Josua Lindahl papers, 1844-1948 | Augustana College

Josua Lindahl was born in Kungsbacka, Halland (Sweden) on January 1, 1844. He was only 10 years old when his father died and he was sent to relatives in Karlshamn. There he attended public schools and subsequently took the student's examination at the University of Lund on May 26, 1863. He received the degree of doctor of philosophy in 1874, and the following year was appointed docent in zoology at Lund University. During a period of five years, before coming to the United States, Dr. Lindahl participated in many important scientific expeditions and thus established a name for himself as a great scientist.

He was married to Sophie Pahlman in 1877. They had two sons and two daughters. The older son died at a young age in 1881, in Rock Island, Illinois. In December, 1878, Dr. Lindahl became a professor of natural science and mathematics at Augustana College and Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. Lindahl is remembered as the first full-time science teacher at Augustana College and laid the foundation for his successor, John Udden, a later professor of geology.

In 1888, Dr. Lindahl left Augustana having been appointed to the position as state geologist and curator at the Illinois Natural History Museum, Springfield. The condition of the Museum was chaotic, and Lindahl worked hard to put it into working order. He resigned after five years following the change of governors since his position was a political appointment.

Dr. Lindahl passed away in Chicago on April 19, 1912. His death was unexpected and was considered a great loss to the Swedish-American community. He was one of the foremost celebrities in cultural circles and in the scientific world.