Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024

On April 12, 1861, the American Civil War began as Confederate forces bombarded Fort Sumter which was held by a dedicated group of Union soldiers.

With the news of the attack, Minnesota was the first state to answer President Abraham Lincoln’s call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union army. Scott County citizens gathered for a meeting on April 20 at the Shakopee Courthouse. Immediate support was given to defend the union of the nation, according to The Shakopee Story by Julius A. Coller, II, p. 58.

Harrison Lyons was born in Chautaqua County, New York on May 31, 1841. In 1855, the family, including his parents, Alexander H. Lyons (1806-1898) and Eliza A. Lyons (1811-1888) moved to Shakopee.

Steven was 22 and Harrison was 19 when they enlisted in Company A of the First Minnesota Volunteers. George Lyons served in the 9th Minnesota and John Lyons, the youngest, served in the 11th Minnesota.

Steven, the oldest, was promoted to corporal and then sergeant in Company A. On June 29, 1862, at Savage Station, while charging a Confederate artillery battery, Steven was wounded by a piece of shell cutting the right side of his right knee. The regiment retreated.

He was left on the field and eventually captured. The hospitals were full of sick and wounded. He lay on the battlefield without shelter for ten days, all the time being exposed to heat, cold and rain. He was then moved to the Libby prison hospital in Richmond. He was exchanged six weeks after his capture. He mustered out with the regiment on May 5, 1864. Steven never recovered from his wound. His leg was permanently in a bent position, and he used crutches for the rest of his life. In his diary on Aug. 1, 1894, Daniel Storer noted, “Steven Lyons was here today. He is all out of shape by blood poison. He gets around on crutches.”

Harrison was wounded the day after Steven, during the repulse of Picket’s charge. He was sent to recover at the hospital located at Fourth and George Streets in Philadelphia. He was there during August and September 1862. Dr. Gross, who treated him, told him that he would have a weak knee for the rest of his life.

Both Harrison and Stephen were mustered out with the regiment on May 5, 1864, though Harrison was absent sick at the time.

Shortly thereafter, Harrison enlisted as a substitute for someone who had been drafted. That person would have paid Harrison a cash fee of some amount for him to take his place in the Army. He was placed in the 9th Minnesota Infantry, thus serving with his brother, George. Harrison was the drillmaster for the 9th. He was mustered out at Fort Snelling, for the second and final time, on May 11, 1865.

After the war Harrison settled back into the life of a farmer. He lived in Shakopee for a while. On Dec. 3, 1866, Harrison married Sarah Lisa Elizabeth Moore. He and Sarah settled in Duluth. They had three children. In 1875, they decided to move to Wadena. Sarah died in Wayzata, on Oct. 20, 1875, during the trip.

Harrison started his farm in the small community of Aldrich. He soon married an Irish girl named Ann Gillespie. There were no children by that marriage. Later they divorced.

Harrison developed rheumatism because of his war-time injury. By 1887 he could not work as a farmer more than half the time. In 1888, he was confined to his bed for most of the winter. In 1889, he was stricken again and laid up for nearly a year. With that he gave up farming altogether and moved from his farm to the village of Verndale.

On March 6, 1890, Harrison married for a third time, to Flora Wright, in Hubbard, Minnesota. He was 49. Having been born in 1853, she was 37. They had two children. Minnie died, as an infant, on June 13, 1890. The other, Isaac, grew up to also be a soldier. Unfortunately, Isaac died in battle in the Argonne Forest during World War I. The only child to survive Harrison was Effie Lyons Castle, from his first marriage. She lived in Woodburn, Oregon.

Harrison lived for a while at the Soldiers’ Home in Minneapolis. He was there from June 5 to 15, 1890. Apparently, he had difficulty writing because of a bad arm. His handwriting on the admission papers was practically illegible. At the time the doctor wrote that “unless God intervenes in a dramatic way he (Harrison) will lose his arm at the shoulder.” But Harrison didn’t lose his arm. He kept it for the remaining 35 years of his life. He asked to be discharged after only 10 days and returned to his home near Verndale, just outside the town of Wadena.

He became destitute when his health prevented him from working his jobs. By the late 1880s his circumstances were so bad that the First Minnesota Association collected money to aid him. He attended many reunions and is pictured in several of the reunion photos. He was a Commander of the CC Parker GAR Post in Verndale. He enjoyed attending the reunions of the First Minnesota veterans. His last reunion was in 1923, when only three veterans attended. They had a large bottle of wine the “Last Man” was to open and drink a final toast to his comrades. The last three decided it would be a shame if they all died in the same year, so they opened it to have a toast together. Once they had opened the bottle and sampled the wine, they were disappointed to find out that it had turned sour! That bottle of wine is now on display in a glass case at the state capital in St. Paul.

