USA > Minnesota > Douglas County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 46
USA > Minnesota > Grant County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 46
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In 1893, an addition was made similar to the original building and four teachers were employed. In a few years another addition was made and an additional corps of two teachers were employed. In keeping with the prog- ress of the times a new building was desired, a movement which led to the erection of the present structure in 1907 at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. The original building and the two additions now form beautiful residences in the block just west of the school grounds.
In 1902, a four-year high school course was adopted, which was the first in the county. As a result many pupils came to Elbow Lake from neighboring towns and villages to complete their high school course. This circumstance has led to congested conditions on account of the increased attendance and as the school authorities extend a cordial welcome to all pupils of the county, an addition to the present building within the next year is quite probable.
The school board has at all times been composed of careful, competent and conscientious men who have been assiduous in appointing to the imme- diate management and supervision of the schools such men and women who are privileged to aspire to such positions of trust and delicate responsibility by virtue of moral character, learning and ability. The men and women who were at the head of the school system at different times before the school was recognized by the state authorities are given as follow: Mrs. John O. Sauby, Mrs. Hurley, Mr. Thompson, L. G. Perry, B. W. Hosmer, H. W. Shroyer, Iver Johnsrud and J. A. Cederstrom. J. A. Cederstrom was the principal when the state high school was established in 1902. He con- tinued as superintendent until 1905 and was succeeded by H. A. Johnson who served from 1905 until 1909. W. B. Bolcom was chosen as the next superintendent and served in that capacity for a period of two years. He resigned in the summer of 1911 and H. R. Tonning was elected and served until 1915. He was followed by the present superintendent, L. H. Brinks, who is a man of university training and broad scholastic ideals. In the main, the high rating of the school system is due to his untiring efforts but due credit must be given to his excellent corps of teachers, for it is through their hearty co-operation, coupled with the assistance of a helpful and appreciative school board, that has made success possible. The present school board is composed of the following men: E. Sauby, president; Tos. E. Dybdal, secretary ; W. E. Landeene, treasurer ; R. D. Hand, Paul Hanson and N. J. Eide.
The teaching corps for the school year of 1916-1917 includes the fol- lowing: L. H. Brinks, superintendent; Irene Anderberg, high school prin-
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cipal; Margaret Doty, English; Ruth Wallfred, science; Adelia Olson, home economics; Emil Thorsen, agriculture; O. W. Bergan, manual training; Elizabeth Meany, normal department; Marion Engebretson, eighth grade; Marie Erdahl, seventh grade; Esther Lundquist, sixth grade; Ruth Jernberg, fifth grade; Esther Engelbretson, fourth grade; Milla Lynne, third grade; Hazel Mortinson, second grade; Mabelle Johnson, first grade. The enroll- ment for the month of September, 1916, was three hundred and twenty, of which number one hundred and nineteen are in the high school.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
In the summer of 1916 the business and professional interests of Elbow Lake were in the hands of the following :
Auto garage-Elbow Lake Automobile Company, Henry Smith, pro- prietor ; Auto livery-J. O. Smith, E. C. Ackerson; Architect-A. H. Foss; Attorneys-Thomas Casey, E. J. Scofield. R. J. Stromme.
Banks-First National Bank, Bank of Elbow Lake; Barber shop -- Walter Fox; Bowling alley-Walter Tobolt; Blacksmith shops-J. A. Palin, John Nelson, Henry Smith; Bottling works-Sven Olson.
Clothing store-Harry Maftalin; Cigar factory-A. A. Downs; Cream- ery-Peter Storvick; Confectionery-Nels Solberg, Edward Eddinger; Cement worker-T. T. Stuverud.
Druggists-Hand Drug Company, O. G. Hanson; Dray line-Joseph Pennock, Robert Cosh: Dentists-Dr. C. H. Godward, Dr. O. Sauby.
Elevators-Osborn-McMillan, Farmers .Elevator and Grain Company. Furniture dealer-John Sether; Flour mill-Nels Bergan.
