LYON COUNTY GENEALOGY
LAPE, HOWARD was born January 6, 1902, at Bismark, Ill., and was united in marriage to Sylvia Hocke on February 8, 1927. She was born January 19, 1909. They are the parents of Eugene (Bahrenfuss-Sutton), Sioux Falls, S.D.; Betty (Mrs. John Doornwaard), Gibsonia, Pa.; and Marvin, who married Sharon Rasmussen, Larchwood. After their marriage, the Lapes farmed northwest of Larchwood until moving into Larchwood in 1964.
LAPE, THOMAS M. from Pickstown, Ohio, was born September 15, 1860 and married Emma Cunningham from Bismark, Ill., on September 1, 1886. Emma was born March 24, 1870. They had eight sons and two daughters,-Barton, Elmer and Alva (all deceased); Grace (Grimm-Sorg), Luverne, Minn.; Fred, and Lester-who married Ruth Armstrong, both of Vancouver, Wash.; John-married to Helen Schmidt, Omaha, Nebr.; Ersul-who married Clara Flannagen, Fort Dodge, Ia.; Lois (Winter), Rock Valley, Ia.; and Howard-married to Sylvia Hocke of Larchwood. The Lapes came to Lyon County in 1902 and moved to their farm north of Larchwood in 1914. Thomas was known as a fine horseman and always drove a matched team with excellent harness. They retired to live in Larchwood. Emma passed away May 1, 1926 and Thomas on December 13, 1945.
LAWLER, FRANK was born June 15, 1848, at Janesville, Wisc.; and his wife, Catherine Nichols, was born April 10, 1862 in Porter, Wisc. They were married in Wisconsin on April 19, 1888, and became the parents of six children-Joseph, John, James and George (all deceased); Elizabeth (Mrs. Roy Malloy), Downey, Calif.; and Vera (Mrs. Clem Allen), Alvord, Ia. Frank and Catherine moved from Edgerton, Wisconsin in 1888 and operated a restaurant next to the bank building. They added on to their restaurant building and put in a stock of furniture and later established a hotel in place of the furniture store. Frank was the postmaster and mayor of Larchwood. The Lawlers moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1915. Catherine passed away on March 14, 1922 and Frank in December of 1940.
LENS, GEORGE was born to John and Marie Lens on August 6, 1912, was married to Delores Roemen on January 29, 1940. She was born May 1, 1919, the daughter of John and Nettie Roemen of Larchwood. Their children are: Mary Ann (Mrs. Darwin Schaff), Roger-married to Shirley Faber, and Richard, all of Larchwood; Josephine (Mrs. Don Patton) of Inwood, Ia.; and Eileen (Mrs. Larry Otter), Ruthton, Minn. Delores and George farmed north of Larchwood until 1954 when they moved to town and bought the recreation center, which he managed until 1965. He now works with the county maintenance. George served as fire chief for 13 years and is a member of the Town Council.
LENS, JOHN was born in Holland on February 16, 1866. His wife, Marie Van Leeuwen, was also born in Holland, on July 27, 1878. John and Marie were married May 14, 1900, and came to America in 1902. They landed in New York and came directly to Larchwood. Four children were born to this union-Alieda (Mrs. John Scholten), Emma (Mrs. Ben VanVooren), and George-married to Dolores Roemen, all of Larchwood; and Charles-who married Agatha Underberg, Rock Rapids, Ia. John worked as a laborer for several years, and in 1912 they purchased a farm north of Larchwood. John passed away on December 26, 1938. Marie moved into Larchwood in 1940, where she still lived until her death on December 21, 1967.
LEWIS, BENJAMIN H. was born November 15, 1888, at Larchwood, the son of Edward and Mary Lewis. He was united in marriage on March 7, 1916 to Ethel Tatge, who was born February 29, 1896, at Bruce, Minn. Two children blessed their home-Adrian, Luverne, Minn., and Ducille (Mrs. Kenneth Patton), of Rock Rapids, Ia. The Lewises were in the cafe business in Larchwood for many years. They then moved to the Beaver Creek, Minn. vicinity. He passed away May 14, 1954 and she on June 11, 1955.
