Jewish Immigrants to America as Seen through Letters



   
    January 2012          
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An Immigrant Story: Letters From David To Dora

By Dean B. Kaner

My maternal grandparents immigrated to America in the early part of the 20th century. Like so many other Jewish immigrants they sought freedom from persecution and an opportunity for a better life.

Born in 1892, my grandfather David Nahaman Walonick came alone to America in 1915 at age 23 from Elaky, Russia. He left behind two sisters and a brother. An escape plan for David was imperative as Jewish boys from ages 12-25 were conscripted into the Russian Army for a compulsory twenty-five year service. Many never made it out alive. According to his late son Albert, David made it to Czechoslovakia where he was befriended by a Christian family with the last name Vallonick or some sounding name like it.

David altered that name and changed his birth name from Kantorovich to Walonick.

We have no family history as to why he went to Minnesota when he came to America, but David made his way to small town named Chatfield in southeast Minnesota where he started a fur trading business. He resided there from 1915 to 1922 before moving in 1923 to another small town of 4,500 in the southwest corner of the state called Worthington so he could expand his business. The main industry was farming from raising soybeans to pigs and poultry. Worthington also had railroad lines running through the community where products could be transported across the country. In July 1918, David was drafted in the Army and sent to France to fight in the Meuse-Argonne Forest from September 26 to Armistice Day November 11, 1918. The battle was the Allied offensive that broke the German lines on the Western front and the biggest battle fought by the American Expeditionary Force during the war. He remained in occupied France until July 1919 before returning to Chatfield. The battle experience of World War 1 haunted him for years. The chemical warfare used by the Germans would shorten his life.

A young man driven by success, David mastered the English language both written and verbal. It helped him build a fur trade called Northern Fur and Hide Company. He would buy furs from area trappers then sell them to the garment industry in

New York City. There was a huge demand for fox, muskrat, ermine, skunk, weasels and mink. Since fur trading was a seasonal business, David figured out how to survive and grow his business by selling other products. He bought and sold commodities by the tons like rubber, wool, tallow grease, scrap iron, metals, magazines, battery lead and rags. Sometimes sitting on the products for months until the price reached a market high to sell. From 1918 to 1922, David amassed a small fortune of $15,000. The average American family had an annual income of $1,500 in that same period. He became an American citizen in 1922.

My grandmother Dora Tarnorudski, later changed to Turner, was born in Russia in 1898. She lived in a small Ukrainian town called Husiatyn, where she spoke Ukrainian and Yiddish. At the turn of the century, more than half of the 6,000 residents were Jewish. Hassidism thrived in Husiatyn that included a Hassidic Court. Hassidism has a philosophy of serving God and helping others through a traditional Jewish interpretation of the Scriptural and Rabbinical texts.

In a horrible twist of fate, the Russian Army crossed the Zabrotz River in 1914 and attacked Austria through Husiatyn. Fires in the town destroyed more than 600 buildings. The Jews dispersed among neighboring towns and villages to avoid oncoming armies. Some like Dora’s father David were injured or killed by the Armies or local peasants in actions against the Jews called pogroms. Others died of typhus as local conditions deteriorated. Jews were ordered out of Husiatyn in 1915.

Eventually some Jews, including my grandmother’s family returned between 1918 and 1919. Then the Bolsheviks came to power and confiscated property from Jewish owned businesses. By 1921, the Jewish population had declined to 368, less than 10% of the peak population in 1890.

Dora had older sisters Gita and Esther in Husiatyn and siblings closer to her age brothers Sam and Abe and a sister Rachel who immigrated to America before the Russian Revolution in 1917 and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dora, the youngest sibling remained in Husiatyn to take care of her elderly father until they could both emigrate in 1921.

Gita and Esther never left Husiatyn and the family lost contact with them after the Nazi invasion during World War 2. They were presumed killed in the Holocaust.

Dora, 23, and her father David, 74, arrived in Minneapolis in 1921. Dora found factory work and begin to learn English in night school. She once told her youngest daughter Annette years later, I kissed the ground I was so proud to be an American. She became a citizen in 1929. Dora was very close with her family and lived in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of North Minneapolis like so may other immigrants. Her father also found happiness with his new found freedom.

Fast forward to September 1923 when Dora was introduced to David by friends in Minneapolis.

A long distance courtship by letters ensued before they married in June 1924. Only the forty- three letters written by David to Dora survived. Some of the letters are five to six pages. The following are excerpts.

