Caterina Lundblad

Augustus (Gus) Magnus Olausson Linn. Father, husband, brother, farmer, Civil War veteran. We know the details of his life through photos, stories, news articles. Even his obituary appeared on the front page of the Dayton Review.  The cane he whittled while he was a POW is still in the family.

But what about his wife? What do we know about the woman he married in Sweden? The mother of his children? The person who stayed on the farm during the Civil War raising the children and taking care of the farm responsibilities while Gus served our country?

For the next two weeks I will share what I have learned about Caterina (Catherine) Lundblad, my second great-grandmother.

When following our female ancestors, it's important to know that there is not as much information about women. Women were referred to by their husband's names in news articles i.e. Mrs. John Smith and not Mary Smith. In the United States, a woman's maiden name was gone after marriage until it sometimes appeared in an obituary. And until our more recent history, women didn't own land, vote, serve in the military, or work outside the home or farm. It can be a real challenge to find interesting or detailed information about our female ancestors.

Caterina Lundblad was born on October 3, 1823, on Stromskullen farm in Malexander Parish to the soldier Carl Johan Lundblad (1793-1841) and his wife Maria Andersdotter (1793-1838).

Catarina Carlsdotter from Stromskullen born October 3, christened October 5, 1823. Parents Life grenadier Lundblad and wife Maria Andersdotter

Carl was born to the unwed mother Ingeborg Ingedotter. His military record states that he represented the Skarlunda rote, serving as a "life grenadier" in Omberg Company. A grenadier was originally a soldier armed with hand grenades. The grenadier first fired his musket and then he would light the fuse of the grenade and throw it, a seemingly dangerous job. By the time Carl Lundblad was in the military, though, a life grenadier was simply a part of an infantry unit. Carl was 173 cm tall (just under 5'7" tall) and was in the military from 1813 until his death in 1841.

Carl's service included time in both Germany and in Norway from 1813-1814. And on a closer look at Swedish military history at that time, it appears that Sweden fought a major battle in Germany in 1813, and in 1814 was at war briefly with Norway, both of which were victories for Sweden. It is likely that Carl saw action in both of these countries.

Carl and Maria married on October 19, 1815, in Malexander Parish, and had three children:

• Maria, born on September 24, 1816; 
• Anders, born on September 21, 1819; 
• Catarina, born on October 3, 1823.

In Sweden during the early 1800's, it was normal for young boys and girls to make their own way, often leaving their family farm in their early teens to work as a servant or farm laborer. Sometimes family circumstances rushed children into their independence. In Catarina's case, her mother Maria died in 1838 and Carl remarried in 1839; shortly after, each of the 3 children left. Katerina/Catherina was just 16 years old, now working on various farms through Ostergotland county. In the clerical surveys, she is noted as "Catherina Carlsdotter" or "Katerina Lundblad" or "Carin Lundblad" or other variations of these. In order to make certain I am following the correct person, I always verify the birth date, birth location, and other information available, i.e. moving in or out records, name of parents or siblings.

It's interesting to note that, when Gus' father Olaus Fredericsson died, and his mother remarried, Gus and his siblings also started working on various farms. In Gus' case, he was just 9 the first time he is seen working as a farm laborer.

Catarina's father, the soldier Carl Johan Lundblad, died just two years after remarrying, passing on August 17, 1841, of a stroke, at the age of 47. In his probate, completed just one week after his death, it's clear that Carl had not amassed any wealth. And, as was the practice in Sweden at this time, the widow received half the estate, the children the other half, with boys receiving twice what girls received. None of the children became any better off financially from the proceeds.

Catarina and Gus met and married in Vastra Ryd Parish in Ostergotland County on February 18, 1851. Catherina was 5 1/2 years older than Gus. Their first child, Johan August, was born on August 30, 1851.  On April 11, 1853, Gus, Catarina and Johan set off for the United States, to join Gus' brothers John and Peter in Iowa, arriving in Boston August 10, 1853. On the passenger list for the Bark Christina from Gothenburg, Gustus is listed as Ustaf Olson, age 24, farmer; along with wife Catherine, age 29; and son John August, age 1.

