Orgins of St. Benedict's Monastery (convent), St. Joseph, Minnesota. Mother Willibalda Scherbauer, OSB, led four sisters and two candidates, ranging in age from 18 to 26, from St. Marys, Pennslyvania, to the Midwest frontier (St. Cloud, Minnesota) in 1857. Mother Willibalda (Franciska) was born in Kastel, Bavaria in 1831. At an early age, her family took her to St. Walburg Convent in Eichstätt to be educated. There she professed her vows in 1851; four years later, she volunteered to join the sisters in America. Then in 1857, she volunteered to venture to the Northwest Territory and was appointed prioress of the St. Cloud community by Boniface Wimmer, OSB. Mother Willibalda was an accomplished musician of whom Jane Swisshelm, editor of a local newspaper, wrote, "The Lady Abbess is small, slight, delicate, graceful, and as accomplished a lady as you could meet in any circle...waking the first echoes of those broad prairies in a call (daily ringing of the church bell) to bow regularly at an altar of Christian worship..." (McDonald, page41). Mother Willibalda's able administration as leader gave the Benedictine sisters a firm monastic foundation, not only in St. Cloud, but also in St. Joseph, the nucleus of St. Benedict's Monastery. She is lovingly remembered for accepting Mother Benedicta Riepp into the St. Cloud community when she was misunderstood by authorities and some community members for upholding the rights of the sisters in America (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives; McDonald, pages 12, 15-16, 19).
Early years in St. Joseph, Minnesota (1863-1880). Mother Aloysia (Helen) Bath, the first American-born prioress of St. Benedict's Convent, was born in Addison, WI in 1849. Helen entered the community of the Sisters of St. Agnes in Baron, WI, in 1864 and was given the name Sister Agatha. She transferred to the community in St. Joseph, MN in 1871, changed her name to Aloysia, and professed vows there in 1875. Two years later, she was appointed prioress of the community in St. Joseph by Abbot Rupert Seidenbusch, to fill out Mother Antonia Herman's term. Mother Aloysia resigned shortly before her term ended. However, nine years later, she was elected by the community to serve another term as prioress. Though of frail health, Mother Aloysia led the community in beginning the construction of a new convent and academy building in St. Joseph, in accepting four new schools in Minnesota, the American Indian mission in White Earth, MN, and a school in Bismarck. ND. She was an experienced teacher who had been in charge of several schools, including the large school in St. Joseph's Parish in Minneapolis. Mother Aloysia's greatest efforts were spent staffing schools in the face of school controversies and in developing a teacher-training program in the community so that young sisters would be sent out as certified teachers. Her contemplative spirit inspired the sisters to work for a balance in their work and prayer (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives; McDonald, pages 73-78, 89).
George Luxton's grandmother pays a surprise visit at the annual Minnesota State Horticultural Society banquet. George Titus, President of the Men's Garden Club of Minneapolis, was toastmaster for the evening. Second man standing is George Luxton, gardening editor for the Minneapolis Tribune newspaper.
Minnesota Horticultural leaders Dr. Leon Snyder, director of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (left) and Eldred Hunt, executive secretary of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, exchanging views during a Minnesota Nurserymen's Association convention.
Portrait of two unidentified men wearing suits. The location of this photograph is unknown; but the Iron Range includes parts of the following Minnesota counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis.
A group of unidentified people standing on a balcony, close block-7/A in 1907. The location of this photograph is unknown; but the Iron Range includes parts of the following Minnesota counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis.
Group of musicians, including Anderson, Arthur Martinson and Hjalmar Peterson, third from right, who performed as Olle I Skratthult. Woman is Hjalmar's wife Olga Lindgren-Peterson.
Group portrait of the Home Mission Society. Back row: Pearl Franklin, Grace Dryer, Marie Schumacher, Ann Schumacher. Middle row: Elsie Sponagle, Rose Lindeman, Pauline Shipman, Emma Gaffney, and Gladys Schmidt. Front row: Mary Kelly, Annie Lueck, Anna Schmidt, Amanda Lindeman, and Sara Lindeman.
Studio protrait of the Thief River Falls City Council. Standing: G. Halverson, M.V. Evenson. Sitting: T.P. Hamre, Ed Evenson, Olaf Ramstad, W.W. Prichard, Milton Forder, Lars Backe'
Formal portrait of the Ren Dixon Post 191, Grand Army of the Republic. Pictured in the front row, second from the left, Hans O. Grinder, fourth from the left, Martin O. Grinder.
Members of Minnesota State Horticultural Society on summer tour to Duluth area. President Calvin Coolidge is in the lower center of the Photograph holding a basket of Latham raspberries which was presented to him as a token of appreciation. Photograph was taken in Superior, Wisconsin, location of the Executive Offices in the summer of 1928.
Portrait of Maud Van Cortlandt Taylor Hill, Louis W. Hill, Jr., Isabella Taylor, Cortlandt Mucaster Taylor, Walter Curzon Taylor, Maud Van Cortlandt Hill, and Maria Banks Taylor.
Portrait of Maud Hart Lovelace's family, from left to right: Tom Hart, Helen Hart, Maud Hart, Stella Hart, and Mrs. C. H. Austin. Note reads, "Hart Family, in the High Street House of the B-T (Betsy-Tacy) stories. Actually on 5th St, Mankato. Helen (called Margaret in the Betsy-Tacy stories) later Mrs. Frank Fowler, on Mr. Hart's (Mr. Ray's) knee. M. H. L. (Betsy) reading a letter from Kathleen (Julia of the B-T series) then studying singing in Berlin--later Mrs. Frohman Foster, singing teacher, Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Hart (Betsy Ray's mother)" Mrs. C. H. Austin (Betsy's grandmother) visiting from California."