Masonic and IOOF Lodges in Sweden

[Mary Nelson Keithahn]

My grandfather, Anders Nilsson (Andrew Nelson), born in Hjarsas in 1857, was a lodge member, at least sometime after he emigrated to Minnesota in 1885.  According to a letter his brother wrote my father after Anders' death, he understood that he was a Mason and asked if there would be Masonic rites at his burial.  However, Anders was given a Christian burial followed by IOOF (International Order of Oddfellows) rites.  There is no record of his being a Mason in the lodge in the Minnesota town where he would have been a member. Was there a Masonic lodge in Hjarsas? Would he have benn apt to join as a young man?  Was there an Oddfellow Lodge in that area? What was the attitude toward lodges in that time period?  In Minnesota, the German-background Lutheran churches and Catholics opposed lodges. In the town where my grandfather settled down, the only church that accepted lodge members was the Congregational church (English Separatists/Pilgrims), and it was the only English-speaking Protestant church as well, so that is where my grandparents went. If anyone has information that would be helpful, thank you!

[Bo Nordenfors]

Nothing online about lodges near Hjärsås, but I'm sure no such in the countryside.  
I know there is still one in Kristianstad.
 
About Swedish freemasons (in general) look into
'
http://www.frimurarorden.se/eng/index.html
 
 
//Bo
 
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[Ingela Martenius]

Since Free Masonry in Sweden was started in the early/mid 18th century by the highest titled men here and came under Royal patronage (which it has retained) about half a century later, it was for long regarded - rightly or wrongly - as exclusive to the upper classes. Since the King was the Grand Master the church could at least officially not disapprove of the Free Masons; I do believe that it wasn't unheard of for high-ranking clergymen to be members (although stricter clergymen would certainly frown on it).
Lodges in provincial rural towns like Kristianstad would have had as its members the leading citizens in and around the town: a rich farmer with some education, local influence and a farm bordering on an estate would probably have made it, but not just any small-holder (he wouldn't even have the clothes necessary for grander meetings - he would rent such clothes for an occasion such as a wedding but could of course not keep doing so for regular meetings).
 
The Odd Fellow movement didn't make it to Sweden until 1884, when it was established in Malmö. It isn't inconceivable that this order had spread to Krisitanstad by 1885. The Odd Fellow order was much less exclusive, and had indeed from its inception in the 18th century welcomed craftsmen and farmers.
 
So, your grandfather would probably not have been a Free Mason - unless he joined in the US - but could have been a newöy joined member of the Odd Fellows, and judging from the burial rites and also his choice of church (the German Lutheran church would have been a more natural choice) he continued to be a member of this order.
 
Ingela

[Mary Nelson Keithahn]

This mystery is finally solved! Andrew Nelson's brother was right after all. I found out recently that my grandfather had lived and worked for a few years in Renville, Renville Co., Minnesota, and he had joined the Masonic Lodge and taken his degree work while there. He remained a member in good standing until his death, even though he had moved back to Gaylord, Sibley Co., and couldn't attend meetings. Another piece of his life puzzle put into place!  Mary Keithahn