The John W.

Nordstrom Family

John W. Nordstrom’s Swedish

Cousins

Introduction

John W. Nordstrom (1871 – 1963) was one of the founders of Nordstrom Inc, a chain of department stores in the USA. In 1887, at the age of 16, John left Sweden for the USA. On 1 August 1887, he arrived in New York with only a few dollars in his pocket (rumors says $5), unable to speak a word of English. More information about John’s emigration and life in the US: The j. W. Nordstrom Family John’s name in Sweden was Johan Wilhelm Nordström, born on February 15, 1871, in the village Alvik, Nederluleå parish, near the city of Luleå, Norrbotten province, Sweden. Alvik is located in the northern parts of Sweden. John Nordstrom died on October 11, 1963, in Seattle and was buried on the Lake View Cemetery, King County, Seattle. Johan wasn’t the only one among his siblings who emigrated from Sweden to the US. A sister of Johan, Hilma Charlotta Nordström also left Sweden in 1890 for the US. However, all the others of Johan’s siblings that reached adulthood remained in Sweden, married and had children. This page is about the siblings that stayed in Sweden.

Parents

Johan’s father was the farmer and lay assessor Nils Peter Nilsson Nordström, born on 1822-08-26 and died on 1879-12-09 in Nederluleå parish, Sweden. Nils Peter was married twice: 1. 1st wife: Anna Lisa Nilsdotter, born 28 August 1823, died 20 January 1854, merely 30 years old. 2. 2nd wife: Katharina Charlotta Berlin, born on 12 May 1838, died on 1904-11-09. Marriage: 21 October 1858. Nils Peter Nordström’s children in his first marriage: 1. Lisa Greta (1847-1891) 2. Nils Johan (1849-1951) 3. Nils Johan (1852-1853) Nils Peter Nordström’s children in his second marriage: 1. Maria Charlotta, b. 1859-10-20, d. 1863-02-07. 2. Nils August, b. 1861-08-15, died 1923-02-09. Married 1886 to Johanna Olofsson (b. 1863). 3. Maria, b. 1865-08-29, died 1916-02-11. Married 1892 to Nils Johan Holmgren (b. 1866). 4. Anna Mathilda, b. 1868-12-10, d. 1870-02-12. 5. Johan Wilhelm, b. 1871-02-15, d. 1963-10-11 in Seattle, WA, USA. He immigrated to the US in 1887. 6. Hilma Charlotta, b. 1873-11-05. Hilma immigrated to the US on 1890-05-12. 7. Arvid, b. 1879-10-06, d. 1880-06-03. Five of Nils Peter’s children died as infants. The three Nordström siblings that reached adulthood and stayed in Sweden was; Lisa Greta (half-sister), Nils August and Maria. This page will give an account of their families and descendants. Nils Peter’s first wife Anna Lisa Nilsdotter’s father, Nils Månsson, was working the land as a farmer in Nederluleå parish; No 19 Alvik. When Nils Månsso died in 1850 Anna Lisa and her husband Nils Peter inherited the farm. Anna Lisa died on 20 January 1854 leaving Nils Peter alone with their oldest daughter, Lisa Greta. Nils Peter Nordström and his wife Anna Lisa in the Nederluleå church book 1843 - 1852:

John W. Nordstroms Siblings in

Sweden

Lisa Greta Andersson (née Nordström)

