History

It may be easy for all of us living in Sweden today to take freedom of expression, freedom of enterprise, equality and free democratic elections for granted in a country that has existed and has been allowed to remain in a state of peace and democracy for as long as Sweden has existed. But if we look back in history a couple of centuries, we will soon notice that much of what we take for granted today arose relatively late in both the history of humanity and Sweden.

At the time of the formation of the 8th December Association, the vast majority in Sweden did not enjoy any greater freedom and equality – this may be important to keep in mind when, 150 years later, one tries to understand the scenes of joy and expressions of emotion that were evident with the introduction of a bicameral parliament in Sweden.

What the association celebrates is the event from the end of 1865. But the entire 19th century had been marked by the winds of change. For example, a new poor relief ordinance was introduced in 1847, which transferred responsibility for the poor from their landlords to the parishes and to the public. At the same time, the parishes were forbidden from preventing the poor from moving in, and by freeing up the right to move, the poor became a mobile labor force reserve. Regarding equality between men and women, a decision was introduced in 1846 on equal inheritance rights for men and women, and in 1858 it was decided that an unmarried woman could become of age at the age of 25.

The early years 1865-1915

Around 1865, Jönköping was an old wooden town that had begun to industrialize. The town, whose center was between the Hamnkanalen and Hovrättstorget, had a population of just over 9,000. After a major fire broke out on March 1, 1854, the new town had begun to be built, and among the houses that had been built on the burned-out plots was Stora Hotellet. On December 1, 1864, the Södra Stambanan was inaugurated at the beautiful newly built station building in Jönköping, which meant that from the new year 1865 it was possible to travel by train from Stockholm to Malmö.

A few weeks later, on January 17, 1865, the very first issue of Jönköpingsposten was published, thus the 8th December Association and Jönköpingsposten are the same age and both celebrate their 150th anniversary this year. The Saturday issue of the newspaper on December 9 reports the main features of the debate and of course the results of the vote in the Knights' House. Furthermore, in the Jönköping column on that day, regarding the representation proposal, it can be read that "a huge crowd was in motion on the city streets. Today the festivities continue with a big ball at the hotel".

The Eighth December Association in Jönköping was founded to commemorate the adoption of the new representation order on December 8, 1865. A number of prominent citizens in the city were involved in the founding of the association, but the actual initiator of the association was Wagon Manufacturer Lars Peter Wahlin and he is the one who should be given the greatest credit for the association's creation.

Advertisement published in Jönköpingsbladet on January 11, 1866. The association invites to the first meeting on January 15, 1866, at which the first board was elected. The advertisement is signed by the initiator and also by the association's first chairman L.P. Wallin.

The first meeting of the association was held on January 15, 1866, and then the first board was elected, consisting of the following: Manufacturer L. P. Wahlin (chairman), Manufacturer C. F. Djupström (vice chairman), Baker J. Andersson (treasurer), Saddler A. Gustafsson, Confectioner A.A. van der Hagen, Manufacturer Th. Ringström, Cellar Master C. J. Lundberg, Fältskär O. Granström, Handlanden A.J. Bergstrand and Handlanden Aug. Hallgren.

Lars Peter Wahlin – one of those who co-founded the association.
The image is taken from the first commemorative publication published for the 50th anniversary in 1915

At the quarterly meeting held on March 8, the board submitted the first statutes that were adopted by the meeting. Already in the very first adopted statutes it is stated that the members shall meet as often as possible each year on December 8, March 8, June 8 and September 8 and at these meetings the members shall pay a quarterly fee of 3 Rmt (riksdaler riksmynt). When a member has properly paid his fees for fifteen years, he may, if he so wishes, be exempted from the quarterly fee and in addition receive a pension of at least 10 Rmt for himself or his family, calculated from the date of retirement.

Together with the statutes drawn up, an invitation to join the association was sent to the city's citizens. Thanks to the energetic work of the board, there was a large number of members joining the association and by the end of the first year there were no less than 169 members on the membership register. However, only 22 of these paid their dues and thus remained members of the association.

One reason why many members chose to leave the newly started association was that during the years 1867-1869, disagreements arose within the association, which even threatened to topple the entire association. The reason for the disagreements was that there were two different groups within the association, where the first group wanted the association to follow the first set regulations and where the aim was to continue to be a pension association. The second group instead worked for the association to merge with the Borgarkassan.

