Colleen & Jerry went to Rockford Illinois and saw where the
relatives lived.
They saw where the furniture factories once were located and visited the
Trinity church that Carl Johan and his family were very active in.
There is a lounge at the church named in memory of Carl Johan and his wife Eva.
Thorborg left money to the church upon her death to do this.
There are pictures of the family in the lounge.
1. Sven (Engelbrektsson)6 Swenson (Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Nov.13.1826 in Jonsbråna, Järn, and died Apr.28.1894 in Rockford IL.. He married Kerstin Eriksdotter Nov.13.1853 in Bolstad, daughter of Erik Andersson and Karin Andersdotter. She was born Nov.19.1825 in Klandret, Qvantenburg, Bolstad, and died Aug.19.1899 in Rockford IL..
Notes for Sven (Engelbrektsson) Swenson:
Sven (Engelbrektsson) Swenson, moved from Sweden to Rockford Illinois in apx. 1881. He worked as a cabinet maker in a furniture factory, and eventually worked for his son Carl Johan at the Skandia furniture factory. Sven is buried in Rockford at the Scandinavian cemetery.
Children of Sven Swenson and Kerstin Eriksdotter are:
+ 2 i. Eric Magnus7 Swanson, born Jul.22.1854 in Backa qvarn, Brålanda; died Jul.15.1918 in Minnesota.
+ 3 ii. Karl Johan Swenson, born Dec.11.1856 in Backa qvarn, Brålanda; died Feb.07.1936 in Rockford IL..
4 iii. August Swenson, born Mar.12.1859 in Backa qvarn, Brålanda; died Oct.28.1930 in Rockford IL.. He married (1) Caroline (Lena) Swenson; born Sep.06.1859; died Jan.21.1909 in Rockford IL.. He married (2) Sophia Swenson; born Dec.28.1871; died Jan.20.1927 in Rockford IL..
Notes for August Swenson:
August was born in Sweden and came to the USA as a young man. He lived in Rockford for 49 years. He was and Alderman in Rockford and was elected to the city council in May 1915 and served two terms there. For many years he worked in the painting business. He was a member of the painters union for several years and was a member of the board of the police and fire commissioners.
5 iv. Josefina Swanson, born Aug.21.1861 in Böns qvarn Bolstad; died Dec.02.1903 in Rockford IL.. She married Ernest August Norrman Aug.26.1892; born Oct.03.1853 in Sweden; died May.09.1930 in Rockford IL..
Notes for Josefina Swanson:
Josefina was born in Sweden and came to the Rockford at the age of 20 with her family. She was married to Ernest August Norrman. She did not have any children.
6 v. Albin Swanson, born Apr.11.1865 in Böns qvarn Bolstad; died Aug.26.1882 in Rockford IL..
Notes for Albin Swanson:
Albin was born in Sweden and came to Rockford at a young age with his family. Albin worked at Co-operative Furniture Company. He became sick at the age of 17 and died shortly thereafter from inflammation of the bowels.
Generation No. 2
2. Eric Magnus7 Swanson (Sven (Engelbrektsson)6 Swenson, Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Jul.22.1854 in Backa qvarn, Brålanda, and died Jul.15.1918 in Minnesota. He married Elizabeth Levine Feb.10.1882 in Rockford Illinois, daughter of John Levine and Sarah Brynteson. She was born Oct.06.1860 in Sweden, and died Oct.19.1931 in Washington.
Notes for Eric Magnus Swanson:
Eric Magnus, came to the United States on April 4 1873. In the 1880 census there is an Eric Magnus Swanson living in Alfsborg township with John (Engelbrektsson) Englebert. This is Erics uncle that came from Sweden and was farming there. Eric then went to Rockford Illinois, and married Elizabeth Levine.
Shortly after being married, Eric moved to Minnesota and lived & farmed there until his death in 1918.
I do not know why he choose the name Swanson. His father Sven Engelbrektsson and his other brothers and sisters, choose the name Swenson when they moved from Sweden to Rockford Illinois. Eric was in the USA before the rest of his family, and maybe was told the name would be Swanson in the USA.
Children of Eric Swanson and Elizabeth Levine are:
+ 7 i. Albin Oscar8 Swanson, born Apr.21.1883.
+ 8 ii. Sarah Amelia (Amy) Swanson, born Sep.01.1886 in Worthington Mn; died Mar.04.1970 in Russell Mn.
9 iii. Axel Rudolph Swanson, born Jan.11.1887; died 1918.
+ 10 iv. Edward Martin Swanson, born Jul.24.1888 in Reading Mn;
died Apr.09.1963 in Russell Mn.
+ 11 v. Mabelle Swanson, born Jun.14.1890 in Nobles Cty Mn;
died Apr.04.1985 in Port Angeles Wa..
