Brule County
Our connection to the Willrodt family is through Elizabeth Smith, one of Irish John and Susan Smith's daughters. It is also fascinating to see how close the sisters were over the years, especially noted by photos on our web.
Calle, Grandpa Harold, Paul |
Harold Brian Willrodt (1896-1984) |
Genevieve (Gen) Smith Byrne & Elizabeth Smith Willrodt |
Elizabeth Smith Willrodt |
Smith sisters, Kathryn (Kitty), Elizabeth, and Mary (Maime) |
Kitty Smith (1882-1955) |
| Mary (Maime) Smith Carroll (1880-1961) | Genevieve Byrne (1893-1991) |
The Willrodts
The Willrodts trace their origin to Schleswig, Germany, and we know that the first of the Willrodts came to America as early as 1863, the remainder of the family is believed to have immigrated in 1865. Two of the brothers, Henry and Lorenz taught German for five years in Davenport, Iowa. Henry, ancestor of Harold Willrodt of Chamberlain, eventually made his way to Nebraska to teach school...Lorenz stayed in Davenport running a book store for nearly 10 years. In the early 1880s, Lorenz was making his way to Nebraska to claim a homestead, and on the train read an article about homesteading in Brule County...eventually all members of the family came to Brule County...and as they say...the rest is history. Read the Willrodt history on page 1 and page 2.
Family Photographs
Smith house in Highland township, Brule County, SD |
Betty and Frank Wees family. Julie's wedding surrounded by Jerry, John, Jim, Mary, Betty, |
The Willrodts: Bill, Mary, Pat, Elizabeth, Harold, Susan and Betty Wilrodt. (Right). Anne/Anna would be Harold Willrodt's grandmother. |
(L-R) Anne Koepke Willrodt, grand-daughter Anna Hansen, great-grand-daughter Lydia, daughter Elizabeth Willrodt Hansen. |
