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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Genoa City in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

First Swedish Settlers in Wisconsin

 
 
First Swedish Settlers in Wisconsin Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 15, 2011
1. First Swedish Settlers in Wisconsin Marker
Inscription. Carl Friman (1781-1862) emigrated from Sweden with five sons in 1838 and purchased 80 acres near Genoa City. The Friman family members were recognized as the first Swedes to settle permanently in Wisconsin. Returning to his homeland, Friman corresponded regularly with his sons who remained here. Their letters from Wisconsin appeared in Swedish newspapers, stimulating interest in opportunities and conditions in America.

The Friman family was in the vanguard of the 19th century Swedish immigration to the United States. By 1900 over 1.1 million persons of Swedish birth or descent resided in the United States, and nearly 49,000 individuals born in Sweden lived in Wisconsin.

Carl Friman’s son, Adolph (1826-1871), owned numerous town lots in Genoa City, where he became a successful businessman. Freeman Street in Genoa City is named in his honor, and he is buried in Hillside Cemetery. Carl’s son, Wilhelm (1823-1911), also owned land that was incorporated into this community. The other sons lived for a time in this area before moving west.
 
Erected 1988 by Swedish-American Historical Society of Wisconsin and Genoa City Lions Club. (Marker Number 281.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers

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. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
 
Location. 42° 30.337′ N, 88° 19.963′ W. Marker is in Genoa City, Wisconsin, in Walworth County. Marker can be reached from Fellows Road, 0.1 miles County Route H. Marker is located in Veteran's Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Genoa City WI 53128, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lake Ivanhoe: An African American-Founded Community (approx. 5.3 miles away); Welcome to Illinois (approx. 6.9 miles away in Illinois); Wisconsin's First 4-H Club (approx. 7.3 miles away); The Lake Geneva Seminary (approx. 7.6 miles away); Andy Gump (approx. 7.8 miles away); The Old Mill Race (approx. 7.8 miles away); The Whiting House & Hotel Geneva (approx. 7.8 miles away); Wisconsin Power & Light Building (approx. 7.8 miles away).
 
First Swedish Settlers in Wisconsin Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 15, 2011
2. First Swedish Settlers in Wisconsin Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,119 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 28, 2024