"The Other Swedes"
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends ~
<> Celebrating the Augustana Synod Legacy <>
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends ~
<> Celebrating the Augustana Synod Legacy <>
Rev. Dr. Edward J. Nelander
~ Remembering "First" President of Bethany College
~ Accounts by Dr. Emory Lindquist and Dr. Leon Lungstrom
Rev. Dr. Edward J. Nelander
(1855 - 1915)
First President
1882-1889
He was a Swedish Augustana Lutheran Christian
(1855 - 1915)
First President
1882-1889
He was a Swedish Augustana Lutheran Christian
Source: "Smoky Valley People"
There is very little written about Rev. Dr. Edward J. Nelander as first president of Bethany College and his teaching role which began in 1882, as the second teacher.
"Find a Grave" revealed he was laid to rest in Hilmar, California in 1915 with a large memorial marker "Erected in 'Loving Memory' by Angelica Swedish Lutheran Church, Los Angeles, California" for him. In February 12, 1888, Pastor Johannes Telleen of the Augustana Lutheran Synod met with 29 other Swedish immigrants to found Angelica Lutheran Church. Dr. Nelander may have been a pastor there after leaving Bethany College.
Fortunately, a few paragraphs from fourth Bethany College President Dr. Emory Lindquist and Biology Professor Dr. Leon Lungstrom have been written as presented below from their respective books, the 1975 Bethany In Kansas, and the 1990 History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas.
On pages 271-272 are Dr. Lungstrom's words from his book:
"Arithmetic was listed for teaching during the first year of the institution's existence in 1881 to 1882. Reverend Edward Nelander was reported as one of the early teachers of mathematics. from 1883 to 1889 he held the position of president or rector of Bethany College, which during its early years was Bethany Academy.
" . . . Often Carl Aaron Swensson, then president of the board, was thought of as being the first president of the school. However, he didn't assume this position until after Rev. Nelander resigned. During the time Edward Nelander held this important position, the attendance of the college increased from 60 students and two instructors to 340 students and 13 instructors. This was an era of good feeling with school advancement and ambition among the students. The thoroughness of the different departments was in a great measure due to the exertion and the enthusiasm of the first school president. Of course, Carl Aaron Swensson, president of the board, was nearby for valuable assistance when needed.
"For the sake of his health, it was found necessary to change locations, and for this reason Rev. Nelander moved to Kansas City, where he spent two years as pastor of Swedish Lutheran Church. Then he moved to Galveston, Texas, where he remained under the salubrious influence of the Gulf Breeze. He had an attack of typhoid. His plans were to move back to Kansas City.
"As an instructor, he stood unexcelled. He was interesting, brilliant, enthusiastic, and knew how to invest every subject with interest. Besides natural endowment of the highest order, he had the advantage of extensive travel on this continent and in foreign lands. There were no listless students in his classroom. If there was anyone naturally inclined toward indolence or apathy, he would in some manner catch the spirit of ardor from the lecturer's inspiration. The number of students who enjoyed the privilege of receiving instruction from him would attest to the love and enthusiasm which he had the power to inspire. . . . "
On page 16 are Dr. Lindquist's words from his book;
" . . . Often Carl Aaron Swensson, then president of the board, was thought of as being the first president of the school. However, he didn't assume this position until after Rev. Nelander resigned. During the time Edward Nelander held this important position, the attendance of the college increased from 60 students and two instructors to 340 students and 13 instructors. This was an era of good feeling with school advancement and ambition among the students. The thoroughness of the different departments was in a great measure due to the exertion and the enthusiasm of the first school president. Of course, Carl Aaron Swensson, president of the board, was nearby for valuable assistance when needed.
"For the sake of his health, it was found necessary to change locations, and for this reason Rev. Nelander moved to Kansas City, where he spent two years as pastor of Swedish Lutheran Church. Then he moved to Galveston, Texas, where he remained under the salubrious influence of the Gulf Breeze. He had an attack of typhoid. His plans were to move back to Kansas City.
"As an instructor, he stood unexcelled. He was interesting, brilliant, enthusiastic, and knew how to invest every subject with interest. Besides natural endowment of the highest order, he had the advantage of extensive travel on this continent and in foreign lands. There were no listless students in his classroom. If there was anyone naturally inclined toward indolence or apathy, he would in some manner catch the spirit of ardor from the lecturer's inspiration. The number of students who enjoyed the privilege of receiving instruction from him would attest to the love and enthusiasm which he had the power to inspire. . . . "
On page 16 are Dr. Lindquist's words from his book;
Although Carl Swensson, the founder of the College and chairman of the board of directors, provided dynamic leadership for the new institution, the academic policy was fashioned largely by the faculty and by Edward Nelander, who was rektor, or principal, or president, titles that were used interchangeably in the period 1882-1889, with the final designation as president in the last three years. Nelander taught a full schedule in a variety of fields including mathematics and natural science, English language and literature, history, Latin, mental science, pedagogics, and church history. He had received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana college after attending Knox College bracket in Illinois bracket for three years period he had studied at also at Berlin university. Knee Lander was a pleasant and cordial person who was highly esteemed by students and associates. The new Landers shared their home by providing rooms for students. The first Bethany president was enthusiastic about the college and transmitted the vision for a great future which he received from his close identification with Swinson, whom he greatly admired. Neulander's problem was that he was overworked with the result that his health was impaired. Swinson persuaded him to stay at Bethany, but during the academic year 1886 nine to 89 newlander maintained his resolve to resign. The resolution at a student mass meeting urging him to continue at Bethany was an indication of the esteem in which he was held by students.
Source: "Bethany in Kansas" page 74
* * *
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
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Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated, or obviously concluded it is not.
Copyright © 2021 www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated, or obviously concluded it is not.
Copyright © 2021 www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
