USA > Minnesota > Cottonwood County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 24
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Total Enrollment
Months School
6
3
19
$67
$143
651
9
8
I
3
55
95
I47
9
57
3
12
64
95
348
9
74
2
6
62.50
106
221
9
71
I
4
52.50
100
167
9
-
-
-
Total Grand total
IO
44
$60
$108
1,534
9
22
II5
57.15
86.20
3.686
7
80 (east)
I
-
-
Average
-
$54.30
$64.40
21
1
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
A grand state spelling contest is held each year at the state fair in the Institute building. Each county in the state is allowed to send two repre- sentatives to this contest, the same to be winners of county spelling contests.
In Cottonwood county, township contests were held during the past school year and the winners selected from the various townships. The town- ship winners met at Windom, June 30. 1916, to compete for the county championship. Rosie Peterson of Westbrook township, and Almira Riffle, of Mountain Lake, won in the contest, Miss Peterson winning in the oral test and Miss Riffle, the written. Separate contests are held at the state fair, and premiums amounting to forty-five dollars are given in each division.
In 1910 the enrollment in the semi-graded and rural schools of the county was 2,243; number of male teachers, 12; number of female teachers, 72 ; average wage of male teachers, $48.33; average wage of female teach- ers, $40.36; total number of libraries, 68; volumes in libraries, 5,646; value of libraries, $3.388.88; number of school districts, 79.
In the high school and graded school districts the enrollment was 878; number of male teachers, 8; number of female teachers. 36; average wage for males, $105 ; average wage for females, $58. Officers at that time were Mr. Hale, president; Mr. Hubbell, vice-president; Mr. Nelson, secretary- treasurer.
AN EARLY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
William Prentiss, now an attorney praticing in Chicago, served as county school superintendent of this county from his appointment in the spring of 1873 to 1877. He left the old farm home in McDonough county, Illinois, in April, 1869, going to Minnesota in search of health, as he had symptoms of pulmonary trouble, which compelled him to quit his college course at Knox College, Illinois. He succeeded in regaining his health. In the spring of 1871 he drove a pair of horses, with covered wagon, from his old home in Illinois, over the states of Illinois and lowa and landed at Mankato, Minne- sota, from which point he went direct to Three Lakes, Cottonwood county. He had pre-empted land and taken a homestead and on a portion of this he put in oats; broke prairie during the early part of the season; worked dur- ing harvest time in Blue Earth county, where he remained during the follow- ing winter. In 1872 he again broke prairie on his Cottonwood claims ; harvested near Madelia, Watonwan county, binding the half of one hundred and sixty acres of wheat and oats on a Marsh harvester. Late in that autumn he returned to Illinois and on Christmas day married Elizabeth Helen
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
McCaughey and brought her to Cottonwood county the following spring, 1873.
He became an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry and was lecturer, secretary and master of a grange.
In 1873, the first year of the grasshoppers in this county, he lost all save his wheat and oats crop. He was appointed county school superintendent of schools in this county in the spring of 1873, as above mentioned. He went through the entire grasshopper scourge in this county, losing everything he had except the pre-empted quarter section, and left Cottonwood county heavily in debt in the spring of 1876. He had taught school in Windom in the winter of 1873-4 and 1875-6. He left this county simply because the grasshoppers would not let him stay. He re-settled in Macomb county, Illinois, and began the study of law, being admitted to the bar in June, 1878. The following November he was elected state's attorney of McDonough county and was re-elected in 1880. In August, 1891, he moved to Evanston and in 1897 to Chicago, where he is still practicing law successfully. He also kept up an interest in agriculture and owned, a few years since, a farm in Illinois and a fruit farm in Allegan county, Michigan. He served as one of the three civil service commissioners for Chicago at one time.
BURNING OF THE BIG BEND SCHOOL HOUSE.
When the Big Bend school house, the second in the county, was burned a few years since, William A. Peterson wrote an article on its passing. As the historic facts therein are too good to be lost, excerpts from the article are here incorporated in the annals of Cottonwood county :
"When the old 'Bend' school house was destroyed by fire an old land- mark in the history of this county was destroyed. The building was the second built in the county and was erected in the fall of 1872-forty-three years ago. The first term of school held in this county was taught by Miss Nettie Sackett, a girl of fifteen years of age, during the summer of 1871, in a sod claim shanty erected by Isaac Vansky about three-quarters of a mile to the northwest of the site on which this school house was later built.
