Post-construction Members

John Carlgren

Information being written.

Peter and Maria Nelson

(See John Larson in the cemetery section for a brief biography on the Nelson family)

Peter and Ermelia Paulson

The surname Paulson was in the Cordelia records and in the 1900 Census records the name was Paulsen, but the family used the name Pauls. It may have been Paulsson or Palsson in Sweden since the names Paulson, Paulsen and Pauls do not appear in Västra Karup, Sweden records, but Paulsson and Palsson families still live there. Peter was born to Nels and Trnen (Nelson) Pauls on August 7, 1848 in Västra Karup, Sweden in northwestern Skåne county which is located in the southern part of the country. He received a basic education and, at age 15, was hired as a seaman. The historic records indicated he traveled the world for 6 to 14 years before landing in San Francisco where he became a United States citizen.

The immigration year was recorded by Cordelia and family records as 1869, but he does not appear in the 1870 Census. His obituary and History of North Idaho (page 706) recorded it as 1877, the 1900 Census indicated 1875, the 1910 Census indicated 1870, and the 1930 census indicated 1871. After a brief stay in San Francisco, he took a ship to Portland, Oregon and a river steamer up the Columbia River to “The Dalles.” Reverend Peter Carlson, who made a similar trip, reported the next leg of the journey was a 30 mile stage ride to Dayton, Washington, then a 15 hour wagon ride to Lewiston, Idaho. It took an additional day's ride on a rented horse to reach Genesee.

In 1878, Peter Pauls filed to homestead 160 Acres in Section 32 of Township 38 N and Range 4 W, and received title to the land on February 10, 1883. The land was 6 miles southeast of Cordelia. There were 14 homesteaders from the Genesee area applying for land on the same day (perhaps shipmates with Peter).

He married Emmilie Ohlson on April 4, 1886 (1900 census and Ancestry records), and the family indicated it was at Cordelia. Emmilie also used names Ermelia, Emily and Emely in the historic record which also recorded her family name as Olson and Nelson. Emily was likely working at the Nelson farm located just to the north of Peter's homestead, but no documentation was found supporting this. The 1900 Census indicated Peter Nelson, listed as her father and a citizen of Sweden, lived with them. Emily was born September 28, 1863 to Ole Peter and Johanna Ohlson in Sweden but the town was not recorded. She and her father immigrated to the United States in 1884, although the 1900 and 1910 Census indicated 1886 and the 1930 Census indicated 1880.

Arthur Leonard Pauls was born on December 4, 1886 (1900 Census) in Latah County, Idaho and baptized on June 26, 1887 at Cordelia, which recorded his birth as April 14, 1886. Jarl Tafid was born on April 3, 1888 and baptized on May 5, 1889 at Cordelia with both the Cordelia records and 1900 Census in agreement.

In 1889, Peter homesteaded an additional 40 acres next to the first homestead. In 1891, he purchased 160 acres of land adjacent to his first homestead. He received the title for the 1889 homestead land on June 29, 1894. Ervin Bror Pauls was born February 1, 1891. The date of baptism was not recorded but records indicated he was baptized at Cordelia. Edward Ferdinan Pauls was born on September 21, 1892 and baptized on October 9, 1892 at Cordelia. Albert H. Pauls was born on April 12, 1894 and Rudolph Clarence on July 31, 1897 in Genesee, Idaho. Not members of Cordelia at that time, records suggested the family started to attend the Methodist church.

The 1900 census indicated their sons were Otto (Arthur) L. age 14; Gerald B. (Jarl T.) age 12; Ernest B. age 9; Edward F. age 8; Albert J. age 6; Rudolph C. age 3 and Emil V. age 1. The records showed they had 2 children that did not survive. Peter Nelson (Emily's father), age 71, was living with them. Fritz Oscar (Fred) Pauls was born on February 17, 1902 in Genesee, Idaho.

