USA > Minnesota > Douglas County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 27
USA > Minnesota > Grant County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 27
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C. J. Gunderson was educated at Minnesota State University and the Ann Arbor law school and began practice in Alexandria in 1886, and has ever since been one of the resident attorneys. Mr. Gunderson was county attorney from 1889 to 1903, and served eight years in the state Senate.
Constant Larson is a native of Douglas county and after graduating from the law school of the State University began the practice of his pro- fession at Alexandria in 1894. Mr. Larson was county attorney from 1903 to 1913, and is the present city attorney.
Hugh E. Leach came to Alexandria in 1906 and formed a partnership with C. J. Gunderson for the practice of law. Mr. Leach was elected county attorney in 1913 and is now serving in that office.
Ralph S. Thornton was educated at Drake University, Iowa, where he was graduated from the law department in 1913. He came to Alexandria in October, 1914, and has since been engaged here at his profession.
F. E. Ullman located in Alexandria in 1906 and after practicing law here for a short time moved to another field.
Nick Langhausen had a fine law office at Alexandria in 1912, but his library was burned in 1914 and he quit the practice.
A. A. Andrews practiced law for about six months at Alexandria in 1914.
OTHER ATTORNEYS OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.
O. A. Felt, who was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, located at Evansville in 1896. He engaged in the practice of law there until his death in 1908.
A. G. Osterberg practiced law at Brandon until his removal to Mille Lacs county, several years ago, where he is now register of deeds for that county.
Frank H. Borchert located at Osakis in 1896 and opened a law office there. Mr. Borchert is also interested in the banking business and is the present postmaster of Osakis.
E. R. Ruggles was formerly engaged in the practice of law in Douglas county, but is now manager of a summer hotel, called "Idlewild," at Osakis.
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DOUGLAS COUNTY JUDICIARY.
Ever since its organization Douglas county has been a part of the seventh judicial district, which is comprised of the counties of Clay, Becker, Otter Tail, Wadena, Douglas, Todd, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Benton and Stearns.
The judges who have presided in this district are as follow: James M. McKelvey of St. Cloud, Stearns county, who assumed office on August I, 1866; L. M. Collins, of St. Cloud, April 19, 1883; L. L. Baxter, of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, March 18, 1885; D. B. Searle, of St. Cloud, Novem- ber 14, 1887; Myron D. Taylor, of St. Cloud, December 1, 1906; Carroll A. Nye, of Moorhead, Clay county, January 1, 1911; William L. Parsons, of Fergus Falls, April 18, 1913, and John A. Roeser, of St_Cloud, April 1, 1913.
The three last named are the present judges of this district, having concurrent jurisdiction, and assignments are made by the senior member, Judge Nye.
CHAPTER XV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
During the early years of the settlement of this region there were no regular practicing physicians hereabout, the settlers relying on the experi- ence of such of their number as might have a knowledge of "simples" to help them out of their ailments in ordinary cases and sending over to Sauk Center for a physician in case of emergencies, but as the charge for attend- ance by a physician from that distance was almost prohibitive, the emergency was generally extreme when such a call was made. Occasionally traveling doctors would come out this way and make the rounds of the settlements, but as far as the recollection of the survivors of that period goes Doctor Andrews was the first physician definitely to locate at Alexandria, where he remained in practice for several years. Doctor Andrews was not only a good physician, but an excellent surgeon, who had had considerable experi- ence as a practitioner in the iron region near Duluth before locating at Alexandria. He later moved to Moorehead, where he spent the rest of his life.
It was during the time of Doctor Andrews's residence at Alexandria that Doctor Borden, a young graduate physician from Boston, came out here and located at Alexandria, where he remained some years, later return- ing to Boston, whence news presently came of his death there. Then came Dr. Godfrey Vivian, an Englishman, who also came down from the iron range, a surgeon of wide experience, who remained at Alexandria for years, at the end of which time he went to California, where he spent the remainder of his life. Not long after the coming of Doctor Vivian, Doctor Lewis appeared on the scene and the two formed a partnership and started a drug store, of which Doctor Lewis became the active manager, the latter spending the balance of his life at Alexandria.
In 1881 Dr. S. W. McEwan, who had started in practice at Evansville, moved to Alexandria and presently formed a partnership with Doctor Vivian, which continued until the latter's appointment as postmaster, when Doctor McEwan and Dr. H. J. Boyd, the latter of whom meanwhile had located at Alexandria, formed a partnership. Doctor Boyd was a son of one of the pioneer families of Hudson township and had grown to manhood in this
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community. He received his medical education in Cincinnati and afterward for a time was engaged in practice in New York, but about 1883 he returned to Douglas county and .engaged in practice at Alexandria, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring about 1909. His son, Dr. Leon A. Boyd, is now in practice at Alexandria. Doctor McEwan became very suc- cessful in his practice, at the same time taking an active part in public affairs, and remained actively in practice until his death about ten years ago.
