"The Other Swedes"

" The Other Swedes "

~ Celebrating Them ~
-- T H E L I N D S B O R G S W E D E S -
- Their Neighbors & Friends -

<> Their Swedish American Kansas Smoky Valley Legacy Listings <>

As their descendants will surely agree, not all of the Lindsborg Swedes are listed here, nor can they be, as those belonging to early non-Lutheran Swedish Christian denominations and those in farming and business are certainly missing! I could only list the Lindsborg Swedes whom I researched and found through my relatives, Lydia and Emil Deere, whose lives were devoted to their Augustana Synod Bethany Lutheran Church and its Bethany College. Hopefully, one day, the ones closest to these other Swedes will make those equally important additional listings.

Therefore, as you review the lists below, think also of the "unlisted ones," who also were the Swedish pioneer founders and builders of Lindsborg, those contemporaries and friends of Emil's and Lydia's. Yet, equally important, think of their "unnamed descendants," a few of whom appear in the listings, who have been carrying on the ongoing conservation work and promoting this community's Swedish culture, heritage, history and Christian faith.

This exercise of recognition and honor can only be describe as a tiny tribute for the enormous contributions that each made, and, is making, in their humble, quiet and private endeavors, in their callings -- of recording and saving the history; of keeping alive the Holy Spirit of Christian faith, the Swedish traditions, the links to Sweden and the Swedish Crown; and of the ongoing sacrificial giving, through funds or other in-kind gifts to higher education at Bethany College, coupled with their overwhelming support of the arts and faithful chorus participation in the Oratorio Society Holy Easter Week Messiah performances, which brought national and international focus on their great little Swedish community and its college, and, in-so-doing, created their "Camelot Years," while spreading the Gospel to the world, which still continues today!

May we recall and cherish each enduring legacy they left to us, being grateful to their descendants, friends, and others who have shined their lights upon them, for us to honor them, remember them and to celebrate them.

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Notes

The population of Lindsborg founded in 1869 grew to approximately 500 in 1880 (a year before the founding of Bethany College) to 2,000 in 1940 to 3,776 in 2020.  (Sources: Online - World Population Review.)

The following information has come from the "Smoky Valley Writers' works" that are listed HERE.

These abbreviations which are after some of the surnames means:
BCG for Bethany College Graduate of Lindsborg, Kansas
ACG for Augustana College Graduate of Rock Island, Illinois
GACG for Gustavus Adolphus College Graduate of Saint Peter, Minnesota
ATSG for Augustana Theological Seminary Graduate of Rock Island, Illinois
SUG for Swedish Universities Graduates of Sweden

Legend
*   Listed chronologically
** Listed alphabetically
+   Included HERE for Lindsborg’s 14:
1901-2014 The Bethany College Swedish Knights and Ladies ~ Honored by the Kings of Sweden

* *
<> Their Legacy Listings <>
- a sampling -
-From 1869 to 2019
150 Years

* * *

- their Legacy beginnings -
SMOKY VALLEY SWEDISH LUTHERAN COLONIES

United by their Lutheranism and desire to worship God freely without the Swedish government interfering along with President Lincoln's Homestead Act of 1862 for farmers attracted many Swedes to emigrate to America, with thousands first arriving in Chicago and from there branching out onto the prairie lands of the Midwest establishing Swedish enclaves first which developed into towns. Of those thousands, were individuals, families, and two colonies that would arrive in the Kansas Smoky Valley. These colonies entered the Valley in 1869, the ways of which were made possible for them through the 1860 organized Scandinavian Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America, later referred to as the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Synod or the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church, a governing body over newly established Swedish American Lutheran Churches.

>>> The Galesburg Colony of Swedes arrived in the Smoky Valley in February 1869.

Just before the establishment of the Illinois Galesburg Colonization Company, the second meeting of between 300 to 400, consisted of a majority of Swedes from the Småland province and also a large number from the provinces of Darlana and Kalmar. Names associated with the company were President Olof Thorstenberg, Secretary John P. Stromquist, John Rodell, Gustaf Johnson, and William Johnson, Rev. A. W. Wilhelm Dahlsten, and lay pastor C. J. Brodin. These Swedes would be responsible for making a way for the establishing of the Valley settlements of Salemsborg in southern Saline County and Freemount in northwest McPherson County. The Galesburg Colony arrived in the Smoky Valley on February 25, 1869. Source: Fourth generation Swedish Lutheran Smoky Valley Småland descendant Thomas N. Holmquist's 1994 book, Pioneer Cross -- Swedish Settlements Along the Smoky Hill Bluffs.

>>> The Olsson Colony of Värmland Swedes arrived in the Smoky Valley in June of 1869.

The Olsson Colony was composed of Värmland, Swedes, from the Sunnemo Church in Sweden, that was pastored by Rev. Olof Olsson. Some names associated with this colony other than pastor Olsson were First Swedish Agricultural Company of McPherson County members A. S. Lindell, J. G. Bergsten and Magnus Carlson and John Ferm. Another important name was C. R. Carlson. These Swedes would be responsible for making a way for the establishing of Lindsborg, located in McPherson County. Members of this colony arrived in Lindsborg at different times in the month of June 1869, with their leader Pastor Olsson arriving on June 27th. Sources: Third generation Swedish Lutheran Smoky Valley Värmland descendant Bill Carlson's 2010 book, Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now; Ruth Billdt's 1965 book, Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas, and Dr. Emory Lindquist's 1953 book, Smoky Valley People, A History of Lindsborg, Kansas.

For Their 1869 Swedish Lutheran Galesburg Colony and Olsson Colony Smoky Valley Arrivals, ~ With a Galesburg account by Mr. Holmquist, go HERE.

THE "PIONEER CROSS" MEMORIAL
2022

In 1941, a white stone cross set into the summit of a northern Smoky Hill bluff near Salemsborg was established as a memorial to these Smoky Valley Swedes. The "Other Swedes" responsible for the Memorial were descendants Swedes: A Mr. Carl Lindholm and a Mr. Oberg, owner of the summit of nearby Assaria. Source: Fourth generation Swedish Lutheran Smoky Valley Småland descendent Thomas N. Holmquist's 1994 book, Pioneer Cross, Swedish Settlements Along the Smoky Hill Bluffs.

Go, HERE for The 1941 "Smoky Valley 'Pioneer Cross Memorial' "~ By Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist.

Example of transportation that
Lindsborg Founder, Pastor Olof Olsson,
was described to have used when he arrived in
Lindsborg on June 27, 1869

Source: "Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas" by Ruth Billdt

- their Legacy Listing through their -
Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Synod
(Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church)
(Augustana Synod)
(1860-1962)

AUGUSTANTA SYNOD

Lindsborg's first Church of 1869, College of 1881, and Home for the Aged of 1907 were part of this synod:

Bethany Church -- The church name, Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church, was adopted on August 19, 1869 when this church's application to join the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Synod, submitted by Pastor Olof Olsson, was accepted. (Source: Bror Carlsson's and Alf Brorson's 2001 He Gave God Glory, The Story of Olof Olsson, page 23)

Bethany College -- First, Bethany College was chartered by the State of Kansas in September 1882. It was dedicated by Founder Carl Aaron Swensson with Augustana Synod leaders presiding on October 4, 1882 [at the festive services around the Bethany Academy Building]. Bethany College was adopted as "the child" of the Augustana Synod in 1884 at the Kansas Conference at Mariadahl Lutheran Church. /\ Source: Emory Lindquist's 1975 book, Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college, Chapter 1, "Founding and Early Years, 1881 - 1991," pages 5-7)

/\ Note that the Augustana Lutheran Synod was the direct parent also to these other liberal arts' Lutheran colleges: the 1860 Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois; the 1862 Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota; the 1883 Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska; the defunct 1893 Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey; and the 1959 California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

Bethany College Graduates in World Missions -- As a college of the Augustana Synod, Bethany had many Lutheran graduates serving in ministry at home and abroad. (Source: Dr. Emory Lindquist's 1975, Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college, pages 256-257)

For the particulars on these Lutheran graduates serving in Augustana World Missions, go HERE.

Bethany Home for the Aged -- Bethany Home was "born in the bosom of the church" that was known as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America during the Kansas Conference of that Synod held at Marquette in 1907. (Source: The 1986 book, The Bethany Home Story, Lindsborg, Kansas, 1911-1986, page 2, column 2)

Go HERE, to learn more.

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The Jenny Lind Chapel, 1851 ~ referred to as the "mother church" of the Augustana Synod
Located in Andover, Illinois, it was founded by Rev. Lars Paul Esbjörn for Lutheran Swedes.
Renown international Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind donated $1,500 for its construction.

Photography: Courtesy of the Jenny Lind Chapel Museum

Listed below are the Swedish Lutheran pastors who served the Augustana Synod from its beginnings in 1860 to its end in 1962 when the Augustana Synod merged with other Lutheran synods to form the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) at which time it lost its Swedish identity forevermore!

- their Legacy listing -
The Augustana Synod Swedish Lutheran Pastors

1 Tuve Hasselquist 1860–1870, 2 Jonas Swensson 1870–1873, 3 Eric Norelius 1874–1881, 4 Erland Carlsson 1881–1888
5 Sven Peter August Lindahl 1888–1891, 6 P.J. Svärd 1891–1899, 7 Eric Norelius 1899–1911 8 L. A. Johnston 1911–1918
9 Gustaf Albert Brandelle 1918–1935, 10 Petrus Olaf Bersell 1935–1951, 11 Oscar A. Benson 1951–1959
12 Malvin H. Lundeen 1959–1962

For a background on the Synod, from 1860-1962, go HERE.

 - their Legacy Listing through -
Bethany Church
Bethany Lutheran Church
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church
Founded 1869

Source: Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas by Ruth Billdt, 1965

Pastors*

Lindquist's "Smoky Valley People" 87

Rev. Dr. Olof Olsson, SUG -- (1841-1900) -- Of Värmland, Sweden, he was the founder of Lindsborg, and founder and first pastor of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church (Bethany Church) for 7 years (1869-1876), at which time he joined the Augustana College faculty in Rock Island, Illinois, where he eventually became third president until his death in 1900; he was an Uppsala University graduate of Sweden, and, in 1893, was awarded by that institution an honorary degree as was also Bethany College founder and president Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, with a notation by this Swedish University that these two gentlemen were 'first time" Swedish Americans to ever receive these degrees.

Go HERE to begin one of 3 sections on Dr. Olsson.

Lindquist's "G.N. Malm," 164

Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, ACG & ATSG -- (1857-1904) -- Second pastor for 25 years (1879-1904); founder of the Swedish Bethany Lutheran Academy, later known as Bethany Lutheran College, then Bethany College; an Augustana College graduate and recipient of the Swedish Uppsala University honorary degree in 1893 as was Rev. Dr. Olof Olsson as noted above; in 1901, he was knighted by the Swedish Crown.+ His parents immigrated from Smalånd, Sweden.

Go HERE to begin one of 8 sections.

Rev. Dr. Swensson assistant pastors: Rev. Dr. Julius Lincoln, BCG -- (1872-1954) -- An assistant from 1893-1895; in 1930, he was knighted by the Swedish Crown,+ He was the son of Andrew Lincoln and Anna C. Johnson who were Swedish. Rev. Dr. Ernst Pihlblad, BCG -- (1873-1943) -- An assistant from 1896-1904 when he became Bethany College president; he was knighted in 1920 by the Swedish Crown.+ His parents were Swedish.

"Bethany Home Story" 17

Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin, GACG, ATSG -- (1866-1944) -- Third pastor for 38 years (1904-1942), Gustavus Adolphus College graduate; he was born in Vester Bitterna, Västergötland, Sweden. An historian and author, he was responsible for the compilation of two books written in the Swedish language, the one in 1909 was "Lindsborg, Bidrag Till Svenskarnas och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen" which would be translated by his daughter Ruth Bergin Billdt in 1965 to "Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas;" and the second in 1919 was "Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ӓr" which would be translated in 1969 by his daughter to "The Smoky Valley in The After Years."

Go HERE to begin one of 5 sections.

Secretary/Archivist

Charlotte Ternstrom -- (1933-2017) -- A graduate of Lindsborg Rural High School in 1951, she began her lifelong career as the Bethany Church secretary in that year, which lasted until 1999, totaling 48 years. In the early years, she developed a keen interest in local history and the preservation of such. As a result, she became the unofficial Bethany Church archivist of the church and community founding's' earliest documents, books, art, photographs, and artifacts.

- their Legacy Listing through -
Bethany College

Bethany College Gateway, 1917
- the "last" surviving structure of the original campus structures -
Construction of this was spearheaded by Lydia Sohlberg Deere, founder of the Bethany Campus Association of 1912.
Photography by Lydia Sohlberg Deere

Swedish Bethany College Lutheran Presidents*

Swensson Nelander Pihlblad Lindquist

Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, ACG & ATSG -- (1857 - 1904) -- Founder and 2nd President for 15 years (1889-1904), in 1901, he was knighted by the Swedish Crown+. Go HERE to begin the first section of 8 sections.

Rev. Edward Nelander, ACG -- (1855-1915) -- 1st President for 7 years (1882-1889). Go HERE for ~ Remembering "First" President of Bethany College ~ Accounts by Dr. Emory Lindquist and Dr. Leon Lundstrom.

Rev. Dr. Ernst Pihlblad, BCG -- (1973-1943) -- 3rd President for 37 years (1904-1941); in 1920, he was knighted by the Swedish Crown+. Go HERE to begin the first of 3 sections.

