SWEDES: TheWayTheyWere
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    • The Bethany Artist & the Bethany Scientist: Lydia & Emil ------------------------- \\// >
      • Lydia's and Emil's Smoky Valley Swedish Immigration Background ​ ~ With a far larger account of why Swedes were leaving Sweden by Mr. Holmquist >
        • Their 1869 Swedish Lutheran Galesburg Colony and Olsson Colony Smoky Valley Arrivals, ~ With a Galesburg account by Mr. Holmquist >
          • Their Värmland Swedes ~ The "First Swedish Agricultural Company" Lindsborg Founders, 1868, ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
            • Swedish Pastor Olof Olsson Emigrating to Lindsborg 1869, June 27th Arrival ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
              • Pastor Olsson ~ Founder of Lindsborg's Bethany Lutheran Church, 1869-1876 ~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
      • Their 1869 "Bethany Lutheran Church" ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist and Mr. Carlson >
        • ​Their 1860-1962 "Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Synod" ~ Gaining and losing its Swedish identity >
          • The 1860 Formation of the Augustana Synod ~ An Account by Mr. Holmquist >
            • Their 1892 "Augustana Women's Missionary Society" ~ An account by Ms. Humphrey >
              • The 2000 - 2016 "Augustana Heritage Association"
      • Their 1879 "Swedish Mission Church" formation by former Bethany Lutheran Church members ​ due to the "atonement" issue ​ ~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist, 1 of 2 >
        • Their 1879 "Swedish Mission Church" formation by former Bethany Lutheran Church members ​ due to the "atonement" issue ~ An account by Mr. Bill Carlson, 2 of 2
      • Their 1907 "Bethany Home" ~ With LINKS to the Swedish King's visit and "The Bethany Home Story" >
        • 2020, "Bethany Home Association" changes its name to "Bethany Village" ~ From the "Lindsborg News-Record:" September 3, 2020
        • 2022, "Bethany Home to Bethany + Village" ~ A History of Caring ~ A Presentation to the SVHA by Mr. Kris Erikson and Mrs. Andrea Johnson
      • Their 1909 and 1919 Swedish Smoky Valley Community Chronicles ~ Compiled and written by Bethany Lutheran Church Rev. Dr. Bergin, members and others
      • Their 1910 English speaking "Messiah Lutheran Church" formation by former Bethany Lutheran Church members ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist, 1 of 2 >
        • An account on the 1910 Messiah Lutheran Church formation from Rev. Dr. Bergin's 1909 ​"Pioneer Swedish-American Culture of Central Kansas," 2 of 2
      • Their 1916-1920 Sohlberg House ​ - Emil's and Lydia's - After their honeymoon
      • Their 1919 Lindsborg Historical Society's "Coronado Heights" ~ Emil's 1907 thesis and Lydia's photographs >
        • The ​1919 formation of the "Lindsborg Historical Society" ~ The Smoky Hills' "Smoky Hill" christened "Coronado Heights" May 8, 1920 >
          • G. N. Malm's role in the development of the Lindsborg Historical Society and Coronado Heights ​~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
            • Lindsborg Historical Society and Coronado Heights History ~ Three (3) accounts by Mrs. Jaderborg, former SVHA secretary >
              • Author Bill Carlson, Smoky Valley Historical Association member reports on Coronado Heights history
      • ​Their 1920-1940 Old Main Apartments of Bethany College - Emil's and Lydia's - Living on campus with the students for 20 years
      • Their 1936 1873 Swedish Homestead - Emil's and Lydia's - Our Peaceful Acres >
        • Their 1873 Swede House ~ A close twin to Lindsborg Founder Rev. Olof Olsson's stone house >
          • Peaceful Acres Smoky Valley descendant friends and helpers ~ Honoring them and remembering them
      • Their 1940-1943 Deere Home - Emil's and Lydia's - With new occupants after Lydia >
        • Emil's and Nina's 1961Thunderbird on the Bethany Campus ~ Promoting 21st Century Bethany College in Silicon Valley with alumni and students
      • Their 1941 "Svensk Hyllningsfest" and Dr. Holwerda's Role ~ Accounts by Dr. Lungstrom, Mrs. Jaderborg, Dr. Holwerda & Mr. Lundstrom >
        • Their 1964, "Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers" founded by Mrs. Jaderborg ~ An account by Mr. Chris Abercrombie
      • 1943, After Lydia, Emil's part planning Lindsborg's "first" hospital and Dr. Holwerda's role ~ An account by Dr. Lungstrom
    • Their 1881 "​Bethany Academy" founded with its 1882 First Academy Building -- Swensson's Bethany's Beginnings
    • Their 1882-1966 "Bethany College Museum" ~ The Natural History and Pioneer History Collections >
      • LINKS to Deere's Swensson's Bethany College Museum Collections ​~ 1882 to 1966 >
        • Fossils Collection ~ From Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966, ~ “The Find”
        • Taxidermy Collection ~ From Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966
        • 900 item Emil O. Deere Pioneer Collection ​ ~ From Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966
        • Cliff Dwellers' Pottery Collection ~ From Old Main to the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, 1966
        • Coronado Expedition Chain Mail and Bethany College Museum History ~ An account from Dr. Lungstrom's book - by Matt (Kermit) Moline
    • Their 1882 on . . . Bethany College Handel’s “Messiah" Performances >
      • "Messiah" Performers, Venues & Audiences, Press & Broadcasts >
        • Special 20th Century "Messiah" Performances >
          • "The Notables, Messiah Week, . . . ~ An account by Mrs. Jaderborg >
            • Handel's "Messiah" & Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" ~ Described for viewers unfamiliar with these oratorios
    • Their 1899 on . . . Bethany College “ 'Swedish Artists’ Midwest Art Exhibition” ​~ An account by the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery
    • Their 1902 "I WAS THERE" Coin ~ Bethany College 21st Year Celebration
    • Their 1903 on . . . Bethany College "Rockar Stockar!" and the 1902 on . . . "Terrible Swedes" ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
    • Their “1904 on . . .” Bethany College St. Louis World's Fair “Swedish Pavilion”
    • Their 1937 Bethany College's Introduction to 1638 New Sweden >
      • Deere's Introduction to New Sweden
    • Their Bethany College Anniversary Celebrations ~ "1895 to 1981" ~ 15, 20, 25, 100 years >
      • Their Celebrating 15 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1896. ~ The First "Bethany Annual," 1895-96
      • Their Celebrating 20 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1901. ~ The "Forget-Me-Not," 1902 >
        • The King of Sweden's Emissary, 1901 ~ To "knight" Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson >
          • The Yale University's Bethany Club
      • Their Celebrating 25 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1906 ~ "Souvenir of Lindsborg and Bethany College"
      • Their Celebrating 100 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1981 ~ "The Centennial of Bethany College"
  • Swedish Immigration Story, 1854
    • "The Story of the Old Spoon" by Ingrid Anderson Sohlberg & Daughter Lydia Sohlberg Deere, 1937
    • Who They Left Behind
    • From Sweden with Love Collections >
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Kosta Portraits, 1867 >
        • The Swedish Sohlberg Kosta Glass >
          • The Swedish Sohlberg Letters
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Royal Gold Thread Embroidery Sampler (c1890s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Post Cards (c1890s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Magazines, (c1940s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Books, 1819/1886 to 1899
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Albums ~ Late 19th early 20th centuries
      • The Swedish Deere Coins -- 1801-1929
  • Artist Lydia Sohlberg Deere
    • Lydia's Lindsborg Photography, 1900-1925 >
      • The Hats
      • The Smoky River
      • The Smoky Hills >
        • Coronado Heights -- One Winter's Day
      • In and Around Lindsborg
      • Sohlberg House with Parents >
        • Our Sohlberg Home and Neighbor Alma Luise Olson
      • Sohlberg House with Emil 1916 to 1920 >
        • Lydia's Travels with Deere 1916 - 1930s
    • Lydia as Bethany College Lane Hart Hall Dean of Women, 1906 - 1913
    • Lydia's "Bethany Campus Association," 1912 ~ Creating "The Gateway to Bethany College" of 1917
    • Lydia Sohlberg Deere's 1927 "Lindsborg Swedish Club's" Handwork and Members >
      • The Lindsborg Swedish Club's "Allers Monster-Tidnings" magazine, 1940 >
        • Lydia's Signatured Black Book of Her Handwritten Sewing Instructions >
          • Nina Sohlberg's Child's Sewing "Little Dots" PICTURE BOOK
    • Lydia's Art Professor Sven Birger Sandzén, 1871-1954 >
      • Lydia's Assignments for Professor Sandzén >
        • Students of Sandzén 2019 Exhibition >
          • Bethany Home ~ Celebrating Artist Birger Sandzén through his students' paintings
