FOREWARD AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To our father, Merle Wolfe (1909-1987), who would have enjoyed reading this.

(1987) About fifteen years ago my sister, Marilyn Knackert, found Henry Clemons' discharge papers from the Civil War. Our interest piqued, we decided to Compile a family history as a Bicentennial project. Now many years hence, we realize how naive we were to think we could do it so quickly. Research is not an easy task, especially prior to 1850. Not until that date did U. S. Census records list household members by name. And records (especially census) are not always accurate. Note the many spellings of Anna Bartholomew's name. How tiresome to pore over microfilm records for an entire evening with no success. But how thrilling to fill in a missing piece! Genealogy is the ultimate in detective work. One learns how to find old cemeteries, read old script, and work with all manner of historical records. Everything has to be documented; a good historian cannot make leaps of logic without some proof.

Family historians are a most helpful and friendly group of people. Much of the information in this book was aided by librarians and members of local historical and genealogical societies who are willing to do a little research for your project, often at no cost. Just a couple months ago I received a letter from a fellow researcher containing information about Peter and Anna Wolf that I did not have. He gave me the names of two distant cousins, Ralph Kersh and Sue McLane, who are working on our Wolf line. They provided names and information about two and possibly three levels or grandparents -- the several Peter Wolfs. That was a monumental breakthrough.

This does not attempt to be a professional genealogy. We are amateurs, despite our enthusiasm. However, we have not made any leaps in logic to the best of our knowledge. Though all evidence has been documented except where clearly labeled, most is not included. If you wish further information, if you are researching any of these lines, or if you can update or correct any of this information, please contact us.

This is an incomplete work. There is much more that could be included -- both in research about our ancestors and in current information about living relatives -- had we been willing to continue postponing going to press. An update is planned for sometime in the future. There is much more research to be done on all the branches. But the going is slow; we have reached some seemingly-dead ends.

Marilyn continues to research the Wisconsin connections: living relatives, local libraries, church and cemetery records, military records, the records in the Wisconsin Historical Society Library, etc. Since I moved to Utah thirteen years ago, I have used the wonderful Genealogical Library of the LDS Church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -- the Mormons). This most-complete library is free, open to all, and provides help with problems. Finally, the computer made the task of organizing, writing, and editing manageable.

To all of you who were interested enough to contribute, thanks. This has been a labor of love. Marilyn and I hope it will mean as much to you as it does to us. A special thanks goes to my family who provided so very much support and tolerated my preoccupation.

Dolores Hansen Nelson, 1385 Don Carlos Court, Chula Vista, CA, 91910, 619-421-9094 (home) 801-390-7694 (cell)
1673 North 400 East, Centerville, UT, 84014, 801-292-5648
July 1987 (June 2008)

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PHILIP WOLF

Philip Wolf was born in 1710/17 probably in the Palatinate or Switzerland. He obtained a 188-acre tract in a land warranty in Bethel township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on September 27, 1738, from Thomas and Richard Penn. He is listed as a taxpayer there from 1751 to 1767. He received a second warranty dated October 22, 1767, for land in Bethel township. In 1763 and 1767 he was listed as a township official, Overseer of Roads. It is believed that Philip Wolf had three sons born between 1730 and 1740

(1) Peter (Sr.) (m. Elizabeth Reifser Sherk),

(2) Christian (Sr.) (m. Susanna), and

(3) Jacob (m. Barbara).

A fellow researcher has provided this information. He believes that Philip Wolf was the father of Peter (Sr.), but to date there is no proof of this relationship. He recently wrote of his efforts, and I was touched by his comments. His account also gives a good picture of the process of genealogical research.

"Yesterday I spent the entire day at Lancaster digging into deeds and estates in the hope of finding more clues, or any clue, to Philip Wolf, holder of the warrant, survey, and patent for the 188 acres in Bethel. It was, as I had anticipated, fruitless.

"You can be assured, believe me, that the connection between Philip Wolf and anyone else does not exist in Lancaster courthouse records. There is nothing. Zilch. I tried misc., orphans court, unrecorded deeds, intestates, you name it. Nothing.

"I did get copies of some other pertinent material. The will of Philip Houtz for instance was in 1769 and Philip attested to its authenticity in March of that year. So Philip Wolf was alive and well in Bethel, presumably on the188 acres, in March of 1769. He was well enough to get to Lancaster for this witnessing. Prior to this my last trace of him was 1767 when he was overseer of something. Philip was not taxed in 1771, two years later. Christian Wolf Sr. was taxed in 1771 for 180 acres. He was not taxed prior to1771. And therein Iies the rub. What happened to Phil and how did Christian get the land? In the space of two years.

“Everyone tells me how lots of land was never recorded etc and I believe that. But not in this case. Everyone around him registered and kept track of their land, as did Christian Wolf after he got it. And Philip Wolf knew how the system worked, and he was not negligent. He warranted, surveyed, and patented his land. He was a witness in court and on the wills of Houtz and Hunsaker of the farm to the east, He knew how things worked and was a part of the system. He also owned a large tract -- 188/200 acres. This is more than a lone man could reasonably farm well and in any case I don't see a bachelor beating his brains out trying to farm so much land with no wife or children to inherit. And further, farms of much smaller acreage were regularly sold, recorded, and tracked in that very area....

“In recent years I haven't gone out to jump on graves very often. It doesn't have a good time/result ratio. One is far better off to seek out old lists made fifty years ago when the stones were not yet weather worn.

"But when I finished at the courthouse I drove over to look at this very area, I thought it might be good to get it into my mind's eye and to draw some sort of perspective on distance etc, I am happy to say that the land is still beautiful, flat, slightly rolling farmland, with trees and shrubbery here and there. The houses are all neat and well kept; it is, after all, a community that is still heavily Mennonite.

"The Meetinghouse has been kept up and is in excellent condition. It is used regularly. The sign in front proclaimed it is the Sharon Mennonite Congregation Meetinghouse. There is paved parking space, etc.

"Catty-cornered across the intersection of Greble Road lies the small Wolf's Cemetery. It too has been kept up, almost as though it is a community project for those whose progenitors are buried there. There is a fairly new sign stating its name, the grass is cut (but not trimmed), and the stones are all upright and some symmetry restored. Possibly now they aren't actually over the right bones but one can't have everything. It is quite attractive.

“I drove back west on Greble Rd to Rte 343 and went north to Sherksville Road and turned right, east. About a mile down Sherksville Rd is the Mennonite Meetinghouse which Peter Wolf helped establish. It too is actively used and has paved parking area. There is a small cemetery with but a few graves, mostly of the Groh family. It is quite 'plain' but attractive....

"About a quarter mile on and one comes to Union Road on the right, which completes the domino shaped area I had just traversed. I turned south and immediately there is a; low rise and at its top I realized I had gotten some height unbeknownst to me. As I topped the rise I simply had to stop and get out, There, spread out before me, was the entire low rolling area of the Brightbill/Wolf/Hautz/Hunsaker farmland, and in dead center I could see the Meetinghouse and the little cemetery with its white stones in the sun. It was as though I was looking at all the maps and cemetery lists and estates at one glance. Just beautiful.

"I went on south to the crossroadss again and walked once again through the cemetery. I'm not sure why. There is an overwhelming air of sadness about a place like that. Not that they are dead. We know that and it is expected. But it is as though it is a repository of dreams and hopes and failures too. How hard each of those folks tried to live exemplary lives, to rear healthy useful children, to be on terms with his God, to produce fruit of the land, and to care
for and love his neighbors. And for what? All that labor and love and caring and hope, all shovelled together into a pitiful patch of ground. One wonders if they did indeed get their reward or if they are all out there somewhere, plowing and sawing and sowing and churning, still together and still with a sincere feeling it is all worthwhile....

"Anyway, the other feeling I got as I stood there looking at all the Blouche's, the Hunsakers, the Peiffers, Ambrose Kane and his wife, Michael 1795, and assorted other Wolfs, is that all these Wolf people we have as separate unplaced folks, are all part of this immediate Wolf family -- that of Philip and Christian Sr. The entire domino I have just described could be walked in under an hour. From the Meetinghouse out and around and back to the Meetinghouse is but maybe three miles or so. Diagonally from the Union Cem to the Mennonite Meetinghouse on Sherksvillg Rd it's maybe a twenty minute walk. Were it not far the hillock I spoke of, one could see the crossroads from the Mennonite Meetinghouse on Sherksville Rd.

“So while we have Philip and his land, then we have Christian Sr, then we have Daniel unplaced, and then we have the three Wolf brothers unplaced, and Jacob Wolf d 1777 unplaced. This is where they lived and for the most part died. It is only a question of unscrambling them. I don't mean just Bethel twp. I mean right there at the crossroads so to speak. All those people in the burying ground emanate from Philip and Christian Sr somehow. I just know this is so...

"Reifser is an anglicized version of German letters which do not have a parallel in English, the "double S." Names pose difficulties because of this type of difficulty in translation; individuals, including census-takers and other officials, had to approximate spelling from sound.

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PETER WOLF (SR.) and ELIZABETH REIFSER SHERK

Peter Wolf (Sr.) was born about 1740 in LancasterCounty, Pennsylvania, and died in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1805. He married Elizabeth Reifser Sherk, daughter of Godfried Relfser (d. 1807) and widow of Peter Sherk. He received a land warranty in 1766 in Bethel township, old Lancastsr County. (This part of Lancaster County became Dauphin in 1785 and later Lebanon.) He was taxed in 1771, 1772, 1773, 1780, and 1794. In 1775 the Mennonite Church was built on one acre of land donated by Casper and Barbara Sherrick; the March 1,1775, deed to that land names Peter Wolf as one of the elders of the Mennonite Church.

Around 1800 he and his family migrated to Pitt township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Shortly before he died in 1805 he purchased 1000 acres of land in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. His will (dated 1803) states that his five children should receive equal parts of his estate; his son Christian is named as executor.

The Descendants of Peter and Elizabeth Wolf

A more extensive list of descendants

All children were born in Bethel township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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PETER WOLF (JR.) and ELIZABETH KAYSER

Peter Wolf (Jr.) was born around 1770 in Bethel township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Peter Wolf (Sr.) and Elizabeth Reifser Sherk. He married Elizabeth Kayser, also born around 1770 in Bethel township.

The 1820 U.S. Census of Tuscarawas County (Fairfield township), Ohio, lists a Peter Wolf (age 45 and over), five females (one under 10, two 10-16, one 16-26, one 45 and over) and two males (under 10). Moravian Church records from Bethel township state: "Peter Wolf Jr (a Mennonite) and Elizabeth, born Kayser (a Lutheran) dau. Salome, born Oct. 5, 1800, bap. Nov 23, 1800 sponsor: Gottfried Kayser and wife Maria Catharina born Heusen."

The 1830 U.S. Census shows Peter Wolf and wife (both age 50-60) with no daughters and two sons (age 15-20). If Peter (Jr.) was 45 or over in 1820 and 50-60 (at least 55) in 1830, he was probably born between 1770 and 1775. The marriage register of Tuscarawas County lists a marriage between a Peter Wolf and Barbara Critzer on February 26, 1828. (A family story says that Peter (A.) Wolf's father married Anna Bartholomew's mother -- whose name supposedly was Barbara Kayser [spelling could vary] and who came over from Germany.) Did Peter lose a wife and remarry?

On February 15, 1836, Peter Wolfe, Jr. made a Land Patent Purchase at the Wapokeneta Land Office for 80 acres of land in Stokes Twp., Logan Co., OH, northwest of Bellefontaine and south of Indian Lake near land of his father Peter Wolf Sr. In 1840, he was living in Stokes Twp., Logan Co., OH. He was a carpenter.

Around 1837 Peter (Jr.) had moved to Logan County, Ohio, with his son, Peter A. Wolf's obituary states he was three years old when they moved. Peter (Jr.) (named Peter Sr. in the deed book) purchased 80 acres, an eighth of a section (W 1/2 of NW 1/4, Sec. 11, Town 7, south of Range 8E, Logan County), for $150 on July 8, 1837. The 1840 U.S. Census for Logan County, Stokes township, shows Peter (listed as Sr) and a female, both age 60-70, with occupation listed as mfg/trade.

Land transactions in 1847 and 1848 between Peter A. Wolfe and the following persons suggest that they shared in inheriting Peter Wolfe (Jr.) 's land: Samuel and Katherine (or Catherine) Shoe, Bazel Harbaugh and Mary Harbaugh of Co. of Tuscarawas, Oh., James and Sarah Finton, and John Wolfe and Susannah Wolfe.

On December 12, 1849, Peter and Anna Wolfe sold the W 1/2 plus four equal undivided 1/6 parts of the E 1/2 for $750 to George Berry.

The Descendants of Peter and Elizabeth Wolf

A more extensive list of descendants

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Joseph Bartholomew (Bottlemy, Battlemay) and Anna Barbara (Kaiser or Huber) !!!

Joseph Bartholomew (Bottlemy, Battlemay) was born on October 29, 1772 in Murg, Baden, Germany. He was confirmed on July 29, 1775 in Germany, Baden, Murg. He died in 1824 in Tuscarawas Co., OH.

Passenger List CD (FTM#354) and Amphitrite Passenger List lists the following: Bartholme, Joseph age 44; Bartholme, Anna age 44; Bartholme, Xaveri age 13; Bartholme, Secunda age 10; Bartholme, Johannes age 6; Bartholme, Therese age 4; Bartholme, Blasua age 2 as arriving on the 'Amphritite' in Philadelphia on November 4, 1816. The Port of Origin was Amsterdam, Holland. On January 23, 1817, he was residing in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, and purchased, along with a Michael Harman, land in Range 6, Township 13, Section 26. Both Joseph and Michael were listed with (German) after their names. Full payment had been made and recorded on 25 May 1825. In 1820, he was living in One Leg Twp., Tuscarawas Co., Ohio. Joseph's will was filed in October 1824 in Tuscawaras County.

He was married to Anna Barbara (Kaiser or Huber) (daughter of Jacob Huber and Anna Ebner) on February 22, 1796 in Murg, Baden, Germany. Anna Barbara (Kaiser or Huber) was born on January 24, 1771, in Diegeringen, Baden, Germany. Last name was obtained from Anna's Death Certificate.

The Descendants of Joseph and Anna Bartholomew (updated 2006)

A more extensive list of descendants

Prepared by: James Bartholomew 134 Mae St. Logan, OH 43138

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PETER A. WOLF and ANNA BARTHOLOMEW

Peter A. Wolf was born May 14, 1814, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. In 1820 and 1830, he was living in Fairfield Twp., Tuscarawas Co., OH. He married Anna Bottsmoop (sic) on June 14, 1835, in Tuscarawas County. (Other records show Anna's name as Bottamuop, Bottsbmuop, and Bottlemay [family Bible of Peter A. Wolf's son]. Since later census records show she could neither read nor write, this may account for the problem with spelling).

The Children of Anna Bartholomew (Bottlemy, Bottsmuop) and Peter A. Wolf(e)

Prepared by: James Bartholomew 134 Mae St. Logan, OH 43138

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JAMES HENRY WOLFE and SARAH SOPHIA MOORE (Sadie)

James Henry Wolf(e) was born February 11, 1845, to Peter A. and Anna Bartholomew Wolf in Logan County, Ohio, northwest of Bellefontaine. About 1849 his family moved to Hardin County, Ohio; in 1854 they moved again, this time to Keokuk County, Iowa, near the town of South English.

The 1880 US Census lists James, Sarah, and son Elmore (sic), age 2, living near Sarah's father's farm near Millersburg, Iowa. It notes that James was a blacksmith with no real estate and owning only personal property worth $150.

In 1876 James bought a half-interest in a stove shelf invented and patented by his brother David and a Frank M. Saxby. By 1880 five sons had been born, and the census again lists James' occupation as blacksmith.

The following are excerpts from James Wolfe's Callander Book:

“In the spring in the month of April 1883, when the first great excitement of the prospect of Dakota Territory being the future garden of Eden , I took the fever and my wife allso. We were at that time running a store consisting of dry goods and groceries and notions: times were close, and I had a family of five boys. We consulted each other and thought we would go the the garden of Eden as it was called; packed up my chest of carpenter tools and bid my wife and children and old home good by, and left for Dakota, leaving my wife to close out the goods in the store. After I got to Waseka, Minnesota the trails was laden down with emigrants to the same place. I arrived at Colombia Dak., and this town was just started, and there was a perfect clatter of carpenter hammers and saws. I could have got a job the same day I got thee but I wanted to take in the sites. I went to work the next day at $2.50 a day.

“In June my wife got the business in Iowa straightened up and wrote she was ready to come to me. I rented a shell of a house with two rooms and sent for her. Rent was high; had to pay 15.00 a month for this shell. When they landed at Colombia I was 50 miles north looking up a claim. I found a fine claim took a pre-emption and a true claim and came back to Colombia and found my wife there waiting for me. Wages was so high we thought we had struck it sure, and we had for the present. There was a big Flowering mill at this place, and a few days after I arriver there the dam washed out, and in July of that summer they rebuilt it. I put in for the job and got it. I had quite a nolege of dam building. I had helped build one in Iowa . I got four dollars a day and with that and what my wife made washing and ironing we commended to prosper, for I did not take a collar with me to the Territory. My oldest son, Elmer, went up on the claim and worked for his unkle and they broke 11 acres on my claim. I finished the dam and put the mill in running order, and then we moved up on our claim in Sargent county, located on the edge of what is called the white stone hills. I built a shack in the side of a hill, and we went into winter quarters, happy as coons in a hollow tree.

“Along in January it began to snow and drift. We got short of provisions and I got a neighbor's team and started for Colombia , a distance of 50 miles, after supplys. I got to Colombia the first but the snow was so deep I had to make a sled to come home with me that took me one day. This was a fine a day as I had ever seen in the winter. The next morning, the 3 rd , I started for home with my supplys; got about 5 miles on road when it began to snow and blow. I got eight miles when I had to put up and stay till the next morning as there was no house for the next 20 miles, and one would get lost and perish on the prairies. The next morning was clear but the wind blew and the snow flew. But I started again and made 20 miles to the edge of the hills, the last house till I got home, a distance of 18 miles. It began to storm and I had to put up again for the night. It was hard traveling; for I had to break the road all the way. The next morning was clear and the wind in the northwest and thawing a little, and I made another start for home. I came to a north slope of the hills I had just crossed, and drove into a snow drift and either broke a clovis , or a pin came out, I don't know and never found out. Well there I was, and nothing to fix the hitch with, and it commenced blowing and turning colder. It was nearly night and team nearly played out; so I unhitched and climbed on one of the horses and made out for home. Got there just at dark leaving my load behind. When I got home they had nothing to eat in the place but a little bread. It stormed that night bad. The next morning the wind layed, the sun rose clear but cold. My oldest son and I took the team and started back after the load of supplies. When I got ready to start I saw an animal down on the prairie. I took it to be a big deer. I took my gun and went on ahead to get a shot at it if I could. I made a sneak on it and got within Four hundred yards of it. Found I could not get any closer. It was laying down and I laid myself on the ground and laid the gun across the rock and fired at it. It jumped to its feet and I saw it was a cow Elk. I then began firing at it as fast as I could, and when I shot the third time I loaded my gun for another shot. I saw the bullet shatter her hind leg by seeing it fly up in the air. I then called my dog Billy. My wife was watching me from the house, a distance of two miles. She heard me calling the dog, and she sent me to him. When he come, he took the trail of blood (there was lot of it to follow) and he run it three quarters of a mile and put her to bay. I followed up and come within about 50 paces, and fired at her head, and down she went. the biggest piece of meat I ever Killed of a wild animal. We went on and got our load of supplies. I left and came back by the Elk. I had some lumber on the sled eight feet long. We laid some boards on the ground and on the sled, and we tried to put her on the sled but could not. Had to let her lay, and go home and unload the sled, and go back after her, and it was all we could do to put her on the running gears of the sled with some boards. We took her home and dressed her. I killed five deer after that and we lived fat the rest of the winter.

on our backs and started into the woods; travled about 3 miles and night overtook us. We made a wind brake beside a log; cut some balsam boughs for our bed; and slept well. In the morning we went east to Frog Creek and went out to look for deer. Harvy shot a spike buck, and we came into camp and had some heart and liver. Then we went south one and one half miles and found an old hunters shanty and concluded to make it our headquarters.

In the afternoon we went out to look for game and came to a poppel thicket and Harvey went around and I was to go through and drive it. When I got into the center of the thicket I saw Bear sign. I began to look around and saw more sign. I then went to where I saw the fresh sign and I cast my eyes off to the right and saw fresh dirt thrown up by an old log, and went over there with my gun in hand. When I came to the log and looked over it, I saw a Bear coming out of her den, showing her teeth. I leveled my gun at her and fires, and struck her just above the eye, and could not move her. I then raised up and whooped for my partner but did not get an answer; so I concluded he had gone another way. I took hold of her again. I got her four paw straightened out, and took hold of it and allso by the cuff of the neck, and pulled till I saw stars and I brought her out. When she came out one of the cubs about the size of a good sized dog came out. I jumped and grabed my gun and opened fire on him. I struck him in the front leg, and he got away. I then went back to the den and there was another one at the mouth of the den, and I dispatched him. My partner hearing so many shots fired, came in and said, ‘What are you shooting at?'

“I pointed to the bear and said, ‘Look there!'

“He said ‘M God you have not killed a Bear?'

“I said, ‘Yes 3 of them.'

“He grabed me by the hand and said, ‘Lets shake over the success.'

“Then we commenced to discuss the bear question, as how many cubs a Bear had. I said there might be another and he said no, for he never new a Bear to have more than two or some times three. I went to the hole and drug the dead cub out, and out came one more! My partner was standing with his gun in his hands, one barel laden with Buck shot, the other with ball, and I supposed he would get it; so I did not grab my gun. He fired at it with the rifel and struck it in the neck, and it run, and he pulled his Buck shot on it. I waited for him to shoot, and he commenced to holler for me to shoot him, that his gun would not go. But before I could grab my gun, the cub was in the brush, and I could not see him, and he got away. We dressed the three Bear, and started to look for the crippled ones, but did not find them. This was the 3d of November 1887 .

“We went back to the station and got our stove and camp outfit and fixed up our house, and then we commenced hunting in earnest. Harve killed five Deer before I killed any, but I had three Bear that would sell for more than his Deer would. In about ten days it snowed about five inces, and we started out and we had not gone far when I jumped up two Deer but did not get a shot at them. I went on and struck another track and tracked it a littel way and seen it lying down. I shot it through the head, that made one Deer. I kept on killing Deer after Deer till I killed ten and then we were even. I was out day after the snow, and we had a warm night, and I struck a Bear track. I tracked it into a hallo log and killed it. It was the one I had shot through the paw when I killed the three Bear. That made four Bear for me.

“My Partner went down to his folks, but I stayed and hunted. I killed in all twenty two Deer and four Bear. Sold the Bear for $70.00; sold the hind quarters or sadles for 12 ½ cts per pound, and shiped one Barrel of front quarters home to Dakota to my folks.

“I liked this country. The pine trees are tall and handsome. There are lots of spring brooks with the finest water in them that you would wish. There are lots of brook Trout in them. There are Deer, Bear, Beaver, Mink, Martin, Muskrats, wild cats and Panthers and lynx in the woods and some wolves - - in fact it is a wild scope of country. I found a fine spring brook with trout in it that I thout I might like to make my home on. I returned home to Straubeville in Feb 1888. I found the folks all well and everything drifted in with snow. On this hunting trip I made enough money to pay all my expenses and to pay all the interest I owed.

“I then consulted with my wife about the future prospects. We concluded to go to Wisconsin . In the Spring there got a disease in among my horses. I had five of them and three oxen. Two of the horses died, and I owed for them and there was a mortgage on the ballance of them for securing. The man closed in on me, and it took my oxen, two horses, and four cows to pay him. I had one sick horse left. I then rented my place for two years and settled up my business and went to Wisconsin ; took the sick horse with me, and after I got there it up and died! We concluded to try the woods two years and then if we did not like it we could go back to the place in Dakota. I never got a dollar for rent, Dakota has been a failure the last two years am dot was not very encouraging to go back to the farm.

“This was the faul of '88. The first of October we landed in Wis. My wife and me went to the spring brook here before mentioned and picked out a building place. I had moved into an old lumber camp to winter, and the lumberman came to lumber again and we had to move out. This was the first of Dec. We built a barn shanty and went into it, and commenced building a house; then built another bow house to sleep in; put a heating stove in it, and we were comfortable till we got our house up. I then went to work for the lumberman as blacksmith worker a month or so, and in the spring we made a sugar bush; built a house in the bush. This was five miles away. We went up there and stayed there and made syrup. We made 40 gallons. We lived on maple syrup and venison and bread and tea. There was no berry crop that year. We put out a small truck patch.

“In the spring of '89, I rented my place in Dakota for two hundred Bus. Of wheat, and he did not raise enough wheat to pay the rent; so I let my grit lack on Dakota - - let them close on the land.

“It was in the faul of 1888, in november, a party of four, my two sons and myself, seven in all, went on a hunting expedition. We went to the St Croy River at the capes mine Rapids. We hunted several days; killed four deer. Severn killed a doe deer with horns, four points on them, the first and only one I ever saw. I took the head and mounted it for him. It was a fine specimen. After hunting a few days, we packed up and moved down the river to a place called Santry V Tosiers Trout Brook. We camped on a lake on the brook and I never saw as many wild Trout before or since. Wm Hogue went fishing, cought a fine mess of Trout for all of us, and you may guess that was no small amount. That night the wolves kept up a continuous howl. Elmer, my oldest son, found a box of axes, 12 in all, that had been there several years, but they were bright yet. The next day D. R. Goodwin, my two boys and myself came home, leaving the balance of the party to continue to hunt. We got home and found more deer around home than we found on our hunt!

“In the winter of '89 and '90, we bought 40 acres of timber land and put the logs in and made about six hundred dollars. Then in October 1890 I took a job of building a school house, got four hundred and seventy five dollars for the job, and made pretty well on the job. I then bought the land I live on 80 acres of timber land, and Elmer and I are putting the logs to the mill. I intend to build a house next summer and a barn. I have made a dam across the brook and built a shop at the dam, and intend to run the shop with water power. I have a fish hatching arrangement in, and eggs in them hatching. The intention is to make a fish farm of the place.

“This is June of 1902, quite an elaps of time since I wrote the last experience in Wisconsin . I have cleared up 80 acres of land and built a house. I built 26 x 26 three stories with the basement; built a barn and a trout hatchery. I have lots of trout. I have a shop run by water power. I have built me an iron lathe to turn iron and wood power, and grind feed. In the last two years I have layed more than one deer low and one bear. The time during Clevelands administration we had some pretty hard times but good times are here again.

“In 1901 I was elected County Surveyor; have served nearly two years, having all the work to do I possibly can. The fall of 1903 I was reelected County Surveyor - - and am busy most of the time. My hatch of trout fry this Spring of 1903 was good. I sold 25,000 fry to a man by the name of French in Davenport , Iowa . They go to St. Croy, West of Gordon, Wis , about 13 miles. I get $6.00 per thousand for them. I have 10,000 contracted to a man In Shell Lake, Wisconsin, at the same price.

“In the fall of 1903 I took a contract to put a hydraulic ram in for a party from Davenport at the Misha Mockway Club House 14 miles West of Gordon, and build a Hatchery. Commenced Oct. 27 finished Sept. 5. The ram throws water 70 feet high and a distance of 250 feet, with a fall in ram of 4 feet. Supplys Club House with all the water they can use. Hatches will have capacity to hatch 600 thousand.

J. H. Wolfe”

James Wolfe's hand-made surveyor's instruments are on display in the Pattison Museum near Superior, Wisconsin. He was not only a surveyor but also a carpenter, blacksmith, taxidermist, and inventor -- he could do almost anything. He invented the square head speed wrench, but someone else registered the patent.

In 1913 James and Sadie went to California and Washington where they spent about three years. Sadie's sister, Phoebe Grimes, lived in Washington, as did two of James' and Sadie's sons. In October 1918, due to Sadie's health, she and James went to Joffre, Alabama, to visit their son Harlan and his family. She died there of cancer on June 30, 1919, and James returned to his home in Minong, Wisconsin, in March, 1920. The house had been vandalized and was in such terrible condition that he had neither the strength nor the money to retore it to a really livable condition. He asked if he could made his home with longtime friends, the Thomas Blaylocks, and became one of their family. Sick most of the last year of his life and having no money, he deeded his land to Mrs. Blaylock in payment for his care. He died on December 2, 1922, at the age of 77.

His land was purchased in 1936 by Charles H. Stoddard; it is named the Wolf Springs Forest . The area has been the scene of many experiments in ecological and environmental projects. In recent times buffalo have been raised there and dogs trained for dog sledding. Mr. Stoddard has been active in forestry and conservation for many years. The national director of the Bureau of Land Management for three years, he was later transferred to the office of the Secretary of the Interior (then Stewart Udall), heading the staff for program planning.

The Children of James and Sadie Wolfe

All of the children were born in Keota, Iowa County, Iowa.

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HARLAN EVERETT WOLFE (Hal) and ETTA MYRTLE CLEMONS (Myrtle)

Harlan Everett (Hal) Wolfe was born December 12, 1875, in Keota, Keokuk County, Iowa , the son of James Henry Wolfe and Sarah Sophia Moore. In 1883 the family homesteaded in Straubeville, Sargent County, North Dakota, then in 1888 moved again to Minong, Wisconsin .

In his memoirs, Hal recalls traveling from Oakes, North Dakota, in an immigrant boxcar with pigs, chickens, two horses, farm machinery, and some household goods. When the family arrived at Minong on October 11, 1888, there was frost on the ground one-half inch thick. The boys were all barefoot and had to walk seven and a half miles to a temporary home in a logging camp at Chittamo.

The first job was to cut logs for a cabin, but the horses died of mange, and it was a while before the family could borrow a team to skid the logs. They had to move out of the logging camp before the cabin was built; the loggers had returned. The family lived in a hut made of boughs and brush during November and December while they were building the 24-by-24-foot log cabin. It was the first log cabin Hal had ever seen. The round logs were put on skids and rolled up by hand to make the walls. Clay filled the cracks. A big ridgepole ran down the center with the other roof poles parallel. The boards of the roof ran up and down, rather than horizontally, and had been procured from an abandoned logging camp nearby. Hal's father had carried enough lumber six miles on his back for a door and about half the roof.