Harrison died at the Wesley Hospital in Wadena on April 25, 1925. He was 83 years old. He was buried in the Verndale Cemetery. The local newspaper, the Verndale Sun, called him “The Grand Old Man of Wadena County.”

According to Daniel Storer’s diary, Storer mentioned on April 15, 1857, “There is considerable excitement here about the Indians. We hear that they have killed fifty white people at Spirit Lake, Iowa.” On April 18 Daniel noted “It is not a general outbreak of the Indians by any means….”  Later, on June 23, Daniel noted, “Saw Miss Gardner who was captured by the Indians last spring at Spirit Lake. She was bought from Ink-pa-du-tah by friendly Indians. There are four captives taken, two of them were killed. Miss Gardner had to be wife to one of the Indians while she was with them.” Abigail (Abbie) Gardner was in Shakopee to be photographed by William S. Judd, a daguerreotypist who did his work in Shakopee. In another entry, Daniel noted, “They are going up into the Indian country to try to find Ink-pa-du-tah.” Harrison Lyons, at age 16, was part of a party that chased the Dakota leader Iŋkpáduta (1787-1881).

A whiskey trader, Henry Lott, murdered Iŋkpáduta’s brother, but the U.S. authorities did not bring Lott to justice. In 1857, a severe winter starved Iŋkpáduta’s band, and so he asked for food from the colonist-traders to stop starving. At first, they did, but later they refused and so the band headed to Spirit Lake, where thirty people were killed. Iŋkpáduta eluded capture while engaging in more skirmishes against U.S. forces, earning him an almost mythic reputation. Following the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Iŋkpáduta fled with others into Canada and never returned.

Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2023

Gerald Alois Stang was born Sept. 3, 1938 in Marystown, Minnesota. His parents were Albert Mateias Stang (1907-1995) and Alvina Elizabeth Geis Stang (1909-2005). He was the third of four children, and Gerald’s siblings were Arlene Mae Kathryn, Corrie Clara, and in 1944, Albert Edmund Stang.

Gerald’s grandparents were Peter Stang (1863-1945) and Elizabeth Lizzie Mahowald Stang (1869-1947) and Jacob Geis (1881-1966) and Catherine Katie Hennen Geis (1878-1968). Gerald’s great grandparents were John Stang (1823-1895) and Elizabetha Jackals Stang (1829-1903); Nicholas Mahowald (1832-1917) and Anna Maria Rosen Mahowald (1832-1905); Private Adam Geiß Geis (1841-1933) and Barbara Brück Brick Geiß Geis (1845-1934); and Mathias Math Hennen (1833-1891) and Margaretha Mary Wolff Hennen (1841-1909).

On their farm near Marystown, Albert Stang was in his truck in the farm yard. Gerald, who was two years old, ran to his father, yelling out, “Goodbye!”

Unbeknown to Albert, his son, Gerald stumbled and fell forward into the path of the rear wheel.

Gerald fell beneath the rear wheel of the truck. He was killed instantly, according to an article in the Shakopee Argus-Tribune on Oct. 3, 1940 called “Marystown Child Fatally Injured.”

Not too far away was Gerald’s grandfather, Jacob Geis, who saw the fatal accident but was helpless to prevent it.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Father Ziskovski at St. Mary’s of the Purification Church in Marystown. The pallbearers, four cousins, were LeRoy Geis, Richard Geis, Richard Stang, and Robert Stang. Four flower girls were also cousins: Marie Geis, Anita Stang, Marie Stang, and Ruth Stang.

Gerald was buried at the St. Mary’s of the Purification Cemetery, which is located next to the church.

Among the relatives from the distance present at the funeral were Mr. And Mrs. Leo Stang, son Robert, and daughter Ruth of Belgrade; Joseph and Leo Spanier; Mr. Hennen of St. Martin; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hennen, Mrs. Louis Bolt, Paynesville; Mr. And Mrs. Alois Stang, St. Paul; and other relatives and friends from the Twin Cities and surrounding community.

Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024

On Aug. 22, 1954, in Yellow Medicine, Minnesota, George Meredith Crooks was born to parents Norman Melvin Crooks and Edith Eleanor Ross Crooks. He was the second youngest of their seven sons. During his childhood, George’s family lived in Granite Falls and Mendota before moving to the Twin Cities.

George attended Shakopee Senior High, where he graduated in 1972.

He continued his education at Dakota County Technical College. George worked many jobs over the years. He worked for Cargill before becoming a surveyor and in casino management as part of Little Six Inc. in Prior Lake. Little Six Casino is owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, Minnesota, southwest of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The casino features slots and live dealer blackjack tables. With 4,100 employees, the SMSC, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, and Little Six Casino combined are the largest employer in Scott County.

In 1979, George married Kim Cerise. George and Kim had two daughters, Rebecca and Tyanna. Although George and Kim parted ways, he remained a loving and dedicated father.

George later married Kathleen McElligott and was blessed with Samantha. While George and Katie ended their marriage, they remained close friends.

