Marie was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants Gerhard Emil Rostol and Randi Marie Meinseth, who married in Norway, likely between 1893 and 1898. Daughter Janna Gunhilde was born circa 1899 in Kristiansund, Norway. In May-June of 1903, Gerhard, Randi and Janna traveled from Oslo, Norway to Liverpool, England, and from there made their way to Boston, Massachusetts. From Boston they went to Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, where Marie Andrea Rostol was born on 8 Mar 1904 and baptized in Bethania Church on 7 Aug 1904.
Marie's mother Randi was pregnant with the couple's third child when she and husband Gerhard appear to have separated. By 1909, Randi, Janna and Marie were back in Norway where Janna and Marie were joined by sister Astrid Wennevold, born circa 1909. A 1910 Norway Census placed them in Kristiania, Oslo, Norway. Marie's mother Randi, 35, was head of household. She was noted as widowed, but that was not accurate as Marie's father Gerhard was alive and well back in Chicago. With Randi in Norway were all three girls—Janna, 11, Marie, 6, and 1-year-old Astrid.
On 15 Jul 1915, Marie's father Gerhard remarried, wedding Anna Anderson on 15 Jul 1915 in Chicago. That was the same day that Gerhard was naturalized, his third attempt indeed the charm for obtaining his U.S. citizenship.
On his 12 Sep 1918 WWI registration card, Gerhard Emil Rostol, 37, reported that his residence was at 6329 Bernice Ave. in Chicago, and that he was a sewer builder for Chicago State Hospital. Wife Anna was noted as his nearest relative. The clerk checked the boxes for short, of medium build, gray eyes and brown hair.
The 1920 U.S. Census placed Gerhard and Anna Rostol at 3617 Narragansett Ave. in Chicago. Gerhard, 38, still had his job as "sewerman" for the State Hospital. His immigration year was noted as 1901 instead of 1903 and he was acknowledged as naturalized. Anna may have been the one relaying the information to the census taker and was making a best guess.
A year after the ink had dried on that census, 16-year-old Marie applied for a U.S. Passport in order to go live with her father. She was already an American citizen but needed a passport to reenter the U.S. The haunting photo on her passport application is the one attached to this memorial. Marie was 5' 5" tall and had blue eyes, black hair and a fair complexion.
Marie lived with her father for about four years before marrying Swedish immigrant John Sagarb Ahlenius on 21 Mar 1925 in Chicago. John Ahlenius had arrived in the fall of 1923.
Marie and John had four children—Robert John Leroy, b. 1926; Franklin "Frank", b. 1932; John Jr., b. 1936; and Phillip "Phil", b. 1942.
The 1930 Census placed their little family at 2649 N. Rockwell in Chicago. John Ahlenius, 25, appears to have gotten weary of dealing with his Ahlenius surname and told the enumerator he was Jack Allen, a 25-year-old carpenter. Marie, 26, was home with son Robert, aged 4.
The 1940 Census caught back up with the family living at 2219 Clybourne in Chicago. John Ahlenius, 36, was back being Ahlenius, or close to it—Ahlenus on the record. He was still earning a living as a carpenter. Marie, 35, was tending to the needs of three growing sons—Robert, 13; Franklin, 6; and John Jr., 3.
By the spring of 1942, Marie's father Gerhard Rostol, 61, had moved to Norris City, Illinois and was farming there. He had married for a third time, wedding Grace Mae Aud. On his WWII registration, his 5' 4" stature, blue eyes and black hair suggest that Marie must have taken after her father quite a bit.
Shortly before the birth of son Phillip on 23 May, 1942, John and Marie moved to Knox, Starke Co., Indiana. Eldest son Robert appears to have stayed in Chicago, at least for a time. On his 17 Apr 1944 WWII registration, Robert, 18, reported the 2219 Clybourne address. "The person who will always know your address" was noted as John Ahlenius, who was working in real estate. Robert measured in at 5' 8 ½" and weighed in at 148 lbs. with brown hair and eyes and a ruddy complexion.
It seems the construction business in Chicago was a bit of a headache for Marie's husband John.(From: The Chicago Tribune - Thu 6 Mar 1947 p. 34) "John Ahlenius, who failed to install gutters and downspouts on a building at 1712 Burling av., was fined $25 and costs."
