Newspaper Stories

The Courtland Journal
Oct. 13, 1988
pages 1 & 2

The Memorial Covenant Church recently celebrated their 90th anniversary. As a follow-up to the story in last week's Journal, a brief history of the Church is provided here from the Courtland Centennial book that is currently being put together. Farm land surrounding what is now called Courtland, Kansas, began to be settled around 1870. Among those moving west across the Republican River were a number of Swedish families, though the main Swedish settlement became Scandia on the east bank of the river. Land was cheap, but the immigrants and those migrating from the east had little money with which to purchase land. What little these people had, they invested in the land that was to be home for several generations, and for others, temporary stop over before pushing into western Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. These Swedish people felt a need to organize for fellowship and the study of the Word of God. The first of the meetings which was to lead to the organization of a Covenant Church was held in the year 1890. A family by the name of Anderson is identified with the early history, by gathering the Swedish people together for services. Others who served this early group were Mr. Axel Anderson, Rev. J. Nygren, Rev. S. Lundeen and Rev. O. Anderson. These meetings were held at first in school houses and in family homes, until a house was purchased in Scandia in which to hold services. The house, purchased from Mrs. Christine Johnson, an aunt of Mrs. Sigrid Peterson who was a charter member, was rebuilt and consecrated for worship. On August 20, 1898, a meeting was held which resulted in the forming of a congregation know s the Swenska Evangelical Mission Forsamlingen in Scandia. Seven members entered the congregation at this meeting. They were C. A. Peterson, A. J. Lofgren, August Freeman, C. O. Moline, A. L. Hultman, Aaron Anderson and P. J. Larson. Four other members were taken into the membership on September 3, 1898, Caroline Lofgren, Sophia Anderson, Johanna Moline, and Sigrid Peterson. Three more members were added that same year, Mrs. Lina Freeman and Mr. and Mrs. August Chrysong. The first officers were Chairman, C. A. Peterson; Vice-Chairman, Aaron Anderson; Secretary, C. Moline; Treasurer. P. J. Larson, Deacons, C. Peterson and O. Olson; and Trustees, A. L. Hultman, A. J. Lofgren, and P. J. Larson. Pastor J. H. Hanson was called and became the first pastor. Rev. A. T. Carlson having served before the organization. During the summer of 1900, Rev. Joseph Esterburg became pastor. It was during his ministry that plans were made to build a new church. During this time, meetings were held in Scandia, the Center School House, Miller and Pleasant Valley School houses. The decision was made to build on the land owned by August Freeman two miles east of Courtland, bought at $25.00 per acre. The building was completed in the spring of 1901 at the cost of $2,200.00. The church was dedicated on June 16, 1901, with over 700 people in attendance. In the year 1909, the church building was moved into Courtland. According to the minutes kept in those early days, all was not sunshine but there were storms to weather and rugged steps to climb. There were shorter and longer intervals of time when the flock was without a shepherd. These were the "horse and buggy days". Those who served during these days were Pastors W. Harold, A. Grandin, A. H. Jacobson, C. O. Anderson, A. Nordin, F. Eastburg, C. R. A. Blomberg, E. Turnquist and W. Nyline. Some were interns from the North Park Seminary. The minutes of April 13, 1922, are the first to be written in English. Pastors E. Edwin Anderson, Wilbert Helberg, and C. J. Algott pastored until 1928, when Rev. C. A. Beckman came and served 6 years. During this time much progress was made. The church buliding was repaired and inside redecorated. Many new members were added. Sunday Schools were held in rural school houses and Daily Vacation Bible Schools were held. Pastor Ed. Train and H. Peterson served the church and the Formoso Community Church until 1946 when Pastor E. F. Lindholm came. During this time the parsonage was purchased and the church also celebrated in Golden Jubilee. Rev. A. H. Jacobson served as pastor the second time for two years followed by intern Robert Anderson, who served 5 years while attending Bethany College. In 1957, Mrs. Paul Blackstone became the pastor and served 5 years. During this time, after much prayer, the decision was made to tear down the old building and build a new one on the same site. In the spring of 1960, this project was begun. A lot of labor was donated, memorials were given and money and material gifts were received from the Randolph and Cleburne churches. These churches were being closed due to Tuttle Creek Reservoir. On November 20, 1960, the new church was dedicated, debt free. At this time the name was changed to the Memorial Covenant Church. Mrs. Blackstone requested to be relieved of her duties in 1962. The next three years the church was served by three interns from North Park College namely Ralph Sturdy, Paul Erickson, and Don Holmquist. These were fruitful years. In 1965, Pastor L. F. Sandberg came and was pastor for three years. In 1968, Pastor W. A. Kaufmann from the Miltonvale Wesleyan College, Miltonvale, Kansas, came to minister each Sunday and during the week when needed. The College was moved to Oklahoma and Rev. Kaufman resigned. Pastor M. E. Brandt, also from Miltonvale, came and served five years. The church celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on October 7, 1973. Pastor Brandt retired in 1977 and Rev. W. A. Kaufmann came back to serve the second time. He retired in 1985. During this time the inside was redecorated and new pews and new organ were added. Pastor Randy Paugh is presently serving the church. More improvements have been made. The fellowship hall and kitchen have been enlarged and new entrance doors installed. Marvin Bergstrom and Paul Freeman deserve much credit for serving as chairman the past several years. Many other members have served faithfully in various offices for several years. For this we praise and thank God. The membership now stands at 54. There are several families who worship with us who are not members, but help support the church. The present chairman is John Dinning. As we look back, may we say "Hitherto has the Lord helped us". In the present may we say, "I will look unto the hills from which cometh my help". For the future may we be inspired by the words, "Forgetting the things that are behind I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus". This history of the church and organizations which follow were written by a faithful member, Ruth Peterson. She served as custodian of the church for many years. (submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)

