History Notes- - Waseca County Historical Society

History History Notes-
Notes-
Volume 30, Issue 2 www.historical.waseca.mn.us Spring 2008
A Future for WCHS!
Waseca County Historical Society
At the May WCHS Board of Directors meeting, President
Jerry Rutledge made a stunning announcement. He and
wife Linda have created a $500,000 Charitable Remainder
Trust to benefit WCHS in the future. While it is a significant
amount, it will not impact WCHS for some years.
The nature of such a
trust provides an annual
income to Jerry and
Linda for the rest of
their lives. When they
pass on, the trust will
then be transformed
into an endowment
fund for WCHS. At that
time the new endowment
fund should be
worth over $1 million
and provide thousands in annual income for WCHS.
Along with our other, present endowment funds, WCHS
could be looking at over $100,000 in endowment income
in 25 years!
The Charitable Remainder Trust is a very effective
financial tool that enables a donor to provide a lifetime
income for oneself and spouse and be able leave a significant
endowment fund for a cause, an organization, a
church, or an individual. There are very significant tax
benefits in the creation of the Charitable Remainder Trust.
The steady growth rate is due to the high level of financial
management at the Minnesota Community Foundation.
The CRT is considered to be one of the best ways to effectively
“stretch” one’s dollars to benefit others while
providing income for oneself.
In our Waseca County community we are very fortu-
nate to have the Waseca Area Foundation, an affiliate of
the Minnesota Community Foundation. In 1989 WAF
was founded with $8,000 profits from the 1988 All-
School Reunion, and today it is worth nearly $5 million.
Many people were skeptical of the potential for such a
foundation in our little town, but it has grown not only in
its support and financial wealth, but has encouraged unbelievable
philanthropic giving to our community. Over the
years thousands have been granted to the community in
the areas of education, health and human services, arts
and culture, and recreation and community facilities.
Fellow board members, staff and membership of the
Waseca County Historical Society are extremely grateful
to Jerry and Linda for this generous gift for the Society’s
future.
Museum’s New Banners!
Look Forward to Our Past is the theme from the Waseca
County’s 150th Birthday Gift Campaign. We liked it so much
we incorporated it into a new design for our banners. Top left
photo is a past Ice Harvest on Clear Lake, top right is from the
1880’s Chautauqua, and the lower photograph is a threshing
crew from years ago. Banners were paid for from the last Pizza
Ranch fundraiser with matching funds from Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans.

History Notes is a publication of the Waseca County
Historical Society ©2008
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 314, Waseca, MN 56093
Street Address: 315 Second Avenue N.E.
(507) 835-7700
www.historical.waseca.mn.us
WCHS 2008 Board of Directors:
Jerry Rutledge: President
Jim King: Vice-President
Jean Lundquist: Secretary
Dan Swenson: Treasurer
Rod Searle
Don Wynnemer
Henry Lewer
Rev. Charles Espe
Don Zwach
Jim Tippy
Boyd Abbe
Al Ruhland, County Commissioner
Al Rose, City Council
.
Staff:
Joan Mooney, Co-Director/Programs & Research
program@historical.waseca.mn.us
Sheila Morris, Co-Director/Development & Exhibits
photo@historical.waseca.mn.us
Pauline Fenelon, Artifacts/Library
collection@historical.waseca.mn.us
Vanessa Zimprich, Artifacts/Website
artifact@historical.waseca.mn.us
Linda Taylor, Researcher, Bailey House,
Thursdays and Fridays. 9-12 and 1-5 p.m.
research@historical.waseca.mn.us
Nancy Nelson-Deppe, Bookkeeper
account@historical.waseca.mn.us
Museum & Gift Shop Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bailey-Lewer Research Center Hours:
Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12 & 1-5 p.m.
or by appointment.
2
JUNE 13-15 Janesville’s Hay Daze, Sunday parade
JULY 3-6 Waseca All-School Reunion
JULY 4 Lakefest at Clear Lake Park
starts at 12 noon-Fireworks at dusk!
JULY 5 WCHS Annual Chautauqua
at Historic Maplewood Park, 11-4:30
County Museum open 10-3, call 835-7700
JULY 6
All-School Reunion Parade, 1:30
Ice Cream Social, Trowbridge, 3 p.m.
JULY 11-13
New Richland’s Farm & City Days
JULY 19
RibFest at Out to Lunch, 5-9 p.m.
JULY 23-27
Waseca County Free Fair
Hodgson Hall Used Book Sale,
Township Exhibit—
July 23 is Township Day, Free Cake
at the Pork Supper, 5 p.m.