The 1950 Census placed John and Marie in the quiet little town of Knox, Indiana. John Ahlenius, 44, was noted as a building contractor. Marie, 45, was keeping house. Still at home were Franklin, 16; John Jr. (13); and Phillip, 7.
Eldest son Robert married Joan Schuler on 7 Mar 1950 and in time, Marie and John would be grandparents to Linda, Susan and Robert Jr.
Meanwhile, John's battle with the city of Chicago's building codes was on-going. (From: The Chicago Tribune – Sun 17 Dec 1950 p. 77) "Work Done Three Years Ago. John Ahlenius, Knox, Ind, was fined $100 and costs for converting the warehouse at 2439 Clybourn av. into seven apartments without a permit and using combustible materials for partitions and ceilings. The building was brought to the attention of inspectors by Ald. Burmeister [44th] after tenants called him in October and complained that they had no heat or light. Burmeister said he investigated and found the place 'filthy.' Ahlenius said he had done the work about three years ago. Judge Smith observed: 'You did just like everyone else. You paid no attention to the city building department or anything else.' Ahlenius nodded agreement. Ahlenius was given until Tuesday to pay. He indicated that he would confer with the alderman and building inspectors as to how to bring his building into compliance with the code. Mrs. Paul Fowler, a tenant, testified she lived in very small quarters. Under questioning by the court, she added that her complaints were partially based on her conviction that her rent was too high for what she was getting."
(From: The Chicago Tribune – Sun 15 Apr 1951 p. 88) "Arrest Is Ordered. Judge Zuris ordered a warrant for the arrest of John Ahlenius and a $100 bond when Ahlenius failed to appear on charges of having insufficient exits and combustible ceilings and partitions in a multiple dwelling at 2439 Clybourn av."
On 17 Aug 1952, Marie would get the sad news of her father Gerhard Rostol's passing at age 71. I do not know the fate of Marie's mother Randi.
On 21 Mar 1967, Marie and John celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. Sadly, six months later, death parted them, claiming Marie on 30 Sep 1967, her heart failing her. Husband John would not pass until 1988. He would not be spared the additional loss of grandson Robert Ahlenius Jr., who drowned on 16 Jul 1977 at age 18 while swimming in a reservoir. So very sad.
Marie's mother Randi was pregnant with the couple's third child when she and husband Gerhard appear to have separated. By 1909, Randi, Janna and Marie were back in Norway where Janna and Marie were joined by sister Astrid Wennevold, born circa 1909. A 1910 Norway Census placed them in Kristiania, Oslo, Norway. Marie's mother Randi, 35, was head of household. She was noted as widowed, but that was not accurate as Marie's father Gerhard was alive and well back in Chicago. With Randi in Norway were all three girls—Janna, 11, Marie, 6, and 1-year-old Astrid.
On 15 Jul 1915, Marie's father Gerhard remarried, wedding Anna Anderson on 15 Jul 1915 in Chicago. That was the same day that Gerhard was naturalized, his third attempt indeed the charm for obtaining his U.S. citizenship.
On his 12 Sep 1918 WWI registration card, Gerhard Emil Rostol, 37, reported that his residence was at 6329 Bernice Ave. in Chicago, and that he was a sewer builder for Chicago State Hospital. Wife Anna was noted as his nearest relative. The clerk checked the boxes for short, of medium build, gray eyes and brown hair.
The 1920 U.S. Census placed Gerhard and Anna Rostol at 3617 Narragansett Ave. in Chicago. Gerhard, 38, still had his job as "sewerman" for the State Hospital. His immigration year was noted as 1901 instead of 1903 and he was acknowledged as naturalized. Anna may have been the one relaying the information to the census taker and was making a best guess.
A year after the ink had dried on that census, 16-year-old Marie applied for a U.S. Passport in order to go live with her father. She was already an American citizen but needed a passport to reenter the U.S. The haunting photo on her passport application is the one attached to this memorial. Marie was 5' 5" tall and had blue eyes, black hair and a fair complexion.
