THE BEGINNING OF 2023

 Happy New Year, Friends and Family!  With a redundant "new beginnings," it's time to see what else can be uncovered about our mutual ancestors. I often receive questions about the WHY. Why did our family leave? Why did they come to the United States? And why did they settle where they did?

Rarely do we have diaries and letters and newspapers to give us all the answers. But we can piece together some logical reasons for our ancestors' moves. 

As we have discussed in prior posts, often religious freedoms, forced conscription, inability to purchase land had a great deal to do with PUSHING our ancestors out of their home country. The PULL to the United States and to a specific area often had to do with being able to purchase cheap land, religious freedom, and the ability to settle in communities made up of other ethnic friends and relatives who had paved the way and had written to their homeland about this beautiful new land. Below are just a few of our Swedish ancestors and their likely reason for settling where they did.

Who or What was Waiting for our Ancestors when they came to the Midwest?

Why did Olof Olsson and Kerstin Larsdotter settle initially in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin?

An early settler to Wisconsin, Gustaf Unonious, came to the US in 1841, arriving with a small Swedish group in NY, and making their way west, much as John Linn had in 1848. But instead of staying onboard to Iowa, the group, headed by Unonious, disembarked in Milwaukee. The group settled near Pine Lake, and, through great hardships, created a place called New Uppsala. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Upsala,_Wisconsin) Unonious was called to become a minister, and, in 1845 was sent to Manitowoc to take over a congregation there. With glowing letters being sent to Sweden, often published in newspapers, it is likely that Olof Olsson and Kerstin Larsdotter learned of Manitowoc and the growing Swedish population there and decided to make their way to Wisconsin in 1850 where land was plentiful.

Why did Erick Lundgren come to Iowa?

Erick was born in Amots Bruk in Gavleborg County on 18 June 1818. He married Elizabeth Olsdotter and, together with their son Olof, came to the United States in 1869, settling in Swede Bend. By 1869, the pull for Swedes to come to America was strong; yet, it would still be difficult to learn a new language and to buy farm land without knowing others. Who else in our family was from Amot? The Barquists.  John Barquist, Sr., his wife Marget, and 6 children lived in the Swede Bend area and had been in Iowa since 1857, making them the ideal friends for the Lundgrens to settle nearby.

 

Why did Anders Lundblad come to Iowa?

In this case, Anders’ immigration to Iowa is related directly to the arrival of his sister Katrina Lundblad and her husband Gustus Linn in 1852. Anders, his wife Maria, and 6 children made the long trip to the United States and to the Pilot Mound area in 1857 where they found Katarina and Gus, willing to house them and help them settle.

 

Why did Gustaf Challgren come to Iowa?

Starting in the mid-1800s, groups of Swedes traveled across the ocean to New York and made the very long trek to the Midwest. In Illinois, religious groups such as the Swedish Jansonites settled in Bishop Hill and Gevle, Illinois; others moved along to Iowa and Minnesota. Gustaf Kjellstrom/Challgren stopped in Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois, in 1868, not far from the Bishop Hill cult settlement. Ingrid, however, came much later, in 1873, settling also in Princeton. Gustaf and Ingrid married in 1874. While I’m unsure if they had any affiliation with the Jansonites, no doubt life would have been easier with other Swedes to guide them. Five children were born to this couple in Illinois before they moved farther West to the Gowrie, Webster County, area, where there was a large Swedish group of settlers, land was plentiful, and where they had 2 more children.

 

I hope that you will continue to read this blog and that you will send questions you have about our Swedish ancestors. If I don't have an answer, I'll be researching to find one!

Catherine's Older Brother

Until I started this blog, I hadn't looked at Anders Lundblad very closely other than locating his birth and death and his marriage to Anna, plus a few details about their children. But after writing about Catherine and involving Andrew a bit in her story, off I went to find out more about him and his family. And a large family it was!

The only son of Carl Johan Lundblad and his wife Maria Andersdotter, Anders Carlsson (later known as Andrew Lundblad) was born on Saxebacken farm in Malexander Parish on September 21, 1819.

In the postings about his sister Catherine, we know that Anders left home when his father remarried, working as a laborer on various farms in Malexander Parish. He met Anna Catharina Johansdotter whom he married on December 27, 1844.

The couple had the following children in Sweden:

·         Anders Johan Alfred Lundblad (later known as Alfred), born August 6, 1845;
·         Carl August Lundblad (later known as Charles), born March 25, 1848;
·         Anna Charlotta Lundblad (known later as Charlotte), born May 14, 1850;
·         Hedda Matilda Lundblad, born July 12, 1852, and died March 17, 1856;
·         Maria Lovisa Lundblad (known later as Louisa), born July 19, 1854;
·         Gustaf Melker Lundblad, born June 20, 1856, and died April 14, 1857.

