USA > Minnesota > Lyon County > An illustrated history of Lyon County, Minnesota > Part 25
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189S-Mayor, W. D. James; aldermen, N. O. Peterson, J. M. Wardell; recorder, J. M. Riegel; treasurer, W. O. Musser; justice, P. M. Nupen.
1899-Mayor, W. D. James; aldermen, C. J. Berdan, D. T. MeArthur; recorder, J. M. Riegel; treasurer, W. O. Musser; justice, M. D. Gibbs. 1900-Mayor, W. F. Parker; aldermen, Nils S. Taarud, H. R. Searles; recorder. J. M. Riegel; treasurer, W. O. Musser; justice, J. T. Hanson.
1901-Mayor, J. W. Bedle; aldermen, W. D. Haycock, F. P. Parks; recorder, J. M. Riegel; treasurer, W. O. Musser.
1902-Mayor, H. W. Burlingame; aldermen, R. E. Willis, J. J. Laughlin; recorder, A. H. Rowland; treasurer, W. O. Musser; justice, J. T. Hanson.
1903-Mayor, H. W. Burlingame; aldermen, T. M. Quarton, J. N. Wiesner; recorder, A. H. Rowland; treasurer, Ira W. Bedle.
1904-Mayor, J. M. Wardell; aldermen, J. C. Filkins, H. A. Bates; recorder, A. H. Rowland; treasurer, Ira W. Bedle; justice, C. J. Berdan.
1905-Mayor, N. J. Robinson; aldermen, Charles Taarned, J. N. Wiesner; recorder, A. H. Rowland; treasurer, Ira W. Bedle: justice, M. D. Gibbs.
1906-Mayor, N. J. Robinson; aldermen, J. C. Filkins, John Stonehouse; recorder, A. H. Rowland; treasurer, Ira W. Bedle; justice, C. J. Berdan.
1907-Mayor, J. R. Fitch; aldermen, P. M. Nupin, T. II. Webb; recorder, A. H. Rowland; treasurer, E. Herzog; justice, M. D. Gibbs.
1908-Mayor, J. R. Fitch; aldermen, H. E. MeKenzie, G. E. Schmidt; recorder, L. J. Fitch; treasurer, E. Herzog.
1909-Mayor, C. C. Richard; aldermen, Louis Rialson, John Selek; recorder, L. J. Fitch; treasurer, E. Herzog; justice, George Town.
1910-Mayor, C. C. Richard; aldermen, G. A. Hansen, G. E. Schmidt; recorder, L. J. Fitch; treasurer, E. Herzog: justice, C. J. Berdan.
1911-Mayor, T. S. Bonnallie; aldermen, Louis Rialson, John Selek; recorder, L. J. Fitch; treasurer, E. Herzog; justice, W. R. Edwards.
1912-Mayor, T. S. Bonnallie; aldermen, Samuel Furan, G. E. Schmidt; recorder, L. J. Fitch; treasurer, E. Herzog; justice, C. J. Berdan.
entire corporate history. On several occasions the matter has been voted on under the loeal option law. Following were the results at those eleetions (possibly not complete) :
1894-For, 244; against, 118.
1896-For. 243; against, 153.
1897-License by 4S majority.
1898-For, 183; against, 92. 1899-For, 214; against, 139.
1900-For, 215; against, 141.
$The roster for the years 1882-83-85-86-87 are not available.
9Resigned and Morris Workman appointed.
165
HHISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
Tracy advanced by leaps and bounds during the early eighties and soon became the largest village in the county. The Tracy Gazette in January, 1882, stated that fifty buildings had been erected during the preceding summer. Progress was substantial in 1882. The next year came a boom that carried the town beyond the expectations of its most ardent well-wishers and gained for Tracy state-wide attention. 10
The causes of the prosperous times in 1883 were the action of the railroad company in making the town a division point and the expenditure of many thousands of dollars in railroad improve- ments. Also adding to the effect were excellent crops and good times in the state at large. Of the activity at Tracy the St. Paul Pioneer Press in October, 1883, said:
The immense outlays being rapidly made by the railroad company, in the way of extensive improvements, mark a new era in the permanent progress and prosperity of the town. A fine brick and stone round house, with stalls for thirty locomotives, is being erected as fast as a large force of workmen can push it, and it is now almost completed. A handsome brick machine shop of large dimensions is also nearly ready for occupancy. A splendid turn-table is being put in and two coal sheds are being con- structed, each three hundred feet in length. The fact is the improvements being made by the railroad company at Tracy will rank among the most complete and important of any on the entire line of the road ... . . A twelve-inch water main has been laid to Lake Sigel for the conveyance of a bountiful supply of pure and wholesome water for railroad purposes. Many "other improvements are to be immediately made, the details of which cannot here be enumerated, but all of which combine to make Tracy a very important railroad center.
