USA > Minnesota > Lyon County > An illustrated history of Lyon County, Minnesota > Part 30
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THE BANKS.
Two banking houses are conducted in Cottonwood, the First National and the Cottonwood State. Both are old estab- lished institutions and are conducted on sound principles.
The First National is the successor of the Bank of Cottonwood and the Security Bank. The former, a private enterprise, was founded in August, 1892, by J. H. Catlin, who was president, and his son, Charles Catlin, who was cashier. John Michie was the first depositor. The first home of the bank was the building now occupied by the barber shop. In 1901 the institution was re- named Security Bank and organized under the state banking laws with a capital stock of $15,000. The officers under the reorganization were J. H. Catlin, president; J. F. Gibb, vice president ; Charles Catlin, cashier; L. T. Reishus, assistant cashier.
Early in 1903 the Security Bank became the First National Bank and began operations with a capital stock of $25,000. Two years later it was housed in the present bank building. The present officers are as follows: J. H. Catlin, president ; J. F. Gibb, vice president; Charles Catlin, cashier; L. T. Reishus and W. R. Frank. assistant cashiers. The directors are J. H. Catlin, Charles Catlin, J. F. Gibb, L. T. Reishus. R. Frank, D. Frank and J. B. Robert- SON.
Under the management of Mr. Catlin the bank has grown from small begin- nings to an institution of prominence in the financial affairs of Lyon county. Its deposits are over a quarter million dollars. Mr. Catlin is also president of and principal owner of the Wood Lake State Bank.
The Cottonwood State Bank began business September 15, 1897, with a capital stock of $15,000, in the building erected for the purpose and which has ever since been the bank's home. The officers and principal stockholders at the time of organization were C. S. Orwoll, president; E. S. Reishus, vice president: A. O. Hovdesven, cashier; I. L. Kolhei, Gabriel Anderson, George Anderson and Martin Norseth.
The state bank has grown until it takes high rank among the institutions of the county. The deposits on January 4, 1911, were $158,000. The present officers and directors are C. S. Orwoll, president; 1. L. Kolhei, vice president ; A. O. Hovdesven, cashier; Alex Kolhei, assistant cashier; Gabriel Anderson and E. S. Reishus.
FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
One of the big institutions of Lyon county is the Norwegian Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Eidsvold, Lyon
197
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
County, Minnesota, the headquarters of which are at Cottonwood. This com- pany is one of the pioneer institutions of the county and has grown to large proportions.
In 1877 E. K. Kjorness, O. L. Orsen and a few other farmers of Eidsvold township organized the company and carried on the business with indifferent success for a time. Others became in- terested in the venture and on February 22. 1879, a reorganization was effected. This occurred at the home of G. Peterson, on the northwest quarter of section 14, Westerheim township. E. K. Kjorness became president, O. L. Orsen secretary, and I. L. Kolhei treasurer, 27 and the first insurance was written in 1880.
Fifty-seyen policies were written in 1880 for a total of $57,426 insurance. The receipts for the year were $192.65, fire losses were $23.00, and other ex- penses were $91.76. This made the total expenditures for the year $114.76 and left a profit of $77.89 for the year's . field; Chr. Wollum, Porter; Chr. Ramlo, business. Compared with a present day Hendricks.
27 Mr. Kjorness was president until his death in 1893; since that date O. C. Wilson, of Granite Falls, has been at the head of the company. Mr. Orsen was
statement, that was a small business. In 1911 policies in force were 2440 and the amount of insurance in force $5,477 .- 920. That year the cash receipts were $10,825.15 and disbursements $9,030.75. The cash on hand at the close of the year was $33.874 and premium notes outstanding were $5,388.55, making the total assets $39,262.55.
Insurance is in force in fifty townships in the counties of Lyon, Lincoln, Yellow Medicine, Redwood and Lac qui Parle. The cost of insurance has been reduced from twenty-five cents per $100 when the company was organized to fifteen cents per $100 at the present time. The officers and directors of the company are as follows: O. C. Wilson, Granite Falls. president; C. G. Nelson, Canby, vice president; A. E. Anderson, Cottonwood, secretary; I. L. Kolhei, Cottonwood, treasurer; O. L. Orsen, Minneota; H. G. Odden, Echo; H. P. Rodness, Clark-
secretary until 1901 and was succeeded by A. E. Anderson. Mr. Kolhei has been the only treasurer of the company.
