Pioneers

The Pioneers. 10-20-1891 ; Ellerth 1-24-1893; Lena 8-2-1895; Einar 7-30-1900; Trailbtazers of Greenbush and Alfred 8-23-1902. The oldest child, known in later years as Ole, was called K. O. We have, in part, dedicated this book to "the pioneers who were Aamodt in the early Greenbush Tribunes. K. O. or Ole Aamodt, brave enough to come first and blaze a trail for the rest of us to born in Norway, never married. K. O. was involved in bringing follow, leaving a legacy ofcourage, strength, faith, and values." In wild horses from Montana and North Dakota, training the horses, this section we tell their stories. and selling to area farmers. In 1920, the Aamodt brothers adver­ Who were the pioneers? Every era, every decade has its own pio­ tised two carloads ofNorth Dakota horses for sale, broke or unbro­ neers, trailblazers not only ofthe land, but in progress, technology, ken. They also offered to trade for cattle, sheep, lumber, cordwood, and lifestyle. However, for this section ofthe book, the committee or fence posts. Nephew, Ray Johnson, said Ole wasn't afraid ofthe arbitrarily defined pioneers as those people who were married or wild horses and could walk up to any of them. The horses seemed working in the Greenbush area before 1920. Though we respect­ comfortable with him. K. O. was one of eighteen members who fully bow our heads to all of the pioneers of the area, due to space organized the Greenbush Cooperative Creamery in April 1905. constraints this section is reserved for the very early pioneers. This The first Nels was born in Norway, but died at a young age. Annie effectively covers the area's very early trailblazers, the first twenty­ was also born in Norway. five to thirty years of settlement. Annie's first husband was Michel Grumbo (Granbois). Her sec­ We have made many attempts to persuade people to submit sto­ ond husband was Willie Botoshe. They had eight children: Cecelia ries of the early pioneers in their families, and we thank those who Gustafson, Mary Johnson, Hilda Svegdahl, William, Mae Martell, responded. The committee has researched and written some addi­ Caroline, Francis Halvorson, and Norman. tional pioneer stories, but we are aware that we have not told the The second Nels, who was named so because the first Nels died tale ofevery early Greenbush-area pioneer. Some pioneers left no young, married Louise Ludwig and lived in ThiefRiver Falls. Their family and little else to tell us of their lives; most were struggling children were Iona Mae, Delores, and Kenneth. for survival and had no time to think of preserving historical ac­ Thea was born at Northwood, North Dakota. She married Gustav counts. hope the stories that we have told will convey the cour­ (Gust) Waage. They farmed in Barnett Township and had four sons, age, strength, and faith that brought them through the difficulty and Selmer, Otto, Olaf, and Enock, from whom all the Waages have toil involved in the settling of this area. descended. May the stories also spark an appreciation of how the pioneers Nothing much is known about Sarah, who died as a young woman. survived with primitive shelter and heating systems, non-thermal The Tribune, in 1911, reported that she took her younger brother clothing, and food that came not from the grocery store, but from Alfred to visit the neighbors. She was twenty years old at that time. the sweat of the field and kitchen. Sarah is reportedly buried in the Hvidso Cemetery, but no marker May they also inspire you to record the stories of your family. To has been located for her according to her nephew Ray Johnson. quote Grant Nelson,* "We lose a little of our history every day. *Her death certificate gives her name as Sigrid Sarah Aamodt. History's gold mines sit in retirement homes and some will carry Ellerth married Katie Hogan. They lived in Michigan and had their wealth to the grave." Listen to the oldsters. Record what five children, Claudia, Edith, Edward, Johnny and Vivian. have say. Rescue that wealth of historical memories. Even the Lena married Ernest Johnson of Karlstad. Their children were little things will become important with time. Floyd, Maynard, Adeline, and Ray. Submitted by Eunice Korczak. Grant Nelson writes Rural Reflec­ Einar married Mabel Paulson and lived in Section 24 of Hereim tions, a column that appears in the Grand Forks Herald's Yester­ Township. Their two children were Betty Jean and Janice. years supplement. The quote is from Saturday, January 22, 2005. Alfred married Lena Eeg and lived in Section 26, Hereim Town­ ship. Their children were Eugene, Edward, Jovenia, Alton and Carol. Erick and Johanna Aamodt Alton still farms that land along Highway 32 south ofGreenbush. Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Sources: Obituaries from Roseau Erick Aamodt, April 11, 1864, to January 25, 1927, was born in County Museum, Leona Emery, Ray Johnson, Pat Hogan, *Roseau Norway. Johanna Aamodt, maiden name unavailable, was born in County Courthouse. Tislebakke, Sigdahl, Norway, on October 5, 1858. In 1885 she married Erick Aamodt. Five years later they came to the United John and Bertha (Skat-Williamson) Aas States and settled near Northwood, North Dakota. In November of 1902 they homesteaded near Greenbush and farmed in the commu­ Bertha's parents, Knute and Kari Skal (Skal was the farm name, nity until their deaths. Both are buried in the Zion Lutheran Cem­ which was later dropped and Williamson was used) immigrated etery east ofGreenbush. Mrs. Aamodt's obituary called her a quiet, from Norway in 1890 with six children. Bertha was about eleven God-fearing woman, interested in the work of the church, who had years old. The baby, Gutrom died on the voyage. The Williamson endeared herself to her neighbors and acquaintances. Erick and family settled in Waseca County, moved to Stearn County, then Johanna had ten children: K. O. or Ole 1-30-1885; Nels 9-17-1886; pioneered in Roseau County in 1901 . Annie 1-11-1888; Nels 1-12-1889; Thea 7-25-1890; Sarah/Sigrid Born in Gjovik, Norway, on May 20, 1880, John was the oldest 455 son of Haaken and Regine Aas. Having been baptized in Norway, John was two years old when he came with his mother, Regina Skorstad and her family to this country. They sailed from Oslo and 16 weeks later arrived in Quebec. From there, they came by train to Barnesville, Minnesota. The family homesteaded in Tansem Township, Clay County, near Pelican Rapids. John was confirmed in the Christian faith in North Emmanuel Church near Pelican Rap­ ids. He attended five years ofschool, helped his stepfather, Haaken Aas, farm, and did light carpentry. Entertainments he enjoyed were skiing, skating, fishing, muskrat trapping, and violin playing for area dances. After visiting former Pelican Rapids residents in the Haug area in 1901 and again in 1903, when he stayed in Badger to work for the winter, John came to Greenbush to stay in of 1905. Bertha was a cook at a hotel where he stayed. John and Bertha were married in 1908 at her family farm home. John Aas holding great grandchild Anne Hedman. (photo courtesy ofLois Hedman) John'was a very active man in the Preceded in death by Bertha, his wife, (1954) John died in De­ r Greenbush area. cember of 1979 at the age of99 years, 7 months, and 2 days. Offi­ He worked in the ciating at his funeral was Pastor Kasperson. Mangeline Forsness elevator and also was organist. Soloist, Mrs. Art Boese, accompanied herselfon the managed elevators guitar. Pall bearers were: Axel Lieberg, Bob Wollin, Ben in Middle River Christianson, Arvid Dvergsten, Manvil Dvergsten, and Vernon and Strathcona. Fugleberg. For several years, John was a self-educated man who kept himself informed about he was in the grain current events. He enjoyed the fact that his 99 years allowed him to buying business in experience incredible changes in every aspect of life. To empha­ Climax, Middle size that enjoyment, at his funeral just two days after Christmas, River, and the final hymn was to the World." Strathcona. From Submitted by Eunice Korczak. Based on an article by Lois Paulson 1928 to 1954, John Hedman published in Roseau County Heritage and an extensive worked in a variety obituary published in the Greenbush Tribune. ofpositions for the Village. of A. K. and Amelia Anderson Greenbush. Ac­ cording to his I had heard about A. K. Anderson all my life because my mother's obituary in the parents, Bessie and Charles Keuhn, moved to that farm when A.K.s Greenbush Tri­ left. However, I didn't know what the A. K. stood for. When I fi ­ John Aas and Bertha Williamson marriage picture in bune served as nally asked, for this write-up, it became clear as to why he went by 1908. (photo courtesy ofLois Hedman) the con­ initials. The A stood for Albert, and Albert O. Anderson lived only stable for many years and was truly a peace officer." As constable, a half mile north. A. K. lived on the SE 1/4 Section 12 in Lind picking up moon-shiners was one of his most unpleasant tasks, but Township. one ofhis toughest jobs was helping an undertaker take care oftwo A. K . and Amelia Anderson came from Paynesville, Minnesota. bodies after a fire. One area resident recalls that John Aas was In 1921, his name was at the top ofthe list petitioning to split Dis­ large and impressive, effective in breaking up bar fights, he trict 26, with the north school (Svegdahl) becoming a separate school seemed a gentle man." district. It became District 33 and was one ofthe later rural schools John also drove people to the Bratrud Clinic at Warren in his 1909 to continue operation. A. K. was also active with the shipping as­ Buick. sociation. Amelia was very active in church and Sunday School The Aas family were active members of the Bethel Lutheran and directed the Bethlehem girls' choir. Church, where John was custodian for many years. Though this They had three children: Mildred born in 1910, Ivan born in 1913, took more ofhis time than such positions do now, John attended to and Luella who was born in 1922. According to the records, Luella his job faithfully and was patient with the children. Grandchildren was the only one baptized in Bethlehem. The Andersons were re­ especially liked to help him ring the bell because they were allowed membered long after they left the area and returned to Paynesville to ride on the rope. in 1934 or 35. On his 95th birthday, people streamed to the celebration at the Edwin and Adelia Anderson were the last to live in the house A. William Paulson home to express their affection and appreciation K. built. The house was moved to Springsteel near Warroad, Min­ for what he had done for the town. nesota. Edsel Anderson, grandson ofAlbert O. owns the land now. John and Bertha had six children: Clara Paulson, Richard (Hank) Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Sources: school and church records, Aas, Kenneth Aas, Gilman Aas, Joseph Aas, and Alice Errigo. Carol and Harold Johnson, Palma Stenberg, Edsel Anderson.

456 Albert Q. and Annie Anderson Henrick Bjorkel in 1933, and had two children, Olafand Jon. Judith, 1907-1994, married Otto Mathiasen in 1953. Orville, 1910-1974, Annie Bagstad (1877-1969) came to Badger from Adams, Min­ married Rose Johnson; their children are Allen and Avis. Arnold, nesota, with her Aunt Johanna. When she was of legal age she 1913-2000, married Pearl Anderson and had two children, Arlyn homesteaded in Moose Township. During this time she operated a and Paula. Palma, 1915, is the sole survivor in 2004. She married millinery shop in Badger. Norman Stenberg and their children are Lucille, Sharon, Stuart, Albert O. Anderson (1876-1967) came from Manvel, North Da­ Marcia, and Arlene. kota. When his party came to the Red River (no bridges) they The Andersons farmed small grains, raised Shropshire sheep, grey­ weren't too sure they could make it across so they sent an old horse hounds, and purebred hogs. They also raised registered Red Poll that wouldn't be much of a loss, across the river. The old horse cattle, which they showed at the Roseau County Fair. crossed the river without mishap. To prepare for crossing, they tied After Albert and the wagon box down to prevent it from floating off the wheels. Annie's deaths, their When they came to an old shack at Stephen, they found part of a son Benard took over sack of wheat in the comer. They cleaned a little of it and cooked the farm. Benard later mush. sold the farm to his Annie and Albert were married July 7, 1901. A year later they nephew, Edsel Ander­ moved to the homestead in the NW 1/4 Section 7 Township. son, so the farm is eli­ In April, their first child, Edwin was born in Badger. At some point gible to be a Century Annie's parents moved north ofBadger. Two ofAlbert's brothers, Farm. In 1982, Edsel Andrew and Iver, homesteaded in the same section as Albert did, and his wife, Donna, re­ while a third brother. Martin, later lived on the next section. modeled the stately two story house into one story and added on. They continue to live Back: Arnold, Palma, Judith, Orville, Alice, there at the present Benard, and Edwin. Front: Albert and Annie time. Anderson. (photo courtesy ofNoreen Lorenson) Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Sources: Edsel Anderson, Palma Stenberg, Greenbush Tribune.

Andrew Q. and Thone Anderson

Andrew O. Anderson was born September 5,1874, in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, to Ole Andersson Skjaekkermo and Jorend (Oleson) Anderson (the name Skjaekkermo was dropped and one of the s's was deleted from Anderson). Bernard Anderson plowing with the Rumley. (photo courtesy ofLois Dvergsten) There is a family legend that has been passed down the genera­ tions about the time when the Anderson family lived in Blooming Albert was very active in community affairs in the township and Prairie. When Andrew was an infant, two strangers rode up and in Greenbush, especially considering he lived eight miles from town asked Jorend if she had anything to eat. Having a large family, in when travel was so inconvenient. He was a director ofthe bread making was almost a daily task and Jorend had made bread Farmers Cooperative Cream­ that day. She gave the two strangers a loaf of bread and they gave ery when the new creamery her a quarter. Later more men showed up at the farm, asking iftwo was built, was one offifteen in­ strangers had been seen. It was admitted they had been at the farm. corporators of the Greenbush The first two strangers were Frank and Jesse James; they were on Credit Corporation and was a their way after robbing the bank in Northfield, Minnesota. county commissioner. Later, the family moved from Blooming Prairie to Mekinock, Annie was active in North Dakota. When Andrew was 12 his father died. His siblings Bethlehem Ladies Aid and included Iver, Randina, Albert, Ole, John and Martin. Three years served as an officer. She often after the death ofher husband Ole, Jorend married August Forsman hosted Ladies Aid meetings ofBadger, Minnesota. The family moved to Moose Township after i especially after their new house the marriage. More children were born to this family: Augustina, , was built in 1923. then Josephine, followed by Ericka, and a son Karl. Annie and Albert had seven Andrew left the family home at the age of 16 to begin life on his . children: Edwin, 1902-1991, own. Initially he went back to Mekinock, North Dakota, and worked , . married Hermanson in on the farm ofReverend OlafHoukom. He lived with his maternal 1933, and had two children, uncle, Lewis Olson, and family. . . Edsel and Ronald. Benard, Thone (Gjersund) Anderson came to the United States from Front: AlIce and Benard. Back: Judith . and Edwin. (photo courtesy of Pearl 1903-1983, never marned. Morgedal, Norway. Thone's parents were Olav and Aslaug Anderson) Alice, 1905-1976, married Gjersund. Her siblings were Knut, Olav, Jorgen, Anders, Tillie, 457 Aslaug, and Aste. Thone's mother died during childbirth. At the Thone and Andrew were very active in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, age of 17, Thone boarded a small ship called, "The Restauration." and their community. The cream checks were a source of income Because the ship was small, there were only 53 passengers. The for them. It was published in the Greenbush Tribune how much trip took three anda half months. The trip from Norway to New each farmer would make, and at one point Andrew was able to take York cost about 54 dollars, and the train trip from New York to home a check for 400 dollars, which was a great deal of money Minneapolis, where she ended up, cost about 18 dollars. Thone's during that time. Thone assisted in the delivery of many babies in first stop was at Ellis Island in New York. the area. She was proud to admit, in all of the children she deliv­ Immigrants coming into the United States at this time were given ered, she never lost a mother or a child. She lost count of how literacy and mental tests, which consisted of arithmetic problems many children she helped deliver. and wooden puzzles. Thone found work in St. Paul, working for a Andrew died in doctor and his family as a housekeeper. While in the employ ofthe 1963 and Thone in doctor, she studied English and it was after this study she decided 1964. They are bur­ to "Americanize" her last name to Jorgenson. ied at Bethlehem In 1897, Thone traveled to Mekinock, North Dakota, with her Lutheran Church sister Tillie to visit her cousin, Reverend OlafHoukom. While there Cemetery in rural she met the man who was to eventually become her husband. An­ Greenbush. drew was 24 at the time. In the summer of A year later, in 1898, Andrew decided to return to Roseau County. 2000, a large tree He hoped to find a homestead that would be closer to his four broth­ came crashing ers. He found a plot of land which suited his needs, and had a through the top of natural-fed beaver pond. Andrew walked the nearly 80 miles from the old house, after his homestead plot of 160 acres, to Crookston, Minnesota, to file a straight-line wind­ his claim. The claim was filed on June 15, 1898. Fifty years to the storm, causing the day, electricity was brought to the farmstead. house to split in On June 30, 1901, Andrew and Thone were married at the half. Although it Bethlehem Norwegian Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minne­ was sad to see the sota. Soon after the wedding they moved to the farm in rural Green­ Andrew and Thone Anderson in California in 1963. old house come bush. Seven days later Andrew's brother, Albert, married Annie (photo courtesy ofRoseau County Museum) down, the general Bagstad. They lived on the west side of the same farm section. feeling in the family was that the core ofthe family had passed with The homestead shack Thone and Andrew initially lived in was the death of my dad, Joe D. Anderson, in November of 1999. He very small and humble. In 1913, the two-room shack was moved was the last survivor ofthat generation. Our thoughts are that they to the current location of the farmhouse. A large kitchen, porch, are all in a better home now and do not need this house anymore. pantry and four upstairs bedrooms were added to the house. The Submitted by Toni M Anderson-Donarski. References: "Here Come source of heat for this home was the warm kitchen not to the Norwegians "- written by Carol (Hanson) Schwinkendorf, Ro­ mention the love that emanated as the family grew. seau Historical Family file archives. To this family nine children were born. Arthur (1901) married Julie Loyland; Agnes (1904) married OlafHanson; Leonard (1906) Arthur M. Anderson. Sr. and Alma Anderson died in 1927; Barney (1908) married Mable Myran; Sylvia (1910) marriedArthur Copeland; Thelma (1912) married Maurice Carrico; Arthur M. Anderson, Sr., was born at Hatton, North Dakota, on Joseph (1914) married Dorothy Ann Simpson; Hildor (1916) mar­ November 16,1893, the son of Knute and Bertha Marie (Olson) ried Margaret Vacura; and Valborg (1919) married Louis Dillon. Anderson. He moved with his family to Dewey Township in 1900. They moved back to North Dakota in 1904, where Arthur grew to manhood. He attended school at the University of North Dakota

