The family of Carl och Anna Greta Svensson
This page has been translated to english by Douglas Byrne, Skövde, Sweden, 2015
<- Back to the Swedish page!
This page was created with kind support of Eric Carlberg who provided photos and text via e-mail in 2014 and 2015 – Eric is the American great-great grand son of Carl Svensson. He is also a great grand son of Carl & Anna Greta's son Sven August Carlsson, born in 1865. In the US the name Carlsson was changed to Carlberg – to honor the father Carl and the mountain of Billingen (mountain = sw. 'berg')!
Here a new son of the great family of Carlberg 2015-05-26! Congratulations Eric Carlberg, father, with wife and family!
The Svensson family at Ödelöthen in 1862
Mr and Mrs Svensson moved from Wing on November 17, 1862 as crofters with their son Frans Gustaf to homestead/croft of Ödelöthen which belongs to the captain homestead of Engarås. The 1841 year map shows what Ödelöthen looked like those days. The map shows as well how Ödelöthen was situated in between the lands of Stora and Lilla Löthen.
The couple had been staying from 1860 to 1862 at his parents’ house in Skärf, after their mariage on October 18, 1860 and the birth of their first son in 1861.
Carl’s parents owned a property with access right (valid for 49 or 99 years) in Skärf - "The Stubberyd Access Right Homestead within Munkabo Property" – the parents were:
Possessor Sven Andersson, b. Warnhem Nov 4, 1788 – d. Sept 15, 1863
Wife Cajsa Bengtsdotter, b. Sköfde Feb 12, 1806 – d. Nov 11, 1864
Residents at Ödelöthen as crofters from 1862 to 1882:
Husband Carl Svensson, b. Warnhem Nov 13,1829 – the family moved in Nov 17, 1862 - from Norra Wing where they had been only registered between two movings.
Wife Anna Greta Pettersson, b. Sköfde Nov 13, 1834 - d. here Feb 20, 1880
Son Frans Gustaf, b.in Skärf Jan 5, 1861 – to Broddetorp Oct 14, 1882
Son Oscar, b. in Warnhem Feb 28, 1863 – to Stenstorp Oct 21, 1881
Son Sven August, b. in Warnhem Apr 19, 1865
Son Carl Johan, b. in Warnhem Jan 16, 1867
Son Alfrid, b. in Warnhem Apr 23, 1871
Son Per Linus, b. in Warnhem Oct 15, 1874 – he dies here Oct 18, 1879
Domestic servants at the croft:
Farmhand Johannes Jonsson, b. in Warnhem Oct 27, 1839 – in Nov 12, 1862 and out to Grufvesäter 1863
Maid Charlotta Andersdotter, born in Warnhem Feb 2, 1846 - in from Wing 1865 and out to Åsaka 1866 - back 1868 and out to Amundtorp 1869
Carl and sons Sven August, Carl Johan and Alfrid – purchase and move to the Kleven (property with access right) within Dyngesätter in 1882.
All of the sons – but the oldest, Frans – emigrated to America!
An inventory of the estate of Anna Greta Pettersdotter - dead in Ödelöthen 20/2 1880
Valle District Court No. 9
On 29 November 1880 in accordance with the law of the day, an inventory of the estate of Anna Greta Pettersdotter was taken at the homestead of Ödelöten, belonging to Ängerås, in the Parish of Kloster. Together with her now widower husband Karl Svensson they had 5 sons. The oldest son, Frans Gustaf who was of legal age at the time of Anna Greta´s passing was present at the the taking of the estates inventory. The other sons were; Oskar, born 28 February 1863. August, born 18 April, 1865. Karl Johan, born 16 June 1867 and Alfrid, born 23 April 1871.
Since the four youngest boys were minors, Klas Petterson was appointed legal guardian. Klas was from Björnbacka in Öglunda parish. He was present at the taking of the inventory and willingly volunteered to be the legal guardian of the younger boys.
On 23 October a Will was submitted that gave Karl Petterson the property rights after the completion of the estates inventory.