AUGUST 1-3
Waldorf Centennial
Summer Calendar
AUGUST 2 Waseca Garden Tour
AUGUST 4-10
Farmamerica Sesquicentennial Week
“150 Years of Minnesota Agriculture”
AUGUST 6
Waseca Pizza Ranch WCHS Fundraiser
Thirvent Financial for Lutherans is matching funds
raised up to $250
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
Farmamerica’s 30-Year Anniversary
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
Sesquicentennial Dance, Farmamerica
SEPTEMBER 13-14
Farmamerica’s Fall Fair
SEPTEMBER 11
Southern Research & Outreach Center’s
Annual Open House

Chautauqua: Saturday, July 5, 2008
T he music we scheduled for Chautauqua this year is truly
rooted in America, representing a time in our history
when immigrants were arriving in droves. Finding their way
through unknown terrain to unknown destinations was stressful
and dangerous. One of the few comforts to be found came in
the form of music.
The “Sacred Harp or Shape Note
Singing” is the oldest form of
American music that continues today.
It came about when people of many
cultures gathered in make-shift
churches. Language was a barrier
between the different groups. The use
of shapes for notes led to what we
know today as Shape Note Singing.
“Helen & Karen” bring us the songs
of the Carter Family. A.P. Carter
settled in the hill country of Virginia.
Their music paints pictures of earlier times—times many of our
visitors may find familiar and a younger audience will find intriguing.
The “House of Mercy Band” returns to Chautauqua.
This rich mix of performers have played in numerous ensembles
over the years. On Saturday they will be performing traditional
songs with interesting twists that are unique to this talented
troupe. Amy Roemhildt performs her interpretation of
early American music as she moves around the site as a traveling
minstrel. Her husband in real life, Scott Roemhildt, returns
as “Asa Mercer.” Asa showed up last year to “recruit women
west” to the mining territories, gathering brides for the miners.
He returns with the signed contracts to “collect the women.”
You may know Scott from his involvement with the Rendezvous
event—he also teaches at MSU. New this year is Tracy
Tolzmann as “Professor Tolzmann’s Mechanical Music Menagerie”.
Actress, Maria Asp will conduct the Kids-Theaterin-the-Woods.
Returning to Chautauqua are “Magic Zack”
with new tricks, fiddler—Al Miller, and naturalist Al Batt, and
the last in the Muse at Maplewood series, “Scouting For
Camp Legends”. There’s entertainment for the whole family—
funded by a Sesquicentennial grant, Sue Warner will have her
“Greetings from Minnesota” project on display and anyone
can join in to work on an image for this giant mosaic. The finished
mosaic will be displayed at the Minnesota State Fair in
September. New this year “Java Live” from Faribault offering
espresso and other fine coffee concoctions. Out to Lunch will
be selling $1 hot dogs, and we’ll be selling popcorn, and root
beer. Events will begin at 11 a.m. and go all day until 4 p.m.
Remember, admission is just five cents, or free if you ride up
on your bike! See you all there!
—Joan Mooney, Co-Director
3
This
program is
made
possible by a
grant from
Prairie Lakes
Regional Arts
Council with
funds appropriated
by the
MN State
Legislature,
and from the
E.F. Johnson
Foundation.

Chautauqua 2008 Entertainment Schedule
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
Stage 1 Tent Woods 2 Pavillion Wandering
Al Batt
11-11:30
Helen and
Karen
11:45-12:45
Carter Family songs
Magic Zach
12:45-1:15
House of
Mercy
1:30-2:30
American Revival at
its best!
Sacred Harp
Singing
2:30-3:00
Oldest form of American singing
3:00-3:15
Announcements
House of
Mercy
3:15-4:00
Grand Finale
Children’s
Theater
Workshop
11:15-12:00
Children’s
Theater
Performance
12:00-12:30
Muse at
Maplewood
12:45-1:30
Walk in the woods
with Al Batt
12:15-12:50
Sacred Harp
Singing School
Pavilion
12:45-1:15
4
On Site
11-4:00 pm
Hurdy-Gurdy Man
Tracy Tolzmann
Song-Lorist
Amy Roemhildt
Re-enactor
Scott Roemhildt
as Asa Mercer
Fiddlin’Al Miller
PLUS—
Art & Crafts Tent
Food by
“Out To Lunch”
Espresso Coffee,
Ice Coffee, Ice
Cream, Scones and
Juice Drinks by
“Java Live”
Special Guest
Artist, Susan
Warner and
“Greetings
From Minnesota”
Sesquicentennial
Traveling Mosaic
Project

We want to thank the following individuals and organizations
for recent assistance. These are generous,
wonderful people!
George Kastelle and Don Wynnemer upgraded museum
lighting again! We have long wanted to replace the fluorescents
in the Gift Shop with track lighting. Don Wynnemer
provided another cost-saving project, in time for the
first Spring Luncheon on March 27. Also in early March,
Darv Tollefson and his STS Team helped move artifacts
to new permanent shelving, and other heavy lifting
around the museum. We welcome new LDS volunteers,
Elder Wheeler and Elder Salmond. They help regularly
on Mondays and Wednesdays. These volunteers lend assistance
to the newsletter mailing, artifact processing,
signage, etc. Thanks to John Pribble for transporting
new display panels to the museum. To Mert Schwarz for
exploring Courthouse Park and the old Wilton town site
near his property with Joan Mooney. This was in preparation
for the 5 th graders trip to Courthouse Park on May 5.
