King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway (21 January 1829 – 8 December 1907) was King of Sweden from 1872 until his death in 1907, and King of Norway from 1872 to 1905. Oscar II was King during a time when both Sweden and Norway were undergoing a period of industrialization and rapid technological progress. His reign also saw the gradual decline of the Union of Sweden and Norway, which culminated in its dissolution in 1905. He was subsequently succeeded as King of Norway by his grandnephew Prince Carl of Denmark under the regnal name Haakon VII, and as King of Sweden by his eldest son, Gustaf V. Oscar II became King on 18 September 1872, upon the death of his brother, Charles XV. At his accession, he adopted as his motto Brödrafolkens väl / Broderfolkenes Vel ("The Welfare of the Brother Peoples"). While the King, his family and the Royal Court resided mostly in Sweden, Oscar II made the effort of learning to be fluent in Norwegian and from the very beginning realized the essential difficulties in the maintenance of the union between the two countries.
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Dear Lodge 855,
My grandfather, Hjalmar Blom, was a member of your lodge in the early part of last century. He emigrated from Sweden around 1900, lived in Chicago, then Oak Park, until 1923 when his employer moved to Michigan City and employees moved with them. But I imagine Granddaddy stayed a member because I remember him speaking of you, and I think even attending some meetings when visiting us in Oak Park. Anyway, I have what looks like a belt buckle, it’s silver-colored metal with your name and number and emblem, and across the bottom it says “1200 NIGHT 10-28-21”. That means it just turned 100 years old. Oddly enough my birth date is 10-26-31. So don’t think you’re getting this from a senile demented old woman! If you would like the belt buckle I’d happily give it to you. Please let me know where to send it.
Sincerely, Ellen Gruhn
Dear Mrs. Gruhn.
Thank you very much for sharing your story and consideration. We can definitely put the item for display at our Temple.
Please send to:
Attn. Bro. Secretary
King Oscar Lodge #855
Jefferson Masonic Temple
5418 W Gale St, Chicago, IL 60630
Dear Lodge 855,
I mistakenly put this message first into the charities message and now I can’t erase it from there. I think this site is the right one. Sorry for the goof.
My grandfather, Hjalmar T. Blom, was a member of your lodge in the early part of the last century. He emigrated from Sweden around 1900, lived in Chicago, then Oak Park, until his employer moved to Michigan City in 1923, taking a number of employees with them. But I think Granddaddy must have remained a member until he died, about 1953, because I remember his talking about it when I was around from the 1930s on. Anyway, I have what seems to be a belt buckle: it’s a silver-colored metal thing with your name, number and emblem deeply … engraved? … into it, and across the bottom of the front is
“1200 NIGHT 10-28-21”. That means it just turned 100 years old. If you would like to have it for your archives I would be happy to give it to you. If you want it, please let me know where to send it.
– Ellen Gruhn