Tolstoy Family Biographies

Jacob Dufloth Family

Jacob Dufloth was born of German parentage in the Ukraine of Russia, March 28, 1878. The family had lived in Alsace-Lorraine on the border of France, had moved to Russia, and then to the U. S. about 1888, settling on a farm east of Tolstoy, where they lived in a house built of mud blocks for a time.

As a young man Jake was employed for several years in Selby, where he met and married Caroline Knodel, who was born in Java, S. D., Sept. 21, 1890.

They were married Nov. 10, 1907, and stayed at the farm of Jake's mother while their house was being built in Tolstoy. It was finished in less than a year and they moved into it in 1908, where they raised 6 children: Arthur (deceased), Marvin of Anaheim, Calif., Floyd (deceased), Evelyn Kwiatkowski of Mill Valley, Calif., Leone Porter of Redwood City, Calif., and Delphia Lawrence of Palmetto, Fla.

Jake had a hardware store in his building on Main St. from which he sold even Kohler plumbing fixtures. The building was originally 2-story, and when Gottlieb Dufloth had to move the Post Office (the building which housed it burned down), he moved it into Jake's building. At one time the front of the building was a Mobil gas station run by Floyd Dufloth. The building is presently owned by Otto Dutt, who bought the well business when Jake retired.

After the hardware business, Jake went into well and windmill business, and in all kinds of weather he serviced the farms for miles and miles around.

Jake served Tolstoy by taking care of the town well, as a member of the town board, and for a short time also as mayor. He put the first electricity into town and wired the homes that wanted lights.

Carrie and Jake lived in the same house, which was the first one built in Tolstoy, for sixty years, until Jake died on Sept. 26, 1968. Carrie continued living in her home until 1973, when she became a resident of the Bowdle Nursing home, where she now resides.

No one else had ever lived in that house, and it is presently owned by Carrie's son Marvin. Back to Index

John Dufloth, son of John Dufloth Sr. homesteaded on land about 1 1/2 miles south of his dad's claim. Before, coming to Tolstoy, John had worked for some farmers in the Menno area for about 2 or 3 years. After deciding to come to this area with the family, he walked from Menno to Tolstoy where he took up his homestead.

In 1895, Jan. 18 he married Margarette Kercher of Eureka. To this union were born eleven children. Five sons and six daughters.

During the first years, things were difficult for the family. Having to drive to the river for firewood, one day going and getting loaded and another day coming home. He would walk to Lebanon for repairs and would haul the grain to Seneca. This put all the chores on Mother. She had to draw water from an open well with a bucket to water the stock.

The family lived on this farm till 1937. Many of the children were married by this time. Adolph married Katherin Bollinger; John married Emma Dusil; Mary married Earl Brown; Freda married Albert Jenssen; Martha married Ed Kurle; Bertha married Ed Schuler; Ted married Doris Brass; Helen married Fred Dutt;

Ruth married Ray Hauck; Emil married Lydia Alldinger.

Parents John and Margarette passed away in July 1954. Margaretta the 12th of July - John the 20th of July.

Mary and Ted are living in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Freda lives in Eldora, Iowa.

Bertha in Hubbard, Iowa. Ruth in Sacramento, Calif. Helen and Bill in Tolstoy.

Adolph, John, Emil, and Martha are deceased. Back to Index

Christian Dutt was born in Glucksthal, South Russia, on Aug. 6, 1882. His wife, Elizebeth Goetz, was born on June 18, 1889. Glucksthal is located in the Besserabia area of South Russia.

They were married on Nov. 6, 1907 in their home village of Glucksthal. Two sons were born to the couple but both died at a young age in Russia.

Christian and Elizebeth immigrated to America in the summer of 1911. Since they had relatives in the Tolstoy area, they decided to make this their home.

Christian became a citizen of the United States on Oct. 23, 1923. Elizebeth gained citizenship on Mar. 5, 1940. They made their home on a farm about 2 1/2 miles south east of Tolstoy. They were both active church members. Christian sang in the church choir and they both taught Sunday School.

Eight children were born to the Dutts after they came to America: John (deceased 1975) married Viola Trefz; Fred. Tolstoy, married Helen Dufloth; Eugene (deceased 1950) married Alice Little; Edgar, Tolstoy, married Elsie Buechler (deceased 1972) married Katherine Dufloth Buechler; Emma. Gettysburg, married Roy Nold; Esther, Seneca, married Art Geist; Otto, Tolstoy, married Evelyn Amsden; Albert, Aberdeen, married Thelma Schaefer.

