Wright County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 11 of those read), 1915

Swedish Influence

The Delaware Settlement - Part the Swedish People Have Taken in the Development of the United States - Tribute of Gol. Hans Mattson - Swedish Lutheran Churches - Swedish Evangelical Free Church - Swedish Congregational - Swedish Covenant - Prepared With the Assistance of the Rev. §. Johnson.

The first Swedish settlement in the United States dates from 1638 when there sailed into Delaware bay a man-of-war, 'Kalmar Nychel,'"' and a smaller vessel, 'Fogel Grifs,'' bearing a band of Swedish colonists. The voyage had taken over six months, owing to terrible storms, and when the colonists finally arrived they were so thankful and delighted that. they called the cape, Paradise Point. They purchased land on the west bank of the Delaware bay from the Indians for a fair price. This land stretched from Cape Henlopen to the fall near Trenton, taking in nearly all the state of Delaware and a portion of Pennsylvania. They immediately built a fortress, which they named Fort Christina, in honor of the queen. They called the new state New Sweden. Here they remained and prospered, being at peace with the Indians, who had learned to trust them on account of their fair dealings. They had brought with them from the old home the fear of God, the Bible, respect for sacred things and a striet ob. servance of the Sabbath. It has been said that no emigrants more closely resemble the Pilgrim Fathers of New England in works and faith than the Swedes. Some of these Swedish colonists eontinued to live on the banks of the Delaware, and their descendants are today among the most honored citizens of America. The man who east the deciding vote for Pennsylvania as a member of the Continental Congress in favor of the Declaration of Independence, was a Swede of Delaware, named John Morton. When the Civil war broke out General Robert Anderson, with a handful of men, bravely and ealmly met the first shock of the rebellion at Fort Sumter.

The idea of a New Sweden originated in the mind of Gustavus Adolphus, but was not carried out until after his death, when his chancellor, Axel Oxenstjerna, completed the plans. The Swedish king had intended the colony to be an asylum for the oppressed of all nations, a free state where all would have equal rights and where slavery should never exist. Trade between the white man and red men was fair and square; they always kept their word with the Indian and never cheated him. When William Penn arrived on this continent in 1662 it was the Swedish settlers and their children who received him and made him welcome to the new world. They were Penn's interpreters with the Indians. Penn did precisely as the Swedes had done, bought land of the Indians at a fair price, treated them kindly and kept faith. The Swedes had become so prosperous through their industry that in 1698 they were able to ereet a church of stone, and the city of Wilmington has now grown up around its walls. This church, known as the ''Old Swedes' Church,"' still stands, after nearly 200 years, a fitting monument to the New Sweden of Gustavus Adolphus.

Swedish immigration was not large throughout the colonial period. Since then it has increased, but it is only in the past fifty years that the influx of Swedish settlement has been great.

The first governor of New Sweden was Johan Printz of Vester Gotland, who was appointed August 15, 1642, when he was knighted. He died in 1683.

The men of Swedish stock who rendered service in the Revolutionary and Civil wars are numbered by the thousands. Among them are Admiral Dahlgren, General Robert Anderson, General Nelson, who was shot in Kentucky; General Stohlbrand, General! Vegesach, Colonel Hans Mattson, and Colonel Elfiring. Then, too, there is John Erickson, the great inventor who planned and built the ''Monitor,'' which saved the country from great peril. He was born in Sweden, son of a Swedish miner, and lived in a miner's hut in the backwoods of Sweden.

The first Swede to come to Minnesota was Jacob Falstrom, who came to the state before 1819. The first Swedish settlement in the state was commenced at Marine, Washington county, in 1850, by Oscar Roos and two other Swedes,

The Swedes have taken an important part in the development of Wright county and are now numbered among her best citizens. Their children and grandchildren are thoroughly American and are taking the places in official and business life to which they are entitled.

"Yes, it is verily true that the Seandinavian immigrants, from the early colonists of 1638 to the present time, have furnished strong hands, clear heads and loyal hearts to the republic. They have caused the wilderness to blossom like the rose; they have planted schools and churches on the hills and in the valleys; they have honestly and ably administered the affairs of town, county and state; they have helped to make wise laws for their respective commonwealths and in the halls of Congress; they have with honor and ability represented their adopted country abroad; they have sanctified the American soil by their blood, shed in freedom's cause on the battlefields of the Revolutionary and Civil wars; and though proud of their Scandinavian ancestry, they love America and American institutions as deeply and as truly as do the descendants of the Pilgrims, the starry emblems of liberty meaning as much to them as to any other citizen.