Building the barn on the Andrew Anderson homestead. On the right are An­ drew Anderson and Albert Anderson. (photo courtesy ofLilly Bingaman)

In the years Andrew and Thone lived on the farm, they kept them­ selves very busy with raising sheep, milk cows and small grains. Front: Art and Alma Anderson. Children: Audrey, Art Jr., Delford andDelores. 458 and at Crookston, and started teaching at Juneberry in 1915. His construction, building the Alaska Highway. When Bert returned to family returned to the farm in Dewey in 1917. He also taught at Greenbush, he lived in town with his father, Knute. Bert had two Halma, Roosevelt, and Homolka (Grass Lake). Arthur taught school children, Kenneth and Shirley. His marriage ended in separation. until 1926, when he bought the Ed Watterud farm, married Alma He passed away at the nursing home in Greenbush about 1972. Pederson, began farming, and raised a family there. Arthur and Submitted by Art Anderson. Alma had four children: Art (Helen Kirkeide), Audrey (Clifton Kirkeide), and twins Delores (Glenn Bjerk) and Delford (Arlene Eddie and Pauline Anderson Schafbuch). Arthur was a World War I veteran, serving in France. He helped Eddie Anderson was born March 3, 1891, in Steele County near organize the Greenbush Co-op Elevator in the late thirties and served El1endale, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm near Ellendale, at­ on other community boards. He played a comet in the old Pelan tended school and church there. He played on an organized bal1 Band and in the Greenbush Community Band; Alma played alto team that travelled between nearby towns. hom in the Greenbush Community Band. Alma was ajanitor at the He married Pauline Hatle on Greenbush School in her later years. Arthur and Alma were mem­ June 14, 1913. She was born bers of the Pauli Lutheran Church. Art Anderson Jr. passed away March 4, 1889, in Freeborn February 23, 2005. County, Hartland, Minnesota. Submitted by Art and Helen Anderson. The smal1 towns were ten miles apart. Bert C. and Minnie (Paulson) Anderson In 1916 they came to the Greenbush area from southern Bert C. Anderson, (1888-1964) farmed for most of his life in the Minnesota by train to occupy SE 1/4 Section 10 of Lind Township. Bert was cal1ed Bert C. to the land and home they had distinguish him from Bert T. Anderson, a nearby neighbor. Bert purchased one year prior to married Minnie Paulson, (1894-1947) who died when Carol Lou this, in Section 34 in Hereim was eleven years old. Bert and Minnie had five children: Florence Township. The house had for­ (Vernon Olson), Arlo (Hazel Johnson), Orville (Pearl LaTray), merly been the Dock Post Of­ Vernon Ray, and Carol Lou (Robert LaTray). fice. The school which was A few years after Minnie's death, he married Inga Fox Danielson. located on their land, was According to a 1912 postcard saved by Inga, Bert had been her known as the Dock School. special friend before he married Minnie in 1916. They had three daughters: Bert played in the Greenbush Community Band. Marcella born in 1914, Alice A few years after Minnie's death, he moved into Greenbush and born in 1918 and Pearl born in worked as maintenance man at the hospital for many years. It was Eddie and Pauline Anderson 1921. Their daughters com­ during this time Bert married Inga and Carol Lou was in high school. (photo courtesy ofAlice Miller) pleted eighth grade in the one They lived in the stone house on the southeast comer of the hospi­ room school on their property. tal block. The house, owned by the hospital, was later tom down to The teachers stayed with Eddie and Pauline during the week, and make room for the addition to the south end of the hospital. walked to school every morning. Marcel1a and Alice both became Florence and Vernon Olson and family lived on the farm for sev­ teachers. Alice taught in rural schools before her marriage and in eral years in the 1950s. Later, Bert sold his farm just north of the later years in Greenbush for a total of24 years. Marcel1a taught for Bethlehem Church to Leif and Norma Hagen. a few years before her marriage. Bert's parents, John and Emma (Benson) Anderson homesteaded The Andersons raised livestock of al1 kinds and did smal1 grain the NE 1/4 Section 5, Lind Township. Bert had a brother, Elmer, farming. They were proud oftheir Holstein cows that they brought who was a jeweler in Roseau. Elmer's wife, Olga, was a sister to in a box car from southern Minnesota. Bert's wife. Bert's sister, Jessie, married Ralph Zrust and had one Eddie was town clerk for many years and also treasurer for Dock child, Raymond. School. Minnie was the daughter of Ole K. and Mathilda (Hanson) Travel in the winter created many hardships. No cars were used. Paulson. She had eleven brothers and sisters including: Herman, The cars were put in the shed on cement blocks. Al1 travel was Henry, Olga, Victor, Oscar, William, Harry, Mabel, El1erd, Arnold, with horses or by foot. Northern Minnesota blizzards made roads who was known as Lloyd, and Earl. often impassable. Submitted byArtAnderson andMyrna Sovde. Source: LaTray Marcella married Marvin Nelson and moved two miles south. and Bethlehem Church records. Alice married Ernest Miller and lived four miles east. Pearl mar­ ried Arnold Anderson and lived in another house on the home place. Bert T. Anderson Pearl's son, Arlyn Anderson, has a home on the same property. Arlyn's son, Tad and family, the fourth and fifth generations live at Bert T. Anderson was born at Hatton, North Dakota, in 1895 to the school site. Knute and Bertha Marie Anderson. They moved to Dewey Town­ In 1982, Pauline and Eddie celebrated sixty-nine years of mar­ ship in 1900. Bert farmed most of his life. He had an eighty in riage, a-feat unequalled by few. Pauline died in 1982 and Eddie in Section 33 of Dewey Township and an eighty across the road in 1988. They are buried in the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery. Section 4 of Lind Township. Submitted by Alice Miller and added to by Myrna Sovde. In 1941, Bert went to Alaska with Herb Reese working on road 459 Edwin and Adelia (Hermanson) Anderson Jacob and Hansine (Olson) Anderson­ Please see article under Sather Edwin, April 13, 1902, to November 27,1991, was the eldest son ofAnnie and Albert O. Anderson. Albert and his brothers were the Joseph and Luella (Jacobson) Anderson first settlers in Deer Township around 1898. Adelia Hermanson, February 20, 1905, to August 26, 1998, was the daughter ofTron Joseph Anderson was born on September 3, 1896, in Steele County and Theodora Hermanson, who were among.the first settlers near to Ole 1. Anderson born in Wisconsin and Mary Ellingson born in Pelan in 1895. Adelia's sister, Anna, was the first child baptized Norway. He married Luella Jacobson, also born in Steele County, into the Bethlehem Congregation. on March 22, 1916. Exactly a year later, the couple settled on a Before her marriage, Adelia taught in many rural schools in the farm near Greenbush, Minnesota. area, including but not limited to Pelan, Pauli, and Svegdahl schools. In 1919, Mrs. Anderson died, leaving a two-year-old daughter, Edwin did farm work in the Manvel and Sharon, North Dakota ar­ Harriet, and an invalid son, who died later the same year. In the fall eas, and in Canada, and worked in the sugar beet plants in East of 1919, Joseph's parents came to live with him. According to his Grand Forks, Minnesota. obituary, Joseph became ill with "acute nephutis" on July 6, 1924, Edwin and Adelia were married November 6, 1933. After their and spent time at hospitals in Warren, Crookston, and Minneapolis. marriage they built their farm home on Section 6 Deer Township, a Although he seemed to improve for a time, he died February 18, mile north ofhis parents, and worked together until retirement. After 1927, in Hereim Township leaving Harriet, now nine years old. their son Edsel married, Edwin and Adelia moved to the fonner A. Joseph was buried at the Haug Cemetery in Barto Township. K. Anderson farm, the SW 1/4 Section 12 in Lind Township, a half Submitted by Eunice Korczak with thanks to Lisa Hansonfor birth mile south of Edwin's parental home. and death research.

Joseph G. and Mamie Anderson

Mamie Anderson didn't have to change her name when she mar­ ried Joseph Anderson in 1924 in the Pauli Church. Mamie, the daughter ofKnute and Bertha Marie Anderson, was born at Hatton, North Dakota in 1900. At six months of age, she came to Dewey Township to her parents' homestead south of the "Two River." In 1907, her family moved back to North Dakota but returned to the homestead in 1917. Mamie was schooled in both Minnesota and North Dakota. Her siblings were: Art, Bert, Edna, Lillian, Myrtle, Gladys, Roy, Garvin, and Harley. Joe was born in 1895 at Belgrade, Minnesota, to John and Gunhilde Anderson. During WWI, Joe served in the army in France and Germany. His father sold the family farm after Joe got out of the army in 1919. Joe's brother was farming near Karlstad so Joe bought a farm there too. Joe's siblings were Selmer, Gust, and Stina. 1917 Confirmation class at Bethlehem Church. Front row: unidentified, Inga The story of how Joe met Mamie is rather cute. When she was Haagenson (Langaas), Rev. Berge Olson, Edwin Anderson, Arthur Anderson. teaching northeast ofKarlstad, he saw her through the window and Back row: Julia Langaas (Johnson), unidentified, Rueben Bratlie, and Edwin Rue. The two girls not identified are Signe Knudsen and Opha Jenson. (photo said to himself, "I'm going to have a date with that girl." He got a courtesy ofNoreen Lorenson) date with her at the basket social. Joe courted her with a team of beautiful black horses and a buggy, and when road conditions were Both Edwin and Adelia were active in the Bethlehem Lutheran good, with a Model T. Church. Edwin often treated the congregation to his musical tal­ They started farming with 218 acres and a dairy business near ent. Particularly memorable were his renditions on the saw. It was Karlstad. In 1930, they bought a fann near Greenbush, but soon just an ordinary carpenter's saw, but Edwin could make it sing. To moved to a 320 acre farm southeast of Greenbush in Section 29, choose a saw, Edwin would go to the hardware store and pound on where they had a good herd of Holsteins and raised their family. a saw he was interested in. The cheapest saws usually worked the Joe and Mamie best for making music. Music was a big part oftheir family's home had seven children: life with Edsel and Ronald acquiring Edwin's musical ability. Both Glenee, Kennis played the violin, piano, and accordion while Ronald also played (Lila Lorenson), the saw and the tuba. Mayvis (James .Edsel (June 4, 1935) married Donna Bergeson Faken, a widow, Lerum), Virgil who brought two children, David and Marilyn (Wolff) to the mar­ (Bernice Benz), riage. They had a daughter Lynelle (Strand). Ronald (June 11, Dale (Dorothy 1940) married Nancy and has two children Tania, and Douglas. Seydel, Kay Bra­ Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Sources: Donna and Edsel Anderson zier), Adrian (Don (see Tron and Theodora Hermanson andAlbert 0. andAnnaAnder­ • " . . Pietig) and Cassel. Joseph and MamIe Anderson famIly; Back: Glenee, ' . son histories). Virgil, Adrian, Dale, Kennis; Front: Mayvis, Mamie, Mamle taught Joseph, and Cassel. (photo submitted by Lila Anderson) school off and on 460 after their marriage. The last years she taught were from 1946-49 Martin and Laura (Langaas) Anderson when she taught at Island Home School, District 22, north of Greenbush. At that school, Adrian stayed with her for one year and Martin Anderson was born in Polk County near Fosston, Minne­ Cassel the other two years. sota, on April 12, 1885, to Ole and Jorend Anderson. His dad, Ole, Joe was active in community activities, serving on school boards, was born in Helgadal, Norway, and came to America in 1871 . His church council, town board, the draft board for ten years, ASCS mother, Jorend, was born in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin. Her parents county committee, as secretary of the local Farmers Union, and had both immigrated from Norway. Those immigrants who came Hereim Township assessor for ten years. to homestead here had little money and worked hard to provide for Submitted by Art Anderson and Myrna Sovde. their families. Martin had ten brothers and sisters, Albert, Andrew, Iver, Ole, Johnny, Radina, Augustine, Erika, Josephine, and Carl. Knute and (Bertha) Marie Anderson In 1908, Martin and brother Ole went to Buchanan, Saskatchewan, Canada, to partake ofthe homesteading opportunities there. Within Knute Anderson was born in Valdres, Norway, in 1867. At age a year, Ole became ill with TB so the brothers returned to their 17, he came to America to Sauk Center, Minnesota where he mar­ parents' home in Badger. Ole died one year later, and Martin never ried Bertha Marie Olson in 1892. They moved to Hatton, North did return to Canada. In 1912, he purchased the farm presently Dakota. In 1900, Knute took a homestead in Section 34 ofDewey owned by Kenneth Langaas in Lind Township. Township. After erecting a house and bam, returned to Hatton Laura E. Langaas was born in rural Greenbush on March 26, 1905, to get his wife and four children. to Ole and Lena (Lauritzen) Langaas who homesteaded in Lind Knute, assisted Township in 1901. Laura's parents died in 1925, leaving twenty by his brother-in­ year old Laura to care for the farm. Laura had three sisters: Eleanor, law, Mr. Olson, Mary and Julia. Her sisters, Mary and Julia, who were teachers, hauled the house­ assisted her with farm work in the summer. hold goods and ma­ In 1931, Laura became Martin's chinery and drove bride at Bethlehem Lutheran the cattle behind the Church. Martin sold his farm to wagon. The family John Langaas, Laura's cousin, and came by buggy they resided on the farm Laura man­ with Grandpa &A::!\i~l'JP~~~ aged after the death of her parents. Olson as driver. After her marriage, Laura continued When they first to work in the fields shocking grain, came there were riding the binder, pitching hay, and only wagon trails doing whatever needed doing. and cross-cuts from Laura was active in the Ladies Aid neighbor to neigh­ at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, bor. The nearest Laura quilted and Martin made a railroad was in quilt stretcher. He also made stilts Stephen. The stage for their two children. brought mail from In the early years, hunting and there to the trapping were Martin's main occu­ Knute and Bertha engagement 1890. Greenbush area. pations and remained his hobbies (photo submitted by Helen Anderson) Laura Anderson shocking flax in 'I h' d hi ' h h They moved back h' h unt! IS eat , n wmter e unted Li n d .owns Ip. IP oto courtesy OJ . • to North Dakota for Lois Dvergsten) on hIS homemade SkIS or by horse­ a while but returned to Greenbush in 1917. back. He had many hunting stories Knute and Marie had ten children: Art (Alma Pederson), Bert to share with his family. He had several greyhound hunting dogs (Minnie Hagen), Edna (Jens Pederson), Mamie (Joseph G. Ander­ and often hunted with his brother Albert and nephews Benard and son), Lillian (Ingvald Hagen), Myrtle (Ole Berntson), Gladys (Gil­ bert Bratlie), Roy (Mable Bertilrud), Garvia died at age 17, and Harley (Thelma Eeg). After their daughter Myrtle died, they raised her two daughters, Lavonne and June Berntson. Art, Edna, Mamie, and Gladys all became teachers. Knute was a farmer all his life, but according to the Tribune of9­ 14-1923, he was one offifteen incorporators ofthe Greenbush Credit . Company organized provide loans for farmers. In 1938, they built a home in Greenbush. Marie died in 1946 and Knute in 1951. They were members ofthe Pauli Lutheran Church. See "Honeycomb Bam" in the farming section, and the Edna and Jens Pederson pioneer history for a more complete story about Knute and Marie. Submitted by Arlaine Pederson Duray and Myrna Sovde. Martin Anderson by his homestead shack in Lind Township. Notice the wolf and weasel pelts. (photo courtesy ofLois Dvergsten) 461 Arnold. At deer hunting time extra hunters were always joining the Dve and Camjlla

