with her a younger sister, Magdaline Gunkle. Magdaline, like every young girl of that period, longed for an education and thought her dream was going to come true when she was permitted to attend school. A very apt student, her teacher was Mrs. Orr, Joe Orr's mother. It was a heartbroken Magdaline that had to quit school after only two weeks to help her sister, Mrs. Tiedgen, who found the duties of the pioneer housewife too much for her to handle alone.

Henry's visits to the Tiedgen homestead became more frequent, and after courting Magdaline for a short time they were married. The year was 1871 and Magdaline was just 17 years of age.

Money was truly at a premium in this era. It was recalled that when Henry and Magdaline were expecting their first baby, Magdaline accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Tiedgen to Columbus on one of their rare shopping trips. She needed $5.00 to purchase material to make clothes for the new baby. A friend lent her the $5.00 gladly. When Henry settled up in the fall after his crop was in, he also paid interest on the $5.00 loan.

Norfolk at that time consisted of a Post Office and sawmill. If the homesteaders needed lumber, they would ford the Elkhorn river, cut down a tree, take it to Norfolk and have it sawed into boards. They would then load their lumber on their wagon, ford the river again, and return home the same day.

The nearest market for grain and livestock was Columbus. It is surprising to note that hogs had to be butchered before they could be delivered to the market in Columbus. The homesteader would butcher as many as he could haul in his wagon and get an early start about three in the morning. The first day they could travel as far as the "half-way house," (John Mauer's homestead), where they could rest for the night. Many homesteaders took shelter at this half-way house and the men would often meet old friends here and they would enjoy a long visit over the supper table. The next morning they would again get an early start on their journey, arrive in Columbus in time to unload their cargo, do the shopping for their families, and return again as far as the half-way house. Another early start on the third morning would bring them back to their homestead by nightfall. All grain was delivered in the same manner.

The Tomhagen picnic grounds were known for miles around. It served as a favorite meeting place for Farm Bureau meetings, school picnics and church festivals.

We quote from a 1921 news-clipping:

"Notwithstanding the torrential rain which cut short the program, the annual picnic of the Madison County Farm Bureau held in the Andrew Tomhagen Grove southeast of Battle Creek was the biggest event of its kind ever held in Madison County. County Agent R. A. Stewart announced 3916 automobiles were in the grounds and 388 cars were parked in Battle Creek, the occupants having gone to the picnic. He estimates 21,500 people were in the picnic party."

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