The Peter Lawrence Renne Family Moves to Shevlin. "Mr. Renne has been a resident of Clearwater County since 1905. For five years he clerked in a store at Shevlin..." Minnesota: The Land of The Sky Tinted Waters: A History of the State and Its People, Peter L. Renne

Shevlin Lies on the Rail Line Between Crookston and Bemidji. The Great Northern Railroad passed through the town of Shevlin enroute from Crookston (in the west) to Bemidji (in the east). The line was completed in the summer of 1898. Shevlin -- 20 miles west of Bemidji -- is in Clearwater County; Bagley -- seven miles west of Shevlin -- is the Clearwater County seat.

The editor believes the town of Shevlin took its name from lumberman Thomas Shevlin, who was active in timber areas which lay both north and south of Shevlin

Thomas Shevlin was Active in the Red Lake Cession North of Shevlin. "The Crookston Times, 1896: July 15...tells of light sales at auction and heavier purchases at private sale. Whole town- ships were taken at private sale. The Graham Report ...contains the following testimony as to the manner in which the sale was conducted. 'The auctioneer read the descriptions...there were no bidders at all, only two men, Meehan...and Tom Shevlin was there. On one side of [Red Lake] Meehan was bidding and on the other side Shevlin was bidding...and that was all there was to it.'" A History of Minnesota, Vol. IV, p. 233, footnote 47

Thomas Shevlin was Active in the White Earth Cession South of Shevlin. "On the appointed day, November 15, 1905, nine bids were opened at the White Earth agency. The highest bid technically was a trick bid put in by Thomas Shevlin of Minneapolis, in the name of the Lyman-Irwin Lumber Company, a Minneapolis firm. The trick consisted in offering rediculously high figures on hard-wood timber on overestimated amounts and low prices on the pine on ridiculously under- estimated amounts. A second bid by Shevlin in behalf of the Nichols-Chisholm Lumber Company, of which he owned a controlling interest, employed the same trick in a less exaggerated form." A History of Minnesota, Vol. IV, p. 274

Conrad Paulson, the Last of the Big Timers in Shevlin. A newspaper clipping in the editor's file describes Conrad J. Paulson (a close friend and grade school classmate of the editor's father) as the "last of the big timers in Shevlin."

"From his family, he is the last of a generation. I'm the only one left, he said. I was the 10th child. He was the last child born to Federick and Sophie Paulson. He came into the world on September 8, 1898 in a tarpaper shack alongside the Mississippi River, only a couple of miles from his present home in Shevlin.

"Con, as Paulson is better known, moved to Shevlin as a tot with his family. During his youth, Paulson witnessed or heard of some historic events in Shevlin. For instance, when somebody attempted to rob the Shevlin post office. No money was taken and the would be burglar never was caught.

"In another turn-of-the-century event which Paulson can tell of, a jailed man burned down the jailhouse. Unfortunately for the man, though, he burned too. Paulson noted how the man was buried with the ashes, bars and all, in a nearby swamp.

"Other parts of the town burned in different fires. In the early 1900s the abutting Krohn and Rauk stores burned at the same time. In another fire, the west side of Shevlin's main street -- except the bank -- was consumed by flames. Paulson noted how firemen operated a hand pump for water. Lost were a livery barn, drug store, a big hotel and a couple of saloons. Another business, a grain elevator along the railroad tracks, burned in the 1920s...

"No lumberjack town was complete without a saloon, and Shevlin had four of them. When young, Paulson could see lumberjacks coming into town after the spring log drive. They came in from the Mallard and Itasca areas, and many spent most of their earnings before they sobered up and left town.

"At one time, this was quite a thriving village, said Paulson." Bagley Farmers Independent, July 7, 1983

An Early Settler's Home in Shevlin. In the editor's file is a photograph with a typewritten title pasted above it: "Early Settler's Home, Owned by Peter Renne". On the back of the photograph are handwritten notes: "July 30th, 1905, Typical early settler's home. Owned by Pete Renne near Shevlin (Gunafson)".