Harry

Harry Berger, the eldest child of John and Emma (Svensrud) Berger, was born March 28, 1901. He was baptized at the Poplar P.Y. Johnson homestead at Leo. (by Nora Johnson) Grove Church, and confirmed into the Bethlehem Lutheran con­ Leo was born at this place. Mother and Father passed away at gregation in 1915. Harry lived all his life on his family's home­ this place. We all moved there. The back lean was the barn that stead in the SW 1/4 of Section 32 Hereim Township. He attended winter. The boys grew up and made good nice buildings. We had school at the Gavick School District 60 in Deer Township, although cattle, horses, and machinery and all went good for parents and their land was not in any school district until 1913. children. Then mother took sick with dropsy. Two years later Although Harry wished to marry at one time, he remained a bach­ passed away on March 12. elor all of his life because his parents disapproved of his choice. LaterAlbert got married, then Clementine, then Joe, later Frances, The girl never married either. then Leo. Leo got the home place. Father and Bertha stayed with Leo. Two years later, Leo's wife died in 1926. Father passed away. In 1929 Leo married again. Depression came and he lost the home. Then Leo went to Juneberry, worked hard and made good. Leo at the age of55 passed away, December 4, 1949, left a wife and five children. Leo was the first one that died of P. Y. Johnson's family of thirteen children. Leo was the young­ est in the family." (Nora lived to be The older John and Emma Berger children; Harry, Clifford, Edwin, Gilmer I06, living the last and Ella. (photo courtesy ofLilly Bingaman) few years in a nurs­ ing home.) Harry was the eldest of seven children. His brothers and sisters Submitted by Leona were Clifford, Edwin, Gilmer, Ella, Rudy, and Gladys. They lived Emery. Edited by across the section from their double cousins, the Harold and Sina Nora Becker's I06th Birthday; Leona Emery, Donald Rinowski, Nora Becker, Lizzy (Schires) SchaUer, Agnes Myrna Sovde. Johnson family. Harold was a cousin to Emma Berger, and Sina (Troskey) Paulson. was a sister to John Berger. In the Bethlehem Church, the unmarried men and women, no Eivind and Anna matter how old, were considered members of the Luther League. Harry was an active member throughout his youth until in his early Eivind E. Berge, born in 1865 in Norway, and Anna (Thompson) forties. He also played a comet in the Greenbush Community Band Berge, born in 1862, came to the United States in 1899. They bought and in the Pelan Band in the 1930s and 1940s. squatter's rights in Huss Township around 1901-1909, and acquired Harry, a life-long farmer, farmed with his brother Clifford. Be­ homestead patents in 1910. They raised chickens, cows, pigs and sides grain farming, he had a few chickens and milked cows until horses, and belonged to Farmers Union. he was quite old. After the death of his mother in 1959, he lived They had five children: Helga Forsness Thompson, born in 1889; alone in the big farm house until the last few years when he lived Evan, born January 7, 1892- married Emma Holen, born December with Clifford and Effie across the road. Harry died in 1984 and is I, 1898; Alice Hofdahl, born in 1894; Ingaborg (Oscar) Nesteby, buried in the Bethlehem Cemetery. born April 25, 1897; and Annie Asplund, born in 1899. Submitted by Myrna Sovde, Goddaughter. Evan and Emma bought the farm in 1943. He was a township 464 John and Emma Berger Family John was on the creamery board when the new creamery was built and was active in the Bethlehem Church, particularly in reli­ gious education and was concerned about public education. Emma served as an officer of the Bethlehem Ladies Aid. The bam, which was state of the art at that time, included a roll­ ing track in the hay mow and a built in ventilation system. John

The Berger family on their homestead. Harry, Edwin, Emma's mother, (Gunhild Svensrud), Ella, Emma, Clifford, Gilmer and John with stallion. (photo cour­ tesy ofLilly Bingaman)

John Berger was born in Norway in 1871 and immigrated to America as a young man. His birth name was Hanson, but there were so many Hansons in Minnesota when he arrived, he decided to change it to Berger which was the name of the farm in Norway. Berger's state of the art barn. (photo courtesy ofMark Stephens) First he the Rustans at Woodside south of Erskine, Minne­ sota. In 1889 he married Miss Omang. She died in childbirth and built this bam with dimension planed fir lumber shipped in by rail was buried at Woodside.* car from Washington state. Enough lumber was left over when the John returned to Norway in 1898 and married Emma Svensrud, bam was completed to erect a 12x12 foot wellhouse. The bam was (born 1875) from Oslo, Norway. He brought his new bride back to also one ofthe first in the area to have gas lights and cupolas on the McKinley, Minnesota. John worked in lumber camps in eastern roof. The carpenter employed for this task was Hans Bratlie. This Minnesota and Montana before settling in rural Greenbush. project took an entire season to complete. Everything was hand They started their homestead in 1900 on the SW 1/4 Section 32 in labor and the carpenter stayed with the family. The bam remains Hereim Township, "proving up" 160 acres. When completed they today, although the roof was lowered to be used for grain and ma­ received their homestead certificate which was a deed signed by chinery storage by Waage Farms, who own the land today. President Theodore Roosevelt. John's sister, Sina, married Harold J. Johnson. They lived on the next section to the west. Their brother, Hilmer, also lived in the area at different times. John raised Shorthorn cattle, small grains, and grass seeds as did many farmers of the day. They built a small two room log house where most of their seven children were born. Harry 1901-1984; Clifford 1902-1978; Edwin 1904-1981; Gilmer 1906-1994; Ella 1909-1986; Rudy 1911-2003; and Gladys John was a hard working, pros pe rou s Tbe Berger bouse built by Hans Bratlie in 1919. farmer and a (photo courtesy ofMark and Karen Stephens) astute busi­ The farmstead was featured on the front page of the "Minnesota nessman. In Farmer" magazine in 1940 as one ofthe most improved, up to date, 1918 he built a farms ofthe day. The house was built in 1919 by the same carpen­ large dairy barn ter and the same material as the bam. At 28x28 feet square, it was with a hip roof one of the largest and most impressive houses of the time. It had a and hay mow. full basement (cement) that featured a furnace that heated two full He continued to floors. There was also a sizeable attic for storage with a widow's increase his peak on top. A large front porch (later enclosed) graced the south herd of cattle side. Like the bam, the house also had built in gas lights. The and other live­ woodwork throughout the home was ofbeautiful native fir and oak. stock that in­ The upstairs featured four large bedrooms with built in closets in cluded .hogs, each room which was unusual for the time. chickens, and The farm was well known for the pretty lilac and peony bushes sheep. The that surrounded the house and the water and flower gardens and Torkelson wedding in December 1942. Back: Clifford and farm acreage in- lily pond that required much attention to maintain their beauty. Ella Torkelson, Astrid and Gilmer Berger, Front: Myrna d t Weddings were held at the home as well as other social events such Jobnson and Larry Stepbens. (photo courtesy of Myrna crease 0 over (Johnson) Sovde) 1100 acres. as ladies aid and sewing circle. Visiting pastors stayed overnight 465 with the Berger family, as did traveling salesmen on occasion. John originally been homesteaded by her uncle John Byhre in 1904. Here and Emma were gracious hosts. they maintained their home for 48 years. Gilbert and Hilda had John Berger died in 1950 and Emma in 1959. They are buried in three children: Clarice Martinson (Rudy) 1923 Thief River Falls, the Bethlehem Cemetery, the church they joined in 1914. The older Gilman (1925-1981), Selvin Bertilrud (Minda) 1931 Fargo, ND. children were baptized in Poplar Grove, South Bethania, and West Hilda Bertilrud passed away in October 1969 and Gilbert Bertilrud Poplar Grove. in June 1970. Harry and Clifford remained on the farm. Clifford married Effie Some recollections ofour parents were the raising ofmany chick­ Peterson from Middle River and adopted Duane and Darlene. They ens; we assume the time was in the 1930s. The picture with Mother lived across the road from the original homestead. feeding the chickens was how the grain was scattered by hand, out Edwin married Alvina Torkelson from Erskine. He worked as a ofa pail, onto the ground. We remember the incubators in the house. buttermaker at Mentor before moving to Washington state where They were heated by kerosene lamps as they had no electricity at .he worked in a nuclear energy plant. Their children were Betty, the time. They must have fed the chicks "starter", but Mother would Doug, and Don. hard boil eggs, then mash them with a fork and feed it to the chicks. Gilmer married Astrid Nelson, a schoolteacher. They lived with They also bought what we called "chicken oatmeal in bags" to feed his parents for several years before moving to a farm one mile away. the chicks. Dad would exhibit chickens at the Roseau County Fair They had one son Gilmer "Budd." and won many blue ribbons. Ella married Clifford Torkelson at the Berger farm in 1943. They We lived in a two room log house, which tragically, on December lived on a farm near Erskine that is now a part of the Rydell Wild­ 11, 1931, burned to the ground. It was so cold that morning, but life Refuge. Their children were Sonja, James and Diane. luck was with us as they had planned to butcher turkeys that day Rudy was in Europe during WWII. In 1947 he married Erma and a brooder house was already being heated with a wood stove Hanson ofNewfolden. They had nine children, Steve, Karen, Blaine, for that purpose. That really saved us because we all had a place to Lenay, Shelly, Kathy, Kim, Shane, and Joni. They moved to Wash­ stay while the house burnt. Anton Foss (Mother's brother) came ington state in 1959 when soil bank came in. He worked construc­ over, riding a horse, as he had seen the smoke. He went home and tion. got a sleigh and took us over to their place. What a delicious din­ Gladys married Richard (Choppy) Stephens at the Berger home ner, his wife Amanda, had cooking. We then stayed at Andrew in 1937. Their six children are Larry, Brian (Ron), Stuart, Cheri, Andersons for a week. It is amazing we survived living in the two Mark and Lance. They farmed south ofGreenbush until 1959 when brooder houses the rest ofthe winter; but we did. Dad began build­ they too moved to Washington. Gladys worked as a cook for the ing the new house on nice days during the winter. When spring King County School District. came he constructed the foundation and basement. They then moved )ubrriitted by Stephens and Myrna Sovde. Sources: oral his­ the new house on the basement-- all by horses. tory, church records, and *Harold S. Johnson. See also Emma Svensrud.

Gulbrand ("Gilbert") and Hilda (Foss) Bertilrud

Gulbrand (or Gilbert as he was better known in this country) was born in 1884 in Hedalen, Valdres, Norway. He was the youngest of ten children and was four years old when the family immigrated to America in 1888. The Bertilruds first settled in Portland, ND, but the following year, 1889, they moved to Ross where they home­ steaded. his youth, Gilbert worked on farms, both in ND and Canada, worked in lumber camps and in railroad construction in Canada and Minnesota. In 1909, he filed on a home­ stead in Canada but moved back to Roseau County with­ Hilda Bertilrud feeding the chickens. out proving up and instead he (Clarice Martinson and Selvin Bertilrud photo) filed on a homestead in Sec­ tion 18 of Deer Township, There were many blizzards through the years but the notable one south of Greenbush. In 1920, was March 15, 1941. Clarice was home, from school, for the week­ he sold this farm and bought end. Dad was on the township board and he left Saturday after­ another in Section 5 close to noon, walking to Syver Haugtvedt with some papers. A terrific the homestead of his brother blizzard started towards evening and he had not come home. Mother MikkeJ. In 1922, he was mar­ and Gilman did the chores that evening and the next morning, and ried to Hilda Foss. Hilda was we were getting quite anxious. We had no phone at that time. But born in 1896, the daughter of Sunday afternoon he came walking home. He had stayed at Majer's Otto and Anne Foss. She was place overnight. Many stories have been written about that storm­ one of eleven children. Mr. no warnings and no communication. It covered a large area from and Mrs. Gilbert Bertilrud Canada to North Dakota and Minnesota. Because the day was so Gilbert Bertilrud (courtesy olRe/en Kilen) lived on their farm, which had mild, many people were away from home and were caught in it. 466 Many lives were lost. There had also been a terrific blizzard the preceeding fall (October, 1940) which we named the Armistice Day storm. Many lives were also lost in this storm. Think of the changes and accomplishments that these pioneers saw in their lifetimes-- living as they did then...to witnessing man landing on the moon. Submitted by Clarice Martinson and Selvin .

