Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Volume 53, Issue 2 June 2016
Kandi Express Newsletter of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society
-Keeping Your Heritage Alive-
Water/Ways Traveling Exhibition
Water/Ways is a traveling exhibition and community engagement initiative of the Smithsonian
Institution’s Museum on Main Street program. In Minnesota, Water/Ways is led by the
Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources, Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association, and six
greater Minnesota communities.
Each community will embark on an exploration of water and their identity, history, and cul-
ture. These communities will tell their local water stories and envision the future of water
through a year-long engagement process. Community leaders will collaborate across sectors
to create local companion exhibitions, community events, and educational programming that
will engage thousands of Minnesotans from across the state.
New London/Spicer (Kandiyohi County)
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center June 25 – August 7, 2016
Local Water/Ways Dates:
June 25 Grand Opening 10 am - 11am at
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC)
June 29 Water/Ways Bus tour of Kandiyohi County (more information page 9)
July 2 Okee Dokee Brothers Concert - Free 10:30 am at PWLEC
July 7 Lower Sioux – Dakota Culture with land & water at PWLEC (page 8)
July 14 Voyager Canoe Paddle on Ringo Lake - 7 pm - 9 pm free with Water/Ways
token after visiting exhibit
July 19 Full moon Canoe - 7:30 pm - 9:30pm must register $7/person PWELC
August 4 The Lorax Puppet Show 3:30 pm PWELC
The exhibit will be open
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
For more information check out these websites:
www.MNHUM.ORG/WATERWAYS
www.prairiewoodselc.org
SERVING THE COMMUNITIES
OF Atwater
Blomkest Hawick
Kandiyohi Lake Lillian New London
Pennock Prinsburg Raymond
Regal Roseland
Spicer Sunburg
Svea Willmar
IN THIS ISSUE Dakota War… 4
Pines & Mines.. 4
Atwater Historical
Society….…….. 5
Genealogy
Workshop……..5
When a Girl…...6
County Fair….. 7
Sacred Places of
Kandiyohi
County……...... 7
Vietnam Traveling
Memorial Wall..8
Upcoming
Events…………. 8
New Staff………9
Norway Lake...10
School Districts
New London
Township….11-14
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
2015-2016
President - Diane Shuck
Vice President – Colleen Hern
Secretary – Marilyn Johnson
Treasurer – Sam Modderman
Board of Directors –
Dennis Peterson
Audrey Thompson
Louise Thoma
Darlene Schroeder
Richard Falk
Maggie Harp
Honorary – Rollie Nissen
S t a f f
Executive Director - Jill Wohnoutka
Resident Caretaker – Andrea Maertens
Maintenance - Joel Bruse
Collections Assistant – Robert Larson
Collection Inventory –Bayley Schluter & Jakob Etrheim
Kandi Express
A Quarterly Newsletter of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. June 2016, Vol. 53, Issue 2. Non-profit postage paid at Willmar,
MN. Reprints with permission, please. Mem-bership in the Kandiyohi County Historical Society carries with it a subscription to the
Kandi Express. Stories about local history can be submitted to :
Newsletter Editor: Jill Wohnoutka, KCHS.
Newsletter Layout: Mike Norberg
Discovering, Preserving,
and Sharing the Story of
Kandiyohi County and Its People.
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 2
Volunteers
Archives/Office: Molly Larson,
Marilyn Johnson, Julie Neubauer,
Bonnie Hoogeveen, Donna McClouth,
Jan Helin, Mike Norberg, Mary Larson
Building/Painting/Thursday Crew: Elroy Gast, Dale Johnson,
Jerry Johnson, Don Niece,
Loren Luschen, Rollie Boll,
Gayle Larson, Harley Aalfs,
Larry Scholla, John Davis,
Allan Simon and Loretta Fenske.
Landscaping: Linda and Gayle Larson, Allan and
Elaine Simon, Marilyn Johnson
School Tour
Nancy Gustafson, Cal Miner,
Julie Neubauer, Maggie Harp,
Terry & Audrey Thompson,
Darlene Schroeder, Diane Shuck,
Bob Larson, Jakob Etrheim,
Bayley Schluter.
Summer Weekend Volunteers
Roma Fostervold, Marlene Brown,
Delores Hoglund, Don & Phyllis Shaw,
Beckie Johnson,
Bill & Marvis Hallberg, Carol Nielsen,
Margherita Larmon, Louise Thoma,
Dennis Peterson, Hilsida Tersteeg,
Allan & Carol Rambow,
Jerry Johnson, Alice Van Ort,
Marilyn Johnson, Sam Modderman,
Bob Larson.
