Anna Maria Mård kept this framed picture of Carl Gustaf Mannerheim on the wall of her bedroom, as a reminder of the strength of character of the people of Finland.
Anna Maria Mård (Mord) was born on April 1, 1880 in Iisalmi, Kuopio, Finland. Her home was on the shore, and as a child, in winter, she would happily ski a much shorter distance to school across the ice. Her father was a coppersmith and may have had a previous Finnish name that was changed to the Swedish "Mård" due to migration and changing borders between Finland, Russia, and Sweden. My mother thought the family name was originally Tååskynen, though I cannot find any evidence of this name. Anna told stories of her youth to family members, recalling that at one time, the Russians drove the Finns out of parts of Finland and some family members became refugees who were forced to stay with relatives in Helsinki. The situation was very crowded and work was scarce. Anna had a brother who was in North America for a time, but he went back to Finland to fight the Russians in the 1939 Winter War and was never heard from again. Anna came to Boston in 1899 as a young woman, aged 19, and worked for a wealthy family until she could work off her passage to North America. She was a tailor by trade.
On August 30, 1902 Anna Maria Mord married Herman Peter Alho at Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Herman was aged 27, a wireworker born June 21, 1875 in Finland, who had immigrated to the USA in 1900. Herman's father was Mikko Pentinmaki; his mother was Kristina Kiikka. Anna Maria was aged 22, of Warren, Massechusetts, her occupation was 'operative' Her father's name was Johan Mord; her mother's name was Loviisa Snikkar. Earlier in August 1902, the intention to marry was recorded with slightly different details. Herman is recorded with the occupation of laborer, and Anna is a millhand. Herman's parents are Michael Alho and Christine Kiikka. Anna's parents are listed as Johan Mord and Louise Snilkarum.
Anna and Herman Alho had a daughter named Irja Esther Alho, who was born in Worcester, Mass. on July 13, 1904. At age 4, Irja and her mother, Anna visited Finland. The nearest relative in Finland is recorded to be Anna's father, who was living in Tervola, Rovaniemi, Finland. His name was given as Juho Nurmi. The ship's manifest shows that Anna and her daughter sailed from Liverpool, England to Boston, Mass. in August, 1908.
At age 6, Irja Esther Alho is listed on the Federal Census of April, 1910 as an inmate in Chicago at The Norwegian Lutheran Children's Home. By that time, Anna was separated from her husband, Herman Alho, and she was expecting a child with her future husband, Johan Arvid Mustonen. Anna and Johan had a daughter, Iris Margaret Mustonen on June 25, 1910.
Herman Peter Alho registered for the draft on Sept 12, 1918. He was 43 years of age, a carpenter, and stated he had a broken back and was therefore unable to serve. At the time of the 1930 census, Herman is divorced and living in a rooming house in Worcester, Mass. He listed his closest relative as his daughter, Eria (Irja Esther) who lives in Canada at that time. According to City Directories, Herman Alho lived the remainder of his life in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA and died there in 1948. His daughter, Irja Esther, later of New York City, was married on March 29, 1927 at age 23 to Benjamin Parkman McDaniel, a hotel manager in Manhattan. The couple were divorced in 1934 at Reno, Nevada, and by the 1940 census, Irja Esther was living in New York City at the Gregorian Hotel. Benjamin Parkman McDaniel died in Indiana in 1972. Irja Esther worked in Manhattan for a dentist as a dental assistant to wealthy New Yorkers who needed to and could afford to look their best. While living in Manhattan, Irja Esther, who was known to the family as Auntie Essie, met and married Joseph Salerno on May 13, 1942. Joseph was an elevator operator in Manhattan. Esther Salerno died November 22, 1964 in New York City. Joseph died sometime after his wife, Essie.
After Essie (Irja Esther Salerno) died, her sister Iris went to New York City to handle the estate. A Queen Anne channel back chair in wine brocade was brought back to Canada as Essie had bequeathed to her sister's son-in-law. This antique chair, Anthony Jackson proclaimed while visiting, was the most comfortable chair he had ever sat in. This late 19th century chair was acquired by Essie when the Waldorf Astoria Hotel was torn down in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building. The chair is cherished today by descendants for its provenance and for its connection to family.
Anna Maria Alho met Johan Arvid Mustonen, a man of Finnish descent, sometime before 1910. Their daughter Iris Margaret Mustonen was born June 25, 1910 at Appleton, Wisconsin. At the time of Iris' birth, Johan and Anna were both of Decimal, Manitoba, where Johan was a mechanic and Anna was a housewife. Anna and Johan were married on the 13th day of November, 1915 at Duluth, Minnesota. The marriage licence states that John Arvid Mustonen was of Port Arthur, Canada; Anna Maria Mord was of Appleton, Wisconsin.
