Bishop Hill and Leclaire, Illinois Chapter 3 Swedish Relatives Myrtengren Revised

I had to revise. Somehow my original was lost...

Bishop Hill Architecture and

Leclaire Home 840 Hale Avenue

Built by Daniel Lindbeck and Sons.

Bishop Hill, Illinois and Leclaire, Illinois

Mom made the annual trip to

Bishop Hill for Bishop Hill Days.

Here’s a link to history and a Town suspended in time

https://bishophillheritage.org/news-events/calendar/

One year I went with Mom. We visited the settlement and

Historic buildings, a museum of a community.

The Lindbecks settled here first, after arriving in

the USA.

Mom felt pride in being an ancestor of these independent minded Swedes. The communal life was idyllic, self sustaining, noble and sharing resources.

Considering all the history

of Bishop Hill, the Idyllic lifestyle was the most appealing.

Grok re: our tree, some repeats from other chapters

Your Swedish ancestors, as depicted in the family tree, trace their roots to the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Sweden, with many eventually emigrating to the United States, specifically to Bishop Hill, Illinois. Here's a concise timeline based on the family tree:

- **Mårten Lindbäck (born 1762, Färila, Sweden, died 1826)** and **Anna Mattsdotter (born 1766, Bollnäs, Sweden)** are the earliest ancestors listed. They likely married in the late 18th century, though the exact date isn't specified. Their son, **Jonas Lindbäck (born 1790, Åmot Chapel, Sweden, died 1846)**, married **Anna Danielsdotter (born 1821, Delsbo Parish, Sweden, died 1852)**. Anna was the daughter of **John Eric (born 17 78)**, son of Jonas (1790) and Anna, married **Margta Jonsdotter (died 1857)** and later **Anna (died 1861)**. Jonas emigrated in 1849, as noted in the sources ("Emigr. 1849"), likely joining the wave of Swedish immigrants who founded Bishop Hill, a utopian religious community established in 1846 by Erik Jansson and his followers. The community was known for its communal living and religious fervor but faced challenges, including Jansson's murder in 1850, and eventually dissolved in the 1860s.

- **Daniel Anderson (born 1798, Åmot Chapel, Ockelbo, Sweden)** and **Karen (Cajsa) Lindbäck (born 1794, Åmot Chapel, Sweden, died 1846)** are another branch. Their daughter, **Greta Nilsdotter Streng (born 1792, Bollnäs, Sweden)**, connects to this lineage, though her birth year predates her parents, indicating a potential error. Daniel and Karen's family also likely emigrated, as

the note "Swedish Passenger Arrivals in N.Y. 1820-1850" suggests they arrived in the U.S. during that period, aligning with the Bishop Hill migration.

- **Wendell Lindbeck (died 1986)** is a later descendant, possibly a great-grandchild or further down the line, indicating the family's continued presence in the U.S. into the 20th century.

**Summary of Bishop Hill Connection**: Many of your ancestors, including Jonas Lindbäck and possibly Daniel Anderson's family, were part of the Swedish migration to Bishop Hill in the 1840s. This community, located in Henry County, Illinois, was a hub for Swedish immigrants seeking religious freedom and a new life. Despite its eventual decline, Bishop Hill left a lasting legacy, with many descendants, like your family, remaining in the area or spreading across the U.S. The sources, including Swedish genealogist Elsa Hågevik and historical records, confirm this migration pattern.Bishop Hill, Illinois, originated as a utopian vision in Sweden during the 1840s. Erik Jansson, a charismatic Pietist preacher, rejected the Lutheran Church’s doctrines, advocating a return to biblical simplicity and claiming divine authority. Facing persecution, he and his followers, known as Janssonists, planned a "New Jerusalem" in America. In 1845, Jansson sent Olof Olsson to scout a location, leading to the selection of a site in Henry County, Illinois. In 1846, Jansson and about 1,200 followers emigrated, naming the settlement Bishop Hill after his birthplace, Biskopskulla.

The early years were brutal, with many dying from disease and harsh conditions during the first winter in crude dugouts. By 1847, the colony began to thrive, constructing permanent buildings like the Colony Church and cultivating 700 acres. Operating as a commune, all property was shared, and the Janssonists prospered through farming and crafts, peaking at over 1,000 residents. However, in 1850, Jansson was murdered by John Root over a marital dispute, shaking the community. Leadership passed to a board of trustees, but internal dissent and economic challenges led to the commune’s dissolution in 1861, with property divided among members.

