FRIEDLUND, John L. 1857-1936

FRIEDLUND

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 11/23/2010 at 21:57:22

John L. Friedlund

John L. Friedlund was born in Skane, Sweden, December 4, 1857, and died March 27, 1936. At the age of twenty-six he came to this country and settled in Osage, Iowa. For a time he worked in the foundry, which was then in existence. He then purchased a blacksmith shop which he operated for more than fifty years, excepting for an illness of three years ago.

He learned the blacksmith trade as a boy apprentice under the guidance of his father. He was strong and robust and in his prime had shod as many as eighty horses in a day. In the old days he made not only the shoes, but also the nails from the rough iron. His workmanship was superb because both of his fine training in the trade, and also because of the integrity of his character. It was not until he became ill two weeks ago that he finally gave up his trade.

After he had located in Osage he became a member of the Congregational Church, March 3, 1889. During the more than 47 years of his membership he had been a consecrated, loyal, and fearless Christian. For more than thirty years he was a deacon and during much of this time he was chairman of the Board of Deacons.

He also served as member and chairman of the Board of Trustees some twenty years ago. At the time of his death he was Honorary Deacon and continued to attend the meetings of the Board of Deacons and to do what work he was able. No one who has heard him will ever forget the uplifting power of his public prayers. Not only were they couched in language that was beautiful, but everyone knew that behind them was the man himself, whose life was the incarnation of what he said.

Besides his wife he leaves to mourn him, five children - Mrs. Esther Kellogg, Alexandria, Minnesota, Mrs. Olga Twiss, Price, Utah; Arthur Friedlund, Glasgow, Montana; Miss Agnes Friedlund, Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. Lorraine McGrane, of Osage, Iowa. All of these children were with their father in his last illness, with the exception of Mrs. Twiss, who could not come on account of illness. Besides his children there are five grandchildren. Of these John Twiss, of Chicago; Ruth and Marion Kellogg, of Alexandria, Minnesota, and Ann McGrane were present at the funeral.

One daughter, Mrs. Ruth Palmer, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held at the home and at the Congregational Church conducted by Pastor Stiles Lessly and burial was in the Osage Cemetery.

[Mitchell County Press, Thursday, April 2, 1936]

Transcribed by S. Bell