The Poems of Anton B. SANDER (Part 1)

Along with the original handwritten manuscripts of Anton SANDER's poems there was also a typed document containing several, but not all, of the poems. A handwritten note on the cover page indicates that it may have been typed by Anton's sister, Ellen Marie (SANDER) Bakke. If she is the typist, then this document had to have originated before 1936, the year of her death.


Anton SANDER. Poems (Cover page). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

None of the manuscripts of the poems are dated. Since Anton died in 1881, if the poems were actually written by him, they obviously must have been written prior to that date. They will be presented in the order that they appear in the typed document with the remainder simply in the order they were scanned. Further none of them have been translated into English, a job certainly better suited to someone other than me.

The first poem begins with the line, "For himmeriges land maa man kjæmpe." Using Google Translate this roughly means, "For the kingdom of country one must contend." The images of the manuscript are below followed by the images of the typed version.

 
 
Anton B. SANDER, "For himmeriges land," manuscript (Bef. 1881). Images courtesy of Verla Williams. 

Notice there is an envelope taped onto the third page of the typed document with some biographical information about Anton SANDER. I have also included an additional page so the reader could see the reverse of the envelope.

 
 
Anton B. SANDER. "For himmeriges land," typed version. Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

The Poems of Anton B. SANDER (Part 2)

The next two poems appear as if they may have been intended to have been sung. The first line of the first one is, "Kom, Sjael, at gaa til Bethlehem." This translates roughly as, "Come, Soul, go to Bethlehem." Below are the images of the manuscript (front and back):

 
Anton B. SANDER. "Kom, Sjæl, at gaa til Bethlehem," manuscript (Bef. 1881). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

The following image is the typed version:


Anton B. SANDER. "Kom, Sjæl, at gaa til Bethlehem," typed version. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

The second one is entitled "Efter Lucas 2, 10-14," which translates as "After Luke 2: 10-14," part of the Christmas story. The NIV of these verses reads as follows:

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Below are the images of the manuscript (front and back):


Anton B. SANDER. "Efter Lucas 2, 10-14," manuscript (Bef. 1881). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

The following image is the typed version:


Anton B. SANDER. "Efter Lucas 2, 10-14," typed version. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

The following poem is on the last page of the typed document and is in English. The first line reads, "A boy went out to shoot one day."


Anton B. SANDER. "A boy went out to shoot one day," typed version. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

The Poems of Anton B. SANDER (Part 3)

The next poem scanned begins with the line, "Da vi med suk i støvet sad." Very roughly translated, this means, "When we sigh in the dust."


Anton B. SANDER. "Da vi med suk i støvet sad," manuscript (Bef. 1881). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

The following one begins, "Jesus kommer i kommer nu," or in English, "Jesus is coming now."

 
Anton B. SANDER. "Jesus kommer i kommer nu," manuscript (Bef. 1881). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

The next poem appears to have a title at the top of the page that reads, "Mit kjæreste Barn bed for go med mig." Again roughly translated this means, "My dearest child go to bed with me." Also of interest is that the initials, "B. S." appear at the end of the poem on the reverse side. Was this poem actually written by Anton's father, Brede Sander, or brother, Brede Sander, Jr.?


Anton B. SANDER? "Mit kjæreste Barn bed for go med mig," manuscript (Bef. 1881). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

Next there is a short poem that begins, "O kjære Gud lad alting lykkes." In English this is roughly, "O dear God let everything succeed."


Anton B. SANDER. "O kjære Gud lad alting lykkes," manuscript (Bef. 1881). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Finally we have a poem entitled, "Sky Saloonen." It would be interesting to have this translated as the title appears to mean, "Sky (or maybe shy) Saloon (or Lounge)."


Anton B. SANDER. "Sky Saloonen," manuscript (Bef. 1881). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

Death of Anton B. SANDER

Anton SANDER died on 23 Jan 1881 at the young age of 29 and was buried 25 Jan. Nelson (1961: 109) stated that his career was cut short by illness, but offered no specifics as to what type of illness. As of yet, we have not been able to obtain a death certificate from New York, however, recently a search on Ancestry.com turned up a death and burial record from Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY.


Burial record (Brooklyn, NY: Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1881). Anton Sander, Dr. Ph. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Anna Sophia (SANDER) Peterson

Visiting Cards. Left image: Anna SANDER (Decorah, IA: A. W. Adams, c. 1875). Right image: Anna SANDER (Decorah, IA: J. T. Relf, c. 1880). Images courtesy of Verla Williams. Digitally retouched by Mark D. Williams. [Asa W. Adams was in business in Decorah from 1863-1884. Relf went into business on his own in 1880.]

Anna Sophia SANDER was the first of Brede and Karen's children to be born in America (29 Apr 1854, Winneshiek Co., IA). The 1860 and 1870 Censuses show her living with the family on their farm in Madison Township. As mentioned before, in 1870, the census taker apparently got her mixed up with her older brother Anton who was attending Luther College. In 1871 the family moved to Glenwood Township and were still living there in 1880.


