Agnes Tomitum
also written Agnes Tomitum, Agnes, Agnes Tomitum Williams, Agnes’ Tomitum, Agnes Williams in the book
Biography
Married Edward Williams in North Dakota in 1907. Died of tuberculosis. death date recorded both as “when Mom was about ten years old” and as “1922” and as “1921” in the book; kept as written. Described as a tall, full-blooded Norwegian immigrant with black hair. Left at least three sisters in Norway. Became a U.S. citizen through the government sponsored Immigrant Work Program. Spoke English flawlessly with an accent. An excellent seamstress and tailor who made family clothing, embroidered and cooked. Was in a sanitarium with tuberculosis about 1921; died of consumption and complications from swine flu in 1922. The passage clarifies that her consumption was tuberculosis. Named with Edward as a parent of Ethel. Name preserved in the passage's possessive form. The Lutheran faith is described as 'Agnes’ Tomitum’s Norwegian religion, it is assumed.' No explicit relationship is supplied. Described as a tall full-blooded Norwegian immigrant with black hair. Left at least three unnamed sisters in Norway. Became a U.S. citizen through the government sponsored Immigrant Work Program. Loved embroidery and cooking. Had tuberculosis and was in a sanitarium about 1919. Died of consumption and complications from swine flu; the passage specifies that she actually had tuberculosis. Her Lutheran religion is presented as an assumption.
Timeline
1907
Edward Williams marries Agnes Tomitum
Carol's Chapter1909
Lloyd’s birth
Listed before Ethel despite the opening description of her as firstborn.
History of the Guild Family1911
Birth of Edward and Agnes’s daughter
The narrator’s Mom was born to them in 1911.
Carol's ChapterJanuary 28, 1911; previously believed to be 1909
Birth of Ethel Kathrine Williams
Carol gives Ethel's birth date as January 28, 1911. Ethel had believed she was born in 1909, and her grave marker was engraved before the error was discovered.
Carol's ChapterJanuary 28, 1911
Ethel Katherine Williams is born
The birth announcement incorrectly named her father Edwin.
History of the Guild FamilyJanuary 28, 1911
Birth of Ethel Katherine Williams
Firstborn of three children; her father's name was mistakenly recorded as Edwin.
History of the Guild Family1912
Birth of Lloyd
History of the Guild Family1914
Ralph’s birth
History of the Guild Family1914
Birth of Ralph
History of the Guild Family1916
Little Ralph dies of double pneumonia
At two, transported by horse-drawn sleigh through a snowstorm to a distant hospital; a blood transfusion did not save him.
History of the Guild Family1916
Ralph dies at age two
Double pneumonia; taken to a distant hospital on a horse-drawn sleigh through a snowstorm, lying on a featherbed beneath straw. A blood transfusion did not save him.
History of the Guild Familyabout 1919
A frightened train journey to the grandparents
Ethel, eight, and Lloyd, ten, stayed four or five months while Agnes was in a sanitarium with tuberculosis.
History of the Guild Family1921
Agnes dies
Died of consumption and complications from swine flu; the passage identifies tuberculosis as her underlying lung disease.
History of the Guild Familyabout 1921
Ethel and Lloyd stay with their grandparents
A four- or five-month stay while Agnes suffered tuberculosis in a sanitarium. Ethel was ten and Lloyd nine; they were terrified during the train journey.
History of the Guild Family1922
Death of Agnes Tomitum Williams
Died of consumption and complications from swine flu; the passage specifies tuberculosis.
History of the Guild Familywhen Mom was about ten years old
Death of Agnes Tomitum
Died of tuberculosis. Grandpa Williams subsequently raised Mom and Lloyd alone.
Carol's Chapterdate not given
Marriage to Agnes Tomitum
History of the Guild Familydate not given
Agnes marries Edward
History of the Guild Familydate not given
Agnes immigrates to America
Left at least three sisters in Norway; married Edward and became a U.S. citizen through the government sponsored Immigrant Work Program.
History of the Guild Familydate not given
Agnes immigrates to America
Left at least three sisters in Norway; became a U.S. citizen through the government sponsored Immigrant Work Program.
History of the Guild Familydate not given
Agnes and Edward marry
History of the Guild Familydate not given
Marriage to Agnes Tomitum
Mentioned in discussion of a possible reason for Edward's name change.
History of the Guild Family
Stories mentioning Agnes
- Gramps’s Helping Hands and Generous HeartCarol recounts Edward Williams’s birth, marriage to Agnes Tomitum, and family losses. After Agnes died of tuberculosis, he raised Mom and Lloyd alone and moved with them to Moline in 1925. Despite arguments with Daddy over drinking, Gramps was a valued family helper. He contributed two thousand dollars for a house addition, worked in the garden, helped with canning and childcare, and paid for Mom’s false teeth and occasional dresses. Mom’s “good” dresses for 500 Club meetings were cotton housedresses costing two dollars and seventy-nine cents in J. C. Penney’s basement.
