Lindström in Chisago County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Immigrant's Dream of America
Photographed by McGhiever, May 25, 2024
1. The Immigrant's Dream of America Marker
Inscription.
The Immigrant's Dream of America. . ,
"...All of them left home hoping for a better life: enough land to raise food for their children, a country where there were no rigid classes – America...seeking new homes, good land, in a wide, strange, frightening, rich, wonderful country" , - Vilhelm Moberg, "Unto a Good Land"
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Daniel Larsson Lindström , Born 4th June 1825, Hassela Parish, Halsingland, Sweden. , Died 5th March 1896, Lindström, Minnesota.. , Daniel Lindström came to America 1853, with a large group of settlers from Hassela Parish, Sweden. That same year, Lindström claimed the only remaining land in the area, a 130-acre parcel of land just west of his half-brother Per Anderson's farm and surrounded by lakes. Daniel spoke very little English, and so when it came time to lodge a claim for the land, Eric Norelius walked with him to the Land Office in Stillwater, Minnesota, some 28 miles (45 km) away. In the following decades, Lindström subdivided and sold off his land, which became incorporated in 1894 as the Village of Lindström. Daniel's original residence was a log cabin on a point overlooking Lindström Lake, in the vicinity of what is now Meridee's Bistro (12565 [Lake Blvd.] Here he cleared the land and raised mainly corn and potatoes. Flour w[?? ] $15.00 a barrel, but the country abounded with game and fish, and so he had little trouble supplementing his larder with fresh meat., In 1864, Daniel lost his first wife, Brita Danielsdotter (born 27th October 1827, Hassela, Sweden) on 21st May in Lindström. Later that year, he built a house which eventually became a bakery, and today houses a real-estate business on Main Street, 12835 Lake Blvd., Two years later, on 17th March 1866 he married his second wife, Johanna Persdotter (born 4th May 1845 in Hoghed, Orse, Dalarna, Sweden), and together, they raised five children. Johanna died 27th September, 1930, in Coronado, San Diego County, California., Lindström held the office of constable for Chisago Lake Township for more than twenty years, and was very active in the political and educational activities of the town which would bear his name. His descendents were also prominent in business and the life of this town. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Lindström (south east of the intersection of Akerson Street and St. Croix Avenue)., ,
Joris Pelle Per Andersson , Born 5th December 1817, Hassela Parish, Halsingland, Sweden. , Died 15th September 1881, Rum River, Isanti County, Minnesota.. , Per Andersson, was the leader of a group which established the first permanent Swedish settlement in Minnesota in April, 1851. The sale of Anderson's large farm in Hassela, made this trip financially possible for 100 of his family members, friends and neighbors., In the spring of 1851, Anderson and a small group of his fellow travelers made their way north from Illinois by way of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers. The group landed in Taylors Falls, Chisago County, and walked about 8 miles (approximately 13 km) inland to what is now Center City. Although he was initially the wealthiest person on the trip, by the time he arrived in Minnesota, Per was nearly broke, largely from aiding all who needed his help on the trip from Sweden to the new world. In 1856, Anderson moved to Red Wing, Goodhue County Minnesota, which was near his relative, Eric Norelius. Andersson had earlier promoted the call of Norelius to the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, but was voted down by a contingent of Småland congregants. Anderson, along with his wife, Karin Danielsdotter (25th Dec 1814 –2nd Nov. 1906), and their two sons moved to Freeborn County (near present-day Albert Lea) in 1858, after hearing rumors that land was cheaper there. The farm in Freeborn County was shown to be unproductive, however, and Anderson and his wife returned to Chisago County and settled in the riverside town of Franconia in 1864., Both of Anderson's sons fought for the union during the civil war. Daniel Anderson (later a member of the Minnesota legislature) settled in Cambridge, Isanti County, Minnesota after the war. Per and Karin briefly lived near Daniel on a farm in Cambridge, from approximately 1866 to 1870. After 1870, it appears that age had forced Per and Karin to give up farming, and the pair lived at times with Karin's nephew, Daniel Fredin, and Shafer, (in Chisago County) or with their son, Daniel in Cambridge. They were staying in Cambridge in 1881 when Per walked to the Rum River nearby. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown, but he appears to have drowned, as his body was found downstream several days later., Per was a leader in county politics and religious life. He was the first Lutheran layman to preach in the new Chisago Lake church and performed the baptism of the settlement's firstborn child - his daughter Kristina., Per and Karin Anderson are buried in the Cambridge Lutheran Church Cemetery, 621 Old North Main - Cambridge, Minnesota., ,
