Kensal Memories 1985 Kensal Name and Location KENSAL is situated in the northeastern part of Stutsman County on the main line of the Soo railway. It is on highway No. 9 north of Jamestown. Kensal is approximately 18 miles southwest of Glenfield; 13 miles northwest of Courtenay; 12 miles south of Juanita; 15 miles east of Melville; or 12 miles northeast of Edmunds. The original townsite was laid out by the Minnesota Loan and Trust Co. and included one quarter section of land. Part of the land was purchased from Anton and his brother, Julius Frederickson. The rest of it from the Metcalf Land Co. In general terms the site extended from just west of E.W. Stroh's dwelling to the row of willows east of C.J. Croonquist's home (today this would Dedication be between Messmer's house and Lillian Wolsky's house) and from a point just north of Albert With this book, we have attempted to record Hanson's residence (later this was the Berg or names and memories of our pioneers, early settlers Garfield Johnson residence) to a line on the lot and also our present day generation. north of the Anton Feckler house (today the house All of these have had a part in the building of our is owned by the Catholic Parish). community. We have represented them with words, Since then numerous additions have been made stories and pictures. and the corporate boundaries extended. There may be mistakes and omissions for which we are sorry. We have tried to do our best with the the material that has been given to us in this short Name - The Origin time. It was named by local settlers for Kensale, a To all who have contributed in any way to the sporting town and watering place in County Cork, making of this book we offer a sincere thanks. Ireland. This information came from a book, Committee "History of Wells County & Pioneers," written by Opal Ableidinger Walter E. Sopkesfield in 1929. The "e" was dropped Anna W. Neva from Kensal in early years. Evelyn Spitzer In 1980, Mary Ann Williams compiled and wrote a Sally Lampert book entitled "Origins of North Dakota Place Gladys Blahna Names". The same information was in that book Ruby Burleson about the early local settlers naming, but with another version. The name came from an early county surveyor. Kensal — A Busy Place Big city folks say there is nothing to do in a little town. The people who live in Kensal do not have • Carrington enough days or nights in the week to attend all the Hwy. 52 N social functions or meetings. Please remember everyone here also has to work for a living. t Sutton Some of the activities or the organizations are: Homemakers Clubs - Activities seven of them Boys' and Girls' American Legion Chorus American Legion Auxiliary Band Concerts Hwy 36 y Wildlife Club Class Plays Town and Country Firemen Softball Parent Teachers' Baseball Organization Track Church Organizations for Christmas Programs three churches Halloween Parties Eckelson Band and Music Mothers' T-Ball Cleveland Windsor Eldridge Club Softball Community Betterment Club Swimming Lessons Park Board Organization available in City Town Board Jamestown -1- Sam spent his grade school days in Kensal. He is a former editor and sports editor of the Jamestown Sun. At the present time he is employed by the Phoenix Gazette and also does free lance writing. In one of his articles he wrote about the "crush" he had on his first grade teacher, Lucille (Walsh) Lloyd. I hear he will be the speaker at the school reunion banquet this year! In 1983 his book containing one hundred of his columns was published by The Phoenix Gazette. The book is named If I Had an Elephant. This is a small sample of his writings. He wrote this after his mom passed away in 1979. Quote: Nellie Elsie Lowe (1908-1979) She was a housewife and a tribute to her Kensal's Mayor profession. She loved the same man for almost a half-century, but didn't like him as a whist partner Wendell Simonsen because even after forty-eight years of marriage, he Due to the timidity and modesty of our mayor, never figured out her hand signals. we, as friends, would like to give you an insight into his life in the past eight years. This is only a resume of what comes to mind and we are sure we have only covered a part of his accomplishments. Kensal Community Park One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four, to which meeting shall I go? This is a weekly decision for Wendell. Wendell has been mayor for the past two terms of four years each. He held this office years ago in the 1960s so he is not new at the job. During the same period of time he also held the office of president of the Community Club. There is never a meeting too far away that he wouldn't attend if he thought it would benefit Kensal. Thru his efforts our village became a city. He was instrumental in getting our streets graveled, our main street black topped and later In 1984 more black topping was done from the highway to the school and back east and around to main street. He helped secure grants for sewer and water Work began on the park in the 1960s, as systems. He was also involved in Community buildings were razed, ground leveled and much Betterment contest of which we were winners for clean up was done over a period of years. two years and still winner in Community Pride The project was partially funded by the Land and Contest. Water Conservation Fund, administered by the Besides his farming interest, his van is never too Heritage and Recreation Service, U.S. Department small to take a load of people to a meeting of Interior. Matching funds was raised by the regardless of where it is. We have heard his wife Kensal Community. say at noon hour if she wants to visit with him, she In July 1979 the first park board was organized. has to take the telephone off the hook or all the The officers were Elliott Paczkowski, Pres. Alice birds on the line will get scorched feet. Wolsky, Secretary-treasurer, board members, Ann Wendell has very broad shoulders, as I'm sure he Neva, Jean Kulla, Gordon Lampert and Harold has heard every complaint in the book. Liudahl. One day someone mentioned to him that they Immediately work begun on building a rest room, were having trouble in training their bird dog. putting in running water, building a picnic shelter Wendell's advice was "Throw him up in the air and planting evergreens around the park. The once more, and if he don't fly this time, shoot him." following year electricity was brought into the park, as well as cement blocks around the park for parking. Playground equipment was also brought Sam Lowe in. Sam Lowe, grandson of the late Ambrose In 1984 an under ground sprinkling system was Ableidinger, son of Nellie (Ableidinger) Lowe, installed by Duane Neva. Edward Wolsky built a manages to keep Kensal on the map. His quips in brick sign in memory of all the service men and "Lowe's Down" once written for the Jamestown women from the community. This was done by Sun and "Lowe's Valley" from the Phoenix Gazette money donated from the Carrington V.F.W. and are enjoyed by all. also with the help of Edward's grandsons, Tory and Culley Hoggarth. Flower barrels were placed in numerous to mention. There are very few homes the park in 1984. The present officers are Gorden in Kensal and very few farms where he has not Lampert, Pres., Alice Wolsky, Secretary-Treasurer, been called to do a "Fix it" job. board members, Jean Kulla, Harold Liudahl, Shelly In January 1984, Ed had the misfortune of losing Nannenga. his shop by fire with almost a total loss of thousands of dollars worth of tools. Many might have become discouraged but not Ed. The ashes had hardly cooled off when he was making plans to rebuild his shop. He is a man with a lot of know- how and a willingness to put it to use. THE MEN AND WOMEr- He is most interested in working with wood. For WHO SERVED IN TH( pastime he has made tables, plant stands, ARMED FORCES OF grandfather clocks, china hutches, chairs and built THE UNITED STATE? his own new home. He dismantled the old hotel OF AMERICA and lumber yard building and much of the lumber 1984 POST 10! was put to use in his house. The old school house floor was also the source of hardwood for the counter in his house. With sanding and refinishing it is beautiful. He also made a child's playhouse complete with furniture. Memorial plaque in park He is called on to hang drapes, lay rugs, fix lawn mowers. The list is endless. He built the brick bulletin boards for the Lutheran and Methodist churches and the brick Town and Country Service memorial board in the park. He has also made In 1975 Derald had started a business working several brick planters for people in the community. out of his garage at his home. In early years, He inherited the love of gardening from his Derald's present place of business had many father and follows in his footsteps by giving the owners. Some of these included The Kensal produce away.