Axel Kjellberg

Also went by the names Fredrik Axel Kjellberg and Axel Colberg
  • Born:  1871. Skäfthammar, Uppland Sweden. 
  • Emigrated: 1891.  Lived in Miles, Porterfield, Marinette County, Wisconsin.  Also Illinois and Michigan
  • Death:  1918. Michigan​
Photo of Axel Kjellberg playing nyckelharpa.  Photo courtesy of the American Swedish Institute.
Axel Kjellberg's father, Carl Kjellberg, a highly regarded nyckelharpa craftsman and musician. Photo from private collection with permission. 
Photo of Axel Colberg  (nee Kjellberg) outside his Blacksmith Shop on Erie St. in Chicago, prior to his move to Wisconsin.  Photo courtesy of Per-Ulf Allmo.
Credit to Per-Ulf Allmo, Sweden for providing valuable information for this story.  ​
Axel Kjellberg, born in Uppland, Sweden, renowned for its rich nyckelharpa heritage, grew up in a musical family led by his father Carl Kjellberg, a highly regarded nyckelharpa craftsman and musician. 

In 1891, Axel made the journey to the United States, where he initially found work in Illinois as a blacksmith at the Pullman company, a prominent railroad car manufacturer.  

The American Swedish Institute stated that Axel acquired his nyckelharpa from his father's estate after Carl's passing in 1904. Axel's family in Sweden asked what he wanted, and Axel asked for one of his father's nyckelharpa to be sent to him.  This instrument likely held deep sentimental value for Axel, representing a connection to his musical heritage and family legacy

In 1916, Axel purchased a small farm in Miles, Wisconsin, and later moved to Walsh, Wisconsin, both towns located in the town of Porterfield in Marinette County.  This area is just outside Michigan's Upper Peninsula noted for lush forests, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, set against a backdrop of rocky terrain and scenic bluffs.

Sadly, Axel succumbed to the flu pandemic of 1918 at a somewhat young age.    
FUN FACTS: 
Music Links
​Here is a well known nyckelharpa tune from Örbyhus, a town near by Skäfthammar where Axel lived while in Sweden.