A charismatic man, George lived his life surrounded by those he loved—his family, friends, and pets. He laughed easily, loved deeply, and always treated others with kindness. No matter the situation, George was ready with a joke or a one-liner. His dry sense of humor even influenced the names of his pets…his golden retriever John “after the son he never had,” as well as Rat and Ricky his beloved cats.

In his free time, George enjoyed golfing, visiting the casino, and boating along the Minnesota River. He especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren.

Maureen McElligott noted, “George was an easy to love kind of guy, sense of humor and his jokes is something I will always remember about him.”

“I have been living with him for the last four years. And during those four years we grew to become very close friends. The pain I feel inside is deep. I learned a lot about who your father really was as a human being. And he was and always will be the most kind hearted and non judgmental person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I am truly blessed for having had the great honor and pleasure of being able to share that little part of his life with me,” Michael Emerson noted.

At age 67, George Meredith Crook journeyed to the Spirit World on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. George was laid to rest at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike Crooks, Skipper Crooks, Randy Crooks, Jacob Crooks, Damian Redlegs, Timmy McElligott, Eric Svane, Larry “Stu” Housley.

After struggling with complications of COVID-19, George left his family’s side too soon. Yet he leaves an enduring legacy with his daughters, Rebecca (Dan) Crooks-Stratton, Tyanna (Damian) Crooks, Samantha (Dever) Crooks; grandchildren, Gabby, Lauren, Thomas, and Dire; brothers, Danny “Skipper” Crooks and Mike Crooks; many other loving relatives and friends.

George is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Norman “Woody” Crooks, Stanley “Jim” Crooks, Alfred Crooks, and infant brother, Alec Crooks.

Tom Rust from the Shakopee Class of 1972 recalled, “I am sorry that he had COVID and was unable to continue creating memories with his friends and family. However, he will not be forgotten since he has family and friends to remember him.”

Mario Hudson said that George “didn’t know how to say no to anyone. He would let anyone lay their head at his home and didn’t want anything in return. George and I had a REAL friendship that I’ll never be able to experience or duplicate again in my lifetime.”

Gary Spohn said George was a kind, true friend, mentor, and so much more. “You touched so many of our lives in such a positive way. I’ve never met a more kind and generous person than you. I will never forget about all the conversations we had sitting in your office passing on your wisdom to me.”

Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024

George Buchanan Clarke, Sr. was born in 1841 in Rochester, Pennsylvania, son of Hamilton Fred Clarke (1807-1882) and Sarah Jane Walker Clarke (1816-1896). By 1860, George was living in Eagle Creek, Minnesota.

George enlisted as a private on May 17, 1861 in Shakopee. He was mustered into Company A, 1st Minnesota Infantry. The 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment was a Union infantry regiment active during the American Civil War. The 1st Minnesota participated in the battles of First Bull Run, Antietam and the Battle of Gettysburg. The regiment’s most famous action occurred on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg when Major General Winfield Scott Hancock ordered the 1st Minnesota to charge into a brigade of 1200 Confederate soldiers. This action blunted the Confederate attack and helped preserve the Union’s precarious position on Cemetery Ridge.

He was 23 years old, stood 5’ 8-3/4” tall, had a florid complexion, light hair and blue eyes. George was a dutiful soldier, who was present at all the battles in which the regiment was involved. At the Battle of Antietam, George became separated from his company and was captured. He was released during a prisoner exchange, which meant that all men involved could go back to their respective units, according to American Civil War Research Database.

George survived the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and the desperate charge at Gettysburg, but was not so fortunate at Bristow Station. During this time George was wounded by a bullet that penetrated his left hip. He was helped off the field and spent the next two months in Grosvenor Hospital in Virginia.

George returned home that winter and was one of only 58 veterans to re-enlist in May when the 1st Minnesota Infantry was mustered out and the new 1st Minnesota Infantry Battalion was formed.

At the battle of Petersburg the battalion found itself in an advanced position, in trenches directly in front of the Confederate Army. They were waiting for other units of the V Corps to support them. For some reason the support never came and the Confederates attacked where there was a gap in the line, cutting off the battalion. Some, like George, tried to make a stand but it was no use and they were soon captured.

George, along with twenty other men from the battalion, was soon carted off to prison for what would be the most trying time of their military duty. He was a POW for eight months. He was confined in Richmond on June 24, and then sent to Andersonville Prison in Lynchburg, Virginia, on June 29. Later he was sent to prison in Florence, South Carolina. Upon his release, he was sent to the hospital in Annapolis, Maryland. He was there for about five weeks before being sent to a hospital in Baltimore.

When he was discharged, George returned to the battalion and was promoted to sergeant. Frank Houston recalled later that Clark “looked like a ghost of the man, who was captured in June 1864, and that he complained of having no teeth and always felt exhausted.”

George was discharged at Jeffersonville, Indiana, on July 14, 1865.

