The Rest of the Story by Cassie Chronic Like many that immigrated to the U. S., Hugo he began work in the Troy Steam Laundry. He was an industrious Swede-Finn. From the time celebrated the first anniversary of his arrival in of his arrival, he leveraged his connections with the U.S. and his twenty-first birthday working at family and friends to work at many different the laundry while residing at the Suomi Hotel, jobs in and around New York City. He often 405 Duane Street, and 9th Street in Astoria. worked six and seven days a week; on occasion In another seven months Hugo relocated to he worked nights. He spent ten hours a day Rocklin, California where he met his brother on the job earning eight dollars per week. On Albert, and they began work in different stone one job he earned three dollars a day for a quarries. He joined the union, five dollars, and nine hour shift. He worked construction building paid sixty cents a month in dues. In March 1913, docks, trestles, etc. He worked in a motor shop, he returned to New York where he continued and an icebox factory. He wrote to family and quarry work. However, Hugo missed Finland acquaintances in Rochester, Washington and San and thought of “home” often. Three years after Francisco looking for more opportunities. his arrival in the U. S. he left New York City on In June 1911, eight months after Hugo’s arrival, the steamer Cedric, White Star Line, to Liverpool he travelled west with his brother Albert who and then on to Hull to board the smaller Astraea stopped and stayed in Rochester, Washington. which delivered its passengers to Åbo, Finland. Hugo traveled on to Astoria, Oregon where He arrived back home in Terjärv on October 11,
Above: Troy Steam Laundry in Astoria, Oregon. Top right: Hildur Ahlqvist Bottom Right: Hugo in uniform Right: Hugo & Hildur in 1918. Photos: Nelson Family Collection. 28
