USA > Minnesota > Rock County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 22
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 22
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Luverne without a home of its own. This society was reorganized in 1905. Services are held every Sunday in A. O. U. W. hall.
THE LODGES.
The first lodge organized in Luverne was the Masonic, which began its exist- once when the town was in its infancy, a community thirty miles from the nearest railroad. In October, 18:3, the initial steps toward the organization of the pio- neer lodge were taken, and at a meeting held on March 4, 1814, the lodge was placed under dispensation by the Grand lodge of Minnesota. Officers to serve during this period of its existence were chosen as follows: E. N. Darling, W. M .; W. E. Vary, J. W .; E. D. Hadley, S. W .: Charles F. Crosby, S. D .: R. O. Crawford. J. D .: A. L. March, T .; Wil- liam Jacobsen, C.
The charter for Ben Franklin Lodge No. 11t, A. F. & A. M., was granted Jan- mary 13, 1825, and following ils formal organization the following officers were installed: Charles F. Crosby, W. M .: Robert Herren, S. W .; E. D. Hadley, J. W .; A. L. Marsh, secretary ; U. F. Hinds. treasurer ; E. N. Darling, S. D. : William Jacobsen, J. D .: R. O. Crawford, S. S .; Stewart Young, J. S .: J. F. Shoemaker, tyler; A. J. Bartlett, chaplain. The pres- ent membership of Ben Franklin lodge is seventy-one.
A second Masonic order, Luverne Com- mandery No. 22, Knights Templar, dates its existence from 1891. The dispensa- tion for its establishment was ordered in February, and in June the charter was received. The first regular meeting of the Commandery was held March 23, 1891. Mark Swedberg served as the first eminent commander.
On October 11, 1892. a petition signed by twenty-four Masons and their wives
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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
requested a charter for a lodge of the East- ein Star. Prompt action was taken by the slate authorities and on December 14. 1892. Luverne Chapter No. 4. 0. E. S., was instituted by Dr. W. S. Webb, of Worthington. The first officers and char- ler members, numbering twenty, were Olivia A. Halbert, worthy matron ; Myra Bronson, associate matron : B. H. Hinkly. patron : Bella E. Halbert. conductress : Hattie S. Kelley, associate conductress : E. (. Ilinkly, treasurer: Ella T. Randall. secretary : J. E. Darling, elector: M. A. Hlinds, warden : B. Knapp, sentinel : Sophia Bryan, Martha: Lizzie C. Swed- berg. Esther : Kate E. Bruce, Adah : Nan- cy A. Meyers. Ruth : L. L. Bryan. J. J. Myers, IT. F. Hinds, John Kelley, E. N. Darling, Mrs. J. E. Darling.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has a strong following in Luverne. Three branches of the order are maintained. the first of which. Myrtle Lodge No. 67. was instituted by Past Grand Master D. A. Morrison on the evening of November ?', 1828. The following officers were install- ed on that occasion: C. Combs, N. G .: R. M. Click. V. G .: Il. J. Cone. R. S .: W. J. Taylor, P. S .: C. W. Held, treasur- or: C. C. Drew. R. S. to N. G. : P. F. Kel- ley. L. S. to N. G .: J. Marvin. warden : D). Stone, conductor: James Crowell, 1. ( .: Rov. Charles Thayer, chaplain. The lodge has a present membership of 167.
Imverne Encampment No. 11 was or- ganized August 22. 1896, the work being conducted by Grand Chief Patriarch W. W. Trafton. The charter members and first officers were Martin Webber. C. P .: 1. TI. Way. S. W .: Christian Heinz, J. W .: B. S. Dodds. F. S .: E. S. Rogers. R. S .: Henry Hofelmann, H. P .: R. J. Stephen, treasurer: H. P. Blasdell. W. M. Hewett. W. T. Goodhue, E. J. Schmidt. W. A. McDowell.
