame of the great
naval constructor and inventor is invariably toasted. Many of these
banquets, all planned on a large scale, have been brilliant affairs, at which
the president of the United States, members of the cabinet, governors,
senators, the famous wits and orators of the nation, and even rival
candidates for high offices, have talked and fraternized under the inter-
twining colors of the United States and Sweden. Moreover, many
favorable opportunities have been afforded representative Swedish-
Americans to appear in an open forum, to plead their cause and air their
grievances, if any, before men of large caliber, open minds, high station
and a wide sphere of political influence. On the whole, the social and
intellectual intercourse at these political feasts have proved profitable
and enlightening to both the hosts and their guests.
The league convened for the first time on March 9, 1895, in Chicago.
Delegates representing voters of eighteen counties were seated to the
number of 119, with a like number of alternates. The first officers were
all re-elected for the following year. The business sessions were held
at the Masonic Temple and the banquet was given at the Grand Pacific
Hotel, under the auspices of the Central Republican Club. Subsequent
conventions have been held in Rockford, Paxton, Aurora, Joliet, Gales-
burg, Bloomington, Princeton, Moline, Peoria and Chicago.
A list of the presidents of the league from its inception follows:
Edward C. Westman, Chicago ; Moses O. Williamson, Galesburg ; Frank
G. Stibb, Rockford ; Frank A. Landee, Moline ; C. A. Nordgren, Paxton ;
Edwin A. Olson, Chicago ; A. W. Truedson, Galesburg ; Carl R. Chind-
blom, Chicago ; M. A. L. Olson, DeKalb ; Julius Johnson, Lynn ; P. A.
Peterson, Rockford ; Justus L. Johnson, Aurora ; Oscar Dell Olson,
Chicago; Charles F. Hurburgh, Galesburg; John Kjellander, Chicago;
George W. Johnson, Moline ; Axel E. Thompson, Chicago ; John E.
Johnson, DeKalb ; G. L. Peterson, Moline ; Palmer E. Anderson, Prince-
ton ; Joseph E. Westerlund, Cambridge.
In the campaign of 1896 a committee from the league had charge of
the Swedish bureau of the Republican National Committee headquarters
in Chicago. From this bureau were sent out 7,300 letters, 789,975 books
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE JOHN ERICSSON DAY
CELEBRATION IN 1912.
JOHN E. ERICSSON.
ALFRED A. NORTON.
EDWARD C. WESTMAN.
EDWIN A. OLSON.
HENRY S. HENSCHEN.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 337
and campaign documents, and 700,000 copies of Swedish newspapers, all
of which material served to strengthen Swedish-American loyalty to the
Republican party.
In 1900 the league aided materially in the election of M. O. \Yil-
liamson, one of the ex-presidents, to the office of state treasurer, and
it has made its influence felt in various other instances during the past
twenty years.
At the outset the league undertook to publish a small paper whereby
its interests might be promoted. In 1895 one number of this paper, called
the Monitor News, was published, with G. Bernhard Anderson as editor,
but a second number never appeared.
The John Ericsson Monument Association of Illinois, founded by
resolution of the league, was incorporated April 27, 1905, with Dr. Gustav
Andreen, of Rock Island, president ; P. A. Peterson, of Rockford, vice
president ; Edwin A. Olson, of Chicago, secretary, and John R. Lind-
gren, of Chicago, treasurer. Its object was to provide for the erection
and maintenance in Illinois of a worthy monument to the memory of
the great Swedish-American inventor. Few, if 'any, traces of activity
on the part of this auxiliary organization are apparent in the records,
and the plan was apparently abandoned. The recent act of Congress in
appropriating $35,000 for a John Ericsson monument in Washington,
although prompted chiefly by Swedish-Americans of New York City,
was earnestly urged also by citizens of Chicago and members of this
league.' A national John Ericsson monument in Washington will naturally
discourage the idea of erecting another one in Illinois, so the miscarriage
of the first plan will doubtless be the end of the local project.
Probably the most brilliant event in the life of the league up to
1906 was the great Ericsson memorial banquet given at the Auditorium
Hotel, Chicago, that year, when eight hundred persons sat at table and
Charles J. Bonaparte, then Secretary of the Navy, graced the occasion
with his presence.
That event was, however, totally eclipsed by the convention and
banquet of 1912, the occasion being the fiftieth anniversary of the mem-
orable Monitor and Merrimac fight. There were celebrations in
numerous centers of Swedish population in Illinois and elsewhere. At
the Rock Island arsenal, at the suggestion originally made by the present
writer and warmly seconded by Mr. A. G. Anderson and a number of
other influential citizens, Colonel Burr, the commandant, authorized by
the Ordnance Department at Washington, had the national salute of
1862 fired at sunrise, in honor of the day. 1
1 It may be mentioned as a curiosity that some time after this salute had
been fired the writer had a request for simultaneous salutes at certain other military
posts returned from the War Department, through Major Bergland of Baltimore,
with a memorandum to the effect that the ordnance department did not favor
so unwarranted an expenditure of ammunition.
PORTRAIT OF JOHN ERICSSON, BY ARVID NYHOLM.
Presented to the National Gallery in Washington by the League.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 339
The semi-centennial celebration, however, centered in Chicago, and
it was Swedish-American day in that city as on but two occasions
before the visit of Christina Nilsson in 18/0 and the Swedish Day
at the World's Fair in 1893. Two circumstances lent national distinc-
tion to the league convention and banquet this year the presence of
the President of the United States and the fact that he chose this
occasion to state his views on many political questions, making it his
keynote address in the West prior to the national campaign. President
William H. Taft, the chief guest of honor, was surrounded on this
occasion by a number of guests of no small consequence, including
Mr. W. A. F. Ekengren, then charge d'affaires, now minister for Sweden ;
two state governors, Charles S. Deneen of Illinois and Adolph Olson
Eberhart of Minnesota ; Hon. George E. Foss, member of Congress, and
State Senator Charles F. Hurburgh, the Swedish-born candidate in the
race then on for the gubernatorial nomination ; Charles D. Hillis, the
President's private secretary, and several army and navy officers com-
posing the President's retinue. The number participating in the John
Ericsson banquet approximated eleven hundred.
The presidential party was met at the station early in the morning
by a small delegation on behalf of a reception committee of forty, which
met the President at the Congress Hotel later. Mr. Taft then spent
the day visiting various institutions and clubs, making addresses and
giving informal receptions. In the meantime the delegates to the con-
vention held their usual sessions, with Hon. George W. Johnson, of
Moline, presiding. It was pointed out as evidence of increasing interest
in the league that while at the organization meeting in 1894 100 delegates
represented ten counties, twenty-four counties were now represented by
about 500 delegates.
After an informal reception, the banqueters filled the Gold Room
and overflowed into two adjacent rooms of the Congress Hotel and sat
down at festal boards most sumptuously spread. Mr. Edward C. West-
man was named toastmaster by Mr. Edwin A. Olson, who placed in
his hand a gavel said to have been made from a piece of the old wreckage
of the Merrimac.
President Taft prefaced his political address with a brief but
eloquent tribute to John Ericsson, from which the closing sentences
may be here quoted. "Ericsson lived in New York from 1839 to 1889,
or for fifty years, and during his long career in America he made many
inventions," said the President, "but that which earned him the especial
gratitude of the nation, that which put the American nation under
obligation to Swedish inventive genius, was the construction of the
Monitor, which in 1862 saved our fleet and thereby our country. I
rejoice to be present and together with you commemorate this fiftieth
anniversary and on behalf of the American nation to acknowledge the
debt of gratitude it owes to the land of Gustavus Adolphus and John
Ericsson."
SI
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CULTURAL PROGRESS 341
At the close of the President's address Mr. Henry S. Henschen
introduced Mr. W. A. F. Ekengren, the Swedish representative, who
read the following greeting from King Gustaf V. :
"To the Szvcdish Committee:
"It is with great pleasure that I learn that so many American citizens
of Szvedish origin are assembled to commemorate this day, on which, fifty
years ago, the genius of a son of my country contributed to the welfare
of the American people and to the cause of freedom.
"I see in the fact that the President of the United States honors
your assembly with his presence, a proof of the esteem and sympathy
the Swedish people has zvon in America, and I need not say how glad
and proud I feel on that account.
"With these sentiments I send the Szvedish- Americans of Chicago
my friendly greetings on this memorable day.
GUSTAF."
The royal message was acknowledged by cablegram.
The Monitor anniversary was extended to the following day, when
the wives of the members of the reception committee were the hostesses
at a public reception to view the memorial paintings ordered by the
league for presentation to the National Gallery. These were a John
Ericsson portrait by Arvid Nyholm, of Chicago, and a depiction by
Henry Reuterdahl, of Weehawken, N. J., of the battle between the
Monitor and the Merrimac. On the same occasion Mr. Westman, the
organizer of the league, was presented with a silver loving cup subscribed
by his many friends. The President appeared at this reception for a
few moments just prior to his return to the capital.
The two paintings, commemorative alike of the historic event and
its fiftieth anniversary, were presented to the National Museum on
March 23rd following, a committee having gone to Washington to
act on behalf of the league. This committee was composed of Messrs.
Edward C. Westman, Henry S. Henschen, John E. Ericsson, N. A.
Nelson, C. S. Peterson, J. G. Bergquist, Frank Gustafson, Edward J.
Lindsten, N. H. Hultin and John A. Thortenson. The presentation was
made by Mr. Henschen. The committee in charge of the arrangements
for this notable Swedish-American celebration consisted of the three
first-named gentlemen and Messrs. Edwin A. Olson and Alfred A. Norton.
SWEDISH-AMERICANS IN PUBLIC LIFE.
Recent years have shown greater activity in political life on the part
of the Swedish element in this state than might have been conjectured
from the former aloofness and apathy displayed by the average Swedish-
born citizen towards so-called practical politics. This change is no doubt
due in great measure to the work and influence of the Swedish-American
Republican League, the other factor of prime influence being the com-
342 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
plete assimilation and Americanization of the second and third genera-
tions.
With no attempt to make a complete enumeration of Swedish Illi-
noisans who have attained to leading positions in the public service in
later years, we believe the subjoined data are sufficient evidence of the
birth of the civic spirit in the present generation of Swedish-Americans.
The old complaint of being denied proportionate representation in the
matter of public office, if at one time justified, no longer fits their case.
a'fr "tx ttJain-oUAlv v-vvvwiAXlM .
.'t vi ' \olUv o.Uftt ttltllW/U. tittt 5.)
ticit
_i.tJUvx!> f ij^ndltllv ftUoA-w ttU Cl
UwvCtJt .TO otci'ii. ao/e tkt otiMu
Cm<v.ft., <tvJi<.iti-tt.<l tc tKl 'Urtjllat*. J. Uxt CLvwtActAAy Jt^AU
5
t lit J/UAjUv*
FACSIMILE OF THE LETTER FROM THE KING OF SWEDEN.
To obtain just recognition it seems only necessary for the Swedish voting
element to assert itself, not in the sense of voting in a herd, but by
judicious application of its influence at the right time and place.
The highest state office attained by a Swedish-born citizen in this state
was the state treasurership, held by MOSES O. WILLIAMSON of Gales-
burg. Prior to that he had served his city as town and city clerk, alder-
man and justice of the peace for a long period, was then elected treasurer
of Knox County and thereupon county clerk, serving from 1890 until
1900, when he was made state treasurer.
AXEL CHYTRAUS of Chicago, born in Yermland, Sweden, in 1859,
was elected judge of the Superior Court of Cook County in 1898, and
CULTURAL PROGRESS 343
was twice re-elected, serving continuously until 1912. Chytraus, admitted
to the bar in 1881, was one of the first Swedes in the legal profession in
the city of Chicago. He was for some years law partner of Charles S.
Deneen, just prior to his election to the governorship. On the Superior
Court bench Judge Chytraus made an enviable record for meting out
justice without fear or favor. His decrees and verdicts were so im-
partial and nonpartisan in character that during his entire term of service
the various interests were unable to fasten upon him the stigma of being
a "capitalist judge" or a "labor judge," a criticism few in a judicial position
are able altogether to escape.
Another high judicial position has been held for many years by
HARRY OLSON, who was elected to the office of Chief Justice of the Mu-
nicipal Court of Chicago, when that institution was established in 1906.
This court is the largest in the state and one of the greatest institutions
in the world in point of volume of judicial business handled by its twenty-
seven associate judges. As the directing head of this important branch
of the judicial system, Mr. Olson for years has occupied one of the truly
important offices in the city and the entire state. He is a native Chi-
cagoan, born here in 1867. Having been admitted to the bar in 1891, he
made an enviable record as assistant state's attorney for a period of ten
years, and there established his reputation as a barrister.
Congressman C. O. LOBECK of Omaha, Xeb., is allied with a family
of early Swedish immigrants in western Illinois. His mother was Anna
Louisa Lobeck from Ostergotland, Sweden, in whose home in Andover
the first Swedish Lutheran congregation in Illinois was organized. The
father of Congressman Lobeck was Otto Lobeck, a German by birth,
who spent six years in Sweden before emigrating to America. The family
lived in Andover some fifteen years, then in Geneseo and elsewhere until
1884, when they removed to Omaha. Mrs. Lobeck, who came to Illinois
as early as 1849, died in Fremont, Neb., March 30, 1903. Hon. C. O.
Lobeck is one of three remaining children out of a family of fourteen
brothers and sisters.
Congressman CLAUDE ULYSSES STONE of Peoria is of half Swedish
parentage, his mother being an Ohlson. He was born in Illinois, com-
pleted a course in jurisprudence, volunteered in the Spanish-American
War, served as county superintendent of schools from 1903 until 1910,
when elected to Congress. His appointment as postmaster of Peoria was
made in January, 1917.
The Illinois contingent in Congress has for a time included FREDERICK
LUNDIN of Chicago, a native of Ostergotland, Sweden. He served before
that as state senator from his Chicago district, and for years his word
has had weight in the Republican councils of the city and the state.
CARL LUNDBERG of Chicago was elected state senator from the Elev-
enth district in 1902 and served with credit to himself, his party and his
nationality.
The office of state's attorney of Henry Countv was held for four vears
344 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
from 1912, by NELS F. ANDERSON, elected on the Democratic ticket.
Anderson, born in Sweden, in 1858, and partly educated there, came to
this country at the age of thirteen and at nineteen entered Knox College,
graduating in 1882 with the second honors in his class. Among his class-
mates were S. S. McClure, founder of McClnre's Magazine, and John S.
Philips, one of the founders of the American Magazine.
In the fall election of 1916 CARL AUGUST MELIN of Cambridge, a
Republican, was elected to the office of State's Attorney of Henry County
to succeed Mr. Anderson.
The present county judges of Rock Island and Henry counties are
of Swedish descent, namely NELS A. LARSON of Rock Island and LEONARD
S. TELLEEN of Henry. The latter is the grandson of one of the earliest
Swedish settlers in Rock Island County.
He is a graduate of Augustana College and the University of Ne-
braska law school. Locating in Cambridge in 1905, he was elected presi-
dent of the village board in 1907, and county judge in 1910 and again
in 1914.
In the middle nineties GUSTAI-- SWENSSON was elected mayor of the
city of Moline, this being the first time the mayoralty was entrusted to
a Swedish-born townsman in that city, where Swedish-Americans have
formed well-nigh half the population for several decades back. Since
then two other men of Swedish blood have occupied the office of chief
executive in that city, viz. : ANDREW OLSON and MARTIN R. CARLSON, the
latter being the present incumbent. Two other Moline men have been
honored by their constituents, FRANK A. LANDEE and GEORGE W. JOHN-
SON, the former having been chosen state senator and the latter having
represented his district for two terms in the House of Representatives.
The present representation of the Chicago Swedes in officialdom may
be briefly indicated by the following list :
OSCAR F. NELSON, chief state factory inspector ; ERIC E. HALL, county
architect of Cook County ; CHARLES BOSTROM, city building commission-
er ; CHARLES J. FORSBERG, city collector; A. M. SWANSON, chief examiner
and secretary of the Civil Service Commission ; CHARLES S. PETERSON,
member of the school board and chairman of its committee on finance ;
ARTHUR HUSSANDER, architect to the school board; JOHN KTELLANDER
and JOHN TYDEN, members of the City Council; JOHN P. FRIEDLUND,
member of the Lincoln Park commission ; GOTTHARD A. DAHLBERG, mem-
ber of the legislature.
In the office of city engineer, JOHN ERICSON has rendered highly effi-
cient service to the city under several administrations. In the office of
building commissioner Mr. Bostrom was preceded by HENRY ERICSSON.
The Civil Service Commission was presided over by ROBERT LINDBLOM,
who also served on the Board of Education. In the City Council of Chi-
cago have sat ERNEST BIHL, JOHN LARSON, CHARLES J. FORSBERG and
others ; Messrs. C. J. HOLMES and C. F. ERICKSON served on the Board
of Education ; FRANS A. LINDSTRAND on the Library Board ; CARL LUND-
CULTURAL PROGRESS 345
BERG, CHARLES J. DAHLGREN and CARL R. CHINDBLOM as county com-
missioners; GUSTAF LUNDOUIST and EDWARD LINN on the Lincoln Park
Commission ; EDWARD WESTMAN as gas inspector, and JOHN KJELLANDER
as city sealer.
THE SWEDISH CONSULAR SERVICE.
As early as 1854 the Scandinavian population of Chicago and the sur-
rounding territory had grown so large as to call for the establishment of
a Swedish-Norwegian vice consulate at this point. The first appointee to
the office was Polycarpus von Schneidau, who was succeeded in 1856
by his personal friend, Pastor Gustaf Unonius of the Ansgarins Church.
Upon his return to Sweden in 1858, Charles J. Sundell was made vice
consul, serving until 1861, when Oscar Malmborg succeeded to the office.
Malmborg could hardly have actually served, his appointment having
been made shortly before he entered the volunteer service in the Civil War,
as lieutenant-colonel of the Fifty-fifth regiment. The office was admin-
istered by Gerhard Larson from that year until 1863. During the next
seven years P. L. Hawkinson held the post. His successor was Peter
Svanoe, a Norwegian, whose tenure ended in 1893, when John R. Lind-
gren was appointed.
At the time of the dissolution of the union between Sweden and Nor-
way in 1905, Mr. Lindgren was requested by the Norwegian government
to continue to act as vice consul for Norway until a successor might be
appointed. This he consented to do. In due time the Norwegian govern-
ment appointed Hon. F. Herman Gade as consul for Norway in Chicago.
In December, 1908, the Swedish vice consulate was raised to the rank of
a consulate, and Mr. Lindgren was appointed consul, which position he
held until January, 1914. In February, 1909, Henry S. Henschen was
appointed vice consul for Sweden and on Mr. Lindgren's total incapacity
on account of illness, Mr. Henschen was appointed acting consul in May,
1909, and served as such until January, 1914.
For several years prior to 1914 the Swedish government, on the
urgings of certain members and parties in Riksdagen, had considered the
matter of appointing a salaried consul of Swedish citizenship, i. e., a consul
missus, or "consul of career." When Count Albert Ehrensvard, after hav-
ing served a brief term as Swedish minister at Washington, was appointed
to the office of Foreign Minister in Stockholm, he strongly urged the cre-
ation of a salaried consulate in Chicago. This "plan was carried through
the Swedish Riksdag in the spring of 1913. The first consul under this
designation was Carl G. Puke, who took office in January, 1914, at which
time Mr. Lindgren's services as consul and Mr. Henschen's as vice consul
terminated.
In 1914 G. Bernhard Anderson was appointed an unsalaried vice
consul to serve with Consul Puke.
Mr. C. G. G. Anderberg was appointed successor to Mr. Puke, but did
not take the office. The present incumbent is Consul Eric Einar Ekstrand.
346 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
During Mr. Lindgren's incumbency and later during Mr. Henschen's,
earnest efforts were made to serve the wider commercial interests of
Sweden in every way and to make the consulate a center for the develop-
ment of numerous Swedish and Swedish- American activities, not limiting
the duties of the office to purely routine matters. Mr. Lindgren especially,
on account of his large means and commanding position in the community,
was able to accomplish much in this direction.
SWEDES IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
In the war with Spain many Swedish-Americans gave prompt re-
sponse to the call to arms. In the ten regiments of land forces from Illi-
nois and the two companies of naval reserves from Chicago and Moline
there were altogether about five hundred Swedes, or about one-twentieth
of the total from this state.
Before the actual outbreak of hostilities, Carl A. W. Liljenstolpe of
Chicago planned an entire regiment of Swedish-Americans. Aided by
Axel af Jocknick, also of Chicago, he set about recruiting, and on May i,
1898, within ten days after war was declared, he had some four hundred
men enrolled. In July the regiment, named the "Blue and Gray Legion"
had its officers appointed, Liljenstolpe being made lieutenant and Jocknick
and M. Theodore Mattson, majors of battalions.
By prompt and decisive action the American navy put a sudden end
to the war, and the Swedish-American legion was one of many volunteer
organizations which were never called into service. Many young Swedish
Illinoisans, however, saw service in the sea and land forces actually en-
gaged, and the record for loyalty and patriotism, set by the Swedish- Amer-
icans in the Civil War, was well sustained by a succeeding generation.
Brevet Col. Liljenstolpe, the son of a major in the Swedish army, re-
ceived a military education and served as lieutenant in the Kalmar regi-
ment. In 1894 he came to this country and engaged in the practice of
medical gymnastics.
Brevet Major Axel af Jocknick came to Chicago in 1893 and here es-
tablished a gymnastic institute, which he conducted until his death in
1903. He descended from a German family naturalized in Sweden. Hav-
ing completed his military education in 1877, he abandoned the army career
and engaged in the practice of Swedish medical gymnastics and massage,
having practiced his profession in London, Berlin and Buenos Ay res
before locating in Chicago. For some time he acted as instructor in military
drills and fencing in the Chilean army while in South America.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 347
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES.
THE MISSION COVENANT.
The Mission Covenant of Sweden, organized in 18/8, inspired many
of the Mission Friends in the United States with a desire for a similar
church communion here. They were divided between the Mission and
the Ansgarius synods, while many of their pastors and congregations be-
REV. J. M. SANNGREN, FIRST MISSION CHURCH
PREACHER IN CHICAGO.
longed to neither group, believing as they did in no church organization
beyond the congregation. In 1879 the first step was taken toward a union
of the two synods on the basis of a constitution similar to that of the
Swedish Covenant. But several years elapsed before sufficient unity was
effected to assure such an organization.
Not until the Ansgarius Synod in 1884 had decided to dissolve in
May of the following year and the Mission Synod had tabled the propo-
sition to unite did the Tabernacle Church of Chicago take the action which
led to the organizing of the church body so long contemplated. After be-
CULTURAL PROGRESS
349
ing assured that the churches generally desired a convention to discuss
the question of union, Pastors C. A. Bjork and F. M. Johnson on behalf
of the Tabernacle Church issued an invitation to meet there.
The meeting was held Feb. 18-25, l &&5, President Bjork of the Mis-
sion Synod presiding. Those present resolved to seat all members of the
two synods, but only such members of independent churches as favored
REV. CARL AUGUST 15.TORK.
organization, a restriction obviously made to prevent the defeat of the
purpose for which they had come together. Fifty-five delegates were
present at the opening session, seven others late in arriving being given a
voice in the proceedings.
The birth of the Mission Covenant was not to take place without
great travail. Rev. John G. Princell, the former head of Ansgarius Col-
lege, discontinued the year before, had created bad blood among the
brethren by means of a series of bitter anti-organization articles appear-
ing in Chicago-Bladet, the mouthpiece of the Free Mission Friends. Now
he appeared at the meeting and precipitated a storm by applying for mem-
350
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
bership in the convention, although delegated by neither a synodical nor
an independent church or society. Princell declared himself in favor of
the unification of all Christians on a Biblical basis, meaning thereby unity
in faith and good works, without any organic connection, but considering
that this did not bring him within the scope of the call issued, the dele-
gates voted to exclude him. Upon his withdrawal Princell admitted that
HUMUOLDT PARK MISSION CHURCH, CHICAGO.
only the spirit, not the letter of the call, would have entitled him to a
seat. A committee subsequently appointed to secure retraction of the
most opprobrious terms employed by Princell in his antagonism failed
of its purpose. He persevered in his antagonism, and it was largely due
to his stand that quite a number of independent churches stood aloof
and remained without any denominational organization worthy of the
name until 1908, when they organized as the Swedish Evangelical Free
Church.
The convention adopted the following preliminary declaration of
principles : "A union of Christian congregations ought to be accomplished
on a Scriptural basis, among such Christian believers as have confidence
CULTURAL PROGRESS
351
in and a true love for one another and are actuated by a desire for peace
and harmony."
At the third session the proposition to organize was adopted by an
overwhelming majority. The Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant
of America was the name adopted. In the constitution adopted at the
subsequent session the section relating to the confession read thus : "This
Covenant declares its belief in the Word of God, the sacred writings of
the Old and the New Testament, as
the only perfect rule of faith, doctrine
and life."
The entire constitution had a strik-
ing resemblance to that drafted for the
Ansgarius Synod less than a year be-
fore, a fact indicating that the discus-
sion between the synodical and the
free churches was based not so much
on the principles as on quibbles and
personal animosity.
The Mission Synod joined the
Covenant in a body, yet a small num-
ber of its members attempted to keep
it alive as a district organization on
the plea that it had not been formally
dissolved. These met again in 1886,
but for the last time as a synod.
The Covenant assembled for its first regular annual meeting in
Princeton, Sept. 25-30, 1885. Forty-six congregations were admitted.
A total of thirty-eight ministers matriculated at this time.
One of the first questions of importance dealt with was that of co-
operation with the Swedish Congregationalists in the support of a the-
ological seminary. The Chicago Theological Seminary had promised to
open a Swedish department and to support a teacher to be selected by
the Covenant. Prof. Fridolf Risberg, called from Sweden by the school
committee named by the Covenant, had already accepted the position,
and this arrangement was now sanctioned.
Rev. Carl August Bjork was chosen president shortly after the formal
organization and for a long term of years he remained the administrative
head of the Mission Covenant.
At the annual meeting in 1888 Rev. Princell, claiming to represent
the general opinion among the Free Mission churches, proposed a consti-
tutional change providing for three classes of members, a change de-
signed to open the door for the admission of himself and his followers
into the Covenant. He admitted now that even the independent churches
favored some form of organization. The Covenant declined to adopt
the proposed change, at the same time offering an official apology for the
treatment accorded Princell three years before.
REV. JOHN G. PRINCELL.
352
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
As to the place occupied by the Mission Covenant as a church body in
relation to other denominations, the fact elsewhere pointed out, that the
Mission Friends in general are originally a segregated group of Lutherans,
is more fully stated by Prof. Axel Mellander 1 as follows :
"As to the ecclesiastical classification of the Covenant, that is not
easily made, it having points of contact with several denominations. His-
torically the Mission Friends belong to the Lutheran church group, hav-
ing grown out of that de-
nomination. In point of
doctrine, they generally
stand on Lutheran ground
in their attitude to the
means of grace. They
claim to hold the true
Lutheran view of congre-
gational life, which Luther
himself called 'the true
evangelical order,' which
for lack of the right per-
sons he declared himself
unable to establish. The
Mission Friends, however,
hold it to be wrong to
name their church after
any man, be he Luther or any other. Nevertheless, they read Luther's
works and quote the words of the great Reformer more often than those of
any other writer. They will not be bound by the Augsburg Confession,
although sanctioning its contents ih the main. As to the Doctrine of Atone-
ment they have pretty generally accepted the view propounded by Walden-
strom, not in submission to his personal dictates, but because they believe
it to be the true interpretation founded in the Word of God. They have
the same aversion to the name Waldenstrornians as to any other derived
from a man with whom they agree in any point of doctrine. It may be
said with relative accuracy that the Mission Covenant sustains the same
relation to the Lutheran Church in this country as the Brethren (Mora-
vians) do to that of Germany. As to denominational organization, the
Covenant takes a middle road between the Congregational and the Pres-
byterian form."
After twenty-five years of growth and activity the Mission Covenant
numbered 203 congregations and a total reported membership of 15,745,
not including children. Twenty-seven affiliated churches not reporting
were estimated at more than 2,000 members, bringing the total up to
about 18,000. Originating in Illinois and Iowa, the Mission Friends soon
established churches in many centers of Swedish population and the
MISSION CHURCH IN GALESBURG.
1 In a historical sketch appearing in Missions forb&ndets Minnesskrift, 1885-1910.
./TURAL PROGRESS 353
Covenant now constitutes the most numerous group of Mission Friends
in the United States.
CARL AUGUST BJORK, A LEADER IN THE MISSION CONVENANT.
In the death of Rev. Carl August Bjork, who passed away at his
home in Chicago, Oct. 29, 1916, the Mission Friends in America lost one
of their pioneers and the Mission Convenant its foremost churchman. He
was born July 29, 1837, in Lommaryd parish, Smaland, Sweden, and emi-
grated in 1864, when he located in the settlement of Swede Bend, Iowa.
There he began to read and preach
to a group of devotionalists, who in
1866 selected him as their leader.
In that capacity Bjcrk became the
founder of the first congregation of
Mission Friends in the United
States, which dates from the year
aforesaid. After having served the
brethren in Swede Bend, and
preached at intervals in other locali-
ties, Bjork was called to the pastor-
ate on the north side in Chicago, be-
ginning work there early in 1877.
This church he served most success-
fully for seventeen years. Hence-
forth positions of trust and honor
were given him from time to time.
In 1877 he was elected president of
the Mission Synod to succeed J. M.
Sanngren. When in 1885 the Mis-
sion and Ansgarius Synod churches
REV. ERIC GUSTAF HJERPE.
and a number of individual congre-
gations were united in the Mission Covenant, he was placed at the head of
the new church body, which he directed in that capacity for a period of
twenty-five years. In 1894 he was made superintendent of missions and
thenceforth gave his whole time to the service of the Covenant, giving up his
local charge in Chicago. In 1910, the year of the Covenant silver jubilee,
Bjork resigned from the superintendency and retired to private life.
As a preacher Bjork possessed a sort of homely eloquence which
proved more effective than brilliant pulpit oratory ; in his church leader-
ship he betrayed no outstanding qualifications distinguishing him from
his brethren, but he was a conservative and safe man at the helm. Rev.
E. G. Hjerpe, the successor of Bjork, after an acquaintance of thirty-
five years, characterizes him thus :
"Bjork was reticent to a degree, making it impossible to sound him
on short notice, all the more so because he did not take strangers into his
confidence; but upon closer acquaintance he grew warmly confidential.
EBENEZER LUTHERAN CHURCH, CHICAGO.
CULTURAL PROGRESS 355
In the circle of the brethren he manifested a fascinating congeniality,
except for intervals of indisposition, which he sought to conceal and sup-
press. As a leader and public man he gained large numbers of friends
and enjoyed their confidence, at the same time becoming the object of
enmity, expressed in sharp criticism and invidious charges laid against
his personal integrity. Rich in illustrations and anecdotes from daily life,
his public discourse was gripping and lucid, characterized also by the
palpable wit which the speaker on occasion was able to put to excellent
use. The foundation color and the dominant tone of his preaching, how-
ever, was the theme of salvation by unmerited grace through Christ
alone."
A volume of sermons by C. A. Bjork was published some years back,
a second edition being issued in 1916, shortly after his death.
SUMMARY OF THE CHURCHES.
THE SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Illinois Conference, which was in fact the mother of the Swedish
Lutheran Church in America, is now but one of the twelve conferences
constituting the Augustana Synod, the name by which that church is
known. This conference is divided into ten mission districts, three of
which lie beyond the state boundaries. Those within the confines of Illinois
are : the Rock Island district, with twenty-two congregations ; Galesburg'
district, with eighteen ; three Chicago districts, with a total of forty-six ;
Rockford district, with nineteen ; Paxton district, with sixteen congrega-
tions, or a total of one hundred and twenty-one congregations. Of the
oldest churches, the First of Moline (1850), and of Galesburg (1851), the
Immanuel of Chicago (1853), and the First of Rockford (1854), are the
largest, each numbering more than one thousand communicant members,
their respective total membership being as follows: First, Moline, 1,509;
First, Galesburg, 1,810; Immanuel, Chicago, 1,364; First, Rockford, 1,795.
The Swedish Lutherans of Illinois, according to the latest published statis-
tical reports (Dec., 1916), numbered 49,848 in so far as their connection
with this conference and the Augustana Synod goes. Large numbers of
former members of the Church of Sweden, however, remain outside the
pale of the church upon coming here, and their number cannot be estimated.
The attempt of the Swedish Protestant Episcopal churches to include
these automatically in their communion has not proved successful, and
the Augustana Synod classes them with the unchurched where they do
not affiliate with other denominations
The words of Dr. Julius Lincoln, writing in the anniversary pub-
lication of the Augustana Synod of 1910, have a bearing on the question
of church affiliation in general, not only as regards the Lutherans but
relative to other Swedish denominations as well, though in a lesser degree.
After having shown by the religious census of the Swedes in the United
States that only 457,000 out of a total of 1,659,467 Swedes enumerated
SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, ROCKFORD.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
357
in 1900, were then included in the various church denominations, leaving
1,201,000 without any church affiliation, he says:
"From figures which have been produced and from what we have
just written, the conclusion might be arrived at, that the great majority of
Swedes and their descendants in this country are an irreligious class.
That is not true. The Augustana Synod is bigger than it appears on paper.
As a class the Swedes are churchly and devoted to the faith of their
fathers. The peculiar expression is true of them : They are members of
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, ROCKFORD.
our congregations, but not of the organization.' As a proof of this
statement we submit statistics. In 1907 our pastors baptized 5,259 children
whose parents are members of the synod, and 7,126 whose parents are
not members. This may safely be taken as an indication of the strength
of our organization and as a correct measurement of the field open to
us. One pastor performs eleven times as many christenings outside of
the stated membership as within it ; another can multiply his figures by
7, another by 6, and so on, in nearly all large settlements. We are inclined
to place the real strength of the synod at a figure considerably higher
than is shown by the table of statistics."
At that time the figure for communicant membership of the synod
was 163,473 and the total membership 254,645. Today it numbers 187,578
communicants, and has a total membership of 274,859.
358 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
The Illinois Conference is only one of twelve conferences of the
synod covering the United States and Canada. One educational institu-
tion, Augustana College and Theological Seminary, at Rock Island, is
maintained by the synod, and nine others by the various conferences. The
average student attendance exceeds three thousand.
