Mod Family

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Sic Amet

By Lennart Holmquist

Gustav and Margaretha Bengtsson were the great-grandparents of Ida Kristina (Mod) Colldén. Ida was the mother of Hellen and David Colldén. Hellen became a missionary to China and David became a missionary to Africa.

1. Gustav Anders Bengtsson (???? - ????) married Margaretha Nilsdotter (???? - ????).

1.1 Olof Gustavsson Ekberg (June 14, 1776 - May 21, 1823) married Maja Petrusdotter (March 25, 1786 - September 25, 1864) in 1805.

Olof was born in parish Västa Tunhem, Västergötland, Sweden. He was a soldier from about 1799 to 1820 and was known as 'Ekberg' in the military. Ekberg means Oak Mountain in Swedish. He was 'dismissed' from military service, whatever that means.

Maja was also born in Västa Tunhem, Sweden.

Olof died of 'breast-fever'.

About four months after Olof died, Maja gave birth to triplets though one, apparently, died young. This is surmised in that we don't have a name for that triplet.

She died a 'poor widow' the official records state.

1.1.1 Cajsa Olofsdotter (August 25, 1806 - ????) married Anders Carlsson Lans (September 24, 1805 - ????). Anders was born in parish Flo in Skaraborgs län. His soldier name was 'Lans'. Anders was a soldier from 1830 to 1849 and was stationed at the same soldier 'torp' or soldier house/residence as his father Olof though they were resident there in different years.

Cajsa's and Anders' nine children were born between 1834 and 1851. Two of these children apparently died young.

1.1.2 Andreas Olofsson (July 7, 1812 - ????).

1.1.3 Gunnar Olofsson (April 15, 1817 - ????).

1.1.4 Anders Magnus Olofsson (November 2, 1819 - December 28, 1819). Anders died of 'breast-pain' at less than two months of age.

1.1.5 Anders Magnus Olofsson Mod (March 4, 1821 - June 26, 1896) married Johanna Olofsdotter (July 7, 1823 - ????) about 1845. Anders, no doubt, was named after his brother who died less than three years previously.

Anders Magnus Olofsson Mod death

Anders was a soldier starting in 1845. Soldiers often were given a new name when joining the military. The reason was simple. Olofsson and Andersson and many other similar names were much too common. Anders soldier name was 'Mod' or in Swedish, Courage. He was known from the on as Anders Magnus Courage. Cool name.

(Until 2016 it was assumed that Anders and Johanna's children took the name "Andersson" or if they were female, perhaps "Andersdotter"'. However, while doing research on the family on "ancestry.com" in the Chapel Hill Public Library in North Carolina, Lennart Holmquist discovered that though they may have been known as "Andersson", official records often gave their family name as 'Mod. Not only was more convenient for the Swedish military, it is also convenient for doing research on the family because 'Mod' is not a common name, while 'Andersson' is too common.)

Anders died in 1896 in Västra Tunhem, Älvsborg, Sweden at age 75 of 'lungsot' or what came to be known in English as pulmonary tuberculosis.

His wife Johanna was born in Norra Björke, Västergötland.

For Johanna's family see:

Jonasson Family

Anders and Johanna had fourteen children. Apparently, they went by the name of "Mod", the name given to Anders when he was in the military. Official records often also use 'Andersson', i.e., Anders' son.

These children were Olaf, Maria, Anna, Charlotta, Svante, Mathilda, Mathilda, Mathilda, Svante, Ida, twin of Ida whose name we do not known, and unknown child born in 1893, Svante and Johanna. Some names are listed more than once because a previous child died young and a subsequent child was given the same name. During the 19th century and preceding thousands of centuries, children often did not grow to adulthood. Too many diseases for which medical science did not as yet have a cure, took their heavy toll on families.

Name by which family members were called are underlined. For instance, Anna Sofia Andersson went by the name Sofia.

1.1.5.1 Olof Gustaf Andersson Mod (September 25, 1846 - ????) married Lotta Olausdotter (June 8, 1853 - ) possibly married in 1879.

Olof Gustaf Andersson Mod birth

Olof was born in Älvsborg - Västra Tunhem, Sweden. In Sweden Olof was a "backstugusittare" (one who rents and works a small farm).

Lotta was born in Gärdhem, Älvsborg (Västra Götaland) Birth Parish: Högen Sweden. She emigrated with her family to America.

(Until 2016 all we knew of Olof was his name and date of birth. However, Chapel Hill Public Library in North Carolina it was discovered not only the name of Olof's wife and children, but also they emigrated to the United States. Descendants of Ida (Mod) Colldén have cousins in America that they knew nothing about.)

Working as a "backstugusittare" probably did not make Olof a lot of money to support his family. He no doubt thought America would give him and his family a better life. On 1 May 1886 the Olof with his wife Lotta and their four children Johanna, Oskar, Ida and Helena departed Älvsborg - Väne-åsaka, Sweden for America.

Olof Emigration 1886

Lotta Emigration 1886

1.1.5.1.1 Johanna Maria Olofsdotter Gustafsdotter Mod (February 29, 1880 - ????).

Johanna Emigration 1886

1.1.5.1.2 Oskar Albin Olofsson Gustafsson Mod (July 2, 1881 - ????).

Oskar Emigration 1886

1.1.5.1.3 Ida Charlotta Olofsdotter Gustafsdotter Mod (May 23, 1883 - ????) was born in Gärdhem, Älvsborg (Västra Götaland), Sweden and emigrated with her family on May 1886 to America.

