Tolstoy Family Biographies

The Lippert Family

Jacob and Margaretha (Jacober) Lippert migrated from Glucksthal, South Russia. Jacob Lippert was born Nov. 1, 1870 and Margaretha Jacober was born Nov. 8, 1869. They were married on Jan. 30, 1896. When they arrived in the United States, on May 22, 1900, at Baltimore, Md. they brought with them two children, Rosina, age 3 and Christina, age 2. They homesteaded 3 1/2 miles northeast of Tolstoy along with friends and relatives. Soon thereafter, a two room house replaced the claim shanty originally erected. The house was made from bricks made of clay and straw. When dry, the bricks were laid to form a wall approximately 2 1/2 feet thick. The shingles for the roof were hauled part way from Seneca by wheel barrow by Jacob because he had no horses or oxen at that time. A friend, Frank Murdy, hauled them the rest of the way to the homestead with his team and wagon. The house, which still stands today, eventually became a comfortable home for a family of eight. Edward recalls the first time his parents brought home candy from Tolstoy and later having his first ice cream at a 4th of July celebration at Tolstoy.

Jacob, Anna Marie, and Edward were born before the family moved into Tolstoy in the fall of 1909. Edward started school that fall. Jacob Lippert purchased a business called the Livery, Feed, and Sales Stable from John DeBlume. The livery was located across the street north of the former site of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and across the street east of the Standard Bulk plants. The livery barn was on the south end and the corrals extended the full length of the block north from the barn. On the tenth of February, 1910, the livery business burned to the ground. The cause of the fire was suspected to be either an over-heated stove in the office or a hobo who had taken refuge in the barn. Approximately 20 horses were killed. Only 4 horses which were being used by a survey crew were saved. Alvin was born 4 days later on Valentines Day.

The family left town in the spring of 1911 and lived for one year on a farm one mile south of the homestead. The following spring, 1912, they moved back to the homestead. Living close to town as they did, they came to Tolstoy quite often with a horse and buggy and later with a model T Ford. Edward has many fond memories of such things as roller skating, the town band playing on Saturday night, the kerosene street lights, and celebrating Gala Days on Aug. 15. A sister, Rosina, died during the "flu" on Oct. 24, 1918. Jacob died five years later on July 22, 1923. Mother carried on farming until Nov. 1, 1937, when the family moved back to Tolstoy.

Between 1937 and 1942 Edward continued to farm the homestead, drove a cream truck for Jake Wolff, and also one winter ran the Standard delivery truck for John Stotz while he vacationed. He served on the Board of Education for several years. During the fall and winter of 1940-41 he was part of a crew that tore out the railroad. He began at the round house at Akaska and stayed with the crew until they got 2 miles east of Onaka. Serphine Wendling, Bill Clausen, Ralph Karst, and Ed were responsible for knocking out the bolts connecting the rails, 4 bolts per rail at every splice.

On June 28, 1942, Edward married Emma Roesch. That fall he purchased 2 quarters of land on a farm 2 1/2 miles east of Tolstoy. The next spring, March 1943, they moved to the farm. His mother, Rosina, died that fall, Sept. 4, 1943. Lloyd was born the next spring, March 31, 1944. They moved to Tolstoy in the fall of 1948 to the house they still occupy. The next spring, April 18, 1949, Gary was born. Except for a brief period immediately after the move to town, Edward has been farming. Back to Index

During the 1st World War, Axel Lindquist was approached by the Government to go to the New Town of Tolstoy to help with the construction of farm buildings. His wife and children did not go with him at that time because they expected that he would soon be called for the military service. In 1918, Axel was notified that his name would soon be drawn, so he went back to Minneapolis to be with his family. The war ended and he did not have to go. At this time, his son Walter was born, so he stayed in Minneapolis. In 1919, he went back to Tolstoy and within a year his family joined him. It didn't take long before they became a part of the town and learned to like it as much as Axel did. The children were Winifred, Leonard, Margaret and Walter. They have many fond memories of their life there. Winifred remembers riding the caboose of the freight train when she went to Hoven to take piano lessons at the convent. The freight train went to the end of the line and than came back. There was time for the lesson. Bessie had to iron on the day the electricity was available. Mr. Klenk had a garage.