Out of the thirty or more charitable institutions within the Augus-
tana Synod, no less than nine are located in Illinois and maintained by
the Illinois Conference or portions thereof. These are :
The Orphans' Home in Andover; the Augustana Hospital and
Deaconess Institution in Chicago ; the Orphans' Home and Industrial
SHARON LUTHERAN CHURCH, CHICAGO.
School in Joliet ; the Salem Home for the Aged in Joliet ; the Augustana
Central Home in Chicago, a hospice, with nursery, home finding, rescue
and city mission work in connection ; two young women's homes main-
tained by individual congregations in Chicago ; the Augustana Home for
the Aged in Chicago ; the Lutheran Hospital in Moline.
THE MISSION COVENANT.
At the time of its twenty-fifth anniversary (1910) the Mission
Covenant had a reported adult membership of 15,745, there being no
enumeration of the children. With the addition of 27 churches not
reporting, the total membership was estimated at 18,000. The number
of those who worship more or less regularly in the Covenant churches is
considerably in excess of that figure. A large number of Mission con-
gregations are affiliated through the medium of district associations and
aid directly in the work of the Covenant. The number of churches was
203, but the number of preachers on the Covenant register 368, the differ-
ence being accounted for by the fact that many of them are serving
Free Mission or Congregational churches. Adding their membership to
CULTURAL PROGRESS 359
that of the Covenant, the total would reach 25,000 on a fair estimate.
Illinois is one of sixteen districts of the Covenant, each of which
is governed by a mission association. The Illinois district is subdivided
into five circuits, each with a mission superintendent. The two Chicago
circuits, North and South, include 29 congregations and 5 missions ; the
Rockford circuit 9 congregations and 7 missions ; the Galesburg circuit
6 congregations and 10 missions ; the Paxton circuit 5 congregations and
10 missions, totaling 49 congregations and 32 missions. Thirty out of
the 49 churches are formally connected with the association.
Besides the North Park College, the Covenant maintains a hospital
and home of mercy located near North Park, and a publishing
concern in Chicago from which is issued Forbundets Veckotidning, the
official organ of the Covenant, and where part of the literature is pub-
lished. Until recently the weekly Missions-V annen , though privately
owned, served as the official organ. It continues to serve its old con-
stituency in a semi-official way, and the press of the Mission Friends'
Publishing Company supplies a large share of the religious literature,
as heretofore.
THE SWEDISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
On the seventieth anniversary of the planting of the first Swedish
Methodist Episcopal church at Victoria, 111., on December 15, 1846, by
Jonas Hedstrom, the following facts and figures were published to show
what has sprung from that humble seed. Today the Swedish branch
of the Methodist Church extends over thirty-one states. It is divided
into six conferences comprising a total of 240 churches. There are 239
preachers and 20,897 members. The number of church edifices is 236,
representing a total value of more than two millions, while the 147 par-
sonages are valued at $414,000. There are two educational institutions.
the principal one being the Theological Seminary in Evanston. The
Bethany Home in Ravenswood is one of the three old people's homes
maintained by the denomination, and the Susan Wesley Home in Chicago
one of its two retreats for young women. In this city there is also main-
tained an industrial institution, known as "Brodrahemmet," and a pub-
lishing house, the Swedish M. E. Book Concern, from which are issued
the weekly official church paper Sandebudet and the Epworth League
organ Epworth-Klockan, as also a number of books, principally of a
religious character. The various institutions and establishments owned
and controlled by the church are estimated at $424,000, bringing the
total value of the property of the Swedish Methodist Church throughout
the country close to three million dollars. Many of the largest and
strongest churches are located in this state, and the location of the
chief institutions points plainly to the fact that Illinois remains the pivotal
state for Swedish Methodism and Chicago the headquarters of its activities.
The Swedish Methodists' Aid Association is one of its organizations,
with headquarters in Chicago.
CULTURAL PROGRESS
THE SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH.
301
The Illinois Conference of the Swedish Baptist Church is today the
next largest of the twenty-two conferences constituting the Swedish Bap-
tist General Conference of America, numbering thirty-two congregations
and 4,635 members in 1915, while the Minnesota Conference ranks first
REV. ERIC WINGREN.
with eighty-five congregations and 7,545 members. The General Con-
ference, organized at Village Creek, Iowa, June 12, 1879, is the fruition
of the work begun in Illinois, at Rock Island in 1852, at Chicago in 1866,
when the first church there was founded, which was to remain for a long
time the stronghold of the denomination in this state. The Illinois Con-
ference now owns church property aggregating in value half a million
dollars. The five largest Baptist congregations in Illinois are : Engle-
wood, 568; First, Chicago, 487; Rockford, 348; Austin, 318; Moline, 269.
The Swedish Baptists maintain the Fridhem old people's home in
Morgan Park. The Swedish Baptist Mutual Aid Association, organized
in 1896, has its headquarters in Chicago. Its present membership exceeds
362 THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
2,200. The theological seminary of the denomination, founded at Chi-
cago by Rev. J. A. Edgren in 1871, and maintained at Morgan Park,
Chicago, from 1877 to 1884 and from 1888 to 1914, was removed to St.
Paul, Minn., the year last named and is now combined with Bethel
Academy and known as the Bethel Theological Seminary, Dr. C. G.
Lagergren, the veteran educator, continuing as teacher and dean of
the seminary.
The publishing house of the General Conference is in Chicago, whence
are issued the official organ of the church, known as Svenska Standaret,
two publications for the Sunday-schools, and other church literature.
The weekly Nya Wecko-Posten of Chicago, founded in 1880. for the
purpose of promoting the interests of the church, continues to speak for
a large part of the denomination, although not in an official capacity, it
being privately owned. While published by a stock company, Rev. Eric
Wingren, one of the veterans of the Swedish Baptist Church, continues
to direct the paper editorially, as he has done the past thirty-six years.
In choosing an official paper, the General Conference seems to have over-
looked the one that exerted the greatest general influence, and this matter
those in authority have sought to remedy by combining the two rival
papers, Wecko-Posten and Standard, the negotiations, so far, having led
to nothing.
THE SWEDISH PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Swedish Protestant Episcopal Church in Illinois is today limited
to three congregations, the old St. Ansgarius Church of Chicago, and two
small communions of adherents formed in recent years, one in Galesburg,
the other in the Englewood district of Chicago. The St. Ansgarius, which
was under the charge of Rev. Herman Lindskog from 1887 until his death
in 1914, and during that period claimed a membership of from one
thousand to twelve hundred, is somewhat disintegrated at the present time,
and has no definite statistical figures to offer. The other two churches
are too small to add materially to the total membership.
The Rev. Carl Gustaf Herman Lindskog was born at Strengnas,
Sweden, May 24, 1853, and received his elementary education in Stock-
holm. He became affiliated with the Methodists of Sweden, and was
ordained in that denomination in 1875. Coming to America four years
later, he labored as pastor of the Swedish M. E. Church of Rockford for
eight years. Upon a call from the St. Ansgarius Church early in 1887
he removed there and after due investment with the holy orders by the
Episcopal Church, he was installed as rector the following year. On
March 21, 1914, death removed him from his field of labor, in which he
was succeeded by the Rev. C. A. Nybladh.
The St. John's Church of Galesburg is in charge of Rev. C. G. Hag-
berg, while Rev. Wilhelm Blomquist serves the Immanuel of Englewood.
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
CHICAGO.
WILLIAM HENSCHEN,
editor, educator and clergyman,
was born at Upsala, April n, 1842.
The parents were Civil Magistrate
Lars Wilhelm Henschen and his
wife, Augusta Munck af Rosen-
schold. After several years of
private instruction, he entered the
cathedral school at Upsala and
matriculated as student in the Uni-
versity of Upsala, December 10,
1857. In 1862 he had completed
his studies for the doctorate, and
in May, 1863, he received, after
a defense of his treatise, the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy, at the
age of 21.
His intention was now to become
a physician and with this object in
view he studied anatomy and chem-
istry in Upsala. In Berlin he pur-
sued the study of physiology and
electricity, but abandoned this plan
after his return to Sweden in 1866
to follow the vocation of a teacher.
For three semesters instructor at
the collegiate school in Lund, he
received a regular appointment as
adjunct instructor at the Helsing-
borg collegiate school in 1867.
In 1870 Dr. Henschen emigrated
to America, spending the first two
years in Florida, afterwards mov-
ing to New York, where he became
editor of Nordstjernan and later
of Norden. Having joined the
Methodist Church in 1875, he was
appointed editor of S'dndebudet the
following September, which made
it necessary for him to move to
Chicago. At the same time he was
a teacher in the Swedish Theolog-
ical Seminary. These positions Dr.
Henschen held till September, 1882,
when he resigned from the editor-
WILLIAM HENSCHEN.
ship and a year later from the sem-
inary, to become pastor of the
Jamestown church. From 1885 to
1889 Dr. Henschen lived in Sweden,
where he labored as teacher and
editor. Returning to America, he
was re-elected editor of S'dndebudet
and held this position till 1911, with
the exception of four years, when
he was pastor in Galva, 111.
At present Dr. Henschen lives
on a small farm near Chesterton,
365
366
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Ind., where he has continued his
literary labors by writing occasion-
ally for his former paper, and pub-
lishing four books of essays on re-
ligious and ethical subjects.
Dr. Henschen was married in
1868 to Miss Hilda Johanna Maria
Lilljebjorn. They have had eleven
children, six of whom are living.
The eldest son is cashier in the
State Bank of Chicago; one is a
physician in Georgetown, Texas ;
three daughters are married and
one is a missionary in India.
Dr. Henschen can look back over
a long and useful career as a
preacher, educator and editor,
whose influence has been felt be-
yond the boundaries of his own de-
nomination. In politics he has taken
little interest, as he has been too in-
dependent to belong to any party.
He has worked for prohibition, wo-
man's suffrage, absolute religious
liberty and against the political in-
trigues of the Roman Catholic
Church.
It is also worth mentioning, that
Dr. Henschen was created " Jubel-
doktor" of Upsala University in
1913, a distinction which never be-
fore has come to a Swedish-Amer-
ican.
OSCAR F. NELSON,
chief state factory inspector of Illi-
nois, was born in Chicago, Septem-
ber 29, 1884. His father, Nels
Nelson, was engaged in the street
paving business. Having completed
his public school education, he has
had a rich and varied experience.
In 1899 he entered the postal ser-
vice and became clerk in the post-
office in 1902. Four years later
he was elected president of Chicago
Postoffice Clerks' Union, serving irr
this capacity till 1910, when he was
dismissed from the postal service
for activity in behalf of better san-
itary conditions for his fellow em-
ployes.
OSCAR F. NELSON.
In September, the same year, he
was elected president of the Na-
tional Federation of Postoffice
Clerks. This position brought him
to the nation's capital as representa-
tive of the postoffice clerks, during
which time he was influential in
having enacted a law legalizing the
right of postoffice clerks to organize
and also providing for the eight
hour day for this class of workers.
Through his activity at Washing-
ton, the postoffice clerks secured
an increase in the minimum salary
from $600 to $800 per annum, and
a material increase in the appropri-
ation for clerks in the higher
grades.
In 1911 he was honored in being
elected vice-president of the Chi-
cago Federation of Labor and has
been re-elected for three successive
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
367
terms. Governor Dunne of Illinois
appointed him chief state factory
inspector, with offices in the Trans-
portation Building', Chicago, Au-
gust i, 1913.
Mr. Nelson is deeply interested
in several civic and eleemosynary
organizations of the city and state.
He is one of the directors of the
Juvenile Protective Association,
member of the Social Service Club
and the City Club, director in the
American Association for Labor
Legislation, and several secret so-
cieties. In religion he professes
the Lutheran faith and is a Demo-
crat in politics.
Mr. Nelson was married to Miss
Helen Hoyer of Chicago, April 21,
1909, and has two children. The
family resides at 639 Briar place,
Chicago.
ANDREW ANDERSON,
editor of Chicago-Bladct, is a native
of Smaland, Sweden, being born
December 2, 1857, in the parish of
Rydaholm, where his parents were
farmers. He received his public
school education in the old coun-
try and came to America in May,
1877. He decided to learn the
printer's trade and found work in
the printing office of Chicago-
Bladet, a religious weekly, which
had come into existence a few
months before. He remained in
this position till 1886, now and then
furnishing articles to the paper.
The owner and editor-in-chief
found that the young printer had
gifts and ability for literary work
and made him assistant editor. In
1913 he became editor of the paper
and in 1915 he also was elected
business manager of the publishing
company to which he has been at-
tached since his arrival in America.
Mr. Anderson is a member of
the First Swedish Free Church in
Chicago, where he has held several
ANDREW ANDERSON.
positions of trust and honor. On
May 7, iSSi, he was married to
Miss Anna J. Anderson of Saby,
Sweden. They have one son.
DAVID NYVALL.
The subject of this sketch is one
of the most noted leaders in the re-
ligious and educational world
among the Swedish-Americans. He
was born in Karlskoga, Vermland,
Sweden, January 19, 1863. His
father, Carl Johan Nyvall, was a
prominent preacher of the Mission
Covenant of Sweden, and his
mother's name was Anna Mar-
gareta Moberg. He enjoyed care-
ful training in his home and was
admitted as a student to the col-
legiate school of Vesteras, where
he pursued his studies from 1877
368
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
to 1880. Subsequently he contin-
ued at the college of Gefle until
1882, when he graduated.
At first Mr. Nyvall decided to
take up medicine as a profession
and spent two years at the Uni-
versity of Upsala with this object
in view, passing the preliminary ex-
amination for a doctor's degree in
1884. He continued for a year
in Karolinska Institutet in Stock-
DAV1D NYVALL.
holm until July, 1886, when he left
the old fatherland and emigrated
to America.
Professor Nyvall began his edu-
cational career in America as a pri-
vate teacher in Minneapolis. In
1887 he was called to Sioux City to
take charge of the Swedish Mission
Covenant church of that city. Af-
ter a year he was invited to become
assistant professor in the Swedish
Department of Chicago Theolog-
ical Seminary, a position held by
him in 1888-90. The following
year he was editor of Veckobladet,
n religious weekly published in
Minneapolis, and a private teacher ;
and from 1891 to 1894 he was
principal of the Covenant School
in Minneapolis. When the Swedish
Mission Covenant organized North
Park College in Chicago, Professor
Nyvall was invited to become its
president, and he acted in that ca-
pacity from 1894 to 1905. The
following three years he was the
executive head of the newly or-
ganized Walden College in Mc-
Pherson, Kans., and in 1908 he
resumed editorial work on Vecko-
bladet, using much of his spare time
to lecture on religious, scientific and
patriotic topics, a field in which he
labored with eminent success, until
he accepted the invitation to become
professor of Scandinavian lan-
guages and literatures in the State
University of Washington, Seattle.
Here he remained from 1910 to
1912, when he again was honored
with the election to the presidency
of North Park College, where he is
doing an excellent work in develop-
ing the school for greater useful-
ness.
But it is not only as an educator
and orator Professor Nyvall has
made for himself an enviable repu-
tation, but also as an author of
marked ability. We have from his
pen the following works : "Minnes-
blad," Six Speeches, Chicago, 1892;
"Medsols," Three Patriotic Ad-
dresses, Chicago, 1898; "Soken
Guds rike," Twenty-four Essays
for Young People, Chicago, 1902 ;
"Skogsdrillar," Lyric Poems, Chi-
cago, 1901 ; "My Business," A Dis-
course, McPherson, Kans., 1905 ;
"Nattvardens fest," Chicago, 1912;
"Jesus Nasareen, en Hjaltedikt,"
Chicago, 1913; "The Map of Swe-
den," Chicago, 1913 ; "The New
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
369
Romanticism in Swedish Letters,"
Chicago, 1913.
Professor Nyvall is a member of
the Swedish Historical Society of
America and the American- Scan-
dinavian Society, having been pres-
ident of the former for a period of
two years. He was married to Miss
Lovisa Skogsbergh, December 29,
1887, and has five children.
MAGNUS O. BENSON,
real estate and mortgage invest-
ment broker, whose business ad-
dress is 54 W. Randolph st., Chi-
cago, was born in Frillestad par-
ish in Skane, Sweden, September
29, 1865. His father was Bengt
Olson, a farmer, contractor and
builder. The mother's maiden
name was Carrie Olson.
Mr. Benson received his educa-
tion in the public schools in Swe-
den, and after the family had moved
to Geneva, 111., in iSSi, he finished
his school courses in that village,
and studied for some time in the
Chicago Atheneum.
In the fall of 1884 he entered the
employ of Handy & Co., makers of
abstracts of title to real estate in
Chicago and Cook county. The
first three years he spent in the re-
corder's office, examining the rec-
ords of deeds, and in the county
clerk's office, examining the tax
records, all for the purpose of gath-
ering information, used in the mak-
ing of abstracts of title. In 1887
he was transferred to the main
office, where he was employed in
the making of abstracts and exam-
ining titles to real estate. During
this time he also studied law in
spare moments. Mr. Benson con-
tinued with Handy & Co. and their
successor, The Title Guarantee and
Trust Co., afterwards the Chicago
Title and Trust Co., until 1902,
when he severed his connection with
them and engaged in his present
business of real estate and mort-
gage investments.
Mr. Benson is a Republican in
politics and has for many years
been an active member of the Hum-
MAGNUS O. BENSON.
boldt Park Swedish M. E. Church,
where he holds the position of
chairman of the Board of Trustees.
He was married to Miss Han-
nah M. Anderson from Adelof
parish, Sweden, on June 7, 1890,
and has four children, two sons and
two daughters. He resides at 2102
Humboldt boulevard, Chicago.
EMIL ERICKSSON,
president and manager of the
Ericksson Machinery Co., was born
in Skedevi parish Ostergotland,
Sweden, February 4, 1881. After
having received his public school
370
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
education near his home, he entered
the technical department of the
Karlskoga Practical School, 1898,
and studied for some time in the
Technical School of Stockholm. In
1899 he was employed as a machin-
ist in the Carlson & Goethe Ma-
chine Works, Stockholm. From
1901 to 1907 he was engaged as
a designer with L. M. Ericsson &
Co. of Stockholm, and leaving this
EMIL ERICKSSON.
position, he emigrated to America
in October, 1907. Here he found
work as a machinist with the
Illinois Steel Co., South Chicago,
which position he held from Janu-
ary to October, 1908, when he was
made asst. foreman in the testing
and tool department of the same
company. From September, 1909,
to September, 1910, he was repre-
sentative of the Lux Light Co. ;
then he was engaged by the Win.
Lloyd Machine Company as a
draftsman and designer and sub-
sequently superintendent from July,
1911, to May, 1914.
The excellent training he received
in Sweden has stood him in good
stead in this country, where he
has had fine opportunities of de-
veloping his technical skill. In the
Wm. Lloyd Machine Co. he stand-
ardized the drawings and machines,
made a specification for cost and
manufacturing, a system which has
been adopted by several manufac-
turing concerns in Boston. The
Ericksson Machinery Co., with of-
fices at 638 Federal street, Chicago,
which was organized by Mr.
Ericksson in May, 1914, has pur-
chased the factory of Wm. Lloyd
Machinery Co., with drawings, pat-
terns and specifications, and is now
manufacturing their full line of
machinery.
Mr. Ericksson is a member of
the Swedish Engineers' Society
and the Linnea Society of South
Chicago. He was married July 15,
1905, to Miss Anna Sophia A. Rom-
berg of Stockholm. They have one
child.
ARVID F. NYHOLM,
artist and portrait painter, was born
July 12, 1866, in Stockholm, Swe-
den, where his father, Carl Fredrik
Nyholm, was a printer. His early
education he received in the high
schools of the Swedish capital and
graduated from Sodra Real-laro-
verket, in the same city, 1886. He
took a course of architecture at the
Technical Institute, 1886-87, and
began his studies of art in Brolin's
Studio the same year, subsequently
entering the Royal Academy of
Liberal Arts, where he spent two
years, until 1890. The following
year he painted under Anders Zorn.
In 1891 he came to New York,
where he devoted his time to land-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
371
scape and portrait painting, and in
IQO3 he moved to Chicago. As an
artist Mr. Nyholm enjoys an envi-
able reputation for his masterly
portraits, always lifelike and true
to nature.. At the exhibition of
Swedish-American artists in Chi-
cago, 1912, his painting, "The Eve-
ning Circle," received the first prize.
His portrait of John Ericsson hangs
in the National Museum at Wash-
ARVID F. NYHOLM.
ington. Among other portraits may
be mentioned those of Senator
Cummins, the property of Iowa
Historical Society, and Gen. W. D.
Whipple, at the Military Academy
of West Point. Worthy of notice
is also his portrait of Governor A.
O. Eberhart of Minnesota, painted
in 1914 for the State Capitol at
St. Paul.
In 1915, at the exhibition of
works by Chicago artists at the Art
Institute in Chicago. Mr. Xvholm
was awarded the Municipal Art
League prize for portrait painting
for his picture, '"Greta," and the
popular prize for the same picture.
At the exhibit of Swedish-Amer-
ican artists in Chicago, 1916,
"Greta" brought Mr. Nyholm the
first prize.
This artist is a member of the
Swedish Club, The Cliff Dwellers,
Chicago Society of Artists and the
Water Color Club.
Married at Stockholm, in 1887, to
Miss Amelia Josephina Gronander,
he is the father of five children.
JOHN ALFRED LINDEN,
land title examiner and attorney at
law, was born in Skofde, Vestergot-
land, Sweden, October 27, 1877.
His parents were Carl Gustaf Lin-
den, a tailor, and his wife, Clara
Sophia Linden, nee Peterson. He
began his public school education in
Sweden, and at eleven years of age
he came to Chicago, where he had
opportunity to continue his studies.
In 1893 he secured a position
with the Title Guarantee and Trust
Co., now a part of the Chicago Title
and Trust Co. Later he served
about five years in the land title
registration department of the re-
corder of deeds, commonly known
as the Torrens department. Then
he went with H. O. Stone & Co. as
the special representative of the
Chicago Title and Trust Co.
Mr. Linden afterwards took a
course in the John Marshall Law
School, where he graduated June
27, 1914, with the degree Bachelor
of Laws and was admitted to prac-
tice, having passed the bar exam-
ination the same year. On May I,
1915, he became connected with W.
F. Kaiser and Co., subdividers and
home builders, in whose office he
has charge of the legal department.
372
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
He is also director of the National
Typewriter Distributing Co., and
secretary and director of the W. F.
Kaiser Home Builders Co.
Mr. Linden is a member of the
Order of Vikings and of Colum-
bian Knights, holding executive and
secretary positions in both organi-
zations. He has also been Grand
Vice Chief and Grand Chief of the
Vikings Grand Lodge.
JOHN ALFRED LINDEN.
Married to Miss Ella Seuberli of
Chicago, on August 26, 1899, he
is the father of three children. The
family reside at 3855 N. Hoyne
avenue.
JOHN HEADSTEN,
a clergyman, was born in the par-
ish of Alsen, Jamtland, Sweden,
March 16, 1864, but passed his boy-
hood days in the parish of Kail in
the same province, where his father,
Olof Hyttsten, was chief smelter.
His mother's name was Anna Gun-
narsdotter. In 1879, when John
was fifteen years of age, the family
emigrated to America, where he
availed himself of the opportunity
of attending evening schools. In
1 88 1 he began to learn the machin-
ist trade in the C. and N. W. rail-
road shops in Escanaba, Mich. But
desiring to live in a larger city, he
moved to Minneapolis a year later.
In 1884 the young machinist moved
to Chicago and, taking up the trade
of cutting die making, he found
employment with the firm of Geo.
H. Van Pelt, remaining with this
firm for twenty-four years, when he,
with a partner, organized the West-
ern Cutting Die Company in 1908.
He sold his interest in the company
three years later to the Brockton
Die Company, of Brockton, Mass.
His religious proclivities had been
strong from his earliest years, but
not being able to find a creed in the
various churches that would sat-
isfy his rational turn of mind, he
at last in 1893 turned to the writ-
ings of Swedenborg, the great
Swedish seer, where he found an
interpretation of the Bible which
satisfied him. From 1900 he has
been an advocate of Swedenborg's
system of teaching, doing a great
part of his work in the English
language. In order to become more
thoroughly equipped for his work,
he had the courage to go back to
school, sitting now with students
who were twenty years younger
than himself. He entered the New
Church Academy in Bryn Athyn,
Pa., to prepare for the ministry, and
after having finished his course,
was ordained in Glenview, 111., June
19, 1913. Mr. Headsten is one of
the few countrymen of Swedenborg
who have taken upon themselves
the responsibility of propagating
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
the doctrines of the great Swedish
theologian and scientist.
Besides preaching, Mr. Headsten
publishes "The New-Church Evan-
gelist." This has already made a
place for itself in New-Church lit-
erature.
Mr. Headsten is a Republican in
politics and is a member of the Na-
tional Geographical Society. He
was married August 14, 1886, to
JOHN HEADSTEN.
Miss Hulda Elizabeth Young of
Veta, Ostergotland. They have had
four children, two of whom are
living.
CHARLES GEORGE AXELL,
electrical engineer, is a native of
Upsala, Sweden, where he was born
May 14, 1879. He * s tne son f
Carl Axel Axell, a merchant, and
his wife, Sophia Forssten. Having
pursued his elementary studies in
Sandler's and Schram's private
schools at Upsala from 1887 to
1890, he entered the college of that
city and graduated in 1899. The
following three years he attended
the Royal Institute of Technology
at Stockholm, graduating as an
electrical and mechanical engineer
in 1902.
There are very few immigrants
who come to America with so thor-
ough preparation for their lifework
or with that native talent for their
vocation which Mr. Axell possessed,
and in consequence his "storm and
stress" period in America was of
less duration than is usually the
case. In less than two months the
young engineer had found his per-
manent field of labor with the Com-
monwealth-Edison Company, where
he was employed as draftsman in
the engineering department. He
did not remain very long, however,
in the subordinate position as
draftsman, but was soon promoted
to higher and more responsible po-
sitions. In 1905 he was placed in
charge of layouts and construction:
of direct and alternating current
substations, and in 1909 he w r as ap-
pointed assistant engineer and chief
draftsman for station and sub-
station construction. Since 1911 he
has been inspector for the principal
generating stations of the company,
in addition to his position as chief
draftsman.
In 1916 he was appointed engi-
neer of electrical design and as such
has charge of all fundamental and
preliminary electrical designing in
connection with planning, construc-
tion and extension of stations and
substations.
In addition to the exacting duties
of his office, Mr. Axell has found
time to work for the success of the
Swedish Engineers' Society, on
whose board of directors he has
374
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
been an honored member for sev-
eral years, being its vice president
during the year 1911 and secretary
during 1914. He was especially
successful in his efforts, as secretary
of the organization committee for
the Swedish Engineering Conven-
tion which met in Chicago, 1915, in
enlisting the interest of the Swedish
engineers in this great enterprise.
He is a member of the National
CHARLES GEORGE AXELL.
Electric Light Association and the
American Institute of Electrical En-
gineers, and was connected with
Svenska Teknologforeningen in
Stockholm from 1900 to 1903. Mr.
Axell has written two pamphlets,
published in the "Proceedings of
the Swedish Engineers' Society,"
giving descriptions of the Common-
wealth-Edison Company's power
stations, and prepared several pa-
pers for the society.
In 1906 he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Therese Smedberg, a
member of the well-known Upsala
family by that name, with whom
he has one son. Their home at
3732 X. Racine avenue is a hos-
pitable place, where young col-
leagues always are sure of a cordial
welcome.
NELS H. OLSON,
lawyer, was born December 29,
1873, in the parish of Brunskog,
Vermland, Sweden, where his par-
ents were farmers, Mr. Olson being
the youngest of seven children. His
early life was beset with many diffi-
culties. When but ten years of age
his father died very suddenly, leav-
ing no property. His mother being
without funds and unable to sup-
port him, the young boy set out to
earn his own living. The next few
years were most trying, especially
in the lack of a father's and moth-
er's loving care, but, nothing daunt-
ed, the young boy sought and ob-
tained employment as an appren-
tice to a tradesman in a neighbor-
ing parish, where he worked stead-
ily often fifteen to eighteen hours
a day until 1887, when he left for
America with his mother and a
brother two years older, arriving in
Chicago in April.
Here the boy found the oppor-
tunity for education that he craved
but which had been denied him by
reason of his father's death. En-
tering the public schools in Sep-
tember following, he managed to
earn his living while attending
school by doing chores and odd
jobs of various kinds between
school hours. Later on he obtained
employment as an errand boy in
a drug store. After a few months
this employer obtained work for
him in the wholesale department
of Marshall Field & Co., where he
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
375
remained until the summer of 1891,
when he entered the employ of the
foreign office of the John V. Far-
well Company.
But the ambition of the boy kept
pace with his physical growth, and
when he was sought out by his
former benefactor, Judge John K.
Prindiville, and offered a clerkship
in his office, the offer was promptly
accepted and the new employment
XKLS H. OLSON.
entered upon in January, 1893.
Shortly thereafter he commenced
the study of law, attending evening
classes in the Chicago College of
Law, the law department of the
Lake Forest University, where he
graduated in June, 1896, and was
admitted to the bar in the same
month. He continued his former
employment until April, 1900, when
he opened his own office, becoming
associated with Judge John Stelk.
which association continued until
December, 1914, when Judge Stelk
was inaugurated judge of the Mu-
nicipal Court of Chicago. At that
time Mr. Olson was appointed at-
torney for the bailiff of the Munici-
pal Court of Chicago, which posi-
tion he still holds. This office is
probably the largest of its kind in
the country in the volume of busi-
ness handled, and it requires a mind
of no mean legal ability to pass
upon and solve the many intricate
legal questions that continually pre-
sent themselves. Mr. Olson main-
tains offices in the Reaper Block,
where he enjoys a remunerative
private practice.
In politics Mr. Olson is a Demo-
crat and is affiliated with the Dem-
ocratic party organizations. He
has also taken a prominent interest
in Swedish fraternal and benevo-
lent organizations, being past pres-
ident of Skandinaviska Foreningen
Iduna, Englewood Lodge Xo. 39,
I. O. S., Swedish Societies' Old
People's Home Association and
past grand master of the Independ-
ent Order of Svithiod. He is also
a member of the Masonic frater-
nity. Mr. Olson was married in
1911 to Nancy Josephine Johnson
of Chicago, and their union has
been blessed with two children, a
son and a daughter.
PETER AUGUST LINDBERG,
publisher, was born in Bondersbyn,
Neder-Kalix, Sweden, June 5, 1863,
where his father was a buyer and
foreman with the firm of Bergman,
Hummel & Co. in Stockholm,
which owned large lumber mills in
Neder-Kalix. Young Lindberg was
brought up on the farm and re-
ceived his elementary training in
the country school.
At the age of nineteen he emi-
grated to America, and for some
376
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
years worked in sawmills, lumber
yards, and on farms near Clinton,
Iowa, and in Whiteside county, Il-
linois. During his stay in Clinton
he took a course in a business col-
lege, and came to Chicago in 1888,
where he found employment as of-
fice clerk. He traveled nearly four
years for a picture firm, and in
July, 1895, engaged in the publish-
PETER AUGUST LINDBERG.
ing business at 162 North Dearborn
street.
Mr. Lindberg is also an author
in Swedish and English. His first
book is a story entitled "Adam,"
written in his mother tongue, de-
picting life and superstitions in
his native land and an immigrant's
trials and experiences in the new
world. Under the pseudonym of
Uno Upton he has published
a story of Chicago life entitled "The
Strugglers," which throws sidelights
on flimflam methods in the making
and distribution of books. "The
Journal of John Langdon" is an-
other product of his pen. This
story of a modern reformer, and
"The Making of Adam Nord," an
elaboration in English upon his first
Swedish book, are ready for pub-
lication.
ALFRED ANDERSON,
a noted clergyman in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, was born in the
parish of Skarstad, Jonkopings Ian,
Sweden, where his parents, Anders
and Maria Eriksson, were farmers.
At the age of fifteen years he emi-
grated to America and came directly
to Beaver, 111., where he had rela-
tives. For three years he was en-
gaged in farm work.
In 1870, when the Swedish
Methodists opened their Theological
Seminary at Galesburg, Mr. Ander-
son was one of its first three stu-
dents. He was ordained a minister
in the Methodist Church in 1871,
where for more than forty-five
years he has done a noble work and
is acknowledged as one of its most
useful and influential members. As
the Methodist ministers in former
years could not remain in one field
more than three (and later five)
years, Rev. Anderson has had to fill
a number of pastorates in Illinois,
Iowa and New York. He has filled
the office of Dist. Superintendent
for fifteen years, and was manager
of the Swedish M. E. Book Concern
at Chicago for five years. During
the last thirty-three years he has
been one of the directors of the
Swedish Theological Seminary at
Evanston, and has been president
of the board twenty-five years ; was
also one of the founders of the
Bethany Home for Old People and
of the Swedish M. E. Book Con-
cern. He is now in charge of the
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
377
First Swedish M. E. Church, on
Oak street, Chicago, where he has
been pastor for ten years.
Rev. Anderson was married in
1874, to Miss Augusta Borjeson,
from Goteborg, who has been an
able and trusted helpmate in all his
labors. They have had several chil-
dren, one of whom, Dr. Garfield
Anderson, is a medical missionary
in Korea, in charge of the Swedish
ALFRED ANDERSON.
Memorial Hospital, the building
fund of which was raised by
Swedish Methodists in America. A
daughter, Naomi, is also a mission-
ary in the same distant land and
teacher in a training school for na-
tive nurses. Two daughters, Mrs.
W. C. Bloomquist and Mrs. N. P.
Glemaker, are married to ministers.
WILLIAM A. PETERSON
is one of the best known citizens in
Chicago of Swedish descent. He
was born in Chicago, April 29,
1867, in the same house where he
now lives, and is the son of Pehr
S. Peterson, one of the early set-
tlers, who built up the Peterson
Nursery at Rose Hill. The mother's
maiden name was Mary Gage. After
Mr. Peterson had graduated from
the Evanston High School in 1885
he worked in various capacities in
his father's business until 1895,
when he became manager of the es-
tablishment, and since 1903 he has
been the sole proprietor of the
nursery, with offices at 30 North
La Salle Street.
But Mr. Peterson is not only
known as a highly successful busi-
ness man ; he has also found time to
devote himself to the civic, social
and religious upbuilding of the city
where he lives. In politics he desig-
nates himself as a "Dry" Repub-
lican, and has for some time been
a member of the Mayor's City Plan
Commission. In religious work
Mr. Peterson has been a prominent
figure, being for thirteen years
(1900-1913) superintendent of the
Bowmanville Congregational Sun-
day School, and since 1913 he has
held the same position in the Edge-
water Presbyterian Church, where
he is a member and elder. His
executive ability has also made him
a leading factor in the various
evangelistic movements that from
time to time have been brought
about in Chicago. Since 1907 he
has been a trustee in the McCormick
Theological Seminary, a. id in 1911
he was elected trustee of the Lind-
gren Fund for International Peace.