Grocer-E. P. Barsness : General merchandise-Elbow Lake ยท Co-opera- tive Company, Paul Hanson & Company, Larson & Fide, Stromme & Lonse. Hotels-The Park Hotel, R. E. Hauser, proprietor; The Haarstad Hotel, C. G. Haarstad, proprietor ; Harness shop-Albert Germundson; Hardware dealers-Hauge Lumber & Hardware Company, Elbow Lake Hardware & Lumber Company.
Implement dealers-Erick Sletten, Elbow Lake Hardware & Lumber Company ; Icedealer-R. Christianson & Company.
Jewelers-Hans J. Heram, W. R. Hand.
Lumber dealers-Elbow Lake Hardware & Lumber Company, Hauge Lumber & Hardware Company; Livery-Abraham Thorson.
Moving picture show-B. E. Anderson; Meat market-R. Christianson & Company; Merchant tailor-G. Hofstad.
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Newspaper-The Grant County Herald, H. H. Barker, proprietor ; Nursery dealer-C. S. Hinkley.
Painters-Nels Nelson, L. T. Silk; Physicians-Dr. F. L. Kling, Dr. E. T. Reeve, Dr. W. R. Hand; Photographer-M. L. Holdrem.
Restaurants-Nels Solberg, Sven Olson & Son, Edward Eddinger; Real estate dealers-Tos E. Dybdal, Brown-Ulland Land Company, Globe Land & Loan Company.
Shoe store-B. E. Dybdal; Shoemaker-S. Albretson; Stock buyers- John O. Sauby, Farmers Shipping Association.
Telephone-Elbow Lake Telephone Company.
Variety store-I. A. Tasa; Veterinary-Dr. J. B. Nelson.
Wood dealer-P. A. Haggberg; Well driller-Max Lohse.
An industry of the town that is worthy of special mention is the cream- ery. This creamery is one of the oldest in the county, having been organized in the early eighties. The plant has been owned by several different people and operated with various degrees of success. Peter Storvick is the present owner and is operating the concern with credit to himself and the community. The total output for June, 1916, was approximately eighteen thousand pounds of butter, for which the farmers received the sum of four thousand five hundred dollars. The average number of patrons is one hundred and eighty. Besides the butter industry, ice cream is manufactured during the summer season.
The Grant County Telephone Company, with headquarters at Elbow Lake, was organized in 1901 and reorganized in 1903 with the same officers and stockholders. The first organization, which is the same as the present one, is inclusive of the following: Henry Sampson, president ; E. J. Scofield, vice-president ; W. E. Landeene, secretary-treasurer. The company main- tains an exchange at Herman and toll lines to Ashby, Wendell and Erdahl. The first telephone line in the county was built in 1900, between Herman and Elbow Lake, by George Ketcham, an attorney. The equipment was quite inadequate and the service unsatisfactory. In 1901 the present company took over the system, which was in a decadent condition, and after remodel- ing and reconstructing, have given excellent local and long distance service.
Among the improvements of 1916 is the new Soo-Pacific depot, now under construction. The new depot for Elbow Lake, the "Gateway of the Park Region," will be one of the best in a village of this size on the entire system. The structure is located to the east of the old depot. The basement contains room for coal bins, storage and the hot-water heating plant. The building is built of hydraulic pressed brick and stone, the stone forming the
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trimmings and running up the sills of the windows all around. The building is modern in every sense, very commodious and conveniently arranged.
An organization of Elbow Lake of which the citizens are justly proud is the Elbow Lake Concert Band. The band is composed of thirty-five pieces and under the leadership of John Sather it has become one of the best bands in the Park Region. During the summer season, weekly concerts are given, which are enjoyed not only by local people but by those who come from a distance.
CHAPTER XVIII.
VILLAGES OF GRANT COUNTY.
In Grant county there are six incorporated towns and villages, all' rail- road points, and so situated with reference to locality that they afford extraordinary accommodations and conveniences to the agriculturist and stock growers of the district.
HERMAN.