Anna later divorced Johan Arvid Mustonen on January 12, 1938. The divorce file gives a record of all the places where Johan and Anna lived after they were married in 1915. Anna and Johan lived at Port Arthur, Ontario, until early January, 1919, when Johan proceeded to New York City to obtain employment as a newspaper editor, and was followed in August of 1919 by Anna. According to the U. S. Census taken on January 7, 1920, the Mustonen family was living at that time in the Borough of Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. John A. Mustonen is the head of the household, Anna M. Mustonen is his wife, Esther Alho is listed as stepdaughter aged 15, and Iris M. Mustonen is a daughter aged 9. They lived in New York City until August, 1920, when they returned to Port Arthur, Ontario and remained there until late June or early July 1922, after which they lived in Turtle, Ontario until September, 1926. At that time, they lived at Decimal, Manitoba, during summers and in Port Arthur, Ontario during winters until July, 1928, after which they remained in Decimal, Manitoba, until March, 1932 when they moved to Elma, Manitoba until the occurrences of adultery with an unnamed female occurred. Anna moved in with her daughter, Iris and their family, and lived the remainder of her life in Canada as Anna Maria Martin. Anna chose the name 'Martin' as the closest translation to her maiden name of Mård. The literal translation of Anna's surname was 'marten', a small animal found in Finland. She died August 18, 1963, and is buried at Barrie Union Cemetery, Barrie, Ontario in plot 54 H section 2-South.
Information on the history of the Mustonen family, tracing the family back to the early 1600's was shared by Ahti Mustonen of Oulu, Finland. In addtion, Roger and Dick Mustonen played an important role in collecting and researching the family history, by visiting Finland and by reaching out to family members in Finland and in North America. Some of the early genealogy was the work of a respected genealogist who was local to the area, Pekka Oilinki. Also, names are in Finnish mode where known, though Swedish mode was used in offical documents before the 1880s
We know very little of the family in the 1600s, however Pekka or Pehr Pyykkö was born 1630, and died 1699 at Utajärvi, in the eastern Oulu region of Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. He married twice, first to Kaisa Pyykkö in 1650, then to Riita (Brita) Pyykkö in 1658. Pekka Pyykkö was using the family name of the house as the son in law. His original family name was said to be Kolehmainen, but this is not verified. Kaisa must have died young. From the marriage with Riitta Pyykkö, Samuli Pyykkö was one of several children; he was born 1685. Riitta Pyykkö was the daughter of Antti Pyykkö born 1605, and Sofia Laurintytär, born 1620. Riitta Pyykkö died on August 4, 1735.
Samuli Pyykkö who was born 1685, married Riitta Hannuntytär, born 1684. Samuli's wife's name is not verified as she was the daughter in law in the family. She may be Hannu Seppänen's daughter from Paltamo. Clerical marriages became compulsory in 1716, but before that time, only women's first names were used or sometimes just the father's name was used. Samuli and Riitta had several children including Heikki Pyykkö, who was born May 3, 1727 at Muhos, Oulun Laani, Finland. Heikki Pyykkö married Marketta Karjalainen who was born June 23, 1750 at Paltamo, Oulun Laani, Finland; the marriage was on April 12, 1774 at Utajärvi. They had several children including Antti Pyykkö, who was born February 16, 1783. at Utajärvi. Samuli Pyykkö died April 27, 1736 at Utajärvi. His wife Riitta died February 1, 1777. Samiuli and Riitta's son Heikki Pyykkö died March 11, 1800 at Utajärvi ; Heikki's wife Marketta died April 1, 1791.
Antti Pyykkö , born February 16, 1783, married Anna Pyykkö, born April 1, 1788. Their fathers were third cousins and their surnames were therefore the same. Antti and Anna Pyykkö had several children, including Pekka Pyykkö, born November 10, 1812. Antti Pyykkö died October 5, 1833. His wife Anna died December 9, 1848, all at Utajärvi, Finland.
Pekka Pyykkö, born November 10, 1812, at Ahmas, Utajärvi, married Valpuri Pura, born February 6, 1826. He was the landlord of Ahmas Mustola. They had several children including Juho Pyykkö born December 5, 1844. A church record for Utajärvi shows a younger child named Pekka Pyykkö was born April 21, 1860 and left for America in 1879. By that time, he would have been using the name of Pekka Mustonen. The family name of Pyykkö was changed to Mustonen during the 1850s. Valpuri Pura died December 18, 1868. Her husband Pekka Pyykkö, who was now Pekka Mustonen, died of an unidentified illness on April 14, 1890, a poor widower. He was buried April 29, 1890 at Utajärvi.
An explanation of the reason the family name changed from Pyykkö to Mustonen was provided by Ahti Mustonen, of Oulu, Finland. In the 19th century, tenant farming became more and more widespread as a source of income. By the end of the century, there were 70,000 tenant farmers in Finland. All landlords were independent Finnish landowners, and were prosperous. One institutional group of landlords was the parishes. Church records in the 1850s show a farm at Ahmas village in Utajärvi under the family name of Pyykkö. Pekka Pyykkö was an independent farmer, a landowner, in Utajärvi; he owned half of a very large farm. Church records between 1859 - 1875 have been unfortunately lost, but in the 1860's crops failed and the situation was particulary bad from 1866 - 1868 when there was real famine. The family story passed down was that Pekka guaranteed a neighbour's debt that could not be paid, and as a consequence, the farm was auctioned. Pekka and his family could not take any real property with them when they left the farm and documents show that half of the farm was now owned by Juho Valkama. In 1877, the family moved to Paavola, as land owners, but debt accumulated and the family returned back to Utajärvi in 1885. Here they became tenant farmers, living in a small house provided by the landlord on the river Utosjoki. This farm was owned by cousin Liisa's father and uncle. The name of the house and farm in Utajärvi was Mustola, and the family name became known as Mustonen.
Juho or Johan Pyykkö was born December 5, 1844 at Utajärvi. He married Kaisa Rusanen who was born March 4, 1845 at Utajärvi. Births of seven children were recorded in parish records; on May 10, 1877, four of their children had been born when the family moved from Utajärvi to Paavola. There, three more children were born. Records for Paavola, the birthplace of Johan Arvid Mustonen, are now held in Ruukki. Paavola parish church books show the Mustonen family were farm owners living in the village of Lapinkylä number 19 Parras farm. The patriarch of the family was Pekka Antinpoika Mustonen, born November 10, 1812. Pekka was the son of Antin Mustonen (Antti Pyykkö). At the time of the move, Pekka was a widower since Valpuri had died 1868. His son, Juho Mustonen, also a farm owner, was born December 5, 1844 at Utajärvi. His wife was born Kaisa Pekantytär Rusanen on March 4, 1845 at Utajärvi. Kaisa was the daughter of Pekka Rusanen (1805-1854) and Susanna Kaisa Rusanen (1810-1878). No wedding date is recorded in the parish records for Juho Mustonen and Kaisa Rusanen. It is interesting to note that the sister of Kaisa Rusanen named Beata Rusanen (1851-1942) married the brother of Juho or Johan Pyykkö named Antti Pyykkö (1849-1907). The seven children of Juho and Kaisa Pyykkö or Mustonen whose names were recorded in parish records were as follows, though Johan Arvid Mustonen wrote a letter in 1954 where he stated that his father and mother had nine children.
1. Anna Valborg, or Anna Valpuri born December 24, 1869 at Utajärvi, Finland. She died before 1954.
2. Per or Pekka, later known as Peter, born November 25, 1871 at Utajärvi, Finland. See below for the family of Peter Mustonen.
3. Kaisa Brigitta , or Kaisa Riitta born September 28, 1874 at Utajärvi, Finland. She married Isak Kurttila on November 28, 1900 at St. Louis, Minnesota, USA. They had several children and she became known as Katie Kurttila. She died November 27, 1950. Her husband Isak was born June 21, 1870 and became known as Isaac Kurttila in America. He died July 20, 1954. Both Katie and Isaac died at Floodwood, St. Louis, Minnesota and are buried at Hope Cemetery, Floodwood, Minnesota.
4. Olga Elisabet, born July 7, 1876 at Utajärvi, Finland, and who died November 4, 1881 at the age of 5.
5. Greta Johanna, born December 9, 1878 at Paavola, Finland. She was known as Hanna, and was married to Emil Karppanen. He was a respected blacksmith and worked for the Finnish Railway Company in Oulu. They lived near the railway station and never had children. Hanna had dementia later in life, and died in the early 1950s. Emil died sometime after his wife Hanna.
6. Juho Arvid, born February 25, 1882 at Paavola, Finland. See below for the family of Juho or Johan Arvid Mustonen.
7. Olga Maria, born August 18, 1884 at Paavola, Finland and who died before 1954.
Records show that the Mustonen family left Paavola and moved back to Utajärvi on November 28, 1885.
The family of Juho Mustonen and his wife Kaisa was very poor while the children were growing up. When they moved back to Utajärvi as tenant farmers, the house may have only been one room; sometimes a living room and a little chamber. There may have been a horse and some cattle. The hardest work was to plant a new field for corn and and a meadow for hay, using simple tools such as an axe, a mattock and a spade. Every member of the family worked the farm and the men also worked the landlord's farm to pay the rent. To earn outside money, they would work sending logs down the river, or on building sites, on tar pits, transporting tar, or on some outsider's farm where help was needed. Fishing and hunting were another source of income and animals with fur could easily be sold. The children would help their mother in the hayfield or potato field, or in the forest picking berries. The older children would help look after the younger siblings. Boys could learn to hunt and fish, and firewood was cut up with a saw and an axe. Entertainment was not an every day thing, but on Sundays, young people gathered to play sports such as baseball.
