Millerville History
Millerville Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, USA
excerpts
from
"Family History of
Frank & Cecelia Korkowski"
©19XX
Mathias and Eva (Pischke) Korkofsky
immigrated to America in 1874 from Meft-Breuke, West Prussia and
brought with a family of nine children, Eugene, John, Michael,
Frank, Mathilda, Pauline, Martha, Anna, and Caroline.
Mathias was 49 years old when Eva and him came to America with
their family. Why they came will never be known, but to speculate
the overriding motive was to find a better life in this country.
In 1874 Germany was just emerging from the old feudal system
of landholding. The emancipation of farmers required that they
pay cash rent for land they farmed. As the population increased
and the small plots could not yield enough to sustain families,
these people looked for ways to improve their living conditions
and America was just the opportunity for a new life they needed.
In 1874, the year Eva and Mathias Immigrated, Kaiser Wilhem was
the emperor of Germany and the Chancellor was Otto Von Bismark.
Prior to 1874 Germany was not politically unified, it was
comprosed of numerous small states competing with each other
for supremacy. Prussia and Bavaria are two examples of small
states.
Immigrants did not consider themselves Germans. Cenus records
showing places of birth for German immigrants during the early
days of Minnesota history do not show Germany as their birth
place, but showed such places as West Prussia and Bavaria, etc.
Family structure and the church were factors influencing were
the Germans chose to settle. They tried to settle in areas where
there were already Germans, perferablly relatives. They also
persisted in the use of the German language in the home, the
church, and the school. As you can see from the map of Millerville,
from this time many of the settlers had German names.
Another influencing factor why Mathias and Eva came to america
was the heavy taxes and universal military service influenced
by Bismark after his to power. But most important for the Catholics
of Germany for immigration was the KOLTURKAMPF. This religious
persecution reached its peak in 1874.
Eva and Mathias left Germany from the Danzing port (which would
have cost them $58.55) to New York and a train then transported
them to St. Paul, and then on to Millerville. The trip from
St. Paul to Millerville would have been by ox cart.
In 1874 it took 14 days to cross the Atlantic. Can you imagine
what this 14 day trip was like with 9 children. (I am sure they
all had a good supply of toilet paper and alot of deodorant..)
When they got to Millerville in 1874 they had to stay with
relatives until in November of 1874, Mathias Korkofsky and
Michael Pischke purchased part of home farm from Andrew Goodwin.
He had granted to him by the U.S. Government this land. The farm
was later sold in June 29, 1893 by Eva to her oldest son Frank Sr..
Part of the agreement for payment was three cords of wood each
and every year, and two and one-half tons of good hay to be
delivered to her place. Also, one-half acre of land was to be
provided supposedly for a garden.
In 1893 when Eva Korkofsky sold her farm to her son Frank the
agreement showed that she signed her name with X which meant
she couldn't write. Since then some of the Korkowski women have
learned how to write. Some actually can read as well. Most of
the wives can do neither.
After Mathias died, Eva lived alone in a little house. The last
year of her life she moved in with her son Frank. A number of
small buildings are still standing on the home place. They were
built from the lumber from the house she lived in.
About the time Eva and Mathias came to Minnesota the grasshoppers
came as well.
Grandma Korkofsky used to tell a story about how St. Peter denied
knowing Christ and how after the cock crowed three times he
realized what he had done and started to cry in remorse. He cried
so much that the tears etched their way down his face and left
deep ridges forever marking his face with lines of sorrow. But the
tears, she explained, were good for him as they helped wash his soul.
Her face had marks of many tears. These tears came from crying
because she had left her home in Germany and knew she could never
go back.
The rapid recovery of the North after 1865 and the advancement of
world communication encouraged the movement of Germans to America.
But conditions in Germany itself were perhaps an even more
influential factor. The movement toward the unification of the
German people drove many from their homeland.
Heavier taxes and universal military service came about after the
rise in power of Bismark. Eva and Mathias and their large family
were concerned about these conditions and in 1873 began planning
their trip to America. You can imagine what it would be like to
leave your home and country at age 49 with 9 children and come
to the wilderness of Minnesota.
In the summer of 1874 these left their home and came to Millerville.
Mathias Korkofsky died in 1890. Three years later Eva sold the farm
to her son Frank Sr. In 1896 Frank married Cecelia Ledermann and
Eva lived with Frank's family until she died in 1919.