In 1903, at age 17, Arthur started to attend the Normal School in Lewiston, Idaho. Lewiston State Normal School was established by Idaho in 1893 and land was donated. The State of Idaho failed to allocate funds for buildings. On January 6, 1896, giving up on State of Idaho funds for a building, the trustees leased space downtown to hold the first classes. The Normal School, which focused on practical, hands-on training for teachers, ran an on-campus training school where real teachers taught real pupils and student teachers learned by-doing under the supervision of experienced teacher critics. The Normal School became Lewis-Clark Normal School in 1966 and Lewis-Clark State College in 1971.

In 1904, Peter (age 56) moved the family to Lewiston, Idaho. It appeared to be a winter home and base for social and educational needs of his growing family. Many earlier settlers had both town and country homes. He continued to farm the land near Genesee. Ester (Esther) J. was born March 11, 1905 in Genesee, Idaho. Most of the family moved to Gooding, Idaho to farm in 1911.

Jarl started to attend the University of Idaho in 1907-1908. In 1911, Jarl helped Clinton Bessee with his dissertation work at the University of Idaho titled, “Strength and physical properties of Idaho Western Yellow Pine.” Jarl graduated in 1913 with a degree in civil engineering, then worked one year constructing the interurban railway on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In 1913, Jarl started to work as a staff scientist in road construction and maintenance for the United States Bureau of Public Roads. His research focus was to demonstrate the art of building low-cost, all weather roads. He served as a Sargent in the United States Army during World War I (1917-1918). After the war, he married Marguerite L. Weaver on April 23, 1918 in the District of Columbia. She was born in 1893 in Pennsylvania.

He returned to work as a scientist for the United States Bureau of Public Roads. The focus of his projects was long-term maintenance of asphalt surfaces. Daughter Nodian was born in 1923, and daughter Joan in 1924. In his 44 years of service he published several research journal articles and co-authored books on road asphalt repair and properties of aging asphalt surfaces. He retired in 1957. Jarl died October 14, 1959 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Further information about his wife and children was not found.

Arthur married Anna Rhodes in Caldwell, Idaho on February 16, 1916. Anna was born in Colorado on January 23, 1879 to Robert H. and Rachel Ann (Hatfield) Rhodes. Arthur worked for the J.A. Jones Construction Company. Projects caused the family to move frequently. Census records showed he lived in Montgomery, Ohio in 1920; Haywood, North Carolina in 1930; Dallas, Texas in 1935; and Knoxville, Tennessee in 1940. In 1948, he published the paper, “Cleaning and Grouting of Limestone Foundations, Tennessee Valley Authority: A Symposium: Fort Loudoun Dam in the Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers,” Vol. 113, No. 1, January 1948, pp. 79-101.

The J.A. Jones Construction Company was a heavy construction company founded by James Addison Jones in 1890. The company headquarters was in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1930, they built the Military Airbase in the Canal Zone in Panama. The company built 212 cargo ships and tankers and many Liberty ships in support of World War II. They also built Camp Shelby in Mississippi and constructed K-25 and K-27 production plants for the manufacture of Uranium-235 used in the atomic bomb. It operated internationally from 1950 until they merged with Phlipp Holzmann AG in 1979. In 2003 the company ceased operations due to the failure of the parent company. In bankruptcy, the five subsidiaries of J.A. Jones Company sold for over $150 million.

Arthur's wife, Anna, died April 16 1955 at age 76 and was buried in Pasadena, California at Mt. Verner Cemetery. Arthur died July 3, 1962 at age 75 in Charotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina at Selwyn Hotel. His obituary indicated his marital status widowed and occupation as Vice President of J.A. Jones Construction. He was buried at Mt. Verner Cemetery next to Anna.

