How Do I Fit In?: A Swedish Family History

By Linoma Wingate

They were ordinary people caught in an extraordinary time.

The ships engines made a deep rumbling sound like thunder and there was a steady tremor under their feet. Then the ships whistle blew loud and long. The engines began a steady drumbeat, which was even louder than the rumbling sound. Charlie and Ida looked at each other. Ida could see fear in Charlies eyes. The next moment, Charlie hugged her, and she returned his embrace. I guess were off to America! Charlie shouted. Theres no turning back now!

So begins the story of six siblings, who in the 1800s, filled with courage and hope, left their home in Sweden to discover a new life in America. Driven to escape hunger and poverty, they were lured by an enticing vision. But in following this vision, they must leave behind all they knew and all those they loved to face an uncertain destiny.

But the six didnt arrive in America together. Each made their own journey and each has a unique story to tell. They experienced dangers, hard times, and loneliness, as they labored to tame the vast Nebraska prairie into prosperous farms. Some were more successful than the others. Some would leave Nebraska behind to find their destiny farther out west.

In spite of hardships and poverty, enduring tragedies, even violence and suicide, they forged on to create a life in America. These six siblings are true American pioneers and are part of the bigger picture of all immigrants that came to America. The stories of Nils August the Trailblazer, Ida the Survivor, old Charlie One-Eye, and Hilda the Ice Lady are but a few of the fascinating characters that live in this colorful family saga. The story of the siblings is one that is rich in American history and speaks to their descendants and to all people of the 21st century. Much can be learned about ourselves by reflecting where we came from and looking forward to what we can become.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475957419

Linoma Wingate

LINOMA WINGATE was raised on the Nebraska homestead of her ancestors. A cherished memory is riding her horse in the pasture near sundown, bringing the cows home. Linoma earned a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Elementary Education, and Human Development. Her professional career in social work focused on helping abused and neglected children. After the birth of her two daughters, Linoma remained at home to raise her children. After she was blessed with five grandchildren, Linoma became inspired to tell the story of their heritage. She, her husband, their children, and grandchildren enjoy “The Good Life” because their ancestors persevered, and helped establish what we all have today.

Book preview

1

The Trailblazer

Nils August (known as N. A.)

Born November 22, 1852; Died 1937

Came to the USA in 1874

Jonas and Kristina lived in Smaland in the southeast corner of Sweden. They owned a small farm in a rural community and carried out their daily duties pretty much the same way their ancestors had before them. The outside world had not influenced the lifestyle of people living in Smaland for many generations. Jonas and Kristina held to their old traditions of a simple life. They grew their own food, went to church, and took care of their own family.

When the farmwork slowed down during the winter months, Jonas cut wood in the forest all day to heat his home and sold what was left for profit. His large hands and strong, muscular body made his work easier. When he came home from a hard day in the forest, he still had to slop the pigs and milk the cows. Even though Jonas worked very hard, there was still barely enough food to feed his large family of ten.

The first child of Jonas and Kristina was Nils August, born in the fall of 1852. He grew up quickly and surprised his parents many times with his keen ability to understand the world around him. Nils August became known as N. A. just because it was easier to say. He learned everything there was to know about farming and woodcutting from his father. By the time he was twenty-one, N. A. was able to manage a farm of his own. He wanted his own farm more than anything in the world, but there were many reasons that this was not going to happen for him.

N. A. knew there was no more land to buy in Smaland, and he also knew that he could not stay on the family farm. Despite the tradition of the oldest son’s inheriting the family farm, Jonas and Kristina had eight living children, and their small farm could barely provide for Jonas’s family. N. A. realized that he would not be able to claim the farm for many years.

As N. A. was thinking about his situation, his stomach growled from hunger. He could not remember the last time his stomach had felt full and satisfied. He was aware that his parents were also depriving themselves from the satisfaction of feeling a full stomach. He understood that their concern was for the growing children, that they would get enough to eat. Oofta, he thought, they can eat so much!