'*Therefore, the Scandinavian-American feels a certain sense of ownership in the glorious heritage of American soil, with its rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, woods and prairies, and in all its noble institutions; and he feels that the blessings which he enjoys are not his by favor or sufferance, but by right - by moral as well as civil right. For he took possession of the wilderness, endured the hardships of the pioneer, contributed his full share toward the grand results accomplished, and is in mind and heart a true and loyal American citizen."

The Swedish people have been identified with the history of Wright county since the earliest days. No large colonies located here, though sometimes quite a large group of neighbors and friends arrived at the same time. One of the first men of Swedish birth to reach the county was Christian Iistrup, who came with the surveyors in 1856. He settled near Lake Mary, in Rockford township, and quite a settlement gathered about him. The influx of Swedish people to the southwest part of the county was started in 1862, when Andrew Johnson, Swan Swanson and John Brown came with their families, from the south part of Kandiyohi county, whence they were driven by the Indians. One band of the Indians pursued these families nearly the entire distance, but the sturdy Swedes were able to elude the savages in the shelter of the Big Woods. The three families finally reached Mooers Prairie, which spreads over the towns of Stockholin and Cokato, and here they made their permanent homes. Of the adults, Mrs. Andrew Johnson is the only one still living. She resides with her son, C. W. A. Johnson, two miles south of Cokato. Seth J. Swanson, the present postmaster of Cokato, is a son of the Swanson family, and other representatives of the three families are still living in the vicinity.

QO. H. Holmberg, who lives with August Sahlberg, his son-inlaw, has probably been in Minnesota longer than any other Seandinavian living in the county, and he is one of the earliest Seandinavian arrivals still living in the state. He came to Minnesota in 1854 and to Wright county in 1867.

The greatest influx of Swedish people came to this county in the middle sixties, and several localities, expecially the southwestern part, are now oceupied almost exclusively by them.

Swedish Lutheran Churches

The Swedish Lutheran churehes in Wright county are as follows: The Swedish Lutheran church at Mooers Prairie, now called Stockholm; the Swedish Lutheran church at Cokato; the Swedish Lutheran North Crow River Church at Knapp, six miles north of Cokato; the Swedish Lutheran church at French Lake; the Swedish Lutheran Carlslund church at Buffalo; the Swedish Lutheran Swedisburg church, Marysville township, four miles north of Waverly; the Swedish Lutheran Nylonda church at Lake Mary; the Swedish Lutheran Hermon church at Granite Lake; the Swedish Lutheran St. John's church at Annandale; the Swedish Lutheran Church of Silver Creek.

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Moores Prairie. The church is situated in section 17, range 28, township 118. The services were first held in an old schoolhouse, a few rods west of the present church. Afterwards a log church building was erected a few rods southwest of the present church. The church was organized July 18, 1866, and the charter members were: Pehr Johnson Modig with family, Hallsten P. Myrman with family, Hendrick Paulsen Mygard and family, John Johnson and family, A. P. Johnson and family, Andrew Peterson and family, Andrew S. Bollman and family, John Brown and family, John Modig and family, John Forsberg and family, John Swenson and family, Hendrick Mattson and family, Erick E. Rundquist and family, Bengt N, Beckstrom and family, John U. Oslund and family, Hans Krickson and family, N. J. Mattsen and family, John Syverson Rustad and family, Ole Syverson Hauge and family, Andrew Olson and family, Pehr Hallstensen and family, John Nilson and family, Nils Pehrson and family, O. QO. Klingenberg and family,

The present church was erected 1876. To this an addition was built in 1889. The present parsonage was erected in 1891. Among the prominent members of the church may be mentioned John, Carl and Swan Eckman, J. G. Peterson, Jonas Edberg, A. G. Johnson, J. O. Chelgren, Peter Danielson, Otto Nelson, Ole Beckman, Andrew Johnson, Peter Nelson, Peter A. Johnson, A. P. Lundahl, J. C. Berquist, J. P. Anderson, and L, P. Osterberg. Rev. Jolin Nelson was the first pastor and organizer. He only served temporarily until a pastor could be stationed there. The first stationed pastor here was J. G. Lagerstrom, who took charge about the middle of the summer of 1869. He served until some time during the year of 1874. The same year P. A. Cederstrom took eharge and served until 1882. G, Peterson took charge the same year and served till 1891. Then C. B. L, Boman took charge and served until the fall of 1905. The present pastor, 8. Johnson, took charge in February, 1906.

