Letters to William from Sig & Will

Part III. Letters from Sig to his father

1. Year: ??
Dear Dad,
Have been thinking of you a lot and hope you are getting along ok. Wish I was there to visit with you. Had a letter from Willard and he had heard from Aunt Tina saying you were getting along alright. Said that Ed Anderson got a deer. Sure would like to make the hunting season up there some time. I went on a deer hunt in eastern Okla once. Had one down but he got away because I didn’t stay put. Hope you don’t have too long a stay in the hospital and continue to improve.
Your son, Sig

2. Year: 1944
2323 Duncan St
St Joseph 58, Mo
Dec 21, 1944
Dear Dad,
Just a line to let you know we are still alive and well and hope you too are well.
There isn’t a lot to tell. Richard continues to grow up and will be three years old the 24th of Jan. Sure wish you could see him.
I suppose you’ve heard from Willard since he’s been ordered to report for army duty. With his training I guess he’ll be doing the most for his country in the army, and I don’t think he will have to go across. I hope he gets stationed permanently in this country so he can have the family with him.
My deferment was extended to April 30th and I really don’t think I will be called at all because the work here is classed pretty essential as we support a lot of food products for lend lease and the army and navy. We also inspect a lot of seed going to land lease.
Took Richard down to see Santa Claus the other night and he walked right up and told him he wanted a telephone and a fire truck He was sure disappointed that he didn’t get it right then. One of his aunts sent him a sport shirt through the mail and when we started to put it inside of his trouser, he said right away that wasn’t the way to wear it, that it should be outside. We’ve been intending to send some picture but haven’t been able to get any film.
Can’t think of anything else to write but want to wish you a very “Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year” from all of us.
Your son, Sig
P.S. Give our best wishes to Aunt and Uncle Anderson, Mrs. Osmundson and Edith as well as the rest.

3. Year: 1945
Dear Dad,
Have been thinking of you a lot lately and have intended writing for a long time and let you know how we are getting along.
The family is fine although I was sick with the flu for a few days last week.
Richard is doing very well and will be 4 yrs old next month. We had a daughter born July 13th but she died at the age of six weeks.
Haven’t heard from Willard for some time.
Hope you are in good health and best regards to all.
Your son, Sig

4. Year: 1946
St. Joseph, Mo
2523 Duncan St
Nov 2, 1946
Dear Dad, It’s bee so long since I’ve written that I feel ashamed of myself. I just had a letter from Willard and he sent me the clipping from the paper telling of the accident you were in. Aunt Tina sent it to him.
I’m really sorry to hear of your misfortune but from the letter from Aunt Tina that Willard sent along you were resting ok and of that I am glad.
Wish I was where I could pay you a visit. Willard wrote a couple months ago that he was going to get a vacation and we were going to drive up and take in a little fishing. I hope we can arrange to do it next summer so we can all get together for a few days at least. I guess something came up that prevented Willard from getting off.
I’ve been thinking a lot of how you were getting along but I’m rather poor about writing myself and I feel pretty bad that I had to have something like this to happen before I’d write.
I’m still on the same job inspecting grain for the Gov’t and doing ok. Of course, I expect to get a promotion on of these days when things get a little more settled in our department due to the war.
Irene and Richard are getting along fine. Richard will be 5 years old Jan 24th and he has started to kindergarten this fall. He’s just a little young for school but he like it and is doing well. He was able to go because they needed a few students to fill out the class.
I sold my car a year ago so I haven’t been back to Okla. And haven’t heard from any of the Dahls. I thought when I sold the car that I’d be able to get a new one before this but it looks like I’ll be lucky if I get one by summer. Willard wrote that he had a new car but since he is a doctor it gives him a preference.
We haven’t net his family yet but we hope to come of these days.
I can’t think of anything else to write but hope you are getting along alright and take care of yourself. If there is anything I can do don’t hesitate to call on me.
Your son, Sigfred

