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 HISTORIC 
 
 BISHOP 
 HILL 
 

 ILLINOIS 
 
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 HISTORIC 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 -1946- 
 
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 • • • 
 
 OBSERVANCE 
 September 22, 23 and 24, 1946 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Left to right: Richard Sternberg, vice-president; Mrs. Pearle Ericson, 
 secretary; Mrs. Janette Forse, treasurer; Clarence E. Nelson, president. 
 
 ****** 
 
 We, the officers, wish to thank all the com- 
 mittees who have so faithfully and well per- 
 formed every duty entrusted to them in order 
 to make our Centennial the best possible. 
 
 Clarence E. Nelson, President. 
 
 Richard M. Stonberg, V. Pres. 
 
 Pearle L. Ericson, Secretary. 
 
 Janette E. Forse, Treasurer. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 3 
 
 COMMITTEES ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 
 
 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE 
 
 SETTLEMENT OF BISHOP HILL 
 
 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE— The Officers of the Old Settlers Association. 
 
 FINANCE COMMITTEEMAN— Roland H. Olson. 
 
 RECEPTION COMMITTEE— Katharine Peterson, Harvey Peterson, Louise 
 Lindstrom, Members of the Village Board, Officers, Chairmen of All 
 Committees, Heads of All Business Enterprises in the Village. 
 
 REGISTRATION COMMITTEE — lone Berg, Evelyn Florine, Helen D. Berg, 
 Elsie Carlson. 
 
 INVITATION COMMITTEE— Dorothy Nelson, Elvie Houghton, Julia Olson. 
 
 HISTORIAN— Emmelyne Hedstrom. 
 
 ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET COMMITTEE— Emmelyne Hedstrom, Julia Ol- 
 son, Roland Olson, Walter Hedstrom, Henry DeSmith, Donald Falk. 
 
 PROGRAM COMMITTEE— Officers of the Old Settlers Association. 
 
 MUSIC COMMITTEE— Verna B. Anderson, Milford Stephenson, Vernon 
 Nordstrom. 
 
 CHURCH DAY COMMITTEE— Harold Nordstrom, Harriet Nelson, Alphild 
 Oberg, Local Pastor. 
 
 PAGEANT COMMITTEE— Genevieve Lindholm, Violet Lindholm, Katharine 
 Peterson, Dorothy Olson, Myrtle Nordstrom, Lillian Miner, Luella John- 
 son, Vernice Nelson, Roland Olson, Charles Johnson, Veron Tillman, 
 Albert Florine, Verna Anderson. 
 
 PARADE COMMITTEE — Logan Johnson, Lester Ericson, Merrill Nystrom, 
 Orlie Chilberg. 
 
 BAND COMMITTEE— Clarence Nelson, Richard Stonberg. 
 
 ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE— Albert Florine, Harry Hunt, Orlie Chil- 
 berg, Rias Spets. 
 
 DANCE COMMITTEE— Orlie Chilberg, Clifford Litton, Darrell Litton, Glen 
 Lindstrum, Wylie Ericson, Henry DeSmith. 
 
 DINNER COMMITTEE— Minnie Chilberg, Doris Nelson, Myrtle Litton, 
 
 Evelyn Florine, Elvie Houghton. 
 SOUVENIR COMMITTEE— Helen W. Berg, Dorothy Nelson. 
 BADGE COMMITTEEMAN— Emery Chilberg. 
 
 CONCESSION COMMITTEE— Walter Hedstrom, Emery Chilberg, Lenard 
 
 Sundberg. 
 DECORATION COMMITTEE— George Florine, Silas Ericson, Paul Nordeen. 
 PUBLICITY COMMITTEE — Myrtle Nordstrom, Margaret Jacobson. 
 HOUSING COMMITTEE— Esther Tarleton, Lucille Bergstrom. 
 TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEEMAN— Peter Nordstrom. 
 
 PARKING COMMITTEE— Glen Lindstrom, Lloyd Conrad, Wylie Ericson, 
 Orlie Chilberg. 
 
 SEAT AND BLEACHER COMMITTEE— Clarence Houghton, Charles Jef- 
 fries, Howard Olson, Kenneth Malmgren, Richard Bradford. 
 
 TENT COMMITTEE — Raney Spets, Vernon Nordstrom, Albert Lindstrom, 
 Eric Ericson, Emil Anderson, Francis Blomberg, Donald Olson, Willard 
 Leff, Vern Mount. 
 
 LIGHT COMMITTEE— Armour Johnson, Charles Johnson. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
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BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Toiling, — rejoicing, — sorrowing, 
 Onward through life he goes ; 
 Each morning sees some task begun 
 Each evening sees it close ; 
 Something attempted, something done 
 Has earned a night's repose. 
 Thanks, thanks to thee my worthy friend 
 For the lesson thou hast taught. 
 
 The Village Blacksmith. 
 Henry W. Longfellow. 
 
 pioneers, 
 
 Their purpose, their spirit and their determination, 
 which led them ever onward in spite of adversities, will 
 always call forth our highest respect and admiration. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 He who has vision lives round and all complete, 
 And through him alone we draw dews from combs of sweet. 
 
 — Folger McKinsey. 
 
 tHrtlmte 
 
 to tip late 
 
 ■^ 3Wpt JUi 
 
 President of the Semi-Centennial Celebration 
 September 23, 1896. 
 
 For his thoughtfulness and foresightedness in compiling into a booklet, 
 the addresses, historical sketches, and pictures of that first celebration 
 fifty years ago. 
 
 Mr. Root stated that his purpose was to offer for posterity a more per- 
 manent record of the proceedings which he hoped could be of use at the 
 time of the Centennial, for by 1946, he said, "these proceedings will perhaps 
 read lfke fairy tales, rivaling in their truth, the most fertile imagination of 
 a Jules Verne and a Hans Christian Andersen." 
 
 His efforts have been deeply appreciated by all who have had a part 
 in planning the Centennial festivities, especially the author of the short 
 history which follows, in that the book has been a source of much authentic 
 material which otherwise might have gone unlearned. » 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Steeple Building in Recent Years 
 
 + + + 
 
 "Made 1859 
 
 by 
 
 Soderquist, Bjorkland 
 
 and Blomberg, 
 
 Bishop Hill." 
 
 + + + 
 
 Town Clock 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Preface ♦ ♦ ♦ 
 
 Because the stories of the early settlers of our community 
 always fascinated me and because I was fortunate enough to be 
 a granddaughter of members of that pioneer group, I had al- 
 ways thought I would like at some time to prepare a short his- 
 torical sketch of the Colony. This account, which I hoped to make 
 as accurate and as unbiased in opinion as possible after a lapse 
 of many years, would be my tribute to those brave people who 
 left their homeland one hundred years ago to seek their religious 
 freedom in a foreign country. 
 
 With that idea in mind, I began to gather, to read and to 
 take notes on all sketches pertaining to Bishop Hill some twenty 
 years ago, while a student at Knox College, so that by 1946, 
 when the Old Settlers Association asked me to prepare their 
 Centennial booklet, my collection was quite sizable. As soon as 
 friends learned of our plans they kindly came offering their 
 valuable bits of information to add to those already assembled. 
 Consequently, a sorting was necessary and as a result of which 
 I am happy and proud to say that I have every reason to believe 
 this sketch to be quite authentic, since it is based on information 
 from colonists passed out by them some fifty years ago. 
 
 My most valuable sources then, are firstly, a number of 
 accounts by the late Mr. Philip Stoneberg, who received his ma- 
 terial from personal interviews; secondly, the Semi-Centennial 
 proceedings by the late Mr. John Root; thirdly, a series of old 
 Colonists' letters which ran in The Galva News about 1916; 
 fourthly, Michael Mikkelson's Bishop Hill Colony; fifthly, a 
 packet of obituaries and memoirs collected by the late Miss Nel- 
 lie Nelson, and loaned to me by Miss lone Berg, now the prop- 
 erty of her niece, Mrs. Katherine Diskin of Peoria, 111. ; sixthly, 
 Henry L. Kiner's History of Henry County, Illinois, a copy of 
 which I was able to keep at our home through the thoughtful- 
 ness of Mr. W. Ray of Galva; and, lastly, my most treasured 
 loan, the original set of minutes of the Board of Trustees from 
 1854-1862. Again, friends, I say thank you for your valuable 
 assistance. 
 
 Since most of the colonists had passed away before I was old 
 enough to be interested, very little information could be gained 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 through personal interviews. However, I shall always be grateful 
 to the late Mrs. Elizabeth Hallfast for the many incidents she 
 told to us. I shall always, also appreciate the interviews with 
 the late Mr. Jonas K. Olson, whose judgment we highly re- 
 spected. Mr. Olson, when visiting the family store, would relate 
 many of the happenings of colony life in detail. 
 
 It is my hope that this sketch may be as enlightening to the 
 fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of descendants some fifty 
 years hence, as the late Mr. Root's compilation was to those of 
 us who have had a part in the Centennial Celebration of the 
 Bishop Hill Colony this year. 
 
 EMMELYNE ARNQUIST HEDSTROM. 
 
 MONUMENT DEDICATED TO OLD SETTLERS, UNVEILED IN 1896. 
 
10 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Introduction 
 
 By EMMELYNE ARNQUIST HEDSTROM 
 
 Bishop Hill, a village today of about 250 inhabitants, is 
 unusual in its quaintness and beauty — so quaint and so unusual 
 that all who visit it feel well repaid for the effort and the time 
 spent in so doing. 
 
 Visitors can easily imagine themselves, on arriving here, 
 back a hundred years or more as they walk the streets viewing 
 the early structures of two and three stories, surrounding the 
 park which are done in that style of architecture characteristic 
 of Sweden and England in the early 19th century. 
 
 These buildings were erected within a period of about 15 
 years during the middle of that century, by their own members, 
 amongst whom were architects and mechanics of every class, 
 necessary for the successful building of a settlement. 
 
 Our readers and visitors will appreciate the efforts of those 
 early pioneers when they realize that this part of Illinois was a 
 wild prairie on their arrival, and that these folks began with 
 such simple tools as hoe and mattock to clear the forest, then 
 slowly and intermittently erected their buildings, as time and 
 materials permitted. Every brick was molded by hand, every 
 beam and joist was cut and sawed from their own walnut, maple 
 and red oak trees. Later on, when nails were used, every one 
 of them was made by hand. What patience those men possessed ! 
 
 Perhaps, we will appreciate their patience even more if we 
 think of the conditions awaiting these early settlers here. They 
 arrived, the larger number of them, during September and Oc- 
 tober, just the time of the cold fall rains. The days were becom- 
 ing shorter, there wasn't much in the way of food to be had, and 
 no time to plan for habitation. In their haste, before the wintry 
 weather set in, they put up some tents and threw up a few sod 
 houses in which these immigrants spent their first winter. 
 
 Those were trying months; homes were cold and food was 
 scarce, which meant illnesses of various kinds prevailed. Wild 
 game had to be their chief sustenance, because with towns of 
 any size 50 to 75 miles distant, and horses or oxen their only 
 mode of transportation, few trips could be made for staple sup- 
 plies. Consequently, those early colonists lived on very little. 
 As one article states, fasting was observed regularly that first 
 winter. The men and women of very rugged constitutions fasted 
 two or three days a week, while the children, the aged and the 
 sick complied according to their physical limitations. 
 
 Many Adversities 
 
 The immigrants encountered enough adversities that first 
 winter to break the morale of most people. But, not these sturdy 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 11 
 
 pioneers, for they had set a goal which they intended to accom- 
 plish, come what may. As a result of that determination they 
 made their plans for agricultural activities and building enter- 
 prises, so that as soon as the first warm days came everybody 
 set to work. 
 
 Again, I mention their patience and their foresightedness. 
 In spite of the lack of time and material, they planned their 
 village with the thought of beauty and permanence. 
 
 In the center of the town lies the park and around the park, 
 the buildings. Broad streets were in evidence and everywhere 
 trees were planted. The late Mrs. Elizabeth Halfast, mother of 
 Fred Halfast of Bishop Hill; Mrs. James Dunn of Osceola, Ne- 
 braska, and Mrs. Elnora Grill of Chicago, often told us how she 
 in company with other young girls, were designated for tree 
 planting and that they set out most all our maples and walnuts, 
 then just saplings. 
 
 As to permanence, the scenes and surroundings which greet 
 the visitors of today are about the same as they were a century 
 ago. One finds the same broad streets lined with those same 
 trees, now large and beautiful with limbs drooping from the 
 weight of their dense foliage. There is the same park, the same 
 church, the same old steeple building with the same clock strik- 
 ing out the hours perfunctorily, so clearly, that on still days the 
 sound carries for miles. We also have the same dwelling houses, 
 and the same school building with that same old bell which has 
 fulfilled a multiplicity of duties, namely, angelus, school bell, 
 dinner bell, fire alarm and curfew. 
 
 "Bridge Builders" 
 
 Where in this state can visitors find such historical monu- 
 ments? There are replicas and restorations of interest in many 
 places, but in Bishop Hill, the student of history today can find 
 about twelve old buildings in their original state, except for a 
 few minor repairs which were necessary for preservative pur- 
 poses. 
 
 Certainly, the foresightedness of those early settlers who 
 built not only for that day, but for the tomorrows as well, re- 
 minds one of that part of "The Bridge Builders" where the old 
 man upon being asked by the fellow pilgrim, "You've crossed 
 the chasm deep and wide, why build this bridge at evening tide ?" 
 replies : 
 
 "Good friend, in the path I have come, 
 There followed after me today a youth whose feet must pass 
 
 this way. 
 This chasm that has been as naught to me 
 To that fair haired youth may a pitfall be; 
 He, too, must cross in the twilight dim ; 
 Good friend, I am building this bridge for him !" 
 
12 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 They built for us, not only buildings large and strong and 
 high, but they also gave us a set of moral standards, which prob- 
 ably have spanned many a pitfall for each following generation, 
 thereby making the way easier for their descendants. 
 
 As a tribute to their fortitude, and to their convictions of 
 right and truth, the author wishes to publish as authentic a his- 
 tory as possible of the Colony, stressing its purposes, aims and 
 accomplishments from about 1846 until about 1862 at the time 
 of the dissolution of the Colony. 
 
 RED OAK MONUMENT 
 
 (Inscription) 
 
 Hereabout Rests 
 
 50 Members of B. H. Colony 
 
 Who Died 1846-47. 
 
 This Monument Was Erected by 
 
 Remaining Members of B. H. C. 
 
 1882. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 13 
 
 Doctrine of Jansonism Leads 1000 Swedish 
 Pioneers To Formation of Bishop Hill Colony 
 
 The authentic reason for nearly every emigration is usually 
 persecution or some unfavorable condition in their native coun- 
 try. Such was the case of our Swedish ancestors. 
 
 History has shown us that whenever the church and state 
 are united true Christianity suffers, because the church loses its 
 spiritual power and becomes a mere formality. Sweden and its 
 Established Church, Lutheranism, were no exception. Almost 
 everywhere social life was stamped with intemperance, dancing, 
 swearing and card playing. The pastor always danced the first 
 round with the bride and drank as much as any of his parish- 
 oners. In fact, it has been stated that there were instances where 
 the pastor owned and operated his own still. 
 
 In the 30's and early 40's there occurred throughout the 
 provinces of northern Sweden a revolt among the peasants, who 
 wanted to live a life of piety and sincerity, such as Jesus taught 
 centuries ago. These good people, called Devotionalists, met in 
 the homes of their members for the purpose of reading the 
 Bible and conducting devotional exercises. Their one desire was 
 to return to the early simplicity of Christianity. 
 
 At a dance, one winter evening in 1825, liquor was passed 
 in mockery of the Lord's Supper. This made a very deep and 
 lasting impression upon one of the members present, Jonas 
 Olson. Jonas Olson was deeply moved, perhaps, because his fa- 
 ther was an habitual drunkard, who under the influence of 
 liquor brutally mistreated his wife and children. That night 
 Olson resolved to devote his life to the Lord's work and became 
 a member of the Devotionalists studying his Bible and all de- 
 votional literature zealously. He added a new doctrine to Devo- 
 tionalism — that of temperance — and began to form temperance 
 societies. This movement met with some opposition from the 
 clergy, but when Jonas Olson received the support of the Crown, 
 the clergy relented and often were among the first to sign the 
 pledges. Under his leadership, Devotioinalism flourished in 
 Helsingland, his native province, and the country prospered un- 
 der its influence because the desire for reading encouraged 
 learning and sobriety encouraged industry. 
 
14 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Eric Janson Arrives 
 
 About 1842, a flour merchant asked and was granted, lodging 
 one Saturday night at the home of Jonas Olson. This stranger 
 was Eric Janson. The following morning he accompanied the 
 family to church and in the afternoon he attended a meeting of 
 the Devotionalists with his host. If he approved or disapproved 
 of the meetings, no one knew because he made no comment. 
 However, on Monday morning, when taking his leave, he ad- 
 monished Olson, saying, "Be a priest in your own house. I have 
 been here a Saturday night and a Sunday night and you have 
 not assembled your household in prayer." 
 
 This reprimand impressed Olson and from that time on the 
 two men became fast friends. Olson encouraged Janson to 
 preach in Helsingland, and because he was recommended by 
 Olson, who was highly respected everywhere, Janson was well 
 received. In fact, this born religious leader who possessed a 
 rare gift of eloquence, became so popular that he was forced to 
 travel by night in order to fulfill his daily schedules. With this 
 man's advent into Helsingland, Jansonism began. 
 