Sperry House Tea
Marilyn Johnson, Louise Thoma,
Wanda Zaske, Nancy Gustafson.
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
2” or 3” three ring binder
Clear sheet protectors
Clipboards for school tours
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.
Minnesota Alliance of Local History
Museums Annual Conference
Over 90 history professionals from
around the state of Minnesota, de-
scended on Willmar at the end of April
to participate in the two day local his-
tory conference. The Kandiyohi
County Historical Society hosted an
evening mixer to show off our great
facility!!! Thank you to the volunteers
who came to help me: Nancy Gus-
tafson, Darlene Schroeder, Diane
Shuck, and Colleen Hern.
Our Sympathy to Family and Friends
Lorraine Johnson Larson, 91, KCHS
lifetime member since 1978, passed away
on March 6, 2016. She is survived by five
children, 13 grandchildren, and 9 great-
grandchildren.
Bob Williams, 89, KCHS member since
2001, passed away on March 21, 2016. He
is survived by his wife, Phyllis, four chil-
dren, one daughter-in-law, 21 grandchil-
dren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
Charles “Chub” W. Brown, KCHS life-
time member and volunteer since 1984,
passed away on April 2, 2016. He is sur-
vived by his wife, Marlene and four chil-
dren, nine grandchildren and three great-
grandchildren.
Rita Rosenow Croonquist, 78, KCHS
lifetime member since 1981, passed away
on April 5, 2016. She is survived by her
husband, Willis, three children and eight
grandchildren.
Rosemary Jancik Habicht, 89, KCHS
lifetime member since 1992, passed away
on April 20, 2016. She is survived by four
children, six grandchildren and nine great-
grandchildren.
Marilyn A. Nelson Hafstad, 91, KCHS
lifetime member since 1968, passed away
on April 22, 2016. She is survived by one
sister and two nephews.
Marion G. Bernhagen Johnson, 93,
KCHS lifetime member since 1981, passed
away on April 22, 2016. She is survived
by one son, one granddaughter and two
great-grandsons.
Stanza Byrdziak Haagenson, 94, KCHS
lifetime member since 1981, passed away
on April 26, 2016. She is survived by two
children, five children, five grandchildren,
and eight great-grandchildren.
Douglas P. Mossberg, 88, KCHS lifetime
member since 1979 and former KCHS
board member, passed away on May 12,
2016. He is survived by his wife, Marga-
ret, seven children, thirteen grandchildren
and four great-grandchildren.
Mark Harstad
Alan Moll
Matthew Bluhm
Karen Smith
Bernice Grabber-Tintes
Russyl Emberland
James A. Wollan
Laverna Birkland
Janet Helin
Bonnie Smith-Yackel
Raymond Embertson
Katie Ross
Doralyn Foster
Dale & Tami Tagtow
Alan Molenaar
Gary & Diane Fortney
Shirley Wood
Warron Matson
Don Niece
Lois Hurley
Myra Quale
Beth Fischer
Betty Moll
Karna Wahlstrand
Judith Maiers
Jesse Shuck
Jordan Shuck
Merton Newman
Dori Moudry
Helen Berg
Special Donations:
2/18/2016-5/18/2016
General Donations Bernice Leite
Debra Monson
Kathryn Monson
Katie Ross
Mona Nelson Endowment Fund Sandra Curran
Beatrice Ourada
Alan J. Peterson
Memorial In Memory of Doug Mossberg
Myra Quale
In Memory of Wendell Swenson
Harley & Evelyn Aalfs
Engine #2523
Endreson Cabin
Sperry House
New and Renewal
Members:
2/18/2016—5/18/2016
Benefactor Cal & Diane Miner
Patron Jon Pederson
Sandra Curran
Supporter/Business
Loren & Smitty Luschen
Beckie Johnson
Beatrice Ourada
Mary Norby Opheim
Don & Harriet Rogenes
Sam Nelson-Ridgewater College
Friend:
Kathy Vruwink
Harvest Bank
Lowell & Lois Fostervold
Jim & Sonia Collier
Diane & Dean Shuck
Family:
Donna & John McLouth
Alan J. Peterson Family
Greg & Maggie Harp
Bonetta & Daryl Hoogeveen
Carole Vennerstrom
Ralph & Evelyn Olson
Patricia Hauge
Arlen & Sheila Sjerven
Jerry & Ruby Johnson
Roger Bruns
Everett & Phyllis Wallin
Carolyn & John Swanson
Lois Ellinger
Keith Johnson Family
Gordon & Eunice Peterson
Denis & Sandra Anderson
Elard & Donna Gilbertson
Dick & Pam Lindahl
Roland & Glenda Nissen
Mark & Tracey Anderson
Darlene Schroeder
Individual:
Dan Leite
June Thompson
Dale Hedlund
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 3
Thank you ~ Your gifts help preserve our heritage for future generations!
