History of the John Salo Family

Title

Description

John Salo was born in Finland on May 1, 1874. He came to America in 1892 to work in the Iron Mines in Michigan. His future wife Anna Ollila, born June 28, 1876, in Finland, came to America in 1894 also to live in Michigan. They were married on September 24,1898 in Ishpeming, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. It was known for its Iron Ore. John was a miner, and Anna was a domestic.

Their first child, a daughter, was Signe, born on July 9, 1899, in Michigan. Their second child, also a daughter, Millie, was born on April 2, 1901, in Michigan. The third child was William, born in Finland, on October 22, 1902. The fourth child was Anna E., born in Finland on May 11, 1904. Their fifth child was Aune R., born in Sudbury, MA, on August 1, 1915. When they came back from Finland around 1911, they lived on North Road in Sudbury.

John was a farmer. He acquired the land, known as 129 Parker Street, consisting of some 87 acres, from the Asa Balcolm family in 1923. His wife Anna died on December 13, 1933. She held the title to the land in her name; the land was distributed in 1937 as follows: John Salo 5/15ths, and all five children received 2/15ths each.

The farm continued with John, son William, daughter Millie Simons and her husband William Simons (born in Maynard on January 23, 1903). John Salo died on June 6, 1953, at age 79. William Simons died on June 10, 1964, at age 61. William Salo died on July 10, 1968, at age 66. Shortly thereafter, Atkins and Merrill agreed to acquire the land.

Millie continued to live in the home on the site under a lease agreement until she died on April 11, 1981, at age 80. The eldest child, Signe, died in February 1981. Anna Salo Renaud died on July 25, 1995; her husband Charles (born on May 11, 1903) died on January 18, 1992. The last child, Aune Salo Koski, died on April 29, 2012, at age 96. Her husband Birger “Rudy” Koski (born February 27, 1914) died on September 4, 1982, at age 68. Their daughter Sandra Koski Porter of Sudbury remains the only grandchild of John Salo still living in 2025. She has her own children and grandchildren.

Photos
1. 1933 – John Salo
2. 1942 – John Salo on the farm with his dog, Peanut
3. 1930s – Salo Farm horses hooked up to a wagon used for crop collection
4. 1930s – Anna Salo (John’s wife) with her daughter Aune
5. 1920s – Anna Salo with her daughter Aune
6. 1900s – Anna Salo
7. 1925 – Sisters Anna and Millie Salo
8. 1930 – Signe Salo with her dog in Sudbury, MA
9. 1950s – Bill Simons and Millie Salo Simons at their house at 129 Parker St.
10. 1954 – Bill Salo at the Elmwood Farmstand
11. 1930s – Millie and Anna Salo overlooking the mill building
12. 1950s – Charles Renaud, Anna Salo Renaud, Aune Salo Koski and Rudy Koski on the Mohawk Trail in western MA
13. 1946 – Bill Simons, Bill Salo, Aune Salo Koski, Sandra Koski, and Millie Salo Simons at 129 Parker St.
14. 1955 – Bill Simons, Rudy Koski, Charles Renaud, and Bill Salo - the brothers-in-law
15. 1940s – Salo sign at entrance opposite “B” St.

Date

1923-1981

Contributor

Photos and background information by Sandra Koski Porter, granddaughter of John Salo.
Narrative by Tom Sheridan who as a young boy worked and hung out at the farm.