USA > Illinois > Henry County > Bishop Hill > A history of Bishop Hill, Illinois : also biographical sketches of many early pioneers in Illinois, 100 years > Part 15
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But we want to say a word in regard to the Bishop Hill of today. The village, by the government census of 1890, numbers 330 souls. It is situated on what was originally a wooded eminence overlooking a small stream, the headwaters of Edwards River. The location is a beautiful one and the village is one of the neatest and best kept in this part of the state. The yards, gardens and well tilled fields present a picture "fair as a garden of the Lord." The inhabitants are among the most intelligent and thrifty and are abreast of the times in all that pertains to a model village life. The buildings, as will be seen from the views here presented, are mostly the old colony buildings, but aside from this, scarcely a vestige of the old colony life remains. The lands are held in severalty and the government is that of the incorporated village. In its palmiest days Bishop Hill contained about 1100 souls. Everything was made in the community that was necessary for the community life, and the surplus found a ready market at good prices be- cause of its general excellence.
Mr. Root well says, in his response to the address of wel- come, that "In its most prosperous days had this town been en- closed by the Chinese Wall, the inhabitants would almost have had within the confines of their own possessions, abundant re- sources to supply their every want, without being dependent upon the outside world. They raised and manufactured into cloth their own wool and flax, made their own implements of every description, raised wheat and rye and ground the same
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into flour, manufactured leather and converted it into boots and shoes, burnt their own lime, raised horses, cattle, hogs and poultry, and their ten-horse-power sorghum mill was the largest in the northern part of the state, and very few of the necessaries of life were obtained elsewhere. Their industrial growth from the beginning was almost phenomenal."
The Bishop Hill Colony has passed away. Whether we agree or disagree with the religious tenets of the colonists ; whether we agree or disagree with the idea of Colony lift, the heart of every lover of liberty beats in sympathy with every honest effort, misdirected though it may be, to secure a larger measure of liberty for any portion of the race.
The Bishop Hill Colony has passed away, but those hardy pioneers have left in their descendants, a heritage to free gov- ernment, of as intelligent, brave and loyal a class of citizens as can be found within our borders.
RAILROAD STATION
Biskops Kulla, Sweden
203
Vistowill.
SUNDSV
HUDIKSVALL
SODERHAMN
Finngrunden
$2337
Öntr
Västra
* V. Bankens
89
Ppparbery
SKI
Part of Sweden where most of the Colonists came from.
PART IV
1945
Bishop Hill A State Park
BISHOP HILL, JULY 12, 1945
Old Colony Church, Village Park at Bishop Hill, will be maintained as a State Park. Division of Parks appropriates $20,000 for restoration work.
ACCEPTANCE
Village Board, Bishop Hill, Illinois
Gentlemen :
I am pleased to advise you that Governor Green has accepted in the name of the State of Illinois, the offer made by your Board to take over the responsibility of the Old Colony Church and the Village Park.
I assure you that the State will take good care of the prop- erty and is very proud to own it.
Representative John T. Nowlan was tireless in getting this matter straightened out during the present session. I know his efforts will be appreciated by your Board, as well as all inter- ested in preserving this valuable property.
Very truly yours,
W. A. ROSENFIELD.
Director, Department of Public Works and Buildings, State of Illinois
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Old Colony Church (1848) and the village park at Bishop Hill will be restored and maintained as a state park.
Twenty thousand dollars has been appropriated for initial work which will be started as soon as materials are available, in order that the properties may be dedicated on the Colony Town's centennial celebration September 23, 1946.
Acceptance by the State Division of Parks of the historic church and the park was presented to the village board this week by State Representative JJohn T. Nowlan, who first proposed the project to state officers over three years ago.
TO CONTAIN KRANS PAINTINGS
The two-story church, with pews of solid native black walnut fashioned by handmade tools, was one of the first buildings com- pleted after founding of the colony. For many years daily wor- ship was held there by Eric Janson and his followers, who had made the hazardous journey from Sweden to find freedom of religious expression and to found a communal life.
Of chief interest to future visitors of the church will be the more than 60 paintings by Olof Krans -- portraits of colonists and vivid scenes of early colony life -- which have been ac- claimed by large museums and national magazines in recent years as some of the nation's best primitives.
The church register now contains the names of persons from every state in the union and from many foreign lands several thousand visiting the villege each summer before the war.
WOULD ADD TO EXHIBIT
After restoration is completed. Rep. Nowlan said, it is the plan of the Division of Parks to name a custodian for the church and park. He would be on duty to show visitors through the church and to point out privately owned colony buildings. Per- haps the most famous of these, the Steeple building (1854), now partly owned by Weller township, and it is hoped that it also may be restored at some future date.
