Jonas Gustafson (Andersson) Anderson (1859 - 1936)

Born 9 Jan 1859 in Tångeråsen, Offerdal, Jämtland, Sverige

Ancestors

Husband of Mathilda Seraphia (Sundström) Anderson — married about 1895 in Salem, McCook County, South Dakota, United States

Descendants

Died 3 Jun 1936 at age 77 in Upland, San Bernardino County, California, United States of America

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susan Anderson [send private message]

Biography

Jonas Andersson was born on 9 Jan 1859, in Tångeråsen, in the parish of Offerdal, province of Jämtland, Sverige [Sweden], and baptized there on 16 Jan 1859. He was the eldest son of Anders Gudfastsson (or Gufastsson, as it was spelled in the Offerdal parish records of Jonas's birth), a 31-year-old crofter (torpare) in the village of Tångeråsen, and his wife, Maria Jonasdotter.^[1]

As of 13 Oct 1864, the family had moved to Backen in the nearby parish of Lith (or Lit), also in the province of Jämtland. Then, in 1868, Jonas's father left to try to establish a place for his family on the frontier of the United States of America, leaving his family in Backen, where they lived with friends or relatives.^[2] His wife and his four sons left Backen to join him in America on 21 Jun 1879.^[3]

Jonas may have emigrated to the United States earlier, in 1876,^[4] although his later statements to the South Dakota census enumerators indicated a date of arrival in 1877.^[5][6] He would initially have joined his father in Minnesota, probably changing his given name to John at that time and possibly taking "Gustafson" as his surname. Later, all of the sons changed their surname to "Anderson," although John retained Gustafson as his chosen middle name. He remained for some time in Minnesota (where his son, George, was born to an unknown wife, probably in 1890 or 1891, since George was 29 at the time of the 1920 census, which was dated in January of 1920).^[7]

His brother Gufast (or Gudfast, but known in the United States as "Gustaf" and called "Gust") immigrated from Sweden in 1879, stayed at least briefly with the family in Minnesota,^[8] but settled in Salem, South Dakota in 1880.^[9] Since Salem was founded in 1880,^[10] Gust may have been one of the original settlers there, but he encouraged his brothers to join him, resulting in multiple family homesteads established in the vicinity.

Although John apparently married in Minnesota, his first wife must have died by 1894, since he married Mathilda Sarafia Sundstrom, a fellow immigrant from Sweden, in 1895, probably in Salem, McCook County, South Dakota.^[11] Mathilda was a fellow immigrant from Sweden, born on 26 Nov 1868, in the parish of Sävar in Västerbotten.^[12]

By late 1895, John and Mathilda had settled in quarters at the back of the general store in Salem which he owned and operated with his brother, Gust. There his son, Hjalmar, was born on 25 Nov 1895. John had joined the Salem Lutheran Church that same year and had the infant Hjalmar baptized there on 2 Dec 1895.^[13][14] He was sufficiently successful that, by the time of the 1900 United States Census, he had purchased a house, although they were reportedly living in the household of Selma Uffard.^[15] In 1901, Mathilda's sister, Carolina Magdalena (Sundström) Sandberg, died. In accordance with Carolina's wishes, John and Mathilda adopted her infant daughter, Esther (born on 27 Jan 1901), who became Esther Anderson.

In 1910, they were living on Washington Avenue in Salem City, McCook County, South Dakota.^[16]

In the South Dakota state census of 1905, John described his occupation as "merchant."^[17] In the South Dakota state census of 1915, John described his occupation as "Real Estate Dealer."^[18] This may indicate that he and Gust had sold the store by 1915.

In 1920, John owned a green grocery in Upland, Ontario Township, San Bernardino County, California, where he had relocated with his family, including his 29-year-old son, George. Sharing the family residence (and expenses, in the form of rent) on North Euclid Avenue^[19] were his younger brother, Andrew, and Andrew's family.^[20]

John died in Upland, San Bernardino County, California, on 3 Jun 1936.^[21] He was interred in Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, San Bernardino County, California.^[22]

Mathilda died in Upland on 3 Feb 1943, and was interred with her husband at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario.^[23][24]

Research Notes

George Anderson, Son

Possible birth information (1918 Marine Corp enlistment): Database transcript only: "George Anderson," enlisted 13 Jun 1918, b. 28 Jul 1890, Hadley, Murray County, Minnesota, Private, Marine Corps, 161 V Batallion, father: John H. Anderson, b. United States, mother: [name not given], b. United States, enlisted: Slayton, Murray County, Minnesota: Minnesota, World War I Records, 1918-1941, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPT6-7HZC : 6 March 2020), George Anderson (accessed 6 Apr 2022).