He holds the same position in Olivet
Institute, and is chairman of the
Cook County Sunday School Asso-
ciation, besides being interested in
a number of other religious and
benevolent organizations.
378
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Mr. Peterson is director in the
State Bank of Chicago since 1903,
is a member of the Union League
Club and the City Club. In 1909
he received the Order of Vasa from
King Gustaf of Sweden. He was
WILLIAM A. PETERSON.
married in 1892 to Miss Mary Hill,
and in this union three children have
been born.
ERNST HUGO BEHMER
was born in Grodinge parish in
Sodermanland, Sweden, June 30,
1872. He is the son of Erik Beh-
mer, a merchant, and his wife,
Emilie Julia, nee Hane; both par-
ents are dead. The family moved
to Stockholm in 1875, where young
Behmer received an excellent edu-
cation, attending the Ostermalm Ele-
mentary School and the North
Latin College, from which he grad-
uated in 1889. From June, 1890,
to October, 1891, he was employed
by the State Railways of Sweden.
In November, 1891, Mr. Behmer
emigrated to America, coming di-
rectly to Chicago, where he was
first employed as a day laborer in
Lincoln Park from April to Oc-
tober, 1892. In November the same
year he entered the employ of Selz,
Schwab & Co., shoe manufactur-
ers, remaining with them till No-
vember, 1901, in various capacities,
principally and finally as shipping
clerk. Then he secured employ-
ment with the American Radiator
Company, 816-22 S. Michigan ave-
nue, where he holds the position of
stationery buyer.
Mr. Behmer, however, is known
not only as a business man, but also
as a public entertainer and actor,
having been engaged in Swedish
theatricals since 1893. From 1899
to 1904 he was partner and stage
director of the Swedish Theatrical
Company, subsequently manager
and stage director of the Swedish
Dramatic Society, which was organ-
ized by him in 1905. Among char-
acters which he has enacted may be
mentioned, Petruchio, in ''The
Taming of the Shrew" ; Torwald
Helmer, in "A Doll's House";
Prince Heinrich, in "Old Heidel-
berg" ; Karl den tolfte, in "Karl
den tolfte" ; Master Olof , in "Gus-
taf Vasa" ; Pater Hieronymus, in
"Regina von Emmeritz" ; Botvid, in
"Brollopet pa Ulfasa" ; Henry Du-
val, in "Duvals skilsmessa" ; Pro-
fessor Klint, in "Svarfar" ; Anders
and Loparnisse, in "Vermlandin-
garna" ; Lasse, in "Nerkingarna" ;
Herr Dardanell, in "Herr Dardanell
och hans upptag pa landet" ; Lund-
strom, in "Anderson, Petterson och
Lundstrom" ; Kamrer Henrik Bran-
der, in "Farbror Knut fran Norr-
koping" ; Axel von Rambon, in
"Li f vet pa landet"; Tornberg, in
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
379
"Karlek och upptag" ; Jeppe, in
"J e PP e P^ berget"; Brukspatron
Dahl, in "Jarnbararen," and many
others.
He has also written several songs,
chiefly in the light comic vein, some
ERNST HUGO BEHMER.
interpolated in musical comedies,
such as "Oregrund-Osthammar,"
"Anderson, Petterson och Lund-
strom," "Herr Dardanell och hans
upptag pa landet," "Smalands-
knekten," "Pelle Gronlunds I>ryg-
geri" and others ; also short songs
and poems for stag parties, ban-
quets, weddings and similar occa-
sions. He has rewritten and adapted
for Chicago Frans Hedberg's com-
edy, "Anna-Stinas Illusioner," re-
naming it "Anna-Stina i Chicago/'
and produced the play in November,
1899; translated from English the
comedy "A Pair of Spectacles,"
calling it "Farbror Knut fran Norr-
koping," and produced it several
times. He has translated into Eng-
lish the Swedish comedy "Till-
heter," calling it "A Mere
Chance," and produced .it at the
Swedish Club in May, 1914.
Besides in Chicago Mr. Behmer
has given Swedish theatrical per-
formances in Moline, Rockford and
De Kalb., 111.; Duluth and West
Superior, Minn., and Evanston,
Waukegan and Joliet, 111. He has
also appeared at several of Chi-
cago's largest theaters, such as the
Auditorium, the Studebaker, Grand
Opera House, Powers, Garrick and
Illinois.
On September 19, 1896, Mr.
Behmer was married to Miss
Frederique Wilhelmina Lindstrom,
and has two children, Lisa Hilde-
gard and Erik Hugo.
LOUIS CARSON,
whose business is that of manufac-
turer of interior finishings and
stairs, was born in Grenna, Smaland,
Sweden, August 8, 1865. His par-
ents were Carl Jonsson, a farmer,
and his wife Anna Brita, nee Nils-
son. Having received a good public
school education, Mr. Carson at the
age of twenty emigrated to America
in 1885. He lived one year at St.
Charles, 111., and then moved to Chi-
cago, where he has been working at
his trade since the year 1890.
His first shop was located at 51
Institute place. This soon proved
to be inadequate to the growing
business, wherefore larger quarters
were procured. The Louis Carson
Company, of which Mr. Carson is
the president and treasurer, since
many years has a large manufac-
turing establishment at 1240 Fuller-
ton avenue, with an annual output
of quite respectable dimensions.
Mr. Carson is also a director in
380
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
the Carpenter Contractors' Associa-
tion of Chicago, and a member of
Builders' and Traders' Exchange.
In politics he is a Republican, and
his religions home is the Elim
Swedish Methodist Church, of Lake
LOUIS CARSON.
View, where he has been trustee for
a number of years.
Mr. Carson was married on May
24, 1893, to Miss Amanda Carlson,
and has two children. The family
resides at 5406 Wayne avenue.
EDWARD THEODORE CARL-
SON,
dealer in wall paper and paints, was
born in Tanumshede, Bohuslan,
Sweden, July I, 1863, where his
father, Carl J. Andreason, was a
farmer and blacksmith. He re-
ceived a good public school educa-
tion in his native place and attended
high school for one term.
At the age of twenty-three years
he arrived in America, May I,
1886, and obtained work immedi-
ately in a paint shop, working in
different shops for about four
years, when he went in business
for himself on Milwaukee avenue,
near West Chicago. In 1898 he
opened up a paint store in Irving^
Park, where he saw a more profit-
able outlook for the future and
located at 4327 North Crawford
avenue. Subsequently, the name of
the firm was changed to E. T. Carl-
son & Co. His business has been
growing constantly until, two years
ago, the firm felt constrained to
erect a new and commodious build-
ing, making it one of the best
equipped paint houses in Chicago.
In 1893 Mr. Carlson visited his
old parents in Sweden, and finding
them enfeebled by age and the old
homestead seriously encumbered,
he purchased the farm and turned
it over to his eldest sister and her
husband, they in return having
pledged themselves to care for the
aged parents, thus relieving them
of worry and insuring them a com-
fortable home for the remainder
of their lives.
While in Sweden on this errand
of filial duty, Mr. Carlson formed
the acquaintance of Miss Emilia
Tobiason, to whom he was mar-
ried in 1894. The couple have now
a comfortable home at 3827 N.
Monticello avenue, where they are
raising a fine family of two girls
and three boys, one son being dead.
Mr. Carlson and his family are
charter members of the Irving
Park Swedish Lutheran Church,
where he has served for four years
as chairman of the board of trus-
tees and one year as treasurer. He
is a member of the Myrtle Masonic
Lodge and the Irving Park Chap-
ter, and a director in the Irving
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
381
Park National Bank since its be-
ginning three years ago.
Mr. Carlson has taken an active
part in charity work as well. In
1902 he assisted in the organiza-
tion of the Irving Park Lodge, No.
EDWARD THEODORE CARLSON.
20, I. O. S. He was elected the
first treasurer of that lodge, served
as chairman for three terms, and
was delegate to the I. O. S. Grand
Lodge for more than ten years.
During those ten years in the
Grand Lodge he served as a mem-
ber of the board of trustees for
five years and member of the exec-
utive committee for five years. At
the annual convention in 1911, he
was elected high grand master of
the I. O. S. for one year.
Mr. Carlson has been president
of the Swedish Old People's Home
Association for one year and a
member of its board of directors
for five years, serving as chairman
of the board of directors and man-
ager of the Old People's Home in
Evanston for two years. In this
capacity he has performed a large
amount of good work without any
compensation, except the gratitude
of those who enjoy the benefits of
his labor.
A. R. GROSSTEPHAN
was born in the city of Norrkop-
ing Sweden, June 6, 1858, but
shortly thereafter moved with his
parents to Stockholm, where he re-
ceived his elementary education
until 1867, when the family moved
to Orebro. There he entered the
Collegiate School for Boys and con-
tinued his studies till 1871, when
he came to Chicago, where he con-
tinued his school work in the San-
gamon Street school.
In 1875 Mr. Grosstephan re-
turned to Sweden, ostensibly for a
short visit, which, however, was
extended till 1881. During this
time he performed clerical work
mainly, for relations and others,
and in 1879-81 held the position of
chief operator of the telegraph sys-
tem of the new fire department of
Stockholm.
Upon his return to Chicago he
was engaged as salesman, book-
keeper and cashier for various
firms and individuals, until 1899,
when he was offered a position as
secretary to the Swedish and Nor-
wegian vice consul, Mr. John R.
Lindgren, and since 1909 under his
successor, Consul Henry S. Hen-
schen, also filling other positions
under him in the State Bank of
Chicago, until October, 1915.
Then Mr. Grosstephan and At-
torney George E. Q. Johnson or-
ganized the Swedish Law Bureau
(Svenska Lag-Byran) for the pur-
pose of collecting inheritances in
382
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Sweden (Norway and Denmark)
for heirs in the United States, ren-
dering legal services and otherwise
assisting the Swedish people in this
country and Canada professionally.
The bureau is located at 69 West
Washington street, suite 610-616.
Mr. Grosstephan was married
February 3, 1886, to Miss Caroline
T. Wallander, and has three chil-
dren, Mrs. Mabel L. Emrich, Ruth
A. R. GROSSTEPHAN.
Evelyn and Arthur R. Grosstephan,
and the family are all members of
the First M. E. Church at Austin,
where they have resided at 5906
West Erie street since 1905.
HENRY SAMUEL
HENSCHEN,
banker, was born in Brooklyn,
N. Y., July 29. 1873. He is the
oldest son of William Henschen,
Ph.D., the clergyman, educator and
editor, and his wife, Hilda Johanna
Maria, nee Lilljebjorn. Mr. Hen-
schen attended public schools at
Evanston, 111., and Jamestown,
N. Y. When the family returned
to Sweden for a few years' stay
he attended high schools in Stock-
holm and Upsala during 1885^9.
After his return to America in
1889, he entered the employ of the
banking firm of Haugan & Lind-
gren, subsequently incorporated un-
der the name State Bank of Chi-
cago. He attended evening classes
in the Chicago College of Law from
1893 to 1896, when he graduat-
ed and received the degree of LL.B.
Though admitted to the bar of the
State of Illinois, he has never prac-
ticed law, but devoted himself to a
business career, in which he has
been eminently successful.
In 1901 Mr. Henschen was elect-
ed assistant cashier of the State
Bank of Chicago, and in 1908,
after Mr. Lindgren's withdrawal
from business, Mr. Henschen de-
came his successor as cashier. This
bank is not only the largest Scan-
dinavian bank in America, but is
also one of the most stable finan-
cial institutions of Chicago, owing
to the prudence and skill of its ex-
ecutive officers. It has one hundred
and sixty employees and thirty-
seven million dollars of assets.
Being a public-spirited man, Mr.
Henschen is holding many offices
of confidence and trust in political,
religious and social organizations.
Between 1909 and 1914 he was act-
ing consul for Sweden in Chicago,
and for his efficient service in this
capacity he was knighted by King
Gustaf Y., who bestowed upon him
the Vasa Order at the end of his
term. It was chiefly due to his ini-
tiative that the Swedish language
was introduced as one of the elec-
tive studies in some of the high
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
schools of Chicago. He is a trustee
of the Chicago Academy of Sci-
ences, the Wesley Memorial Hos-
pital and of Grace M. E. Church,
of which he is an honored member.
He also holds membership in vari-
ous clubs and organizations, as the
Union League, the Bankers and the
City Club, the Art Institute and the
Chicago Bar Association. Though
still a young man, Mr. Henschen
HENRY SAMUEL HENSCHEN.
has to his credit a record that would
do honor to a much older person.
On March 5, 1898, he was mar-
ried to Miss Edith Mountain. They
have two sons, Robert, born 1904,
and Richard, born 1910.
SAMUEL E. ERICKSON
was born in Linkoping, Sweden, in
1860. At the age of two years he
came to Chicago with his parents,
and at nine years he had the mis-
fortune to lose his father, which
made it necessary for him to leave
school to help support the family.
He secured employment as mes-
senger boy with the Western Union
Telegraph Company, after which he
held various responsible positions
with that company. In 1881 he
resigned his position to go abroad
and spent four months touring Eu-
rope. On his return he resumed
his position with the Western
Union.
In 1885 he secured a position in
the recorder's office of Cook count}'
and was employed in the abstract
department. Later he resigned to
accept the appointment of deputy
sheriff of Cook county and served
under five different sheriffs of the
county. In 1890 he was elected to
the legislature of Illinois and
served six terms as representative.
During his services in the legisla-
ture he was instrumental in the
enactment of many laws of great
value affecting the welfare of the
commercial and industrial interests
of Chicago and the state. As a
legislator he received special notice
from the press when he refused to
draw double pay, giving the scrip-
tural text, "Xo man can serve two
masters," a practical and personal
application. He requested the
speaker of the house to strike his
name from the salary list, as he
held office under the county at the
same time. He was appointed on
the steering committee in the legis-
lature by the Hon. Lawrence Y.
Sherman, speaker of the house of
representatives.
In 1903 he introduced a bill for
the relief of the destitute people of
northern Sweden and Finland, se-
curing an appropriation of $5,000
from the state of Illinois for their
aid. In 1904 he was appointed as-
signment clerk of the Circuit and
384
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Superior courts of Cook county,
assigning trial cases to the various
courts. In 1911 Governor Deneen
appointed him parole commissioner
of Joliet penitentiary.
In 1910 he opened a real estate
office at 1 80 North Dearborn
street, Chicago, where he is still
in business. He is also connected
with the trust department of the
State Bank of Chicago as real es-
SAMUEL E. ERICKSON.
tate man. He is past grand orator
of I. O. O. F., grand marshal Grand
of the Royal Arcanum of Illinois,
past grand marshal Grand Lodge
Encampment I. O. O. F., member
of the Hamilton Club, Cook County
Real Estate Board and the Chicago
Board of Underwriters.
Though Mr. Erickson is thor-
oughly Americanized, he is deeply
interested in Swedish-American af-
fairs, being one of the organizers
of the Swedish-American Repub-
lican League of Illinois and a mem-
ber of the Immanuel Lutheran
Church, where he holds the office
of vestrvman. He was married in
1896 to Miss May S. Noling, of
Rockford, 111., and the union has
been blessed with four children.
The family lives at 532 Aldine ave-
nue, Chicago.
ANDREW PETER FORS,
pastor of the Bethel Swedish Luth-
eran Church of Chicago, was
born at Forsby, Vestra Tollstad,
Ostergotland, Sweden, December
1 8, 1860. His father, Andreas
Petterson, now deceased, was a
farmer ; his mother, Hilda Petter-
son, nee Nilsson, is still living in
Sweden. At the age of twenty he
left his parental home and came
to America in 1880, settling in Min-
nesota.
After a year's study in Mankato,
he entered the Gustavus Adolphus
College in St. Peter. From there
he went to Augustana College,
Rock Island, in 1884 an d graduated
in 1887, receiving the degree A. B.
In the same year he was sent as a
missionary teacher to Salt Lake
City, Utah, where he became prin-
cipal of Augustana Academy 1887-
88. From there he returned to
Rock Island to enter the Augustana
Theological Seminary in order to
complete a course of theological
studies, and in 1889 he received the
diploma from that institution.
After his ordination at Moline,
111., 1889, he accepted a call to the
Swedish Lutheran Church at Wa-
hoo, Nebr., where he also served
as professor in Luther College,
1889-90, and was editor of IVahoo-
Bladet. August 24, 1889, he mar-
ried Ada Toline, of Moline, 111.,
\vho died September 19, 1912. In
1901 he was pastor of the Emanuel
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
385
Lutheran Church at Rockford, 111.
His next field of labor was the
Swedish Ev. Lutheran Church of
Geneseo, 111., which he served for
seven and a half years, from 1892
to 1899, during which time he
earned the degree of Master of
Arts at Augustana College in 1894.
His present charge is that of the
Bethel Swedish Lutheran Church
at 62d and Peoria streets, with resi-
ANDREW PETER FORS.
dence at 6206 S. Peoria street, Chi-
cago, where he has been laboring
since May, 1899. Under his effi-
cient ministry the congregation has
erected a new church edifice at a
cost of $50,000 and parsonage cost-
ing $6,000, this property almost
clear of debt.
Rev. Fors also has found time
during his busy pastorate to study
for his Ph. D. degree at Chicago
University from 1899 to 1902. His
thesis for final promotion to the
degree was presented in April,
1904, on the subject, "The Ethical
World Conception of the Norse
People," the University Press, Chi-
cago. In 1894 he published "Ra-
tional Grounds of Christian Truth."
He has also written an extensive
review of "Teutonic Mythology,"
by La Saussaye. Dr. Fors has been
an industrious contributor to va-
rious theological magazines, as the
American Journal of Theology,
Augustana and Augustana Journal.
For the "Lutheran Cyclopedia" he
has written an article on the "Char-
ity Work of the Augustana Syn-
od." Since 1900 he has edited
Bcthcl-Bladct, a monthly publica-
tion devoted to the various inter-
ests of his congregation.
His executive ability has made
him a prominent figure in the
administrative work of his church.
From 1896 to 1000 he was a mem-
ber of the Board of Directors of
Augustana College, acting as secre-
tary. He was member and secre-
tary of the Church Extension So-
ciety of the Augustana Synod 1893-
1896, and member of the Board of
Directors of Augustana Hospital
1902-5. From 1904 to 1909 he was
president of the Board of Directors
of Englewood Hospital, an institu-
tion of which he was one of the
founders. Dr. Fors is a charter
member of Chicago Cemetery Asso-
ciation, which was organized in
1902. He served as president of
Southern Chicago District and of
the Lutheran Ministerial Associa-
tion of Chicago for one term. Since
1912 he has been treasurer of the
China Foreign Mission Board of
the Augustana Synod ; he has been
a member of the Board of Charities
of the Illinois Conference, and has
been member and chairman of its
Chicago Executive Committee since
1911.
386
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Dr. Fors was married to Miss
Hannah Desideria Johnson, of Mo-
line, Sept. 22, 1914. A daughter,
Ruth Hilda Lovisa, has been born
to them. The only surviving son of
a previous marriage, Adolf Fred-
rick, graduated from the Armour
Institute of Technology, Chicago, Js
a mechanical engineer with Good-
man Manufacturing Co., Chicago.
WAHLFRID WILLIAMSON,
has for a number of years been one
of the most noted book and job
printers in Chicago. He is a na-
tive of Trelleborg, Sweden, where
he was born April 18, 1850. Mr.
Williamson was reared and edu-
cated in the city of Helsingborg,
to which place his parents had
moved shortly after his birth. The
first training in the printer's art he
obtained in the office of Oresnnds-
Posten and worked afterwards for
some time on the University Press
in Lund, subsequently returning to
his old place in Helsingborg.
At the age of nineteen, in April,
1869, he left his fatherland with
Chicago as his destination. In this
city he tried to get employment at
his trade, but found the gates
closed against him, as the two
Swedish newspapers in Chicago at
that time had no need of his serv-
ices. In Missouri he found work-
on the Southern Pacific Railway,
which was then under construc-
tion, and remained there until the
following winter, when he was of-
fered a position on the Swedish
weekly Hcmlandct. In the spring
of 1871 he became foreman in the
printing office of Nya Verlden, aft-
erwards Svenska Tribunen, and
worked on that paper up to the
time of the great Chicago fire, also-
for a time after the paper was re-
established.
Mr. Williamson started a print-
ing office of his own at 1-3 N. Clark
street in 1872, where he remained
until the building, together with his
printing office, was destroyed by
fire on February 18, 1903. For
many years Mr. Williamson was
WAHLFRID WILLIAMSON.
the only Swedish job printer in the
city and has gained reputation as
a reliable and skillful printer. A
large number of excellent works
in Swedish and Norwegian have
been published from his office, of
which may be mentioned "Sverige
och Svenskarna," by W. W. Thom-
as, and "Unions-perioden og Nor-
ges Gjenreisning," by Hagbert
Miller. For some time he pub-
lished a periodical, Vid Aftonbra-
san (At the Evening Fireside}.
After his printing plant was de-
stroyed by fire he took a vacation
from business, but in August, 1905,
he opened a new office at his home,
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
387
1702 Winona ave., where he still
conducts a progressive business. In
1907 he published a harmony of the
four Gospels, entitled "Det femte
evangeliet, eller de fyra evangeli-
erna sammanvafda till en fullstan-
dig berattelse om var Fralsare Jesu
Kristi lif, ordnad i tidsfoljd."
Mr. Williamson has since 1882
identified himself with the Swedish
Methodist Church and has held
many important offices in the local
churches where he has been a mem-
ber, in the First Church on Oak
street and in the Bethany M. E.
Church, where he now holds his
membership. From 1882 to 1899
he was secretary of the Swedish
Methodist Aid Association, a mu-
tual life insurance society.
ERNST A. ALGOT.H,
a prominent masseur and medical
gymnast with offices in Summer-
dale Bank Building, Chicago, was
born in Ekeby parish, Mariestads
Ian, Sweden, March 30, 1874. Hav-
ing graduated from the collegiate
school of Orebro in 1894, he con-
tinued his studies at the University
of Upsala, where he passed the pre-
liminary examination for the degree
of doctor of medicine in 1897.
In the same year and at the same
institute of learning he passed ex-
aminations in massage, medical
gymnastics and orthopedics. In
1898 he graduated with honor from
the Gymnastic Orthopedic Institute
at Stockholm.
The following three years he
spent in studies at the Carolingian
Medico-Surgical Institute of Stock-
holm. In the summer seasons he
served as practicing masseur and
medical gymnast at the following
Swedish health resorts : Adolfs-
berg, 1897; Osthammar, 1898;
Loka, 1899; Mariehamn, Finland,
1900-1901. From January to Oc-
tober, 1903, Dr. - Algoth acted as
superintendent for the department
of Swedish massage and medical
gymnastics at the Medical Insti-
tute at Marseilles, France, and in
the summer seasons from 1904 to
ERNST A. ALGOTH.
1908 he was practicing massage at
the sanitarium of Nybro, Sweden.
In 1908 he emigrated to Amer-
ica and made his home in Chicago,
where he has had an extensive and
growing practice, especially in the
Swedish settlements. Since 1914
he has studied medicine in the Jen-
ner Medical College, where he
received his doctor's degree in June,
1916.
Dr. Algoth is a member of the
Ebenezer Lutheran Church at Sum-
merdale, Chicago, and of the Or-
der of Vikings. Since his arrival
in this country he has been very
active in imparting a better knowl-
388
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
edge, both among gymnasts and in
the medical profession, of the
scientific methods of massage and
medical gymnastics as taught and
practiced in Sweden, the land of
its origin.
Dr. Algoth is married to Miss
Regina Maria Johanna Westrom of
Gottland, Sweden, and has two
young daughters.
ALBERT THEODORE
LUNDGREN,
physician and surgeon, was born in
Woodhull, 111., August 5, 1877. He
is the son of S. J. Lundgren and
his wife, Ida Sophia Lundgren. His
early boyhood days were spent on
the farm near Woodhull. Having
completed his public school educa-
tion, he entered Knox College,
where he graduated in 1901 with
the degree of Bachelor of Science.
Afterwards he took up studies in
Rush Medical College and gradu-
ated with the degree of Doctor of
Medicine in 1907.
Dr. Lundgren subsequently be-
came attending surgeon at Lake
View Hospital in Chicago and in-
structor in surgical pathology at
the Graduate School of Medicine.
He is now in partnership with Dr.
Edward H. Ochsner, the office be-
ing at the corner of Cleveland and
Webster avenues.
Dr. Lundgren, who is a Republi-
can in politics, and a member of
the Ebenezer Swedish Lutheran
Church, is also connected with sev-
eral professional organizations, as
the American Medical Association,
Chicago Medical Society and Illi-
nois Medical Society. He belongs
to the Edgewater Masonic Lodge,
the Independent Order of Vikings
and Svithiod, Phi Rho Sigma Med-
ical Fraternity. He is an honor-
ary member of the American Med-
ical Association of Vienna, Austria.
ALBERT THEODORE LUNDGREN.
Married to Miss Beda Maria
Munson of Vadstena, Sweden,
since 1912, he has one daughter.
The family resides at 5125 North
'Clark street.
CARL FREDRICK ANDERSON
was born in the city of Laholm,
Sweden, November 25, 1866. He
is the son of Anders Person and
his wife Sophia Nelson. Having
attended the public schools, he emi-
grated to America in 1887, where
he first found employment in a
steam forge plant in Pullman. Af-
terwards he located in Chicago,
working in various shops till 1891,
when he was made foreman of the
forging department of G. L. Cros-
by & Co., which firm later was con-
solidated with the American Com-
pany.
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
38!)
Air. Anderson remained with this
company till 1902, when he started
for himself in the steam forge busi-
ness with A. A. Shumaker, under
the name of Anderson, Shumaker
CARL FREDRICK ANDERSON.
& Co., located at 2024 South Mor-
gan st., Chicago.
Mr. Anderson is a member of
the Lutheran Church and is a Re-
publican in politics. He was married
in October, 1890, to Miss Josephine
Johanson of Laholm. They have
two children. He is a member of
the Swedish Club, the Swedish En-
gineers' Society, the Masonic order,
Odd Fellows and Knights and La-
dies of Honor.
JOHN E. NORLING
was born in Bishop Hill, 111., Jan-
uary 13, 1859. The parents were
Anders and Elizabeth Norling from
Stalbo in the parish of Nora, Vest-
manland, Sweden, who came to
America in 1858 and settled in
n Hill.
As John had no desire for farm
life and the parents were unable
to give him an academic education,
he took a course in the high school
in his neighborhood and decided to
become a druggist. At the age of
twenty he was manager of L. P.
Ek's drug store in Galva. In 1880
he bought this store in partnership
with two brothers, and the firm
Norling Bros, soon was in a con-
dition to open branch stores in Ne-
koma and Bishop Hill.
In the fall of iSSi Mr. Norling
began to buy up large tracts of
land west of the Mississippi and
secured options on many larger
areas with a view of leading the
influx of immigrants in that direc-
tion, and with his brother, A. D.
Norling, he started in Sherman
county, Nebraska, a large stock
farm, which soon became a model
for similar enterprises.
Having sold his drug stores in
1889, Mr. Norling was instrumen-
tal in organizing the Mulford
Steam Heating Co. in Streator,
111., and was its first secretary and
treasurer. The factory was later
transferred to Galva.
In 1891 be moved to Chicago
and devoted his time to the real es-
tate business, dealing not only in
Chicago property but also in farms
and colonization enterprises. In
August, 1900, he became an impor-
tant factor in the Swedish-Ameri-
can newspaper world, when he, to-
gether with his brother, P. O. Nor-
ling, and S. E. Carlsson, bought the
large well-known weekly, Svcnska
Tribuncn, and shortly afterwards
I'ostcrlandct. Within a year he
bought the interest of his two part-
ners and became sole proprietor of
390
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
both papers, whose influence and
reputation were greatly enhanced
during his efficient administration.
Mr. Norling can also claim the
honor of being one of the pioneers
of the Automatic Telephone sys-
JOHN E. NORLING.
tern. His attention was called to
the possibilities of the new system,
when a promising inventor, by the
name of F. A. Lundquist, laid out
the plan before him. Seeing that
the new system would be much
more economical, since the central
stations could be eliminated, he be-
came deeply interested in the new
invention and organized in 1901 the
Globe Automatic Telephone Co.,
and became its first president. As
an example of Mr. Norling's in-
sight in the value of the automatic
telephone, suffice it to say that after
six years of expensive and hard
fought patent litigation, instituted
by the other telephone interests,
Mr. Norling's company won and
was granted the basic patents for
the automatic telephone, and in
1911 his company sold these pat-
ents to the Western Electric Co.
for $650,000.
In 1905 he sold his newspapers
to Mr. C. F. Frikson in order to
get more time for his other busi-
ness enterprises. In 1907 he or-
ganized the Monitor Automobile
Works for the purpose of manu-
facturing automobiles, trucks and
light commercial cars. He was sec-
retary and treasurer of the com-
pany and remained in that capacity
until January, 1914, when he re-
signed in order to give more time
to his lumber and land interests on
the Pacific coast and in Wisconsin.
Mr. Norling was united in mar-
riage to Miss Christine Ericson in
1870, and this union has been
blessed with two daughters, Lillian
and Ruth, 21 and 18 years old.
CARL-JOHAN NELSON,
general contractor and builder, re-
siding at 529 N. LeClaire ave.,
Chicago, was born in Hogerud par-
ish, Vermland, Sweden, October
23, 1871. The parents were Nels
Carlson and Johanna Bodin. After
leaving the public school in his na-
tive village, he worked on a farm
till he was 21 years old, when he
emigrated to America and learned
the carpenter's trade, at which he
worked four years. Then he en-
tered the contracting business with
Martin Mickelson, staying with him
for a year. Afterwards he went
into partnership with August Su-
rey under the firm name of Surey
& Nelson. After sixteen years this
partnership was dissolved and he
is now conducting the business
alone.
He is a member of King Oscar
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
391
Lodge No. 855, A. F. and A. M., became the Whitely Exerciser Co.
the Odin Lodge No. 8, Ind. Order and Chicago Fuse Wire Mfg. Co.,
-of Vikings. Mr. Nelson adheres which position he held until 1899,
to the Republican party and has when he was appointed assistant
his religious home in St. Paul's superintendent of the Springfield
Swedish Lutheran Church in Aus- Drop Forging Co., Springfield,
CARL-JOHAN NELSON.
tin. He was married to Miss Anna
Brunzell, of Vermland, Sweden,
December 28, 1892, and has six
children.
ALBERT IVAR APPLETON
was born March 20, 1872, in the
village of Onsala, Halland, Swe-
den. His parents were Carl Johan
Appelbom, a sailor, and his wife,
Paulina Justina Christiansen. Hav-
ing received a good public school
education in his native country, he
arrived in America with his par-
ents in 1885, located in Chicago
and took up the machinist, tool and
die making trade. Having ac-
quired proficiency in his trade, he
accepted the position as depart-
ment foreman with the Independ-
ent Electric Co., which afterwards
ALBERT IVAR APPLETON.
Mass., a firm that was affiliated
with the above mentioned concerns.
With this firm he remained until it
was sold in 1900 and then returned
to Chicago.
In 1901 he purchased one-third
interest in the Harvard Electric
Co., of which firm he became presi-
dent and which position he held
until October, 1903, when he re-
signed and sold his interest. On
November i, 1903, he organized the
Appleton Electric Co., then located
at 224 Washington st, Chicago, of
which firm he became president
and treasurer. From 1904 to 1907
he was also master mechanic for
the Chicago Fuse Wire Mfg. Co.,
but resigned from this position to
devote more time to the Appleton
Electric Co., now located at 212-
230 N. Jefferson st. Mr. Apple-
392
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
ton is president and treasurer of
this company, and director in the
Inland Electric Co. and Beach
Theatre Co.
He is a member of several civic
and fraternal organizations, attends
the Presbyterian Church and is a
Republican in politics. Mr. Apple-
ton was married on August 31,
1910, to Miss Lillian C. Wihk and.
has two children.
IVAR HOLMSTROM
is chief clerk of the International
Mercantile Marine Company, with
offices at 14 North Dearborn st.,
Chicago. He was born in Gote-
borg, Sweden, April 14, 1859. His
parents were Bengt Herman Holm-
strom and his wife, Maria Gustava.
After attending the public schools
in his native town, and a few classes
of the collegiate school, he secured
a position in his uncle's office, who
at that time was general agent of
the Inman Line. He remained in
this place till iS/S, when he was
transferred to the offices of the
same line in Liverpool. Afterwards
he returned to Goteborg, where he
acted as general agent during his
uncle's leave of absence.
In 1884 Mr. Holmstrom was of-
fered a position with the Inman
Line in New York. He accepted
the offer, left Sweden in August
and for a time traveled in the West,
establishing agencies for his com-
pany.
During the World's Columbian
Exposition, Mr. Holmstrom had
charge of the magnificent dis-
play of the International Navi-
gation Company in the Trans-
portation Building, a trust that he
executed to the satisfaction of
his company as well as of the
public at large. Shortly after-
ward he was appointed chief clerk
in the passenger department in
the Chicago office of the company,
subsequently changed to the Inter-
national Mercantile Marine Lines.
The White Star, the Red Star and
IVAR HOLMSTROM.
the American Lines are affiliated
in and owned by this corporation.
Mr. Holmstrom is a member of
the Swedish Club and is now serv-
ing his fourth term as one of its di-
rectors. He was married to Miss
Anna Rosenquist, August 17, 1901,
and has one daughter, Viola.
CARL WINTON KELLMAN,
attorney at law, was born in Chi-
cago, May 29, 1890. His parents
were Carl W. Kellman and Au-
gusta M. Matson. Mr. Kellman
pursued his studies in the high
schools of Elgin and Lake View,
and graduated from the North
Park College, Chicago, in 1907. He
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
393
continued in the Illinois University
at Champaign, and graduated from
the Chicago Law School in 1913,
with the degree LL.B. conferred
upon him.
In politics Mr. Kellman is a Re-
publican. He is a member of the
Swedish Covenant Church. Mr.
Kellman has the honor of being
CARL WINTON KELLMAN.
director and president of the North
Park College Alumni Association.
Married since November 15/1913,
to Miss Esther Anderson of Chi-
cago, he has one son, Carl W. Kell-
man III.
