In this second part of the letter from Jonas Victor Swenson to his brother Albert in Sweden, he talks about the weather, about how things are in Sweden and a little about what women do in the church in America. Roselyn
Randolph, Kansas
June 1, 1931
Part 1
Now it is a beautiful summer time in Sweden. The birds sing and the cuckoo calls. It is a short time, but it is lovely. You write about the meadow. Those who have been to Sweden from here, say that it is so easy to walk in the summer. But how is it in spring, autumn and winter, when there is a snowstorm? I do remember mild winters. I like summer best. Then I am well. Here I am well in autumn, spring and summer.
I am thinking of Hamra, in Sweden. Now it has cultivated bogs and marshes.
As to me, I have no reason to complain. When it is cold, rainy and nasty, I stay in my rocking chair from morning til nine o'clock in the evening. I feel that it is tiring and the time is long, but the days pass, and my time cannot be very long, and I am satisfied with that.
I will tell you about the convention where Mina and Alfred are (his son Alfred and wife Mina, who are working to help with the church convention.) The women have a lot of work to do and it is costly. They prepare enough food for 100 people. They make coffee and more in the church lower floor (basement). Everything is for the Lord so that makes it easier.
June 7, it has been nine years since my wife died. The time has been long, but short in the same way. I have children. I get letters from them, and they visit me, and that brings much joy to me.
This letter is long, so I finish with greetings to you all from our old brother.
J.V. Swenson
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
106. June 1, 1931
As an aging man, Jonas Victor spends much time in his rocking chair, remembering the past. He also talks about what he eats. His diet was really quite modern and healthful--unusual for that time. He mentions church work for the women. Roselyn.
Randolph, Kansas June 1, 1931
Thanks, brother for the letter I received yesterday. You wrote with black ink, and then I can see to read it.
Today, Sunday, Mina and Alfred (his son and wife who live near his old farm). are at church, where there is a Sunday School convention. Many congregations are there to discuss whether they think that Sunday School is good for the children.
Perhaps you wonder why I am not with them. It is too cold for my feet. The floor is too cold, and then I get severe pain.
During the night I sit wrapped in the rocking chair, and have my feet on a fur skin. I had my breakfast in my chair. I was so tired, so I fell asleep and slept for two hours.
Now it is noon and the dinner is on the table. Coffee, egg, butter, honey, milk, sugar and pie (sweet roll) are the best in the morning. I always eat whole wheat--it is wholesome. I mix it with raisins. As you know, it is like grain. It is the first thing I eat in the morning.
I have talked about eggs. My daughter-in-law has 400 hens and 200 roosters. The roosters are valuable to sell when they weight 1 1/2 pounds. You should not eat too many eggs; two a day are enough or three the same day. I always eat one.
I have a good appetite and I sleep well. Now I can eat more than I did several years ago. However, I think the people in Sweden eat more than here, like potatoes. When I was in Sweden they ate lots of potatoes. I eat two potatoes, but Alfred, my son, eats more.
Randolph, Kansas June 1, 1931
Thanks, brother for the letter I received yesterday. You wrote with black ink, and then I can see to read it.
Today, Sunday, Mina and Alfred (his son and wife who live near his old farm). are at church, where there is a Sunday School convention. Many congregations are there to discuss whether they think that Sunday School is good for the children.
Perhaps you wonder why I am not with them. It is too cold for my feet. The floor is too cold, and then I get severe pain.
During the night I sit wrapped in the rocking chair, and have my feet on a fur skin. I had my breakfast in my chair. I was so tired, so I fell asleep and slept for two hours.
Now it is noon and the dinner is on the table. Coffee, egg, butter, honey, milk, sugar and pie (sweet roll) are the best in the morning. I always eat whole wheat--it is wholesome. I mix it with raisins. As you know, it is like grain. It is the first thing I eat in the morning.
I have talked about eggs. My daughter-in-law has 400 hens and 200 roosters. The roosters are valuable to sell when they weight 1 1/2 pounds. You should not eat too many eggs; two a day are enough or three the same day. I always eat one.
I have a good appetite and I sleep well. Now I can eat more than I did several years ago. However, I think the people in Sweden eat more than here, like potatoes. When I was in Sweden they ate lots of potatoes. I eat two potatoes, but Alfred, my son, eats more.
Monday, January 23, 2012
105. December 6, 1928
Jonas Victor is still remembering some money transactions from long ago in Sweden. He also talks about the recent presidential elections in America. Roselyn
Clay Center, Kansas
December 6, 1928.