Post-dissolution, Bishop Hill became a hub for Swedish immigrants, influencing Midwest settlement patterns. By the early 20th century, many original buildings were deteriorating, but preservation efforts by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association (founded 1961), the state, and locals revitalized the village. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1984, it now thrives as a historic

site with about 120 residents as of the 2020 census. Today, Bishop Hill preserves its Swedish heritage through museums, restored buildings, and festivals like Jordbruksdagarna and Lucia Nights, attracting visitors to its living history.

Architectural Features in design of buildings in

Bishop Hill and Leclaire. Buildings and Stories Bishop Hill

Bishop Hill, Illinois, founded in 1846 by Swedish immigrants led by Erik Jansson, is a National Historic Landmark and State Historic Site known for its well-preserved 19th-century buildings from a utopian religious commune. The settlement, established by Pietist dissenters seeking religious freedom, thrived until its dissolution in 1861. Its historic buildings, primarily managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Bishop Hill Heritage Association (BHHA), reflect the colony’s communal lifestyle and skilled craftsmanship. Below is an overview of key historic buildings:

- **Colony Church (1848)**: A two-story Greek Revival-style frame building, the village’s first permanen t structure. The basement and first floor originally housed 10 single-room apartments for residents, while the second floor served as the Janssonist sanctuary with original pews. Now a museum with themed exhibit rooms, it’s central to Bishop Hill’s history but faces urgent repair needs, including a new roof, siding, and foundation work, as noted on the 2024 Most Endangered Historic Places list by Landmarks Illinois.[](https://www.britannica.com/place/Bishop-Hill-State-Historic-Site)[](https://www.landmarks.org/preservation-programs/most-endangered-historic-places-in-illinois/bishop-hill/)[](https://www.tspr.org/tspr-local/2024-05-07/bishop-hills-colony-church-named-a-most-endangered-historic-place)

- **Colony Hotel (1852–ca. 1860)**: A three-story stuccoed-brick building, also known as Bjorklund Hotel,

served commercial travelers and connected the commune to the outside world. Partially restored, it’s open during special events, showcasing mid-19th-century accommodations. Like the Colony Church, it requires significant maintenance.[](https://dnrhistoric.illinois.gov/experience/sites/site.bishop-hill.html)[](https://www.visitbishophill.com/bishop-hill-state-historic-site.html)

- **Boys Dormitory (ca. 1847–1850)**: A small two-story frame structure, believed to have housed boys transitioning to working adulthood. Located near the Colony Church, it’s part of the state historic site and accessible during tours.[](https://dnrhistoric.illinois.gov/experience/sites/northwest/bishop-hill.html)[](https://www.visitbishophill.com/bishop-hill-state-historic-site.html)

- **Colony Barn (ca. 1856–1860)**: Relocated behind the Colony Hotel, this barn replaced the original hotel stable. It’s part of the state-managed historic site, offering insight into the colony’s agricultural practices.[](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g35686-d17690029-Reviews-Bishop_Hill_State_Historic_Site-Bishop_Hill_Illinois.html)[](https://www.visitbishophill.com/bishop-hill-state-historic-site.html)

- **Steeple Building (1854)**: Managed by the BHHA, this brick building houses a museum with two floors of exhibits on Bishop Hill’s history and Swedish heritage. It

also serves as the BHHA’s administrative office and archives, with free admission (donations appreciated).[](https://bishophillheritage.org/)[](https://www.visitbishophill.com/bhha.html)

- **Albert Krans Livery Stable (1908, rebuilt 2012)**: Originally a late colony-era structure, it was restored by the BHHA as a museum depicting an early 20th-century stable. It complements the Steeple Building’s exhibits.[](https://bishophillheritage.org/)[](https://bishophillheritage.org/about/history/)

- **Dairy Building (1855)**: A BHHA-managed brick building used for workshops, concerts, and event rentals (Creamery and Bucket Room). It showcases the colony’s dairy operations and is available for community gatherings.[](https://bishophillheritage.org/)[](https://www.visitbishophill.com/bhha.html)

- **Colony Store (1853)**: A restored brick building acquired by the BHHA in 1969 after partial collapse. It now houses a gift shop selling Swedish foods and local crafts, reflecting the colony’s commercial activities.[](https://bishophillheritage.org/about/history/)

