There have been many pioneer families who chose to make Carver County their home. Perhaps one of the more well-known families in the Watertown area, the first settlers at Swede Lake, was the Justus family.
Daniel Justus was born in Gavle, Gavleborg, Sweden on April 2, 1816. Raised in farming, it would be his lifelong trade. Daniel Justus married Anna Olofsdotter, from a nearby county, on January 6, 1837. While still living in Sweden, the couple would have 3 children: Daniel Lars (Delos), Pehr Olaf (Peter), and Anna Danielsdotter. Having little opportunity to own their own land, the couple made the decision to try life in America.
The family made the 14-week trip in spring of 1850, arriving in Quebec, Montreal, Canada. At one point, their ship was trapped in ice of the coast for a number of days. After a brief stay in Canada, the family journeyed south, first to New York state and then to Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania. The family settled in Pennsylvania for 6 years, with three more children joining the family: Daniel Ferdinand (Ferdinand), Rosella, and James Christopher. As the family struggled to save money to someday buy land, while feeding their growing family, tough decisions had to be made.
Delos, the oldest son, found work to aid the family. The couple also made the decision to foster or adopt out Anna, who was 3 years old at this time. She was adopted by Dr. Charles Langdon and his wife as one of the family, later moving with them to Ohio. By 1856, the Justus’ had saved enough money, and made the decision to head west. They did not want to leave Anna behind, so she was picked up from the Langdon’s, who had given her a different name. Anna had no memory of the Justus’, had to relearn to answer to Anna, and no longer spoke Swedish. Her family spoke no English and her brother, Delos, helped her learn to speak with her family again.
The Justus family journeyed to Minnesota in spring of 1856. The journey was hard on mother Anna and newborn James Christopher, who would be ill for some time. The baby died the following spring. The family settled in Watertown Township, Carver County. They were the first settlers in that township- Watertown was not founded until summer of that year.
Many other Swedish immigrants followed, settling in the same area. The settlement and its nearby lake eventually became known as Swede Lake. Most new settlers passed through the Justus home, a stopping and welcoming point for them. The Justus’ were instrumental in the building and settlement of this area. Part of this involved the founding of the Gotaholm Lutheran Church, the first services of which were held in the Justus home. Sons Delos and Peter did their part for their new home with service during the Civil War.
Daniel and Anna Justus moved to Becker County in 1874. Anna died there on August 29, 1877. Daniel remarried, having to more kids with his new wife- James and Leonard. Daniel Justus died in Detroit Lakes, Becker County, on October 15, 1885. His legacy lives on in the many descendents who still live in the Carver County area, some even living in Daniel and Anna’s frame house near Swede Lake.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Centennial Book Committee. MayerCenntennial, 1886-1986. Mayer, MN: 1986.
Johnson, Charlotte Mary Speikers Christensen. The History of the Watertown, Minnesota Area 1856 to 2006: 150 Years of Community Life. Watertown, MN: 2006.
“Just Us: The First Swedish Settlers to Watertown Township, the Daniel Justus Family.” Exhibit. Carver County Historical Society.
Tremblay, Ruth and Lois Schulstad. Images of America: Carver County. Arcadia Publishing: Charleston, South Carolina, 2011.
