Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 108

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190

USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota > Part 108

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During these years of school work in Minneapolis Prof. Ozias was rather a supervisor than a teacher. After three years in West High School he retired, and thereafter until his death gave his attention to scientific work. Several valuable commercial devices are the results of this portion of his life work. He was an inventor of telephone improvements and he gave attention to other utilizations of scientific principles. One of his chief devices is a compensating balance for com- puting scales, which is manufactured by the Dayton Com- puting Scale Company. It was this device which made pos- sible the present spring scale, as it provides for the effect of heat expansion and cold contraction. The device is in general use on the Dayton scales, and gives the Ozias family a steady royalty. Mr. Ozias also invented a metal thermometer for use in stove ovens, and it was to enter actively into the manufacture of this thermometer that Mr. Ozias gave his attention after retiring from school work, and in which enter- prise he was active up to his death. The device is now being manufactured in Chicago by a company of which his son-in- law is vice president and general manager.

He was in considerable demand as a lecturer among edu- cators. He took part in civic work in Minneapolis, was for many years a trustee of the Mystic circle, and was a worker in and superintendent of the Sunday school of Hennepin M. E. church for a time.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ozias were born three daughters. They are Helen Louise, now Mrs. D. L. Fairchild, of Chicago; Alice, now Mrs. R. V. L. Haxby of Minneapolis; and Mildred, who lives with her mother and is a vocalist, having spent two years in Berlin under noted teachers. Mrs. Ozias lives at 2516 Colfax avenue soutlı.

EDMUND JOSEPH PHELPS.

Colonial patriots were the forebears of Edmund Joseph Phelps. It is the altruistic spirit which must ever blaze the way for civilization, and it was this that brought his English ancestors to the New World and that which also sent his parents out into the West to help with the upbuilding of great cities. William Phelps, the first of the family in

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

America, settled in Dorchester, Mass., in 1630. He came from Tewksbury, England, and after staying in Dorchester for a number of years, finally settled in Windsor, Connecticut. Joseph Edmund Phelps, father of Edmund J., married Ursula Wright, a daughter of another old American family, and took his young wife to Ohio. The elder Phelps established himself on a farm in Breckville near Cleveland, Ohio, and it was here that the son, Edmund J., was born on January 17, 1845. The son grew up on the farm and there came to vigorous manhood. Always of a vital, energetic type, his early enthusiasm and ambition, marked him for success. He was always a doer rather than a dreamer, or at least a practical dreamer who made his dreams come true. He began his education in the public schools of Breckville, Ohio, and later entered the pre- paratory department of Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio. Later he was at Oberlin College and in the preparatory depart- ment, and later took a commercial college business course. After finishing his business course he was offered a position as teacher in the Northwestern Business College of Aurora, Illinois. This he accepted and remained there for two years. He was then engaged by the banking firm of Volintine and Williams, at Aurora, Ill. Here he gained his first practical experience in the banking business.

The furniture business was the next enterprise to engage Mr. Phelps' attention. He resigned his position in the bank and organized the firm of E. J. Phelps and company. This was in 1870. Eight years later he disposed of the business in Aurora and moved to Minneapolis, purchasing the furniture business of J. B. Hanson and soon after formed a partnership with J. S. Bradstreet, the firm name being Phelps and Brad- street. This firm built up a successful business in the artistic furniture and house furnishings. Their trade extended out through the Northwest and their taste and artistic skill marked a long step forward in the progress of domestic art in the city. In 1883, Mr. Phelps withdrew from the firm and from the furniture business.

In 1883, in company with E. A. Merrill, organized the Minnesota Loan & Trust Company, which has developed into one of the greatest financial institutions in the city and the Northwest. For many years Mr. Phelps was secretary and treasurer of this institution. A fine fire-proof office building, the first in the Northwest, with safety deposit vaults, was built on Nicollet. The business grew rapidly from the first under the able management of Mr. Phelps and Mr. Merrill. It was the pioneer organization in this line of financial busi- ness and has been the model for many similar institutions as the years have passed.

