John Sigfrid Carlson was born January 16th, 1878 on the Island of Kanso, Sweden. Was at home with the family until the age of 15 when he went to sea.
I started to work on a small coast steamer "Svanen" in 1894. On March 19, 1895 I shipped on the barque "Mentor" from Goteborg, Sweden to Delagoaby, South Africa, Majunga, Madagascar; Island of St. Helena, South Atlantic Pernambuco, Brazil, Belize, British Honduras, La Havre, France and back to Göteborg, Sweden.
Worked on the tugboat "Ellen" as fireman a few months.
Left for London, England June 3, 1896 and arrived on June 6th. Tried to find a room at the Scandinavian Sailors Home but was refused lodging because of my age; walked the streets till midnight when someone took me to Soderlunds rooming house. Lived there until June 24-th when I shipped as ordinary seaman on the"S.S. Nonpareil" for the West Indies and back to Newport, England on the 31st of August, 1896 and then back to London, England. Left the second time for the West Indies and back to London November 21, 1896. Sent the amount of three pounds to my parents. Made a third trip on the same boat to the same places. Madeira Island, Trinidad, Barbados, St. Lvicia, St. Vincent, Guadeloupe and many small places, then back to Madeira, St. Michel, then to Dartmouth and London, England arriving February 2, 1897. Sent the amount of two pounds to my parents. Lived at the German Sailors Home in London. Shipped on the "S.S, Parklands March 17, 1897 for Cardiff, Wales; then to Napels, Italy; Gibraltar and Huelva, Spain, back to Gibraltar july 1st, and then to New York, U.S.A. arriving May 18th; then to St. John, Newfoundland, then back to Cardiff, Wales on June 30, 1897. Went by train to London July 2nd; lived on a room on Carter Street. Shipped on a new barque "Folkevang" July 7, 1897 from London, England, to Matan Luebeck for a load of lumber. Back to London November 16, 1397. (Barque Folkevant of Mandal, Norway).
Returned home November 24, 1897. Did a little herring fishing with Johan Christenson. Home until spring, got work on Kanso Quarantine Station May 1, 1898. In December 1898 I unloaded some planks (deck load) from a wrecked ship and made 210 Kroner, besides saved enough lumber for a home. From July 1, 1899 I served my time in the Swedish Navy on the ship "Odin"; was sick most of the time. Was at the hospital in Karlskrona for an operation. Was discharged September 30, 1899. Worked again at the Quarantine Station at Kanso until February 24, 1900. Was at my sister’s wedding February 28, 1900.
Left Göteborg, Sweden March 2, 1900 for Boston via Liverpool, England. Arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia March 17th; at Portland, Maine March 18th and 19th} arrived at Boston, Massachusetts March 19, 1900. Shipped on the "S.S. Navajo" on March 22, 1900 for Brunswick, Georgia; then to Charleston, North Carolina and bock to Boston on April 3, 1900. Lived at Mrs. Gedda from April 4th to the 29th. Shipped on yacht "Valentine" with Andrew Peterson May 1, to October 24; 1900. Was paid off - $114.00, Was on Pilot Boat Verunn for one week. Shipped on the six-masted schooner "TCleanor A. Perry" November 14, 1900 for Newport News, Virginia; back to Boston December 19, 1900. Was paid off xxxx. Lived with Mr. & Mrs. Gedda over Christmas. Went to Portland, Maine.
Shipped on four-masted schooner "Gaorpe F,. Walcott" December 26, 1900, for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania went back to Portland January 16, 1901. Shipped on the three-masted schooner "Anna E. Krantz" January 25, 1901 from Portland to Wiscasset, Maine. Loaded ice for Martinique, West Indies. Nearly sinking in the Gulf Stream; very bad storm} pumping night and day for six days; no rest. Arrived at Martinique March 1, 1901. Went to Black River, Jamaica on the 19th and left the ship on the 29th of March} returned to Boston via Kingston with the "S.S. Admiral Dewey". Came to Boston April 7, 1901 and to New York April 15, 1901. Worked on yacht "Corona" April 15th to June 2nd, 1901. At City Island, at Jacob’s Shipyard I got a job sailing a 31 foot Knockabout until September 24, 1901. Went to Boston for one week. Began to work for Mr. Barnum, owner of the yacht Malah at Mamaroneck, New York. October 7th; in New York City November 12, 1901 at 536 Madison Avenue looking after the heating, etc. In March 1902 I was concerned about my sins and my lost soul. Found peace with God by faith in the Son of God "To Jesus Christ who loves us, and has washed us from our sins in His blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and the might to the ages of ages, Amen." Rev. li4-7 - Romans 10: 8-10, 11.