Frank Sr. the youngest son stayed on the home place and supported
his mother, Eva, for the rest of her life. Mathias died in 1890
and Eva lived for 29 more years on the home place. Eva lived to
be 84 years old and died in 1919.
Korkowski Ancestry ...... compiled by Grace & Aloys Korkowski
Mathias and Eva (Pischke) Korkowski immigrated to America in 1874
from West Prussia, Germany and brought with them a family of nine
children, namely; Eugene, John, Michael, Frank, Mathilda, Pauline,
Martha, Anna and Caroline.
Frank, the youngest son stayed on the home place and supported
his mother, Eva until her death. She lived alone in a little
house and the last year of her life, she moved "in" with her
son, Frank. A number of the small buildings on the place are
still standing (that were built from the lumber of the house
she had lived in). The present house was built in 1906 at a
cost of $1,200.00; it has maple floors and most of the woodwork
is of oak. The main structure is still the same with only a few
modern additions. In the summer of 1985, new windows and siding
were installed and the white farm house has become a handsome
brown house.
Frank August Korkowski was born in West Prussia, Fermany, on
February 2, 1870; and came to America with his parents, brothers
and sisters when he was four years old (1874). In 1896, He married
Cecelia Ledermann. She was the daughter of Isadore and Agnes
(Schirber) Ledermann. Cecelia and her parents, brothers and sisters
came to America from Oberstreu, Bavaria, Germany in 1884. Her
brothers were Frank and Bruno and sisters were Veronica, Rosalia.
Frank Korkowski and Cecelia Ledermann were married in Our Lady of
Seven Dolors Church, Millerville, Minnesota on October 20, 1896 by
Rev. Otto Wiest. They were the parents of six children: Frank,
Catherine, Rose, Cecelia, Aloysius, and Alphonse (died in 1922).
Frank died on September 17, 1950. Cecelia died April 11, 1944.
Frank and Cecelia Korkowski took over the home place in 1896 and
they supported his mother until her death in 1919. Aloysius took
over the home place in 1935 and in 1937 he married Grace Lambertz.
They took care of his parents until their deaths. Aloysius and
Grace's son Norbert took over the home place in 1976 and Grace
and Aloys continue to live with him.
Frank Jr. married Mary (Freske). Their children are: Wilfred(d),
Jerome(d), Walter, Irene, Vincent, Bernard, Audrey, Dorothy, Leon,
Robert, Kenneth, Jean, and Judy(d).
Katherine married Joseph P. Wagner. Their children are: Raymond,
Florian, Evelyn, Ralph, Daniel(d), Joseph, Marcine, Mary Ann,
Margaret.
Rose married Andrew Brozek. Their children are: Agatha, Edmond(d),
Jerome, Philip, Rita, Bernice, and Florence. Quite some time after
Andrew's death, Rose married Ed Kuhn.
Cecelia married Frank Brozek (Andrew's half-brother). Their
children are Girard and Mark.
Aloys married Grace Lambertz. Their children are Dennis, Cordelia,
James, Clifford, Norbert, Flavia, David, Gerald, Theresa, Rosemary,
Annette, Michael, and Mark.
Remembrances of Times Past:
These little remembrances are presented here in hopes that they
bring back other happy memories.
Katie Wagner remembered when she was a young girl and Grandma Eva
lived with them. She remembered one time when Grandma Eva was
about to sit down by the stove to warm herself and Katie pulled
the chair out from under her and Grandma Eva landed on the floor.
Rosie Brozek remembered as a young girl at home of times when she
would try to get out of doing dishes. After the meal, she would go
and sit in the outhouse hoping someone else would do the dishes.
She didn't say if it worked or how long it took someone to catch
on to what she was doing.
Walt Korkowski and Mark Brozek remembered a Thanksgiving at
"Grossvaters" when some of his corn shocks blew down (with a
little of their help after some of "Grossvaters" dandelion wine).
They said he was not very happy about the whole thing.
Agatha Thoennes remembered going over the river (really the county
ditch), and through the woods to "Grossvater and Grossmutters"
house in a one horse open sleigh (really a double wagon box with
a team of work horses). This is where the song originated. She
also remembered the fine bratwurst that was served, but I don't
remember this being mentioned in the song.