Lisa Greta was Nils Peter Nordström’s daughter in his first marriage and a half-sister to John W. Nordstrom. • Lisa Greta was born on 16 February 1847 and died on 19 August 1891. On 7 February 1873, she married Erik Anton Gustafsson (b. 1848-12-05 in Nederluleå, died 1932- 08-26) and moved to his farm Afvan No 5 in Nederluleå. Sometime between 1874 and 1876, Erik Anton adopted the family name, Andersson. Gustafsson was Erik Anton’s patronymic name. On 17 October 1876, the family moved to No 9 Ersnäs, Nederluleå. The Andersson children: 1. Erik Algot b. 1873-05-26 in Afvan 5, Nederluleå 2. Lydia Margreta, b. 1876-01-10 in Afvan 5, Nederluleå 3. Signe Magdalena, b. 1878-08-29 in Ersnäs 9, Nederluleå 4. Nanny Elisabet, b. 1881-03-12 in Ersnäs 9, Nederluleå 5. Anton Nikanor, b. 1884-03-29 in Ersnäs 9, Nederluleå 6. Hulda Amanda, b. 1886-07-27 in Ersnäs 9, Nederluleå, d. 1888-10-15. Lisa Greta died 44 years old on 19 August 1891 in Ersnäs no 9, Nederluleå parish. After the death of his wife Lisa Greta, Erik Anton Andersson emigrated from Sweden to the USA in 1893 (1893-08-10), apparently without his children. He returned to Sweden in 1914 (1914-04-11) and died on 26 August 1932 in Nederluleå. In 1894 two of the Andersson siblings, Anton Nikanor and Nanny Elisabeth, moved to their older sister Lydia Margreta, now a dressmaker in Ersnäs 13, Nederluleå. On 13 February 1894 Signe Magdalena became a foster daughter to her mother’s brother Nils August Nordström in No 1 Ahle, Nederluleå. Erik Algot remained in No 9 Ersnäs running the family farm. At some point in the mid-1890s he emigrated from Sweden to the USA. However, he returned to Sweden in 1896 where he died of TB the same year. Families of Lisa Greta Andersson’s children: 1. Erik Algot Andersson was born on 26 may 1873 in Nederluleå and died on 1896-10-16 in TB (“Lungsot”) in Nederluleå. Unmarried. At some point in the mid-1890s he emigrated from Sweden to the USA. However, he return back to Sweden in 1896 (1896-11-21). 2. Lydia Margreta Eriksson (née Andersson) was born on 10 January 1876 and died on 25 April 1911 in Nederluleå. She married Erik Johan Eriksson on 17 April 1911 but tragically died a week later of pulmonary tuberculosis on 25 April. Husband Erik Johan Eriksson was born on 23 September 1856 in Antnäs, Nederluleå and died 24 February 1918 in Antnäs 13, Nederluleå. 3. Signe Magdalena Utterström (née Andersson) was born on 29 August 1878 and died on 1959-01- 03 in Boden (BD). On 1898-10-12 she married Gustav Vilhelm Utterström (b. 1875-10-30, d. 1934-01-04). Children: Nanny Elisabet (b. 1898-12-06), Sigurd Vilhelm (b. 1900-06-28), Signe Ragnhild Margreta (b. 1905-07-15) and Anna Lisa (b. 1915-10-01). 4. Nanny Elisabet (née Andersson) was born on 12 March 1881 in Nederluleå. She worked as a maid in Luleå town when she in 1900 emigrated from Sweden to the USA in 1900 (1900-08-27). She was at the time unmarried. 5. Anton Nikanor Andersson was born on 29 March 1884 in Nederluleå. He worked as a farmhand in 1903 in Antnäs No 13, Nederluleå when he emigrated from Sweden to the USA in 1903 (1903- 02-16). He was at the time unmarried. Among the Andersson siblings only Signe Magdalena Utterström had children in Sweden. Children of Signe Magdalena and Gustaf Vilhelm Utterström: 1. Nanny Elisabet Utterström was born on 6 December 1898 in Nederluleå and died on 6 April 1984 in Boden. Unmarried. 2. Sigurd Vilhelm Utterström was born on 28 June 1900 in Nederluleå and died on 2 August 1987 in Luleå. On 1940-10-13 he married Elsa Evelina Vestin (b. 1904-06-01 in Håsjö (Z), d. 1990-11-04 in Luleå). The couple had no children. 3. Signe Ragnhild Margreta Larsson (née Utterström) was born on 17 July 1905 in Luleå and died on 18 September 1998 in Södra Sandby (M). On 1943-10-06 she married Erik Larsson (b.1916- 03-22 in Överluleå, d. 1960-04-07). Erik owned a hauling business. The couple was divorced on 22 March 1958. Children: Inger Eriksdotter Larsson (b. 1944-01-15 in Överluleå). On 1966-12-03 Inger married Jan Lennart Krister Trulsson (b. 1943-01-12 in Karlskrona (K)). The couple have two children Frans Ola (b. 1967) and Kristina Marie (b. 1969). 4. Anna Lisa Sandström (née Utterström) was born on 1 October 1915 in Luleå and died on 4 December 1941 in Överluleå. On 31 March 1940 she married Oskar Tage Sandström (b. 1912-08-22 in Överluleå, d. 2006-05-08 in Ängelholm (M)).

