Background
Johan Alexis Edgren was born at Östanås, in Älvsbacka, Värmland, Sweden. He was the son of Axel Edgren and Mathilda Berger and the brother of noted Swedish American linguist August Hjalmar Edgren.
Johan Alexis Edgren was born at Östanås, in Älvsbacka, Värmland, Sweden. He was the son of Axel Edgren and Mathilda Berger and the brother of noted Swedish American linguist August Hjalmar Edgren.
Graduate Navigation School, Stockholm, Sweden, as captain, 1859. Astronomical Observatory, as teacher navigation, 1862. Studied theology, Princeton, Hamilton and Chicago.
Bachelor of Divinity, Baptist Union.
Theological Seminary, 1872. Doctor of Divinity, University of Chicago, 1880.
Went to sea, 1852; sailed before mast until 1859, then as 2d and 1st mate to 1862. Passed examination and appointed acting ensign, United States Navy, 1862. Served as sailingmaster United States Ship “Young Rover”.
Commander United States Ship “Catalpa” and “Transport”.
Served at naval battery, Morris Island. Took part in several engagements on land with naval brigade, late in 1864, between Charleston and Savannah.
Ordained minister of Gospel, 1866. Served in Bethel Seminary, Stockholm, Sweden, 1866-1869, as pastor two churches.
As instructor and later professor Scandinavian department, Baptist Union Theological Seminary, Chicago, 1871-1884.
Principal Swedish-American Bible Seminary, Saint Paul, 1884-1885. Central Bible Seminary, Stromsburg, Nebraska, 1885-1887. Later doing literature work in California Home: Oakland, California.
Married Anna Chapman, April 10, 1866.