Memories of Grandma Dahlgren

Grandma Dahlgren with Lisa and Michael (baby) Dahlgren - 1958

FROM STEPHANIE LOGAN:

Back in the "old" days when I was in my early teens I remember spending a few weeks in the summer at Grandma Dahlgren's house. One day Linda (Austin), Steve (Oxley) and I were out running around town and it started raining.
We ran back to Grandma's house where she gave us some hot chocolate. Since I was staying there I had some dry clothes. I remember sharing my clothes with Linda, but Steve ended up in one of Grandma's bathrobes until she could dry his clothes, which back then meant they hung near the stove since there was no dryer.  While we enjoyed our hot chocolate we decided to play poker at the dining room table.  This dining room table held a lot of good memories. Not only did Linda and I take all Steve's baseball cards at that time, but I remember enjoying hot chocolate in one of Grandma's fragile tea cups. It was a great day.  (We gave Steve back his cards later that day.)

I remember one time in Bradford where I was bored,  Linda was busy and Uncle Amos was visiting. Grandma decided she wanted to get out so Uncle Amos drove us to Rock City. Even though they were up in age at that time, they tromped through the woods on paths that were a bit steep even for me. It was my special time with two special people. 

When Grandma was in the hospital in Meadville I remember my mom and I taking the drive from Akron to visit her. She looked so frail. Not anything like the grandma I remember carrying a basket of clothes to hang on the line then pulling them in to iron. (Taking care of laundry was how she paid the rent.) It was that trip when the doctor stopped us to tell us she probably would not live through the night. That was a tough ride home.

Finally, when Grandma died I remember the funeral home where she was laid out.  I was 15 at the time. I remember looking at the casket and all the flowers.  My mom told me that they had 52 white roses and 10 red roses put on the casket, fifty-two for the number of grandkids and great grandkids she had at the time and ten for her children.  I remember Bill Boyle and I walking around the block sharing great stories of our time with Grandma. 

Each one of us grandchildren have different stories of Grandma. These are my memories. 

Love to all,

Stef

FROM SANDY OXLEY FEHRMAN:

The recollections of a young girl, one of Iva's first grandchildren, are cherished

memories of a strong, loving and courageous Grandma.  It was through my

own mother, Esther Dahlgren Oxley, that I saw Iva as a depression-era warrior.

Iva was a tough old bird with no airs about her.  In fact, I remember well her

belching, a sudden, loud and unexpected noise that always made me jump.  I

was horrified by the lack of "manners" and yet my Mom (teacher of manners)

never criticized or made excuses for Iva.  My Grandma Dahlgren was a hero

to her daughter.  Iva was a huge presence in a room as everyone looked to her

for direction and approval.  It turns out, as I grew to know more about her, that

she wasn't only too big for the room, or the house, but for the times.  Iva

was an example to her family of the power of the will; the desire to raise children

with a respect for education and for honesty and integrity. 

Iva married Alexander Dahlgren, a Swedish immigrant and a tailor from "the

old country".  Alexander was a man I learned little about and never met as he

was long gone before I came on the scene.  Iva took in Alexander's two sons

from a previous marriage and had eight more children of her own.  The eldest

daughter, second born, was my mother.  All of Iva's children were named

from the Bible and I know Iva's strength must have come, at least in part,

from her faith because, oh boy, did she need strength and courage and a

strong will!  

Alexander and Iva's marriage ended after she had eight children with him. 

During that time, she also helped Alexander raise one of his sons from his
 first marriage to Hilda Daniels.  After Alexander left the family, Iva had 
the immense responsibility of caring for the remaining children by herself.

She cleaned houses, took in laundry and ironing and was a

nanny to a wealthy family in Bradford, PA.  My mother had many responsibilities

for her siblings but when she spoke of helping at home, Esther's memories

were good ones.  It is only now, as a mother myself, that I feel great sadness

that Grandma had to worry about finances instead of enjoying raising her

children.  My mother spoke often of Iva's morals and goals for the family. 

She insisted on proper behavior, good school performance, helpfulness at

home and in the community.  Everyone helped support the family. 

Iva was strong.  She was determined and she had dreams for her children. 

She made sure everyone graduated from high school and many also

graduated from college or, at least, attended some college classes. She

was also proud of her family!  Anyone who knew her knew her love for and

pride in her family. 

