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Surname Files in the Renville County Historical Society’s Research Library Updated 4/23/2026

A list of the Surname Files in the Research Library. RCHS has been collecting information for the family files for over 50 years. It is the mission of RCHS to collect, preserve, and share the history of Renville County, including its families, cities, churches, cemeteries, schools, organizations, and more.
The Family Surname files include obituaries, weddings, birth & graduation announcements, articles on the family, the submission for the 1980 Renville County History Book, and more.

Henry David Thoreau’s: The First and Last Journeys of Thoreau”

Be sure to check out Henry David Thoreau’s, “The First and Last Journeys of Thoreau”, edited by Franklin Benjamin Sanborn, pages 44 – 62, Thoreau writes about his journey on the Minnesota River (sometimes referred to its original name, St. Peter, to the Fort Ridgely, Redwood Falls, and the Lower Sioux Agency.

Can I Borrow Your Scissors by Nicole Elzenga

Can I borrow your scissors? By Nicole Elzenga I called my mom the other day and asked her why they allowed me to continue be a left-handed writer. Her response, “Because that was what you are.” In my… Read More

DARING BURGLARY: Safe in W.F. Stute’s Saloon Blown Open and $51 in Cash Stolen From It

This is a newspaper clipping found today tucked in the Cram’s Unrivaled Family Atlas of the World published in 1891. The clipping has written on in pencil March 21, 1922. There was no indication of what newspaper it… Read More

2025 Featured City: Hector, Minnesota

Danube, Minnesota is the featured town of Renville County for 2021

Morton Basket Quints Take Two Off Morgan

Published in the November 21, 1919 Morton Enterprise Boys Win Game with Score of 41 to 13 — Girls take Game with Score of 20 to 12 The basketball season for the Morton High School opened Friday, Nov…. Read More

Coach Glenn Mattke

Glenn Mattke obituary from the Redwood Gazette December 19, 1996 Glenn Mattke, 67, of Marshall died Tuesday, December 17, 1996 at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. from First Lutheran Church in Marshall… Read More

Henry Hauser’s speech given at the Fairfax-Minneapolis Club in 1929 in Minneapolis

I came to Fairfax about September 10, 1882. There was absolutely nothing there, except a crowd of men working on the R.R. track, west of town. There was no side-track, not a building, nothing but a stubble field… Read More

Fire Destroys Public School Building Last Wednesday Night published in the Bird Island Union March 9, 1916

Had a Good Start before Discovered–22 Below Temp Weather and Dep Snow Hampers Firemen–School to Resume Work Monday Morning. The Birds Island Public school building was totally destroyed by fire last Wednesday night. The fire was discovered by… Read More

Win from Belview Town Team – 58-18

Published in the Morton Enterprise on November 19, 1915. When all the High School teams of neighboring towns refused to play us, a game was scheduled with the town team of Belview. Fierce tales came to our camp… Read More