History Notes- - Waseca County Historical Society
History Notes- - Waseca County Historical Society
History Notes- - Waseca County Historical Society
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<strong>History</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Notes</strong>-<br />
<strong>Notes</strong>-<br />
Volume 30, Issue 2 www.historical.waseca.mn.us Spring 2008<br />
A Future for WCHS!<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong><br />
At the May WCHS Board of Directors meeting, President<br />
Jerry Rutledge made a stunning announcement. He and<br />
wife Linda have created a $500,000 Charitable Remainder<br />
Trust to benefit WCHS in the future. While it is a significant<br />
amount, it will not impact WCHS for some years.<br />
The nature of such a<br />
trust provides an annual<br />
income to Jerry and<br />
Linda for the rest of<br />
their lives. When they<br />
pass on, the trust will<br />
then be transformed<br />
into an endowment<br />
fund for WCHS. At that<br />
time the new endowment<br />
fund should be<br />
worth over $1 million<br />
and provide thousands in annual income for WCHS.<br />
Along with our other, present endowment funds, WCHS<br />
could be looking at over $100,000 in endowment income<br />
in 25 years!<br />
The Charitable Remainder Trust is a very effective<br />
financial tool that enables a donor to provide a lifetime<br />
income for oneself and spouse and be able leave a significant<br />
endowment fund for a cause, an organization, a<br />
church, or an individual. There are very significant tax<br />
benefits in the creation of the Charitable Remainder Trust.<br />
The steady growth rate is due to the high level of financial<br />
management at the Minnesota Community Foundation.<br />
The CRT is considered to be one of the best ways to effectively<br />
“stretch” one’s dollars to benefit others while<br />
providing income for oneself.<br />
In our <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> community we are very fortu-<br />
nate to have the <strong>Waseca</strong> Area Foundation, an affiliate of<br />
the Minnesota Community Foundation. In 1989 WAF<br />
was founded with $8,000 profits from the 1988 All-<br />
School Reunion, and today it is worth nearly $5 million.<br />
Many people were skeptical of the potential for such a<br />
foundation in our little town, but it has grown not only in<br />
its support and financial wealth, but has encouraged unbelievable<br />
philanthropic giving to our community. Over the<br />
years thousands have been granted to the community in<br />
the areas of education, health and human services, arts<br />
and culture, and recreation and community facilities.<br />
Fellow board members, staff and membership of the<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> are extremely grateful<br />
to Jerry and Linda for this generous gift for the <strong>Society</strong>’s<br />
future.<br />
Museum’s New Banners!<br />
Look Forward to Our Past is the theme from the <strong>Waseca</strong><br />
<strong>County</strong>’s 150th Birthday Gift Campaign. We liked it so much<br />
we incorporated it into a new design for our banners. Top left<br />
photo is a past Ice Harvest on Clear Lake, top right is from the<br />
1880’s Chautauqua, and the lower photograph is a threshing<br />
crew from years ago. Banners were paid for from the last Pizza<br />
Ranch fundraiser with matching funds from Thrivent Financial<br />
for Lutherans.
<strong>History</strong> <strong>Notes</strong> is a publication of the <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />
<strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> ©2008<br />
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 314, <strong>Waseca</strong>, MN 56093<br />
Street Address: 315 Second Avenue N.E.<br />
(507) 835-7700<br />
www.historical.waseca.mn.us<br />
WCHS 2008 Board of Directors:<br />
Jerry Rutledge: President<br />
Jim King: Vice-President<br />
Jean Lundquist: Secretary<br />
Dan Swenson: Treasurer<br />
Rod Searle<br />
Don Wynnemer<br />
Henry Lewer<br />
Rev. Charles Espe<br />
Don Zwach<br />
Jim Tippy<br />
Boyd Abbe<br />
Al Ruhland, <strong>County</strong> Commissioner<br />
Al Rose, City Council<br />
.<br />
Staff:<br />
Joan Mooney, Co-Director/Programs & Research<br />
program@historical.waseca.mn.us<br />
Sheila Morris, Co-Director/Development & Exhibits<br />
photo@historical.waseca.mn.us<br />
Pauline Fenelon, Artifacts/Library<br />
collection@historical.waseca.mn.us<br />
Vanessa Zimprich, Artifacts/Website<br />
artifact@historical.waseca.mn.us<br />
Linda Taylor, Researcher, Bailey House,<br />
Thursdays and Fridays. 9-12 and 1-5 p.m.<br />
research@historical.waseca.mn.us<br />
Nancy Nelson-Deppe, Bookkeeper<br />
account@historical.waseca.mn.us<br />
Museum & Gift Shop Hours:<br />
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Bailey-Lewer Research Center Hours:<br />
Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12 & 1-5 p.m.<br />
or by appointment.<br />
2<br />
JUNE 13-15 Janesville’s Hay Daze, Sunday parade<br />
JULY 3-6 <strong>Waseca</strong> All-School Reunion<br />
JULY 4 Lakefest at Clear Lake Park<br />
starts at 12 noon-Fireworks at dusk!<br />
JULY 5 WCHS Annual Chautauqua<br />
at Historic Maplewood Park, 11-4:30<br />
<strong>County</strong> Museum open 10-3, call 835-7700<br />
JULY 6<br />
All-School Reunion Parade, 1:30<br />
Ice Cream Social, Trowbridge, 3 p.m.<br />
JULY 11-13<br />
New Richland’s Farm & City Days<br />
JULY 19<br />
RibFest at Out to Lunch, 5-9 p.m.<br />
JULY 23-27<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> Free Fair<br />
Hodgson Hall Used Book Sale,<br />
Township Exhibit—<br />
July 23 is Township Day, Free Cake<br />
at the Pork Supper, 5 p.m.<br />
AUGUST 1-3<br />
Waldorf Centennial<br />
Summer Calendar<br />
AUGUST 2 <strong>Waseca</strong> Garden Tour<br />
AUGUST 4-10<br />
Farmamerica Sesquicentennial Week<br />
“150 Years of Minnesota Agriculture”<br />