The youngest of the branches in Odd
Fellowship is Canton Luverne No. 19, which was instituted February 24, 1910, with thirty-five charter members. The initial members and the first officers were: J. L. Snook, Jr., ensign ; E. C. Schwartz. captain : C. N. Philbrick, lieutenant : J. E. Lamm, guard : IT. C. Heinz, sentinel : T. A. Faulk, standard bearer; H. H. Hagedorn, clerk : B. S. Dodds, account- ant : Sim Foight, picket : John Biss, John Meintz. William L. Stralow. W. A. Mc- Dowell. IT. W. Matthews. Ferdinand Bendt. J. W. Hawkinson, W. II. White. Martin Webber. J. W. MeDowell. John Kichl. H. Kabler. C. Il. Peterson, John W. Tatge, JJ. N. Grapes, S. Jones, Arthr Perman, John Connell. C. JJ. Zinn. Bert Congers, Carl Strach, Henry Rambosky. E. R. Vasey, Charles F. Steffen, G. W. Cottrell. (. E. Nutting. The Odd Fcl- lows own the brick block on Main street in which are located their lodge rooms. The property was purchased in October. 1906, and is valued at $2000.
A strong Rebekah lodge, auxiliary lo the Odd Fellows, is maintained. An al- tempt to form such an organization was made so early as the summer of 1880, but the plans made al that time were not ful- filled. Jasper Stone Lodge No. 80 be- came an organized body December 1. 1892. The instituting officers were Grand Seere- tary .A. L. Bolton. J. A. Karney and Mrs. Hammond, grand warden of South Da- kota. The charter members and first offi- cers of the order were as follows: Emma Minard. N. G .: Floretta E. Webber. V. G. : Mary Blodgett, secretary : Louise Diet- rich, treasurer : Katie Merkle. I. S .: Em- ma Stephen. F. S .: Sarah Snook, con- ductress : Hannah Minard. L. S. N. G .: Martha Blodgett. R. S. V. G. : F. II. Fritz, O. S. G .: M. C. Dietrich, L. S. V. G .: Fred J. Minaid. R. S. N. G .: Martin Webber, warden: R. J. Stephen. F. A. Larkin. Gus. Wehner. W. H. Andrews,
9
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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
E. G. Blodgett. W. HI. Snook, R. Merkle. William Minard. 1. IT. Welch.
Luverne has been the home of a post of the Grand Army of the Republic since the spring of 1884. Largely through the en- ergy of Captain E. D. Hadley. a petition requesting the establishment of a post was circulated in April. It was signed by a representative number of the civil war veterans of the town. The petition was favorably received and on Friday evening. May 2. twenty-nine comrades were mustered in as the nucleus of foo Hooker Post of Luverne, by Deputy Mus- tering Officer L. M. Lange, of Worthing- ton, and R. R. Miller, junior vice depart- ment commander of Minnesota. The fol- lowing officers were chosen at the initial meeting: E. D. Hadley, commander : A. (. Croft. senior vice commander; W. II. Halbert, junior vice commander; Ed- ward Mckenzie. adjutant: P. J. Kniss. quartermaster: Ezra Rice, officer of the day : Edwin Gillham, officer of the guard : P. R. Schuyler, surgeon : G. M. Henton. quartermaster sergeant : James Presion, sergeant major.
On reporting the organization to the state department, it was discovered that there was a prior claim to the name Joe Hooker post, and, accordingly, a month after its organization. the Luverne branch of the G. A. R. was given the name John A. Dix Post No. 95. The man thus hon- ored was General John A. Dix, secretary of the treasury under President Buchan- an, who at the outbreak of hostilities issned the famous order: "If any man attempts to haul down the American flag. shoot him on the spot." No order is more respected in the city than is John 1. Dix Post No. 95.
The Luverne order of the G. A. R. was a year old when its auxiliary. the Women's Relief Corps, took its place among the worthy organizations of the city. Inter-
est in the movement was first awakened at a meeting held in the Methodist church on August 22, 1885, presided over by W. H. Halbert. senior vice commander of John A. Dix Post, who explained the aims and benefits of the Women's Relief Corps. At the meeting fourteen names were enrolled on the application for a charter, and the balloting for officers who should serve when the organization was perfected resulted as follows: Mrs. Mary R. Crawford. president : Mrs. A. W. Bos- well, senior vice president : Mis. Kate Me- Kenzie, junior vice president : Mrs. Stel- Ja T. Gillham, secretary ; Mrs. M. Hawes, treasurer : Mrs. James Preston, chaplain : Mrs. M. A. Hinds, director ; Mrs. Della E. Halbert. conductor. The institution of the corps took place on Wednesday, September 2, 1885.