    September 28, 1923 Franklin, MN

    Hello Little Girlie,

    How are you? I hope you are well. I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I came safely to my destination. I am writing this letter in a hurry as I am busy. I hope to be in your city next Tuesday night and will try my best to be there as soon as possible. I want to see you again and again.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    October 9, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Hello Sweetie,

    I have lots of news to tell you, more than I expected. Right after I left you, I went up to your fine brother Samuel. We both talked for a while and also talked about you. Then we parted and I caught my train just in time. Two minutes later and I would have missed it. I never felt so funny in my life. I wondered what I was thinking until I started the truck at the train station in Worthington and headed home. I really don’t know what home means for the last 11 years, but anyway Worthington is my home. My partner went to Rochester to take care of his mother so he told me that he wanted to dissolve the partnership with the condition of the privilege of coming back. I also asked him about the girl with the ten thousand dollars. He would get the money if they married, but he made up is mind that he couldn’t marry her. You see there is a saying money can buy everything but love. Deep in my heart is my love for you since the minute we met and it grows stronger and stronger.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    October 11, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Hello Dearie,

    I have been looking for a girl like you for the last 29 years. I have met probably three dozen and always found some fault with them. Yesterday when I came into Worthington, I felt like a prince as I said to myself, “This is my Kingdom.” There was a fight for this town last Fall and Winter. First it was with

    Waseca Hide and Fur Company, which because of us lost eight thousand dollars of fur business. Second was M. Yaseleff from Spirit Lake, Iowa. We broke him up entirely. Third was my cousin from Sheldon, Iowa, who lost $4,500 and had to go back to New York where he came from. Now he is begging me to take him back and promised to work for me faithfully. I think I am going to order him down here as I am all alone now and will give him one more chance. Two years ago I broke him in the fur business, but then he started his own company with a rich boy in my neighborhood.

    This county and the neighboring counties have some of the best farming communities in the state. Worthington is a railroad center connected with the cities of Chicago and Omaha. It is a divisional point where all trains stop. It is also a lively little city and I’m quite sure that you will like it in the summertime. Even better than Minneapolis. If you are willing to learn the raw fur game, you will like it and have lots of fun in the winter. Not every Dick and Harry can be a fur buyer. The trade is ranked high. Oh sweetie, I wish I could be with you for only five minutes, because I would feel so happy. Let’s hope for the hour which will bind us to be happy forever. My best regards to your father, brothers and sister.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    October 17, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Dearest Dora,

    Can let you know that I am in good health and pretty busy. I am still straightening up things that were run down for a period when I was on the road. Little by little I am finding mistakes and shortages in money by my former partner. Not that he stole it, just that he is a dumb head. I received your letter in English again and was pleased.

    Don’t be ashamed if you make mistakes. We all make mistakes, so don’t be offended if I correct you like I did in my last letter. It is never too late to learn, so spend any spare time writing and reading English.

    I remain as ever Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    October 20, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Dearest Dora,

    Can inform you I am in the best of health and the change in weather feels so refreshing. By the way, in your letter you must think that Worthington is a little village. That a person can’t enjoy life here. Worthington is a lively town. There are paved streets with a fine white way through downtown lined with cafes and restaurants.

    There is a large ninety thousand dollar armory where soldiers train once a week.

    We have a movie theatre with the latest movies, dance halls, clubs and a wonderful park by the lake shore drive. Worthington is the county seat for Nobles County. I always find some fun here, probably more than I can in the city as I know everybody and everybody knows me. I feel at home everywhere with everyone.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    October 24, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Dearest Dora,

    I want you to know that my dreams of life and love are different than the other fellows. They meet a girl they like and force love on them. Soon they marry and what happens after that we should never experience. Sunday night I talked to you from Sheldon, Iowa. I had a wonderful time and stayed there overnight with a young couple and their four-year-old boy. They have been happily married for five years. She is American born and can hardly speak Yiddish. She is well educated and graduated from high school. Her folks are worth $150,000. He is from New York. His name is Sam Sigman. He is in the scrap metal business in Estherville, Iowa, not far from Sheldon. When we sat down for dinner Sam said, “Well Dave, I have a wonderful girl for you.” I said “Thank you Sam, but please don’t mention girls anymore to me as I found the right one.” He wished me good luck. The Sigman’s used to live in Minneapolis. Well dear, you will have some visitors in Minneapolis and you will visit them in Iowa.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    October 25, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Dearest Dora,

    I love you more than anybody else since the minute I met you.