The second child of Juho Pyykkö, born 1844 and Kaisa Rusanen, born 1845, was Pekka or Peter Mustonen. He was born November 25, 1871. at Utajärvi, Finland. He married Katri or Katie Mattila, who was born April 30, 1870 at Liminka, Finland. The couple were married at Superior, Wisconsin, USA on May 23, 1896. They had six children as follows:
1. John Arvid Mustonen, born March 17, 1898 at Superior, Wisconsin, and who died May 8, 1964 at Seattle, Washington. He was named after his uncle, also John Arvid Mustonen, who was his father's younger rother. Known as Jack, he married Gladys Marie Steele May 19, 1921 and had one son, John Wesley Mustonen of Arizona.
2. Thelma Katherine Mustonen who was born April 14, 1901 at Brainerd, Minnesota and who married Glen Allen Wheeler. They had five children, Glen Allen Wheeler Jr., Arthur Vane Wheeler, Delbert Mason Wheeler, Margaret Katherine Wheeler, and Bradley. Thelma died October 28, 1987 at Longville, Minnesota; Glen Allen Wheeler died 1992.
3. Rudolph Arthur Mustonen who was born April 30, 1903 at Brainerd, Minnesota and who married Irma Stedtfeld July 16, 1934. They had five children; Joyce Irene, Roger Arthur, Richard Eugene, Marilyn Martha and Dean Rudolph. Rudolph died August 17, 1994 and Irma died July 11, 2010.
4. Linda Marie Mustonen who was born December 9, 1906 at Brainerd, Minnesota and who married John Steinbach (1903-1983). They had three children, Arlene, Linda and Jean. She died November 29, 1982.
5. Renne Emil Clinton Mustonen who was born August 30, 1908 at Brainerd, Minnesota and who married Elaine Anderson (1916-2000. They had 2 daughters, Theresa and Julie. Renne died August 1, 1980.
6. Elma Agatha Mustonen who was born December 12, 1911 at Brainerd, Minnesota and who married Charles Jarvinen (1909-1963) and had three children, Kay Marie, William C., and August Mark. She died October 17, 1971.
The sixth child of Juho Pyykkö, born 1844 and Kaisa Rusanen was Juho or Johan Arvid Mustonen. He was born February 25, 1882 at Paavola, Finland. He was evidently a talented and lucky boy because only some children of tenant farmers were sent to a grammar school to study. The teacher was employed by the church and the grammar school in Utajärvi was less than two miles from home. The teacher gave lessons in reading, writing, calculating, and studies of the Holy Bible. Music lessons were taught by singing hymns. At the age of 17, Johan Arvid and another boy from the same village began a course at the People's College Of Liminka (1899 - 1900) which was a high school and a step to further education. After this one year course, Johan Arvid attended the Teacher's Academy of Kajaani, where he granduated after four years, in 1904. Johan Arvid and his classmate were among the first graduating class of this later famous learning institution. After Johan Arvid had earned his teacher's diploma, he accepted a teaching position at Valkeinen villlage near Iisalmi. The school published a booklet where Juho Arvid Mustonen is listed as a teacher from 1904-1906. In 1905, Johan Arvid was at that time, engaged to be married.
In the summer of 1906, Johan Arvid began his work as the second editor of the Savon Työmies newspaper in Kuopio. At that time, Finland was a Grand Duchy, controlled by the Russian bourgeoisie, and the Viapori uprising had just occured. The Red Guard was disbanded and the rebels who took part in the uprising were sentenced to forced labour, or were imprisoned. The Finnish Social Democratic Party had been established to protect the interests of the workers in Finland, and was based on principles of freedom, justice and humanity. After the Viapori uprising, the decision was made to continue the activities, but in secret and with much enthusiasm, as an underground movement. John Arvid was invited to the secret meetings in Kuopio as a journalist. During meetings it was discussed that the organization's members needed to be armed, and money would be needed to purchase these arms. Forced surrenders were occuring in several cities in Finland, including at the Russian State Bank in Helsinki and the group decided that this as the best way to collect funds for their revolutionary cause. Money would be used for self protection but also to provide assistance to Russian refugees and those who had become widows and orphans from the Viapori uprisng. Mauser pistols were the most sought after weapons for the Red Guards, along with Brownings; members of the Organizing Committee made plans to acquire them. A plan was made for an armed robbery of the Karhonsaari factory near Kuopio on the day that cash to pay the workers would be transferred. On October 7, 1907, the steam sawmill at Karhonsaari that employed 200 workers, was robbed of less than 5200 Finnish Marks; after paying the perpetrators for their 'hard work,' the rest of the money was entrusted to Johan Arvid for safekeeping. The Organizing Committee members became nervous as the police were investigating the crime and the secretary of the group declared he was no longer involved. Large numbers of police descended on Kuopio and homes were searched, people were interrogated, and some were thrown into prison and tortured. Some of Johan Arvid's friends woke him on November 10, 1907 and helped him move on the evening train to southern Finland. Some travel money was given to Johan Arvid but it was a small amount and he pawned his engagement ring for funds. All the rest of the funds from the forced surrender were entrusted to three members of the Organizing Committee. Johan Arvid stayed in southern Finland for about a month and moved to Vyborg where he bought two Mauser pistols and a Browning; one was sent to his friends in Kuopio and the other remained in Vyborg, but the Browning went with him in his travels. From Vyborg, Johan Arvid went to Turku, and then left Finland for Sweden on December 6th. Later, Johan Arvid sailed for America,bringing his Browning with him, but it was seized by the American police on April 11, 1908 at Newport, Vermont. Once in America, Johan Arvid wrote a controversial book called SALAT JULKI, or Secret's Out. Johan Arvid felt he needed to defend himself for his actions with the Finnish Social Democrats and had been encouraged to do so. He had much to write about, believing that he had risked everything to save the poor from misery, and that the working class was left without a voice under Tsarist rule in Finland. The book was published by Hämeenlinna's New Printing House in Finland in 1909; a copy of the book is available at the Oulu library in Finland.
