Caroline Hesse: Pioneer Mother

The North Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs instituted the Pioneer Mothers Project in 1929. They sought to collect biographical sketches of women who, prior to November 1889, lived in the area of Dakota Territory and who were married at that time. The State Historical Society of North Dakota has preserved the original, typed pages; microfilm copies are available through FamilySearch or at the North Dakota State Archives.

A biography of my great, great grandmother, Caroline “Lena” Hesse (1863-1914), wife of Dakota Territorial Homesteader Franklin Hesse, is included in the Pioneer Mothers Project, Series 4.

Pioneer Mothers Project

I viewed a microfilm copy of the Pioneer Mothers Project at the North Dakota State Archives in Bismarck. Caroline’s short biography was written by an unknown author in 1932.

Most likely someone from Caroline’s family provided the information because she passed away in 1914. Curiously, the final paragraph begins: “Mrs. Hesse tells us….”

Mrs. Franklin Hesse

Caroline Krull [sic] was born in Germany and came to America with her mother and settled in Neenah, Wisconsin. There she attended the common schools and later was united in marriage to Franklin Hesse.

Mrs. Hesse came, with her husband, to Dakota Territory in 1883, coming on a mixed train as far as Yankton, South Dakota, Mrs. Hesse riding in the caboose. Many passengers were on this train, and on account of danger of wrecks, the ladies were asked to take a passenger train from Yankton to Ellendale.

Mr. Hesse unloaded his car, hitched their three horses abreast to the wagon and started for their claim, which was about a mile and a half northwest of the present town of LaMoure. He took one load and came as far as the “half way” house, a sort of hotel operated by the Stevenson family.

Mrs. Hesse stayed at the Stevenson house until Mr. Hesse got their house, which was cut and fitted in Wisconsin, built and moved, which took a whole month. Cotton Wood creek was flooded, which meant a long detour over bad roads.

Mrs. Hesse tells us the first bridge over the river to LaMoure was a pontoon bridge, built of planks and empty kerosene barrels. This was a private owned affair and a toll of 25¢ was charged to cross it. This was too large a sum for the poor pioneers to pay, so the County Commissioners were prevailed upon to build another pontoon bridge, and later the south bridge, near the Lynch farm was built.

The children are:
Frank Hesse, Seattle, Washington
Carrie Geutskow [sic], LaMoure, N. Dak.
Laura Emerson—deceased
Herbert Hesse, LaMoure, N. Dak.
Gladys Hesse, LaMoure, N. Dak.
[Son, Theodore Hesse is not listed, neither are the names of 3 children that died in infancy.]

Caroline Krull

The first paragraph of the biography informs us that she was born in Germany and came to America with her mother.

What about her father?

Next week, we will investigate Caroline’s past.

Caroline is standing with the horses.¹“Fairview” photo in the Standard Atlas of La Moure County, North Dakota, 1913, pg. 79, Courtesy of Digital Horizons (North Dakota Atlases and Plat Books Collection, ND State Library).

SOURCES

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  “Fairview” photo in the Standard Atlas of La Moure County, North Dakota, 1913, pg. 79, Courtesy of Digital Horizons (North Dakota Atlases and Plat Books Collection, ND State Library).