The Hovdas

Olga Hovda Hill was interviewed in April 1977 by Phyllis Hallgren Miller of Leland for the Kishwaukee Community College oral history project. Olga stated that “the Norwegians came first to Leland and then the Irish.” Olga’s father, John Hovda, immigrated from Rogaland, Norway1 when he was a boy.2 After first settling in Lee, Illinois, John came to Leland in 1878 to establish his mercantile business. The store was located in the building on the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue, which sadly burned in the fire of 1905.3 It was in 1897 that John was appointed Postmaster of Leland,4 and in Olga’s interview, she recalled her father running a hardware store and the post office. Olga, born in 1891, was the fifth of six children. She was just 8 years old when her father was killed while crossing the railroad tracks.5 After his death in 1899, his wife, Carrie, was appointed Postmaster to take his place, which she continued until 1913.6 In 1912 Olga married Vernon Hill. According to her interview, they “went to farm, moved to Louisiana living on Delta farmland, which was fine farmland except for hurricane blowing.” They moved to “Chicago, then Greenbay, and back to Chicago—working at the Continental Bank for four or five years.” Olga recalled the use of “calling cards,” which were placed in small dishes when she went to pay a call on someone (there is a collection of calling cards in the LHS archives). She explained, “First names were not used.” According to Leland 66: A history of Leland, Illinois, once back in Leland, Olga lived at 234 South Main Street, and did dressmaking in her home. When she found a suitable vacant building, the former office of the east elevator, she opened Olga’s Dressmaking Shop. Her work was described as “professional: her results, beautiful wedding and wedding attendant’s gowns, party gowns, suits and coats … daintiness in making satin buttons … promptness in finishing the products … her popularity spread locally and to

In the 1940s Vernon rented the first floor of Cora Thorson’s building (Yocklich building, now Resource Bank), while Cora lived upstairs. There, Vernon developed his aluminum products business, making aluminum windows and awnings. Several years later he moved his business to the Clapsaddle building (now Whitfield Acres). His aluminum business was in the southern half and Olga moved her dressmaking business from the little office into the northern half. Vernon’s business continued until 1956 when he became ill, while Olga continued working until 1958, when Vernon’s condition became serious.7 Vernon died in 1962 and Olga in 1988, at the age of 97. Both are buried in Leland Cemetery.