    • Lydia's Art Professor Birger Sandzén's "Art Exhibitions" and "Reviews" .. 1893-1940 >
      • Lydia's Art Professor Sandzén's Exhibition at the Babcock Gallery in New York, 1922 >
        • Lydia's Sandzén's Body of Work Reviewed by N.Y.C, 1984 "American Impressionism," author William H. Gerdts
    • Lydia's and Sandzén's Swedish Artist Friend Charles Edward Hallberg, 1855-1940 >
      • Lydia's and Sandzén's Swedish Artist Friend Oscar Brousse Jacobson, 1882-1966
    • Lydia’s Sohlberg Family Connection to Sandzén, 1880-1894-1993
    • LYDIA'S Art, 1919-1938 >
      • Lydia's Art: The Kansas Collection >
        • The Sketches - Kansas
      • Lydia's Art: The Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota Collection >
        • The Sketches ~ Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota
      • Lydia's Art: The California Collection >
        • The Sketches - California, Texas, Arizona
      • Lydia's California Photographs for Painting >
        • Lydia's California Pressed Wild Flowers, c1930 >
          • Lydia's "Palm Springs Pictorial Magazine, 1938-1939
    • 2005, LYDIA'S Photography Exhibit at Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery >
      • 2007-2010 LYDIA'S Photography Exhibits at the "Sundstrom Windows Sidewalk Gallery" become 'LYDIA'S WORLD"
      • 2011 "LYDIA'S WORLD" exhibition at Studio 113, Lindsborg
      • 2005-2012 ~ Friends of Lydia's World
    • 2021 "Prairie Fire: Lydia Sohlberg Deere Discovers the Desert" by Ann Japenga
  • Scientist Emil O. Deere
    • Deere's & Lydia's Bethany -- Lydia's Bethany Photography, 1906-1925 >
      • Bethany College "Campus from Above"
      • Bethany College "The Gateway," 1917 and "Bethany Campus Association," 1912
      • Bethany College "College Street," today's "North First Street"
      • Bethany College "Campus Life"
      • Bethany College's "Earliest Building Lydia Photographed" >
        • Bethany College "​Ladies Dormitory" / "Lane Hart Hall" 1883 - 1899 - 1983
        • Bethany College "Old Main" 1887-1968 >
          • Lydia's and Emil's Old Main Apartments, 1920 to 1940
          • Deere's Bethany College Classes in Old Main
          • Old Main Plates ~ From Dr. Lungstrom's unknown book
        • Bethany College "Messiah Auditorium" / "Ling Auditorium" / "Ling Gymnasium" 1895 - 1946
        • Bethany College "Swedish Pavilion," 1904
        • Bethany College "​Carnegie Library" / "Bethany Library," 1908 - 1980
        • Bethany College "​Bethany Academy" 1882 -- Swensson's Bethany's Beginnings ~ Not photographed by Lydia
    • Deere's 1959 Interview on Rev. Dr. Carl A. Swensson (On YouTube) >
      • Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, 1857-1904 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
        • Swensson's "Bethany Lutheran Church" and the "Augustana Lutheran Synod"
        • Swensson's Bethany's Beginnings: "The Bethany Academy of 1882"
        • Olsson's Influence ~ The Swenssons,' the Musicians' and Singers,' "Messiah," 1882 on … >
          • Mr. Thure Olof Jaderborg, Sr. ~ One Lindsborg "Messiah" Commitment from 1901-1954
        • Swensson's Swedish Artists of the 1890s
        • Swensson's "Bethany College Museum," 1882 - 1966
      • In Memorium**Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, 1904 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
    • Deere's Rev. Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad, 1873-1943 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
      • Rev. Dr. Pihlblad on Bethany College History, 1904 - 1941
      • In Memoriam**Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad, 1943
    • Deere's Swensson's "Bethany College Museum" 1882-1966 >
      • Article -- 1962 November "Kansas City Star" article noting Dr. Emil O. Deere: "He Watches Museum Expand" for 54 Years"
      • The 1966 Bethany College Museum Collections Move to the Old Mill Museum ~ The planner, the movers, the "contractual stipulation" >
        • Article -- 1966 Autumn "Bethany Magazine" article -- noting Bethany College Museum Collections move ~ Showing Biology Professor Dr. Leon G. Lungstrom with "Old Dobbin Moves" story
        • Article -- 1976 September article by Lindsborg resident Mrs. Betty Hanson -- noting growth of County Museum after receiving College Museum collections
      • ​1990 Bethany College "Museum" Chapter 2 by Dr. Lungstrom ~ Transcribed >
        • Scanned pages from Chapter 2 ​ on​ Bethany College "Museum"
    • Deere's College Students' Smoky Valley "Expeditions" ~ Some of which added to the College's Museum's Natural History Collection
    • Deere's Smithsonian Institution's Souvenir, 1904
    • Deere's College Military Involvement for World War 1 and 2 ~ An account by Dr. Lungstrom >
      • 2016, "Lindsborg During World War I: Service, Sacrifice and Dissent" ​~ By Dr. Thomas F. Jorsch, Bethany College history professor, and Honors Students >
        • Dr. Thomas F. Jorsch: Reluctant Nationalism: Lindsborg during the Great War ~ Including Professor Dean Emil O. Deere and his colleagues on Americanism and more
    • Deere's 1940 Presidential Address to the Kansas Academy of Science
    • Deere's 1955 Letter to President Eisenhower re Tuttle Creek ~ To protect the Blue Grass Valley of Kansas where he lived as a child
    • Deere's Service, 1901-1966 ~ The bullet points >
      • Deere's Education & Degrees
    • Deere's Old Main Office ​ ~ SVHA secretary Mrs. Jaderborg in charge of cleaning it out
    • The Deere's Library ~ What remains of 2,000 volumes -- pending
  • "The Other Swedes"
    • ~ Celebrating Them ​~ The Smoky Valley Writers ~ >
      • Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson ~ Prolific writer in America and Sweden from approximately 1879 to 1904
      • Bethany Church, Bethany College, Augustana Lutheran Synod Writers ​~ Remembering Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson and Rev. Dr. Ernst Frederick Pihlblad
      • Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin ~ Wrote, compiled and printed Swedish foundational history on the 1869 Smoky Valley Augustana Lutherans of Bethany Church and settlement of Lindsborg, for 1909 and 1919 >
        • 1909, Renamed in 1965 to "Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas," and translated ~ By Mrs. Ruth Bergin Billdt, Editor Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg >
          • 1965, "Table of Contents" for “Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas”
        • 1919, Renamed in 1969 to "The Smoky Valley in the After Years," and translated ~ Part 1 by Mrs. Ruth Bergin Billdt and Part 2 by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg >
          • 1969, "Table of Contents" for “The Smoky Valley in the After Years"
      • ​Prince Wilhelm of Sweden ~ A 1928 "royal" one-time Smoky Valley Writer - "A Swedish Oasis" ~ Recalling his 1927 Bethany College Presser Hall Groundbreaking Celebration Visit
      • Dr. Emory K. Lindquist ~ "Fourth" President of Bethany College ~ Chronicling Swedish Augustana Lutheran Lindsborg and Bethany College from their earliest years >
        • ​1953, "Smoky Valley People, A History of Lindsborg, Kansas" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist and Contents & Illustrations
        • 1975 "Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist >
          • "Bethany in Kansas" PART I ~ Contents & Illustrations
          • "Bethany in Kansas" PART II ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1984 "Hagbard Brase, Beloved Music Master" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist >
          • "Hagbard Brase" ~ Contents and Illustrations
        • 1989 "G. N. Malm - A Swedish Immigrant's Varied Career" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist with chapters by Hasselmo, Holm, Skårdal, & translation by Van Boer >
          • "G. N. Malm" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1993 "Birger Sandzén, An Illustrated Biography" ~ Introduction from the "Lindsborg News-Record" News Release >
          • "Birger Sandzén," ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist ~ Contents, Photographs, Figures & Color Paintings >
            • "Birger Sandzén" ~ "Foreword" by Dr. William H. Gerdts
            • "Birger Sandzén" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist ~ Preface and Acknowledgments
            • “Birger Sandzén” The Words of Dr. Lindquist ~ Concluding Observations
            • ​“Birger Sandzén” ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist ~ Appendix: Works in Selected Public Collections
      • ​Rev. Bror Carlsson's 1955, 350-page manuscript "Jag Sökte Icke," "I Did Not Seek My Own" ~ Tracing Lindsborg's Spiritual Founder Rev. Olof Olsson's life in Sweden and America with the 1860 Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod >
        • Mr. Alf Brorson's 2001 "He Gave God Glory" - "The Story of Olof Olsson" >
          • "He Gave God Glory" ~ The Story of Olof Olsson ~ Contents & Illustrations >
            • "He Gave God Glory" ~ Transcriptions of "Foreword," "Translator's Foreword" "Acknowledgements," "Postscript" for scholars and scholars-to-be
      • Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg ​ ~ Chronicling the Lindsborg of her day, its early histories and citizens [Remarks on Superintendent Dr. Einar Jaderborg and "Messiah" Bass Soloist Thure Jaderborg] >
        • 1965 "Lindsborg On Record" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1967 "Living in Lindsborg and Other Possibilities" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1973 "Talk About Lindsborg" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1976 "Why Lindsborg" ~ An introduction: H. M. Carl XVI Gustaf of the Kingdom of Sweden >
          • 1976 "Why Lindsborg?" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • ​1990 "Two Reprints" ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • Mr. A. John Pearson ~ Chronicling the "first" 8 Bethany College presidents, "Messiah" history and much more >
        • 1981 ​On "Bethany College" History for 100 Years ~ The Words of Mr. Pearson
        • ​​1982 On " 'Messiah" Centennial History for 100 Years ​ ~ The Compiler, and the Words of, Mr. A. John Pearson ​
      • Rev. Eugene K. Nelson and The Bethany Home Writers ~ Chronicling the beginnings of the Bethany Home​ of 1907 to 1986 >
        • 1986, "The Bethany Home Story," Table of Contents, including listed photos >
          • 1986 "The Bethany Home Story" Foreword and Epilogue, by Rev. Nelson
          • Chapters 1 & 2: "The Origins" & "The Buildings That Have Been Bethany Home""
          • Chapter 3: "The Board and the Sponsoring Church"
          • Chapter 11: Memories of Bethany Home by Residents and Friends
          • "The Gentle Art of Caring" - Poem by Verna Todd, 92
          • "O Bethany Home" - Poem
      • Dr. Leon George Lungstrom ​~ Chronicling Bethany College natural science and mathematics, the professors and societies, the Museum, Old Main and Nelson Science Hall, 1881-1990 >
        • ​1990 "History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas" ~ "Table of Contents" >
          • Dr. Lungstrom Chapters ~ Transcriptions of a few of these >
            • "Introduction"
            • "Bethany College History Concerning the Natural Sciences and Mathematics"
            • "Bethany College Museum" ​ >
              • "Museum" Chapter 2 ~ Scanned from Dr. Lungstrom's book, pages 23-32
            • "Societies on the College Campus Associated with Mathematics and Natural Sciences"
            • ​"Tabulation of Teachers and Assistants in Natural Sciences and Mathematics"
            • "Bethany College Catalogue Covers"
            • "The Old Main Building and Nelson Science Hall"
          • Dr. Lungstrom's References ~ Listings from 1893 to 1990 of four publications >
            • "Lindsborg News-Record" ~ Science and mathematics' headlines ~ 1901 to 1990
            • "Daisy" and/or "Bethanian" ~ List of Science & Math Faculty Photographs ~ 1908 - 1990
            • "Bethany Messenger" ~ Science and mathematics' headlines ~ 1893 to 1987
            • "Bethany College Magazine" ~ Science and mathematics' headlines ~ 1954 to 1990
        • Dr. Lungstrom ~ "Master Teacher" "Master Learner" >
          • Dr. Lungstrom ~ His Värmland Swedish ancestry and tough years on the McPherson County family farm
        • Dr. Lungstrom's "Three Pioneer Scientists of Swedish Descent"
      • The Smoky Valley Historical Association Writers ~ Chronicling 1993 "Where Did They Live?" "Early Residences of Lindsborg, Kansas"
      • Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist ~ Chronicling Lindsborg's neighbors, the Galesburg Augustana Lutheran Swedes of Salemsborg and Freemount, with a personal connection, since 1868 >
        • 1994 "Pioneer Cross: Swedish Settlements Along the Smoky Hill Bluffs" ~ Contents & Illustrations >
          • "Pioneer Cross:" ~ The ​ Dedication, Acknowledgements, Preface, Introduction
          • "Pioneer Cross:" ~ The 1869 Swedish Christmas Ljuskröna Story ~ From "The Peaceful Mountain" chapter​
          • ​ "Pioneer Cross:" ~ The Epilogue
      • Mr. Alf Brorson ~ Promoting Lindsborg in Sweden - The "Sweden Letter"
      • Mr. Chris A. Abercrombie ~ President of the Smoky Valley Historical Association (2010-2017), creator of its "First" website in 2013; ​ a historian, writer, researcher, taping & filming interviewer, video producer, and collector of local important
      • Mr. Bill Carlson ~ Chronicling Lindsborg's earliest and later histories with a personal connection, since 1867 >
        • 2011 ​"Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" ~ Contents & Illustrations >
          • ​ "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" ​ ~ Foreword, Preface, Introduction
          • ​ Part 1 "Lindsborg Then" Chapters 1 - 5
          • Part 2 "​Lindsborg Now " ​Chapter 24: ​"Lindsborg Now In 2010"
          • The "Conclusion" Chapters: Part 1 & Part 2
        • 2016 Mr. Bill Carlson's "Special Visitor to Lindsborg, April 17, 1976, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden"
      • Ms. Karen A. Humphrey ~ Chronicling highlights of Swedish Augustana Lutheran Lindsborg and Bethany College culture in the earliest years >
        • 2012 "Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing: The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story" ~The Words of Ms. Humphrey
        • "Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing" ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • Mrs. Margaret Dahlquist Eddy ~ Chronicling the Lindsborg, Bethany College and Smoky Valley Photography of Swede Bror Gustaf Gröndal, 1887-1945 >
        • 2013 "Through the Lens of B.G. Gröndal: Keeper of His Time" ~ Contents and Photograph Titles ~ The Sohlberg Deere Portraits >
          • "Through the Lens of B.G. Gröndal:" ~ Dedication, Foreword by Mrs. Lorna Nelson, Preface by Mr. Don Weddle, Acknowledgments
          • "Through the Lens of B.G. Gröndal:" ~ The Words of Mrs. Eddy ~ "Life Experiences" "The Smoky Valley"
          • "Through the Lens of B.G. Gröndal:" ~ The Words of Mrs. Eddy ~ "Studio Cameras," "Studio Remembered" "Gröndal's Career" "Photography as an Art Form" "Professional Organizations"
          • "Through the Lens of B.G. Gröndal: Keeper of His Time" ​~ Selections from Swede Bror Gustaf Gröndal's Photography from 1887 to 1945​
      • Mr. Tim Stewart ~ 2016 author of the Smoky Valley Historical Association’s "Vår Historia Newsletter" when Board VP, and as President creator of the 2024 SVHA website
      • Dr. Thomas F. Jorsch & Bethany College Honors Students ~ 2016 "Lindsborg During World War I: Service, Sacrifice and Dissent" >
        • Dr. Thomas F. Jorsch: "Reluctant Nationalism: Lindsborg during the Great War " ~ Including Professor Dean Emil O. Deere and his colleagues on Americanism and more
      • ​ Mr. Kenneth Sjogren ​~ Saving and serving Bethany College; preserving college and Swedish history and culture; writing college history ~ The "Hemslöjd" >
        • ​2019 "6 Decades with 12 Bethany College Presidents"​ ~ The words of Mr. Sjogren
        • "6 Decades with 12 Bethany College Presidents"​ ~ Illustrations and Chapters
      • ​Digitalize the Smoky Valley Writers' Swedish and Swedish American histories ~ For their generations to come and for research accessibility
    • ~ Celebrating Them ~ The ​Smoky Valley History Research Writers Website Designers
    • ~ Celebrating Them ~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends ~ >
      • ​Rev. Dr. Olof Olsson ~ Remembering Swedish Lutheran Christian Founder of Lindsborg and of Bethany Lutheran Church ​~ LINKS to accounts by Rev. Bror Carlsson, Mr. Alf Brorson, and Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
      • ​​Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson ~ Remembering “Founder” and "Second President" of Bethany College ~ LINKS to accounts by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist, and much more
      • ​Mrs. Alma Christina Lind Swensson ~ Remembering her as Mrs. Rev. Dr. Swensson, the “First Lady” of Lindsborg, ~ "Highlights" from Ms. Humphrey’s book
      • ​Rev. Dr. Edward J. Nelander​ ~ Remembering "First" President of Bethany College ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist and Dr. Lungstrom
      • Dr. Johan August Udden ~ Remembering "First" Bethany College professor, founder of the Museum and Spanish Chain Mail, led UT to over $300,000,000 ~ An account by Dr. Lungstrom
      • Mr. Bror Gustaf Gröndal ~ Remembering him and his photography in the earliest years of Lindsborg and Bethany College, beginning in 1887 >
        • Photographers' Bror Gustaf Gröndal & Sarah Margaret Noyd Gröndal ~ Accounts by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg with LINK to Mrs. Eddy's 2013 Book
        • ​"B G GRÖNDAL PHOTOGRAPHER" ~ 2007, 2009 video account by Mr. Chris Abercrombie​ with LINK to Mrs. Eddy's 2013 Book
      • ​Mr. Samuel Thorstenberg ~ Remembering him as the "first" internationally acclaimed Bethany College "Messiah Chorus" conductor
      • Dr. Hagbard Brase ~ Remembering him as the "second " internationally acclaimed Bethany College "Messiah Chorus" conductor
