Myrt's Memories/Harms
From CowTales
HARMS
The Original Harmshof, according to the archives of Celle, Province of Hannover in northern Germany, was registered in 1483 in Bostlingen, south of Fallingsbostel. According to information collected, the spelling of the name Harms changed frequently through the years-from Harmen in 1528, and finally to Harms in 1714. The owners of the Harmshof were forced to evacuate in 1937, at which time they moved to a larger estate at Pogenhagen. The entire region of the original estate was taken over for military grounds during WWII. The house of the Bostlingen Harmshof was still standing in 1956.
Johann Casten Harms II was born in Proebston, Germany, in 1819 to Johann Casten and Margarethe Harms. In 1852 he married Ilse Katherina Margaretha Uetzmann, born in Hartem in 1830. A son, Casten Heinrich, was born to them in 1853 in Proebsten. They, like many other families, emigrated to America in 1855 because there was no more land available in their homeland.
They spent one year in Illinois, but were not happy with the climate. Another son, Friedrich, was born to them while in Illinois in 1855. He died at the age of three. They traveled on to Minnesota territory, following the Minnesota River from Fort Snelling, MN to the village of Carver. From there they travelled eight miles farther west in the deep forested territory till they crossed a small stream called Bevans Creek, MN, where they took a homestead of 160 acres. A log cabin was built on this homestead. Five more children were born to them in this log cabin. Sophie (Herman Pinz) 1858, Louise ( Martin Jaus) 1860, Marie 1862-died in infancy, Friedrich 1864,Anna Wilhelmina (known as Mina) 1866.
They had often befriended the Indians and believed this may have been a factor as to why they were not harmed during the Sioux raid of 1866. They replaced the log house with a frame house about 1867. Their last two children, Marie Charlotte (known as Lottie)1868, and Ernest 1870, were born in this house. Approximately ten years later a brick house was erected, which is at present occupied by a great-granddaughter and her husband, Ruth (Harms) and Henry Krueger.
A few added comments: I was told by either Tante Anna or Dad that Grandma (Ilsa ) Harms was said to have had "Die Fallende Krankheit"<ref>The Falling Disease</ref>--Epilepsy.
Mina was born retarded, but was able to perform simple household duties, knitting, etc.
LOUISA HARMS
Louisa, the fourth of nine children, was born September 20, 1860 on the homestead. As a young woman she was very shy and modest. A handsome young man by the name of Martin Jaus became interested in her, and would walk ten miles from Hamburg to see her. His first hike, however, proved to be fruitless. Louisa was too shy to see him and hid until after he left. Evidently Martin did not give up so easily, because they were married June 19, 1884.
Louisa remained a quiet and reserved person all her life. She and Martin were devout Christians, and were members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Moltke Township throughout their married life. Their five children received their Christian education at the St. Peter's school.
�Roman recalls his father telling about an incident that supposedly to his grandfather Casten Harms that first fall in Minnesota. While he was busy putting up slough grass to feed to his few cattle, a fire suddenly appeared through the woods. He desperately tried beating it out because this was the only feed he had for his cattle for during the winter months. As it was about to engulf his hay, he fell to his knees and prayed, "Gott, hilf mich, diesz ist alles was ich hab." (God help me, this is all that I have.) When he looked up again, the fire was out.
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source:Myrtle Jaus Memories. Copywrite:Myrtle Jaus Meyer.
source:Myrtle Jaus Memories.
Copywrite:Myrtle Jaus Meyer.