Mikkel and Anna Bertilrud

Mikkel Bertilrud, better known as M. G. Bertilrud, was born at Hedalen, Valdres, Norway, to Gulbrand and Kjersti Bertilrud on April 4, 1878. In 1888, the Bertilrud family came to Portland, North Dakota, where they stayed for several months with a family before Mikkel with dug out house. (photo from Helen (Berti/rud) Kilen) settling in Ross, Minnesota. During his early youth, Mikkel worked in the lumber camps at Charlie, and a horse named Daisy. Mikkel cleared the land oftrees Sprague, Manitoba, Canada. Walking was his only means oftravel and got it ready for cultivation with a one blade plow and oxen. He until he made enough money to buy himself a bicycle. He also also helped build roads in the area, including the road to Strathcona, hauled freight to Stephen, Minnesota for fifty cents per hundred with the use of horses and oxen. pounds. The round trip took almost a week. He also supplemented his income by fishing on Roseau Lake and then would haul the fish to Warren, Minnesota to sell. Mikkel homesteaded in Deer Township in 1898, where he built a small house and a bam with the help of his father. One memorable evening after dark, when Mikkel and his dad were about to retire for the night, there was a loud knock on the door. When Mikkel opened the door, there stood an Indian with a big knife in his hand motioning for him to come outside with him. Mikkel was scared and hesitated to go, but his dad said he had no Mikkel plowing with oxen. (photo from Helen (Berti/rud) Kilen) choice but to go with him. They walked to the bam where the Indian went up to a cow and pretended to skin her. Mikkel Anna always had a large garden and canned up to 800 or more understood that the Indian wanted to know ifMikkel had a hide for quarts of vegetables, pickles, and jams each year. All the sauces him. Mikkel shook his head and the Indian understood he didn't and jams came from the fruit she and her family picked growing have any and then left. wild in the area, such as chokecherries, blueberries, and plums. In 1908, Mikkel married Anna Everson, daughter ofAndrew and Besides doing all her laundering by hand by scrubbing clothes on Gunild Everson, who was also from the Ross area. the washboard, she always had a good supply ofhomemade breads, They raised ten children: daughters Clara (Mrs. ToralfBoe), Olga cakes and other goodies on hand. She was well known in the area _ ...... ,.-.,..- ...... (Mrs. Fred Thomsen), as an excellent cook and neighbors and strangers were always wel­ Gunda Bertilrud, come in their home to share a meal or a cup of coffee and sweets Mabel (married Roy any time. Anderson who died in They were both baptized in the Lutheran faith and long-time mem­ 1974, later married bers of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of rural Greenbush where Ernest Erickson, who they were active in all church activities. Anna was an active long died in 1993), Lillian time member of the Bethlehem Ladies Aid. Mikkel served on the (Mrs. Edward township board and also on the Gavick school board, plus he was Lennon), Helen (Mrs. Arthur Kilen), and sons Arnold (Myrtle Olson), Edwin (Joan Novacek), Rudolph (Vema Hanson), and Maurice (Arlene Carlson). Mikkel and Anna were both hard work­ ing people. The homestead was a grain farm with milk Mikkel and Anna Bertilrud Wedding cows, three oxen (photo from Helen (Bertilrud) Kilen) named Tim, Tom, and Mikkel and Anna Bertilrud (photo from Helen (Bertilrud) Kilen) 467 active in cooperative work in the area. (Ben) (1912-1981) married to The children had to walk two miles to the Gavick School on a Caroline Neumiller (1911-1994); route where it is not uncommon to hear wolves in the distance. Ernest (1915- 1984) married to Indians would camp in the woods south ofMikkel and Anna's land, Artillian Solom (1922-1994) 1 where the older children would have to walk by them to get to the child; Peter (1918-1949) married school, but they never bothered them. to Dorothy Erickson (Deceased) I The children also had the job ofcleaning the .schoolhouse. They . child. would heat the water at home and carry it all the way to school for The Bialkes farmed a half sec­ two dollars a month. tion, growing the customary grains Gypsies could often be seen passing by on the road past the home­ and seeds and raising cattle and stead. Men would be riding in the wagon with the women walking sheep. John, who was also a car­ . behind. They would camp in areas where "snack roots" (snakeroots) penter, built a house and a bam grew so they could dig and dry them to sell for medicinal use. with the assistance of his oldest Mikkel and Anna both stayed on the original farmstead until they son, Frank. However, with the passed away. Mikkel died December 12, 1970, and Anna died No­ farm economy at a really low point vember 5, 1972. John and Mary Bialke; taken in 1914 and the Great Depression looming Submitted by Helen (Bertilrud) Kilen and Angela (Kilen) Peterson. when they moved with eight ofeleven in the future, finances were poor to from Gilman, and the Bialkes almost lost the Frank and Bialke MN. (photo courtesy ofB.J. "Dutch" farm. Bialke)

Frank Bialke was born in Decem­ ber of 1894. He was one of ten brothers and no sisters. He married Agnes Lasniewski. They had three children: Genevieve, Dorothy, and Hilary. They farmed in Barnett Township and were members of Blessed Sacrament Church. He was an early campaigner for rural elec­ tricity and was on many commit­ tees, which included the creamery organization. He was also involved in many community activities. Frank was a rural mail carrier for many years, even delivering mail Bialke family - 1920 after father (John) died. Back LtoR: Severen (1905), Ray on foot. He was a good farmer and (1904), Barney (1902), Adam (1897); Front LtoR: Mary (1877), Ernie (1915), Jack (1916), Ben (1912), Martin (1908), and Pete (1918) held by Frank (1894). Frank and Bialke cour- especially in raising sheep. courtesy ofB.J. "Dutch" Bialke) tesyofMaryAnnandDavidSchires) H b I' d' d t' b d e e leve In e uca IOn eyon the country school. Following the untimely death of her husband, John, on February He eventually moved off the farm into Greenbush. He died of 4, 1920, Mary had a very difficult life, raising her many sons with­ cancer December of 1945. out a father. Nevertheless, she advanced them all to manhood, and Submitted by MaryAnn and David Schires. in her latter years she supplemented her income with earnings re­ sulting from her high quality cooking and baking talents at the lo­ John and Mary Bialke cal restaurants and hospital. Most ofthe Bialke children had offspring, who now live in many The Bialke family migrated from Gilman (near Foley, Minne­ parts of the world. sota) to Greenbush on April 6, 1914, and settled in Barnett Town­ Submitted by J. "Dutch" Bialke (son ofFrank Bialke). ship. Originally, their parents had immigrated from Poland and Czechoslovakia in the mid-1800s. The Family of Henry and Marit Bjerk John Bialke (1867-1920) and Mary (Jedlicki) Bialke (1877-1961), who had married in latter 1892, had eleven (11) sons, but daugh­ Henry Mathias Nathan Bjerk was born to Eric Asbjornsen Bjerk ters. Their children were as follows: (1831-1909) and Britha Madsdatter Aabolle Bjerk (1855-1893) in Frank (1894-1949) married to Agnes Lasniewski (1896-1972) 3 Buffalo County, Wisconsin, on March 21,1869. He had seven sib­ children; Jacob (1895-1897); Adam (1897-1977) married to Julia lings. His parents were Britha MadsdatterAabolle (Bjerk) and Eric Kasprick (1902-1996) 2 children; Barney (1902-1947) married Asbjornsen Bjerk, who was born in Luster Co Norway and died in Eleanor Lasniewski (1908-1990) 4 children; Raymond (1904-1988) Roseau. married to Ora Carvell Voth (19 I5-present); Severyn (1905-1994) In September of 1894, Henry married Marit Thorsdotter Ulven married to Mela (1911-1986) I child; Martin (1908-1990) married Reierson (born February, 1876) in Holt, Minnesota, where they lived to Frances Riske (1913-1997) 3 children; John (Jack) (1910-1969) until 1901. Then he farmed at Mud Lake for a time before home­ married to Marie Schires (Deceased 1975) 4 children; Benedict steading in Huss Township, Roseau County. 468 had eight children; and Sharron married Ron Williams and had five children. (6) Nannie (Nance) Matilda Bjerk Johnson- born April 2, 1904, died April 8, 1973- Nance married William Johnson. They had six children, Giles, Faye, Phyllis, Darlene, Aryls, and Eileen. (7) Selmer Raymond Bjerk- (a twin) born 1906, died 1974- Selmer and Ethel raised four children, LaVonne, LaVern, Curtis, and Nadine. (8) Arthur Earl Bjerk- (a twin) born 1906, died 1976- Arthur and Nellie (McFarlane) had three children: Art married Wanda, Deloris married Richard Bohr, and Dennis married Lynn. (9) Pearl Clarice Bjerk- born 1907- Pearl married Emil Ornquist. They had five children. Avis married George Wallin; Eldor, also known as Speed, married Bonnie Franks and had two children; Dean married Fern Curtis and had three children; Morlyn married Debra Lien and had one child; and Carol married Gorden Taylor (now divorced) and had four children. Henry and Marit Bjerk (photo courtesy ofCarmen Sather) (10) Marie Gladys Bjerk- born January 19, 1911, died August 9, He built a three-room log cabin. Later the boys cut their own 1911. logs, sawed their own lumber, and built a house. Henry always (11) Gladys Hannah Bjerk- born July 1, 1912- Gladys married farmed with mules and never owned a tractor, but he invented the Walter Thibedo and Alan Marlar. Gladys had two children, first bean threshing machine. The machine, which he never pat­ Marcedes and Audrey. Marcedes married Russ Sasse and Roy ented, can be seen at the Northland Threshing Bee. He also was a Wichgers, both died ofcancer. Marcedes had three children. Audrey blacksmith. Henry smoked a pipe with a cover until he died. He married Gerry Little and had two children. ate with his knife and poured his coffee into a saucer to drink it. (12) Myron Arnold Bjerk- born September 18, 1915- Myron mar­ Marit was a midwife as well as a housewife. She always had ried Lillian Larson (divorced) and later married Julia. Myron had peppermint candy for her grandchildren. The first meeting of the four children, Marlys, Arden, Richard, and Janet. Norwegian Ladies Aid was held at Marit's home on May 2, 1905. (13) Baby Boy Bjerk- born 1917, died 1917. At this meeting the Aid was organized. Charter members were: Submitted by Carmen Majer Sather. Mrs. Fred Wiskow, president; Mrs. T. Gilbertson, treasurer; Mrs. .A. Amundson, secretary; Mrs. H. Smebak; Mrs. H. Bjerk; Mrs. O. Henry and Mary (Novak) Blazek N. Gordon; Mrs. Severt Anderson; Mrs. L. Lorenson; Mrs. H. S. Gjovik; and Mrs. Hamness. Henry Blazek came from Czechoslovakia with his family at the Marit had a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair for the last age ofeleven years. His family first settled in Walsh County, North twelve years of her life. Her daughter-in-law, Ethel, took care of Dakota, and later moved to the Haug, Minnesota area. Henry home­ her at home. Marit died at the Greenbush Hospital on October 8, steaded a small farm two and a half miles north ofthe Haug Store. 1950. Henry and Mary (Novak) Blazek were united in marriage in Janu­ Henry sold the farm to Norman Erickson and moved to Badger in ary 1903. A few years later they moved to a better house a mile 1942. away, which was later occupied by Arvin Gorden. Henry and Marit had thirteen children: Henry and Mary had (1) Edgar H. Bjerk- born 1894, died May 5, 1950- Edgar, never seven children: Mary, married, was a photographer having Bjerk Studio in Strathcona for Gabriella, Pauline, a time and later a studio in McIntosh, Minnesota. Frank, Henry Jr., (2) Bertha Bjerk Martinson- born May 24, 1896- She raised two Angeline, and Yarmilla. children: Pearl, and Magnus. Pearl married Leroy Nelson and had In 1932, they moved to four children. Magnus married Marajore and adopted two chil­ 1a farm three miles north dren. of Greenbush and lived (3) Richard Bernard Bjerk- born August 5, 1898- Richard, who there until 1941. Their worked for Fox Studios in Hollywood, married Hazel Winjum. They three oldest daughters had two children. Lois married Jack Davis, and Jeanie married who were living in Cali­ Gene Fisk. fornia urged them to (4) Oscar Helmer Bjerk- born July 19, 1900, died 1963- Oscar move out there, which married Helen Moser. After she died ofcancer, he married Naomi they did in 1943. As of Anderson. Oscar was a barber in Karlstad. Oscar and Helen had June 2004, two of their four children, Joyce, Rodger, Jack, and Terry. children survive­ (5) Edith "Ida" Bjerk Reierson- born 19, 1902, died Octo­ Angeline (Kenneth) ber 1, 1988- Ida married Obert Reierson. had six children. Bothum and Yarmilla Orla married Clarence Majer and had three children; Betty married Henry and Mary (Novak) Blazek, August 1948, (Severyn) Duray. Les Haugen and had two children and raised three more; Virgil Dad 71 years and Mom 65 years. married Lois Eickstad and had four children; Beverly married Rob­ ert Swan and had six children; Shelby married Elvin Ostrno and Submitted by Yarmilla Duray 469 John and Stella Blazek lifetime member of St. Aloysius Church at Leo and John and Stella Blazek came from Czechoslovakia. John, born in Mary was a member since her Tucapy, Czechoslovakia on March 28, 1873, came to Tabor, MN marriage. with his family in 1888. In 1894, they moved to Roseau County Their children were: Rafine and settled in Soler Township. They built their home there and (Lorraine Mlodzik), Floyd engaged in farming. Stella M. Kozel was born in Mi1ensko, Czecho­ (Alice Stanislawski), Delores slovakia on August 14, 1876. Her family came to Pisek, ND in (Merle Anderson), Loretta 1904. John and Stella were married in Pisek, January 19, 1909, (Philip Pelowski) and Rudy and made their home in Soler Township. (Alice Mlodzik). Floyd died November 29, 1973, in Roseau and Mary died March 26, 1974, in Greenbush. Submitted by Lorraine Blawat.

Floyd and Mary Blawat wedding July 6, 1926. (photo courtesy ofLorraine Blawat) Frank and Elizabeth Blawat

Frank Blawat was born October 9, 1864, in Kolosblwa, Poland and came to the United States at the age of 19 years in 1883 as a stow-a-way on a ship, leaving his parents, three brothers and one sister in Poland. Elizabeth Gerszewski Blawat was born Novem­ John, Stella, Mary and Frances in front of their home in Soler township. (photo courtesy ofErnest Janousek) ber 15, 1865, in Poland and came to the United States with her parents, two sisters and six brothers. John served as treasurer of Soler Township board for a number of Frank and Elizabeth were married January 19, 1892, by Father years. They attended St. Aloysius Catholic Church at Leo. Besides Matthew Grochowski in Pulaski Township, Warsaw, ND. Frank his own farming he had custom threshing crews. He also made helped build a railroad from Ardoch, ND to Neche, ND with many tools and etc. in his blacksmith shop. Elizabeth's brothers while Elizabeth cooked for the men. In Au­ They had four children but two sons died in infancy. Their daugh­ gust 1901, they homesteaded a farm in Barto Township and farmed ters were Mary who was born in 1912 and Frances who was born in until their son, Severyn, took over when Elizabeth died on August 1914. 5, 1923. Frank continued to live with Severyn until he died on May Mary married Frank Kukowski in 1959 and they continued to 4,1947. reside on the Blazek farm. Frank and Mary had no children. Frank Some original buildings remain on the farm which is still owned passed away in 1980 and Mary continued to reside on the farm by a grandson, Rafine Blawat. Frank and Elizabeth traveled to until she moved to the nursing home in 1995. She passed away on Stephen, MN with horses and wagons to sell their grain and to pur­ Apri1'?,2001. chase supplies. They bought their first car in 1919. Frances married Frank Janousek in 1936 and they resided on the farm' they purchased in Soler Township. They have three children: Leonard (Thi1da Waage), Marlene (Adrian Pulczinski), and Ernie (Shelley Melgaard Erickson) who continue to live in the Greenbush area. Frank passed away in 1977 and Frances passed away in 1986. The Blazek farm in Soler Township, Section 14, became a cen­ tury farm in 1994 and is now owned by grandson, Ernest Janousek. Ernest purchased the farm in 1997. Submitted by Ernest Janousek.

