USA > Minnesota > Jackson County > An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota > Part 34
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Des Moines Valley Lodge No. 156, In- dependent Order Odd Fellows, was organ- ized May 20, 1889, with six charter mem- bers as follows : A. B. Allen, W. A. Funk. W. A. Conrad. A. J. Patterson. R. Van Orman and H. Andrewsen. The follow- ing were chosen as the first officers: 1. B. AAllen, noble grand: W. A. Conrad, vice grand : H. Andrewsen, secretary ; R. Van Orman, treasurer. At the present time the lodge has a membership of forty-seven. It owns real estate and lodge property to the value of $3,500.
Maple Grove Camp No. 1069, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized Feb- ruary 5, 1891, with seventeen charter members. Following were the first offi- cers: V. B. Crane, consul : H. H. Hughes, advisor ; John Muir, banker : E. C. Wilson, clerk : William Trumbull, escort : A. Gruhlke. watchman: A. O. Berg, sentry : Douglas Pulver. II. H. Hughes and T. T. Gronland, managers.
Holy Trinity Court No. 691. Catholic Order Foresters, was granted a charter June 22. 1892, and it has ever since main- tained an organization. The first officers and charter members were as follows : J. M. Voda. C. R. : Joseph Klemm. V. C. R .: Rov. P. P. Kloss. P. C. R. : J. J. Pribyl. R. S. : Woensel Motl. F. S. : Martin Arndt. treasurer: John Magyar. Louis Kiesel. J. A. Timko. John Hassing. William Motl. Bernard C. Lilly. Frank Benda, Frank J. Bertels, Emil Calta. Henry J. Hassing,
Frank Svoboda, Henry Wilhahn, Edward Wilhalm. J. V. Makovicka. John Steiner. The lodge has a present membership of sixty-two.
Jackson Lodge No. 160. Knights of P's- thias, was instituted March 22. 1900. with the following first officers: V. E. Butler, C. C .: W. P. King. V. C .: W. C. Hart- -m. P .: Charles F. Albertus, M. W. : Bert Gillespie. K. R. S .: Mark D. Ashley. M. F .: Frank Phillips, M. A. : William Bal- Tard. I. G .: Joc Trea. O. G.
THE BANKS.
In Jackson are three banking institu- tions, all organized under the national banking laws. These are the Brown Na- tional Bank. the First National Bank and the Jackson National Bank.
The first financial institution to begin business in Jackson-aml in Jackson county-was the Bank of Jackson, a pri- vate institution opened by John K. Brown. who had formerly been connected with the Southern Minnesota Railroad company. late in January. 1829.13 Mr. Brown was sole owner of the Bank of Jackson until March 1. 1892. when the owners became John K. Brown & Company. Cashier Hon- rik Strom having taken an interest. In 1901 Hlerman L. Strom purchased the in- terests of Henrick Strom, the firm name remaining the same. In 1905 the institu- tion was reorganized under the name of Brown National Bank, with a capital stock of $10,000, and began business under the new title July t. The officers at that time were John K. Brown. president : 1. W. Cowing. vice president : II. L. Strom. cashier. The present officers of the Brown
"""The Bank of Jackson, is now one of our proud institutions and is by far the neatest and nobbiest establishment in town. It may he found In the building north of the Ashley house, where the good looking, courteous and gentlemanly presiding genius, Mr. John K. Brown, will be glad to accommodate patrons in his Hne and transhet a strict banking business on strict business principles."-Jackson Repub- lic. February 1, 1879.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
National Bank are J. W. Cowing, presi- dent; T. J. Knox, vice president ; H. L. Strom, eashier; J. J. Pribyl, assistant cashier.
Jackson's second bank was a private bank opened by George R. Moore De- cember 1, 1887, under the title, G. R. Moore, Banker. J. K. Skarberg was the cashier. It was reorganized as the State Bank of Jackson with a capital stock of $25,000 April 1, 1890, beginning business under the new style May 15. The incorpor- ators were George R. Moore, P. H. Berge. J. W. Cowing, T. J. Knox. Alexander Fiddes, G. A. Albertus, A. H. Strong, F. W. Lindsley and M. B. Hutchinson. The State Bank of Jackson was reorganized as the First National Bank in June. 1901. with the following board of directors: George R. Moore, O. B. Olson, T. J. Knox, Alexander Fiddes and P. II. Berge. The capital and surplus of the First National is $45,000. The present officers are George R. Moore, president; P. H. Berge, vice president ; A. B. Cheadle, eashier; O. B. Olson, assistant cashier.