My personal memories of Grandma Dahlgren were many.  She was always

so happy to see me!  She remembered that I loved chocolate cake with white

icing and hers was the best ever.  She gave me everything in the house that

I admired until my mom insisted she stop.  Iva taught me to be strong, to be

forgiving, to trust in myself, to live my faith and to love my family.  What

better legacy can there be from a Grandma?!

Iva Pearl Emerson Dahlgren Part I

Iva Dahlgren - Christmas 1957

The following is extracted from:
100 Years by, William Dahlgren
(This history was written with
assistance from his sisters Elsia,
Esther, Mary and Naomi)

"Iva’s father’s name was Alfred A. Emerson and her mother was Mary.  (Iva’s) grandfather was named Russell Emerson, born (13 April 1827)…in Bath, New York.”

“We are quite sure that Iva’s great-grandfather, Charles, had fought in the War of 1812 and as a veteran was eligible to buy land in what is known as the Western Reserve.  The Western Reserve stretched from Connecticut through New York and into Ohio.  Alfred’s father, (Robert) Russell, used this grant to buy land in upstate New York in a town called Painted Post.  The land cost him one dollar per acre.  They farmed the land and flourished and it is where Iva’s life begins.”

“(Iva’s mother) was born Mary Adelaid Ward (or Grey), a Welsh woman from Ithica, New York.  Together they bore nine children, three boys and six girls.  Iva was born (June 25 1895)  at Painted Post, New York.  The names of the other children in the order of their age were, (Cora) Edith, Blanche, Maude, Nelson, Amos, Ward, Iva and Celia.”

“The trail of the family is a bit vague at this point but we do know that they moved from Painted Post into Bath, New York and then, while Iva was rather young, moved again into Pennsylvania…”

“The family settled in a small town called Tainters, a short distance from Bradford, Pennsylvania.  The town was nestled in the hills of Pennsylvania complete with cool fresh air, mountain springs and access to Bradford which was prospering from the oil industry.  Tainters itself was not involved with oil but was a lumbering town which made its way by selling lumber and (byproducts)….”

“(Iva’s father) Alfred set up a saw mill in his new home and began building the business. The sawmill was run with team-driven equipment powered with wood.  The trees were cut with axes and crosscut saws.  Horses were used to drag the trees from the woods…At the same time, Iva’s mother, Mary, was the community midwife.  It was a strong family undertaking requiring each to make their contribution with skill and long hours of work.  As I reflect on this period in my mother’s life, I remember detecting a feeling of peace and fond memories as she would talk about those days.  It was a simple, but hard life where a child could grow and gain strength from a stable family unit.”

Kinzua Bridge - this bridge crossed the valley by Tainters and Painted Post.  Family stories indicate that Iva, her  brothers, and sisters crossed the bridge on foot to get to school.  They also learned how to climb down unto the trestles in case they were on the bridge whenever a train came along.

“While Tainters was a small town, it did have a one-room schoolhouse which the children attended.  The classes were oriented to the basics and as the families needed the children for household chores the class schedule often reflected the availability of the children…Iva attended school in Tainters like the others, starting we assume about 1900.  We are not certain how long Iva attended school, but assume it was through the eighth grade.  It was during this time that her character was formed…The lifestyle in the hills and the family upbringing would instill the following qualities in each member of the family.  They, above all, would be self-reliant with a profound sense of responsibility.  As a result, they were also strong-willed with an (impeccable) work ethic.  The quality that pulled all of them together was a (deep) sense of moral values…By the time Iva was out of school, we assume 1908, her character was formed and she would face the world and her life in this manner.”

Part II coming...

Pictures - Bradford

I am sharing a few pictures from my Dad's file.  Under each picture I have posted what I know about the people and places.  Would you let me know if there is anything else you know?

Iva Pearl Dahlgren with her children Ed, Mary, Esther and holding William.

Does anyone have any great information about these four picture?  I recognize the last picture as the time the Alleghany River flooded the Bradford area.  I am not sure who all the children and teens are in each picture.

This is a picture of Mary's wedding with Alexander Napoleon Dahlgren, Phil ( I think),  a tall young man I can't identify, Iva Pearl Dahlgren, Mary Dahlgren, Esther Dahlgren,
and Ward Dahlgren (I think).  Is this by the house on 302 Main Street?  Does anyone know who the tall young man by grandma and grandpa is?

Merry Christmas

O Come, Emanuel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugV6QGcafEE&feature=player_embedded

Johan August Persson

Johan August Persson

(Alexander’s Maternal Grandfather)

 Johan August Persson (14 Jan 1833-30 Dec 1902)

            Johan was born in Södra Lundby, Sweden on the family farm, Matsagården to Per Andersson and Magdelena Månsdotter. He was the oldest child of ten. 

  Church in Södra Lundby where Johan and his children would attend

Johan married Maja Kasja Andreasdotter when he was 21 years old and she was 19 years old, in 1854.  They had thirteen children together, 12 of which reached adult hood.  Johan’s brother, Johannes married Maja’s younger sister, Johanna.  Johannes and Johanna owned the adjoining farm called Nygården.  Another of Johan’s brother Sven also farmed at Matsagården.  They were a close knit family.

Maja Kasja Andreasdotter

Johannes Perrson and Johanna Andreasdotter

           

Johan was a successful and passionate farmer.  He farmed three separate farms, Matsagården, Slöngo and Gantågården. He raised oats, rye, turnips, clover and potatoes.  Even on his deathbed, he was concerned with his unthreshed oats.

Johan died on 30 Dec 1902, the day of his daughter Elizabeth’s wedding from heart disease.  Below is his farewell letter to his emigrant sons, Johan, Gustaf and Anton.  Emma, Alexander’s mother, had passed away six months before the letter was written.

Slongö, December 26, 1902

Dearly beloved sons, daughters-in-law and children!

I would like to write a few lines to you and thank you for all your

kindness and you, Johan, for the beautiful pictures. We look so youthful

that it is an ornament for us and for you who honored us with this fine

souvenir.

I want to tell you that Lisen´s (Elisabeth) wedding will take place on

Tuesday Dec. 29. Her husband to be is the freeholder Fredrik Johansson,

Frälsegården, Malmered, a tall,nice and skilful carpenter. He has bought

the farm with all the movables as well as two young first class mares

together with other cattle and a carriage the he himself has made. He is

the cousin of Erland from Harskog and his father was the brother of Sven

from Harskog. To the wedding we have only invited our children Petter,

Karl, Tilda and Mina - but Mina has a small child so she will not come

- and Sven from Tåstorp, Johan from Nygården and Joh. Jonsson from

Matsagården as host.

I also would like to mention that we had a good harvest this year with the

rye and the oats well harvested and the clover at Slongö not so well. Nice

rye and oats and a lot of potatoes and 100 barrels of turnips. At

Gantagården we got 70 piles of rye and 140 stacks of oats. We have

threshed the rye and we got 20 barrels, the oats remains mostly

unthreshed and we had more than 100 barrels of potatoes. Since spring, I

have spent most of my time almost alone at Gantagården and looked after

the cattle: one horse, three cows and 12 pigs. But now, one or two weeks

ago I came to Slongö because I am so weak. There is nothing I can do,

most of the time I am lying in bed. My heart problems increase, I feel

tired and dizzy so it is difficult for me to walk. My only care should now

be to come to a better home and to get my sins purged in the blood of

Jesus by grace and mercy only. Oh my dear children if you knew how

bad it is to postpone repentance until you have become old. Do not fail to

do the only thing that is necessary while there is yet time because we are

not promised a morrow (---). One after the other passes away without a

preceding illness. Among our relatives Johanna and Kajsa in Hälltorp,

Elin Johanna and her brother Anders Larsson on Backen and his wife

Lena Maja, Jonsson´s wife Johanna at Boestorp, Eriksson´s Greta at

Matsagården and many more. It is grave how suddenly many of us are

called unto Himself. Emma has now passed away, so John be so kind and

take care of the upbringing of the children as a guardian.  When funds are disbursed you have to withdraw them and keep them until the children themselves can take over them, if there is poor relief that can finance their upbringing. Emma had received 250 crowns and for the journey 250 crowns, together 500 crowns. I cannot say what you will get but I think it will be a bit over 2,000 crowns. I would like to take care of my house while I am alive, but

that too might be neglected.

I have learnt that the times are getting worse from what Friberg´s son has

written. He was here and visited his old home this summer and now he

regrets that he went back. He spent 3,000 crowns during the short period

he was here so now he cannot come home so soon. I want to ask you how

you are doing in Brooklyn (the above-mentioned was in Boston), what

income you have, where Gustaf and Anton are working and whether you,

Johan, have plenty of work as before. Here it is difficult to find workers

in summertime.

I now have to finish my letter with the wish that these lines will reach

you when you are healthy and well. Send my greetings to Dahlgren! We

got a letter from him about Emma´s death. Do not mention to him what

I have written about the funds that will accrue to the children until it is

necessary.

At home we are preparing for Lisen´s wedding but I cannot expect any

joy because I am so weak. If one of you had come home that would have

created joy to the full,

Signs your old father

Johan August Pehrsson

Of identical wording as the original certify

Södra Lundby Jan 18, 1903

Gabriel Thedéen

Viking Thedéen

Letter - Anton Johansson - October 1898

Anton Johansson was Emma Johansson Dahlgren's brother.  He emigrated from Sweden and worked for his brother, Johan A. Johansson in Brooklyn, New York. 

Anton Johansson

Anton and Annie Marie Johansson

Anton settled in New York and began his family with Annie Marie Johnson.  Together they had four children, Hilding, Esther, Florence and Agnes.  He and his brothers maintained close contact with their family in Sweden.
In 1898, he wrote a letter home congratulating his brother, Kalixtus on his recent marriage and asking for news from home:

Anton's letter dated October 1898.

Translation of the letter:

"...I will now tell you about our health.  Just now our little boy, Hilding is not well.  We had the doctor here yesterday.  He said that his stomach was in a very bad condition.  We are so afraid but we have to hope for the best.  Otherwise he is well." 

"We have been waiting for letters from home for a long time but in vain.  I do not know what I have done to my father.  He never writes to me.  He writes to Johan, but not to me.  I would very much like to have greetings from our dear parents once more in my life because if death were to strike one of us it would be hard on the rest of us.  We have ordered a picture of our little boy and we will send it as soon as we get it."

"I haven't got any more news for now.  More than a thousand greetings to all of you and please send regards to brother Petter and his family from us and ask him to write to me and to all my siblings who want to receive our greetings and do not forget our dear parents so that they do not forget us out here, asks your brother and sister-in-law and little Werrad (nickname for Hilding?).  Write soon!"

Anton Johnasson

Anton's little boy, Hilding,  died shortly after this letter was written on October 17, 1898.  

Hilding Johansson

Anton's wife, Annie Marie, died in 1904.  Anton died the following year in 1905.  

PIcture - Emma's Family

Picture of Swedish family:

Paula has been in correspondence with cousins on Emma's side in Sweden.  She has collected letters and pictures between Emma's family in Sweden and her brother Johan who immigrated to the United States and started a successful construction company.  This week's blog features a family group picture of the family in Sweden and a letter in Swedish with an English translation:

Family Group Picture of Emma’s family in Sweden:

Sitting in the first row is (from left to right): 1. Johannes, married to Tilda(Emma's sister) 2. Selma b.1875 (Emma's sister), 3. Hanna b.1877(Emma's sister), 4. Tilda b.1855(Emma's sister), 5. Mina b.1863 (Emma's sister), 6. Greta, from the preceding generation, married to Johan August´s brother Sven and 7. Un-identified. Second row: 1. Beda, a double cousin from Nygården 2. John b.1865 (Emma's brother), 3. Kalixtus b.1867(Emma's brother), 4. Matilda, Kalixtus wife, 5. Petter b.1859,(Emma's brother) 6. Hanna (Anna), Petter´s wife, 7. Anders Fredrik, married to Elisabeth(Emma's sister), 8. Unidentified young girl, 9. Elisabeth b.1871(Emma's sister), with a child, possibly Elsie, 10. Axel b.1879,(Emma's brother) 11. Unidentified lady, 12. Annie, Axel´s wife with a child and 13. Unidentified. In the back rows, there are cousins/double cousins of the 13 as well as siblings of the husbands/wives and some neighbors. We can identify four of the kids – John´s Edwin and Helen (close to the birch) and Kalixtus´s Ester (with apron) and Nils (sailor suit).