Who is Danjel Andreasson from Unto a Good Land a Novel and what is their importance?

Danjel Andreasson was a member of the group that traveled to America from Sweden. He was a religious man, and he believed that he had somehow betrayed God because he doesn't understand the language in America. Danjel's wife died on the trip, and Ulrika took over caring of his children. Danjel was banned from returning to Sweden because of religious "breaches." He was Kristina's uncle.