History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 114 - 115

ANDREW HOLMBERG

 

The substantial development and continued progress of the states in the northern part of the Mississippi valley owe not a little of their growth to the efforts of the sons of Sweden who have sought homes here. To this class Andrew Holmberg is a representative. He now lives on section 28, Clam Lake township, where he is engaged in general farming. He was born in Sweden on the 19th of April, 1848, and there spent the first twentyfour years of his life. In his youth he acquired a fair education and when quite young he learned the value of industry and perseverance as active factors in a business career. These have ever been salient features in his work and have formed the foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity. In the spring of 1872, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he made arrangements for leaving his native country, and, bidding goodbye to his friends there, he sailed for the new world, landing first at Quebec, Canada. He did not tarry in the Dominion, however, but came at once to Michigan and has since been a resident of Wexford county. Here he was first employed through one summer in the grading of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, and subsequently he was employed as a section hand. For many years he was foreman of a gang of men, working on the railroad, and continued his labors in that way until July, 1898, when he settled upon the farm which is now his home and which he had previously purchased. He has erected a nice residence here and in the rear stand a good barn and fair outbuildings, which in turn are surrounded by fields of waving grain. He owns altogether eighty acres of land, of which fifty acres is improved. Previous to the purchase of his present property he was the owner of two other farms in Clam Lake township, but these he has sold. On the 26th of May, 1873, in Big Rapids, Michigan, occurred the marriage of Mr. Holmberg and Miss Carrie Anderson, a most estimable lad, who has indeed been a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She was born in Sweden, July 28, 1844, and in 1873 came to America. She has many excellent traits of character, including a kindly disposition and cordial manner, which have made her a favorite with many friends. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Holmberg has been blessed with five children, namely: Emily, who is the wife of Anton Iverson; Albert E., a salesman at Lake City, married Ida Whaley; Ellen A. is at home; Anna C. is the wife of Emil Hector; and Andrew M., who completes the family. The parents are active and devoted members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and their Christian faith is exemplified in their upright lives. Honored and respected by all, there are no people in the community who occupy a more enviable position in the regard of their friends, not only because of the success which they have won, but also because of the straightforward business principles they have ever followed and the upright lives they have led. In the complex citizenship of America there is no element of more value than that furnished by Sweden, and Mr. Holmberg has ever sustained the reputation which his fellow countrymen bear for loyalty, fidelity and integrity.