Courtney Uranus SODERBLOM

Family/Spouse: Mary HILL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Courtney Steve SODERBLOM

Notes:

Karl ran away from home at a very young age, when Finland was under the Russian Rule. He then stowed away on a ship bound for North America. It is unknown where his first home was after coming to America. He served in the Merchant Marines and later the U. S. Navy.

He served in the U. S. Navy aboard the following ships (Columbia, Puritan, Newark, Franklin, MacDonough, Hancock, Lancaster and Monaghan). He farmed in Camden, Missouri before moving to Florida to work for the power company. He was a 32nd degree member of the Masonic Temple and Shrine Club, and was a
member of the American Legion. He naturalized on 29 Sep 1911.

While in the service he served as a PETTY OFFICER and transferred from active duty on June 10, l9l8 to Fleet Naval Reserve with rate of CHIEF WATER TENDER.

On September 29, l9ll Karl Gustaf Soderblom became a citizen of the United States while serving on the USS LANSEN in Norfolk, Virginia.

He met JESSIE IRENE PRIESTER in Fairfax, SC while stationed on the Monaghan at Charleston SC, and they were married December 22, 1915. Carl Almers Soderblom,Jr. was born in South Carolina. When he retired from the Navy they moved to Camden, Mo., where he farmed. While there Reginald Everett Lionel Soderblom and Courtney Uranus Soderblom were born. They moved to Sanford in the l920's., where he got a job with the Florida Power and Light Company, retiring on July 30, l947. Sadie Irene Soderblom and infant son were born in Sanford. Karl Gustaf Soderblom died January l5, l96l, and was buried on the 22nd (his birthday).

Karl was never able to contact his Finnish family in later years. He tried several times. Either they were killed, or they left Finland. He was extremely proud to be an American, and he flew his flag every day. In fact, he made a special flag pole on which to fly it. The flagpole that we have at the end of our driveway in Summerfield is from his original flagpole in Sanford. He was active in the American Legion, and was also a Member of the Masonic Temple and the Shrine Club holding the office of the 32nd Degree. He was a very quiet person who always ready to help someone in need. One of the local schools in Sanford adopted a pen pal in Finland, and Dad translated the letters for them.
He could speak and write fluently Russian, German and Finnish as well as Swedish.

He never purchased anything unless he could pay cash for it. He was very strong in his Lutheran beliefs, and was very active in the church until his later years. He never talked very much about his family or home life. I guess there were too many heartaches involved.

Information from letters written by his daughter Sadie.

Karl married Jessie Irene PRIESTER on 22 Dec 1915. Jessie (daughter of Fred Lucious PRIESTER and Laura Permelia BLACK) was born on 12 Sep 1894 in Fairfax, South Carolina; died on 29 Apr 1969; was buried in Evergreen Cemetary, Sanford, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gustaf married Maria Hennika SUNDSTROM. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Fred married Laura Permelia BLACK on 12 Apr 1891 in Harmony Baptist Church, SC. Laura (daughter of James Robert BLACK and Laura Ann ALLEN) was born in 1874; died in 1962; was buried in Evergreen Municipal Cemetary, Sanford, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary M. TUTEN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

JAMES ROBERT BLACK married a girl of Allendale,S.C. Her name, Laura Ann Allen. Laura Ann's mother was left a widow at an early age, with three small children; Laura Ann Allen Mary E. and Willie Allen The mother and the girls were all very good seamstresses and sewed, by hand, to make a living for themselves. Their finished work was very beautiful.

James Robert Black and his brother, William Washington Black married two sisters from Allendale and settled near Allendale.

William Allen and Mary Ann Zaporta were the parents of Laura Ann and Mary Elizabeth Allen. They made their home near Allendale where James Robert became a blacksmith and harness maker with Willie Allen.

Laura Ann's mother was left a widow at an early age with her three young children, Laura Ann, Mary Elizabeth, and Willie. The mother and daughters were good seamstresses sewing by hand to make a living. Their finished work was most beautiful. Willie Allen was a harness maker with James Robert Black.

James married Laura Ann ALLEN in 1860. Laura (daughter of William ALLEN and Mary Ann ZAPORTA) was born in 1842; died on 7 Nov 1879. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]