Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-03-11
HONOR MEMORYOF
JOHN ERICSSON
EDISH-AMERiCAN LEAGUE
HOLDS INTERESTING MEET
ING AND HEARS LECTURE.

The spacious K. of G.. hall on Main
street was completely filled last night
with an enthusiastic gathering of sew
eral hundred Swedish-Americans of
this city. The occasion was the first
annual meeting of the Swedsh-Ameri-
can league of Ottumwa, in connection
with which patriotic program was
also given. Excellent music was fur
nished by the large choir from the
Swedish Lutheran church under the
direction of Miss Emma Anderson, and
quartet composed of Anton Elliott,
Albert Swanson, Leonard Kendall and
Carl Freeman. The numbers most ia
vorably received were THE Peasant
Wedding March by the choir and
Thou ancient, thou dear. thou free
land of North" by the quartet. The
lshief address of the evening was CIV
en- by Rev. E. H. Skooglund on the
subject, John Ericsson, the Greatest
Swedish-American." The speaker
pictured the struggles and final tri-
umphs of this wonderful man, per-
haps the greatest inventor who has
ever lived. Chief among his inven-
tons are the screw propeller, the per-
fected locomotive, the fire engine, the
modern armored war vessel and the
solar engine. His greatest gift to the
nation was the Monitor, which on
March 8. 1862, defeated the Merrimac
in Hampton Roads and gave the Union
in hn
war. Rev. Skooglund's speech was re-
ceived with rapt attention. An orig
inal poem on John Ericsson was read
by it's author, Oscar Lundgren.
AT the business session the presi-
dent. Rev. P. o. Bersell, and the treas
urer, David Nelson. read their reports
setting forth the work of the first year
of the league. These reports showed
that great deal of work has already
been done and greater things are plan
ned for the future. A midsummer
picnic is being arranged for A speak
er of national reputation will be en-
gagged and everything will be planned
on large scale
The new constitution was adopted
by the league Article II. of the con-
stitution reads as follows:
The aim and purpose of this league
shall be:
1. To bring about closer affilia-
ton between all citizens of the city
of Ottumwa and vicinity of Swedish
birth or descent, irrespective OF re-
ligious creed or political party.
2. To foster the spirit of patriot
ism and to promote a high order of
citizenship.
8. To uphold the worthy and hon
orable traditions Inherited from our
forefathers and to inculcate true
appreciation of the Swedish history,
literature and language.
4. To further the best interests of
the Swedish-Americans in this city,
state and county.
The membership fee was decided
upon and any person residing in Wa
pello county of Swedish birth or de-
see who has attained the age OF IL
years is eligible to membership.
The following nominating commit
tee was appointed: G. A. Gillen, Al
bert Gustavison, Gust Hill, Emil Free
man and Claus Klaung. After this
committee had reported the Following
officers were elected for the ensuing
year:
President-G. o. Nelson.
Vice president-E. H. Skoogluno.
Secretary-Anton Elliott.
Observation-Disclosures Toll.
Directors for three years.. q.
Bersell and Oscar A Anderson.
Directors for two years.. y.
Swanson and Elof Elliott.
Directors for one year-Fred SVEN
son and Gust Hill.
At the close of the meeting refresh
ments were served and social hour
enioyed. The meeting was very en-
thusiastic throughout and many ne"
members were gained for the league.
A la1,4e sum was subscribed to defray
the expenses of the coming midsum-
r picnic which will be held Thurs
Lay June "a. Lieutenant Governor
T 4 A. Burnqu:st of Minnesota, one
of the greatest Swedish-Amerlcan
orators of this generation, has been
invited as the speaker of the day.
F. A. Nimocks, H. J. Lyle ana n: q.
Patterson are in Des Moines TO-DAY
where they are appearing before the
legislature to work against the John
son road bill The Ottumwans are