12 vi. Charles Herman Swanson, born Jun.09.1892 in Reading Mn; died Apr.17.1985 in Marshall Mn. He married Anna Lynette Herrick Dec.19.1917 in Marshall Mn; born Jan.03.1895 in Coon Creek twp; died Nov.10.1991 in Marshall Mn.
13 vii. Elmer Wilfred Swanson, born Oct.17.1896; died Jul.17.1962 in Port Angeles WA. He married Freida Repp Jan.29.1923; born Jan.18.1904; died Feb.18.1962 in Port Angeles WA.
+ 14 viii. Florence Josephine Swanson, born Dec.26.1898.
+ 15 ix. Gustaf F Swanson, born Feb.10.1903; died Mar.27.1937 in Russell Mn.
3. Karl Johan7 Swenson (Sven (Engelbrektsson)6, Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Dec.11.1856 in Backa qvarn, Brålanda, and died Feb.07.1936 in Rockford IL.. He married Alma Christine Oct.16.1885 in Rockford IL, daughter of Olof Johnson and Kaisa Swenson. She was born Aug.17.1857 in Brålanda, Sweden, and died Mar.10.1941 in Lake Worth Florida.
Notes for Karl Johan Swenson:
In an obituary of Karl Johan from the Rockford Morning star, it says that Karl Johan came to the USA in August 1879. After a year in Minnesota, he went to Rockford Illinois. He started to work at the Forest city furniture Co. After a year at a workmans bench, he was promoted to the superintendent of the factory.
He became one of the original stockholders of the Co-operative furniture co. and its superintendent for 3 years. He then went to Burbank California and organized a furniture factory, and after spending a year there he sold out his share of the factory returned to Rockford. Karl then became one of the organizers of the Skandia furniture factory in February 1889. he assumed its superintendency when the company began operating and remained in that post without interruption until February 1927 when he retired as vice president, treasurer and general manager after 38 years of continuous supervision of the firm.
At the time of his death, he was treasurer and director of the Swedish building and loan association, a director of the national mirror works, and a director of the Rockford machine toll company.
Karl was very active in the Trinity Lutheran church, and was treasurer for 24 years.
Children of Karl Swenson and Alma Christine are:
16 i. Thorborg8 Swenson, born Sep.14.1887 in Rockford IL.; died Jul.06.1970 in Rockford IL..
Notes for Thorborg Swenson:
Thorborg was born and lived in Rockford all of her life. She went to college and became a school teacher, worked only one year and then did not work again. she was very active in the Trinity church and was in charge of the Sunday School program many years. She was known to travel extensively to other countries and Sweden. Thorborg never married.
17 ii. Carl Edgar Swenson, born Dec.27.1890 in Rockford IL.; died Nov.04.1978 in Rockford IL.. He married Eva Garver May.21.1918 in Rockford IL; born Jul.15.1889 in Rockford IL.; died Apr.06.1973 in Rockford IL..
Notes for Carl Edgar Swenson:
Carl E. Swenson was born and lived in Rockford Illinois all of his life. Carl was an inventor and engineer. He was co-inventor with another gentleman of the universal joint for automobiles. Carl invented numerous transmissions and farm equipment. Carl built a car by hand in his dads garage.
Carl was one of the people who tried to produce an automobile by the name of the Tarkington. He and his dad and Mr. Tarkington worked at this and had 6 cars made. They failed to get the funding needed to get them mass produced so had to quit the project. Carl was an avid golfer and being the engineer he was, worked very hard to perfect his golf swing.
Generation No. 3
7. Albin Oscar8 Swanson (Eric Magnus7, Sven (Engelbrektsson)6 Swenson, Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Apr.21.1883. He married (1) Lillian Johnson. She was born Feb.19.1877, and died Mar.1918. He married (2) Hildur Carlson Oct.21.1920. She was born May.13.1898.
Notes for Albin Oscar Swanson:
Albin was managing the Russell elevator. Albin disappeared about 1931
Child of Albin Swanson and Lillian Johnson is:
18 i. Alice Betsey9 Swanson, born Jun.17.1910. She married Fred Franklin Mullenix Apr.04.1934; born May.03.1908.
Child of Albin Swanson and Hildur Carlson is:
19 i. Marvel Fay9 Swanson, born Oct.04.1922. She married (1) Richard Sabor; born Apr.12.1927. She married (2) William Newman Sep.1941; born Sep.20.1920; died Dec.19.1972.
8. Sarah Amelia (Amy)8 Swanson (Eric Magnus7, Sven (Engelbrektsson)6 Swenson, Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Sep.01.1886 in Worthington Mn, and died Mar.04.1970 in Russell Mn. She married Albert Lee Harris. He was born Sep.30.1880 in Lynd Mn, and died Jul.14.1941 in Russell Mn.
