On This Date in Minnesota History: April 7

April 7, 1920 – Property owners of Lake Minnetonka today began organizing a delegation to urge upon the State Board of Health at its meeting next Tuesday, the necessity of immediate action toward removal of a hog ranch on Superior Boulevard, said to be a public nuisance. At the January meeting, the complainants said, the board postponed definite action until its April session. Before the hot spell sets in, many property owners are anxious to obtain action that will eliminate obnoxious odors, said to come from the ranch and that make automobile travel to Minnetonka points unpleasant.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Minnetonka Residents Want Hog Ranch Moved”; April 8, 1920; p. 8.

Lake Minnetona

http://www.lakeplace.com/about/lake-minnetonka/lake-lots

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         

Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.

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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 6

April 6, 1992 – “The 1992 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball.” The championship game was played on this date in Minneapolis, Minn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_NCAA_Men's_Division_I_Basketball_Tournament

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/postseason/1992-ncaa.html

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         

Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.

Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 5

April 5, 1917 – Mrs. Ida May Riley, a widow of Elk River, Minn., 55 years old, is no slacker. She is also no pacifist. She has three sons of military age and today she took these three sons to the railroad station at Elk River, kissed them goodbye and sent them to Uncle Sam with only one regret, that her one boy who stayed at home was three years too young to serve with his older brothers.

The Riley brothers, brawny and red-haired, appeared at the Naval Recruiting Station downtown Minneapolis today, and all were accepted. This evening they were on their way to the Great Lakes Training Station. They are William J., 27 years old, Nels G., 26 years old, and Frank B., 18 years old.

Navy Recruiting Poster¹

The Riley brothers were born with a fighting strain, their mother said today, and will uphold the family tradition.  “My father served four years in the union army and my husband also served in the Civil War,” she said. “With that example to follow, I felt that if the country needed my sons, it would have them and I didn’t need to urge them to go. My husband died when the oldest child was 16, and there were nine in all, five girls and four boys, and all of them are living. I am glad the navy accepted all three of the boys. I wish my youngest could help the country, too.

In a letter of thanks and congratulations to Mrs. Riley, Lieutenant James D. Wilson, in charge of the recruiting station, said: “This nation will never die while it has mothers of your type. While we all hope that nothing will happen that will involve this country in the terrible conditions that exist in Europe today, you can be assured that the only thing that will prevent that condition is the fact that there are such mothers as you and such sons as yours.”

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain April 5, 2017,
as long as acknowledgement included. 

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Minnesota Mother Offers Nation Three Sons—Mourns That Fourth Is Too Young. Fifty-five-Year-Old Irish Widow Adjures Boys to Emulate Father and Grandfather, Veterans of the Civil War—Recruiting Officer Sends Thanks.”; April 6, 1917; p. 1.

¹https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/df/aa/24/dfaa2418dda3d499abf580ddbfd1c168.jpg

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         

Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.

Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 4

April 4, 1905 – Women will be barred from St. Paul saloons if an ordinance introduced this evening by Alderman Hackney before the board of alderman is passed. The ordinance forbids woman from loitering and drinking in saloons unless accompanied by their fathers or husband, and provides as a penalty a fine of from $25 to $100 with an alternate of imprisonment in the work house not to exceed 60 days. Saloonkeepers and women are liable to the punishment under the terms of the ordinance.

Rev. David Morgan, who spoke in behalf of the ordinance, said that it had the approval of the police.

“The need of an ordinance forbidding women in saloons has become greater since the recent strict orders of Mayor Jones of Minneapolis have been enforced,” said Rev. Morgan. “Many Minneapolis women have come to St. Paul and have resorted to the saloons and wine rooms. Under the municipal court the police have been unable to eject them; and the result has been that many of the downtown saloons have been overrun with women.” The ordinance was referred to the committee on streets.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Saloons Closed to All Women. St. Paul May Pass Ordinance Fixing Penalty for ‘Ladies’ Visiting Drinking Places—Minneapolis Women Claimed to Frequent St. Paul.”; April 5, 1905; p. 6.

Sample of St. Paul Saloons

http://yoergbeer.com/availability

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         

Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.

Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 3

April 3, 2012 – “A Red Wing [Minn.] resident who underwent a sex-change operation to become a woman and then married a man is entitled to medical benefits under her husband’s health plan,” Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis ruled in Minneapolis. According to the judge, “the health plan administrator for a United Parcel Service employee erred when it denied coverage to his transgender spouse on the theory that Minnesota law bars same-sex marriages. Judge Davis found that Minnesota law recognizes a married person’s [gender] when the marriage takes place.”

Star Tribune; “Health plan can’t deny wife coverage due to sex change”; Minneapolis, Minn.; April 5, 2012; p. A1.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/19281104635657502/

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                 

Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.

Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

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On this Date in Minnesota History: April 2

April 2, 1914 – In Redwood County, Minn., near Springfield, lives Michael Skones, one of the oldest men in the state. He celebrated his 103rd birthday today. Skones was born in Levanger, Norway, April 2, 1811, and lived in Norway until he was 82 years old. In 1893 he came to America to visit his children, who had immigrated several years previously. He liked Minnesota and decided to spend his remaining days in this state. He lives with his daughter, Mrs. John T. Hojem.

Skones had been in good health up to the present winter, but illness overtook him several months ago. Now, however, he has his health again and expects to live a great while longer. Until recently he read the Norwegian newspapers, but his eyesight is failing him now. He sometimes amuses himself by singing the songs of his native land, memorized in his youth.

Three years ago relatives and friends gathered to celebrate his 100^th birthday. He had seven children, but only two are living, the daughter with whom he lives, and a son, Henry Skones, of Turner, Minn. Skones has never used liquor or tobacco and believes his longevity is partly due to his abstinence.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Redwood County Man Is 103 Years Old. Hale and Hearty, He Still Hopes for Many Happy Returns of Day. Michael Skones Came From Native Norway When He Was 82. Only Very Recently Has His Eyesight Failed Him for Reading.”; April 3, 1914; p. 9.
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Skones would not make it to his 104^th birthday. He died Feb. 3, 1915.

New Ulm Review; “Centenarian Is Dead”; Feb. 17, 1915; p. 6.

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         

Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.

Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 1

April 1, 1901 – “I am guilty, but the others had nothing to do with it.”

This is the plea made by Thomas White at Waseca, Minn., after being sentenced to five years in Stillwater.

White was captured in Minneapolis last Nov. after he had been shot in the head. In his address to the court he referred to his pals, William Hartman, arrested near Waseca, and James S. Stanfield, alias “New York Jimmie,” who was taken into custody in Minneapolis by Detective Hicks. Each of the men was given five years for blowing a safe in a Waseca store.

The officers say that the men had each agreed that the man first to be sentenced should admit his guilt that the judge might lighten the terms of the others. White’s plea had no effect on the court, however.

Sheriff Frank Collins and a deputy took the three men to Stillwater today, and this evening stopped in Minneapolis. The sheriff is glad to be rid of such desperate characters. A month ago they had their plans completed for a jail break, which was discovered just in time.

The prisoners had made keys from the backs of two hair combs, and had their doors unlocked when the deputy discovered the plot. It was their intention to leave their cells during the night, and to dig their way through a brick wall to the outside.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “’I am Guilty.’ Thomas White, Sentenced With Comrades At Waseca, Makes a Bold Assertion.”; April 2, 1901; p. 5.

http://www.lakesnwoods.com/Waseca.htm

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         

Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.

Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com