Near Leavenworth in Brown County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Attack on the Brown Family
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013
1. The Attack on the Brown Family Marker
The Joseph Brown family with son Jonathan and daughter Oratia were early settlers on a farm five miles west of here along the Shetek Trail. The family fed and over-nighted guests, operating their home as a traveler's inn. Upon hearing news of Dakota Indian unrest during August 1862, they hitched their oxen and fled eastward along the Shetek Trail seeking safety in New Ulm. Upon reaching the location of this marker, five miles from their home, they were overtaken and killed by Dakota Indians in August 1862.
This road, known by the Dakota and early settlers as the Shetek Trail, connected New Ulm westward to Sioux Falls and the Missouri River settlements.
The Brown family was buried in a small cemetery on their farmstead. Later, in 1901 the bodies were reburied in the Springfield City Cemetery.
This marker was erected in 2012 in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the US Dakota War of 1862. It was donated by the Richard and Mary Lou Mathiowetz Family, and supported by the Township of Leavenworth.
Erected 2012 by the Richard and Mary Lou Mathiowetz Family, and supported
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 44° 13.212′ N, 94° 49.447′ W. Marker is near Leavenworth, Minnesota, in Brown County. Marker is on County Road 24, 0.9 miles west of County Road 8, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Springfield MN 56087, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Leavenworth (approx. one mile away); Jackson Crossing (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cobden (approx. 4.7 miles away); Jonathan Brown and the Shetek Trail (approx. 5.1 miles away); Dakota Reservation and the Leavenworth Road (approx. 5.2 miles away); Iberia (approx. 6˝ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); Springfield, Minnesota (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leavenworth.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013
2. The Attack on the Brown Family Marker
looking westward, former Shetek Trail
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013
3. Close-up of Map
The "Shetek Trail"
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013
4. The Attack on the Brown Family Marker
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013
5. Site of the Attack and Marker
looking westward towards family farm
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013
6. Brown Family Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,333 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 18, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
