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Volume 52, Issue 3 September 2015
Kandi Express Newsletter of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society
-Keeping Your Heritage Alive-
Serving the
Communities:
Atwater
Blomkest
Hawick
Kandiyohi
Lake Lillian
New London
Pennock
Prinsburg
Raymond
Regal
Roseland
Spicer
Sunburg
Svea
Willmar
Kandiyohi County
Historical Society
610 NE Hwy 71
Willmar, MN 56201
Telephone: 320/235-1881
Fax: 320/235-1881
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kandiyohicountyhistory.com
Board of Directors
2014-2015
President - Dennis Peterson
Vice President – Diane Shuck
Secretary – Marilyn Johnson
Treasurer – Sam Modderman
Board of Directors –
Connie Wanner
Audrey Thompson
Louise Thoma
Darlene Schroeder
Richard Falk
Jerry Johnson
Gregory Harp
Honorary – Rollie Nissen
S t a f f
Executive Director - Jill Wohnoutka
Resident Caretaker – Andrea Maertens
Maintenance - Joel Bruse
Collections Assistant – Robert Larson
Kandi Express
A Quarterly Newsletter of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. September 2015, Vol. 52, Issue 3. Non-profit postage paid at
Willmar, MN. Reprints with permission, please. Membership in the Kandiyohi County Historical Society carries with it a subscription
to the Kandi Express. Stories about local history can be submitted to Jill Wohnoutka-
editor, KCHS.
Discovering, Preserving,
and Sharing the Story of
Kandiyohi County and Its People.
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 2
Volunteers
Archives/Office: Molly Larson, Mari-
lyn Johnson, Julie Neubauer, Bonnie
Hoogeveen, Donna McClouth, Jan
Helin
Building/Painting/Thursday Crew: Elroy Gast, Dale Johnson, Jerry John-
son, Don Niece, Loren Luschen, Rollie
Boll, Gayle Larson, Harley Aalfs, Lar-
ry Scholla, John Davis, Allan Simon
and Loretta Fenske.
Landscaping: Linda and Gayle Lar-
son, Marilyn Johnson
In-Kind Donations
Kandiyohi Co. Community Service –
Grounds Work/Snow Removal
Barb Youngberg —Digital Transfer
Service
Railroad Display—Tim Larson, Phil
Anderson
Kandiyohi County
Historical Society’s
Wish List
8 1/2” x 11” white office copy
paper
Stamps –regular and post card
Archival Supplies-for details
contact us at 235-1881.
Newsletter Email List Please let us know if you would
like to receive your newsletter over
email by sending your request to
[email protected]. Remember if
you want to be included on our
email list for upcoming news and
programs, please let us know.
Volunteers Needed
The Kandiyohi County Historical Society is looking for volunteers! We
have a few staff changes in the last months and we need your help!
Transcription: A person to help with a different projects transcrib-
ing old documents.
Landscaping/Grounds: A person or persons who enjoy gardening
and would like to help maintain the existing landscaping and help
plan additional projects.
Albert Sperry Family/House Research: A person to research the
Albert Sperry Family and house history leading up to the 125 anni-
versary of the Sperry House in 2018.
Special Donations: General Contributions:
For Operating Support
Katie Ross
Harlow & Marlene Anderson
Susan DeGennaro
Beckie Johnson
LaVerne Johnson
Mona Nelson Fund
Ron & Dee Erpelding
Jack Husinga
Memorials In Memory of John Helin
Bruce Bjornberg
Joan Dirnberger
Dale & Yvonne Engel
Earl Habben
Caryl & Donald Haug
John Helin Family
Daniel Johnson
Marvin & Luella Johnson
Ruth Johnson
William & Marcia Keister
Linda Klinghagen
Philip & Barbara Lindblad
Delight Meyers
Yvonne Natvig
Roger & Mary Person
Grayson & Karen Swalin
Daniel & Louise Swenson
Terrance & Delphia Swenson
Robert & Carol Wegner
Judith Workman Segel
In Memory of Ivan Kvam
The Family of Ivan Kvam
Loren & Smitty Luschen
Kevin & Joan Quinn
In Memory of Judy Nephew
Gayle & Linda Larson
In Memory of Robert Fransen
Harley & Evelyn Aalfs
In Memory of Herb Amundson
Harley & Evelyn Aalfs
