Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 115

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 115

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Another son, Harlan B., then became a member of the firm, and he and the father, in 1883, came to Minneapolis and established a house which has constantly grown in com- mercial importance. The parent house and the branch kept up their relations as such for two or three years. By the end of that period the Minneapolis end of the business at- tained sueh proportions that the firm decided to concentrate all its interests here, and the youngest son, Clinton L. Stacy, was then taken into the partnership.

The growth and expansion of the business have surpassed all expectations, the firm now having twelve branches in North and South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, through which it makes available to the great farm states of the Northwest the products of this and foreign countries. The firm stands in the front rank among the fruit and produce houses of America.

Early in his business life in this city Mr. Stacy became actively connected with business organizations. He was a leader in the Jobbers and Manufacturers' Association from its organization, and was equally active in the Produce Exchange, and a member of the Commercial club and other business and social organizations. His membership in all was highly valued, for he was a gentleman of great breadth of view and progressiveness, and conspicuously and wisely energetic in whatever he undertook or was interested in.

Mr. Stacy was twice married. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth E. Leonard, of Gouverneur, New York, whom he marrried on December 10, 1856. Her children are the three sons mentioned above. She died on January S, 1874. and six years later Mr. Stacy married Mrs. Amelia Wood Kent, in Naperville, Illinois. She was a native of Vermont and a descendant of William Bradford, one of the Pilgrim Fathers and Governor of Plymouth colony. Mr. Stacy died in Minne- apolis on March 11, 1909, she dying a few months later.

He was a working member of Plymouth Congregational church.

Since 1885 he spent each winter in Los Angeles, Cal., and there formed a wide acquaintance among men especially in his line of business. The first car of oranges brought to Minneapolis from California was shipped by him in 1885. This was one of the first cars of fruit shipped cast from California. One of his characteristics was to make warm friends and was of a congenial optimistic nature. From early life he made it a practice of keeping a diary in which he persisted till his very last months.

Edim, P. Stacy)

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

WASHINGTON PEIRCE.

Washington Peirce was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, February 22, 1831. April 21, 1855, he arrived at Minneapolis, joining his brother, Thomas W. Peirce, who had come hither two years earlier, pre-empting a tract of land on Lake Calhoun. Their father, Levi Peirce, being a carpenter, all of his six sons learned the same trade.

Soon after his arrival Mr. Peirce pre-empted a claim on Cedar Lake, and which bordered also on the Lake of the Isles. He then went back to his old Pennsylvania home, and on February 20 following was married to Miss Caroline M. Paxson, a lady of English ancestry but of the same nativity as himself, and born May 30, 1834, a descendant of one of three brothers who came to this country in early days and each of whom used a different spelling of the family name.

They arrived in Minneapolis on June 7, 1856, being met by her brother-in-law, Thomas W. Peirce, who took the new arrivals out to his home, now the location of the new Warner Home.

Mr. Peirce worked at his trade and built a dwelling at what is now the corner of Hennepin avenue and Twelfth street, meantime living in an old law office at Helen street near Second avenue south.

They moved into their home in April, 1857, and occupied it sixteen years, Mr. Peirce meantime becoming a contractor and builder. During the next winter Mrs. Peirce kept boarders at Seventh and Hennepin avenue. One of them was the late Thomas Lowry, who came fresh from Knox College with a letter of introduction to Rev. Dr. Tuttle, of the Church of the Redeemer, who directed him to her house, where he secured his meals but sleeping in his law office.

The Peirces occupied four years a new residence at Fifth avenue and Fourteenth street, removing to the intersection of Portland and Franklin avenues, where they lived until 1880, when they took possession of the home in which Mrs. Peirce is still living, at No. 155 Seventeenth street north, and in which she has resided continuously for thirty-four years.

Mr. Peirce continued contracting and building until 1880, when he was appointed to a position in the municipal court. This he held until March 5, 1902, an unbroken period of twenty-two years, the longest term of service ever enjoyed by any official in the court house. He had an extensive acquaintance and was popular, being much sought as a violinist, and was in great demand for balls and other social entertainments. He began playing the violin when he was eight years old and kept it up until his death, which occurred on March 5, 1902.

