Amanda Anderson and Olaf Johnson
How we relate:
They are the parents of Lillian Johnson Selman
who is the mother of Veda Selman Hampson
who is the mother of Nany Hampson McKinnon
How we relate:
They are the parents of Lillian Johnson Selman
who is the mother of Veda Selman Hampson
who is the mother of Nany Hampson McKinnon
Olaf Johnson was born on March 8, 1855 in Norway. Amanda was born January 23, 1857 in Sweden. Interesting side note - from 1814 to 1905, Norway and Sweden had a union and were known as one country called the Kingdom of Norway and Sweden when in 1905 they divided again into seperate countries. Nothing is yet known about their parents and family. How they met, got married and if they came together or alone to the US is something that we might never know in this lifetime.
We do know that they ultimately settled in Chicago and had six kids. The first, named Frank, was born in 1880, but died in infancy. Two years later in 1882, they had twins, named Jennie and Minnie. Sadly, the twins died in infancy as well. The last three were named Walter born in 1884, Mabel in 1888 and Lillian in 1891. Lillian is my great grandma.
During that time period of the 1890's in Chicago, the population was increasing extremely fast, as it was a place that had work for emigrants. Thousands of small houses that were built for one family were now packed with a family in each room - especially in neighborhoods of newly arrived Europeans which is what Amanda and Olaf were. Chicago huge population increase caused many diseases because the vaccination programs couldn't keep up with the overpopulation. Tuberculosis - known as Consumption back then - was rampant in the area and thousands of people died from it.
Olaf contracted Tuberculosis and died on September 9, 1895 at the age of 40, leaving Amanda and their three children alone. Amanda had been sick with Tuberculosis along with her husband and was still very ill when he died. Having no family around and no one to come help her due to the contagiousness of the disease, Amanda worried greatly for her children. When Amanda started to get so ill that she feared for her life, she took each child and wrote on a little note their name and birthdate and then safety-pinned it to their clothes. Just a couple days after doing this, the local priest came by the house and saw that Amanda was unconcious. He took her to the nearby hospital where she died a few days later on February 3, 1896. Since there was no family in Illinois with her, there was no one to claim her body, and it was donated to the hospital for science.
The three children were put in an Orphanage and word was sent to the nearest relative about the death of Olaf and Amanda. Unlike today, back then it would have taken weeks and months to notify the next of kin if they lived far away. The orphanage finally got in touch with Amanda's aunt, Caroline Newman, who was living in Minnesota. Caroline came to Chicago and took 5 yr old Lillian back with her. Mable was sent to live with another relative in Canada, and Walter remained in the orphanage. Lillian and Mable met up again about 15 years later.
This story has definitely touched my heart strings. I can only imagine what Amanda had to feel as she knew she was going to die and leave her children all alone. What an amazing woman.
Olaf contracted Tuberculosis and died on September 9, 1895 at the age of 40, leaving Amanda and their three children alone. Amanda had been sick with Tuberculosis along with her husband and was still very ill when he died. Having no family around and no one to come help her due to the contagiousness of the disease, Amanda worried greatly for her children. When Amanda started to get so ill that she feared for her life, she took each child and wrote on a little note their name and birthdate and then safety-pinned it to their clothes. Just a couple days after doing this, the local priest came by the house and saw that Amanda was unconcious. He took her to the nearby hospital where she died a few days later on February 3, 1896. Since there was no family in Illinois with her, there was no one to claim her body, and it was donated to the hospital for science.
The three children were put in an Orphanage and word was sent to the nearest relative about the death of Olaf and Amanda. Unlike today, back then it would have taken weeks and months to notify the next of kin if they lived far away. The orphanage finally got in touch with Amanda's aunt, Caroline Newman, who was living in Minnesota. Caroline came to Chicago and took 5 yr old Lillian back with her. Mable was sent to live with another relative in Canada, and Walter remained in the orphanage. Lillian and Mable met up again about 15 years later.
This story has definitely touched my heart strings. I can only imagine what Amanda had to feel as she knew she was going to die and leave her children all alone. What an amazing woman.
Sources:
- Biographical info told to me by Elma Cherlenko, granddaughter of Amanda and Olaf
1 comment:
Did Walter stay at the orphanage or Frank? Did his sisters ever met up with their brother? Such a moving story. Thanks for sharing.
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