There are many events of more or less local historical interest asso- ciated with the settlement and subsequent growth of the village of Herman, Logan township. in the extreme southwestern part of the county, in which Herman is located, was one of the first settled localities in the district and for many years after the organization of the county, Herman continued to be the chief railroad point and principal place of business in the three coun- ties of Grant, Stevens and Traverse. The village of Herman was laid out on land belonging to the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company. About this time S. S. Frogner and Peter Hanson opened up general merchandizing stores there and did a prosperous business with the settlers and half-breed aborigines. The village plat was filed with the register of deeds on Septem- ber 30, 1875, by George L. Becker and Samuel S. Breed. The village began its corporate existence March 15, 1881-a year made memorable by the determined effort of the citizens to secure the county seat. The first officers of the village were as follow: C. A. Smith, president; Charles Pullman, A. C. Earsley, A. Wells, trustees; J. K. Van Doren, recorder; F. W. Webster, treasurer; T. C. Hodgson and C. F. Washburn, justices; David Remp, marshal.
The present elective officers include the following: J. P. Wells, presi- dent; A. C. Harper, clerk; Charles Goodell, Edward R. Hanney, G. John- srud, trustees; W. J. Shultz, Paul Goodell, constables; Charles Phinney, J. B. Hodgson, justices.
Herman, with a population of about eight hundred, is one of the busiest and best little towns situated in the southern portion of the Red River Val- ley. Doubtless if any town in the county or surrounding counties can offer as many inducements to the homeseeker or business man as the town of
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HIGH SCHOOL, HERMAN.
RESTAURANT
MAIN STREET. HERMAN.
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DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
Herman. The town is surrounded by one of the best prairie farming dis- tricts in the Northwest. The town is beautifully laid out, populated with a progressive class of people working for a common purpose, "A better and greater Herman." A little over two years ago the State Municipality League selected Herman as the "Model Town of the State of Minnesota."
Herman is particularly fortunate in the way of school facilities. It has a modern pressed brick school and a school system that is above the average. Prof. E. B. Anderson is the superintendent and is ably assisted by a trained corps of teachers and an appreciative school board. A full high school course is given, including the special subjects of manual training, domestic science and agriculture. The enrollment for month of September, 1916, was about one hundred and ninety, of which number the high school contributed forty.
In the way of church and fraternal organizations, the town is amply supplied to satisfy the wants and needs of the average citizen. Brief accounts of these organizations will be found in their respective chapters.
THE COMMUNITY SOCIAL CLUB.
The Community Social Club is one of the few organizations of its kind in the state. It was formally organized on November 17, 1914, by the rep- resentative citizens and business men of the town. The general purpose is literary, social and the promotion of the welfare of Herman. The organi- zation has beautifully equipped club rooms in the Woodmen hall. It was through the hearty co-operation and influence of the club that made pos- sible the present existence of the Herman public library. The library rooms are also in the Woodmen hall in conjunction with those of the club. At present the library has about two thousand volumes. This library is the only one that is municipal in character in the county, a fact which goes to show that the people of Herman are among the most progressive citizens of the county. Mabel Clark is the present librarian.
The town has a band of twenty-five pieces that is entirely self-support- ing. This organization has never solicited any help from the public and is one of the strongest boosters of the town.
During the summer of 1916 the business interests were invested in the following :
Auto garage-W. B. Schmidt & Son; Attorney-F. C. Anderson; Banks-First National, Grant County State; Blacksmith shop-Henry Fels; Barber shops-John Newberger. Soy Newberger; Confectionery-H. T.
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Lesson; Creamery-S. S. Landt & Son; Druggist-A. D. Larson; Dentist -F. R. Haley; Elevator -- Farmers Elevator Company; General dealers- A. C. Harper & Company, Herman Farmers Store, Wells Hedgeson; Hard- ware dealer-Gust Bros .; Harness shop-J. E. Nelson; Hotel -- The Pull- man; Jeweler -- Orrin Larson; Livery-Otto Carlson, William Shultz; Lumber dealers-H. W. Ross Lumber Company, Standard Lumber Com- pany ; Milliner-Mrs. Hetty Warren; Meat markets-A. F. Mitchell, Frank Johnson; Mill-Herman flour mill; Newspaper-The Grant County Re- viete, E. M. Chesebrough, proprietor ; Physicians-Dr. T. M. Thayer, Dr. J. T. Leland; Restaurant-James F. Leavell; Real estate dealer-O. C. Eaton, Charles Cater, Haney Land Co., Ziebarth & Lindem; Shoe shop- J. S. Edelstein; Theater-The Bijou, Frank Hook proprietor; Tailor shop -John Weiss; Veterinary-Walter Smedley.
