|
a.
|
Note: !"G. Jonas Peterosn, was one of the earliest pioneer Swedish settlers of the east central portion of Clay County, Dakota Territory. With their two children, Peter William and their daughter, Christine, they left Sweden 9 May 1868. They came because they did not agree with all the concepts of the Lutheran Church, which was the national church. G. Jonas was faily well educated and had some money. The family immigrated to the United States and arrived in Clay County, Dakota Territory, the first days in July the same year. (Lucille Wimer inserted the following: "He is believed to be the earliest Swedish settler of Dakota Territory.") !They filed on a homestead claim, (Wimer added that it was 160 acres for a small filing fee if you would live on it for 5 years) described as the south half of the North-east quarter, and the north half of the south-east quarter, all of section 8, in Prairie Center Township, Clay County, and that became their first permanent home on American soil. (I do not know where they first lived but Christine, their daughter, told her grandson, Don, and the rest of us about living in a dug out and of her dad giving a pig?? to the Indians who came asking for food. They roasted the animal whole and devoured it). To this settlement came numerous other homesteaders within the next few years and it became the largest Swedish settlement in the entire territory comprising the Dakotas. (Lucille Wimer inserted the following: "Later they built the first (and only at that time) a frame house of cottonwood in the neighborhood.") Carl Johan, the fifth child of the family, was born 12 July 1868, a few days after the family arrived on their homestead claim and he was undoubtedly the first Swedish-born child in Dakota Territory, so far as known certainly in the southeastern portion thereof, outside of Vermillion or Yankton. !Gjed Jonas was early an active participant in community affairs - in school, church and civic life. At his home occured the first attempt to organize a church. He owned the first frame building in the settlement, and in October 1869, a gathering of settlers met at this home to organize a congregation. It was presided over by a Swedish clergyman from Omaha, named S. G. Larson, and there for the first time, the name "Dalesburg" was originated. The congregation was to be named such. But dissension arose almost immediately, and no record is available of the exact minutes of the proceedings of the meeting. In 1871, or about two years later, G. Jonas Peterson was a charter member and chief organizer of the Bloomingdale Baptist Church, built and located on the identical ground where the present Dalesburg Baptist Church stands, the name having been changed many years later from its first name. Mr. Peterson was its first pastor. !After many years, and after the settlement lost most of its pioneer appearance, he wrote two books and had same published in 1892. One was named "The Public Schools One Thousand Years Hence", and "The Horseless Carriages". The first book at least, is well and interestingly written, and there is definitely proof that the author had materially changed his earlier viewpoint on both religious and economic questions. (I recall Christine being rather proud of either his father or some relative's position somewhere in Swedish Government which no doubt would account for G. Jonas having been educated). I have a copy of the book named "The Public Schools One Thousand Years Hence". (The above book is in my - Lucille Sullivan Wimer's - box of heirlooms with photographs). !He was esteemed by the neighbors and early settlers as an honest and influential citizen. He moved into Vermillion, the county seat, after retirement from active farming. There, together with his oldest son, P. W. Peterson, he owned and ran a grain elevator below the hill until after the Missouri River flood. He then engaged in the mercantile business. Two banks, on either corner, were across the street fropm this store. In Vermillion, he built a large two storied house with turrets . His granddaughter, Mae Maurer Sullivan, recalls that they put a swing up in one the turrets, from which, she and others enjoyed swinging). This home was built near the university. !G. Jonas Peterson later moved to Texas where he engaged in the cattle business on a large scale, also the growing of rice. !G. Jonas was caught in one of the grain elevators below the hill (where old Vermillion was then) during the big flood of 1880 and had to spend a day there until the river went down. !Mrgareta says that Gjed or Gadd is house - name - also Jonsolars in