Dr. Emory Lindquist, BCG -- (1908-1992) -- Born in Lindsborg, 4th President for 12 years (1941-1953); in 1976, he was knighted by the Swedish Crown.+ He authored many books on the early Swedes living in Lindsborg and those professors teaching at Bethany College. Go HERE to begin the first of 5 sections on 5 of his books, in addition to many other sections interspersed in other sections throughout the book SWEDES.

Dr. Arvin W. Hahn -- (1923-2017) -- Of German descent, he was the 8th President for 16 years (1967-1983); in 1976, he was knighted by the Swedish Crown.+ Go HERE to begin the first of 2 sections.

Dr. Peter Ristuben -- (1933-1990) -- Of Norwegian descent, he was the 9th President for 7 years (1983-1990); in 1990, he was knighted by the Swedish Crown+ for his support and work in organizing a committee to prepare for the New Sweden 1988 binational Swedish American celebration of the 350th anniversary honoring the 1638 founding of New Sweden, located in the Delaware Valley in the region of Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Swedish American Bethany College Lutheran Graduates and Employees*
Served at Bethany College and Beyond

>> A "FIRST" Honored American Woman by Sweden

Jaderborg's "Lindsborg on Record"

Alma Luise Olson, BCG -- (1884-1964) -- Born near Lindsborg, a graduate of Bethany Academy in 1901, Bethany College in 1903 and University of Chicago, an international author of many books, a New York Times correspondent, an editor, lived in Stockholm, Sweden, pre World War II, for 10 years writing articles for the New York Times' from throughout Scandinavia and the Continent, a pacifist attending newly formed United Nations' first sessions, she would eventually return to her family home in Lindsborg where she would teach at Bethany College. In 1940, she was the "first" American woman honored by the Swedish Crown to receive the Vasa Medallion+.

To learn more on the life of this most extraordinary independent and highly educated woman from Lindsborg and Bethany College go to the stories by two former Lindsborg women researchers, historians and authors: HERE to ~ Remembering her as "First Honored American Woman by Sweden" ~ An account by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg,* and HERE to ~ Remembering her and the extraordinary life she led at home and abroad ~ An account by Ms. Karen A. Humphrey. Sources: Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg's "International Relations/ Liberated Woman from "Why Lindsborg;" and Ms. Karen A. Humphrey's Miss Alma Luise Olson for the "Swedish-American Historical Quarterly" article of 2019.

Arthur W. Lindquist, BCG -- (1903-1980) -- Was the "first" and only Bethany College Science Professor to be recognized by the Swedish Crown, in 1976 when the King of Sweden was visiting Lindsborg, receiving the Royal Order of the North Star+ He was born on a farm northeast of Lindsborg in 1903 and was destined to become an internationally renowned entomologist. After receiving his Bachelors Degree in Biology from Bethany, he continued with graduate studies at Kansas State University where he received a Masters Degree in Etymology. His life's work was to be at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C. where he began as a research worker in etymology and would compile an admirable record during his tenure there where he was awarded in 1961 with the USDA Distinguished Service Award. When he retired, he returned to Lindsborg and would served as a scientist-in-residence at Bethany College from 1964 until 1971. In and out of his career, he served and represented the United States on committees of the Atomic Energy Agency (AEA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the oldest organization of the United Nations, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) seminars related to agriculture. He received much recognition and rewards for his endeavors, including and from his alma mater a well-deserved in 1953 Honorary Doctorate Degree; and, in 1962, the Bethany College Alumni Award of Merit. During his retirement he made numerous trips overseas as a consultant in his area of expertise. Source: Dr. Leon Lungstrom's History on Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, pages 263-264.

Source: Mr. Karstadt

Bruce Karstadt, BCG -- He is a Bethany College graduate heading up a major Swedish American institution in the United States. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Swedish Institute (ASI) headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduating from Bethany College in 1973, he graduated with a Juris Doctors Degree in Law from Topeka's Washburn University School of Law in 1979. Returning to Bethany College, he held the positions of Legal Counsel and Executive Assistant to the President. In 1990, he joined ASI and has been honored in many ways due to the Institute's growth and global reach under his leadership and for his many ongoing contributions to Swedish and Swedish American endeavors. A most important honor he received was in 2014 when he was given the Swedish Insignia of the "Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander First Class" from the Swedish Crown+. To learn more about Mr. Karstadt and his Swedish and Swedish American connections and career, go HERE to Mr. Bruce Karstadt ~ Honoring him as a Bethany College graduate for heading up a major national Swedish American institution; and go HERE to see his name listed with "Lindsborg's 14" in this section: 1901-2014, The Bethany College Swedish Knights and Ladies ~ Honored by the Kings of Sweden. (Sources: Bethany Magazines, Lindsborg News-Record articles, other newspapers and online news from Minnesota.)

- their Legacy Listing through -
Bethany Home
since 1907
"Bethany Village"
since 2021

Source: The Bethany Home Story

Swedish Bethany Lutheran Home Pioneers*

Oscar Anderson -- Provided one-fifth of the seed funding for Bethany Home in 1907
Pastor Engstrand -- Suggested instead of an orphanage, the funds should go to the needy at the "Home for the Aged" (as the Home was called then) in 1907
Francis Johnson, BCG -- A key facilitator in establishing Bethany Home in 1907
Rev. Alfred Bergin, GACG, ATSG -- Chairman of the Bethany Home and Chaplain for 34 years (1910-1944)

To learn more, go HERE to Rev. Eugene K. Nelson and The Bethany Home Writers
~ Chronicling the beginnings of the Bethany Home of 1907 to 1986
(Source: "The Bethany Home Story")

* * *
- their Legacy Listing through -
The Bethany College Museum
1882-1966

Bethany College Natural History and Swedish Pioneer History Museum
in
Old Main
The collections were relocated to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum in 1966.

Lydia's Bethany Photography, 1906 - 1925

The College's 5,000 artifacts were added to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum's 500 in 1966.
600 mounted animals were from the Dr. Leon Lungstrom's Collection
300 from the "Udden Indian Collection"
900 the "Emil O. Deere Pioneer Collection." /\
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-- Quotes --
"The museum, largely the result of his [Deere's] efforts, has no peer among the mid-western Liberal Arts colleges.” 1
“After the move ... you will find one of the finest museums of this kind in the mid-west...” 2
"It has one of the most valuable collections in the State and contains items which have attracted national recognition." 3

1-1966, Bethany College Carl Swenson Deere Eulogy, 1990 History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College Lindsborg, Kansas, Dr. Leon Lungstrom
2-1976, McPherson County Old Mill Museum Director Tib Anderson, Wichita, Kansas, "Antique and Collectors Mart," Vol 1, Number 2, September 1976
3-1967 Smoky Valley Historical Association Sec. Elizabeth Jaderborg, 1967 Living in Lindsborg and Other Possibilities, "The Olsson Trail,"
Mrs. Jaderborg

Swede Dr. Leon Lungstrom
- Giving, among other facts, perhaps, the "only" personal first-hand account on the Bethany College Museum -

Swedes' Museum Collectors -- the never known first collectors
Johan August Udden, Dr. John Rundstrom, Professor Lindholm, Otto Hawkinson, George Sohlberg, Luther Dahlsten, A. Agrelius, Oscar Hubbard, Luther Swenson, Hugo Jacobson, David Bjorn, J. A. Anderson

Swedes' Museum Taxidermists -- the never known taxidermists
Emil O. Deere, Cornelius Larson, Leon Lungstrom, Earl Gottschalk

Taxidermy Class in Old Main with Dean and Professor Deere presiding
These taxidermy animals would become part of the Bethany College Museum

Lydia Sohlberg Deere Photograph

Swedes Bethany College Museum Scientists and Curators*

Udden Westland Welin Deere Lungstrom

Johan August Udden, ACG -- (1859-1932) -- Swedish born, "first" Bethany College professor in 1881 teaching in Bethany Lutheran Church sacristy all courses except Bible and religious fields, later classes would be held in the Velin Blacksmith Shop and the Old Schoolhouse which was newly renovated and later became known as the Bethany Academy Building. Here he would also teach physical Geology, Zoology and Botany and left Bethany in 1888. He was the founder of the Bethany College Museum and "1st" curator for 6 years, 1882-1888. Returning to his alma mater, Augustana College, where he taught until 1911, he was recognized by the Swedish Crown + for his distinguished service in the sciences receiving a Swedish Order, the name of which was not recorded. He was to become an internationally renowned geologist. From 1911 to his death in 1932, he began as a geologist and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and on its land of which, he discovered its "oil and gas" possibilities in 1916 "which resulted in additions to the University Permanent Fund in excess of three hundred million dollars [$300,000,000] and more to come as the university had not sold any part of this vast acreage."* Dr. Leon Lungstrom's 1990 "History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College and Lindsborg, Kansas, pages 59-68. Image: 1919/1969 "The Smoky Valley in the After Years" Plate I. Go HERE to Dr. Johan August Udden ~ "First" Bethany College professor, founder of Bethany College Museum and Spanish chain mail, lead UT to $300,000,000 ~ An account by Dr. Leon Lungstrom

Jacob Westlund, BCG -- ( ) -- Bethany College professor of the Natural Sciences and "2nd" Museum curator, for 3 years, 1888-1891.

Dr. John Eric Welin, BCG -- (1865-1941) -- Swedish born, Bethany College professor of geology, chemistry, physics and astronomy and "3rd" Museum curator for 17 years, 1891-1908; would become known as "the grand old man" of Bethany.

Dr. Emil O. Deere, BCG -- (1877-1966) -- Bethany College professor of biology, geology and"4th" and last Museum curator for 58 years, 1908-1966. He prepared, in detail, for the moving of the College Museum to the Old Mill Museum location. The inventory list prepared by college professors Dr. Glenn Bellah and Professor Christian Swenson revealed approximately 6,000 artifacts. 300 were from the "Udden Indian Collection" and 900 were from the "Emil O. Deere Pioneer Collection.
Go HERE to begin the first section of 10 sections on the Bethany College Musuem.

Dr. Leon George Lungstrom, BCG -- (1915-2000) -- Bethany College biology professor and Museum assistant curator to Dr. Deere and for moving the Bethany College Museum collections to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum in 1966. Took a lead in the move when Deere died and stayed on assisting the McPherson County Old Mill Museum in a variety of ways until the late 1980s. Recorded the College Museum history and Old Mill Museum 1966 historical move in the chapter "Museum" in his 1990's History of Natural History and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas.
Go HERE for the "Museum" chapter.

THOSE IN CHARGE OF MOVING THE COLLEGE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS TO THE McPHERSON COUNTY OLD MILL MUSEUM IN THE SUMMER OF 1966:

Bethany College President Dr. Kenneth Andeen; professors of biology Dr. Leon Lungstrom and Dr. Glenn Bellah; professor of history Jerry Shannon; professor of Physics Emeritus Christian Swenson; and Bethany graduate Sandzén Memorial Gallery Co-director artist Carl Peterson.

MOVING THE BETHANY COLLEGE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS TO THE OLD MILL MUSEUM
1966
Photos from Bethanian 1966 and 1967
THE PLANNER
Deere

THE MOVERS

Andeen Lungstrom Bellah Shannon Swenson Peterson

* * *
The Arts

*
- their Legacy Listing through their –
~ Swedish and Swedish American cultural sustainability endeavors ~

Literature and Language

Writing

The "only" and most comprehensive book on Bethany College by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist.

Swedes' Books, Publications, Articles from "The Smoky Valley Writers"**
Chris Abercrombie, BCG --  (1949-2017) for SVHA ongoing newsletter Smoky Valley stories, Vår Historia
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin, ATSG --  (1866-1944)
Ruth Bergin Billdt, BCG --  (1897-1976)
Alf Brorson, SUG (of Torsby, Sweden)
Bill Carlson, BCG --  (1930-2018)
Rev. Bror Carlsson SUG (of Torsby, Sweden)
Margaret Dahlquist Eddy, ABC --  (1928-2017)
Thomas N. Holmquist, BCG
Karen A. Humphrey -- University of Minnesota, MN
Elizabeth Jaderborg -- (1918-2016) -- Keene State Teachers College, NH
Dr. Emory K. Lindquist, BCG -- (1908-1992)
Dr. Leon George Lundstrom, BCG -- (1915-2000)
Rev. Eugene K. Nelson, BCG (1914-2001)
   & The Bethany Home Writers
Anna Olsson (1866-1946)
A. John Pearson, GAC
Kenneth Sjogren, BCG -- (1935-2022)
Tim Stewart, since 2017 for SVHA ongoing newsletter Smoky Valley stories, Vår Historia
Rev. Dr. Carl Arron Swensson, ACG --  (1857-1904)
To learn more, go HERE to ~ Celebrating Them ~ The Smoky Valley Writers

Translating

Smoky Valley's First Book

Swedes Translating Swedish to English*

Ruth Bergin Billdt, BCG,-- (1897-1976) -- for the 1909 Lindsborg, Bidrag Till Svenskarnas och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen by her father Rev. Alfred Bergin, translated it to the 1965 Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas.
Ruth Bergin Billdt, BCG, -- (1897-1976) -- for the 1919 "Lindsborg Efter Femtio Ӓr” by her father Rev. Alfred Bergin, translated it to the 1969 "The Smoky Valley in The After Years."
Alma Luise Olson, BCG, -- (1884-1964) -- used in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, in New York City, Lindsborg and at Bethany College.
Rev. Martin Ringstrom, SUG, -- (1908-2009) -- for the 1955 Jag Sökte Icke Mitt (I Did Not Seek My Own) translated to the 1984, He Gave God Glory by Bror Carlsson.
Martha Winblad (1908-1981) for the 1978 Anna Olsson, A Child of the Prairie, by Anna Olsson (1866-1946), daughter of Lindsborg and Bethany Church founder Pastor Olof Olsson.
Dr. Leon Lungstrom, BCG, -- (1915-2000) -- for Lindsborg residents’ old letters from Swedish relatives.
Dorothy Esping, BCG, -- (1914-2010) -- for community projects
Maj-Britt Hawk, BCG - for community projects
Gretchen Esping, BCG - for community projects

Teaching

Swedes Teaching Swedish*
Alma Luise Olson, BCG -- (1884-1964)
Dr. Leon Lungstrom, BCG -- (1915-2000)
Maj-Britt Hawk, BCG
Gretchen Esping BCG

*
- their Legacy Listing through their -
~ Swedish and Swedish American cultural sustainability endeavors ~

Music & the Messiah

Ling Auditorium / In Memorium . Swensson

Messiah Festival of the Arts
The 1882 Messiah, the 1899 Midwest Art Exhibition, the 1929 St. Matthew Passion

Lindsborg's Bethany Lutheran Church residents have been singing George Frideric Handel's (1685–1759) Messiah since 1881, the birth year of Bethany College, and performing it annually during Holy Easter Week since 1882, when it and other protestant church denominations joined in, which would in time form choruses as large as 400 to 500 singers that were led by college professor conductors at the Messiah Auditorium also called Ling Auditorium which had a seating capacity of 4,000. This, in the earlier days, attracted countless opera singers and musicians from Europe and San Francisco, Chicago and New York City to perform in it, while attracting thousands of faithful patrons, who were inspired by it, with the press reporting about it.

