from "​Double Cousins" by Ralph Hammersborg,  A Norwegian Family Chronicle, produced in 1996

Ralph Hammersborg had asked his Mother’s cousins to write about their lives.  The cousin's stories are taken from "Double Cousins by Ralph Hammersborg, A Norwegian Family Chronicle, produced in 1996.”   Birth dates of living relatives have been removed from the original text.

1918 - Cecelia Jeanette (Johnson) Haglund
born May 30, 1918, died at age 92 on February 7, 2011.
Daughter of Johnie & Marie Johnson

Written in 1996

May 29, 1918 - I traveled with my mother in horse driven buggy from Circle, Montana to Terry, Montana.  About midway it was dark - so Mom and I laid on the ground under the buggy.  In the morning - May 30, 1918 - I was in the hospital in Terry, Montana.  After a couple of days - we returned to Circle, Montana.  My dad was so disappointed that Mom brought a girl home with her.  After a few months we moved from Circle, Montana to Binford, North Dakota.  The highlight there was when I was left at home to take care of my baby sister, but that idea did not appeal to me - so I took my dog and walked a mile away to my aunt's house.  My mother was out rounding up cattle on horseback at the time.  I am not too sure of the date but sometime before May 30, 1922 my dad went to Blaine, Washington to get a job.  He got one at the Morrison Mill Company in Blaine - so my mother got all of our earthly possessions together and had an auction and sold everything - animals, farm machinery, household items. Then Mom, Marian and I went to Minnesota to be with our grandparents.  As soon as it was possible we went by train out to Blaine, Washington.  There we got a beautiful home and many kids to play with, the Rusts, the Waglies, Carsons, and others in the neighborhood.  This continued for 7 years - I took mandolin lessons from the Methodist minister's wife and paid for by my doing housework for her.  I taught Marian what I learned from my lesson.

 Then the depression came - Dad lost his job at the mill.  We apparently lost our beautiful home. We moved out to a place halfway between Custer and Ferndale, called the Clander place.  Outdoor toilet, no running water - a pump to pump for the water.

 Dad wanted me to go to work and I wanted to go to high school.  He said I could if I got a job so I went to work for the superintendent of the high school doing housework and going to school.  I went home for the weekends.

 When I graduated from high school I went to Seattle and got a job doing housework for Dr. And Mrs. G.G. Thompson, while there Dr. Thompson thought I should become a nurse - so with his maneuvering I was accepted at the Everett, General Hospital School of Nursing.  We were paid $5 a month of which was supposed to take care of our physical needs, uniforms, shoes, hose etc. etc.  My cousin's Johnnie, Lester, and Arnold came to my rescue.  Johnnie took me home on occasion on my day off and when it was convenient for him.

 When I completed my training I came back to Seattle, my first job was at Laurel Beach Sanitarium. Then I went to work at Seattle General Hospital.  Then to Dr. Hafrickter’s office.  I enjoyed having weekends off - so I could be with friends.

 I spent a great deal of time with Marian and Vic - when Dick was born I took my vacation, so I could help Marian take care of him. That was the day when women were in the hospital for at least 10 days and came home week and depleted.

 When Harold (Haglund) came home from the service with the Navy he went to Marian and Vic’s.  Jim had just been born so he got in on a family affair. That was where I saw him after a three-year correspondence session.  After a five-month special time together we were married, December 29, 1945.  He was so quiet, considerate, and solicitous - I just thought he was very special.

 After a honeymoon at Hotel Vancouver for a week we came back to Queen Anne Hill to an apartment there. In 1949 dear daughter was born, a real joy to both of us. In 1956 our dear son was born. They have both been a real pleasure to us through the years and we thank the Lord for them daily.

 After 46 very rich rewarding years of before school, grade school, high school, college, music, football, church youth activities, young life, skiing and all the years of special activities.

On July 19th, 1975 we were blessed with a wonderful son-in-law. On April 14th, 1983 we were blessed with a wonderful daughter-in-law.

 And in 1983 our grandson was born - our one and only - and what a dear dear boy he is.

 So now 77 years - 8 months later and 50 years married - I thank the Lord for his goodness to me.

Letter from Cecelia to Walt while he was stationed in the Solomon Islands. 

Cecelia was turning 26 on May 30th of 1944 and Walt was 23 years old.  Cecelia married Harold Haglund in December of 1945.  Harold and Cecelia corresponded for three years while he was serving in the Navy during WWII.  The girlfriend of Lester’s that Cecelia is referring to is Oleda Grinde.  Les & Leda were married one month later on June 9, 1944.  Johnnie & Vera were living in Everett and had been married since 1940.

May 3, 1944

Dear Walter - 

Hi - how is everything with the Navy?  I received your letter in which you stated your dislike for my opinion of North Dakota.  Guess I'll have to return in the summertime to see if I can get a better opinion of the place.  Wait until you see the place your folks have now you will forget all about North Dakota or will you?  Well perhaps I'd better leave that subject alone. It is sort of a touchy one I'm afraid.

Nothing too exciting has happened since last I wrote other than having people leave town.  About a week ago a fellow left for the Navy - who has been around some - another has about 20 days grace from the Army left - one girlfriend is leaving for California, one roommate is going to Bellingham to take extended college work so she can teach next fall - the other is going to Hawaii with the intentions of being with her boyfriend - so you can see I'll be quite alone - how about moving in - I'll let you - cuz I'll be so lonesome.

Lester has been after me to go to Everett with him - so guess I'll break down next Sunday.  Meet the girlfriend and put the O.K. on - not that it will make one bit of difference whether I do or not - but it amuses me - the way the Johnson boys want my approval as if it would make any difference. 

The way the boys are coming out of Alaska - it's too bad you weren't there. My school teacher roommate’s husband (do you catch?) anyway she expects him next week and is she ever excited - not that I would blame her at all - it has been 14 months since he went up.

I sent Norman one of the letters you sent me - hope you didn't mind.  He said he was going to write - so if you haven't already heard, you probably will in the not-too-distant future.

Did my bawling Lester out for you do any good?  He said he would write that evening but of course he is such a busy boy, besides working on elevators all day he is doing mechanic work in the evening - I wish he wouldn't work too hard because rest is so very essential with his ulcers.  But of course he listens to no one. He'll be sorry.

Better I bring this to a showdown - and will write again after being up to Johnnie and Vera’s this weekend.

Good nite -  take care of yourself -  tell all the boys hello!

Lovingly your cousin,

Cecilia

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