After the First Forty Years - 1876 - 1916

By Dr. C. A. Lonnquist

Translated from Swedish by

O.W. Berquist, Axtell, Nebraska

Chapter I - The Beginning

If anyone in the late seventies of the last century had traveled

south from Kearney Junction, (now the city of Kearney) a little town

on the Union Pacific north of the Platte' River, crossed the Platte

River and continued over the sage brush covered sand hills and

barren clay hills out on the desolate, endless prairie and had been

told that in the future these plains would home as hospitable as

those of Illinois or Iowa, he would have shaken his head skeptically.

Who would dare to settle down here and should anyone have dared,

how could the untamed prairie be changed to a pleasant and livable

country?

To be sure there were signs that people had been here. South of

the river lay Fort Kearney, now abandoned and in ruins. Also to be

seen were the old ruts along the river of the Mormon Trail whose

terminus was California.

The Mormon Trail lay north of the Platte River). A trail going south to a great sheep ranch called "Watson's Ranch",

with its shed of tremendous proportions like a tabernacle. Here and

there and far apart could be seen human habitations' dug outs and

sod houses -nearby small patches of wheat and corn baked by

the heat and drought of summer.

One of the first human habitations to be seen was a new log house-

One begins to wonder where it came from, when not the smallest

sapling grew on the prairie. Upon inquiry one would have found

that the country was being settled by young and middle aged Swedes,

from Swedesburg and New Sweden, Iowa. Young and strong,

in their best years, they came to measure their strength with the hard

conditions of the prairie. Their aim was to gain their daily bread

from the virgin soil and some security for the future. But certainly

no Eldorado was discovered.

Having reached Mirage Post Office thirteen miles south of Kearney

a inquiry made for the nearest neighbor, one would have been infor-

med that he lived one mile south.

Here, too, one would have

been amazed to find that the house was built of wood. It belonged

to a Swede by the name of Beiyon, although the name sounds Eng-

lish. He had the honor of leading the Swedish people to these parts

Mr. Beiyon was a self-educated man with a practical understanding

and a view toward the future. As a land agent (real estate promoter)

he had lured the Swedes from the East with rosy descriptions, whose

counterpart was found only in his imagination. Many of the new settlers he had to help with travel expenses, since they were all poor. Naturally he could not help them leave, even if he had the

good will to do so. That he was a man of good will and intentions

the pioneers will testify. When they had so come and saw no possi-

bility of getting out, they had no choice but to stay and get along or

starve. The latter a Swede would not he likely to do, if patience and

hard work would help.

In this case it did help. No one lived in a mansion; all had to be

satisfied with simple food ; there was great suffering in the winter

because fuel was so difficult to get. To be sure coal -could be bought

in Kearney, but they, had no money. Cornstalks were used in the

winter of 1876-77 and these had to be dug out of the earth with an

ax. But they learned to bide the time and be satisfied with their lot.

These people were not used to an easy living. If a man could get

him self a yoke of oxen or at best a team of horses,

a lumber wagon a plow and a harrow - for building purposes there

was plenty of sod, somehow he made a go of it.

Now if one should ask the old timers, how they got along, they

would assure you that they never had it better. They never starved;

if they occasionally suffered from cold, they could stand it, since they

were young. They tell us it was a glorious time, not only because

they were "the good old times," but because the evil passions which

accompany prosperity and easy living either were not found or had

withdrawn to the shadows. On the other hand all the noble traits of

human nature come to the surface in days of trial. All were brothers

in poverty. If someone whispered a word about Divine mercy, in

each heart echoed yea and amen, for all were in need of it. Yes, it

was a wonderful time.

Therefore to take Part in a common spiritual task brought with

it an unspeakable satisfaction. The spiritual work was a balm, a rest

for the bodily weary and an answer to the uneasy questionings of

the sprit. At the same time there in lay a compensation for the most

holy treasures of the heart left behind in Sweden and in other places

in America. The preservation, then, of their common spiritual heritage

became of prime importance to the pioneers, not only because of the

hope of the life to come, but also that it brought with it a sense of

security in this life also. How could they stand the hardships of

those days without the common worship of' the Divine? The spiritual

atmosphere alleviating the trials of the workaday world made the

memories of the old times so pleasant.

SEPTEMBER 4, 1876

The prairie is totally black, the color of the bare earth. In vain

one, would look for a blade of grass; if ever the prairies were desolate,

it was now. There were no trees. Had someone planted a timber

claim in the spring , the young trees would have been totally stripped

of leaves and bark. In the history, of the pioneers this was known as

"The year when the grasshoppers came. On Sunday, August 6, the

grasshoppers could be seen coming in large swarms from the south.

