Will attempt to record a history of the Hoberg beginning in the 19th century in the decade 1820-30, Information of events from this period needless to say are sketchy. Starting on my paternal grandparents, my grandfather was Carl Eric Högberg, born in Lilla Mellösa nearby Örebro in middle Sweden, then he moved to a state called Dalarne, Sweden.

  Have no information of my paternal grandmother. They both came from this province north of Stockholm, Sweden. They had three sons: Albin, Ernest Eric and Clause.

 Albin was a sailor on windjammers. Eric--my dad was a tailor by trade and Clause was a Jack of all trades. So much for this beginning. On my maternal grandparents side: John Fritz and Rebecca Fritz. They were born near Stockholm.

  Granddad Fritz was a copper miner and worked in the ore refining trade of that time. Copper utensils were popular at that period. My grandmother was born in 1825. Have no record of the others. They had three children: Lena, Matilda--my mother and Anna. My dad, Eric Hoberg was born in Dalarne Sweden September 7, 1860. My mother Matilda Johanna Fritz was born June 1861 near Stockholm Sweden.

   Military service of all males was required so dad served a hitch in the army. We always kidded mother that she fell for him in his dashing uniform. Have no information on the younger days, except that they had very little money and times were tough. Taxes were high and jobs scarce. So they heard of the land of plenty and migrated to Worchester Mass in 1879. The entire Fritz family came on the same boat, but just my dad from the Hoberg side. Mother and dad were married in Worchester, Mass in 1879. Even at that time neighborhoods were tough as I remember them talking about how the Irish, Poles and Jews treating them and the other Scandinavians.

   The Swedes, Norwegians and Danes ran into some tough living at that time. But good old US was a haven at that. They got jobs and food a plenty. This was a period of immigration from Europe in general. They settled mostly in the eastern and north central part of the United States at first. Later they migrated to all parts, some came west. Regardless of where they stayed, they left their traditions and characteristics behind them. My parents didn't linger long in the east. Rumors of the golden West and this land of plenty took its toll.

  But in the mean time the family increased. My two older brothers were born in Worchester Mass. Emanuel Earnest (Emil) in 1890 and Charley Mauritz in 1892. The family left the East about 1885 and came to Portland Oregon. Dad had learned the tailors trade so found enough work to subsist. Although it was a meager existence, they got by. My third brother Fritz Arthur was born in Portland 1895. My fourth brother Edgar Albin was also born there in 1890. Previous to this time the Homestead Act had been passed by Congress and there was a feverish migration to acquire land. How they all arranged transportation to these outlying places one will never know. Trains to some areas and then by stage,horse back or by foot. At any rate dad set out to acquire a homestead. Left Portland by trains (1889) destination Nehalem Valley in Columbia County (Oregon).

  The train line between Portland and Astoria known as the OWR&U, Oregon, Washington Railroad and Navigation Co. This is parallel to the present Highway 30.

  There was a flagstop at Woodslanding Oregon, now called Woodson between the towns of Clatskanie and Westport Oregon. From this destination one got off the train and hiked from 10 to 15 miles over a mountain, down Fishhawk Creek to homestead areas. There were quite a few early settlers already there when dad arrived. As to the time, place and details of acquiring the homestead was before my time and can just surmise the problems encountered. But eventually it was done and a cabin built on the place. Dad found a suitable site on the Fishhawk Creek a tributary of the Nehalem river about 2 miles north and west of what is now the town of Birkenfeld.

  Returning to Portland, the folks picked up boys and baggage and set out for the new home in the Nehalem Valley. This took place around the 1st of May 1890. My brother Ed was about 3 months old at the time. They landed at Woodslanding and look off over the mountain via sled, one mule for power and multiple young legs. How they ever traveled the 12 miles to the homestead, one will never know. But get there they did. The countless hours of toil in building a home and clearing of land is a legion associated only to the pioneer race and spirit. The homestead of 160 acres wassituated on a creek valley with timber in abundance. No helpful power saws at that time. Even crosscut saws were a premium. They bored holes in the trees with an auger, fired the holes and burned the trees down.

