Sara Christina Engström (1813- 1901)
Sara Christina Engström was born on 2 February 1813 at Figeholm in Misterhult socken which is in Kalmar Län in the Småland part of Sweden. Figeholm is located 10 kilometers south of the old Misterhult parish church and is right on the Baltic coast in the southeasterly portion of Sweden. Several of Kiron's immigrants were born in the Misterhult/Figeholm area of Sweden.
Sara's parents were Nils Engström and Lisa Månsdotter. They were natives of the Kalmar Län area, Nils having been born in Misterhult and Lisa in Rumskulla. They both died in Misterhult parish. They spent most of their lives in Figeholm. Sara Christina chose the Engström surname of her father and did not use the patronymic name Nilsdotter. She had two sisters, Inga Margareta Cathrine, and Lovisa, and one brother Carl Fredric who all used the surname Engström.
She was married around 1850 to Carl Peter Frodig of Figeholm. Their residence from 1851 to 1857 was Figeholm No.39, Misterhult, Kalmar Län, Sweden. (See page 22 of the Misterhult Vol AI: 6 A-B Clerical Survey for 1851 to 1860 for Figeholm, Köping #39.) In 1857 they moved to Figeholm No.24 where they lived until 1861 when they moved to Figeholm No. 58.
The record implies the Frodigs took in their nephew, Gustaf Robert Engström as a foster child. In later records the child took on the last name of Dahlman which could mean that was his "unknown" fathers real name. (When Gustaf came to America in 1871, the Frodigs sold him the east 40 acres of their Kiron farm which they reclaimed after the early death of Gustaf.) The Frodigs also look like they provided a home in Figeholm for Flicken Anna Sofia Carlsdotter. The relationship to her is not known. The Frodigs had three daughters. They were Hulda, Maja Johanna, and Amanda Lovisa. The latter two died as infants.
It was from Figeholm No.58 where they departed for America (See page 72 of the Misterhult volume AI:9). They immigrated with their young daughter, Hulda, in June 1865 going to Swedebend in Iowa from Sweden. They traveled as a small group from Misterhult. In this group were five members of the Nils Rodin family, and the two eldest sons of Peter Nilsson. Two years later in July 1867 more of their family and friends from Misterhult had arrived in Swedebend and the little growing group found itself in need of more land. Carl Frodig and Nils Rodin took on the task of finding a suitable site. They were joined by C. J. Star of the Hassela Sweden group who also had made their way to Swedebend.
There is evidence that the three Swedish gentleman who scouted the Kiron, Iowa area came west from Swedebend in oxen drawn wagons (horses were very scarce - they were not running loose on the prairie as is popularly pictured. The army had horses and the indians had some horses but the sodbusters used oxen because they were more plentiful, thus cheaper, and it was thought they were more economical to take care since they could digest the native grasses.) Carl Peter Frodig was one of those men. Local histories and sagas tell of the disappointment with the prospective flat land along the Missouri River and the almost supernatural intersection of the lives of these three men with Rev. Denison, a land agent in the frontier town of Denison. The land records indicate that under his direction their visit to the north Crawford site in July 1867 was a defining moment as that is when they signed contracts to purchase land from the Providence Western Land Company. In addition to Nils Rodin and Charles John Star, the other two scouts, the PWLCo records indicate that Elias Munson, who had come from the Kristianstads area of Sweden, also signed a contract that day in July for eighty acres in the new community.
The three scouts returned to Swedebend with the news and about 1 month later in the 3rd week of August they brought a dozen or more Swedish families to the new area and they purchased land. This was the beginning of what was known as the 'Swedish Settlement' for several years and which eventually became known by the name of Kiron.
The land purchased by Carl Frodig was 80 acres described as the south half of the southeast quarter of section 19 in what is now known as Stockholm Township. The Frodig farm place was to develop in the southwest corner of their property. Although the living quarters were torn down many many years ago, a lone wood slatted side corn crib remained the last building up to about 1970 when the practice of corn combining made the building obsolete and it was torn down.
