John Bernard Lundberg, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of John Bernard Lundberg
JOHN BERNARD LUNDBERG.
This gentleman is a native of that country whose citizens are noted for their industry, frugality and honesty, Sweden, and throughout life he has shown that he is possessed of these worthy characteristics in an eminent degree. He was born in Westerjotland, Skaraborgs Lann, Sweden, Sandhem Potoffe, January 13, 1840, his father, Carrol Bernard Lundberg, having been born in Burbek, Sweden, in 1808. He was a tailor in early life, and also carried on farming, in fact, was a pushing and enterprising man of affairs, and these qualities hare been inherited, in a more than ordinary degree, by his son. He was one of five children, and was the only member of the family to come to the United States, which he did in the month of October, 1852, arriving in this country after a voyage of thirty-one days, and landing in the city of Boston. He went direct to the city of Chicago, but his career was unfortunately closed the following year, his death occurring in January. He was buried on the present site of Lincoln Park, but was afterward removed. He was married twice, first to Eva Charlotte Josepenson, who bore him two children: Eva Charlotte (Whitcomb), of Chicago, and John Bernard, whose name heads this sketch. The mother of these children died in 1840, and Mr. Lundberg took for his second wife, Christena Greta Johanson, who bore him five children, all of whom were called from life while under fifteen years of age. She survived him, and married a second time. John Bernard Lundberg was reared on a farm in Sweden, and in that country and in the city of Chicago, to which place he came with his father, he received his education. His first money was obtained by working in a wagon and a carriage shop at $1.50 per week and boarding himself. When he finally quit work he was receiving $1.75 per day. A year later, in 1854, he went to work in a sash and blind factory, operated by George W. Noble, with whom he remained for two years. He then entered the employ of Cleveland & Bussell, sash and blind manufacturers, and rremained with this firm until 1861, then began working for the Galena and Chicago Union Railway. In 1864, he enlisted as a mechanic in the quartermaster's department, and served in the Army of the Cumberland. He was in the engagement at Nashville, besides some minor engagements, and in June, 1865, was mustered out of the service at the Tennessee capitol. He then returned to Chicago, and in the spring of 1866 came to Chesterton, Indiana, and established a cabinet-making and wood-turning establishment, which was the first to be established in the village, and which he until 1873, when he sold the turning department, and has operated the cabinet branch of the business ever since. He owns a fine store room where he sells the articles of his own manufacture. From 1869, to 1874, he engaged in the manufacture and shipping of lumber, then gave up the business for want of lumber with which to work. He has taken an active part in politics, and has served as Trustee of his township from 1868 to 1872, and as township Assessor for six years, being elected on the Republican ticket In 1882, he was elected County Commissioner, a tribute to his sound and practical judgment, and served with credit and honor to himself for a period of four years. He has always been public spirited, and keenly alive to all that was going on about him, and was the first man to be initiated into Chesterton Lodge of the A. F. and A. M. He was married February 26, 1872, to Miss Phoebe A. Hammond, who was born in the State of New York, a daughter of Henry and Laura Hammond, also natives of York State and of Holland-Dutch origin. They afterwards became residents of Van Buren County, Michigan, and there spent their last days. They reared a family of two boys and six girls. To Mr. and Mrs. Lundberg two children have been given: Eva Christina, and Lillie, who died at the age of nine months. This family are active members of Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church of Chesterton, of which Mr. Lundberg was one of the original founders. He is one of the leading and substantial men of his village, is respected for his honesty and integrity, and his sound judgment is acknowledged by all.
Source: Goodspeed Brothers. 1894. Pictorial and Biographical Record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke Counties, Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Brothers. 569 p.
Page(s) in Source: 214-216
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook