USA > Minnesota > Brown County > History of Brown County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1) > Part 27
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The Citizens' National Bank continued in business until in the year 1883, at which time it was changed to a private bank and conducted as such until 1908, when it was converted into a state bank, incorporated under the state banking laws and its capital increased to one hun- dred thousand dollars. Mr. Mullen continued as its presi- dent from the first organization up to his death, in 1910. He was succeeded by A. W. Bingham, who served one year and was followed by Charles Silverson, who was president for the year 1911 and until his death, in 1912. The officers at present are: O. M. Olsen, president; Charles Vogtel, vice-president; F. H. Krook, cashier ; P. J. Soukup, assist-
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ant cashier; W. E. Engelbert, assistant cashier. The board of directors is now composed of the following: John Henle, W. E. Koch, O. M. Olsen, F. H. Retzlaff, N. Hen- ningsen, Charles Vogtel, George Marti.
The present capital is one hundred thousand dollars, with a surplus and undivided profits of seventy thousand dollars. The recent reports show deposits amounting to one million, eight hundred thousand dollars. In 1914 a magnificent bank building was erected at a cost of forty thousand dollars.
The prosperity of this banking concern may be seen by reference to these figures showing the deposits since 1876, date of the original organization: 1876, $25,000; 1880, $66,000; 1885, $140,000; 1890, $244,000; 1895, $223,- 000; 1900, $524,000; 1905, $864,000; 1910, $1,069,000; 1911, $1,122,000; 1912, $1,465,000; 1914, $1,836,000; present re- sources and liabilities, $1,968,702.02.
The funds of this bank have been carefully handled and accounted for during all these years since 1876 by the following men, serving as cashiers: John C. Rudolph was the first cashier and continued until he resigned in 1892, and was succeeded by W. F. Seiter, who served until 1899, when he became second vice-president, which office he filled until 1903; W. H. Koch followed as cashier in 1899 and filled the office till 1913, when he was succeeded by F. H. Krook, present cashier.
This bank has had the confidence of the people through good and adverse financial times. The character of the men behind it has been as good as its gold and silver se- curities. The county is proud of this bank in its new and beautiful banking house on Minnesota street.
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STATE BANK OF NEW ULM.
The State Bank of New Ulm was established on Aug- ust 1, 1901, its first officers being: Joseph A. Eskstein, president; H. D. Beussmann, vice-president; Fred Pfaen- der, cashier. Its first capital was forty thousand dollars, same as it has today. The present surplus is ten thousand dollars and the records show the recent amount in deposits is over four hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars. A general banking business is carried on under strictly mod- ern banking methods.
The bank owns its own building and is in shape to handle any banking business that may come to its coun- ters. The officers in 1916 are: John Buschers, president; Henry P. Bastian, vice-president; Edward A. Stoll, cash- ier; P. Kitzberger, assistant cashier. The present board of directors are: John Buschers, Henry P. Bastian, Fred J. Backer, Ferdinand Crone, J. O. Ochs, Dr. C. C. Strick- ler, Charles H. Stuebe.
The statement issued by this bank on March 7, 1916, showed deposits amounting to over four hundred and sixty- two thousand dollars; loans and discounts, almost three hundred and seventy-eight thousand dollars, with a total for its resources and liabilities of $518,077.75.
FARMERS' AND MERCHANTS' STATE BANK.
The Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of New Ulm, the last bank to be started in the city, was organized on April 21, 1914, with about one hundred and twenty local people, mostly farmers residing within a few miles of the
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city, together with many of the merchants and other busi- ness men of the place. The first officers chosen were as follow: Fred Aufderheide, president; Christ J. Rennike, vice-president; Arthur L. Boock, cashier; Albert J. Man- derfield, assistant cashier; directors, C. A. Stolz, William A. Gluth, Andreas Bubl, F. Wellner, Isidor Haas.
The present (1916) officers are: Fred Aufderheide, president; Charles A. Stolz, vice-president; L. Boock, cashier; Albert A. Manderfield, Dr. J. P. Groff, Andreas Bubl, F. Wellner, Isidor Haas, directors.
The first and present capital is fifty thousand dollars. In March, this year, the deposits amounted to $267,167.10, and there was a surplus and undivided profits of ten thou- sand dollars. The building owned and occupied by the bank cost twenty-five thousand dollars. It affords ample facilities for safety deposit boxes.
The March 14, 1916, statement issued to the public by this concern gave the resources and liabilities as being $327,249.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SLEEPY EYE.