The editor's Aunt Edel Renne Austin, wrote to him sometime in the early 1990s saying, "Your Dad had an enlargement of our home in Shevlin and I asked Dona about it once and she said she thot [sic] that you had the picture. If you do, I would love to borrow it for awhile since it is where I was born. Mother looked so elegant sitting on the step and Dad in his derby. I really am not sure if Joe is holding the Calf or if your Dad has the rope in his hand. Louise is by the buggy and Clara is in it. Haven't thought about the picture for the last three years when I was back in Minnesota for our H. S. reunion..."

"...[Clarence Arthur Renne] grew up in Shevlin and attended school there. [He probably began first grade in September 1905, at age six.] He helped out with the care of the family, and one day while he was pulling his younger sisters around in a wagon he said to himself stakkars Clara for he felt so sorry for her because she had red hair." My Family History, p. 8

Tilda Oline Renne Marries John Krogstad the Hired Man. On June 14, 1905, Peter Lawrence Renne's sister, Tilda Oline Renne, married the hired man of her family's farm -- John Krogstad. Tilda had turned 24 on March 30th, and John would become 26 on December 5th. in that year. "..[John and Tilda Krogstad] rented...[the Renne farm in Rindal] from Grandma when they were married...Then [they] bought it for $50 an acre." The Krogstads: a Book of Memories 1978, Elmer Krogstad (2)

The Editor's Aunt Edel. In My Eighty-One Years: a Retrospect, Roy Austin wrote: "[Edel Luella Renne Austin was born]...August 1, 1908, in Shevlin, Minnesota (a town of fewer than 100) to humble God-fearing parents of Norwegian descent, it fell to her lot to make her appearance in the temporary one-room shelter which her father had erected in anticipation of building a very respectable two-story residence on the same 8-acre plot."

"Edel...spent her first years in that little house in the trees..." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 53

Henry Ford's First Model T. "No one paid much attention when...[Henry Ford's] first Model T appeared in 1908. These automobiles were rich men's toys costing $825. They were dangerous. Many people broke their arms turning the crank to start them. The ride over bumpy, rutted roads was dusty and uncomfortable. Passengers wore goggles and long linen coats to protect their clothes. Horse breeders and carriage makers laughed when they heard about the new contraption. Railroad men swore the idea of the self-propelled vehicle would never catch on. Likewise, the Wright brothers' one-minute flight at Kitty Hawk did not arouse much public interest. The idea of flying machines seemed too incredible to be true." Railroads in Minnesota, roots, Developed Winter 1975-76, p. 22

Carl Olaff Renne Dies at Rindal. Carl Olaff Renne (Peter Renne's brother) died of diphtheria, at age 31, on March 4, 1910. Only Peter Lawrence, of Clara's three sons, and Tilda Oline, of her three daughters, were still alive.

The Editor's Uncle Ted. "The heroic qualities of Ted Renne have been readily recalled by those who had the privilege to know him. He was the youngest of the children of Peter and Karen, born on May 10, 1910 [in Shevlin, Minnesota]." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 54

Peter Renne Goes on the Road as a Traveling Salesman. "...then [in 1910 Peter] went on the road as a traveling salesman." Minnesota: The Land of The Sky Tinted Waters: A History of the State and Its People: Peter L. Renne

"...and from that time until 1922 he was a salesman." Bagley Farmers Independent newspaper

The Work Histories of Peter Renne and Albert Onion are Similar. "When [Albert Onion] came from Vermont...he was sure Minneapolis is going to be the coming city of the North West. First he worked as a clerk in a grocery. Then he tried several other things...

"At last Onion found the right job. He became a salesman, or drummer, as it was called then. Crackers and candy were his line. His route took him by train and buggy through central Minnesota. He liked the country because it was full of Germans and Swedes. They are great people for candies, he said.

