Mr. Axel E. Anderson
Axel Anderson was born in
Tofta, Godtland, Sweden on March 18, 1885. Tofta is located on the island
of 
Gotland which is off the coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea. Tofta is
about 10-20 km south of Visby.
Axel was the younger brother of Carl. Axel left Sweden from
Stenkulma, Gotland in 1903. After arriving in the United States he stayed in
Chicago for a while. He then traveled from Chicago to Portland in
1904. Axel and his brother Carl were baptized at our church in Portland on September 26, 1904 and
welcomed in to the fellow ship of the First Swedish Baptist Church, known
now as Temple Baptist Church on October 30, 1904. He married Minnie Stone
on June 21, 1911. Rev. Fredrick Linden was the pastor of the church in
1911 till 1916. They had three daughters, Evelyn, Viola and
Margaret. After the sisters were married, their names became Evelyn Lott,
Viola Christiansen and Margaret (Peggy) Larson.
The majority of the above account was taken from records kept in the office
at Temple Baptist Church.
Axel came to the United
States in about 1903, stopping in Chicago, Illinois to see his older
brother and then on to Portland, Oregon about, 1904, where he made his home.
He became involved at the First Swedish Baptist Church where
he became a member an met his wife, Minnie (Fredrika Wilhelmina) Stone.
She was born in Forshem, Vastargötland, Sweden on November 18, 1880, and came
to Minnesota, USA in 1886. Minnie was 5 years old then. Around 1906,
Minnie came to Portland and found employment doing domestic work and attended
the First Swedish Baptist Church. Axel and Minnie were married on June 21,
1911 by the pastor of the First Swedish Baptist Church. Their lives
centered in the church. Axel received a plaque for singing in the choir
for 50 years. He also served as Trustee and Deacon through the years.
Minnie was active in the women's work and as a
Deaconess. They had three daughters who were married in the church and
attended - Temple Baptist Church (First Swedish Baptist Church. Axel
worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for 38 years as a carpenter.
This account was submitted by Viola (Anderson) Christiansen on March 10, 2002.