The result of the inventory is as follows;
Dyngsätter co-op value 500kr; Co-op loan payment 65kr;
Metal Objects
1 Coffee maker 2 kr
Old planting pot 25 öre
Brass Candlesticks 75 öre : 3 kr
Iron Objects
Crowbar 1 kr
Brewing Pot 1 kr 25 öre
Hatchet 75 öre
Hammer and Pliers 50 öre
Slaughter Bench 1 kr 50 öre
Stew Pots 1 kr 50 öre : 6kr 50 öre
1 Griddle 1 Frying Pan 50 öre
2 Scythes 1 kr
Diverse Rakes 15 öre
Iron Cauldron 15 öre
Plane with handles 25 öre
Hoe Axe 25 öre
Shovels 50 öre
Billhook 25 öre
Cattle tether with Halter 25 öre
Hoe 40 öre
2 Saws 50 öre
1 Guild Box 25 öre
1 Pair scissors 25 öre : 5kr 40 öre
Household Items
1 Chiffonier 6 kr
1 Bureau 1 kr 50 öre
1 Tensile bed 3 kr
1 Sofa 50 öre
1 Sideboard 1 kr 50 öre
1 Table with Leaf 75 öre
3 Windsor chairs 1 kr
2 Stools/Ottomans 10 öre
1 Wall clock 1 kr
3 Coffers 1 kr
5 Paintings 25 öre
1 Comb 50 öre
2 Tubs 1 kr 25 öre
2 Old feeding troughs 1 kr
1 Drinking barrel 1 kr
3 Old barrels 25 öre
1 Pail 25 öre
1 Churn 50 öre
3 Water buckets 50 öre
1 Churn 1 better 25 öre
4 Wash basins 50 öre
1 Loom with accessories 75 öre
1 Reeling frame + Yarn winder 10 öre
1 Spinning wheel 25 öre
2 Kneading troughs 25 öre : 23kr 75 öre
Bedding
3 Feather pillows 6 kr
2 Pillow cases 25 öre
5 Old quilts 2 kr 25 öre
3 Bed sheets 75 öre : 9kr 25 öre
Livestock
1 Pair of tame steer 150 kr
1 Cow 65 Kr
2 Claves 45 Kr
1 Heifer 40 Kr
1 Sow 30 Kr
6 Hens 3 Kr : 333 Kr
Transport and instruments
2 Iron axle wagons 8 Kr
1 Carriage with suspension 9 Kr
2 Pair sleds 4 Kr
3 Iron harrows 6 Kr
2 Plows 1 Kr 25 öre
2 Hooks 1 Kr 50 öre
3 Burlap sacks 1 Kr
1 Skids 25 öre
1 Wheel barrow 25 öre
1 Roller 1 Kr
1 Hay rack 2 Kr
7 Ox yokes 2 Kr
1 Harness 50 öre
1 Horse brush 25 öre : 37 Kr
Diverse things
Diverse Tin bowls 2 Kr
Glass and Porcelain 1 Kr
10 Earthenware dishes 1 Kr 10 öre
3 Whittling knives 4 Table knives 10 öre
12 Wooden tablespoons 10 öre
Lamps 10 öre
1 Grinder 25 öre
Thresher 25 öre
Sieve 50 öre
Seed basket 25 öre
Wicker baskets 50 öre
Rakes 25 öre
Old shovels 10 öre
Milk cups 15 öre
1 Bushel scoop, 1 Jug 5 öre
1 Pestle of stone 15 öre
1 Lantern 10 öre
1 Wooden steelyard/scale 5 öre
1 Rolling pin 5 öre
1 Bibel 1 Kr
Diverse books 25 öre
Things that might not have been accounted for 50 öre : 4.60 kr
TOTAL VALUE 1.007.15 kr
Debts owed to creditors
To Lotta Johansdotter in Klefven 112 kr
To Widow Anna in Klefven 48 kr
To Lisa Fred 50 kr
To Gustaf Nilsson Klefven 50 kr
To August Johansson Hagen 30 kr
To Johannes Asp 12 kr
To Karl in Backgården Våmb 20 kr
To Ekman in Skövde 6 kr
To August in Klosterkvarn 6 kr
To Klas in Björnbacken 2 kr
To my brother Anders 4 kr
Payment fees 3 kr
TOTAL 337 kr
Belonging to inheritor 670.15 kr
I can swear under oath that nothing willfully has been omitted or hidden from the above;
Karl Svensson
Estates Inheritor
Signed by Administrator and Assessor summoned;
J Holmberg Carl Högberg
Administrator Administrator
The Family of Carl & Anna Greta Svensson (born Pettersson)
The oldest son Frans Gustaf, born 1861, leaves Ödelöthen 1882 – stays in Sweden
Maria Elisabeth and Frans Gustaf, in the middle of the picture, in their new home of Carlshem in 1930.
The oldest son of Carl, Frans Gustaf, was the only one not to emigrate to America.
He moved from Ödelöthen to Broddetorp in 1882, when his father and brothers moved to Klefven within Dyngesätter.