Notes for Sarah Amelia (Amy) Swanson:
Information in Rachel Swanson date book: Amy Harris fell & broke her hip March 4, 1967
Children of Sarah Swanson and Albert Harris are:
20 i. Florence Ada9 Harris, born Aug.17.1913 in Lyon County Mn; died Jun.22.2000 in Burnsville Mn. She married Harry Youngdahl May.28.1938 in Russell Mn; born Oct.07.1909; died Apr.24.1997.
More About Florence Ada Harris:
Burial: Russell Mn
21 ii. Floyd Lee Harris, born Aug.17.1913; died Jan.21.1978. He married Arleen Berdette Jungman May.17.1936; born Mar.19.1917.
10. Edward Martin8 Swanson (Eric Magnus7, Sven (Engelbrektsson)6 Swenson, Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Jul.24.1888 in Reading Mn, and died Apr.09.1963 in Russell Mn. He married Rachel M Herrick Nov.20.1913 in Russell Mn, daughter of Sydney Herrick and Susanna Brown. She was born Nov.13.1892 in Reading Mn, and died Mar.10.1973 in Russell Mn.
Notes for Edward Martin Swanson:
Edward lived in Russell MN many years until his death. He was a farmer and then worked in the post office for many years until retiring.
Child of Edward Swanson and Rachel Herrick is:
22 i. Ellsworth Marvin9 Swanson, born Jun.19.1919 in Mobridge Sd; died Mar.06.1993 in Sun City Az. He married Shirley Maxine Willfong Oct.16.1938 in Balaton Mn; born Oct.31.1919 in Russell Mn.
Notes for Ellsworth Marvin Swanson:
Ellsworth Swanson grew up in Russell MN. He went to school there and eventually married Shirley Wilfong. Ellsworth had polio in his leg and had a limp from that. Ellsworth was the rural mail carrier for Russell for many years and also did bookkeeping for some Chevrolet dealers in the neighboring towns. After retiring, Ellsworth and Shirley spent some winters in Phoenix Arizona, and eventually moved there permanently. Ellsworth enjoyed playing cards and liked to play bridge and pinochle.
11. Mabelle8 Swanson (Eric Magnus7, Sven (Engelbrektsson)6 Swenson, Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Jun.14.1890 in Nobles Cty Mn, and died Apr.04.1985 in Port Angeles Wa.. She married Joseph Porter Bruseau 1910. He was born Feb.19.1886, and died Apr.07.1961.
Notes for Mabelle Swanson:
Mabelle changed her name to Mabelle from Mabel because,
she said she did not have a middle name and her name was so short.
Children of Mabelle Swanson and Joseph Bruseau are:
23 i. Leanard Joseph9 Bruseau, born Dec.10.1910. He married Julia Mae Leonard.
24 ii. Virgil Laurence Bruseau, born Mar.09.1913. He married Dorothy May Knapman Dec.31.1937; born Nov.25.1918.
25 iii. Jack Emerson Bruseau, born Nov.24.1914. He married Audrey Lorraine Peterson.
26 iv. Elizabeth Henrietta (Betty) Bruseau, born May.31.1917. She married Robert Francis O'day; born Dec.10.1909; died Sep.26.1966.
27 v. Richard Marvin Bruseau, born Sep.11.1921. He married Margaret Ann Guy.
28 vi. Kenneth Dale Bruseau, born Oct.20.1926. He married Louise Lorraine Mickles; born Apr.25.1926.
29 vii. Jerry Lee Bruseau, born May.09.1931. He married Theresa Ann Power.
14. Florence Josephine8 Swanson (Eric Magnus7, Sven (Engelbrektsson)6 Swenson, Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Dec.26.1898. She married Clifford William Moe. He was born Mar.20.1904, and died Mar.10.1958.
Child of Florence Swanson and Clifford Moe is:
30 i. Jeannie9 Moe, born Sep.25.1927. She married John Cayanus; born May.12.1924.
15. Gustaf F8 Swanson (Eric Magnus7, Sven (Engelbrektsson)6 Swenson, Engelbrekt5 Svensson, Sven4 Rasmusson, Rasmus3 Olofsson, Olof2 Larsson, Lars1 Olofsson) was born Feb.10.1903, and died Mar.27.1937 in Russell Mn. He married May Sedore Mar.09.1925. She died Nov.18.1937 in Mpls MN.
Child of Gustaf Swanson and May Sedore is:
31 i. Betty9 Swanson, born Dec.12.1926; died Jun.1965. She married Risk Nov.20.1943.