Elizabeth Chandler Papers

Elizabeth (Bessie) Chandler of Massachusetts traveled with her aunt, Mary Ware, to Tarpon Springs, Florida, in 1891. There she met Albert Hafner. Albert had immigrated to the United States from Switzerland with his brothers John and Joe sometime in the late 1800s. Albert and Bessie became engaged. Soon after, Bessie traveled to St. Augustine, Florida, with her aunt, where she spent much of the next decade, and Albert traveled onto Chicago where he began living. His brother John, sister-in-law Lena, and two nephews, Joe and John Jr., lived on a farm in Evanston. Albert spent much time there over the next 10 years, including living there for many months while his brother returned to Switzerland to visit their mother. Albert dabbled in a variety of business ventures over the years, from cigar sales for a supplier in Florida to real estate sales in the Chicago suburbs. In 1898, Albert spent time in the military during the Spanish American War. The same year, as a National Guard member, he served at the Battle of Virden, a labor clash in southern Illinois. Throughout, he wrote to Bessie of his experiences.

After eight years living apart with no movement toward marriage, Bessie suggested breaking the engagement. The last letter from Albert concedes to her wishes while speaking about his shame over the fact that he never felt financially stable enough to marry and support her. He then was called back to Switzerland because his mother was ill. It appears that he lived there for the rest of his life. The final letter from Bessie on June 18, 1899, tells Albert that she feels they will not be parted for long.

A small part of this collection includes Bessie’s later attempts to find Albert again. In 1929, she was able to locate one of his nephews, Joseph A. Hafner, who still lived in the Chicago area. Joseph confirmed that his Uncle Albert had remained in Switzerland and was still living, though he had not contacted him in years. Bessie’s letter encouraged Joseph to write his Uncle Albert and pass along her letter. It is unclear whether Bessie and Albert ever reconnected.