THE ‘NEW’ OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION MEETS

Descendents of Pope County’s original settlers met last week at the Pope County Museum’s Pioneer Room. Some 10 county residents whose families founded the area as far back as 1865 gathered to reminisce and do preliminary planning for re-forming what was once an active and positive influence in the community, the Old Settlers Association.

The association had been initiated at or around 1900. Earliest newspaper accounts relate to an annual picnic held in the Glenwood City Park in the summer of 1904. At that time, early settlers were slowly passing away and local historians were concerned that their stories and recollections of the founding years and early events of Pope County were not being preserved. In order to generate interest in the club and perpetuate the history of the county, descendents of the early families held a two-day event filled with activities and highlighted by a reunion picnic. At that time there were a few basic guidelines for membership, the most stringent being that one had to have settled in Pope County in the 1860’s and early 70’s.

The group’s membership began to dwindle in the late 1920’s and a call was again put out to rejuvenate the effort. The membership requirements were relaxed to allow those that had been in the county for at least 45 years to participate. A humorous recollection was noted in one of the Glenwood Herald’s 1930 accounts of the annual meeting. E.M. Webster, [whose 1902 law and retail building still stands on East Minnesota Ave. in Glenwood and is occupied by ABF] was denied original membership to the organization. He was told that he had not come early enough to qualify. He had come to the county in “only 1873” and was “overwhelmingly told by the organization that he was not an old settler”.

But in 1929, Mr. Webster was instrumental in helping regenerate interest into a ‘new’ Old Settlers Association and was later elected its President. Another who was very key to the creation of a new and active organization was Simon Swenson of Blue Mounds Township [Grandfather of Sylvia Hoven of Glenwood]. Swenson, a resident since 1867, was appointed Secretary. Other officers were H.C. Estby of Cyrus, and H.L. Gorder of White Bear. A reunion picnic committee was selected and it included Theo. Ogdahl, T.T. Ofsthun. B.H. Holte and A.O. Lysen. Some descendents of these gentlemen still reside in Pope County. In fact, some of the present day descendents have already been contacted about the re-formation of the association. Some were involved in last weeks meeting.

Those that met last week included Marian Falkner, [whose late husband George Falkner’s Grandfather came in 1868], Pat Dalager, [Dalager & Cooley- 1866], Delores Ewing, Ann [Ogdahl] Grandy, Lynette [Nygaard] Lien, Lien 1885 & Nygaard 1876, Steve Nestor [Aune/ Benson/ Baalson –1881], Bill Churchill [1880], Marge Engebretson [husband Han’s family- 1867] and Pope County Museum Director Merlin Peterson [1866].

These and others have decided to re-form the once active historical preservation group and informally operate as a support group for not only the Museum and it’s endeavors, but also as a volunteer network for other historically oriented groups and projects throughout the county. Members will be found from all townships and villages to renew the spirit of the original association to perpetuate and insure the preservation of the county’s history. Recent efforts to solicit and gather old photos and artifacts have been producing responses from the public. Old phone books from early Starbuck have been brought in; some photos from the founding years of the Minnewaska Golf Course have been located. Have you checked your closets lately? The committee wants to insure that the entire county is involved and that every effort is made to create a spirit of cooperation and involvement by all. Public awareness of the value and importance of the Museum, or to the worth of photos, artifacts and historic landmarks, and most importantly, to the priceless access and limited window of opportunity to personal recollections and memories will be promoted.

Those that are interested in joining the Old Settlers efforts are asked to contact the Committee at 634-3257 or nestor@akeva.com . Members are required to be a descendent of a family who settled or came to Pope County prior to 1899. Whether a direct descendent or married to one, makes no matter, all are welcome. Historians and genealogists interested in contributing should inquire as well.

An Old Settlers Reunion Picnic is being planned for the summer of 2006 and the group has already pledged it’s support to the Pope County Museum to assist in next year’s events planned to highlight and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Historical Society. In fact some are assisting in next months ‘Christmas at the Museum” on Thursday December 1st from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.

