Sigtryggur Jónasson standing on the right. Others in the photo are John Goodman and sitting is Jóhann Briem and his wife Guðrún Pálsdóttir. Photo Lögberg, 1935.
Sigtryggur Jónasson was from Eyjafjörður, closely related to the romantic poet, Jónas Hallgrímsson as his mother was Sigtryggur´s grandmother’s sister. Both men were born in Öxnadalur under the gigantic Hraundrangi; Jónas almost half a century ahead of Sigtryggur who was born February 8, 1852, the son of Jónas Sigurðsson and Helga Egilsdóttir. At only 12 years of age, Sigtryggur was sent to Möðruvellir in Hörgárdalur, the home of Pétur Havstein, Sheriff in the North and East.
Sigtryggur remained at Möðruvellir (formerly called Friðriksgáfa) until Havstein was removed from office in 1870. He then accompanied Pétur and family a short distance from Möðruvellir to Ytri-Skjaldarvík.
The Havsteins had several children and it was Sigtryggur’s responsibility to teach them to read. He had received his childhood education from Tómas Davíðsson, a teacher who would move from one district to another, stay a certain period of time at each, and teach youth in the community. He was well-versed in languages which was beneficial to Sigtryggur as he became fluent in Danish and learned the basics in English. His knowledge of English improved considerably when Þórunn Havstein returned to Möðruvellir after having spent time in England.
Thus, it happened that Sigtryggur taught math and reading to Iceland´s most famous politician, Hannes Hafstein. Hannes was the son of Pétur Havstein and became the first Icelandic Minister in 1904, under the home rule government. Hannes was also a poet who wrote a famous poem about Sigtryggur Jónasson’s cousin, Jónas Hallgrímsson.
In the summer of 1872, Sigtryggur decided to emigrate. In Vesturfaraskrá 1870-1914, by Júníus H. Kristinsson, it is recorded that the young labourer, twenty years of age, from Ytri-Skjaldarvík in Glæsibæjar hreppur in Eyjafjarðarsýsla had emigrated. His port of departure is not listed, neither is the name of vessel nor the destination. We know, on the other hand, that our hero, Sigtryggur Jónasson made quite a name for himself in Canada which is documented elsewhere.
The above is based on research by Icelandic Historian, Jón Hjaltason and his article “Sigtryggur Jónasson – (Fyrir vestan kapteinn Jónasson)”. English version by Thor Group.