Floyd and Mary Blawat Frank and Elizabeth Blawat with children: Victoria, Floyd, Mary, Severyn, Floyd Blawat was born May 4, 1898, in Barto Township, Roseau Bill (Valentine), Leonard, John, Lucy and Elizabeth in 1919. (photo courtesy of Lorraine Blawat) County and was the son ofFrank and Elizabeth Gerszewski Blawat. Mary Blawat was born April 1, 1909, at Warsaw, ND and was the Their children were Leonard (Frances Perkerewicz), Mary (Albert daughter of Frank and Angeline Perkerewicz Marynik. St. Antoine), Severyn (Victoria Perkerewicz), Floyd (Mary Floyd worked in a coal mine in Hibbing, MN for several years Marynik), Victoria (1. B. Efta), John (Sylvia Fleshman), Bill (Albina before his marriage to Mary Marynik on July 6, 1926, at Warsaw, Novacek), Lucy (Max Duray), Elizabeth (Alex Wojciechowski) and ND. They farmed in Barto Township until retirement in 1964, at Joe Clement, who died as an infant. which time they moved into the city of Greenbush. Floyd was a Submitted by Lorraine Blawat. 470 John and Mary (Pukwla) Bolek

John Bolek was born in Zolynzo, Poland in 1872. He came to the United States in 1890. He worked for a few years in the coal mines at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before moving to the farms of North Dakota. In the late 1890s, he came to Roseau County where he took a homestead in Polonia Township. Mary Pukwla was born in Debeca, Poland, in 1878. She came to America during the 1890s, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, where she had some relatives. She worked in a bakery there. In 1906, she .moved to Roseau County and married John. They had six children: Mike, Joe, John, Stanley, Johan, and Myron. They belonged to St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Mary died in 1959. Peder "Pete" Borgen in the early 1930s with his mail car. Submitted by Linda Gieseke with information from an article by (photo submitted by A.J. Pulczinski) Joe Bolek in the Roseau County History Book. December 18, 1943, at Greenbush, Minnesota; Elmer was born July Peder P. and Anna (Halverson) 13, 1912, at Greenbush married Alice Melby and died June 28, 1984, in Oregon City, Oregon; Menvil was born on January 24, 1915, at Ingeborg Anna (Halverson) Borgen born July 9, 1880, to Ole Greenbush, Minnesota, married to Bernice Duray on June 11, 1940, and Mary (Huset) Halverson in Lake Johanna, Minnesota. She lived and living in Greenbush; and Esther was born November 12, 1918, in Johanna, attended school and worked there until she was mar­ at Greenbush, Minnesota, married to Benard Bendickson in 1940 ried at the age of 19. and died January 27, 1992, at Spokane, Washington. One other Peder Borgen was born on December 24, 1875, in Ringabo, son, also named Elmer was born January 3, 1906, and died in in­ Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. He came to America with his parents fancy on September 28, 1907. He is buried in the East Lake Cem­ when he was 14 years old. They settled in the town of Lac qui etery in Crow Lake Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. Parle, Minnesota, where he lived for six years with his oldest brother Peder and Anna had twenty grandchildren. They celebrated their and then moved to Brooten. 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1949 at the Bethel Lutheran Church Peder and Anna were in Greenbush, with all their living children and most grandchildren married July 8, 1899, at present. Peder passed away on February 21, 1950, and Anna on Brooten, Minnesota. In December 12, 1963. They are both buried in the Bethel Cemetery 1907, they left Brooten on at Greenbush. a train to Karlstad with their Submitted by Menvil and Bernice Borgen. children and Iivestock. From Karlstad, came Louis "Willie" and Anna (Aamodt) Botoshe by horse and wagon on a very muddy trail. There Louis Joseph "Willie" (Batoche) Botoshe was born February 18, were no telephone poles, 1880, in St. Vincent, Minnesota. Willie was baptized in the Catho­ . roads or railroads when they lic faith at Assumption Catholic Church in Pembina, North Dakota, ...., . came to Greenbush. They in February 1880. His godparents were Louis Godin and Marie f. I~~!lQl obtained a homestead on the Laroque. SE l/4 of Section 5 in Louis married Anna Sophia Aamodt Grumbo in May 1910 at Leo, Barnett Township in Roseau Minnesota, Roseau County. Anna was born November 1,1888, in County five miles east of Sigdahl, Norway. Her parents were Erik and Johanna (Nelson) Greenbush. He cleared Aamodt, both from Norway. Anna's first husband was Michel Peder and Anna Borgen most of the farmland and Grumbo (Grandbois) who was born November 10; 1881; he died experienced many frontier hardships during his twenty-four years March 22, 1906, in Greenbush and is buried in St. Mary's Cem­ offarming. They purchased their first car in 1927. They then moved etery in Badger, Minnesota. Anna was baptized Lutheran but later to the village of Greenbush, where they purchased land and built a baptized into the Catholic faith on December I, 1905 in Green­ home in 1931 . Some of their land became the Greenbush baseball bush, Minnesota. field and part of the Greenbush Park. (Their son, Menvil and his From 1902 to 1904, Anna carried mail from Old Greenbush to wife, Bernice, still own the family farm and live in the home Peder Leo. She was also a midwife and during the smallpox epidemic built at Greenbush.) Peder was a mail carrier for twenty-three years she helped to vaccinate the people of the town. Willie and Anna and was on the school board of District 34, which was located east lived three miles west ofWest Greenbush where he raised and sold ofGreenbush. After consolidation he became a school board mem­ horses. ber of District 66 for some twenty years. They were members of Willie died February 10, 1958, and his wife Anna died February the Bethel Lutheran Church in Greenbush. 11, 1968. Both died in Greenbush, Minnesota, and are buried in They had six children who were: Mable, born October 20, 1902, the Blessed Sacrament Cemetery. at Lake Johanna, married Conrad Braaten in 1944 and died on Feb­ Willie and Anna had eight children: Cecelia 1910-1980 (Gust ruary 21, 1982, at Brainerd, Minnesota; Oscar was born November Gustafson), Mary 1912-1982 (Leo Johnson), Hilda 1913-1983 (John 20, 1904, at Lake Johanna, married Edla Grahn in 1929 and died Svegdah1), William 1918-1980 (Lily Martell), Mae 1922 (William 471 gasoline. John and Laura's children were Eugene (Gene) who mar­ ried Georgine Novacek, and Jack who married Ann Wilebski. Laura and her father are buried in the Blessed Sacrament Cem­ etery near Greenbush. Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Sources: Ruby Scales, Leona Emery, Roseau County school records, Tribune. See Roger Botoshe and Ellen Goslien histories.

and Cecelia

It is with Roger Batoche that the name change from Letendre to Batoche (Botoshe) was begun. After questioning family members as to why it is, the following reasons were given to me. In the time of Roger's circle oflife, much persecution of the Indians of the fur Willie Botoshe and Grandchildren; Back: Donald Johnson, Ray "Sparky" trade era was going on from the Rebellion. Gustafson, Annie Botoshe, Willie Botoshe, Arnie Gustafson, Gayford Gustafson. Roger was a peaceful man, close to his religious beliefs and to his Front: Leona Johnson, James Johnson, Norbert Johnson. (photo 'courtesy of family. Indian children were taken from the homes of their fami­ Leona "Mickey" Emery) lies and sent off to mission schools with the idea that they were to Martell), Caroline 1925-26, Francis 1928-1999 (Kenneth tum into white men and women. Their hair was even cut off so Halvorson), and Nonnan 1920-1991 (Adell Lutner). Cecelia, Hilda, they did not look like savages and would blend into the white man's and Mary lived around the Greenbush area all their lives. William society. Their heritage was completely taken from them. lived in Iron River, Wisconsin. His children are George, Alta Young, Roger tried to get away from all ofthis, so he moved his family to Elva Swanson, Kenneth, Roger, and Loretta. Francis, who lived in northern Minnesota to live in peace. He took the nickname of his McGrath, Minnesota, had one child, John Halvorson. Mae is still ancestors, which was a nickname of the town they started in living in Concord, California. She had three children, Janice, Wendy Saskatchewan, Canada. and Wanda Martell. Nonnan was in WWII and was on a ship on It was in Greenbush that he found his peace and lived his circle of the way back to Gennany when the war ended. He lived in Minne­ life. Roger was a hunter and a fanner, and he also raised horses on apolis. His children are Ruby Scales, and Nonnan James Roger a farm on the ridge near Greenbush, Minnesota. Roger's brother, Botoshe, Jr. Pat Botoshe, and his sister, Ellen Goslien, also lived in the area. Submitted by'Ruby Scales, edited by Myrna Sovde. See also Gust Roger was born July II, 1842 or 1847, in Winnipeg, Canada. He and Cecelia Gustafson, John and Hilda Svegdahl, Leo and Mary married Cecelia Desjarlais in 1872. Cecelia was born November 3, Johnson histories. 1846, also in Winnipeg. Roger and Cecelia had been married 57 years at the time of his death. Pat and Mary (Grumbo) Botoshe Roger died September 16, 1929, in Greenbush. At the time ofhis death he hardly had any eyesight left. He had also contracted seri­ Baptiste (Patrick) Botoshe (Letendre) was a brother to Roger ous complications from an illness. A small pox epidemic had bro­ Botoshe and to Ellen Goslien, also local residents. Pat was born in ken out in the town and surrounding areas of northern Minnesota. St. Vincent, Minnesota, about 1867 and died in 1945. On July 20, Roger wished not to be a burden to his family so he lost the will and 1905, heomarriedMary Delia Grumbo (Granbois) in Roseau County. fight to live. The witnesses were Alex and Anna Grumbo. He is buried on the family fann The Grumbo family name was actually Granbois, but with cen­ west of Greenbush on the ridge sus takers and sometimes teachers' misspellings, or perhaps because in the woodland by the oak trees that is how the name sounded to most people, the name was gener­ and pine trees. There used to be ally Grumbo. At least two Grumbo families were shown as attend­ a white fence but a fire destroyed ing school in District 40, Hereim Township, in the early 1900s. it. Peter Montry, a family rela­ Grombous children also attended school in District 25 of Dewey tive, put the white picket fence Township in 1899. around Roger's burial ground. Pat and Mary Delia had three children, Elizabeth (1907-1937), ~,~"'f'1~a"f.':ii1f.j Two babies, who also had small­ Laura (1906-1982) and Pat Nonnan (February 20, 1913). Mary Delia pox, are buried next to Roger. died three days after the infant son and both were buried in Badger (The graves are on DNR land, on February 25, 1913. near the James and Janice Pat's obituary read, "His wife died in 1912 (1913) leaving him Swenson home.) with two little girls to be both mother and father to. He provided a Cecelia died August 26, 1933, home for them and always kept his home neat and spotless. He in Greenbush and is buried in the was a good, honest worker and everybody was friend. He was Catholic cemetery ofthe Blessed noted for his walking ability and did not mind walkIng from here to Sacrament Church. Hallock in one day." Roger and Cecelia's children Daughter Laura married John Harper. In 1920 they moved from were: James, Rose, Delia and their fann to the Sereson house near the Bethel Church. John had a Roger Botoshe with grandsons William Willie. James (Elzear) April 8, filling station. In 1926 he installed a third tank to provide ethyl and Norman Botoshe. 1872 to December 27, 1949, 472 married Ellen Sayers but had no children. Rose (Rosalie) was born Church, on Highway 11 and a halfmile east ofPelan Pioneer Park. July 24, 1876, and married Frederick Montrueill known as Fred They built all new buildings and a big cement block house which Montry .Delia, born November 21, 1878, married Fred Lavoy. for that time, was a very nice home. "Willie" whose full name was Louis Joseph Batoche Letendre, was They were active in the Pauli Church and in the community. born February 18,1880. Willie married Anna Aamodt. Gurina hosted many Ladies Aid gatherings at her home, and Avle Roger and Cecelia resided in Greenbush for forty years and were was custodian at the church for many years. They had cattle and one of the first settlers of Greenbush, Minnesota. raised grain. Submitted byRuby Scales. See historiesfor Willie andAnna Botoshe, The children were: Pete; Agnes (John [Jack]) Nezo; Helmer; Mabel Fred and Rose Montry, Fred and Delia Lavoy. (Knute) Skaro; Carl (Em Torgerson); Ida (Lloyd) Thompson; Gladys (Jim) Helgeson; and Arley (Bernice Hetland). Ofthis family, only Hans and Clara (Sather) Boyum Gladys survives. Gurina died in 1935; Avle died in 1957. They are buried in the Pauli Cemetery. Hans Boyum was born in Sogo, Norway on January 2,1878. He In 1945, Agnes and her husband, John Nezo, purchased the farm. came to America in 1897 at the age of nineteen. He arrived in Avle lived with them until his death. The stately house, a landmark Rushford, Minnesota, and walked the five miles, carrying his suit­ to area residents, was nearly demolished by fire in 1955. It was case, to his Uncle Knute Boyum's farm. He worked on the farm for rebuilt into a one-story structure. five years and later at a nearby farm. He attended some at The Nezo's had two children: Gloria (Roynell) Erickson, and Winona College to become more proficient in the English language. William [Bill] (Shirley His uncle, who was in real estate, encouraged him to go north where Underdahl) Nezo. Bill land was cheaper. He worked in a logging camp at Roosevelt, Min­ died in 1972, leaving his nesota, for two years. He then went to Greenbush where he pur­ wife and three daughters to chased land in Barnett Township from Dave Rowland for $17 an acre. . survive him. Agnes con­ Hans met Clara Sather at a basket social when he was the highest ," tinued to live on the farm. bidder on her basket. She was a Roseau County schoolteacher and After she married Carl the daughter of B. C. Sather of Badger. They were married on Spangrud, they lived on Christmas Eve in 1912. Clara's last teaching position was at Stokes the farm for several more school near Badger. years, eventually selling They were parents of three children: Clarice Billberg, Beatrice the farm to Richard Erickson, and Kenneth Boyum. The family was involved in pio­ Vreeland. Agnes died in neer life: fieldwork with horses, milking cows in the log bam, 1990, and Carl died in and tending to chickens and hogs. Cream and eggs were brought to 1992. Vern and Mary town by buggy or sleigh, bringing in periodic income. Langaas live on that site at A Model T Ford and other vehicles replaced the horses. Small the present time. tractors were first used in the mid-thirties. Later, other improve­ Submitted by Gloria Nezo Avle and Gurina Branvold ments made work easier. (Gloria Erickson photo) Erickson. They were members of Bethel Lutheran Church of Greenbush. Clara Boyum passed away in January of 1945. Hans continued to John and Brazier live on the farm until his death in June of 1970, at the age of92. Submitted by Linda Gieseke with information supplied by Beatrice The American branch of the Brazier family began in 1893 when (Mrs. Kenneth) Boyum to the Roseau County History Book. Jean Baptiste Francios Brazier (shortened to John Brazier when he arrived to the United States), left Paris, France. He arrived in the Avle P. and Gurina Brandvold USA at 18 years of age with two dollars and seventy cents. John worked in New York for a while before moving to Minnesota. Avle, wife Gurina, and their children moved to Dewey Township Having worked in the restaurant business in France, he found jobs about 1916, from Erskine, Minnesota. They bought the farm, W 1/2 cooking for the harvest crews in the summer and for the logging Section 28, from Evan Erikson, just south and east of the Pauli crews in winter. In 1890, he became one of the early settlers of Barnett Township.

<. ~ Y (photos '/ . submitted by Colleen Lorenson) The balcony faced north towards Highway 11. The original homestead cabin Olga (Anderson) stands behind the house. (photo courtesy ofGladys Helgeson) John Brazier wife of John Brazier 473 Nine years after homesteading in Barnett, he married Olga Ander­ nothing to do with him. son of Roseau, Minnesota. To this union nine children were born: Leonard Brekke was born on April 5, 1892, at Hazel Run, Minne­ Frank (Genevieve Emery), Orville (died as a young man), Harry sota. He lived with his grandparents in Dewey Township, Minne­ Jladys Asleson), Henry (Beau Mondie McFarlane), Walter (Dor­ sota, until grown. He worked at Everett, Washington, a few years Dostal), Gladys (died as a child), Laura (Gehard Nelson), before returning to settle on a farm in Soler Township in 1916. He Adeline (George Watson), Benneth (Arlene Osse, Joan Breken). purchased the farm in 1918. On September 29, 1917, he married John and Olga worked very hard to get their homestead built up Rose Minarik, who was born September 28, 1900. for themselves and their children. The children often told stories of Leonard and Rose were very active in the community: Leonard good times with the neighbors who provided social and moral sup­ served on the hospital board; was director of the Greenbush Eleva­ port. These neighbors included the Hogans, Nelsons, Bialkes, tor; was a member of the Greenbush Shipping Association; and Waages, and Durays. served as clerk ofSolerTownship for many years. He was active in Letters written between John and his brother in France give an the Oiland Church, serving as treasurer for several years. Ifchurch idea of life in Barnett Township in the early 1900s. funds were low, he would pay the pastor from his own funds. He delivered mail from Haug and delivered cream to the creamery. Dear Brother, Rose did janitor work for Oiland Church, always seeing that the I am taking pen to paper to wish you a good and happy new year church was clean and ready for all occasions. She walked to the and good health and hope that you will feel good as me because I church to start the fire to heat the building, in those days with wood. feel great my dear brother. You asked me if! was frozen and I told She never received, nor expected, pay for that. Rose served as you no, but if you asked me now I could answer not only the ears president of the Ladies Aid for several years. Rose often hosted but it has happened now three times that my hands got frozen and Oiland's special speakers in her home. She was also a mid-wife, the tips of my fingers have peeled and it's not finished as I must go delivering several children in the community and sometimes she every day to the village one or two times and on Sundays 3 or would care for them in their home. She was a wonderful home­ times. And as for work in the small bam I don't do too much as I and everyone was welcomed to the Brekke home. Rose am the one who manages the work and I have command the other was a wonderful cook, baker, and gardener. as he doesn't speak English. Well dear brother, the morning of the New Year I went to the big house and wished them a Happy New Year and the boss gave me a gift and the boss's wife gave me (this was not legible). John Brazier

Tn retUrn, portions of the letters from John's brother respond to ways ofAmerican life from his home in France.

