Husband: John August SANDQUIST
Birthdate: November 16, 1876
Birthplace: Jonkpping Smoland, Sweden
Death date: October 22, 1965
Place of death: Holyoke, Phillips County, Colorado
Burial: Holyoke, Colorado
Father: John Wilhelm Sandquist
Mother: Mary Christina Anderson

Marriage date: June 23, 1906
Marriage place: North Platte, Nebraska

Wife: Hedvig JOHNSON
Birthdate: January 24, 1875
Birthplace: Vastargotland, Sweden
Death date: January 03, 1963
Place of death: Holyoke, Phillips County, Colorado
Burial: Holyoke, Colorado
Father:
Mother:

CHILDREN

Child No. 1: Child Sandquist
Sex: M
Birthdate: died at birth
Birthplace: Phillips County, Colorado
Death date:
Place of death:
Burial:
Marriage date:
Marriage place:
Spouse's name:

Child No. 2: Child Sandquist
Sex: M
Birthdate: died at birth
Birthplace: Phillips County, Colorado
Death date:
Place of death:
Burial:
Marriage date:
Marriage place:
Spouse's name:

Child No. 3: Mable Linnea Sandquist
Sex: F
Birthdate: September 07, 1907
Birthplace: Sumner, Nebraska
Death date: August 19, 1940
Place of death: Holyoke, Phillips County, Colorado
Burial: Holyoke, Colorado
Marriage date:
Marriage place: Colorado
Spouse's name: Gustav Bernard K. Franson
 

Documentation: John and Hedvig Sandquist
John Sandquist, born November 16, 1876, in Jonkppling Smoland, Sweden,
immigrated in 1899 to Nebraska where he farmed with his borther, Emil,
who had immigrated some time earlier. On January 24, 1875, Hedvig
Johnson was born in Vastargotland, Sweden, coming to Cleveland, Ohio in
1902. John had returned to Sweden for a visit and on his return trip to
the U. S. he and Hedvig met on the ship where romance budded. She worked
in Cleveland as a maid and cook for American millionaires for four years
as did many young Swedish girls.
During this time as they corresponded the romance bloomed and on June 23,
1906, they were married in North Platte, Nebraska. They lived in one end
of the brother's home and continued to farm. On Septemver 7, 1907, a
daughter, Mable Linnea, was born. Farming and living together became
difficult and the lure of the west brought John and his family to
Phillips County, Colorado.
Here they built a little two-room house on the homestead they claimed 9
north and 1 mile east of Holyoke, and in spite of the hardships of
pioneer life were very happy. Two boys were born during these times who
died at birth. They withstood wind storms, blizzards, drouth, and a
prairie fire which swept through the farm. John covered his wife and
little daughter with wet blankets on a barren area as he battled the
blaze around them. It was a fearful time for many families as it burned
its way to the South Platte River.
John and Hedvig lived in a couple of other homes in the Holyoke-Fairfield
area before he built a new modern home five miles west of the homestead
now known as the Mattson place. Here Linnea went to school at
Beechville, south of their farm with Mrs. Olive Peach as her first
teacher. John served on the school board. They attended the Fairfield
Mission Church which taught and preached in Swedish and Linnea was
confirmed there in 1922.
Hedvig enjoyed entertaining, using the culinary skills developed in the
millionaire's homes. Many people have talked about her delicious breads,
angelfood cakes, pies, "ostkaka" and "skorper" baked on a wood stove.
Ladies Aid and clibs were a part of her life as were the cows, pigs,
chickens, and garden on the farm.
In 1930 they moved into Holyoke after John was elected county
commissioner in 1928, serving two terms. During this time the new
courthouse was built. He also served on the telephone and town boards as
well as the elevator board. John and Hedvig's strong Scandinavian spirit
showed in their lives. They were proud of their Swedish roots and yet
very grateful to be in America with all the opportunities to grow.
Hedvig passed away on January 3, 1963, and John on October 22, 1965.