    I want you to know I didn’t compare myself to Rabbi Akiva, as that was only a short story to take away a lesson about what faith means.

    I am going away 100 miles from Worthington and hope to be back Friday. I have done wonderful business today in the office. I know that when I go away I lose business. I always dreamed if I could get a good woman it would help me in life and business. You write that you would like to talk with me by phone a little longer. Well dear, this isn’t Minneapolis. If we talk about love through the phone, the operator would call me up and tell me everything we talked about. I am sure she would tell a second girl about our conversations and the whole town would know.

    I would be embarrassed and so would you.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    October 30, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Good evening Sweetheart,

    I started out on my three day trip, as I wrote you last night from Lakefield, MN.

    I arranged business there. I stopped later in Heron Lake, MN and didn’t think I could make a deal with the same article, but talked business and did. If I can make four side deals a month that would be great. I feel so happy tonight. I bought nineteen hundred pounds of tallow grease which will net me a profit of $95. I am stocked with lots of merchandise. Four carloads of metals and a car of rubber and other little things that make lots of money. I have no credit in this town and it takes lots of cash to run a junk business. Furs, wool, hides and tallow is a cash business. Pretty soon the fur season will start and I can give more attention to it. That is why I am so busy getting merchandise ready to put up on the market. I am going to sell the metals, hides and a few other items, but can’t afford to sell the scrap iron because it is priced very low right now. Honestly, I never thought I’d drop my business and go see a girl at the beginning of the fur season. That won’t stop me from seeing you.

    I am sending you long, long kisses.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    November 1, 1923 St. James, MN

    Hello Dearie,

    I am on my way back to Worthington. St. James is about 75 miles from Worthington and I am staying here over night. I need to come back here next week to finish loading. So far everything is coming my way and I hope it keeps up.

    Yesterday I received a letter from my younger sister in Europe. I was happy to read that she was well, but sorry to hear that my oldest sister only 19-years-old is going to get married in a way I can’t imagine because she is suffering from hunger. She is very beautiful and deserves a good husband. My brother said she wants to better her life. I haven’t seen my family for eight years. I sent them $30 this past Spring and never heard from them until my sister’s letter yesterday. The government took the money. That is the God forsaken Russia for you. Yesterday, I sent $25 to my uncle in New York and asked him to send it to them from there. I also put a $500 bill in the letter and registered it. I would like to help get our families over here. It takes months before we can get a letter from them. I will write you tomorrow night from Worthington.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    November 2, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Dearest Dora,

    I came into Worthington at 3 p.m. from St. James. I figured to be here before that time but stopped off at Mountain Lake, MN. There is a Jewish junk man that sold me some wool and offered a carload of junk to sell five tons of metals and ten tons of rags. As far as I know I have booked business for the next three to four weeks, so I asked for an option on the merchandise until next week. I am going to offer it for sale. If I can sell it, there will be a good profit. If not, I won’t bother because I really don’t care for any new business. My best regards to your father and tell him Hello from me. Also to your brothers and sister and families.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    November 10, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Dearest Dora,

    Can inform you that I arrived safely at 1 p.m. in Worthington. If I would have driven through the night and not stayed in Windom (about 40 miles from here), I would have arrived earlier. But I’m not at war now. I am taking my time. I still remember those dark days in July 1918 when I was called to war. I had a 30 day extension from the government to dispose of my goods and be ready July 26. There were eleven carloads. My spirit was broken. I couldn’t work as I asked myself “ What am I getting ready for? To slaughter men?” I had five men loading the goods and it was terribly hot. I remember ordering two kegs of beer. I told the men to have a good time and not get overheated. I didn’t care about the money, only to be ready July 26. Now that the war is over, I’m no longer in a hurry. That’s probably why I haven’t gotten married.

    My credit with the bank in Windom was as high as $12,000 in 1920. I lost $6,500, but my banker George didn’t press me and encouraged me to keep doing business. He said the time will come when I will make money and he can give me credit again.

    In 1921-22 the fur market was good and George kept his word. I handled $66,000 worth of furs and made a profit of $6,100. I paid the bank $5,000 and later the remaining balance. Same thing happened in Chatfield. Lost some money but made it back and paid the bank my debt. From 1918 to 1922, I made $15,000.

