History of Brown County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1), Part 28

Author: L. A. Fritsche, M. D.
Publication date: 1916
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Minnesota > Brown County > History of Brown County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1) > Part 28

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).

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Dr. A. P. Poaps was born in 1859 in Montreal. After receiving his early education at the common schools, he entered Kingston Royal College of Physicians and Sur- geons, which he attended during 1877-78, then entered Bellevue hospital, New York City, graduating in the spring of 1881. In August, that year, he located in the medical practice at Sleepy Eye.

Dr. Jacob W. Wellcome was born in New Portland, Maine, in 1825. At the age of sixteen years he entered Burnham's high school and remained three years, then studied medicine. He received his diploma, and in 1856 went to Wisconsin and commenced practice, continuing until 1858; then came to Minnesota, and the following year located at Garden City. In 1862 he was appointed examin- ing surgeon for the drafted men for the Civil War, with offices at Mankato; in 1863 was first surgeon, in place of Dr. W. W. Clark, who was ill; was surgeon of the hospital seven months; in 1872 was appointed surgeon for pensions, holding the position four years. Doctor Wellcome assisted in forming the first medical society in the Minnesota val- ley. He was surgeon for the Northwestern Railway Com- pany. He was at Garden City during the Sioux uprising in 1862, but practiced at Sleepy Eye many years. He is now deceased. His son is still practicing at Sleepy Eye.

Dr. Harper M. Workman, born in Circleville, Ohio, in 1855, graduated in medicine in Chicago Medical College in 1878. In 1881 he located in Sleepy Eye, this county, where he engaged in medical practice, continuing a number of years.

Other doctors recalled by old settlers are: Doctor Scott, who came from Morristown, Minnesota, in 1872, and

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after a year or two moved to Dakota. Doctor Wilson, a Scotchman, was here early in the seventies. He was ad- dicted to drink and when imbibing freely used to entertain his company by singing in good old Scotch style such songs as "If a Body Meet a Body, Coming Through the Rye."

PHYSICIANS OF A LATER DAY.

Prior to the year 1887, in Minnesota, it was not diffi- cult for one to engage in the practice of medicine, almost anyone so inclined was allowed to practice this profession, whether he had a very limited education or a better one. But since the date named the state has kept apace with other commonwealths in placing a safeguard around the practice of medicine. One who desires to practice must now pass a rigid examination and be registered as having passed such examination in the office of the clerk of the court in the county in which he or she wishes to practice. All who had been in active practice for five years previous to the passage of the legislative act of February, 1887, were al- lowed to continue in practice without examination.

In Brown county the following have registered their names as required by law-a number more in practice have failed to do so: L. A. Fritsche, July 14, 1887; J. L. Schoch, October, 1888; William P. Phister, July 5, 1890; J. W. B. Wellcome, July, 1892; George B. Weiser, October 2, 1892; Ernest Pucklitsch, July, 1894; Norman C. Davis, April 28, 1894; J. Albert Schultz, October 24, 1902; E. H. Current, April 17, 1908; William A. Meierding, October 15, 1909; David Alderman Herron, April 24, 1912; Otto J. Seifert, June 24, 1912; Frank William Pfiesterer, July 7, 1915;

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Theodore F. Hammermeister, July 7, 1915; Arthur W. Eckstein, June 26, 1912.

PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY IN 1916.

In the spring of 1916 the following were the physicians of the county: Those residing in New Ulm were Drs. L. A. Fritsche, George B. Weiser, Frank W. Pfisterer, George F. Reineke, Otto J. Seifert, Ora C. Strickler, T. Hammer- meister.

Those practicing at Sleepy Eye are Drs. Michael Kei- fer, Mrs. Mary R. Strickler, Gottfried Schmidt, Jacob W. B. Wellcome.

Those at Springfield are Drs. William Meierding, John S. Shrader and John C. Rothenburg.

At Comfrey, Dr. David Herron.

At Hanska, Dr. Mathia Sundt.

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CHAPTER XVI.

BENCH AND BAR.

The law ranks among the highest of vocations because a man well qualified as a lawyer has the training and capac- ity for great service in the world, and he is truly greatest who serves the most.

As it was in the past so it is today, the legal profession is calling for the best there is in the land. It is calling for the very best equipment possible and the very highest edu- cation is none too good for the man who assumes the re- sponsibility of the future.