- **Other BHHA Properties**: The BHHA also maintains the Cobbler Shop (acquired 1971), Colony Hospital (1976), and Colony Apartment House (1987), all original structures repaired or restored to preserve the colony’s legacy. These buildings host demonstrators, craft shops, or exhibits.[](https://bishophillheritage.org/about/history/)

**Bishop Hill Museum (1988)**: A modern brick building housing a collection of primitive paintings by colonist Olof Krans, documenting daily life in the colony. It complements the historic structures with visual records of the era.[](https://www.britannica.com/place/Bishop-Hill-State-Historic-Site)[](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g35686-d17690029-Reviews-Bishop_Hill_State_Historic_Site-Bishop_Hill_Illinois.html)

The Bishop Hill State Historic Site, encompassing the Colony Church, Hotel, Boys Dormitory, and Barn, operates as an open-air museum within the Bishop Hill Historic District (added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1984). Self-guided tours are available Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (March 1–October 31) and 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (November 1–February 28), with free admission (donations appreciated). Accessibility is limited to first floors for some buildings, with an orientation video covering non-accessible areas.[](https://whichmuseum.com/museum/bishop-hill-state-historic-site-14993/opening-hours)[](https://whichmuseum.com/museum/bishop-hill-state-historic-site-14993)

The colony’s communal economy supported industries like broom-making, buggy production, and woven rugs, with over 700 acres farmed and facilities like a flour mill and sawmills. The BHHA, formed in 1962, has been instrumental in restoring buildings that fell into disrepair post-colony, while the state has owned key structures since 1946. However, deferred maintenance, especially for the Colony Church, poses a threat, with an estimated $22 million needed for repairs across state-owned properties. Events like Jordbruksdagarna (harvest festival), Lucia Nights, and Julotta celebrate the village’s Swedish heritage, drawing visitors globally.[](https://www.visitbishophill.com/historicbishophill.html)[](https://www.vasaarchives.org/bishop-hill)[](https://www.tspr.org/tspr-local/2024-05-07/bishop-hills-colony-church-named-a-most-endangered-historic-place)

For a self-guided walking tour, the Bishop Hill Visitor Guide provides a town map highlighting these buildings, available at www.visitbishophill.com. The village remains a living community, with descendants of original settlers among its 113 residents (2020 census), preserving its authentic Swedish-American character.[](https://www.visitbishophill.com/bhvisitorguide.html)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_Hill%2C_Illinois)Leclaire, Illinois. Grok looked up some history. I’ll continue to talk and probe deeper.

artificial intelligence helped me write this. MG

### History of Leclaire, Illinois

Intertwined with our Lindbeck branch.

The facts are not as perfectly accurate as I would like

at times. Makes it interesting.

Leclaire is a historic neighborhood in Edwardsville, Illinois, founded in 1890 by N.O. Nelson, a St. Louis industrialist and owner of the N.O. Nelson Manufacturing Company. Inspired by cooperative ideals from Edward Bellamy’s novel *Looking Backward* and the Ethical Culture movement, Nelson envisioned Leclaire as a model cooperative village. The community aimed to improve the lives of workers by offering affordable homes, pleasant working conditions, free education, and recreational opportunities.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeClaire_Historic_District)[](https://madison-historical.siue.edu/encyclopedia/leclaire/)

Key features of Leclaire included:

### History of Leclaire, Illinois

Intertwined with our Lindbeck branch.

The facts are not as perfectly accurate as I would like

at times. Makes it interesting.

Key features of Leclaire included:

- **Economic Model**: Nelson implemented profit-sharing, inspired by Edme-Jean Leclaire’s Maison Leclaire in Paris, from which the village took its name. Workers could own stock and receive dividends based on company performance.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeClaire_Historic_District)[](https://www.theintelligencer.com/insider/article/For-longtime-residents-Leclaire-still-a-special-16596793.php)

- **Education**: A kindergarten opened in 1892, and the “School House” at 722 Holyoake Road hosted lectures by notable figures like Jane Addams and Charlotte Perkins Gilman.[](https://madison-historical.siue.edu/encyclopedia/leclaire/)

- **Recreation**: Leclaire Lake provided swimming, boating, and ice skating, while the village offered a billiard room, bowling alley, tennis courts, and a brass band.[](http://www.historic-leclaire.org/leclaires-history)