As we learned from the post two weeks ago, Andrew Lundblad and his family immigrated to the United States in 1857. We see them in the moving out records to North America on April 14, 1857. Does that date mean something? When we look at the date 9-month old Gustaf Melker died, they are the same. I had to look several times at the records to be certain I had it right. And I did. When I reviewed Gustaf’s death record, I see that he was buried on April 26, days after the rest of his family had left for North America.

As usual in genealogy research, one item often brings up additional questions or confusion. But I remind myself that the lives our ancestors lived were not the same as those we live today. Were the wheels in motion for sailing before Gustaf died? Tickets purchased? Travel arrangements made? If so, there was little choice this family had but to leave when scheduled. And one other thought: Today we have hospitals and doctors and medicine and tests that reduce child mortality tremendously. But it was not unusual for families to lose several children to what seems to us to be simple diseases. In this case, Gustaf contracted pneumonia, and his 9-month old body could not overcome that. It was just a very sad fact of life.

There was no time for grief. No time to bury their son. And so, Andrew and Anna Lundblad, along with their two surviving sons and two daughters, sailed in steerage for North America, arriving in Boston on July 3, 1857. Once settled in Pilot Mound, near his sister Catherine and her husband Gus Linn, they had more children:

·         Augusta Lundblad, born July 27, 1859;

·         Anna Julia Lundblad, born July 23, 1861;

·         Henrik Julius Lundblad, born July 28, 1866;

·         Edward Lundblad, born in 1868;

·         Maria Lundblad, no birth date known

·         William Lundblad, no birth date known but he died August 22, 1869.

Just like Gus and Catherine, Andrew did well for himself in this new country. He became a citizen and owned his own farm. In the 1870 Federal Agriculture Schedule, we see that the family owned 160 improved acres, 10 unimproved, worth $5,000 total. Machinery and farm implements totaled $250. They owned 8 horses, 7 milch cows, 6 working oxen, 13 other cattle, 11 sheep, 16 swine. They had 750 bushels of spring wheat and 3,000 bushels of Indian corn, in addition to other produce.

Looking at this family over the next several years, I find no news articles other than the usual "newsy, homey" kinds of articles about visiting neighbors or going to town. They led a quiet life, but one that clearly centered around their children. 

ARTICLE FROM DES MOINES REGISTER, JAN 5, 1905: Their 60th Wedding Anniversary
PILOT MOUND, IOWA Jan 5 several relatives and kind admiring friends met at the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Lundblad on Tuesday, December 27, to assist them in celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

Mr. and Mrs. Lundblad are pioneer settlers in this vicinity, coming to this country from Sweden in the early days and when the country was almost a wilderness, enduring all the hardships imminent to the life of a new country, and with the patience, determination, perseverance, bent all their energies to build up the happy home they now enjoy, surrounded by scores of kind friends and acquaintances.

It has been the writer's privilege to live a near neighbor to this illustrious couple for many years and they have always been ready to grant any favor of accommodation in their power. Many are the kind deeds that can be attributed to their willing hands, many the kind and encouraging words spoken by them to cheer, comfort and encourage their friends in diistress and trouble.

This venerable couple have seven children to comfort them in their declining years. Alfred Lundblad, Mrs. Charlotte Peterson and Mrs. Augusta Bergendahl living in Pilot Mound Township, C. A. Lundblad, Mrs. Mary L. Nelson and Miss Julia Lundblad, living in Dayton, Iowa, and Henry Lundblad, who lives near Laurens, Iowa.

Ten years ago this couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. At that time there were present seven children, twenty-three grandchildren and many friends. They now have twenty-eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

While this couple is quite aged, they are enjoying reasonably good health. Mrs. Lundblad doing her own housework, and Mr. Lundblad does light work and his own chores, while when the weather is fine, they drive eight miles to church.

Heaven has bounteously lengthened out the lives of this venerable couple and their many friends pray that the Father of all mercies will smile on their declining years and bless them.

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UNSOURCED INFORMATION: In 1894 Andrew and Anna celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. The Dayton Lutheran Church presented him with a gold headed cane and her with a gold band ring. After his death the cane went in turn to Alfred, Charlie and Henry and now is with Henry's son, Frank. The ring is with Charlotte's daughter, Callie Huglin.

NOTE: Wouldn't it be fun to see those two items? I hope they are still in their family.

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Anna Lundblad died on January 18, 1907, at age 82 and is buried in the Linn Cemetery. Husband Andrew Lundblad died a year later on February 23, 1908, at age 88 and is also buried at the Linn Cemetery.

Andrew, Catherine, and Maria, the three siblings, all died at the age of 88. An amazing fact!

Obituary in Dayton Review, January 31, 1907,
page 4

Obituary in Dayton Review, March 5, 1908,
page 1

More on Catherine Lundblad Linn

It took nearly 4 months for Gus, Catherine, and John August to make their long trip to Boston in 1853 and then to Iowa. From Boston, it's likely that the trio would have used several modes of transportation to Iowa: the train to Chicago, then perhaps by wagon train or foot to Keokuk, Iowa, where they would have traveled by boat up the Des Moines River.

