John Nylander

NYLANDER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 00:43:10

John Nylander, At an early day in the history of Boone county, John Nylander took up hi residence here . He as born in Sweden March 25, 1843, and his parents John and Walberg Johnson always lived in Sweden, the father devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits there. He passed away at he age of fifty years and his wife long surviving him died at the age of seventy years. Three brothers of the family came to America, Charlie was a railroad man and merchant of Duluth, Minnesota, where his death occurred. Swan is now living a retired life in Portland, Oregon.
The third member of the family is John Nylander of this review. Like the others he pursued his education in the public schools of Sweden but in the English language he is self educated. IN company with his brother Charles, he sailed for America no April 15, 1869, and on May 15, reached Galesburg, Illinois. At that place he secured work. He was without money and it was necessary for him to at once get employment in order to meet his daily expenses. He afterward went to Keokuk, Iowa where his first work was in loading a steamboat and for one month was in the railroad employ. On the expiration of hat period he returned to Galesburg, where he arrived on July 4, 1869. He was employed by a farmer during the haying season and then went to Duluth, Minnesota, by way of the lakes. For three years he worked it lumber regions in that section of the country. He spent six years in Duluth and vicinity, conducting a restaurant and boarding house in the city for some time.
While there Mr Nylander was united in marriage to Miss Bertie Marine, who came from the same part of Sweden in which his birth occurred. Eleven children have been born unto them. John who is now employed as a salesman in a clothing house in Des Moines, Iowa, Anna who is associated with her sister in business carrying on dressmaking in Des Moines, Emma connected with her sister Anna, Zellma and Willie at home, Lillie who is engaged in dressmaking in Boone, Mamie who is now a student in the business college in Des Moines, Henry, Bertha, Fred and Wallace all under the parental roof.
On leaving Duluth r Nylander removed to Ishpeming, Michigan and for four years was employed in the iron mines of that locality. He then came to Boone county, taking up his abode in Moingona, Marcy township. For two years thereafter he was engaged in digging coal and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, renting a farm near Pilot Mound, this county. After one year he removed to Swede Valley in Marcy township, and after renting different farms he finally purchased what is known as the old Heddinger farm, in 1884. Here he owns 140 acres of land. He has made all of the improvements upon this property and the place is a monument to his thrift and enterprise and his useful career. He has a fine residence, one of the most attractive country homes in this locality, and with the assistance of his sons he is now carrying on general farming and to some extent is engaged in stock raising. Besides his property here he owns a quarter section of land in North Dakota.
He has never sought or desired office, but has always been a stanch Republican in his political views. Both he and his wife belong to the Swedish Lutheran church of Mary township. Mr Nylander has always been a hardworking man. Self reliant, independent and reliable his sterling worth has ever commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact and he now has many friends in the country of his adoption.

1902 Boone County History Book