The disagreements continued for some years, and at the meeting of December 8, 1870, a committee was able to present a mediation proposal, which was adopted with some minor changes. The statutes and regulations of the adopted proposal have in essential respects continued to apply throughout the years since their adoption.

At the association's 10th anniversary, which was held after the regular meeting on December 8, the association's founder, Fabrikör L. P. Wahlin, received a heartfelt thank you for the great effort and zeal he had put into the association. The then chairman, August Hallgren, gave an account in his speech of the great importance that the association had already had and that it would certainly have for many more. Already at the meeting on September 8, it was decided that on December 8, 1885, a simple party would be held to celebrate both the association's founder and the association's twenty-year existence. The party was organized at Stora Hotellet and on this occasion the memory of L. P. Wahlin was also honored. At this party, school teacher J. F. Berg gave a ceremonial speech that also described the association's history.

On May 8, 1901, the association held an extraordinary meeting because the association's treasurer, Fabrikör Th. Ringström, had announced that he wanted to resign from the post of treasurer. At the meeting, the association expressed its great thanks to Ringström for the excellent way in which he had performed his duties as treasurer and the meeting unanimously decided to award him a memorial gift, for which money was to be taken from the association's coffers. The gift, a silver ornament, the value of which was to amount to 125 kr, also received a beautiful inscription. The piece was to be presented to Ringström at a simple party at the Stora Hotellet on June 8, 1901. The members turned up in large numbers for this party and the party was in a convivial atmosphere. However, this was the last meeting that the old treasurer experienced as he passed away on September 2 of the same year.

During the following years until the association's 50th anniversary, the association's activities continued without any major significant days, for example, there is no mention in the minutes of the association's 40th anniversary. These were probably tough times and the association chose to save on its assets.

One effort that deserves mention, however, took place at the beginning of 1914, the year that the First World War broke out. Sweden was in a severe political crisis. The incumbent government had resigned, a new government was to be elected, and the King was pleased to entrust the former president of the Göta Court of Appeal, Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, with the task of forming a new government. Hammarskjöld, who had been a resident of Jönköping for a number of years, formed a government and also became Prime Minister of Sweden. As a greeting, it was decided at the board meeting on 17 February 1914 to send a telegram of greetings to the newly appointed minister.

“Prime Minister Hammarskjöld, Stockholm
The Eighth December Society in Jönköping, founded in 1865 among the Jönköping Citizens for the glory of God and the benefit of fellow human beings and in commemoration of the adoption of the new representation order on December 8, has unanimously decided to express to the King’s new council its firm conviction that the same shall always know, for the King’s glory and for the benefit of the realm and without interfering with the constitutional rights of the Swedish Riksdag, to assert the Swedish royal power of the King himself, with the advice of the Council, to exercise the authority to govern the country, govern the realm, enforce the law and keep the peace.”

Its board: J.A. Svensson J.P. Warolin, H.R. Lindell, Ph. Grunditz, C.A. Ringqvist, Sv. Carlsson, F.O. Petré, C.G. Johansson, J. P. Johansson, Aug. Richard.

The greeting telegram is also mentioned in the newspaper "Vestkusten" which was published in the USA on March 19, 1914.

The telegram of greetings sent to the new Prime Minister attracted great attention throughout the country and was also mentioned in a number of newspapers. It received so much attention that it was even mentioned in the newspaper “Vestkusten” on March 19, 1914. “Vestkusten” was a weekly newspaper published in the United States as a “Free-spirited newspaper for Swedes on the Pacific Coast.”

The association's 50th anniversary was approaching, and at the suggestion of Ph. Grunditz, the association had already appointed a committee on March 8, 1914, consisting of Aug. Richard, C. A. Ringqvist and Ph. Grunditz. The committee's proposal included, among other things, that a commemorative publication should be produced and printed in 100 copies. It is stated that the publication should be designed with dignity but without appearing extravagant and the price for it should not exceed 300 SEK.

The association celebrated its 50th anniversary on December 8 in the banquet hall at the Stora Hotel, led by the association's chairman, J. A. Svensson. He warmly welcomed everyone present and hoped that the association would have a bright future. As on previous anniversaries, the memory of the association's founder, L. P. Wahlin, was also highlighted on this day.

