Hjalmar Söderberg

1859–1933.

Manufacturer, entrepreneur.

In 1885, the merchant Hjalmar Söderberg opened a yarn, sewing and fabric shop at Vaksalagatan 13 (where the town hall is today).

The movement was expanded and moved to larger premises on Vaksalagatan 15 and already in the 1890s began production of wool fabrics and clothing. In 1896, the industrial business moved to Dragarbrunnsgatan 65 (the corner of Dragarbrunnsgatan-Kålsängsgränd) and the company developed into the largest in the clothing industry in Uppsala and one of the larger ones in Sweden.

Söderberg's shop at Vaksalagatan 15, around 1901-1902. Photo: Alfred Dahlgren / Upplandsmuseet.

Interior from Söderberg's shop. The picture was published in Upsala Nya Tidning April 29, 1933. Photo: Paul Sandberg / Upplandsmuseet.

In 1907, a separate company was set up for the clothing industry under the name AB Hjalmar Söderberg. His son Erik Söderberg took over the management of the company in 1933, and in the 1940s the company, which then had branch factories in Lövstabruk and Örbyhus, employed between 500 and 600 people.

Hjalmar Söderberg's wife Elin (1861–1933) was honoured by her son with a sculpture adorning the burial site. The sculpture was made by the artist Arvid Knöppel and illustrates the Bible word in Book of Psalms Psalt. 126:5 "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."

 

Burial site: 0131-1366

Image descriptionManufacturer Hjalmar Söderberg, Uppsala 1903. Photo: Anders Larsson / UUB [The image is cropped].
Click here for an uncropped image