Many people helped with The Townships: 150 Years of
Grassroots Government exhibit—Thanks to Tammy
Wynkoop and Linda Karst of the County Recorder’s
Office with their assistance in directing us to the original
1850s survey maps of Waseca County townships. To
Joan Manthe, County Auditor for assistance with
Courthouse artifacts—the 1857 County Commissioners
Minutes Book, surveyor’s equipment, and historic county
embosser. Thanks to Elaine Breck and Anita
Gostomczik, Mel Strand, and the Blooming Grove
Township Board for assistance in presenting the Blooming
Grove portion of the township exhibit. Thanks to
Scott Hildebrandt and the St. Mary Township Board
for the loan of their historic voting booths for the township
exhibit. To WCHS member Sharon Haley for the
gift of a State Sesquicentennial flag for our museum
events. To Eric Erickson and Clear Lake Press for exhibit
prints, and also for Chautauqua posters. To Joe and
James Monahan for lifting and moving exhibit panels,
cases and artifacts. They did so generously after their
regular work day. To Hazel Owens and Norma Witt for
serving cake and coffee at the April 5 Township exhibit
opening. To Sandy Prechel for family photo and narrative
for The Townships exhibit.
More thanks go to Jeff Huelsnitz for bringing in the
rented “manlift” on April 9. Now ALL the smoke alarms
are wired especially the one high on the ceiling beside the
dome! To Don Wynnemer and Dan Swenson who con-
Thanks to Spring Volunteers!
5
tinue to set-up our new artifact shelving in the basement
storage area. Thanks to Trevor Kanewischer and the
Waseca County Fair Board for caring about Hodgson
Hall upkeep. They will be adding rock around the foundation.
Phillip Lee, Troop 85 Eagle Scout is working with
Joan Mooney on new native Minnesota plantings on the
south end of Hodgson Hall. More is in the planning for
next year. Thanks to the Henry Lewer family, the Winegar
family and Waseca Floral for sponsoring new historic
county fair image banners for the exterior of Hodgson
Hall in time for the 2008 Waseca County Fair.
Thanks to Becky Kohnert—Recently she stopped in the
museum and offered her volunteer services for the summer!
Becky is a 2007 Waseca High School graduate and
sophomore at Luther College, Decorah, IA. Becky is majoring
in History with a minor in Museum Studies. She is
already providing great assistance.
A very big thank you to the E. F. Johnson Foundation
for grants approved for WCHS—$7,000 for the 2009
Chautauqua, and $5,000 for the Waseca County Timeline.
We are very grateful to this hometown foundation benefiting
so many area organizations, non-profits, schools
and special projects.
Thanks to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for the
$250 match to our August 6 Fundraiser at the Waseca
Pizza Ranch. Com and say hello to board members
and volunteers!
NEW 2008
WASECA
ART PRINT
A new whimsical
illustration of
Waseca, MN, showing
our many historical
sites, and
sponsors— the
businesses and
organizations of
Waseca. Available
now, ready to
frame: 17 1/2” x 21
1/2”—$10 at the
Museum Gift Shop,
or order by mail,
add $5 for postage
& handling, payable
“WCHS”

Waseca County Historical Society
P.O. Box 314
Waseca, MN 56093
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Dorothy Moriarty, W. H. Rethwill, Jr., Jerry and Linda Rutledge, Betty and Bob Sheeran,
Mel Strand, Jim and Moira Tippy, 6 Bruce and Lorraine Wick
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WASECA, MN
56093
PERMIT 41
Membership Renewal Date
The Waseca County Historical Society . . . appreciates your support!
To Remember or to Honor . . .