LEWIS, BERT was born April 21, 1873 at the Edward Lewis farm near Klondike, Ia. He was married September 26, 1906, to Rosa Ann Christiansen. They had three children-Irene (deceased); Raymond, of Ontario, Calif.; and Alyce (Jammer), from Rock Rapids, Ia. Until 1916 the Lewises lived on a farm northwest of Larchwood, which is now occupied by Dean Sheeler. Later he became a railroad section employee until his retirement. He passed away November 20, 1947. Rosa still lives in Fontana, Calif.
LEWIS, EDWARD W. was born Feb. 23, 1834 in Delaware Co., PA son of William J. Lewis a miller. In 1869 Edward Sr. came to Lyon County, Iowa and bought a farm. He married Mary E. Hutchinson 28 Oct. 1869 who was b. PA April 3, 1853 to this union they had 15 children: William H., Laura E., Harry F, Emma , Mary E., Samuel H., May L., Frank G. Edward W., Edith M., Edward W. (2d), Benjamin H., Jennie T. George W. and the baby, dead. Edward was a Civil War veteran. The Lewises had much tragedy during the 1880's. Diphtheria struck the Lewis home, causing five children to die within 12 days. It was decided to burn the home and everything in it, including clothes, furniture, and pictures, in an effort to stop the spread of the disease. Soon after this one son accidentally shot his brother with a gun that had been used to hunt food. Edward passed away September 19, 1903 and Mary on March 27, 1920.
LEWIS, FRANK was born near Larchwood on November 26, 1882, and Lillian Mae Christiansen was born March 30, 1888. They were married March 10, 1904 and farmed in Centennial Township. Fourteen children were born to this union-Mildred, Marjorie, Edward, Ina Mae and George (all deceased); Leona (Heyer), Joyce (VerMeer), and Vernon-who married Florence Leona Grotewold, all of Rock Rapids, Ia.; Merle (Pete), Okanogan, Wash.; Lloyd, San Bernadino, Calif.; Edward-married to Clara Roemen, Ellsworth, Minn.; Frank, Jr. (Tubby), Wood Dale, Ill.; Iona (Waagmeester), Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Nina (Davis) of Poyen, Ark. Lillian passed away on November 9, 1956, and Frank on July 5, 1957.
LEWIS, GEORGE was born in Larchwood February 22, 1892, to Edward and Mary Lewis who were early settlers of Lyon County. George married Emma Hoeck, daughter of John and Fannie Hoeck, on May 28, 1914. Emma was born April 18, 1893. They became the parents of five children-Delight (Kilburn), Mitchell, S.D.; Randall-who married Vera Kroeger, and Robert-married to Rita Ripperda, both of Larchwood; Lyle-who married Phyllis Tracy, Valley Springs, S.D.; and Leslie (Lt. /Col.)-married to Zelda Johnson, Vandenberg A.F.B., Calif. The Lewises farmed in South Dakota; later moving two miles north of Larchwood, where they farmed for many years. They moved into Larchwood in 1957. George passed away January 10, 1961.
LEWIS, ROBERT was born to George and Emma Lewis on May 4, 1922 at Valley Springs, S.D. His wife, Rita Ripperda, was born June 26, 1922 at Larchwood. They were married at Oklahoma City, Okla., on May 9, 1943. They have three children-Cindy, Allen and Leann all at home. Robert served his tour of duty in the navy in the South Pacific. They have farmed north of Larchwood on Bob's Grandfather Hoeck's place for the past several years.
LEWIS, VERNON and Florence Leona Grotewold were married at Larchwood on December 1, 1945. Leona was born March 24, 1923, and Vernon on September 22, 1921, both at Larchwood. They have four children-Sandra (Mrs. Gary Schacht) and Diane (Mrs. Mark Ripperda), both of Larchwood; Wayne-who married Ann Staley, Wichita Falls, Tex.; and Karen at home. The Lewises farmed northwest of Larchwood for 15 years. Vernon then was employed in Sioux Falls, S.D., before becoming custodian at the West Lyon Community School. They are now living in Rock Rapids, Ia., where Vernon is the custodian of the Central Lyon Community School. Vernon and Leona have one grandchild.
LONG, CARL (Charley) was born June 1, 1861, and married Emma P. Johnson of Canton, SD., on June 6, 1896. Emma was born May 31, 1874. They were the parents of Fromalt and Rosella (both deceased); John and Amanda - who live on the home place. Betty (Mrs. Gilmer Hildring), Joe - married to Lou Swanson. and David, all of Larchwood; Rev. Axel - who married Margaret Vinzant, and Palmer - married to Isabelle Peterson, both of Sioux Falls, SD; Josephine (Mrs. Fred Oltmann), Lennox, SD; Ferdinand - married to Helena McCain, and Carl - who married Bernice Haas, both of Harrisburg, SD. The family made their home on the Long homestead by the Big Sioux River, where Charley and Emma lived until their deaths - Charley on December 1, 1949 and Emma on May 3, 1963.
LONG, JOHN DANIELSON was born August 17, 1832 in Vadstena, Sweden; his wife, Johanna Blomstedt, was born May 5, 1832. They were the parents of Augusta, Carl and Ferdinand (all deceased). John first came to Sioux City, IA from Sweden in 1868. The following year he secured homestead rights to a farm nice miles west of Larchwood and bordering the Big Sioux River. In the early days the Long home was a landmark for travelers, as the road passed through the farm for a river crossing ot South Dakota. Johanna passed away February 27, 1887 and John died March 13, 1896.
LOWE, RICHARD was born in Germany September 24, 1897. He came to the United States in 1914 and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, later moving to Larchwood in 1919. Richard married Pearl Herbst on February 25, 1931. Pear was born November 27, 1903. One daughter, Ruth (Mrs. Keith Eilers), lives in Huron, S.D. The Lowes live on a farm east of Larchwood. They attend the United Church of Christ.
LUNDQUIST, FRANK was born in 1851 and came to America in 1856, settling on a farm at Lindsborg, Kansas. He married Maria Christina Anderson on November 12, 1876, at Lindsborg, Kansas. She was born February 27, 1852. Both Maria and Frank were born in Smoland, Sweden. They were the parents of six children-Albert, Oliver, Oscar, Hilma, Effie and Vendla (all deceased). The Lundquists later moved to Larchwood, leaving in 1902 to homestead at Granville, N.D. Maria died on October 28, 1913 and Frank in 1923.
LYNCH, DANIEL C. was born October 15, 1886 at Streeter, Illinois. He was married to Ellen Hughes at Larchwood on November 27, 1912. She was born on June 11, 1887. The couple had three children-Mary Catherine (deceased); Dorothy, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Father Dan, Fonda, Iowa. The Lynches were farmers and lived northwest of Larchwood on the home place. Daniel passed away January 18, 1924. Ellen is living in Sioux Falls with her daughter, Dorothy.
Lynch Family Photo
LYNCH, JOHN M. JR. was born August 15, 1888 and Mary Carey on July 26, 1886, both at Marcus, Ia. They were married June 6, 1916, and became the parents of five children-James (deceased); Marjorie (Mrs. Walter Weber), Ronald-married to Ardell Christensen, Howard-married to Nancy Faulkner, and Lois Ann (Mrs. Arsene Wythein), all of Sioux Falls, S.D. The Lynch family farmed west of Larchwood until 1937, when they moved to Sioux Falls. There are 26 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mary passed away November 12, 1960. John still resides in Sioux Falls.
LYNCH, JOHN M. SR. was born June 2, 1854, in Blackstone, Ill.; Catherine Louisa Lyons was born February 1, 1855 in Cleveland, Ohio. They were married April 4, 1877, in Odell, Ill. The couple had five children-Catherine, Mary, Daniel, and Clara (all deceased); John of Sioux Falls, S.D. In 1889 the Lunches moved to Marcus, Ia.; and in 1890 they purchased a farm west of Larchwood for $12.50 an acre. They grew mostly wheat on their farm, as this was thought to be wheat country in those days. Catherine passed away in 1938 and Johhn in 1941.