Kusler- Grosz Family Collection
Grosz Family Photographs
Both Kusler and Schäfer families originated from Palatinate,
Germany, as founding families of former Black Sea German village
of Worms, Beresan District, South Russia in 1807 (today north of
Odessa, Ukraine). These same families immigrated in the “second
group to America” in 1871 to pause in Sandusky, Ohio, while
sending out land-survey scouts to Sutton, Nebraska, and Yankton,
Dakota. The Kusler-Schäfer families were pioneer settlers in
1972 at Odessa Reformed (near Lesterville, Dakota Territory) and
later moved to Scotland, South Dakota. Some Kusler sons were pioneer
homesteaders in northern McIntosh County (near Fredonia and Kulm,
North Dakota) in 1884.
Johann Kusler, Jr., of Scotland, South Dakota, was married in January
1894 to Magdalena Grosz of Parkston, South Dakota, before homesteading
in McIntosh County. The Grosz family were founders of rural Gnadenfeld
Congregational Church [oldest German “classis” church
in North Dakota], south of Kulm, North Dakota. Johann Grosz, Sr.,
with George Gäckle and George Billigmeier, originating from
former German villages of Kulm and Leipzig, Bessarabia (today west
of Odessa, Ukraine), were the three co-founders of town site in
1892 to be named Kulm, North Dakota.
Both Grosz and Dietrich families originated from Wuerttemburg,
Germany, through former German village of Neuberg, (Leibental am
Baraboi District, South Russia), to settle in former German villages
of Kulm and Beresina, Bessarabia, (today west of Odessa, Ukraine).
Two significant textiles for worship-garb were inherited through
Justina Dietrich (Mrs. Daniel Grosz) of Scotland, South Dakota.
Justina’s family originates from former German village of
Beresina, Bessarabia, along with her maternal Bader family in neighboring
Paris village.
Clara Kusler assembled a collection of “sprühle”/scripture
memory cards near Kulm, North Dakota, before her marriage in 1921
as Mrs. John Mayer. Impressive color-lithgraphy of floral motifs
with Bible verses decorate Clara’s memorizing cards.
Donated items include photographs, postcards, sprüle, and
textiles. They were donated by Clara’s sister, Adeline Kusler
McCloy, to the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection in 2002.
Family Histories:
1. Kusler, Walter M. The Kuslers and their descendents.
Kulm, ND: W. Kusler, 1983. *Germans
from Russia CS71.K969 1983.
2. Piatz, Lorraine Leier. Family history of Joseph Leier &
Caroline (Grosz) Leier & Clara (Grosz) Leier. Napoleon,
ND: Napoleon Homestead, 1996. *Germans
from Russia CS71.L525 1996.
Town & County Histories:
1. Flegel, Zona. The origin of Kulm. np: np, nd. *Institute
for Regional Studies Small Collection 425.
2. Freeman, Mike. Menno, the first 100 years, 1879-1979.
Menno, SD: the City of Menno, 1979. *Germans
from Russia F659.M46F73 1979.
3. Hutchinson County, South Dakota 1880 census. Lakewood,
Ohio: R. J. Seibert, 1980. *Germans
from Russia F657.H85H87.
4. Kulm centennial, 1892-1992. np: The Centennial Book
Committee, 1992. *Institute
for Regional Studies F644.K85K86 1992.
5 . Kulm diamond jubilee, Kulm, North Dakota: June 26 &
27, 1967. Kulm, ND: J. E. Peters, 1967. *Institute
for Regional Studies F644.K85K85 1967.
6. Kulm, N. Dak., 1892 to 1957. Kulm, ND: The Committee,
1957. *Institute
for Regional Studies F644.K85K85 1957.
7 . Parkston, South Dakota, centennial history. Parkston,
SD: Joan M. Hafner and the Parkston Commercial Club, 1985. *Germans
from Russia F659.P37P37 1985.
