Swenson

Sven Olafsson (1773-1853)
and wife
Maria Jacobsdotter (1797-1827)

Sven was born in Barkaryd parish. The family were farm workers and moved around a lot. Once Sven struck out on his own he went first to Malmback where he met Maria. Sven died 6 months before Isaac sailed for America.  He died of natural causes at almost 80 years.   Sven had married his second wife, who had his same birthday only 24 years younger.   He had more children with her.  She died after her last child was born, related to that delivery.

This is the way Jonkoping and the surrounding area looked in 1850 where the Isaac Swenson family lived prior to coming to America in 1853.

Son of Sven Maria Olafsson

Isaac Swenson (1807-1884)
and 1st wife (m. 1833)
Magdalena Zakrisdotter (1809-1842)
There was no issue.
and 2nd wife (m. )
Ulrika Sofia Gustafsdotter (later Rydel) (1821-1853)

Isaac Swenson-Our Swedish Immigrant and the church in Svenarum, Sweden where Isaac and Ulrika were married

Malmback, one of the farms the early family worked.In the center is Hubbestad where Isaac worked as an adult-Pustanas on the right is where Isaac was born, the family most likely only there a short time.

The family moved to Almesaokra parish, which is where the farm Brassbo is located and Isaac lived here during his youth.

Isaac was a basket weaver & farmer. He had three wives, first was Magadalena Zakrisdotter,  who died in Smaland in 1842. The family lived in or near Jonkoping until 1853.His second wife was Ulrika Sophia Rydel, three of their children died of cholera at sea on the way to America. They were on the  sailboat, Sagadohoc, out of Goteberg Harbor and came to the Boston Harbor in 1853, and Ulrika died about six weeks after landing at Boston Harbor. Over 60 people died enroute to America from cholera that broke out after leaving Goteberg. On board this same boat was a Johanna Ruther, who became Isaac's third wife because she had lost her husband and two children on this same trip. A child was born to her September 7, 1853 aboard ship named Alfred. Isaac and Johanna were married after the group of friends went to Plymouth Michigan. Alfred was adopted at 12 years of age by Isaac and became known as Alfred Swenson.
Isaac and his son John Abraham, who survived the trip,  and the new family moved to Plymouth Michigan for a couple of years, then to Sparta Michigan. He was a spiritual leader until a minister could be found for Sparta Co. Michigan.  Isaac and Johanna his third wife had 6 children of their own and were founders of the Mamrelund Lutheran Church. The 75th Anniversary booklet put out by the Mamrelund Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kent City Michigan June 22-29, 1911 gives a story of the Emigration from Sweden and lives of some of the original settlers, including Isaac Swenson. He died of a stroke and is buried with a prominent tombstone in Greenwood cemetery in Sparta, Michigan.

Son of Isaac and Ulrika Swenson.

John Swenson on front row, 2nd from right holding daughter, Eula. Jennie in back at far right.
They were visiting in Michigan, probably at the Saur's home. This picture was taken in 1901.

John Abraham Swenson (1847-1924)
and wife (m. 1881)
Sarah Jane (Jennie) Arbuthnot (1856-1936)

John was born in Jonkoping, Sweden.  Immigrated to America aboard the Swedish ship Sagadohoc, sailing into the Boston Harbor in October 1853 (this information is on Microfilm at the Boston City Library and the ship list is also with his Grandson, Swede Swenson. Swede can be e-mailed at  swen1@cox.net John lived in Michigan until 1870 when he and a brother came to Manhattan KS as Surveyors.  His brother moved back to Michigan after about two years. John then Homesteaded in  Fairview Twp. Republic Co. in 1871 and then in 1886 moved to the farm, called "The Pines" in Freedom Twp. and Fairview Twp.,which was two miles north and one and one half miles east of Belleville KS.  He was a Fence Builder/Surveyor/County Commissioner of Republic Co./Farmer/Stockman.  John was a member of the First Christian Church in Belleville, a member of the Masonic Order/Eastern Star/IOOF/Farmers Union. He moved to Belleville in 1917 and resided at 2518 K St.until his death. His wife Jennie was one of the pioneer school teachers of Republic Co. and was a Past Matron of Ophel Chapter of the Eastern Star. She lived in Belleville until a stroke in 1935 which left her a semi-invalid and after lived with her son Ross Swenson on the farm "The Pines" until her death in 1936.

The underlined names on the maps were the different locations of John A. Swenson

Green square is John Swenson's 80 acre Homestead in Fairview Township, which he staked out and then walked back to Junction City, KS to register his claim. Maroon square is the family farm consisting of 640 acres in both Freedom and Fairview Townships 1886 to be later purchased by Jim, Ross & Mabel and boys in 1923. Blue square in Farmington Township is James G. Arbuthnot's family farm, where Jennie Arbuthnot Swenson first lived in Republic County.