      • Rev. Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad ~ "Third" President of Bethany College ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
      • Miss Alma Luise Olson ~ Remembering her as "First Honored American Woman by Sweden" ~ The 1965 account by ​Mrs. Jaderborg >
        • Miss Alma Luise Olson ~ Remembering her and the extraordinary life she led at home and abroad ~ The 2012 account by Ms. Humphrey
      • Artist Birger Sandzén ~ Remembering him for "sharing his art with the world," starting "first" at Lindsborg's Bethany College >
        • Sandzén's introduction to lithography ~ From McPherson, Kansas, Carl J. Smalley, considered greatest art dealer in the world at that time
      • The Greenoughs ~ Margaret & Pelham ~ Their greatest contribution to the little Swedish city of Lindsborg and to honoring the Swedish Artist ~ The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery >
        • Artist Dr. Margaret​ Elisabeth "Greta" Sandzén Greenough ​~ Her life of collecting her father's art, promoting it and establishing a gallery in his name ​
        • Dr. Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd. ~ ​ His life of embracing the Sandzén family, establishing and financing the Gallery and supporting the community
      • Dr. Arthur. W. Lindquist , internationally known entomologist ~ An account by Dr. Lungstrom
      • Mr. Gustaf Nathaniel Malm ~ Remembering Lindsborg's Swedish Renaissance Man ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist >
        • G. N. Malm and all he did for the Lindsborg community ~ An account by Mrs. Jaderborg >
          • G. N. Malm and his Lindsborg's national interior decorating company ​​~ An account by Mrs. Jaderborg​ >
            • G. N. Malm's 1916 Christmas Greetings to His Lindsborg Friends
      • Mr. & Mrs. Hilding Jaderborg ~ Remembering them and their “Swedish Crafts Shop” of 65 years and 50 trips to Sweden
      • The Swedish Lindsborg Builders ~ Remembering them for the lovely homes they built
      • William Holwerda, M.D. ~ Remembering him as "Doc Bill," a city father and loving citizen ~ Accounts by Dr. Lungstrom and Mrs. Jaderborg >
        • Dr. William Holwerda ~ Remembering their family doctor with Messiah Lutheran Church tributes ~ An account by Dr. Lungstrom
      • Artist Lester Raymer ~ Remembering him as the renowned virtuoso artist and "behind the scenes" community supporter
      • ​Mr. Max Muller, 1959 Founder of "Broadway RFD" and 1976 Author of "Prairie Carnegie" ~ By Tim Stewart, 2016 creator of the SVHA's "Var Historia Newsletter" publication
      • Dr. ​& Mrs. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering them and their 29 years of dedication to that Bethany College "Messiah" tradition of excellence >
        • 1976 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany College "Swedish King’s," Carl XVI Gustaf's, performance >
          • 1981 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the "Messiah" conductor for the Bethany College "Centennial Celebration" performance >
            • 1986 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany College televised Holy Easter Week "American Easter"
      • ​Dr. Arvin W. Hahn ​~ Remembering him, Ken Sjogren and others ​for saving Bethany College from going under! -- "A Miracle in the Making" >
        • Dr. Arvin W. Hahn ~ Remembering him handing me my Bethany College "Bachelor of Arts" Degree on Sunday, May 26,1968
      • Dr. Greta Swenson and Mr. & Mrs. Mark Esping ~ Remembering them for founding Lindsborg's “only” "Swedish-American Folklife Institute of Central Kansas," 1986 >
        • The Espings - Mark & Mardel ~ Remembering their Lindsborg's Folklife Institute's "Swedish-American Heritage Center," 1996
      • ​Mr. Claude Koehn ~ Remembering him as restorer and preserver of Smoky Valley stone farmhouses and other stone structures
      • ​Ms. Rebecca Copley ~ Honoring her as Bethany College's “first” graduate to become an "International Concert and Opera Soprano" >
        • Ms. Copley's International Reviews
      • Mr. Bruce Karstadt ~ Honoring him as a Bethany College graduate for heading up a major national Swedish American institution
      • Dr. Mark Lucas ~ Honoring him as Messiah conductor for bringing the Holy Easter Lindsborg “Oberammergau of the Plains" to a “new” world audience in 2020
    • ~ Celebrating Them ~ The Groupings, including Swedes from Sweden ~ >
      • 1881 on: ​Some Bethany College Science Professor by Dr. Leon G. Lungstrom Biology Professor, from his 1990 book
      • ​1882-1966 Bethany College Museum Science Professor Curators ​~ Their earliest collectors and the taxidermists >
        • 1962 McPherson County Old Mill Museum leaders receiving and caring for the 1882 to 1966 Bethany College Museum Collections
      • 1894-1962 Bethany College Graduates in Augustana Lutheran Synod World Mission Work ~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
      • 1901-2014 The ​Bethany College Swedish Knights and Ladies ~ Honored by the Kings of Sweden
      • ​​1919 "Lindsborg Historical Society' (LHS) ~ Earliest leaders and supporters >
        • 1963 "Smoky Valley Historical Association" (The reformed 1919 Lindsborg Historical Society) ~​ The "Minutes," the leaders and supporters >
          • 1963 SVHA Leaders & Supporters ~ Their restoration/preservation projects
          • ​SVHA VP Barbara Buskirks Takes On the Hogland Dugout Project, 1987 >
            • Mr. Bill Carlson on the Hoglund Family ~ Leaving $600,000 for Bethany Lutheran Church, the Lindsborg Hospital and Bethany Home
            • Mr. Bill Carlson on Other Smoky Valley Dugouts
      • ​1971 "American Scandinavian Association of the Great Plains" Leaders ~ Providing cultural history and heritage programs with significant links to Sweden and Swedish America
      • 1976 His Majesty the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf's Visit to Lindsborg April 17th >
        • The Lindsborg & Bethany College "Swedes" ~ Honored by the King of Sweden, June 6, 1976
      • 1977​ Swedish Emigrant Institute Staff from Växjö, Småland, Visits Lindsborg October 16-18 >
        • 1977 Swedish Emigrant Institute Documents
      • 1978 Swedish Documentary Film Crew Visits Lindsborg October 2-9
      • 1992, Esping and Holmquist Bethany College alumni in DC's Smithsonian's National Folklife Festival ~ Representing "Kansas Agriculture and Swedish Culture"
      • 1998 - 2015 ~ "​The Pearson Distinguished Professorship of Swedish Studies Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas"
  • Contacts +
    • For 1869 Lindsborg "CONTACT" Today to Yesteryears >
      • ​Lydia's Lindsborg Photography​, ​1900 - 1925
    • ​For 1881 Bethany College "CONTACT" Today to Yesteryears >
      • Lydia's Bethany College Photography, 1906 - 1925
      • "Bethany Campus Walk”
      • "A Time to Celebrate" 1882 - 1988 ~ "Messiah" performances recognized nationally and internationally
      • A Historical Count of Lindsborg Residents ~The Bethany College Presidents & Swedish Kings Honoring Bethany Swedes
    • For 1957 Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery CONTACT Today >
      • Sandzén: "Ecstasy of Color" ~ PBS Doucmentary ~ Aired 6/11/21
    • SOME REVIEWING REMARKS >
      • LISTS: RECONIZING "OTHER SWEDES" "OTHER SECTIONS"
    • ​ The 1941 Smoky Valley "Pioneer Cross Memorial" ​~ ​By Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist
    • The 2009 "Smoky Valley Swedish People's Virtual Memorial"
    • TABLE OF CONTENTS ~ Traveling thro SWEDES "The Outline Online"
    • ​February 13, 2025 ~ Lindsborg Proclamation for SWEDES by Mayor Clark Shultz
Alf Brorson of Torsby, Sweden, in his book published in Swedish, Vägen Till Lindsborg (The Road to Lindsborg) states, "these Swedish emigrants coming to America and to the Lindsborg area were not the very poor indigents but had some financial means to assist in settling the Smoky Valley."
                                                                                                                                                              -- Bill Carlson's 2011 Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now, page 63
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
[A SWEDISH AMERICAN SMOKY VALLEY STUDY]
    An online compilation of history from Lindsborg Citizens, Smoky Valley Neighbors and Bethany College Alumni          A virtual archive of the rich Smoky Valley Swedish history and culture that began in the late 1860s
encompassing the era of the 1860 Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod to 1962 and beyond
​
Dear Viewers:
​
In the midst of the beautiful Smoky Valley located on the Central Plains of Kansas was established the little Swedish American city of Lindsborg in 1869 by a group of 35 pietistic Lutheran Christian families, numbering 110.**  Arriving in June of that year were these Swedish emigrants from the Värmland region
, part of a larger group, which were led by Pastor Olof Olsson (1841-1900) who was born in Karlskoga, Sweden. 