I can't imagine how very difficult this weeks-long voyage in steerage was, followed by the long trek to Iowa, for Catherine and Gus with their young son. They would have traveled with others from Sweden, perhaps someone who could translate or help with difficulties that surely came up.

Catherine, Gus, and John, arrived in Iowa and within 3 years, Gus had taken out his naturalization papers (April 5, 1856) making him and his wife and son American citizens. By the 1860 US Federal Census, Gus and Catherine held real estate in Pilot Mound, Boone County, worth $750 and personal property worth $600. The family consisted of the parents, John August, William Peter, Emma Catherine, and Anna Sophia. In the US Federal Agriculture Census for the same year, they had 30 acres of improved land, 52 acres unimproved, cash value of the farm $780, $250 in farm implements and machinery. The family owned 2 horses, 2 milch cows, 2 oxen, 2 other cattle, 8 sheep, 16 swine, for a total value of livestock at $325. The family held 75 bushels of wheat, 30 bushels of rye, 350 bushels of Indian corn, 100 bushels of oats, 100 pounds of tobacco, and 14 pounds of wool. This family was working hard and living well, doing more than just surviving.

Gus and Catherine had two more children, Andrew born in 1861; and Mary, born in 1863.

And then, tragedy struck this family.

On August 24, 1862, daughter Emma died at the age of five. Then four-year old daughter Anna died on January 10, 1864. This devastating blow to the family, the deaths of two young daughters in less than two years, had to sap the strength out of both Catherine and Gustus. So why would Gustus choose to volunteer to fight in the Civil War, leaving his family, his grieving wife Catherine, mustering in 5 days before Anna's death?

It seems impossible to me that a husband and father, after losing two daughters, and in the middle of  an Iowa winter, would go, leaving Catherine and their four young children to tend the farm. I have read about Gus' true sense of patriotism for his adopted country, his appreciation for the life it had given him and his family, the opportunities he had been given to own land and make a good living to support his family. But there may be additional reasons for his going.

• Did Gus even know of Anna's death? If it were a sudden illness or accident, Gus may have been gone before Anna passed.
• There were bounties paid to those who entered the war effort in the waning days of the Civil War, even in a state such as Iowa where, because of volunteers, no one was drafted. In some cases, a man who needed money would take the place of another man. 
• It's also possible that this was how Gus dealt with his grief.

Whatever the reason, Gus was gone. Catherine was on the farm. And she didn't know if Gus was dead, alive, wounded, where he was, when or if he would return. Two daughters dead. Two sons who were still children (John, age 12 1/2; William, age 9 1/2) but of some help in operating the farm. Two other children (Andrew, age 3; Mary, age 1) who were too young to be of any help. When we look at what this family's holdings were from the 1860 Agriculture Schedule above, I am in awe of what Catherine and her children were able to do.

My hope is that Catherine had help from Gus' two brothers, John and Peter, during his absence. But there is some good news for Catherine during this time. In last week's posting, I questioned if either of Catherine's siblings might have also come to Iowa. And the answer is "yes". In 1857, brother Anders Lundblad, born in 1819, and his wife Anna, along with four children arrived in Boston, made the trip to Burlington, Iowa, where they were met by Gus who took them the rest of the way to Pilot Mound. Anders, later known as Andrew Lundblad, settled just a short distance from Gus and Catherine. His two oldest children, Alfred and Carl, were born in 1845 and 1848 and were certainly old enough to help Catherine with all she had to do in Gus' absence. And Catherine now had family there to support her.

Gus returned in July of 1865, but he was most certainly a changed man physically. His time as a POW took a toll on his body, and he was unable to be at 100% strength on the farm. Once again, we see Catherine having to shoulder a great deal, both physically and emotionally. Gus and Catherine had one more child, Charles, born in 1866, who was the subject of an earlier post.

To shorten this a bit, Catherine and Gus lived a quiet life, one of service to their family and neighbors, one of devotion to their church, one of patriotism. Once their days of farming were over, they moved to Dayton to live out their final years. Gus passed away in 1897, but Catherine lived 15 additional years, passing in 1912 at the age of 88.

Catherine Lundblad Linn

Whenever I used to look at Catherine's picture, I would think "that is one serious, stern looking woman" but looking now, after all she went through, I can see in her eyes a real softness, maybe kindness, certainly a life with challenges. In those eyes I see a woman who lost her parents at a young age, made a difficult and long journey to Iowa, a place that she didn't know. In those eyes I see the loss of her two young daughters, the stress of being alone on the farm while her husband served in the Civil War. In those blue eyes, I see how hard she worked, what a great partner she was to Gus.

Thanks for all you did, Great-great Grandma Linn, for giving those of us who follow you the life we are able to have today.

Obituary from the January 18, 1912, Dayton Review, Page 1
Errors in her birth year and location (1823; Malexander)