"Sometimes he called on storekeepers and wrote up orders in as many as six small towns in a day. He grew tired of country hotels and bad food. Once he got frosbite, traveling 40 miles by sleigh. Every one is on the hustle out here, he told his brother in Vermont. It gets to be tiresome some times, but when one has gotten the fever, it is hard to live in any other way." The Story of Minnesota's Past, pp. 140-41

Clarence Arthur Renne Completes Sixth Grade in Shevlin. Art Renne turned 12 on December 30, 1910. He probably completed sixth grade in shevlin, in 1911.

Conrad "Con" Paulson was Clarence Arthur Renne's Best Friend. A Farmers Independent newspaper clipping dated July 7, 1983, was recieved by the writer from his Aunt Edel Renne Austin. Edel's handwritten note on the clipping says, Con Paulson was your Dad's best friend in Shevlin. They were born the same year, about four months apart: Con was born on Septembr 8, and Art on December 30, 1898.

The clipping says: "As a youngster, [Paulson] played a horn in the Shevlin Village Band..." In the caption below a photograph of the village band, which accompanies the newspaper article, one finds the name of Art Renne, immediately following Paulson's name. The caption states the picture was taken about 1915. However, both Con and Art appear in the photograph to be no older than 12, or 13 years of age. It probably was taken in either 1911, or 1912.

Peter Lawrence Renne Sends a Postcard Home from Bagley to Shevlin. On a postcard, with a photograph of Southwest Bagley, dated at Bagley April 19, 1913, addressed to Mrs. P. L. Renne, Shevlin, Peter Renne wrote: "Good morning -- Just a line now, more later. Louise and I were to the Congregation Church. Spent a good part of the evening at Kalberg's. Had supper at the Hotel. Got an order from Norby. And so long, my love to all - Hubby"

Louise Caroline Renne's First Teaching Position. "On August 12, 1913, Louise Renne sent Otto a postcard telling of her first teaching position. She stated that the school is just three miles from home, south of Shevlin, so she would walk the distance morning and night and live at home." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 101

Joseph Oliver Renne Arrives in Crookston. On a postcard, with a photograph of the Crookston City Hall, dated October 6, 1913, addressed to Mrs. P. L. Renne, Shevlin, Joseph Renne wrote: "Dear Mamma -- Made it all right (Crookston) like it so far. Haven't any thing to do till tomorrow. Will write soon. From Joe." Joseph had turned 17 on September 30th, that year.

Clarence Arthur Renne Graduates from 8th Grade in Shevlin. Art Renne probably graduated from 8th grade in 1913, at age 14, in Shevlin.

Clarence Arthur Renne Goes to Work on His Uncles' Farms. "At an early age...[Art] began to know the value of money. He worked on his uncles farm[s] and received the wages of two dollars a month." My Family History, p. 8

Art had turned age 15 on December 30, 1913.

Marie Malterud (Karen Christine's Mother) Dies in Becida. "On April 5, 1914, Becida would lose one of its oldest and most respected citizens. Marie Malterud died at the age of 76 years, 10 months and two days, as recorded at the Hubbard County Courthouse in Park Rapids. She was attended by Dr. Conant a well-respected physician of the area. He listed the cause of death for this revered pioneer woman as valvular heart disease. Marie was buried at the Fern Township Cemetery in Becida. The obituary stated that the funeral was held in the home." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 7

Bemidji on the Eve of World War I. "On the eve of World War I...Bemidji was a thriving, if rough, lumberjack community of some 6,500 citizens, with Scandinavians the dominant ethnic group. By 1914 four railway lines provided transportation into the city - the Great Northern; the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Ste. Marie; the Minnesota and International; and the Minneapolis, Red Lake, and Manitoba, of which Bemidji was the southern terminus. The new city had waterworks, gas and electric lights, three banks, two hospitals, two opera houses, sawmills, a woolen mill, box, brick, tile, and turpentine factories, several hotels and wholesale houses, a creamery, a brewery, a Carnegie library, a public school system, and a State Normal School (on paper only). Outside of Bemidji, however, not one of the principal villages in the county had a population of more than 800. With the impetus to settlement given by the commercial lumbering interests. Bemidji became one of the last boom lumber towns of the Middle Border. For the first three decades of the century lumbering was the dominant activity in Beltrami County, with Bemidji the hub because of its rail facilities, its population, business district, and county courthouse."