Look for more information in coming editions of the Pope County Tribune and also Thursdays at 12:30 on ‘Museum Notes’ on KMGK 107.1 FM radio. For more Pope County History information, check out www.popecountyhistory.com.

The Pope County Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Call 320-634-3293 for group and or tour information. Be a part of History, be a member of the Pope County Historical Society. Join today?

RESEARCH TEAMWORK PAYS OFF!

  Glenwood, Minnesota – August 15, 2005  Today the Pope County Museum is proud to announce that through the persistent and effective research of local historians a building which had long been thought destroyed has been located.

  Though not the finding of King Tut’s Tomb or the Lost Dutchman’s Mine, to local historians it’s just as rewarding of a discovery. Recent efforts to identify and ‘pin point’ the location of several 1876 Glenwood structures has been undertaken by the Museum. The buildings are included in a booklet of photos taken in August of 1876, the Nation’s Centennial year, by a photographer from Alexandria named Trenham. Thanks to donors through the years, a few of the booklets are on file at the Museum. Merlin Peterson had recently shown the historic photos to Steve Nestor, who was doing research on area History in preparation for the new Pope County History website. [www.popecountyhistory.com].

  The booklet contains 25 post card size snap shots of Glenwood businesses and residences. There were a few buildings that were not taken, but not many more. The series of photos was run most recently in the Pope County Tribune during the Bi-Centennial year of 1976. In September of 1982 the subject of these photos was again touched upon in a Tribune article by Jeanne Olson, then a Tribune staff writer, it noted one of the houses “linked to the past” was still standing. The Dr. J. G. Whittemore House, on South Franklin, then owned by Blanche Scott was in the middle of a bit of a turmoil. The Glacial Ridge Hospital was making plans to build an assisted living complex and the house was to be torn down.

  Although at the time of the article it was noted that the historic home would remain, later Tribune articles show the structure being demolished to make way for Ridgewood Villa.

  At the time of the story, it was thought that the ‘Whittemore House’ was not only the oldest, but the last structure of its era in Glenwood. Built in 1871, it was the oldest, but today’s research shows it was not the last of the era !

  In passing one day while doing research on the various photos, one of which was the Whittemore House, Steve Nestor related to local historian and University of Minnesota Humanities Professor Dallas Ouren of his project. Ouren, a long time Pope County History chronicler and critic, told Nestor that he had once seen another photo of one of the residences in the collection and that on it, was a note saying the structure “had been moved”. Ouren also recalled that he believed it said “to Green Street”.

  For those of you who are not aware, in the late 1960’s in order to simplify local public safety and fire protection communications, Glenwood City officials renamed most every street and avenue in the community, with Minnesota and Franklin being the exceptions. Names such as Cedar, Birch, Devonshire, State, Court, Chestnut, Rice, Lincoln, Pearl, Oak, Myrtle, Maple, Ann, Kimball, Randolph, and Green gave way to First Street, Second Ave, Third and Fourth and so on. Simpler? More organized, but certainly not as appealing. Oh, by the way the previous list was all the streets at the time of the original plat of the city in 1866. Surveyor and city developer Kirk J. Kinney had selected these names.

  The residence in question was the Thorson House. In the picture taken by Trenham, the house sits all alone and appears to be facing north [shadows help position the subjects in the photo]. Ouren had noted that he and local historian Jim Gloege both believed the home originally sat on the present site of the Ann Bickle Heritage House and was moved to a location just a block away. Ouren and Gloege, both graduates of Glenwood High school in the mid to late 50’s, lived away from Glenwood, Ouren while at the University during the ‘school months’ and Gloege was until his recent retirement in Hollywood. Neither had been able to put enough time into the project and until now had left it for ‘another day’.