Catarina was nearing 30 years of age when she left Sweden with her husband and son for the unknown. Her parents were both deceased; she was separated from her two siblings; she had worked for years as a servant girl until meeting and marrying Gus.  The clerical survey notations for both Gus and Catarina as they prepared to move to America in 1853 were that he was honest and there were no complaints and that she was honest and steady.

Gus and Catarina would have no opportunities to own property in Sweden, no parents on whom to rely. But what would they find when they arrived in Iowa? The hope of a better life drove them to make the arduous trip in Steerage, a most inhumane condition where people were crammed into tight quarters below deck with no food and little air. But would they find the better life that they dreamed of? Would the trip be worth the risk?

Gus had two brothers waiting for him and his family, but Catarina had no one. No one in a country where the customs and the language were different from her own. No one in a prairie state where her nearest neighbor might be miles away. Would either of her siblings join her in Iowa? Would Catarina be able to find happiness in this new place called Iowa?

Next week's post will look at Catarina in her new country.

A Follow-up to the Family Story

One of the parts of my genealogy hobby I've enjoyed over the years is the camaraderie there is among family researchers, no matter what the level of expertise. Everyone has something to add; everyone has a photo or story or first-hand knowledge to add to the family history.

I've been fortunate over the years to find people descended from the siblings of Olof Olofson, to have exchanged information with people descended from the Linns, to have found people willing to do a look-up in a local library or archive for me, often at no cost. Just to be helpful. And I've been sent copies of photos that I never would have had without the generosity of other people.

And sometimes, one story, one ancestor, can inspire a person to find that bit of information or to follow up on a person's life, to find their grave, or a photo, or a land record, or a will. I've truly enjoyed having people pass in and out of my life, sometimes for just a brief time to exchange information or answer a question. And a few people have become friends.

The John Linn family story post from 2 weeks ago inspired additional help from two sources, my brother Myron, and a webmaster for the Polk County Genweb site.

I first corresponded with the webmaster a couple of weeks ago, asking if she might know where the dam would have been built in 1852-53 or where the hill might be located. This was a part of her answer: " I'm wondering if the hill in your records is Sherman Hill where Iowa Methodist Medical Center is.... It could also possibly be where Woodland Heights and Woodland Cemetery are."

She sent a link to google maps where she thought the dam would have been located, and it turned out to be at the end of Center Street. This was the impetus for my looking more closely at the area, learning about the flooding and then the need for dams at various points along the Des Moines river. Looking more closely at the maps led me to follow Center Street west where it became clear that Sherman Hill might just be the hilly area referred to in the land offer to John Linn.

That was my best guess for the blog two weeks ago. And then, entered Myron.

He works with an attorney who has a map of Des Moines from 1871 hanging on his wall. Below is a copy of that map:

Des Moines in 1871 - dam in middle of page

In case you cannot enlarge or see the dam itself, I've cropped a portion of it and added it below where the "dam" is clearly marked.

Center Street Dam across Des Moines River

To the west of the Des Moines River and Center Street Dam, Center Street would have run through the middle of Sherman Hill, a hilly area of Des Moines where, in the 1870's and later, large, stately homes were built, just what Mr. Z. Hill had said would happen.

Area on left designated as Sherman Hill with Center Street cutting through, originating in the 1800's at the Des Moines River

With this additional help, I feel more certain that the dam John Linn worked on was, in fact, the Center Street Dam, and the land he was offered was located in Sherman Hill, not far west of the dam.

I love being a family history detective, and I'm so very grateful for the help I've gotten over the years to find more information about our ancestors. If you have a piece of family history, no matter how small, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, will you please share it? A copy. A photograph. A letter or will. A postcard or odd piece of china. All of it is a hint. Every item is a piece of the puzzle. And I promise to share what I have through this blog.

A Swedish Soldier

Last fall I decided to put together what I know about my military ancestors, those who served in the Czech Republic, Sweden, and the United States. There were over 25 of them, serving their country during times of war and peace. Periodically, I will include one of our Swedish soldiers in my blog.