August 8, 1862, Mr. Peirce enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Union army three years and two days, until his regiment was discharged. He left the service with the rank of second lieutenant, to which he was promoted for meritorious service. He was Commander of Morgan Post, Grand Army of the Republic, for one year, and when he died his remains were consigned to their last resting place by his old comrades in arms with the honors due to a faithful and gallant soldier.

Mrs. Peirce is a charter member of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer, and was a teacher in its Sunday school for twenty-one years. She still retains her membership in the church and her helpful interest in all its uplifting and benevolent work. For sixteen years she was an active worker in the Humane Society, and about 1880, in association with

Mrs. Russell, of the Russell Coffee House, she started the first Rescue Home for girls, on Eighth avenue north, which later became the Florence Crittenden Home. She has also been zealous in the work of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic and that of the Women's Chris- tian Relief Corps.

Mr. and Mrs. Peirce became the parents of two children. Flora E., who was born Dec. 8, 1856, on the shore of Lake Calhoun, is the wife of H. E. Lawrence, a leading official in the city water works and who served as a member of the Court House Commission. Carroll Washington Peirce, was born December 12, 1862, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, his mother having lived at the home of her father during the Civil war, and died July 17, 1913. He served in the Thirteenth Regiment in the Philippines. He was a member of the First Minnesota regiment fifteen years, was a civil engineer, and helped make the survey for the Northern Pacific Railroad, under the direction of Colonel Clough. Later he was employed in the Minneapolis postoffice for thirteen years.

JOHN P. PETERSON.

Secretary of the Metropolitan Milk Company was born in Sweden, and is a son of B. H. Peterson, a tailor now of Van- couver. John P. came to Minnesota in 1891, and obtained his education in country schools and at Glenwood Academy. His first engagement was with the Pine Tree Lumber com- pany for four years. He served as deputy sheriff of Morrison county, but soon resigned and worked for the Great Northern Elevator company, at Superior, Wisconsin, until 1900.

Coming to Minneapolis he worked for the McLane-Bovey Lumber company, and then opened a small inilk establish- ment on Franklin avenue until he joined the Minneapolis Milk company, as its treasurer. He was secretary of the Company four years and holds the same relations to its successor, the Metropolitan Milk Company.

Mr. Peterson has taken an active part in public affairs but not as a politician or office seeker, being content with dis- charging his duties to the community as a good citizen. In 1899, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Miss Annie Peterson. They have three children: Evelyn Helen, Elinor Hilda and Milton. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Order of Modern Woodmen, and the Swedish Lutheran church.

ALBERT H. PARKS, M. D.

Giving assiduous attention to one of the most useful pro- fessions; taking a helpful part in public affairs; aiding in. advancing social activities, and striving to promote the sub- stantial and enduring welfare of all in moral, educational, political and material interests, Dr. Albert H. Parks is a serviceable and progressive citizen.

He was born near Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1880, passing the first fourteen years of life on his father's farm. He at- tended a preparatory school and entering Albion College, was graduated from the U. & M. with the degree of A. B. in the class of 1904. He afterward received his Master's degree from the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, and in 1906 graduated as an M. D. from the same institution. Dur-

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

ing the year following he was interne in St. Luke's hospital, Chicago.

In 1907 the doctor selected Minneapolis, and locating here, began a general practice with surgery as a specialty. For a time he ignored all inducement's to take part in action outside of his profession, and, as it was making extensive demands on his time and energies, he was inclined to devote himself exclusively to it; but, conditions and circumstances, in combination with his natural interest in public and social affairs, determined another course.

There was a strong demand for something definite and in- fluential in the way of a business organization in the Lake Harriet section of the city, and the doctor heeding this, joined with other's in organizing the Lake Harriet Commercial club in November, 1909. He was president for two years, during which a fine club house, costing $30,000, was erected. The club has enjoyed great prosperity and made rapid progress, and now has over 450 members.

