Swanberg Genealogy

A copy of Andrew Erick Swanberg parish birth registration, which is not to legible, states the fathers name as Jan Eric of Ivarsberg or Svenberg, Vs what was listed on Andrew Erick's obituary as John Frederick, however the John could be just an Americanization of Jan. His mother's name was listed as Joanna Andersdotler of (Odisva) and she was 38 years of age. Witnesses to the names and residences were Soldat Lars Heders and his wife Sara Jacobsdotter, son Johan Jubeson Hojaberg and unmarried Anna Persdotter of Holmbo.

The death certificate states that He died of Malarial Fever/ Brights Disease, which had duration of 4 months. His obituary indicated that he had worked on the railroad in Kentucky where he contacted this disease. He was living in Alpha Wisconsin at the time of death and was a charter member of Canute Anderson Camp No. 20 of the Woodman of the World. One of the obituaries listed his date of birth as 9/27/1855 and the Other one as 9/26/1855 however his date of Birth was 9/26/1855.

Our grandfather, Andrew Erick Swanberg, was born September 26, 1855 in Fleckboe Province of Sokn Vestmannalan, Sweden to John Frederick Swanberg and Johanna. Our grandfather usually went by his middle name, Erick, and that is how I refer to him in this history.

Erick immigrated to this country in 1876. Our father indicated the reason for Erick’s immigration was to evade the Swedish draft. Sweden, at that time, required all males of his age to serve at least one year in the Swedish army. After arriving in this country he began working on the railroads building them though Kentucky and Tennessee. In 1886 he returned to Sweden and returned to the USA the same year. Also that same year Johanna Jerina Johnson immigrated to the USA though Ellis Island after spending many days in steerage. Johanna married our Grandfather December 16, 1887 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The witnesses were Mr. F. G. and Mrs. J. W. Soderstrom and P.J. Sward. The marriage License and Certificate reflect that they were residents of Ramsey County, Minnesota at that time. Johanna used the name of Riegnia (which was probably spelled wrong by the clerk) on the marriage certificate.

Johanna was born September 7, 1867 in Vesterass province of Vestalands Sweden. I am still trying to locate Johanna’s family history.

Erick and Johanna purchased land in the Wood River area and built a log cabin from the trees on their land. In addition to farming Erick continued to work on the railroads, managing railroad chain gangs and living in tents. His railroading days include building though the swamps of Florida to town called Miami. Later he worked as an Engineer on the Panama Canal did where he contracted Malaria, which caused his death February 20, 1902.

Children born to Erick and Johanna were Andrew J. born April 1888; John Arthur, our father, who always was known by his middle name Arthur, born August 14, 1890; Edith Amelia born December 18, 1892; Edwin Erick born October 13, 1895; Olga Regina Born October 13, 1898; Esther A. born July 5, 1901. Johanna also had a son, LaVerne, who was born, we think, in 1910, which I will discuss a little later.

November 29, 1895 Erick became a charter member of Canute Anderson Camp # 20 of the Woodman of the World. This membership included a $1,000.00 Insurance policy which, after Erick’s death, was paid to his widow, Johanna. This was a considerable amount of money in those days and rumor passed down to us, has it that many of the neighbors snubbed Johanna because of this wealth.

Erick was buried at the Swedish Lutheran Cemetery in Wood Lake. Upon receiving a copy of the Erick’s estate filing dated August 18, 1903 I learned that value of his estate totaled $2,022.65. After all the bills were paid it left a balance of $391.20. This balance was equally divided among Johanna and the 6 children, Andrew, Arthur, Edith, Edwin, Olga and Esther each receiving $55.88. Johanna retained the real estate, namely their farm, with equal shares assigned to each of the 6 children with Johanna retaining homestead rights as a widow. In those days the deceased would often "lie in state" at the home for viewing. Our father remember that when his father died he was buried in a Pine Box and that they had to have a tub of ice under the Pine box while it was at their home.

After Erick died Johanna took in boarders to meet the household expenses. Andrew was only 14 and our father was only 12. Our father relates how he left the 4th grade to hire himself out and of the days working the corn and wheat fields of South and North Dakota. I imagine Andrew did also as did Edwin as he grew older.

Thanks to Esther Peterson, who found and sent to me a copy of LaVerne’s obituary , I learned that LaVerne was born July 18, 1910 at Wood River Wisconsin. No one seems to know who the father was. One story, as handed down but not known, is that it was the town banker and another was it was one of the borders or even the hired help that was needed from time to time to help manage the farm

Andrew married Nellie Lindblad in 1912. They had 3 daughters, Ruby born 1914, Hazel born 1915, and Agnes Inez born 1919. Andrew died 1932 at the age of 44 years. Edith married August E. Wallentine September 11, 1913. They had 3 Boys and a daughter, Erwin Wallace born December 16, 1914, Ralph born January 4, 1921, and Dorothy and Ray whose birth dates I haven’t determined. Edith died in August 1981 at the age of 89. Edwin married Myrtle Orphie Lindblad 1920. Their two children were Esther born February 25, 1921 and Donald Melker born October 28, 1930. Edwin died September 12, 1971 at the age of 76 years. Olga was born October 13, 1898 and died October 12, 1917 at the age of 18 years, 11 months and 28 days or just 1 day short of her 19th birthday. She did marry Harvey Hazley about 2 years before her death. I have not been able to locate much information on Olga, but she did marry Harvey Hazley. I finally obtained a copy of Olga’s obituary stating she died in October 12, 1917 at the age of 18 years, 11 months and 28 days or just 1 day short of her 19th birthday. She had married Harvey Hazley about 2 years before her death. After her marriage they lived in Minneapolis Minnesota, but due to her illness, Tuberculosis, she was moved to a sanitarium in Depere Wisconsin. At the time of her death she had been living at the sanitarium for a little over 7 months. Her death was caused from Tuberculosis of the Larynx and her sister Esther signed the permit to transport the body from Green Bay to Wood River where Olga is buried, I think, at the Swedish Lutheran Cemetery. Olga’s obituary mentioned her husband, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters but no mention was made of her half brother LaVerne.

Esther never married and died October 1918 at the University hospital in Minneapolis Minnesota of influenza at the age of 17 years, 3 months and 19 days.

Johanna passed away May 11, 1925 of cancer at a hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She had resided at their farm in Wood River until 1921 when she moved to Trade Lake Wisconsin where she resided until 1925 in a house built for by her son Andrew as it located across the street from Andrew and Nellie's home. Johanna is also buried at the Swedish Lutheran Cemetery in Wood River Wisconsin.