Portrait. SANDER sisters (Decorah, IA: J. T. Relf, c. 1880). From left: Anna, Henrietta, and Ellen. Image courtesy of Verla Williams. Digitally retouched by Mark D. Williams.

On 20 Nov 1889, she married Sophus Christian Nels Peterson (b. 17 Jul 1864, MN). He was ten years younger than Anna. Perhaps they met while he was attending Luther College from 1880-1886. According to Norlie (1922: 321, 336), he was the Business Manager for Chips, the student newspaper, and also on the baseball team. He received an A. B. degree in 1886, went to Luther Seminary, and was ordained a minister on 25 Oct 1889.


Visiting Card. Sophus Christian Nels Peterson (Decorah, IA: J. T. Relf, c. 1885). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Norlie (1922: 453) also has him listed as President of S. F. Luth. N. S. [Sioux Falls Lutheran Normal School] from 1892-1893.

1900 US Federal Census: C. N. Peterson Family

Portrait with scalloped and gilded edges. Rev. C. N. and Anna (SANDER) Peterson (Forest City, IA: G. W. Elder, c. 1890). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

By 1900, the Petersons were living in Harmon, Roberts County, South Dakota. Perhaps the Reverend was called to a congregation there, though he is listed as a farmer. Also of note is that they had a servant named Annie M. Halvorson living with them.


Detail of 1900 US Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Peterson, C. N. / Head / W / M / Jul 1864 / 35 / M / 10 / Minnesota / Norway / Norway
________, Annie [sic] / Wife / W / F / Apr 1856 / 44 / M / 10 / Iowa / Norway / Norway

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Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Harmon, Roberts, South Dakota; Roll: 1554; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 0288; FHL microfilm: 1241554.
Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

1910 US Federal Census: C. N. Peterson Family

Sometime between 1900 and 1910, C. N. and Anna adopted a young girl named Ella (b. 1 Apr 1900, SD). Below is a picture of her as a young girl with her cousin Lillian Bakke and also one of her as a young woman.


Left image: Ella Peterson and Lillian Bakke (c. 1910). Right image: Ella Peterson (c. 1920). Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

In 1910 the Peterson family is living in Willmar, Kandiyohi, MN, where C. N. is serving as a minister.


Detail of 1910 US Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Peterson, Christ N. / Head / M / W / 45 / M / 20 / Minnesota / Norway / Norway / Clergyman
_____, Anna / Wife / F / W / 51 / M / 20 / Iowa / Norway / Norway /
_____, Ella R. [sic] / None / F / W / 9 / S / South Dakota / Norway / Norway

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Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Willmar Ward 1, Kandiyohi, Minnesota; Roll: T624_708; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 0057; FHL microfilm: 1374721.
Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1920 US Federal Census: C. N. Peterson Family

Portrait. Anna (SANDER) Peterson (Minneapolis, MN: Floyd's Studio, n.d.). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

In 1920, the Petersons were renting an apartment in Minneapolis, MN on 2648 Emerson Av. N.


1920 US Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Peterson, Christan N. [sic] / Head / M / W / 55 / M / Minnesota / Norway / Norway / Minister
________, Anna / Wife / F / W / 60 / M / Iowa / Norway / Norway
________, Ella N. / Daughter / F / W / 19 / S / South Dakota / Minnesota / Iowa / Bookkeeper

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Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Minneapolis Ward 10, Hennepin, Minnesota; Roll: T625_837; Page: 20B; Enumeration District: 192; Image: 627.
Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Death of Anna (SANDER) Peterson

Ancestry.com has two records for Anna's death. She is listed in the Minnesota Death Index as having died on 29 Mar 1921 in Hennepin County. However, there is also a record shown below from American Lutheran Church in Grantsburg, Burnett, WI that seems to indicate she died on 25 Mar and was buried on the 29th. There are numbers written over the original entry that make it difficult to decipher the correct dates.


Burial record. Mrs. Anna Sophia Peterson (Grantsburg, WI: American Lutheran, 29 Mar 1921). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

The right column appears to have cemetery information, but it is illegible. As of yet her gravestone and the cemetery where she was buried have not been located.

Christian then married Jeannette Pauline Thoreson (b. 16 Jun 1887, d. 9 Feb 1973) on 1 Jun 1923 in Decorah, Winneshiek, IA. They had a daughter named Myra Jeannette (b. 12 Oct 1926, d. 24 Jan 2014) who married a Richard Gibeson and had two daughters, Jeannette Ellen and Paula Elaine.

C. N. Peterson died 8 Jun 1936 and is buried in Ada, Norman, MN.

C. N. and Anna's adopted daughter, Ella, married Melvin Goodrich and had a son, Bud, and a daughter, Corinne. She later married Peter S. Smith. We currently don't have any further information on her family.

Ellen Marie (SANDER) Bakke

Portrait. Ellen Marie SANDER (Decorah, IA: O. E. Borlaug, c. 1880). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Ellen was born 3 Oct 1857 in Madison Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa. She appears with her family in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses. On 25 Oct 1883 she married Ole E. Bakke.


Visiting card. Ole E. Bakke (Decorah, IA: J. T. Relf, c. 1880). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.