Anna Jonasson

Biography

Anna Jonasson was born in Stångby, Sweden on May 24, 1858 to Sven and Bengta Jonasson. There the family converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were baptized on April 27, 1872 and immigrated to Utah. They arrived in Tooele July 1874 and Anna soon began working for Mary and Jonas Lindberg, the young couple who lived across the street. Six weeks later, at age 16 Jonas asked for her hand and she became his second wife. They were married August 17, 1874 in the Endowment House. Anna had three children John Alfred, Mary Ann, and Emily, when in the spring of 1877 Jonas was called on a mission to Sweden compelling her and the first wife, Mary, to live in the same house. They were left in dire conditions but worked hard and trusted in the Lord. Anna took care of the seven children (3 hers, 4 Mary’s) while Mary provided for the family through tailoring. He returned in the spring of 1879 and bought a separate home for Anna and her growing family. 

On Monday, June 14, 1886 Jonas was arrested for polygamous relations. While he was on trial, the judge said if he would acknowledge wrongdoing, he could go, but instead bore testimony of the polygamy and was sentenced 18 months in prison. Yet six months later he was released on March 22, 1887. These six months were said to be the hardest of Anna’s life with people spying on one another to see if husbands and plural wives were interacting with one another. Fear of the law grew too great and Anna was forced on “the underground” moving to Logan, Utah and living with relatives. They changed their name to Swenson and made a living sifting flour and peddling fish with an income of 25 cents a day. They lived in Hyde park until a year after the Manifesto ending polygamy when they were able to return home to Tooele, a relief to them all. 

Firm in her faith, Anna taught the family to pray and urged the children to attend Sunday School and primary. She died July 8, 1909.