In Memory of Joe Freese
Harley & Evelyn Aalfs
In Memory of Owen Larson
Dale & Judy Johnson
In Memory of Clair Merten
Dale & Judy Johnson
Steve & Jennifer Molenaar
Harlow & Marlene Anderson
Steve & LeAnnIsaacson
Dr. & Mrs. John Meinert
Individual: Karen Smith
Allen County Public Library
Dawn Witt
Judy Augustson Heath
Jill Beatty
Marie Janssen
Kay Hempel
Robert Feichtinger
Pat Plooster
Steve Ellingboe
LaVerne Johnson
Marcella Demgen
John Mogren
Melodee Dorn
Susan DeGennaro
Karen Nelson Kitt
Carolyn Sowinski
R. L. & Mary Ann Powers
Gertrude Blue
Loren Knott
Bud Johnson
Jack Huisinga
Donn Winckler
William Dowdell
Virginia Ansorge
Floyd Perleberg
Howard McAdams
Melville Linn
Odell Jacobson
Margherita Larmon
Elgin Skluzacek
Rev. Dennis Gray
Nancy Salmi
Diane Ahlquist
New and Renewal
Members:
Supporter: Sam & Barbara Modderman
Wallace Gustafson
Lyle & Sandra Simenson
Dr. Roger & Kay Strand
Yvonne Natvig
Gayle & Linda Larson
Joane Johnson
Richard Falk
Friend: Ken & Alix Behm
Bob & Donna Haines
Ann Hendershott & Dennis Schaefbauer
Loretta Fenske
Paul Jensen
Rick & Darla Fagerlie
Dean & Diane Shuck
Todd & Carole Heimdahl
Robert & Pauline Halvorson
Family: Carol Nielsen
Carolyn Swanson
Ron & Ione Andreen
Marlin & Corrine Henjum
Mark & Linda Fernelius
Alan & Mary Quale
Chuck & Nancy Gustafson
Monroe & Irene Wallin
Ralph & Judy Anderson
Darrel & Jeanette Larson
Paul & Jane Hedin
Gordon & Betty Behm
Willard & Elaine Nelson
Barbara & Lowell Tornquist
Ron & Mary Ryks
Lowell & Barb Torkelson
William Reed
Donald & Jean Holmgren
Loren & Judy Schultz
Milton Huff
Doug & Jan Green
Scott Kaercher
Ron & Dee Erpelding
Jan Smith
Wayne Emberland
Larry & Judy Lindor
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 3
Thank you ~ Your gifts help preserve our heritage for future generations!
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 4
Upcoming Events at KCHS 2015
2nd Minnesota Battery
Light Artillery
Civil War Encampment Saturday, September 26
9am-5pm Gun Drill Times: 10am, 11:30am,
2pm & 4pm
Join the Kandiyohi County Historical Society on Saturday, September 26 for a Civil
War Encampment from 9am-5pm. The 2nd Minnesota Battery Light Artillery of Red Wing,
MN will be visiting the Historical Society grounds. The battery will set up camp to learn about
Minnesota soldiers and their life in the Civil War.
We will have demonstrations, food and fun! The 2nd MN Battery Light Artillery will
have different stations for the public to see. They will include the cannon, small arms and a
ladies area the will feature the Soldiers' Aid Society. The Gun Drill will be held at 10am,
11:30pm, 2pm and 4pm. The Second Minnesota Battery Re-enactors are a nonprofit organiza-
tion dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Civil War history by living it. The unit
was reactivated in 1985 and has continued to present an accurate and interesting history of the
Second Minnesota Battery and Civil War history to hundreds of thousands of people.
We will have all the buildings at the museum open that day for tours. This event is free
to the public! This event is sponsored by the Kandiyohi Power Charitable Trust. We thank
them for the generosity.
Sperry House Dinner
Friday, October 30
Try for a chance to win an elegant dinner for two at the Sperry House, with Walleye and
Bison catered by the 19th Avenue Grill & Lounge. Tickets are on sale at the Kandiyohi County
Historical Society for a suggested donation of $5.00 per ticket, with the proceeds used for re-
storing the Victorian Sperry House. The storage room is complete! Thanks to your generous
donations, the store room at the Sperry House is now in use. The drawing will be held at the
KCHS Annual meeting on October 22nd in the KCHS Community Room. Tickets will be avail-
able through October 22nd.
Stop by the KCHS Museum to buy your tickets or call for more information, (320) 235-1881.