THR NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENTY AND
CHAPTER XIV.
BALATON AND RUSSELL- 1879-1912.
B ALATON is an incorporated vil- lage on the Dakota Central branch of the Chicago & North- western railroad. The platted portion of the village is on the west half of section 23, Rock Lake township, and it is fifteen miles west from Tracy. The population of Balaton was 364 when the census of 1910 was taken. Its ele- vation above sea level is 1528 feet. The site is an exceptionally fine one, being on the south shore of Lake Yankton, a lovely sheet of water. As a business point the little village ranks well up with the other municipalities of Lyon county, drawing trade from an old settled portion and finely improved tract of farming country.
Balaton was founded in 1879 as a result of the building of the Dakota Central railroad. The rails were laid so far as Lake Yankton in August, but before that date and before the station was located the first business house was established. David Bell, who had been in business at Amiret, sold out in May and the next month erected a store building a quarter of a mile west of the future village. For a time his patrons
1The Rock Lake correspondent to the Marshall Messenger of July 1, 1879, said: "The railroad com- pany has located our station on section 23, near Lake Yankton. It is one mile cast of the center of the town."
2 Additions to Balaton have been platted as follows: First Railway, May 25, 1886, by Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company; surveyed by J. W. Blake.
were mostly the laborers employed in construction work. The site of the station was made known in the latter part of June1 and Mr. Bell immediately moved his store to the site and became the town's first business man, his store being where the Westbee store is now.
The Balaton townsite was surveyed by Albert Jacobi on July 23, 1879, and the plat was certified to by Albert Keep, as president of the Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company, on September 12. Six blocks were originally laid out, divided by First, Second, Third and Fourth Streets and Lake and Central Avenues. 2
The railroad was completed to the new station in the first part of August and train service was inaugurated Sep- tember 29. J. W. Mosher was the first agent. The growth of Balaton in the year of its birth was not rapid. In the fall Albert Parker erected a building and established the second general store. Lumber was sold from the station and grain bought that fall, but the year closed with Balaton a very inconspic- uous place.
A number of new business enterprises
Second Railway, July 13, 1893, by Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company; surveyed by J. T. Price.
Third Railway, August 21, 1900, by Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company ; surveyed by J. C. W. Cline. Fourth Railway, October 21, 1901, by Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company; surveyed by F. R. Cline. Shill's, June 28, 1902, by Arthur M. Shill; surveyed by W. A. Hawkins.
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HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
were started in 1880 and the Balaton postoffice was established with R. E. Town as postmaster. 3 William Hamm erected the Balaton House in March and a little later in the same season R. E. Town opened the Lake Avenue Hotel. A grocery and . crockery store was opened by E. L. Healy and placed in charge of J. B. Gibbons. That gen- tleman a little later bought the store and added a stock of general merchan- dise. Two lumber yards were conducted during the year and a school house and depot were erected. 4
In the spring of 1881 Messrs. Moore & Weberg opened a general merchandise store and that summer N. A. Sanders started a hardware store, R. E. Town a furniture store, and J. W. Moore a wood vard. In 1882 there were the following business enterprises: Three general stores, one hardware store, one furniture store, one blacksmith and wagon shop, a hotel, an elevator, warehouse and lumber yard.
A directory of the business houses of Balaton as given in C. F. Case's History of Lyon County in 1884 was as follows:
A. Parker, general merchandise.
J. B. Gibbons, general merchandise and post- master.
J. A. Moore, general merchandise and drugs. N. A. Sanders, hardware and machinery.
E. D. Bartlett, Lake Avenue Hotel.
William Hamm, Balaton Hotel (leased by C. S. Riley).
H. H. Stevenhoffer, agent Winona Mill Com- pany, grain.
N. Zechus, agent Seafield & Company, grain. A. N. Daniels, insurance.
L. Campbell, justice of the peace.
W. H. Davy, constable.
3The following have served as postmasters of Balaton: R. E. Town, 1880-81; J. B. Gibbons, 188]- 86: S. W. Galbraith, 1886-90; A. N. Daniels, 1890-94; S. W. Galbraith, 1894-98; A. Whiting, 1898-05; J. H. Carlaw, 1905-12.
