Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 649.
 
JOHN HILLSTROM

     is one of the well known and respected citizens of Marshfield, Oregon,
where he is engaged in the ship-building business as an employe of the
Kruse-Banks Shipbuilding Company, the most extensive shipbuilding concern in
Coos Bay. He was born in Finland July 30, 1859, and is the son of Jacob and
Katrina (Hille) Hillstrom, both of whom were natives of Finland where the father
followed farming and where he and his wife died many years ago. They were the
parents of six children, two of whom are living: John, who is the subject of
this review; and Herman, who still resides in Finland.
     John Hillstrom emigrated to America in 1880 and first settled at Muskegon,
Michigan, where he was employed in the sawmills and lumber camps of that
district for a period of three years. In 1883 he removed to Marshfield, Oregon,
and engaged in work in the lumber camps for a number of years after which he
followed the carpenter trade which he had learned in his native land. After some
time he took up shipbuilding work with the Kruse-Banks Shipbuilding Company of
North Bend, Oregon, and has since continued in their employ. He is the owner of
a fine house in Marshfield and of various other properties in that city and has
recently sold a farm which he had owned for some time past.
     Mr. Hillstrom was united in marriage June 23, 1884, in Marshfield, to Miss
Sophia Hongell, a native of Finland and the daughter of Andrew and Breta
Hongell, both of whom died in their native land many years ago. Mrs. Hillstrom
came to America in July, 1882, and is one of four living children bom to her
parents: John, Herman and Sophia, the wife of the subject of this review, all of
whom reside in the United States; and Breta, who still maintains her home in
Finland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hillstrom seven children have been born: William,
whose birth occurred in 1887 and who is now employed in the government life
saving station on Coos Bay, Oregon; Jacob R., born in 1890, who still resides at
home and is employed in a grocery store; Andrew A., whose birth occurred in
February, 1893, and is still under the parental roof; Hugo, born in 1895, who
makes his home with his parents; Fred, whose birth occurred in 1901; Elva
Katrina, born in 1904; and Irene M., who died at the age of two years. All of
the children received their education in Marshfield.
     Mr. Hillstrom is affiliated with the republican party and is a member of
the Soma Order of Marshfield. He and his family are members of the Lutheran
church. John Hillstrom is one of the successful and useful citizens of his
county and is always ready to give his influence to public measures looking to
the best interests of the community.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2009 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.