TBT- Johannas Weerts WWII Service

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

Johannas Weerts [1902-1975]

My Great-Great Uncle

Johannas Weerts was born in rural Martin County, Minnesota the 8th child to Harm & Elizabeth Weerts, who were German immigrant dairy farmers. They had left their home in Ostfreisland (far NW Germany) a decade before & settled in Iowa before relocating to Southern Minnesota.

Shortly after the outbreak of World War I, Johannas moved to rural He continued to reside in the Amenia area and was later married to Clara Cramer in 1943.

He died in 1975 from complications of pneumonia following a broken hip. 

TBT- Hiram Maine & Loren Maine "Boxing"

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This Week It Is-

Hiram Maine [1904-1979] & Loren Maine [1901-1980]

My Great-Grandfather & His Older Brother

This photo, taken sometime in the early 1910's in rural Cass County, Minnesota was sent by Minnie Maine down to her old neighbors the Hartman's in Southern Minnesota. This fun snapshot of her two youngest sons was likely taken on their farm in Home Brook Township, due to the hats & raised fists, it's pretty much impossible to tell which one is which. 

Hiram would continue to live on that farm the rest of his life, dying in 1979. Loren would eventually move back down to Southern Minnesota and farm in rural Winnebago, later moving into town. He died of cancer a year after his brother. 

TBT- Larrie Maine at Stony Brook

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

Larrie Maine [1896-1977]

My Great-Great Uncle

Larrie Maine at "Stony Brook" [Cass County, MN]

Larrie Maine was the first born, of six children belonging to Ralph & Minnie (Cole) Maine. Throughout his life he lived in various places around Minnesota & North Dakota, before settling on his farm near Mapleton, MN where he passed away following a heart attack at 80 years old.

TBT- Baby Photo of Aunt Ardyce (Sturm) Reader

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is--

Ardyce Sturm Reader [1934-1994]

My Great-Aunt

A smiling Ardyce --

Ardyce was born in 1934, the 3rd of three children born to John & Beatrice (Mapson) Sturm, older sister Mava Ruth (my Grandma) and old brother Arlo completed the family.

Baby Ardyce

Growing up in rural Granada, Minnesota, she lost her Mother when she was only about 12 years old. Later marrying and moving to Colorado, she would pass away at only 60 years of age.

TBT- John Sturm Cabinet Card Photo

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo collection

This week it is-

John Sturm [1869-1921]

My Great-Great Grandfather

John Sturm was born in 1869, in rural Long Grove, Illinois, the son of Johann & Salome (Sturm) Sturm. His parents were both immigrants from Ostheim, Alsace Lorraine.

After marrying and starting a family, they eventually left Illinos and settled for a brief time in Wisconsin before relocating to Southern Minnesota. They farmed here for about 15 years, before John passed away from colon cancer at 52 years old. 

TBT- Hattie (Maine) Hanlon McLaren & Children

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

Harriet "Hattie" (Maine) Hanlon McLaren & her children

Onnie Hanlon Rathbone, John Hanlon McLaren
Lyda Hanlon Small, Hattie Maine Hanlon McLaren
-Photo taken in later 1940s, before Lyda's 1949 death

Harriet Maine was the daughter of Erastus & Eliza (Pierce) Maine, born in 1864 in rural Winnebago, the 5th of 11 children the couple would have. 

Marrying twice, first to John Hanlon and later to James McLaren, Hattie lived in Southern Minnesota and South Dakota before settling in Alberta, Canada and later British Columbia.

Her children often used the McLaren name, though any formal adoption seems unlikely.

The mother of 5 children, only 3 lived to adulthood and are pictured above-
Eliza "Lyda" Hanlon Lofthouse Small [1884-1949]
John Hanlon McLaren [1890-1977]
Onnie Hanlon Trott Rathbone [1894-1961]

Hattie died in November 1952, at the age of 88. Three weeks later, her older brother Selwyn died following a stroke. They were the last of the Erastus Maine family.

TBT- Family of John & Beatrice Sturm

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

The family of John & Beatrice (Mapson) Sturm

L-R: Arlo, Mava, Beatrice, Ardyce, John

John & Beatrice were my Great-Grandparents, who sadly passed away many many years before I was born. They farmed in Martin County, Minnesota for many years, before moving into Fairmont in the 1940s.

They had 3 children: Mava (my Grandma), Arlo & Ardyce.
I'm not sure when or where this photo was taken, I don't recognize the side of the house-- and estimate it was taken around 1946, based on the appearance of my Grandmother & her siblings. 

Sadly, Beatrice would pass away in 1948, at only 46 years of age. John lived 20 more years, passing away in 1968.

