From: Monte Boesen
To: webmaster@omaha.com
Date: 7/3/01 8:09AM
Subject: Corrections to one of your stories
Omaha World Herald,
This letter is in regard to your story on Boelus, Nebraska at the site: http://www.omaha.com/ (the internet file has since been removed because the Omaha World Herald only retains files for three weeks).
The historian incorrectly cited the story and facts regarding the origins of Boelus, Nebraska. The following article gives a few additional accounts concerning the origins of the name Boelus. (I believe this was published in the Cairo, Nebraska newspaper during the 1960's or 1970's).
My great, great grandfather Henrik Hansen immigrated from Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, to Wisconsin, during the mid-1800's. He worked on a large farm for a man named Boesen, became the foreman on the farm, and used the name Boesen simply so he could get his mail (because there were so many other Hansens). In the Boelus area he became known as Henry Boesen. And to his family as Henry Hansen. He homesteaded northeast of Boelus, helped found the city, laid out the streets with his team of horses, and became the first constable. People with strong characters such as this were those who brought civilization to rural Nebraska. Finally, Henry lived until almost age 90. And for a farmer at that time, this was quite an accomplishment.
Several of Henry's decendants are buried in the Loup Fork Cemetery (here's the link --if this doesn't work, try the older copy I've saved here). Notably, his son Chris, who homesteaded in McCook, his grandson Harry, and someday his eldest great grandson Marvin (my father).
The irony of history is that it is frequently governed by the authors and not the truth. This reply is an attempt to return to the truth. The old article I have included above was incorrect in the origins of the city name Boelus and these fallacies will persist until someone corrects them. When the Howard City name controversy came up, the citizens wanted to name the city for Henry Hansen. But he was a humble sort, and did not care for the notoriety. So, they decided to name it after "Boesen and all of us". "Boelus" is simply a conglomeration of this phrase. Although, Larson was a family in the community, the addition of the "L" was not from their family name. The grand daughter of the mentioned Larson, simply wanted some share of the history, and started that story. A couple of the ancestors of Henrik Hansen (a.k.a. Henry Hansen, or Henry Boesen) who still live close to Boelus are Lyle and Warren Nelson. But more importantly, every year several of the ancestors of Henry still gather from across the nation for the annual family reunion. And since the story is well known in our family, and among some locals, the correction to this story is something that really should be made.
Thank You,
Monte J. Boesen