Eric Andersson Norelius , Born 26th October 1833, Hassela Parish, Halsingland, Sweden. , Died 15th March 1916, Vasa, Goodhue County, Minnesota.. , Eric Norelius was 18 years old when he arrived in the Chisago Lakes area, in 1851. During the winter of 1850-51, he served as the assistant pastor at a Swedish Lutheran church community in Chicago, Illinois. Church officials encouraged him to continue his theological studies at the Joint Synod of Ohio's school, Captial University, Columbus, Ohio. Following graduation, he contributed greatly to the formation of the Swedish Lutheran Church that we know today, including playing a significant role in the establishment of the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City., Norelius spent much of his life in Vasa (near present-day Red Wing), Goodhue County, Minnesota. There he established a number of orphanages for the benefit of children of deceased Swedish immigrants, an association which later became Minnesota Lutheran Social Services (LSS), and is currently the state's largest non-profit social service organization. In addition to his social welfare efforts, in 1860 Norelius (along with three other pastors) founded the Augustana Swedish Lutheran Synod, and served as its president for several terms. In 1862, while serving as pastor to the Vasa congregation, Norelius founded a school to address his concern for higher educational opportunities for the children of Swedish immigrants. The school was eventually moved to St. Peter, Minnesota, where it became what is now Gustavus Adolphus College., During his lifetime, Eric Norelius also served as editor of many Swedish language newspapers. This included the Swedish-language Chicago Tribune, and as well as numerous small town papers in Minnesota. His son, Marion Sigfrid Norelius and grandson Theadore Advent Norelius, owned and operated the Chisago County Press for some fifty years., ,
James Louis Oberstar , Born: September 10th 1934, Chisholm, MN. , Died: May 3rd, 2014 Potomac, MD. , The son of an underground iron ore miner, Jim Oberstar was Minnesota's longest serving Congressman (1975-2011). In 2006, he became chairman of the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. His commitment to improving mining safety and America's transportation system is credited with saving thousands of lives. The Highway 8 Corridor from Forest Lake to Taylors Falls is an example of his commitment to safety. In the 15 year period from 1974-1989, fifty seven deaths occurred along this span of highway. When these tragedies were brought to his attention, Congressman Obrstar saw that the funding and organization needed were put in place to improve Highway 8 safety, resulting in significantly decreased accident frequency and severity. He was instrumental in bringing countless road, bridge, airport and trail projects not only to our 8th Congressional District but throughout Minnesota and nationwide, always keeping safety concerns in mind. We commemorate Congressman Obserstar for his unparalleled commitment to public service and lasting contributions to our area., ,
The Sculptor, Ian James Dudley. , Sculptor Ian Dudley was commissioned in 2012 to create portrait sculptures of the three pioneers who were most important in the early formation of the City of Lindström: Daniel Lindström, Joris Pelle Per Anderson, and Eric Norelius. Ian received his Diploma of Fine Arts (Honors) in sculpture from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), in Melbourne, Australia. Among his works are the portrait figure of Vilhelm Moberg in Chisago City, as well as the sculpture and landscaping project "Encounter" (1999), installed in front of the James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota. The latter explores the predator and prey relationship of moose and timber wolves. Another of his recent works is of the Swedish midwife, Nelly Gustafson (2013) located at the Chisago Lakes Area Library, (11754 - 302nd Street, Chisago City, Minnesota)., Ian came to the United States in 1977, after marrying Lindström native Rebecca Sauter. He began his artistic career creating abstract sculptures, but in recent years he has found that he prefers the challenge of larger-than-life, portrait sculptures and which he fells better capture the essence of the subject's personality. Ian's studio is located on the Dudley family property, just south of the City of Lindström., Ian's research to better understand our Swedish community's founders included the study of historical records, photographs, from Minnesota and abroad. In 2010, Ian travelled to Hassela, Sweden (homeo f Daniel Lindström, Per Andersson, and Eric Norelius) to explore the land and culture which shaped these early pioneers. This trip was made possibel by a generous grant from the East Central Regional Arts Committee, from the Minnesota Legacy Funds provided by the people of Minnesota. The three figures were case at a nearby foundry, American Bronze Castings of Osceola, Wisconsin.,
Donors , $50 - $100 , Sig and Dorothy Stene, $200 - $499 , Don and Joan Bungum, $500 - $999 , Keith and Joan Carlson , Dale and Becky Fredell , George and Faye McMahon , Blaine, Bart and Bruce Norelius , Brian and Bradley Norelius , Jay and Caroline Norelius , Neil and Carla Norelius, $1000 - $4999 , Chisago County HRA/EDA , Lake Area Bank , Security State Bank of Marine, $5000 - , Plastic Products Co..
"...All of them left home hoping for a better life: enough land to raise food for their children, a country where there were no rigid classes – America...seeking new homes, good land, in a wide, strange, frightening, rich, wonderful country"
- Vilhelm Moberg, "Unto a Good Land"
Daniel Larsson Lindström
Born 4th June 1825, Hassela Parish, Halsingland, Sweden.
