Fred Goodholm. Having identified himself with the business community of Lindsborg in 1879 Fred Goodholm is a veteran merchant and citizen of that community and his life had been productive of good, had resulted in a satisfying prosperity for himself, and the influence he had exerted in his home city and the worthy family that surrounds him are tokens of a worthy and active career.
Mr. Goodholm was born December 24, 1848, at Filipstad, Sweden, a son of Anders and Charlotte (Lind) Goodholm. His father, who was born in 1822 and died in 1878, spent his active career in Sweden as a railroad trainman. He was a devoutly religious man. His wife was born in Sweden in 1820 and in 1885 came to America to join her children, and she died in Chicago in 1894. She was also active throughout her life in the Swedish Lutheran Church. She and her husband were married in 1846 and had seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom Fred is the oldest. Sophia, born in 1854, married N. J. Nelson in 1875, and now likes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Henry, born in 1857, married in 1884 Sophia Erickson and is a resident of Lindsborg. Charlotte, born in 1859, was married in 1897 to Axel Carlson, and is a resident of Chicago. Andrew, born in 1861, married Agnes Lindbloom in 1897, and lives at Oklahoma City. Carl, born in 1863, was presumably lost in the San Francisco earthquake and fire. Elizabeth, born in 1868, was married in 1905 to John Forsberg and now lives at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Fred Goodholm, who was reared and educated in his native land, left Sweden in 1872, at the age of twenty-four, and on coming to America located in Chicago, in which city he spent seven years. Two years of that time he was employed in a rolling mill and the remaining five years as a grocery salesman.
Lindsborg was a very small village when he was added to its citizenship in 1879. His previous business experience brought him a place in the pioneer mercantile establishment of J. O. Sundstrom, and he had the distinction of making the first sale for that early merchant. With him he remained six years and in time became a partner in the business. In 1885 Mr. Goodholm embarked in business for himself as a book and stationery merchant and jeweler. That business he had built up to large proportions and he had now the leading book and jewelry house in the city and he takes great pains to keep his stock modern in every particular. He had a finely appointed store.
A short time before coming west to Lindsborg Mr. Goodholm was married in Chicago, January 25, 1879, to Miss Anna Anderson. She was born in Sweden February 19, 1858, daughter of Anders Anderson. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Goodholm, four sons and one daughter: Elizabeth, the oldest, died in infancy. Reuben, born September 19, 1882, was educated at Bethany College at Lindsborg, and is also a graduate jeweler and optician and is now associated with his father in business, having charge of the jewelry and optical department. Valdemar, born March 14, 1885, was educated in Bethany College and is also a business associate of his father. He was married November 1, 1904, to Mabel Smyser, who was born in Minneapolis, Kansas, September 28, 1884, a daughter of Milton and Jeanette (Zinn) Smyser, natives of Pennsylvania and of German stock. Valdemar Goodholm and wife have three sons: Milton, born June 16, 1908; Clifford, born August 3, 1910; and Evald, born October 3, 1914.
Clarence Goodholm, the third son, was born April 16, 1887, and finished his education in Bethany College. Ludwig, the youngest, was born May 9, 1890, attended Bethany College, and was married in 1906 to Alma Hemstrom. They have one child, Inez.
Mr. Fred Goodholm had always exemplified the highest degree of public spirit in his community. He served as a member of the city council from 1882 to 1886, and since the latter year had continuously filled the office of justice of the peace. From 1889 to 1904 he was secretary of the Swedish-American Insurance Company. Politically he was a republican, and is an active member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, which he had served as secretary-treasurer.