In 1886 he moved to Hornborga and in 1902 to rural parish of Skövde, then further to Dala in 1903. He moved to Stenstorp in 1908 and returned to Dala 1910 before moving to Norra Kyrketorp in 1916 and finally in 1930 to Skultorp where he established villa Carlshem at Jon Månsgård. His wife Maria passes away the year after.
Frans Gustaf marries Maria Elisabet Johansson on July 16, 1911 in Norra Kyrketorp.
They were presumably already an established couple due to the fact that they had been moving together between the already mentioned places. They had no children.
Here in Stenstorp they had a maid from 1934-1938. Their foster son Einar Dahlberg, an itinerate preacher, lived with them from 1930-1931.
Frans´s funeral was arranged by his foster son, Einar Dahlberg and his wife Eva (see the funeral imitation below!).
Einar Hjalmar Alexius Andersson from Varnhem - itinerant preacher - stayed for one year at Frans Gustaf Karlsson’s villa Carlshem in Stenstorp from 1930 to 1931 – till the year of death of Frans’ wife Maria. The itinerant preacher was born as fatherless child on Sept 27, 1906 – his mother was Ida Andersson, née Holm, - a widow housing at Ändabäcken. His father is registered in brackets : (Dahlberg, Sven Johan, tenant, Ändabäcken)
Their grave still stands by the church and has been culture labelled as attractive object due to the headstone – please see below!
Frans begravning ordnades av hans fosterson Einar Dahlberg med fru Eva - se begravningsinbjudan nedan!
Formalities;
Frans Gustav Carlsson born jan 25, 1861 in Skärv - passed away Dec 24, 1946 having lived in Karlshem Skultorp 2:23 as widow.
For pictures describing places and houses in Frans Gustaf's life - click here!
Foster son Einar Dahlberg
Ida Emmanuelsdotter Holm, who lived in Ljungstorp, was born in 1868 in a soldiers cottage on the premises of Per Andersgården in the parish of Högstena.
In 1905 Ida (now Andersson) was widowed and she moved with her two boys to ”Dynge-Stöva” at Ändebäcken in Varnhem. She started to work as a maid for Sven Johan Dahlberg, who was the tenant of Ändebäcken.
According to parish records, as of November 28, 1905 Ida was registered as also residing at Ändebäcken.
She gives birth to Einar Hjalmar Alexius on September 26, 1906.
Birth records show Sven Johan being the father. Since they were not married, Einar was illegitimate. Ironically, Sven was very active in the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden in Ljungstorp.
Ida was forced to leave Ändebäcken in 1916. Sven Johan dies at Ändebäcken in 1919. His ”legitimate daughter” takes over Ändebäcken.
After leaving Ändebäcken in 1916 Ida moves to and rents Lindstorp.
In 1917 she moves to Storekullen and from there her son Einar moves to Norra Kyrketorp on December 19, 1917.
In 1917, at the age of 11, Einar Dahlberg moves from Storekullen to join his foster parents in Norra Kyrketorp. Frans Gustaf (born in Ödelöten), his wife Maria, and Einar live at Sverkilsgården in Skultorp, Norra Kyrketorp. It is later on that we can find out from the records that Einar becomes a itinerate pentecostal preacher.
Einar´s foster father, Frans Gustaf, dies at Carlshem in 1946.
Ida´s son Einar, the foster child of Frans and Maria Carlsberg, as a recruit- photo by his son Eddie Dahlberg.
The Carlshem home on parceled land from Jons Månsgården, Skultorp
Frans Gustaf built for himself and his wife Maria Elisabeth a grand house in Skultorp in 1930's style. Although he was already 69 years old, he invested a lot in his Carlshem, where he lived until he passed away in 1946. His wife died only a few years after they had moved in and was buried just a few hundred meters away. The church in Norra Kyrketorp had been built in 1925.
INVITATION TO THE FUNERAL FROM FRANS GUSTAF'S AND MARIA`S FOSTER SON EINAR DAHLBERG
In 1911 Einar Dahlberg moves to his foster parents in Norra Kyrketorps parish.
The foster parents are Frans Gustaf Carlsson and Maria Elisabet Carlsson (née Johansson) and live at Sverkilsgården, Skultorp, Norra Kyrketorp.
In their golden years, Frans Gustaf and Maria build a large house, Carlshem, in Skultorp. Sadly, Maria dies of heart failure in 1931.
Einar´s foster father (Frans Gustaf) was the son of Carl Svensson, from Ödelöten/Kleven.
