USA > Illinois > Rock Island County > Moline > Jubilee album for the seventy-fifth anniversary of the First Ev. Lutheran Church, Moline, Illinois > Part 5
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The Faithful Wives of Our Pastors
MRS. O. C. T. ANDREN.
MRS. G. PETERS.
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MRS. J. S. BENZON.
MRS. MATHILDA SETTERDAHL.
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MRS. SANNAH SETTERDAHL.
MRS. H. O. LINDEBLAD.
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MRS. C. A. HEMBORG.
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MRS. L. A. JOHNSTON.
MRS. A. F. BERGSTROM.
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MRS. C. O. MORLAND.
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Professors of the Augustana Theol. Seminary who are members of Our Church
DR. ADOLF HULT.
DR. C. E. LINDBERG.
PROF. S. J. SEBELIUS.
Officers
Deacons and Trustees
Between the years 1850 and 1857 the following officers are men- tioned, but it is not specified whether they were deacons or trustees: C. Johnson, S. Jakobson, N. Rundquist, L. P. Esbjörn, Olof Nordin, and G. Erikson, N. J. Erikson, C. Lindeman, Vallentin, Per Larson, Per Bodelson, J. Holmquist, Lars J. Johnson, John Jakobson, John John- son, Gust Erikson, C. G. Gustafson and C. M. Carlson.
1857. Deacons: C. Lindeman, N. J. Erikson, J. Holmquist, J. Jakobson, Per Bodelson, Nils Swanson.
Trustees : O. C. T. Andren, N. J. Erikson, Per Larson, Johannes Ja- kobson, John Holmquist.
1860. Deacons : C. Lindeman, N. J. Erikson, Per Larson.
Trustees : J. Jakobson, Jonas Larson, A. Sjölin.
1862. Deacons : O. P. Lund, C. Felleson, Lars J. Johnson, John Peterson, N. J. Erikson E. Norlinder.
Trustees : Per Larson, A. Sjolin, N. Dahlgren, N. G. Engvall, A. Vik- ström.
1864. Deacons: J. Holmquist, Per Hanson.
Trustees: N. J. Erikson, N. Dahlgren, J. Holmquist, J. Skepper, A. Sjölin, Per Hanson.
I865. Deacons: John Holmquist, Per Larson, A. P. Lund, C. Felleson. Trustees: N. J. Erikson, L. J. Johnson.
1866. Deacons: A. Freed, Per Larson.
Trustees : C. A. Berglund, Olof Nilson.
1867. Deacons: Per Hanson, Olof Nilson.
Trustees : P. V. Nelson, J. Larson.
1868. Deacons: J. Swanson, N. P. Johnson, Per Swanson. Trustees : Olof Peterson, P. Lind, N. Lundahl.
1869. Deacons: A. Nilson, N. P. Johnson, B. A. Blom. Trustees : A. Sjölin, J. Lind, P. Felling.
1870. Deacons: P. Hanson, P. Felling, A. Pehrson.
Trustees: J. Pierce, O. Lind, A. Shallberg, L. Westberg.
187I. Deacons: J. Setterstrom, A. Nilson, O. Hjelm, O. Hult, J. V. Esping, J. Svenson.
Trustees: L. N. Larson.
THE CHURCH COUNCIL.
Standing-John A. F. Peterson, Carl J. Peterson, Oscar M. Brissman, John A. Holmer, Philip J. Hoogner, Chas. H. Johnson, Chas. A. Carlson. Seated-Alfred Erickson, August N. Brissman, Rev. C. O. Morland.
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1872. Deacons: N. J. Erikson, N. Chester, C. J. Bergblom, A. Kinvall. Trustees : P. Lind, C. J. Westerdahl, J. Lind.
1873. Deacons : P. Lind, O2 Hult, A. Kinvall. Trustees : A. Welander, N. Chester.
1874. Deacons: J. Swanson, A. Nelson.
Trustees : O. Hult, P. Hanson.
1875. Deacons: P. Colseth, N. J. Erikson, N. Chester, C. J. Bergblom. Trustees : P. Lind, A. Shallberg.
1876: Deacons: O. Hult, P. Lind, J. W. Esping. Trustees : P. Knutson, N. Chester.
1877. Deacons: C. J. Bergblom, A. Lind, J. Lundquist.
Trustees : P. Hanson, J. H. Wistrand.