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 5
You and your family are invited to the
Kandiyohi County Historical Society’s
119th Annual Meeting & Program
Thursday, October 22
5:30pm-8:00pm
KCHS Community Room
Featuring
Willmar Downtown Transitions By Shawn Mueske & Sam Nelson
A chicken supper will be served starting at 5:30 pm. The cost of the meal is $11
per person. Following the meal, the annual meeting will be conducted. After the short
annual meeting, Shawn Mueske and Sam Nelson will present on Willmar Downtown
Transitions. In 2014, the Kandiyohi County Historical Society was awarded a grant to
conduct seven oral histories of residents and business owners from downtown Willmar
from the last 75 years.
The Sperry House Raffle will be drawn on this night. So try for a chance to win an
elegant dinner for two at the Sperry House on October 30, 2015, with Walleye and Bison
catered by the 19th Avenue Grill & Lounge. Tickets are on sale at the Kandiyohi County
Historical Society for a suggested donation of $5.00 per ticket, with the proceeds used for
restoring the Victorian Sperry House. Tickets will be available through October 22nd.
Please RSVP by Friday, October 16th! Please call 235-1881 or email us at
[email protected] to reserve your spot! Prepayment is required. Our address is KCHS,
610 NE Hwy 71, Willmar, MN 56201.
We hope to see you there!
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 6
Willmar and the Great Northern: An Historical Overview By Stuart Holmquist This article was first published as a Great Northern Railway Historical Society Reference Sheet #230, June 1995. The pho-
tos included are part of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society’s collection.
Continued from June Newsletter….
The Eating House
As part of the railroad’s overall passenger train service, a total of 30 eating houses were con-
structed during the early years of the 1900s, and four lunchrooms were installed in selected depots.
These facilities were intended to serve the traveling public rather than the townspeople. They were
spaced along the rail route to provide a place to eat for those passengers traveling on trains without din-
ing car service, or those who were changing trains and had a layover.
The Great Northern owned the buildings and provided the interior equipment. All were operated
under contract and controlled by the railroad’s Operations Department. In Willmar, the eating house, or
“Beanery” as most local citizens called it, was constructed in 1904, and it was designed to match the
existing passenger depot in appearance. Located just west of the depot, it served meals for the traveling
public for almost three decades.
The first operator, under contract, was the C.H. Shiver News Co. of St. Paul. In addition to
news service, this firm sold sandwiches and lunch boxes to passengers boarding trains without dining
cars departing Minneapolis. As movement toward railroad control of this service increased, the Great
Northern canceled the agreement in 1914 and the contact was transferred to local individuals. Rent was
paid to the railroad for the building and equipment. Both the heating plant and electrical service were
provided by the railroad as part of the rental agreement.
During the time the building was used as an eating house, a total of seven trains daily stopped in
Willmar. Although train numbers and arrival times varied, the basic schedule of trains operated in 1928
shows the service provided at this facility. As can be seen, trains 13/14 and 31/32 stopped at Willmar
for longer periods of time, mainly to allow time for transferring head end business (mail, express, and
“less-than-carload” (LCL freight). Railroad
documentation showed a substantial number
of passengers traveled through or detrained
at Willmar, creating potential for business.
Passengers traveling to and from Minneap-
olis or Fargo could travel on trains 13/14 to
connect with Watertown, South Dakota (via
Benson), so potential for restaurant service
remained high.
With the effects of increasing auto-
mobile travel and the decline of passenger
train travel, use of the eating house at
Willmar declined until it was closed and
converted into an express building in 1933.
Operation of the express business came un-
der the control of the Railway Express
Agency which leased the building from the
Great Northern. The building remained in
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 7
service as an express office until it closed and was removed with depot construction in 1948.
Freight and Express Buildings
The freight depot was constructed in 1899 to serve the growing freight business which could not
be handled by the passenger service. The wood frame building, 25’ x 80’, although moved once, re-
mained in service for 77 years before it was retired and sold. In 1901, the building was moved back
from the mainline track and a 10’ x 320’ transfer platform was built, with a 820’ team track installed for
handling less-than-car-load shipments. Little alteration to the facility occurred until the platform was
shortened in 1966, reflecting the decline in the “LCL” freight. All use of the facility was terminated in
the early 1970s.
Great Northern records reflect a proposal in 1902 to construct a massive 40’ x 200’ brick building of
similar design to large freight depots in other markets similar in size to Willmar. No evidence exists as
to why the building was never built, but the original wooden building outlasted the business of “LCL”
freight and the Railway Express Agency.
In 1906, responding to Willmar’s rapidly increasing express business, the Great Northern relocated a
12’ x 34’ portable wood frame
building from Marshall, Minneso-
ta. Placing it on a site just eat of
the depot, it was set back from the
track closer to Pacific Avenue. In
1913, the building was extended
15’ to accommodate additional
business activity. The building
was retired and removed in 1933
when the express office was
moved to the former eating house
just west of the passenger station.