The foster mother (Maria) was the daughter of August and Maria Gustafsdotter, owners of Sverkilsgården homestead in Skultorp. Maria first moves to Varnhem but returns to Sverkilsgården when she marries Frans.
Transcription;
Invitaion to attend the funeral of my beloved foster father
FRANS GUSTAF CARLSSON
at N. Kyrketorps kyrka
Thursday 2 January 1947 at 2:00 p.m.
Einar and Eva Dahlborg.
Seating in the church begins at 2:00 p.m.
Afterwards Supper will be served at Borgmästaregården Guesthouse in Skövde,
where the busses depart.
R.S.V.P. by 1 January
Next son, Oscar born 1863, leaves Ödelöthen 1881 - for America 1888
Oscar, born in 1863, was the first of the brothers who emigrated to America in 1889. He moved from Ödelöthen to Stenstorpin in 1881. Further on to Borgunda in 1883 and to Sjogerstad in 1884 and finally to Borgunda in 1886. Oscar emigrated for America on October 22, 1888.
After having settled down first in West Newton, Pennsylvania where he worked as a coal miner, Oscar moved to Seattle, Washington.
According to census records he worked as a landscaper. Eventually he earned enough to own his own land to work on.
Sometime in the late 1920´s he moved to the ”Swedish Baptists Pacific Home”. A retirement home in California. He died on the 29th of October 1929.
Oscar never married or had any children.
Transkription;
Brother Oscar Carlberg
Parishioner and resident of the Swedish Baptist Pacific Home passed away at the California Hospital Wednesday evening. He was 66 years and 8 months old. He suffered from a ruptured gallbladder and was operated on immediately. Following the operation he was in stable condition. However, after 5 days he worsened and his condition became critical. He received the best medical care and had a nurse day and night. But, his time had come.
He was born in Varnhem on February 23 1863. He came to the Untied States in 1889. He mainly lived in Seattle, Wash. He came to the Swedish Baptist Pacific Home on September 23 1924. He was a hard worker and diligent in his duties. He loved to spend time coming closer to god through comment and prayer. A solemn memorial service was held Saturday November 2 with flowers from the home and friends. Many fellow parishioners and board members were able to follow the procession to Mountain View Cemetery where the burial took place.
May peace rest over our brothers memory!
Nels Lidney
The Baptist retirement home Oscar moved to in 1924 from Seattle - 5 years after the home opened
The dining room of the Swedish Baptists Pacific Home. Oscar spent the remainder of his days at the home.
Swedish Baptist Pacific Home, Los Angeles, CA
Early on there was a strong belief amongst the Swedish Baptists in social responsibility. The Swedish Baptist Pacific Home was a result of this belief.
A permit to establish the home was granted by Mrs. C. Volland of the State Conference in 1918.
The home was legally established in 1919 at 222 West 41st Street in Los Angeles. The building has been used for various different purposes since the home was first established.
The Cemetery where Oscar was buried on Saturday, November 2 1929
Carl Svensson moves to, and then buys Klefven under Dyngesätter after his wife´s death in 1880
Occupants of Klefven u. Dyngesätter 1882-1909;
Owner Carl Svensson, born in Warnhem 1829
- dies here on July 22 1909
Son Sven August, born in Warnhem 1865
- moves to Dimbo on October 10 1884
Son Carl Johan, born in Warnhem 1867
- moves to Sjogerstad on October 20 1886
Son Alfrid, born in Warnhem April 23 1871
- Moves to North America on February 27 1891
This map from 1862 shows where the main house and barn stood when Carl bought Klefven under Dyngesätter. There are other buildings marked on the map as well. What looks like a cattle shed is by Fägagatan close to the property line at Ändebäcken. As well as what could be a smaller barn. By the the road to the North West is most likely a cottage that was called ”Dyngestöva” after being moved here from the Dyngesätter property.
THE ESTATE OF CARL SVENSSON 1909
Skånings and Walle District Court Nr. 37 1909
On 25 October 1909 estate of the widower Karl Svensson from Klefven, Warnhems parish was drawn up. Karl died on 22 July 1909. As such, the inheritor has 5 bereaved sons of age from his marriage to his earlier deceased wife: Frans Gustaf Karlsson in Piltegården Stenstorp, Karl Karlberg in Intagan Stenstorp, Oskar Karlberg residing in Seattle, Washington, Sven August Karlberg residing in Jamestown, New York and Alfred Karlberg residing in West Newton, Pennsylvania.