Nils August Nordström

Nils August was a son of Nils Peter Nordström in his second marriage and a brother to John W. Nordstrom. • Nils August was born on 15 August 1861 in Nederluleå and died on 9 February 1923 in Nederluleå. On 22 June 1886 he married Johanna Olofsson (b. 1863-01-09 in Nederluleå, d. 1946-11-23 in Nederluleå). Children: 1. Foster daughter Signe Magdalena Andersson, b. 1878-08-29 in Nederluleå 2. Foster son Anton Nikandor Andersson, b. 1884-03- 29 in Nederluleå 3. Foster son Hjalmar Viklund, b. 1891-02-20 in Nederluleå On 13 February 1894 Signe Magdalena Andersson became a foster daughter to Nils August Nordström in No 1 Ahle, Nederluleå. Signe Magdalena was a daughter to Nils August’s half-sister Lisa Greta Andersson (née Nordström). See Signe Magdalena above. In 1897 Anton Nikandor Andersson became a foster son to Nils August Nordström in No 1 Ahle, Nederluleå. Anton Nikandor was a son to Nils August’s halfsister Lisa Greta Andersson (née Nordström). See Anton Nikandor above. On 11 April 1902, Hjalmar Viklund became a foster son to Nils August Nordström in No 1 Ahle, Nederluleå. Alfred was a son to Alfred Viklund (b. 1863) and his wife Brita Katarina Olofsson (b. 1858) in No 2 Alvik, Nederluleå). Brita Katarina Olofsson was an older sister to Nils August’s wife Johanna. Lisa Greta was married to Erik Anton Andersson (see above). Lisa Greta died in 1893 and in 1894 Erik Anton left Sweden for the USA leaving his children alone in Sweden. Nils August and Johanna had a farm in Alvik, Nederluleå (No 1 Ale). When Nils August died in 1923 his foster son Hjalmar Viklund took over the farm. Hjalmar Viklund’s family: Hjalmar Viklund was born on 20 February 1891 in Nederluleå and died 20 August 1982 in Luleå. When his foster father Nils August Nordström died in 1923 Hjalmar took over the farm, No 1 Ale, Nederluleå. On 22 December 1929 Hjalmar married Mirjam Olivia Ingeborg Marklund (b. 1903-07-27 in Skellefteå (BD), d 1996-09-29 in Luleå). Children: 1. Ingegärd Viola Nordström (née Viklund), b. 1930- 04-24 in Boden, d. 2016-08-17 in Västerås Lundby (U). In 1948 she married Alf Harry Nordström (b. 1920- 08-07 in Nederluleå). Divorced in 1961. Children: Gudrun Agneta Viola Nordström (b. 1948- 08-10 in Luleå) 2. Nils Henrik Viklund, b. 1931-09-11 in Boden, d. 1970-04-06 in Skarpnäck (AB). Unmarried. 3. Ruth Alvhild Nilsson (née Viklund), b. 1934-04-15 in Boden. She married in 1960 Tore Birger Nilsson (b. 1932-09-25 in Töre (BD)). Children: Annette Elisabeth Nilsson (b. 1964-09-14 in Nederluleå). 4. Ulla Marianne Viklund, b. 1938-09-04 in Luleå, d. 2005-05-20 in Nederluleå. Unmarried.

