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 III > Part 7
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definitely determine to follow his father's profession until he had had a wide variety of commercial and industrial experience. He studied law in Chicago, in the Kent College of Law, and after passing the bar exami- nation was admitted on June 4, 1903, and at once returned to Hibbing and continued his professional education in the University of Minnesota. He took the bar examination in Minnesota in January, 1904, and for the past sixteen years has been actively engaged in his profession at Hibbing and has achieved a high rank as a lawyer.
Of Mr. Power's constructive work in behalf of the Hibbing municipal- ity only brief reference need be made here. In 1913, during his absence from the city, he was elected to head a progressive ticket in a campaign based on a platform for bettering local municipal conditions, particularly designed to give the village a better lighting system, water power and other improvements. He was elected village president at the ensuing election, and while the situation and issues have changed in succeeding years, he has been elected and re-elected at every succeeding election and properly deserves much of the credit for the great program of better- ment that has been carried out in recent years.
Mr. Power is a Republican in politics and has served as delegate to a number of county and state conventions. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1910 he married Miss Percy Garner, a native of Manistique, Michigan. She was educated in the public schools of Manistique and Chicago, and was active in the social circles of Hibbing. Her death occurred May 15, 1921.
H. C. MEINING. Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of St. Louis County within the pages of this work, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the com- munity in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is he whose name appears above, peculiar interest attaching to his career from the fact that practically his entire life has been spent in this immediate locality.
H. C. Meining was born in the city now honored by his citizenship on the 9th day of August, 1878, and is the youngest of the nine children born to his parents, seven of whom are still living. The father, Louis W. Meining, whose death occurred in 1897, was a native of Germany, who came to the United States in the '50s. His first location was in New York, but shortly afterward he went to Canada, where he engaged in farming for a time. In 1860 he returned to the United States, locating in Duluth and engaged in the contracting business. Afterward he went to the Calumet copper region in northern Michigan, where for seven years he was employed as foreman of mines. At the end of that time he returned to Duluth and again engaged in general contracting, which business he followed until his retirement, several years later.
H. C. Meining received his elementary education in the public schools of Duluth, after which he entered the University of Michigan, where he was graduated with the class of 1896. Immediately afterward he enlisted for the Spanish-American war in Company G, Fourteenth Regiment, Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, which was stationed at Chattanooga, where they remained until November of that same year, when they returned home. Mr. Meining entered the service as a private, but was discharged with the rank of a second lieutenant. Upon his return to Duluth he became a clerk in the office of the Duluth, Mesaba & Northern Railroad Company, but a year later entered the employ of the Great Northern
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Railroad Company as a stenographer, remaining there about a year. He then became secretary to President Hill of the Great Northern Railroad, serving in that capacity for five years. He next went to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and engaged in the flour-mill business, personally superin- tending the sales department over the entire United States. In 1906 Mr. Meining assumed the operation of the United Flour Mill in Minne- apolis, remaining there until 1916, when he again returned to Duluth and engaged in the brokerage business, under the name of the H. C. Mein- ing Company, with offices in the Fidelity Building. He deals in grain, flour, feed and hay, and is enjoying a large and constantly increasing business.
Politically Mr. Meining gives his support to the Republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Congregational Church. Though a busy man, and energetic in the advancement of his own affairs, he still finds time to contribute of his time to those things which tend to advance the material, civic and moral welfare of the community. Because of these things and his excellent personal qualities of character he has won and retains the respect and confidence of all who know him.
M. BLISS ROBINSON. Well known in the commercial life of Duluth, M. Bliss Robinson has been in the brokerage business for a number of years and is now vice president of Robinson-Macaulay Company, grain and stock brokers, with offices in the Lonsdale Building.