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 4
Little Crow and the Dakota War
A documentary
by Mark Diedrich & Bill Weiss
Thursday, July 21 6:30pm Community Room Join us for a screening of “Little Crow and the Dakota War”. Director and Producer Mark Diedrich will be available for
questions and commentary. The Historical Society will pro-vide refreshments. This event is free to the public.
Pines and Mines Tour A bus trip to Grand Rapids
August 3 & 4
Join the Kandiyohi County Historical Society as we
travel to Grand Rapids to experience the mining and forest-
ry industry. Included in the trip are stops at the Itasca
County Historical Society, Judy Garland Museum, Forest
History Center, Hull-Rust Mahoning Mine and Minnesota
Discovery Center. We will be staying at the Country Inn &
Suites in Grand Rapids. Food included is breakfast at the
hotel. The bus will load at the KCHS parking lot at
6:00am on August 3. Cost is based on occupancy in hotel
room. $195-single; $170-double; triple and quad are not
available (the price is per person). For more information
and to book your spot, please call Jill at 320-235-1881.
The deadline to sign up is July 15th and all payments need
to be turned in by July 29th. The payment is non-
refundable. We hope you can join us!!
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 5
Atwater
Area
Historical
Society
Has a
New
Home
It is official: the AAHS will be moving into the Thompson Bakery building.
We don't have a definite time frame yet but we'll probably be working through the summer and moving
over there around the time school is starting.
A huge "Thank you!" to everyone who has supported and encouraged us through this time of change. We
are excited to be moving into a space that will be able to hold our entire collection in one building and serve
our needs for years to come.
Be on the lookout for upcoming announcements as we share with everyone what we're hoping the new
space will look like.
If you've ever thought about donating to the AAHS but have held back, now would be the time to help out.
We would love monetary donations (of course!) but also donations of time would be greatly appreciated,
either during our renovations or as we're moving the collection. If you're interested in finding out how to
Genealogy Workshop
by Lin Cornelius Strong
Saturday, September 24, 2016
9:00am-3:30pm
$30 per person-(includes lunch)
Join us on September 24 for a day long journey into family research. The workshop will cover using
online databases, maps & mapping, problem solving & using DNA and researching your European and
Scandinavian ancestors online. This workshop will be taught by west central Minnesota native, Lin Cor-
nelius Strong. Lin Strong is a charter member and president of the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of
America. She has more than 30 years of research experience in Germany, The Netherlands and Scandina-
via. Lin is the editor of both the OGSA and Chisago County Historical Society’s quarterly newsletters and
has co-authored and/or edited more than twenty publications. She has been the featured speaker at geneal-
ogy conferences and workshops in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota and has led tours to
Northern Europe for the past ten years. Her ancestors include the first Ostfriesen settlers in the Chippewa
County community of Clara City. Call 235-1881 to reserve your spot. Seating is limited.
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 6
When a Girl…Churches By Bea Ronning Ourada
I am thrilled to be back writing a column for KCHS, after a long hiatus. I have missed you and I appreciate those
who have told me they missed me! I was at a meeting at KCHS recently, and was totally blown away by an awesome
display of Greg Harp's photographic record of Kandiyohi County Churches. I missed the opening of the display and
this was the first chance I had to see them. Do Stop In to see them--not to be missed, or visit the website to see the
gallery.
As I looked at the pictures, some newer and some really old churches, I thought back to "when a girl" and how church
life was then. I thought it might be fun to remember and share the times and maybe get you to thinking of your child-
hood memories. There have been changes, some things have stayed the same, and some things are just plain hard for
us older ones to get used to.
Some of the older churches, particularly the country churches are very much as they were for years and years. Is
there anything nicer than to be driving in the country on a sunny day, and see, in the distance, a pristine, seemingly pure
white church with a steeple stretching into a blue sky? I think of driving on north 71, toward Belgrade and the Crow
River Lutheran Church on the east side of the road. There are others just as wonderful to see, but tucked into more se-
cluded spots.
