Julia (Dalager) Solverud-Knutson: Matron of the House of Mercy

During her two terms as County Superintendent, Julia had spent much time helping people with their personal and family problems. Therefore, at the age of 47 years, she took a position as Matron of an Orphanage in Willmar, Minnesota.

We do not know how long Julia stayed with the Willmar Orphanage but sometime in 1930 or earlier she became Matron of the House of Mercy, a home for unwed mothers, in Fargo, North Dakota. The date when she began this job is not known but her name is in the minutes of the board of the House of Mercy for November 1930. In the 1935 minutes the board approved a request to let Julia live in a private room for the sake of rest. Her salary was increased from 60 to 70 dollars per month to cover rent.

Some history of the House of Mercy

In 1922 the Lutheran Children’s Home Finding Society of North Dakota purchased the Nygaard Hospital at 1505 5th Avenue South in Fargo, for the purpose of providing residence for unmarried mothers, and office space for staff. On June 30, 1961, the Lutheran Welfare Society of North Dakota and the North Dakota House of Mercy merged. They also broke ground for a new building at 1505 5th Avenue south in Fargo. In 1967 the House of Mercy was renamed Luther Hall. In recent years the mission of the former House of Mercy has changed and it is now licenses as a residential child care facility for adolescent boys and girls.

Mrs. Solverud-Knutson resigned as Matron of the North Dakota House of Mercy and it was accepted by the board effective May 23, 1936. I remember visiting Julia at the House of Mercy with his parents when I was about 7 years old.

Julia (Dalager) Solverud-Knutson: On the importance of wearing of rubber gloves

One of the reasons Julia left the House of Mercy was her health.  One of the things that had to be maintained at the House of Mercy was its sanitation.  To do this required the use of strong disinfectants.  This was before people realized that the skin could absorb these chemicals and that they should be wearing rubber gloves.  In addition, the matron has to be sure that the girls who came to the House of Mercy did not bring any body lice into the home.  To make sure of this Julia would go into the shower with the girls to make sure the girls were clean and sanitized.  As a result, Julia’s body absorbed some of these chemicals she was using causing her much pain and discomfort.  She knew that she would have to rid her body of these chemicals but how.  Because she had some chiropractic training she had knowledge of the use of saunas or the use of steam to cleanse the body.   She went to the hot springs of South Dakota and spent much time in this facility.    By doing this, the strong chemicals would be removed along with the perspiration.  She said that the chamber she was in would smell like strong disinfectant.  This showed her that she was getting rid of the chemicals in her body.