Life On The Farm – Family Tree

The Vinland farmhouse sometime in the 1920s.

My grandmother Erna Boldewahn was the youngest of 3 children. The Boldewahns lived in Oshkosh Wisconsin, with father William working in the saw mills like many German immigrants. In 1905 or 1906, the family bought a small farm near Vinland, a few miles outside of Oshkosh. My grandmother was around 7 years old. The farm started with 10 acres, then grew to 40 acres by 1920.

from the 1906 Rural Oshkosh directory a "William Bolderwack" is the proud owner of 10 acres. — From the 1906 Rural Oshkosh directory a “William Bolderwack” is the proud owner of 10 acres.

By 1924, the farm was valued at $5600 (or $90,000 in today’s money). 40 acres was still very small by Oshkosh standards.

From the 1920 Viland director, William Boldewahn owns 30 acres, 3 horses and 8 cows. No telephone. — From the 1920 Vinland directory, William Boldewahn owns 39 acres, 3 horses and 8 cows. No telephone. It lists his wife Ernestina, his son Otto and his youngest daughter “Erma” (Erna)

1924 Boldewahn Farm Value Vinland — From the 1924 Rural Oshkosh Directory, the 30 acre farm is valued at $5,600

The house was situated along “Route 7” and was a few miles north of the Winnebago County Asylum . Today, the street is known as Sherman Road, Oshkosh WI, between County Highway GG and Indian Point Road. The nearest Interstate is I-41 and the property is either under or next to the WUSW-FM Oshkosh radio station transmission tower. Since property lines have changed over the years and homesteads have been torn down and rebuilt, the property is most likely part of, or between, 5939 and 6025 Sherman Road.

Sherman Road, north of Oshkosh Wisconsin.

More importantly, the property runs alongside the Northwestern Railroad line where my grandfather, John Kamuchey worked. The railroad workers would come to the farm house to get water to drink and my grandmother, now 25 years old met my grandfather, 36 years old.

The Northwestern Railroad runs along the West side (left) of the property

It is also possible that the house stood between what is now 5939 Sherman Road and 6025 Sherman Rd. See the outlines of an old structure and driveway.

The farm could not be sustained and in 1926 William listed it for sale in the Oshkosh newspaper, The Northwestern. It eventually sold and in 1930 the family moved back to Oshkosh where they bought a duplex on Ceape Street.

William Boldewahn Oshkosh_Northwestern_Sat_Oct_2_1926_ — By October 1926, William started listing the farm for sale.

1920 ad for rent for the upper apartment in the new home at 172 Ceape Street, Oshkosh. — 1930 ad for rent for the upper apartment in the new home at 172 Ceape Street, Oshkosh.

In August 2017, one of Wilhelm’s grand-daughters, Evelyn Kamuchey wrote the following:

I recall this house was well built for rich farmers. My grandfather was well to do til [the] Depression ….. He decided to sell house & moved to Oshkosh on Ceape St.

Only Violet and Elaine lived at [the] farmhouse. I lived [in the] Ceape house. All of us (Violet, Elaine & me) were together with grandfather most of time. Dr P. Stein delivered us ….at St Mary’s hospital in Oshkosh. Dr Stein’s daughter Hope Stein became our good friend for years. I remember Hope served us tea/cookies at her lovely home. Dr Stein played with us at backyard throwing ball.

Below are some photos of Erna Boldewahn (my grandmother) on the farm.

Erna Boldewahn (sitting in the front) on the Vinland farm in the 1920s. The other two girls are unknown.

ErnaBoldewahnandDogShepBW — Erna is hiding in the back. In the front is her dog Shep.