AUGUST 6<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> Pizza Ranch WCHS Fundraiser<br />
Thirvent Financial for Lutherans is matching funds<br />
raised up to $250<br />
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8<br />
Farmamerica’s 30-Year Anniversary<br />
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9<br />
Sesquicentennial Dance, Farmamerica<br />
SEPTEMBER 13-14<br />
Farmamerica’s Fall Fair<br />
SEPTEMBER 11<br />
Southern Research & Outreach Center’s<br />
Annual Open House
Chautauqua: Saturday, July 5, 2008<br />
T he music we scheduled for Chautauqua this year is truly<br />
rooted in America, representing a time in our history<br />
when immigrants were arriving in droves. Finding their way<br />
through unknown terrain to unknown destinations was stressful<br />
and dangerous. One of the few comforts to be found came in<br />
the form of music.<br />
The “Sacred Harp or Shape Note<br />
Singing” is the oldest form of<br />
American music that continues today.<br />
It came about when people of many<br />
cultures gathered in make-shift<br />
churches. Language was a barrier<br />
between the different groups. The use<br />
of shapes for notes led to what we<br />
know today as Shape Note Singing.<br />
“Helen & Karen” bring us the songs<br />
of the Carter Family. A.P. Carter<br />
settled in the hill country of Virginia.<br />
Their music paints pictures of earlier times—times many of our<br />
visitors may find familiar and a younger audience will find intriguing.<br />
The “House of Mercy Band” returns to Chautauqua.<br />
This rich mix of performers have played in numerous ensembles<br />
over the years. On Saturday they will be performing traditional<br />
songs with interesting twists that are unique to this talented<br />
troupe. Amy Roemhildt performs her interpretation of<br />
early American music as she moves around the site as a traveling<br />
minstrel. Her husband in real life, Scott Roemhildt, returns<br />
as “Asa Mercer.” Asa showed up last year to “recruit women<br />
west” to the mining territories, gathering brides for the miners.<br />
He returns with the signed contracts to “collect the women.”<br />
You may know Scott from his involvement with the Rendezvous<br />
event—he also teaches at MSU. New this year is Tracy<br />
Tolzmann as “Professor Tolzmann’s Mechanical Music Menagerie”.<br />
Actress, Maria Asp will conduct the Kids-Theaterin-the-Woods.<br />
Returning to Chautauqua are “Magic Zack”<br />
with new tricks, fiddler—Al Miller, and naturalist Al Batt, and<br />
the last in the Muse at Maplewood series, “Scouting For<br />
Camp Legends”. There’s entertainment for the whole family—<br />
funded by a Sesquicentennial grant, Sue Warner will have her<br />
“Greetings from Minnesota” project on display and anyone<br />
can join in to work on an image for this giant mosaic. The finished<br />
mosaic will be displayed at the Minnesota State Fair in<br />
September. New this year “Java Live” from Faribault offering<br />
espresso and other fine coffee concoctions. Out to Lunch will<br />
be selling $1 hot dogs, and we’ll be selling popcorn, and root<br />
beer. Events will begin at 11 a.m. and go all day until 4 p.m.<br />
Remember, admission is just five cents, or free if you ride up<br />
on your bike! See you all there!<br />
—Joan Mooney, Co-Director<br />
3<br />
This<br />
program is<br />
made<br />
possible by a<br />
grant from<br />
Prairie Lakes<br />
Regional Arts<br />
Council with<br />
funds appropriated<br />
by the<br />
MN State<br />
Legislature,<br />
and from the<br />
E.F. Johnson<br />
Foundation.
Chautauqua 2008 Entertainment Schedule<br />
11:00<br />
11:30<br />
12:00<br />
12:30<br />
1:00<br />
1:30<br />
2:00<br />
2:30<br />
3:00<br />
3:30<br />
4:00<br />
4:30<br />
Stage 1 Tent Woods 2 Pavillion Wandering<br />
Al Batt<br />
11-11:30<br />
Helen and<br />
Karen<br />
11:45-12:45<br />
Carter Family songs<br />
Magic Zach<br />
12:45-1:15<br />
House of<br />
Mercy<br />
1:30-2:30<br />
American Revival at<br />
its best!<br />
Sacred Harp<br />
Singing<br />
2:30-3:00<br />
Oldest form of American singing<br />
3:00-3:15<br />
Announcements<br />
House of<br />
Mercy<br />
3:15-4:00<br />
Grand Finale<br />
Children’s<br />
Theater<br />
Workshop<br />
11:15-12:00<br />
Children’s<br />
Theater<br />
Performance<br />
12:00-12:30<br />
Muse at<br />
Maplewood<br />
12:45-1:30<br />
Walk in the woods<br />
with Al Batt<br />
12:15-12:50<br />
Sacred Harp<br />
Singing School<br />
Pavilion<br />
12:45-1:15<br />
4<br />
On Site<br />
11-4:00 pm<br />
Hurdy-Gurdy Man<br />
Tracy Tolzmann<br />
Song-Lorist<br />
Amy Roemhildt<br />
Re-enactor<br />
Scott Roemhildt<br />
as Asa Mercer<br />
Fiddlin’Al Miller<br />
PLUS—<br />
Art & Crafts Tent<br />
Food by<br />
“Out To Lunch”<br />
Espresso Coffee,<br />
Ice Coffee, Ice<br />
Cream, Scones and<br />
Juice Drinks by<br />
“Java Live”<br />
Special Guest<br />
Artist, Susan<br />
Warner and<br />
“Greetings<br />
From Minnesota”<br />
Sesquicentennial<br />
Traveling Mosaic<br />
Project
We want to thank the following individuals and organizations<br />
for recent assistance. These are generous,<br />
wonderful people!<br />
George Kastelle and Don Wynnemer upgraded museum<br />
lighting again! We have long wanted to replace the fluorescents<br />
in the Gift Shop with track lighting. Don Wynnemer<br />
provided another cost-saving project, in time for the<br />
first Spring Luncheon on March 27. Also in early March,<br />
Darv Tollefson and his STS Team helped move artifacts<br />
to new permanent shelving, and other heavy lifting<br />
around the museum. We welcome new LDS volunteers,<br />
Elder Wheeler and Elder Salmond. They help regularly<br />
on Mondays and Wednesdays. These volunteers lend assistance<br />
to the newsletter mailing, artifact processing,<br />
signage, etc. Thanks to John Pribble for transporting<br />
new display panels to the museum. To Mert Schwarz for<br />
exploring Courthouse Park and the old Wilton town site<br />