Fifteen years later, George married Cora Viola Low Clarke Mitchell (1860-1909), daughter of Benjamin Evans Low (1826-1904) and Laura J. Gould Low (1826-1890) in Des Moines River Township in Murray County, Minnesota. They had three children: Hamilton Fred (1882-1950); Sumner Lowe (1884-1987); and George Buchanan, Jr. (1886-1941).

George Buchanan Clarke, Sr. was in poor health and spent his last months at the Old Soldiers’ Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This was before the Soldiers’ Home was built in Minneapolis. He died of “softening of the brain” caused by his sickness on March 16, 1887. He was 46 years old.

George was buried at Valley Cemetery in Shakopee.

Contributor Nancy E. Gertner noted that that his widow, Cora Viola Low Clarke Mitchell, married her widower neighbor, John Mitchell, two years after George died, and Cora and John had six more children. Cora died Jan. 15, 1909 in Des Moines River Township, Minnesota.

Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2023

The deer hunting season was in full swing on Saturday, Nov. 18, 1989, but Gary Geis was not out to get one. So, when a deer jumped out in front of his truck as he was traveling west on County Road 14, south of Shakopee, near the Minnesota Valley Garden Center, at around 7 p.m., Geis swerved to miss it, according to an article by Claire Robling in an article in the Shakopee Valley News on Nov. 30, 1989.

That action nearly cost him his life.

According to the article, “Area man survives accident, nearly 9 hours in ravine” in the Shakopee Valley News, Geis lost control of his truck, and it apparently rolled end-over-end down a steep embankment into a ravine. During the descent, Geis was thrown from his vehicle, apparently going through the windshield on the passenger side. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

Knocked unconscious, Geis estimates he woke up several hours later. He said he was aware of where he was, but he was also aware of the intense pain in his leg and arm.

“He tried to get up, but discovered he couldn’t move. He could see his smashed truck about eight feet below him. Its engine and lights were off, and he knew he was hidden from view in the ravine,” said Claire Robling.

He could occasionally see headlights pass by on the road, and he kept yelling for help. But none of the passing vehicles slowed down. Cold, and in pain, he took two lighters out of his pocket. Fortunately, he was dressed warm.

“He had been helping his cousin fix some fence posts in his cow yard on a farm near Marystown before heading home toward Carver. Unfortunately, one of his boots had come off during the crash, and he could not locate it. And his gloves were still in the truck.”

Geis said he was using the lighters to keep his hands warm, when it occurred to him that perhaps he could gather some dry grass to make a fire, and signal for help. “I had a long branch right by me, and I thought maybe I could get it burning and wave it around so someone would notice,” said the 35-year-old, son of Elmer Geis and Valeria Von Bank Geis, and born in Shakopee in 1953. However, the grass and branch were too wet, and he couldn’t get a fire going.

“I was beginning to think I wouldn’t be found until at least daylight, and I know I must have been slipping in and out of consciousness,” he said.

He may have been unconscious when his wife, Vicky Skoug Geis, drove by the accident site at 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. looking for him.

“I was expecting him home earlier. We were planning to go to a movie, and I couldn’t figure out where he was. I was pretty worried,” said Vicky, who learned from her husband’s cousin, Marvin Geis, that her husband had left their farm about 7 p.m. “I thought maybe he had stopped in Marystown, so I called the bar there, but they said they hadn’t seen him. Then I called his brother, Jim, in Shakopee, and he hadn’t been there either. That is when I went out looking for him,” she said.

But her searches were unsuccessful, and she went home to wait for the phone to ring.

Meanwhile, Geis said he prayed and kept waiting for an opportunity to call for help. At about 4:30 a.m., after lying in the ravine for more than eight hours, he saw a car moving slowly down the hill on County Road 14. It stopped at the mailboxes. He started yelling as loud as he could.

In the car were Larry and Barbara Pals, of Shakopee. They were delivering the Sunday paper.

At a stop in the middle of the hill, Larry said he thought he heard someone yelling. At their stop at the bottom of the hill, he said he was sure he heard someone, and he shut off his tape, and he and his wife listened, according to Sarrasin: A Family History by Margaret Elftmann.

The couple quickly discounted their original thought that it might be some kids playing a joke. “They were desperate cries,” said Barbara.

The couple took a flashlight and looked down in the ravine and saw the truck and Geis. Geis cried out for them to get an ambulance, and Barbara headed for the nearest house, which was Emily Fahrenkamp’s home, to call for help. Larry stayed and talked to Geis, according to the Shakopee Valley News.

The ambulance arrived and the rescue workers had to get down the ravine, strap Geis on a board, and carry him out. Geis remembers being removed as the most painful experience he’s ever had.

Geis was taken to St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, where an emergency room nurse contacted his wide-awake wife to tell her about the accident. “When the nurse called and identified himself as being from St. Francis, I just asked, ‘How bad is it?’ She asked me if I already knew about the accident, and I told her ‘I told her I knew something had happened, because he hadn’t come home,’” said Vicky.

