Omaha daily bee., 1893-12-17

Omaha n small party, in whose veins flowed
the old Viking blood. consisting of Andrew
Paimquist, Alfred Wahlstrom, William >.
Johnson and John Elfstrand. This party Sc
cured u boat and launched it on the muddy
waters of the Missouri. 1t was not in their
nature to float with the current, theirs was
TO row against the stream, which they
did until the Omaha reservation was reached,
where they found the aforementioned
pioneers at work.
From the glowing accounts given OF the
land around Oakland these Vikings forsook
their boat and proceeded inland and selected
their homesteads.
They became prosperous farmers of Burt
county, where they still remain, except Mr..
Wahlstrom, who has removed to Gothen-
burg, this state.
In 1867 the settlement received further ac-
cessions in John Peter Nelson, e. M. Mag
nusSon, Jacob Hanson and Peter Wangberg,
the two latter being Norwegians.
In the spring of 1865 the settlement was
reinforced by the following new arrivals, /.
e.: Samuel and William Fried, Oscar Sam
uelson, Andrew and Charles Bcckman, Swan
Olson and p. j. Johnson, all of whom are
either prosperous farmers or leading and
successful business men. Mr.. A. Beckman
is the president of the First National bank,
and was the democratic candidate for state
treasurer in 1892.
In the year 1867 A. M. Peterson, from
| DeKalb, ILL.,, settled in the east part of Cum
ing county, directly west of Oakland, and
around him settled Alfred Wahlstrom, Swan
| Olson, Charles Anderson and others. This be-
came the nucleus of another prosperous Swed-
ish settlement, that in a short time grew
until it united with the Oakland settlement,
and which at the present time forms n con
tinuous Swedish settlement from Swaburg,
in Dodge county, then running north and en-
bracing the west half of Burt courty, the
east half of Cunning, and continuing north
almost without a break until IL reaches the
new Swedish settlement in Knox county.
MIR. Peterson is another living and strik-
ing example of what can be accomplished
through farming in Nebraska. He, as well
as his neighbors, has made a success at
farming. He represented his district in
the Legislative session of 1881 and has served
one term as county treasurer. His son, G.
A. Peterson, is a leading merchant of OAK
land.
AS other examples Of what can be accom-,
plished at farming in Nebraska by hard
labor. good management and economy, | will
cite the following proofs: Ct, w. Engdahl,
William Erickson, John A. Peterson and
Swan Peterson all came 10 Nebraska poor II
purse but rich in muscle and a determine
ton 10 overcome all the trials and Difficult
ties of pioneer life. They are now the
owners, some of them, of 800 acres of land
well stocked with high grade cattle, horse;
and hogs, besides good bank accounts, anc
worth individually from 5000 to $50, 900,
Personal "Reminiscences.
Jonas M. johnson is another Nebrask;
pioneer. He cam to Omaha in 1867 anC
found work for a while in a brick ard
Afterward he took a homestead seven mile
east of Fremont, which was then only
very small village. The postofiice was KEEP
in a small shanty and Uncle Sans buslnes
was contained in u dry goods box standing ol
a sort of n counter. In one corner of tn
shanty was a barrel of whisky, the content
doled out free to those who brought 10 WOO,
and ties TO the contractor who furnished tn
railroad company. Pete Anderson was th
first Swede in Fremont. the only capita
Nh. johnson had when he landed in Ne
braska was n good supply of clothing, as h
had followed tailoring in the old country
but one day. while out in the timber cuttin
wood. the shanty in which he boarde
caught fire and his stock of clothing was re
duced to ashes. Notwithstanding, MIR. Johr
son is now the owner of 800 acres of goo
land in Burt county, where he has reside
since ISL.
John Mogissen arrived in Burt count
direct from Sweden in 1868 and HON,
steaded section 20, township 20, rang
8, but being out of money TO live on went l
Omaha. and for q year and a half worked a
whatever he could find to do, When h
arrived in New York his funds were eI
haus,od aud he had TO borrow money sui
fcient to reach Omaha. He is now IN
owner of 400 acres of va4uab bic land wit
good improvements thereon and well Stoke
besides.
Oliver Hegglund, who came TO Bul
county in 1861, and where he still reside
! and is the owner Of Q fine farm of 200 acre