The Jackson National Bank was organ- ized in 1903, beginning business January 4, 1904, with the following officers and board of directors : H. G. Anderson, presi- dent ; W. C. Portmann, vice president : A. W. Quinn, cashier; W. D. Hunter, assist- ant cashier : F. W. Lindsley, J. H. Quinn and II. H. Berge. The officers at present are H. G. Anderson, president ; W. C. Portmann, vice president ; W. D. IFunter, cashier ; Asher O. Nasby, assistant cash- ier.
Another financial institution of Jack- son is the Jackson Building and Loan As- sociation, which was organized in 1891. and which has been instrumental in the building of many of the beautiful homes of Jackson.
TITE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Prior to 1883 Jackson was absolutely without protection from fire. Then the village council began to consider the mat- ter of affording protection. The Jackson Republic of October 13, 1883, reported a meeting of the village council as follows :
At the meeting of the village council last Tuesday [October 9] the subject of fire pro- tection in Jackson was discussed at length. Councilman Fiddes was requested to corre- spond with dealers as to the cost of buckets, hooks, ladders, etc., and W. S. Kimball was appointed fire warden with instructions to ex- amine chimneys and enforce the provisions of ordinance No. S. Upon motion of Councilman Cowing it was proposed that the residents or owners of every block who would put in a well be supplied with a pump and hose by the village.
From this legislation developed the Jackson fire department. In 1885 more advanced measures were taken. In April the contract was let for the digging of four wells on Second street, at the corners of Grant, Sherman, Ashley and White streets. and in May the council purchased of Baldwin Brothers, of Winona, a hand fire engine, 300 feet of common hose and 25 feet of suction hose, the total cost of which was $627. To handle this equip- ment a fire company with 48 members was organized July 23. The first officers of this pioneer company were as follows: H. H. Hughes, fire warden : A. C. Serum, captain ; S. Swenson, chief engineer ; Gil- bert Seilstad, hose foreman; J. W. Jen- son, secretary. The company was given of- ficial recognition Angust 8, when the vil- lage council approved the officers. This organization was not long maintained. With few duties to perform. the members soon lost interest, and the company was finally disbanded.
When the water works system was in- stalled in 1892 came the demand for an up-to-date fire department. The village authorities purchased new equipment, and on January 2, 1893, there was organized
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
the present department. Following were but only a small number were paid for. the first officers and the charter members : Il. G. Anderson, foreman : George Burn- ham, assistant foreman ; O. A. Sathe, see- ond assistant foreman: S. JJ. Dunn, see- retary: I. O. Brown, treasurer: V. W. Avery. L. Lecocq. H. M. Burnham, Ed. Bochl. Albert Gruhlke. M. L. Ashley. Sam Woolworth. D. P. Maitland. Henry Hoe-li. Clarence Ellsworth. Art Ellsworth. Frank Gerlach. John Qualey, Lewis Iverson and Nels Ludvigsen. Entire new equipment was bought in March. 1895, including hose cart. hook and ladder truck. hose and uniforms.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The agricultural society of Jackson is one of the oldest in southwestern Minne- sota. It was organized in 1869, when the first county fair was held. For years the society was maintained with meager finan- cial support. and the annual fairs were primitive affairs, held generally in some vacant building in the village.
A reorganization was brought about in 1896, and an effort was made to put the society on a sound financial footing. Life memberships were sold at fifteen dollars, and over one hundred people subscribed,
The same year twenty-five acres of land were purchased from B. W. Ashley and George R. Moore, south of the depot. buildings were erected, and a race track was built, the total cost of which was about $2,500. The society went into deht for nearly all the unprovements and the land, hoping to wipe out the indebtedness later by successful fairs. Weather condi- tions were unfavorable, and as a result no headway was made. The conditions had reached such a stage at the beginning of the year 1908 that bankruptey threatened, and then it was the new society was formed.
The agricultural society was reorganized and incorporated in May. 1908, with a capital stock of $20,000 and with the fol- lowing officers and board of directors : W. W. Wold. president : Noah Ramey, vice president : H. B. Gillespie, secretary : 11. 1. Stock, treasurer : George Weise. Harry M. Burnham. ( . P. Nissen. Hans Sether. 11. J. Yeadicke and H. L. Strom. The society is now on a sound financial basis. recently improvements have been made at the grounds, and the fairs in recent years have been highly successful.