near his property with Joan Mooney. This was in preparation<br />
for the 5 th graders trip to Courthouse Park on May 5.<br />
Many people helped with The Townships: 150 Years of<br />
Grassroots Government exhibit—Thanks to Tammy<br />
Wynkoop and Linda Karst of the <strong>County</strong> Recorder’s<br />
Office with their assistance in directing us to the original<br />
1850s survey maps of <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> townships. To<br />
Joan Manthe, <strong>County</strong> Auditor for assistance with<br />
Courthouse artifacts—the 1857 <strong>County</strong> Commissioners<br />
Minutes Book, surveyor’s equipment, and historic county<br />
embosser. Thanks to Elaine Breck and Anita<br />
Gostomczik, Mel Strand, and the Blooming Grove<br />
Township Board for assistance in presenting the Blooming<br />
Grove portion of the township exhibit. Thanks to<br />
Scott Hildebrandt and the St. Mary Township Board<br />
for the loan of their historic voting booths for the township<br />
exhibit. To WCHS member Sharon Haley for the<br />
gift of a State Sesquicentennial flag for our museum<br />
events. To Eric Erickson and Clear Lake Press for exhibit<br />
prints, and also for Chautauqua posters. To Joe and<br />
James Monahan for lifting and moving exhibit panels,<br />
cases and artifacts. They did so generously after their<br />
regular work day. To Hazel Owens and Norma Witt for<br />
serving cake and coffee at the April 5 Township exhibit<br />
opening. To Sandy Prechel for family photo and narrative<br />
for The Townships exhibit.<br />
More thanks go to Jeff Huelsnitz for bringing in the<br />
rented “manlift” on April 9. Now ALL the smoke alarms<br />
are wired especially the one high on the ceiling beside the<br />
dome! To Don Wynnemer and Dan Swenson who con-<br />
Thanks to Spring Volunteers!<br />
5<br />
tinue to set-up our new artifact shelving in the basement<br />
storage area. Thanks to Trevor Kanewischer and the<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fair Board for caring about Hodgson<br />
Hall upkeep. They will be adding rock around the foundation.<br />
Phillip Lee, Troop 85 Eagle Scout is working with<br />
Joan Mooney on new native Minnesota plantings on the<br />
south end of Hodgson Hall. More is in the planning for<br />
next year. Thanks to the Henry Lewer family, the Winegar<br />
family and <strong>Waseca</strong> Floral for sponsoring new historic<br />
county fair image banners for the exterior of Hodgson<br />
Hall in time for the 2008 <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fair.<br />
Thanks to Becky Kohnert—Recently she stopped in the<br />
museum and offered her volunteer services for the summer!<br />
Becky is a 2007 <strong>Waseca</strong> High School graduate and<br />
sophomore at Luther College, Decorah, IA. Becky is majoring<br />
in <strong>History</strong> with a minor in Museum Studies. She is<br />
already providing great assistance.<br />
A very big thank you to the E. F. Johnson Foundation<br />
for grants approved for WCHS—$7,000 for the 2009<br />
Chautauqua, and $5,000 for the <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> Timeline.<br />
We are very grateful to this hometown foundation benefiting<br />
so many area organizations, non-profits, schools<br />
and special projects.<br />
Thanks to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for the<br />
$250 match to our August 6 Fundraiser at the <strong>Waseca</strong><br />
Pizza Ranch. Com and say hello to board members<br />
and volunteers!<br />
NEW 2008<br />
WASECA<br />
ART PRINT<br />
A new whimsical<br />
illustration of<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong>, MN, showing<br />
our many historical<br />
sites, and<br />
sponsors— the<br />
businesses and<br />
organizations of<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong>. Available<br />
now, ready to<br />
frame: 17 1/2” x 21<br />
1/2”—$10 at the<br />
Museum Gift Shop,<br />
or order by mail,<br />
add $5 for postage<br />
& handling, payable<br />
“WCHS”
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong><br />
P.O. Box 314<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong>, MN 56093<br />
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED<br />
Dorothy Moriarty, W. H. Rethwill, Jr., Jerry and Linda Rutledge, Betty and Bob Sheeran,<br />
Mel Strand, Jim and Moira Tippy, 6 Bruce and Lorraine Wick<br />
NON-PROFIT<br />
U.S. POSTAGE<br />
PAID<br />
WASECA, MN<br />
56093<br />
PERMIT 41<br />
Membership Renewal Date<br />
The <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> . . . appreciates your support!<br />
To Remember or to Honor . . .<br />
Roy Myers, Ruth Frisk, Lorraine Labs, Anthony Zimprich, Donald J. Winegar, Les Strand, James Kelly Pool,<br />
Charles (Pete) Sutter, Kenneth Bosacker, Mary Winegar, Carol Hofmeister, Dorothy Trahms, the 150th Township<br />
Anniversary, Edmond J. Cahill, Marguerite Welch, Melvin Froehlich, Richard E. Wright, Ruth Paulson,<br />
Rosie Waugh, Anne Anderson, Rolf Iversen<br />
New Members & Renewals<br />
Janmarie Anders, Eileen Arvesen, Bethel Bentley, Paul & Doris Blunck, Annola Born, Margaret Cliff, Doris Danneberg, Dave Dunn, Kathryn<br />
Sherry Engel, C & J Fell, Peter & Verna Fog, Arlene Foels, Dan Forrest, Carroll & Grace Galvin, Barbara Gauger, Thomas Holman,<br />
Dale Groskreutz, Susan Hovelsrud, Dan Hughes, Christine Jackson, Pat Judd, Bonnie Kastner, Peggy Korsmo-Kennon, Jane Krause Kolars, Evelyn<br />
Linde, Bethel L. Miller, Lorraine Miller, Zita Mittelstaedt, Joan Mooney, John Nelson, Hazel Owens, Donna Power, Bonnie Proechel, Ron & Pat<br />
Purcell, Marie S. Querna, Jeanette Rosenthal, Kathleen Rosenthal, Gene & Mary Scheffert, Alan J. Searle, Newell Searle, Maureen Smith, Roy Srp,<br />
Craig Schuster, State Bank of New Richland, Harlan Stoehr, JoAnn Sutlief, Elaine Swenson, Leslie & Karen Tlougan, <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> News,<br />
