Hi Paul
I have to admit that this was pretty difficult. The article was written in a way that I had problems finding the right words to make it legible. Anway, here it is. I hope it is ok.
"Well known Swedish entrepreneur in the east
Within the buidling industry there are, as known, Swedes as uppermost amoung all nationals in Chicago. But it isn't only in this town beside Michigan Lake that landsmen pushed forward leading the way in this area. Even in other cities in this country there are successful Swedish contractors and this article is about our landsman Charles A. Björklund in Bridgeport, Conn.
Björklund is from Västgötland from birth and born 1861 in Ambjörnarp. He emmigrated to America as a 19 year old, first worked in a quarry in Connecticut and then learnt carpentry in Bridgeport. While here he was then employed by H.H. Nettleton, one of the town's largest building contractors and house agents and soon advanced to foreman and continued there for 9 years. He became a building contractor himself 25 years ago and in doing so made a name for himself as competant with a great probity and therefore was very successful.
During his 25 year business as a building contractor and entrepreneur has Björklund erected over 200 residences in Bridgeport, 8 school buildings, 3 fire stations, 5 churches and many other larger business buildings. He has also built for the government, building military barracks, also other large buildings on Long Island, New York. By the end of last year he ceased his building business and retired to persue a peaceful retirement.
Although Björklund has had an enormous amount to do during his long standing successful business as an entrepreneur he has even had the time to devote his attention to church and association activities. He belongs to the Lutherian association in Bridgeport and has donated a large church bell and also a monetary donation to remember his birth parish Ambjörnarp in Sweden. He is also a member of the free masons, Oddfellow and the Vasa Order, also other associations. Björklund has been married for 25 years and has 2 children."
Ian