5. Year: 1947
2323 Duncan St
St. Joseph 58, MO
Sept. 16, 1947
Dear Dad,
It’s been quite some time since I last wrote so thought you might be interested in getting a letter.
We are all well and getting along ok at the present time. The way things are going one is lucky to be able to break even in the face of rising prices. I’m still working for the Gov’t but am going to have to take another examination to get on a permanent basis.
Richard will be 6 years old in January and is going to school this year.
I have been writing to Finland to Einar Wicksaya and have sent some of the clothes and things we could spare for them to wear. Guess they are having a pretty bad time of it over there.
I didn’t even know that we had any relative over there until Willard wrote and told me about them. It is interesting to know of them and I wish I was able to help them out a little more than I have.
No doubt you have some suits and things you seldom wear. It would be nice if you’d send them over or have Aunt Tina send them for you. I’m sure even anything could be used and appreciated.
Had a letter from Willard a few days ago and they have a new baby girl in the family. They now have 4 girls and you should be proud of the way he has made himself into an outstanding young man.
I wish you could see yourself clear to write him a letter and send a little gift of some kind for the baby. He would appreciate it more than anything you could ever do because he seems to have lost faith in you and feels bad because you never have showed any interest when they notified you that a baby was born. I can’t believe that you could really care so little for you son who has done so much on so little. It’s not too late to show that you really are a father if you’d show a little interest in him in just a small way. One just can’t keep faith in someone when they are completely ignored all the time. Perhaps there are two sides but I could never continue to treat my son that way.
I hope you are getting along alright and would like to hear from you occasionally. I hope you don’t take offense at what I’ve said but just want you to give it a little though.
Best regards to all .
Your son, Sig

6. Year: 1950
5104 Ave P
Galveston, Tex
Jan 9, 1950
Dear Dad,
I intended to write sooner but have been working out of town quite a bit since Xmas.
We got you card and the present. It was nice to hear from you. Aunt Tina sent a letter and said you were working again filing saws. Am glad you have a job on the inside out of the cold weather.
The last cold wave go down here and the temperature got to the high thirties, not freezing but along with the dampness it feels pretty cold. I don’t mind it though since about all my work is inside too. I work in Port Arthur and Houston occasionally. Guess I told you that I check the grading of the grain that is exported to see that the Grain Inspector’s grade it right. It’s interesting work but rather tedious.
We had a nice Xmas. Since most of us in the office are new we all got together and had dinner. We got Richard a bicycle among other things and he sure feels big. He still believes in Santa Claus.
I had a card from Willard but he hasn’t written for some time. Guess he is pretty busy. I had a card from Hyelmer Johnson in Gladstone. He said he saw you once in awhile.
Aunt Tina said she didn’t see you much unless she went to see you. You might to stop in once in awhile for a visit.
Well, I’m glad you are feeling better but you’d better take care of yourself or you’ll be right back where you were or worse. Follow you doctor’s advice and he’ll be able to help you but he can’t do any good unless you do.
There isn’t much to write but will drop a line once in awhile to let you know how we are getting along. The best of luck and good wishes to you.
`Sig

7. Year: 1951
5104 Ave P
Galveston, Tex
April 9, 1951
Dear Dad,
Just a line to let you know we are all fine and thinking of you even though I’ rather poor at writing.
Haven’t heard from Aunt Tina for some time either but I did have a letter from Willard a few days ago. He never has much to say but guess they are getting along ok. He is still working as hard a ever.
I suppose things are booming on the docks or will be. We are still exporting large quantities of grain and it looks like we will continue to do so for some time.
Richard is growing like a week now. We go fishing quite a bit together and he sure is interested in sports. We all went to see the Yankees play ball in Houston Sunday. He is in the third grade this year and does really well in school. Sure wish you could see him.
Wish it wasn’t so far up there so we could all come and see you.
I get a vacation in June and I guess we will go to Okla. Richard wants to stay with his aunt on the farm for a month or so. They have a nice place and to him, best of all, they have a television set.
Well, Dad, I hope you are getting along alright and your asthma isn’t bothering you too much.
Wishing you the best of health and good wishes.
Sig

8. Year: 1952 (?)
Dear Dad,
Guess another year has rolled around since I wrote you lat, but I’ve thought of you many times during the year. Now that Xmas is here again I want you to know that we haven’t forgotten you. We are all in good health and getting along fine. We moved from Galveston to Texas City when the landlady wanted the house we were renting in Galveston. We have been looking around for a house to buy and if we don’t find one soon I think we may build one after the first of the year. Property is so high in Galveston because of the limited space there so we will probably buy in La Marque, Tex which is about 12 miles out of Galveston.
We were in Okla. For Thanksgiving and ran into some snow and cold weather. We’ve had some weather in the 40’s here but most of the time it is quite warm here. The weather here sure makes one hate to think of spending the winters where it’s cold.
Hope you are in good health and getting along ok. Best Wishes.
Sig, Irene and Richard