JOEL MOSSBERG,
a noted singer and vocal teacher,
was born in Kumla, Nerike, Swe-
den, January 30, iS/o. He is the
son of Carl Mossberg, a musician
in the Swedish army, and his wife.
Johanna Carlson. Having received
his elementary education in the
public schools in Sweden and
worked for four years as a stone-
carver in Visbv, he came to Chi-
cago in 1892. Here he worked for
some time at his trade, devoting
his spare time to musical studies,
showing signs of extraordinary
talent. He studied first with
W. W. Hinshaw and afterwards
with John R. Ortengren and oth-
ers. His fine voice and master-
ful technique soon made him fa-
JOEL MOSSBERG.
mous as a barytone of rare ability
and secured for him the position
as soloist of the North Shore Jew-
ish Synagogue and the Sixth Pres-
byterian Church. He has also done
a great deal of concert work and
sung in twenty-two states in Amer-
ica. He is now choral conductor
and teacher in the Mendelssohn
Conservatory of Music, McClurg
Building, Chicago, and Director in
Chief of the American Union of
Swedish Singers.-
Mr. Mossberg is a member of
several fraternities and holds hon-
orary membership in the Orpheus
Singing Club and Bjorgvin Singing
Society. He was married Decem-
ber 10, 1906, to Mrs. Olga Meine.
394
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
PETER C. PEARSON
was born in the city of Gefle, Swe-
den, March 14, 1863. The parents
were Olof Pearson and Elizabeth
Hellstrom. At the age of five years
he came to America with his par-
ents, who settled on a farm in An-
PETER C. PEARSON.
dover, 111. Afterwards the family
removed to Lindsborg, Kan., where
Mr. Pearson attended Bethany Col-
lege and was graduated in 1894
with the degree of B. A.
He arrived in Chicago in 1890
and became editor of Framat, a
Swedish weekly, which had just
removed from Lindsborg. With
this paper he was connected in an
editorial capacity till 1902, but did
not sever his connection with news-
papers until 1906.
Between 1903- and 1905 he was
president of Western Oregon Or-
chard Co. and was for some time
secretary of Telma Gold Mining
Co. In 1905 he took up real estate
advertising and is now selling
Southern farm lands in Mississippi
and Louisiana, being treasurer of
the Southern States Land & Lum-
ber Co., with offices at 29 E. Madi-
son st., Chicago. He is enthusias-
tic for the sunny South, where "na-
ture is beautiful, the climate mild,
the people hospitable and women
sweet and mild-tempered."
Mr. Pearson is a member of
the Swedish- American Republican
League of Illinois, a Freemason
and was for three years president
of North Star Benefit Association.
In religion he leans toward Chris-
tian Science.
Having lost his first wife and a
child, he was married to Miss Marie
W. Vennerstrom, who is a native
of Christiania, Norway, November
17, i goo. They have two children.
FRANK JOHN CHAISER,
president of Lake Zurich Dairy
Company, with offices at 218 West
Chestnut street, Chicago, is a native
of Sundsvall, Sweden, where he
was born October 4, 1861. His par-
ents were Captain Jonas Magnus
Keijser and his wife, Emelie Elisa-
beth, nee Enquist.
Having pursued his studies for
five years at the Maria Collegiate
School of Stockholm, he left the old
country and came to New York
from South America in 1879. To
Chicago he came a few years later,
and entered the John Marshall Law
School, where he received an excel-
lent training for a political career.
From 1888, when he became in-
terested in politics, he held sev-
eral clerical positions, and from
1894 to 1896 he was cashier in the
comptroller's office of Cook county.
The following nine years he served
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
895
as cashier in the office of the clerk
of the Superior Court.
Mr. Chaiser is a Republican, and
life member of the Hamilton Club
and Illinois Athletic Club, member
of the Chicago Association of Com-
merce, the Swedish Club, and a
number of fraternal societies.
FRANK JOHN CHAISER.
He was married July 31, 1902, to
Miss Ruth E. Peterson, a native of
Jonkoping, Sweden. They have one
child.
JOHN A. NYDEN,
architect, was born in Moheda,
Smaland, Sweden, March 25, 1878.
Educated in the public schools of
Sweden and Chicago, he began his
technical training in the Columbian
Trade School of Chicago, took up
a scientific and art course in Val-
paraiso University, Ind., 1898-99,
and passed the architect's examina-
tion in 1904, in the University of
Illinois at Urbana, having made an
extended journey through England,
France and Germany in the sum-
mer of 1902, for the purpose of
studying his art.
Mr. Nyden has been connected
with a number of firms before he
opened his present office at 64 W.
Randolph street, Chicago. In 1900
he was working with Geo. A. Ful-
ler Construction Company in New
JOHN A. NYDEN.
York. The following year he was
appointed assistant chief draftsman
of the Northwestern Terra Cotta
Co., Chicago, and in 1906 he was
chief draftsman with Barnett, Hay-
ner & Barnett, of Chicago. The
following year he occupied the
same position with Arthur Heun,
architect. During this time he had
under his direction the building of
some of the most pretentious archi-
tectural structures in Chicago and
vicinity, as the new Illinois Athletic
Club, the design for the twelve-
story New Southern Hotel and the
million-dollar residence of J. Og-
den Armour in Lake Forest. Since
commencing his own business in
1907 he has erected about two hun-
dred buildings, among which may
396
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
be counted a number of new of Bush Conservatory and con-
churches and apartment buildings, ductor of the Swedish Choral Club
Mr. Nyden is a member of the and the Svithiod Singing Club.
Trustee Board in the Edgewater Besides these many musical ac-
Swedish Mission Church and was tivities Mr. Nelson is president of
president of the board from 1910
to 1914. He is a director in the
Swedish Historical Society of
America and a member of Amer-
ican Institute of Architects, Illi-
nois Society of Architects and
Swedish Engineers' Society.
He was united in marriage to
Miss Alma Ottilia Hemings of
Kristdala, Sweden, April 9, 1902,
and has two children.
EDGAR ANDREW NELSON
is one of Chicago's noted musicians
of Swedish descent. He was born
March 14, 1882, at 142 Sedgwick
street, Chicago. His father, An-
drew P. Nelson, was superintend-
ent of the postoffice.
Having completed his elementary
education in the Ogden School, he
entered the Bush Conservatory,
where he earned his Bachelor of
Music degree in 1908. Since then
he has grown in public favor as a
teacher, pianist, organist and con-
ductor of choruses. He served as
organist of the First Swedish Bap-
tist Church, Chicago, from 1895 to
1898; Grace Methodist Church,
1898-1904: St. James Methodist
Church, 1905-1907, and the First
Presbyterian Church, Oak Park,
Til., 1908.
At present he holds the following
positions, to wit : Organist of the
Apollo Musical Club, the Sunday
Evening Club, organist and director
of music of the First Presbyterian
Church, Oak Park, assistant director
EDGAR ANDREW NELSON.
Chicago Artists' Association and
was president of Illinois Music
Teachers' Association.
On November 4, 1908, he was
united in marriage to Miss Harriet
Schuettler, of Chicago, and has one
child. The family resides at 4441
Beacon street.
ADOLF F. ANDERSON
is a manufacturer of builders' iron
material, at 5836-44 Loomis street,
Chicago. Born in the parish of
Habo, Skaraborgs Ian, Sweden, No-
vember 5, 1867, he was educated in
the schools of his native place. At
the age of nineteen he emigrated to
America and settled in Chicago.
For eighteen years he has been en-
gaged in the manufacturing busi-
ness and is the owner of the A. F.
Anderson Iron Works, employing
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
397
about 60 men. The yearly output
of his plant is about $220,000.
Mr. Anderson is an active work-
er in the Swedish Baptist Church
of Englewood, where he is a mem-
ADOLF F. ANDERSON.
ber of the Board of Trustees. He
is also a trustee of the Fridhem Bap-
tist Old People's Home.
He was married in April, 1901,
to Miss Carolina Anderson and has
five children.
ALFRED HAKANSON,
physician and specialist in ear, eye
and nose diseases, was born May
12, 1866, in Geneseo, 111., where
his parents were among the earliest
Swedish settlers. Of five children
in the family Alfred was the young-
est.
The family moved afterwards to
Nebraska, where the future physi-
cian received his public school edu-
cation, and his high school course
he completed in Oakland in that
state. Afterwards he entered Lu-
ther College in Wahoo, Neb., where
he graduated in 1886. In 1887 he
took up special studies at Augus-
tana College, Rock Island, and then
became a student in the M;edical
School of Nebraska University at
ALFRED HAKANSON.
Omaha, graduating with the degree
M. D. in 1890.
Dr. Hakanson began his practice
first in Rockford, 111., but moved in
1892 to South Chicago. During his
residence here he was for two years,
1894-95, county physician for that
territory. At the same time he was
one of the founders of South Chi-
cago Medical Society and its first
secretary ; he also assisted in the
organization of the South Chicago.
Hospital and served during 1899-90
as attending physician.
In 1895 Dr. Hakanson completed
a special post-graduate course at
the Post Graduate Hospital of New
York. Four years later he took up
post-graduate work in the Chicago
Polyclinic Hospital, giving special
attention to the diseases of the ear,
nose and throat. During the year
1901 he made an extensive tour
398
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
through Great Britain, Germany
and the Scandinavian countries,
doing clinical work at the London
Ophthalmic Hospital; while there
he received the appointment of
junior assistant to Dr. A. Stanford
Morton, the celebrated ophthalmol-
ogist of London, and served in that
capacity for six months.
Dr. Hakanson is the chief of the
department of nose, throat and ear
diseases at Augustana Hospital, a
member of the American Medical
Association, Illinois State, Chicago
and Scandinavian Medical associa-
tions. He is one of the founders
of the Washington Park Hospital,
Chicago, and was attending ophthal-
mologist and laryngologist from
1903 to 1907 in Chicago Eye, Ear,
Nose and Throat Hospital. The
American Red Cross, the National
Geographic, the American-Scandi-
navian and Swedish Historical so-
cieties count him as a member.
Dr. Hakanson, who resides at
1442 Bryn Mawr avenue, has his
office in 900 Reliance Building. He
was united in marriage to Miss
Bertha W. Lindberg in 1892 and
has one daughter, Ethel Evelyn,
born September 13, 1905.
CHARLES LAGERQUIST.
Professor Charles Lagerquist
was born May 4, 1873, in Chanute,
Kans. His parents were Anders
Jonas Lagerquist, a lumber dealer
and contractor, and his wife, Sara
S. Carolina. Young Lagerquist
graduated from the public school
of Braceville, 111. He later studied
piano with Charles E. Watt and
Maurice Aronson ; voice with Clem-
ent B. Shaw. At the age of six-
teen he took up newspaper work,
and served as a solicitor, business
agent and, for some time, as local
news editor of the Morris (111.)
Daily and Weekly Herald. In later
years he has been a frequent con-
tributor to some of the most noted
musical publications of America, as
Etude, Musician, Miisical Record
CHARLES LAGERQUIST.
and Review. He holds a certificate
from the State Normal School, Mt.
Pleasant, Mich., in music ; has a
state life certificate to teach music
in Michigan. He passed perfect in
entrance examination for teaching
music in the Chicago public schools,
in Harmony, Musical Composition,
Musical Literature and History.
Thoroughly equipped by nature
and training for a musical career,
he has already occupied a number
of prominent positions in the mu-
sical world. In 1898 he became
Supervisor of Music for Grundy
County, Illinois, and the following
year the same position at Dwight
was added to the above. From
1901 to 1907 Prof. Lagerquist de-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
39J)
voted himself to private teaching
of piano and voice, chorus conduct-
ing and church playing, and still
found time for literary work. In
1907 he accepted the position of
Minister of Music in the First Bap-
tist Church of Adrian, Mich., act-
ing as organist and director of all
the musical activities of the church.
Two years later he was engaged for
similar work at the Ashland Ave.
Baptist Church, Toledo, Ohio. In
addition to these various duties he
continued private teaching and con-
ducted singing schools, Sunday
school and kindred conventions, re-
vival meetings, etc. After a three-
year term as Supervisor of Music
in Adrian (Mich.) city schools, he
became a teacher of music in the
Chicago High Schools in 1912, a
position which he now holds.
Since coming to Chicago he has
twice been on the examining board
for applicants to teach music in the
schools of this city, is president of
the Chicago Teachers' Music Coun-
cil, was a member of the Commit-
tee on Course of Music Study, and
is secretary-treasurer of the Music
Teachers' Club of the Chicago Pub-
lic Schools.
He is an active member in the
National Education Association, a
member of the American-Scandi-
navian Foundation and the Society
for Advancement of Scandinavian
Study.
Prof. Lagerquist has also written
several musical compositions, for
piano and voice, which have been
accepted in lieu of a study course
for credits in a university extension
course.
Musical and literary critics have
bestowed the most unstinted praise
upon Prof. Lagerquist's work as a
conductor of choirs, pianist and
singer, assigning to him a promi-
nent place in the musical world ;
and his ability as teacher is com-
mended by some of the most com-
petent and exacting music teachers
in America.
Prof. Lagerquist was married
December 22, 1891, to Miss Alice
F. Barker, of Wilmington, 111.
Three children are born in this
union.
NILS TUVESON,
dentist, is a native of Helsingborg,
Sweden, where he was born April
TO, 1885. His father, Ola Tuve-
NILS TUVESON.
son, was interested in an express
corporation, and his mother was
Sophie Swenson. He emigrated to
America in 1906. He entered the
dental school of Northwestern Uni-
versity in Chicago, and graduated
in 1911, with the degree of Doctor
of Dental Surgery. The following
year he served as demonstrator in
400
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
the dental school of his Alma Ma-
ter. Since then he has had his
office at 5333 X. Clark street, Chi-
cago. He was married October 22,
1915, to Karin Ostbom from Kop-
parberg and resides at 1616 Rasher
avenue.
Dr. Tuveson is a member of the
Alumni Association of the N. W.
Dental School, and of the Scandi-
navian Dental Society. He takes a
lively interest in the Svithiod Sing-
ing Club, and belongs to Paul Re-
vere Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Three
Links Lodge of I. O. O. F., and
Verdandi Lodge of I. O. S.
THOMAS LINDSKOG,
attorney at law, is a native of Rock-
ford, 111., where he was born Oc-
tober 21, 1884. His father was Rev.
THOMAS LINDSKOG.
Herman Lindskog, rector of St.
Ansgarius' Church, and his mother's
maiden name was Adolphine Shel-
don. Mr. Lindskog received his
education in the public schools and
high schools of Chicago. Afterward
he attended the Law School of the
Northwestern University, where he
graduated with the class of 1908,
receiving the degree of LL.B. He
was associated for several years
with the office of Chief Justice
Harry Olson and later was ap-
pointed assistant corporation coun-
sel. He is now a member of the law
firm of Igoe & Lindskog, with offices
in the Title & Trust Building in
Chicago, engaged in the regular
practice of law. Mr. Lindskog
votes the Republican ticket, and has
his religious home in St. Ansgarius'
Church, where he holds the position
of vestryman. He is also a member
of the Masonic fraternity, the Inde-
pendent Order of Svithiod, Phi
Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and
was a member of the Supreme
Board of the last named organiza-
tion 1911-12.
Mr. Lindskog was married to
Miss Gertrude E. Clettenberg, of
Chicago, April 18, 191 1, and has one
daughter.
GUSTAV ALFRED ELLIOT,
pastor of the Messiah English Lu-
theran Church of Chicago, was
born in Altona, Knox County, Illi-
nois, January 26, 1875, where his
father was a shoe dealer. Having
attended the public school and grad-
uated from the High School of his
native town in 1890, he entered the
third class of the Augustana Col-
lege, Rock Island, 111., and grad-
uated with the class of '95, receiv-
ing the degree A. B. From 1899
to 1902 he studied for the ministry
in the Augustana Theological Sem-
inary and received the degree of
B. D. For a period of four years he
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
401
taught history and German in Rice
Collegiate Institute of Paxton, 111.,
and served the last year as prin-
cipal.
His first pastoral charge was the
Swedish Lutheran Church at May-
wood, 111., whose pastor he was for
three and a half years. Then he
accepted a call to the Messiah
Swedish Lutheran Church in Aus-
tin, where he served for a little
GUSTAV ALFRED ELLIOT.
more than two years. Since Octo-
ber, 1907, he has been the pastor of
Messiah English Lutheran Church
in Chicago. This church, which
ranks among the largest English
Lutheran churches of the city, has
a communicant membership of
about 500 and has lately, under the
efficient leadership of Rev. Elliot,
erected a new brick parsonage.
Plans are also being laid for en-
larging the church edifice. The ad-
dress of the church and parsonage
is 3307 Seminary avenue.
Rev. Elliot is president of the
Chicago Inner Mission Society and
president of the Association of
English Churches of the Augustana
Synod. He was united in marriage
to Miss Ellida Rosberg, of Linds-
borg, Kan., June 25, 1902, and has
three sons.
F. A. LARSON,
publisher of the Swedish weekly,
Si'enska Amerikanaren, was born
in Orion, 111., March 3, 1872. His
F. A. LARSON.
parents were A. G. Larson, a farm-
er, and his wife, Helena Sophia
Johnson. Having received his
common school education in his na-
tive town, Mr. Larson took up a
business course at Augustana Col-
lege and subsequently was engaged
in the real estate business in
Chicago. In February, 1908, he
purchased the Svenska Amerikana-
ren, one of the largest and best
edited Swedish newspapers in
America. In September, 1914, Mr.
Larson bought the Hetnlandet,
which was merged with the former.
Mr. Larson is a Republican in
politics and member of the Swedish
402
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Club and Illinois Athletic Club. He
was married on October 26, 1898,
to Miss Othelia Engquist. Their
home is at 2305 Commonwealth
avenue.
CARL J. STENFELT,
jeweler and optician, was born Oc-
tober 27, 1870, in the city of Halm-
stad, Sweden. He is the son of
CARL J. STENFELT.
Per Larson, a coachman and gar-
dener, and his wife, Johanna Bengt-
son. When he had graduated from
the public school in his native town,
he learned the trade of watchmak-
ing in the same place. At the age
of twenty he decided to go to Amer-
ica and set out for Manistee, Mich.,
where he secured a position with
C. D. Gardner, one of the old-time
jewelers of the Michigan Lumber
Belt. He remained with the firm
for two years, came afterwards to
Chicago and worked in a whole-
sale jewelry house for seven years,
when he got a position with C. D.
Peacock. He stayed with this firm
for five years, till he opened a jew-
elry business for himself at 5752-
West Chicago avenue, where he is
still located.
Mr. Stenfelt is a member of the
Austin Swedish Mission Church,
holding the office of trustee. He
is also a member of the Illinois Re-
tail Jewelers' Association and Aus-
tin Business Men's. Association.
Mr. Stenfelt was married to Miss
Anna A. Higginson, of Manistee,
Mich., in June, 1899, an< ^ nas three
daughters.
JOHAN EINAR FABIAN
SODERWALL,
assistant librarian of the Elbert H.
Gary Library of the Northwestern:
University, Chicago, was born in
Vasby, Sweden, April 10, 1869.
The parents were Sven Johan S6-
derwall and his wife, Nathalia, nee
Afeldt. Having graduated from the:
collegiate institute of Helsingborg,
Mr. Soderwall continued his studies
at the University of Lund, where-
he obtained the degree Master of
Arts.
In 1904 he emigrated to America,
and after having studied for some-
time at the University of Illinois
at Urbana, he was appointed assist-
ant librarian of the Northwestern
University Law School in 1908 and
is still serving in that capacity.
Mr. Soderwall is not only an ef-
ficient librarian and a scholar ; he is
a very talented writer and an artist
of no small ability as well. In 1913;
he contributed to the Hemlandet,
over the pseudonym of "Dr. Fa-
bian," a series of short articles,
commenting in a humorous, oft-
times satirical, way upon the events,
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
403
of the week. By competent critics
these articles were considered as
ranking among the best that have
ever appeared in the humor col-
umns of the Swedish-American
press. Mr. Soderwall, during the
last few years, is said to have de-
voted his spare moments to writing
humorous sketches from Swedish-
American club life in Chicago,
with a view to their publication.
JOHN EINAR FABIAN SODERWALL.
The several marine paintings ex-
hibited by Soderwall at the Swe-
dish-American art expositions at
the Swedish Club of Chicago have
amply testified to his genius and
skill as an artist.
Mr. Soderwall is a member of
several associations and fraterni-
ties, among which may be men-
tioned S. A. A., "Strindbergarna"
Society for the Advancement of
Scandinavian Study, F. B. (Hel-
singborg), Chicago Library Club,
and the Swedish Club.
Mr. Soderwall, who in Sweden
was a valued member of the cele-
brated Student Chorus of Lund,
was about two years ago elected
director of the Swedish Glee Club
of Chicago, which under his effi-
cient leadership has regained its
former position in the front ranks
of the Swedish male choruses in
America.
ERNFRID R. JACOBSON
was born in Goteborg, Sweden, on
Christmas day, 1877. His father
was Charles Frithiof Jacobson, who
died in 1896, and his mother is
Helena Jacobson. Mr. Jacobson
received his public school education
in Chicago, as his parents came to
America in 1882 when Ernfrid was
a mere boy. But he has learned a
great deal more in "the college of
hard knocks." He began his career
as office boy, afterwards bookkeeper
and general office utility man for
various concerns till August, 1898.
Then he entered the employ of
Straube Piano Company as book-
keeper and stenographer. In a few
years he purchased a small interest
in the company and became secre-
tary, acquiring stock from time to
time, until March, 1911, when he
purchased the entire interest of the
remaining partner and became presi-
dent of the company. Thereupon
his brothers, C. H. J. Thorby and
Tas. F. Jacobson, became associated
with him as owners and actively
connected with the further devel-
opment of the business. The
Straube Piano Company manufac-
ture the Straube pianos and player
pianos and represent an output
of ten to twelve finished pianos
and player pianos a day. The Chi-
cago office of the company is in the
Republic Building, the general of-
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
fices and factory being located in
Hammond, Ind.
Mr. Jacobson is the president of
the company, is part owner with his
brothers in the Straube Piano &
Music Co., operating several music
stores ; he is also president of the
Fidelity Security Co., dealers in
piano paper and other securities,
and treasurer of the Hammond
Machine and Forge Works.
ERNFRID R. JACOBSON.
Politically he is a Republican.
He is a member of the Bethlehem
Swedish Lutheran Church of En-
glewood, where he has been a
trustee since 1898, and is also the
treasurer of the church.
Mr. Jacobson resides at 5754
Fifth avenue.
CARL J. JOHNSON,
a building contractor, was born in
Ool parish of Elfsborgs Ian, Swe-
den, March 25, 1866. His parents,
Johannes Anderson and Anna
Stina Johanson, were farmers who
gave their son as good an educa-
tion as they could afford. He as-
sisted his father on the farm till he
was seventeen years old, when he
moved to Alingsas, working at the
printer's trade for a couple of years.
Finding that this work was injuri-
ous to his health, he decided to learn
the carpenter's trade.
In 1886 he emigrated to America
and found profitable employment
in Chicago. In the evening schools
CARL J. JOHNSON.
he learned the English language and
took up a course in architectural
drawing. He remained at the car-
penter's bench till 1903, when he
launched out in business for him-
self, taking up real estate as a side
issue. He is a member of the Car-
penter Contractors' Association of
Chicago.
He is a member also of the First
Evangelical Free Church in Chi-
cago, where he holds the office of
trustee. His home and business ad-
dress is 4821 North Winchester
avenue.
Mr. Johnson was united in mar-
riage to Miss Hilma S. Anderson
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
405
of Horla parish, Sweden, October
29, 1898. Mrs. Johnson died
March n, 1913. Two sons and one
daughter are living ; one son has
died.
FRANK EBERT SANBERG,
dentist, was born in Blakeley, Min-
nesota, February 3, 1880, where
his father, John Sanberg, was a
FRANK EBERT SANBERG.
blacksmith. After completing his
grammar school course in his na-
tive town, he studied for some years
in the State Normal School at Man-
kato, Minn., and then taught a
country school for two semesters.
In 1900 he entered the Northwest-
ern University Dental School at
Chicago and graduated three years
later with the degree of Doctor of
Dental Surgery, all the time sup-
porting himself with work in den-
tal offices and on the farm. After
passing his State Board examina-
tion, he was employed in the office
of Dr ; O. T. Johnson for a year,
and in 1904 he opened an office at
1 66 West Garfield boulevard,
where he has been successful in
establishing a large practice, mak-
ing it necessary for him to employ
a graduate assistant.
Dr. Sanberg is a great lover of
outdoor sport and an active mem-
ber of the Chicago Gun Club and
the Flambeau Game Club of Park
Falls, Wis., as well as a large num-
ber of professional and secret so-
cieties.
He was united in marriage, June
24, 1908, to Miss Hilma C. Matt-
son, of Chicago. His residence ad-
dress is 218 East Fifty-seventh
street, Chicago.
JOHN SODERBERG
was born September 21, 1850, in
Sundsvall, Sweden, where his fa-
ther L. P. Soderberg was a whole-
sale dealer. His mother was Kris-
tina Wilhelmina Sellstedt. He
studied in the high school of his
native town and continued his
studies in the New Collegiate
School of Stockholm. Then he
spent six months in the military
academy at Carlberg in order to be-
come an officer in the Swedish
army.
In 1867 Mr. Soderberg came to
America, where he found employ-
ment as bookkeeper for Wm. Coker
& Co., who were in the pork pack-
ing business. From 1870 to 1873
he held a similar position with A.
Anthony. The following two years-
he was connected with Nya Verl-
dcn, a paper owned by Andrew
Chaiser. In 1875 he received a po-
sition as bookkeeper with F. A.
Anderson & Co., and A. Armour &
Co., remaining with the firm till
406
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
1877, when he secured the position
which he still holds with the Blotn-
gren Bros. & Co. At the incorpo-
ration of the firm in 1890 he was
elected secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Soderberg, who is independ-
ent in politics and religion, is a
JOHN SODERBERG.
member of the Royal Arcanum and
Odd Fellows. In February, 1880,
he was married to Miss Beda Mari-
ana Akergren from Kopparberg,
Sweden. They have no children.
GOTTFRED NELSON,
pastor of the Trinity Lutheran
Church of Chicago, was born near
Knoxville, 111., July 8, 1875. His
parents, Andrew Nelson and his
wife, Emma Jonsdotter, moved to
Kansas in 1878, where the young
future minister was raised. At the
age of four and a half years he
lost his mother by death. After
graduating from the public school,
he entered Bethany College, Linds-
borg, Kans., graduating from that
seat of learning in May, 1898, when
he received the degree of A. B. Dur-
ing his school years he served as
preacher in Jamestown, Falconer
and Frewsburg, N. Y. He was
also pastor of the First Lutheran
Church of Kansas City, Mo., one
year.
GOTTFRED NELSON.
In 1899 he took up a course of
theology in the Augustana Theo-
logical Seminary at Rock Island.
The following year he spent at the
Lutheran Seminary of Chicago,
and continued for one year at
Augustana Theological Seminary,
graduating in 1902 with the degree
of B. D. In the same year he was
elected pastor of the Bethesda
Lutheran Church in Chicago, and
in October the following year he
received a call to the Trinity Church
in Lake View, Chicago. This large
and important congregation has
more than doubled its membership
during Rev. Nelson's ministry, hav-
ing in all about 1,200 members.
This active and successful min-
ister has been elected to several im-
portant positions outside of the
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
407
local church. He is a director in the
Board of his Alma M,ater in Rock
Island ; in the Board of the Luther-
an Inner Mission Society of Chi-
cago, and in the Swedish Historical
Society of America he holds the
same position, besides being a mem-
ber of the Board of Augustana
Hospital in Chicago.
On July 6, 1904, Rev. Nelson was
united in marriage to Miss Anna
Almquist of Butte, Mont., a grad-
uate of Augustana College. They
have three children, one daughter
and two sons.
ALFRED E. LINDAU,
Western manager Corrugated Bar
Co., was born in Hjersas, Kristi-
anstad Ian, Sweden, March 15,
1874. His parents were Alexander
N. Lindau and Cecilia Matson. In
1882 Mr. Lindau came to America
and after obtaining his elementary
education in the public schools of
this country, he entered the Univer-
sity of Michigan at Ann Arbor,
where he studied from 1896 to
1900, graduating with the degree of
B. S. (M. E.). During the last two
years he was assistant to Professor
C. E. Greene in the department of
Civil Engineering.
The first year after graduation
Mr. Lindau was engaged as assist-
ant engineer of Michigan State Tax
Commission. In 1901 he was
draftsman of the C., B. & Q. Ry.
Co., and in 1903 he was appointed
assistant engineer of the bridge de-
partment of the Rock Island Rail-
way. Two years later he was en-
gaged as chief engineer for the
Corrugated Bar Co. with offices in
St. Louis, and in 1911 he was
transferred to Chicago as manager
of the Western division of the Cor-
rugated Bar Co. in charge of sales
and engineering. During this time
he has had under his direct super-
vision the planning and designing
of many important buildings and
ALFRED E. LINDAU.
structures in reinforced concrete,
as well as the development of the
theory and practice of concrete en-
gineering, having secured patents in
certain forms of floor construction,
which has been used in several hun-
dred buildings in the United States.
Mr. Lindau is now holding this
position with office address at 20
West Jackson boulevard. He is
director in the American Concrete
Institute and the Merrill Orchards
Company.
Mr. Lindau is a Republican in
politics and worships in the Con-
gregational church. He is a mem-
ber of several professional and tech-
nical societies, where he has held
offices of honor and trust. As an
author of miscellaneous technical
papers for the American Society of
408
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Civil Engineers and for various pub-
lications by the Corrugated Bar Co.
he is known beyond his immediate
field of labor.
In 1905 Mr. Lindau was united
in marriage to Miss Delia L. Brad-
by, of Lebanon, 111. Two daughters
have been born to them, Eleanor C.
and Marjorie Jane.
ADOLPH LUNDGREN,
a contractor, was born April 11,
1859, in the parish of Jerbo in Dais-
land, Sweden. His parents were
ADOLPH LUNDGREN.
Anders O. Waern and Anna Lisa
Olson. He secured a position as ex-
cavation master on the Dalsland
Railway during its construction
from 18/6 to 1878, subsequently
working as assistant investigator on
a proposed railroad from Wrets-
torp to Askersund in 1878 and 1879.
The following year he was in
charge of the rebuilding of the
highway and bridge over Orckils
river and set out for America in
the spring of 1880.
The first six years in this coun-
try he worked on farms, railroads,
in the timber woods and as clerk
in stores, thereupon starting a gro-
cery firm in Lemont, 111., in part-
nership with J. A. Skarin. After
three years he sold out his interest
in the business and secured a posi-
tion as traveling salesman, which
position he held for about a year.
But as construction and outdoor
work always appealed to him, he
decided to try his hand at contract-
ing. He is now secretary of the
E. P. Strandberg Co. and Ander-
son & Lundgren Cut Stone Co.,
with offices at 5010 Wabash ave-
nue, Chicago.
Mr. Lundgren was married to
Miss Sophia C. E. Strandberg,
April 25, 1891. They have two
children.
CHARLES J. WILSON,
professor at North Park College,
Chicago, was born at New Boston,
111., December 4, 1870, where his
parents were farmers. After at-
tending the public school in An-
dover, 111., he spent a year in the
academy of Augustana College,
Rock Island, and graduated in 1894
from Bethany College, Lindsborg,
Kans., with the degree of A. B.
During the last two years at Beth-
any he was assistant instructor in
English. In the summer of 1896
he studied chemistry and physics
in Stetson University, De Land,
Florida. In 1900-01 he pursued
post-graduate studies in Chicago
University, having received his
Master of Arts degree at Bethany
College in 1898.
Mr. Wilson was appointed pro-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
fessor of Latin and Natural Sci-
ences at North Park College in 1896
and has been professor of Chem-
istry and Natural Sciences at the
same institution since 1912. In
1911-12 he was acting president of
the college and has been vice presi-
dent since 1912.
Professor Wilson is a member of
North Park Mission Church, where
CHARLES J. WILSON.
he holds the office of Sunday school
superintendent.
He was married on June 7, 1899,
to Miss Jennie C. Modine, of Chi-
cago. They have two children liv-
ing.
FRED NORLIN,
surveyor and civil engineer, was
born in the parish of Vagnharad,
Sodermanland, Sweden, March 4,
1865. His father was an officer of
the Hussar Regiment of King Carl
XV. and was for some time an in-
timate friend of this democratic
king from which this regiment took
its name. After the family had
moved to Upsala young Norlin
studied from 1874 to 1880 in the
college of that city, where he
evinced a particular aptitude for
geometry and drawing. In 1881 he
came to Chicago, where he entered
the employ of the Pullman Car Co.
and was first placed in the wood-
working machine department. By
reason of his excellent draw-
ings, from which fine mouldings for
FRED NORLIN.
the cars were made, he soon rose
to foreman of this department.
After five years of strenuous
work in the dusty shop, he found it
necessary to take a vacation and
went to southern Minnesota in or-
der to regain his health. At the
hotel he got acquainted with the
county surveyor, who happened to
need an assistant and immediately
offered him a position. Having
worked with him for some time,
Mr. Norlin returned to Chicago
and entered the employ of the
Greeley-Howard Co., surveyors
and engineers, in 1886. During the
following eight years he had an
excellent opportunity of perfecting
410
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
himself in this interesting profes-
sion and succeeded by hard work
to climb to the top of the ladder.
In 1904 he left this firm and
opened an office of his own for the
general practice of surveying. Since
that time he has surveyed and laid
out hundreds of additions to Chi-
cago and has planned and laid out
several towns around Chicago, as
well as surveyed many railway lines
in this and neighboring states.
In 1915 his old employers, Gree-
ley-Howard Co., made him an offer
to consolidate his firm with theirs,
which must be considered quite an
honor, in view of the fact that this
firm is the oldest and best known
in the West. The consolidation
took place May i, and Mr. Norlin
was elected vice-president and
treasurer of the Greeley-Howard-
Norlin Co.
Mr. Norlin is a member of the
Western Society of Engineers, the
Illinois Society of Engineers and
Surveyors, the Swedish Engineers'
Society of Chicago and several so-
cial and fraternal organizations. In
1889 he was married to Miss Doro-
thea Knost, of Westphalia, Ger-
many, and is the happy father of
two sons and one daughter.
CONRAD EMANUEL
HOFFSTEN,
pastor of Salem Swedish Lutheran
Church of Chicago, was born at
Wilkesbarre, Pa., March 26, 1876.