1878. Deacons: N. J. Erikson, Otto Johnson, J. P. Berg. Trustees : P. Lind, J. Pears.
1879. Deacons: O. Hult, P. Lind, J. W. Esping. Trustees: N. Chester, C. H. Bohman.
1880. Deacons: P. Colseth, A. Lind, C. J. Bergblom. Trustees : J. H. Wistrand, P. Hanson.
1881. Deacons: J. A. P. Berg, Otto Johnson, E. Gustus. Trustees : P. Lind, J. Pears.
1882. Deacons : O. Hult, C. J. Larson, A. G. Anderson. Trustees : C. H. Bohman, A. Freed.
1883. Deacons: P. Colseth, A. Lind, G. Toline. Trustees: J. H. Wistrand, C. G. Thulin.
1884. Deacons: J. Astrom, C. J. Bergblom, Otto Johnson, E. Gustus. Trustees : J. A. Godehn, P. Hanson.
1885. Deacons: O. Hult, P. Colseth.
Trustees : A. Freed, A. J. Anderson.
1886. Deacons: G. Toline, A. Peterson, A. G. Anderson. Trustees: C. G. Thulin, P. Lind, A. Shalline.
1887. Deacons: C. J. Bergblom, Otto Johnson, E. Gustus. Trustees : A. J. Anderson, A. Shalline.
1888. Deacons. J. Astrom, Louis Astrom, A. O. Bersell. Trustees : A. J. Anderson, A. Freed.
1889. Deacons: A. Petereson, A. G. Anderson, G. Toline. Trustees : P. Lind, H. Rundquist.
1890. Deacons: C. J. Bergblom, A. Goranson.
Trustees: C. G. Josephson, J. A. Godehn.
I891. Deacons: J. Astrom, C. P. Bohman, J. F. Freeman. Trustees : A. Freed, A. J. Anderson.
1892. Deacons: A. Peterson, G. Lindahl, C. Holmgren. Trustees : P. Lind, F. A. Landee, A. P. Lundquist.
1893. Deacons: Otto Johnson, A. Goranson, G. Toline. Trustees : J. A. Godehn, A. P. Lundquist.
1894. Deacons: J. Astrom, C. P. Bohman, O. Hult. Trustees : A. J. Anderson, H. Kohler.
1895. Deacons: G. Lindahl, A. Peterson, A. Johnson. Trustees : F. A. Landee, A. V. Esterdahl.
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1896. Deacons: G. Toline, E. Gustus, A. Martinson. Trustees: G. W. Johnson, O. Stephenson.
1897. Deacons: O. Hult, C. P. Bohman, J. Astrom, W. R. Gidding. Trustees: A. J. Anderson, H. Kohler.
1898. Deacons: Gust Lindahl, W. Gidding, P. O. Ern. Trustees: G. Lindahl, A. V. Esterdahl, C. H. Godehn.
1899. Deacons: Gust Toline, E. Gustus, Otto Johnson. Trustees : A. Freed, A. Shallene.
1900. Deacons: C. P. Bohman, P. Palmquist, J. Astrom. Trustees: C. H. Godehn, E. Engström.
1901. Deasons: Gust Lindahl, K. M. Holmberg, Emil N. Johnson. Trustees: A. V. Esterdahl, Gust Lindahl, L. Nordgren.
1902. Deacons: Gust Toline, E. Gustus, Otto Johnson. Trustees : E. L. Nordgren, C. J. Swanson.
1903. Deacons: John Astrom, C. P. Bohman, Alfred Erickson. Trustees: C. H. Godehn, E. Engstrom.
I904. Deacons: K. M. Holmberg, Gust K. Lindahl, Oscar Brissman. Trustees: Andrew Peterson, Martin Johnson.
1905. Deacons: Gust Toline, E. E. Gustus, Otto Johnson. Trustees: E. L. Nordgren, C. J. Swanson.
1906. Deacons : C. P. Bohman, Alfred Erickson, B. A. Fagerberg. Trustees : E. Engstrom, F. A. Landee, C. M. Fredrickson.
1907. Deacons: Oscar Brissman, Andrew Johnson, Emil Anderson ..
Trustees: Andrew Peterson, C. M. Fredrickson, C. H. Godehn, J. F. Freeman, Chas. G. Goodmanson.