Mr. Robinson was born May 15, 1879, at Wolf Creek, Wisconsin. His father, the late John Robinson, who died at West Superior, Wisconsin, in 1910, was a pioneer of the Duluth district and widely known all over this section. He was born in the state of Maine, moved out to Wiscon- sin in early life, and for a time was connected with a party of Govern- ment surveyors running lines at Duluth and Superior. In 1889 he engaged in the hotel business at Duluth and afterward moved to Superior. By his second marriage he was the father of two sons and one daughter, M. Bliss being the second in age.
M. Bliss Robinson acquired a common school education at Duluth and Superior, and at the age of sixteen went to work as a messenger boy with a telegraph company. Subsequently he learned telegraphy and has always been more or less identified with that occupation. After five years as a telegraph operator he began handling a brokerage business at Duluth, and subsequently organized the Robinson-Macaulay Company. This company furnishes a local service quoting all the principal transac- tions of the New York Board of Trade every day.
Mr. Robinson is affiliated with the Elks. On September 1, 1909, he married Miss Lillian Klinkert.
CLAUDE M. ATKINSON. Probably in no other field than journalism could the original abilities of Claude M. Atkinson discover their proper sphere and be afforded the proper medium for expression. Mr. Atkinson as a newspaper man and printer has shared in the instability of members of his profession, but the fact that for over twenty years he has been identified with the village of Hibbing and all that time as publisher and editor of the Hibbing Daily News and The Mesaba Ore is sufficient evi- dence that he also exemplifies permanent qualifications of citizenship.
Claude M. Atkinson was born at Appleton, Wisconsin, November 4, 1862, son of James Fremont and Anna Frances (Waterbury) Atkinson. His grandfather, Rev. Edwin Atkinson, was an old-time Methodist circuit rider. He was born in England, was ordained a minister of the Metho- dist church in that country and after his marriage came to Canada in
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1836, and when Wisconsin was still a territory and the domain of the wild Indian he moved there and for a time lived in Dodge County and later in Outagamie County. James Fremont Atkinson also exemplified many of the rugged qualities of the family. He was a man of very diversified talents. As a youth he learned and took up the trade of cabi- net maker. He was in California during the early days of gold discovery. Afterward he studied law, operated a store, traded with the Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin, dealt in real estate and became owner of con- siderable possessions. It may be that he caught the contagion from his youthful son, then an apprentice printer, but at any rate in 1877 he bought the Escanaba Tribune, changing its name to the Escanaba Iron Port, and conducted it for several years. Through the columns of that paper he exemplified his pronounced literary attainments. He also served as municipal judge at Escanaba, and at the time of his death in 1885 was probate judge of Florence County.
One of three children and the only survivor, Claude M. Atkinson gained his education largely in a printing office, said to be one of the greatest universities in existence. Every boy has at some time felt the fascination of printing, but Claude M. Atkinson acknowledged the fasci- nation as the dominant fact in his life and career and his individual destiny has been molded largely in a composing or editorial room. Before he was twelve years of age and before his father had bought the Escanaba Tribune he was rendering what service he could to its owners and picking up a knowledge of printing. Though he was doubtless worth something to the owners, he was paid nothing the first six months and the second six months his salary was only fifty cents a week. That did not dis- courage him, and while at Escanaba he mastered the art of printing and filled every position in the mechanical offices of the Tribune. In 1879 he went to Quinnesec, while that was the center of a wild and adventurous community, and was employed as a typesetter. Subsequently he clerked in a store at Norway, and also at Quinnesec and at Florence he assisted his father in several enterprises, including the founding of the Florence Mining News.
The people of northern Minnesota have long admired the vigorous, terse and original way in which Mr. Atkinson expresses himself in the editorial and news columns of his paper. It may be said that he first achieved this art of expression while on the Florence Mining News, though writing was only an incident of his service in the mechanical offices. After his father's death he became editor of the News, and subsequently sold it to the distinguished former governor and author, Chase S. Osborn, who is one of many distinguished men it has been the privilege of Mr. Atkinson to know in the course of his life.