Marie lived with her father for about four years before marrying Swedish immigrant John Sagarb Ahlenius on 21 Mar 1925 in Chicago. John Ahlenius had arrived in the fall of 1923.
Marie and John had four children—Robert John Leroy, b. 1926; Franklin "Frank", b. 1932; John Jr., b. 1936; and Phillip "Phil", b. 1942.
The 1930 Census placed their little family at 2649 N. Rockwell in Chicago. John Ahlenius, 25, appears to have gotten weary of dealing with his Ahlenius surname and told the enumerator he was Jack Allen, a 25-year-old carpenter. Marie, 26, was home with son Robert, aged 4.
The 1940 Census caught back up with the family living at 2219 Clybourne in Chicago. John Ahlenius, 36, was back being Ahlenius, or close to it—Ahlenus on the record. He was still earning a living as a carpenter. Marie, 35, was tending to the needs of three growing sons—Robert, 13; Franklin, 6; and John Jr., 3.
By the spring of 1942, Marie's father Gerhard Rostol, 61, had moved to Norris City, Illinois and was farming there. He had married for a third time, wedding Grace Mae Aud. On his WWII registration, his 5' 4" stature, blue eyes and black hair suggest that Marie must have taken after her father quite a bit.
Shortly before the birth of son Phillip on 23 May, 1942, John and Marie moved to Knox, Starke Co., Indiana. Eldest son Robert appears to have stayed in Chicago, at least for a time. On his 17 Apr 1944 WWII registration, Robert, 18, reported the 2219 Clybourne address. "The person who will always know your address" was noted as John Ahlenius, who was working in real estate. Robert measured in at 5' 8 ½" and weighed in at 148 lbs. with brown hair and eyes and a ruddy complexion.
It seems the construction business in Chicago was a bit of a headache for Marie's husband John.(From: The Chicago Tribune - Thu 6 Mar 1947 p. 34) "John Ahlenius, who failed to install gutters and downspouts on a building at 1712 Burling av., was fined $25 and costs."
The 1950 Census placed John and Marie in the quiet little town of Knox, Indiana. John Ahlenius, 44, was noted as a building contractor. Marie, 45, was keeping house. Still at home were Franklin, 16; John Jr. (13); and Phillip, 7.
Eldest son Robert married Joan Schuler on 7 Mar 1950 and in time, Marie and John would be grandparents to Linda, Susan and Robert Jr.
Meanwhile, John's battle with the city of Chicago's building codes was on-going. (From: The Chicago Tribune – Sun 17 Dec 1950 p. 77) "Work Done Three Years Ago. John Ahlenius, Knox, Ind, was fined $100 and costs for converting the warehouse at 2439 Clybourn av. into seven apartments without a permit and using combustible materials for partitions and ceilings. The building was brought to the attention of inspectors by Ald. Burmeister [44th] after tenants called him in October and complained that they had no heat or light. Burmeister said he investigated and found the place 'filthy.' Ahlenius said he had done the work about three years ago. Judge Smith observed: 'You did just like everyone else. You paid no attention to the city building department or anything else.' Ahlenius nodded agreement. Ahlenius was given until Tuesday to pay. He indicated that he would confer with the alderman and building inspectors as to how to bring his building into compliance with the code. Mrs. Paul Fowler, a tenant, testified she lived in very small quarters. Under questioning by the court, she added that her complaints were partially based on her conviction that her rent was too high for what she was getting."
(From: The Chicago Tribune – Sun 15 Apr 1951 p. 88) "Arrest Is Ordered. Judge Zuris ordered a warrant for the arrest of John Ahlenius and a $100 bond when Ahlenius failed to appear on charges of having insufficient exits and combustible ceilings and partitions in a multiple dwelling at 2439 Clybourn av."
On 17 Aug 1952, Marie would get the sad news of her father Gerhard Rostol's passing at age 71. I do not know the fate of Marie's mother Randi.
On 21 Mar 1967, Marie and John celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. Sadly, six months later, death parted them, claiming Marie on 30 Sep 1967, her heart failing her. Husband John would not pass until 1988. He would not be spared the additional loss of grandson Robert Ahlenius Jr., who drowned on 16 Jul 1977 at age 18 while swimming in a reservoir. So very sad.
