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Freeborn County Historical Museum - Albert Lea, MN 56007 1031 Bridge Street - Phone 507-373-8003
Recent Events & Museum Displays 
ECHOES FROM THE THE PAST: A JOURNEY INTO HISTORY (AUGUST 17, 2006 AT 6:30 P.M.)
We invite you to the beautiful oak groves of Graceland Cemetery to meet some of the most unusual personalities ever to live in Freeborn County. You may not recognize their names, but they played an important role in the development of our community. As the years pass, names also pass beyond memory, but deeds live on in legend. Meet some of the former citizens we recently met at Graceland Cemetery.Elizabeth Colby Peck (1844-1926) was born in Erie, PA, and moved with her family to Minnesota at the age of 10. Her father was one of the pioneer settlers of Itasca, near the present Wedge Nursery site. She and her six sisters were among the few marriageable young girls the in the area. She married Orville Peck in 1865. He was a farmer in the Alden area and served in the Civil War. Mrs. Peck was involved in church and community activities "held in the highest esteem".
Elizabeth Colby Peck is portrayed by Rosalie Truax, a retired educator who most recently worked with family literacy programs for School District #241. Her strongest interests are community theatre,travel, and her four grandsons.
Fred Simon Ruble (1865- 1929) was born the youngest son of John and Henrietta (Fleck) Ruble, who had ten children. Fred's father, John, was an early settler in Freeborn County following his brother, George, who migrated to this area from Wisconsin. George is credited with establishing and naming the city of Albert Lea. In 1890, Fred purchased 200 acres of the old homestead, located in Pickerel Lake Township from his mother, Henrietta. In 1908, Fred decided to establish a purebred Holstein heard. He became well known for bringing the first registered Holstein-Fresian dairy cattle into Freeborn County. His obituary reads, "Mr Ruble held many positions of honor and trust in his township, county, and community..."
Fred Simon Ruble is portrayed by his great-grandson, G. Douglas Ruble, son of Glenn and Maureen Ruble. he grew up on the land originally settled by John Ruble. Fred Ruble, son of John ruble, built the home in which Doug, Pam, and their three children, Maddy, Grady, and Riley, live. Doug is the fifth generation to live on the land, his children being the sixth generation. doug graduated from ALHS and south Dakota State University. He is presently employed at Pro-Manufacturing. Doug raised some beef cattle, as well as goats, chickens, ducks, etc., which are primarily the children's 4-H projects. Doug, Pam, Maddy, Grady, and Riley are active members of Crossroads Evangelical Free Church. Doug is Key Leader of the Alden 4-H Club.
Theodora Soth Paulson (1882-1923) was born Dec. 23, 1882, the first child of Charles and Augusta Soth. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1902, one of 26. She married Charles E. Paulson, a prominent banker and businessman on April 19, 1905. They had three children. Dora was very active in the Freeborn County Chapter of the American Red Cross during WWI, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. When her husband died in 1917, she took over the running of Charles' bank and became a very respected businesswoman and civic leader. In her honor, all of the banks in town were closed the day of her funeral.
Theodora Soth Paulson is portrayed by Sue Jorgensen, a teacher, director and Guardian ad litem in Albert Lea, Sue has been very active in the Albert Lea Community Theatre both as an actor and a director, with the late, lamented Minnesota Festival Theatre. She has also directed many productions at Albert Lea High School and Austin High School. She is currently the Artistic Director and Moderator of the "Touch" play, a collaboration with ALHS and Illusion Theatre.
August Gissler (1851-1929) was born in Reading, PA, and moved to Albert Lea in 1888. He established a successful plumbing business after working initially as a tinsmith. August was contracted to do the plumbing and heating work on the 1903 City Hall. He was a devoted husband to Salome and father to John, Gertrude, Frances and Robert. He was also active in the Salem Lutheran Church and the Masonic Lodge.
August Geissler is portrayed by Gary Schindler, a resident of Albert Lea for 16 years and the Dean of Student Affairs at Riverland Community College. He is a member of the Albert Lea Lions Club, a United Way volunteer, a member of Grace Lutheran Church, and has performed in a number of Albert Lea Community Theatre productions. Gary has also recently portrayed the character of "Briscoe Darling" at Andy Griffith Show cast reunion festivals in Indiana and North Carolina. He is married to Jeannie, a nurse at Thorncrest Retirement Community. He has two children: Kelli, a nurse at St. Mary's in Rochester, and Dan, an archeology major at the university of Minnesota.
Sarah Anne Sorenson Hellie (1876-1963) was raised and spent her married life in the southern Minnesota area. Sarah was the oldest of 14 children. He father was A. C. Sorenson, owner of the Cargill Elevator, in Albert Lea, and a city councilman. Sarah was the wife of T. J. Hellie, a successful farmer, livestock buyer and part owner of Hellie Automobile Co., in albert Lea. They were members of First Lutheran Church and were the parents of six children. Sarah was a strong person who understood responsibility and valued a good work ethic.
Sara Anne Sorenson Hellie is portrayed by Val Forsythe, a para-educator for Albert Lea Area Schools. She has been involved in 30+ plays at the Albert Lea Community Theater and many area theaters. Her hobbies include trips to northern Minnesota to their summer home every weekend, fishing, singing, and being a reality TV junkie!
Julius Edwin Fitch (1861-1935) was born near Hastings, MN in 1861 to Edwin and Carrie Fitch, who had moved to Minnesota from New York. Julius was one of six children born to the Fitch family and remained in the Hastings area as a farm hand until after his marriage to Addie Knapp in 1884. He then started exploring the business world and found his calling as a salesman. In 1895, the couple moved to Albert Lea, where they resided until their deaths. Julius, or J.E. as he was often referred to, was a very successful traveling salesman for 51 years, working right up to the illness that led to his death. J. E. was an active member of the community and a valuable leader of many lodges including the Eastern and Western Star, and Addie was very active in lodge and church groups as well. By all accounts they were both very respected members of the community and their respective passing were grieved greatly.
Julius Edwin Fitch is portrayed by Bill Morris, a retired school teacher from School District #241. Besides teaching, bill has been very active over the years with the Albert Lea Community Theatre (where he both acted and directed), and with volunteer work at Zion Lutheran Church. He enjoys golfing (although he is frustrated that his wife , Brenda, now beats him), computer work, R V'ing, and following his son, Matthew's high school activities. He also substitute teaches and says "yes" to too many endeavors like the one you are about to witness.
UPDATED 08/16/06 Click on the pictures below for a larger view of some recent activities at the FCHM.
Freeborn County Historical Museum logo FCHM picture Early Handcar 
Early 1900's Hospital Room Making candles for Sunday services during Discover History Day Remember this kitchen? 
Planting corn - during Discover History Days The General Store - during Discover History Days Early Firetruck These exhibits can be viewed at the FCHM. Freeborn County Historical Museum 1031 Bridge Avenue Albert Lea, MN 56007 (507) 373-8003