HOFFMAN.
On April 16, 1887, a plat of the village of Hoffman was filed by W. D. Washburn, and a small cluster of houses, which were speedily thrown together upon the advent of the Soo-Pacific road in 1886, at once took on the form of a commercial center. Hoffman is located in the town of Land, eighteen miles southeast of Elbow Lake, in a remarkably productive agricul- tural district. Among the numerous country towns on the Soo line between the Twin cities and Portal, the thriving town of Hoffman which, an indus- trial class of people, by perpetual co-operation, energy and persistence, have succeeded in building, maintaining and constantly improving and to-day it is recognized as an industrial factor of considerable local importance. To adjoining towns. on the Soo line and other railroads as well, Hoffman is justly known as a live, healthy, prosperous and desirable place of business. While once flourishing, competing villages and towns, in the course of years, have entered into comatose conditions, this place has continually forged ahead enjoying growth and prosperity. Today the town has a population of about five hundred.
The first business men of the town were: H. J. Gronberg, John Kron. L. T. Breen, J. A. Willd and A. Fogelstrom. As the business grew and the population increased the citizens desired to become a corporate unit, so on April 25, 1891, a petition was filed for the purpose of holding an election to decide the question. The election was held on June 23, of the same year, and resulted in the vote of thirty-three in favor and eight against. The first
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officers were inclusive of the following: J. A. Willd, president; L. T. Breen, H. J. Gronberg, M. Rollofson, trustees; H. Hendrickson, recorder; N. E. Rulien, treasurer.
The present officers are as follows: N. E. Rulien, president; S. J. Ausland, recorder; Eric Sletten, J. A. Cook, Charles Nelson, trustees ; Will- iam Shauer, constable; J. A. Cook, justice.
The public school is one of the best in the county. It comprises three departments, with an enrollment at the present time of about one hundred and five. J. A. Cook is the principal.
The citizens of Hoffman are proud of their town, of their schools, churches and other organizations, but nothing gives them more pride than to speak of the ladies' band. The band was organized in the spring of 1916 and its success has been unrivalled. Summer concerts have been given and the people not only of Hoffman but surrounding towns as well have shown due appreciation. A great deal of the success belongs to the leadership of A. L. Backlund whose untiring efforts certainly have been rewarded. The young ladies who compose the band are as follows: Lillie Johnson, Amely Sjolaas, Ruth Henderson, Clara Sunder, Nina Willd, Beattie Johnson, Jessie Wallmark, Ruth Lindstrom, Sigrud Backlund, Olga Johnson, Lillian Meyer, Jensine Lander, Florence Danielson, Alma Henderstrom.
The following business interests were represented in the summer of 1916:
Auto garage-Shauer Brothers; banks, Farmers State, Hoffman State; blacksmith shop, Erich Melin; barber, J. H. Flolid; confectionery, R. E. Shauer & Company; creamery, Hoffman Co-operative Creamery Company ; clothing and furnishings, Desnick & Kronick ; druggist, H. J. Gronberg ; dray line, I. Berg; elevators, Farmers Elevator Company, Woodworth Elevator Company, Lang Elevator Company : feed and fuel, J. P. Mattson; furniture dealer, H. L. Elglumb; general dealers, Anton Helland, Farmers Co-opera- tive Mercantile Company, J. M. Arnquist & Son; harness shop, K. Skog- lund; hardware dealers, Hoffman Hardware Co., Lindhurst & Stavig; imple- ment dealer, Eric Sletten; jeweler, Edward Stavig; lumber dealer, C. A. Willd; meat market, S. J. Ausland & Company ; newspaper, The Hoffman Times, W. N. Bronson, proprietor ; produce dealer, North American Stor- age Company ; physicians, Dr. F. E. Griswold, Dr. Amly Sjolaas, Dr. H. A. Hegna ; restaurants, R. E. Shauer & Co., J. R. Milne ; stockbuyer, Hoffman Shipping Association ; tile drainage, B. H. Malmgren; variety store, Mrs. Nora Sturgis.