 Converted by Miracle 
 
 Eric Janson, born December 19, 1808, in Biskops Kulla parish, 
 Uppland, was converted at the age of 26 years when he was 
 healed miraculously from a painful type of rheumatism. His 
 own experience had taught him the power of prayer, for the 
 Lord's voice had told him, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, 
 I will do it," and when Janson had asked for health through 
 prayer his request had been granted. He naturally ascribed all 
 misery and suffering to lack of faith, and he blamed the Estab- 
 lished Church for the lack of religious interest throughout the 
 country because he maintained the clergy were more concerned 
 with outward ceremonies than with sincerity and piety. Janson- 
 ism didn't spring ready-made from the brain of the author; 
 rather, it was a gradual development determined by prevailing 
 conditions, especially, a little later on, by the attitude of the 
 Established Church. In the beginning, Janson simply advocated 
 a return to simplicity and to the earnestness of primitive Chris- 
 tianity. A short time later he disagreed with the Established 
 Church in regard to the doctrine of sanctif ication ; Janson main- 
 tained that the faithful could have no sin. 
 
 When he began to preach the latter doctrine, and because 
 his eloquence and his magnetic personality brought him large 
 numbers of converts, the clergy became alarmed and began to 
 oppose him. To regain their lost hold they denounced Janson 
 from the pulpit, refused the Jansonists admittance to the Lord's 
 Supper and prohibited all their meetings. This opposition gave 
 a new impetus to the Janson movement, resulting in secret 
 meetings of his 4,000 converts, which were held at night or in 
 secluded woods. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 15 
 
 From June 11, 1844, when many books of ritualistic nature 
 were burned in Alfta, until January, 1846, Janson was arrested 
 six times, and released each time, until the last time, when his 
 friends helped him escape from Gefle prison because they feared 
 Janson would be held there for life. By trekking through forests 
 and over mountains he made his way to Christiana, Norway, 
 where he stayed in hiding until January, 1846, when he set out 
 for America under an assumed name. 
 
 Eric Janson suffered, but his followers suffered too. Their 
 meetings were disturbed, their houses pelted with stones and 
 the persons themselves assaulted. There was no longer any hope 
 for them to enjoy the privileges of their own belief nor that of 
 the Established Church. They had become separatists from 
 necessity. Thus, their thoughts turned to immigration to a new 
 land where they might worship as they pleased. 
 
 Theory of Fanaticism 
 
 America seemed to be the answer to their problem. To most 
 of the peasants of Helsingland, it was just a name. Eric Janson 
 had decided upon this new country after reading the glowing 
 accounts which a Swedish adventurer who had wandered as 
 far west as Chicago, sent home. In America there would be a 
 home for all and a place where Janson could put into practice 
 his latest doctrine of Jansonism without fear of molestation. 
 
 The new theory which he had propounded during his months 
 of hiding, can only be defined as fanaticism. It certainly dif- 
 fered from his first principles advocated during the years from 
 1842 until 1846. This was his final doctrine and I quote it from 
 Mikkelson: "Eric Janson was sent to restore Christianity. He 
 represented the second coming of Christ. The second advent of 
 Christ was to be more glorious than the first. Eric Janson was 
 to separate the children of God from the world and gather them 
 into a theocratic community. 
 
 "In America he would build up a New Jerusalem from where 
 the Gospel should go forth to all the world. Then should the 
 millenium be ushered in, in which Eric Janson or the heirs of 
 his body, should as representatives of Christ, reign to the end 
 of all time." 
 
 WINTER SCENE 
 
16 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Exodus from Sweden to Escape 
 Religious Persecution 
 
 In 1845 Janson sent Olof Olson, brother of Jonas Olson, to 
 America to find a new location for them. Incidentally, Olof Olson 
 was the grandfather of Mrs. Maude Seely of Galva. 
 
 While in New York, Olof Olson met Rev. 0. G. Hedstrom, who 
 was conducting missionary meetings for Scandinavian seamen in 
 a dismantled ship known as Bethel Ship. A part of this ship was 
 made habitable for Mr. and Mrs. Olson and their two children, 
 who remained there during the winter of 1845 and 1846. Here 
 Olson became interested in Methodism and changed his faith. 
 Yet, loyal to his former leader and determined to accomplish 
 his mission, he, in the spring of 1846, journeyed to Victoria, Il- 
 linois, to see Rev. Hedstrom, brother of Rev. Jonas Hedstrom, 
 the founder and pastor of the first Swedish Methodist Episcopal 
 Church in America. 
 
 With Victoria as his headquarters, Olof Olson went on scout- 
 ing trips that brought him through Illinois, Minnesota and Wis- 
 consin in hope of finding the perfect spot for the planting of 
 this colony. After traveling many miles he wrote back to Janson 
 recommending this section of Illinois as the chosen spot. 
 
 Joined by Janson 
 
 In July, 1846, Olson was joined by Janson, his wife, three 
 children and a few other followers at Victoria where they de- 
 cided upon Henry county as the location for the New Jerusalem. 
 After resting at the Hedstrom home, Janson and Olson set out 
 to make land purchases in Weller township. On Angust 1 they 
 purchased 40 acres in Section 9, and 20 acres in Section 17 for 
 $250. On August 21 they bought 156 acres in Section 8 for 
 $1100. Our plat book shows Section 9 about west of the present 
 Julian Anderson farm, Section 17 about the location of the 
 Clifford Litton farm, recently purchased by John Laub, and Sec- 
 tion 8 in Red Oak about where the Orlie Chilberg farm is lo- 
 cated. To these acres in Red Oak Grove, Janson and his few 
 immigrants went where there were already some log houses, 
 w T heat to harvest and a few cattle. 
 
 Their next step was to choose a site for the village. A beauti- 
 ful hillock on the south bank of Edwards creek covered with a 
 growth of oak trees and containing a plentiful spring proved to 
 be the ideal spot. Here Eric Janson bought 160 acres on Section 
 14 from the U. S. government on the morning of September 26 
 for $200. In the afternoon of the same day he purchased for 
 $400 two additional quarters in Section 23 and Section 24, which 
 would be about where the farms tenanted by Wylie Ericson, 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 17 
 
 Mrs. Atkinson and Emil Ericson are located. Thus was Bishop 
 Hill begun, and named after Janson's birthplace. During the 
 first few years the direct translation of the name was used, 
 Bishop's Hill, but in time the "s" was dropped. 
 
 While Janson was finding a home for his colonists in Amer- 
 ica, Jonas Olson, Olof Johnson, Andreas Berglund and Olof Sten- 
 berg were carrying out Janson's plan for emigration in Sweden. 
 Even though most of the Devotionalists were independent farm- 
 ers and artisans, a large number were poorer people of every 
 description who were unable to defray the expenses of a long 
 journey. It was this fact which prompted Eric Janson to make 
 his New Jerusalem a communal affair, basing his reasons for 
 the adoption of communism on scriptural ground. As it was in 
 the days of the apostles, so should it now occur. The above men- 
 tioned men were to receive all money into a common fund. One 
 of the wealthiest farmers, L. G. Larson, sold all his personal and 
 real property, with which proceeds he chartered a ship and gave 
 free passage to all it could hold. After arriving here, he turned 
 the balance into the common fund. His contribution was over 
 24,000 crowns. Others followed in 10,000, 8,000 and lesser 
 amounts. 
 
 Vessel Leaves Gefle 
 
 About 1100 young men and women between the ages of 
 twenty-five and thirty-five were found willing to leave their 
 homeland to secure religious freedom. The first vessel set sail 
 from Gefle. In the summer of 1846, weeks previous to their de- 
 parture, a feverish excitement reigned over the seaboard city, 
 for emigrants were arriving daily in various vehicles and on foot. 
 It was a sad parting, because it meant the breaking up of fam- 
 ilies. Very often husbands left their wives, parents left their 
 children, and the aged bid farewell to their young. Since such 
 journeys were hazardous 100 years ago, families never expected 
 to be reunited. History tells us that when the Jasonites were 
 aboard that first ship, ready to leave the shore of their beloved 
 homeland, they gathered on the deck and sang one of their native 
 songs. Every eye was said to have been filled with tears. 
 
 Following this first ship, others set out to sea from Soder- 
 hamn, Stockholm or Goteborg. A stop was usually made at 
 Copenhagen, Denmark, and from there the course was directly 
 to New York. The number of emigrants aboard the ships and 
 the length of time for each trip varied. The ships carried about 
 one hundred fifty, seventy-five and as few as fifty passengers. 
 The length of time was usually about three months. However, 
 some were wrecked, one lost at sea and one was blown so far 
 from its course that it reached the coast of Africa, where it 
 was said to have been attacked by pirates. 
 
 From New York, the start westward was made by steamer 
 to Albany, then by canal boat to Buffalo, and by propeller to 
 
18 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Chicago, As stops were made at many places on the shores of 
 Lake Erie, Huron and Michigan, the trip required a considerable 
 length of time. 
 
 The first group of colonists following Janson came through 
 Michigan in the early fall, where they were impressed by the 
 apple orchards, heavy with fruit of all colors and sizes. Accord- 
 ing to the diary of one of that group, when the conductor saw 
 the longing look on the faces of his passengers, who had just 
 spent those many weeks at sea with very little to eat, he stopped 
 the boat and told the passengers to go ashore and pick all they 
 could carry. They filled baskets, aprons and pillow slips with the 
 luscious fruit, which, when they returned aboard, they shared 
 with all the passengers. 
 
 Canal to Peru 
 
 From Chicago, some went by canal boat to Peru and thence 
 by wagon to Bishop Hill. Others when they reached Chicago had 
 only sufficient funds left to purchase a few wagons and oxen to 
 transport their luggage, the aged, the ill and the children. All 
 ablebodied persons were required to walk the entire distance 
 of one hundred and fifty miles. According to the diary men- 
 tioned above, those who did ride were so packed in among 
 trunks, boxes, chests and bundles of every description that the 
 trip proved very uncomfortable. When they reached their jour- 
 ney's end, they could not walk because of numb muscles re- 
 sulting from their cramped quarters. 
 
 Another interesting bit of information from this same diary 
 tells of their first meal when they reached Bishop Hill, which 
 was prepared by the grandmother of Henry Lindstrum, Ke- 
 wanee, Art and Amos Lindstrum, Galva, and Helen Lindstrum, 
 formerly of Bishop Hill, now of California. It was a soup — pea 
 soup the writer thought — made from dried peas which the im- 
 migrants had brought along from Sweden. 
 
 This band of colonists headed by Jonas Olson reached here 
 October 28, 1846, where two log cabins, four tents and a few 
 dugouts invited them to enter for the winter. A third and fourth 
 party soon followed, so that four hundred persons populated the 
 newly created village by the last months of 1846. This, then, was 
 the birth of the new colony. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
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20 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Trials of Early Days In "New Jerusalem 
 
 a 
 
 With the arrival of more groups of immigrants, and because 
 the very cold weather necessitated the abandoning of the tents, 
 several log cabins, a large sod house and twelve dugouts were 
 constructed. 
 
 The sod house serving as common kitchen and dining hall 
 was located to the north of the home of Our late Grandmother 
 Arnquist. The dugouts were excavated on either side of a deep 
 ditch, running north and south through the center of the park. 
 These shelters, 18 feet in width and 30 feet in depth, were sim- 
 ply large holes dug in the banks of the ravine, the front of which 
 was formed of logs with a door and two small windows, while 
 the roof was made of rails, sod and earth. The interior contained 
 a fireplace at the back wall, and on either side, three tiers of 
 beds were built wide enough for two, and sometimes three, oc- 
 cupants. The only pieces of furniture were benches below the 
 bunks and in front of the fireplace. These caves usually accom- 
 modated twenty-five to thirty people. However, at least one, 
 perhaps more, accommodated fifty-two unmarried women. The 
 journal of a colonist who belonged to the above mentioned group, 
 stated that "they were quite comfortable since they were grown 
 folks only." 
 
 Their quarters were damp and cold, a condition which, along 
 with the scanty supply of food, reduced the resistance of these 
 hardy Scandinavians to such a low that they became victims of 
 many diseases, especially malaria, dysentery and measles. Many 
 died. One historian tells us that nearly every morning a fresh 
 corpse was pulled out of a dugout, but further research reveals 
 that as many as nine bodies were carried from a single shelter 
 one morning. 
 
 Mass Burials 
 
 Since coffins were not available, the colonists had to resort 
 to the primitive winding sheet, and frequently, a large grave 
 was dug to care for several bodies. Burial rites were dispensed 
 with and the places of interment were left unmarked. Ninety- 
 six died in Bishop Hill that winter, while 50 died at Red Oak. 
 Years later a monument was erected to their memory on the 
 land of the present Albin Johnson farm, and is still visited each 
 summer by many interested tourists. 
 
 As soon as habitations were found for the Jasonites, their 
 thoughts turned to a place of worship. Time was short, for cold 
 weather was fast approaching and materials as well as tools 
 were scarce. It seemed the type of worship house they could 
 erect most quickly was a tent structure, which was in readiness 
 at the time of the arrival of the second group of colonists. In- 
 
BISHOP HILL CENT ENNIAL SOUVENIR 21 
 
 tended as a makeshift only, their first church was built of logs 
 and canvas in the form of a cross, with a seating capacity of 
 about 800. This was called the Tent Church and was located 
 south of the village park. 
 
 Church services were held twice on week days and three 
 times on Sundays. In the beginning, Eric Janson himself went 
 the rounds of the camp at five o'clock in the morning to call the 
 people to worship. Thirty minutes later the services began and 
 lasted about two hours. The second service was held in the eve- 
 ning. When spring field work pressed the members for time a 
 short service was held at noon. 
 
 On Christmas day, 1846, a bell was purchased to serve as 
 angelus. This bell was suspended from a support between two 
 big trees on the land just west of the colony church. Later the 
 bell called the colonists to meals, to school, to work, and it was 
 also used in case of fire. 
 
 First Baptism 
 
 An interesting article in regard to their early religious ac- 
 tivities recounts their New Year's day service in the Tent 
 Church, January 1, 1847. They were in the midst of their exer- 
 cises when a terrific storm came upon them, accompanied by 
 such thunder, lightning, rain and hail that the members feared 
 the collapse of the tent. However, the writer states, the Lord 
 saved them again and they were able to proceed with their rite, 
 the baptism of the first child born in the colony. Rev. Janson 
 baptized her and pronounced the blessing which "seems to have 
 followed her through life. She was given the name of Mary." 
 This was Mrs. Mary Olson, who lived her entire life of some 90 
 years in our community. She was the mother of Henry G. Olson, 
 Mrs. Jennie Swanson and the late Mrs. Emma Johnson, all of 
 Bishop Hill. 
 
 The Tent Church burned in the spring of 1848 when a man 
 smoking a pipe, set fire to a pile of chaff near one of the log 
 houses. A strong wind soon spread the fire in that locality until 
 all the log houses and the church were in flames. During that 
 summer services were held in Anderson's grove, now the Leon- 
 ard Wexell land. According to an old letter from one colonist 
 to another, a pulpit was made from the stump of a large tree 
 which gave ample space for Janson's Bible and song book. To 
 quote the writer: "He did not need any printed form for his 
 sermons. They came from his heart and brain and were inspired." 
 
 Eric Janson, in announcing his latest doctrine, stated that 
 as in Jesus' day, so it should be now: Apostles should go forth 
 to spread Jansonism to the ends of the earth. That first winter 
 Janson selected his twelve men, gave them a few months in- 
 struction in the English language, and sent them out to convert 
 the United States and eventually the world. These apostles met 
 with little success. According to them, the Yankees were too 
 
22 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 interested in getting rich quick to waste their time listening to 
 the prattle of missionaries. 
 
 The advent of warmer weather accompanied by an abund- 
 ance of sunshine and clear skies renewed that former zest and 
 fervor within the hearts and minds of these sturdy pioneers, 
 which had more or less left them during that hard winter of ill- 
 ness, uncomfortable living quarters and scarcity of food. 
 
 Adobe Houses 
 
 As soon as spring permitted, they began to grub the hazel 
 brush which grew on the banks above the dugouts and erected 
 temporary houses of adobe brick. The ravine which intersected 
 the park contained chalk stone. Mr. Phillip Mauk, a friend of 
 the colonists, who lived north of the present Ray Litton farm, 
 taught the colonists how to make cement from the chalk stone, 
 which in turn brought about the manufacture of adobe brick. 
 
 Thus building began. Strange as it seems with adobe brick 
 at hand, the first building was a red frame house, now a part of 
 our late Grandmother Arnquist's home. This was at one time 
 Eric Janson's home and later it was used as a tavern. At about 
 the same time, a frame house was built where the present Albert 
 Lindstrum's home now stands, consisting of one large room and 
 a garret, for the unmarried women and girls. This was called 
 Flickstugan, the direct translation of which is Girl House. A 
 similar building for the single boys and men was erected about 
 midway between the church and the bakery, near the angelus 
 bell. 
 
 In addition to these frame houses, the lumber for which had 
 been cut and sawed from the colonists' own timber in Red Oak, 
 several adobe houses were built to accommodate all who had 
 been forced to spend their first winter in dugouts. Even so, the 
 advent of more colonists necessitated the use of caves again in 
 the winter of '47 and '48. 
 
 While the Jansonists had been employed in these building 
 operations, agriculture had not been neglected. Three hundred 
 and fifty acres of land were laboriously broken with a 36-inch 
 plow drawn by eight yoke of oxen. The women planted the corn 
 by hand and that first autumn they harvested their grain 
 Swedish-fashion with scythes. The young, the old, the men and 
 the women worked side by side in the fields for 18 hours each 
 day. In the evening, the harvesters wended their way home, 
 some 200 strong, marching two by two, all singing the same 
 lively native tune. They tell us that those occasions presented 
 quite an idyllic picture. 
 