Eugene Welch, Janet R. Welch, Patricia Wuger, Stella Yamazaki, Allen <strong>County</strong> Public Library (Fort Wayne, IN), La Donna Baumann, Dan Beall,<br />
Lucy Braulick, Barbara Britain, Doris Berger, Troy Carlson, Matthew Connor, Timothy Dolan, Vernon Ferch, Carol Hable, William R. Hawkins,<br />
Benjamin Imker, Joanne Kearney, Diane Loeffler, Joe Manthey, Patricia Pearson, Carolyn Peterson, Edward Seljeskog, Doug Shepard, Daniel<br />
Stahl, James Tetzloff, Harold M. Thiewes, Cindy Thompson, William Tully, Helen Turnquist, Bob Wertman, Keith Willis, William Cottrell<br />
Lifetime Members<br />
Mary Allen, Brown Printing, Wayne “Bumps” Brown, Gladys Brynildson, Gus Cooper,<br />
Liz Corchran, Robert M. Dahl, Leo J. and Shirley Fette, First National Bank, Francis M. Fitzsimmons,<br />
Donna Fostveit, Sigri Hecht, Margaret “Peggy” Hodgson Horner, Ronald J. Johnson, Richard Markus,
The Capital Campaign in 2008 & 2009<br />
W e are extremely grateful for the incredible support<br />
during the first year of the <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> 150th<br />
Birthday Gift Campaign, but the reality is that we are in the<br />
middle of only the second year of the campaign. There is still<br />
another year and a half to go! And while we met the goal of the<br />
campaign early, we must continue to fundraise to build our endowment<br />
funds and to maintain operations. Therefore, building<br />
our endowment funds is critical. Twenty-five years or more<br />
from now, there will be a substantial income stream from the<br />
Jerry and Linda Rutledge Charitable Remainder Trust (see page<br />
1 article). But until then, we need to continue to grow our membership<br />
and contributions. We want WCHS to always be here<br />
for you, please consider "being here" for WCHS!<br />
With this in mind, we are enclosing the pledge form to ask<br />
those of you who did not participate in the 150th Birthday Gift<br />
Campaign last year, to consider doing so now, or before the<br />
end of 2008. Those of you<br />
who gave last year may<br />
want to add to your gift.<br />
You may want to consider<br />
other methods of charitable<br />
giving, as Jerry and Linda<br />
Rutledge have. If you have<br />
questions regarding the<br />
campaign, call Sheila Morris,<br />
(507) 835-7700. If you<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> Endowment Funds<br />
Year-End December 31, 2007<br />
Administered by the <strong>Waseca</strong> Area Foundation and the Minnesota Community Foundation:<br />
The Edgar F. and Ethel Johnson Fund $ 79,154.00<br />
The <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> Endowment Fund $ 50,377.00<br />
The Phil Allen Fund $ 13,182.00<br />
Benefits WCHS’s Bailey-Lewer Research Library only.<br />
The Frank and Barbara Goodspeed Memorial Fund $ 32,299.00<br />
The Jerry and Linda Rutledge Heritage Fund $115,447.00<br />
The Wes and Carol Rethwill <strong>History</strong> Fund $ 25,000.00<br />
TOTAL $315,459.00<br />
1<br />
have questions regarding Charitable Remainder Trusts, <strong>Waseca</strong><br />
Area Foundation Funds, setting up your own WAF fund, or any<br />
other planned giving information, call Pat Abbe, <strong>Waseca</strong> Area<br />
Foundation Executive Director, (507) 835-5990.<br />
City Council Seeks Funding Changes<br />
The <strong>Waseca</strong> City Council is rethinking their support for organizations<br />
until now considered to be “outside funding”. These are<br />
non-profit organizations that have contributed to the <strong>Waseca</strong><br />
quality of life for many years. These organizations have consistently<br />
provided culture, programming, services for all age<br />
groups in the <strong>Waseca</strong> area community and beyond.<br />
At the May 27 work session of the <strong>Waseca</strong> City Council,<br />
the discussion centered around dropping this funding and then<br />
creating a community grant-making fund, tentatively to be<br />
named the "Community Enhancement Fund." While guidelines<br />
and criteria are yet to be written or approved, it seems that<br />
WCHS will lose $8,000 in annual funding. Other non-profit<br />
organizations that may be affected include the Senior Citizen<br />
Center, the Neighborhood Service Center, <strong>Waseca</strong> Arts Council,<br />
MVAC-Minnesota Valley Action Council, and the Chamber<br />
of Commerce. And so we continue to struggle with funding<br />
operations. Please let us and the <strong>Waseca</strong> City Council know<br />
how you feel about this potential change. WCHS’s $8,000<br />
funding represents .001% of the city budget. Is this city council<br />
assuming our citizens don’t want the opportunities and<br />
services that we and these other organizations provide?<br />
The 0% levy may be a no-nonsense approach to managing<br />
the city budget, but the lack of city support for<br />
these organizations in our community would truly be<br />
senseless! Call City Hall, 835-9700 or email the city<br />
council—www.ci.waseca.mn.us<br />
These six Foundation Funds— all benefit the<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> with interest<br />
they generate. The principle amount will always<br />
be maintained, never to be spent. The first endowment<br />
fund established for WCHS was the<br />
Edgar F. and Ethel Johnson Fund. The WCHS<br />
Endowment Fund was started by our Board of<br />
Directors and then Executive Director, Margaret<br />
Sinn, with a substantial anonymous donation from<br />
one of our members. The Phil Allen Fund was<br />
established by his family and friends to specifically<br />
benefit the Bailey-Lewer Research Library.<br />
The Frank and Barbara Goodspeed Memorial<br />
Fund was started by their niece, Dorothy<br />
Moriarty. Our most generous fund came from<br />
Jerry and Linda Rutledge in 2006. And our most<br />
recent fund was started as a donation to the<br />
150th campaign by Dr. Wes Rethwill, Jr. We are<br />
so grateful to these individuals for the kind<br />
of support that will last forever!
