John and Beata Swanson

Sven Johan Svensson (December 25,1855 - November 22,1920) who was known in America as Swan John Swanson, and went by the name of John, was born on Christmas day in Jyllela, Ukna socken (parish), Kalmar län (provence), Sweden.

John's Childhood

The following year, 1856, when Sven and his parents moved to Idakra, Dalhems socken (parish). In 1865 when Sven was about nine years old they moved to Flugenäs (the same parish) where Sven's father was a farm foreman.

In 1869 when Sven was about thirteen years of age they left Flugenäs and went to Överum Herrgård. There in October 1, 1870 Sven's father was injured, and died about a month later on October 30th.

Sven's mother was now a widow with seven children, the oldest only sixteen years old and the youngest one year. Sven started to work at Överum Herrgård in 1870 at about the age of fourteen, no doubt to make money for the family.

Working in Sweden

Thanks to the writings of John T. Holmquist, Sven's grandson, we know that Sven worked in Överum Herrgård until 1877 when at the age of about twenty-one he went to Stockholm and worked at Bergsunds and at AB Atlas. 'AB' stands for 'aktiebolaget' which translated means 'limited company'.

Bergsunds was the oldest of the mechanical workshops of Stockholm having been established in 1769. At the Bergsunds' slip at Finnboda many of Sweden's iron clad ships, and most of the railway bridges on the state lines in Sweden had been constructed.

AB Atlas, founded in 1873 in Stockholm to manufacture many types of equipment for building and running Sweden’s new railway, later built locomotives and other rolling stock. An early engraving of the company shows the factory with long parallel buildings, belching smokestacks, and one of the company's products, a steam locomotive. It is also gives us a snapshot of the industrial revolution in Sweden. Another excellent engraving shows the interior of Atlas with employees at their machines, and an undated photo records for us some of Atlas' employees.

We do not know which company he worked for first.

The company, renamed Atlas Copco, is still in business. Read the publication Atlas Copco to find out more about the current company and more of its history. See also AB Atlas Prospekt, kataloger for a collection of early AB Atlas publications in Swedish, English and German beginning from the 1900s, after the time Sven worked for the company.

The future seemed bright for Atlas, but a recession hit Sweden's economy shortly after its founding. Railroad construction declined. Atlas was hit hard with profits dropping dramatically. Probably the company laid off many workers. Depending upon which company Sven worked for first, Sven either found work at Bergsunds or the hard times at Atlas gave Sven the impetus to go to America as so many Swedes were doing.

The records of Maria Magdalena Church of Stockholm state that Sven left Stockholm bound for America on 11 March 1880, that he was traveling alone, was 21 years of age and his occupation was that of a 'Plåtslagare' which is a boilermaker. Boilers were used both in steam locomotives and steamers. Atlas made steam locomotives and Bergsunds built steamers (ships).

Sven Johan Svenson in the Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books

Emigration to America

After leaving Stockholm we may guess that Sven spent some days with his family at Överum Herrgård. Eventually he made his way to Göteborg. He had probably arranged his booking for America before arriving in Göteborg.

Swen J Swensson: Swedish Emigration Records

Sven left Göteborg harbor on 9 April 1880 on board a ship named the Marsdin, a steamer, bound for Hull, England. His name appears on the Marsdin Passenger List at number 28. We may guess that besides his clothes and other personal possessions, he also brought a chest of tools.

On that Marsdin Passenger List at number 09 was also Beata Josephina (Svantesdotter) Jonsson (February 3, 1857 - August 14, 1939) whom Sven knew from a neighboring town. A newspaper clipping mentions they first met on a train to Göteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden. They met again on the ship to America. We don't know if they happened to meet one another on the ship by chance or if they knew that the other would be on the ship or possibly they were traveling together. In any case both declared their final destination to be Chicago, home already to 10s of thousands of Swedes.

Beata Jonsson: Swedish Emigration Records

Swen Johan Swensson Marsdin passenger list

Beata Jonsson Marsdin passenger list
Beata Jonsson Marsdin passenger list original

Beata was born at Ögelbo, Dalhem parish, Småland, Sweden where she also was educated. In 1869 she moved to Drabo, Uppeby parish, Linkoping Län. In 1876 she moved to Tyling where she worked for two years in a dairy and creamery which it is said she was in charge of. She then went home for a year.

Beata then left her birthplace, Östergötland, on March 24, 1880 heading for Göteborg. She is recorded as traveling alone though this doesn't mean that Beata and Sven weren't traveling together. It probaby means that Beata was not traveling with other family members. Her given destination is recorded as North America.

Beata Josefina Svantesdotter Jonsson: Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books

In Hull, England, Beata and Sven disembarked. Ships from Sweden often docked in England. Travelers went to another port city by train, such as Liverpool where they caught another ship. Again we don't know if Sven and Beata were together or not. Either together or separately they may have spent some days in Hull making travel arrangements for America or waiting for the departure if their already-booked ship.

In any case, they boarded the City of Berlin and set sail arriving in New York on May 3, 1880.

