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.
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.
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
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
Published in the Morton Enterprise on November 26, 1915. Belview and this Time on Opponents Home Floor—Score 46 to 23 Friday night brought out another victory for the local high school team, a second winning over the town… Read More
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 31, 1916. Neighboring Towns Asking for Dates and Expecting Us to Again Have a Strong Winning Team While all the neighboring towns are writing to Morton trying to schedule games, we… Read More
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 3, 1916. The past week has been a “beaner” for basketball, and altho there has not been a game played on the home floor, every Mortonite has witnesses each game once… Read More
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 10, 1916. They Now Have Claim To Al But The Northern Part of Dist. 7 – Willmar or Alexandria Game Decides In a game characterized by much unnecessary roughness and countless… Read More
Published in the Morton Enterprise on February 25, 1916. First Victory Here Friday Night With 65 to 15 Score. Tuesday Evening at Olivia Armory Morton Wins With Fine Score of 23 – 18 After a successful victory over… Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: April 23, 2026 by Renville County Historical Society
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.
Share this:
Henry David Thoreau’s: The First and Last Journeys of Thoreau”
Leave a Comment
Posted: January 26, 2026 by Renville County Historical Society
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.
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Posted: July 18, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
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
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Posted: April 15, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
Renville County Country (Rural) School Districts by Township
Bandon: 29, 60, 66, 69, 124Beaver Falls: 4, 5, 6, 7, 135Birch Cooley: 2, 3, 13, 19, 20, 55, 96Bird Island: 64, 85, 103, 123Boon Lake: 25, 34, 38, 77, 120, 122Brookfield: 49, 99, 118, 133, 134, 138,… Read More
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Posted: April 9, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
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
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Posted: April 6, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
BASKETBALL TEAM KEEPS ON WINNING
Published in the Morton Enterprise on November 26, 1915. Belview and this Time on Opponents Home Floor—Score 46 to 23 Friday night brought out another victory for the local high school team, a second winning over the town… Read More
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Posted: April 6, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
SHALL WE HAVE A BASEBALL TEAM AGAIN
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 31, 1916. Neighboring Towns Asking for Dates and Expecting Us to Again Have a Strong Winning Team While all the neighboring towns are writing to Morton trying to schedule games, we… Read More
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Posted: April 6, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
Last Week’s Games VS Madison and Gibbon
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 3, 1916. The past week has been a “beaner” for basketball, and altho there has not been a game played on the home floor, every Mortonite has witnesses each game once… Read More
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Posted: April 6, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
LOCAL QUINT DEFEATS MARSHALL 42-21
Published in the Morton Enterprise on March 10, 1916. They Now Have Claim To Al But The Northern Part of Dist. 7 – Willmar or Alexandria Game Decides In a game characterized by much unnecessary roughness and countless… Read More
Share this:
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: April 27, 2020 by Renville County Historical Society
BASKETBALL BOYS TWICE DEFEAT OLIVIA
Published in the Morton Enterprise on February 25, 1916. First Victory Here Friday Night With 65 to 15 Score. Tuesday Evening at Olivia Armory Morton Wins With Fine Score of 23 – 18 After a successful victory over… Read More
Share this: