JOSEPH EVALD GUSTAFSON

Joseph Evald Gustafson gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. November 27, 1886 in Västergötland, Sweden
D. June 11, 1959 in Libertyville, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Pehr Johan “Peter Gustafson” Gerlofsson
  • Mother: Charlotta “Charlotte” (Gard) Gerlofsson
  • Wife: Rachel A. (Ashjelsen/Askildson) Gustafson born December 2, 1884 in Norway; married Joseph Evald Gustafson on August 30, 1913 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; last residence in Park Ridge, Cook County, IL; Rachel died June 1977 (NOTE: Rachel has a gravestone with her husband, Joseph, in the Fort Hill Cemetery.  Since there is no year of death is engraved, no evidence has been discovered if she is buried next to her husband.)
  • Children:
    1. Russell Joseph Gustafson born February 13, 1915 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Ethel Holmberg on September 27, 1940 in Cook County, IL; Russell died October 24, 1980 in Cook County, IL; buried in Town of Maine Cemetery, Park Ridge, Cook County, IL

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Russell Joseph Gustafson; Address: 3400 No Springfield, ave.,  Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Telephone: 0056 Independence; Age in Years: 25; Date of Birth: 2-13-1915; Place of Birth: Chicago, Ill, USA; Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Rachel A. Gustafson; Relationship of That Person: Mother; Address Of That Person: 3400 No. Springfield ave., Chicago, Cook County, Ill.; Employer’s Name: Employers Mutual; Place of Employment: 502 3rd St., Wausau, Wisc.; Race: White: Height: 6′ 2″; Weight: 215; Eyes: Haze;’ Hair: Blond; Complexion: Light; Signed: Oct. 16 – 1940”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Saturday, October 25, 1980, page 22:

GUSTAFSON Russell J. Gustafson of Park Ridge, beloved husband of Ruth; loving father of Barbara Anne (Skip) Gundrum and Gail Ann (Fred) Schomburg; grandfather of Fritz, Rusty, Jacquelyn and Maggie; brother of June Petersen.  Funeral Monday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m., at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 625 Busse Hwy., Park Ridge.  Interment Town of Maine.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Neediest Kids Christmas Fund, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, Ill., 60618.  Visitation 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.  Sunday. 698-3368.”

          2. June (Gustafson) Peterson born about 1927 in Illinois

Additional Information:

According to the Sweden, Indexed Birth Records, 1859-1946:

“Joseph Evald (Joseph Evlad Gerlofsson) (Joseph Evald Pehrsson) (Joseph Evald Persson), born November 27, 1886 in Mofalla, Skaraborg (Väster Götland), Sverige (Sweden), father: Pehr Johan Gerlofsson, mother: Charlotta Gard, page number 0/1, volume: 871.”

According to the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918:

“Name in full: Joseph Eveld Gustafson; Age in yrs.: 30; Home address: 3151 Irving Park, Chicago, Ill.; Date of birth: November 27, 1886; Are you (1) a natural born citizen, (2) a naturalized citizen, (3) an alien, (4) or have you declared your intention?: Alien; Where were you born: Fideholm, Sweden; If not a citizen, of what country are you a citizen or subject?: Sweden; What is your present occupation: Piano repairer; By whom employed?: Self; Where employed?: 315 Irving Park; Have you a father, wife, child under 12, or a sister or brother under 12, solely dependent on your for support?: Wife, one child: Married or single?: Married: Race; Caucasian; What military service have you had?: none; Tall, medium or short: Tall; Slender, medium, or stout: Medium; Color of  eyes? Gray; Color of hair? Brown; Bald?: no; Signed: June 5, 1917”

According to the Illinois, Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991:

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
District Court of the United States, Northern District of Illinois

I Joseph Evald Gustafson, aged 31 years, occupation piano repairing, do declare on oath that my personal description is: Color white, complexion fair, height 6 feet 2 inches, weight 180 pounds, color of hair blond, color of eyes blue, other visible distinctive marks none.  I was born in Alleby, Sweden on the 27 day of November, anno Domini 1886.  I now reside at 3151 Irving Park Blvd, Chicago, Illinois.  I emigrated to the United States of America from Gottenburg, Sweden on the vessel Caronia; my last foreign residence was Sweden; I am married; the name of my wife is Rachell; she was born at Norway and now resides at Chicago, Illinois.  It is my bona fide intention to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, for sovereignty, and particularly to (blank), of whom I am now a subject:  I arrived at the port of New York, in the State of New York, on or about the 25 day of October, anno Domini 1905; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein; SO HELP ME GOD.

Signed April 22, 1918”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL residing at 3151 Irving Park Blvd., the household members were:

“Joseph E. Gustafson, head, age 33, married, immigrated in 1905, naturalized in 1919, born in Sweden, parents born in Sweden, occupation: piano tuner; Rachel Gustafson, wife, age 31, married, immigrated in 1894, naturalized in 1919, born in Norway, parents born in Norway; Russell Gustafson, son, age 4, single, born in United States”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL residing at 2943 Linder Ave., the household members were:

“Joseph Gustafson, head, age 44, married at age 26, born in Sweden, parents born in Sweden, occupation: salesman – shoes; Racheal (sic) Gustafson, wife, age 45, married at age 27, born in Norway, parents born in Norway; Russell Gustafson, son, age 15, single, born in Illinois; June Gustafson, daughter, age 3 4/12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 3401 Springfield, the household members were:

“Joseph Gustafson, head, age 53, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Sweden, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: finisher – retail insurance; Rachal (sic) Gustafson, wife, age 55, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Norway, lived in same place in 1935; Russell Gustafson, son, age 25, single, highest grade completed: H-4, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: salesman – fire insurance; June Gustafson, niece, age 12, single, highest grade completed: 7, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942:

“Name: Joseph E. Gustafson; Place of Residence: Wooster Lake, Ingleside P.O., IL; Mailing Address: same; Telephone: (blank); Age in Years: 55; Date of Birth: Nov. 27, 1886; Place of Birth: Vestergotland, Sweden; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: wife, Rachel Gustagson, same address: Employer’s Name and Address: Sorken, Inc; Place of Employment: 50 E. Oak, St., Chicago, IL; Race: White; Height: 6’ 1 ½”; Weight: 175; Eyes: Gray; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light; Signed: April 27 – 1942”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Sunday, June 14, 1959, page 86:

GUSTAFSON – Joseph E. Gustafson, age 72, of Wooster Lake, Ill., beloved husband of Rachel; fond father of Russel J. and Mrs. June Peterson; grandfather of five.  At Strang funeral chapel, Grayslake, Ill., for services Monday at 2 p.m.  Interment Fort Hill cemetery, Round Lake, Ill.  Inf., BA 3-8521.”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: GUSTAFSON; Name: Joseph E.; Birth Date/Place: 27 Nov 1886, SWE; Death Date/Place: 11 Jun 1959, Libertyville; Cause of Death: Uremia; Occupation: Wood Finisher; Minister – Funeral Home: Rev. LIDDICOAT, Chapel; Burial Place – Next of Kin: Fort Hill, Peter GUSTAFSON (SWE)-Father, Charlotte-Mother”