On Thursday they came in large clouds obscuring the sun. They

alighted everywhere -destroying all that could be destroyed. People

trembled with fear and were perplexed as to what could be done. And

suddenly and unexpectedly as they came they departed. On Au-

gust 24 a hard wind blew from the north and, as though they were

waiting for it, the grasshoppers took the wings of the wind and

vanished. But what desolation they left behind!

Did the settlers come together that day (September 4) in Beiyons

house to discuss the inevitable famine they faced? Or did they come

to take revenge on him, who had lured them into this misery. Here

according to his glowing description was supposed to be the level

"Goshen," the most fertile land in the county and above all others

the land of the future. Certainly the land is level and fertile, but

where are the crops they had hoped for? Yet they did not appear

to be embittered or dejected as we see them tying the horses to the

lumber wagons or standing in small groups talking together. From

the inside we can hear the women chatting gaily. It must be for some

other purpose they have come.

As we enter the house we find present not less than three Swedish

Lutheran clergymen. The oldest is Aaron Lindholm the lively dark-

complexioned man is Carl Walleen; the youngest is A. G. Setterdahl.

We surmise there is to be a "meeting" today. The people gather, that

is, the men come in. They sit down wherever they can find a place.

Many have hymn books-with them. What the singing may have

lacked in beauty is compensated for in sincerity and devoutness. After

the singing Rev. Lindholm reads the Scripture. He is not such an

eloquent speaker but it appears he is at home in the Word. After the

reading he begins to pray. It is so quiet. The souls are like the dry

prairie, when the first drops of rain begin to fall. No loud "Amen"

are heard in response, but many would whisper it silently before God.

He thanks God for grace and-mercy, asks for blessings on the hour,

prays for the power of the Word and Spirit, commends to the hand

of God the important undertaking for which they are gathered. Now

he reads the text, Psalm 60, and begins quietly and-simply to ex-

pound it. He compares this hand full of Swedish pioneers to the

Israelites, who had been scattered by the Syrians, but were again

assembled by Joab and won the victory over the Edemites. He speaks

of the sign, the banner, about which they should keep together as a

security against their foes; of the sanctuary, where God speaks com-

fort to his sorrowful people; of spiritual conquests made with Divine

help; of the glory beyond the boundaries of time. "Through God we

shall do valiantly for He it is, that shall tread down our enemies."

- Psalm 60:12.

It was hardly, a sermon which would have brought much atten-

tion in later times, or given the preacher a name. But in the message

there were goads and nails. Ecc. 12: 1 1. Every soul was gripped,

prepared for what was to come. The challenge came, that in the

of poverty to organize a Swedish Lutheran congregation.

Walleen suggested (young).Setterdahl as chairman; newly or-

dained and inexperienced in such matters he wanted to be excused;

in a pleasant way Walleen put it to a vote. The democratic ideas were

in those days stronger than now even among the pastors. No prece-

dence, no arrogance. In return Rev. Walleen was given the duties

of secretary, Rev. Setterdahl then asked those present if they were

seriously considering the important undertaking of organizing a con-

gregation. Yes, they wanted a Lutheran congregation. Thirty-eight

people expressed their desire for membership. They were unanimously

in favor of a congregation under the sponsorship of the Augustana

Synod. If anyone might have desired a different affiliation it was not

mentioned. After due consideration the congregational constitution

of the Augustana Synod of 1870 was adopted with the necessary

additions. Louis Peterson, a young man of serious demeanor, moved

that Bethany be the name of the new congregation, with this beloved

name as this, the mother church became-known and widely known

both in Conference and Synod. There were to be four deacons and

three trustees; all confirmed members were given the right to vote.

Edward Nelson was elected secretary; Olof Hedlund, Louis Peterson,

Andrew Ackerson and John Larson, Deacons; Lars Rotsten, Matts

Hakanson and O. C. Nelson, trustees. It was decided that the newly

organized congregation should apply for incorporated membership

in the Augustana Synod. Rev. Setterdahl was asked to confer with

the president of the Kansas Conference regarding the services of a

pastor. Song and benediction closed this momentous meeting.

A few poor farmers out on the endless prairies had begun an

undertaking, which to be sure was insignificant in the eyes of the

world, but has and shall have incalculable consequences and great

blessings for time and eternity. Visit the neighborhood (region) after

forty years; how different the settlement now appears. There stands

the large white church with spire and cross visible in all directions

far over the plains.

The greater number of those present at the organization of the

congregation now rest beneath the sod; many of them in the shadow

of its spire. Of what importance was this meeting to them and for

the succeeding generations? I dare not ask more questions. Tears

come to my eyes and dim the vision and the pen writing these lines

is in danger of going astray. The eyes of the soul see pictures of such

great magnitude, it would be useless to attempt to describe them. May

the departed rest in peace! And for those who remain, may this deed

follow them with joyous satisfaction. The meeting in Beiyon's house,

September 4, 1876, bore unexpected and abundant fruits.

