Scientist Emil O. Deere
Bethany Church and Bethany College and the Augustana Lutheran Synod Writers
The sudden loss of Dr. Rev. Swensson stands out to be the saddest event ever in Swedish Lindsborg's history!
The sudden loss of Dr. Rev. Swensson stands out to be the saddest event ever in Swedish Lindsborg's history!
In Memorian**Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson,1904
~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
- Student Pall Bearers Convey the Remains from the Auditorium to the Home -
FEBRUARY 23, 1904
Dr. Rev. Carl Aaron Swensson, (1857-1904): a Swedish American, a resident of Lindsborg, Kansas, second pastor of Swedish Bethany Lutheran Church, founder of Swedish Bethany College 1881, second Bethany College president 1889-1904, died in Los Angles on February 16, 1904.
From fourth Swedish American Bethany College President Emory Lindquist's 1975 book, Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college, he brings us to the very time of "the way they were," mourning their fallen friend and leader at Ling Auditorium (Messiah Auditorium), these Swedes in Lindsborg and beyond, including the Illinois Swedes of the Augustana Lutheran Church and College.
From page 39, Lindquist writes:
"When the last page of the final chapter of Dr. Carl Swensson’s earthly life had been written, the editor of the Lindsborg Record penned lines of appreciation in behalf of the people of Lindsborg and elsewhere: “The grief which spread from home to home in our little town is indescribable. The Doctor was the friend of everybody and everybody was his friend . . . . His life has been a constant endeavor for good towards all. He was unselfish, his whole ambition was for Bethany, for the Swedish people and for his country . . . . Money, distinction, personal favor, and high station in life were nothing to him unless it tended toward the elevation and betterment of Bethany College, the child of his ambitions. His very life teemed with enthusiasm for Bethany, for Lindsborg, and for the Smoky Valley.”
"When the last page of the final chapter of Dr. Carl Swensson’s earthly life had been written, the editor of the Lindsborg Record penned lines of appreciation in behalf of the people of Lindsborg and elsewhere: “The grief which spread from home to home in our little town is indescribable. The Doctor was the friend of everybody and everybody was his friend . . . . His life has been a constant endeavor for good towards all. He was unselfish, his whole ambition was for Bethany, for the Swedish people and for his country . . . . Money, distinction, personal favor, and high station in life were nothing to him unless it tended toward the elevation and betterment of Bethany College, the child of his ambitions. His very life teemed with enthusiasm for Bethany, for Lindsborg, and for the Smoky Valley.”
- Where Swensson Lived -
From pages 34 & 35, Lindquist writes:
"The progress of Bethany College at this time reflected the dreams and aspirations of Carl Swensson, founder, and president since 1889. His loyalty to Bethany caused him to decline the call to become president of Augustana College and Theological Seminary which had been extended to him at the Burlington, Iowa, meeting of the Augustana Synod in June, 1900. Swensson's great faith and hard work and that of his capable associates were being rewarded. The future was bright with the promise of greater gains. Even the indebtedness of the College, which had been far greater on serveral occasions, was only $32,000.00 in 1903. But suddenly Carl Swensson's great career came to an abrupt end. On February 16, 1904, the sad message came from California Lutheran Hospital, Los Angeles, that he had died from pheumonia after a brief illness.
"The response of students to the death of Bethany's beloved founder and president was recorded in the Messenger: 'At chapel services were first heard the indefinite rumor. A telegram had been received saying that our president was quite ill in Los Angeles. Our class had French in room 73 the first period. We assembled in our carefree manner, but there was a delay in the appearance of Professor Sandzén. At length he came, but his face was drawn and pale with grief. 'We have received sad news' was all he could say, and he turned to go again. We walked aimlessly up and down the halls with parched lips, sometimes whispering in subdued groups.'
"On a farm near Lindsborg Mrs. John Holmquist wrote in her diary enclosed in wide black lines, expressing the sentiments of the people of the Smoky Valley: 'I can scarcely see to write tonight on account of the tears since we have received the sad announcement that our dear pastor is dead. He died this morning in California. We are all enveloped in deep sorrow. May God strengthen the wife and children. It seems so strange the one who was so needed should have been taken away from his place of service.'
"February 23, 1904, the day of the funeral, was bright and clear. People called it 'a Carl Swensson day.' Although nature was kindly disposed, there was deep sorrow in the hearts of the people of Lindsborg and elsewhere. Estimates indicate that 3,000 people were in Lindsborg that day to pay their respects to Carl Swensson. A student guard of honor stood by the casket of Bethany's president in the "Messiah" auditorium while people filed by in a continuous line for several hours. Beautiful floral tributes filled the front of the large auditorium. At the memorial service, sermons and eulogies were presented by Dr. L.G. Abrahamson, Dr. G. A. Brandelle, Dr. M. Wahlstrom, President Gustav Andreen of Augustana College, and others. Messages of sympathy addressed to Mrs. Swensson and daughters, Bertha and Annie Theo., were read. The "Messiah" chorus sang Dr. Swensson's favorite, Worthy is the Lamb. A sad people followed the funeral cortege to the last resting place, Elmwood Cemetery, east of Lindsborg. At the conclusion of the committal service the group sang the traditional Bethany hymn, Near My God to There."
"The progress of Bethany College at this time reflected the dreams and aspirations of Carl Swensson, founder, and president since 1889. His loyalty to Bethany caused him to decline the call to become president of Augustana College and Theological Seminary which had been extended to him at the Burlington, Iowa, meeting of the Augustana Synod in June, 1900. Swensson's great faith and hard work and that of his capable associates were being rewarded. The future was bright with the promise of greater gains. Even the indebtedness of the College, which had been far greater on serveral occasions, was only $32,000.00 in 1903. But suddenly Carl Swensson's great career came to an abrupt end. On February 16, 1904, the sad message came from California Lutheran Hospital, Los Angeles, that he had died from pheumonia after a brief illness.
"The response of students to the death of Bethany's beloved founder and president was recorded in the Messenger: 'At chapel services were first heard the indefinite rumor. A telegram had been received saying that our president was quite ill in Los Angeles. Our class had French in room 73 the first period. We assembled in our carefree manner, but there was a delay in the appearance of Professor Sandzén. At length he came, but his face was drawn and pale with grief. 'We have received sad news' was all he could say, and he turned to go again. We walked aimlessly up and down the halls with parched lips, sometimes whispering in subdued groups.'
"On a farm near Lindsborg Mrs. John Holmquist wrote in her diary enclosed in wide black lines, expressing the sentiments of the people of the Smoky Valley: 'I can scarcely see to write tonight on account of the tears since we have received the sad announcement that our dear pastor is dead. He died this morning in California. We are all enveloped in deep sorrow. May God strengthen the wife and children. It seems so strange the one who was so needed should have been taken away from his place of service.'
"February 23, 1904, the day of the funeral, was bright and clear. People called it 'a Carl Swensson day.' Although nature was kindly disposed, there was deep sorrow in the hearts of the people of Lindsborg and elsewhere. Estimates indicate that 3,000 people were in Lindsborg that day to pay their respects to Carl Swensson. A student guard of honor stood by the casket of Bethany's president in the "Messiah" auditorium while people filed by in a continuous line for several hours. Beautiful floral tributes filled the front of the large auditorium. At the memorial service, sermons and eulogies were presented by Dr. L.G. Abrahamson, Dr. G. A. Brandelle, Dr. M. Wahlstrom, President Gustav Andreen of Augustana College, and others. Messages of sympathy addressed to Mrs. Swensson and daughters, Bertha and Annie Theo., were read. The "Messiah" chorus sang Dr. Swensson's favorite, Worthy is the Lamb. A sad people followed the funeral cortege to the last resting place, Elmwood Cemetery, east of Lindsborg. At the conclusion of the committal service the group sang the traditional Bethany hymn, Near My God to There."
- The Student Guard -
- Deere's Book -
- all images are from his book -
Source: The Deere Papers
- THE PROGRAM -
The funeral was conducted in Swedish and English as was the book 60% in Swedish and 40% in English
| swensson_funeral_sermon__in_swedish__abrahamson_2_23_1904.pdf |
| swensson_funeral_sermon_brandelle_2_23_1904.pdf |
| swensson_funeral_sermon_andreen_2_23_1904.pdf |
| swensson_funeral_address_weidner_2_23_1904.pdf |
- Old Main was Bethany College in Swensson's Day -
- Bringing Swensson from Messiah Auditorium to the Elmwood Cemetery -
- At Lindsborg's Elmwood Cemetery -
Dr. Rev. Carl Arron Swensson was laid to rest in great honor and grief by the Swedes of Lindsborg and of Bethany.
- At Lindsborg's Elmwood Cemetery -
This Egyptian-designed obelisk marks the gravesite of Bethany College's founder and president, memorializing a great man, as the same-type structure in Washington, D.C. has memorialized our first president of the United States!
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"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.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
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.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