In that same year in August, the 
twenty-eight-year-old 
(28) Pastor Olsson founded the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church (today known as Bethany Church) which, in turn, became a member of the Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod.  The Pastor was educated at the Swedish universities of Stockholm and Uppsala, and spent a year in the Missionary Institute at Leipzig, Germany.  (He would one day become a prominent Swedish American Lutheran clergyman of the Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod and third president of the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran College in Rock Island, Illinois, serving from 1891 to 1899.)

The First Swedish Agricultural Company of McPherson County organized in Chicago in 1868 purchased 13,160 acres of Kansas land in Saline and McPherson counties from the Union Pacific Railroad for the purpose of providing homesteads to these Värmland Swedes who by the Company mandate were required to be believing Christians adhering to the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  

Already settling a few months earlier in these two counties on parcels of the 14,800 acres purchased from the Salina National Land Company, a subsidiary of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, were 
the Swedes belonging to the Illinois Galesburg Colonization Company who were also Lutheran Christians many of whom were from the Dalarna and Småland provinces of Sweden who had immigrated to America earlier on.  They were pastored by 1861 graduate of the first class of Chicago's Augustana Seminary Rev. Anders Wilhelm (A.W.) Dahlsten, their Colony leader.  Their Swedish settlements-to-be, Salemsborg and Freemount, were made possible by the "search for land" committee, composed of President Olof Thorstenberg, Secretary John P. Stromquist, John Rodell, Gustaf Johnson, and William Johnson.***