At the party, the association's secretary Ph. Grunditz gave a memorable history of the 50 years that the association has been active and he concluded by reading out a list of deceased members of the board, who had been particularly active and put in a lot of work for the association. The financial position of the association's treasury at this time was approximately 25,000 SEK and over the past 50 years 9,885 SEK had been paid out in grants. After the meeting had ended, all members gathered for a supper, where a good atmosphere prevailed and many speeches were made. The chairman thanked those present and hoped that the association would develop in the future and work for the good purpose for which the association was founded.

The board of directors of 1915. The picture is taken from the first commemorative publication, published for the 50th anniversary in 1915.

The memorial, which had been prepared by the association's secretary Ph. Grunditz and printed at the Richardska printing house, was distributed to all members present at the anniversary. The association expressed its thanks to the committee for their work on the memorial. The memorial written for the 50th anniversary is very rare. Gustaf Lorentz, who wrote a new memorial for the 100th anniversary in 1965, states that none of the members then alive had seen or read the memorial.

The remaining edition of the manuscript that may have existed probably burned down in a fire in the Richardska printing house on July 23, 1923. When the commemorative manuscript for the 150th anniversary was to be produced, it turned out that the Royal Library in Stockholm has a copy of the commemorative manuscript from the 50th anniversary.

The years 1915-1965

In 1918, the First World War finally ended, and the whole world began to believe in a brighter future again. In the following years, the association's activities continued with new members, but of course members also passed away. In March 1918, Manufacturer H. R. Lindell, treasurer of the association since 1901, died. On January 8, 1924, manager J.P. Warolin died at the age of 84. Secretary Grunditz says in a memorial letter to Warolin that he was a member of the association for a total of 55 years and that he had hardly been absent from a single meeting. Warolin was also the association's chairman for several years and vice chairman for more than two decades.

In the mid-1920s, there were bad times, which was also reflected in the members' desire to attend the association's meetings. At this time, there were over 50 registered members in the association, but sometimes only a few members attended the meetings.

On December 8, 1925, the association turned 60 years old and this was celebrated with a simple party at the Craftsmen's Association's new premises. During the party, the secretary read out the very first minutes so that the members would get an insight into the association's history and then he also gave a brief history of the past 10 years.

The Royal Swedish Board of Health and Welfare had issued a letter stating that all support associations with more than 50 members must be registered by 1 January 1928, in accordance with a new law of 18 June 1926. The association discussed this letter at the board meeting on 27 May 1927 and appointed a committee to prepare the issue. The committee proposed that the association, at its meeting on 8 September, decide to limit its membership to 49 in order to protect the association from subsequent assessments by the state. After much discussion for and against the change, it was decided to postpone the issue until the annual meeting on 8 December for a final decision. At the meeting on December 8, 24 members were present and when the issue of limiting the number of members came up on the agenda, the issue was decided by voting and the change was hammered through with 15 votes to 9. This was a historic moment in the history of the association, as this allowed the association to operate without influence from elsewhere.

At the 1928 annual meeting, manufacturer J.A. Svensson requested to resign as chairman of the association, stating that 30 years as chairman was enough and that he would soon be 82 years old, but that he would still remain on the board for the time being. Manufacturer Svensson's son-in-law Philip Grunditz became the new chairman of the association.

The association's 65th anniversary was celebrated on December 8, 1930, in the Craftsmen's Association's premises, attended by about twenty members, with the usual negotiations and then a simple supper.

The former chairman for many years, J. A. Svensson, died on 14 February 1932 at the age of 85. At the time of his death, he was the oldest member of the association and his membership had spanned 47 years. The funeral service took place in Kristine Church and almost all members of the association were present. At the December meeting of the same year, his successor, Ph. Grunditz, wrote a memorial letter to his father-in-law, in which he highlighted, among other things, all the time and work that J. A. Svensson had put in for the good of the association.

It can also be stated that in the mid-1930s, interest in joining increased and there was now a queue for membership in the association. The increased interest in membership was probably due to both innovative activities in the association and the association's exclusivity with the stop sign in the form of a maximum of 49 members.

At the annual meeting on December 8, 1934, a memorial service was held for deceased members, one of whom was board member Albin Johansson, who died suddenly on December 10, 1933. Albin had become a member in 1924 and had been a board member since 1929. He was elected vice chairman in 1931 and was in this position at the time of his death. The funeral took place in Kristine Church, which was filled to capacity at the time.