Before the cottage was finished, money and supplies ran out, and Hal's dad James went to work at the lumber camp. When the boss saw that James' wife and children were living in a cabin with only half a roof, he sent lumber the next day to finish it, in spite of Hal's mother's statements that they were quite comfortable.

The first calf from the cow was a steer; the first “ox team" was made by buying another steer to go with the first. After a couple years the family bought a yoke of heavy oxen form a logging outfit. They let their animals run in the woods all night, worked them until noon breaking up the land, and then let them forage for food the remaining time.

At first they cleared the land with the oxen and a long chain which was hooked to a tree about four feet above the ground. After the roots were cut on the opposite side, the oxen could usually pull the tree over. If the tree were bigger, the boys would climb up, attach the chain higher, then ride the chain down. After they got four oxen and a big breaking plow they were able to open up their farm.

wouldn't start when needed. The two men would battle with the engine while Myrtle milked cows by hand. Harlan was never one to take orders from someone else, so inevitably there were problems with the management. Whether he was fired or quit is not known, but fortunately he had enough back pay coming to pay the way back to Wisconsin; his wife, thoroughly disenchanted by then, wasn't about to pass up the opportunity. Another son, Robert, had been born meanwhile, so there were eight in the family on the return trip.

They landed in Springbrook in mid-December wearing their Alabama clothing; son Merle recalls running all the way from the depot to the home of Myrtle's parents to keep warm.

Grandfather Clemons had retired from his small farm shortly before the family had left for Alabama and didn't plan on having the peace and quiet of his retirement upset by a daughter, son-in-law, and six children living with him, so he set out to find them a home. The Scanlon place was a log cabin about two miles from town; Jim Scanlon, an elderly bachelor, wanted to sell it and move to the city. (No piece of property was referred to as a home or farm or estate; rather, it was a “place” and still is. These properties were usually named after the original owner, but sometimes after the people who had lived there the longest.)

The Scanlon place was to be the family's home for the remainder of that winter. The cabin was about fifteen by twenty-five feet with an attic reached by a ladder. The downstairs was all one room with a curtained partition for the parents' bedroom. It was heated by the kitchen stove and, like most log houses, was fairly easy to heat. Like most of the other men, Hal cut cordwood, or pulpwood, as it is called now, for the balance of the winter in order to keep food on the table.

When spring arrived the family needed a farm as the Scanlon place had only enough land cleared for a garden. Jim Emholt had lost his wife the year before and wanted to move to Minnesota to be near his daughter; some sort of rental agreement was made, and the family moved to the Emholt place, which was complete with livestock and farm machinery.

For the next five or six years the family moved quite often. From the Emholt place they moved to the Russell place, then to old Farrand place, really “out in the sticks” and deserted at the time. After a short stay there, they came back to the Elmer Hahn place) both names being necessary to distinguish it from the Albert Hahn place). They lived at the Clapp place by the river for many years; it was there that Hal and sons built a big red barn.

Hal, Myrtle, and the boys cut and hauled much pulpwood. Myrtle drove the team and logs to Springbrook so often that neighbors feared her baby would be born atop a load of logs. During the time they lived on the Clapp place by the river, daughter Ivy recalls a certain time when thee was excitement in the air because they had signed a contract with Superior, Wisconsin, for pulpwood to be used for pilings under the Arrowhead bridge, which was being built across the St. Louis river connecting Superior with Duluth, Minnesota. The Arrowhead Bridge has recently been replaced by the new Major Richard Bong Bridge. The family floated the logs down the Namekagon River; all the children who were experienced swimmers had to accompany the logs down the river to keep them from drifting and lodging on the shoreline.

Myrtle drove school bus in the late 1920's, a horse and wagon in the fall and spring, and in the winter a covered sleigh with a wood stove in the middle. Baby Leah went along with her in a cardboard box. She also worked as cook at Springbrook School in later years.

Myrtle worked outside more than she did inside -- always out in the garden, the fields, picking berries, etc. She always rose at 4 a.m., claiming that was the best time of the day. She usually was in bed by 7 or 7:30 p.m. She knit hundreds of mittens, not just for her own family but for others as well. She also knit al the men's heavy socks. At one time the family raised sheep and sent the wool away to be made into yarn.

Whenever someone passed away, Myrtle was usually right there with the family helping them. One year at the Christmas program it was announced that one of daughter Ivy's classmates who had been sick for a while had died. When the family went to go home, they found that their mother had left early to stay with their friend Johnny's family to help them. This was a common, regular thing for her to do.

The family raised huge gardens and gave away tomatoes by the bushels, always sharing generously with others les fortunate. Living right by the railroad, they fed many “knights of the road.” Many times in the morning when they would go to put down hay for the stock they would find where someone had slept in the haymow.

What a place to raise a family – between a river and a railroad track! A few cows got into a sinkhole on the property, even though it was fenced off. Whenever a child was missing, these things were cause for concern.

Hal was a hunter and trapper. Although the family did not savor the odor of the pelts of the animals as they were drying out in the bedrooms, they appreciated the extra cash which purchased shoes, underwear, etc., which could not be produced from the land. The children always had shoes in fall to begin school; fortunately they lasted out the nine months of school. Over the summer they went barefoot even for dressup occasions.

Hal's daughter Leah recalls one year he wanted to catch this otter, as he wanted money for the children for Christmas. He set the trap on the otter house, which was illegal. The game warden, a crook himself, waited for Hal, and when Hal caught the otter, the game warden caught Hal red-handed. Much to the family's embarrassment, instead of Christmas, Hal spent 30 days total in jail.

In later years Hal did some blacksmithing and learned to do stonework from Dick Andrews. Hal's children would help carry stones. Many fieldstone homes and business in the Springbrook area were his handiwork, and he also did the stonework on his son Merle's home in Milwaukee.

A would-be salesman, Hal sold Stuart Products (liniments, salves, etc.), then a so-called automatic match which preceded the cigarette lighter. He drove a Model T with Leah along supposedly to help start it, but probably because he enjoyed the company.

Hal was an avid supporter of the Townsend Plan in the late 1930's and into the 1940's, the seed or forerunner of our present Social Security System. Dr. Townsend's plan was that everyone from a certain age would receive $200 each month from the federal government. Recipients would have had to account for what the money was spent; money not spent would be deducted from the next month's check. There was concern that some people would hoard rather than spend the money, it would not move freely as intended, and fraud would take over. Hal, really excited about the Townsend Plan, took every opportunity to tell others about it. Daughter Leah sang and accompanied herself on the guitar; her dad volunteered her services at nearly every meeting.

Leah also recalls walking from the farm into Springbrook to listen to the heavyweight championship fights on a radio in the General Store at a time when few people had radios of their own and gathered at the store to listen.

During Word War II, Hal went to work in the shipyard in Superior and later in the powder plant at Baraboo.

In his later years, Hal was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses and helped build “Kingdom Hall,” their meeting place. He did not remain a member of that group too long; he disagreed with them over some matter. He played the trumpet and trombone and liked hunting and fishing. His granddaughter Dolores remembers him as being slightly built with sparse gray hair and bright brown eyes and liking to tease his grandchildren.

Myrtle, like almost every woman in Springbrook, belonged to “Ladies Aid,” a group which met once a month to work on patchwork quilts. She died June 15, 1955, at Shell Lake. Hal died October 27, 1955, at the home of his eldest son, Keith, in West Allis, Wisconsin . They are buried at Earl, Wisconsin .

(See the memoirs of Leah Sheehan for more information.)

The story of Wolf Springs, compiled for his children by Russ Wolfe. (added 2006)

Early Days at Minong, Wisconsin -- Memoirs of Harlan Wolfe

As Told To Ward Winton on June 20, 1955

I was born in 1875. Came to Minong, Wisconsin on October 11, 1888 with my father, James H. Wolfe, and my three brothers. My dad was of German descent, born in Ohio of German parents. We came in an immigrant boxcar from Oakes, N. D. In the car with us were pigs, chickens, two horses, farm machinery and some household goods. I was thirteen years of age at that time, one brother who came with us was 16 or 17 and the other two brothers were younger. Our mother and an older brother came about one month later. My dad had been farming in North Dakota . He had some dry years, western mange got into the horses and he lost out in Dakota and determined to move out. An old hunter from Star Prairie, Wisconsin got Dad to come up to Northern Wisconsin to hunt with him and look up land in this country. They hunted for market, killed deer and shipped them from Minong by railroad which had been built through Minong not long before. At that time a good hunter could kill 65 to 70 deer in a season. While they were hunting Dad ran across a trout stream and a trout pond with cold springs near Chittamo. Dad had seen a place at Star Prairie where they were raising trout for the market and that made Dad think that this place he had discovered would be ideal for a commercial trout pnd.

The morning we arrived at Minong there was frost on the ground one-half inch thick. We boys were all barefoot. We had to walk out to Chittamo 71/2 miles to Sutton's Logging Camp which had been built by Tom Sutton from Stillwater . There was a combination bunk house and cook shanty with a dingle between. The camp was not in use at that time but had been used the year before and was to be used again that winter. David Goodman and his family were the only white people in the whole territory when we got there. They had arrived just before us and they were staying in the logging camp also. David Goodman was the father of Ed Goodman who later became a surveyor and timber cruiser around Minong. Ed was about 17 years old then.

The morning we got out to the camp the Goodmans were leaving with two horses to ride back to Withie near Thorpe , Wisconsin to get a wagon they had left. They had come up with one wagon load of stuff and were going back with another load. They would drive as far as they could in a day and camp out at night and go on again the following day. Dad's two horses died of the mange within a few days after we got out to the camp and we had to wait until the Goodmans got back to use their team to skid logs for our cabin. While we waited Dad cut logs and my older brother and I helped him.

Our place was located five miles west and south of the old Blackburn store and northeast of Chittamo. Blackburn was running his store at that time. He sold supplies to the loggers and Indians and hunters and traders. Up until then there had been no settlers. When he first came he brought in his supplies from Stillwater. That was before the railroad came into Minong. He came up the St. Croix river to the Namekagon and up the Namekagon to Dog Town . He forded the river near there (probably near the Dog Town rapids) and went across country and came out near Gordon. From Gordon he came down the old Gordon road. This old Gordon road forded the Totogatic two miles north of Chittamo.

There was also an old road from St. Croix through Danbury up through Webb Lake and then over to Dog Town and to Gordon. I have been told that this old road came up the river from St. Croix Falls to Danbury and then through the Webb Lake country. Blackburn in his early days was a big logger who logged the Totogatic.

We had to move out of the logging camp before we had time to get our log cabin built because the loggers came in. Dad constructed a brush hut out of boughs and we lived in this brush hut during November and December while we were putting up the log cabin. Our cabin was 24' X 24'. Dad was a handyman and could build almost anything. Our cabin was the first log cabin I had ever seen. Dad did not square out logs but used them round. We put the logs on skids and rolled them up by hand to make the walls. We used poles in place of rafters for the roof. There was one big ridge pole and the other poles of the roof were laid parallel to the ridge pole. The boards on the roof ran up and down, nor horizontal. We chinked the logs with wedge-shaped poles or “splits.” These splits were 4' to 6' long and were wedged into the spaces between the logs. We used clay or “dobbie” to caulk the cracks. For the roof Dad got some lumber from an old logging camp which had been abandoned. Dad carried this lumber on his back from this camp.

That was Lloyd's camp which was six miles from our cabin. This Lloyd's camp was situated two miles southeast from the “hole in the wall.” The “hole in the wall” is a gap in the rock formation which runs across country. County Trunk G turns off from 77 and goes through the “hole in the wall” formation to Gordon. The old logging roads ran through there. It was the only place they could get through.

Dad carried enough lumber on his back from Lloyd's lumber camp to our cottage to make a door and about one-half of the roof. Before he could get the cottage finished he ran out of money and supplies and he went to work for Tom Sutton at the lumber camp. We moved into the log cabin anyway and one day old Tom Sutton came past our place to talk to Mother. He said “I heard the old man has got that shanty up at last. Are you comfortable?” Mother sad “we are quite comfortable, thank you.” At that time we had the walls up, on half the roof on one door in and two windows. The other half of the roof was opened to the sky. Old Tom came in and discovered that half the roof was still unfinished. He asked Mother what she meant by saying she was comfortable. She said “We are quite comfortable compared to the bough hut we have been living in.”

Old Tom sent lumber over the next day to finish the roof. We used tar paper to cover the lumber on the roof.

As Dad got time he made furniture fro the cabin. He made benches out of a cedar log. He split the log in half, bored two holes at each end at an angle and put in sticks wedged in at the end for legs. This made the same kind of bench for our cabin that the “deacon seats” were made out of in logging camps. Dad made rocking chairs out of barrels. He would cut a barrel in half and attach rockers to it. He also made tables and bunk beds.

When Goodmans got back with their team and wagon from Withie they had hauled out our stuff. We had a cook stove and Dad got a heating stove out of an old logging camp. We set it up in the cabin and with the roof completed we were all set for the winter. That winter and for the first couple of years after that we had to carry all of our supplies in on our backs from Blackburn Store and from Bond's store in Minong. We had regular pack sacks with shoulder straps and head straps. I used to carry 120 lbs three or four miles. At that time food mostly came in barrels. The sugar came in 100 gallon barrels or hogsheads. Flour, crackers, salt, molasses (black molasses or sorghum) all came in barrels.

We killed all of the meat we needed. I used to go hunting and kill all of the deer we could use. Sometimes I would have to pack out 175 lbs deer to where we could get a team in. Later we grew most of our food, but it took us several years to get into farming.

Before we got our oxen Dad built his workshop, 16 X 24 feet. He made this shop out of hewed timbers. He would go out into the woods and cut down trees and buck them up to 24 foot logs. Then he squared the sides and hewed them down to a squared timber. We had to carry the logs in from the woods, 100 or 200 yards, by main strength. Dad would put a stick under one end of the log. Us kids would take the other end of the stick and Dad would put the other on his shoulder, taking the main weight of the whole log on one shoulder to carry it to the farm. When I think of how Dad carried lumber six miles on his back for the roof and hauled 24 foot logs for his shop, I often wonder where he ever found the strength to do it.

When Dada announced that he was going to settle and farm the land the old lumbermen told him that the land was too poor to raise anything, but we spaded up a little clearing 100 foot square for a garden. There was another old logging camp about one mile from our place. We took manure from the old barns and carried it to our garden spot in sacks on our backs. We grew potatoes, cabbages, beans, rutabagas, beets and carrots. Later we grew onions. The second year Dad built a root cellar so that we could keep most of our vegetables over the winter without freezing.

We got our first cow that first summer after we moved. We took a job for Isaiah Bond at Minong to clear ground on Frog Creek east of Minong. Mr. Bond gave us a cow in payment. Until we got our own land cleared and producing hay we cut hay on the old logging roads for the cow. We often had to pole this hay one-half mile or more to get it to the stack. Two poles were laid parallel to each other on the ground about two feet apart. As much has was piled onto the poles as two men could carry and the hay was carried to wherever the stack was to be made. We built a little brush shed for the cow for that first winter. Later after we got some land cleared we built a log barn in which to store the hay and keep the cow.

The first calf from our cow was a steer. We bought another steer and those two steers became our first ox team. After a couple of years we got a yoke of heavy oxen from a logging outfit. We let our animals run in the woods all night and caught them in the morning. We worked them until noon breaking up land and then let them pick their living the rest of the time.

We cleared the land first of course with the oxen and a log chain. We hooked the chain to a tree about 4 feet above the ground. We cut the roots on the opposite side and the oxen could usually pull the tree over. If it was a big tree we would climb it and put the chain around the tree higher up and then ride the chain down. After we got the four oxen we got a big breaking plow and opened up our farm.

We got more cows. Bond had a bull which he let us use. He would charge out of the woods at us every time we went to town with our ox team. We had to keep him off with a pitchfork. We got a few hogs and we got some sheep. Mother spun all of her yarn and carded her own wool and spun it. She knit socks and mittens and scarves. She had a spinning wheel which Father made for her. He picked up the bobbin or spindle someplace but made all the rest of it. We used all of the wool that we grew and never sold any. One heirloom that I am reminded of in connection with Mother's spinning wheel is the muzzle loader rifle which my great grandfather owned. It is handmade, and I still have it.

During the time when we were opening up the land we all worked out to bring in extra money whenever we got a chance to get in any work. We bought our land from Sauntry Lumber Co. They had reserved all of the timber on our land. Sutton was doing the logging but we subcontracted under Sutton to cut the timber from our own land. My younger brother Ralph and I cut and skidded the timber in 1891 with one pair of oxen. Dad was in Iowa on some business. He left us to do the logging.

Dad was a blacksmith, mechanic, and handyman. He could build practically anything he set his hand to. He built his own surveying instruments out of brass. As he got the time and opportunity he built a dam on our stream with a shotwheel. He did blacksmith work in his job and he ran his bellows with water power. He ran his shaft from the water wheel and had wheels of different dimensions on the shaft. A belt went to the bellows. He had a metal slide fixed up which he could regulate to have the air blow fast or slow. He regulated it so that his fire would be high or low. I worked for years with Dad learning the blacksmith and mechanic's trades.

Dad got a license to raise trout. He made a pattern out of iron to burn his name on all of the boxes he shipped from his trout pond; it read “Cold Springs Trout Pond.” This was established in 1890. Dad built a dam across the stream to make his pond and built a regular fish hatchery where he spawned thousands of trout. He sold 100,000 at a time. He eventually made a lot of money out of it.

Father also built a little saw mill on the place where he sawed lumber for his own use and for some of the settlers who came in later. He had a lathe. He built a feed mill in which he ground his own feed. This was operated by water power from the dam and water mill. He had his grinders in the feed mill. Once in a while he ground up some rye flour. He also operated a large wooden dasher churn from his water wheel. There was a loose belt connected to an arm on the churn. It would throw itself off when the butter came. This was because it got harder to churn and it was so arranged so as to throw itself off when it got hard to turn. Through his ingenuity and industry Dad finally became quite prosperous. In later years he wanted me to take over the fish hatchery and operate it, but I decided not to. In the end after Mother's death he turned it over to the Blaylocks to take care of him for the rest of his years. They eventually lost it on tax title and Stoddard got it and has it now.

I lived at home and helped Dad with the trout farm and other activities until 1906. Myrtle Clemens, a daughter of Henry Clemens of Springbrook was teaching in the Frog Creek School that year and we went around together. On June 20th, at 10:00 in the morning, Myrtle and I were married at the Congregational Church in Springbrook. Today, June 20th, 1955 at 10:00 in the morning we held Myrtle's funeral in the Congregational Church at Springbrook. It was 49 years later to the day and hour. We had a big wedding party out at the Henry Clemons' farm two miles southeast of Springbrook. Ed Slayton called at the wedding dance. Everyone in the county came and the house was packed to overflowing. We danced all night.

After our marriage we established our own place about a mile and a half from Dad's place. I built a frame house with a stone foundation. I got logs from all over. Some were deadheads that I hauled out of Frog Creek. Dad sawed the lumber in his little sawmill. I also built a barn 20 X 40 feet out of Tamarack which I hewed square faced on two sides.

I picked up my knowledge of stone mason work during the depression. I had seen Charlie Burst do stone mason work but had not thought of going into that work myself until Mother Clemons asked me to build some stone steps and a stone wall for her house at Springbrook. I told her I don't know anything about stone work. She said “If I pay you, you can learn a my expense, can't you?”

I said “I will certainly try!” I went at it and made quite a good job out of it. Other people saw the work and asked me to do stone work for them and I have been in the stone masonry work ever since! I laid all of the stone work in Tom Moore's tavern at Trego and the design for the stone work is all my own. As I got time between jobs I built our own house at Springbrook out of stone.

With all of our ups and downs, Myrtle and I had a good life. All of our children, five boys and three girls, are living. They are all married, raising families, and doing well in various jobs and places from Wisconsin to California.

When we first came to Minong in the fall of 1888 the railroad had been in about six years. The O'Briens who had been logging for many years through that territory had built a rough board warehouse on Main Street to house the supplies for their various camps. Alexis LaPrairie was caretaker of the warehouse. He was French-Indian. Josiah Bond who platted Minong was just building his home in Minong. This was just north of where the Conservation Station is now. Where the ranger Station is at present he built a big barn.

Josiah Bond's brother-in-law, Byron Kimble lived in a little log cabin on the tote road to Lakeside . There was no station at Lakeside . It was more a passing track than anything else. Those three were the only settlers in the whole territory around Minong at the time we came except for the Goodwins who had just come in and were squatting at Chittamo. That tote road on which Byron Kimble lived ran to Lakeside from Minong and then cut across through the old Hathaway place past the northeast end of Gull Lake and over to Spring Creek. On Spring Creek where George Mishler later had his homestead there was an old splash dam. The road crossed on this dam and continued to Springbrook. This tote road was there when we came and had been for many years previously. On the river below Springbrook Pat Murphy had a logging camp near the mouth of Gull Creek. It was called “Murphy's Ranch.” Draper had a sawmill at Springbrook. It was over the bank on the falt opposite from Chares Sommers present sawmill and closer to the river, in fact right on the bank of the river and near the springs.

So far as I know the first logging on the Namekagon in our part of the country was in the 1860s. There was an old camp a mile from our place which they said was 20 years old when we came. The O'Briens logged east of Minong in the Chippanazie and the in the Chittamo region. They had been logging in there for at least 20 years before. There was a big pine stump in the tote road from Minong to Chittamo. The Loggers told us that it had been cut by the O'Briens forty years before. That would make it 1848. I doubt if anyone was logging in that country that early and the old pine stump might have been cut only 20 years before instead of 40 years before!

Besides the three settlers at Minong and the Goodwins there was old John Chittamo and Joseph Blackburn who were traders and who located near where Chittamo station is now.

Old John Chittamo was a full-blooded Chippewa Indian. He had put up a log cabin which he and his family used in the wintertime but he also had a bark wigwam alongside of it which they used in the summertime. The other Indians used Chittamo's place as a stopping place and camping place. When they stopped there they would build temporary wigwams and sometimes there would be a dozen wigwams with Indian families at Chittamo's place. John Chittamo lived on Frog Creek where County Trunk G now crosses Frog Creek. The Sioux Railroad bridge also crosses in the same place. His house was on the left hand side where you turn after crossing the creek. The present Chittamo Sioux railroad station is up the railroad track almost a mile and a half east of there.

There were still loggers in the country of course and hunters and trappers but they were all transients. The timber was pretty well logged off when we got there. Tom Sutton ran his camp two years, one year before we got there and one year after we came. He cleaned up most of the balance of the virgin timber that was left in that country.

When we first arrived Joseph Blackburn was operating his trading post. His place was located about five miles from where Chittamo Station now is. His place was on the bank of a creek called Ounce or Oonce or Oontz. It was spelled and pronounced different ways. About a mile up from the mouth of the Oonce was a meadow and Blackburn had built his station on the edge of this meadow and on the bank of the creek. At his place a tote road from Gordon intersected with a tote road from Minong which ran out to the logging camps on Frog Creek.

Blackburn was a noted logger in the early days. He was murdered in the 1890s, along about 1895 or 1896. It was a sensational case. It was supposed that Blackburn had been murdered for his money and popular opinion had it that Johnny Goodwin and his brother David did it.

Joseph Blackburn was a fine old man. My father had a book called “Fifty years in the Northwest.” Joseph Blackburn is mentioned in it. (Note: “50 years in the Northwest” written by W. H. C. Folson, published in the year 1888, on page 71: “ Joseph T. Blackburn was born in 1834 in Cincinnati , Ohio and in 1847 came to Stillwater . He has followed lumbering and Indian trading. He has made his home at Stillwater , at Taylor 's Falls and since 1860 on Totogatic River in Douglas County, Wisconsin ten miles from Gordon. Mr. Blackburn enjoys wilderness life, is eccentric in manner, and tends strictly to his own business.”)

At first Blackburn was an Indian trader but as the country settled up he sold supplies to the settlers. He cashed orders that the logging companies gave to the lumberjacks and other settlers who worked for the companies. For this purpose he to have quite a lot of money on hand and he was supposed to have a log of money buried around his place. One time my mother went over to his store and gave him an order that my dad had received for working for one of the logging companies. He told her that he didn't have the money to cash the order but that if she would stay all night he could get the money the next day. She stayed all night. The next morning he brought out several buckskin bags filled with $20.00 gold pieces. Mother always said that he got up early in the morning and had gone out and dug up these bags so that he could cash her order and other orders which might come in during the day. After his murder different ones went out to his place and dug all over trying to find this money but I never heard that anyone ever found any. To protect himself he always had two or three loaded Winchester rifles in his bedroom. He lived alone at his trading post. He was found dead one morning on the porch of his house. Evidently he had been chased from his barn to the house. He was killed with his own axe. There was a pole axe which belonged with his wagon. Apparently whoever killed him had taken the axe from the wagon, gone to the barn after Blackburn. Blackburn had run from the barn toward the house. He made it as far as the porch when his killer caught up with him and struck him from behind with the pole axe. Whoever killed him left the axe right there with the hair from the back of Blackburn's head on it. Blackburn used to keep the accounts of the various settlers in an account book he had. After his murder it was discovered that the pages for the accounts of the Goodwins and of my dad had been cut out of the book. That is why it was commonly thought that the Goodwins had done it. They were good friends of my dad and we supposed that they thought they might as well square up accounts for him the same time that they squared up accounts for themselves by cutting the pages out of the account book!

After we settled in there were other settlers came in and settled around Minong and Chittamo. Lois DeRosier homesteaded two and a half miles from our property, the Saverons, the Detmeilers, the Davis' and the Grimes all came in the 1890s. Benjamin Grimes married my mother's sister. My dad was the first settler who opened up any land to farm. Emily Engbretson came to Minong sometime in the 1890s. She married Pete Engbretson and they ran a store.

Gradually more and more settlers came in, school houses and roads were built and Minong increased in population and became the trading center for the whole Frog Creek, Minong area.

I understand that they are going to have a reunion soon at Minong for old timers. I hope I can get back for it! I think I am the oldest pioneer settler if the Minong region still alive.

Notes to Memoirs of Harlan E. Wolfe

•  1875-1956; b. Oakes, N. D.; farmer, stone mason; married Myrtle Clemens, 1906; children: (1) Keith Wolfe, b. 1907, who married Mildred Huges; c. Leonard, Lyle, Betty Wolfe (Mrs. Arnold) Ksobiech, Harold; (2) Merle Wolfe, b. 1909; c. Dolores, Diane, Marylin, Beverly, Janet; (3) Roy Wolfe, b. 1911; no children; (4) Carl Wolfe, b 1913; c. not ascertained; (5) Lorraine Wolfe Turczynski, b. 1916; c. Roger, Paul, Sandy, Dawn; (6) Robert Wolfe, b. 1918; c. not ascertained; (7) Ivy Wolfe King, b. 1922; c. not ascertained; (8) Barbara Wolfe, b.1924; (9) Doris Wolfe Sheehan, b. 1926; c. not ascertained; (10) Ronald Wolfe, b. 1930; killed in Korea.

•  For more concerning Blackburn , see note 6.

•  The Stoddard referred to is Charles H. Stoddard, former director of the U. S. Bureau of Land Management and of the Secretary of the Interior's Resource Staff, presently a member of the Advisor Board of the U. S. Corps of Engineers, who has built a large and comfortable home at the Springs and has developed the former James H. Wolfe property into a model forestry development named the “Wolf Springs Forest.” Mr. Stoddard informs us that Hal Wolfe was mistaken about his having acquired the property on tax title; that he in fact purchased the property from Mr. and Mrs. Blaylock – and that the taxes were fully paid up at the taxes were fully paid up by them at the time of the transfer of title.

•  A noted stone mason who built many old-fashioned stone fireplaces in and around the Springbrook area including one in 1930 for the cottage of the editor on Spring Lake. His justifiable boast was the he had never built one that smoked!

•  Mr. Stoddard says it is actually three-fourths of a mile north.

•  “50 years in the Northwest” by W. H. C. Folson, published in 1888. On page 71: “ Joseph T. Blackburn was born in 1834 in Cincinnati , Ohio , and in 1847 came to Stillwater . He has followed lumbering and Indian trading. He has made his home at Stillwater , at Taylor 's Falls and since 1860 on Totogatic River in Douglas County, Wisconsin ten miles from Gordon. Mr. Blackburn enjoys wilderness life, is eccentric in manner, and tends strictly to his own business.”

•  Regrettably, Harlan (Hal) Wolfe, who was then eighty – and living with a son in Milwaukee, was unable to get back for the reunion. A chance remark by Hal led to the taking of the forgoing memoirs. The editor had attended the Myrtle Wolfe funeral on June 20, 1955 at the Congregational Church at Springbrook, and the interment at the cemetery at Earl where so many of the early settlers in the Veazie – Springbrook area are buried. As an old fried of both Hal and Myrtle Clemons Wolfe and the Clemons family, he was invited to the home of Lorraine Wolfe Turczynski, a daughter, at Spooner for lunch with the family after the funeral.

While waiting for lunch to be served, he asked Hal of he was going to attend the coming early settlers reunion at Springbrook. Hal said “Yes, I am going to try, but the one I would really like to attend is the one they are going to have at Minong this summer.

The editor had known Hal only at Springbrook. “Did you live at Minong?”

“Yes,” Hal answered, “Next to the Goodwins, our family was the oldest family to settle in the Minong – Frog Creek area.”

Amid the service of coffee and cake, and during the rest of the afternoon, the editor asked questions, and scribbled furiously the notes from which the foregoing memoirs were written. He never saw Hal Wolfe again.

These memoirs of my grandfather, Harlan Wolfe, were collected and written by Ward Winton, a Judge in Washburn County , and President of the Washburn County Historical Society. I transcribed them from a rather smudgy copy of what appears to be a copy of a typewriter carbon copy. It was not easy to read. Mostly I did my best to be a faithful scribe, but I did make a few changes:

Springbrook was often written Spring Brook. I changed it to be consistent.

Chittamo was often spelled Chittemaw, among others. Also changed.

Random misspellings, capitalization errors and typos were corrected.

I added the pictures.

We left Wisconsin when I was a small boy. Except for a few visits over the years, I never spent much time with Grandpa. What I do remember leads me to believe that Mr. Winton polished his language a good deal. One spot in particular troubles me. Grandpa is quoted as saying “All of our children, five boys and three girls, are living.” He had ten children, not eight. Barbara died shortly after birth, and Ronnie was killed in Korea a short time before this was written. I'm sure Grandpa had not forgotten them, so I don't understand the quote. Mr. Winton correctly names all ten of my aunts and uncles in his footnote 1. However, he incorrectly notes Grandpa's birthplace. He was born in Keota, Iowa . There are also inconsistencies in the lists of Harlan and Myrtle's grandchildren, my cousins. If you really want the details, please contact me.

Russ Wolfe
Dec 7, 2004
25812 Cherry Creek Rd
Monroe, OR 97456
wolfer@peak.org

The Descendants of Harlan and Myrtle Wolfe

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THE LEONARD ALVIN WOLFE FAMILY

Leonard Alvin Wolfe was born October 2, 1933, in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, the eldest child of (Halvor) Keith and Mildred Eleanor Hughes Wolfe. He attended Pulaski High School in Milwaukee and married Claudia Shernick (born November, 1949) February 15, 1969, in Milwaukee . Leonard has worked at Briggs and Stratton for 23 years – for several years in the die cast area, and for the last several years, he's worked in cam gears as a machine operator.

Claudia works for Allis Transport as a bus driver for 25 learning disabled, intellectually handicapped, physically handicapped, and emotionally disturbed children ages 5 to 12. In addition, Claudia is also taking sign language courses to work with hearing impaired children. Leonard, Claudia, and their children live in Milwaukee .

The Children of Leonard and Claudia Wolfe

UPDATE on The LEONARD WOLFE Branch !!!

(2006)(from Claudia) Leonard is retired from Briggs and Stratton for the last 11 years or so. Our daughters are all in their 30's. Tracey born 2/3/70 is the oldest at 35. Tammy And Tina our twins 6/3/73 are 33 now. Tina is married to Richard Garland since August of 1994. Tammy was divorced earlier this year. Tammy is a special teacher in the Milwaukee Public School system. Tina and Tracey both work for Roundy's Pick and Save stores. I also work for Roundy's Pick and Save stores as well. Sort of a family thing. All of us work at different stores, so a lot of different hours, so we don't see much of each other.

(2007)(from Claudia) Our girls are now (God they sure got old fast) Tracey is 37 Tammy and Tina are 34 on June 3rd. The twins were born on Leonard's mom's birthday. She was 73 on the day they came. They were a surprise to all of us.

Now the girls are doing fine. Tracey and Tina work for Roundy's Pick and Save stores. Tina is a receiving manager at one of the new stores located on Moreland and Greenfield Ave in Brookfield.

Tracey works in produce/salad bar at the store on 127th and Capital Dr. Tracey's store made the news earlier this year when the roof caved in from the snow on top of the roof. Thankfully she was not hurt when the roof fell in as it was very near where she was working.

Tammy is a Special Education teacher in Milwaukee School System. On May 20th she gets her Masters from Cardinal Strictch College. She really likes what she is doing and is planning of continue to her own education to get further ahead in her field.

Tina is married to Rick Garland since 1994. No kids just a black cat; I guess that is ok as the cat does not ask for anything, so that means I don't have to buy lots of stuff for grandkids. Both Rick and Tina like to travel. They usually go to Las Vegas at least once a year; both of them love going there.

Leonard retired from Briggs way long ago --1994. So he watches tv etc, goes up to Betty's place for a few weeks each summer. We just had our wedding anniversary in Feb, made it for 38 years.

And I take care of him, the cat, and house work etc. I also work at Pick !!! Save in Menonomee Falls; my store is located by the old KMart now Sears store. I work in the bakery dept. I usually close the dept at night, I usually work alone which is not too bad as I don't have a lot of the store managers bothering me.

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THE LYLE KEITH WOLFE FAMILY

I was born September 1, 1934, in Minong, Washburn County, Wisconsin, the second of four children of Halvor Keith and Mildred Eleanor Hughes Wolfe. I married Norma Bryan, who was born on July 10, 1933, in Leicester, England, to George Henry and Gladys Foster Bryan.

Norma and I have homes in Kissimmee, Florida, Buena Park, California, and Thiensville, Wisconsin.

I am an independent design consultant servicing shoe manufacturers all around the world so I travel extensively, and Norma stays wherever the weather is best for the particular time of year. She also likes to travel so she goes with me occasionally. She also dabbles in real estate investing in Florida and California.

The Descendants of Lyle and Norma Wolfe

UPDATE on The LYLE WOLFE Branch

(2006) Lyle and Norma have retired and moved to The “Inland Empire” of Southern California after a stop-over of 5 years in Portland, Oregon.

(2007) Lyle and Norma moved to Texas.

(2006) Here is an update of the 5 LEAVES of the Lyle Wolfe Branch (written by Lyle Wolfe):

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THE GARY KEITH WOLFE FAMILY

My name is Gary Keith Wolfe. I am the son of Lyle Keith and Norma Bryan Wolfe of Thiensville, Wisconsin. I was born on August 21st, 1955, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I lived on the south side of Milwaukee until October of 1962. I moved to Brown Deer, Wisconsin . I attended Dean School, K-6 th grades, Brown Deer Middle School, 7-8 th grades, and Brown Deer High School 9-12th grades. I graduated in 1973.

I married Laura Jo Heavern of Brown Deer, Wisconsin. Laura is the daughter of Joseph Lea Heavern and Madlyn Neltner Heavern from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Laura and I got married on June 23, 1976. We have three children: Kelly – 11, Bryan – 5, and Emily – 2.

In 1985 I was transferred to Irvine, California . I am director of sales for a computer software company. The company deals in educational software. Its name is Spinnaker Software. I am presently living in Irvine, California .

The Children of Gary and Laura Wolfe

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THE HAROLD EUGENE WOLFE FAMILY !!!

(2006) Harold and Sally were divorced a few years ago, he remarried someone from Kaukauna Barbara I'm not sure of her last name. Divorced Barbara, at the time of his fatal accident 12/19/05. He was not remarried. His daughter Brenda lives in Georgia and has 2 daughters.

(from Claudia Wolfe)

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THE MERLE RODNEY WOLFE FAMILY

(Rodney) Merle Wolfe was born on March 29, 1909, on a farm seven miles east of Minong, Wisconsin, near Chittamo (birth records show Frog Creek), the second child of Harlan Everett and Etta Myrtle Clemons Wolfe.

Merle's earliest childhood recollection is playing on the floor with a wooden toy train that had no tracks, sometime during his fourth year. He remembers clearly going to his Grandma Wolfe's house, about a mile away, for Thanksgiving dinner when he was five. She must have had a sense of humor because she sent him to the chicken coop to gather eggs. He recalls bringing in several black eggs that came, supposedly, from her black chickens and white eggs from the white chickens. Merle also recalls riding in the buggy with his mother while she took his older brother to school in bad weather. Somewhere during that period of time he jumped off the buggy shed onto a board with a nail in it. The nail went clear through his foot and the subsequent infection, or “blood poisoning,” as it was known then, almost cost him his leg; plenty of hot boric acid compresses saved the day. He recalls being in bed for so long that he had to learn to walk again. Several trips were taken to have Dr. Zwicky check out his progress. Dr. Zwicky had some little white poodle puppies, and Merle recalls how he would have loved to have had one; even in those days, however, they were very expensive.

Merle started school at age six in a one-room school, common in that area until the mid-twenties when consolidated schools started taking over. His first teach was an “old maid' named Nellis Mosier. She lived at Lampson, about ten miles south of Minong. Merle doesn't know how old she really was but that any single woman over the age of twenty-one or so was considered an old maid. For his entire first school year he never spoke above a whisper except at recess or noon , a practice he continued even though he got shipped for it by his parents.

The Wolfe family lived about a mile (“as the crow flies”) from the school, and one event stands out quite vividly in Merle's memory. Miss Mosier was to come to their house for supper one night, and Merle and Keith (his older brother) waited to walk home with her. The boys took her on one of their “short cuts” which required climbing through two barbed wire fences; Miss Mosier was wearing a fashionable long dress and petticoats. He recalled that they heard from their mother about that episode.

Miss Mosier must have forgiven the boys because the following summer vacation she invited the two of them to visit her for a week. They were put on the train at Minong, and the conductor saw to it that they got off at Lampson. Miss Mosier lived in a very small two-room cottage with a loft that was reached by climbing a ladder. The loft was to be their bedroom and was just as adequate as home. One downstairs room was her bedroom, the other a combination kitchen, dining room, and living room. The woodburning range was the combination cooking and heating unit with the oven separate and above the stove. It was heated by the stovepipe going through it. The bathroom was outside like all rural bathrooms of that time. Miss Mosier pumped water from an outside well shared by some of her neighbors; the living conditions were quite normal and posed no problem for the boys.

Merle recalls one embarrassing incident that took place while on a trip with his mother, his older brother Keith and his younger brother Roy. Roy had to have his tonsils and adenoids removed, and since Dr. Zwicky had moved his practice to Superior, Merle's mother and the three boys went to his Aunt Sylvia's in Duluth for the few days required. Keith and Merle searched the backyards for the usual outhouse, and, failing to find it, ended up using an outside coal bin. After a reprimand for exposing themselves to the neighbors, they were given a lesson on how to use an inside toilet. This incident comes to mind whenever a convenient facility is difficult to find!

While in Duluth the three boys posed, along with cousins Vera and Helen, for a portrait (now in the family album) in which the button shoes and Keith's polka dot shirt really stand out. Also, which in Duluth , the boys saw their first movie. Though Merle doesn't recall what the movie was about, somewhere in it was a big shaggy dog. He and Keith argued spiritedly over whether it was a dog or a sheep, and finally “shushed” only after drawing the attention of everyone in the theater.

When Merle's second school year rolled around, the school was to have a new teacher from Spooner named Georgia Cameron, a “miss” but not an “old maid.” She was to board at their house and must have been warned about Merle's whispering habit. He hadn't told anyone but had made up his mind to be really brave and talk out loud like the rest of the kids. About the first thing Miss Cameron did was to write something on the blackboard and then ask him what it was; he surprised her and the other kids by piping right up quite normally.

The one-room schools were cold, especially in the morning, as there was no fire overnight or on weekends. Merle recalls how the children marched around the schoolroom swinging their arms and stamping their feet to get warm.

The farmhouse at Chittamo had three rooms downstairs – kitchen, living room, and the parents' bedroom. The downstairs portion was plastered, but the upstairs was only rough floorboards with walls and roof of rough boards and tarpaper. The only heat upstairs was whatever filtered through from the ceiling below. Downstairs there was a wood-burning range in the kitchen and a “Round Oak” heater in the living room, both units connected to a common chimney in the center of the house by round, black, tin stovepipes. The stoves were usually kept some distance from the chimney so that the pipes would help heat the rooms and not have too much heat going up the chimney. There were always hangers over the heater for wet socks, creating quite an odor. The stovepipes were suspended from the ceiling with stovepipe wire, with the same wire being used to make rabbit snares.

Rabbits would beat trails in the snow in the alder and willow thickets, and it was not unusual to catch ten or twelve in a night, depending on how many snares were set out. These snowshoe hares didn't have much meat on them except for the hindquarters; they usually ended up as stew. The pelts turned inside out made warm, if somewhat smelly, “socks.” When cold weather came, the children were dressed in long flannel underwear; when spring came they peeled off what was left of it. On their feet they wore what was called “pacs.” They resembled boots and came in varying heights. Men working in the deep snow in the woods usually wore quite high ones that reached to the knees. Those for the children were usually the height of an ordinary pair of work shoes. Leather tops were sewn to bottoms of quite heavy rubber; when the rubber bottoms wore out, new ones were sewn to the old tops which would sometimes outlast several rubber bottoms. They were always large enough for at least two pair of heavy socks, the inner ones of wood and the outer ones of cotton. Invariably the toes and heels would develop holes which required darning, a task which Merle learned to do at a very early age. When the socks got to a point where they could no longer be darned very well, his mother would knit new bottoms onto the old tops. Merle learned to do that also but not very well. The same clothing that was worn for work in the barn was also worn to school, with the resulting odor probably a little upsetting to a school teacher sho had never taught in a rural school before.

Spring came eventually, and the warm weather brought the urge to go barefoot; off would come the boots until fall. Feet, tender at first, toughened up fast. Merle recalls not having a pair of shoes on his feet from spring until the coming of fall and frost, this during grade school years. He remembers going to the pasture to bring the cows home in the morning; most of them would be lying down, and when the cows got up, he would stand in the warm spot where they had been, trying to warm his feet. Barefoot time of year was always welcome.

There wasn't much time for play, and the teachers didn't assign much homework, knowing there were many chores to do. Livestock had to be fed and watered, water was pumped by hand, and the hay had to be gotten out of the haymow, the upper part of the barn, or carried from a haystack outside. Silage had to be dug out of the silo for the cows, and the cows had to be milked morning and night. Milk was run through a cream separator turned by manpower (or boy power.) There was the barn to be cleaned and wood to be cut and brought in for stoves, large chunks for the heater and smaller ones for the cookstove. The water pail in the kitchen had to be kept full at all times. There were usually two water pails; one was taken along when someone went to the barn and was left at the well. On the way back, water was pumped and the full bucket carried back to the house. Warm water for washing hands and faces came from a reservoir on the kitchen stove, and that had to be kept full.

Spring, summer, and fall each had their quota of work, what with planting, cultivating, and harvesting. Merle rode bareback for many a mile, steering a horse between the rows of corn and other crops while Keith steered the cultivator. He recalls times when his father dug potatoes all day by hand; when the boys got home from school they would have to pick them up, dump them in a pile, and cover them with hay so they wouldn't freeze overnight. Merle says he can still feel those cold hands and feet. He remembers mostly the unfavorable things and not many things that were fun.

In 1917 the family migrated to Alabama; the climate was probably a strong factor. Much of the trip was taken up waiting for trains in Chicago, St. Louis, and Meridian, Mississippi. Their father had gone ahead with the livestock and all the family possessions. Myrtle had packed a great deal of food to take along, but it wasn't enough for five children. At the time Keith was ten, Merle eight, Roy six, Carl three, and Lorraine one. Their mother had planned to have Roy travel free by telling the conductor that he was only four, but Roy insisted that he was six, and she had to pay for him all the way. Evidently each conductor passed the word along to the next one.

Their mother didn't have very much money and had to use what was budgeted for food to pay Roy 's fare. Many people felt sorry for them and gave them food and candy, but they were pretty hungry by the time they arrived at Joffre , Alabama . Their father was waiting there for them and treated them to something new, Coca Cola, which hadn't reached northern Wisconsin yet. All the children were “goggle-eyed” at seeing all the black people, even though they had seen quite a few of them along the way.

the hay was all harvested Mrs. Brockett let him go, knowing he would leave soon anyhow. He spent the rest of the summer working on the railroad. In the fall he enrolled at Superior Normal, still hoping for a subsidy from home, but he was no longer the favorite nephew. He washed dishes in the evening for two meals a day and worked the midnight to seven a.m. shift at the Y.M.C.A. to pay for his room. All his money had gone for enrollment, books, and a few necessary clothes. Not only was he not getting enough sleep, but he was also having problems staying awake in classes. Giving up after the end of the first semester, he answered an ad for farm help, the only occupation he knew much about. Even though he earned only ten dollars a month plus his board, he was determined he wasn't going to go back home. Somehow his mother found where he was and wrote to the farmer, demanding that he pay her Merle's wages because he wasn't legally of age. That made Merle all the more determined to leave that area of the country. Answering another ad in a farm journal, he got a job near Lake Geneva , Wisconsin , but made the mistake of telling his brother Keith where he was going. It wasn't long before his mother wrote that farmer a similar letter; the farmer was undecided whether he should keep Merle there under the circumstances. He gave Merle his money after Merle told him he was going back home, but he took a train to Chicago , determined to really get lost.

It was almost three years before his family heard from him again. A couple of days in the Windy City convinced him, however, that it was no place for a green farm boy. On the trip from Superior to Lake Geneva he had had a layover between trains at Janesville , Wisconsin . A few hours spent wandering around the city had interested him, and now he decided to go there from Chicago . Taking a room at the Y.M.C.A. for three dollars a week, he set out job hunting. The main employer in Janesville was (and is) Fisher Body Division of Chevrolet, but they were not hiring at the time. After about a month as an errand boy at Parker Pen Company, he went to work for a construction company that was building a ten million gallon water reservoir for the city. Laborer's pay of fifty cents an hour doesn't sound like much now, but working ten hours a day, six and a half days a week gave him spending money in his pocket, and for the first time in his life he was doing work he actually liked.

One Saturday night he went with some of the other young men from the Y.M.C.A. to a dance at the local Eagles Club and struck up a friendship with some other fellows his age who worked at the Chevrolet plant. One of them had a brother who was a foreman there; he told Merle to be at the plant early Monday morning and he would be hired. Merle's name was called ahead of about thirty others who were waiting, and he went to work right away, having learned an obvious lesson to him on having a little help from the inside. The plant was just starting up, building the new 1929 models with the first six-cylinder motors. There were long delays on the assembly line, as any one problem held up the whole line. The men had a daily quota of bodies to put out, and it was often midnight before Merle was able to leave, having to be back at seven the next morning.

Among Merle's “buddies” at the “Y” were three carpenters (a father and his two sons) and another friend of theirs who was foreman for the construction company for which they worked. Leaving Fisher Body, Merle joined them in building schools for the city of Janesville, knowing the job was only temporary but having had his fill of assembly lines. Hearing of an opening at the telephone company, he applied and got the job. Though sixty dollars a month was not much money, it was steady work, and the fortunate quality of the choice became apparent shortly thereafter with the stock market crash of 1929.

After a breaking-in period at Janesville, Merle was sent to Beloit, then to Madison on an emergency job for about a month, then back to Beloit . The telephone company was just beginning to install the dial system in Milwaukee and was looking for young men without family ties to install the system. Since he fit into that category he was sent to Milwaukee to learn how to service the central office equipment. Sixteen dollars a week was barely enough to live on, but those were depression days, and he was envied by many for just having a job. After almost six years with the company, he joined five others in trying to form a union, assured by the union business agent that by President Roosevelt's orders they could not be fired for union activity. There must have been a misunderstanding somewhere, because that is just what happened to all six of them, and Merle was informed that he would never get another job with the telephone company anywhere.

Going to work in a filling station pumping gas for about twelve dollars a week and for some incredibly long hours was a major turning point in his life, as it was there that he met his future wife, Eunice Reindl, who lived in the neighborhood. Believing the old saying that two could live as cheaply as one, they were married September 29, 1035 , but found that it doesn't work quite that way. Merle's boss didn't approve, and he changed jobs just hours before being laid off. It was still the same kind of job at the same pay, so he took a second job; when the second boss found out he was trying to hold down two jobs, it was the end of the second one.

A cab driver told him glowing stories of the money to be made in that “racket,” so Merle tried it out – and got a pretty good look at the seamy side of life. In his travels as a cab driver, he would apply for jobs wherever they would accept applications; in 1941 he was called to work at Cutler-Hammer. Shortly thereafter jobs became plentiful as the United States went to war. Merle worked at Cutler-Hammer for about a year and a half, then left for a similar job at Square D Company.

All this time he was very fortunate to be in a selective service district that had no trouble fillings its quotas of draftees without taking married men, so he remained classified as 4-F. By this time he was not only married but had two young daughters: Dolores, born in 1936, and Diane, born in 1940.

In October 1943, Merle's brother Carl proposed that they go to Alaska ; the lure of big money was the inducement. Not only was the family broke when he left, but Eunice had to borrow money from her father to live on. After a month of unloading ships in Skagway, he spent six months in the Arctic Circle building the Canol Pipeline in the Northwest Territory , working as a mechanic, electrician, and jack-of-all-trades. He came home seven months later to a bank account of over $3,000 that Eunice had “stashed away;” this was the nest egg for their future home.

On returning, Merle went to the Electrical Workers' Union to see about a job. The former business agent had been deposed for dipping his hands into the union's bank account, and his assistant, now managing the union, remembered Merle and the telephone company fiasco. He was sent to the Froemming Shipyard as a “permit” electrician, paying the union four percent of his gross wages for the permit. He remained at the shipyard until the war was over, then was sent to a different electrical contractor to work at changing the wartime factories over to peacetime work. Work was plentiful, and the family was able to save some money from Merle's wages.

Merle remembers 1947 as significant for two important events. On June 15th the basement was dug for the family's new home, and Merle was initiated as a full-fledged member of Local 494 of the International Electrical Workers' Union , giving him much better job security. He had finally found the kind of work he liked.

On 30 December 1948, the family moved into the new home, at the time not much more than a roof over their heads. The stairs to the upper floor was not finished, and for a while the children slept in the living room. The outer walls were covered only by tarpaper; it was about a year and a half before the stone was added. For the first few days the only water was a pipe in the basement, and the floors were rough flooring waiting for tile and carpet. It was a large home, eventually four bedrooms, and had been built by Merle pretty largely single-handed (though some labor was traded with friends.) He was to spend several years, all his spare time, finishing the job, but doing most of the work himself left them with a relatively small mortgage. But it was theirs, the first and only home of their own.

Marilyn was born in 1946 after Merle returned from Alaska; Beverly was born in 1949, a month after the move to the new house. Janet was born two years later in 1951. While Merle was busy building the house, Eunice was busy raising daughters. All of them married and have produced fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Reminiscing that many people never have had more than one job, Merle commented that he must have had more than his share of odd kinds of jobs. Indeed, he was always someone who could fix anything that was remotely “fixable,” remaking discarded toys for his young daughters, then keeping their houses and appliances in repair after they were married.

Musing on how some simple little event can change one's whole life for better or for worse, Merle was thankful that life for him was mostly for the better. He (like several of his brothers) suffered from impaired hearing, which limited conversation. Retired for over fifteen years when he compiled these memoirs, he expressed the desire to enjoy his family for at least another decade, and that the simple farm boy had come a long way. He stated, “My cup runneth over.”

After Merle's retirement, he and Eunice bought a trailer and began a new life where they traveled extensively throughout the south from Florida to California in the winters. Around 1980 they began to spend from Thanksgiving or Christmas until Easter in a retirement recreational village in Pharr, Texas . Merle played cards and shuffleboard while Eunice swam and played with the kitchen bank.

On 11 March 1987, Merle died of a massive heart attack at their trailer at Tip-O-Texas. Eunice returned to their home in Milwaukee and is enjoying having two daughters and their families close by, the companionship of many friends, and swimming at a nearby indoor pool.

The Children of Merle and Eunice Wolfe

All children were born in Milwaukee.

(1)	Dolores Jean Wolfe, born 27 Dec 1936, Wauwatosa twp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Also known as Dolly as a child, but, please, no longer.) (see separate section)
	+ Edmund Earl Hansen, born 16 June 1931, Belleville, Essex County, New Jersey, son of Edmund Carl Hansen and Else Margrethe (Svendsen) Hansen; died 24 Feb 1991, Bountiful, Utah; married on 27 Aug 1957 in Woodstock, McHenry, IL
	+ Carl Alfred Nelson, born 11 October 1929 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Married 8 April 2006 in Chula Vista, California.
(2)	Diane Eleanor Wolfe, born 30 Jan 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Also known as Chicky as a child, but, please, no longer.) Diane lives in Pearl City, Hawaii, and works for a Navy contractor.
	+ James Albert Hildenbrand, 18 Nov 1936 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of John Hildenbrand and Gertrude (Wetzel) Hildenbrand; married in 1960. Divorced.
	+ Paul Guanzon, divorced.
(3)	Marilyn June Wolfe, born 30 June 1946, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and died 19 October, 2007.. (see separate section)
	+ Walter Leo Slowikowski Jr., born 19 Nov 1945 in KY son of Walter Leo Sr. Slowikowski and Madeline (Daly) Slowikowski;
	+ Randall George Knackert, born 12 Sep 1948 in Waukesha, Dodge, Wisconsin, son of Archer Francis Knackert and Adrance Mary (Goulet) Knackert, married on 9 Oct 1971 in Coronado Island, San Diego, CA.
(4)	Beverly Ann Wolfe, born 1 Feb 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bev lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and works as a teaching assistant. (see separate section)
	+ Martin Richard Braasch, born 2 Jun 1947 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of Martin Walter Braasch and Mildred Elizabeth (Krohn) Braasch; married on 24 Aug 1968 in Milwaukee. Divorced.
(5)	Janet Louise Wolfe, born 9 Apr 1951 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Janet lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she works for the Colorado River Commission. (see separate section)
	+ John Roy Haefemeyer, born 29 Jul 1949, son of Roland Roy Haefemeyer and Betty Jane (Evans) Haefemeyer; divorced.
	+ William Henry Nuszbaum, born 15 Sep 1949, son of Frank Matthew Nuszbaum and Melda Jane (Howard) Nuszbaum.William Henry Nuszbaum, divorced.
		The Wolfe Women Diane Bev Marilyn Janet Dolores Eunice September 2005

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THE DOLORES JEAN WOLFE HANSEN* FAMILY (NOW NELSON)

When I was born on December 27, 1936, my parents, Merle and Eunice Wolfe, along with the rest of the country, were in the midst of the Great Depression. My earliest memories are of biting my great-grandmother in the leg the day my mother brought baby Diane home from the hospital, watching my dad rock and sing lullabies to Diane, bathing in a washtub when we lived on 9 th and Keefe, and being the darling of my mother's parents and grandmother, who were often reluctant to let me go back home. My “Nanny” (who was only 38 when I was born) and her husband had a swing set in their backyard just for Diane and me, and on warm summer nights we would sleep outside in a “screen house” there with my great-grandmother. (I know where I learned to be an indulgent grandma.)

I remember Milwaukee (always a socially progressive place) having a toy loan “library” because once, when I was naughty, the toys were taken back. Because I can remember so very little about elementary school, I suspect I found it less than challenging. My fifth grade teacher is the only one I recall because she expected more and pushed me. An avid reader, I would fill up the posters the local library used to document summer reading. Jump rope and hopscotch gave way to roller skates and a sidewalk bike. My dad had never had a bike and made sure his kids did.

Living in Milwaukee gave me a kind of freedom and independence I don't see today's children having. Summer programs, complete with field trips, were available at many elementary schools. On Saturday mornings two friends and I would board the bus for the Explorer programs at the museum downtown. In the winter, two or three playgrounds and parks within walking distance were flooded as ice rinks.

We lived in a series of upper flats on Milwaukee's north side until we moved just before my twelfth birthday to the house that my father built on 92nd Street. Now we had open spaces to enjoy and room to run. As a teenager I learned to sew to supplement my wardrobe and to make gifts for my family. Money came from babysitting until I was old enough to have part-time jobs. From the age of 15 I worked at a variety of jobs, mostly in bakeries and retail sales. School became much more challenging, and I credit what educational success I've had to the Milwaukee schools. After graduation from Washington High School in 1954, I spent a year at Wisconsin State College – Milwaukee. Not enjoying being a financially poor student, I quit college to work at an insurance company.

My horizons expanded when I became a United Airlines stewardess in 1957. While training in Cheyenne, Wyoming, I met Ed Hansen, an Air Force lieutenant in supply school at Warren AFB. It was a case of love at first sight – fortunately a mutual attraction – and we were together every available moment until he graduated two weeks later with 45 days of leave before he was to report to Korea for an isolated tour. I graduated two days later and was off to my first base in Chicago. Separation was no fun; after two weeks as a construction laborer in Denver for Ed and seven flights for me, he came to Chicago so we could spend his remaining leave time together. We decided it would be foolish to get married when we'd known each other for only one month. Ed would be in Korea and I would lose my job. (In those days stewardesses could not be married.) Two days later, on August 27, 1957, we got married anyway; that was the end of my career. Two week later Ed left for Korea and I returned home and to my former job.

Ed was born June 16, 1931 and raised in a suburb of Newark, New Jersey, the son of Edmund Carl and Else Margarethe Swendsen Hansen, Danish immigrants from Copenhagen who gave him a strong sense of his heritage and of Scandinavian traditions. Ed enlisted in the Navy at the beginning of the Korean War and through academic competition received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy where he won the light heavyweight boxing championship. When he graduated in 1956, he took his commission in the Air Force and was assigned to flight training in Texas.

After our first year of marriage, across the world from one another, I joined Ed in 1958 at his next duty station outside Tokyo, Japan. What an exciting three years we had there – all the comforts of American life in the middle of a fascinating foreign culture with an exceedingly favorable exchange rate. Joy was born a year later. Ed and I worked in some Japanese films as extras, learned to ski, and traveled to Hong Kong; I earned several certificates in flower arranging. When Ed's father died in 1961, his mother came to stay with us, and has been with us since as resident grandmother.

In 1961 we transferred to Andrews AFB outside Washington, DC, where Ed was assigned as a logistics officer with Special Air Missions – the group that flies the presidential and VIP aircraft. Julie was born there in 1962. Our four years in Washington were fun, partly because we had so many houseguests.

In 1965 we were off to Chateauroux, a NATO airfield and depot in the center of France. After several weeks in temporary quarters and several months in a French apartment, we moved into lovely government quarters – just about the time President DeGaulle decreed that there would be no more foreign troops on French soil. We were heartbroken – we loved France and had made many friends. About 18 months after we had arrived, we were on our way to Rhein-Main AFB just outside Frankfurt, Germany, and to living in hotels for the next four months and ten days (with two young children and a grandma, too) until we were able to move into government quarters. We traveled and camped extensively while in Europe – had brought a van camper with us. We enjoyed Christmas in Denmark with Ed's uncles and their families, camping on the beaches of Spain, Italy, and France, skiing in the Swiss and German Alps, and traveling throughout all the countries of western Europe including Greece and East Berlin.

During all this time we were also going to school at night. I learned French and German, at lest well enough to be understood somewhat. Ed received a second bachelor's degree in business.

Ed's next assignment (1968) was graduate school at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB outside Dayton, Ohio . After a year and a half, he had a master's degree in systems management and an assignment to the F-15 project at Wright-Pat. When Julie started first grade, I began substitute teaching at the local middle school. The principal encouraged me to complete my education and certification, so I finished my bachelor's degree in education in 1971, taught seventh grade math and science for three years, and finished a master's degree in 1974.