The following members of this church have studied for the ministry and become ministers: John Ekman, lately deceased; F, M. Ekman, Moorhead, Minn.; William Ekman, Jamestown, N. ¥.; J. Moody, Fergus Falls, Minn.; Peter Peterson, Stanton, Ta.; J. E. Ship, Worthington, Minn.; Emil Chelgren, Litchfield, Minn.

Rev. 8. Johnson was born at Onsby, in the southern part of Sweden, June 4, 1860. As his parents lacked means to support the quite big family he was sent away from home at the age of nine years to earn a living. At the age of 16 he emigrated to this country. Brown county, Kansas, became his first home. Here he worked on the farm until in the spring of 1881, when he moved to Clay county, South Dakota. There he also worked on the farm until in the beginning of 1884, when he took up his studies at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn. In 1889 he entered Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill, and there he graduated from the Theological Seminary in 1892 and was ordained minister at Lindsburg, Kan., the same year. The same year he married Hannah Josephine Peterson from Swedesburg, Iowa. His first charge ag minister was St. Paul church, Minneapolis. In the spring of 1895 he was ealled to the Lutheran church at Cannon Falls, Minn. From there he moved to Lead, South Dakota, as mission pastor of the Black Hills, 1902, where he labored until in the spring of 1906, when he accepted a call to his present charge.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Cokato. From the church records it is found that a meeting was announced to be held on January 7, 1870, at the home of Nels Per- son in section 8, town of Cokato. The meeting opened at the appointed hour, 10 o'clock in the forenoon. Rev. J. G. Lagerstrom led with scripture reading and prayer. At the election of officers Rev. J. G. Lagerstrom was elected chairman and A. Johnson Hedman, secretary, After a short discussion a motion was made to organize a Swedish Evangelical Lutheran congregation. When this motion was put to a vote it was adopted unanimously. Those present who gave in their names were C. Gustafson, J. W. Hammarlund, Per Olson, 0. J. Nygren, John Beekstrom, A. Lindstrom, Lars Grek, E. J. Miller, Magnus Swanberg, N. Person, P. Johnson, I. Barba, H. Erickson, J. Carlblom, A. G. Anderson, August Johnson, Lars Anderson, A. Johnson Hedman, Peter Nelson, P. Olson, A. Swedburg, A. Olson, E. Larson, 0. Westerberg, P. Mattson, Lars Johnson, Erick Johnson, P. Haggberg, C. Lundberg, J. H. Johnson, A. Petterson, Isak Isakson, Halvar Johnson and Johannes Synerson. How many of these charter members were heads of a family at that time is impossible to say, but some were, of course. At the first meeting the Augustana Synod's motion to the congregation's constitution was adopted with a few small changes. As deacons were elected the following persons: John Beckstrom and Erick Erickson for three years, Alfred Johnson and Hans Erickson for two years, Carl Gustafson and Lars Grek for one year. As trustees Nils Person and Andrew Gunderson were elected for three years, M. Swanberg and Per Mattson for two years and J. G, Carlblom and Andrew Smedberg for one year. They discussed lastly where the most favorable place was for the erection of a church. A few thought it should be built in seetion 5, others thought that an understanding could be made with Mooers' Prairie congregation and build a church near the railway station in Cokate. The majority was favorable to the latter move, and resolution was adopted that this congregation in friendly manner request the congregation at Mooers' Prairie, that as soon as possible they hold a business meeting for the purpose of determining if an agreement could be made to build a united church in section 33, If an understanding could not be reached whereby to build a church together it was resolved that the place for this congregation's church would be in section 5, At the business meeting which was held at the house of Nils Person in section 8 on February 19, 1870, it was resolved: First, That the association with Mooers Prairie regarding church building could not be accomplished and that the resolution adopted at the foregoing meeting be reconsidered and the place for this congregation's coming church be located near the railway station at Cokato. Seeond, That the congregation ask for admittance to the Augustana Synod. Third, That a business meeting be held on March 4 at the home of Per Paulson in section 33 to consider plans for the proposed church construction. Fourth, That a committee on building be named to see to location and to propose the cost of the ehurech. This committee was composed of M. Swanberg, J. G, Carlblom, A. Smedberg and C. Gustafson.