Christian delivered all his children himself except for Albert. A midwife was then in attendance.

Their farm years were happy and productive. Along with the farm work, Christian would help Christ Trefz with carpenter work. Christian and Christ also owned a threshing machine together. They would do threshing for themselves and the neighbors in the fall.

During the hard years the diet often consisted of chicken, peanut butter, and kuchen. Maybe that is why none of the remaining Dutt boys really care for chicken to this day.

In 1948 the Dutts moved to Tolstoy. Edgar took over the family farm. Christian operated the cream station and also had a shoe repair business for several years.

Elizabeth passed away in November of 1951. Christ passed away 5 weeks later in December of 1951.

The influence of their lives remain a blessing to all who knew them. Back to Index

Jacob Dutt was born Dec. 27, 1874 in Glucksthal, South Russia the son of John and Magdelena (Goetz) Dutt.

Fredericka Huber was born Nov. 21, 1880. They were married Sept. 2, 1898. Soon afterwards they accompanied her parents, the Christian Hubers and family to America. They had relatives living in the Tolstoy area. There was land to be homesteaded. They settled 2 1/2 miles northeast of Tolstoy. They built a sod house and started farming. May 1, 1906, Mr. Dutt received his "patent record" for the land signed by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt. About this time they built a one story frame house. Some years later a second story was added. The house is still in use. Marlyn Stotz bought the farm from the Jacob Dutt estate. Back to Index

The Dutt's retired and bought a home in Tolstoy in 1930. Mr. Dutt passed away in April 1935. And Mrs. Dutt passed away in 1957.

Twelve children were born to the Dutt's. Six died in infancy. Jacob died in 1935. He was married to Christine Holzworth. Frieda (Mrs. Jake Krein) Hosmer, S. D. John married Martha Rieger (deceased). Edward, Tolstoy, married Clara Erlenbusch. And Martha married Fred Lassle, Tolstoy. Reinhold married Mildred Hettich, Redfield. Back to Index

Daniel Erlenbusch was born Nov. 5, 1884 in Huffnungsthal, Russia. Katherine Saur was born June 30, 1885 in Huffnungsthal, Russia. They were married Feb. 6, 1907 in Huffnungsthal, Russia. Two daughters were born in Russia. Helen who died in infancy and Cecelia who came to the United States. They arrived in Fairfax, S. D. in 1910 where they lived with the George Walth family. Later they moved to the Java area where William, Clara, and Jacob were born. They then moved to the Lowry area where Matilda, Frieda, Fred, Herbert, and Alvin were born. In 1931 they moved to the Tolstoy area where they farmed until 1942 when they moved into town. Mr. Erlenbusch was employed by Clocksene Construction at the time the Holy Infant Hospital was built. Later he was janitor at the Tolstoy school. They were members of the St. James Lutheran church.

They had four sons that served their country in World War II. Those serving were William, Jacob, Herbert, and Alvin. Jacob died of wounds received in action in Aug. 5, 1944.

The Erlenbusch children were: Cecelia (Mrs. Adolph Fleck); William (married Hulda Schlecht), Clara (Mrs. Edward Dutt); Jacob; Matilda (Mrs. Simon Opp, at present Mrs. August Wiederrick); Frieda (Mrs. Berton Ham); Fred (married Ruth Blumhardt); Herbert (married Eleanora Schlecht); Alvin (married Edna Hintz).

Mrs. Erlenbusch passed away Aug. 31, 1953. Mr. Erlenbusch passed away Sept. 12, 1967. Fred passed away in 1964. William and Cecelia passed away in 1979. Back to Index

Generations ago our great grandparents migrated to the U.S.S.R. during the reign of "Katherine The Great". It was her decision to give German settlers a place of forty "desedene" of land (one desedene approximately equivalent to two acres). They had to clear this land of trees and brush and constructed the buildings of sod. Their belongings they had brought to this new land of opportunity, were carried by hand, wheelbarrow, or cart.

The Russian peasants that lived in this area north of the Black Sea in the Ukraine were much like the Native Americans of the 1800's. They wore garments called rubaschka's, something like long shirts down to their knees. For shoes they wore a simple slab of leather that was fashioned to fold up to the ankle, and holes were cut around the perimeter drawn together by a rawhide cord. The settlers had problems, much like early pioneers, with these Russian peasants.

