April 11, 1949 The Chicago Tribune
Ernst Robert Anderson was born in Håcksvik, Älvsborg, Sweden December 12, 1892. His birth record states he was a home baptism which indicates his parents may have had some doubt as to whether he would survive. His death would not have been a new tragedy for his parents. They had already lost 3 infants. Ernst Robert was in fact named for the little boy lost just two years before his birth. But survive he did.
All I know of the man is the documentation left behind.
I know that Ernst Robert and two of his brothers emigrated to the United States, to Chicago. Their maternal cousins, my grandmother Lydia and her sisters Anna and Ruth had gone to the states earlier.
I know that he was a carpenter in Chicago.
I know that he married and had 2 daughters.
I know that his wife died in 1941 leaving Robert and his two girls aged 10 and 4 behind.
Lastly, I know that on April 10, 1949 he hung himself in his attic to be found by his 18 year old daughter. His younger daughter was just 11 and now an orphan.
What I do not know and will never understand is WHY? Perhaps his health was poor, his finances were tight, he missed his wife desperately, he was overwhelmed raising children on his own etc. etc. but to do that to yourself, to your children? No, I will never understand why, but that is depression I suppose.The one caught in it's deceptive stranglehold is the only one who believes with certainty that he knows why.
my grandmother Lydia's cousin
Ernst Robert Anderson
b. December 12, 1892 Skaremo, Håcksvik, Älvsborg, Sweden
d. April 10, 1949 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA
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