"The Other Swedes"
~ Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The Smoky Valley Writers ~
<> Remembering the Augustana Synod Legacy <>
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin
~ First author of Swedish foundational 1869 Smoky Valley Swedish Augustana Lutherans history
~ For 1909 and 1919, 40th and 50th Bethany Lutheran Church founding anniversaries.
~ Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The Smoky Valley Writers ~
<> Remembering the Augustana Synod Legacy <>
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin
~ First author of Swedish foundational 1869 Smoky Valley Swedish Augustana Lutherans history
~ For 1909 and 1919, 40th and 50th Bethany Lutheran Church founding anniversaries.
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin
(1866 - 1944)
"Third"
Bethany Lutheran Church Pastor
1904-1938
A Swedish Augustana Lutheran
(1866 - 1944)
"Third"
Bethany Lutheran Church Pastor
1904-1938
A Swedish Augustana Lutheran
According to his daughter, Mrs. Ruth Billdt, te books he was responsible for in 1909 were written in Swedish and titled: Lindsborg. Bidrag Till Svenskarnas Och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen and in 1919 was titled Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ar.
When Mrs. Billdt translated the books the titles were changed to in 1965 to " Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas " for the 1909 and in 1969 to " The Smoky Valley in the After Years " for the 1919. These titles are not true translations to the original titles. More on that later.
When Mrs. Billdt translated the books the titles were changed to in 1965 to " Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas " for the 1909 and in 1969 to " The Smoky Valley in the After Years " for the 1919. These titles are not true translations to the original titles. More on that later.
Dr. Emory K. Lindquist gives one a succinct and accurate description of Dr. Bergin from his 1953 Smoky Valley People, A History of Lindsborg, Kansas, Chapter 8: "Art in the Community: Artists and Writers," in the last paragraph:
"An unusual service to Lindsborg was rendered by Dr. Alfred Bergin, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church from 1904 until his retirement in 1942, by his comprehensive studies of Lindsborg's history. His two volumes, Lindsborg. Bidrag Till Svenskarnas Och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen (1909) and Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ar (1919), will always remain the basic source for understanding the pioneer life of the community. He made extensive use of interviews in compiling his two volumes on Lindsborg and in that manner presented invaluable material. Bergin was a serious scholar who was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Minnesota for his authoritative study, The Law of the West Goths (1906). Bergin was a regular and extensive contributor to Swedish newspapers and periodicals. He served as editor of Lindsborg-Posten for many years. He wrote extensively on religious subjects and on his travels. Many poems and hymns were produced by him. Alfred Bergin has made a significant contribution to Lindsborg as pastor, professor, historian, writer, and earnest supporter of college and civic causes."
"An unusual service to Lindsborg was rendered by Dr. Alfred Bergin, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church from 1904 until his retirement in 1942, by his comprehensive studies of Lindsborg's history. His two volumes, Lindsborg. Bidrag Till Svenskarnas Och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen (1909) and Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ar (1919), will always remain the basic source for understanding the pioneer life of the community. He made extensive use of interviews in compiling his two volumes on Lindsborg and in that manner presented invaluable material. Bergin was a serious scholar who was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Minnesota for his authoritative study, The Law of the West Goths (1906). Bergin was a regular and extensive contributor to Swedish newspapers and periodicals. He served as editor of Lindsborg-Posten for many years. He wrote extensively on religious subjects and on his travels. Many poems and hymns were produced by him. Alfred Bergin has made a significant contribution to Lindsborg as pastor, professor, historian, writer, and earnest supporter of college and civic causes."
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1909
" Lindsborg, Bidrag Till Svenskarnas och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen "
- Third Swedish Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Pastor's work of 1909 Swedish -
was renamed in English by his daughter
Ruth Bergin Billdt
(1897-1976)
in 1965 to
" Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas "
and translated to English by her,
with editorial assistance by
Elizabeth Jaderborg
- Third Swedish Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Pastor's work of 1909 Swedish -
was renamed in English by his daughter
Ruth Bergin Billdt
(1897-1976)
in 1965 to
" Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas "
and translated to English by her,
with editorial assistance by
Elizabeth Jaderborg
1965 Published, 177 Pages
The first Swedish written description of Pastor Bergin may have been written by himself when he first authored and compiled the first book on the Smoky Valley Swedish Augustana Lutheran history beginning in 1869. This first book was bound in a red cover with gold lettering.
