USA > Minnesota > St Louis County > Duluth > Duluth and St. Louis County, Minnesota; their story and people; an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development, Volume II > Part 3
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Credit for the gratifying growth of the library service has been earned by the library board, which has proved to be an active, alert and interested body, and by good direction of the library work by Miss Margaret Hickman, who has been librarian since the institution op- ened, in 1914. Mr. D. W. Freeman, who, until recently, was vice- president, has also given much time to the affairs of the library. The present library board is as follows: Dr. C. W. More, chairman ; Sol- omon Sax, George McCormick, Mrs. G. E. Peterson, Miss Hilma Berg, C. B. Hoel, H. J. Coleman, Peter Peterson, and W. H. Harvey. Cost of maintenance is about $15,000 a year, the city appropriation for the year 1919-20 being $15,429.11. Books to the value of $1,792.18 were purchased in 1920.
Church History .- Eveleth Church history began with the efforts of local members of the Methodist Episcopal society, which was the first to erect a church building in the village. The establishing of that church in the "old town" has been referred to earlier in this chapter.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was the only one built in "the old town." In about 1899, or 1900, a new church building was
529
DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY
erected in the "new town," Rev. R. J. Taylor in charge. . The present Methodist Episcopal Church is at Adams Avenue and Monroe Street, Rev. I. J. Thorne, present pastor.
The Presbyterians early had a society in Eveleth. It is thought that the Rev. E. N. Raymond, who, for a few years, from 1893, was minister at the Virginia Church, held services in Eveleth, in 1895, or 1896, using the schoolhouse for that purpose. The First Presbyte- rian Church at Eveleth (the new town), was "moved over to Eveleth on logging sleighs, in 1899," from the Auburn location, where it had been used as a schoolhouse. It "broke away coming down the hill, but nothing serious happened," the early account further states: "It was used for two years at Fayal location, as a school, then moved to Eveleth for a church." The Presbyterian Church "was organized November 21, 1900, by Rev. S. A. Jamieson." The first elders were James May and John Urquhart. Early ministers were J. M. Todd and S. M. Marsh. Pioneer elders, George Turner and J. E. Rankin. "The church building near Fayal School was dedicated November 2, 1902." The present Presbyterian Church is situated on Mckinley Avenue, near Monroe. Rev. Wm. Jobush, pastor.
The Catholic Church now has three church buildings in Eveleth : the Church of the Holy Family, corner Adams Avenue and Pierce street, Rev. Anton Leskovic; the Church of the Holy Conception, corner Jones street and Elba avenue, Reverend Elias, pastor; and St. Patrick's, corner Jackson street and Roosevelt avenue, Rev. D. P. Pratt, pastor. The Church of the Holy Family was built in 1900. "It stood all alone at that time." The Reverend Father Bilban "came from Virginia to minister," and later became resident priest. Rev- erend Father Hogan succeeded him, in 1903. The St. Patrick's Church was built in 1905, "for English-speaking Catholics." Reverend Father Floyd was one of the first pastors.
The St. John's Episcopal Church Society was "founded by Mrs. Caroline Barrett, and a few others of Episcopalian faith." The Rev. W. E. Morgan, of Virginia, was "instrumental in raising funds for erection, in 1905, of the first building, corner of B avenue and Pierce street. The Rev. Albert Carswell was pastor, in 1906. The present church is on the corner of Pierce and Mckinley streets. Rev. James Ward is pastor.
The Swedish Baptist society built a church in 1900, and in 1906 had a membership of thirty-five. Rev. L. E. Peterson was then pas- tor. The present pastor is Victor E. Anderson, the church being on Adams avenue, between Hayes and Garfield streets.
Of the Lutheran churches (which now are the Finnish Lutheran, Adams avenue, near Monroe, Reverend Merijarki, pastor, and the Swedish Lutheran, corner Adams avenue and Pierce street, Rev. S. E. Johnson, pastor), the Finnish Church was the first to be established. That society "built on Grant avenue, near the M. E. Church, in 1900, soon after the town was removed up the hill." There was a Swedish Mission in 1906, in charge of C. O. L. Peterson.
The residents of Hebraic faith congregate at the Agudath Achim, situated at the corner of Jackson street and Adams avenue. M. Cohen is present Cantor.