Roy Myers, Ruth Frisk, Lorraine Labs, Anthony Zimprich, Donald J. Winegar, Les Strand, James Kelly Pool,
Charles (Pete) Sutter, Kenneth Bosacker, Mary Winegar, Carol Hofmeister, Dorothy Trahms, the 150th Township
Anniversary, Edmond J. Cahill, Marguerite Welch, Melvin Froehlich, Richard E. Wright, Ruth Paulson,
Rosie Waugh, Anne Anderson, Rolf Iversen
New Members & Renewals
Janmarie Anders, Eileen Arvesen, Bethel Bentley, Paul & Doris Blunck, Annola Born, Margaret Cliff, Doris Danneberg, Dave Dunn, Kathryn
Sherry Engel, C & J Fell, Peter & Verna Fog, Arlene Foels, Dan Forrest, Carroll & Grace Galvin, Barbara Gauger, Thomas Holman,
Dale Groskreutz, Susan Hovelsrud, Dan Hughes, Christine Jackson, Pat Judd, Bonnie Kastner, Peggy Korsmo-Kennon, Jane Krause Kolars, Evelyn
Linde, Bethel L. Miller, Lorraine Miller, Zita Mittelstaedt, Joan Mooney, John Nelson, Hazel Owens, Donna Power, Bonnie Proechel, Ron & Pat
Purcell, Marie S. Querna, Jeanette Rosenthal, Kathleen Rosenthal, Gene & Mary Scheffert, Alan J. Searle, Newell Searle, Maureen Smith, Roy Srp,
Craig Schuster, State Bank of New Richland, Harlan Stoehr, JoAnn Sutlief, Elaine Swenson, Leslie & Karen Tlougan, Waseca County News,
Eugene Welch, Janet R. Welch, Patricia Wuger, Stella Yamazaki, Allen County Public Library (Fort Wayne, IN), La Donna Baumann, Dan Beall,
Lucy Braulick, Barbara Britain, Doris Berger, Troy Carlson, Matthew Connor, Timothy Dolan, Vernon Ferch, Carol Hable, William R. Hawkins,
Benjamin Imker, Joanne Kearney, Diane Loeffler, Joe Manthey, Patricia Pearson, Carolyn Peterson, Edward Seljeskog, Doug Shepard, Daniel
Stahl, James Tetzloff, Harold M. Thiewes, Cindy Thompson, William Tully, Helen Turnquist, Bob Wertman, Keith Willis, William Cottrell
Lifetime Members
Mary Allen, Brown Printing, Wayne “Bumps” Brown, Gladys Brynildson, Gus Cooper,
Liz Corchran, Robert M. Dahl, Leo J. and Shirley Fette, First National Bank, Francis M. Fitzsimmons,
Donna Fostveit, Sigri Hecht, Margaret “Peggy” Hodgson Horner, Ronald J. Johnson, Richard Markus,

The Capital Campaign in 2008 & 2009
W e are extremely grateful for the incredible support
during the first year of the Waseca County 150th
Birthday Gift Campaign, but the reality is that we are in the
middle of only the second year of the campaign. There is still
another year and a half to go! And while we met the goal of the
campaign early, we must continue to fundraise to build our endowment
funds and to maintain operations. Therefore, building
our endowment funds is critical. Twenty-five years or more
from now, there will be a substantial income stream from the
Jerry and Linda Rutledge Charitable Remainder Trust (see page
1 article). But until then, we need to continue to grow our membership
and contributions. We want WCHS to always be here
for you, please consider "being here" for WCHS!
With this in mind, we are enclosing the pledge form to ask
those of you who did not participate in the 150th Birthday Gift
Campaign last year, to consider doing so now, or before the
end of 2008. Those of you
who gave last year may
want to add to your gift.
You may want to consider
other methods of charitable
giving, as Jerry and Linda
Rutledge have. If you have
questions regarding the
campaign, call Sheila Morris,
(507) 835-7700. If you
Waseca County Historical Society Endowment Funds
Year-End December 31, 2007
Administered by the Waseca Area Foundation and the Minnesota Community Foundation:
The Edgar F. and Ethel Johnson Fund $ 79,154.00
The Waseca County Historical Society Endowment Fund $ 50,377.00
The Phil Allen Fund $ 13,182.00
Benefits WCHS’s Bailey-Lewer Research Library only.
The Frank and Barbara Goodspeed Memorial Fund $ 32,299.00
The Jerry and Linda Rutledge Heritage Fund $115,447.00
The Wes and Carol Rethwill History Fund $ 25,000.00
TOTAL $315,459.00
1
have questions regarding Charitable Remainder Trusts, Waseca
Area Foundation Funds, setting up your own WAF fund, or any
other planned giving information, call Pat Abbe, Waseca Area
Foundation Executive Director, (507) 835-5990.
City Council Seeks Funding Changes
The Waseca City Council is rethinking their support for organizations
until now considered to be “outside funding”. These are
non-profit organizations that have contributed to the Waseca
quality of life for many years. These organizations have consistently
provided culture, programming, services for all age
groups in the Waseca area community and beyond.
At the May 27 work session of the Waseca City Council,
the discussion centered around dropping this funding and then
creating a community grant-making fund, tentatively to be
named the "Community Enhancement Fund." While guidelines
and criteria are yet to be written or approved, it seems that
WCHS will lose $8,000 in annual funding. Other non-profit
organizations that may be affected include the Senior Citizen
Center, the Neighborhood Service Center, Waseca Arts Council,
MVAC-Minnesota Valley Action Council, and the Chamber
of Commerce. And so we continue to struggle with funding
operations. Please let us and the Waseca City Council know
how you feel about this potential change. WCHS’s $8,000
funding represents .001% of the city budget. Is this city council
assuming our citizens don’t want the opportunities and
services that we and these other organizations provide?