"Bemidji at this time also had two independent newspapers, each with a strong editorial presence. The two editors in question -- George George E. Carso (1866-1934) of the Pioneer and Harlan Mayne Stanton (1892-1973) of the Sentinel -- were solid citizens...

"Thanks to lumbering, the economic times just before the Great War were good for Bemidji citizens. The millions of feet of lumber harvested in the area were viewed as good for both the present and the future, because the expectation was that the cutover area would easily be transformed into farm lands, thereby providing a refuge for permanent settlers as the center of the lumbering operations moved to the far Northwest." Hometown Hysteria, Bemidji at the Start of World War I, Minnesota History, 49/2, Summer 1984, pp. 66-67

Austria Declares War. "On June 29, 1914, few Bemidji citizens who read about the tragic assasination the day before of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, suspected that the event had any signifigance for them, or even for the United States in general. While the newspapers in the eastern cities fashioned long eye-catching headlines to dramatize the event, the Bemidji Pioneer report consisted of only a small headline and a brief resume of the tragedy. Perhaps the Grand Forks Daily Herald summed it up best for rural America when the editor wrote: To the world, or to a nation, an archduke more or less make little difference.

"On the morning of July 28, 1914, however, this rural apathy changed; the Pioneer came out with a screaming headline: EXTRA! AUSTRIA DECLARES WAR. This first stunning announcement was followed the next week with more big black headlines as one by one the nations of Europe slipped over the brink and into the caldron of war. The Pioneer editor, George E. Carson, seemed to write almost with relief as he seconded President Wodrow Wilson's message of American neutrality in what almost all persons regard as a foolish war." Hometown Hysteria, Bemidji at the Start of World War I, Minnesota History, 49/2, Summer 1984, pp. 67-68

Clarence Arthur Renne Attends Crookston Agricultural College. "In 1915 and 1916...[Clarence Arthur (Art) Renne] attended the Crookston Agricultural College." My Family History, p. 9

Art Renne told the editor that he dropped out of Crookston Agricultural College (the A. C.) because he sprained his knee while playing basketball, probably sometime early in the year 1916.

Art Renne's seven cousins in Rindal -- the children of Tilda Renne Krogstad -- all attended Crookston Agricultural Collerge (the A. C.). Alma Krogstad Sherry wrote in The Krogstads: a Book of Memories 1978: "After we had graduated from eighth grade, we all went to the A. C. and all graduated from there."

Clarence Arthur Renne Begins to Show Interest in Carpentry. "In 1916...[Clarence Arthur (Art) Renne] began to show an interest in carpentry and helped out in building barns." My Family History, p. 8

Art Renne had turned 17 on December 30th, the year before.

The editor recalls that he was a high school student (age 16, or 17), when his father -- Art Renne -- told him that as a young man he had received a valuable piece of advice from a Scotsman who employed him to help in the construction of silos. The Scotsman reportedly said: "Art, don't let your cock run away with your brains." And Art wanted to pass the same advice on to his son.

Joseph Oliver Renne Marries Minnie Burud. "...Joseph [Oliver Renne] married Minnie Burud in August, 1916." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 47

Joseph turned 20 in September, the month after his marriage.

President Wilson and Congress Declare War on Germany. "Early in 1917 Germany startled the United States by announcing the reopening of unrestricted submarine warfare, and President Wilson responded by servering diplomatic relations on February 3. During the next week, the membership of the Bemidji Post of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and the Beltrami Board of County Commissioners both went on record approving Wilson's policy, with the exception of one commissioner, a Socialist named James Hayes. Wrote the Sentinel editor of the lone dissenter: We venture to remark that Comrade Hayes is serving his first and last term as a member of the Board of County Commissioners.

