Way Back When

 The Thorp Courier  --   October 25, 2006
 

Ronald Huls of Minnesota is searching for a history of his family and came across historical information concerning Thorp on the Internet. He is asking for assistance in identifying the people depicted in this photograph, which is of the Henry and Catherine Huls’ fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Although Mr. Huls believes that some of the information added later on the back of the photograph doesn’t fit the picture, namely that the date was 1908 and the place was Pennsylvania, he is certain these are his relatives. He sent along The Thorp Courier’s article about the anniversary party of September 15, 1906, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Huls, of the Town of Thorp, Clark County, Wis., celebrated their Golden Wedding or fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. The even is one of the first of its kind in the history of Clark County. It was indeed, a social and pleasant gathering from far and near, consisting of brothers, children, friends and neighbors. The aged couple is (are) happy parents of nine children, namely: Mrs. Theo. Emmers of South Kaukauna, Wis., Mrs. Wm. Roder of DePere, Wis., Wm. Huls of Brillion, Wis., John, Maurice, George, Barney, Mrs. H. Vanderloop and Mrs. Joseph Haas of Stanley, Wis. All were present, accompanied by their wives…Thirty-four grandchildren are glad to crowd about the aged couple…The invitations were widespread and appreciated by the attendance of Mr. Huls’ three brothers, namely Barney of Reading, Pa., Maurice of Salem, S. D., and William of St. Wendel, Minn…..

After a lapse of fifty years Mr. and Mrs. Huls attended special services at St. Bernard’s Church in this village on Saturday morning….Rev. Adam Arentz officiating….

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Huls were born in Gelderland, Holland, the husband on Jan. 6, 1828, the wife (Catherine Sieverdienk) on March 14, 1836, and were united in marriage at Bravorda, Holland, on Sept. 15, 1856. For fifteen years following their marriage they continued to reside in Holland, coming to America in 1871, settling on a farm near Brillion, Calumet Co., Wis., moved to their present farm in the Town of Thorp, where their youngest son, George Huls, also resides….

It is obvious that the priest in the center of the back row was added at a later and likely recent date. With the help of Fr. Keith Apfelbeck, we have determined that this priest was not the Fr. Adam Arentz noted in the article. Photos of Fr. Arentz prove the man in the photo is someone else. If you can assist Ron Huls, please contact him at ronhuls@aol.com or by telephone at (612) 377-2591.
 

Last Week's Photo

Eileen Frenette called in to give information about the stately North Lincoln home we featured last week. According to Eileen, the home was built by Sam Christiansen in 1920, with Eileen’s mother, Helen Bogumill, watching from her own home across the street as every nail was driven. Upon Eileen and her mother’s return from a trip to New York in 1924, Helen discovered that her husband, Leon Bogumill, had purchased the home she had coveted and had already moved her in. The Bogumill family owned the home until Pete and Ann VanCalcar’s purchase in 1987-88.