As I recall what church was like I will be making some comparisons, but I am not making judgements--times have
changed and what is acceptable today would have caused absolute vapors among our mothers and grandmothers. (Can
you imagine walking into church in a pair of faded jeans and flip flops?) I can remember getting a new pair of shoes in
the fall, and being told these were my "Sunday shoes" and I better not get them scuffed or else! Sometimes they were a
pair of patent leather in shiny black material. And for Sunday,
the long stockings were white. (How I hated wearing long stock-
ings. I am not sure if other little girls had to wear them or not,
but I sure did. We did not wear slacks so we needed to keep
warm somehow.) We often wore little white gloves--so did our
moms, certainly. And at least on Easter Sunday we had a straw
bonnet. And the very minute we got home and were in the house
we had to change out of our Sunday clothes and into our play
clothes. I am sure God is more happy to see us there than how
we dress for the day but it still seems a bit disrespectful. To each
his own--my generation still takes a little extra care on Sunday.
And, what would Grandpa say as the drums, keyboard and gui-
tars started and the Praise Team made a joyful noise? Most like-
ly the same thing our forefathers said when the pipe organ broke
the sanctity of the day! Whatever the style of music we make,
we come into His presence with gladness.
And then there is inclusive language, if you can find the old
hymns, the words have changed. I enjoy John Williams on
WCCO and his visits with Thomas Jefferson. I would like to
hear old Tom's comments on that! And another thing--pronouns
referring to God and Jesus in lower case--when did that start?
He/he, His/his and the like. Humph! (I am glad we are getting
used to the changes and remember our destination, not the road
we take.)
This has gotten a bit long winded so we will continue in the
next issue, looking at how it was, what has changed and what has
remained the same. So, please return for Part 2.
Easter Service at Presbyterian Church in Willmar 1957
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 7
Sacred Places of Kandiyohi County
The artist reception for Sacred Places of Kandiyohi County and Gregory Harp was a huge success.
We had over 75 people visit the exhibit that evening. It has been very well received and it continues to run
until June 30. The exhibit will then move to the North
American State Bank in Willmar on July 13 and run
through the end of August. We now have Sacred Places
notecards available in our gift shop. Stop by and check
them out. If you are interested in purchasing any of the
Sacred Places photography, you can visit the website
http://kandiyohicountyhistoricalsociety.zenfolio.com.
There is a variety of options for purchase on this web-
site. All the proceeds from the notecards and website
will go towards the 150th anniversary book to be released
in 2020. Greg has been sharing the photographs on the
Kandiyohi County Historical Society Facebook page,
continue to check that out!
Hope Presbyterian -Spicer, MN
2016 Kandiyohi County Fair
August 10-13
Join us this year at the Kandiyohi Coun-
ty Fair in the Old Settler’s Cabin! This year we
will be featuring the Sacred Places of Kandiyohi
County project. For display, KCHS will have
additional photographs taken by Gregory Harp
of the Sacred Places in Kandiyohi County. Dur-
ing the fair, we will release for sale the Sacred
Places of Kandiyohi County calendar for 2017.
This calendar will be available after the fair in
our gift shop. We will also have train and activ-
ity tables for the kid to enjoy!
Old Settler’s Log Cabin at Fairgrounds-1927
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 8
We hope you have the opportunity to vis-
it the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall while
it is in Willmar, MN. The Kandiyohi County
Historical Society will be open and would love
to see you stop by! We will have refreshments
for military veterans and members and their
families. The United States Military Historical
Collection will display a portion of their collec-
tion in our community room. The Museum will
be open Friday, July 1 from 9am-4pm and Sat-
urday-Monday, July 2-4 from 1pm-4pm. Any
questions, please contact us at 235-1881.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, July 7
Dakota Culture
Presentation by the Lower Sioux Historic Site 7 pm at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center
Thursday, August 18
Geology of Kandiyohi County
Presentation by Sibley State Park Naturalist 7 pm at KCHS Community Room
Thursday, September 22 Archeology in Kandiyohi County
Presentation by David Mather
Minnesota State Archeologist 7 pm at KCHS Community Room
All these programs on open to the public.
Any questions, contact us at 235-1881 or [email protected]
Kandi Express, March —Page 9
Kandiyohi County Historical Society Smithsonian Water/Ways
2016 Summer Tour Wednesday, June 29th
8:30am-4:30pm $10 per person (lunch included)
Take a tour of Kandiyohi County and learn about all the interesting landmarks and projects re-lating to water. The tour will stop at the Smithsonian Water/Ways Traveling Exhibit at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center. Call 320-235-1881 to sign up. Seating is limited.
Meet the Collection Inventory Staff... The Kandiyohi County Historical Society was awarded a legacy grant to conduct an inventory of our 3-D col-
lection. With that grant, KCHS hired two inventory specialists: Bayley Schluter and Jakob Etrheim. They are
both working hard. Be sure to stop by and welcome them into the KCHS family!
Hello! My name is Jakob Etrheim and I
am excited to be the KCHS’s newest Collec-
tions Assistant! I come with about five years’
experience volunteering and working in muse-
ums. I am originally from Garretson, SD, a
town of about 1,200 people located 20 miles
NE of Sioux Falls, SD (my home is literally
1.3 miles from the Minnesota border). I attend-
ed school at South Dakota State University in
Brookings, SD and graduated this past spring with a degree
in History and minor in museums studies. I first got in-
volved in museums as a volunteer and board member for
the Garretson Area Historical Society in 2010 and still con-
tinue to help them out over email when I can. While in col-
lege, I also had part-time jobs at two museums. One at the
Siouxland Heritage Museums in Sioux Falls, SD which op-
erates the Old Courthouse Museum and Pettigrew Home.
And the other with the SD Agricultural Heritage Museum
in Brookings, SD. Both organizations, I helped with in their
collections departments as well other tasks like social me-
dia and visitor services. Having started on May 16 at
KCHS, I am really enjoying the work and the museum. I
also just moved to town the week prior and got an apart-
ment at the old Lakeland Hotel building. Having family in
Alexandria and Mora, MN, I frequently driven through
Willmar over the years on HWY 23. I look forward to
meeting and getting to know everyone!
My name is Bayley Schluter, and
I am thrilled to learn about this great
county through its objects, photographs
and stories. I grew up in Arden Hills, MN,
where I am the first born in a family with
six children and three pets. While attend-
ing Minnesota State University – Moor-
head, I earned a B.A in History with a
minor in Film History/Criticism. It was
there that I worked with the national college ministry,
Lutheran Student Movement as an Outreach Coordi-
nator and gained my first museum job as an intern
with the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay
County. It was there that I learned about archives and
research, preservation, transcribing oral histories; and
the process for exhibition development, installment
and promotion. In July 2013, I married Darren, a math
teacher at Minnesota Virtual High School. We lived
and worked in Burnsville, Minnesota before moving
to Willmar so that I could work with the Kandiyohi
County Historical Society. My first day was on April
3rd, and it didn’t take long to fall in love with the peo-
ple that reside in the County. My husband and I feel
very welcome in this “Big-small town,” and I can’t
wait to continue learning about and exploring the his-
tory that this community has to offer.
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 10
On the web at www.nllha.org or www.facebook.com/nllha.org
News from the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association
Summer 2016 Plans at the Old Log Church
Plans for our 2016 season of Saturday evening Vespers services are nearly complete. These half-hour services are held at the Old Log Church, commencing at 7:15 PM. With the log building and rustic pews, we try to evoke the worship experience of the early 1870s. See http://www.nllha.org/vesper_signup for the list of dates and guest pastors, and see www.nllha.org for driving directions. The outdoor lunch that follows the service is typically a very pleasant experience as well. 2016 is the centennial of a large gathering on the grounds where our replica Old Log Church now stands; see http://www.nllha.org/stories_jubilee.htm. We hope to replicate some aspects of this celebration sometime this summer. Planning has started as well on our annual celebration, to take place on August 21, 2016. Progress in the NLLHA Charter Member projects. As announced last fall, we have committed to collecting the information and writing short (1 page) biog-raphies of the 157 charter members of the first two churches that descended from the Old Log Church, namely the East Norway Lake and the West Norway Lake churches. We anticipated that this would be a three-year effort, at the least. We are making progress. As of this writing, we have 13 such biographies, mostly in final form:
Hans and Marie Aasen Martin and Anne Margrete Aasen Ole B. and Astrid Aasen
Lasse Bendiksen Ivan and Ragnild Bergum Johannes and Kari Engen
Even and Kari Glesne Maria Jacobsen Halvorson Johannes and Marie Jacobsen
Oline Aasen Kapperud Thor and Kari Paaverud Peder and Maria Reese
Jorgen and Bertha Yttreboe
Thanks to those who have contributed biographies thus far: Thelma Aasen Johnson, Earl Knutson, Barb Pe-terson, Carole Lundburg. The hard truth is that the above listed biographies are the easy ones. We have already run into a few that seem to be intractable, an example being Marit Ellingboe, the one woman listed among the 157 charter mem-bers. The usual sources were very little help, but an appeal to Facebook resulted in good information, found on http://geneastory.com. If the reader would like to see the full list of 157 names, please contact Earl O. Knutson, [email protected]. Help in finding biographical information would be appreciated
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
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 11
Rural School Districts of
Kandiyohi County
New London Township
School Districts
Written by Marilyn Johnson
District 7
This district was established by a petition dated at New London on Aug 25, 1866. The petition was signed by
Willis Bisset, Carl Ulric Anderson, Louis Larson, George W. Waldron, Samuel Stoner, and Ole Jorgenson. The
original area covered by this district was a two-mile strip running from Sections 3 & 4, New London Twp, to
Sections 33 & 34, Green Lake Twp.
In 1868 the south half of the district became part of District 28, Green Lake Twp. About the same time Sections
22, 27, 33, 34, E½ of Section 28, and S½ of Section 15, New London Twp, were set off to become part of Dis-
trict 26, Green Lake Twp. When that district was discontinued in 1878, the S½ of Section 15 and all of Section
22 were returned to District 7. In 1897 this part was again set off to form part of District 98.
In 1867 the first school was held in a little shack located across the street from Adams’ Store. The teacher was
Mary Elizabeth Strong. The first schoolhouse in New London was a log cabin, previously used as a residence.
It was moved to New London in 1867/68. Miss S. Morgan taught in 1868.
The first school meeting was held on March 27, 1869. A. S. Lybe was elected clerk; William Wright, director;
Chas. J. Sperry, treasurer. Six months of school was voted, and building a new schoolhouse was discussed.
At a special meeting on May 1, 1871, it was decided to build a new schoolhouse, and to raise $500. The school
board was appointed as the building committee and put together specifications for the building. The contract
was let to Samuel Adams for $499. The building was completed on Aug 5, 1871. At a meeting on that day, C.
J. Sperry, on behalf of Samuel Adams, Louis Larson, and himself, presented a warranty deed to the board. This
deed covered the grounds upon which the schoolhouse stood.
On Dec 23, 1887, the board decided to purchase a library under the state library law. Mrs. Mathilda Larson was
the teacher at that time. She and the students organized a basket supper, which raised $50 to help purchase
books. On Nov 23, 1888 a second teacher was hired, one teaching the winter term and one teaching the spring
term. In the fall of 1891 a third teacher was hired, and in 1894 a fourth teacher was added.
At a special meeting held on March 19, 1889, it was decided to apply
to the state for a $778 loan to aid in building a new schoolhouse.
Louis Larson, C. M. Lawson, and Harold Swenson were appointed to
present plans for the new building. They planned a 30x42 foot build-
ing, with 16x18 entry, both two stories high. They also included
space for a good sized bell on the top. The building was erected the
following summer, a veneered structure divided into four rooms. To-
tal cost of the building was about $2,000.
In 1901 a Scandinavian course was added to the curriculum. Prof G. Holmquist was in charge of the Swedish
course, and Carl Estrem was engaged to teach Norwegian.
At a special meeting of the school district held in May 1895, it was decided to issue $8,000 for the purpose of
erecting a high school building on the grounds east of the District 7 schoolhouse. These buildings were located
along our current State Hwy 9 on the East side of New London, this area later becoming the location of New
London Ind. School District 345.
DISTRICT 6
The Monongalia County Commissioners estab-
lished District 6 in 1866. The petition was
signed by E. T. Morgan, L. E. Daniels, Benja-
min E. Daniels, and John C. Morgan. This dis-
trict covered a strip of land 12 miles long, tak-
ing in the two eastern tiers of sections in New
London and Green Lake Townships.
In 1868 the S½ was set off to form part of Dis-
trict 28. At the same time Sections 33 & 34 and
S½ of Sections 13 & 14, New London Twp, became part of District 26. When that district was abolished in
1878, these lands were returned to District 6. On Jan 6, 1897, they were again taken to become part of District
98.
Officially known as District 6, this school was also called “Pleasant Hill School”. Mrs. L. E. Daniels taught the
first school in the winter 1866-67 in her home. Mrs. John Lester taught the next term the following winter in the
home of E. A. Wright. The school board started to build a log schoolhouse in the fall of 1867. They completed
the walls, but not the roof, before cold weather set in. The building was never completed. The next year the
logs were town down and brought to the saw mill to be converted into lumber. This lumber was used to con-
struct a framed building a little west of the original site.
