A NEW LIFE

It was a big dream.....should he do it? He had three children, Johan 10, Hulda 6, and Charles 4. Carl Gustav and Anna Maria, were his two babies that were taken from him at such a young age, and then there were family and friends that he'd have to say good-bye to, knowing he'd probably never see them again.

Yes, it was a big dream, but on June 23, 1880, Johannes Petersson, along with his wife, and 3 small children, came from Sweden to this new land of hope, America. Johannes was 39, and Sophia, 27. When they arrived in Chicago, IL, at the home of a friend, Johanees had 10 cents left in his pocket. It was from there that he headed for Minnesota, the township of Oxford, in Isanti County. It was here that he was one of the founders of the Luthern Church in that township. In 1887 (date deed certficate was recorded), he received from the U.S. government, a homestead in Oxford Township. Today, this same piece of property is owned by Samuel Eddy Jr. In the summer of 1984, my father Carl Peterson had the priveledge of visiting the old homestead where the original barn is still standing and has been kept in excellent condition by the present owner. He walked along the shore of Horseshoe Lake, where over a hundred years earlier, his Grandfather Johannes, had walked. There has been no acreage added or sold off the farm. It is the same original homestad that was given to Johannes by the U.S. government, 108 years ago.

Sophia and Johannes were married on November 7, 1868. On October 1, 1869, after the birth of their first son, Johan August, Johannes and Sophia moved to Eskeback Norregard. Eskeback is a village with fams. Norregard, is part of a bigger farm. "Norre" mean north, stating that the farm is situated in the northern part of the village. Johannes's farm was located in back of his father-in-law's farm.

Johannes was blind the last 11 yrs. of his life. He died at the age of 70, and Sophia at the age of 63.

Johannes and Sophia, were my Great Grandparents. Charles 4, mentioned in the first paragraph, was my Grandfather... my father Carl's Dad.

Johannes was born on October 26, 1840 in Algutsboda (Pafelsmala parish), Sweden. His parents were Peter Matthisson, and Maja Lena Mansdotter.

Johanna Sophia was born on November 11, 1852 in Almeboda (Askeback parish), Sweden. Her parents were Johan Fredrik Gabrielsson, and Sara Helena Johansdotter.

As those of you know, who have visited my blog, I am the daughter of a minister, and my husband, Lee, is a jeweler. We both thought it very ironic, that upon examination of my family tree, that there were both vicars, (pastors in the Luthern church), and goldsmiths on my great grandmother Sophia's side of the family.