The First National Bank of Sleepy Eye is the one bearing the government number of 9,387, and was organ- ized as a private bank in 1882 and nationalized in 1902. It was formed by C. D. Griffith and W. W. Smith on a capital of fifteen thousand dollars. Its present capital is twenty-five thousand dollars. Its present officers are: C. D. Griffith, president; W. W. Smith, cashier; C. T. Jaffray, vice-president; H. C. Demeier, assistant cashier.
At the close of business March 7, 1916, the books of
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this bank showed: Resources and liabilities, seven hun- dred and thirty thousand, two hundred and forty-one dol- lars and eighty-nine cents. Amount of deposits was over six hundred and fifty-two thousand dollars, while the loans and discounts amounted to over four hundred thousand dollars. It owns its own banking building, valued at twelve thousand dollars.
The capital and surplus, with undivided profits, amounts to fifty-three thousand dollars. This bank is a United States depository as well as depository for the postal savings funds. It is also one of the seventeen hun- dred banks out of the seventy-five hundred national banks that belong to the "Roll of Honor Bank" list, which means that it possesses surplus and profits in excess of its capi- tal, thus giving tangible evidence of strength and security.
STATE BANK OF SLEEPY EYE.
The State Bank of Sleepy Eye was organized as a private bank in 1880, and incorporated in 1891. It was founded by F. H. Dyckman and Hans Mo. It was first conducted with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars, but upon its incorporation to a state bank it was increased to twenty-five thousand dollars. It now has a capital of fifty thousand dollars, including the surplus and undivided profits. The March 7 call in 1916 showed deposits to the amount of $536,275.76.
A bank building was erected in 1880, but the present fine structure was erected in 1914, at a cost of twenty thou- sand dollars. It is built of Bedford sandstone from In- diana.
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The original officers were: F. H. Dyckman and S. D. Scudder, but when it was incorporated they were: F. H. Dyckman, president, and Hans Mo, cashier. The officers at this time are: Hans Mo, president; Edward F. Berk- ner, vice-president; J. A. Herzog, cashier; E. P. Schmitz, assistant cashier.
To get back to an earlier date in the banking house that the present State Bank succeeded, it should be stated that in 1880 S. D. Scudder established a small private bank at Sleepy Eye, in company with the late F. H. Dyckman, who made the gift of the present magnificent public li- brary to the city of Sleepy Eve. A few years later Mr. Scudder withdrew from the bank and O. W. Hagen and still later Hans Mo became interested in the bank. It was in 1891 that the bank was incorporated as a state bank, with Mr. Dyckman and the latter two gentlemen as the in- corporators. In 1913 Mr. Hagen and Mrs. Dyckman sold their stock to a new organization, made up of Messrs. Mo and Ed. Berkner and about twenty farmers and business men, making it one of the strongest concerns in Brown county.
During the somewhat eventful years of 1910-11, when misfortune overtook the Milling Company, the bank suf- fered heavy losses and as a result their business fell off one-half, but the many friends of the old State Bank never lost confidence in its ability to make good, and from Octo- ber 1, 1912, to October, 1915, the total resources rose from one hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars to more than a half million dollars ($545,119.76).
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FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SPRINGFIELD.
The First National Bank of Springfield was estab- lished in 1906, with a twenty-five thousand dollar capital. It succeeded to the old Citizens Bank of Springfield. It now enjoys ten thousand dollars in surplus and profits, and has deposits amounting to three hundred and forty thousand dollars. It is not now known who the first officers were. The present officers are: J. S. Watson, president; C. H. Asch, cashier; L. C. Potter, vice-president, with others making up the board of directors, in the person of Messrs. A. G. Anderson and F. J. Sheffield. The affairs of this bank are conducted with business dispatch and the institution stands high in the part of Brown county in which it mostly operates in general banking transactions.
STATE BANK OF SPRINGFIELD.
The State Bank of Springfield was organized in 1891, and carries the bank number of 152 for Minnesota state banks. It was organized by Messrs. William G. Frank, H. Bendixen, J. P. Schmid, Fred Crone, John Lind, Jacob Klossner, Jr., A. C. Ochs and others. Its first and present capital stock is thirty-five thousand dollars. The first of- ficers were: Wolf Schmid, president; H. Bendixen, vice- president; William Frank, cashier. The present officers are: William Frank, president; J. C. Bothenburg, vice- president; E. L. Nippolt, cashier; M. J. Foy, assistant cashier.