1908. Deacons: Gust Toline, August Swanson, Andrew Peterson. Trustees: E. L. Nordgren, C. J. Swanson, Chas. G. Goodmanson.
1909. Deacons: C. P. Bohman, Alfred Erickson, B. A. Fagerberg, Ben Benson, Albin Edlen.
Trustees: E. Engstrom, F. A. Landee, J. F. Freeman.
19IO. Deacons: Oscar Brissman, Andrew Johnson, Albin Edlen. Trustees: C. H. Godehn, C. M. Fredrickson, Mauritz Johnson.
I9II. Deacons: Andrew Peterson, August Swanson, Ben Benson. Trustees : E. L. Nordgren, C. J. Swanson, S. H. Forsberg.
1912. Deacons: C. P. Bohman, Alfred Erickson, E. A. Fagerberg. Trustees : F. A. Landee, J. F. Freeman, E. Engstrom.
1913. Deacons: Oscar Brissman, Andrew Johnson, Albin Edlen. Trustees: C. M. Fredrickson, Martin J. Anderson, Charles Carlstedt.
1914. Deacons: Andrew Peterson, August Swanson, Martin N. Johnson. Trustees : E. L. Nordgren, S. H. Forsberg, E. H. Herrstrum.
1915. Deacons: C. P. Bohman, Alfred Erickson, Carl Peterson. Trustees : F. A. Landee, J. F. Freeman, Eric Engstrom.
1916. Deacons: A. G. Edlen, Oscar Brissman, C. H. Johnson. Trustees: Martin Anderson, C. M. Carlstedt, Clark Anderson.
1917. Deacons: August Swanson, Martin Johnson, Andrew Johnson. Trustees : S. H. Forsberg, E. H. Herrstrum, Oscar Eckerman.
1918. Deacons: Alfred Erickson, C. P. Bohman, Carl Peterson. Trustees: J. F. Freeman, Gust Peterson, Harold Engstrom.
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1919. Deacons: C. H. Johnson, Oscar Brissman, Albin Edlen. Trustees : Martin Anderson, Clark Anderson, C. M. Fredrickson.
1920. Deacons: Gunnard Carlson, Dr. Andrew Johnson, August Brissman. Trustees : S. H. Forsberg, Ernest Herrstrum, Oscar Eckerman.
1921. Deacons: Alfred Erickson, Ben Benson, Carl J. Peterson.
Trustees: J. F. Freeman, H, W. Engstrom, O. E. Holmquist, Hugo Wahlgren.
1922. Deacons : Oscar Brissman, A. G. Edlen, C. H. Johnson. Trustees : Martin Anderson, Hugo Wahlgren, C. E. Peterson.
1923. Deacons: Dr. Andrew Johnson, August Brissman, Philip Hoogner. Trustees : A. V. Esterdahl, A. J. Swanson, S. H. Forsberg.
1924. Deacons: Alfred Erickson, Carl J. Peterson, John Holmer. Trustees : O. E. Holmquist, C. W. Kronholm, C. Mauritz Johnson.
1925. Deacons: Oscar Brissman, John A. F. Peterson, Chas. A. Carlson. Trustees: Martin Anderson, Hugo Wahlgren, Robert Lundahl.
Secretaries
C. Lindman to 1858 ; Per Larson 1858-1860; A. Sjolin 1861-1862; P. V. Nel- son 1863 ; Per Hanson 1864-1867; J. Elmstedt 1868-1869; Per Hanson 1870- 1872; N. Chester 1873-1877; C. G. Thulin 1878-1881; J. F. Ring 1882; P. Col- seth 1883 ; J. Hasselquist 1884; J. A. Godehn 1885-1886; A. G. Anderson 1887- 1888; J. A. Godehn 1889-1892; C. Holmgren 1893-1895; J. A. Godehn 1896- 1915; John Hoglund 1916-18; E. L. Nordgren 1919-1920; John Sward 1921 -.