9. Year: 1953
2323 Pecos St.
La Marque, Tex
Dec 12, 1953

Dear Dad,
Well, here it is Xmas again and I’m ashamed to think that I haven’t written at all during the year.
We had to move from the place we rented in Galveston when the lady who owned it wanted the house for her daughter. When we didn’t find another place in Galveston, we moved to Texas City to an apartment and lived there until last April when we moved into our new home here in LaMarque, Texas. It is 15 miles n9orth of Galveston on the mainland.
I still work in Galveston but I drive back and forth each day.
We sure have enjoyed our new home. It is 5 rooms with a double garage and a large screed back porch. It has a built up rock roof, cedar shakes and trimmed with brick
Half of the garage I use for a shop. I have also accumulated a lot of power tools. I bought a power table saw, band saw, planer, router, drill press, turning lathe, belt wander, air compressor, skill saw and ½ inch electric drill along with a lot of other items for $300 from a fellow who had to move last year.
I wish I had your skill in making things. I just finished a limed oak desk for Richard that turned out pretty good. Am making some book shelves now.
We are all in good health and hope we can hear the same about you.
Willard was down to Houston, Tex last April, just before we moved in our new home. Was sorry we hadn’t moved in but at least he was able to see it. We had a nice visit but was sorry he didn’t get to stay longer. I wanted to take him on a fishing trip while he was here.
I had hoped that by this time I would be able to take a vacation up that way and see you but it seems like there is always a place for the money. Anyway Dad you can be sure that I think of you often and hope you are getting along ok.
Richard is in the 6th grade and is on the Honor Roll and we are quite proud of him. Wishing you the best of everything and especially a very Merry Christmas.
Sig, Irene, and Richard


Part IV. Letters from Willard to his father

1. Year: 1944
660 Groveland Park
Chicago 16, IL
Nov 24, 1944
Dear Pa,
On Jan 5 I enter the Medical Corps of the United States Army. I go first to Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, for 6 weeks, then to Stark General Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, from which point I’ll probably be sent overseas.
Julia is not 4 ½ yrs old and Leslie Kay is 14 mos. The family will live in Moline, Ill. And if you ever want to find me, it will be possible by writing my wife c/o Mrs. W.R. McClean 211 – 15th Street A, Moline, Illinois.
Yours, Willard

2 Year: 1946 or 47 – news clipping from an Escanaba paper
Former Local Man Appointed to Yale University Staff
Dr. Willard Freeman, Escanaba high school graduate of the Class of 1933, has been appointed to the staff of Yale University, it has been announced. He has been appointed research associate with the rank of associate professor of surgery in the Yale University school of Medicine.
Dr. Freeman and his family will move TO New Haven, Conn, from Memphis, Tennessee where Dr. Freeman has been serving in the U.S. Army hospital. He was formerly on the staff of the University of Chicago.

3. Year: 1952 ?
Dear Dad
Things seem to be going along as usual here. Bill works very hard – he is Assoc. Prof. of Surgery, director of Surgical Research and director of the Section of Neurosurgery. He is known through out the world in medical circles as the leading authority on spinal cord injuries.
The children are growing up fast. Julia is in jr. high school. Leslie Kay is in 4th grad, Mary Jan in 1st grade, and Frances in kindergarten. Billy will start school next year.
As ever, Margaret

4. Year: 1953
June 24, 1953
5461 Julian Ave
Indianapolis, 19, IN
Dear Pa –
I stopped by to see you when I was in town but unfortunately you were out at the time. I left a not in the mail box for you. I looked around in the region around 12th & Maine – where one of the doctors said he often saw you. Mostly, I wanted to tell you that I had been in Galveston, Texas to see Siggy. He has just brought a new home in La Marque, Texas – which is just outside of Galveston. Sig is assistant chief grain inspector for the Government for the ports of Galveston, Houston, and Port Arthur. He has a fine wife and a wonderful boy. I think you out to write to him. You can reach him by writing him c/o General Delivery, Galveston, Texas.
I had a few minutes with Uncle Gust and Aunt Tina. Since I was on a limited time schedule – the medical society was paying all my expenses so I had to do what they wanted me to – I wasn’t able to get away either of the two evenings I was there. I certainly would have like to have seen you.
I am going to try to drive up some tim3 with the whole family. Take good care of yourself.
Yours, Will
I talked to Dr. LeMire about