Gus Persson
Title
Gus Persson
Description
This biography of Gus Persson (pronounced Pierson) was written by his daughter Mildred L. Persson (Fish) Luallen in 2017
Gustav "Gus" Persson
Born in Grums Skruvstad, Varmland, Sweden, November 8, 1879; immigrated to America in 1896; came to Woodstock in 1900; died October 28, 1974
Leaving Sweden at the tender age of 17 accompanied by his two brothers, John and Per, looking backward toward their home, Gus was left with a heart-wrenching memory of his mother throwing herself to the ground, totally grief stricken.
Gus's sister, Mary Dibler, had sent money for her brothers to come to America. Gus worked on a farm in Hampshire, Illinois, to earn money to pay for his passage.
Remembering his first Christmas on the farm since leaving Sweden, Gus told us how homesick he was. He sat behind the barn and cried. He said, "As poor as we were in Sweden, we never had to work on Christmas day."
Having returned to Sweden for a visit shortly after he came to America, he didn't return there again until 1961. Six trips followed after that. Gus never forgot his homeland or his mother-tongue. He loved going "home" to visit.
Soon after leaving the farm, Gus went to work for McCormick Deering as a draftsman in Chicago. There he learned skills to be a pattern maker. While working in Chicago, he lived at a boarding house at 35 N. Clark Street.
In 1900, Gus moved to Woodstock and roomed with the Dibler family at 130 E. Calhoun Street.
Starting in 1904, Gus worked at the Oliver Typewriter Factory in the reproduction department. During the 15 years he worked there, he invented a part that improved the performance of the machine. It was called "the disappearing indicator." Gus could have applied for a patent for it but the company claimed that right.
During the time he worked at the typewriter factory, Gus met and married Ane Katrine Madsen in 1909. They were blessed with six children: Stanley (Ione), a WWII Glider Pilot; Arthur (Grace), a barber for over 60 years in Woodstock; Myrtle Persson (Alex) Beresh; Florence Persson (Gordon) Knox; Mildred Persson (Edwin) Fish and (William) Luallen; Esther Persson (Andy) Sorenson (Jack) Wienke; 18 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren. Gus and his Katie celebrated 65 years of marriage.
In 1910, Gus and his wife purchased Lots 1011 and 1013 Queen Anne Street in Woodstock for $275. Construction of the basic part of the house was done on the 1011 lot. Gus did all of the finishing woodwork.
Gus purchased the General Store in Ridgefield, Illinois, not knowing that the Borden Condensed Milk factory had been sold and business would not do very well in Ridgefield. Circa 1920-1928
At the same time, Gus and Sam Skow operated The Greasy Spoon lunch room on Main Street in Woodstock. Circa 1920 to 1928. The Greasy Spoon was sold to Andy Pearson.
Gus went to work at the Alemite (later called Autolite) in the tool room, retiring at the age of 75. For several years after retirement, the factory brought pattern work to Gus to be done in his workshop in his basement.
Gus had many interests and hobbies. He was a Charter Member of the Independent Order of the Vasa Lodge, Unity #487 formed on March 28, 1939. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Vikings Lodge Thyrfine #34, started in March 1920, and at their 50th Anniversary, Gus - 91 years old - played a violin solo, "Jenta och Ja."
He was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and saw to it that all six children attended Sunday School and were confirmed.
Gus was an ardent bowler. At 91 years old, he opened the McHenry County Bowling Tournament.
Gus was an amateur photographer, taking pictures of family groups, picnics, home interiors, etc., developing them as postcards, and selling them circa 1905 to 1916. A fine collectionof Gus's pictures are in an album at the McHenry County Historical Society (you have to ask to see it). Over three hundred glass and film negatives of Gus's pictures are also at MCHS along with his camera. Gus was very pleased that so many people had pictures made from is negatives and enjoyed his pictures.
Music was also a love of Gus's. His day very often began with "Oh What a Beautiful Morning." He would sing Swedish songs. Katie would say, "If he sings and doesn't cry, thay are probably songs about girls. Don't sing that one to the Pastor--Ha-Ha."
He enjoyed fishing at Delavan, Wisconsin where his daughter Myrtle and her family lived.
Gus was proud to be an American. During WWII, having his two sons in Service, he "kept up with the news" faithfully every day with radio and newspapers.
He belonged to the Civil Defense, wore the CD band on his arm and walked the neighborhood during the blackouts in case of an air raid.
Gus loved people, he loved life and lived well every day of his 96 years.
