By Bruce Karnick

Every so often, Shirley Dalaska of the Hastings Pioneer Room will share a story about the folks that “reside” in Oakwood Cemetery here in Hastings. Shirley, thank you for sharing these historical stories and keeping the memories of these people alive. Take a moment to visit the Pioneer Room in Hastings City Hall. Located on the first floor of City Hall, the Pioneer Room is a historic records room focusing on the town and citizens of Hastings, Minnesota. The Pioneer Room has artifacts from its citizens and businesses, a historical photo collection, reference materials on Dakota County, Minnesota, and the City of Hastings history, plus genealogical records and newspaper archives organized by topic or person.

The Pioneer Room is managed by volunteers and is normally open from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesdays. Due to COVID restrictions, they are open 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Would you like to volunteer to be a steward of Hastings’ history? Join the team in the Pioneer Room! Please call 651-480-2350 or email [email protected] gov for questions or assistance. If you think you have a historical article, or exciting piece of Hastings History, also contact the Pioneer Room, they would love to see it!

ALONZO AND MARY DOCKSTADER By Shirley Dalaska Alonzo was born in Montgomery County, New York on April 9, 1829 and Mary Anna Coons was born in New York in 1833. They married in October 1853 and their son Alexander was born in 1854. About 1857 the family moved to Minnesota and settled in Douglass Township, south of Hastings.

Emma was born June 21, 1859 and died May 14, 1863 and was buried at the County Line Cemetery.

Alonzo was the first mail carrier from Hastings to Douglass and Mary was the first schoolteacher. Together with her parents, they established the County Line Methodist Church.

Alexander attended medical school and graduated as a doctor in 1879. He married Carrie Gardner on September 19, 1882. His practice was in Granite Falls.

Alonzo and Mary gave up farming in 1899 and moved to Hastings. They were surprised with a fiftieth wedding anniversary party in 1903.

Alonzo died on March 11, 1910. He was active in his church and held several offices in town. Alexander and Carrie moved in with Mary to help out. Mary died in 1923. She had been an active temperance worker and took interest in studying conditions of life in the various penitentiaries and penal institutions.

Carrie died in 1932 and Alexander died in 1945. All four are buried at Oakwood Cemetery with a single headstone.