“Geis’s injuries were serious, but as he and his wife acknowledge, they could have been a lot worse. His leg and elbow were badly broken, and required a transfer to Hennepin County Medical Center for lengthy orthopedic surgery. He also required well over 20 stitches around his mouth for an injury of which he wasn’t even aware of as he lay in the ravine. He also lost one tooth, chipped another, and has several more loose teeth. And he suffered abrasions on his head.”

But his foot was not frostbitten, as was originally feared, and he didn’t have any internal injuries. He was even allowed to come home from the hospital Monday afternoon and recovered at the home of his parents, Elmer and Larry Von Bank Geis, and their single-level home in Shakopee.

“Each day is getting better,” said Geis, who hoped for a full recovery, and had some advice for others. “Wear your seat belt,” he said. “If I had been wearing mine, I might have walked away from the truck, instead of laying in that ravine for nearly nine hours, and now lying in bed for weeks. I know I’ll have my seat belt on after all this.”

Five years later, Gary Geis, who was 40, went on a fishing trip with four friends when he apparently fell from the boat as he was cleaning it before heading out after camping in a remote site for five days, according to an article, “Shakopee man presumed to have drowned in Ontario” by the Shakopee Valley News on May 27, 1993.

After waiting for 15 minutes, his friend Tony Robling looked for Gary, but all he saw was an empty boat against the shoreline with the motor running. After searching for several hours, the group went back to their camp and found that Gary’s life jacket was packed with his gear. And Gary did not know how to swim, according to the Shakopee Valley News on June 3, 1993.

Survivors included his wife, Vicki, and sons Eric and Ethan. Fr. John Gilbert and Fr. Gerard Rowan officiated, with pallbearers including Mark Dellbow, Kenny, Tim, and Mark Geis, Brian Von Bank, and Steve Wermerskirchen. He was buried next to the Church of St. Mary of the Purification in Marystown.

Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024

Frank McGrade was born in 1830 in County Tyrone, Ireland. After serving 3 years in the Irish Army, he became a settler-colonist in the United States.

His future wife, Mary Loughrey, was born on the family estate, Ardnaganna in the county of Donegal, Ireland on Feb. 2, 1833. When she was 10 years old, her family moved to the United States, and she was a settler-colonist in Pennsylvania, living with her grandfather until she was twenty years old. At that time, she moved to Kellyville, Pennsylvania to live with her uncle, Senator Charles Kelly. Charles’s uncle arrived in America in 1806, became a settlers-colonist near Philadelphia, and purchased a textile mill there and became wealthy making uniforms for the War of 1812. In 1821, Charles, his nephew from Ardnaganna in Donaghmore Parish, arrived and eventually both became very wealthy, according to Donegal Generations’ article on “Kellyville, Pennsylvania.”

In Kellyville, Mary Loughrey, at age 22, met and married Frank M. McGrade. Frank and Mary moved to the Midwest in 1855, and in 1856 settled in Shakopee.

During a time of national chaos, McGrade was elected sheriff in 1861. The Civil War had just begun and the U.S.-Dakota War soon broke out in Minnesota in 1862.

On Jan. 4, 1864, Frank enlisted to join General Sibley’s 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry at Fort Snelling. He was commissioned 1st Lieutenant in Company “L” of the 2nd Minnesota Calvary. Because of his army responsibilities, Frank employed a deputy (possibly Jacob Thomas) during most of the latter part of his term. Frank was discharged on May 4, 1866.

After the service, Frank engaged in general merchandising in Jordan with Otto Seifert until the fall of 1867, when he was elected Scott County Register of Deeds. He did that for two years, then he purchased a farm in the city limits of Shakopee. Frank also engaged in the hardware business in Shakopee with George Reis.

Frank and Mary had ten children, though their little daughter died in infancy. “Frank McGrade will be remembered by all the old residents of Scott County as one of the most popular men of his time. As County Treasurer he filled an important official trust for years, and his popularity was reflected in the wife, who was so eminently fitted as a helpmeet.”

According to the Shakopee Argus, Sept. 28, 1876, Frank attended closely to his mercantile interest and the management of the farm. In 1872 he was elected county commissioner of the Third Commissioner District and held that office for three years. In the spring of 1874, he became a member of the city council and was a member at the time of his death. “In all his official capacity it may truthfully be said of him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’”

In September 1874, Frank was prostrated by a sudden attack, probably the result of overwork, from which he never recovered. In January 1876 the firm of McGrade and Reis was dissolved. And on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1876, at his residence in the city of Shakopee, Frank McGrade, aged 46 years, died. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery.