In any case, Rev. Bergin enters information about himself
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin was a very accomplished person who is noted in the HERE. In this information, you will find this with many typos and misspellings:
In any case, Rev. Bergin enters information about himself
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin was a very accomplished person who is noted in the HERE. In this information, you will find this with many typos and misspellings:
Go HERE, to learn about this 1965 book, translated from "Lindsborg, Bidrag Till Svenskarnas och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen"
Present day. ( 1900 parenthesis. Doctor Alfred Bergin Berg IN Pages 131-132
There is not much to say about the present age. It covers only four years. "The Lord has helped hitherto."
The present pastor of the congregation was born in Vastergotland, April 24, 1866. He came to America in 1883. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1892 and from Augustana Theological Seminary with the degree. B.D. in 1894, was ordained at the Synodical meeting in Saint Peter, Minnesota, the same year. He was married to Pastor Hult's daughter, Anna, June. 13,1894. This union was blessed with six children, three of whom are living, Adele, Ruth, and Esther. Three, two boys and one girl, are dead.
Pastor Bergin's first charge was on the mission field in Sanborn, North Dakota. He had supervision over ten congregations in and around Warren, Minnesota, for some time before moving to Cambridge, Minnesota, January, 1897. He remained in Cambridge until he moved to Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1904. He attended the University of Minnesota while living in Cambridge, getting his A.M. degree in 1899, and a Ph.D. degree in 1904. In 1904 he published The History of Cambridge and the book, "Några Ord i Viktiga Frågor." Since then, he has become a member of several scholastic organizations, also written for several Swedish and English newspapers and periodicals.
Pastor Bergin has also helped to edit " Lindsborg's Posten" and has been a member of the Board of Directors of Bethany College since 1904. The last two years he has been Vice President of the Kansas Conference. When the Kansas Conference Luther League decided to publish, "The Kansas Young Lutheran," he was appointed chief editor of the periodical. He also translated into English the oldest Law Book of Sweden, "The Law of the West Goths."
It is proper at this time to enumerate the following events which have taken place within the congregation these later years.
A new Young Peoples' Organization has been organized in town and another one in Gypsum Valley making four Young Peoples' organizations within the congregation. The one in Gypsum Valley is really a part of Kristvalla. The Young People's Society in town and the one in Swedesburg was organized in 1905.
The college debt was paid in 1907. Prof. Frank Nelson was the chairman for the drive and it was through his efforts that Bethany College was free of debt for the first time. Bethany Church subscribed $20,000, due to the efforts of several members and the pastor. Bethany announced that it was free of debt at the conference meeting in 1907.
Several minor repairs have been made on the church property. A new barn was built by the parsonage in 1906, cement sidewalks were laid in front of the parsonage property in 1907, and a new furnace installed in the parsonage in 1908. Several small improvements have been made inside and outside the church.
Mr. Lagerstedt, Sweden's commissioner at the World's Fair in Saint Louis, visited here in 1904, and in 1906, Dr. Karl Fries visited the community.
In 1906, W. W. Thomas gave Bethany College the Swedish Pavilion that had been erected at the World's Fair in Saint Louis.
The conference decided in 1907 to build a Home for the Aged, in Lindsborg.
In the same year Andrew Carnegie gave Bethany College $20,000 for a Library, which was ready to be used at the opening of the school term in 1908.
It should be mentioned that at the parish meeting in 1908 the congregation felt that the new amendment to the Constitution was not drawn up right but was in certain respects contrary to the word of God.
START HERE
The old pipe organ was sold in 1907 to the congregation in Salt Looks City for $150. The Kansas Conference Luther League met here in 1907, and. also in that year our church and the Also in that year, our church and the conference will celebrate its 40th anniversary.