*Donation made in 2008<br />
VISIONARY CIRCLE<br />
Contributions of $10,000 and more<br />
Dorothy Moriarty<br />
First National Bank<br />
Roundbank<br />
Jerry and Linda Rutledge<br />
Wes and Carol Rethwill <strong>History</strong> Fund<br />
E.F. Johnson Foundation<br />
(formerly NorAm Foundation)<br />
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE<br />
Contributions of $5,000 or more<br />
Ruth and Rod Searle<br />
Tim Penny<br />
Jim and Moira Tippy<br />
BENEFACTOR CIRCLE<br />
Contributions of $1,000 or more<br />
Gwen Buscho<br />
Boyd and Patrice Abbe<br />
Elaine Swenson<br />
Boyd Fuller<br />
Sigri Hecht<br />
Henry & Phyllis Lewer<br />
Jean and Ole Lundquist<br />
Mel Strand<br />
Bruce and Lorraine Wick<br />
Don and Margaret Wynnemer<br />
Minnesota Community Foundation<br />
W. H. Rethwill, D.D.S.<br />
Ronald J. Johnson<br />
Leo J. and Shirley M. Fette<br />
Lois and Robert Chaffin<br />
Francis M. Fitzsimmons<br />
Brown Printing*<br />
McRaith Funeral Homes-<strong>Waseca</strong>/Janesville*<br />
PATRONS<br />
ADC<br />
Allen, Mary L.<br />
Alton Township<br />
American Family Insurance*<br />
Ames, Nanette Johnson<br />
Armstrong, Wendell and Ruth<br />
Arndt, Margie F.<br />
Arvesen, Eileen<br />
Associated Lumber Marts, Inc.<br />
Bagne, Myrwood A.<br />
Baker, Donna J.<br />
Bean, Bruce W.<br />
Benbow, Mary<br />
Birds Eye<br />
Blooming Grove Township<br />
Born, Donald E.<br />
Born, Suzanne<br />
Boyer, Tim and Audra<br />
Britton, Joe and Marjorie<br />
Bushel Boy Farms<br />
Byron, John<br />
Carlson, Lorraine<br />
Casey’s General Store<br />
Century 21 First Choice<br />
Charlie’s Hardware*<br />
Chin, Harry<br />
Clear Lake Press, Inc.<br />
Clemons, Leta<br />
Connors Plumbing<br />
Connors, Brad and Trudi<br />
Cooper, F.L. “Gus”<br />
Corchran, Inc.<br />
Corchran, Liz<br />
Culligan Water<br />
Cummins, Carol<br />
DeLaitsch, Steve and Mary Jo<br />
Dey, Dr. and Mrs. James<br />
Dobberstein, Gary and Deb<br />
Dorsey, Patricia McDonough<br />
Draheim, Ardella<br />
Dunn, Dave<br />
Dunn, Jane<br />
Edward D. Jones-Bill Groh<br />
Emerson Network*<br />
Espe, Charles and Kathy<br />
Eustice, Esther<br />
Everett, Willard R.<br />
Ewert, Mr. and Mrs. Lavern A.<br />
Fell, Carol and June<br />
Feser, Lanae and Dale<br />
Fischer, Larry and Marian<br />
Fiske, Sam W. and Betty<br />
Fitzsimmons, Williams and Sandra<br />
Flathers, Elaine<br />
Flood, Karen Hunt<br />
Fog, Pete and Verna<br />
Forrest, Dan<br />
Forrest, Helen “Sally”<br />
Frederick, Ed and Shirley<br />
Frisk, Robert<br />
Fruechte, Neil and Sharon<br />
Fuller, Sherri Gebert<br />
Gallagher, Bonnie<br />
Gasner, Eunice<br />
Gauger, Barbara<br />
Gerding, Dr. James and Dodie<br />
Goehring, Pam and Larry<br />
Gores, Marjorie L.<br />
Grant, Linda<br />
Guentzel, Richard<br />
Habein, Harold<br />
Hagen, Tom and Nyla*<br />
Haley, Sharon<br />
Halstead, Mr. and Mrs. Robert<br />
Halvorson, Mike and Jean<br />
Harguth, Dorothy<br />
Hasslen, Margaret<br />
Hatle, Rodney<br />
Hecht, Michael<br />
Hoffman, Betty<br />
Holmquist, Harlan<br />
Horn, Jean<br />
Horner, Peggy<br />
Hoversten, Bill and Patti<br />
Hoversten, Pearl<br />
Hughes, Dan<br />
Hunter, Robert<br />
ICAN, Inc.-Tim and Tracy Jevning<br />
Iverson, Audrey<br />
Jackson, Carol and Tom<br />
Janesville State Bank<br />
Janesville Township<br />
Jeddeloh, Irene<br />
Jensen, Dan and Marlene 2<br />
Jewison, Joe<br />
Johnson, Jody<br />
Johnson, Timothy<br />
Johnson, Wendell and Elaine*<br />
Jones, Karl R.<br />
Kastelle, George and Darlene<br />
Kastner, Bonnie and Rex<br />
Katz, Ree<br />
Kiesler, Barb and Kal<br />
Kiesler, Steve and Belinda<br />
King, Carolyn<br />
King, Jim and Barb<br />
King, Louise<br />
King, Stafford and Julie<br />
Klug, John and Mary<br />
Knauss, Neil and Linda<br />
Kolars, Jane<br />
Kolpin, DDS, Rodney<br />
Krause, Paul<br />
Kritzer Oil Company*<br />
Kuefner, Dennis and Sue<br />
Lake Region Publications<br />
Lakeshore Inn Nursing Home<br />
Larson, Janette H. and Robert A.<br />
Leach, Betsy<br />
Lenz, Kenneth<br />
Linde, Evelyn E.<br />
Lynch, Darlene<br />
Manthe, Lois<br />
McCarthy, George and Jean<br />
McIntire, Homer and Betty<br />
Mediacom Communications Corp<br />
Melcher’s Power-Vac., Inc.<br />
Menke, Loraine<br />
Merrill-Lynch<br />
Miller, Donna<br />
Miller, Emily<br />
Miller, Jean<br />
Miller, Lorraine<br />
Miller, Paul J.<br />
Morris, Rick and Sheila<br />
Muellerleile, Dr. John and Kathy<br />
Neidt, Millicent I.<br />
Nelson, John<br />
Nelson, Norma<br />
Nelson, Richard and Carolyn<br />
New Richland <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong><br />
New Richland Township<br />
Nibler, Ione Hilberg<br />
O’Brien, Mike and Bea<br />
Oelke, Neta<br />
Otisco Township<br />
Pantheon Computer Systems, Inc.*<br />
Patton, Hoversten & Berg<br />
Paulson, Ruth<br />
Personalized Printing<br />
Peterson, Arlene<br />
Peterson, John L.<br />
Pheasant Cafe<br />
Prairie Dental Arts<br />
Proechel, Bonnie<br />
Purcell, Ron and Pat<br />
Querna, Marie S.<br />
Radio Shack*<br />
Randall, Gyles and Carol<br />
Rausch, Carol and Bill<br />
Roesler, Bob and Marlene<br />
Roesler, Neil<br />
Rosenthal, Jeanette
Rosenthal Rolling Acres*<br />
Ross, Jackie<br />
Ross, Marge J.<br />
Routh, Warren<br />
Rudolph, Janet<br />
Ruhland, Al and Kathy<br />
Sahlstrom, Mary Lou<br />
Salmon, Juliet<br />
Schmidt Law Office, LTD<br />