For a number of years before the establishment of rural free delivery routes a mail route was operated between Balaton and Slayton, supplying the Current Lake and Lowville offices. Round trips were made three times a week.
Four rural routes are now operated. Numbers 1 and 2 were established December 1, 1900, with Clayton Whiting and A. M. Wheaton as carriers; No. 3, in 1902, with Clarenee Wheaton as carrier; No. 4, in 1907, with S. W. Swihart as earrier.
The growth of Balaton was not rapid. but during the early days it provided a convenient trading point for southern Lyon county and gradually developed into a substantial little village. A cor- respondent claimed the village had a population of 200 at the beginning of the year 1889.
A fire in the early morning of Sep- tember 26, 1892. brought destruction to five frame business buildings and several stocks of goods, the loss being about $15,000. The fire originated in the barber shop and pool hall of E. M. Cameron and when discovered was under too great headway to be con- trolled. The village then had no fire protection. The principal losses, partly covered by insurance, were as follows:
O. O. Lof, building. $2000
J. B. Gibbons, building. 1500
Willard Pierce, building 300
C. H. Weller, building. 300
Krook & Tyler, building and stock. 4000
E. M. Cameron, barber shop and pool room fixtures .. 1000
G. F. Stow, general merchandise. 3300
Balaton became an incorporated mu- nicipality in 1892. An effort had been made to secure incorporation by legis- lative act in 1888, but it did not even- tuate. On November 3, 1892, a petition signed by George L. Carlaw and thirty- nine others was considered by the Board of County Commissioners and favorably acted upon. J. H. Call, William Hamm and C. W. Candee were named in- spectors of the election, held December 5, to vote on the question. By a majority of ten the residents decided in
4"We made our first visit to Balaton this week. It is a very pleasant location on Lake Yankton and will undoubtedly be a good town in time, as it is surrounded by a rich country and is thirteen miles from Tracy and fourteen miles from Tyler, so that it will command a fair trade. Several good buildings are already erected there. Mr. Town has up a large hotel building and William Hamm is keeping another hotel. Our former eitizen, J. B. Gibbons, has a store there and there is a second store kept by a Scandina- vian. The town has also a good school house, good depot, etc. . . . One or two lumber yards complete the business as we saw it in a hurried visit. The town will be a very pretty one in a few years."-Marshall Messenger, October 8, 1880.
-
201
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
favor of incorporation. The election to choose the first officers was held Decem- her 27.
The following have served as officials under the Balaton village government :5
1892-President, C. W. Candee; trustees, G. Caman, Ed. Whitney, E. R. Weeks; recorder, A. N. Daniels; treasurer, J. N. Westbee; justices, S. W. Galbraith, F. L. Wireck; constable, W. Davy.
1894-President, G. L. Carlaw; trustees, J. H. Call, F. L. Wireck, E. F. Whiting; recorder, A. N. Daniels; treasurer, J. N. Westbee; assessor, A. N. Daniels; justice, B. P. Terry; constables, C. B. Miller, H. R. Searles.
1895-President, E. F. Whiting; trustees, J. H. Call, E. R. Weeks, H. R. Searles; recorder, A. N. Daniels; treasurer, J. N. Westbee; justices, B. P. Terry, G. B. Miller; constables, H. R. Searles, U. Wilhelm.
1896-President, J. H. Call; trustees, O. E. Wilhelm, W. S. Whiting, Charles Bergstrom; recorder, W. Il. Estee; treasurer, J. A. Moore; assessor, Charles Germo; justices, D. A. Hardin, A. J. Estee; constable, James Abernathy.
1897-President, C. W. Candee; trustees, R. H. Martin, S. W. Galbraith, W. S. Whiting; recorder, W. H. Estee; treasurer, R. B. Martin; assessor, Charles Germo; justices, A. J. Estec, Charles Bergstrom; constables, Chris Frederick- son, U. Wilhelm.