My dear Jean (John in USA), The neighbors, family and friends are flabbergasted by the way they do harvest over there and wonder what the people do with all that wheat. But what amazed them more is to see how much money you make over there, some of them die of jealousy. I gave your address to the Cretinois son, he is learning to be a baker at Servonat at LaCote. You are lucky you left this last year because if you were Leonard and Rose Brekke 1967 - 50th Anniversary. Menford, Adeline, Rose, Leonard, Luella and Lenore. (photo by Ruby Brekke) still here you wouldn't have missed this years wine and we cannot drink part ofa bottle without your head turning and we have some Rose and Leonard had six children: as dark as the Clinton of Carcel. I am keeping some for when Jo­ (I) Adeline, born May I, 1918, married Delford Day Dec. 25, seph comes and ifpossible I will give his 30 liters for you to drink, 1941, following the Christmas Day service. Delford was in the but I cannot remember having such wine and it sells right now for service and later became a Baptist pastor. Delford and Adeline had 40 frs per helioleter. Finally my dear Jean, I think that you are seven children. (2) Lenore, born July 12, 1922, died August 3, going to get fat if you eat so much meat and it would do me good 2003, married Reuben Lee. She attended Bible School and nurses since I am such a carnivore. The whole family that it would training. They lived at Detroit Lakes and also Fergus Falls. They too long to name in detail asks me to send their friendship and wish had three children. (3) Menford, born October 1, 1927, died Au­ you good luck, something that we cannot say here. Joseph Brazier gust 2, 1999, married Ruby Jorgenson October 2, 1954. They pur­ Submitted by Colleen (Brazier) Lorenson. chased the Brekke homestead and built a new home there. They had three children; Lee Jon (Nancy Schram), they have 2 children; Leonard and Rose (Minarik) Brekke Don Ray, unmarried, owns DRB Fab at Greenbush; Ronna Marie (Raymond Riffle, Gary Seydel), she has 3 children. (4) Harvie Leonard Brekke's parents were Lewis and Johanna (Dallager) who Merle, born June 29, 1931, died July 10, 1931. (5) Baby Boy, born 'e married on July 4, 1891, at Wang, Yellow Medicine County, and died September 25,1932. (Twin) (6) LuElla, born September Lewis was a steeple builder. He fell offthe scaffolding 25,1932, married Gilmore Karevold June 9, 1951. They farmed at when working on a church and died in June of 1892, when Leonard Fosston andtetired to Moorhead. They had four children. Leonard was only eight weeks old. His mother, Johanna, then married Jens died June 15, 1971 and Rose died December 21, 1981. Peterson and had seven more children. Leonard lived with and was Submitted by Ruby Brekke. raised by his grandparents, Lars and Martha, as his stepfather wanted 474 John Byhre was the son ofChristian, and lastly, that he lived on Rud's place on the hill in Norway. That's probably why he and his brothers and The name Byhre wasn't familiar, at least not until hearing the sisters dropped the last name when they came to America in 1878. pronunciation (bear-rah) with a little bit of a Norwegian brogue. Whether that was when they reached Ellis Island or later, no one is By 1900 John Byhre homesteaded the quarter with the description, sure. S 1/2 NW 1/4 and N 1/2 SW 1/4 Section 5 Deer Township. It is They sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on one of the first steam better known as the Gilbert or Gilman Bertilrud place and is now ships. It was fitted with both steam and sails. They arrived at Ellis one ofthe farms owned by Ernest and Carol Hemp. Island, New York, in 1878. From there, they traveled by train to John, born in 1878, the son of Amund and Kari Peterson, came Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. News ofthe American Homestead Act with his parents from Rothsay, Minnesota. His brothers Thorvald, probably influenced them to immigrate to America. and Christian and sisters Anna (Otto) Foss and Gina (Syver) In 1894, at the age of23, Brede with two brothers and four other Haugtvedt came at the same time. A brother Amund Olson was in friends traveled to northern Minnesota looking for homesteads. Wisconsin. These seven who made the journey had all been born in Soler, Nor­ way. Soler Township was later named after these men. With a light wagon and a team ofhorses these young men followed the Pembina Trail to Stephen, Minnesota, which at that time was the town near­ est to the area to which they were heading. Here they turned east, traveling on the Beach Ridge ofOld Lake Agassiz through what is today Karlstad and on to Pelan. At this point, they headed north­ east to an area that is now about eight miles north of Greenbush. The trip took them about two weeks. Here they stopped to camp and hobble the horses as they always did each night or during the noon meal. The next morning they decided to stay a few days and look for homestead sites. After a couple ofdays, they felt it would be safe to not hobble the horses during the noon meal. The horses, however, took off head­ ing in the direction from which they had come. They decided to pool their money and send Brede after them. With no roads to follow, he tracked them southwest to the Barto homestead which Left: John Byhre, Hilda Foss, Annie Foss holding Alma Foss, Anna Byhre, Pe­ was about four miles from their campsite. Mrs. Barto had seen the ter Foss, Otto Foss, Grandma Kari and Grandpa Amund Peterson, Christian Foss, Uncle Peterson, Anton Foss, at the Otto Foss home. horses going by and caught them with her pony. Barto Township was named after these homesteaders. Not much is known about John Byhre since he left the area and In 1895, after filing their claims in Crookston, Minnesota, the went to Canada to homestead. John Byhre married Gunda Stasted young men returned to improve their homesteads in accordance in 1901. Gunda died in childbirth or shortly after. The child, with the rules ofthe Homestead Act. After meeting all the require­ Randine, was given to Gunda's mother to raise. Randine didn't ments ofthe Homestead Act, each ofthese young men was granted know about her father until she was married and had several chil­ an official homestead document. Brede's homestead document, dren. signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, was granted October 13, John married soon after since the Poplar Grove Church records 1901. Don Christianson still has the original document. showed John and Anna Byhre had two children, Adolph born Au­ Brede selected a site eight miles straight north ofGreenbush. One 24, 1903, and Kalma born December 24, 1904. Family records of the six who came was Evald Haug who had the first post office show three more children: Laura, alger, and Raymond; at the present Ernest Janousek farm. One reason they gave for com­ John and Anna were baptismal sponsors for Julius Ted, in 1903 ing here from Pelican Rapids is that it was less hilly. and in 1905 John was sponsor for Hilda Carolyn, children ofHarold Brede's brother, Christian's homestead was located seven miles and Sina Johnson. Several ofthe families in that neighborhood left north ofGreenbush in Barto Township. Over the years it was owned the Poplar Grove Church about that time, so no more about these by Ben Christianson and Gary Erickson. Gary is the son ofAndy families can be learned from those books. and Oline Erickson and Brede Christianson's grandson. The Byhre name was not in the 1913 Atlas, so their place had The first job the young men faced was building cabins. At that been sold before that time. John sold his place to Severin (Sam) time, all the land north of Greenbush was prairie with a few small Thompson, who later sold it to Gilbert and Hilda Bertilrud. Hilda, groves ofpoplars and brush scattered here and there. This made it the daughter ofAnna and Otto Foss was John niece. necessary for the men to travel north to the cedar swamps ofCanada Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Sources: Donavan Foss, Poplar Grove to get logs. The logs were hauled by horse and sleigh across the records. frozen swamps to Christian's homestead. Because Christian had a boiler's license, a steam sawmill was set up on his homestead where Brede O. Christianson the logs could be cut into lumber. In 1899, Brede married Mathilda Pederson. Mathilda and her Brede O. Christianson Rudshaugen was born in Soler, Norway, sister Malena were to have a double wedding and the date had been in 1871 to OlufC. (Christian) Rudshaugen and Olia Rudshaugen. set. However, Ole Slind, Malena's future husband, had a misun­ In keeping with Norwegian custom, the 0 in Brede's name was the derstanding with his father so the wedding date, with the agree­ first initial ofhis father's first name. The next name told that Brede ment of Brede and Mathilda was postponed. Later a new date was 475 set and the four traveled by horse and buggy to Roseau to get the away on 3/21/99. In 2004, Myrtle moved into the nursing home. license, have the wedding ceremony, and take pictures. Mathilda Don married Sharon Christianson from Morgan, Minnesota in was the daughter of Jonas Pederson and Malena Serins Idland 1975. Don continues the farming and milking operation to this Pederson from Madison, Minnesota. Their homestead, located about day. Sharon works at the Roseau Area Hospital as a registered six miles north ofGreenbush, was low and wet. Not satisfied with nurse. They have four children: Blake- 1978, Brede- 1979, and the land, they decided to move to Canada. twins, Craig and Curt- 1982. At present, two ofthe boys are farming with Don and plan to take over when he retires. Submitted by Donald and Ronald Christianson.

Memories passed to grandson. Don Christianson

When they first came here, there were all kinds of mosquitoes and ticks and only smoke to keep them away. Another problem they encountered was that they only had scraggly jack pine and bushes here so they had to haul logs from Canada to build with and to heat with. Money was scarce in the early 1900s. The railroad line ended in Stephen at that time, so he would haul freight and groceries from there to Greenbush and Haug, mostly by horse and sleigh. Later Brede invested in a 1917 Model T that he used to haul mail from Brede and Mathilda Christianson family: Front row: Rudy, Brede, Ruth, Mathilda holding CIarise, Ben, Melvin. Back: Alma, Olava, Joe, Mabel, Oline. Greenbush to the Haug Post Office and also some freight. There have always been dairy cows on the farm. They used to Over the years the family was to grow to ten children: Olava (Mrs. have chickens and pigs also. Ernest Roetman) 1900; Joe (Esther Mattson) 1902; Mabel (Mrs. Brede's son Rudy fanned with horses until 1944 when he bought Dave Rowland/Mrs. Ross Copeland) 1905; Oline (Mrs. Andy a new B John Deere for $1,079 from Herb Reese who was the dealer Erickson) 1907; Alma (Mrs. Haakon Wold) 1910; Bennie (Viola in Greenbush at the time. Skullerud) 1912; Melvin (Wilma Lee) 1915; Rudy (Myrtle Lee) In 1946 they got electricity on the farm. One of the first things 1917; Ruth (Mrs. Lawrence PelowskilMrs. Earl Erickson) 1919; they bought was an electric motor for the machines. He and Clarise Leonard Swart) 1921. also made a grain elevator out of wood with steel paddles. Before All the children attended the Haug School and six graduated from that, they had to shovel all the grain into the granary. In 1948, he Greenbush High School. Clarise was a senior the year the first bought his first combine, a 6-foot 12A John Deere for $1 ,730. He high school burned down. One amazing thing, for this time, was hired breaking done on some ofthe land that year for $10 per acre. that nine ofthese ten children graduated from high school. In 1950, Rudy sold alfalfa hay for six dollars per ton, wheat- two Brede helped organize and pick the site for the Oiland Lutheran dollars per bushel, oats- 70¢ per bushel, flax- four dollars per bushel, Church and Cemetery, serving as the first secretary and treasurer and one-day-old calves- $15 each. He bought gas for the tractor for for many years. Besides singing solos, he directed and sang tenor 17.8¢ per gallon. They separated the milk and sold the butterfat to in the church choir. He served on the Greenbush Creamery Board, the Greenbush Creamery for about 90¢ per pound. The telephone Greenbush Shipping Association, Soler Town Board, the Haug bill for the year was ten dollars. School and the Haug-Leo School Boards. He helped start the Haug In 1952, Rudy traded the B John Deere for an AR, list price of School District, which became one ofthe first consolidated school $2,650 less trade in of$800. He bought an Allis Chalmers one-row districts in the state. He also helped organize the Haug-Leo School corn chopper in 1953 for $1 ,700 and did some custom chopping District. In these two school districts, he served as treasurer for 27 furnishing tractor, chopper, and two wagons for five dollars per years. He kept the school funds in his personal account. In 1928 hour. In 1954, he sold cows on the market for 9¢ to 13¢ per pound. when the economy was slowing, he had the bank directors sign a "Farming over the years has been enjoyable though with several guarantee to cover the school funds. When the Greenbush bank memorable moments. It certainly is a good place to raise a family" closed their doors in 1929, the bank directors had to cover and pay according to Don. In 1973, Rudy and Myrtle won the clean fann up those funds. contest and a trip to the state fair. In 1995, Don and Sharon also Brede farmed most of his life selling cream, eggs, and grain. won the clean fann contest and the trip to the state fair. Besides farming Brede became a mail carrier from 1919-1923 to help make money to support his growing family. He hauled the O. K. and Malena (Halvorson) Christianson mail from Greenbush Post Office to the Haug Post Office. Mathilda Christianson died of cancer in 1928 and Brede died in O. K. (Ole) Christianson was born at Nes Hallingdal, Norway, on 1949. He is laid to rest beside Mathilda in the Oiland Lutheran March 17, 1871, to Mr. and Mrs. Christian Iverson Langslet, one of Cemetery. eight children born to this union. He attended public and Christian Rudy married Myrtle Lee of Badger in 1940. They lived on the schools until he was 15 years old. In the spring of 1888, at the age farm with Brede until 1941 when Rudy bought it for $15 per acre. of 17, he'immigrated to America. He first came to Hitterdahl, Min­ They have four children: Ray- 1941, Marilyn- 1943, Donald- 1945, nesota, where he worked as a farm hand for about two years and and Eleanor- 1953. Rudy and Myrtle sold the farm to Don in 1975. attended the public country school at Ulen in the winter. In 1890, They built a house in Greenbush and moved there. Rudy passed he took jobs on farms in Hamden and Richwood townships, where 476 he met Malena Halvorson. cultivation, seeded to grass. Malena Halvorson was born to Gabriel and Margit Halvorson on In 1944, O. K. and Malena moved to Detroit Lakes. A farewell July 16, 1871, in Richwood Township, Becker County, Minnesota, party given in their honor was held in the Bethel Church parlor. where she grew up. Featured speakers were Rev. J. I. Nystuen, Chas. A. Anderson, M. O. K. and Malena married July 18, 1892. In the spring of J. Kotchevar, and J. M. Roche. Musical selections were provided 1901 , the Christianson family homesteaded on 160 acres in Deer by Edwin Anderson and Joan Stenberg. Township about seven miles south of Greenbush. They proved up Malena died at the University Hospital in Minneapolis on April the homestead and farmed for several years. O. K. was one of the 28, 1955, and just twenty-four days later, on May 21, 1955, O. K. organizers ofDeer Township, and served as clerk ofthe town board. passed away in Minneapolis. In the fall of 1910, they sold their farm and opened an "eating O. K. and Malena had four daughters: Alma (Wheeler), Minnie house" in the "old Kulas Building" in Greenbush. Later they pur­ (Lofgren), Adeline (Carpenter), and Cora (Heyman). chased the site and built the OK Hotel. It had electric lighting, Submitted by Eunice Korczak from research done by Milt Sather. running water, bath and indoor toilets. "With eleven guestroorns and office and writing room fitted up with easy chairs and rockers, Joseph. John. and Frances (Los) Chrzanowski it was a fine hotel." The spacious dining room, with seating for thirty, offered home cooking. A 1925 newspaper article called it Frances Los was born in Russia in April 1870. Joseph hotel that gives a cheer of good feeling to every ,patron;. a booster Chrzanowski was born in May 1866. They married in 1889 and for Greenbush. It is run on the American plan, $2.50 a day." moved from Poland (Russia) to America in 1891. They had three The Christiansons children: Stella, Joseph Jr., and Helen. Stella was born in June of served the public for 1896. She married Joe Novak and had one son Syl (June Owen). many years in the ca­ Joseph Jr. was born in July of 1898. He married Lucille Mooney pacity of hoteliers and (also known as Pieniazek). They had four children: Dorothy served the town in nu­ (Ludwig Kasprowicz), Genevieve (Felix Gonshorowski), Leonard merous offices in the (Lois Sovde), and Carol (Edwin Kukowski).