The church records show that the first subseription to the building fund was begun and continued with great enthusiasio and liberality. At the same meeting it was resolyed: First, That the congregation build a church at onee. Seeond, That the chureh be built of wood 50 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 18 feet high, Third, The committee, named at the previous meeting, be added to by the addition of P. O. Dahlgren, Wendwick Person and Benet Beckstrom, and that they continue with the work and with their best intelligence arrange with that which coneerns the said ehurch building. The congregation also accepted with thanks the offer and promise of Sam Jenks to donate sufficient site for the chureh near Cokato station, In 1872 the congregation secured its own pastor when Rev. Fr. Peterson accepted the call tendered him, Rev. Fr. Peterson served until in the fall of 1876, when Rev. L, A. Hoeanzon accepted the call. He moved here in the sumuier of 1877 and served until the spring of 1883. During his time a parsonage was built, 1879. Rev. J. A. Levine accepted the eall and moved here in June, 1883, He remained here 21 years, or until the fall of 1904. The first church was remodeled and moved to Lee's addition, 1886; so was also the old parsonage sold and a new one built of brick in 1887. Rev. J. B. Bennett came here 1905 and served until 1907. During his time the Young People's Society was organized and also a men's society for the purpose of raising funds for a new church. In 1908 Rey. C, A. Barr, of Welch, Minn., was tendered a eall. He aceepted and moved here in June. During the summer of 1909 a committee was nameil to see to plans and specifications for a new church or for repairing the old. This committee was composed of Rev. C. A. Barr, C. R. Peterson, P, Hannberg, A. Swanberg, A. E. Olson, N. Frederickson, E. R. Cariblom, A. P. Peterson, S. O. Westerlund and Frank Swanson. On April 10 it was decided to build a new chureh of briek, according to plans of Architeet Edvins. On August 2 the cornerstone was placed for the new massive structure, and on Christmas morning the congregation had the pleasure of meeting in the basement for the first services. September 18, 1910, the chureh was dedicated without debt. The church is 56 feet long and 45 feet wide and the side walls are 24 feet high. The side addition or chapel with the library is 43 feet long and 32 feet wide, The steeple is 97 feet high. The cost is $21,000. The congregation numbers 620, of which 420 are communicants. Its properties are worth $27,500. (By C. A. Barr, pastor.)

The Swedish Lutheran Church in Buffalo was organized 1866 in the house of Swan Erickson, the only one who then had an ordinary house. The other people lived in shanties.

In 1856, when the surveys were made, Christian Tsirup was with the surveyors, and was attracted by the vicinity of Lake Mary. In 1857 he returned and took a claim on the southeast quarter of section 7, township 119, range 25. His brother, Abraham, took a claim adjoining on the east, and another brother, Simon, took a elaim on the north side in section 6. They were the pioneers in this part of the town. In 1866 and 1867 came Nils Bonstrom, John Hoagland, Nils Anderson, John Johnson, John Carlson, Ole Peterson and many other Seandinavians. Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 18, in what is new the northwestern part of Roekford township, were nearly all settled by them. Many bought land in the odd-numbered sections which belonged to the railroad, while many homesteaded land in the even-numbered sections. These people were nearly all Lutherans.

The first church was a log house. In 1887 a new church was built on the same place, two miles from town, and this was the greatest mistake the congregation has ever made. Some years later another church was built in town, so the congregation has two churches, which has been and is a detriment for the progress of this congregation. Otherwise the congregation would have been three times as large as it now is. The ministers who have served the congregation are: J. 5. Nelson, E. Norsin, T. A. Werner, A. J. Ryden, E. Rehner, and KE. 8. Ternberg.