1898-President, C. W. Candee; trustees, R. H. Martin, G. A. Tate, J. N. Westbee; recorder, Charles Germo; treasurer, R. B. Martin; justice, A. S. Town; constable, Chris Frederickson.
1899-President, C. W. Candee; trustees, E. R. Weeks, Jens Knudson, J. N. Westbee; recorder, O. E. Wilhelm; treasurer, H. O. Garlock; assessor, P. W. Giese; justice, Charles Bergstrom; constable, J. A. Penhale.
1900-President, J. N. Westbee; trustees, (). E. Wilhelm, Jens Knudson, S. S. Brockway; recorder, J. H. Carlaw; treasurer, H. O. Garlock; assessor, E. L. MeDowell; justice, A. J. Estee; constable, John Hamm.
1901-President, J. N. Westbee; trustees, O. E, Wilhelm, Jens Knudson, S. S. Brockway; recorder, J. H. Carlaw; treasurer, H. O. Garlock. 1902-President, J. N. Westbee; trustees, O. E. Wilhelm, S. S. Brockway, Jens Knudson; recorder, J. H. Carlaw; treasurer, C. W. Candee; assessor, P. W. Giese; justices, B. P. Terry, S. W. Galbraith; constable, A. R. Town.
1903-President, J. N. Westbee; trustees, O. E. Wilhelm, U. Wilhelm, S. S. Brockway; recorder, J. H. Carlaw; treasurer, C. W. Candee;
"The license question has brought forth many close eontests in Balaton. In 1890-91-92, before the village was incorporated, the question was submitted to the voters of Roek Lake township and each time the no-license advocates were successful. During the twenty years Balaton has been an incorporated municipality licensed saloons have been conducted nine years and the town has been "dry" eleven years. License was granted in 1893, and thereafter until 1908 the matter was deeided by vote each year under the local option law. The question has not been sub- mitted since 1907 and license has not been granted. Following were the results of the several cleetions:
1894-For, 41; against, 13.
assessor, L. D. Harrington; justices, A. J. Estee, F. A. Ganser.
F 1904-President, J. N. Westbee; trustees, E. F. Whiting, Edwin Olson, S. S. Brockway; recorder, O. M. Olson; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, O. E. Wilhelm; justice, A. E. Whiting; constable, F. A. Ganser.
1905-President, G. A. Tate; trustees, E. F. Whiting, U. Wilhelm, C. W. Nord; recorder, O. M. Olson; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, O. E. Wilhelm; justices, B. P. Terry, F. A. Ganser.
1906-President, James Knudson; trustees, John Swan, Julius Meyers, F. S. Bartlett; recorder, E. F. Whiting; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, O. E. Wilhelm.
1907-President, James Murrison; trustees, F. S. Bartlett, Herman Schnell, C. W. Nord; recorder, E. F. Whiting; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, O. E. Wilhelm.
190S-President, James Murrison; trustees, Herman Schnell, F. S. Bartlett, C. W. Nord; recorder, E. F. Whiting; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, O. E. Wilhelm; justice, F. J. Sherry; constable, W. K. Flodine.
1909-President, Herman Schnell; trustees, E. M. Hamm, F. S. Bartlett, S. W. Galbraith; recorder, E. F. Whiting; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, U. Wilhelm; justice, B. P. Terry; constable, E. D. Jewett.
1910-President, Herman Schnell; trustees, F. S. Bartlett, E. M. Hamm, S. W. Galbraith; recorder, E. F. Whiting; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, U. Wilhelm; justices, F. J. Sherry, E. F. Whiting; constables, James Laguer, W. K. Flo- dine.
1911-President, Herman Schnell; trustees, S. W. Galbraith, F. S. Bartlett, Andrew Johnson; recorder, E. F. Whiting; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, U. Wilhelm; justices, Robert Neill, B. P. Terry; constable, C. R. Livingston.
1912-President, Herman Schnell; trustees, F. S. Bartlett, S. W. Galbraith, C. W. Nord; recorder, E. F. Whiting; treasurer, A. M. Moore; assessor, U. Wilhelm; justice, Robert Neill; constable, R. G. Murrison.
Balaton has not advanced as far as some of the other municipalities of Lyon county, but its growth has been steady and it has developed into a prosperous little business point. The population was 222 in 1895, 209 in 1900, 350 in 1905, and 364 in 1910.
