FINDING AID

Collection of Augustana Synod Letters, 1853-1927

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Collection Title:
Collection of Augustana Synod Letters

Collection Number:
MSS P:342

Dates:
1853–1908, 1914, 1927

Size:
1 box (.5 linear feet)

Language:
Swedish (bulk), English, Norwegian

Creator/Collector:
Norelius, Eric, 1833-1916

Subject Headings:
Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America
Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America    
Augustana Theological Seminary (Rock Island, Ill.)
Hasselquist, T. N. (Tufve Nilsson), 1816-1891 
Carlsson, Erland, 1822-1893
Lindahl, S. P. A. (Sven Peter August), 1843-1908
Esbjörn, L. P. (Lars Paul), 1808-1870

Repository:
Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois.

Abstract:
This collection was likely originally part of the Eric Norelius letter collection assembled in preparation for his history of the Augustana Synod. These letters relate to the founding and early history of the Augustana Synod and Swedish immigration to the Midwest. Letters are written to, from, and mention people involved in the Synod, including T.N. Hasselquist, Eric Norelius, Erland Carlsson, S.P.A. Lindahl and more. 

RIGHTS AND ACCESS

Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research.
 
Reproduction and Use:    
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the Swenson Center and the copyright holder. 

Preferred Citation:    
[item identification], in MSS P:342 Collection of Augustana Synod Letters, Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. 

ACQUISITION AND RELATED MATERIALS

Provenance:    
Transferred to the Swenson Center from the Lutheran Church of America Archives in 1982 (1982.39).

Related Materials:
MSS P:1 Eric Norelius letters, 1851-1916
MSS P:2 Erland Carlson papers, 1844-1893
    
Processed By:    
Processed and finding aid written by Rebecca Knapper, 2015.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

Administrative/Biographical History:    
Documentation included with the transfer notes that this collection was likely originally part of the Eric Norelius letter collection assembled in preparation for his two-volume history of the founding and development of the Augustana Church, “De svenska lutherska församlingarnas och svenskarnas historia i Amerika.” Eric Norelius was a Swedish-American church leader and author. He was one of the founders of the Augustana Synod and served as its president from 1870-1881 and 1901-1910. Norelius was also active in the publishing field and published newspapers, articles and books.

Scope and Content:
This collection contains letters relating to the founding and early history of the Augustana Synod and Swedish immigration to the Midwest. Letters are written to, from, and mentioning various people involved in the Synod, including Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church presidents Tuve Hasselquist (1860-1870), Eric Norelius (1874-1881 & 1899-1911), Erland Carlsson (1881-1888), and S.P.A. Lindahl (1888-1891). 

System of Arrangement:
This collection is arranged chronologically from 1853 through 1927. 

Collection Inventory:    

Date, Author, Recipient, Contents (people mentioned), Language

Folder 1. 1853-1865

• Mar. 11, 1853, P. Fjellstedt, friend, Royal National Archives in Stockholm, Swedish 
• Apr. 5, 1855, Jacob Bredberg, Carl Fredrik Jansson, Lutheranism in America, Swedish
• May 10, 1856, Brother Bjorn Pehrsson, Beloved Brother, Father, people who have emigrated, Hemlandet, war, slavery, Swedish spirit laws, Swedish
• Oct. 22, 1857, Pastor Carl Wellberg, letter of recommendation for Anders Vilhelm Dahlsten, Stockholm, Swedish
• Apr. 15, 1858, B. G. Bergenlund, Rev. W. Papanaut [Passarant], hearings at the Synod, English
• Apr. 2, 1860 (copy), T. Ross, Secretary of Faculty, in reference to a petition by Swedish students to withdraw from Illinois State University due to Prof. Esbjörn’s resignation. Says that Prof. Esbjörn alone should be responsible, English 
• Jun. 3, 1860, Stina Lisa Fogelgren, Victor, son, the state of religion in the family, Swedish 
• Feb. 16, 1861, Andrew Jackson, “Brother in Christ”, Norelius, Jackson, Dr. Hasselquist, Swedish
• Dec. 1, 1861, no signature, N/A, Brother Dahlsten and his wife Mina, Pastor Esbjörn, Norelius, Pastor Hedengraen, Swedish
• Jan. 7, 1862, Peter Esbjörnson, (P.S. by Peter Lindberg), Mr. Elias Swanson, wants Dr. Hasselquist to attest to the death of “our” brother Truls, what he died for etc. P.S. Greeting to the Swedish girls, Swedish 
• Feb. 18, 1862, Petter Swenson, a pastor, false accusation by the church, Swedish
• Aug. 12, 1862, Gustaf Larson, wife and child, Gold Rush, Swedish
• Aug. 13, 1862, John C. Johnson, wife and children, Gold Rush, Swedish
• Mar. 18, 1863, A. F. Doull, Mr. T. K. Simmons, English
• Jul. 21, 1863, no signature, Pastor Norelius, Christina Carlson, Swedish
• Sep. 18, 1863, no signature, Hemlandet, Gold Rush, Swedish 
• Sep. 25, 1863, C. J. P. Petersen, friend, Sunday School, Norwegian 
• Oct. 15, 1864, Gustaf Johnson, Brother Nordquist, Naslund, Swedish
• Feb. 22, 1865, Johan Johansson, J. Engberg, Mr. Stank, Hemlandet, Swedish
• Aug. 12, 1865, P. A. Ahlberg, School Teacher K. J. Malmberg, Professor Hasselquist, Pastor Peters (in Rockford), Bengtson, Rydholm, Swedish
• Oct. 18, 1865, Salomon (Clerk of the County Court), Rev. P. C. Boreen, Erland Carlsson, Swedish
• Nov. 14, 1865, Jonas Larsson, Sister-in-law, Miss Lagerdahl, Skön (in the service of the crown), Swedish

Folder 2. 1866-1870

• Jan. 4, 1866, G. T. Schmidt, T. H. B. Carlhamn, Esq., Augustana College, Swedish
• Jan. 27, 1866, C. J. P. Peterson (Norwegian pastor in Chicago), Thorgils Nilsen (from Hardanger, Norway), Norwegian 
• Feb. 9, 1866, E. J. Courteur, Mr. Magney, Chicago, Magney, Sjoberg and Tofterson, Swedish 
• Mar. 12, 1866, [Nils Bang] or [Miss Barry], [W. Lundstig] or [W. Lundberg], P. Montgomery, W. Sundsten, English
• Sep. 24, 1866, Chris. Toftenson, Mr. P. G. A. Lingberg, disorder in the church, Swedish
• Dec. 17, 1866, Office of Illinois Stone Co., C. Ulricson, Esq. Architect, about business matters, English
• Aug. 11, 1867, R. B. Chase and Son, Mr. Fair, about the delivery of lime, English 
• Nov. 7, 1867, P. Wieselgren, Pastor K. Karlen, a letter enclosed to the President of Augustana Synod, Swedish
• Apr. 1, 1868, C. W. Schaeffer, Rev. Dr. Finkel, E. Norelius, English
• May 1868, no signature, Brother Thorin, planning a journey to America, Swedish
• May 18, 1868, P. O. Landén, (P.S. written by W.S.B.), Brother Thorin, mention of Augustana Synod, Swedish
• Nov. 27, 1868, John Anjou, Pastor Carlson, Augustana Synod, Swedish
• Jan. 6, 1869, Olof Lagerquist, Mr. E. Collin (letter forwarded to Dr. Hasselquist), I am the brother of Nils Tufvesson. Both he and his brother would like to study at Paxton, Swedish 
• Jan. 10, 1869, E.P. Hedenskog, Hon. Judge D. Patton, Paxton, land for sale, English
• Jan. 30, 1869, Joh. Aug. Dale’n, Herr Pastor Peters, moving to Paxton, Swedish
• May 14, 1869, Mary Anderson, Lotta Laws, personal matters, Swedish
• June 19, 1869, P.A. Sandstedt, Pastor J. P. Nyquist, Rose’n, Swedish
• Sept. 29, 1869, John Paulson, Mr. T. G. Pearson, Norelius, Swedish 
• Dec. 23, 1869, J. Norell, Parents and Siblings, Petter Enblom, Swedish 
• Undated, no signature, congregation, heathen midsummer dance, Swedish
• Undated, Mary Petterson, send portrait, fragment, Swedish
• Jan. 21, 1870, P. G. Berglund, Brethren, Chicago, Swedish
• Mar. 3, 1870, J. P. Lundblad, Mr. J. Ekblad, Letter to the synod from Quist, Hemlandet, Lundblad, Prof. Hasselquist, Swedish
• Mar. 10, 1870, P.A. Cederstam, Pastor E. Norelius, receipt of payment, Swedish
• Mar. 12, 1870, Pastor Gustaf Lundberg, Jöns Pehrson, English
• Mar. 23, 1870, Jas. Keagy [?], Mr. G. F. Lindquist, bill payment, English
• Apr. 16, 1870, S. P. A. Lindahl, C. Håkanson, about an improper family relationship, Swedish
• Jun. 28, 1870, Oscar Olsson, Brother, a conversation with a “Miss”, Swedish
• Sep. 2, 1870, C. O. Hultgren, Brother A. P. Monte’n, Hemlandet, congregation in Hassel Valley, Pa., Swedish
• Oct. 11, 1870, Victor Setterdahl, Rev. A. W. Dahlsten, Land in Salina, Swedish and English
• Nov. 10, 1870, N. Anderson, Luth. Pastor, Mr. B. Svenson, established Swedish colony will establish a boarding house in Memphis, Swedish
• Dec. 5, 1870, no signature, Dear and best friend in Christ, private, inner conflict, Swedish

Folder 3. 1871-1874

• May 17, 1871, Carolus, Peter J. Brodine, father is sick, mother, Hanna, Luther, Swedish
• Aug. 10, 1871, P. Carlson, Brother J. P. Nelson, T. N. Hasselquist, St. Ansgari School Library in Carver, Minnesota, Swedish
• Aug. 28, 1871, S. Ekstrom and P. Blomstrand, about a call to Campella and East Bridgewater, Swedish
• Jun. 10, 1872, V. Strand, pastor, letter of recommendation for Gustaf Viktor Andersson, Swedish
• Mar. 14, 1873, no signature [maybe J. P. Nyquist], Farbror, complains about the “mess” of the bookstore business, Augustana, Swedish
• Apr. 20, 1873, Eric Norin, Pastor Magney, Norgren, Lagerstrom, a Baptist named Hakanson, Swedish
• Jul. 9, 1873, C. A. S. (Carl Svenson) [?], Uncle Brodine, pappa was very sick on return from Paxton, Swedish and English
• Jul. 14, 1873, John P. Sanders, Rev. [H] A. O. Lindeblad, need for Swedish minister, Swedish
• Aug. 7, 1873, Charles, P. J. Brodine, visit America, Annica, father’s birthday, Swedish
• Aug. 21, 1873, C. A. S. , P. J. Brodine, update on family, Swedish 
• Jan. 12, 1874, A. Allen, S.R. Anderson, J. P. Berglund, Jan Bengtson, Augustana Synod, the founding of Nordhem congregation, Swedish
• Feb. 14, 1874, S. Anderson, C. P. Rydholm, Sven Andreasson, C. J. Petterson, Anders Johan Asplund, Swedish
• Mar. 7, 1874, Ol. Dahlman, Pastor C. Rydholm, schools in Keokuk and Paxton, Swedish
• Mar. 25, 1874, S. Anderson, Pastor C. P. Rydholm, wants to study at the institute in Keokuk, Swedish
• Mar. 25, 1874, Ol. Dahlman, Pastor Rydholm, Pastor Anderson, wants to study at Paxton, Swedish
• Apr. 12, 1874, C. Lindstrom, Pastor Rydhom, Holmgren, Swedish
• Apr. 17, 1874, Ol. Dahlman, Pastor C. P. Rydholm, Burlington and Paxton, Swedish 
• Apr. 26, 1874, S. Anderson, Higby Randolph Co., Mo., Pastor C. P. Rydholm, inquiry into Paxton, Swedish
• May 14, 1874, Ol. Dahlman, Pastor C. P. Rydholm, Prof. Hasselquist, Burlington, remove pastor Anderson from congregation, Swedish
• Jun. 29, 1874, O. J. Hatlestad, Pastor G. Peters, the Norwegians are dissatisfied with the Swedish Augustana Synod, Norwegian 
• Undated, many names, The Deacons of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chicago, petition concerning Pastor Pederson, Norwegian 

