Jonas Oscar Backlund papers, 1893-1951

Collection

Identifier: MSS-Bio-8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Backlund papers span two boxes of two cubic feet, dating between 1893 and 1951.

The General folder holds various documents, such as admission to the Swedish Theological Seminary of the University of Chicago in 1897, his ordination at Red Wing, Minnesota in 1900, a magazine photo of the graduating class from Morgan Park in 1902, a wedding invitation from 1906, and an application to serve as an Army chaplain in 1918.

The Correspondence series contains letters dating between 1908 and 1941, many of which deal with the business of the Conference Press. Several letters from the early 1920s deal with Robert Fetler and the Russian Baptists in Vladivostok prior to the Soviet takeover, further described in the August Lindstedt papers.

The Writings folder holds various articles and other writings by Backlund, including a autobiographical account, a translated "The Gospel of the Printed Word", "Childhood Dreams and Youthful Visions", "To America", and "From Jubilee to Jubilee."

An original diary from 1893 and a copied version are in Swedish, as is the 1898 diary.

A notebook contains Swedish handwritten notes, some of which are crossed out. It is undated.

Backlund's Doctor of Divinity diploma from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary dates to 1938.

A Testimonial certificate of appreciation from the Baptist General Conference of America was presented to Backlund at the BGC 70th Annual Meeting at Omaha on 1949.

Two scrapbooks are included in the collection. One was presented to J.O. Backlund at his retirement from editing the Standard as a token of appreciation from the Baptist General Conference on January 26, 1946. It holds letters of thanks from various members of the Baptist General Conference. The second scrapbook dates between 1950 and 1951 and is in Swedish. It is from his trip to Sweden when he was honored with the Order of Vasa by the king.

Dates

1893 - 1951

Creator

Backlund, Jonas Oscar, 1875-1955 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for researcher use.

Biographical note

Jonas Oscar Backlund was born in 1875 in Sörbygden, Jämtland, Sweden. After immigrating to America, he attended North Isanti Baptist Church, Minnesota. Backlund married Clara Marie Hyberg in 1906, and had two children, Elliot and Linnea. He graduated from Morgan Park Seminary in Chicago in 1902, received his Bachelor of Divinity from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1921, and Doctor of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1938. Backlund taught at Bethel Academy in St. Paul from 1905 to 1906, and pastored at churches in Strandburg, South Dakota, Boston, Massachusetts, and Stromsburg, Nebraska.

Previously editing the independent Swedish Baptist publication Baneret, he began his work with the Svenska Standaret in 1918, as well as working as business manager of the Conference Press. He became editor-in-chief of the Standaret, later the Standard, from 1931 to 1945. Additionally, he worked with various departments of the Baptist General Conference, such as with Missions. Other publications Backlund edited include Baptist Evangel, Midvinter Boken, Ebenezer, Advance, The Little Hymnal, Jubileumsboken, and Swedish Element in America.

Backlund authored Swedish Baptists in America, A Pioneer Trio, Our Questioning Age, and A Century of Swedish American Press. He translated From Jaws of Death, Full Surrender to God, Fundamentals of Faith, and Memoirs of Gustaf Unonius.

Backlund died in 1955 and was buried in Chicago.