In 1892 the board condemned the building and recommended that a new building be constructed. Construction
was delayed because the district was small and sparsely populated, and the enrollment
low so apportionment funds were insignificant. At a special school meeting held on
Aug 25, 1903, it was decided to build a new schoolhouse near the site of the old school-
house.
The new site was 22 rods west of the northeast corner of NE¼ of SE¼, Section 11. The
contract for building was let to C. C. Peterson. The modern 22x24 foot structure, with
an 8x12 hall, and two 6x8 porches, was completed in April 1904, at a cost of $542.72.
This building was located in the northeast corner of Section 11 where Co Rd 31 meets
Hwy 23. This district consolidated with New London Ind. School District 345 in 1959.
DISTRICT 8
The original petition to establish this district was signed by Mons Olson, Andrew Peter-
son, Andr. Nulen, Johannes Olander, Andrew W. Johnson, Charles S. Stam, and A.
Norstett at New London on Aug 22, 1866. No effort to organize was made so the land
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 12
S P I C E R
Bell Tower Antiques
4th of July Flea Market
Glassware * Toys
Furniture *Collectibles
Fishing Lures* Decoys
We Buy & Sell
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5
Sun. Noon-5
Hwy 23 in Spicer (next to Laib’s Gunshop)
320-796-5515
Chappell Central, Inc. 2101 Gorton Ave NW
PO Box 916 Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 235-2151
www.chappellcentral.com
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 13
area that was to cover District 8, was considered to be part of District 7. On
March 6, 1972 the county commissioners re-established District 8.
On Oct 1, 1871, the first recorded school meeting was held at the house of
John Olander. Chas. Stam served as moderator. P. W. Bergeson was elect-
ed director; Mons Olson, clerk; and Andrew Nulin, treasurer. The first
school was taught in 1872 at the old church building, with Miss Maggie
Price as teacher.
At the annual meeting held on Oct 4, 1873, it was voted to build a 16x18
foot schoolhouse. A. J. Erickson, Mons Olson, and John Olander were ap-
pointed as the building committee. This committee made a contract with A.
Pease and B. Merrill to build the schoolhouse for $39.50. The building was
ready by April 15th, at a total cost of $84.20. In 1875 additional work was done which cost $56.58. In 1883 an addi-
tion, which cost $101, was added to the schoolhouse. In 1891 the building was moved 40 rods because of a change in a
road. An entry was added to building’s north side in 1892, and a stone foundation put in. In 1893 the building was sided
and painted at a cost of $73.66. In 1896 a library was purchased for the school. This district had only three months of
school each year from 1872 to 1883; four months from 1884 to 1888; five months from then on.
In 1906 a new schoolhouse was built at a total cost of $750. The district also set teacher’s salaries at $30 per month. This
building was located in the SW corner of Section 7, along our current Co Rd 40. In 1959 this district consolidated with
New London Ind. School District 345.
DISTRICT 9
The original petition to create District 9 was dated at New London on Aug 22, 1866. The signers were Peter Larson, Peter
Larson, Jr., and P. E. Peterson. The district consisted of Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32, New London Twp, and the west
one-third of Green Lake Twp.
Boundaries were later changed to include part of Lake Andrew
Twp. On June 20, 1876 Sections 26 and 27, Lake Andrew were
set off to District 25. Also, in 1876, Sections 35 and 36, Lake An-
drew, were set to District 62. When the original District 26 was
abolished in 1878, the E½ of Section 28 and all of Sections 27, 33
and 34 were set off to District 9. However, when the Spicer dis-
trict was organized in 1890, the E½ of Section 33 and all of Sec-
tion 34 were set off from District 9 and went to the new district.
The rest of the land gained when District 26 was abolished went to
District 98 when it was formed in 1897. In 1890 Oliver Larson
lands were set off to District 7, in 1898 A. G. Lundberg lands set
off to District 7, and in 1894 Peter J. Nelson’s lands were added
from District 8.
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 14
The first school was taught in 1867 or 1868 by Miss Wright. The first school house, which cost $150, was built in 1874.
The following persons were of school age in 1874: Oscar Anderson, Albert Anderson, Welcome Sorsoleil, William Peter-
son, Fredrick Peterson, Louis Nelson, Hans Nelson, Carl Anderson, August Peterson, Frank Johnson, Albert Peterson, Ra-
chel Sorsoleil, Elizabeth Sorsoleil, Adelaide Sorsoleil, Christine Larson, Tilda Erickson, Hulda Erickson, Tilda Johnson,
Sophia Johnson, Christian Peterson, Ida Nelson, Anna Peterson.