Church Treasury
The following trustees have held the office of Church Treasurer: Before 1873 N. J. Erikson, Per Larson and J. Lind. Nils Chester 1873-1877; J. H. Wistrand 1878-1881; Per Hanson 1882-1886; C. G. Josephson 1887-1889; A. J. Anderson 1890-1898; C. H. Godehn 1899-1905, 1907-1912; F. A. Landee, 1906; S. H. Forsberg 1913-
Mission Treasury
The Church Council has had charge of the Mission Treasury of the con- gregation and has been responsible for the ingathering of means for this pur- pose. The following have served as Mission Treasurers: Rev. A. G. Setter- dahl 1875-1878; Otto Johnson 1879-1880; E. Gustus 1881-1883 ; J. Astrom 1884-1886; G. Toline 1887-1891; G. Lindahl 1892-1901; K. M. Holmberg 1902-1903 ; John Astrom 1904-1905; Alfred Erickson 1906-1908; August Swan- son 1909-1912; A. G. Edlen 1913-1924; Chas. A. Carlson 1925-
Collectors
G. Lindahl 1896-June 1910; Chas. Godehn July 1910-1911; Edna Swanson 1912-1915; Oscar Bohman 1916-1917; Hilma Bohman 1918; Ellen Olson 1919- 1921; Elsie Astrom 1922-24; Jennie Astrom 1925 -.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
S. H. Forsberg C. W. Kronholm
M. J. Anderson
R. H. Lundahl
A. J. Swanson C. H. Wahlgren C. E. Peterson
A. V. Esterdahl
O. E. Holmquist
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Present Officers in the Church and the Organizations
The Board of Administration: Rev. C. O. Morland, president; Carl J. Pe- terson, secretary.
The Church Council: Rev. C. O. Morland, president, Carl J. Peterson, sec- retary; Chas. A. Carlson, mission treasurer ; Alfred Erickson, vice president ; Oscar Brissman, August Brissman, Philip Hoogner, John Holmer, J. A. F. Pe- terson and C. H. Johnson.
The Board of Trustees: A. V. Esterdahl, president; O. E. Holmquist, vice president ; Martin J. Anderson secretary; S. H. Forsberg, treasurer; A. J. Swanson, Hugo Wahlgren, C. W. Kronholm, Robert Lundahl and C. E. Pe- terson.
The Mission Society: Mrs. Emma Lindstrom, president; Mrs. E. Herrstrum, secretary and treasurer.
The Ladies' Aid: Mrs. S. H. Forsberg, president; Mrs. Clark Anderson, secretary ; Mrs. Carrie Rundquist, treasurer.
The Sorosis Society: Miss Gertrude Johnson, president; Miss Alice Carlson, vice-president; Miss Evalina Anderson, secretary; Miss Hilma Bohman, treas- urer.
The Veronica Society : Mrs. C. R. Crakes, president; Mrs. John Brown, vice- president; Mrs. George Landee, secretary ; Mrs. A. P. Berzelius, treasurer.
The Young People's Society: Rev. C. O. Morland president; Oscar An- dreen, vice-president; Dorothy Lindquist, secretary ; Hilma Bohman, treasurer. The Willing Workers: Miss Hannah Wahlberg, leader.
The Loyal Helpers: Elinor Johnson, president; Evelyn Hemmingson, vice- president and secretary ; Marion Engbloom, treasurer.
The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society: Mrs. C. O. Morland, president ; Mrs. G. A. Brandelle, vice-president; Mrs. A. G. Edlen, secretary ; Mrs. A. P. Berzelius, treasurer.
The Men's Society: Theodore L. Toline, president; Curt Lundeen, vice-presi- dent; Alfred Forsberg, secretary; Clarence Bohman, treasurer.
The Junior Sorosis Society: Alice Verme, president; Mildred Johnson vice- president ; Ethel Hogberg, secretary ; Ruth Peterson, treasurer.
The Junior Lutheran Brotherhood: Hilding Johnson, president; Oscar An- dreen, vice-president; Earl Brissman, secretary ; Bert Schell, treasurer.
Secretary: John A. Sward.
Organist: Miss Grace Lindberg.
Superintendent of Sunday School: August Brissman.
Assistant Superintendent: Alfred Erickson.
Collector : Miss Jennie Astrom.
Janitor: John Nelson.
Music Committee: Rev. C. O. Morland, president; Miss Grace Lindberg, secretary ; Dr. Adolf Hult, Dr. O. H. Bostrom, Adolf Hult, Jr.
Church Choir: Dr. O. H. Bostrom, director; Adolf Hult, Jr., president.
Junior Choir: Miss Grace Lindberg, director.