So soon as it was'learned that the railroad company had decided to make the improvements, many new business houses were founded. A directory of business and professional men in Tracy, published in C. F. Case's History of Lyon County in 1884, was as follows:
10The Winona Republiean in June, 1883, said: "There is probably no section of Southern Minnesota where a more prosperous and jubilant feeling exists this season than at Tracy. The town itself is growing in a manner exceeding any period of its existenee. The building improvements are of a substantial and permanent character."
Bank Bank of Tracy, by Jessup & Company.
General Merchandise-Pattridge Brothers, J. P. Davis, R. E. Hughes, Warren & Owens, Iverson & Thurin, A. H. Perry.
Clothing-Jacobi Brothers, John Shea.
Groceries-Gauerke, Weber & Company.
Hardware D. Il. Evans, H. Stafford, J. E. Clark, Nathan Beach.
Furniture-J. M. Wardell.
Drugs and Jewelry-C. L. Bohannan, F. E. Mallory.
Meat Market-I. A. Walden, J. W. Potter. Harness-Wagner & Company.
Millinery and Dressmaking-Steneragel & Currie, Warren & Inman.
Novelty Store-II. F. Seiter.
Tailor Shops-H. Alexander, P. A. Lamberg. Lumber-Wardell, Beach & Company.
Machinery-S. D. Peterson, Marlette & Lloyd, D. H. Evans.
Elevators-Van Dusen & Company, Whitten & Judd, Winona Mill Company, D. H. Evans.
Coal-Van Dusen & Company, J. J. Randall. Hotels-M. D. Gibbs, Neil Finch, B. K. Cowles, Murphy & McDonald, Larson Brothers, A. D. McMasters.
Restaurants-C. J. Gardener, Mary Leavett. Saloons-J. J. Hartigan, Fred Lehman, Martin Hose, C. Anderson.
Beer Depots-August Schell, C. & J. Michel, Hartigan & Armstrong.
Wholesale Liquors-E. H. Roach & Company. Newspaper-Tracy Trumpet, by W. M. Todd. Photograph Gallery-W. I. Carver.
Livery Barns-Lindsley & Fitch, J. L. Craig, John Germain.
Laundries-Ching Kee, Mary Otis.
Shoe Shops-James Marshall, Henry Heinc. Blacksmith Shops-Paul Haugen, John Glynn. Wagonmaker-John Selek.
Barber Shops-Jackson & Seiter, H. A. Bates. Painters-Manuel & Cogswell.
Express Agent-I. E. Segur.
Skating Rink-Welch & Davis.
Attorneys-C. W. Main, Van Buskirk & Brown, John Lind.
Physicians-C. M. Ferro, Mrs. L. Ferro, S. S. Jones, H. M. Workman, O. E. Case.
Postmaster-E. O. Brauns.
The census of 1885 gave Tracy a population of 1210, showing it to be the largest town in Lyon county. The in- crease in five years had been SSS and it had 224 more people than Marshall. The growth and development were steady during the next half decade and Tracy advanced to the second munici- pality in size in Southwestern Minne- sota. Its population was 1400 in 1890.11
11 According to the census of 1890, only Luverne, in Rock eounty, had a larger population than Tracy in the counties of Roek, Nobles, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan, Cottonwood, Murray, Pipestone, Lineoln, Lyon, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Yellow Medicine and Lac qui Parle. The population of Luverne was 1466.
166
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
A blow that for a time checked Tracy's forward march was a disastrous fire, which occurred November 29, 1891. and which was the most destructive conflagration in the whole history of Lyon county. For a time it appeared as though the whole city north of the railroad track must go, but the flames were finally checked after a loss of nearly $50,000 had been sustained.
The fire was discovered at fifteen minutes before eleven o'clock in the forenoon and when the alarm was given the flames had gained considerable headway. The fire started in the base- ment of a store building and when dis- covered the flames had eaten their way to the wooden sidewalk in front and were reaching to the window sills of two or three buildings. Had there been a sufficient water supply and apparatus to get it to the fire, the flames might have been quenched, but Tracy at that time had not a waterworks system. The hook and ladder company did great work at the fire and without adequate apparatus succeeded in confining the flames to the one block. For hours the members of the company fought for the preservation of the town, among the leaders in the fight being Messrs. Tevlin. Hennessy and Thurin.