 On reaching the village, the workers proceeded to the com- 
 mon dining room, where they ate a meal of simple foods. One 
 colonist in her memoirs tells of their first corn on the cob, a new 
 dish to them. They enjoyed it immensely, as well as the cakes, 
 puddings and mush made from the corn, though they did not 
 care for corn bread. She further relates that they were served a 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 x\ 
 
 variety of soups: Vegetable, pea, bean and beer soup. Ater milk 
 was available, milk soup with dumplings was a customary dish. 
 At this time their dinner consisted of meat or fish, potatoes and 
 then the soup, which was served last, according to an old 
 Swedish custom. 
 
 Beer "Immense" 
 
 "Small beer" was made that summer from malt and molasses, 
 which the writer says "was immense." This beer was cooked in 
 a large caldron, cooled, yeast added, and then carried down to 
 the cellar where it ripened for two days. After that length of 
 time it was ready for use. 
 
 In addition to their building projects and their agricultural 
 pursuits they raised flax, since that was a staple product of 
 their native Helsingland. Because they were familiar with every 
 aspect of it, the results were gratifying. That first year they 
 manufactured 12,473 yards of linen, carpet matting, for which 
 they found a ready sale. 
 
 That same year, they also constructed on Edwards Creek, a 
 small grist mill which was run by horse power when water failed, 
 so the historians say. Old obituaries inform us that sometimes 
 certain of the young men were forced to take turns, two by two, 
 at treading the water wheel of the mill when the water was low. 
 
 After overcoming adversities such as have been mentioned, 
 the colonists believed themselves prepared to meet the winter 
 of '47 and '48 comfortably. But again ill fortune came their way 
 when a fifth party of immigrants, numbering over 400, arrived, 
 causing the same scarcities as had been experienced in '46 and 
 '47. A very severe winter brought on about as much illness as 
 the previous year. This was too much for some to bear so, as 
 of the previous year, a number drifted away from the colony. 
 
 From the spring of '48 on, Dame Fortune smiled kindly on 
 these children of God and finally they began to experience 
 happy days in Bishop Hill. 
 
 COLONY BUILDINGS 
 
24 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Table Prayers by Eric Janson — 
 
 Before Meal Prayer 
 
 I pray Thee, my God and Father in Christ, that Thou 
 Wouldst bless my food, which Thou of grace hast given me, 
 through the power of Thy word, wherewith Thou hast sat- 
 isfied all created beings and especially me, who lived not of 
 bread alone, but of every word which proceedeth out of Thy 
 mouth, which has promised to bless my food, as I am 
 blessed by faith in all I do, in the name of Jesus. Amen. I 
 pray in the name of Jesus, believing that my food is blessed 
 in the same moment of God's love to me in Christ Jesus. 
 Amen. 
 
 After Meal Prayer 
 
 I thank Thee, My God and Father in Christ, that Thou 
 hast satisfied me and my neighbors, with Thine rich bless- 
 ings which come from the power of Thy word over all, and 
 especially, Thy grace and always the spirit of prayer, for I 
 know that God has purified me from all evil and that which 
 looks sinful, which I believe for the name and death of 
 Jesus Christ, Amen. I thank Thee my God, who has taken 
 away my sins and satisfied me both to soul and body, with 
 Thine rich blessings which I always own and enjoy, for the 
 name and death of Jesus Christ, Amen. 
 
 AUTHOR'S NOTE: 
 
 Through the kindness of Mrs. Vernice Nelson of our community, 
 I was able to copy these blessings from her original folder printed in 
 Swedish and English, which was the property of her grandmother, 
 the late Mrs. Ann Hedlund Nystrom, one of our old colonists. Mrs. 
 Nelson found these prayers quite by accident, tucked in amongst the 
 pages of Mrs. Nystrom's old Bible. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 25 
 
 Happy Colony Days 1848-1851 
 
 In spite of all the trying and harassing difficulties which the 
 early pioneers encountered at every step since leaving their 
 homeland, their spirits remained undaunted and their faith un- 
 dimmed. They were grateful that they were now in a land where 
 they might worship God according to the dictates of their 
 hearts. It was this religious sincerity which had bound them to- 
 gether closely enough to bring them across the ocean, and this 
 same sincerity gave additional energy to their work until slowly 
 they overcame their many difficulties and entered upon a peace- 
 ful and happy period. 
 
 In the spring of 1848, agricultural pursuits again were the 
 main occupation. That year more land was broken, more seed 
 was available, and more tools accessible, all of which lightened 
 their tasks. Flax was again sowed because the results of their 
 first small crop were profitable. Broom corn was planted once 
 more, and, we are told, in 1849, the first broom was made in 
 Bishop Hill. 
 
 Buy More Stock 
 
 As more funds became available, the Jansonists purchased 
 more cattle, hogs and sheep. The purchase of livestock, in turn, 
 brought about new industries, one of which, dairying, became 
 very important in the early days of Bishop Hill. Our brick dairy 
 building, erected a little later, still stands in a well-preserved 
 condition. It now serves as a three-apartment house, which is 
 owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Krans and son, Wil- 
 lard, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Nordstrom, and Miss Effie Winroot. 
 Elmer Nordstrom has a strong attachment for the building be- 
 cause his maternal grandmother was one of the dairymaids so 
 long ago. The mother of Albert and Julia Krans of Bishop Hill 
 and the mother of Mrs. L. L. Otto, of Cambridge, were also 
 dairymaids. 
 
 Prior to the erection of this permanent building, where the 
 industry was carried on quite extensively, a log cabin was built 
 to serve as dairy house about where the Jonas Bergren home 
 now stands. This was a two-story structure, the upper story 
 serving as home for the dairymaids, while the men who at- 
 tended the barn had quarters on the first floor. Carl Myrten- 
 gren, a relative of Paul Myrtengren, and Mrs. Harry Nelson of 
 Galesburg; Magnus Johnson, father of Mrs. L. L. Otto of Cam- 
 bridge, and grandfather of Mrs. Albert Florine and Mrs. Karl 
 Hunt of our village; along wtih Nels Runquist supervised the 
 dairy, making a very profitable business of it. 
 
 The unmarried ladies did the milking. Besides the milkmaids, 
 four women cared for the calves, four had charge of the hogs, 
 
26 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 TWO COLONY APARTMENT HOUSES 
 
 and two worked in the dairy where butter and cheese were made. 
 About this same time, the oxboys were organized. This group 
 consisted of young men who served as errand boys hauling ma- 
 terials and supplies by oxen from one place to another. These 
 boys were under the supervision of Jacob Jacobson, grandfather 
 of Margaret Jacobson of Bishop Hill, Mrs. Stephen Andersen of 
 Washington, D. C, and Robert Jacobson of Providence, R. I. 
 They lived in a house on the late Reynold Johnson farm, about 
 two miles south of the village. 
 
 The life of the oxboys was not the easiest for they were out 
 in all kinds of weather. Furthermore, roads were not laid out in 
 those days and settlers drove straight across fields in any di- 
 rection, which made riding unpleasant and the going tedious. 
 The old Ox Trail which leads through Buck Grove to Red Oak is 
 still in evidence after years of usage. It is told that when the 
 boys returned from a run on a cold winter day they were served 
 a lunch of cheese and hardtack, which pleased them tremend- 
 ously because boys then, like boys now, had ravenous appetites. 
 
 Many Oxboys 
 
 There were many oxboys, of course, but time does not per- 
 mit too extensive searching old accounts to ascertain all their 
 names. We know of a few, Jonas K. Olson, uncle of Henry G. 
 Olson and Mrs. Jennie Swanson of our community ; Eric Ander- 
 son, father of the late Andrew E. Anderson of Galva; John 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 27 
 
 Stonberg, father of Charles E. Sternberg of Galva and Mrs. Car- 
 rie Arnquist of Bishop Hill; and Eric Krans, father of Andrew 
 Krans and Mrs. Lorena Hanson of Bishop Hill. Eric Krans' 
 brother, Andrew, another oxboy, was killed when he fell and 
 an ox trampled him to death. 
 
 The oxboys and the dairymaids had many pleasant times to- 
 gether, unbeknown to their parents or Prophet Janson. Dancing 
 was banned absolutely, but the Oxboys carved violins from scraps 
 of wood, strung them and furnished music for lively Swedish 
 polkas and schottisches whenever the dairymaids could slip 
 away to join them. 
 
 Another item in our collection tells of the sport they had on 
 a deer hunt during the winter of '48. The boys and maids strung 
 out in a line and walked from the dairy house to Hickory Grove, 
 two miles east of town. On this hunt they captured four deer — 
 a male, a female and a pair of twins. The writer states they 
 were beautiful, light in color with red spots over their bodies. 
 In fact, they were so beautiful the colonists could not kill them, 
 but kept them as pets for several years. 
 
 It was to be expected that the religious life in the new settle- 
 ment should be of great importance, therefore, after their sus- 
 tenance was provided for, measures were taken in the summer 
 of 1848 to build a new church. 
 
 They erected a beautiful frame structure, the result of much 
 planning, and patience which bespoke their love and devotion to 
 their God. The greater part of the lumber used in its construc- 
 tion was sawed at the colony mill from trees felled in their own 
 Red Oak grove. However, since one mill could not provide the 
 needed lumber quickly enough, the siding and finishing lumber 
 were purchased and hauled from Peru, Illinois. Adobe was placed 
 in the walls next to the siding. The making of kiln-dried brick 
 had begun and it was used for the foundation, under the super- 
 vision of August Bandholtz, a German mason, who had married 
 into the colony. 
 
 Unique Lighting 
 
 The basement and first floor were made into dwelling rooms, 
 while the second floor consisted of a hall, two large anterooms 
 and the church auditorium. In the church proper the pews 
 made of native black walnut with hand-turned spindles of maple, 
 have been a source of admiration by all who have seen them 
 throughout the years. 
 
 Another interesting feature in regard to the church was its 
 earliest lighting systems. We have been told that services were 
 held in the morning and in the evening. Many have wondered 
 what sources of lighting were resorted to for evening services. 
 
 It was through the kindness of W. Ray, agent for the C.R.I. 
 & P., Galva, that the writer obtained definite and accurate in- 
 
2S 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 BIG BRICK— BURNED JANUARY 28, 1928. 
 
 formation as to the earliest facilities. John Johnson of Holdrege, 
 Nebraska, told Mr. Ray that in '49 wooden candles were used. 
 Wooden candles were hollowed out wooden sticks, through which 
 a string was laid and the hollow filled with melted lard oil. This 
 oil was first obtained at Cable, Illinois, but later the colonists 
 learned to make their own. Certain young men were designated 
 as candle bodys. Mr. Johnson, the informant, was one of these 
 whose duties were to keep the hollows filled with oil, and to 
 watch them in the windows where they were placed, so that 
 they should not tip and start a fire. 
 
 The two anterooms were used for schoolrooms, each equipped 
 with benches, seating six to eight pupils, and a long desk for 
 each bench. The northwest room was for the teachers and older 
 scholars, while the northeast room was used for the younger 
 folk. During 1848 an d'49, these two rooms served adequately, 
 but in 1850, when another shipload arrived, the scholars had to 
 use the church auditorium for study and the original classrooms 
 for recitation. 
 
 We mentioned before that the manufacture of kiln-dried 
 brick began in 1848, after the colonists' friend, Phillip Mauk, 
 made the discovery of suitable clay west of the village. 100,000 
 brick were made the first month, which amount grew to 5,000,- 
 000, resulting in our large brick buildings of today. 
 
 At this time with brick becoming plentiful, the north half 
 of the big brick was erected, a building 45 by 100 feet and four 
 stories high. Here the unmarried women assisted the men, 
 pitching the bricks two at a time from one story to another 
 instead of carrying them in hods. 
 
 Had 96 Rooms 
 
 The first floor of the Big Brick, or the kitchen building as 
 it was originally called, was the kitchen and dining hall; while 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 29 
 
 the upper floors were made into dwelling rooms, one or two 
 allotted to a family. In 1850, a similar contiguous building was 
 erected to the south, thus making the building 200 feet longhand 
 containing 96 rooms. Incidentally, this is said to be one of the 
 first apartment houses in the Middle West. 
 
 When strangers came to Bishop Hill during '49 and '50, they 
 were given board and lodging in the north part of the building. 
 On such occasions, Mr. Lundquist, who seemed to act as host, 
 would permit guests and adult resident members to clear the 
 parlor of furniture and dance. Dancing, as previously stated, 
 was against the principles of the Jansonists, yet in order to re- 
 main on a friendly basis with their outside neighbors, they 
 granted this liberty. The children were allowed to sit on the 
 stairsteps and enjoy the music as well as the antics of their 
 elders. 
 
 After the addition of the second half, two dining halls were 
 in operation, the one to the north for the children while the 
 newer south hall was set aside for the adults. 
 
 In the adult dining room there were three long tables, two of 
 which were reserved for the ladies while the third was used by 
 the men. (I might mention that women made up two-thirds of 
 the colony population.) These tables were covered with linen 
 tablecloths which were changed three times a week. Twelve 
 waitresses served the tables, while eighteen persons were em- 
 ployed in the kitchen as cooks. 
 
 All the children marched to their dining room in martial 
 formation, and took their places quietly. After all were seated 
 an older person asked the blessing and then they proceeded to 
 eat. 
 
 In a former article we stated that the soup was served at the 
 end of meals in 1846 and '47. In '49 and '50 the soup came first. 
 Usually, it was fruit soup with lots of raisins in it. The tureens 
 were set at intervals on the table and the boys and girls were 
 permitted to help themselves. There must have been a scramble, 
 because by "being first" and dipping the ladle to the bottom of 
 the bowl one obtained the most raisins. This meant that the last 
 ones received only soup with just a sprinkling of fruit. Their 
 main course consisted of meat or fish, vegetables, plenty of 
 bread, butter usually, and for dessert there was cooked fruit or 
 pancakes spread with molasses. After the meal was finished all 
 sang some religious songs and were then dismissed. 
 
 The amount of food now available was quite in contrast to 
 those first days when fasting had been compulsory. Butter made 
 its appearance almost three times a day at this period. Earlier 
 it was served only at Sunday breakfast. Since the colonists had 
 been raised on fish they made every effort to provide it on their 
 menus. With no rivers or lakes at hand, they set up a camp on 
 the government island at Rock Island and another one on the 
 
30 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Illinois river between Henry and Chillicothe, where they made 
 their catches. 
 
 Another very interesting bit of information in regard to their 
 food was that coffee was not a popular drink, entirely contra- 
 dictory to present-day assumptions. Perhaps, there was a reason : 
 The coffee served to them was simply water boiled with pul- 
 verized roasted bread. Small beer was the usual drink in the col- 
 ony, since more of it was consumed than water. Barrels of beer 
 were hauled through the harvest fields all day long. A stronger 
 drink called "No. 6" was brewed for medicinal purposes only, 
 but, we are told, every now and then some of the good colonists 
 would make away with a little too much "No. 6," to the con- 
 sternation of the elders. 
 
 At this same time the bakery and brewery was built between 
 the church and Big Brick, where it still stands. Here the beers 
 were brewed and the baking done. The latter was supervised by 
 a number of women and one man who tended the fires. 
 
 The popular bread of that day was hardtack, which in the 
 dough stage was rolled thin as a wafer and cut into large 
 doughnut-like circles 15 inches in diameter. After these were 
 baked and cooled, they were strung on long poles and hung 
 across the room near the ceiling. 
 
 The pancakes often served for dessert were baked here, too. 
 At recess time, the youngsters used to dash from the school 
 rooms in the colony church to the bakery for a lunch of de- 
 licious, thin pancakes. 
 
 Sometime during 1847 when one group of colonists after 
 another arrived and before the Jansonists could provide enough 
 shelters, the Prophet introduced celibacy, which should continue 
 so long as the prevailing housing situation existed. Families 
 were permitted to live together as before, but there should be 
 no new babies and new marriages were absolutely prohibited. 
 
 This caused a great deal of controversy but, since the mem- 
 bers of Janson's band were a docile group accustomed to obed- 
 ience, most of them endured the situation. A few, however, 
 drifted away from the colony because of this policy. 
 
 In 1848, after the economic conditions of the colonists had 
 improved more rapidly than expected, Janson removed the re- 
 striction. Again, assuming the role of dictator, he went so far 
 as to perform mass marriages, he himself, "pairing off" the 
 young folks to his own ideas rather than to their personal likes 
 or dislikes. 
 
 I am told that according to the marriage records of the 
 county, 102 couples were married in the colony between the 
 years of '48 and '53, of whom Janson united 83 couples in less 
 than two years. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 31 
 
 24 Couples Wedded 
 
 The largest group married at any one time was 24 couples, 
 which occurred July 23, 1848. This was a lovely ceremony, ac- 
 cording to the memoirs of an old colonist, held on a beautiful 
 Sunday afternoon in Anderson's Grove, now Leonard Wexell's. 
 The blue skies, the green grass and trees, the singing birds and 
 the brilliant sunshine made a truly gorgeous and impressive 
 setting for such an event. The brides were simply dressed in 
 their regulation garb of homespun, the only finery permitted 
 being bridal wreaths of blossoms woven by the maidens of the 
 colony from prairie flowers. Among the colonists included in 
 this group were Paulus Magnus Myrtengren and Kavin Magnu- 
 son, and Carl August Myrtengren (his son) and Kavin Peterson. 
 Paul Myrtengren and Mrs. Harry Nelson, of Galesburg, are 
 great-grandchildren and grandchildren of the above mentioned. 
 On July 30, sixteen couples were married. Mrs. Christine Hull- 
 strom, grandmother of Mrs. Nels J. Nelson, Mrs. Ed Hepner of 
 Cambridge and Mrs. Clarence Anderson of Nekoma, was in- 
 cluded in this group. 
 
 From then on, the writer finds no more mention of mass 
 marriages until February 11, 1850, when 12 couples were mar- 
 ried and the dining room in the new part of the Big Brick was 
 dedicated with a wedding feast in their honor. Lars J. Lindbeck 
 was a member of that group. Strangely enough, these marriages 
 proved to be happy unions ; at least, there were no separations. 
 