Marie was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants Gerhard Emil Rostol and Randi Marie Meinseth, who married in Norway, likely between 1893 and 1898. Daughter Janna Gunhilde was born circa 1899 in Kristiansund, Norway. In May-June of 1903, Gerhard, Randi and Janna traveled from Oslo, Norway to Liverpool, England, and from there made their way to Boston, Massachusetts. From Boston they went to Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, where Marie Andrea Rostol was born on 8 Mar 1904 and baptized in Bethania Church on 7 Aug 1904.
Marie's mother Randi was pregnant with the couple's third child when she and husband Gerhard appear to have separated. By 1909, Randi, Janna and Marie were back in Norway where Janna and Marie were joined by sister Astrid Wennevold, born circa 1909. A 1910 Norway Census placed them in Kristiania, Oslo, Norway. Marie's mother Randi, 35, was head of household. She was noted as widowed, but that was not accurate as Marie's father Gerhard was alive and well back in Chicago. With Randi in Norway were all three girls—Janna, 11, Marie, 6, and 1-year-old Astrid.
On 15 Jul 1915, Marie's father Gerhard remarried, wedding Anna Anderson on 15 Jul 1915 in Chicago. That was the same day that Gerhard was naturalized, his third attempt indeed the charm for obtaining his U.S. citizenship.
On his 12 Sep 1918 WWI registration card, Gerhard Emil Rostol, 37, reported that his residence was at 6329 Bernice Ave. in Chicago, and that he was a sewer builder for Chicago State Hospital. Wife Anna was noted as his nearest relative. The clerk checked the boxes for short, of medium build, gray eyes and brown hair.
The 1920 U.S. Census placed Gerhard and Anna Rostol at 3617 Narragansett Ave. in Chicago. Gerhard, 38, still had his job as "sewerman" for the State Hospital. His immigration year was noted as 1901 instead of 1903 and he was acknowledged as naturalized. Anna may have been the one relaying the information to the census taker and was making a best guess.
A year after the ink had dried on that census, 16-year-old Marie applied for a U.S. Passport in order to go live with her father. She was already an American citizen but needed a passport to reenter the U.S. The haunting photo on her passport application is the one attached to this memorial. Marie was 5' 5" tall and had blue eyes, black hair and a fair complexion.
Marie lived with her father for about four years before marrying Swedish immigrant John Sagarb Ahlenius on 21 Mar 1925 in Chicago. John Ahlenius had arrived in the fall of 1923.
Marie and John had four children—Robert John Leroy, b. 1926; Franklin "Frank", b. 1932; John Jr., b. 1936; and Phillip "Phil", b. 1942.
The 1930 Census placed their little family at 2649 N. Rockwell in Chicago. John Ahlenius, 25, appears to have gotten weary of dealing with his Ahlenius surname and told the enumerator he was Jack Allen, a 25-year-old carpenter. Marie, 26, was home with son Robert, aged 4.
The 1940 Census caught back up with the family living at 2219 Clybourne in Chicago. John Ahlenius, 36, was back being Ahlenius, or close to it—Ahlenus on the record. He was still earning a living as a carpenter. Marie, 35, was tending to the needs of three growing sons—Robert, 13; Franklin, 6; and John Jr., 3.
By the spring of 1942, Marie's father Gerhard Rostol, 61, had moved to Norris City, Illinois and was farming there. He had married for a third time, wedding Grace Mae Aud. On his WWII registration, his 5' 4" stature, blue eyes and black hair suggest that Marie must have taken after her father quite a bit.
Shortly before the birth of son Phillip on 23 May, 1942, John and Marie moved to Knox, Starke Co., Indiana. Eldest son Robert appears to have stayed in Chicago, at least for a time. On his 17 Apr 1944 WWII registration, Robert, 18, reported the 2219 Clybourne address. "The person who will always know your address" was noted as John Ahlenius, who was working in real estate. Robert measured in at 5' 8 ½" and weighed in at 148 lbs. with brown hair and eyes and a ruddy complexion.
It seems the construction business in Chicago was a bit of a headache for Marie's husband John.(From: The Chicago Tribune - Thu 6 Mar 1947 p. 34) "John Ahlenius, who failed to install gutters and downspouts on a building at 1712 Burling av., was fined $25 and costs."