Like all printers, Mr. Atkinson had the wanderlust and his travels and work as a journeyman printer led him far and near. Eventually he returned to Iron Mountain, Michigan, where he worked as printer and local editor of a paper. Then for about three years he assisted Mr. Osborn on the Florence Mining News. At Crystal Falls, Michigan, he founded the Diamond Drill, a newspaper still in existence, though he sold it after a brief ownership, and was next engaged on some newspapers in Salt Lake City; then bought and conducted the Independent at Rock Springs, Wyoming, for two years, and in August, 1897, came to the iron ranges of northern Minnesota and for one year was a general utility man on the Virginia; then founded the Republican at Eveleth, selling out after about a year, and in May, 1899, bought the Hibbing News, which had been established at Hibbing in the spring of 1894, almost at the beginning of the existence of Hibbing. In 1901, on account of some
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litigation over the title, Mr. Atkinson changed the name to The Mesaba Ore and Hibbing News, and now conducts both a daily and weekly edi- tion, known as the Hibbing Daily News and the Mesaba Ore. The Daily News was established in February, 1920, and is the only morning daily on the Range.
Mr. Atkinson was originally a Republican, but changed his party soon after coming to St. Louis County because he could not conscientiously endorse the actions of local party leaders. Since then he has acted and voted independently, and has conducted his paper accordingly. When the conflict on the tax levy and expenditures in Hibbing came about he espoused the cause of the people. It is his nature never to be a half-way man, and he is ill fitted for compromise. As a result of his stand and the stand of the paper in this matter he was indicted presumably because of the fight he had been making, but was wholly exonerated. Mr. Atkinson was appointed postmaster of Hibbing in 1906 and was also one of the first members of the local Library Board.
While for many years he has carried the responsibilities of a news- paper.editor and publisher and has always been ready either for a fight or a frolic among his fellowmen and in community affairs, his real heart may be said to be in the open fields and there is no more enthusiastic hunter or fisherman in northern Minnesota than C. M. Atkinson. As a sportsman he has killed silver tip bear, deer, moose, antelope, elk, blacktail deer, black bear, mountain sheep, mountain lion, and is never happier than with a gun over his shoulder or in company with his children on hunting trips. He is a real nature lover and hears and responds to the summons of running streams and rustling woods, and thus is deeply religious though a meniber of no Christian sect.
November 24, 1883, Mr. Atkinson married Ida M. Lott, of Iron River, Michigan. Of the five children born to their marriage the oldest, Claudius, is now deceased. The oldest living son is Marc, now general business manager of the Hibbing Daily News and the Mesaba Ore, with Miss Beatrice Atkinson as society editress and general news reporter. The two younger children are Dorothy and William.
KOHRT BROTHERS. The commercial and civic life of Hibbing has been deeply impressed by the work and personal character of the Khort broth- ers almost from the beginning of the village's prosperity and progress. In even older communities than Hibbing it is unusual to find so many brothers of one family whose work and associations have remained con- tinuously identified with the community over a long period of years.
The names of the brothers who have lived on the Mesaba Range are Herman A., now deceased, Christian Frederick, Richard W., Gustav Augustus, George, William and Ernest. All were born, reared and acquired their early schooling at Elk River in Anoka County, Minnesota.
Their father, Christian Frederick Kohrt, was born in Germany, was reared and liberally educated in his native country, served in the war against Austria and later in the Franco-Prussian war. He decided that his best interests could be conserved and advanced in a land not domi- nated by imperialism and military rule. Soon after his release from army service following the Franco-Prussian war he came to the United States, was married at Watertown, Wisconsin, and about 1872 moved to Anoka County, Minnesota. As soon as possible he naturalized and in Minnesota took up a homestead and went through all the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and edu- cation and easily attained and maintained a position of leadership among the early settlers. For years he served as a member of the School Board,
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and his influence was felt in helping other children as well as his own to better their education. He was also township supervisor and an inde- fatigable worker in road improvement. In religion he and his family were Lutherans. He and his good wife lived out their lives in Anoka County and exemplified in the fullest degree the sturdy, loyal and credit- able virtues that are the best assets of American citizenship.
