Sunday, January 25, 2015

Famous & Notable Swedish-Americans.

FAMOUS AND NOTABLE SWEDISH-AMERICANS - A MINI BIOGRAPHY:

By Peter Liliequist.

This biographic compilation is not a complete list of swedish-americans, and have very short descriptions of each person. This is done so to inspire the readers and viewers to explore more about the persons listed here. Notable is also that there is a thin line between swedish-american, norwegian-american and finnish-american, as Finland was a part of Sweden at least from 1249-1809 and Norway was in union with Sweden 1814-1905. Swedish-American of the Year is named by the "Vasa Orden av Amerika".

Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, (1930- ), swedish-american mechanical engineer, pilot and astronaut. Second human being on the Moon. Swedish-American of the Year 1970.

Nelson Algren, (1909-1981), swedish-american writer. He may be best known for The Man with the Golden Arm, a 1949 novel that won the National Book Award and was adapted as a 1955 film of the same name. He is considered "a bard of the down-and-outer", based on this book and his novel A Walk on the Wild Side (1956). The latter was adapted as a play of the same name, produced on Broadway. Its fame increased with Lou Reed's song of the same title.

Oliver Allstorm, (1878-1963), swedish-american writer and poet. Son of Carl Magnus Allström. He changed his name to Allstorm.
Carl Magnus Allström, (1833-1917), swedish-american genealogist and writer. Best known as the writer of "Dictionary of royal lineage of Europe and other countries".

Jack Anderson, (1922-2005), swedish-american and was a newspaper columnist, considered one of the fathers of modern investigative journalism. Anderson won the 1972 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for his investigation on secret American policy decision-making between the United States and Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He was a commentator on ABC-TV's Good Morning America for nine years.

John B. Anderson, (1922- ), swedish-american politician and a former United States Congressman and Presidential candidate from Illinois. He was a U.S. Representative from the 16th Congressional District of Illinois for ten terms from 1961 through 1981, elected as a Republican, and an independent candidate in the 1980 presidential election. He has been a political reform leader, including serving 12 years as chair of the board of FairVote.

Leroy Anderson, (1908-1975), swedish-americam composer. His best known composition is "Sleigh Ride".

Mary Anderson, (1872-1964), swedish-american labor activist and an advocate for women in the workplace.

Måns Andersson, ( - ), swedish-american settler pioneer 1639 in the Swedish colony of New Sweden. Tobacco farmer. He came from Värmland and was of Finnish origin.

Richard Dean Anderson, (1950- ), swedish-american actor. His grandfather was swedish. Best known for his star role in TV-Series "MacGyver", and as producer of and star actor in Sci-Fi-Series Stargate SG-1.

Robert O. Anderson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the year 1978.

Wendell R. Anderson, (1933- ), swedish-american politician, senator and 33:e Governor of Minnesota. Icehockey player with Olympic silver 1956. Swedish-American of the Year 1975.

William Y. Anderson, (1921-2011), swedish-american fighter pilot ace of World War II with 7 official victories in Europe, flying P-51 Mustang fighters in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF).

Lace Andries, ( - ), swedish-american justice and pioneer settler of New Sweden.

Anna Anka, (1971- ), swedish-american model, actress and author, and was married to Canadian singer Paul Anka. Anka is featured in the Swedish reality show Svenska Hollywoodfruar (Swedish Hollywood Wives).

Lilian Asplund, (1907-2006), swedish-american woman known for being the last living survivor, with her own memories, of the Titanic dissaster.

Rudolf F. Bannow, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1960.

H. Arnold Barton, (1929- ), swedish-american historian and a national authority on Swedish-American history. He has devoted his research to the history of Scandinavia, especially Sweden, and of Swedes and other Scandinavians in North America. Swedish-American of the Year 1988.

Eric C. Bellquist, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1973.

Candice Bergen, (1946- ), swedish-american actress and former fashion model. For her role as the title character on the CBS sitcom Murphy Brown, she won five Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards as Best Actress in a TV Comedy. She is also an Academy Award nominee.

Edgar John Bergen, (1903-1978), swedish-american actor, comedian and radio performer, best known for his proficiency in ventriloquism and his characters Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. He is also the father of actress Candice Bergen. Family name in Sweden was Berggren.

Nicolaus Bergenskiöld, (1838-1907), swedish-american that was a disciple of Rosenius and an early leader of the revivalist movement in the swedish settlements of the Midwestern United States during the later part of the 19th century.

Bryan Berglund, (1990- ), swedish-american baseball player.

Lars Bergström, (1934-1997), swedish-american engineer and airplane- and sailboat constructor.

Carl August Björk, (1837- ), swedish-american preacher in the american Midwest. Founder of "missionsvännerna", who later became the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Willie Bloomquist, (1978- ), swedish-american professional baseball utility player for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played every position, aside from catcher and pitcher, in his baseball career.

Edward H. Bohlin, (1895-1980), swedish-american cowboy, silver smith and saddle maker ("Saddlemaker to the Stars") in Hollywood. Bohlin and his company, Edward H. Bohlin Company, supplied the movie worlds great westernheros with saddles and cowboy equipment. Among his customers were Tom Mix, Buck Jones, Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd), John Wayne, Gene Autry, as well as Mae West, P K Wrigley, royalties from the orient and american presidents.

Christian Bohman, (1892-1950), swedish-american car designer and cofounder of the Bohman & Schwartz coachbuilding company in Pasadena, California.

Richard Ira Bong, (1920-1945), swedish-american fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. All of his aerial victories were in the P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft. Having shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II.

Jakob Bonggren, (1854-1940), swedish-american publisher and writer. Worked at the newspaper "Svenska Amerikanaren", 1888-1908 as it´s chief editor.

Sven Hugo Borg, (1896-1961), swedish-american character actor, and was a secretary with the Swedish Consulate in Los Angeles. He served as Greta Garbo’s interpreter from 1925 to 1929. After meeting with Garbo he descided to pursue acting as a career. He became much in demand during World War II Hollywood films, playing both Nazi officers and Scandinavian resistance fighters.

Ray Bradbury, (1920-2012), swedish-american fantasy, science fiction, horror and mystery fiction author. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 (1953) and for the science fiction and horror stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles (1950) and The Illustrated Man (1951).

Glen E. Brolander. ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1998.

John Bryntesson, (1871-1959), swedish-american gold miner. Found gold at Anvil Creek, Alaska before Nome existed. He is believed to have found gold for 600 miljon dollars and started Pioneer Mining Company.

Arleigh Burke, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1968.

Bob Burnquist, 81976- ), swedish-american professional skateboarder. Best known for winning 12 gold medals in X-Games between 2000 and 2013.

John Campanius(Holm), (1601-1683), swedish-american chaplain and pioneer settler of New Sweden.

Alice L. Carlson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1987.

Anton Julius Carlson, (1875-1956), swedish-american physiologist. Carlson was Chairman of the Physiology Department at the University of Chicago from 1916 until 1940.

Arne H. Carlson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1994.

Curtis L. Carlson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1981.

Frank Carlson, (1893-1987), swedish-american politician, who served as the 30th Governor of Kansas, Kansas State Representative, United States Representative, and United States Senator from Kansas. Carlson is the only Kansan to have held all four offices. His political career spanned 40 years, beginning in November 1928 and ending in January 1969.