The 0% levy may be a no-nonsense approach to managing
the city budget, but the lack of city support for
these organizations in our community would truly be
senseless! Call City Hall, 835-9700 or email the city
council—www.ci.waseca.mn.us
These six Foundation Funds— all benefit the
Waseca County Historical Society with interest
they generate. The principle amount will always
be maintained, never to be spent. The first endowment
fund established for WCHS was the
Edgar F. and Ethel Johnson Fund. The WCHS
Endowment Fund was started by our Board of
Directors and then Executive Director, Margaret
Sinn, with a substantial anonymous donation from
one of our members. The Phil Allen Fund was
established by his family and friends to specifically
benefit the Bailey-Lewer Research Library.
The Frank and Barbara Goodspeed Memorial
Fund was started by their niece, Dorothy
Moriarty. Our most generous fund came from
Jerry and Linda Rutledge in 2006. And our most
recent fund was started as a donation to the
150th campaign by Dr. Wes Rethwill, Jr. We are
so grateful to these individuals for the kind
of support that will last forever!

*Donation made in 2008
VISIONARY CIRCLE
Contributions of $10,000 and more
Dorothy Moriarty
First National Bank
Roundbank
Jerry and Linda Rutledge
Wes and Carol Rethwill History Fund
E.F. Johnson Foundation
(formerly NorAm Foundation)
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Contributions of $5,000 or more
Ruth and Rod Searle
Tim Penny
Jim and Moira Tippy
BENEFACTOR CIRCLE
Contributions of $1,000 or more
Gwen Buscho
Boyd and Patrice Abbe
Elaine Swenson
Boyd Fuller
Sigri Hecht
Henry & Phyllis Lewer
Jean and Ole Lundquist
Mel Strand
Bruce and Lorraine Wick
Don and Margaret Wynnemer
Minnesota Community Foundation
W. H. Rethwill, D.D.S.
Ronald J. Johnson
Leo J. and Shirley M. Fette
Lois and Robert Chaffin
Francis M. Fitzsimmons
Brown Printing*
McRaith Funeral Homes-Waseca/Janesville*
PATRONS
ADC
Allen, Mary L.
Alton Township
American Family Insurance*
Ames, Nanette Johnson
Armstrong, Wendell and Ruth
Arndt, Margie F.
Arvesen, Eileen
Associated Lumber Marts, Inc.
Bagne, Myrwood A.
Baker, Donna J.
Bean, Bruce W.
Benbow, Mary
Birds Eye
Blooming Grove Township
Born, Donald E.
Born, Suzanne
Boyer, Tim and Audra
Britton, Joe and Marjorie
Bushel Boy Farms
Byron, John
Carlson, Lorraine
Casey’s General Store
Century 21 First Choice
Charlie’s Hardware*
Chin, Harry
Clear Lake Press, Inc.
Clemons, Leta
Connors Plumbing
Connors, Brad and Trudi
Cooper, F.L. “Gus”
Corchran, Inc.
Corchran, Liz
Culligan Water
Cummins, Carol
DeLaitsch, Steve and Mary Jo
Dey, Dr. and Mrs. James
Dobberstein, Gary and Deb
Dorsey, Patricia McDonough
Draheim, Ardella
Dunn, Dave
Dunn, Jane
Edward D. Jones-Bill Groh
Emerson Network*
Espe, Charles and Kathy
Eustice, Esther
Everett, Willard R.
Ewert, Mr. and Mrs. Lavern A.
Fell, Carol and June
Feser, Lanae and Dale
Fischer, Larry and Marian
Fiske, Sam W. and Betty
Fitzsimmons, Williams and Sandra
Flathers, Elaine
Flood, Karen Hunt
Fog, Pete and Verna
Forrest, Dan
Forrest, Helen “Sally”
Frederick, Ed and Shirley
Frisk, Robert
Fruechte, Neil and Sharon
Fuller, Sherri Gebert
Gallagher, Bonnie
Gasner, Eunice
Gauger, Barbara
Gerding, Dr. James and Dodie
Goehring, Pam and Larry
Gores, Marjorie L.
Grant, Linda
Guentzel, Richard
Habein, Harold
Hagen, Tom and Nyla*
Haley, Sharon
Halstead, Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Halvorson, Mike and Jean
Harguth, Dorothy
Hasslen, Margaret
Hatle, Rodney
Hecht, Michael
Hoffman, Betty
Holmquist, Harlan
Horn, Jean
Horner, Peggy
Hoversten, Bill and Patti
Hoversten, Pearl
Hughes, Dan
Hunter, Robert
ICAN, Inc.-Tim and Tracy Jevning
Iverson, Audrey
Jackson, Carol and Tom
Janesville State Bank
Janesville Township
Jeddeloh, Irene
Jensen, Dan and Marlene 2
Jewison, Joe
Johnson, Jody
Johnson, Timothy
Johnson, Wendell and Elaine*
Jones, Karl R.
Kastelle, George and Darlene
Kastner, Bonnie and Rex
Katz, Ree
Kiesler, Barb and Kal
Kiesler, Steve and Belinda
King, Carolyn
King, Jim and Barb
King, Louise
King, Stafford and Julie
Klug, John and Mary
Knauss, Neil and Linda
Kolars, Jane
Kolpin, DDS, Rodney
Krause, Paul
Kritzer Oil Company*
Kuefner, Dennis and Sue
Lake Region Publications
Lakeshore Inn Nursing Home
Larson, Janette H. and Robert A.
