A Cousin's Reunion

I received the following message from Kathy, the daughter of Vernon Krans:

"We are going to have another cousin reunion.  I wanted to send you the basic information early so you can mark it down your jam-packed calendars.  So no excuses --- you have had plenty of notice!

 

It will be on Saturday, September 6, 2014.  Jeff and Kay will be hosting at  his farm in Homestead. In case you didn’t know, they purchased the old Erland Peterson homestead.  The Popple Creek ( or Crik, as we called it) runs through his property and the Claus Johnson homestead is across the road. (Claus Dr.), and is not too far from the Krans homestead. Brain Banks, who presently owns the old Krans place, has also invited us to the farm.  So it should be interesting to learn a few facts about our family beginnings.  Remember, we are now THE oldest generation so it is up to us to preserve our history to pass on to our children.  If you think your family would be interested in attending, please inform them about the date.

 

More details this summer."

What a wonderful chance to visit where our Swedish ancestors began their life homesteading in "Amerika." In April of 1883, the entire Ekquist family moved from Florence to this farm site in Little Popple, later called Burnsville, and finally Homestead, Wisconsin. This homestead was later considered to be the “stoniest and stumpiest land”in the area. Only 30 acres were workable. They joined the John Larson’s,and the Lars Peterson’s as the first pioneers in “Little Popple.”

It later became the Claus Johnson homestead; Julia Ekquist Johnson and Claus Johnson bought the Andrew Ekquist homestead after Andrew died.  Andrew and Louisa sold Charlie Krans 40 acres of land for $300 in 1895 where they built a house and raised a family. For many years after Andrew died, our Great-Grandmother Louisa lived with  Teckla and Oscar Lundwall, but returned to live with Ellen and Charlie where she died.

Here's more information about the Ekquist family:

http://nancyadele.blogspot.com/2012/06/ekquist-family-in-homestead-little.htm

It's also a wonderful opportunity to either meet or reconnect with other extended family members.