How happy we would be to have had a group picture of these

men and women, courageous and hardy descendants of the Vikings

of the North, in their simple garments, yet in their best years. A studv

of the old church record is the only way we now have of knowing

who they were. But this is incomplete: it was secured a couple of years

afterward and even then a number of changes had been made. Who

the others were we shall never know definitely. With the sources

of information at hand we shall attempt to make the list complete

as follows:

1, 2, Matts or Mattias Hakanson, "Bleking" (the name of the

province in Sweden from which he came) 32 years of age, wife Nilla

"Bleking" 28 years, came from Sweden 1869, from Woodhull, Illinois,

1876.

3, 4, Swan Magnus Farm, 32 years, "Smalanning" and wife

Clara Sofia, "Smalanning," from Sweden 1870, from Woodhull 1876.

5, 6, Peter Magnus Nyquist, 32 years, "Smalanning," wife Anna,

"Smalanning," 28 years, he's from Sweden 1867, she from Sweden

1875, both from Chicago 1876.

7, 8, Louis Peterson, "Skaning," 36 years, his wife Malin, "Sma-

lanning," 26 years, from Sweden 1869, from Swedesburg, Iowa, 1876.

9, 10, Lars Johan Rotsten, Smalanning," 39 years, wife Inga

Sofia, "Smalanning," 30 years, from Sweden 1868 and 1869, from

Swedesburg, Iowa, 1876.

11., 12, Hokey Holcomb, "Bleking," 25 years, his wife, Pernilla,

born in Knoxville, Illinois, 19 years, from Knoxville, 1875.

13, 14, O. C. Nilson, "Skaning," 50 years, his wife, Christina,

"Skaning, " 40 years, from Sweden 1854, from Knoxville, 1875. Mr. Nil-

son was the man who made the move to call Dr. Hasselquist from

Sweden to Galesburg, Illinois.

15, Edward Nelson (Nelander) 21 years, son of the former.

16, Samuel Nelson, brother of the former, 17 years.

17,18, Carl Jacob Lofgren, "Ostgote" 54 years, his wife Anna

Greta, "Ostgote," 41 years, he from Sweden 1846, she from Sweden

1867, from New Sweden, Iowa, 1876.

19, 20, Anders Johan Alfred Broman, "Ostgote," 33 years, his

wife, Carolina Sofia, "Ostgote," 34 years, from Swedesburg, 1874.

21, Samuel August Holmquist ?

22, Charles G. Broman, "Ostgote," 25 years, from Sweden 1871,

from Swedesburg, 1876.

23, 24, P. O. Lander, "Bleking," 49 years, his wife, Charlotta

Maria, "Smalanning," 46 years, he from Sweden 1854, she 1868, from

Swedesburg, 1876.

25, 26, Andrew Ackerson and wife.

27, 28, Olof Hedlund and wife, both "Halsingar."

29, 30, A. P. Falk and wife.

31, 32, Frank Samuelson, "Smalanning," 38 years, his wife,

Johanna, "Smalanning, " he from Sweden 1869, she 1870, from Illi-

nois 1875.

33, John Larson

34, Hanna Enberg, "Skaning," 58 years, from Sweden 1872,

here 1876.

35, Britta Larsdotter, "Vastgote," 67 years, from Sweden 1870,

from Swedesburg, 1876.

36. Matts Hedlund, "Halsing"

37, 38, Anders Magnus Anderson, "Smalanning," 41 years, his

wife, Maria Sofia, "Smalanning," 37 years, from Sweden, 1876.

The majority of these lived on homesteads scattered over the prai-

ries on an area which from east to west would measure approximately

twenty miles.

The question inevitably arises: who was the leader among them

which brought about the congregation? Hedlund, the most experi-

enced in church affairs, lived the farthest away. The man, who because

of his prestige was to assume leadership had not yet arrived. We shall

have to be satisfied with more or less imperfect conclusions. Both the

church records and the book of minutes, which could have given

us valuable information of this period, are quite incomplete. How-

ever, it is possible to read a good-deal between the lines, which gives

us some interesting data. First and most important to notice is, that

the greater number of those who came over were young men and

women. Most of the men were in their thirties, some younger, the

women younger. Ola or O. C. Nelson, as he was commonly called,

who assumed a place of leadership, was next to the oldes't of the

men in his fifties. Next to him in age was Olof Hedlund. His name

was not found among the charter members, very likely for the reason

that he had already affiliated with a neighboring congregation, when

Bethany received a pastor, who kept records. Also we find that the

men elected to office in the congregation during the early period and

later and were found faithful to the Lutheran faith came principally

from Swedesburg and New Sweden, Iowa. From these places they

brought with them a love for the church which gave them no rest

until it was realized even here on the desolate prairies. The greater

number had come out the same year, which indicates their common

needs and spirit, even though several, such as O. C. Nelson and

Louis Peterson had assumed or were asked to assume leadership. The

undertaking was of such a nature, that it touched the welfare of all

and of such interest, that it would not permit postponement.