 Another element which added much to their happiness and 
 serenity was their friendly relationship with their outside neigh- 
 bors, who now regarded them with respect. 
 
 The outsiders looked at them askance in the beginning, be- 
 cause they were a colony of foreigners, speaking an unknown 
 tongue, possessing fanatic religious principles, and living dif- 
 ferently from the rest of the world under the dictatorship of 
 one man, a domineering person of homely features. The recent 
 trouble caused by the Mormons at Nauvoo tended to excite 
 their suspicions further, so they planned to organize a mob and 
 drive the "foreigners" out of Weller township. This was pre- 
 vented by some of the colonists' American neighbors who had 
 learned to appreciate them for their real worth, namely, Phillip 
 Mauk, John Piatt, Thomas Maxwell and Richard Mascall. Your 
 writer has been unable to learn of descendants of Philip Mauk 
 and John Piatt. Mrs. Ed Bergland of Galva and Mrs. Victor Olson 
 of Kewanee are granddaughters of Thomas Maxwell. John Mas- 
 call, the florist at Galva, is a great-grandson of Richard Mascall, 
 and James Mascall at the creamery in Galva is a grand nephew. 
 These men came to their aid and were able to convince the mob 
 that the Swedish immigrants were good and desirable neighbors. 
 
:^2 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 r 
 
 
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 4 ■ a ~ &$&&%&!& 
 
 M 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 33 
 
 California Gold Rush 
 
 In 1849 word reached the villagers from outsiders (news- 
 papers were banned within the confines of the colony) that gold 
 was being discovered in California and that great masses of 
 wealth could be easily acquired. Since the colony funds were not 
 too ample, even Prophet Janson, who generally contended that 
 material wealth was an evil thing, became interested. 
 
 He fitted out an expedition consisting of nine men under the 
 leadership of Jonas Olson, who was then past the prime of life 
 and had no desire to make the trip. The other party members 
 were P. 0. Blomberg, an ancestor of Francis Blomberg of our 
 community, P. N. Bloom, Peter Janson, E. 0. Lind, ancestor of 
 the Misses Sophie and Minnie Lind of Bishop Hill, C. M. Myrten- 
 gren whose descendants have been mentioned formerly, C. G. 
 Blombergson, Sven Nordin and Lars Stallberg. These men, 
 equipped with some of the best horses and a good supply of 
 provisions set out March 18, 1850, reaching Placerville, Cali- 
 fornia, near Sacramento, August 12, after traveling some 2500 
 miles. 
 
 High Cost Living 
 
 Tired and weary from the strenuous overland trip, they en- 
 countered more discouragement and disappointment upon their 
 arrival, for gold was not running from every stream nor hanging 
 from every bush. As a matter of fact, gold was hard to find and 
 the cost of living exorbitant. They reported sugar as costing 
 33V3C a pound, vinegar $2 a gallon, syrup $3 a gallon, potatoes 
 20c a pound and tobacco $1.25 a pound. 
 
 Upon reaching their destination, news reached Olson that 
 Janson had been murdered. Olson immediately set out to return 
 to Bishop Hill taking two men with them. Their return course 
 of travel is extremely interesting. At San Francisco they boarded 
 a sailing vessel for Panama, which they were forced to abandon 
 at an unknown port because their supplies of food and water 
 had been exhausted. From that unknown port they proceeded 
 on foot across Central America, then again by boat through the 
 Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans. From that point they traveled 
 via steamer up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria ; from 
 Peoria they came overland to Bishop Hill. 
 
 Regarding other prospectors, Stallberg remained there per- 
 manently; Blombergson died of mountain fever; but the rest 
 returned to their native village, happy to be back and very will- 
 ing to agree that their efforts were absolutely in vain. 
 
 One dark cloud marred their happy days during those two 
 years, inasmuch as in July 1849, a sixth party of immigrants 
 brought Asiatic cholera into the colony, and this continued in its 
 most severe stages for about three weeks. Approximately 143 
 died from the disease in Bishop Hill. 
 
34 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 When Janson saw how swiftly it struck healthy people and 
 how quickly they died, he ordered the well people to hurry to 
 the farm of 1116 acres the colonists had purchased from Dr. 
 Robert Foster near LaGrange, now Orion. However, the day 
 after they took up residence there the first case broke out and 
 some seventy died. To give our readers an idea of how quickly . 
 lives were snuffed out: One woman, who was well and had pre- 
 pared the family noon-day meal, was dead at 4 o'clock that after- 
 noon; a man who was digging graves for his friends one morn- 
 ing was lying in that same grave in the afternoon; one woman 
 buried her husband with her own hands. 
 
 Many Deaths 
 
 We have a number of reports stating that in Bishop Hill they 
 died so rapidly that relays of men dug shallow graves day and 
 night in which bodies were placed, and that the one horse cart 
 serving as a hearse was not unhitched for several weeks because 
 it was in constant use hauling bodies to our present cemetery. 
 Furthermore, to keep the hearse driver from breaking physical- 
 ly, Janson supplied him with enough "No. 6" to keep in a con- 
 stant state of intoxication. This, your writer doubts, because 
 with only 143 deaths in about six weeks, serious as the epidemic 
 was, the burials could not have required constant day and night 
 labor. 
 
 The late Philip J. Stonberg, whom your writer considers a 
 very authentic source, states that at LaGrange the dead were 
 simply placed in trenches, but at Bishop Hill coffins were used 
 and burial services were held for all the victims. A monument 
 was erected in memory of the plague victims of LaGrange in 
 1882, on what was the colony land located between Osco and 
 Orion. The farm is now owned by August Swanson. 
 
 Eric Janson took his wife and two small children to the fish- 
 ing camp on the government island at Rock Island in hope of 
 escaping the plague, but all three contracted the disease and 
 died there. The location of their graves is unknown. 
 
 In closing the chapter on Happy Colony Days we wish to 
 summarize briefly the growth of the colony during the years 
 1846 to 1850. Bishop Hill had now assumed an important place 
 in the settlements of Henry county. It had placed about 15,000 
 dollars of gold in circulation; its population of approximately 
 1,000 was one-third of that of the entire county; and the col- 
 onists owned and cultivated about 1400 acres of land. The vil- 
 lage consisted of several brick, log and frame houses, 17 dug- 
 outs, warehouses, barns, a store and a blacksmith shop. All in- 
 dications for a very prosperous period were present, though this 
 was not an accomplished fact until after Tragedy Entered the 
 Colony. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 35 
 
 Bishop Hill Koloniens Oxpojkar 
 
 1846-60 
 Af OLOF ANDERSON 
 
 Melody: "MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA" 
 
 Ring dem gamla klockan an och 
 
 Sjuung annu en sang 
 Sjung den som Oxpojkar sjongo; 
 
 Jee! Ohaw! GalangJ 
 Ofta maste repeteras da till oxar mang; 
 Pojkarna da rorde oxar. 
 
 KOR: 
 
 Ohaw, Ohaw, till venstra ga de da 
 Ojee, Ojee, till hoger likasa. 
 Detta ar kommando hvilket oxarna forsta 
 Pojkarna da korde oxar. 
 
 Lustigt var det mangen gang, ox pojkarna de var 
 
 Samlad' undan ogonen pa kara mor och far, 
 
 Sakert togs ett snadsprang da, kanhanda togs ett par. 
 
 Pojkarna da korde oxar. Kor: 
 
 * 
 Jacobson, han var "oxbas," en god, forstandig man, 
 Kunde styra pojkarna som intet nagen ann, 
 Skilde manga tvister da; jadetta gjorde han. 
 Pojkarna da korde oxar. Kor: 
 
 Hvarje morgon till "ox-grind" de samlade sig da, 
 Order tick fran Jacobson, hvart han de skulle ga; 
 Hvarje pojke sokte till att basta "jobben" fa. 
 Pojkarna da korde oxar. Kor: 
 
 I sommarn's heta dagar, da man forslade "cordved"; 
 "Nedra sagen's" branta kullar korde upp och ned 
 Oxarna gick "plums" i an, och lasset akte med. 
 Pojkarna da korde oxar. Kor: ■ 
 
 Vraket lag der nu och flot, ock oxan helt fornojd 
 Sin lekamen svalka far, det var hans hogsta frojd — 
 Vreden uti pojkarna steg till be — tydlig hojd 
 Medan de da korde oxar. Kor: 
 
 Kvallen alti ibland blef sen, men dervid var man van, 
 Piskorna de smallde da man korde genom sta'n 
 Ville ge tillkanna att nu kommer "oxa-ra'n" ; 
 Pojkarna da korde oxar. Kor: 
 
 Ledsamt som det var ibland, de hade hurtigt mod, 
 Svangde sina piskor och mot gangarne bestod, 
 Val ibland de fick "skurpens," och det med stranga ord 
 Pojkarna som korde oxar. Kor: 
 
36 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Men nu a ox pojkarna val inga pojkar mer, 
 Tiden har forvandlat dem till gubbar, som ni ser 
 Nagra gatt all verlden's vag, och borta de nu ar, 
 Pojkarna som korde oxar. Kor: 
 
 AUTHOR'S NOTE: Olof Anderson, the composer of the above verses, served 
 as an oxboy during those colony days. He was the grandfather of Mrs. Verna 
 Bowman Anderson of Galva. 
 
 • * * 
 
 SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, SHOWING PARK VIEW IN BACKGROUND 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 37 
 
 Translation of Bishop Hill Koloniens Oxpojkar 
 
 By OLOF ANDERSON 
 Melody: "MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA" 
 
 I Ring the old bell loud again and sing once more a song, 
 Sing the one the oxboys sang Gee ! Ohaw ! G'long ! 
 Often was repeated to the oxen o'er and o'er 
 By the boys who drove the oxen. 
 
 CHORUS 
 
 Ohaw! Ohaw! to the left they go, 
 
 O gee, gee, to the right also 
 
 These were the commands that the oxen understood 
 
 From the boys who drove the oxen. 
 
 II Merry were they many times, oxboys at play 
 
 From the eyes of parents dear gathered far away; 
 Perhaps, made a misstep then, maybe made another 
 Did the boys who drove the oxen. 
 
 III Jacobson, he was "oxboss," a good and knowing man, 
 Understood the boys all round, and well he managed them 
 Settled many a dispute there, yes, that he could do 
 With the boys who drove the oxen. 
 
 IV Every morning at "oxgate" they gathered for the day, 
 Orders took from Jacobson and then went on their way; 
 Every one sought the best job, the easiest one to do 
 
 Did the boys who drove the oxen. 
 
 V In the summer's hottest days they the cordwood hauled, 
 "Lower sawmill's" steepest hills up and down they 
 
 crawled ; 
 The oxen went plum in the stream, the load it followed too 
 With the boys who drove the oxen. 
 
 VI The wreck it lay and floated there — the oxen they stood by 
 Their bodies in the water cool — content and glad were they 
 The boys were mad, their wrath rose high, they scolded 
 
 loud and long 
 At the oxen they were driving. 
 
 VII The evening often was quite late, but used to that they 
 were 
 Their whips they cracked as through the town they drove 
 
 on their way 
 Want to let the people know that the rows of oxen come 
 And the boys who drove the oxen. 
 
38 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 VIII Tiresome as it was sometimes still their hearts were brave 
 They swung- their whips and overcame disappointments 
 
 grave ; 
 Well, sometimes they scoldings had and the words were 
 
 sharp 
 To the boys who drove the oxen. 
 
 IX But now oxboys of Bishop Hill are young men no more, 
 Time has changed to grey haired men these merry boys 
 
 of yore, 
 Some have gone to the other shore and absent now are 
 
 they 
 Those boys who drove the oxen. 
 
 Translated years ago by the wife of Captain Eric Johnson. 
 
 • * * 
 
 STEEPLE BUILDING AND CLOCK AS IT APPEARED IN 1869 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 39 
 
 Bishop Hill Koloniens Flicker— 1846-60 
 
 Af OLOF ANDERSON 
 Melody: MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA. 
 
 Flickorna i Koloni, man ma ej glomma dem, 
 Skotte der sin sysla val, det gick do som en svang; 
 Vader som var klart och skont sa val som uti regn, 
 Flickorna i Kolonien. 
 
 KOR: 
 
 Hurrah, hurrah, for flickorna som var, 
 Hurrah, Hurrah, fortjusande och rar; 
 Maken ej i Lima finns likt dem i fordna dar, 
 Flickorna i Kolonien. 
 
 Kladnaden de hade da den var val ej sa fin, 
 Silke var det ej f orvist ej heller af satin ; 
 Tygett var af hampa da sa val som uta f lin- 
 Modett da var drilling kjolar. Kor. 
 
 Hvarje morgon, hvarge kvall de mjolka sina kor; 
 Drogo pa sig stoflar tung-det gick ej ann ha skor 
 Tra ska uti smutsen msd-kanhanda i ej tror, 
 Flickorna i Kolonien. Kor: 
 
 Ka lfvar var det ocksa der som skulle skotas da, 
 Disharmoniskt stamde upp sin villda sang ocksa ; 
 Langtade naturligtvis sin grot och mjolk at fa, 
 Flickorna de koka groten. Kor: 
 
 Flickorna i Kolonien de fick allt vara med, 
 Akerfalten stor och vid att lassa ho och sad; 
 Sprittande och glad enda pa kinder rosen rod, 
 Flickorna i Kolonien. Kor: 
 
 STREET SCENE 
 
40 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Tragedy Stalks Colony as Prophet Janson Is 
 Slain At Trial In Cambridge Court House 
 
 In the fall of 1848, a handsome young man, John Root by" 
 name, came to Bishop Hill. This well-educated and refined son 
 of a wealthy Stockholm family, having heard the glowing ac- 
 counts of the new world, had come to this country in search of 
 adventure. He immediately joined the U. S. army and partici- 
 pated in the Mexican campaign. That task accomplished and his 
 discharge received, he again started on a trek, this time to the 
 little settlement of Swedish people in Henry county, Illinois, 
 about whom he had learned while in the south. His pleasing 
 qualities fascinated Janson who invited him to remain and be- 
 come a member of the group, which Root did. 
 
 In a short time he fell desperately in love with a beautiful 
 brunette maiden of the colony, Charlotta Janson, a cousin of 
 the prophet, which vexed the leader no end. When Root asked 
 permission for her hand in marriage, Janson opposed the match, 
 supposedly on the ground that since Root was an adventurer he 
 might not remain permanently in the colony and should he wish 
 to leave, Charlotta, accustomed only to her own people, might 
 not care to follow him. 
 
 However Root, an arduous lover, was persistent and this per- 
 sistence won Janson's permission because it was very evident 
 that Charlotta returned his affections. Janson gave his per- 
 mission only after inserting perhaps the most peculiar stipula- 
 tion ever written into a marriage contract, stating that should 
 Root choose to leave the colony "it is to be optional with his wife 
 whether to accompany him or not." 
 
 Root Marries Charlotta 
 
 John Root and Charlotta Janson were married and after a 
 short while, as Janson had anticipated, Root was ready to leave, 
 which he did and alone. After an absence of several months, hav- 
 ing learned that his wife had borne him a son, he returned with 
 the intention of taking his wife and baby with him. 
 
 We are told that Mrs. Root objected to leaving the colony 
 and that Janson supported Charlotta in her wish to remain, re- 
 minding the young husband of that unusual marriage clause. 
 Root, believing that his wife still cared for him, was determined 
 to have her, and so, one noon while the colonists were assembled 
 in the common dining hall, Root drove into town accompanied 
 by a Mr. Stanly and in a most romantic way went to her apart- 
 ment and carried off his wife and child in true Lochinvar 
 fashion. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 41 
 
 The news of her disappearance spread quickly and excite- 
 ment ran high for never before had the prophet's wishes been 
 thwarted. A dozen sturdy Jasonists mounted their steeds and 
 galloped after them, overtaking the party about two miles out 
 of town. After a struggle, in which the colonists were victorious, 
 Mrs. Root was brought back to the village. 
 
 Swears Out Warrant 
 
 A loser in his first attempt, Root's indignation was further 
 whetted, instilling an indomitable determination to win his fight 
 for love. This time he called upon the law by having a warrant 
 sworn out for the arrest of Eric Janson and others on the charge 
 of restraining the liberty of his wife. Mrs. Root, subpoenaed as 
 a witness, was held at Cambridge, where her gallant husband 
 kidnapped her a second time. This attempt was more successful, 
 for from the Rock river settlement whence they had gone, they 
 proceeded on to Davenport and from there to the home of her 
 sister in Chicago. 
 
 The sister, a very fine woman, disapproved of Root's method 
 of whisking his wife away. Besides, she could see that not only 
 was Charlotta unhappy among strangers, but also unhappy be- 
 cause of her fear of Janson's reaction to this escapade. As a re- 
 sult of such evidence, the sister, following the dictates of her 
 conscience, notified Janson of Charlotta's whereabouts., 
 
 Janson, unaccustomed to defiance such as shown by Root, 
 was just as determined to have Mrs. Root back in the colony as 
 Root was to have his wife with him. He conceived of a plan 
 whereby men were stationed with relays of horses, at regular 
 intervals along the road from Chicago to Bishop Hill, a distance 
 of some 150 miles. This proved successful, for Mrs. Root and the 
 baby were brought back to the colony a second time via this 
 Pony Express method, before Root had so much as missed her. 
 
 Organizes Mob 
 
 Root still refused to admit defeat and a third time he made 
 plans to capture his lovely wife. This time, in desperation, he 
 went to the Rock river settlement where he organized a mob, 
 after having convinced the settlers there that he had been un- 
 justly treated by the Jansonists. 
 
 The mob which Root gathered surrounded the village, ter- 
 rorizing the inhabitants who were unaware of their motives. 
 While Bishop Hill was thus besieged, Root with a few of his 
 aides entered and conducted a thorough search for Janson, Mrs. 
 Root and the child. 
 