Alfred Engelbrektson from Svarfvarebacken has been appointed and has accepted being trustee for those sons residing in the U.S.A.
The contents of the home were reported by Wilhelm Pettersson from Hökaskog who was caring for the deceased and was present at the time of death. He recorded and evaluated the assets in the following order;
REAL ESTATE ASSETS
Cash Money:
Earnings of August Gustafsson in Varnhem for the deposited purchase price of the apartment Klefven 1 000 kr
RECEIVABLES
By Axel L. Malmgren unpaid purchase price for Klefven 1000 kr
By August Gustafsson according to the protocol 14 May 1910, gross income from estate auction of the deceased on 14 May 1910:
637.87 kr
Sköfvde Sparbank account as stated in bankbook: 36.79 kr
TOTAL TO THIS POINT: 2,674.66 KR
DEBTS
Commission, advertising cost, auctioneer cost for the property and estate auction cost - 153.35 kr
Property payment, in advance - 96.67 kr
Owed to son Karl Karlberg according to bill - 67.00 kr
Owed to Frans Karlsson ditto - 46.25 kr
Owed to De La Gardieska grave fund in Warnhem according to IOU - 350,00 kr
Interest at 5% for one year on capital - 17.50 kr
TOTAL DEPTS: 731.77 KR
BALANCE TO DATE 1942.80 KR
Hereby after recording all assets does testify
Karl Nyberg August Gustafsson
That all information given is truthful, accurate and that nothing has willfully been obstructed nor excluded hereby certifies under lawful oath
W. Petterson
In continuance of the ordinance
That I am willing to execute as fiduciary for the deceased Karl Svensson´s from Klefven sons Oskar Karlberg, Sven August Karlberg and Alfred Karlberg residing in the U.S.A.
Signature (s) certifying the presence of witnesses
Carl Nyberg Aug. Gustafssson
Addr: Warnhem Addr: Warnhem
Signature of those present
F.G. Carlsson C. Carlberg
A. Engelbrektsson
Sven August Carlsson (son), born 1865 leaves Klefven in 1884, goes to the U.S.A. in 1890
Sven August Carlsson, b. 1865- Great Great Grandfather of Eric Carlberg, Jamestown New York. U.S.A.
Sven August Carlsson - born in Varnhem in 1865, moved ot to work as a farmhand at Piltagården, Dimbo in 1884. He then left to work Wersholmen farm in Borgunda on March 12 1887.
After that he moved on to Anders Larsgården also in Borgunda.
- On March 12 1890, Sven emigrates to the United States.
Picture from Leepers Studio in West Newton, Pennsylvania, soon after his arrival to the U.S.
Sven returns to Sweden to visit his father and brother Carl Johan in 1902. When he he leaves Sweden to return to America, he takes the daughter of a cousin with him.
Upon arrival in West Newton he finds a job. He works as a coal miner with his brothers.
Later, he moves to Jamestown, New York and buys a farm there. Today, his grandson, Eric Carlberg owns and runs the farm.
Sven and his brothers decided to change their name from Carlsson to Carlberg. Eric found out that the brothers wanted to keep their fathers name ”Carl” and add ”berg” (berg means mountain in Swedish) after the mountain ”Billingen”, the area in Sweden where they grew up.
The brothers had each other in America- Sven August and his brother Alfred in 1930
Carl Johan (son) born 1867, leaves Klefven 1886- Goes to the U.S. in 1893
- Returns to Sweden 1906
- Returns to Sweden 1906
Klicka på bilden om du vill se den mindre!
In 1886 Carl Johan left Klefven and moved to Sjogerstad. He then moved on to Burgundy in 1887. Finally, in 1891 he moves to Ottravad.
In 1893, Carl Johan emigrates to the U.S. and settles in the same area around West Newton as his brothers Oscar and Sven. He joins them working in the coal mines there.
He was known as Charles instead of Carl during his time in the United States. He became a U.S. citizen in 1898.
In 1902, Carl (Charles) moved back to Sweden and lived somewhere in Skövde county parish ( Skövde Landsförsamling) , just outside the town of Skövde . There, he becomes an independent farmer and on
March 13 1902 he marries Augusta Lavinia Glans. She was born on January 1 1870.
On March 3 1903 Augusta follows Carl back to West Newton Pennsylvania.
In 1906 they moved back to the same place in Sweden which they left, Skövde county parish. In 1909 they moved to Stenstorp and in 1912 moved to Borunda. Later, in 1913 they move on to Dala and then in 1920 it´s back to Stenstorp where they lived at Ledsgården( Leds farm).
