Letters of John Holmquist & Ruth Swanson

Ruth Swanson and John Holmquist were born in America of Swedish immigrants They attended the same church, Svenska Baptistkrykan (The Swedish Baptist Church) on the corner of Emerald Avenue and 595h Street in the Chicago suburbs. Though their homes were about t twelve blocks from each other, they often wrote letters.John had job to help support his family, so he time was limited. Also, at least one parent was not altogether happy about John and Ruth seeing each other. In letters they could write what they wanted to say and when it was on their minds or hearts.

The letters give us a personal, touching and often sweet glimpse of two young people two young people in love.

Ruth was seventeen years old when she wrote the earliest letter we have of their correspondence, and John was eighteen years old

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