During the early eighties a lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen was organized but was later disbanded. The organization of Luverne Lodge No., 66 was effected December 19, 1890, when the following first officers were elected : Jens Billington, past master workman : Olaf J. Oestern. master workman : Henry A. Stone, foreman: William J. Teefor. overseer : Charles A. Baker, recorder : Henry Larson, financier ; Robert O. Crawford, receiver; James E. Black. guido : Perry L. Fasseti. inside watchman : William Berry, outside watchman. From twenty members at the start the lodge has progressed until now it has a membership of over 100. Up to Angust, 1910, 1m- verne Lodge had lost thirteen of its mem- bers by death.
Blue Mound Lodge No. 43, Degree of Honor, became an organized body May 11. 1895. Mrs. Mary Daley, of St. Paul. was the instituting officer. The first of- fivers of the order. elected at the initial meeting. were Mrs. Jennie D. Walters. P. C. of 11. : Mrs. Lois V. MeMillan, 1 ..
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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
of H .; Mrs. Nettie Baker, recorder; Mrs. Orpha Blasdell, receiver; Mrs. Mary Co- ney, 1. W .: Ahs. Cora E. Fender, C. of II. ; Mrs. Ella A. Carleton, C. of C .: Mrs. Martha Gestern, financier; Mrs. Dora Rose, S. IT .; Miss Kate Merkle, O. W .: O. J. Gestern, advisor; Mrs. Retta Clegg and Miss Etta Beers, maids of honor.
One of the largest and strongest fra- termal organizations in Lawverne is Red Jasper Camp No. 154, Modern Woodmen of America, which numbered 228 mem- bers on its rolls at the last report. The lodge was instituted June 15, 1891. with the following first officers and charter members: 1. S. Nelson. V. C .: D. E. Hermon, W. A .: W. IT. Randall, clerk : (. A. Delameter, watchman : F. A. Baker. sentry ; J. B. Croft. banker; M. J. Phin- ney. C. N. Philbrick and I. Krimbill, managers : L. J. Philbrick, Henry Meyers, M. G. Pearson, A. G. Bonnett, E. E. Aney, L. K. Lee. D. N. Kutsforth, J. IL. Graaf. E. G. Schmidt, E. M. Griffith, Osear Kilgore, Henry Ferguson, I. M. C'ady, Henry Fisher and G. H. Henton.
The Royal Neighbors of America, aux- iliary to the Modern Woodmen, is an ae- tive organization.
A Luverne fraternal order with a rec- ord for noteworthy achievement is Lu- verne Lodge No. 113, Knights of Py- thias, which was organized November 15, 1892, with twenty-two charter members. The lodge was instituted by Fred E. Whealon, grand chancellor of Minnesota. Following is the initial membership roll, inelnding the first officers of the order: E. S. Rogers, P. C .: F. H. Helener, V. ( .: W. II. Randall. P .: F. E. Johnston, K. R. and S. : W. A. Shawver. M. F .: N. (. Gunderson. M. V .; J. B. Johnson, M. .A .: S. B. Nelson, I. G. : T. J. MeDermott. O. G .: F. E. Shafor. C. D. Pumphrey, Harper Shafer, C. W. Orvis, H. W. Rog- eis. Henry Meyer, E. O. Krook, Mark
Swedberg, J. C. Glynn, L. S. Nelson, J. W. Gerber, C. A. Yaeger.
The Knights of Pythias possess one of the most finely appointed lodge rooms in the state. The chambers occupy most of the second floor of an elegant business block erected by the lodge in 1908, at a cost of $16,000. The formal dedication of Pythian Castle hall occurred July 22. 1909. A distinguishing feature of the event was the fact that the dedication ceremonies were conducted by Supreme National Chancellor Il. P. Brown, of Texas. The home of the Luverne Knights is the first one in the Grand Domain of Minnesota to be so signally honored.
The Pythian Sisters Lodge (an order until a few years ago known as the Rath- bone Sisters) is a flourishing organiza- tion. Luverne Temple No. 41 was grant- ed its charter March 12, 1906. The sev- enteen charter members and first officers wore as follows: Emma Johnston, M. E. C .; Myra Davis. P. C .; Etta Gerber, E. S .; Irene Cottrell, E. J .: Carrie Jones, manager ; Nina Canfield, M. R. C .: Addie Delate. M. of F .: Ada Mae Bell, P .: Libbie Yaeger, G .; Cora Nutling. Alice Birch. Charity Hughes, Georgenia Myhre, Sarah Hafsoos, Belle Davis. Nel- He Canfield, Laura Dobel !.
