Genealogy: Family Histories
John Magnusson Family
Compiled and Edited by Michael R. Reilly
Last Revised 06/05/2005
Descendants of John Magnusson
Generation No. 1
1. JOHN2 MAGNUSSON (AUGUST1) was born 26 Nov 1876 in Sweden (Source: Retrospect, Sussex Sun, Fred Keller, Issue: Wednesday, May 25, 2005, page 16.), and died 01 Jan 1937 in Sussex, Waukesha, Wisconsin. He married HILDA ELIZABETH ANDERSON (Source: Retrospect, Sussex Sun, Fred Keller, Issue: Wednesday, May 25, 2005, page 16, Templeton Blacksmith Came from Sweden. Also family history letter by Helen Magnusson 1948.) Abt. 1909 in Sweden. She was born 12 Sep 1890, and died Mar 1963.
Notes for JOHN MAGNUSSON:
About 1910, John purchased a blacksmith shop (across from present day, 2005, Sussex Inn restaurant). It was a diamond shaped redwood building with a flat roof and two swinging doors in the front. Behind it and on the side he was able to plant a vast garden. Business was good, working on farm horses and machinery, and for the quarry workers, who constantly needed their chisels sharpened. By 1920, Magnusson was also doing a lot of smithing for the emerging Mammoth Spring Canning Co. Source: Retrospect, Sussex Sun, Fred Keller, Issue: Wednesday, May 25, 2005, page 16, Templeton Blacksmith Came from Sweden. Also family history letter by Helen Magnusson 1948.
John Magnusson passed away on New Year's morning. Although he had not been in good health for some time, death came unexpectantly. He was born in Sweden in 1876. As a young man he worked as blacksmith apprentice for three years, then served in the (Swedish) army for two years. After this he came to America, returning to his native land in 1908. In 1910, he came back to America, bringing with him a wife, who with five children survive him. The children are Sven, Margaret, Helen, Ingrid and Arthur. The deceased has been a successful blacksmith in this village for many years, until recently, when ill health has often kept him from his shop. Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon from the M. E. Church of which he was a member. The Rev. Buxton officiated. Interment was in Rose Hill cemetery. Waukesha Freeman, Wednesday, January 6, 1937
More About JOHN MAGNUSSON:
Burial: Jan 1937, Rose Hill Cemetery, Sussex, Waukesha, Wisconsin (Source: Retrospect, Sussex Sun, Fred Keller, Issue: Wednesday, May 25, 2005, page 16, Templeton Blacksmith Came from Sweden.)
Emigration: 1898 (Source: 1920 Federal Census, Note: Fred Keller's article, Issue: Wednesday, May 25, 2005, page 16, Templeton Blacksmith Came from Sweden. Also family history letter by Helen Magnusson 1948; has John entering country in 1901.)
Occupation 1: Aft. 1910, Purchased Blacksmith shop; where the Sussex Inn is today (2005) next to the M&M Restaurant (Source: Fred Keller Sussex Sun.)
Occupation 2: Abt. 1901, Construction job with North Western Railroad; sharpened tools and made repairs. When working/lodging in Templeton c1909/10, did blacksmith side jobs. (Source: Retrospect, Sussex Sun, Fred Keller, Issue: Wednesday, May 25, 2005, page 16, Templeton Blacksmith Came from Sweden. Also family history letter by Helen Magnusson 1948.)
Residence: Early home was east of Templeton, where Quad/Tech is today. (Source: Fred Keller Sussex Sun.)
Notes for HILDA ELIZABETH ANDERSON:
Hilda's sister and niece from Orange, New Jersey. Wednesday, Sept 20, 1933. In 1936 they're entertaining her sister and family from Chicago.
More About HILDA ELIZABETH ANDERSON:
Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery, Sussex, Waukesha, Wisconsin
More About JOHN MAGNUSSON and HILDA ANDERSON:
Marriage: Abt. 1909, Sweden
Children of JOHN MAGNUSSON and HILDA ANDERSON are:
i. SVEN J.3 MAGNUSSON, b. 04 Jul 1912; d. 16 Mar 1988, Sussex, Waukesha, Wisconsin; m. ELIZABETH "BETTY" E. STIER, 21 Jun 1947, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Sussex; b. 18 Mar 1921; d. 20 Dec 2002, Saukville, Ozaukee, Wisconsin.
Notes for SVEN J. MAGNUSSON:
He spent his summers working at the Mammoth Spring Canning company, and save up a nest-egg of $1,300. He told the story that his father had promised to him that he would match each dollar he saved so he could go to the University of Wisconsin. His funds lasted two years. Source: Fred Keller, Sussex Sun.
