HEINRICH C. KAACK (also spelled Kaak) was born October 22, 1879 in Bornhoved, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and died August 31, 1952 in Belgrade, Minnesota, U.S.A.. He married IDA FREDERIKA GLAUVITZ 1905 in Belgrade, MN. She was born June 11, 1877 in Wisconsin, U.S.A., and died May 30, 1955 in Belgrade, Minnesota, U.S.A.

When Hinrich Kaack first came in 1902 to the farm we bought six miles south of Belgrade in Kandiyohi County, he made his home in a one-room house already on the farm. He had moved from Republic, IA, where he had imigrated at 17 with his parents and sisters from Bornhoved, Germany. He was born in Bornhoved in 1879.

At a neighborhood social gathering near his farm, Hinrich met Ida Glauvitz who had moved from Grafton, IA, to work as a hired girl for her brother, Gust Glauvitz, and his family. In the spring of 1905 they were married. The house was enlarged with the addition of one room down stairs and one room up stairs.

Nine children were born to Hinrich and Ida Kaack. All eight who survived walked two miles to the one-room Crow Lake schoolhouse.

Henry and Ida enjoyed life, but they also experienced hardships and setbacks. In 1919 a newly remodeled barn burned after being struck by lightning. Drought left no feed or green grass for cattle. At one time the family milked 48 cows by hand and always raised pigs. Potatoes and tobacco were planted for some years in addition to oats, corn, and hay.

During the winter months, Henry would make a trip to Belgrade, about six and one-half miles, twice a week to take cream and eggs to town and get groceries and supplies for the family. He would alsway bring along big barrels to get butter milk for the pigs.

Henry was a charter member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where all their children were baptized and confirmed. He also held offices in the Livestock Shipping Association and was president of the Creamery Board and the telephone company.

In addition to her usual household chores (often baking 20 loaves of bread a week) and sewing, Ida many times helped to stack grain and hay in the field. She was also busy with church activities.

Henry and Ida lived on the farm until the time of their deaths. Henry in 1952 at the age of 73 and Ida in 1955 at 78. The farm stayed in the family and was operated by two of their children until 1979 when they retired and moved to Belgrade.

Heinrich Kaack had 25 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

From Belgrade 1888-1988 Centennial Book