Grandma and the girls

I am told that the photograph below was taken at the farm of Grandma’s parents: Isaac G. and Sarah Epp Franz. One might further suggest that it was taken the same day as the photo from the last post (see here), since everyone in the photograph is wearing exactly the same clothes (even socks) as in the prior photo. Maltilda and Grandma are in back, of course, with Alma, Ruth, Darlene, and Esther in front (left to right).

Speaking of Isaac and Sarah Franz’s farm, where exactly was it? I trust those who actually know to correct the following as needed, but I believe it was a mile east of Peter P and Margaretha’s farm, which would mean that it was roughly a 4.5-mile drive from Grandpa and Grandma’s farm south of Lushton.

The 1911 plat map below indicates that Jacob Epp, Grandma’s grandfather (see here) owned most of the north half of section 15 in Henderson township; note that Peter P owned the southeast quarter of section 11 at that time (in other words, Grandpa and Grandma lived relatively close growing up).

Thirteen years later, in 1924, some of the Jacob Epp farm was owned by Isaac Franz, Grandma’s father (see map below).

The simplest explanation is that after Jacob and Margaretha Epp died (1921 and 1922, respectively), the farm passed to or was purchased by Grandma’s parents: Isaac G. and Sarah Epp Franz—and some years later, in 1940 and Grandpa and Grandma and their eight kids drove up the rode to take several family photographs on Grandma’s family farm.

Now if I only knew exactly what the building in the background is …