Jons Jonsson, the son of Jons Gard and Marta Sparfeldt, was born in Strom, Sweden, on 12th June, 1815. He worked as a farm labourer in northern Sweden before marrying Anna Johansdotter, a widow with five children. Over the next few years Anna had five more children.

Jonsson was a Baptist who was highly critical of the Swedish Lutheran Church. In 1865 he emigrated to America with his wife and youngest son, Henry Jonsson. When he arrived in America he joined with other Swedish dissenters to establish a settlement called Stockholm in Crawford County.

Once in America Jons Jonsson changed his name to John Sparfeldt and found work with the local railroad. He was eventually able to raise enough capital to buy a small farm. He was also able to send money back to Sweden to enable his eldest son and family to move to America. His son changed his name to John Naslund, when he arrived in Crawford County.

Sparfeldt experienced several tragedies in America. His youngest son, Henry Jonsson, who married another Swedish emigrant, Bertha Erickson, was murdered by a robber. While his young grandson, Alfred Jonsson, died of diphtheria in 1877. John Sparfeldt died in 1895.