It is expected that many articles used in early colony days, as well as antiques brought from Sweden by the hardy pioneers, will be donated to the Bishop Hill state park for preservation, greatly enlarging the present exhibit.
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Through advertising by the state in its Division of Parks pamphlets and news stories, many more visitors will be attracted to the Colony Town in years to come.
MANY PERSONS AIDED IN OBTAINING STATE PARK
Governor Dwight H. Green and all other state officials are pretty well versed in the history of Bishop Hill by now, State Representative John T. Nowlan said this week.
Constant talking about the project, supplemented with many pictures and clippings, finally brought about the new state park, he said.
Officials of the village and many other citizens gave him all possible support and co-operation as did Attorney R. M. Everett, of this city, who handled the many legal details free of charge.
Among many others, who lent support to the project, he said, included :
Governor Dwight H. Green, who formally accepted the property on behalf of the state.
Attorney General George F. Barrett, who accepted title to the properties.
Walter A. Rosenfield, director of the Department of Public Works and Buildings; his assistant, I. A. Palmer, and George W. Williams superintendent of parks.
Dr. Conrad Bergendoff, president of Augustana College and Theological Seminary.
Attorney Carl Sorling, of Springfield, formerly of Moline, and a personal friend of Governor Green.
Attorney David I. Swanson, of Chicago, legal counsel for the Speaker of the House and a State Representative for 22 years.
A. A. Andreen, of Woodhull, president of the Henry board of supervisors.
Senator Fred W. Rennick, of Buda, Rep. Orville Chapman, of Bradford, and Rep. Henry J. Knauf of Ladd, colleagues of Rep. Nowlan ; A. J. Duffield, secretary of the Illinois Employers Association, of Chicago; State Representatives Reed Cutler, of Lewistown, an early booster for the project, Bernice Van der Vries, of Winnetka, Maud N. Peffers of Aurora and many others.
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OLAF KRANS
The Artist
On the following pages are some of the sixty paintings of the original settlers, by Olaf Krans. Housed in the Old Colony Church, they are ranked by critics today as outstanding among American primitives.
When Bishop Hill observed its 66th anniversary in 1912, Mr. Krans, then of Altonta, spoke of his collection of paintings in the Colony Church and he donated them to the Old Settler's As- sociation. A rising vote of thanks was extended to him.
Photos of Paintings by Theo Anderson.
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THE OLD MILL
"THE OLD MILL"
WOMEN DOING PILE DRIVING
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PLOWING-SOWING
PLOWING AND SOWING
DUGOUTS "BACK STUGOR"
BISHOP HILL COLONY 1887
DUGOUTS-"Backstugor"
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PLANTING CORN
-PLOWING
BREAKING THE PRAIRIE
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CAPT, ERIC JOHNSON
CAPT. ERIC JANSON Son of the Prophet
MRS. OCTAVIA JOHNSON "COLONY BEAUTY".
MRS. OCTAVIA JANSON The Colony Beauty
May Malmgren "OSSON"
MARY MALMGREN "OLSON" (First child born in the Colony)
MRS. CH MOUR RONT
MRS. CHARLOTTE ROOT
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1811
1906
MRS. BEATA KRANS
O.KRANS
OLAF KRANS Self Portrait
1811 Eric O. Krans S. 185
ERIC KRANS
PETER JANSSON BR. OF BRIGJANSON
PETER JANSON Brother of Eric Janson
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PETER HELSTROM "THE SCHOOL MASTER"
MARTIN JOHNSON
MARTIN JOHNSON
PETER HELSTROM (The Schoolmaster)
JONAS MALMGREN
JONAS MALMGREN
JACOP JACOPSON
JACOP JACOPSON
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SimdaSie
SIGRID STENBERG
Mrs Sophia Shin (Peterson)
MArs. Sophin Sként Rde
MRS. SOFIA SKÖN PETERSON
OLOF JOHN SOM
SEAMAN JOHN BJÖRK
OLOF JOHNSON
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ANDREW STENBERG
ERIC OLSON
ANDREW STENBERG
Lars Söder vis
LARS SODERQUIST
SWAN SWANSON
SWAN SWANSON
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"DO YOU WANT MY SCALP NILS HELBIM SINDIAN
NILS HELBLOM and the "Indian"
Nils Helbom
NILS HELBOM
--
arvest Scene
HARVEST SCENE
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PART V
1946
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1846 - 1946
Centennial Celebration and Reunion of The Old Settlers
OF THE BISHOP HILL COLONY
At Bishop Hill, Henry County, Ill., Sept. 22-23, 1946
Eight thousand persons heard Gov. Dwight H. Green accept Old Colony Church and village square in Bishop Hill as a state memorial Monday afternoon-Centennial day-where 100 years years ago Swedish emigrants began a new way of life in a country which they were to help make the greatest in the world.