Frank’s wife, Mary Loughrey McGrade, died of heart trouble on Saturday morning, March 24, 1900. She was 67 years old. For 45 years she lived in Shakopee and lived her kindly sympathy and cheery ways. The ready speech and sparkling wit which are inherent in the children of the Emerald Isle was in Mary, with her romper Christian spirit of forbearance and kindness to others, and this strong point was noted by friends old and the young alike.

Truly, as a wife, a mother, and a neighbor did she live an exemplary lift, a blessing to all who came in daily or frequent contact with her.

Mary’s funeral took place at St. Mary’s Church.

Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2023

Ellen Helen Iverson Stevenson Barclay was born in Norway April 25, 1834, and came to this country and settled in Wisconsin, and then Iowa. Finally, she came to Minnesota in 1848 and in 1855, became an early settler-colonist in what later became Shakopee, according to a blog by MJ MacDonald called Barclays of Pine River.

Sometimes she was called Ellen, and sometimes she was called Helen, and her last name was either Iverson or Stevenson.

John Barclay was born in Scotland March 18, 1801. He married his first wife, Margaret (whose last name may be something like Davidson but this is not clear). John and Margaret had seven children: John, James, Sarah Agnes, Mary Jane, Alexander, Martha, and George.

After his first wife died, John and his children moved to the United States in the 1840s. They moved to Connecticut, and eventually John moved to Minnesota Territory.

John made his appearance in Shakopee, Minnesota in 1853, according to the book, History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota and History of the Sioux Massacre, by Rev. Edward D. Neill and Charles S. Bryant, published in 1882, page 315.

“The settlers continued to arrive in large numbers during the fall of 1852 and throughout the year 1853, the earlier of whom were as follows: Thomas Kennedy arrived in the fall of 1852 and moved on to his present claim in spring 1853; Edward Smith came in spring of 1853 and located his present claim in the north-eastern quarter of section 20 the same year; Alex. Dorward also came that year, together with Benjamin W. Turner, John Masters, Lyman Ruby, John Barclay and Horace Fuller. These all located in different parts of the town, and most of them are still living upon their original claims.”

John really began to set down roots in Minnesota when he was awarded a patent for land in Eagle Creek. Per Law of 1855 and Bounty Land given to men of service, Elizabeth Gilpatrick gives land as the widow of Thomas Gilpatrick Private in Captain Daggett’s Company, Massachusetts Militia, War of 1812 to John Barclay – NE qtr of Sec 23, Twp 115N, north of Range 22-West, No Fract. Section, 5th PM, 160 acres, Minnesota, Scott County. Signed by Abraham Lincoln, City of Washington, Record Vol. 499, page 123.- #86 791 (291) Accession #MW-0499-123. March 3, 1855: Scrip Warrant Act of 1855 (10 Stat.701), dated 10 September 1861. Land Office Henderson. Vol. W pg. 249-250, originally issued from Washington City, Family History Film #1043558 Scott Co., Minnesota Deeds/Indexes.

John naturalized as a citizen in 1855. This document was found in the records of the Territory of Minnesota, Scott County, Declarations of Intent #118 at the Scott County Historical Society.

Ellen moved to Shakopee in 1855, according to ancestry.com.

In 1857, Ellen Helen and John married in Eagle Creek. They had four children: Charles (1860), William (1862), Mary (1864) and Anna Elizabeth (1870).

The 1870 U.S. Federal Agricultural census pages included John and Ellen Helen Iverson Stevenson Barclay and it provided a very nice description of the farm:

Barkley John 20 acres, 20 acres unimproved, 800 cash value of farm, 150 in value of farming implements and equipment, 15 in total wages paid in year including value of board, 2 milch cows, 2 working oxen, 2 other cattle, 2 sheep, 2 swine, 200 value of all live stock, 200 value in Spring Wheat, 100 bu. in Indian corn, 5 lbs wool, 30 bu. Irish potatoes, 100 lbs butter, 6 tons hay, 50 dollars value of animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter, 150 estimated value of all farm production including betterments and additions to stock.

John participated as a carpenter in the Civil War for a few short months towards the end of the war. The Veterans Schedule for John Barclay is hard to read, but noted: Hse 57, Family 57 John Barclay, Carpenter Dec 1865 to June 1866, 6 mos. A note down below reads: Was sworn as a carpenter at St. Louis, Mo to serve ___M (quartermaster) at ____, Mo. was discharged at extinction of term, according to the 1890 Special Schedules of the U.S. Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and Widows, etc. NARA: M123, Roll 23 Minnesota Veterans of 1890, pg. 1, SD 2, ED 177, line 7. FHL#3381823 Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota, pg. 1, #5757.

John Barclay died in 1897 in Eagle Creek, according to an article in the Scott County Argus on Dec. 30, 1897: “At the home of his son Charles, in Eagle Creek, Saturday, Dec. 25, 1897, of old age, John Barclay, aged ninety-six years. Deceased was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 18th day of March, 1801, and the first forty years or more of his life were spent in his native land. By his first wife seven children were born to him; and in the 40’s the family, diminished by the loss of the wife and mother, came to America….This took place Tuesday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, Rev. J.B. Ferguson officiating, and the remains were followed to their last resting place in the Valley Cemetery by neighbors and may friends of the early pioneer days.”