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_11:
Daniel Grosz and Christina Dietrich Grosz celebrated their sixtieth
wedding anniversary in this portrait, circa 1921, in Fredonia,
North Dakota. Their children include August, Martha, and Willie
(Martha and Willie died of diphtheria as teenagers at Scotland,
Dakota Territory, before family moved to Fredonia in 1902.)
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_14:
The first homesteader families to the Kulm town site were Grosz
and Gaeckle families, originally from the ancestral villages
of Kulm and Leipzig, Bessarabia. This very early panorama photo
of Kulm, North Dakota, circa 1892-1896, was taken by first pioneer
photographer John Reiman, who moved his photo business from
Menno and Parkston, South Dakota. Fred W. Kempf, also know as
“Abbie” (ah-bee), originally from Beresina, Bessarabia,
was the second photographer to establish in Kulm. [George Gackle's
square house is shown in center of photograph; he gave the name
of Kulm for the post office.]
Excerpted from Kulm 1957 Jubilee History Book, page six:
“Kulm’s first photographer was John Reiman, followed
by Fred W. Kempf. Later Abbie Kempf was major photographer
circa 1906-1940 (and brass horn musician of 30-35 member Kulm
Brass Band until 1950). Christian Krause was also a major
pioneer photographer; but he was wealthy photographic hobbyist
for experimental images. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler
McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_19:
Family portrait of Daniel Grosz and Justina Dietrich with children
(except two youngest sons), circa 1885, at Parkston, Dakota
Territory. [Parents to Magdalena Grosz Kusler and grandparents
to Adeline Kusler McCloy.] Daniel Grosz (born 1 July 1846, Kulm,
Bessarabia; died 1919, Parkston, South Dakota) married in 1865
or 1867 in Grosz home at Kulm, Bessarabia, to Justina Dietrich
Grosz (born 6 August 1849, Beresina, Bessarabia; died 1929,
Parkston, South Dakota). They immigrated to America circa 1877.
Seven of nine children depicted are:
1) Lydia Grosz (born 5 September 1868, Bessarabia), married
John Grosz, Junior (distant cousin).
2) Gottfried Grosz (born 4 September 1870, Kulm, Bessarabia),
blacksmith at Parkston, South Dakota.
3) Magdalena Grosz Kusler (born 24 July 1872, Kulm, Bessarabia),
married to Johann Kusler, Junior at Parkston, South Dakota,
before homesteading to Lynch, Nebraska; Parkston, South Dakota,
and finally Kulm, North Dakota in 1902.
4) Nathaniel (“Dan”) Grosz (born 7 March 1874, Kulm,
Bessarabia), meat butcher at Parkston, South Dakota.
5) Marie Grosz Schoessler (born 14 June 1879, Parkston, Dakota
Territory), married George Schoessler, grain merchant at Anamoose,
North Dakota.
6) Marie Grosz (born 4 July 1881, Parkston, Dakota Territory).
7) Emmanuel Grosz (born 1 November 1883, Parkston, Dakota Territory).
8) Salomon John (“Samuel”) Grosz (born 7 November
1886, Parkston, Dakota Territory) not in photo.
9) Emil Grosz (born 29 October 1890, Parkston, South Dakota),
mail post clerk at Yankton, South Dakota. (not in photo). Photo
courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_21:
Probably infant of Gottfried and Maria Grosz, Parkston, South
Dakota. [Refer to photo #26.] This one year infant photo is
a visual classic art photograph with compositional design textures
juxtapositioned with lace eyelet gown, smocked tuft pillow and
wrapped wicker “peacock” chair. Photo courtesy of
Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_22:
Dorothea’s two-year-old toddler photo, 1906, at Edgemont,
South Dakota is daughter of Emmanuel and Emilia Grosz. Photo
courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_23:
This photo postcard was sent in 18 February 1910 from Emmanuel
and Emilia Grosz’s older daughter Dorothea at Edgemont,
South Dakota, to her grandparents Daniel and Justina Grosz at
Parkston, South Dakota. This particular winter snow scene shows
Dorothea Grosz with her younger sister holding delicate Beidermann
porcelain dolls, while standing on a floral bordered, double-weave
woolen blanket, draped on the teamster’s seat of an “Old
Hickory” bobsled. Also, eight young piglets are arranged
on the dashboard of this bob-sled. The photograph is by Leeland
Art and Manufacturing Company, Mitchell, South Dakota. Photo
courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_24:
Seventeen years portrait of Gottfried Grosz (born 4 September
1870, Kulm Bessarabia) in 1887 in Parkston, Dakota Territory.