On the left "The Pines" farm home of John and Jennie
On the right their home in Belleville when they sold the farm to the boys.

Son of John A. and Jennie Swenson.

Ross Greeley Swenson (1893-1979)
and wife (m. 1917)
Mable Walker Swenson (1895-1983)

Ross was a Farmer/Stockman on the same farm "The Pines" where he was born and raised and this farm along with his brother James owned the farm as "Swenson Brothers" until selling it in the late 1960's. His most beloved avocation was politics.  He was Republic County Democratic Chairman from 1938-1976 (which at that time was the longest tenure in office of any County Chairman in the State of Kansas). He also was Democratic State Treasurer in the 1950's and was appointed by Gov. Bob Docking to the Alcholic Beverage Control Board of Kansas for 8 years. He served on Freedom Township Wheat Program Committee 1933-34 and Chairman of Corn-Hog Program and Compliance Man for Freedom TWP. He became a Mason in December 1926 in Belleville, also was a Royal Arch Mason and member of the ISIS Shrine in Salina, KS. Ross was a member of the Eastern Star in 1927 and served twice as Worthy Patron of the OES, once in 1932 with Edna Hill as Worthy Matron and then with his wife as Worthy Matron in 1934. Ross was also Master of the Blue Lodge in Belleville in 1937. He completed his Freshman year in High School before being more urgently needed to help on the family farm and was a member of the Central Christian Church since 1920. A member of the Kiwanis after retiring from the farm. The cause of his death was a Heart Attack. Mable was a teacher in Republic Co. and met Ross when she was teaching at a nearby school and needed to be have room and board with the Swenson family. She too was very active in church work,  a life member of the Ophel Chapter, Eastern Star, of which she secretary for many years and District Aide to Grand Chapter,OES of Kansas, President of the Beauceant Society at Concordia KS,  Starlight Study Club Belleville, Mother Advisor to Rainbow Girls, member KSDAR, John Haupt Chapter Topeka and member of the Business and Professional Women Belleville.  During the 1940's she served as Postmistress of the Belleville Post Office.  She was a member of the Christian Church since 1905. She moved to Topeka 3 years before her death and lived at the Samaritan Nursing Home, the cause of death was a Stroke. 

The Swenson Farm Home (late 1930's)   Ross's Brother Jim (Swede's Uncle)

The following three paragraphs are about the sons of Ross and Mabel Swenson.

Jack Swenson (1921- )
and wife (m. 1946)
Emmadale Lockwood (1914-1999)

Jack was born in 1921 on the farm near Belleville Kansas. He graduated from Belleville High School, Jack played the trumpet in the band.  He entered and completed courses in sheet metal school in Topeka KS.  Jack served in World War II in the Air Force and further developed the sheet metal trade.  After service he worked at the Belleville Telescope and learned the printing trade and used these skills later for a printing firm in Topeka and the Manhattan Mercury.  He married Emmadale Lockwood in 1946. While living in Manhattan he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service from which he retired and later moved to Topeka KS in the late 1980's where his two daughters, Linda Hunter and Barbara Logan live. Linda is married to Larry Hunter and they have two sons, Lenn and Lonnie.  Barbara was married to Meigs Logan, they have one son, Joshua (Josh), they are divorced.  Jack has married a second wife, Joyce Segelquist from Topeka in September 2000.  Below are photos of Jack and Emmadale and their two daughters and families.

Jack and Emmadale Swenson

Larry and Linda Hunter, Lenn & Lonnie

Barbara Logan and Josh

Jack and Joyce Segelquist Swenson
married in 2000.

Jack and Joyce Swenson in Hawaii.  They cruised to Hawaii from Mexico making stops at many of the islands in November 2002.  This was a historic trip for Jack in that Hawaii became the 50th and last state to which he has travelled.  And at 81 years of age that is quite an accomplishment.

Victor Eugene Swenson (1922-1970)
and wife (m. 1946)
Jean Nelson  (

Victor was born on the farm near Belleville KS.  He graduated from Belleville High School and later graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation he was employed in the engineering department of John Deere Tractor Works.   He helped design the four cylinder tractor for John Deere in the late 1960's.   He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church, Martin Lodge A.F. and A.M., Royal Arch Masons, Baldwin Commandery #11, Royal and Select Masters of Iowa and the El Kahir Shrine.  Victor was also a member of the Waterloo Tech Society and Society of Automotive Engineers.  Victor was interested on Drama in High School and also played the clarinet in the Band.  Loved bowling, golf and bridge and was pretty good at all three.  He actually left the golf course at the second hole on the day died and went home because he didn't feel so well.  Not long after he suffered a fatal heart attack.  He married Jean Nelson in 1946 and they have two sons Craig Eugene born in 1953 and Mark James born in 1961, both in Waterloo Iowa.