On December 8, 1935, the 70th anniversary was celebrated in the premises of the Craftsmen's Association, and this was the first time in the association's history that the gentlemen and ladies were allowed to join in the festivities. Chairman Grunditz expressed his delight at being able to welcome both gentlemen and ladies for the first time. Through the participation of the ladies, the association's festive days would certainly have a more shimmering light than before, and the shared joy would heighten the festive atmosphere and create a gathering to everyone's satisfaction.

In 1939, the Second World War broke out and this also affected the association, which was planning for the upcoming 75th anniversary. Due to the prevailing times, it was decided that the anniversary would be held at the Craftsmen's Association premises, instead of at the Stora Hotellet as had first been planned. On December 8, 1940, 28 members and 25 ladies gathered at the Craftsmen's Association premises to celebrate the solemn commemoration of the association's 75th anniversary. The chairman welcomed everyone and then Gustaf Lorentz read a prologue written for the occasion. This was followed by a ceremonial speech, a memorial speech for deceased members and then a well-arranged supper.

At the December meeting in 1947, Olof Nilsson was elected as the new chairman and at the same time, his predecessor in the position, Philip Grunditz, was appointed honorary chairman of the association for his many years of contributions over several decades, active both as secretary and chairman. Two years later, a sad announcement came that manufacturer Philip Grunditz had died with his daughter in Gothenburg at the age of 74.

The quarterly meeting on September 8, 1951 was held at the Anneberg guesthouse in Bottnaryd. About 25 members attended the meeting and first the usual negotiations were held and then refreshments were served in the garden. A little later, a magnificent fireworks display was displayed while the members solemnly enjoyed a crayfish supper at the festively laid tables. Eating crayfish at the September meeting has become a tradition within the association.

On December 8, 1955, the association celebrated its 90th anniversary. This time the party took place in the Mercurisalen in Köpmännens hus and it took place in a very festive manner and with a large attendance of members and their ladies. Widows of deceased members were also specially invited. After the meeting, everyone filed into the dining room to the tunes of Borg's orchestra, where a rich Christmas table awaited.

The 95th anniversary was celebrated in the beautifully decorated premises of the Craftsmen's Association on December 8, 1960. This particular anniversary was perhaps celebrated somewhat more modestly than before, considering that a centennial anniversary was approaching in a few years.

The last 50 years 1965-2015

The association's 100th anniversary was celebrated on December 8 at the Backgården restaurant. 58 members and ladies attended this anniversary, the meeting was chaired by chairman Alvid Ingerfeldt. At the party, candlesticks in old silver were handed out to 10 well-deserved members, whose membership exceeded 25 years on the day of the celebration. This has become a custom and silver candlesticks have since been handed out to all members when they have reached 25 years of membership. In connection with the centenary celebration, a commemorative publication covering the past hundred years was distributed. The commemorative publication was written by the member and later also honorary member Gustaf Lorentz and it was printed in 200 copies.

Even at the time of the Association's 100th anniversary, there was a war going on in the world. It would be better not to be a world war, but of course the war in Vietnam also affected people's consciousness. However, in Sweden there was a boom with a high growth rate. Now the increasing productivity in industry had meant that the curve for the proportion of jobs in industry had begun to fall. Instead, it was the service sector that was growing larger. Regarding development in the Jönköping area, there was a great focus on the construction of housing at this time. Among the areas that were developed are Ekhagen and Österängen, where a number of apartment buildings were built.

The 110th annual meeting was held at the Odd Fellows' premises on December 8th and was attended by 58 members and ladies. Per Medin handled the gavel for the first time and at the meeting Harry Carlsson was appointed honorary chairman of the association while Axel Johansson and Robert Åberg were appointed honorary members of the association.

In 1985, the 120th annual meeting was celebrated, this time on December 7th at the Craftsmen's Association's premises, and 51 people participated in the festivities. The tasty anniversary menu had been composed by the cellar master at the nearby tavern Amadeus.