The time has passed when a young man can secure a broad, liberal education in the law office of a practitioner. Practicing lawyers are now specializing to such an extent, and their business is so exacting, that there is no opportun- ity or time for the instruction of the student in the law office. So the young man of today, expecting to practice law, must look to some good law school or the law depart- ment of some university if he hopes to achieve success.

If he is true to his profession, he loves justice and his courage and resourcefulness grow as he fights for it. He develops sympathy, for he sees humanity with its faults and virtues. All sides of his nature are brought out in daily practice of his profession and he grows, month by month, and year by year, till he finally comes to be a well-rounded character.

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EARLY LAWYERS.

Here in Brown county the lawyer has had his place from almost the commencement of the settlement. The first attorney to practice at New Ulm was Hon. Francis Baasen, who became not only an able lawyer but was also a soldier and state official on numerous occasions. One of the pub- lications of this state gives the following concerning Mr. Baasen:

Hon. Francis Baasen, a native of Germany, born in 1830, emigrated to America at the age of nineteen years; resided in Milwaukee until 1855; in January, 1856, he came to New Ulm, Minnesota. While in Milwaukee he studied law and was there admitted to the practice of law. Arriv- ing in New Ulm he made a claim to some land near the then little village and at once opened a law office; he was the first to open a law business in Brown county. In August, 1861, he enlisted as a Civil War soldier, a member of the First Minnesota Regiment, and served until May, 1864. He com- manded the New Ulm volunteers who went against Ink- pa-dut-ah, the Indian chief, in 1857, during the memorable Spirit Lake massacre. He was promoted to first lieutenant and later to quartermaster of the regiment. On his return from the war he resumed his law practice at New Ulm. He was a member of the constitutional convention and was a member of the delegation; in 1857 he was a member of the Territorial Legislature of Minnesota, as well as of the state Legislature in 1873. He was the first secretary of state for the newly admitted state into the union, and held the office of county attorney in Brown county for a number of years. From 1870 to 1876 he resided in Nicollet county,

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and while there held the office of county commissioner. He was a well-trained attorney and lived a long and highly useful life, dying on January 10, 1901, leaving a widow and children to mourn his death, as well as the entire commun- ity with whom he had mingled so many eventful years of his professional and official life.

Hon. Jonas Newhart, born in Monroe county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1846, remained in his native state until 1857; then, in company with his parents, came to Minnesota, re- maining in Goodhue county several years. He then re- turned East, remained in New Jersey and Pennsylvania until 1862. Though not quite sixteen years of age he en- listed as a drummer-boy in the One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Regiment. At the end of two years he re- enlisted and was appointed chief musician of his regiment, being mustered out in 1865. The following year he again came to Minnesota, soon after entering the law office of S. L. Pierce, later of St. Paul, and studied with him until 1868; then formed a law partnership with Mr. Pierce, which existed two years. In 1871 he located at New Ulm and opened a law office; he made a specialty of real estate and collections. He was judge of the probate court of Brown county in 1873-74, and was court commissioner in 1873-75. Subsequently he removed to the Twin Cities, where he committed suicide.

Frank D. Randall, son of Benjamin H. Randall, was born at Ft. Ridgely, Minnesota, September, 1856. His father was quartermaster at the fort many years. The family subsequently removed to St. Peter, and in 1873 young Randall left the high school to teach in LeSueur county; in the autumn of 1874 he became a student in the

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collegiate course of St. John's College at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; remained one year. He then entered the law office of G. S. Ives, of St. Peter, in 1876, continuing to study law there until 1880. In the spring of the year last mentioned he was admitted to the bar and soon removed to Tracy, Minnesota, remaining there until May, 1881; then located at New Ulm, and became a member of the law firm of Lind & Randall. Subsequently, he moved to St. Cloud and was chairman of the board of management for the state reformatory of that city. At present he is holding a like position at Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the reformatory of that state.