His parents were Aaron Hoffsten.
a grocer, and his wife, Sofia, nee
Nordquist. When he was two years
old the parents moved to Philadel-
phia, where he attended the public
schools and the Central High
School, from which institution he
was graduated in 1894. In the
fall of the same year he entered the
sophomore class of Augustana Col-
lege, Rock Island, where he gradu-
ated in 1897 with the degree of
A. B. He entered the Augustana
Theological Seminary in 1898, hav-
ing served for a year as assistant
pastor to Dr. C. A. Evald, of the
CONRAD EMANUEL HOFFSTEN.
Swedish Lutheran Immanuel
Church of Chicago. From the sem-
inary he graduated in 1901 with the
highest honors, receiving the de-
gree of B. D. In Jamestown, N. Y.,
he was ordained the same year and
assumed charge of Grace English
Lutheran Church of Rock Island,
where he served as pastor from
1901 to 1907. In July of the same
year he accepted a call to the
Harlem Lutheran Church of New
York, whose pastor he was till
1909, when he was elected pastor
of the Salem Swedish Lutheran
Church of Chicago.
Rev. Hoffsten has made himself
known as an eloquent speaker in
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
411
both Swedish and English as well
as an effective worker in the places
he has occupied. He also holds
several positions of honor and trust
in his church. He is a member and
secretary of the Board of Charities
of the Illinois Conference of the
Augustana Synod, a member and
financial secretary of the Chicago
Inner Mission Society, member and
secretary of the Committee on In-
troduction of the Swedish Lan-
guage in the High Schools of Chi-
cago, and president of the Augus-
tana Luther League of Chicago.
He has translated from the Swed-
ish "Jesus sade" by Rector Harald
Ortenblad, published by the Eng-
berg-Holmberg Publishing Co.,
1915, and Hammarsten's "Dagliga
Betraktelser ofver Evangelier och
Hogmessotexter," published by the
same firm in 1916.
On May n, 1904, Rev. Hoffsten
was united in marriage to Miss
Anna Fidelia Evalcl, daughter of
Dr. and Mrs. Carl A. Evald, of Chi-
cago. They have three children.
GUSTAF LORENTZ
SWENSON
was born January 16, 1855, in the
parish of Thorsby, Bohuslan, Swe-
den, where his parents, Sven and
Charlotta Swenson, were farmers.
He received a good education and
studied for several years in the col-
legiate school of Goteborg. In July,
1880, he came to Chicago, where he
worked as a grocery clerk for six
months. Then he secured a position
as clerk with the French import-
ing house of Victor D. Gowan & Co.
Having remained with this firm for
a period of thirteen years, he ac-
cepted an offer from Harrington &
Goodman, Chicago, as city sales-
man, giving them twelve years of
faithful service.
On January i, 1906, he opened i
branch office in the Republic Build-
ing, Chicago, for the firm William
H. Lent & Co., of New York, man-
ufacturers and importers of silks
and tailors' trimmings, holding the
GUSTAF LORENTZ SWENSON.
office as Chicago and Western
manager.
Mr. Swenson is a Republican and
member of the English Lutheran
Church. For several terms he has
been secretary in the Board of Di-
rectors of the Swedish Club.
WILLIAM EUGENE
HELANDER,
attorney at law, was born in Chi-
cago, January 18, 1889. The par-
ents are Charles Helander, a coal
dealer, and his wife, Amanda An-
derson. Having completed his ele-
mentary education in the Parkman
Grammar School and graduated
412
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
from the Englewood High School,
he entered the Northwestern Uni-
versity Law School, where he grad-
uated, 1911, with the degree LL. B.
The same year he became asso-
ciated with the law firm of Scott,
Bancroft & Stephens.
Mr. Helander was elected an al-
ternate delegate to the Republican
National Convention in Chicago in
June, 1916.
WILLIAM EUGENE HELANDER.
Mr. Helander is a member of
Illinois Bar Association, Phi Alpha
Delta Law Fraternity and a mem-
ber of civic and political organiza-
tions.
He served as Vice Justice in
1908-1910 and as Justice from 1910
to 1911 of Phi Alpha Delta Law
Fraternity.
ERNY HULTGREN,
music critic and writer, was born
in Jonkoping, Sweden, March 16,
1868. His father was one of the
leading merchants of that historic
city and had made himself known
as a prominent singer, whose gifts,
and talents were inherited by his
son.
Mr. Hultgren came to America at
the age of twelve, but is still able
to speak the language of his fathers
with perfect freedom and ease. In
1886 he found emloyment in the
drug store of Sandstedt & Hess on
North Clark street, later with Dr.
Stringfield, now house physician at
the Grand Pacific Hotel. Shortly
afterward he moved to Michigan
and lived for some time with a tribe
of Indians thirty miles north of
Menominee.
In 1887 he returned to Chicago,
where he held various positions un-
til 1902, when opportunity was
given him to follow a vocation for
which he has a natural calling, that
of a musical critic and writer. Since
then he has been an industrious con-
tributor to a large number of mu-
sical publications and his articles
have elicited unstinted praise by
authors and the public at large,
even from our versatile Theodore
Roosevelt in a personal letter. The
Musical Enterprise of August,
1913, gives him the credit of hav-
ing fired the first gun in the nation-
wide crusade against "smut songs"
through a lengthy article, first pub-
lished in Chicago, 1912. This ar-
ticle was reprinted in the Chicago
Daily Nezvs and it was principally
through his persistent efforts that
a law was passed a year later, for-
bidding the singing of such songs
in public in Chicago. He is the per-
sonal representative of the eminent
composer, G. Crozat Converse, for
the production of his symphonies
and oratories, and formerly held the
position as musical editor of the
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
413
Martin and Jeffersonian news-
papers.
Another improvement in the
civic life of Chicago is the law
which makes it compulsory for the
Chicago public schools to give in-
struction in swimming, of which
Mr. Hultgren, according to a letter
from the Superintendent of Instruc-
tion in Chicago, is the father. In
a contribution to one of our great
ERNY HULTGREN.
dailies he pointed out how import-
ant it is to the health and safety of
the children that they should know
how to swim ; the suggestion was
followed and as a result swimming
tanks have been introduced in sev-
eral schools. Mr. Hultgren has re-
ceived assurance from the authori-
ties that his plans will be carried
out in all the schools as soon as
tanVs can be built.
1 hese are only a few examples
of the useful reforms which this
man has been instrumental in bring-
ing about in a simple and unosten-
tatious manner.
lie has composed music to many
English songs, one Swedish, "Hem-
landstoner," "Flowers of Spring"
waltzes, "Flowers of Sweden/' a
large arrangement for the Wurlitzer
Automatic Organ, on the best
known Swedish melodies, etc.
Since 1911 Mr. Hultgren has
been a department manager of The
Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. music
house at 329 South Wabash ave-
nue. He is a member of Music
Council National Union and has
held the office of speaker in that
organization, and is also an Honor-
ary member of The Luther Bur-
bank Society of Santa Ro?a, Cal.,
and associate member of the
Palette and Chisel Club of Chi-
cago.
In 1900 he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Josie Westman, who
was born in Chicago of Swedish
parentage.
ROBERT ANDERSON
is a native of Gustaf Adolf parish
in Yestergotland, Sweden, where
he was born December 11, 1870.
Having completed his elementary
education in the home school, he
went to Jonkoping and decided to
learn the painter's trade. To Amer-
ica he came in the spring of 1887
and made Chicago his future home.
He found employment at his trade
and had the good sense of attending
the free night schools, thereby
qualifying himself for larger use-
fulness.
After three years he started a
business of his own, and in 1895
formed a partnership with E. Oster-
holm with the firm name of Ander-
son & Osterholm. at 1 102-4 West
Fiftv-ninth street. Mr. Anderson
414
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
is the president of the firm, which
has done business in Chicago for
twenty-five years, lately to the ex-
tent of $150,000 a year. He is also
the vice president of the United
State Bank of Chicago and inter-
ested in various other organizations.
Mr. Anderson is a Republican in
politics and an active member of
ROBERT ANDERSON.
the Swedish Mission Church in En-
glewood, where he has been a trus-
tee for twenty-two years and Sun-
day school superintendent for
twelve years.
He was married to Miss Selma
A. Hultzen, December 20, 1890, a
union which has been blessed with
two children, Sigurd and Alice. The
family resides at 439 West Sixty-
first place.
CARL DAVID R. NYVALL,
a highly talented young musician,
was born at Minneapolis, August
i, 1890. His father is the well-
known college president and edu-
cator, David Nyvall, and his mother
Lovisa Skogsbergh. In his child-
hood he attended the Chicago and
Minneapolis public schools, and en-
tered the University of Minnesota
in 1909, where he remained for one
year and continued his studies an-
other year in the University of
Washington at Seattle.
Since the family returned to Chi-
cago Mr. Nyvall has built up for
himself an enviable reputation as a
pianist, composer and music teach-
er. He made his first tour as a
pianist with Mr. Gustaf Holmquist
and has since then appeared in con-
concerts all over the country with
artists who have a national reputa-
tion. As a composer of music for
voice, piano and violin he has been
successful to a remarkable degree,
and his compositions have been
sung by leading artists and organi-
zations. "The Nativity," a cantata,
was published by Engberg-Holm-
berg Publishing Co., Chicago, 1913.
"Valse Tatassit" for piano was pub-
lished in 1915 by G. Schirmer of
New York. The following have
not yet appeared in printed form,
but have already been performed
by artists. For violin : "Menuett,"
"A Song of Autumn," "A Song of
Winter," "To a Rhododendron."
"A Slumber Song." For voice:
"Tryst," "One April Morn,"
"Peace," "Light," "She Dwelt
Among Untrodden Ways," "Jag
sokte sa lange en trost for min
sjal," "An Evening Song," "Bal-
ders-balet" (a musical setting to
Tegner's poem). For piano: "A
Song," "Carita," "An Impromptu."
For chorus: "O, Sing unto the
Lord" (an anthem), "Hallelujah!"
(a short cantata).
Mr. Nyvall is now working on a
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
415
series of Swedish songs, a new
piano composition, a cantata for
mixed voices with "Idylle" by
Goethe as the text, and a short an-
them, "He was Despised and Re-
jected."
Mr. Nyvall is a Republican in
politics and worships in the Swed-
ish Covenant Church in North
CARL DAVID R. NYVALL.
Park, Chicago. He was married
April 20, 1914, to Miss Thelma Al-
len, a lineal descendant of Ethan
Allen of revolutionary fame.
GIDEON SHEM OHSLUND,
pastor of the Bethlehem Swedish
Lutheran Church in Chicago, was
born in Rockford, 111., November
15, 1872, where his father, Nils
Ohslund, was acting pastor. His
mother was Rebecka Ohslund, nee
Bengtson. After graduating from
Gustavus Adolphus College in St.
Peter, Minn., he served two years
as principal of public schools in
the State and passed his examina-
tion before the State Board, receiv-
ing a life certificate as teacher in
the State of Minnesota.
He felt, however, a strong desire
to follow in the steps of his father,
and after completing the prescribed
course of study in the English The-
ological Seminary at Chicago and
at Augustana Theological Semi-
nary, Rock Island, where he re-
GIDEON SHEM OHSLUND.
ceived the degree B. D., he was or-
dained minister in the Augustana
Synod in June, 1902. His first
charge was at Akron, Ohio, where
in five years he procured for his
congregation a beautiful new
church and parsonage, valued at
$27,000. Owing to the urgent call
of the Mission Board of the New
York Conference, he accepted the
mission field in Bronx, New York
City, where he organized a Swedish
Lutheran church with more than
two hundred members after six
months of hard work.
On account of sickness in the
family he was compelled to return
to the West two years later, accept-
ing the call to the Bethlehem
416
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Church, Chicago, in 1908. Here a
beautiful church has been erected,
as the fruit of his energetic efforts,
at a cost exceeding $50,000, on
which now rests only a small in-
debtedness. This is the only pure
Romanesque architectured church
in the Augustana Synod. The Beth-
lehem congregation is the oldest in
Englewood and the fourth in order
among the Swedish Lutheran
churches in the city.
Rev. Ohslund is a director in the
Swedish Historical Society of
America, and a member of the Ex-
ecutive Board and secretary of the
Chicago Lutheran Inner Mission
Society. He is a Republican in pol-
itics and member of the Hamilton
Club.
On June 24, 1902, he was united
in marriage to Miss Evelina Vic-
toria Eckland, of Carlton, Minn.
They have two sons and reside at
5755 Fifth avenue.
ALFRED A. NORTON,
attorney at law, with offices at 1601
Title and Trust Building, was born
in the parish of Kil, Vermland,
Sweden, September 4, 1869. In
1886 he came to America and at-
tended the Central High School in
Minneapolis, Minn., subsequently
entered the University of Minne-
sota, graduating with the degree of
Bachelor of Science in 1897 and
with that of Bachelor of Laws tw y o
years later from the department of
Law of the same seat of learning.
For a couple of years Mr. Norton
practised law in Spokane, Wash.,
and in 1902 he opened an office in
Chicago.
He has taken an active part in the
support of the Swedish Old Peo-
ples' Home, being president of the
association in 1908 and chairman
of the Board of Directors in 1910.
He served also as chairman of the
committee that had charge of build-
ing the magnificent new home at
Evanston, and is a life member of
the association formed for the
maintenance of said institution. He
was secretary of the Swedish Home
ALFRED A. NORTON.
Building Association for five years
and at the last annual meeting he
was elected president of the as-
sociation.
Mr. Norton is a member of sev-
eral political and fraternal organi-
zations, being a member of the
Hamilton Club and the Swedish-
American Republican League of
Illinois, whose secretary he has
been for six years. At its annual
convention in Princeton March 9,
1916, Mr. Norton was again re-
elected secretary.
He is also a member of John
Ericsson Lodge, No. 361 I. O.
O. F., King Oscar Lodge No. 855
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
417
A. F. & A. M., Oriental Consistory
and Medinah Temple, and served
as Grand Master of King Oscar
Lodge in 1913. He is not married.
ROBERT E. ACKERBERG,
manager Blomgren Bros. & Co.,
was born February 19, 1883, in Chi-
cago, where his father, Alfred Ack-
erberg, was a paving contractor.
ROBERT E. ACKERBERG.
His mother was Helena Ackerberg,
nee Josephson. Having completed
his public school education in the
Oak Street and Franklin schools,
he found employment with Blom-
gren Bros. & Co., designers, en-
gravers and electrotypers, where
he has advanced to the position of
manager.
He is a member of Lincoln Park
Lodge No. 6n, A. F. & A. M., and
Valkyrian Lodge of the Columbian
Circle.
On April 4, 1908, Mr. Ackerberg
was married to Miss Betty W.
Shellman and has two children.
The family lives at 1632 Estes ave.
GORDON BERG,
attorney at law, was born in Chi-
cago, Sept., u, 1888. His par-
ents were Andrew William Berg, a
wholesale grocer, and his wife,
Maria B. Brottlund, residents of
Oak Park, 111.
Having completed a preparatory
education in the West Division
High School and Lewis Institute,
he studied at the Northwestern
University, Evanston and Chicago
in the colleges of Liberal Arts and
College of Law, graduating there-
from in 1911 with the degree of
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B.). Dur-
ing 1910 and 1911 he took post-
graduate work, at the same time
was associated with ex-County
Judge Rinaker and G. E. Beerley.
In 1912 and 1913 he was a junior
member of the law firm of Wring-
er & Berg, also serving as special
attorney for the village of Oak
Park. Since 1913 Mr. Berg has
been the senior member of the firm
of Berg & Thomson which later
was changed to Berg & Sei fried,
with offices at 1101-02 Schiller
Building, 64 West Randolph st.,
Chicago. During 1913 he also
served as attorney for the Mexican
and Panamaiau Consuls in Chi-
cago.
Mr. Berg is a Republican in
politics, member and official of the
33rd Ward Republican Club and
has held the office of committee-
man. He is a member of the Cuy-
ler Ave. M. E. Church of Oak
Park, where he was secretary of
the Men's Bible Class more than
four years. Mr. Berg is further
identified with the professional,
civic and social organizations : Chi-
418
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
cago Bar Association, Northwestern
University Alumni Association,
Delta Ypsilon College Fraternity
and Alumni Club of Chicago, Phi
Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and
Alumni Club, Corda Fratres, Delta
Phi Chi honorary inter-fraternity ;
served as Justice of Fuller Chap-
ter of Phi Alpha Delta legal fra-
ternity, member of Central Lodge
No. 42, I. O. S., of which lodge he
GORDON BERG.
is vice-grand master, president of
the Board of Trustees and editor
of the Booster Magazine, member
of King Oscar Lodge No. 855,
A. F. & A. M., Golden Rod Council
No. 1161 National Union, City
Club and Austin Athletic Associa-
tion, and member Carl von Linne
25th Anniversary Committee.
In 1915 he served as president of
the 1915 class of Master Masons
of King Oscar Lodge. Mr. Berg's
marriage on Nov. 26, 1913, to Miss
Lietta E. Reed of Chicago, a former
student and friend at Northwest-
ern University, ended a college ro-
mance of long standing. He is now
practicing law at 1002, 19 S. La
Salle st., and resides at 818 N.
Waller ave., Austin, Chicago.
JOHN E. HILLBERG
was born in Malmkoping, Sweden,
December 9, 1873. His father,
John Hellberg, was one of the
early Methodist ministers in Swe-
den, having spent some time as an
evangelist in England. His mother,
Emma Hellberg, nee Molin, was a
school teacher in Stockholm before
her marriage.
His early training he received in
the public schools of Goteborg and
Stockholm, and continued his
studies for some years in Sodra
Latinlaroverket in the latter city.
Then he became a bookkeeper in
Bolinder's Iron Works, remaining
with this company over three years.
At the same time he took a two
years' course in the Royal Tech-
nological Institute of Stockholm.
Arriving in America, July 4, 1892,
he went to Worcester, Mass., and
entered the Swedish Theological
Seminary at Evanston the follow-
ing year, graduating in 1895.
From 1895 to 1899 he was pas-
tor of the Methodist churches in
Mount Vernon and Yonkers, N. Y.,
from 1899 to 1902 in Bridgeport^
Conn., and in the winter of 1901-02
he made a journey lasting four
months through Europe, Africa,
Asia Minor and the Holy Land.
On his return home he wrote a book
entitled "Bilder fran Bibellander"
(Pictures from Bible Lands) ,.
which has appeared in three edi-
tions and is now out of print. Rev.
Hillberg was called to the historic
Immanuel Church in Brooklyn in-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
419
1902, at that time the largest con-
gregation in his denomination,
where he had a successful pastoral
term of four and a half years'
duration.
In 1906 he accepted a call to be-
come instructor in the Swedish
Theological Seminary at Evanston,
which position he held until 1911,
when he succeeded Dr. Wm. Hen-
schen as editor of Sandebudet, the
JOHN E. HILLBERG.
official organ of Swedish Method-
ism in America and the second old-
est Swedish newspaper in this coun-
try, being now in its fifty-fifth
year.
Professor Hillberg has also pub-
lished two other books, entitled
"Jag maste ock se Rom" (I must
also see Rome) and "Nar ljuset
brot fram" (When the Light broke
forth), both out of print. For the
last sixteen years he has been edit-
ing "Vinter-Rosor," an annual lit-
erary calendar. From 1898 to 1902
he published a semi-monthly paper,
Ungdomsv'dnnen, for the young
people of his denomination.
As a public speaker and lecturer
Professor Hillberg has become
widely known in Chicago and
throughout the United States. Dur-
ing the last five years he has been on
the Chicago Daily News staff of lec-
turers, having filled engagements in
every part of the city. He is also
one of the directors and organizers
of the Swedish Choral Club and a
director in the Swedish M. E. Book
Concern.
On June 7, 1897, he was married
to Miss Hannah Lundgren. They
reside at 715 Monticello avenue,
Evanston.
GUSTAV ALBIN YOUNG-
STROM,
minister of the gospel, was born in
the Gustaf Adolf parish, Vestergot-
land, Sweden, July 8, 1884. His
father was a farmer and carpenter
by the name of Johan J chanson,
and his mother Katarina Johanson.
His elementary schooling was re-
ceived in the Simonstorp public
school, and he worked for a few
years in a factory and on a farm.
In 1902 he landed in America, mak-
ing Minneapolis his first home.
Here he found employment in a
factory for three years, studying
and doing religious work during
his spare time.
As he felt a strong call to the
ministry he came to Chicago and
entered the North Park College in
1905, where he graduated from the
Theological department with the
class of 1908. During his first va-
cation he supplied the Mission
Church in Florence and Common-
wealth, Wis., and during the last
two years at school he was pastor
420
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
of the Swedish Immanuel Church
at Elgin, 111. After graduation he
was for one year a missionary in
the far West, with the states of
Montana and Idaho for a mission
field. In 1910-11 he had charge of
the Scandinavian Evangelical
Church of Helena, Mont., when he
received a call to the Irving Park
Swedish Mission Church, Chicago,
where he still is pastor.
GUSTAV ALBIN YOUNGSTROM.
Rev. Youngstrom was married in
June, 1910, to Miss Anna Mathilda
Peterson from Sveg, Harjedalen,
Sweden.
ARVID N. SORLIN,
minister of the Swedish Methodist
Episcopal Church, was born near
Hernosand, Sweden, March 31,
1861. His father, a pioneer Meth-
odist preacher and singer, was one
of the first leaders of that denomi-
nation in Sweden, but moved to
America in October, 1874, and died
in Boston, Mass., in 1888, having
served as pastor in several churches
in the East and in Chicago and
vicinity.
Mr. Sorlin thus had opportunity
to finish his public school education
in New York and Chicago. After
some years devoted to a business
career he decided to prepare him-
self for the ministry, and after com-
pleting the prescribed course in the
Swedish Theological Seminary at
Evanston, he graduated from that
institution in 1896.
Prior to his entering the semi-
nary Mr. Sorlin had performed
pastoral work as a local preacher.
He was ordained deacon in 1892
and elder in 1897 and has served
the following churches : Lindsborg,
Kan., 1891-93; Englewood, Chi-
cago, 1893-94; Ravenswood, Chi-
cago, 1894-96; Moreland, Chicago,
1896-98; Rockford, 111., 1898-99;
He was afterwards appointed dis;-
trict superintendent of Galesburg
district with official residence in
Galva, 111., where he remained six
years from 1899 to 1905. His next
pastorate was in the Union Avenue
Church 1905-08 and Elim in Lake
View, Chicago, from 1908 to 1913.
After a year's service as conference
evangelist, he was elected manager
of the Swedish M. E. Book Con-
cern.
Owing to his ability and sound
judgment Rev. Sorlin has held
many positions of trust and honor
among his brethren. In the Gen-
eral Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, held in Los An-
geles, Cal., in May, 1904, he was
the representative of the Central
Swedish Conference. In 1901 he
was elected a member of the Board
of Trustees of the Swedish Theo-
logical Seminary and is since 1905
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
the secretary of that institution as
well as trustee, treasurer and man-
ager of the Swedish M. E. Book
Concern at 351 W. Oak street,
Chicago.
He was married March 15, 1882,
to Miss Hannah Wilhelmina Erick-
son, the daughter of John W. and
Maria Erickson, of Oakland, Nebr.
ARVID N. SORLIN.
A son, Oswald D. M., was born to
Mr. and Mrs. Sorlin in 1883 and
a daughter, Mrs. Margaret N. Reg-
nell, in 1893.
GEORGE E. Q. JOHNSON,
attorney at law, was born on a farm
near Harcourt, Iowa, July n, 1874.
His parents, John Johnson and his
wife, Mathilda Johnson, nee Lin-
derholm, were among the pioneers
of that prosperous Swedish settle-
ment. Having received his elemen-
tary training in the public school
of the neighborhood, Mr. Johnson
worked on the farm until he was
nineteen years of age, when he en-
tered the Tobin College at Fort
Dodge, graduating from there in
1897.
After his graduation he came to
Chicago and entered the law de-
partment of Lake Forest Univer-
sity, graduating in 1900 with the de-
gree of LL. B. He began practic-
ing law in June the same year, and
in February, 1905, he became a
GEORGE E. Q. JOHNSON.
member of the law firm of Johnson
& Molthrop. In 1912 another
member was added to the firm,
which now is known as Smietanka,
Johnson & Molthrop, with offices
at 610-616 Title and Trust Build-
ing, 69 W. Washington street, Chi-
cago, where he has had a constant-
ly growing practice.
Mr. Johnson is a Republican in
politics and has taken an active part
in the campaigns of his party. In
1911 he was the league orator for
the Swedish-American League at
its convention in Bloomington, 111.
He has been the vice-president of
the Swedish National Association
for one year and was elected presi-
dent of this organization in 1907.
422
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
In 1914 he was a candidate for
judge, but was defeated with the
other candidates of his party, due
to the strength of the Progressive
party. He is a member of several
fraternities, of the Hamilton Club
and of the Swedish Club.
Mr. Johnson was married Sep-
tember 8, 1906, to Miss Elizabeth
M. Swanstrom, a native of Linds-
borg, Kan., and graduate of the
Columbia College of Expression.
Their home is at 519 E. 6oth st.,
Chicago.
KNUT BERNHARD EK
was born in the city of Malmo,
Sweden, November 27, 1883, where
his father was a merchant. He re-
ceived his early education in the
high school of his native city and
subsequently continued his studies
at the University of Lund, receiv-
ing the degree of M. A. in 1906.
In February the following year
he was engaged on the editorial
staff of Malm'6-Tidningen; from
1907 to 1909 he held the same posi-
tion on Skanska Aftonbladet and
from 1909 to 1912 he was connected
with Sydsvenska Dagbladet Snall-
postcn.
In 1913-14 he pursued various
studies at the University of Lund
and emigrated to America in
March, 1914. He worked in sev-
eral places in Chicago and Belvi-
dere, 111., until February, 1915,
when he found the kind of work
for which he had prepared himself ;
he became a member of the edi-
torial family of Svcnska Tribunen-
Nyhctcr in Chicago.
Mr. Ek was the secretary of the
Antiquarian Society of Malmo
from 1908 to 1912 and was a mem-
ber of the Swedish Journalistic So-
ciety 1907-14. While a student at
Lund he was awarded a Royal sti-
pend for scholastic merits and. was
also honored with the election as
a representative of Malmo "nation"
KNUT BERNHARD EK.
in the Supreme Council of the
student body of the University of
Lund.
EMIL O. ENGSTROM
was born in Chicago, June I, 1890.
He is the son of N. J. Engstrom,
a contractor, and his wife Bessie
Engstrom. Having studied in the
Chicago public schools, the Murray
Tuley High School, the Metropoli-
tan Business College and the North-
western University School of Com-
merce, he secured a position in
1906 as stenographer with Fritz
von Frantzius & Co., the well
known stock and bond firm. In
1908 he left this position to travel
as salesman for another large firm,
Merrill, Cox & Co. Three years
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
423
later he returned to Fritz von
Frantzius & Co. and became man-
ager of the firm, a situation he held
until June i, 1915, when he went
into the advertising and lobby dis-
play business under the name of
Hamburg, Engstrom & Co., with
EMIL O. ENGSTROM.
offices in 308 Mailers Building, Chi-
cago.
On December 8, 1914, he was
united in marriage to Miss Harriet
Hodel of Chicago. They reside at
2754 N. Troy street.
A. ALFRED HOLMES,
organist, pianist and teacher of
music, was born in the parish of
Marback, Smaland, Sweden, where
his father, Carl Holm, was a car-
penter. At the age of seven years
he came with his parents to Chi-
cago, where he was educated in
the public and Swedish parochial
schools. As he showed unusual
talent for music in his boyhood,
he received an excellent musical
education from the age of twelve
and for seventeen years he studied
uninterruptedly under various
teachers, as Alfred Alander, J. F.
Ring, C. H. Wood, A. E. Fox, and
Calvin B. Cady.
For many years Professor
Holmes has been prominently be-
A. ALFRED HOLMES.
fore the public as organist, choris-
ter and orchestral director. From
1890 to 1892 he was teacher of
music at Augustana Conservatory
of Music in Rock Island, 111., and
continued to give private instruc-
tion in Rock Island and Moline un-
til 1896, having among his pupils
members of the most prominent
families of those cities. For two
years he was a member of the com-
mittee on convocation of church
musicians of the Lutheran Church.
He has served as organist of the
Gethsemane Swedish Lutheran
Church for a period of twenty-
four years, part of the time also
acting as choir director. In 1905
Professor Holmes was elected or-
ganist and choir director of the
] mmanuel Swedish Lutheran
424
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
church, where he also holds the
office of deacon. Beside his many
musical activities he has given
his time to the Sunday school work
in the churches where he has been
a member, and in 1902 he was
elected a member of the Cook
County Sunday School Association
May Festival Committee. Eight
years ago he accepted the position
as teacher of piano, organ, har-
mony and composition in the Men-
delssohn Conservatory of Music in
Chicago, where he also is orches-
tra conductor.
Professor Holmes is director and
secretary of the American Double
Lens Glass Co. and a member of
the Art Institute of Chicago.
He lives at 5938 Dakin st., and
has his studio on the eighth floor
of the McClurg Building.
N. HJALMAR HULTIN
is a native of Onsala, Halland,
Sweden, where he was born Sep-
tember 4, 1869. The parents were
Peter Anton Hultin, a sailor, and
his wife, Anna Carolina Anderson.
Having emigrated to America with
his parents in 1872, he received his
common school education in Chi-
cago.
In 1891 he worked for Gustaf
Segersten in the undertaking busi-
ness and entered partnership with
Mr. Segersten in 1896, which po-
sition he held for five years. The
last fifteen years he has conducted
an undertaking establishment at
3176 North Clark street. Mr.
Hultin served as supervisor of Lake
View for two terms, 1897-98, hav-
ing been elected on the Republican
ticket.
He is a member of several fra-
ternal organizations, was one of the
directors of the Old People's Home
at Evanston, 1910-11, and belongs
to the Trinity Swedish Lutheran
N. HJALMAR HULTIN.
Church. June 28, 1899, ne was
married to Miss Ella Nelson. They
have no children.
SIMON PETRUS ENGLUND,
clergyman and editor, was born in
Karlshamn, Blekinge, Sweden, Jan.
9, 1883. His father was Karl J.
Englund, a clergyman in the Meth-
odist Church, and his mother Julia
Ramstedt. Mr. Englund received
his education in the collegiate school
of Karlskrona, and after his arrival
in America he felt the call to enter
the ministry of the church in which
he was reared. Having served as
pastor for some time in the con-
gregation at Braddock, Pa., he came
to Evanston, 111., where he com-
pleted his studies in the Swedish
Theological Seminary. He has also
been pastor of the Swedish Meth-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
425
odist churches in St. Charles and
Melrose Park, 111.
At present he is associate editor
of Sandebudct, the official organ of
Swedish Methodism in America,
SIMON PETRUS ENGLUND.
and editor of the Sunday school
publications of the same church.
Mr. Englund is a noted speaker
and often heard outside of his de-
nomination.
JOSEPH SANDAHL,
physician and surgeon, was born
February 13, 1858, in the province
of Dalarna, Sweden, and is a lineal
descendant from an old ministerial
family in Vestergotland. His
father, Mr. Lars J. Sandahl, was
one of the most noted lay preachers
belonging to the Evangelical Na-
tional Association (Evangeliskp
Fosterlandsstiftelsen), who, owing
to great natural gifts, supplemented
with no small degree of learning,
was permitted to officiate in the
Established Church of Sweden.
Several of Dr. Sandahl's brothers
are working under the auspices of
the National Association.
The subject of this sketch began
his career as a business man, but
finding a business man's life un-
JOSEPH SANDAHL.
congenial with his idealistic nature,
he desired to take up the profes-
sion of medicine. Thirty years ago
he came to Chicago and was en-
gaged in business, all the time wish-
ing to realize the dreams of his
youth. But it was no easy matter
for a newcomer with a family to
care for to obtain a medical edu-
cation. His perseverance and am-
bition conquered all obstacles, how-
ever, and he was able to look after
his business interests while he at-
tended college, receiving his doc-
tor's degree in 1906, on the hun-
dredth anniversary of his father's
birth.
Dr. Sandahl has since then been
engaged in his practice at 3350
Seminary ave., with steadily grow-
ing number of patients seeking his
aid.
He has been married twice ; first
426
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
to Miss Emilia M. Dretman, who
gave him one son, now a prominent
business man in Canada. Thirty-
one years ago he was married to
Miss Maria C. Anderson, who has
given him encouragement and help
in his industrious career. Four
children are the fruit of this union.
The eldest son, Dr. Abel P. M.
Sandahl, is a successful physician
and surgeon ; the youngest son,
Amos, is completing his high school
course ; the eldest daughter, Ruth,
is an accomplished singer, also
studying medicine, and the young-
est daughter, Esther, is preparing
herself for the musical profession.
ERIK GUSTAF WESTMAN,
managing editor of Svenska Kuri-
rcn, was born July 30, 1874, in
Stockholm, Sweden. He is the son
of Gustaf Th. Westman, a printer,
and his wife, nee Sjogren. Mr.
Westman received his elementary
training in a private school and
matriculated as a student, 1883, in
Stockholm's Hogre Reallaroverk,
where he pursued his studies until
1891, when he found employment
on the Svenska Dagbladet, one of
the leading dailies of the Swedish
capital. Having served in various
capacities on this paper, he was,
at the age of twenty-three, ap-
pointed accountant for the paper.
The same year he was appointed
editor of the official program of
the Stockholm Exposition, which
was published daily in the form of
a newspaper. In this position he
put into effect a new system of dis-
tributing the newspapers during the
summer months, and originated for
his paper, Svenska Dagbladet, the
system which afterward was
adopted by the Swedish Telegraph
Bureau and which still is known as
the Distribution Department of that
bureau.
In 1899 he started an advertising
paper in Stockholm, but was forced
to desist from this enterprise owing
to his position with the Svenska
Dagbladet. This caused him con-
siderable financial embarrassment
ERIK GUSTAF WESTMAN.
in the summer of 1900. Discour-
aged on account of these difficul-
ties, he decided to turn his back on
the old fatherland, left Stockholm
in December, 1901, and landed in
New York on January 17 the fol-
lowing year. In June he reached
the Swedish-American headquar-
ters Chicago. Through the agency
of a friend, Mr. Max Hedman,
who was general superintendent
of the Stromberg & Carlson
Telephone Company, he found em-
ployment with this firm, and
though it could hardly be described
as congenial for a trained newspa-
per man, it was a great advance-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
merit upon what he had had before.