 Root is said to have ripped part of the siding of the hospital 
 building, because he felt certain the colonists had concealed 
 them in a hidden cubicle there. He also searched attics and every 
 remote spot about the town, but not finding a trace of the miss- 
 ing persons Root and the mob left. 
 
42 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 The next week, that of April 1, 1850, a larger and better for- 
 tified group poured into Buck Grove one-half mile west of Bishop 
 Hill, again surrounded the village and shut it off from the out- 
 side world for three days. This time they planned to burn it but 
 by an act of God they hesitated just long enough for a group of 
 the colonists' good American friends, headed by such men as 
 Mascall, Mauk, Maxwell, Piatt, Grammer, Hier and several oth- 
 ers to come to the rescue again. They convinced the mob that 
 the colonists were innocent of the feud between Janson and Root 
 and that the colonists were a peaceful and industrious people 
 who would harm no one at any time. 
 
 During these days of terror, Janson, instead of fighting the 
 fight like a good soldier, resorted to cowardly measures. He al- 
 lowed himself to be hidden first under the floor of a cabin and 
 at another time in a cave out on the prairie, until he and his 
 party could escape to St. Louis. Mrs. Janson, Janson, Mrs. Root 
 and a few others stayed there until all danger was passed, re- 
 turning to Bishop Hill in May when his trial came up in court. 
 
 The members of the Janson party other than the principal 
 participants were brought along for the purpose of earning their 
 livelihood and performing domestic chores. In the group was 
 John Helsen, great uncle of Mrs. 0. W. Johnson of this village, 
 one of his apostles and a tailor by trade. Since he was a skilled 
 artisan, having done tailoring for the aristocracy of Sweden, 
 Mr. Halsen found work easily and used his earnings to provide 
 for the group during their stay in St. Louis. 
 
 Has Premonition 
 
 Janson realized, upon his return to Bishop Hill, that the feud 
 with Root was not over, and he seemed to have a premonition 
 that he was to lose to his enemy with his life. It is said that the 
 Sunday preceding his death, he preached the most powerful ser- 
 mon of his lifetime and moved the entire congregation to tears. 
 He told his followers he was to die a martyr to religion and as he 
 distributed the Lord's Supper, his last public act, he quoted these 
 words of scripture, "I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of 
 the vine, until that day I drink it new in my Father's Kingdom," 
 a very fitting and dramatic close to his public life. 
 
 On Monday morning, May 13, 1850, as Mr. Mascall drove up 
 for him on their way to Cambridge for the trial, Janson is said 
 to have greeted him with these words, "Well, Mr. Mascall, will 
 you stop the bullet for me today"? 
 
 During the noon recess, Root appeared unexpectedly at the 
 doorway of the court room and fired two shots, the first of 
 which killed Janson. Opinion was divided for many years wheth- 
 er Root's act was justifiable, the latter's friends maintaining 
 that Janson had been uttering insulting remarks through an 
 open window to Root, who was standing outside. Janson's friends 
 said that the two men had not spoken to one another the whole 
 day and that Root merely walked in and shot him. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 43 
 
 Janson a Corpse 
 
 When Eric Janson was brought home a corpse the colony- 
 was completely demoralized. Their leader was dead and his work 
 as builder of the New Jerusalm was only begun. 
 
 Finally, convinced that he was dead and had died a mortal's 
 death, his followers reconciled themselves with the idea that the 
 ways of God were wonderful and perhaps there would be a resur- 
 rection as there had been at the time of Jesus' death. For three 
 days his body lay in the colony church and for three days the 
 members of his clan wept and waited for the resurrection that 
 did not come. 
 
 On the third day a few of the men went over to the carriage 
 shop where they nailed together a very simple wooden coffin. 
 That afternoon services were held in the colony church which 
 was crowded to capacity with his followers, outside friends and 
 curious people. After very simple burial rites, consisting of 
 speeches preceded by a song and a prayer, Mrs. Janson stepped 
 forward, placed her hand on the head of Andreas Bergland, 
 grandfather of Albert, Fred and the late Ed Bergland of Galva, 
 thereby designating him as guardian of young Eric, who ac- 
 cording to the prophet's dictates should reign to the end of all 
 time. 
 
 Janson Buried 
 
 The body was then carried to our present cemetery where, 
 devoid of pomp and ceremony, it was laid to rest. The grave was 
 marked by a wooden slab. In later years, friends erected a marble 
 monument which still stands on that same lot. Thus ended the 
 life of Eric Janson at the age of 42 years. 
 
 As to John Root, he was indicted for murder that same after- 
 noon, but his case was continued from one term of court to 
 another until October, 1851, at which time he secured a change 
 of venue to the Knox county court, where it was again continued. 
 
 On September 15, 1852, it was finally heard and a verdict of 
 guilty was returned imposing a sentence of two years' impris- 
 onment upon him. At the end of one year, Governor Joel Mat- 
 teson pardoned Root, after which he returned to Chicago, living 
 only a short while to enjoy his newly obtained freedom. 
 
 Janson's Descendants 
 
 Mrs. Root, never remarrying, spent her entire life in our 
 community where her young son, John, became a highly re- 
 spected citizen. After attaining manhood he moved to Galva and 
 there practiced law until his death. 
 
44 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 An Exact Copy of the Preamble 
 of the Original Charter 
 
 Whereas the Bishop Hill Colony has its origin and foundation 
 upon that understanding of the Scripture, which we have been 
 taught to believe, by those who have preached the same to us in 
 our native land, that we should "believe" the promises of God as 
 Abraham did — that by the word of God our faith should be the 
 same as Abraham's — and that the principal of this faith "were" 
 love to God and our neighbor — that by them we were required 
 to do good to our neighbor according to the word of God — and 
 as the greater portion of the people in our native land, who be- 
 lieved in this faith were poor, and but few had earthly riches, it 
 was resolved in accordance with the Acts of the Apostles 4th 
 chapter to put all our property together, and that all should have 
 an equal and common interest therein and in obedience to our 
 faith and the love of Jesus Christ, which was within us, we were 
 led to give to others those things which we had received, whether 
 they were spiritual things, or "temperal," and we also "under- 
 stod' by the word of God, Rom. 10th C. that faith comes by hear- 
 ing and the preaching of the word of God, and the exercise of a 
 free "conscienes" and whereas the "injoymint of" these privi- 
 leges by the people, was held to be contrary to the laws and foun- 
 dation of the Established Church of Sweden, which we believed 
 had "becom" corrupt "bouth" in her faith and practise and had 
 departed from the true "principoles" of the word of God, and 
 whereas for this reason, the whole priesthood of the Established 
 Church, commenced a "violant" and bitter persecution against 
 us, because of our faith, and in "there" wrath and madness cast 
 many of our "brethern" into prison, whose faith and love was 
 established upon the true foundation, and who stood firm under 
 these "persicutions," resolved to emigrate to the United States 
 of America, and Settle in this Land of Liberty, and then in 
 "unuty" continue to share and "injoy" in common the proceeds 
 of our industry by the establishment of this Colony for the 
 "benifit" and reception of all who hold the true faith "bouth" in 
 words and deeds, therefore we the undersigned members of the 
 Bishop Hill Colony, in the County of Henry and State of Illinois 
 in order to secure a more complete union establish "hormony" 
 and Justices — promote the general welfare and "hoppiness" — 
 provide for our mutual "protaction" and prosperity, — and obtain 
 for ourselves and our descendants the "injoyment" of Repub- 
 lican freedom do, in accordance with, the provisions of an act 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 45 
 
 of Incorporation granted to us by the legislature of the State of 
 Illinois in the year A. D. 1853, for our better organization and 
 government, adopt and establish the following: 
 
 BY-LAWS 
 
 AUTHOR'S NOTE: The charter was inscribed into the Book of Minutes in 
 both the English and Swedish languages. One marvels at their mastery of 
 the English language after about six years in their adopted country, which 
 is just another example of their perseverance and determination. 
 
 SCHOOL HOUSE 
 
 INTERIOR CHURCH 
 
46 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 The Golden Era of the Bishop Hill Colony 
 1851-1857 — Building Enterprises 
 
 Following Eric Janson's death, his second wife attempted to 
 carry on his work along with Andreas Bergland, who had been 
 appointed guardian for little Eric. The colonists were unwilling 
 to accept their new leader, probably because the Prophet had 
 fallen in their estimation since his death proved him to be just 
 another mortal rather than one endowed with divine power, or 
 perhaps, because they resented being governed by a woman ; and 
 again, it might have been their dissatisfaction over Janson's 
 poor business policies which were being recognized for the first 
 time. Any or all of these reasons might have caused their desire 
 for a new form of government and instinctively they turned to 
 their good and sincere friend, Jonas Olson, for guidance. 
 
 For the time being it seemed best to retain the communistic 
 form of government with this change: There should no longer 
 be an absolute ruler, rather, superintendents were to be placed 
 in charge of the various departments. Under this management 
 the colonists' debt of $8,000, contracted at their expense by 
 Janson, was quickly erased through the sale of livestock and 
 crops. The brick steam flour mill begun by Janson was com- 
 pleted and turned out 100 barrels of flour daily. Increased pur- 
 chases of real estate were made, an elaborate program of build- 
 ing was begun and industry flourished at such rapid rate that 
 for the better conservation for all interests it seemed wise to 
 incorporate the colony under the laws of the state. This was 
 done and a charter was granted January 17, 1853. 
 
 The charter, communal in nature, provided for a board of 
 seven trustees who were to hold office for life, and whose powers 
 were "to promote and carry out the objects and interests of the 
 corporation and to transact any business consistent with the 
 benefit, support and profit of the members of the same." Those 
 seven men were all persons who had been appointed to positions 
 of trust under the Prophet's regime and therefore were accept- 
 able to all members. They were Olof Johnson, Jonas Olson, Jonas 
 Ericson, Jonas Kronberg, Jacob Jacobson, Swan Swanson, and 
 Peter Johnson, a brother of the Prophet, who resigned in 1859 
 to be succeeded by Olof Stonberg. 
 
 Many of the above names are still familiar to the residents 
 of the Galva and Bishop Hill communities. Jonas Olson was the 
 great uncle of Mrs. Maude Seeley of Galva ; Jonas Kronberg, the 
 grandfather of Mrs. William Sundquist of Toulon and the 
 great-grandfather of Everett Sundquist of Galva; Jacob Jacob- 
 son, the grandfather of Miss Margaret Jacobson of our village; 
 Robert of Providence, R. I., and Mrs. Helen Andersen of Wash- 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 47 
 
 ington, D. C. ; Swan Swanson, the grandfather of Mrs. Evelyn 
 Craig of Bishop Hill, and Peter Johnson, the great-grandfather 
 of Willard and James Forse of Galva. 
 
 Improve Village 
 
 At this time special attention was paid to the village where 
 many improvements were made. The unsightly ravine intersect- 
 ing the town site was filled and designated as a park around 
 which brick houses of two and three stories were built. Other 
 brick buildings and frame houses were constructed on adjacent 
 streets, so that when the village was completed there were thir- 
 teen brick houses, four stone and six frame buildings, all the 
 products of communal endeavor. 
 
 We have already described the Colony Church, Big Brick, 
 the Bakery and Brewery, which were erected between 1848 and 
 1851. During the next few years the remainder of the buildings 
 were constructed. This building program was a communal effort 
 and ended with the school house, completed in 1860. This build- 
 ing, one block west of the park, still serves the same purpose 
 today, and the bell which calls our children to classes is that 
 same bell which called the colonists to services and to meals 100 
 years ago. 
 
 As one follows the brick walk east of the school house to the 
 southwest corner of the park, one finds the hotel, a three story 
 structure beautifully styled, beautifully aged, and having a 
 quaint and distinguished appearance. Since Bishop Hill was the 
 commercial and the industrial center between Peoria and Rock 
 Island during the years 1850 to 1857 many people visited here 
 necessitating the erection of such a building. Among notable 
 visitors was Stephen A. Douglas while on tour debating Abraham 
 Lincoln. At that same time he partook of a meal with the col- 
 onists in the Big Brick. 
 
 In the hotel, as in all the colony buildings, one finds solid 
 black walnut staircases with graceful slender spindles, hand- 
 made door locks, and original doors, all of which call forth the 
 admiration of today's visitors. Other interesting features are the 
 large oven in the kitchen which easily baked 40 loaves of bread 
 and the dance hall with its unusual stage on the third floor. 
 
 August Naslund, Mrs. Ida Paddock, Mrs. Ellen Anderson and 
 grandson, Dale, are the present occupants of the building. 
 
 Old Colony House 
 
 East of the hotel stands an old colony apartment house of 
 three stories, now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence 
 Houghton. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Olson reside in the upstairs apart- 
 ment. Here originally families were allotted two rooms where 
 they might enjoy the privacy and the pleasure of home life. All 
 their meals were eaten in the common dining room and all their 
 laundry work was done in the common wash houses, so that the 
 
48 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 members used their apartments only during leisure hours. At 
 one time a part of the building served as schoolrooms, and later, 
 for a short period, as Sunday School quarters. After the disso- 
 lution of the colony, Jonas Kronberg, grandfather of Mrs. Wil- 
 liam Sundquist of Toulon, bought out the other shareholders un- 
 til he owned the entire building. 
 
 To the east is a second apartment building of the same style 
 which originally contained the colonists' administrative offices. 
 A portion of this building was also at one time used for school 
 purposes. Today this colony structure is owned jointly by John 
 F. Johnson, the president of our village board, Paul Myrtengren 
 of Galesburg, Harry Berg of Galva and Jaye Nystrum of- our 
 community. John F. Johnson and Eric Ericson and son, Silas, 
 are the only present occupants. 
 
 At the southeast corner of the park stands another brick 
 building which today serves as our post office just as it did in 
 the yesterdays when Swan Swanson, grandfather of the present 
 postmistress, Mrs. Evelyn Craig, served as postmaster for the 
 village from 1854 to 1872. He also acted as superintendent of 
 the merchandise department of the colony until its dissolution. 
 From 1860 to 1872, he in partnership with Jacob Jacobson, con- 
 ducted a general merchandise store in this building. 
 
 At the corner of the park, facing west is the Steeple building 
 with the Steeple Clock which is the pride of all the villagers. 
 This structure, erected in 1853, was originally intended for a 
 second hotel since Bishop Hill was the business hub between 
 Peoria and Rock Island at that time. However, those first plans 
 were never carried out, for with the laying of the C, B. & Q. 
 railroad through Galva, the trustees realized that the traffic 
 center would soon be transferred from the colony town to the 
 newly-incorporated city of Galva. The rooms nevertheless were 
 used advantageously as apartments and public offices. School 
 also was held here at one time. 
 
 Clock Still Runs 
 
 The clock was not made until 1857 and '58, and not installed 
 until 1859. Lars Soderquist, the grandfather of Miss Minnie 
 Soderquist, Mrs. Victor Tillman, Mrs. Peter Nordstrom, Mrs. 
 Lorena Honson and Andy Krans of our village, must have pos- 
 sessed a master mind to have been able to construct a clock of 
 such large proportions and to perfect it to such an extent that 
 it has struck the hours continuously for 87 years. 
 
 Mr. Soderquist had made a clock in Sweden using a grand- 
 father's clock as a pattern, which, because of its success, was a 
 source of pride to him. When he came to America he brought 
 these works along, and from this he drew an enlarged pattern 
 for the present Steeple Clock. Sven Bjorklund and P. 0. Blom- 
 berg, grandfather of Francis Blomberg, employed as smithies 
 in the colony blacksmith shop hammered, turned and bent every 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 49 
 
 piece of brass, iron and wood required for the new clock and to 
 those two men along with Soderquist, the genius, we, the pres- 
 ent members of the village, are indebted for their lasting and 
 priceless monument. 
 
 Regarding some of the proportions of the clock: It has a 
 pendulum fourteen feet long, and is run by two iron weights, 
 one of 280 pounds, the other of 320 pounds, suspended from the 
 tower to the basement. A caretaker winds the clock once a week 
 by means of a crank and our readers can be assured that the 
 winding operation calls for a strong, husky man. 
 
 Incidentally, the relatives state that Mr. Soderquist later 
 made a case for his original clock and that it is to become the 
 property of James Soderquist of Galva, the great-grandson of 
 Lars Soderquist, since he is the only male descendant carrying 
 the family name. 
 
 To the north of the Steeple building is the Carriage and Car- 
 penter shop where many pieces of furniture were made during 
 early days. These sturdy but graceful, old chairs, walnut tables 
 with maple drawers, spinning wheels, four poster beds and chests 
 of all descriptions are still in possession of descendants today 
 and have made our village a mecca for antique lovers. The 
 wagons made here at that time were known throughout this 
 section of the country for their excellence. Miss lone Berg and 
 Mrs. Kate Johnson are present owners and occupants of this 
 building. 
 
 Proceeding straight ahead is the Blacksmith Shop, now owned 
 by D. B. Lundberg who operates a tavern in the north part and 
 by Clarence Houghton and Leonard Sundberg, who are the pro- 
 prietors of the Houghton and Sundberg garage and implement 
 shop. The upstairs rooms make a very comfortable apartment, 
 owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Logan Johnson and family. 
 In the colony days one section of this building was a broom fac- 
 tory which turned out 30 dozen brooms a day, while the other 
 was the smithy boasting seven forges, where ironware and har- 
 ness were made. It had been said that in this blacksmith shop 
 the endless chain system was used for the first time in the 
 United States. 
 