During this time we skied in Utah, Austria, and upper Michigan – and Utah certainly won hands down. Our girls were growing up, too, and we had all the normal experiences – Scouts, softball, ballet, and even a horse for Joy.

A year earlier, looking forward to Ed's retirement, we had bought a building lot in Centerville, Utah. He didn't like the idea of an inevitable move to the Pentagon, arranged a change of specialty, and wrangled a move to Hill AFB in Utah in 1974.

The first year in Utah brought some real ups and downs. We lived in an apartment while our dream house was being built. Ed and I both hated our jobs; I had the worst bunch of sixth graders I've ever seen assembled in one spot. Joy had fallen in love much too young; Darrell followed her to Utah . They were married, Darrell jointed the Army, Joy joined him later, and grandson Chris was born in July, 1975, at Fort Polk, Louisiana .

Life got better. After Ed retired that June, he returned to school for an MBA, leaving that when he was named director of maintenance and engineering for a local hospital. Two years later he returned to school, this time to get a fourth degree (in English) and certification to teach at the secondary level. After teaching 8th grade English for one year, he decided that was not the way he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Ed had always been writing a little on the side; we decided it was time for him to do what he'd always wanted – to write fulltime. Since then he's written a couple of novels and lots of short stories plus attending many writing workshops and classes. Even though he has won several state prizes, he has yet to publish his works.

After teaching sixth grade for two years in Ogden, I joined the education faculty at Weber State College on a special two-year assignment. This was the incentive to begin working on a doctorate in curriculum and supervision at Utah State in Logan . The following four years I taught sixth grade again, mostly math, this time in a team-teaching school closer to home. When I decided I wanted to be a principal, I switched to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City , took a year in residence, and finally completed the degree. Since 1983 I have been the principal of an elementary school just ten minutes away from home – a wonderful job. Being a principal as compared to being a teacher is like being a grandmother versus a mother. I get all the fun without the intensity of the relationship. Early poverty trained me to be aggressive in creative funding, and I have used that to put together a model computer lab at our school. It has been challenging and rewarding to be involved with changing the climate of an organization.

Ed's mother, Else, now 84, still is part of our family, baking cookies and helping to keep us fed and organized. We enjoy skiing, sharing our mountains and our home with visitors, and have been teaching our darling grandchildren to ski. We have enjoyed some wonderful travel experiences throughout Europe and the United States . After I finally finished school, I started working with stained glass and returned to sewing. My sister Marilyn got me interested in genealogy about the time we moved to Utah, and here we are….

DOLORES (JEAN) (WOLFE) HANSEN NELSON !!!

(July 2005) In 1991 my darling husband died unexpectedly.

I retired in 1998 as an elementary school principal after sixteen very good years. I have been the president of the Utah Elementary Principals, Phi Delta Kappa, and our local United Way.

Over the years I have accumulated 11 grandchildren and gained and lost assorted sons-in-law. In 1993 I went looking for and found a daughter to whom I'd given birth in 1956 and had given up for adoption. Marcie was happy to be found and now lives in Utah with her husband Mike and son Chris.

Five years ago the court gave me custody of my great-granddaughter Savhannah, so now my daughter Joy and I are raising a ten-year-old. At the present time I have a four-generation household, and life is certainly not dull.

I have enjoyed traveling throughout the US and Europe and recently to India with a very nice gentleman. Future travel plans include Wisconsin, New Zealand and Australia in January, Maryland in November '06 for the 50th USNA reunion, and regular stays in southern California. Tentative plans include Scaninavia next summer.

In my spare time I am archiving family history and photos. I create scrapbooks, wrote this book about my father's family, and have much more planned. I learned how to create and maintain websites and am the webmaster for the Utah League of Women Voters. I like to ski and walk and read and continue to be a very social person. One of my favorite sayings is, ‘God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things, and at the moment I'm so far behind I'll never die.'

Of course, the foregoing is just the bare bones of the past 68 years. Who is Dolores today? I am happy to report that I am basically a happy, secure, productive woman – spiritual but not religious, getting more left-wing every day, grateful for good relationships and relatively decent health, and someone who doesn't need to know all the answers to life's persistent questions right now.

(update June 2006) How life has changed! The 'nice gentleman' to whom I referred in the previous section asked me to marry him in January in New Zealand on the edge of a trout stream. We were married April 8th in Chula Vista, California, and I now spend most of my time here in beautiful southern California. I have kept my home in Utah; Joy is in charge of both it and Savhannah. We don't get there as often as I would like, but hopefully that will change. The most important part is that I AM VERY HAPPY!

For current photos, please click on my Home Page link above.

The Child of Dolores Hansen and Wayne Masnica !!!

The Children of Dolores and Ed Hansen

< Kasey, Maren, Brennan Feller May 2007 > Kristen Feller and Dave Geurts -- getting married August 25, 2007

< Elder Brad Feller when a missionary for the LDS Church in Washington Summer 2006 Now in college in Utah > Sadie Anne Feller October 2005

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THE JOY ELLEN HANSEN CARPENTER FAMILY

I was born at 10:19 p.m., Thursday October 1st, 1959, at Tachikawa Air Force Base near Tokyo, Japan, the first child of Edmund E. and Dolores Jean Wolfe Hansen. I have no personal recollection of my first two years, but thanks to my parents and my “Nanna,” Else Hansen, I have wonderful stories and pictures of that time to cherish as part of my personal history. My father was a young officer in the Air Force, and with me my mother began a new career as a wife and mother. My Nanna tells me my favorite pastime as a very young child was to be strolled down to the train tracks where I would watch all the trains (“dirty choo-choos,” I called them) in fascination as long as her patience would allow.

I was a friendly, outgoing child from the start. Striking up a conversation with a total stranger was a common occurrence, and it was some time before I realized that I wasn't Japanese. With enthusiasm I'd tell people, “I'm Joy ellen Hansen and I was born in Tachikawa!”

I was about two when my father was transferred to Andrews Air Force Base. I remember this place well. We lived in a pretty red brick house on a quiet circle, a towering willow in the backyard, and with plenty of children to play with. Nanna had an apartment in the basement and was always willing to invite me in for a spell-binding fairy tale or a special home-baked goodie fresh from her oven. I learned how to play “ring and run” from the neighborhood kids and liked to eat grass, believing that it was just as nutritious as spinach and so much better tasting. My sister Julie was born wile we lived in Maryland, and although I don't remember that blessed event, I do remember sharing a room and playing “house” with our dolls, “Dukke Lise” and “Kitty”.

Sometime before my fifth birthday I left my beloved doll, Dukke Lise, out in the rain. When I went back to retrieve her, she was gone and I was devastated. Dukke Lisa was no ordinary doll. She was a magical doll, and her value was beyond comprehension.

I think Dukke Lise ran away,” Nanna said solemnly to my tearful questions.

“But why?” I cried. “I loved her very much.”

“She probably thought you didn't love her anymore, and that's why you left her out in the rain,” she gently admonished. “Maybe she'll come home, though.”

Two weeks later, though it seemed a lifetime to me, on my birthday Dukke Lise returned. She came by cab, loaded with suitcases bearing stamps that indicated she'd been to Denmark. I heard the doorbell ring and glanced through the window just in time to see a taxi pulling away.

“Why don't you get the door?” my mother casually asked. We had a reunion that filled me with a joy I'll remember as long as I live. I hugged Dukke Lise close, then quickly set about admiring all the beautiful new clothes from what I was sure had been Denmark .

I remember all the beautiful clothes my mother would fashion for Julie and me with matching outfits for the dolls. We always felt very special in our “designer clothes,” and it amazes me still when I realize the love and great effort that went into these many sewing projects.

My father was transferred to France in time for the beginning of my first grade year. There I lost my first baby teeth and anxiously awaited the arrival of the tooth fairy. My father, never one to let life become dull and routine, assured me that he, too, was waiting for the elusive fairy.

“I'm going to set a trap for her,” he threatened with a wicked gleam in his eye, and he went about gathering rope and boards for his diabolical contraption.

Julie and I were in shock. How could he capture the tooth fairy? How horrible could a father possibly be?

That night, despite all attempts to stay awake so I could warn that poor fairy, I slept until I heard a terrible thud and the sound of feet scurrying away. Quickly springing from my bed, I ran into the hall and stopped, utterly amazed. My father was in the hall, shaking his head.

“I almost had her,” he said, disappointed. “She slipped through the ropes and got out through the attic.” I looked up and saw tiny blue footprints leading up the wall to the edge of the entrance to the attic, where they disappeared.

I ran back to my bed and, lifting up my pillow, found the shiny fifty-cent piece she'd left in exchange for my tooth. My father didn't seem to share my enthusiasm and joy for the tooth fairy's narrow escape. “I'll get her next time,” he vowed.

It would be a few years before I would figure out that my father was the real “magic” behind the tooth fairy and the many antics of Dukke Lise, years filled with wonder and excitement, due to his child-like sense of imagination. Years later I would recognize as classics many of the nightly stories he told Julie and me, one chapter at a time in order to fuel our excitement to climb under the covers and listen to the next cliff-hanging episode.

We left France all too quickly, only eighteen months after our arrival. French President DeGaulle ordered all foreign military bases closed and we were sent to Rhein-Main Air Force Base near Frankfurt, Germany . Germany was a wonderful place to live. Our home on base, a three-story apartment complex, was not especially memorable, but our neighbors were both wonderful and crazy. I remember many parties my mom and dad would throw, impromptu affairs where everyone would come, bottle in tow, and dance and laugh until the early morning hours. We seemed like one big family, and, in a way, we were.

We traveled extensively during our stay in Europe, visiting many of the western European countries. I was the child, my mother would say, that you could take just about anywhere because I thrived on all the new experiences, the exotic sights and sounds. Museums of any kind could keep me entertained for hours. And I loved all the great wine, sneaking a sip at every opportunity!

Living in Europe afforded my family trips to Denmark where Nanna's two brothers lived. Often we would go at Christmas, when the magical lights of Copenhagen shone with a glowing elegance. We would always stay with my Uncle Aage and Tante Kamma, whose gracious hospitality was legendary. I remember they had real candles on their Christmas tree, and the house always smelled of the baked goods Kamma endlessly prepared.

When dad got orders to leave Germany, I cried. I had a real best friend and many secret hiding places I would have to leave behind.

Dad worked on his master's degree for the first couple of years we lived in Ohio, and Julie and I were given a dog to keep us entertained (and quiet) while he pored over books and papers until later in the night. Bella, the little beagle puppy, spent her first night in her new home in my bed, and my love affair with animals, any animals with feathers or fur, began in earnest. I brought home lost kittens, baby birds, turtles, tadpoles, and even a rabbit that had been mauled by a cat. When I was twelve, my parents even gave in to having a horse. The yard was quite large at the house in Enon, and my parents were relatively patient with the constant parade of animals I brought home.

I was fourteen when I met Darrell Carpenter, a junior at nearby Fairborn 's Park Hills High School . He had a sparkle in his eye, a great smile, and a 1968 Camaro, an intoxicating combination – I was in love.

We hadn't moved in six years, which was unusual for a military family. A transfer to another base was the farthest thing from my mind, but in 1974 my dad got orders for Hill Air force Base, Utah . I had to sell my horse, Sassy. I had to say good-bye to Darrell.

“I'll come visit you,” he promised. And he did – that very summer, and when he wasn't in Utah, we were on the phone, building up long distance charges almost as large as the national debt. Naturally, my parents were not totally enchanted with the level of attachment we'd formed at such a tender age. So, plotting in secrecy, Darrell and I planned his permanent move to Utah .

This, of course, was unbeknownst to my mom and dad, and when they finally found out, they were furious. We were forbidden to see each other, but we did, with elaborate ruses and the help of friends from school. No one ever said I wasn't resourceful!

Our ultimate goal was to get married and live happily ever after, and I knew my parents would have to let us get married when, at fifteen, I got pregnant. The ceremony was performed in the living room of Centerville 's justice of the peace on January 25, 1975 . My tearful family were the only witnesses, and I had to say “I do” with my mother's ring, a diamond given to her by her grandmother, since we couldn't afford one of our own.

Darrell joined the Army and left for basic training at Fort Polk in Louisiana . I went to Ohio where I lived with a friend whose husband was on an unaccompanied tour in Turkey . When I was able to join Darrell, we lived in Louisiana for six months, the most miserable six months of my whole life. The apartment was filled with roaches. I had no phone, no radio or television, no transportation. Darrell was still in basic training and was rarely there. I wrote letters, read, and took long walks. I waited for the baby to come.

About a month before the baby was due, Darrell seriously injured his knee on a training mission. The prognosis was not good for a man who dreamed fof becoming an Airborne Ranger, and he was given the option of choosing another field or getting a medical discharge. He chose the latter.

I went into labor at five a.m. on a Sunday, July 20th , 1975 . At the hospital they quickly realized something was wrong with me. It was toxemia, something my Grandma Wolfe suffered in her first pregnancy with my mother. Finally, at eleven p.m. that night, I gave birth to our son, Christopher Andrew.

Darrell's discharge came through two weeks later. We moved to Ohio where Darrell enrolled at Wright State University, majoring in political science. One of the deciding factors in making the move to Ohio was the fact that Darrell had three younger brothers, and his mother needed help. I became their “substitute mom,” while my mother-in-law worked to make ends meet, cooking vast quantities of food, helping with homework, and everything else a mother must do. It was hard work and times were tough. Our only income was Darrell's G.I. Bill, supplemented by food stamps, and though it was a struggle, we survived.

When Chris turned two, we decided we needed time alone – the wear and tear in raising three teenage boys was tremendous – so we packed up our things and moved to Utah. Darrell transferred his credits to the University of Utah and in 1981 graduated with a degree in political science. I got a job as a phlebotomist (drawing blood) at LDS Hospital where I worked for seven years in a variety of positions, learning a lot about health care by asking questions and watching the doctors, nurses, and technicians work with the patients. It was a struggle for me to cope with others' pain and, sometimes, death, but I think it helped me realize, at a young age, that life is short and the best thing one can do is to try and live it fully each day. While I worked I attended school part-time at the University of Utah, where I majored in psychology.

Evenings were spent with Chris while Darrell worked. Being young didn't stop me from becoming involved in many organizations and activities – League of Women Voters, P.T.A., United Way – along with petitioning for political issues and campaigning in local elections.

Since 1982 Darrell has been working for the Department of Defense repairing the computer navigational systems on the F4 fighter planes. He takes an occasional class and hopes someday to use the education he worked so hard for. He works hard keeping our cars in good running order and enjoys the quiet family life we've fashioned for ourselves.

In 1985 I went to work at Weber State College in Ogden . I work in a tiny building outside the main campus, greeting. Lauren Nicole, our long-awaited daughter, born February 21, 1986, works with me, combining the best of two worlds. These days I am busy being “Mom” to Chris, now almost 12, and to little Lauren, taking classes at Weber State, and serving a term as a member of the Board of Trustees at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. In addition, I am actively breeding and training my two German Shepherds for police and search and rescue work.

My plans for the future include finishing my bachelor's degree and, when my children are grown, getting a master's degree in theology, an area of study that holds great interest for me. I hope eventually to become a minister.

Until that time, though, I will be busy creating a history for myself and my family, “carving the very atmosphere,” as Thoreau said, by continuing a full and active life, playing with my children, working at a job I love, traveling when I can afford it, reading, writing, and strengthening the bonds I've formed with the many wonderful friends I've made.

I realize as I come to this point in “My Life Thus Far” that I have written much more than I had intended when my mother first began pestering me to contribute to her ambitious genealogy project. But I found that reading about all the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, uncles and cousins whose lives have touched mine helped bring me closer to them – helped me to understand and to be forever grateful for their strength and perseverance in successfully preserving and enriching my life and the lives of my children.

I am only an “original model.” My coloring and features, my attitudes, values, and feelings have been shaped by my parents, my parents' parents, and by those many family members who preceded me.

My personal dialogue, along with all the others, is an important part of the record, and I know that someday, long after I am gone, a young child can read the stories about Dukke Lise or the tooth fairy, and share some of the wondrous times my life has been blessed with.

This book contains the story of the joys and sorrows, the struggles, the triumphs and failures, the births and deaths and all that occurred in between. I can sense the common bond we share – each of us a thread woven tightly in the rich tapestry we call a family.

2007: Joy is divorced, working as a free-lance CPR and First Aid teacher, caring for Savhannah, her granddaughter.

The Children of Joy and Darrell Carpenter

(1)	Christopher Andrew Carpenter, born July 20, 1975, in Fort Polk, Louisiana, is, at this writing, rapidly approaching his twelfth birthday – a handsome young man with a generous heart, an adventurous spirit, and definite ideas about the way the world should work. He loves to read and to discuss what he's read, especially history, and can hold his own in almost any adult conversation. His great love of animals and nature is always in evidence, and he enjoys hikes up the mountain with his Grandpa Ed or forging new trails on all the family camping adventures. He has many plans for the future – his big dream is to get rich investing in the stock market and buying a cabin high in the mountains where he can wheel and deal from a computer terminal. Arabian horses and German Shepherds will be romping outside.
	+Amie Liane Jackson, November 11, 1976. (divorced) !!!
	(A)	Savhannah Ruth Carpenter was born December 12, 1994, in Ogden, Utah. (2006) Savhannah has lived with her great-grandmother and guardian, Dolores, since 2001. In 2002 Joy, her grandmother and Dolores's daughter, joined the household. Since Dolores married in April, Joy has the major responsibility for Savhannah's day-to-day care. Savhannah is in the 6th grade, a very bright, nice, and perceptive young lady. She is an avid reader and loves her ballet classes; she'll start beginning point this fall. She loves cats and won't let us say rude things about her cat Peaches, even when deserved. A second cat, Leo, has joined the family.   > Savhannah in September 2005 wearing an antique dress which we think belonged to her great-great-great-grandmother, Eleanor Schmitt Reindl.
(2)	Lauren Nicole Carpenter, our long-awaited daughter, born February 21, 1986, like Chris, has already discovered a love of talking and reading and snuggling close with her mother. Taking her outside to watch the birds, the flowers, the sun and sky is an easy way to to make her happy.     (2007) Lauren Carpenter attends the University of Utah and is studying for the LSAT with plans to be a lawyer. She is a part-time 'mom' to her partner Russell's two young daughters, Hope and McKenna.

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THE JULIA DIANE HANSEN FELLER FAMILY

This is my story. I am Julia Diane Hansen Feller, daughter of Edmund Earl Hansen and Dolores Jean Wolfe Hansen and wife of Kelly Carl Feller.

I am 25 years old. I was born on June 22, 1962, on Andrews Air Force Base in Prince Georges County, Maryland. I weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 19-1/2 inches in length; I have grown considerably since then.

In pondering about my “history,” many things came to my mind. And so as not to be long and drawn out in my memoirs, I will just briefly explain those memories and events that have meant a lot to me and are important in the shaping of my life.

As a child, I lived in many different places. When I was born we lived outside of Washington , D.C., where my father was a Major in the U.S. Air Force working at Andrews Air Force Base. When I was around two, we were transferred to Alabama for a short period of time and came back to Washington until we were transferred to Chateauroux, France, where we spent about eighteen months until we were asked to leave France because DeGaulle closed all military bases. We then spent about another eighteen months in Frankfurt, Germany. During our stay in Europe we traveled quite a bit. Some of the times I remember were seeing the Eiffel tower, watching in terror the bull fights in Spain (I cried and was given a bandillo or pick used to torment the bull as a souvenir). I remember playing in the ocean on Italy 's shores, burying our bodies in the warm sand, visiting the famous Munich Glockenspiel and being left there accidentally for 10-15 minutes – which seemed like an eternity to a little lost girl in a place where I couldn't understand anyone and no one could understand me. We camped in many foreign campgrounds where my sister and I met so many playmates that didn't even speak our language. That didn't seem to matter; we understood each other. I remember Christmas in Denmark with our relatives (on my father's side) dancing around the candlelit Christmas tree, and hearing the magical stories of little elves, and eating and eating and eating! I truly loved to visit my Uncle Aage and his magical, storybook house and yard.

Since my infancy, my Grandmother (my father's mother) has lived with our family. We fondly and lovingly call her Nanna. She has been a big part of my life, a second mother, storyteller, and friend who has always been there for my sister and me. She was the magical link to Denmark we have enjoyed our whole lives.

When we moved back to the United States in 1968, we bought a home in Enon, Ohio, a quiet, friendly farm-type community. We lived in a red brick, one-level rambler in a culdesac or circle. I remember my room; it seemed so huge to me. My parents bought me an old upright piano that entertained me for hours on end. I loved to play the piano. My best friend and I used to play and sing at the top of our lungs; we really thought we'd make stardom one day. But not only could I play that old piano, I could play IN that piano. It was so big that I could literally climb inside of it and hide from my family.

As a young girl I used to love getting up early and riding my bike down to the local dairy/bakery a mile away to buy a dozen of our favorite donuts and take them home to my family when they woke up.

I remember taking long walks with my father in the forests and parks in Ohio. They were so lush and beautiful; they seemed tropical to me. My dad and I would just walk and talk; we'd pretend to go back a hundred years and walk amongst the Indians. We imagined, shared, and dreamed together. I treasure those memories, and hope I can pass his special gift of spending quality time with me to my own children.

In 1974 we moved to Centerville, Utah, where our family took root and has stayed since that time. I love Utah – it is unique in its beauty and charm. My father had received his final transfer here and then retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. My mother resumed her teaching career, and they worked to build their dream home overlooking the Great Salt Lake .

In November of 1975, I was baptized by my father, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or the Mormons. I have been a member since that time and truly love the gospel. It has been a lifeline to me and I can testify in clear conscience of its truth. How? By living its principles which have brought me happiness and by not being able to deny the spiritual witnesses I've strongly felt many times throughout my life. The gospel has brought true happiness to my life, not worldly or monetary happiness. It's a happiness or joy that you get from service to others and to God. It's like the kind of joy you feel when you see your child growing, learning, accomplishing. It's a wonderful way of life that we are entitled to.

In 1980, I met my sweetheart and husband, Kelly Carl Feller, a truly wonderful man. We were married in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple on March 12, 1981 . I would like to pay tribute to my husband at this time by telling at least our posterity that he is at the young age of 29 respected by many. He is very wise, dependable, and very hardworking. He is a very devoted husband and father. He is very active in his church callings and in building a successful family business. When we were married in the temple, we were given a special promise. In the L.D.S. religion when you are married in the temple you are “sealed” for time and all eternity to your spouse and children if you live worthily. That promise means a lot to me, and we as a family work very hard to live the commandments of God and do good for others. I hope my testimony has developed some interest in the minds of the readers and you will inquire of it one day.

Update February 2007: Julie is now married to Chris Vasilas; they live in Anthem (Phoenix), AZ, with Chris's three daughters. Julie is a customer service rep for USAA Insurance.

Update May 2007: Julie is single again, using the name Hansen, living in Utah, and working for Allstate Insurance.

The Children of Julie and Kelly Feller

I don't need to tell you how much I deeply love my family; they mean more than anything to me. I have committed my life to them. I do not work outside of the home and feel so fortunate that we are both (my husband and I) dedicated to our family in order that I can be home with them. It certainly isn't because of sufficient wealth that I have been able to stay at home; many times we have had little or no money. But no amount of money can compensate for the time a mother (and father) messes in the home with their children. What better thing can we pass on in this life than to help children become happy, secure, stable adults? I have strong convictions of family and of church and hope that I will be remembered as one who has done good in this life and have given my children a good, secure base and sense of their worth.

The Children of Julie and Kelly Feller

THE KASEY CARL FELLER FAMILY

(Note 2007: I found this in my computer files. It must have been written when Kasey was about 11 years old. He's 25 now. Dolores)

"This Is My Life

"Birth and Beginnings -- I was born in 1982 on February 12 at LDS Hospital in the middle of the night. February 12 is also the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. I was named "Kasey" because "K" and "C" are my father's initials. My middle name is Carl like my father's. Both my grandfathers were named "Carl." My mother's name is Julia Diane Hansen Feller. My father's name is Kelly Carl Feller. I first lived in an apartment in Salt Lake City near Temple Square.

"My Early Years -- When I was a baby we moved to another apartment in Bountiful near Boulton Elementary School. We lived there for about four years and then stayed with my Feller grandparents for about one year until we found the house where we live now. My first words were "hachi" and "kannoonoo." My sister Kristen was born when about a year and a half old. My brother Brad was born two years later. I was six years old when my sister Sadie was born. Her birthday is just five days after mine. I have 26 cousins. Most of them live close to me. My two favorite cousins are twins Corey and Braden who are just a half year younger than I am. I like to play basketball with them and we like to have sleepovers at each others' houses. My Grandpa Hansen taught me to ski when I was four years old. Sometimes he took me out of school to go skiing. My Grandma Hansen, who is a principal, did not think that was a good idea. I used to go hiking with my Grandpa Hansen up in the mountains near his house. We would go up to a stream and I would ask him if I could drink the water. He said I shouldn't because it was full of beaver pee. I didn't understand why the dog could drink it and I couldn't. While we were hiking he would tell me stories about Indians and Vikings and battles they had.

"My School Years -- I went to preschool at Valley View Elementary and my teacher was Mrs. Allen. My Grandma Hansen was the principal there, and I went to see her in her office when school was out. She would come to my class and give me hugs. When I turned five I went to kindergarten at Washington Elementary. My teacher was Mrs. Paul, and she was very nice. Every day I couldn't wait to get to school because I loved it so much. One thing I didn't like was that most of the kids in my neighborhood were older and I had to wait to play with them. One of the funny things that happened in kindergarten was that I stood up in class and announced that I loved Megan. All the kids started laughing. My mom thought that was really funny. Mrs. Furner was my first grade teacher. My favorite thing to do in her class was to draw pictures while we listened to music. My second grade teacher was Mrs. McNeil. She was one of the nicest teachers I have had. Mrs. Tippets, my third grade teacher, was strict but nice. We used to imagine things and then
write stories, and I loved that. My fourth grade teacher was Mrs. McCloud. She played the piano while we sang, and we put on a play that year. Mrs. Hawkins was my fifth grade teacher. My favorite times were when she would bring us a treat and take us outside to play kick ball.

"Vacations and Fun Times -- My family's favorite vacation spot is San Diego, California. We go there once or twice a year and stay in a condominium owned by my Feller grandparents that is right on the beach. We stay on the top floor and have a beautiful view of the beach and the ocean. The sunsets are beautiful from the windows. Some nights my mom and dad take us out onto Crystal Pier to see the sunset. Every day while we are there we play on the beach and swim in the ocean. I like to try to surf with a boogie board, but I usually fall off. One of my favorite places in California is Disneyland. I have been there twice. My favorite rides are the Matterhorn and Space Mountain because they are the fastest. Another one of my favorite places in California is Sea World because of all the different kinds of water animals. My favorite thing to see there is the sharks in the big bubble.

"Bad Memories -- When I was five years old and my family was vacationing in California, my dad and I were lying on the towels on the beach. My dad sat up and said it was time to go. I didn't see my dad's hand on the foldup chair. When I started to fold it up, it pinched and cut my dad's thumb. Sand got in it, and the next day he had to go to the doctor to get it all cleaned out and bandaged.
Another thing that happened was when I was eating dinner with my family. I was teasing my brother who was across from me. He picked up his fork from his plate and threw it at my head. The sharp part of the fork stuck in my forehead for a moment and then out fell out. It was bleeding badly enough that I had to put a bandage on it. When I was about nine years old, I was playing in my tree and acting like I was a monkey. I fell out headfirst, tried to catch myself with my arm, and my wrist snapped. I went to the doctor and he put it in a cast. Twelve days after my ninth birthday, my Grandpa died who did everything with me. That was the saddest time of my life. "

(2003) Kasey married Brennan Emily Hession.

(2004) Maren Rose Feller was born.

(2007) After working for Cintas for several years, Kasey and Brennan and Maren are living in Tampa, Florida, where Kasey is selling security systems.

(2007) Kristen Feller has been working for Sinclair Oil for several years, bought a townhouse in Bountiful, and -- most important -- will marry long-time sweetheart Dave Geurts August 25th.

(2007) Brad Feller returned from his mission and is attending Utah Valley State College.

(2007) Sadie Feller graduated from high school and is working as a bank teller for American First Credit Union in Bountiful.

< Kasey, Maren, Brennan Feller May 2007 - Florida > Kristen Feller and Dave Geurts Photo for their wedding invitations -- 25 Aug 2007

< Elder Brad Feller when a missionary for the LDS Church in Washington Summer 2006 Now in college in Utah > Sadie Anne Feller October 2005

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THE DIANE ELEANOR WOLFE FAMILY

I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 30, 1951, the second of five daughters of Merle Rodney and Eunice Louise Reindl Wolfe. The most memorable part of my childhood was when our family home on 92nd Street was under construction. When I wasn't busy watching and “helping” my dad, I was exploring the surrounding fields and woods, enjoying escaping the confines of our upstairs flat in the heart of Milwaukee. Moving into our new home in 1948 was truly a dream come true. I always enjoyed school and was a pretty good student. A high school high point was being captain of the cheerleading squad.

I married Jim Hildenbrand in 1960. Although I'd always had jobs during and after high school, when our son Mike was born in 1961, I took up the noble profession of full-time homemaker and mother. Daughter Cathy arrived in 1963, and Jim's career promotions with Schlitz Brewery took us to Van Nuys, California, and later to Hawaii where Jeanie was born in 1967. I became increasingly involved doing volunteer work with teen groups at church and the TMCA and developed an overwhelming desire for an education and a career. I started pursuing my education in 1970.

Jim and I divorced in 1971, but we've both remained in Hawaii . Economic survival motivated me to accept employment at Pearl Harbor while I continued my education on a part-time basis. A relationship with classmate Paul Guanzon led to marriage in 1975, during Paul's budding career as a TV sports announcer. In the meantime, I had been selected by the Navy for a personnel management intern program and received my B.A. degree from the University of Hawaii in 1976. Paul and I divorced in 1979, and he left for an East Coast career move.

My civil service career with the Navy was on an upward spiral, and I ultimately chose to specialize in the training and development area. While teaching a course for supervisors, I met Michael Matsumoto, who was then a fire captain, and we've been together ever since. Michael and I both made career changes in 1982; I accepted a promotion with a staff level Navy civilian personnel organization, and Michael hung up his firefighting gear for a career as an occupational safety and health manager with the Submarine Base. My work requires, among other things, that I develop and conduct training courses for Navy people in Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, and Guam, so I travel frequently throughout the Pacific.

