Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 129

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 129

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In his native state Mr. Pond obtained a common school education according to the standards in vogue in New England in his boyhood. In his young manhood he was united in marriage witlı Miss Jane A. Lyon, a daughter of Harvey Lyon, a prominent citizen of Auburn, N. Y., and soon after- ward became a farmer in Cayuga county.

After farming for a number of years in the state of New York, and succeeding as he did in almost every other venture he made in those years, he found his health failing and determined to seek a change of climate, and a new locality in which he could continue in business to advantage, but without the excessive physical strain to which he had long been subjected. The fine opportunities for investment and big business transactions and the healthful climate of this region, which were attracting general attention in the North- east, brought him hither between 1855 and 1860, and he soon found that the locality was all it had been pictured as a land of promise in trade and an invigorating one for the human frame.

Mr. Pond arrived in Minneapolis with a considerable amount of capital for his day, and finding the people here greatly in need of money and offering attractive rates of interest for its use, he began loaning as his regular business, and by this means he added largely to his resources. He also became possessor of real estate from time to time and held it for the advances in value that, seemed inevitable. His career was not, however, one of unbroken triumph. He lost heavily through the failure of some men and through the dishonesty of others. But he did not suffer .beyond his ability to stand the losses without inconvenience and all the while his property was growing in value.

Within a few years after he came to Minneapolis Mr. Pond lost his wife by death, and for a number of years following that event he lived largely to himself, frugally and unosten- tatiously, and showing in his daily walk many of the salient characteristics of the typical New Englander. He was then vigorous and energetic, and devoted himself wholly to business pursuits and efforts to push forward the development and improvement of the city in which he had cast his lot.

During this period he kept in close touch with Augustus Pettibone, his brother-in-law in Oswego, New York, and mani- fested a cordial and appreciative interest in Miss Florence Pettibone, a daughter of that gentleman. In 1893 she came to Minneapolis to give him companionship, care and comfort, and they then set up an establishment, and through his declining years he had all the enjoyinents of a comfortable home. In addition to being the guiding spirit of his house- hold his niece became his aid, adviser, and staff in his business operations, and together they placed the Pond and Pettibone Addition to Minneapolis on the market in 1900. Miss Petti- bone now has her home at 1917 Stevens avenue.

Miss Pettibone was Mr. Pond's principal beneficiary in the disposition of his extensive property. She is a careful busi- ness woman, with no fondness for display or public notice.

In fact, she has many of the traits of character and habits of life that distinguished her venerable uncle, and has proven herself to be altogether worthy of the confidence and affection he bestowed on her while he lived. Like him, she is earnest and practical in her devotion to the welfare of the community in which she lives, and is always ready to aid in the promotion of any commendable undertaking to advance its interests. But she is wise as well as public-spirited, and is never caught by projects of doubtful value, or overborne by considerations of sentiment without substance beneath them. She is a lady of strong common sense and good judgment, and is universally esteemed for her genuine worth and usefulness.

EUGENE J. STILWELL:

Eugene J. Stilwell, president and treasurer of the Minne- apolis Paper company and a prominent and progressive citizen, was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, June 27, 1849, the son of Hiram and Elizabeth S. Stilwell, who were both natives of New York state. His parents were married in Milwaukee and settled in Washington county in 1846, where they made their home for six years and then removed to St. Paul. For a period of thirty years, Hiram Stilwell was actively identified with the business life of that city as a successful building contractor, erecting many of the principal structures, including the Merchants' Hotel. He died in St. Paul at the age of seventy-six. E. J. Stilwell was reared in St. Paul and there attended the public schools, graduating from high school. He then completed a course of study in a commercial college and in 1873 became engaged in the paper business, entering the employ of Averill, Russell & Carpenter and has devoted his efficient services to this same firm and their successors during the forty years of his notably success- ful career. His first position was as traveling salesman and for thirteen years he assisted in building up the rapidly increasing patronage of the company. In 1886 he became a partner in the firm which was known at this time as Averill, Carpenter & Company. Two years later the Minneapolis Paper company was established as a branch house and in 1893 Mr. Stilwell assumed the personal management of the Minneapolis company. The firm was incorporated in the same year with a capital stock of $50,000, which has since been increased to $150,000 with a surplus of $75,000. Mr. Stilwell was chosen president and treasurer, Mr. George H. Christian, vice president and Mr. W. E. Swartwood, secretary. The business comprises several departments. producing print- ers' stock, wrapping paper, building paper and stationery, the latter including the manufacture of tablets and mercantile ruling paper. The remarkable growth of the trade has more than exceeded the expectations of its promoters and necessi- tates the employment of about eighty workman, with a force of thirteen salesmen who cover a constantly expanding terri- tory throughout the northwest beside handling an immense local trade. As a public spirited citizen, Mr. Stilwell is extensively identified with all matters touching the welfare 'of Minneapolis and actively interested in politics and the Republican party. In recognition of his valuable political services he has been frequently urged to accept public office but has continued to decline these honors. He is a member of the Civic and Commerce association and first vice president of the Commercial club and his hearty cooperation may

