Olofsson Lars Johannes

Notes:

Johannes Olofsson/Olsson changed his name to John Wilhelm Wilson when he left Hulterstad, Scärlof,Kalmar County, Island of Öland, Sweden and arrived in America in the year 1864. Before coming to the United States, he first went to Helsingör, Denmark on 9 February, 1854 possibly, to work as a sailor on the open seas.

He left his parents and siblings in the village where he was born and grew to manhood. They lived in a small home about 300 yards off the main road of Hulterstad, Scarlöf, Number 8, on the southeastern part of the island of Öland, just a few blocks south of the Hulterstad Church where so many of his family have since been buried, including his parents and perhaps even his grandparents.

Johannes was a man of the sea. He used to tell of his voyages, starting at about the age of 14. By the time he left Hulterstad, Scarlöf, Öland, Sweden for Denmark, he was an experienced sailor at the age of 21. He sailed around the world, arriving at such ports as Seattle and San Francisco and those of Asia.

From Denmark, he made his first trip to America, but he returned to Sweden two times, the final trip leaving Sweden on January 1, 1870 with his wife, Bertha Hakanason who was two months pregnant with son, Otto. It could have been this last return to America when he was joined by his brother, Nils and a sister, for they immigrated and settled in Chicago, IL. Later, Nils moved to Boxholm, Boone County, Iowa. John became a naturalized citizen in 1864 according to the 1900 federal census for Ganeer, Kankakee co., IL.

On one of his trips to Sweden, Johannes used the name of Olofsson, which could have been the name he was baptised with. Another time, he used the name of Olsson. To this day, it is not unusual for one to change their name, either using their mother's maiden name or their father's, thus making it difficult to trace family lines.

As one can see by the last names in preceeding generations, a son took the father's first name to be his last and adding a "sson" to it. Thus, Olof Anderson's son was called "Olofsson". Daughters were "Olofsdotter". In the vital records, it would be recorded, if her first name was Marie; Marie Olof with a "Dtr" following as we would abbreviate "Jr." This method of naming is no longer used.

On a visit to Hulterstad, we discovered this wonderful old Hulterstad Church where the cemetery surrounds the building. The original Catholic Church was built in 1200 but all that remains of the original part is the tower or nave. The bell was installed in 1630 and remains the same today. It is in this cemetery that surrounds the church, we discovered many names of Olsson, Olofsson and Anderson. These are more than likely descendants of Olof and Brita Anderson, parents of our Johannes Olofsson/Olsson a.k.a. John W. Wilson.

At the time of our visit in the fall of 1997, the only information we had was an obituary of John W. Wilson who died in Momence, Illinois, an immigrant from Sweden in the mid-1800's. We were also made aware by grandson, Harley Wilson, that Wilson was not his birth name but his "Americanized" name. He remembered the name of Olson. With this information and the sleuthing investigation of our guide, we discovered our John, a.k.a. Johannes had changed his name several times with each voyage to America. Weeks after our return to the United State, a letter arrived from our guide with the information containing the vital records. They were confirmed by a genealogist in the Family History Center Library in Salt Lake City, UT.

The Island of Öland is a very small island, 85 miles in length and 9.9 miles in width and only 180 feet in it highest point, connected now by a bridge to the city of Kalmar on the mainland. It used to be the summer home and private hunting grounds for the King of Sweden so anyone who lived on the island was not allowed to cut down any trees or hunt on the property. Timber for their houses had to come by boat from Kalmar. The Islander would go by boat to Kalmer, look at the house he wanted to buy, tear it down, ship it by boat to the island and rebuild it. This was the standard way one would build.

The house where Johannes lived still stands today with very little modification according to an elderly couple that live near by. The house is said to be about 200 years old. The attached barn is probably 300 or more years old. The roofs have been replaced with metal, corregated roofing.

Down the road is an old windmill, possibly used by the family to grind their grain. It is unknown how much land was owned by the family but the land itself is "hard scrabble" and does not seem suitable for raising of any kind of crop other than sheep.

During the mid-1800's, a famine struck the island because of harsh winters and poor crops in the summer. Perhaps there were other economical problems as well. During that period, the area around Hulterstad lost over 80 % of the people either from starvation or immigration to America; the largest group settling in the Chicago, Illinois area and that of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

With so many people coming to the island in recent years in search of their roots, the minister of the church decided to moved to a nearby town so he would not have to be bothered with their inquiries. The elderly lady we talked to said the minister would slam his door on their faces! The old church records were moved to a larger parish.