Owing to a vacancy that had oc-
curred on the editorial staff of
Svenska Kuriren, he became as-
sistant editor of that paper in 1903,
and he remained in this position
until 1908, when he was elected
editor of Rockford-Postcn. In the
fall of 1909 he became city editor
of Hemlandct, and in 1910 he ob-
tained a similar position with
Svenska Tribunen-Nyhctcr, where
he remained for one year, until he
was appointed editor of Linds-
borgs-Posten, in Lindsborg, Kansas.
In April, 1913, he re-entered the
employ of Hemlandct as city ed-
itor; was promoted to associate
editor within a few months and
was finally the last editor of this
noted weekly until it was absorbed
by Svenska Amerikanaren in Sep-
tember, 1914. His present position
as managing editor of Svenska
Kuriren he has held since Novem-
ber, 1914.
January I, 1916, Mr. Westman
was united in marriage to Miss
Jenny H. Dahl.
CHARLES T. GREEN,
contractor and builder, was born at
Vireda parish of Jonkopings Ian,
Sweden, August 21, 1860. His par-
ents were Sven Adolph Green and
Ulla Charlotta Green, nee Carlson.
After having completed his public
school course, he attended a private
school for three years and spent
two more vears in school at Jon-
koping. Then he decided to go to
America in April 1881, selecting
Chicago as his permanent home.
Here he worked in several places,
-and in March, 1896, he started a
contracting firm with a partner un-
der the name of Green & Carlson,
at 133 W. Washington street, where
the firm is still located.
Mr. Green has been president of
the Carpenter Contractors' Associa-
tion of Chicago and is at present a
director in the same organization.
He has been a director in the Swed-
ish Club for several years. He is
a Republican in politics. Mr.
CHARLES T. GREEN.
Green is a 32nd degree Mason and
an Odd Fellow.
On April 26, 1902, he was united
in marriage to Miss Signe Katrina
Carlson, born in Motala, Sweden.
Their home is at 855 Massasoit
avenue, Austin.
PEHR P. NEWBORG x
is a dealer in real estate and insur-
ance, with business office in the
Chamber of Commerce. He is a
native of the parish of Gunnarskog,
Vermland, Sweden, where he was
born May 2, 1848. He is the son
of Pehr Olson, a farmer and dealer
1 Deceased July 30, 1916.
428
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
in timber, and his wife, Marie Ol-
son, nee Anderson. Having re-
ceived a good education in the home
school he worked in various places
and was engaged in business for
himself until he left Sweden in
May, 1886, and came to America.
After his arrival in this country he
found employment as insurance so-
licitor for different companies un-
til he opened an office of his own.
PEHR P. NEWBORG.
Mr. Newborg is a Republican in
politics and a member of the Lu-
theran church. He was married in
1869 to Miss Martha Elofson, of
Gunnarskog, Sweden, and has had
two sons. The younger died in
1910, and the older one, Anders
Newborg, is living in Sweden.
CARL AXEL LINDVALL,
pastor of the Zion Swedish Lu-
theran Church, of Chicago, was born
in Kila, Vermland, Sweden, De-
cember 26, 1868. He is descended
from a noted family of clergymen
among whom are counted such fa-
mous men as Tegner, Geijer and
the present bishop of the diocese
of Vesteras, Nils Lovgren. His
father was a farmer, but worked
occasionally as lay preacher in the
neighborhood. In his younger days
Rev. Lindvall attended school in
Amal, and the collegiate institute
of Karlstad. He soon lost his
father and was then compelled to
support himself.
At the age of sixteen he went to
Germany, but remained there only
for a short time, and in 1886 he
landed in this country. He found
employment in the railroad shops
at Grand Rapids, Mich., where he
joined the Swedish Lutheran
Church. In order to prepare him-
self for the ministry, which was his
chief ambition, he entered the Au-
gustana College in 1892, but owing
to financial distress, he was com-
pelled to give up his studies several
times and work his way either as
assistant pastor or teacher in vari-
ous congregations. In 1898 he was
graduated with the A.B. degree
from the college, and in the spring
of 1902 he received his B. D. from
the seminary. After ordination in
Ishpeming the same year, he ac-
cepted the call to the Swedish Lu-
theran Church in Marshalltown,
la. In the Iowa Conference he
soon became a noted figure, filling
several posts of honor and trust.
For some years he was the secre-
tary of his conference, member of
the executive and mission commit-
tees, and chairman of the mission
district.
Rev. Lindvall was pastor for
some time in Bloomington, 111.,
when he received and accepted the
call to the Swedish Lutheran Zion
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
429
Church in Chicago, in 1909. In
1903 he made an extended journey
through the principal countries of
Europe, visiting Great Britain,
France, Germany, Holland, Bel-
gium, Switzerland, and the Scan-
dinavian countries.
But Rev. Lindvall is not only
known as an eloquent preacher and
faithful pastor; he has also found
time to cultivate his literary talent.
CARL AXEL LINDVALL.
Some years ago he edited the "Old
Minutes of the Iowa Conference"
from the beginning to the present,
and in 1911 and 1912 he was as-
sistant editor of "Korsbaneret," a
religious calendar. He has been
an industrious contributor to vari-
ous papers, and edits at present a
church paper, Zions Biidbiirare,
devoted to the interests of his con-
gregation. He is one of the co-
laborers in "Svenskt Biografiskt
Lexikon," published by Albert Bon-
nier in Stockholm, and a contribu-
tor to Ungdoms-V'dnnen, Rock-
Island, 111.
Since his coming to Chicago he
has been president and secretary of
the W. Chicago District of the Illi-
nois Conference of the Augustana
Synod, and secretary of the Minis-
terial Association of Chicago. Dur-
ing the last four years he has been
secretary of the executive board
of the Illinois Conference, and
president of the Chicago Inner
Mission Society.
Rev. Lindvall holds membership
in the Geographical Society of
America, the Society for Advance-
ment of Scandinavian Study, the
Swedish Historical Society of
America, where he has been di-
rector for two terms, and is now
its president. It may also be men-
tioned that he is an honorary mem-
ber of Svenska Yitterhetssiillska-
pet and Augustana Foreign Mis-
sionary Society, both of Rock
Island.
SVEN SVENSSON,
ladies' tailor, was born in- the parish
of Visseltofta, Kristianstads Ian,
Sweden, January 25, 1847. He
learned the tailor's trade in Lund
and in 1872 he opened a tailor shop
in Hamburg, Germany.
Having sold his establishment
there in 1891, Mr. Svensson came
to Chicago the same year and
worked in 1893 for a ladies' tailor,
when he started in business for him-
self at Wells st. and Lincoln Park.
He remained in this locality for
eight years and subsequently moved
down town, where he rented three
rooms in the Republic Building and
is still conducting one of the finest
ladies' tailoring firms in Chicago.
From a poor Swedish farmer boy
he has worked himself up, until he
430
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
is now a prosperous business man
and owner of considerable property
in various states. He has just late-
ly had an apartment building erect-
ed at N. Clark and Byron streets
at an approximate cost of $50,000.
SVEN SVENSSON,
Mr. Svensson is a member of sev-
eral fraternal organizations and is a
trustee in Bethany Evangelical
Church. He was married in Ham-
burg, Germany, December 31, 1888,
to Miss Bertha Marie Schmalstadt.
They have had five children.
FREDERICK CORNELIUS DE
LANG
has a more romantic and fascinat-
ing family history than it has been
our privilege to record for a long
time. It is not often we find
among the immigrants from the old
world to the new persons who are
lineal descendants from a reigning
dynasty, but Mr. De Lang can point
to a real princess as his great-
grandmother and his great-great-
grandmother was Queen Louisa
Ulrica, a sister of Friedrich II. of
Prussia, who was married to King
Adolph Fredrik of Sweden. Her
daughter, Princess Sophia Alber-
tina, and sister of Gustavus III,
was the favorite child of Louisa
Ulrica. She was a gentle and amia-
ble daughter and loved by all who
came in contact with her. Many
princely suitors sought her hand,
but she refused them all and said
that she would rather lose her
rank than marry a man she could
not love. Her great sorrow was
the rigid refusal of her brother to
consent to her marriage to the man
she loved, Peter Friedrich Ludwig,
a young duke of Holstein. But in
spite of her brother's opposition,
she entered a morganatic alliance
with him. Their child, born 1792,
was christened Benedicta Udd.
Just as Princess Sophia Albertina
after her marriage had led a quiet,
uneventful life, so Benedicta Udd
had no connection whatever with
the new court. She was married to
Charles Gustav Engstrom of Stock-
holm and had two sons and one
daughter, Mrs. De Lang, the moth-
er of the subject of this sketch.
She left a comfortable home in
Stockholm and all the luxuries the
young society ladies were accus-
tomed to for poverty and hard-
ships in a new land. Her hand was
sought by one Anton Cornelius De
Lang, the son of a French army
officer, who had been in Napoleon's
army and finally settled in Stock-
holm. Young Anton , always in
search of adventure, had run away
to sea and joined the U. S. navy in
1846. He served through the Mex-
ican War and later crossed Pan-
ama on foot together with C. M.
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
Lindgren, the father of Mr. John
R. Lindgren, who together with
Mr. Helge A. Haugan founded the
State Bank of Chicago. Finally he
returned to Sweden. There he be-
came acquainted with Miss Eng-
strom and persuaded her to leave
all the musty old world things for
a new life in America. They
crossed the Atlantic in a sailing ves-
sel in 1852 and it took six weeks to
cross the ocean in those days. At
first the young couple settled in
Albany, N. Y., and it was here
Frederick Cornelius De Lang was
born, December 6, 1854.
Three years later the family
moved to Chicago and for fifty-six
years Mrs. De Lang lived on the
corner of Oak and Sedgwick
streets. During the Civil War her
husband served with distinction on
the side of the Union. During
these days the little gentlewoman
struggled hard against bitter odds
in her efforts single-handed to care
for her children, when everything
was bought at war prices. This
heroic woman died in Chicago
March 27, 1914, in the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Charlotte De Lang
Hamilton.
Young Mr. De Lang was edu-
cated in the public schools of Chi-
cago and Rush Medical College. He
did not take up the practice of
medicine, however, but entered a
manufacturing firm in 1873, known
as Keen & De Lang, manufactur-
ing stationers, at 122 Lake street.
The new firm followed the Chicago
Board of Trade to their new quar-
ters in the heart of the financial
center in 1884. Mr. Keen died in
1901 and the name of the firm was
changed to De Lang, Coles & Co .
which is now conducting a commer-
cial stationery business at their
present retail store, Nos. 309 and
311 La Salle street. It is a model
of neatness and order, a complete
line of blank books and office sup-
plies being carried. Their manu-
facturing departments are at No.
416 South Dearborn street, con-
nected by private telephones, which
gives the present establishment fa-
FREDERICK CORNELIUS DE LANG.
cilities excelled by no other station-
ery house in Chicago.
Mr. De Lang has for a number
of years been an active and ardent
worker in the Republican party.
He was elected twice, 1880 and
1882, to the Senate of the General
Assembly of Illinois, where he
served with credit and received the
commendation of his constituents.
Prominent among many things in
his legislative career, he introduced
and secured enactment of the State
Dental Laws which resulted in the
establishment of the Board of Den-
tal Examiners as it is today. Sen-
ator De Lang organized the new
432
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Republican Club for the Twenty-
fifth Ward and was the first secre-
tary, procured its charter, organ-
ized and completed one of the finest
political organizations in this dis-
trict. In September, 1910, he was
running a rather vigorous cam-
paign as Republican candidate for
the nomination for congressman
for the tenth district, making his
claim on the basis that there are
too many lawyers and too few busi-
ness men in Congress.
Since Mr. De Lang and family
moved to Glencoe, where they oc-
cupy a beautiful residence, they
have been members in the Union
Congregational Church of that
choice suburb of Chicago. Here
he has held the position of trustee
for eight years. He is also a mem-
ber of several lodges of the Free
Mason fraternity, where he is a
Mason of the 32nd degree.
Mr. De Lang was married in
1882 to Miss Serene Lawson, who
came with her parents to Chicago
at the age of one year. They have
three children, Jessie, -Blanchard
and Ethel.
ABRAHAM LUND,
general contractor, with office in 19
La Salle St., was born in the parish
of Tanum, Bohuslan, Sweden, De-
cember 27, 1844. His father was
Gustaf Lund, a mason, and his
wife, Anna Brita Anderson. Mr.
Lund came to America in 1872,
and in 1877 he began doing mason
work as contractor in Chicago, in
a small way. Since then the busi-
ness has grown by degrees into one
where he is doing masonry, rein-
forced concrete and carpentry
work, or general contracting, both
in Chicago and outside of the city.
At present the Abraham Lund Co.,
of which he is president, is engaged
in erecting a new large office build-
ing for the Methodist Book Con-
cern, corner of Rush and Superior
streets.
Mr. Lund has for many years
been an honored and trusted mem-
ber of the Second Swedish Methocl-
ABRAHAM LUND.
ist Church, on May street, which
has now moved to Irving Park,
where he holds the office of trus-
tee. He is also trustee of the Beth-
any Swedish Old People's Home,
in Ravenswood, Chicago.
Married to Miss Mary Evanson,
a native of Norway, October 4,
1873. He has six children.
CARL A. ALZEN,
fire protection engineer, of 160
\Yest Jackson boulevard, Chicago,
was born August 7, 1853, in Stock-
hold, Sweden, where he received a
good education. Unlike many of
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
his compatriots, he came to Amer-
ica as a first-class passenger, and
holds his steamship ticket still as a
souvenir. For seven years he was
draftsman for the C, B. & Q. R. R.
Co. In 1892 he passed civil service
examination and received perma-
nent appointment in the custcms
branch of the U. S. Treasury De-
partment, but left the government
service after one year. He then
CARL A. ALZEN.
became inspector of steel-con-
structed buildings for the Chicago
Board of Underwriters, and since
1896 he has been fire protection en-
gineer for the Royal Fire Insur-
ance Co., Limited, of Liverpool,
England, for its Western Depart-
ment in Chicago, which position he
still is holding.
Mr. Alzen is the father of the
science of fire protection engi-
neering. His activities in this di-
rection convinced a number of
prominent men of the desirability
of having especially trained men
for this branch, and they succeeded
in getting the Armour Institute of
Technology in Chicago to establish
a full four-year course. Since then
the Cornell University has also
established a chair for the same
science.
Mr. Alzen is a member of the
British Fire Prevention Committee
of London, he is also a member of
the Fire Underwriters Association
of the Northwest, is a member of
the National Fire Protection Asso-
ciation of Boston, of the Swedish
Engineers' Society of Chicago and
of the Swedish Club of Chicago.
JACOB A. SUNDBERG,
manufacturer, was born February
27, 1862, at Sorfors Works in the
parish of Attmar, Medelpad, Swe-
den. His father, Erik Sundberg,
was a blacksmith at the iron works
and his mother's name was Sigrid
Katharina. He came to America
in July, 1882, and was employed
by various firms in Chicago as a
blacksmith and machinist until
1888, when he started in the forging
business .with J. Charbonneau un-
der the name of Charbonneau &
Sundberg. This partnership was
dissolved in 1890.
The following year he reorgan-
ized the enterprise in his own
name. This firm is now incorpo-
rated and known as the Sundberg
Company, with a factory at Kinzie
and Carpenter streets. This com-
pany, of which Mr. Sundberg is
the president and manager, is man-
ufacturing forgings in steel and
iron for all kinds of machinery,
and crank shafts for engines. The
forged steel boilers and tank flanges
were invented and designed by Mr.
Sundberg over twenty years ago.
434
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
The flanges are used for boilers
and tanks or general pipe work, for
high and low pressure as well as
marine work.
Mr. Sundberg is a member and
trustee of the Swedish Mission
Church in Moreland and is also a
member of the Apollo Council of
the National Union.
JACOB A. SUXDBERG.
He was married May I, 1884, to
Miss Anna Louisa Gustafson, a
native of Vermland. They have
had eight children, six of whom
are now living.
CHARLES GUSTAF BRUNELL
was born in Eskilstuna, Sweden,
March i, 1875. His father, A. G.
Brunell, was an employee of the
railroad through his native city.
Having completed his grammar
school education, Mr. Brunell left
his fatherland and came to Chicago
in August, 1890, and attended
night schools in Englewood while
he was working for a laundry com-
pany in the daytime.
In 1895 he bought a half interest
in the laundry company and ten
years later he became the sole own-
er of the Elite Laundry, with office
at 219 East Thirty-fifth street. He
is a member of the Chicago Laun-
drymen's Club and Association.
A Republican in politics and
member of the Bethlehem Swedish
CHARLES GUSTAF BRUNELL.
Lutheran Church, where he is a
deacon, Mr. Brunell has taken act-
ive interest in those movements
which stand for a better and cleaner
community.
He was united in marriage Feb-
ruary n, 1896, to Miss Edla Caro-
lina Larson, who was born in Ju-
lita, Sodermanland. They have
four children, and the family re-
sides at 319 Englewood avenue.
OSCAR F. JOHNSON,
real estate dealer, was born August
21, 1878, in the parish of Bred-
sattra, Oland, Sweden, where his
parents were farmers. He received
his early training in the country
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
435
school near his home, and in 1896
he emigrated to America. He
found employment in iron mines at
Montreal, where he remained for
three years.
In 1900 he made a trip to Swe-
den and after he returned he set-
tled in Chicago. Here he took up
carpenter work and soon thereafter
began to contract for buildings. In
this trade he has been very success-
OSCAR F. JOHNSON.
ful and has erected two hundred
buildings, principally in Austin and
Oak Park. His latest apartment
building, called Park Apartments,
contains thirty flats, and he is now
erecting another thirty-apartment
building in Austin.
Mr. Johnson is in partnership
with his brother, George R., in the
real estate and contracting busi-
ness with offices at 5958 Lake
street. He is also director in the
Austin National Bank, and holds
membership in the societies of Free
Masons and Odd Fellows.
He was united in marriage to
Miss Annie T. Nelson, who is also
a native of Oland, May 21, 1908.
They have one son, Nels Oscar
Fredrick, born December 28, 1914.
The family lives at 358 North Park
avenue, River Forest.
EDWARD VON TOLL,
physician and surgeon, was born in
Malmohus Ian, Sweden, May 20,
1868. His father was Oswald von
Toll, a general in the Swedish Army
and member of the Swedish parlia-
ment. The mother's name was Ma-
thilde Ouchterlony. Having com-
pleted his grammar and high school
courses in his native land, he began
to prepare for a military career and
entered a military academy. But
finding that a soldier's life was not
to his liking, he left his fatherland
and arrived in America 1890. He
took a course in the Normal School
of Gymnastics in Boston, Mass.
Subsequently Dr. von Toll entered
the Medical Department of the
University of St. Louis, Mo. Aft-
erwards he studied medicine in the
University of Vienna, Austria, and
after his return to Chicago he did
post-graduate work in the Poly-
clinic Graduate School. He re-
ceived his M. D. degree from St.
Louis College of Physicians and
Surgeons.
After his graduation he has
served as assistant physician at the
Lake Geneva Sanatorium, and from
1907 to 1912 he held the same po-
sition in surgery at the Chicago
Polyclinic School and in the Med-
ical Department of Chicago Uni-
versity. At present he is medical
examiner of the Order of Vikings,
the Ladies of Vikings and the Vest-
gota Gille.
436
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Dr. von Toll is a member of Chi-
cago Medical Fraternity, Illinois
State Medical Society and the
American Medical Association. He
also holds membership in the Swe-
dish Club.
In 1906 Dr. von Toll was united
in marriage to Miss Bertha Hagen,
who was born in Germany, and one
daughter has been born to them.
EDWARD VON TOLL.
The doctor's office is at 915 Bel-
mont avenue, and the family re-
sides at 534 Aldine avenue.
BROR OSCAR LARSON
was born March 12, 1867, in Norr-
koping, Sweden. His parents were
Pehr Magnus and Hedvig Char-
lotta Larson. Having attended ele-
mentary and technical schools in his
native city, he became a bookkeep-
er, first on TynnelsD, afterwards in
Algo and later in Norrkoping.
He arrived in New York in May,
1892, and came to Chicago the fol-
lowing month. He became secre-
tary to the Swedish government un-
der Mr. Robert Lindblom, who was
resident commissioner of the
World's Columbian Exposition.
Later he built the Swedish Restau-
rant for Mr. Lindblom and was
manager of the same until the clos-
ing of the fair. The following year
he started in the laundry business
and has been conducting a very suc-
cessful establishment since 1900 un-
BROR OSCAR LARSON.
der the name of the Paragon Laun-
dry, Larson Threedy, proprie-
tors, at 3541-43 North Ashland
avenue.
Mr. Larson holds membership in
national, state and city organiza-
tions of laundry men and is treas-
urer of both the Laundrymen's As-
sociation of Illinois and the Chicago
Laundrymen's Club. He is a Ma-
son and also a member of the Royal
League, North American Union,
National Union and Columbia
Knights. He is treasurer and stock-
holder of the North Side Cleaners
and Dyers Company.
Mr. Larson holds membership in
Illinois Athletic Club and the Swe-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
437
dish Club. He is a lover of out-of-
door sports and an enthusiastic
fisherman.
In 1892 he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Hellquist and became a
widower in 1902. He has not mar-
ried since. His only daughter, Mar-
garet, is married to Mr. Knute
Warner.
ANDREW RINGMAN
was born at Bjorkvik, in the parish
of Torpa, Ostergotland, Sweden,
February 11, 1866, and came to the
ANDREW RINGMAN.
United States in the spring of 1885.
He found work in Chicago with the
Knickerbocker Ice Co., where he
remained for a year, and the fol-
lowing two and a half years he
found employment in various plants
in the neighborhood and on a farm
in Indiana. In October, 1888,
when he had been in America only
a little over three years, he opened
a meat market.
It is remarkable that Mr. Ring-
man, after only six and a half years'
experience in this country, was
elected town clerk in Hyde Park
in April 1893, which is an evidence
of the confidence and esteem in
which he was held by his neigh-
bors. He is at present engaged in
the real estate, loan and insurance
business since 1895, with offices at
9912 Ewing avenue. He has built
about five hundred houses, almost
a town by itself, during the thirty
years he has been in America.
The Kronan Building and Loan
Association was organized in 1891,
and Mr. Ringman was one of its
chief promoters, having been its
president for fifteen years and be-
ing its secretary at present. This
association is considered one of the
safest in Chicago and it is notable
that it has during the twenty-five
years of its existence carried on the
business in the Swedish language.
Mr. Ringman was also interested
in the reorganization of the Scandi-
navian Mutual Aid Association into
the Scandia Life Insurance Co., and
has since then been one of its di-
rectors and member on its various
committees.
Married in the year 1893 to Miss
Hedvig Nelson, he has eight chil-
dren living.
ROBERT OLSON,
president and treasurer of the Cen-
tral Paving Co., is a native of Swe-
den and came to America in July,
1886. Having completed his public
school education in the old country,
he also graduated from Smedman's
Business College in Stockholm.
After his arrival in America he
took a course in a law school in
Chicago and was connected with
438
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
the Svenska Amcrikanaren, one of
the leading Swedish newspapers in
this country, from July, 1901, to
December, 1908. During the last
five years of this period he held
the office of secretary in the cor-
poration.
Since March 4, 1909, he has been
director, president and treasurer of
the Central Paving Co., with of-
ROBERT OLSON.
fices at 179 W. Washington street.
This company is engaged in public
improvement work and concrete
construction.
Mr. Olson is a member of the
Swedish Club and the Illinois Ath-
letic Club.
He was married February 12,
1910, to Miss Elsa Morell, from
Stockholm, Sweden.
KLAS OLOF OLSON,
engineer of construction, was born
August 4, 1880, at Ludvika, Dalar-
ne, Sweden, where his father, Dan-
iel Olson, was a mining superin-
tendent. Young Olson received his
education in the collegiate school
of Falun from 1887 to 1896 and
graduated from the technical school
of the same city in 1898.
He was shortly after appointed
engineer for the magnetic ore sepa-
ration plant at Grangesberg and
made his first start under Mr. K.
G. Brunnberg, chief mining engi-
neer for Grangesberg Mining Co.
In 1900 he left Sweden, having
completed his military service, and
came to Worcester, Mass. There
he found employment as steel chem-
ist with the American Steel & Wire
Co., but after two years at this
work he decided to return to con-
struction work. In order to obtain
practical knowledge and study the
American methods in this line, he
entered the employ of the Eastern
Bridge & Construction Co. in
Worcester, and was after a short
time spent in the shop promoted to
erector in the field. He was work-
ing in this capacity for two years,
when he became a draftsman,
spending four years in the service
of the larger concerns in Worces-
ter, Schenectady and Chicago.
In 1908 he started with Geo. W.
Jackson, Inc., Chicago, as superin-
tendent of construction and later
with the Western Electric Co.,
City Erection Co. and Victor Chem-
ical Works in the same capacity.
Since the beginning of 1914 he has
had employment with the Grand
Trunk Railway System as assistant
engineer in charge of valuation of
bridges and buildings on their
western lines.
Mr. Olson is a member of the
Swedish Engineers' Society of Chi-
cago, being one of its directors be-
tween 1912 and 1914, and of the
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
Order of Odd Fellows. He is a
great enthusiast for Swedish gym-
nastics and all kinds of outdoor
sports, being the prize winner in
several contests both in Sweden
and America. He was one of the
organizers of the Scandia Gym-
nastic & Athletic Club of Chicago
and served as physical director from
1905 to 10/39.
KLAS OLOF OLSON.
Mr. Olson was united in mar-
riage, June 12, 1909, to Miss Emma
Christina Norling, a native of
Bjorneborg, Vermland.
FRIDOLF RISBERG,
professor in the Swedish Institute
of Chicago Theological Seminary,
was born November 4, 1848, in Ny-
byn, in the parish of Nysatra, Ves-
terbotten, Sweden, where his fa-
ther, Jonas Risberg, was a practic-
ing physician untli his death in 1886.
His mother was Katarina Wilhel-
mina, nee Hamren. His elemen-
tary education was obtained at the
elementary school and gymnasium
of Umea, where he graduated in
1868.
He then continued his studies at
the University of Upsala until 1874,
when he was graduated as a candi-
date for the Sacred Ministry. In
December of the same year he was
ordained in the Established Church
of Sweden by Archbishop Sund-
berg. He served as pastor in the
State Church from 1874 to 1882,
first in the parish of As, Jemtland,
then in Hemson (1875-1879) and
Edsele (1879-1882), both in Anger-
manland. The last named year he
withdrew from the State Church
and joined the free church move-
ment, known as the Mission Cov-
enant of Sweden. For the next
three years Rev. Risberg served as
pastor in a Free Church at Hogs jo
in Angermanland.
At the time of the organization
of the Swedish Mission Covenant
of America, the need of an insti-
tute for the training of pastors and
missionaries made itself felt, and
as the Chicago Theological Semi-
nary of the Congregational Church
offered to assist the Covenant by
maintaining a Swedish department,
for which it might select its own
teacher, Mr. Risberg was called and
accepted the position as dean and
professor of this department. He
came over from Sweden in 1885
and assumed his new duties in the
fall. For more than thirty years
he has held this responsible posi-
tion to the complete satisfaction of
both his Swedish and American
constituents. A large number of
students have enjoyed the benefit
of his instruction, who are now
preaching the gospel in this coun-
try and in foreign lands.
440
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
But Professor Risberg is not only
known as an educator in his de-
nomination. He has also been act-
ive in pastoral and missionary work,
especially during his vacation pe-
riods. Various churches both in
Sweden and America have had the
benefit of his ministry. While pas-
tor in Sweden he made missionary
journeys to Finland, and since com-
ing to this country he has made
FRIDOLF RISBERG.
two journeys for similar purpose to
Canada, and traveled in America
from coast to coast, visiting twenty-
eight states to preach the gospel.
Since 1891 he has been treasurer
of the Scandinavian Alliance Mis-
sion, founded by Rev. F. Franson,
a society which raises about $35,000
annually for the support of mis-
sionaries in foreign fields. He has
also for many years been interested
in Missions-Vannen, a religious
weekly, published by The Mission
Friends' Publishing Co., whose sec-
retary Professor Risberg has been.
The Congregational Home Mission-
ary Society has a Swedish depart-
1 Deceased, October, 1916.
ment, of which he is the superin-
tendent. He is one of the trustees
of the Chicago Hebrew Mission.
Professor Risberg is the founder
and chairman of the Bethlehem
Swedish Evangelical Church, hav-
ing also been its pastor and main-
stay for a number of years.
As a writer he has exerted a
far-reaching influence, for he has
been an industrious contributor to
various church papers. His arti-
cles are noted for clearness and a
truly evangelical and irenic spirit.
A devotional book, "Dagligt Man-
na" (now out of print), was pub-
lished in 1893 by the Mission
Friends' Publishing Company, Chi-
cago, of which he is the author.
A collection of articles, originally
written for the periodical press,
was published by him in 1906 under
the title "Bibelbilder." He was
also associate editor of "Sionshar-
pan," a voluminous hymnal, pub-
lished in 1890, which is commonly
used by the Mission churches
throughout the country.
For his many distinguished serv-
ices as an educator, minister and
missionary worker, the Chicago
Theological Seminary conferred
upon him the title of Doctor of Di-
vinity, honoris causa, in 1910.
ALBERT JOHN OLSON, 1
prominent in the political and busi-
ness life of this state, was born
June 24, 1865, in Elgin, 111., where
his father, John Olson, was en-
gaged in the dairy business. In
1888 he organized the A. J. Olson
Milk Co., which is owned and per-
sonally conducted by himself and
family, with creameries at Wood-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
441
stock and Greenwood, 111. He was
also director in the McHenry Coun-
ty State Bank.
Mr. Olson has given a great deal
of time to the political life of his
State and community and filled
several important offices. He was
State representative from Chicago
in the 39th General Assembly and
was reelected to the 4oth. He has
been alderman in Chicago during
ALBERT JOHN OLSON.
two terms, being elected the first
time in 1895 and the second in
1897. Since 1908 he has been a
member of the Woodstock City
Council for five consecutive years,
elected Mayor of Woodstock in
1913 and reelected to succeed him-
self in 1915. To the Senate of the
General Assembly of Illinois he
was elected in 1908 and reelected
in 1912.
He held membership in a num-
ber of fraternal and civic organi-
zations, as the Free Masons, Elks,
Eagles, Freja Society of Elgin, the
Hamilton, the Chicago Automobile
and the Press Clubs of Chicago.
Mr. Olson was married October
19, 1888, to Miss Jane Severson, a
native of Lee County, 111.
J. WARNER BECKSTROM
is a lawyer with offices in the Mo-
nadnock Building, room 737, Chi-
cago. He received his first train-
ing in the public schools and after-
wards pursued his studies in Au-
gustana College, Rock Island. He
has also taken a course in a techno-
logical school and is a graduate of
Bryant & Stratton Business Col-
lege, where he made himself known
as an expert stenographer, before
he began the study of law. He
has been a railway official for a
number of years, acting as secre-
tary and superintendent of a rail-
road in the South. During the last
fifteen years he has practiced law,
chiefly as a patent lawyer.
It is interesting to hear Mr. Beck-
strom relate incidents from his rich
and varied experience in this line
of work. He becomes enthusiastic
when speaking of the Swedes as in-
ventors, but he has found that they
are lacking in business sagacity and
often become victims of schemers
and advertising humbugs.
It is of great importance that an
inventor secures the assistance of
a lawyer who not only is thor-
oughly familiar with the intricate
points of the law but who also is
honest and reliable. Mr. Beck-
strom is abundantly able to fill all
requirements of the most exacting
critics, being a descendant on his
father's side from mechanical ex-
442
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
perts and on the mother's side from
noted jurists. These traits have
been predominant in the family
through several generations. One
brother has been elected State's at-
torney of Greeley and Wallace
counties, Kan., in six succeeding
elections. He was also for some
time the only attorney in the state
J. WARNER BECKSTROM.
who had a right to practice in the
Supreme Court of the United
States. When to this native ability
is added Mr. Beckstrom's practical
turn of mind, his professional train-
ing and experience in general, it is
evident that our Swedish-American
inventors can safely entrust their
affairs to his care.
ANDREW TOFFT,
editor-in-chief of Svenska Tribu-
nen-Nyhetcr, was born in the vil-
lage of Bareberg, Vestergotland,
Sweden, September 28, 1861. After
his public school course was com-
pleted he received private instruc-
tion in the quiet home, and after-
wards caught the "America-fever,"
leaving the old country in 1883 but
only to stay here a year or two.
His first year in America was
spent in Red Wing, Minn., but in
1884 he moved to St. Paul, where
he remained for several years. Then
he entered the Gustavus Adolphus
College in St. Peter and graduated
in 1893, as the salutatorian of his
class, with the degree A. B. Dur-
ing his college years he was noted
as a leader of singing and con-
ducted several male as well as
mixed quartets. He also com-
menced to write for American and
Swedish- American newspapers and
finally made journalism his chosen
vocation by accepting a position
with the Minnesota Stats Tidning in
St. Paul. This paper made consid-
erable progress, largely due to Mr.
Tofft's energy and skill. In 1899
he left his position to accept a simi-
lar one with the Svenska Folkets
Tidning and commenced to study
law at the State University of Min-
nesota. In the summer of 1900 he
was in Boston for some months,
and toward the end of the year he
became city editor of Svenska Trib-
unen. In the editorial office of this
large and influential paper Mr.
Tofft has been a faithful worker
for sixteen years, the last few
years as editor-in-chief. Mr. Tofft
is known as a conscientious and
careful writer whose articles give
the impression of authority, com-
pleteness and reliability. Mr 1 .
Tofft is a director of the Swedish
Historical Society, a member of the
Scandinavian Art Society of Amer-
ica and of the Independent Order of
Foresters.
In 1902 he made a pleasant visit
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
443
to his old home in Sweden. On
the way back to America his steam-
er had the misfortune to collide
with a deserted ship in midocean,
with the result that the steamboat
sprung aleak and had to land the
passengers on the Azores, whence
their voyage was resumed with an-
other ship.
ANDREW TOFFT.
He was married August 8, 1911,
to Miss Magdalene Olsen from
Stockholm and they have two chil-
dren.
DAVID A. SODERQUIST,
concert singer and teacher, was
born at Stockholm, Sweden, May
30, 1887, where his father, Johan
Soderquist, was a merchant. He
received an excellent education in
two well-known colleges of the
Swedish capital, viz. : St. Jacob's
and Hogre Reallaroverket. Com-
ing from a musical family, he soon
evinced rare musical talent; at the
age of fourteen he was already di-
recting a boys' choir, and the next
year he was appointed organist in
St. Jacob's College.