On May 4th Sven traveled to Chicago to find work. We may guess Sven and Beata traveled together to Chicago.

In the same year, 1880, Sven started using the American version of his middle name. He is now called John. We shall use John from here on. Also 'Sven' changed to 'Swan'. In American then he was known as Swan John Swanson. However, he didn't use this name all the time as records indicate.

Fortunately for us, both John and Beata arrived in time to be counted in the 1880 Federal Census in June. John's occupation is a 'clerk' though it doesn't say what kind of clerk he was. He is 25 years old, single, from Sweden, arriving through New York. Considering he arrived in May and the census was in June, he found a job quickly.

John Swanson in the 1880 United States Federal Census
1880 United States Federal Census for John Swanson (original)

Marriage of Beata and John

On May 28, 1881 he and Beata were married.

John and Beata Swanson Cook County, Illinois, Marriages Index

For his marriage to Beata he used his Swedish name, Swen J. Swenson except for a missing 's' on Swensson. We don't know if this was John's preference or if the official recorded it incorrectly,. Beata's name was recorded as 'Beata J. Johnson' though her last name in Swedish was Jonsson.

They settled at first in Englewood, which was a small farming community in the greater Chicago area. Their home was at 542 West 57th Place, Chicago.

In Sweden Sven and Beata probably were members of the Lutheran church as most Swedes were. A family document says that Sven became a Christian on February 1881 which probably means he made a conscious decision to follow God and ask God that his sins be forgiven. At some point he started attending a baptist church. Perhaps he did so at this time

For insight on their neighborhood of Englewood see:

Englewood Memories: Swedish Businessmen on Chicago's 59th Street, by Edward E. Osberg

West Englewood, Chicago

Englewood, Chicago

Englewood, past and present by John R. Schmidt

With much joy, no doubt, in 1882 a son was born to them whom they named Ernst Thure who possibly was called by his middle name, Thure. In 1884 a little brother David Ivar was born.

Sadly, Beata and John's first born child, Thure, died at only three years of age on May 30, 1885. We don't know what he died of.

John was a carpenter. His first job after working as a clerk was, apparently, with the Rock Island Shop and later Bommers(sp?) in Chicago. In 1883 he returned to Rock Island Shop.

1887 saw the birth of their first daughter, Ruth Elfie. Almeda Lydia followed in 1888. Henry Oscar was born 1891.

In 1892 twenty-two years after the death of her husband, John's mother, Christina, emigrated to America when she was about 63 years old. She stayed for a short time with her son John and his family at 59th and Carpenter Street in Chicago. When John and his family moved from that residence, Christina moved to the house of her daughter Anna and her son-in-law Axel Strodtz. She kept house for the family. After arriving in America, Oscar married Ida's sister, Tillie.

Another son, Joel Walter, was born in 1896.

After working for some time, and saving his money, John sent for his sister Matilda (Tilly) who was just 16 years of age.

In 1900 the members listed in John and Beata's home and their ages and occupation, if given, are:

1900 United States Federal Census for John Swanson
1900 United States Federal Census for John Swanson original
1900 United States Federal Census blank form which provides the headings of the columns

Their home was at 531 West 56th Place, Chicago, and their immediate neighbors were mostly Swedish immigrants or children of Swedish immigrants.

In 1903 John went to work for South Side Elevated Shops. 'Elevated' refers to the elevated passenger train system in Chicago, which is still in use today (2017).

Profession

As mentioned, John was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade. He did the fine carpentry work on the inside of Pullman railroad cars. As mentioned, John's first job, apparently was with Rock Island Shop, and later Bommers(sp?) followed by Wenselflous(sp?). In 1883 he went back to Rock Island Shop where he worked for the next twenty years.

In April of 1903 he went to work for South Side Elevated Shops on 61st and Calumet Avenue where he worked until his death on November 20th 1920. This work was for the Chicago elevated lines – the elevated lines are still in existence in Chicago and are know as ‘the L’. In one newspaper clipping it is said he worked for the Chicago Transit lines. It is not known at this time if Rock Island shop or any of the others mentioned above were part of the Chicago Transit lines.

However, the location at South Calumet Avenue and East 61Street still exists (2016) as a terminus for the railroad.

A descendant of John inherited his wood working tools - old wood and steel plains of various sizes and shapes, drills and more. Bernard Holmquist asked for and was given two of these plains which was marked with Swan's name. Bernard gave these tools to his son Lennart who still has them as of the year 2016. They are among his prized possessions.

Mother, Christina, Passes Away

In 1907 John's mother, Christina Svenson passed away of pneumonia. The Swanson family was living at 6930 Ada Street, Chicago at the time.

1910

By 1910 the Swanson family had moved from 531 West 56th Place, Chicago, Illinois to 542 West 57th Place, Chicago, Illinois. John continues to work as a carpenter for the railroad. Members of the household including their ages and occupation if given are:

Ruth has left the Swanson home because she married John T. Holmquist in October of 1908.