"During the winter of 1871-72, a term of school was taught in the sod shanty by Cyrus M. Finch and in the winter of 1872-73 John E. Teed, brother of William M. Teed and Mrs. D. B. Jones, taught the first school in the new school building above referred to. The building was not then as large as it was later.
"The old school house has been the social center of a large neighborhood
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since it was first built and many notable gatherings have been held there and many quite famous speakers have addressed audiences in it. The Bend neighborhood has always been a religious community, since its first settle- ment. The first sermon I heard preached in the county, and it was doubtless the first ever heard here, was preached by Rev. Edward Savage, then a young unmarried man, just out of college. It was preached in a claim shanty on the Dave Evans farm of eighty acres, in the summer of 1870. Somewhere about the same time, Rev. Peter Baker, an itinerant Methodist Episcopal preacher, began preaching in the neighborhood occasionally. During the same year, 1871, preaching services were held in the sod school house above referred to, and a Sunday school was organized. After the Bend school house was erected, in the fall of 1872, divine services and Sunday school were held there and were continued regularly for the last forty-three years.
"The first Methodist church in this county, I think, was organized there; Rev. J. W. Lewis was the first pastor.
"The Des Moines Valley Patrons of Husbandry (Grange) was organized and held its meetings and social gatherings in this building for a number of years. Hon. William Prentiss, now of Chicago, a former county school superintendent, was one of the officers and lecturers for this society.
"Political meetings, farmers' clubs and, in fact, gatherings of all kinds have been held there. It has been a central place of meeting for a large com- munity for all these long years.
"Many of the younger generation of the valley and old settlers have a very warm spot in their hearts, and inany a fond recollection of this old school house has been the pleasure of these people. But it is gone. The fiery elements have licked it up and we fondly hope to see a modern and more pretentious edifice erected on the very spot where it stood for so many years. Nothing can ever take its place in our hearts and memories, nor quench our love for dear old 'Bend school house.'"
CHAPTER XIV.
BANKS AND BANKING.
Prior to the spring of 1881 Cottonwood county had no bank within its borders-in fact, there had not been much demand for such a business insti- tution up to within a few years of that date. The men who first came to locate in this county had been for the most part soldiers of the Civil War and immigrants from beyond the big seas, and neither class had much money to deposit, even had there been such an institution here. Much of the money borrowed by the people of Cottonwood county, in order to get established here, was obtained from some of the Eastern loan companies who usually exacted two per cent commission for securing a loan and then the borrower had to pay ten per cent. and even higher interest for the use of the money.
But as the farmers and business men in various sections of the county commenced to thrive and "get a few dollars ahead," the demand for a bank was keenly felt, as the people had to go to Mankato or New Ulm to do their banking business. Every city and village within the county now has one or more banks and all do a good, safe business. The amount of their deposits, as shown in their detailed history in this chapter, shows that the poverty of thirty and forty years ago has all been changed into good bank accounts.
THE BANK OF WINDOM.
The Bank of Windom, the pioneer banking house of Cottonwood county, was established in 1881. Among the presidents were John Hutton and J. N. McGregor. W. J. Clark was its assistant cashier. It was reorganized into a state bank in 1885, with a paid-up capital of forty thousand dollars. In May, 1892, the capital was increased to one hundred thousand dollars (authorized amount), of which sixty-five thousand dollars was paid up. Its directors were, in 1893, John Hutton, A. Queveli. W. J. Clark, C. A. Ludden, J. N. McGregor, E. C. Huntington and J. H. Clark.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WINDOM.
The First National Bank of Windom was organized as the successor of the oldest banking house in the county-the Bank of Windom, organized
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
in March, 1881. The First National was organized on April 26, 1897, on a capital of fifty thousand dollars, same as it carries today. It was estab- lished by John Hutton, A. D. Perkins, J. N. McGregor, W. J. Clark, E. C. Huntington, T. A. Perkins and others. The first officers were: A. D. Per- kins, president; John Hutton, vice-president; W. J. Clark, cashier; T. A. Perkins, assistant cashier. The officers in June, 1916, are: W. J. Clark, president ; E. C. Huntington, vice-president ; Carl Nelson, vice-president ; T. A. Perkins, cashier ; N. M. Nelson, assistant cashier. The present board of directors are. Jens Anderson, W. J. Clark, E. C. Huntington, Carl Nelson and T. A. Perkins.
The recent statements show deposits amounting to one million dollars. The resources and liabilities are one million, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars; surplus one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The magnificent bank building is constructed of buff Bedford sandstone, erected in 1911 at a cost of thirty-two thousand dollars. The citizens of Cottonwood county and the county seat town may well feel a pride in having so splendid a bank- ing house as that of the First National Bank. Its management has always given satisfaction to the hundreds of patrons who have trusted their funds to it.
