Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [1]
Metadata
Object Identification Number |
2012.036.070 |
Object Name |
Poem |
Donor |
Pallant, Susan |
Scope / Description |
A poem for Gudrun West and an accompanying envelope. 1 of 2 The poem is handwritten on thin paper. Spread flat the paper is rectangular and has a horizontal orientation. The poem is written on paper that is folded with an outside and an inside. On the outside front, there is a decorative embossed border and the edges are scalloped all around. On the upper left side there is an image of a blue flower with an embossed design around it. At the top and middle there is handwriting in black ink. On the upper right there is mending tape to repair a tear. The outside back is blank. On the inside is the poem, handwritten in cursive with black ink. The poem is on both sides of the paper with a verse at the bottom middle. On the top upper left and top left side there is tape mending a large tear. On the left side, to the right of the text, directly behind the flower image on the front is an irregularly shaped piece of decorated paper. The paper is rimmed in white with a purple interior and seems to be 2 hands shaking. 2 of 2 Envelope addressed to Gudrun West of Kimballton, Iowa, U.S.A. Dimensions 1 of 2 8.313" Height 10.938" Width 2 of 2 3.750" Height 5.875" Width FAMILY HISTORY: Jens Georg West was born November 3, 1883 in Onslev, Falster, Denmark to parents Jens Rasmussen and Karen Mortensen West, and immigrated in 1904 through Ellis Island. He married Gudrun Simonsen Overgaard on March 10, 1913 in Kimballton, Iowa. Jens was trained as a blacksmith and bicycle mechanic in Denmark before he immigrated. He traveled for some time before settling in Kimballton where he opened a blacksmith shop. He later trained as a auto mechanic and converted his blacksmith business to an auto mechanic/auto and tractor dealer. He died in 1958 in Kimballton. Gudrun Simonsen Overgaard was born March 10, 1887 in Dyngby, Denmark to parents Peter and Mariane Jakobsen Overgaard. She immigrated ca. 1909 through Ellis Island, and married Jens in 1913. Gudrun died Jan. 14, 1964 in Omaha, Nebraska. Gudrun had worked as a "domestic" when she first immigrated until she married Jens. Einar West, son of Jens and Gudrun and brother to Ebba and Vera, was born Dec. 23, 1915 in Kimballton, Iowa. On September 13, 1947, he married Mildred Jean Babcock (b. Nov. 11, 1921 in Wichita, KS; d. Dec. 2011). Mildred had been a roommate to Einar's sisters Ebba and Vera. Ebba West Stabell, daughter of Jens and Gudrun and sister to Einar and Vera, was born Oct. 7, 1921 in Kimballton, Iowa, and married Sigurd Stabell (b. April 23, 1920) on April 29, 1951. Sigurd was a Dane working in New York for an aquavit importer. Ebba and Sigurd moved to Denmark and had two children, Joan and Eva. Vera West Reinhart, daughter of Jens and Gudrun and sister to Einar and Ebba, was born in 1925. She married George Reinhart, who worked for the Treasury Department in Omaha, Nebraska. They had four children: James, Betty, Janet, and Mary. Peter Andreas West, brother to Jens Georg West, was born June 26, 1888 in Falster, Denmark to parents Jens Rasmussen and Karen Mortensen West. He immigrated through Ellis Island in 1904 with brother Jens. Peter farmed in Shelby County, Iowa, and later retired to the Salem Home in Elk Horn. He suffered a farming accident after immigration to the U.S., though it was before 1945. In that accident, he lost a hand, and later used the artificial hand that is part of this donation, likely made in the U.S. Peter died May 28, 1973 in Elk Horn.Union suit worn by Peter Andreas West. |
Language of Material |
Danish |
Date |
1883 |
Dates of Creation |
1883 |
Associated People |
West, Gudrun |
Search Terms |
Notes |
Date Received by Museum |
10/06/2012 |
Images |
251\2012036070.JPG |
Accession number |
2012.036 |