The Courtland Journal
Dec. 4 1947
page 1

ALBERT HASKETT

Albert Haskett is one of the old timers of Courtland, having arrived here even before the town was staked out. He lives at his home here thru the winters and makes a sojourn each summer to Holdenville, Okla., where he visits his twin brother, Bin and son Coy and family, and thru avoids the misery of hay fever. Today (Thursday, Dec. 4, Mr. Haskett is celebrating his 86th birthady. Haskett decided to go into the furniture and undertaking business and established a firm in Courtland which he operated until his retirement in 1938, marking up a successful period of 45 years. Haskett is a memeber ot the Methodist church and incorporated his Christian attitude in his business and toward his fellowmen at all times. We join his many friend in saluting Mr. Haskett on his latest birthday and wish him happiness and fine health during the rest of his life. (submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)

The Courtland Journal
April 9 1964
page 1

ELSON LANDIS BURNED WITH FERTILIZER

Elson Landis received burns in the throat and mouth and on his face when liquid fertilizer with 30 to 35 pounds of pressure behind it blew from a valve into his face. He closed th valve and checked other valves on the tank at the Woods storage tank near the Santa Fe right-of-way, wlaked across the highway to the Hoard Service Station where John Blackburn put him in the car and took him to Republic County hospital. His throat is so painfully burned that he has not yet been able to tell just what happened. Except for a small amount of milk his is being fed intervenously. (submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)

