Hans Fredrickson was born on February 3, 1909 in Småland, Sweden. Two of Hans' sisters died at young ages of whooping cough, but his nine other siblings survived. Hans' father, Frederick Anderson, was a farmer, and Hans grew up helping him with milking the cows and picking the potatoes. Hans' mother, Omilia Jonsson, helped in the fields as well, but she also did the baking and washing. For about six years, Hans attended school; his family did not have enough money for him to go beyond the sixth grade. As a child, Hans delighted in the traditional Swedish celebrations of holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Midsummer. Although he loved the Swedish heritage, Hans disliked the work in Sweden and chose to move to America in 1928. He first settled in Chicago, employed in the concrete business. Hans attended school to learn English and picked up the language quickly. After a short time in Chicago, Hans moved to a variety of places like South Dakota, North Dakota, and finally, Tacoma, Washington; he worked on farms, dams, and logging camps. In 1931, Hans met Elsie Danielson, whom he married in 1934. The two of them visited Sweden in 1936, 1959, 1974, and 1980. They had four children, all of whom spoke Swedish until they began attending school. Each one became a National Merit Scholarship winner. Hans enjoys gardening and belongs to the Valhalla Lodge and the Order of Vasa. He and Elsie still practice Swedish traditions during the holidays and speak the language periodically.
Lineage
Father: Ott Fredrick Andersson. Mother: Alma Omilia Jonsson. Paternal Grandfather: Anders Målsson. Maternal Grandfather: Ole Jonsson. Maternal Grandmother: Kristina Jonsson. Brothers and Sisters: Lydia Ingeborg Fredrickson, Ingrid Maria Fredrickson, Carl Edvin Fredrickson, Sven Fredrick Fredrickson, Signe Augusta Fredrickson, Magda Linnea Fredrickson, Otto Valfred Fredrickson, Seth Geron Fredrickson, Allice Hillevi Fredrickson, Tore Elving Fredrickson, Maj Hildegard Fredrickson, Spouse: Elsie Marie Fredrickson, Children: Helen May Fredrickson, Bert Fredrickson, Gary Lee Fredrickson, Donald Hans Fredrickson, Karen Marie Fredrickson, Glen Evert Fredrickson.
From the guide to the Hans Fredrickson Oral History Interview, 1981, (Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection Archives and Special Collections Department)