 Big Brick Destroyed 
 
 On the north side of the park stands the Old Colony Church 
 and the Bakery and Brewery which have been previously de- 
 scribed. Across the street from the Bakery and Brewery is a 
 quaint old place tucked into a ravine, which in recent years has 
 been reconditioned and converted into a modern home by its 
 owner, Chas. Nelson, Jr. During colony days this was a ware- 
 house. A little later it served as the village's first meat market. 
 On the site of our present softball park was the location of our 
 Big Brick, destroyed by fire in January, 1928. That beautiful 
 building of large proportions represented remarkable building 
 efforts from a group unlearned in the art of construction. 
 
50 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Up the hill to the south and west of the Big Brick site one 
 finds the hospital building in a well preserved state, now owned 
 and occupied by Miss Sadie Anderson, D. B. Lundberg, C. 0. 
 Nordstrom and the Nywall brothers. Prior to the erection of this 
 fine frame structure the colony's hospital was a red two-story 
 building just north of the Colony Church where the Martin 
 Lundeen home, tenanted by Mr. and Mrs. Gunnar Borg, now 
 stands. The old building must have been sizable because records 
 tell us that some rooms were used for living quarters, some for 
 doctors and nurses and others for the sick. Eric Janson was said 
 to have occupied a large sunny room in the east end at one time. 
 Doctor Blomberg, an ancestor of Francis Blomberg of this com- 
 munity, was the colony physician for some years until he became 
 interested in the Shakers and went to live with them in Ken- 
 tucky. 
 
 Dr. Olof Nordstrom became house physician in the new hos- 
 pital on the hill where he served until he died in 1867. He was 
 the grandfather of Miss Amy Nordstrom, Elmer Nordstrom and 
 Miss Nettie Nordstrom of our village; Mrs. Harry Apgar of 
 Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Pearley Nordstrom of Rock Island. 
 
 This, along with the Dairy building in the northeast part of 
 town previously mentioned, completes the enumeration of build- 
 ings which were erected during the years from 1848 until 1860. 
 Thirteen of the original buildings still stand today. Every one 
 of them, mellowed with age and showing the ravages of time, is 
 rich in historical lore. The late P. L. Johnson expressed the sen- 
 timents of most of us in regard to these buildings, when he 
 wrote some twenty years ago: 
 
 "If I could only speak the million things I know, 
 The things that made for bliss, the things that told of woe. 
 But here I mutely stand, God knows the joys and tears 
 That I have heard and seen in all the four score years." 
 
 COLONY CHURCH 
 
COLONY TRUSTEES 
 
 JONAS OLSON 
 
 JONAS KRONBERG 
 
 JONAS ERICSON 
 
52 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 SWAN SWANSON 
 
 OLOF JOHNSON 
 
 JACOB JACOBSON 
 
 OLOF STONBERG 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 53 
 
 Agricultural Development During Golden Era 
 
 Again, reminding you that the majority of these sincere im- 
 migrants were farmers in their homeland, agriculture was the 
 principal occupation in their foster land and it developed at such 
 rapid pace that during these years twelve thousand acres of land 
 were under cultivation. The crops raised and harvested were 
 mainly corn, flax, and broom corn, whose methods of develop- 
 ment shall be described to you in as a detailed manner as is pos- 
 sible from our knowledge of those early days. 
 
 In the spring of 1847, the man guiding the plow accompanied 
 by small boys who urged the oxen along with gentle lashes of a 
 long whip and the harvesting of grain by scythes and cradles 
 were customary sights, since those were the accepted modes of 
 procedure. Beginning with 1851, more modern methods were 
 employed as the 100 head of colony-owned horses replaced the 
 oxen, and the reaper, threshing machine and separator super- 
 seded the cradles and scythes. As early as 1850, Mr. Thomas 
 Maxwell and his neighbor, Mr. John Piatt, both of whom resided 
 at the north end of Red Oak, purchased the first McCormick 
 Reaper in Henry county. A short while later these two men 
 bought the first threshing machine and separator, which the 
 colonists were able to rent until funds permitted purchasing of 
 their own equipment. Mr. Maxwell is an ancestor of the Robert- 
 sons, some of whom, namely, Wilbur Robertson, Fred Robertson 
 and Mr. and Mrs. William Kapple, still reside near that same lo- 
 cation. Other members of the family who moved away were the 
 late Mrs. Carrie Nelson of Cambridge and Harry Robertson of 
 Cody, Wyoming. 
 
 Early Methods 
 
 However, improved methods for corn planting did not appear 
 so quickly, which meant they were forced to continue using the 
 primitive method so ably portrayed by the artist, Olof Krans, 
 in one of his pictures now on exhibition at our Colony Church. 
 That process called for two men carrying wooden sticks to 
 which was attached a rope with rags tied at spaced intervals. 
 Behind each rag, a girl with a hoe followed, and as the men 
 placed the marker, she made the hollow, dropped the kernel, 
 covered it and then proceeded on to the next marking. 
 
 A few years later another method was used which was only 
 a slight improvement over the first, but it did give us our first 
 crossing of corn. A wooden frame arranged in squares was 
 dragged over the fields by horses and wherever the lines inter- 
 sected, the girls again following with hoes, went through the 
 same procedure. Before the dissolution of the colony, corn plant- 
 nig machines were in use. As to the harvesting of the crop, I 
 find no mention of the method used. 
 
54 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 The steps in the raising and curing of broomcorn are very 
 interesting and it was of extreme importance at that time for it 
 brought the largest financial returns of any industry pursued 
 during colony days. If two small boys, trying to "steal a smoke" 
 behind the barn, had not snuffed out this lucrative source so un- 
 expectedly one day in 1860, by setting fire to the season's crops, 
 the sheds and machinery, valued at $50,000, the colony's fi- 
 nancial strain would have been eased. This possibly might have 
 added a few more years to the life of our communistic settle- 
 ment. 
 
 When the large fields of broomcorn surrounding the village 
 ripened in the fall, one group of men went along breaking stalks 
 to simplify the cutting for those who followed. Wagons then 
 brought the tops back to the sheds at the east end of the village 
 where the corn was sorted by the women. The next step was to 
 brush the piles through the four large scrapers which were 
 drawn by three horses, thus freeing it from seeds. From there 
 it went to the drying sheds for a period of. time after which the 
 cleaned and sorted product was pressed into bales preparatory 
 for marketing at Peoria, Chicago and New York. There the 
 society received $250 to $300 per ton for the raw material. 
 
 Since only the choicest lengths were marketed, the frugal 
 colonists utilized the waste by making numerous types of 
 brushes and brooms for their own use. Even the seeds were used 
 advantageously as feed for hogs. It is said that hundreds of hogs 
 were fattened each year on this food. 
 
 Industry Still Here 
 
 While the broomcorn industry was never again pursued as a 
 colonial enterprise after the fire in 1860, broomcorn has always 
 been raised in this community and brooms have always been 
 made here. For years, the late August Barlow manufactured 
 brooms using the Bakery and Brewery as his workshop, and 
 later, moving his equipment into the southwest corner of the 
 Hotel. After his death the late John Troline followed the trade 
 for a time. Julian W. Anderson and Irvin Alstrom have been our 
 broomakers until about three years ago, when Mr. Anderson 
 gave up the trade, thus leaving Mr. Alstrom our sole broom- 
 maker today. 
 
 Another interesting and profitable colonial industry was the 
 cultivation of flax, the processing of which a colonist explained 
 in his journal. The fields, down on the bottom land just north of 
 the Depot and now owned by Andy Arnquist of Cambridge, were 
 sowed much as for oats. When the grain was ripe, the girls went 
 along pulling it up by the roots and stacking it in piles. They 
 were followed by older women carrying little stools on which 
 they sat while they bound it. The bound bunches were hauled to 
 the flax mill to be dried and scraped on a homemade scraper. 
 
 After the bundles were free from seeds they were placed in 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 55 
 
 the creek for several weeks to rot. This caused the woody part to 
 come off easily at the mill. The flax mill, a homemade affair, 
 had four long arms which were manned by four strong women 
 who would switch the bundles of flax back and forth freeing 
 them of the outside coating. The remainder was then cured, spun 
 and woven into linen, both for their own purposes and for ex- 
 portation. All the colonists' linens from hand towels to under- 
 garments were truly linen. The peak of the exporting was 
 reached in 1851 when 30,579 yards of linen were manufactured. 
 After that time the industry began a gradual decrease until 
 1857, when it ceased altogether. The railroads were in a large 
 way responsible for the diminishing demand because rail facili- 
 ties enabled eastern firms to ship their goods westward in large 
 amounts. 
 
 Many Weavers 
 
 The colony's spinning and weaving establishment of twelve 
 reels was located in the first hospital building, a frame structure 
 north of the Colony Church which has long since been torn down. 
 These reels were supplemented by 140 spinning wheels in the 
 homes throughout the community. During the busiest seasons 
 the looms were kept running day and night operated by the 
 women, divided into shifts. 
 
 This spinning of flax was no simple task for it required con- 
 centration and skill to spin a long thread. A knot or an imper- 
 fection naturally meant a flaw in the weaving. The old spinners 
 who had truly mastered the art could spin a perfect thread a 
 mile long. 
 
 During the first years the ladies were compelled to wear 
 those woven garments in their natural color which proved very 
 monotonous, for women then as women now, possessed an innate 
 vanity, causing them to yearn for pretty things. The good old 
 trustees, aware of this discontent among the fairer sex, sent 
 Karin Olson, the daughter of our sincere Jonas Olson, better 
 known to many of you as the late Mrs. S. G. Anderson, of Daven- 
 port, down to the Shakers at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, to learn 
 the art of dyeing wool and cotton. She proved to be an apt pupil 
 and soon returned to the colony able to produce shades of red, 
 green and brown, all fast colors, and this delighted the ladies 
 for, as one woman says in her journal, "they were beautiful and 
 when they were pressed they shone like silk and the girls felt 
 pretty important with their new dresses on." 
 
 A dressmaker visited the families of the colonists twice a 
 year when she helped the women make the clothing for them- 
 selves and the children. The men went to the tailor shop where 
 the colony's tailors made them two suits of homespun woolens 
 a year. On work days the men used jeans. In addition to the 
 suits and dresses each member was allotted two pair of shoes a 
 year, made by the colonists' shoemakers. 
 
56 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 It might be of interest to the descendants of the colonists to 
 learn who were superintendents of the various colony shops. I 
 quote this information, readers, from the original minutes of the 
 board of trustees meeting held January 22, 1855, which states: 
 "Per Wickblom shall superintend the shoemaker shop," (Har- 
 vey and Charles Wickblom, Mrs. Emil Sward, Mrs. Hjalmar 
 Larson, all of Kewanee; Roy Wickblom of Cambridge and Mrs. 
 Harley Emery of Florida, are grandchildren of the above) ; "for 
 the blacksmith shop, Per Olof Blomberg," (whose descendants 
 have been previously mentioned) ; "for the wagon shop, Olof 
 Frenell," (descendants of whom live in or about Alpha) ; "for 
 the paint shop and to serve as watchmaker, Swen Bjorklund" ; 
 "E. Ericson from Gullberg to have management of working im- 
 plements," (he was an ancestor of Abel Sandburg, Herman, Wil- 
 liam and Lawrence Ericson of Bishop Hill community) ; "Eric 
 Alin was to be in charge of the harness shop," "Lars Lindbeck 
 and Nels Florine are appointed overseers of brick work," (Eric 
 Alin's son was married to Adeline Nystrom, a sister of the late 
 Mrs. Lillie Lindstrum of this community; Albert, Clarence and 
 Geo. Florine of Bishop Hill are grandsons of Nels Florine). 
 
 Lunch Time 
 
 After following the colonists' industrial pursuits during 
 these years one can well see that it was necessary for all to 
 work, but none was ever required to overtax his strength. A 
 mid-morning and mid-afternoon lunch and period of relaxation 
 broke their long working hours then, just as it does in Bishop 
 Hill today. However, the nature of the snacks has changed dur- 
 ing the century. Today one thinks of coffee and rusks as the 
 traditional lunch; one hundred years ago small beer, cheese, 
 meat and hardtack were served. As they rested these light- 
 hearted Scandinavians sang songs, many in Swedish, and a num- 
 ber of the popular American airs. We are told that they especially 
 liked "Yankee Doodle." 
 
 In addition to the many duties on their own lands, the col- 
 onists found time to aid J. M. and W. L. Wiley in 1853 and '54, 
 in their task of building a town just five miles away. The oxboys 
 we previously mentioned hauled brick and lumber to the new 
 village, working from dawn until dusk, as the late Olof Ander- 
 son, one of the boys and father of Mrs. Nora Bowman of Galva, 
 and Miss Sadie Anderson of Bishop Hill, related in his song 
 "Oxpokanne En Kolonien." We hope this will be sung for you at 
 our centennial celebration. When the course of the C, B. & Q. 
 railroad, then known as the Military Tract railroad, was being 
 planned its managers wished to run the line through Bishop Hill. 
 They wanted to purchase a tract of ground, one block south of 
 the hotel about where the C. L. Nelson, Sr., and the Mrs. Mary 
 Thompson homes stand, for the depot, but the offer was de- 
 clined because the colonists feared the railroad would bring in 
 an undesirable element which might disseminate the religious 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 57 
 
 views of their young folks. The station was then placed at the 
 new village through the efforts of the Wileys. Our ancestors, 
 while they had no desire for the road here, saw the advantages 
 of such a project and eagerly aided in building the roadbed for 
 their neighbors. They also erected a brick warehouse, the present 
 Swank hardware store, and a boarding house across from the 
 present Washington Park, now an apartment house owned by 
 Rodney Swanson. In addition to these buildings they purchased 
 fifty town lots. 
 
 Origin of Name 
 
 As a gesture of appreciation, to the colonists who were of 
 great help the Messrs. Wiley gave the privilege of naming the 
 new town. They chose the name of Gefle, after that seacoast 
 city where so many colonists boarded sailing vessels for Amer- 
 ica. Because of the difficulty on the part of the Americans in 
 pronouncing the word, the name was anglicized to Galva. 
 
 Thus began a beautiful bond of friendship between the towns- 
 folk of Galva and of Bishop Hill, which has grown and strength- 
 ened throughout these 93 years until today they are as one 
 community. 
 
 SCHOOL HOUSE AT BISHOP HILL 
 
58 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 The Educational and Religious Trend 
 of the Golden Era 
 
 It has been previously stated that the Devotionalists back in 
 Helsingland encouraged learning to further their religious pur- 
 poses. If one could not read the Bible, the hymns and the cate- 
 chism one could not spread religion. The importance of educa- 
 tion was still highly regarded in their new homes; and as soon 
 as the colonists were settled in their dugouts that first winter 
 Janson organized schools in the mud caves for the children, in 
 Tent Church for the adults, and one in Red Oak for those still 
 living on their farm lands. Reading and writing of the English 
 language were taught here so that the members of the colony 
 might learn their prayers and catechism in English as well as 
 in Swedish. The Swedish language was never taught in any 
 school here at any time, although it was used in the home, in 
 business and on the street. Perhaps that accounts for the mix- 
 ture of provincial Swedish and bad English which produced our 
 Bishop Hill Swedish, a language all its own. However, even 
 though it did lead to a mixture, the attempt on the part of the 
 leaders was a splendid gesture for they aimed to Americanize 
 thei»r members by teaching them reading, writing and ciphering 
 in the English language in order to make their way easier when- 
 ever they would be thrown upon their own resources. 
 
 Use Two Languages 
 
 All colony business transactions were inscribed in the two 
 languages including the original copy of the charter drawn up 
 by Jonas Olson, as well as the minutes of all the meetings held 
 from May, 1854, until May, 1861. The manner of procedure was 
 to divide the page in half, inscribing the transaction in Swedish 
 on one side and the English version on the other. It is extremely 
 interesting to note the signatures of the 400 odd male members, 
 who signed the charter for themselves and their wives. 
 
 Some had acquired a beautiful hand, others just a readable 
 script, and a third group an illegible scrawl. It was a thrill for 
 me to find my great-grandfather's signature in a bold, blunt, 
 legible hand, the first and only sample of his handwriting that 
 we of this generation have ever witnessed. Eric Lindstrum, fa- 
 ther of Albert Lindstrum of this village, and Andrew Lindstrum 
 of Galesburg, served as secretary of the board of trustees a few 
 years. The minutes inscribed in his hand-writing are beautifully 
 done, all decorated with the twists and flourishes typical of 
 those early days. 
 
 One of the first teachers in Bishop Hill was a Mrs. Mar- 
 garetta Hebbe, but since she remained here such a short while 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 59 
 
 her work was continued by Peter Helstrom. At Red Oak, Karin 
 Peterson and Mrs. Ronnquist took charge. Beginning in 1847, an 
 American clergyman, Mr. Talbot, was headmaster assisted by 
 his two daughters and Mrs. Sophia Pollock, who spent her entire 
 life ministering unto the wants of the colonists, in the roles of 
 educator, nurse and adviser. 
 
 Mrs. Pollock, an orphan, was raised by a wealthy Goteborg 
 family who brought her to this country in 1832 at the age of 
 15 when immediately, she married a sailor who never returned 
 from a trip at sea. A short while later she married Mr. Pollock, 
 a well-educated man in charge of a private school in the East, 
 who taught his wife and then employed her as his assistant. 
 
 The Pollocks met Janson in New York on his way to Illinois, 
 and becoming interested in his story of the persecution in 
 Sweden, there was aroused within Mrs. Pollock an unconquer- 
 able religious enthusiasm which prompted them to follow the 
 immigrants westward. 
 
 Mr. Pollock died soon after they reached Victoria. Mrs. Pol- 
 lock married for the third time, a Lars Gabrielson, who died 
 during the Asiatic Cholera scourge and, in 1849, she married 
 Prophet Janson who was murdered in 1850, which meant that 
 at the age of 33 she had been widowed four times. Each time 
 she had married men of wealth and each time she was left a 
 penniless widow because she, a sincere follower, had influenced 
 her husbands to invest all in the colonists' cause. Mrs. Pollock 
 died in 1888 at the age of 71 years at the County Farm and 
 friends buried her here in our cemetery at the side of her last 
 husband, Eric Janson. 
 