He is the brother of Magdalena Grosz Kusler. Photographer is
R.L. Beattie, Parkston, Dakota Territory. Photo courtesy of
Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_25:
This photograph had Kenneth, Agnes, and Charlotte (“Lottie”)
Grosz, the youngest children of Gottfried Grosz, blacksmith
in Parkston, South Dakota, circa 1913-1915. Photo courtesy of
Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_26:
Marie (“Mary”) Grosz, wife of Gottfried Grosz, with
one infant son: either John, Cornelius, Conrad, or Walter, at
Parkston where Gottfried was a blacksmith, circa 1908-1921.
Photographer was Schneller Photo Studio, Parkston, South Dakota.
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_27:
This picture postcard shows Gottfried Grosz (born in 1870 in
Kulm, Bessarabia) with his older sons John and Cornelius standing
on a wicker chair, circa 1906-1908 at Parkston, South Dakota.
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_28:
Casual photo of Gottfried Grosz standing at the door of his
forge shop for blacksmithing, circa 1916 Parkston, South Dakota.
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_29:
Photo of Gottfried Grosz’s four older sons (John, Cornelius,
Conrad, and Walter) posed long-saddle on stuffed mule with white
nose in Parkston, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler
McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo-Kulm-ND_30:
The four young grandsons of Daniel Grosz are attractive lads
in Parkston, South Dakota, circa 1905. The two lads (left) are
Edward and Carl, the sons of Nathaniel “Dan” Grosz;
the two lads (right) are Edmund and Albert, the sons of Solomon
“John” Grosz. Their brother Gottfried Grosz had
seven or eight children; the three youngest were Charlotte (“Lottie”),
Agnes, and Kenneth. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_31:
Barnyard photo of “Uncle Dan” (Nathaniel Grosz,
born in Kulm, Bessarabia) showing off his prized Morgan horse
harnessed to a “racing sulky” cart, Parkston, South
Dakota, circa 1941. Dan was a meat butcher at Parkston, also
brother of Magdalena Grosz Kusler. Photo courtesy of Adeline
Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_32:
A country pasture photographer showing off the pride of a new
1914 automobile by owner Nathaniel “Dan” Grosz,
with his wife Emma Miller Grosz (left) and lady-friend as back-seat
passengers. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_33:
Reverend Daniel Schurr and Marie Grosz Schurr (sister of Magdalena
Grosz Kusler) with their twin grandchildren of daughter Clara
Schurr Klein, circa 1947. Daniel Schurr was district pastor
for German Congregational Churches of North Dakota, Jamestown,
North Dakota. Their daughter Clara married Jake Klein of Jamestown,
North Dakota having formerly farmed at Kulm, North Dakota. Clara
was registered nurse at State Hospital, Jamestown. Photo courtesy
of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_34:
A high fashion hat worn by Sophie Grosz, previous to marrying
George Schoessler, grain buyer at Anamoose (McHenry County),
North Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_35:
Portrait of Sophie Grosz Schoessler, circa 1910, Parkston, South
Dakota; later Mrs. George Schoessler of Anamoose, North Dakota.
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_36:
Interior office portrait of George Schoessler in January 1913,
as grain buyer on the Soo Line Railroad, Anamoose, North Dakota.
His wife is Sophie Grosz Schoessler, formerly of Parkston, South
Dakota and Kulm, North Dakota. Photographer is probably P.A.
Helm, Anamoose, North Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler
McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_37:
Sophie Grosz Schoessler (right), Anamoose, North Dakota, standing
next to her Norwegian-American neighbor friend, Mrs. Mantz.
