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Note: My family has always thought last name was Johnson. There are many old photos labeled Johnson and some old post cards addressed to Johnson. However certified documents give name of Jansen: Marriage Record of Albert Veen & Hattie, Death Cert. of Anna Wiebenga (Hattie's older sister). Possibly Dutch Jansen sounds like Johnson, and no one really cared.
Hattie evidently was baptized in the Franklin St CRC in Grand Rapids, MI, because there are records stating that Flora & John transferred their papers on Dec 29, 1898 from the Grandville Ave CRC to the Franklin St CRC, where they had been charter members. There are no records available from the "old" Franklin St CRC (Marilyn Jansen Bos).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Letter Hattie Jansen to Al Veen 27 Oct 1918 (Found in Walt & Florence Rietsma's house, Original in Ron's files.)
Sioux Center, Ia Oct 27, 1918 (Sunday)
My Sweetheart Al:-
Received 2 of your letters yesterday. Was tickled to death to hear from you. I wrote a letter to you Friday night but haven't mailed it yet because Bert went to the mail box too late yesterday. Ida or I couldn't go on account of it being so wet out.
It snowed about all day yesterday and during the night it started to rain, so now the snow is about all gone again.
Also received the letter you wrote to the folks. Very thoughtful of you.
It is some funny Sunday. It is 3:30 PM. I slept about 1 ½ hrs. First I read a book awhile, "Corporal Cameron", then my dad come around with the "Wachter" and told me to read that instead. I looked at it a few minutes to please him of course.
Well I hope you won't get too thick with Roy Coelingh(?). If he's got to go the same time you do. Wouldn't like to have him harm you, bad habits you know.
Bert wore your coverall today. Wished it had been you wearing it.
I'm feeling fine, only awful lonesome for you, honey. I intended to write tonight first but I guess I'll go to bed early. It sure will be an awful funny Sun. night tonight.
Cornelia got left all right. I bet she didn't think it would turn out that way. Did Harvey tell you what girl he went with now?
Didn't see no record yet. Might get it tomorrow. I'm awful anxious to get the mail and see. Hope there's another letter again.
So you expect to get called about the second week of Nov. so you'll have a little while to be home yet. It's a good thing you didn't have to go right away. It wouldn't be very nice for your folks then.
So you are sick of G. R. already. I don't believe I would that quick.
I thought maybe Ella (Al's sister?) wouldn't like it that you & I were engaged but I'm glad she seems to like it. I wrote her last night.
Bert is probably going to have Richard Rozeboorn(?) pick here. Tony(?) really intended to have him but he has 2 pickers already and he said Bert could have Rich if he wanted to and if he didn't then he would take him.
I guess I'll have a little coffee first.
Well I've had a cup coffee and 2 rusks. I'm sitting on the Morris chair again by the stove. Mother put our small heater up (illegible) and it's so cosy here now. Wished it was beau night again. Tomorrow will be a week ago since you left. How time does go.
It has been raining all day already.
Ida & Bob are on the couch. Ida is feeling kind of flue. She didn't hear anything from Tom since a week ago Fri. and then he only had about 5 lines. Can't blame her much. If you only wrote about twice a month I'd feel down-hearted too.
You're real good about writing letters, dearest, they cheer me up so much. The first couple of days I felt awful but since I got your letters I'm not half as lonesome.
Mother said she would write you a little some other time.
I wish someone would come down tonight. Hena (?) and Rich or Tone and Rena (?).
It's too nice a weather to expect company tho. The wind is blowing so.
Hope we can go to church again soon. I hate this staying at home all day. Didn't hardly feel like dressing up today but I made believe you were here and got busy. Am wearing my ring again today. Wrote in the other letter, I think, that I had it made smaller already and now it fits just fine. I hope my fingers don't get any fatter right away.
Well dearest love, I haven't any more news. Hope you think of me tonight. I surely will of you. It will be quite a difference going to bed about 8 or 8:30 tonight instead of one or two. Make up for all lost sleep now. Haven't sent the key to your suitcase yet. Will send it tomorrow.
I'll quit now. Goodbye dearest. I hope you'll have some pleasant dreams tonight.
With never failing love I remain Your sweetheart, Hatt P.S. With lots of love & kisses for tonight. XXXXXXXX (Will always love you)
Priv. Jerry J Jansen Base Hospital 109# Camp Merritt, New Jersey (don't know how long he'll be there)
Priv. John J Jansen Washington Bks. Casual Co. No. 3 Engrs. Unas Sept A.R.D.E-1000R Via Camp Merritt American E.F.
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Letter Hattie Jansen to Al Veen 12 Jan 1919 (Found in Walt & Florence Rietsma's house. Original in Ron's files. Envelope post marked Sioux Center, Iowa Jan 13, 1919. Addressed to Mr. Al Veen, 1201 S. Division St., Grand Rapids, Mich., % M. N. Parris [?])
Sioux Center, Ia., Jan 12, 1919
My Sweetheart Al:-
It is Sun. morning, 10 o'clock, so I better write you a letter now in order to mail it this afternoon when we go to church.
We haven't a mail carrier yet. Ina got the mail for us yesterday and last night we all went to town, except dad, to get it. Received one letter from you and one from Alida.
Everybody is feeling OK except Ida she's still bothered with neuralgia (?) but not quite as bad.
I looked for the ad Bertha had in the paper of Tue night and found it. It's too bad has she found it back. Hope so.
I'm sitting upstairs in my room with the window open. It's been such lovely weather these last few days; you'd think it was spring. Now it's getting a little dark, might get some rain pretty soon.
Ina isn't coming this week as her mother has to go away.
That girl you sold the pair of shoes to must have got a little stuck on you hey? And wanted you to come up and see her. Thanks for telling her what you did hon and I sure do appreciate it.
No dear, I haven't almost got the chest filled. I might wish it. Have just started to get interested. And I don't know about (illegible) whether I'll show you what I've in it when you come out here again. Don't think so, it doesn't interest boys anyhow.
I saw Tone a minute yesterday and I asked him to write to you once and he said I should tell you that you ought to say about how much you expected to earn so if you write and tell him I think he'll answer you about it pretty quick. He's having help now too again, a married man with his wife and child. They're all staying there but I don't know for how long.
I suppose you're not sitting in church this morning. I'll have to. Just soon too and get dressed. Have your picture in front of me on the table and I just keep looking at the sweet face of yours.
Well sweetheart, I cannot write much as I really haven't the time and I'll write again probably tomorrow or Tues. Gee, I would like to see you tonight. Wished Tone would want you in a little while if he wants to hire you. I'm getting so lonesome being here without seeing you at all.
But this is all my dear, else I won't have room for kisses. (A block of about 30 XXXs )
Yours with boundless love, Hatt. I love you. I love you. P.S. Yes call me in the morning. I love you. I'm scared to write it (not).
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