George Alfred Carlson, (1876-1926), swedish-american politician and was the 20th Governor of Colorado.

Victor Carlstrom, (1890-1917), swedish-american pilot. Carlstrom Field was named for Lt. Victor Carlstrom, who was killed in an aircraft accident in Newport News, Virginia. At the outbreak of World War I, he was one of the foremost aviators of his time. He made many first flights and set many altitude and distance records. On 9 May 1917, Carlstrom and a student pilot were killed when the wing of the aircraft he was piloting failed in flight.

Swede Carlstrom, (1886-1935), swedish-american Major League Baseball shortstop. Carlstrom batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey as Albin Oscar Carlstrom.

Siv Cedering, (1939-2007), swedish-american poet, writer, and artist. She occasionally published as Siv Cedering Fox.

Gary L. Cederstrom, (1955- ), swedish-american umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1989 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000.

Andrew Chilberg, (1844-1934), swedish-american merchant, banker, president of the Scandinavian-American Bank and consul for Sweden and Norway.

John Edward Chilberg, (1867-1954), swedish-american merchant, banker and president of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition 1909.

John Edward Chilberg II, (1929-1987), swedish-american production designer and art director in TV and movies. Best known for his work in "Star Trek III: The Search For Spock".

Carl Chindblom, (1870-1956), swedish-american lawyer, politician and member of the US House of Representatives.

Otto Ernest Cock, ( - ), swedish-american pioneer settler of New Sweden.

John Johnson Daniels, (1862-1957), swedish-american reverend and songtext writer.

Arthur Donaldson, (1869-1955), swedish-american actor and singer.

Adolph Olson Eberhart, (1870-1944), swedish-american lawyer, politician and Governor of Minnesota.

Agneta Eckemyr, (1950- ), swedish-american actress and model turned clothing designer.

Hjalmar Edgren, (1840-1903), swedish-american linguist, professor, and author.

Siri M. Eliason, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1996.

J. A. Elner, (1870- ), swedish-american pharmacy owner and hymn composer.

Dick Enberg, (1935- ), swedish-american sportscaster. He had a long career calling various sports for such networks as NBC, CBS, and ESPN. Born Richard Alan Enberg.

Robert Barton Englund, (1947- ), swedish-american actor, voice-actor, singer and director. Best known for his role in A Nightmare On Elm Street film 1-5. In Sweden best known for his role in TV-series V.

Elmer W. Engstrom, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1963.

John Ericsson, (1803-1889), swedish-american inventor and mechanical engineer, as was his brother Nils Ericson. Best known for designing the steam locomotive Novelty (in partnership with engineer John Braithwaite) and the ironclad USS Monitor, and his inventions about the propeller.

Nancy Faust, (1947- ), swedish-american and is the popular former long-time stadium organist for Major League Baseball's Chicago White Sox. Her mother, Jacquin Faust Soderberg Givers, who taught music following her own professional career, died September 4, 2007. She once filled in for Nancy at a White Sox game.

Dan Fogelberg, (1951-2007), swedish-american musician, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose music was inspired by sources as diverse as folk, pop, rock, classical, jazz, and bluegrass. He is best known for his early 1980s hits, including "Longer" (1980), "Leader of the Band" (1981), and "Same Old Lang Syne" (1981).

Abraham Fornander, (1812-1887), swedish-american who became an important Hawaiian journalist, judge, and ethnologist. He was employed by the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Franklin S. Forsberg, (1905-2002), swedish-american teacher, publisher, colonel in US Army and diplomat. Best known as US Ambassador to Sweden. Swedish-American of the Year 1986.

James Franco, (1978- ), swedish-american actor, writer, producer, director, and teacher. He is best known for the title character in the TV biographical film James Dean (2001), for which he won a Golden Globe Award.

August Franzén, (1863-1938), swedish-american painter, art artist. Best known for his portrait of president Robert Taft.

Jonathan Earl Franzen, (1959- ), swedish-american novelist and essayist. His third novel, The Corrections (2001), a sprawling, satirical family drama, drew widespread critical acclaim, earned Franzen a National Book Award and was a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction finalist. His most recent novel, Freedom, was published in August 2010.

Orville Freeman, (1918-2003), swedish-american politician, Governor of Minnesota and US Agriculture Minister.

Richard Nelson Frye, (1920- ), swedish-american scholar of Iranic and Central Asian Studies, and Aga Khan Professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies at Harvard University. His professional areas of interest are Iranian philology, and the history of Iran and Central Asia before 1000 CE.

Greta Garbo, (1905-1990), swedish-american actress. Listed fifth on the American Film Institutes list of greatest female stars of all time in 1999.

Arvid E. Gillstrom, (1889-1935), swedish-american film director and screenwriter in Hollywood. Born Arvid Evald Gyllström.

Jennifer Granholm, (1959- ), swedish-american politician, 51st Attorney General of Michigan and 47th Governor of Michigan.

William Anthony Granville, (1864-1943), swedish-american mathematician, and served as president of Gettysburg College from 1910 until 1923.

Werner P. Gullander, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1964.

Axel Carl Johan Gustafson, (1847- ), swedish-american author. Among his books was The United States and the Panama Canal (1882) and Some thoughts on moderation in the use of alcohol (1885).

Ed Gustafson, (1922-2012), swedish-american and was an American football player.[1] He was president of the Vita Plus Corporation from 1976-1986. Born Edsel Warren Gustafson.

Jake Gyllenhaal, (1980- ), swedish-american actor. Best known for his role play in "Brokeback Mountain".

Maggie Gyllenhaal, (1977- ), swedish-american actress. Best known for her role play in "Sherrybaby".

Stephen Gyllenhaal, (1949- ) swedish-american film director and poet. Father of Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Swede Hagberg, (1907-1960), swedish-american professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He played two seasons for the Buffalo Bisons (1929) and the Brooklyn Dodgers (1930). Born Rudolph Emil Hagberg.

Larry Hagman, (1931- ), swedish-american actor. Grandparents and wife from Sweden. Best known as J.R. Ewing in TV-Series "Dallas".

Karl W. Hallden, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1967.

Dorothy Hamill, (1956- ), swedish-american figure skater. She is the 1976 Olympic champion in ladies' singles and the 1976 World champion. Born Dorothy Stuart Hamill.

Mark Hamill, (1951- ), swedish-american actor, writer, producer, and director. He is best known for portraying the hero Luke Skywalker in the 1977 film Star Wars and its two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Born Mark Richard Hamill.

Daryl Hannah, (1960- ), swedish-american film actress. She is best known for her performances in the films Blade Runner (1982), Splash (1984), Roxanne (1987), Wall Street (1987), Steel Magnolias (1989) and Kill Bill (2003).

Victor Davis Hanson, (1953- ), swedish-american military historian, columnist, former classics professor, and scholar of ancient warfare. He has been a commentator on modern warfare and contemporary politics for National Review and other media outlets. He was a professor of classics at California State University, Fresno. Hanson was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2007 by President George W. Bush. Hanson is also a farmer, growing raisin grapes on a family farm in Selma, California, and a critic of social trends related to farming and agrarianism.