Clarence married Grace Leeper on November 29, 1917 in Gooding, Idaho. Grace was born in Oklahoma in 1899. They had one son, Gayland Clarence Pauls, born on June 20, 1919 in Gooding, Idaho. Clarence worked as a sheep and cattle man in Gooding and Camas Counties. Gayland married Patricia J. Tester on June 16, 1953 and they had a son (Clarence “Skip”) and two daughters (Penny and Joani). Grace died on June 27, 1967. Clarence died in 1978 and was buried at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, Idaho. Gayland died August 28, 1975 and Patricia lived until July 11, 1999. Both are buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, Idaho. Fritz (Fred) married Helen Hall on October 1, 1919 in Gooding, Idaho. Helen was born in 1902 to Rhoda and John (Jack) Hall in Michigan. The 1920 census recorded they were living in Gooding, Idaho. Daughter Lorna R. Pauls was born in 1920 in Idaho. The 1930 Census indicated Fritz as head of household and they had moved to Detroit, Michigan. The 1930 Census also recorded Helen's parents were living with them. John Hall died on September 29, 1940 and Rhoda died after 1940, but the death date was not found. Daughter Lorna died in 1978 and wife Helen died in 1990. Fritz died on February 8, 1992 in Colfax, Michigan. All are buried at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Vanderbilt, Michigan.

The 1920 Census listed Peter as head of household and married to Emily. Sons Edward age 27, Albert age 25, and Emil age 20, and a daughter Estel (Ester or Esther) age 14 were living with him. The census indicated all the children were born in Idaho. Daughter Esther married Jack Heitzmann sometime after 1937, location and date not found. He was born on September 22, 1902. Census records for 1930 showed he was living in Passaic, New Jersey and not married. Records showed Jack served in the Navy, but further information was not found. Jack died on January 5, 1993 and Esther died on August 1, 1997. Both are buried in Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga, California.

Son Emil married Myrl Smith on August 14, 1935 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Myrl was born to Winifred Motter on December 15, 1896 in Genesee and spent her early childhood on the Nez Perce Prairie. The 1900 Census indicated her stepfather was William Johnston and had been married to Winifred for two years. In 1908, her family moved to Jerome, Idaho. Myrl had married Robert H. Smith on November 1915 in Shoshone, Idaho. They had two children, Robert J. born in 1917 and Winifred Juanita born in 1919. The marriage did not last and she moved to Gooding in 1927 where she worked at the Gooding hotel.

Emil and Myrl had one son, Ronald, born in 1940. Emil applied for a series of homestead properties in 1947 totaling 747.53 acres. The ranch land was located four miles south of Gooding, Idaho. He received title to the land on November 28, 1952. He homesteaded an additional 200 acres located four miles west of Gooding in 1958, and received title to the land on August 27, 1963. Myrl Mae died in her sleep on January 27, 1977. At the time of her death she was survived by her husband, son Ronald Pauls, and two children from the prior marriage. Her obituary indicated she had 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Emil Victor died on March 22, 1988. Both Myrl and Emil are buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, Idaho.

Myrl's son Robert died in 1984, and daughter Winifred died in 1990. Ronald was still living in Gooding, Idaho in 2015. Peter died on March 28, 1937 in Gooding, Idaho and was buried there. The death certificate indicated he was a retired farmer. His obituary indicated he was survived by his wife, one daughter, and seven sons: Miss Ester Pauls of San Francisco, Edwin, Clarence, Emil and Edward, all of Gooding, Authur of Pickwick, Tennessee, Jarl of Washington, D.C. and Fritz of Detroit, Michigan. Emily died on December 11, 1952 in San Mateo, California.

John and Joanna Rokke

(See Rokke Plot in the cemetery section for a brief biography on the Rokke family)

Nils and Johanna Pehrson

(See Albin Pehrson in the cemetery section for a brief biography on the Pehrson family.)

Anders and Maria Ruberg

Anders Ruberg was born on August 24, 1835 in Long, Sweden. His death certificate indicated his parents were Carl and Mary Anderson. However, Cordelia records listed their last name as Carlson Ruberg, while other historic documents listed it as only Ruberg. Later in the family history the name Ruhberg sometimes appeared. His wife, Maria (Mary) Kalsdotter, was born on February 17, 1838 in Ryda, Sweden. Long and Ryda are located in south central Sweden four miles apart. Both were small farming communities which consisted of a few homes and outbuildings clustered around a water source. Cordelia records showed their daughter, Anna Mathilda, was born on December 22, 1868 in Ryda, Sweden. Census records of 1875 indicated there were more children born in Sweden: Charles in 1859, Gustof in 1861, and Johanna in 1864.