Maria Holmgren (née Nordström)

Maria was the daughter of Nils Peter Nordström in his second marriage and a sister to John W. Nordstrom. • Maria was born on 29 August 1865 in Nederluleå and died on 11 February 1916 in No 19 Alvik, Nederluleå. On 26 November 1892, she married Nils Johan Holmgren (b. 1866-10-12 in Nederluleå, d. 1964-12-17 in Nederluleå). Children: 1. Nils August Holmgren, b. 1893-11-28 in Nederluleå. He immigrated to the USA in 1913 (1913-05-03). 2. Hugo Antonius, b. 1895-08-24 in Nederluleå, d. 1897-11-20 in Nederluleå. 3. Egon Antonius, b. 1898-06-05 in Nederluleå, d. 1902-02-11 in Nederluleå. 4. Hilma Maria Engström (née Holmgren), b. 1900- 10-09 in Nederluleå, d. 1987-12-21 in Alvik, Nederluleå. 5. Axel Valfrid Holmgren, b. 1903-03-21 in Nederluleå, d. 1981-04-18 in Alvik, Nederluleå. 6. Oskar Elof Holmgren, b. 1905-06-16 in Nederluleå. He immigrated to the USA in 1927 (1927-03-09). Hilma Maria Engström’s family: On 18 january 1925 Hilma Maria married Gunnar Vilhelm Engström (b. 1902-02-16 in Nederluleå, d. 1982-07-12 in Alvik, Nederluleå) Children: 1. Mary Viktoria Jonsson (née Engström), b. 1925-05- 30 in No 8 Långnäs, Nederluleå. In 1946-10-12 she married Georg Mauritz Jonsson (b. 1921-12-01 in Nederluleå, d. 2002-08-29 in Överluleå). Children: George Inge (b.1947-05-19 in Överluleå), Kjell Tomas (b. 1950-05-20 in Överluleå). 2. Per Gunnar Engström, b. 1929-04-30 in No 8 Långnäs, Nederluleå, d. 1995-08-17 in Nederluleå. In 1953-03-15 he married Gudrun Karolina Hansson (b. 1926-08-08 in Nederluleå). Children: Hans Gunnar (b. 1953-05-03 in Nederluleå), Gudrun Elisabeth (b. 1956-11-19 in Nederluleå), Mats Ingemar (b. 1960-06-16 in Nederluleå). 3. Tor Vilhelm Engström, b. 1932-04-06 in Alvik, Nederluleå, d. 2011-12-15 in Nederluleå. In 1953- 08-08 he married Onny Marianne Viklund (b. 1933- 05-01 in Norrfjärden (BD). Children: Lars Vilhelm (b. 1954-01-26 in Nederluleå), Berit Marianne (b. 1955-06-10 in Nederluleå), Birgitta Maria (b. 1961-06-01 in Nederluleå), Thor Erland (b. 1963-11-03 in Nederluleå). Axel Valfrid Holmgren’s family: On 18 January 1925, Axel Valfrid Holmgren married Selma Lovisa Vikberg (b. 1899-10-29 in Nederluleå, d. 1964-10-18 in Nederluleå). Children: 1. Foster-daughter Mary Elisabeth Nilsson, b. 1926-12- 19 in Luleå, d. 1930-03-21 in Nederluleå. 2. Foster-son Sven Arne Nilsson, b. 1930-03-14 in Luleå.

Related Links

• The Swedish Emigration to the USA • Swedish Immigrants Who Made it in the United States • An Emigrant Journey in 1880 • An Emigrant Journey in 1904 • How to type Swedish characters • About First and Middle Names in Sweden • Swedish naming practices in earlier times • The Swedish spelling reform of 1906 • The Nordstrom Company History • The John W. Nordstrom Family

Source References

• Wikipedia • Swedish Church Records • US Sources Top of page