USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota > Part 72
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When he left the bank Mr. Dean united with his brother George in starting a private bank at Hutchinson, Minnesota, of which their father was made president. The sons conducted this bank two years, then sold it, and formed a partnership under the style of Dean Bros. to deal in commercial paper. This business also continued twenty-two years to 1910, during the latter of which Frederick Dean was its sole proprietor. In 1910 he sold it to F. D. Monfort, late vice president of the Second National Bank of St. Paul, and started the enterprise in which he is now engaged, or did some preliminary work leading toward it, as he did not actually open his present office until January 1, 1913.
In the business he is now conducting Mr. Dean deals in bonds and investment securities, handling his own property as well as that of other persons. He has been dealing in real
estate on the side for a number of years and has acquired a considerable amount of it that is valuable. In 1908 he laid out Elmdale Addition to Minneapolis, containing thirty acres and lying at the intersection of Thirty-eighth street and Hiawatha avenue. He also platted Williston Addition at the intersection of Johnson and Division streets. Of these additions he was the sole owner.
In the organized social life of this locality Mr. Dean has taken a cordial and helpful interest as a member of the Minneapolis club and the Minnesota club of St. Paul. On March 22, 1903, he was married to Miss Rowene Davis, a native of Monroe county, Missouri. They have no children. Both attend the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, and take an active part in all its uplifting and improving work, and both stand high in the estimation of the people in all parts of the city.
DR. CHARLES WAYLAND DREW.
Dr. Charles Wayland Drew was born at Burlington, Vt., January 18, 1858. He is the son of Homer C. and Lorinda (Roby) Drew, both of his parents being descendants of pioneers of New England. His father was a contractor and builder by occupation and in moderate circumstances.
He attended the public schools and at the age of fifteen entered the University of Vermont. His inclination being chiefly toward scientific studies, he devoted special attention to chemistry and allied branches. In 1877 he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, also receiving honorary election to the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity.
After about eighteen months devoted in part to further research work in chemistry in the laboratories of Brooklyn and New York, and in part to the study of medicine, he became a student in the Medical Department of the University of Ver- mont, from which he graduated with the highest honors in a class of sixty in 1880. For a year he was associated in medical practice with a leading physician at Brattleboro, Vt., and in 1881 came to Minneapolis, where he soon established himself in the practice of medicine.
Soon after his arrival he became connected with the Minne- sota College Hospital as professor of chemistry, and this con- nection continued for seven years, when this school with others was merged into the State University.
In 1883 he was appointed as city physician and served for two years. He was a pioneer in the investigation of adul- terated foods, devoting several years to research work along these lines, and issuing valuable reports upon the subject, which did much to awaken public interest. As a result, he was appointed State Chemist to the Dairy and Food Department, in which connection he not only rendered valuable professional service, but was also influential in determining the policy of the department; and during the six years devoted to this work he was instrumental in securing the enactment of many sani- tary and food laws which have been most helpful.
In 1886 he established the Minnesota Institute of Pharmacy and for almost thirty years its educational work has been carried on under his charge. The aggregate attendance has been over 2,500 students and for many years more than one- half of the legally qualified pharmacists in Minnesota have been graduates from this school.
In 1895 Dr. Drew was appointed chemist to the city of
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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Minneapolis, and for some eight years he held this important position. From 1898 to 1902 he was professor of chemistry and toxicology in the Medical Department of Hamline University.
Since about 1890 his time has been so largely devoted to analytical and research work in chemistry and to teaching, that medical practice has been largely abandoned. As an expert in eases in which chemico-legal and toxicological ques- tions are involved his services are in frequent demand throughout the Northwest.
In politics he is a Republican, and although he has never held any other than a professional position he in interested in everything that makes for good government and civie bet- terment.
He is a member of various medical, chemical and pharma- ceutical societies, both state and national.
He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and of the Society of the Colonial Wars of Minnesota and of the State Historical Society.
