Anecdotal Histories of Selected Persons.

KVAM Personal Histories

Håken Petersen Kvam

Håken was born on the Kvam farm (gård) in Steinkjer, Norway, on 14 May, 1868. He emigrated to the US in 1891. He worked in the woods in Northern Minnesota and as a farmhand on Fred Swanberg's farm in rural Cokato. After his marriage to Eva Maria in 1902 (see marriage described below), Håken went into the leather tanning business with a friend named William Ekstrand. The building was near the railroad depot in Cokato and was called "Cokato Hide and Furs". He sold his share of the business in 1915 and used the money to build a farm on 50 acres of land at the end of 3rd St. in Cokato. He built a very nice farmhouse with electric lights, and an indoor bathroom upstairs. It was a white, 3 bedroom house with a lovely porch that was later screened in. He built a red barn, a chicken house, a granery, a machine shed, and a windmill that pumped water to the house and barn. They had apple and pine trees. He raised corn, wheat, and alfalfa. They had cows, chickens and two work horses (which pulled the farm machinery). Håken loved to sing and taught himself to play the piano, although his repetiore was only hymns. He was a strict man - no card playing or dancing. In the summer of 1944 his health began to fail, and with his son, Conrad, a dentist in the Army, he sold the farm and purchased a home in Cokato proper, a gray stucco house in "Pig Alley". He sold the farm to a canning company who farmed the land and rented the farm out. In 1994 it was still standing and rented. (After his death, the deaths of Eva Maria and Achsa, and the marriage of Lorraine to Carlton Lee, that house passed from the family). As of 1994 the "stucco" house was also still standing in Cokato.

MARRIAGE: Cokato Enterprise, 10 Dec 1902: "Miss Mary Gustafson was married to Mr. H. Kvam, at 7:30 o'clock Saturday evening at the 5th inst., at Minneapolis. The services were read by Rev. Preiss, of the Norwegian Luthern Church, and took place at the parsonage. They were attended by Miss Helen Miller and Mr. Morris Taylor. After the wedding ceremony the wedding party partook of a dainty dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sandvik, 14th Ave. So. and 18th St., old friends of the bride. They returned to Cokato Wenesday noon and are making thier home with Mr. And Mrs. Chas. Gustaafson until they will be at home to their many friends at their residence in west town. The Enterprise joins in congratualtions and well wishes.

Eva Maria Gustafsson

Her mother's name was Sara Helena, and her father died before she was born. She emigrated to America in 1892, when she was 21 years old. Her brother, Charley (Carl), had come earlier and probably convinced her to come also. She left from Gothenburg on 13 Jul 1892 on the SS Lord Gough, destined for Cokato, Minnesota, to be a servant. Her general routing was from Goteburg, Sweden, to Bull, England. Then overland by rail to Liverpool, England. Then to Philadelphia by ocean steamer, and on to Cokato by rail. She paid $49 to make the trip. Her contract number was 1436. Before she was married to Håken, in 1902 (see details below), she worked as a hired girl in Minneapolis for $1.50 a week. She did all the washing, ironing and cooking. She spoke Swedish, and when she tried to learn English words she was teased, so she spoke mostly Swedish for the rest of her life. Her son, Conrad, kidded her when he was at the University of Minnesota in dentistry that he would make her a set of teeth that "spoke English". She moved to Cokato before she was married and did housework at the Thurstenson home in Cokato. After she and Håken were married and moved to the farm, she would bake bread every Saturday, and achieved a certain degree of fame for her potato sausage (potatis kurv). She went by the name Mary.

MARRIAGE: Cokato Enterprise, 10 Dec 1902: "Miss Mary Gustafson was married to Mr. H. Kvam, at 7:30 o'clock Saturday evening at the 5th inst., at Minneapolis. The services were read by Rev. Preiss, of the Norwegian Luthern Church, and took place at the parsonage. They were attended by Miss Helen Miller and Mr. Morris Taylor. After the wedding ceremony the wedding party partook of a dainty dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sandvik, 14th Ave. So. and 18th St., old friends of the bride. They returned to Cokato Wenesday noon and are making thier home with Mr. And Mrs. Chas. Gustaafson until they will be at home to their many friends at their residence in west town. The Enterprise joins in congratualtions and well wishes.