In Sweden, after 1692, the soldier allotment system worked this way: A number of farms made up a rote, and each rote was responsible for one soldier. The farms had to recruit the soldier, give him and his family a cottage and piece of land, and pay a salary. During peace time, the soldier would do military exercises with his regiment and be called upon to provide other duties. In times of war, his family and farm were taken care of while he was gone. If the soldier died, the soldier’s family had to move to make room for the next soldier. And when the soldier retired, he and his family immediately left the farm.

One of my Swedish military ancestors was my 4^th great grandfather, Martin Hedberg. He was the great-grandfather to Olivia and Brita Rask (Olofson). Martin was born to the soldier Olof Boman and his wife, Anna Martensdotter on February 4, 1745, in Bollnas Parish in Gavleborg County.

Having researched my family history for over 40 years, I know that not every person lives up to the ideals we might hope for or live the kind of life we might imagine. Often, their lives have both positive and negative parts to them, the ups and downs of life. Martin was one of those ancestors.

Without a full history, complete explanations and details, it's difficult to know when the few facts available lead to an accurate assessment of a person. I don’t have exact dates when Martin served as a soldier. It’s my guess that he was discharged or retired by the 1783-1786 clerical survey when we see Martin moving several times, from farm to farm, within Bollnas Parish. He did not have papers that allowed him to move, was not able to pass the yearly clerical examination given by the parish priest, could not read, did not know the Bible or was able to recite anything he was asked. Because of these shortcomings, Martin Hedberg was sent to work at a fortress in 1786, probably Fredriksskans in Gavle to work at hard labor. It would have been similar to a prison.

Fredriksskans Fortress

Fredriksskans fortress was erected on a small island on a fjord and was originally used as a fort for protection of the area, but later became a prison. Martin was there from 1786 but would have been out by 1789 as he fathered a child then.

By 1798, Martin was living with Ella Palsdotter and their illegitimate children. Anna (born 1789) and Olof (born 1792). Martin is noted as being a discharged soldier in the clerical survey. To date, I've never found a marriage record for Martin and Ella, and their children were always listed as oäkta or illegitimate.

Martin’s death record states that he was a retired guard, receiving a pension from the military. He died on April 30, 1807, at the age of 62.

It's important to note that, in Sweden, under the Lutheran Church, the yearly clerical surveys conducted by the parish priest were taken very seriously. These examinations helped the Lutheran State Church in its responsibility to keep track of its people. They also served as an opportunity to teach church doctrine, reinforce disciplinary authority (thus the punishment for Martin Hedberg), and promote a healthy society through the recording of vaccinations. Anyone who could not meet basic church requirements would have been penalized in some way.

While it's clear that Martin Hedberg honorably served his parish or rote as a soldier, he was unable to maintain a lifestyle that satisfied the state church. Perhaps he was simply poor which led him to move around and to not learn to read or study the Bible; perhaps he was defiant of the church doctrine and rules. I have no answers to the "why's" of Martin's life and the decisions he made. But we are descended from his son Olof, grandson Olof Rask, great-granddaughter Olivia Rask, and great-great granddaughter Maude Edith Olofson. For that I'm thankful.

A Family Story: Truth or Lie?

Family stories that are handed down for generations give us a richness of a person's life that almost always contain elements of heroism or fame. But they also can be completely false. When I talk with genealogy "newbies," my advice is that there is usually a grain of truth in the story but to be wary of accepting the story as complete.

One of my blog readers brought up a family story, one that many of us have heard. It goes something like this: John Linn, Gus Linn's brother, had an opportunity to buy property in what is now Des Moines, Iowa, and turned it down because he thought it was too expensive. I'll do my best using what we have and a bit of additional research to determine the veracity of this family story. But before we start, I want to say that my answer is somewhat incomplete but is the best I can do without reading several books about Polk County and Des Moines history, visiting the Iowa Genealogy Society or Historical Society, hiring a professional genealogist, or having a primary record in my files. Clearly there would be no official record of a land purchase that never happened.