So, what happened to Ellen/Helen after John’s death? After John’s death, Ellen Barclay rented her land to her son Charles on Aug. 29, 1898. Ellen/Helen lived another ten years.

After John’s death in 1897, the census of the 1900 U.S. Federal Census shows Ellen was living with her son Charles. This census shows that the only child that was still around was Charles. The remaining three children of John and Ellen had married and migrated elsewhere. William and Mary Elizabeth went to Montana, Anna married and went to Wisconsin, and Charles lived in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Ellen passed on Nov. 30, 1907 in Shakopee.

Helen Barclay’s death notice in the Shakopee Tribune on Dec. 13, 1907 and the Scott County Argus on Dec. 6, 1907 listed her maiden name as Stevenson, even though John Barclay noted her maiden name as Iverson.

Ellen Helen Iverson Stevenson Barclay was buried with John in the Valley Cemetery in Shakopee. The name Helen is in the obituary notice, but Ellen is on the tombstone.

Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024

Elizabeth Margaretha Griese was born Feb. 16, 1867, the fourth of nine children born to Helena Pieper and Hermann Griese of Walchum, Germany. Her siblings included seven sisters and one brother.

Elizabeth and her parents arrived in America in March of 1882.

Elizabeth professed as Sister Bathildis Giese, O.S.B. on July 11, 1901. Bathildis became a saint and commemorated on Jan. 30. Elizabeth was named after this saint.

Bathildis was born circa 626-627. She was beautiful, intelligent, modest, and attentive to the needs of others. Bathildis was sold into slavery as a young girl and served in the household of Erchinoald, the mayor of the palace of Neustria to Clovis.

Erchinoald, whose wife had died, was attracted to Bathildis and wanted to marry her, but she did not want to marry him. She hid herself away and waited until Erchinoald had remarried. Later, possibly because of Erchinoald, Clovis noticed her and asked for her hand in marriage.

Even as queen, Bathildis remained humble and modest. She is famous for her charitable service and generous donations.

Because of her donations, the abbeys of Corbie and Chelles were founded; it is likely that others such as Jumièges, Jouarre, and Luxeuil were also founded by the queen. She provided support for Claudius of Besançon and his abbey in the Jura Mountains.

Bathildis bore Clovis three children, all of whom became kings: Clotaire, Childeric, and Theuderic.

When Clovis died (between 655 and 658), his eldest son Clotaire succeeded the throne. His mother Bathildis acted as the queen regent. As queen, she was a capable stateswoman. She abolished the practice of trading Christian slaves and strove to free children who had been sold into slavery. Bathildis and Eligius, according to Dado, “worked together on their favorite charity, the buying and freeing of slaves.” After a power struggle with mayor Ebroin, Bathildis withdrew to her favorite Abbey of Chelles near Paris.

Bathildis died on Jan. 30, 680 and was buried at the Abbey of Chelles, east of Paris. was canonized by Pope Nicholas I, around 200 years after her death.

Elizabeth became Sr. Bathildis Griese, O.S.B., and she had several assignments during her religious life. Starting in 1899, she was a house worker in Hastings and Eden Valley. In 1903 she did general work in St. Cloud until 1910. Sr. Bathildis then worked sewing garments, was a house worker, and a general worker in Red Lake, Pier, St. Cloud, and at the motherhouse in St. Joseph from 1910 until 1916. She then worked at Eden Valley and the motherhouse in St. Joseph from 1916-1918.

Sr. Bathildis worked in wardrobe in Altoona in 1918, and then at the men’s department at St. Joseph starting in 1923.

Her Golden Jubilee was Aug. 15, 1948.

Elizabeth Margaretha Sr. Bathildis Griese O.S.B. died April 20, 1950, at 10:10 pm. She had suffered a heart attack less than two hours before she died. She was anointed and was conscious until the end.

She was buried at St. Benedict Convent in St. Joseph, Minnesota.

Carlos Roberto Huerta Zanotelli was born July 26, 1982 in the Veracruz Municipality, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, México.

His parents were Roberto de la Rosas Huerta (1917-1981) from Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, México, and Martha Rosas Zanotelli.

The current municipality of Ignacio de la Llave, previously known as San Cristobal de la Llave, is placed in the popularly known region of La Mixtequilla, which is in the western limit of the Papaloapan River, going through the Blanco, Limón and Las Pozas rivers.

The climate of the region varies between hot-humid and tropical-humid, with frequent summer rains between July and September. The average temperature is from 64 and 72 degrees.

The municipality celebrates its carnival in March where music, dances, and joy are spread by its inhabitants.