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Organists
The first regular organist was Mrs. O. C. T. Andren. After her, Tornvall and Söderling served. From 1869 the following have served as organist : A. Lind, 2 years ; A. Kinvall, 4 years ; Alma Lind, 6 years ;
ALMA LIND-SWENSSON. Organist 1875-1880.
J. F. Ring, 2 years; Nellie Hanson, I year; Dr. G. Stolpe, 15 years ; Alma Larson, 1/2 year; Prof. Geo. N. Benson, 10 years; Wilhelmina Wistrand, 8 years and 4 months ; Amy Granlund, 2 years and 8 months ; Grace Lindberg, from January, 1922-
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PROF. J. F. RING.
DR. GUSTAV STOLPE. Organist 1883-1900.
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ALMA LARSON-ALFORD.
PROF. GEO. N. BENSON.
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WILHELMINA WISTRAND.
MRS. H. C. ALDEN. (Amy Granlund)
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GRACE LINDBERG.
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Sextons
Nils Svenson was the first regular sexton, being elected June 17th, 1858. He was followed by A. Sjolin, J. Satterstrom served in 1869; N. Nordling 1870-1872; A. Kinvall 1873; J. Forsberg 1874; C. M. Peterson 1875-1876; A. Landstrom 1877-1882; C. J. Bergblom 1883 ; J. A. Holm 1884-1889; J. Lindell 1890-1891 ; J. A. Holm 1892-
NILS SVENSON.
JOHN NELSON, present janitor.
1901; Gust K. Lindahl 1902-1907; Eric Gustus 1908-1914; John Nelson from 1915 -.
In 1887 the following rules for sexton were adopted : That the church be ventilated twice a week; that the windows be opened when the church is swept; that the church be kept neat and clean, both in and out; that it be the duty of the sexton to keep up the fire and keep the school-rooms clean.
It may be of interest to read the rules adopted in 1858 that are as follows: "He should open the church in proper time for services or
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when school is held; fire, ventilate, dust, and scrub the floor at least three or four times a week; ring the bell three times for morning serv- ices and Christmas Matin (Julotta) with several minutes' interval ; keep the lamps in good order; carry the melodeon carefully before the services from the parsonage to the church and back again after the services ; assist at baptism ; clean the communion vessels ; keep the shades in order; fetch and return the church key to the parsonage; cannot without a valid excuse have a substitute ; pay for all that he breaks or injures." The twentieth rule read as follows: "The sexton's most im- portant obligation is, at all occasions, to exhibit respect and reverence for the Lord God and His holy Word, His sanctuary and His servants, and besides with utmost carefulness tend the fire." If he should fail in this respect the committee proposed that he should be instantly dis- charged from his office. The committee's proposition was adopted June 17th the same year.
Nils Svenson and wife Kjersti were married July 25th, 1857, by Rev. O. C. T. Andren in the old parsonage in Moline. It was this Nils Svenson who was elected the first sexton of the church and who had the great responsibility of carrying the melodeon to and from the church. He was also a deacon in the church. This God-fearing couple moved to Chisago Lake, Minn., and later to Vasa, Minn. They were the parents of five children, but only three are now living, namely: J. A. Svenson, in the office of the state auditor, St. Paul, Minn .; Rev. S. D. Hawkins, pastor in Dunnell, Minn., and Mrs. N. G. Anderson, Vasa, Minn. From the last-named family, one son, Rev. N. William Ander- son, Mora, Minn., was ordained 1924. Thus it can be said that Mo- line's first sexton family has given to the Augustana Synod two pastors.
S. D. H.
.....
Christian Instruction The Parochial School
HE congregation has from its early beginning endeavored to maintain school for the Christian instruction of the chil- dren. Nearly every year Parochial School has been held from eight to nine months. The school has been attended not only by children from the congregation, but also by many others. Annually, between 100 and 150 children have regularly attended the parochial school. Besides, school has been held in the summer time on recommendation from the church council. It cannot be denied that the school work has been a costly undertaking for the congregation, but we have good reasons to believe that it has been a profitable work.
