1894-1989 |
Selections from the June 26, 2004, Presentation by Christine Carlstrom-Trick Tamaru at the 76th Annual North Park Pioneer Association Reunion |
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Good morning beloved family, friends, neighbors and all current and former North Parkers…..it is truly a
pleasure and honor to be home again for an Old Timer's Reunion, especially one that is recognizing the Carlstrom family. My role this morning is to speak about my Swedish family members who immigrated to North Park-------- my Great Aunt Fanny, Great Uncle Victor, and my grandfather, Carl Carlstrom. Pasted on the bleachers you will find a family tree that depicts the linkages between eight generations of Carlstroms…both ancestors and descendants. The parents of the Carlstrom's that came to North Park were Axel and Hedda Kristina (Gustafsdotter) Carlstrom, my great-Grandparents. All together they had nine children. Four died in infancy and a son Frans died at the age of 18 from tuberculosis. The rest, of course, came to America for a better life and opportunities and to join their family members, among them the Norells. Victor Carlstrom was born in Sweden April 13, 1890 and arrived at Ellis Island in 1904 at the age of 14. He made his way to North Park, Colorado where he would work for his Uncles Andrew and William Norell at their ranches. By 1911, North Park had a railroad that ran from Walden to Laramie, Wyoming and Victor Carlstrom rode the first train to Laramie and then to Los Angeles to learn to fly. Victor learned to fly after only 10 days of instruction and postcards were received in North Park showing Victor Carlstrom giving rides at county fairs, dropping the first ball from an airplane at a baseball game and other daring feats. At the outbreak of WW I, Victor was one of the foremost aviators of his time, receiving a First Lieutenant commission signed by President Woodrow Wilson. He made many first flights and set many altitude and distance records. One of Victor's most treasured gifts was a sheepskin suit worn by Admiral Peary upon discovering the North Pole. Unfortunately on May 9, 1917, Victor Carlstrom and a student pilot would meet an untimely death when the wing of the aircraft he was piloting would fall off resulting in the downing of his plane. Victor was engaged to be married at the time of his accident and his death brought a close to this branch of the Carlstrom tree. Carl Carlstrom was born in December 17, 1894 in Boberg, Gustafs, Sweden and arrived in America via Ellis Island on April 13, 1911. He too made his way to North Park and worked as a cowhand under the supervision of his uncle's, the Norells. He spoke no English, which was later remedied by attending a year of school at Higho, but during the 3-day trip from Ellis Island to North Park, he ate nothing but bananas and to my knowledge, for the rest of his life, he never ate another one. Carl later rode the same train to Laramie that his brother Victor had to ridden, but instead went on to Denver to attend Barnes Business School. Victor would later teach Carl (whom I will refer to as Grandpa) how to fly in 1914 in Newport News, Virginia. Grandpa would soon become a civilian aviation instructor during WW I (1916-1919). Grandpa had a lot of patience and his students were reported to say "if Carl Carlstrom couldn't teach someone to fly, that person was not teachable." While a flight instructor he would meet Marion Virginia Sharp of Hampton, Virginia and marry her on September 12, 1918 in Virginia. After the war, Grandpa worked for the Standard Oil Refinery in Laramie, Wyoming. My Grandparents had a daughter, my mother, Marion Virginia Carlstrom who was born on May 20, 1919 in Higho, Jackson County, Colorado. Grandpa would later purchase the "old Harmon Place" 1 mile west of Cowdrey in 1928 and Grandpa and family moved permanently to North Park in 1930. Grandpa Carlstrom is credited for being the first rancher in North Park to raise the Black Angus breed of cattle. Grandma Carlstrom passed away in June of 1974 and Grandpa Carlstrom, the sole remaining Swedish immigrant to North Park, passed away January 17, 1989. At the time of his death, he had two Grandchildren and four Great-grandchildren. Sincere thanks to those friends and family who have helped contribute information for the family tree and to all of you present today or this very special honor. |
In addition to the selection above, you will find the story of Christine's mother Marion, who was the second woman to get a pilot's license in Peru and was a member of the WASP in WW II.. |
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Carl Carlstrom, the sole remaining Swedish immigrant to North Park, passed away January 17, 1989.
At the time of his death, he had two Grandchildren and four Great-grandchildren. If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |
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