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.