My great-Grandparents' surnames, respectively, were SMITH, SODERSTROM, PRESTON, MILLER, KINNICK, WILLIAMS, SORENSEN, and NIELSEN.
Today, we will look at the SODERSTROM surname.
These great-grandparents: Michael (Schmidt) Schmitt) SMITH (b. 17 May 1829, District of Colmer, France (or Germany, from time to time); d. 16 Apr 1902, Nebraska Soldier's Home, Grand Island, NE) married Nellie Margaret (Maggie) SODERSTROM (b. 1846, Bjuraker Parish, Sweden; d. 18 Sep 1901, Nebraska Soldier's Home, Grand Island, NE) 30 Dec 1869 in Hampton, Rock Island Co, Illinois.
Michael had three children by his first wife, Madaline (Lena) HARBRECHT (b. 1838, Bavaria, Germany; d. Sep 1864, Hampton, Rock Island Co, IL), all born in Hampton, Rock Island Co, IL: 1) Julia, b. 1857; 2) Mary, b. 1858; and 3) Michael, b. 1862. Michael enlisted in Company E, 2nd Iowa Cavalry, as a farrier, on 5 Sept 1861 at Davenport, Iowa. He served his term of 3 years and one month and was discharged by reason of expiration of term on 3 Oct 1964. His first wife had died the month before he was discharged. Although not specifically confirmed, it is believed that Miss Maggie SODERSTROM was helping with the young children in the home, and continued to do so until she and Michael were married in 1869.
Michael and Maggie had nine children between 1869 and 1884. The first was William Emanuel SMITH, my grandfather. This is the family at the heart of my next family history book, in progress.
Families are Forever! ;-)
I bet this will be a great book to read! The surname caught my attention, knew it was Swedish or Norwegian, which is some of my ancestry. Looking forward to hearing more of this family!
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment. Yes, very Swedish. Her father was one of the founders of the First Swedish Baptist Church in St. Louis, if I recall correctly, but had a less than stellar later life... I hope to include a bit of that in the book.
I enjoy your blogs. Keep up the good work!
Bill ;-)