The Kids Are Alright; 1892 and 1893

Like other women on the plains, Sigrid worked nonstop. Finding time to write letters wasn't easy. When she had a few minutes, she got right to the point.

October, 1892. " Theodore will now be one year the 4th of November. He is so big and fat, everybody who has seen him says they have never seen such a fat baby child. He doesn’t walk yet but crawls around everywhere.

Birgit and Clara have found pen and paper to write to grandfather but it probably won’t be finished before tomorrow. Anna is now almost as big as I am. She can use my clothes. She is good. This summer she had to help with the haying and people from town came out and asked her to work for $3 a week. But we needed her. They are all a big help and comfort."

Things were still hectic a year later.

"We have a healthy baby boy born on September 5. Now on Sunday 22nd of October he was baptized and he got the dear familiar name, Nels. I like that. In one month there will be a meeting again and maybe it will be confirmation. If so, Anna will probably be confirmed, Sunday the 25th. After that she says she will send Grandfather a letter.

During the intervening year, Lars Gjeldaker wrote about schooling for his grandson (and namesake). I like how Sigrid acknowledges her father's concerns, then gently reminds him that they have schools too.

"You say that Lars could come to you in school. If that were possible, the only thing is, I would want to be home so my children could be with you in school. I thank God that we have gotten us a home here where we have everything we need for daily bread. It is also a possibility that Lars could have a chance to learn here. The minister tells us we have children who are good in reading. They read at every meeting in the summer.

New Family Members: Clara, Theodore, and Nils

The family was growing too. Tosten presents the situation like a farmer: "There had been considerable increase in the stock, but not only that, the family too, increased. So then I knew that we had found a good place. September 26, 1889, a girl was born and was named Clara; November 4, 1891, a boy named Theodore; September 5, 1893, a boy named Nils."

Sigrid adds context in her letter to Norway. "With gladness I see that everything is well with you at home. And the same I can say from here because we have our health to date, which is the best of everything good. God gives us His grace. . . We must tell you that on November 4 we were blessed with a little well-shaped son, Theodore, who now is growing and bright for his age."

Letter Excerpt: February 25, 1892

February 25, 1892

Dear unforgettable Father! Mother and Brothers,

Now that at last your long-awaited letter has come, I want to send you my thanks for the letter. I often wondered why Father waited so long before he sent us a letter. How lovingly welcome to receive your dear familiar hand again and read the dear lines from Father. Yes, I thank God for letting that happen. With gladness I see that everything is well with you at home. And the same I can say from here because we have our health to date, which is the best of everything good. God gives us His grace.

First we must tell you that on November 4 we were blessed with a little well-shaped son, Theodore, who now is growing and bright for his age.

The crops were good last year, the first wheat harvest in Dakota. Now we will see if it will be better here. Some have given up their land and moved away.

Tosten and Micheal have much work in the barn, as we have many animals. They also bought a team of horses. There is much to buy when a man is beginning to farm, and here it is expensive. Machine and tools we need, but we are afraid to buy before we can pay.

You must all now live and greet everyone we know and would like to hear from us. Loving greetings from me and mine. Clara now has a pen. She will write to Grandfather later.

Sigrid