LINDBERG John, Warren. Miller. Born Nov 13, 1859 in Sweden, son of Olaus and Johanna (Johnson) Lindberg. Married Sept 12, 1889 to Ida J Johnson. Educated in common schools of Sweden and Minnesota. Came to U S in 1872; to Marshall county Minn 1882; established and conducted brick-yard 1883-87; in machinery business until 1904 under firm name of Lindberg & Lundgren; now sec and treas Warren Milling Co. V pres Peoples Trading Co; dir Swedish Am Bank and Warren B & L Assn; member Maplebay Mnfg Co of Crookston. Member Commercial Club; I O O F. (Little Sketches of Big Folks, Minnesota 1907, R. L. Polk & Co. Publishers, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Page 241)
Honored Citizen Passes Away. John Lindberg, well known and highly respected business man and pioneer citizen of Warren, passed away at his home here on Friday morning, Feb. 14, 1913, at 4:10 o’clock, after a short illness from pneumonia, aged 53 years, 3 months and 1 day. The news of Mr. Lindberg’s sudden demise came as a shock to the people of this city, many of whom did not know even that he had been sick. He was a man of unusual good health and had never been sick before in his life until stricken this time. On Monday morning, Feb. 10, he went to the mill to attend to his business as usual, but commencing to feel sick, he returned home before the noon hour. The doctor was called and everything that possibly could be done for him was done, but without avail. The grim disease had him too firmly in its grip and in a few days more his active and useful earthly career was ended. John Lindberg was born in Vestergotland, Sweden, Nov. 13, 1859, and he came with his parents to America in 1872. The family lived for a short time at Hastings, Minn., but removed that same year, in the fall, to Carver county, this state, where Mr. Lindberg grew to manhood and stayed with his parents nearly all the time, until his departure for the Red River Valley in 1881. His first year in the valley was spent in Norman county and in the following year, 1882, he came to Warren where his home has been ever since. Shortly after arriving here he became associated with Aug. Lundgren as one of the proprietors of the Warren brick yard, he continuing in that business a number of years.
In 1897 Mr. Lindberg started in the farm machinery business and a short time after Aug. Lundgren joined him, the firm becoming known as Lindberg & Lundgren. In 1902 he sold his interest in the machine business to C. Wittensten. In the year 1905 Mr. Lindberg bought Mr. J. S. Hilleboe’s interest in the Warren flouring mill which at that time was owned by Hilleboe & Johnson. The new company was incorporated under the name of The Warren Milling Company and Mr. Lindberg has been its secretary and treasurer continually since. Although the milling business has been his chief business, he has been interested more or less in many other enterprises and activities, which had for its object the upbuilding of our city and the country tributary thereto. Among other things he was one of the charter members of North Star College and served for a time as a member of the Board of Directors. He has also served as a member of the city council, where he took an active part in securing many public improvements. In all his acts and dealings, whether public or private, he was always sincere and outspoken. There was no deception in his nature. He will be greatly missed in the business circles of this city, which he loved so well, and which he has done so much to build up from the time that it was a struggling hamlet. But it was in his home life that Mr. Lindberg’s character shows to the best advantage. As a kind and loving husband and father he will be missed most in the home now overcast with sadness. John Lindberg was united in marriage to Ida Johnson in this city on Sept. 7, 1889.
To this union five children have been born, namely Almer, Frances, Della and Carroll; one daughter, Minnie, died in infancy. These, together with the mother, are now plunged into deepest grief. Deceased leaves also one brother, Herman Lindberg, and one sister, Miss Sophy Lindberg, of this place, and one sister Mrs. Flyberg, of Norman county, to mourn his loss. A large number of relatives and a host of friends also stand sorrowing at Mr. Lindberg’s grave. Mr. Lindberg’s parents who moved here from Carver a number of years after he came here, died some years ago. During his long residence in Warren, Mr. Lindberg has been an active member of the Swedish Lutheran church and contributed liberally to its support. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon this week. A short service was held at the late home, conducted by Rev. G. Wahlund and then the remains were taken to the Swedish Lutheran church were an impressive funeral sermon was preached in English by Rev. F. N. Anderson. Rev. G. Wahlund spoke in Swedish paying a beautiful tribute to the life and deeds of deceased and extending sympathy to the bereaved family. Rev. L. P. Lundgren, of Hallock, who had known deceased from his boyhood in Carver county, was present at the funeral, and added his tribute and words of comfort. The choir also rendered some specially prepared hymns. The entire front of the church was beautifully decorated with flowers, and a profusion of flowers adorned the handsome coffin, among them being a number of set pieces artistically worked out in nature’s choicest flowers.
One piece was in the shape of a heart inscribed "Brother," one represented The Gates Ajar, inscribed "Father," another was in the shape of a harp, inscribed "Friend" and still another represented a lyre, and one from the Odd Fellow lodge had the emblem of the three links in colors harmoniously blended. These beautiful floral tributes attested the love and esteem in which deceased was held. The church also was filled to overflowing by relatives, friends and old settlers who had come to pay their last respect to his memory. All the banks, stores and other places of business were closed out of respect to his memory during the hour set for the funeral. Among the relatives from out were: John E. Ostrom, of Seattle, Wash., brother of Mrs. Lindberg, Mrs. Flyberg and Miss Ella Flyberg, of Norman county, Miss Esther Flyberg, of Baudette, Miss Elida Flyberg, of Hibbing, Minn., Herman Allen, of Alvarado, Mrs. Otto Allen, Miss Emma Allen, Mr. and Mrs. John Allen and William Allen, of Radium, and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Peterson, of Thief River Falls. The pall bearers were: L. M. Olson, C. A. Johnson, John Westman, Ed Rosendahl, C. E. Sjostrand and Gust Ekblad; and the honorary pall bearers: J. G. Anderson, Gottfred Erickson, J. P. Mattson, J. A. Bloomquist, Fred Johnson and P. A. Lundberg. A large funeral procession escorted the remains to Greenwood Cemetery, where they were consigned to Mother Earth to await the morn of Resurrection. But the memory of the good husband, father, friend and pioneer will always be green in the hearts of those who learned to know and love him. To the bereaved in their hour of sorrow, this community extends its heartfelt sympathy. (Warren Sheaf, Thursday, February 20, 1913, Volume XXXIII, Number 8, Page 1)