He was made a Mason at Burlington, Vt., in 1879, later became affiliated with Khurum Lodge, and was a charter member and the first Master of Minnehaha Lodge. He is now a member of Ark Lodge, Ark Chapter, Minneapolis Mounted Commandery Knights Templar, of which he is a Past Com- mander. He was also Grand Treasurer of the Grand Com- mandery of Knights Templar for a number of years, and is a member of Zuhrah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also an Elk and a member of the Athletic Club.
He is a member of the Episcopal Church.
He married at Brattleboro, Vt., September 18, 1884, Annah Reed Kellogg, daughter of Henry Kellogg, of Boston, Mass. They have two children, Julia Kellogg and Charles W., Jr.
FRANKLIN J. EATON.
Mr. Eaton belonged to old New England families and was born at Old Town, Penobscot county, Maine, on August 12, 1852. He died in Minneapolis on April 26, 1909, well known in all parts of the city and highly esteemed by all classes of its residents. When he was a boy of fourteen he camc with his father, John W. Eaton, to Chicago, from that great mart to Forest City, Minnesota, a year or two later, and from there to Minneapolis in 1871, when he was nineteen years of age.
The father was a carpenter and worked at his trade in the various places of his residence. His life ended in Minneapolis in 1891. The mother survived him twenty years, passing away in 1911, in this city also, and at an advanced age. She was an active working member of the First Baptist church for some years after her arrival here, and afterward zealous in her devotion and services to the Fourth Baptist church, to which she then belonged, and in which she was for many years a Sunday school teacher.
Franklin J. Eaton was blessed by nature with a fine bass voice, and this was developed and enriched by careful train- ing. His academic education was interrupted by his frequent changes of residence in early life, but his musical training was never neglected, and he became a singer of superior power and skill. He acquired thie mastery of several musical instruments as a performer also, and was therefore well qualified to teach instrumental as well as vocal music. He
inherited his talent in a measure, his father having been for a long time a singer in church choirs in various places.
In religious faith Mr. Eaton was a Baptist and an active worker in the church of that denomination in North Minne- apolis which was attended by his mother. He was married in Minneapolis in 1880, to Miss Anna M. Moulton, a native of Wisconsin, but reared in this city. No children were born of their union, but they reared a niece from early girlhood. Mrs. Eaton still maintains the family home at 3240 Clinton avenue.
OLOF N. OSTROM.
Representing in splendid degree the fine traditions, prin- ciples and personality that have made the Scandinavian ele- ment such a valuable force in connection with the development and progress of the great northwestern section of our national domain, the late Olof N. Ostrom wielded large and benignant influence in connection with large and important business and industrial activities in Minnesota and his pronounced and worthy success represented the direct results of his own efforts, the while he so ordered his course as to merit and receive the implicit confidence and respect of his fellow men. Self-reliant, positive and optimistic, he undertook his work with the assurance of success and he virtually magnetized conditions.
At Christianstad, Sweden, capital of the laen of the same name, Olof N. Ostrom was born on the 29th of July, 1850, and his life was cut short in the very zenith of its strong and virile usefulness, as he was summoned to eternal rest, at his home in Minneapolis, on the 19th of September, 1893. His father was a boot and shoe merchant in Christianstad and was enabled to give to the son excellent educational ad- vantages, including those of the common schools of the town and also tuition under private instructors at the family home. The initial business experience of Olof N. Ostrom was gained in his native city, in the capacity of bookkeeper, but his ambition for advancement was equaled by the courage of his convictions, so that, at the age of seventeen years, he severed the home ties and set forth to seek his fortunes in the United States. In 1867 he came to America, with Minne- sota as his objective point. He first located in St. Paul, the capital city of the state, but in the following year he re- moved to St. Peter, judicial center of Nicollet county, where he entered the employ of a firm engaged in contracting and building. He made good use of the opportunities afforded him in this connection and familiarized himself with the various details of the business. In 1872 he there engaged in the same line of enterprise on his own responsibility, and he proved himself well fortified for such independent effort. He continued successfully in the contracting and building business until 1878, and within this interval he superintended the construction of a number of large and modern buildings, including those of the Gustavus Adolphus College, at St. Peter, he having assumed the contract for the work.