I remember "Grossvaters and Grossmutters" house with the high
ceilings. The kitchen ceiling was metal with scrolls and different
designs. A mantle clock stood on a high corner shelf, seems the
clock also forecasted the weather somehow. A big kitchen stove
sat sort of in the center of one end of the room. Many fine meals
were cooking on the stove and I imagine much fine bratwurst. A big
kitchen table sat along one wall. On big family gatherings, there
were at least three settings to handle everyone. The men and older
kids usually were at the first settings, the rest of the kids at
the second setting and the ladies at the third setting.
This table also handled the spirited high stakes "ucher" card
games. The stakes were kernels of corn but winning or beating
someone seemed to be the object of the game. Pounding your fist
on the table to emphasize taking a trick was part of the game.
I believe the games were friendly but I remember Frank Sr. and Jr.
as being serious card players.
I also remember the big living room where the ladies usually sat
and visited. This room held the Christmas tree at holiday time. I
remember the candles on it, the strings of beads and the other old
fashioned decorations. The funeral wake for both Grossmutter and
Grossvater were held in this room. Phillip and Jerome Brozek led
the rosary for Grossmutters wake.
I remember some of 4th of July's in which be had a big fish fry.
Some of the men and the older kids would fish sunfish several days
ahead to catch enough for the feed. I imagine it took a lot of fish
to feed that big group. I don't believe 5 fishes and 2 barley loaves
would have been enough.
I remember an Easter when the fish were running in the county
ditch and a lot of fish were speared that day. The next day we
smoked a lot of them, mainly suckers, carp, northerns, etc.
I vaguely remember when Andrew Brozek's barn burned down. Seems they
lived on the John Stich farm. Everyone went over to try and help.
I remember Aloys and Grace's wedding. Some of the kids had too
much beer and ended up sick.
I vaguely remember the wedding of the first cousin of the family
to get married. Ray Wagner and Catherine Debilzen. All of the
cousins got to go to the big celebration.
Joe P. Wagner - Joe was born February 1, 1897 to Peter Wagner, Sr.
and Theresa (Kraemer) Wagner in Millerville Township. Joe P.
married Katherine Korkowski on September 21, 1920 in Millerville.
Katherine (Korkowski) Wagner - Katherine was born February 2, 1900
in Millerville Township. She is the daughter of Frank and Cecelia
Korkowski.
Joe and Katherine started out poor on the Frog Farm. They moved
from the Frog Farm in the fall of 1936; then to the Kapphahn farm.
In 1939 they moved to the Pischke farm; then in 1943 they moved
to the Renkes farm. In 1945 they moved to the John S. Wagner farm.
In 1962 they retired from there and bought the living quarters of
the barber shop. Later, Katherine moved into the house where Harold
is now living. She worked hard on the farm and says that now she
is all worked out! After breaking her hip, she moved to the
Crestview Manor in Evansville, MN in 1982 where she is very
active and enjoys crafts and her life!
Katherine remembers that from Grandma Korkowski's wedding dress
she made three very pretty deep purple dresses for Marcine, Mary
Ann, and Margaret, which they wore for Florian and Beulah's wedding.
Joe and Katherine celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary in
1965 at The Old Mill in Urbank with many friends and relatives
present. After 49 years of married life, Joe P. Wagner died on
December 14, 1969.
To Joe P. and Katherine Wagner, ten children were born. They are
Raymond, Florian, Evelyn, Ralph, Daniel, Joe, Marcine, Mary Ann,
Margaret and Harold. They have 57 grandchildren, 72
great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Their
children all live around this area except for three; Margaret
lives in Park Falls, Wisconsin, Marcine lives near Monticello,
and Evelyn lives in St. Paul.
Harold Wagner, the 10th child of Joe P. and Katherine E. Wagner,
was born on February 13, 1942 at the Douglas County Hospital. He
was raised on a farm. On May 19, 1962 he married LaDonna Thornberg.
They had on child, Rita. Rita Wagner was born on September 24,
1962. Harold worked in a foundry and at Wards for seven years.
On July 1, 1969 Harold married Sendway. They had one child, Dean.
Dean Wagner was born on February 6, 1970. Harold then worked for
F M C of Fridley. Since 1972 Harold has been doing carpentry work
and painting. Since March he has been working for a farmer south
of Brandon. He is now living in Brandon.
E-mail: dwagner2@isd.net
©2002 DJW
Last Modified:
March 23, 2002