Photo below from
Chapter 1 "Molokans in
America", John K, Berokoff, 1969
http://www.molokane.org/molokan/Berokoff/Chapter-1.htmCaption:
The four Molokan pioneers in
Los Angeles.
Left to right: Vasili I. Holopoff, Aleksei Ivanich Agaltsoff, Mikhail N. Agaltsoff, Andrei N. Agaltsoff.
Photographed in Winnipeg [Canada] in 1900.
[Photo] Courtesy of John A. Agaltsoff.
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Text:
During their absence another, younger group of men were preparing to leave for Canada on a similar mission but at their own expense. These men—Aleksei Ivanich Agaltsoff, his three nephews, Mikhail N. Agaltsoff, Andrei N. Agaltsoff and Vasili I. Holopoff and Aleksey I. Silvkoff who was not related to the others-were also supported by signatures representing 1000 persons. While the first group was on their return journey, the younger group were leaving for Canada in April of 1900. These were to become the pioneer Molokan settlers in
America for they spent about nine months in Canada and then, upon the advice of a Russian traveler whom they met in Winnipeg, moved to
Los Angeles where they secured work laying tracks for the newly-organized
Pacific Electric R.R. Co. at wages of $1.75 to $2.00 per day.
The oldest of this group—Aleksei I. Agaltsoff—after a stay of one year in
Los Angeles, returned home. Of the remaining four, Vasili Holopoff decided not to return to Russian while the other three, after an absence of another year following the return of their uncle, returned home with a glowing account of their life in
California, its glorious climate, abundance of work for willing hands as compared to severe winters and poorer living conditions in the old country.
It is very probable that the report of these young men had considerable influence in the final decision to make the migration because the report of the three older delegates was not unanimous.