Leach, Betsy
Lenz, Kenneth
Linde, Evelyn E.
Lynch, Darlene
Manthe, Lois
McCarthy, George and Jean
McIntire, Homer and Betty
Mediacom Communications Corp
Melcher’s Power-Vac., Inc.
Menke, Loraine
Merrill-Lynch
Miller, Donna
Miller, Emily
Miller, Jean
Miller, Lorraine
Miller, Paul J.
Morris, Rick and Sheila
Muellerleile, Dr. John and Kathy
Neidt, Millicent I.
Nelson, John
Nelson, Norma
Nelson, Richard and Carolyn
New Richland Historical Society
New Richland Township
Nibler, Ione Hilberg
O’Brien, Mike and Bea
Oelke, Neta
Otisco Township
Pantheon Computer Systems, Inc.*
Patton, Hoversten & Berg
Paulson, Ruth
Personalized Printing
Peterson, Arlene
Peterson, John L.
Pheasant Cafe
Prairie Dental Arts
Proechel, Bonnie
Purcell, Ron and Pat
Querna, Marie S.
Radio Shack*
Randall, Gyles and Carol
Rausch, Carol and Bill
Roesler, Bob and Marlene
Roesler, Neil
Rosenthal, Jeanette

Rosenthal Rolling Acres*
Ross, Jackie
Ross, Marge J.
Routh, Warren
Rudolph, Janet
Ruhland, Al and Kathy
Sahlstrom, Mary Lou
Salmon, Juliet
Schmidt Law Office, LTD
Schnorenberg, Ellen
Schoenfeld, Ruth
Schwarz, Mert and Elaine
Selvik, Luella
Sheeran, Bob and Betty
Shields, Joel and Janet & family
Smith, Keith and Wilda
St. Mary Township
Staley, Jayne and Darrell
State Bank of New Richland
State Farm Insurance
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric
Steidler, Tom and Marlene
Stoehr, Harlan and Marlene
Suburban Furniture
Sutlief, JoAnn and Delency
Swain, Amy and Will
Swenson, Dan
Teskey, Marilyn and John
Tlougan, Les and Karen
Tuttle, Dorothy
United Prairie Bank
Velett, Laurie Schroeder
Walmart Stores, Inc.
Waseca Co. News/Mainstream Publications*
Waseca Floral
Waseca Medical Center
Waseca Optometric
Welch, Janet R.*
Wells Fargo Bank
Wendland, Helen
West, Dr. R. Leland
West, Melissa
West, Tom and Francie
Westrum, Richard and Elaine*
WHS & SHHS Class of 1947
Wildgrube, Beverly
Wilkus, John and Marilyn
Wilton Township
Winegar, Inc.
Wobschall, Carol*
Woodville Township
Wright, Myrna
Wuger, Patricia
Youngberg, Manley
Zimmerman, Jim
Zwach, Don and Fran
2007 MEMORIALS
In memory of Robert McIntire
by Donna Fostveit and Margaret Sinn
In memory of John Pfeifer
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Michael Jellum
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Marlene Felber
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Arlene Bosacker
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Daphne Olson
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Keith Dibble
by Keith and Wilda Smith
In memory of Loren Hecht
by the Hecht family members
by Donna Fostveit
by Eunice Gasner
by Lola and I. F. Roesler
by Dorothy Tuttle
by Margaret Sinn
by Bruce and Sherry Jones
by Ruth Paulson
by Cletus and Rita Wendinger
In memory of David Hoversten
by Pearl Hoversten
In memory of Tippy Weckwerth
by Donna Fostveit
by Pauline Fenelon
by many friends
by Rev. Myrwood A. Bagne
In memory of Burton Quast
by Doris Berger and Rural School District 73
In memory of Lyle Nelemans
by Henry and Phyllis Lewer
In memory of Richard Earl Wright
by Myrna Wright
In memory of Jerome E. Schnorenberg
by Ellen Schnorenberg
In memory of Jeannette Krause
by Jane Kolars
In memory of Howard Sahlstrom
by Mary Lou Sahlstrom
In memory of Dr. Harold E. and Irma Lorenz
by Dr. James and Dodie Gerding
In memory of William and Bridget Cahill
by Tom and Carol Jackson
In memory of John Kunnelius
by Zita Mittelstaedt
by Marilyn Teskey
In memory of L. J. and Augusts Sheldon
by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Halstead
In memory of Roderick Joyce
by Jayne and Darrell Staley
In memory of Robert Felber
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Elizabeth Noetzel
by Donna Fostveit
by the Noetzel family members—Larry Stenzel
family, Beverly Thrond, John and Helen Herman,
Lloyd and Rosie Slipp, Rosamond Miller,
Dick and Barb Stenzel, Tom Otto family, Dan
and Betty Stenzel, Jean and Clem Stenzel, Carmen
and Dave Meyer, Mark and Leah Stenzel,
Ron and Wanda Stenzel, Pat and Joan Stenzel,
Mary and Steven Thrond, Ann and Lee Roberts,
Janet and Art Stenzel
by Jan Jackson
by Ruth and Ron Quade
by Wayland and Lucy Madson
by Mike Morrissey
by Tina and Chuck Madson
In memory of Dorothy Hanna
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Dr. Al Rieck
by Donna Fostveit
3
In memory of Archie Lortis
by Donna Fostveit
by Janet Noetzel Stenzel
by Neta Oelke