Michael and I take annual ski trips together, and I've managed to visit my Milwaukee family once a year. We enjoy Sunday picnics at the beach, home improvement projects, various physical fitness activities, and entertaining friends and family. Hawaii is a very special place for me because of its temperate climate, informal and healthy lifestyle, and the fact that it is such a cultural “melting pot.”

I'm very proud of my three children and have thoroughly enjoyed the evolution from the parent-child relationship to one in which we interact as adults and friends. Michael's 12 and 10 year old daughters Ola and Kai spend weekends with us and help me keep my parently skills from getting rusty. My 2-1/2 year old grandson Jevan is an absolute joy.

Although I've had my ups and downs, I have the satisfaction of knowing I'm living life to the fullest.

(2007) Diane is divorced but still lives in Pearl City, Hawaii, with her partner John Mathias, and works for a contractor for the US Navy designing training systems.

The Children of Diane and Jim Hildenbrand

The Descendants of Diane Wolfe and Jim Hildenbrand !!!

(2007) Mike Hildenbrand lives in Colorado Springs and works as a computer animator and security guard.

(2007) Cathy, Steve, and their children live and work in Corvallis, Oregon. Cathy is a pharmacist, and Steve works for a biomed disposal company.

(2007) Jeanie lives in Colorado Springs where she owns her own cell phone company. She and partner Kevin are planning to marry soon.

(2007) Jerason is training to be a KFC manager.

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THE MARILYN JUNE WOLFE KNACKERT FAMILY

I was born on June 30, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the third of five daughters of Merle Rodney Wolfe and Eunice Louise Reindl. I was raised in a primarily female environment and can remember a fun-filled childhood. We put on plays for the neighborhood; I was a Girl Scout and active at church. In high school I took office courses and sewing which would serve me well in years to come. I married Walter Slowikowski in 1963 at age 17, but the marriage was short-lived and unhappy. My first child (from this marriage), Joseph, and I moved back home with mom and dad until my remarriage five years later to Randall George Knackert.

During this time I worked for Briggs and Stratton Corporation, where I met my Randy who was working as a machine operator. Randy was born September 12, 1948, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the son of Adrance Goulet and the late Archer Knackert, and raised in Greenfield in a large, wonderful family of eight children. During high school he played rhythm guitar and lead singer in a rock-n-roll band. He was completely self-taught on the guitar.

From May, 1968, to March, 1972, Randy served in the U.S. Navy, most of that time aboard the aircraft carrier Ticonderoga as a fireman. Several cruises took them to the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. He also traveled to Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Hong King, Singapore, and the Phillipines. While Randy was away in the Navy, I traveled to California, Florida, Ohio, and went on many camping trips with Joey and my parents.

In 1971 I flew to California to meet Randy's ship, and we were married on October 9 in a cute little white courthouse on Coronado Island in the San Diego harbor. In 1972, after Randy's discharge from the Navy, he worked as a maintenance mechanic at Lakeview Hospital in Milwaukee.

In November of 1972 we bought a 10-acre mini-farm in Waukesha, and Randy was able to fulfill a lifetime dream of owning horses. Over the years we have also raised chickens, steers, goats, pigs, and sheep.

Randy switched jobs in May, 1974, and has worked for 12 years, first as a millwright in maintenance and now in tool and die at Johnson Controls, Waukesha . He has been actively involved in the union, AIW Local 342, and has served on numerous committees, traveled, attended classes, and served as vice-president for six years. He was elected president in January of 1987.

Randy attended horseshoeing school in Oklahoma and had a busy part-time business for many years until it became too difficult physically to continue. He cuts large amounts of firewood year-round and splits it all by hand. We had saddle horses for many years, but his interests now are in draft horses. We have two young Belgian Draft mares, full sisters, that Randy has broken and trained himself. His hobbies and interests include farming with draft horses, bow hunting, reading, TV, music, and tinkering in his workshop.

I worked two years for Lindberg/Sola Basic in Watertown as a sales correspondent. I retired at the birth of Jeremy in 1976 and have remained at home since then. We had a baby girl, Angela, in 1978. I babysat for the next nine years for several different children. For the past few years I have earned extra money at home by sewing. I am big on coupons and refunds and send in 100 refunds a month. I am active at St. Henry's Catholic Church and School and volunteer often. I served as Home and School Association vice-president and president 1985-86. I am an original member of the Watertown Genealogical Society and have served as vice-president and librarian. We have worked hard to improve our farmette where we have lived for 14 years.

My hobbies and interests, when I find the time, include sewing, refunding, tracing the family tree, and reading. My children are in many activities, and I am constantly on the go with them. As a family we enjoy camping, biking, swimming, sleigh rides, hay rides, flea markets, and attending the sports events in which our children participate.

THE MARILYN JUNE WOLFE KNACKERT FAMILY

PART 2 (13 August 2005)

After my years at home with children, in 1988 I went to work full time for Dr. Sylvia Rimm, a well-known child psychologist. Besides clinic work, she was an author and speaker. I worked at her publishing office from 1988 until 2005. Along the way, I became office manager, but in 2005, decided I'd had enough stress and left the position. I learned a lot of valuable computer skills at that job and acquired some good friends.

At home, we continued to run our mini farm, which included any farm animals we happened to be raising at the time. All along we had horses, first riding horses and later draft horses. Joseph left home to move to Florida in 1982. Jeremy and Angela became very involved in music in school and we spent many years attending their concerts and driving them to piano lessons and their sports events. All of the children left home at 18 to pursue their dreams, and I'll let each one of them tell their own stories.

My husband Randy went back to school for two years, while working, and completed certification in HVAC at WCTC. After a few years as Chief Engineer at Olympia Resort, in 1996 he accepted the position of Plant Operations Manager of Countryside Home, the county nursing facility in Jefferson , where he hopes to remain until retirement.

We started with 10 acres of land outside Watertown and had the opportunity to purchase 30 additional acres at $1000/acre. After that time, the subdivisions began to grow around us and we decided to sell and go. In 1997, we sold our home, where we had lived for 25 years, and buildings along with 5 acres and proceeded with our dream of building a log home. We kept 25 acres which we later divided into lots that sold 4 years later. North of Watertown, we purchased 12 acres on which we built a log home. It's of 2 x 6 construction with 8” pine logs that are attached both from inside and outside. The basic house package was purchased and built through Wilderness Log Homes. The house has a 36 ft long covered porch and 2 dormers in front. The fireplace is made from colorful fieldstone found on the property, and 9 acres of the 12 are heavily wooded. We did a lot of the finishing work ourselves, including installation of 1800 sq ft of ¾” hickory flooring, which is a wood grown locally. In February of 1998, we moved all our antiques and collectibles and ourselves into the house. It was just Randy and Marilyn, the kids having left home. Later we built a garage. A few years ago, 2 acres adjoining our land to the north became available, and we purchased it as a separate saleable lot. We love living here in the woods and are all by ourselves. We do not have a lawn; I have tried quite a few ground covers and use a lot woodchips. We love going for long walks with our dog. We built a little horse barn, but in 2003 we sold the last of our horses. New hobbies include walking, bicycling, riding the Harley kayaking, and Randy's rock and roll band, called “45 RPM.” They play and sing 50s and 60s music, so we are very busy doing that. I act as band manager, using the skills I learned working for Dr. Rimm. I also enjoy puttering in the plants and have a little vegetable garden. Now that I am retired, I can devote more time to searching the family roots and have discovered the joys of genealogy using the Internet.

We also travel a lot and with children in Florida and Arizona , have visited those places often. We have also of late been to Maryland, Las Vegas , Hawaii, and I have been to Utah and southern California. We drove our Harley on a 750-mile trip around the upper half of Lake Michigan in 2004. We have also taken trips to the Mississippi River, hauling our bike in a trailer and rented a Harley in both Phoenix and Honolulu . I am both a “biker chick” and a “band groupie.” The kids come to visit regularly, and it's always fun and exciting to have them come for a visit. We also keep in close touch with family, seeing them whenever we can.

In November of 2004, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was discovered accidentally and I am on a “pill only” type of chemo. Lung cancer can cut your life short, but at the writing of this, I am doing and feeling quite well. Randy was diagnosed with diabetes in 1998 and does well with diet, exercise and medication. We live each day to the fullest.

(2008) In Memoriam

On October 19, 2007, we lost our wonderful sister, Marilyn June Wolfe Knackert, after a three-year battle with lung cancer.
Marilyn was born June 30, 1946, in Milwaukee, the third of five daughters of Merle and Eunice Reindl Wolfe. A non-smoker, she leaves
her devoted husband, Randy, and three children, Joe Slowikowski, Jeremy Knackert, and Angie Knackert Schultz, her mother Eunice
Wolfe, and her four sisters, Dolores Nelson, Diane Wolfe, Bev Braasch, and Janet Nuszbaum, and an extended family. Marilyn
was a wonderful, loving, intelligent, hard-working person who contributed so much to what we know about our family history.

The Child of Marilyn Wolfe and Walter Slowikowski

The Children of Marilyn and Randy Knackert

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JOSEPH MICHAEL SLOWIKOWSKI

I was born in Milwaukee on Mothers' Day, May 10, 1964, the son of Marilyn June Wolfe and Walter Slowikowski. We lived one year at my Grandma and Grandpa Slowikowski's, another year in an apartment, and, when my parents divorced in 1966, my mother and I lived with Grandma and Grandpa Wolfe. I was called Joey and later Joe, but my nickname was “Ducky.” While Mom worked I went to nursery school from age two until Kindergarten.

When Mom married Randy Knackert in 1971, we moved to a little farm in Watertown . I had a pony and helped on the farm. I kept busy with school activities and played baseball, basketball, and bowled in grade school. In my bedroom I had a huge beer can collection and a room full of beer memorabilia. I was active in 4-H, grew strawberries, raised chickens, and won awards in photography and art.

In high school I worked as a stock boy at Riverview Grocery and then as a cooks' assistant at Watertown Inn. I got my first car at 16, graduated from high school in 1982, and moved out on my own. I continued at the restaurant and also worked baling hay at different area farms that summer. I had always loved traveling on vacation to Florida , so in fall of 1982 I moved on my own to Ocala, Florida . I worked the first year doing maintenance at a thoroughbred horse farm. In 1983 I got a better-paying job nights as an order puller/tugger driver at Certified Grocers Warehouse.

I attended Ocala Community College full time for 15 months for a certificate in auto body, a specialty of that school. I paint and restore cars in my rented shop part-time. I have even won some local awards for my work. I am hoping to expand my part-time auto body business to full time in the future.

I have my own apartment and rent the attached shop facilities where I have accumulated a lot of equipment. I am 22 and in my spare time enjoy bachelorhood, meeting new friends (especially girls), my jet ski, the sunny Florida beaches and rivers, and church activities. I live about 70 miles from my Knackert relatives and see them on special occasions. I fly home to Wisconsin for vacations where I split my time between the Slowikowskis, Mom and Dad, and the Wolfe relatives. I have a stepbrother, William S., and a stepsister, Paula Slowikowski.

Note: Joe recently went to work for Mark III Conversion Vans in Ocala doing production paint work, working 65 hours a week and liking it so much better. The new job will add to his auto painting/body work experience.

THE JOSEPH MICHAEL SLOWIKOWSKI FAMILY

(June 2006) Joe married Lorna White, and they own their home at 947 NE 5th St, Ocala, FL, which they worked hard to update. They have two children, Hannah Faith, age 9, and Sarah Emily age, 13. Hannah and Sarah are home-schooled and are active in a home-school group, which includes such activities as field trips and science fairs. They are active in their church, especially the theatre productions the church puts on. Sarah and Hannah have taken extensive horse riding instructions and are avid readers. Sarah is a member of PUP (Pets Uplifting People) and attends weekly dog obedience classes with her dog, Sadie. She is an expert dog trainer and hopes to pursue a career involving dogs. Hannah is very involved with dance and is in productions regularly. Both girls take piano lessons from their grandmother, Florence, but Hannah takes the most interest in that. Joe has a specialty painting business located between Ocala and Gainesville called Spectrum Paint and Auto Body. It has evolved over the years to where he is a subcontractor, specializing in spray-on bed liners and custom truck accessories. His hobbies include watching football, playing fantasy football, rummage sales, and restoring antiques. He collects antique lanterns. His wife, Lorna, has a business from their home doing legal work electronically. She sings and plays drums at church and stars in the church Christmas production. (by Marilyn Knackert)

The Children of Joe and Lorna Slowikowski

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JEREMY DAVID KNACKERT

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ANGELA (Angie) BETH KNACKERT

I was raised on a little farm in Watertown , born there October 9, 1978. I was very involved in music both in grade school and high school and took 9 years of piano lessons. I also play saxophone and keyboard. I was active in sports until high school, namely basketball and soccer. After high school, I attended Madison Area Technical College, Madison campus, full time, for 12 months to obtain my license in cosmetology. I went on to complete other related courses in my field. After working in Madison for awhile, I decided to move to Scottsdale, Arizona in 2000, where I am currently self-employed as a hairdresser at Salon Synergy in Old Town. I also do part-time work for a stockbroker and drive a peda -cab for stadium events. I love being involved in Scottsdale Triathlon, bicycling, swimming, water aerobics, belly dancing, roller blading, mountain hiking, and all types of exercise.	(November 2006) Angie moved back to Wisconsin, is working in a new resort in Lake Geneva, and has a boyfriend (Jerry, above).
My other hobbies include: going out to hear bands, dancing, and singing karaoke, and travel. I love to sew and have added cooking to my interests. I am single and share my life with my cat, Fernanda, and my Aussie-mix dog, Jasper. I'll be moving back to Wisconsin, January, 2006, which has made my parents very happy. I will continue to be a self-employed hairdresser and have accepted a position at Boti Salon in Madison. (2005)

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THE BEVERLY ANN WOLFE BRAASCH FAMILY

Hi, we're the Braasch family – Marty, Bev, Ryan, and Andy. We live near the small village of Dousman, about 40 miles west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also residing with us are our dogs, Holly and Dandy, a gerbil named Whiskers, and Chippy the goldfish.

Marty (Martin Richard Braasch) and I were both born and raised in Milwaukee (Marty on June 2, 1947, and I on February 1, 1949), met on a blind date while still in high school, and were married on August 24, 1968, after Marty's third year of college. After graduating with a BBA from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (U.W.M.), Marty went to work as an underwriter for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Except for a brief stint with the Army National Guard, he has been with NML ever since, currently as Assistant Regional Director of Underwriting. Marty loves the outdoors and is an avid hunter and fisherman.

I also graduated from U.W.M. with a BS in medical technology and worked in a hospital lab for four years until baby Ryan arrived in 1978. After Ryan's birth I went back to lab work for a short time, then switched to real estate sales for several years. Since Andy's arrival in 1982, I have been perfecting (?) the role of mom/homemaker with a little volunteer work on the side. I enjoy photography, reading, and racquetball.

As a family we especially enjoy our cabin in Door County , Wisconsin , sometimes called “the Cape Cod of the Midwest .” Marty and the boys do most of their fishing there, and we all enjoy boating, swimming, and hiking together. After some remodeling of and addition to the existing building, we plan to live there all summer after retirement. Life is very full and busy, and we feel very fortunate to have so much, especially our health and our family.

(2007) Bev is divorced, lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and works as a teacher assistant.

The Children of Bev and Marty Braasch

(2007) Ryan has been living in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he recently completed his MBA. He has been hired by Shea Homes and is moving to the Sacramento area.

(2007) Andy graduated from UW and works for a medical software company in Madison, Wisconsin, where he also lives.

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THE JANET LOUISE WOLFE NUSZBAUM FAMILY

Born on April 9, 1951, the last girl of five to Merle and Eunice Wolfe. Graduated from Washington High School (Milwaukee) in June of 1969, majoring in subjects pertaining to office work. Attended Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1972 and 1973 while an employee there. Took various general studies courses.

After working various secretarial jobs, met and married John Roy Haefemeyer (son of Roland and Betty Evans Haefemeyer) on May 31, 1975. Gave birth to twin daughters, Michelle Lee and Jackie Ann, on September 3, 1976 . On December 18, 1978, gave birth to Daniel Roy. Divorced in April of 1979 and married William Henry Nuszbaum (son of Frank Matthew and Melda Jane Howard Nuszbaum) on December 31, 1979 (New Year's Eve), at my home on North 90th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin .

Moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in November of 1981 to get away from the cold winters of Wisconsin. With the exception of five months when I lived in Kissimmee, Florida, from September of 1985 to January of 1986, I have resided in Las Vegas.

Divorced Bill on March 6, 1984. Currently working as an Administrative Aide since March 1986, for JWJ Enterprises, Inc., contracted by the Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority to publish the Official Visitors Guide to Las Vegas.

(2007) Janet lives in Las Vegas where she works for the Colorado River Commission.

The Children of Janet and John Haefemeyer

(1)	Michelle Lee Haefemeyer, born 3 September 1976, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
	+David Lemke, Capt, USMC, married September 2004, Waukesha, Wisconsin
	(A)	Hailey
(2)	Jackie Ann Haefemeyer, born3 September 1976, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
	+David Horning, married September 10, 2005, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
(3)	Daniel Roy Haefemeyer, born 1978.       Michelle and Dave's Wedding -- September 2004 Dan, Jackie, Michelle, Dave, Janet

(2007) Michelle, Dave, and baby Hailey are living in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where Dave is stationed. Michelle is a nurse.

(2007) Jackie and Dave live in Hartland, Wisconsin, and are expecting their first child. Jackie is a nurse also.

(2007) Dan lives and works in Reno, Nevada; his first love is snowboarding.

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THE CARL WENDEL WOLFE FAMILY

Carl Wendel Wolfe was born November 3, 1913, in Frog Creek, Wisconsin, the third son of Harland Everett and Etta Myrtle Clemons Wolfe.

My father was a gypsy. He often told stories about running away from home at 15 or 16 and living as a hobo all over the United States, Mexico, and Canada. When I was growing up our average stay in one house was about six months.

Dad was a very practical “can do” sort. He figured out how to keep us all going through some very tough financial times. Mostly he worked in the construction trades as a plumber, pipefitter, and refrigeration mechanic.

In the early 60's, after Steven, Barbara, and I had left home, he moved to Eugene with Mom, David, and Gail, and finally settled down. He became very successful installing large refrigeration systems in stores, and Mom rose to become Chief of Medical Records at the major hospital in town. They had a boat and camper and enjoyed traveling around Oregon, although they never went much farther.

After Mom died in 1975, Dad went into a decline. His health was not good. He grew steadily worse and finally died in a motel room in Green Bay , Wisconsin, on January 23, 1983. He had gone there to see his remaining brothers and sisters. He was cremated, and his ashes were spread at sea off the Oregon coast, as he wanted it.

Dorothy was born to Maude and Russell McMahon on December 20, 1918, in Madison, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of three girls and one boy. My Grandpa Russell was an auto mechanic. He died shortly after WWII. Grandma is now 90 and lives near my Aunt Betty in Mesa , Arizona .

Mom and Dad met when she was at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. I have never known much about the courtship or their early years. Mom was always there, mostly at home but sometimes working. When we lived in Arizona she got a job transcribing medical records from tapes dictated by doctors when they performed operations. She continued working in medical records thereafter. In Eugene she was Director of Medical Records. She left work one day, feeling ill. She died a week later on July 26, 1975, of a ruptured artery in her brain.

Russell Wolfe

The Children of Carl and Dorothy Wolfe

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THE RUSSELL WENDELL WOLFE FAMILY

I was born September 19, 1939, in Spooner, Wisconsin, the oldest child of Carl Wendel and Dorothy McMahon Wolfe. My growing up years were spent moving around. We left Wisconsin for Washington when I was about nine. We moved to Oregon, all over California, back to Oregon, to California again, back to Wisconsin, returned to California, and then to Arizona. In all, I attended 17 elementary schools and seven high schools. I spent four years in the U. S. Marines, all during peacetime. I spent some time attending the University of Wisconsin, Madison, but did not finish. My career has been in electronics and computer systems. I worked for many years in California 's “silicon valley” before moving to Oregon in 1975. Somewhere in there I did get my Electrical Engineering degree, and I am now certified as a Professional Engineer.

For the last twelve years Darla and I have lived on 22 acres of forest land in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, where we built our own home. We are sole shareholders of R!!!D Systems Design, Inc. We engineer and install process control computer systems for the pulp and paper mills in the Northwest. I am an avid fisherman, and future plans include fishing vacations in Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii .

Darla was born on November 17, 1945, to Rudolph and Carroll Scheid, in Oakland, California, where she lived until she graduated from high school, when her family went to live in Los Gatos, California. There she attended West Valley Junior College . She was previously married to Richard Johnson. Her career has been in business and homemaking.

(May 2007) Carl Wendell Wolfe Family -- Of the five children, only three are left now.  Both of our sisters died of lung cancer in recent years. My brother Steven lives in lots of places, but when last heard from (a month or so ago) he was living near Santa Rosa, California.  He continues to make his living with his music.  He's a jazz saxaphone virtuoso with a number of recordings out.  He makes occasional trips to Europe, where he says he has more fans than here.  Not long ago he survived open heart surgery brought on by a heart infection.  He was in a coma for some days, but says he's fine now and doing well. Brother David, who is learning disabled due to Cerebral Palsy, is doing very well.  He has lived in his own place for many years, and works at a nearby plant that makes scanners for supermarket checkout stands.  He bowls, sings in a church choir, is active in a model railroad club, and otherwise keeps quite busy.  He lives in Eugene, about 30 miles south of us.

Darla and I have been living in Monroe for well over 35 years now, in the house we build over 30 years ago.  Life just sort of goes forward one day after another.  I'm still working for Lane County, writing programs for the Public Works department.  Somehow my specialty has become one of collecting garbage, or at least collecting data about garbage.  The county operates a solid waste landfill, 18 transfer dump sites, and a hazardous materials facility.  I write the software that tracks the stuff in and out, collects the money, and reports to the DEQ.  Heavy duty.  Another year, and I plan to retire again, for good this time. 

Darla is very deeply into her family history.  She goes to the local LDS history center every week.  She attended her Germans From Russia annual convention in Portland this summer. 

For recreation I'm replacing the decks all around the house and generally working to get it market-ready.  We plan to retire, sell, downsize, and make better use of our motorhome Real Soon Now.

As for the chidren, I'm sad to report that I rarely hear from my daughters or their children.  The boys are doing well.  Bob is a very successful wine merchant, restauranteur, and real estate mogul.  He also lives in Eugene with Chris, his partner of many years, and her son.  Ed and Shannon live in Seattle where she is a legal secretary and he is doing very well as a project manager installing large cable systems.  They are also part owners of a winery called Latitude 42.  Erik, our youngest, is now in graduate school in Connecticut seeking a Master's in Library Science.

Life is a journey, not a destination.  Keep traveling. ....................... Take care, russ wolfe

The Children of Russell and Patricia Wolfe

Note: Russell married Patricia Cormican on October 12, 1974; they are divorced.

The Child of Russell and Darla Wolfe

(1) Erik R. Wolfe was born December 12, 1980, in Corvallis, Oregon.

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THE IRENE LORRAINE WOLFE TURCZYNSKI FAMILY

Irene Lorraine Wolfe, known as Lorraine, oldest daughter (born March 4, 1916 in Frog Creek, Wisconsin) of Harlan and Myrtle Wolfe, met Leonard “Turk” Turczynski (born August 31, 1915, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to John and Rose Lubinski Turczynski) in

Turk and Lorraine enjoyed doing many things together, especially camping and fishing. Turk was not a male chauvinist; he would pitch in and help get the housework done so that they could have time to do things together.

When Lorraine found out she had cancer in 1964 it was extremely hard on Turk; she was not only his wife she was his best friend. For a time they thought she was cured, but in 1968 the cancer reappeared and after a good fight Lorraine passed away on May 16, 1969 .

Turk later married Bonnie Orr; he died November 25, 1978.

Sandi Brozovich

The Children of Lorraine and Turk Turczynski

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THE ROGER ELLIS TURCZYNSKI FAMILY

Born 23 July 1938 in Spooner, Wisconsin, to Leonard and Irene Lorraine Turczynski. Attended Hammill School and Spooner High School, graduating in June, 1956. Attended Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, on a partial scholarship during the fall-winter semester 1956-57. Moved to Eugene, Oregon , with family in the spring of 1957. Served on active duty with the Oregon National Guard at Fort Ord, California, from April to October, 1957. Entered the United States Air Force on 4 December 1957, retiring on 1 June 1985 after 28 years active service as a Russian linguist. Attended Syracuse University, Basic Russian course January to December 1958, Intermediate Russian course April 1960 to January 1961, and the Advanced Russian course December 1964 to September 1965. Was class salutatorian in the Intermediate course and class valedictorian in the Advanced course.

Military decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, seven Air Medals, USAF Commendation Medal, three USAF Outstanding Unit Awards, two with V device for Valor, USAF Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Award, eight USAF Good Conduct Medals, US Army Good Conduct Medal, Berlin Occupation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.

Served tours in 1959-1960 at Northeast Cape, Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska; 1961-1964 at Bremerhaven, West Germany; 1966-1969 at Misawa and Yokota Air Bases in Japan with temporary assignments to Osan Air Base, South Korea, and Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, in 1967 and 1968; 1976-1983 at Bad Aibling, West Germany; and 1983-1984 at Teufelsberg, West Berlin. Have worked since September, 1985, with the Federal Government as a linguist.

Was married to Lee Ann Weaver of Syracuse, New York, from 1961 to 1973. To this union were born: Carla Diane on 23 January 1961, Stephanie Anne on 19 May 1963, David Garrett on 5 May 1964, and Craig Michael on 9 May 1967.

Hobbies include philately, numismatics, walking, and camping. Have held several positions with the Boy Scouts of America in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and now Sea Exploring. Have been the President of the Freestate Happy Wanderers Volksmarsch Club for the past three years and have accumulated over 800 events for roughly 9,000 miles of walking in 37 states, seven countries, and the District of Columbia. Currently live alone at 1848 Robin Court , Severn, Maryland 21144 . Am a proud grandfather with five grandchildren and still counting.

The Children of Roger and Lee Ann Turczynski

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THE SANDRA KAYE TURCZYNSKI BROZOVICH FAMILY

I was born on January 23, 1941, the third child and first daughter of Lorraine and Turk Turczynski. I was not a beautiful child – thin, straight hair that mom tried everything to make full and curly, and spaced teeth that I proudly exposed because I smiled a lot. Not that I wanted to show the teeth, it was just that I had a lot to smile about. My earliest memory is the day that I started school. It was a very traumatic day because I was required to wear a dress and it wasn't even Sunday. My mother walked me to school, checked me in with the teacher, and then left. I think she had some marketing to do because I beat her back home. When she came in I was in my blue jeans and playing with the dog in the living room. I informed her that “I wasn't going back to that dumb school.” WRONG. She marched me back (as soon as I was re-dressed), and my bottom was a tad red to match the dress I had on. So began my schooling at the Spooner, Wisconsin, schools.

I enjoyed school in Spooner and was very unhappy when we had to move to Eugene, Oregon, in 1956. In Eugene I went to Eugene High School for my sophomore year and hated it. The following summer we moved to the other side of Eugene so I transferred to Willamette High School and graduated from there in 1959. After I graduated from high school I enlisted in the United States Navy and was inducted on July 13, 1959 . I went to BOOT Camp in Bainbridge, Maryland, and then went to Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Illinois. While I was there I visited with aunts and uncles on my Mom's side in Milwaukee. Also while I was there I met a terrific looking sailor. After six weeks we decided to get married, much to the surprise of my parents. His name was Les Brozovich and we were married on January 23, 1960.

While Les and I were stationed in Olathe, Kansas, we decided it was time to start a family, and on August 31, 1961 , we had a daughter, Toni Lynne. In October, after being discharged, we moved to Les' hometown of Denver, Colorado . On November 17, 1963, we had a son, Joseph Lenne. We lived in Lakewood, Colorado, which is connected to Denver, from 1961 to 1977. Les had a large mechanical contracting company in Denver, and he sold it in 1977 and we moved to Clark, Colorado. Clark is a tiny town north of Steamboat Springs and we live four and a half miles north of Clark so we are now countrified. Les is still a mechanical contractor, but not on such a large scale. Joe works for him and they do quite nicely for each other.

Les and I spend some of our winter in Mesa, Arizona, where we have another home, but most of the time we are at home in Clark. We love to play golf, and that is the reason for the house in Arizona . It is quite difficult to find your ball in two hundred inches of snow, which is not unusual in the winter in Clark .

I still have thin, straight, hair but have trained it to behave a bit better. The spaces are still in my teeth, but I still smile a lot. I'm the only grandma I know who can hold a straw between her front teeth, which really does impress the grandkids and makes them smile, too.

The Children of Sandi and Les Brozovich

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THE RICHARD JOHN TURCZYNSKI FAMILY

I was born on September 6, 1947, in Spooner, Wisconsin, the fourth child of Leonard and Lorraine Wolfe Turczynski.

Pat (Patricia Ann Taylor) and I met on September 27, 1969, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. We were engaged to be married on October 11, 1969, and were married in Fitzgerald, Georgia , on June 27, 1970. We then moved to Denver, Colorado, in July of 1970. I became a Master Plumber in Denver and worked there until we moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado , in 1980. We lived there for a year and moved back to Fort Walton Beach for one year, and then we moved back to Steamboat for five years. We have just recently moved back to Fort Walton Beach where, hopefully, we will stay for good. I'm planning on starting my own plumbing business with my wife's brother, Paul.

We are a fairly active family when it comes to outside interests. We love to golf, fish, hunt, and bowl together.

The Children of Rick and Pat Turczynski

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THE DAWN ELANE TURCZYNSKI BANKS FAMILY

I was born February 25, 1951, in Spooner, Wisconsin, the fifth child of Lorraine Wolfe and Leonard Turczynski. The earliest I can remember is 1956. We were living in Spooner – Dad (Leonard) was transferred from Northern Pacific Railroad to Southern Pacific Railroad and we moved to Glenwood, Oregon, just east of Eugene between Eugene and Springfield. I remember that Roger had stayed in Wisconsin to go to college, then later went into the Air Force.