It should be noted that other eat-
ing houses succumbed to the same
fate in the early 1930s.
The Division Office Building
With increased business in the later years of the 1800s the Great Northern reorganized the rail-
road’s operating division. Official organization of the Willmar Division was in 1898, with the first
headquarters being in located in the small second story office space in the Willmar depot. An extended
office force was added in Willmar, thus creating a need for a larger office building. In 1905, a one story
24’ x 126’ frame building was constructed about one block east of the new roundhouse. Continual rea-
lignment of personnel created the need to enlarge the building twice in 1927 with additions of 51 feet
and then another 45 feet, and again in 1938 with an additional 16 feet in length added onto the 24 foot
wide structure. Thus modified, the building served until 1948 when the divisional office moved to the
new depot. The old building was converted into a carpenter’s shop and so remained until it was eventu-
ally dismantled in 1958.
Conclusion in December newsletter...
Willmar Railroad Park with eating house in foreground.
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 8
West Central Area Baseball Hall of Fame
The Kandiyohi County Historical Society partnered with the Willmar Stingers to begin a West Central
Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. The Historical Society strives to “discover, preserve, and share” our local herit-
age and hopes that the West Central Baseball Hall of Fame will be a lasting part of those efforts. The West Cen-
tral Baseball Hall of Fame will cover a 45-mile radius of Willmar which will include communities such as Glen-
wood, Montevideo, Redwood Falls and Dassel-Cokato. In order to be considered for the West Central Baseball
Hall of Fame, nominees must fall within the 45-mile radius of Willmar and be featured in one of the following
categories:
Professional Player or manager who resided in West Central Minnesota and went on to success in high
levels of professional baseball as a player, coach, or manager.
Amateur An amateur player, coach, or manager who was successful as a player in youth, high school,
and/or adult amateur baseball.
Community Involvement A longtime resident of West Central Minnesota who has achieved great success as a supporter
of base ball and has made significant contributions to baseball.
The Historical Society will begin accepting nominations immediately to be reviewed by the selection
committee. If you wish to submit a nomination, a form has been created along with a map of the 45 mile radius
to submit potential candidates to the Historical Society. The form can be found on the Kandiyohi County His-
torical Society website, www.kandiyohicountyhistory.com or can be obtained by calling Jill Wohnoutka at the
Historical Society at 320-235-1881. The 2016 inductions to the West Central Baseball Hall of Fame will be
held on to-be determined date in January or February in conjunction with the Stingers Winter Barbeque event.
Nominations must be submitted to the Historical Society by Friday, October 23, 2015
in order to be considered for the 2016 class.
New Displays in Main Gallery
The Kandiyohi County Historical Society has been working hard on a new railroad
exhibit in the main gallery. We are in the final stage of installation and this display will
open on Engine #2523 Day, October 10. This display will include a model railroad table
generously put together by Pastor Tim Larson and Phil Anderson, both of Willmar. We
appreciate their time and talent to make this display even better.
The West Central Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2015 display is in place. We
thank the family members of our inductees for loaning us items and photographs to put
into the display.
Be sure to stop by and check out the changes we have made!!!
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 9
Our Sympathy To Family and Friends-
John E. Helin, 73, KCHS member since 2000, passed away on May 4th, 2015. He is survived
by his wife, Janet, two daughters and five grandchildren.
Janice Sanderson Bergquist, 99, KCHS lifetime member since 1970, passed away on May
22, 2015. She is survived by twin daughters, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Patrick “Pat” Maiers, 74, KCHS member since 1998, passed away on June 2, 2015. He is
survived by wife, Judy, three children, and six grandchildren.
Ivan Kvam, 92, KCHS member since 1997, passed away on July 11, 2015. He is survived by
five children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Betty Martin Larson, 69, KCHS member since 2013, passed away on July 25, 2015. She is
survived by husband, Myron, two children, and three grandchildren.
Beulah “Toots” Smith Lundberg, 90, KCHS member since 2003, passed away on July 27,
2015. She is survived by her husband, Burt, four children, nine grandchildren and ten great-
grandchildren.
Joseph Freese, 87, KCHS member since 2001, passed away on August 11, 2015. He is sur-
vived by wife, Dorothy, two children, and six grandchildren.