It was in 1899 that the first Swedish Artists' Art Exhibition was held during Easter Week too. Today, this is called the Annual Midwest Art Exhibition and is held at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery. To learn more, go HERE to Their “1899 on . . .” Bethany College “Swedish Artists’ Midwest Art Exhibition” ~ An account by the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery.

The combination of the Messiah performances and the art exhibition came to be known as the "Messiah Festival of the Arts" which has always occurred from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

Yet, one more crucial oratorio performance was added to complete this Holy Easter Week of the Festival. This was by conductor Hagbard Brase and the oratorio was that by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), The Passion of our Lord According to St. Matthew aka St. Matthew Passion, which debuted on Good Friday in 1925. Just four years later, Dr. Brase composed a new rendition for a Good Friday performance on March 29, 1929, specifically for the dedication of a new auditorium that was to replace the larger Ling Auditorium. This was Presser Hall which had seating capacity of about 1,800.  (Dr. Brase's debut of his new rendition coincided exactly with the 200th anniversary of Bach's debut at St. Thomas' Church, in Leipzig, Germany, where this great composer conducted it on Good Friday in 1729).

Since these earliest times of the Festival, Lindsborg and Bethany College have given birth to other art exhibitions and many concerts between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.  As of December 31, 2021, the Lindsborg Bethany College Messiah performances will have continued to be the longest annual running “Messiah” performances in North America. /\ /\/\

For more information on the oratorios of Handel and Bach go HERE to Handel's "Messiah" & Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" ~ Described for viewers unfamiliar with these oratorios.

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Swedes in Music and in the Messiah Oratorio Society*

Earliest History
Late 19th to 20th Century
including
~ European and Juilliard Schooled Music Professors at Bethany ~

Lindquist's "Smoky Valley People," 87

Rev. Dr. Olof Olsson, SUG -- (1841-1900) -- Emigrating from Värmland, Sweden, as the founder of Lindsborg and the founder and first pastor of Lindsborg's Bethany Lutheran Church, he was the "first" to bring sacred classical music into the Kansas Smoky Valley in December of 1869. The year 1877 found he and his family leaving Lindsborg to eventually join the Augustana College and Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois, to become a professor of theology. (Augustana was founded in 1860. It was to become a sister Lutheran college to Bethany College after its founding in 1881. Olson would become Augustana College's third president.) In 1879, after he witnessed the inspirational George Frederick Handel's Messiah performance in London, Dr. Olsson was determined that Augustana College would perform it. This, then, became a reality on April 11, 1881, at Augustana College and an annual tradition since that time. Also, in the spring of that year, the Messiah was performed once again at the First Congregational Church in Moline, Illinois, when Lindsborg's Bethany Church's second pastor and Bethany College founder Rev. Carl Aaron Swensson was in the audience. He, like Rev. Olsson, was just as determined to have the Messiah performed in Lindsborg. With his wife Alma heading up this endeavor, the first performance by the Bethany Church choir, with members of her sister Lutheran Smoky Valley church choirs as well as including other denominations, made up the Messiah Chorus for the first performance on March 28, 1882. Since that year, there have been performances annually. /\/\

Of the 5 sections on the early history of the Lindsborg Bethany College Messiah performances, go HERE first to Olsson's Influence, the Swenssons,' Musicians,' and Singers,' "Messiah" -- 1882 on …

>> The "First Lady" of Lindsborg

"Forget -Me-Not," 96

Alma Christina Lind-Swensson -- (1859 - 1939) -- She was born in Broddarp, Västergötland, Sweden, and was an Illinois' Moline High School graduate. As a 12 year-old, she had first been hired as an organist for the Swedish Lutheran Church in Moline, Illinois, from 1871 through 1879. She was truly gifted as an organist -- it seems, a talent that she picked up and or played by ear!! And she was the "first and "only" woman conductor for the rehearsals for the 1882 Bethany Church Messiah and the conductor for the performance in 1883. Guided by husband Rev. Carl Aaron Swensson’s 1881 vision and with their collaboration, she became the Messiah performances’ organizer, rehearsals' conductor, and soloist. Later, she became the Bethany College music instructor and was the Bethany Church organist for 40 years. (She cofounded the far-reaching, nationally and internationally, Augustana Women's Missionary Society in 1892. At the Bethany Church parsonage, for her husband, Rev. Swensson, she was a gracious hostess to a variety of constant visitors, from church members and Augustana Synod pastors, to farmers, students, professors, businessmen and politicians, to Swedish dignitaries; yet always keeping a calm and welcoming countenance and presence while entertaining and preparing Swedish meals for them.) # /\/\ [Historically, she was never referred to as "the First Lady" of Lindsborg. I adopted that name for her as I learned her story and "debuted it" in SWEDES. --fc]

To learn more, go HERE to Mrs. Alma Christina Lind Swensson ~ Remembering her as Mrs. Rev. Dr. Swensson, the “First Lady” of Lindsborg ~ "Highlights" from Ms. Karen A. Humphrey’s book

>> A Messiah "FIRST" in 1899, Italian opera singer Eloise Vitti from Milan, Italy, performed in the Lindsborg Messiah

>> A Messiah "FIRST" in 1900, was America's Ladies Home Journal 'story, Singing "The Messiah" on the Plains

Lindquist's "G. N. Malm," 163

Samuel Thorstenberg, BCG, SUG -- (1871-1938) -- A brilliant and gifted bass soloist and conductor, after graduating from Bethany, he would continue his music studies in Stockholm, England and New York City. As the Bethany College Oratorio Society Messiah conductor for 11 years from 1898-1909, the Messiah chorus grew from 343 to more than 500. For the "first" time ever, in his second year as conductor, in 1899 an international opera singer would grace the stage of the Messiah Auditorium. Her name was Eloise Vitti arriving from Milan, Italy. She would be followed by countless other national and international opera singers and the audiences would grow into the thousands. In 1901 from November 10 to 13 conductor Thorstenberg created special Oratorio Society performances for King Oscar II of Sweden's Emissary, Bishop and Lady Von Scheele, for the great celebration of the Bethany College Twentieth Year Founding Anniversary. The year before in 1900, for the first time ever, an American magazine, the Ladies Home Journal, introduced to the cultured social circles of the East the Lindsborg Bethany College Messiah Festival and its Swedish American culture in the article, Singing "The Messiah" on the Plains by Charles M. Harger, part of which stated,
". . . 'The Messiah' by the Swedish colony at Lindsborg, in Central Kansas, is each spring one of the interesting events of the West. A musical festival that out on the comparatively sparsely settled prairies can bring together ten thousand people during Holy Week, many of them coming two hundred miles, must be excellent indeed. . . . "

Go HERE, to learn more on Conductor Thorstenberg and on these most exciting early Messiah performances! /\/\

Lindquist's "Hagbard Brase," 40

Hagbard Brase, SUG -- (1877-1953) -- Born in Råda parish, Västergötland province, Sweden, his father was a Lutheran pastor. He studied at Sweden's College of Skara, Stockholm's Royal Conservatory of Music and in Germany before coming to Bethany College where he was a professor of organ, harmony, and composition.  Brase would found the college's capella choir which was to become nationally recognized. He also initiated travel by train of the Oratorio Society to audiences in the thousands located in Kansas City, Missouri, Oklahoma City and Fort Riley, Kansas. He was the most famous Bethany College Oratorio Society Messiah conductor for 31 years, 1915-1946. He retired from Bethany College after 53 years, 1900-1953.  During his tenure, the Messiah performances continued to be recognized by cultured societies nationally and internationally, which continued to attract thousands of patrons, international opera singers and acclaimed instrumentalist to Lindsborg's Bethany College Messiah Auditorium. Then, for the debut of the new Presser Hall Auditorium in 1929, Conductor Brase presented his new rendition of Johann Sebastian Bach's (1685-1750) The Passion of our Lord According to St. Matthew (St. Matthew Passion), that continues to be performed annually. During Conductor Brase's tenure, two most unique Messiah Easter performances took place. These were when the Philharmonic Society of New York Orchestra and Conductor Josef Stransky visited Lindsborg on April 23, 1916; following in March of 1927, with the performance for Prince Wilhelm of Sweden guest of honor to preside over the Presser Hall groundbreaking ceremony. That performance was so moving to Prince Wilhelm that he wrote an article which would appear in the February 1928 American-Scandinavian Review titled "Swedish Oasis."    Brase was a close personal friend of renown-to-be Swedish Artist Birger Sandzén, and, because of that friendship, one will find in the Lindsborg Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery a gallery room named in his honor.
In 1947, Conductor Brase was knighted by the Swedish Crown for sharing musical culture with the world.  To honor him as well, Dr. Emory Lindquist authored his 1984 "HAGBARD BRASE: Beloved Music Master" after his 1975 Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college where you will find these kind words: "Upon Brase's retirement in 1946 as conductor, a well-known music critic observed that one of the last of the finest type of European music masters in America had raised his baton for the last time."

Go HERE, to learn more on Conductor Brase and on these most exciting early Messiah performances!  /\

1975 "Bethany In Kansas" Pg 150

Oscar Lofgren, BCG -- (1876-1948) -- His greatest distinction was serving Bethany College as the "first" Dean of the College of Fine Arts for 30 years, from 1918-1948 [Grave marker: 1919-1949]. With this position, he would provide effective leadership in curriculum development and accreditation. He also was the professor of music and piano for 48 years, from 1900 to 1948. His postgraduate studies would be with fine American and German instructors. He had many loyal private students. He is remembered as being an outstanding Kansas leader in the arts and served in important offices of trust throughout Kansas. /\ /\ At one time he was president-elect and director of the Bethany Conservatory. ####

"Kansas City Times" 5 27 1954

Oscar Thorsen, SUG, BCG -- (1881-1968) -- A Bethany College professor of piano for 54 years, 1901-1955, he was regarded as a fine performer and "a person of broad and deep culture." His gift of Swedish European hospitality preceded him and it all centered at his Lindsborg second floor apartment/studio, the venue for hundreds of recitals and social functions. He was a lover of music, art and European travel. He was a close personal friend of renown-to-be Swedish Artist Birger Sandzén, and, because of that friendship, one will find in the Lindsborg Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery a gallery room named in his honor. Thorsen was born in Sweden. He studied music in Sweden including at Karlstad, specializing in piano studies. He also studied with renown teachers in Germany and in the United States. /\ /\ [I wish I had more time to write about Mr. Thorsen, as he seems to have led a very fascinating life in Lindsborg and Europe. --fc]

"Kansas City Times" 5 27 1954

Thure Jaderborg, BCG -- (1877-1954) -- Bethany College professor of voice for 52 years, 1902-1954, was Oratorio Society Messiah base soloist for many years with good press reviews and a public following. He studied voice extensively in New York City after graduating from Bethany. He had a large number of students who would become professional musicians. /\/\

Go HERE to Professor Thure Olof Jaderborg, Sr.~ One Lindsborg "Messiah" Commitment from 1901-1954 This is the Dr. Einar Jaderborg interview with the Lindsborg News-Record on this most distinguished and brilliant Bethany College Voice Professor of over 50 years.

Swedes in Music and in the Messiah Oratorio Society*

Later History
20th to 21st Century
including
~ European and Juilliard Schooled Music Professors at Bethany ~

>> 1981, Celebrating the Bethany College Centennial and the Messiah Performance Centennial televised worldwide

Copley Dahlsten Thorstenberg Higbee Lowe

Dr. Elmer Copley, ACG -- (1925-1991) --"Conductor" for the Oratorio Society of Bethany College Centennial 1981 Messiah performance which for the "first" time was hosted by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service.) Jim Lehrer and was televised around the world and was viewed by 25 million. Earlier in 1976, he and the Oratorio Society performed selections of the Messiah for the King of Sweden when His Majesty visited Lindsborg.

