HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Knut Emil Engwall (English pronunciation: ˈʌt ˈɛmÉȘl ɛƋɡwˈɔːl
Hangul The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and ChosƏn'gƭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The ...
: 크누튾 에밀 잉월; born 3 October 1863, died 27 March 1923) was a Swedish industrialist, activist, politician and heir of the Engwall family.


Biography

Knut Emil Engwall was the sixth son of
Victor Theodor Engwall Victor Theodor Engwall (24 July 1827 - 28 February 1908) was a Swedish industrialist, merchant and Philanthropy, philanthropist. He founded Vict. Th. Engwall & Co, predecessor to Gevalia, the largest coffee brand in Sweden. Biography Engwall ...
. Emil Engwall obtained a civil engineering degree in 1887. He joined Vict. Th. Engwall & Co in 1893. He was appointed as a partner in 1898, deputy CEO in 1905, and ultimately CEO in 1915, following the passing of his brother. Before joining the family business, Knut Emil Engwall, lived in the United States and Mexico. In the United States, he initiated an acquaintanceship with
Thomas Edison Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. These invent ...
. In 1881, Knut Emil Engwall volunteered in preparation for the New York City lightening event. On September 4, 1882, Emil Engwall witnessed what he later recalled to be "The first lightning of a metropolitan". In the United States he initially lived with his uncle
John Engwall John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...
, who had been received in the highest ranks of
Free Masonry Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...
, and was a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.
John Engwall John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...
was the President of the
National Publishing Company National Publishing Company is a historic book publisher in the United States. It was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Joshua R. Jones. In 1878 the business had a five-storey building constructed for its headquarters at 726 Cherry Str ...
, the oldest subscription publication in the United States. In New York City, Knut Emil Engwall became acquainted with Carl Leopold Berggren, his future grandfather-in-law and Viktor Gyllenhammar, Emil's later father-in-law. He enrolled at
KTH Royal Institute of Technology The KTH Royal Institute of Technology ( sv, Kungliga Tekniska högskolan, lit=Royal Institute of Technology), abbreviated KTH, is a public research university in Stockholm, Sweden. KTH conducts research and education in engineering and technol ...
in 1883. From 1883 to 1887, Knut Emil Engwall was chairman of the student body at
KTH Royal Institute of Technology The KTH Royal Institute of Technology ( sv, Kungliga Tekniska högskolan, lit=Royal Institute of Technology), abbreviated KTH, is a public research university in Stockholm, Sweden. KTH conducts research and education in engineering and technol ...
. In 1888, Knut Emil Engwall returned to the United States and was appointed as a board member of
Thomson-Houston Electric Company The Thomson-Houston Electric Company was a manufacturing company which was one of the precursors of the General Electric company. History The Thomson-Houston Electric Company was formed in 1882 in the United States when a group of Lynn, Massa ...
. He was nominated by his uncle-in-laws, Ernst Berggren and
Carl Berggren Carl may refer to: *Carl, Georgia, city in USA *Carl, West Virginia, an unincorporated community * Carl (name), includes info about the name, variations of the name, and a list of people with the name *CarlÂČ, a TV series * "Carl", an episode of te ...
, who had introduced Knut Emil Engwall to
Edison Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. These invention ...
during his first visit. Emil's uncle-in-laws was both board members of Edison Electric Co. of New York City. In
Scandinavia Scandinavia; SĂĄmi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Swe ...
, he became an advocate for the "lightening up of all cities". Knut Emil Engwall, upon his return to
GĂ€vle GĂ€vle () is a Urban areas in Sweden, city in Sweden, the seat of GĂ€vle Municipality and the capital of GĂ€vleborg County. It had 77,586 inhabitants in 2020, which makes it the List of cities in Sweden, 13th most populated city in Sweden. It is t ...