After going to school through 12th grade, Roberto worked as a warehouse worker in Shakopee.

When he was 24 years old, on April 24, 2007, Roberto died. He was buried at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee on April 27, 2007.

Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024

William Francis Bill Marschall was born April 2, 1888, son of Anton Marschall (1857-1945) and Catherine Siebenaler Marschall (1863-1902). He was born on the family farm in Eagle Creek Township near Shakopee.

On Oct. 7, 1913 at St. Hubert’s in Chanhassen, Bill married Lauren Klein, the first daughter and third child of Emil Eugene Klein (1861-1937) and Angela Pauly Klein (1861-1948). Bill and Lauren were the parents of Vincent, Rita, Esther, and Raymond. Laura enjoyed sewing, family visits, her church, and baking, especially her apple pie. She was deeply religious, attended mass daily and was a member of St. Mark’s Christian Mothers, Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Third Order of St. Francis, according to A Marschall Family History 1784-2007 by Dorothy T. Klein, edited and published by Raymond W. Marschall and updated in 2007 by Katherine R. St. Clair.

Bill and Lauren first lived in a rented farm near Riley’s Lake, and then they lived in a house near Shakopee, and then rented a farm, near Bill’s parents’ place. While Bill grew up farming, he moved back to Shakopee and operated the Mobil gas station on Lewis Street, and with his son, Vince, operated a farm implement business. The family bought a house nearby, and Bill enjoyed being in Shakopee and being around others.

For many years, Bill Marschall acted as Santa Claus at private homes, schools, and Shakopee’s annual Children’s Christmas Party. In the Shakopee Argus-Tribune on Dec. 27, 1945, an article, “Shakopee Christmas Carol,” noted, “If some wise guy told you there isn’t any Santa Claus or that Christmas is just a day for kids, you can tell him he’s wrong on both; and you can call upon some 30 shut-ins at St. Francis Home and Hospital to back you.” The St. Francis Home and Hospital was the second hospital in Shakopee. The Sisters of St. Benedict erected a large two-and-a-half-story limestone building at the corner of Fourth and Atwood Street, south of St. Mark’s Church. It became St. Gertrude’s Convent and Academy from 1862-1880, the first school for women in Shakopee. Later it became the Poor House. In 1938, the Franciscan Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels bought and remodeled the Poor House and called it the St. Francis Hospital and Home for the Aged.

The old hospital continued to be used as a nursing home for 26 beds and convent. before it was torn down and now is a parking lot. After further expansions, St. Francis Hospital was changed to St. Francis Regional Medical Center. St. Francis Hospital (the third hospital in Shakopee) was opened in 1953. In 1996, this hospital was torn down and is now a parking lot. In 1996, a new, comprehensive and high-quality regional medical center was established. It was a new campus for St. Francis Regional Medical Center at 1455 St. Francis Avenue in Shakopee.

“That typical hospital quiet that folks, the afternoon visiting hours when all the patients are resting, had settled as usual in the institution Saturday afternoon. The sisters and nurses were busy and out of sight. The long first floor corridor was empty and still.”

“Quietly the north door opened and the stillness was gently disturbed by the small and measured tinkle of merry bells. Heads turned on white pillows, tired, searching eves peered through open doors and caught just a glimpse of a rotund and beaming figure in red and white; they knew he’d be back and their happy ears listened intently as the tinkle faded as the far end of hall where the steps rise to the second floor and the home of the aged.”

“…These were some of the residents of the home; these were the women who in years past had helped to make others happy at Christmas time. Now they were convinced the story that had been told was really true. As each received a simple paper bag encasing candy, peanuts, an apple and an orange, their smiling eyes grew misty; some drew frail hands before their faces and quickly retired to their rooms; some folded slight arms on their bosoms and literally hugged themselves in joy and gratitude.”

“…Back down the stairs two graying ladies, bed-ridden for many months, could only turn their heads and fairly nod their thanks while happiness shone in their wrinkled faces. From door-to-door went the bells ringing and bringing joy to the men and women who were not to be home for Christmas. Their momentary misfortune was forgotten and in its place was a memory that will remain long after their pain and sugaring has passed.”

Bill Marschall smiled and thought, “This was more fun!”

Bill served as Shakopee city alderman from 1943 to 1949. At the same time, he was on the Scott County Fair Association Board. He was president of St. Mark’s Men’s Club from 1938 to 1940. In 1920-23, he served as president of the Eagle Creek Township Club and was vice president and director of the Scott County Farm Bureau in 1935-39. He was president of the Shakopee Sportsmen Club. From 1930-32, Bill was Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council and was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. His last activity was in the Golden Age Club.

William Francis Bill Marschall died at the age of 81 years on Dec. 2, 1969. Laura Christine Klein Marschall moved to Friendship Manor and died of pneumonia at the age of 85 years on Nov. 21, 1975. She was buried near her husband at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery.