One of the cherished stories in my childhood was by Dad about the Quie woodlot nearby the Longfurow Farm in Rice County. I recall him talking about his experiences in that stand of woods that involved his Dad and bother, Paul. Dad would reminisce about selecting trees to fell and hauling them back to the farm. He always conveyed a sense of joy, camaraderie and heritage. 

 

As you all know, our mom was an amazing genealogist. She researched and recorded the lives and places of her’s and Dad’s ancestors. One file she created was about Longfurow farm and the attendant Quie woodlot. She located and made copies of the 1900 plat maps of Wheeling Township and the location of both Quie entities. 

 

In subsequent years, these properties have evolved in their identities. In the early 20th century our grandfather sold the Quie lot to the State and it would eventually become part of the Big Woods State Park outside of Nerstrand, Minnesota. Later, in the end of the 20th century Longfurow farm was sold and tragically the original barn was destroyed by a fire. Those were difficult even painful events in Dad’s life. 

 

Over the years many of us have had the opportunity to visit the former Longfurow farm as well as walk the trails in the Big Woods State Park. Both are filled with nostalgia and memories as four of the us kids were born onto the farm and our earliest memories stem from those rolling acres. Mom lovingly captured these places in a number of her paintings, as we are reminded when we visit Dad in his apartment. 

 

Another anchoring location in Rice County is Valley Grove Church and Cemetery. Here is the final resting place of five generations of Quie's, going back to our ancestors who first settled and began to farm nearby.  We have been blessed by this stunning hilltop crowned by two historic churches. They overlook the rolling hills on which generations past made their livelihood. It is also the place where we have have gathered over the years for picnics, weddings, and art projects.

 

Yesterday, Valley Grove Cemetery was the meeting place for four from my generation. Ben & Virginia and Sarah & I met in the parking lot with a mission. It has been my dream for some years now to locate and identify the original Quie woodlot. Using Mom’s 1900 plat maps of Wheeling township and Google maps I created an hand-drawn map that locates the multi-acre lot once owned by the Quie’s. 

 

Earlier this year I reached out to Tanner Quie and told him about my idea. I asked if he would create a marker made of durable material that could notate the identity of the Quie woodlot. After a number of phone calls and shared pdf drafts he came up with an ideal design. It is an aluminum disc engraved with the pertinent words and image. Next, it was working with his brother, Cameron, to fashion and fabricate a pole/rod upon which to fasten the memorial disc. 

 

Yesterday, Ben & Virginia brought along these two skillfully created items made by their two sons. It was a blustery day, November 6, 2022 when we set out for the woodlot. We traversed the church yard and headed south. The surrounding field has dedicated paths for walking and bird watching which we used to or advantage. We finally came upon the tree line that lies north of the State Park. Using our maps we determined where we were in relation to the former Quie woodlot. We were midway between the east and west boundaries of the woodlot. We needed to walk further south into the forest to arrive at the northern edge of the woodlot. 

 

With Ben and I out front and Sarah and Virginia following behind, the four of us had a nice time catching up and finding shelter from the November winds. Ben pointed out deer tracks and antler rubbing spots both on the ground and on tree trunks. As we plunged farther into the woods time began to slip away and I began to sense the presence and pride of our ancestors. They too had walked these hallowed woods in search of lumber for heating and building their livelihoods. 

 

We came upon a deep gulch and gingerly navigated its crossing as we are all in our 60’s. We stepped across a dry riverbed and climbed up the other side. Striding purposefully for another hundred yards, we found an ideal location. Surrounded by five tall trees there was an open space that gave us pause. We checked our bearings and were confident we were standing inside the original Quie woodlot. 

 

Ben brought along a stake pounder while I had humped the 40 pound and seven foot long stake on my shoulders. We all four took turns pounding the stake into the soon to be frozen ground! Then taking out the metal memorial disk Ben screwed it atop the stake to secure it to its top about four feet above ground. We took turns taking a few photos and enjoying the glorious light that streamed through the understory of the forest. Then together we placed a hand upon the disc and offered a prayer of dedication in memory of our ancestors. 

 

My hope is that in the future family members will be able to saunter into the woods and locate the marker. It is similar to geocaching in which people try to locate a marker, only this one has no hidden treasure, only a witness to our hearty heritage. Ben suggested that it will be a fun destination after a picnic or gathering at Valley Grove. It will also be an adventure in winter to XC ski or snowshoe in trying to discover the marker! 

 

Here’s to our heritage and connecting with one another in the coming years. I hope our kids and grandkids will continue to trek into the woodlot and seek the newly planted talisman. Our father carved out some mighty tales of his time there. May we continue the tradition of wonder and memories.