, acquired multiple electricity plants. Knut Emil Engwall served as the chairman of the lightning board and played a crucial role in the development of the regional electricity plant. In 1892, He was appointed Chairman of Brunkebergsverket, Sweden's first electricity plant, and later assumed the role of director at the regional power plant. In 1896, he was also appointed vice-chairman of Gefle Elektriska Belysningsaktiebolag. In 1900, Knut Emil Engwall, oversaw the lightning of Seoul's Jongno Street, the first street lightning in the Korean Empire. He was an unspecified executive at Hanseong Jeongi Hoesa (Seoul Electric Company), and became acquainted with Gojong of Korea. In 1900, the pro-American Lee Chae-Yeon, President of Hanseong Jeongi Hoesa, died. In 1901, Emil Engwall moved from
Korea Korea ( ko, 한ꔭ, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republi ...
. He retained a close relationship with
Horace Newton Allen Horace Newton Allen (April 23, 1858 – December 11, 1932) was a missionary, physician, and American ambassador to Korea. He was the first Protestant missionary in Korea, arriving there on September 15, 1884. After treating Min Young-ik, a r ...
, a U.S. Legation official, who later became United States Minister to Korea and
Consul General A consul is an official representative of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, as well as to facilitate trade and friendship between the people ...
. Newton Allen was a major advocate for the electrification of Korea. In 1905, Emil Engwall uttered support for Allan, who was recalled due to disagreements over the Taft-Katsura Agreement.


AB GÀvle-Dala JÀrnvÀg

Knut Emil Engwall was active in AB GÀvle-Dala JÀrnvÀg, a project initially funded by his family. In the United States he befriended, the son of railway-tycoon and politician
Nils Ericson Nils is a Scandinavian given name, a chiefly Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and Latvian variant of Niels, cognate to Nicholas. People and animals with the given name * Nils Bergström (born 1985), Swedish ice hockey player *Nils Björk (1898–1989), ...
, Werner Ericson, who on his father behalf initiated an railway cooperation program between AB GĂ€vle-Dala JĂ€rnvĂ€g, Bergslagernas JĂ€rnvĂ€gar, and Stockholm–VĂ€sterĂ„s–Bergslagens JĂ€rnvĂ€gar. In 1889, the estimated cost of the cooperation program between GĂ€vla-Dala railway, Bergslagernas JĂ€rnvĂ€gar, and Stockholm–VĂ€sterĂ„s–Bergslagens JĂ€rnvĂ€gar, was 100 000 000 in monetary value (approximately 4.87% of the Swedish GDP in 1889), equivalent to present date SEK 370 billion. The program was funded by private and public entities. Knut Emil Engwall's older brother,
Ernst Victor Engwall Ernst Victor Engwall (1855-1915) was a Swedish businessman, merchant and second heir of the Engwall family. Biography Ernst Victor Engwall, the eldest son of Victor Theodor Engwall, joined the company in 1875. He became CEO at Vict. Th. Engwa ...
, as a member of GĂ€vle City Council and established within the political sphere secured funding from the government body of
GÀvle Municipality GÀvle Municipality (''GÀvle kommun'') is a municipality in east central Sweden. The municipal seat is located in the Stad (city) of GÀvle. Geographically the municipality is situated north of the mouth of the river DalÀlven and is the south ...
. In 1899, Emil Engwall, assisted his brother to be nominated as vice-chairman of Gefleborgs Enskilda Bank for the project to receive additional funding.Gefleborgs enskilda bank
i '' Svensk rikskalender'' 1909
The board at the time consisted of Emil Engwall's Uncle-in-law, Carl Waldemar Berggren; Carl Gustaf Ericson, brother of Werner Ericson; and Per Edward Rettig, the son of Carl Anton Rettig, a railway tycoon and Emil Engwall's mentor. Subsequently, Gefleborgs Enskilda Bank granted favourable loans to the project. On 9 June 1886, in New York City, Knut Emil Engwall married Calla Gyllenhammar. She was the daughter of Captain Victor Constantine Gyllenhammar and Julia Terese Berggren, daughter of Carl Leopold Berggren. She was the sister of "insurance king", Pher Gyllenhammar Sr., and aunt of Pehr Gyllenhammar Jr., Sweden's most influential businessman in the 1970s. In 1909, Calla Gyllenhammar passed away. The couple had five children.


