TILLNER FAMILY
INFORMATION

Albert Tillner

Albert Tillner was born on Botten Farm in Essunga, Skaraborgs, Sweden on April 4, 1867.  He was born Alfrid Andersson.  He also used Alfred Anderson and Alfred Tillner at times.  Alfred had three brothers and four sisters.  Birth order was Johan, Anna Stina, Beda, Augusta, Alfrid, Carl August, Johanna Kristina, and Nils Herrman.  Nils died in infancy.  Beda migrated to the US (probably Carver, MN) in 1883.  The rest of his siblings stayed in Sweden and died there.

Albert's father was Anders Nilsson and his mother was Britta Andreasdotter.  Anders was born May 21, 1832 in Essunga and died June 23, 1888 in Essunga.  Britta was born August 25, 1833 in Essunga and died November 12, 1919 in Essunga.  Albert obtained his Flyttningsbevis on February 25, 1887.  At that time he resided in Essunga annex-parish and the document was signed by the pastor of Lekåsa parish, which was the main parish ("modersförsamling") of the "pastorat".  He left Sweden from Göteborg on April 15, 1887 with a final destination of Ashland, WI.  The first sea leg of that journey was aboard the "Orlando" heading for Hull, England.  He probably took a train from Hull to Liverpool and sailed from there to New York.  He arrived May 4, 1887.  At some point Alfred Andersson became Albert Tillner.  (Hearsay is that Alfred had to serve in the army in Sweden, and since almost every second recruit was an Anderson, he arbitrarily changed his name to Albert Tillner.  On this trip, however, he still used Alfred Andersson.

The Flyttningsbevis seems to be somewhat of a passport, although it is signed by a "pastor".  The document verifies the applicant's name, birth date, place of birth, and stated destination.  It also provides an assessment of the applicant's religious attributes.

The "Orlando" was a 1,473 gross ton ship, built by C. & W. Earle, Hull for Thomas Wilson, Sons & Co. Her details were - length 260.4ft x beam 32.2ft, one funnel, two masts, accommodation for 44 in first class, 36 in second class, and a considerable number of steerage class passengers.  She was launched in December of 1869 and used on the Baltic and North Sea routes.  In 1878, she was lengthened to 274ft, 1,610 gross tons.

Albert married Frederika Johnson on October 21, 1893.  They had ten children, all born in Bessemer.  The children in birth order were Beyda Cecelia, Mamie Eleanora, John Leonard, Carl Henning, Edith Alfreda, Edna Emelia, Margaret Marian, Viola Alfhilda, Ruby Eloise, and Myron Albert.  Edith died soon after childbirth.  The other nine children lived long and fruitful lives.  Albert came directly to Bessemer, MI and took a job in the Anvil iron mine as a blacksmith and carpenter.  On May 9, 1905, Albert went to work at the Eureka mine in Ramsay.  On October 29, 1905, he was made surface foreman (often called surface boss), and continued in that capacity until August 1923 when he retired from the mine.  Albert was also a member of the Board of Review, a body that made property valuations for the purpose of tax assessment.  Albert died on October 8, 1943 and is buried in Bessemer, MI.

After retiring from the mines, Albert took a job as janitor at the Anvil school just across the street from their home.  He worked there until his final retirement in December 1936.  Relatives remember seeing him napping in the furnace room of the school.  Albert was about 5’ 10”, had fine brown hair, and leaned toward the heavy side.  He enjoyed eating and drinking, reading his newspaper and napping.  He may not have taken care of himself quite as well as some others in the family, so he “only” lived to 76.