Our grandparents, the Pollak's, lived and farmed in this region. The Fischer's moved closer to the Siberian forest land in the early 1900's, where grandfather got a job as a forester for a wealthy German who owned a settlement and many acres of Siberian forest land in the Tarter Republic. During these years a great famine spread throughout the country and many people starved. The wolves were a terror and travel at night was hazardous.

By 1917 the Revolution changed the lifestyle of everyone. The rich buried their clothes and possessions and fled for their lives. The revolution had many factions fighting for their own cause. The "white soldiers", represented the wealthy class. The red communists, and many bands of plunderers rode horses carrying guns and swords. They were deserters of the Czar's army and various volunteers. They killed people without pity or reason, and took what they wanted anywhere they pleased. The Cossacks were fierce fighters and were feared mostly by the reds, because they fought on the Czar's behalf. The Tartars, an Asiatic people, were the most merciless in their plunders.

When the communists had control of the land, they started sending many innocent people to prison camps in Siberian wastelands. Anyone whom they feared might have influence with the general public. These prisoners were never heard from again. Both grandfathers were taken in the middle of the night to unknown destinations.

John Fischer and Olga Pollak were married in the Ukraine region near Odessa. In World War II, during the invasions of German troops into Russia, they left the country with two surviving children, and one grandmother (Pauline Pollak). In 1943 they traveled with many other refugees in a wagon train caravan, made up on horses, oxen, mule drawn carts, and wagons. When they reached Germany, they were herded into prison camps until their documents and nationality were finalized. Having lost all for a second time in their lives, a fresh new beginning was at hand in a small village called Hansfelde in northern Germany.

John worked for a local farmer, as did most of the people who lived there, for about 8 years. He put an ad in a German transcript that was also distributed here in the U. S., hoping to find long lost relatives who had migrated out of Russia in the Czarist government era. By 1950 an uncle of his who lived in Bowdle, South Dakota (John Dickhaut) answered his ad.

In 1951, Dec. 13 they entered the U. S. New York harbor aboard a converted military troop transport ship called the U.S.S. South Dakota Sturgis. It had two huge rooms that were crammed full of refugees, males and females were segregated. Then a three day train ride began through mountains of snow. The men had to get out and shovel the track clear at times. We arrived in Bowdle late in the evening to find Uncle John waiting for our arrival.

John, Olga, Waldemar, Helmut and grandmother lived in the basement of Mr. and Mrs. Dickhaut's home for 5 months. They moved to various farms, working as farm laborers. In 1956 they started farming on their own, on a rented farm owned by Ben Maier's son Harlan. Also that year Victor was born. He was to be the first citizen in the family in this great land of opportunity. Since then home base for the family has been near and in the town of Tolstoy, a place of serenity and peace. Back to Index

After Gottlieb Geist was released as a prisoner of war by the Japanese army, he and his wife, his parents Christian and Gottliebena (Singer) Giest, sisters and brothers came to America.

Life in Russia was something not to be desired. Their occupation was farming, and having a Russian landlord made farming very difficult. The land that was rented to the German immigrants was heavily infested with wild oats. After the land was cleaned and fit to be farmed, the Russians would keep this land for themselves. In return, the Russians would give them some more land with wild oats on it. This of course developed into a hopeless situation. As a result their eyes turned toward America.

When Mr. Geist arrived in America in the early 1900's, he came with the hope of homesteading. This hope did not materialize as there was no more land available east of the river. He could have homesteaded in the west river area but decided against it upon hearing about the rattlesnakes. Mr. Geist then rented some land

in the Tolstoy vicinity. One of the farms is presently owned and operated by Harlin Hettich, and the other farm now owned by Lowell Hosterman. It was at this farm in 1918, Mrs. Geist (Magdalena Bieber) passed away, leaving Mr. Geist with seven children-Lydia, Edward, Alvin, Emelia, Anna, Rudolph, and Arthur.

Shortly after this sad occasion, he purchased land twelve miles northeast of Tolstoy. He contracted to have a three room house built for his family.

These were very trying times, seven children and no mother to love and tend to them. Mr. Geist was very grateful to the neighbors (Hagele's and Mertz's) for the homemade bread and the many other good deeds they did for him and the children.

They lived twelve miles from the nearest town and little or no mode of travel. When Mr. Geist bought a model T Ford, it lightened the burden of traveling to Tolstoy and Bowdle.

