Ivar Andersson
- Birth: 1899. Ulvaboda, Blekinge, Sweden
- Emigrated 1923. Settled in Minnesota: Aurora, St. Louis County. Moved to Illinois around 1925
- Death: 1987 Ulvaboda, Blekinge, Sweden
Photo of Ivar Andersson playing button box accordion. Used with Permission from Kyrkhults Hembygdsförening.
Photo of fiddler with Ivar Andersson. Used with Permission from Kyrkhults Hembygdsförening.
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This story is a summary of translated excerpts from Ivar's book, "Berättarkungen. Ivar Anderssons amerikahistorier i urval" by Ivar Andersson - Ulf Beijbom. Emigrantinstitutets vänner. 1992.
Ivar Julius Andersson was born on July 20, 1899, in Ulvaboda, Blekinge, Sweden. He inherited a love of storytelling and music from his father Sven, who was a fiddler and gunsmith. However, an accident while testing a newly made shotgun left Sven with a severely injured left hand, forcing him to give up playing the fiddle. Ivar was a skilled musician, playing the harmonica, accordion, and violin.
In 1923, he immigrated to the United States and when he passed through Ellis Island, his only luggage was a personal bag, his violin and accordion. His destination was Aurora, Minnesota, near Duluth, known for its beautiful lakes, forests, and being part of the world's largest Iron Range mining district. Ivar later called this the "wildest place in the Minnesota mining range." He came to join his brother Sven, who was a section foreman and owned a big home where Ivar stayed for a couple years. Ivar worked various jobs including a driver, hunting guide, track guard, and railroad track worker. He said "no work was finer than that of the the rail workers." He gained a reputation as a strongman and exceptional hunter. The Babbitt Mining Company hired him to hunt away the bears when their horses were attacked. The harsh winters in northern Minnesota slowed down railway construction, leading to long hours of confinement in the cabin for the workers, waiting for tasks. It was during these times that the men encountered what Ivar called "The White Silence," with only the sounds of the howling wind and howling wolves echoing across the snowy landscape. Some of the workers drank and while others played card games. Ivar used this time to tell colorful stories, and share his folk tunes from Sweden, offering comfort to his companions. In his memoir, Ivar noted that his accordion became invaluable in that his Swedish polskas and hambos helped keep the wolves at bay. Later, Ivar moved to Chicago to start an ice delivery business with his cousin before returning to Sweden. Back in the old country, he became a national treasure known for his captivating stories of immigrant life in America and for his musical talents. |
FUN FACTS:
- Ivar wrote about owning a very old violin that was enchanted by the Näcken and had once belonged to a sorcerer. It would play polskas, quadrilles, and waltzes by itself at night, though at other times, it would just make a grating squeal. After losing sleep due to the noisy violin, Ivar gave it to his young nephew and later replaced it with a similar one that he brought to America. This second violin also turned out to be enchanted and would play by itself. Ivar eventually gave that one away also to a visiting Swedish nobleman who successfully played a polka on it.
- While working in northern Minnesota, Ivar was briefly engaged to a Finnish Priest's daughter with a lopsided smile and an affinity for wearing fur.
- Ivar spent countless hours enjoying the wilderness of Minnesota near Birch Lake, especially in a small area where he and his brother constructed a hut they called "Anderson Bay."."
- In his Swedish memoir written , Ivar recounts discovering the legend of Paul Bunyan, a folktale widespread in the Upper Midwest. The earliest known record of a Paul Bunyan story dates back to a 1904 Duluth News Tribune article, and many believe the legend originated from the oral traditions of lumberjacks in Wisconsin logging camps.
Ivar's Playing Nordic Folk Music for Al Capone:
Here is a translated summary of Ivar's encounter playing Nordic music for famed gangster, Al Capone, as told by Ivar from his memoire, "Berättarkungen: Ivar Anderssons amerikahistorier I urval". Published by Emigrantinstitutets vänner. 1992
During Prohibition in America, where alcohol was banned, Chicago was ruled by gangsters like Al Capone. Despite the strict laws, Capone's influence allowed him to operate "speak-easys" where alcohol flowed freely. One of Al’s favorite places was on East 55th street, hidden behind a store that sold candy, ice cream and toys. Ivar had to deliver ice two times a day to keep up with all the drinks served there.