In memory of Ida Mokoff
by Phyllis Lewer
In memory of B.G. Oelke
by Neta Oelke
In memory of Myron Sell
by Betty Hoffman
In memory of Jacqueline Guse
by Pearl Hoversten
In memory of Robert A. Ross
by Marge J. Ross
In memory of Kennard Kanne
by Pearl Hoversten
by Eunice Gasner
In memory of Wilma Roesler
by Linda Grant
In memory of Arthur A. and Rose K. Johnson,
And Marion Johnson
by Nanette Johnson Ames
In memory Jim Corchran
by Maria “Liz” Corchran
In memory of Vern Carlson
by Michael and Bea O’Brien
by Donna and Al Miller
by Lorraine Carlson
by Debra Chambers
In memory of Ralph and Wilma Roesler
by Bob and Marlene Roesler
In memory of David Somers
by Paul and Selma Reb
In memory of Allyne Stewart
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Wes Bryant
by Donna Fostveit
by Allen Bryant, Anita Tesch, Barbara
Bryant, and Howard Bryant
In memory of Charlie Gigeay
by Esther Eustice
by Donna Fostveit
In memory of Gayle Gardner
by Donna Fostveit
by Joe and Marj Britton
In memory of Bobb Cummins
By Donna Fostveit
In memory of Harry Iverson
by Esther Eustice
In memory of Barb Penny
by Tim Penny
In memory of Jeanne McGuire
by Joe and Marj Britton
2007 HONORARIUMS
In honor of Margaret Sinn’s retirement
by Silvan Durben
In honor of The WHS & SHHS Class of 1947
by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Halstead
In honor of The Gatzman family
by Jean Bunch
In honor of Willard Everett’s birthday
by Louise King, Carolyn King, Betsy Leach,
Stafford King, and Mary Benbow

The Townships: 150 Years of Grassroots Government
Alton, Blooming Grove, Byron, Freedom, Iosco, Janesville, New Richland,
Otisco, St. Mary, Vivian, Wilton, Woodville
"The surveyors, as they are respectively qualified,
shall proceed to divide said territory into townships of
six miles square, by lines running due north and south,
and others crossing these at right angles, as near as
may be, unless where the boundaries of the late Indian
purchases may render the same impracticable, and then
they shall depart from this rule no further than such
particular circumstances may require. … As soon as
seven ranges of townships and fractional parts of
townships, in the direction from south to north shall
have been surveyed, the geographer shall transmit
plats thereof to the board of treasury, who shall record
the same, with the report in well bound books to be
kept for that purpose."
he rectangular survey system was enacted by the
T Land Ordinance Act of 1787. Now known as the
Public Land Survey System, this system divided the western
lands into grid-shaped townships and sections. Surveyed
land was sold by the government, providing important
revenue for the cash-starved nation. Previous to the
Public Land Survey System, land was surveyed using a
confusing landmark-based system called metes and
bounds. The Public Land Survey System is coordinatebased,
with all distances and bearings made from northsouth
running meridians and east-west base lines. The
largest subdivision of land is the Public Land Survey
Township (as opposed to political township), and measures
six miles square. Each township is comprised of 36
sections, and each section has an area of one square mile
(640 acres).
Numbering
System: Public
Land Survey
Townships are
named systematically
by the
township and
range numberingsystem.
This system
is based on
the location of
an initial point. Initial points occur at the intersection of a
principal meridian and a base line. Each township is
named by a township number, which indicates its northsouth
position of the base line, and a range number, which
indicates its east-west position of the principal meridian.
4
In Minnesota, township
numbers east of the
Mississippi indicate position
north of the Galena
Base Line. Township numbers
west of the river indicate
position north of the
Clarendon Base Line.
Range numbers indicate
position east or west of the
4 th Principal Meridian, or
west of the 5 th Principal
Meridian.
Public Land Survey
Townships are subdivided
into 36 sections, each section
being approximately 1
mile by 1 mile in dimension.
Section corners and
section-quarter corners
were marked by posts or
other monuments.
Sections are
numbered from 1 to 36
and are labeled in a
switchback pattern.
Each section can be
divided into four quarters:
NW, NE, SW, and
SE. Each quarter is
160 acres, and these
areas too can be subdivided
into NW, NE,
SW, and SE quarters.