I began to fit out the yacht "Ala" on May 20th and worked on it until October 2, 1902. Lived at the Sailors Home at 89 Market Street, New York, for two weeks. Shipped on the three-masted schooner "Warren B. Potter" on October 13 the for Georgetown, South Carolina. Had a rough trip and bad weather at Cane Hatteras and in the Gulf Stream coming back to New York - 16 days - arrived in New York November 20, 1902. Began to work for Mr. Barnum at 19 West 51st Street December 12, 1902. Roomed together with E. Nilsson at 325 West 50th Street from December 8, 1902 to April 16, 1903. Visited at Boston for a few days. Was at a hospital for a nasal operation and visited the doctor for about two months. ‘ Mr. Barnum paid for it. Worked again on the yacht "Ala" April 27, 1903 until the Fall September 18, 1903. Studied fit the Y.iV’.A. evenings and also took a Scranton Correspondence Course in Navigation. Lived at 19 West 51st Street, New York. Began again to work for Mr. Barnum November 1, 1903.
Joseph Bergman goes to Skamokawa, Washington. Was on yacht "Ala" in the summer of 1903. I went to Mr. Moody 13 School at Mt. Hermon September 5, 1904. to February 28, 1905. Went to A. Johanson’s wedding December 22, Received a letter January 3, 1905 telling about my father’s death went back to Mt. Harmon for one month.
Offered a chance to be a chauffeur and to learn about automobiles by Mr. Barnum. Came back to New York February 1st and went to Toledo, Ohio, the 11 Th of February 1905. Was at the Pope-Toledo Factory until April 12th. Began to drive for Mr. Barnun the 18th and continued until August 16, 1906. Left New York August 30, 1906 to visit mother in Kanso, Sweden; arrived there September 11, 1906. Returned to U.S.A. in November 1906 on the S.S. Ivernia and on that trip met Esther M. Nvstrom. Arrived at Boston together with my brother Charles from Sweden we went to New York and with my sister Susan, we three left New York for Seattle, Washington, via Portland and Skamolcawa to visit Joseph and Aunt Fletcher. Arrived in Seattle December 23, 1906. Worked a few months for the S.A.U.W. and in the summer of 1907 on yacht "Kolpie"; also worked as janitor in an office building in the fall. The 1907 depression brought hard times and it was win or. Worked for Studebaker Auto Garage in spring of 1903 and for a Department Store driving an electric delivery automobile.
Was married November 25, 1908 to Esther Maria Nystrom. My son Edward August was born February 1, 1910. Got my Citizen Paper March 17, 1909. Was laid off by the Department Store in May 1910. Work for Pr. Lytla at Bothell, Washington a few months. Moved to Portland, Oregon. Mother and Edward stayed at Skamokawa for one month. Edward was 7 months old. Began to work at Miers & Franks in Portland August 1910. John Stephen was born February 20, 1911. Died September 28, 1911. Eunice Naomi was born April 13, 1912. Received 250 dollars from Uncle Edward who died in Auckland, New Zealand. Moved to Berkeley, California June 1914. Started to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. July 1914 to June 1916. Worked for the Pacific Gas &. Electric Co. July 24, 1916 to March 1918. Marian Louise was born November 10, 1915. Andrew Benjamin was born July 2.6, 1917. Began to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad Co.
Went to the Oakland Shipyard March 16, 1918. Was at Port Costa during the strike of 1922. The 28th of July 1923 Ruth Esther was born. The 2nd of August 1923 my wife died as the result of childbirth. Ruth was cared for by Aunt Anna for a few months but she became sick and could not continue to care for Ruth and she was cared for by Mrs. Appleton for two years at .25.00 per month. In June 1925 Eunice left school, 13 years old and took care of Ruth was then two years old. Eunice was a little mother for the whole family and Edward was working and helping to pay too many bills. It was days of trials and hard work; also days when the tender mercies of God ware proved and His great love. Lost everything in the oil well. The depression set in and we all worked together to keep things going. It was hard times but with the Lord’s help we got through. Edward was married in January 193g to Olivia Graham. Marian married. Roger Petri in April 1942, in Chicago, Ruth married Paul Ewing in October 7, 1944. I retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. in September 1, 1944. My wife and I took a trip to Sweden July 18, 1947 and returned December 1, 1947. Andrew married Lois Vaughan in 1947. My heart is getting weaker; laid up in January 1952 for three months. Thanks to God for a faithful wife. October 1953 - Nearer home, a sinner saved by grace (Eph. 1:3-14), through Christ’s redeeming blood. A stream of love I trace, Up to the fountain God, And in that stream my soul can see, Eternal thoughts of love to" me.