There is also an Immigrant's Information Center in Vöxjö on the mainland who specialize in the 1800's immigration to America and other parts of the world.


In the Momence Paper, Momence, Kankakee County, IL Friday, December 23, 1910 issue is the following, including a lovely large picture:

A RESPECTED CITIZEN WHO RECENTLY DIED.

John Wilson was born on the island of Oland, Sweden, April 12, 1833, and died at his home south of Momence, December 7, 1910; at the age of 77 years, 7 months and 25 days.

His boyhood days only were spent with his parents as they were in humble circumstances, and when a youth he was deprived of the benefits of an education and was compelled throughout the following years to fight the hardships in the battle of life against those clad in the armoor of defense, "an education." Scarcely had he attained the age of early manhood when he left a rustic home of his native country and entered the ranks as a sailor, and to gain for himself a reputation and character not to be shadowed by the trials and temptations of a worldly life.

In 1848 he began to sail on the North and Baltic seas, starting as an apprentice and later through his honesty and faithfulness was promoted to chief steward.

In 1854, he set out to sail under the Swedish flag for America for the first time. In 1860, he returned home and later made several trips to America under the American flag. At the time of the Civil War he had many thrilling adventures. He would hold the interest of his friends for hours relating the many incidents and hardships of a sailor's life. One of especial interest was that of escaping the Alabama.

Owing to the lack of space only a few of his adventures can here be mentioned. During the twenty-one years of his sailor's life he sailed five times around the globe, stopping at all the important seaports such as Hong Kong, Shanghai and other ports along that coast, at one time passing Calcutta during the terrible famine, and so numberous were the dead bodies that it was necessary to clear them away with oars in order to land the ship. His ship also stopped at many ports in Africa, and various times passed the Cape of Good Hope with cargoes for the American continent. By so doing, he visited the seaports of San Francisco, Seattle and many others.

The seas are oftimes merciless to the ships, and three times was Mr. Wilson shipwrecked. Once he came to land in a beef barrel, bringing with him a little girl. There was a rope around the barrel. After the waves had washed them ashore, another rope was attached to the barrel and by this means the entire crew was saved, and showed his bravery and heroism.

Concluding his voyages on the seas in 1868, he came to Illinois, purchased a farm northeast of Momence where he spent one year. He then went to Chicago where in 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Hawinson. He then sailed the Great Lakes for a few months, after which he returned to Momence, building his first residence on the south side of the river. Later he purchased a farm 3 1/2 miles southwest of Momence where he resided until 1902 when he devided the farm between his three oldest sons--he moving to his late residence.

To this union, six children were born, of which three survive; Theodore and John W. of this place, and N. G. Wilson of Chicago. In 1888 the Lord saw fit to call the wife and mother home, leaving four small children to their father's care and guidance. Six years later Otto passed to the beyond.

In 1889, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Bertha Larson of Chicago, and to this union two children were born; Freida V. and Oscar L., who, with their mother, survive him.

Mr. Wilson was a kind and loving father, a good neighbor and ever ready to offer his services or advice for the benefit of his family or community. He was a determined man, and to a friend, he was just as faithful and loyal as was Damon to Pythias. Many are the poor and friendless that he has fed and clothed within his gate; others he assisted to the best of his ability to secure and education. he was a man who won the respect and esteem of all who knew him, and had many friends who were deeply grieved to hear of his sudden death.

Besides his immediate family he leaves a brother, N. G. Wilson of Iowa, one sister, Mrs. Benson of Chicago, beside other relatives and a host of friends. The funeral services were held at the residence on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10:30 a. m., conducted by Rev. Connor of the M.E. church. Interment in Mt. Airy cemetery.

Among those from abroad who attended the funeral were N. G. Wilson of Boxholm, Iowa, N. G. Wilson and wife of Chicago, and J. R. Wright of Morocco, Indiana.

More on the History of Hulterstad:

Hulterstad is a small coastal town on the southeastern part of the island of Öland , Sweden. Hulterstad is situated at the eastern fringe of the Stora Alvaret, a limestone pavement habitat which hosts a diversity of rare plants and has been designated a World Heritage Site1. Hulterstad is the municipal government center for this district and central records for centuries were kept at the Hulterstad Church. Significant gravefields and a Viking stone burial ship structure are located immediately south of Hulterstad. To the north is located the village of Alby , where a mesolithic village of early human settlement has been found,[2] and to the south is the Ottenby Nature Reserve. Across the alvar to the west is the village of Gettlinge.

Emigranten Populär, 1783-1951 Swedish Emigration Records, 1783-1951 about Lars Johan Olsson
Name: Lars Johan Olsson
Birth Year: abt 1832
Gender: Man (Male)
Place of Origin: Gårby Öland Kalmar Län, Sverige
Destination: San Fransisco
Record Date: 3 dec 1880
Port of Departure: Göteborg
Database Name: EmiHamn
Archive Call Number: 16:499:150
Principal Person: Olsson Lars Johan



The last trip to Sweden and his return was:
John Wilsson
Birth Year: abt 1840
Gender: Man (Male)
Place of Origin: Öland Kalmar Län, Sverige
Destination: San Francisco
Record Date: 21 Nov 1884
Port of Departure: Göteborg Database
Name: EmiHamn
Archive Call Number: 25:645:23295
Principal Person: Wilsson John

Family/Spouse: Håkansson Berstran (Bertha). Berstran (daughter of Hakan and u) was born on 07 Sep 1839 in Sweden; died on 27 Nov 1888 in Momence, Kankakee County, IL; was buried in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Ganeer, Kankakee County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Larson Bertha. Bertha (daughter of Larson) was born on 01 Mar 1851 in Kristianstad, Kristianstad County, Sweden; died on 02 Oct 1930 in Momence, Kankakee County, IL; was buried in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Ganeer, Kankakee County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Otto, the first born child of Bertha Hawkinson and John W. Wilson (Johannes Olofsson) died at an early age of 23 years, 5 months and 3 days of tuberculosus. In his diary, he wrote that "he was dying and no one cared." I am sure that wasn't the case, knowing how caring the family was. It must have been a very down day for him, knowing he was going to die.

Theodore married Wright Gail on 24 Feb 1904 in Morocco, Newton County, IN. Gail was born on 24 Jun 1882 in Kentland, Newton County, IN; died on 18 Nov 1942 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was named after his uncle, Nil Gustav, brother to his father, John W. Wilson

Ned married Hore Harriet Dee on 22 Jun 1903. Harriet was born about 1884 in MO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John was buried in Momence Cemetery, Momence, Illinois. He died suddenly at the age of 55 yrs. 2 mos. 6 days of a heart attack. At one time he was a school teacher, sold real estate for one year and was a farmer. His daughter, Ruby often told the story that he had come out of court as a juror and mentioned to a fellow-juror
"that one never knows when one's time is up." Minutes later, he suffered his fatal heart attack.

Born in the Momence area of Kankakee County, he graduated from Momence High School and went on to Valporaso State Teacher's College in Valporaso, Indiana. He taught one-room schools in Momence and the Grant Park areas for years. He later became a school board member of several schools where his daughter, Ruby later taught. One of the schools was Point School. Ruby also taught at Bebeetown and Clapsaddle Schools.

John and Delia discovered she was pregnant with their first child, Harold and rushed into marriage. Unfortunately, little Harold died almost on his first birthday of spinal meningitus. They buried him in an unmarked grave next to his grandparents, Thomas and Rosella O'Connell, also in Momence Cemetery. His birth and death were not discovered until after the death of both parents when an aunt told Ruby of the child. Because of the "disgrace" of having to get married, it was kept a family secret for over 70 years, unknown to the rest of John and Delia's children.

John was a well-respected citizen of Momence and Grant Park communities.
He and his brother, Theodore owned large farms that were left to them by their father, John W. Wilson (Johannes Olsson). He raised corn and chickens, selling the eggs and meat to the local stores.

They lived in several places; the last one, a house in the town of Grant Park (Kankakee Co.) located on the Dixie Highway, almost across the street from a park.

John married O'Connel Delia Louella on 22 Jan 1902 in Momence, Ganeer Tnshp, Kankakee County, IL. Delia (daughter of O'Connel Thomas and Brown Rosella) was born on 04 Aug 1884 in Beaverville, Iroquois County, IL; died on 27 Feb 1969 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, IL; was buried on 03 Mar 1969 in Momence Protestant Cemetery, Momence, Kankakee County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary for Frieda V. Wilson

Funeral services were held Friday, June 9, 1972 in the afternoon in the First United Methodist Church for Miss Frieda V. Wilson, 81, 211 Pine St. Momence, IL who died last Tuesday evening at St. Mary's Hospital after a long illness. The Rev. Erwin J. Pratt officiated at the service and burial was in Mr. Airy Cemetery, under the direction of the Ruge Funeral Home.

