Wilhelmina Klosz

          Wilhelmina, age 21, and her brother, Karl, age 17 emigrated to America in 1897.  They sailed from Bremen, Germany, on the S.S. Lahn and arrived in New York on May 27.  Their destination was Eureka, SD.  Wilhelmina completed a homestead application on 6/28/1899 for the S 1/2 of the NW 1/4 and the S 1/2 of the NW 1/4 Sec. 29, Twp.  127, North of Range 75 W in Campbell County.  It contained 160 acres.  She also made an application to become a citizen of the US on the same day.  She established residence on her land on 7/15/1899.  The following details were recorded in the Homestead Proof which Wilhelmina completed in 1904:  Sod house 16X28 feet, Sod barn 20X48 feet, frame granary 12X14 feet, well, 4 acres broken and part of land fenced.  Value of the above $300.

Jacob Grenz

            A map of Campbell County prepared about 1911 shows Jacob as the owner of the Timber Culture quarter section which was homesteaded by his father, Friedrich Grenz (died 1902).  Sometime around Aug1, 1904, Jacob filed his first homestead claim at Aberdeen, SD, which contained 120 acres.  However, after about two years he abandoned and relinquished the claim.

             According to an agreement dated 28 march 1905, Jacob purchased 160 acres in Campbell County for the sum of $800.  An Article published in the Dakota Free Press of Nov 18, 1909 listed Jacob Grenz as one of the early settlers in the Aplin district of North Dakota.  According to the paper, he moved there in 1907.  Also, according to the records of the Courthouse of Mercer County, North Dakota, on June 6, 1907, Jacob Grenz agreed to purchase 320 acres for the sum of $3500.  Payment in full was acknowledged on 2/15/1913.  

           Second wife Katharina left him.  Jacob had begun to drink heavily.  Katharina took their three children and went to work as a domestic.  Jacob spent the last days at the home of his brother, Gottfried Grenz on the farm at Hebron.  His mother, Rosina Grenz, was there to prepare meals that he could eat and otherwise care for him.  He was ill for about three years with cancer of the stomach.  His obituary states, on July 1893, he accepted the Lord as his Savior and was baptized in 1895 by Rev. Golling.  In his Christian life he became 'lukewarm'  and not active, but regardless, he was concerned about his spiritual life.  He came back to his Lord.  To his family and friends left behind he said.  'They should not grieve nor mourn'.