Joseph A. Eckstein, born in Austria, in 1857; came with his parents to America in 1864; located in Cottonwood township, Brown county; in 1866 he moved to Sigel town- ship; at the age of thirteen years he started in life for him- self. In the fall of 1874 he entered the State Normal School at Mankato; during the summer of 1875 he taught school, but returned to school and graduated in May, 1876. He then taught in the public schools of New Ulm four years, and in the meantime began the study of law with Judge B. F. Webber, was admitted to the bar in May, 1880. The same year he entered the United States Signal service at Wash- ington, D. C., and was ordered to Ft. Meyer, Virginia, for instructions; he was at the head of his class when he fin- ished his course, in December, 1880, and was ordered to Texas and stationed at different points; October, 1881, he was discharged on his own application. Returning to his home, he opened a law office at New Ulm. In November, 1881, he was appointed county attorney. For many years he was a leading member of this bar and died very sud-

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denly of apoplexy, April 8, 1915. He had practiced law in New Ulm thirty-four years. He had served as city attor- ney for New Ulm seventeen years and was an authority on municipal government in this state. He had been presi- dent of the Brown County Bar Association for several years; was a skillful criminal lawyer, a man of strong per- sonality and possessed many qualities needed to make a successful lawyer. He was prominent in Masonic circles, a member of the commandery at New Ulm many years; was associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and was at one time holding the highest office in that bene- ficiary order-grand master workman. He was an excel- lent lawyer and a useful citizen. To understand how he was respected it only needs be added that at his funeral services in New Ulm there were more than two thousand people present.

Hon. John Lind was born in Sweden in 1854. At the age of thirteen years he came to America with his parents, locating in Goodhue county, Minnesota. He attended the Redwing public schools, and taught several terms. In 1873 he came to New Ulm to cast his fortunes with this people. He taught the public school here in 1873 and also taught in Nicollet county one year; then entered the office of Jonas Newhart for the study of law. In 1875 he entered the State University of Minnesota, at Minneapolis, which institution he attended until the fall of 1876, when he was admitted to the bar in New Ulm. In 1877 he opened a law office, and the same year was elected county superintendent of public schools. On May 1, 1881, he accepted the appointment of receiver of the land office at Tracy, but still retained his law business in New Ulm for some time, being of the firm of

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Lind & Randall. He was elected governor of Minnesota in 1898 and made an excellent state official. He is now prac- ticing law in the Twin Cities.

Carl Albert Hagberg, born in 1856, at Rockford, Illi- nois, died on February 22, 1908, aged something more than fifty-one years. He was admitted to the bar of Brown county November 24, 1882, and continued to practice law until his death. His merits as a lawyer and his honorable conduct as a member of the profession he followed will be remembered and long cherished by his living associates and stands out as an example worthy of emulation upon the part of those who may succeed him.

Hon. Daniel G. Schillock was an attorney here in the early sixties, practicing at New Ulm. He was here at the date of the Indian massacre of August, 1862. He was an educated German jurist; served as a member of the Minne- sota Senate in the latter part of the sixties and had the dis- tinction of being the ablest man in that body. After retir- ing from the Legislature he made his home at Minneapolis.

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BAR.

Other lawyers who were members of the Brown county bar at one time or another included M. C. Robertson, who was county attorney, and a resident of Springfield; prac- ticed here a number of years and finally removed to other parts.

In the seventies another lawyer of the county was George Kuhlman.

In about 1870 came C. T. Clothier, who practiced law here successfully a number of years and removed to the

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West and resumed has practice. He was a soldier in the Civil War from Wisconsin.

George W. Somerville, an attorney of considerable note, residing many years at Sleepy Eye, and was a partner of present District Judge I. M. Olsen, at one time, removed a few years ago to California, where he engaged in the prac- tice of law. He was unfortunate in being made the victim of what almost cost him his life. For some real or fancied grievance a man with whom he had business relations, en- tered his office and fired three shots at him, all taking ef- fect, but fortunately not fatally.

Another attorney here was George T. Olsen, now of St. Peter.

A very early lawyer in New Ulm was Mr. Bassford, who came in from one of the Eastern states, with a young bride in the early seventies, remained a few years and left the county.

One Dorman, an attorney from St. Peter, practiced here and was a resident of the county in Civil War days and a little later. He removed to Beaver Falls, Minnesota.

BROWN COUNTY BAR IN 1916.

In May, 1916, the members of the Brown county bar were as follow: Albert Steinhauser, George D. Erickson, Henry Somsen, W. H. Dempsey, Alfred W. Miller, Albert Pfaender, Albert D. Flor-all residing in New Ulm.