    I’m not bragging, but there are lots of good things about me which you will find out. I intend to come for Thanksgiving and will let you know the date.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    November 14, 1923 Mason City, Iowa

    Hello Sweetheart,

    I am staying overnight here in Mason City, Iowa. It’s about 170 miles from Worthington. I am not very far from my destination. I haven’t done much business since I left Worthington, but I don’t get discouraged as I am not a working man.

    Working in my own business, I can make in one day what a working man makes in a month. I am on the road and tired from driving. I hope you are in good health and feeling good. That is the main thing in life.

    I remain as ever Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    November 18, 1923 Chatfield, MN

    Hello Sweetheart,

    I came into my old beloved town of Chatfield, MN at 11 a.m. today. Honestly, it makes me feel better here than in Worthington. I became a man and was Americanized in Chatfield. I am very well liked and welcomed by everyone. Right away they ask me “Well Davie, are you going to stay here for good? Please come back to the old town.” But I can’t do it. Only to write a little business. I am going to play the Edison as Mr. Olson, my friend has records and I feel like dancing. That’s how I learned to dance four years ago.

    From Your Loving Boy that hopes to see you soon.

    David Walonick

    ________________

    December 20, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Hello Sweetheart,

    I hope you are well. I am fine and doing lots of business. The market is improving day by day and that makes me feel good. You know, when business is good everything seems to be good. You feel the world is happy with you. I have an offer for two cars of scrap iron so I am going to sell it tonight by mail. I have five cars of iron around here that I’m starting to sell . The rest I’ll sell after New Years. I need lots of cash for the fur business this year, as I don’t have any backing from a large fur house like last year. I am forced to use my own capital. The merchandise I bought in McIntire, Iowa made me fifty to seventy dollars more according to today’s market report. Since I met you, it seems business had been better. You must be a gift from God.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

    ________________

    December 23, 1923 Stewartville, MN

    Dearest Dora,

    I’ve been traveling by train while the truck was in the shop being fixed. The job cost $71.50, but it is like new. It’s like putting a new heart in a person who is complaining. I am through here in Stewartsville. I purchased from Mr. Friedman $200 worth of goods. You are invited to come here next summer for a visit. The Friedman’s have been great friends of mine for many years. The fur business is improving and I hope we will have a good season. It is 6 p.m. and I have my truck loaded for home.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

________________

    January 8, 1924 Worthington, MN

    Hello Dearie,

    I’m not able to writer you as often as before because I am a very busy man. I ask you to understand my circumstances. I will repay you in our future for every minute I am missing at the present time. You should worry? I read your letter and must say you don’t understand me. I am not a boring city man where you can schedule a time to be together. I have three men to manage. You are a smart girl when you picked me. I am doing this all for you, the girl I am going to marry.

    As ever Your Loving Boy,

    David Walonick

________________

    January 10, 1924 Worthington, MN

    Hello Dearie,

    I hope you are in good health. I am fine. I am practically doing nothing as it snowed hard last night and the roads are closed. When they reopen in a few days, business will pick up.

    I received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you. You asked when you can see me again. It’s only been a week since I saw you and already you are lonesome. I can’t fly over for a few days to make you feel happy, then come back.

    You’d still be lonesome. The only remedy for this is for us to get married. As I told you before, I don’t care to get married now because I want you to finish night school.

    I hope you will be successful in your Typing class.

    I remain as ever Your Loving Boy,

    David N. Walonick

________________

    January 24, 1923 Worthington, MN

    Hello Dearie,

    How are you? What are you doing that keeps you so busy that you haven’t had time to write? Or have you forgotten me entirely? I hope I have a letter from you tomorrow.

    Business has picked up a lot this week and kept me real busy. I had to work two nights until 3 a.m. I received lots of orders to buy furs. I can’t do this alone. I always say a good woman is better than a hundred hired help.

    When you come here, I will take you out for a ride in my car and show you a good time. I fixed the car up with a closed cab. No wind or cold can get in. This Sunday I am going to Sheldon, Iowa to buy some furs from Mr. Sigman. After your visit, I will go out on the road to buy furs. I’m going to have to hire someone for the office because I do better when I’m on the road. Last week, I connected with the largest fur house in the U.S, and can buy anywhere.

    Your Loving Boy,

    David N. Walonick

Dora’s father David Tarnorudski died on February 21, 1924 at the age of 77. Dora and David were married on June 15, 1924 in Minneapolis by Rabbi Solomon Silber of Knesseth Israel congregation. They resided in Worthington.