On 16 August 1868 Sara Christina Engström Frodig was one of the eighteen founders of the Swedish Baptist Church of Kiron, Iowa. It was in their sod/dugout house on their farm that the organization meeting was held. Her husband was the layman pastor from 16 August 1868 to Mar 1870 and from 1873 to March 1877. The church records indicate that he was a leader in the church the remainder of his life. Church history holds his name in high esteem and speaks of him most reverently and with gratitude beyond measure.
She was a mid-wife from Aug 1867 to 1895 in the Swedish Settlement. Mrs. Frodig was called upon many many times even as she was getting up in years to be present when a mother was about to give birth. Most of the children of her neighbors in sections 19, 20, 29 and 30 were helped into the world by her. The birth registrations in the Crawford County court house have many records listing her as the medical attendee.
The family is recorded on the 1 July 1870 census of Jackson Township, Boyer River Post Office, Crawford Co., Iowa. In 1870 Jackson Township contained the northern four rows of sections in the present day townships of Otter Creek, Stockholm, and Jackson. The entry on page 5 for dwelling 38 records the family of C. Peter Frodig, age 40, male, white, a farmer, born in Sweden, and having a real estate value of $400 and personal estate of $301; his wife Sarah Stina, age 50, female, white, keeping house, cannot write, and born in Sweden; Hulda, age 18, female, white, assistant housekeeper, and born in Sweden. Also, staying with the Frodigs was Oluf Olson, age 37, male, white, a farmer, born in Sweden, and having a real estate value of $500 and personal estate of $150.
She appeared on the census in June 1880 for Stockholm Twp, Crawford Co., Iowa. When Charles J. Johnson came to take the census in 1880 he wrote the following. C. P. Frodig was 50 years old, a farmer and was born in Sweden. His wife Sarah was 67 years old, was born in Sweden, could not write, and was keeping house. Living with them was a boy listed as Charles Frodig, age 6, who was at school. He had been born in Iowa. (This is undoubtedly Charles Dolk their grandson who was born in 1874.) Also, living with the Frodig's was a 45 year old Laborer from Sweden named Oliver Olson. He is listed as being unable to write English.
The 1885 census for the family at the Carl P. Frodig home in the SWSE section 19 of Stockholm Township lists: Carl P. Frodig, age 55, male, married, farmer, and born in Sweden; his wife Sarah C., age 72, female, married, and born in Sweden. Also living there was Edward Erickson, age 27, male, single, farmer, and born in Sweden.
The 1895 Iowa Census record for Stockholm township, Crawford County, Iowa included: Dwelling #108 Family #111. Carl P. Frodig, age 65, male, married, born in Sweden, farmer, Swedish Baptist and entitled to vote; his wife Sarah Frodig, age 83, female, married, born in Sweden, keeping house, Swedish Baptist, can read but not write; and grandson Charles A. Dolk, age 21, male, born in Crawford County, farmer, Holiness Church, subject to military duty, entitled to vote.
She appeared on the census in June 1900 in Wheeler Twp, Sac Co, Iowa. Dwelling 69, Family 69: Andrew Dolk, head, 58 years, born Sep 1841 in Sweden, married 24 years with 2 of 4 children alive, immigrated 1869, naturalized, farmer; wife Hulda, age 48, born March 1852 in Sweden, immigrated 1864; Son Seth, age 16, born Sep 1884 in Iowa; and Mother-in-law Sarah Frodig, age 87, born Feb 1813 in Sweden, (There is an unexplained comment "WIDOWED?" 8 years?.) with 1 of 8 children alive, immigrated 1864.(Note: The records from Sweden show 4 children. The remaining 4 are unknown. Also note, husband Carl Peter Frodig is probably staying with grandson Charles or maybe in the Denison hospital.)
She died on 27 Jan 1901 in Kiron, Iowa. Sarah was 87 years, 11 months, and 5 days old when she died. The cemetery record lists Wheeler Township which indicates that her daughter was caring for her. She died of old age. She was buried on 29 Jan 1901 in Kiron Cemetery, Kiron, Iowa. Sarah was the 228th decedent to be buried in the Kiron Cemetery. Her grave is in lot 63 where her nephew and her husband and grandchildren are also buried.
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