Conrad Toral Kvam

Conrad was born in Cokato, Minnesota, in the red brick house where Håken and Eva Maria lived before Håken built the farm. He spent all his growing years there, graduating from Cokato High School in 1927. He immediately left for the University of Minnesota, where he studied dentistry. Upon graduation he went into the US Army. Among his first assignments was one to Schoffield Barracks in Hawaii, where he met and married Charlotte Loomis, who was in Hawaii as a school teacher. Shortly after their marriage they returned to the US. Japan had just attacked Pearl Harbor, so the country was in a wartime situation. Conrad was a part of the Normandy invasion and, after the war, was assigned to Bremerhaven, Germany. He brought his family over to join him there. Katerine (Ger=Katita, which was shortened to Teeter) was born there. In the early 1950's Conrad was stationed in the Washington DC area. They lived at 216 Drury Lane, Arlington, VA. [This house was later purchased by Roger R. Dawson when he married Charlotte's sister, Velma. The address was subsequently changed to 3121 Celadon]. The family then went to Ft Sill, Oklahoma (1951-1954). Keith and Kaye were born there. From Ft Sill the family went to Ft Brooke, Puerto Rico, where Conrad was stationed at Rodriguez Army Hospital (1954-1957). From Puerto Rico the family moved to the Presidio of San Francisco in San Francisco, California. They did not get quarters on post and bought a house in Terra Linda, which has since become a part of San Rafael. Ultimately the family moved onto the Presidio and lived on Ft. Scott, at 1314 Kobbe Drive. Conrad was then reassigned to Washington DC and rented a house very close to the original Kvam house in Arlington (Falls Church), this time on North Montague. Conrad's next assignment was back to the Presidio of San Francisco, where again quarters on post were not immediately available, so the family moved into a house in Mill Valley. Quarters ultimately became available and the family moved onto the Presidio. Conrad retired from the Army to terminate this assignment and a career of over 30 years. He then moved back to the house in Terra Linda and began a second career with the University of California Medical School, where he isolated potential dental patients for the UC dental students. He finally retire from that job and spent the rest of his life in the house in Terra Linda.

Charlotte Mary (Loomis) Kvam

Charlotte was born in and grew up in Delta, Colorado. She went to college in Denver and became a teacher. It was on a teaching assignment in Hawaii that she met and married Conrad Kvam, to whom she was married until her death in 1961. She bore five children in various parts of the world as Conrad was in the US Army and they moved around quite a bit. Charlotte loved music and both sang and played the piano.

John Loomis remembers that Charlotte met Bing Crosby on an ocean liner to Hawaii and accompanied him on the piano while he sang his new song, "Sweet Lelani". John remembers Charlotte as "a beautiful, charming, gracious and vivacious lady".

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BILLSTROM Personal Histories

John Peter Billstrom

DEATH: He was apparently murdered in a stable in Ouray, Colorado. He was hit over the head with a very large object as he was in the loft, pitching down hay to his horses and then fell down into the manger, breaking his neck.
His obituary, in the 13 Oct 1899 (Friday) Delta County Independent reads as follows: "The remains of Mr. P. J. Billstrum who it is supposed was murdered in Ouray on the night of the 6th (Friday) was laid to rest in the Cory cemetery, Saturday. Mr. Billstrum was a man who but few if any enemies, was a hardworking man of about 55 years of age. [He was 46 when he was murdered.] He leaves a wife and several children to mourn their loss and if there is any person that sympathizes for his bereved family it is the writer of this sad news."

I've really yet to confirm whether his name was John Peter Billstrom, or Peter John Billstrom. His name occurs both ways in many references.

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Mary Christina (Berggren) Billstrom

Mary Billstrom was born in Tjuerda, Sweden. She lived on a large farm or estate-type holding owned by her father. After she was married, she and her new husband migrated to Nebraska. She was pregnant before the journey began. They could not get to Canada before a female child was born.

John Loomis indicates that Mary may have once baked a cake for the King of Sweden.

Her obituary in the Friday, 12 May 1933 Delta County Independent, reads as follows: "Funeral services for Mrs Mary Christina Billstrom, who passed away Saturday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. W. Loomis, four miles east of Delta in the Gunnison valley, were held Sunday afternoon from the Delta Mortuary. Verner N. Hegg of the Presbyterian church had charge of the services. Burial was in the Mound Cemetery at Cory. The Neighbors of Woodcraft were in charge of services at the grave. Pall bearers were her three sons and three grandsons.
Mary Christina Berggren was born at Tjureda, Sweden, April 23, 1859. She was married to Peter Billstrom in Norway 55 years ago, and 54 years ago they came to America, living in Nebraska for a few years. Forty years ago they came to Delta county, and from that time resided here. Mr Billstrom died in Ouray in 1899. Mrs Billstrom was a member of the Lutheran Church. Surviving her are two daughters, Mrs Frank LeMaster of Sargent, and Mrs. E. W. Loomis of Gunnison Valley; four sons, C. O. of Delta, Gus of Dallas, Texas, Fred and Albert of Tampico, Mexico; several grandchildren and one great grandchild."