Dr. Parks has served as assistant eity physician, superin- tendent of Hopewell hospital and assistant superintendent of the City hospital, of which he is associate surgeon. He also be- ing on the surgical 'staff of Asbury Hospital. He is a skillful physician and surgeon, and his superior ability in his profes- sional work being generally recognized and appreciated, while his activity in other lines has won him regard and well es- tablished popularity. For a time he was zealous in the work of the Good Roads Commission of the Civic and Commerce Association.

His industry, and breadth of view soon won recognition, particularly in his own ward, the Thirteenth. He showed him- self to be alert, enterprising and capable, so that in the fali of 1912 they elected him alderman, and his record in the council has fully justified their faith. The campaign was made on the good roads issue, where his stand was clear and his fidelity and ability had been proven. He is chairman of the committee on good roads and a member of the commit- tees on ways and means, health and hospitals, street railroads and electrical franchises.

Dr. Parks is an enthusiastic Freemason, being a charter member and was the first Worshipful Master of Lake Har- riet Lodge, No. 277. Is an Elk and has served as national president of the Phi Beta Pi. The College Medical So- ciety. The doctor's religious affiliation is with the Con- gregational church, and his principal recreations are hunting, fishing, automobiling and other outdoor enjoyments. He was married in 1910, to Mis's Catherine Barrett, of Staples, Min- nesota. They have one child, Jean. The doctor is a Republi- can, but in local elections is strictly non-partisan.

HEMAN W. STONE.

Mr. Stone was a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of the old Badger state, which he claimed as the place of his nativity. He was born at Waukau, Winne- bago county, Wisconsin, on the 7th of July, 1849, his parents having emigrated from the Dominion of Canada to Wiscon- sin in the early '40s, and having there passed the residue of their lives. Heman W. Stone passed his boyhood at Eureka, a pioneer village of Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and there he received his early educational discipline in the publie schools. This was supplemented by an effective course in

Lawrence University, at Appleton, that state. In 1870, shortly after reaching his legal majority, Mr. Stone came to Min- nesota and established his residence at Beaver Falls, Ren- ville county, but one year later he removed to Montevidio, the judicial center of Chippewa county, where he erected the first business building in the town, and in the same be- came associated with his brother, Lane K. Stone, in the general merchandise trade, in connection with which they conducted a banking business. When the railroad line was built through Benson, county seat of Swift county, the brothers there established a general store, in the meanwhile continuing their business operations at Montevidio. Their partnership alliance continued until 1886 and about a de- cade previously they founded a bank in Benson, this proving a valuable adjunct to the business activities of the county and being the pioneer financial institution of that section. Heman W. Stone was appointed receiver of the United States land office at Benson, and of this office he continued the in- cumbent until Cleveland was elected president of the United States, this change in national politics bringing about his retirement. He continued in the banking business at Benson and his principal associate in the same was Senator Z. B. Clark. The institution was known as the Swift County Bank, and its operations were developed from modest limita- tions until it became one of the strongest and most influential of the small-town banks of the state, with assets of fully a million dollars. Of this bank Mr. Stone continued to serve as president until his death, and his personal integrity and able management did much to make the business one of such sub- stantial order. His elder son, Frank L., suceceded him in the presidency and still retains this office, in which he is well upholding the high prestige of the family name.

Commanding seeure place in popular confidence and esteem, Mr. Stone was naturally called upon to serve in various offices of public trust, and he was a zealous and effective worker in behalf of the cause of the Republican party, though he made no pretentions to ability as a public speaker. He served as president of the village council of Benson and as treasurer of the board of education, and he made an admirable record of service in both the house and senate of the state legislature, in which his efforts were manifestly dominated by a high sense of civic loyalty and progressiveness. He made special efforts to further the improvements of public highways, but his work in this direction did not bring about the practical results which he desired, though at the present time the good- roads movement in Minnesota is being successfully promoted.