The flames spread rapidly and it soon became apparent that a serious con- flagration was certain, with small means of combating it. When it was seen that adjoining structures must go, there was a general movement to save stocks of goods and thousands of dollars worth were piled in the streets. By reason of this the loss of personal property was not great. Heroic efforts were made to check the spread, but in vain. At one time a cable was attached to a frame building to pull it out of the course of the flames by a locomotive, but the building was pulled to pieces and was
eagerly seized upon by the destroying element.
Marshall was appealed to for aid, and that city's fire department was rushed to the scene. Water was hauled close to the raging flames by locomotives and the steamer of the Marshall department was put in action. Two streams were kept playing on the fire for more than five hours and the progress of the con- flagration was finally checked.
Twenty-six buildings were destroyed, classed as follows: three hotels, sixteen store buildings, six barns, one warehouse and the Tammany Hall residence. Of the buildings, thirteen were two stories, one was of brick, and two brick-veneered. The burned district covered the central and most prominent block in the village, bounded by Front, Third and Fourth Streets. Every lot on the front of the block was occupied by a building, while only four buildings were located on the rear of the block.
An estimate made shortly after the fire placed the losses on buildings and the insurance carried as follows:
OWNERS
Loss
Insur- ance
J. Mullen, residence.
$200
G. Peterson, store.
400
J. B. Waugh, hotel.
2000
$2000
J. J. Hartigan, saloon
2500
1500
H. C. Heine, store.
500
750
R. E. Hughes, two stores
5500
E. O. Brauns, two stores
2000
500
I. A. Walden, hotel.
1600
400
D. H. Stafford, two stores Bedle & Segur, store.
750
750
A. Bates, store
750
M. D. Gibbs, hotel.
1500
1000
V. R. Wilson, store
700
700
O. L. Pattridge, store.
2000
1500
Hartigan & Brown, store
2000
800
J. D. Owens, store . . .
2000
1800
J. Lloyd, warehouse, barn
400
B. Johnson, barn
50
D. H. Evans, store
126
126
Geffert Brothers, saloon ..
300
300
John Owens, store
100
100
Totals
$28,196
$9226
2500
THE GREAT TRACY FIRE
Showing a Part of the Ruins After the Terrible Conflagration of November, 1891.
-
167
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
The losses and insurance carried on personal property were as follows:
OWNERS
Loss
Insur- ance
J. B. Waugh, hotel.
$500
Fitch Brothers, barber shop.
50
P. Sanders, saloon
1600
$1000
H. C. Heine, shoes
200
750
Ed. Miller, notions.
200
600
(. W. Main, postoffice. .
250
R. E. Hughes, merchan- disc ...
6000
T. L. Carryer, restaurant
200
('ity Hotel.
150
Phil Tevlin, saloon.
1600
1000
D. Stafford, hardware.
2000
Bedle & Segur, meat mar- ket.
300
A. Bates, restaurant
300
M. D. Gibbs, hotel.
500
V. R. Wilson, jewelry
150
O. L. Pattridge, merchan- dise.
300
2700
J. D. Owens, merchandise
300
2500
J. Lloyd, machinery
2000
Masonie Lodges.
447
500
A. O. U. W. Lodge
156
200
Totals.
$14,703
$9250
The total losses were $45,399 and the insurance carried by all who sustained losses was only $18,476. Because of the combustible character of the buildings, almost prohibitive insurance rates pre- vailed and little insurance was carried. The fire was a serious blow to the people of Tracy and came at the worst possible time of the year. The merchants were in the midst of the best trade season ever experienced in the county, and as winter was just beginning rebuilding at once was out of the question.
During the summer before the fire bonds to the amount of $25,000 had been voted to put in a system of water- works and supply fire protection, but the work had not been undertaken. After the fire, however, the work was
put under way and the system was completed in the fall of 1892. An electric lighting system was also in- stalled the same season. A part of the burned district was rebuilt in 1892, but the village was a long time recovering from the blow.
During the last twenty years Tracy's progress has been steady and it has developed into an exceptionally pros- perous little city. Its population was 1687 in 1895, was- increased to 1911 in 1900, and reached high water mark in 1905 with a total of 2015. The census of 1910 gave a population of 1876.
THE SCHOOLS.
