One of the Oldest Ekquist Family photos

Last weekend I was at a Krans family get-together in Aurora. I borrowed this photo from Loraine Larson so I could share it with family members.

On the back of the photo it says it was taken at the Krans Home in Homestead in 1898. Great Grandpa Ekquist sold the land to Charlie Krans after he married Ellen, and the land adjoined the Ekquist homestead. The house is quite similar in design and size as the original Ekquist home.

I believe the two boys on the right side of the house standing are Emil Equist and Will Equist.

This is one of the oldest family photos taken outside in front of a house I've seen, and this is a large photo.

From left to right are Julia Ekquist Johnson, Louisa Ekquist, Ida Ekquist Osterberg, Andrew Ekquist, Teckla Ekquist Lundwall, Charles Krans holding Evan, Ellen Ekquist Krans holding Rose Krans Olson, Oscar Larson, and Claus Johnson. At the time Ellen and Charlie only had 2 of their 13 children.

This is a photo of the Ekquist house, and the Ekquist land and home were sold to Claus Johnson, husband of Julia Ekquist Johnson after Great-Grandpa Ekquist died.

Andrew Ekquist, Louisa Ekquist, possibly Oscar Lundwall, and Teckla Ekquist in front of the Ekquist home in Homestead. Eight children were raised in this house.

Krans Cousin's Reunion

I was able to be with many of the Krans cousins this past weekend at Loraine's home in Aurora, Wisconsin. So nice to be able to be with these wonderful relatives -- their grandmother was the oldest daughter of Andrew and Louisa Ekquist, and our grandmother was the youngest daughter. Ward was particularly close to his Krans cousins during his life, and I spent a lot of time with many of "my" Krans cousins during the time we lived in Kingsford in the late 1950's. It was so nice to be included!

 Female Cousins from left to right: Karen, Kathy, Rita, Gayle, Loraine, Laurie and Nancy

Can somebody help me with the men? I can only identify Dale, Roger, Rita's son, ?, Dennis and Jeff.

Ron Chiolak

It was so nice that we could visit with Ron at our last cousin's reunion. For those who may have missed it, we have received the following email:

From Ted, Marie and Joan (parents Violet (nee Lundwall) and Steve Chiolak)

Dear Cousins--

It is with great sadness we notify you that our brother Ron passed away on July 31st, the day after his 73rd birthday, from stage 4 cancer that had metastasized to his bones and lungs.  Ron had been ill beginning in May and under a doctor's care in Bellevue, Iowa, where he had been living for about 11 years. He was to have a prostate biopsy on July 14th when he went to the ER on July 13th.  He was immediately transferred to a larger hospital in Davenport, Iowa.

Test results there showed pneumonia and the cancer and although he was being treated for the pneumonia--his cancer was too far advanced for any curative therapy.  He was in hospice care when he passed away.  We were able to visit with Ron during his final weeks and Ted conferred with both Ron and the doctors on Ron's condition. Ted was in Davenport on July 31st making final arrangements.

Ron's wishes were that he be cremated and his ashes scattered in places of importance to him (the Great Lakes, Mississippi River and Rose Hill cemetery, where our parents are buried). 

A memorial service is being planned for a later date.

Please hold us in your thoughts and prayers.

Mining Country

This was posted on Facebook today, and I found it interesting since we come from Mining people. Hope you find it interesting as well.

I found it particularly interesting since both sides of my family were mining people -- my mother's side in Hibbing where I also lived close to the largest open pit iron mine in the world. Two of Oscar Lundwall's siblings also ended up in the Hibbing area as well.

The Hull Rust Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine

Grandfather, Oscar Lundwall, and many many of our relatives worked in the Iron Mines in Commonwealth, Wisconsin; in Iron Mountain, Michigan; in Caspian, Stambaugh and Iron River, Michigan; in Michigamme, Michigan; near Marquette, Michigan; and also in or near Hibbing, Minnesota.

This is definitely a part of our family history!

More information can be found here:

Animikie Group 

Although we studied this in school, both in Hibbing and Kingsford, it's only as an adult that I have grown to appreciate this information. 

The First Cousins Reunion

The following is from the first Cousin's Reunion of the generation following the Ekquist's "Comin' to Amerika!"

It was sent to me by Carol Dinco, daughter of Janet Lundwall Curtis who was the youngest daughter of Teckla. It probably was written by Nancy Lundwall Roberg, the oldest child of Teckla!

It's been a while!

This morning, I found this:

Fishing on the Little Popple River

and then I went exploring, and found this:

Information on where our great-grandparents settled.

Our great-grandparents Andrew and Louisa Ekquist and their family were among the first settlers in this area, on a homestead plot on the Little Popple River. Then, as now, trout could be caught and helped feed the family those first years. According to the published information, they ate mostly potatoes and wild leeks, but we know the homesteaders were all avid berry pickers as well.