At a special meeting on Feb 20, 1892, it was decided to build a 16x20 foot addition to the schoolhouse, with 12 feet be-
tween floor and ceiling. The free text book was adopted in 1894, $43 spent on the first book purchase. This building was
located in the SE¼ of SE¼, Section 20, where the current 150th Ave NE intersects with Co Rd 9. District 9 consolidated
with New London Ind. School District 345 in 1959.
DISTRICT 98
The territory included in this district was part of the original District 26, created in 1868. The first term of school was held
in a house in Green Lake Village. Ellen Smyth was the first teacher. No actual schoolhouse was ever built and District 26
was abolished in 1878 because no school had been held for two years. The territory include in District 26 was divided
among Districts 6, 7, and 9.
On Jan 6, 1897, a petition signed by Peter Gelskey and others was presented to the county commissioners. This
petition asked for the formation of a new district from the following territory, previously included in District 26:
S½ of Sections 13 & 14, all of Sections 22, 23, 24, & 27; SE¼ of SE¼; and Lots 2, 3, 4, & 5; Section 28, New
London Twp. Citizens of Districts 6, 9, and 26, and the board of education of New London Village disputed this
petition. The petition was tabled at a hearing on Feb 12th but granted at a second hearing on July 21, 1897.
District 98 was established.
The district was organized at a meeting held on Aug 3, 1897. They voted to have one month of school, begin-
ning Aug 23rd, and then four months beginning in Nov. The first teacher was J. Kendal Clark of St. Cloud, and
was taught in the old Singer house. The free text book system was adopted on Nov 15, 1897. In 1898 $400 was
paid to build a schoolhouse. F. G. Field was the first clerk; Peter Gelskey, first treasurer; Aron Hultgren, first
director.
Pupils enrolled in 1898 were: Flora McDonald, Leon Gelskey, Frank Ad-
ams, Grace Grant, John McDonald, Roy Grant, Frances Gelskey, Maud
Adams, Maggie Gelskey, Kate Gelskey, Mabel Hultgren, Alarie Hultgren,
Theo. Brekke, John Adams, Alice Nash, Fredolph Hultgren, Emma
Brekke.
The District 98 schoolhouse was located in the southwest corner of the
NW¼ of SE¼ of Section 23, in the area were current 92nd St NE meets
North Shore Drive. In 1959 this district consolidated with New London
Ind. School District 345.
Kandi Express, June 2016 — Page 15
Kandiyohi County Historical Society would like to thank local
businesses for their continued support of the preservation and
sharing of Kandiyohi County history!
320-235-1322
OPEN DAILY ~ 10AM-5PM
Primitives, Ceramics, Glassware, China, Silver, Books,
Furniture, Vintage and Collectible Jewelry
Check out the Online Store at www.longlakeantiques.com
Closed Mondays & National Holidays
~ Largest One Owner Shop in Minnesota ~
436 Litchfield Ave SW - PO Box 1037 - Willmar, MN 56201
Phone: 320-235-2212 - Website: www.corneil-elkjer.com
Insurance Since 1942
320-235-3494
Commercial & Residential Construction
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
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Willmar, MN
Permit No. 667
Kandiyohi County Historical Society
610 NE Hwy 71
Willmar, MN 56201
KCHS Membership HEADQUARTERS: 610 NE Hwy 71, Willmar MN 56201
Phone: (320) 235-1881 E-Mail: [email protected] Office and Museum Hours: 9-4 Weekdays
MEMBERSHIP FORM - Send to Kandiyohi County Historical Society, 610 NE Hwy 71, Willmar, MN 56201
INDIVIDUAL - $15 FAMILY - $25 FRIEND—$50 SUPPORTER—$100
PROFESSIONAL/BUSINESS - $100 PATRON—$250 BENEFACTOR - $500
Membership Category_________________________ Amount Enclosed________________
Name(s)___________________________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________ Phone______________________________
__________________________________________________________ e-mail_________________________________
Thank you for joining our venture, “discovering, preserving, and sharing” the story of Kandiyohi County and Minnesota.
MEMBER CONTRIBUTION FORM - Send to KCHS, 610 NE Hwy 71, Willmar MN 56201
As a lifetime or long-term member of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, I appreciate the membership benefits I’ve
(we’ve) received through the years, and the enclosed donation is an expression of my appreciation.
Name(s)_______________________________________________ Amount Enclosed________________
Address______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ Phone_________________________
Comments____________________________________________________________________________