Thus, in 1869, was the confluence of these scattered Swedish Lutheran settlements in this part of the Kansas Smoky Valley, forming the settlements of Lindsborg, Salemsborg, Freemount, Smolan, Falun and other Swedish hamlets.  From these would come future Swedish farmers responsible for producing thousands of acres of wheat and milo in the years to come.

On February 20, 1869, the Lindsborg name had been adopted by the Värmland Swedes at the meeting of the First Swedish Agricultural Company.  The name of Lindsborg, its first syllable of "Linds," was derived from the surnames of First Swedish Agricultural Company members such as Lindell, Lindh, Lindgren, Lindey and Lindberg.  The second syllable of the name "borg" translated means "city" or "fortified place." 

In 1881, on October 15th, this farming community with a population of 700, became the home of Bethany Lutheran Academy, later known as Bethany Lutheran College, founded by the dynamic twenty-four-year-old
(24) Swedish American second pastor of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church, Carl Aaron Swensson (1857-1904) who had become an ordained minister on June 22, 1879, of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augustana Synod.

Due to Swensson's faith, vision, leadership, eye and ear for talent, and "can do" spirit; and with the immediate beginnings of what would become a fine college museum, Bethany College was to become a fine cultural mecca of education.  It would draw many to its superb music and art programs, culminating with the nationally and internationally known annual Easter Holy Week performances of the prominent German-British Baroque composer George Frideric Handel's Messiah and, in time, the College would give birth to an art movement created by Swedish artist college professor Birger Sandzén (1871-1954) whose works would grace the walls of Sweden's major art galleries, and would be regionally and nationally acclaimed and specifically desired by Swedish American and Swedish art lovers to this day.

Traveling to Bethany College fresh from Paris in 1894, at twenty-three, European taught artist Sven Birger Sandzén and student of renown Sweden's artist Anders Zorn, he was destined to establish in his teaching techniques, "a contagious love for art and its understanding" within this rural community that continues today.  The year after Sandzén’s arrival, in the first Bethany Annual (the yearbook of that day), Swensson's ad succinctly, powerfully and with great zeal, describes the disciplines of the College and notes that there was "no equal in the West for Bethany’s Music and Art Programs. "

In 1901, Swensson
received the order of the "Knights of the North Star" from King Oscar II (1829-1907) of Sweden, as a result of his many contributions and promoting Swedish life through the church, the college, and beyond Lindsborg.  Sandzén was also knighted by the Swedish Crown in 1940.  These two Swedish gentlemen would be two (2) of fourteen (14) such Lindsborg residents of the Bethany College family to be honored in such a way by the Swedish Crown, from the period of time beginning in 1901 to 2014.

Driving those pioneer and post-pioneer years of the Swedish Kansas Smoky Valley Lindsborg and its surrounding Swedish enclaves, however, was the unmovable foundational Christian faith found in their Augustana Lutheran Synod churches: Bethany Lutheran Church, the Salemsborg Lutheran Church, and the Freemount Lutheran Church,
 all of which were founded in 1869, the year of Lindsborg's founding.  However, the Bethany Lutheran Church gave birth, through some of its former members to the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant Church in 1878, and to the Messiah Lutheran Church, in 1908, the first English speaking church in Lindsborg.  There were also two significant non-Lutheran denominations that were established in Lindsborg, most notably, the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church of 1876 and the Swedish Baptist Church of 1892.  All these churches have played major Christian roles in Lindsborg and continue to do so. 

Lindsborg as well as all Swedish American communities in the United States, in 1937 were called to task
in establishing a $750,000 endowment for Philadelphia’s American Swedish Historical Museum for the 1938 300th Anniversary of the founding of New Sweden in North America.  As these Swedes were addressed then in an instructional brochure as the "Sons and Daughters of a People that Helped Lay the Foundations of the Republic," they too were hard at work to ensure that this great museum's life would go on into perpetuity! 

Somewhere in the early 1960's, the Lindsborg of Kansas became known as "Little Sweden, U.S.A."  Earlier, it may be that Lindsborg was referred to as "Little Swedish Lindsborg," so described in Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson's 1897 638-page book, Again in Sweden, in the first chapter, "Off for Sweden," in the second paragraph where Swensson writes:  "But as of yet, I am still in, little, Swedish Lindsborg, in faraway Kansas." 

" Lindsborg - Where Culture and Agriculture Meet "  
- A
 phrase from The Spur by Howard Lincoln who so aptly described this little Swedish Kansas City -
*****
Viewed from Coronado Heights, named for Spanish Explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, thought to have explored this area in 1541

This SWEDES photograph of Lindsborg taken from Coronado Heights is dedicated to Chris Abercrombie!
~ an incredible historian of Swedish Smoky Valley history ~
 
Picture
Thus, this is the historical background for Swedes: TheWayTheyWere, aka SWEDES, the information of which I gratefully gathered from the works of the "Smoky Valley Writers," while making periodic visits to the Smoky Valley Historical Association website* the written content of which was a masterpiece composed by Association president, researcher, writer and historian, the late Chris Abercrombie (1949-2017), who, in addition, continued making available valuable and countless YouTube presentations concerning Lindsborg, Bethany College and Coronado Heights history.  Gathering other pertinent information also sent me off to Sweden in 2016 and 2017 from where I also traced my family history. (*Unfortunately, due to unresolved technical issues, it was replaced in October of 2024.)

In addition to the use of the Smoky Valley Writers' works, this Swedish American online historical narrative consists of information from entities and individuals and the use of many collections composed of my research findings, photographs, images, and texts from, and about, the Swedish American Lindsborg relatives I have come to know well through the estate they left behind. They were Bethany College science professor Dr. Emil O. Deere (1877-1966) and his wife, Lindsborg businesswoman, college Ladies Hall Principal Matron and instructor in needlework and art, artist Lydia Sohlberg Deere (1874-1943) -- my great-granduncle and great-grandaunt, respectively. 

​They brought me face-to-face with their Swedishness and their Augustana Lutheranism. Yet, most importantly, this experience introduced me to their Lindsborg and Bethany Swedish friends, to "The Other Swedes," to their contemporaries, and to the events and activities of their time, taking place at the end of the 19th century and moving into the mid twentieth century -- a span of time when the population of Lindsborg grew from 700 in 1881 to 2,609 in 1960. 
​
Not only is SWEDES about these relatives, it finishes, most importantly, with listing their friends, their contemporaries, as well as their descendants, under "The Other Swedes" section, which attempts to provide "Their Legacy Listings" including their works.  This listing is a way to honor and remember these individuals, to "Celebrate Them," many of whom who may have been forgotten, are in danger of being forgotten, or who have never been learned of, by showcasing them and their works online, for posterity and perpetuity.  Approximately 80% of SWEDES is dedicated to them. 

