A Life Rebuilt: Early 20Th Century Life in the Swedish Community of Chicago

By Beth G. C. Robb

The novel unfolds the story of a feisty young woman named Ester who came from a rural life in Sweden and jumped into an exciting urban life in America. Ester left Sweden with a secret, as many immigrants did, but her secret didnt hinder her welcome into the vibrant life of Swedish immigrants in Chicago. She plunged into the prosperity of the Swedish community in 1908 with the same work ethic of her pioneer immigrant predecessors. She found friends who took her into their hearts and homes. They shared their happiness and struggles together. Her story comes alive within the everyday life of Chicago. What happened on its streets, how people lived, what entertainment and spiritual life they sharedall experienced through the eyes of a young Swedish immigrant woman.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524585693

Beth G. C. Robb

Beth G. C. Robb Author of A Life Rebuilt: Early 20th Century life in the Swedish Community of Chicago Beth G. C. Robb is a retired Medical Librarian who has lived and worked all around the Midwest. This is her premier novel. She calls herself a “research curator” since living in Chicago offers her many wonderful resource libraries, archives, and museums for inspiration. Besides writing and curating her husband, Scott and dog, Erin keep her busy.

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Copyright © 2017 by Beth G. C. Robb.

Cover Design by doug carlin

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ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5245-8572-3

      eBook         978-1-5245-8569-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 05/18/2017

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1: A new Job 1909

Chapter 2: Ester Remembers

Chapter 3: Chalberg’s arrive in Vislanda.

Chapter 4: More Sten and Ester… Sweden 1906

Chapter 5: Journey to Goteborg

Chapter 6: 1908

Chapter 7: Chicago 1909

Chapter 8: Acceptance

Chapter 9: First Meeting

Chapter 10: On The Job

Chapter 11: Anya and the WCTU 1910

Chapter 12: A New Place

Chapter 13: The Fishboil

Chapter 14: Daily Life

Chapter 15: The Parade

Chapter 16: Letters From Home

Chapter 17: Friends Together

Chapter 18: Ladies’ Entertainment

Chapter 19: Sudden Worries

Chapter 20: Life After Tragedy

Chapter 21: Transitions Begin

Chapter 22: William’s Struggles

Chapter 23: Olof and Ester grow closer.

Chapter 24: Olof and Ester share dreams.

Chapter 25: Olof Out of Town

Chapter 26: Ester lost again

Chapter 27: Interim

Chapter 28: Reunited

Chapter 29: The Wedding.

Sources

Dedication

To my husband Scott for his support, to my cousins especially Kathy, to my siblings and our grandparents.

Prologue

Ellen Kingsley was a social worker who assisted immigrants in adjusting to their new home in America. She didn’t speak any other language except English yet she somehow, usually managed to make things work out for her clients. More often than not she found someone from the neighborhood who helped her converse with her clients in their own language.

Ellen was barely 5 foot with bright curly red hair and dimples. She was so tiny she often got lost in a crowd until she spoke. Her voice was remarkably like a wrestling announcer at ring-side, loud and deep. Everyone who encountered her was astonished by her tiny person after hearing her speak.

Ellen was running late today. She missed the streetcar on Western Avenue which took her to the Immigrant Assistance Organization in Evanston. (*) She has been working at the IAO for just one year since she had completed her education at Loyola. The Jesuits kept pushing her to be a nurse but she was never successful at bed pans and blood. Finally she completed a course in Foreign born migration and decided this would be her career focus. Although, she really wanted to be a doctor, her advisor told her she was too small for a career in medicine.

As she approached her desk behind the glass door in the storefront IAO office, Mr. Longbourne the director caught her eye. With a scowl, he growled, Promptness is a necessary trait for a successful government employee, Miss Kingsley.

Ellen’s response as she took off her coat echoed across the room. Sorry Mr. Longbourne, it won’t happen again.

Her colleague Susan appeared at Ellen’s desk with a file and a young women wearing a huge brimmed hat dressed in a simple black skirt and white blouse. Her attire was plain for 1908 but within fashion parameters. She was accompanied by a slightly older woman, also similarly attired. As Susan handed Ellen a file she introduced the women to Ellen.

"Ellen, this is Ester Nilsson. She recently arrived in the United States from Sweden. She speaks very little English. She is accompanied by Miss Anderson who will translate for her. Ellen took the folder and gestured for the women to sit down.

As she reviewed the file, Ellen asked, What is the nature of your visit?

Ester responded with much anguish in Swedish as Miss Anderson translated for her.

I come to this country by myself to earn living to bring my baby daughter to here. Now that I have money, they tell me I cannot have my baby. They say she is adopted and is no longer mine.

Ellen watched the young mother while she talked. Tears rolled down her cheeks when she told the story which Miss Anderson translated.

Ellen asked, Who was caring for your daughter, Miss Nilsson?

Miss Anderson responded after she translated for Ester what Ellen had said.

My brother’s family. I just left Marie with them temporarily until I could send for her. My sister Carine was going to bring her to America after I got money. Now I got this letter saying that August has taken the child as his own.

