Beginning in 1985, HeenBook began collecting and recording local written and oral histories. Relatives and neighbors were asked to write early memories of ancestors, neighbors, and pioneer life. These writings include people from Sioux Agency Township in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, and Wang Township, Renville County, Minnesota.
Oral History
Friends and relatives were interviewed and tape recorded. In some cases, video was also captured. Additional oral histories are now collected with each family photo history show. These recordings will be transcribed and cataloged as time permits.
Some of the people interviewed include:
Paul A. Eide – (1922 – 2014)
Born and raised in Wang Township, Renville County, Minnesota, Paul attended the University of Minnesota with his friend Warren Heen, at the University of Minnesota. World War II interrupted Paul’s education at the University and he enlisted in the US Navy. After the war, Paul married Lorraine Pederson, from Swedes Forest Township, Redwood County, Minnesota. Paul and Lorraine spent ten years in Alaska before moving to Brookings, Oregon.
Paul’s ancestors settled in Wang Township in the 1870’s. His great-grandfather was A.T. Ellingboe, (one of our featured farmer-photographers). Paul’s great-grandmother, Marit Gjevre, arrived from Valdres, Norway, aboard the bark Fredrik Pedersen. His paternal great grandparents were also from Valdres and arrived aboard the Fredrik Pedersen.
Paul was interviewed several times, over a ten year time period. His knowledge of the people in the Wang Township area was extensive. He also had many photographs from his great grandfather, A. T. Ellingboe, which he allowed us to digitize.
Harry Hamre (1921 – 2015)
Harry lived and farmed his entire life in Wang township and was related to many local families. He served many years in township government. Harry and his wife, Corella Oie from Sioux Agency Township, had several children, one of whom is active in local government also. Harry’s grandfather was from Vang, Valdres, working on the Hamerene farm at Holie. Some of the extended family retained the name Holien. The loan of Harry’s photo collection allowed us to solve several genealogy mysteries as well as expand our knowledge of Wang Township.
Stanley Holien (1928 – 2011)
Stanley was the son of Christopher .O. Holien, and grandson of Ole and Ingeborg Holien, both of whom arrived on the Fredrik Pedersen. Stanley and his wife, JoAnn, were among the very first to help with picture identification and details for the digitization project. After a life on the farm in Wang Township, Stanley and Joann moved to Granite Falls. Stanley passed away in 2011.
Harriet Heen Akiyama (1919 – 2019)
Harriet was the older sister of Warren Heen and lived much of her life in Denver, Colorado. She went to nurses training immediately after graduating from Granite Falls High School and served in the Women’s Army Corps. Harriet shared many memories with us, including stories of her grandfather, Gunder Heen. Harriet was photographed with her grandfather when she was about two years old.
Helmer Lecy (1931 – 2018)
Helmer was the unofficial Lecy historian from Adams County, Wisconsin, where many from the Lecy family first settled. Helmer maintained good records and contact with many branches of the family and helped bring the Lecy settlement cabin to the Adams County Fairgrounds museum.
Emma Lalim Lerohl (1903 – 1993)
Emma Lalim taught school at the Renville County District #44 before her marriage to Alex Lerohl. Emma and Alex had three children, farmed and were active in school and church in Wang Township.
Marion Hegna Holien (1910 – 2003)
Marion Hegna was a teacher at Renville County District #44 in the 1930’s and was known for her instruction in arithmetic and mathematics. She married Joe Holien and they farmed in the area for many years.
Shirley Iverson Danielson (1928 – 2016)
Shirley was an active participant in many organizations, ranging from village civic groups in Belview to Rock Dell Church. Shirley wanted a more comprehensive history of the Swedes Forest/Rock Dell church area. She encouraged her friend, Arliss Sander Adams, to collect biographical information on everyone buried in the Rock Dell cemetery, over 400 people. Sadly, we lost Shirley in 2016, but Arliss has continued the work, which now consists of many large ring binders of biographies and stories.
Written History
Some of the writings we’ve acquired are:
Personal recollections by Ardith Lecy Heen
Written in the 1990’s: childhood, farm life, country school, family, music and church, education, marriage and farming with Warren Heen.
Personal recollections by Beuella Lecy Johnson
Written in the 1990’s: childhood, life on the farm with grandparents, school, Ladies Aid.
Personal recollections by Ruth Slattum
Written in the 1990’s. Ruth was a lifetime resident of Wang Township. After graduating at the top of her class from Granite Falls High School, Ruth supported her family by teaching piano, organ and accordion. Ruth’s writings include the stories told to her by her grandparents.
The Heen Chronicles by Warren Heen
Including contributions by his siblings and cousins. Written for a 1985 family reunion, this large volume has histories of the farm, the buildings, the country school, grandparents, family, holidays, workhorses, music, and local events.
Thesis in completion of Master of Arts degree, University of Minnesota, 1971, by Carol Heen
This thesis examines music and education in the first three generations of family living in Wang and Sioux Agency Townships.
Lien-Erlandson Family Saga, St. Olaf College, 1962, by Jeffrey B. Lien
This paper contains genealogy information, as well as photos, transcriptions of letters, and the history of the Lien and Erlandson families.
Designed by Mickey Reed