Seated on an elaborately-carved acanthus-leaved oak chair are:
Irva Schoessler (left), Marie Schoessler (right) and Mantz daughter
(center), circa 1913-1916. Photographer is P.A. Helm, Anamoose,
North Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_38:
Marie Schoessler (left) holding infant sister Irva, Anamoose,
North Dakota, circa 1908. Photographer is P.A. Helm, Anamoose,
North Dakota. They are first cousins of Adeline Kusler McCloy.
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_39:
Photo, circa 1913, of Irva Schoessler (left) and older sister
Marie Schoessler (right) holding sheet music, Anamoose, North
Dakota. Photographer is P.A. Helm, Anamoose, North Dakota. This
postcard photo belonged to their aunt Magdalena Grosz Kusler.
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_40:
Photo of (left) Irva Schoessler, (2nd left) Marie Schoessler,
and two Mantz daughters, Anamoose, North Dakota, circa 1910.
Photographer is P.A. Helm, Anamoose, North Dakota. Photo courtesy
of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_41:
Marie Schoessler, oldest daughter of George Schoessler and Sophie
Grosz Schoessler, Anamoose, North Dakota, circa 1910. Photographer
is P.A. Helm, Anamoose, North Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline
Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_42:
Portrait of Marie Schoessler (born 1902), circa 1908, Anamoose,
North Dakota. Photographer is P.A. Helm, Anamoose, North Dakota.
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_43:
Circa 1910-1912, bookmark profile portrait photo of Emil Grosz,
son of Daniel Grosz and Justina Dietrich Grosz, also youngest
brother of Magdalena Grosz Kusler. Emil, born in 1890’s
was postal worker at Yankton, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of
Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_44:
Business card/ephemeral, circa 1920, of poem “Blacksmith’s
Dream” in English text, by Carl P. Grosz, son of Nathaniel
“Ben” Grosz, at Ethan, South Dakota. Carl was a
nephew of blacksmith Gottfried Grosz and Magdalena Grosz Kusler.
Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_45:
Interior photograph of Nathaniel “Dan” Grosz’s
butcher shop in Parkston, South Dakota, circa 1905. “Dan”
stands at one round-head butcher block, while his young son
Carl stands (far right). Carl Grosz later was blacksmith and
automobile engine mechanic at Ethan, South Dakota. Carl’s
uncle Gottfried was blacksmith at Parkston, South Dakota. Photo
courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_46:
This “Cabinet Portrait” is youth photo of Johann
Grosz, Senior, (born in 1847 in Kulm, Bessarabia), before immigrating
in 1878 to Menno, Dakota Territory (later South Dakota). The
R.M. Kapelnikov photo novelty company of Odessa city in Kherson
Province, South Russia, advertised an extensive photography
negative archive. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_47:
Nathaniel (“Dan”) Grosz, circa 1886 photograph,
a seventeen year portrait as a rite of passage to manhood, before
photographer John Reiman relocated to Kulm, North Dakota by
1892. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_48:
Photo portrait of Salomon John (“Samuel”) Grosz
(born 1886), Nathaniel “Ben” Grosz (born 1874) and
Gottfried Grosz (born 1870), four oldest sons of Daniel Grosz
(native of Kulm, Bessarabia) and Justina Dietrich (native of
Beresina, Bessarabia), Parkston, South Dakota, circa 1906. Photo
courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy, niece of these four Grosz
uncles. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_49:
Salomon “John” Grosz, younger brother of Magdalena
Grosz Kusler, was born 1886 in Parkston, Dakota Territory (later
South Dakota) of parents Daniel Grosz and Justina Dietrich Grosz.
“John” Grosz was married, circa 1905-1910, to wife
Emilia, but were divorced after five years. Parkston, South
Dakota photo. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GHRC_Photo_Kulm_ND_50:
Wedding photo of Edward Grosz with his bride Hilda, and surrounding
wedding ensemble circa 1921-1923 at Parkston, South Dakota.