I have a 17-page, single-spaced, typewritten "John Linn Diary" in my possession. Perhaps some of you do, too. As a diary, one would think it would have been written by John himself, but it is not. John is talked about in the third person, and the narrative reads more like a biography. The diary itself is not dated, but it was printed in its entirety in the Dayton Review over a 9-week period in April and May of 1891. The first installment appeared in the April 2, 1891, edition of the newspaper. The introduction to the series indicates that "With this introduction and no other apology than a confession of our inability to do the subject justice, we write the biography of Rev. John Linn." It was signed by the editor of the Dayton Review, J. G. Durrell.

On page 14, we see the reference to a potential land purchase. To set up the story, John's first wife, Brita, had died shortly after giving birth to their second child, Mary, on August 30, 1853.

John received an offer to "work in building the dam across the Des Moines river at Des Moines; and engaging Mrs. Jacobson [a neighbor] to take care of his home and children, he went down and secured work on this job at $13.00 per month. His employer, Mr. Z. Hall, was so well satisfied with him that he tried to induce him to stay with him, offering to sell him 80 acres of land on the hill west of the dam for $320 and giving him the privilege of paying for it in work, one half of his wages to be paid in cash and the other to go toward the paying for the land. Mr. Hall was a very sanguine man and assured Mr. Linn he was offering him an opportunity to secure an independent fortune; that the state capitol would someday be located in Des Moines and that railroads would be built there. Mr. Linn was incredulous. To him those barren hills from which Mr. Hall had taken timber for his dam and from which the garrison had built their huts and supplied themselves with fuel had no charms. He could not see the advantages at Raccoon Forks that would cause the removal of the state capitol there, or that would make her the commercial metropolis of a great state; and even if a big city should be built there whose rugged hills were not desirable for business or residence. To him the beautiful level bottom where he had chosen a home was a much better place than that recommended by Mr. Hall. He rejected the offer but Mr. Hall's prophecy has long since been fulfilled, and that eighty acres today is covered with magnificent residences and adjoins the heart of the city."

And so, perhaps there is some truth to this story. But where was the dam built in 1852-3? That would help pinpoint the hill to which the diary refers.

In 1851, torrential rains hit Iowa. To date, it is the highest recorded rainfall ever in the state: 74.5 inches in about a three-month period. You can imagine the devastation along the rivers in Iowa, trees downed, topsoil washed away, mud everywhere, and crops and entire towns destroyed. The Des Moines River, from the Mississippi to present-day Des Moines, as well as the Raccoon River tributary, were no exceptions to the flooding.

Drawing of the Des Moines River flood 1851

But by 1852 and 1853, people were once again looking at ways to improve the juncture of these rivers and to increase navigation to other parts of the state through a series of dams and to rebuild the town that would eventually be the capital of Iowa. John Linn was just one of many men hired to help with the necessary labor.

We think of Des Moines today and wonder where the dam that John worked on was and where the land that was near that dam would have been located. I cannot say with 100% certainty. But it appears to me that the dam was near where the present-day Wells Fargo Arena is, and the land John was offered was on a nearby hilly area which historically was called "Sherman Hill." (Today it is bounded roughly by 15th Street, Woodland Avenue, Martin Luther King Parkway and School Street.) The Hoyt Sherman Place, built in the 1870s, was built on that hill overlooking the city.

The exact locations might be a bit different than stated above, but I will leave that to others to review. The second important part of the question is "What was John thinking to turn down an opportunity to buy land in Des Moines?"

Here are my thoughts: We often assume that what we see today is what was evident in the past. And that's just not true. I thought that John had turned down an opportunity to buy prime land in the heart of Des Moines, but I no longer believe it is that simple. When he was offered the land, it was unattractive, floods had taken the trees, the topsoil, and left mounds of mud. How could John, or any other rational-thinking person, believe that the land along the river would EVER be valuable OR that Des Moines would become the capital? So John's decision at the time was a safe, reasoned decision. He was not willing to buy flooded land and take that risk with his two young daughters to raise. It would have been foolish at the time to buy it, knowing that Mr. Hall wanted half of John's wages paid in cash and the other to go toward paying for the land. John had gone to Des Moines, away from his two young daughters, to make money so he could return to them with money to feed, clothe, and house them, not to take a giant risk that might not have paid off in the end.

