---
A gracious and appreciative thank you to James Burke for sponsoring my grandpa's memorial page.
---
Military:
91st Division
182nd Infantry Brigade
363rd Infantry Regiment
H Company
Oscar Swanson enlisted in the National Army of the American Expeditionary Forces He trained at Camp Lewis, Washington (now Fort Lewis, Washington).
He saw action at Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys and the Lorraine sector. The 91st Division helped to liberate Belgium. Afterwards, they helped the Belgians rebuild their homes and villages. My grandfather always said that the people in Belgium were "...just the nicest people. I would like to go back some day."
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Oscar Swanson was my grandpa.
He was born in the city of Riverside, California. At the time of his birth, Riverside (the city) was located in San Bernardino County. Riverside County was not formed until 1893.
He was the son of Swedish immigrants. His father, Edward Swanson arrived in the US in 1882. Edward returned to Sweden to marry Caroline Peterson. Together, they returned to the US in 1886. Their first son, George William Swanson was born in Apple River, Illinois.
My grandpa, Oscar Swanson was the second of their four sons. Roy and Albin Swanson Swanson complete the brotherly quartet.
He was raised and educated in the local schools. Before enlisting in the Army; he worked a variety of jobs. His uncle, Harry Martin, was one of several successful owners of orange or citrus groves in Riverside. Oscar worked for him prior to the war.
After the war, he found himself again working in the orange groves. But he had developed a talent and skill as an 'orange estimator'. He could determine how many oranges each tree would produce. With that information, his bosses knew how many people to hire to pick, crate and ship their oranges.
That was how he met my grandma, Ethel. She worked for Mrs. Gilliland, an enterprising English woman who owned several orange groves. Mrs. Gilliland hired my grandpa to be her estimator.
My grandma didn't think that being an orange estimator was a job or profession with a stable future. When Oscar asked Ethel to marry him; she told him to do two things: get a more secure job and save $2000.
He got a job working for Southern Pacific Railroad in their Pacific Electric RailWay line. He also saved up $2000.
So, Oscar and Ethel married in San Bernardino, California. Roy Swanson was his brother's best man and witness.
With the $2000, they bought a double lot on Brockton Avenue. They bought a house and had it moved and installed on one of the two lots.
And then the children came. Five children in seven years. First was the only boy, Donald Edward. Next came the girls: Genevieve, Janet, Ruby Eloise and Marilyn. They all attended Magnolia Avenue Elementary, Central Junior and Poly High (the old Poly High, where RCC is now).
I remember my grandpa as always being 'dressed up' with a crisp shirt and slacks. He wore a dress hat, always.
He was quiet, rolled his own cigarettes, and loved to listen to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the big console radio (he preferred the radio even after the popularity of television.)
Oscar Swanson died in 1966. He was buried in Olivewood Cemetery not too far from his parents and his brother Roy.
Whenever I'm back home in Riverside--I always visit and take him his favorite flowers.
A gracious and appreciative thank you to James Burke for sponsoring my grandpa's memorial page.
---
Military:
91st Division
182nd Infantry Brigade
363rd Infantry Regiment
H Company
Oscar Swanson enlisted in the National Army of the American Expeditionary Forces He trained at Camp Lewis, Washington (now Fort Lewis, Washington).
He saw action at Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys and the Lorraine sector. The 91st Division helped to liberate Belgium. Afterwards, they helped the Belgians rebuild their homes and villages. My grandfather always said that the people in Belgium were "...just the nicest people. I would like to go back some day."
-----
Oscar Swanson was my grandpa.
He was born in the city of Riverside, California. At the time of his birth, Riverside (the city) was located in San Bernardino County. Riverside County was not formed until 1893.
He was the son of Swedish immigrants. His father, Edward Swanson arrived in the US in 1882. Edward returned to Sweden to marry Caroline Peterson. Together, they returned to the US in 1886. Their first son, George William Swanson was born in Apple River, Illinois.
