Swenson eventually settled in Austin, Texas and established numerous successful business endeavors with his uncle Swante Palm.

After establishing the SMS Ranches, Swenson became one of the largest landowners in Texas and was encouraged by Samuel Houston to recruit more Swedish immigrants to come work the land holdings.

Swenson traveled by ship back and forth to Sweden 16 times beginning in 1848, recruiting his countrymen to come and join his agricultural efforts in the central Texas region.

This organization works to protect the unique history contained within the Moline Swedish Lutheran Cemetery and raise funds to ensure its enduring accessibility to the public.

Other contributors to the restoration of this cemetery include the Burdine Johnson Foundation, the Gesthemane Lutheran Church and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Austin, the University of Texas at Austin School of Information, the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, and the Swedish Women's Education Association.

The damaged, concrete graves were barely visible over the brush and vegetation, and the metal markers and wooden crosses were completely obscured.