"President Wilson requested the authority from Congress to arm American vessels, and Senator Clapp and Representative Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr., of the Minnesota Sixth District (both lameducks) joined the supporters of Wisconsin Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr., to oppose Wilson. The Bemidji papers this time denounced the actions of Clapp and Lindbergh.

"On March 1, 1917, the public disclosure of the Zimmermann telegram, in which Germany invited Mexico to join the war on the side of the Central Powers, accented the continuing deterioration of German-American relations. Then in mid-March German submarines committed those overt acts that Wilson had referred to, and on April 2 he summoned Congress to joint session, requesting that a state of war be declared between the United States and Germany.

"While Congress considered the Wilson proposal for war, brand-new Sixth District congressman Harold Knutson of Minnesota contacted Anton R. Erickson, Bemidji postmaster, asking: Please wire me sentiment of people in Beltrami county relative to war. I want to get the people's sentiment so I can represent them intelligently. The message back to Knutson, quoted in the Pioneer, read: Bemidji and Beltrami county endorse the President's message. Stand by our flag.

"On April 6, 1917, the United States was at war with Germany. However, Representative Knutson, joining 49 of his colleagues, had voted against the war resolution, being of the opinion that a majority of the common people, who live by the sweat of their brow, were also against the war. Wrote the Sentinel editor on Knutson's negative vote: The kindest thing we can say about Congressman Knutson is that he had done no worse than Lindbergh would have done. We expected that he would have had nerve enough to prove himself a real patriot... but it is apparent that we guessed at this failure to fairly proclaim the sentiment of his constituents.

"With America committed to war, it appeared from the newspapers' reports that the people in Bemidji accepted the decisions of Wilson and the Congress. And now that the United States was in it, Bemidji citizens would support the war -- and then some." Hometown Hysteria, Bemidji at the Start of World War I, Minnesota History, 49/2, Summer 1984, pp. 69-70

Clarence Arthur Renne Goes to Canada. "The pioneer spirit was in...[Clarence Arthur Renne's] blood though, and in 1917 he went to Canada with the intention of homesteading. Instead he received employment with a ranch. He went home for the holidays that year, and it was on this trip that he saw the ruthless way of high finance when a sharkey whose hand was faster than the eye got away with thirty dollars of my dad's hard earned money. This proved to be a very valuable lesson though." My Family History, p. 8

Minnie Renne Gives Birth to Jeanette Marguerel. "...the oldest [of the Joseph Renne children] being Jeanette Marguerel." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 47

The editor, at this writing, does not know the date of Jeanette's birth. Probably, it took place sometime in May-June, 1917. Joseph and Minnie were married in August 1916, and their second child was born on May 20, 1918.

Clarence Arthur Renne Goes Back to Canada. "...[Art] went back to Canada in the spring of 1918..." My Family History, p. 8

Clarence Arthur Renne Joins the United States Army. "...then [in] the...summer...[of 1918, Art] joined the United States Army." My Family History, p. 8

The editor's Aunt Edel Renne Austin wrote in a note on a newspaper article in the editor's file, "Con Paulson was your Dad's best friend in Shevlin. They & Pat Peterson left for World War I the same day."

The article says: "Paulson graduated from Bagley High School. After graduation in 1918 he enlisted in the Army. After two months training he was shipboard bound for France. WWI ended before he ever saw action." Farmers Independent, Bagley, Minnesota, July 7, 1983

The editor recalls that Art Renne said he had taken his basic training at an camp located near Pensacola, Florida.