From the Director’s Desk~ Many of our visitors have been noticing changes at the Museum. Our wonderful Thursday Crew
has been working hard this summer on a big projects. That project was replacing almost all the windows
in the depot and putting up new siding. The new windows and siding look great! The windows are
more energy efficient so that will help with our energy costs. THANK YOU THURSDAY CREW!!!
Our technology upgrade is complete! As a part of this upgrade, our membership database soft-
ware was upgraded two steps. In the transfer of data, our membership files did not transfer 100% accu-
rately. When I find an error, I make the changes. Please bear with me as I try to get it up to date. If you
notice anything, please let me know so I can make the information as current as possible. Please email
me at [email protected] or call me at 320-235-1881.
Since the last newsletter, KCHS has received three grants!!!! The first one is from the Southwest
Minnesota Arts Council. The grant is to work with photographer, Gregory Harp, to take pictures of
some of the churches in Kandiyohi County. The final product will be a art exhibit done in May and June
of 2016 in our community room. Another product of this grant will be the photographs that will be add-
ed to our archives. We want to capture the present congregations so we can preserve them for the future.
The second grant is a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grant to hire a professional conservator to do an
assessment on the Engine #2523. The conservator will give KCHS a report on the condition of the en-
gine and will include a short and long term preservation plan for the engine. The third grant is another
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grant to hire a consultant to do historic research on World War I to be
used in a traveling exhibit for the West Central Minnesota Historical Association. The West Central
Minnesota Historical Association is a collaboration of 10 counties in west central Minnesota that works
together to promote the history of this area.
Lastly, we now have our new t-shirts available in our gift shop!!! Please stop by and check them
out. We have two styles for adults and a new style for kids!! Also, please feel free to stop by and chat
any time, the coffee is always on!!!
Jill Wohnoutka-Director
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 10
New Land New Life By Richard Engan
Continued from June newsletter….
In the early 1850's Great Britain opened up
Canada to non-British ships. At this time steam ships
were beginning to be used in Germany, France and
Great Britain. As steam ships were coming into use
the old sailing ships were being sold for low prices.
With the constitution of 1814 Norwegians felt free to
plan their own future. This allowed Norwegians to get
into the merchant shipping industry. This marks the
time that Norway became a great shipping nation. They
could buy a sailing ship and get a contract to haul lum-
ber from Quebec to England. They then booked emi-
grants from Norway for the crossing to Canada. In
Norway before they loaded the passengers they would
build bunks for all the passengers. The passengers
were required to bring the food that they would need
for the trip. They needed to plan for two months at
least. The ship provided a limited amount of drinking
water and a stove with firewood for all to use. The
condition of the trip depended greatly on the character
of the ship captain. In 1866 the Norwegian parliament
passed a rule that emigrant ships needed to post a bond
before leaving Norway to cover complaints from pas-
sengers until they had reached their destination.
In about 1870 the travel by steam ship replaced the
sailboats. From Norway they would sail down the
coast to Germany, Great Britain, or France. where they
would transfer to steam ships. The most common desti-
nation then was New York although Boston, Philadel-
phia, or Baltimore and other cities were also destina-
tions. The most common route was to Hull, England
and then by train to Liverpool where they boarded the
steam ships for North America.
The ticket from Norway to America often included
passage to the city or state of destination. From Que-
bec this was often by a series of boats up the St Law-
rence river to Lake Ontario and then by Lake boat
across the Great Lakes to Milwaukee or Chicago. Lat-
er sometimes they world transfer to train at Detroit. In
1854 the railroad from Chicago to Rock Island, Illinois
on the Mississippi began service. From there they
would take a river boat up to Minnesota. In 1857 the
railroad from Milwaukee to Prairie de Chine, Wiscon-
sin was operational and in 1858 the railroad from Mil-
waukee to La Cross, Wisconsin was operating. The
first railroad in Minnesota was from St Paul to St An-
thony/Minneapolis in 1862.
In America the immigrants identified with where they
came from. They were Americans second. Many were
dreaming of returning to their home land.. My great
grandfather was the oldest son. He would have inherit-
ed the right to rent the family farm. He was planning
on returning to Norway. The trip over was so hard and
he was so sea sick that he never wanted to make the
trip again. The immigrants came with home spun
clothes. They adapted to the commercial clothes of
America early. Norwegian was the family language
in the home for over 40 years. They did not switch to
English until my father started first grade. They then
wanted their children to adapt to the new language
more easily.
The Scandinavian immigrants that settled in this area
often were successful in obtaining their own land.