In 1920, Mr. Geist married Rosina (Hetzger) Bomesburger. Mr. Bomesburger passed away in 1918 leaving Mrs. Bomesburger with six children: Natalie, Lydia, Gust, William, Adolph, and Rosella. Shortly after this marriage one of Mr. Geist's children (Emelia) passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Geist became the parents of four children: Benjamin, Gottlieb, Jr., Emma, and Alfred.

Most of the twenties were prosperous years. During this time, they were able to build additional buildings, fences, etc. Then came the thirties. Needless to say all readers have either endured these years or have heard of them. With a large family and little or no harvest for ten years this made for difficult times but never despair. The good Lord them through these difficult years as He had always done in the past.

Mr. and Mrs. Geist were faithful members of the Tolstoy Methodist church until 1942, when they moved to Bowdle. During their residence at Bowdle, they attended the Congregational Church.

Mr. Geist passed away in May of 1967 at the age of 88 years, (1878-1967). Two years later Mrs. Geist went to be with the Lord at the age of 82 (1887-1969). One son, Alvin, preceded them in death in December 1964. (1913-1964). Since their passing away, one son Adolph, passed away (1915-1979). Mr. Geist's parents passed away shortly after their arrival in America.

The children from both marriages are as follows:

Edward Geist married Anna Forkel. ( Edward deceased).

Lydia Geist married Ludwig Tabbert (deceased).

Alvin (deceased) married Anna Trefz (deceased).

Anna married Johnny Delker (deceased), John Vilhauer.

Rudolph married Tillie Kundert.

Arthur married Esther Dutt.

Natalie Bomesburger married George Keszler (deceased).

Gust Bomesburger married Sadie Martz.

Lydia Bomesburger married Alvin Lippert.

William Bomesburger married Ellen Martz.

Adolph (deceased) married Elva I. Hartley.

Rosella Bomesburger married Clem Sitter.

Benjamin Geist married Delores Heiser.

Gottlieb Jr. married Carol A. Carl.

Emma married Emil Haar.

Alfred married Grace Dockter.

As We Look Back

When Mrs. Rosina Geist left Russia, she left behind her parents, sisters, brothers, and friends never to see them again. En route to America she lost an infant son who was buried in the depths of the sea. We (their children) hurt as we think of those days. However, putting those things behind; we rejoice over the decision they made about coming to America. It is because of their coming that we as well as our children and our grandchildren enjoy the privilege of living in America. For these and many other blessings we are grateful. They have instilled in us our Faith in God. Back to Index

Ed Griese drove a dray wagon for Vail's Livery from Lebanon to Tolstoy in the early 1900's before Tolstoy had a railroad. Many of the area farmers still have the trails these dray wagons made in their pastures. Ed married Matilda Dale on Sept. 29, 1910 at the Carl Dale home in Logan Township. In 1913 they moved to the William Penrod farm in Fairview Township where their son Lyle presently resides.

They started out with a few head of cattle and a team of horses. The family recalls in the dirty thirties when Ed hauled straw thirteen miles with a hay rack and his team. He would leave early in the morning and return in the afternoon so young Lyle and Lloyd could help pitch it into the barn.

Matilda was one of the charter members of the Springs Extension Club. Ed and Matilda farmed in the Springs Community until 1946 when they moved to Gettysburg. They often spent the winter months in Arizona, however Ed usually returned to South Dakota before spring did. In 1960 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Ed and Matilda were lifelong residents of Potter County.

They were the parents of six daughters and two sons: Laura married Ralph Smith (deceased) and she lives at Greenwood, Ill.

Edna married Leonard Umiker, and they reside at Gettysburg, S. D.

Sylvia married Melvin Werdin (deceased), her home is at Sioux Falls, S. D.

Agnes married Fred Rud, they live at Puyallup, Wash.

Mable married Hans Rud (deceased), her home is at Puyallup, Wash.

Leona passed away as an infant.

Lyle married Josephine Barondeau and lives at Tolstoy.

Lloyd and wife Jeanette make their home at Sacramento, Calif.

Ed Griese and his dray wagon in livery business at Lebanon before 1910. Back to Index

J. H. Grosz, known to all as Jake, came to Tolstoy in 1906, about the time the town started. Born in Russia in 1882 to German parents, he came with them at the age of 7 to settle near Eureka where his father, Henry H. Grosz, found the rich farmland which lured so many immigrants to America. Jake showed an early interest in business, so he was sent to Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls. Returning to Eureka he worked at the Eureka Bazaar until his move to the bustling little town of Tolstoy.