My grandpa, Oscar Swanson was the second of their four sons. Roy and Albin Swanson Swanson complete the brotherly quartet.
He was raised and educated in the local schools. Before enlisting in the Army; he worked a variety of jobs. His uncle, Harry Martin, was one of several successful owners of orange or citrus groves in Riverside. Oscar worked for him prior to the war.
After the war, he found himself again working in the orange groves. But he had developed a talent and skill as an 'orange estimator'. He could determine how many oranges each tree would produce. With that information, his bosses knew how many people to hire to pick, crate and ship their oranges.
That was how he met my grandma, Ethel. She worked for Mrs. Gilliland, an enterprising English woman who owned several orange groves. Mrs. Gilliland hired my grandpa to be her estimator.
My grandma didn't think that being an orange estimator was a job or profession with a stable future. When Oscar asked Ethel to marry him; she told him to do two things: get a more secure job and save $2000.
He got a job working for Southern Pacific Railroad in their Pacific Electric RailWay line. He also saved up $2000.
So, Oscar and Ethel married in San Bernardino, California. Roy Swanson was his brother's best man and witness.
With the $2000, they bought a double lot on Brockton Avenue. They bought a house and had it moved and installed on one of the two lots.
And then the children came. Five children in seven years. First was the only boy, Donald Edward. Next came the girls: Genevieve, Janet, Ruby Eloise and Marilyn. They all attended Magnolia Avenue Elementary, Central Junior and Poly High (the old Poly High, where RCC is now).
I remember my grandpa as always being 'dressed up' with a crisp shirt and slacks. He wore a dress hat, always.
He was quiet, rolled his own cigarettes, and loved to listen to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the big console radio (he preferred the radio even after the popularity of television.)
Oscar Swanson died in 1966. He was buried in Olivewood Cemetery not too far from his parents and his brother Roy.
Whenever I'm back home in Riverside--I always visit and take him his favorite flowers.
---
A gracious and appreciative thank you to James Burke for sponsoring my grandpa's memorial page.
---
Military:
91st Division
182nd Infantry Brigade
363rd Infantry Regiment
H Company
Oscar Swanson enlisted in the National Army of the American Expeditionary Forces He trained at Camp Lewis, Washington (now Fort Lewis, Washington).
He saw action at Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys and the Lorraine sector. The 91st Division helped to liberate Belgium. Afterwards, they helped the Belgians rebuild their homes and villages. My grandfather always said that the people in Belgium were "...just the nicest people. I would like to go back some day."
-----
Oscar Swanson was my grandpa.
He was born in the city of Riverside, California. At the time of his birth, Riverside (the city) was located in San Bernardino County. Riverside County was not formed until 1893.
He was the son of Swedish immigrants. His father, Edward Swanson arrived in the US in 1882. Edward returned to Sweden to marry Caroline Peterson. Together, they returned to the US in 1886. Their first son, George William Swanson was born in Apple River, Illinois.
My grandpa, Oscar Swanson was the second of their four sons. Roy and Albin Swanson Swanson complete the brotherly quartet.
He was raised and educated in the local schools. Before enlisting in the Army; he worked a variety of jobs. His uncle, Harry Martin, was one of several successful owners of orange or citrus groves in Riverside. Oscar worked for him prior to the war.
After the war, he found himself again working in the orange groves. But he had developed a talent and skill as an 'orange estimator'. He could determine how many oranges each tree would produce. With that information, his bosses knew how many people to hire to pick, crate and ship their oranges.
That was how he met my grandma, Ethel. She worked for Mrs. Gilliland, an enterprising English woman who owned several orange groves. Mrs. Gilliland hired my grandpa to be her estimator.
My grandma didn't think that being an orange estimator was a job or profession with a stable future. When Oscar asked Ethel to marry him; she told him to do two things: get a more secure job and save $2000.
He got a job working for Southern Pacific Railroad in their Pacific Electric RailWay line. He also saved up $2000.
So, Oscar and Ethel married in San Bernardino, California. Roy Swanson was his brother's best man and witness.
With the $2000, they bought a double lot on Brockton Avenue. They bought a house and had it moved and installed on one of the two lots.
And then the children came. Five children in seven years. First was the only boy, Donald Edward. Next came the girls: Genevieve, Janet, Ruby Eloise and Marilyn. They all attended Magnolia Avenue Elementary, Central Junior and Poly High (the old Poly High, where RCC is now).
I remember my grandpa as always being 'dressed up' with a crisp shirt and slacks. He wore a dress hat, always.
He was quiet, rolled his own cigarettes, and loved to listen to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the big console radio (he preferred the radio even after the popularity of television.)
Oscar Swanson died in 1966. He was buried in Olivewood Cemetery not too far from his parents and his brother Roy.
Whenever I'm back home in Riverside--I always visit and take him his favorite flowers.
A gracious and appreciative thank you to James Burke for sponsoring my grandpa's memorial page.
---
Military:
91st Division
182nd Infantry Brigade
363rd Infantry Regiment
H Company
Oscar Swanson enlisted in the National Army of the American Expeditionary Forces He trained at Camp Lewis, Washington (now Fort Lewis, Washington).
He saw action at Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys and the Lorraine sector. The 91st Division helped to liberate Belgium. Afterwards, they helped the Belgians rebuild their homes and villages. My grandfather always said that the people in Belgium were "...just the nicest people. I would like to go back some day."
-----
Oscar Swanson was my grandpa.
He was born in the city of Riverside, California. At the time of his birth, Riverside (the city) was located in San Bernardino County. Riverside County was not formed until 1893.
He was the son of Swedish immigrants. His father, Edward Swanson arrived in the US in 1882. Edward returned to Sweden to marry Caroline Peterson. Together, they returned to the US in 1886. Their first son, George William Swanson was born in Apple River, Illinois.
My grandpa, Oscar Swanson was the second of their four sons. Roy and Albin Swanson Swanson complete the brotherly quartet.
He was raised and educated in the local schools. Before enlisting in the Army; he worked a variety of jobs. His uncle, Harry Martin, was one of several successful owners of orange or citrus groves in Riverside. Oscar worked for him prior to the war.
After the war, he found himself again working in the orange groves. But he had developed a talent and skill as an 'orange estimator'. He could determine how many oranges each tree would produce. With that information, his bosses knew how many people to hire to pick, crate and ship their oranges.
That was how he met my grandma, Ethel. She worked for Mrs. Gilliland, an enterprising English woman who owned several orange groves. Mrs. Gilliland hired my grandpa to be her estimator.
My grandma didn't think that being an orange estimator was a job or profession with a stable future. When Oscar asked Ethel to marry him; she told him to do two things: get a more secure job and save $2000.
He got a job working for Southern Pacific Railroad in their Pacific Electric RailWay line. He also saved up $2000.
So, Oscar and Ethel married in San Bernardino, California. Roy Swanson was his brother's best man and witness.
With the $2000, they bought a double lot on Brockton Avenue. They bought a house and had it moved and installed on one of the two lots.
And then the children came. Five children in seven years. First was the only boy, Donald Edward. Next came the girls: Genevieve, Janet, Ruby Eloise and Marilyn. They all attended Magnolia Avenue Elementary, Central Junior and Poly High (the old Poly High, where RCC is now).
I remember my grandpa as always being 'dressed up' with a crisp shirt and slacks. He wore a dress hat, always.
He was quiet, rolled his own cigarettes, and loved to listen to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the big console radio (he preferred the radio even after the popularity of television.)
Oscar Swanson died in 1966. He was buried in Olivewood Cemetery not too far from his parents and his brother Roy.
Whenever I'm back home in Riverside--I always visit and take him his favorite flowers.
