"The Other Swedes"
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Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin
~ First author of Swedish foundational 1869 Smoky Valley Swedish Augustana Lutheran history
~ For 1909 and 1919, the 40th and 50th Bethany Lutheran Church founding anniversaries.
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin
(1866 - 1944)
(1866 - 1944)
"Third"
Bethany Lutheran Church Pastor
1904-1938
A Swedish Augustana Lutheran
Bethany Lutheran Church Pastor
1904-1938
A Swedish Augustana Lutheran
According to his daughter, Mrs. Ruth Billdt, the 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 titled Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ar.
When Mrs. Billdt translated the books, the titles were changed in 1965 to Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas for the 1909 book, and in 1969 to The Smoky Valley in the After Years for the 1919 book.
[These titles are not true translations as I assumed they would be. More research and study is required that I am no longer able to provide. Perhaps, sometime in the future, Bethany College professors or other scholars interested in Lindsborg's Swedish Augustana Lutheran history would continue the study to make proper conclusions. -- FC]
When Mrs. Billdt translated the books, the titles were changed in 1965 to Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas for the 1909 book, and in 1969 to The Smoky Valley in the After Years for the 1919 book.
[These titles are not true translations as I assumed they would be. More research and study is required that I am no longer able to provide. Perhaps, sometime in the future, Bethany College professors or other scholars interested in Lindsborg's Swedish Augustana Lutheran history would continue the study to make proper conclusions. -- FC]
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."
In The Smoky Valley in the After Years there is this information on Dr. Alfred Bergin found on pages 40-41 as follows.
"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."
In The Smoky Valley in the After Years there is this information on Dr. Alfred Bergin found on pages 40-41 as follows.
Dr. 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 was 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."
[It is unclear as to who wrote this piece on Pastor Alfred Bergin. It could have been his daughter Mrs. Ruth Bergin Billdt or Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg who was co-author of this volume. --FC]
Continuing on page 42 is a 3 1/2 page piece by Pastor Erland Anderson on "ALFRED BERGIN."
"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 was 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."
[It is unclear as to who wrote this piece on Pastor Alfred Bergin. It could have been his daughter Mrs. Ruth Bergin Billdt or Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg who was co-author of this volume. --FC]
Continuing on page 42 is a 3 1/2 page piece by Pastor Erland Anderson on "ALFRED BERGIN."
There is so much on this man of God. Go HERE to "Find a Grave," to the 1918 "KS & Kansans," Alfred Bergin or HERE for accessgeneology.com biographies.
Go HERE, to learn about this 1965 book, translated from the 1909 "Lindsborg, Bidrag Till Svenskarnas och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen" and renamed Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas by Ruth Billdt.
Go HERE, to learn about this 1969 book, translated from the 1919 Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ӓr and renamed The Smoky Valley in The After Years by Ruth Billdt and Elizabeth Jaderborg.
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"Dr. Bergin married in 1894 Anna Hult of Skandia, Minnesota. Six children were born to them.
Carl, Valdemar and Ada are deceased. Those still living are Adelia, Ruth and Esther."
"Dr. Bergin married in 1894 Anna Hult of Skandia, Minnesota. Six children were born to them.
Carl, Valdemar and Ada are deceased. Those still living are Adelia, Ruth and Esther."
Source: "The Smoky Valley in the After Years" by Ruth Billdt and Elizabeth Jaderborg, 1969.
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