Amelia Engelstad

GEDCOM Note

Taught at Smithback School from 1905-1906

From Ancestors and Descendants of Frantz Larson Engelstad and Johanne Andersdatter Engelstad by Judith Engelstad Gambrel, 2004:

Postcards to Peter Engelstad:

Jan 31, 1908 To Mr. Peter Engelstad, Deerfield, Wisconsin (Posted at Leland, Iowa). Post card: Girl carrying flowers hung from shoulders, with windmills in background.. In Norwegian by Anton og Milia. (Anton and Amelia Swain)

July 30, 1909 To Mr. Peter Engelstad, Hawley, Minnesota. (Posted at Cambridge, Wisconsin) Post card: photograph of buggy in road. Dear Brother. We received your card some time ago and am glad to see you are well. We are all well also. It is so awfully dry here now haven´t had any rain to speak of since tobaco planting. The crops aren´t bad yet but I suppose the tobacco won´t be worth much the way it looks. Our corn is nice and Anton will finish reaping the oats today. How is everything out there? Begun threshing already out of shock out there? Are you doing carpenter work yet? Levi doesn´t stay here now he is building a house for Mrs. Sime´s mother. Will write letter next time. Greetings from all of us, your sister Amelia.´´ (Engelstad Swain)

Amelia Engelstad was born September 29, 1883, in Deerfield, Dane County, Wisconsin. She was the sixth child born to Frantz Larsen and Johanne Andersdatter Engelstad. Amelia was baptized at Koshkonong Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church

On July 1, 1906, Amelia received a teaching certificate from Dane County allowing her to teach second grade for three years.

Amelia probably began teaching school in 1904 because the certificate indicates she taught for 25 months. She probably taught until her marriage in 1907. Her son, Del Swain, believes she taught at Smithback and Sunnyside schools, both near Cambridge, Wisconsin.

On December 26, 1907, Amelia Engelstad (age 24) married Anton Swain (age 35) in a joint ceremony with her sister, Agnes, who married Nels Nelson.

Anton and Amelia had eight children: Fredrick B. born November 27, 1908; Edwin born April 5, 1911; Arthur Marvin born May 11, 1913; John Malvert born September 9, 1915, Delbert Neal born August 5, 1917; Lila Evelyn born August 20, 1920; Raymond born February 26, 1924 and Doris Amy born April 18, 1927. Amelia (herself one of ten siblings) had more children than any of her siblings.

The 1910 United States Census for Christiana Township in Dane County, Wisconsin shows Anton Swain (age 38) living with his wife, Emilia (age 26) and their son, Fredrick (age one). Another member of the household was Olof Helgestad (age 20), hired hand.

On the United States Census for 1920 taken February 20-21, Anton (age 48) was renting a farm in Christiana Township, Dane County, Wisconsin. Anton resided there with his wife Emilia (age 36) and their children: Fredrick (age 11), Edwin (age eight), Arthur (age six), John (age four years, three months) and Delbert (age two years, four months). Farmer and hired man Clarence Bendickson (age 43) also resided with the family.

On December 19, 1956, Anton Swain passed away at the age of 84 after a long illness. He had retired from farming in 1946 and moved to Deerfield where he resided after retiring. The funeral was held on Sunday, December 23, at the East Koshkonong Church. Amelia died on July 22, 1957, at the age of 73 after a long illness. The funeral was held at the East Koshkonong Church on July 25, 1957. Anton and Amelia are buried at St. Paul´s Liberty Lutheran Church Cemetery near Deerfield, Wisconsin.

Obituary

MRS. ANTON SWAIN

Mrs. Anton Swain, for many years a resident of our community passed away at her home in Deerfield on Monday afternoon after a long illness. Mrs. Swain was born on September 29, 1883 in Christiana township. her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Franz Engelstad were pioneers in this area. On December 26, 1907, she was wed to Mr. Anton Swain who preceded her in death last December. Mrs. Swain was a fine Christian woman who worked hard during her life on the farm, was devoted to her family and gave freely of time and energy to others. During the past two years she has been very ill suffering a good deal but never did she complain accepting her lot with great courage. She is survived by six sons and two daughters: Fredrick at home, Edwin, Arthur and John of Cambridge, Delbert and Ray of Rockdale, Mrs. Joe Nelson of Muskegon, Michigan and Mrs. Rollin Bilstad of hartland, Wisconsin. Also surviving her are 18 grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Agnes Nelson of Madison and Mrs. Anna Henderson of Cambridge and two brothers, Bendie Engelstad of Cambridge and Fred Engelstad of Madison. The funeral will be held today, Thursday at 2 p.m. at the East Koshkonong church with her six sons acting as pall bearers. Burial will be in the LIberty Prairie Cemetery. REv. Henry Thompson will officiate.