John Boelter was born in Reetz, Arnwalde, Germany in 1823. He came to America with his parents and brother, and settled in Marquette County, Wisconsin. Here he met Justina Wendland, a German native, and the two were married. In June of 1862, they moved to the southeast quarter of section 34, Flora Township, in Renville County, Minnesota. Michael Boelter, John's brother, lived next to them on a claim in the southwest quarter of section 35. The area was known as the Middle Creek settlement. Many in the community were killed by Indians in an attack on August 18, 1862, the first day of the Dakota uprising. On that morning, John, his father, and sister-in-law were working in the field and were approached by Indians. When John reached out his hand to greet them, he and the others were killed. It is likely that John's murderer was Cut Nose who was executed for killing several other settlers. John's wife and two of their three children survived. Michael survived, but his wife, children, and parents were killed. John's widow, Justina, married her brother-in-law, Michael Boelter, on September 13, 1863. It is assumed that soldiers buried John Boelter on his claim, close to where he fell.
John Boelter was born in Reetz, Arnwalde, Germany in 1823. He came to America with his parents and brother, and settled in Marquette County, Wisconsin. Here he met Justina Wendland, a German native, and the two were married. In June of 1862, they moved to the southeast quarter of section 34, Flora Township, in Renville County, Minnesota. Michael Boelter, John's brother, lived next to them on a claim in the southwest quarter of section 35. The area was known as the Middle Creek settlement. Many in the community were killed by Indians in an attack on August 18, 1862, the first day of the Dakota uprising. On that morning, John, his father, and sister-in-law were working in the field and were approached by Indians. When John reached out his hand to greet them, he and the others were killed. It is likely that John's murderer was Cut Nose who was executed for killing several other settlers. John's wife and two of their three children survived. Michael survived, but his wife, children, and parents were killed. John's widow, Justina, married her brother-in-law, Michael Boelter, on September 13, 1863. It is assumed that soldiers buried John Boelter on his claim, close to where he fell.
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