In September, 1904, he came to
this country and settled in Chicago,
Gustaf Holmquist being his teach-
er. It was here he became first
known to music lovers in America
and was received y/rth an enthu-
siasm that would be flattering to
DAVID A. SODERQUIST.
any performer. The Chicago Mu-
sical Nczvs had this to say of the
young artist: "He has the com-
mand over a splendid tonal quality
and knows how to apply the artistic
touches. He has a fine voice, a
good presence and very much in-
deed to recommend him in the way
of intelligence and poise."
Mr. Soderquist was a teacher in
Chicago for some time, and for this
reason we feel justified in present-
ing his biography here, while we
also express the hope that he soon
will return to the field where he
first won the hearts of his country-
men in the Xew World and where
he always will be sure of a heart-
felt welcome.
444
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
From Chicago he moved to Du-
luth, Minn., to teach and was also
engaged as soloist in the Pilgrim
Congregational Church of the same
city. The young artist was emi-
nently successful in this new field
and received every assurance of the
appreciation i> his public wherever
he appeared. His success there as
well as in other places has made
it clear that Mr. Soderquist is be-
coming a power to be reckoned
with in the musical world. His
voice has remarkable range and en-
viable volume. He has a compel-
ling personality, and his manner of
delivering a song reaches the hearts
of his hearers.
The Bethany College in Lincls-
borg engaged him as a music teacher
and as soloist at the Messiah Festi-
val of 1916.
Mr. Soderquist is a member of
the National Geographic Society.
He was united in marriage to
Miss Edythe Gould-Smith of St.
Paul, April 23, 1913.
KARL GUSTAF ADOLF
BJURSTROM,
mechanical engineer, was born
April 27, 1885, in the parish of
Altappen, Norrland, Sweden. His
parents were Anders Gustaf Bjur-
strom, a civil engineer, and his wife
Johanna Adolfina, nee Bagge. He
studied several years in the colle-
giate school of Karlstad, and grad-
uated from the Technological In-
stitute of O'rebro in 1903. Imme-
diately after his graduation he emi-
grated to America and found em-
ployment here as a locomotive
draftsman with the Atchison, To-
peka & Santa Fe Railroad Co. in
Chicago. He held this position
from February, 1904, to August,
1909. Then he secured a similar
position with the Chicago & North-
Western Railway Co., and was pro-
moted assistant chief draftsman in
November, 1912.
He is a member of the Swedish
Engineers' Society of Chicago,
whose treasurer he was in 1911.
He has been one of its directors
KARL GUSTAF ADOLF BJURSTROM.
since 1915. Mr. Bjurstrom is also
a member of the Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons of Illinois.
He was united in marriage Sep-
tember u, 1909, to Miss Estelle V.
Hendrickson, of Chicago.
CONSTANTIN EMIL RANG,
artist, was born January 22, 1870,
in the parish of Rumskulla, Kal-
mar Ian, Sweden. His father, Lars
Magnus Rang, was a manufacturer.
He came to America in 1891 and
attended an art school in Cleveland,
Ohio. Afterwards he continued his
art studies in New York and took
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
a four-year course in the Art In-
stitute in Chicago, graduating in
1908. Mr. Rang has also done some
post-graduate work in Germany
and France.
It is preeminently as a mural dec-
orator and designer that this artist
has made himself known in various
parts of America, and there are a
number of large public buildings
as courthouses, public halls,
CONSTANTIN EMIL RANG.
churches and theaters he has made
attractive and beautiful with the
skillful strokes of his brush.
Mr. Rang is a member of the
Alumni Association of the Chicago
Art Institute and an associate mem-
ber of the Swedish Engineers' So-
ciety.
JOHN EDWARD ERICKSON,
attorney-at-law, was born February
20, 18/8, in Thorold, province of
Ontario, Canada, where his par-
ents, John Erickson and his wife,
Mathilda Christina Jonson, were
fanners. In the latter part of the
year 1878 the family moved to Mis-
souri. In the public schools of Pu-
laski county and subsequently in
Richland Academy, Mo., young
Erickson received his elementary
training. At the age of nineteen
he began teaching in the public
schools of Pulaski county, Mo., and
he was thus occupied until 1903.
His father died in 1898, when
John was twenty years of age, and
JOHN EDWARD ERICKSON.
it then devolved upon the young
school teacher to take charge of
the farm and assist the mother in
raising and educating the younger
children in the family, in addition
to his other duties. In 1903 he
came to Chicago and took up the
study of law, graduating in 1906,
and was admitted to the bar the
following year. From 1905 to 1910
he was connected with the law firm
Mather & Hutson. Then he started
out for himself and has since then
been engaged in the general prac-
tice of law.
Mr. Erickson is a Republican in
politics, being also a member of
446
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
the Swedish-American Republican
League of Illinois. He is a mem-
ber of the Moody Church and was
secretary of this well-known church
for the year 1909.
Married to Miss Hilda Olivia
Hedreen of Chicago since March
12, 1909, he has one daughter, Eu-
nice Elizabeth.
SVEN A. DANIELSON
was born in the city of Jonkoping,
Sweden, May 17, 1878. At the age
of twenty-one years he emigrated
SVEX A. DANIELSON.
from the old country and came to
Chicago in 1899. Here he found
employment as carpenter, and nine
years ago he became a general
builder and contractor, with office
in his home at 6636 Xewgard ave-
nue, in Rogers Park.
On May 9, 1908, he was united
in marriage to Miss Hannah S.
Nicklas, born in Jonkoping, Swe-
den. They have two children and
are members of the Swedish Lu-
theran Church.
WILLIAM A. PETERSON,
physician and surgeon, was bornirr
Sweden February 23, 1867, where
his parents, Carl and Anna Maria
Pearson, were farmers. In the
spring the following year the fam-
ily came to America and settled
first at Swede Bend, shortly after-
wards locating in Lost Grove town-
ship, in Webster county, Iowa. In
the public school of this township
Dr. Peterson received his early
training until he was thirteen years
of age. Then he attended Ames
WILLIAM A. PETERSON.
High School for one year and en-
tered the Iowa State College in the
spring of 1884, graduating in 1887
with the degree of B. S. For a
period of five years he was princi-
pal of the public schools in Stan-
ton, la., and Lindsborg, Kans.
Afterwards he attended the Beth-
any and Augustana colleges for a
short time.
In 1895 and 1896 he was a stu-
dent in the medical department of
Iowa State University and entered
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
447
thereafter the College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons of the Univer-
sity of Illinois, graduating in 1896
with the degree of M. D. Since
then he has been practicing in Chi-
cago ; his present down town office
is at 30 North La Salle street. Dr
Peterson is a specialist in diseases
of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He
is medical director in the Scandia
Life Insurance Co. He is a mem-
ber of flie American Medical Asso-
ciation, Chicago Medical Society
and Cook County Ophthalmological
Society. He holds membership in
the following fraternal organiza-
tions : I. O. O. F., I. O. G. T. and
I. O. V. In the order of Odd Fel-
lows he holds the office of Noble
Grand and is Chief Templar in the
I. O. G. T. He is also on the mem-
bership roll of the Swedish Club.
Dr. Peterson was united in mar-
riage to Miss Anna E. Cronk June
i, 1899, and is the father of one
daughter and one son.
JOHN E. ANDERSON,
attorney-at-law, was born at Ljung,
Smaland. Sweden, July 25, 1883.
His parents, John A. and Fredrika
Anderson, moved to Chicago in
November, 1886, where John was
educated first in the public schools
and subsequently entered North
Park College. He continued his
studies in the University of Chicago,
where he graduated in 1909 with
the degree Ph. B. Two years later
he was graduated from the law
school of the same university with
the degree of J. D., and was ad-
mitted to the bar the same year.
Since then he has been engaged in
the practice of law, with office in
the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation building, 19 South La Salle
street, Suite 1205-6.
Mr. Anderson is a progressive
Republican in politics and holds
membership in the Swedish Mis-
sion Church in Humboldt Park,
where he is president of the Young
People's Society and secretary of
the Sunday school. He is also a.
member of the Art Institute of Chi-
cago and the Delta Chi law fra-
ternity.
JOHN E. ANDERSON.
On April 15, 1914, he was mar-
ried to Miss Elin Sophia Erickson
of Chicago. He has his home in
Western Springs, one of Chicago's
beautiful suburbs.
CHARLES J. STROMBERG
was born in Chicago, March 26,
1882. He is the only son of the
late Charles J. Stromberg, the
president and founder of Strom -
berg, Allen & Co., which became
one of largest printing houses in
Chicago.
448
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Mr. Stromberg graduated from
the public schools and then entered
the Lewis Institute, where he re-
ceived a technical training. Sub-
sequently he was engaged in his
father's firm and succeeded his
father in 1905 as president of the
Stromberg, Allen & Co., whose of-
CHARLES J. STROMBERG.
fice is at 430-432 South Clark
street.
He is a member of the Medinah
Temple of the Masonic Fraternity
and holds membership in Illinois
Athletic Club.
ELOF KARDELL JONSON,
pastor of the Ebenezer Swedish
Lutheran Church, Chicago, was
born in the parish of Tveta, Kal-
mar Ian, Sweden, June 23, 1878.
At the age of twelve he came to
America with his parents, who set-
tled as farmers in Cedarville, Minn.
Young Jonson worked on the farm
until 1895, when he entered the
Augustana College, Rock Island,
and graduated in 1901, receiving
the degree A. B. The year before,
he won the first prize in the ora-
torical contest of that institution.
From 1902 to 1904 he took a
post-graduate course in philosophy,
Greek and Hebrew in the Univer-
sity of Chicago and received the
degree of Bachelor of Divinity
ELOF KARDELL JONSON.
from Augustana Theological Sem-
inary in 1905, being ordained the
same year.
The following four and a half
years Rev. Jonson served as pastor
of the Zion Swedish Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Rock Island.
During that time a new site for the
church was secured, a new beauti-
ful temple was erected and the
membership doubled. In 1909 he
accepted a call to Immanuel Church
on the north side in Chicago, where
he remained six years, to Novem-
ber, 1915. The debt on this church
was paid and the congregation in-
creased by a large number of new
members. Then Rev. Jonson was
honored with a call to one of the
largest and most influential
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
churches, that of Ebenezer in Sum-
merclale, which undoubtedly will be
one of the strongest in the Synod.
Here he has been working since
November, 1915.
Married on May 25, 1907, to
Miss Elizabeth Anderson of Rock-
ford, 111., he has three children,
Carolyn, Marie and Walter.
JOHN A. JOHNSON,
pastor of the Madison Avenue Swe-
dish Methodist Church, was born
near Vernamo, Smaland, Sweden,
JOHN A. JOHNSON.
August ii, 1876. He came to
America ten years later with his
parents, who settled in Racine,
Wis., -where his father found em-
ployment as a blacksmith. When
he had completed his public school
course, Mr. Johnson worked for
some years in grocery stores until
1901.
He then decided to prepare him-
self for the ministry and entered
the Swedish Theological Seminary
at Evanston, where he graduated
after taking the complete four years
course and afterwards took up post
graduate work in the Garrett Bib-
lical Institute, receiving his diplo-
ma from that institution in 1909.
He joined the Western Swedish
Conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church in Lincoln, Neb., in
September, 1905, and has been pas-
tor in several Swedish churches, as
Hobart, Ind., Kansas City, Mo.,
Forest Glen, Austin, and Emanuel
in Chicago. Three years ago he
was appointed to his present charge,
Madison Avenue Swedish M. E.
Church. During this time he has
also pursued studies in the Univer-
sity of Chicago.
Rev. Johnson was married June
8, 1909, to Miss Alma Schelin of
Verona, Mo. They have two chil-
dren, Irene and Ruby.
OLOF LARSON HERMANSON
is a native of Skane, Sweden, where
he was born in the parish of Ska-
bersjo, March 10, 1867. His father,
Lars Hermanson, was a farmer.
Having graduated from the public
school in the old country, he worked
on the old homestead till 1888, when
he emigrated to America. In order
to acquire the language of his
adopted country he attended the
evening schools in Chicago.
In 1892 he started a bakery shop
at North Clark street and Belmont
avenue. Three years later he sold
out and visited Sweden for a year.
After his return to Chicago he
opened a new bakery, this time at
5210 North Clark street, where he
remained till October, 1914. During
these years Mr. Hermanson en-
joyed the distinction of being the
450
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
most patronized Swedish baker on
the north side, assisted in his busi-
ness by his good wife, who took
care of the store. He has also been
a successful investor in real estate.
Mr. Hermanson votes the Repub-
lican ticket, is a member of the
Art Institute and the Swedish Club
and holds a life membership in the
Swedish Old People's Home Asso-
ciation.
OLOF LARSON HERMANSON.
His wife is Emma Sophia Her-
manson, to whom he was married
in September, 1892. They have a
son and a daughter.
HUGO ADALVARD OLDEN-
BERG
has been assistant professor of
kinesitherapy at Rush Medical Col-
lege since 1901. He was born in
Hammar, Nerike, Sweden, July 26,
1868, and is the son of Carl C.
Oldenberg, a clergyman in the Es-
tablished Church of Sweden, and
his wife, Johanna Maria, nee
Hertzman. Having pursued his
early studies in the elementary
schools of Hammar and Askersund,
he matriculated in the Karolinska
Hogre Allmanna Laroverket at
Orebro, where he graduated in
1888. The following year he be-
gan the study of medical gymnas-
tics under Director Liedbeck, of
Stockholm. During the season of
1890-91 Mr. Oldenberg was assist-
ant to Director Cleve at the Medevi
HUGO ADALVARD OLDENBERG.
health resort. Subsequently he
conducted a medical gymnastic in-
stitute of his own at 6'regrund.
For three years, 1890-93, he was a
student at the Royal Gymnastic
Central Institute of Stockholm,
graduating as director of gymnas-
tics. In 1893 he came to America
and has since that time practiced
his profession in Chicago.
Mr. Oldenberg studied gyneco-
logical massage under Dr. Stapfer,
of Paris, France, in the summers of
1897 and 1899, and is now engaged
as assistant professor in massage
and medical gymnastics at Rush
Medical College in Chicago.
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
451
He is also the author of several
pamphlets, "The Evolution in the
Treatment of Trauma by Mas-
sage," "Points in the Use of Mas-
sage," etc., "Massage and Gymnas-
tics in the Treatment of Traumatic
Joint Affections," "Reduction after
Trauma," "Exercises in the Treat-
ment of Ptosis of the Abdominal
Organs," "Some Practical Points
in the Treatment of Traumatic
Joint Affections by Massage," and
"Mobilization."
Mr. Oldenberg was married to
Miss Maria Ohlson from Kris-
tianstad, Sweden, June 24, 1899.
He has his office at 1333 Peoples
Gas Building, Chicago.
EOS HEGSTROM
was born January 7, 1854, in the
parish of Bergsjo, Helsingland,
Sweden, where his father Erik
Hogstrom was a school teacher
and village clerk. His mother was
Sara Hogstrom, nee Hazelius. He
came to America at the age of fif-
teen and spent his first two years
in Andover and Victoria, 111.,
where he attended school.
In 1872 he entered the employ
of the Swedish Lutheran Publica-
tion Society in Chicago. The fol-
lowing year, when Hemlandet was
sold to the publishing firm of Enan-
der & Bohman, he became their ac-
countant, and remained in that ca-
pacity until 1882. He then moved
to Anoka, Minn., and entered the
employ of O. Norell, who was en-
gaged in general mercantile busi-
ness, until he in 1884 returned to
Chicago, where he entered the
banking house of Haugan & Lind-
gren, subsequently incorporated
under the name State Bank of Chi-
cago. This firm he gave twenty
years of faithful and efficient serv-
ice.
In the spring of 1905, when the
Union Bank of Chicago was organ-
ized, Mr. Hegstrom became one of
its chief promoters and was elected
vice president and head of its real
estate and loan department. He
severed his connection with this in-
EOS HEGSTROM.
stitution in 1909, and immediately
opened a real estate and brokerage
office in the Stock Exchange Build-
ing at 30 La Salle street, where he
still is located.
Mr. Hegstrom is not married.
He is a member of the Swedish Lu-
theran denomination.
MATHIAS OLSON
was born in Ysane parish of Ble-
kinge, Sweden, March 5, 1863. His
father, Ola Waldemarson, was a
tailor, and when young Olson had
graduated from the public schools
of the native village he took up
452
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
his father's trade. He came to
Chicago in March, 1891, and found
employment as a tailor, later he be-
came a cutter, working in that ca-
pacity for eight years. In 1910 he
became a member of the North
American Tailoring Co., at 19
South Fifth avenue, and is vice
president of the company. In the
summer of 1900 he took a trip with
his family to his native country.
MATHIAS OLSON.
Mr. Olson, who is a member of
the Ebenezer Swedish Lutheran
Church, was married March 10,
1894, to Miss Pearl Benson, and
has one son.
JOHN P. FRIEDLUND,
attorney-at-law, was born Septem-
ber 28, 1867, in the parish of Au-
gerum, Blekinge, Sweden. His
father was a farmer. His early
schooling consisted of an eight
years' course in his neighborhood
school, and at twenty years of age
he came to Chicago, where he im-
mediately attended the evening
schools. Afterwards he began to
prepare for college, being desirous
of studying for some profession.
He graduated from the Chicago
Seminary of Sciences and in 1910
he was graduated with the degree
LL. B. from the Chicago Law
School. Before this time Mr.
Friedlund had worked for several
years in various occupations before
he could see his dreams of a pro-
JOHN P. FRIEDLUND.
fessional career realized. For five
years he was associated with the
Smith & Barnes Piano Company,
then he entered the restaurant
business under the name Friedlund
& Burklund, and subsequently dealt
in real estate until 1910, after which
he has devoted his time to the gen-
eral practice of law, with office at
12 12 Schiller Building, Chicago,
where he has a growing practice
with the law firm of Marston, Fried-
lund & Campbell.
Mr. Friedlund holds the office of
commissioner of Lincoln Park and
is also auditor. He is interested in
a number of professional and so-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
453
cial organizations and holds honor-
ary membership in the Lincoln
Park Golf Club and Lincoln Park
Boat and Yacht Clubs. He also is
a member of the Swedish Club.
He was married October, 1897,
to Miss Hannah Nelson, of Prince-
ton, 111. They have one son.
CARL BLOOMBERG,
real estate broker, was born Sep-
tember i, 1871, in Stockholm, Swe-
den. His father, Carl Alfred
CARL BLOOMBERG.
Bloomberg, is a retired officer of
the Swedish army. Mr. Bloomberg
attended the public schools of his
native city and afterwards grad-
uated from a business college. He
came to America in 1891 and soon
became a contractor. From 1898
to 1901 he worked in the painting
and decorating trade, and in 1902
he became a deputy in the county
treasurer's office. He held this po-
sition until 1907, when he opened
a real estate office at 5754 Chicago
avenue.
He is director in Austin State
Bank and director and secretary of
the Upper Cicero Building & Loan
Association.
Mr. Bloomberg is a Republican
and member of the Thirty-third
Ward Republican Club. In 1912
he was nominated for the office of
State legislator.
In religion he is a Lutheran and
member of the Swedish Lutheran
Messiah Church at Austin, where
he holds the office of secretary.
Mr. Bloomberg is a member of
several societies, as the Free Ma--
sons, Odd Fellows, Knights of
Pythias, National Union, Vikings
and of Austin Business Men's As-
sociation. He is also an honorary
member of North Austin Improve-
ment Association.
Married since July 2, 1899, to
Miss Marie Blomberg of Dover,
N. J., he has four children. The
family lives at 5918 Chicago ave-
nue.
JOEL C. CARLSON,
attorney-at-law, was born January
12, 1881, in Flen, Sodermanland,
Sweden. In 1885 he came with his
parents to Chicago, and graduated
from Kershaw public school in
June, 1896. At the age of fifteen
he began to work in a retail hard-
ware store, and afterwards found
employment with Hibbard, Spen-
cer, Bartlett & Co., where he re-
mained for six years, the last two
years being in charge of the buying
of supplies, etc., for the house.
During the last three years of
his connection with this firm he
took up the study of law in the
Illinois College of Law, which has
an evening course. From this in-
454
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
stitution he graduated with the de-
gree of LL. B. In his examination
he fell only one point below the
first prize winner. He received as
a reward a post-graduate scholar-
ship, and graduated in 1907 with
the degree of LL. M. He began his
practice of law in 1906 in the of-
JOEL C. CARLSON.
fices of Hebel & Haft, noi Schiller
Building, Chicago, at the same time
acting as law clerk for said firm
part of the time. At the age of
twenty-seven he went into business
for himself, and now has his office
in suite 601-604 Otis Building. He
taught the law of torts in evening
law school for one term.
Mr. Carlson is a member of the
Hamilton Club, the Swedish-Amer-
ican Republican League and several
professional and fraternal socie-
ties. He was married to Miss
Josephine Olschner, of Chicago,
May 22, 1908. They have two
children, Josephine, born February
23, 1910, and Franklin J. C., born
November n, 1913. The family
resides at 6551 Normal boulevard.
ANDREW NILSSON,
a plumber, was born January 18,
1868, in Surteby, Vestergotland,
Sweden. His parents were Andreas
Nilsson and his wife, Elsa Brita
Anderson. He received his public
school education in the country
ANDREW NILSSON.
school near his home, and came
to America in April, 1886, when he
was eighteen years of age.
In 1895 he opened a plumbing
shop in partnership with his broth-
er at Oak and Orleans streets, and
in 1900 they moved to Belmont and
Clark street, in Lake View, where
they remained until 1906. That
year the firm erected a building
with shops at 901 Belmont avenue,
but this plant was soon too small for
their growing business, making it
compulsory to erect a two-story
building, in 1912, at 3222-24 North
Halsted street, especially designed
for their needs, with commodious
shops and offices. The firm was a
partnership concern until 1912,
when it was duly incorporated. Mr.
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
455
Nilsson is the president and treas-
urer of the firm. He is a member
of the Chicago Master Plumbers
Association, the Chicago Steamfit-
ters and the Building Construction
Employers Association, and of the
Hamilton Club.
In the Bethany Swedish Meth-
odist Church, to which he has be-
longed for several years, he is a
trustee, and he is also trustee of
Texas Wesleyan College, Austin,
Tex.
He was married November 24,
1897, to Miss Anna Ekdahl. They
have three daughters and one son.
CHARLES ERIC SCHLYTERN,
president of the Union Bank of
Chicago, was born in Svarta,
Ofver-Lulea parish, Norrbottens
Ian, Sweden, January 17, 1853. He
is the son of Carl Otto Schlytern,
a mill owner, and his wife, Anna
Sophia, nee Sjoding. From 1862
to 1871 he pursued college studies
in Umea and Lulea, and in Au-
gust, 1871, he came to America.
The first two years he spent in
Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois, work-
ing as railroad laborer and farm
"hand. Then he came to Chicago,
where he found employment as
clerk in various lines of business
till 1878. After that time he was
bookkeeper and credit man in the
Johnson Chair Company for ten
years, and from 1889 to 1900 he
was cashier in the Milwaukee Ave-
nue State Bank. In August, 1901,
Tie opened a real estate office at 824
Milwaukee avenue, in partnership
with John A. Prebis. When the
Union Bank of Chicago was or-
ganized in 1905 Mr. Schlytern was
elected president of the bank,
which under his careful leadership
has made steady progress and re-
ceived a well-earned patronage.
Mr. Schlytern, who is a Pro-
gressive in politics, was married
June i, 1889, to Miss Edith Ger-
trude Isbell, of Barrington, 111.
CHARLES ERIC SCHLYTERN.
They have one son, Allan Herbert.
The family resides at 1951 Sunny-
side avenue.
AUGUST J. JOHNSON,
general superintendent and man-
ager, was born October 4, 1868, in
the parish of Ny, Vermland,
Sweden. His parents, Johannes
and Maria Eriksson, were farmers.
In his youth he received a good
public school education, and at the
age of twenty he emigrated to
America, making Chicago his per-
manent home.
He is at present connected with
the C. E. Peterson Co., a firm that
manufactures sashes, doors and in-
terior finish. He is vice-president
456
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
of this company, whose factory is
located at 4914 Went worth avenue,
Chicago.
Mr. Johnson was married Sep-
tember 14, 1895, to Miss Beda
Johnson, who was born in the same
place in Sweden as her husband.
They reside at 6135 South Green
street.
He is a past master of King
Oscar Lodge, a thirty-second de-
AUGUST J. JOHNSON.
gree Mason and a Shriner. He is
also a member of the Order of Odd
Fellows.
JOHN OLSON
was born in Sunne, Vermland, Au-
gust 21, 1867. His parents, Olof
and Maria Erickson, were farmers.
At the age of twenty he came to
America, locating in Chicago,
where he took a course in archi-
tectural drawing in the South Divi-
sion High School. From 1887 to
1897 he was employed by the
Palmer-Fuller Company, the first
five years as a cabinetmaker and
millwright and the latter five years
as foreman of the interior finish
and framework department. The
following three years he was em-
ployed by the Carsley Manufactur-
ing Company as draftsman, and
from March, 1900, to December,
1901, he held the position with the
True & True Company as foreman
of the interior finish, stair and
frame departments.
JOHN OLSON.
In January, 1902, he organized
and became president of the Stand-
ard Sash & Door Company, which
office he has held ever since. In
1907 the establishment was de-
stroyed by fire, but within four
months it was rebuilt and reopened
for business on a larger scale, and
is now one of the large concerns of
its kind in Chicago. Mr. Olson is
director and vice-president of the
Fnglewood Desk Company and di-
rector of the United State Bank of
Chicago and the Simplex Refrig-
erating Company.
Mr. Olson is a member of the
Mission Church at Englewoocl.
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
457
He was married April 23, 1895,
to Miss Tillie Anderson, of Svan-
skog, Sweden. They have four
children. The family resides at
5700 South Peoria street.
CHARLES E. MALMSTROM,
dry goods merchant, was born in
the parish of Vagnharad, of Nyko-
pings Ian, Sweden, April 2, i8j2.
CHARLES E. MALMSTROM.
His parents, Axel Malmstrom and
his wife, Christina Charlotta Lager-
gren, were farmers. His public
school education he received in the
place where he was born, and emi-
grated to America in 1887. He was
employed by the dry goods firm of
Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., in Chi-
cago for seventeen years, from 1889
to 1906, when he started a similar
business for himself, on a small
scale, in a rented store, which he
succeeded in buying the following
year. The business and stock in-
creased, however, so the old store
soon became too small, and a mod-
ern two-story business block with
flats was created, where Mr. Malm-
strom is now conducting a prosper-
ous dry goods business, assisted by
his son, Arthur E. Malmstrom.
His residence and business address
is 5900-02 West Chicago avenue.
He is a member of the Austin
Swedish Mission Church, where he
holds the office of trustee. Married
in 1889 to Miss Maria Anderson of
Halmstad, Sweden, the couple have
two children, one son and one
daughter, living.
CHARLES EDWARD HALL-
BERG,
marine artist, was born in the city
of Goteborg, Sweden, January 15,
1855. His parents were poor, and
when the father died the young
son had to' lend a hand in sup-
porting his mother and sister. But
in early years he showed unmis-
takable signs of a budding artist,
though it took many years before
he could devote himself to the study
of art.
Like so many other poor boys in
the old country, he became a sailor,
and for ten years he served before
the mast under various flags. In
1883 he came to America and
sailed for seven years on the in-
land seas. It is natural that he
should imbibe that love for the
water which in after years has
found an expression in his works
of art. Without teacher and in-
struction he sketched and painted
in his leisure hours the sea as he
saw it, and has perhaps done more
and better work in this line than
any other person under unfavor-
able circumstances.
Mr. Hallberg came to Chicago
458
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
in 1890 and found employment as
janitor in an apartment house in
La Salle avenue, using his spare
moments to perfect himself in the
art of interpreting the various
moods of the sea. He came into
public notice after he had donated
a canvas to a bazaar held for the
benefit of the Augustana Hospital.
The picture was bought for fifteen
dollars. This was a real encourage-
CHARLES EDWARD HALLBERG.
ment and he began to consider how
he might acquire an artistic educa-
tion. But he waited through the
years educating his children until
a well earned leisure was due him
in middle life, and then he bravely
stepped out of the harness to ac-
complish his dreams. His canvases
immediately attracted attention and
received unstinted praise by the
press and lovers of art. In the
last fifteen years he has crossed
the ocean many times, and has been
devout in his observations of the
ocean and of Lake Michigan.
One of his greatest triumphs was
to have his "Summer Day on Lake
Michigan" accepted by the national
art jury af the St. Louis Exposi-
tion. Of the numerous Chicago
artists only nineteen were there
represented, and Mr. Hallberg was
one of those who had the honor of
seeing his canvas hung in the gen-
eral art hall.
He is also represented by one of
his marine paintings in the Gote-
borg Museum, Sweden, and has
one painting in the National Mu-
seum of Stockholm. The Augus-
tana College in Rock Island and the
Augustana Hospital in Chicago
have received as a gift of the artist
two of his paintings.
The art critics of later date have
said that each year Mr. Hallberg's
interpretations are truer. It is not
the painted waves, but the spirit of
the ocean, the fathomless depths
brewing for a storm, the calm seas
reflecting the opalescent glow of
tinted skies, the curling waves with
pearly crests, the blue of surging
waters and the misty sunsets.
American art in Mr. Hallberg has
gained another marine painter
worthy of joining the best in her
annals.
Mr. Hallberg belongs to the Mes-
siah Swedish Lutheran Church of
Austin and holds membership in
several art societies.
He was married to Miss Aman-
da Josephina Olson, of Goteborg,
Sweden, January 31, 1885, and has
three children, Ellen Hermina, born
1887; Sylvia Helena, born 1890,
and Austin Benjamin, born 1892,
who has inherited his father's ar-
tistic genius and is a promising
young artist. The family resides
at 1114 North Parkside avenue,
Austin, 111.
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
459
RUDOLPH ENGBERG,
"barytone singer, son of John J.
Engberg and his wife, Mary Eng-
"berg, nee Ogren, was born in Chi-
cago, October 19, 1869. After sev-
eral years' employment in the floral
business and having found that he
was in possession of an exception-
ally fine voice, he began to study
music. In 1899 he went to Europe,
RUDOLPH ENGBERG.
where he traveled extensively, and
studied with some of the best mas-
ters, both in Paris and London.
Returning to America, he had the
advantages of the best teachers in
Chicago and New York. In 1904
he made another journey to Europe
in order to perfect himself in his
art, and returning in 1906 he made
Chicago his home.
Mr. Engberg is the possessor of
a beautiful, well cultivated voice.
He has excellent command of five
languages, English, Swedish,
French, Italian and German. He
is a singer of distinction, whose
voice is under perfect control, and
his method and technical knowl-
edge combine to make his singing a
real pleasure. He has his office in
619 Fine Arts Building and is avail-
able for recital, oratorio or concert.
In January, 1899, Mr. Engberg
was married to Mrs. Annie Nellis
Carter. Their home is at 454 Ros-
lyn place.
JOHN ERNST ERICSON,
city engineer of Chicago, was born
in Skepptuna parish, of Stockholm's
Ian, Sweden, October 21, 1858. He
is the son of Anders Ericson,
owner of an estate known as
Lockstaholm, and his wife, Sophia,
nee Lind. He attended the public
schools of Sweden from 1865 to
1872 and continued his studies in
the collegiate schools of Norrtelje
and Upsala till 1876, when he en-
tered the Royal Polytechnic Insti-
tute of Stockholm, graduating as
civil engineer in April, 1880. Soon
after he was appointed assistant
engineer of the Vasa Bridge, Stock-
holm, which position he held for
one year, until emigrating to Amer-
ica in 1881.
His first position in this country
was that of resident engineer of
the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis
railroad, and the following year he
accepted a position with Hopkins &
Co., of St. Louis. In 1883 he was
appointed assistant on government
surveys of the Illinois and Missis-
sippi canal, and the following two
years he was draftsman for the Chi-
cago water department, which place
he filled with such ability that he was
appointed assistant engineer in
1885. This position he left in 1889
to become assistant chief engineer
460
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
on design of new water works for
Seattle, Wash., up to 1890. From
1890 to 1897 he was assistant en-
gineer of the Sanitary District and
Bureau of Engineering and first
assistant city engineer. Since 1897
he has held the office of city engi-
neer under the civil service rules.
As first assistant city engineer
and as city engineer Mr. Ericson
has been in charge of the design
and construction of all additions
to the water supply system. This
system during this time has been
increased from two pumping sta-
tions to fifteen, with an increased
capacity from 350 to 900 million
gallons per twenty-four hours. The
number of miles of mains have been
increased from 1,400 to 2,500.
As city engineer he is also in
charge of all bridge construction
and operation, and is called on to
give expert opinion on various engi-
neering subjects.
A special design of bascule
bridges for the city has been de-
veloped under his supervision, the
first one being constructed in 1901.
There are now eleven of these
bridges in operation and five under
construction. He was chairman of
the Harbor and Subway Commis-
sion of Chicago from 1911 to 1913,
and the Chicago Municipal Pier,
recently built, was designed undei
his direction.
He has had exceptional oppor-
tunities for experiments to deter-
mine the elements of flow of water
in large tunnels, and presented an
exhaustive treatise on this subject
to the Western Society of Engi-
neers in 1911, receiving the socie-
ty's medal for this paper.
The foregoing is sufficient to
prove that Mr. Ericson is one of
the most able officials the city of
Chicago ever had and that he stands
in the front rank as an engineer.
In all the public positions he has
held he has given eminent satisfac-
tion, and many of his works stand
as monuments to his engineering
skill.
Besides, he is author of a number
of treatises and reports on water
JOHN ERNST ERICSON.
works, paving, harbors, subways,
etc., among which we may mention :
"The Water Supply System of Chi-
cago, its Past, Present and Fu-
ture," 1905 ; "Passenger Subways,
for the City of Chicago," 1909;
"Investigations of Flow in Brick
Built Tunnels," 1911; "Creosoted
Block Pavements" (out of print),
1911; "The Water Works System
of Chicago," 1913.
He holds membership in a num-
ber of professional and social or-
ganizations, as the American So-
ciety of Civil Engineers, the Amer-
ican Society of Mechanical Engi-
neers, the Western Society of En-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
461
gineers, the American Water
Works Association, the Swedish
Engineers' Society of Chicago,
whose president he was in 1912-
14. Of Svenska Klubben he was
president 1905 and 1906. He was
honorary member of the Swedish
Panama Exposition Commission to
San Francisco and holds member-
ship in several Masonic lodges.
