Deborah,

Just found your post on George and Flora Van Brunt, and would like to let you know I own their homestead build before 1853 in Mankato MN.
I also have the original abstract and office of register deeds of Blue Earth county.

Like you I am interested in the family just because I own their home. I would like to get some picture if they exist of the family or house.

I have no relationship to your George but I am in Mankato and if you wish can research for you.

Can tell you that they were granted 160 acres by the United States as a homstead, and she and George heirs received a deed in May 23, 1857 stated as George deceased. Listed are Henrietta E. Foster and Mary E Soule (daughters) In 1857 the land was plotted and added to Mankato as Van Brunt addition, Mankato.

There is an entry in 1874 of a Flora E. McMurtrie wife of James with a foreclosed mortgage, and a quick claim deed to Mary E. Soule and S.G. Soule in Oct 1877 and in 1881 a Ozias.P. & Eugenia R. Smith purchased the land. From that time 1881 on the rest of the land was sub-divided and sold by Smith, this is now known as the Van Brunt addition.

Interesting to me is that a D. W. Selleck purchased the home & land in 1884 and this spelling is close to mine Stellick.

Let me know what else I can help you with,
Joyce


The house is still on lot 7 of Smith subdivision of block 19 Van Brunt addition to Mankato.