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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., August 29, 1974, page 11

ALBIN J. BERGLAND PASSES AUGUST 20
By Geraldine Maupin

Klickitat resident, Mr. Albin J. Bergland, passed away in Goldendale about 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 20. Mr. Bergland had been in failing health since early this summer but had continued to putter in his small yard caring for the flowers, fruit trees and a little vegetable garden until August 11 when he entered the hospital for the last time.
A gentle man with a ready friendly smile, Mr. Bergland left his native Sweden in 1905 when he was 16 years of age. After a brief sojourn in Minnesota and Klickitat, he settled in Dee, Oregon and worked in a sawmill for three years before returning to Klickitat in 1909 where he had lived ever since.
He had an almost total recall of the early history of this area. In his later years, his eyes would light up and twinkle as he told about the days when the logging industry was young and the roads and railroads were being built.
In 1911, he settled on a homestead of 174 acres, which is now the family home of the Harry Robinsons, and proceeded to carve a farm out of the land, which in his words were mostly rocky hillside. He irrigated this land by building a water wheel, with the help of his father, on solid rock of the river which ran just below his farm. The timbers used for the frame work and paddles were cut on his own place. The wheel still stands a monument to a man who built it though it has seen several floods. It has been rebuilt at least three times. With the wheel in place, the Bergland's were able to irrigate about 10 acres of alfalfa and a vegetable garden.
In 1923, he and the Swedish girl, Julia, he had married in 1916 started a dairy herd with one cow bought on the installment plan. They worked together side by side until their herd numbered 30 cows, which were all milked by hand until electricity arrived at their home during the latter years of their ownership. It was after the big flood of 1933, when all the roads and bridges washed out, that Mr. Bergland hauled milk to town for almost two months with pack horses so that the children, whom he loved, could have their milk.
A year after his wife's death in 1942, Mr. Bergland sold the dairy and moved to town, where he was employed by J. Neils Lumber Co. In 1960, he made a sentimental journey back to Sweden and in doing so he kept a promise he had made to his wife before she died, to return to their native country for a visit. He delighted in the letters received from the old country written in his native language and also subscribed to a Swedish newspaper.
One of his great joys was attending as many of the social events he could in our small town. He loved the company of other people and did so enjoy all the good food furnished at these events. Many times, he went home with a little of the extra food tucked in his hand by a thoughtful lady to enjoy later. In return, his generosity was well known as he passed out garden produce, fruit and flowers for others to enjoy with a free hand.
His life of 85 years was best summed up in the words of his pastor, Henry Wong, of Grace Lutheran Church, in a recent magazine article when he said: "A.J. Bergland's life is a living legend. He is one of the last of the Giants: Those pioneers who, using their strength, the abundant natural resources of the forest and river, and their sold rock Christian Faith, created a new life in the West." Again in the words of his Pastor, "Like his water wheel, he has survived the stresses of floods, changing technology and personal heartaches because his life is built on "the solid rock'."
So our "Giant" was to be laid to rest beside his beloved, Julia, on Saturday, August 24, after services held at the church he attended faithfully, Grace Lutheran in Klickitat. He will be missed, as his friends were legion.
We (your correspondent) would like to add a few words of her own in memory. It always pleased us to attend a family gathering and have Mr. Bergland, who was usually invited over to enjoy the meal with us, bring out old pictures of the old places and residents of Klickitat who have long since passed away or moved away. At Christmas time, we looked forward to his card as he usually included a hand written note telling us how much he enjoyed our weekly column. You can live from year to year on compliments life that. We know from his own words that he was unafraid of death and was ready to leave this earth and meet his God.