Of its predecessor, the old Bank of Windom, it may be stated that it was founded by P. C. Kniss, of Lit Verne, who conducted it less than one year, when he sold to Erick Sevatson and A. D. Perkins, who conducted it as a private bank for sometime thereafter. Finally, A. D. Perkins and others established what was known as the "People's Bank," which was the most successful bank in the place. Seeing that this was true, the owners of the old Windom Bank desired to merge with the People's Bank, which was con- sumated, Mr. Perkins was elected president of the new bank and the officers of the First National included the officers of the old bank in part, as will be observed above. Hence the First National is the direct successor to the first bank in Cottonwood county, which was established in March, 1881.
THE WINDOM NATIONAL BANK.
The Windom National Bank was established August 6, 1902, by D. U. Weld, C. W. Gillam, Dr. H. C. Beise, H. M. Goss, C. B. Pierce, M. L. Fisch, M. T. DeWolf, F. Z. Weld. F. J. Carpenter, Jens Anderson, John J. Rupp and others. Its first and present capital is thirty-five thousand dol- lars. This banking institution opened its doors for business, December 10, 1902. In January, 1903, it had resources of more than seventy thousand
269
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
dollars; in 1905 it reached seventy-eight thousand and more; in 1909 it was almost three hundred and fourteen thousand; in 1911 it had reached almost five hundred thousand dollars and, March 7, 1916, its statements show about seven hundred thousand dollars in total resources. On the date last named the following is a copy of their statement of resources and liabilities : Resources-Loans and discounts, $458.976.66; overdrafts, $519.39; United States bonds. $35,000; banking house, $17,800; cash and due from banks, $II3.435.29: total resources, $623,731.34. Liabilities-Capital stock, $35,000; surplus fund (earned ). $35,000; undivided profits, $11,736.59; circulation, $35,000; deposits. $506,994.75; total liabilities. $623,731.34.
A general commercial banking business is transacted by this concern, and in the fourteen years of its history it has built up a splendid business and earned a surplus equal to its capital after paying dividends every year since its organization to its stockholders. The resources and liabilities at the last call amounted to $627.493. 14: deposits. $510.476.99.
The banking corporation own their own bank building, a solid pressed brick structure, trimmed with blue Bedford stone, erected in 1902, at a cost of seventeen thousand five hundred dollars.
The officers of the bank from its organization have been: D. U. Weld, president ; C. W. Gillam, vice-president : John J. Rupp, cashier. J. B. Benson is at present the assistant cashier and M. C. Langley, teller. The present directors are, D. U. Weld, C. W. Gillam. M. T. De Wolf. C. B. Pierce, M. L. Fish, H. S. Kellom and John J. Rupp. But few banks in Minnesota can show a better record during the years of its history than this one at Windom.
FARMERS STATE BANK, WINDOM.
The Farmers State Bank, at Windom, was organized on August I, 1907, by T. C. Collins, B. Klassen, E. D. Movers, H. E. Hanson, Andrew C. Olson, J. F. French, John Paulson, C. A. Baxter and D. A. Noble. The original capital stock was thirty-five thousand dollars, same as today. The first officers were, T. C. Collins, president ; C. A. Baxter, vice-president ; H1. E. Hanson, cashier; E. A. Sime, assistant cashier. The officers in 1916 are, H. E. Hanson, president ; Dr. L. Sogge, vice-president ; AF T. Anderson, cashier ; E. A. Sime, assistant cashier.
A good brick bank building was erected in 1895, which cost the builders eight thousand dollars. It should be understood that this bank succeeded to the business of the old Cottonwood County Bank, with which T. C. Collins and others were connected.
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The directors of the Farmers Savings Bank are now (1916), Dr. L. Sogge, H. E. Hanson, R. D. Collins, E. D. Mooers, John Paulson, D. A. Noble, Andrew C. Olson, W. I. Silliman and E. H. Klock. At the close of business, June 30, 1916, their statement shows that the institution had resources and liabilities amounting to $412,925.72. The resources were divided as follows : Loans and discounts, $379,141.04; overdrafts, $1,667.27 ; banking house, $10,500; cash and due from banks, $21,685.41. Their deposits are as follows: Time deposits, $283,920.22 ; demand deposits, $78.327.61, making a total of $362,247.83.
PEOPLE'S BANK OF WINDOM.