In 1900 a substantial bank building was constructed at a cost of ten thousand dollars. The great fire of 1899
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swept the bank away entirely. The present surplus and profits is fifteen thousand dollars. Recent statements show this bank to have had deposits amounting to $711,000. Its resources and liabilities, according to their statement March 7, 1916, was $758,397.37. Amount of reserve on hand, over one hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars, where but fifty-one thousand is legally required. The de- posits have been, by years, as follow: 1896, $41,000; 1901, $89,000; 1906, $204,000; 1911, $512,000; 1916, $711,000.
The directors managing the affairs of this bank in the spring of 1916 were: M. Leher, H. Bendixen, A. C. Ochs, George P. Forster, William G. Frank, Adolph Altermatt, J. C. Rothenburg.
FARMERS' STATE BANK OF COMFREY.
The Farmers' State Bank of Comfrey was organized on September 1, 1910, by J. H. Dickman, on a fifteen thou- sand dollar capital, same as it runs under today. Its first officers were: J. H. Dickman, president; A. M. Bradbury, assistant cashier; G. W. Schaffer, cashier; C. F. Schwei- ger, vice-president. The officers at this date are: J. H. Dickman, president; A. M. Bradbury, vice-president; G. W. Schaffer, cashier; C. H. Bradbury, Jr., assistant cash- ier. The board of directors are as follow: J. H. Dickman, A. M. Bradbury, Emil Atermatt, August Klein, C. F. Schweiger, P. G. Quarnstrom.
This concern now operates under resources and lia- bilities amounting to over two hundred and fifty-five thou- sand dollars. They have a surplus of sixteen thousand
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dollars, and had in March, 1916, deposits amounting to two hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
A bank building was erected in the autumn of 1914 costing fourteen thousand dollars. It is a two-story build- ing and the second floor is used for opera hall purposes and is fifty by seventy feet.
FARMERS' AND MERCHANTS' STATE BANK.
The Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank at Sleepy Eye was established November 17, 1904, with first officers as follow: E. P. Berwand, president; George W. Somer- ville, vice-president; William Brust, cashier. The same officers hold today, with the addition of John Cutting, vice- president, in place of Mr. Somerville, and A. D. Berwand is assistant cashier.
The capital of this bank is twenty-five thousand dol- lars. The surplus has accumulated to the amount of nine thousand dollars. Recent reports on the condition of the bank shows they had on deposit in March, 1916, the amount of $526,500. A bank building was erected in 1904 costing ten thousand, two hundred dollars.
The present board of directors who keep watch over the affairs of the bank are as follow: E. P. Berwand, John Cutting, Edward Nelson, H. Hillsheim, William Brust, Christ Johnson, Charles P. Black. These men are all well known to the bank's patrons and only allow strict modern banking principles to obtain in the management of this concern.
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STATE BANK OF HANSKA.
The State Bank of Hanska was established on Sep- tember 19, 1902, by Anton O. Ouren, and it had for its first set of officers: Anton O. Ouren, Clement Halvorson, Jos- eph A. Eckstein, Nels Erickson, Albert O. Amundson, Fred Pfaender and Nels J. Ouren. It started with a fifteen thousand dollar capital, but has been increased to twenty thousand dollars, and has a surplus and profits of twelve thousand dollars. In March, 1916, the amount on deposit was two hundred and forty-five thousand dollars. Its resources and liabilities amount to two hundred and seven- ty-five thousand dollars. In 1902 a good banking business house was erected at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. A general commercial banking business is here transacted on banking principles of the up-to-date type.
The officers of this concern are now (1916) : Anton O. Ouren, president; Nels Erickson, vice-president; Henry Anderson, cashier; Ole Berrum, assistant cashier. The directorship is composed as follow: Anton O. Ouren, Hans H. Ulen, Peter J. Blien, Nels Erickson, Albert O. Amund- son, Albert G. Anderson, Silver Rolstad.
SECURITY STATE BANK OF HANSKA.
The Security State Bank of Hanska was organized by Iver Stone, C. I. Stone, Elef Bjerteson, Einar Toenberg, Emil G. Hage, Erick Hagenstande, Silver Hage and George S. Hage, May 22, 1906. It now has a capital, sur- plus and undivided profit of $26,000, having started with a twenty thousand dollar capital. In the month of March,
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1916, it had deposits amounting to one hundred and seven thousand dollars. A fine bank building is to be erected this season. The first officers were as follow: Iver Stone, president; Elef Bjertson, vice-president; Emil G. Hage, cashier.
The officers at this date are: George S. Hage, presi- dent; Iver Stone, vice-president; E. O. Lund, cashier; Clifford Helling, assistant cashier. The directors are now: George S. Hage, Iver Stone, E. O. Lund, Siver Hage, Ener Thorson, B. L. Bjertson, E. I. Hagestande. These men are all well-known citizens of the county, and the community has the utmost confidence in their integrity and business ability.
STATE BANK OF ESSIG.
The State Bank of Essig was established on May 5, 1910, by Emil G. Hage on a ten-thousand-dollar capital, same as it has today. The original officers and directors were as follow: Louis Spelbrink, Henry Mueller, W. C. Heimann, H. J. Albrecht, Herman Schroeder, Emil G. Hage, Eugene A. Pfefferle and John C. Seibenbrunner. The resources and liabilities are at present $107,405.76. The last report gives the deposits as being upwards of ninety-five thousand dollars. The last statement gives the amount of surplus and profits as twenty-one hundred and sixty-two dollars. When the bank was established its stockholders built a good building, which still serves. In April, 1916, the following were officers and directors: Louis Spelbrink, W. C. Heiman, H. J. Albrecht, John Gareis, Emil C. Hage, August C. Hage, E. E. Spelbrink.
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FIRST STATE BANK OF COMFREY.
The First State Bank of Comfrey was established in 1899 by Oscar Erickson, on a capital of fifteen thousand dollars, which has been increased to twenty-five thousand dollars. The original officers of this bank were: Oscar Erickson, president; A. M. Bradbury, vice-president; Eu- gene Fernholz, cashier. The present officers are: J. V. Klein, president; C. E. Armstrong, vice-president; H. D. Reed, cashier; L. E. Armstrong, assistant cashier. The present (1916) directors are: J. V. Klein, C. A. Blom, Oscar Thor, Emil Swanbeck and C. E. Armstrong.
A two-story bank building was erected in 1907 at a cost of $8,500. The record showed in March, 1916, that this bank had resources and liabilities of two hundred and eighty-four thousand dollars; surplus and undivided pro- fits amounting to sixty-three hundred and ninety-nine dol- lars and on deposit two hundred and fifty-two thousand, seven hundred and thirty dollars. This institution is a great help to the farmers and dealers in the vicinity and in the village of Comfrey.
STATE BANK OF EVAN.
The State Bank of Evan was organized on July 1, 1904, with officers as follow: W. W. Smith, president; Jens Mikaelsen, vice-president; F. A. Ruenitz, cashier. The bank was started on a capital of ten thousand dollars, same as it has today. Its recent reports show deposits amounting to one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol- lars, with a surplus and undivided profits of ten thousand
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dollars. A general banking business is successfully trans- acted by this concern. In 1908 it erected its present bank- ing building-a neat brick structure costing six thousand dollars.
The officers of this bank in the month of April, 1916, are: W. W. Smith, president; Christ Mogensen, vice- president; William G. McPhee, cashier; the directors are W. W. Smith, C. D. Griffith, Christ Mogensen, Jans Mik- aelsen, William G. McPhee.
STATE BANK OF COBDEN.
The State Bank of Cobden was organized in August, 1904, by Hans Mo, O. W. Hagen, A. C. Von Hagen, A. New- dall, Claus Memert, H. Altematt and others. Its first and present capital is ten thousand dollars. The first officers of this banking concern were: Hans Mo, president; O. W. Hagen, vice-president; O. A. Drews, cashier. The officers now having charge (1916) are: Hans Mo, president; C. H. Asch, vice-president; A. J. Goblirsch, cashier. The directors are A. G. Anderson, Hans Mo, Louis Bloemke, Thomas Peterson, C. G. Asch.
A general banking business is transacted, and loans on improved farms made. They had in May, 1916, the amount of seventy-eight thousand dollars on deposit. The surplus is now two thousand dollars. They own the build- ing in which the bank is conducted.
At the close of the year 1915 their statement published disclosed these figures: Resources, $76,475.23. Of this amount they had loans and discounts, $62,777.86; oyer-
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drafts, $919.25; bank building and fixtures, $1,750, and several lesser items, making the total named. At that date the same amount in liabilities was divided as follow: Capi- tal stock, $10,000; surplus, $1,500; undivided profits, net, $1,512.40; total deposits, $63,462.83.
STATE BOND AND MORTGAGE COMPANY.
This is one of the enterprises having its headquarters at New Ulm. It is yet in its infancy, but from present showing bids fair to become a great enterprise. It is now less than two years old and has made a wonderful showing. Since September, 1914, there have been over one million dollars' worth of farm mortgages and bonds disposed of by its salesmen. This is a company incorporated under the laws of Minnesota in 1914, with a capital of one hun- dred thousand dollars. The stock is held by many of the best-known business factors in New Ulm. It also carries an extensive insurance branch. The mortgage department has clients in many states in the Union, cared for by twelve expert salesmen.
