Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 113

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 113

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ARTHUR R. ROGERS.

Nature spread her bounties in this section of the country, for business purposes and the service of mankind, with a lavish hand, and then waited with her imperturable patience through long ages for the advent of Man, the true lord of the heritage, to come with his commanding might of mind and turn them into useful and marketable commodities, and dur- ing her long wait she kept maintaining and multiplying her gifts. When the time was ripe, the developing spirit came, and its representatives were men of caliber and qualifications suited to the mighty task before them.

The interesting subject of this brief review was not among the first or even the early comers, but he has been among the most potential, farseeing and enterprising of them all, and has wrought out here a business career consonant in full measure with his large opportunities and his strong, active and productive mental faculties and business capacity. When he came he found the field white with a bounteous har- vest, and with steady progress, even through difficulties, he rose within a few years to the first rank of the extensive and all conquering reapers.

Arthur R. Rogers was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1864. His father was Alexander H. Rogers, an employe of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and also a native of Wisconsin. The son obtained his early education in a graded school in his native city and afterward attended a high school there for two years.

In 1882 he left school and began his business career as second man in the lumber yard of the Edwards & McCulloch Lumber Company, at Valley City, North Dakota, of which C. E. Blackwell was Manager, which yard enjoyed a large

trade. Mr. Rogers remained in the employ of this Company for about two years when he was made Manager of a lumber yard at Sanborn, North Dakota, belonging to what was known as the Gull River Lumber Company. Two years later sick- ness compelled him to resign his position at Sanborn tem- porarily and return to Milwaukee.

As soon as he was able to attend to business again through former Governor John S. Pillsbury Mr. Rogers became ac- quainted with C. A. Smith of the C. A. Smith Lumber Com- pany and applied to him for a position in the office of that company which he secured and about a year later was placed in charge of the retail yard of that company in North Minne- apolis; but he was soon afterwards recalled to the main office where he served for a time as Credit Man and then was given charge of the Sales Department.

In 1888 in order to secure a broader mental development and business intelligence in a line with which he was un- familiar Mr. Rogers became a student in the night school of the State University Law Department from which he gradu- ated in 1891.

In 1892, at his suggestion, the Smith & Rogers Lumber Com- pany was organized with Mr. Rogers as Secretary and Treas- urer, and a line of retail lumber yards was established along the line of the "Soo" Railroad in North Dakota. In the fol- lowing year, the C. A. Smith Lumber Company was incor- porated, with Mr. Rogers as Secretary and Treasurer; and in 1901 he was elected Vice President.

In 1904 the Rogers Lumber Company was organized with Mr. Rogers as president. Ln 1905 he sold his interest in the C. A. Smith Lumber Company to his associate, C. A. Smith, and purchased Mr. Smith's interest in the Smith & Rogers Lumber Company. One year later, Mr. Rogers severed his entire 'connection with the C. A. Smith Lumber Company and has since, as President of the Rogers Lumber Company, de- voted his time and energy to the building up of that and subsidiary companies. In the management of this company Mr. George H. and John J. Rogers were associated, the former being its vice-president, the latter its secretary and treasurer.

The growth of the. Rogers Lumber Company has been rapid and it is today the largest retail lumber company in the northwest, having retail lumber yards in North Dakota, Can- ada and Montana.

In addition to the Rogers Lumber Company, Mr. Rogers is the president of the Bend Timber Company, a company holding large timber interests in the Deschutes Valley, Oregon; is president of the Rogers-Youmans Lumber Company, another timber company; and the Okanagan Saw Mills, Ltd., a saw- mill company manufacturing lumber in British Columbia.

Mr. Rogers has always taken a keen interest in the growth and development of his adopted city, Minneapolis, as well as in the Northwest. At the organization of the Minneapolis Civic & Commerce Association, he was (against his wishes) elected as its first president and served until the end of the first year, the association showing phenomenal growth in num- bers and influence during that period.

Through Mr. Rogers' efforts the North Dakota Better Farm- ing Assn. was established. This association is one of the most potent factors in better farming methods in the entire North- west. It is recognized as the pioneer of its kind and is accredited with doing great work for the betterment of farm- ing conditions, not only in North Dakota, but throughout all the northwestern states and even in Canada. This association is growing rapidly in influence and importance.

448

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Mr. Rogers was also president of the Minneapolis Club, the leading social club of the city, and is a member of the Mini- kahda, Lafayette and University Clubs.

On February 8th, 1894, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Miss Dora Waite, and they have three children, Arthur Alan, Dorothy and Donald Waite.

COLONEL FRANCIS PETELER. -

Serving as a soldier in the army of the United States in two wars, for one of which he enlisted when he was less than eighteen; facing death in many engagements and under- going hardships in various forms in both; engaging in pur- suits of peaceful and productive industry when "grim-visaged War had smoothed his wrinkled front," and working out a highly creditable career in both military and industrial lines, the late Colonel Francis Peteler lived a life of very unusual incident, adventure, and variety, and one that was full of usefulness in his day and generation in many different ways.

Colonel Peteler was born in Bavaria, April 19, 1828. He died in Minneapolis, April 18, 1910, a few hours before his eighty-second birthday. His father was a soldier in the Fatherland, and passed many years in the army. During his military experience he fought both for and against Napoleon, according to the varying commands of his king, who was alternately a friend and a foe of the great con- queror. Five sons of the senior Peteler came to the United States while young, and passed the remainder of their days in this country. The colonel was but twelve years of age when he followed his brothers, Louis, Charles, and Joseph, to America, and he was followed in turn by his other brother, Phillip. Francis joined his brother Louis, a hotel proprietor in New York City, and remained with him for about six years. He landed in New York in 1840, and in 1846, although he was less than eighteen, he enlisted in the United States army for the war with Mexico. He passed through the whole course of that conflict. The privations and hardships of his service in Mexico were numerous and oppressive, and he was discharged in such poor health that his life was despaired of.

When the war was over Mr. Peteler returned to New York. After his health was restored he visited the Middle and Western States, and in the spring of 1853 he located in Minnesota and took up a tract of government land four miles north of Anoka. He continued to live on and culti- vate and improve his farm until in 1861. Then his patriot- ism impelled him to again seek an opportunity to serve his adopted country as a soldier in defense of the Union, to which he was ardently devoted. Mr. Peteler raised the First Company of Minnesota Sharpshooters, which he of- fered to the Government. The offer was gladly accepted, and the company was mustered into the service at Fort Snelling, October 5, 1861, by Captain A. D. Nelson of the United States army. It became a part of the First Regi- ment of United States Sharpshooters, and was soon en- gaged in active field work in Virginia, in connection with Auger's Brigade, which, because of its strong advanees and staunch and unshaken conduct on all occasions, was soon called the "Iron Brigade," the first to bear the name in the Army of the Potomac.

He was soon promoted lieutenant-colonel of the regiment

for gallantry on the field of battle. Soon after his promo- tion he was sent to take command of Fort Abercrombie in the Territory of Dakota, where he remained until he re- signed from the army after about three years' service in the war. His administration of affairs at the fort was so wise and judicious, and resulted in so mueh improvement in the discipline and general welfare of the men under him, that when he left the post strong resolutions eommending his course were adopted by the officers and soldiers of the garrison.

One of the last, as well as one of the most notable events in the Colonel's long and distinguished life was the reunion of his old company of sharpshooters held at his Minneapolis home, 2726 Dupont Avenue South, on April 9, 1910, only nine days before his death. The reunion was held in ob- servance of Appomattox Day, commemorating the day in 1865 on which the army of the Southern Confederacy under General Robert E. Lee grounded its arms in complete sur- render. But twenty of the surviving members of the com- pany could be located, and seventeen of thesc attended the reunion. They lunched on army-bean soup and hardtack. Just nine days later Colonel Peteler answered the last sum- mons. The active pallbearers at his funeral were the old comrades who were present at the reunion.

When he returned from the Civil War Colonel Peteler bought a farm in Bloomington township, Hennepin County, eight miles south of the court house and three miles south of the present eity limits, and that continued to be his home even after he established his great industry, the Peteler Car Works. This enterprise grew out of his in- ventive turn of mind. which led him to invent a dumping car and make preparations for its manufacture. In order to get his products on the market, he started the Poteler Car Works, about 1870, in a wheelwright shop on First Avenue South, between Washington Avenue and Third Street. em- ploying at first but six men. He manufactured ears for railroad work and gave every detail of the business his personal attention. After several changes of location and expansions of the plant, the present site was secured and the plant now in operation, at Thirtieth Avenue and Fourth Street Southeast, was set up in 1890. By this time the business of the company had grown so great that a large equipment was necessary, and $30,000 was expended in the erection of the factory. It stands on five acres of ground belonging to the company and 100 men are regularly em- ployed. Colonel Peteler was the sole owner of the industry until 1905, when it passed into other hands, his advancing age inducing him to dispose of it.

The Colonel never wavered in his loyalty and devotion to the Republican party, and he was equally true and devoted to Minnesota and Minneapolis. But the whole country had his strong, watchful, and serviceable regard. although he never held a public office or desired one. He was a zealous advocate and promoter of publie improvements, doing all he eould to help them along and always regretting that he was unable to do more. He kept in elose touch with his old army comrades and was ardently attached to his intimate friends. One of the most cherished of these was George A. Brackett, and others were members of the Winston family. He enjoyed music intensely. belonged to no church, held mem- bership in no societies, and was a total abstainer from intoxi- cants and tobacco. In his years of activity he was a success- ful and enthusiastic hunter of deer and other large game

Francis Siteler.

449

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

He enjoyed a close friendship with Thomas Edison, "the wizard of Menlo Park," and kept up with all the inventions of that versatile and prolific genius. He had a large number of other intimate friends also among the prominent scien- tists and mechanieians of the country, with whose minds his own was in unison.

May 3, 1853, Colonel Peteler was married in New York City to Miss Margaret Hynes, a native of that city. Mrs. Peteler was born February 27, 1834, and died in Minneapolis February 8, 1907. They became the parents of five children: Edwin, who is a market gardener in North Minneapolis; Philip, who was general superintendent of his father's ear works, and died at the age of forty-eight; Frank, who was also connected with the car works for a number of years, and who died in Texas when he was forty-two; Minnie, who is the wife of Edward Ellingson, a farmer of Bloomington township, and Charles, who was in active connection with the car works.

EDWIN PETELER, the oldest son of the colonel, was born on his father's farın near Anoka, Minnesota, October 6, 1854. As has been noted, he is a market gardener in North Min- neapolis, and has lived in the neighborhood of his present residence, 4315 Penn Avenue North, for thirty-six years. He was married December 7, 1880, to Miss Ida M. Hooper, a daughter of Rev. John Hooper, a sketch of whose life ap- pears in this work. Mrs. Edwin Peteler is a native of Little Falls, Minnesota. She and her husband are the parents of one child, their daughter Gertrude M., who is now Mrs. E. L. Noyes, and also has her home in Minneapolis Mr. and Mrs Peteler have occupied the dwelling they now live in for twenty-one years, and in his capacity of gardener Mr Peteler has served the Minneapolis markets with his products from their beginning. He is well known in all parts of the city, and is held in high esteem for his business capacity, elevated character, strict integrity, and useful citizenship.

ARTHUR G. PRESTON.

Mr. Preston was born in the city of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, in 1859. He was reared and obtained a common school education in his native land, in which he remained until he reached the age of twenty-two years. Then, in 1881, he came to the United States unaccompanied by relatives or friends, to take up his residence and work his way forward in the world in a new country, amid un- accustomed scenes and associations and surrounded by strangers. The East in this country did not satisfy his desires. He sought the amplitude, openness and freedom of the west, and coming to Iowa, accepted employment on a farm near Lemars in Plymouth county.

Soon afterward Mr. Preston transferred his energies to the service of the Close Bros. & Company Development com- pany, and in 1883 became its resident agent at Pipestone, which was the headquarters for its operations in Pipestone, Murray, Rock and Nobles counties in this state. He remained in the employ of this company at Pipestone until 1896, then changed his residence to St. Paul and was employed by the Farmers' Trust company, of which he acted as general man- ager for four years.

In 1900 Mr. Preston moved to Minneapolis and started a business venture of his own, as he had long desired to do. In this city he opened an enterprise in mortgage loans and

the sale of farm lands. His business was started on a small scale, but through his great enterprise, industry and busi- ness capacity it rapidly increased until it grew to large pro- portions. It was managed with good judgment, carried on with energy, embraced all opportunities presented for ad- vancement, laid all sources of expansion under tribute and gave its proprietor every advantage his openings and facili- ties allowed.

Mr. Preston was a progressive and public-spirited citizen, wherever he lived, and took an active part in all commend- able undertakings designed to promote the advancement and improvement of his community at all times. He never married, and so, having no family ties or duties, he was able to put all the energy of his nature into service to the city of his home and work with ardor for the welfare of its residents. In business he was very successful, amassing a considerable fortune in his operations and building up a large trade and an enviable reputation for straightforwardness and square dealing in every particular. His only relative in this country is his nephew, Alexander P. Drapes, who is carrying on the business founded by him, with an office in Room 418, Andrus building.

Mr. Preston's life closed in Minneapolis on August 6, 1912, at the early age of fifty-three, and his death was universally lamented. He was an Odd Fellow, a Freemason and a Wood- man in fraternal life, a member of the Minneapolis Commer- cial club, and an Episcopalian in religious affiliation, holding his membership for years in St. Mark's church of that denom- ination. He was widely known in the Northwest and was everywhere highly esteemed as an upright, intelligent, genial and companionable man and a very progressive and useful citizen.

DANIEL F. PECK.

For many years one of the leading business men of Minne- apolis and also one of the city's enterprising and influential promoters of the public welfare, the late Daniel F. Peek, who died on Oct. 29, 1912, after some years of failing health, held a high place in public estimation and enjoyed the con- fiden'ce and regard of all classes of the people of the com- munity in a degree and with a steadfastness that proved him to be a man of genuine worth and very useful to his fellow men in his day and generation.

Mr. Peck's life began in Jackson, Michigan, on September 13, 1845, and was a son of Dennis L. and Fannie (Lewis) Peck, with whom he came to Minneapolis in 1859, when he was fourteen years of age. He completed here the educa- tion he had begun in his native state, and as soon as he left school entered mercantile life as a clerk in a dry goods store. Being of an independent nature, and having some initiative of his own, he also kept boats for rent on Lake Cedar for a number of years, where he had preempted a quarter section of land.

In the dry goods trade Mr. Peck rose by steady promotions made on merit to a position of responsibility and influence, and then started an enterprise in that line of merchandising for himself, which he carried on for a continuous period of sixteen years, prospering in the business and winning ex- tensive popularity as a merchant and as a man. His father, Dennis L. Peck, was engaged in the real estate business, and

450

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

its demands on his time and energies became so oppressive that he was obliged to have help. The son, thereupon, gave up his own enterprise and joined the father in his.

Mr. Peck, the son, continned his operations in real estate until a few years before his death, when failing health eaused him to retire from active pursuits.

Mr. Peck also took an earnest interest and a helpful part in the organized social life of the community as a zealous member of the Minneapolis Commercial elub, of which he was one of the founders, and aided in giving strength and influence to . its fraternal forces as a Freemason of the thirty-second degree, this degree in the order being conferred on him by the father of Dr. Ames. His membership in the Ancient Craft braneh of the fraternity was maintained in Hennepin Lodge No. 4.

On March 31, 1907, Mr. Peek was married to Miss Nellie Graham of Minneapolis. A daughter of Mr. Peek (Mrs. Arthur Clark by a former marriage) is living and has her home in Los Angeles, California, and a sister of his lives in MeMinn- ville, Oregon, Mrs. Frank Sulley, a widow.