For more than a decade he directed the activities of the Minnesota Loan and Trust Company and then he withdrew from the great financial institution which he had done so much to create, and went into the elevator business. In this he was associated with the Peavey interests and became presi- dent of the Belt Line Elevator Company. These two are the interests in which he has been personally and actively interested, but his other business interests have been large and varied. He was one of the prime movers in the estab- lishment of the Minneapolis Business Union and was presi- dent of that organization in 1892. This is the organization which has done so much to induce manufacturers and job- bers to establish themselves in the city. The idea of holding a great harvest festival in Minneapolis as an expression of gratitude and joy at the abundant harvest of 1891, was first suggested by Mr. Phelps, and it was he who actively

supported the enterprise and made a success of it. Other institutions to which he has lent his co-operation and sup- port are: The Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company; The Brown and Haywood Glass Company; (purchased in 1897 by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company) the Northwestern Elevator Company; the National Bank of Commerce; and the Moore Carving Machine Company.

Mr. Phelps' tastes and inclinations have not led him to take an active part in politics, but he has always been the most public spirited of men. He has been a leader and active worker in most of the commercial enterprises of the city. It is to men of this stamp, who have given their enthusiasm, energy and indefatigable devotion to the city of their choice, that Minneapolis owes her phenomenal growth and develop- ment. Because of his devotion to the interests of the city he has been repeatedly chosen to represent Minneapolis, in her relations with the outside world. When the millers of the United States sent a steamship load of flour to the famine sufferers in Russia, he was chosen to oversee the delivery and distribution of the cargo. When the fairness of the cen- sus was challenged by the citizens of St. Paul, and a re- enumeration was ordered, he was chosen to represent the citizens and gave weeks of laborious work to the complex de- tails of re-enumeration. He was also active in securing the National Republican Convention in 1892 and was elected treasurer.

In 1905 he was elected a member of the park board and at the expiration of his first term was reelected, his second term expiring in 1917, and for two years was president of the board.

Mr. Phelps is socially one of the most genial and democratic of Minneapolis' prosperous citizens. He is a member of practically all the principal clubs, of the city, including the Minneapolis Club, the Commercial Club, the Minikahda Club, the Lafayette Club, the Automobile Club, the Minneapolis Whist Club and the Society of Colonial Wars. He was actively identified with the activities of the Commercial Club and was its president in 1899, at the time when the consolidation was effected, he being one of the promoters and workers in the movement. He is also a member of the Minne- tonka Yacht Club and was for a time its commodore.

On September 16, 1874, Miss Louisa A. Richardson, of Aurora, Ill., became Mr. Phelps' wife. Mrs. Phelps is the daughter of Charles R. and Ruth (Shepperd) Richardson, and inherits the best blood of colonial forefathers and revolution- ary patriots. Her parents came from Salem, Mass. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Phelps consists of a daughter Ruth, and two sons, Richardson and Edmund J., Jr .; two children died in infancy.

The Phelps home on Park Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street, is one of the older of the handsome houses of Minne- apolis. It was built in 1884, and is the best of the types of that period. The charming home is often the scene of some handsome social functions, for Mr. Phelps' family, as well as he, is socially inclined.

In all the prosperity and success that has come to Mr. Phelps, he has never for one moment forgotten his obligation to his fellowmen. His life watchword is "service" and he never fails to take advantage of an opportunity for service. His example as a citizen is an inspiration to younger men. That the richness of his domestic life, as well as his material success has been well earned is the verdict of all those who know him intimately, either socially, or in a business way.

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

P. J. LYONS.

P. J. Lyons, president of the Bull Tractor Company, Min- neapolis, was born in Westchester, Pennsylvania, in April, 1860, the son of Cornelius and Hannalı (Cronin) Lyons, na- tives of Ireland who came to the United States in their youth. Their son, Patrick J., passed his boyhood on a farm near Peeatonica, Illinois, where he was taken as a child. He at- tended the public schools there and afterward moved to Page County, Iowa, where he lived for three years, and from there went to Denver, Colorado, where he remained until 1883. From Denver he removed to Steele, Kidder County, North Da- kota, where he spent twenty-four years actively engaged in promoting the progress and development of the slope country and especially Kidder County. He was enterprising, keen of perception, recourceful, a thorough farmer and a good judge of conditions necessary in successful diversified farming. Soon after his arrival in Kidder County he purchased the Park Hotel which was afterward burned down, a total loss, in 1885. He then became an extensive dealer in real estate and farm implements, established a stage route over the prairies to Washburn, a point on the Missouri River, made au exhaustive study of the resources of that county and opened up a big farm which in later years absorbed the famous Steele farm once owned by W. F. Steele, the founder of the town. He brought to the notice of the Northern Pacific Railway Com- pany proof of the fertility of the soil on their lands adjacent to the Missouri River and co-operated with them in establish- ing its value for general farm purposes, which resulted in their making a sale to a large land company of over three million acres of land which today is highly productive under cultiva- tion, growing all kinds of farm products and well settled, and is worth from $25.00 to $50.00 per acre.

In the spring of 1906 hi's attention was called, through the daily newspapers, to a small and crude but practical gas tractor which was the invention of D. M. Hartsough, of Min- neapolis, and was being operated on a farm in Barnes County, North Dakota. Going to see it, the first time he realized the possibilities and future of such a machine in the development of the prairie country in the great Northwest. He immedi- ately sought Mr. Hartsough, and made arrangements in a very short time to exploit the venture in Minneapolis and put that city on the map of manufacturers of farm traction engines, a position it occupies today and its product is sold in every civilized community in the world. He established the Big Four Gas Traction plant on University Avenue and brought that crude engine, which he found in the fields of North Da- kota, within a period of five years, to the foremost place in the whole world of farm traction power and then sold the entire plant to the Emerson-Brantingham Company for about $2,000,000.00 in cash, a sum which startled the whole North- west in its magnitude and worth.

About eight months ago Mr. Hartsough, the inventor of the former successful tractor, called Mr. Lyons' attention to an- other tractor (a smaller one) that he had built and was try- ing out on a piece of farm land near Minneapolis. He took Mr. Lyons out and showed him the machine working. He again had an opportunity to use his judgment as to the future of this tractor. He immediately made an arrangement with Mr. Hartsough to put the tractor on the market and they chris- tened it the "Bull Tractor." In January, 1914, a company was formed for $1,000,000.00, for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing this little tractor broadcast over the United

States, and 'called the Bull Tractor Company, Mr. Lyons being placed at the head of it as its president and its stock was sold from his office. Within two months from the time this com- pany was formed its stock was oversubscribed and has steadily raised in price until at the end of ninety days invest- ors were calling for the stock at $1.50 for $1.00 but could . not purchase any at that price. Over one thousand of the engines are now in the field and the largest manufacturing plant west of Chicago is turning out fifty of them daily and soon expect to go to one hundred per day, to supply the de- mand of the United States alone. It is proving every day its superiority over all other known power now in use in the operation of a farm. It can be truthfully stated that D. M. Hartsough, as an inventor, and P. J. Lyons, as a builder, have done more to bring deserved recognition to Minneapolis, as a manufacturing city, than all the rest put together, as they were pioneers and blazed the trail, and the development of the Bull Tractor has done more for the Northwest farmers, tribu- tary to Minneapolis, than all the machinery that has been invented and manufactured by man in the past quarter of a century, and through their industry, progressiveness and abil- ity are giving employment to more people than any other in- dustry in the city. Mr. Lyon's says he will make the Bull Tractor industry mean to Minneapolis what the Ford automo- bile works is to Detroit, Mich.

Mr. Lyons resides in his well-appointed, comfortable home at 518 Ridgewood Avenue and his family, Helen, Mae and Rus- sell, with him. Their grandmother. Mrs. L. M. Wadsworth, is in charge of his home and children. Mr. Lyons is a Shriner and a member of Zurah Temple, a member of the order of Elks and a K. P., democratic in his everyday life and believes where there is genuine industry there is abundance of happi- ness and contentment.

Mr. Lyons was a Democrat in politics until the second presidential term of Grover Cleveland. He served four years as deputy United States marshal under D. W. Marrata, was 'county judge of Kidder County for six years, public adminis- trator for two years, chairman of the Republican County Cen- tral Committee twelve years, was elected a member of the legislature in 1902. During his services in that body he se- eured the enactment of many important laws, among them the personal injury bill and many others. In 1896 he secured the co-operation of a few other men like himself in the county and took the political control of Kidder County from the politicians who had run it into debt beyond the legal limit. Under his inspiration suit for back taxes was brought against the Northern Pacific Railroad. The case was carried to the Supreme Court of the United States and was decided in favor of the county, and the county collected $75,000.00 back taxes from the railroad company, a sufficient sum to pay off its indebtedness and leave the county in excellent financial condi- tion. Mr. Lyons is a close friend of Alexander Mckenzie and assisted that forceful and resourceful pioneer in his fight for progressive ideas in the administration of North Dakota gov- ernment. He was a member of the official staff of Governor Sarles with the rank of colonel. He was always in close touch with the editors of the leading newspapers of the state and made frequent contributions to the columns of their papers. His caustie articles, arraigning official derelicts, had a good influence and won him a state-wide reputation as an earnest advocate of clean official administration. He owned and oper- ated at Steele one of the best appointed farms within the state and used by the government and Northern Pacific Rail-

CHKeit

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

way to determine the resources of the Missouri slope country in its early development.

CURTIS HUSSEY PETTIT. .

Was venerable in years, having reached the outpost of four score years as designated by the psalmist, and stood high in the regard of all sections of the city he helped so materially to develop and improve, and with a long record in business and public life to his credit, Curtis H. Pettit was one of the interesting figures in the history of Minneapolis, and from every point of view an honor to American citizenship. He had many opportunities to be useful to the community around him, and employed them to the best advantage for that purpose while pushing his own fortunes with all the industry and ability he possessed.

Mr. Pettit was a contribution of Ohio to the development of the Farther West, having been born in that state on September 18, 1833, at Hanover, Columbiana county, not over twenty miles from the Pennsylvania line, and died in Minneapolis, May 11, 1914. His parents were Joseph and Hannah P. (Hussey) Pettit, and they were eager to give their offspring the best educational facilities they could provide for them. Their son Curtis was sent first to the Friends' or Quaker school at Sandy Spring, but afterward attended the public school in his native town. After a due course of pre- paration he was sent to Oberlin College, in the city of the same name, in his native state. His intention was to pursue a full collegiate course, but a serious illness prevented his purpose. After the recovery of his health he determined on another course of action, and began his business career as a bookkeeper in the Forest City Bank of Cleveland, which had just been started, with his uncle, Joseph G. Hussey, as presi- dent, and with which he remained about one year.

At the end of that period Mr. Pettit went to Pittsburg in the employ of C. G. Hussey & Company, and he remained in the service of that company until the spring of 1855. In the fall of that year, he again changed his base of operations, coming West on a prospecting tour for a location in which to work out his business designs. He reached Galena, Illinois, by whatever route he could at the time, and then journeyed by boat and stage coach to Minneapolis. The prospect for big business at this point looked good to him, and he determined to "stick his stake" and try his fortunes here.

Before the end of the year Mr. Pettit established himself in the banking and real estate business, which he conducted jointly until 1860, when he disposed of his banking interests and turned his attention to the hardware trade, in which he was profitably engaged until 1866. By that time the busy little mart in which he was located was absolutely groaning with its activity in the lumber business; and, being alert to his opportunities, he gave up everything else and became a lumberman as a member of the firm of Ankeny, Robinson & Pettit.

