The Peter Lawrence Renne Family

The Family of Peter Lawrence Renne and Karen Christine Malterud (the Editor's Father's Birth Family), Crookston, Shevlin and Bagley, Minnesota, (1893 - 1963). "It was while [she was] living in Crookston that the courtship of Peter Renne and Karen Malterud culminated with their marriage on July 12, 1893, Karen and Peter had been acquainted since their school days in Rindal.

"The couple made their home in Crookston for the next 12 years, from 1893-1905. Peter...taught school from 1893 to 1897" Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, pp. 40-41

Peter Lawrence Renne turned 24 on August 23, and Karen turned 22 on December 5, 1893.

The Editor's Aunt Louise. "The first born to Peter and Karen Renne was Louise Caroline. She was born in Crookston, Minnesota, on September 30, 1894." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 45

Wheat, Railroads, and Lumber. "It may be said generally that during the later seventies and down to 1895 the energies of the tillers of the soil in Polk county were mainly directed to the production of wheat. Since that time the tendency has been more to diversified farming and stock raising. In the eastern part of the county creameries are becoming numerous and well patronized... The population of the county was... 32,209 in 1895." History of Red River Valley, p. 879.

"Crookston's early prosperity was based on wheat, railroads, and lumber. The slashing blades of the Crookston Lumber Company's mill turned white pine into inexpensive lumber for America's houses and barns at the turn of the century." Minnesota History, 54/8 Winter 1995, p. 332.

Peter Lawrence Renne Continues Several Occupations. Peter Lawrence Renne continues his several occupations as a teacher and operator of a restaurant and grocery store.

Anna Renne Dies. Ole and Clara Renne's daughter (Peter Renne's sister) Anna died on June 3, 1895, at age 23.

The Editor's Uncle Joe. "Next in the line of Renne children was Joseph Oliver, born on September 30, 1896." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 47

Ole Pedersen Renne Dies While Asleep. Ole Pedersen Renne (Peter's father) died in his sleep on December 21, 1896, at age 55, after going for a sleigh ride. The editor assumes he suffered a heart attack.

Peter Lawrence Renne's Occupations. Peter Lawrence Renne discontinued teaching in 1897, but he continued operating a restaurant and grocery store.

The Editor's Father. "Clarence Arthur Renne was the third child born to Peter and Karen Renne. Art, as he was called, was born in Crookston, Minnesota, December 30, 1898..." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 48

"This third child of theirs, my father, was born on a cold winter night, just in time to bring in the new year." My Family History, p. 8

Karen Christine was 27 when she gave birth to her third child, and second son.

The Population of Bemidji in 1900. "The official population of Bemidji in 1900 was 2,183..." Hometown Hysteria, Bemidji at the Start of World War I, Minnesota History, 49/2 Summer 1894, p. 66

10,000 Lumberjacks in Vicinity of Bemidji "...by 1900 [there were]...some 10,000 lumberjacks within a ten-mile radius of...[Bemidji]." Hometown Hysteria, Bemidji at the Start of World War I, Minnesota History, 49/2, Summer 1984, p. 65

Karen Christine Renne Gives Birth to Laurence in Crookston. "...Laurence, born July 7, 1900, and died in September of the same year..." Minnesota: The Land of The Sky Tinted Waters: A History of the State and Its People, Peter L. Renne

Albert Edward Renne Dies. Albert Edward Renne (Peter Renne's brother), age 18, died of a ruptured appendix on April 30, 1902.

First Crookston Lumber Company Mill is Completed in Bemidji. "By 1903 the first of two large Crookston Lumber Company mills was completed [in Bemidji], employing over 450 men, with more than 2000 others working in the logging camps around Bemidji" Hometown Hysteria, Bemidji at the Start of World War I. Minnesota History, 49/2, Summer 1984, p. 65

The Editor's Aunt Clara. "Clara Marie [Renne Austin], the fifth child of Peter and Karen... was born September 19, 1904 [, in Crookston, Polk County, Minnesota]. She was named for her two grandmothers, Marie Malterud and Clara Scholl Renne." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p.51

More Sawmills are Built in Bemidji. "...the Bemidji Lumber Company sawmill was finished [in 1905], employing another 300, and the next year the Douglas Lumber Company built yet another mill, employing 150 men. Lumber was king and the major base of the economy for the new pine-built city. Perhaps a second base of income was getting the money away from the lumberjacks, a goal pursued by the city's approximately 50 saloons and seven houses of ill-fame, the later referred to euphemistically in the newspapers as sporting houses." Hometown Hysteria, Bemidji at the Start of World War I, Minnesota History,, 49/2, Summer 1984, p. 66

The Family of Peter Lawrence Renne and Karen Christine Malterud moved to Shevlin in the year 1905. Click on Shevlin to continue.