This bank was established on December 18, 1892. Its popular president was Senator E. Sevatson. J. E. Foss was the active manager and cashier. This bank was finally succeeded by the Farmers State Bank of Windom.
THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BANK.
This bank was established on July 1, 1889, and its early officers were as follows: T. C. Collins, president ; A. E. Woodruff, vice-president, and William A. Smith, cashier. It had a capital of one hundred thousand dol- lars, of which fifty thousand dollars was paid up. The board of directors consisted of T. C. Collins, A. E. Woodruff, William A. Smith, H. Traut- fether, L. J. Robinson, S. Huntington, M. T. De Wolf, A. S. Collins and C. W. Gillam.
TIIE STATE BANK OF JEFFERS.
The State Bank of Jeffers was established at the village of Jeffers in 1909 by J. J. Duroe and sons, on a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. The first, as well as the present, officers of this banking house are, F. E. Duroe, president ; E. M. Duroc and L. A. Duroe, vice-presidents ; C. R. Duroe, cashier, and C. O. Castledine, assistant cashier.
The statement put out June 30, 1916, shows resources and liabilities amounting to $245.948.32. Of this, there was a surplus fund of $5.000 dol- lars and undivided profits of $5.135.59. The demand deposits amounted at that date to $93,324.02 and the time certificates of deposit were $117,478.71. The latest figures given show that this bank's deposits amount to about $210,000.
A fine brick and cement banking building was constructed in 1911, the
271
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
cost of which was seven thousand five hundred dollars. It was during that year that the old bank building was burned, at a loss of over two thousand dollars over and above the insurance received. This bank is doing a splendid business and certainly merits the full confidence of the wealthy community in which it is located.
THE FARMERS STATE BANK OF JEFFERS.
The Farmers State Bank of Jeffers commenced business, May 3, 1915, on a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars and with the following officers, which are also the present ones: President, J. H. Dickman ; vice-presidents, D. A. Lahart and A. W. Mertens; cashier, C. E. Perkins; assistant cashier, F. J. Werner.
In the beginning of the bank's history a modern brick building was erected at a cost of five thousand dollars. A person need only notice the weekly statement issued June 30, 1916, to prove how prosperous the bank has been. Their own expression, "We are young, but we are growing," is certainly true. The resources and liabilities show a sum amounting to $85.345.83. Of this there was a surplus fund of $3,000, and undivided profits amounting to $1.731.25. The deposits amounted to $58.614.58.
THE FIRST STATE BANK OF STORDEN.
The First State Bank of Storden was established, January 8, 1904, by W. J. Clark, T. A. Perkins and C. H. Huhberg and on a capital of fifteen thousand dollars. The first officers were the following: President, W. J. Clark; vice-president, Dan Hedman ; cashier. C. H. Ruhberg. The present officers are, president, W. J. Clark ; vice-president, HI. H. Peterson ; cashier, C. H. Ruhberg: assistant cashier, Sophus Anderson : teller, George Ruhberg.
The bank started business in its own building, which is a frame struc- ture, costing over four thousand dollars. The bank, although only a little over twelve years old, has enjoyed a period of great prosperity. The bank statement issued at the close of the month's business for June, 1916, showed resources and liabilities amounting to $246.179. Of this, there was a surplus fund of $15,000.00 and undivided profits to the amount of $7.672.55.
The increased deposits from year to year is one of the strongest recom- mendations a bank can have. For instance on June 1. 1914, the deposits amounted to $156.433.08; June 1, 1915, $183.626.80: June 1, 1916, $198,321. This bank is absolutely controlled by home people and home capital and merits the full confidence of business people.
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
TIIE FARMERS STATE BANK OF STORDEN.
One of the infant banks of the county in so far as age is concerned is the Farmers State Bank of Storden. This bank was organized December 10, 1915, by P. G. Hiebert and commenced business January 10, 1916, on a capital of ten thousand dollars. The first as well as the present officers of this banking institution are: D. G. Hiebert, president; A. H. Anderson, vice-president ; P. G. Hiebert, cashier. The directors are, D. G. Hiebert, A. H. Anderson, H, P. Goertz, J. E. Youngck, J. E. Nelson, A. O. Stark and P. G. Hiebert.
The bank has under construction a modern brick building that is to cost five thousand dollars and which, when completed, will be a pride and ornament to the town.
The monthly statement issued June 30, 1916, shows resources and lia- bilities amounting to $47,659.11. Of this amount, was a surplus of $2,000 and deposits amounting to $35,659.11. These facts show that the people of the community have great confidence in the well-known business ability of the men at the head of the institution.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MOUNTAIN LAKE.