The Swedish Lutheran Church in Marysville township was organized 1873 in the house of J. M. Peterson. Among the organizers were: J. 8, Nelson, J. M. Peterson, G. P. Mattson, P. Mattson. The first trustees were E. Olson, E. Mattson and J. P. Larson. A small log house was built as a chureh; in 1893 a fine edifice of brick was erected. This congregation has been a blessing for many in the community. The same ministers who have served the congregation in Buffalo have served this one,

The Swedish Lutheran St. John's Church of Annandale was organized in the year 1886 by Rev. P. A. Wenner with 57 members, of which thirty were communicants, In 1890 a church was built in the village of Annandale. The present membership is 156, of whom 100 are communicants. The congregation was at first served by the pastors of North Crow River and French Lake, but it is now united with Hermon and Nylunda in one pastorate. The following have served as pastors: P. A. Wenner, Gustaf Peterson, BE. Norsen, B. O. Berg, A. J. Elmer, Olof Wallin, Mattias Peterson and Alex Sand, the present pastor.

The Swedish Lutheran Nylunda Church at Lake Mary, in Victor township, was organized in 1876 by Rev. Jonas Alm, of Watertown, with 70 members, of whom 44 were communicants. A church was built in section 36 of Victor township, which was replaced by the present brick building in the year 1900. The present membership is 56, of whom 40 are communicants. The fol- lowing have served as pastors: Jonas Alm, J. S. Nelson, B. O. Berg, A. J. Elmer, Olof Wallin, Mattias Peterson and Alex Sand, the present pastor.

The Swedish Lutheran Hermon Church was organized in 1880 by Rev. J. S. Nelson with 86 members, of whom 46 were communicants. In 1889 two churches were built, the principal one in section 28 of Albion township, and a chapel in section 2 of Middleville. The present membership is 137, of whom 99 are communicants. The congregation owns a parsonage near the chureh at Albion jointly with the Nylunda church. The following have served as pastors: J. S. Nelson, B. O. Berg, A. J. Elmer, Olof Wallin, Mattias Peterson and Alex Sand, the present pastor.

Swedish Evangelical Free

The Swedish Evangelical Free Church, also variously known as the Scandinavian Free Church, the Free Swedish Mission and the Free Mission church, is represented at Buffalo, Albion, Silver Creek and Lamson.

Scandinavian Free Church of Buffalo. The first meetings of this church were held in 1892. The church was regularly organized October 4, 1899, and the church edifice erected that year. An addition was built in 1909, The pastors have been: Frank Lindberg, William Melen, Oskar Anderson, Carl I. Lindberg and Nath. Carlson.

Rev. Nath. Carlson was born in Sweden, in 1879, and received his higher education in the Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Towa, and the Swedish Bible Institute, then of Chicago, now of Minneapolis. In 1898 he entered the ministry. Before taking the pastorate of the Scandinavian Free Church of Buffalo, in November, 1914, his field of work was in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.

Swedish Evangelical Free Church of Delano. Rev. E. F. Clover, pastor of the church of this denomination at Watertown, writes: ''It is difficult to give a history of the Swedish Mission at Delano, as the work at that place has never been an organized mission movement. There was at one time a church built for the devout Swedish people of Delano, but they never took a denominational stand, and at present it eannot be called an organized congregation. But we are in hopes of doing something along these lines in the near future."'

Swedish Baptist

The Swedish Baptist Church of Cakota was organized June 11, 1871, with nine members: Olef Hedlund, Olof and Anna Hedin, Per and Karin Anderson, Olof and Ingri Holmberg, Nils and Mary Peterson. Early services were held at the homes of the charter members by missionary preachers. The first church was erected about 1873 or 1874. The present church and parsonage were built in 1897. In the early days of its existence, the church purchased grounds for a cemetery in section 22. The pastors of the church have been: 1874-79, O. S. Lindberg; 1879-82, J. Fogelstrom; 1882-84, P. Sten; 1884-86, 0. S. Lindberg; 1887-91, P. Sten; 1891-92, Paul Johnson; 1892-94, P. Sten; 1894-97, John J. Johnson; 1897-99, Magnus Berglund; 1899-1906, O. 8. Lindberg; 1907- 10, J. D. Nylin; 1910-13, J. W. Hjertstrom ; 1913, Hj. Mossberg.