There were no further letters from David except on a few occasions when Dora visited her family in Minneapolis. Though Dora loved David very much, she did not adjust to living in Worthington. There were extended trips to Minneapolis so Dora could visit her siblings whom she was very close. There was the additional problem of not being able to practice her Orthodox religious upbringing that became

non-existent in Worthington because there wasn’t a synagogue there nor in nearby communities. Dora wanted to be part of the Jewish culture, not isolated from it. David was comfortable with assimilation. He was not a religious person and even worked on the Sabbath.

In many respects this was the Old World traditions fighting assimilation in America. It was a dilemma for the Jewish immigrant.

    January 25, 1925 Worthington, MN

    My Dearest Wife,

    I am glad to hear from you and that you are having a good time in Minneapolis. I am fine, but business is slacking up as it snowing and blowing. It is hard to get out with the car.

    Yesterday I took the train to Heron Lake, MN and bought a little bit of furs. I notice you write in your letter that you are thinking things over if you don’t hear from me. I do not like that. I want you to be a brave woman and not be scared about things. So they want you to stay until Sunday. That is very nice, but I bet with all the fun you are having, you don’t feel so happy to come back to your own home to monkey around with the stove and gasoline burner. Well Dear, I am expecting you Sunday so write me what time you leave Minneapolis. I am not going to write anymore this week so good luck to you.

Note: There was no closing sentiment nor signature from David Walonick.

    June 25, 1925 Worthington, MN

    Dearest Dora,

    Your welcomed letter of the 8th and 9th at hand and delighted you are okay. Can advice you that I am in the best of health and having good business. I bought six cars of iron last week and they are all sold. I am holding my own in Worthington. I can draw money with the profit and leave the balance.

    Wool went up sharply the last ten days. We are receiving thirty-nine cents for wool now. If we could have the wool we bought last month, it have made us an additional profit of $2,500. But we are poor people so we have to take a small profit by selling to different films. I sold five thousand pounds to Lewis that I bought this week north of Worthington. Shapiro bought twelve thousand pounds, but my wool showed more profit than his larger lot. If the market stays up another two weeks, we have a good chance to make money. All of the wool is bought up in Worthington so we are now buying outside of our territory.

    Well my Dearest, I must tell you I am very lonesome for you. I pray to God that He helps you at your wish and I am with hopes that it will be soon. Good luck to you with my best regard to the rest of the family.

    I remain as ever Your Man,

    David Walonick

The next day in Minneapolis on June 12, 1925, Dora gave birth to twins Albert and Florence. David Walonick was in Worthington and wrote his last letter on June 26.

    My Dearest Dora,

    I was very glad to hear from you and the children. Looks like it’s going to be a new season and rubbers will be popular all year round. Inner tubes are worth

    seven cents a pound now. Soon they’ll be worth twenty cents a pound. Crude rubber is worth eighty-three cents a pound. There is plenty of room for rubber to go up. My faith in old rubber like in normal times is coming true.

    I remain as ever Your Man,

    David Walonick

We’ll never know how many times Dora went to Minneapolis to stay with her family during their marriage, but a third child my mother Annette was born in Worthington on April 29, 1927. Shortly thereafter, David succumbed to a serious respiratory disease as a result of the poison chemicals he was exposed to by the Germans on the battlefield of France n 1918. He was admitted to the Veteran’s Hospital in Minneapolis on May 16. His condition worsened and on May 27, 1927, he died at age 35.

Dora was a widow at age 29 with three young children to support. She had no finances other than a small settlement from the government for David’s military service and some life insurance money. Dora moved back to Minneapolis where she found menial work in a garment factory.

Her nephew Ralph Turner recalls how his Aunty Doba, which was the Yiddish name for Dora, struggled to make ends meet but always paid her bills. Dora’s siblings and their children remained close. Ralph said she was very kind and he adored her.

Dora carried the torch for education from David. Her three children became accomplished professionals in their field. Albert was a medical doctor, Florence a teacher and Annette a businesswoman.

Tragically, Dora was a hit and run victim of a drunk driver while visiting her daughter Annette in Superior, Wisconsin on December 12, 1954. She survived, but died two days later from a blood clot at age 56.

Son Albert recalled with tears in his eyes how difficult it was for his parents and other immigrants to come to America with nothing except a dream for a better life.

~~~~~~~

from the January 2012 Edition of the Jewish Magazine

Material and Opinions in all Jewish Magazine articles are the sole responsibility of the author; the Jewish Magazine accepts no liability for material used.

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