Swedish. !THE FOLLOWING FROM CLAY COUNTY, S. D. HISTORIAN, AUGUST PETERSON, WRITTEN ON JULY, 1938, taken from the "The Family History "TREE" of the Charles Henry Lundeen and Grafs Anders Anderson Families" Genealogy Book. !Between the years 1858 and 1875, about 2l5 pioneer Swedish settlers came to Clay County, Dakota Territory and filed claims under the Free Homestead Laws of the United States. Most of them were immigrants, coming from Sweden, with their families. They settled in a compact area in the north east and north central portion of the county and it is claimed to have been the largest Swedish settlement in the Dakotas. It has remained largely Swedish to this day. !Throughout the years no efforts were made to preserve the history and genealogical records of those Swedish-American pioneer families. Not until 1905, or nearly 16 years after Statehood were laws enacted providing for keeping vital statistics, such as births, deaths, etc. As a consequence, the history and genealogies of those pioneers from early days settlement can only be secured and gathered from contact with living descendents now scattered all over the country, save what might be secured through certain church records, and from markers in early cemeteries. Certain records at the county courthouse may aid along with this work, though much of that was lost through fire and flood over 50 and 60 years ago. !Jonas Peterson, one of the earliest pioneer Swedish settlers of the east central portion of clay County, Dakota Territory, was born on 6-5-1840, in Vesterfors Village, Gagnef Parish, Dalarna, Sweden. His wife was Christine Olsdotter, born on 9-4-1841 in the same parish and territory in Sweden. With their two children, Peter William and daughter Christine, they left Sweden on 5-9-1868, and immigrated to the U.S. and arrived in Clay County, Dakota Territory, the first day in July of the same year. They filed on a homestead claim described as the south half of the NE one fourth and the north half of the SE one fourth, all in section 8 in Prairie Center Topwnship, Clay County, and that became their first permanent home on American soil. To that settlement came numerous other pioneer homesteaders within the next few years and it became the largest Swedish settlement in the entire territory comprising the Dakotas. !GJP, or "Gjed Jonas" Peterson, (as he was known in Sweden) and his wife Christine had in all 13 children born to them, two of whom died as infants in Sweden, and four born but died after the family's arrival in this country. Carl Johan, the 5th child of the family, was born on 7-12-1868, and only a few days after the family arrived on their homestead, claim he was undoubtedly the first Swedish-born child in Dakota Territory, so far as known, certainly in the SE portion thereof, outside of Vermillion or Yankton. GJP was early an active participant in the community affairs in school, church, and civic life. At his home occured the first attempt to organize a church. He owned the first frame building in the settlement, and in Oct. 1889 a gathering of settlers met at this home to organize a congregation. It was presided over by a Swedish clergyman from Omaha, named S. G. Larson, and there for the first time the name "Dalesburg" was originated. !The congregation was to be named such, but dissension arose almost immediately, and no record is available of the exact minutes of the procedings of the meetings. In 1871, or about 2 years later, GJP was a charter member and chief organizer of the Bloomingdale Baptist Church, built and located on the identical ground where the present Dalesburg Baptist Church stands, the name having been changed many years later from its first name. !Mr. Peterson was its first pastor. After many years, and after the settlement lost most of its pioneer appearance, GJP wrote two books and had same published in 1892. One was named "THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ONE THOUSAND YEARS HENCE", the second "THE HORSELESS CARRIAGES". The first book at least, is well and interestingly written, and there is definitely proof that the author had materially changed his earlier views on both religious and economic questions. !He was esteemed by the neighbors and the early settlers as an honest and influential citizen. He moved to Vermillion, the County seat, after retirement from active farming, and there together with his oldest son, PWP, he was engaged in the mercantile business. He later moved to Texas where he was engaged in the cattle business on a large scale, and also the growing of rice. He died on 12-26-1901 at Beaumont, Texas. His