Gustav "Gus" Persson
Born in Grums Skruvstad, Varmland, Sweden, November 8, 1879; immigrated to America in 1896; came to Woodstock in 1900; died October 28, 1974
Leaving Sweden at the tender age of 17 accompanied by his two brothers, John and Per, looking backward toward their home, Gus was left with a heart-wrenching memory of his mother throwing herself to the ground, totally grief stricken.
Gus's sister, Mary Dibler, had sent money for her brothers to come to America. Gus worked on a farm in Hampshire, Illinois, to earn money to pay for his passage.
Remembering his first Christmas on the farm since leaving Sweden, Gus told us how homesick he was. He sat behind the barn and cried. He said, "As poor as we were in Sweden, we never had to work on Christmas day."
Having returned to Sweden for a visit shortly after he came to America, he didn't return there again until 1961. Six trips followed after that. Gus never forgot his homeland or his mother-tongue. He loved going "home" to visit.
Soon after leaving the farm, Gus went to work for McCormick Deering as a draftsman in Chicago. There he learned skills to be a pattern maker. While working in Chicago, he lived at a boarding house at 35 N. Clark Street.
In 1900, Gus moved to Woodstock and roomed with the Dibler family at 130 E. Calhoun Street.
Starting in 1904, Gus worked at the Oliver Typewriter Factory in the reproduction department. During the 15 years he worked there, he invented a part that improved the performance of the machine. It was called "the disappearing indicator." Gus could have applied for a patent for it but the company claimed that right.
During the time he worked at the typewriter factory, Gus met and married Ane Katrine Madsen in 1909. They were blessed with six children: Stanley (Ione), a WWII Glider Pilot; Arthur (Grace), a barber for over 60 years in Woodstock; Myrtle Persson (Alex) Beresh; Florence Persson (Gordon) Knox; Mildred Persson (Edwin) Fish and (William) Luallen; Esther Persson (Andy) Sorenson (Jack) Wienke; 18 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren. Gus and his Katie celebrated 65 years of marriage.
In 1910, Gus and his wife purchased Lots 1011 and 1013 Queen Anne Street in Woodstock for $275. Construction of the basic part of the house was done on the 1011 lot. Gus did all of the finishing woodwork.
Gus purchased the General Store in Ridgefield, Illinois, not knowing that the Borden Condensed Milk factory had been sold and business would not do very well in Ridgefield. Circa 1920-1928
At the same time, Gus and Sam Skow operated The Greasy Spoon lunch room on Main Street in Woodstock. Circa 1920 to 1928. The Greasy Spoon was sold to Andy Pearson.
Gus went to work at the Alemite (later called Autolite) in the tool room, retiring at the age of 75. For several years after retirement, the factory brought pattern work to Gus to be done in his workshop in his basement.
Gus had many interests and hobbies. He was a Charter Member of the Independent Order of the Vasa Lodge, Unity #487 formed on March 28, 1939. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Vikings Lodge Thyrfine #34, started in March 1920, and at their 50th Anniversary, Gus - 91 years old - played a violin solo, "Jenta och Ja."
He was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and saw to it that all six children attended Sunday School and were confirmed.
Gus was an ardent bowler. At 91 years old, he opened the McHenry County Bowling Tournament.
Gus was an amateur photographer, taking pictures of family groups, picnics, home interiors, etc., developing them as postcards, and selling them circa 1905 to 1916. A fine collectionof Gus's pictures are in an album at the McHenry County Historical Society (you have to ask to see it). Over three hundred glass and film negatives of Gus's pictures are also at MCHS along with his camera. Gus was very pleased that so many people had pictures made from is negatives and enjoyed his pictures.
Music was also a love of Gus's. His day very often began with "Oh What a Beautiful Morning." He would sing Swedish songs. Katie would say, "If he sings and doesn't cry, thay are probably songs about girls. Don't sing that one to the Pastor--Ha-Ha."
He enjoyed fishing at Delavan, Wisconsin where his daughter Myrtle and her family lived.
Gus was proud to be an American. During WWII, having his two sons in Service, he "kept up with the news" faithfully every day with radio and newspapers.
He belonged to the Civil Defense, wore the CD band on his arm and walked the neighborhood during the blackouts in case of an air raid.
Gus loved people, he loved life and lived well every day of his 96 years.
Source
Mildred Persson Luallen
Date
1910
Collection
Citation
“Gus Persson,” Woodstock Public Library Archives, accessed May 15, 2024, https://woodstockpubliclibraryarchives.omeka.net/items/show/614.
Embed
Copy the code below into your web page