Secretary Gunnar Sjöström, chairman Ulf Fransson and treasurer Ove Vipdal at the December meeting in 2011. On the table are the candlesticks and membership pins that were handed out to newly elected members.
Photo from the association's collection

The 130th anniversary was celebrated at WF's premises on Norra Strandgatan on December 8, 1995 and was a memorable event with a good turnout. Around sixty people attended the party, which was led by chairman Lars-Eric Svensson, who also gave a well-rounded historical look back at both the association and the city of Jönköping during the 130 years that had passed since the association was formed.

Peter Edlund thanks Ulf Fransson at the annual meeting in December 2014.
Photo Stefan Karlsson.

In 2005, the association celebrated its 140th anniversary and for this anniversary, the association's secretary Gunnar Sjöström compiled a commemorative publication. The party was also held this time at WF's premises and an exhibition of old objects borrowed from the Folkrörelsearkivet in Jönköping had been arranged for the party.

At the quarterly meeting in June 2015, the Miliseum in Skillingaryd was visited. Sven Engkvist, director of the military museum, gave a lecture and showed the museum.
Photo Stefan Karlsson

So we have arrived at the year 2015, when the association will celebrate its 150th anniversary. The anniversary party will be held, like so many previous parties, at the beautiful and pleasant premises belonging to the Handicrafts Association in Jönköping.

Governing body of the association through the years

Over the 150 years, the following members have served as:

President

L. P. Wahlin 1866-1870
Aug. Hallgren 1871-1877
J. P. Warolin 1878-1882
A. Feltström 1883-1898
J. A. Svensson 1899-1928
Ph. Grunditz 1929-1947
Olof Nilsson 1948-1953
Ernst Gustafsson 1954-1954
Georg Benér 1955-1955
Helge Svahn 1956-1962
Einar Johansson 1963-1963
Arvid Ingerfeldt 1964-1967
Harry Carlsson 1968-1975
Per Medin 1976-1987
Sven Harry Carlsson 1988-1993
Lars Eric Svensson 1994-1998
Per-Åke Gustafsson 1999-2005
Ulf Fransson 2006-2013
Peter Edlund 2014-

v. President

C. F. Djupström 1866-1867
A. Gustafsson 1868-1868
C. van Hagen 1869-1869
F. G. Sandvall 1870-1870
A. Feltström 1871-1871
J. P. Warolin 1872-1877
C. O. Wassberg 1878-1890
J. A. Johansson 1891-1898
H. R. Lindell 1899-1900
J. P. Warolin 1901-1923
Sv. Carlsson 1924-1926
Aug. Richard 1927-1930
Albin Johansson 1931-1933
Harald Esk 1934-1945
Olof Nilsson 1946-1947
Georg Benér 1952-1954
Lennart Grunditz 1955-1957
Ejnar Johansson 1958-1962
Harry Carlsson 1963-1967
Axel Johansson 1968-1972
Per Medin 1972-1975
Lars-Eric Svensson 1976-1982
Berth Berenstam 1983-1987
Bertil Johansson 1988-1993
Karl Arne Jönsson 1994-1996
Per Åke Gustafsson 1997-1998
Torbjörn Axberg 1999-2009
Lars Hansson 2010-2011
Peter Edlund 2012-2013
Ulf Fransson 2014-2015
 
Stefan Karlsson 2022-

Cashier

J. Andersson 1866-1869
A. Feltström 1870-1871
Th. Ringström 1872-1900
H. R. Lindell 1901-1918
F. O. Petré 1919-1919
Nils Lundberg 1920-1934
J. W. Lindahl 1935-1949
Ernst Gustafsson 1950-1953
Eric Andersson 1954-1957
Eric Lundberg 1958-1976
Karl-Gustaf Hamp 1977-1986
Jan Ekendahl 1987-1993
Kenneth Bergström 1994-1995
Rolf Larsson 1996-2003
Ove Vipdal 2004-2010
Jörgen Wixe 2011-2021
Jouni Vornanen 2022-2013
Richard Bjurenfalk 2024-

Secretary

Aug. Hallgren 1866-1867
J. F. Berg 1868-1890
C. O. Wassberg 1891-1908
Ph. Grunditz 1909-1928
Alfred Björk 1929-1933
Axel Svensson 1934-1959
Alvid Ingerfeldt 1960-1962
Axel Johansson 1963-1972
Thore Adolfsson 1972-1991
Gunnar Sjöström 1992-2011
Christer Bäcker 2012-2021
Klas Andersson 2022-