Johan Arvid came to North America and always felt he needed to be one step ahead of the authorites; he was convinced he would be deported back to Finland to face imprisonment, torture and even death for his involvement with the Finnish Social Democratic Party. His brother Peter Mustonen had an ice house covered in sawdust on his farm near Brainerd, Minnesota, and Johan Arvid hid in a secret compartment within the ice house whenever he got word that the Russians were looking for him. Another time, he was shipped from Port Arthur in Canada to the US by train. The mayor of Port Arthur had put Johan Arvid in a wooden crate, but the box was upside down on the train and he nearly suffocated. He met Annie Maria Mård in the USA. The couple along with Annie's small daughter Esther, moved to Appleton, Wisconsin where Johan Arvid attended Lawrence University. His only daughter Iris Margaret Mustonen was born June 25, 1910 in Appleton. The family moved to Canada where Johan Arvid became the editor for Canadian Uutiset from 1915-1919, and then later back to New York City where he became editor of New Yorkin Uutiset from 1919-1925. Returning to Canada in 1925, Johan Arvid settled in Quorn, Ontario for the remainder of his life. He did however cross the border between Canada and the United States many times and both Johan Arvid and Anna became naturalized US citizens September 19, 1928. He divorced Anna Maria on January 12, 1938 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He lived for many years with Fanny Maria Simola, nee Zants. According to his last will and testament, dated February 1, 1952, Fanny was his housekeeper.
From the book by Arja Pilli entitled, "The Finnish language press in Canada, 1901-1939; a study in the history of ethnic journalism," the following was written about Johan Arvid Mustonen. "Johan Arvid Mustonen (b in Finland 1882, d in Canada 1955) was originally a schoolteacher by profession. After a short period as a teacher, in 1906 he began his journalist's career on a small Finnish socialist newspaper Savon Työmies. After having escaped from Finland to N. America in 1908 he was a journalist at Työkansa, obviously in 1908, and only briefly. In 1915-1919 he was Editor of Canadian Uutiset, and in 1919-1925 of New Yorkin Uutiset. After that he worked for a railway company and as a postmaster in Canada." From the library at Oulu University in Finland, a remembrance publication from 1950 about the history of the Teacher's Academy of Kajaani (Kajaanin Seminaari) gives information regarding graduates from 1900-1950. Ahti Mustonen has translated from Finnish the following, " Mustonen, Johan Arvid. * 2/25/1882 Paavola. Parents, peasant Jussi Mustonen and Kaisa Rusanen. Graduation certification from the Seminar of Kajaani 1904. Commercial-, bookkeeping- and English courses at Lawrence University USA 1908 - 09. A teacher of an elementary school at Valkeinen village in Iisalmi 1904 - 06. A newspaper's editor in Kuopio 1906 - 07. Worked as a journalist and a postmaster in USA and Canada. Study trips to Finland, Sweden, England, USA, and Canada. Special interests, life's philosophy. Spouse, Anna Maria Mustonen. Children, one." Lawrence University is in Appleton Wisconsin, the birthplace on June 25, 1910 of Johan Arvid Mustonen's only child, Iris Margaret Mustonen. According to the National Archives website detailing post offices and postmasters, Johan Mustonen was the postmaster at Quorn, Ontario from August 9, 1947 until his death January 25, 1955. At that time, the post office in Quorn closed and has never reopened.