A public school was established in Tracy a very short time after the first business enterprises were started. The school was opened in the summer of 1875 and was conducted in the recently erected Presbyterian church building. Miss Stella Cleveland was the first teacher and the first pupils were Mary Starr, Fred Starr, Sanford Joy, Sherman Joy and John Craig. The school was conducted in the Presbyterian church until 1880 and the teachers during that time were Hannah Evans, Harriet E. Tucker and C. W. Candee.
A four-room two-story brick school house was erected in 1880 at a cost of $6000. The first teachers after the house was built were E. A. Currie and Alice Powell. Others who taught the Tracy school prior to the reorganization in 1888 were Frank L. Randall, Eliza- beth Lewis, Gertrude Todd, Mrs. Mac- kay, Professor Lee, C. C. Baldwin, Katie Murphy, Addie Gary and Annie Shand.
A reorganization under the independ- ent district plan was effected in 1888. 12
Seiter, Il. J. Pattridge, Richard Rowland, C. M. Ferro, O. F. Norwood, J. A. Hunter, H. M. Workman, W. F. Parker, J. J. Laughlin, O. L. Pattridge, D. T. Me- Arthur, Louis Rialson, J. A. Rickert and E. B. Johnson.
12The following have served as members of the Board of Education since the reorganization in 1888: A. R. Thompson, W. R. Edwards, C. L. Bohannan, Mrs. J. O. Askevold, Mrs. L. F. Ferro, G. H. Jessup, P. J. Newton, W. H. Little, J. Frank Durst, H. F.
168
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
A high school was established the same year in charge of Superintendent H. G. Klepper13 and the first class was grad- uated therefrom in 1890.14
In time the school population so in- creased that added facilities were de- manded. A frame building was erected and in July, 1893, the people voted to issue $25,000 bonds for a new building, by a vote of 76 to 36. Owing to the financial stringency it was impossible to market the bonds at once, a dispute arose over the selection of a site, and in August the matter of issuing the bonds was put to a vote of the electors of the district. By a vote of 52 to 80 it was decided to postpone the matter.
In the spring of 1895 the people of Tracy decided to erect the building. By a majority of 257, at an election held April 23, the voters authorized the issuance of bonds to the amount of $30.000. The bonds were sold, the handsome brick school building was
13The Tracy High School has had only three super- intendents. H. G. Klepper served from ISSS to 1891, G. H. Alden in 1891 and 1892, and Lee Swift from 1892 to the present time. Only two other high school superintendents in Minnesota have had charge of one school for a longer period than Professor Swift has been in charge of the Tracy school. One teacher, Blanche Grant, now Mrs. H. F. Seiter, taught in the Tracy schools twenty-three years.
14The following have been graduated from the Tracy High School:
1890-Llewellyn Hunter, Stella Hughes, Maude Edwards, Romie Webster, Walter Carver, Charles Little, Myrtle Johnson, Myrtle Gibbs.
1891-Edgar Davis, Hannah Lloyd, Albert Booth, Edward Hughes, Frank Norris, Annie West, Ernest Wallace.
1892-93-94-No classes. 1895-Jessie Moses, Abbie Moses, Blanche Williams, Callie Carver, Edna Campbell, Annie Carney.
1896-Glenola Collins, Ezra S. Wardell, Alice Ladd, Claude Mcclellan, Florence Wardell. 1897-Josephine M. Edwards, Cora Jones, William Norwood, Myrtle Ladd, George Norris, N. J. Robinson, Lillian May Richards, Almeda Belle Richards.
1898-Jessie Beach, Cora Craig, Lillian Starr, Frank Segur.
1899-Annie Reinhold. Margaret Cushing, Pearl Durst, Clara Tweet, Ernie Brauns, Lee Prouty, Edward Jones, Charles Main, William Titus, Helena Thurin.
1900-John Wardell, Robert Campbell, Ross A. Wiley, Clara Mathews, Edna Stafford, Mildred Ifunter, David Crouch.
1901-Agnes Campbell, Jennie Owens, Edna Cole, Charles Donaldson, Nellie Richardson, Lucy Starr, Gertrude Manuel.
1902-Maude Gibbs, Francis Larson, Gilbert Gil- bertson, Frankie Adams, Edward Durst, Van Mathews, Elizabeth Cushing, Ruth Jessup, Fred Wiesner.
1903-Vera Edwards, Flossie Dass, Clara Shnaar, Tessie Behan, Ada Casserly, Edna Thurin, Frank Bigham.
erected and formally opened January 7, 1896.
The lower grades occupied the old building, known as the Central school, and the high school and higher grades occupied the new building. The Central school was destroyed by fire February 29, 1912, bringing a loss of $10,000, covered by $7000 insurance. The lower floor of Syndicate Hall or the Finch Building is now used for school purposes and plans are under consideration for the erection of a new school house.
The Tracy schools rank among the best in the state. The present enroll- ment is 550 and eighteen instructors are employed. The high school has a fac- ulty of seven teachers. In addition to the regular high school course, normal, manual training, agricultural and com- mercial departments are maintained.
THE CHURCHES.
Eight church societies have organiza-
1904-Margaret Mitchell, Bessie Wardell, Clay Pattridge, Verna Parks, Hazel Anseline, Angie Behan, Ethel Sanborn, Neil Currie, Hattie Rowland.
1905-Anna Finnegan, Stella Campbell, Hazel Bright- man, Gladys Durst, Florence Curtis, Lou Woodruff, Marjorie Nagler, Vivian Doherty, Effie Campbell, Helen Jessup.
1906-Warner Workman, Edward Tweet, Alice Cull, Katherine Welch, Hazel Edwards, Cecile Owens, Oleanna Lee, Luella Norwood, Anna Dalton, Mattie Murphy.
1907-Roscoe Webb. Stella Bedle, Myron Gibbs, Josie Parks, Carl Tweet, David Doherty, Fayette Doherty, Vaughn Evans, Malcolm Nash, May Swift, Mark Pattridge, Archer English, Elmer Laughlin, Grover Lehman.
1908-Vivian Pattridge, Millie Weeks, William Curtis, William Haycock, Gladys Doherty, Ralph Finnegan, Wilma Larson, Mabel Olson, Vera Pricc, Grace Strand, Jessie Murphy.
1909-Vera Swift, Mable IIull, Clara Jacobson, Ada Purvis, Elizabeth Purvis, Nelle Fetter, Mabel Nupin, Charles Campbell, Lydia Johnson, Mourine Edwards, Cecil Doherty, Anna Mickelson, Harlan Rowland, Verle Parks, Florence Montgomery, Gladys Endersbee, Jeanette Mitchell, Marguerite O'Brien, Anna Welsh, Selma Brown.
1910-Ethel Gosslee, Esther Nylin, Martha Goltz, Lena Olson, Julia Tweet, Marie Vahle, Elizabeth Youngs, Carrol Nash, Howard Pierce, Winnifred Price, Mabelle Sandbo.
1911-Eloise James, Esther Owens, Lester Webb, Kathrine Brown, Zella Campbell, Joe Dalton, Will Mitchell. Winnifred Roos, Bernadette O'Brien, Selma Olson, Minnie Hanson, Walter Laughlin, Olga Appel- quist, Ruth Galstad, Nora Jacobson, Winnie Evans, llenry Taarud, Emma Pattridge, Clara Murphy, Dudley Seiter, Irene Larson, Napoleon Mongeau.
1912-Vivian M. Klopp, R. Lucile Larson, Mary Catherine Nelson, Blauch E. Campbell, Gladys E. Walker, Lydia A. Stahn, Raymond C. Jacobson, Esther R. Erbes, Coral U. Fitch, Harold W. Kelley, Floyd L. McElvain, Valeria E. Kahl.
×
169
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
tions in Tracy. They are the Presby- terian, Methodist, Norwegian Lutheran, Catholic, German Lutheran, Swedish Lutheran, United Norwegian Lutheran and Episcopal. Nearly all of these are old societies and the organization of some of them antedate the founding of the village.
So early as the spring and summer of 1873 religious services were held at the home of E. L. Starr, adjoining the present site of Tracy, conducted by Rev. Ransom Wait, Presbyterian. In the fall of 1874 a Presbyterian church society was organized with Cyrus Clark, HI. N. Joy and Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Welch as members15 and Rev. Wait as pastor. When Tracy was founded the following spring among the first build- ings put up was a Presbyterian church, which cost only a few hundred dollars. Rev. Wait was pastor of the church two Years. 16
The Presbyterian church of Tracy in- creased in membership and in a few years outgrew the original edifice. In 1885 a new building, 36x48 feet, with a 19×24 feet addition, was constructed under the direction of a building com- mittee of which George F. Bidwell was chairman. The cost was about $500017 and the new edifice had a seating capacity of 350. It was dedicated, free from debt, on March 7, 1886, by Rev. S. G. Anderson. A short time later a parsonage was built. The present mem- bership is over 200.
For a number of years in the early days the Congregationalists had a church
and Sunday School, the school being the first religious society in the village. It was organized at the home of J. M. Wardell in June, 1874, with twenty members and with W. S. Moses as super- intendent. Rev. E. H. Alden, a Con- gregational missionary, conducted ser- vices in the vicinity in 1874 and a church was organized with seven mem- bers and with Rev. J. H. Jenkins as pastor. A little church building was erected in the summer of 1875 and for several years the society was main- tained. Rev. Philip Peregrine was the second pastor and Rev. H. C. Simmons the third. By the terms of an agree- inent between the Congregationalists and Presbyterians of Tracy and Sleepy Eye, the field at the latter place was left to the Congregationalists and that society withdrew from Tracy in favor of the Presbyterians.
Another pioneer church of Tracy is the Methodist. It was organized in 1875 as a result of preaching by Rev. Gimson in Tracy and vicinity. It was established with few members, and E. W. Healy, G. W. Goble and C. Arnoldt were the first trustees. For several years the Methodists had no church and worshipped every other Sabbath in the Congregational edifice. Rev. J. W. Powell succeeded Rev. Gimson and occupied the pulpit until 1882.
During the pastorate of Rev. H. J. Harrington, 18 when the membership had reached about twenty-five, in 1882, a church building was erected. It was dedicated by Rev. Forbes. The Meth-
15Among the other early day members of the Pres- byterian church were John L. Craig, John Ferguson, Mrs. Mary Jones, Mrs. Mary A. Louden, James Rose and Mrs. Alice Starr.
16Following is a list of the pastors who have served the Presbyterian church of Tracy: Ransom Wait, 1874-76; Clarke Louden, 1876-80; John C. McKee, 1880-S4; Frank M. Carson (student), 1884; Samuel G. Anderson, 1884-85; Daniel A. Jameison, 1885-87; Augustus H. Carver, 1887-91; William J. Palm, 1891- 94; L. F. Badger, 1894-02; W. D. Stires, 1902-07; E. E. Dobson, 1907-12.
17 Among the contributors to the building fund of
the Presbyterian church were the following: Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company and employes, $860; residents of Tracy, $1265; officers of the railroad company outside of Tracy, $235; Laird-Norton Com- pany, $100.
18Pastors of the Tracy Methodist church since 1882 have been as follows: H. J. Harrington, 1882-84; Butler, 1884-86; Teal, 1886-88; Terwilliger, 1889-90; Eckert and Triggs, 1890-91; R. D. Phillips, 1891-95; W. S. Cochran, 1895-96; W. C. Sage, 1896; L. A. Willsey, 1896-98; E. V. Vaughn, 1898-02; G. W. Hiekman, 1902-03; H. D. Seekner, 1903-06; F. Fred- rickson, 1906-11; E. H. Edwards, 1911-12.
170
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
odist society is now in prosperous con- dition and has a membership of about 120.19
The Norwegian Lutheran church is one of the older religious societies of Tracy. In the early eighties services were irregularly held in the older church buildings and in private resi- dences and there was no regular pastor. The church was organized February 11, 1883, with the following members: Jacob A. Jacobson, Paul P. Haugen, John Tweet, Iver H. Engen, Hellek Olson, Peter Olson, Bolette Olson, B. Pederson, Kristine Pederson, Iver Olson Dahl, Joe Johannesen, Alek Lean, Karen Christenson. Karoline Christenson and Ole Ostensjoe.2º Rev. Askevold was the first pastor and served from 1883 to 1889; Rev. A. J. Nervig was pastor from 1889 to 1905: Rev. H. Magelsson, of Walnut Grove, preached during parts of 1905 and 1906; and Rev. O. M. Gullerud, the present pastor, took charge in October, 1906. The society has a fine house of worship and a parsonage erected in 1907 at a cost of nearly $3000. Its present membership.is 171.21
St. Mary's Catholic church of Tracy was established in 1884, but services had occasionally been conducted before that date. The first mass was held at the home of Pat Summers about 1880. The church edifice was started in the fall of 1884 and completed the following year. Father Edward Lee, of Minneota, was in charge of the church for a time
19The present officers of the Methodist church are C. G. Porter, W. W. Moses, H. W. Elliott, E. J. Evans. E. Blettner, Fred Healy, Russell Donaldson, Carl Wamstead, George Donaldson and Mrs. C. G. Porter.
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