Movies were shown in his building once in a while. These were silent movies so there had to be a piano player. One night she could not come so Mr. Klenk asked Winifred, who was 12 years old, if she would play. He said he would give her $3.00, Winifred was delighted to do this but after the first reel, he gave her the $3.00 to stop. Axel bought a cow for the family. Winifred and Leonard were taught to milk the cow and to wash the udder with ivory soap each time. A young lamb was purchased. Margaret soon made a pet of the lamb. It followed her all over. It lived to be an old sheep because Margaret loved it so. Margaret still has a blanket made from the wool of her sheep. As Leonard was growing up, he took on all comers in his age group in wrestling and boxing in the local pool hall on Friday or Saturday night, when a mat could be thrown on the floor. One Saturday night when Axel was paying his monthly bill at the Mercantile Store, Mr. Gross offered Leonard an apple. Leonard was looking at candy bars instead and told Mr. Gross that his Dad had just brought a box of apples from Aberdeen. Later, Axel reprimanded Leonard and told him never to offend a person again who was being gracious and Leonard remembered that lesson. Leonard remembers one halloween night when a group he was in tipped over the shoe-makers out house and to their chagrin, the shoe maker was in it when It was turned over. Another Halloween night, they placed an old horse buggy on the roof of the school house. The telephone office was a great place to meet, and dear Bertha who ran it was so nice to us. We had the first Edison in town. That was a thrill, listening to "whispering Hope". Winifred and Leonard were attending high school in Gettysburg when they were notified of Axel's heart attack and death. An auction sale was held and overseen by Mr. Kepple at the bank, all property sold, the carpenters finished the buildings Axel had contracted for, and the family moved back to Minneapolis. It was tough for the kids working their way through school, the bank at Tolstoy had failed. But Bessie and the children made it.

Winifred married Fred Andersen. He had just graduated from the University. They have three children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Fred was a nutritionist and sales manager for a feed company. He is now retired. They live in Hopkins, a suburb of Minneapolis. Leonard became a lawyer with the Federal Government and spent 4 years in the U. S. navy overseas, returned to Minneapolis to become State of Minnesota Public Service Commissioner, Legislator, Labor Arbitrator, and head of a large Law Firm in Minneapolis. He lives in Minneapolis, has three children and two grand children.

On Sept. 23, 1981 Leonard was the recipient of the very prestigious award for distinguished service in the interest of arbitration presented by the President of the American Arbitration Association, Mr. Robert Coulson.

Margaret is a Religious Educational Director, married to a minister who is retired now. They have four children, 8 grandchildren and live in Rochester, New York. Margaret has retired, too, but will soon be working again. She can't say no when she is needed. Albert, her husband keeps busy too. Walter was in the Marines during World War Two. He was in the battle of Iwo Jima. He spent some time in the hospital in Hawaii. Walter and his wife live in Joliet, 111.

He is a material analyst for the Caterpillar tractor Company. Bessie is now 97.

She is very active and alert. She lives at the Walker Methodist Residence in Minneapolis. Axel did not live to be an old man, but while he lived, he accomplished a great deal. Many churches, schools and homes were built by him. He enjoyed a good time, liked people, liked to listen to Lawrence Welk when he played for the dances and gave to his family a desire to do one's very best and use the talents we were given. Many people called him "Happy Axel".

Thank you for letting us share in the history of Tolstoy. Winifred Back to Index

John Litzen, a native of Germany, served in the German Army for several years before he came to the United States. After spending a number of years in Minnesota he took advantage of the offer of free land in South Dakota in the late 1800's. The land he homesteaded still remains in the Litzen family. He married Angela Lux of Earling, Ia., also a native of Germany, in 1893. He brought her to his little sod house on the wind-blown prairie where they raised five children, John, Lena, Catherine (Clemen), Peter, and Micheal, now all deceased.