Fraternal and Benevolent Societies .- There are many strong local organizations of fraternal orders, among them Masonic, Elks, Eagles, Moose, Odd-Fellows, Owls, Workmen, and Lady Maccabees; and many other benevolent societies of Swedish, Italian, Austrian, and
530
DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY
Finnish character. Available space does not permit present compiler to even briefly review the histories of these societies.
Public Parks .- Eveleth has three public parks, and the people in general realize the value of them, and appreciate the facility. The Central Park has an area of 6 acres, North Side Park has 6.5 acres, and Lake Park consists of about 200 acres, at St. Mary's and Ely lakes. Central Park is well fitted for such a use. It was purchased in 1912, and has been well improved under the direction of J. A. Spurrier, park superintendent, who has made it "one of the finest" in this part of the state. North Side Park "was donated by the town- site owners, when Highland Addition was platted, in 1910." This also is a very beautiful park, and greatly appreciated by the inhab- itants. Lake Park has been allowed to remain more in its wild
CENTRAL PARK, EVELETH. (PUBLIC LIBRARY ON LEFT)
state, with the virgin timber preserved, where possible. A zoo is maintained at Lake Park, and the "holding of band concerts in Cen- tral Park has been a feature for a number of years."
Lakes and Summer Resorts .- Within easy reach of Eveleth are several beautiful sheets of water. Ely Lake is within two miles of the city. Long Lake and Horseshoe Lake are about five miles distant, southward. Six miles south is Half Moon Lake. There is good bass fishing in these waters.
Real Estate .- Eveleth real estate has never "boomed." but the city's growth since removal from original townsite has been sturdy. "Ground values on Grant Avenue, the main business street, range from $2.500 a lot to $5,000 for inside lots, and up to $10,000 for corner lots." Residence lots range from $350 to $1,000.
Agriculture .- The development of outlying lands within the Eve- leth sphere of trading is fostered by the city administration, and business organizations. "Much good land is available at from $15 to $25 an acre, according to location. Close-in wild land has been
531
DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY
sold at $40 an acre." The land pays well for development from its "cut-over" state. Potatoes are an excellent crop on new land, then a three-year rotation, oats or other grain, timothy or clover, and po- tatoes is recommended. Clover is practically a weed in St. Louis County, and in an average season it has been asserted that the yield is "in round figures $100 worth of forage from an acre." Cleared and ploughed land in the vicinity of Eveleth "is worth not less than $100 an acre." It is excellent sheep land, and the pioneer farmer, Wm. F. Haenke, has had surprisingly good results in sheep raising. To Eveleth belongs the distinction of being the first city in the Range country to establish a Farmers' Market, and "every year Eveleth holds a Farmers' Day, at which the products of the surrounding farms are displayed and prizes awarded." Much of the future prosperity of Eveleth lies in the proper development of surrounding agricultural land.
General City Improvements .- "More than 95 per cent of the streets of Eveleth are paved. Bitulithic pavement is the most com- mon, with a few blocks of concreted block pavement. The total yard- age completed with the six years to end of 1919 was 105,256, all of which is bitulithic on concrete base, excepting 14,241 yards of cre- osoted blocks on concrete base. The sewage-disposal system includes a septic tank, built in 1916, at a cost of $20,000. There are ten miles of sanitary sewers and five miles of storm sewers, and the streets are kept clean by modern motor-driven flushing equipment. There is a detention hospital, and several other public facilities that indicate that Eveleth is a good place in which to live. The system of play- ground activities directed at the public expense is thorough and effec- tive. The supervisor of playground activities. A. W. Lewis, is paid $2,280 a year.
Publicity .- The Eveleth Commercial Club leaves no stone un- turned that might uncover benefit to Eveleth. George A. Perham, present secretary, is an enterprising, experienced, and alert public official, and the club embraces all phases of Eveleth activities and interests. The present directors are: C. B. Hoel, president ; John E. Manthey, V. E. Essling, vice-presidents: L. E. Johnson, treasurer ; P. J. Boyle, J. C. Poole, E. J. Kane, J. S. Saari. J. G. Saam, and C. R. McCann, directors.