- **Infrastructure**: The 150.5-acre site, chosen for its access to railroads, coal, and water, supported both the factory and residential areas. Edwardsville residents pledged $24,400 to secure the location.[](http://www.historic-leclaire.org/leclaires-history)

Leclaire operated as an independent village until its annexation by Edwardsville in 1934. Its unique history led to its designation as a National Historic District in 1979. Today, the neighborhood, bounded by Madison/Brown Avenues, the railroad tracks, Hadley/McKinley Avenues, and Wolf Street, is celebrated for its over 400 homes, Victorian-era Leclaire Park, and events like the annual Leclaire Parkfest.[](https://madison-historical.siue.edu/encyclopedia/leclaire/)[](https://www.theintelligencer.com/insider/article/For-longtime-residents-Leclaire-still-a-special-16596793.php)

840 Hale Avenue

Hale Avenue is a central street in Leclaire, named after Edward Everett Hale, a figure admired by N.O. Nelson. However, specific historical records about 840 Hale Avenue are not readily available in the provided sources or general public records. Without detailed property records, it’s unclear who owned or resided at this address historically or whether it was part of the original cooperative village. If you have additional details (e.g., time period of interest), I can help narrow the focus or suggest ways to access local archives, such as the Madison County Historical Society.[](https://www.theintelligencer.com/insider/article/For-longtime-residents-Leclaire-still-a-special-16596793.php)

### Daniel Lindbeck and Carl M. Lindbeck

No direct references to Daniel Lindbeck or Carl M. Lindbeck appear in the provided sources about Leclaire, Illinois. However, information about a Carl Stephen “Steve” Lindbeck, who may be related to Carl M. Lindbeck, provides some context:

- **Carl Stephen “Steve” Lindbeck** (1943–2023): Born in Chicago to Carl S. and Hazel (Miller) Lindbeck, Steve lived in Sycamore, Illinois, and died on December 17, 2023. He was a Naval Air Force veteran, attended Bradley University, and worked in the boiler industry, initially with his father at his grandfather’s boiler shop in Chicago. He later served as a Boiler Inspector for the State of Illinois (1968–1974), Assistant Boiler Chief (1974–1978), and held positions with the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors and the

840 Hale Avenue

### Daniel Lindbeck and Carl M. Lindbeck

- **Connection to Carl M. Lindbeck**: The obituary mentions Steve’s father, Carl S. Lindbeck, which could align with “Carl M.” if the middle initial differs in records or is a typo. Without further evidence, it’s speculative but possible that Carl M. Lindbeck is Carl S. Lindbeck, Steve’s father, who operated a boiler shop in Chicago. There is no evidence linking either to Leclaire or 840 Hale Avenue specifically.

- **Daniel Lindbeck**: No information is available about Daniel Lindbeck in the provided sources or public records tied to Leclaire. He may be a relative of Carl M. or Steve Lindbeck, but this cannot be confirmed without additional details (e.g., birth/death dates, occupation, or residence).

### Notes and Recommendations

- **Leclaire Connection**: There’s no direct evidence tying Daniel or Carl M. Lindbeck to Leclaire or 840 Hale Avenue. If they resided there, local records (e.g., property deeds, census data, or Madison County Genealogical Society archives) could provide clarity. The N.O. Nelson Manufacturing Company employed many workers, and Lindbeck could have been involved, but this is speculative.

- **Further Research**: To confirm details about 840 Hale Avenue or the Lindbecks:

- Contact the **Madison County Historical Society** (618-656-1294) or visit their library at 801 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, for property and family records.

- Check the **Friends of Leclaire** website (historic-leclaire.org) or their newsletters for resident histories.

- Access **Illinois State Archives** or **Edwardsville Public Library** for census, tax, or voter records.

- Search **Ancestry.com** or **FamilySearch.org** for genealogical data on the Lindbeck family, using Steve Lindbeck’s details as a starting point.

If you can provide more context (e.g., time period, relationship between Daniel and Carl, or specific events tied to the address), I can refine the search or suggest targeted resources. Would you like me to explore any of these avenues or clarify anything further?

Grok is asking...

Mom teared up every time she talked about her Dad.

Carl M. Lindbeck "Kelly"

Mom's Painting of Main Street, Edwardsville, Illinois

Mom's Mother Fanny Lindbeck

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Gerdt & Lindbeck Family History

Bishop Hill and Leclaire, Illinois Chapter 3 Swedish Relatives Myrtengren Revised

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