Stepmother's obituary (Mathilda Sundström Anderson): see transcript on profile for Mathilda Seraphia Sundström Anderson: In Cavour, South Dakota as of 4 Feb 1943.

Sources

1. ↑ "Jonas," b. 9 Jan 1859, parents: "Torp. Anders Gufastsson i Tångeråsen [and his wife] Maria Jonasdotter:" Offerdal Parish records of births and baptisms: Offerdals kyrkoarkiv, Födelse- och dopböcker, SE/ÖLA/11085/C/4 (1800-1861), bildid: C0036024_00324 Line 4, Page 620 (accessed 12 Mar 2021); see also "Anderson, John G," Member No. 342, b. Offerdal, Jamtland, Sweden, 9 Jan 1859, confirmed: 1874, arrived in America: 1876, arrived in Salem, South Dakota: 1885, membership dropped 5 Jan 1917: Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Salem, South Dakota, Page 19 (accessed 11 Mar 2021 - subscription required).
2. ↑ List of households in Backen, Lit Parish: Lits kyrkoarkiv, Husförhörslängder, SE/ÖLA/11072/A I/11a (1873-1881), bildid: C0035842_00073 Page 69 (accessed 4 Nov 2018).
3. ↑ "Inf. Anders Gudfastssons Hustru ock barn:" Backen, Lits Parish, record of departures: Lits kyrkoarkiv, Flyttningslängder, SE/ÖLA/11072/B/4 (1876-1891), bildid: A0015638_00009 Line 7, Page 10 (accessed 12 Mar 2021).
4. ↑ "Anderson, John G.:" Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (accessed 27 Oct 2018).
5. ↑ In the United States 28 years, in South Dakota 25 years: South Dakota Census, 1905, no. 45 (accessed 10 Nov 2018).
6. ↑ In the United States 38 years, in South Dakota 35 years: South Dakota State Census, 1915, no. 301 (accessed 29 Oct 2018).
7. ↑ "Anderson George," son, male, white, est. age 29, able to read and write, b. Minnesota, both parents b. Sweden, unemployed: United States Census, 1920, Ontario City, Ontario Township, San Bernardino County, California, Enumeration District No. 166, Family No. 102, Sheet 16 B, Line 69, (accessed 6 Apr 2002; also available online at Ancestry.com (accessed 6 Apr 2022 - subscription required).
8. ↑ United States Census, 1880, Center Township, Murray County, Minnesota, Line 14, Page 31D (accessed 10 Nov 2018).
9. ↑ "Anderson, Gustaf:" Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (accessed 27 Oct 2018).
10. ↑ "Salem, South Dakota", Wikipedia.org (accessed 29 Oct 2018).
11. ↑ South Dakota State Census, 1915, card no. 301 (accessed 31 Oct 2018).
12. ↑ Sävar Parish birth and baptismal record: Sävars kyrkoarkiv, Födelse- och dopböcker, SE/HLA/1010199/C/3 (1861-1869)], bildid: F0010061_00227, no. 69, cross-referenced to the Sävar Parish household record: Sävars kyrkoarkiv, Husförhörslängder, SE/HLA/1010199/A I/6b (1865-1874)], bildid: C0042580_00191, p. 602 (accessed 4 Nov 2018).
13. ↑ "Anderson, John G.:" Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (accessed 27 Oct 2018).
14. ↑ Hunt, "Reflections of the Anderson Bros." (see Image 1).
15. ↑ United States Census, 1900 Salem Township Salem city, McCook, South Dakota, United States (accessed 9 Mar 2017).
16. ↑ United States Census, 1910, Salem, McCook, South Dakota, United States (accessed 9 Mar 2017).
17. ↑ South Dakota Census, 1905, no. 45 (accessed 10 Nov 2018).
18. ↑ South Dakota State Census, 1915, no. 301 (accessed 29 Oct 2018).
19. ↑ "Anderson John G.," head, owned house free of mortgage, North Euclid Avenue, male, white, est. age 60, immigrated: 1876, naturalized: 1876, b. Sweden, both parents b. Sweden, owner, retail grocery, works for self: United States Census, 1920, Ontario City, Ontario Township, San Bernardino County, California, Enumeration District No. 166, Family No. 102, Sheet 16 B, Line 69 (accessed 6 Apr 2002; also available online at Ancestry.com (accessed 6 Apr 2022 - subscription required).
20. ↑ "Anderson, Andrew," head, renting [of John G. Anderson, Line 69], white, est. age 51, immigrated: 1876, naturalized: 1896, b. Sweden, both parents b. Sweden, farmer, general farm, employee: United States Census, 1920, Ontario City, Ontario Township, San Bernardino County, California, Enumeration District No. 166, Family No. 102, Sheet 16 B, Line 72 (accessed 6 Apr 2002; also available online at Ancestry.com (accessed 6 Apr 2022 - subscription required).
21. ↑ "Anderson, John G., d 3 Jun 1936, age 77:" California Death Index, 1905-1939, State File No. 37740, Column 147 (accessed 3 Mar 2021).
22. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 147331642, John G. Anderson (accessed 27 Oct 2018).
23. ↑ Transcript only of index: California Death Index, 1940-1997, Mathilda S. Anderson (accessed 29 Oct 2018).
24. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 147331701, Mathilda S. Anderson (accessed 5 Nov 2018)..

• Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Elk Grove Village, IL, USA; Parish: Salem Lutheran Church; ELCA Film Number: S329-332; SSIRC Film Number: S-331, Ancestry.com. U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1946 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017 (subscription required).
• California Death Index, 1905-1939, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKSM-GJ9J : 8 November 2017), John G Anderson, 03 Jun 1936; citing 37740, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento; FHL microfilm 1,686,048.
• California Death Index, 1940-1997, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPQ7-Y6X : 26 November 2014), Mathilda S Anderson, 03 Feb 1943; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
• California Death Index, 1940-1997, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPQ7-Y6X : 26 November 2014), Mathilda S Anderson, 03 Feb 1943; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
• Hunt, Esther Anderson, "Reflections of the Anderson Bros.," Salem Special, 17 Jul 1980.
• Lits kyrkoarkiv, Flyttningslängder, SE/ÖLA/11072/B/4 (1876-1891), bildid: A0015638_00009.
• Lits kyrkoarkiv, Husförhörslängder, SE/ÖLA/11072/A I/11a (1873-1881), bildid: C0035842_00073 .
• Offerdals kyrkoarkiv, Födelse- och dopböcker, SE/ÖLA/11085/C/4 (1800-1861), bildid: C0036024_00324.
• Offerdals kyrkoarkiv, Husförhörslängder, SE/ÖLA/11085/A I/11 (1858-1866), bildid: C0036014_00312.
• "Salem, South Dakota", Wikipedia.org.

Census Records

• South Dakota State Census, 1905, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MM4K-TQB : 29 July 2017), John Anderson, South Dakota, United States; citing State Historical Society, Pierre; FHL microfilm 2,281,055.
• South Dakota State Census, 1915, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMH7-S16 : 29 July 2017), John G Anderson; citing State Historical Society, Pierre; FHL microfilm 2,283,084.
• United States Census, 1880, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ9F-VG9 : 12 August 2017), Andrew Gustafson, Center, Murray, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district ED 177, sheet 31D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0627; FHL microfilm 1,254,627.
• United States Census, 1900, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMRC-NW3 : accessed 9 March 2017), Hjalmer Anderson in household of Selma Uffard, Salem Township Salem city, McCook, South Dakota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 365, sheet 4A, family 83, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,551.
• United States Census, 1910, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPX5-NJK : accessed 9 March 2017), Hjelmar Anderson in household of John G Anderson, Salem, McCook, South Dakota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 293, sheet 2B, family 44, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1484; FHL microfilm 1,375,497.
• United States Census, 1920, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHW4-GDP : accessed 29 October 2018), Hjalmer Anderson in household of John G Anderson, Ontario, San Bernardino, California, United States; citing ED 166, sheet 16B, line 70, family 102, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 129; FHL microfilm 1,820,129.

See also:

• Find A Grave Memorial# 147331642, John G. Anderson.
• Find A Grave Memorial# 147331701, Mathilda S. Anderson.