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Mapson Family Christmas

In honor of the upcoming Christmas Holiday, I'm spotlighting this photo

From the home of

Jethro & Sarah Mapson

My Great-Great-Great Grandparents

This Christmas photo was taken at the home of Jethro & Sarah Mapson, near Granada, MN around 1910-1915. It's very likely that it was taken by their grandson Harry Mapson, who was a photographer, starting as a teenager. 

In the background you can see a pendant from San Diego, CA, which is where Jehu Mapson, a brother to Jethro lived. The Mapson family were prolific letter writers & much correspondence survives today.

This lovely photo, from over 100 years ago, is one of my favorite pieces of Holiday memorabilia.

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear-- Frank Mapson

Spotlights photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

Great-Great-Great Uncle Frank Mapson

Frank Mapson wearing a fur coat belonging to his father Jethro

Frank Mapson was born March 24, 1869 in Marion, Minnesota, the son of Jethro & Sarah (Sealey) Mapson. As a baby he came with his family to Martin County, Minnesota where he grew up.

Later marrying Ida Clynick and having two children- Harry & Hazel. Frank farmed in rural Granada, Minnesota his whole life. He died at home there in 1967, at 98 years of age.

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear-- Weerts Daughters

Spotlight photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is my 

Great-Great Grandmother- Elizabeth (Funk) Weerts

& her 4 daughters

Lucy, Grace, Anna, Elizabeth, Helena

Elizabeth (Funk) Weerts was born September 17, 1862, in Petkum, Ostfriesland, Germany. She was adopted at a young age by the Funk family. She was married to Herman "Harm" Weerts and they eventually left Germany for the United States, joining relatives in Iowa. Later moving to Southern Minnesota and finally settling in North Dakota. Elizabeth died at the age of 93, after suffering a stroke on June 20, 1956.

Among the 10 children in the Weerts family were the 4 daughters above-- (left to right)

Louise "Lucy" (Weerts) Schultz (1892-1989)
Grace (Weerts) Schultz (1890-1957)
Anna (Weerts) Cramer (1907-1973)
Helena "Lena" (Weerts) Ludemann Muller (1888-1988)

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Josephine (Hagen) Cole

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

Today it is Josephine (Hagen) Cole

My Great-Great-Great Grandmother

Josephine Marie Hagen was born July 1, 1851 in Vågan, Nordland, Norway.  Which is within the beautiful Lofoten islands. In July of 1864, she came to the United States with her family (her brother Adolph was born during the voyage!) and the family settled in Wisconsin, before coming to what is now Kandiyohi County, Minnesota.

She married Delivan W. Cole and they lived in New London, Minnesota before moving to Cass County in Northern Minnesota. Josephine would give birth to 10 children, but sadly bury 4 of them in childhood. Later she & Delivan moved to North Dakota with their younger children.

Josephine returned to Cass County to live with her daughter Minnie & family in her final years, where she died 1922 from chronic valvular heart disease.

TBT- Photos from Yesteryear- Grace Weerts Schultz

Spotlight photos from my extensive photo archive

Today it is Grace (Weerts) Schultz

My Great-Great Aunt

Grace Weerts was born January 22, 1890 in Petkum, Ostfriesland, Germany and came to the United States with her parent & older brother (my Great-Grandfather) and sister in 1892, settling in Butler County, Iowa. 

After 10 years of farming in Iowa, the Weerts family moved north to Minnesota where they operated a dairy farm. 

Grace married Fred Schultz in 1911 and they farmed in rural Fairmont, Minnesota where they raised their 3 sons, until eventually moving into town.

In 1957, Grace died from complications of stomach cancer.

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Sally "Essie" Crosby

Spotlight photos from my extensive photo archive 

Today is it

Sally Estella "Essie" (George) Bruce Crosby [1879-1958]

My Great-Great Grandmother

Essie Crosby in front of the Winnebago School- 1930s

Sally Estella "Essie" was the first child born to Myron George & Viola Jewell. Raised in Central City, Iowa by her Father & Grandmother Elmira Jewell, following her mothers death.

Essie was first married to Owen Rutherford Bruce, and after a tumultuous 16 year marriage they were divorced. The day her divorce from Owen was granted, Essie married LeRoy "Roy" Crosby and they immediately after moved to Minnesota.

Essie raised a total of 5 children and was an important figure to grandchildren as well. After many years living in Winnebago, Minnesota, Essie & Roy moved out West to California where their daughter was living.

Essie died after suffering a stroke on September 2, 1958. 