Neighbors of the Swanson family was the Johnson family at 540 West 57th Place. Alfred Johnson, like John Swanson, was a carpenter for the railroad. He and his wife Eda were born in Sweden and their children, like John and Betty's (Beata) children were born in in the USA.

Others in the neighborhood on West 57th Place were of American, Irish, Scottish, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Welsh or Canadian descent having either been born in those countries or whose parent(s) were born in those countries. Even several of the Americans were from states other than Illinois. Chicago's jobs, available housing or land on which to build a house, and family connections attracted millions who came for a possible better life than the places they came from.

1910 United States Federal Census for Swan J Swanson

1910 United States Federal Census for Swan J Swanson original

Church Work

For 13 years they were members of the Bethany Mission Church. Later in 1895 they were baptized in the Englewood Swedish Baptist church by a Reverend Eric Rosen where they "entered into the work with zeal and interest" according to a Swedish Baptist Church of Englewood publication.

Beata, who when by the name of Betty, was a member of the Linnea Aid society and was active in the relief and charity work of that organization. "She found inspiration in serving the Lord and helping those in need" according to the same publication.

Besides his work on the rail lines John was a dedicated Christian and known as "a very forceful and effective speaker and layman preacher"[1] taking over the pulpit when the regular minister was absent, and an Elder at Englewood Swedish Baptist church at 59th and Emerald.

Esther Holmquist who remembered John as being a tall thin man, said that John that he was often called upon to pray in meetings. She always thought his prayers were so long, but since he prayed in Swedish, which she could’t understand, his prayers probably seemed longer than they were.

John became associated with the Englewood Swedish Baptist church in Chicago when the pastor of his former church denied his request to be baptized by immersion.

John also taught Sunday School, and started the Sunday School at 69th and May Street at a double store front.

Personality

Edith Niebuurt said that John was a godly man and seemed to her to be a kind man. He was liked by their family very much. She remembers John helping his sister (her mother) with any carpentry work that needed to be done in their frame house.

John's Last Days

John's death was peaceful it is said. The day before he had been to church and was feeling well. On Monday morning at 10:00 in the morning he died of heart failure brought on by nephritis. About that time Ruth, John's daughter, was taking her kids to the dime store (at Woolworth's or Kresges) at 63rd and Halsted in Chicago. She sat them at the soda fountain where they were served. But she said she felt uneasy and made her kids leave their ice cream (or sodas) and said that they all had to go to her parents' house at 57th place near Hormal Blvd. which was about 1 1/2 or 2 miles away. Her brother Joe met her down the block before they had reached her parents' home and said, "Dad has died."

Swan John Swanson Cook County, Illinois, Deaths Index

The Depression

Beata continued living at the family home at 542 W. 57th Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA. The home was near the Illinois central tracks, a short distance from the University of Illinois.

However, the depression hit America in 1929 and in that year or one of the years following wiped out Beata financially. She was forced to give up her independence and move in with her children, and she did not seem to be too happy with this.

It was, no doubt, difficult living with the Holmquists who had 6 kids. Beata had to sleep on a cot in the dining room for the house had only 3 bedrooms. Al and his wife Hazel were living in the home too and slept in one of the bedrooms. Bud slept in the back room with Rusty.

She reminded Bud (Bernard Holmquist) of a little old lady who no one wanted. The girls in the family didn't get along with her. Beata didn't help the situation that much, either. She was stern, and Bud thinks that she could have been more kind though she was not unkind. Bud would avoid her. According to Esther Holmquist, Beata was a small person and very talkative. Perhaps being very talkative did not have helped the situation.

She spoke only Swedish to little Bud which he was able to understand (though he lost almost all his Swedish over time). She probably only knew Swedish. At one point, probably about 1930 or 1931 she complained to the pastor of her church that the morning service had change from Swedish language to English. The switch from Swedish to English was no a surprised. The native Swedish speakers for passing away. Their children and grandchildren did not know Swedish very well if at all.

The home they lived in was an upper-middle class flat at 8041 Vernon Avenue, a flat that John T. Holmquist (Beata’s son-in-law) owned.

Later Ellen Bruyn, sister of Edith took her in, and Beata's son David paid for her support. She was not there too long though, possibly because she was hard to get along with.

Shortly before her death, she lived at the Swedish Baptist Home for the Aged, 11404 Bell Avenue, Chicago (where she had to have an operation to have an eye removed). Though she had been sick for a long time, Beata actually died from a fracture of the neck in a fall at the Home. (She fell out of a second story window).

Children

Six children were born to John and Beata: Ture Ernest, David Ivar, Ruth Elfie, Almeda Lydia, Henry Oscar, and Joel Walter.

Sources and More Information

Some of the information above was supplied by a document entitled Swan John Swanson which may have been written by John T. Holmquist, and typed up later by his son Bernard Holmquist.

See also:

Swanson Family

Swanson Addresses

For Beata's ancestors and siblings see Jonsson Family.

If you have additional information or photos to add email family@earthwander.com.

Footnotes