Höyhtyä William

Undated and unsigned but the handwriting looks like Hulda Hoyhtya's

I have often wondered how Dad's growing up years were. He never could remember a mother's love and living with his Dad??? He never did talk about it, maybe had I questioned more he would have. The only thing he ever said he knew his dad was very sick and he wanted to stay home from school and stay with him but his dad insisted he go to school. When he came home he was dead. He went to Aunt Lydia Wormas' to tell them.
1996, received from Sara Porkonen

Vernie knew Wm. Hoyhtya from the time Hilda, Lydia and Grandma Koski moved to live in a little house on the Porkonnen land, in the corner here.

At that time William Hoyhtya lived at home at Leaf Lake with his mother, they farmed. Hilda Koski was working at the Hoyhtyas. William and Hilda got married and continued living with William's mother. All Hoyhtya children were born at Leaf Lake.

When Hilda was pregnant with Iver, the Hoyhtyas had a sick horse and Hilda had gone to the barn and somehow got left back of the door when the horse died and fell over. Vernie said Hilda had Iver shortly after that and Hilda died about four days later. John and Lydia Wormas took Iver and cared for him as their own.The estate of William Hoyhtya's parents at Leaf Lake was settled and then William bought 80 acres in Newton Township. A farm close to the Wormas' farm. William farmed there. Arnold and Mae lived with him, Verner says, until he died. That is where Verner helped plow and clear some land. Wm. died of a heart attack.

Norman was taken by Ohtanens to care for. Ernest was at Balands and worked other places. Rudolph was at Elliasons and worked out. Arnold and Mae went to Tapios after their father died. Mae later worked at Herlins until she married Oscar Tolkinen. The farm was sold after Wm. died and John Wormas was administrator.

Vernie says Norman's actions are much like his father's. Rudy walks like his father, average in laughing not like Ernie.

Wm. played a harmonica real well and played at folk dances.Vernie says, a lot of young people would gather at Grandma Koski's place here. So that is where Vernie heard him play. Vernie relates that he and his sister Ida went with his folks by buggy and horse to visit the Hoyhtyas and Saaris.

Hilda Sofia Koski Hoyhtya born 7 Feb, 1889 Savo SD died 22 April1915 at New York Mills, Buried Leaf Lake Cemetery?

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Sara has William's birth year as 1877

According to the Minnesota Death Index, he died on the 29th

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His draft registration gives his birthday as 7 January, 1883

Lea Räinä has his birthday as 15 Jan, 1877

Info from Loren Hoyhtya gives his b-day as 7 Jan, 1885