Brother Gustav Albert and Family!
I came here last Monday. I have a son here, and I am sitting here alone, but not far from dinner. I never know how it will be when I move. When I come, I have it good.
I like best to be quiet. I have some problems with my feet. I must have them on a warm brick.
I want to tell you about a letter I got from you. I thought I had it, but I cannot find it. It was about some money from an inheritance.
Now during the winter, I cannot go out. It is too cold, so I sit in a rocking chair all the time. Here I do not need to go out because they have a fire in the cellar, so the floors are warm. When I am with my son on the farm home, I have to go out to bring in wood.
I am writing to say that it is best if you can take one day at a time and rest in the comfort of my father's hands.
As you know, I was in Omaha, Nebraska (He was living with another son there). I always go in an automobile both ways.
There has been more rain than we need here in Clay Center. There is a good harvest of everything.
I will tell you a little about the presidential election. The Democrats put up a man who was governor of New York, the most important occupation in that state. He had a good reputation, and he was a good man, but he promised that there would be restaurants (legal alcohol). He thought all who wanted a dram should be able to have it. Those who did not want to have it, it was ok.
The Republicans were for the sobriety law. When the day for voting came, the Republicans elected the president. (Calvin Coolidge) The Republicans got 40 states for him and the Democrats' governor got 6 states. You see the people did not want to have "restaurants". Indeed, the law was passed, but it will be harder.
Brother Albert, I see that you have passed 80, so you will be free from working. You have sons who can do the job. Before in Sweden, when you were 50, you would not do anything. (they retired?).
Kindest regards to you. Thanks for letters I get. It is so nice to hear from you. May God be with us in our different ways, and help us so will be happily saved home with God.
From your sincere brother.
J.V. Swenson
I wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Clay Center, Kansas
December 6, 1928.
Brother Gustav Albert and Family!
I came here last Monday. I have a son here, and I am sitting here alone, but not far from dinner. I never know how it will be when I move. When I come, I have it good.
I like best to be quiet. I have some problems with my feet. I must have them on a warm brick.
I want to tell you about a letter I got from you. I thought I had it, but I cannot find it. It was about some money from an inheritance.
Now during the winter, I cannot go out. It is too cold, so I sit in a rocking chair all the time. Here I do not need to go out because they have a fire in the cellar, so the floors are warm. When I am with my son on the farm home, I have to go out to bring in wood.
I am writing to say that it is best if you can take one day at a time and rest in the comfort of my father's hands.
As you know, I was in Omaha, Nebraska (He was living with another son there). I always go in an automobile both ways.
There has been more rain than we need here in Clay Center. There is a good harvest of everything.
I will tell you a little about the presidential election. The Democrats put up a man who was governor of New York, the most important occupation in that state. He had a good reputation, and he was a good man, but he promised that there would be restaurants (legal alcohol). He thought all who wanted a dram should be able to have it. Those who did not want to have it, it was ok.
The Republicans were for the sobriety law. When the day for voting came, the Republicans elected the president. (Calvin Coolidge) The Republicans got 40 states for him and the Democrats' governor got 6 states. You see the people did not want to have "restaurants". Indeed, the law was passed, but it will be harder.
Brother Albert, I see that you have passed 80, so you will be free from working. You have sons who can do the job. Before in Sweden, when you were 50, you would not do anything. (they retired?).
Kindest regards to you. Thanks for letters I get. It is so nice to hear from you. May God be with us in our different ways, and help us so will be happily saved home with God.
From your sincere brother.
J.V. Swenson
I wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
104. August 1928 Part 2
Jonas Victor continues in this letter, to speak about money he is owed by the family. He mentions his daughter, Tilda, who was Matilda Swenson Skonberg, my father's mother and my grandmother. It is interesting to think that she had some kind of written connection to Anna Greta's mother. It would be nice to have some letters from women in the family. Roselyn
Omaha, Nebraska
August, 1928 Part 2
We had done so much for my parents-in-law. I think they would have had difficulty living without our help. They could not get a farmhand, so I had to work hard. I did not cost them anything. I had clothes, but I wore them out. I bought new clothes when I got married.
My mother-in-law told Tilda that Victor and Anna Geta worked hard. Tilda told us this a year ago. I looked in the box where my wife's gold rings were. I saw 4 wide gold rings and 2 thin ones. She had received them from her mother. It was noted whom they were from, and how many carats they had. I think that her mother wanted my wife to have these rings.