The man previously alluded to who become the leader as a matter

of course, to whom the settlers looked for advice and help in matters

of common interest, not the least in economic financial difficulties,

did not arrive until after the congregation was organized. The man

in question was Otto Abrahamson, who with his own family to-

gether with his brother-in-law and family arrived in the community

the latter part of the month the church was organized. He, too, was

from Swedesburg and imbued with the Swedesburg spirit. Further-

more, he bad endured the hardships of the Civil War. Having fought

in many battles he had thoroughly learned such lessons as: self re-

liance, never despair and never complain. These he impressed on the

congregation also. From Dr. T. N. Hasselquist and Rev. Hakan

Olsson he had received deep impressions, showing themselves in

Christian earnestness, which never denied itself and never deceived.

Hence we find in him certainly a man with faults as others, yet

with a strong character, somewhat cold, since he was not in the

habit of showing his emotions, firm and dependable as the clock and

tireless in the service of the congregation (and for its welfare). It

was, then, as a matter of course, that he was at the first opportunity

elected trustee, an office he held continuously for thirty-nine years

or until his death. Like him in sacrificial love for the church was his

gentle wife, a daughter of Sven Nilson, who moved here later. Of

him (Mr. Nilson) it could be said that he was an Israelite without

guile. Such also was John M. Nelson, a brother-in-law of Abraham-

son, another veteran of the Civil War. Before winter had set in the

brothers-in-law, Abrahamson and Nelson, had completed their sod

house. Since their homesteads adjoined one another they built their

houses side by side under the same roof yet each one on his own land.

This sod house was built with more care than was customary. Abra-

hamson was a man of order and believed in making the best of it

even under the most modest circumstances. The fact that he had

brought with him some capital from the East made it possible to

furnish the house better than the others. Under the prevalent con-

ditions of poverty he was considered to be wealthy. Many there were

who came to him in their need, sought and received help. The result

was that some envied him and criticized him severely behind his back.

In his presence they were silent; they had too much respect for his

personality. Under this humble roof, next to the last to yield to the

comforts of later times, the congregation often gathered for services

in the early days. Other homes were also used for this purpose,

O. C. Nelson's among others. More and more Mr. Abrahamson won

the confidence of everyone. His apparent love for the congregation,

his courage to tell the truth, if it was necessary, the family's hospitality

and their relative prosperity made their home a stopping place for

visiting students and pastors. They were always welcome. This con-

tinued even after Abrahamsons moved from the homestead to

"mother's farm" across from the church.

How Rev. Setterdahl carried out his mission to the president of the

Kansas Conference, we do not know. (The author refers to the re-

quest of the congregation that he arrange for the services of a pastor.

Tr. note.) Nor have we succeeded in finding out if any pastors

visited here the first year. At that time Nebraska was a mission field

of the Kansas Conference. Few were the pastors, travel was slow

and difficult. The Burlington railroad has reached no farther than

Hastings, forty miles to the east. The nearest station on the Union

Pacific was Kearney, sixteen miles north. Mirage Post Office, four

miles north of Abrahamsons could be reached from Kearney by stage,

which traveled either to or from Kearney each day.

At the first business meeting held on the day the congregation

was organized a motion was passed interesting in many respects. It was

as follows: "Resolved, when a pastor comes here on a visit, the con-

gregation agrees to pay his fare to and from Kearney Junction." A com-

mittee of two was appointed to ask for reduced fare on the stage,

when the pastor comes on the stage." The committee consisted of

O. C. Nelson and Swan Farm. The pastoral visits in those days were

surely few and far between.

But they helped themselves as best they could. A congregation with

such ability in the church council did not need to be stranded. To

be sure they lived far apart from the center, if one could speak

of such at that time. Louis Peterson had seven miles to O .C. Nelsons,

which was considered to be the center; Andrew Ackerson about the

same, and Olof Hedlund about fifteen miles. Distances did not seem

to mean much in those days. The first two did not attempt to preach,

but led the service with free prayer after which they read sermons from

the postil. The last Olof Hedlund, was a layman of great ability.

By trade a blacksmith, he could also hammer on the anvil of the Spirit.

These three men principally were responsible for the gatherings in

the homes on Sundays, each Sunday for Divine worship. God blessed

these efforts; the good work took root; it grew until a more ordered

congregational life was made possible.