myFamily

Anna Sophia Anderson

Biography by her granddaughter, Marjorie May Millard Neese

Grandma Annie Anderson Millard was born in Boras, Sweden on May 27th, 1855. Her mother died when she was a baby. She had a wonderful stepmother who raised her, her sister and brother and half sisters and brothers. She came by herself to the U.S. in 1876 at 21 years of age. She told us about her boat trip over- she couldn't speak any English when she arrived in this country. She worked in a hotel in New York as a chambermaid. She worked hard to learn to read and write English and was so very proud to be an American. She came out to Colorado to work in a hotel in Denver. They got word of a new hotel in New Mexico and they were seeking help. Grandma applied for a job along with some of her friends and they found themselves in Las Vegas, New Mexico. This is where she met and eventually married my grandfather. They had 4 children, My father Charles, my Aunt Wanita, another beautiful girl who only lived 5 days and another infant (stillborn?).

Grandma often told us about her native Sweden, about the beautiful forests, mountains, rivers, the heavy and cold winter snows and their six months of daylight and six months of dark in the north. Everyone there has many houseplants- they truly love nature and she passed this love on to my father and he to me. Even in this country Grandma had a screened in porch which was always full of beautiful plants. She told us too of the beautiful Northern light or Aurora Borealis. I would love to visit her homeland and see all this beauty. She was truly all we dream of a grandma to be. She must have been about 5 ft. 4 in. and when she was young her hair was light brown, almost blonde. She had blue eyes and a beautiful complexion all of her life. She was really very pretty. She was 62 when I was born and her hair had turned grey. She was very quiet and soft-spoken and must have had a great deal of faith to come alone to a new land as she did. When my mama died during the flu epidemic in 1918, I was so sick the Dr. told her I wouldn't live and for 5 days and nights she never left me and only had her clothes off to bathe and change into fresh- I know her faith saved my life!

She had such a comfortable lap to curl up on for a little love, sympathy and cuddling. I never saw her in anything but a long dress and high top shoes. She did lovely handwork and her house was always spotless. They had lots of company. She was a good cook and put up hundreds of jars of fruit, relish, and etc. each summer until her final illness. Grandpa had made their cellar room (basement), where it was cooler, into a nice sitting area for grandma with carpet and shelves along all of the walls for their canned goods. Grandma made curtain covers to hang over them. Grandpa continued to can even after grandma passed away, up until he was no longer able.

Grandma often talked about her family in Sweden they must have been very close not just the immediate family, but grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Families are very important and my Aunt and I still correspond with family members today.

When grandma passed away, I felt my world had just about come to an end. I'm so thankful for the gospel and the privilege of seeing that her name is sent in and cleared so her temple work can be done and if I live worthily I will be with her once more.