Genealogy Data
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Birth : 20 February 1811 in W(V)aro Halland, Sweden
Death : 16 September 1892 in Red Wing, Goodhue County, Minnesota
Burial : 18 September 1892 in Vasa Lutheran Cemetery
[joan'sfam.FTW]
Much of the information about Berndt and Beata Christenson (aka. Kristenson) comes from the Vasa Lutheran Church records. A membership record in the Vasa (Goodhue County, Minnesota) Lutheran church lists him as Berndt Kristenson. Phyllis Pladsen, a genealogical researcher and member of the Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota helped considerably in gathering this information. Phyllis explains this about Swedish names and their Americanization: Bennet is the Americanization of Berndt. Swedish children often followed the custom of using their father's given name. Berndt's name is eventually listed as Bennett (first spelled with one t). His son Carl (Charles) and grandson Frans Oscar Frank (Oscar Frank), eventually adopted Bennett as their last names. In the obituary for Charles Bennett (son, d. in1943) Charles' father is listed as Brendt Christianson (note spelling). In the 1870 Census his first name is spelled Berndt - value of real estate is $4200 and he stated he was a citizen. A Henry Christenson, age 63 (Berndt is 59) is residing with him as well as his wife "Betsey" (as spelled by census taker) (aka Beata),age 56, daughter, Christine, age 30 and Charles, age 18 (no Johanna listed). His occupation is farmer. In the 1880 census B.(Berndt), Betsy and Henry are the only ones at that address, but Charles and wife Ellen (Elna) are in nearby census tracts.
In his wife's obituary, Beata is listed as Mrs. Bennett Christenson. On land records in Featherstone township, his name is Bennett Christensen. The current spelling of Waro is Varo, Sweden. Hendrik (Henry) Christensson (note spelling) is listed in church records with Berndt and later in census records (see above) with Berndt and Beata. He is likely a brother of either Berndt or Beata. (Both had last names of Kristen/Kristiansdotter.)
When the Christensen's came they settled in the Township of Featherstone, which is adjacent to Vasa (named for a King of Sweden), a very early Swedish settlement in Minnesota. In a book, "SWEDISH EXODUS" by Lars Ljungmark, translated by Kermit B. Westerberg beginning p. 21, chapter entitled 'The Minnesota Pioneer from Onnestad' . . . ."In May 1851 the nineteen-year-old Hans Mattson, from Onnestad outside Kristianstad in Skane, sailed to America with a friend of the same age .. .Mattson tried his hand at different jobs and went through the process of finding himself. A fluent knowledge of English and a natural gift for leadership encouraged him in August 1853 to head a small group of Swedes anxious to find land farther west in Minnesota . . by river steamer first to St. Paul where they made inquiries about settlement possibilities.
From there Mattson and two of his companions made their way . . to the small trading post at Red Wing, populated at the time by a handful of white settlers and a tribe of Sioux Indians. They found what they were looking for along a tributary of the Mississippi two miles west of Red Wing** and staked their claim to an area . .spent the winter on the new claim. . .the number of log cabins increased. . . in September 1855, came Erik Norelius, who had served as a Lutheran minister among Swedes in northwestern Indiana. By this time the colony had a population of some hundred Swedes; this was enough to form a congregation, which received the name "Vasa" (named after a family of kings in Sweden c. 1523-1611). Mattson began to promote the colony by writing letters to the Swedish-American newspaper, 'Hemlandet', which had subscribers on both sides of the Atlantic. This publicity, coupled with private correspondence from the Vasa colonists, led to a steady stream of Swedish immigrants over the next several years. " Perhaps our ancestors are part of this group. In the book "Reminiscences - THE STORY OF AN EMIGRANT" by Hans Mattson, published 1891 by D. D. Merrill Co., St. Paul, Hans Mattson elaborates on the early settlement of Vasa and his return trips to Sweden to encourage more immigrants. Mattson went on to become a lawyer in Red Wing, Secretary of State for Minnesota and eventually became consul-general to India, appointed by President Garfield in 1881. He also served in the Civil War. Excerpts from his book are in Joan's notebook. (One of Charles Bennett's daughters is married to at Mattson.)
**The river is probably the Cannon River or Spring Creek which flows through that area.
Parents:
Father: Christen,Family:
Marriage: Sweden
Spouse:Kristiansdotter, BeataChildren:
Birth : 1 December 1814 in Landa (Parish), Hallands, Sweden
Death : 25 August 1897 in Red Wing, Minnesota
Burial : 27 August 1897 in Vasa Lutheran Cemetery
[joan'sfam.FTW]
When Joan's great great grandmother died in 1897, she was living at 417 East Seventh Street in Red Wing, Minnesota. Oscar Bennett (grandson) was listed as living at that address in the 1894 Red Wing City Directory. Possibly Oscar, at times, lived with his grandmother, Betsy (Beata). Beata's obituary is in Joan's notebook. Beata's "maiden" name may have been Kristian as that name is sometimes in the church records (Kristiansdotter). With the Swedish custom of using first names as last names, perhaps that was her father's first name.Christenson, Christina
Christenson, Anna
Christenson, Johanna
Bennett, Charles
There are many interesting stories in the lives of those represented here. Please help me add information, photos, or whatever you feel comfortable with.
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