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Sven J. Magnusson, Sussex, philosophy major at the university expects to spend part of his vacation at Lake Kegonsa with David Parson, Chicago, also a student at the university. Mr. Magnusson is a member of the university fencing team and attended the meet at Chicago recently. he is also a member of the Green International, League of Industrial Democracy, and of Wesley Foundation, student church group. Thursday, April 13, 1933
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Editor's note: Student/Socialist League of Industrial Democracy...which was originally called the Intercollegiate Socialist Society. Green International - early environmental organization ?
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He then joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and did his service at Clam Lake. Normal pay was $30 per month, but because of his college education, he was made a clerk, abd given a raise to $45 per month, of which, $30 was sent home. Source: Fred Keller, Sussex Sun.
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1936 - Sven attending Carroll College
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In 1939, Magnusson completed his University of Wisconsin education and he ultimately became a CPA, working for the Milwaukee Telephone Company. Source: Fred Keller, Sussex Sun.
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Srgt. Sven Magnussen arrived Thursday from a southern camp to spend a few days' furlough with his mother, Mrs. John Magnussen, and family. Waukesha Freeman, June 30, 1943
December 20, 1944, Mrs. John Magnussen, received word her son Sven is missing in Belgium
January 17, 1945, hears Sven is prisoner in Germany
February 21, 1945, Has received official notice through the National Red Cross that her son, Sven, is a prisoner of Germany.
June 13, 1945, received a telegram from the U. S. government, that her son, Sven, who was a prisoner of the Germans, has been liberated and is safe.
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Drafted into Army - There was basic training at Camp Walters in Mineral Wells, Texas. By January, 1943, he was made a corporal (Note: his advancement in rank above) after taking a non-commissioned officer training course. He rose to the rank of lieutenant after completing further training at Camp Shelby, Miss.
During the Battle of the Bulge, his unit was captured in December, 1944. His address became "First Lt. Sven J. Magnusson, Offizie slager 64, Germany, via New York, NY" Source: Fred Keller, Sussex Sun.
More About SVEN J. MAGNUSSON:
Education 1: 1928, Graduated two-year Sussex High school
Education 2: After retirement he went back to the Univ. Of Wisconsin and learned Swedish so he could travel to his mother country. (Source: Fred Keller Sussex Sun.)
Education 3: 1930, Graduated Salutatorian from Waukesha High School
Notes for ELIZABETH "BETTY" E. STIER:
Mrs. John Stier is spending some time with her daughter, Mrs. Sven Magnussen and family at Lake Five. Mrs. Magnussen and infant daughter, Cynthia Camille, returned home from Mt. Sinai hospital, Milwaukee, Tuesday. Two small brothers are welcoming their sister home. Waukesha Daily Freeman, August 2, 1955
Magnusson, Elizabeth E. "Betty", (nee Stier) Died on Dec. 20, 2002. Age 81 years. Wife of the late Sven. Mother of Dr. John (Sharon), Gary (Mari) Maack Magnusson and Cynthia (Dr. Tom) Geppert. Sister of Maryanna (Hart) and Katherine Stier. Further survived by 7 grandchildren, other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held Sat., Dec. 28, 2002 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, W239 N6440 Maple Ave., Sussex at 11AM. Burial to follow in the church cemetery.
More About ELIZABETH "BETTY" E. STIER:
Education: 1936, Graduate Sussex High school (Source: Fred Keller Sussex Sun.)
More About SVEN MAGNUSSON and ELIZABETH STIER:
Marriage: 21 Jun 1947, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Sussex
ii. MARGARET E. MAGNUSSON, b. Abt. 1914.
Notes for MARGARET E. MAGNUSSON:
Margaret Magnusson, valedictorian of Waukesha High school, having a scholastic avg. of 95; specialized in history. Waukesha Freeman, Thursday, May 19, 1932
Miss Margaret Magnussen has begun another year of teaching in the Oconomowoc public school system. Waukesha Freeman, Sept. 23, 1954
More About MARGARET E. MAGNUSSON:
Education: 1930, Graduated two-year Sussex High school
Occupation: Teacher
iii. INGRID E. MAGNUSSON, b. Abt. 1921.
Notes for INGRID E. MAGNUSSON:
Lt. Ingrid Magnussen, Waukesha Freeman Wednesday, January 13, 1945
More About INGRID E. MAGNUSSON:
Education: 1936, Graduated two-year Sussex High school
Military service: Nurse in WWII Pacific theater
iv. HELEN M. MAGNUSSON, b. Abt. 1924.
Notes for HELEN M. MAGNUSSON:
June 1941, Helen Magnusson, graduate Waukesha High School
v. ART MAGNUSSON, b. 05 Sep 1929 (Source: Retrospect, Sussex Sun, Fred Keller, Issue: Wednesday, May 25, 2005, page 16, Templeton Blacksmith Came from Sweden. Also family history letter by Helen Magnusson 1948.); m. BETTY SCHMITZ.