The Delta Free Press on 18 May, 1933, had the following information: "AGED DELTA RESIDENT DIES At the home of her daughter, Mrs E. W. Loomis, Mrs Mary Billstrom passed away Saturday, May 6th. Mrs Billstrom was born in Tjuerda, Sweden, April 23, 1859, and at the time of her death was just past 74 years of age. When about 19 years of age she married Peter Billstrom in Norway and a year later the couple came to America, living for a time in Nebraska and then coming to Delta County where they continued to make their home. Mr. Billstrom died in Ouray in 1899. Mrs Billstrom was a member os the Lutheran Church. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs Frank LeMaster, and Mrs E. W. Loomis, both of Delta; and by four sons, C. O. Billstrom of Delta, Gus Billstrom of Dallas, Texas, and Fred and Albert Billstrom of Tampico, Mexico. Funeral services were held from the Delta Mortuary chapel Sunday, May 7, by Rev. Verner N. Hegg, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and the remains were laid to rest in Mound Cemetery [now the Cory Cemetery] at Read. Three sons and three grandsons of the deceased served as pallbearers.

Anna Christina (Billstrom) Loomis

She was born in Regan, Nebraska, but soon moved to Marble, Colorado, to be with her family. She had been living with her grandparents who had moved there from Sweden. She was about eight at the time. Her mother ran a boarding house and she helped with the cooking and the laundry. When her mother got pregnant with her younger sister, she and her older sister had even more work to do. Finally the work became unbearable and the family moved to the Gunnison River Valley, where they grew vegetables and sold them to the miners in Ouray, Telluride, and Silverton. She and her brothers and sisters went to school in Read, CO. During these times she went to live and study piano with the Siegfried family in Ouray. Anna Christina would study the piano and in return would help Mrs Siegfried with her children, like a nanny. This was just before the turn of the century. It was one one of his selling trips to Telluride, where her father was murdered as he overnighted in Ouray, on his way home. Her mother then sold the farm and bought a smaller house. By then, the children were older, and getting married and moving away. It was there in Delta, CO, that Anna Christina met Elmer Loomis. They were married and moved to the Loomis family home in Delta where she lived for the rest of her life, right up until her death.
John Loomis, her grandson, remembers her as "a medium-height gray-haired very somber serious lady, slightly ominous and forbidding..., with large very bony hands"
Her obituary from the 11 June 1953 Delta County Independent, reads: "Funeral services were held here today for Mrs. Annie Loomis, pioneer resident of Read, who died Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Kvam, at Fort Sill, Okla. The Rev. William Borst officiated at 2:30 pm at the Delta Mortuary. Music was by Mrs Gordon Wisoner and Don Snyder. The body was cremated following the service. Mrs Loomis was born at Regan, Neb., Dec 23, 1880, daughter of Mr and Mrs P. J. Billstrom. She moved to Delta county in August, 1893, traveling from Marble by covered wagon. She was married to Elmer Loomis at Delta in 1900 [actually 3 Dec 1902]. Surviving in addition to the daughter at Fort Sill are a son, Glenn Loomis, Mc Allen, Texas, a daughter, Mrs Velma Dawson, Washington, DC, a sister, Mrs Hulda Lemaster, Glendale, Calif.; three brothers, C. O. Billstrom, Pomona, Calif., G. A. Billstrom, Delta, A. H. Billstrom, Pueblo, Mex., and six grandchildren."

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Loomis Personal Histories

Elizabeth (Standish) Loomis

Elizabeth is the third great granddaughter of the Pilgrim Myles Standish.

George Washington Loomis

His obituary is from the Delta County Independent of 11 April, 1919, and reads: "George Washington Loomis, age 61 years, passed from life at the home of his son, Elmer W. Loomis, four miles east of this city [Delta] Friday evening, Arpil 4th. The deceased was born in the state of Massachusetts [actually Pennsylvania] in 1837. In early manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann Martin, who with two children survive him. Three children were born to this couple, two sons, Elmer of Delta and Marion of Texas, remaining. Funeral services were conducted at Read Sunday afternoon by Rev. Geo. F. Klein of Delta and interment was in the Cory Cemetery."

Julia Ann Melvina (Martin) Loomis

Velma (Loomis) Dawson said that Julia Ann was a descendent from one of the Martins who arrived on the Mayflower. Most of the Martin family died that first really bad winter on the Cape. The cemetery in Plymouth has several Martin headstones and shows a list of non-survivors. Apparently what Martin children who did not die were taken in by surviving families, so some of the Mayflower Martins did survive, and finally arrived in Pennsylvania.