John did not think a sod house was quite the appropriate home for his wife and his family. He built the house which is now the home of the present John Litzen family. This stately old house which John and Angela built prior to 1898 (old newspapers, dated 1898, stuffed into a wall were recently found during remodeling, proves this). An old home like this contains a library of memories, joys, and sorrows. Young Micheal died there following a long illness, and John Jr. was injured during World War I, but there was also much joy, the house parties and dances.

Peter, the second son, was born in the house in 1902. Much of his childhood work was herding cows all day long, a job he thoroughly detested and vowed if he ever had boys none would ever be subjected to a job like this. (For our younger readers let me explain a bit about herding cattle. Pastures weren't fenced so it was usually the job of the younger boys or girls to stay with the cattle all day while they grazed on your own land. You left early in the morning, carried your lunch in your dinner bucket, usually a syrup pail, and stayed out until milking time in the evening. And this was every day during the summer. No horse to ride, no books to read, no radio, just watching the tail ends of a bunch of cows all day. So count your blessings, kids!)

The corn was picked in the fall (and that was picking by hand) so Pete only went to the country school during the winter months. During this time there was also the fun of skating parties on Springs Lake and the Community Club parties at the old Springs Church, the basket socials, and etc. Pete remained on the farm with his parents until they moved to Hoven in 1927. For several years he managed a grain elevator in Tolstoy.

In 1932 he married Claudia Sons of New Ulm, Minn. Many crop failures and hard times beset the young couple, but through hard work and determination they weathered the "dirty 30's". From 1937-1940 they lived at Edgemont, S. D. where he managed a Texaco Service Station, but his longing for farming and cattle brought them back in 1940 and throughout the years operated an ever increasing cattle feeding operation and grain business. Their children, all six of them, attended the same old country school a time, but mostly they attended the St. Anthony's School in Hoven. They all graduated from Hoven High.

James (Jim) joined the Air Force and spent some time in Korea during the Korean war as an air traffic controller. He is still with the FAA as a Supervisor at the Air Traffic Control Center at Auburn, Wash. and lives at Summer, Wash. with his wife, Pat.

Mary Kay (Mickey) is married to Ernie Wingen who is an Ag Instructor at the Blue Earth High School at Blue Earth, Minn.

Ronald and his wife, Margie (Culling) and their family live on the former Fred Roesch farm and are farming in cooperation with John and LaDonna (Robin) who live on the home place. Richard (Dick) enlisted in the Air Force following his graduation from college at St. John's, Collegeville, Minn. and is married to Barbara Fair of Monticello, Minn. They live at Olathe, Kan.

Luanne attended SDSU at Brookings where she met Dale Russell. They live at Pierre where he is employed by the State Dept. of Transportation.

Claudia, a native of New Ulm, Minn. attended school at New Ulm, Minn. and graduated from high school at St. Ben's, St. Joe, Minn. Following her marriage she was kept busy with her family, Extension Work, Hospital Auxiliary, and Alter Society, while Pete was a committee member of the Potter Co. ASCS Board for 20 years, the local school board and a long time member of the Holy Infant Hospital board at Hoven.

When his health failed and he had major open heart surgeries they retired from the farm and moved to Hoven, but Pete remained active in buying and selling cattle until the day he died on April 2, 1974. Claudia has also kept busy during her retirement. She started the Blue Valley Senior Citizens of Hoven, Tolstoy, and Lebanon. She served as Hospital Auxiliary president for seven years, was the first woman (however unsuccessful) to run for an office on the Hoven City Council, she was president of the Northern District of the National Catholic Society of Foresters as well as Chief Ranger in the local Forester Court and worked for a number of years as Society Editor of the Hoven Review.

In 1976 she was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the S. D. Association of Senior Citizens.

There are 25 grandchildren to carry on in the name of Peter and Claudia Litzen and the circle has been completed with another John Litzen occupying the house originally built by the grandfather, John Litzen so many years ago. Back to Index

Jacob Maier was born in Russia and came to the U. S. when he was about 18 years old. Shortly thereafter he married Eva Weidmaier, who was also born in Russia. After their marriage they homesteaded four miles southwest of Long Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Maier were the parents of nine children.