1858—Townships, Flooding,
and Statehood!
Waseca County was actually
formed on February 27, 1857
when Minnesota was still a
territory. Some of the first
acts of business of the new
Minnesota county were to
organize the townships and appoint the judges of election.
On April 5, 1858, the following townships came into being:
Okaman (changed to Janesville one month later),
Iosco, Blooming Grove, Woodville, St. Mary, Wilton,
Otisco, and Vivian. One month later on May 11, Minne-

Alex McColley wore his
St. Mary Township t-shirt to the
opening—he purchased it at the
Waseca County Fair last summer!
5
sota became the nation’s 32nd state of the union. On May
17, Okaman was changed to Janesville. On November 1,
New Richland was organized first as Norway, then changed
to New Richland; and Byron. Freedom and Alton Townships
would not be organized until 1864 after the Winnebago
or Hochunk tribes were moved and the reservation
lands were made available for sale to settlers. By 1864 Waseca
County had 12 townships identical in size, surveyed
and marked with 36 sections. In those early days each
township board had a meeting place in Section 16--the center
of each township.
Dealing with the county finances dominated the first
half of the county agenda, but by July and August 1858 the
weather caught everyone’s attention. It was said that storm
after storm raged through the county flooding settlers along
the Le Sueur River bottom lands. Trees were washed out,
fences torn down, hay and grain stacks carried downstream.
Wheat, oat, potato, corn and garden crops were lost; and of
course, food and livelihood for the coming year was gone.
Crop destruction created such incredible deprivation that
many settlers gave up and left. But those who stayed created
one of the most agriculturally rich counties in the entire
state. In later years Waseca County set records for various
crop production per acre—wheat, corn, soybeans.
Township government is truly “grassroots government.”
It was the beginning of how we were all going to
live together in this new land. It was the beginning of how
we would take care of each other, provide for the good of
all--creating the roads and bridges to get crops to market. It
was the beginning of making choices for ourselves in a free
society where that is possible. Opportunities were everywhere
for those willing to work at it. Providing food, services,
goods, transportation, churches, were all immediately
necessary for survival.
WCHS’s Townships exhibit is divided into the 12 individual
townships histories, photographs, stories and artifacts.
The centerpiece of each is a copy of the original survey
plat maps created between 1848 and 1857 by the U.S.
Surveyor General of Iowa and Wisconsin, headquartered in
Dubuque, IA. The narratives about the beginnings of each
township, the early settlers and officials were originally
researched and written by Donna Fostveit and published in
the Waseca County 1879 Plat Book. At the beginning of the
exhibit is an assortment of items that new immigrants and
settlers may have had with them traveling to the new territory
in the 1850s-- “What would you bring with you, leaving
home forever, to make a new home in unknown territory?”
The survey maps are available online through the collaboration
by the Minnesota State Archives of MHS, the
Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Office of
the Secretary of State, the Department of Administration’s
Land Management Information Center and the
Minnesota Association of County Surveyors.

Visit: www.lmic.state.mn.us/glo/
But come to the museum to see the entire exhibit extended
through July 18 at the museum, and then partial
exhibit at the Waseca County Fair, Hodgson
Hall, July 23-27!
In Minnesota, township government is alive and well,
with nearly 1800 townships in the state. But did you know
that there are only about 12 states in the United States that
still have any form of township government? And the
only state that has more townships than Minnesota is
Pennsylvania. It happens that our townships came into
Waldorf celebrates Centennial!
Early History of Waldorf, Minnesota
T he village of Waldorf, located in Vivian Township
of Waseca County will celebrate its Centennial on August
1-3, 2008. The Waseca County Historical Society will
feature a display of Waldorf history, photos and memorabilia
during August and September commemorating the 100 th anniversary
of the Waldorf village formation.
In 1905, the settlement known as Plum Valley, due to the
density of plum trees lining the nearby creek banks, had been
built on land deeded by Samuel Hodgkins to the Plum Valley
Creamery Association to build a creamery and school, and a
village evolved around them. Many residents believed the new
town should be named “Hodgkins” in his honor, and even the
newly built railroad had printed that name on its first schedules
when it first reached the village in 1907.
When the Federal Post Office was established in the new
village later in 1907, the plaque on the new depot named it
“Waldorf.” The
reason for the
change has been
lost in history. But
the official dedication
took place on
July 29, 1908. By
the end of 1920,
Waldorf was incorporated
as a
legal village and
held elections on December 8, 1920. W. F. Pofahl was elected
as the first mayor; Hugo Ewert, the treasurer; Perle Lindeman,
the clerk; A. Krause, P. Deneffe and G. Pream, the council; H.
W. Bluhm, the assessor; J. Cadell and H. Olinger, the constables;
and R. Wadell, the first village justice.
Written and compiled by Judy Joecks as found in “A Touch of Waldorf
History,” published in 1999. Excerpted by Pauline Fenelon, 5/27/08.
6
Waldorf, Minnesota— c. early 1900s