Ivan was born in Russia. His first job as a young man was cutting logs in the northern forests. The mosquitos plagued him. The work was brutal, but Ivan survived because he was a strong many and used to hardships. Then he went to the mines, slaving for hours in dim tunnels, moving tons of rocks. The air was foul and the heat was intense, but Ivan survived because he was a strong man and used to hardships. Finally, in search of cleaner air, he applied to the navy. On his first day, he was sent to the crows nest as a lookout. Sadly, a huge gust of wind knocked him from his perch and sent him tumbling to the deck, but Ivan survived because he was a strong man and used to hard ships.