I think it was approximately one or two years later we moved into the Eugene area – into the Bugs Bunny Trailer Court, later called Garfield Trailer Court, located at 111 North Garfield. We lived there in a trailer until around 1963 when Mom took over management of the court. Dad still worked for Southern Pacific Railroad as a car inspector. Paul had graduated from Willamette High School in West Eugene around 1957 and went into the United States Marines. Sandy graduated from Willamette High also around 1959 and enlisted in the U. S. Navy (where she met her husband, Les Brozovich – he also was enlisted in the Navy). Rick, my youngest brother, graduated from Willamette High School in 1965, and by 1968 or 1969 he had enlisted in the United States Air Force. Soon after we discovered Mom had cancer. I was to graduate in 1969 from Willamette High School, too, but quit three months prior to graduation. I was pregnant and the impact and stress of Mother's illness made life quite turbulent at that time. Coping was rather difficult. I was married to John Arthur Iseli (father of my two daughters until our divorce in 1974).

Two years later I met and married Stuart Patrick Banks – we both attended and completed Hair Design School together in Portland, Oregon, 1976-1978. After completing our training, we relocated in Eugene in 1978. We became involved in working for a progressive salon called Creative Id. My husband became interested in education and soon opened a School of Hair Design in Eugene (backed by the Creative Id Company). One year later we moved to Medford, Oregon, to open yet another School of Hair Design for the same company. I also became involved with education and obtained by teaching credentials. Prior to that in Eugene I was a Perm Wave Specialist from 1978 to 1981. One year later we left the company to move to Portland (lived in Gresham area) to take over an existing school -- College of Beauty -- Hollywood District. Patrick was manager of that school for approximately two years. I worked as an instructor for approximately a year and a half. Then I opened and managed a salon in Gresham under the backing/partnership of the school owner and my husband. Six months later Patrick joined me and came to work as Stylist at Phase One Artistic Concepts in Hair in Gresham. We worked there for approximately eight more months, encountering internal business problems in the partnership. We left our interests there and went to work for a lease salon, Gresham Hair Barn. We worked there as independent contractors for a year and a half when we decided to start our own business. We opened Rumors About Town in December, 1984, and closed that business in August of 1986 to go back to independent work as stylists. Patrick now works at a lease salon in downtown Portland with expectations and possibility of buying into partnership of that salon. I am at present leasing a hair station in the Gresham area. We had worked together on a daily basis 24 hours a day from 1976 when we started hair school in 1976 until August, 1986. Now, for the first time in ten years, we are working independent of one another. It has been quite a transition – working separately after spending so many years together.

The Children of Dawn and John Iseli

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THE ROBERT ROLLO WOLFE FAMILY

Robert Rollo Wolfe was born December 12, 1918, in Joffre, Alabama, the sixth child of Harlan Everett and Etta Myrtle Clemons Wolfe. We were married at Hayword, Wisconsin, on May 7, 1941. We lived with and worked for Uncle Frank Clemons until November 1. Then we worked in a logging camp where I cooked and Bob worked in the woods; we got $40 for a month's work for both of us. I didn't know too much about cooking, but the guys raved about the baked beans and homemade bread cooked on a wood stove. We farmed after that.

In 1952 we went to California where Bob worked installing irrigation pumps; we came back to Wisconsin in the fall of 1953. Bob worked in Milwaukee until the fall of 1963 when we moved to Gillett to a farm. Bob also had an electrical business which he did along with the farming. We left the farm in 1976 when we moved to our present home; Robert Jr. purchased the farm. Bob died in September of 1985.

Agnes Wolfe

The Children of Robert and Agnes Wolfe

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THE JAMES HARLAN WOLFE FAMILY

I was born 5 November 1944, the second child of Robert Rollo and Agnes Mary Ricken Wolfe, in Spooner, Washburn County, Wisconsin. On 26 October 1964, I married Linda Louise May in Milwaukee.

I work in the construction trades as an electrician and run a small (one man) contracting business as a sideline. Linda works as a contract delivery service for Pitney Bowes, setting up postage meters.

What little free time we have I spend rebuilding classic cars, motorcycles, and newer insurance wrecks, as I enjoy the mechanics. We recently sold our airplane because we didn't really use it anymore. I formerly worked for construction companies that had jobs in most of the western states. I was superintendent until January, 1986, when the job ended in Wyoming and we decided to relocate to Phoenix . For four years I worked on those remote jobsites and commuted to Albuquerque on weekends. Hence the airplane. We flew to Wisconsin for vacations, and I got the chance to take my father flying, which I know we both enjoyed.

I learned the electrical trade from my father while working for him in his business, and when he decided to retire, I moved to Albuquerque where we stayed for eight years (25 December 1977 until July 1985). The construction jobs took me to Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and back to Arizona while we lived in Albuquerque.

We recently purchased a home in Phoenix and moved, hopefully for the last time this decade.

Ordinarily, I would do this with my computer, but, as the Wolfes always “collect,” I haven't found a place to put to together again (if I could find which box it's packed in.)

The Children of Jim and Linda Wolfe

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THE (RONALD) JOHN WOLFE FAMILY

I was born the fifth child of Robert and Agnes Wolfe on 9 September 1948, west of Spooner in the township of Evergreen. I think Mom and Dad were at a friend's house playing cards and Mom decided to drop another kid. I was the last one of our family born at home – whose home even Mom can't remember. I attended first and second grades at Springbrook, third through fifth at Marcy Elementary in Brookfield , Wisconsin, and sixth through eighth at St. Dominic's in Brookfield. Freshman year was at Brookfield East High, and I completed high school at Gillett High School in Gillett, Wisconsin, in 1966.

I worked in Gillett for a few months, moved to Minneapolis for a month, and started toward Eugene, Oregon, in November of 1966 in a 1936 Chev pick-up. The truck only made it to McIntosh, South Dakota. I stayed in Eugene at Carl and Dorothy's until March, 1967, then returned to Milwaukee. I worked as a longshoreman at the Port of Milwaukee until I entered the U. S. Navy in June of 1968.

In the Navy I was trained as an electronics technician and was stationed at Grindavik, Iceland, for 14 months in 1970-1971; Quonset Point Naval Air Station, Rhode Island, for six months in 1971; McMurdo Station, Antarctica, for 12 months in 1971-1972; and was lastly assigned as the Officer in Charge of the Weedons Transmitter Facility at the U. S. Naval Communications Unit of Christchurch, New Zealand.

While in New Zealand at the ripe old age of 24, I met and married Suzanne Beverley Tones on August 25, 1973, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Christchurch. My mother Agnes ventured on her first airplane flight from Gillett to Christchurch for the wedding and a two week break away from the younger brothers and sisters still at home.

In April of 1975 Suzanne, Wendy, and I returned to the U. S., Suzanne and Wendy's first time out of New Zealand and me after four years' absence. I was discharged from the Navy, did odd jobs, and attended the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay until Lori appeared in 1977.

In April of 1977 I joined the Wisconsin State Patrol as a Communications Operator and lived in Hartland and Wausau, Wisconsin.

In 1978 from May to October I attended the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and graduated a full-fledged Wisconsin “Smokey” on October 27th, Sue's birthday. I was stationed at Medford, Wisconsin, and we lived in Medford and nearby Stetsonville until November 1980.

In November 1980, I resigned my position and accepted a job with ITT in Paramus, New Jersey. From December of 1980 until February, 1982, I was the Communications Coordinator at Palmer Station, Antarctica, on the Antarctic Peninsula . In February, 1982, I traveled by the U. S. Coast Guard cutter “Polar Sea” around the Antarctic Continent back to McMurdo, through Christchurch with a visit with the in-laws and back to the U. S. In April, 1982, I received an assignment from ITT to the Research Vessel “Hero” homebased in Ushuria, Argentina. On April 3rd I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, enroute to the ship when the Falklands War broke out. For twelve days I and two other “yanks” were holed up at the Tucamen Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires dodging the Argentinians who hated English-speaking individuals. The ship was diverted to Punta Areanas, Chile, and we finally were united with the ship. I spent the next four months as the radio operator on board the “Hero” and spent the reminder of the war touring the canals (channels) of western Chile with an occasions search for downed Argentine or British air crewmen.

I left the ship in July of 1982 and returned to wife and family in Stetsonville. I worked at odd jobs until April of 1983 when I rejoined the Wisconsin State Patrol. We moved to Tomah in November of 1983, have purchased a house, and hope to stay in one place for a while. The house is small but there is plenty of room for “lost” relatives.

Suzanne is the head customer service manager at the local Wal-Mart store in Tomah and still complains about the Wisconsin winters. My main hobby is amateur radio. My amateur call is KE9AS and can be found on 20 meters.

The Children of John and Suzanne Wolfe

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THE PATRICIA ANNE WOLFE THORNTON FAMILY

I was born January 8, 1951, the sixth child of Robert Rollo and Agnes Mary Ricken Wolfe. My family recollections begin in Springbrook, Wisconsin, not too far from where I was born in Rice Lake. By the time I came along there were already five other little Wolfes. In order, they were Robert Henry, James Harlan, Carol Barbara, Allen Rollo, Ronald John (Johnny), and then me, Patricia Anne. I was the one they constantly called “skinny,” as I could eat and eat and never gain a pound. (That all changed, however, later on in my life.)

I was only about one or two when we moved to California to try in a different way for “the good life.” I don't remember much of anything about that time except that we slept in a very small, old trailer, and we drove across the desert where I saw a cactus. I've heard my older brothers and sisters talk about having fruit fights with the windfall fruit off the trees on their way to school, seeing the fields where grapes and plums were drying for raisins and prunes, and visits that we took to the mountains and parks in and around San Jose, California, where we lived at the time. We only lived there for about a year, and then not being able to make enough to support a family of seven (as my sister Constance Marie had been born before leaving Wisconsin ), my mom and dad decided to return to Wisconsin. That's when my recollections truly begin. My father, Robert, at that time worked in Milwaukee and would come home on weekends. Mom meanwhile maintained the small farm outside of Springbrook with the help of my older brothers and sister. My life was a succession of trips to the pasture with Jimmie to “help,” trips to the brook with Johnnie or Allen, berry picking excursions which ended with Mom picking the “wood ticks” from our respective heads, summer catechism, the Erickson boys who said that their dad “shaved their heads so close that they could write on them,” nights in front of the TV (when we finally got one) watching the one channel we managed to received, and visiting relatives who still lived in the area. At that time, as far as I can recall, they included: Grandpa and Grandma Wolfe in Springbook along with Great Uncle Frank, Aunt Ivy and Uncle Bob King in Superior, my mother's brother William Ricken who lived up the road from us with his kids, William Jr., Margaret, Gloria, and Shirley; and my Grandma and Grandpa Ricken who lived not too far away in Shell Lake. I enjoyed my Grandpa Ricken a lot as he had come to the U. S. from Germany when he was young, and he still spoke with a German accent. His house was full of unusual and interesting things, and it was always fun to explore there. My life was as full as any toddler's could be. We remained in Springbrook until I was five years old, and just before we moved, my brother Gregory Mark was born.

We moved that fall of 1956 to Brookfield, a suburb of Milwaukee, and into a rather large home at 15735 West Lisbon Avenue. The house had originally been part of a rather large farm, but the owner had sold the majority of his holdings for a housing development. That made it nice for us young Wolfes, though, because the property that remained included the house, along with all of the outbuildings and barns but without the labor of a working farm. We had quite a variety of things to do. The towering elms and maples made great locations for tree swings and tree houses, the neighboring orchards and small fields were exploration sites, and the grounds themselves were the perfect hide-and-seek headquarters for the kids in the neighborhood who lived on half acre plots. Daddy captured a lot of our time spent there on film after receiving a movie camera for Christmas one year. Most of us began our schooling at the Marcey Grade School, and some of us transferred to St. Dominic's later on. Meanwhile, our family was expanding. Mary Ann, Teresa Louise, and Michael Anthony had joined our family, and life was rich and full. We always had enough family to form baseball teams, football teams, Monopoly marathons, and endless jigsaw puzzle afternoons.

Then my father lost his job and there was talk of moving. My mother, a farm girl at heart, wanted to move to a farm, so the hunt was on to find us a new home. In September of 1963 we moved to a little town 40 miles west of Green Bay called Gillett, Wisconsin, and onto what I considered a large dairy farm. Bobby and Jimmie had already graduated from high school and decided to remain behind in Milwaukee to seek their respective fortunes. The remainder of us who were of school age enrolled into the Gillett School System. Being new in a town where it seemed everyone was somehow related to each other, we wanted to fit in, and so most of us joined some kind of school organization. As we all leaned toward the musical side of life, most of us joined chorus or band. When you live with a bunch of siblings, you learn quickly to be dramatic if you wish to be noticed, so some of us also joined the drama club or forensics. By sheer force of numbers had had to make a name for ourselves. It became a standing joke around our house that the Wolfe name would be in the weekly newspaper at least once each week, and it became a kind of unofficial contest between us to see who did or didn't make it with some kind of award or special group or excursion. At any rate, it was all in good fun, and we quickly fit into our new town because of it. At the same time, there was a farm to maintain and many mouths to feed. Cows needed to be milked and fed daily, field work was an almost year-round job, and summers were no longer the carefree days we had had in our youth. My fondest memories, though, are the ones after a hard day's work. When the haying was finished (until the next cutting), the woodstove was warming the kitchen (yes, we had one of those, too), and Mom's wonderful homemade bread smells were wafting through the house. It would have been nice to have had more money and less manual labor to do, but there were good times.

In September of 1967, my youngest sister, Jean Marie, the last in the long line of Robert and Agnes Wolfe's children, was born. I didn't get to watch her grow as I had the other younger brothers and sisters, as that next spring of 1969 I graduated from high school and went to work in Milwaukee. From there I went on to college in January of 1970 to the University of Wisconsin, Superior. I majored in English and History Education. After graduating in May of 1974, I struck out for New York to see the world. My sister Connie had moved to Woodstock, New York, shortly before. Within a few months I met Richard Thornton whom I married on February 14, 1979. His family lived in Troy, New York , and he came from a family bigger than my own. He has 14 brothers and sisters. His father, Jack Thornton, had died when Rick was only nine, and his mother had remarried to Austin Serson. They still reside in and around Troy. Rich himself had been married for a short time to Dorothy Mae Vore, and they had one son, Richard Thomas Thornton. As it is for most newlyweds, we struggled to get ahead. I worked as a librarian at the Kingston Area Library, and Rich worked as a cement truck driver. An unfortunate accident left rich without a job in September of 1979, and at the same time I became pregnant with our son Patrick, who was born in June of 1980. We thought this an auspicious time (July, 1980) to seek our fortune elsewhere. We migrated to the west where my brother Jimmie had already established himself and his family in Rio Rancho, New Mexico . We took up residence there also, and after a few false starts, we are now living in relative comfort. There were sad times to note, among them my father's death in September of 1985 and, in that same week, Rick's stepfather's death as a result of a car accident. We now own our own home, though, and spend much of our time landscaping and improving the house, so we know that life goes on. Rich's first son, Richie, came to live with us also in October of 1984, and so our present family numbers four. We would like to eventually move back to a greener, more moist climate, but for now the view of the Sandia Mountains from our back yard is stupendous (especially when it snows), and the sunshine is warm on our backs. Life is good.

The Child of Rich and Dorothy Thornton

(1) Richard Thomas Thornton was born 4 December 1980 in New York.

The Child of Patricia and Rich Thornton

(1) Patrick Michael Thornton was born on 19 June 19 1980, in Kingston, New York .

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THE IVY ELAINE WOLFE KING FAMILY

I was born on February 14, 1922 in Bass Lake twp, Washburn County, Wisconsin, the seventh of ten children of Harlan Everett and Etta Myrtle Clemons Wolfe. Bob was born on December 31, 1912, at Plum City, Wisconsin, which is in Pierce County. His parents were George King (Canadian French) and Clara Oberding (Swiss-German). Plum City has a population of approximately 375, founded mostly by Swiss and Germans. It lies in a narrow valley with a creek running through it. A spring which comes out of a hill on the opposite side of the valley flows under Main Street and joins the creek. One enters Plum City on a winding highway (US 10) which descends down to the town in the valley. To view it one can readily understand why they chose to settle there because it is so similar to their homeland.

George was a farmer and they raised then children, six of whom are still living. Bob was their fourth born. They left Plum City in 1930 during the depression and made several other moves, eventually settling at Earl, Wisconsin, which is south of Springbrook. By the time I met Bob he had been on his own for a few years. We met through one of my brothers and were married on July 4, 1938. Bob has always said that he is a jack of all trades and the master of none; however, he was never without work for he was willing to work at whatever was available. His talents offered him variety because besides being a farmer, he has worked in a nursery (trees, shrubs, and flowers), a feedmill, a hardware, and managed a garage. Because of this variety of employment we lived in various houses in the areas of Springbrook, Earl, and Lampson until we were finally able to settle down and purchase a home of our own about one and one-half miles from Hayward. By then we had four little girls and were thinking that we would never have a boy, but we were finally blessed with a baby boy. Just imagine the excitement for both us and our four little girls.

After having lived at Hayward for six years we relocated in Superior, Wisconsin, in 1951, where Bob had acquired work at the Peavey grain terminal in Duluth. We purchased a home in Superior because we couldn’t see fighting the icy hills of Duluth in the wintertime, and I imagine that we subconsciously wanted to stay in Wisconsin. We usually tell people that we didn’t choose to live in Duluth because of those cold Minnesota winters – joking, of course, because Superior is just across the St. Louis Bay and we have the same climate as Duluth.

Besides Bob receiving higher wages by moving to Superior we visioned many other opportunities for our family in education and employment. Our children could attend parochial school and Superior is a college town. Within ten years after we had moved to Superior we were blessed with three more boys.

In 1970, because of the sale of the Peavey grain terminal, Bob was forced into early retirement at the age of 58 but was hired almost immediately as maintenance man for our St. Francis Xavier parish church, school, and convent. He retired from his work at the school and convent in 1978, continuing to care for just the church building. By that time our eight children were all independent of us so we sold our large home and purchased a new and smaller one. Bob continued working part time for the church until December, 1985, when he fully retired.

With our eight children attending school and in various activities, plus our involvement in our church, our lives have been full. Otherwise, we have always been and always will be homebodies as our lives have revolved around our children and our grandchildren. They all live within 450 miles which makes it possible for them to come home and for us to visit them often.

We both love to camp out in a tent; even in our older years we prefer a tent. We both love to fish and pick berries and Bob has always been a hunter. He is retired but keeps very, very busy. He has always been an all around handyman, always welcoming a challenge and ever ready to give a helping hand wherever it is needed. During the summer he gardens, keeps our yard and shrubs groomed and is hired a lot for carpentry and repair jobs. He crochets and knits so his Afghans, mittens, caps, and scarves help save him from boredom during the winter months.

I, too, knit or crochet Afghans. I also crochet large centerpieces and doilies, embroider and other crafty thing. I have sewn since I was a very little girl making doll clothes. I have made most of our children’s clothes and my own, plus a few pants, shirts, and jackets for Bob. I enjoy extra money from sewing and mending for others. I have always baked, canned, preserved; all the things which most women do who have a large family and grew up in a large family. I promised Bob that as long as I am able I will always make him homemade bread.

I like to read and I love to write articles. I am currently writing my memoirs to be followed by a book for and about our children but not to be published. One of my gifts or talents is organizing, although I am not as organized a person or individual as I would like to be.

On July 4th, 1988, God willing, we will celebrate 50 happy years together. We often reflect back over the years and are content, for our lives have been full of meaning and we are aware that God has truly been holding our family in the palm of His hand.

(March 2007) Ivy has been living at Willowbrook Nursing Home in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, following a stroke. She is still bright, though she has problems getting around and tires easily. The following note is from her daughter, Joan King Thomas. "It was her 85th birthday party, and it was very nice.  Seeing as it was Valentine's Day, Willowbrook had a barbershop quartet entertain at lunch and when they found out it was her birthday they sang her a very special Happy Birthday! Tom and Reni, Peter and Deb and their youngest son, John, and I were there to take her to the lounge and have what was left over of the cake that we brought in for all the staff and residents to share. Then we gave her this big basket of birthday cards, and she was just thrilled.  We didn't count but we think there were about 65 or so cards.  Peter's birthday is the 16th so we kinda celebrated with him, too. ... March 15th marked the 7th anniversary of the day Dad passed away and we are coming upon a whole year for Ron on March 19th.  Dad was buried on March 19th, so that day will be a doubly hard."

The Children of Ivy and Bob King

Geri Kafka, Reni Lynch, Bob King, Joyce Keiner, Joan Thomas, Peter King

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THE GERALDINE ELAINE KING KAFKA FAMILY

I was born 21 January 1944, in Crystal Township, Wisconsin, to Robert Frank and Ivy Wolfe King. I met my husband Gale Dalton Kafka in Minneapolis where I had come to try my wings at age 19. Dale was born in Minneapolis on 5 February 1945, to Benjamin Joseph and Gladys Brown Kafka. In a few years we married and had two boys. During their growing years, we were both heavily involved in Little League, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. Our family loves to travel, and we have vacationed in just about all of our 50 states. Our family also loves to ski and we have skied on several different slopes. Gale is a certified public accountant, and so, after working in an office all week, he appreciates being outdoors. He loves to hunt, fish, and golf. Being the home of the Twins, Vikings, North Stars, and Strikers, our family attends many of these games. Gale and I share a love for antiques and have several beautiful antique pieces. Now that our boys are grown, I have returned to college to finish my degree in education. I do some sewing and crocheting, but mostly I enjoy reading and caring for our flowers and shrubs at our home in Minneapolis.

The Children of Geri and Gale Kafka

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THE JOAN MARIE KING THOMAS FAMILY !!!

(2006) Katy, Duffy, Sandi Joan, Jim, Barney	(back) Duffy and his wife Kristin, Karl, Katy and Erik, Ashley, Sandi and Johnny (front) Fox and Roark (Duffy's boys) Joan, Jim and then Barney
(2007) Karl, Katy, Erik

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THE RONALD FRANCIS KING FAMILY

The sixth of eight children born to Ivy Elaine King (nee Wolfe) and Robert Frank King, I was born (22 December 1955) and reared in Superior, Wisconsin. After completing grade school at St. Francis Xavier, junior high at Cathedral, and high school at Superior Senior High (1974), I was unable to find stable employment. I served a total of eight years in the Army and Air National Guard as a mechanic and weapons instructor, respectively. In 1981 I graduated with a BS from UW-Superior, majoring in criminal justice, and later that same year began a career with the State of Wisconsin, Division of Corrections. This pursuit led me from the ranks of correctional officer to security supervisor, social worker, and to my present position as a probation/parole agent. It was during the beginning of my career with the State of Wisconsin that I married, on 2 October 1982, Barbara Jo Doherty (born 14 February 1958). Barb and I currently have one daughter and are expecting a second child in July 1987. Also in July, I proudly expect Barb to have completed a masters degree in nursing.

The Children of Ronald and Barbara King

(1) Lindsey Doherty King was born 24 December 1985 in Madison, Wisconsin.

(2) Amy King

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PETER MICHAEL KING

I am the seventh of eight children of Bob and Ivy Wolfe King, born (16 February 1959) and raised in Superior, Wisconsin, an area which, with its many wooded areas, creeks, and streams, provided me with an adventurous youth, like raft rides and forts. Scouting and youth sports kept me quite busy.

After completion of high school, I stayed in Superior for one year of college and then left for Minneapolis and the Twin Cities area. There I worked a variety of jobs while attending school part time. I enjoyed what the Twin Cities had to offer in the area of arts and entertainment, especially theatre.

After six years I returned to Superior to live with my brother Steve, thinking that I would complete my schooling on a full time basis and get it out of the way. My major is business administration, and I was fortunate to get a job in the Superior area in my field which had led to my present position as service manager at Grandma’s, Inc., in Duluth.

Grandma’s is a landmark in Duluth, having two major restaurants, two lounges, a night club, a beach house recreation area, and a gift shop. We are known nationally for the Grandma’s Marathon. I consider myself very fortunate to have landed a job so interesting, challenging, and fun.

I have done as much traveling as time and money would allow. Life in the fast lane has left me single and still crazy after all these years.

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THE LEAH DORIS WOLFE SHEEHAN FAMILY

have to be in bed while she was taken for burial. Mother talked about this a great deal when I was in my teens, home alone with her.

She told me to the day she died she still woke up nights rocking her baby Barbara in her arms. She often said there is no age easy to lose a loved one at, which as the years have gone by I have learned, oh! How I have learned through experience how true that is. My mother was a very courageous, loving, hardworking, kind, and generous person. My father was also a fine gentleman, very loving. My memories of both are fond and beautiful, although Dad was quite irresponsible until he learned masonry. But I was very close to my father, more so than to my mother in my childhood years.

A midwife attended my mother when I was born, a Mrs. Yeadon, which is the reason, with lack of education, that misspelled words and often times wrong information appeared on birth certificates in those days. Thus mine reads “Clea Dorris Wolfe” instead of “Leah Doris Wolfe.” I was unaware, as was Mother, until Social Security came to be and I sent for a copy of my birth certificate to obtain a Social Security card. I was always called “Doris (Dory)” until I went to work for the U. S. Post Office in San Jose, California. As I always used “Leah D. Sheehan” (or Wolfe before marriage), my co-workers naturally called me “Leah.” When Calvin and I were divorced in 1967, never liking to be called “Doris,” much less “Dory,” and feeling I was starting a new and different life, and always partial to the name “Leah,” I decided it a good time to become known by my first name. About the same time “Buster” was very emphatic about being called “Bob” or “Robert,” just as “Pudge” wanted to be called “Roy,” so the three received cooperation from family. However, Aunt Margie still calls us “Buster” or “Pudge” or “Dory” and gets away with it. I must say right here that “Dory” was far better than “Squige” or “Pocahantas” as I was called by my dear brothers and sisters. How many times I heard as a child, “Squigamy, Squagamy, Squeezes, always does what she pleases,” this thanks to brother Keith. The “Pocahantas” was my nickname in summer, as turned so brown I truly looked like a full blood Indian maiden. But all was done in love and fun, with affection.

My reason for this information on my given name is because in reading through information on our past ancestors acquired by my nieces, Dolores (Wolfe) Hansen and Marilyn (Wolfe) Knackert, often names are spelled differently, especially “Wolfe.” Some periods of time the “e” is either added or dropped; other times it is “Wolff”, an extra “f” and no “e,” perhaps on purpose or inadvertently, as in the case of mine. So much said for names and onto “Life’s Memories.”

We, in my memories, had a hard, poor, but good life, with a lot of love. I remember when my father and brothers and, I believe, some hired help built the beautiful red barn on “The Clapp Place” by the river, “The Beautiful Namekagan,” where my parents moved when I was about six weeks old. My mother told me that shortly after moving there I was seriously ill with what was called “Cholera Infantum,” which is a form of cholera that only strikes infants. At the time, brother Merle was in high school in Spooner and only came home on weekends. My mother said no one could keep me from crying all week while ill, but when Merle walked in the door on Friday night and picked me up in his arms, all was fine until he left for school again on Sunday night, which developed a very special bond between us. I always had a close love for all of my six brothers and two sisters, and, therefore, as years passed and we grew older and each went on our own life’s adventures and miles separated us, for me the love was always there. Now that all are gone from us, with only sister Ivy and I remaining, the love is and always will be there for me as well as the wonderful memories. As time goes on, only the beautiful memories of the happier times with loved ones become more beautiful and brighter; the bad ones become dimmer, some completely forgotten.

The last time those still remaining got together was in September of 1974. I was home in Wisconsin for the first time in eleven years and by myself. When I left California for that trip, I so wanted we all to be able to be together. By a coincidence, brother Carl, Dorothy, and David, my nephew, were also in Wisconsin on a visit from Oregon. I talked to everyone and we all agreed to get together at brother Robert’s farm at Gillett, Wisconsin, including Aunt Margie Clemons, the only living aunt or uncle. What a wonderful time we had together, never to imagine that in less than a year, in July, 1975, Carl’s wife Dorothy would leave us, probably the healthiest of all at that point. I had moved back to Wisconsin with my two sons, Dan and Curt, in April, 1975, only to stay until September 1. We returned to California and lived in Santa Clara, a suburb of San Jose, until April, 1977, when Wisconsin called to me to return home again.

But my thoughts have gotten far ahead of the story of my childhood. I write as I think and remember things so clear in my mind at this moment.

Back to life as it was growing up on the farm by the river, “The Clapp Place.” I think we each remember and write or at least think of my poor mother raising small children, namely Ivy, Ronnie, and I (and even Bob and Lorraine couldn’t have been out of the rascal age), between a river and a railroad track. Ronnie was always down at the river every chance he found to slip away, be it winter or summer. With Mother having to work in the fields or woods or whatever, I guess we were more or less either on our own or being watched by older members. She used to threaten to put a rope on Ronnie with a bell on the end! But in spite of more than one close call and illness, we all managed to survive those 13 years we lived there.

Before the big Depression of 1929 my parents did quite well in the log and pulp industry, plus the farm, but when the Depression hit, in spite of their hard work and efforts, they too fell victims, losing all they had. I remember going through old money ledgers stored in the attic and being amazed at the money they had made in the years before the big “D” only to lose the farm to the Federal Land Bank as did most others. I recall there was a small bank in Springbrook, as I remember somewhere north of the school and auditorium, which, I believe, probably disappeared when the new road was put in, a blacktopped one, no less, now known as Highway 63. When the bank went broke, they just walked away, doors unlocked, all papers and records left. The kids, including myself, used to spend hours inside the bank building going through everyone’s old records, unbelievable now, but meant little to the people then who had accounts and investments in the little bank. I believe, if I remember correctly, my Uncle Frank Clemons was president of that bank at the time it folded. He was always, it seemed, financially secure, and owned a showplace of a farm on the hill overlooking spring Lake. For many years he was president of the Co-op in Hayward and a large shareholder.

As a child growing up in the house on the river, everyone from the smallest kid had to work -- a lot in the summers. If you were small you carried ice water to those in the fields or pulled weeds in the folks’ huge garden or picked potato bugs and put them in a can of kerosene. I’m not sure if it kept the bugs down or, in Mom’s great child psychology, kept the kids out of mischief. Whichever, it surely did us no harm and a lot of good. As we got older, we rode a horse pulling a walking cultivator, another of her wise things, as that horse didn’t need a rider. Whoever was steering it could put the reins of the horse around their neck and between the person’s body movements and commands of “gee” for right and “haw” for left, that horse went right down that row. At the end the person would say “Come around,” or “gee” or “haw,” whichever, and with no rider it went on command. But again it kept two little hands, two feet, and one little head out of trouble. How I hated that job, smelling that old sweaty horse and trying to keep the horse flies off! Believe me, they bit hard.

There was what seemed an endless family chore of picking rocks. One time picking rocks is a clear memory to me, as sister Lorraine and I were assigned to one team and wagon. The wagon had high sides, and we had it about half full of rock when we drove ahead, both on top of the wagon, and something spooked Prince and Barney, the horses, and they bolted and ran away and the wagon overturned on us. We were taken to the doctor in Hayward. He first checked me and I was lucky – he gave me a nickel and said nothing was serious enough that an ice-cream cone wouldn’t cure. However, Lorraine didn’t fare that well; she had her leg hurt quite badly. I’m not certain if it was broken or not, but she was out of commission for a long time.

Summer was spent picking wild berries, picking beans, helping in the garden and fields. If my parents did not contract beans or cucumbers for the pickle factory that once thrived in Springbook, I would pick beans for Freem Thompson at his place in Earl. I walked that near-two miles into Springbrook. With other young people that gathered there also, he would pick us up in a truck and take us five miles to Earl where we picked green beans all day, then home again to walk from Springbrook home. As I recall, we were paid either one or two cents a pound, and it sure took a lot of beans to make $1.00. It was so hot out there and I would sit between two rows and slide along, picking two rows at a time, and believe me, that light sandy soil was mighty hot on the bottom. At the beginning of each season I would get out the Sears and Wards and all other catalogs and pick out a bicycle I was determined to buy with my bean money. Believe it or not, the prices were very little different than today. But my dreams never materialized at one or two cents a pound, so I was 59 when I had my one and only bike.

Beans and cucumbers were only two of the many things my parents did to get money for food on the table. They raised huge vegetable gardens in the summer and sold fresh vegetables to summer people who came from everywhere. In springtime Dad packed supplies far back in the maple forests, built a makeshift shelter, tapped hundreds of maple trees, and made maple syrup – the best I ever tasted to this day. Weekends were looked forward to by myself for sure at that time, as early Saturday morning Mother and the older boys packed the wagon with enough supplies to Dad in what was referred to as the “Sugarbush,” and off we would go, perhaps eight or ten miles. After arriving, we children were thrilled to run through the woods, gathering the sap from the trees plus wild leeks, flowers, etc., to take home. Dad had what seemed to me huge black iron kettles on a long pole that he could adjust over a fire to keep the sap at just boiling. On the pole over the kettle was fastened a piece of salt pork that amazingly kept the sap from boiling over should he fall asleep. He gathered sap all day with a hand-hewn yoke on his shoulders with a pail of sap on each side, as the sap doesn’t run at night. At night he stayed up and boiled down the sap, in the meantime building Martin bird houses from a miniature version of logs. When Saturday evening came, we loaded up all that was boiled down and took it home where Mother set to the task of finishing the boiling down process and clarified it, that is, removed all sediment by breaking eggs into it and skimming it until it was crystal clear. What was skimmed off was made into maple sugar candy, and, believe me, we kids were the envy of the school when we took maple sugar to school. Of course our teachers each received a large special piece as a gift.

I started first grade at age five. We had no kindergarten, so as a result I was 13 when I graduated from eighth grade. My parents finally left the Clapp place by the river that same spring and rented a farm two miles east of Earl, the Titus place. I finished school at Springbrook, walking nearly three miles morning and night to ride the bus. For my graduation, Mom took me to the beauty salon for my first permanent. It looked horrible, one of those when you sat under a machine with electric wires and clops down to the rollers in your hair for the heat. Also I was allowed to go to my first dance with my brother Bob and wife Agnes, at that time his girlfriend, as my chaperones. Did I ever feel grown up. Met a nice guy and he became my first boyfriend, lasted all summer. So as you can see, dating at an early age is not unique for just these days.

In the fall of that year I started high school, ninth grade, at Spooner High. I walked two miles morning and night, fall, winter, spring to catch a bus and ride another 50 miles throughout the countryside to gather other young people who also went to Spooner. It was very hard to get an education then as we paid rent to everything plus bus far. My parents could not afford it, so I was able to get on NYA (National Youth Association). I worked recess and lunch hours helping wherever needed, selling candy bars, etc., for which I was paid $13.00 a month, which was exactly what my school expenses were, never even a nickel for a candy bar. That winter I was very ill in bed six weeks with pneumonia. So ninth grade was a struggle for me. Finally, after recuperating from that siege, I was sent t live with Grandma Clemons until school was out. The bus stopped for me in front of her house, and she really needed someone to stay with her. Ivy and I both spent a lot of time staying with her, Ivy more than I when real young. My sophomore year I started in the High School in Springbrook. They had two years of High School there. I went all of my first eight years to that school and one year of High School. It was quite a school for that area, a four room one built in 1922. Toilets inside, even. I never had the experience of one room school. Today it is all grade school; the high school students are bussed to Spooner High.

While in my sophomore year in the spring of 1941, Mother and Dad gave up the farm entirely and moved from the Titus place east of Earl into the Pauriel house across the tracks from the main street of Springbrook next to the Guild Hall and Catholic church. My sister Lorraine Turczynski and husband Turk lived in the front half, we in the back half. Shortly before we moved there from the farm, sister Lorraine was expecting a baby and the arrangements were made for her to have this one at home. I was asked to come stay with them and care for her and the new baby, the other children, and cook and clean. I was 14 at the time. When her labor pains started she walked to the store and called the doctor, her husband at work, and me. We lived about seven miles from her house. When she returned, their first daughter Sandra Kay soon entered the world. I arrived shortly thereafter and, believe me, it was an exciting experience to me. I’m not sure Sandy is aware I was her very first baby sitter, only hours hold was she.

That summer Dad and I started the stone house, first digging the basement and wheeling the dirt out. Everything was done by hand and plenty of hard work. Grandma Clemons had given my parents a small lot to build next to her house, so as to live independently in her home, but have someone to look after her. She was able to lie there until she passed away in July of 1946, I believe, as my oldest son Larry was a baby and I had him in the hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. I returned to find her very ill in her hospital bed in her house. She was asking to see Larry; she was so fond of him. So I took him up to her. It was evening and she took his hand, holding it and talking to him. She grew tired, I’m sure, snuggled herself into her pillows, and said, “It will be so good to see Pa again!” That was what she called Grandpa Clemons. The next day I had gone shopping in Spooner with some friends of the family, and at almost 11 a.m. as we were getting in the car to go home, Harry Dahl, the funeral director, went by heading north. I said to them, “He’s going for Grandma; she is dead.” Sure enough we got home and Mother met us, crying. Said Grandma passed away shortly before 11 a.m. She was 92, I believe. She was a wonderful friend as well as Grandmother. So she died in her home as she always hoped for. I had a room at her house until about a year before I married. She was a strong, feisty, determined, gracious lady. After we moved in our house, she always ate a nice hot meal with us. About two weeks before she passed away I went up at noon to get her to eat and, unable to find her in the house, I went outside to look for her. I heard a loud pounding of a hammer, so followed that sound, and there she was, putting a new roof on her chicken house. In a couple weeks she was gone from my life forever. After recovering from a broken hip at age 75 (an almost unheard-of thing in those days to recover) she would walk with her cane the one and a half miles to the farm by the river, help us can chickens (she and Mother had a big dinner of chicken livers). After dinner one of the boys or Mom would hitch up the horses and wagon and take her home.

On the Fourth of July our family and several other families would take a picnic, homemade ice cream, and lots of firecrackers and go to Mr. Patteson’s farm on Bass Lake and spend the day. The highlight at the end was a stop at Grandma Clemons’ for ice cold watermelon she had bought and had cooling in the well pit. What great memories of wonderful times.

Another memory not only of mine but every child in Springbrook and outlying areas was Easter Sunday at our farm. We all helped Mother color milk pail after milk pail full of eggs. They were then hid as far as a half mile out in the pasture and woods. Depending on the age, the small children around the yard and graduating by age further out until the teenagers were the farthest out. My brothers would go with horses and wagon into Springbrook and bring back to the farm any child who wished to participate. Mother gave a prize to the one who found the most eggs in each group and a booby prize to the ones who found the least. After the hunt we had homemade ice cream and cake.

Ice cream and fried chicken is what so many remember so fondly of her. Every Sunday she made two huge freezers of ice cream and mountains of fried chicken. Anyone who came by knew they would be asked to partake, and, believe me, there were many, young and old. As they – the young people – grew up and left home, visits to Ma Wolfe was one of their first stops when they returned home. For the Fourth of July she made twenty-gallon crocks full of homemade root beer that had to set for about six weeks to ferment. Mmm, delicious. One year it fermented a bit too much, and I think we all got a bit tipsy.

There I am, ahead or behind, whichever, from my story. I began to write about building the stone house in Springbrook so back to those days, almost a pioneering adventure. By fall the main hull of the house was up with only the boards on the outside and a sub-floor with big cracks. Nevertheless, we moved in and that was a cold winter. Thank God I slept at Grandma Clemons’. I stayed home from school two days and put tarpaper on the outside to keep out some of the wind and cold. In fact, a part of me was in that house as I worked with Dad on it, from the basement to putting on the roof to laying the hardwood floor. When Dad was ready to lay the stone on the outside, I quit my job at Whispering Pines Resort in the Mack Lake area and came home to help, mixing cement by hand, carrying two pails at a time and the stones, up a ladder as work progressed. It was surely a long, drawn out job building that house, as Dad had to work for others to earn money for materials and food. In fact, I was married and living in California when it was fully done – bathroom, oil furnace, etc. The house stands today, almost a living memorial to Dad’s beautiful art in stone. He built so many beautiful places. One of the most grand he designed was Tom Mour’s tavern, restaurant, and dance hall near the Namekagon River. It was later gutted by fire, sad to say, and the stonework was demolished. Also a lovely stone house for a Mr. Nellis on the Namekagon River right by the old bridge at Trego.

World War II came along, changing everyone’s lives in one way or another, including mine. Dad went to work in the shipyards in Superior and later in the powder plant in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

My first job at age 14 was at a summer resort known as Dun Rovin Lodge on the huge Chippewa Flowage out of Hayward, Wisconsin. The Indian name is La Court d’Oreilles. I stayed the whole summer working seven days a week 12 to 14 hours a day for $1.00 a day. That fall I enrolled in Springbrook High. On December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed and we watched husbands, fathers, brothers, and sweethearts go off to war, including my sweetheart, never to return. Mine did return, but not to me. Then began food, gas, and shoe rationing and booming defense plant jobs. I went for training as a machinist at an NYA camp in the heart of St. Croix Falls Park just out of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. We were in an old CCC camp, bunkhouse, chow hall, etc., just like the boys in CCC lived. I did very well and ended up a very accomplished machinist when done. In going to Milwaukee to get my big job in a defense plant, I was informed I was too young. By the time I was old enough the war was over.

I was back at Spooner High for my junior year. Halfway through I left school to go to St. Paul, Minnesota, to work. In those days no one cared too much if I went to high school or not, as girls were expected around there to marry a farmer; I did just that in time. I didn’t stay too long in St. Paul. I returned home and went to work in the City Café in Spooner as a waitress and from there to the meat department in the new and first self-serve grocery store in the area, the National Tea. From there I went to Evanston, Illinois, where I worked for Washington National Insurance home office, then returned to Springbrook and worked about a year and a half at Ackman’s General Store there.

On August 25th, 1945, I married Warren Calvin Sheehan at Pine City, Minnesota. He was on a two-week leave from Army duty. World War II ended while he was on the train coming home. After returning from his leave, he returned to his base in Oregon and in October for a year’s duty in Japan, much of that year on the island of Hokkaido. By the time he returned, our first son, Ronald Larry, had been born, so he was welcomed by an almost-new wife, being apart so soon after our marriage, and a new baby. At that time I was in the stone house looking after it as Mom, Dad, and Ronnie were in the state of Washington on a small island known as Samish Island near Kent, Washington, which is on the mainland. Dad spent a couple years there, he and Ronnie building many stone fireplaces. He did a house at Kent.

After returning, Ronnie joined the Army, went to Korea, and was killed in April, 1951. What a shock for the whole family. For me it was a devastating blow, as he was four years younger than me and was my bosom buddy from day one. As he grew we always played together, everything from cars and trucks, cowboys and Indians, played house, snitched brother Bob’s Buglie cigarette tobacco and rolled cigarettes in our playhouse. I taught him to dance and kept his dress shirts ironed until I left home. Ronnie was 20 years old, would have been 21 October 11, 1951. Again, I was the one at Mother’s when Uncle Arthur Clemons delivered the telegram. Mother saw it in his hand and she turned white as a ghost. She sat down and took it, but was shaking so bad, I said, “Mother, would you like me to open it?” I’m sure we both knew what it was; at least I did. She said, “Would you, please, and read it to me?” The words seemed to jump at me, but it rather threw us as it read, “We regret to inform you that your son, Ronald Clemons Wolfe, died somewhere in Korea. A full report will follow.” Well, it was a month to six weeks before the letter arrived explaining what really had happened. Anticipation was terrible, and not until his buddy came to us did we really learn the full story of what actually happened. Poor Mother; she was still trying, as was I, to recover from and accept the loss a little more than a year before of her grandson and granddaughter, Ronald Larry (Ronnie’s first namesake) and Patricia Lynn Sheehan, Calvin’s and my two oldest children who died in a tragic fire February 25, 1950, at our farmhouse at Duxbury, Minnesota. Ironically, two Ronalds in the same family taken from us all in barely over a year. This was the start of a long time of heartaches and tragedies for the Wolfe and Sheehan family.

In September, 1951, upon advice by doctors for a complete change, we went to Oregon, then to Porterville, California, where brother Carl and family lived. I ended up spending 26 years in one stretch there. In October, 1951, Mother was on a train coming to California for a few months to visit Carl and me and our families. At Rawlins, Wyoming, she was handed another telegram telling her Ronnie’s body was enroute home and due to arrive any day. So she had to catch a train back to Wisconsin for burial arrangements and the funeral. After the funeral was over she came back to California for two weeks, spending Thanksgiving with us. The winter of 1952/53 she and Dad spent the winter there in California. By then Bob and Agnes had moved out to Porterville. They had five acres out of town, so a small house trailer was put there for them. Mother had her first heart attack while there that winter. I was pregnant with my fourth baby and, as usual, she was thrilled. Dad built a large cement block store there at age of 77. Mother and I spent many hours in the many secondhand stores; she loved it. One time she said, “I didn’t know life could be so much fun.” How glad I am we had those many hours together. We took Dad to Sequoia National Park in the high mountains, a big thrill for him. He saw the famous General Sherman tree. Mother couldn’t go because of her heart and the high altitude. The end of March I took them to Visalia, California, to take the train back to Wisconsin. We had a nice picnic lunch in the park there. I put them on the train with much sadness, kissed them goodbye, not knowing I was never to see them again, ever.

Mark Steven Sheehan arrived June 0th, 1953, a beautiful, seemingly healthy little boy. Little did we know, however, he was born with what was a terminal, rare disease of the nervous system known as Schilder’s Disease. Mother was so happy when she heard it was a boy. Danny Ray Sheehan was born May 18, 1955. Again, Mother was so pleased, especially when I named him Danny, as she loved the song, “Danny Boy,” which was my reason for naming him that. When I was in my teens and playing the guitar and singing all the time (yes, I was a guitar player), Mother would go to bed and ask me to come play and sing her to sleep, “Danny Boy” and “Old Shep” her special requests. How strange that out of eight children, only Danny learned to play a guitar and is a very accomplished guitarist. Mother passed away just short of a month after Danny was born on June 16th, 1955. Mother wanted so much to see Mark and Danny but never did. I still have a letter that she wrote just before her last heart attack. Lorraine made sure it was mailed, but sadly it arrived the day after I had gotten word she had passed away. She was buried on their wedding anniversary, June 20th, 1955, at the same day, hour, and church where she and Dad were married. The minister who married them was Harry Milford. A short five months later my Dad also passed away – a tremendous loss for a young woman 29 years of age.

Danny Ray Sheehan was but one year old when we realized something was medically very wrong with Mark. Thus began four years of living with the fact that we would lose our little Mark to Schilders Disease, years of constant nursing at home when he wasn’t in a hospital. The last ten months before he passed away on February 27, 1959, he was in Children’s Hospital, Hollywood, California, and finally Los Angeles General Hospital, a total of ten months in a coma. Only after an autopsy did we know exactly what the disease was called, which is the only way to diagnose it. We were told it was extremely rare and the chances of any future babies being born with it were almost zero. I was pregnant with Rodney Brian at the time Mark passed away. Rodney was born on October 24, 1959, a beautiful 10 lb. 4 oz. seemingly healthy boy, but fate was to deal yet another blow to us. When he was not quite two years old we learned he also had Schilders Disease. However, he and we were more fortunate than Mark. Mark lived just under six years with this disease, whereas Rodney lived only four years and three months. Rodney Brian passed away January 23, 1964. Curtis Shawn Sheehan was born November 9, 1960, one year and ten days after Rodney. They were both born in Lancaster, California, Los Angeles County, at the Antelope Valley Hospital.

So here I am on June 20, 1987, at the age of 61 years three months living in California once again. This is but a few of the memories of my life up to now. And it has been and still is a growing, learning process from day one to the end.

Note: Leah died in October 2006 in Cloverdale, California.

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The Children of Leah and Calvin Sheehan

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RONALD CLEMONS WOLFE

Ronald Clemons Wolfe was born October 11, 1930, in Springbrook, Wisconsin, the tenth and youngest child of Harlan Everett and Etta Myrtle Clemons Wolfe.

Ronnie joined the Army Special Forces, the Rangers (later known as the Green Berets and now Rangers again) as a paratrooper.

A letter to his sister, Leah, written January 28, 1951, from “Somewhere in Korea” reads: “I suppose you are surprised to receive a letter from me but here goes. I arrived in Korea about the first of January and we haven’t been doing too much as yet. But we are scheduled for a mission before too long. Being my first combat jump I am quite excited as you can understand. It isn’t every day that one jumps from a plane and has people shooting at him. But we have to make the best of it. But I should have quite a few stories to tell when I get home. They should be good for a few drinks when I get through revising them. Possibly I shouldn’t say this but I would like to have a picture of the kids and I wondered if you saved a picture of the kids to remember them by (note: Leah’s two children had died in a fire a year earlier)….When I come home I’ll expect them to come running to me and they won’t be there. But if something goes wrong I’ll see both of them. Even if soldiers don’t go to heaven we have one of our own. It doesn’t seem like it, but I’ll be on my second hitch before long. I believe mother thinks that I won’t have to kill or be killed buy that isn’t so. It hardly seems that your brother as well as I like kids and women too can eliminate them because here everyone is your enemy from 5 years on up. Well, the page is getting short so I’ll have to close for now….Hoping to see you all soon. Love, Ronnie.”

Ronnie was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal with V-Device (Oak Leaf Cluster) for “gallantry in action on March 28, 1951, near Songa-ri, Korea.” A faded newspaper article states, …”While his company was protecting the left flank of the 187th Airbourne Regimental Combat Team, the enemy suddenly launched a fanatic counterattack, which succeeded in repulsing the friendly troop’s efforts. Realizing the necessity of defensive action, Corporal Wolfe quickly placed his men in tenable positions and directed their fire into the midst of the onrushing enemy. During the ensuing action air support arrived to assist in repulsing the attack. Realizing that his platoon was in the path of these air strikes, Corporal Wolfe voluntarily exposed himself to the devastating hostile fire in order to display air identification panels. Corporal Wolfe then moved to another exposed area and directed another platoon’s fire upon the enemy. Reorganizing his own unit, he courageously led them for the second time against the Chinese forces and successfully captured his objective. His quick thinking and inspirational leadership enabled his men to continue their assault and accomplish their mission with a minimum of casualties. Corporal Wolfe’s heroism and selfless devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and the military service.”

The duties of a Ranger included infiltrating enemy lines to learn their fighting tactics. Rangers carried only grenades and whatever weapons they could in their waist. Ronnie had later written his mother saying he had one more mission to go and then he would be home with his discharge. He went on that mission and returned to his base safely, but in jumping from the truck on which he was riding, somehow a pin on a grenade caught on something on the truck, setting it off plus all the other explosives on his waist, literally blowing away his body from the waist down. He lived 17 hours under heavy sedation. Another young man was injured but lived. Ronnie’s best buddy stayed with him those 17 hours, and in one of his few conscious times, Ronnie asked him when he got back to the States to please see his parents and explain what happened and give his love to them. He assured them that Ronnie did not suffer too badly before he died on April 30, 1951.

The AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION lists "Ronald Clemons Wolfe, Springbrook, Wisconsin, Born October 11, 1930. Corporal, U.S. Army, Service Number 16288709, Non-hostile Death, Died April 30, 1951 in Korea.

"Corporal Wolfe was a member of the 4th Airborne Ranger Company, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. On March 28, 1951, he gallantry fought against a determined enemy near Songa-ri, South Korea. Later after returning from a combat mission, he jumped from a vehicle and accidentally exploded an grenade on his belt. He was evacuated to the 8063rd Mobile Army Surgical Hospital where he died on April 30, 1951. For his leadership and valor, Corporal Wolfe was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" Device, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal."

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RALPH EMERSON WOLFE AND MARY ELIZABETH BRUCE

Ralph Emerson Wolfe was born 5 August 1879 the youngest child of James Henry Wolfe and Sarah Sophia Moore, in Keota, Iowa. He married Mary Elizabeth Bruce (born 20 June 1893, in Centralia, Washington) on 21 August 1910, in Rochester, Washington.

A photographer and painter, he worked at Marquardt Aircraft in maintenance into his seventies. The family made a trip from Bellingham, Washington, to Wisconsin and then to Alabama in a Ford truck about 1919 or 1920. Sometimes they had to get out and push the vehicle and had to hunt for food along the way. They lived in Florida for a year.

Mary died 8 January 1951, in Sun Valley, California; Ralph died in September of 1964 in Lancaster, California.

The Children of Ralph and Mary Wolfe

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THE DAVID C. WOLF(E) FAMILY

David C. Wolfe, born 8 September 1847, in Stokes Township, Logan County, Ohio, married Elnora Ann Blair (born 16 February 1850); she died 17 May 1868 at the age of 18 leaving him with a son. The 1870 U.S. Census lists David as living at home with his parents but does not enumerate son Willie. He married Lizzie Maxwell 5 August 1880 in Thornburg or Marengo, Iowa, in a ceremony performed by L. Blair; they had two sons. Lizzie was born in 1862 in Canada.

On 23 May 1876 David C. Wolfe and Frank M. Saxby received a patent number 177,911 for improvements on a stove shelf. On 6 July 1876 he sold a half interest in the stove shelf patent to his brother James Wolf. Dave and his brother Jerry (Jeremiah) operated a foundry and made stoves in the town of Keota, Iowa. At another time they had an organ factory.

David’s obituary states that he moved to Lyons, Kansas, in 1886. “For eight years Mr. Wolfe was county engineer of Rice County, and for a number of years -- at the time most of the city water mains were being installed -- was city engineer of Lyons. He was a keen student of science, electricity and mechanics. He was a jeweler by trade and operated a jewelry store here for a time, until about 10 years ago, when he retired from active business. Mr. Wolfe was owner of one of the very first automobiles in this section of the state. He manufactured the car entirely by himself, using a small engine and an old buggy.

"He was also greatly interested in astronomy and geology, among other technical subjects, and long predicted that an oil field would some day be discovered near Chase….”

David Wolfe died 28 June 1934 at the Oddfellow Home in Manhattan, Kansas, and is buried in the Graceland Cemetery in Lyons, Kansas.

A family story told that Walter P. Chrysler purchased David Wolfe’s car, but neither the Kansas Historical Society nor the Historical Library of the Chrysler Corporation can verify that. They write, “…The motor vehicle in the picture is probably from the later 1890’s or early 1900’s, and Mr. Chrysler did not bring out his first car (with his name on it) until 1924….However, Walter Chrysler grew up in Ellis, Kansas, and was quite familiar with many areas in Kansas since his father was a railroad engineer and he later went into railroad mechanics. So it is entirely possible that Walter Chrysler, a young man in his earl twenties at the turn of the century, might have known your uncle David Wolfe and expressed real interest in his automobile. Who knows but this automobile might have aroused Walter Chrysler’s interest in the new-fangled motor cars….”

The Child of David and Elnora Wolfe

(1) Willis Wilford (Willie) Wolfe was born 7 September 1867 in Iowa, and died 15 July 1934 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He lived for several years in northern Wisconsin near the Harlan Wolfe family.

The Children of David and Lizzie Wolfe

(1) Guy Wolfe was born about 1870; he moved to Beverly Hills, California, where he was a jeweler.

(2) Berne L. Wolfe was born in October 1880 in Iowa. He was living with his parents in Lyons, Kansas, at the age of 16.

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THE JEREMIAH WOLF(E) FAMILY

Jeremiah (Jerry) Wolf(e) was born 22 November 1852 near Bellefountain in Roundhead Township, Hardin County, Ohio, the youngest of eight children of Peter and Anna Bartholomew Wolfe. Three older children had died in infancy. The parents and the five surviving children moved to Iowa in a covered wagon in 1854, locating on a farm in Keokuk County near what is now the town of South English. Jeremiah lived within two miles for the remainder of his life except for two years (1873 and 1874) when he and his brother David owned and operated a foundry where they made stoves, etc. At another time they had an organ factory and also a cabinet shop in Keota; the family in South English still has what is left of an old melodeon organ, though the felts and bellows are gone. He made much furniture and carved small items – children’s furniture, kitchen cabinets, tables, chairs, desks, stools, salt boxes, hall trees and the like. Later he moved with his parents north of South English where he bought, cleared, and improved his own land. There he constructed a semi-modern home in which grandson Arlan still lives.

Jeremiah surveyed farms in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota with a handcrafted surveying instrument which is still in the possession of grandson Arlan. He enjoyed that work far more than farming his land. He always hired a neighbor for that work while he surveyed elsewhere. He also painted scenery and homes and copied photos.

Jeremiah married Minnie M. Hastings on 14 March 1878. They had two children. After Minnie died 1 July 1887, Jeremiah married Eliza Rebecca Flory on 15 July 1888. Jeremiah and Eliza had two children; Eliza died in 1926.

As a young man he was a member of the Brethren Church as were his parents. In later years he transferred to the Old German Baptist Church at Robins, Iowa. Jeremiah also served on the South English school board for many years.

Jeremiah died 27 July 1942, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Good. His obituary states: “He was one of those pioneer neighbors that the night was never too cold or dark or the way too long to go to the aid of the sick and needy, or comfort those that were bereaved.” Jeremiah is buried in the South English Cemetery.

Remembering her grandfather, Ruth Wolfe Brower writes, “I … remember my grandfather with fond memories. My parents told me stories of how he settled the farmstead north of South English, Iowa, and built the home for his family which still stands. Although he farmed the land, the carpenter and surveying work seemed more dominant in his life….

“Although Grandpa was 75 when I was born, he still loved to work with wood-carving, building, etc. I had the most beautiful play kitchen -- complete with my own kerosene cooking stove (using oatmeal boxes) all painted blue. He built me my very own special pull top desk and dresser with mirror which I have refinished and still have in my own home.”

“Memories: His religious values -- Sunday afternoon meetings at our house with Old Order from Vinton, Iowa; love for family; his ambition; patience; design and originality; stories of his giving of his time and money to always help those less fortunate.”

Another granddaughter, Arlene Wolfe Tarr, writes “… my grandfather Jerry spelled his name Jerry Wolf in 1874. I know, because he wrote his name on the back of the what-not shelf I have hanging on my wall. It says: ‘Made by Jerry Wolf Feb. 24, 1874.’ Grandpa Jerry is remembered for the things he made out of wood. This what-not shelf is very intricate -- very detailed carvings. I has only one piece broken off.”

The Children of Jeremiah and Minnie Wolf(e)

The Children of Jeremiah and Eliza Wolf(e)

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THE EULIS HERSCHEL WOLFE FAMILY

Eulis Wolfe was born 17 July 1899 in South English, Keokuk County, Iowa, the fourth child of Jeremiah Wolf(e) and the second child of Eliza Rebecca Flory. On 3 June 1925 he married Alice Irene Ruby in Sigourney, Iowa, and moved in with his parents.

His daughter, Ruth Brower, writes, “In Dad’s younger years, he was active in drama, photography, and was valedictorian of his high school class, writing his own speech (very good, I might add.)

“Contrary to the tradition of the Wolfe family being sort of nomads, Dad was most happy with his feet under his own table. Farming was his lifelong ambition and that to him was where he belonged. He started early and with his father, Jerry, raised purebred Chester White hogs. Good memories were of going to Iowa State Fair and seeing Dad show his hogs and take all the blue ribbons.

“Later he switched to Poland China hogs and sold purebred boars. Don’t laugh when I say, hogs like flowers do well with tender loving care and over the fence chats together.

“Dad especially liked to garden and I am sure part of the interest was his enjoyment in eating as well.

Later years as Dad was unable work on the farm, he chose to stay there and to help what he could or just watch. Dad was quiet, but I remember being outside in my younger years trying to follow in his footsteps learning about animals and the farm. Dad had a good life.”

Eulis died 6 September 1979 in Iowa City and is buried in the South English Cemetery. Alice has also since died.

The Children of Eulis and Alice Wolfe

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THE RUTH EVELYN WOLFE BROWER FAMILY

I, Ruth Evelyn Brower, am the oldest child (born 7 October 1927) of Eulis H. and Alice Irene Ruby Wolfe. I grew up on the farmstead Jerry cleared and built on, north of South English, Iowa. I have a sister, Arlene, and a brother, Arlan. I graduated from South English High School and spent one year helping at home before entering business college.

In 1947 I married Vernon R. Brower of South English, a descendant of one of the Brower families responsible for establishing the Brethren Church community. For a number of years we farmed with Vernon’s father and brother. Even before the 80’s demise of the small farmer in the Midwest, we decided that financially, farming wasn’t going to provide our children’s educational and other needs. Since leaving the farm we have been in insurance work, now owning our own agency.