For these SWEDES are the 
rock-like foundational infrastructure upon which modern Lindsborg and Bethany College rests and exist.  So, to these Swedes along with their Swedish American descendants (my contemporaries, the last-living-links to this history) and to my Aunt Lydia and Uncle Emil that Swedes: TheWayTheyWere is dedicated as well as to the memory of their Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod/Church (1860-1962.)

The 2011 SWEDES was first published on the eve of Lindsborg's 75th Svensk Hyllningsfest on October 8, 2015.

Through the gift of marvelous technology, SWEDES has been able to memorialize the Bethany College and the Lindsborg with her Smoky Valley neighboring communities, and their Lutheran Swedes of yesteryear representing the 1860 Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod era, primarily.  (That Swedish Lutheran identity would be lost eventually with the formation of the Lutheran Church in America in 1962 and further with the 1988 formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.)


Let us now begin our journey back to the end of the 19th century moving into the 20th, to the lives lived in this special Smoky Valley Kansas Swedish community of "brick" main streets with its special Swedish College when the ties to Sweden and to the Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod churches were at their purest and strongest and the mother language was spoken daily everywhere, especially at those chiming bell church services and related gatherings, at the Lindsborg bakery tables and in the Swedish clubs where Swedish coffee, made with a raw egg, pancakes and delicacies were being served in true Swedish Lutheran hospitality.

Njuta av (Enjoy),
​Fran Cochran, July 6, 2023
Great grandniece of Dr. Emil O. Deere and Mrs. Lydia Sohlberg Deere
​​​At home in the San Francisco Bay Area since May 1968

1962-1968 Lindsborg resident, 1968 Bethany College graduate, 1996-2011 Lindsborg farmland owner
2011-2024 Research writer website designer of Swedes: TheWayTheyWere (SWEDES)

   A compiler of historical Swedish American information from Kansas Smoky Valley writers and other sources
2015 R
esearch writer website designer of SwedishAmericana
   
A list compiler of, with LINKS to, Swedish American institutions, organizations, establishments and Swedish Studies


For more information, please go to CONTACTS.​
*   *   *
​Traveling Through Swedes
Section by Section
Click on the TABLE OF CONTENTS below.
swedes_table_of_contents_4_15_25.pdf
File Size: 493 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

For a very brief summary of the Contents of SWEDES, go to the end of this section to "To Begin SWEDES."
*     *     *    *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *
For a glimpse of those yesteryears continue scrolling down.

*     *     *    *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *
<< The First Official Seal of Bethany College >>
In remembrance of these Lindsborg Swedes, are the words of Bethany College's first official seal of 1906,
"Domini, Domino," "Of the Lord, for the Lord,"
Picture
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Bethany College's Official Seal was decided upon in 1906 due to the far-reaching influence of its founder Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson.  The sacred and powerful symbols of the Seal are "the Lamb" and behind it "the slanted Cross."  These identify "the most intimate aspects of Christian faith and life" as written by Dr. Emory Lindquist in his 1953 Smoky Valley People, page 248.  Beneath the Lamb and Cross symbols is written​ "Domini, Domino"  -  Latin for "Of the Lord, for the Lord."  Lindquist continues, "The College Seal furnishes its own eloquent testimony as to the purposes and aims of Bethany College."
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​" . . . no equal in the West for Bethany’s Music and Art Programs!
"

THE "CAN DO" SPIRIT OF A SWENSSON AD FOR HIS DEAR BETHANY
Picture
Source: Annual 1895-1896
*   *   *

CARL AARON SWENSSON
1857 - 1904
(Born near Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania
of Swedish parents from Småland, Sweden)
Founder & Second President of Bethany Lutheran College
Second (2nd) Swedish Pastor of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church

OLOF OLSSON
1841 - 1900
(Born in Karlskoga, Värmland)
Ordained at Uppsala Cathedral, Uppsula, Sweden, December 15, 1863
Swedish Founder and First Pastor of the
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church

who officially led the first Swedish party from Värmland to settle in Lindsborg, Kansas.
(He would become the third President of the Swedish Evangelical Augustana Lutheran College.)

*       *       *
~ the little Swedish city, its Swedish church and its Swedish college evolved together ~
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church
Founded 1869
(1874 original building, 1880 building expansion)
Then and Now


Alfred Bergin
1866 - 1942
(Born in
Västergötland, Sweden)

Third (3rd) Swedish Pastor for the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church for 38 Years
First (1st) Swedish Historian of Lindsborg and Smoky Valley
- destined as church leader with members to compile and write about Lindsborg and the Smoky Valley from the very beginning -
- publishing in 1909 & 1919 respectively
" Lindsborg, Bidrag Till Svenskarnas och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen "
&

" Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ӓr "
Picture
Source: "The Smoky Valley in the After Years," Plate III, across from page 29.

In its beginnings, the Bethany Lutheran Church worship services were conducted in Swedish, and then, in time, additional English services were introduced, eventually giving way to all English services.  However, before that time in 1908, an all English language Lutheran church was founded due to the initial efforts of Malm Gustav Nathaniel (G.N.) Malm (1869 - 1928).  The church, located on the Bethany College campus, was named the Messiah Lutheran Church.

*   *   *
Messiah Lutheran Church
Founded 1908
Located on the Bethany College Campus

Provided needed English worship services to non-Swede Bethany students and faculty, and Lindsborg residents!

Picture
Source: 1969, "The Smoky Valley in The After Years" by Ruth Billdt & Elizabeth Jaderborg: PLATE IX, after page 44
*   *   *
The Other Churches of Lindsborg Then


*   *   *
Some of "The Other Swedes" Were These
Supporting Swedish American Presidential Candidate Honorable John A. Johnson Governor of Minnesota
Messiah Easter Week 1908

Photographed by Lydia Sohlberg Deere at Sohlberg House
Picture

Some of "The Other Swedes" Were These
Bethany College
"Swedish Knights and Ladies"
​Honored by the Kings of Sweden

Below are their pictures arranged as to the years these Swedes received honor from the Swedish Crown for their many Swedish American endeavors.

Rows
1 --  
Swensson 1901, Sandzén 1940, Udden 1911, Pihlblad 1920, Lincoln 1930
2 --  
Olson 1940, Brase 1947, Greenough 1963, A.W. Lindquist 1976, E.K. Lindquist 1976 
3 --   Hahn 1976, Ristuben 1990, Sandzén-Greenough 1991, Karstadt 2014

​Click on their pictures (found in Deere's Bethany College annuals) to learn of their Swedish honors. Click HERE to learn more.

Some of "The Other Swedes" Were These
The Bethany College "Terrible Swedes"
Picture
Source: Near page 198 of Emory Lindquists' 1953 Smoky Valley People

- In "their day," this was their Bethany College -
Photography by Lydia Sohlberg Deere
And so it was with my own Swedish American family that 14 family members of 4 generations graduated from Bethany College.  George Gustaf Sohlberg was the first to graduate in May of 1884 with Bethany's first graduating class when it was an Academy.   I was the last Sohlberg to graduate in May of 1968, the day after which Swensson's wonderful Old Main building was to be demolished.