That gave them a greater independence in the relations
with their neighbors from different countries. The
Turners who settled and founded New Ulm left Cincin-
nati and Chicago. They were largely craft people that
were trying to practice their craft in a town setting.
They had experienced discrimination from people that
had been here longer. They were looking for the op-
portunity to form a new community where everyone
was considered equal. As time went on they each be-
came Americans first and Norwegian, Danes or Ger-
mans second. They each went on to make large contri-
butions to our society and country.
The Willmar area immigrants today are very much like
our ancestors and other groups of immigrants. They
are looking for opportunities for a better life for their
children. They will take hard working jobs at low pay
that other people do not want to do. One of the most
unique characteristics of the United States is the ability
to welcome immigrants from all over the world and
integrating them into our society.
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 11
On the web at www.nllha.org or www.facebook.com/nllha.org
News from the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association
Fall Activities at the Old Log Church
Summer's over! Our 9 Saturday evening Vespers services and the big annual celebration are now in the rear view mirror, so to speak. The final fall events consist of:
Lefse Day, 1 to 3 PM October 10th at the Knudson Cabin Advent Service at the Old Log Church at 2 PM on November 29th.
The cabin is in the grove of trees about ¼ mile NE of the OLC. Progress in one of NLLHA's new projects.
The list of charter members of the East Norway Lake and the West Norway Lake churches, totaling 157, was distributed to NLLHA members in our July mailing. The mailing asked for volunteers to help collect information on the charter members and their spouses. Five persons have responded with offers of help.
One person has already gone through much of the web internet compilation called Nordmenn i Minnesota i USA i 1880-teljinga (Norwegians in Minnesota in USA in the1880 census) and has found some 62 listings that appear to match up with names on the list. This was not an easy task, as the spellings sometimes differ. For the matches that were found, we have learned the first name of the spouse, and the age and country/state of birth of both. (So far, nearly all were born in Norway; a few were born Sweden or Wisconsin.) The age information will be very useful when we get to looking up records in Norway.
Another source of information is that wonderful old booklet, Festskrift, authored in 1916 by a pair of area pastors. This book is in Norwegian and is hard to read. Fortunately, a scholar named Debbie Boe has translated key sentences (those giving names and dates) and posted them on the internet. We have started matching these to the list of 157, and it looks like there may be about 100 matches. The information extracted by Debbie Boe usually gives the spouse's full name, as well as when and from where they emigrated.
The plan – the hope – is to work up a 1-page mini-biography on each charter member and spouse. We realize that this may take a few years.
Norway Lake Lutheran
Historical Association
6338 County Road 40 NW
New London, MN 56273
Earl O. Knutson, President
Ed Huseby, Vice President
Eloise Nelson, Treasurer
Marlin Henjum, Secretary
Earl O. Knutson
722 Second Street SW
Willmar, MN 56201
320-222-1613
Rural School Districts of
Kandiyohi County
Lake Elizabeth Township
School Districts
Written by Marilyn Johnson
District 38(777) Commissioners of Kandiyohi County, on Sept 4, 1866, granted a petition by G. Dahl and others to establish a new school district out of Sections 31 to 36, inclusive, Gennessee, and Sections 1 to 24, inclu-sive, Lake Elizabeth. The district was established as District No. 2 but on Feb 11, 1871, the number was changed to 38. The district was formally organized in 1870. Among the primary movers for organi-zation were G. A. Glader, Nels Rosenquist, Olaf Swedlund, John Johnson, and Wm. Johnson. The first teacher was Miss Hannah Johnson. School was held at different homes in the district, sometimes in the granary or up in the loft or garret of the house, changing about from place to place for each term. Miss Johnson would sometimes take the students out under the shade of trees or hold school in a wagon box when the garret, the granary, or wherever they were gathered, became too op-pressive during hot summer days. The second teacher was Miss Lutina Lindquist. The first school house was made from logs cut from trees on the big island in Lake Elizabeth. In December 1974, during a Christmas celebration at the school, the ceiling caught fire from the old cook stove. The damage was repaired and school held in this log structure until 1885. This log structure was 14x20 feet and was eight feet high. In 1885 a new 24x28x12 foot structure was erected at a cost of $600. The schoolhouse sat on two acres of land. The apparatus included a large globe, a chandelier with four lamps, physiological charts, maps, dictionary, etc. The free text book system was adopted in 1896. In 1900 a library was purchased. Enrollment in 1873 included Alexander Forsberg, Nels Olson, George H. Skeate, John Dahline, Oscar Dahline, Peter Osberg, Andrew Rosenquist, Nels Peterson, John Malmberg, Olaf Oredson, August Swedlund, Andrew Johnson, Jonas Johnson, Andrew Forsberg, G. Hanson, Josephine Johnson, Nelly Olson, Nelly Skeate, Mary Dahline, Wealthy Church, Melvina Church, Alice Peterson, Mary Swedlund, Anna Forsberg.
