Millerville History
Millerville Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, USA
Millerville's "Village Blacksmith"
from
"Douglas County:
Album of the Ages"
©1979?
Printed by Taylor Publishing Co.
Page 539
On Baden's Hill in Millerville Village, in 1882, Daniel Buckley
and John P. Wagner built the first shop. There they manufactured
farm wagons, known as the "Millerville Wagons." Later they built
a larger shop.
In 1888 they sold their shop to Matt Baden. In 1898 Jacob J.
Thoennes bought the shop. He became a very experienced skillful
farrier, and horsemen from long distances came to have their
prized horses shod. He also repaired machinery and sharpened
plow lays.
Mr. Thoennes worked long, hard hours with only hand powered tools
during the early years. He also took in young men as apprentices
with whom he shared his experience and skill.
Jacob's wife, Mary, was the daughter of Wolfgang and Anna Zwack.
They had nine children: Anna (Mrs. Steve Revering), Valentine,
Steve, Alfred, Emma (Sister Lourdine, G.S.B.) William, Clara
(Mrs. Math Hockert), Rose (Mrs. George Hockert) and Peter.
In 1928 the oldest son, Valentine, became the new "village smithy."
After his death, in 1933, another son, William, bought the shop
and put up a new building.
E-mail: dwagner2@isd.net
©2003 DJW
Last Modified:
December 6, 2003