In her "Plucker-Witte Genealogy" dated 1989, Eleanor Skoog wrote:
About 1865 (it was actually 1866), Dick and Menne Plucker came to America together. When they came to South Dakota in 1878, they crossed the Mississippi River by Dubuque, Iowa. The horses, wagons, and men crossed first, leaving the women on the east side. When they found it was safe, they went back for the women.
My great grandparents Plucker came to Sioux Falls on one of the first freight trains but were delayed briefly while the railroad was being completed. They endured the many early hardships which befell them, and witnessed the progress of that large midwest area.
In the blizzard of 1888, Menne lost 37 head of cattle, and the following year he constructed a large barn which remained on that farm for at least 100 years. The two eldest boys, Wessel and John (my grandfather) were caught in the blizzard of 1888 -- one and one-half miles from home, while they were hauling straw. When the blizzard struck, it took the load of straw and rack, leaving them with a bobsled. With the aid of the hard trail and other indications leading to their farm they reached the place safely, although the blizzard was so severe they passed their father in their yard unnoticed. The two boys, and horses, were coated with ice and snow when their father located them in the barn.
During the winter of 1881 the Plucker family was unable to get to town for three months due to the deep snow and many snow storms. During that time they ground six sacks (15 bushels) of wheat in a coffee mill. Early in March, Menne and his son, Wessel, went to Lennox on snowshoes to get necessary supplies. It was impossible for them to get to their stock for three days on one occasion during that winter.
The old Yankton-sioux Falls stage coach trail crossed the Plucker farm, and John P. Plucker (my grandfather) was an eye witness to the robbery of one of the stages. A lad of but 10 years, he saw the "federal" men capture the robber - approximately 80 yards from the Plucker home. The stage coach horses were kept at Sioux Falls, the Plucker farm, and Swan Lake, and the horses were changed at these places enroute to and from Yankton. There was only one other farm home between the Plucker farm and Sioux Falls.
These folks were true early pioneers in the midwest. Menne was born September 17, 1837 in Uttum, Osfriesland, Germany. Engel J. Poppens was born August 12, 1838 at Suurhusen, Osfriesland, Germany. They were united in Marriage April 18, 1866 in Germany.
The newly married couple then left their native land and immigrated to the United States, settling in Rockford, Ogle County, IL. They resided there for nearly six years, and in 1872 continued their trek westward to Ackley, Iowa.
After residing nearly half a decade in the Hawkeye state, Menne left his family behind and came to Dakota territory. He filed on a homestead claim six miles northwest of Lennox. The following year, 1878, his family took up their residence with him.
Nine children were born into the family: Wessel M., John P., Henry, Harmke, Grace, Menno M., and Enno M. Two children died at an early age.
My great grandfather attained the age of 87 years, 11 months and eight days at the time of his death, August 25, 1925. He spent just short of 10 years alone; my great grandmother, Engle, died September 4, 1915 at the age of 77 years and 23 days.
My great grandparents were charter members of the Germantown Presbyterian church and he was one of its first elders. In 1884 Menne and Engle lost their son, Dierk, who was born December 28, 1882 and died March 2, 1884. When this child died, Menne donated land where this child was buried. This became the first burial in Germantown Cemetery. Menne lived with his youngest son, Enno, after Engle died and until his death.
[Much of the wording for this post was taken from the 60th Anniversary booklet compiled by the town of Lennox, South Dakota in 1939.]
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