Edward’s brother, Carl Grosz (left) and Edward’s
uncle Emil Grosz (right) with Emil’s wife Dora, matron
of honor. Dora (right) wears trendy-fashion, hair “puffs”
style during 1920-1924 only. Hilda’s sister (left) and
identical twin flower girls are unidentified. Photo courtesy
of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_51:
Wedding photo of Carl Grosz with his bride Nora, circa 1921-1923,
at Parkston, South Dakota. Carl’s brother, Edward Grosz
(right) and Emil Grosz, Carl’s uncle, of Yankton, South
Dakota. Edward and Carl are sons of Nathaniel “Dan”
Grosz. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_52:
Family portrait of Simon Schulz and Karolina Grosz (born 1850,
Kulm, Bessarabia and died 23 January 1923 at Kulm, North Dakota)
were married 27 October 1865 or 1866 (with two conflicting records)
at the family house of Simon Schulz at Kulm, Bessarabia.
1) Karolina Grosz was a sister to Daniel Grosz and aunt to
Magdalena Grosz Kusler. Further family history is mentioned
is Deborah Rothery’s 1993 book, Ancestors & Descendants
of Johann Grosz and Johann Kusler, phone (503) 287-0151,
1915 M.E. 56th Avenue, Portland, OR (Oregon) 97213. It is
currently available for in house research at the Germans from
Russia Heritage Collection.
2) Simon Schulz, the son of Johann Schulz, was born in Kulm,
Bessarabia on 16 August 1846 and died 27 October 1935 at Elgin,
North Dakota.
3) Circa 1888 photo: (back) Magdalena, Emilia, Maria, and
Augusta. (center) Willamena, Karolina (mother), Simon (father).
(front) Otto, Solomon, and John.
4) Children of Simon Schulz and Karolina Grosz Schulz: Willamena
Schulz married Philip Mayer, Magdalena Schulz married Gottfried
Schelske, Emilia Schulz [born 1872 in Neu-Posttal (Wittenberg),
Bessarabia], married John Bader. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_53:
Family portrait of Emmanuel Bader (born in Paris, Bessarabia),
and wife Maria Schulz Bader [born 1874, Neu-Posttal (Wittenberg)
Bessarabia] with three children, circa 1899-1906. Emmanuel Bader
and family lived near Parkston and Bridgewater, South Dakota.
Maria Schulz Bader was daughter of Karolina Grosz Schulz, who
was an aunt to Magdalena Grosz Kusler. Maria Schulz Bader was
a first cousin to Magdalena. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler
McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_54:
Family portrait of Emmanuel Bader and Maria Schulz Bader with
son Edward Bader, circa 1920’s, from Bridgewater and Parkston,
South Dakota. Maria Schulz Bader is a first cousin to Magdalena
Grosz Kusler. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_55:
Family portrait of Emmanuel Bader and Maria Schulz Bader with
son Edward Bader with his wife and daughter, circa 1940’s,
at Bridgewater, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler
McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_56:
Open casket portrait of Mrs. Samuel Bader, a cousin to Justina
Dietrich (Mrs. Johann Grosz, Senior). Photo courtesy of Adeline
Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_57:
Circa 1910 funerary photo, of casket with floral memorials and
Bessarabian textiles displayed to honor Grosz or Gaeckle families,
who were founder first settlers of Kulm, North Dakota. Their
Bessarabian villages of origins are Kulm, Beresina, and Paris
for the Grosz family, while Wittenberg, Tarutino, and Kulm for
the Gaeckle family. Photographer was “Abbie”
(Fred W.) Kaempf, native of Beresian, Bessarabia, originally
as business partner with Mathias Kempf. (According to young
Adeline Kusler of 1919, “Abbie” (Ah-bee) Kempf
was a brass horn musician in the municipal Kulm Brass Band,
usually of twenty to thirty member size, which continued to
a century of existence.)
