Omaha daily bee., 1894-03-04
THE SWEDES In NEBRASKA
Two Prosperous and Progressive Settlements
in Hamilton County.
EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF ZEAL AND GRIT
Historical Review of Pioneer Work and
What Was Achieved in Twenty-Ono
Hears-Exnmplcs of Indus
trial Thrift,
EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF ZEAL AND GRIT

ley, near the south line of the county.
Jarve Chaffee and George Hicks settled
upon section 34 township 0, range in the
month of June, 1866. Mr.. Chaffee built a
dug-out which was the first residence in
the county.
The Andreas history of Nebraska records
one George Erickson locating on section %,
on Lincoln creek, as early as 1869, but the
real Swedish immigration into the county
did not commerce before 1872. The oldest
Swedish settlement in the county is in the
northeast corner thereof and is, in fact a
continuation OF the Swede Home settlement
in Polk.
August Carlson, who lives over the line in
Polk county, was in fact the pioneer settler
in this settlement, locating on his homestead
in 1872. He came from Ottumwa la. Dur
ing the same year the following pioneer set
tiers located on their homesteads: A. p.
Johnson, who came from Coal Valley, ILL.,,
but is now living at York, owns 2iO acres;
August Anderson. from Borgholm, Ia, now
dead; August Lind, now dead
Among those who arrived in 1873 were:
S. p. Benson, from Ottumwa, Ia, who is now
a merchant in the city of York; Charles j.
Reed, from Knoxville ILL.,, Charles Swanson,
Peter Erickson, II. p. Miller from Eddy
vile, Ia, and Gustaf Carlson, from OF
tumWa, Ia.
GARDEN SPOT.
This settlement strikes the visitor as be-
ing the garden spot of the state, for a more
beautiful farming landscape the eye rarely
views. and what enhances the charming
pect is the profusion of cedar trees planted
around nearly every farm house. Three
Swedish churches in this settlement at
test their characteristic devotion to the
service of God.
Prosperity and thrift are noticeable every
where in this community, and although the
majority have not been here more than
twelve or fifteen years. they have their farms
in the highest stage of cultivation and with
good improvements. That they appreciate
the land is evidenced by their ambition to
become owners of many acres. Charles
Ostrom. who commenced his farming here
with only an OK team. is now the owner of
240 acres. Peter Erickson, who had to bor-
row money to reach Illinois with his family
from New York, and had to work at first in
digging draining bitches. is now the owner
of 900 acres, all well improved, well stocked
and in debt to no one. August Carlson. the
first settler just over the line in Polk county,
owns magnificent farm of $50 acres S. l.
Benson, one of the early settlers, as a reward
for the privations and struggles of a pioneer
life, is now the proud possessor of $50 acres
of as fine land as the sun shines upon.
Within three-fourths of mile of Mar
quette lives the thrifty and successful
farmer, Peter Hedbloom, who came to Ham
ilton county thirteen years ago not over
burdened with riches. He is now the
owner of a 320-acre farm, adorned with a
fine residence, barns and outhouses to
match, a large orchard surrounded with
fruit and evergreen trees. In the vicinity
of Mr. Hedbloom lives Andrew Johnson who
came from Swede Bend, Ia, fifteen years
ago. He is the owner of a well improved
240-acre farm; also Pete Thorell, who came
thirteen years ago, direct from Sweden, the
possessor of fine 160-acre farm.
CHURCHES.
AS already stated this Swedish settle
ment in the northeastern part of Hamilton
county has three church organizations and
three church edifices.
Coming from the east the first one reached
is the Swedish Baptist church, organized in
the year 1879, Peter Carlson acting as
chairman and Charles Sandqust as secre-
tary. II. P. Miller was elected elder, and
Nelson Frojd and John Benson as deacons.
The church structure was built in 1886,
size 3Ox4O feet with two wings, each 12x16
feet; cost, 81, 400.
The following pastors have served the
congregation, i. e.: Revs. G. ]. Chader, A.
F. Palm, p. Berggren, @. G. Necker, L.
Arlander and G. ]. Chader, the present pas
tor.
The Swedish Mission Covenant was or
ganized in 1889, at which time the follow
ing officers were elected: Trustees, John
Jackson, Olof Hedlund, A. G. Isaac
son; deacons, Abe Carlson, David
Swenson. AS chairman of the meeting was
| secretary. The church built the same
| year, size 24X36 feet, and cost, 81 900.
| The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church
| has an elegant and roomy edifce in the
| center of the settlement, together with
fine parsonage, but there has been a va
| cancy in the resident pastor and failed
| in finding any one who could furnish the
| church statistics.
In the center of the settlement is the
| postoffce of Stark, with C. o. Rydson as
| postmaster. The postoftlce is kept in the
store of Rydson & Hawquist dealers in
| general merchandise. Mr.. Rydsons father
| is one of the early settlers, locating here in
1873. Christ Sorenson runs a blacksmith
| shop close to the postoftice.
THE SHILOH SETTLEMENT.
| Southwest of Marquette Is located the
second Swedish settlement in the county
around the Shiloh postofce, 1t is also
| called "The Chicago Settlement" from the
| number who came from that city and made
| their homes here.
| This settlement was made, after all the
| government land was taken, by John G..
| Nordgren and Mr. Rylander, the widely
known land agent of Chicago who has been
| instrumental in inducing thousands Of
| Swedish immigrants to make their homes
| in Nebraska and other states of the west.
Mr.. Nordgren himself became a resident
| Of the county and is the owner of 1860
| acres in this county.
One among the first settlers in this set
| tlement is A. p, Moberg, who came from
Princeton, ILL.,, in 1879. He emigrated
| from his native soil in 1871, arriving in
| this country empty-handed, but possessed
Of laborng mans capital, good healthy
! constitution, strong arms a determined
| will, and in addition thereto a good judg-
| ment and business sagacity little over
| twenty years ago he started life $50 worse
| off than nothing, today he is the owner of
400 acres of land. with fine improvements
| and well stocked and pays annually 500 in
taxes. He contends that he has accom-
| pllshed all this against heavy odds and I'M
favorable legislation. He is staunch and
| jealous independent.
Olof Swanson came one year earlier than
| Mr.. Moberg, in 1878, and was from the city
| OF Chicago, where he died during the year
| 1898.
| Swan Youngquist, the wealthiest Swede in
! the county, came from Wyanett, ILL.,. in the
| year 1879. His father gave him eighty acres
| of land in Illinois; this he sold and with
| the proceeds made his start in Hamilton
| county. He is now the owner of several
fine farms, aggregating 500 acres. He is one
of the most highly respected citizens of the
| county.
Jan Youngqust also came in 1879 from
| Princeton ILL., and owns 800 acres, and so
| did SkOpShprp and EIpnrv Rarppran hntb