I affairs of the village, Helen was born in 1902. She married Joe Mooney and had seven school, and Bethel children: Jake, Nora (Sheft), Edward (Irene Bialke, Etta Hontvet), Lutheran Church. Florence (Hill), Delores (Ambrose Dolney), Joseph Mooney, Jr. Malena was active in (Joyce Penas), and Rudy (Eileen Sobtzak). Frances and Joseph church activities and homesteaded in Polonia Township. played an important Joseph died in 1908. Frances part in the Ladies Aid. then married Joseph's brother, O. K. held the positions John. They had three children: of village clerk of Violet, Martha, and John Jr. Vio­ Greenbush, clerk ofthe let married Felix Blazejewski and school board, secretary had Richard "Yogi" Blazejewski, for the Bethel Lutheran Albert Blazejewski, Angeline Martha Kostrzewski, and Rose­ mary Wilson. Martha married ;j:J~ Vincent Mlodzik and had two sons: .SE,N.l'1\!, IV~,:". thirty years. In an ar­ Jerome (Joyce Workentine) " . . ticle on the occasion of Mlodzik and Lambert (Delores '. :R'i'~~~ their golden anniver­ Mrozek) Mlodzik. John Jr. married sary celebration, The Greenbush Tribune stated, "We doubt that Angeline Kulas and had no chil­ there is another village clerk in Minnesota that can claim a longer dren. He then married Marie continuous service." O. K. also served for many years as village Kukowski. They had three chil­ assessor, was secretary-treasurer for the local Federal Land Loan John and Frances Chrzanowski dren: Kathy Munro, Ann Dziengel, Association, and for ten years, he held the position ofdirector from (photo submitted by Genevieve and Jack Chrzanowski. Roseau County at the Sanitarium at Thief River Falls. The previ­ Gonshorowski) Frances had heart trouble for ously quoted article also says, "He has put in much time and thought years and died ofheart failure. Her for the welfare of the village and school district." In 1940, O. K. obituary appeared in the Greenbush Tribune June 4, 1931. They campaigned, apparently unsuccessfully, for Representative. described her as having a happy disposition and always willing to On the occasion of their golden anniversary, O. K. and Malena lend a helping hand. She was buried at the Leo Cemetery. feted by such Greenbush notables as: Mr. and Mrs. Umpleby; Genevieve Gonshorowski remembers her Grandmother Frances Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Gavick; Rev. Tollefson; Waldo Evenson; Mrs. as being a very happy, smiley lady who always had a package of Heltne; Mrs. Maynard Peterson; Mrs. Tollefson; OlafHildahl; Juicy Fruit gum in the striped wrappers in her pocket. She would C. A. Anderson; Harvey and Lenor Lillemon; M. J. Kotchevar; J. give her one piece every time she saw her. M. Roche; Halvor Langslet; and "the harmonizers" composed of Submitted by Linda Gieseke with information from Genevieve members of the city council and the school board. Gonshorowski, Eunice Korczak, the Greenbush Tribune. Marie In addition to the OK Hotel, the Christiansons owned a 147-acre Chrzanowski. and Elinor Koshenina. farm just outside city limits. In 1925, sixty-five acres were under 477 Peder and Oleanna Coltom Andrew and Mary (Osowski) Cybulski