At Sleepy Eye-L. G. Davis, Alvin Berg, Albert Hau- ser.

At Springfield-Adolph Frederickson, Ed. J. Fern- holz, August Erickson.

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OFFICERS OF THE COURT.

The 1916 officers of the district court of Brown county were: Hon. I. M. Olsen, presiding judge; W. T. Eckstein, reporter; Carl P. Menderfeld, clerk of the court; A. Fred- erickson, county attorney ; William J. Julius, sheriff. '

DISTRICT JUDGES.

The following have served as judges in the districts that have included Brown county: A. G. Chatfield, Tra- verse des Sioux; Horace Austin, St. Peter; M. G. Hans- come, St. Peter; E. St. Julien Cox, St. Peter; H. D. Bald- win, Redwood Falls; B. F. Webber, New Ulm; Hon. I. M. Olsen, present judge. Not being able to secure data for biographies for all of these judges, such as are at hand are as follow :

Hon. E. St. Julien Cox, who resided both at St. Peter and New Ulm, was a noted politician, soldier, lawyer and district judge for the district including Brown county. He was born at Geneva, Switzerland, in 1835, while his par- ents were making a tour of Europe, they both being citizens of the United States. He finished his study of the law and was admitted to the bar in Wisconsin in 1854, locating at Pine City. In 1857 he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and from there to St. Peter, which city was his home many years. In 1873 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives in Minnesota from his county, and the fol- lowing year was elected state senator. He was elected judge of the Ninth judicial district. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and was for some years a leader in

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the Democratic party of this part of the state. He aspired to the office of congressman, but failed to receive the office. He was a good trial lawyer, a fine public speaker and had many admirers.

Hon. Benjamin F. Webber, another judge of the Ninth judicial district, was born at Shapleigh, Maine, October 6, 1833, and died at New Ulm, December 4, 1906. He was admitted to the bar at Madelia, Minnesota, March 21, 1872, and became a resident of New Ulm in January of that year. In 1875 he became county attorney of Brown county, and held the office for eight years. He was elected judge of the Ninth district, which at that date included the counties of Brown, Nicollet, Redwood, Lyon and Lincoln. He assumed the duties of his office on January 1, 1883, and was an hon- ored member of the bench of Minnesota until his death, or until a short time previous to his decease, he having re- signed on account of ill health. He was greatly beloved by a wide circle of friends and highly respected by the bench and bar of Minnesota. Coming up from the humble walks of life, having left the role of a mechanic to be a useful and just judge of the district court, after having made his way successfully through the changes and labors as a member of the bar.

Hon. I. M. Olsen, present district judge of the Ninth judicial district, was born on January 4, 1861, in Norway, and accompanied his parents to America, settling in Nieol- let county, Minnesota, in May, 1865. Young Olsen was reared to hard farm labor and attended the common schools until eighteen years of age; studied one year in the public schools of St. Paul; entered the Minnesota University and (29)

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graduated from the academic course in 1887. He then studied law in the office of Lind & Hagberg, at New Ulm, and was admitted to the practice of law in 1893. In Janu- ary, 1894, he opened a law office at Redwood Falls, but re- moved to Sleepy Eye in June, of that year, and practiced law at Sleepy Eye from then until he was appointed dis- trict judge by Governor Johnson, November 15, 1906, and was elected judge at the following election and again in 1912. For two years he was mayor of Sleepy Eye and presi- dent of the school board for many years before being ele- vated to the bench. He is married and now resides at New Ulm.

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CHAPTER XVII.

NEWSPAPERS OF BROWN COUNTY.

America boasts of free speech and free press. Some- times these gifts bestowed upon our citizens by the found- ers of our great republic are abused, but nevertheless they are and ever will obtain as cardinal principles of a demo- cratic form of government. The newspaper, like other business enterprises, ever follows close on the track of the hardy pioneer in every country that is settled by an intelli- gent people. It has a power that no other single influence has. By the press public opinion is shaped. By the printed page the people are kept in close touch with the great world around them. Agriculture, science, religion, educa- tion and general enlightenment are all kept alive and active for the betterment of mankind. As a general rule the patrons of newspapers demand and obtain men to conduct papers which are interested in the general good of the com- munity. Such has been the case in Brown county.