Schnorenberg, Ellen<br />
Schoenfeld, Ruth<br />
Schwarz, Mert and Elaine<br />
Selvik, Luella<br />
Sheeran, Bob and Betty<br />
Shields, Joel and Janet & family<br />
Smith, Keith and Wilda<br />
St. Mary Township<br />
Staley, Jayne and Darrell<br />
State Bank of New Richland<br />
State Farm Insurance<br />
Steele-<strong>Waseca</strong> Cooperative Electric<br />
Steidler, Tom and Marlene<br />
Stoehr, Harlan and Marlene<br />
Suburban Furniture<br />
Sutlief, JoAnn and Delency<br />
Swain, Amy and Will<br />
Swenson, Dan<br />
Teskey, Marilyn and John<br />
Tlougan, Les and Karen<br />
Tuttle, Dorothy<br />
United Prairie Bank<br />
Velett, Laurie Schroeder<br />
Walmart Stores, Inc.<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> Co. News/Mainstream Publications*<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> Floral<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> Medical Center<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> Optometric<br />
Welch, Janet R.*<br />
Wells Fargo Bank<br />
Wendland, Helen<br />
West, Dr. R. Leland<br />
West, Melissa<br />
West, Tom and Francie<br />
Westrum, Richard and Elaine*<br />
WHS & SHHS Class of 1947<br />
Wildgrube, Beverly<br />
Wilkus, John and Marilyn<br />
Wilton Township<br />
Winegar, Inc.<br />
Wobschall, Carol*<br />
Woodville Township<br />
Wright, Myrna<br />
Wuger, Patricia<br />
Youngberg, Manley<br />
Zimmerman, Jim<br />
Zwach, Don and Fran<br />
2007 MEMORIALS<br />
In memory of Robert McIntire<br />
by Donna Fostveit and Margaret Sinn<br />
In memory of John Pfeifer<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Michael Jellum<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Marlene Felber<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Arlene Bosacker<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Daphne Olson<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Keith Dibble<br />
by Keith and Wilda Smith<br />
In memory of Loren Hecht<br />
by the Hecht family members<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
by Eunice Gasner<br />
by Lola and I. F. Roesler<br />
by Dorothy Tuttle<br />
by Margaret Sinn<br />
by Bruce and Sherry Jones<br />
by Ruth Paulson<br />
by Cletus and Rita Wendinger<br />
In memory of David Hoversten<br />
by Pearl Hoversten<br />
In memory of Tippy Weckwerth<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
by Pauline Fenelon<br />
by many friends<br />
by Rev. Myrwood A. Bagne<br />
In memory of Burton Quast<br />
by Doris Berger and Rural School District 73<br />
In memory of Lyle Nelemans<br />
by Henry and Phyllis Lewer<br />
In memory of Richard Earl Wright<br />
by Myrna Wright<br />
In memory of Jerome E. Schnorenberg<br />
by Ellen Schnorenberg<br />
In memory of Jeannette Krause<br />
by Jane Kolars<br />
In memory of Howard Sahlstrom<br />
by Mary Lou Sahlstrom<br />
In memory of Dr. Harold E. and Irma Lorenz<br />
by Dr. James and Dodie Gerding<br />
In memory of William and Bridget Cahill<br />
by Tom and Carol Jackson<br />
In memory of John Kunnelius<br />
by Zita Mittelstaedt<br />
by Marilyn Teskey<br />
In memory of L. J. and Augusts Sheldon<br />
by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Halstead<br />
In memory of Roderick Joyce<br />
by Jayne and Darrell Staley<br />
In memory of Robert Felber<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Elizabeth Noetzel<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
by the Noetzel family members—Larry Stenzel<br />
family, Beverly Thrond, John and Helen Herman,<br />
Lloyd and Rosie Slipp, Rosamond Miller,<br />
Dick and Barb Stenzel, Tom Otto family, Dan<br />
and Betty Stenzel, Jean and Clem Stenzel, Carmen<br />
and Dave Meyer, Mark and Leah Stenzel,<br />
Ron and Wanda Stenzel, Pat and Joan Stenzel,<br />
Mary and Steven Thrond, Ann and Lee Roberts,<br />
Janet and Art Stenzel<br />
by Jan Jackson<br />
by Ruth and Ron Quade<br />
by Wayland and Lucy Madson<br />
by Mike Morrissey<br />
by Tina and Chuck Madson<br />
In memory of Dorothy Hanna<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Dr. Al Rieck<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
3<br />
In memory of Archie Lortis<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
by Janet Noetzel Stenzel<br />
by Neta Oelke<br />
In memory of Ida Mokoff<br />
by Phyllis Lewer<br />
In memory of B.G. Oelke<br />
by Neta Oelke<br />
In memory of Myron Sell<br />
by Betty Hoffman<br />
In memory of Jacqueline Guse<br />
by Pearl Hoversten<br />
In memory of Robert A. Ross<br />
by Marge J. Ross<br />
In memory of Kennard Kanne<br />
by Pearl Hoversten<br />
by Eunice Gasner<br />
In memory of Wilma Roesler<br />
by Linda Grant<br />
In memory of Arthur A. and Rose K. Johnson,<br />
And Marion Johnson<br />
by Nanette Johnson Ames<br />
In memory Jim Corchran<br />
by Maria “Liz” Corchran<br />
In memory of Vern Carlson<br />
by Michael and Bea O’Brien<br />
by Donna and Al Miller<br />
by Lorraine Carlson<br />
by Debra Chambers<br />
In memory of Ralph and Wilma Roesler<br />
by Bob and Marlene Roesler<br />
In memory of David Somers<br />
by Paul and Selma Reb<br />
In memory of Allyne Stewart<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Wes Bryant<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
by Allen Bryant, Anita Tesch, Barbara<br />
Bryant, and Howard Bryant<br />
In memory of Charlie Gigeay<br />
by Esther Eustice<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Gayle Gardner<br />
by Donna Fostveit<br />
by Joe and Marj Britton<br />
In memory of Bobb Cummins<br />
By Donna Fostveit<br />
In memory of Harry Iverson<br />
by Esther Eustice<br />
In memory of Barb Penny<br />
by Tim Penny<br />
In memory of Jeanne McGuire<br />
by Joe and Marj Britton<br />
2007 HONORARIUMS<br />
In honor of Margaret Sinn’s retirement<br />
by Silvan Durben<br />
In honor of The WHS & SHHS Class of 1947<br />
by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Halstead<br />
In honor of The Gatzman family<br />
by Jean Bunch<br />
In honor of Willard Everett’s birthday<br />
by Louise King, Carolyn King, Betsy Leach,<br />
Stafford King, and Mary Benbow
The Townships: 150 Years of Grassroots Government<br />
Alton, Blooming Grove, Byron, Freedom, Iosco, Janesville, New Richland,<br />
Otisco, St. Mary, Vivian, Wilton, Woodville<br />
"The surveyors, as they are respectively qualified,<br />
shall proceed to divide said territory into townships of<br />
six miles square, by lines running due north and south,<br />
and others crossing these at right angles, as near as<br />
may be, unless where the boundaries of the late Indian<br />
purchases may render the same impracticable, and then<br />
they shall depart from this rule no further than such<br />
particular circumstances may require. … As soon as<br />
seven ranges of townships and fractional parts of<br />
townships, in the direction from south to north shall<br />
have been surveyed, the geographer shall transmit<br />
plats thereof to the board of treasury, who shall record<br />
the same, with the report in well bound books to be<br />
kept for that purpose."<br />
he rectangular survey system was enacted by the<br />
T Land Ordinance Act of 1787. Now known as the<br />
Public Land Survey System, this system divided the western<br />
lands into grid-shaped townships and sections. Surveyed<br />
land was sold by the government, providing important<br />
revenue for the cash-starved nation. Previous to the<br />
Public Land Survey System, land was surveyed using a<br />
confusing landmark-based system called metes and<br />
bounds. The Public Land Survey System is coordinatebased,<br />
with all distances and bearings made from northsouth<br />
running meridians and east-west base lines. The<br />
largest subdivision of land is the Public Land Survey<br />
Township (as opposed to political township), and measures<br />
six miles square. Each township is comprised of 36<br />
sections, and each section has an area of one square mile<br />
(640 acres).<br />
Numbering<br />
System: Public<br />
Land Survey<br />
Townships are<br />
named systematically<br />
by the<br />
township and<br />
range numberingsystem.<br />
This system<br />
is based on<br />
the location of<br />
an initial point. Initial points occur at the intersection of a<br />
principal meridian and a base line. Each township is<br />
named by a township number, which indicates its northsouth<br />
position of the base line, and a range number, which<br />
indicates its east-west position of the principal meridian.<br />
4<br />
In Minnesota, township<br />
numbers east of the<br />
Mississippi indicate position<br />
north of the Galena<br />
Base Line. Township numbers<br />
west of the river indicate<br />
position north of the<br />
Clarendon Base Line.<br />
Range numbers indicate<br />
position east or west of the<br />
4 th Principal Meridian, or<br />
west of the 5 th Principal<br />
Meridian.<br />
Public Land Survey<br />
Townships are subdivided<br />
into 36 sections, each section<br />
being approximately 1<br />
mile by 1 mile in dimension.<br />
Section corners and<br />
section-quarter corners<br />
were marked by posts or<br />
other monuments.<br />
Sections are<br />
numbered from 1 to 36<br />
and are labeled in a<br />
switchback pattern.<br />
Each section can be<br />
divided into four quarters:<br />
NW, NE, SW, and<br />
SE. Each quarter is<br />
160 acres, and these<br />
areas too can be subdivided<br />
into NW, NE,<br />
SW, and SE quarters.<br />
1858—Townships, Flooding,<br />
and Statehood!<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> was actually<br />
formed on February 27, 1857<br />
when Minnesota was still a<br />
territory. Some of the first<br />
acts of business of the new<br />
Minnesota county were to<br />
organize the townships and appoint the judges of election.<br />
On April 5, 1858, the following townships came into being:<br />
Okaman (changed to Janesville one month later),<br />
Iosco, Blooming Grove, Woodville, St. Mary, Wilton,<br />
Otisco, and Vivian. One month later on May 11, Minne-
Alex McColley wore his<br />
St. Mary Township t-shirt to the<br />
opening—he purchased it at the<br />
<strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fair last summer!<br />
5<br />
sota became the nation’s 32nd state of the union. On May<br />
17, Okaman was changed to Janesville. On November 1,<br />
New Richland was organized first as Norway, then changed<br />
to New Richland; and Byron. Freedom and Alton Townships<br />
would not be organized until 1864 after the Winnebago<br />
or Hochunk tribes were moved and the reservation<br />
lands were made available for sale to settlers. By 1864 <strong>Waseca</strong><br />
<strong>County</strong> had 12 townships identical in size, surveyed<br />