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

always be relied upon, in any movement for the advancement and general prosperity of the city. As vice president of the state fair board, his influence is state wide in the promotion of the affairs of this body with notable results for Minnesota. In Masonry he has attained the ranks of Knight Templar and Shriner, and is a member of the Minneapolis, Lafayette and Automobile clubs. He was married to Miss Kittie M. Goewey of Chicago, in 1878. They have one daughter, Grace, who is the wife of Mr. L. R. Boswell, a department manager in the Minneapolis Paper company. Mr. Stilwell is an enthusiastic huntsman and finds great enjoyment and relaxation in the pursuit of his favorite sport and recreation in the native wilds of northern Minnesota.

CHARLES H. SCOTT.

Begining his business carcer at an early age, and making every place he filled a means of access to a better one, and patiently biding his time until he could be in his own, Charles H. Scott, vice-president and treasurer of the Strong- Scott Manufacturing company, has at the age of forty a record of well filled undertakings and creditable achievements. Mr. Scott was born at Gardner, Johnson county, Kansas, on July 17, 1873, his parents, James and Ellen died in Gardner. He completed his academic education at a high school in Kansas City, and in 1893 when he was but twenty years of age, was assistant superintendent of the Calumet street railway com- pany in Chicago, after so serving for a time becoming superin- tendent of the American Malting company of Chicago. In 1899, he came to this city being variously engaged until 1903 when he acquired an interest in the Strong-Northway company. Soon afterward he purchased Mr. Northway's interest and the busi- ness became the Strong-Scott Manufacturing company of which he has for some years been vice-president and treasurer with a potential voice in its management. He is also one of the directors of the Bruce-Edgerton Lumber company and pres- ident of the Sleepy Eye Dry Process company. He holds active and serviceable membership in the Interlachen and the Long Meadow Gun clubs, and has given helpful attention to the public affairs. On June 16th, 1909, he was married to Miss Blanche Edgerton of Minneapolis. They have three children.

HANS SIMONSON.

Hon. Hans Simonson, for many years actively identified with the manufacturing interests of Minneapolis as president of the Simonson Brothers Manufacturing Company, is a native of Norway, born February 22, 1844. He came to this country in 1865 and joined his brother, Peter, in Minneapolis. Peter Simonson had left his native land several years previously and was engaged in the trade of cabinet maker, and for a time Hans was employed as a house carpenter.

In 1870 the brothers established themselves on Tenth and Washington streets as stair builders and are so designated in the City Directory of 1877. They were remarkably successful and their patronage grew rapidly, soon requiring a force of ten or twelve assistants. In 1883 they removed to the present location on South Seventh street. The brothers first organized their company in partnership with Mr. Julius Newgaard and

Mr. Jacob Stoft, as Simonson Brothers, Newgaard & Company. The firm was incorporated in 1886 with a capital of $50,000, which was soon increased to $80,000. In 1907 the plant was struck by lightning and destroyed. The present buildings are substantial brick structures representing a floor space of 50,000 square feet. The company engages principally in cabinet work, manufacturing sash, doors, and moldings, em- ploying 125 workmen and has an immense business extending throughout the Northwest to the Coast, beside supplying a large local demand. The two men whose efforts and efficiency have been rewarded by the marked prosperity and success of the company are no longer actively connected with its in- terests, although Hans Simonson, who has made his residence in Norway for the last cight years, and the heirs of Peter Simonson, whose death occurred in 1892, continue as stock- holders.

