Donald Ray SODERBLOM

Donald married Susan OYLER [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Donald Ray SODERBLOM
2. Amy Renee SODERBLOM

Donald married Kathleen Mary CARLSON [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Reginald married Lillie Ruth JOHNSON. Lillie was born on 1 Mar 1922; died on 21 Dec 2009 in Sanford, FL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]