Olof Ohman
(1854-1935)

Biography:

Olof in Forsa, the later half of the 19th century

Olof Olsson (Öhman) was born on October 10, 1854 in Forsa parish in Hälsingland, Sweden and died August 27, 1935 at his farm in Solem Township, Douglas County, MN. His parents were Olof Olsson and Brita Danielsdotter. His father was a "houseman", meaning that he did not own the land where they lived. The Olssons owned a couple of cows and the father had a small carpentry workshop. Like many children growing up in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Olof would have learned the carpentry trade by watching and working with his father. Brita died in 1871, leaving Olof and his two younger siblings, Margta and Daniel. At age 22 Olof was working as a hired hand on neighboring farms. He dreamt of owning his own land and becoming a farmer, but there was little chance for fulfilling his dream in Sweden. The Swedish law did not allow for the purchase of land. It could be acquired in only one of two ways-either through inheritance or by marrying a property owner. Olof's dream ultimately led to his decision to leave his family in Hälsingland and begin a new life in America. Margta and Daniel remained in Forsa where they raised their families. Olof would return to his native land but twice-once before he married and the second time just before America entered WWI.

America, America - Olof Olsson becomes Olof Ohman

Olof Olsson was one of the passengers aboard a ship that left Gothenburg, Sweden for Philadelphia on June 30, 1879. The ticket cost him 400 kronor ($53). He called himself Öhman after his father's childhood home, Öhn. In America Ö became O and thus Olof Olsson became Olof Ohman. In a letter to his relatives in Sweden, Olof explained that after arriving in Philadelphia he traveled via train to Chicago, Milwaukee, Bishop Hill, St. Paul, and finally to Morris, MN and stated that he "is now in Douglas County", probably in Holmes City Township. He found work as a carpenter and at a steam powered lumber and flour mill. In 1883 he returned to Sweden but soon takes a ship back to the US.

Olof Ohman and Karin Danielsson (Danielsdotter) were married November 27, 1886 by Rev. John E. Hedberg, Swedish minister at Alexandria, MN. Karin was born January 2, 1862 in Forsa parish, Hälsingland, Sweden and died November 18, 1947 at the family farm in Solem Township, Douglas County, MN.. She immigrated from Gothenburg, Sweden on June 19, 1886 and arrived at Bishop Hill, Illinois. Her parents were Daniel Jonson (a farmer) and Karin Ersdotter. Their first son-Olof, Jr.- was born in Holmes City Township in 1887 and there is evidence to suggest that they may have been living in an area known as the Oscar Lake community, a couple of miles east of where Olof would purchase their farm in 1890.