Died 5th March 1896, Lindström, Minnesota.
Daniel Lindström came to America 1853, with a large group of settlers from Hassela Parish, Sweden. That same year, Lindström claimed the only remaining land in the area, a 130-acre parcel of land just west of his half-brother Per Anderson's farm and surrounded by lakes. Daniel spoke very little English, and so when it came time to lodge a claim for the land, Eric Norelius walked with him to the Land Office in Stillwater, Minnesota, some 28 miles (45 km) away. In the following decades, Lindström subdivided and sold off his land, which became incorporated in 1894 as the Village of Lindström. Daniel's original residence was a log cabin on a point overlooking Lindström Lake, in the vicinity of what is now Meridee's Bistro (12565 [Lake Blvd.] Here he cleared the land and raised mainly corn and potatoes. Flour w[?? ] $15.00 a barrel, but the country
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abounded with game and fish, and so he had little trouble supplementing his larder with fresh meat.
In 1864, Daniel lost his first wife, Brita Danielsdotter (born 27th October 1827, Hassela, Sweden) on 21st May in Lindström. Later that year, he built a house which eventually became a bakery, and today houses a real-estate business on Main Street, 12835 Lake Blvd.
Two years later, on 17th March 1866 he married his second wife, Johanna Persdotter (born 4th May 1845 in Hoghed, Orse, Dalarna, Sweden), and together, they raised five children. Johanna died 27th September, 1930, in Coronado, San Diego County, California.
Lindström held the office of constable for Chisago Lake Township for more than twenty years, and was very active in the political and educational activities of the town which would bear his name. His descendents were also prominent in business and the life of this town. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Lindström (south east of the intersection of Akerson Street and St. Croix Avenue).
Joris Pelle Per Andersson
Born 5th December 1817, Hassela Parish, Halsingland, Sweden.
Died 15th September 1881, Rum River, Isanti County, Minnesota.
Per Andersson, was the leader of a group which established the first permanent Swedish settlement in Minnesota in April, 1851. The sale of
Photographed by McGhiever, May 25, 2024
2. The Immigrant's Dream of America Marker in James L. Oberstar Plaza
Anderson's large farm in Hassela, made this trip financially possible for 100 of his family members, friends and neighbors.
In the spring of 1851, Anderson and a small group of his fellow travelers made their way north from Illinois by way of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers. The group landed in Taylors Falls, Chisago County, and walked about 8 miles (approximately 13 km) inland to what is now Center City. Although he was initially the wealthiest person on the trip, by the time he arrived in Minnesota, Per was nearly broke, largely from aiding all who needed his help on the trip from Sweden to the new world. In 1856, Anderson moved to Red Wing, Goodhue County Minnesota, which was near his relative, Eric Norelius. Andersson had earlier promoted the call of Norelius to the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, but was voted down by a contingent of Småland congregants. Anderson, along with his wife, Karin Danielsdotter (25th Dec 1814 –2nd Nov. 1906), and their two sons moved to Freeborn County (near present-day Albert Lea) in 1858, after hearing rumors that land was cheaper there. The farm in Freeborn County was shown to be unproductive, however, and Anderson and his wife returned to Chisago County and settled in the riverside town of Franconia in 1864.
Both of Anderson's sons fought for the union during the civil war. Daniel Anderson (later a member of the Minnesota
Photographed by McGhiever, May 25, 2024
3. Daniel Lindström and Per Andersson statues near this marker
legislature) settled in Cambridge, Isanti County, Minnesota after the war. Per and Karin briefly lived near Daniel on a farm in Cambridge, from approximately 1866 to 1870. After 1870, it appears that age had forced Per and Karin to give up farming, and the pair lived at times with Karin's nephew, Daniel Fredin, and Shafer, (in Chisago County) or with their son, Daniel in Cambridge. They were staying in Cambridge in 1881 when Per walked to the Rum River nearby. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown, but he appears to have drowned, as his body was found downstream several days later.
Per was a leader in county politics and religious life. He was the first Lutheran layman to preach in the new Chisago Lake church and performed the baptism of the settlement's firstborn child - his daughter Kristina.
Per and Karin Anderson are buried in the Cambridge Lutheran Church Cemetery, 621 Old North Main - Cambridge, Minnesota.
Eric Andersson Norelius
Born 26th October 1833, Hassela Parish, Halsingland, Sweden.
Died 15th March 1916, Vasa, Goodhue County, Minnesota.
