Since 1851
Nicholas and Hely Schwalen were among the first farmers in St. Croix County. They emigrated from Honsfeld, Prussia, in present day German-speaking Belgium. The brothers arrived in Racine, Wisconsin in 1848 and steadfastly worked their way to St. Paul by 1849.
They laid claim to government land six miles southeast of Hudson and built a cabin in 1851. Nick Schwalen returned to Honsfeld to marry Cibilla Schneider. Coming back they were accompanied by members of the Bonnes, Mayer, Roehl, Rohl, Ross, Schwalen and Yost families. After sailing 46 days on the ship Columbus the pioneers landed in New York on 31 May 1852. They traveled the Erie Canal route to Racine, where they bought a breaking plow, six teams of oxen along with carts for the 170 mile trek to Galena, Illinois. They all traveled on a steamboat to Hudson arriving on 27 June 1852.
They began clearing their land claims and built a common shelter into a hillside where the colony lived during their first winter. The next to join were Wanner, Knott, Hapsch, Von Kuster and Moelter families. Schools were started at the east and west edges of the settlement in the early 1860's along the Stageline Road. In 1867 Christian Bonnes donated land for the Oak Valley School at the Junction of Highways N and SS. Hely Schwalen sold land in 1869 for the Pleasant View School where Highways N and U meet. Bartholomew Schwalen sold land for this cemetery in 1871.
Reverently read the old gravestone names of those pioneers who forged a better life for their families in America, then give thanks.
Prussian Pioneers Landing in
Hudson in 1852 or BeforeHely Schwalen · Nicholas Schwalen · Cibilla (Schneider) Schwalen · Bartholomew Schwalen · Helena (Schneider) Schwalen · Cecilia Schwalen · Hilarius Schwalen · John Peter Roehl · Margaretha (Schwalen) Roehl · Leonard Rohl · Anna Maria (Schwalen) Rohl · Anna Maria Rohl · Anna Margaretha Rohl · Anna Gertrude Rohl · Peter Rohl · Matthew Rohl · Peter Jost/Yost · Anna Maria (Goenen) Yost · Anna Catharina Yost · Maria Yost · Johann Nicholas Mayer · M. Josephine (Jouck) Mayer · John Nicholas Mayer, Jr. · Peter B. Mayer · Christian Bonnes · Elizabeth Bonnes · Johann Ross · Susanna Ross · Mathias Ross · Johann Ross, Jr. · Christina Ross · John Ross · Gertrude Ross · Anton Ross
The cemetery Association was
Founded 25 March 1871 by:Bartholomew Schwalen, Chair · Christian Bonnes, Secretary · Hely Schwalen, Treasurer · Joseph Bonnes · John Hapsch · Mathias Knott · J. Nicholas Mayer · John N. Mayer, Jr. · Peter B. Mayer · J. Peter Rohl · Leonard Rohl · Mathew Rohl · Nicholas Schwalen
This memorial was dedicated 22 June 2002, celebrating 150 years since the founding of this colony.
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