In 1879 Mr. Ostrom removed to Evansville, Douglas county, where he engaged in the general merchandise business and also in buying and shipping grain. He brought to bear his splendid powers and built up a large and prosperous busi- ness. Further advancement was made by him in 1883, when he founded the Bank of Evansville and gave inception to his
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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
admirable career as an able and discriminating financier. In 1885 he disposed of his mercantile business and thereafter he gave his time and attention to his grain and banking enterprises at Evansville until 1888, when he disposed of his banking interests and removed to Minneapolis, · in which broader field he found ample opportunity for the exercising of his fine executive and constructive talents. Here he ef- fected the organization of the Swedish-American Bank, which was incorporated with a capital stock of one hundred thou- sand dollars and of which he became the executive head. The capital was later increased to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and finally, with the substantial expansion of the business of the institution, its stock was increased to five hundred thousand dollars. Almost entirely to the able management and effective policies of Mr. Ostrom was due the upbuilding of the solid and important business of this institution, his administration as its president until the time of his death. On the 28th of November, 1908, the Swedish-American Bank was merged into the Northwestern National Bank, which bases its operations on a capital stock of three million dollars, with a surplus fund of two million dollars, and it is specially gratifying to note that the only son of Mr. Ostrom is cashier of this great institution, one of the strongest banking houses of the northwest.
In 1888 Mr. Ostrom became the prime factor in the organi- zation of the Inter-State Grain Company, of which he became president and general manager. This company was incor- porated with a capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars, and Mr. Ostrom's coadjutors in the same were Charles S. Hulbert and Charles M. Amsden. The new corporation, with headquarters at Evansville, engaged in the buying and ship- ping of grain on a most extensive scale and its operations covered a wide area of country. At the time of its organi- zation the company assumed control of twenty-five grain elevators, and this number was later increased to one hun- dred elevators, located on the Chicago & Great Western, the Minneapolis & St. Louis, and the Great Northern Railroads, the large terminal elevator of the company being established in Minneapolis and having a capacity of one million bushels. Mr. Ostrom was also financially interested in a number of other important business enterprises, and it may be noted that at the time of his death he was a stockholder of the First National Bank of Alexandria, Douglas county; the Bank of Gibon, Sibley county; and the Washington Bank of Minneapolis.
A lively appreciation of and loyalty to the state and nation of his adoption ever characterized Mr. Ostrom, and as a citizen he was essentially progressive and public-spirited. He kept well informed in the questions and issues of the day and was a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Repub- lican party, his religious faith having been that of the Lutheran church, of which his widow and children likewise are zealous communicants. His life was ordered upon a lofty plane of integrity and honor, his nature was generous and kindly, and he held the high regard of all who knew him, the while his more intimate friends loved and admired him for his many sterling traits of character. He was in the most significant sense the artificer of his own fortunes and the record of his achievement should prove a source of en- during inspiration to young men facing the battle of life on their own responsibility.
and she survives her honored husband, as do also their two children, Alma M., who is the wife of Frank P. Lothmann, of Minneapolis, and Alexander V., who is cashier of the North- western National Bank, as previously intimated in this sketch. Concerning Alexander V. Ostrom the following consistent esti- mate has been offered by one familiar with his career: "He is one of the best known and most highly esteemed young business men of Minneapolis, and he subordinates all other interests to the executive duties devolving upon him as cashier of one of the great banking institutions of the Min- nesota metropolis. As a citizen and business man he is fully upholding the prestige of the name which he bears and he is known as one of the influential and able representatives of the younger generation of Minnesota financiers, his services in his important executive office being such as would reflect credit upon a man whose active banking experience would exceed in compass the entire age of Mr. Ostrom. He is popu- lar in the business and social circles of his home city, takes a deep interest in all that touches its welfare, and is a prom- inent and valued member of the Minneapolis Club, the Minne- kada Club and other representative civic organizations in Minneapolis."
SENATOR JAMES T. ELWELL.
Senator James T. Elwell has always been one of the fore- most of Minneapolis' citizens in the betterment and develop- ment, not only of the East Side, where he has been particularly interested, but in the city at large, as well.