Dr. Lambert Dahlsten, BCG -- (1911-1989) -- "Organist" for Oratorio Society Bethany College Centennial 1981 Messiah performance; Bethany College professor of piano and organ; Oratorio Society Messiah organist for 38 years; he was a Columbia University graduate with studies at University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Juilliard School of Music, and Stockholm's Royal College of Music with Sweden's renown Gotthard Arnér. <> BMs

Roger Thorstenberg, BCG -- (1927-2016) -- "Trumpet Soloist" for Oratorio Society Bethany College Centennial 1981 Messiah performance; Bethany College professor of brass instruments and theory, chairman of music; performed annually at the Messiah as the "Trumpet Soloist" whose most gifted talent was also shared with the United States Navy Band, the Army 4th Infantry Division Band, the Seventh Army Symphony, the Arlington Symphony, the Denver Municipal Band and the Detroit Concert Band. The love of his profession and the use of his gift and where it took him and how he used it has been highly detailed Here by a loving family member and should not be missed by Bethany students and alumni, especially those who knew him or of him! <>

Dr. David J. Higbee -- "Orchestra Conductor" for Oratorio Society Bethany College Centennial 1981 Messiah performance; Bethany College associate professor of music, conductor of Bethany Community Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra and Stage Band; a University of Colorado graduate with studies at the University of Michigan and University of Denver <>

T. David Lowe -- "Concertmaster" for Bethany College Centennial 1981 Messiah performance, Bethany College associate professor of music; studies and degrees from Juilliard School of Music, Columbia University and University of Colorado; was a violist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra an the United States Air Force Academy Strings <>

Source for the above photographs are from the 1981 "Messiah Centennial" Delta Record Album Cover

More on Dr. Elmer Copley: Of Irish descent, Dr. Copley's tenure at Bethany was from 1960 to 1988. He held the positions of professor of voice, director of the college choir, and conductor and festival music director. He initiated "choir tours" that traveled around the country and in Europe; and with Mrs. Copley, a Swede and gifted musician, they cofounded the annual "Hour of Christmas." Both graduates from the Lutheran Rock Island, Illinois, Augustana College, the couple then moved to New York City for Dr. Copley, a professional tenor singer, to study voice at Juilliard School of Music from 1952 to 1953, when they returned to Augustana to begin their musical teaching and performing careers. She was the pianist for the Augustana choirs, and he was the Augustana Seminary Chorus conductor and assistant to his former professor, conductor Dr. Henry Veld, who would become one of the country's greatest conductors of their time. In 1960, due to a needed emergency Oratorio Society conductor replacement at Bethany College (a sister Swedish Lutheran college of Augustana), Dr. Copley accepted the invitation to filled the position, which would last until the year of 1988. In 1962 from the University of Colorado, he received the Master of Music Degree; and, in 1976 from the University of Iowa, he received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance that included his scholarly treatise on the Lindsborg Bethany College Messiah Festival history. From the State of Kansas, he received for the Bethany College Oratorio Society a "first time' ever award, the Kansas Governor's Arts Award for Performing Arts, and from Bethany College the prestigious "Pierson Distinguished Professor of Music" award. Due to their deep commitment and contributions to the music and Messiah Festival traditions of Bethany College, Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Copley were honored posthumously with the dedication of the Presser Hall "Copley Stage" in 2016.

To learn more, go HERE: to Dr. & Mrs. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering them and their 29 years of dedication to that Bethany College "Messiah" tradition of excellence.
<> BMs * Bethany Magazine, Spring 1988, pages 4-5, ##. Source also from Mr. Copley's daughter Ms. Rebecca Copley.

>> The "Leading Lady" of the Dr. Elmer Copley Messiah performances' era, 1960-1988

"Bethany Magazine," Spring 1988

Mrs. Ruth Marie Anderson Copley, ACG -- (1924-2001) -- A woman of deep abiding faith and dear wife of Dr. Elmer Copley, she would prove to be an irreplaceable resource, partner, and colleague to her husband, as they worked closely together during his tenure at Bethany. She was also a dedicated mother to their daughter Rebecca, and would also play the role of "mom" to countless students on the Bethany College campus and on extended college choir tours. She became a key member of the Bethany College Oratorio Society, especially when it came to the Easter Holy Week Messiah Festival, serving as pianist for the guest soloists and becoming a hostess to them in the Copley home while preparing and serving Swedish traditional meals. For the annual "An Hour of Christmas" that she and her husband cofounded, she served as the organist. For many years she also served as the Music Department secretary and, intermittently, as a music faculty member teaching keyboard studies. As an Augustana College graduate, like her husband, she also continued her studies which found her studying organ with leading American concert organist and teacher Katherine Crozier Gleason at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She became a member of the music faculty at Augustana College as pianist for the choirs there after graduate school. When she arrived at Bethany with her husband in 1960, she was on her way of becoming an accomplished and acclaimed pianist from having performed in major American concert halls, some of which would be Boston's Symphony Hall, New York City's Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, and Washington's Constitution Hall. As an acclaimed organist, throughout her life (actually she began playing prolifically at age 9), she would serve as organist at eight Lutheran churches found in Illinois, Minneapolis and Kansas. Due to their deep commitments and contributions to the music and Messiah Festival traditions of Bethany College, Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Copley were honored posthumously with the dedication of the Presser Hall "Copley Stage" in 2016.

To learn more, go HERE to Dr. & Mrs. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering them and their 29 years of dedication to that Bethany College "Messiah" tradition of excellence.
<> BMs * Bethany Magazine, Spring 1988, pages 4-5, ##. Sources also from Mrs. Copley's obituary and daughter Ms. Rebecca Copley.

>> A Messiah "FIRST" in 1988, introducing Bethany College graduate "International Concert and Opera Soprano"

"Bethany Magazine," Spring 1988

Ms. Rebecca Copley, BCG -- Gifted with an exceptional voice, born to sing, she became Bethany College’s "first" graduate to become an international concert and opera soprano, and, as such, to perform as visiting soprano soloist in the Oratorio Society Messiah and Saint Matthew Passion performances during the Holy Easter Week of 1988. Ms. Copley, born in Moline, Illinois, grew up learning all things musical from her parents, musical graduates from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, that found them from 1952 to 1953 at Juilliard School of Music for her father, a professional tenor singer, to study voice and where Ms. Copley took her first steps at age one. They then returned to Augustana College where her parents began musical careers until 1960 when her father was invited to Bethany College to become the conductor of the Oratorio Society and to teach. As a Bethany College graduate of 1974 receiving a Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Music, Ms. Copley continued her studies in New York City, at the University of Colorado and the University of Texas, studying under former renown international opera singers. Her life as an international opera soprano took off in 1987, when she starred as Desdemona in the New Jersey State Opera production of Otello. This was quickly followed with her debut in the same year in Verdi's Requiem with the Paris Opera, and other operas and symphonic performances elsewhere. Thus, this began her career as being applauded as “one of America’s most gifted vocalists" which led her to perform on five continents in a variety of leading lady operatic roles and in orchestral works for innumerable orchestras, working with world renown conductors. In 1992, Bethany College awarded her with the Gold Award for Achievement, a "first" of its kind of award. In 2004, she was honored as "Musician of the Year" from the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs. In 2016, she was especially honored to sing at the dedication of the Presser Hall "Copley Stage" honoring her parents posthumously who spent much of their professional lives on that stage, as they were deeply committed to carrying on the Messiah tradition and the excellent teaching that characterized so well those Oratorio Society Messiah and Saint Matthew Passion performances.

Detailed aspects of her spectacular career can be found HERE, taking you to Ms. Rebecca Copley ~ Honoring her as Bethany College's “first” graduate to become an "International Concert and Opera Soprano."

>> A Messiah "FIRST" in 1997, Messiah performance at New York City's Carnegie Hall

Dr. Joel Panciera -- "Conductor" for the historic Bethany College Oratorio Society Messiah performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 7, 1997. It was to be the "last" of such great 20th century Messiah public performances -- characterized so, by early history, when thousands of Messiah patrons flocked to Lindsborg's Bethany College to hear this most sacred music. Dr. Panciera was at Bethany College from 1996 to 1999 serving as Assistant Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Department, Conductor of the College Choir and Oratorio Society. He received a Bachelor's Degree of Music in Organ Performance from Oberlin College, a Master's Degree of Music in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College, and a Doctorate's Degree in Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Oklahoma. He also spent a year of private study at Cambridge University, England. ##, BMs

>> A Messiah "FIRST" in 2020, a live streaming Messiah performance

Dr. Lucas, Martin Luther's Castle Church, Leipzig, Germany, 2018

Dr. Mark Lucas, BCG -- While following faithfully in the footsteps of these former conductors of excellence, his determination that "the show would go on" during the 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic may be looked upon as one of his greatest contributions to the Bethany College Oratorio Society tradition of its Messiah Festival performances! For the "first" live streaming of an annual Messiah performance was under his baton during these Pandemic years which saved these annual performances from skipping a year since they began in 1882. In Lindsborg, Dr. Lucas began participating in the Messiah performances in high school and then at Bethany where he would receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education in 1994; and, there, he became well-versed in the history of the Messiah and Saint Matthew Passion performance traditions. A published and tenured professor in music education and choral activities from the University of Oklahoma (OU) at Norman, Oklahoma, Dr. Lucas returned to his alma mater to begin his career in 2013, thus becoming the twenty-eighth Bethany College Oratorio Society Conductor for the Messiah Festival, of which he is the Artistic Director. He is also Associate Professor of Music, the conductor of the Bethany College Choir and the Bethany College Chamber Ensemble, serves as the Director of the Oratorio Society and Choral Activities, and serves as Co-chairman of the Music Department. As well, he teaches voice, conducting and music education courses. At OU, Dr. Lucas earned a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting in 1999, and, later in 2007 from OU, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree with his dissertation on "Adolescent Males’ Motivation to Enroll or Not Enroll in Choir." In 2015, he traveled to Kyoto, Japan, where he presented portions of his dissertation at the Poster Session of the International Symposium on "Performance Science." In that same year, he introduced Bethany College to its first "Real Men Sing Festival" that has become an annual festival where in 2020, just before the Pandemic hit, he conducted an impressive chorus of 800 students gathered, from grades five through twelve, performing in Presser Hall. The quality of his oratorio performances truly touches the hearts of his known audiences in the Kansas Smoky Valley and from coast to coast! While sharing this college Messiah Festival history with his students, he continues to groom them and others for the Oratorio Society experience which continues to produce Messiah and Saint Matthew Passion performances of excellence! This was so apparent before the Pandemic when one COMPARES Dr. Lucas's Easter Sunday 2015 Society Presser Hall performance of Handel's Messiah's "Worthy is the Lamb" and "Amen" chorus Here with London's 2020 Good Friday Royal Choral Society Royal Albert Hall performance Here, and with Salt Lake City's April 7, 2014, Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Here! Before joining the Bethany faculty, Dr. Lucas made three significant conducting and student-related tours to Europe. These were in 2004 covering 7 countries in 17 days, in 2010 in Austria for the renown Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt for 12 days, and in the beautiful South of France in 2011 at 7 impressive venues. His first European tour for his Bethany students who were members of the Bethany College Choir and the Bethany College Handbell Ensemble was in May of 2018. The tour was to Germany, the home of Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformation, and classical composers such as George Frideric Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach, Richard Wagner, and Felix Mendelssohn; and, then it was off, to Sweden, the home of the Lindsborg Swedes' antecedents and the places from where they immigrated. In both these countries, they performed at various Lutheran churches, so important to the Swedish Lutheran heritage of their college with the special oratorios of Handel and Bach they know so well. Once the Pandemic is under control for easier travel, there is no doubt that Dr. Lucas will continue to promote such performance tours in Europe as well as those in the States. Yet, he will continue to bring "in person" and through "live streaming" the magnificent performances of the Bethany College Oratorio Society from its "new" world stage to a "new" world audience! For more details, go HERE to Dr. Mark Lucas ~ Messiah conductor bringing the Lindsborg “Oberammergau of the Plains" to a "new" world audience. ###

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SOURCES for "Music and the Messiah":
/\   Dr. Emory Lindquist's 1984, Hagbard Brase: Beloved Music Master, page 164
/\/\   Bethany College faculty information is from Emory Lindquist's 1975 book, Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college, pages 135-150, 163-164.
<> The "Centennial Edition: Choruses from Handel's Messiah" record album by Delta Records, 1981
#   Ms. Karen Humphrey's 2012 Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing -- The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story
## Online information
###   Online "Biography-- Mark Lucas"
#### Kansas Historical Society
BMs Bethany Magazines

*
- their Legacy Listing through their -
~ Swedish and Swedish American culture sustainability endeavors ~

Painting

~ European Schooled Art Professors at Bethany College ~

Swedes in Painting* /\

The Art Instructors
First artists affiliated with Bethany College

>> The "First" Women Art Instructors, and their years teaching art

Miss Lucy Osgood, 1890-1891; Mrs. Hannah Swensson & Mrs. Marie Swensson, 1891-1892; Miss Addie Covell, 1892-1893 /\
(All could very well be BCGs.)