and marked with 36 sections. In those early days each<br />
township board had a meeting place in Section 16--the center<br />
of each township.<br />
Dealing with the county finances dominated the first<br />
half of the county agenda, but by July and August 1858 the<br />
weather caught everyone’s attention. It was said that storm<br />
after storm raged through the county flooding settlers along<br />
the Le Sueur River bottom lands. Trees were washed out,<br />
fences torn down, hay and grain stacks carried downstream.<br />
Wheat, oat, potato, corn and garden crops were lost; and of<br />
course, food and livelihood for the coming year was gone.<br />
Crop destruction created such incredible deprivation that<br />
many settlers gave up and left. But those who stayed created<br />
one of the most agriculturally rich counties in the entire<br />
state. In later years <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> set records for various<br />
crop production per acre—wheat, corn, soybeans.<br />
Township government is truly “grassroots government.”<br />
It was the beginning of how we were all going to<br />
live together in this new land. It was the beginning of how<br />
we would take care of each other, provide for the good of<br />
all--creating the roads and bridges to get crops to market. It<br />
was the beginning of making choices for ourselves in a free<br />
society where that is possible. Opportunities were everywhere<br />
for those willing to work at it. Providing food, services,<br />
goods, transportation, churches, were all immediately<br />
necessary for survival.<br />
WCHS’s Townships exhibit is divided into the 12 individual<br />
townships histories, photographs, stories and artifacts.<br />
The centerpiece of each is a copy of the original survey<br />
plat maps created between 1848 and 1857 by the U.S.<br />
Surveyor General of Iowa and Wisconsin, headquartered in<br />
Dubuque, IA. The narratives about the beginnings of each<br />
township, the early settlers and officials were originally<br />
researched and written by Donna Fostveit and published in<br />
the <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> 1879 Plat Book. At the beginning of the<br />
exhibit is an assortment of items that new immigrants and<br />
settlers may have had with them traveling to the new territory<br />
in the 1850s-- “What would you bring with you, leaving<br />
home forever, to make a new home in unknown territory?”<br />
The survey maps are available online through the collaboration<br />
by the Minnesota State Archives of MHS, the<br />
Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Office of<br />
the Secretary of State, the Department of Administration’s<br />
Land Management Information Center and the<br />
Minnesota Association of <strong>County</strong> Surveyors.
Visit: www.lmic.state.mn.us/glo/<br />
But come to the museum to see the entire exhibit extended<br />
through July 18 at the museum, and then partial<br />
exhibit at the <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fair, Hodgson<br />
Hall, July 23-27!<br />
In Minnesota, township government is alive and well,<br />
with nearly 1800 townships in the state. But did you know<br />
that there are only about 12 states in the United States that<br />
still have any form of township government? And the<br />
only state that has more townships than Minnesota is<br />
Pennsylvania. It happens that our townships came into<br />
Waldorf celebrates Centennial!<br />
Early <strong>History</strong> of Waldorf, Minnesota<br />
T he village of Waldorf, located in Vivian Township<br />
of <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> will celebrate its Centennial on August<br />
1-3, 2008. The <strong>Waseca</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Historical</strong> <strong>Society</strong> will<br />
feature a display of Waldorf history, photos and memorabilia<br />
during August and September commemorating the 100 th anniversary<br />
of the Waldorf village formation.<br />
In 1905, the settlement known as Plum Valley, due to the<br />
density of plum trees lining the nearby creek banks, had been<br />
built on land deeded by Samuel Hodgkins to the Plum Valley<br />
Creamery Association to build a creamery and school, and a<br />
village evolved around them. Many residents believed the new<br />
town should be named “Hodgkins” in his honor, and even the<br />
newly built railroad had printed that name on its first schedules<br />
when it first reached the village in 1907.<br />
When the Federal Post Office was established in the new<br />
village later in 1907, the plaque on the new depot named it<br />
“Waldorf.” The<br />
reason for the<br />
change has been<br />
lost in history. But<br />
the official dedication<br />
took place on<br />
July 29, 1908. By<br />
the end of 1920,<br />
Waldorf was incorporated<br />
as a<br />
legal village and<br />
held elections on December 8, 1920. W. F. Pofahl was elected<br />
as the first mayor; Hugo Ewert, the treasurer; Perle Lindeman,<br />
the clerk; A. Krause, P. Deneffe and G. Pream, the council; H.<br />
W. Bluhm, the assessor; J. Cadell and H. Olinger, the constables;<br />
and R. Wadell, the first village justice.<br />
Written and compiled by Judy Joecks as found in “A Touch of Waldorf<br />
<strong>History</strong>,” published in 1999. Excerpted by Pauline Fenelon, 5/27/08.<br />
6<br />
Waldorf, Minnesota— c. early 1900s