The 1950 Census placed John and Marie in the quiet little town of Knox, Indiana. John Ahlenius, 44, was noted as a building contractor. Marie, 45, was keeping house. Still at home were Franklin, 16; John Jr. (13); and Phillip, 7.
Eldest son Robert married Joan Schuler on 7 Mar 1950 and in time, Marie and John would be grandparents to Linda, Susan and Robert Jr.
Meanwhile, John's battle with the city of Chicago's building codes was on-going. (From: The Chicago Tribune – Sun 17 Dec 1950 p. 77) "Work Done Three Years Ago. John Ahlenius, Knox, Ind, was fined $100 and costs for converting the warehouse at 2439 Clybourn av. into seven apartments without a permit and using combustible materials for partitions and ceilings. The building was brought to the attention of inspectors by Ald. Burmeister [44th] after tenants called him in October and complained that they had no heat or light. Burmeister said he investigated and found the place 'filthy.' Ahlenius said he had done the work about three years ago. Judge Smith observed: 'You did just like everyone else. You paid no attention to the city building department or anything else.' Ahlenius nodded agreement. Ahlenius was given until Tuesday to pay. He indicated that he would confer with the alderman and building inspectors as to how to bring his building into compliance with the code. Mrs. Paul Fowler, a tenant, testified she lived in very small quarters. Under questioning by the court, she added that her complaints were partially based on her conviction that her rent was too high for what she was getting."
(From: The Chicago Tribune – Sun 15 Apr 1951 p. 88) "Arrest Is Ordered. Judge Zuris ordered a warrant for the arrest of John Ahlenius and a $100 bond when Ahlenius failed to appear on charges of having insufficient exits and combustible ceilings and partitions in a multiple dwelling at 2439 Clybourn av."
On 17 Aug 1952, Marie would get the sad news of her father Gerhard Rostol's passing at age 71. I do not know the fate of Marie's mother Randi.
On 21 Mar 1967, Marie and John celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. Sadly, six months later, death parted them, claiming Marie on 30 Sep 1967, her heart failing her. Husband John would not pass until 1988. He would not be spared the additional loss of grandson Robert Ahlenius Jr., who drowned on 16 Jul 1977 at age 18 while swimming in a reservoir. So very sad.
Marie's mother Randi was pregnant with the couple's third child when she and husband Gerhard appear to have separated. By 1909, Randi, Janna and Marie were back in Norway where Janna and Marie were joined by sister Astrid Wennevold, born circa 1909. A 1910 Norway Census placed them in Kristiania, Oslo, Norway. Marie's mother Randi, 35, was head of household. She was noted as widowed, but that was not accurate as Marie's father Gerhard was alive and well back in Chicago. With Randi in Norway were all three girls—Janna, 11, Marie, 6, and 1-year-old Astrid.
On 15 Jul 1915, Marie's father Gerhard remarried, wedding Anna Anderson on 15 Jul 1915 in Chicago. That was the same day that Gerhard was naturalized, his third attempt indeed the charm for obtaining his U.S. citizenship.
On his 12 Sep 1918 WWI registration card, Gerhard Emil Rostol, 37, reported that his residence was at 6329 Bernice Ave. in Chicago, and that he was a sewer builder for Chicago State Hospital. Wife Anna was noted as his nearest relative. The clerk checked the boxes for short, of medium build, gray eyes and brown hair.
The 1920 U.S. Census placed Gerhard and Anna Rostol at 3617 Narragansett Ave. in Chicago. Gerhard, 38, still had his job as "sewerman" for the State Hospital. His immigration year was noted as 1901 instead of 1903 and he was acknowledged as naturalized. Anna may have been the one relaying the information to the census taker and was making a best guess.
A year after the ink had dried on that census, 16-year-old Marie applied for a U.S. Passport in order to go live with her father. She was already an American citizen but needed a passport to reenter the U.S. The haunting photo on her passport application is the one attached to this memorial. Marie was 5' 5" tall and had blue eyes, black hair and a fair complexion.