Lydia married C. C. Stotz (both deceased).

Emil (deceased) married Carrie Bollinger.

Leah (deceased) married George Railey.

John, a drowning victim at the age of 16.

Ben married Dorothy Bieber.

Gust (deceased) married Edda Siebrasse.

Edward married Patty Maier.

Ida married Mr. Adair.

Bertha married Frank Heins.

Emil Maier will be remembered as the moving contractor and builder.

The Maier family moved to the Tolstoy vicinity in 1906, settling on a farm northeast of Tolstoy now occupied by LaRoy Stotz. Ben was 4 years old when they moved to this farm.

Ben, Emil, John, Leah and Lydia would take the horse and buggy to Grandma Dufloth's house, near the railroad track, and watch the building of the railroad.

In 1923, Ben married Dorothy Bieber and lived 2 1/2 miles northeast of Tolstoy, (present Donald Stotz farm), for one year. Their next move was to a farm 8 miles northeast of Tolstoy, where they lived for seven months. Their son Harlan, who now resides in Stockton, Calif. was born at this time.

After this they moved further north into the vicinity of the Hageles and Reiners. They lived here for eleven years and during this time their daughter Edna was born. She is now residing in Portland, Ore. They lost this farm due to the depression.

In 1937, Ben and Dorie moved to the J. J. Trefz farm located on the south edge of Tolstoy. They rented this farm for seven years after which they purchased it. Ben and Dorie are still living on this farm and are actively engaged in farming. Back to Index

After W.W. I Otto Mees came to Tolstoy to work for his brother Henry who was in business. Otto married Helen Bitzer on Jan. 1, 1922.

Otto was the first rural mail carrier out of Tolstoy. In the beginning it was a tri-weekly route. The old homemade snowmobiles were put to good use in those days. Most winters saw a tremendous amount of snow.

Otto was always associated with baseball in one capacity or another. He was catcher for Lee Murdy, then umpired, and managed up until he became one of the baseball commissioners of the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association.

The Mees's moved to Wilmot, S. D. in 1937. Here their four children graduated from high school. Grace the oldest went on to receive a degree from Mayo Bros. Hospital, Rochester, Minn. as a registered nurse. Joy graduated from business college. Clayton after serving in the navy took a position with the Illinois Power and Light Co. Willard served in the Navy Hospital Corp. Later he attended Medical school in Minneapolis and received his degree in Optometry in Chicago. He is now practicing in Denver, Colo. Back to Index

Eiven (Ed) O. Myrann and Hetty Nelson were married on Nov. 20, 1917 in Tolstoy. Ed came from Norway at the age of 20. He settled in Tolstoy and worked for the Nelson and Ed Schuler families. He also worked for John Trefz threshing crew prior to his marriage to Hetty.

The Nelsons owned two farms at the time, (Willard Hoven's and Lelend Stotz's). He worked there for a while and then leased the farm where Fred Harner presently lives. Later he bought the Nelson farms and moved to the farm where Willard Hoven now lives.

They raised eight children: Lois (Howard) is living at Mitchell. Eleanor, a schoolteacher resides at Casa Grande, Ariz. Bob, was an air force pilot for twelve years during World War II. He saw action in Europe, England, Japan, and Korea. He then became a test pilot for Convair, in the San Diego area. Bob now owns a Sporting Goods Store at Lake Isabella, Calif. He has two children. Bert, was also in the air force during World War II. He later was with the San Diego police force for twenty-nine years. Bert is now living in Tolstoy with his wife Laurie. He has three children. Carolyn (Carson) is a housewife living in Phoenix, Ariz. and she has three children. Wesley was in the Korean War. He is married and has two children. They are presently living in Anchorage, Alaska where he is employed by the telephone company. Bonnie, (Strouckel), lives in Casa Grande, Ariz. She and her husband Lloyd have two children. Jack is a Korean veteran. He went to work in Aerospace. He has spent a lot of time traveling around the world. He presently lives in Phoenix, Ariz. with his wife Rita and two children.

Ed passed away in 1962. Hetty is living with Eleanor in Casa Grande. She flew to South Dakota in 1981 to visit her family at Mitchell and Tolstoy.

We are glad to have a good family life and to have grown up in Tolstoy. This town is still "home" for our family. Back to Index

Harry Munyon was born at Virogua, Wisc. in May of 1886. Lydia (Ragatz) Munyon was born in Sac County, Wisc. July 1882. They both moved to Potter County as small children.

Harry's mother passed away at a young age. He and his dad lived together until his dad's death. Then he was on his own. Working for different people, and at the livery barn in Lebanon. He was very fond of horses. One of his jobs there, was to drive for Dr. John J. Mertins. wherever he was called to tend to the sick.

Lydia was a good seamstress, and during the winter months, she would spend a week at a time, sewing for her aunts, Nold, Penrod, Murdy, and Keller. And for others that weren't relatives.

On Dec. 25, 1909, they were married at her home at Springs. A few years later they bought a farm south of Tolstoy. (now the Hepper farm)

Five children were born: Boyd of Benn Ann Apts., Gettysburg, Eda May, Mrs. Clarence Schatz of Faulkton; Junya, Mrs. Loren Johnson of Ipswich; Lynden of Great Falls, Mont. and a daughter who died in infancy.

In 1943, they retired to Gettysburg, where they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1959.

Lydia passed away in 1966, and Harry in 1971. They have 11 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren. Back to Index

A John Archibold Jr. and Andrea John Murdy immigrated from County of Tyrone, Ireland during the early 1800's. They settled at Windridge, Penn. in Green County. Green County is the southwest corner county in the state of Pennsylvania. There is an old cemetery in Windridge called Murdy cemetery. In another small country cemetery on one of the highest points in the mountainous area over half of the headstones have Murdy names. There is also a place called Murdy Hollow and local story is that a Murdy family was massacred by the Indians, with only one boy escaping.

Andrew John Murdy served in the Union army in a Pennsylvania cavalry troop under General Sheridan.

During the late 1860's Andrew John Murdy and family moved to the state of Iowa settling on a farm near Centerville in the southeast part of the state. The family lived there until the early 1880's when several members of the family came to Dakota Territory and homesteaded in Logon Township, Potter County. John and Belle Murdy were the first to come in 1893. John had a homestead and a tree free claim about two miles south of the present town of Tolstoy.

Mrs. John Murdy taught schools in the rural area for several years. As an indication of how the early settlers met their problems. She would take 2 or 3 of her small pre-school children to school with her.

Their oldest daughter was the first white child to be born in Potter County. Their oldest son also taught school in Logan Township in later years. He also had the first automobile in Logan Township and shipped it to California when the family moved in 1905. Belle had married and moved to California before John.

The Murdys were active in community affairs. Mr. and Mrs. John Murdy and Belle Murdy are listed as members of a group who organized the first Springs Congregational Church in 1886.

In 1890 two more members of the family came to Dakota Territory. A. C. Murdy and the father, Andrew John Murdy. Andrew John Murdy died in 1892 and is buried in the Springs Cemetery. A. C. Murdy homesteaded in Logan Township and built a "Soddy" as the early settlers called their sod houses. In 1893 A. C. Murdy married Elizabeth Nold who was one of the Nold family who had settled in Fairview Township. Their first child a "son" Lloyd was born on Christmas Eve in 1894.

About 1900 R. L. Murdy entered medical practice at Bowdle after graduating from medical school in Iowa. He later established his practice in Aberdeen, S. D. In 1909, B. C. Murdy joined his uncle, R. L. Murdy. Later these two doctors were each joined by a son in their practice. Back to Index

Mr. and Mrs. Nels A. Nelson came to Potter county in the fall of 1884. They migrated here from Denmark via New York. Their first stop was Parker, S. D. before coming to Tolstoy.