One spring morning, N. A. woke with a start. He felt his father tapping him on the shoulder.

Jonas whispered, I’ve got to go milk the cows and slop the pigs. We don’t have much grain left to slop the pigs. No matter. Your mother has taken sick this morning. Would you please stay in the house to make sure she is all right and see to it that the children get something to eat?

Jonas added in a more gentle tone, Please check on baby Conrad also. He’s such a little guy and so new to this cold world. Jonas quietly put on his coat and slipped out the door, being careful not to let the cold air into the house.

N. A. rolled over under his blanket, trying to soak up any warmth he could find. Oj, oj, oj, he moaned as he thought. What else could go wrong? The supplies in the cellar are diminishing every day; Bossy, our best milk cow, recently died while giving birth to her calf; and now Mama is sick!

The little house was quiet. N. A. could hear the deep breathing of his four younger sisters, all snuggled together in their bed. A quick feeling of envy shot through him. It must be nice to have someone to snuggle with, he thought. N. A. heard his brothers, Peter and Charlie, ages sixteen and nine, start to scuffle in their shared bed. Can’t they ever get along? N. A. thought. Don’t they realize our family is in trouble? Don’t they understand we don’t have much food? And they eat so much!

N. A.’s thoughts were interrupted by Conrad’s squeals of hunger. Even N. A. could hear the difference in the cries of baby Conrad. Sometimes he would whimper and almost coo, but when he was hungry, he would squeal like a mad sow fighting for slop. N. A. wondered how Mama could satisfy Conrad’s hunger; she had grown so thin since his birth.

Soon the little house was full of all kinds of noise. N. A. knew he was responsible for getting up and starting the fire in the stove once again. As usual, he’d make barley mush for breakfast, and he decided to make some coffee from yesterday’s grounds. The coffee would be weak—not the way Swedes like it, but still hot—and maybe it would make Mama feel better.

As the family ate their barley mush, Mama stumbled up to the table and sat down next to N. A. He studied his mother more closely than he had in a long time. Her blonde hair was still pretty as it curled in ringlets around her face, but her tired eyes and face told a different story. Her skin was wrinkled and lifeless; her eyes were sunken and had dark circles around them. N. A. realized for the first time that his mama appeared to look older than her years. She was really only forty-two, but she had given birth to ten children. Before baby Conrad was born, two other babies had died. Their names were Amanda and Jonas. They had both died in infancy, which nearly broke Kristina’s heart. N. A. could remember how his mama frequently cried while doing her daily chores after the loss of each baby. N. A. felt compassion fill his heart for his mama.

Mama refused the last of the barley mush that N. A. offered her, but she started to sip on the steaming cup of hot coffee. Suddenly, she jumped up from the breakfast table, threw open the door, and ran outside into the snow. N. A. was shocked and feared his mother had lost her mind. He followed her outside to see the pathetic sight of his mother heaving and spitting up what little she had in her stomach. His compassion quickly changed to anger. He was no dummy; he had seen this before. Coffee always makes her sick when she is pregnant! Could she really be pregnant again? How could my parents have done this? There would be yet another mouth to feed, or even worse, there could be another baby to bury. What were they thinking? N. A. walked back into the house and slammed the door behind him, leaving his mother standing pitifully, all alone in the snow.

The next day was Sunday, so the entire family went to church, just like they did every Sunday. They worshipped God and gave thanks for his provisions, even though sometimes they seemed to be inadequate. After returning home, they prepared another meal of barley mush and some fried potatoes. As they bowed their heads, Jonas led the family in prayer.

I Jesu namn gar vi till bords.

Ata och dricka pa Guds ord.

Far vi mat.

I Jesu namn, Amen.

Translated to English, that is, In Jesus’s name, we come to this table. We eat and drink with a good will. God to teach, we to learn. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Sensing that it was the time to say his piece, N. A. picked up the barley mush and began to speak. I read a notice at the Hogsby General Store that the Swanson family was asking for a couple of good, strong men to go with them to America. There is no future for me here in Smaland. America is a rich, new country where I can own land and be free. I have decided to go to America, and there is nothing you can do to change my mind.

The Swansons! Blast it all! You can’t go with them! his father blurted out. They never think of anybody but themselves. They’ll use you up and spit you out.

N. A. understood from his father’s response that he had already accepted that N. A. would go to America. Jonas was only objecting to whom N. A. would be going with.

N. A. loved his mama and papa, and even all of his brothers and sisters. His love for them was the reason he had to go. Jonas, Kristina, and N. A. had never discussed the practice of leaving the farm to the oldest son and what it meant for their family, but he knew his father was a man of honor, love, and compassion. How could Jonas give the farm to N. A. when all of the younger siblings were still living on it and the family needed the farm to survive? N. A. solved this conflict by deciding to go to America and find his own farm. He was young and strong, and he had the confidence and independence to break all traditions and seek his fortune in America.

Few words were spoken during the rest of the meal. The whole family sensed that something very important had just happened. Even the baby was quiet. Kristina quietly wiped a tear rolling down her cheek. She said nothing out loud, but many questions ran through her mind as she thought about the future of her family. Will N. A. really go to America? Will Peter and Charlie follow in his footsteps? Surely my daughters would never leave Sweden. Am I pregnant again? Will we have another mouth to feed?

Dear little friends,

Jonas and Kristina were good and kind people. They were willing to help their neighbors and those who were less fortunate, even when it was a sacrifice to do so. They had faith in God and taught their children to believe the same way. At this point in history, all Swedes were required to belong to the state church; they were even required to be baptized into this church. The government, which was ruled by a king, and the church claimed power over the Swedish people. God is sovereign, loving, and gracious, so he most certainly had a personal relationship with many of the Swedes. But, little friend, you and I know that when someone is forced to do something, it is usually not done in a happy or heartfelt manner. So many Swedes merely obeyed the law but did not make a personal choice in their own hearts to love and accept what God had to offer.

N. A. left for America in the spring of 1874. In some respects, it was a sacrifice made for his family, but on the other hand, it was an exciting opportunity with great potential. There would be one less mouth to feed, and N. A. would not stake his claim on the family farm. It is interesting to note that N. A. registered on the passenger list of the ship as Nils August Johnsson because he was the son of Jonas. The extra s in Johnsson was dropped at a later date. This is how we all became Johnsons. Of course, some of you have lost the Johnson name because all of the daughters who got married took the last names of their husbands, but you still have the Johnson in you if you can trace your bloodline back to Jonas and Kristina.

So N. A. left Sweden for America. He was brave and willing to do whatever it took to make a life for himself. We can all thank N. A. for his bravery and determination because he was the first person in our family to come to America. And because of his decision and actions, we all live in America now!

We’ll see ya!

Papa

A%20picture%20of%20NA%20taken%20in%20Rockford%2c%20Illinois%2c%20most%20likely%20taken%20in%201874%20on%20his%20journey%20to%20Nebraska..jpg

A picture of NA taken in Rockford, Illinois, most likely taken in 1874

on his journey to Nebraska.

The%20colored%20sections%20mark%20the%20land%20NA%20owned%20in%20Westside%20Township%20in%20Phelps%20County%20NE..jpg

The colored sections mark the land NA owned in Westside Township

in Phelps County NE.

2

Ida’s Dilemma

Ida, Plain and Small

Born January 4, 1860; Died July 16, 1947

Came to the USA in 1882

Kristina did have another baby, a boy they named Albert. He was born on February 1, 1874, and was a joy to everyone who met him. N. A. stayed long enough to greet the little guy just before he set off for America. Jonas, Kristina, and the rest of the family missed N. A. terribly, but they had to move on to meet their own