- May 1884 -
Anton S. Anderson, Otto Hawkinson, John Welin, George G. Sohlberg, Victor Swanson 
became
"the first" Bethany Academy Graduates
commencement exercises taking place at Bethany Church
Picture
Source: Sohlberg Papers. It is also on page 10 of "Bethany in Kansas, A history of a college."
Then, this was the "first" Bethany College building named the Bethany Academy in 1882.
It was at the very heart of the Bethany College beginnings.
Bethany Academy was​ chartered by the State of Kansas in September 1882 in a celebration with this building.
It was dedicated by Founder Carl Aaron Swensson with Augustana Synod leaders presiding on October 4, 1882.
It was adopted as "the child" of the Augustana Synod in 1884 at the Kansas Conference at Mariadahl Lutheran Church.


In 1969, it was moved to the 
from the Bethany College campus to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum Heritage Park.  Erected in front of it was the Bethany Academy sign which was removed in 2013.
For the rest of this story, on Bethany College's most important building, go ​HERE.
​
Photograph in 2011
Picture
Photography in 2011
Photographs in 2022


Picture
​- May 21, 1891 -
 Eric Glad, J.A. Westerlund, Ernst F. Pihlblad, Julius Lincoln
became
"the first" Bethany Academy baccalaureate degree graduates.
Picture
Source: "Bethany in Kansas" page 21

​
Bethany Academy
Third Class Commencement, 1894
Picture
Source: Courtesy of the Augustana College Archives

*   *   *
and

this was, and still is, their
1903 Swedish college cheer


ROCKAR!  STOCKAR!
THOR OCH HANS BOCKAR!
KöR  IGENOM!    KöR  IGENOM!
TJU!   TJU!   TJU!
BETHANIA


*   *   *

OLD MAIN
1887 - 1968


1887 SWEDISH MOTIF
- On OLD MAIN walls behind the 1968 Business Club meeting when I was president -

Today, these Swedish motifs would have been saved and preserved.
Picture
Source: 1968 Bethanian. I am in front row, 3rd from right, and Professor Clara Tow is to my left.

*   *   *
1976
- THE KING OF SWEDEN IN LINDSBORG - 
These pioneer Swedes could have never dreamed (although Bethany College Founder Dr. Rev. Carl Aaron Swensson might have) that the King of Sweden would visit their little Swedish Lindsborg and its college.  Yet, in 1976, that is just what happened on April 17th when King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden visited Bethany and Lindsborg.
Picture
Source: The Bethany Magazine, Spring Issue 1976, Editor A. John Pearson, Assistant Estred Johnson Schwantes. Cover photo by JIM TURNER.


V Ӓ R M L A N D       S W E D E N
- The region from where Pastor Olsson's group of Evangelical Lutheran Swedes immigrated to Lindsborg -
Picture
Source: Sohlberg Post Card
* NOTE THAT ON THESE POST CARDS THE SWEDISH SPELLING OF VӒRMLAND IS " VERMLAND"

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SINCE OCTOBER 31, 1991
THE VӒRMLAND CITY OF "MUNKFORS" AND THE KANSAS CITY OF "LINDSBORG" HAVE BEEN "SWEDISH SISTER CITIES"

(Due to the initial efforts and foresight of Mayor Don Anderson, who held this office from 1989 to 2001)
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To find maps on Värmland, Sweden, go HERE

 V Ӓ R M L A N D     C O S T U M E S
Picture
Source: 1894 Algot E. Strand's "Fosterländska Minnen"
Picture
Source: picclick.co.uk

​1904

Swedish Pavilion Gift from Sweden to Lindsborg's Bethany College
Picture
Source: Sohlberg Deere Papers. Postcard by Photographer Bror G. Gröndal
*   *   *
To begin SWEDES
start under the "Home" section HERE for The Bethany Artist & the Bethany Scientist: Lydia & Emil, which briefly profiles the couple and their strong connection to Bethany College. ​

This section divides into 2 subsections and expands substantially.  
 
​

Going "down" the "Home" section are sections on "Bethany College" that include:  The 1882 Bethany Academy and the college of today's most important "first and most cherished building" relocated in 1969 to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum; the 1882-1966 Bethany College Natural Science History and Pioneer Swedish History Museum's collections also at the above museum ; the 1882 on . . . Messiah Performances; the 1899 Swedish Midwest Art Exhibition; the 1902 Terrible Swedes and the 1903 "Rockar! Stockar!" college yell; the 1904 Swedish Pavilion of the St. Louis World's Fair; the "1895 to 1981" college anniversary celebrations of 15, 20, 25 and 100 years; and the 1937 college introduction to the 1638 New Sweden project.   ​

From there still in the "Home" section, go up to the right and down are sections on "Lindsborg" that include: The arrival of the Galesburg and Värmland Colonies of 1869, the  founding of Lindsborg and the Bethany Lutheran Church in 1969 with their connection to the Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod of 1860; the founding of the 1879 Swedish Mission Church and that of the 1910 Messiah Lutheran Church; the founding of the 1907 Bethany Lutheran Home; the 1909 and 1919 writing and compiling of first Swedish historical books and their translation in 1965 and 1969 respectively to English;  the 1919 founding of the Lindsborg Historical Society and the beginnings of the 1920's project with photos, the Deere's 1873 1916 Swedish homestead, their Lindsborg homes, and Emil's campaigning for a Lindsborg hospital after the passing of Lydia.

From this "Home" section across, SWEDES grows exponentially:  In the Immigration section, from detailing the A.G. Sohlberg Swedish immigration experiences to highlighting the Kosta and Stockholm Ulric Sohlberg family's Swedish Kosta Glass collection, the Kosta Portraits, the Nina Sohlberg Swedish Gold Thread Embroidery Sampler; to the Lydia and Emil sections highlighting their Lindsborg and Bethany College endeavors from showcasing the activities and events of their times; to visually showcasing favorite Lindsborg and Coronado Heights venues, and the Bethany College Museum, its campus, buildings, and student activities through Lydia's photography; to showcasing their contemporaries, especially family friend Artist Birger Sandzén and his work through Lydia's main section, and College Presidents' Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson and Rev. Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad through Emil's main section.  SWEDES continues onto the largest section, "The Other Swedes" and concludes with the "Contacts" section.
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REFERENCES:
*
      Bill Carlson, from his 2010 book, Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now, page 63.
*      Alf Brorson is an author, journalist and retired teacher from Torsby, Sweden whose column, A Sweden Letter, appears periodically in the Lindsborg News           Record.
**    Source: Fourth Swedish American Bethany College President Emory Lindquist's 1953 book, Smoky Valley People, page 14, Chapter II, "The              Coming of the Swedes."
***  Source:  Thomas N. Holmquist's 1994 book, Pioneer Cross, Swedish Settlements Along the Smoky Hill Bluffs, Chapter 3, "The Search for                   Land."

**** Bill Carlson, from his 2010 book, Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now, page 29.
***** Taken from page 164 of Ruth Billdt's 1965 Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas, a translation of the 1909 "LINDSBORG, Bidrag Till                       Svenskarnas och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen" by her father, Dr. Rev. Alfred Bergin of Bethany Lutheran Church.

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​"Let Us Celebrate Them"
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Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present

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All color photography throughout Swedes:  The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © from October 8, 2015 to 2025.
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