In addition to his manufacturing interests, Hans Simonson was prominent in the affairs of the city and State. He is a Republican and for two terms represented his district in the State Legislature, where he faithfully discharged his duties. He was an organizer and is still a director of the South Side State Bank and a founder and vice president of the Minne- apolis Savings & Loan Association. He was president of the Simonson Brothers Manufacturing Company from the time of its incorporation until his departure for Norway, in 1905, when he left his business affairs in the management of Mr. Ole Bjerke.

Mr. Bjerke became president of the company in 1907 and has competently filled the position since that time with Martin Simonson, a brother of Hans, as vice president and L. Monasch as secretary.

Mr. Bjerke was born in Norway, July 6, 1860, came to America in 1886, and located in Minneapolis. He had known the Simonson brothers in the old country, and found employ- ment with them in their office as bookkeeper. He became a stockholder in the firm and was notably associated with the successful growth of the company. He was married in Minne- apolis to Miss Carrie Anderson, a native of Norway, and they have two children, Helen, a student in the high school, and Ruth.

NELS ALBIN MATSON.

Mr. Matson was a native of Sweden. Born September 30th, 1865, and died at Minneapolis June 28, 1908. His parents Mattes J. and Anna (Pearson) Matson, were also natives of Sweden. Mr. Matson came to this country for the enjoyment and the advantages offered here by the unbounded opportunities for advancement available to ability, industry and thrift.

He came to the United States in 1884, when he was just about nincteen years old, and took up his residence at Roseville, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for a few years. He had been fairly well educated and trained for usefulness in many ways in his native land, and with a self-reliant nature was ready for any call to duty when he moved to Minneapolis in 1888. His first engagement after coming to this city was as a nurseryman, but this only lasted a short time. He had a turn for mercantile life which induced him to become a salesman for Lillebridge Bremer, a wholesale confectioner, in whose employ he worked faithfully for a few months.

A.g. Malon

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Mr. Matson's aim was high, however, and he was determined against being long diverted from it. His great desire was to have a business of his own, which he could conduct and build up for his own advantage, he gratified this laudable ambition by starting a bakery in 1893. He carried this on with increasing patronage and popularity in ordinary lines until 1902. In that year he made a radical departure from established lines by putting on the market a special brand of bread which he called the "Baby Label," and which con- tained the trade-mark of his business.

The Matson bakery was started at Central avenue and Twenty-fifth street northeast, which he bought of Mr. Eggens- berger, but in 1902, when he decided to put more life and progress into his business, he bought land, and moved his combined plants to a large brick building at Tenth street and Third avenue northeast. Here he built up a trade that required the employment of fifty to sixty persons, used eleven delivery wagons regularly and laid every section of the city under tribute to its revenues. He also incorporated his busi- ness under the name of N. A. Matson Baking Co. This company is still in active operation, its present officers being : D. Engstrum, president; Miss C. S. Larson, secretary, and Mrs. Nels A. Matson, treasurer.

Mr. Matson was married in Minneapolis on September 29, 1893, to Miss Tillie Eckberg of this city. Two children were born of their union, their sons Clarence W., who is now (1913) eighteen years of age, and Irving F., who is twelve. Mr. Matson showed his interest in the fraternal life of his adopted city by active membership in the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Foresters. He was also a serviceable factor of its organized social activities as a valued member of the Odin club. In religious faith and allegiance he was a Christian Scientist.

