Verna (Fischer) Green Collection
Scope and Contents
The Verna (Fischer) Green Collection consists of images; family genealogy; personal business and property records; material on and from Lawrence Welk; the history of St. Mary’s Church; Emmons County Historical Society newsletters; two posters; and three books. This collection has been organized into 5 series: Image, Genealogy, Subject, Book, and Posters.
The Image Series contains both negatives and photographs. These cover a wide variety of subject material. Most of these images are from in and around Hague. There are also images from Karl and Lena’s travels.
The Genealogy Series contains material on the Fischer, Schneider, and Senger Families. This information was compiled by many different family members and it is quite extensive. There are autobiographies from a few members. There are also many genealogical records included in this material.
The Subject Series includes material relating to St. Mary’s Church, Lawrence Welk, personal business and property records, Emmons County Historical Society newsletters, and miscellaneous documents. The St. Mary’s Church material includes a brochure detailing 100 years of the church, a newspaper clipping and a few pictures. The Lawrence Welk folders include letters and cards from him to Karl E. Fischer. There is also some music included. The business and property documents contain Abstract of Titles, Warranty Deeds, other deeds, promissory notes, and receipt and expenditure documents. The Emmons Country Historical Society newsletters are from 1976 and 1977. The miscellaneous material covers numerous areas containing a letter from Carol Just and many newspaper clippings.
The Books Series contains 3 books. Cantate was published in 1929 and is written in German, English, and Latin. It is a hymnal that was used in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The second books is titled, Katholisches Gesang und Gebet Buch, eine auswahl der vorzueglichten Chorale und Kirchenlieder fuer zwei Stimmen. This book was published in 1874. It was also used in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The third book is titled, Lobet den Herrn: Gesangbuch für alle Zeiten des Kirchenjahres. This book was published in 1913, it was personal property of Karl E. Fischer. It is mostly written in German, there is some English and Latin near the back. There is also material included in this series from books that were not retained. This includes some song sheets, and some family birth dates.
The Poster Series contains two posters. One is a War Bond Roll Call from April 1943, it includes many signatures. The second poster is titled, “Maders Famous Schnitzelbank”, from Mader’s Internationally Famous Restaurant, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is dated after 1963.
Dates
- 1913 - 1977
Access
Copyright
Biography
Verna (Fischer) Green is the daughter of Karl E. and Lena (Kocher) Fischer. Karl was the son of Anton K. Fischer and Barbara (Senger) Fischer.
Anton K. Fisher was born in the colony of Selz, South Russia on April 23, 1866. He came to America with his parents when he was 18. The family settled near Yankton, Dakota Territory on November 7, 1884. Three years later, he came to Emmons County and settled on a farm nine miles northeast of the present town of Hague. He farmed this homestead until 1905 when he moved to Hague and established a general merchandise store which he continued to operate until 1932, when he retired. He married Barbara Senger in 1889. The ceremony was performed in her parent’s house, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Senger, and was officiated by Rev. Fr. Bernhardt. He died on September 12, 1934.
Barbara (Senger) Fischer was born in South Russia, April 4, 1870. She came to Emmons County in May 1886. Her family settled a homestead in the Dakem district. She died 1942.
Karl E. Fischer was born on September 25, 1902. He had many siblings. In 1920, he left Hague for school, attending St. John’s and St. Mary’s College in Richardton, ND. He taught for a while and was a farm hand. Karl was very musically talented and led a band, Fischer’s Famous Four, for quite a few years. He also had become personal friends with Lawrence Welk and played with him at a few dances before 1920. After he was married, he was hired as the Post Master in Hague, he held this position for 36 years. He continued to be involved with music, playing the church organ and leading the band on many occasions. After he retired he moved to Minneapolis where he played accordion and later drums with five different Senior Citizen’s Bands. He died at 97 years old, in 2000, in Edina, MN.
Extent
1 Linear Feet (2 half boxes)
Language of Materials
English
German
Latin
Summary
Arrangement
Provenance
Separated Materials
Property Rights
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Verna (Fischer) Green Collection
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection Repository
NDSU Dept 2080
PO Box 6050
Fargo ND 58108-6050 United States
(701) 231-6596
ndsu.grhc@ndsu.edu