Victor and Jean Swenson

On the left, Craig and on the right Mark Swenson
"The Hunters and Fishermen"

Willowdale School-1934 (Swede is front row right-Brother Victor
is back row left-Brother Jack is back row second from right)
Gerald Riley-Teacher

R. G. Swede Swenson (1927- )
and Wife (m. 1949)(div. 1971)
Marjorie Ruth Thompson (1931- )

Swede was given the name of R.G. (initials of his Dad, Ross G.) and later in life used for a while in his selling profession a nickname of "Swede", which was made his legal middle name in the 1970's. He was born and raised on the farm near Belleville, a graduate of Belleville High, B.S. in Education from K.S.T.C. (Emporia State now) and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Kansas in 1975.  He taught in Kansas schools for 6 years (Scott City, East Indianola in Topeka, Osborne and Wanamaker Grade in Topeka) where he mostly taught the upper Elementary Grades, Coached Basketball and Softball and served as Principal at Osborne.  He then became a Professional Service Representative for two different Drug Companies (Lederle Laboratories and Merck Sharp & Dohme) for the next 11 years.  In 1965 he was employed as Executive Assistant to the Kansas Medical Society and served until May of 1972. During this same period of time he was elected to the USD# 501 School Board, serving 2 terms until 1973. In the spring of 1973, Swede ran for Mayor of Topeka and this was the only political race he ever lost. In Sept of 1973 he began working in the Office of Securities Commissioner of Kansas and served until retirement in 1996. During that time he served as Assistant Treasurer NASAA (North American Securities Administrators Association) and on several committees from 1981 to 1996. He received the NASAA Outstanding Service Award on September 10, 1996 at their Annual meeting in Snowbird, Utah. He was a PFC in the United States Marine Corps (1946-1947) and was a Captain's Orderly on the USS Valley Forge CV 45 Aircraft Carrier). Member of Masonic Lodge in Scott City KS, Scottish Rite Bodies of Topeka and Arab Shrine of Topeka. He has been a member of the Christian Church of Belleville, Lowman and Countryside Methodist Churches of Topeka, Westminster Presbyterian, and now is at the First Congregational Church.  He serves  a Deacon and takes great pride as Caretaker of the Mettner Garden at the church. He was first married to Marjorie (Marge) Thompson (see Holtom) in 1949, divorced in 1971 and second to Virginia Fox in 1973. Virginia graduated from Topeka High School in 1938 and attended Washburn College.  Then worked for Santa Fe Railway three years and married Chet Fox. Lived at Mitchell Field Long Island during WWII and had two children Charlotte and Bob.  Moved back to Topeka and worked for the Santa Fe thirteen more years before moving to Wisconsin and after her husband's death moved back to Topeka.

Many a day was spent in this barn by all members of the Swenson family, both for
work and for fun. It was the focus point for putting hay in the Loft to feed animals below, storing grain in the bins, milking the cows, kids jumping on the hay in the Loft and Swede used to throw rubber balls against the barn and then catching them pretending to be playing Baseball. This picture was taken long after the barn was serving a useful purpose but was one of the last buildings still standing in the farm yard.

East Indianola Elementary where Swede taught
coached Basketball and Softball 1952-1954

Wanamaker Grade School where Swede taught
coached Basketball and Softball and in December
1955 he left teaching and became a salesman for
Lederle Laboratories.

Daughter of Swede and Marjorie Swenson

Deborah Sue Swenson Beam (1951- )
see Beam

Son of Swede and Marjorie Swenson

Michael Ray Swenson (1955- )
and wife (m. 1977)(div. 1984)
Nancy Rutherford (1955- )

Mike was born in Topeka KS and lived and worked there until moving to Lawrence KS. He graduated from Topeka West High in 1973 and received a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Kansas. He has worked in Radio and TV/KANU State House Reporter/KSNT-TV Production and also began there State House Reporting.  Mike was selected to be the Assistant Press Secretary to Kansas Gov. John Carlin and then became Press Secretary in the Governor's 2nd Term.   He then entered Public Relations with Boasberg and Company in Kansas City Mo. After only 2 years in Kansas City he then joined Barkley and Evergreen's Public Relations Division and is now in 2000 President and Partner of BEAP (Barkley & Evergreen and Partners).  He has in many ways become one of the "movers and shakers" of the Kansas City area. He was first married to Nancy Rutherford in 1977, divorced in 1984 and second marriage to Charneil Searles Hadl in 1989.

Sons of Michael and Nancy Swenson

Brady Michael Swenson (1979 - )

Brady was born in Topeka, KS.  He graduated from Washburn Rural High School and is currently enrolled as a Senior in Computer Science of the Engineering School at the University of Kansas.

Blake Patrick Swenson (1982 - )

Blake was born in Topeka, KS.  He graduated from Washburn Rural High School and is currently enrolled as a Sophmore at the University of Kansas. Blake is planning for a degree in Political Science.

Mike's Second Marriage

Mike and Charneil Swenson

Maddie and Cassie-Mike and Charneil's house Christmas 1997

Son of Swede and Marjorie Swenson

Scott Blaine Swenson (1963- )

Scott was born in Topeka, KS.  He graduated from Topeka West High in 1981 and entered the University of Kansas and studied Political Science.  He left in the mid-80's to become Press Secretary to Kansas Congressman Dan Glickman. Scott learned a great deal about politics from working with his Granddad, Ross Swenson.  He later joined a large Public Relations Firm in Washington DC, he had worked for a time in this field for Bill Hoch and Associates in Kansas City MO.  This all seemed to right down his alley and it has taken him many places since.  To New York as Media Director for Public Agenda Foundation and then back to DC with them. Politics was not far from his heart or mind so then he took a leave of absence to come back to Kansas and Manage the Judy Hancock campaign for Congress from the 3rd District-1994. Went back to Washington to be Media Director for the Halocaust Museum 1994-1996.  Whoops politics again-He came back to be Press Secretary for Jill Docking for U.S Senate-1996. Back to DC and became a Free Lance Writer and Independent Contractor for Communications Consortium.  And has from 1999 to 2000 been Media Director for Gill Foundation, Denver CO. However he is planning to move back to DC and work with a group he has been working with the Denver. The Oregon Death with Dignity organization. In 2001 he is currently the CEO of the Oregon group and continues to free lance with other clients, working from his home in D.C.

Boo and Scott Swenson

Scott's Home in Washington DC

Daughter of John and Jennie Swenson

Kate Arbuthnot Swenson Douglas (1883-1912)
and husband (m.1908)
Frank A. Douglas ( - )

Son of John and Jennie Swenson

John Leigh Swenson (1890-1957)
and wife (m.1915)
Maude Tucker
Sons and Daughters of Leigh and Maude Swenson
Althea Claire Swenson Smith b.1916
Dorothy Lee Swenson Lacey b.1917
Ruth Lorraine Swenson Settle b.1919
Maydelle Swenson Bunker b.1921
Max Swenson b.1924
Wilma Faye Swenson Glenn b.1925
If anyone wants more information on the above ancestors of Leigh and Maude
can contact Swede Swenson: swen1@cox.net

****************

Isaac Swenson (1807-1884)
and 3rd wife (m. 1853 in Boston)
Johanna Ruther/Niclasson (1825- 1910)

Johanna and Isaac Swenson

Johanna was born at Skarstad, Jonkoping, Sweden.  They had six children of their own plus Alfred, who was 12 years old when Isaac adopted him.

Daughter of Isaac and Johanna Swenson

Ida Christine Swenson (1868-1935)
and husband (m.1889)
John Erickson (1865-1952)

The picture on the left was taken in 1889-On the right was 1930

Ida was born in Lisbon, MI. Kent CO.  John was born in Rotvik, Gillberga, Varmland, Sweden. They were married in Muskegon MI.  John had a Commercial Dairy in Seattle, WA. They had six children who stayed in the Seattle area.

Daughter of John and Ida Erickson

Elsie Emilda Erickson (1904-1994)
and husband (m. 1927)
Friend Arthur Deahl (1899-1992)

This picture was taken in 1945

Elsie was born in Seattle, WA.  Friend was born in Pratt, KS.

Daughter of Friend and Elsie Deahl

Carolyn Marcia Deahl (1931- )
and husband (m. 1953)
Harry Vey Parsons (1929- )

Carolyn was born in Seattle, WA and Harry was born in Dallas TX. They now reside Morrison, Colorado.

Harry and Carolyn Parsons and their home taken November 2001 during Swede and Virginia Swenson's visit after Thanksgiving

Parsons & Martin Families -2004

Pictured on the left and L-R are Blake, Greg, Beth, Sam, Adam, Jessica, & Allison Parsons

Pictured on the right L-R are Dale, Kristin, Pam, & Weston Martin

Harry and Carolyn Parsons, a Swenson Cousin, by lineage back
to Johanna, Isaac's third wife, whom he married after
losing his second wife to Cholera on board ship coming to
America

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