Kempf was the second photographer, after John Raiman, to
establish in early Kulm, North Dakota in 1890’s. Photo
courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_58:
Postcard photo of Christian Kinzelmann, wife Katherina (center),
and Christian's mother Frau Hinzelmann (right), with four children
on their Dakota prairie homestead at Parkston, South Dakota,
circa 1920. Frau Hinzelmann was an aunt to Justina Dietrich
Grosz, who was born in 1849 in Beresina, Bessarabia. Photo courtesy
of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_59:
Postcard photo of Christian Hinzelmann and wife Katherina with
four children, posing with two white draft horses, buggy and
white frame house. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_60:
Postcard photo of Christian and Katherina Hinzelmann’s
four young children with blooming wild prairie flowers in homestead
farmyard at Parkston, South Dakota, circa 1920. Photo courtesy
of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_61:
Postcard photo with full-length coffin portrait of Frau Hinzelmann,
the mother of Christian Hinzelmann during 18th to 20th of April,
1923, at Parkston, South Dakota. The elderly Frau Hinzelmann
was aunt to Justina Dietrich Grosz, who was born in 1849 in
Beresina, Bessarabia. Hinzelmann origins were Paris village.
Justina was the mother of Magdalena Grosz Kusler. Photo courtesy
of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_62:
Unidentified family portrait of Johann Grosz, Senior, born in
Kulm, Bessarabia, and his wife Christina Gaeckle, born in Tarutino,
Bessarabia. Their daughter-in-law: Lydia Grosz (born in 1868)
was the oldest child of Daniel and Justina Grosz, also oldest
sister to Magdalena Grosz Kusler. [To avoid confusion: Johann
Grosz, Junior, also had a younger brother Daniel Grosz and younger
sister Lydia.] Photographer was E. E. Heckenlaible, Menno, South
Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_63:
This postcard photo was sent from “Dan’s”
son Carl P. Grosz, who was attending “the English school”
(Parkston High School) South Dakota, circa 1910, to his first
cousin Albert Grosz, son of “Aunt Lydia” Grosz Grosz
and John Grosz, Junior, at McClusky, North Dakota in Sheridan
County. The Parkston High School building with cupola was built
circa 1897-1905. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_64:
Unidentified portrait group of four children of George Gaeckle,
Senior, and Lydia Grosz, who were married in 1886 in Scotland,
Dakota Territory.
[Notes from Gaeckle Family History in GRHC Archives]: George
Gaeckle, Senior, was born circa 1865 in Wittenberg (Neu-Posttal),
Bessarabia. Lydia Grosz was born in Kulm, Bessarabia, circa
1867. In 1888 they moved briefly to Emmons County before relocating
in 1893 to Kulm, North Dakota, in southwest corner of LaMoure
County. He started a business enterprise of “Gackle
and Billingmier.”
When he was widowed in 1914, George Gackle, Senior, married
his second wife Martha Hiller and moved to Minneapolis, active
in the grain trade exchange. He turned over his Kulm business
to his three oldest sons: John G. Gackle (born 1889), Martin
Wesley Gackle (born 1894), and Gottfried.
Although Clara Grosz was first child born in Kulm on 20 December
1893: 1) George Gackle, Senior, (wife Lydia Grosz); 2) John
Grosz, Senior., (wife Christina Gackle, second daughter [only
child to America] of Johann Gaeckle and Christina Heier married
8 November 1843 in Wittenberg (Neu-Posttal), Bessarabia, moving
to Tarutino, Bessarabia; John Gaeckle’s parents were
Phillip Jacob Gaeckle and Katherine Magdalena Stern; Christian
Heier’s parents were Georg Friedrich Heier and Karolina
Sauter.) and 3) George Elhard were the founders of Kulm, North
Dakota.
The four children of George Gackle and Lydia Grosz Gackle
were: Martin Wesley Gackle (born 1894 as first baby boy in
Kulm, North Dakota); died September 1958 married in 1917 Florence
Strelow, who was born 1896 at Casselton, North Dakota. John
G. Gackle (born 10 March 1889, in Emmons County, Dakota Territory,
near Williamsport, died 24 May 1956, Kulm, North Dakota) married
8 June 1910 Margaret Wolfer, born September 1891; George (Gottlieb?)
Gackle, Junior (born in circa 1896), married Berth Hildebrandt
(born 1901; Scotland, South Dakota); and Emma Gackle (born
September 1892, Kulm, North Dakota [Why was not she first
child born inKulm?] moved to Lodi, California in 1923 where
she died in 1966); Emma married 10 September 1909, Christopher
Hieb (born 18 November 1885 and died 1973 in Lodi, California).
