Omaha daily bee., 1893-12-17

we'll improved and well stocked, has a fund
Of experience in his lifes journey from
which an interesting novel could easily be
spun. He commenced life early as a sailor,
making several voyages around the world,
visiting the shores of America as early as
1875. In lS49 the ship on which he was then
sailing touched the shore at California,
where the gold fever was at its height.
This subject OF our sketch caught the infec-
ton and left the ship and sought the gold
diggings, followed its varying success for
eighteen months, when, hearing of the new
gold discoveries In Australia, he went to
that distant country and there delved for
gold for one year, when the mine in which
he work caved in and he was seriously in
jured. He found his way back to Sweden.
where he remained a cripple in a hospital
for several years. In 1860 he had recovered
sufficiently to start for America once more,
landing in the southern states. He found
work there until the war closed. Peace de-
clared he returned to Sweden for his
family, and returned in 1865 and made his
first home in Monona county, Iowa.
Builders OF Churches.
Here, as elsewhere in our Swedish settle
ments, no sooner had the homesteader a roof
over his own home than he bethought HIM
self of building a church for the worship of
the Most High.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church
OF Oakland was organized the 9th day of
May, 1869, Rev. S. G.. Larson chairman and
L CNN - -" y ; aHo IN iotioN-
ing were the first officers: Deacons, Andrew
M. Peterson, Peter Nelson, John G. Sand
quist, Andrew Beckman, Gustof Wahlstrom
and A. u. Anderson. Trustees, Andrew M.
Peterson, John Oak and Jonas Peterson.
The first church building was erected
west of the railroad track in 1873. size 3Ox42
feet, with a tower projection of Sx20 feet. In
1857 the church was moved to its present 10.
cation it was struck by lightning and con-
sumed during the night between the goth
and 2lst OF July, 1892.
The new church was commenced August,
1892, finished August, 1893, dedicated Sep
TENDER 5, 1898, size, extremes 43xS6 feet
from gable to gable, 43x10 feet; auditorium,
SSX6S; height of basement, IL feet; audi
torium, % feet steeple. ll5 feet; built of
brick and cost Sl3, 300, which includes bell
seats and organ.
The membership is over 800, and an ele-
CANT and roomy parsonage is built on the
next block east of the church. Rev. +. N.
Swanberg is the present popular and tai
ented pastor.
The Swedish Baptist church was organ
lied in 1870 and the first organizers were
Swan Olson, A. G.. Anderson, p. G. johnson,
Andrew Palmquist, Adolph Palmquist and
John p. Anderson.
The church was built in 1879, being among
the very first buildings erected in Oakland
The congregation also owns a good parson-
age with five lots. Rev. l.. Johanson has been
the pastor since 1883, which is his bes,
recommendation.
The Mission union was organized in 1855 at
Oakland, but an organization had been in
existence for seven years prior to that date
oyerin the west settlement. The organ
lzers at Oakland We're: Peter n. Nelson,
John Nelson, Gustof Johnson, William
Oberg, F.. Gustafson ard Edward Anderson.
The church was built in 1885, and a new
parsonage has just been completed. Rev. j
Hedlund is the present pastor.
The Methodists have a very fourishinl
church in the west settlement, and the
Mission union has another church sever
miles south of Oakland, and the Luth erau.
one in the Swaburg settlement.
Oakland.
The flourishing and beautiful town of Oak
land is the direct result of this prosperou:
settlement. Three-fourths of its business
men are Swedes or their descendants. TIL,
town s~ustains three financially solid banks
and at our visit, about two months ago, tn,
three banks held over $500 600 in deposits
rs per cent of which was owned by the farm
ers. The pane at no time even created
ripple at Oakland.
Oakland can boast of one of the finest an,
best arranged high school buildings in tn
state, outside of our large cities. IL COS
only Sl2, 900 with its admirable heating ap
paratus.
But MS my article has already stretche,
beyond newspaper limits | must forego an,
further notice OF Oakland and its enterpris
ing business men.