ALEXANDRIA PHYSICIANS.
In the meantime, as in all communities, other physicians had been locat- ing at Alexandria, some of these, however, remaining but a short time until attracted to some other location and thus created no very distinct impression upon the community. Among those who did locate with a definite purpose to remain may be mentioned Dr. James H. Drake, a young physician, who engaged in practice at Alexandria for a year or two and then went to Mondak, Montana. Dr. Frithiof L. Kling also was located for some time at Alexandria, but presently moved to the neighboring county seat, Elbow Lake, where he is now engaged in practice. Dr. W. E. Ellis, of Prentice, Wisconsin, also located at Alexandria, but after awhile returned to the place from which he had come, and Dr. Charles A. Lester, another physician of some years standing in Alexandria, located at Winona, this state. Dr. Eugene A. Hensel, who succeeded to the practice of Doctor McEwan upon the death of the latter, grew up in Douglas county, his parents having been pioneers here. He was graduated from Bush Medical College, at Chicago, and began practice at Alexandria in the nineties, remaining there until in January, 1910, when he moved to San Diego, California, where he is now engaged in practice. Besides Dr. Leon A. Boyd, mentioned above, the other practitioners at Alexandria at present are Dr. M. B. Ruud, Dr. L. W. Satter- lee, Dr. A. D. Haskell and Dr. L. M. Keene.
OSAKIS PHYSICIANS.
The oldest practicing physician at present in Douglas county is Dr. C. M. Long, of Osakis, who was a classmate of Doctor McEwan at Rush Medical College, and who is now the only member left of the regular medical fratern- ity in this region of forty years ago, all the early physicians at Fergus Falls, Alexandria, Osakis, Sauk Center and St. Cloud save himself having passed to their reward years ago. When Doctor Long settled in Douglas county in
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1878 Alexandria was but a small hamlet and Osakis was but a feeding place for the ox-trains, to use the Doctor's own words in expressing the situation. He arrived at Osakis on the old stage from Melrose, and the St. Paul, Min- neapolis & Manitoba railroad was laid through Osakis to Alexandria in the fall of that same year, the first mixed' train being run through Osakis and on to Alexandria on November 16. When Doctor Long settled in practice at Osakis, Doctor Vivian and Doctor Lewis were in practice in Alexandria and had been there for some time, continuing in partnership until the death of Dr. Lewis at Chaska about 1882. Doctor Long was the first resident physician at Osakis and has remained there continuously ever since settling in the village, the list of physicians who later located there comprising Doctors Rathburn, Anderson, Scoboris, Cleveland, Titus, A. J. Gilkinson and Hengstler, the two latter of whom are now practicing there in partnership.
For twenty years, or until the railway physicians in the smaller towns were discontinued, Doctor Long was the local physician for the Great North- ern railroad. From his description of the disadvantages under which the physician labored in the period covering the earlier years of his practice, it is apparent that too much cannot be said in praise of the pioneer physicians or of the efforts they put forth amid all possible disadvantageous conditions. During most parts of the year the roads were almost impassible on account of mud holes, stumps, rocks, ruts and the heavy snow banks of the cold winters of those early days. The question of price or of pay for services was not considered, but all calls were answered with a devotion to the profession and an interest in the patient that was as noble as it was unselfish, for many times the physician received not even a civil "thank you" for his services.
In those days it not infrequently happened that the deep snow drifts were the belated physician's protecting bed against freezing and the old army rifle kept the hungry "sassy" wolves at bay. Surgical operations often were performed during the night hours in the remote districts without counsel or assistance. All emergencies had to be met fearlessly, without any advantage save the exercise of double wits, courage and "dare." Difficult surgical opera- tions had to be performed under conditions that would make a modern physi- cian's hair stand on end, there then being no opportunity for the antiseptic surgery of today, and it is remarkable what good results usually followed those daring operations. Though in too many cases the families who were compelled to call in the services of the physician were poor and had no intention of paying for the service, there sat the true physician, all night, watching and devising, devoted to the interests of his patient, thoughi know- ing that he was not to be remunerated when all was over.
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The medical profession is represented at Millerville by Dr. John C. Drexler, and at Kensington by Dr. Otto L. Hanson and at Carlos by Dr. P. A. Love. Doctor Gray formerly was engaged in practice at Garfield, which village is now without a physician.
EVANSVILLE PHYSICIANS.
So far as can be ascertained the following list contains the names and years of service of all the physicians who have resided at Evansville: Doctor Hahnemann came in 1881 and moved away in 1886; Doctor Mckenzie came in 1886 and stayed until 1887; Dr. Charles Nootnagel resided here in 1887-89; Doctor Spaulding, 1890-91; Dr. R. I. Hubert, 1891-94; Dr. Charles Van Cappellen, 1894-96; Dr. C. R. Ward, 1895-1903; Dr. C. W. Meckstroth, 1896-1901; Doctor Bachman, 1901-1902; Dr. G. B. Mathison, 1902-1910; Doctor Regner, 1906-07; Dr. G. R. Melzer came in 1910; Dr. W. Huffman, 1912-13; Doctor Ekrem, 1914-15; Doctor Ruud and Dr. P. G. Cowing came to Evansville in 1916 and are now engaged in the practice there.
BRANDON PHYSICIANS.
The physicians who have practiced at Brandon have been as follow : Doctor Brown came about 1883 and resided here several years; Doctor Foss, 1885-86; Dr. Charles Van Cappellen, 1889-1904; Dr. Gisle Bjornstad, 1893- 96; Dr. John Lyng, 1899-1901 ; Dr. C. W. Meckstroth came in 1901 and still resides here. Dr. C. Nootnagel, Sr., a homeopath, practiced five miles west of Brandon from 1876 until his death a few years ago.
DOCTORS OF DENTAL SURGERY.
From the traveling "tinker," as the settlers about the old stockade used to call the itinerant dentists who were wont to call at the settlement there or at the other early settlements in Douglas county in pioneer days, to the skilled and trained dental surgeons of today is a far cry, indeed. In the old days tooth-pulling was the chief remedy for dental ailments, though some of the traveling dentists were equipped with a sort of a kit of tools with which they would attempt the filling of teeth, but the sufferer usually discovered that the filling would be dropping out within a short time. In consequence of the bad practice of these itinerants the pioneers usually relied upon the family physician for dental services, the same being confined to tooth-pulling,
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except in the cases of those who cared to make a trip to the cities for dental attention.
It was not until about 1880 that Alexandria had a resident dentist, Dr. James Bell, who came over from Minneapolis and located at the county seat, the first resident dentist in Douglas county. Doctor Bell presently formed a partnership with Doctor Hand, who came in later, and that partnership was continued for some time. Doctor Hand later moving to Long Prairie and Doctor Bell back to Minneapolis. Doctor Jordon was the next dentist to locate at Alexandria and he later went to Fergus Falls, where he died, and the next was Doctor Avery, who later went to Idaho. Dr. Harry Pritchett and Doctor Good located at Alexandria about that time, the former of `whom later moved to Perham and the latter sold his practice to Dr. J. J. Volker, who is still engaged in practice at Alexandria. Dr. E. E. Buell succeeded to the practice of Doctor Jordon and is still in practice. In 1904 Dr. C. L. Cole established an office at Alexandria and is still there, and in 1906 Dr. C. C. Strang, present mayor of Alexandria, opened an office for the practice of his profession and is still thus engaged there. The latest dentist to locate at the county seat is Dr. L. W. Prescott, who opened an office there in the summer of 1916.
The chiropractic profession is represented by Dr. D. E. Wittenburg, and the osteopaths by Dr. J. A. McCabe.
CHAPTER XVI.
BANKS AND BANKING.
The early banks of Douglas county were private institutions, often carried on along with some other business. When the county was unde- veloped it was only natural that interest rates were high. It was no uncom- mon thing for a money lender to ask as high as twenty-five or thirty per cent interest during the early days of settlement. As land values increased, inter- est rates were lowered, and developed farms afforded good security for loans. Later the rates were regulated by law and today the farmers and business men of Douglas county are able to secure all the money they need for legiti- mate enterprises at rates as reasonable as any county in the state.
There are now four national and thirteen state banks in Douglas county. In 1915 these banks had capital and surplus of $529,500, and total deposits of $3,459,159.68. It is estimated that two-thirds of these deposits belong to farmers. These figures represent a per capita deposit of $195. In the following paragraphs brief mention is made of the officers and the financial condition of all the banks in Douglas county.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ALEXANDRIA.
The First National Bank of Alexandria is the oldest financial institu- tion in the county. In 1868 a private bank was established, called the Bank of Alexandria, of which F. B. Van Hoesen was president ; C. H. Raiter, vice- president, and G. B. Ward, cashier. In 1883 this business was converted into a national bank, called the First National Bank of Alexandria. The present officers are : C. J. Gunderson, president ; C. H. Raiter, vice-president ; A. H. Gregersen, vice-president; P. O. Unumb, cashier; C. F. Raiter, assistant cashier. Directors: C. J. Gunderson, C. H. Raiter, Fred von Baumbach, P. O. Unumb, A. H. Gregersen, F. C. Raiter and Theodore Bordsen.
The principal items from the statement at the close of business on June 30, 1916, are as follows: Capital Stock, $60,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $39,551.86; deposits, $766,533.15; loans and discounts, $681,563.18; cash assets, $158,257.71.
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FARMERS NATIONAL BANK OF ALEXANDRIA.
The Farmers National Bank of Alexandria was chartered on June 12, 1901. The first officers were as follow: Tollef Jacobson, president ; J. H. Letson, vice-president; Andrew Jacobson, cashier; H. A. Schaefer, assistant cashier. The bank has the same officers in 1916 with the addition of H. A. LeRoy as vice-president.
The principal items from the statement at the close of business on June 30, 1916, are as follows : Capital stock, $100,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $31,424.33 ; deposits, $805,516.14; loans and discounts, $722,314.15; cash assets, $118,184.05. The building in which the Farmers National is housed was erected in 1914 and is one of the handsomest bank buildings in the state. It is of Maine granite and with a marble interior, erected at a cost of about $65,000.
DOUGLAS COUNTY STATE BANK.
The Douglas County State Bank was established on June 10, 1886, at Alexandria. The first officers were: Joseph U. Barnes, president ; William Moses, vice-president; H. A. Barnes, cashier. The first board of directors consisted of Joseph U. Barnes, William Moses, G. A. Kortsch, Henry A. Barnes, E. J. Phelps, W. L. Barnes and E. A. Merrill. The present officers are: G. A. Kortsch, president; W. K. Barnes, cashier; O. W. Landeen, assistant cashier.
At the close of business on June 30, 1916, the bank had: Capital, $50,000.00 ; surplus and undivided profits, $1.724.34; deposit $202,271.58 ; loans and discounts, $213,961.65; cash assets, $37.556.34.
OSAKIS STATE BANK.
The Osakis State Bank was organized in May, 1900. The first officers were: H. A. Shedd, president; W. P. Long, vice-president ; Carl E. Oberg, cashier. First board of directors: H. A. Shedd, W. P. Long and W. B. Lyons. The original capital stock was $10,000. The present officers of the bank are: F. H. Borchert, president; W. P. Long, vice-president; Clyde W. Long, cashier ; C. E. Belding, assistant cashier. Directors: F. H. Borchert, W. P. Long and W. B. Lyons.
At the close of business on June 30, 1916, the condition of the bank was as follows: Capital stock, $25,000.00; surplus and undivided profits,
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$11,653.40; deposits, $309,396.70; loans and discounts, $334,486.11; cash assets, $27,838.34.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OSAKIS.
The First National Bank of Osakis was organized on June 9, 1903, with a capital stock of $25,000.00. The first officers were: Tollef Jacob- son, president ; Andrew Jacobson, vice-president; Nels M. Evenson, cashier. The present officers are: Nels M. Evenson, president ; James A. Caughren, vice-president ; G. R. Lee, cashier ; D. B. McCleery, assistant cashier.
At the close of business on May 1, 1916, the bank showed the following financial condition : Capital stock, $25,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $13.340.34; deposits, $285,766.89; loans and discounts, $239,646.75; cash assets, $79,300.84.
FARMERS STATE BANK OF EVANSVILLE. ,
The Farmers State Bank of Evansville was established in 1882. The present officers are as follow: G. H. Raiter, president; O. C. Amundson, vice-president ; Joseph Mathison, cashier; V. F. Johnson, assistant cashier. A recent statement of the bank showed the following condition: Capital stock, $10,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $7,500.00; deposits, $131,- 000.00; loans and discounts, $118,000.00; cash assets, $26,000.00.
EVANSVILLE STATE BANK.
The Evansville State Bank was established on October I, 1902, with a capital stock of $10,000.00. The first officers were: Tollef Jacobson, presi- dent; Andrew Jacobson, vice-president; Oscar Lindstrom, cashier; O. J. WVallen, assistant cashier. In 1904 O. J. Wallen was elected cashier. In May, 1912, the capital stock was increased to $25,000.00, and a surplus of $5,000.00 was set aside. The present officers are: John Anderson, presi- dent; A. J. Ostrom, vice-president; O. J. Wallen, cashier; J. T. Larson, assistant cashier.
At the close of business on June 30, 1916, the condition of the bank was .: Capital stock, $25,000.00 ; surplus and undivided profits, $11,013.60; deposits, $216,714. 14: loans and discounts, $217,443.47; cash assets, $27,168.92.
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FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BRANDON.
The Brandon State Bank was organized in 1902, with a capital stock of $10,000.00. O. F. Olson was the president and Theodore F. Olson was the cashier. On June 16, 1916, this institution was converted into the First National Bank of Brandon, with a capital stock of $25,000.00. Tollef Jacobsen is president and Ferd Swenson is cashier.
Statement of the First National Bank of Brandon at the close of busi- ness on August 6, 1916: Capital stock, $25,000.00; surplus, $10.000.00; deposits, $211,932.72 : loans, $179,414.91 ; cash assets, $45,368.95.
FARMERS STATE BANK OF BRANDON.
The Farmers State Bank of Brandon was organized on November 11. 1910. Its first officers were : P. O. Unumb, president; B. T. Teigen, vice- president ; George Drexler, cashier; A. B. Burkee, assistant cashier. Mr. Drexler died on April 13. 1914, and was succeeded by A. B. Burkee as cashier. The present assistant cashier is Edwin Berg.
At the close of business on June 30, 1916, the statement of the bank was as follows: Capital stock, $15,000.00; surplus, $4,000.00: deposits, $255,112.54; loans and discounts, $250,716.55; cash assets, $18.330.67.
FIRST STATE BANK OF CARLOS.
The First State Bank of Carlos was organized on September 5. 1904, with a capital stock of $10,000.00. The first officers were: S. A. Netland. president; A. O. Netland, vice-president; James B. Hove, cashier. The present officers are : James B. Hove, president ; A. M. Kohlhaas, vice-presi- dent ; Edward B. Dahlsten, cashier.
The principal items from the statement at the close of business on June 30, 1916, are as follow : Capital stock, $10,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $3,264.34; deposits, $158.338.44; loans and discounts, $145.795.76; cash assets, $19,850.29.
GARFIELD STATE BANK.
The Garfield State Bank was organized on March 27, 1905, with a capital stock of $10,000.00. The first officers were: Harry Dranger, presi- dent : Ferd. Swenson, cashier. The present officers are: Ferd. Swenson,
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president ; John A. Linnard, vice-president; Theodore Walstad, cashier ; George Roche, assistant cashier.
At the close of business on June 30, 1916, the condition of the bank was as follows: Capital stock, $15,000,00; . surplus, $3,000.00; deposits, $193,427.53; loans and discounts, $185,442.04; cash assets, $19,461.59.
NELSON STATE BANK.
The Nelson State Bank was incorporated on April 23, 1907, with a capital stock of $12,000.00. The first officers were: James Manuel, presi- dent ; H. J. Ernster, cashier. Directors : C. H. Larson, T. A. Erickson and George Stromlund. The present officers are: C. H. Larson, president; F. Otto Swenson, vice-president; George Stromlund, cashier; Ida A. Erickson and Hanna M. Stromlund, assistant cashiers. T. A. Erickson and Nels Sather are on the board of directors.
At the close of business on June 30, 1916, the condition of the bank was as follows : Capital stock, $12,000.00; surplus, $3,448.63; deposits, $124,867.82 ; loans and discounts, $120,367.25 ; cash assets, $13,305.79.
FIRST STATE BANK OF KENSINGTON.
The First State Bank of Kensington was established in 1909. The present officers are: C. H. Raiter, president; H. Thorson, vice-president ; O. W. Harrison, cashier ; C. D. Sampson, assistant cashier. The principal items from the statement at the close of business on June 30, 1916, are as follow: Capital stock, $15,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $6,100.83 ; deposits, $209,222.86; loans and discounts, $200,195.40; cash assets, $23.795.09.
FARMERS STATE BANK OF FORADA.
The Farmers State Bank of Forada was organized in 1913, with a capital stock of $10,000.00. The first officers were: Fred C. Meade, presi- dent ; John Lorenz, vice-president; Henry Daniels, cashier. The present officers are: Theodore Aune, president ; John Lorenz, vice-president; N. P. Norling, cashier.
At the close of business on June 30, 1916, the statement of the bank showed the following condition: Capital stock, $10,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $2,269.94; deposits, $48,078.80; loans and discounts, $49,- 333-78; cash assets, $4,130.05.
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MELBY STATE BANK.
The Melby State Bank was established in 1914. The present officers are: E. A. Jewett, president ; H. M. Palmquist, vice-president ; J. L. Everts, cashier. A statement of the bank for June 30, 1916, shows the following condition : Capital stock, $10,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $2,- 228.39; deposits, $44,489.89; loans and discounts, $48,466.00; cash assets, $3,678.27.
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