The First National Bank of Mountain Lake was organized in 1908 on a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, with John J. Rupp as president and C. C. Mertens as cashier. The present officers include the following: John J. Rupp, president ; John Jungas, vice-president ; Abraham Janzen, cashier, and F. F. Schroeder, assistant cashier. In 1911 the bank moved into its new and modern brick building, which cost in the neighborhood of seven thousand dollars.
At the end of the month's business, June 30, 1916, the resources and liabilities were $225.000, and the deposits $165,000. Concerning the fact that the present capital is only twenty-five thousand dollars, these figures indicate an excellent showing and unlimited confidence in the business abil- ity and integrity of the bank's officers.
THE FIRST STATE BANK OF MOUNTAIN LAKE.
The First State Bank of Mountain Lake was established in 1889, on a capital stock of $28,000.00, with the following officers : David Ewert,
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
president ; John Janzen, vice-president; H. P. Gortz, cashier. In 1907 this bank was consolidated with the State Bank of Mountain Lake.
According to the monthly statement issued June 30, 1916, the bank's resources and liabilities amounted to $460,634.00. Of this, was a surplus fund of $10,000.00, and undivided profits of $1,881.94. The individual deposits amounted to $140,853.68, and the time deposits $257,898.38, mak- ing a total of $398,752.06.
In 1902 the directors decided upon a bank and office building, which was erected at a cost of $12,000.
The capital stock has been raised to $50,000 and there have been several changes in the personnel of the officers since the beginning. The present officers include the following: David Ewert, president; H. P. Goertz and Frank Balzer, vice-presidents; J. H. Dickman, cashier; D. G. Hiebert, assist- ant cashier ; D. J. Schroeder, teller. The present board of directors are as follows: David Ewert, C. Penner, J. H. Dickman, W. J. Janssen, H. P. Goertz, Frank Balzer, J. G. Hiebert. D. G. Hiebert and A. C. Dick.
The bank's motto, "Stability and Service," is not an idle expression and carries with it everything the name implies. The officers are accommo- dating and obliging to strangers as well as home folks and certainly merit the large amount of business that they receive.
CITIZENS STATE BANK OF WESTBROOK.
The Citizens State Bank of Westbrook was organized in 1902 by Dr. C. P. Nelson, John E. Villa, W. B. Leo, T. Torjuson, W. C. Brown and others. The first officers of the bank were: President, T. Torjuson; vice- president, C. P. Nelson ; cashier, C. A. Zieske. The officers have all changed since the beginning and now they are as follows: John E. Villa, president ; H. W. Footh, vice-president; A. O. Iverson, cashier; L. L. Footh, assistant cashier.
The statement put out on June 30, 1916, shows resources and liabilities amounting to $188,393.11. Of this, there was a capital stock and surplus fund of $32,000.00 and undivided profits amounting to $1.716.83. The deposits reached the high mark of $154,676.28.
In 1902 the directors saw fit to construct a brick building for their own use, costing $4,500.00. The name of John E. Villa, one of the earliest set- tlers in the village of Westbrook, connected with an institution of this kind. is alone enough to inspire confidence and warrants the growing business of the concern.
(18)
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WESTBROOK.
This banking concern was organized in 1900 as a state bank, but changed its name to the First National Bank in 1902. It was established by J. W. Benson, president, of Heron Lake. The first capital stock was $25,000, but in July, 1916, this was increased to $30,000, at which time the total deposits were $270,000. The total amount of resources and corresponding liabilities of this bank is $350.000. A good two-story, brick bank building was built in 1900, at a cost of $6,500.
The original officers of the bank were: J. W. Benson, president ; John E. Nelson, vice-president. Westbrook; J. A. Pearson, cashier, Westbrook. The 1916 officers are as follows: J. W. Benson, president ; John E. Nelson, and John J. Christy, vice-presidents; A. F. Meyer, cashier; Joseph Budish, assistant cashier.
FIRST STATE BANK OF BINGHAM LAKE.
The First State Bank of Bingham Lake was organized on August 5, 1904, by John Henderson, P. K. McMurtry, John J. Rupp, S. L. Rogers, A. L. Holt, D. U. Weld, C. W. Gillam, A. J. Wicklund, E. J. Gove, John J. Goertzen, C. K. Hakes, F. L. Langley, C. A. Liem, F. H. Bland, A. J. Goertzen, Henry Goertzen and N. P. Minion.
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