In his career as a merchant and real estate dealer Mr. Peek exemplified lofty ideals of business and established him- self firmly in the confidenee of the community. He was on the square in all his transactions of every kind, his word was as good as his bond, and he had excellent judgment in reference to all business and publie affairs. His life in the community was an open book, and there was not a stain on any of its pages. He lived usefully and creditably, and his name is enshrined in the loving regard of the people amuong whom his activities were so long wisely employed.

GEORGE W. POOLER.

After a varied experience as a merchant for a number of years for others and for himself, George W. Pooler entered the employ of railroad and express companies thirty years ago, to which he has since adhered, now being general agent of the Western and United States Express companies, with office at 619 Nicollet avenue.

He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, August 2, 1851, and acquired an academie education in the Normal School at Gouverneur. At thirteen he elerked in a store, and at nineteen started a general merehandising business at Rieh- ville. After condneting this store seven years, he went to New York city where for five years he was with an unele importing Swiss watches. Returning to Riehville he again engaged in merchandising, which he continued until his store was destroyed by fire.

In 1883 he came to Iowa, where he secured employment as a telegrapher. He soon became agent of the United States Express company at Sioux City, later serving as traveling auditor for the company in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, South Dakota and Minnesota, making his first visit to this state in that capacity.

In 1901 he was stationed in Minneapolis as the general agent for the company which then had the largest business of its kind in this eity, and its operations were inereasing at the rate of 20 per eent a year. Mr. Pooler then had thirty-five employe's under his supervision. The business of the company was later restricted to fewer lines of road, and hen'ee did not so far outrank that of the other companies.

Besides the duties of the local office he also has charge of the messengers on the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad.

Mr. Pooler possesses a genial and companionable disposition and manner, making friends wherever he goes. He takes an active part in social life as a member of the Rotary elub, aiding in its entertainments and being helpful in all its aetivi- ties. Fraternally he is an Elk and a Freemason, being a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystie Shrine. His religious affiliation is with Gethsemane Episcopal church, in which he has been vestryman during nearly the whole of his residenee in Minneapolis. He is also a musician, favoring the saxophone and the cornet for his own use. While living in Sioux City, he was a member of the Fourth Regiment band, as also band director.

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Pooler was married in his native county, to Miss Pauline Van Ness. Se died in Iowa, leaving two children: Guy V., who is connected with the A. G. Spalding company's establishment; and Grace, who is the wife of Edward Sehempf, and lives at Watertown, Wis- consin. The father's second marriage took place in Iowa and united him with Miss Kate Nickel of La Porte, Indiana. They have no children.

ANDREW BONNEY ROBBINS.

By the death of Andrew B. Robbins, Thursday morning, June 16, 1910, at Robbinsdale, the town he founded and which was named in his honor, Minnesota lost a citizen of the high- est type, the Northwest one of its most energetie, enter- prising, and successful promoters, and American manhood one of its best and most commendable representatives. He had worked well for his State and country as a soldier, legislator, and Christian business man, governing his worldly affairs by his religion, which he always found of sustaining assistance.

Andrew B. Robbins was born at Phillips, Maine, April 27, 1845, the son of Daniel and Mary R. (Shaw) Robbins. The father was a leading business man in Phillips and the pos- sessor of a considerable estate. The mother was a descendant of John Howland, one of the Pilgrim Fathers, and a lady of most exalted eharaeter. Some of his remote ancestors were prominent on the American side in the momentons Revolu- tionary war.

In 1855 Daniel Robbins brought his wife and six children to what was then the Territory of Minnesota, and took up his residenee at Anoka. He built the first steam sawmill in that loeality, and loaned money to men starting in business. Andrew continued in the publie sehools of Anoka the educa- tional training he had begun in his native State, and after- ward attended a private academy for two years. By the end of that period the Civil war was in progress, and in 1862, when he was but seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Com- pany A, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in defense of the Union eause. .

The regiment to which Mr. Robbins belonged saw a great deal of active service in the field. In 1864 it was a part of General Sully's command in its famous expedition into Da- kota against the Indians. This service involved, said Gen- eral Sully, the greatest hardships suffered by any expedition he ever commanded. The troops had very limited supplies of food, and that of an innutritious character, and were often

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 113

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