Emil Grenz

Emil Grenz

His parents immigrated in 1885 from Rohrbach and Worms, South Russia, respectively. Emil was 8 years old when his father died, leaving a widow and seven children under 15 years of age. Life was difficult but somehow the family managed to keep the farm operating although Emil remembered many dawn to dark days when he had "pitched" at threshing time and had gone to bed too tired to eat an evening meal. With six sons on the farm Emil could, at an early age, be spared to move to West River near Firesteel, South Dakota to file claim for a homestead. The year was 1917, the U. S. had declared war on Germany and WWI found Emil being drafted into the Army. He was assigned to the Field Artillery and trained at Camp Pike, Arkansas. In a few short months he was on the battlefields of Europe and saw action in major battles. The battle Emil talked about most often was the Meuse-Argonne in France, one of the last battles of WWI and the one in which Emil's Battery had the most casualties. In reminiscing about his experiences, Emil often equated the horrors of battle with the horrors of hunger (both for the soldiers and the horses) as supply lines to the front were often cut for weeks at a time. The American Legion was very important to Emil and he was a member from its inception until his death.

Emil Grenz WW I Registration

World War I

Emil and Emma's Family Story

EMIL AND EMMA GRENZ Mr. and Mrs. Emil Grenz When Emil and Emma Grenz were planning their retirement they chose Eureka as their future home, having used it as their trade center for the 27 years they farmed ten miles west of Eureka, in Campbell County. They lived in Eureka from 1947 to their deaths in 1977 (Emma) and 1978 (Emil). Emil was born August 6, 1894 to Gottlieb and Christina Kost Grenz near Artas, South Dakota. His parents had immigrated in 1885 from Rohrbach and Worms, South Russia, respectively. When Emil was eight years old his father died, leaving a widow with seven children under 15 years of age. Life was difficult but somehow the family managed to keep the farm operating although Emil remembered many dawn to dark days when he had "pitched"; at threshing time and had gone to bed too tired to eat an evening meal. With six sons on the farm Emil could, at an early age, be spared to move to West River near Firesteel, South Dakota to file claim for a homestead. The year was 1917, the United States had declared war on Germany and World War I found Emil being drafted into the Army. He was assigned to the Field Artillery and trained at Camp Pike, Arkansas. In a few short months he was on the battlefields of Europe and saw action in three major battles. The battle Emil talked about most often was the Meuse-Argonne in France, one of the last battles of WWI and the one in which Emil 's Battery had the most casualties. In reminiscing about his experiences, Emil often equated the horrors of battle with the horrors of hunger (both for the soldiers and the horses) as supply lines to the front were often cut for weeks at a time. The American Legion was very important to Emil and he was a member from its inception until his death. Emil was united in marriage on November 11, 1919 to Emma Knoepfle who had been raised on a neighboring farm. Emma was born on November 29, 1897 to Jacob and Louisa Haidle Knoepfle. They had immigrated in 1885 to Artas, South Dakota from Neusatz and Gluckstal, South Russia, respectively. To the marriage they brought their; "inheritances": Emil had 160 acres of land, a wagon, four horses, two harnesses and a raccoon coat which was sold at auction after his death. Emma had $20.00 per acre towards 240 acres of land (had to borrow another $22.00), 25 chickens and one rooster, six cows, an organ, sewing machine, bedding, table with four chairs, stove, cream separator and two cream cans. Also, by the second winter her father had made them a bobsled. Their farmstead was located five miles south of Artas, South Dakota. Here they weathered the Great Depression, fought sandstorms, hailstorms, droughts, three day blizzards and hordes of grasshoppers, as did everyone else. When there was a favorable crop they would buy a few more acres of land or add another out-building. In 1919 they bought a Model T Ford for $795.00, when their wheat sold for $3.00 a bushel. Three years later they sold this Ford to a hired man and bought a 1922 Model T. (By then the price had dropped to $485.00.) In 1926 they added a two cyl. John Deere tractor with a three-bottom plow for $1,200.00 (with demonstration). This was traded 13 years later for a MM to get rubber tires, lights and 20 mph. The local John Deere dealer told Emil that Deere and Company would never add lights because it would encourage farmers to work too late at night. In 1933 they built a new home at their farmstead. No blueprints were used, or needed; the plans were all in Emil's head and the carpenters made suggestions as building progressed. It being the height of the Depression, workers from Artas and Eureka worked for $1.00 a day plus a noon meal. Meager as these wages seem, this was at a time when a local house mover was paying 75' a day with no noon meal. They slaughtered a hog a week and Emma spent all day cooking as some workers stayed on to work long enough to be (hopefully) asked to supper as well. A Eureka electrician, Karl Bareiter, supplied the Delco light plant and wired the house--all for $30.00, plus two meals a day. Four children were born to Emil and Emma: a son, Ervin, who died in 1976; a daughter, Hilda Bauder, who died in 1977; a daughter, Martha Olsen of Waterloo, Iowa and a daughter, Verna McMillen of Grand Junction, Colorado. Further descendants are: seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. During their retirement years Emil and Emma spent their days at things most dear to them. Emma was an expert seamstress and needle worker and Emil loved to fish. Together they enjoyed their church and visiting endlessly with friends. Their church affiliation has been with Artas Baptist until they retired to Eureka at which time they transferred their membership to Eureka Baptist.