Sawdust in Their Blood: 100 years of the Hedstrom Lumber Co., by Jim Boyd, published by North Shore Press, is an interesting look at the evolution of the Hedstrom family and their namesake mill. The front cover with a photo of sawmill founder Andrew Hedstrom and four of his sons—Roy, Herb, Wesley and W.A. Hedstrom— give a taste of the wonderful old photos inside.
This book was created by Jim Boyd as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Hedstrom Lumber Company. It is a nostalgic look at the evolution of the family and their namesake mill. Copies of the book were presented to those who attended a dinner celebration at the lumber mill on Thursday, July 10 and if you are interested in obtaining copies, it may also be purchased at various stores around town.
It features very interesting and humorous stories, both old and new. There are plenty of pictures, both black-andwhite and color, telling of the inventiveness of the ever-intrepid entrepreneur, Andrew Hedstrom, who emigrated from Sweden with nothing in 1891.
Andrew later married the Maple Hill schoolteacher, Alma (Berglund) Hedstrom. Together they built a number of homes, donated land for the church, and raised a large family on Maple Hill. The book features a family tree of the now five generations, the inventive spirit of this couple and, determination of this hard working family, their friends and the many company workers over the years.
Be sure to check out the Bag Ladies story. You may recognize them, as well as a number of the workers pictured, a lot of them are still around.
I’m sure you will enjoy this great collection of the Hedstrom Lumber Company history, its various portable and at home mills. It tells of the fearsome trials and tribulations of raising a large family and growing a business in the wilds of northeastern Minnesota. Reading these stories, one can appreciate the feelings of immigrants, as they came to America in those stark times to make a better life for themselves and their families. It also gives a wonderful look into our area and nearby small communities.
Andrew Hedstrom descendant Kent Anderson gives a fitting final quote in the epilogue. Anderson said, “Undoubtedly, the second 100th century of the company, in the North Woods, will be as filled with as much Swedish grit as the first.”
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