E. Jan Hartman, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2007.

Anne-Charlotte Hanes Harvey, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2009.

Matt Hasselbeck, (1975- ), swedish-american and an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Born Matthew Michael Hasselbeck.

Nils Hasselmo, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1991.

Tuve Hasselquist, (1816-1891), swedish-american lutheran minister and church leader.

Signe Hasso, (1915-2002), swedish-american actress, writer and composer. Acted in over 60 movies. One of six swedish having a star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Swedish-American of the Year 1989.

Eric Hegg, (1867-1948), swedish-american photographer. Famous for his photos from the goldrush in Klondike and Alaska.

Walter Hellman, (1916-1975), swedish-american and was the longest reigning world American checkers champion. In 1948, Walter defeated Asa Long to become the new World Checkers Champion.

Israel Helm, ( - ), swedish-american captain and pioneer settler of New Sweden.

Helena Hernmarck, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2000.

Gustavus Hesselius, (1682-1755), swedish-american painter. Has been called "the north american painting arts father".

Joe Hill, (1879-1915), swedish-american workers union man, poet, songwriter and singer.

Sven A. Hillring, (1812-1994), swedish-american accordion builder. Made together with Gunnar Orre the first accordion under the name of Hagström. Albin Hagström sent him 1934 to Copenhagen to start a new a new accordion factory. In 1946 he was sent to USA to start an accordion factory in Jamestown, New York. This factory ended in 1949 and he returned to Sweden, where he hand made the best ever accordions made by Hagström. 1955 he left Hagström and returned to Jamestown, where he operated on his own making and repairing accordions.

Mike Holmgren, (1948- ), swedish-american and was an American football coach and executive, most recently serving as president of the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Born Michael George Holmgren.

Johannes Alfred Hultman, (1861-1942), swedish-american composer, singer and preacher.

Dale Hurd, ( - ), swedish-american journalist at CBN. His great great grandfather hails from Kalmar, Sweden.

Iggy Pop, (1947- ), swedish-american singer, songwriter, musician and actor. Born as James Newell Osterberg Jr. Best known for composing "China Girl" together with David Bowie.

Erik Jansson, (1808-1850), swedish-american that was the leader of a swedish pietist sect that emigrated to the United States in 1846. He was born in Biskopskulla in Uppland, and this gave it´s name to the settlement of him and his followers in Bishop Hill, Henry County, Illinois.

Amandus Johnson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1961.

Edwin C. Johnson, (1884-1970), swedish-american politician, two times Governor of Colorado and US Senator.

Gurli Johnson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1984.

John B. Johnson, (1887-1970), swedish-american electrical engineer and physicist. He first explained in detail a fundamental source of random interference with information traveling on wires. Born as Johan Erik Bertrand Johansson.

Joseph B. Johnson, (1893-1986), swedish-american engineer, banker, politician and 70th Governor of Vermont.

Magnus Johnson, (1871-1936), swedish-american politician, US Senator and member of US House of Representatives.

Rod Johnson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1999.

Tor Johnson, (1903-1971), swedish-american actor, professional wrestler (billed as The Super Swedish Angel). Best remembered for his roles in a number of B-movies, including police inspector turned zombie Daniel Clay in Plan 9 from Outer Space and playing the role of a recurring lab assistant often named "Lobo".

J. Erik Jonsson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1983.

Swede Johnston, (1910-2002), swedish-american and was a professional American football player who played running back for seven seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Gunners and Pittsburgh Steelers. Born Chester Johnston.

Signe Karlström, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1980.

Val Kilmer, (1959- ), swedish-american actor. Originally a stage actor he is best known as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever (1995), Simon Templar in The Saint (1997). Born Val Edward Kilmer.

Måns Nilsson Kling, (1600-1657), swedish-american military and 2nd Governor of New Sweden. The 1st Governor of New Sweden was Peter Minuit, a walloon from Germany in Swedish service.

Kris Kristofferson, (1936- ), swedish-american actor, songwriter and singer. He is best known for writing "Me And Bobby McGee".

Neels Laerson(Friend), ( -1689), swedish-american pioneer settler of New Sweden.

Kerstin Lane, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2011.

Glen A. Larson, (1937- ), swedish-american TV-producer and writer. Best known for the TV-Series "Alias Smith & Jones", Battlestar Galactica", "Magnum" and "Knight Rider". Has a star on "Hollywood Walk Of Fame".

Karl Larsson, (1893-1967), swedish-american painter and art artist. He illustrated children books. Best known as an engraver, painter, and sculptor.

Nicolette Larson, (1952-1997), swedish-american pop and country music singer. Best known for her work in the late 1970s with Neil Young, as well as her 1978 cover of Young's "Lotta Love".

Ewa Mataya Laurance, (1964- ), swedish-american professional pool (pocket billiards) player, most notably on the Women's Professional Billiard Association nine-ball tour, a sports writer, and more recently a sports commentator for ESPN. In 2004, she was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame. Born Ewa Svensson.

Irvine Lennroot, (1869-1949), swedish-american lawyer, politician, US Senator and member of US House of Representatives.

Lars Lerup, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2004.

Harold LeVander, (1910-1992), swedish-american lawyer, teacher, businessman, politician and Governor of Minnesota.

Johan Olof Liedberg, (1822-1886), swedish-american gold miner. Found 14,5 kilo gold in one year in California.

Arnold Lindberg, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1997.

Charles Lindbergh, (1902-1974), swedish-american aviator and pilot.Best known for his solo nonstop flight in the monoplane "Spirit of St. Louis" between New York and Paris.

Charles A. Lindbergh, (1859-1924), swedish-american lawyer, banker, politician and member of US House of Representatives.

Edward "Ed" Lindberg, (1886-1978), swedish-american Olympic athlete, winner of the gold medal in 4×400 m relay at the 1912 Summer Olympics. At the Stockholm Olympics, Lindberg won the bronze medal in 400 m. Born Edward Fwedinand Jacob Lindberg.

Oliver A. Linder, (1862-1939), swedish-american publicist. He was chief editor for the weekly newspaper "Svenska Amerikanaren" in Chicago.

Eric Bryan Lindros, (1973- ), swedish-american and canadian professional icehockey player. Gold medal in 2002 with Canada.

Freddie Lindstrom, (1905-1981), swedish-american and was a National League baseball player with the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1924 until 1936. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976. Born Frederick Charles Lindstrom.

Matt Lindstrom, (1980- ), swedish-american professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox. Born Matthew Raymond Lindstrom.

Kerry Livgren, (1949- ), swedish-american musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.

Lars Carlsson Lock, (1624-1688), swedish-american settler and clergyman in New Sweden. Also known in latin language as Laurentius Carolii Lockenius and Laurentius Carels.

Nils Lofgren, (1951- ), swedish-american musician and guitarist. Soloartist with many albums. Best known for being a member of Bruce Springsteens E Street Band.

Zoe Lofgren, (1947- ), swedish-american politician and member of US House of Representatives.

Måns Svensson Lom, ( - ), swedish-american pioneer settler of New Sweden.