Upon arriving in Tolstoy they proceeded to build a 12' x 14' sod house on the farm that is now occupied by Willard Hoven. The walls of the sod house were neatly white washed and the floors were dirt. Water was gotten from a slough until a well was dug. This was a good well and people came from miles around to get water.

Nels brought two of his sisters, Senna and Mary, with him from Denmark. They lived in his home until they both married Faulkton boys.

The Nels Nelson Family Back: Anne, Nels, Marie. Front: Nels Nelson, Hetty, Mrs. Nelson.

In 1886 Nels A. invited his father Nels C. to join him in this country. Nels Christian soon arrived and was later joined by his wife and another daughter Ida. Nels A. and Nels C. added another room onto the sod house before they arrived. In 1896 they built the original frame house where the present Willard Hoven house is located. Nels Christian got a quarter of land north of Tolstoy. He planted many trees. Some are still standing. Later he sold this land to Stotz's. It is now owned by Leland Stotz.

Nels A. purchased the northeast quarter of this same section from Miller. This is the quarter Leland Stotz's farm buildings set on. Nels A. built the original frame house on the Leland Stotz farm; which was used until Leland built his new home.

The first schoolhouse land was donated by N. A. Nelson. It was located just across the road to the east of the present dump ground.

Nels A. would walk to Gettysburg carrying plowshares to be sharpened. He would carry a sack of flour home on his shoulders. He hauled his grain to Roscoe with oxen. There was a definite need for closer rail services than Roscoe, so finally in 1906 a crew of five surveyors came. They pitched a tent by the Nelson home. Mrs. N. A. Nelson cooked for them. N. A. Nelson donated land for the new town site. This land is located on the west side of the present main street. Naming the new town "Nelson" was considered but N. A. did not approve.

The family of Nels A. Nelson consisted of his wife Marie and their children:

Marie born in 1885 married Mr. Frank, children, Jean, Hetty and Beverly.

Nels born in 1887 married Anne Miller.

Anne born in 1890 married Martinson, no children.

Hetty born in 1895 she married Eivan Myrann and they raised their eight children on the original Nelson place in the original frame house built by the Nelsons.

The family of Nels Christian Nelson (N. Al's father) consisted of his wife and three daughters: Senna and Mary who married Faulkton boys and Ida who married Charles O'Niel. Back to Index

John was born in Sauk Co. Wisc. May 28, 1862. His parents were from Switzerland. John came to Fairview Township in 1883 as a young man. After he homesteaded here, he returned to Wisconsin to bring his two older sisters out here. His oldest sister, Salome, married Barthew Ragatz and Ursula later married Tom Penrod. John made another trip to Wisconsin to bring his mother and the rest of the family except Mary who had married and moved to Shelby, Iowa.

After the family was located and settled, farming was begun. John also did blacksmith work for the neighbors and the post office was started in the Springs community. John married Louisa Inks and she took care of the mail. The post office was in existence until the M and St. L. railroad went through from Conde to LaBeau. John, wife Louisa, and baby Francis had a ride on the train's first trip through.

John and Louisa were the parents of nine children. Ray, the oldest, married Florence Worth. They were both teachers. After his service duty he returned to Potter Co. and was elected as County Treasurer. After that he was employed at the bank. At the time he retired, he was President of the bank in Rock Rapids, Iowa. They have two sons.

Luella taught school and later married Gilbert Dale. They lived on his parent's farm. In later years they moved to Minnesota where they retired. Soon after they had moved to Florida, Gilbert passed away. Luella and their two children still live there.

Leo was also a school teacher and taught until he entered the service. After returning he married Katherine Trefz. They are the parents of four sons and one daughter. While living in Gettysburg he operated a trucking business. Leo passed away in Aug. 8, 1975.

Albert married Burney Mullen and two sons were born to this union. Burney passed away when the youngest son was a baby. Albert died in November 1938.

Elsie tried her hand at being a telephone operator in Tolstoy. At that time, board was more than the wages, so Elsie didn't keep it long. Elsie married Carl Hawkinson in 1921.