Carl died on February 2 1929 on the farm in Stenstorp. Augusta Lavinia died January 1 1937. They are buried together in Stenstorp. They had no children.
After Carl moved back to Sweden his name appears as Carl Johan Carlsson Carlberg or Karlsson Karlberg.
Eric Carlberg finds it very interesting that Carl Johan moved back and forth between the United States and Sweden so many times despite becoming an American citizen. Carl suspects the reason might be that
Carl Johan´s wife didn´t like life in the ”New Country”.
The pictures from Stenstorp were mailed to the U.S. and were mailed back in 2015. You can see them here!
Finally buy a plot of land and build Dalbo in Skultorp 1920 - Move from Dala
The undersigned hereby deed and transfer to Carl Johan Carlberg in Källebacka next to the Hjo-Stenstorp railroad located in the northern section, homestead 16/3000, partition Nr .3 Ledsgården in Stenstorps parish, district of Gudhem, county of Skaraborg, the agreed price of seven hundred fifty (750) kronor. I hereby certify that the agreed upon amount has been paid in full for the above named land and is owned and possessed by the purchaser.
Dalbo built by Carl Johan Karlberg 1920- Taken from the village development archives
Dalbo sits on a plot of land that is officially registered as Ledsgården 3:81 with other homes listed in the Stentorps real estate register. After Carl Johan´s widow died in 1937,
Johan, a carpenter and his wife Maria Johansson became the new owners of Dalbo. They lived in the house until 1983. Conny Brewitz and his wife then bought the home and they still live there today.
From the picture one can see that the house looks the same as it did when Mr. & Mrs. Karlberg/ Karlsson lived there.
Dalbo 2015
Alfred (son) born in Warnhem 1871- moved to America on February 27 1891
Alfred left Klefven under Dyngesätter for America in 1891. He was the last of the brothers to leave. He caught up with his brothers in West Newton and worked with them in the coal mines.
A few years later, he worked as a caretaker for a local school around West Newton. Immediately upon arrival, Alfrid became Alfred and also changed his last name to Carlberg.
In 1899 Alfred married Jennie Hodgkinson. She was born on May 3 1881. Ironically, Jennie was the younger sister of Sven Augusts´wife Bertha. Two brothers married two sisters!
Alfred and Jennie´s children;
- Francis Carlberg, born and died on July 24 1902
- Sarah Amanda, born July 25 1906
- Ethel Luella, born June 24 1909
- Carl Alfred, born and died on November 8 1911
- Pearl Evelyn, born January 19 1914
- On December 15 1917 Jennie died while delivering a baby boy. The baby died at the same time and did not receive a name.
Alfred stayed in West Newton and died there on August 16 1961. He was 90 years old!
Daughters say farewell with headstone for Mother and Father
Here is the story of the Carlberg family in the USA from Eric Carlberg, Jamestown
The male line from Carl Svensson is as follows;
- Carl Svensson
- Sven August Carlsson Carlberg
- Alfred Oscar Carlberg
- Gregory Lawrence Carlberg
- Eric Richard Carlberg
- August Anders Carlberg
Carl Svensson married Anna Greta Pettersdotter. When the couple was first married they lived in Skärv Parish.
On January 25, 1861 there first son, Frans Gustaf Carlsson, was born in Skärv. In 1862 the young family moved to a croft called Ödelötan in Varnhem Parish. From here all other children were born.
On February 28, 1863 another son was born, Oscar Carlsson.
Sven August Carlsson was born on April 19 1865. Carl Johan Carlsson was born on January 16, 1867. Alfrid Carlsson was born on April 23, 1871. Finally, Per Linus Carlsson was born on October 15, 1874 and died October 18, 1879.
All the children grew up in Ödelötan, and their mother Anna Greta Pettersdotter died on November 20, 1880. Oscar moved to Stenstorp Parish on October 21 1881. On October 14, 1882 Carl moved all of the children except Oscar, to a croft called Klefven in Varnhem Parish. From Klefven all the other children moved away.
Sven August Carlberg
Oscar Carlsson immigrated to America in 1889 because of army regulations and lack of land and opportunity.
He soon made his way to Seattle, Washington. In 1890 Sven emigrated to America. Followed by his
brothers Alfrid in 1891 and Carl in 1893.