Greg Louganis, (1960- ), swedish-american Olympic diver and author who won gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games on both the springboard and platform. He is the only male and the second diver in Olympic history to sweep the diving events in consecutive Olympic Games. His Samoan and Swedish teenage parents placed him for adoption with a Greek-American family who named him Gregory Efthimios Louganis.

Mike Love, (1941- ), swedish-american musician, singer, songwriter, and activist who is a member and co-founder of the Beach Boys. His grandmothers father Charles Shtole was from Målilla in Småland.

Pug Lund, (1913-1994), swedish-american and was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1958. Born Francis L. Lund.

G. Hilmer Lundbeck, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1966.

Ernest Lundeen, (1878-1940), swedish-american lawyer, politician, Us Senator and member of US House of Representatives.

Fred Lundin, (1868-1947), swedish-american running the government of Chicago from behind the lines in the beginning of the 1900´s before the more notorius maffia boss Al Capone took over in 1922.

Mike Lundin, (1984- ), swedish-american professional ice hockey player, who currently plays for Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Born Michael Robert Lundin.

Oscar A. Lundin, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1990.

Dan Lungren, (1946- ), swedish-american lawyer, politician and member of US House of Representatives.

Warren Magnuson, (1905-1989), swedish-american politician, US Senator and member of US House of Representatives.

Oscar Malmborg, (1820-1880), swedish-american lieutenant colonel and later commander and colonel in US Army in the Civil War.

Hans Mattson, (1832-1893), swedish-american lawyer, colonel in US Army during the Civil War, local politician in Minnesota.

Niels Matson, ( - ), swedish-american pioneer settler of New Sweden. His wife Margaret Matson, the only person ever tried for witchcraft in Pennsylvania

MC Lars, (1982- ), swedish-american rapper musician and record company owner. Real name is Andrew Robert MacFarlane Nielsen.

Gustavo A. Mellander, ( - ), swedish-american is a respected leader in the field of university and college administration in the United States. He earned a Ph. D. in history from George Washington University in 1966 and later was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters by Felician College in 1977.

Phil Mickelson, (1970- ), swedish-american professional golfer. He has won 42 events on the PGA Tour, including five major championships: three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), a PGA Championship (2005), and an Open Championship (2013). Born Philip Alfred Mickelson.

Edita Morris, (1902-1988), swedish-american writer and political activist. She is mostly known for her novel The Flowers of Hiroshima (1959).

John Morton, (1725-1777), swedish-american politician, surveyor, jurist and best known for signing the United States Declaration of Independence. He was from a finnish family. Finland was a part of Sweden.

Morton Mortonson, ( - ), swedish-american pioneer settler in New Sweden. His thre sons were Morton Jr., Andrew and John.

David Nelson, (1936-2011), swedish-american actor, TV director and producer.

Lars-Erik Nelson, (1941-2000), swedish-american journalist, political columnist and author best known for his syndicated column in The New York Daily News.

Marilyn Carlson Nelson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2003.

Oswald "Ozzie" Nelson, (1906-1975), swedish-american entertainer, bandleader, actor, TV producer and director. Father of David and Ricky Nelson.

Ricky Nelson, (1940-1985), swedish-american singer, songwriter, rock artist and actor. Had 53 songs on Billboard Hot 100 between 1957 and 1973.

Swede Nelson, ( - ), swedish-american former college player at Harvard and coach. Nelson was a member of the unbeaten Harvard football team that defeated Oregon in the 1920 Rose Bowl. The Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award is an American college football award given annually by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston to "the player who by his conduct on and off the gridiron demonstrates a high esteem for the football code and exemplifies sportsmanship to an outstanding degree" among northeastern colleges and universities.The award is the fourth oldest collegiate football award in the United States, following the Heisman, Maxwell, and George "Bulger" Lowe trophies.

Anthony Nielson, ( - ), swedish-american pioneer settler in New Sweden. His wife was the daughter of Margaret Matson, the only person ever tried for witchcraft in Pennsylvania.

Agneta Nilsson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2006.

Anna Q. Nilsson, (1888-1974), swedish-american actress and acted from 1928 to 1950´s in first silent movies and later in talking movies. She is one of six swedish having a star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Harry Nilsson, (1941-1994), swedish-american singer and composer. Best known for "Everybody´s Talkin´" and "Without You".

Joakim Noah, (1985- ), swedish-american professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Peter Norbeck, (1870-1936), swedish-american politician, 9th Governor of South Dakota and US Senator. Convinced presidents Calvin Coolidge and Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide federal money for the carving of Mount Rushmore.

John N. Nordstrom, (1937- ), swedish-american businessman, owner of the department store chain Nordstrom. Swedish-American of the Year 1992.

John W. Nordstrom, (1871-1963), swedish-american businessman, gold miner and founder of the departement store chain Nordstrom, with 225 stores today.

Eric Norelius, (1833-1916), swedish-american lutheran minister, church leader and author.

John E. Norton, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2010.

Ewald B, Nyquist, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1976.

Harry Nyquist, (1889-1976), swedish-american mathematian and was an important contributor to the information theory. He recieved the IEEE Medal of Honor 1960.

Gustav Nyselius, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1971.

Bob Nystrom, (1952- ), swedish-american professional ice hockey right winger. He played for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1972–86. He is best remembered as having scored the winning goal at the 7:11 mark of overtime to give the New York Islanders the 1980 Stanley Cup title. Born Robert Thore Nystrom.

Andy "Swede" Oberlander, (1905-1968), swedish-american and was an All-American halfback for Dartmouth College's "Big Green" undefeated and national college championship football team in 1925. Oberlander was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1954. Born Andrew James Oberlander.

Warner Oland, (1879-1938), swedish-american actor most remembered for his screen role as the detective Charlie Chan. He claimed that his vaguely Asian appearance was due to possessing some Mongolian ancestry. He also acted in the first ever talking movie "The Jazz Singer" in 1927. Born Johan Verner Öhlund.

Richard E. Oldenburg, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1995.

Olle i Skratthult, (1886-1960), swedish-american singer and comedian in the peasant comic area, who achieved great popularity during the 1910s and 1920s. His real name was Hjalmar Peterson.

Ann-Margret Olsson, (1941- ), swedish-american actress and singer. One of six swedish having a star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Swedish-American of the Year 2001.

Bobo Olson, (1928-2002), swedish-american boxer. He was the world middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955, the longest reign of any champion in that division during the 1950s, although he is probably best remembered for his three knockout losses against Sugar Ray Robinson. Born Carl Olson.

Lyndon L. Olson Jr., ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2002.

Nils William Olsson, (1909-2007), swedish-american writer and active Swedish-American genealogist. His passion for genealogy of swedish-americans and their roots was one of it´s kind. In my mind a true soulmate in this and my idol giving me inspiration for all my research work in this area. Swedish-American of the Year 1969.

Sigurd F. Olson, (1899-1982), swedish-american author, environmentalist, and advocate for the protection of wilderness. For more than thirty years, he served as a wilderness guide in the lakes and forests of the Quetico-Superior country of northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario.

Hans Ostrom, (1954- ), swedish-american professor, writer, editor, and scholar. He teaches courses on African American literature, creative writing, and poetry as a genre. He is known for his authorship of various books on African American studies and creative writing, and novels including Three to Get Ready, Honoring Juanita, and Without One, as well as The Coast Starlight: Collected Poems 1976-2006.

