There is so much more going on than one knows…

Contributed by Steve Nestor- PCHS Volunteer (5th Generation “Glenwoodite”)

I will say it proudly, we have one of the, if not finest, rural county museums and historical societies in Minnesota. I have been to several throughout the state. None have anywhere the personal, business and association files like that which are held at the Pope County Historical Society in Glenwood. They go back to the beginning of newspapers and recorded information on the entire County’s founders, citizens, businesses, churches, associations and on and on. Add to that the tax lists and early personal property lists and researchers have a vast source for almost any project. This was the case for one of our most recent ones.

For the past several years, the PCHS as enlisted the Northern Bedrock Preservation Corps. from Duluth to do restoration and reclamation work on our various county cemeteries. Both rural and municipal, as well as church and family cemeteries have been part of an ongoing effort by the Historical Society to maintain and preserve over 55 cemeteries and their memorial stones, markers and monuments. Years ago, the late Pat (Cooley) Dalager walked almost all of these and recorded and confirmed the burials in each.

Yes, most cemeteries in the county have governing boards and generally fund the weekly and yearly expenses for their upkeep and maintenance. However, time takes its toll and major work is often required to care for the renewal of markers and stones. Afterall, there are some that date back as early as the 1860s. This work proves to be too much for the local folks and professionals are needed to handle such work. Some “family” cemeteries are lesser known and do not have an organization to maintain them.

Thanks to a wonderful grant by the David M. and Jani Larson Foundation, the Historical Society has been able to do one or two projects each year. For example, this summer, Barsness Lutheran Church and the City of Glenwood’s cemeteries were the seven-day concentration effort. In their first year, Northern Bedrock was hired to work on the Torguson Log Cabin and the rural Schoolhouse on the Museum Campus. David was a third generation “Glenwoodite,” whose grandfather and father owned Larson Furniture. A Glenwood High School alumni he was later a chief executive at the Cargill Corp. and Assistant Chairman of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. 

The Glenwood Cemetery also required work on its two main gates, donated by the Kaldahls in honor of their father in 1941. Private contractor bids proved to be too expensive. So, a few volunteers from the PCHS took on the challenge. And thanks to Clay and Chad, co-owners of Clyde Machines, the volunteer crew removed the gates and then taken to and sandblasted and powder coat painted at Clyde’s. Once completed, the gates, that had not been off their brick pillars for 83 years, now proudly once again adorn the main entrances. I also want to thank volunteers: Steve Bodeker, my son Clay and grandsons Skyler and Jace for all their assistance.

The present Glenwood City Cemetery is not the original, nor the first city cemetery. No, at first, pioneer sites were scattered about the city. In fact, in 1882 a Civil War Veteran was buried outside his dining room window and home that stood where the Glenwood City Park playground equipment now stands! In 1877 a cemetery site was set two blocks west of the present grade school on 2nd St SE. There were also two church cemeteries where the present day Central Square parking lot is. Another city site was set up on the Soo Hill near the train depot. However, the horses were frightened by all the noise, so another new cemetery, the present one, was then platted in 1884. 

So, as you can see, there were many sites and who knows, unless innocently found while excavating for a new building or home, there may be other private sites in town. But, I must tell you more about the blacksmith that created, yes created, the gates that were recently restored. His name was Hans Peter Kettler. He was born in Germany in 1875. Hans was an apprentice blacksmith for four years and an army “horseshoer” for three more. He and his wife and three children came to America and settled in California in 1910. 

After seven years they moved to Canada and for another eight years was a blacksmith there. In 1925 he and his son came to Glenwood. His wife came later. He often spoke of how Glenwood reminded him of his home in Europe, the lake, the hills and the small city in the valley. Here he spent “the best years of his life.” Here they raised their three children, Adolph, Johanna and Hans Jr. 

Hans Peter Kettler, founded and was the first state President of the Minnesota State Blacksmith and Welders Association, which he founded 1938. The first association meeting was held here in Glenwood.

As I said, he was a blacksmith. But that most certainly does not fairly or amply describe him. Hans was an artist. What he did with iron was amazing. He was an expert, an artisan with a medium never thought to be fashioned as he did. Some of his works were part of our community for many years. He made and donated the flag pole that proudly stood for many years at the Community Hospital. He made ornamental trays, vases, statues and other fine and delicate sculptures, some of which are on hand at the museum, others perhaps still around the community, for he gifted several. He won numerous awards for his works, State Fair, state and national wide contests. He also designed and constructed a ladder carrier rig for the local fire department. 

Hans Peter Kettler…. A Glenwood treasure unknown by most all of us. If it had not been for a small name tag label on the gates at the Glenwood City Cemetery, I and others may have never known this most talented and well thought of man. Those who knew him said, “He had the soul of an artist and loved the beautiful in life and gave expression to it in his fine workmanship.” 

After 76 years of creating and sharing his overwhelming talent, Hans Peter Kettler passed away on Dec. 3, 1941, and is fittingly buried in the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery, just 100 feet away from the gates he so faithfully designed and constructed. 

Again, thanks to all who helped on the Kettler gates project… cooperation and unity for a common goal…. Community.