The family moved to Sveadahl, Minnesota in 1871. The farming community was located northwest of the town of St. James in Watonwan County in south central Minnesota. Andres homesteaded 80 acres in section 28 of township 107 N and Range 32 W. The homestead was located 1.5 miles southwest of East Sveadahl Lutheran Church where the family attended church.

East Sveadahl Lutheran Church was organized in 1870 and a year later the Northwestern Railroad Company donated 10 acres for a church building. The congregation purchased an additional 30 acres from the railroad. Having second thoughts, the congregation voted to build the church near the community of Sveadahl, 2 miles to the west of the purchased land, but the ensuing division caused the church to split and two congregations and buildings were constructed 2 miles apart. The East Sveadahl building was constructed in 1872. In 1879, a strong wind associated with a tornado blew down both wooden structures. The congregations tried to reunite after the loss of both church buildings but theology and bad blood from the first split prevented reconciliation. East Sveadahl constructed a brick structure in 1883. A 1,208 pound bell and tower were added in 1889. The congregation rapidly outgrew the brick structure. In 1910, a new church was constructed and is currently used for worship.

While farming in East Sveadahl, Ruberg had sons Solomon (Samuel or Sam) born on April 3, 1872, Otto on January 25, 1874 and Adolf on February 17, 1876. Ruberg received title to the land on May 15, 1876. He continued to farm the land although winter blizzards and summer grasshoppers made life miserable. Edward was born on March 18, 1878 and Arndt on May 29, 1880. The 80-acre farm was too small for a growing family.

After 13 years struggling to live in Minnesota, Ruberg sold his land and moved to Lenville, Idaho in the fall of 1884. He applied to homestead 80 acres in Section 12 of Township 38 N Range 5 W, and his son Charles applied for 40 acres in the same section on the same day. Gustav also applied to homestead 40 acres in Section 6 of Township 38 N Range 4 W. The land boundaries were situated so the homesteads were adjacent, and the size of the properties indicated they were forest with trees large enough to harvest.

Johanna married Nils Pehrson in 1885 at the Pehrson homestead. Anna and Solomon were confirmed at Cordelia on June 20, 1886 by Reverend Peter Carlson. On March 12, 1890, Anna married Andres (Andrew) Gustaf Anderson in Moscow, Idaho. The officiant was Reverend Peter Carlson and the witnesses were her parents, Gustaf Emil Anderson and Milo Sophia Anderson. Anna was 21 and Andres was 28. Cordelia records showed Anna officially transferred membership to Zion Lutheran Church in Moscow, Idaho on June 24, 1890, but they are not in Zion's records.

The 1900 Census indicated they were living in Clinton, Washington, a settlement southwest of Pullman. Andrew was listed as farming. It also indicated they had four daughters, Hannah (age 9), Ina (age 8), Ella (age 3) and Edith (age 1), and a son, Gustave (age 6). The 1910 census indicated they were still living near Clinton, with daughters Francis (age 8) and Ruby (age 3), and son Arnold (age 5) added to the family. Andrew died in Spokane, Washington on January 6, 1922. Anna, age 75, died in Seattle, Washington on October 16, 1953. Both are buried in block 4 of Moscow, Idaho's Cemetery.

Mother Maria Ruberg died on January 27, 1891 at age 53. The cause of death and burial site were not recorded. Cordelia records suggested she was buried at Cordelia, but the grave was not marked. There is an unmarked cement slab next to her husband's grave at Burnt Ridge, and sufficiently aged that it could mark Maria's grave.

Gustof married Klara (Clara) Jonsdotter or Jonson on March 10, 1892. Klara was from Troy, Idaho (called Volmer at the time the marriage license was filled out). The officiant was Reverend Peter Carlson with Stina (Christina), the pastor's wife, with Anna Edwin, the pastor's daughter, witnessing. At the time of the marriage Gustof was 31 and Klara was 24. Gustof died May 17, 1917 at age 55 and was buried in Burnt Ridge Cemetery, Troy, Idaho. His death notice indicated he was married and a farmer. The 1920 census indicated sons Herman (age 27), Victor (age 23), Hugo (age 20), and Richard (age 16), and daughter Selma (age 20) were living on the farmstead and helped Clara run the farm.