[Mrs. Gottlieb Gackle could not identify these Grosz photos
in May, 2002.] Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_64A:
Circa 1908 portrait of unidentified Gackle/Grosz ladies in Kulm,
North Dakota. [Mrs. Gottlieb Gackle refuted these two ladies
as following two Emma women]: 1) Emma Grosz (born circa 1888
in Scotland, Dakota Territory, daughter of Johann Grosz, Senior
and Christina Gackle, who married Peter Burdening). 2) Emma
Gackle (born September 1892 of parents George Gackle, Senior,
and Lydia Grosz Gackle, who married Christopher Hieb on 10 September
1909).
Textile notation: The traditional Bessarabian dress for winter’s
dark silk and wool, contrasting with white and gingham cotton
(serepta) for summer wear. Highlighted are the silk appliqué
skirt borders so traditional for Bessarabian Germans. Photography
is “Abbie” Kempf, photographer in Kulm, North
Dakota (a native Kämpf of Beresina, Bessarabia). Photo
courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_65:
Cameo portrait, circa 1897 has blonde man identified as a Gackle,
by Stacey Gackle in May, 2002. Were these two men the owners
of “Gackle and Billigmeier” merchandise store in
Kulm, North Dakota? who transferred store ownership in 1914
to three oldest sons, John, Martin, and Gottfried Gackle. Were
they George Gackle, Senior, and George Billigmeier? Photo courtesy
of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_66:
Cameo portrait of two Grosz sisters are: Emilia Grosz (born
1877, in Kulm, Bessarabia) (Mrs. George Billigmeier) and Christina
Grosz (born 1880, Scotland, Dakota Territory) (Mrs. Peter Billigmeier).
Their parents were Johann Grosz, Senior (one of three founders
of Kulm, North Dakota) (born 1846, Kulm, Bessarabia) and Christina
Gaeckle (corn 1847 in Alt-Posttal, Bessarabia). This photograph
was owned by Johann Grosz, Senior and Christina Gackle Grosz.
Magdalena Grosz Kusler’s oldest sister Lydia Grosz married
Johann Grosz, Junior, the oldest brother of two Grosz sisters
Emilia and Christina. The photographer was Eliason, Alexandria,
South Dakota, circa 1902. Identity is not verified. Photo courtesy
of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_67:
This elaborate portrait of Grosz of Gaeckle infant, in wicker
prambulator with lace parasol/ “Regenshirm,” was
sent to grandparents Johann Grosz, Senior, and wife Christina
Gaeckle Grosz, circa 1895-1915. Photographer is C.T. Lee Studio,
Rolla, North Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_68:
Portrait of Gackle/Grosz infant, whose grandparents (Johann
Grosz, Senior, and Christina Gaeckle Grosz) were founders of
Kulm, North Dakota, as well as origins in Kulm and Alt-Posttal,
Bessarabia. An experimental double-exposure print by Christ
Krause, a wealthy fellow Bessarabian photographer, Kulm, North
Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
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| GRHC_Photo_Kulm_ND_69:
Portrait of unidentified Grosz cousins as Victorian fashion
youngsters, circa 1890’s. Photographer is R.L. Beattie,
Parkston, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
GRHC_Textile_Kulm_ND_01: EPRHCC#________:
Associated with a wealthy elderly man, this man’s satin
silk neck-warmer was worn during winter worship in the unheated
church sanctuary. Common people usually wore woolen neck-warmers.
This silk neck-warmer is lined and quilted for further comfort.
Courtesy of Adeline Kusler McCloy. |
Our appreciation is extended to Adeline Kusler McCloy
for use of these photographs.
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