Tragedy: Malvina Olivia Anderson

Life is full of triumphs and tragedies. One of the greatest tragedies is the death of a child. I've found many instances of young children who didn't live to adulthood in my family tree. Most deaths were caused by diseases which are easily preventable today with vaccines and healthcare. A few were caused by accidents. This is one of those cases. I had heard about it growing up, but until I found a newspaper article with my great, great grandfather's first hand account, I didn't realize just how tragic it was.

Carl Johan Andersson and Ulrika Sophia Johannesdotter were married just outside Stockholm, Sweden on December 3rd, 1866. Carl worked for the railroad industry in Sweden. On May 30, 1867 a baby girl was born to Carl and Ulrika. The baby didn't survive. In the record books the child wasn't even listed with a name so I'm guessing the child was probably premature. She died the same day she was born.

In 1870 Carl and Ulrika immigrated to America, eventually settling in Allegan, Michigan. In 1873 a son, Frank Oscar Anderson was born to them. On April 17, 1878 a daughter, Malvina Olivia Anderson was born. In August of 1878 the local Swedish settlers decided to organize their own Lutheran church. Carl, who now went by Charles, and Ulrika were founding members. In March 1879 Charles offered to donate some of his farmland to the Church to be used as a cemetery. The offer was gratefully accepted and was formalized in April 1879.

The house and farm that Charles and Ulrika lived on was near railroad tracks. The trains would often go by. My mother, who grew up in the same house, would tell me stories about the trains going by and the engineers sometimes throwing candy to the kids who waved at them. The tracks could even by seen from the yard of the house.

On the early evening of July 2, 1879 Charles was having supper inside, and Ulrika was outside, picking berries. Both thought the other one was watching Malvina. Malvina had wandered away from the house and down to the railroad tracks. Unfortunately a train was passing by at the time. Malvina was hit and immediately killed. I found a newspaper article of the accident and I'll let that provide more details. 

Malvina Olivia Anderson thus became the first person buried in the church cemetery. On the land donated by her parents. I had often heard this story, but I never knew the particulars until finding the newspaper article. I can't begin to imagine the grief and sorrow Charles and Ulrika felt. Especially Ulrika after running towards Malvina. Also, at the time Ulrika was 5 months pregnant with her next child. That child, a girl, was born October 10, 1879. To honor Malvina's memory, this daughter was named Malvina Christina Anderson. Malvina Christina is my great grandmother. One more child, another daughter, was born to Charles and Ulrika on March 10, 1883. She was named Selma Cecelia Anderson.

I found an article with an explanation from the railroad about Malvina's death. 

And a picture of Malvina Olivia's tombstone.

A picture of Charles and Ulrika and their 3 surviving children. After learning about Malvina Olivia's death I understand why Ulrika always looked sad in pictures.

Newspaper articles used come courtesy of the Allegan Journal, July 5, 1879. 

 

Harriet Elizabeth Mabbs

 This week I'm writing about Harriet Elizabeth Mabbs. Harriet is Mildred Bellinger Strand's maternal grandmother. Harriet is my great, great, great (3x) grandmother.

Harriet was born June 27, 1850 in Hudson, Lenawee, Michigan. Her parents were William Mabbs and Martha Patty Warner. William was born in London, England but came to America as a child with his family.  I haven't been able to find Harriet yet on the 1860 or 1870 census. In fact, I don't have much information on her childhood at all. After her birth, the next record I have of her is her marriage to Madison "Elwin" Taylor Truman on April 22, 1869 when she is 18 years old. However I can only find Taylor Truman on the 1870 census working as a farmhand for a married couple. On March 18, 1870 Harriet gives birth to her first child, a boy named William Henry Truman. He is named after both his grandfathers. He's born in Jefferson, Michigan.  About 1872 Harriet has her next child, a daughter named Isabel Truman.  On March 2, 1873 Elnora Truman is born. Elnora is Mildred Bellinger Strand's mother. The next child, another daughter, is born in 1877. HIllsdale, Michigan. Mary E. Truman.

Sometime between 1877 and 1880 Madison and Harriet move their family to Arkansas. Their last child, Judson Elwin Truman is born May 28, 1880 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The family didn't stay long in Arkansas, though, as at some point they moved back to Michigan. Madison died at the age of 34 on January 2, 1884 in Ransom Township, Hillsdale Michigan. I found a report of his death in a newspaper, but I haven't found the exact cause yet. Sadly for Harriet her father William died later that year in October. 

Harriet entered the next phase of her life on November 25, 1886 when she married Albert Bush in Montcalm, Michigan. Harriet was 36 and Albert was 42, It was the second marriage for both. I haven't been able to find out if Albert's first wife died or he was divorced. 

About 6 months later on May 2, 1887 Harriet and Albert's first child is born, a boy named William Joseph Bush. In 1889 a daughter named Dorothy is born. In 1891 Harriet has a baby born but it dies as an infant. In 1893 Nellie Eltah is born and in December 1895, at the age of 45, Harriet gives birth to her last child, a daughter named Georgiana Bush.

The 1900 and 1910 censuses find Harriet and Albert living in Montcalm, Michigan. On both census records Harriet lists 10 children as the number of children she gave birth to. On the 1910 census she lists "Laundress" as her occupation. She must've taken in washing from other families for extra income. 

In April of 1912 Albert passes away. He was 68. Cause of death was "Epithelioma under the left arm." I'm guessing it was some form of skin cancer. Harriet was 61.

The 1920 census finds Harriet living in McBride village of Day Township, in the county of Montcalm, Michigan. Harriet lists "Laundress" as her occupation. She reports that she owns her own home and owns it free and clear, with no mortgage. She knows how to read and write and she lives with her daughter, Nellie Bush. Nellie lists no occupation.

Harriet died on June 21, 1929. Death certificate lists cancer of the breast and something else as the cause of death. Senility is also listed as a contributing factor. According to the death certificate Harriet was only seen by a doctor for 10 days before her death. She passed away 6 days before her 79th birthday. 

I wish I knew more about Harriet, especially her early life. She married at 18 and had 5 children with her first husband. Moved her family to Arkansas in a horse and wagon, and then back to Michigan again. Lost a husband. Married again, and had another 5 children with him. I don't have any pictures of her, but I do have pictures of her oldest son, William, and her daughter Elnora. 

 The first picture above is William and his wife Eltah. The second picture is William on his farm in Trowbridge. The third picture is of Elnora with her husband Charles. Parents of Mildred Bellinger. Elnora is in the center. 

Harriet lived until 1929 so it's quite possible there may be a picture of her out there as an older woman. If anyone knows anything or has any pictures, please let me know. Thanks!

Please add any questions, comments or recollections in the comments below.