The 1916 board of directors is composed of the follow- ing men: F. Crone, Charles Vogtel, A. J. Vogtel, J. A. Ochs, Dr. G. B. Weiser and T. H. Schonlau. The directors re-elected all the old officers, as follow: F. Crone, presi- dent; Charles Vogtel and J. A. Ochs, vice-presidents; A. J. Vogel, treasurer; T. H. Schonlau, secretary ; A. P. Pen- kert, assistant secretary; C. G. Stevenson, sales manager, and H. N. Somsen, counsel.
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CHAPTER XV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The medical profession has been represented in Brown county from the time of the earliest settlement. The hardy pioneer and his family needed the good "family doctor" and in the dead of night, with the drifting snows of a severe winter, or the almost impassable roads of a rainy season, the early physician was expected to make his rounds over hill and valley to attend upon the sick of the county, and he seldom ever failed to put in his appearance, though sometimes he was on horseback and again on foot, having had to swim some deep, unbridged creek or river in order that life might be prolonged, or saved in the settler's house- hold. The faithful doctors who practiced in Brown and adjoining counties thirty, forty and sixty years ago are de- serving of honor. It is not the object of this chapter to treat on diseases, nor to prove the great advancement that has been made in the medical profession in the last half century, but rather it will be confined, largely, to reviewing in a short and personal way, the lives of some of the early- day doctors, concluding with a list of all practicing in the county at the present time.
EARLY PHYSICIANS.
The first doctor to take up the profession of medicine in this county and at New Ulm, where the first settlement
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was effected, was Dr. John Kaula, who accompanied the German Land Company from Chicago in 1855, locating in New Ulm. This pioneer physician was a graduate of the University of Budapesth, Hungary, and probably held the oldest diploma in the state of Minnesota. He graduated about the year 1838. He died in New Ulm about 1892, having reached his eighty-fifth year.
Dr. Charles Berry was born in Wyoming county, New York in 1838. He studied medicine in Concord, New Hamp- shire, and in 1859, at the University of Michigan, from which institution he graduated; also graduated from a medical college in Buffalo, New York. He enlisted as an assistant surgeon in the One Hundred and Sixth New York Regiment, serving until the Civil War closed, three years later. He came to Minnesota on account of his health, in 1866. He first located in medical practice in this state at Belleplaine, but in 1872 commenced at New Ulm. He had for his partner for a time Doctor Wellcome, under the firm name of Wellcome & Berry.
Dr. Alfred Mueller was born in Berne, Switzerland, in 1825. There he obtained his literary and medical educa- tion, graduating in 1852. In December, of that year, he came to the United States, locating in New York City, but in 1856 came to Minnesota, practiced his profession at Still- water until 1861. At that date he was appointed surgeon in charge at Ft. Ridgely, where he remained until 1867. After the military post had virtually been abandoned he removed to New Ulm, where he followed his profession. He married Eliza Eichelberger, who died in 1876. A mon- ument has been erected to her memory at old Ft. Ridgely, in honor and respect to a woman who in the trying hours
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of the Indian siege at that post, spared not herself in order to render her husband and other wounded men all the as- sistance as nurse she possibly could. It was believed that undue exposure and intense excitement hastened the good woman's death. The commonwealth of Minnesota erected the monument to her memory. Doctor Mueller re- tired from practice in New Ulm in the year 1889 and re- turned to his native land, Switzerland, to pass his declining days. He died about six years later.
Doctor Wescheke, born in Prussia, 1831, was educated in that country; passed through the military surgery de- partment of the University of Berlin, then to the Univer- sity at Greifswald, and afterward to Halle University, where he served one year in the army according to law. In 1860 he came to New Ulm and was the only resident physi- cian here during the Indian massacre in 1862. He was employed as military surgeon for the soldiers. In 1868 he went to California; returned that autumn and established the first drug store in New Ulm in 1865, now known as the "Pioneer Drug Store." He sold the store when he went West, but purchased it again upon his return. In 1870 he was elected to the New Ulm city council, and subsequently was appointed to the office of mayor in 1877; elected in 1878, and re-elected in 1880 without opposition.
Dr. T. M. Marcellus was a native of Canada, born in 1852. He came to the United States in 1866, and lived at Northfield, Minnesota, for twelve years. He was a student at Carleton College; attended medical lectures at Michigan University, graduating in March, 1878. He at once com- menced the practice of medicine at Sleepy Eye, where he practiced several years.
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