"May this monument long endure," Governor Green de- clared, "not alone as a definite remindor of those courageous men and women who settled here a century ago, but in a broader sense, as a vital symbol of countless other Americans of Swedish descent who thru the years have been leaders in those cultural and economic achievements which have made the nation great.
Largest crowd ever assembled in the village was jam-packed in the park and standing space was at a premium to hear the Centennial's most distinguished speaker. Cars were parked in all directions from the village.
Gov. Green, who had another engagement that evening, visited, Old Colony Church for a short time before leaving for Galesburg where he left for Chicago by plane. He signed many autographs during his short stay and also was interviewed on a wire recorder brought there by radio station WHBF in Rock Island.
A hand-carved walnut gavel, made by Charles L. Nelson, village blacksmith, was presented to Gov. Green by Dr. C. F. Schwab of Galva, chairman of the Henry county Republican central committee. Mr. Nelson, who is three-quarters of a cen- tury-old himself, was brought to the platform where the Gover- nor extended his thanks.
-Courtesy Galva News, Galva, Ill.
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EXPRESSES GRATITUDE
Walter T. Hedstrom, a member of the village board, who was active in making the preparations for the Centennial, ex- pressed appreciation to the Governor and others who were re- sponsible in establishing Bishop Hill as a state park.
"I wish to convey the gratitude of the countryside to every- one who helped in preserving the historic lore which is dear to our hearts," Mr. Hedstrom told the group. He also thanked residents of Galva for their co-operation and assistance in the Centennial plans.
Three Galva men, who have played a prominent part in establishing the colony as a state shrine were introduced, in- cluding State Representative John T. Nowlan, State's Attorney Reynolds M. Everett and Dr. C. F. Schwab. Each spoke briefly.
INTRODUCE OFFICIALS
Officials of the state department of public works and build- ings, responsible for the care of state parks, also were introduced. In the group were Ivan A. "Jack" Palmer, assistant director of the department; C. Herrick Hammond, supervising architect, and George W. Williams, superintendent of the division of parks and memorials. Joseph F. Booton, chief of design, and George Nedved, of the architectural division, who were in charge of the restoration work at the church, also were introduced.
Dr. C. F. Schwab introduced the Governor, Senator Fred W. Rennick, of Buda, Senator Charles Carpentier, of Moline, Congressman R. B. Chiperfield of Canton, and Representative Orville Chapman, of Bradford.
Th large crowd was welcomed by Clarence E. Nelson, presi- dent of the Old Settlers' association, who served as chairman for all programs, and Attorney A. E. Bergland gave the response.
FINE MUSICAL PROGRAM
A fine musical program was also arranged for the afternoon. An octet from the Augustana choir in Rock Island, of which Lois Binge, of Galva, is a member, presented a number of selec- tions including the Swedish song, "Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara."
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Other members of the group were Mary Lou Buck, who sang "The Lord's Prayer" as a solo, and Peg Dahlberg, Betty Sand- gren, Bob Maurus, Bob Lindley, Wally Lindstrom and John Erickson.
Mrs. E. L. Swanson, 75, sang in Swedish "I Rosens Doft" by Prince Gustaf which she had sung at the celebration 50 years ago. Mrs. Swanson is the only surviving member of the choir which sang at the semi-centennial.
Miss Vivian Johnson, of Wataga, whose violin solos have been a pleasing addition to many programs in this area, played Scandinavian selections with Mrs. Verna Bowman Anderson as the accompanist.
In memory of colony descendants who died during the past year, the necessary roll was read by Mrs. Pearle Ericson. Ke- wanee Boiler City band closed the program with selections and also presented a concert in the evening.
HOME TALENT AT NIGHT
Mrs. Verna Anderson directed the program in the evening which was presented by Bishop Hill talent. Opening number was a solo, "Tolling Through the Years," sung by Bryce Nordstrom.
Also appearing were a girls' quartet composed of Carolyn Hedstrom, Ardith Anderson, Verla Johnson and Virginia Eric- son ; vocal solos by Robert Olson, Virgil Sundberg and Wayne Hier; a Swedish dance by a group of primary pupils; two songs by Bishop Hill children with throat whistling by Dale Anderson ; a solo in Swedish by seven-year-old Milton Anderson, of Galva; folk and square dances by primary children and a Swedish song and dance by Nancy Florine, Mary Lou Anderson, Bobby Houghton and Dickie Taylor.
An historical parade in the morning in which many of the tools and other implements of the original colony days were featured, was an event of Monday morning when hundreds lined the streets on both sides to witness it. Narration for the parade was in charge of Attorney Reynolds M. Everett.
Annual chicken dinner served by the women of the Bishop Hill community was also a big event Monday. Approximately 1,600 persons were served.
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PLAN MORE RESTORATION
Further plans for restoration work at Old Colony Church were announced this week by Representative John T. Nowlan. It is expected that additional funds will be appropriated for the work at the next session of the legislature.
Among the plans considered are landscaping of the village park and addition of drinking fountains, benches and possibly a new bandstand. The stub road into the village from Route 34 also will be planted with trees and shrubbery.
Considerable work remains to be done on the church build- ing, as only preliminary work was completed this year due to lack of time and materials.
DEDICATORY ADDRESS BY GOV. GREEN
"Bishop Hill, closely woven as it was with the early de- velopment of Illinois, now rightfully takes its place beside other historical sites in the state," Gov. Dwight H. Green told a Cen- tennial crowd of 8,000 persons Monday as he accepted the Old Colony church and village park on behalf of the state.
Text of his address is as follows:
It is a privilege and a very real pleasure, to participate with you in the Centennial observance of the founding of the Bishop Hill colony. Today, in honoring the memory and the deeds of the intrepid men and women who originally settled here, we pay well-merited tribute to qualities of character which contributed notably to the making of America.
The mid-Nineteenth century, which dates the founding of the colony, encompassed an eventful epoch in the life of our Commonwealth and our Nation. One hundred years ago, Illinois was in its youthful twenty-eighth year as a state. The Illinois- Michigan canal was nearing completion. Chicago, Peru and LaSalle were growing rapidly. Rock Island had been founded scarcely half a decade before. From Nauvoo, the Mormons had lately begun their historic exodus across the Mississippi on the long trek westward.
In 1846, we had gone to war with Mexico over the boundary of Texas and we had signed the treaty with Great Britain, which added the Oregon territory to our national domain. Workmen were busily engaged in the task of installing equipment for the
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operation of a new and marvelous invention, with the result that two years later the returns of a national election were dissemi- nated for the first time by the telegraph. In 1846, too, a gentle- man named Howe applied for a patent on a new contrivance- something called a sewing machine. As yet, no state existed west of the Missouri river. Members who responded to the roll call in the national House of Representatives at Washington included a Mr. Lincoln of Illinois. Later indeed, when this tall, gaunt, kindly man was to save the nation from dissolution, he would get immeasurable aid from the inventive genius of a brilliant Swedish engineer, whose "cheesebox on a raft" stopped the formidable "Merrimac" and gave naval supremacy to the Union.
LED BY ERIC JANSON
Such, in part, was the national picture when the little band of pioneers under the leadership of Eric Janson, came to Henry county. The same nobility of spirit and passionate devotion to the principles of individual liberty, which would never permit them to accept oppression's yoke in their home country, sus- tained them here in overcoming the obstacles which attended establishing a foothold in this wide and welcoming land of their adoption.
I know that all, or most of you gathered here today, are familiar with the story of the settlement. It is hardly necessary to recount in detail the innumerable hardships and privations that beset these pioneers. Added to the natural difficulties of securing their home in what was then virtually a wilderness, their ranks were decimated by an epidemic of the dread Asiatic cholera, and in 1850 death deprived them of the leadership and inspiration of Erie Janson. Despite these adverse blows, under the impact of which people of a softer fibre might well have given up the struggle, they won through every calamity. Their settlement endured to inaugurate and encourage the mighty tide of Scandinavian immigration, which has populated our great Northwest with farms, villages and cities, and made it a land of which all its citizens have reason to be proud.
They did not ask for a great deal, these pioneers, and cer- tainly not overmuch of material things. What they sought here was a haven where the dignity of the human soul was recognized, where work was honorable, where class distinctions were levelled,
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and where the future beckoned on to a status of economic in- dependence.
Theirs were the sturdy attributes which lent strength to the nation in its still formative years and fixed the firm, durable pattern for the future of America. In that, they built exceed- ingly well. And we of today are the fortunate inheritors of the splendid fruits of their building.