Mary-Louise Parker, (1964- ), swedish-american actress. Best known for her role play in the TV-series "Weeds". Have also made several movies.

Peggy Lee, (1920-2002), swedish-american singer and actor. Born as Norma Dolores Engstrom. Vocalist with Benny Goodman at Columbia, and then recorded for Capitol and Decca. Best known for singing and writing the text to "Fever".

Carl Fredrik Peterson, (1843-1901), swedish-american writer and publisher. Chief editor of "Svenska Tribunen" and "Svenska Amerikanaren" in Chicago.

Roger Tory Peterson, (1908-1996), swedish-american naturalist, ornithologist, artist and educator. Best known for being one of the founding inspirations for the 20th century environmental movement. Swedishamerican of the Year 1977.

Rudolf A. Peterson, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1965.

Russell W. Peterson, (1916-2011), swedish-american scientist, politician and Governor of Delaware. Swedish-American of the Year 1982.

Johan Papegoja, (1610-1667), swedish-american 5th Governor of New Sweden.

Jeuffro Armgard Printz, (1625-1695), swedish-american pioneer woman in New Sweden. Daughter of Governor Printz and married Johan Papegoja.

Johan Björnsson Printz, (1592-1662), swedish-american general and 4th Governor of New Sweden.

John Rambo, (1661-1741), swedish-american judge and local politician in New Jersey. His father settled in New Sweden.

William Rehnquist, (1924-2005), swedish-american judge and 16th Chief Justice of USA. Swedish-American of the Year 1993.

Peter Hollander Ridder, (1608-1692), swedish-american 3rd Governor of New Sweden.

Olle "Wolley" Rawson, ( - ), swedish-american pioneer settler in New Sweden. Was swedish or finnish.

Arvid Reuterdahl, (1876-1933), swedish-american engineer and bridge constructor.

Andy Richter, (1966- ), swedish-american actor, writer, comedian, and late night talk show announcer. He is best known for his role as the sidekick of Conan O'Brien on each of the host's programs: Late Night and The Tonight Show on NBC, and Conan on TBS. Born Paul Andrew Richter.

Birgit Ridderstedt, (1914-1985), swedish-american folk singer and cultural ambassador, who appeared at festivals and on television in the 1950s and early 1960s with material she produced herself.

Swede Risberg, (1894-1975), swedish-american and was a Major League Baseball shortstop. He played for the Chicago White Sox from 1917 to 1920. He is best known for his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Born Charles August Risberg.

Johan Risingh, (1617-1672), swedish-american 6th and last Governor of New Sweden.

Gerhard "Gerry" T. Rooth, (1896-1983), swedish-american soccer goal keeper and journalist. Swedish-American of the Year 1972.

Todd Harry Rundgren, (1948- ), swedish-american multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop star, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972.

Barbro Sachs-Osher, (1940- ), swedish-american and Swedish Consul General in San Fransisco, wellknown philanthropist and chairman of the Bernard Osher Foundation. Swedish-American of the Year 2008.

Sofie Sager, (1825-1902), swedish-american writer and feminist. Moved to the USA in 1854, where she became active within the American women’s movement.

Marcus Samuelsson, (1970- ), swedish-american chef and owner of Red Rooster Harlem in New York City and three other restaurants. He is of ethiopian origin.

Ulf Samuelsson, (1964- ), swedish-american professional ice hockey defenseman and currently an assistant coach for the New York Rangers. He played several seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion as a member of the Penguins in 1991 and 1992.

Carl Sandburg, (1878-1967), swedish-american writer and editor. Best known for his poetry. He was the recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes: two for his poetry and another one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln.

Emanuel Schmidt, (1868-1921), swedish-american chief editor, writer and school head master.

Nathaniel Schmidt, (1862-1939), swedish-american baptist minister, educater and orientalist.

Glenn T. Seaborg, (1912-1999), swedish-american scientist. He got the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1951 together with Edwin M. McMillan. Swedish-American of the Year 1962.

Ernst Skarstedt, (1857-1929), swedish-american author, journalist and editor of Swedish language books and newspapers. He is most noted as the author of a three volume trilogy covering the Swedish immigrant experience in the Pacific Northwest.

Erik August Skogsbergh, (1850-1939), swedish-american preacher and songtextwriter. His songtexts is to be found in the Swedish Salvation Armys Songbook of 1990.

Andrew L. Skoog, (1856-1934), swedish-american hymn composer and preacher.

Sven Skute, ( -1665), swedish-american vicegovernor of New Sweden. His descendants use since 1722 the family name Schooten.

Grace Slick, (1939- ), swedish-american singer, songwriter, artist, and former model, best known as one of the lead singers of the rock groups The Great Society, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship.

Steven Soderbergh, (1963- ), swedish-american film producer and screenwriter.

John R. Steelman, (1900-1999), swedish-american professor, US states service man as assistent to president Harry S. Truman. His family Steelman came from New Sweden.

Olof Persson Stille, ( - ), swedish-american pioneer settler in New Sweden.

John Stille, (1646-1722), swedish-american pioneer settler and son of Olof Persson Stille.

Emma Stone, (1988- ), swedish-american actress. Their family name in Sweden was Sten.

Gustaf Stromberg, (1882-1962), swedish-america astronom and writer. Best known for his research about the stars movements.

Johan Andersson Stålkofta, (1627-1686) swedish-american constable in New Sweden. An american genealogist could, after 22 years research work present 14.000 descendants in America to Johan Stalcop.

Erik Per Sullivan, (1991- ), swedish-american actor and has between 1998 and 2010 acted in 15 movies or TV.series. His mother is from Sweden and he speaks fluently swedish.

Gideon Sundback, (1880-1954), swedish-american electrical engineer and inventor. Best known as the developer and inventor of the modern zipper.

Don Sundquist, (1936- ). swedish-american politician and 47th Governor of Tennessee.

Ted Sundquist II, (1962- ), swedish-american football player, manager and commentator. He spent sixteen years working in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos franchise. Born Carl Mathew Theodore "Ted" Sundquist II.

Cub Swanson, (1983- ), swedish-american mixed martial artist. Born Kevin Luke Swanson.

Inga Swenson, (1932- ), swedish-american actress. Best known for her roles in 2 episodes of Bonanza(1962 and 1963) and the 1985–1986 – North and South (TV-series).

Swenson, Swante Magnus, (1816–1896), swedish-american pioneer and first Swedish immigrant to Texas. He migrated to America in 1836. Founder of of the SMS Ranches in West Texas. Best known for being the largest land owner in Texas.

Nils F. Testor, ( - ), swedish-american businessman. Bought Axel Karlssons product "Karlssons klister" in Rockford, Illinois, and founded The Testor Chemical Co.

Nick Theslof, (1975- ), swedish-american and is an American soccer manager and coach, who was midfield coach and international scout to Jürgen Klinsmann at FC Bayern Munich. He is currently an assistant coach for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. He was one of the first and youngest American soccer players to have played in continental Europe.

James R. Thompson, (1936- ), swedish-american jurist, politician, Governor of Illinois and Chairman of National Governors Association. Swedish-American of the Year 1985.

