Axel Lindegard (1862 - 1945)

28/07/2023


Did you know that...

Knut Axel Lindgård was born on February 20, 1862, in Askersund, Örebro County, Sweden? As a young man, he worked as an inspector on large farms in Småland, Sweden, and seemed diligent and determined despite his young age.

On March 23, 1888, he boarded the steamship Romeo bound for Hull, England, from Gothenburg. The journey to Hull took two days, and after docking, they continued by train to the west coast of England, where the large ocean ships bound for New York awaited. In 1888, a second-class ticket cost 105 Swedish kronor, which is equivalent to over 810 US dollar in today's value.

On board the steamship Romeo, there was also a girl named Hilda Alida Lindström from Arboga, Västmanland, Sweden. She was 24 years old at the time and was traveling alone. Her parents were Captain Olof Lindström (1815 – 1878) and Johanna Lindberg (1825 – 1905). Perhaps a romance blossomed between Axel and Hilda on the S/S Romeo?

The couple eventually arrived in Hallock, Kittson County, in Northern Minnesota. There, Axel found work in a general store and changed his name to Axel Lindegard. Axel and Hilda got married on June 2, 1892, and had their first child, Henry Lindegard, in 1893. Soon, Axel invested in his own general store.

Axel and Hilda remained in Hallock for the rest of their lives. Axel passed away in 1945, and Hilda followed in 1950.

The film Fargo, which was shot in Minnesota in 1995 due to a lack of snow in other parts of the state, had some scenes filmed in Hallock and the surrounding areas.

ulf.guttman@sweroots.com

Axel, Henry, Bruno and Hilda Lindegard 1898

S/S Romeo

Hallock Township, Kittson County, Minnesota. The 1880s