Before 1869 Mr. Törnvall and Mr. Söderling are mentioned as the first regular teachers. We mention herewith the names of those who have served as school teachers from 1869: 1869, C. P. Rydholm; 1870, Nordling; 1871-74, A. Kinvall; 1875-79, S. Odell; 1879-80, O. A. Landell; 1880, O. V. Östlund, C. A. Vallentin and Mrs. Ring; 1881, A. Nelson, Hulda Bolin and Miss Rodelius; 1882, A. Nelson and Nelly Hanson ; 1883, A. Nelson, Mrs. Carlson and S. G. Vallenius ; 1884, S. G. Vallenius, J. A. Freeman, Anna Westman; 1885, E. Lan- deen, Mary Ede; 1886, J. A. Freeman and Mary Ede; 1887, N. Gib- son, W. Ljung, J. A. Freeman; 1888, W. Ljung, Hilma Josephson ; 1889, W. Ljung, Anna Toline, Anna Carlson; 1891, W. Ljung, Anna Carlson, Anna Toline; 1892, Anna Toline, Anna Carlson, Jenny Aström; 1893, Anna Toline, Hanna Johnson, Anna Carlson ; 1894, Anna Toline, Hanna Johnson, Anna Carlson, J. O. Kronholm, Maria Samuelson; 1895, J. O. Kronholm, Maria Ede, Maria Samuelson ; 1896, Maria Ede, Maria Samuelson; 1897, Maria Ede, Maria Samuel- son, Isidora Öström, 1898, Hanna Johnson, Maria Samuelson; 1899, Hanna Johnson, Maria Samuelson; 1900, Hanna Johnson, Maria Samuelson, Isidora Öström; 1901-1906, Hanna Johnson, Isidora
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Öström; 1906-1907, Isidora Öström; 1908, C. E. Anderson, Isidora Öström ; 1909, O. K. Karlstrom, Isidora Öström; 1910, O. K. Karl- strom, Isidora Öström; 1911, C. G. Anderson, Isidora Öström, O. K. Karlstrom; 1912, Isidora Öström, Hannah Johnson; 1913, Isidora Öström, Hilma Toline; 1914, Hannah Johnson-Fors, Isidora Öström; 1915, Anna Gran, Theresia Carlson; 1916, Isidora Öström, Lydia Hult; 1917, C. O. Granlund; 1918, Carl A. Anderson and Isidora Öström; 1919, Bernt Holmes; 1920, J. Helmer Olson; 1921, (?); 1922, Albert Hemming; 1923, (?) ; 1924, Albert Hemming.
The Sunday School
There are no records of the work of the Sunday-school from the or- ganization of the church to the year 1875, but nevertheless the Sun- day-school has been held from its organization, which very likely oc- curred during the pastorate of Rev. O. C. T. Andrén. In 1872 the congregation decided that the Sunday-school should have its own treasurer. In the annual report of the congregation January Ist, 1876, the first report of the Sunday-school work was found. This was only a financial report. It shows that the balance in the treasury from 1874 was $41.54, that the income for 1875 was $92.23 and that the expenditures for the same year were $94.41. This indicates a deficit of $2.18 at the end of the year. The sum total of money raised in the Sunday-school from this time up to 1900 amounts to $9,356.92. Of this amount $2,722.34 was raised by the Sunday-school for the Children's Homes in Andover and Joliet. The remainder has been used to procure books, Sunday-school papers, presents at Christmas, for missions, etc. The balance in the treasury at the end of each year has often been small. For the year 1889 the balance in the treasury was $148.44. The largest income up to 1900 was reported in 1890, which was $712.33. These figures indicate that the Sunday-school has been and is an important and active branch of the Congregational Tree.
In the early days of the Sunday-school work, there were no regular superintendents, but pastors and deacons were in charge. Before 1874 we find that Nels Norling and A. Kinvall served as superintendents. Rev. J. S. Benzon served as superintendent for a longer period. It appears that Mr. P. Colseth began to serve as superintendent in 1874 and continued to serve to the close of the year 1887. Mr. A. G. An- derson became his successor and served until the new year 1893, and
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
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was in turn succeeded by Mr. Gust Toline. During 1895 Mr. Olof Hult was superintendent.
Mr. K. M. Holmberg, now a pastor, was superintendent from 1902 to 1905. Gust Toline served again during 1905 and 1906. Alfred Erick- son served from January 1907 to 1922. August Brissman, our present superintendent, from 1923 to -. The superintendents have, almost all of them, been members of the Church Council.
From 1900 to 1925 the income of the Sunday-school amounts to $13,- 999.17. Of this amount the Sunday-school has raised by subscriptions for the Children's Homes and Homes for the Aged of the Illinois Con- ference, the sum of $3,764.58.