The local newspaper. of course, is a direct and ever-present means of publicity. The Eveleth periodical goes by the name of the "Eveleth News," and is a well-edited newspaper. Its history may be said to embrace all the newspaper history of Eveleth, for in it have been merged all the other papers ever published in Eveleth. The "Star" was the original Eveleth paper, and was published for many years by P. E Dowling George A. Perham founded the "Mining News" in 1903. It later became the "News." and was owned and edited by Mr. Perham from 1903 to 1909, when ownership and direc- tion passed to David Yarin, of Mayville, N. D., who, one year later, sold to A. E. Pfremmer. In 1914 the ownership passed to T. H. Peter- son and L. O. Magee, who conducted the consolidated papers, "Star" and "News," under the name of the latter, until 1915, as a private part- nership. Since that year, the business has had corporate existence, the newspaper and printing business being incorporated under the trading name of the Eveleth Printing and Publishing Company. Mr. Magee was a stockholder and an active associate in the editorial direction of the paper until 1918, when he entered the United States military forces. In due course he reached France, and met his death
SCHOOLS OF EVELETH DISTRICT
OLD FAYAL SCHIOOL (DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1911)
LINCOLN SCIIOOL (BUILT IN 1912)
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (BUILT ON SITE OF OLD HIGH SCHOOL)
SPRUCE SCHOOL (THE FIRST "REAL" SCHOOL BUILDING ERECTED IN EVELETH)
A
MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOL
LINCOLN
ANNEX (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE ADAMS SCHOOL)
COUNTRY SCHOOL, SOUTHWEST OF EVELETHI
OLD HIGHI SCHOOL
(FIRST BRICK SCHOOLIIOUSE.
BUILT IN 1904. BURNED IN 1908)
533
DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY
on the battlefield, at Argonne Forest, on October 1, 1918. (Further reference to his national service will be found in the World War chapter of this work.) Since the departure of Mr. Magec from Eveleth in 1918, Mr. Peterson has been in full charge of the paper, as manager and supervising editor. The "News" is a seven-column weekly, all "home print," 8 to 16 pages; its circulation is about 1,350 copies weekly, and its advertising patronage is good. The company owns a good printing plant, having the latest typesetting machinery.
Cemetery .- The Eveleth Cemetery was established in 1910-12, J. H. Hearding and George H. Perham being those chiefly instru- mental is securing the necessary land for that sacred purpose. In an ordinary community, such would not be a very difficult matter to negotiate, but in a mining community where all unexplored land is potentially valuable in mineral deposits, negotiations are more diffi- cult to carry through.
Taxation .- To indicate the development of Eveleth, the following comparison is given. The taxable property, real and personal, with- in the village of Eveleth in 1895 was assessed at $28,571. In 1919 it was $17,303,737.
Population .- Another comparison, but not so striking, is in the census statistics. According to the original petition for incorporation 200 persons resided in Eveleth in June, 1893. In 1900, the population was 2,752; in 1910 it was 7,036; and in 1920 residents cognizant with the growth of the city in most of its phases in the preceding decade, were somewhat surprised to learn the federal census-taking only re- corded 7,205 persons as then having residence in Eveleth. A recan- vassing was suggested, but apparently was not made. However, with that population, Eveleth takes fifth place among the incorporated places of St. Louis County.
Old Settlers Association .- Reference to the society which, above all others, is pledged to devote itself mainly to the preservation of Mesabi range history, must not be forgotten. The Mesabi Range Old Settlers Association had its inception at Eveleth in 1919, Charles Jesmore being the most active promoter. An organization was affected at the county fair held at Hibbing in that year. First officers were : Chas. Jesmore, president ; W. E. Hannaford, secretary ; Frank Ansley, treasurer. There were several vice presidents, the endeavor being to elect one pioneer of each town to that office. Those elected included : Dudley W. Freeman, Eveleth; W. J. Eaton, Virginia; Joseph Haley, Hibbing ; Fred Talboys, Aurora : George Smith, Moun- tain Iron ; Frank Caldwell, Biwabik. The first annual meeting was held at Biwabik in August, 1919. Nearly 600 pioneers of the Mesabi range have now joined the society.