 The school age was limited to 14 years, after which the boys 
 and girls were expected to have acquired sufficient knowledge 
 to carry them successfully through life. At that age, they were 
 considered grown and their services were needed in the fields 
 and in the factories. The length of the school year was six 
 months. 
 
 No Higher Education 
 
 When the days of elementary learning were over, there was 
 no means of continuing studies, for higher education was not 
 favored by these "chosen people" because they feared it might 
 tend to vanity. No reading matter was available since newspa- 
 pers were banned. Consequently, their only literature was the 
 Bible, the hymn book, the catechism, and their prayers. 
 
 School was first held in the dugouts and then as buildings 
 were erected, rooms were set aside for such purposes which we 
 have mentioned in the article dealing with the building enter- 
 prises of the colony, until in 1860 when the school building, the 
 last of the colonial building projects, was erected. Certainly, 
 their interest in education is convincing because we note that 
 one of their first acts as a colony was to establish schools and 
 
60 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 their very last act as a unit was the erection of the public 
 school building. As a further proof of their realization of the 
 needs of elementary education I quote from the minutes of the 
 meeting of the board of trustees May 12, 1855, "We therefor 
 deemed it of necessity to organize an institution unto which 
 children at a poper age was received and there kept until they 
 arrived to such an age that their understanding had been unfold 
 and their experience established that they could understand, 
 embrace and on own hand exercise what they in a such institute 
 had been teached." The above is the exact spelling and gram- 
 matical construction of the original. 
 
 Spiritual Decline 
 
 While the colony progressed materially it suffered spiri- 
 tually for after Janson's death its religious zeal had waned. At 
 this particular time, in order to renew spiritual interest Jonas 
 Olson eliminated some of the Prophet's fanatic doctrines thereby 
 returning to Devotionalism. This revised form had a close re- 
 semblance to Methodism which probably accounted for the or- 
 ganization of the Methodists in 1864 in a room in the Colony 
 Church. Later they worshipped in an apartment over the Black- 
 smith Shop until they were able to purchase a barn for $400 in 
 1868, which they converted into a meeting house on the present 
 site of our church today. 
 
 Anyone who felt the urge to preach, was invited to fill the 
 pulpit during the Golden Era, but the responsibility usually fell 
 upon the shoulders of Jonas Olson, Andreas Berglund, Nels 
 Hedin, Olof Osberg and Olof Stoneberg. Later on, Berglund and 
 Stoneberg became converts of Methodism and served as their 
 preachers until their death. 
 
 All went well then, until in 1854, when Nels Hedin stirred 
 up a lot of trouble by attempting to introduce the practice of 
 celibacy into the religion of the colonists at Bishop Hill. The 
 members objected and during the year it was practiced religion 
 was a constant source of irritation, causing many members to 
 drift away. Those people who were courageous enough to voice 
 their disapproval to the board of trustees were expelled in ac- 
 cordance with article 3 in the by-laws which read "Any member 
 who shall be guilty of disturbing the peace and harmony of this 
 colony by vicious and wickit conduct, or by preaching and dis- 
 seminating doctrines of religious belief which are contrary to 
 the doctrines of the Bible and are generally received and be- 
 lieved by the people of this colony may be expelled." Finally, the 
 trustees realized their error when numbers were leaving and 
 passed a resolution in 1856 permitting them to marry if they 
 petitioned the board of trustees and received their consent. 
 Strangely, Jonas Olson with his unusual good judgment in the 
 affairs of men and the colony became a convert of the above 
 doctrine. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 61 
 
 In addition to the formation of the celibacy movement and 
 the Methodist organization, a Seventh Day Adventist Church 
 was organized and again Jonas Olson strayed from the fold by 
 becoming one of its flock. Still later, a society of Mission Friends 
 was formed which was short lived, leaving only the Methodist 
 organization to which faith we of this community adhere yet to 
 this day. 
 
 The break of this small communistic settlement founded on 
 a religious basis was fast approaching. As the late Phillip 
 Stoneberg states, 'The follys, the shortcomings and the mis- 
 takes of humanity which appear on nearly every page of the 
 world's history unless rectified, bring about downfalls. " Such 
 was the case in the history of the Jansonist movement. 
 
 OLD COLONY CHURCH AS IT APPEARED IN 1896 (South Entrance) 
 
 OLD COLONY CHURCH (North Entrance) 
 
62 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Financial Mismanagement Leads to Dissolution 
 of Bishop Hill Colony 
 
 Since Golden Ages have usually been the forerunners of in- 
 ternal corruption, so it was with that of Bishop Hill Colony 
 which began its decline in 1857 with the financial crisis follow- 
 ing the Crimean War. Then, for the first time, the financial mis- 
 management of the Board of Trustees came to light, causing the 
 members of the society to question the integrity and the efficacy 
 of said Board. Prior to this the colonists had accepted whatever 
 reports were given them as correct and had been completely 
 satisfied, since they were being furnished with what they con- 
 sidered enough to make them comfortable. 
 
 Olof Johnson, the trustee who has received the greatest 
 blame, is the main character in the stories circulated concern- 
 ing extravagances at the expense of the Colony. Those of us who 
 have lived in this community have heard for years how he 
 lighted his cigars in New Orleans with dollar bills while telling 
 of his white slaves of Bishop Hill ; how in New York he gambled 
 away a fortune in one night; how at St. Louis he bought a 
 steamboat for the purpose of entertaining his friends; of his 
 bribing policemen in Chicago with large sums to permit his 
 gambling parties to proceed undisturbed. While these incidents 
 may be without foundation, Olof Johnson was nevertheless al- 
 most entirely responsible for the financial reverses of the 
 Colony. 
 
 According to the original books of minutes loaned to me by a 
 friend who wishes to remain anonymous, I have read the reso- 
 lution whereby the other six trustees gave Johnson authority 
 to handle all financial transactions of the colony. His idea was 
 to bring in vast amounts of money by establishing manufac- 
 tories and large general businesses, which policies proved very 
 successful during the Crimean War when prices of all commodi- 
 ties soared, but after the war when the depression came, the 
 hard-earned savings of the pioneers vanished quickly. 
 
 Of course, all the trustees, well intentioned as they might 
 have been, were to blame firstly, in that they gave such com- 
 plete power to Johnson; secondly, after having given it to him 
 they did not demand an accounting, and thirdly, they were to 
 blame inasmuch as reports were not made to the members of 
 their proceedings. According to the minutes, the colonists gath- 
 ered at general meetings asking for reports, which were denied 
 them, until finally, they demanded the presence of the trustees 
 as well as explanations of their transactions. Feeling continued 
 to run so high that in 1857 an attempt was made to repeal the 
 charter, but Johnson, through bribery amounting to $6,000 frus- 
 trated the plans successfully. However the members, still press- 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUTENIR 63 
 
 ing their cause, demanded a dissolution of the corporation in 
 which there would be a division of property. This was accom- 
 plished during the years of 1861 and 1862. According to this dis- 
 tribution each male and female, thirty-five years or over, re- 
 ceived 22 acres of land, one timber lot of almost two acres, one 
 town lot, and an equal share of barns, livestock, implements and 
 household goods. All under this age received proportionate 
 shares, an arrangement satisfactory to all. 
 
 The colonists believed their troubles over, but they soon 
 learned they were to be assessed to pay the pending debts, in 
 1865, ten dollars an acre and eleven dollars in 1868. This caused 
 the early settlers to bring suit in chancery against the trustees. 
 The Special Master found that the trustees were indebted to 
 the colony for the sum of $109,619.29, which was never paid. 
 The Colony Case, as it was known, lasted 12 years (until 1879), 
 when it was dropped. Your writer is skipping over the details of 
 the dissolution since all its legal entanglements would not prove 
 particularly interesting, but pages are devoted to this procedure 
 in Michael Mikkelson's Bishop Hill Colony, if anyone should care 
 to go into the details more thoroughly. The Mikkelson accounts 
 checks nicely with the original minutes of the mentioned ses- 
 sions. 
 
 In addition to the financial mismanagement by the trustees, 
 another cause for failure of the colony was the breaking of re- 
 ligious ties, which actually began at the death of Janson for. as 
 we have stated many times, the communism of the Bishop Hill 
 Colony was one of necessity founded upon a religious base. If 
 after his death another forceful leader such as the Prophet 
 Janson, could have ruled over them as successfully, they might 
 have continued longer as a communistic group. However, since a 
 different and far more satisfactory form of governing was in- 
 stituted, the basis for their superstructure was withdrawn. 
 
 The introduction of celibacy instituted by Nels Hedin and 
 sanctioned by the Board of Trustees, was a third reason for the 
 failure, as it caused a large number to leave Bishop Hill at that 
 time. It was interesting: to note in the original minutes of a 
 member poll that the word "left" was penciled in after numerous 
 names. 
 
 The importation of new ideas to this little settlement, brought 
 about by the buildine of railroads and the improved means of 
 communication, plaved an important part in the bre^kino; up of 
 the colonv. In the beginning the little band, almost isolated on 
 this section o^ virgin prairie, could dictate to their youno; folks 
 as thev willed. The bov« and p*irls accepted their discipline until 
 they learned that vouth elswhere were not subjected to such 
 drastic measures. Then they rebelled. 
 
 Move to Farms 
 
 After the settlement was dissolved as a communistic society, 
 many of the villagers moved to the farm lands received as their 
 
64 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 allotments. Since a prosperous period was at hand and because 
 they were willing to work, these courageous pioneers were very 
 successful, and added a few more acres now and then to their 
 original allotment, enabling them to leave for their children siz- 
 able fertile farms. Others moved elsewhere, the majority choos- 
 ing Galva, until only about 300 persons were left in the village. 
 
 Thus the Bishop Hill Colony ended. We may not sanction 
 their policies, religious or economic, but every one of us today 
 living in a land of freedom and independence, admire their spirit, 
 and their self-reliance which urged them on to leave their home- 
 land and to cross a mighty ocean to a foreign shore and then 
 wind Westward about 1500 miles to an unsettled prairie. Here 
 through fortitude, ingenuity and the will to work diligently, our 
 pioneer ancestors won for us the priceless heritage of freedom. 
 Rev. C. B. Hilton, a one-time Galva pastor, paid tribute to these 
 good people in a very fitting manner when he wrote: 
 
 "Theirs the vision and theirs the power 
 Fit for tasks of a fateful hour 
 While in spirit of age and youth 
 Sowed they seeds of undying truths. 
 
 They had only a virgin soil, 
 Faith in God and the will to toil ; 
 Humbly meeting life's simple needs, 
 They bequeathed us eternal deeds." 
 
 In a practical sense the history of the Bishop Hill Colony 
 will always occupy a prominent place in that of the State and 
 the Nation because these people were responsible for the flood 
 of Swedish immigration which swept into the Middle Northwest 
 section of the United States during the latter half of the nine- 
 teenth century. This intelligent, strong, and thrifty race blazed 
 the trails of civilization westward into the states of Iowa, Ne- 
 braska, Minnesota and the Dakotas, heretofore sparsely settled, 
 establishing cities with flourishing and lucrative industries. 
 Bishop Hill will always be of interest because it was an experi- 
 ment in practical communism and as such, met the same fate all 
 similar organizations have invariably experienced. 
 
i 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 65 
 
 PRYOR'S 
 
 FOOD STORE 
 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. 
 
 Fresh Meats Fresh Fruits 
 
 Vegetables Groceries 
 
 PHONE 59 
 
 Congratulations 
 
 from 
 
 GALVA 
 TELEPHONE 
 COMPANY 
 
66 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 FARMERS PRODUCE 
 
 Cash Buyer of Poultry, Eggs, 
 
 Cream and Wool 
 
 * 
 PHONE 178 GALVA, ILL. 
 
 J. E. MUGRAGE, Manager. 
 
 CARLSON 
 
 COMPLIMENTS 
 
 STUDIO 
 
 of 
 
 3541/2 FRONT ST. GALVA 
 PHONE 379 
 
 SCHNEIDER 
 DRUG 
 
 • 
 
 CO. 
 
 Portraits — Commercial 
 
 
 Picture Framing 
 
 • 
 
 Photo Finishing 
 Argus Cameras 
 
 GALVA 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 67 
 
 CONGRATULATIONS 
 
 ON YOUR 
 
 ONE HUNDREDTH 
 
 ANNIVERSARY 
 
 KEWANEE MACHINERY & 
 CONVEYOR CO. 
 
 KEWANEE ILLINOIS 
 
 Manufacturers of 
 
 Kewanee Handy Harrows and 
 
 Farm Elevators 
 
68 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Congratulations To 
 Bishop Hill 
 
 FAHNSTROMQ 
 
 * FOR QUALITY " 
 
 Centennial 
 
 
 JOE J. LORD 
 
 AGENT 
 
 MEN'S WEAR 
 
 * 
 
 • 
 
 Insurance and 
 
 GALVA ILLINOIS 
 
 Real Estate 
 
 
 WAGNER'S 
 HATCHERY 
 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. 
 
 Complete Line of Feeds 
 
 U. S. APPROVED BABY CHIX 
 Poultry Remedies and Supplies 
 
 ii*to**niKjr*/i*>l*a.:\ 
 
 BOURGOIN 
 
 MONUMENT 
 
 COMPANY 
 
 Granite Memorials 
 
 ELMWOOD 
 PEORIA 
 
 GALESBURG 
 GALVA 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 69 
 
 IN APPRECIATION 
 
 Of This Fine Souvenir Book Arranged by the 
 1946 Committee for This Centennial Year 
 
 of 
 THE BISHOP HILL COLONY 
 
 JOHNSONS 
 CHAPEL 
 
 GALVA 
 
 CONGRATULATIONS TO BISHOP HILL 
 ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 When in Galva Visit Us for 
 
 PITTSBURGH PAINTS— "Smooth as Glass" 
 
 WALLPAPER WINDOW SHADES GLASS 
 
 GIBSON GREETING CARDS 
 
 MILLER'S PAINT & 
 WALL PAPER STORE 
 
 DUANE R. PEART, Manager. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 GAMBLE 
 
 
 STORE 
 
 KNEEN'S 
 
 * 
 
 Authorized Dealer 
 
 DEPT. 
 
 HOME OWNED 
 
 
 Our great buying power saves 
 you money on your merchandise 
 
 STORE 
 
 Coronado Radios, Washing 
 
 
 Machines and Refrigerators 
 
 
 Stoves Tires 
 Batteries 
 
 * 
 
 Paints Oils 
 
 
 * 
 
 GALVA, ILL. 
 
 H. L. SMITH, Prop. 
 
 
 PHONE 58 GALVA, ILL. 
 
 
 When Your Clothes 
 Get Dingy 
 
 MARGE 
 
 Send Them to Bingy 
 
 and 
 
 GALVA 
 
 AMY 
 
 DRY 
 
 Hot Lunches 
 
 CLEANERS 
 
 Sandwiches 
 
 
 Ice Cream 
 
 • 
 
 Candy 
 
 GALVA ILLINOIS 
 
 GALVA ILLINOIS 
 
 PHONE 221 
 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 71 
 
 GALVA 
 CREAMERY 
 COMPANY 
 
 FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS 
 YOUR BEST CREAM MARKET 
 
 AGENTS FOR 
 
 NEW DE LAVAL 
 Separators and Milkers 
 
 WE PAY CASH FOR YOUR 
 CREAM AND EGGS 
 
72 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 SWANK'S 
 
 HOTEL 
 
 HARDWARE 
 
 BEST 
 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. 
 
 
 PHONE 63 
 
 COFFEE SHOP 
 DINING ROOM 
 
 * 
 
 Enjoy Luncheon or Dinner In 
 
 
 Our Spacious Dining Room 
 
 HARDWARE 
 
 + 
 
 ELECTRICAL GOODS 
 
 * 
 
 PAINT GLASS 
 
 K. W. THOMAS 
 
 SEEDS 
 
 PHONE 20 
 
 ROOFING 
 
 
 SPOUTING 
 • 
 
 WILLIAM J. CURTIS 
 
 PHILCO RADIOS 
 
 
 WINKLER STOKERS 
 
 • 
 
 Furnaces Vacuum Cleaned 
 
 
 GALVA 
 
 Attorney at Law 
 
 SHEET METAL 
 
 • 
 
 SERVICE 
 
 
 W. W. MASSINGILL 
 
 GALVA, ILL. 
 
 206 S. Exchange St. Phone 149 
 
 
 GALVA, ILL. 
 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 73 
 
 GALVA COOPERATIVE 
 GRAIN AND SUPPLY CO. 
 
 INCORPORATED 
 
 Capital Stock $75,000.00 
 
 GRAIN COAL 
 
 MILL FEEDS SEEDS 
 
 BUILDING MATERIAL WIRE FENCE 
 
 ELEVATORS 
 
 at 
 
 Galva Nekoma 
 
 and 
 Bishop Hill, Illinois. 
 
74 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 PUMP 
 JACK 
 
 Pump Jacks 
 
 Hand Pumps 
 
 Windmill Pumps 
 
 Water Systems 
 
 Windmills 
 
 Tanks 
 
 Pipe 
 
 Motor 
 
 Supply 
 
 Accessories 
 
 BLUE STAR 
 MANUFACTURING CO. 
 
 Division of John H. Best & Sons, Inc. 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 75 
 
7(5 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 GOING TO GALVA 
 STOP IN AT 
 
 AL'S 
 DAIRY STORE 
 
 Try one of our delicious Walk- 
 ing Sundaes made with Rozell's 
 Sealtest Ice Cream. 
 Take Home Big Bucketfuls 
 
 Buy Your Roszell Sealtest Prod- 
 ucts from Your Merchants in 
 Bishop Hill, Lafayette or Galva. 
 