I never told my children so none of them know anything about this. I had forgotten all of the work we did at that time. It is such a little sum, so think nothing of it. We have been blessed both with spiritual and physical things.
I made a loan of $2,000 to the son of a friend, and he has not paid. His father signed the loan. Now the father has lost that money for his children and others, so he has no money left. I will not get the money back, but it is no trouble for me. It will only be that much less money after my death.
I will now finish with kindest regards to all of you.
I hope that God will bless us, so we may meet God.
Brotherly, Victor Swenson
Omaha, Nebraska
August, 1928 Part 2
We had done so much for my parents-in-law. I think they would have had difficulty living without our help. They could not get a farmhand, so I had to work hard. I did not cost them anything. I had clothes, but I wore them out. I bought new clothes when I got married.
My mother-in-law told Tilda that Victor and Anna Geta worked hard. Tilda told us this a year ago. I looked in the box where my wife's gold rings were. I saw 4 wide gold rings and 2 thin ones. She had received them from her mother. It was noted whom they were from, and how many carats they had. I think that her mother wanted my wife to have these rings.
I never told my children so none of them know anything about this. I had forgotten all of the work we did at that time. It is such a little sum, so think nothing of it. We have been blessed both with spiritual and physical things.
I made a loan of $2,000 to the son of a friend, and he has not paid. His father signed the loan. Now the father has lost that money for his children and others, so he has no money left. I will not get the money back, but it is no trouble for me. It will only be that much less money after my death.
I will now finish with kindest regards to all of you.
I hope that God will bless us, so we may meet God.
Brotherly, Victor Swenson
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
104. August 1928 Part 1
A letter in which Jonas Victor tells about the early years and how hard his wife Anna Greta worked, sewing. Another letter tells of all the garden she raised and canned for food for them It is one of the few about her life. Roselyn
Omaha, Nebraska
August, 1928
Dear Brother Albert,
I received your letter--many thanks. It is always nice to get a letter from you.
I am now in Omaha, 200 miles north of my home in Randolph. Kansas.
(Then some writing about a long ago debt when his wife's estate in Hamra was settled. It seems he was owed some money, but says he does not remember.)
I have had so much income, so I did not need the money. God has blessed us with so much. If it had been during the first 13 years, I would probably have remembered. During that time it was difficult many times.
We had grasshoppers twice. They ate all the harvest. We had cattle, but they were not worth much. Some years we had a little harvest, so we had the food we needed. We lived in a poor house, but it was better than others, who had to dig an earthen cave or live in a sod house.
We had money and Mother (his wife Anna Greta) made butter, which we could exchange for what we needed. When I look back, I can see that God helped so much. Thanks be to God's holy name.
During this time, my wife sewed clothes for the children--caps, sweaters, coats, waistcoats and trousers. She made everything with her hands. She was busy late in the evening, many times after midnight.
She wrote to her mother about our life here. Her mother wanted to help her with sewing. My wife answered that the biggest help would be to have a sewing machine. Her mother sent $88.58 cents. I do not remember, but I think that a dollar was not more than three Swedish crowns. My mother-in-law had enough money, so she could send without any trouble.
Omaha, Nebraska
August, 1928
Dear Brother Albert,
I received your letter--many thanks. It is always nice to get a letter from you.
I am now in Omaha, 200 miles north of my home in Randolph. Kansas.
(Then some writing about a long ago debt when his wife's estate in Hamra was settled. It seems he was owed some money, but says he does not remember.)
I have had so much income, so I did not need the money. God has blessed us with so much. If it had been during the first 13 years, I would probably have remembered. During that time it was difficult many times.
We had grasshoppers twice. They ate all the harvest. We had cattle, but they were not worth much. Some years we had a little harvest, so we had the food we needed. We lived in a poor house, but it was better than others, who had to dig an earthen cave or live in a sod house.
We had money and Mother (his wife Anna Greta) made butter, which we could exchange for what we needed. When I look back, I can see that God helped so much. Thanks be to God's holy name.
During this time, my wife sewed clothes for the children--caps, sweaters, coats, waistcoats and trousers. She made everything with her hands. She was busy late in the evening, many times after midnight.
She wrote to her mother about our life here. Her mother wanted to help her with sewing. My wife answered that the biggest help would be to have a sewing machine. Her mother sent $88.58 cents. I do not remember, but I think that a dollar was not more than three Swedish crowns. My mother-in-law had enough money, so she could send without any trouble.
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