Ester gave the letter to Ellen. Ellen saw that the letter was in Swedish and gave it back to Miss Anderson to translate. Ester continued to sob while Miss Anderson read the letter.

24 June 1908

Vislanda, Sweden

Dear Sister,

Please understand that we decided to adopt Marie. She is better off here on the farm with Margit and I. Mama does not want Carine to travel to the U.S. by herself with a baby. She worries that something will happen to her. Please sign the papers we enclosed so we can legally care for Marie. You will always be part of her life as Auntie. Mama has also written to you.

Your brother, August

Ester still sobbing spoke in Swedish. De kan inte gora. De kan inte gora.

Miss Anderson looked at Ellen and said, They can’t do this. They can’t do this.

Through Ester’s sobs, Ellen responded. Miss Nilsson I will check with our legal department to determine how we can help. Where can we reach you?

Miss Anderson translated what Ellen said and gave Ellen Ester’s address along with the letter and papers her brother sent. Then she told Ester that Ellen will contact her by letter to have her return to the IAO when Ellen has some information for her.

Ellen said in parting, Tell Miss Nilsson that she should write to her brother telling him the American legal system will deal with his actions.

Miss Anderson thanked Ellen as did Ester, Tack! Tack sa mycket! and the two women left the IAO office.

Ellen looked back at the file with a sigh. She knew there really wasn’t much she could do. Ester should embrace her new life and leave the past in the past.

Outside the IAO Ester leans against the storefront and searches through her purse for her handkerchief,

Miss Anderson, Thank you so much for helping me through the meeting with Miss Ellen. I think she will help don’t you?

Ester, Let’s go back to the University House to talk more about this.

Miss Anderson linked Ester’s arm to lead her down the street toward their place of work but Ester gently pulled away.

She said looking sternly at Miss Anderson, I’m not going back to the University House today. I need some time to make decisions. Please know I am so grateful to you. Tell Mrs. Jansen, I will not return.

Miss Anderson started to protest but Ester just walked away leaving her no choice but to go on alone.

Chapter 1

A new Job 1909

As Ester road the trolley down Chicago Avenue towards the university she was lost in her thoughts. She was brought back to her brother’s letter. How could he do this to her? Did Mamma know? Why haven’t I heard from Mama

Hej, Ester. Anya greeted her friend as she sat down next to her.

Startled, Ester looks up Oh Hej.

Where are you going? Anya asked.

I go now to my new job by the Petters on Colfax Street only a few blocks from my old job at the University House. (*) Esther struggles to speak in her new language for practice with her friend but falls back to Swedish as she got tired of struggling with English.

I cook now for them. I meet her Tuesday at University House. That was when Professor Petters asked me to talk with him after Mrs. Jansen said to stop working there. He was very nice. They only have a cook and a maid working their house. It is a new house and they are just married.

What good fortune for you. Anya remarked. Only you would have such a good time, she teased Ester. Both women laughed as they came to the next trolley stop. This trolley stop was only a block off of Sherman Avenue, just down the street to the Petters’ house. Ester wished her friend good day promising to meet up with her soon.

The day was sunny and Esther was glad to walk a bit. She had so much to think about. The problem with baby Marie and her family in Sweden tore at her heart but she had to focus on her new job or she would not have the money to take care of her baby and herself. She had to be strong and practical as her Swedish nature held back her wish to fall into despair.

The first few weeks at the Petters’ were long hard days. Getting there before dawn to prepare breakfast and leaving after dusk when the dinner was finished. Esther was always happy to be home in bed at night even though it was a short time until she had to get up again to go back to work.

Her employer, Mrs. Petters, was a young bride with a new house and lofty ideas about how her house should be run. She explained to Ester, Miss Nilsson, we will go over the menu on Mondays then you will give me the food items you need to have replaced each week.

Ester looked at her with a wide eyed frown. She was wondering how she could keep these items in her head since she could only write them in Swedish. Then surprising Ester, Mrs. Petters said Ester could write them in Swedish and she would add the English words. That way Esther would get more opportunity to learn the English words. Ester smiled her relief and was thrilled at how kind Mrs. Petters was to her. Mrs. Petters said Ester should wear her usual black skirt and white blouse with the aprons supplied by Mrs. Petters. She then showed Ester the linen drawers and the kitchen utensils and the food storage cabinets.

The new kitchen was very modern with an electric mixer and an ice box. The oven was a brand new gas Ammana with 4 burners and a large oven. There was a new porcelain sink with running water.

Mrs. Petters encouraged Ester to push the switch on the electric mixer and Ester jumped back, shaken at the loud noise it made. Mrs. Petters laughed and assured Ester that was normal. She showed Ester how to turn on the gas burners on the stove and the oven after lighting the pilot light. The sink faucet amazed Ester seeing the water flow so fast without pumping. Gradually, Ester learned how to use all the new machines. She was afraid but excited at the same time with her accomplishments.

