Mette Katrine Riis
1871-1944
Born: Denmark
Died: North Dakota, United States
<span><p align="center">History of Powers Lake, ND</p><p align="center">A Prosperous Pioneer of our Community by Lawrence C. Moore.</p><font size="3"><p align="center">Published by the English IV Class of Powers Lake High School 1923-24</p></font><font size="1"><p align="center"> </p></font><font size="3"><p align="justify">In the spring of 1903 a wagon hauled by a bronco and a small horse followed the prairie trail from the newly established town of Bowbells southwest to the Coteau-du-Missouri Hills. This part of the procession was followed by some thirty head of cattle known to the cowboys as doggies, and these were driven by a boy (Timothy) of perhaps ten years of age, who rode upon a small bronco. These were the only possessions of (John) Jack D. Lucy, when he arrived in this community, except an old mower and rake.</p><p align="justify">This pioneer family consisted of a wife (Katherine) and five children, four boys (Timothy, Bernard, William, Lawrence) and a girl (Anna). The pioneer himself was of sturdy Irish descent and the wife was of Danish birth; her ability to accomplish things soon became well known to the neighbors and friends of this pioneer community. </p><p align="justify">The family after some looking around settled on a homestead in this range of hills. Here the soil was of the very richest kind, being a very dark, heavy black loam from a foot to four feet in thickness. This loam has good moisture conserving quality and can stand long seasons of drought. </p><p align="justify">After settlement was made Mr. Lucy decided to devote his time to raising cattle. He then added some new full blooded stock to his herd. The homestead buildings were located close to a lake in which was a small island. This lake and adjoining plain made a very picturesque farm which they named Island Lake Stock Farm. Upon deciding to make a home here the family’s first work was to build a house. This was made of ship lap, hauled from Bowbells, and veneered with sod. Their first fuel was of the class known to all pioneers, but later they used coal. This coal was hauled from mines, as North Dakota has a vast supply of lignite coal, and Burke County ranks second among the counties in the production of lignite. </p><p align="justify">After a shelter was built they next had to gather food for themselves and their stock. Jack put up the nutritive prairie hay while Tim, the boy, herded the cattle. At the close of the day the cattle were run into the corral and the milking was done. Butter and cream were sold, enough to support the family. Thus the first fall was reached; the following spring a few acres of breaking was purchased by trade of cattle. A good crop was raised from the land that year. Finding the land very productive Mr. Lucy decided to farm as well as continue his stock raising. The growing season of the district did not extend to the desired length in these pioneer days so that wheat of the first years graded No. 2 due to the short ripening season. It is said that the wheat of this community was four and even five feet high and still very green while in other localities the wheat was in the shock, but after more and better methods were introduced the wheat now grades No. 1 Hard, the best grade that can be obtained for wheat.</p><p align="justify">Thus encouraged J. D. Lucy bought a team of young horses and began to break up more land and raise more crops; each year increasing and bettering his herd. As the funds grew larger, more improvements were made. They consisted of a new barn and house and several outbuildings. More land and necessary equipment were purchased. Each member of the family did his part of the work. Adjoining lands were bought and made into productive farms, and more live stock was raised. The house was rebuilt and made larger. It developed into a modern home, having steam heat, hot and cold water, and a sewer system. </p><p align="justify">The oldest boy (Timothy) through the help of his father, proved up a homestead south of the home farm and here with a thousand sheep to begin with a good sized and well graded flock of sheep have been reared. The boys had helped their father so he in turn helped each one start his own farm. The second boy (Bernard) received land and has made money; now having his own threshing machine and the necessary equipment to carry on farming. </p><p align="justify">As the years made J. D. Lucy feel less like engaging in work, he sold his farm to his eldest son, Timothy. The third son (William) bought the Midway Sheep Ranch and is at present living there. The fourth son (Lawrence) also bought a small farm but has sold it. The daughter (Anna) married a young man (Calmer Mitbo) who has helped in the success of the family, having worked there for eight successive years. They settled on the adjoining farm to the north, and are still living there.</p><p>Jack and wife (Katherine) with the three younger boys (Roy, Ray and Wayne) moved to Powers Lake where these boys are to receive an education. They bought a beautiful bungalow, and are now enjoying their comfortable home. Each of the boys and the son-in-law has made progress so all have comfortable farm buildings, and each has his own automobile. The present herd on the farm is known as the finest in the country, being all full blooded white faced Herefords, with several registered Herefords among them. The sheep too which number a thousand during the summer of are grade stock.</p></font></span>
<span><p align="center">Powers Lake Herald, </p><p align="center">Succeeding the Powers Lake Echo</p><p align="center">April 28, 1944</p><p align="justify">Mrs. Catherine Lucy, 72, wife of John D. Lucy of Powers Lake, died at 6:10 P.M. on Monday, April 17, 1944 in a Minot Hospital where she had been a patient since March 29th. </p><p align="justify">Mrs. Lucy was born in Denmark on August 20, 1871 and came to the United States with her parents when she was two years old. With her parents she spent the early part of her life in Minnesota and it was at Henning, Minn., that she married Mr. Lucy on December 24, 1890. </p><p align="justify">With her husband, they lived in the Powers Lake community for the last 42 years. They had farmed until retiring a few years ago. </p><p align="justify">Mrs. Lucy was a member of the St. James Catholic Church of Powers Lake and the Royal Neighbor Lodge. </p><p align="justify">She was preceded in death by an only daughter, Catherine and two sons, John and David.</p><p align="justify">Survivors are Mr. Lucy and seven sons: Timothy, Bernard, William and Lawrence at Powers Lake. Raymond of Long Beach, Calif., LeRoy and Wayne of Seattle, Wash., who were all here for the funeral. Also three sisters, Mrs. Anna Speese of Seattle, Mrs. Marie Erkenback of International Falls, Minn., and Miss Mattie Resse of Faribault, Minn., and nineteen grandchildren. </p><p align="justify">Funeral Services were held in the St. James Holy Catholic Church in Powers Lake on Saturday, April 22nd with the Rev. Father Smierciak of Stanley officiating. Pallbearers were the six sons of Mrs. Lucy. </p><p align="justify">The Thompson-Larson Funeral Home of Minot had charge of the arrangements. The body was laid to rest in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Bowbells, N. Dak., where other family members are buried. </p></span><p align="justify"> </p>