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Stephen Luther Nelson

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

Today it is

My Great-Great Grandfather's older brother

Stephen Luther Nelson [1863-1933]

Stephen Luther Nelson was born just outside of Twin Lakes, Minnesota, the third child born to Ole & Mary Rosetta (Grinolds) Nelson. His mother died of cancer when he was just a teenager.

He was married to Inga Isaacson and eventually they, along with their 3 children, moved to South Dakota. 

In 1933, just shy of his 70th birthday, he died from complications of heart problems

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Erwin & Vera Bruce

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

Vera & Erwin Bruce

Erwin Bruce, the younger brother of my Great-Grandmother, was born in 1909 in Linn County, Iowa, the last of four children born to Owen Rutherford Bruce & Sally Estella "Essie" George. After his parents 1916 divorce, he moved to Minnesota with his Mother & Step-Father.

He lived in Minnesota and worked for many years as a farm hand for area farmers, later he moved to California where two of his siblings had relocated to. Eventually, in middle age, he was married to Vera Stinson Graves, a divorcee. 

They lived in the Cotati area where Vera died of a heart attack in 1968 at age 61. Just over 2 years later, Erwin also 61, died of a heart attack.

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Ralph & Minnie Maine

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

Today it is my Great-Great Grandparents

Ralph & Minnie Maine



Ralph & Minnie Maine with Larrie & baby Thora
about 1899 in Winnebago, MN



Ralph & Minnie Maine were married on Christmas Day 1895, at the home of Minnie's parents in what is now rural Cass County. Ralph & Minnie frequently moved back & forth from Northern Minnesota to Southern Minnesota over the years.

This photo of the young couple was taken around 1899, when Thora was a baby. By Summer, the family had relocated back to Northern Minnesota and had a new baby in the family- Blanche! Three more children- Loren, Hiram & Vernie would follow over the next 8 years.

Ralph died unexpectedly after suffering a stroke in 1939, at the home of his daughter Vernie. Minnie remained on the homestead until her death in 1953.

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Other "Maine" posts include:

Irving Maine

Ossian Maine

Maine Family

Grace Kottschade Wermter

1950s Maine Reunion

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Sybil & James Hooser

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

James & Sybil (Hooser) Hooser

James & Sybil Hooser

Sybil was born outside of Winnebago, MN in 1882-- the first daughter (and 3rd of 10 children) of Charles Hooser & Jessie Maine.

The name Hooser is often spelled Hoosier as well. Some adapted one spelling or another--- while others switched back & forth. 

Sybil spent her earlier years in Southern Minnesota-- growing up around her Mother's family & her cousins, before the family relocated to what is now South Dakota. After a few years the family again relocated to Northern Minnesota.

As a young woman, Sybil was married to a distant cousin- James Theodore Hooser. They would live in the Park Rapids area, until moving to Canada for a few years.

By 1909, the family had returned to Park Rapids.

On July 21, 1914, Sybil passed away from complications of a heart ailment. She was only 32 years old.

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear-- Herman & Stella Weerts

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is my Great-Grandfather & his 2nd wife

Herman "Harm" Weerts & Stella Loveall

This marriage took place on September 1, 1932 in Fairmont, Minnesota. Herman had just lost his wife the previous Spring, but with 7 small children at home I expect a "Mother" for them was a priority.

In 1936, Stella gave birth to a daughter of her own... sadly, in January 1942, at the age of 41- Stella passed away from chronic myocarditis. 

TBT- Photos of Yesteryear- Weerts Brothers

Spotlighting photos from my extensive photo archive

This week it is-

The Sons of Herman & Elizabeth (Weber) Weerts

Gerald, Willard, Jame & Donavon Weerts

Herman & Elizabeth (Weber) Weerts lived in Martin County, Minnesota during their married lives. Elizabeth died as a young woman in 1932 and Herman remarried and moved to Winnebago, MN. 

They had 5 sons- Gerald [1918-1988], Willard [1920-2005], James [1922-1990] & Donavon [1929-2001] are pictured above. Lawrence [1927-2007] is missing from this photo.

TBT- Photos from Yesteryear- Jehu Mapson

Spotlighting photo from my extensive photo archive

This week is-

Jehu Mapson [1845-1932]

Jehu Mapson was born in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, England to Robert & Ann (Thrush) Mapson, the second of seven children. As a young boy he moved with his family to the United States, settling first in Cambria, WI and later Winnebago, MN.

After the death of his first wife, Henrietta, he remarried to Kate Sharp and they eventually settled in California where Jehu was a prolific farmer, known for his large citrus groves.

He remained in the San Diego area until his death at age 86.