Miss Wilson was born August 29, 1890, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson, at Momence. She was a member of the Esther Circle of the First Methodist church, a charter member of the Star club and a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

She is survived by a brother, Oscar, of Momence.

A memorial in her name has been established for the church.

Notes:

Oscar lived with his sister, Frieda, all his life after his parents died. He never married.

Ruge Funeral Home, Monday Dec. 19, 1977 at 2:00 PM. Rev. Erwin Pratt, Officiating.

Notes:

He worked with M, O. Weaver Contruction company in Maynard and that is where he met his wife. He was living in Maynard, IA when he died.

Belles-Wright Funeral Home, Fayette, IA. officiated in his funeral service.

Family/Spouse: Pattison Frances Viola. Frances was born on 17 Sep 1909 in Smithfield, Fayette County, IA; died on 25 Dec 1966 in Fayette County, IA; was buried in Dunham Grove Cemetery, West Union, Fayette County, IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Hubert Donald Clem. Donald was born on 19 Jun 1918 in St. Anne, Kankakee Co., IL; died on 04 Apr 1974 in Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, FL; was buried in St. Anne Cemetery, St. Anne, Kankakee County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Harold was the first child born of Delia L. O'Connell and John W. Wilson, but it was not known to his brothers and sister until long after the death of his parents that his existance came to light through an elderly aunt, Freida Wilson, half sister of John.

Delia was five months pregnant when she and John married and in those days, unlike today, it was considered highly improper for a young girl to get in that condition before marriage. Why they waited so long is unknown.

Harold's life was very short. His death was, according to the death record, attributed to Perebes spiral meningitis due to hydrocephalis. It was complicated by acute enterils. He suffered with this illness for 2 months and 21 days. He died at 9:05 P.M. Tuesday, May 5, 1903 with Dr. J. V. Lewis of Momence in attendance.

Little Harold is buried next to his uncle, Charles O'Connell and his maternal grandparents, Rosella and Thomas O'Connell in Momence Protestant Cemetery, Momence, IL. As yet, he has an unmarked grave, only denoted by a flat iron marker.

While cleaning out the house where Delia had lived, a white satin burial piece was found that belonged to the casket of little Harold. It must have been removed shortly before his burial.

The death of this little guy surely pained Delia for the rest of her life, for she told none of her children who were born after Harold. The fact that she had to marry, being four months pregnant and the shame she felt must have driven her to keep this family secret.

Ruby married Mortensen Tage on 16 Jan 1932 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois. Tage was born on 01 Dec 1908 in Horsens, Vejle County, Denmark; died on 01 Dec 1992 in Spokane, Spokane County, WA; was buried on 26 Jun 1995 in Spokane, Spokane County, WA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Wayne was born in Momence, IL, the third child and second son of Delia O'Connell and John Wilson, Jr. He went to one-room country schools and attended Momence High School.

He served in WWII in the Army Air Corp and was stationed at Chenute Field for a time. He was then sent to the Aleutian Islands.

Wayne was always working with his hands...he loved making things. In the service when plastic was first on the market, he made his niece, Sonja, a beautiful clear plastic heart that had a red interior, looking much like tiny veins. He also made himself a false tooth when he had a tooth that needed a crown instead of going to have it fixed by a dentist!

After he was discharged from the service, he returned to Grant Park, married and started an electrical business with his younger brother, Gaylord. They were known for miles around as the Wilson Bros. Electrical Contractors.

His love for making things extended to the making of wonderful, custom guns. These were muzzle-loaders made to exact replicas of days past. Every part of the gun, down to the screws were made by hand. His most prized possession was a muzzle-loader he had made and later willed it to his favorite niece, Sonja Mortensen, daughter of his sister, Ruby. Sonja has since given it to her only son, Raymond Black, to keep it in the family.

Wayne was the quiet one, unlike his siblings. He was serious, thoughtful and also very caring.

He had for sometime, been very ill. The doctor in Grant Park was treating him for a liver ailment. The area under his right lung was swollen. When his nephew, Dr. John Mortensen came to visit him and checked him over, he discovered the real problem was a severe heart condition and he was in heart failure. Wayne was taken immediately to the VA hospital where a pacemaker was implanted just under the skin. His nephew had saved his life for many more years. He regained his energy and strength after years of suffering from this unknown heart condition.

