Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Tengdin, Charles G 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com October 3, 2007, 2:26 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

CHARLES G. TENGDIN, chief engineer at the Illinois state penitentiary, is a 
man of remarkable inventive and mechanical ability, and hence is admirably 
qualified for his position, which he has filled since 1897. At the close of 
his first year in the institution his work was reviewed and inspected by a 
state expert, who rendered a most favorable report and pronounced every 
improvement he had made to be a move in the right direction. As chief engineer 
he superintends the work of eighty-five men, and has entire charge of the 
mechanical and architectural department of the whole plant, which includes a 
combined engine power corresponding to six hundred horse-power. He invented 
and is now applying for a patent on a steam trap that economizes the 
condensation from steam-heating plants; and other valuable improvements are 
the result of his inventive genius.

In Linkoping, Ostergotland, Sweden, Mr. Tengdin was born October 14, 1862, the 
youngest of nine children, of whom he alone survives. His father, Andrew, a 
shoemaker and an expert in the manufacture of shoe lasts, died in Ostergotland 
at sixty years of age; afterward the mother, Mary, joined our subject in 
Joliet, where she died in 1897, aged seventy-five years. Both were members of 
the Lutheran Church. When our subject was three years of age his father died, 
and when he was twelve he began to support himself by working in a store. A 
year later he started to learn the harness-maker's trade, but three months at 
the work convinced him it would never be congenial, so he returned to the 
store. When fifteen he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade, which he 
followed for five years, being paid an amount equal to fourteen cents for 
twelve hours' work. On the completion of his time his wages were advanced to 
four times the original sum, and he continued in the same shop until he left 
for America, being paid at the last seventy-two cents a day.

During the spring of 1882 Mr. Tengdin landed in New York, whence he came to 
Joliet. At first work was scarce. In 1883 he hired to James Bruce as a 
blacksmith and tool-sharpener in the quarries. Afterward for two years he 
worked in the employ of I. D. Stevens as foreman, and through his employer's 
recommendation he was then given work as a machinist with the Illinois Steel 
Company, remaining from 1886 to 1888. Next, for a year, he engaged in the 
manufacture of electrical sign cloth on Jefferson street, in the River block. 
On leaving the factory he entered the wire mill of Lambert & Bishop as a 
machinist. There months later he accepted a position as tool-maker for the 
bicycle works in Joliet, where he remained for six months. For the two 
following years he had charge of the machine shop of the Joliet Reed & Rattan 
works, and when that plant was sold he patented a woodworking tool for the 
manufacture of head and base blocks for doors; but after manufacturing the 
invention for a few months hard times came on and he was forced to seek other 
work. After a short time with the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad as 
machinist and repairer of engines he returned to the steel mill, and later was 
a machinist with Lambert & Bishop. In 1897 he received appointment to the 
position which he has since so efficiently filled.

At No. 1012 Ohio street, Joliet, Mr. Tengdin built the residence he now 
occupies. He married Miss Anna Sophia Johnson, who was born in Orebro, Narke, 
Sweden; and by their marriage the following-named children were born: Viola, 
Carl, Oscar, Florence, Hjaimer and Myrtle. Mr. Tengdin is a director in the 
People's Loan and Homestead Association. He is also a member of the Fraternal 
Alliance and Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M. In the Swedish Lutheran 
Church he has served on the board of trustees, and was a member of the 
building committee of the Swedish Orphans' Home. In politics a Republican, he 
is connected with the Swedish-American League of Republican Clubs and is a 
charter member of the Swedish Republican Club.



Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900


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