Folder 4. 1875-1880

• Mar. 12, 1875, Cervin, Brother Sweders, returning something, Swedish 
• Jun. 10, 1875, C. A. Orre, editor-publisher Enander, Chicago, article about S. T. Sandstrom’s care of congregation, Swedish
• Jul. 1, 1875, P. Dillman, Brother Dahlstedt, midsummer dinner with the princess at Visby, Swedish
• Jan. 26, 1876, J. Wicander, Pastor Görlander, Augustana Synod, Prof. Hasselquist, Erland Carlsson, Swedish
• Jul. 31, 1876, J. S. L. , Brother L, ….H…, Sw. Johnson, Nelson and Thoren, Basford, Swedish
• Dec. 11, 1876, Leonard Gyllenhaul [sp?], Hemlandet, Mr. Gustaf Swenson, declines offer to be editor of the new newspaper, Swedish 
• Jan. 30, 1877, J. Monson, Pastor C. Waleen, Prof. Hasselquist, Pastor Forsander Rodall, Swedish 
• Feb. 27, 1877, Erik Ward, John Fryklund, Sven Hedlund, Members of the congregation, Nicklas Rudin, Swedish
• Jul. 9, 1877, C. A. Olander, Pastor Musaeus, matters in the congregation, Swedish with note in Norwegian by J. C. A. Musaus
• Aug. 3, 1877, no signature, friends, about heavenly peace etc., Swedish
• Feb. 18, 1878, Carl Ekstrom, Jonas Malin, C. E. Petterson, August Erikson, members of the church “rådet” (deacons), Minnesota Conference, money, Swedish 
• May 21, 1878, J. Magny, Treasurer, St. Peter, receipt for money loaned Gustavus Adolphus College by Rev. C. M. Rydeen, English 
• Nov. 29, 1878, M. Frykman, Rev. Prof. H. Reck, bill for tuition and board for S. J. Hjelm (sister’s son), Swedish 
• Dec. 9, 1878, C. O. Olander, Brother Randahl, the need for pastors in his area, Swedish 
• Jun. 12, 1789, Mary Forsberg (your dear wife), friends, mom wants dad to write a separate letter to her, Swedish 
• Dec. 8, 1879, J. F. Grip, Pastor J. F. Borg, asking pastor Borg to spend Christmas at Bethania, Swedish 
• Dec. 20, 1879, A. G. Johnson, Rev. Reck, Swenson wrote to Rev. Awald [Evald?], poor English
• Aug. 31, 1880, A. B. [G] Monten, J. W. Johnson, Esq., English
• Oct. 31, 1880, no signature, incomplete, biography of pastor Carl August Hedengran, Swedish

