 |
| Kandiyohi County, Minnesota |
The word Kandiyohi (Kan-dee-YOH-hy) comes from the Dakota word meaning "where the buffalo fish come." The county was organized in 1858, but the Dakota War of 1862 discouraged settlement for a time. With the advent of the railroad in 1869, many settlers (most often from Norway or Sweden) came to make Kandiyohi County their home.
Four children won ponies from the county, but only two sent in photographs and letters to The Farmer's Wife. These two children, Arnold Anderson and Harold Bush are featured in The Farmer's Wife Pony Club Quilt.
Arnold F. Marcellus Anderson, winner of "Pedro," was born on September 24, 1901. This was the second Arnold born into the family. His older brother, Arnold F., was born in December 1899, and lived to be at least six months old before he died.
Arnold's parents were both born in Sweden and immigrated to America before their marriage. Martin, born on March 18, 1859, arrived when he was 20; and Anna, born in 1868 came when she was 16.
The couple married in 1890, and had four living children: Esther (b. 1892), Agnes (b. 1894), Arnold (b. 1901), and Anna (b. 1907); and two children who died in infancy: Arnold (b. 1899), and Anna (b. 1906.)
Arnold's parents lived their adult lives in the Elizabeth Lake area of Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, and passed away at a ripe old age; Martin at the age of 87, and Anna at the age of 82.
Four children won ponies from the county, but only two sent in photographs and letters to The Farmer's Wife. These two children, Arnold Anderson and Harold Bush are featured in The Farmer's Wife Pony Club Quilt.
Arnold F. Marcellus Anderson, winner of "Pedro," was born on September 24, 1901. This was the second Arnold born into the family. His older brother, Arnold F., was born in December 1899, and lived to be at least six months old before he died.
Arnold's parents were both born in Sweden and immigrated to America before their marriage. Martin, born on March 18, 1859, arrived when he was 20; and Anna, born in 1868 came when she was 16.
The couple married in 1890, and had four living children: Esther (b. 1892), Agnes (b. 1894), Arnold (b. 1901), and Anna (b. 1907); and two children who died in infancy: Arnold (b. 1899), and Anna (b. 1906.)
Arnold's parents lived their adult lives in the Elizabeth Lake area of Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, and passed away at a ripe old age; Martin at the age of 87, and Anna at the age of 82.
 |
| Thought to be: Mother Anna, Agnes, Daughter Anna, Arnold & "Pedro," Martin, Esther |
I believe that Arnold won his pony “Pedro” in the year 1913, when he was twelve years old. The entire family appears to assembled in the photograph on page 15, with the addition of unknown man behind Arnold and “Pedro.”
An excerpt from Arnold's letter to The Farmer's Wife says, "'Pedro' is the cutest little Shetland Pony I ever saw and all my friends say so too. I feel as if I were the happiest boy in the country just on account of 'Pedro'.... 'Pedro' is very fond of apples and we have a big orchard of apples so 'Pedro' is going to have all he can eat. I tried to feed him sugar but he just shook his head and spit it out as if to say, 'That's too sweet for me."'
In the 1930 census, when Arnold was about 28, I find that he is married. His wife's name is Selma T. and she is 27 years old. They are the parents of three children: James & Jerrie age four, and a girl, Ruth, age three. Unfortunately, Selma did not live to see her children grow up, but died on July 14, 1936, at the age of 33. She is buried at the Calvary Lutheran Cemetery in Willmar, Minnesota. In records I see that Selma was listed as Arnold's first wife, but I have not as yet identified the name of his second wife.
Arnold died in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, on August 21, 1984, at the age of 83. He is buried at the Union Cemetery in Atwater, Minnesota. I do not know if Arnold's other children are alive, but I do know that his son, James B. Anderson, of New Hope, Minnesota, died on May 23, 1998, when he was 72 years old.
Arnold's entire letter can be found on pages 14-15 of The Farmer's Wife Pony Club Sampler Quilt.