The Courtland Journal
Oct 1 1964
page 1

FESTIVAL CANCELLED DUE TO TRAGEDY

The Fall Festival which was set for Sept. 25 and 26, in Jamestown was cancelled following the tragic accident Wednesday in which Larry Jensen, 10, of Jamestown was fatally injured, tow companions seriously hurt and others less seriously injured. The Jamestown Optimist reported the accident as follows: Heartbreaking tragedy struck the Jamestwon community about 5:15 o'clock Wednesday evening when a pick up truck in which eight boys, aged ten to 15 years, were riding went out of control and over-turned appoximately a half mile east of the sub-station. One boy was killed and two are hospitalized with injuries. Larry Paul Jensen, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Jensen, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the St. Joseph hospital in Concordia. He suffered internal injuries. David Bruce Cunningham, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cunningham, is a patient at the Beloit Community hospital, suffering from concussions, a fracture of the left arm just below the shoulder, and multiple bruises. Richard Lee Ross, 11, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Ellison, also suffered a fracture of the left arm just below the shoulder, abrasions and minor bruises. He is a patient at the Beloit hospital. Harold Dean Hughes, 15, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hughes, suffered a bump on the head and abrasions on the face and one side of the body. He was treated at the Beloit hospital and released. Kurt Zimmer, 14, son of Mr. and Mrs. Othel Zimmer, suffered a cut on the back requiring six stiched, a cut on the lid of the right eye, a severe bump on the head and several minor cuts and bruises. He was treated at the Beloit hospital and released. The three other boys in the truck suffered only minor cuts and bruises. They were: John Cunningham, 13, son of Mr. and MRs. Robert Cunningham; Kevin Grennan, 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Grennan; and Jimmy Dean Jensen, 13, driver of the truck, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Jensen. The boys had been working on a go kart at the new track recently built for the races scheduled for the Fall Festival last Saturday and were going out to the Melvin Jensen farm home to get another kart when the accident occurred. They were using a pick-up belonging to Edwin Anderson. Melvin Jensen was working in the field a short distance from the scene of the accident, saw it happen, and called the ambulance. (submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)

The Fairbury Journal [Nebraska]
Friday, January 3, 1913

FOUR KILLED BY NO. 5

A sad accident occurred near Belleville Tuesday night when Rock Island passenger train No. 5, ran into a buggy containing a man, his wife and two small children and killed them all. Engineer Charles Laird and Paul Ossosowski of Fairbury were in charge of the engine and did not know that the accident had happened until Mr. Laird was oiling his engine at Belleville when he found the head of a child and a piece of baby ribbon on the front part of the engine. A further examination showed the fearful work that had been done. The Belleville switch engine was sent back and at the foot of Munden hill at a curve the bodies were found, being those of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson James and two children. Two step children had been left at home.

No.5 was traveling very fast down the hill and it is said did not have its headlight lit when it reached Belleville. A coroner's inquest will be held next Monday at Belleville. (submitted by Kristin Vaughn)

STORIES OF EARLY SETTLERS
The Courtland Journal
Aug 10 1978
page 1

Courtland has two octogenarians, Mrs. Effie Scoggins and Mrs. Ethelyn Pilcher whose ancestors, both maternal and paternal have been in America since before the Revolutionary War of 1776 and so have helped to make America the great Republic which it is. Members of their family have held government positions of importance and have engaged in all major wars in which our country has engaged. One great-great-grandfather was an army captain in teh Revolutionary War of 1776. His son, John Brewer, was an army captarin in the war of 1812. Mrs. Scoggins and Mrs. Pilcher are daughrers of the late Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Dickerhoff. Mrs. Dickerhoof's maiden name was Brewer. Records in Washington County, Maryland show that both the Brewers and Dickerhoofs had lived in Maryland for more than a hundred years when shortly before the Civil War, like many American families they began a gradual trek to the Western Frontier. After spending some time in Ohio, Illinoir, and Iowa, members of the family came to Republic Co., Kansas where Mrs. Scoggina and Mrs. Pilcher have lived for 80 years. Bothe Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Dickerhoof were born in Clear Spring, Maryland. Although not born in Kansas, Mrs. Scoggins and Mrs. Pilcher came to Republic County with their parents, settling near Norway in 1879. In 1882 Mr. Dickerhoof bought land in what is now Courland Township, near the present town of Courtlan. (Courtland had not been founded at that time.) Mrs. Scoggins and Mrs. Pilcher have resided here since that time. Mr. Dickerhoof's brother, Owen, was the first of the family to come to Republic County, arriving in 1869. In 1873 another brother, Frank, homesteaded the last homestead in Norway Township after coming to Kansas in 1870 and waiting for three years until he was twnty-one, so he could file on the homestead. The daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Dickerhoof attended Courtland high school and all twelve of their grandchildren. This family has been in America for more than 200 years and in Republic Co., Kansas for almost 100 years. (submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)