On May 28, 1908, was organized the Luverne Homestead No. 1856, Brother- hood of American Yeomen, by J. H. Murphy, of Owatonna. The first officers and charter members were C. L. Sherman, M. of A. : Aiden Canfield, foreman ; Nel- la Canfield, correspondent ; Alice Cocroft. chaplain : Christian Boisen, M. of C .; George Cottrell, Irene Cottrell, James Wiggins, Edith Wiggins.
A lodge of the American Brotherhood of America. Luverne Lodge No. 258. com- menced an existence March 14, 1898. The following eight persons made up the in- itial membership: George W. Cottrell,
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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
Emil Spriesterbach, Henry (. Branden- berg, t'arl Johnson, Frank G. Louse, J. 11. W. Koehn, Marie Koehn, George C. Bell. The lodge was defunet for a mont- ber of years, but was renewed in May, 1910.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
There is no town of its size that can boast of better library advantages than ku- verne. Ample provision is made for the support of the institution, honsed in a commodious building, the gift of Andrew Carnegie, and the liberal patronage it is accorded attests its benefits to the com- munity.
The first attempt to found a library in Luverne was made in February, 1882. when a society known as the Rock County Library association was formed. with N. R. Reynolds as president and E. H. Can- field secretary. The plan was that each member of the association should pay twenty-five cents a month, the funds thus obtained to be used for the purchase of books. Mr. Canfield kept the books in his office and served as librarian. After an existence of several years the library ceased to be an active institution and the association was disbanded.
A permanent library system was inaug- urated in May, 1887, at which time a peti- tion was presented to the village council by a number of Luverne ladies, request- ing the establishment of a public library. The council took immediate action,12 and a library board, consisting of E. H. Bron- son, A. L. Stoughton. E. Il. Canfield, E. B. Burley, Mesdames William Jacobsen, George B. Huntington, W. N. Davidson, 1. B. Kniss and F. C. Mahoney, was ap-
""The following resolution, making provision for a library, was passed by the council August 3. 1887: "On motion it was ordered by the village council of the village of Luverne that a public library and reading room be es- tablished and maintained in said village for the use and benefit of the inhabitants thereof. pursuant to chapter 106 of the laws of the state of Minnesota for the year 1879. Ordered further, that a tax of one mill on the dollar
pointed." with authority to proceed under the provisions of the law. The library as established was conducted for a year in rooms over the ohl postoffice building. then in December. 1888, was given space on the second floor of the new city hall, a location occupied until the removal to the Carnegie building in December, 1901.
A formal request for a donation for a library building was addressed to JIi. Carnegie in March, 1903. The philan- thropist responded in a few weeks, agree- ing to donate $10,000 for the purpose of a library building. provided the city would furnish a suitable site and guaran- tee an annual maintenance fund of $1000. The proposition was at once accepted by the village council. The plans for the building prepared by W. E. E. Greene were accepted by the library board on Sej .- tember 8, 1903: the contract for its prep- tion was awarded to P. N. Gillham on October 1: and one year later the struc- ture was completed. With impressive ceremony the new library building was dedicated Wednesday, December 21, 190 1. The library board at that time consisted of Messrs. George L. Alder, president : (. 11. Christopherson, secretary; Rev. W. 11. Baumann. JJ. Il. Graaf, Mesdames L. B. Kniss, E. A. Brown, Jay A. Kennicott, Charles Johnston and P. N. Gillham. The first librarian of the Luverne public li- braty was Mrs. W. N. Davidson, who held the office continually, with the exception of a brief period in 1891 and 1892, when Mrs. I. E. Crosby was in charge, until December, 1900. Mrs. Della Halbert, the present librarian, has served since that dato.
be levied, and the same is hereby levied. for the purpose of establishing and maintaining said library."
1The first library board organized January 4. ISAS, by electing E. I. Bronson, president, and A. L. Stoughton, secretary. The former con- tinued in office until August 6, 1902, when he de- clined re-election.