THE NEW YORI PUBLIC LIBRARY
ACTOR, LENOX AND TILCEN FOUNDATION
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MAIN STREET, LAKEFIELD
SOUTH MAIN STREET, LAKEFIELD
CHAPTER XIX.
LAKEFIELD-1829-1910.
R ANKING second in size, according to the last census, among Jackson county towns is Lakefield. The vil- lage is situated in Heron Lake and Hun- ter townships and is in almost the exact geographical center of the county, its busi- ness center being less than one mile from the central point. It is only a short dis- tance from the head of Heron lake, that great expanse of water which is noted the country over as a hunters' paradise, Lake- field is on the Southern Minnesota divi- sion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, and is twelve miles west and north of Jackson. The population in 1905 was 916, but the census of 1910 will un- doubtedly show an increase.
As regards trade territory, Lakefield has a stragetie location, drawing its trade from an immense area of exceptionally prosper- ous country. To the north, northeast, south and southwest there are no towns for many miles, and to Lakefield comes the trade from long distances in those direetions. The town is compactly built and presents an attractive appearance. It has broad streets, lined with substantial business houses and handsome residences.
No more beautiful site for a town could be found. It is located on high, rolling ground, of a greater elevation than the surrounding country, exactly on the divide
or watershed which separates the two great watercourses of the west-the Mississippi and the Missouri.1 There is plenty of room for the town to grow without taking in a foot of low or swampy ground. All the improvements to be found in Minnesota towns of its size are in Lakefield. It has an excellent waterworks system, eleetric light plant, good schools and churches.
Of the three principal towns of Jackson county. Lakefield was the last to come in- to existence. Jackson had been founded in 1866, Heron Lake in 1871, as a result of the building of the Sioux City road ; Lakefield did not take its place on the map until 1879, when the Southern Minnesota (later the Milwaukee) railroad extended to the northwest from Jackson.
During the early seventies quite a num- ber of homesleaders had located upon the government lands surrounding the future town of Lakefield, but during the terrible grasshopper days no improvements were made, many people moved away, and the actual settlement of that part of the conn- ty may be said to have begun only in the late seventies. In 18:8, when it was be-
1"Nearly seventeen years ago [1867] we first traveled the road between Graham lakes and Jackson, and on the route, abont one and one- half miles from lake Heron, was a piece of country elevated above that surrounding it and known as 'the first monnd.' We little thought that it would be as it is today the site for a flourishing little village."-Judge B. W. Wool- stencroft in Fulda Republican, June, 1884.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
lieved the grasshoppers had left the coun- try for good and it was known that the railroad was to be pushed on to the west, come a change in conditions. New settlers poured in, bought lands in the theretofore thinly settled townships, made improve- ments and became permanent settlers. When, in the spring of 1879, the line for the extension west of Jackson was defi- nitely made, came more settlers, who lo- cated upon the choice lands along the right of-way. The work of grading the roadbed was begun April 22, the track was laid to the junction with the Sioux City road Au- gust 1, and regular train service was es- tablished November 3. But some months before the road was completed two towns had been founded near the head of Heron lake.
Henry Knudson, who owned the north- west quarter of section 32, Heron Lake township, which was crossed by the sur- veved line of the new road, laid out a town on his land early in May, which he named Jackson Center .? The plat of the town- site was drawn on paper. but the land was not surveyed. Mr. Knudson made prop- arations for building a little town at that point, expecting that the railway company would put in a side track and establish a station there. He erected a store building, in which he opened a general store, and built a residence, which were the only building improvements made on the site, and he and his family and Knud Thoreson and his family were the only inhabitants. Late in September the Jackson Center postoffice was established with Mr. Knud- son in charge. The postoffice was main- tained until the spring of 1880; then the Lakefield office was established and Mr. Knudson resigned, the office being then
""Henry Knudson has commenced platting a town at the south end of Heron lake, near the Southern Minnesota rallroad. It is located on the northwest quarter of section 32. Ileron Lake township. We learn he is about to erect a hotel building on the plat."-Jackson Repub- tic, May 10, 1879.
discontinued. In the spring of 1882, Mr. Knudson moved his store building to the new town of Lakefield, and the history of Jackson Center came to an end.