The first of the Kohrt brothers to come to the Mesaba Range was Herman A., who reached Hibbing in the spring of 1900. He was first employed as clerk in a meat market, and in the fall of that year Christian Frederick Kohrt, named for his father, joined him here and the two brothers in 1902 utilized their capital and experience to establish a meat business of their own. From time to time all of the brothers eventually came to live in Hibbing. Herman A. married and became the father of a daughter, and is the only one of the brothers deceased.
No one questioned the loyalty of the Kohrts, although they were of German parentage, when America entered the war against Germany. Two of the brothers, Gustav and George, volunteered their services and received a lieutenant's commission. Gustav was on the Mexican border as a member of old Company M, and later went to France and was on duty until the armistice was signed. Lieutenant George was retained in this country as an instructor at Camp Pike, Arkansas.
Christian Frederick Kohrt has been continuously a merchant at Hib- bing for twenty years, and his business record has exemplified the quali- ties of industry, honesty, good citizenship and careful attention to details that seem generally characteristic of the entire Kohrt family. He married Mary Florence Keene, and they have five children, named Charles, Esther, Marquitta, Veronica and Kenneth.
GEORGE L. BROZICH. A study of the prominent men and activities of the town of Ely does not proceed far until it encounters the name and influence of George L. Brozich, who is a successful banker, real estate. operator, former president of the Commercial Club, and a loyal and interested worker in every phase of his community's progress and advancement.
Mr. Brozich was born at Schwenberg, Austria, March 12, 1878, son of George and Katharine Brozich. His father came to America in 1883, was first identified as a worker with the copper country of Calumet, Michigan, and in 1890 moved to the Iron Range in Minnesota, being successively a citizen of Ely, Biwabik and Virginia, and finally home- steaded land in Koochiching County, Minnesota, where he lived out his years and where he died in 1919, at the age of seventy-two. George Brozich, Sr., was appreciative of his opportunities as an American citizen, became naturalized as soon as possible, and was a man of quiet industry who earned esteem wherever he lived. He was a carpenter by trade, and followed that line of work all over the Iron Range, constructing some of the first houses at Biwabik and Virginia. His widow is still living at the home of her son George L., who is her oldest child. Her second son, John Carl Brozich, is superintendent of the Miller Mine at Aurora, Minnesota, and the daughter, Marie E., is the wife of Jacob Jackshe, of Aurora.
George L. Brozich was ten years of age when he and his mother came to the United States to join his father. He had attended school in Austria and after coming to this country was in school at Calumet, Biwabik and Virginia. After completing his education he found an open- ing as an employe of the First National Bank at Virginia. A brief expe- rience gave him an ambition to become a banker, and in order to fit
Sea. Lo Prozicho
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himself for the profession as a life work he resigned and took a com- mercial law and banking course at St. John's College in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he spent two years. On leaving college instead of returning to banking he became interested in merchandising, and for a year and a half was connected with a mercantile establishment at Colo- rado City, Colorado, and was then manager of a department store at Joliet, Illinois, for three years.
Mr. Brozich returned to Minnesota in 1902, and since that year has been an active citizen of Ely. He was assistant cashier of the Bank of Ely until it was consolidated with the Exchange Bank. For five years his time and enterprise were devoted to the real estate and insurance business, and he is now president of the Vermillion Realty Company, which has been reorganized under the title of Superior National Outing Company. Mr. Brozich had an active part in organizing the First State Bank of Ely, and as its cashier has been instrumental in making it one of the leading banks of northern Minnesota.
It was Mr. Brozich who in 1913 was chiefly responsible for the organi- zation of the Commercial Club at Ely. Also through his efforts this club became officially a part of the city organization, and a portion of local taxation is devoted to its maintenance and functions. In and through this club have been directed the civic energies which have done most for Ely within recent years. Mr. Brozich was for four years honored with the office of president of this club. He served two years as a member of the City Council and two years as mayor, and in many other ways has been active in public affairs. He was president of the St. Louis County Club. Mr. Brozich is affiliated with the Rotarians, Foresters and Elks, and he and his family are Catholics.
