Edwardson, Christian, 1873-1944
Person
Dates
- Existence: November 22, 1873 to 1944
Biographical
Christian Edwardson was born in Modum, Norway, November 22, 1873. When he was ten years old he immigrated with his parents to America where they settled on a farm in southern Minnesota.
As a young man Christian became interested in learning more about the Bible, but the only portion available to him was a New Testament. By himself, under a cluster of trees in the woods near his home he gave his heart to God. It was through the encouragement of a colporteur, Ole Engen, that he accepted the Seventh-day Adventist faith. He attended college at Battle Creek College, Emmanual Missionary College, and Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 1907 he married Dora Elmira Rasmussen from Harlan, Iowa (b. January 19, 1880). She labored with him for 26 years until her untimely death in Hutchinson, Minnesota, on April 13, 1933. Following Dora’s death he married Anna D. of Boelus, Nebraska (b. February 25, 1895).
Christian labored ten years as a colporteur, and during part of this time he served also as the field secretary for the Illinois Conference. In 1903 he began ministerial work in Chicago, and later he moved to Wisconsin where he established several churches. In 1918 he moved to Minnesota where he organized and became the first pastor of the Scandinavian Tabernacle in Minneapolis. He also served churches in Willmar, Gilchrist, Artichoke, Granite Falls, Anoka, Hinckley, and Litchfield.
The last years of his life were spent at Hutchinson, Minnesota, where he engaged in writing and research. His library numbered about 3,000 books, many of which were donated to the Adventist Heritage Center and may be found on our shelves, though not specifically identified except by the presence of Edwardson’s bookplate. He authored several books: Bible Facts Concerning the Sanctuary and the Judgment, Experience of an Evangelist Among Scandinavians in America (Swedish), Facts of Faith, History of the Sabbath (Danish-Norwegian), and Life’s Mysteries Solved (Danish-Norwegian).
As a young man Christian became interested in learning more about the Bible, but the only portion available to him was a New Testament. By himself, under a cluster of trees in the woods near his home he gave his heart to God. It was through the encouragement of a colporteur, Ole Engen, that he accepted the Seventh-day Adventist faith. He attended college at Battle Creek College, Emmanual Missionary College, and Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 1907 he married Dora Elmira Rasmussen from Harlan, Iowa (b. January 19, 1880). She labored with him for 26 years until her untimely death in Hutchinson, Minnesota, on April 13, 1933. Following Dora’s death he married Anna D. of Boelus, Nebraska (b. February 25, 1895).
Christian labored ten years as a colporteur, and during part of this time he served also as the field secretary for the Illinois Conference. In 1903 he began ministerial work in Chicago, and later he moved to Wisconsin where he established several churches. In 1918 he moved to Minnesota where he organized and became the first pastor of the Scandinavian Tabernacle in Minneapolis. He also served churches in Willmar, Gilchrist, Artichoke, Granite Falls, Anoka, Hinckley, and Litchfield.
The last years of his life were spent at Hutchinson, Minnesota, where he engaged in writing and research. His library numbered about 3,000 books, many of which were donated to the Adventist Heritage Center and may be found on our shelves, though not specifically identified except by the presence of Edwardson’s bookplate. He authored several books: Bible Facts Concerning the Sanctuary and the Judgment, Experience of an Evangelist Among Scandinavians in America (Swedish), Facts of Faith, History of the Sabbath (Danish-Norwegian), and Life’s Mysteries Solved (Danish-Norwegian).
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Christian Edwardson Papers
Collection
Identifier: Collection 27
Content Description
This collection consists primarily of correspondence of Christian Edwardson, (1873-1944) along with some documents related to the history of Seventh-day Adventist work among the Danish and Norwegian people of Minnesota and Wisconsin around the 1920s. A second part of the collection consists of portions of financial records for several churches in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1909 - 1944
Christian Edwardson Papers
Accession
Identifier: Collection 27