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A Tale of Three Brothers

This is the genealogy of three Lindgren brothers after their arrival in America. Oral history indicates that the Patronym (father's surname) was originally Anderson (or Andersson - the extra s was later dropped). An Anderson man took his wife's name of Lindgren. Whether this was done in Sweden or after arrival in America is unclear. That there were three brothers with the same Lindgren surname tends to indicate the change took place in Sweden.

The Three Brothers:

Anders Andrew Lindgren, born 30 September 1840, died 08 February 1908

Nels F. Lindgren, born 12 May 1847, died 09 February 1916

Edward William Lindgren, born 25 February 1851, died 07 September 1933.

The Lindgren Surname

The name Lindgren is one of the more common names in Sweden. Check Hans Högman's excellent website (listed in "More Links" page) for a discussion of names and naming practices. The name translates literally as a "branch of the Linden tree". Oral history indicates that the name change occurred because there were too many Anders' sons in the area. However, since the Lindgren surname is not rare, it may have had more to do with a lower-status Anderson man marrying a higher status Lindgren woman.

Why They Left Sweden

Factors leading to the migration to America included a population boom in Sweden and lack of jobs. In the 1860's, several years of bad weather caused crops to fail. Famine stalked the land when imported wheat and potatoes proved too costly for poverty-stricken citizens to purchase. Letters arriving from America painted pictures of hope, and the mass migration of the late 1800's began.

Coming To America

The three brothers arrived in America and joined friends and relatives who had set up a Swedish community in Knox County, Illinois. According to an interview with Hazel Shanahan, conducted by Mark Schmidt, the brothers worked in the coal mines there.

Anders came to America in 1865, Nels arrived in 1868, and Edward arrived in 1870.

After living several years in Knox County, some of the more adventurous Swedes packed their belongings and headed off to homestead the new lands opening up in Dakota Territory.

According to Hazel, Edward bought a parcel of land in what became Nebraska, and the three brothers divided it up into their respective parcels. Edward is listed in US censuses in Saunders County, NE for 1880 through 1920.

Anders and his family were settled in Mariposa Township, near Wahoo in Saunders County by April of 1878 when their daughter, Hulda, was born. Nels was living in Saunders County by March of 1876, when his son, Adolph was born.

At some point, Edward purchased land on what became the border between Boyd County, Nebraska and Gregory County, South Dakota. He sold this farm on contract to his son, Arthur (Art). Upon Art's death, his sons operated the farm, and one son, Darold still owns the place.

In 1905, Charles followed his Uncle Ed northward, buying a farm located east of Fairfax, Gregory County, South Dakota.

Special thanks go to Donna Tyburec, whose information provided most of the foundation upon which I was able to connect the branches of this family tree, and to Dwayne E. Lindgren for his oral history which helped to fill out the branches. Also, thank you Lorean Schoepf, for filling in many of the blanks on the Julius Lindgren line!

There are still plenty of blank spaces to be filled, and contributions of information or corrections are always welcomed.

Update History

(Click link above to view older History)

Updated 24 Jan 2012 to correct error to Anders Lindgren page & to improve Index of Individuals links.

Updated 07 Aug 2011 to include corrections & new information from Bill & Donna Lindgren on the Edward William Lindgren - Ernest Theodore Lindgren line.

Updated 10 May 2011 to include corrections & new information from Colleen Dougherty Dillard on Rose E. Lindgren and Evelyn Lindgren. Supporting data from census, birth, & death record citations added to Bibliography.

Updated 13 March 2011 to include new census information & additional information on William Lindgren.

Updated 9 Feb 2011 to include information from Nancy Burdick on the Tishendorf line and from June T. Skole's obituary. Also, obituary updates on Rachel Sloat and Lyle D. Drieling

Recent updates include information and corrections from Mark Schmidt's interview with Hazel (Lindgren) Shanahan, plus other sources, on the Edward Lindgren line. Also further information from the 1983 Saunders County History was incorporated. Leonard C. Lindgren, b: 23 Aug 1902, was changed to the Carl Henry Lindgren line, where he correctly belongs. Apologies for the earlier confusion.

Disclaimer: Information presented on this site is as accurate as I can make it. However, it relies heavily on secondary source information. Therefore, be careful when using this information as a research tool. Always refer to original sources whenever possible.

If you find that there is an error in the data presented, or if you have information that can assist to fill in blanks in the data, please contact the webmaster. All corrections and contributions of information are gladly accepted.

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