A fire brought a loss of about $14,000
1895-For, 13; against, 37. 1896-For, 24; against, 33.
1897-License by 7 majority.
1898-For, 25; against, 38.
1899-For, 35; against, 33.
1900-For, 33; against, 30.
1901-License by 7 majority.
1902-License by 11 majority.
1903-License by 5 majority.
1904-For, 49; against, 43.
1905-Against license by 16 majority.
1906-Against license by 13 majority.
1907-Against leense by 17 majority.
202
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
to Balaton on February 8, 190S. The losses were as follows: James Murrison, stock of hardware and implements, $6000; O. C. Eng, store building and machine shed. $2500; Miss Lena Eng. store building, millinery stock and house- hold goods, $5000; M. L. Stewart, library, $300.
THE SCHOOL.
Balaton was only a few months old when the first school was taught in the spring of 1880. Alice Gibbons was the first instructor and the pupils were L. E. Town, Julius Town, Grace Pierce, George O'Gara. William O'Gara, Nellie O'Gara. Helen Searles and William Glotfelter. The second instructor was C. W. Candee. 6
The first school house was put up in the fall of 1880 and was in use until the fall of 1892, when it was replaced by a larger structure. That in turn became inadequate and in 1907 the present brick school house was erected at a cost of $14,000. During several years prior to that time efforts had been made to build and the voters had on several occasions authorized bond issues for the purpose, but because of technical errors the work was not put under way sooner.
About 130 pupils are now enrolled in the Balaton schools, which are in charge of Charles F. Pecholt. The members of the Board of Education are Dr. Charles Germo, secretary; F. J. Breening, treas- urer; and Guy Broekway.7
THE CHURCHES.
The Methodists. Presbyterian;, Ger-
6Among others who have taught in the Balaton schools have been William H. Marshall, Mr. Morton, Frank Cook, Guy Broekway, Mr. Cornwall, Mrs. Ammi Whiting, Charles Glotfelter, L. K. Prouty, Miss Dresser, Nettie Truax, Annie Shand, Anna Robinson, Nels Crouch, Mr. Wheeler, Harry Hilsehman, Mary Wiley, Maud Murphy, Gertrude Hunter, Alice Nelson, Maud L. Hubbard, H. W. Gilbertson, Mark L. Stewart, Kate Welch, Floy Fuller, Sarah Donnelly, John Temple, May (. Engler, Lillian Thomas, Charles F. Pecholt, Alta Warner, Ethel Black, Ida Peterson and Mrs. Charles F. Pecholt.
7Others who have served as members of the board have been J. A. Moore, Jerry Dickinson, J. K. Penhale,
man Lutherans and Swedish Lutherans each have societies in Balaton, organized in the order named.
The first religious society in the village was a Free Will Baptist church. It was organized December 19, 1879, with ten members and was formed through the efforts of Rev. C. H. Richardson, of Marshall, and that gentleman was the church's first pastor. A church edifice was erected in the spring of 1889 and was used jointly with the Methodists. The Baptists maintained the organiza- tion several years and then the church went out of existence.
The Methodist church was organized in 1880 by Rev. J. N. Liscomb. The initial members were J. W. Hoaglin and wife, J. W. Linderman and wife, E. D. Bartlett, Anna Davie, Emma Crouch, Mrs. W. Pierce and Phoebe Pierce. A parsonage was erected in 1885 and after 1889 service; were held in the Baptist church. The present edifice was erected in 1898 and was dedicated December 4 of that year by Presiding Elder Hans- com. The trustees of the Methodist church are James Hall. J. W. Searles. E. D. Bartlett, Willard Pierce, David Swihart, Tolof Olon and Charles Ander- son. The pastor is Rev. J. Hanna. $
The First Presbyterian Church of Balaton is also one of the older societies of the village. It was organized in the early eighties largely through the eforts of Robert Riddell.ยบ The first services of the society were held in the waiting room of the depot by the first pastor.
Louis Campbell, Mrs. A. E. Whiting, Mrs. J. H. Call, S. S. Brockway, Otto Olson, E. F. Whiting and James Murrison.