>> The "First" Men Art Instructors, and their years teaching art

Augustana College Archives

Olof Grafström, SUG -- 1893-1897 -- (1855-1933) A Stockholm Academy of Fine Arts graduate, studying with renown-to-be artist Anders Zorn, he was a celebrated portrait, landscape and riverscape artist of the American Northwest when he arrived at Bethany College in 1893 until 1897 when he became an Augustana College art professor specializing in "altar art" for the Augustana Synod Churches of which he produced about 200 paintings for Lutheran churches across America. /\ (Altar paintings number source: Online: Swedish Roots in Oregon, An Immigration Research Project)

Wikipedia: Jesse L. Nusbaum, Carl Lotave, ca. 1910, Palace of the Governors Photo Archives, New Mexico History Museum, Santa Fe

Carl Lotavé, SUG -- 1897-1899 -- (1872-1924) A Stockholm Academy of Fine Arts graduate, studying with renown-to-be artist Anders Zorn, then studied art in Paris for two years, he was renown in Europe and New York for painting European royalty and famous persons, he arrived as the Bethany College art professor in 1897 and in 1899 left to paint Native American scenes of the American West for the Smithsonian Institution, finishing his career in New York City painting famous World War I American Generals; he was a close personal friend of Sandzén's, a fellow art student while in Stockholm /\

1993 "Birger Sandzen, An Illustrated Biography" Pg. 19

Sven Birger Sandzén, SUG -- 1899-1946 -- (1871-1954) -- He was born in Blidsberg, Sweden, in 1871 and died in Lindsborg in 1954. His father was a Lutheran minister and his mother a water colorist. He studied art under artist Anders Zorn and Richard Berg in Stockholm, and Edmond François Aman-Jean in Paris before pursuing his Bethany College career in 1894, first as a professor of voice and language, and, then, as a professor of art culminating with the founding of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg in 1957 by his daughter and son-in-law, Margaret Elizabeth Sandzén Greenough and Pelham Charles Greenough III.  In 1901, he was knighted during the reign of King Oscar II, receiving the "Order of Vasa," and in 1940, he was knighted again, receiving the "Order of the North Star" during the reign of Gustaf VI Adolf.        During his lifetime, Gallery curator Mrs. Cori North reports that he produced "at least 2,700 oils, probably half as many water colors, and 328 print designs in lithography, dry point, and blockprinting." Further, she reports that "Art historian and author of the three-volume Art Across America William Gerdts has firmly asserted Birger Sandzén's historical significance, writing, 'The artist should be recognized . . . as a significant figure in the development of modernism in America in the early decades of the twentieth century. He was a painter whose perceptions of the power and dynamics of color ally him with those other Americans who have rightly been recognized as leaders in the introduction of post-impressionism in America.' "

To view his 10 section links, go  HERE to: Artist Birger Sandzén ~ Remembering him for "sharing his art with the world," starting "first" at Lindsborg's Bethany College.  To view the section on the beginnings of Bethany College art classes, go Here to Swensson's Swedish Artists of the 1890s.

/\ Bethany College faculty information is from Emory Lindquist's 1975 book,  Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college, pages 175-185; also from Lindquist's 1993 Birger Sandzén: An Illustrated Biography. and Cori North Curator

Some Advanced Art Students of Professor Sandzén's

Nils Anton Pearson, BCG -- (1892-1967) -- In 1915, he became a student of Bethany College Swedish Professor Birger Sandzén, who would become his mentor, close friend and, at times, Kansas landscape painting partner. By 1918, he was exhibiting his paintings locally and regionally. His love of travel in 1922, found him taking a four month trip around the country just to paint it. 3,600 miles later, he returned to Lindsborg with nearly 200 paintings. However, his gift in woodcarving, a craft that he started as a child in Sweden, is the legacy that has followed him into the next two generations. For more on this that includes his artistic son-in-law Norman Malm and his grandson Jim Malm, scroll down to the category "Swedes in Folk Art Woodcarving" just below "Swedish Folklife Cultural Heritage Individual Endeavors." There you will find: Anton Pearson -- (1892-1967), Norman Malm (1928-2011) and Jim Malm.
(Source: From the website, Swedish American Woodcarvers of Lindsborg.)
* The information on Anton Pearson and the Swedish American Woodcarvers of Lindsborg have been shown to Mr. Jim Malm for approval as of June 4, 2021.

Wikipedia: Unknown source

Oscar Brousse Jacobson, BCG -- (1882-1966) -- He was born in Vastervik, Sweden, in 1882, and moved with his parents to Lindsborg when he was 8. He was an art student of Birger Sandzén graduating from Bethany in 1908, and graduating again as a Sandzén student with a Doctorate in Fine Arts following his studies in France at the Louvre in Paris, and in the Scandinavian countries of Denmark and Sweden, and at Yale University in 1916 where he received a Master of Fine Arts Degree. His career in art began as the Director of Norman, Oklahoma's University of Oklahoma’s Art School in 1915 that lasted until 1954 where he envisioned an art museum which was to become the Fred Jones Jr. Museum. While there, he was to become a renowned artist of the Southwest and the "first" artist in the United States to define American Indian art as "Fine Art" as he mentored the Kiowa Six artists which would result with the established Jacobson House Native American Art Center in Norman. Go HERE to learn more on Artist Oscar Brousse Jacobson.

Source: Bing.com Images

Oscar Gunnarson, BCG -- (1884-1962) -- Born in Lindsborg, Kansas, this talented and productive artist graduated from Bethany in 1906 as a Birger Sandzén student. Of high merit and fine quality, his oil and water color paintings were noted for their snowy winter landscapes and stone houses and buildings built by the once Kansas Smoky Valley Swedish immigrant pioneers of Lindsborg. He was a key artist and colleague in the operation of the Malm Bros & Co. Lindsborg, Kansas, Malm Hand-Cut Stencils first created by G. N. Malm, who signed a deal with the Detroit located Acme White Lead and Color Works who had merged with Sherwin-Williams in 1913. As well, Gunnarson became well known for his miniature concrete sculptures of local notables. For more on that, scroll down to A Swede in Concrete Sculptures: "Oscar Gunnarson's Miniature Concrete Sculptures" - making headlines -
Source: Dr. Emory Lindquist 1989 G. N. Malm, a Swedish immigrant's varied career, page 23-25

Cochran O'Leary Collection

Lydia Sohlberg Deere, BCG -- (1873-1943) -- She began her formal studies of art first for a brief period at the University of Chicago. At the age of 46 in 1919, she entered Bethany College as a student and began her art studies with family friend Swedish Professor Birger Sandzén, while earlier, in 1913, she assisted with his establishment of the Smoky Valley Art Club which would grow to 400. Her husband Bethany College Biology and Geology Professor Dean Emil O. Deere in her obituary writes that "Mrs. Deere was a woman of artistic temperament and talent, and during her travels she gave expression to her talent gift, making sketches from which later she would make a large number of oil paintings, water colors, drawings, etc., these possessing in the opinion of competent critics real artistic merit ..." On occasion she exhibited her works with Sandzén's. In 1925, they attended the First Annual Kansas Artists Exhibition in Topeka, and in McPherson she attended the 15th McPherson Exhibition. (Information from AskArt.)

1925, Garden of the Gods

Her artistic temperament found its greatest expression through her landscaping projects designed exclusively for this purpose from the Bethany Campus Association that she founded in 1912 and served as its first president. Her husband writes that she "contributed real and lasting service to Bethany College in the beautification of its campus." Out of this would come the 1917 "Bethany Gateway" that stands today located at First (College) and Olsson Streets which is across these streets from her very last expression of artistic design that of her home, the Deere home.
Before becoming a Bethany student, Mrs. Deere was the Lady Principal Matron of the Ladies Lane Hart Hall from 1907 to 1913, while during that same period she taught Swedish and Scandinavian art needle craft and allied subjects that would later find her establishing the Lindsborg Swedish Club in 1927.
She graduated from Bethany with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts in 1923 and two years later with a bachelor's Degree in Science in 1925. However, her first degree, in 1900 was from McPherson College, was a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce which led to her opening up, with her twin sisters, Anna and Ida Sohlberg, the Sohlberg Millinery Shop on Main Street in Lindsborg. From this business venture came her first acts of artistic expression that were found with the camera from 1900 to 1925.
To view her art and sketches, begin HERE with Lydia's Art, 1919-1938.

Hilding Jaderborg, BCG -- (1921-2011) -- Highly gifted and talented, he was a superb student of Birger Sandzén. To the uneducated "eye," his paintings were identical to Sandzén's. His wonderful classic paintings covered the walls of his and his wife's, Esther Dahlsten Jaderborg's (1931-2017), Swedish Crafts Shop, in Lindsborg. (It was always such a "cultural" treat to visit with them in their shop, gazing upon his life's work as an artist, and listening to classical music in the background. He was entrepreneurial and a visionary for promoting the Swedish heritage in Lindsborg and the surrounding area. Therefore, his bookstore became a Swedish crafts shop on Main Street that became Lindsborg's oldest and most unique cultural retail shop, serving the Smoky Valley for more than 65 years. He made over 50 trips to Scandinavia to purchase beautiful pieces of giftware for their shop, for their Swedish and Swedish American friends and customers.) (Sources: Online, including Find a Grave information)
Thy Kingdom Come

Lindquist's " G.N. Malm," 53

Signe E. Larson, BCG -- (1908-1993) -- Born deaf, she was to become a Sandzén celebrated student and exquisite artist from Bethany College. She received the Bachelors of Fine Arts in 1933, and would continue studies at the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, University of Colorado, and the University of Washington. With her sister Elvira's assistance with her chalk lectures, Miss Larson exhibited throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. She received international recognition for her famous print, Thy Kingdom Come, a head of Christ, created when a student at Bethany College, This has since been reproduced two (2) million times for single copies, for religious books, periodicals, booklets, church bulletin covers, and cards. It is one of the most recognized images of Jesus in the United States. Miss Larson's beautiful paintings of some of the earliest college buildings grace, and have graced, the walls of Bethany College.
(Sources: "Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college," by Dr. Emory Lindquist, and online information.)

Charles B. Rogers, BCG -- (1911-1987) -- His paintings are found in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the National Museum in Washington, and the Library of Congress. He painted the mural, Autumn Colors, in the Kansas Council Grove Post Office in 1941 and graduated with a Fine Arts Degree in 1942 as a Bethany College Sandzén art student. His paintings have been published in two volumes, and, in 1987, he co-authored Essence of Drawing. From 1947 to 1953, he taught at Bethany, and then became the manager and assistant director of the Huntington Hartford Foundation in Pacific Palisades, California, from 1954 to 1966, when he returned to Kansas to head the School of Art at Wesleyan University for one year. He also earned a Master of Fine Arts at the California College of Arts & Crafts and studied at Jay Connoway School of Art. He was listed as a notable Artist Gallery Executive by Marquis Who's Who; and his memberships included: United States Navy, 1942-1946; Fellow American Institute Fine Arts, Society of America Graphic Artists, and Kansas Federation Art of which he was president at one time. He received an Honorary Degree from St. Mary's College. Souces: AskArt and Prabook.com.

Courtesy of Sandzén Gallery

Artist Dr. Margaret Sandzén Greenough (1909-1993) was born of Swedish parents artist Birger Sandzén and Alfrida Leksell Sandzén in Lindsborg, Kansas, where she was schooled, including attending Bethany College. She also studied art in Paris and at Columbia University, New York City, where she was awarded the M.A. in art history in 1941. She was a distinguished teacher, lecturer, critic, and artist, who excelled and became well-known for her beautiful, lifelike portraits. In 1991, she received the "Royal Order of the North Star Medallion" during the reign of King Carl XVI Gustaf for her significant contribution in art and the co-founding, with her husband, Pelham Charles Greenough the 3rd, of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in honor of her father’s lifetime work as a renown Midwest artist. Go HERE for Artist Dr. Margaret Elisabeth "Greta" Sandzén Greenough ~ Her life of collecting her father's art, promoting it and establishing a gallery in his name. (Sources: Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery and Find a Grave.)

First Lindsborg artists not affiliated with Bethany College

Lindquist's 1986 "G. N. Malm" 53.

Gustav Nathaniel (G. N.) Malm -- (1869-1928) -- Swedish born, son of a pastor, celebrated artist and businessman, an altar and Kansas landscape artist; an illustrator; a stencils designer; organized the founding for the Lindsborg Messiah Lutheran English speaking church of 1908, he has been the subject of Swedish and Swedish American historian writers, such as found in the 1989 book, G. N. Malm -- a Swedish immigrant's varied career by Dr. Emory Lindquist including additional chapters on Malm by President of the University of Minnesota Nils Hasselmo on his Swedish language and writing, by Vernon Holm on his stencils and stenciling and by American civilization educator and Fulbright fellow of University Oslo Dorothy Burton Skårdal on his literary achievements. To learn more, go HERE to Mr. Gustaf Nathaniel (G. N.) Malm ~ Remembering Lindsborg's Swedish Renaissance Man ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist

Courtesy of the Red Barn Studio Museum

Lester Raymer -- (1907–1991) -- Of English/German descent, was born in 1907 in the farming community of Alva, Oklahoma. In his early childhood, he started drawing and experimenting with a wide variety of art forms. Raymer graduated from the Chicago Art Institute in 1935 and returned to his family farm where he produced his art from his studio there until 1945, when he married artist Ramona Weddle, a Swede from Lindsborg. She also graduated from the Chicago Art Institute in 1934. After returning to Lindsborg, Ramona taught physical education at Bethany College in the 1942/1943 school year. She also served as the Delta Phi Delta art fraternity Counsellor in the 1944/1945 school year, the same time Lester Raymer was the painting instructor at Bethany College. They would live together in the Red Barn Studio, a house and studio that he built in Lindsborg until his death in 1991, a year before Ramona’s death.

Perhaps his most notable painting that he created for the Swedish Lindsborg community was that of the King of Sweden on a white stallion flanked in the background by the Swedish Pavilion and the Bethany Lutheran Church. This was painted in anticipation of the scheduled visit of His Majesty, Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, to Lindsborg on April 17, 1976.

Raymer was a gifted prolific artist in countless mediums and his reputation would spread throughout America's art world, which would result in his winning many awards during his career.

In 1988, the Raymer Society for the Arts was established by friends and supporters of Lester and Ramona Raymer. The first director was Rick Nelson, who owned the Konstverk Gallery that promoted Raymer’s work and was instrumental in forming the Society. The Red Barn Studio Museum was restored and opened with regular hours in September of 1997.

Mrs. Marsha Howe has been the Museum director since 2001, for 23 years, and she has done an outstanding job! For more information on her and artist Lester Raymer, go Here to Artist Lester Raymer ~ Remembering him as the renown virtuoso artist and "behind the scenes" community supporter.

Artist Lester Raymer's 1976 King of Sweden

Chris Abercrombie's KING CARL XVI GUSTAF VISIT 1976 YouTube 6 22 2009

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- their Legacy Listing through their -
~ Swedish and Swedish American cultural sustainability endeavors ~

Photography

Swedes in Photography*

Bror Gustaf Gröndal
(1855-1948)
“Dean of Kansas Photographers”
The photographs that he took during his 58 years in Lindsborg from 1887 to 1945
 of the Kansas Smoky Valley Swedes continue to be cherished by their descendants today living in Little Sweden

Courtesy of the Bror Gustaf Gröndal Family

Bror Gustaf (B.G.) Gröndal -- (1855-1948) -- was born in Västerås, Sweden, studied at Uppsala University for a time, then emigrated to Florida where he lived and worked at various jobs until his career as a sailor began. This concluded a decade later when he nearly drowned in the Gulf of Mexico. Then he was off to "Swedish" Chicago where he was introduced to the rudiments of photography and then traveled to "Swedish" St. Paul, Minnesota, to apprentice under a leading photographer. This would launch him into this career which officially began in West Texas. It would become a solidified career with his meeting of, wife-to-be, photographer Sarah Margaret Noyd (1859-1945) in Round Rock, Texas, when they owned a studio together after their marriage in 1886. The next year, however, with the invitation for them to move to Lindsborg to set up a studio there from Bethany College founder Swedish American president Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, B.G.'s life as a Kansas photographer took off and lasted to 1945 for 58 years. B. G. was to become a most famous Kansas pioneer photographer as he was well known and respected throughout Kansas by other photographers for his state-of-the-art studios and his craftsmanship. In 1899 some of his work was published in New York City's Wilsons Photographic Magazine. In 1903 a new photo mount was named after him by manufactures. In 1905 he helped found the acclaimed exclusive 12 member Kansas Photographers Club. In 1907 he was president of the Kansas Professional Photographers Association where he would earn the title of “Dean of Kansas Photographers" as the oldest active member. In 2013 his granddaughter Margaret Dahlquist Eddy (1928-2017) of Lindsborg would write a much needed book about him and his work of photographing life in Lindsborg while his great granddaughter Cynthia Eddy of New York City beautifully designed and published the work. The work on the book, "Through the Lens of B.G. Gröndal: Keeper of His Time" would begin after the Lindsborg McPherson County Old Mill Museum presented a retrospective on his work in 2006. Much earlier, however, Smoky Valley historian, researcher and writer former Smoky Valley Historical Association (SVHA) secretary Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg (1918-2016) wrote about B.G. Gröndal's life in 1973. Later in 2009 historian, researcher and writer former SVHA president Mr. Chris Abercrombie (1949-2017) created a video on B.G. in 2009. To go to these links and to learn more on Bror Gustaf Gröndal, go HERE to Mr. Bror Gustaf Gröndal ~ Remembering him and his photography in the earliest years of Lindsborg and Bethany College

Sources: The writings of granddaughter Margarat Dahlquist Eddy, Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg, and Mr. Chris Abercrombie

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Lydia Sohlberg Deere
( 1873-1943 )
was not a professional photographer.
She may have been Lindsborg's only woman interested in photography at the time.
Go HERE
for the story of her Lindsborg exhibitions in Lindsborg.
Her camera was used solely to document the personal, professional and academic events in which she was involved.

She became a photographer first starting in 1900 ending around 1925 which gave way to her study of art that began in 1919 when she became an art student under Bethany College art professor Swede Birger Sandzén. Her subject matter for her photography came from Coronado Heights outings, and family and work related settings found in Lindsborg when she was an owner with her twin sisters Anna and Ida of the Sohlberg Millinery Shop on Main Street for about six years, and at Bethany College while working there as the Lady Principal Matron of the Ladies Lane Hart Hall from 1907 to 1913 and as the instructor in Swedish and Scandinavian art needle craft and allied subjects, along with her responsibilities concerning the beautifying of the campus with landscaping projects of the Bethany Campus Association that she founded in 1912. She took over 200 photographs and 130 or so of them are shown HERE in SWEDES.

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Albert N. Lundquist, BCG
(1893-1968)

Professional photographer of Lundquist Studio for Bethany College and Lindsborg
Looking from Swensson Street to College (First) Street to Olsson Street through the "Gateway to Bethany"

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Photographed by Tom Jaderborg

Hilding Jaderborg, BCG -- (1921-2011) -- was an excellent professional photographer of Bethany College, Lindsborg and the Smoky Valley as well as an excellent artist.

Tom Jaderborg, BCG -- The son of Hilding Jaderborg, perhaps, the most meaningful and greatest photographs he took were those for Dr. Emory Lindquist's 1992 book, Birger Sandzén, An Illustrated Biography of all of Sandzén's works for the book. He is the former owner of Jaderborg Photography.

Dale Hoag -- (1925-2017) -- An excellent professional photographer of Lindsborg, Bethany Church, and Bethany College including portraits of college professors and leaders. He received his photography training while in the US Army Air Corps. In Lindsborg, he purchased the old Gröndal Portrait Studio in 1947 and became an excellent photographer early on which won him various awards and recognition. Concurrently, he became an architect, home-builder and developer too and was further recognized for his home designs and was named "Architect of the Year." He was an artist and art collector and supported the arts. He sold his studio to Jim Turner in 1972 after 26 years in the photography business. (Sources: Online Obituary and Lindsborg News Record)

Jim Turner, BCG -- The son of well known photographer Jack Turner who concentrated on Swedish tradition photographs, Jim has been the ongoing photographer for Bethany College since the 1970s. His earliest studio purchased from photographer Dale Hoag in 1972 first belonged to Lindsborg's renown early Kansas photographer B.G. Gröndal. Jim later established his Brick Street Gallery of fine art photography including a studio on Main Street. His website can be found HERE.

*
- their Legacy Listing through -
~ Swedish culture sustainability endeavors ~

Theater

Broadway RFD
The longest running outdoor theater in Kansas

in
Swensson Park

Max Muller
(1920-1984)

1959
Founder
of
Broadway RFD

Home of Broadway RFD / Bing source

Swedes in Theater*

Max Muller (1920-1984 ) was the founder of Broadway RFD (Rural Free Delivery) in 1959.
Harold "Prince" Elmquist (1922-2001) was one of the original organizers of Broadway RFD.
Dale Hoag (1925-2017) was also key influencer in the creation of Broadway RFD.
Dr. Elmer Copley (1925-1991) was a major contributor to the ongoing success of Broadway RFD.

Eric Lundstrom is the current Board President of Broadway RFD. In 2020, to celebrate its 60 years of performances that began in 1960, he created a video story of its history that may still be seen HERE. Since its founding in 1959, Broadway RFD's theatrical performances are well known for their trademark annual outdoor musical productions. Now various performances are produced throughout the year. For more information, go HERE to the Broadway RFD website.

* * *
- their Legacy Listing through their -
~ Swedish and Swedish American cultural sustainability endeavors ~

Architecture
Stone Houses and Early Lindsborg Homes
Not included unfortunately are the dugouts, log-Cabins and sod houses due to lack of time.

Stone Houses, Barns and Buildings in the Smoky Valley*

Courtesy of the Claude Koehn Family

Claude Koehn -- (1929-2013) -- A gifted "restorer of stone structures" as well as building them, he was called upon in this profession as a stone mason and bricklayer traveling throughout the Smoky Valley. He was of German descent. His wife's, Charlotte Hughes Koehn's, grandmother was a full Swede. They lived in Marquette, another Kansas Smoky Valley Swedish emigration destination, four miles west of Lindsborg. I was one of Mr. Koehn's customers. He shared my vision of restoring and preserving the stone house and stable on the old Deere farm. Under the name Peaceful Acres, named by my mother, Lois Cochran, these restorations were to benefit the Smoky Valley people. Mr. Koehn was responsible for restoring this one wall with the Roman arch of the stable. The stable was to become the Smoky Valley's Outdoor Classroom. Along with the wall, Mr. Koehn restored the other 3 walls for seating. However, as a result of the 2008 financial collapse world-wide, Peaceful Acres had to be sold in 2011, severing our ties of 5 generations from the rich Kansas soil forever. What remains now, instead, is a virtual memorial to the Kansas Smoky Valley Swedish Settlements and to Mr. Claude Koehn.
For the "before and after" photographs, go HERE to Mr. Claude Koehn ~ Remembering him as restorer and preservationist of Smoky Valley stone farmhouses and other stone structures. For the virtual memorial, go HERE.

Magnus Carlson -- (1838-19--) - A stone mason and builder of Bethany Church, Old Main, and Rev. Olof Olsson's house.
August Nelson -- ( ) - A stone mason of the Brunswick Hotel and Presser Hall -- related to William Holwerda's family
Kyle Peterson, BCG- A Swedish stone house historian. He is director of the Mitchell County Museum, 9 12 23.
[ I feel that so many more names could be added here, but there was no time for researching this.]

> Swede House and the Restored Stone Wall with the Roman Arch <
SWEDE HOUSE
and
Pastor Olsson's House
are nearly the same
Click on the HOUSE to learn more.

Fran Cochran's " Peaceful Acres" 2009 / "The Old Deere Farm" purchased 1916, land first purchased 1873

Lindsborg's Early Home Builders**

Source: CIRCA Old Houses

Builders continued:

The Brandt Brothers: Joseph and Ed
Lindsborg Building Company: Frank Lindberg, Henry Goodholm, John Josephson, Albin and Henry Goodholm
The Palmquist Brothers: John and August

To learn more on The Swedish Lindsborg Builders, click on the 1908 Jaderborg home above.

In Later Years Dale Hoag (1925-2017) was an architect, home-builder, developer, who won various awards and recog-nition for his home designs, including "Architect of the Year."

* * *
- their Legacy Listing through their -
~ Swedish and Swedish American cultural sustainability endeavors ~

Swedish Folklife Cultural Heritage
Individual Endeavors

ANTON PEARSON'S WOODCARVINGS
BETHANY COLLEGE'S EARLIEST PROFESSORS PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Left: Unidentified; Right: Dr. Emil O. Deere playing his clarinet.

Courtesy of "The Swedish American Woodcarvers of Lindsborg"

Swedes in Folk Art Woodcarving**

Anton Pearson (1892-1967), Norman Malm (1928-2011), Jim Malm -- the "Swedish-American Woodcarvers of Lindsborg"

Source: BIng.com Images

Anton Pearson was born in Lund, Sweden, on May 23, 1892. He was the son of shoemaker Nils Pearson and Maria Adolfsdotter. He actually started woodcarving at the age of nine and continued in the craft until he left Sweden at age 19. While woodcarving in Sweden, he was very much influenced by the Swedish woodcarver Axel Petersson "Döderhultarn" (1868–1925) who would become world renown in 1925 with the Döderhultarn Museum being established to honor him in 2000. Pearson enrolled at Lund University to study engineering due to his father's wishes. However, he was more interested in the arts and travel, and left Sweden in 1912 arriving in Chicago where he first lived, like thousands of other Swedish immigrants. Traveling again in 1915, he arrived in San Francisco for the World's Fair, and then traveled eastward to Lindsborg, Kansas. Here, he became a student of Bethany College art professor Birger Sandzén and met his wife-to-be, piano student Grace May Lane. They married in 1929 and built their Lindsborg home, adding a working studio eventually. It was to become a destination for tourists and school children who would learn about the craft of woodcarving. Their daughter Rosemary Pearson would marry Norman Malm, a man of many self-taught artistic gifts, including woodcarving who would work well with his father-in-law and with his wife would produce a grandson, Jim Malm, for Anton and Grace. Jim would be the last member of this family to carry on the woodcarving legacy of 90 years which ended in the 2019 sale of the home. Yet, this wonderful legacy story still lives on, detailing the artistic lives of both his grandfather Anton Pearson and his father Norman Malm, through Jim's website that is titled Swedish-American Woodcarvers of Lindsborg which is found HERE. (Source: From the website, Swedish American Woodcarvers of Lindsborg.)

Swedish American Woodcarvers of Lindsborg, since 1929 -- (family owned)
Formerly known as the "Anton Pearson Studio" "Wood Carvings"
Anton Pearson, Norman Malm, Jim Malm: father, son, grandson respectively
Now online only. To learn more, go HERE.
* The information on Anton Pearson and the Swedish American Woodcarvers of Lindsborg have been shown to Mr. Jim Malm for approval as of June 4, 2021.

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Lester Raymer -- (1907–1991) -- the artist, was also a fine woodcarver and his collection may be seen at the Lindsborg "Red Barn Studio Museum," home to his highly nationally respected artistic works!

Of the many Swedish and Swedish American woodcarvers who have practiced their craft in Lindsborg and the Smoky Valley communities, the "Swedish-American Folk Life Institute of Central Kansas" has performed extensive research on these 6 woodcarvers named below and provides their findings HERE.

Grandma Lawton Dave Anderson Norman Malm Chet Palmer Anton Pearson Hugo Shogren

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Oscar Gunnarson's Miniature & Larger Concrete Sculptures
BETHANY COLLEGE EARLIEST LEADERS
Dr. Emil O. Deere, 2nd from left

- sculptures making "Life Magazine" headlines -

1998 photograph of Gunnarson's permanent exhibit at the Old Mill Museum

Swede in Concrete Sculptures -- Oscar Gunnarson, BCG -- (1884-1962) -- His work was so amazing that it was very newsworthy locally, statewide and nationally: Here were some of the articles describing Gunnarson's life and work.

Kansas City Times: "A Kansan Reproduces His Community in Statuary," January 15, 1934
The Hutchinson News: “Mr. Gunnarson's Hobby," March 15, 1938
Chicago Harold - Examiner: “Caricatures by Oscar Gunnarson," January 20, 1939
Lindsborg News-Record: "Gunnarson's work in Chicago Show," January 26, 1939
Life Magazine: “Citizens in Cement. A Kansas Paint Dealer Sculptures His Home Towners,“ January 23, 1956

To see the Life article, go HERE.

Source: G. N. Malm, a Swedish Immigrant's varied career, by Dr. Emory Lindquist, page 202, #28

Oscar Gunnarson's
COLLEGE EARLIEST LEADERS & LINDSBORG CITIZENS
Bethany College football legend Coach Bennie Owen and President Dr. Ernst Pihlblad
and unidentified Lindsborg citizens chess players

- sculptures making "Life Magazine" headlines -

1998 photograph of Gunnarson's permanent exhibit at the Old Mill Museum

* * *
- their Legacy Listing through their -
~ Swedish and Swedish American cultural sustainability endeavors ~

Swedish Folklife Cultural Heritage
Organizations
institutions, clubs and groups

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Swedish-American Folklife Institute of Central Kansas

1986 Swedish-American Folklife Institute of Central Kansas For the SWEDES' story, go HERE.
Mark Esping, BCGs -- Director
Dr. Greta Swenson, GACG -- (1986-1992 ) -- President
Mardel Esping, BCGs -- Assistant

For the Folklife Institute's Online Collections Go

HERE to the one-stringed Psalmodikon instruments
HERE to the Dala Horses
HERE to the Apple trees
HERE to the Ljuskrönar
HERE for the Institute's History

Folklife Institute's Members' Work

Swedes in Folk Art Ljuskröna
Mark and Mardel Esping, and Marla Esping Elmquist, BCGs

Photograph by Mark Esping

See their beautiful collection online HERE.

Swedes in Svensk Hyllningsfest Costume Collecting and Preserving

Courtesy of Lindsborg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Mark and Mardel Esping of the Swedish-American Folklife Institute of Central Kansas continue to collect used costumes of past Svensk Hyllningsfest celebrations that are passed on to Mrs. Marla Elmquist and the Hyllningsfest Costumes' Ladies who restore and preserve them.

Swedes in Folk Art Weaving
Mardel Esping, BCG

She is a charter board member of the Kansas Alliance of Weavers and Spinners;
and she was a key player in the establishment of the Smoky Valley Fiber Guild.

Swedes in Folk Art Metal Work -- Specialty: Swedish Wedding Crown
Malcolm Esping -- (1914 - 1989)

He was an incredibly gifted artist especially in his celebrated Swedish wedding crown designs.

Malcom Esping Apprentices
Mardel Esping, BCG
Marlysue Esping Holmquist BCG
Gretchen Esping, BCG

Go HERE to the Folklife Institute's page on these Swedish Wedding Crowns.
Go HERE to read "Malcolm Esping - Kansas Folk Art - Swedish Crowns Making"
by Marlysue Esping Holmquist for Kansapedia.

Folklife Institute's Swedish-American Heritage Center

1996 Swedish-American Heritage Center (Retired)
Mark Esping, BCGs -- Director
Mardel Esping, BCGs -- Assistant

For the SWEDES story on it, go HERE.

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Folk Handwork / Needlework Club
- Handwork of Lydia Sohlberg Deere -

Photograph by Fran Cochran

Swedes in the newly founded 1927
Lindsborg Swedish Club of Embroidery Handwork**
Lydia Sohlberg Deere, Founder

Source: The 1976 "Why Lindsborg?"

Formerly the Club was named in Swedish:
"Föreningen för Skandenaviska Handarbeten"
which in English is loosely translated to
"The Association for Scandinavian Needlework."

First Members
Mrs. Carl Anderson
Mrs. Hagbard Brase
Mrs. Emil O. Deere, BCG -- Founder
[Lydia Sohlberg Deere]
Mrs. Thure Jaderborg
Mrs. Carl Lincoln
Mrs. Ray Oberholser

It is very likely that most of these ladies were Bethany graduates.
To learn more, go HERE to Lydia Sohlberg Deere's 1927 "Lindsborg Swedish Club's" Handwork -- Swedish / Scandinavian handwork preserved and promoted for over 40 years

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Swedish Folk Dance Groups

The 1964 "Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers" organized by Elizabeth Jaderborg

Swede Folk Dance Groups
1941 "Swedish Folk Games" organized by Fritz Carlson, Charles Weddle, Arvid Berggren
*1964 "Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers" organized by Elizabeth Jaderborg composed of high school students
            -- traveling around the country annually to perform; and to Sweden every four years
1971 The "Adult Swedish Folk Dancers" organized by Jack Turner & Patty Karstadt,
          name changed in 1989 to "Folkdanslag" during Duane Fredrickson, MD, leadership.
  This group also performs in Sweden and the Midwest.

*To learn more, go HERE for Mrs. Jaderborg's "Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers" founded in 1964.   Go HERE for the 2022 website which states the founding was in 1963. Note that in December of that year, the idea for this dance group was born. The establishment of it was underway in 1964 which is the year that historian, researcher and writer Chris Abercrombie, president of the Smoky Valley Historical Society, states that it was established as found in his write-up HERE.

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Folk Art Painting
By Kurbits Artist Shirley Malm Lindsborg's "Old Iron Bridge"

Photograph by Fran Cochran.

Swedes in Folk Art Painting**

Shirley Malm -- Kurbits artist, "Artist in Resident" at Hemslöjd, Inc. for years, established Station Studio & Gallery
Robert Miller -- -- (1934-2018) -- Kurbits artist; award-winning folk artist & ceramicist; Scandinavian toys designer
Rita Sharp -- (1933-1916) -- Dalecarlian artist, former "Folk Design Studio" co-owner, featured Scandinavian art exhibits
Robert Walker, BCG -- (1920-1990) -- Fine art and Dalecarlian artist, former "Folk Design Studio" co-owner
Carla Wilson -- Kurbits artist; Lindsborg "Artist of the Year," 2019

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Sloyd
- Teacher Amalia Maria Rabenius -
1868-1954

Courtesy of retired Education Department Chairman Professor Dr. Marlysue Holmquist to show college photograph.

Swedes teaching Sloyd, Pyrography, Embroidery and Sewing Bethany College Classes*

Amalia Maria Rabenius, SUG, -- (1868-1954) -- Swedish born, Lady Principal of the Bethany Model School, 1900 - 1907; was "first" and "only" instructor to teach Sloyd and pyrography (wood burning), taught embroider and sewing also.

Lydia Sohlberg, BCGs -- (1873-1943) -- Replaced Miss Rabenius as Lady Principal; taught embroidery and sewing during her tenure as Matron of the Ladies Dormitory at Lane Hart Hall, 1907-1913

Dr. Marlysue Esping Holmquist, BCG -- To learn more on Miss Rabenius and Sloyd and Pyrography, go to Dr. Holmquist's article/flyer titled: Sloyd Furniture Pyrography Pieces by Birger Sandzén, Amalia Maria Rabenius & G. N. Malm presented at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery 2019 "121st Annual Midwest Art Exhibition" HERE.

<>
Stencil Decor Art Design
by
G. N. Malm

Jaderborg's "Lindsborg on Record" 42

Swedes in Stencil Decor Art Stencil Design**
G.N. Malm -- (1869-1928), Oscar Gunnarson, BCG -- (1884-1962), Erick Ephraim (Eph) Malm, Rudy Lindstrom,
Alfred Swenson, Victor Holm, Knut Holm, Violet Polson Swanson, Edith Polson Lysell

* * *
- their Legacy Listing through their -
~ Swedish and Swedish American cultural sustainability endeavors ~
Smoky Valley Christian, Historical and Cultural Organizations
~ last-link organizations to Smoky Valley early Swedish history and Swedish culture ~
1919-2023

Christian Organizations

Bethany Home, 1907 -- Christian caring for the elderly

Bethany Home, i.e. the Bethany Home Association, was to become "ground zero" for the collection and preservation of the earliest history of the Swedish Smoky Valley culture that was recorded by local researchers, historians and writers on the residents, the first of whom only spoke Swedish.

However, Christian love and concern for the residents were to be the primary goals of Bethany Home, which have continued through the decades. For the amazing story of the growth of this senior care facility, given the brand name of Bethany Village as of September, 2020, go HERE to "Their 1907 Bethany Home" and HERE to "The Bethany Home Story."

* *
The Associated Churches of Lindsborg (TACOL), since 1980
The member churches of TACOL are these according to the
Lindsborg News-Record of December 24, 2020:
B:
First Baptist Church -- (American Baptist Church with Swedish Baptist ties)
Smoky Valley Independent Baptist Church
Crosspoint Church (Southern Baptist)
C:
Saint Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church,
Evangelical Covenant Church
L:
Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA,
Falun-Salemsborg Lutheran Parish, ELCA
Freemount Lutheran Church, NALC
Messiah Lutheran Church, ELCA
Andover Lutheran Church, ELCA (of Windom, Kansas, established by Andover, Illinois Swedes)
--
Note: ELCA aka Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: NALC aka North American Lutheran Church
--
M:
Trinity United Methodist Church
United Methodist (of Little River)

Historical Organizations

Castle at Coronado Heights' summit by Fran Cochran, 2011

A Coronado Heights an Ongoing Preservation Project
For Their 1919 Lindsborg Historical Society's "Coronado Heights" with all LINKS, go HERE
For The 1963 "Smoky Valley Historical Association" (SVHA), go HERE

* *
McPherson County Historical and Archeological Society at McPherson, Kansas, since early 1930 to early 1940

There were many members in this Society. Member Dr. Leon Lungstrom's notated that Emil O. Deere's membership began in 1933. The Society would experience an eventual falling off of membership at some point.

Deere's archeological findings had to be known by this Society at one point. This Society may have dropped "Archeological" to become the McPherson County Historical Society of today which has an affiliation with the McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation. [There is very little information that is available for easy access on this now and there is no time to pursue this, unfortunately.]

- Archeology Dig -
- Bethany College Professor and Dean Emil O. Deere at site showing "the FIND" of a mammoths' tusk (right) -
Mammoth's lived from around 5 million years ago during the Pliocene period to about 4,000 years ago in the Holocene period
Source: Mammoth -- Wikipedia
click images

Deere would help reactivate the Society with Jim Cassler and Anton Peterson in 1962 and it was given the new name as shown below:

McPherson County Historical Society, since 1962
The first president was Jim Cassler and the first vice president was Anton Peterson
Past Presidents:
Anton Peterson
Linn Peterson
David Nigh
Dr. Leon Lungstrom

From the Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1962, McPherson Sentinel article "Form County Historical Society Here," the initial plans of the Society were to "set up a system of compiling all historical data of McPherson County and acquiring a building that might be used as a county museum ..." As a result, a building was purchased by the Society in Lindsborg on the bank of the Smoky River and it was named the McPherson County Old Mill Museum in 1962.

Sources: Past McPherson County Historical Society president David Nigh; Dr. Leon Lungstrom's 1990: History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas.

* *

McPherson County Old Mill Museum
1962 - 2021
Exhibiting the 1882 Bethany College Natural History Museum Collection since 1966 to August 2021.*
Exhibiting the 1926** Bethany College Swedish Pioneer History Collection since 1966

McPherson County Old Mill Museum (1962-2021)

Past Directors

1966-1980 Tib Anderson
1980-1984 Leon Lungstrom, Christian Swenson & Howard Patrick
1984-1986 Jeanne Mogenson
1986-1990? Dorman Lehman
1990?-2021 Lorna Batterson Nelson

Archivist since the 1980s and curator as well: Lenora Lynam

August 1, 2021
Under New Ownership with New Name

Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum

2022, Discontinued exhibition of the 1966 1882 Bethany College Natural History Museum Collections by Swedes*
2022, Continued the exhibition of the 1966 1926** Bethany College Swedish Pioneer History Collections by Swedes.

Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, since August 2021
Founding Board Chairman: Les Sperlings
"Startup" Executive Director: Kay Quinn, since mid-August 2021
Executive Director: Lenora Lynam, since April 14, 2022
For further information, go HERE.
* "Startup" Executive Director Kay Quinn in an email of November 18, 2021
** "The Olsson Trail" chapter from Mrs. Jaderborg's 1967 Living in Lindsborg And Other Possibilities Pages 18-21

Cultural Organizations 

* *
The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, since 1957

Founders
Dr. Margaret Sandzén Greenough, (1909-1994) BCG ,
Dr. Pelham Charles Greenough III (1908-1983)

Past Directors
Pelham and Margaret Greenough,
Carl William Peterson,(1919-2009) BCG;
Larry Griffis, BCG

Current Director
Ron Michael

Current Curator
Cori North

Gallery Notes
Dr. Delmar Homan (1927-2018)
To learn more, go HERE.

