God's Little Acres, Plain View Farm by Estelle Stadem Rangen
PLAIN VIEW HERITAGE FARM,
RURAL BRYANT, SD, PRESENTS:
"GOD'S LITTLE ACRES,"
by Estelle "Rixa" (Stadem) Rangen
From: "ANCESTRY, BIOGRAPHY AND EPISODES
OF BESSIE AND ALFRED STADEM AND
FAMILIES," by Estelle Stadem Rangen
CHAPTER ONE
A LITTLE FAMILY HISTORY
City Life Was Not For Young Alfred J. P.
Stadem
City Life was not "cracked up" to be his kind
of life Because he disliked the rough element,
their unfairness in play, city life became monotonous,
and it rubbed against the grain. Out into the country
was the solving of the problem, but that meant hard work.
Although the salary was in proportion to the age
and the work in proportion to the size of the body,
the low wages were often at a point unbearable for
the mind to submit to. But with the gift of resist
ance and ability to save, at the end, some financial
results could be produced and kept for future
investment. This was all in the leading and guidance
which took place in the heart and life of Alfred Stadem
--Papa, as we knew him.
Both Country Life and Married Life
Begin
In the year 1908, on August 19, he took unto
himself a bride, Miss Bergit ("Bessie" used
later since Americans couldn't pronounce the real
Scandinavian name) Holbeck, of Canton, South Dakota.
Two children were born while living on the farm which
was the property of the Reverend M.P. Tetlie, outside
of Canton. Pearl and Bernice were the names given to
their first two daughters.
The Growing Family Journeys
On
In 1911 they moved to Bryant, South Dakota
where they engaged in farming on Papa's father's
farm in Clark County, four miles northwest of Bryant,
for eight years. In this home, Myrtle, Cora, Alida,
and Estelle were born. I, Estelle, am the very person
presenting this account, and I love to tell our Story.
The Family Becomes
Homesteaders
In 1919 we moved to our own farm one mile west
and four miles north of Bryant, in Hamlin County.
This farm was purchased void of any improvements.
Here we built a new home and other buildings.
A large grove of trees was planted and also some
shrubbery. Each member of the family helped to do
their part to make it a more beautiful and lovely
home. This farm was easily distinguished because in
large letters PLAIN VIEW FARM was written on our
big red barn.
Eight Children Weren't
Enough
In this home Arthur, Ruth, and Leroy were born.
NINE CHILDREN! A family of seven girls and two
boys. Dear Mama told how she prayed before Estelle
was born that if God willed, he would give her a
son--not for her sake, but for the neighbors!