Eddie lives in Oregon and married Freda Trefz who passed away in Dec. 1980. They have two children, both of them living in Oregon.

Orian lived on the home farm for awhile. He married Viola Cooper and they have two daughters. Orian was janitor at the Gettysburg school for several years. Viola works at Hottman Imp.

Francis married Ruby Vail and they have three children. He taught school for several years before moving to Washington where they still live.

Tracy, the youngest son lives in San Diego with his wife and family. He made a career of the Navy but is now retired from this branch of service. Back to Index

John Opp was born Dec. 21, 1875 in Glucksthal, South Russia. He came to the United States as a young man in 1899 and worked as a farm hand for Mr. John Nold in the Springs community for 3 years.

Mrs. Rosina Jacober Opp was born Nov. 7, 1881 and immigrated to the United States with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Christian Jacober at the age of 17 years in 1899. They both attended Christian Day School and were confirmed in the Lutheran church by Pastor Schrenk in Russia.

They were married April 2, 1902 by Pastor J. C. Ghem at St. John's Lutheran church in Bowdle. They operated a farm in Faulk County northwest of Tolstoy until they retired in 1928 when they moved to the town of Tolstoy.

Four sons were born to this union. Simon who became a self employed trucker, Christ, a construction worker in Cheyenne, Wyo., John Jr., Jake worked for the Aerojet Corporation of Sacramento, Calif. for many years. While employed with this company Jake received special recognition and payment for a device he designed to eliminate problems in the motors for the Army Hawk.

Mr. Opp died in 1952, Mrs. Opp passed away in 1967, John Jr. in 1913, Simon in 1963, Christ in 1964, Jake in 1966. The only survivors are two granddaughters, Mrs. Joyce (Opp) Siebrasse of Gettysburg and Mrs. Gardenia Bergthold of Roseville, Calif. and eleven great grandchildren. Back to Index

Daniel Schack was born in Austria in 1884. Al the age of fifteen he came to South Dakota to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Charles Funk, who farmed northeast of Tolstoy.

In Austria, it was the custom for the oldest son to learn his father's trade. Since his father was a village blacksmith, Daniel learned at an early age how to shoe horses, mend and repair harnesses, and all tasks associated with this kind of work.

Being skilled and experienced, Mr. Schack began a shop of his own in Tolstoy. The shop was located southeast of the old town well. Incidentally, Mr. Schack was one of the members who financed and instigated the drilling of the old town well. It was around this time that Mr. Schack married Dora Schneider Block.

Mr. Schack opened a second shop in Hoven, S. D. He moved his family there and had a successful business for several years. Since his first love was the shop in Tolstoy, he sold his business in Hoven and returned to Tolstoy where he continued to operate a shop until the time of his death in 1916.

Daniel and Dora had five children, twins, Leo and Leone, Mary, John, and Loretta. John and Loretta are now deceased. Dora Schack lived in Tolstoy for fifty years. She raised her family there with much determination in spite of the hardships. The children attended elementary school in Tolstoy. Since there was no high school in Tolstoy at this time, Leone graduated from Onaka high school.

Mary attended high school in Salem, S. D. She lived with relatives who resided in Salem.

Leo lives in Bowdle and helps his son Jerry on the farm. Dora Schack passed away in March 1959. Back to Index

Jacob Schafer and Katherine Zweigardt were united in marriage on March 14, 1901 in Java, S. D. In 1908 they moved to Tolstoy where he managed a lumber yard until 1918 when they returned to Java to farm. Mr. Schafer passed away in 1953 Mrs. Schafer in 1968. One son, Gerhart was 13 when they moved from Tolstoy, Emma (deceased) was 10, and Ella several months old. One daughter, Loretta, died in infancy and is buried in a cemetery south of Tolstoy. Two other children also passed away while in Java.

The house they lived in still stands and is occupied by the Jacober sisters.

Gerhart lives at Watford City, N. D. and has a grocery store. Back to Index