Ivor Thord-Gray, (1878-1964), swedish-american adventurer, ethnologist and linguist. He was also a mercenary and took part in 13 different wars in the world. When he was in South Africa he changed his name from Thord Ivar Hallström to Ivor Thord-Gray.

Uma Thurman, (1970- ), swedish-american actress and model.

Reorus Torkillius, (1599-1643), swedish-american clergyman and pioneer settler of New Sweden. Best known for being the first Lutheran-Evangelist clergyman in USA.

Donnie Wahlberg, (1969- ), swedish-american singer, actor and film producer. Best known for being a founder member of New Kids On The Block and his role in the Saw films. And on TV in Band Of Brothers and Wahlburgers.

Mark Wahlberg, (1971- ), swedish-american singer and actor. Best known for being a founder member of New Kids On The Block, and as the artist Marky Mark.

Gunnar A. Wahlmark, (1904- ), swedish-american machine engineer and inventor.

Magnus Wahlström, (1903-1972), swedish-american businessman and co-founder of Bridgeport Machines Inc.

Bengt Walden, (1973- ), swedish-american luge. r who has comåeted since 1985 for Sweden and since 2009 for the USA.

Kari Wahlgren, (1977- ), swedish-american actress and voice-actress.

Charles Rudolph Walgreen, (1873-1939), swedish-american businessman and founder of the pharmacy store chain Walgreens. Suceeded by his son Charles Rudolph Walgreen Jr. and grandson Charles Rudolph Walgreen III.

Monrad Wallgren, (1891-1961), swedish-american politician US Senator, member of US House of Representatives and Governor of Washington.

Irene Ware(Ahlberg), (1910-1993), swedish-american actress. Best known for her role play in "The Raven".

Nils Y. Wessell, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1979.

Henry Charles Vestine, (1944-1997), swedish-american guitar player known mainly as a member of the band Canned Heat. He also played with Frank Zappa's The Mothers of Invention.

Ernest Harry Vestine, (1906-1968), swedish-american Ph.D. in applied mathematics. The crater Vestine on the Moon is named after him. His son see Henry Charles Vestine.

Eric Wickman, (1887-1954), swedish-american founder of the bus company Greyhound Lines. He was born as Martis Jerks in Dalarna, Sweden.

Jeanne Eriksson Widman, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 2005.

Brian Wilson, (1942- ), swedish-american musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer best known for being the multi-tasking leader and co-founder of The Beach Boys.

Carl Wilson, (1946-1998) swedish-american rock and roll singer, guitarist and composer, best known as a founding member, lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of The Beach Boys.

Dennis Wilson, (1944-1983), swedish-american drummer, singer and songwriter. He is best known as a founding member of the rock band The Beach Boys, alongside his brothers, Brian and Carl, cousin, Mike Love, and Al Jardine.

Bertil Winstrom, ( - ), swedish-american. Swedish-American of the Year 1974.

Gerald Vizenor, (1934- ), swedish-american is an Anishinaabe writer and scholar, and an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Reservation. Vizenor also taught for many years at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was Director of Native American Studies. With more than 30 books published, Vizenor is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, and Professor of American Studies at the University of New Mexico. Mother is swedish-american.

Swede Youngstrom, (1897-1968), swedish-american was a professional football player. Over the span of his career in the National Football League, Youngstrom played with the Buffalo All-Americans, Canton Bulldogs, Buffalo Bisons, Cleveland Bulldogs and the Frankford Yellow Jackets. Born Adolph Frederick Youngstrom.

Uppdaterad av Peter Liliequist 2015-01-25. Copyright (c) 1970 - 2015 By Peter Liliequist, Sweden Roots Hunter & Peter´s Web World.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Prärieblomman Kalender från 1906: Chilberg Family

Halländska emigrantöden av Charlotte Lindgren, Falkenberg

Prärieblomman

För några år sedan fick min man några böcker, som tillhört en släkting bosatt i USA. Alla var på svenska. Efter två generationer fanns det inte längre någon, som kunde läsa dem. Bland dessa böcker fanns "Prärieblomman, kalender för 1906". Den innehåller intressanta artiklar av och om svensk-amerikaner, dikter, en levnadsteckning av C.J.L.Almquist, Kolonien Vasa i Minnesota, ett femtioårsminne och mycket annat. I slutet av boken, som är på 300 sidor, finns dödsrunor över ett 20-tal emigranter. Vid närmare studier av dessa visade det sig att två kom från Halland, C.J. Chilberg och Eric Knutson. Den förre utvandrade redan 1846 från södra Halland och om den senare, kan man läsa, att han var född i Fyllinge, Halland, den 28 dec. 1852. Till varje dödsruna finns en bild och jag tror att det var bilden på Chilberg med hans tunna rufsiga skägg och intelligenta blick, som fick mig att välja honom. Spännande är ju också hans tidiga utflyttning.

Två Svenskar

Såsom en egendomlighet förtjänar antecknas, att två av de tidigaste svenska nybyggarna i nuvarande staten Washington var hallänningar, att de var bosatta på samma ort, nämligen i Skagit-dalen, att båda före resan till västkusten bodde i Iowa, att de avled med kort tids mellanrum, att båda fördes från samma svenska kyrka där ute i nordvästern till sitt sista vilorum, och att båda efterlämnade flera söner, vilka troget går i sina fäders fotspår och är, liksom de hänsovna vördade gamle, en heder för sitt nya fosterland.

Dessa båda män, vilka förvisso är att räkna bland de svenska nybyggarnas i Amerika högadel, var Olof Polson och Carl Johan Chilberg, den förre avliden den 31 maj 1903 ( se Prärieblomman 1904, sid. 271 ) den senare den 15 januari 1905. Chilberg var den äldre av de två kärngubbarna, hela tjugo år äldre än den andre, men överlevde likväl denne. Båda var de i sin krafts dagar med om att åt odlingen vinna en av de bördigaste och för jordbrukaren tacksammaste delar av nämnda stat och hela unionen för övrigt, nämligen den ovannämnda Skagit-dalen, och båda fann de härute riklig lön för sin möda.

Röjer mark

Carl Johan Chilberg föddes nära Halmstad ( enligt en annan uppgift nära Laholm) år 1813 och hade sålunda vid sitt frånfälle uppnått den höga åldern av 92 år. Han utvandrade jämte sin familj till Amerika redan 1846. De for med kanalbåtar och andra primitiva samfärdsmedel till St Louis, Mo., och därifrån till västra Iowa. Den 20 december, efter jämt fyra månaders resa från Sverige, var de framme vid målet. Chilberg utsåg åt sig ett jordområde, beläget i närheten av Ottumwa, 75 miles från Burlington, och slog sig här ner som nybyggare. Många sorglustiga minnen kunde han på sina gamla dagar förtälja från denna sin första nybyggartid. Inga pengar fanns i denna del av landet. På tre år kunde han inte få ihop pengar nog till att skicka ett brev hem till Sverige. Liksom i den gråa forntiden och bland ociviliserade folk ännu idag sker, idkades endast byteshandel. För en klocka, som i Sverige kostade 10 riksdaler, fick han saker till ett värde av 40 dollar. För stövlar, klockor m.m. tillbytte han sig ett par oxar. Med dessa upplöjde han första sommaren 60 acres jord. Han plöjde även för andras räkning, och en gång erhöll han för en dags arbete - 100 skålpund fläsk! Majsen stod i ett pris av 7 cents per bushel. Efter tre års vistelse på farmen, varunder njutningsmedel endast ytterst sparsamt förekommit, körde han ett lass bönor till Burlington och tillbytte sig härför kaffe och socker. Civilisationen gjorde emellertid för varje år stora framsteg i Iowa, och den halländska nybyggarens ställning förbättrades efterhand och det i sådan grad, att han redan 1853 kunde avlägga ett besök i Sverige.

Drar väster ut

I början av 1860-talet synes Chilberg ha börjat längta att komma bort ifrån det ingalunda magra Iowa. År 1863 finner vi honom sålunda i Colorado. I och med resan hitut gjorde han en ganska god affär, då han medtog 800 dussin ägg, som han köpt i Iowa för endast två cents dussinet och nu sålde i Colorado för en dollar dussinet. Från Colorado begav han sig ut på resor till Montana och västkusten och lär ha ankommit till Puget Sound-trakten 1865. Vid ett tillfälle var han bosatt i Yamhill county, Oreg., och hade där en äppelträdgård på 40 acres. Efter att ha besökt olika platser på västkusten och sett sig om beslöt han sig för att slå sig ner i den fruktbara Skagit-dalen. Han upptog "homestead" vid Pleasent Ridge, nära nuvarande La Conner, och återvände 1869 till Iowa för att hämta sin familj. Detta var innan västern ännu hade några järnvägar, och resan var ingalunda, såsom i vår tid, en lustfärd på några få dagar. Tvärtom var den ett både mödosamt och livsfarligt företag, som krävde månader i stället för dagar. Allt avlöpte emellertid väl, och redan sistnämnda år (enligt en annan uppgift först 1871) befann sig Chilberg jämte familj på sitt "homestead", som han sedemera uppodlade och förvandlade till en av de vackraste landegendomar inom staten. Här vann han också med åren ekonomiskt välstånd.

Chilberg kvarstannade på sitt "homestead" till 1882, då han flyttade in till Seattle, där han i välförtjänt lugn och ro framlevde sina återstående dagar. Ända in i det sista var han varmt tillgiven sitt gamla hemland och intresserade sig för allt svenskt. Emellanåt avlade han besök i sitt forna hem i Skagit-dalen, och här var det han fick sluta sina dagar. Chilberg efterlämnar sju söner. Dessa är James Chilberg i Ballard, Nels Chilberg i Seattle, Isak Chilberg i Pleasent Ridge, Andrew Chilberg i Seattle, Gustaf Chilberg i Nome, Joe Chilberg i Olympia och John Chilberg i La Conner.

Andrew Chilberg är bankir och framstående affärsman i Seattle. Sedan 1879 har han varit svensk-norsk vice konsul därstädes.

Född i södra Halland

Efter att ha tagit del av Carl Johan Chilbergs levnadsöden i Amerika, väcks nyfikenheten att ta reda på lite om hans förhållanden i Sverige före 1846, det år, då han emigrerade tillsammans med sin familj.

Jag vände mig först till Barbro Maijgren, som har hand om föreningens nyinförskaffade Databas Emigranten. -Tyvärr mannen, du söker, är för tidig, blev svaret. (Se mer om Databasen Emigranten på annan plats i detta nummer.) Barbro upplyste mig iallafall om att många av dem, som slog sig ner i Ottumwa, kom från Knäred.

Eftersom det berättas att Chilberg utflyttade tillsammans med sin familj hade han väl gift sig någonstans. Sven Johansson fick en påringning och han sökte omgående i de dataregistrerade vigsellängderna samt i bouppteckningsregistren. Ingen fullträff men flera Killbergare återfanns i Knäreds-trakten, så jag begav mig till föreningslokalen på Fiskaregatan, tog fram pärmarna med avskrifter av Knäreds kyrkoböcker gjorda av Knäreds Forskarring, gick direkt in på födelseboken 1813 och här blev det mitt i prick. - Född 1813.04.21 Carl Johan. Föräldrarna var Bengt Killberg i Tomared och hans hustru Kierstin Olofsdotter.

Så snabbt över till utflyttningslängden 1846. Det här var ju spännande. Här är de ju! - Åboen Carl Johan Killberg f.1813.04.21 från Tomared och hans hustru Johanna Johansdotter f.1812.12.04. Så äntligen får vi veta vad hon heter, hans hustru. Hon har inte nämnts en enda gång tidigare. Hon som tog hand om fyra små barn, den yngsta bara ett år gammal, på dessa strapatsrika långa resor. Barnen var Jöns Peter (James) f.1838.10.18, Nils (Nels) f.1840. 09.23, Isacc f.1842.12.17 och Anders (Andrew) f.1845.03.28. Till sällskapet hörde även snickaren Johan Svensson Kindblad f.1814.12.15 från Kåphult. Denne mans mor hette Elsa Killberg och var kusin till vår huvudperson Carl Johan. I flyttningsboken står som följer: "Dessa sju Personer äro flyttade till Norra Amerika. De afseglade från Götheborg den 19 Aug. och anlände till Philadelphia den 6 Oct. och äro bofasta i staten Iowa och Jefferson."

Klockaresläkt

Varken Bengt Killberg eller Elsa Killberg kunde återfinnas födda i Knäred, men 1810 kom Elsa Killberg från Hishult till Knäred för att gifta sig till Kåphult och 1801 kom Genantborgaren Bengt Killberg från Hishult till Tomared i Knäred. Så fram med Hishultspärmen! Men först kanske någon undrar vad en genantborgare varför en? Jo, det var en borgare, som bodde på landsbygden, men för att idka handel eller sjöfart i en stad måste han betala en avgift (genant = avgift).

Vår amerikafarares farfar var Carl Killberg, klockare i Hishult 1749 - 1785. Han var gift med Petronella Holmgren troligtvis dotter till den förre klockaren Hans Holmgren. De hade 10 barn (minst): Anna Lena 1750, tvillingarna Jan Peter och Hans Christian 1751. Jan Peter efterträder fadern 1785 och Jan Peters son Hans Peter tar över klockarsysslan 1812 - 1840. Anna Christina 1752, Hans Christian 1755, klockare i Enslöv 1779 -1833, Sophia 1757, g 1792 m pastorsadj. Lars Linderoth fr Göteborg, Anna Christina 1763, Bengt 1764, far till vår amerikafarare, Jacob 1765 och Brigita 1769.

Källor:

Prärieblomman,1906,
Hishult förr och nu av Leonard Jansson,
Enslövs kommun av Harry Hedin,
Kyrkoboksavskrifter fr Knäred och Hishult av Knäreds Forskarring.

Friday, January 16, 2015

First Scandinavians To Settle In Skagit County

The 1913 Puget Sound Mail obituary of Magnus' wife, Mathilda, claimed that they were the first Scandinavians to settle in this county, another unfortunate attempt at a "first." Pioneers and old-timers were fond of coining firsts and sometimes they just winged it or depended on legend more than checking actual records. John Conrad clarified the claim a bit by noting that Magnus was likely one of the first three Scandinavians to settle in what would become Skagit County. The others were a Finn named Charles Tollber and another Swedish immigrant, C.J. Chilberg.

Tollber [also sometimes spelled Tolber], Magnus' fellow ship carpenter from Port Blakely, followed Anderson to the Skagit, took a claim on the North fork, soon sold it and bought other land nearby. Tollber married Anderson's sister [name?? ask Tom] later when she moved out here and Tollber started the ferry across the North fork that was eventually replaced by a bridge. Anderson and Tollber were the only permanent Scandinavian settlers in that area at the time, but that soon changed. C.J. Chilberg seems to have been the next to travel here, sometime in 1869-70. Perry and Paul Polson, C.J. Chilberg and his brother Joseph emigrated from Sweden to Chillicothe, Iowa, and in late 1869 they took the Union Pacific to San Francisco, and then took a steamer to Portland. After crossing the Columbia river, they all walked to Olympia and then took steamboats to Skagit bay. C.J. Chilberg settled on the Beaver Marsh and built a cabin on Pleasant Ridge near Anderson. Later he returned to Chillicothe in 1871 to move his wife and family out to his homestead.

Now we address the cabin, which Anderson constructed very soon after arriving. LaConner author Tom Robinson once again helped us sort through the conflicting information about the early county cabins. He has combed through documents in preparation for his book in progress about the history of western Skagit Valley. He narrowed down the exact location: "the North fork [side of Pleasant Ridge], not far east and above the Landing Road, which leads to the North fork from the Dodge Valley Road. In other words, his original local settlement was on the North fork."

We know when the cabin was moved from the Pleasant Ridge location because Conrad recalled that in 1950, Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, who then owned Anderson's original acreage, donated his 1869 cabin to LaConner's Pioneer Park by the bridge, the scene of the annual Pioneer Association picnic. Although Anderson undoubtedly used the best materials available in 1869, but the decades of wind and rain led to the mortar turning into powder, wood crumbling and iron rusting. Thus the cabin we see today is the result of owners rebuilding the structure more than once, and repairs by volunteers after it was moved to the Pioneer Park and later to downtown LaConner. Upon walking in you can feel how sturdy the logs are and you can sense how it was only large enough for a bachelor.

We tried to trace how Mrs. Miller came to possess the cabin in the first place. Along the way, Robinson discovered some key facts about both the cabin and how it has lasted for almost a century and a half: "Just by chance, a few days after the first article had appeared I met [Don] Summers, who turned out to know the history of the 1869 cabin. I had thought that maybe that first one at some early time had been moved to the Conway area. from Summer I received assurance that the cabin now sitting just below the Town Hall was indeed the one that had been erected in 1869." Summers is still very much alive, with his home on Summers Lane near the Rexville store, a descendant of the very early Samuel Summers family. Mrs. Miller was the daughter of another pioneer family, the Bessners. She married Charles Miller. We know of no family relation between her family and Anderson's, so we infer that she and her husband purchased the original Anderson property from an unknown owner.

Anderson's skills at carpentry were valuable to other settlers as well, as were his tools, some of which were rare out here in the wilderness, especially in private hands outside of a mill. He made his living largely by building cabins for his neighbors such as Olaf Polson, who moved his family out, including seven other children, from Chillicothe to join his sons in 1871. In Charles Dwelley's book, Skagit Memories, Olaf's son Alfred recalled that his father employed Anderson to build an actual house in 1874 to replace their original cabin near Braun's Slough (later renamed Brown's Slough). "Magnus Anderson, the builder, was a shipbuilder and cabinetmaker and a complete set of tools," Alfred wrote. "Among them was a four-foot plane with a rope attached to the front. It was operated by two men, one pulling and the other pushing." Magnus made a splash in LaConner when he worked with Father Francis X. Prefontaine to build the first LaConner Catholic church in 1872-3. Bishop Augustin Blanchet blessed Sacred Heart church on July 8, 1873.

We learn from the 1906 book, Illustrated History of Skagit and Snohomish Counties [hereafter the 1906 History], that the North fork area (both sides) attracted many other settlers during those early years: "Among the first settlers on the North fork: John Guinea, William Hayes, William Houghton, Joseph Maddox, William Brown, H. A. Wright, Peter [van der] Kuyl [and] Franklyn Buck."

John Conrad provided the details of how Magnus found his wife, who would be his companion for the next 40 years. Mathilda Andersdotter, who was born in Sweden on Oct. 7, 1839, emigrated alone to Chillicothe in 1868. She was a friend of Chilbergs, and she followed them west in 1873. Stopping at their new home in Skagit county, she soon met the bachelor Magnus Anderson and they were married that same year on an unknown date. Mathilda's brother, John Anderson, moved his family to the Skagit valley in 1874 and they brought with them their orphaned nephew from Sweden, Charles Conrad, John's father.

Chilberg Avenue, La Conner, Washington, USA

There Is Also A Chilberg Avenue In La Conner, Skagit County. La Conner Is Right At The Sea In Skagit Bay, Washington, USA. The Chilberg Family Settled Down At Pleasant Ridge. I Believe This Is Near Todays Chilberg Heights Way In Mount Vernon.

Chilberg Road, Lane & Heights Way In Mount Vernon

Chilberg Road, Chilberg Lane & Chilberg Heights Way In Mount Vernon, Washington, USA. The Chilberg Family Left Iowa & Settled Down 1871-72 At Pleasant Ridge In La Conner, Skagit County & Near Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.

Chilberg Avenue SW Seattle, Washington

In Seattle, Washington, Near The Attractive Sea, There Is Chilberg Avenue SW Named After The Pioneer Swedish Killberg Family. I Don´t Know If It Is Named After Charles John Chilberg Or His Sons Andrew & Edward. Or Maybe The Family.

The Brig Superb & Killberg 1846

The Brig Superb Arrived in Philadelphia October 7 1846 from Gothenburg, Sweden to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: MANIFEST of Passengers on board the Swedish Brig Superb belonging to Gothenburg commanded by Capt. J. E. Nissen bound to Philadelphia in the United States of America from Gothenburg vis. Columns represent: Passenger numbers*, names of Passengers, ages, native and belonging to, occupations, baggage.

19 M^tr Carl Johan Kihlberg 33 Sweden farmer,
20 Johanna Kihlberg 33 Sweden his wife,
21 Jons Petter Kihlberg 8 Sweden his son,
22 Nils Kihlberg 6 Sweden his son,
23 Isak Kihlberg 3 Sweden his son,
24 Andreas Kihlberg 1 Sweden his son,
19 to 24 bracketed with 3 trunks, 1 bag with clothing.

Dynasti Killberg:

Bilden(från vänster): Bröderna Richard Killberg, Anders Killberg och Peter Killberg.

Dynasti Killberg: Ur branschtidningen Svensk Bokhandel.

Att ärva en bokhandel 2014-12-05 |Kalle Laxgård |Ur Nummer 20 2014

NYHET: I snart 140 år har familjen Killberg varit en maktfaktor i Bokhandelssverige. Den var drivande i bygget av den moderna distributionen, grundandet av Bokia och framväxten av nya Akademibokhandeln. Nu står landets äldsta familje­ägda bokhandel utan tronföljare.