Bio of WICKLUND, Gustaf (b.1852), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

Vol II, pg 636-637
GUSTAF WICKLUND
In journalistic circles the name of Gustaf Wicklund was widely known,
particularly in connection with the publication of Swedish papers. His fame was
heightened by his poetical talent, too, and he was widely known, not only in
this country, but in his native Sweden, as a writer of humorous articles and
verse. He was born in Gefle, Sweden, on the 8th of December, 1852, and acquired
a high school education in that country, while later he became a correspondent
for a wholesale house. Thus he was busily employed until 1878, when at the age
of twenty-five years he decided to come to America and made arrangements to
cross the Atlantic. Bidding adieu to friends and native country, he sailed for
the new world, and was first employed on a farm near Chicago, while later he
took a position with a tailor in Chicago. From early manhood he was a writer of
poetry and in one of his stanzas said he went "from one press to another."
Throughout his life he continued to write and this was to him a diversion as
well as a source of income. After a time he entered the employ of the Swedish
newspaper "Kurre" as its editor, occupying the position from 1884 until 1887. In
the latter year the name as well as the policy of the paper was changed and it
was then that Mr. Wicklund resigned.
For a short time he engaged in the theatrical business and then accepted a
position on the "Svenska Folkets Tidning." In 1890 he became assistant editor
and three years later became editor of the "Humoristen," published in Chicago.
He was identified with that publication for five years and eventually became a
member of the "Svenska Tribune." In 1900 he was editor of the "Svenska American
Posten" and continued his association with the latter paper until his demise.
His writings always awakened wide interest and thought among his readers. He
discussed with the utmost intel­ligence and breadth of vision many vital
questions of the day and became a well known factor in journalistic circles.
Moreover, he wrote extensively and as a writer of humorous verse became widely
known throughout this country and in his native land.
On December 10, 1887, Mr. Wicklund was united in marriage to Miss Amelie
Peterson, who was born in Sweden and came to the United States in 1881, with her
mother. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wicklund: Hildur K., who is at
home; and Ulricka, who died at the age of six years.
Mr. Wicklund was one of the organizers of the Orpheus Society, a musical
asso­ciation of Minneapolis, which was formed in 1889. He also organized another
society in 1891 and assisted in the organization of the "Svenska
Sangarforbundet" in 1892. Of the last named he became the first vice president.
His eldest daughter was a very talented musician and Mr. Wicklund was ever a
great lover of music, doing much to promote the cultivation of the art in this
city. Perhaps the outstanding feature of his career, however, was his ability as
a writer and particularly of humorous articles and verse. There was no subject
that he did not touch upon, and while he did not seemingly appreciate his
extraordinary ability, his friends recognized his power and after his death
published his verse, so that his name became a familiar one among the Swedish
people of this country and in his native land.
After the death of his daughter Ulricka, Mr. Wicklund's writings seemed to
become of a more serious nature, but regardless of what his subject was, his pen
seemed to express the right thought and the kind of thought that everyone
understands. He thus made strong appeal to the public, for he used the common
language of the people and did not attempt to write above their heads. His
message, often couched in humorous language, never failed to carry, and back of
all this was the broad mental culture and kindly spirit of the man. Through his
humorous writings he perhaps accomplished more than if he had been given to a
simple statement of facts in argu­mentative form. Those who knew him-and he had
a wide acquaintance-esteemed him most highly and the truths that he uttered and
the sentiments that he expressed proved an influencing factor for good in the
lives of many who knew him personally and through his writings.