Petter and Matilda Dahlgren

Today’s story is about Alexander’s uncle, Petter Dahlgren.  This information on Petter’s life comes from a letter written to Paula by Britt Novak, his granddaughter who currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden.

Petter and his wife Matilda Josefsdotter met and were married in Falköping, Sweden.  Petter and Matilda had ten children, five boys and five girls, Anna, Matilda, Sten, Martin, Josef, Dagmar, Ellen, David, Vera and Paul.  They purchased a piece of land in the Stockholm area of Stenhamra, or “Stone Hammer”, named based on its location to a rock quarry.  “Stone Hammer” and the quarry are located on Färingsö Island in Lake Mälaren. The land in Stenhamra was located on a small stony forest hill. They named their property “Dalsro” which means “Valley Rose”.

Matilda (1855-1947) and Petter Dahlgren (1852-1934)

Through the years, they cultivated the land and grew fruit trees and berry bushes. The family raised some animals as well.  They had a cow, pigs and chickens.  Petter (and later his son David) were also beekeepers and sold any extra honey not consumed by their 10 children!  Matilda had a knitting machine and knit socks and other goods to help keep her family warm and to sell. Petter and Matilda shipped the produce and goods to Stockholm to earn some extra money and to help build a larger home.  Petter and Matilda were devout Christians and well respected throughout their community.

Gamal Huset - Old  House - Note the beehives in front.

The Stenhamara stone quarry, now partially submerged, 
was used to build cobble and curbstones shipped
to Stockholm.  Many died due to dangerous
working conditions.  

Petter and all of his sons worked in the local stone quarry as masons. Conditions at the quarry were deadly, and all but Petter’s son David died from tuberculosis. Petter and Matilda’s children were musical.  David played the violin and cello for a chamber orchestra, Ellen played the guitar and Vera the mandolin.  Anna, the oldest daughter, went to St. Petersburg to work and when she came home she taught the family how to hunt for wild mushrooms. Petter’s daughter Dagmar and her husband had a small farm.  After Petter and Matilda passed away, David, Vera and Ellen decide to keep the family home.  The extended family gathered there during the summers for family reunions for many years afterwards.

Petter and Matilda sitting in front of Nya Huset - New House.

It is interesting to note that all of Alexander’s paternal uncles became stonemasons and worked throughout Sweden. Alexander himself also worked as a stonemason during the Great Depression.  Alexander was forced to sell his shop at the beginning of the depression and worked for another tailor to make ends meet. As the depression continued there was not enough work for the both of them, so Alexander worked for the WPA.  His primary responsibility in the WPA involved cutting stones used for curbs.  The engineering instinct in him came out and he was deeply involved in designing tools to cut stone. He took great pride in each new tool he created and would bring them home to show everyone in family his daily handiwork.