Person:August Newquist (1)

His name at the time of his birth was "August Petersson". The Tjureda parish records record his birth date in Nykulla-Södregård. He was educated in Sweden through grammar and high school. August received an exit permit to leave for America on April 14, 1887, probably arriving at Castle Garden, NY. (The 1920 US Census incorrectly lists his immigration date as 1892 and naturalization as 1897.)

The scrapbook contains an 1889 photo provided by our Swedish relatives in 2004, and we assume it's his. The picture of August is while he is living in Blue Island. He lived with John @@ 875 W. Harrison when he first arrived and we suspect he moved to an address on Blue Island after the directory was published in 1888. The 1889 directory lists him living close to where he had the picture taken. Mike thinks he looks a lot like Elmer.

It is unknown when August changed his name to Newquist, but it is likely that it was when he arrived in the United States in 1887 and worked with his brothers. His daughter, Dorothy LaBrose said they worked on the 1893 Columbian Exposition together. He became a naturalized citizen in Cook County, IL on October 15, 1894, and John was his witness.

The three brothers went on a mining expedition and travelled to Cripple Creek, CO, a silver mining town, in 1896. Dorothy Labrose, provided August's dairy for those years. He left Cripple Creek July 1897. He arrived in Hartsel and received a job from Samuel Hartsel until December 22, 1897. He returned to Cripple Creek and then went to Denver on January 10,1898. His diary lists George Watson of Cripple Creek as an employer. The following names are listed for Colorado: Charley Brunch, 638 South 11th st, Denver; George Watson from Cripple Creek; W.H.Bullock, 2418 Newton st., Denver, Co.

It seems August spent time in Raton, NM, a lead mining town, working at Raton Coal and Coke. He went to Gallup, NM working for a W.A Clark. He spent time at Jerome, AZ , a copper mining town, working for W. A. Elox. His address book lists the following names associated with Jerome,: Fred Wattseland, and James McLanen. He then went on to Pasadena, CA for a period of time before returning to Chicago.

The city directory of 1898 gives the business address as 59 LaSalle street. John is the first to appear in the city directory with August following, first as a carpenter and later with Charles as a carpenter. Dorothy said the brothers would work together until economic problems make the brothers look for their separate interests.

August established a sash and door firm, South Side Interior Finish Company at 5837 S. Laflin Street in 1901. His two sons worked at this company until they sell the business. Per Johnson was employed by August at the same business. He was a nephew of August who knew and had business with and purchased autos from Art Newquist.

In the 1920 Census, the family resided at 7537 Sangamon Street in the 32nd Ward of Chicago.

In 1926 August and his family lived at 5953 S. Artesian avenue. Dorothy relates that he built their home at 8400 S. Marshfield avenue. The city directory of 1931 shows the Marshfield address as their residence. Dorothy said her father built and sold a number of houses.

While vacationing at the family cottage at Cedar Lake, IN, August experienced an acute appendicitis attack. He returned to Chicago and underwent surgery on June 3, 1932. He died from complications on June 12th. Following a Masonic Lodge funeral service, August was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.

The death certificate filed by F. Rumry states that his residence was 8400 S. Marshfield St., where he had lived a little over two years.

Death Record: NEWQUIST, AUGUST M/W UNK 6016392 1932-06-12 COOK CHICAGO

August as you know died from appendicitis. At first he refused to go to the hospital, but when his appendix ruptured he had no choice. My dad went to visit him, but he later died. August was shown in his casket in his house, I believe my dad said on the dining room table (as Ethel was too.) He very well could have had a masonic service there at his grave site. (Marilyn Beets 6/05)

Seems to me August's relatives all bought cars from Art Newquist. I know as a kid he had a dealership on north Michigan Avenue and when we went to Dyer we always passed it but the depression had caught up with him and it was vacant but the sign was still there with Newquist Ford. Dad would always point that out as we drove by. Howard Newquist (4/05)

Howard thought that John and August had a falling out over the issue of property holdings in CO.