Johan Adrian (Wörlund) Worlund Sr. (1847 - 1897)

Born 13 Oct 1847 in Koskeby, Vörå, Vaasa, Finland

Husband of Elizabeth Emanuelsdotter (Krooks-Kronholm) Worlund — married 23 Feb 1870 in Luleo, Sweden

Descendants

Died 23 Jan 1897 at age 49 in Georgia Falls, Wisconsin

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Biography

Birth

13 Oct 1847

Gråbbil, Koskeby No 2, Vörå, Finland^[1]

Residence

1863 - 1889

Gråbbil, Koskeby No 2, Vörå, Finland^[1][2]

Marriage

Husband: Johan Wörlund

Wife: Lisa Emanuelsdotter Krooks

Marriage date: 3 Feb 1870

Vörå, Finland^[3]

Children:

Death

23 JAN 1897

Georgia Falls, Wisconsin

Religion

Christian (Protestant) Swedish Augusana Lutheran

Sources

Notes

N19John A. Worlund St. Married Elizabeth Krooks-Kroholm in Luleo, Sweden, Feb 23, 1870. Ater John and Eizabeth married, they spent four years in Swden. In 184, John decided to come to America to make his fortune. He landed in New York but didn't remain there for any length of time. The next information we have is that he worked as a laborer on the railroad in Renova, Pennsylvania. Thinking that there would be more work and beter pay he went to Vermont to work for another railroad. In 1875, he realized that he would not make a fortune in the railroad work so he traveled to Montreal, Canada. After spending some time there, he signed on as a sailor on an English boat. An an English sailor, he stopped in orts of Newcastle, Shields, and Hull, England. He left England in 1876, and crossed the North Sea rejoining his family in Sweden. For seven and a half years, he worked as a cabinet maker, painter and edger in sawmills. John still held his dream of making a fortune in America. Althought, the first trip to America had not been a success, he decided to try to make his fortune there for the second time. In 1883, he arrived in this country again and went to Grand Rapids, Wood County.We don't know why he left, but from there he went to Vesper. There he worked in a sawmill. Stil seeking his fortune. He looked for work in Pittsville. Hearing that the Hill railway was giving out a contract to lear and grade the right of way between Pittsville and Dexterville, he wen to Dexterville and succeeded in getting the contract for the work. By 1884, he was abl eto send for Elizabeth and his sons, Simon and John. John and Elizabeth had fifteen chidren but only six lived to maturity. When he had finished the grading contract, he began farming. He bought 80 acres of wild land inSecion 3, Sigel Township. He tract was situate half a mile from the nearest road. He cut a road into his land. The property cost him 0.00 including some standing timber. Later he bought 280 more acres more in Section 3 plus 80 acres of homestead alnd in Section 4, Sigel Township. He later sold the 80 acres in Section 4. John began improving the property by building a pioneer log house. He started cutting timber and transforming the wood into logs and lumber. For the first nine years he didn't own any mules or horses, so he had to carry his supplies ten miles from Grand Rapids (the nearest town) on his back. Just as John began to make some progress and accumulate a few household goods, a fire destroyed his log home and his goods. When he rebuilt the home, it was a brick structure. In 1893, John bought his first team of oxen. Later he was able to purchase horses. Although the family had many hardships to overcome, they worked hard without discouragement and prosperity occured. The farm grew into one of the finest in Wood County. John had become a leader in the community. He was supervisor of Sigel Township for two years. He worked for local improvements, such as schools. He was well and favorably known throughout the county. In 1912, he sold his farm and bought a trct of 80 acres in Section 34, Sherry Township, paying ,000.00. He didn't live on the farm but resided in Grand Rapids (now Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin). Within a few years, he had made Section 34 into a good farm which he sold in 1919. The family was a emember of the Swedish Lutheran Church. John was an active worker in the Church for many years. He helped to build three different Churches, two in the country and one in Wisconsin Rapids. He helped to support the work of the Wisconsin Rapids Church and donated the bell used to call the worshippers to services. For 32 years, he served as Sunday School Superintendent in Bethany Church in Sigel. He represented the Superior Conference of the Swedish Augustana Lutheran Synod at different times of their conventions. The last one he attended was held in Jamestown, NY.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Finland's Family History Association. Vöyri rippikirja, 1863-1870, MKO1-40 Kuva 362 Link to Household Record
2. ↑ Finland's Family History Association. Vöyri rippikirja, 1863-1870, MKO41-85 Kuva 372 Link to Household Record
3. ↑ Finland's Family History Association. Vöyri Marriage Records 1841-1879 MKO1-7 Kuva 110 Link to Marriage Record

Acknowledgments

Thank you to William Harry for creating WikiTree profile Worlund-4 through the import of Harry Family 02092013.GED on Feb 9, 2013.

Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by William and others.