JACOB MEIDINGER Among the early pioneers of McIntosh County who were natives of Kassel, South Russia, were Jacob Meidinger and his wife Rose, born Miller, and their family. They arrived in America in the fall of 1885 and spent the winter with friends and relatives near Menno. The following spring, in company with his brother Adam and his family, he shipped his possessions by rail to Ipswich and from there the trip to Hoskins and McIntosh County was made across the country in a covered wagon. Mr. Meidinger filed on land near his brother, Adam Meidinger, in Antelope Valley, about twenty miles northeast of Ashley. The wagon box with cover was placed on the ground and served as a house until one could be built, which was about two months. It was late in the spring and the land was broken and the crop put in before the house could be started. A few acres of sod was broken and flax planted, being sown by hand. The Meidingers and several other families located in Antelope Valley at the same time, this colony was known as the "Meidinger Settlement." They helped each other put in their crop and then the work on the sod houses was underway. Lumber was purchased and hauled from Ellendale for the rafters, doors and window frames. It took about two days to complete a house with the help of the neighbors. Stoves were made of clay and stones, being about six feet long, two feet wide and about four feet high. Often these were built through the partition, half extending into each room. Hay and chips were used as fuel and proved very satisfactory. These were stoked morning and evening and kept the place very comfortable. The nearest town was Ellendale and a distance of forty-five miles. Flour and other supplies were purchased there. Usually two or three farmers would make the trip together and it would take three or four days to complete it. Jacob Meidinger Mrs. Meidinger died in 1894, and was buried in the Berlin Church Cemetery. Realizing the need of a mother for his children, he married Mrs. Katharina Spitzer in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Meidinger retired from actual farming in 1908, and moved to Ashley. In 1919, they sold their town property and moved to Walla Walla, Washington. Mr. Meidinger died in 1934. Mrs. Meidinger resides in Portland, Oregon. The following is a list of the children; Katharina, Mrs. Christ Herr, Wishek; Eva, Mrs. Rutschke, Alberta, Canada; Adam, Alberta, Canada; Christina, Mrs. Rutschke, Alberta, Canada; Gottlieb, Idaho; Lydia, Mrs. F. H. Eisenbeisz, Ashley, N. D.; Rose, Mrs. John Pudwill, Wishek, N. D.; Pauline, Mrs. Smith, Prescott, Wash.; and William, Dufur, Oregon.