PLAY VITAL ROLE
No student of American history as it has unfolded not only during the past century, but since the inception of the Republic as well, can fail to observe the vital role played in the develop- ment and progress of this nation by its sons and daughters of Swedish descent. The roster of their names is long and the archives of their achievements are voluminous. They have gained high distinction in the arts, the sciences and the professions- in government, in medicine, in jurisprudence and education, in engineering and architecture --- in every realm of human endeavor which is dedicated to improving the welfare of mankind. The record of Swedish-Americans has been no less distinguished for their whole-hearted response on every occasion when it became necessary to defend the free and democratic processes of America against the forces of hatred and evil which sought to extinguish them. From the American Revolution to the titanic convulsions of World War II, Swedish-Americans, true to their liberty- loving traditions, have been quick to answer their country's call in times of need.
NOW STATE MEMORIAL
I am particularly happy that the Old Colony Church and Square have now been entrusted to the care of the state, and henceforth will be included in the list of our official state mem- orials. Closely woven as it was with the early development of Illinois, it rightfully takes a place beside such other historical sites as New Salem, Black Hawk State park, Fort Chartres and Fort Kaskaskia. The provision of funds for restoration and maintenance provided by the 64th General Assmebly, and the granting of the deed by its townspeople, marked the climax of years of co-operative effort to bring this about. For the success-
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ful culmination of the movement, much credit must be given to the members of the Legislature from your 37th district.
Because of its importance in our history, the Bishop Hill memorial can be made a mecca for students, for our school chil- dren and the general public of the entire state. It can become another New Salem, on a smaller scale, a living museum of the life of its founders which constituted so bright and admirable a chapter in the annals of Illinois.
EXPRESSES APPRECIATION
May I also take this opportunity, both as the chief executive of the State, and your fellow citizen, to express my deep appre- ciation to those of you who already have donated many of the heirlooms and other objects to be housed here, and to others who I understand are planning similar action. The value of these contributions cannot be measured on any ordinary scale. From the standpoint of historical artifacts, they are priceless. I assure you that every possible precaution will be taken by our Department of Public Works and Buildings to protect and pre- serve them.
In assuming responsibility for the Bishop Hill property, your State government is fully aware that it has acquired a monu- ment of great significance and worth. May it long endure, not alone as a definite reminder of those courageous men and women who settled here a century ago, but in a broader sense, as a visual symbol of countless other Americans of Swedish descent who through the years have been leaders in those cultural and eco- nomic achievements which have made the nation great.
Gov. Dwight H. Green and autograph hunters.
EOLUS
"Eolus" float entered by the Galva Creamery Co.
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KEYNOTES CENTENNIAL
The colony, which was founded on a religious ideal, appro- priately keynoted its celebration with religious services Sunday morning at Community Methodist church where Dr. C. G. Wal- lenius, of Evanston, former president of the Swedish Theological Seminary, delivered the address, "The Challenge of Our Father's Faith," paying tribute to the early immigrants.
Assisting Dr. Wallenius in the service were the present pastor of the church, Rev. Joe Anderson, and two former pastors, Rev. H. J. Diercks of St. Louis and Rev. C. A. Holmgren, of Chicago.
The village choir, with soloists directed by Mrs. John A. Oberg Jr., sang during the services and there was a special quartet selection, "Faith of Our Fathers," sung by Vernon - Nordstrom, Harold Nordstrom, John A. Oberg Jr. and Wesley Ericson.
Sunday noon was picnic and reunion time for the thousands of visitors who gathered in separate groups for their noon meal. Many homes in the community entertained relatives and friends, and others gathered for picnics in the park and on lawns in the community.
Influx of automobiles which had started early that morning for church services gradually increased and by 1 o'clock the big- gest share of the 6,000 attendants were already on the grounds, · sight-seeing at Old Colony Church, renewing acquaintances with friends and relatives and finding seats for the afternoon pro- gram in the village park which was scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
GIVES WELCOME
"Velkommen til Biskup's Kulla, Velkommen!" in the words of Eric Janson a century ago, Clarence E. Nelson, presi- dent of the Old Settlers' Association, welcomed the Centennial visitors at the opening program.
Pulpit of the former Bethel Methodist church in Victoria now used by the Victoria Methodist church was loaned for the occasion and used on the bandstand in the park for the program which was highlighted by the appearance of the Svithiod Singing Chorus, of Chicago.
Harold Anderson, of Galva, a former member of the chorus, appeared with the fine group of singers, who used the "Star Spangled Banner" as their opening selection. Greetings were
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