The Knuuti Family Story

The Knuuti Family 

Toivo Knuuti was born to John and Elizabeth Jarvi in 1907 in Hancock, Michigan. As an infant he moved to Keweenaw Bay, Michigan. His mother died and his Aunt took him to Finland. His sister was placed in an orphanage in Houghton.

Toivo was raised in Finland, married and had four children. He served in the Finnish army during WW2. Three of four of his children were sent to Sweden during the 7 years of the war, Helge, Leila and Paul. They returned to Finland but were sent back to Sweden due to the terrible war conditions in Finland. His oldest son Wilho stayed with his mother Aune in Finland. The family experienced many hardships during the war and after the war.

John, back in the United States wanted his son and family to come to America. He sent enough money for them to take the Queen Mary from England to New York, and a train from New York to Baraga. The family sold everything they had including their home and packed one suitcase each for their new life in America. They paid their own expense to get from Finland to England.

The family thought they were going to move into their wealthy grandfather’s home on a large farm with many animals. To their surprise it was a small home and there were no beds for them and not even enough blankets and it was October, 1950.  Things did not go well and they were given $20 and told to move out.

The Keweenaw Bay community was very generous in helping the new family from Finland. They found a home to rent, donations of clothing and food were collected and soon jobs were found. They brought their SISU with from Finland and got thru the hard times.  A few years after Grandfather John died, Toivo received 40 acres and a small home on Jarvi Road.  He lived there until his death in 1981.

The four children all married and had children and went on to lead successful lives.  The farm is still owned by Paul Knuuti.