I have found a 17 year old male in the 1880 census whose occupation was listed as coal miner.
His name was August (or Gus) BERRY, he lived with his mother and three brothers in Springfield, IL, he was born in Stockholm, Sweden, as were his parents. Mother's name was Christina.
Nothing is known of him beyond these census entries. Family history says he went west and was never heard from again.

Since he was a coal miner, I am wondering if there are records of mines or miners that go back that far, and how I might access them. Does anyone have any ideas?