In 1931 the schoolhouse burned down and a new one was built in 1932, at a cost of $2,400. The interior was damaged by fire in 1952 so classes were held at the Geo. Winberg farmhouse. The schoolhouse was later modernized with a central heating system and other utilities.
Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 12
Macht Accounting Larry Macht, Owner
Accounting and Tax Preparation
www.machtaccounting.com
203 5th St, P.O. Box 353,
Raymond, MN 56282 320-967-4439
Residential ● Commercial ●Roll-Off Construction Boxes Serving Willmar and all of Kandiyohi County
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Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 13
Teachers from 1905 through the school year 1969/70 were Millie Carlson, Nellie E. Rosenquist, Horace E. Reese, Pearl Malmberg, Mabel V. Anderson, Minnie O. Erickson, Lulu R. Leslie, Gunhild Peterson, A. R. Thompson, Ellen M. Ander-son, Lillian Boom, Hazel Peterson, Florence Boom, Saidee Pearson, Marjorie Sutcliffe, Ivel Clough, Esther Hubbartt, Em-ma S. Johnson, Anna M. Johnson, Dorothy Diffendorf, Anna B. Olson, Margaret Swenson, Lucille Johnson, Althea Brusven, Manford Hewitt, Ruth Cowing, Esther Edwall, Leona Blahoski, June Johnson, Edna Shosten, Elinor Pagel, Luel-la Fredrick, Mrs. William Kiecker, Mrs. Kermit Johnson, Mrs. Albert Nelson, Mrs. Jack Stice, Mrs. Elder Madsen. This schoolhouse was located in the SW corner of the SE¼ of Section 9, on the North side of 90th Ave SE.
DISTRICT 75 (800) A petition was presented to the county commissioners on July 28, 1879 asking for the formation of a new school district from the following territory: Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, and 14, Lake Elizabeth; Section 36 and E½ of Section 35, Gennessee. The petition was granted August 13, 1879 and District No. 75 was established. The district was organized that same month and the following were elected: August Broman, director; Louis S. Moline, treasurer; Gustaf Hedner, clerk. Miss Anna Johnson taught the first term of school in the spring of 1882. She taught a three month term in the Norwegian Methodist Church. In 1883 an 18x22 x12 foot schoolhouse was built at a cost of about $400. In 1888 an 8x16 entry was added, and in 1892 a12 foot addition was added to the west end of the building. Enrollment in 1882 included Selma C. Lund, Betsey Lindblom, Anna C. Lindblom, Samuel Johnson, Sophia Johnson, Charley E. Lund, Albertina Molin, Gustaf Molin, Frank D. Molin, August Broman, Oscar Broman, Sarah Nelson, Theo-dore Nelson, Lena Johnson, Alida Wieberg, Lars Fredrick Larson, Efry Larson, Enie Danielson, Minnie Danielson. Teachers from 1905 through the school year 1969/70 were Christina Erickson, Gunhild Peterson, Anna C. Peterson, Amanda Synnerholm, Olga Haroldson, Grace V. Dahl, Anna Aune, Florence Freelander, Eva Clough, Mrs. H. L. Nordin, Anna Olson, Mrs. Joe Goeddertz, Oril V. Danielson, Myrtle M. Carlson, Stella Carlson, Myrtle Grendahl, Ethel Nelson, Helen Hendrickson, Mildred Duffy, Mildred J. Nelson, Josie Knudsen, Mrs. C. A. Halverson, Doris Mae Stark, Mrs. Edith Westre, Arlene Johnson, Margaret Miller, Mrs. Elden Palmer, Jr, Annie Hawes, Mrs. Alpha Vennerstrom, Mrs. Ben Mar-shall, Mrs. Evelyn Anderson, Mrs. John Phillips. This schoolhouse was located in the NE corner of the SE¼ of Section 2, on the west side of County Road 2.
DISTRICT 79 (804)
On July 23, 1883 District 79 was established and covered the following territory: Sections 6, 7 and 18, W½ of Sections 5 and 8, Lake Elizabeth; and Sections 12 and 13, and E½ of Sections 1, 11, and 14 of Fahlun. The district was organized at a meeting on Sept 1, 1883, and the following elected as officers: C. P. Quist, clerk; Frank Fornell, director; and G. J. Boom, treasurer.