The Armistice Was Signed on November 11, 1918. "...[Art Renne] had just gotten his orders for an overseas assignment when the Armistice was signed on November 11, [1918]...His sister, Edel, remembered how the boys started coming home soon after that. On the Sunday afternoon before Christmas, the family was waiting at the [Shevlin] depot as Art stepped off the train. He had safely returned and a family's prayers were answered." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 48

The Peter Lawrence Renne Family Buys a Piano. "Edel told an interesting story about [the period shortly after the war ended]...The War Savings Stamps that the Peter Renne family had purchased were turned in for a piano. The music produced by several members of the family brought much enjoyment to Karen throughout the years." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 48

Minnie Renne Gives Birth to Lawrence. "The second of the Joseph Renne children is Lawrence (Bud) Renne. Bud was born on May 20, 1918, and grew up in Bagley." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 47

Roy Hamilton Austin Meets Edel Luella Renne. "Bagley, Minnesota was our next address and it proved highly significant for at least two reasons: World War I terminated with the Armistice of November 11, 1918 (I climbed the Congregational Church belfry and added my clamor to that of all other bells and whistles of America); and I first made the acquaintance of Edel Luella Renne of nearby Shevlin, sixteen years later to become my cherished bride! After only one year in Northern Minnesota our caravan returned to Wisconsin..." My Eighty-One Years: A Retrospect, p. 4

Clarence Arthur Renne Served in the Army Until the Spring of 1919. "...[Art] served [in the United States Army] until the spring of 1919..." My Family History, p. 8

Clarence Arthur Renne Goes to British Columbia. "...then [Art] went back to Canada. He took 100 head of horses up into British Columbia, where they were to be used in building a railroad." My Family History, p. 8

Clarence Arthur Renne Goes to Seattle. "...[Art] did not like the conditions...[in British Columbia] so he and some friends decided to go out to Spokane, Washington. Here he worked in a lumber camp..." My Family History, p. 8

Minnie Renne Gives Birth to Twins -- Dorothy and Catherine. "Twin girls were born to Joseph and Minnie Renne in May, 1919. They were named Dorothy and Catherine. They, too, spent much of their childhood in the care of their grandparents in Bagley." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 47

Johannes Malterud Dies. "On July 19, 1919 at the age of 86 years, six months and eight days, Johannes Malterud died. Dr. E. F. Smith, the attending physician, listed the cause of death as influenza and senility. Johannes's obituary, appearing on the front page of the Bemidji Daily Pioneer, stated, A stalwart and true son of Norway has ended a life of great usefulness to this United States. What a fitting passage for that valiant and steadfast man who brought our family to America.

"Johannes J. Malterud was buried at the Fern Township Cemetery in Becida. His funeral was held at the Becida Town Hall. He left many grandchildren and great-granchildren." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, pp. 7-8

John Clemens Austin Graduates from Bagley High School. "John C. Austin graduated from Bagley High School in 1919." Johannes J. Malterud Family, 125 Years in America, p. 52

America's First Commercially Licensed Radio Station. "Radio was born - on Nov. 2, 1920 - when KDKA in Pittsburgh, America's first commercially licensed station, broadcast the presidential election returns. (Warren G. Harding defeated James Cox.)" Parade Magazine, October 29, 1995, p. 16

Bemidji Population Reaches 7,086. "The official population of Bemidji in...1920 [was] 7,086..." Minnesota History, 49/2, Summer 1984, p. 66

Clarence Arthur Renne Moves on to Idaho. "...then [Art] moved on to Idaho where he contracted for a lumber camp." My Family History, p. 8

Art and Mickey Meet. "In the fall of 1920," Dona says, "[Art] returned home to Shevlin, and met and fell in love with one of the teachers boarding at his home, my mother."

Crop Prices Fall After the War. "After the war, it turned out that too much food was being raised. Crop prices fell. Yet to make money at low prices, each farmer had to grow even more. Through hard times in the 1920s and 1930s many small farmers gave up. They could not afford the new machines and could not keep going without them. Their fieleds were taken over by others who could. So, year after year, Minnesota, counted fewer but larger farms." The Story of Minnesota's Past, p. 161

Clarence Arthur Renne Spends a Year at Farming. "...[Art] spent a year of farmin[g], but this did not prove satisfactory." My Family History, p. 9

The Family of Peter Lawrence Renne and Karen Christine Malterud moved to Bagley in the year 1922. Click on Bagley to continue.