The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, OR., August 28, 1974, page 11

KLICKITAT'S OLDEST RESIDENT DIES, BUT LEAVES WARM MEMORIES
By Geraldine Maupin

KLICKITAT -- Our oldest resident, Albin J. Bergland, died in Goldendale about 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20. Mr. Bergland had been in failing health since early this summer but had continued to putter in his small yard caring for the flowers, fruit trees and a little vegetable garden until Aug. 11 when he entered the hospital for the last time.
A gentle man with a ready friendly smile, Bergland left his native Sweden in 1905 when he was 16 years old. After a brief sojourn in Minnesota and Klickitat, he settled in Dee, Ore. and worked in a sawmill for three years before returning to Klickitat in 1909 where he had lived ever since.
He had an almost total recall of the early history of this area. In his later years his eyes would light up and twinkle as he told about the days when the logging industry was young and the roads and railroads were being built. In 1911 he settled on a homestead of 174 acres, which is now the home of the Harry Robinsons, and proceeded to carve a farm out of the land, which in his words were mostly rocky hillside. He irrigated this land by building a water wheel, with the help of his father, on solid rock of the river which ran just below his farm. The timbers used for the frame work and paddles were cut on his own place. The wheel still stands a monument to a man who built it though it has seen several floods. It has been rebuilt at least three times. With the wheel in place, the Berglands were able to irrigate about 10 acres of alfalfa and a vegetable garden.
In 1923, he and the Swedish girl, Julia, he had married in 1916, started a dairy herd with one cow bought on the installment plan. They worked together side by side until their herd numbered 30 cows, which were all milked by hand until electricity arrived at their home during the latter years of their ownership.
It was after the big flood of 1933, when all the roads and bridges washed out, that Mr. Bergland hauled milk to town for almost two months with pack horses so that the children, whom he loved, could have their milk.
A year after his wife's death in 1942, Mr. Bergland sold the dairy and moved to town, where he was employed by J. Neils Lumber Co. In 1960, he made a sentimental journey back to Sweden and in doing so he, kept a promise he had made to his wife before she died, to return to their native country for a visit. He delighted in the letters received from the old country written in his native language and also subscribed to a Swedish newspaper.
One of his great joys was attending as many of the social events he could in our small town. He loved the company of other people and did so enjoy all the good food furnished at these events. Many times, he went home with a little of the extra food tucked in his hand by a thoughtful lady to enjoy later. In return, his generosity was well known as he passed out garden produce, fruit and flowers for others to enjoy with a free hand.
His life of 85 years was best summed up in the words of his pastor, Henry Wong, of Grace Lutheran Church, in a recent magazine article when he said: "A.J. Bergland's life is a living legend. He is one of the last of the giants: Those pioneers who, using their strength, the abundant natural resources of the forest and river, and their sold rock Christian faith, created a new life in the West." Again in the words of his Pastor, "Like his water wheel, he has survived the stresses of floods, changing technology and personal heartaches because his life is built on 'the solid rock'."
So our "Giant" was to be laid to rest beside his beloved, Julia, on Saturday, Aug. 24, after services held at the church he attended faithfully, Grace Lutheran in Klickitat. He will be missed, as his friends were legion.
We (your correspondent) would like to add a few words of her own in memory. It always pleased us to attend a family gathering and have Mr. Bergland, who was usually invited over to enjoy the meal with us, bring out old pictures of the old places and residents of Klickitat who have long since passed away or moved away. At Christmas time, we looked forward to his card as he usually included a hand written note telling us how much he enjoyed our weekly column. You can live from year to year on compliments life that. We know from his own words that he was unafraid of death and was ready to leave this earth and meet his God.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., August 29, 1974, page 8

ALBIN JULIUS BERGLUND

Albin Julius Berglund was born Dec. 26, 1888 in Boseberg, Ostmark, Sweden, the son of Ivar and Christina Person. He passed away Aug. 20, 1974 at Klickitat Valley Hospital in Goldendale after a short illness.
Inspired by letters from his brother Nels, who had come to America earlier, Berglund came to the U.S. in 1905 at the age of 16.
After working briefly in Minnesota and Dee, Ore., he attended Pacific Lutheran Academy in Tacoma in 1910 and then returned to Klickitat where he spent the rest of his life.
In 1916 he married Julia Nilson. They built a home and started a dairy and for many years supplied the town of Klickitat with milk and vegetables. After his wife's death in 1942, he moved to a small home in Klickitat where he continued to raise his flowers and garden.
Berglund loved Klickitat and its people. He was especially grateful to his friends and neighbors who were always concerned about him.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
Surviving him are his sister, Marie Gustafson, five nieces and three nephews. Funeral services were held Aug. 20 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Klickitat with Pastor Henry B. Wong officiating. Interment followed at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Goldendale.
Pallbearers included Art Modlin, Ed Wickman, Rex Cooke, Clifford Westlund, Clarence Lindberg and Allen McEwen. Honorary pallbearers included G.F. Neils, Ward Smith, W.H. Rathert, Clem Ulbright, Hugo Schmidt and G. Steindorf.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., August 29, 1974, page 1