Senator Elwell was born in Minnesota and has the true Minnesota spirit of initiative. His early life was spent in Washington county, Minnesota, and he was particularly for- tunate in his educational advantages. After attending the common schools he attended Carlton College, at Northfield. He made his first venture for individual independence, when he was but sixteen years old, by inventing a spring bed. He soon began to manufacture it. Out of the boyish venture has grown two of the largest manufacturing institutions of the Northwest, the Minneapolis Furniture Company, of which George H. Elwell is now at the head, and the Minneapolis Bedding Company, which is an outgrowth of the first named company, as C. M. Way, who was active in the furniture company withdrew from it to found the bedding company. This concern has grown and thrived until it is a close second to the original company.
All through the University district there are many beauti- ful elm shade trees which Senator Elwell was instrumental in having planted with a conception of what they in time would mean to the city. It was in 1882 that he laid out Elwell's Addition to Minneapolis and improved it, not only with the planting of numerous trees, but also by building fifty-five houses upon it. These he put upon the market and set about platting Elwell's second addition. He again showed his intelligent regard for the future, by the great number of trees he had planted. These are now one of the chief sources of the charm and beauty of the district. Elwell's third addition and Elwell and Higgin's addition followed with all the same general characteristics.
Senator Elwell was a pioneer in the matter of reclaiming lands through a system of drainage. He bought 52,700 acres
On the 1st of October, 1870, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ostrom to Miss Helen M. Ely, at St. Peter, this state, . of land in the eastern part of Anoka county which was
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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
largely low land and meadow. Through his enterprise he caused to be constructed about 200 miles of ditching on the property and in this was reclaimed many thousand acres of otherwise almost valueless land and made it into splendid farms.
Like all energetic men, Senator Elwell has a liobby. His is a worthy one which is bringing much good to the state. It is good roads. He might truthfully be called a "good roads enthusiast," for he not only believes in good roads but he backs up his belief with vigorous efficient work for them. He early conceived the idea of good, straight roads for the farming communities and by way of showing how valuable they could be he built eight miles of straight, fine road con- necting his two stock farms. This was the first of its kind in the state and was built at a cost of about $1,000 a mile. While a member of the state legislature he did much for the cause of good roads and also was especially active and earnest in doing what he could to promote interest in stock raising.
It was in 1906 that Mr. Elwell was elected to the state senate from the thirty-ninth district. During his'service in this capacity he was zealous in his efforts in behalf of the State University. He is far-sighted enough to see what this will mean to the community and the state in the time to come. He is a stanch Minneapolitan, but he is glad to be of use in anything that has to do with the state at large, realizing as he does that whatever helps the state must of necessity help the metropolis. He has always been an enthu- siastic worker in the St. Anthony Commercial Club and has served as its president. While Senator Elwell is often very much in the limelight because of his interest in things civic and for the general good, he is not in the least a spectacular man in any sense. He is only a business man of rather exceptional talent and foresight who has been extremely generous in devoting his time to the public welfare.
Senator Elwell was born July 2, 1855, on a farm in Ram- sey county, near the Hennepin county line. He was the son of parents of considerable property, but was of the disposition to begin early to do for himself, so in all respects he might well be called a self-made man. On the 28th day of June, 1882, he was married to Miss Lizzie A. Alden and they have raised a family of nine children, five boys and four girls. The boys are James T., Jr., Edwin S., Alden W., Lawrence R. and Watson R. and the girls are Margaret A., Elizabeth, Ruthı and Mary. ' The family is prominent in the social circles of the East Side and attend the Como Avenue Congregational Church.
JAMES W. DAY.
For a period of fifty-two years this enterprising citizen, now retired, has been a resident of Minneapolis, having come here in 1861, when he was but eleven years of age. and while he has contributed to aid in advancing 'and improving the city, it has also contributed to his progress by the oppor- tunities it gave him for the exercise of fine business capacity.
