Mother Daughter

Esther

The Nelsons

Along with 5 brothers, my grandmother Esther was the sole Nelson daughter (sister Ida died at age two in 1886 in Minnesota and a brother Nils Gustaf at age 1 in 1885 in Sweden). Esther was dear to her mother Sofia.

Esther and cousin Mabel Carlson abt 1915

The family had immigrated from Sweden in 1886. About 1914, Esther left the Nelson farm in Brandon for Minneapolis. She was 27, seemingly destined for old-maidenhood. In Minneapolis, she boarded at 3045 Harriet Ave where her cousin Martin Carlson, wife Mabel and newborn daughter were also living. I don't know why Esther moved to Minneapolis. 3045 Harriet is 1 block south of Lake Street, an area of Minneapolis at that time largely populated by Swedish immigrants. Perhaps Esther was searching for a nice Swedish boy. Martin & Mabel had their first child early in 1914, perhaps she was helping the family. In any case, she worked as a housekeeper/maid somewhere in the area.

3045 Harriet Ave in 2017

Esther and mother Sofia were inveterate letter writers and it might be that without this letter from Mama, I could be someone else.
   


Original letter in Swedish (for Annie)

     

Translated letter - in English for the rest of us

The letter is a weakly disguised appeal to Esther to return to Brandon.  Mama Sofia was none too subtle.

"Dearly loved Esther"
"...do not lift any heavy furniture ...many have ruined their health ..."
"... I shall surely want you to stay as along as you can but I don't know how we can get through threshing without you."
"...Auntie does not want to say whether you should stay or come home to help us ..."
"...we do not want to hire a girl but we'll be fine if we stay healthy."
"... Ole was here on Sunday ..."
"Lovingly , Mama"

And of course, Esther returned to the Brandon farm and in 1916 married Ole Hoplin, my grandfather, and assured my future existence.

Copyright © 2017 Dave Hoplin