The site chosen for the schoolhouse was the SW corner of NW¼ of NW¼, Section 7, Lake Elizabeth. The 18x24x10 foot schoolhouse was built and the first term of school began on April 8, 1884, with Melvina Peterson as the teacher.
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Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 14
An 16x20 addition was built in 1894 at a cost of $225. Further improvements were made in 1898 at a cost of $250. Enrollment in 1884 included Edith Quist, Hurby Quist, Earnest Quist, Kate Olson, Han-nah Olson, Christina Olson, Charles Peterson, Annie Peterson, Frank Eastlund, Christina Engstrom, Henry Forsberg, Hilda Sjarstrom, Manda Sjarstrom, Betsy Norine, Axel Lind-holm, Sarah Engstrom, Augusta Sjarstrom, Willie Carlson, Erick Eastlund, Emma Olson, Willie Peterson. Teachers during the years 1905 to 1963 included Edith E. Quist, Edna M. Cassidy, Lucile A. Cashman, Mary A. Lipsit, Ellen S. Skutle, Mabel E. Johnson, Julia M. Johnson, Victoria Peterson, Josephine W. Peterson, Emma Carlson Myrtle Johnson, Mabel Johnson, Ruby Melin, Ruth Harrison, Edna Shosten, Ethel Newman, Esther Pederson, Clara Hallbom, Anna C. Lindquist, Regina Donnay, Myrtle Kleberg, Hilda Hoekstra, Dorothy Gabriel, Bernice Flygare, Kenneth Elling, Iona Nelson, Eleanore Norine, Mrs. Lowell Ekbom, Mrs. Wilbur Peters, Ruth Steinhilber, Leone Brown, Lorraine Linden, Mrs. Lillian Danielson, Philles Whitcomb, Mrs. John Phillips, Mrs. Chester Nelson, Marcella Verhey, Mrs. Phyllis Madsen, Anita Sauck, Mrs. Glenn Lemmonds, Mrs. Carol Lehnhoff. This schoolhouse was located in Section 7 in the corner where 120th St SE meets 75th Ave SE. This district consolidated with the Atwater School in 1962/63, after 80 years of existence. The building was purchased and torn down. The swings went to Atwater.
DISTRICT 96 (811)
A petition dated Feb 22, 1894 asked that a new school district be established for the area covering the S½ of Section 22; E½ and SW¼ of Section 28; E½ of NW¼, N½ of SW¼, Section 34; all of Sections 24, 25, 26, 27, 35 and 36; Lake Elizabeth Township. The petition was granted on Jan 10, 1895 and District No. 96 was established. It was determined at a special meeting held May 1,1895 to issue bonds for $400 to be used to build a schoolhouse. The building was improved in 1903 in order to meet the requirements of rural schools receiving the special state aid. The fol-lowing teachers taught during the first years of the district: Sarah Nelson, summer and fall, 1895; N. J. Swanson, spring, 1896; H. Bornstedt, fall and winter, 1896; Rosa H. Bomstad, spring 1897. Enrollment in 1897 included Thea Johnson, Bessie Olson, Rhoda Ekbom, Emma Johnson, Alwin Westlund, Esther Peter-son, Earnest Linden, Hilda Peterson, Reuben Ekbom, Hattie Campbell, Eddie Linden, Hans Johnson, Elmer G. Wallin, Abel Ekblom, Pearl Westlund, Annie Peterson, Anton Johnson, Hattie C. Wallin, Robert Westlund, Eddie Carlson, Nels Peterson, George Johnson, Mabel Lindstrom, Annie Rowland, Mamie Rowland, Morene Westlund, Levi Ekbom, Esther Campbell, Louis Larson, Christian Larson, Willie Larson, Frans Lindstrom, Clara Waters, Edith Lindfors, Enoch Walters, Joseph Walters, Hans Waters, Henry Waters, Willie Peterson, Willie Waters, Hilma Peterson, Emma Berg, Alric Young-berg, Herman Peterson, Victor Peterson. This school was known as the Prairie School. A new schoolhouse was built in 1938 by the NYA at a cost of $4,104. Plumbing and lavatories were installed in 1948 and a furnace in 1951. New desks were purchased in 1962. This school-house was located in the SE corner of the NW¼ of Section 26, on the north side of 127th Ave SE.
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Kandi Express, September 2015 —Page 15
Kandiyohi County Historical Society would like to thank local
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