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LUVERNE'S PUBLIC BUILDINGS
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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
During the forty years of its existence Luverne has suffered to only a limited ex- tent from the ravages of the fire fiend. The most serious conflagration in its his- tory occurred in December, 1888, when four buildings in the business section were laid low by the "Jurid leveler," en- tailing a loss not exceeding fifteen thon- sand dollars. Experience is a stern teach- er and is too often awaited before resort to preventive measures is taken. Defeets in the arrangements for fire protection are never excusable. Should the occasion demand, the excellent condition of the Laterne fire department, with the ade- quate facilities at its command, would be proof of the expediency of ever being pre- pared.
Provision for fire protection in Luverne was made an issue at an early day. The need was realized so early as 1828, when an effort was made to organize a hook and ladder company, a movement that did not at the time lead to successful action. 1 step in the right direction was made by the village council in March, 1882, when the owners and lessees of buildings in the business section were ordered to provide at their own expense suitable ladders, to be kept on the premises for use in case of fire.
The village took further action early in 1884. During the months of January and February the work of digging five wells at advantageous points was provided for. A supply of water was found at depths ranging from fifteen to Iwenty feet. The problem of a water supply soly- ed, provision was made late in the same year for the purchase of suitable tire- fighting apparatus. At a cost of $325 a
15The roster of the four companies follows: Fire Engine Company-Philo Hawes, Robert Wilson. C. A. Palmer. H. J. Miller. David Clegg. Ed. Coney, Irving Smotel. Milon Pierson, Henry Hofelmann. Z. H. Bailey, W. C. Johnson, E. J. Schmidt, William Macfadden, David Stenhen. William Jacobsen, W. H. Wilson. G. W. Kniss.
hook and ladder truck. with all the neces- sary accompaniments, was purchased. With the organization of a volunteer hook and ladder company on November 20, Lu- verne felt its position secure from attack by the devonring flames. M. F. Bat- telle was made foreman of this primitive protective brigade, and he had as assist- ants James 11. Gray and George W. Mill- house.
Special attention was directed toward the improvement of the fire fighting facil- ities during the winter of 1882-88. 1 cistern of 300 barrels capacity. fed by the previously constructed wells, was made in the center of Main street at the intersec- tion with Cedar street af an expense of $310. In December, 1882, the conneil added lo the equipment by the purchase of a hand fire engine, a 150 gallon tank chemical. hose cart and 500 feet of hose.
Having made provision in the way of equipment, the council, on June 9, 1888, authorized the organization of a fire de- partment and appointed four citizens to proceed with the enlistment of volunteers. The organization was perfected on No- vember 19. Edwin Gillham was elected first chief of the department : P. R. Kel- ley, first assistant : J. A. Cameron, sec- ond assistant : 11. J. Miller, secretary : and E. S. Warner, treasurer. The ninety charter members of the department were divided into four companies: the fire engine company, composed of thirty-three men with JJ. 11. Graaf, captain : the chem- ical engine company of eleven members, J. W. Gerber, captain : hook and ladder con- pany with Iwenty-three men, E. S. War- ner, foreman : and the hose company, sex- enteen strong, led by A. J. Webber.15
During the early nineties the Luverne
W. T. Gibson. N. Nelson. John .A. Cameron, D. F. Westfield. M. McCarthy. F. A. Brestrup, A. H. Osborn, J. A. Harroun, E. B. Burley. R. O Crawford. H. J. Thomte. C. A. Mead. K. W. Jargo, P. O. Skyberg. I. A. Moreaux. J. Larson. Chemical Engine Company-F. H. Frilz. Gus Wehner. Frank Smelser. A. G. Herbert, W. F.
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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
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fire department became a member of the Columbian Inter-state Firemen's associa- tion, an organization comprising depart- ments in parts of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. Annually this association held tournaments, always of great splen- dor, in which stirring competition among the running teams of the departments represented was a chief feature. The Lu- verne team established a world's record at the 1895 tournament at Pipestone, by running 200 yards, laying 150 feet of hose and making the coupling in twenty- six and one-fifth seconds. For several succeeding years the Luverne department produced a championship team. Luverne entertained the teams of the association in 1897.