The voyage was long and stormy, taking place during the winter months. For those with little or no money it was necessary to carry enough food for the journey. The movie, “The Emigrants” gave a clear picture of the traveling conditions. On arriving in America the three brothers made their way to Collinsburg, Pennsylvania, not far from Pittsburgh. There were other Swedes in town: Brostroms, Backstroms, Emil Peterson, and later the Ulanders and Hellmans. On advice of the other emigrants, the boys changed the name Carlson to Carlberg as there were many other Carlsons in the area.
The young men found work in the soft coal mines near West Newton, Pennsylvania Mining was a most hazardous occupation. Union strife was rampant and bloody. Safety measures were poor. Another bad part of the system was having to buy groceries at the “Company Store” and in many cases to be able to pay rent for a “Company House.” This left little money for saving.
Sven liked the new country and soon made up his mind to become a citizen. On September 30, 1895 he had passed the tests and had the privilege to vote. As long as he lived he never missed voting unless it was impossible to get to the polls. With no night schools to teach English it must have been difficult to learn to read and write enough to meet the citizenship requirements.
On September 21, 1895, Sven August Carlberg married Bertha Hodgkinson in West Newton.
They set up housekeeping in a house on Main Street in Collinsburg. On November 12, 1896 a son, named Charles Joseph, was born. A daughter, Jennie Priscilla as born May 22, 1900 followed by Sarah Elizabeth on January 26, 1903.
August had never liked the mines and by 1904 had saved enough money for a down payment on a farm. He moved the family to what is now the old Carlberg farm on the Carlberg Road near Jamestown, NY.
The house was only partially finished. Only two rooms were plastered. It did have the advantage of a pump in the kitchen.
The barn was small and not all of the land was cleared. In order to buy groceries and farm equipment, August walked to work in “Hall’s Mills,” a worsted mill about four miles from the farm.
He worked twelve hours a day, six days a week, and then walked home to do the farm work. He bought cattle, cleared land, and finally bought some machinery. In time, they were able to sell produce, berries, and establish a milk and butter route.
Meantime, while August worked in the mill, Bertha was at home alone with the children. At the time, she was twenty-eight and it must have been very lonely. The roads to the farm were almost nonexistent, so there was little or no company. One of Bertha’s fears was an intense dread of the huge milk snakes that lived under the woodshed floor. We know they are harmless but on sunny days when they came out to sun themselves, she was terrified!
In order to help out with finances, she ran a store in one room of the house, selling notions, thread and other small sewing supplies. A cash drawer with places for change and bills was part of the cupboard in the old farm kitchen until it was remodeled. It was known as the “money draw” but it held everything but money.
School-time
Time passed and one by one the children attended Ellicott #7 School, located about a mile from the farm at the intersection of the Peck Settlement Road (Falconer-Stillwater Road) and Buffalo Street Extension.
Conditions were bad: 60 pupils in a room adequate for 20 with a teacher for all eight grades. Drinking water was carried to school in a pail from the neighboring farm and plumbing was the little house in the corner of the lot. By the time I (Eric) started school, conditions were much better: there were in-door chemical toilets and the water was carried and put in an insulated “cooler.” Paper drinking cups were supplied to take the place of the community dipper. The districts had been split so that the number of pupils was one-third of what it had been. There was a library of reference books and classics. Not very many, but I think I read every one of them. Parents still had to furnish textbooks and as teachers did not stay long, and each one used different books, it was quite an expense each year to buy the required texts.
Charles left school before finishing eighth grade. He worked on the farm and helped with the “butter route” and later, a milk route. He started out early with the faithful horse “Bob” and a wagon loaded with cans of milk, a spout can and quart measure. If I can remember correctly, there was also a pint measure. Each customer would have to put out a bowl or pitcher, some with a cover and some without. Charles would take the spout can, which he had filled with milk from the large cans and with the measure he would measure out the amount of milk the customer had ordered. The conscientious housewife would immediately carry the milk to the cellar to keep it cool. A few fortunate people had iceboxes, using ice that had been harvested from the lake and sold house to house by the Iceman.
Priscilla finished eighth grade but because of eye problems, Sarah did not. Emily Ann finished eighth and one year of High School at Jamestown, and Fredonia Normal School. Alfred quit High School in his junior year to work on the farm. The older girls went into “Domestic Service” for the wealthier families in Jamestown. They were required to cook, wash, iron, and do some cleaning. It was during this service that Emily Ann saved money to buy herself a piano as she was quite an accomplished pianist. She had taken music lessons as a youngster but her only means of practice was on the old pump organ. She also saved the money for her business college course- all of this on $8.00 (or less) a week.
