The Enholm Bachelors:

Hilmar Nestor Enholm was born on Feb 23, 1871. (From Holmestad Parish records and Ida’s recollection in a letter written in 1962). Hilmar immigrated from Göteborg to Chicago with his brother Karl in 1889. (Anton came two years later). We do not know much about his whereabouts or how he made a living in his early years in Chicago! He eventually moved out west to Wyoming where, according to the 1930 census, he was a rancher with a fur farm. In 1960 he was living in Minnetonka, Minnesota. We met him one sunday after learning that he was living nearby, in a suburb to Minneapolis.

 

Anton Enholm, born 16 Oct, 1875 in Holmestad. Immigrated to Chicago in 1891 (surname Svensson in immigration records). He was then 16 years of age and unmarried. The earliest record of Anton in Chicago is from the City directory of 1895 where he is listed as occupation = painter, living at 8221 Marquette Ave. The last record is for 1928 where we find (City directory): Anton Enholm, Painter, residence 8107 Muskegan Ave.

Anton returned to Sweden frequently during the years he lived in Chicago. From the EMIHAMN data base (Swensson Immigration Library, Augustana College) we can find the dates for each time he left Göteborg on his way back to America. Thus we find that Anton traveled to and from Sweden at least six times since coming to Chicago in 1891: this was in 1901, 1905, 1918, 1924, 1926 and 1930. (Note: his mother Johanna died on 23 July, 1917, which was probably the reason for his 1918 trip).

Anton Enholm died in Chicago (Cook County) on 8 June, 1953. (Cook County Genealogy Records) He was 77 years old (4 months short of his 78th birthday!). The cause of death is given on the Death Certificate as “Cerebral Hemorrhage” (stroke). His last residence in 1953 was 3099 E. 79th Street, about two blocks from Anna Olivia’s store at 2808 E. 79th Street (79th and Burnahm).

Anton probably never made the trip to Sweden again after 1930 for these reasons: 1930 to 1940 were depression years, 1940-1945 were WWII years and from1945 to 1953 he may have been too old to make the trip and the connection was probably lost.

 

Ernie Enholm (the next generation).

Axel Enholm (also the next generation)