8The following have served as pastors of the Meth- odist church of Balaton: Revs. 1. H. Snell, O. C. Gregg, W. A. Tickner, William Copp, Marquist, Goodrich. D. P. Olin, Webster, H. Jones, C. A. Maine, D. H. Carmichael, S. H. Brown, E. S. Gilbert and J. Hanna.
9Those admitted to membership at the time of organization were Messrs. and Mesdames Robert Riddell, William Riddell, A. C. Dresser, James Aber- nathy, William Livingston, George L. Carlaw, James Murrison and Mrs. Jeanette Carlaw. The first trustees.
BALATON
SCENES
German Lutheran Church
Across Lake Yannton
Norwegian Lutheran Church
Methodist Church
Business Section
1
Presbyterian Church
Public School
Lake Avenue
20:
IHISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
Rev. Ransom Wait, 10 and thereafter for some time in the school house. The church was erected in 1885. The corner stone was laid with ceremonies in July by Revs. Gregg, Jamieson and Herrick and the building was dedicated January 10, 1886. by Rev. Wall. The cost of the structure was about $2000. A par- sonage was completed in 1902. The present membership is about 100. The trustees are Dr. Charles Germo, A. M. Moore and J. H. Carlaw. 11
The German Lutheran society was organized February S, 1885, and has ever since maintained an active organi- vation. 12 For a few years there was no resident pastor, but since 1888 ministers of the Lutheran faith have resided in Balaton. Rev. R. Poethke occupied the pulpit from 1SS8 to 1900, Rev. R. Fehlan from 1901 to 1904, and Rev. J. P. Scherf from 1905 to 1912. The church home was erected in 1900 and the parsonage in 1902. Nearly fifty- families are now affiliated with the church and the present trustees are C. W. Teufel, F. W. Teufel and William Stibbe. A parochial school is con- dueted by the pastor.
For several years before the organi- zation of their church the Swedish Lutherans held services occasionally, conducted by visiting clergymen. The
were George L. Carlaw, James Murrison and A. C. Dresser. The first elders were Robert Riddell, William Livingston and E. R. Weeks.
10Pastors who have occupied the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church of Balaton have been Revs. Ransom Wait, John N. Williams, G. N. Wods- worth, B. Ball, M. F. Sparks, J. A. Clark, M. A. Linglie, L. MeIntyre, G. S. Pinney, J. Russell Jones, Brooks Hitehings, Arthur A. Palmer, Joseph C. Mapson and Robert L. Vance.
11 In the same charge with the Balaton church is Easter Presbyterian Church of Sodus, with a member- ship of forty-five. It was organized October 17, 1894. with the following members: Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Neil, Margaret Neil, Elizabeth Neil, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Neil, Buelah Neil, James A. Diek, Mary Ford, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Nelson, Margaret Ford, Agnes Firmage, Jane Ford, Clara D. Thurston and Robert Ford. The first elders were Louis Nelson, Hugh Neil and Robert Ford.
12The initial membership of the German Lutheran church was as follows: John Goltz, Gottlieb Goltz, Ludwig Luedke, William Wichmann. August Frost, August Smerling, August Tank, C. W. Teufel, John
Swedish Evangelical church of Balaton was organized in June, 1907, through the efforts of Rev. Harold Ardahl, pastor of the Sillerud Swedish Lutheran Church of Scandia township, Murray county. Rev. AArdahl has ever since had charge of the Balaton church. 13 For two years the congregation wor- shipped in the German Lutheran church and in the summer of 1909 a church home was erected at a cost of $2700. The society now has a membership of about 100 and services are held every other Sunday. The present trustees are Nels Hanson, C. W. Nord and H. A. Anderson and the deacons are Nels Truedsson, A. W. Nelson and John Blomquist. 14
THE LODGES.
The oldest fraternal order of Balaton is the lodge of the Ancient Order United Workmen, which was organized No- vember 4, 1889, with a large member- ship. 15 . The lodge is an active one and has over fifty members. Meetings are held in Westbee Hall. Nonpareil Lodge No. 49. Degree of Honor, was organized September 10, 1895, with ten members. 16 The membership is now forty-seven and meetings are regularly held.
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