Genoa City in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Swedish Settlers in Wisconsin

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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

. 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: J.G. "Curly" Stevens Park (approx. 2½ miles away in Illinois); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away in Illinois); 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).

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 Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,692 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.