The text books used in the Sunday-school have been Luther's Small and Large Cathechism, the Bible History and the Bible. The Sunday- school has also adopted the Graded System from time to time as it has been arranged by the Augustana Synod. The new and improved Graded System prepared by the Sunday-school Secretary of the Augus- tana Synod, Dr. G. A. Fahlund, which has separate text books for each grade, was introduced into our Sunday-school in September, 1922.
An English Sunday-school was organized in the church in 1906, which met at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoons. It continued for a while, but was given little encouragement, and was soon dissolved. For a number of years the regular Sunday-school was bi-lingual. The transi- tion to the use of the English language entirely was brought about by the introduction of the new Graded System which was first published in English, there being no Swedish Text Books available at the time.
The English Bible Class
An English Bible Class was organized in 1902, and still continues. Mr. E. L. Nordgren was the first leader of the class and continued as such until 1920. Oscar F. Bohman succeeded him. The present leader is Carl Faust.
Men's Bible Class
A Men's Bible Class was organized in 1924, with Dr. Otto H. Bo- strom, Professor of Christianity at Augustana College, as leader.
Ladies' Bible Class
A Ladies' Bible Class was organized Oct. 4, 1925, with Mrs. Ver- non Swenson as leader.
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The South Chapel
On October 30, 1892, the Sunday-school work of the South Chapel was organized with 60 children and eight teachers. In 1896 the pupils numbered 129, with ten teachers. In 1900 the school numbered 180 children with 20 teachers. Superitendents: 1882-1885, Otto Johnson and A. Hedlund ; from 1896 to 1899, N. G. Ellstrom and P. Ern; from 1900 to -, Emil M. Johnson and A. Hedlund.
1900: Emil Johnson, Sec'y .; Albin Edlen, Treas. 1901: Emil Johnson, Supt .; John A. Westberg, Sec'y .; Albin Edlen, Treas. 1902- 03 : Emil Johnson, Supt. 1904: Gust Toline, Supt. 1905: Alfred Er- ickson, Supt. 1906-08: Oscar Brissman, Supt.
The East Chapel
This school was organized July 2, 1893, with 28 children and five teachers. C. J. Bergblom and A. Goranson were elected superintend- ents.
In 1900 pupils numbered 31, with five teachers.
1900: O. E. Palmquist, Alfred Goranson. 1901 : Alfred Goranson, Sec'y .; 1902-04: Alfred Erickson, Sup't; 1905: Alfred Goranson, . Sec'y. 1906-09: Alfred Goranson, Sec'y. and Treas.
Confirmation School
Every year the congregation has given Christian instruction to a considerable number of children who have attended the Confirmation School. This work has been in charge of the pastors who have prayer- fully and diligently sought to prepare the children for confirmation and active membership in the church. This arduous and anxious work which lies heavily upon a pastor's heart often seems as if it would be altogether in vain, since so many after confirmation do not permit the church to remain their childhood home where they may procure light and power for their journey through the dangers of this world. Even here it remains that we sow in hope.
When the classes hold their confirmation reunions it has been noticed that the period of confirmation has not been in vain. If we should drop the confirmation link in the chain of our religious education we would lose much, and thereby also other bonds of union would be severed for our stronghold in the Lord and His Word.
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Confirmation Reunion
The first reunion was held June 9, 1912. The following former pastors were present: Dr. G. Peters, Dr. Carl A. Hemborg and Dr. L. A. Johnston.
A very successful and well attended Confirmation Reunion was held September 3, 1917. A committee had gone over the records and se- cured the names of the members of every class during the sixty-seven years of the church history. All who could be found were invited by letter to the reunion.
During this period 2,251 had been confirmed. 421 were present at the reunion. 269 have died. The committee has ascertained the where- abouts of 1,362, the remaining 620 could not be located.
OFFICERS AND TEACHERS OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CRADLE ROLL COMMITTEE.
Tow Row-Oscar II. Andreen, Merrill L. Brissman, Chas. A. Carlson.
Second Row-Caroll Lindquist, Dorothy Ohline, Linnea Odhe, Mrs. Carl F. Brissman, Ruth Peterson, Aliee Carlson, Hilma Bohman, Anna Johnson, Ethel Hogberg, Dorothy Servine, Esther Swanson, Eunice Peterson, Gertrude Johnson, Mrs. Alice Swanson.
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