  So the task at hand was to prove that theory and substantiate it best one could with significant evidence. So with the great assistance of the Pope County Museum staff, timely support from the Pope County Recorder’s Office, Nestor began the search for supportive data and records.
Early research was hampered by several minor ‘educational set backs’. That is, one needs to learn the fundamental system at both institutions and then weave the trail through various records, tax lists and historic notations. For example the lot in which the home was once suspected of occupying, is in the Thorson Addition of the Village of Glenwood. However, that Addition did not exist on the original city plat of 1866. In fact, a few years later it was known as the Libby Addition. But that was vacated before 1876. Once finding the home site as being owned by Tory Thorson and it’s location in the Thorson Addition all seemed well and good. But, parts of the Thorson Addition were also later vacated and the spot in question for the relocation was in that vacated section. So on to another plat. In reviewing the next progression of additions, the Prospect Park plat became the proper area of note. That document shows the lot in question. So back to the tax records and lists presently housed at the Pope County Museum.

  These records began at the time of the cities original plat in 1866 and run through 1946. They contain all the land ownership tax lists and personal property lists for all of Pope County. All villages and townships are included. The records were previously housed at the Courthouse in the Recorder’s Office, but space demands and recent remodeling meant the records required a new home or be tossed out. Hence the procurement by the Museum and thanks to them, today they are a priceless resource for research and public record.

  By using the records, you can identify who owned the property and by evaluation rates note when structures were placed etc. Early lots showed values of $10.00, but with a modest home perhaps $275.00. Such was the case with the lots in question. Prior to 1913, the lot where the home was suspected to have been moved showed no structure and by 1914, there was one there. To prove the house was moved, not constructed, was the next challenge.

  Tory Thorson passed away in 1899. He had immigrated to Dane County Wisconsin at the age of nine with his Norwegian parents in 1855. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in 1861 - Co. B, Second Wisconsin Cavalry. They left for Missouri in Dec. of ’61. He fought in several of the hardest battles of the war, including Vicksburg, fighting in Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, & Alabama. They fought against the Confederates, including Hood and Lee until Sept of 1865. He served with distinction and was honorably discharged in 1865 and soon thereafter came to Pope County and in 1869 he married. [His first wife Olena Nordhus passed away in 1881.] They had one daughter and two sons. It was during this period that they built the ‘Thorson House’, a two story frame house, “the finest home” in Glenwood in 1876.

  During the course of Mr. Thorson’s life, he served as deputy county treasurer, postmaster, clerk of court, justice of the peace and judge of probate. He was vice-president of one the first banks, and later helped form the Little Falls Railroad and for years served as an officer and right of way agent. A man of honor and much public admiration, Thorson passed away in 1899 at the early age of 52.
In 1893, Tory had remarried, to Mary Quam of Barsness Township. Upon Tory’s death, Mary moved back to the ‘home place’ with her parents and later for 18 years with her brother Andrew and family in their “new home” on the south shore of Lake Ben.

  The Thorson House was sold to Hans and May Larson in 1902. They owned it until 1904 when they sold it to Alice Cox. Mrs. Cox, born in Devonshire England in 1846 came originally with her parents to Canada. She was married there in 1866 to Edwin Cox, also from England, and soon after homesteaded in Reno Township in Pope County. Edwin one of Pope County’s early pioneers and prominent farmers, a Civil War Vet himself, later became a State Legislator. He died in 1891, but Mrs. Cox and family continued on the homestead and with the help of her boys she kept it up. After 30 years she moved to Lowry and then in 1904 bought the Thorson House and moved to Glenwood. In 1913 she sold the house to Francis J. Bickle and then moved to Washington D.C. to live with her son. Alice later died in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. She and her husband are buried in the Reno Cemetery.

  Mr. Bickle, a railroad engineer, was recently married and had intentions of building the finest home in Glenwood for his new bride, Flora Drake, whom he had met in Minneapolis. They too, were both of English descent.

  So in 1913, he sold the structure to G.M. Hitchcock, a local contractor and house mover. Hitchcock moved the house to its present location. Mr. Bickle then proceeded with his plans and promptly contracted the new home to be constructed. Notes of the 1914 Glenwood Herald Christmas issue, which presented a ‘parade of homes’ and account of the new additions to Glenwood’s skyline noted several new homes being completed in 1914, such as the Callaghan, Greaves and Loomis homes, to mention a few. They ranged in price from $3500.00 - $4000.00. However, Mr. Bickle’s home, built for his new bride Flora, cost $8000.00 ! It still stands today, thanks to the concerted and dedicated efforts of the Ann Bickle House Foundation members. Ann Bickle was Francis’s second wife. And therein another story for another day will have to wait.

  The Thorson House was then moved and set upon a new foundation on “Green Street”, just a few doors East and ‘up the block’ behind the present Bickle House. Mr. Hitchcock and his wife occupied it for a few years, later sold it to Jim Blair and later it was known as the ‘Limperich’ house. Others who have owned it include Harold Kvale. Today it is owned by Dan Guggisberg, local manager of his family's Echo Water Conditioning Co. Some years ago it was made into a duplex. Although the roof overhangs are different today and one chimney has been removed, the appearance of the home is much the same as it was in the 1870’s.

  Due to the total cooperation and assistance of Guggisberg, Nestor has been able to check the structure for significant architectural details that help prove the authenticity of the historical data. For example the basement shows that the house was moved and later reflects usage of three different eras of lumber. The original rough sawn lumber of the era is evident and floor joists made from ripped and split logs are still in place. New dimension lumber was later used to install a suspended ceiling, but open areas allow the 1870’s timbers to be viewed along side steel trusses used to move the structure and rough sawn timbers as well.

  Nestor and Gloege returned to snap a few photos and survey the floor construction on a second visit. On a third visit, Nestor, with Guggisberg’s permission, viewed the attic area of the home. One of the present tenants had checked and evidence was there to show where the second chimney had been. When surveying the repaired chimney areas and end gables, square nails were discovered. These type ‘B’ nails were generally used between 1820 and 1890. They were eventually replaced by soft wire nails the type we are accustomed to today. Predominantly they were phased out as early as 1880 in rural areas, when hardware stores became more prevalent and shipments were received on a more routine and regular basis. This type of nail is machine made, although still square, it’s edges are less ragged than earlier ‘guillotine chopped’ nails and their heads are regular. The earlier type ‘A’ nails have their heads put on by hand and when compared, show varied shapes and differences. This find clearly dates the house and the era of construction.

  Other associated facts used were items as simple as Mr. G.M. Hitchcock’s advertising in the Glenwood Herald during these years, ads for his business of contracting and house moving. Articles of him moving buildings were also found in the Herald.

  The Hitchcocks later moved to Wisconsin. But upon their passing, both were returned to Glenwood and were buried in the Glenwood City Cemetery next to their infant daughter who had passed away in 1906.

  What the future will bring to the Thorson House is entirely in the hands of the present owner and the community. Mr. Guggisberg is not only excited about owning this truly historic home, but even indicated his interest in preserving it and perhaps when repairs are required he would consider extending and reshaping the gables to reflect the homes once architectural uniqueness. A house that is some 130 years old deserves such consideration. As Jim Gloege was quoted in the 1982 article when the Whittemore House was about to be torn down, “.... the house is much more than a house. It’s Glenwood’s story.” Those words echo today and some 130 years after our nation’s centennial, when the original photos were taken, we now have a second chance to preserve and celebrate our history.

Data compiled with the assistance and guidance of the Pope County Museum and History Center’s staff. A special thanks goes to Johanna Henke of the Pope County Recorder’s Office, as well as Darby Bowen and staff. Much appreciation and thanks to Dallas Ouren for his recollections and factual contributions. Jim Gloege’s support and expertise on local and area history is greatly appreciated as well.

If you’d like to learn more about the history of Pope County or it’s development why not give the Museum a visit. For more information and details on this home and or your own home or building contact the Pope County Museum @ 320-634-3293.

The Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

A new program is now available at the Center, an historic photo display and reproduction of the history of area businesses and homes can be purchased by area residents, by business owners or employees for display in your home, business or office.