A monument was placed on. Doctor Swenson's grave in 1907. francis johnson was Francis Johnson was authorized by the church to solicit funds for the same with both within the church and the conference two years later. under the leadership of the lenzburg chamber Under the leadership of the Lindbergh Chamber of Commerce. Each marble statue was made in Italy. Of Doctor Swenson and erected in front of Old Maine. The congregation contributed generously to this also. the most important events within the most important events within the.... The most important events within the congregation of late is, no doubt, the organization of the Messiah Lutheran Church. On January 15th, 1908. There were 38 charter members and 39. Children at the time of its organization. period some of these have been membe....eater number were not members of anyyy any church.
Honorable John A. Period Johnson., governor of Minnesota and a presidential candidate visited here. during the messiah week in 19 oh 8 period During the Messiah week in 1908. Mr. CG Schultz, soup State Superintendent of Schools, was also here. Both are friends of Doctor Berg Jane Berg IN.
Pastor and Missus Mall. pastor Pastor and Missus Wallen., Doctor, A period. WPR Dostine and his daughter have moved to Lindsborg to retire.
This Services and Congressional life after 40 years are as follows. This Services and Congressional life after 40 years are as follows.: Page. 132. Done.
There is not much to say about the present age. It covers only four years. "The Lord has helped hitherto."
The present pastor of the congregation was born in Vastergotland, April 24, 1866. He came to America in 1883. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1892 and from Augustana Theological Seminary with the degree. B.D. in 1894, was ordained at the Synodical meeting in Saint Peter, Minnesota, the same year. He was married to Pastor Hult's daughter, Anna, June. 13,1894. This union was blessed with six children, three of whom are living, Adele, Ruth, and Esther. Three, two boys and one girl, are dead.
Pastor Bergin's first charge was on the mission field in Sanborn, North Dakota. He had supervision over ten congregations in and around Warren, Minnesota, for some time before moving to Cambridge, Minnesota, January, 1897. He remained in Cambridge until he moved to Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1904. He attended the University of Minnesota while living in Cambridge, getting his A.M. degree in 1899, and a Ph.D. degree in 1904. In 1904 he published The History of Cambridge and the book, "Några Ord i Viktiga Frågor." Since then, he has become a member of several scholastic organizations, also written for several Swedish and English newspapers and periodicals.
Pastor Bergin has also helped to edit " Lindsborg's Posten" and has been a member of the Board of Directors of Bethany College since 1904. The last two years he has been Vice President of the Kansas Conference. When the Kansas Conference Luther League decided to publish, "The Kansas Young Lutheran," he was appointed chief editor of the periodical. He also translated into English the oldest Law Book of Sweden, "The Law of the West Goths."
It is proper at this time to enumerate the following events which have taken place within the congregation these later years.
A new Young Peoples' Organization has been organized in town and another one in Gypsum Valley making four Young Peoples' organizations within the congregation. The one in Gypsum Valley is really a part of Kristvalla. The Young People's Society in town and the one in Swedesburg was organized in 1905.
The college debt was paid in 1907. Prof. Frank Nelson was the chairman for the drive and it was through his efforts that Bethany College was free of debt for the first time. Bethany Church subscribed $20,000, due to the efforts of several members and the pastor. Bethany announced that it was free of debt at the conference meeting in 1907.
Several minor repairs have been made on the church property. A new barn was built by the parsonage in 1906, cement sidewalks were laid in front of the parsonage property in 1907, and a new furnace installed in the parsonage in 1908. Several small improvements have been made inside and outside the church.
Mr. Lagerstedt, Sweden's commissioner at the World's Fair in Saint Louis, visited here in 1904, and in 1906, Dr. Karl Fries visited the community.
In 1906, W. W. Thomas gave Bethany College the Swedish Pavilion that had been erected at the World's Fair in Saint Louis.
The conference decided in 1907 to build a Home for the Aged, in Lindsborg.
In the same year Andrew Carnegie gave Bethany College $20,000 for a Library, which was ready to be used at the opening of the school term in 1908.
It should be mentioned that at the parish meeting in 1908 the congregation felt that the new amendment to the Constitution was not drawn up right but was in certain respects contrary to the word of God.