The misdiagnosis would not be the last in this family. The same doctor in Grant Park also misdiagnosed his brother, Jack, a few years later that resulted in his untimely death.

His Social Security number is 354-28-7240 issued in IL.

Wayne married Grimes Elnora on 09 Dec 1945 in Grant Park, Kankakee County, IL. Elnora was born on 28 Jun 1919; died on 27 May 1989 in Her Home in Grant Park, Kankakee County, IL; was buried on 30 May 1989 in Union Corners Cemetery, Grant Park, Kankakee County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Gaylord is buried in Momence Cemetery in Momence, Illinois in the Wilson plot. In the plot is Delia and John Wilson, his parents; John (Jack), his younger brother; and his wife will be buried next to him when she dies.

He was an electrician in partnership with his brother, Wayne after both returned from their duty in the Army Air Corp during World War II. Their business was known as the Wilson Brothers Electrical

He and Dorothy were members of the Grant Park Methodist church. He attended it periodically most of his life.

Gaylord, always the smoker,died of conjestive heart failure and arterialscerosis. He also had cancer of the lungs.

During his life, he was always interested in local history, Indian lore and family genealogy. He collected antiques and especially antique tractors. He also had a big-wheel bicycle at one time which he would ride around town.

Another interest was in antique guns. He and brother, Wayne would often go to the World Champion Muzzleloader Gun Meet in Friendship, Indiana. His brother, Wayne won the title of World Champion several times. Both wore coonskin caps while attending this meet and dressed as Daniel Boone would have.

Gaylord and Dorothy never had children. This was due to complications of mumps as a teenager and rendered him sterile.

Of the four boys, Gaylord was the most talkative. He was very outgoing and loved a good story. He was also an excellant storyteller himself.

Before the war, he and his brothers had a service station at the edge of town (Grant Park), on the curve of the Dixie highway, heading towards Chicago. It also was a restaurant where one could get hamburgers, hotdogs and sandwiches and cold beer. This was sold before both went into the service to one of their friends. It continued for several years after their return.

Gay entered the ST. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee,suffering from lung cancer and conjestive heart failure. He never left there alive.

Dorothy, his widow, grieved for more than 10 years, wanting to die and join him. Twenty years later, she still survives him alone.

His Social Security number was 347-16-3825 issued in Illinois.

Gaylord married Piersma Dorothy Pearl on 03 Nov 1945 in WItchert, Kankakee County, IL. Dorothy was born on 17 Jul 1918 in Chicago, Cook County, (Beverly Hills) IL; died on 05 Feb 2007 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, IL; was buried on 09 Feb 2007 in Momence Protestant Cemetery, Momence, Kankakee County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John, nicknamed Jack, never married but lived with his widowed mother all her life. After her death, he continued to live in the family home which was a large two-story home in Grant Park, owned by him and his two brothers, Gaylord and Wayne.

Gaylord and Dorothy lived downstairs and Jack and his mother lived in the apartment upstairs. It was fixed into an apartment after Gaylord and Dorothy married so they could have the downstairs part of the house.

Jack entered St. Mary's hospital with a condition thought to be heart failure. It turned out to be a Peptic ulcer that had ulcerated and perferated the wall of his stomach. The doctor who treated him was a foreign doctor from Pakistan and misdiagnosed his condition. This was the second time this doctor had done this to one of the Wilson brothers. The first misdiagnosis was Wayne's condition. He told him he was suffering a liver condition when it was indeed heart failure. This mistake was caught by his nephew, Dr. John Mortensen on a visit from the state of Washington. Wayne was immediately taken to the Veteran's Hospital where he underwent heart surgery and a pacemaker implanted in his chest. Unfortunately, being a small town where most doctors do not want to practice, it is a haven for foreigners who would have a tough time getting into practices in larger cities. Most of the townspeople are left to the mercy of these doctors.

Because of the tragic misdiagnosis, Jack succombed to the infection caused by the perferation to the stomach wall. He was under the impression when he entered the hospital, he would be returning home shortly and begged his niece, Sonja Abate, to take him home. It was just a matter of days, when he passed away.

Jack is buried in the Wilson plot at the Momence Cemetery, Momence, Illinois. Before the (WWII) war, Jack was always the family clown but after returning from the war, he had changed. No longer the family clown, he became a very serious young man.

He worked all his life in a factory in the middle of downtown, Grant Park. He was a PFC US Army, WW II.


Social Security number is 329-07-7311 issued in IL.