In 1904, Tracy and Frank Welfl, Everett's grandparents, bought a relinquishement from a real estate agent acquiring a quarter of land in Dakota Territory. On this land, they sold a mule and bought the lumber in which a 12 x 12 foot home was built.

In early 1905, they left their home in Nebraska and traveled 50 miles to this new strange land and began their lives together. They broke sod and began to make a living farming this quarter section. Chickens, cattle and hogs were raised.

Frank and Tracy were the parents of two daughters: Helen and Emma. The two girls walked to school at what was known as Klug school in Spring Valley township south of Burke near the Nebraska line. They finished the first 8 years of school, but never went on to high school, as that was known as foolishness in those days. The girls put on their overalls and went ot work on the farm. They hitched up the team and mowed and raked hay and cultivated the corn. They worked all day picking corn by hand. It was such hard work back then. When Christmas rolled around they were given gifts by their parents for their hard work.

As time went by Helen married Fred Forsch and they made their home at Naper and later moved to Butte. They had four girls. Emma married Lloyd Carlson from near Broxburg, Neb. and they spent their first year of marriage there on a farm. At this time their first son, Lowell, was born. Lowell, was born with double hair lip and a cleft palate. Lowell spent much of his time as a baby in a hospital in Omaha going through several surgeries, but it never set him back as he grew up big and strong. He now lives in Chamberlain with his wife, Alice (Frank). They have three boys all of which are grown and have families of their own. Lowell is retired after working many years for the Department of Transporation. The family moved several times through the dirty 30's and the children came quickly.

Carl was born next. He was a farmer and married Erna Frank. They retired a few years ago and now live Vermillion.They have three children also. Then Everett came along next. He is still farming on the homestead and is married to Cheryl (Swedlund). They have two boys. Harlan soon came along and he is also retired after being in the dairy business near Herrick for many years. He is married to the former Joyce Sanden and they have 4 children. Marilyn came along soon and she has since passed away. She maried Gayle Craig and they lived in Washington. They raised 3 children. Bobby followed a few years later. He lives in Norfolk and has 4 children. His wife, Lana, is from that area. He worked for many years driving truck for Affliated Foods and is now enjoying retirement.

Emily was next in line. She lives in Omaha with her husband Keith. She has 2 children and worked fro AT & T for many years until she retired. Then finally along came the twins, JoAnn and Lloyd. Joann, lives in Omaha and has two children. She married Randy Tieken who jsut recently passed away. She works for an advertising company in Omaha. Lloyd is married to the former Carol Crakes from the Lucas area and they are both retired and live near Kansas City, Mo.

In 1942, Lloyd and Emma purchased the homestead in Spring Valley Township from her parents on a 20 contract. Lloyd told Emma one day, "I believe I will live to see the farm paid for," but on April 17,1972, he passed away with only one payment left to make. Lloyd and Everett raised Shorthorn cattle and hogs as well as corn and hay. Emma suffered a stroke in the spring of 1965 and was paralyzed on her right side. She was a strong willed lady and found that she
could do anything she wanted. She did embroidery and crewel work with one hand and she never complained when she couldn't do things as fast as she wanted, but only used her determination to endure those trials. Emma remained on the farm with Everett after Lloyd passed away and he saw to it that she was well cared for. He married in 1977 and Emma moved to Burke and lived in the home formerly owned by her parents, later moving into the Burke Housing. She passed away in April 3,1983.

Everett puchased the farm from his mother in 1978. Hogs and cattle were raised along with hay, corn and sorghum. When the price of hogs got so poor he chose to quit the hog business and raise cattle only. Everett still puts up hay and raises cattle. The decision to crossbreed the Shorthorn cattle was a tough one, but we had to keep in touch with the times. Our cattle are now crossbred with Angus. The 12 .x 12 homestead house is our kitchen and the house has been
added onto several times. It's hard to believe the family lived in such a small space.

We are so happy to have our boys and grandkids come visit. The house is filled with love and noise! Memorial Day weekend brings the Carlson family home each year as well. Each family has suffered illnessess and heartaches just like all families, but with the help of God, they have lived through all those adversities.

Lowell, Carl and Everett are all Korean War veterans and the three boys were all in Korea at the same time. The boys all returned home safely and none of them were injured. It must have been a terrific worry for their parents, though. The three boys will attend the Korean War Memorial dedication in Pierre later this month.

The 9 children all attended the Kly school through the 8th grade and went on to graduate from Burke High School. The cold walks to school and back, milking cows, watering the garden with buckets of water, pictures taken without a flash on the south side of the house on Sunday afternoon, and Mom's fried chicken are just some of the memories brought to light during family gatherings. There was illness, low prices, wars, the dirty 30's and other adversities, but with
their faith in God it all made the family stronger.

With the dry weather this year we decided not to celebrate our 100 years on this land, but in September of next year we will have a celebration.