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.

Little School on the Prairie

Sigrid weaves the theme of education throughout her letters, frequently describing what the children learned, books they read, and the teachers' praise.

Lars Gjeldaker was likely (and justifiably) skeptical of the educational opportunities in Dakota territory. If the family had stayed in Norway, the grandchildren would have studied with him. Instead, an ocean separated them.

In 1892, Anna, the oldest grandchild, sent Grandfather some details:

"Micheal has now read in the Forklaring, and then we have read in the Bible History and are reading in the Testament. Then we have the Sunday School papers and newspapers. Micheal and Lars have the China Missionary paper. Last fall we borrowed one of Ole Skjervem's books and it was so much fun to read in that. Could grandfather please send one with Knud Jallo? Lars reads in the catechism, and Birgit [Cecelia] in the ABC. She spells and makes words. Clara is a little of each. She reads the ABC and sings a little of each song she hears from us."

Anna also assures Grandfather that he would like Clara. "She is a good girl. You should hear and see her. I think you would like her. She is a comfort to us all. Papa and she are very good friends. One time she said she liked whiskers, butter and bread."

Anna realizes her life would be different in Hallingdal. "I hear in your letter how cozy you have it. It would be good for us to get to go to school at your place and if we did that we would be satisfied--and we would really try to learn to read and be smart."

She closes with a postscript on behalf of her little sister: "I shall greet you from Birgit that she is good to take care of little brother and to read."

Moving to Dakota Territory

In 1862, Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, through which individuals could obtain 160 acres by filing an application, improving the land, and filing for deed. This brought many settlers to the plains, including European immigrants.

The Lillehaugen family moved west in 1888, taking the new railroad to Dakota Territory. The hard work in Minnesota had paid off: their property now included ten head of cattle.

Tosten and Sigrid had also added a daughter to their family: Cecilia Birgitte, born January 12, 1887.