Through the years I have loved the farm and its ideals and missed living on one. However, I mow my own large lawn, have my flowerbeds, like my space, my kids, but most off all my grandchildren. I hope and pray that I can keep positive and give something to my family of the stuff I inherited from my good ancestors.

The Children of Ruth and Vernon Brower

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THE (RUBY) ARLENE WOLFE TARR FAMILY

I am Arlene Wolfe Tarr, born 29 August 1932, granddaughter of Jerry and Eliza Wolfe. I was married in April of 1973 to Jack Tarr, and the photo was made at that time. We live on Highway 5 north of El Paso, Arkansas, and we have fruit trees and 1,000 newly planted grape vines. Rather than to write about ourselves, may I invite you to visit us here at the Orchard, preferably after June 10 and before the end of apple harvest? We have purchased a cider press, but we won’t be “squeezing” any apples until the summer of 1988 or 1989. We lost our peach crop this year to seven nights of freezing weather in April. We were expecting a bumper crop. Because life is short, plan to visit us soon! Our phone number is (501) 849-2878. (We can’t promise that we’ll have peaches in future years, but may I say that I’m surprised at the size of our peaches. (Elbertas are not our only big peaches.)

"THEY CHOSE FOR ME" written by Arlene Wolfe Tarr, July 1989
(These folks: Eulis and Alice Wolfe, Arlene's parents, and other near relatives)

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ARLAN LEE WOLFE

I am Arlan Wolfe, son of Eulis and Alice Wolfe, of South English, Iowa. I am now 52 years old and live in the home on the old Wolfe farm, 1-1/4 miles north of South English, that has been in the family over 100 years. I helped on the farm through high school and rented it from my father in 1953. I farmed it until 1983 when we settled the estate and sold off much of the farm. I still farm the remaining 60 acres but have no livestock now. I am presently working with a carpenter construction crew. My big desire is to build a new house on the old farm. I am not married but never regarded myself as the bachelor type. My main love is still farming and I enjoy carpentry, welding, bicycling, hiking, and a lonesome backwoods atmosphere (like this farm provides.) I have been greatly interested in flying but never yet got involved in it. I trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior at about 20 years of age and teach a Sunday school class at our local Baptist Church. I have never traveled much and am sort of a homebody.

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JOHN P. MOORE and CYNTHIA HUFFMAN

John P. Moore was born about 1818 in Ohio. On 28 August 1840 he married Cynthia Huffman, the daughter of Abraham and Phebe Smith Huffman of Belmont County, Ohio. Cynthia had been born about 1819 in Pennsylvania.

The 1850 U.S. Census shows the Moore family living in Harrison County, Ohio, just north of Belmont County, with five children. The Moores homesteaded in Green Township, Iowa County, Iowa, obtaining in 1853 and 1854 original land claims for 280 acres. In 1866 the Moores deeded for $1 a portion of their land to the Champion Hill Methodist Episcopal Church for use as a church and graveyard. Cynthia’s brother, David Huffman, a Civil War veteran, was the first to be buried in the cemetery. The land was still owned in the 1970’s by a Moore descendant, Zella McDowell Marine; her son, Marion Marine, and grandson, Clifford Marine, were running the farm at that time.

In the late 1800’s the Moores left for Dakota with other members of their family, homesteading in Sargent County, North Dakota (receivers receipt December 13, 1892 -– patent issued March 3, 1893). Sometime during the next few years, the land they obtained was transferred to their son, Oliver H. P. Moore.

Nothing is known about what happened to John and Cynthia Moore, but Zella Marine told a story that John became despondent in Dakota, probably due to repeated failures, and drowned himself in a railroad water tank.

The Children of John and Cynthia Moore

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ABRAHAM HUFFMAN and PHEBE SMITH

An extensive Descendants List lists the known descendants of Abraham and Phebe Smith Huffman.

Abraham Huffman was born 26 December 1796 in Pennsylvania; his wife Phebe Smith was born in 1798 in Pennsylvania. Land records first show the Huffmans in Flushing Township, Belmont County, Ohio, in 1831. Some of their land was deeded to the Belmont Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery.

The 1850 U.S. Census shows the Huffmans in Belmont County, that Abraham was a farmer with land worth $2,500., and that two sons living at home were also farmers.

Phebe died in 1865; that same year Abraham married Sarah Ann Dawson. When Abraham died 18 October 1870, his will listed six children as heirs, most of them living in Iowa, and noted that he owned land appraised for about $4,000.

Abraham and Phebe are buried in the Belmont Ridge Cemetery which lies near the Piedmont Reservoir, now being strip mined.

The Children of Abraham and Phebe Huffman

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JABEZ BURDICK CLEMONS and SARAH ANN SARGENT

Jabez Burdick Clemons was born in Oswego County, New York, in 1820. Although no links to his ancestry have been found, there were many Clemons and Burdicks living in the area; census notations indicate that his parents were also born in New York.

Early records show various spellings -- Clemons, Clemens, Clemmons, etc. Jabez and his son, Henry, are buried next to each other. One stone says Clemons, the other says Clemens.

The 1840 U.S. Census for New York shows a Jabis Clemens (sic) living in Castile Township, Genessee County, in northwestern New York state, on property adjoining that of a Joshua Whitford Clemons, who also had a son Jabez B. (Benjamin) Clemons, born in 1833.

The History of Fond du Lac County (Wisconsin) reports that in late summer or early fall in 1844, Jabez C. Clemens (sic) settled in an area known as Mound Prairie in Byron Township, Wisconsin. “These pioneers on Mound Prairie were, man of them, nearly destitute of capital when they arrived at their new homes. They were able, however, to purchase some cows, which were then very cheap in Illinois. They put their cows together for a team, broke up the prairie land, and planted corn on the sod in the spring. They realized a good harvest and, although they met with some inconveniences, felt they were getting rich….The early settlers in Byron shared in all the privations and difficulties so common in new countries. They raised grain in abundance, but found it very difficult to get it ground; the few mills in this region were small and could not supply the demand. For several years the settlers went to Watertown, a distance of forth miles, to get their grinding done.” (p. 741)

Jabez married Sarah Ann Sargent, the daughter of William and Mary Sargent. Sarah Sargent had come to the United States from England about 1836. Three children were born in Wisconsin: Henry Mortimer in 1845, Mary R. in 1848, and Ellen in 1853. Louisa, 1858, and Theodore, 1859, were born in Minnesota.

From 1846 to 1853 Jabez and Sarah bought and sold several parcels of land in the northeast corner of Byron Township.

The Stewartville Story 1857-1976 retells the story of the three-week trip from Wisconsin to Olmsted County, Minnesota (south of Rochester). “One hundred years have passed since five pioneer families packed their covered wagons, ‘ship of the pioneer,’ with their choicest possessions and with their ox teams left Wisconsin in quest of a new territory and a future home.”

“After traveling over territorial trails, fording streams and climbing up and down hills they reached this spot and felt their dream was realized. For here the dense forests gave shelter as well as wood for their many needs, the river offered waterpower, while the springs provided clear sparkling drinking water and their foresight told them, that rich black soil lay beneath the surface that had never been turned by man. So here was the land of plenty with food, water and shelter.

“Beautiful now, in the early years of its settlement High Forest Township was still more beautiful. The waterways and springs were fuller and more numerous, the woods were greater in extent and size of the trees, the prairies were covered with lush high grass and countless flowers in spring and summer. There were wild plums in abundance, of large size and fine flavor, and there were many smaller fruits. There were acres of wild strawberries of size and taste not now known. The streams were full of fish, the woods and prairies full of wild animals, among them bear, deer, even elk, wolves, and badgers; the last elk in the country was shot near Rochester in 1859. There were small animals, squirrels, beaver, woodchucks, wild cats, even lynx, and mink, weasels, and their ilk, and many other, some of them harmful, most of them inoffensive. The birds were myriad. Each spring the now extinct passenger pigeons came literally in millions, darkening the sky day by day, filling it from horizon to horizon in their flight, en route to their nesting places or ‘roosts’ in the woods. Because of the wanton slaughter of adult birds and squabs in the roosts, the birds gradually became few, and after about 1873 they did not return.

“With the beautiful surroundings that nature had provided for a home, our first settlers came to this spot that was to become Stewartville.

“The first five settlers who arrived in this vicinity with their families were Truman Wooldridge, Jabez Clemens, Wm. Sargent, Luther Barrows, and Reuben Austin. The first four were related to one another while the Austin family were neighbors….

“Jabez Clemens located on what proved to be the S. E. ¼ of Section 34.

“The first years were rugged ones for these settlers. After taking the necessary steps toward pre-empting their land, cabins were built from the tall trees of the forest. The removal of stumps and clearing of hazelnut brush and wild cherry and plum thickets required strength, and furrows of the virgin soil were turned with home made plows drawn by oxen. But they were rewarded for their efforts by the splendid crops of wheat, grown on even small patches, which were harvested by cradle and threshed with a flail on a floor. The wheat was then hauled to Winona, the nearest mill and ground into flour. Even tho it was a four day trip it was a satisfactory one for supplies were bought in trade for either the wheat or flour to supply their needs for some time. Materials for clothing for the entire family were also brought home and made by the women of the family in the flickering light of a tallow candle. Instinct and thrift taught these pioneers to always keep their shot-guns near at hand and meat for their tables was plentiful for the flocks of prairie chickens, wild ducks, pheasants and pigeons were abundant. Trout streams dotted the county and large pickerel were caught in the river.” (pp. 10-12)

On August 23, 1864, Jabez volunteered for the Union Cause at Rochester, Minnesota, for a bounty of $100 to be paid in three installments, and for a period of one year. He mustered into Company H, 11th Regiment, of the Minnesota Volunteers on the 8th of September 1864 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, 44 years old, and having blue eyes and dark hair and complexion. On September 20th the regiment marched from Fort Snelling to St. Paul to take the steamboat for the South, but because the river was very low, the rank and file traveled in uncovered barges. At St. Paul a change was made from flatboats to boxcars. After long stops in Chicago, Louisville, and Nashville, the regiment passed the entire term of service protecting thirty miles of the Louisville and Nashville railroad depots and bridges from the Kentucky line to Nashville from guerilla raiders. Company H was assigned to Mitchelsville for regular routine work -- guard, picket, and patrol. During the following winter this regular work was occasionally varied by a chase after guerillas.

The 11th Regiment never was engaged in battle, though they were able to hear the cannonade from the battles of Franklin and Nashville in December 1864. Rejoicing greeted the news of Lee’s surrender on April 9, 1965, followed by sorrow at the news of the murder of President Lincoln on April 15. One the 26th of June the 11th Regiment started for home, reaching St. Paul on July 5th, and mustering out on July 11th.

Though no lives had been lost in battle, the severity of the climate, the hardships and exposure took their toll. Jabez was disabled by chronic diarrhea at Camp Miller, Minnesota, in September 1864 and treated for it at Soldiers Home in Chicago in October. He also contracted a disease of the heart at Mitchelsville, Tennessee, fir which he was treated the winter of 1864-65.

In the 1865 Minnesota Census are listed Jabez, Sarah, Henry, Mary, Ellen, Louise, Theodore, Wm. Sargent, and Mary with the notation that Jabez and Henry were both in service.

About the 3rd of October, 1865, Sarah Clemens died. On 31 July 1866 Jabez married a young widow with three small children, Sarah Aomilda Sparks (nee Parks), whose husband Joseph Sparks had been killed in the war. Jabez and Sarah Sparks had two more children, Charles and Ernest.

The 1870 U.S. Census lists Jabez as a farmer with land worth $2,000 and personal property worth $600. Children listed with them are Ellen, Louisa, Theodore, Anga Sparks, Liza, and Charles. Mary Sargent Clemons’ parents are also enumerated with them.

The 1880 U.S. Census shows them living in Leroy Township, Blue Earth County, some eighty miles west of Stewartville, and also that a widowed sister, Sophia Smith, age 70,* born in New York, was also living with them. Only the two youngest boys remained at home.

The 1885 Minnesota Census shows that the Clemons families had moved to Alton Township, Waseca County, just to the east, and were living next to son Henry and his family. Jabez was very sick with the chronic diarrhea he had contracted during the war; he died in February 1887 and is buried in a Janesville Cemetery.

*Researching the story of Sophia Smith and then her daughter Hulda Sopia Smith Tubbs opened a new and fascinating story including their march with the Mormon Battalion. (April 2007) The Tubbs family intersects again with the Clemons and Wooldridge families -- see below.

The Descendants of Jabez and Sarah Clemons

The Children of Joseph and Sarah Parks Sparks

The Children of Jabez and Sarah Sparks Clemons

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HENRY MORTIMER CLEMONS and HARRIET ROSETTA MADISON

Byron Township, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, was largely unsettled when Henry Mortimer Clemons was born there on 7 September 1845. Before he was ten his parents, Jabez Burdick and Sarah Sargent Clemons decided to move west again. With four other families, most of them related, they made the three-week-long tedious trek by ox team to Olmsted County, Minnesota, just south of Rochester, arriving on 30 May 1855. The area around Stewartville was just being settled, and again the family started all over -- clearing land, building a house, making a new life.

On 6 November 1862 Henry enlisted in the First Regiment of Cavalry, Mounted Rangers, at Chatfield, Minnesota. His muster-in roll stated that he was 21 years old, but he was really only 17. Sent to Fort Snelling, he mustered out a year after on 2 December 1863. While he was away, his mother had died in October 1863.

On 4 January 1864, again listing his age as 21, Private Henry Clemons volunteered a second time, this time for a period of three years. Formed with the prospect of being ordered to the front lines of the Civil War, the Second Regiment, Minnesota Cavalry, U.S. Volunteers, was ordered instead to garrison posts on the Minnesota frontier to protect settlers from hostile Indians.

After an uneventful winter, the regiment was again ordered south to be transported down the Mississippi River to New Orleans by steamer. Once more the order was countermanded; Sitting Bull and the Sioux Nation were threatening the plains and reportedly contemplating the depopulation of the country west of the Mississippi.

Late in May 1964 the Second Cavalry left Fort Snelling, reaching and crossing the Missouri River in July. With the Army traveled a company of miners and their families bound for Idaho, a train of 160 wagons, all hampered by intense heat, lack of water and forage, and a hostile, ever-present Indian guard.

Skirmishes with the Indians punctuated the month, and on 31 July 31 from camp on Heart River, Dakota Territory, the Army troops battled a large group of Indians, eventually driving them off. Moving again westward, the command traveled through the hazardous terrain of the Badlands to the valley of the Little Missouri River. A two-day-long battle ensued after which the Indians disappeared.

Finally, on 13 August the troops rendezvoused with supply boats, a welcome sight after weeks of half rations of hard bread. With the help of the steamers, the rapid and dangerous Yellowstone River was forded, though not without loss.

Moving down the west bank of the Yellowstone, the soldiers reached the Missouri again. On 1 September a huge herd of buffalo was sighted, and the troops were well-supplied with fine, juicy buffalo steak. The troops reached Fort Rice on 8 September; a detachment was dispatched immediately to rescue a surrounded wagon train some two hundred miles west. This is the last recorded event of any interest.

After the return march to Fort Ridgely, the regiment was divided amongst the several forts and frontier posts of the state, establishing in spring a regular patrol service to protect frontier settlements from prowling Sioux war parties.

At the close of the War of the Rebellion, the volunteers were replaced by regular troops. The last company of the regiment was mustered out 4 May 1866 at Fort Snelling. Henry Clemons was listed on the Muster-Out Roll as being 21 years old.

Henry is not shown on the later censuses as living at home, and it’s not certain exactly where he was or what he was doing. Some family stories say he worked in a logging camp in northern Wisconsin or Minnesota.

On 24 June 1872, Henry (age 26) married Harriet Rosetta (Etta) Madison (age 16) in Alton Township, Waseca County, Minnesota. Her father, James Madison, was a witness. It is quite likely that the families knew each other.

Etta was born in Fond du Lac County on 12 February 1856. Her mother, whose maiden name is believed to have been Nichols (or possibly Salisbury), died about 1857. The 1860 U.S. Census enumerates Etta with the family of Eprh. and Louise Raynolds, a Methodist minister and his wife, in Williamstown, Dodge County, Wisconsin. Her father is also enumerated in Williamstown but living alone.

James Madison married again on 20 December 1860. There was evidently a problem between Etta and her stepmother. Stories in later years told of the stepmother making Etta’s life miserable and making her sit in the corner without food while the others ate. She is said to have struck Etta with a hot stove poker, leaving a permanent scar on her forehead. She spent at least some of her young life living with other families. As a young girl she worked for the Sears family in Stewartville, Minnesota, babysitting for Dick Sears, co-founder of Sears and Roebuck. The 1865 Minnesota Census shows Etta living with the Truman Wooldridge family near Stewartville, Olmsted County, Minnesota. (Note: Etta’s husband Henry Clemons’ sister Mary married Truman Wooldridge’s son, Eugene, in 1970. After Mary died in 1878, Eugene married another sister, Louisa, in 1990.)

Her granddaughter Ivy writes, “I do not understand why grandma always said she was married at 13 unless she lied about her age. It is evident that Grandpa didn’t hesitate to lie about his. I heard it over and over again from her and from Mom. It just seemed t o be an established fact which was engrained in us. Grandma told me herself that she married Grandpa so young in order to have a home. If she didn’t truly love him then, she grew to love him because she always spoke of him so tenderly and said she longed for the day when she could again be with him.” (More memoirs about Etta Clemons can be found in the section written by her granddaughter, Leah Doris Wolfe Sheehan.)

After spending the first winter in a logging camp, Henry and Etta moved to Leroy Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, then between 1876 and 1878 moved to Alton Township, Waseca County.

Henry died 6 February 1921 and was originally buried at nearby Earl, Wisconsin. His wife later had his body moved to Janesville, Minnesota, next to his father, Jabez.

Two of her grandchildren, Ivy King and Merle Wolfe, remember Etta as an early riser, always energetic and busy, who never criticized anyone. Whenever she sat down it was with her knitting, crocheting, or tatting. School teachers often boarded with the Clemons family. Ivy lived at her grandma’s awhile after Henry died in order to care for her. Etta was on the brink of death three times, twice with bronchial pneumonia, but she had a strong will to live. Although she didn’t attend church services because of her poor hearing, she would read her Bible. When Etta died at the age of 90 on 22 July 1946, she was buried at Janesville also.

The Descendants of Henry and Etta Clemons

A more extensive list of descendants

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THE WILLIAM SARGENT FAMILY

(2003) William Sargent was baptized 6 July 1794 in Shareshill, Staffordshire, England, the son of Martha Sargent (no father listed). (Dolores: I visited Staffordshire, England, about 1999, and found both churches -- in Shareshill and Cheadle.) The Sargent family came from England, (presumably in 1836.) The 1840 U.S. Census shows them living in Byron Township, Fond du Lac County. Included in their household are Sarah, 26, and Clemens, 21. Jabez and Sarah Clemens are listed nearby also. The listing of two Sarah Clemens is confusing, and it seems odd that there is a Clemens Sargent and a Jabez Clemons. Several Sargents lived near or visited the Clemons family in Springbrook; they may have been related.

The Stewartville Story 1857-1976 reports that William Sargent was among the first party of settlers in that Minnesota town in 1855; also in the group were his sons-in-law, Jabez Clemons and Luther Barrows, and their families. William Sargent is listed as a farmer in the 1857 Minnesota Census and the 1860 U.S. Census, but the 1865 census lists the Sargents as living with the Jabez Clemons family; Jabez and his son Henry were both off to war. Though they were still living with Jabez and family in 1870, the 1875 and 1880 censuses show them living with Caroline and her second husband, L. G. Fish.

When William Sargent died, the Rochester Post (27 April 1883) commented: “Mr. William Sargent of Stewartville, died about two months since at the advanced age, as near as it could be ascertained, of 114 years. He was undoubtedly the oldest person in the state. Mr. Sargent was a native of England and although without education was an active, honorable, and reliable man. He was never known to take a dose of medicine in his life. His wife died about 1 mo. previous to his death, aged 90 years.”

William’s wife Mary had died a few months earlier, and her passing is noted by the Stewartville Record and Union (26 January 1883): “Mrs. Mary Sargent of Stewartville died on the 18th of this month at the advanced age of 102 years. She was one of the earliest settlers in this county. She leaves a husband 105 years old who is able to walk about quite smartly, and is liable to live several years yet.”

The Stewartville Story 1857-1976 says: “Mr. William Sargent was an industrious little Englishman and was grandfather of the party (of the first settlers). He was almost a mythical individual in that he was the oldest person in the state and died at Stewartville in 1884 at what was believed to be one hundred and fourteen years of age.”

Though death records indicate that William was 102 and Mary 100 when they died, this information must be viewed with some skepticism. Note the ages listed on the following census records:

A thorough search of Stewartville area cemeteries and queries to descendents will living in the Stewartville area failed to locate any records or evidence of the Sargent graves.

The Children of William and Mary Sargent

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PETER SIMON MADISON (MATTISON) and CHARITY JONES !!!

Peter Madison was born in Rhode Island in approximately 1786. The following information* comes from Peter's records from the War of 1812. He served in Captain Saunders' Company, New York Militia from September 2 until November 2, 1812 and was discharged at Sackett Harbor.* He was described as being a farmer, 5'4" in height, hair brown, eyes dark.* His residence is listed (in 1855) as Schuyler, Herkimer County, New York; Charity's residence is shown (in 1878) as Ava, Oneida County, New York.* The marriage of Peter and Simon is given as December 1814 in Schuyler, New York, and Peter's death is listed as 12 November 1870.*

Charity Jones Madison was born in Herkimer County, New York in approximately 1794 and died 12 April 1884 in Ava, New York. Her pension application was signed with an 'X.'

They may have been early pioneers of the Town of Norway, Herkimer County, New York. The name Madison is listed as an early pioneer family. Another history states that many people arrived in the area in 1786 from Newport, Rhode Island.

The 1850 US Census for Schuyler, Herkimer County, New York lists the following: Simon Mattison, age 65 b. RI laborer, no property, can read and write;Charity Mattison, age 56 b. NY, homemaker; Harriett Mattison age 17 b. NY; Stephen Mattison age 14 b. NY.

The 1860 US Census for West Schuyler, Herkimer County, New York, lists Peter Madison, age 74, laborer, $5000 real estate, personal $100, b. RI, and Charity Madison, age 64, b. NY. Neither one has checked "attended school."

The 1865 New York Census for Schuyler twp, Herkimer County, New York enumerates Peter Madison, age 78, born Rhode Island , married, farmer, and Charity, wife, age 68, born Herkimer.

The 1870 US Census for the Town of Ava, Oneida County, New York, lists Stephen Madison, age 31, $70 real estate, $250 personal, b. NY and Mary Madison, age 27 b. NY.

The 1870 US Census for the Town of Schuyler, County of Herkimer, NY (Post Office Frankfort, which is now closed according to Internet), lists Peter Madison age 83, real estate $100, born Rhode Island, no occupation, and Charity Madison, age 73, b. NY, keeps house.

In the 1880 US Census for the Town of Ava, Oneida County, NY, we find Stephen Madison, age 42, farmer, b. NY, father b. RI, mother b. NY, Mary Madison, age 38, wife, keeps house, and Charity Madison, age 87, mother b. NY, father b. NY, mother b. NY.

"MADISON - The funeral services of Mrs. CHARITY MADISON were held at the residence of her son, Stephen Madison, of Ava , New York, on Saturday 12 April 1884 .  Rev. P.A. Flint officiated.  Mrs. Madison was a pensioner of 1812, and was in her 90th year.  She had been confined to her bed nearly all winter." (from Rome Citizen ) 

The Children of Peter and Charity Madison*

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THE JAMES MADISON FAMILY

(old information) James Madison was born 10 February 1824*, in Schuyler (military records) or Herkimer County (marriage records), New York, the son of Peter and Charity Madison.

The U.S. Census of 1850 lists James Madison, age 25, born New York, farmer, with the Gage family in Lomira, Dodge County, Wisconsin. The 1855 Wisconsin Census shows him in the same town, but this time his household consisted of three males and one female.

His daughter, Harriet Rosetta Madison (Etta), was born 12 February 1856 in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. Her mother, whose maiden name is believed to have been Nichols (or possibly Salisbury), died about 1857.* The 1860 U.S. Census enumerates Harriet with the family of Ephr. and Louise Raynolds, a Methodist minister and his wife, in Williamstown, Dodge County, Wisconsin. James Madison was listed in Williamstown, too, living alone.

James married Sophronia Burtch Sherin at the residence of Rev. Joseph Bolton, Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Byron, Wisconsin, on December 20, 1860. According to an affidavit included in pension records, after the wedding, everyone present went to the residence of James’ first wife’s father* for supper. Sophronia had been divorced by her first husband, Thomas Sherin, in 1857, for desertion; she brought three small children, ages four through eight, to the marriage. James and Sophronia had four more children born between 1862 and 1869. (Sophronia’s father, Albert Burtch, was born in Herkimer County, New York.)

There was evidently a problem between Etta and her stepmother. Etta spent at least some of her young life living with other families.

James Madison volunteered at Zumbro, Minnesota, 20 February 1864, in Company C, 9th Regiment, Minnesota Infantry, for three years. His enlistment papers describe him as a farmer, 5 feet 5-1/2 inches tall, with black hair and eyes and dark complexion. Wounded in the foot at the Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, on 16 July 1864 his gangrenous fourth toe was amputated on 23 July, and he was subsequently treated at the General Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, from July through October. He was discharged as a private at the Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, hospital on 26 May 1865, where he had been treated since the previous November.

In 1870 James and Sophronia were living in Janesville City, Waseca County, Minnesota; James is listed in the 1870 U.S. Census as a laborer. Etta is not enumerated with the family.

The 1880 U.S. Census shows James and Sophronia living in Luverne, Springwater Township, Rock County, Minnesota; on 3 October 1882 James died of Bright’s Disease of the kidneys. Sophronia married Joseph Elwell on 26 April 1887 in Orland, Lake County, South Dakota.

*Extensive searches of local cemeteries and church records have failed to disclose the name of James Madison’s first wife. The Dodge County records were destroyed in a fire.

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JAMES MADISON and MARIETT NICHOLS

(2006) (Note: Grandma Clemons's mother was unknown to us, as you can read in the preceding section, until the following discoveries and diligent research done by Marilyn Knackert.)

James Madison and Mariett Nichols were married in Dodge County, Wisconsin, on 24 October 1850, by Ashery Upson, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses were John M. Sumner and Sylvester Billings. Although the Dodge County Courthouse burned in 1877, with all records destroyed, there exists an index of early marriages that contains their names. A copy of the marriage certificate has been obtained from the State. The handwriting on the certificate is not completely legible and could be other than Margett. Another couple, Sarah W. Billings and James “Henry” Butler were married on the same day. All four were close in age and lived near one another in Lomira (Dodge County). Henry was the son of James Butler and Sarah was the daughter of Sylvester and Sarah Billings. It is quite possible that the weddings were actually a double wedding and that the participants were close friends. The Nichols, Billings , and Butler families, along with a single man, James Madison, were on the same adjoining two census pages in 1850. By 1860, Henry and Sarah were the parents of three daughters, Florence, Ada, and Mary.

James Madison, born 1825, was the son of Peter and Charity Madison (spelled Matteson in earlier years), farmers from Schuyler, Herkimer County , New York . James is known to be in the Lomira area in 1850. He is enumerated again on the 1855 Territorial Census. There is no record of his activities in the years between his childhood and his move to Wisconsin .

There is an extensive recorded genealogy available for these Nichols and Dunbar families. Mariett had other half-siblings: Marie Nichols (B: 1833), Antoinette Emeline Nichols (B: 1838), Anna Gertrude Nichols (B: 1841), L T Nichols (B: 1844), Charles H Nichols (B: 1848), George Nichols (B: 1850), Ella M Nichols (B: 1858). (Descendants of Lemuel T. Nichols and Emmeline Dunbar -- lists Lemuel Truesdale Nichols as having been born in Connecticut about 1810.) (Descendants of Emmeline Dunbar and Lemuel Truesdale Nichols) Anyone interested in this can also check OneWorldTree.

James and Mariett Madison had a daughter, Harriett Rosetta Madison, born 12 February 1856. Harriett's birthplace was listed as Fond du Lac Count , which is a very short ways north of Lomira. Did they move there, or was there was a doctor or a midwife available in that location? There are three males listed on the 1855 census living in their household. Mariett died sometime between the birth of Harriett in 1856 and the year 1857. No record of her death nor her grave has to date been located, except a notation on her father's military records that in 1860 “his first wife had been dead about three years.”

In 1860, James is in Williamstown, living alone. Daughter Harriet lives with the family of Ephr and Louise Raynolds, a Methodist minister and his wife, also in Williamstown. Harriet was known as “Etta.” James remarried Sophronia Burtch Sherin, a divorcee with three children. Harriet is consistently listed on census records as living with other families, and the oral family history mentions that Harriet and her stepmother, Sophronia had a poor relationship. It seems odd that Harriet was not with her Nichols grandparents. There was evidently a good relationship between Lemuel and his son-in-law, James Madison, because he hosted the wedding supper for James' subsequent marriage to Sophronia. The wedding took place at the Methodist Episcopal parsonage in Byron, located in Fond du Lac County, just north of Lomira, in 1860.

The Child of James and Mariett Madison

(1) Harriet Rosetta (Etta) was born 12 February 1856, in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. She married Henry Mortimer Clemons on 24 June 1872.

The Children of Sophronia and Thomas Sherin

The 1860 U.S. Census lists Sphrony Burtch, age 27, seamstress, born New York, with (1) Alice, 8, (2) William, 6, and (3) Elwin, 4, all born in Wisconsin. The Minnesota Census of 1870 lists Sheran Edwin, 13, living with James and Sophronia.

The Children of James and Sophronia Madison

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(October 2006) ... Cleaning out old genealogy files, I found the following poem and surely wish I could remember the author. I think it MAY have been cousin Gail Kanehira in Reno after Ed and I visited there in the late 1980's.

"For Dolores"

You came warily, politely
on unassuming toes
giving much
and asking nothing.

How does one thank
the thread of our fine fabric,
the cherished strand
that cloth used
to seam the present
to the past."

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