Betty Swanson Danielsen was born in Sweden in 1848. I just recently discovered her maiden name. Her parents are still currently unknown to me. She was the wife of Danish born Viggo Danielsen (1847-1903). They were wed in 1871 in his home town of Copenhagen, Denmark. They had 3 children with two surviving as of the 1900 US Census in Chicago Illinois. They were Bessie Danielsen (Clawes) (1878-1926), and Axel Danielsen (1877-1900). Also recently discovered, she immigrated to the US from Denmark on the Thigvalla Line Steamship SS Hekla #1, on 17 October 1882. She came with her children Bessie 4, and Axel 5, and settled at that time in Moline, Illinois where husband Viggo had apparently arrived earlier that year before to establish employment and home. He found work at the Moline Plow Company and find a home for Betty and the kids. The 1900 US Census shows them all living together on 885 Campbell Ave, in West Town, Chicago. He worked in Moline for 16 months and then got another job in Chicago for a short time at David Bradley Plow Company as a painter, but Viggo had many skills far superior to this. He had been in school in Copenhagen until age 15 when many others had little or no schooling. He had book keeping skills, and previous employ for several years doing this in Copenhagen. He also had 14 years of Military experience there. During that time was in the Regimental Band playing the corinet, and trombone. The 1900 Census shows him being age 52 then, and working as a "Book Keeper". Turns out Viggo was "Supreme Secretary of the Danish Brotherhood in America". He had joined when he arrived from Denmark. This turned out to be a great job for him, and his status in the community in Chicago and throughout the Nation. Actually this organization had members everywhere, and he kept the books for them. He was in several other groups as well, and he started them. See his memorial. He died unexpectedly as he was still working in his elected job 1903 at age 55 leaving Betty a widow. Betty died on 3 March 1931 at the age of 82 years in Chicago. She had outlived her husband and all three children. Daughter Bessie died of Breast cancer when age 48, 5 years prior, and son Axel of TB at 22 years in 1900, 31 years prior. Her burial was 7 March 1931 at Mt Olive, Chicago, Illinois, in Plot: Sec N, 143 DN8.

Betty Danielsen is my G-G-Grandmother.

(spellings found may be Danielson or Danielsen)