wife Christine, died on 10-19-1902m at the home of her son, PWP, in clay County, S. D. but interment was beside her husband at Beaumont, Texas. There were 13 children. !For the past eight years the undersigned has been at work attempting to gather histories and records regarding the early Swedish pioneer families and their descendents. It has been largely as a "hobby" and of considerable interest and enjoyment. The work has, however reached a point where it is believed in time it might form the basis for an authentic history of the Swedish pioneer of the country, and perhaps at some future time such a history might be published. !Genealogies of numerous families, of which this is one, have been written, but largely for the purpose of forming a background and ascertain historical incidents of those pioneer settlers. Aside from the above, the undersigned plans to file an alphabetical record of all the early Swedish homesteaders in the area mentioned, and a copy left at the Clerk of Courts Office at Vermillion, South Dakota. It will include name, birth and death dates of the homesteaders, time of arrival, where born in Sweden, description of land homesteaded; also name of wife, if married, birth and death date, where born and time of arrival. Name and birth date of children, if dead, date of same. Another copy will be placed in one other secure place and a copy retained by undersigned. !- July, 1938 August Peterson Centerville, South Dakota Route l, (Dalesburg) !From Vermillion Plain Talk, Vermillion, South Dakota. Lucille Wimer sent it. "In an anniversary banquet at the Big Springs baptist church on Saturday at 6 p.m., the 90th year of the Dalesburg Baptist church will be observed, it is announced by the Reverend Kenneth Samuelson, pastor. !The church was organized on 15 October 1971 and was originally known as the Swedish Baptist church of Bloomingdale. Present at the organization were the minister and two laymen from the Big Springs Baptist Church. !A former pastor, the Reverend Rawlin Johnson, will speak at the ll o'clock service on Sunday. There will be a historical session at 2:30 p.m., and the Reverend Robert Hails of Orlando, Florida, will speak at the evening service at 7:30. !Charter members of the church were Hans Backman, Olof Lind, Christine Erickson, G.Jonas Peterson, and wife Christine Peterson, L. A. Peterson and T. A. Olson." !On a Clay Territory, State of Dakota census dated 23 June 1870 it shows Gjed 30 years old, a farmer born Sweden, value of real estate $1100, value of personal estate $740. Christine, his wife, born Sweden who couldn't write (I surmise English) was 28 keeping house. His son, Peter, ten, born Sweden, at home, daughter Christine, five, born Sweden, at home. Charles, one, at home born Dakota Territory - Of course, Dakota Territory is North and South Dakota now and that area is now South Dakota. Anna 3/12 year born Feb in Dakota Territory. !Also in Swedish known as"Gedd/Gjed" - off of genealogy from John Erickson's papers. !Lucille Wimer's update: "Gjed Jonas Peterson had the first "frame" building in the settlement (they lived in a dugout for a time. I recall grandma telling how the Indians came and her father gave them a pig?? which they ate then and there). He was a charter member and chief organizer of the Bloomingdale Baptist Church (later the name was changed to the Galesburg Baptist Church." !The following is from an article sent to me from Lucille Wimer 16 March 1999: "More than 125 years ago, in Swedish provinces from Halsingland to Dalarna, families who were experiencing religious and economic hardship made the decision to emigrate to America. A handful of these pioneers, the founders of Dalesburg Baptist Church, were among the earliest settlers of Clay County, Dakota Territory. They arrived in 1868 in an area they named Bloomingdale. !Conditions in this barren land, covered with long prairie grass, made the task of building a home formidable. A dugout was the first dwelling, followed by a sod house above ground, (the article showed a picture of it) and finally a frame house. In spite of the hardships of life, the pioneers gathered for meetings to study God's word. (Lucille Wimer added: "As it was with your Great, great, grandparents.) !These Swedish settlers had deep regard for the Word of God. During the years just preceding their arrival in America, a revival swept through Sweden. Evangelical Christians from Europe and America had come to Sweden to share the message that salvation comes through a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ. Those who believed soon came into conflict