Minnesalbum

In my personal archive of historical items--or, the plastic totes in my basement--is this booklet. This "Minnesalbum" is the "memory album" of the First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Des Moines, Iowa. It was established in 1869, and this album was printed for its 50th anniversary.

Among its pages are several photos, some of which may exist nowhere else. Below is one.

"Members of the congregation who were present at the foundation on 28 November, 1869.

Back--Mrs. Gust Peterson, Mrs. C.J. Youngquist, Mrs. C.A. Ryden, John Hoard, Mrs. Fritiod Johnson, Mrs. Hoard

Front--Mrs. Christina N. Carlson, Mrs. P.J. Anderson, Mrs. Augusta Osterland."

Mrs. Augusta Osterland was born in Sweden in 1845. Her obituary, from 1935, states that she was the last surviving member of the group above.