While the life of this capable and enterprising business man and excellent citizen in Minneapolis was not an extended one, it was a very useful one. He took an earnest interest and an active part in all projects for the improvement and expansion of the city, used his influence and his suffrage in efforts to secure the best possible government for the commu- nity and was liberal in his contributions of time, energy and material assistance to the work of all good agencies organzied and laboring for the welfare of the people in all lines of advancement, moral, intellectual, social and material. The people of the city knew his worth and estcemed him highly, and his intimate associates felt his influence for good, his stimulus to exertion and the improving force of his example. He served his day and generation well, and his memory remains in the community an abiding well-spring of benefac- tion to its residents.

HON. EDWARD E. SMITH.

Who became Lieut. Governor September 21, 1909, upon ac- cession of Lieut. Governor Eberhart to the governorships, at the death of Governor Johnson, and one of the leading mem- bers of the Minneapolis Bar, was born May 5, 1861, at Spring Valley, Minn., his parents being Dryden and Elizabeth Anne (Hines) Smith. His early educational advantages were confined to the public schools. He began the study of the law at Charles City, Iowa; and upon his admission, located at Minneapolis.

His practice has assumed large proportions, and his standing at the Bar is second to few. He early became interested in political work, and, in 1894, was elected to the legislature, being re-elected two years later. In 1898 he was sent to the Senate and was twice re-elected, so, that his services in the legislature covered a period of sixteen years. He was in- strumental in establishing the Minnesota Tax Commission; being, during the greater part of his service as legislator, Chairman of the Committee on Taxes and Tax-Laws.

In the session of 1907, he was President pro tem of the Senate, thus becoming Lient. Governor when the vacancy occurred. He has long been recognized as a party leader, ever standing for regularity; the overwhelming success of the party in this state in 1912, when the Republicans in many states met defeat, owning to entanglements in a many skeined National contest, was largely accredited to his enthusiasm and generalship as chairman of the state Central Committee. Yet through all the strenuous maneuvers of a political campaign, he is to outward appearances the most retiring, modest un- assuming man in the party; and this quality, linked with great personal magnetism, is credited with advancing him in leadership. He is a member of the Minneapolis, the Lafayette, Interlachen and the Athletic clubs, and of the Civic Commerce Association. He is identified with all the local Masonic bodies.

Married in 1884 to Esther E. Leonard, at Charles City, Iowa. The daughter is Mrs. Harriet Leonard Waters and the son Rollin L. Smith, Minneapolis.

FRED RICHARDSON SALISBURY.

Fred R. Salisbury, the pioneer manufacturer of mattresses, bed springs and iron and brass bedsteads in Minneapolis, is entitled to distinction. He was the first man to engage in the making of these articles of universal use and necessity in this city, and he has expanded his operations and trade in the industry to very large proportions. He has also taken an active and very serviceable part in the general life of the city in many ways, and has filled many positions of im- portance in connection with its business and social organiza- tions and activities.

Mr. Salisbury is a native of Madison county, New York, where his life began on January 18, 1861, and a son of Thomas G. and Marian (Richardson) Salisbury, who were of the same nativity as himself. The father was a manufac- turer. He died October 29, 1898. The mother is still living at Minneapolis, and the son was therefore in touch with industrial life from his boyhood. His grandfather, Daniel Salisbury, during his life was engaged in farming.

Fred R. Salisbury obtained his scholastic training and his preparation for business at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he passed through the elementary grades and was graduated from the high school. He then pursued a course of special training for business in a commercial college. This he com- pleted before he was seventeen, and after doing so immediately began his business career, coming to Minneapolis in 1877 for the purpose. As soon as he arrived in this city he began preparations for starting his present business, and soon had it under way and moving forward toward high prosperity. There was no manufactory of mattresses and his other prod- ucts in the city then, and he had the field to himself. His superior business acumen and enterprise enabled him to take

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

full advantage of the situation and found his business ou a firm foundation which no upheaval in trade circles in the community has ever since been sufficient to shake.

For some years Mr. Salisbury was associated in the business with W. P. Washburn and W. T. Rolph. Then the Salisbury & Satterlee company was formed, and in 1904 the business was incorporated under this name. Mr. Salisbury is the president of the company, and William E. Satterlee, a sketch of whom will be found in this work, is the vice president. The business carried on by the company is the most extensive of its kind in the Northwest, and has other sections of the country also under tribute to its trade. The factory is one of the leading industrial enterprises on the Eastern side of the river, and is nowhere surpassed in the excellence of its output, every article it places on the market being of the best quality in material and first class in workmanship and style according to its class.