Victor married Edith M. Johnson in Moscow, Idaho on February 17, 1923 and Hugo married Ruby M. Bergloff on March 30, 1927 in Coeur d' Alene. The 1930 census indicated Herman was the only one living with Clara. Clara died in 1942 and was buried next to Gustof.

Andres applied for 35 acres of additional homestead land at Township 40 N and Range 3 W Section 30 located less than a mile north of Troy, Idaho in 1898. He married Lena Lunset on January 18, 1900. He received title to the land on October 1, 1903.

Solomon applied to homestead 160 acres of land in Jefferson County, Oregon in 1902 and received title to the land on June 5, 1907. He applied for an additional 160 acres near Prineville in Crook County, Oregon in 1909 and received the title on September 2, 1914. The 1920 Census indicated he was still living in Prineville, was single, and living with his nephew Martin and his wife Marian. He died in 1925 and was buried at Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville. His headstone reads Samuel Ruhberg, and other documents indicated he was called Sam, but all legal documents were as Solomon Ruberg.

Charles applied for 35 acres of additional homestead land at Township 38 N and Range 4 W Section 33 located a mile northeast of Genesee, Idaho. Charles, 33, married Lina Knutson, 18, on April 28, 1892 at Cordelia. Reverend Peter Carlson was the officiant and Peter's wife and daughter were witnesses. Martin I. Ruhberg was born in 1892. Charles received title to the land on September 9, 1892. The reconstructed 1890 census suggested he sold the land in 1894. In 1912 Charles homesteaded 320 acres near Solomon in Crook County, and applied for an additional 80 acres in 1916 before receiving title to the first property on December 3, 1917. He received title to the second property on April 21, 1921. Two years later he applied to homestead an additional 80 acres and title was granted on July 27, 1928. Charles died on December 11, 1944 in Prineville, Oregon and was buried next to his brother, Solomon. His headstone had Ruhberg but the obituary had Ruberg. At the time of his death, brothers Edward and Arnold were living in Clarkston, Washington, brother Arndt and sister Joann Pearson were in Portland, and sister Annie Anderson in Moscow, Idaho. His wife, Lina, was not mentioned.

In 1900, Arndt, their youngest son, was working as a farmer on his land near Thorn Creek. Arndt appeared to have followed Solomon to central Oregon. He homesteaded 160 acres in 1903 in Crook County and received title to the land on July 6, 1908. In 1940, Arndt was working in Portland, Oregon and was still there in 1944. Further information was not found.

Edward applied to homestead 160 acres in Township 39 N Range 1 W Section 13 located 1.5 miles southeast of Deary, Idaho. He received title to the land on June 10, 1909. Edward married Mary French in Latah County on September 25, 1911. Both were living in Kendrick, Idaho at the time of the marriage, but by 1916 had moved to Clarkston, Washington. Edward died in 1961 and Mary died in 1967. Both are buried in the old section Block 8 in Moscow Cemetery.

Ottoe (Otto) was listed as an inmate at the State Hospital in Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho in 1900. The 1910 Census indicated he was moved to the Northern Idaho Sanitarium in Orofino, Idaho and resided there until his death at age 50 on September 3, 1924. The official cause of death was arteriole sclerosis with insanity as a contributory factor. His occupation was listed on his death certificate as a farm worker from Lenville, Idaho and he was not married. He was buried at the Northern Idaho Sanitarium Cemetery.

Sadly, Andres' marriage to Lena did not last, and on April 27, 1910, he married Caroline Ruberg. The marriage license indicated both were divorced. On December 3, 1912 Anders died at age 77. He was buried in the Burnt Ridge Cemetery. The 1920 Census indicated Caroline was still living in Latah County, but no further information was found.