One early morning, Ivar arrived to find the place empty except for the bartender. He saw an accordion hanging on the wall, and after Ivar delivered ice, he took down the accordion and played some Nordic folk music catching the bartender's attention. The next time Ivar came in, the bartender told him that “The Boss” was coming in on Saturday night and wants to hear your Nordic Folk Music. It was well-known that Al Capone had a love of music, especially waltzes. (Side note: Al Capone formed a prison band, "The Rock Islanders," and played both banjo and mandola.)
The next Saturday night, Ivar returned to play for Capone and his associates, including notorious figures like One-Eyed Connelly and Babyface-Nelson. Capone was instantly recognizable by his long facial scar and doughy pale complexion. Ivar saluted him and Capone saluted back. When Ivar started to play for him, Capone had two men write down sheet music of the music being played. There was one waltz in particular that Al liked and Ivar played it for him over and over. It is one of Kalle Jularbo's waltzes, called "Bil-Bol." Since that encounter, Ivar has taken to calling it “Al Capone's Waltz”. When Ivar was done playing, Capone offered him a drink, which Ivar politely declined, earning Capone's approval.
Their paths never crossed again following that evening. Ivar carried on with his daily ice delivery job, and continued to pay Capone's mobsters $2 per week under the table for "protection" money, just like everyone else in the neighborhood.
Here is a translated summary of Ivar's encounter playing Nordic music for famed gangster, Al Capone, as told by Ivar from his memoire, "Berättarkungen: Ivar Anderssons amerikahistorier I urval". Published by Emigrantinstitutets vänner. 1992
During Prohibition in America, where alcohol was banned, Chicago was ruled by gangsters like Al Capone. Despite the strict laws, Capone's influence allowed him to operate "speak-easys" where alcohol flowed freely. One of Al’s favorite places was on East 55th street, hidden behind a store that sold candy, ice cream and toys. Ivar had to deliver ice two times a day to keep up with all the drinks served there.
One early morning, Ivar arrived to find the place empty except for the bartender. He saw an accordion hanging on the wall, and after Ivar delivered ice, he took down the accordion and played some Nordic folk music catching the bartender's attention. The next time Ivar came in, the bartender told him that “The Boss” was coming in on Saturday night and wants to hear your Nordic Folk Music. It was well-known that Al Capone had a love of music, especially waltzes. (Side note: Al Capone formed a prison band, "The Rock Islanders," and played both banjo and mandola.)
The next Saturday night, Ivar returned to play for Capone and his associates, including notorious figures like One-Eyed Connelly and Babyface-Nelson. Capone was instantly recognizable by his long facial scar and doughy pale complexion. Ivar saluted him and Capone saluted back. When Ivar started to play for him, Capone had two men write down sheet music of the music being played. There was one waltz in particular that Al liked and Ivar played it for him over and over. It is one of Kalle Jularbo's waltzes, called "Bil-Bol." Since that encounter, Ivar has taken to calling it “Al Capone's Waltz”. When Ivar was done playing, Capone offered him a drink, which Ivar politely declined, earning Capone's approval.
Their paths never crossed again following that evening. Ivar carried on with his daily ice delivery job, and continued to pay Capone's mobsters $2 per week under the table for "protection" money, just like everyone else in the neighborhood.
Ivar Andersson with his ice cart in Chicago. Used with Permission from Kyrkhults Hembygdsförening
Music Links
Below is a recording of Ivar storytelling and playing the "Al Capone's Waltz" on button box accordion. This video is uploaded and shared with permission from Kyrkhults Hembygdsförening.
Below is a video of Ivar storytelling and playing in Sweden. This video is uploaded and shared with permission from Kyrkhults Hembygdsförening.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Musician Dan Knagg was awarded a cultural scholarship to highlight the Ivar Andersson from Ulvaboda, a committed tradition-bearer with roots deep in the Blekingen