- Mom’s Records and a Lifetime of DevotionCarol recounts Ethel's birth in Newburg and her search for baptismal records when she needed a passport to visit Carol in Germany. The record supplied the spelling Kathrine, listed her father's first name as Edwin rather than the family's remembered Edward, and revealed a birth year of 1911 rather than 1909. Her already-engraved grave marker would remain incorrect, but she enjoyed learning she was two years younger. Carol also honors her mother's tireless work caring for the family, her support and guidance, and her life without an outside job after her first baby or learning to drive.
- Red Hair, Handmade Knickers and North Dakota SnowEthel's early life in Newburg included a comfortable home, her Norwegian immigrant mother's skilled sewing, and harsh winters. Agnes made her knickers from a catalog picture, making her the first girl in school to wear them. Ethel remembered tunneling through snow to the barn, skiing over fences to school and learning to walk on tiny snowshoes.
- A Frightened Train Ride to Grandma's QuiltsWhile Agnes was in a sanitarium, Ethel and Lloyd traveled fearfully by train to spend four or five months with Michael and Millisa Lehman in Astoria. Lizzie was remembered for her quilts and Michael for strict discipline. Ethel did not question the difference between her father's surname and theirs; Mary later told her the unspecified “bigamy” story after Iris' birth in 1930.
- Loss and Growing Up Too SoonRalph died of double pneumonia despite a snowstorm sleigh journey to hospital and a blood transfusion. Agnes died in 1922 after tuberculosis and complications from swine flu. Ed moved Ethel and Lloyd to a boarding house run by Mrs. Howe. As he began drinking heavily, eleven-year-old Ethel took on care for herself, Lloyd and her father. Ed continued managing a diner and dance hall; Ethel recalled being caught by him kissing a dance partner in a car.
- From the Sunshine Store to a New NameManny and Harvey owned a successful hardware and grocery business in Astoria. According to an account Ethel reported long after his death, Manny discovered his young bride with another man, beat the man, allegedly burned the house, and fled after withdrawing half the store cash and bank savings. In Newburg he worked on a wheat farm, then managed a lumberyard with an attached restaurant and dance hall, subsequently becoming its accountant and prospering. Between 1905 and 1910 he adopted the name Edward Williams. The passage offers speculative explanations involving prosecution or bigamy when he married Agnes Tomitum, while stating that secret correspondence with Harvey revealed that the assaulted man had survived.
- Brownie’s Dancing Days and a Lifetime of MotheringDespite grief at home and being refused a college education, Ethel found happiness in friends, dancing, and work. Mary Hill introduced her to Floyd, whom she married in 1928. Together they raised seven children, while Ethel survived a serious goiter and worked several jobs. In widowhood she enjoyed crafts, cards, grandchildren, and travel, including a cherished 1979 European holiday funded by Bernie. She died during a visit to Diana in 1988, remembered for her unqualified love.
- Red Hair, Snowshoes, and a Mother’s Handmade KnickersEthel’s early life in Newburg combined material comfort and her Norwegian mother’s skilled sewing with severe winters. Ralph’s death and Agnes’ tuberculosis disrupted the family, sending Ethel and Lloyd on a frightening train journey to their grandparents in Astoria. After Agnes died, Ed’s grief and drinking left young Ethel caring for her family. Friends and dancing brought happiness, but her father refused her wish to attend college and sent her to work.
- From the Sunshine Store to a New NameManny and Harvey owned the successful Sunshine Store in Astoria. According to a later report by his daughter Ethel, Manny discovered his first bride with another man about six months after they were betrothed, beat the man, and allegedly burned the house after ordering his wife outside. He took half the store cash and bank savings and fled by train to Newburg. There he worked as a wheat farmhand, then managed a lumberyard with an attached restaurant and dance hall, and subsequently became its accountant. He changed his name to Edward Williams between 1905 and 1910. The family speculates about avoiding prosecution or a bigamy charge when marrying Agnes Tomitum, while stating that secret correspondence with Harvey revealed the other man had survived and the first wife had disappeared.
Referenced in
- Carol's Chapter — GRAMPS
- Carol's Chapter — DANCE WITH ME
- History of the Guild Family — EDWARD WILLIAMS
- History of the Guild Family — ETHEL KATHERINE WILLIAMS
- History of the Guild Family — ETHEL KATHERINE WILLIAMS
- History of the Guild Family — EDWARD WILLIAMS
- History of the Guild Family — ETHEL KATHERINE WILLIAMS
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