Telecommunication

In Mexico, Knut Emil Engwall worked in telecommunications. He established an acquaintanceship with
Henrik Tore Cedergren Henrik is a male given name of Germanic origin, primarily used in Scandinavia, Estonia, Hungary and Slovenia. In Poland, the name is spelt Henryk but pronounced similarly. Equivalents in other languages are Henry (English), Heiki (Estonian), Heik ...
, "the telephone king of Stockholm". Henrik Tore Cedergren's company, Stockholms AllmÀnna Telefonaktiebolag (SAT), had a telecommunications monopoly in Stockholm. In 1883, Stockholms AllmÀnna Telefonaktiebolag (SAT) initiated a partnership with L M Ericsson & Co. In 1891,
Henrik Tore Cedergren Henrik is a male given name of Germanic origin, primarily used in Scandinavia, Estonia, Hungary and Slovenia. In Poland, the name is spelt Henryk but pronounced similarly. Equivalents in other languages are Henry (English), Heiki (Estonian), Heik ...
acquired majority ownership L M Ericsson & Co. Emil Engwall, following the acquisition, was nominated as vice-chairman at
Cedergren Cedergren was a Swedish telecommunications company running the telephone network in Warsaw between 1900 and the interbellum. Named after its founder, Henrik Tore Cedergren, it was notable as the first official phone operator in that city and t ...
. In 1898, he was appointed as chairman of
Cedergren Cedergren was a Swedish telecommunications company running the telephone network in Warsaw between 1900 and the interbellum. Named after its founder, Henrik Tore Cedergren, it was notable as the first official phone operator in that city and t ...
. The company had at the time a monopoly over telecommunications in
Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is official ...
. In 1904, Knut Emil Engwall initiated the construction of Imperial Russia's first skyscraper, the
Cedergren Tower Cedergren was a Swedish telecommunications company running the telephone network in Warsaw between 1900 and the interbellum. Named after its founder, Henrik Tore Cedergren, it was notable as the first official phone operator in that city and the ...
. After Calla Gyllenhammar's death, in 1909, Emil Engwall married Emy Cedergren the granddaughter of
Henrik Tore Cedergren Henrik is a male given name of Germanic origin, primarily used in Scandinavia, Estonia, Hungary and Slovenia. In Poland, the name is spelt Henryk but pronounced similarly. Equivalents in other languages are Henry (English), Heiki (Estonian), Heik ...
. In
Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is official ...
, the Engwalls befriended members of the
House of Bogdan-Mușat The House of Bogdan, commonly referred to as the House of Mușat, was the ruling family which established the Principality of Moldova with Bogdan I ( 1363–1367), giving the country its first line of Princes, one closely related with the Ba ...
and of the
House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen ( en, Nothing without God) , national_anthem = , common_languages = German , religion = Roman Catholic , currency = , title_leader = Prince , leader1 ...
. In 1924, Ivan von Bogdan, Prince of Bogdan-Mușat married into the Engwall family. In the sphere of telecommunications, Knut Emil Engwall befriended
Ivar Kreuger Ivar Kreuger (; 2 March 1880 – 12 March 1932) was a Swedish civil engineer, financier, entrepreneur and industrialist. In 1908, he co-founded the construction company Kreuger & Toll Byggnads AB, which specialized in new building techniques. ...
, "the match king". In the 1920s,
Ivar Kreuger Ivar Kreuger (; 2 March 1880 – 12 March 1932) was a Swedish civil engineer, financier, entrepreneur and industrialist. In 1908, he co-founded the construction company Kreuger & Toll Byggnads AB, which specialized in new building techniques. ...
acquired a position as principal shareholder of L M Ericsson & Co.
