05/15/2026
This is a fairly long read, but we wanted to share a fun day with all of you.
What a great afternoon yesterday connecting with people through history. Thanks to a recent research inquiry, we were able to "go beyond the four walls" and visit some properties around Bradford and Spencer Brook Townships.
As soon as we read the original email, we knew right away where things were headed when the inquiry mentioned the surname, Engquist. Along with the Engquist family, we were asked if we had any information about the Brave family.
Well, it just so happens that Director Sam Klocksien is quite familiar with one of the Engquist farms, seeing as he's the current owner of one!
After exchanging emails, photos, and genealogy information, guests Jennifer and her dad, Mark, arranged a visit to our Heritage Center in Cambridge. Originally from the Duluth / Superior area, our guests now reside in Crystal.
Upon their arrival, we guided them through some of the information our volunteers had gathered regarding the Brave and Engquist families. After a tour of our museum and the Mattson- Norberg cabin, we were primed and ready for our field trip.
Jennifer, Mark, and Sam then proceeded to Bradford Township, where Sam gave a tour of his farm. Settled in 1884 by Jennifer's great, great aunt and uncle, Charles and Christine Engquist, our guests learned about all the buildings on the farm, including the original homestead cabin.
After a few photos and a historical outline of the structures (including the 1887 home, summer kitchen, granary, and cabin), the trio made their way a mile west to Charles' parents' homestead. Leaving the village of Tolg, Smaland, in southern Sweden, in 1868, Erick (Nils) & Martha Engquist arrived in Bradford Township with some of their children & young adults. They settled a parcel near Lake Francis and first carved their existence out of a hillside.
As the children and young adults grew, they married and mostly remained in the area. Looking at a 1898 plat around Lake Francis and Long Lake, you'll see a lot of Engquists.
Arriving at Jennifer's great, great, great grandparents' Nils and Martha's homestead, we snapped a few photos from a distance. Just as Sam was ready to turn around and head to the next destination, the landowner met them on the road. After a brief introduction and background, the landowner eagerly invited the group to view the home. Talk about timing!!
Although we didn’t find the original dugout that was the first “home” for Nils, Martha, and some of the children, we did have some great conversations with a gracious and appreciative landowner and family.
One of the highlights for both Jennifer, Mark, and the homeowner was confirming an early photo of the house. When Sam first saw the photo (and having driven by the home many times), he was almost certain it was a match except for one small architectural feature: gable returns.
After Jennifer showed the homeowner the old photo from 1900, he replied, "Oh, yup, that's how I remember it before the remodel," Adding, "And I've lived here since 1953." Thanking them for their time, the trio headed to Spencer Brook.
Forgoing stops at the Andrew Brave and Peter Brave farms, Jennifer, Mark, and Sam arrived at the Spencer Brook School. Given not only the proximity but also the timing of the area's construction of schools, it was thought that some of Jennifer and Mark's Brave ancestors had attended Spencer Brook. Our guests had only previously seen it from the road. What better way to give the full experience than opening up the school?
While taking a tour and learning about the school's history and impact on the surrounding community, Jennifer snapped a couple of photos and videos. As the afternoon wrapped up, the trio headed back to Sam's farm, where photos, hugs, and handshakes were exchanged.
We were so happy to make such a fun connection and create an immersive historical experience. A special thanks goes to our volunteers, Keith Engstrom and Joan Doyle, for their help in finding information about the Engquists and Brave families.
Well, that concludes our story, history lovers. So, get out there, travel the countryside, and make new connections through history.
