Esther, front row, fourth from right, at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle, 1909. Photo fromThe Swedish Finn Historical Society archive.
Adventures of Esther Nyholm Baker
by Toni Nelson
Interview with Esther’s granddaughter, Cathy Maxwell, on June 5, 2022. The long and adventurous life of Esther Nyholm Baker began with her birth in Åbo, Finland in 1887. Within a year or two of her birth, she and her family moved from Åbo to Åland because of a job her father, Gustaf Petterson Nyholm had taken as a blacksmith on the Grelsby Estate. This estate was initially established by the Kingdom of Sweden and was used by Swedish nobility. Esther’s family lived in nearby Mariehamm but within a few years they moved to Möckelby in Åland. Her father, Gustaf built a home and had a blacksmith shop. Esther took part in confirmation at the medieval St. Olaf’s Church in Jomala. St. Olaf’s is regarded as the oldest Christian Church in Finland with a history dated 1260–1280. As a young girl in Åland, Esther was educated in the folk school movement in Jomala. At the time formal education was restricted to the upper class. The folk school movement provided access to education for rural populations. Esther enjoyed her experience in folk school so much that she kept many of her treasured school books which are preserved now by her granddaughter. A large variety of subjects were taught according
to individual needs and interests. Subjects such as music, art, design, and writing were taught, as well as, religion, philosophy, and literature. Cultural identity, customs and native language were a strong component of folk school as Finland understood the importance of keeping their customs and culture alive for future generations. Amid the social and political upheaval of Russian domination the risk of losing their Finnish identity posed a real threat. Russian presence had become increasingly prominent in Finland. There was talk of disbanding the Finnish army and the beginning of compulsory enlistment in the Russian army. Esther shared an incident when Russian soldiers came into their home asking for food. The soldiers were formidable and unnerving until her father returned to the house and their demeanor completely changed in the presence of a male. Gustaf’s brother, Andrew Petterson, who along with Gustaf was born in Katternö, Pedersöre, Finland. Andrew immigrated to the United States in 1890 and settled in Seattle, Washington. In about 1899, he purchased forty acres in Brownsville, Kitsap County, Washington. With Andrew’s encouragement, Gustaf made the journey to America in 1902. Leaving his family behind in Åland, he was grateful to be reunited with his brother. He began practicing his trade of blacksmithing in Seattle.
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