For many years Mr. Salisbury has been a very busy man, but he has never neglected the duties of citizenship or turned away from any call to duty in connection with the industrial and mercantile interests of the city of his home. He has served as treasurer of the Firemen's Relief Fund, the Minneap- olis Credit Men's Association, the Twin City Merchants' As- sociation, the Minneapolis Furniture Manufacturers' Associa- tion and the Minneapolis Commercial Club. He is at this time (1914) president of the National Association of Credit Men. He has also taken a cordial and serviceable interest in the civic affairs of the city, although lie has never held a political office or desired one, his interest in public affairs being only that of a good citizen earnestly desirous of the best govern- ment attainable.

The social life of the community around him has engaged Mr. Salisbury's attention and energies to a very large extent. He is a member of the Minneapolis, Minneapolis Athletic, St. Anthony, Rotary, Minikahda, Interlachen, Lafayette and Min- netouka Yacht clubs, and is zealous in his devotion to the welfare, good government and widest usefulness of them all. In fraternal life he is a Freemason of the highest degree, having ascended the mystic ladder of the fraternity through the Knights Templar degree in the York Rite and into the thirty-second degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. In Masonic relations he is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, holding his membership in this branch of the order in Zurah Temple in Minneapolis. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party and his religious connection with the First Methodist Episcopal church.

On August 15, 1885, Mr. Salisbury was married in Minne- apolis to Miss Nellie F. Barrows, a daughter of Frederick C. and Sarah J. (Swain) Barrows. Four children have been born of the union, all of whom are living. They are Maurice, Willis, Kenneth and Emmet. All the members of the family are held in the highest esteem in all parts of the city, and are representative in an admirable degree of its most elevated and useful citizenship, the uprightness of their lives being ereditable alike to it and to themselves.

THOMAS J. SKELLET.

Thomas J. Skellet was born in Denmark in 1870, and was reared on a farm.

When he was seventeen years old he came to Hayward,

Sawyer county, Wisconsin, where he worked in a lumber mill one year. He then went to Blair, Nebraska, and there he attended Trinity Seminary one winter. Returning to Hay- ward, he resumed his labor in the sawmill. The next winter, working for his board, he attended school in Hayward, and later clerked in a grocery store.

In 1889 he came to Minneapolis, and, after pursuing a course in the Curtiss Business College, became bookkeeper for the Flour City Transfer company. For eight years he held a similar position for the Pioneer Fuel company, his next engagement being with the Bovey DeLaittre Lumber com- pany, where for three years he had charge of the fuel de- partment. He then started the Skellet Fuel company, it later becoming the Elliott-Skellet Fuel company. In five years it had grown to handsome proportions, and, selling, bought the O. G. Peterson Transfer business, forming The Skellet Trans- fer and Storage company. He has since had active personal control of this business showing such enterprise and energy as have made it one of the leading transfer and storage institutions of the city. Without neglect of business he has given an active and helpful part in public affairs under the impelling force of intelligent, cordial and discerning interest in the public welfare. His political allegiance has always been given to the Democratic party, in which he is an im- portant factor. He was candidate for register of deeds in 1904, and in 1911 a member of the Board of Corrections and Charities. He is Chairman of Salvation Army Industrial Home on Nicollet Island, where social derelicts are given a chance to regain lost self-respect and once more hold up their heads among men.

He is a member of the Civic and Commerce Association and the Athletic club and ex-president of the Odin and of the North Side Commercial clubs. He is a zealous Mason and Elk. Living a quiet, unostentatious life, his genuine merit as a man and 'citizen and his fine business capacity have won the universal esteem and a host of warm and appreciative friends. In 1895, he was married to Miss Molly Thone. They have four children. Oliver aud Thomas, Evangelyn and Rosslyn.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 129

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