Her obituary in the August 19th, 1927 Delta County Independent, reads as follows: "On Wednesday afternoon, August 17, Mrs Julia M. Loomis passed away at the home of her son, E. W. Loomis, after several weeks illness following a paralytic stroke. Mrs Loomis was born in Pennsylvania on February 13, 1937 [they meant 1837], and was 88 years, six months and four days of age at the time of her death. The funeral will be conducted at the Baptist church tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, and interment will be in Mound Cemetery at Cory [now known as the Cory Cemetery]."

Elmer Walter Loomis

Elmer Loomis was born in Lincolnville and grew up in Pennsylvania learning many lessons of life from practical experiences. He rode the river boats on the Ohio River, learning lessons from riverboat gamblers. At about age 13 (1881) Elmer and his parents left Pennsylvania for Kansas, settling some 40 miles from the town of Hoxie. They lived there in a sod house and raised cattle to supplement farming. In the few journeys to the town of Hoxie, Elmer becamer interested in medicine and became quite good at general family medicine. After losing all his feed crops (and nearly his life) in a prairie fire, Elmer's Dad deicided to move further west, getting ultimately to Colorado. Elmer's Dad decided to move on to the Western Slopes of the Rockies, into the vally of the Gunnison River. Elmer, at age 18 (1886), decided to stay in Denver. He had some cousins there. Elmer furthered his education and also participated as an extra in some stage performances in the Tabor Grand Opera House in Denver. He was almost through business college when his father asked him to come home to Delta, where the family had settled. Elmer went home to help his Dad on the farm. But he would periodically return to Denver, Ft Collins, Georgetown to work and visit.

His obituary reads as follows: Funeral services for E. W. Loomis, 82, were held Wednesday at 2:00 pm at the Lamar funeral home with Rev. Howard Stanton officiating. The body was taken to Grand Junction for cremation services. Elmer Loomis was born May 23, 1867 at Meadville, Pa., and died May 2 [1949] at his home in Gunnison valley after an illness of several weeks. He spent his childhood at Meadville, coming to Colorado in 1889. In 1894 he came to Delta county where he was engaged in farming for 55 years. He was married Dec 3, 1902 at Read to Anna C. Billstrom, who survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Mrs Velma Childs, Delta, and Mrs C. T. Kvam, Fall;s Church, Va., also one son Glen Loomis, McAllen, Texas; and four grandchildren. A brother [Marion] preceeded him in death. Delta County Independent, 5 May, 1949.

Glenn Laverne Loomis

BIOGRAPHY: He was born in Delta, Colorado. He went to school there and worked on the farm. He was unhappy, feeling that his parent s preferred his two sisters to him. He left home at age 16 and went to join his Uncle Pete (a Billstrom brother) working in the oil fields in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Being so young he was called "Chamaco" (male urchin). He had many adventures in Mexico, finding giant Olmec heads abandoned in the jungle, coming across men hanged from trees, being captured by a bandit chief who employed him as a driver until he escaped. He learned how to fly and , upon his return to the US, started a flying school. He met his future wife there when she came to him for flying lessons. They were married about 1930. About that time he also flew an airplane, "The Billion Dollar City", over Houston for 25 or 30 days. This endeavor was financed by Howard Hughes, whom he taught how to fly at his flying school. When a Billstrom brother Donk (prehaps Albert) crashed his only plane, the flying school went out of business, so he took a job with American Airlines and flew some of the first commercial routes in the US. He and his wife then returned to Mexico under the employ of Standard Oil. Glenn lost all their money and savings. They continued to live in Mexico until 26 December, 1937, when the Mexican government expelled all foreigner working for oil companies and expropriated all foreign oil properties. They settled in McAllen, Texas, and lived there from 1937 to 1955, when they moved to Houston. Their son, John, had already left home in 1950 to go to college in Houston. Glenn and his wife lived in Houston until they died. Glenn worked part-time for a few years smuggling Standard Oil records out of Mexico and drilling wildcat wells. He ran out of money and stopped drilling; his partners drilled a few more wells and struck it rich. Glenn had run out of money too soon. Glenn flew odd jobs for American Airlines and also started a little machine shop. He invented and manufactured some farm equipment and was somewhat successful in its marketing. During WWII he made parts for the Navy. In 1952 Glen invented an apparatus for internal pressure testing of oil fields tubulars to see if they had leaks. It was a good product and the business prospered, although he was always at odds with his partners. In 1960 he had a malignant melanoma successfully removed from his face. On 23 July, 1964, while driving back from El Tover at the Grand Canyon he was in a severe car accident and died instantly. He was cremated and his ashes scattered at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston.