USA > Minnesota > Cottonwood County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 42
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For two years the settlers did all their farming with oxen. In fact they used oxen for everything. A good pair of oxen cost from one hun- dred to one hundred and thirty dollars. The average one-year-old, when sold for beef, usually brought about eight dollars; a two-year-old, thirteen dollars ; a three-year-old, eighteen dollars and a four-year-old, thirty dollars. On one occasion a farmer killed a four-hundred-pound sow and was glad to dispose of the meat at two and one-half cents a pound.
Most of the first settlers built a small shanty of about fourteen by six- teen, which was enlarged as they could afford it. But at first they had to economize in every way possible. The average family used not more than one hundred pounds of meat during a winter. Coffee was so scarce and so high priced that carrots were baked and ground and used as a substitute.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES.
H. D. Hall homesteaded at the New Ulm land office the northwest quarter of section 20, township 106, range 32 west, and it was signed by President U. S. Grant, April 1, 1872.
James Curry homesteaded by certificate No. 3,847, the west half of the southwest quarter of section 8, township 106, range 32. This was signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes, February 10, 1881.
Andrew Curry homesteaded with certificate No. 3.846, at the New Uhn land office, the southwest quarter of section 8, township 106, range 32, which was signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes, February 10, 1881.
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Peter Zender, on certificate No. 3,981, homesteaded the west half of the northeast quarter of section 30, township 106, range 32 west. It was issued and signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes, February 10, 1881. Joseph Pasch, at the Tracy land office, was granted a homestead on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 32, township 106, range 32 west, October, 1883, signed by President Chester A. Arthur.
CHAPTER VII.
CITY OF ST. JAMES.
St. James, the county seat of Watonwan county, was at first named by old General Sibley. one of the directors of the St. Paul & Sioux City Rail- road Company, after some Indian, but the name was so long and odd that the general could not tell the president of the railroad company what it was, and that officer became angry and said to the general: "If you can't pro- nounce the name of the town you were allowed to name, I have a name that can be remembered and pronounced and we will have it printed on the maps of this road at once as St. James."
The village of St. James, as seen by records at the court house, was laid out July 13. 1870, in section 13, township 106, and range 32. It was recorded in October, 1870.
It was then in the midst of wild prairie grass and weeds and had no signs of being a human habitation for white men, but the railroad had decided to make this point a division on the line between St. Paul and Sioux City, and from this fact the prairie wilderness soon took on a transformed aspect and buildings went up here and there. The railroad was constructed from Lake Crystal to St. James-twenty-two miles, in 1870. The plat that was executed in July of that year, had for its first lot purchaser, S. C. Clark, and on it he erected the first building of the place. The first traders of the new village on the prairie, and which borders on the lake, were as follow : In September, 1870: J. Dean and Company established their lumber yard and soon after E. Zeina arrived and at once set about erecting his business house. Dean and Company carried Yankee notions and groceries in an old board shanty used by the graders. Zeina might have been seen at that time behind a pile of boards dealing out "that which is good for the stomach sake" (possibly), to railroad men, at least they seemed in those days, forty-six years ago, to think it gave them "spiritual comfort," as they termed it. But St. James, after having many years of history blighted and cursed by strong drink, with the county in which it is situated, was finally in 1915 placed on the "dry" list of Minnesota's sprightly cities and prosperous agricultural sections.
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The pioneer resident of St. James was, doubtless. J. R. McLean ; at least he has always been accredited with having been the first "permanent" settler in the town.
The first passenger train entered the place on November 22, 1870. over the old St. Paul & Sioux City line, now the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne- apolis & Omaha railway. It was an excursion from St. Paul and had the "brass collar," or officials and their immediate friends along with them. They were all well fed at the St. James Hotel and welcomed to the embryo city by Senator W. D. Rice, who was responded to by General Sibley, who was a director of the road, and President Drake of the Company.
WINTER OF 1870-71.
St. James had business interests in the winter after it was platted, as follow : Thompson & Bishop. J. Peterson & Company, G. H. Texley, J. R. McLean and Company, and George Carr, general merchandise and dry goods ; Herrick & Bacon, dry goods and drugs; Parker Brothers, drugs and hard- ware: Shannon & Skelton, groceries and provisions ; Folsom & Martin, hard- ware; the St. James and the Union Hotel, and two saloons. In less than sixty days a sprightly new railroad county seat town sprang into existence on the wild prairies of Watonwan county, in southern Minnesota.