Go HERE to the Gallery.

* *
The Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers, since 1964
Founder: Elizabeth Jaderborg
For further information, go HERE.
[There are other Swedish dancing groups
that should have been included.]

* *
American Scandinavian Association of the Great Plains, 1971-2020
Founder: Duane Fredrickson, MD.
For Facebook past activities, go HERE.

* *
The Lindsborg Arts Council, since 1980
Founders: Bethany College alumni including lead Molly Johnson,  BCG

The initial objectives of the Council is to support community artists and college art students.
Since that time, the Council's goals of support have significantly expanded as you will see HERE.

* *
Raymer Society for the Arts, since 1988
Founders: Lester and Ramona Raymer
Director:   Mrs. Marsha Howe, BCG
It was created for the preservation of Kansas art and culture
This would lead to the establishment of "The Red Barn Studio Museum" in 1997.

The Red Barn Studio Museum - The Working Studio of Artist Lester Raymer, since 1997
Director: Mrs. Marsha Howe, BCG
It is dedicated to showcasing the art of Lester Raymer, while supporting visiting artists in the Artist in Residency (AIR) and the occasional on-site art class programs, along with periodic art auctions held online.
For information, go HERE.

* *

2004 photograph by Group with Founders in front

Swedish Friendship Group, Svenska Vänskapsgruppen, since October 5, 1990
Founders: Rev. Martin Ringstrom and Mrs. Inga-Lill Eliason
Founded to preserve the Swedish language spoken in Lindsborg since its founding, by teaching Swedish to younger generations.

For current and further information, go HERE.

* * *
- their Legacy Listing through their -
Swedish Businesses*
~ last-link Swedish businesses to early Swedish culture ~
From 1929-2019

Source: Pinterest.Com

Swedish Crafts Shop -- 1946 to 2011 -- (family owned)
Hilding and Ester Jaderborg BCGs -- For 65 years and 50 trips to Sweden, they provided the finest authentic Swedish merchandise in Kansas and beyond! Go HERE, to Mr. and Mrs. Hilding Jaderborg ~ Remembering them and their “Swedish Crafts Shop” of 65 years and 50 trips to Sweden (1946-2011)

Swedish Crown Restaurant -- since 1966 to 2017
Roy and Donice Applequist -- Last community owners of many Swedes' owners, who always served Swedish fare regularly with American, that for many decades on Sundays, after church, served a full Swedish smorgasbord. In 2017, the Applequists donated the "Swedish Crown" to Bethany College that leased it to a party who changed the name to "Crown & Rye" which serves two (2) Swedish favorites, for:
  Brunch: Swedish Pancakes
  Dinner: Swedish Meatballs
Anderson Butik -- since 1973 -- (family owned)
Charlie and Gladys Anderson -- "... for the true Swedish feeling..." from a small shop to a company, today owned by son
Dean Anderson, BCG.   "A warm welcome always await you along with a wide variety of gifts, books, maps and great food items from Sweden and Scandinavia.
    Go HERE, to learn more.

Hemslöjd, Inc. -- since 1984 to 2011 (families owned)
Kenneth Sjogren and Kenneth Swisher, BCGs, -- Founders and 1st owners to 2011, with woodworkers and artists of Swedish designs. This fine gift shop of Swedish and other Scandinavian merchandise is renown for its Dala Horse house name signs, seen all over Lindsborg.
Hemslöjd, Inc. -- 2011 on . . . (family owned)
Corey & Denise Peterson, BCGs -- 2nd owners, are continuing the Swedish "legacy" of this most unique shop.
To learn more, go HERE.

Swedish Country Inn -- 1986 to 2018 (family owned)
Carl B. and Becky Anderson -- Designed and furnished in Swedish ambiance, providing delicious Swedish breakfast and dinners by lifelong Lindsborg owners, well versed in the history of Smoky Valley and Bethany College Swedish culture.

Anderson Scandinavian Tours -- since 1989 -- (family owned)
Dean Anderson, BCG -- To initially offer affordable customized tours especially to the Swedish descendants of the Lindsborg Värmland Swedes and to those of the Dalarna and Småland Swedes first occupying neighboring settlements of Lindsborg founded in 1869.  Go HERE, to learn more.

* * *
- their Legacy Listing through their -
~ Swedish and Swedish American cultural sustainability endeavors ~

Swedish Traditions

Saint Lucia, Jullota, Saint Lucia
Locally in Lindsborg, like in every other Swedish American community in the United States and around the world, the traditional Christmas Saint Lucia Ceremony and the Jullota Church Service are celebrated as well as Midsummer Day in June.

Svensk Hyllningsfest
This is a unique-to-Lindsborg-only Swedish American festival honoring the Smoky Valley Swedish pioneers. It is a biennial festival, held in October on odd numbered years, beginning on a Thursday evening with the Bethany Lutheran Church service and ending there with a Sunday service. Swedish crafts, folk dances, music, food, and historical exhibits remind one of the early days of the pioneer Swedes. It was originally organized, in 1941, by a Dutchman, William Holwerda, MD. For further information, go HERE.
The Swedish folk dance performances are most popular in this festival. All ages participate from grade school to high school and to adult group performances. The high school group formed since 1963, in later years added travel to Sweden to perform every four years. This group, called the Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers, was founded by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg. For further information, go HERE.
Included in Svensk Hyllningsfest, has been the choosing of a King and Queen of mature ages in their late 60s or older who have been great supporters of the community. This couple leads the Saturday morning parade down Main Street and presides throughout the celebrations -- the scheduled Swedish folk dances, art and Swedish crafts exhibits and cultural workshops. Swedish food is plentiful and tickets to the evening smorgasbords are always sold out.
A few of these royal couples have been Steve and Patty Karstadt in 2003; Don and Dorene Anderson in 2009; Chester and Jeanette Peterson in 2017; Ron and Marsha Rolander in 2019; and Marvin & Lee Ann Anderson in 2021. These couples have been perfect examples of the Swedes Svensk Hyllningsfest Kings and Queens who preceded them – devoted and committed Swedes promoting Lindsborg's Swedishness in countless ways. To learn more, on Svensk Hyllningsfest, go HERE.

* * *
- their Legacy Listing through their -
"Other" Individual Community Contributions*
from
the 1940s to 2021

Mrs. Jaderborg's 1965 "Lindsborg on Record"

William Holwerda, M.D. -- 1901-1964 -- He was a "Dutchman," was noted for decades by others "that it took a 'Dutchman' to awaken the Swedes to the realization of their great heritage of customs and traditions!"  Thus, this may have been the Dutchman's greatest legacy with a timeless impact on Lindsborg and her Swedishness, especially when he organized the Swedish Pioneer Festival, Svensk Hyllningsfest, in 1941. However, there was so much more to this humble man of deep Christian faith and conviction. As an adopted son of Lindsborg, he was to become one of the “City Fathers" as he served her citizens selflessly with his God-given gifts. For more, go HERE for his Lindsborg Community Hospital role; go HERE to remembering him as "Doc Bill;" go HERE to remembering him as a founder and "the key" organizer in the 1941 Svensk Hyllningsfest.
  Shown for approval on April 21, 2021, to Dr. Holwerda's granddaughter Mrs. Betty Nelson.
  Sources: Biology professor Dr. Leon Lundstrom's 1990 book, "History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, and Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg's 1965 Lindsborg on Record.

Lindsborg Rural High School 1963 Yearbook

Dr. Einar Jaderborg -- 1918-2004 -- He devoted his life to the education of Lindsborg's youth. He first was a teacher of English for 17 years at Lindsborg Rural High School (LRHS) and, for 9 of those years, he was also the principal. Covering a period of 16 years, he served as the Superintendent of the Lindsborg Public Schools that transitioned to the Smoky Valley Unified School District #400 under his leadership. He was born in Lindsborg and was a Lindsborg Rural High School graduate of 1937. Then he attended Bethany College until he served his country from 1941 to 1946 in Civilian Public Service at Arkansas, after which he graduated in 1946 from Bethany College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. In later studies, he would receive a Master of Arts Degree and a Doctor of Education Degree from Columbia University in New York City. Dr. Jaderborg's behind-the-scenes contributions to Lindsborg and Bethany College were many, including serving on the Bethany Lutheran Church as a Board member for 14 years and serving 9 years as a member of the Bethany College Board. Most significant was his Messiah Chorus membership for over 50 years, singing in the bass section, like his father, the well-known Thure Olof Jaderborg, Sr., who during many a Oratorio Messiah performances was the base soloist. As well, he served as an active member of the Lindsborg Rotary Club for many years. Source: Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg's correspondence. Approved by family on November 25, 2022.

Dorene Anderson, BCG -- 1939-2014 -- An educator by profession, she was a born leader and go-getter who accomplished much for Lindsborg in her 30 year tenure as the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director from 1974 to 2004. Of the numerous committees she served on were that of the Lindsborg Sister City Committee, Hyllningsfest Committee, Mid-Summer’s Day Committee, Lindsborg’s 125th Anniversary Committee, Sandzén Membership Committee, and that of the Lindsborg Community Foundation. She was a member of the Philanthropic Education Organization and the Business Professional Women and Kansas Dialogue. She was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for Travel Industry Association of Kansas, and, in 2011, she and her husband Don Anderson were awarded the Bethany College Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.
Shown for approval on June 21, 2021, to Mr. Don Anderson. A photo was not desired.
Sources: Mr. Don Anderson and Destination Lindsborg editions and online information.

Don Anderson, BCG -- An educator by profession, then employed by the Kansas National Education Association before beginning a 12-year stint as Lindsborg Mayor from 1989 to 2001. Married to Dorene Dirks, they represented Lindsborg at numerous events during his tenure as the city’s mayor and visited Sweden in that capacity. On October 31, 1991, he was responsible for the establishment of the Swedish "Sister Cities" of Lindsborg, Kansas, and the Swedish Värmland city of Munkfors. He also helped to develop and narrated the 2012 Lindsborg Convention and Visitor Bureau's, "A Destination for All Seasons," the beautiful promotion on Lindsborg's Swedishness. Don and Dorene were chosen to be the 2009 Hyllningsfest King and Queen, and, together, in 2011, they were awarded the Bethany College Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.
Shown for approval on June 21, 2021, to Mr. Don Anderson; A photo was not desired.
Sources: Mr. Don Anderson and Destination Lindsborg editions and online information.

Betty Holwerda Nelson -- Since 2008, she has served as the Lindsborg Community Hospital Director of Marketing and Development. Yet, for 25 years she has been a committed Lindsborg councilwoman, a steady presence and voice for the Lindsborg government who proudly represents her citizens. She certainly has followed in her grandfather Dr. William Holwerda's footsteps in her medical career environment and with her ongoing commitment to promoting and preserving the Swedish heritage, traditions, customs and "the arts" found in the community and at Bethany College. Elected, in 2016, as a Co-chair for the Lindsborg Sesquicentennial Festival, Inc., she shared in the responsibility of the civic and Swedish festivities concerning the celebration of the City's 150th anniversary in 2019, which included the biennial Swedish pioneer festival of Svensk Hyllningsfest, initially organized and established, in 1941, by her grandfather, Dr. William Holwerda, a founder.
Shown for approval on April 21, 2021, to Mrs. Nelson. A photo was not desired.
Sources: Mrs. Nelson and Destination Lindsborg editions and online information

>> A Lindsborg" FIRST" Swedish American Bethany College graduate woman mayor

Becky Larson Anderson, BCG -- She became Bethany College's “first” woman graduate to become mayor of "Little Sweden" USA, serving from 2017 through 2021. Before this office, she served on the Lindsborg City Council since 2000. She has also served as the Alumni Director of Programs at Bethany College, has sung in the Bethany College Oratorio Society's Messiah for fifty-one years, and serves currently (2022) on the Bethany College Board of Directors. She and her late husband Honorable Carl B. Anderson who served as McPherson, Kansas, 9th Judicial District Judge for 37 years established and owned the "Swedish Country Inn," for twenty-five years. Early in the 1990s, she was responsible for initiating the promotion of the "Christmas in Lindsborg" porcelain lighted miniature replicas of historical Lindsborg buildings and homes.
Shown to Mrs. Anderson for approval on March 18, 2021 and on May 27, 2021. A photo was not desired.
Sources: 2021 Messiah Festival Program, Lindsborg News-Record editions in the 1990s

Countless "behind the scenes" contributors, supporters and volunteers of this community have been Lindsborg residents such as Marvin & Lee Ann Anderson; Jane Brunsell & Charlotte Ternstrom; Leon & Judy Burch; Marla & Larry Elmquist; Marlysue & Tom Holmquist; Bill & Carol Gusenius; Lan Nelson; Ann Norden; A John & Carol Pearson; Chester & Jeanette Peterson; Walden & Ruth Peterson; Ron & Marsha Rolander; Ken & Marilyn Sjogren; Kenneth & Virginia Swisher; Stan and Pauline Talbott and so many more.

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* * *

A Virtual Memorial
The
2009
S M O K Y V A L L E Y S W E D I S H P E O P L E' S V I R T U A L M E M O R I A L

"Dedicated to the Memory of the Smoky Valley Swedish Settlements"
to
their
pioneers, builders, descendants

go HERE.

Own by Dr. Emil O. Deere and Lydia Sohlberg Deere / Nina Sohlberg Fry // Lois Fry Cochran // Frances Cochran & Melinda Cochran O'Leary --1936 to 2011

*   *   *
"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 © from October 8, 2015 to 2024 www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.