Magnus Anderson– Vetus Swanson Families

ANDERSON, SWANSON, BENGTSDOTTER, YOUNG

Posted By: Tina Keister (email)
Date: 3/18/2012 at 00:28:40

A century ago, when immigrants were desiring to come to the United States, they had to be recommended and certified by and elected official. The following passport belonged to the Magnus Anderson family when they came to the new county:
Magnus Anderson was born in D. Eneby, Sweden, Nov 26, 1798. His wife, Elizabeth Bengtsdotter, was born in D Eneby Sweden, Nov 21, 1807. They are moving to North America with the following recommendations: They were married June 24, 1827. They have received good religious training, were confirmed on Palm Sunday, took communion, have been vaccinated for smallpox, are healthy, intelligent, are able to work and have paid their taxes for the year. They are the parents of the following children: Anders Peter, born in D Eneby Sweden, Mary 15, 1828. Has been vaccinated for smallpox, and has received a good Christian education, Lena Sophia born Feb 5, 1830. Has been vaccinated for smallpox, reads well, and communicates well, Bengt Johan, born Jan 23, 1832, and has been vaccinated for smallpox, Sven Magnus, born April 14, 1835, has been vaccinated for smallpox, Margareth Mathilda born April 27, 1839, has been vaccinated for smallpox, and Carl Gustaf born June 22, 1841, has been vaccinated for smallpox. Attested to by J Bernau Commissioner, April 11, 1846.
The Anderson family first settled around the Polk City area, and upon Mr Anderson’s death, he was buried in a small Mormon plot, still bearing the name of I M Small. Years later, his relatives had the body moved to the Dalander Cemetery west of Madrid. His widow, Elizabeth, together with four of her children, joined the Mormon march to Utah, along the way, Mrs Anderson knit 12 pair of socks, and upon reaching Utah, she became one of Brigham Young’s wives.
Her two older sons, however, remained in the Swede Point vicinity, and married and began families of their own. Son, Anders Peter, acquired 1, 500 acres of land, and thus started the oldest Century Farm in Boone County. A fifth generation descendant, Dorothy Swanson Boresi, lives on the home place today.
On Anderson Peter’s farm, may trees and stumps had to be removed and stones hauled away, and the wood cut into lengths of lumber. Part of a worker’s wages for this work was paid in meat instead of coin. Many times, Indians roamed the farm and asked for handouts of food.
When A P Anderson died in 1895, the 1, 500 acres was divided among his 12 children. Among these was Greta Elizabeth, born April 22, 1862. Upon growing to young womanhood, she married Carl M Anderson of Minburn, Iowa. Greta Elizabeth died in childbirth, and the baby, Esther Elizabeth was raised by her Aunt Mary and Aunt Clara Oakleaf. IN 1892, Aunt Mary married Carl M Anderson, and they became parents of Levi Anderson, and another child who died in infancy. In June 19109, Esther Elizabeth married Vetus Swanson, a young Swedish gentleman who had arrived in the United States in Aug 1904. The Swanson’s, lived on the family farm their entire married life. They became parents of four children, Loren, Carl, Elizabeth, and Dorothy.
Loren married Eva Grgurich of Madrid, and they became the parents of Patricia, Michael, and Timothy, who died at the age of two months. There are seven grandchildren. Both Loren and Eva are now deceased.
Carl, a resident of Des Moines, married Helen Thompson, who is also deceased.
Elizabeth married LaVern Klonglan of Sheldahl, and they became the parents of one daughter, Mary Ann Alleman. There are three grandchildren.
Dorothy married Jospeh Boresi, who passed away in 1979, and they became the parents of one son, Joseph Jr and there are four grandchildren.
Vetus Swanson was a famer, and dairyman, and also co-owner with Jake Johnson, of the Jake and Vetus Café and Hotel. He later owned one of the earliest motion picture shows in town.
The Swanson’s were members of the St Jon’s Lutheran Church in Madrid, where Mr Swanson held various positions on the official church board, and Mrs Swanson was a member of the ladies societies of the church.

Madrid, Iowa 1883 to 1983 History Book