The Boltz Family & Florence Lien Family

My father, Glenn J. Boltz (5-7-1880 - 5-19-1946) came to Cooperstown in the fall of 1907, from Muskegan, Michigan to find himself some farmland.  One year later, on October 28, 1908 he was married to Annabelle McKinnon (1-28-1885 - 12-23-1970) from St. Clair, Michigan.  They were married at Cooperstown by Reverend H. C. Kishpaugh.  My Father was an orphan and was adopted out.  Years later fie found his brothers and sister.  My Mother had nine brothers and sisters, who all lived in Michigan.  She was the daughter of Murdock and Anna McKinnon of St. Clair, Michigan.

 My parents first lived on SW of Section 18-147-58 in Romness Township.  This is where my oldest sister, Marjorie was born December 3, 1909.  My Mother went back to her parents home in the fall of 1910 and I was born in St. Clair, Michigan, November 11, 1910.  Shortly afterwards my folks moved to Tyrol Township SE 34-14759.  This is where my youngest sister, Marian was born, April 5, 1915.  She died in early childhood from Polio.  We lived there through our grade school years and attended the Tyrol School District Number 10.  There were thirty-two pupils in school during my first grade and my first teacher was Elizabeth M. Ryan.  These were happy years and I still have many friends from this wonderful neighborhood.

My family moved to Sverdrup Township NW of Section 19-145-58.  I was married, October 31, 1935 to Howard M. Lien, the son of Henry and Gena Lien.  They also farmed in Sverdrup Township.  Howard was born July 11, 1908 in Vienna, South Dakota.  We started farming the year of 1940 in Kingsley Township NE 9-146-61, eighteen miles west of Cooperstown.  We bought this farm from Mrs. Jack Rule and lived there until the fall of 1967.

We had two children, a daughter Frances Ann Lien born on January 7, 1940 at Valley City, North Dakota and a son, Darrell Glenn Lien born on December 27, 1941 at Cooperstown, North Dakota.

I have been living in Cooperstown since the fall of 1967.  Howard passed away October 1, 1970.  He was employed at Melroe's at the time of his death.

Written By Mrs. Florence Lien

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976  Page 322