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The house shown above was built for Mary Swenson, the daughter of Magnus and Annie. The other house, pictured below, is located about 50 yards west of the house shown above, and was occupied by Magnus and Annie Swenson.
Historical Marker
Magnus Swenson and his wife Annie built two homes on 50 acres of waterfront in Madison, Wisconsin in 1922. The two homes, gardens, fish ponds and waterfront area were collectively called Throstrand.
They occupied one home, and the second was occupied by their daughter Mary. This home is still in the family today, and is pictured to the left.
Magnus Swenson
Magnus was born in Norway in 1854, and came to the United States as a 14 year-old in 1869. He travelled aboard a sailing ship that became disabled in transit, and barely survived the voyage. He worked in a metal foundry as a young man, studied engineering at the University of Wisconsin and became a successful designer, engineer, inventor and business man.
Annie Dinsdale
In Wisconsin, Magnus met Annie Dinsdale, daughter of preacher Matthew Dinsdale. Annie was born in 1859 and attended the University of Wisconsin. She was 22 years old when she married Magnus in 1882.