The railroad company was liberal in that it donated a lot to any religious denomination that would build a church thereon in St. James. In 1871 the Baptists built ; the Methodists in 1872, and the Presbyterian church wor- shipped in the Baptist church in 1871 until they could do better. The Cath- olic people were then being served by the priest stationed at Mankato. The railroad company also gave the town the small but handsome park, which all so much appreciate today.
The place was chartered as a village in February, 1871.
The first physician in the town was Dr. E. Cottrell. an eclectic physician. The first limb of the law here was J. J. Thornton.
The first brick school house was erected at a cost of fourteen hundred dollars; it was heated with three furnaces.
ST. JAMES IN 1885-6.
The following were the business factors in the city of St. James thirty years ago :
Aldritt, J. S .- Wagon and carriage maker: general blacksmith and repair shop.
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Bank of St. James-Hon. M. K. Armstrong, banker ; transacted a gen- eral banking business and real estate.
Bacon, Dr. C. R .- Physician and surgeon ; also dealer in drugs and medicines.
Bergman Brothers-Meat market and dealer in cattle.
Byrne. D. C .- Dealer in dry goods and groceries.
Byrne & Eklund-Dealers in lumber and doors.
Case. D. R .- Agent for F. H. Peavey & Company, dealers in grain.
Chapman, W. A .- Editor and proprietor of St. James Journal.
City Hotel-I. P. Schurtz, proprietor.
Clark, S. C .- Surveyor and civil engineer and attorney-at-law.
Gibbs. W. W .- Proprietor of St. James Hotel. Owner of Rosendale stock farm and breeder of Holstein cattle.
Hage, H. H .- Dealer in wines, liquors, cigars, etc.
Herrick, G. H .- Dealer in groceries and dry goods.
Higgins, H. H .- Sheriff of Watonwan county ; collection agency.
Holen, Soren-Agent for James S. Anderson. dealer in lumber.
Hoscheid. Phillip-Shoe repair shop.
Johnston, George P .- Clerk of district court for Watonwan county.
Kirk, Dr. T .-- Physician and surgeon.
Knudson, Hon. George-State senator and auditor of Watonwan county.
Larson, Jacob-Dealer in reapers, mowers, threshers, and all kinds of agricultural implements.
Magner & Herrick-Dealers in dry goods and groceries.
Meidenbauer, George-Manufacturer and dealer in harness, blankets, whips, etc.
Mellgren, A. S .- County treasurer.
Melville. Charles C .- Farmer, stock raiser and landowner.
Miller. John N .- Dealer in liquors and cigars.
Mullen, M. E .- Judge of probate court for Watonwan county and surveyor.
Olson, Hans-Dealer in flour, feed, coal and farm implements.
Palmer, J. W .- Photographic gallery.
Peterson, Alfred-Dealer in wines, liquors and cigars.
Reichlinger, F .--- Dealer in wines, liquors and cigars.
Rempel, W. P. & Brothers-Grain dealers.
Robertson, Dr. J .- Veterinary surgeon.
Seager, J. W .- Attorney-at-law.
Shutz, John-Proprietor of Union House.
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Schutz, J. P .- Proprietor City Hotel.
Stemper, J. P .- Proprietor meat market and dealer in cattle.
St. James Hotel-W. W. Gibbs, proprietor.
Swenson & Larson-Dealers in groceries and dry goods.
Thornton, J. J .- Attorney-at-law; real estate.
Brick Office-Fire proof vault; Fire and Home Insurance Company of New York.
Torson, Thomas-Register of deeds of Watonwan county.
Union House-John Schutz, proprietor.
Valtum, Thomas-Dealer in general hardware, farm machinery and dealer in real estate.
Voss, A. R .- Real estate agent and landowner.
The grain shipments in the months from September to January, 1890-91, were as follow : Flax, 105,000 bushels ; wheat, 95,000 bushels ; oats, 72,000; barley, 75.000 ; timothy secd, 2,600 bushels.
The big flouring-mill was completed in 1889 at a cost of $15.000, the same being built by private capital, aided by a $2,000 bonus given by a vote of the city people, who had that amount of cash on hand.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
The city of St. James at first was incorporated as a village in 1871, with officers as follow: Trustees, J. Bartlett, G. S. Thompson, and William Martin; clerk, J. W. Parker; treasurer, G. H. Texley; justice of peace, S. C. Clark : marshal, John Necley. It was April 27, 1899, that it became a city incorporation. The next day an election was held for the purpose of choosing city officers. The following were chosen: W. P. Rempel, mayor; Fred G. Hlyatt, recorder; aldermen, Charles Wenstrum. Charles Crouch, William Oetting and Andrew Olson. The present officers are as follow: A. K. Peck, mayor; Christ Larson, clerk ; C. T. Crowley, O. Wen- strom, F. D. Meyer, Dr. Joe Rolf, aldermen; J. L. Lobben, city attorney. Besides the ones mentioned the following men have served as mayors: E. A. Gibbs, W. 11. Rowe, P. N. Sterrie, and E. L. Lobben. An example of unbroken service to the city is that of the present city clerk, Christ Lar- son, who has served in the same capacity for fourteen years.
The city has spent a great amount of money for improvement but, never- theless, the bonded indebtedness amounts to only thirty thousand dollars. They have invested ten thousand dollars in an electric light system, which includes a one hundred watt dynamo and a one hundred and twenty-five
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horse-power engine: also a fire pump. The above system and the water works can all be operated by their own power in case of emergency, but under normal conditions the electric power is received from Mankato.
Two drilled wells each five hundred feet deep, furnish the city with an abundance of pure water. The water is pumped into a sand pipe one hun- dred and ten feet high and holding approximately seven thousand two hun- dred barrels.
The city hall is a brick structure and contains the office of the city clerk, the fire department, jail. and store rooms.
In the way of parks, the city owns three, all of which are being improved and beautified for the benefit of its citizens.
ST. JAMES FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Property saved to the extent of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars; eighteen years of work, practically without pay. This is the record of the St. James volunteer fire department.
The department was organized in 1895, the year after the water system was put in. Hose Company No. I was organized on February 1, 1905, the meeting being held in the old Peck building on Fifth street. Charles T. Crowley was chosen captain. Bert Bertranisen, lieutenant, and W. T. Bor- dene. secretary. The company consisted of thirteen members.
Hose Company No. 2 was organized in the register of deeds office in the old court house, February 3, 1895. The officers were captain, J. J. Schutz; lieutenant, Andrew Odson, and secretary, Swen Swenson. There were thirteen members in all.
On February 23, following, the members of the hose companies met in the old court house and elected Charles Crouch, chief of the department.
In June, 1896, a hook and ladder outfit was purchased and on June 13, a hook and ladder company was organized, with F. B. Lynch, captain; Albert Kopp, lieutenant, and W. T. Bordene, secretary.
Some time in June, 1896, Chief Crouch handed in his resignation which was not accepted until February 6, 1897, when C. E. Fuller was unanimously chosen chief. In June, 1904, the department organized what is known as Division No. 4, consisting of the band of twenty-two pieces, the officers of which were C. T. Crowley, captain ; Louis Meyer, lieutenant, and Fred Meyer, secretary. Members of the band who are twenty-one years or over, serve as firemen. The cost of the movement was four hundred and forty-four dol- lars and seventy-nine cents, of which two hundred ten dollars and ninety-
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four cents was expended for uniforms and two hundred thirty-five dollars and ninety-five cents for music and instruction.
The officers of the department at the present time are as follow: C. T. Crowley, chief: J. J. Shutz, assistant chief; Nick Stemper, secretary; Otto Bergman, treasurer; Matt Klaras, William Manning, Otto Wenstrom, trustees. Hose Company No. I: Charles Engelbrecht, captain ; Sever Han- son, lieutenant ; Herman Miller, secretary. Company No. 2: George Har- tung, captain ; Felix Richlinger : George Schmeller, secretary. Company No. 3: Al Kopp, captain, Swan Nelson, lieutenant ; Herman Schweppe, secre- tary. Company No. 4: P. C. Larson, captain; Louie Meyer, lieutenant ; Roy Steel, secretary; M. Clark, treasurer.
SOCIETIES.