School History .- Last, but certainly not least in importance, comes a review of the history of Eveleth schools. Indeed, when a stranger first enters one of the cities of the Mesabi range, and views the magnificent school buildings, which are generally the outstanding landmarks of the place, he is forced to the conclusion that those respon- sible for the public weal in the Mesabi range have a proper apprecia- tion to the importance of the community of an adequate system of education. Certainly, the future prosperity of the city depends in great measure upon the excellence, or otherwise, of its public schools of the present. Eveleth recognizes that; and so apparently do the directors of the principal mining companies. They have resisted increase in municipal taxation on many occasions, but have never seemed to adopt a niggardly attitude toward a levy for school pur-
HIGH SCHOOL OF EVELETH
1
535
DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY
poses. The school levy for Independent School District No. 39 (Eve- leth) in 1919 was $444,981.57, and some school districts have an even higher levy, the bulk of which is payable by the mining companies ; yet it seems that the latter have always been ready to co-operate in the establishment of an even better educational system than can be found in other communities of even higher social status. To the public schools of the range go children of very many nationalities (thirty- nine being represented in the enrollment of one school district), yet they are afforded as fine schools as can be found almost anywhere in America. And the standard of education is equally high, the school districts having the financial means wherewith to attract into service the best public school educators of the country. Consequently, the children of the range communities, mostly children of hardworking, honest, but in many cases illiterate, parents, will be able eventually to pass out into the world, or into higher schools, well-grounded in ·academics, and possibly in vocational knowledge.
.
The first school established in Eveleth has been referred to earlier in this chapter. The little school erected in 1895 was evidently only for the smaller children. Those of higher grade used to go over to Virginia to school. And the Eveleth schools up to the year 1903 were under the direction of the Virginia District (No. 22 School District), Mr. John H. Hearding, of Eveleth, however, being one of the principal members of that school board. From 1903, Eveleth has been the administrative center of Independent School District No. 39, and, fortunately, the school history from that time to 1915 was compiled for, and published in, the Eveleth High School Annual for 1915. That review is the basis for the following.
It appears that in 1903, "Virginia had the greater part of popula- tion, but the southern end of the district (Eveleth) objected to have part in paying for the new building in Virginia." There was "some excitement." but eventually Eveleth separated, assuming $13,500 of current debt, and 69 per cent of bonded debt. Independent School District No. 39 was then organized, having responsibility for public education in the whole of Fayal Township and in six sections of Missabe Mountain Township, a resolution passed March 22, 1903, by the county commissioners describing the new district as "all of town- ship 57 n. of range 17 w., and sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, of town- ship 58 n. of range 17 w."
"The first election brought into office J. H. Hearding, director, G. H. Dormer, treasurer, and W. J. Smith, clerk. They found them- selves to be in debt, to the extent of $35,000 to old district," and in possession of what is now known as the Spruce School, the "first real school building erected in Eveleth." It has been added to and repaired, and is still giving good service. They also had at the outset one other school building, the Fayal, a frame building, "built by Mr. D. T. Denton in a picturesque country clubhouse style." The new board found a deplorably overcrowded condition existent in the two schools, and immediately applied themselves to the task of remedying that condition. Martin Finucan was given contract to erect two small school houses. These became known as the Adams and Fayal kindergartens, and were erected at a cost of nearly $4.000. They were only intended to serve a temporary need, but have been in almost constant use ever since, the enrollment increasing more rapidly than the school accommodation.
The first brick school house built became known as the high school. Construction began in the fall of 1904, and in the spring
536
DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY
work was resumed. It cost about $48,000, and served as the high school until June, 1908, when it was gutted by fire. The present Junior High School now stands upon its site. The burning of the Fayal school house, on April 25, 1911, placed the district again in a very much overcrowded state, notwithstanding that the Adams school house, now called the Lincoln Annex, was built in 1908, and a new high school had been built. The Adams School was begun in October, 1907, when J. A. Roberts, of Duluth, secured the general con- tract. The building is of red brick, and of eight-room capacity. It cost about $33,000. Bids for the building of the high school, to re- place that burned in June, 1908, were opened at the October, 1908, meeting of the school board. Henry Henricksen secured the general contract, the total cost being about $73,000, and for many years it was considered "one of the finest school buildings on the range." W. T. Bray was the architect.
In June, 1910, the form of organization changed. Mr. Hearding, who had fathered the school district and had given very much of his time to school matters since he first settled in Eveleth, removed to Duluth, and could no longer take part in local school administration. He was succeeded by T. H. Davey. Members of the new board of education were Dr. C. W. More, G. H. Dormer, J. J. Murnik, Albert Rohrer and H. S. Sherman.
A new school was built at Fayal in 1912, to take the place of that destroyed by fire in 1911, and it was thought that adequate provision for growth had been provided by making the capacity of the new school ten rooms, for 420 children. The old school building could only accommodate 200 children. The contractor was J. Donlin, and the total cost $60,000.