Marie lived with her father for about four years before marrying Swedish immigrant John Sagarb Ahlenius on 21 Mar 1925 in Chicago. John Ahlenius had arrived in the fall of 1923.
Marie and John had four children—Robert John Leroy, b. 1926; Franklin "Frank", b. 1932; John Jr., b. 1936; and Phillip "Phil", b. 1942.
The 1930 Census placed their little family at 2649 N. Rockwell in Chicago. John Ahlenius, 25, appears to have gotten weary of dealing with his Ahlenius surname and told the enumerator he was Jack Allen, a 25-year-old carpenter. Marie, 26, was home with son Robert, aged 4.
The 1940 Census caught back up with the family living at 2219 Clybourne in Chicago. John Ahlenius, 36, was back being Ahlenius, or close to it—Ahlenus on the record. He was still earning a living as a carpenter. Marie, 35, was tending to the needs of three growing sons—Robert, 13; Franklin, 6; and John Jr., 3.
By the spring of 1942, Marie's father Gerhard Rostol, 61, had moved to Norris City, Illinois and was farming there. He had married for a third time, wedding Grace Mae Aud. On his WWII registration, his 5' 4" stature, blue eyes and black hair suggest that Marie must have taken after her father quite a bit.
Shortly before the birth of son Phillip on 23 May, 1942, John and Marie moved to Knox, Starke Co., Indiana. Eldest son Robert appears to have stayed in Chicago, at least for a time. On his 17 Apr 1944 WWII registration, Robert, 18, reported the 2219 Clybourne address. "The person who will always know your address" was noted as John Ahlenius, who was working in real estate. Robert measured in at 5' 8 ½" and weighed in at 148 lbs. with brown hair and eyes and a ruddy complexion.
It seems the construction business in Chicago was a bit of a headache for Marie's husband John.(From: The Chicago Tribune - Thu 6 Mar 1947 p. 34) "John Ahlenius, who failed to install gutters and downspouts on a building at 1712 Burling av., was fined $25 and costs."
The 1950 Census placed John and Marie in the quiet little town of Knox, Indiana. John Ahlenius, 44, was noted as a building contractor. Marie, 45, was keeping house. Still at home were Franklin, 16; John Jr. (13); and Phillip, 7.
Eldest son Robert married Joan Schuler on 7 Mar 1950 and in time, Marie and John would be grandparents to Linda, Susan and Robert Jr.
Meanwhile, John's battle with the city of Chicago's building codes was on-going. (From: The Chicago Tribune – Sun 17 Dec 1950 p. 77) "Work Done Three Years Ago. John Ahlenius, Knox, Ind, was fined $100 and costs for converting the warehouse at 2439 Clybourn av. into seven apartments without a permit and using combustible materials for partitions and ceilings. The building was brought to the attention of inspectors by Ald. Burmeister [44th] after tenants called him in October and complained that they had no heat or light. Burmeister said he investigated and found the place 'filthy.' Ahlenius said he had done the work about three years ago. Judge Smith observed: 'You did just like everyone else. You paid no attention to the city building department or anything else.' Ahlenius nodded agreement. Ahlenius was given until Tuesday to pay. He indicated that he would confer with the alderman and building inspectors as to how to bring his building into compliance with the code. Mrs. Paul Fowler, a tenant, testified she lived in very small quarters. Under questioning by the court, she added that her complaints were partially based on her conviction that her rent was too high for what she was getting."
(From: The Chicago Tribune – Sun 15 Apr 1951 p. 88) "Arrest Is Ordered. Judge Zuris ordered a warrant for the arrest of John Ahlenius and a $100 bond when Ahlenius failed to appear on charges of having insufficient exits and combustible ceilings and partitions in a multiple dwelling at 2439 Clybourn av."
On 17 Aug 1952, Marie would get the sad news of her father Gerhard Rostol's passing at age 71. I do not know the fate of Marie's mother Randi.
On 21 Mar 1967, Marie and John celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. Sadly, six months later, death parted them, claiming Marie on 30 Sep 1967, her heart failing her. Husband John would not pass until 1988. He would not be spared the additional loss of grandson Robert Ahlenius Jr., who drowned on 16 Jul 1977 at age 18 while swimming in a reservoir. So very sad.
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