To whom then did Mr. Z Hall sell the land? Maybe to Hoyt Sherman. Maybe Mr. Hall had to hold the land, and perhaps he went bankrupt or developed the land itself. I've not found Mr. Hall in census or city directory records, and so I'm unable to tell exactly what happened with the land.

I'm not sure if my research and speculation will satisfy everyone. Below are links to several historical online papers and books that might help those who want to know more about the flood and early Des Moines or still question John Linn and his decision. I would welcome comments and thoughts that you have.

For me, I can respect that John did not take such a risk that could have put his family in jeopardy. As it turns out, after completing his employment on the dam, John then went back to Boone County to raise his two daughters, marry his second wife, Sarah (who, by the way, was the widow Mrs. Jacobson who was tending John's children while he was in Des Moines), raise her two sons, and have 5 more daughters with Sarah. He became an esteemed minister and bishop. I'd say he ended up having a pretty good life.

Weaver, James B., The Story of the “Des Moines River Lands,” The Annals of Iowa. State Historical Society of Iowa. Volume 18, No 6. 1932. 420-433. Des Moines River Lands

Hubler, Dave. "Des Moines River Navigation; Great Expectations Unfulfilled." The Annals of Iowa. State Historical Society of Iowa. Volume 39, Number 4. Spring 1968. 287-306. Des Moines River Navigation

Transportation in Iowa: A Historical Summary. Early Transportation in Iowa before Railroads. Early Transportation Before Railroads

Sherman Hill Historic District Sherman Hill

A Pastor in the Family

Because it is Easter Sunday, I thought I would write this week's post about one of our ancestors who was committed to a religious life.

Long before we acquired the LINN surname, we had the surname Smedbom. An interesting Swedish name, right?

Here is a short version of how Smedbom became Linn: Gustus (Linn) Olausson was the son of Olaus Fredricsson who was the son of Fredric Smedbom who was the son of Peter Smedbom. Peter Smedbom is my 5^th great grandfather. He and wife Sigrid Jonsdotter of Eksjo Parish in Jonkoping County had 7 children. This was an educated family, a middle-class family. Fredric, my 4^th great grandfather, was a teacher, a land owner, and a well-respected man. His two youngest siblings, Hedvig and Jons Peter, were twins. But it’s his older brother Johannes who has a more interesting story.

Johannes was born November 30, 1725, in Eksjo Parish of Jonkoping County. It was Johannes who received the highest cost for an education in this family. He studied at Uppsala University which is the oldest university in Sweden, founded in 1477. Johannes passed an examination to become a pastor in 1758. Then he went to Greifswald in Germany to earn his doctorate at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. Germany, at that time, was a Swedish territory (since the peace treaty in Westphalia that ended the devastating 30-years war in Central Europe). Peace Treaty  

There he studied to become a doctor of philosophy, graduating in 1761. Johannes is listed in a book about students from Östergötland that is scanned and available online. List of Students

When we think of college graduates in our family, I doubt that we think back to the 1700s. From my 40 years of genealogy research, I believe that Johannes Smedbom was the first college graduate in our family AND the first family member to earn a doctorate! 

Johannes married Anna Casja Hassell in 1762 They had one child, David Smedbom, born in 1769. In 1771, Johannes was ordained as pastor in Vikingstad Parish outside of Linköping, This move was to bring Johannes, Anna, and their son David close to his parents and siblings again. The appointment as pastor was a very prestigious one, and it was Johannes' plan to use his education to minister to a congregation; but he never had the chance to fulfill his dream. Just five days after his ordination, on May 15, 1771, Johannes died of extreme dehydration brought on by diarrhea.  He was just 45 years old.

The Vikingstad Church was founded in 1765-68 but the building was opened in 1785.

It's a sad ending to a life that held such promise and one that could have influenced and taught people in Vikingstad and beyond. Johannes was committed to a life of service, a life that was cut too short.