Folder 5. 1881-1889

• Mar. 16, 1881, A. B. [G] Monten, Mr. Johnson, about farm land, Swedish 
• Aug. 14, 1881, August Johansson and Christina Nilsson, sister, sister-in-law, and children, update about how things are going, master Nojd, uncle Fogelgren, and Wiktor and his family, Swedish
• Nov. 3, 1881, L. J. Peterson, Pastor N. Th. Winquist, copies of “Eko”, mentions C. A. Bjork, Swedish
• Nov. 9, 1881, L. J. Petterson, Pastor Winquist, Johan, Jönköpings Mission Society, Carl Berggren, Bjork, Swedish 
• Apr. 10, 1882, A. A. Shenlund, [appears to be part II of a letter begun 2 weeks earlier], a house belonging to an Englishman (Grant), a pastor and professor, Swedish
• May 18, 1882, T. N. Hasselquist, Rev. R. F. Weidner, the board will recommend W. as professor, but the Synod alone elects, English 
• May 13, 1882, your sister and brother-on-law, August Johansson and Christina Nilsdotter, Sister, sister-in-law, and children, people who have emigrated to America, greetings to Victor Fogelgren and his family, and to Mr. Nojd, Swedish 
• Jul. 1, 1882, P. Ahlberg, Pastor N. A. Youngberg, Augustana Synod (school), Swedish
• Dec. 26, 1882, S.P. Nilsson, sister with family and relatives, abundant harvest and greetings to uncle Fogelgren and his family, Swedish 
• Jul. 12, 1883, A. G. Montén, Mr. J. W. Johnson, he sold his farm to Peter Norberg for $1600, Swedish
• Oct. 15, 1883, Joh. Ax. Wallin, certified copies of letters of recommendation for Carl Leander-Lindstrom, Swedish
• Apr. 29, 1884, A. L. Skoog, Brother Franzén, about pastor Dahlstedt, Swedish
• Jun. 25, 1884, the will of Rev. Ranklin Weidner, professor in Augustana Theological Seminary, Rock Island, Ill., English
• Aug. 11, 1884, Rev. Andrew P. Monten, Willis and Willard (attorneys), asks “for voluntary payment to Mr. Stockenstrom of $600. Which you wrongfully hold,” carbon copy in English 
• Oct. 7, 1884, Johannes Eliasson, sister-in-law and sister with family, I have received your inheritance. Statement includes 417 in cash to you, Swedish
• Dec. 31, 1885, no signature, Brother Fremling, Fremling asks Monteen’s forgiveness (accused of embezzling), fragment in Swedish
• Jan. 30, 1887, no signature, Brother Anders, gives credentials of komminister Carl Lindsten, fragment in Swedish
• Feb. 2, 1887, no signature, Mr. E. Ericsson, Ericson is accused of having spread slanderous remarks about the writer of this letter, fragment in Swedish 
• Sep. 15, 1887, J. E. Holzt, Tillie, love letter, English 
• Nov. 29, 1887, A. P. Magnusson, Mr. C. W. Foss, statement about money, Prof. Hasselquist, see him on the matter, Swedish 
• Jan. 27, 1888, K. E. Fredén, Nebraska Conference Chairman Pastor John Torell, A. G. Fredén’s relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and a resume of the separatist movement in the homeland, Swedish 
• Mar. 1, 1888, J. E. Holzt, Tillie, love letter, English 
• Jun. 5, 1888, C. H. Brodine, Pastor Dahlsten, new pastor and happenings in the congregation, Swedish
• Jul. 1, 1888 or 1844, Wilhelm Esping [?] or Carl Johan [?], Eva, they already have a teacher for their children, Swedish 
• Aug. 1, 1888, Aug. Johansson Christina Nilsdotter, sister, sister-in-law with children, Axel became a healer and brother and sister-in-law in Herna were here, Swedish 
• Sep. 25, 1888, T. Lagerman, Brother Dahlsten, memories about America, Swedish 
• Oct. 20, 1888, Joh. Fredr. Wistrom and K. J. Dahlberger, letter of recommendation for Otto Teodor Almén for the Augustana Synod’s college, Swedish 