ALBIN J. BERGLUND, KLICKITAT AREA PIONEER, DIES AUGUST 20
By Geraldine Maupin

Out oldest resident, Albin J. Bergland, passed away in Goldendale about 2 p.m. Aug. 20, 1974. Bergland had been in failing health since early this summer but had continued to putter in his small yard caring for the flowers, fruit trees and a little vegetable garden until Aug. 11 when he entered the hospital for the last time.
A gentle man with a ready friendly smile, Bergland left his native Sweden in 1905 when he was 16 years of age. After a brief sojourn in Minnesota and Klickitat, he settled in Dee, Ore. and worked in a sawmill for three years before returning to Klickitat in 1909 where he had lived ever since.
He had an almost total recall of the early history of this area. In his later years, his eyes would light up and twinkle as he told about the days when the logging industry was young and the roads and railroads were being built. In 1911 he settled on a homestead of 174 acres, which is now the family home of the Harry Robinsons, and proceeded to carve a farm out of the land, which in his words were mostly rocky hillside.
He irrigated this land by building a water wheel, with the help of his father, on solid rock of the river which ran just below his farm. The timbers used for the framework and paddles was cut on his own place. The wheel still stands as a monument to a man who built it though it has seen several floods. It has been rebuilt at least three times. With the wheel in place the Berglands were able to irrigate about 10 acres of alfalfa and a vegetable garden.
In 1923, he and the Swedish girl, Julia, he had married in 1916 started a dairy herd with one cow bought on the installment plan. They worked together side by side until their herd numbered 30 cows, which were all milked by hand until electricity arrived at their home during the latter years of their ownership. It was after the big flood of 1933, when all the roads and bridges washed out, that Bergland hauled milk to town for almost two months with pack horses so that the children, whom he loved, could have their milk.
A year after his wife's death in 1942, Mr. Bergland sold the dairy and moved to town, where he was employed by J. Neils Lumber Co. In 1960 he made a sentimental journey back to Sweden and in doing so kept a promise he had made to his wife before she died, to return to their native country for a visit. He delighted in the letters received from the old country written in his native language and also subscribed to a Swedish newspaper.
One of his great joys was attending as many of the social events he could in our small town. He loved the company of other people and did so enjoy all the good food furnished at these events. Many times, he went home with a little of the extra food tucked in his hand by a thoughtful lady to enjoy later. In return his generosity was well known as he passed out garden produce, fruit and flowers for others to enjoy with a free hand.
His life of 85 years was best summed up in the words of his pastor, Henry Wong, of Grace Lutheran Church, in a recent magazine article when he said: "A.J. Bergland's life is a living legend. He is one of the last of the iants -- those pioneers who, using their strength, the abundant natural resources of the forest and river, and their sold rock Christian faith, created new life in the West."
Again in the words of his pastor, "Like his water wheel, he has survived the stresses of floods, changing technology and personal heartaches because his life is built on "the solid rock'."
So our "Giant" was to be laid to rest beside his beloved, Julia, Aug. 24, after services held at the church he attended faithfully, Grace Lutheran in Klickitat. He will be missed as his friends were legion.
We (your correspondent) would like to add a few words of her own in memory. It always pleased us to attend a family gathering and have Bergland, who was usually invited over to enjoy the meal with us, bring out old pictures of the old places and residents of Klickitat who have long since passed away or moved away. At Christmas time we looked forward to his card as he usually included a hand written note telling us how much he enjoyed our weekly column. You can live from year to year on compliments life that. We know from his own words that he was unafraid of death and was ready to leave this earth and meet his God.