This letter was written in May, 1920, just a few weeks before P.W.’s death. It is from Evelyn (Johnson) Carruth, Clara’s first cousin. Evelyn’s father, J.W. Johnson, and Clara’s mother, Gustafva, were siblings. Evelyn has just returned home from the hospital with her newborn son and is thanking Clara for a doily. Clara has a […]
Rae Johnson to Clara Pearson, 1919
I have one more out-of-sequence letter before we get back on track. This one was written in January 1919 by Rae Johnson, Melven’s wife (Melven was the author of the letter in the previous post). Melven (or is it Melvin? I’ve seen it spelled both ways) mentioned in his previous letter that Clara might remember […]
Melven Johnson to Pearson family, 1912
This letter from 1912 was out of order in my notebook, so let’s rewind eight years. By 1912, P.W. and Clara have been farming for seven years. J.W. Johnson, Clara’s uncle, is a successful businessman in Laramie. His oldest daughter Tillie (by his first wife) is married and probably living elsewhere. His three children by […]
Pastor Granlund to Pearson Family, 1920
This letter was written in February, 1920 by Pastor C. O. Granlund of the Lutheran Church in Ceresco. The envelope has a note, probably made by Clara, that says “From Granlund when we were quarantined with Smallpox.” Sometime during 1919, P.W. “Will” had been diagnosed with a cancer that first developed on his tongue and […]
J.W. Johnson to Will and Clara, 1916
Here is a letter from J.W. Johnson to P.W. “Will” Pearson and Clara. It is typed on the letterhead of the Albany County National Bank, where J.W. is listed as the Vice-President. Just to refresh everyone’s memory, J.W. Johnson was Clara’s uncle. He came to America in 1869 , had many “wild west” adventures, and […]