Folder 6. 1890-1899

• Feb. 1890, A. E. “continued from No. 2”, about being a missionary in India, Swedish 
• May 20, 1890, Axel Elfström, P. Alert, please send information for clergyman certificate he needs. Going to Sweden, Swedish 
• Dec. 2, 1890, John A. Lindberg, Johan Nyström, wants Nyström to come and preach again, Swedish 
• Jan. 1, 1891, John A. Lindberg, Mr. J. Nystrom, a call to Nystrom. Pay $10 per Sunday. Approved by Dr. Hasselquist, Swedish 
• Apr. 14, 1891, P. Sjoblom, Mr. J. J. Hogberg, writing to the church council in Scandia Grove about your dismissal letter, Swedish 
• Jun. 6, 1891, P. Sjoblom, Mr. J. J. Hogberg, your reasons for leaving don’t correspond with the church so I have to withdraw my request, Swedish 
• Mar. 6, 1892, A. W. Dahlsten, Church Council at New Andover, accepts the congregation’s call, Swedish 
• Nov. 16, 1893, speech given at “Jubelfesten” in Grantsburg, Swedish
• May 17, 1893, Marija Danniollson, cousin with wife and children, says that she is working in a hospital in Stockholm and would like to come to America again, Swedish 
• Oct. 2, 1894, C. Elofson, Rev. J. W. Lundgren, “we cannot get you a place to preach this year,” Swedish 
• Nov. 6, 1895, historical sketch over Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church at Rush Lake, Minnesota at the 25th Anniversary, Swedish 
• Jan. 3, 1899, H. Jackson, brother and family, he has had kidney problems, harvest, debts, leaving and renting a farm from Pastor Almén for 5 years, neighbors with Pastor Lundquist, Swedish 
• Feb. 27, 1899, Johannes Kjellgren, S. G. T., about Waldenstrom’s teachings, asks for contributions for the Lutheran chapel, says that Waldenstrom took the one they had, Swedish 
• Apr. 28, 1899, Clara Landgren, Mrs. M. Ljungman, has no more letters from Dr. Esbjörn to her husband, Swedish 
• Oct. 2, 1899, Johan Olsson, Brother and family, marriage and children, Swedish 

Folder 7. 1900-1914 & 1927

• Mar. 26, 1900, L. P. Bergstrom, J. T. Kellgren, Magny has promised $200 from his pastorate, Swedish 
• Oct. 19, 1900, Herman Jackson, Brother and family, harvest, greetings from brother Christian, Albert is wed, Pastor Almén visited and asked about the farm (not well taken because his harvest was bigger than in other places), Swedish 
• Jan. 2, 1901, no signature, report to congregation in R.I., Report on number of deaths, births, and moved, Swedish 
• Feb. 4, 1901, J. G. Dahlberg, Dr. Foss, the board is financially unable to assist the churches in question, English 
• May 23, 1901, no signature, Herr Doctor, Indian uprising, death of two Brobergs with wives and children, escapes of Ann Stina (daughter of A. P. Broberg) and Anders Peter (son of Daniel Broberg), Carl Carlson hilled, fragment in Swedish 
• Jul. 27, 1901, Eric Norelius, eulogy at Pastor Jackson’s funeral at Rush Lake, Minnesota, Swedish 
• Oct. 4, 1902, J. N. Lundqvist, Dr. C. W. Foss, ask for balance of his salary. Says he didn’t receive Dr. Norelius’s letter about the suspension until Aug. 24th, Swedish 
• Mar. 29, 1904, Frithiof Malmquist, Miss Nettie Steffenson, Poem, “Härolden,” in honor if the paper Manistique Harold’s 10th Anniversary. Attached poem “Efter Stormen” by Budm. Åkermark, Swedish 
• Sep. 16, 1904, Alfred J. Pearson, Secretary of faculty, excerpt from the minutes of the faculty of Gustavus Adolphus College containing praise of Dr. M. Walhstrom, English 
• Feb. 10, 1905, J. S. Carlson, President of the Board, resolution adopted by the Swedish Lutheran Board of Education. St. Peter; Minnesota, at their meeting Jul. 15, 1904, English
• Aug. 24, 1905, V. Tengwald, Prof. J. G. Dahlberg, Illinois Conference recommended the following for ordination: C. O. T. Almén, A. A. Swanlund, John Aug. Berg, and C. A. Wendell, Swedish 
• Jan. 30, 1908, S. L. Wilson, L. A. Edman, asks Edman to visit Minneiska, Swedish 
• Aug. 17, 1908, owner of lots unknown, statement of taxes due on lots 4, 5, 6 South El Campo amounting to $17.00, English 
• Sep. 8, 1914, C. W. Dahlsten, Brother Wilhelm, I think if all goes well, we can pay something on the principle this Fall, Swedish 
• Jun. 6, 1927, John A. W.[?] Haas, Mr. David Beckstrom, Doctor Lindberg, English
• Jun. 6, 1927, Frank P. Manharh [spelling?], Rev. C. [?] A. Brandelle, D.D., LL.D., Eh. Al., Rev. C. E. Lindberg D.D., LL.D., English