Fosberg Family

Four generations of Fosbergs.
Left to right, Charles, Harold, Malcolm (Bub), and Larry, 1949.

     In the later part of the eighteenth century there was a large migration of Swedes from Sweden to America. My grandfather, Charles Fosberg, was about eighteen when he came to America from Sweden. He came thru Ellis Island in New York City. From there to Chicago, IL and then on to Moline, IL where they had jobs at the time. He married a Swedish girl, whose family had also come from Sweden. While living in Moline they had a son, my father, Harold Fosberg. My grandfather developed some kind of medical problem and was told by the doctors that it would be good for him to go to a warmer part of the country.

Mary Nordstrom and Charles Forsberg married July 6, 1892 in Scott County, Iowa. - Click to Enlarge.

Mary Nordstrom and Charles Forsberg, Marriage License dated July 5, 1892 in Scott County, Iowa. - Click to Enlarge.

Certificate of Naturalization for Charles Forsberg dated April 22, 1896, Rock Island County, Illinois.

     Having heard of a Swedish colony being formed in Alabama, he came to Silverhill thru Chicago. They came by train into Mobile. Silverhill, having a warm climate was a good place to grow crops and fruit trees. So they decided to settle here. My father was 6 years old at the time and it was the year 1900.

     My grandfather bought ten acres north of town which is now on County Rd 52. He built a house, a small barn, got a cow for milking, bought some chickens and planted corn and vegetables.

This is a recent satellite view of the acreage and lots that the Forsberg/Fosberg family bought. Highlighted in pink are the 10 acres bought in 1901. Highlighted in orange are the lots bought in 1949. Highlighted in green are the lots bought in 1953. - Click to enlarge.

     My father, Harold Fosberg, went to school at the Svea Colony land office which is now the Library. Then a larger school was built that has now been converted to a home, which is owned by Phil Owen and is his residence.

     Then when he was older he joined the Army and fought in World War I and then returned home.

Harold Fosberg, Army World War I. Harold changed the family name from Forsberg to Fosberg.- Click to Enlarge.

Harold and Ruth Fosberg

     He met my mother, Ruth Malcolm, when she and her parents were down from Waukegan, IL, which is just north of Chicago. Her family bought 40 acres next to Perone Creek on County Rd 54 but returned to Chicago. My father kept in contact with her and then went north, married her, and brought her back to Silverhill. They built a home on Sixth Street which is where I was born in 1927.

Fosberg family home on 6th street in Silverhill, where Bubbie Fosberg was born in 1927.