Differences between Mr. Knudson and the Southern Minnesota railway officials were responsible for the failure of the com- pany to locate a station at Jackson Center and also the building of a town at Lake- field, a mile southwest of Mr. Knudson's site. J. C. Easton, of the railroad com- pany, was willing to locate a station at Jackson Center providing he could pur- chase Mr. Knudson's 210 acre farm for five dollars per acre. The owner refused to sell at that figure, but he offered to deed to Mr. Easton and the other officials a half interest in forty or eighty acres for rail- road purposes free of charge, the balance of the farm to be divided into lots to be owned jointly by Mr. Knudson and the officials. These terms were refused, and negotiations were brought to a close early in the summer.
A. R. Kilen, who was in the vicinity. learned of the rupture between Mr. Knud- son and the railroad officials and was not slow to take advantage of the conditions. He looked over the ground and decided that the west half of the southwest quarter of section 33, Heron Lake township, would make an excellent location for a townsite. Not knowing who was the owner of the sightly eighty acre fraet, Mr. Kilen walked to the county seat, consnlied the records, learned in whose name the land was as- sessed, and then walked to Windom, where he boarded a train for St. Paul. There he located the owner of the site, bought the property, and returned with the deed in his pocket.
The prospective town founder made terms with the railroad officials, and in the latter part of July the company lo- eated a side track on the land.3 Mr. Kilen
3"The side track next west of Jackson has been located on the west half of the southwest
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
at once set about having the land sur- veyed, and in a short time a little village appeared on the prairie.
The original townsite of Lakefield, locat- ed on the west half of the southwest quar- ter of section 33, was surveyed by James E. Pahner September 2, 1879, and the dedication was made by Anders R. Kilen September 5. It consisted of eight blocks only, the streets running north and south being named Bush, Main and Plum, and the east and west streets, Broadway, Sec- ond and Third.' The land upon which it was located was a part of the grant to the St. Paul & Sioux City Railway company.5
Before the site was surveyed there was considerable activity at the new station and several had made arrangements to en- ter into business in the new town. The name first selected for the village was
quarter of section 33 and the south half of the southeast quarter of section 32, in Heron Lake township. It is on land belonging to Anders R. Kilen, about a mile east of the head of Heron lake, and about twelve miles from Jack- son. A town is already being platted, and soon a good business point will spring up at that station."-Jackson Republic. July 26, 1879.
Additions to Lakefield have been platted as follows:
South Lakefield, November 28, 1882; surveyed by James E. Palmer.
Griffin's, by Joshua H. Brady November 17, 1885; surveyed by L. L. Palmer.
Funk's, by Louis F. Menage August 10, 1892; surveyed by L. L. Palmer.
Frederickson's Addition to South Lakefield. by John Frederickson April 5, 1894; surveyed by C. W. Gove.
Hollister's, by H. J. Hollister June 17, 1895: surveyed by J. L. Holst.
A. R. Kilen's, by A R. Kilen September 17, 1898; surveyed by J. L. Holst.
Park, by W. A. Funk August 8, 1899; sur- veyed by J. L. Holst.
Mrs. Bergh's, by Mrs. A. M. Bergh May 13, 1901; surveyed by J. L. Holst.
"Titles to lands embraced within the present boundaries of Lakefield were received from the government as follows: Rasmus Larson home- steaded the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 32, Heron Lake township, and received his patent December 20, 1881. Chris- topher B. Rubert received his patent to the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of the same section October 10, 1876. Edward E. Bergh received his patent to the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of the same section March 1. 1877. The west half of section 33 was railroad land, granted to the St. Paul & Sioux City company. The northwest quarter of section 4, Hunter township, was homesteaded by James W. Forrest, and he received title June 20. 1875. The northeast quarter of the north- east quarter of section 5 was received by the St. Paul & Sioux City company from the com- missioners of the state land office March 31. 1876.
"Bethania," by which it was known for only about one week, however." Then "Lakefield" was substituted by the town proprietor, and that was the name used in making the dedication. So early as the latter part of July the Colman Lumber company and the Paul Lumber company selected sites for lumber yards, and sev- eral others made arrangements to build and engage in business.
The first building erected was the of- fice of the Colman Lumber company: which was put up in August. E. W. Davies was the first local manager. This first building was also used as the tele- graph office until the depot was erected. A few other buildings were started about the same time, and before the close of the year 1879 there were five or six business houses in operation. The Paul Lumber company had its sheds completed early in September, and both companies had him- ber in stock to supply all the demands. Lewis Chesterson and Charles Chesterson opened a general store in September, which they conducted under the firm name of Chesterson Brothers. John Kilen put up a building and engaged in the hotel busi- ness. Bonner & Hyde built a warehouse and engaged in the grain business. The railroad company erected a depot. M. A. Foss erected a store building late in the fall, but did not open his general store until the next spring. This concludes the list of improvements for the year 1879, and Lakefield did not assume metropolitan proportions that year. John Davies, writ- ing from the little town October 21, 1879, said : "There are only two ladies in the town to absorb the smiles of about twen- ty bachelors."
The people of Lakefield petitioned for a postoffice in the fall of 1879, and an of-
"A change has come over the dreams of Bethanians. It has been decided to call the new town out west Lakefield."-Jackson Re- public, August 16, 1879.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
fice was granted them the next spring. It was opened in April with MI. A. Foss as postmaster. A few new business ell - terprises were started in 1880: M. A. Foss opened his general store, Johnson & Ho- henstein started the town's third general store. Cargill & Van built the second grain warehouse. Obed Omberson engaged in the general merchandise and hardware busi- ness. Barney Froclinger opened a saloon. a blacksmith shop was started. and R. B. Woodworth was installed as the depot agent.
The growth of Lakfield during the first three or four years was not great. but each vear witnessed the opening of one or two new business houses, and the small growth was healthy. Conrad & Snure engaged in the general merchandise business in 1882. and Larud. Morland & Company engaged in the hardware business the same year. Among the other improvements of the same year were the hay pressing and tow manufacturing establishments of M. 1. Foss. In 1883 N. J. Scott started a hardware store, and the same year witness- ed the founding of the town's first newspa- per. the Minnesota Citizen by Carl S. Eastwood. There were several changes in the proprietorship of the several stores and shops, and we find the business honses on
Mr. Foss served as Lakefield's postmaster until March, 1882, when he was succeeded by Henry Knudson, who moved down from Jack- son Center. Mr. Knudson sold out his business a short time later and resigned the office, he- ing succeeded In July, 1882, by IL. G. Conrad. The latter served until November, 1883. when IS. Lewis received the appointment. There was quite a contest for the honor in 1884, which was won by Carl S. Eastwood, the editor of the Minnesota Citizen, he receiving the appointment In June. Mr. Eastwood sold his paper and re- moved from Lakefield In the latter part of 1585, and from that time until his successor was named in February. ISSG. the office was In charge of Deputy L. W. Srely. John G. Miller succeeded Mr. Eastwood as postmaster and served until January 17. ISSS. On that dato S J. Mor became Lakefield's postmaster, serving until January, 1590. Then W. L .. Funk was ap- pointed and held the offfer until 1893. II. . J. Hollister served from that time until October. 1597. under the democratic administration. John Crawford was appointed at the expiration of Mr. Hollister's term and held the office until his death, which occurred by drowning in June. 1901. Mrs. John Crawford was then appointed and has ever since conducted the office.
November 30. 1853. as represented in the advertising columns of the first issue of the local paper, to be as follows :
General stores-A. Hohenstein. E. Lewis. William Snuire. O. Omberson.
Hotel JJ. D. Stone.
Implement dealer -John Frederickson.
Newspaper and real estate -- Carl S. East- wood.
Livery- A. Hohenstein.
Blacksmith- B. P. Pietz. T. A. Sanders.
Harness shop -- W. H. Randall.
Lawyer and real estate L. Walter Scely. Hay press-Omberson Brothers.
The general prosperity which blessed Jackson county in 1884 brought rapid ad- vancement to the little town of Lakefield. It was a season of solid and prosperous growth. A resident of Jackson who visi- led the village in July wrote as follows: "A few hours spent by the writer in Lake- field this week convinced him that Jack- son's sister village is up to the times. New buildings are going up. a large acre- age of prairie turf is being reduced to a state of cultivation near by, and prosperity prevails. Within the past year Lakefield has seen a newspaper, a creamery, a hard- ware store, a drug store and doctor 'spring up in her midst.""
Factors in the increased activity were the purchase of the townsite by James T. Griffin and the platting of South Lake- field by John Frederickson. These gentle- men placed lots on the market at reduced prices and induced men with capital to locate and invest in the new town. The Lakefieldl Citizen boasted that more new buildings were Greeted in Lakefield that year than in any other town in the county. and that the business interests and popu- lation more than doubled in the twelve months. Despite the showing made. an estimate of the town's population in 1881 placed the figure at between seventy-five and one hundred. A business directory for 1881 listed the following business houses in operation :
LAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
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MAKING A COUNTY DITCH
H . PUBLIC LIBRARY
ACTOR, LENOX AND TASIN FOUNDATIONS
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