Eric Norelius was 18 years old when he arrived in the Chisago Lakes area, in 1851. During the winter of 1850-51, he served as the assistant pastor at a Swedish Lutheran church community in Chicago, Illinois. Church officials encouraged
Photographed by McGhiever, May 25, 2024
4. Eric Norelius statue near this marker
him to continue his theological studies at the Joint Synod of Ohio's school, Captial University, Columbus, Ohio. Following graduation, he contributed greatly to the formation of the Swedish Lutheran Church that we know today, including playing a significant role in the establishment of the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City.
Norelius spent much of his life in Vasa (near present-day Red Wing), Goodhue County, Minnesota. There he established a number of orphanages for the benefit of children of deceased Swedish immigrants, an association which later became Minnesota Lutheran Social Services (LSS), and is currently the state's largest non-profit social service organization. In addition to his social welfare efforts, in 1860 Norelius (along with three other pastors) founded the Augustana Swedish Lutheran Synod, and served as its president for several terms. In 1862, while serving as pastor to the Vasa congregation, Norelius founded a school to address his concern for higher educational opportunities for the children of Swedish immigrants. The school was eventually moved to St. Peter, Minnesota, where it became what is now Gustavus Adolphus College.
During his lifetime, Eric Norelius also served as editor of many Swedish language newspapers. This included the Swedish-language Chicago Tribune, and as well as numerous small town papers in Minnesota. His
son, Marion Sigfrid Norelius and grandson Theadore Advent Norelius, owned and operated the Chisago County Press for some fifty years.
James Louis Oberstar
Born: September 10th 1934, Chisholm, MN.
Died: May 3rd, 2014 Potomac, MD
The son of an underground iron ore miner, Jim Oberstar was Minnesota's longest serving Congressman (1975-2011). In 2006, he became chairman of the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. His commitment to improving mining safety and America's transportation system is credited with saving thousands of lives. The Highway 8 Corridor from Forest Lake to Taylors Falls is an example of his commitment to safety. In the 15 year period from 1974-1989, fifty seven deaths occurred along this span of highway. When these tragedies were brought to his attention, Congressman Obrstar saw that the funding and organization needed were put in place to improve Highway 8 safety, resulting in significantly decreased accident frequency and severity. He was instrumental in bringing countless road, bridge, airport and trail projects not only to our 8th Congressional District but throughout Minnesota and nationwide, always keeping safety concerns in mind. We commemorate Congressman Obserstar for his unparalleled commitment to public service and lasting contributions to our area.
The Sculptor, Ian James Dudley
Sculptor Ian Dudley was commissioned in 2012 to create portrait sculptures of the three pioneers who were most important in the early formation of the City of Lindström: Daniel Lindström, Joris Pelle Per Anderson, and Eric Norelius. Ian received his Diploma of Fine Arts (Honors) in sculpture from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), in Melbourne, Australia. Among his works are the portrait figure of Vilhelm Moberg in Chisago City, as well as the sculpture and landscaping project "Encounter" (1999), installed in front of the James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota. The latter explores the predator and prey relationship of moose and timber wolves. Another of his recent works is of the Swedish midwife, Nelly Gustafson (2013) located at the Chisago Lakes Area Library, (11754 - 302nd Street, Chisago City, Minnesota).
Ian came to the United States in 1977, after marrying Lindström native Rebecca Sauter. He began his artistic career creating abstract sculptures, but in recent years he has found that he prefers the challenge of larger-than-life, portrait sculptures and which he fells better capture the essence of the subject's personality. Ian's studio is located on the Dudley family property, just south of the City of Lindström.
Ian's research to better understand our Swedish community's founders included the study of historical records, photographs, from Minnesota and abroad. In 2010, Ian travelled to Hassela, Sweden (homeo f Daniel Lindström, Per Andersson, and Eric Norelius) to explore the land and culture which shaped these early pioneers. This trip was made possibel by a generous grant from the East Central Regional Arts Committee, from the Minnesota Legacy Funds provided by the people of Minnesota. The three figures were case at a nearby foundry, American Bronze Castings of Osceola, Wisconsin.
Donors
$50 - $100
Sig and Dorothy Stene
$200 - $499
Don and Joan Bungum
$500 - $999
Keith and Joan Carlson
Dale and Becky Fredell
George and Faye McMahon
Blaine, Bart and Bruce Norelius
Brian and Bradley Norelius
Jay and Caroline Norelius
Neil and Carla Norelius
$1000 - $4999
Chisago County HRA/EDA
Lake Area Bank
Security State Bank of Marine
Location. 45° 23.407′ N, 92° 50.997′ W. Marker is in Lindström, Minnesota, in Chisago County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 8 and Linden Street, on the left when traveling east on U.S. 8. The marker is in James L. Oberstar Plaza at the west end of where Highway 8 splits into separate east and west streets in downtown Lindström. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30555 Linden Street, Lindstrom MN 55045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 865 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 31, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
