Life was challenging and often brief for Houston County pioneers, as early as the 1850s. The two earliest recorded deaths in Jefferson Township, the most southeastern township in the county, occurred in 1856, both accidental. Rev. Leonard Sharp, a Protestant Campbellite, had been preaching in Winnebago valley as early as 1854, perished below a falling tree in January, 1856. In … [Read more...]

Part two of a two-part series When making house calls, Dr. Giles James Sheldon would stay until the crisis was over. The first medical doctor in Houston County, Minnesota, was known to stay at the home of a patient overnight or even several days. In 1861, he remained with one patient from November 22 to December 2. The doctor left a handwritten journal that provides an … [Read more...]

Norwegian immigrants in southeastern Minnesota lived in mostly one-room dwellings “so tight that air is almost excluded.” Light came only through one window. Wrapped in woolen blankets, they kept as warm as possible around a large wood-burning stove. That was the observation of a doctor that made house calls during the 1860s while visiting the Gunderson family in Crystal Valley … [Read more...]

Final part six of a series It’s said that Isadora Duncan, the world-famous dancer, wrote a letter to Bernard Shaw saying, “You and I should have a child who would inherit my beauty and your brains.” The whiskered playwright is reported to have replied. “Miss Duncan, I am flattered, but just suppose the child should inherit your brains and my beauty.” Sister Agnes Hafner … [Read more...]

Part five of a series Three boys were arguing whose dad was the best. “My dad can take a scrap of paper, jot down a few notes, call it a poem and get $50.” Second boy: “My dad can jot down a few notes, call it a song and gets $100.” Third boy: “My dad jots down a few words, calls it a sermon, and it takes EIGHT people to collect all the money!” Sister Agnes Hafner … [Read more...]

Part four of a series  Little Willie rushed into the house, excitedly exclaiming, “Mother, I just saw a man making a horse! Mother told him that was not possible. Willie replied, Well, anyway, I just saw him tacking on the feet!” Sister Agnes Hafner included many jokes when publishing her recollections of growing up on a Houston County Farm in the early 1930s. She noted … [Read more...]

Part three of a series The Pastor wrote to his bishop, “I am sorry to tell you about the death of my wife. Can you arrange to send me a substitute for the weekend?” Sister Mary Hafner included many jokes when she published her collection of childhood reminiscences. During the early 1930s, there was a predictable weekly rhythm to life on farms in Houston … [Read more...]

Part two of a series begun in June, 2022 A certain man wanted to be the next Secretary of Transportation and phoned President Calvin Coolidge at 3 a.m. and said, “President, your Secretary of Transportation just died and I’d like to take his place.” Coolidge, aroused from sleep, replied, “It’s OK with me if it’s OK with the undertaker.” That was one of many jokes … [Read more...]

Second part of a two-part series “It is a wise move and not a moment too soon,” according to The Houston Valley Signal newspaper published on January 25, 1883, “A call has been issued for a meeting at the Hall Saturday evening to organize a Fire Company. Any day might witness a fire that would sweep the best part of Houston away in an hour. Due precaution would do much to … [Read more...]

Part one of a series They depended on flames in the 1880s and 1890s. Wood-fueled stoves were almost always used for cooking, and during long Minnesota winters, wood was burned to heat buildings. After dark, light came from oil-burning lamps. A fire getting out of control was feared but unfortunately, a common occurrence. “Lookout for fires these cold, windy days and nights,” … [Read more...]