John Arvid Mustonen sent a letter to Luisa Mustonen of Utajarvi, Finland in 1951.This typed letter was saved by relatives, and copies were given to Roger and Richard Mustonen of Minnesota when they visited Finland in July 2009. The letter has been translated by a translator with The Finnish Council of Minneapolis. The letter reads as follows:
"Post Office Quorn, Ontario, Canada"
"February 19th, 1951"
"Liisa Mustonen, my childhood companion and partner in play: Hello and all the best! I'm doing well in every way. How are you doing? A month ago I received your letter dated December 21st. It was a pleasing and welcome letter. I am very grateful to you for it. It brought back a lot of childhood memories from distant times. I hear that you moved from Ahola. You ended up there during your second marriage. There, you did a lot of work and you spent many years in your life. I remember having passed Ahola by boat, but I guess I never visited the house in Ahola. Yes, I heard that my cousin there, Heikki, has done a lot of work, expanding the fields, meadows, and of course you were involved too. And now? Ahola is in younger hands and you are living in Utoslahti, by Kallio and under the handsome pine forest cover. I remember it. I remember the Hautakaarre located just by it. I remember Kasala, I remember everything and the opposite shore of the river Ollila, Lesola and all the other places, I remember all of them even after more than fifty years of absence. Therefore your letter telling about all of those things touched my heart. Similarly, the person you mentioned. I missed information (you do not mention them), about your brother Matti and sister Pirkko (Brigitta), whose hand was paralyzed, also about smith Matti Kallio's son, Matti and his sister Aino. You haven't mentioned any of them. Yes, Anna, Kurttila's wife, you mentioned once, but the others you have forgotten to mention. I remember your sister Pirkko from the times when both of her hands were good. Pirkko was a happy, cheerful girl. What has become of her? Jaako Honkanen from Lesola, of course, is gone. What about the former residents of Ollila, shoemakers Honkanen and boys Erkki, Kalle and daughter Hilma? Similarly, you never mentioned the Perttula residents. There were several sons and at least two daughters. Do any of them live in Perttula anymore? Are houses built by Utosjoki river up from Perttula and from that old Lesola mill by the Nuojua rapids? I guess the old Kallio mill is gone, because you wrote about a new mill there by the village. And your brother Eljas has a house in Kasala, probably close to the former Kasala barn buildings, close to where you hit me on the cheek with the ballstick (baseball bat) so that I passed out for a moment. I think it served me right. It was my fault to stand so close behind you. I should have known that a girl always makes a full circle when batting with a stick. And the old Mustola house also has new residents. That old Mustola should be an independent parcel farm. When my late father was still alive I sent him money to buy it and register as an independent parcel farm. I do not know what happened with it. That parcel farm was was supposed to be registered in my name. I have sometimes thought to come there and ask, by what right and whose consent do other people reside at old Mustola, since I have never given away my right to anyone. But who cares. I do not need that old Mustola. I admit: it holds many dear memories of my childhood. Despite the poverty, it was my home. I had a good father and the world's best mother and pretty nice sisters and a brother. That reminds me that there are only two of us old Mustonen "kids" alive: Hanna there in Oulu and I here. My brother Pekka died fifteen years ago and now my sister Kaisa has died in a place called Floodwood in the State of Minnesota. That is where she had as neighbors your husband Heikki's brother Pekka and possibly also the youngest of the brothers Jaakko Jeremias. I met them once in the final days of the year1908. Since then, I do not know anything about them. Also, in January, 1908, I met once, during a train journey, the old Adam Laukka, the son of the lumber chief Laukka. And once I met an old Junttila girl from Utoslahti, I think her name was Anna, but it is already 35 years since that meeting. Those are the only Utajärvi people that I have met here. No dear Liisa, my friend, I have not had a support network of old friends and relatives and I haven't really needed their help. I have less pleasant memories of your husband Heikki's brothers and my sister Kaisa's husband, Isak Kurttila. Isak didn't even inform me about the death of my sister Kaisa. I heard about it from other sources. Well, who cares. May Isak Kurttila live the way he wants. I live my own life. This world is big enough for both of us. So Liisa, my childhood friend, you passed that handsome age marker of 70. I still have a little over a year to that. Soon I will be 69, so it seems that I'm also gathering some years here. But since I'm perfectly healthy, and don't have a shortage of my basic needs, I don't really mind my age. I live just like I used to. I will let time go, one day go, and another one come singing and humming just like I used to when I was younger. I bet you remember hearing me singing in a boat there in Utoslahti waters, by the Kallio pine forest and elsewhere. Your daughter Anna Kaisa once sent greetings in one of your letters. She did it well. I liked it. When you see your daughter, giver her my greetings and tell her that I liked her father, Antti Kemillä, a lot. Antti was a good man. This is how this letter now turned out, bringing my friendly greetings to you. I wish you from the bottom of my heart good health and a happy, fulfilled life, and also for your husband Heikki. Heikki of all the brothers was a good friend and a companion to me. Please, write me again. Write often for your fun and to pass time. Remembering you,
Arvid Mustonen
The Fort William Daily Times-Journal, Friday, January 28, 1955
John A Mustonen, 72, Former Editor Dies
A former newspaper editor, John Arvid Mustonen, 72, died Tuesday at Quorn, Ont., where he had lived for the past 35 years. John Mustonen worked with newspapers in Finland and several cities in the United States and was the first editor of the "Canadian Uutiset" (Canadian News), a Finnish newspaper published in Port Arthur. Born in Paavola, Finland, he received his early education there and later attended a teachers' college at Kajaani for four years. He taught school for several years and then took employment as a newspaper reporter, later being editor of a paper in Helsinki. He moved to New York in 1906 and worked with several newspapers there. He attended university there, studying English and commerce. He came to Port Arthur about 40 years ago and was instrumental in starting the Canadian Uutiset. He became first editor of the paper in 1916. About 35 years ago he moved to Quorn Ont., where he worked for 27 years as pumpman with the CPR. He retired eight years ago and since that time had worked as postmaster at Quorn. His home and family were his chief interests. Surviving are: his wife, Fanny, at home; a daughter, Mrs. Iris Edwards, Toronto; a stepson, Charles P. Simola, Toronto, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The body is resting at the Jenkens Funeral Home and will be taken Saturday to Toronto for cremation.
