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Note: South Dakota, Copyright 1969 by Alkali Community Club, contains much information about the Karrels boys.
"Matt Karrels and one brother, Theodore, came to South Dakota in 1875 from Port Washington, Wisconsin. Matt was 16 years old. They arrived in Deadwood, South Dakota during the gold rush by bull train, which were wagons pulled by oxen or cattle. The boys worked at hard labor the following year helping to build the town of Deadwood. A year or two later a third brother, Henry, joined them. The boys worked together and saved their money, finally coming to Bear Butte Valley to file on their homestead."
"In the year 1876 the boys returned to New Ulm, Minnesota and purchased several head of dairy cows. Railroads did not reach the Black Hills until 1886, so they returned to Bear Butte Valley on foot with their herd. This was Indian Territory at that time, as Indians were not driven out until 1877 by treaty. Their bed rolls, frying pans and clothing were carried on the backs of the cows. A cheese factory was built and the boys made and sold cheese in the stores in Deadwood"
Matt went to southwest South Dakota about 1875 with his brother Ted where they settled. Brother Matt settled on the north side of the creek one mile from Theo. Not many years passed until Matt met Augusta Meyers who was then visiting her half-sister who was then Theo's wife. She came from Paris, France with her parents to St. Louis, Missouri. Matt and Augusta were married and lived in Matt's dugout. They lived there for several years, saving their money to build a house. During this time George T. Karrels was born. Matt continued farming and ranching and raising Hereford cattle. In the fall of 1910, Matt and his wife Augusta and their daughter Leona moved to San Diego, California. They lived there for many years until their deaths.
Note: A book entitled MATO PAHA, LAND OF THE PIONEERS, Northwest Meade Country
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