Erik E. Stenson Correspondence

Contains letters, “From America” by Erik Stenson about his opinion of America as an emigrant (in Swedish with a translation), a death notification for Andreas Nilsson, a letter from Erik to his brother Carl, his sister-in-law, and grandchildren dated 1922 in Swedish with the English translation (two copies), an unsigned letter dated 12 October, a letter dated 1907 from Elene to her brother-in-law and sister-in-law with a note from her son Arthur Stenson translated from Swedish, a family genealogical information in Swedish, a land deed allowing Skipper Per Mattson and wife Britta Larsdotter to own and live in property owned by the undersigned (Swedish with translation), a letter dated 1890 from Richards grandmother Kersti to Adel asking to borrow money, a copy of the front page of a bible belonging to Elof Svensson, Erik’s father, an invitation for the funeral of Councilman Sten Eriksson, a letter translated from Swedish from Erik to his brother and sister-in-law dated 1907, a letter from Erik to his brother Carl dated 1908, and a letter from Erik to Carl and family dated 1922 that explains a three-week trip he and his wife Elin took

Biographical Note

Erik Stenson was born to Elof Svensson (b. 1793-1863) and Maria Petterson (1787-1857) on 20 September 1823. He immigrated to America in the 1800s from Sweden and went to Varmland’s Folk High School. He believed that as far as immigrants’ possibility to make better lives for themselves in America, America could be moved to Sweden if American enterprise could be implanted into the Swedish population. In other words, the successful Swedish immigrants were not the rule but the exception. He believed opportunities were available in Sweden to be successful just as they were in America if one was willing to do honest work. He did not regret immigrating to America but he still held fond memories of his homeland. Erik Stenson was also on the Covington Township board of education as a purchasing agent. He was also Superintendent of the Poor in Baraga County. Erik married Elin. He died 28 August 1863.