| Letter to Norway by Hans Pedersen Frodal born 1828 October 4, 1885 English Translation Compliments of Magnar Bonkerud of Norway Home | Pictures | Page Index |
| Translation of letter to family in Norway from Hans Pedersen Frodal of Strum (Translation by Magnar Bonkerud of Norway and modified by Fred Matson). Frodal, October 4, 1885 (Note: This either says that the letter is to go to Frodal in Norway or that it is written on the Frodal Family farm south of Strum, Wisconsin. In any case, the date is October 4, 1885). I received your letter about 1 month ago, it was both welcome and sad, as I can see that my old friend, your father, even if it was God’s wish, has died. Peace be with him. I must interrupt. With regard to your request, it will be fulfilled. I have not very much money now, but I have talked with Johan about it, and he told me to write back and say that you will get a ticket in the spring, even if he has to lend it to you. It is hard times here now, but we believe it soon will be better. Everything is cheap. For now I am threshing for the Americans and I have 1 dollar ($) by day and the food. There is hardly anybody in Norway who can pay this much, I believe. Here everything is well as far as I know, then there neither are illness nor food shortage to worry about, for any worker here. I have a livestock of 1 cow, 1 cowcalf, 15 hens, 2 pigs, 2 cats, 1 dog and 1 pigeon who is very domesticated. I will work in the woods this winter. I suppose I will get 26 dollar every month and then I will earn good money for 3 months. When you write back tell me how my old friends are, your father’s brother, Paal Even and Haagen, and send them my best regards. If you should be talking to Nils Flegshog say hello from me. If you come to Gjøvik you will possibly talk to trade law clerk O. Olsen in the co-operative society. He is my first cousin. Say hello to him and tell him that I look forward to meet his father who is coming here from the West for a few days, that I have received a letter that says he is well. Your mother must not be forgotten. I believe she is old now, but tell her from me that I am the same Monk as in the old days. (Signed) Hans P. Frodal Strum Post Office Trempealeau County Note from Fred Matson: I believe that the Johan in this letter is Johan Pedersen Frodal b. 1832, brother of Hans, also being around Strum. I believe O. Olsen who is the first cousin in this letter is Ole Olsen Varness and that his dad is Ole Hansen then of Dalton, Minnesota (West of Strum 300 miles). Ole Hansen did come to Strum. I don’t know who Paal, Even and Haagen are and hence can’t figure out who Hans was writing to and guaranteeing a ticket to America for. Hans’s “my old friend, your dad” was probably of Hans Generation as was Ole Olsen. I don’t know a Nils Flegshog. Fred Matson 17 Nov 2003. |