Biography of Eric Hedbloom - Henry County, Illinois


ERIC HEDBLOOM

Prominent among the successful and enterprising agriculturists of
Andover township is Eric Hedbloom, who owns and operates a valuable and
well - improved farm on section 25, where he has made his home since
1877. He was born in northern Sweden, on the 12th of December, 1849, and
is a son of Peter and Breta Peterson, also natives of Sweden, where the
father
followed the occupation of farming until his death about 1860. The
mother came to America in 1876, and died at the home of our subject in
1881. To this worthy couple were born eight children, namely: Peter, who
came to Andover, Illinois, in I857 and located upon the farm where our
subject now resides, was burned to death; Jonas was drowned in Sweden;
Catherine resided for a time in Kewanee, Illinois, but now makes her
home in Nebraska; Lars is living with our subject; Lena died in infancy;
Betsy is now Mrs. Nordstrum, of Bishop Hill, this county; Lena died in
Sweden; and Eric. our subject, completes the family.

Reared in his native land, Eric Hedbloom is indebted to its public
schools for his educational advantages. In 1868 he crossed the broad
Atlantic and took up his residence in Kewanee, Henry county, Illinois,
where he began work as a laborer on a construction train. In 1876 he
visited Sweden, but returned to this country the same fall, bringing his
mother with him. He then located at Bloomington, Illinois, where he
worked in the coal mines for a short time, but in 1877 removed to his
present farm, having purchased it from his brother's heirs. It is a well
improved place, having a good house and barn, and is under a high state
of cultivation.

In 1876, at Bloomington, Mr. Hedbloom was united in marriage with Miss
Betsy Peterson Berg, also a native of Sweden, where her parents, Eric
and Catherine (Larson) Berg, still reside. Nine children were born of
this union and with one exception all are still living, namely Peter
Emil; Ida; Hulda, who died in 1880; George; Inez; Hulda; Oscar; Victor;
and Alice.

In his political views Mr. Hedbloom is independent, and he has
efficiently served as a member of the school board in his district. He
is one of the honored and representative citizens of Andover township,
and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.

SOURCE: The Biographical Record of Henry County Illinois
S. J. Clarke, Chicago Illinois, 1901, p 194

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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by 
Susie Martin-Rott< rootbound2@geocities.com >
(© 1997 Susie Martin-Rott)
Transcribed by Susie Martin-Rott
rootbound2@geocities.com