Mr. Stone became the owner of a large landed estate in Swift county, and on a fine farm near Benson he found great pleasure and profit in the breeding of high-grade live stock, as one of the leading representatives of this important line of industry in that seetion of the state. He was a progressive and successful breeder of short-horn cattle and none was more enthusiastic in the raising of standard-bred horses. A number of horses bred on his farm gained distinction on the trotting turf, and he also beeame prominently concerned with the raising of thorough-bred horses in Tennessee. He was a genuine lover of good horses and greatly enjoyed driving the fine animals which he himself raised. He exhibited horses at the horse shows in New York city, and one horse bred by him was purchased by the well known capitalist, George Gould. He accumulated a large estate and was known as a business man of mature judgment and utmost circumspection. In addition to his extensive interests in Minnesota he was largely

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

concerned in the manufacturing of yellow-pine lumber, with mills in Texas and Oklahoma, besides which he had valuable timber holdings in British Columbia.

For a number of years prior to his death Mr. Stone was a prominent figure in the commission grain trade in Minneapolis, and in this field of enterprise his principal coadjutor was H. G. Atwood, who is now a resident of Peoria, Illinois. In 1907 was adopted the firm name of Atwood, Stone & Company, and under this title the business was continued on a very extensive scale, the enterprise being exelusively on a com- mission basis and no elevators being owned by the firm. Mr. Stone was a stockholder in a number of banking institu- tions aside from those already mentioned, and was one of the resourceful and representative bankers of the state. He was associated with his elder son, Frank L., in the ownership of valuable real estate in Minneapolis and its environs, and they platted several additions to the city, including the Mississippi Park addition and the Carter & Stone addition, besides which they gave attention to general real-estate opera- tions, with which the son is still identified. The finely improved farm of Mr. Stone adjoining the village of Benson continued to be his place of residence until 1908 and the beautiful homestead is now occupied by his son Frank L. In the year mentioned he removed to Minneapolis, and here he established his residence in a home at 407 Oak Grove street, where his widow still resides. During the latter years of life Mr. Stone, in company with his wife, customarily passed the winter seasons either in Florida or California, and he died at his home in Minneapolis, on the 7th of April, 1913, his remains being interred in beautiful Lakewood cemetery. In Minneapolis Mr. Stone was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Civic & Commeree Association, the Minneapolis Club, and the Minneapolis Automobile Club, besides which he was affiliated with the Masonie fraternity. He was not formally identified with any religious organization but was liberal in his support of church and charitable work, his wife and children being communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church, in which Mrs. Stone is a devout communicant of the parish of St. Paul's church in Minneapolis, where also she is a popular figure in the representative social circles in which she moves.

As a young man Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Miss Clara L. Lowell, of Fond du Lae, Wisconsin, of which state her parents were pioneer settlers. Three children survive the honored father,-Frank Lowell Stone, concerning whom more specific mention will be made in an appending paragraph; Albert Lane Stone, who resides at Benson and is assistant cashier of the Swift County Bank; and Pauline, who is the wife of John M. Dillon, a prominent iron and. steel manufac- turer at Sterling, Illinois.

FRANK LOWELL STONE was born at Benson, Minn., on the 5th of April, 1876, and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the publie schools. Under the effective direction of his father he received the most careful training and excellent opportunities in connection with practical busi- ness affairs. He entered the Swift County Bank, at Benson, in 1892, and in the same he held the position of cashier until the death of his father, when he was advanced to his present office of president, besides which he is vice-president of the commission corporation of Atwood, Stone & Company, of Minneapolis, of which his father was president, as already noted in this article. He gives close supervision to his various capitalistie interests in Minneapolis, but still resides in the

fine old homestead at Benson, as has been previously stated. He is president of the State Bank of De Graff, Swift county, and a stockholder in banks at other points in the state. In the Minnesota metropolis he holds membership in the Min- neapolis, the Interlachen, and the Athletic Clubs, and his political proclivities are indicated in the staunch allegiance which he accords to the Republican party.