In 1908 he married Anna M. Horwat, of Joliet, Illinois. Their three children are Robert J., William G. and Genevieve Mary.
ABE FELDMAN. One of the best known of the younger attorneys of St. Louis County, Minnesota, is Abe Feldman, of Duluth. His life has been one of hard study and research from his youth and since maturity of laborious professional duty, and the high position which he has attained in his profession is evidence that the qualities which he possesses afford the means of distinction under a system of government in which places of honor and usefulness are open to all who may be worthy of them.
Abe Feldman was born in Russian Poland on the 1st day of July, 1890, and is the eldest of the seven children born to Morris and Sarah Feldman. His father was the first of the family to come to the United States, and from 1892 to 1896 he was engaged in a mercantile business at Ironwood, Michigan, from which place he moved to Eveleth, Minne- sota, where he still resides. In 1896 the mother brought her children to this country and joined the father at Eveleth, where he is still engaged in the mercantile business. Abe Feldman received his elementary educa- tion in the public schools of Eveleth, and then entered the University of Michigan, which he attended four years, having one year of academic study and three years in the department of law, where he was graduated in 1911, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Immediately thereafter Mr. Feldman entered upon the practice of his profession at Chicago, Illinois, but soon afterward returned to Eveleth and became associated in the practice of law with James P. Boyle, a partnership which was con- tinued until 1914. From August 1, 1914, to January 1, 1915, Mr. Feld- man served as city attorney of Eveleth. In January, 1915, he came to Duluth and has been engaged in the practice of his profession continu-
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ously since that time. By a straightforward, honorable course he has built up a large and lucrative legal business, his life affording a splendid example of what a youth, plentifully endowed with good common sense, energy and determination, may accomplish in America when directed and controlled by earnest moral principles.
On August 9, 1916, Mr. Feldman was married to Esther Rabinowitz, the daughter of . Frank and Rose Rabinowitz, of Eveleth, Minnesota. Mrs. Feldman attended the public schools of Eveleth and later graduated from the Saint Cloud Normal School, after which for several years she taught school at Eveleth. To Mr. and Mrs. Feldman have been born three children, Arthur Harold, Shirley Jean and Carolyn.
W. P. LARDNER. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citi- zenship W. P. Lardner, one of the best known of Duluth's business men. is a notable example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community honored by his citizenship. His career has been characterized by duty faithfully done and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efforts he has acquired a liberal share of this world's goods. He is a man of good judgment and pronounced views, and takes an intelligent interest in all public affairs, especially as pertaining to his own community, in the growth and development of which he has been an active factor.
W. P. Lardner was born January 24, 1867, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the eldest of the six children now living who blessed the union of his parents, three others being deceased. His father, Henry Lardner, who died at Niles, Michigan, in 1914, was interested in extensive business affairs for many years, his interests running largely to banking and real estate. In 1887 he was a partner in the Paine & Lardner Bank in Duluth, as he was also in its successor, the Security Bank of Duluth, which was organized in 1889, with a capital stock of $100,000, and of which institu- tion he was a director. This bank was successfully operated until 1896.
W. P. Lardner received his educational training in the public schools of Niles, Michigan, and on completing his studies he became connected with the banking business in that city, starting as a messenger and after- ward becoming paying teller, which position he held until 1887. He then' came to Duluth and became a partner in the banking firm of Paine & Lardner, of which he acted as cashier, and also held the same official position in the Security Bank of Duluth. He then withdrew from the banking business and turned his attention to life insurance in 1897, con- tinuing successfully engaged in this business until 1901, when he became an operator in mineral lands, to which he has devoted himself continu- ously since. He is also heavily interested in Oklahoma oil lands. He has handled enormous quantities of these lands, and has been more than ordinarily successful in his business affairs.
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