with the strong State Church. They began to worship separately in homes and refused to have their babies baptized. As a result they were exposed to heavy fines and imprisonments. !In America, the land of promise, they found a haven. The Homestead Act, signed by President Lincoln on May 18, 1862, provided 160 acres of land for a small filing fee to anyone who would live on it and farm it for five years. !G. Jonas Peterson, believed to be the earliest Swedish settler of Dakota Territory, took such a claim five and one-half miles south of the present church in early July, 1868. He was joined later in the year by others including Peter Nilson, Olaf Hanson and family, Hans Backman, and Olaf Lind. Peterson played a vital role in the church's early history and in the founding of the Bloomingdale community. He led Bible studies in his home, and it was there on December 25, 1868, that the first Jul-Otta service in this part of the country was held. Jonas Johnson led the singing of Swedish hymns and psalms. !In 1869 other Swedish immigrants arrived, settling near "Baptist Creek". They included: Olaf Lindberg, Erick Lundquist, Sr. A. E. Hedin, Sr., Olaf Swedin, Lars A. Swedberg, Erick O. Frieberg, Olaf Erickson, and their families. A clergyman from Omaha named S. G. Larson met with Peterson and others that year to organize a church, but there was disagreement about basic theology, and the attempt failed. !In 1871 Rev. Peter Ring of Union Creek, (picture of Rev. Ring) now known as Big Springs (rural Alcester, South Dakota), would walk from his home (a distance of 15 miles) to minister to the settlers. On June 25, 1871, he was accompanied by two prominent laymen from Big Springs, Anders Lindblom and Carl J. Nilson, and by George W. Freeman, a businessman and pastor of the American Baptist Church in Elk Point. In the home of G. Jonas Peterson the Swede Baptist Church of Bloomingdale was organized. Peterson's home, built of cottonwood, was the only frame building in the neighborhood. !That day the first baptismal service was held in the Vermillion River. Baptized were: G. Jonas Peterson, his wife Kristina Peterson, Lars A. Peterson and Anna (T.A.) Olson. Because records are incomplete, ony seven of the thirteen charter members ane known to us: these four who were baptized and Hans Blackman, Olaf Lind, and Mrs. Kristina Erickson, all of whom were converted and baptized in Sweden. Among others who attended the early worship service and may have been charter members are: !Mr. and Mrs. Erick Lundquist, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hedin, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Swedin, Mr. and Mrs. Erick Frieberg, and Mr. and Mrs. Lars A. Swedberg. (This article had pictures of the charter members, which included my grandparents Jonas Peterson and wife, Kristina, Hans Backman, Kristina Erickson, Olaf Lind, Anna (T.A.) Olson and Lars A. Peterson.) !Some local histories set the date of organization in October of 1871, but a letter from George Freeman, written to Rev. Theodore Hassell in 1878 regarding the construction of the first church, documents the June 25th date. !Elk Point D.T. May 1st 1878Rev. !Rev. Theodore Hassell- !My Dear Bro. !Your "P.C." (post card) of 30 ult (ultimo) is before me asking a statement in regard to the organization of the Swede Baptist Church at Bloomingdale, Clay Co. D. T. With pleasure I comply with your request. !Rev. P. Ring of Big Springs Bap. church, assisted me in the organization of the Swede Bap. Ch. of Bloomingdale June 25th, 1871. It was organized with nine members, & on that day Bro. Ring immersed four making thirteen members. The Articles of Faith and Practice adopted were those found in "The Baptist Church Manual", or "The Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge". In 1872, the church was received into "the Southern Dakota Baptist Association", and up to this present time has been honored and blessed by God in a signal manner. The ch. has met with opposition and even persecution from their own countryman, but the Lord has overruled all for its good and his glory. The ch. has the confidence and sympathy of the entire Sisterhood of Churches in the Territory. Hope and pray you will succeed with your building enterprise: for the Church is located in the center of a large Scandinavian settlement. If the Home Mission Society can aid you through the building fund, I have no hesitancy in saying they will do a noble deed, and be sure of getting their money, with interest, into their treasury again according to terms of agreement. !Fraternally and Truly Yours !Geo. W. Freeman
|