COURTLANDER CELEBRATES 93rd BIRTHDAY
The Courtland Journal
July 4 1985
page 1

Arvid Larson of Courtland celebrated his 93rd birthday on Sunday, June 30. Arvid was born to Perry Gideon Larson and Anna Sophia (Johnson) Larson on June 30, 1892, on a farm 1 mile south and 1 1 1 1/4 miles east of Courtland where he made his home until 1950 when he and his wife, Edith, moved into the City of Courtland. He attended school at Center School just across the road from his home. "I never graduated from any school. My father died when I was 15 years old and I had to take over the family farm." Arvid was married to Helena Olson September 26, 1923, and to this union three daughters were born, Faye, deceased, Elner Larson Langston of Courtland and Evelyn Larson Crowell of Salina. Helena passed away April 28, 1944. He married Edith Washington on October 9, 1947, who passed away on March 14 1969. Arvid farmed until the middle 40's when he was then employed by various farmers of the community and was janitor of the Courtland School for several years. He is a WW I vet and has always beena member of the American Legion and the Memorial Covenant Church. He served as a board member of the Center School for almost every year he was eligible and was Courtland Township Assossor for 4 years. Today Arvid enjoys to "piddle" around in the garden has a dish of corn in his yard for the "birds, cotton tails, and squirrels" and enjoys baseball. With Courtland Cable TV he gets both Atlanta and Chicago so they have baseball day and night. Elner and her husband, Lawrence, came to live with her father after Lawrence's retirement from the sevice in 1976. Arvid has two brothers living, Arthur of Goodland, who is 91, and Harry of Sacramento, California, who is 84. Another brother, Allen, passed away this past spring. Arvid commented that the automobile brought about the most important change in life around Courtland. He also spoke about the women serving as "centrals". Besides working in the garden, Arvid enjoys to read the daily newspaper, local papers, and several magazines. His favorite magazine is "Ture Story"/ Arvid enjoys his 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. The staff of the Courtland Journal extends to Arvid special greetings on this special occasion. (submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)

COURTLAND RESIDENT CELEBRATING 94TH BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK
The Courtland Journal
Mar 13 1986
page 1

Hildur Nolan, Courtland, had the distinction to observe her 94th birthday, Tuesday, March 11, 1986. Hidur is the eldest lady living in Courtland. Annie Snider will join her in May at the grand oage of 94. Hidur was the 7th of 11 children born to Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Florell. She is the only living member of the family of 3 duaghters and 8 sons. Hidur attended Salt Marsh School south of Courtland. She finished all eight grades ther and was taught some classes in higher education by one teacher there. Hildur attended Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and Brow Mackie College, Salina, and worked in Omaha, Nebraska, prior to her marriage to Floyd Nolan on August 2, 1922. They moved to the City of Courtland in 1930. Floyd passed away in 1975. Floyd was a builder by trade and will be remembered for his red hair. "There weren't too many with red hair around" says Hildur. After recuperating from a stroke Floyd worked at Lindy's Market in Courtland then owned by DelVaughn. Hiludr and Floyd were the parents of Donald, who died in 1977. Hildur is know for her love of hats and commented that she wished they were still worn by everyone. She has kept only one of her many hats as a keepsake. Hildur spends many leisure hours reading and enjoys several TV shows each day. (submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)

ANONA BLACKBURN TO CELEBRATE 85th
The Courtland Journal
Oct 13 1988
page 1

Anona Blackburn, former long-time Courtland resident, will celebrate her 85th birthday on October 24. She is still very interested in Courtland news, and regularly reads the Journal. Anona's Courtland friends may send birthday greeting to her at Kennedy Living Center, P. O. Box 1676, Martinsville, IN 46151. (submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO ITEMS:
The Belleville Telescope, March 11, 1904

J. M. Sellers lost two children last week with scarlet fever. The bereaved have the sympathy of their neighbors.

(Note: Wife of J. M. Sellars was Mary Ann Royse, daughter of Frederick & Susanah Royse. Their two children who died in March 1904 of scarlet fever were:

Freddie F. Sellars - born June 19, 1873 - died March 6, 1879. Buried in Ida Cemetery

Loretta M. Sellars - born March 9, 1877 - died March 3, 1879. Buried in Ida Cemetery

(submitted by Louise Havens)