Johan Arvid Mustonen wrote a will dated February 1, 1952, appointing his daughter Iris Margaret Edwards and his housekeeper Fanny Maria Simola to be the executors and trustees of his will. The will begins with, "This is the last will and testament of me, Johan Arvid Mustonen, teacher, Journalist, and Postmaster, residing at present at Quorn, Ontario, Canada." His last wishes were as follows, " The sum sufficient for my own quiet and moderate funeral expenses. If possible my body be cremated and the ash scattered over the wild woodlands at Quorn, Ontario from a flying airplane. All of this to be done without any religious ceremonies of any kind." In February, 1955, Fanny Simola arranged for Pilot David Patrick (Pat) Gilbert to fly over Quorn to spread "Mustie's" ashes over Quorn Station. Pat Gilbert remembered Mustie as a child when he lived at Quorn Station from 1930-1939. Johan Arvid also left to his housekeeper, his house at Quorn with all its furniture and household goods and all the books in his home library, along with a sum of money. He divided the remaining portion of his estate among his four grandchildren, Doris Amy Edwards, Margaret Anne Edwards, John Edwards, and Robert Edwards. The will was granted letters probate in March, 1955, and the assets were distributed at that time.
Iris Margaret Mustonen was the daughter of Johan Arvid Mustonen and Anna Maria Mård (also spelled Mord).
Iris Margaret Mustonen was born June 25, 1910 at 6:00 a.m. at Appleton, Outagamie County, State of Wisconsin. Her birth certificate gives her address as 850 Garfield, Appleton. Her parents were John Arvid Mustonen, a mechanic, and Annie Maria Mard a housewife, both of Decimal, Manitoba, Canada, and both born in Finland. In the census of 1921, the family is living in Port Arthur, with Iris Margaret listed as Margaret, age 11. In June of 1929, at age 18, Iris was a business school student, living near a hospital at 127 West Willis, Detroit, Michigan. On June 21, 1929, just days before her 19th birthday, Iris gave birth to a baby boy. She gave her name as Iris M. White and she named the baby boy George White. Iris stated that she was a nursing student, but gave her correct birth date. The father of Iris' baby boy is unknown, but DNA results have shown that he was of Finnish heritage, as was Iris. George White was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Paine Wolcott Sr. of Michigan, who legally changed their adopted baby's name from George White to Jesse Paine Wolcott Jr. in November, 1929.
Jesse Paine Wolcott Jr. was raised by his adoptive parents, Jesse Paine Wolcott Sr. and his wife Grace Sullivan. The family lived in Port Huron, Michigan, where the father was a politician and a soldier from the U.S. State of Michigan. On Feb 16, 1952, Jesse Wolcott Jr. married Joan A. Riley who was born 1931. Five children were born to the couple, Bill, Steve, Terri, Linda, and Christine. Jesse Wolcott Jr. died July 25, 1982 in Michigan. He was never reunited with his birth mother, but those who knew Iris and her loving and caring personality, know that she must have thought of her son every day of her life.
Iris Margaret Mustonen moved back to Winnipeg, Manitoba after placing her son for adoption. She met and fell in love with Richard Sydney Parker Edwards, and they married April 11th, 1932. Iris gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Doris Amy Edwards, her first child with her husband Dick Edwards. Dick was born November 11, 1906 and died in Barrie Ontario on May 25, 1991. For more information on the life of Dick Edwards, see the Edwards page of this website. Iris is remembered by those who knew her as a loving and generous woman. During the war, her husband Dick was absent for over three years and Iris took care of the family at home. Iris wrote regularly not only to her husband, but to all friends, family and acquaintances who were active in World War 2. Her husband described her as as a person who could build you up when you were feeling down. Iris sent parcels containing cigarettes, toiletries, magazines and food from home to her husband and to many others. So many letters and parcels arrived that the other men were said to be jealous. Iris wrote nearly every day and was instrumental in keeping Dick's spirits up throughout the war. In August, 1943, Iris went to work for the Bell Telephone Company, while the children were in the care of her mother, Anna, who lived with the family. Iris had four children with Dick Edwards, namely Doris Amy, Margaret Ann, John Sidney Parker, and Robert David Gordon Edwards. Iris died in Florida on December 31, 1972.
