Johan Svensson

Who was Mr Johan Svensson?

Mr Johan Svensson was a 74-year-old Swedish farmer and the oldest passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on May 19, 1837, in Kulltorp, Jönköping County, Sweden, Svensson lived a long life marked by family, hard work, and a reluctant journey that would ultimately lead to his tragic demise on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Swedish Farming Heritage

Johan Svensson was born into a farming family in the rural landscapes of Jönköping County. His parents, Sven Magnusson and Martha Larsdotter, married on March 4, 1831, in Anderstorp parish. Johan was christened on the same day as his birth at the parish church in Anderstorp, a testament to the strong religious traditions of the time.

Siblings and Childhood

Johan grew up in a bustling household with several siblings:

• Magnus (born April 15, 1832)
• Johanna Carolina (born October 5, 1835)
• Lovisa (born March 9, 1840)
• Twins Maria and Nicolaus (born October 21, 1845)

This large family likely instilled in Johan the values of hard work and familial bonds that would define his later life.

Marriage and Family Life

A Union of Love and Labor

On May 25, 1860, Johan Svensson married Brita Lisa Börjesdotter, who was born on April 11, 1837. Their union would span over five decades and produce a large family, typical of the era.

Children and Grandchildren

The Svensson family grew rapidly, with Johan and Brita welcoming numerous children:

1. Maria Kristina (born March 20, 1861)
2. Amandus (born July 20, 1866) - later known as Johan Ekström
3. Janne Leander (born August 22, 1870)
4. Karl Agard August (born May 14, 1874)
5. Emma Lovisa (born August 29, 1878)
6. Oskar Fritiof (born July 22, 1882)
7. Fredrik Oskar (born May 14, 1874)
8. A stillborn son (July 22, 1882) - Oskar’s twin

Additionally, there were possibly two more daughters and a grandson, Viktor (born May 24, 1886), who lived with them in the late 1890s.

Life as a Farmer

Nennesmo Korsgård: A Place Called Home

By 1912, Johan Svensson had established himself as a farmer in Nennesmo Korsgård, Reftele, Jönköping County. This rural setting was where he spent most of his life, tending to the land and raising his family.

The Great Migration: A Family Divided

Children’s Exodus to America

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a great migration of Swedes to America, and the Svensson family was no exception:

• Emma Lovisa emigrated to New Jersey on March 2, 1896
• Maria Kristina moved to New Haven, Connecticut
• Amandus (Johan Ekström) left for South Dakota in 1890
• Janne Leander emigrated on February 24, 1892
• Oskar departed on November 6, 1902

This exodus left Johan and Brita with fewer family members in Sweden as they entered their twilight years.

A Tragic Turn of Events

Loss of a Lifelong Partner

On February 2, 1912, Johan’s wife Brita passed away, leaving him a widower at the age of 74 (seventy-four). This loss would be the catalyst for a life-changing decision.

The Reluctant Journey

“He apparently wept at leaving his home country.”

After Brita’s death, Johan’s son Johan Ekström (formerly Amandus) returned from South Dakota to bring his father to America. Despite his reluctance and emotional turmoil at leaving his homeland, Johan agreed to make the journey.

The Titanic: A Fateful Voyage

Embarking on a Dream

Father and son boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers. Johan’s ticket (number 347060) cost £7, 15s, 6d, a considerable sum for the time.

A Notable Passenger

At 74 (seventy-four) years old, Johan Svensson held the distinction of being the oldest person aboard the Titanic, a bittersweet record that would be etched in maritime history.

The Tragic Outcome

Both Johan and his son perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. Their bodies, if recovered, were never identified, leaving their final resting place as the cold depths of the North Atlantic.

Legacy and Remembrance

A Family Scattered but Remembered

While Johan and his son met a tragic end, his legacy lived on through his surviving children. His daughter Maria remained in Hartford, Connecticut, until her death on June 10, 1934, carrying with her the memories of her father and the family’s Swedish roots.

Johan Svensson’s life story, from his birth in rural Sweden to his untimely death aboard the Titanic, serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind historical events. His reluctant journey, spurred by family ties and the promise of a new life, ended in tragedy but remains a testament to the courage and sacrifices made by countless immigrants of his era.