  But as the years went by, the land was cleared into a productive state, buildings were added, a new house was built and finally a quite modern dairy barn at that time. My fifth brother Henry Warren was born on the place January 1892. My sis Anna Caroline was born on the place April 1894. I was born 5 years later October 9, 1899. That comprised our family of 7 children to begin this world of hope and happiness. To digress a bit: now that the folks were settled on a plot of land in the new world they persuaded my mother's folks, John Fritz and daughter Lena to come west and acquire land. Their daughter Anna, my aunt, chose to stay in the East, where she married Jonas Johnson.   They had several children, cousins which I never met. John Fritz came West and took up on a homestead joining my folks. My Aunt Lena married a farmer fisherman from Puget Island near Westport Oregon. They had two boys, Paul and Walter, my cousins. Now both deceased. Granddad Fritz worked himself to the grave clearing his land. He was found dead beside a log, this was about 1896-7.

  Grandma Fritz then came and lived with my folks until she died in 1910. I remember her well. She had twice seen Halleys Comet, in 1909 and 70 some years previous. Have vivid memories of her talking about it My Uncle Claus, dad's brother also came West. Land ownership was not his forte. He became a Jack of all trades and finally migrated to California where some of his offspring still live. One daughter, my cousin Ethyl spent a lot of time at our house in her early years. Worked in Portland and finally married and wound up in southern Idaho, where their offspring still live. The Edwards branch. Have no recollection of information as to what became of my Uncle Albin. Spent his life at sea. Probably returned to Sweden.

  Getting back to the family proper and the fate of each as they struggled thru life: My older brothers helped out clearing the farm, but quarters were becoming cramped so off they went looking for work. Emil was 19 years old when I was born so he was far gone from this farm. Had spent his early boyhood years on the Nehalem working for settlers. He took up the blacksmithing trade in Portland, which developed into a machinist trade. Spent his life in this trade. Married Lily Fredrickson, had one daughter Evelyn-my niece, who now lives at Lake Oswego. Emil political affiliations were socialistic. He was a 100% union man, in work, clothes, food and friends.

  Charley, my next brother was next to leave the home. Like Emil, he spent his early boyhood working for other settlers and was noted for his pranks in the neighborhood. His life work was railroading. Started it at an early age with the Southern Pacific. Ended up as a Lockie Engineer. He saw the charge from steam power to diesel electric. Spent most of his life in Portland. Married four times. Had two boys by his second marriage, William E. and Henry. Billy my nephew is still in Portland working for the Federal Government. He served and retired from the Navy during and after World War II. Charley came home about every summer on his vacation. I have fond memories of our hunting trips particularly after pigeons and ruffled grouse. I think he was the most pleasant character of all my brothers. I never knew much of my brother Arts boyhood life. Emil and Charley and he left home at an early age and took up railroading. Spent his entire working day with the S> P> & S> Company. He was still an engineer between Portland and Seaside when he died of a heart attack at the age of 63. He was a very quiet unassuming man and bothered no one. Married Alah Kelsey from Woodburn. Had one daughter Jane. Se now lives near Troutdale, Has two boys Jim and Steve Gabrielson. On his vacations Art occasionally came home. We spent a lot of happy days hunting and just played around. In 1922 Art bought the home place from the folks. He continued to operate the ranch, but between that and his job on the railroad it wasn't a very successful adventure. He passed away at the ranch in 1950.

  My brother Ed spent his youth on the ranch also and worked at any job available. His younger days were quite hectic as he never liked the live of the country and was at odds with his dad and anything that pertained to farm life. So he left early for Portland. Started out railroading but didn't like that. He got a job as an apprentice tinsmith and worked up in the trade until it grew into a large contracting firm. He and his partners were extremely successful developing a building and manufacturing fir, which his son Robert still manages. He married Prudence Forsythe. They had 2 children, Robert and Joyce. They all reside in Lake Oswego. Ed was an ardent fisherman and sportsman. He loved to hunt and spent many days in his youth hunting in the Nehalem Valley and southern Oregon. We spent a lot of time together hunting and fishing. He was a charter member of the Deschutes Club. I spent my vacations for 5 years fishing on the Deschutes with Ed and his friends and Bob. Ed had a limited Education as far as schools were concerned. Was very shrewd in business and management. He died of a heart attack wile on a fishing trip up the Deschutes.