Doris Amy Edwards was born in Winnipeg on September 5, 1932. Doris' name was lovingly chosen as it represented the phrase, "Dick Loves Iris."She was baptized on December 11, 1932 at the parish of All Saints, Winnipeg, in the Diocese of Rupert's Land. Doris' Godparents were Stafford Taylor, Mrs. Jean Taylor, and Miss Frances Edwards. Doris lived in Winnipeg until moving with her family to London, Ontario in 1936, and then to Barrie, Ontario in 1938. She graduated from high school and was employed for short time by the Bank of Commerce. On October 18, 1952, in Barrie, Ontario, Doris married Anthony Maxwell Jackson. Coincidentally or perhaps with forethought, their wedding date was exactly fifty years from the date Doris' grandparents Amy Wyatt Patterson and Harold Sidney Parker Edwards were married. Doris' husband, Anthony Jackson was the second son of Albert Eric Jackson and his wife Jessie McMaster. For the the history of the Jackson family, see the Jackson page on this website. After her marriage to Anthony Jackson, Doris stayed home to care for their children. In Bracebridge, Doris enjoyed curling and volunteering in the community. When Anthony was transferred with the O.P.P., the family moved to London, Ontario in January, 1967. Doris returned to school and earned her Early Childhood Education Diploma at Fanshawe College. She served as nursery school teacher at several schools including Miss Matthews Private School. After the death of her husband in 1974, Doris decided to open a day care centre in London, naming it the Anthony Jackson Memorial Centre. Later, in 1983, Doris was the founding president of the London Jazz Society. Al Burton of the London Jazz Society said, "She was the driving force behind founding the London Jazz Society. Her first love was traditional jazz, but whenever possible, she tried to encourage exciting and entertaining young musicians. She gave freely of her time and money to establish the London Jazz Society." When Doris died March 10, 1994, a scholarship fund was established to honour outstanding young jazz musicians at the University of Western Ontario, London. The fund is known as the Doris Jackson Memorial Award and each year awards are given to students who make significant contributions to the Jazz Ensemble at Western University, London, Ontario.
Doris is buried with her husband, Anthony, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, Ontario. The inscription reads, Forever in our Hearts.
The children of Anthony and Doris Jackson are:
1. Linda Susan Jackson, born in 1953, who married David William Jordan in 1973. David was born in 1951 and is the second son of William Edward Jordan and his wife, Mildred Moody. For the history of the Jordan family, see the Jordan family page on this website. David and Linda have three children: Kevin Anthony, born in 1982; Angela Susan, born in 1985; and Daniel Gregory, born in 1987.
2. Richard Anthony Jackson, born in 1954. Richard is married to Florence Darlene Hilliard, born in 1955 and daughter of Alvin and Joan Jacobson. They married on April 7, 2001.
3. Carol Ann Jackson, born in 1956, who married Brian Gerard Howlett in 1980, later divorced. They have two children: Craig Gerard, born in 1983, and Stephanie Brianne Dinase, born in 1985.
4. Stuart Eric Jackson, born in 1960.
Margaret Ann Edwards-Peggy Edwards was born June 2, 1936 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She married first Douglas McArthur on September 18, 1954, and later Patrick Joseph Brennan (October 2, 1933 - March 13, 2009) on July 4, 1969. Peggy Brennan died at Barrie, Ontario on May 25, 2006. Peggy will be remembered for her generosity and kindness towards her family and friends. She was buried with her grandmother at Union Cemetery, Barrie, Ontario.
The children of Douglas and Peggy McArthur are:
1. Gary Wayne McArthur, born in 1955, who married Monica Elsbeth Belinda Blocksdorf in 1978. They had three children, Ryan Peter McArthur who was born 1983, Robyn Elsbeth McArthur who was born 1986, and Tessa Danielle McArthur who was born 1987.
2. Peter Douglas McArthur, born 1956, who married Beverly in 1977, and had a daughter Jamie Leigh Margaret McArthur. Peter later married Jocelyn Griffiths.
3. Karen Ann McArthur, born in 1958, who married David Hodgson, born in 1957, in 1980. They had two children, Iris Ann Hodgson, born in 1985, and Thomas Reilly Hodgson, born in 1987.
4. Sandra Cathrine McArthur, born in 1962, who married Stephen DeLuca. Cathy and Steve had two daughters, Angie-Lee, born 1994, and Patricia Amanda born 1996.
John Sidney Parker Edwards - Jack was born June 19, 1938 in London, Ontario, and died February 19, 1983 in Toronto, Ontario. He married Ann Majher, born in 1940, on November 12, 1960; they had two children, Paul Michael Edwards, born 1965, and Susan Laurel Edwards, born 1967. Susan has a daughter Lauren.
Robert David Gordon Edwards - Bob was born in 1950, and married Christine Watt, born in 1951, in April, 1978. They have a son, Richard Alexander Edwards, known as Alex, who was born in 1993.
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