START HERE
The old pipe organ was sold in 1907 to the congregation in Salt Looks City for $150. The Kansas Conference Luther League met here in 1907, and. also in that year our church and the Also in that year, our church and the conference will celebrate its 40th anniversary.
A monument was placed on. Doctor Swenson's grave in 1907. francis johnson was Francis Johnson was authorized by the church to solicit funds for the same with both within the church and the conference two years later. under the leadership of the lenzburg chamber Under the leadership of the Lindbergh Chamber of Commerce. Each marble statue was made in Italy. Of Doctor Swenson and erected in front of Old Maine. The congregation contributed generously to this also. the most important events within the most important events within the.... The most important events within the congregation of late is, no doubt, the organization of the Messiah Lutheran Church. On January 15th, 1908. There were 38 charter members and 39. Children at the time of its organization. period some of these have been membe....eater number were not members of anyyy any church.
Honorable John A. Period Johnson., governor of Minnesota and a presidential candidate visited here. during the messiah week in 19 oh 8 period During the Messiah week in 1908. Mr. CG Schultz, soup State Superintendent of Schools, was also here. Both are friends of Doctor Berg Jane Berg IN.
Pastor and Missus Mall. pastor Pastor and Missus Wallen., Doctor, A period. WPR Dostine and his daughter have moved to Lindsborg to retire.
This Services and Congressional life after 40 years are as follows. This Services and Congressional life after 40 years are as follows.: Page. 132. Done.
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1919
"Lindsborg, Efter Femtio Ӓr "
- Third Swedish Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Pastor's work of 1919 Swedish -
was renamed in English by his daughter
Ruth Bergin Billdt
in 1969 to
" The Smoky Valley in the After Years "
and with editorial assistance and
authorship of Part 2 by
Elizabeth Jaderborg
1919
"Lindsborg, Efter Femtio Ӓr "
- Third Swedish Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Pastor's work of 1919 Swedish -
was renamed in English by his daughter
Ruth Bergin Billdt
in 1969 to
" The Smoky Valley in the After Years "
and with editorial assistance and
authorship of Part 2 by
Elizabeth Jaderborg
1969 Published, 220 Pages
Go HERE, to learn about this 1969 book, "The Smoky Valley in The After Years," (translated from the 1919 " Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ӓr.")
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Source: "The Smoky Valley in the After Years" by Ruth Billdt and Elizabeth Jaderborg, 1969.
The After Years
Dr. Alfred Bergin
Page 40-41
[This may have been written by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg who was co-author to this volume with Mrs. Ruth Bergin Billdt, daughter of Pastor Alfred Bergin.]
"Dr. Alfred Bergin became pastor of Bethany Church in the fall after Dr. Swensson's death, and has served, to date, 15 years. I understand that Dr. Earland Anderson has promised to write about Dr. Bergin's experiences and work during the past years, but I will make the following annotations:
"Dr. Bergin's sermons are powerful, clear, evangelical and true to the Augsburg confession. His confirmation instructions, in Swedish or English, is genuine. He is zealous, sympathetic and warm- hearted as a pastor and an untiring worker. The congregational duties, young people's organizations, Sunday School, choir and mission work are carried on with promptness and zeal. Ever since he accepted his responsible position in Lindsborg he has been a sincere friend of Bethany College, has successfully taken part in the inauguration for Bethany's Foundation Fund, taught ethics to the senior classes in the college, and for many years was chairman of the College Board. He has also been honored by being elected to hold several responsible positions in the Kansas Conference and is at present president of the conference.
"A sincere and delightful hospitality permeates the parsonage, just as in the Swensson home. The kind and hospitable pastor's wife has been in poor health a great deal. The talented and active daughters took over the mother's place when ill health did not permit her to care for the household.
"Dr. Bergin, as Dr. Swensson's predecessor, is also interested in journalism, poetry, travel and historical matters. He delights in discussing the church, schools, and the problems of modern living in our Swedish-American papers. He often prefers to use a free, humorous form to express his meaning. In the summer of 1914, Pastor Bergin, Mrs. Bergin, and their daughter, Ruth, made a trip to Sweden, the Continent and Italy for study and recreation. Dr. Bergin intended to include a trip to Russia and the Holy Land, but the war suddenly broke out, causing him to change his plans and return to America. He wrote a book about his trip entitled, "Under Furor och Palmer" (Under Pines and Palms). Ten years ago he wrote a history of the Bethany Congregation for its 40th anniversary celebration entitled "Lindsborg en Svensk-Amerikansk Kultubild fran Millersta Kansas" (Lindsborg, Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas). It is a profound and meritus historical account of the congregations and communities of the new Settlement. No trouble with spared in gathering detailed information to make the account as complete, accurate and reliable as possible. It is already considered to be of great value and is a primary source for future research.
"The history of Lindsborg and our congregation is extraordinary and fascinating. We have received an inestimable inheritance. Large and difficult problems will confront us, but with untiring work, sincere cooperation and trust in God, we will resolve them."
Dr. Alfred Bergin
Page 40-41
[This may have been written by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg who was co-author to this volume with Mrs. Ruth Bergin Billdt, daughter of Pastor Alfred Bergin.]
"Dr. Alfred Bergin became pastor of Bethany Church in the fall after Dr. Swensson's death, and has served, to date, 15 years. I understand that Dr. Earland Anderson has promised to write about Dr. Bergin's experiences and work during the past years, but I will make the following annotations:
"Dr. Bergin's sermons are powerful, clear, evangelical and true to the Augsburg confession. His confirmation instructions, in Swedish or English, is genuine. He is zealous, sympathetic and warm- hearted as a pastor and an untiring worker. The congregational duties, young people's organizations, Sunday School, choir and mission work are carried on with promptness and zeal. Ever since he accepted his responsible position in Lindsborg he has been a sincere friend of Bethany College, has successfully taken part in the inauguration for Bethany's Foundation Fund, taught ethics to the senior classes in the college, and for many years was chairman of the College Board. He has also been honored by being elected to hold several responsible positions in the Kansas Conference and is at present president of the conference.
"A sincere and delightful hospitality permeates the parsonage, just as in the Swensson home. The kind and hospitable pastor's wife has been in poor health a great deal. The talented and active daughters took over the mother's place when ill health did not permit her to care for the household.
"Dr. Bergin, as Dr. Swensson's predecessor, is also interested in journalism, poetry, travel and historical matters. He delights in discussing the church, schools, and the problems of modern living in our Swedish-American papers. He often prefers to use a free, humorous form to express his meaning. In the summer of 1914, Pastor Bergin, Mrs. Bergin, and their daughter, Ruth, made a trip to Sweden, the Continent and Italy for study and recreation. Dr. Bergin intended to include a trip to Russia and the Holy Land, but the war suddenly broke out, causing him to change his plans and return to America. He wrote a book about his trip entitled, "Under Furor och Palmer" (Under Pines and Palms). Ten years ago he wrote a history of the Bethany Congregation for its 40th anniversary celebration entitled "Lindsborg en Svensk-Amerikansk Kultubild fran Millersta Kansas" (Lindsborg, Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas). It is a profound and meritus historical account of the congregations and communities of the new Settlement. No trouble with spared in gathering detailed information to make the account as complete, accurate and reliable as possible. It is already considered to be of great value and is a primary source for future research.
"The history of Lindsborg and our congregation is extraordinary and fascinating. We have received an inestimable inheritance. Large and difficult problems will confront us, but with untiring work, sincere cooperation and trust in God, we will resolve them."
For much more information on Dr. Bergin, go HERE to Rev Alfred Bergin (1866-1944) - Find a Grave Memorial
and go
HERE to the 1918 KS & Kansans, Alfred Bergin (ksgenweb.org) which was transcribed from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Chicago : Lewis, 1918. 5 v. (lvi, 2731 p., [228] leaves of plates) : ill., maps (some fold.), ports. ; 27 cm.
and go
HERE to the 1918 KS & Kansans, Alfred Bergin (ksgenweb.org) which was transcribed from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Chicago : Lewis, 1918. 5 v. (lvi, 2731 p., [228] leaves of plates) : ill., maps (some fold.), ports. ; 27 cm.
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