Time passed and changes were made. August bought more land as soon as possible. Thrift was necessary and no one got new shoes or clothes until the “mortgage money” was put aside. New machinery was bought, and a well was drilled in about 1915. Until that time, all the water was from the dug well which was hooked up to the pump in the kitchen. Everyone worked, weeding the garden, picking berries (both wild and cultivated), and chickens were raised and the eggs sold to many of the milk customers.
But there was fun, too. The school was a social center and the Halloween party and Christmas programs were highlights. At Christmas, the whole family walked to the school which had been decorated by the children: a Christmas tree, a colored chalk drawing on the blackboard, and everyone dressed in their best clothes. There was a program of “pieces,” short plays and songs, and finally Santa Claus! Then the long walk home with the snow squeaking underfoot, sleepy and tired but knowing it was now vacation.
In the summer, an ice cream social was held, usually at the school. It gave the older folks a chance to visit and the younger a chance to get together. Many a match was started at the socials. The young unmarried folks also held box socials- each girl brought lunch for two in a decorated box for the young unmarried men to bid on. Of course, each young man hoped that he knew which box his favorite girl brought so that he could bid high on that one.
There was great excitement in 1917 when the folks purchased a car. It was a Wyllis-Overland touring car: black with black leather upholstery. Of course, the roads were poor and after every summer rain one got stuck in the mud holes. When it was dry, one choked on the dust. Tires were small in diameter and carried eighty pounds of pressure.
Blowouts and punctures were common and part of the equipment in every car was a tire patching kit. The tire had to be removed from the rim and fixed on the spot. During the winter, the tires and wheels were removed and the car put on blocks. The battery was stored at a garage in town. A trip to the Grape Country was a great adventure- going over the Westfield hills where people burned their brakes on the way down and the radiator boiled on the way up.
During World War I there was much fear of the draft as is always the case in wartime. Shortages were of sugar and flour especially. Being on a farm we fared better than many. August raised wheat and had it ground to help stretch the flour for bread. Home grown meat and vegetables and maple sugar helped make the diet complete.
During the war years August followed the movements of the armies in Europe by reading the daily paper, “The Jamestown Morning Post,” and locating the places on a large map which hung in the dining room wall back of the door. I can remember helping locate some of the places as he read the names from the paper.
Time went on and on August 24, 1922 Charles married Stella Johnson, a neighbor girl and moved to Johnson Farm near the #7 school.
Lois Martha was born on February 20th, 1924; Charles Gordon on September 28, 1926; Herbert Burdette on September 25, 1928. Tragedy struck and Stella died of pneumonia on December 19, 1928. Herbert was brought up by August and Bertha; Gordon lived with Priscilla and George. Charles remarried on August 19, 1942 to Hilma Johnson.
Priscilla married George Gustafson on May 22, 1923 and left the family home, subsequently moving to the Falconer-Frewsburg Road. Again, there was tragedy. Priscilla was killed in a (railroad) grade crossing accident at Falconer on December 12, 1941.
Sarah married Arvid Gustafson on August 30, 1923. Arvid was a brother of George. Arvid and Sarah had four children: Gilbert Leroy on January 9, 1928; Doris Elaine on April 15, 1931; Ruth Marie on August 25, 1933, Robert Norman on June 25, 1935.
After a long illness, Arvid died on August 22, 1953.
Emily Ann married George A. Clark in June 1927. They had two children: George Allen Junior on May 19, 1928 and Dorothy Ann on December 27, 1930. After an illness of several months, Emily Ann passed away on May 22, 1934.
Elma Viola “Vi” married Julian Anderson in 1931. They had one son: Julian Bard Junior, born on February 9, 1932. Julian died January 12, 1971 after an illness of many years.
Alfred married Lela Kasten in March 1942. They had four children: Janice Carol born October 10, 1942, Nancy Jean born January 22, 1948, Dennis Alfred born on May 11, 1950, and Gregory Lawrence on May 17, 1954.
Sven August Carlberg passed away at the age of 77 on December 14, 1942 after a long life of very hard work on the farm.
The farm had been improved: electricity had been brought to the farm, the road improved, a plumbing system had been installed and a bathroom added. These were both added with the small addition to the back of the house. Water had been piped to the barn and many pieces of machinery had been added.
The work of the farm was carried on by Alfred and Lela.
Bertha passed away on March 27, 1960 at the age of 84. Both August and Bertha are buried in the Allen Cemetery. Both of them were very hard workers, and showed a keen interest in local and national politics and both voted in local and national elections. August, especially, appreciated the opportunities of America contrasted with Sweden where the younger sons in the family had little option but to be tenant farmers.