A reorganization of the fire department upon a more effective basis was consumi- mated in 1898. The constitution and by- laws under which the department of today operates were adopted January 16, 1899. The membership was limited to fifty, on the following apportionment : twelve mem- bers in each of the two hose companies, fourteen in the hook and ladder company, and twelve in the chemical company. Since the reorganization George W. Cott- rell has served as chief of the department with the exception of the years 1905. 1906, 1908 and 1909.16 In Jannary. 1903, the Luverne department was admit- ted to membership in the State Firemen's association.
THE BANKS.
As a financial center, few towns of its class in the state can compare with Lu- verne. Being the hub of one of Minne- Hollen, G, H. Sundom. E. O. Krook, T. J. MoDermott, F. E. Henton, R. E. Young. J. W. Seeman.
Hook and Ladder Company Edward Mcken- zie. N. R. Reynolds, Will Bronson, Lee Philbrick. F. M. Bailey. M. W. Pinger, V. C. Mead, O. P. Huntington J. M. Stranahan. W. C. Colby. John M. Thrane. C. E. Whitney, John F. Flich- man. C. C. Thompson. A. D. LaDue, Mat Mc- Carthy. R. J. Stephen, J. J. Labue. W. F. Johns, P. R. Kelley, George Leet, Ole Lund, A. C. Strader.
sota's wealthiest counties, it is only nat- ural that it should attain such a dis- tinction. By the latest authoritative re- ports, announced in January, 1911, the deposits in the four banks of Luverne ag- gregated $1,2:0,924.16, with assets at the same time of $1.588,675.53. Three of Laverne's financial concerns are national banks and one a state bank. They are the First National Bank, Farmers National Bank, National Bank of Luverne and the Rock County Bank.
The First National Bank is the succes- sor to the first banking concern establish- ed in Rock county. This was the private bank opened by P. J. Kniss and O. D. Brown. under the name of Bank of Lu- verne, in the fall of 1876. The partner- ship between the original proprietors ex- isted until January, 1881, when Mr. Brown withdrew his interests and a reor- ganization was effected. The officers un- der the new regime were P. J. Kniss. president ; G. W. Kniss, vice president : and E. D. Hadley, cashier. W. P. Hurl- but succeeded Mr. Hadley as cashier in November, 1882, and the banking firm took the name P. J. Kniss & Co.
The Bank of Luverne commenced musi- Less as a state bank November 15, 1881, and was capitalized at $30,000. paid in by seventeen stockholders. A year later a further reorganization was caried out. which resulted in the conversion of the institution into a national bank. The capital stock was increased io $50,000. and under its new charter the First Na- tional Bank opened its doors January 7. 1886. The first officers and members of the board of directors were: P. J. Knis>,
Hose Company T. E. Jones, J. R. Wright, N. J, Hoagland. H. A. Hanson, J. P. Houg. 1. Woodruff. A. Murray, John H. Jones, Andrew Gordon, E. L. Dobell, Henry Olson, Jens Billing- lon. E .. Bronson. A. Enger. Charles Slater, Wil- liam Mills. Lewis Moulton.
16 The chiefs during these periods were: A. Steinfeldt in 1905, Bert Henton in 1906, Engene Bitrek in 1908 and 1909.
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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
president ; E. D. Hadley, vice president ; W. P. Hurlbut, cashier; H. J. Miller, N. Nelson, W. H. Halbert and E. A. Brown.
A number of important changes in the management of the institution occurred in 1887. On January 27 W. H. Halbert sue- ceeded W. P. Hurlbut as cashier, and in August the majority stock was purchased by S. W. Thompson, of East Randolph, New York, who therenpon succeeded lo the vice presidency, vice E. D. Hadley. Charles C. Thompson was installed as cashier on November 8, 1888. In Decem- ber. 1890. P. J. Kniss withdrew from the bank, and as a result S. W. Thompson was elevated to the presidency and N. Nelson became vice president.
The First National's fourth cashier was C. E. Huntington, who succeeded Charles C. Thompson in January, 1891. Late in the same year a most important change in the bank's management was negotiated. President Thompson and Cashier Huntington both retired, and the stock they controlled was transferred to William Jacobsen and A. D. La Due. both formerly connected with the Rock County Bank. Mr. Jacobsen became pres- ident and Mr. LaDue cashier, and those officers served thirteen years. E. A. Brown, the present vice president, suc- ceeded N. Nelson in 1894.
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