Sheridan County heritage '76: a bicentennial project

• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: North Dakota State Library
• Subjects: Balfour; Evelyn; Granville; Helgeland; Homestead; Matz; Norway; Skogmo; Sunnyside; Ruff
• Online Access: http://cdm16921.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/ndsl-books/id/42902

the prairies were like. This house was fixed up and the family moved into it. A school was organized with 9 pupUs attending. One of the settler's wives was the teacher. The desks were all made out of anything available, big cracker boxes, wagon seats, etc. The families brought their old books from home. School was held only in the summer time. This district was named the Kickapoo School District after a river in Wisconsin and it is still called by this name. Ferdinand Dieterle Ferdinand Dieterle was born in Klostitz, South Russia, October 13, 1879. Margaretha Ruff was born in Friedensthal, Bessarabia, South Russia, December 6, 1879. Ferdinand and Margaretha were united in marriage on November 11, 1901. They arrived in Harvey, N.D. on January 20, 1902. For several months they made their home with the Gottlieb Henne family near Harvey, N.D. In the spring of 1902 they homesteaded seventeen miles north of McClusky in Granville Township. Their home for the first few months was a hole dug in the ground, with a roof made of branches and sod. They soon got busy clearing rocks and tilling the sod. Seven children were born to this union, five sons and two daughters. One son died in infancy. Those Uving are: Rueben, Sunnyside, Wash.; Arthur, Lodi, Calif.; David, rural Drake, N.D.; Hsnry, rural Kief, N.D.living on the homestead; Anna (Mrs. John Suckert), rural McClusky, N.D.; Hilda, (Mrs. Harold Matz), Goodrich, N.D. Towns were few and far between at that time with the nearest one being Anamoose. They were both active in church and community affairs. Dad Dieterle passed away at the age of sixty-three, on April 15, 1943. Mother lived to be nearly eighty- seven. She passed away October 15, 1966. The Dieterle farm is stUl a good place to go, just to relax and reminisce. Nels Person As told by Mrs. Henry Dieterle Nels Person ( Dec. 30, 1880-July 27, 1950) left his home land In Varmland, Sweden in 1903. He settled in Wells County later homesteading in Highland Township, in the year 1908. Jensine P. Jensen (April 14, 1882-March 22, 1943) left Helgeland, Norway with her parents in 1903. She joined members of the fam.'.ly in Balfour, N.D, Later, Jensine homesteaded in Byersville Township, McLean County in 1906. Her cousin, the late Mrs. John Lindblom, homesteaded a tract of land next to hers, enabling them to share many unusual experiences and enduring countless hardships together. Jensine Jensen was married to Nels Person at Balfour, N.D. on Sept. 12, 1909, they became the parents of six children. Their son, Lloyd resides on the homestead In Highland Township, and five daughters. They are: Palma Jacobs, Bremerton, Wash.; Lillian King, San Diego, Calif.; Ruth Person, Bremerton, Wash.; Al- fliild Dieterle, rural Kief, N.D.; Evelyn Wright, Marys- ville, Wash. Our parents first worshipped with a Lutheran congregation in the community of ByersvLle and later the West Scandia Lutheran Church of Skogmo. They came from lands abundant with trees, so naturally, one of their first tasks was that of planting trees around their "claim shanties". There were many happy and fruitful years as well as those of hardships. The winters were often long and cold, with an abundance of snow. We remember our father telling us of the time he and a neighbor traveled on snow shoes to the Skogma Store. There was a spirit of friendliness and concern for one another. We owe much to all the pioneers. They were strong, God fearing people, who will remain an inspiration to future generations. Frederick Brown Dr. Fredrick Brown was a pioneer doctor in McClusky and became a physician and surgeon in 1908. He served as county coroner and also as Supt. of the Board of Health. Dr. Brown weathered many hardships in his work without the modern facilities. Dr. Hugo Neukamp Dr. Hugo Neukamp came in 1909 also as a physician and served as Supt. of the Board of Health. Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited in Multi-page TIFF Editor.