FARM HOME OF WILLIAM REETZ
Topography—The west half of this township is quite rolling, and has a number of sloughs. The east half is largely table land, with somewhat lighter soil than most of the other townships. However, take it as a whole, Rusk may be considered one of the best townships in the county. There are only three of the original homesteaders still living on their land, as follows: Herman and William Reetz, and Barney Gerdes.
The first child born here was Amos Knapp, August 1, 1881, to Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Knapp.
The first death was that of Frank Deveraux, April 1882.
The first marriage was consummated between Dr. C. E. Brooks and Elizabeth Ostrander. They were married in Webster, by Rev. W. G. Dickenson, November, 1883.
The largest family was born to Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Knapp. . Nine sons and five daughters, eleven living.
The first school was taught in the Knapp district by Miss Rebecca Laird in Doe Richardson's claim shanty. This was the first rural school taught in the county.
This township was named by T. A. Bones, in honor of Ex-Governor Rusk of Wisconsin.
Dates of settlement of homesteaders:
1880—Ben Fish, J. P. Webster, E. H. Betts, R. H. Smith, L. G. Ochsenreiter, R. H. McClelland, J.
W. Callender, Andrew Smail, Eckert Balzer.
1881—E. D. Landon, Wm. and John Sheelar, James Giblin, J. A. Carr, Sr., J. A. McKibbin, Mr. and
Mrs. A. M. Knapp, A. W. Ackerman, Henry Walbaum, John McKeown, Wm. Kinney, Doc Richardson, F. H. Dutton,
J. H. Tabor, R. P. Brorup, Gilbert Halter.
1882—T. A. Bones, Dr. J. L. Harris, Wm. Peterrausch, Henry Atkins, Julius and Carl Schlotte, John
and Art Rhodes, A. B. Threfetheren, Archibald Robinson, Orson Webster, H. W. Boyd, James and Thomas
Parrington, Chas. Wright, Frank Deveraux, Chas. Cease.
1883—J. H. Payne, L. W. Scripture, H. Hendrichs, B. F. Faxon, Paul Pischke, Anton Cyzmowski, Jacob
Kreich, A. H. Forsan, J. Heinrich, Wm. Alley, John Seedhouse, James Taylor, Mrs. D. J. Ostrander,
Elizabeth Ostrander, Robert Wilsey, A. D. Haish, Robert Moore, James Tuel, C. H. Carr, Wm. Fromberg, F.
L. Wallace.
1884-85—H. 0. Lange, J. Hauth, Barney Gerdes, C. W. and Aug. Dambrowsky, W. M. Bates, J. Poelzer,
A. Mickelson, J. Stariha, M. Stich, Aug. Lindberg, Geo. Lafayette, Henry Turner, Andrew Robart.
William Reetz came to America from Germany, 1884, ending at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he worked on a dairy farm of J. D. Gramberg. In November, 1885, he came to Spink county and worked on the farm of J. Keller for one year. Here he was married to Mrs. Anonie Kuhl. To this marriage were born three daughters and two sons.
After his marriage he rented a farm near Crandon where he remained for three years. These were lean crop years and so on hearing of Day county he came to Rusk township, 1890, where he rented Mr. Ochsenreiter's farm for two years. Then he bought a tree claim relinquishment from J. C. Bush and filed a homestead where he has resided ever since. To this he has added 640 acres.
Mrs. Anonie Reetz passed to her reward, November 14, 1903; November 24, 1904, Mr. Reetz married Mrs. Kate Nickelson. One daughter was born to them.
Mr. Reetz and his two sons, Rubin and Martin farm the entire 800 acres. He has always practiced diversified farming, having gained his experience in Germany. He milks from eight to ten cows and turns off from thirty-five to fifty hogs annually. All buildings are equipped with electric lights. No encumbrance.
Phone and R. F. D., Webster, S: D.
Herman Reetz came to America from Germany, landing in Spink county, May 1886. After working for two and a half years on the section, he rented a farm for one year. Here he was dried out, getting only two and a half bushels per acre. In 1890 he filed his homestead, where he has continuously lived. His wife, Miss Agusta Schmidt, whom he had married December 22, 1889, proved to be a splendid helpmate. This union was blessed with five daughters and three sons.
This homestead farm was gradually increased to include twelve hundred additional acres. Mr. Reetz has practiced diversified farming in a very thorough manner and to this important fact he owes his splendid success. He has always been very much interested in horticulture and still maintains a very fine orchard.
Crops marketed in 1925: wheat, 3650; barley, 2800; flax, 1300; oats, 3000; rye, 600; corn, 1200; millet, 120; sweet clover, 28; potatoes, 200; hogs, $900.00; wool and lambs, $1,000.00; cattle, $1,000.00; 60 turkeys, $318.50.
All buildings are electrically lighted. Not a dollar of encumbrance.
Phone and R. F. D., Webster, S. D.