Mr. Ericson was married July
11, 1888, to Miss Inez Lydia Malm-
gren of Chicago, who died in
1893. Three years later, on June
30, 1906, he was married to her
sister, Esther Elizabeth Malm-
gren. In the first marriage Mr.
Ericson has a daughter, Mildred
Inez, born May 10, 1889. She was
married to Mr. Ralph Haven Quin-
lan November 5, 1913. Mr. Eric-
son's residence is at 848 Lakeside
place.
ADOLPH QUIST
was born July 1 6, 1870, in the par-
ish of Visnum, Vermland, Sweden,
where his father, Wilhelm Qnist,
was a miller. At the age of nine--
teen he came to America and lo-
cated in Chicago. In 1900 he
started in the stair construction
business together with John Gelin
under the name of J. Gelin & Co.
In the spring of 1911 Mr. Gelin
sold his interest to Mr. Becker and
the company was reorganized un-
der the name of Quist & Becker,
with factory at 443 West Fifty-
eighth street.
The name of Quist & Becker has
since then come to be synonymous
with quality and reliability in the
production of interior stairways.
Their business has had steady and
substantial growth from the outset.
The firm is now ready to make a
notable addition to their plant. The
new addition will be equipped with
the latest and most approved ma-
chinery and labor saving appliances
and the capacity of the plant will
be practically doubled when the
new section is in operation.
Mr. Quist, who is a member of
the Baptist Church and the Chi-
ADOLPH QUIST.
cago Motor Club, was married
May 15, 1897, to Miss Mathilda
Holm, of Dalsland, Sweden, and
has one daughter, sixteen years old.
CARL OSCAR CARLSON,
building contractor, was born in
the parish of Malilla, Smaland,
Sweden, November 14, 1865. His
father, Carl P. Nelson, was a fore-
man, and his mother was Carolina
Charlotta, nee Granath. In 1886
he arrived in Chicago and found
employment as a carpenter. In
1902 he started in the contracting
business and has his office and
462
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
home at 1457 Foster avenue, Sum-
merdale. During his fourteen
years as an independent contractor
he has devoted himself chiefly to
general contracting.
He is a member of the Carpen-
ter Contractors' Association, and
has his religious home in the Eben-
ezer Swedish Lutheran Church,
CARL OSCAR CARLSON.
where he is a trustee and chairman
of the board since two years back.
He was married Sept. i, 1894, to
Miss Emma Landstrom, who was
born in Sandbeck, Blekinge. There
are six children in the family.
KARL GUSTAF LINDVALL
was born in Karlstad, Sweden, May
14, 1876. His parents were John
Alfred Lindvall and his wife Lou-
ise Lindvall, nee Gneib. Having
graduated from the collegiate
school of his native town, he found
employment with J. L. Tiedemann
in Charlottenberg, the largest to-
bacco firm in Sweden. He began
his career as office boy, was shifted
to the various departments and re-
mained with the firm for six years.
as bookkeeper and corresponding-
secretary. The following two years,
he was shipping agent and adviser
for an English company develop-
ing copper mines in Vermland.
When this company, owing to finan-
cial difficulties, was forced to with-
draw its operations in Sweden, Mr.
Lindvall decided to enter the civil
service and became assistant to the
sheriff in Josse county, Vermland,
which position he held for about
one year.
Hoping to find a brighter future
in America, Mr. Lindvall emi-
grated in 1900 and came to Chi-
cago the same year. After various
kinds of experience he obtained
employment in 1902 in the foreign
exchange department of the State
Bank of Chicago. In 1903 he had
charge of the routine work of the
Swedish-Norwegian vice-consulate,
and in 1911 he was again appointed
to a similar position for the Swe-
dish consulate, which he held until
this office was reorganized in Jan-
uary, 1914. Mr. Lindvall then re-
sumed his position in the foreign
exchange department. Mr. Lind-
vall is an active member of the
Swedish Engineers' Society, the
Swedish National Association, the
Swedish Club and the Order of
Svithiod.
For his active interest in the
Olympian games in Stockholm,
1912, Mr. Lindvall was given the
medal of this organization. He is
very much interested in mercantile
affairs and has been working for
closer business relations between
the United States and Sweden. He
is shareholder and promoter of the
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
463
Sweden-America Steamship Com-
pany.
Mr. Lindvall has also made him-
self known for his literary talents.
To the paper Trasdockan, a humor-
ous publication, he is a frequent
contributor and at festive occasions
he has proven himself to be a clever
speaker.
KARL GUSTAF LINDVALL.
Mr. Lindvall was married to Miss
Ragnhild Bjerke of Christiania,
Norway, in 1909. They have one
daughter, Signe Louise, born De-
cember 10, 1910. The family re-
side at 4720 North Sawyer avenue.
THURE A. JOHANSON.
The subject of this sketch was
born in Kalmar, Sweden, June 26,
1869, where he received a good edu-
cation in the public and collegiate
schools of the city. He also took
a course in manual training, and
after his arrival in New York,
1887, he attended the technical de-
partment of Manhattan Evening
School, while working as an ap-
prentice in the piano business for
the Conover Piano Company. Sev-
eral years were spent in the piano
factories of New York, and in 1892
he came to Chicago, entering the
employ of the Cable company.
His thorough knowledge of the
business soon brought him a respon-
sible position, and when the St.
Charles, factory was built he went
from the Chicago plant, where he
had been one of the assistant super-
intendents, to take full charge there.
In speaking of Mr. Johanson, the
Cable Company has this to say :
"Mr. Johanson's history, if writ-
ten, would be the history of the
mechanical growth of the Cable
Company from its inception to the
present great power among piano
industries of the country." The
fact that he has recently been
elected one of the company's di-
rectors is sufficient evidence that he
at all times rendered faithful, in-
telligent service.
But Mr. Johanson has been more
than a successful and capable ex-
ecutive. He has proven himself a
loyal citizen, never failing to iden-
tify himself with every cause mak-
ing for better social and civic con-
ditions. He is a member of the
Swedish Lutheran Church, member
of the St. Charles school board, a
Mason, and member of Knights of
Pythias and director of St. Charles
Commercial Club.
He lives in St. Charles, but as
superintendent of both of the Cable
Company's factories he spends a
great part of his time in Chicago,
where he is member of the Swe-
dish Club and the Swedish Engi-
neers' Society. He has taken great
464
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
interest in Swedish music ever since
his coming to America and has
been an active member of the lead-
ing Scandinavian singing societies
in the East, and since 1892 is con-
nected with the Swedish Glee Club
of Chicago. In the last named or-
ganization he holds the office of
president.
THURE A. JOHANSON.
Mr. Johanson was married in
1891, to Miss Maria Friberg, born
in Vermland, and has two children.
JOHN EMANUEL SPANN,
merchant tailor, was born in Ving-
aker, Sodermanland, Sweden,
March 26, 1869. His parents were
John and Carolina Spann. The
grandfather entered the Swedish
army as a musician, where he re-
ceived the name Spann. The moth-
er is dead, but his father, a brother
and a sister are still living.
Educated in the public schools at
Marsjo, he came to America in
1888, locating in Kansas City. In
1893 he moved to Chicago, where
he engaged in the tailoring business
as a member of the firm of McDon-
ald & Spann. The partnership was
dissolved 1905 and the name of
the firm is now John E. Spann,
Merchant Tailor, 104 South Michi-
gan boulevard.
Mr. Spann is a man of great ex-
ecutive ability and fine voice, gifts
JOHN EMANUEL SPANN.
made ample use of by his church.
He has been director of the choir
in the First Swedish Baptist Church
for a number of years, also director
of the Symphony Choir and of the
Swedish Baptist Jubilee Chorus.
Besides this he has held many of-
fices in the church. At present he
is second vice-chairman, secretary
of the Board of Trustees and of
the finance committee of the Firsl
Swedish Baptist Church.
He is director in the Baptist
Home for the Aged in Morgan
Park and is secretary of the pub-
lishing and literary department of
the Swedish Baptist General Con-
ference.
Mr. Spann was married to Miss
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
465
Sigrid R. Anderson of Chicago,
September 12, 1900. They have
one son, John E., Jr., born 1909.
A daughter, Evelyn, 12 years old,
lost her life by accident, December
24, 1914.
GABRIEL HJERTQUIST
was born in the parish of Levede.
Gotland, Sweden, June 18, 1840.
At the age of six years he left the
romantic island in the Baltic with
his parents, who had prepared a
home for the family in Ljungby,
Smaland. In 1852 he came to
Vexio, where he remained four
years, pursuing his studies, and
subsequently joined the Kronoberg
regiment as a volunteer at the age
of fifteen. But as he had no taste
for military life he retired from
the army and entered the civil serv-
ice in 1857, receiving his first ap-
pointment as a deputy crown bailiff
in Konga county, where he re-
mained till December, 1860, when
he was appointed to fill the same
position in Handbord's county. In
1 86 1, when he had just become of
age, Mr. Hjertquist was appointed
by the governor of the province to
fill the office of deputy crown bailiff
on his own responsibility in the
northern district of Stranda county.
In December, 1861, he passed his
civil service examination before the
provincial government in Kalmar
and was appointed bailiff in the
northern district of Stranda county
in the beginning of 1862, which po-
sition he filled until 1869, when he
was transferred to the southern dis-
trict of More county. This position
he held till January, 1873. when he
resigned and decided to go to Amer-
ica, making Chicago his permanent
home.
He secured employment as a
foreman in the composing room of
Nya Vcrlden, afterwards changed
to Svcnska Tribuncn, in the early
part of 1874, and remained in this
capacity until 1884, when he with
P. A. Sundelius and N. P. Nelson
GABRIEL HJERTQUIST.
bought Svcnska Amerikanaren.
He remained in charge of the com-
position room of this paper for a
period of twenty-five years, where-
upon he retired from active work.
During the years the two week-
lies, Broder Lustig and Idnna, were
being published, Mr. Hjertquist
was an industrious contributor to
these papers. In later years he has
been engaged in literary work and
written a number of short stories
for Swedish-American publications.
In religion Mr. Hjertquist is an
Episcopalian, being a member of
St. Ansgarius' Church, where he
still holds the office of vestryman
and secretary of the board of trus-
tees.
466
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
He was married May 23, 1862,
to Miss Beate Sofie Lundberg,
daughter of C. J. Lundberg, owner
of the Fredriksfors works in Doder-
hult, Kalmar Ian. Three children of
this marriage are still living, one
Jean Ludvig Eugene Gabriel, and
two daughters, Skuldfrid, who is a
widow of Dr. John Alstrand, and
Thyra, married to Mr. C. S. Peter-
son, proprietor of Peterson Lino-
typing Company and Regan Print-
ing Company. His wife passed
away after thirty years of a happy
married life and is still mourned
by the remaining husband.
FRANK ALBERT JOHNSON,
secretary of the Swedish Method-
ist Aid Association, was torn in
Chicago, September 4, iS/o. His
parents were Reinhold Johnson, a
tailor, and his wife, Christina Abra-
hamson. He received his grammar
school education in Chicago and at-
tended afterwards the Metropolitan
Business College. Mr. Johnson
then for several years held respon-
sible positions in the offices of the
Wabash Railroad Company, Pull-
man Palace Car Company and the
Alston Paint Manufacturing Com-
pany. For six years he was in the
custom tailoring business with his
father.
For the last sixteen years he has
been secretary of the Swedish Meth-
odist Aid Association, an insur-
ance society doing business exclu-
sively with church people of the
various denominations. He has
filled this position with credit to
himself and the society, which has
during his leadership more than
doubled its number of members.
Mr. Johnson was for many years-
secretary and director of the Swe-
dish M. E. Book Concern, but re-
signed from these positions owing
to the many other duties laid upon
him. He is a member of the Elim
Swedish Methodist Church in which
he has held many offices, as treas-
urer, trustee, secretary, etc., always
attending to his duties in a most
creditable way. He is a member
FRANK ALBERT JOHNSON.
of the Swedish Historical Society
of America and interested as stock-
holder in the Chicago Cemetery As-
sociation, owners of Oak Hill Cem-
etery. In 1908 Mr. Johnson had
the honor of representing the Cen-
tral Swedish Conference in the
General Conference of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, the only
lawmaking body of that denomina-
tion, which convenes every fourth
year. He was married September
21, 1892, to Miss Hilda A. Johnson
of Donovan, 111. Two children
have been born to them, Albert R.^
twenty-two years old, who is con-
nected with the Stafford Manufac-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
467
luring Company, and a daughter,
Florence H. Johnson. The family
resides at 1417 Olive avenue.
LUTHER DAVID SWAN-
STROM,
lawyer, was born November 9,
1883, in Lindsborg, Kan. His par-
ents were John and Christine
Swanstrom. After his graduation
LUTHER DAVID SWANSTROM.
from the elementary school he en-
tered the Bethany College of Linds-
borg and was graduated from that
seat of learning in 1904, receiving
the degree of B. A. He then became
principal of the high school in Bun-
ton, Kan., during the scholastic
year 1904-1905. In the fall of the
last named year he came to Chi-
cago and matriculated in the Law
School of the University of Chicago.
He graduated from this school in
1908 and received the degree of J. D.
Mr. Swanstrom afterwards be-
came the head of the law and credit
department of McNeil & Higgins
Company for four years, and in
1914 he opened an office for the
practice of law at 69 West Wash-
ington street, where he is still lo-
cated. In 1911 he organized the
Swanstrom Manufacturing Com-
pany, of which he is secretary and
director. He is holding the same
position in the Washington Park
Hospital.
Mr. Swanstrom is a Republican
in politics and attends the Bethle-
hem Swedish Lutheran Church,
where he is a member. He is also
an active member of the Delta Chi
Law Fraternity.
ANDREW SANDEGREN,
architect, was born in Halmstad,
Sweden, June 25, 1867. He is the
son of Johan Sandegren, a school
teacher, who remained in active
service until he died at the age of
eighty-three, and his wife, Helena
Petronella, nee Lundgren. Young
Sandegren attended a high school
in his native city and the Carolinian
Cathedral School at Lund. In
May, 1888, he came to America and
worked for prominent architectural
firms in Chicago, New York and
Boston before starting in business
in Chicago in 1902.
Mr. Sandegren, who has offices
at in Washington street, is one of
the most noted architects of the
city and has erected more than
seven hundred buildings during the
twenty-four years he has practiced
as an architect in Chicago. He has
had a large clientele in apartment
house construction among the bet-
ter class. The reason for his suc-
cess in this line is that he endeavors
to impart residential character to
his buildings, combining an air of
4(is
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
refinement, dignity and good taste.
Among monumental buildings he
has erected may be mentioned es-
pecially the Swedish Old People's
Home at Evanston.
Mr. Sandegren is a member of
many technical societies. He was
president of the Scandinavian
Technical Society in 1908, is a
member of the Art Institute of
Chicago, the Masonic Order, Odd
ANDREW SANDEGREN.
Fellows and the Vikings. He is
also an active member in the Illi-
nois Athletic Club, the Swedish
Club and the Svithiod Club.
HARRY E. A. OLSON,
well-known life insurance man, was
born in the parish of Vingaker,
Sodermanland, Sweden, August 4,
18/5. He came to America with
his parents, Erik and Charlotta Ol-
son, in the fall of 1880. He re-
ceived his elementary education in
the Parkman School in Chicago
and continued for some time in a
night school.
At the age of thirteen he started
his career as a cash boy for Mar-
shall Field & Co., and in six months
he was transferred to the wholesale
department and was shifted around
in several departments until 1893,
when he was sent to Pittsburgh,
Philadelphia and New York to help
install and operate an electric car-
pet sewing machine, patented by
the manager of the carpet depart-
HARRY E. A. OLSON.
ment. Six months were spent in
the East on this errand, whereupon
he worked as a stockboy, book-
keeper, floor salesman and finally
traveling salesman for the carpet
department, which position he held
for eleven years.
He then began selling life insur-
ance for Scandia Life Insurance
Co. in February, 1908, and had his
field in Chicago for one and a half
years, managed the Rockford office
of the company three and a half
years, and returned to Chicago in
November, 1914, where he became
the head of the H. E. A. Olson &
Co., agents for fire and life insur-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
469
ance, real estate and loans, with
an office at 30 North La Salle
street. In May, 1914, he was
elected secretary of the Svea Build-
ing and Loan Association.
Mr. Olson is a Republican in
politics and member of the Swe-
dish-American Republican Club.
He belongs to the Bethlehem Swed-
ish Lutheran Church in Engle-
wood, where he has been a trustee
several years. Married February
20, 1901, to Miss Anna Olivia
Nordstrom of Chicago, he is the
father of three children, Mildred,
Ethel and Norman. The family
resides at 517 West Sixty-first
street, Chicago.
GUSTAVE JACOBSON,
owner of Jacobson Printing Co.,
was born at Grangesberg, the par-
ish of Granglirde, Dalarne, Sweden,
October 13, 1873. His parents im-
migrated to America in 1884, mak-
ing their home in Chicago, where
young Jacobson attended the pub-
lic schools. After graduation he
learned the printing trade in the
office of the Engberg & Holmberg
Publishing Company. Since then
Mr. Jacobson has been working in
several printing offices, among oth-
ers those of Fosterlcpndet and Sren-
ska Tribunen.
In 1903 he started the Jacobson
Printing Company, with office at
357 North Clark street. But ow-
ing to the increase in business the
office has lately been moved to
larger quarters at 300 West Grand
avenue, northwest corner of Frank-
lin street. This firm is doing all
kinds of linotyping work.
Mr. Jacobson is a member of the
Independent Order of Svithiod, the
Independent Order of Vikings,
North Star Benefit Association,
Scandinavian Brotherhood, King
Oscar Lodge of A. F. & A. M.,
Oriental Consistory, Order of the
Mystic Shrine. He also holds mem-
bership in the Svithiod Club, the
Swedish Historical Society, and is
a life member of Old People's
Home Association.
GUSTAVE JACOBSON.
He was married June 25, 1896, to
Miss Beda Dorothea Swanson,
born at Maas, Dalarna. They have
five children, and the family re-
sides at 1470 Balmoral avenue.
SAMUEL OLOF OLIN,
mortgage banker, was born in Chi-
cago, August 24, 1867. He is the
son of Sven O. Olin, one of the
oldest Swedish pioneers in Chicago,
having come here as early as 1857.
Mr. Olin, senior, was a tailor and
for many years took an active part
in public affairs among the Swedish
settlers on the north side.
470
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
Mr. Olin was educated in the
public schools of Chicago and grad-
uated from the old Franklin school
in 1883. In August of the same
year he entered the employ of
Peterson & Bay, bankers. When
this firm was incorporated in 1895
as the Western State Bank, Mr.
Olin was elected assistant cashier.
He held this position until Febru-
ary 15, 1901, when he resigned to
SAMUEL OLOF OLIN.
engage in the mortgage loan busi-
ness. On September 15, 1905, Mr.
Charles Brattstrom became asso-
ciated with him in the real estate
and loan business under the name
of Brattstrom & Olin.
He was married to Miss May J.
Irwin of Janesville, Wis., January
28, 1891. They have three chil-
dren, Irene Balfour, who was
born in 1892 ; Irwin Elaine, born
in 1895, and Gertrude May, in
1902.
The family resides at 830 Forest
avenue, Evanston, and worships in
St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal
Church.
FRANK SMEDBERG
is a native of Voxtorp, Smaland,
Sweden, where he was born Feb-
ruary 22, 1870. He is the son of
Andrew Smedberg, a mechanic, and
his wife, Elizabeth Smedberg. He
studied first in the public schools
of Sweden and, as he came to
America at the age of twelve, he
finished his course in this country.
FRANK SMEDBERG.
When he was eighteen years of
age he started in the restaurant
business, opening two eating places
in St. Paul, Minn. Later he came
to Chicago and became the owner
of the Hampden Restaurant, 12-14
State street ; Washington Restau-
rant, corner of Adams street and
Wabash avenue ; King's Restau-
rant, 28-34 North Fifth avenue,
and Stock Exchange Restaurant,
La Salle and Washington streets.
The two last ones are still owned
by him.
He is a thirty-second degree Ma-
son, a member of the Order of
Elks, of the Manufacturers' Asso-
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
471
ciation and the Strollers Business
Men's Circle.
Mr. Smedberg was married to
Miss Adelaide Lippert, of Cleve-
land, Ohio, September 4, 1904, and
has three children. The family re-
sides at Riverside, 111.
JOHN A. CHRISTENSON.
Among the Swedish-American
physicians of Chicago several have
attained a high reputation for skill
and learning. One of them is the
subject of this biography. The
many positions of honor and re-
sponsibility he has held testifies to
the fact. On his very first field of
practice, Manistee, Mich., his abil-
ity was recognized. He served two
terms as City Health Commission-
er, was elected president of Manis-
tee County Medical Society and also
vice-president of the Michigan
State Medical Society. In Chicago
he has served as president of the
Old People's Home Association, is
consulting physician at Augustana
Hospital, also at College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons, University of
Illinois. He has served as medical
examiner in several fraternal or-
granizations.
The following societies count him
as a member: Chicago Society for
the Prevention of Tuberculosis,
National Medical Society, Illinois
Medical Society, Cook County
Medical Society and Scandinavian
Medical Society of Chicago. He is
a popular member of such orders
as : Foresters, Maccabees, Svithiod,
Vasa, Svithiod Singing Club, Swe-
dish-American California Club,
Trinity Brotherhood and others.
As a Republican he belongs to
the Swedish-American Republican
League of Illinois, Swedish-Ameri-
can Central Republican Club of
Cook County and the Twenty-third
Ward Republican Club of Chicago.
He is a member and an honored
trustee of the Trinity Swedish
Lutheran Church.
His birthplace is the parish of
Askome, province of Halland, Swe-
den. Born July 6, 1872, he came
JOHN A. CHRISTENSOX.
with his parents, Nels Christenson
and Elenore (nee Swanson), to
America in 1879. His studious
mind fought against many obstacles
and gained him the A. B. degree at
Augustana College in Rock Island
in 1900. He spent the following
year on post graduate work at Iowa
State University. In 1905 he re-
ceived his M. D. at the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, Universi-
ty of Illinois, having also served as
interne at Augustana Hospital. His
office has been at 917 Belmont ave-
nue, Chicago, since 1911, and a
growing practice is the natural re-
ward of his skill.
472
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
In 1905, September I4th, he
married Miss Selma Rundquist of
Moline, 111. One daughter has been
born. The family residence is at
725 Melrose street.
AKSEL DANIEL WESTER-
LIND,
the well-known artist, is the son
of Carl Gustaf Westerlind and his
wife, Anna Catarina (nee Bjor-
lin). He was born in Ed par-
ish, province of Dalsland, May .2,
1865. With an eye for the beauti-
ful and the true, he started early
in his search after the art of in-
terpretation. He sought guidance
at the hands of Balzer in the famous
Chalmers' Institute at Goteborg.
Later Professor Bernt Lindholm, at
the art school of the Goteborg Mu-
seum, gave him instruction, where-
upon he had the privilege of re-
ceiving inspiration and light from
the great master, Carl Larsson, at
the Valand Academy of Art in the
same city.
Mr. Westerlind came to America
in 1887. His first six months in New-
York were spent with the Julius
Bean Lithographic Company. Two
and a half years he remained as
sketch artist with the Calvert Lith-
ographic Company in Detroit, Mich.
Thence he came to Chicago, where
Shaber & Carqueville Litho. Com-
pany secured his services during
three years. Now followed ten
years of traveling as a special art-
ist for a large firm in Coshocton,
O., his territory reaching from
Omaha to Tampa. He then opened
a studio of his own, in which he
produced much notable work dur-
ing the next seven years.
At present Mr. Westerlind holds
an important position with the Mey-
ercord Company, Inc., a well-
known Chicago firm with offices in
the Chamber of Commerce. As
an artist in water colors he has at-
tracted much well-deserved atten-
tion and praise in art circles.
He is a member of the Elks. His
happy married life began on Christ-
AKSEL DANIEL WESTERLIND.
mas eve, 1890, when Elin Wilhel-
mina Nyman of Goteborg became
his life partner. They have seven
children and reside at 221 Locust
street.
OSCAR D. OLSON,
attorney-at-law, was born on a
farm at Cambridge, Henry county,
Illinois, thirty-eight years ago.
He came to Chicago in 1904 and
has since that time made this city
his place of abode. He grad-
uated from the Cambridge High
School and later from the Valpa-
raiso University, and also holds the
degree of LL. B. from the Chicago
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
Law School, and LL. M. from the
Illinois College of Law.
He has been engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession of law for
upwards of fifteen years. He is a
member of Boulevard Lodge, No.
882, A. F. and A. M., Lafayette
Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., Cheva-
lier Bayard Commandery, Oriental
Consistory and Medinah Temple.
OSCAR D. OLSON.
He was assistant State's attorney
under the administration of John
J. Healy.
He is married and resides with
his wife and son at 7/05 Union
avenue, and his offices are at 1127,
30 North La Salle street.
AXEL FRITIOF JOHNSON
was born in Chicago on September
8, 1876, his father being Peter
Johnson, formerly foreman at Oak-
woods Cemetery, and his mother
Johanna Parson. In 1891 he grad-
uated from grammar school and
later continued his studies at Chi-
cago College of Pharmacy, at the
Art Institute and at Bryant & Strat-
ton's Business College. He grad-
uated with the degree of LL. B.
from Chicago Law School in 1901
and was admitted to the bar the
same year. Previous to this he held
positions at Chicago World's Fair
and at the following pharmacies : E.
A. Curtis at Parkside and Emerson
on Fifty-seventh street. Later he
AXEL FRITIOF JOHNSON.
served as clerk at Griswold, Palmer
& Co. and in Geo. A. Scavern's real
estate office. Since 1901 he has
practiced law, beginning in East
Chicago, Ind. His offices are now
located in the Unity Building.
Mr. Johnson is a well-known
member of the Comus Club, where
he has held many offices. He holds
high positions in the Royal League
Fraternal Insurance Society. Sev-
eral religious organizations count
him as a member: the Augustana
League of Chicago and the United
Young People's Societies of the
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran
Churches of the South District have
been benefited by his faithful serv-
474
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
ices in several offices. His church
home is the Bethany Swedish Luth-
eran Church, where he held a
deacon's office. In politics a Re-
publican, he belongs to the Seventh
Ward Republican Club and is
captain of the seventy-fourth pre-
cinct of said ward.
He married Miss Carrie Lucille
Swanson of Mendota, 111., on June
25, 1914. Their home is at 7330
Blackstone avenue.
EDWIN A. ISAACSON,
a widely known insurance man,
was born on a farm in DeKalb
county, Illinois, August 13, 1877.
EDWIN A. ISAACSON.
His parents are John Isaacson and
his wife, Emily Sophia, nee Gus-
tafson. His early life was spent
on his father's farm and in attend-
ing public school. In December.
1901, he entered the Business and
Normal College of Dixon, 111., where
he graduated from the commercial
department August i, 1902. Then
he came to Chicago to seek em-
ployment as bookkeeper and found
work with the International Har-
vester Company. In May, 1905, he
became affiliated with the Scandia
Life Insurance Company, where
he has held various positions, as
clerk in the home office, agent in
the field, agency cashier, agency
manager, and is at present engaged
as assistant superintendent of
agents.
Mr. Isaacson is a Lutheran in
faith, being connected with the St.
Timothy Church, where he holds
the office of trustee, and is a mem-
ber of the Order of Moose and the
Svithiod Club.
He was married June 6, 1914, to
Miss Astrid C. Peterson, of Chi-
cago. They have one daughter and
reside at 4640 North Central Park
avenue.
AXEL BERNHARD,
doctor of dental surgery, is a native
of the Swedish city of Norrkoping,
where his father was the proprietor
of a machine shop. He was born
October 20, 1877, and at sixteen
years of age began the study and
practice of dentistry with Dr. Gus-
taf Hyden of his home city. At
twenty-five he came to the United
States, destined for Chicago. Here
he became assistant to Dr. P. Wm.
Thorelius, under whom he worked
for six years, meanwhile pursuing
theoretical studies in the North-
western University Dental School.
From this institution he was gradu-
ated in 1909 with the degree of
D. D. S.
Shortly after graduation Dr.
Bernhard established his own dental
office and laboratory, which at the
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
475
present time is located at 5134
North Clark street.
Dr. Bernhard is one of the most
active promoters of the interests of
the Svithiod Singing Club, a musical
and social club which he has served
in the capacity of director and sec-
retary for many years. Other fra-
ternities with which he is affiliated
are: Edgewater Lodge, No. 901,
Free Masons ; Independent Order
AXEL BERNHARD.
of Svithiod, and Independent Order
of Vikings.
Dr. Bernhard is married and has
one son, Axel. Mrs. Bernhard,
who was Miss Elida Swenson, is
a native of the city of Landskrona,
Sweden.
AXEL BLOMFELDT
was born at the city of Koping,
Sweden, April 10, 1858. His fa-
ther, P. E. Blomfeldt, married to
Fredrika Bernwall, was a farm-
owner. Through private tutors
and public schools he received his
early training, whereupon he en-
tered the Koping Mechanical
Works in his home city. In 1877
we find him at Ljusne Mechanical
Works and in 1881 he came over
to this country.
Chicago now became his home
city and he spent several years here
following his trade. When in 1896
the Blomfeldt & Rapp Company
was organized he became its secre-
tary and treasurer. This manufac-
AXEL BLOMFELDT.
turing concern specialized in the
making of tools and dies and spe-
cial machinery. He now holds the
same office of trust and responsi-
bility with the Northwestern Car
Seal Company, 108-128 North Jef-
ferson street, which was organized
in 1907 for the sole purpose of
manufacturing seals and sealing
devices.
Mr. Blomfeldt married Emely
Samuelson of Stockholm Septem-
ber 22, 1895. They have one son,
and their residence is at 6523
Greenview avenue. He is a Re-
publican in politics.
In the Swedish Engineers' So-
476
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
ciety of Chicago he holds member-
ship, also in the King Oscar Lodge,
No. 855, of A. F. & A. M. As a
member of Independent Order of
Svithiod he has been elected to the
various elective offices of said or-
der. He is also a well-known mem-
ber of the Svithiod Singing Club.
was born April 19, 1864, in Elm-
boda parish, Kronoberg Lan, Swe-
den, whence he came to Chicago in
EDWIN RYLANDER.
1891. Being a cabinet maker by
trade, he began to specialize in stair
work, and is now the proprietor of
the Ravenswood Stair Shop, located
at 4912-14 North Clark street.
Mr. Rylander joined the Ebenezer
Swedish Lutheran Church in 1896,
and has been a member of the
church council from that time
on. In 1888 he was joined in wed-
lock with Maria C. Peterson, of
Fridlifstad parish, Blekinge. They
have one son and an adopted
daughter.
G. BERNHARD ANDERSON.
Brief in words but full of value
is this biography of one of the best
known Swedish-Americans in Chi-
cago. Mr. Anderson was born in
Sweden in 1867 and came with his
parents to Chicago in 1868. Here
he attended the public schools and
in 1888 he finished his course at
Augustana College in Rock Island.
He taught school in Salt Lake City,
Utah, during two years, whereupon
he entered Harvard University.
G. BERNHARD ANDERSON.
At this venerable seat of learning
he received his A. B. degree in
1891 and his A. M. degree in 1892.
The following year we find him at
Upsala University in Sweden,
studying Scandinavian languages
and literature. He married in
1893 and became a widower in
1912.
The beginning of his most suc-
cessful law practice dates back to
1896. He was appointed Swedish
vice consul for the Chicago district
in June, 1914.
LIFE SKETCHES OF MEN OF TODAY
477
CARL JOHNSON,
cement contractor, was born Jan-
uary 26, 1870, in the parish of
Aryd, Blekinge, Sweden. His fa-
ther, John Nelson, was a stone cut-
ter. After graduation from the
public school, Mr. Johnson became
a sailor and made frequent trips
between Sweden and Denmark. In
1889 he sailed in an English ship
in the Arctic ocean as far as Arch-
angel, Russia, where he for weeks
had the pleasure of seeing the mid-
CARL JOHNSON.
night sun, an experience never to
be forgotten.
He came to Chicago in June,
1895, and found employment the
same year with Marshall Field &
Co. as an oiler. In May, 1897, he
became night engineer, and in 1902
he secured a position as -foreman
in* Ed Swanson's cement firm. He
held this position until April 28,
1908, when he started for himself
as cement contractor, with office at
his home, 5648 Augusta street.
Mr. Johnson was married Octo-
ber 6, 1896, to Miss Marie Nelson,
from Blekinge, Sweden. They
have three children, two sons and
a daughter.
EDWARD J. LINDSTEN.
The mentioning of this name re-
minds every Swedish Chicagoan of
one of the leading clothing firms in
the city, the Lindsten Clothing Com-
pany, at 321 1-15 North Clark street.
Mr. Lindsten, who is the vice-presi-
dent of the firm, has been its crea-
EDWARD J. LINDSTEN.
tive and guiding genius. He was
born in Chicago May 15, 1873, his
parents being Frank J. and Sarah
M. Lindsten. He received his edu-
cation in grammar schools and at
Central Indiana Normal College.
From 1889 until 1910 he engaged
in the manufacturing of clothing
and began meanwhile, during 1905,
a retail business at Belmont and
Racine avenues. The business kept
on outgrowing its quarters and
was removed to 3232-36 North
Clark street in 1906, and thence to
478
THE SWEDISH ELEMENT IN ILLINOIS
its present spacious location. This
last move in 1911 was accompanied
by the opening of a successful
branch at 3944-48 Lincoln avenue.
Mr. Lindsten's business sagacity
has been recognized in many ways.
He is a director of the Lake View
State Bank. He is a Mason and a
member of the Royal Arcanum,
Knights of Pythias and Independ-
ent Order of Svithiod. A Repub-
lican in politics and a Lutheran in
faith.
In 1896, September 16, he mar-
ried Miss Clara E. Anderson of
Chicago. One daughter has blessed
this union. Their residence is at
5227 Kenmore avenue.
AXEL AUGUST AKERS,
the chief mechanical designer and
engineer in the Bureau of Engi-
neering in Chicago, is, compara-
tively speaking, a young man. Skill
and character elevated him to his
present position through a series of
rapidly advancing steps.
He began his career in Chicago
in 1897 as draftsman with Eraser
& Chalmers engineering works,
where he advanced to designer in
1899. In 1901 he became assistant
superintendent at Allis & Chalmers
Company, and from 1902 to 1905
he served as designer for 