Always keeping himself abreast of the tide of advance- ment and prepared to ride on its crest, a few years later Mr. Pettit joined the flour milling industry when it showed signs of becoming great, and built the Pettit mill, which was operated by the firm of Pettit, Robinson & Company until it was destroyed in the great mill explosion which caused such havoc in 1878. The mill was immediately rebuilt, and

Mr. Pettit retained an interest in it until it became the property of the Northwestern Consolidated Milling company in 1891.

While pursuing his own business and pushing his interests forward with his utmost energy and application, he was not indifferent to the general welfare of his community or the state of which it is so important a part. In his days of activity he always took an earnest interest in public affairs, giving his adherence firmly to the Republican party and fre- quently serving as chairman of its state and congressional committees and at all times as one of its euergetic and efficient workers in the field. He was a member of the board of directors of the state training school for boys and girls for a continuous period of thirty-two years, and from 1866 to 1872 represented his district in the state senate. Afterward, from 1874 to 1876, and again in 1887 and 1888, he was a member of the state house of representatives.

In his legislative career Mr. Pettit was of great service not only to his constituents, but to the whole state by his energy in supporting and getting others to support progressive legis- lation and looking after the public interest in general. He was the author of the patrol limit law governing the estab- lishment of saloons in Minneapolis, which he introduced and had passed by the house of representatives in 1887, and which has shown itself to be one of the best methods of controlling the liquor traffic ever employed in cities. During the same session of the legislature he prepared, introduced and secured the passage of the law under which the present courthouse and city hall in this city was erected.

On June 2, 1857, Mr. Pettit was united in marriage with Miss Deborah Williams of Minneapolis, who was born on October 28, 1833, and is a daughter of Captain Louis H. and Tabitha P. (McKeehan) Williams. They had five children, four of whom have died. The one living, Bessie Tabitha, is the wife of George P. Douglas, and resides in Minneapolis. Mrs. Pettit is now the only surviving charter member of West- minster Presbyterian church of Minueapolis. Mr. Pettit was elected one of the first board of trustees of this church. He filled this office continuously. from the organization of the congregation, and in many other ways was one of the church's strongest and most serviceable pillars.

GEORGE ODLUM.

His devotion to his pursuit as a real estate dealer for 31 years has made George Odlum master of his department of trade and established him as a widely recognized authority on everything connected with it. By his intelligence and persistency he has also wrought out a very successful business career.

Mr. Odlum was born in Ogdensburg, New York, February 28, 1853, and came to Minneapolis to live in 1882. He began his connection with the transfer of real estate in this city in the abstract offices of George W. Chowan, and later was associated with Bryant & Leland in the same line. His next business engagement was with the Minnesota Loan and Trust Company, which he served five years as conveyancer. At the end of the period mentioned he resigned from the employ of the Loan and Trust Company and became the local manager of investments for an Eastern corporation. In this position he had a business of his own, but it was not wholly satisfac-

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

tory to him. He made the business profitable to himself and the corporation he worked for, neglecting no chance to advance and protect its interests.

In 1909 lic went into business on his own account, with the purpose of confining his operations principally, if not entirely, to dealing in Minneapolis business properties. He has muade striking progress and large achievements in carry- ing out his original purpose. During the last four years he has handled deals involving more than $2,500,000 in a way that lias been entirely satisfactory to both sides in every transaction and brought great benefits to the business in- terests of the city generally.

Through the character of liis business Mr. Odlum is neces- sarily deeply interested in the growth and improvement of the city. He has every incentive to work for the good of the community in all lines of wholesome development. His public spirit and practical effectiveness are highly commended, as is his elevated, serviceable, and representative citizenship.

In the public affairs of Minneapolis Mr. Odlum has long taken an earnest interest, but solely as a good citizen zealous for the general well being, but not in any degree as a politician looking for honors, emoluments, or personal advantages of any kind for himself, and is a member of the Civic and Commerce Commission of the city. He is a Freemason of the thirty-second degree and is also a member of the Order of Elks.

November 24, 1897, he was married to Miss Maude Kurtz- man, of Sparta, , Wisconsin. They have two sons, George Odlum, Jr., aged twelve, and Jerome, aged eight.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 108

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co. Number of Pages: 1190

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190