Ida birth 1883

Ida Emigration 1886

1.1.5.1.4 Helena Sofia Olofsdotter Gustafsdotter Mod (December 6, 1884 - ????)

Helena Emigration 1886

1.1.5.2 Maria Mathilda Mod (February 17, 1848 - ????). Maria moved out (of the home probably) in 1864. She married Karl Andersson. Maria and Karl had at least one child, Ruth who was called 'Lilla Ruth' (Little Ruth).

1.5.1.2.1 Ruth Andersson (???? - ????).

1.1.5.3 Anna Sofia Mod (April 27, 1850 - ????). Anna moved out in 1865. Sofia eventually married Axel Öberg. Hellen called Sofia 'moster' Öberg' which translated is 'aunt Öberg'.

1.1.5.4 Charlotta (Lotta) Mod (June 9, 1851 - ????). Moved to Åsaka in 1874 at which time she was probably married.

1.1.5.5 Svante Mod (December 21, 1852 - December 21, 1852).

1.1.5.6 Bätti Mod (January 12, 1854 - ????). Bätti married Johan Magnusson.

1.1.5.7 Mathilda Mod (May 7, 1855 - May 28, 1856). Mathilda died of the measles.

1.1.5.8 Mathilda Mod (September 18, 1856 - April 24, 1858). Mathilda died of 'breast-fever'.

1.1.5.9 Mathilda (Tilda) Mod (June 28, 1858 - January 18, 1860). Thilda died of 'stomach-illness'.

1.1.5.10 Svante Mod (February 8, 1860 - May 27, 1860).

1.1.5.11 Ida Christina Mod (April 21, 1861 - January 5, 1946) married Johan Bernhard Colldén (October 20, 1864 - 1910).

Ida was born in Västra Tunhem, Älvsborg, Sweden.

Ida Christina Mod birth

In one written source document from a family member, Ida's name is recorded as being Ida Kristina Andersson.

Ida and Johan Bernhard had many children one of whom was Hellen Colldén. Hellen who married Oscar Rinell, and David Colldén who married Lisa Gustafsson.

See the document Family Farms in Björketorp Parish for farms in Sweden possibly connected with that side of the family.

Ida and Johan Bernhard had many children, one of whom was Hellen. Hellen married Oscar Rinell. Hellen and Oscar had two children, Doris and Roy. Doris married Bernard John Holmquist . Their children were Lennart, Meilynn, Carey and Carolynn, all of whom were born in America. For information on their great-grandfather Johannes Holmquist and his descendants see: Descendants of Johannes and Emma Holmquist: A Family of Swedish Americans.

Another child was David who married Lisa Gustafsson. The son of David and Lisa was Olle.

See Colldén Family: Descendants of David and Lisa.

For more information Hellen and Oscar see the book entitled:

Foreign Devils: A Swedish Family in China 1894 to 1951.

See also Colldén Family

1.1.5.12 Twin sister of Ida (April 12, 1861 - April 12, 1861? ). She possibly died the day of her birth or soon after since the birth record does not provide a name.

1.1.5.13 ??? (May 8, 1863 - ????).

AlternativeText

Svante Andersson Mod, Doris Rinell & Rinell
Seattle, Washington, USA
Circa 1938
Click Image

1.1.5.14 Svante Andersson Mod (April 27, 1864 - ????). Svante was born in Västra Tunhem, Älvsborg, Sweden. Two boys named Svante preceded him in the family, but both died young, one on the day he was born and the other at three months old. Svante's parents certainly hoped this Svante would make it, and he did.

Information coming thru the family (possibly Ida to Hellen to Doris) said that Svante eventually settled in Seattle, Washington, USA, and possibly around 1900. Svante never married as far as Doris knew.

Svante Mod birth

Finding a 'Svante Mod' in America has been a problem. However, a Svante Moody who was born in Sweden and with the same date of birth as Svante Mod became a naturalized citizen on June 24, 1897 in Rhode Island, USA. In Swedish 'Mod' is pronounce 'Mood'. Perhaps Svante either adopted the name 'Moody' or U.S. immigration wrote down 'Moody' rather than 'Mod' when Svante arrived in the U.S. If it is the same man, then we know where and when Svante arrived in the U.S. The naturalization record states that Svante Moody arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on May 29, 1886. Svante would have been twenty-two years old.

Svante Moody naturalization

Further, U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 gives a Svante Moody living at 7015 11th Avenue NW, Seattle, Washington, USA in 1939.

Hellen Rinell and her daughter Dollan (Doris), and possibly Oscar, visited Hellen's uncle, Svante, in Seattle about the year 1938 when they were going to or from China and Sweden, and they took a photo together in front of Svante's house. Oscar probably took the photo. Doris does not remember that they actually went into the house, but visited for a while outside.

If this is the same man, he died in 1947 and is buried at Lake View Cemetery, Seattle King County, Washington, USA. And, buried with him is probably his wife, Adelana who died in 1938, about the time when Doris and Hellen visited Svante. Maybe Adelena's death is one of the reasons Hellen decided to pay Svante a visit.

Svante Moody grave