In 1900 was solemnized the marriage of Frank L. Stone to, Miss Frances Eleanor Thornton, who is a daughter of Frank M. Thornton. Mr. Thornton was identified with the building of the old St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, and later became one of the prominent and influential citizens of Benson, Swift county. His father was a sterling pioneer of Minnesota and owned the fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres later purchased by General McC. Reeve, on Lake Harriet, much of the tract being now located within the city limits of Minneapolis, as may be noted by reference to the biography of General Reeve, on other pages of this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have three children,-Lowell Thornton, Elizabeth Eleanor, and Heman Ward.

LEONARD PAULLE.

Accepting the lot of common labor when a boy, by his sagacity, industry and integrity, Leonard Paulle has climbed high on the ladder of success in the business world. Take him all in all he is a unique man and his counterpart would be difficult to find. Coming to Minneapolis wholly unknown and without money, prestige or friends, he worked at manual labor until he had saved enough to go into business for him- self. When this was accomplished he still worked at his bench until the success of his venture was assured, and busi- ness was established upon satisfactory financial basis. His first investment in the show case and store fixture business was the five hundred dollars he had saved by hard labor in the employ of Jesse Copeland and Sons. His present investment is $100,000. He has branches of his business all over the west, beside the extensive business he carries on through his Minneapolis headquarters, at 26 North 2nd Street. When he first went into business he employed three men; he now eru- . ploys from 90 to 125. His annual output was about $5,000, now it runs from $160,000 to $180,000. At present he has three large buildings with a floor space of 90,000 square feet, devoted to the business. It is still growing and promises to be one of the big enterprises of the city. All this. for a poor boy who came into Minneapolis 41 years ago with nothing in his pocket.

Leonard Paulle was born fifty-seven years ago in 1855, April 23, in Buffalo, New York. He is of French decent, his father having served in the wars of France in the campaign of Napoleon 1. The father lived to be over ninety years old, thus fulfilling the record of longevity of the family. The mother of Leonard Paulle had a family history of a like peculiarity. On both sides the original stock was German. The boy received his early education in the parochial schools of Buffalo, and when he was but twelve years old began his industrial career by being apprenticed to a trade at $2.50 a week. Later he was raised to three dollars a week and then to four. In 1865 the family moved to St. Paul and remained until '69 when they returned to Buffalo, but Leonard re- turned in 1872.

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

When but seventeen years old he came to Minnesota with the intention of buying land and raising cattle. He took a tract of land in Sherburne County, but after three months eame to Minneapolis. His first factory was at 311 Nicollet avenue. This was on the site of the Loan and Trust building. One of the interesting things connected with the history of Mr. Panlle's business career is that the first show case pur- chased by William Donaldson when he first went into business in Minneapolis, was made by the Paulle Show Case and Store Fixture establishment. This was bought on credit.

In politics Mr. Paulle is a Republican, not of the demonstra- tive type, but always firmly and quietly adhering to his be- liefs. He has had no time for seeking political honors and no inclination. He is not a politician.

Simple and nnostentatious in his mode of life, his demo- cratic inclinations have made him popular in the circles in which he moves. He is particularly prominent in Masonic eircles being one of the oldest 32nd degree Masons in the city, having belonged to the order here since 1876. He is also one of the board of directors of the Masonic Temple having been one of the original promoters of the building project. He is a member of most of the clubs of the city including the Com- mercial club, the Elks club, the Athletic club and the Antomo- bile club. His chief amusement is hunting. In this way he get's most of his relaxation from the press of business cares. He lias built and owns a number of business buildings. When John Lind was governor Leonard Panlle hield a colonel's com- mission on his staff. He is one of the vice-presidents of the Germania Bank.

In 1905 Mr. Panlle was married to Miss Minnie Crozier of La Crosse, Wisconsin. They have no children.

Mr. Paulle's spirit of good citizenship has given him a part in every public enterprise that make for the betterment of the state and municipality. He is a self-made man, but very humble in the matter of the credit he gives himself for his achievements.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 115

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