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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). Oral history indicated that an Anderson man took his wife's name of Lindgren.

However, recent information supplied by Donna Tyburec indicates that these brothers may have changed their name upon arrival in America.

(Their Possible Family? click here)

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. Sometimes a lower status man would take the name of a higher status wife. But none of the known brothers had a wife with the surname Lindgren.

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.

Oral history supplied by Bill & Donna Lindgren (Edward's line) suggests that the father of these brothers was a member of the Royal Swedish Guard, and that the brothers chose to emigrate to America to avoid the Swedish Army's universal draft.

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.

Nels was living in Saunders County by March of 1876, when his son, Adolph was born. Anders and his family were settled in Mariposa Township, near Wahoo in Saunders County by April of 1878 when their daughter, Hulda, 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 22 Feb 2013, to correct Craig family information. Thanks, Sharon!

Updated 7 Dec 2012, to include information on Paul Elden Hoffman's 1st wife, Evelyn Anita Becking, and 2nd wife, Dorothy J. Crosby, and additional information on his children. Information provided by Lois Hoffman Ditter.

Updated 29 Oct 2012, to include information from Clara E. Bengtson Tishendorf's obituary. Supplied by Gayle Neuhaus.

Updated 28 Sep 2012, to include Hoffman family information from Lois Hoffman Ditter.

Updated 11 Sep 2012, to add family information provided by Philip & Kelly Sloat and Bonnie Lacy. (Thank you, Bonnie, for all the Lacy information & the copy of your grandmother's book, "Light After Darkness, The Life of Esther Lindgren Lacy - it's been fascinating to read some of the family stories that I had heard while growing up, & so much more!)

Updated 10 Sep 2012, to add family information provided by Patricia Lou Lindgren Jons , Donn & Alicia Vanden Bosch, & Paul George Vanden Bosch

Updated 9 Sep 2012 to add family information provided by Colleen Kay Lindgren Kaczor.

Updated 22 Aug 2012 to include additional US Census information on various descendants of the Lindgren family, and to include obituary information on Dawn Iris Lacy West. and Theodore V. Olson.

Updated 16 Aug 2012 to include new information from Linda Lindgren Paulson & Susan Dianne Lindgren Kotas Mogen.

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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