Peder Martin Coltom was the 10th child of Ole Anders Coltom In the late 1800s Andrew and Mary (Osowski) Cybulski came to nd Johanna Johnsdotter. Peter Martin was born in East Toten, America from Poland with two daughters, Michalyna (Lena) born on April 14, 1866, and died December 3, 1937. He came 1878, and Annastasia (Stella) born 1886. They settled by Warsaw, to America at the age offour months, first living in the Sacred Heart North Dakota, where a third daughter, Lelokardya (Laura) was born area of Minnesota and later moving to the Hatton, North Dakota in 1894. area. He married Oleanna Kalbak Tomte on January 20, 1897, at They moved to a farm in Barto Township, Roseau County, Min­ Park River, North Dakota. She was born March 14, 1874, and died nesota, around 1895. In 1912, they sold the farm to John December 3, 1942. After they married, they lived near Hatton where Pietruszewski who married their daughter, Laura, in 1911. two children were born, Evinda in 1897 and a son who died at birth. Andrew and Mary moved into Leo. Mary served as a cook to . In 1903, they moved to Deer Township where they homesteaded Father Drewnicki. Andrew and Mary were a great help to their daugh­ on the NW 1/4 of Section 24. Conrad was born there in 1905 and ter Lena after her husband Frank Kukowski died July 5, 1917, fronl Otilia in 1909. They lived near the Poplar Grove Church, and Mrs. a farm accident. Lena was expecting her thirteenth child, Susyan Coltom would harness a mule, hitch it to a cart, and drive to Ladies (Mrs. Romuld Duray). She was born October 23, 1917, and is the Aid. They lived on several other farms until Peder quit farming in sole survivor ofthe Frank and Lena Kukowski family. Susyan lives 1921. Later they moved to Strathcona. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her granddaughter Cherie. After Peder quit farming, he worked for the county and state high­ Andrew and Mary Cybulski's granddaughter, Theresa (Mrs. Adrian way departments. He also served as the local vet. He had a com­ Borowicz), who is Laura Pietruszewski's youngest daughter cel­ plete case ofDr. Kocks Veterinary products and also a book ofvet­ ebrated her fiftieth wedding anniversary on May 25, 2004, at St. erinary medicine. -These items were still in their house when the Paul, Minnesota. contents were auctioned after Conrad and Emma died. Submitted by Margaret Dostal Kuznia. In 1935, after his marriage to Emma Lee, Conrad Coltom brought his new wife home to Strathcona and lived with his parents, Peder Sidney and Laura Dahl Martin and Oleanna. Evinda married Mr. Thompson, and Otilia and Knut and Hannah Dahl married William Johnson. Submitted by La Von and Orrin Coltom. Knut and Hannah Dahl were my grandparents. They home­ steaded east and south ofBadger. Some oftheir neighbors included and Mary Connelly the Gregerson, Skime, Dahlsrude, and Hillman families. There were four boys born to them: Sidney, Joseph, Edwin and Bennett. Ellen (Mrs. John J.) Walsh had two sisters Margaret and Mary Knut Dahl died at a very young age. Therefore the boys and the McCue*. Margaret born in 1861, married Edwin Connelly and mother had to continue on. A very helpful bachelor neighbor, Mr. resided in Graceville, Minnesota. When her husband died, she and Hillman also helped, and after a few years he and Mrs. Dahl were her young daughter, Mary Connelly, born in 1894, lived the married. They continued to live on the farm for several more years Ellen and John Walsh family, and moved to Roseau County with and were blest with three more children, Laura, Carrie, and Roy. them in the early 1900s. Mary Connelly attended grade school in Times were getting rough to make a living in those early years; District 60, the Gavick School, in Deer Township part of the time. maybe 1913 and on. They decided to try to move on to Oregon. Maggie Connelly was among the signers petitioning for a school Little is known about their trip, but I have been told it started with for the southwest comer ofHereim Township in 1912. Thepetition teams and a wagon. They'd travel for days, then stop and rest or was rejected for not having enough of the landowners' signatures. find a job to make· a few dollars and then move on. By the time Maggie died in 1912 or 1914* and was the first person buried in they reached Montana, they had worked enough to continue the the Blessed Sacrament Cemetery according to the Walsh family trip by train. (It took three months to get to Montana.) history. *(She wasn't listed as a signer on a school petition in 1913.) The two girls and Roy went with their parents, but the four older Mary Connelly continued to live with the Walshes after her boys stopped in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and stayed there with mother's death. The neighbors always referred to Mary Connelly an aunt for awhile. by her full name to distinguish her and Mary Theresa Walsh, since Later, three of the four Dahl boys enlisted in the U. S. Army, they lived in the same house. There were also other Marys: the namely Sidney, Joe, and Edwin. Sidney, in the years between mov­ aunt, Mary McCue, and later Mary Estelle, daughter ofMary Theresa ing to North Dakota, had fallen in love, and he and my mother, and Manley Millard. Laura Bagley, were married just three days before he was shipped Mary Connelly is credited with beginning the S1. Ann Sodality- at to France. He didn't return for three years. But they had seven Blessed Sacrament in Greenbush. She was employed as a house­ children and were married forty years before their deaths. keeper for different priests, first in Greenbush, then in Plummer, After Sidney returned, they tried fanning in the Grand Forks and Wilton, and finally in Two Inlets, Minnesota, where she served Fa­ Manvel area, but after, many failed crops and poor land, they were ther Zarzecki until she died ofcancer in Minneapolis in 1971. Mary invited to try northern Minnesota. Since Dad had been born near buried near her mother in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Cem­ Badger, they decided to move. The year was 1930. With the help ofDad's brother Edwin, who had a car, they loaded up a wagon and *McCue, McQue, McKue, McHugh, have been used interchange­ rack and started for Greenbush with the load pulled by a team of ably by various public sources as schools, newspapers, etc. horses. Two cows were led behind. Furniture and a crate with a Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Sources: Ella Walsh Hurt, Walshfam­ dozen chickens were on board plus some hay and oats for the ani­ ily book, Blessed Sacrament Church book. mals. Dad said it took them three days. 478 After reaching Greenbush, they bunked with the Lieberg family daughter of near-by neighbors, Edward and Karina Watterud, was who had invited them up (to Greenbush). They stayed there through born November 5, 1888. Christ and Gunda cleared land, farmed, the winter or about three months. They found a place to live and built a home, and began raising a family ofsix children. For a time Dad had a job, so they moved to their own home in the area known Christ milked cows. He also broke horses for others. as Haug. Christ was a founding member of Bethlehem Church, and was The school was directly across the road; District 16. Oiland there to help when the church building was moved from Pelan to its Church was only two and a half miles away, so all would be good. present site, in Lind Township. Christ and Gunda were both mem­ We had many good neighbors: the Amt Holms, 1. 1. Kneppers, bers of the church, and all the children were baptized there. Melbys, Wolds, Brandvolds and others. We lived there from 1930 Gundadied at home at age thirty-five from a miscarriage with or 31 to 1946. Dad worked several years for, Axel Burkee, a farmer her seventh child. The other children were: Eddie, fourteen; Katie, and he also worked with W. P. A. on building the municipal build­ thirteen; Morris, eleven; Gladys, eight; Willie, five; and Hazel, two ing in Roseau and the Greenbush School. He built several houses years old. Katie helped to raise her brothers and sisters, which and barns also. enabled Christ to keep the family with such young children together. Our family life was a cheerful one; we all learned the old time In the early 1940s part ofthe family lived on the NW 1/4 of Sec­ dances which were held in many friends' homes. We did a lot of tion 6 in DeerTownship. In the later years ofhis life, Christ and his swimming in the big ditch just north ofour house and roller skated son, Morris, lived on the ridge near Pelan Park, where Carl or ice skated in winters. Our school house at Haug contained two Brandvold built a new home along Highway II. Christ died at age school rooms and also had indoor plumbing, coat rooms and a lunch 77 and is buried at Bethlehem Cemetery. area and play room (now called a gym). There was a basement Eddie was born November 20, 1908, and married Hilda Brandvold. under the school that had two large coal burning furnaces, a good They had six children: Edward, James, LeRoy, Jeanette, Harvey, well and a small lounge for the janitor, which was my dad for sev­ and Gary (Eddie died in 1995). Katie, born October 19,1909, mar­ eral years. Our school days were happy times. We could run home ried John Langaas, and had two children, Kenneth and Joyce. Katie across from the school for our noon lunch. died July 5, 2004. Morris was born October 30, 1911, never mar­ Our family consisted of five sons and two daughters. Wallace ried and died July 16, 1963. Gladys, born May 18, 1917, married was in the U. S. Army and was wounded at Normandy. Laurence, Carl Magnuson and had two children, Shirley and Curtis. Gladys a U. S. Marine, was killed at Midway Island invasion. Howard died September 1, 1994. Willie was born August 13, 1917. He served with the U. S. Navy and was wounded in North Africa. Ralph married Ardyce Love and they had David and Joy. They live in was in the U. S. Army and served during the occupation of Ger­ Park Rapids, Minnesota. Hazel was born August 8, 1920, married many. Vernon was in the U. S. Army in Korea. The girls were Ellerd Paulson, and had six children, Gloria, Diann, Judy, Jane, Haiel (Albeit Aasen) and Ethel. Rodney and Duane. Hazel died November 8, 1959. My first teachers at Haug School were Charles Christianson, Submitted by Shirley Langaas and Myrna Sovde. Source: Dallager/ Lenora Erickson, and Mabel Dallager Sovde. When I attended high .Watterud family book by Judy Paulson Altman. school in Greenbush, I rented a room from Marie Moen, who had eight girls staying there at one time. The only drawback was no Harold indoor bathroom. Submitted by Hazel Dahl Aasen. Harold and his parents, Lars and Martha Dallager, came from Granite Falls, Minnesota, about 1896, and homesteaded in Section Christopher and Gunda (Watterud) 34 ofDewey Township. Harold lived with Lars and Martha. They had cattle and crops. Harold worked hard. He buried all his big Christopher "Christ" rocks by digging beside them with a shovel and then rolling them Dallager, son of Lars into the hole. Nilson Dallager and The closest winter road to town was from the Bethlehem Church Martha (Berge) Dallager and east. In the winter he drove his Model T on top of the snow­ was born January 7, drifts. It was so light, it would stay on top ofthe snow the mile and 1878, near Granite Falls, a half south to the church, and on into town. He was disgusted Minnesota. Christ came when he traded for a Model A, as it was so much heavier and he to Roseau County with couldn't drive on top the snowbanks. his parents in 1896 or In the late I940s he sold his farm to Barney Anderson and moved 1897. In 1899 or 1900 to his nephew, Leonard Brekke's home, until he passed away. he filed on his home­ Leonard was the son ofHarold's sister, Johanna. Harold had cared stead in Dewey Town­ for Leonard when his mother remarried, after the death ofLeonard's ship. This quarter was father. in Section 34, and was Submitted by Art Anderson. See Lars and Martha Dallager his­ later owned by Martin tory. Kirkeide and then Merton Kirkeide. Lars and Martha On February 25, 1907, Christ married Gunda Lars Dallager was born February 3, 1851, at Vang, Valdres, Nor­ way. Since he was the youngest in the family he was not eligible to Christ and Gunda Dallager Watterud in Pelan, Min­ (photo courtesy ofShirley Langaas) nesota. Gunda, the inherit any family land, so he immigrated to America. He married 479 Martha H. Berge, who was born in 1839 in Norway. She was twelve Dallager. The only way to be certain which Carrie had the home­ years older than Lars. stead was to find when she deeded it away. At that time she was In 1896, Lars and Martha along with sons, Nils, Harold, and Christ married so the name Dallager appeared, proving which Carrie it moved to Roseau County, Minnesota in Dewey Township near was. The legal description ofKaren's homestead was S 1/2 NE 1/4 Greenbush. Their sons homesteaded their own land. Lars and Section 4 and SW 1/4 NW 1/4 and NW1/4 SW 1/4 Section 3 in Martha lived with their son, Harold. Lind Township. Lars was involved with the beginning of Lutheran Karen, as Carrie H. Sogn, joined the Bethlehem Church in 1904, Church. The Bethlehem congregation was organized December but the congregation had been meeting in log cabin since 1903, 14, 1901. Lars was trustee for two years and his son, Harold, was according to church minutes. treasurer. As early as 1900, the congregation was meeting in the Karen Marie Sogn and Nels Dallager married on May 29, 1907, Dallager home, where they continued to meet for many years. The in Barnesville, Minnesota, where Karen still had family including . congregation bought chairs for Martha as a gift because they met in a brother, Iver. Karen's move to Nels' farm was a short one. Her their log house. log cabin was less than a mile from Nels' farmhouse. Martha died July 24, 1921. Lars died at the age of 88 in 1936 and Karen and Nels became parents ofdaughter, Mabel, on February is buried at Bethlehem Cemetery. 27,1908. She was only a few months old when Nels died on June Lars and Martha had six children (including twins, Johanna and 15, 1908, from tuberculosis contracted while in the army. He was Margaret); Nils (1872-1908) married Karen Sogn; Johanna (1874­ buried in the Pauli Cemetery rather than at Bethlehem, where they 1937) married Lewis Brekke/Jens Peterson; Margaret (1874-?); were members. Nels had made Karen promise he would not be Louise (1875-?) married Pete Melness; Harold (1876-1948); Christ buried in the low land at Bethlehem, where the graves would often (1878-1955) married Gunda Watterud. have water in them. He had a fear of water and wanted to be buried Their daughter,Johanna, married Lewis A. Brekke in 1891. Lewis on the ridge near Pelan. Ironically, when Nels died, the water was and Johanna had a child, Leonard Brekke, born April 5, 1892. Two so high his body had to be taken by boat across the Two Rivers to months later, Lewis, a steeple-jack, fell and died, and when Johanna the Pauli Cemetery. remarried, the stepfather rejected Leonard, so in addition to their Karen and baby Mabel lived at her parental home in Barnesville own children, Lars and Martha raised him. for a time and later with her brothers, Christ and Martin Sogn. Submitted by Ruby Brekke. Christ's quarter bordered the land Karen had inherited from her husband. Her brothers farmed her land and she was able to keep Nels and Karen the land through the years though sometimes it was tough. Mabel became a teacher. She taught in rural schools for 21 years and in Dallager was born September 16,1872, in Renville County, Greenbush for 24 years. Minnesota, to Lars and Martha (Berge) Dallager. The family came When Mabel (1908-1999) married Nestor Sovde (1912-1982) they to Roseau County in 1896 or 1897. Nels was in the SpanishAmeri­ lived on the farm with Karen. Karen died in 1960. Mabel and can War and was in the Philippines for four years. He told how a Nestor had one son, Noral, who married Eva Jean Vlvin. They mule laid down, and how he protected himself by shooting from have four children, Greg, Nathan, Heidi, and Lisa. behind the mule. Nels, his parents, and brothers, Harold and Christ, Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Sources: Noral Sovde, Roseau County were among the founders of Bethlehem Church in 1900 or 1901. Heritage book, Bethlehem records, Roseau Co. Registrar, Dallager In June 1904, the N 1/2 SW 1/4 and N 1/2 SE 1/4 of Dewey family records. Township was deeded to Nels Dallager. The property had been homesteaded by Louis Nelson. Sam L. Darst Karen, the daughter of Hans H. and Sofia Sogn was born in . Hadeland, Norway on July Sam L. Darst was born January 4, 1886 at Spring Valley, Minne­ 2, 1876. She had come to sota. He had three brothers. In May of 1914, he bought a farm in Roseau County by 1900 Barto Township, three miles north of Greenbush, where he lived and homesteaded in Lind with his wife, Ruth, and four children: Conley, Beatrice, Valeria, Township near her father and Warren. Hans Sogn, along with In March of 1919, he was director ofthe new public owned tele­ brothers Martin, Christian, phone company and was Barto town clerk in January of 1920. Sam George, and Andrew, and raised registered purebred Holstein bulls from two to 24 months, sisters Helen and Lena and also heifers and bull calves. He was director ofthe Greenbush (Oline). Cooperative Creamery board when the new creamery was dedi­ Family history had it that cated in 1926. He was elected supervisor of Barto Township in Karen homesteaded. How­ March of 1928. ever, the 1913 Atlas and a Sam took ill on election day, took to bed the next day, and died patent paper spelled the early morning in May 1928. He was 42 years old. His oldest son, name as Carrie. Andrew Conley, was only 14. His death was a distinct loss to the commu­ Sogn's wife was Carrie, nity and the county. He was active in civic life and one ofthe area's also. Two places showed best fanners and county boosters. Sam is buried at Bethania Cem­ the name as Carrie H. Sogn, etery in Greenbush. His wife was buried in Little Falls in the 40s. which was thought to be Sam's son, Conley, married Alpha Suby, daughter ofOsmund and Nels and Karen Dallager Karen Marie Sogn Hilma Suby of Barto Township. Conley was very active in the 480 county, also, as is their only son, Glenn, who now farms both the way. Karolina Dock died February 23, 1909, in Greenbush. She Darst and Suby homesteads. was buried in the Synod, or Bethel, Cemetery. Submitted by Linda Gieseke with information .from Glenn Darst, The October 29, 1909, paper told that Lizzie Dock was spending the Greenbush Tribune, and the Roseau County Museum. the winter in Mekinock, North Dakota with her sister to attend school. Arie DeRaad Family History K. O. Dock owned the Dock Hotel and built an addition to the barn in the back, in October of 1909. In the June 25, 1911, paper Arie DeRaad III and Maggie Boebeldyk DeRaad homesteaded in there was a story about K. O. Dock being a resident of Greenbush Barnett Township, Roseau County in about 1910. It was the Dutch since the beginning of the town. He then moved to Thief River heritage that the first born son always be named Arie. Arie DeRaad Falls to be in the automobile business. III was born in Pella, Iowa, on April 29, 1865. When Arie was 5 There was a Dock Post Office located in the NE 1/4 Section 34 of years old, he moved with his fanlily to homestead in Sioux County Hereim Township. in northwest Iowa. When he was 17 years old, his family home­ Carl Dock was paid $7.50 by the village, in October of 1909, for steaded in Grandview, Douglas County, South Dakota. They expe­ two months pay. Leonard Dock and Nels Boe were helping to put rienced much hardship with breaking the prairie, building a sod up wire grass, near Karlstad, in September of 1911. house and out buildings, and coping with drought and grasshop­ Submitted by Linda Gieseke with information from Myrna Sovde pers. and Eunice Korczak taken from The Greenbush Tribune. Arie DeRaad III married Maggie Boebeldyk on March 2, 1892, in Grand View, Douglas County, South Dakota. Maggie was born Albert and Stella Dolney February 18, 1873, at Koogebush, Netherlands. Maggie came to America at the age of two. They lived at Grand View for four Albert Dolney served in WWI. After that came a couple of life years. changing years. In 1918, he nloved to Polonia Township where he They moved to Leota, Minnesota, where there was a Dutch-Ameri­ bought 480 acres from Paul Schase and in 1919 he married Stella can settlement. They spoke Dutch almost exclusively in the DeRaad Pelowski. Stella, born in 1888, was six when she came by wagon home, but they spoke English very well with no trace of an accent. with her parents, Andrew and Anna Pelowski, from Winona, Min­ They moved to Greenbush, Minnesota, in about 1910. Their sev­ nesota. enth child was born in Leota, Minnesota in 1908, and their eighth, Albert was born in Granville, South Dakota in 1891. Two broth­ the youngest child was born in 1911 in Greenbush. ers, Joseph and Frank A. also came to northern Minnesota, while Their children were Arie IV (1892-1945) who married Sarah two brothers and a sister remained in South Dakota. Black. He' was called Black Arie by the family because he had Albert and Stella had six children: Adelaide 1920 (Paul Carr), really black hair. Nicklaas (1894-1958) married Ida Olson. Neil Adrian 1922 (Emily Gryskiewicz Kuznia), Ambrose 1926 (Delores was born in 1896 and died in 1976. Dick was born in 1898 and Mooney), Albin 1926 (Mary, Rachel), Marcella 1928 (Bill Lewis), died in 1979. Albert (1904-1969) married Myrtle Erickson. Ida and Eugene 1931 (Marlys). Ambrose and Albin were twins which was born in 1905 and died in 1918. Margaret (1908-199.6) married meant double mischief. Johnny Anderson. Marie (1911-1995) married Oel Anderson.. Albert, along with August Kukowski, were two ofthe first in the Arie IV was in World War I and contracted TB. All the other area to raise sweet clover. It was considered a weed, until they saw children grew up in the Greenbush area. They moved west ofGreen­ the price the seed brought. They also raised flax, oats, wheat, cattle, bush and that is where Dick and Neil lived in later years. All the and later sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. Adrian didn't DeRaad boys were excellent hunters. like the ducks and geese that came to the steps ofthe house to make Dick ordered a fiddle through the Wards catalog and played for their dirty little deposits. many bam dances. Marie told the story that she went to the barn 1934 was a tough year for Albert and Stella. First they hailed out, dance with Dick from 8 p.m. on a Saturday night to 5 a.m. Sunday and in October they lost their house in a fire. They brought in morning. Dick played every dance and she danced every dance. another house that had been located one-fourth mile to the east. In Dick played by ear and could not read notes. Nick, Neil, Dick, 1961 they moved near the Greenbush Hospital into the house where Margaret and Marie remained in the Greenbush area all their lives. Keith Kapphahn lives now. Submitted by Marlene Anderson Johnson. To show how desperate times were during the thirties, the Great Depression era, the following stories are offered. One day when Dock Family Albert was in town he met a young couple with a child who had no place to go. When he came home, he told Stella about the two These items of information about the Docks were obtained from young people who were willing to work. She replied that they had old newspapers. This is' all the information that we could find. plenty of food put up, so if he wanted their help, he should go get o. K. Dock was one ofthe eighteen members who organized the them. After they had been there awhile, it came out just how des­ Greenbush Cooperative Creamery in April 8, 1905. He was elected perate they were. The young man said, "I had four shells, one for director ofthe first creamery board. the wife, one for the kid, and one for me." The Dock Brothers had an ad to haul fat hogs to market on Octo­ In another incident, a local man worked all winter for smokes and ber 22, 1908, and on May 7, 1909, they had another ad for poultry, food. When Stella and Albert bought him an overall jacket for hides, tallow, etc. Peter Dock to Fergus Falls and stayed in Christmas, he was overjoyed. the meat business. The fann that Stella's parents homesteaded is back in the family Karolina, Mrs. K. O. Dock, was born September 26, 1854, in again. Illinois to Knute and Maria Bekkedahl, who were both born in Nor­ Submitted by Myrna Sovde. Source.' Adrian Dolney. 481 The Dolneys Uncle Frank was born October 4, 1872, in Hastings, Minnesota, and died August 9, 1970, at the Greenbush Nursing Home. Aunt In 1889, my cousin Ben Dolney came to America and settled in Victoria was born May 30, 1877, in Poland and died November 1, South Dakota for awhile, but in 1898 he came to Greenbush and 1957, in Greenbush. Uncle Albert was born December 2, 1891, in settled in Polonia Township. Then in 1916, my Frank and Grenville, South Dakota, and died August 21, 1965, in Greenbush. Aunt Victoria Dolney and family moved to Township and Aunt Stella was born February 28, 1888, in Winona, Minnesota, homesteaded. In 1918, my Uncle Albert DQlney came to join his and died March 22, 1978, in Greenbush. All are buried at Blessed brother in fanniQg, and also bought land in the same township. He Sacranlent Cemet.ery. married Stella Pelowski in 1919 at St. Aloysius. They had to work Frank Aloysius Dolney, a nephew to Ben and Margaret Dolney, very hard, for trees had to be felled and the land had to be cleared took over the farm. Ben was born December 8, 1869, in Lubinia, by hand or horses. Poland and died February 20, 1959, in rural Greenbush. Margaret In 1927 Ben went to Chicago and married Margaret Cannon, an was born in Ireland on January 20, 1892, and died December 21, Irish immigrant born in 1892, and brought her back here, and they 1962, in Greenbush. Frank was born July 29, 1915, in Poland and settled on his homestead. They had no children. died December 1, 1985. All are buried at St. Aloysius Cemetery. Uncle Frank and Uncle Albert both helped in local happenings My aunts and my grandmother loved their fanlilies and grand­ such as township boards, school, church, co-ops, and other projects. children and enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, raising flowers Most of this was after the Great Depression left a mark on and gardens, making quilts, embroidering, and other crafts and ac­ everyone, whether in the rural areas or in town and business. tivities. In 1921, my grandparents, Joseph and Rosalia Dolney, settled on My grandparents, Rosalia and Joseph Dolney, lived in various a farm in Barto Township. (Mrs. Elizabeth Wojciechowski lives places in Badger and Greenbush before moving in 1948 to Little there now.) They had seven children when they came, and five Falls where they stayed until their deaths. While they lived in more were born to them. Greenbush, my grandfather helped build Blessed Sacrament Church. When the cattle were put out to graze, my aunts and uncle Anton Their children are Anton, Connie (McFarlane), Mary, Theresa, had to take turns watching them. My aunts helped with farming, Monica, Josephine, Della, Betty, Philip, Cecelia, Esther (my mother), caring for the animals, shocking grain, gardening, canning, and Theodore. Later on, my grandfather liked watching TV and whatever else that had to be done to help the fanlily survive. my grandmother had her geese, ducks, chickens, her garden, and When they wanted to go visiting or to church in the winter, they'd the grapes that grew around the garage. My grandfather resided at hitch up a sleigh or wagon with horses and load it with straw and St. Otto's Nursing Home in Little Falls when he died. He was born blankets and heated stones to keep warm. In the summer, they'd January 29, 1883, in Silver Lake, Minnesota, and died August 31, waJk to church or to the neighbors to visit. Sometimes it'd be three, 1980. Rosalia Dolney was born February 5, 1887, in Grenville, five, or more miles to get there. South Dakota, and died August 13, 1982, at St. Gabriel's Hospital. When they put the cattle out to graze, the older children watched Both are buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Little Falls. over them. They had to be careful when watching the bull, as he Submitted by Mary Ann Johnson, Granddaughter and niece ofthe charged them if he got in an ornery mood, as would a"Cow with a Dolneys. calf. They'd make a mad dash for safety. They took turns milking the cows by hand and feeding them. All the families had cattle, Joe and Duray: Families chickens, ducks, geese, and a big garden. Everyone carried water for all their needs, from personal to household, to the animals. Joe and Agnes Duray were united in marriage in June 1924. Joe, They'd go out to find berries to make pies, jams, jellies, and to a widower, brought along five children, Romuld, Victoria, Annie, can and even eating raw. Everyone pitched in to make the work Adeline, and Rose, ranging in age from twelve years to three years. lighter and get done faster, from the youngest to the oldest. Agnes brought along two children, Severyn and Bernice, ages seven They were all members of St. Aloysius Catholic Church of Leo. and three. Two children were born to Joe and Agnes, Andrew in They had no conveniences that we have today, no cars, radios, or 1925 and Doris in 1927. televisions until later. This family of eleven made their home on a farm six and a half In 1927, my Uncle Frank and Aunt Victoria Dolney moved south miles southeast ofGreenbush (SW 1/4 Section 30) in Barnett Town­ of Greenbush in Hereim Township (Harvey Dallager lives there ship. The farm had been homesteaded by Joe's parents, Joe and now). In 1938, they had a home built near the airport (Bob Pederson Mary (Wysocka) Duray. lives there now) and lived there the rest of their lives, until Uncle Joe Duray was previously married to Mary Lasniewski. Agnes Frank went to stay with his niece, Connie McFarlane, before going Grittner divorced Walter Urbanski (last name later changed to Ervin). into the nursing home. Uncle Frank loved flowers and'had a large Walter worked on the pipeline so the family traveled extensively garden. He sold the produce. He was also a craftsman-who loved including to Oregon and Canada. Daughter, Bernice Borgen, was making and selling expandable jewelry boxes, sewing boxes, foot­ born in Redverse, Saskatchewan. Following the divorce, Agnes stools, lawn swings, and other items. Their children are Sophie, moved back to Greenbush with her parents, Frank and Caroline Rose, James, Annie, and Theodore. Grittner. My Uncle Albert and Aunt Stella moved into Greenbush just south After Agnes' mother passed away, Joe and Agnes took her father, of the hospital (Keith Kapphahn now lives there). Uncle Albert Frank Grittner, into their home and cared for him for six years until liked to read his papers and watch TV. Aunt Stella enjoyed flowers his death in 1949. Sadly, Agnes passed away from cancer at age 52 and visitors. Their children are Adelaide, Marcella, Albin, Ambrose, in 1952. Joe continued to live on the farm with his daughter Doris, Adrian and Eugene. Their son, Adrian and his wife, Emily took until his sudden death from a heart attack at age 75 in 1966. over the farm and now Dale and Mary Kuznia and family farm it. Joe and Agnes' merged family were close knit. Romuld married 482