Remembering David Anderson

David Anderson worked to preserve the Swedish culture and heritage in New Sweden, Maine.

Obituary of David G. Anderson

New Sweden—David G. Anderson, 63, husband of the late Edwina (Jacobson) Anderson, died unexpectedly April 30, 2001, at Caribou. He was born in Westfield, Mass., May 22 1937, the son of Walter David and Marion (Bean) Anderson.
Mr. Anderson earned his BA from North Park University in Chicago and his master’s degree from the University of Hartford. He helped students learn in Suffield, Conn., Lenoxville, Quebec, and New Sweden schools. David lived in the country of Sweden for two years before he became a resident of New Sweden, where he worked to preserve the colony’s ethnic heritage. He was a past president of the New Sweden Historical Society and was also a past council member of the New Sweden Covenant Church. After his1990 retirement, David enjoyed his work with Literacy Volunteers of America and his winters in Venice, Fla. Mr. Anderson’s interests included Swedish-Americana, Quebec’s eastern townships, the back roads of Europe and the restoration of old homes.
He was predeceased by his dear wife, Edwina (Jacobson) Anderson in 1998. He is survived by a special cousin, Ann Herz of Grantham, N. H.; several other cousins, aunts, nieces, and nephews.
A service of Thanksgiving to God for David’s life will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2001, from the New Sweden Covenant Chrch with the Rev. Shelly Timber, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Westmanland Cemetery at a later date. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Anderson may do so through the Edwina and David Anderson Award Fund, care of New Sweden Historical Society. Envelopes will be available at the church or through the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou 04736.

More 1970 Photos

I have enjoyed exploring a second set of photos sent to me via email from Anders Tidstrom of Sweden. He visited the New Sweden area in 1970. Please enjoy looking at the page “More  Photos from 1970 New Sweden.” Please help me tell the story by adding comments or sending me tidbits (as well as any errors or omissions!)

If you missed the first set of photos, be sure to read the page “1970 Photos of Anders Tidstrom of Sweden.”

Murder in Westmanland

The page “Murder in Westmanland” tells the 1899 story of the murder of Gus Johnson by Albert Bjorkman. Apparently jealously prompted Bjorkman to hunt Johnson down at Anders G. Olson’s lumbering operation. Olson’s daughter was married to Johnson. The funeral for Johnson was held at the West Road home of John W. Holmquist who was married to another of Olson’s daughters. A huge caravan of horse-drawn wagons traveled from the site of the funeral to the New Sweden Cemetery where Johnson was buried. Johnson’s wife remarried and lived to age ninety three years.

Mystery Photos 1970 New Sweden, Maine

I recently received an email from Anders Tidström from Örebro, Sweden who had visited New Sweden by chance in 1970. At the time he was a social anthropology student at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, and traveled to Newfoundland, New York, Quebec, and the Canadian Maritimes. Upon crossing the border at Van Buren, Maine, he noticed the names Stockholm, Jemtland, and Westmanland on the map. Fortune led him to meet David Anderson, a most hospitable and knowledgeable host with a keen interest in preserving all things Swedish in the New Sweden, Maine area.

Anders was saddened to hear that David had died in 2001 and thus began a series of emails between us that led to an exchange of stories focused on a series of black and white photographs that Anders had taken on his 1970 tour around New Sweden with David. Many local people from the New Sweden  area contributed their memories, identifications, and tidbits to piece together the story behind the photographs.  The result is posted as a page on this blog:

1970 Photos of Anders Tidstrom from Sweden

Anders Tidström 1970 at Madawaska Lake cottage of David Anderson