FIRST NEWSPAPER.

The first newspaper in Brown county was the New Ulm Pioneer, established in 1856, soon after the founding of the frontier village. It was one of the adjuncts and a potent factor used by the German Land Association, with H. Kompe as its original editor. This publication passed

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through several hands until 1862, when the presses and all material was destroyed by the Indians during the massacre in August of that year. A reference was made by Father Alexander Berghold, in his interesting and authentic his- tory of this county, in which work he says:

"Many zealous citizens of the free-thinker type exerted themselves too much, and the leading newspaper, the New Ulm Pioneer, edited by Naegele & Gerstenhauser, had a great deal to say. Imbued with socialistic views, they en- tertained the false idea that religious congregations in a free city were detrimental to the public welfare, and a pro- lific source of dissensions among the people. The columns of the New Ulm Pioneer of that time, setting forth the so- cial and religious condition of affairs, contain many items of great interest to the historian. This misconception of the idea of freedom brought great discredit upon the city of New Ulm, especially among religious people. The same feelings were entertained toward all who were not Ger- mans, especially toward those whom they called ‘Ameri- cans.' This was a great financial drawback to the town, and, of course, the Turners Society was held responsible for it all."

THE NEW ULM PIONEER.

The first settlers who founded the German colony of New Ulm arrived here October 7, 1854, and less than three and one-half years later the first newspaper was published here in the German language. Lambert Naegele and Eugene Gerstenhauer were the publishers and Heinrich Kompe was the editor. The first issue was published in

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January, 1858. It was a five-column, four-page news- paper and carried the following motto:

"INDEPENDENT IN EVERYTHING AND NEUTRAL IN NOTHING." With the issue of January 6, 1859, G. W. Otto Barth be- came the editor. In January, 1859, another member was added to the firm and from that time until March 2, 1861, Naegele, Gerstenhauer & Company appeared as the pub- lishers. At that time they sold out to Editor Barth, who continued as publisher and editor until June 14, 1862, when Julius Panse assumed the ownership and editorship of the paper and removed the plant to his place on Broadway be- tween Fourth and Fifth North streets. Prior to that time it had been published in the Diedrich building, on the cor- ner of Minnesota and Third South street. . The last issue of the New Ulm Pioneer was published the week preced- ing the Indian outbreak August 18 to 25, 1862. From that time on until February, 1864, the colony of New Ulm was without a newspaper.

THE NEW ULM PLAIN DEALER.

As early as 1870 the necessity for an English news- paper was recognized and made itself felt by the non-Ger- man speaking citizens of New Ulm and vicinity and with the aid of some of the local business men funds were raised for the publication of an English newspaper. The first issue of this newspaper, under the name of the New Ulm Plain Dealer, made its appearance on November 4, 1870. The names of Clothier and Walsh appeared as publishers, and George Walsh was the editor. This paper was des- tined to be rather short-lived, however, and hardly two

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years had passed before it foundered on the rocks of ad- versity. The last number was published December 20, 1872.

THE NEW ULM HERALD.

The next English newspaper venture was the New Ulm Herald, which was published by the Herald Printing Com- pany. The main parties connected with the New Ulm Herald at its inception were Capt. W. Siegler and his brother, J. A. Siegler. After struggling along for a couple of years they turned the plant over to C. B. Tyler, with Winniousky as editor. This was July 2, 1875. On Novem- ber 22, 1878, having been in existence for nearly six years, the New Ulm Herald suspended publication.

THE NEW ULM NEWS.

Until 1892 the Democrats of New Ulm had been with- out an English party organ, and feeling the need of such a mouthpiece, induced H. L. Henry of Dakota to locate here. The first issue of the New Ulm News, as he styled his news- paper, was published on September 6, 1892. On the 17th of May, 1895, J. J. Green, one of the veteran newspaper men of the state, purchased the plant from Mr. Henry and continued publishing and also editing the New Ulm News until October 30, 1909, when he sold the plant to the New Ulm Publishing Company, and the paper ceased to exist as a separate organ, the subscription list being transferred to the New Ulm Review, also a Democratic organ.

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History of Brown County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1), Part 28

Author: L. A. Fritsche, M. D. Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: L. A. Fritsche, M. D.
Publication date: 1916
Publisher:
Number of Pages: