CLARA BORGSTROM
April 27, 1894 - Jan. 6, 1982
Clara came to the United States in 1910. She was loved by everyone. She was always jolly, a very positive thinker, seemed more broad minded than some of the others and had the accent. I remember one of her expressions upon being surprised was "oh, de dickens."
Clara's first husband was Rupert Wilkerson who made electrical signs and lights. He was an electrical genius. Dad used to tell about him "hot wiring" his work bench and sending him over to pick up a tool for him. They first lived in Oklahoma City and then moved to Denver, Colo. Rupert was a very talented likable man, so all that knew him said, but had one problem, he was a thief, which no one knew. As the story goes, he was working on some light in a Catholic church in Denver and put gum on the locks of the church when he left that afternoon. That night he returned and stole gallons of Communion wine (this was during Prohibition). The authorities went to his shop at home recovered the wine and found numerous other "hot items." He was imprisoned and then broke out of jail. Needless to say, Rupert was not discussed in family circles.
Clara and Rupert had one son named Floyd (Buster) Wilkerson.
Clara divorced Rupert and went to work as a cook for a family in Denver. This family (name unknown) was very much into the money. So much so, that they sponsored, either in part or completely, the flight of Charles Lindberg. Lindberg came to the family home and was met by Clara and Buster.
Clara later married an immigrant from Finland, Victor Holm, who came to the United States in 1904. Vic was a lead miner and he and Clara made their home in Denver until 1966. They moved to Oceanside, Calif. after Vic's retirement. Clara was an asthmatic and was on medication constantly in Denver. After moving to California, she no longer required medication.
From all reports, Clara and Victor had a happy marriage. Victor died in 1968 of an apparent heart attack. I never saw him.
Clara then married Mike Billet, whom I met after their marriage in 1970. Mike died in
Clara was the last of the living children. She died in Oceanside, Calif. on Jan. 1982 and is buried there.
Information furnished by Carl Borgstrom, Pryor, Okla.
CLIPPING FROM OKLA CITY PAPER 1920
You will note this clipping mentions Mrs. R. G. Seymore. Rupert Wilkerson married Clara under the false name of Rupert Seymore. It was some time later when she learned the truth and involved quite an amount of legal action to get this straightened out.
It is also interesting that when Clara and Otto first came to America they stayed at Andrews for a period of time. Clara became quite interested in a young man named Koons. Big brother Otto did not like Koons and ran him off. There was hard feelings between Clara and Otto over this. Otto on the other hand, became quite fond of Rupert and strongly encouraged this relationship Could it be he ran the wrong one off?
Rupert, Clara, Andrew, David
1925 or 26 Denver
Vic, Clara, Leona, David