The Lincoln school building was erected in 1912, bids for its construction being opened on April 1st of that year. It cost about $75,000.
Educationally, Eveleth attained an unique distinction in 1914, when it opened its Manual Training School, "the first school building in Minnesota devoted entirely to boys' industrial subjects." It cost about $60,000, and has drafting room, printery, mill shop, elementary wood-working, and many other industrial departments. The building is of Menominee pressed brick, and is supposed to be fireproof.
In 1918 another school building was added to the impressive group on Jones Street. The Senior High School is the third of the group, beyond the Junior High (wherein are the administrative offices), and the Manual Training schools. And soon will be added "another modern building, for use as a Grade and Girls' Vocational School, on a site to the north of the Senior High School."
"An open-air school has been maintained at Ely Lake during the last two summers. This school is composed of one school building and two sleeping cottages," and is intended for sickly children. There is a rural school in section 36 of Fayal Township, a rapidly-growing agricultural center.
Independent School District No. 39 now has eight large school houses and several smaller. The enrollment for the school-year 1919- 20 was 2,992. Forty-one male and 101 female teachers were employed in that school-year, the average monthly salary of the former being $180, and of the women teachers, $146. School property was estimated to be worth one million dollars in that year. The present Board of Education is : J. M. Stearns, clerk; T. H. Davey, treasurer ; Dr. C. H. More, chairman ; James A. Robb, W. R. Van Slyke and C. B. Hoel,
537
DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY
directors. J. V. Voorhees, district superintendent of schools, assumed supervision of Eveleth schools on July 15, 1920. He came from Wi- nona, Minn., with a good record as an educator, and executive, and he is maintaining, perhaps advancing, the standard of thoroughness demanded from principals and teachers of Independent School District No. 39. Thus will Eveleth schools maintain their good repute among range schools, which are equal to the best of their kind in the north- west, perhaps in the whole country.
A review of Eveleth school history would be incomplete and an injustice would be done, unless it included reference to the excellent work of Mr. B. O. Greening as school superintendent for more than a decade. He was appointed superintendent of Eveleth school district in 1904, and continued in that capacity until 1917, when he entered upon military service, being one of the first to leave Eveleth after war was declared. As to his work as superintendent, the following opinion is given by one who well knew the results obtained :
"Mr. Greening came here in 1904, as school superintendent, and continued in that capacity until 1917. * * * During the period in which he was in charge of the schools most of the buildings were constructed, and he organized, or laid the foundation for the junior college course we now have in connection with the school system of Eveleth. As an educator, Mr. Greening stood high among school men of the state, and much of the credit for the high standing now attained in our schools is due him ; as an executive Mr. Greening was progres- sive and thorough, a good citizen always promoting things worth- while."
CHAPTER XXIII
THE HISTORY OF HIBBING, MINNESOTA
The history of Hibbing, "the Place of Big Things," is a wonder- ful and holding story, a record of great doings, of wonderful achieve- ments, and of immense wealth and possibilities-even from the be- ginning. Everything connected with Hibbing's history has been big. In the first place, the stand of timber was such that the lumbermen made money rapidly in logging it. The seekers for iron had a similar experience. They made great discoveries. Nothing small was pos- sible in the Hibbing district. The explorers found such deposits that the mines subsequently developed have been the most wonderful of the many stupendous mines of the most wonderful iron range of America. Hibbing proved to be the center of the treasure country, the richest portion of the Mesabi Range. And, as she grew, she held to her original status of supremacy. Hibbing has excelled in most things, as will be appreciated by a reading of her history. She is a village, it is true-the "richest village in the world," by the way,-but she has forged ahead of all other communities of the Range country, in population and wealth, and is the richest incorporated place in the county-exceeding Duluth even in wealth, by almost as much as is the total wealth of the City of Virginia, Hibbing's nearest rival on the range. It can, therefore, be readily understood that her place in the state is that of a very important, very promising, and very aggres- sive city.
In the Days of the Timber Barons .- To appreciate the story of Hibbing fully one must have some knowledge of the earliest activities of white men in its vicinity. The story has grounding in the opera- tions of the timber barons, the lumber kings, who became the land barons, and by sitting still soon had the "grubbing ore men" paying them fief.
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.