Split Rock Township near Brandon in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Samuelson Family Dakota Pioneers
⎯⎯⎯
A Pioneer Cabin

April 25, 2023

1. The Samuelson Family Dakota Pioneers / A Pioneer Cabin Marker

Inscription.

The Samuelson Family Dakota Pioneers, also, A Pioneer Cabin. . The Samuelson Family Dakota Pioneers. John A. Samuelson was born in Sweden in 1837. He immigrated to the United States in 1868 and lived for one year in Iowa. In 1869, he came to Dakota Territory and filed on a homestead of 160 acres, located in section 13 in Split Rock Township, Minnehaha County. Samuelson was one of the first settlers in Split Rock Township., In 1872, John married Anna L. Johanson, in Sioux City, Iowa. Their first home was a dugout on the wooded slope overlooking Beaver Creek., Their first child was born in the dugout across Beaver Creek to the south. Eight more children were born in the oak log cabin., In 1897, Samuelson moved his family to a ranch in Hughes County northeast of Pierre. The older children, John Jr. and Anna M., were left to take care of the homestead., Anna passed away on the ranch in 1905. John lived in Pierre until his death in 1927 at the age of 90. Both are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre., The Samuelson homestead cabin exists today as a tribute to the many pioneers who risked a great deal in their search for a better life., Their experiences, their innovations and their tenacity will no doubt have a lasting effect on the generations to follow., A Pioneer Cabin. The Samuelson cabin was built in 1875 from locally harvested oak logs. The main floor of the cabin was divided into a living area and the parents' bedroom. Stairs led to a loft divided into two bedrooms for the children., Soon after construction, the addition of wooden lap-siding covered the logs. The downstairs interior walls were probably plastered as well, hiding the logs from view. By 1887, it no longer looked like a log cabin., In 1910, Samuelson built a new house just southeast of the cabin. The new house had four rooms on one level. The cabin was then used as a work shed., In 1940, the cabin floor was replaced with cement for a workshop. A bed was left in the bedroom, and beds remained in the loft for use by the children. The lean-to on the north side of the cabin was turned into a garage., Arvid Peterson, grandson of John Samuelson, farmed the original homestead until it was sold to the State of South Dakota in 1967.

The Samuelson Family
Dakota Pioneers John A. Samuelson was born in Sweden in 1837. He immigrated to the United States in 1868 and lived for one year in Iowa. In 1869, he came to Dakota Territory and filed on a homestead of 160 acres, located in section 13 in Split Rock Township, Minnehaha County. Samuelson was one of the first settlers in Split Rock Township.

In 1872, John married Anna L. Johanson, in Sioux City, Iowa. Their first home was a dugout on the wooded slope overlooking Beaver Creek.

Their first child was born in the dugout across Beaver Creek to the south. Eight more children were born in the oak log cabin.

In 1897, Samuelson moved his family to a ranch in Hughes County northeast of Pierre. The older children, John Jr. and Anna M., were left to take care of the homestead.

Anna passed away on the ranch in 1905. John lived in Pierre until his death in 1927 at the age of 90. Both are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre.

The Samuelson homestead cabin exists today as a tribute to the many pioneers who risked a great deal in their search for a better life.

Their experiences, their innovations and their tenacity will no doubt have a lasting effect on the generations to follow.

A Pioneer Cabin The

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Samuelson cabin was built in 1875 from locally harvested oak logs. The main floor of the cabin was divided into a living area and the parents' bedroom. Stairs led to a loft divided into two bedrooms for the children.

Soon after construction, the addition of wooden lap-siding covered the logs. The downstairs interior walls were probably plastered as well, hiding the logs from view. By 1887, it no longer looked like a log cabin.

In 1910, Samuelson built a new house just southeast of the cabin. The new house had four rooms on one level. The cabin was then used as a work shed.

In 1940, the cabin floor was replaced with cement for a workshop. A bed was left in the bedroom, and beds remained in the loft for use by the children. The lean-to on the north side of the cabin was turned into a garage.

Arvid Peterson, grandson of John Samuelson, farmed the original homestead until it was sold to the State of South Dakota in 1967.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 43° 33.288′ N, 96° 32.652′ W. Marker is near Brandon, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Split Rock Township. It can be reached from 264th Street half a mile west of 484th Avenue (County Road 109), on the left when traveling west. Located

John A. Samuelson & Anna L. Johanson image. Click for full size.

April 25, 2023

2. John A. Samuelson & Anna L. Johanson

John August Samuelson
Born 1837 in Nassjo, Sweden
Died 1927 in Pierre, South Dakota

Anna Louisa Johanson
Born 1845 in Jonkoping, Sweden
Died 1905 in Pierre, South Dakota

at Beaver Creek Nature Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48351 264th St, Valley Springs SD 57068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River

and in Greater Sioux Falls.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Samuelsons and their Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Beaver Creek Nature Area (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Eminija Mounds (approx. 2.4 miles away); Eminija, Minnesota Territory (approx. 2.4 miles away); Fortified Village (approx. 2.4 miles away); Rowena Methodist Church (approx. 2½ miles away); The Town of Rowena Dakota Territory (approx. 2½ miles away); Fur Trapper Ambush (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brandon.

The Samuelson Family image. Click for full size.

April 25, 2023

3. The Samuelson Family

Picture courtesy of Arlene Erickson
The Samuelson family, circa 1896. Back row: John Jr., Anna M., August and Celia. Front row: Christina, John, Carl, Emil (seated), Anna and Martin.

Picture courtesy of Arlene Erickson
This photo of the Samuelson family was taken in front of the log cabin around 1887. Notice the lean-to on the back of the cabin, the wood siding and the paned glass windows. From left to right: John, August, John Jr., Anna holding Carl, Christina, Anna M. and Celia.

April 25, 2023

4. The Samuelson Family Dakota Pioneers / A Pioneer Cabin Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2023. This page has been viewed 818 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2023.

The Samuelson Family Dakota Pioneers⎯⎯⎯A Pioneer Cabin

The Samuelson Family Dakota Pioneers
⎯⎯⎯
A Pioneer Cabin