  This brings us down to my last brother Henry, who had a short life. He was the most ardent hunter and trapper and was all outdoorsman. As the others, he spent his early boyhood on the farm. He wanted to take over on the farm instead of going to live in town. But dad nixed that in the bud. His spare time was spent trapping fur bearing animals and hunting buck. There were no game laws to speak of at this time and earlier so the family larder usually had venison and wild game. I received early instructions in hunting and trapping from my brother. Memories which I deeply cherish and can hopefully pass on to my offspring. As with all my other brothers, Henry also became a railroad man. He had the pleasure of firing a locomotive on which my brother Art was the engineer. A high point in each of their lives. Physically, he was very athletic; also he had a wonderful bass voice, and loved to sing. But something happened in his early 20's. The old heart started giving trouble as well as an ulcer of the stomach. He died at the age of 25 after an operation. Something went out of my life at that time, as he was closer than any of the other brothers. My one and only sis, Anne was also to seek her fortune of the city. Most of her life was spent in Portland, having gone there to high school at an early age of 13. She had an opportunity to become a farmer's wife in the Nehalem Valley, but chose the city life instead. She worked her way while attending high school. Later worked for a doctor then spent dozens of years at the Baby's Boudoir, and Lipmans. Married to Evo Thies in 1928. No children. Evo died in the 30's so she remained a widow the remainder of her life. So at present living in Portland at the ripe age of 82. A very resourceful independent person, who made a success of her life thru shear fortitude and determination. She never hesitated in giving me financial aid both during and after completing my college education. I don't think I ever paid back my financial obligation in full. All I can say is thank you sis.

  This has been a very brief summary of the Hoberg offspring as I can remember. Could write a book on each one but no one would read it. I came along 5 years later than Anne in 1899. Spent my 1st 16 years on the farm. They were enjoyable most of the time. Was alone a lot as the brothers were either gone or going except Henry, was quite low when he left. Worked for all the neighbors in haying and crops. Went on a railroad survey gang at the early age of 15. Previous to that in spare time did a lot of trapping of fur bearing animals. Had in mid to go to college in far distant future so saved every penny earned. But my real ambition at an early stage was to become a locomotive engineer. I worshipped the ground a steam locomotive ran on. Have always gotten a thrill beyond words seeing and listening to a steam locey pull a train. But that ambition was rather short lived.

  In 1916 I went to McMinnville and enrolled in the Academy which was at that time connected with the college. This academy was equivalent to the high schools. Only advantage we had college profs. I finished high school and college in McMinnville in 1924 with a BS in Chemistry. I planned on studying medicine, but took up teaching instead. While in school I went home every summer and helped the folks on the farm. They were getting up in years and needed to get away. In 1922, my brother Art bought the farm and the folks moved to Portland into Art's former home. Sort of a part trade deal. The folks were sort of lost in Portland. Even thou their children were all there but me, they still were lost souls. They raised their own food while on the farm, but in town it ended. Money was scarce and hard to get. Mother died of a heart condition the day before Christmas 1924. Dad died about 3 years later of a heart condition. That ended a life span of approximately 3 score and 10 of a pioneer family who migrated to the new world. Built and created their own dynasty. No one politically or otherwise too prominent, but yet each in turn filled a nitch in life important in its own setting. All worked hard, paid financial and other obligations. In general were stable citizens. This spirit of individuality and resourcefulness Eric and Matilda Hoberg left with their children. We can be proud of our heritage and say well done Dad and Mother. This is a fitting place to end the brief details of the family history. But in as much as a short history was given each member, I assume some info should be given to posterity of my own life which has up to date covered 70 short years.

  Digressing again, my mother was extremely religious belonging to the Baptist faith. Dad had to go along. Being the last of a large family they had a lot of high hopes for me in the religious life. The reason for attending Linfield a Baptist school, primarily for me to be a medical missionary to some foreign land. This I nixed early in life, which no doubt was a disappointment. However the years spent at Linfield were productive and never regretted. The life there is another long chapter. After graduation I received a school in Ione Washington. Never will I forget the leaving of home arrival in a strange town, people, job and lack of know how. One learns more the 1st year of teaching than all four years of college. The years passed all too soon in this secure part of northeastern Washington. The winter was cold, below zero. Plenty of skiing and skating. The people were old fashioned but good as gold. I married one of my students in the spring of 1925. We decided to return to Oregon. Spent the summer between living with my folks and vacationing at Rockaway with another couple from Linfield. Secured a teaching job at Hood River High. Had the Physics and Chemistry Department. Was a good job, didn't pay much $135.00 per month, but it was filled with good experience. Stayed in Hood River two years. The gaseous condition in the dank chem. lab, a basement location, started to get me down. So set out for new climes. Applied for a principal ship at Florence, Oregon and was successful. So, we went to Florence in August 1927. Classes took up in Sept and that was a new experience. The called me prof. The people were different than any other place where we had lived. The climate and environment sort of grew on a person so made ourselves at home. Enjoyed the hunting, fishing, claming. The land was food to a guy. Tragedy befell us in 1928. We lost our 1st born baby girl. Thru a local ranger, I became interested in Forestry. Secured summer employment with the USFS under Rangers Louis Neff and Ed Kerby. This was more my line than teaching. Got my fill of the principal ship in spring of 1929. Applied for a job in Washington in a little town of Custer near Bellingham. That was a mistake. Should have stayed on for a permanent with the Forest Service, but they were difficult to come by at that stage unless one had a degree in Forestry. So after a year in Custer returned to Florence and the USFS. Worked about 6 months out of the year, summer sessions-fire season. Gained a lot of experience but not yet on a permanent status. Our second child, a boy, Gary was born to us December 10, 1933. I was one proud dad. While up on a lookout tower on Cape Fear in the fall of 1937, Earl Hill and John Gregory came up to offer me two jobs. John in behalf of the local school wanted me to come back to take over the principal ship. Earl Hill on the other hand offered me a position in his general merchandise store of Cushman. Was to manage it for them as he was involved in politics. Not a financial bonanza, but the challenge was different. Had spent a winter quarter in forestry at Oregon State University in 1930-31. Ran out of money, so couldn't finish to qualify for a ranger rating before the age deadline of 35. So in all this store job was a new venture. Spent 8 ½ years with Earl and Ala Hill. Gained a lot of good experience. Bought a piece of land, built a home and became native. During this period became involved in local politics. Became a member of the school board for two terms which was a brainstorm. In the fall of 1944 by the urging of a former friend and school dad-Lee Weber who asked me to come back and teach in the high school. Spent a year of misery with him, then called it quits in that line and went back to the Forest Service as a permanent employee. Worked out to the Mapleton District as fire control officer until 1948. Then transferred to the Hebo Ranger station. This was a grave mistake as working conditions under Ranger Roff Anderson was an intolerable situation. Meanwhile went through the misery of a divorce. Remarried to Eva Hines. To this union one son Richard was born December 27,1949 in McMinnville Oregon. Another proud dad. Due to adverse working conditions, looked for another job. Contacted Del Zrewer in Florence as a service station employee. We moved back to Florence in October 1950. Had eight good years with Del and Gwen at the station and learned a workable knowledge of the service station business. We went on our own for Standard Oil at 22 Street until 1962 when we lock, stock and barrel to our son Gary. Went on social security at age 62 and helped out a few years part time, until the cement floors got too hard. Meanwhile we built a new home on Cape Road where we still reside in peace and to security - yet- of nature, flowers, garden and the laws of the world. One wonders as to the future, with all the misery and intrigue in the world. Our past peaceful world is rapidly being encroached upon. We are still trying to hang on to the world at our age. Meanwhile we can be thankful for health and happiness.