Mr. Day was born in Cooper, Washington county, Maine, March 29, 1850. His mother and stepfather, Tillic Richard- son, whom she married in 1861, and who had come to Minne- sota in 1849. went to a farm in Richfield township. eight miles south of Bridge Square. Mr. Richardson died in Richfield
about 1885, his wife surviving him twenty-seven years, dying October 4, 1912, in her eighty-sixth year.
Mr. Richardson had eight children, Eliza, Hattie, Lizzie, Emma, Fred and Willie, two sons by a former marriage, Dean R. and Henry W. Richardson, and she had three chil- dren, James W., Myra and Alice. Myra is the wife of her stepbrother, Dean R. Richardson, and Alice is the wife of his brother Henry. Both are in Richfield on farms that have become valuable, lands near them selling at $600 an acre. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. (Day) Richardson only one is living, Nellie, Mrs. W. F. Willie, of Northeast Minneapolis.
James W. Day remained with his stepfather, helping to clear, break and improve the farm, until the age of eighteen. He then worked six years for Leonard Day & Son, who, although they were of the same name were no kin. For four years he drove a four-horse team, hauling logs from the- woods to their mill at Sixth avenue south and the river, and for two years was scaling lumber at the mill. He lived with W. H. H. Day, son of Leonard, in whose absence he carcd for the family. Mr. Day was absent a great deal looking up timber land and attending to other business for the firm, and James W., enjoying his full confidence, then had charge of home affairs and helped in rearing his and his brother's. children.
In 1875 Mr. Day, with General Stanley, crossed the plains, but returning passed two years in manufacturing a general line of fencing at Davenport, Iowa. Returning to. Minneapolis in 1879, he began dealing in ice. Years before, in his boyhood, he had caught a prairie chicken, which he traded for a domestic hen, whose production of eggs and chickens realized him twelve dollars. He bought two calves, and so kept on dealing until he had money enough to buy the lot on which he has had his home for many years. In a jocular way he has often traced his career back to the prairie chicken as the foundation of his prosperity.
During the first year in the ice trade he had 125 customers, this then being the extent of the business of supplying ice- on the East Side that year. In 1903, when he sold his business, he had some 4,000 customers and kept ten big wagons busy, handling about 20,000 tons of ice, from a num- ber of ice-houses located at convenient points. He confined operations to the East Side, and he kept his workmen as long as they proved worthy and willing to remain, some being with him 12 to 15 years. The last year in business he paid the railroads $10,000 in freight for 800 carloads of ice shipped.
Mr. Day has long been a stockholder in the East Side. State Bank, but, while he has always been warmly interested in the welfare of the community, has never sought, desired or been willing to accept a public office. although he has frequently been urged to be a candidate for alderman. In political faith he is a Republican and a Prohibitionist. He catered to saloons in his business, but he has himself abstained' from the use of intoxicants as a matter of principle.
Mr. Day has clear recollections of Minneapolis at every stage of its growth and recalls vividly the scenes attendant upon the taking up the planking on the old suspension bridge to keep it from being carried away by the high water in 1861. The Nicollet House was then but half completed, and the view from its upper stories was extensive and unob- structed. He saw bear traeks near the present intersection of Lake street and Minnehaha avenue. the bear making them being killed when it came out of its hiding at night. While-
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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
he was driving for Leonard Day & Son he delivered a great deal of the lumber for the early houses, many of which are still standing. Once he hauled in one load all the lumber for a house and the woman, who was to live in the structure, on top of the load. He was intimately acquainted with all the old families and business men of the city.
April 30, 1879, Mr. Day was united in marriage with Miss Mary Annette Button, of Jamestown, New York, who came to Minneapolis in 1874. They have one child, Leon W. Day. who was deputy treasurer of Hennepin county for a number of years. He married Miss Gertrude Jacobs and also has one son, Rollin Freeman Day. Mr. Day (James W.) is a member of the St. Anthony Commercial club. He used to be a great hunter and a lover of fine horses, being said at one time to own the best in the city. One noted team he sold to the city fire department for $600. He also owned track horses, and was fond of driving them in races on the ice. His son is a natural mechanic and has done work for the city, installing dynamos in high school buildings and other public structures, Everywhere in the city both father and son are well known and highly esteemed.
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