The principal secret societies in St. James a decade and more ago were listed as follow : Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias. Ancient Order of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors, Catholic Order of Foresters, Modern Brotherhood of America, and the Scandinavian Benevolent Association.
COMMERCIAL CLUB.
The St. James Commercial Club was organized on February 8, 1909, with a membership of two hundred and eighteen. The present membership is one hundred and nineteen. The object of the club is the betterment of the city in general, along the lines of civic improvement, as well as a center for social gatherings. The first president was R. H. Burns, the position in 1916 being held by P. N. Sterrie. H. M. Hammond is treasurer and A. M. Card, secretary. During the existence of this club it has been a means of looking after the best interests of the city, its work being seen on several occasions. It is united effort in a town or city that makes a place a live and truly up-to-date place. The old and trite saying that "what is every- body's business is nobody's," is, indeed, true in the workings of any com- munity, but where there is a head center and men and women of responsi- bility united in the work at hand, things move along as they should, and in the proportion that each unit or member of a commercial club contributes in work, just in that proportion does the municipality it represents prosper.
Upon the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the organization of this club a splendid program was planned and carried out. The members
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VIEWS OF ST. JAMES.
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of the Butterfield and Madelia Commercial Clubs were invited to be present. The services of the Wermerskirchen Orchestra were secured, and many interesting speeches were made. It was made plain to those present that to two men must be given most of the credit for the successful starting of this club-R. H. Burns and N. A. Peck, the latter having secured one hundred and eighty-four out of the two hundred and eighteen charter members.
Among other things accomplished so far by the club may be mentioned these: The buying of the Park Hotel and converting it into a sanitarium; the getting of the St. James roller mills opened ; putting on a county exhibit at the state fair ; co-operating with the Southern Minnesota League for the boosting of this part of the state: entertaining a Second District Editorial Association ; raising money to aid in graveling some of the state roads in this county; entertaining the farmers to dinners; helping the Watonwan county fair, and general boosting for St. James. It was this commercial club that really saved the County Fair AAssociation at a critical period in its history, in 1911.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The St. James public library was organized and started on August 29, 1911. To give credit to whom credit is due, one must be guided by facts that led to a library being started. To no other one can this honor be accorded than Miss Beatrice Shordiche, and although she was not connected with the early organization. it was her constant agitation and solicitation that finally led to a public library. It is located on the second floor of the Glass block, with Miss Susie Fickes in charge as librarian. The institution is supported wholly by subscription, but arrangements have been made whereby it shall be supported by taxation. At present the library has one thousand seven hundred and fourteen volumes and is supplied with nine weekly and three daily papers, four magazines and numerous other papers and magazines that are personally contributed.
The present library board is as follow: President. A. R. Voss: vice- president. Mr. Manworing : secretary, Mrs. George Seager; treasurer, L. Chapman; Mrs. Will Curtis, Mrs. George Shorp and Mr. W. W. Brown.
BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
The Business Men's Association was organized on October 12, 1915. with the following officers: W. G. Manning, president; J. C. Ranseen, vice- president ; George W. Seager, secretary; Severt Hanson, treasurer; David
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R. Schroeder. Charles H. Englebrecht and Dr. Albert Thompson, directors. The purpose of the organization is to co-operate with the Commercial Club for civic and industrial betterment, ratings, better roads, mutual protection and matters of publicity.
SANITARIUM.
The St. James hospital and sanitarium was organized in 1909 by a cor- poration of St. James business and professional men. The building known as the Park Hotel, built by M. K. Armstrong in 1898, was secured at a cost of forty thousand dollars. Dr. W. H. Rowe is in charge of the institution and under his direction special attention is given to nervous and mental cliscases. The sanitarium has gained quite a reputation and is known as one of the best in the northwest. It is estimated that two hundred and fifty patients are treated annually, coming mostly from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. Towa and Wisconsin. Fourteen nurses are employed.
LONG LAKE PARK.
Some St. James business men of keen insight and broad vision, saw some possibilities in the formation of a lake resort and park at Long Lake. Others became interested until six well-known business men, including Thomas Tonnesson, P. N. Sterrie, William F. Schoffman, C. T. Crowley, E. C. Veltum, Crouch Brothers and William Manning formed a company for the purchase and improvement of the lake and surrounding land includ- ing twelve acres.