 GALVA 
 FEED MILL 
 
 KROLL & KIDDOO 
 
 Custom Grinding 
 
 and Mixing 
 
 Wayne Feeds 
 
 GALVA 
 
 ILLINOIS 
 
 BALTIMORE 
 
 INSURANCE 
 
 AGENCY 
 
 Insurance and 
 Real Estate 
 
 VERNA 
 
 BOWMAN 
 
 ANDERSON 
 
 INSTRUCTOR IN 
 MUSIC 
 
 GALVA 
 
 ILLINOIS 
 
 GALVA 
 
 ILLINOIS 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 77 
 
 W 
 
 COMPLIMENTS OF 
 
 THE BRIEGEL METHOD 
 TOOL CO. 
 
 and 
 
 B M FITTING CORPORATION 
 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. 
 
78 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 MORE FARMERS 
 PLANT 
 
 DE KALB 
 
 ^..^^^^ 
 
 Than Any Other Hybrid 
 
 HARRY D. HUNT 
 
 Dealer 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 WILLARD LEFF 
 
 General 
 Trucking 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 CUSTOM CORN SHELLING 
 COMBINING GENERAL TRUCKING 
 
 GROWERS OF 
 
 LINCOLN SOYBEANS CLINTON OATS 
 
 SEQUOIA POTATOES 
 
 ART OLSON and son 
 HOWARD 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILLINOIS. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Tit 
 
 ANDERSON'S 
 
 COMPLIMENTS 
 OF 
 
 BARBER SHOP 
 
 CLIFFORD | 
 
 • 
 
 BERG 
 
 Albert B. Anderson 
 
 • 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 General Trucking 
 
 • 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 WITH 
 
 COMPLIMENTS 
 
 BEST WISHES 
 
 OF 
 
 • 
 
 CHARLES 
 
 
 JEFFRIES 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 • 
 
 TELEPHONE 
 
 
 COMPANY 
 
 General Trucking 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
80 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 CONGRATULATIONS 
 
 and 
 
 BEST WISHES 
 
 to 
 
 BISHOP HILL OLD SETTLER'S 
 ASSOCIATION 
 
 upon celebrating their 
 
 100th ANNIVERSARY 
 
 W. A. JORDAN 
 COMPANY 
 
 Wholesale Grocers 
 GALESBURG ILLINOIS 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNTAL SOUVENIR 81 
 
 EMERY W. CHILBERG 
 
 Drug Sundries — School Supplies — Magazines 
 Greeting Cards 
 
 Lee's Poultry Remedies 
 
 RoszelPs Ice Cream and Products 
 
 BISHOP HILL ILLINOIS 
 
 THE HEDSTROMS 
 
 at 
 
 ARNQUIST'S 
 GENERAL STORE 
 
 in 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 are happy to have had a part 
 
 in the 
 
 Centennial Celebration 
 
82 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 COMPLIMENTS 
 OF 
 
 COMPLIMENTS 
 OF 
 
 DAVE 
 LUNDBERG 
 
 M. W. 
 STEPHENSON 
 
 FARM BUREAU 
 
 * 
 
 TRUCK SERVICE 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
 COMPLIMENTS 
 
 
 OF 
 
 RILEY BROS. 
 
 FLORINE 
 
 INC. 
 
 SERVICE STATION 
 
 • 
 
 Established in 1923 
 
 That's Oil 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
 • 
 
 * 
 
 STANDARD OIL 
 
 HERB J. HAUSER, Rep. 
 
 PRODUCTS 
 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 83 
 
 NELSON and 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 RIFLE AND PISTOL 
 
 JOHNSON 
 
 CLUB 
 
 SERVICE STATION 
 
 
 across from 
 
 * 
 
 Colony Church 
 • 
 
 "That we may once 
 again be a nation 
 of riflemen." 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
 * 
 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
 COMPLIMENTS 
 
 SPETS GROCERY 
 
 * 
 BISHOP HILL, ILLINOIS. 
 
84 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^M MW 
 
 BJORKLAND HOTEL 
 
 i ^MM wy^M^w y wwyyyyyyy^y^ywwy^yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy^yywyy ^ 
 
 BEST WISHES AND 
 COMPLIMENTS OF 
 
 RAY HULTGREN 
 
 AGENT 
 
 STANDARD OIL COMPANY 
 Prompt Farm Service 
 
 PHONE GALVA 302-J 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 85 
 
 HOW TO HAVE A BARREL 
 OF MONEY 
 
 ANSWER : SAVE 
 EARLY AND OFTEN 
 
 For safety and con- 
 venience and profit 
 (you earn interest), 
 save at this bank. 
 
 FIRST NATIONAL BANK 
 
 IN GALVA 
 
 A GOOD BANK IN A GOOD TOWN 
 
 Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
 
 "YOU NEED THE BANK— THE BANK NEEDS YOU" 
 
 "LET'S PULL TOGETHER" 
 
 BANK CREDIT is the best FARM CREDIT 
 
 Buy and Hold United States Savings Bonds 
 
86 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 BEST WISHES TO 
 
 OUR GOOD NEIGHBORS ON 
 
 THIS 100th ANNIVERSARY 
 
 FRED D. WALLER, Agent 
 
 "Complete Insurance Service" 
 PHONE 308 GALVA, ILL. 
 
 COMPLIMENTS OF 
 
 GARRIGAN'S MARKET 
 
 and 
 
 GALVA LOCKER SERVICE 
 
 PHONES 23 or 44 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 ST 
 
 COMPARS MQOf, 
 
 METHODS Ofo -^ 
 
 <3msuud JMeveft. . . 
 
 the diamond with flashing beauty, 
 fiery depth and brilliance. The en- 
 gagement ring, her most cherished 
 possession, her first.. .and greatest 
 gift of love. 
 
 LOOK INTO THE DIAMOND 
 
 JD0 SUflC h fa $dj0 when you select diamonds. 
 No longer need you expose judgment and selection to 
 the findings of old-fashioned methods in the eye-loupe 
 examination. Today, with our modern scientific equipment, 
 you actually see the interior of a diamond yourself,mag- 
 nified ten times and vividly illuminated by transmitted 
 light. As Registered Jewelers we show you the pronounced 
 difference in diamonds which are scientifically graded 
 for color, cutting, brilliance and flawless perfection. 
 
 H. G. LARSON 
 
 KEWANEE, ILLINOIS. 
 
 REGISTERED JEWELER 
 
 AMERICAN GEM SOCIETY 
 
 UNITED STATES 
 
88 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 CENTENNIAL 
 
 CONGRATULATIONS 
 
 BOILERMAKERS 
 
 Seventy-eight Years 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 89 
 
 IF IT'S 
 WORK GLOVES 
 
 ASK FOR 
 
 World's Largest 
 
 Manufacturers 
 
 of 
 
 CANTON FLANNEL, JERSEY, AND 
 
 LEATHER PALM GLOVES. 
 
 ALSO CORN HUSKING GOODS 
 
 THE BOSS 
 MANUFACTURING CO. 
 
 CHICAGO, KEWANEE, NEW YORK, 
 
 ILLINOIS. ILLINOIS. N. Y. 
 
90 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 HOUGHTON & SUNDBERG 
 IMPLEMENT CO. 
 
 All Types of Welding 
 Firestone Tires 
 
 Ford-Ferguson Tractors 
 Ferguson Implements 
 
 PHONE 15-32 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 5)1 
 
 HELEN'S 
 
 BERGNEW HDW. & 
 IMPLEMENT CO. 
 
 SWEDISH 
 
 A. GUNNAR BORG, Proprietor. 
 
 CAFE 
 
 * 
 
 
 General Hardware 
 
 • 
 
 Case Farm Implements 
 
 
 Repairs and Service 
 
 
 Bupane Gas 
 
 HELEN ANDERSON 
 
 Electric Appliances and Wiring 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
 ALBERT 
 
 WYLIE ERICSON 
 
 and 
 HOWARD OLSON 
 
 FLORINE 
 
 * 
 
 Painter 
 
 BALING 
 
 and 
 
 * 
 
 Decorator 
 
 BISHOP HILL, ILL. 
 
92 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 SLOAN'S 
 PHARMACY 
 
 The REXALL Store 
 
 GALVA 
 
 ILLINOIS 
 
 DAVIS 
 
 WHAT - NOT 
 
 SHOP 
 
 "Cheerful Gifts for 
 Every Home" 
 
 * 
 
 GALVA ILLINOIS 
 
 WHITMAN'S CHOCOLATES 
 SODAS SUNDAES 
 
 THE CANDY 
 SHOPPE 
 
 Phone 55 
 
 H. R. BOGNER 
 
 • 
 
 Smoker's Supplies 
 
 Magazines 
 
 Orsinger's Ice Cream 
 
 * 
 Daily and Sunday Newspapers 
 
 "WHERE FRIENDS MEET" 
 
 BEN 
 
 FRANKLIN 
 
 STORE 
 
 GALVA, ILL. 
 
 The Store of 
 
 Ten Thousand 
 
 Useful Items 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 93 
 
 The Old Settlers' 
 Association 
 
 ANDERSON 
 MOTOR 
 
 Appreciates 
 
 SALES 
 
 the 
 Cooperation 
 
 MASSEY-HARRIS FARM 
 IMPLEMENTS 
 
 of its 
 
 * 
 
 Friends 
 and 
 
 DeSoto and Plymouth Cars 
 
 Neighbors 
 
 PHONE BLACK 101 
 100 South Prospect St. 
 
 
 CAMBRIDGE ILLINOIS 
 
 MOORE'S 
 GRAIN & 
 
 WICK'S 
 
 COAL 
 
 BARBER SHOP 
 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, ILL. 
 
 Grain, Coal, Feed, 
 
 
 Grinding and Mixing 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 R. P. WICKBLOM 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, ILL. 
 
 HORACE WICKBLOM 
 
94 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 APPLIANCES RADIOS 
 AUTO and FARM SUPPLIES 
 
 RiSHEL & SON 
 
 HARDWARE 
 
 Sales and Service 
 
 PAINTS TIRES 
 
 McCORMICK-DEERING 
 
 
 IMPLEMENTS 
 
 GAMBLE STORES 
 
 Authorized Dealer 
 
 FARMALL TRACTORS 
 
 Home Owned and 
 
 Genuine IHC Parts 
 
 Home Operated 
 
 • 
 
 * 
 
 Pillsbury's Best Feeds 
 
 RAY and LUCILLE ALLEN 
 
 
 CAMBRIDGE ILLINOIS 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, ILL. 
 
 
 COMPLIMENTS OF 
 
 COMPLIMENTS OF 
 
 CAMBRIDGE 
 
 
 MOTOR CO. 
 
 BROWN 
 
 CHEVROLET and BUICK 
 
 LYNCH 
 
 
 SCOTT 
 
 * 
 
 
 Firestone Store and General 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, ILL. 
 
 Electric Appliances 
 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, ILL. 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 95 
 
 GREETINGS AND 
 BEST WISHES 
 
 to the 
 
 RESIDENTS IN THE BISHOP 
 
 HILL COMMUNITY ON THE 
 
 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS 
 
 FOUNDING 
 
 from the 
 
 HENRY COUNTY 
 
 COLD STORAGE 
 
 SERVICE 
 
 Plants In 
 
 CAMBRIDGE KEWANEE 
 
 WOODHULL 
 
 CLIFFORD & 
 
 CLIFFORD 
 LUMBER YARD 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, ILL. 
 
 THE OAKFORD COMPANY 
 
 Wholesale Grocers 
 
 Peoria, Illinois. 
 
 which has served you since 1877 
 extends its 
 
 HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS 
 
 to the members of the 
 
 BISHOP HILL COMMUNITY 
 
 on your 
 
 CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 
 
96 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 HOMETOWN 
 FOOD MARKET 
 
 FRESH MEAT and FRESH VEGETABLES 
 
 Newly Remodeled Up-to-Date Store 
 
 Self Service and Courtesy 100% 
 
 We Appreciate Your Patronage 
 
 GALVA ILLINOIS 
 
 INTERLOCKING FARM STORE 
 
 Stock and Poultry Fence 
 
 Meyer Elevators 
 
 Meyer Power Loaders 
 
 Stock Tanks Feeders 
 
 Roofing Siding Paint 
 
 FARMERS HARDWARE 
 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. PHONE 136 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 97 
 
 
 Galva Theatre 
 
 Dr. A. C Gathmann 
 
 Located in Galva, 111. 
 
 Veterinarian 
 
 
 GALVA, ILL. 
 
 * 
 
 • 
 
 "City of Go" 
 
 .A. 
 
 OFF. PHONE RES. PHONE 
 
 HOME OF THE 
 
 285 514-M 
 
 BEST PICTURES 
 
 
 PHONE 252 
 
 Reynolds M. Everett 
 
 Congratulations on the 
 
 • 
 
 100th Anniversary 
 
 State's Attorney 
 
 
 Henry County 
 
 • 
 
 Attorney at Law 
 
 
 * 
 
 J. O. Stephenson 
 
 
 GALVA 
 
 GALVA ILLINOIS 
 
 
 
 ib 
 
98 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 Keep Abreast of the Best 
 By Planting 
 
 MORGAN HYBRIDS 
 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. 
 Telephones 79 or 2 
 
 —CERTIFIED HYBRID SEED CORN 
 —CERTIFIED SEED OATS 
 —CERTIFIED SEED SOYBEANS 
 —GRASS SEEDS 
 —ROCK PHOSPHATE 
 —COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER 
 —LIMESTONE 
 — FUL-O-PEP FEEDS 
 —SWIFT'S FEEDS 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 99 
 
 To The People of 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 
 Congratulations 
 
 and 
 
 Heartiest Wishes 
 
 on the 
 
 100th ANNIVERSARY 
 
 of your 
 
 Splendid 
 
 Community 
 
 HOTEL KEWANEE 
 
 J. Roy Hubbart, Vice Pres. and Gen. Mgr. 
 
100 
 
 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 No Matter Where 
 
 Congratulations on the 
 
 You Are 
 
 Last 100 Years 
 
 24 Hours Daily 
 
 and 
 
 
 Best Wishes for the 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
 Next 100 Years 
 
 MOTOR CLUB 
 
 from 
 
 "AAA" 
 
 KEWANEE 
 
 Will Serve You 
 
 MANUFACTURING 
 
 * 
 
 COMPANY 
 
 If you are not a member, write 
 
 KEWANEE, ILLINOIS. 
 
 or phone for Free Booklet. 
 
 
 KEWANEE, ILL. 
 
 * 
 
 115 N. Chestnut St. Phone 1818 
 
 
 B. A. JANSSEN, Mgr. 
 
 Manufacturers of 
 
 Bishop Hill — Houghton and 
 
 Truck Bodies Hydraulic Hoists 
 
 Lundberg Garage 
 
 Metal Building Products 
 
 Larson Furniture Co. 
 
 The Home of Quality Furniture 
 
 PHONE 243-B 312 NORTH MAIN ST. 
 
 KEWANEE, ILLINOIS. 
 
 KELVINATOR REFRIGERATORS 
 DETROIL JEWEL STOVES CROSLEY RADIOS 
 
 KELVINATOR ELECTRIC RANGES 
 
 SPRING AIR MATTRESSES LANE CEDAR CHESTS 
 
 ROCKFORD-MADE CASE GOODS 
 
 PHILADELPHIA CARPETS 
 
 HOLMES WILTON LINES OF RUGS 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 101 
 
 Congratulations 
 On Your Centennial 
 
 E.W.Houghton 
 Lumber Co. 
 
 * 
 
 Yards Everywhere 
 
 COMPLIMENTS 
 of 
 
 Jack Murnen 
 
 * 
 
 The Modern 
 Upkeep Service 
 
 SHELL SERVICE 
 STATION 
 
 GALVA 
 
 BEST WISHES 
 to the 
 
 BISHOP HILL 
 COMMUNITY 
 
 • 
 
 ALTA'S 
 SHOP 
 
 GALVA 
 
 • 
 
 Meats, Groceries, Fruits 
 and Vegetables 
 
 BROWN'S 
 MARKET 
 
 GALVA 
 
 PHONE 39 
 
 • 
 
102 BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 ERICSON BROS. 
 
 SUPER MARKET 
 
 • 
 
 For Good Things To Eat You'll 
 Find This Store Your Delight 
 
 • 
 GALVA PHONE 94 
 
 UNITED MOTORS SERVICE 
 FRIGID AIRE 
 
 MURCHISON 
 CHEVROLET SALES 
 
 Chicago Motor Club Service 
 
 rj. . Phone 357 
 
 Towin g Night 248-J 
 
BISHOP HILL CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 103 
 
 BOGREN BROS. 
 
 GLENN H. HOBBS 
 
 ORCHARD 
 
 • 
 
 JEWELER 
 
 One Mile Northwest of Galva 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 $!$& thai Jjcud 
 
 APPLES IN SEASON 
 
 GALVA ILLINOIS 
 
 TY KELLY'S 
 
 HINTZ BROS. 
 
 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. 
 
 SINCLAIR 
 
 
 SERVICE STATION 
 
 * 
 
 
 Work Clothing for 
 
 • 
 
 Men and Boys 
 
 
 Footwear for the Family- 
 
 
 Shoe Repairing and 
 
 GALVA, ILLINOIS. 
 
 Traveling Goods 
 
104 BISHOP HILL CENTE NNIAL SOUVENIR 
 
 COMPLIMENTS OF 
 
 GALVA HOMESTEAD 
 AND LOAN ASSOCIATION 
 
 Serving Galva and Community 
 For Many Years 
 
 THE KROGER STORE 
 
 IN GALVA 
 
 DALE (Pete) WESTLIN 
 
 THE TIMES RECORD COMPANY 
 CATALOG PRINTERS - ALEDO. ILL.