Kreuger Kreuger is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *David Kreuger, Swedish songwriter *Frederik H. Kreuger (1928–2015), Dutch high-voltage scientist, professor emeritus and a professional author *Ivar Kreuger (1880–1932), Swedish e ...
also acquired the Engwalls previously operated match factories for a premium. Knut Emil Engwall regarded
Ivar Kreuger Ivar Kreuger (; 2 March 1880 – 12 March 1932) was a Swedish civil engineer, financier, entrepreneur and industrialist. In 1908, he co-founded the construction company Kreuger & Toll Byggnads AB, which specialized in new building techniques. ...
and
Paul Toll Paul Sequens Esaias Toll (September 7, 1882 in SmĂ„land – July 3, 1946) was a Swedish construction engineer and co-founder, together with Ivar Kreuger, of the construction company Kreuger & Toll. Paul Toll was born in the parish of Berga i ...
, the owners of
Kreuger & Toll Kreuger & Toll was a company founded on May 18, 1908 by two Swedish engineers, Ivar Kreuger and Paul Toll, with Henrik KreĂŒger working as a consultant and chief engineer. History Early 1908, Ivar and his cousin Henrik KreĂŒger planned to establ ...
, as "Two men of noble virtues, shaping history through self-will and capabilities". In 1913,
Paul Toll Paul Sequens Esaias Toll (September 7, 1882 in SmĂ„land – July 3, 1946) was a Swedish construction engineer and co-founder, together with Ivar Kreuger, of the construction company Kreuger & Toll. Paul Toll was born in the parish of Berga i ...
married Gunhild Maria Engwall, Knut Emil Engwall's niece. In 1923, Knut Emil Engwall passed away at the age of 60. He served as chairman of Vict. Th. Engwall & Co, Brunkebergsverket, The Lightning Board, AB GÀvle-Dala JÀrnvÀg, and
Cedergren Cedergren was a Swedish telecommunications company running the telephone network in Warsaw between 1900 and the interbellum. Named after its founder, Henrik Tore Cedergren, it was notable as the first official phone operator in that city and t ...
. He served as vice-chairman of Gefle Elektriska Belysningsaktiebolag, Bergslagernas JĂ€rnvĂ€gar, and Stockholm–VĂ€sterĂ„s–Bergslagens JĂ€rnvĂ€gar. He sat on the board of Hanseong Jeongi Hoesa (Seoul Electric Company), Kreuger & Toll Construction, Stockholms AllmĂ€nna Telefonaktiebolag (SAT), L M Ericsson & Co, and
General Electric Company The General Electric Company (GEC) was a major British industrial conglomerate involved in consumer and defence electronics, communications, and engineering. The company was founded in 1886, was Britain's largest private employer with over 250 ...
(GE). After Emil Engwall's death his wife, Emy Cedergren, and daughter, Inga Karin Emilia Engwall, moved into
Ivar Kreuger Ivar Kreuger (; 2 March 1880 – 12 March 1932) was a Swedish civil engineer, financier, entrepreneur and industrialist. In 1908, he co-founded the construction company Kreuger & Toll Byggnads AB, which specialized in new building techniques. ...
's private residence on Villagatan 13,
Östermalm Östermalm (; "Eastern city-borough") is a 2.56 km2 large district in central Stockholm, Sweden. With 71,802 inhabitants, it is one of the most populous districts in Stockholm. It is an extremely expensive area, having the highest housing ...
. Knut Emil Engwall had a total of nine children: Kerstin Viktoria Engwall, Pehr Viktor Engwall, Yngve Viktor Engwall, Rolf Viktor Engwall, Inga Karin Emilia Engwall, Björn Engwall, Bertil Engwall, and Marianne Engwall. The descendants later became an integral part of the Engwall legacy.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Engwall, Knut Emil 1863 births 1923 deaths Swedish businesspeople Swedish industrialists Engwall family