John Erlander
Encyclopedia
John Erlander was a Swedish born, American businessman and founder of Rockford Union Furniture Company.
in Småland
, Sweden
. His father, Jöns Petterson, was a carpenter. Erlander emigrated to the United States in April, 1854 with his sister Kajsa Jönsdotter, and his brother Peter Magnus Jönsson.
where he learned to operate a sewing machine. In 1855 he moved to Rockford, Illinois
where he worked as a tailor. In 1861, he entered into a partnership with Sven August Johnson. They open a successful tailoring and men's clothing shop. The partners remained in business until 1885 when Erlander sold his half of the business to Johnson.
Erlander was a lay delegate to the meeting at Jefferson Prairie Settlement
during June 1860 at which the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church
was organized. He would live to be the last surviving member at that historic meeting.
Rockford Union Furniture Company was organized in 1876. Erlander was elected President. Jonas Peters, Erlander's brother-in-law, served as Treasurer/Manager, and Pehr August Peterson
was elected company Secretary. Rockford Union Furniture Company was a cooperative association with members helping to raise the initial capital for the business. It was the first of 25 area furniture factories that were formed as cooperatives.
John Erlander was involved in several other business ventures and provided leadership in the Rockford community. He served on the boards of the Excelsior Furniture Company, Central Furniture Company and Rockford Brick Company. He was also one of the primary organizers of the Swedish Mutual Fire Insurance Company and was a stockholder in Manufacturer's National Bank.
Background
John Erlander was born Johan Jönsson, in Slätthög, Kronoberg CountyKronoberg County
Kronoberg County is a County or län in southern Sweden. It borders the counties of Skåne, Halland, Jönköping, Kalmar and Blekinge. Its capital is the city Växjö.- Province :For History, Geography and Culture see: Småland...
in Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. His father, Jöns Petterson, was a carpenter. Erlander emigrated to the United States in April, 1854 with his sister Kajsa Jönsdotter, and his brother Peter Magnus Jönsson.
Career
John Erlander first settled in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
where he learned to operate a sewing machine. In 1855 he moved to Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
where he worked as a tailor. In 1861, he entered into a partnership with Sven August Johnson. They open a successful tailoring and men's clothing shop. The partners remained in business until 1885 when Erlander sold his half of the business to Johnson.
Erlander was a lay delegate to the meeting at Jefferson Prairie Settlement
Jefferson Prairie Settlement
Jefferson Prairie Settlement was a pioneer colony of Norwegian-Americans located near the village of Clinton, in Rock County, Wisconsin. This site and the nearby Rock Prairie settlement outside Orfordville, Wisconsin served as a center for both Norwegian immigration and developments within the...
during June 1860 at which the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church
Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church was a Lutheran church body in the United States that was one of the churches that merged into the Lutheran Church in America in 1962...
was organized. He would live to be the last surviving member at that historic meeting.
Rockford Union Furniture Company was organized in 1876. Erlander was elected President. Jonas Peters, Erlander's brother-in-law, served as Treasurer/Manager, and Pehr August Peterson
Pehr August Peterson
Pehr August "P.A." Peterson was a Swedish-born business executive, civic leader, and philanthropist in Rockford, Illinois...
was elected company Secretary. Rockford Union Furniture Company was a cooperative association with members helping to raise the initial capital for the business. It was the first of 25 area furniture factories that were formed as cooperatives.
John Erlander was involved in several other business ventures and provided leadership in the Rockford community. He served on the boards of the Excelsior Furniture Company, Central Furniture Company and Rockford Brick Company. He was also one of the primary organizers of the Swedish Mutual Fire Insurance Company and was a stockholder in Manufacturer's National Bank.