No pains or expense have been spared by these men in making this an up-to-date park. Practically three thousand dollars have been spent in the improvement of the lake. the erection of a bath house and refreshment stands and also a dance pavilion, forty by seventy feet, which is an ideal dancing place.
The lake is an ideal place for a summer resort and, doubtless, in a few years numerous cottages will dot its borders. The lake is two miles long and four and one-half miles wide, containing fish of all sizes and descrip- tions. This lake is only seven miles from St. James and close to several neighboring towns, with fine roads leading thereto, thus making a pleasant drive for people in search of recreation and rest.
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ST. JAMES STEAM LAUNDRY.
If cleanliness is next to godliness, then the St. James steam laundry exemplifies this verity. This laundry turns out the best class of work ; their rough dry and polished work is of the highest quality.
Mr. P. C. Larson, who established the St. James quality laundry in 1901 did so with the idea of conducting it permanently. He installed the latest and costliest machinery to be obtained.
CIGAR FACTORIES.
The Wermerskirchen cigar factory was established in 1904 by the three brothers. Edward. Frank and Philip Wermerskirchen, who are the present owners. This worthy enterprise hardly knows the meaning of the common expression "hard times." because the nature and quality of their cigars are such that they are always in demand. The business has increased from year to year until at the present time the output has reached the three hun- dred thousand mark. The cigars are sold far and wide, but the most exten- sive trade is in St. James and towns within a radius of one hundred miles. The firm employs from seven to ten men the year around. Some of the special brands that they manufacture are the "La Palma," "Safety First," "Golden Dream," "Frisky Widow," "Advertised" and "Real Thing."
CROWLEY CIGARS.
The Crowley cigar factory was established in 1899 by C. T. Crowley and L. Halverson, but since Mr. Crowley has become sole owner. Ile has in his employ six men and two boys, who make yearly three hundred thou- sand cigars, all of which find ready sale in near-by districts.
During the summer of 1916 there appeared in the windows of the vari- ous business houses placards bearing such signs as "Spend your money at home:" "patronize home merchants." etc. If all cigar smokers in St. James would carry out the above principles. Mr. Crowley would have need of more cigar makers in St. James, and the home merchants and people generally would be perceptibly benefited.
Mr. Crowley mannfactures many of the best cigars on the market. Nothing but the best grades of tobacco and full long fillers enter into the composition of the cigars he places upon the market. They are made under light and clean conditions, facts that should act as a recommendation in all
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communities. Mr. Crowley makes a specialty of "Our Governor," "Invin- cible" and "La Imperial," ten-cent cigars, and the "Governor Five," "Havana Conqueror," and "Little Havana" five-cent cigars, all of which enjoy a vast sale throughout southern Minnesota and neighboring states.
ST. JAMES TILE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This the largest and most important manufacturing industry of its kind in St. James. The company is provided with the very latest machinery for the manufacture of all kinds of tile and cement products.
This company does a large contracting business, building re-inforced concrete bridges, cement brick buildings, and in fact anything that cement is capable of being used for. There is nothing that smacks of makeshift in the construction of this plant, which represents a large outlay of money. The standing in this community of the St. James Tile Manufacturing Com- pany is such as to indicate that business ability of a high order directs its movements.
In the works they employ a large number of men and their fair treat- ment of their employees is worthy of note. They pay good wages and they guard against accidents by installing safety devices. The president of this company is Joseph Schmidt.
BOTTLING WORKS.
The St. James bottling works was organized about 1887 by Joseph J. Sperl; the present owner is F. H. Klaras. Three to five men are employed. Soda water of all flavors is manufactured and sold in southwestern Minne- sota. . \ jobbing trade is also carried on in soda water fountain supplies.
ST. JAMES MILLING COMPANY.
The St. James Milling Company was organized in January, 1910, in the form of a corporation. They have been running at their full capacity from the very beginning, which speaks well for the management and the com- pany's products. They have in connection a grain elevator holding twenty thousand bushels. Their daily capacity is two hundred and fifty barrels of flour and seventy-five barrels of specialty products. Their special brand of flour is the "St. James' Best," which receives a ready sale through south- ern Minnesota and Iowa.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK AND OPERA HOUSE, ST. JAMES.
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COMMERCIAL INTERESTS-1916.
The business interests and professions of St. James in 1916 were in the hands of the following :
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