The next chapter in the EHP's first years as he assimilated into Pacific Northwest logging and mountain culture. A class photo below features a handful of children introduced earlier; Astrid Thorén and the younger Baldridge boys. Written evidence shows that many Swedish families did not colonize in the Northwest by chance. Word grew in the old world that the long journey to America was worthwhile, and little at a time - friends and relatives would reunite, sometimes years after their loved one's said goodbye.
Eric Holger Pearson arrived in Portland, OR, with his late mother's sister Ottolina Thilander in 1910. As pictures will show in future posts, Swedish dress was unlike the clothes being worn by sons and daughters of early century American loggers. Hal was reportedly teased by peers for his 19th century Scandinavian garb. He and Ottolina reportedly arrived dressed in lace and velvet, with chests of wardrobes, bedding, silver and dinnerware.
As mentioned, Hal's Swedish mother Kristina Erika Thilander would die just 3 months after his birth. I trust in forthcoming translations Kristina's exact cause of death will be revealed, but given the time period there was most likely tragic birth complications with Holger. Little is known about Kristina's earlier life prior to her death on Jan. 28, 1902. Erik Persson would wed Kristina's sister Ottolina in Washington State just months after her arrival from Rödön, Sweden. In short time Erik and Ottolina would also have a child, Holger's new baby sister was named Brita Pearson, born April 28, 1910. A picture below shows my great grandfathers new family in Portland, OR. Erik and Ottolina would remain married until Erik's death in 1945. Ottolina would visit Sweden once more in 1947, she passed in March 1958.
Eric Holger Pearson (second from right, middle row) and classmates, around 1912-13, photographer unknown.
Eric Holger Pearson, 1912-13.
Pearson family (Holger, Ottolina, Erik and Brita) 1912-13, Portland, OR, photographer unknown.
Eric Holger Pearson in traditional Swedish shirt, pants and boots days after his arrival to the Pacific Northwest woods, photographed by Erik Andreas Persson, 1910.