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Added by MDEL48

Johan Henrick Frimodig

1856-1940
Born: Kåfjord, Finnmark, Norway
Died: Central City, Lawrence, South Dakota, USA

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  • Story: John Henry Frimodig Obituary

    <span><p>OBITUARY: March 12, 1940 JOHN HENRY FRIMODIG</p> <p>John Henry Frimodig, a well known resident of Lead for many years, was found dead in bed this morning at 7 o&#39;clock by his daughter, Mrs E. G. Moellendorf of Central city, with whom he had made his home for several years. Mr Frimodig had been in failing health for the past four years, and complained of feeling poorly the past week. When his son-in-law Mr Moellendorf returned home from his shift in the Homestead mine at about 1 o&#39;clock this morning Mr Frimodig asked him for a drink of water. That was the last any member of the family had talked to him. An examination disclosed he died of natural causes sometime before his daughter found him.</p> <p>He was a native of Finmarken, Norway born Dec. 28, 1856 and came to America with his parents at the age of 14. Settling in Calumet, Mich. He was married at the age of 19, his wife being then 18. In 1901 they came to Lead and for two years he worked at the Laitala and Hill grocery. He was in the employ of the Hearst Mercantile Company for 27 years.</p> <p>Mr. Frimodig learned the Finnish language after coming to America, and acted in the capacity of official interpreter for the Finnish speaking residents in Lead at the Hearst. He was retired on pension in 1930.</p> <p>Mr. and Mrs. Frimodig celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1935 and she died the following year on March 14, 1936. Twenty Grandchildren and 8 Great-Grandchildren.</p></span>

  • Story: Life Sketch Of Johan Henrick Frimodig And Petrine Lydia Isachsen Wintori

    <span><p>Johan Henrick Frimodig &amp; Petrine Lydia Isachsen Wintori</p> <p>Johan Henry Frimodig was born 28 Dec 1856 in Kaafjord, Finnmark, Norway to Johan Peter Frimodig and Johane Mathide Augustsdatter Kehlangi. Kaafjord is located near the Altens copper mine. Johan began working in the mine at about age eleven. He first worked in the stamp mill washing ore and then in the mine with his father and older brother, Isak. In Norway, children are required to attend school from the age of seven to sixteen. While working in the mine, Johan Henrick attended school on a half-time basis. </p> <p>Petrine Lydia Isachsen was born 5 Aug 1857 in Kaafjord to Isaac Mickelsson and Esther Persdotter. She was the youngest child in the family. Her father worked at the Altens copper mine. When she was eight years old, her family immigrated to the United States. It took them three months to cross the ocean. Their sailing ship landed in Quebec, Canada 22 July 1866.</p> <p>Johan Henry and his family immigrated to the United States when he was fourteen years old (1871). The Altens copper mine was declining in productivity and would eventually close. A lot of Norwegian people emigrated in the late 1860s and 1870s with promises of better paying jobs in the mines in America. </p> <p>Both the Isachsen and Frimodig families settled in the upper peninsula of Michigan. This area was rich in iron ore and copper deposits. The Centennial, Hecla, Calumet, Quiney and Osceola mines were all located in this vicinity. </p> <p>Johan Henrik and Petrine Lydia both Americanized their names to John Henry and Lydia or Lucy. They were married 17 July 1975 in Calumet, Houghton, Michigan. John Henry was 19 years old and Lydia was 18. </p> <p>In the 1880 Census, John Henry is shown as a merchant. He learned English and also Finnish as well as being able to speak Norwegian and Swedish. His language skills made him a valuable asset as a storekeeper. He and Lucy had 16 children. The birth record of 9 of these children , who were born in Calumet, have been found. Sometime between the birth of their son, Morton, in 1892 in Calumet and their son, Russell, in 1900, they moved to Red Lodge Montana. Russell&#39;s birth was not recorded with the county clerk at the time but there is record of a delayed birth registration. Russell was baptized at the Finnish Lutheran Church in Red Lodge. </p> <p>John Henry and Lydia moved to Lead, South Dakota in 1901. John Henry worked for the first two years at the Laitala and Hill grocery. He was then employeed at the Hearst Mercantile Compay for 27 years. He acted in the capacity of official interpreter for the Finnish speaking residents in Lead. The 1910 census shows that their children, Cora, Morton and Russel were living at home. They were also caring for three granchildren ages 3-13, after the death of their oldest daughter, Esther Elizabeth. </p> <p>John Henry and Lydia celebrated their 50 year golden Wedding anniversay in Lead on 17 July 1925. John retired on pension in 1930. They lived at 515 Railroad Avenue in Lead. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversay in 1935. Lucy died at home the following year on 14 March 1936. In her obituary it said that 16 childred were born to this union, but only four of them were living at the time of her death. The record of 10 children have been found. However, the records of the other six children have not yet been found. They probably died at birth or shortly thereafter. </p> <p>After Lydia&#39;s death, John Henry moved in with his daughter and her family, Cora Viola Moellendorf. He liked to play checkers with his grandsons. But didn&#39;t like it, if he lost. He was in failing health, the last four years of his life. He died at his daughter&#39;s home in Central City, South Dakota on 12 Mar 1940. They are both buried in the Municipal Cemetry in South Lead. </p></span>

 
 
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