The Tolstoy mercantile was begun in 1909 by Jake and his partners, Al Oestreich and Walter Gundert. Jake was named as the store's manager. It was a large store where one could buy anything from pins to caskets or apples to high button shoes.

Three years later, another Eurekan came to Tolstoy. Elisabetha Harr was born in Dakota Territory in 1889 to German parents who had also came from Russia to settle near Eureka. They farmed and Mr. Harr helped organize and operate the Northwest Mutual Insurance Co. still in operation today. Liz became a school teacher, earning one dollar a day for each day taught or $20 a month! After 4 years she came to Tolstoy in 1909 to clerk at the mercantile.

On Aug. 24th, 1910, Jake and Liz were married. The community presented them with a beautiful china closet as a wedding gift. Liz still has that gift in her home today. Jake had a new house built for his bride. The big house with its open porch and columns was built by P. D. Jones, and painters from Minneapolis did all the decorating. The 4 bedroom house became home to 6 children: Verona, Hugo, Wilma, Robert, Vera, and Quenten. Little Wilma died at the age of 7 from diphtheria. Robert died of wounds suffered in battle during World War II. He was serving in the field artillery in Gen. Geo. Patton's Third Army. He is buried with his fallen comrades in Luxembourg where he died. He lacked 21 days of becoming 22 years old.

Jake and Liz worked together in the store business but Jake also had other business interests. He was Vice-Pres. of the Tolstoy bank, and also a partner in the Tolstoy flour mill. The couple took an active part in community affairs.

Jake served on the Town Board for many years. He was an original organizer and builder of St. James Lutheran Church and was an officer in the church. The church's first pastor was the Rev. Paul Albrecht and their first child, Marcus, was born in the Grosz home. Jake played ball on the Tolstoy team and he played the bass horn in the town band. Liz was active in Extension Club work, church and school activities, and both enjoyed supporting their political party. Governors and Congressmen were entertained in the house on the hill.

In the early 30's the store's partnership was dissolved and Jake opened a new store on the west side of main street in the Loeb's Building. But like many other businesses, the "dirty 30's took their toll and in 1940 the store was closed. Jake's well kept ledgers showed how many families had been kept going, thanks to credit given them. Many of those accounts were never able to be paid, a few did pay, years later.

The family moved to Aberdeen. By now only Vera and Quenten remained in school. Jake continued in the grocery business with the National Tea Store and later on, the Gamble Grocery Store. He died on Aug. 25, 1960, the day following the couple's Golden wedding observance. Jake is buried in the Lutheran cemetery just north of Tolstoy, a wish he had expressed to his family during his year long illness. He rests beside little Wilma near the little town he loved so well and worked so hard for.

Liz continues to live in Aberdeen. Now in her early nineties, her activities are confined to church and family. But, every Memorial Day she comes to Tolstoy to visit her loved ones' graves and spends the day with dear old friends. The remaining family members are Hu, a retired funeral director and mortician in Columbus, Neb.; Verona Gill, a retired nurse in Green Valley, Ariz.; Vera, a teacher at the S. D. School for the Visually Handicapped in Aberdeen; and Quenton, employed by Job Service of South Dakota in Aberdeen.

Rounding out the family tree are 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Liz says to all of you, "Our friendship has budded on earth; May it bloom in Heaven." Back to Index

William and Mary Gundert came to Tolstoy in 1910 from Hosmer, S. D. where Mr. Gundert had been in the lumber business. He came to Tolstoy to work in and eventually own the Tolstoy Mercantile Co., which had been built by Jacob Gundert, his father.

Jacob Gundert came to Yankton, S. D. from Odessa, Russia at the age of 20. He became a successful business man and farmer at Menno, S. D. where he raised eight children on a beautiful 1100 acre farm. Only one of these children lives today. She is Mrs. Clara Gross of Bowdle, S. D.

William Gundert had a partner in the mercantile business, namely Jacob Grosz. This partnership lasted for several years until Mr. Gundert's death at the age of 49. William was a dedicated hardworking man who had many friends. He was a good father to his children: Francis, Robert, Viola, Marvin, Marcella, and also a good husband to his wife, Mary (Kraft) Gundert. All the Gundert children except Robert who lost his life in a prairie fire on Oct. 3, 1922 near Bowdle, now live in or near Lodi, Calif.

Tolstoy holds many happy as well as sad memories for all of us. Back to Index