Each morning after breakfast was cleared away Esther started the bread for the next day. The limpa rye her mother taught her to make as a child turned out to be a favorite of the Professor. He said it was as good as his own mother’s. The smell of the baking bread filled the air as their mid-day dinner time approached. The Professor commented on how nice it was for him to return from class mid-day with the sweet aroma of baking bread in the house. He taught mathematics at the University. Since there was limited office space at the University House, he was often home in the afternoons preparing his class lectures.

Mrs. Petters would work alongside Ester to make sure the meals were prepared as she and the Professor desired. She was a patient teacher as she walked Ester through the new recipes she had chosen for special meals. Ester was glad that Mrs. Petters was not like the employers of her maid friends in the big houses on Sheridan Road.

After Ester was there a few weeks, Mrs. Petters and the Professor decided to have a dinner party with some of their friends from the University. One morning after breakfast, Mrs. Petters came into the kitchen with much excitement in her voice.

Ester we are going to have our friends over on the weekend after next for dinner. I want you to practice this week with a crown roast of pork. Have you ever made crown roast? She asked.

No Mrs. I do not know this roast. Ester replied. Can you show me a picture? Will the butcher cut it a special way? Esther asked nervously.

Look! Mrs. Petters answered. The meat stands up on its side and it has little paper crowns on the leg bone.

Esther looked at Mrs. Petters and they both laughed at the ‘little crowns’.

Where do I get the ‘little crowns’? Esther replied in exasperation.

Mrs. Petters patted Esther on her hand and smiled as she said she would get the ‘little crowns’ herself. She went on to tell Esther about the rest of the meal and they made plans for other dinners during the week as well. Finally, just as Mrs. Petters and Ester finished the menus for the week she said the reason they were waiting until the weekend after next to have the dinner party was because they had carpenters coming over to finish the back porch.

Mrs. Petters said, They will be here in the morning tomorrow, probably about the time you arrive before breakfast.

The next day Ester was in the kitchen cooking eggs and bacon for the Petters breakfast when she heard voices outside the kitchen window. When she peaked out the window over the sink she saw two men unloading tools and wood from a wagon parked next to the house in the alley. One man was tall and thin with his shirt sleeves rolled up under his westcott. The other was broader and wore work overalls, like the farmers in her homeland. Ester went to the back door and called out to the men.

Hej! she called. Guten dagen forgetting she should speak English. But she heard back familiar sounds. Hej Guten dagen from the men as she walked out to the back porch. Both men came toward the porch smiling in a hardy way, Hej, Svenska flicka! Teasing her in Swedish. We are so lucky to see a Swedish girl.

Ester laughed with them as they introduced themselves. The broad man said he was from the Carlson Company, I am William Carlson. My worker is Olof Johansson.

The tall thin fair man took off his cap and nodded to Ester with a smile. We are here to finish the back porch steps for the Petters. Is Mrs. Petters here?

Ester replied, I will get her. and she stepped back into the kitchen to find Mrs. Petters.

The men nodded to each other with a sly look as they watched her go back into the house. William said to Olof, Now there is a sweet looking lady and he winked. Olof did not reply but went back to the wagon to start unloading the wood for the job.

Mrs. Petters came out the back door to speak to the men about their carpentry job while Ester continued her breakfast clean-up. She peaked out the window at the workmen while she was washing the dishes. The younger carpenter with the light hair and blue eyes caught her attention. He was very slim and tall. He had a long face and long nose with a high forehead. He had droopy eye lids that wrinkled when he smiled. Ester had seen him smile at her just before she went into the house to get Mrs. Petters. Ester smiled to herself and thought this was the first time she felt an attraction to any man in America.

Chapter 2

Ester Remembers

I’ve come a long way, she thought, from that eight year old girl who came to the farm when Mama got sick. August and Margit were so generous to take me in while she recovered. I didn’t think at the time it would be this long. I felt like my whole life was there at the farm. I didn’t miss living in the Parish. I saw Mama and Carine often and kept up with my schooling with August’s tutoring.

At first, I didn’t think I would be happy there. It was so frightening when Mama got worse. Carine had to help her with everything from standing to walking. Our small Parish doctor said she had a muscle disease which would never get better. When she finally got the wheel chair her life was at least somewhat easier. She could still bring in sewing so we had an income. August brought us food from the farm when he could. The small income Mama received from sewing did not stretch to feed the three of us. That’s when Mama and August decided I would live at the farm. I had visited the farm only once with my family. It was so far from the village August and Margit never visited Vislanda very often. I remember when Mama told me I was going to the farm. She had been very sick and the doctor did not know what to call her illness. She could not move from her bed and she was in pain all the time. That day, August had come into the village to sell livestock. He always spent the night with us when he was in town.

He walked into the house with a happy greeting. Mama, it’s August. Where is everyone?

We were all upstairs in Mama’s room with the doctor.

August shouted again, Mama, Ester, Carine! as he clumped up the stairs.

Carine met him in the hall, Shh, Mama is very ill, please be softer in your greeting. August greeted her with a robust hug. Hej, Carine, tell me the problem!

I came out into the hall to see