Genealogy Data
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Birth : 2 November 1870 in Featherstone (Goodhue Co) Minnesota
Death : 4 June 1958 in Red Wing, Minnesota
Burial : 7 June 1958 in Burnside Cemetary, Red Wing, Minnesota
[joan'sfam.FTW]
Oscar (Frans Oscar), later (and in his obituary and gravestone) known as Oscar Frank was born out of wedlock (oakta, meaning 'out of wedlock or illegitimate in Swedish to Johanna (Jane/Jenny) Berndt . She later married Lars Joseph Backlund (Backland). Frans Oscar's father is listed in the Baptism Records of the Vasa Lutheran Church as John Noren. Witnesses to the baptism were Christina and Charles Berndt (Bennett), Johanna's siblings). There are no marriage records for Johanna and John Noren. Oscar was with his mother Johanna (Jeney) in Cannon Falls, (Goodhue County) MN in the 1880 census. He may have gone back to live with his grandparents(Berndt and Beata) or possibly with his uncle Charles Bennett (Berndt) later which might be why Oscar took the last name of Bennett. (See obituaries in Joan's notebook). Oscar's sisters (or half sisters) had the last name of Backlund. Joan remembers visiting Aunts Minnie and Aida in Minneapolis. Aida had a daughter named Beatta Blood (Beatta had 4 children). Joan remembers her father (Harold Bennett) talking about Aunt Minnie and that she bought him a violin and paid for violin lessons when he was a child.
Lela Bennett Fellman (named for Oscar's half sister) said that Oscars mother lived in Cannon Falls and remembers visiting a 'gramma Backlund' as a child.
Oscar Bennett first worked as a potter at the Red Wing Pottery. Later he worked for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in Red Wing and retired in 1945. (personnel records there are a possible source of information). Oscar was buried in Burnside Cemetery outside of Red Wing. (A son Frank preceded him in death (see Frank). Although Oscar said he was confirmed in the Swedish Lutheran church in Red Wing in 1884, records at the Swedish Institute in Minneapolis (of the First Lutheran Church in Red Wing) did not substantiate that. He may have been confirmed at St. Ansgars Lutheran Church in Cannon falls. Their early records are lost. Oscar is in the 1894 Red Wing City Directory as a potter at the R. W. Stone Works Company - residing at 417 E. 7th Street (his grandmother Beata's final address- this house was possibly located behind 415 E. 7th - towards Soren's Bluff). He may have attended schools in Cannon Falls which is another possible source of information. Also see notes under Berndt Christenson and Charles Bennett.
Joan remembers her grandfather Oscar as being a very caring and friendly person. He seemed to enjoy his grandchildren and we probably all wish we had talked to him more about his early childhood!
(Special note about other Christensen's in the Red Wing area who may be related to Oscar or possibly Alma: The Bennett's seemed to be very friendly and close to the family of Christ Christenson and Albertine (Mattson) Christenson - also spelled Christianson - especially three of their children, George, Ernest and Hazel. Hazel went to Green Lake once with Alma and Oscar c.1930-40. George and Ernest were pall bearers @ Alma's funeral. Once Joan talked to Hazel who did not know what the relationship was, nor did Lela (Bennett) Fellman. Christ Christenson was born in Sweden April 2, 1855 and came to this country in April, 1880. He worked for railroads in construction for the first 10 years, then moved to Burnside, farming for the next 19 years. He was married to Albertina Mattson in 1894. He was 91 and living in Hay Creek when he died February 26, 1947. Albertine Mattson was born in Halland, Sweden, March 22,1874 (although Berndt and his family were born in Halland, they immigrated in 1858). Albertina came to the United States at the age of 19 (1893). The name Mattson is very well known in the Red Wing area because of Hans Mattson an early settler and 'founder' of Vasa. A daughter of Charles Bennett is married to a Peter Albin Mattson who was born in Kristianstad, Sweden. That does not appear to be the connection. Because of the years they immigrated, Christ and Albertina could be somehow connected with Alma and her mother Josephine Anderson). (Also see obits in Joan's notebook).
Parents:
Father: Noren, JohnFamily:
Mother: Christenson, Johanna
Marriage: 27 February 1901 in Red Wing (Goodhue Co) Minnesota [joan'sfam.FTW]
Oscar and Alma's wedding was held at 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday, February 27 1901. Reverend G. Rast of the Swedish Lutheran Church officiated. The wedding as held at the home of A. J. Rosing at 5th and Bush. Attendants were Alma's cousin Hulda (Anderson?) Johnson of Pierce County (Bay City) and Ernest Bergquist. The couple will live at East 4th and Green.
Spouse:Anderson, Alma ElizabethChildren:
Birth : 4 December 1876 in Sweden
Death : November 1970 in Red Wing, Minnesota
Burial : Burnside Cemetary, Red Wing, Minnesota
Alma (Anderson) Bennett (from obituary notice in Republican Eagle (Red Wing newspaper) "Born in Sweden Dec. 4, 1876. Came to US at age 8 (1884). Confirmed at Swedish Lutheran Church. (Joan verified this through records at Swedish Institute in Minneapolis-1891). Pall Bearers at funeral: Ernest Swanson (possibly Hulda Johnsons son-in-law), Sidney Chelbert, Victor Martinson (neighbor), Axel Anderson and George and Ernest Christensen*. Alma and her mother Josephine are listed in the 1894 Red Wing City Directory at 210 6th St. Alma's occupation is "domestic". In a 1924 city directory, Josephine is listed as living with Alma and Oscar at 220 W. 5th St. (currently a parking lot for the Country Market food store).
*It has been presumed that George and Ernest Christensen were related to us through Oscar and his grandparents - is it possible they were related to Alma and Josephine?
Parents:Father: Anderson, John (A.)
Mother: Anderson, Josephine
Bennett, Charles Herbert
Bennett, (Melvin Eugene) Everett
Bennett, Frank
Birth : 1903 in Red Wing (Goodhue Co) Minnesota
Death : 1906 in Red Wing (Goodhue Co) Minnesota
Bennett, Harold Roland
Bennett, Adolph Oliver
Bennett, Lela Constance
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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(aka Bruce Johnson)
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