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DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
WENDELL.
The village of Wendell is located in Stony Brook township, on section 32. The land was formerly owned by the Pacific Land Company and on July 11, 1889, the original plat of the townsite was filed in the office of the register of deeds by the above company, Kittel Olson and Gunild Olson. The village is situated on the Soo-Pacific line, nine miles northwest of Elbow Lake and is the only trading point of pronounced importance in the extensive agricultural area comprising the northwestern part of the county. Here, as elsewhere in the district, the staple industries are wheat raising, corn growing and dairying. Illustrative of the importance of Wendell as a shipping point and the relative standing of the section as a producer, the fact may be cited that the village is the best in the county. The dairying indus- try is also followed with much success as is evidenced by the splendid cream- ery here. The creamery is known as the Farmers Co-operative Creamery company and is managed by John Raines. In 1915 a splendid new brick building was constructed at a cost of six thousand dollars complete. In the month of August, 1916, the total quantity of butter made amounted to ten thousand four hundred and five pounds. Thus it can be seen that this industry is quite a source of wealth and one which deserves the hearty sup- port of the entire community.
The first storekeeper in what is now the village of Wendell was Kittel Olson. When the Soo-Pacific road in its construction in 1887, located a depot at Wendell, the possibilities for a little commercial center were sug- gested and Messrs. Beck & Whitman, who were in business in Meeker county, bought the stock of goods belonging to Olson and put in a stock of general merchandise. In the fall of the same year, Beck built the store room now occupied by L. O. Sand and moved the store into it. In the same year K. I. Haugen built the store room now occupied by T. A. Boyd and put in a stock of goods. T. A. Boyd bought the Haugen store in 1889 and has been in business ever since.
The first postmaster in the village was D. A. Beck in 1887. The com- munity was first served from the postoffice of Asha, a point about three miles from Wendell and on the star route between Fergus Falls and Herman. E. A. Roach succeeded J. A. Beck as postmaster, who in turn was followed by T. A. Boyd. The present postmaster is J. L. Boyd, the son of T. A. Boyd, and has served for the past three years.
A petition for the incorporation of the village was filed on January 20,
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1904, signed by T. A. Boyd, P. O. Floan and C. A. Prestrud. The village was incorporated in April of the same year with the following officers: T. A. Boyd, president; E. A. Dybdal, clerk; L. C. Bergen, treasurer; C. E. Stickney, Andrew Solem, E. Mobraaten, trustees; F. W. Hungerford and Ole K. Olson, constables; C. B. Heimark, chairman of the board of health.
The present elective officers include the following: E. Mobraaten, president ; L. H. Pikop, John Raines, E. Mohagen, trustees; L. C. Bergen, clerk; Hjalmar Larson, treasurer; C. E. Stickney, justice; L. H. Larson, constable; Ben Simonson, constable and marshal.
The village became an independent school district immediately after incor- poration. A three-room two-story building was constructed which was destroyed by fire in 1909. In 1910, the present four-room brick building was constructed at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. The first teachers to teach in the village were, Amanda Norgard and Ida Running. At present there are four teachers, the principal being Clara Kling. A nine-months school is held and two years of high school are given. The average enroll- ment is about one hundred and twenty.
The village is beautifully laid out on a hillock about four squares north of the depot. The spirit of the village may be summed up in the word- progress. Neither is this name a misnomer, because seldom does one see in a village of two hundred people such a metropolitan appearance. The majority of the business blocks are substantial brick structures and additional ones are now under construction. The village has had electric lights since 1913, the power for which is furnished by the Ottertail Power Company. The homes are modern and well kept, showing that the citizens are pros- perous and contented. Although the citizens are proud of these conditions they are aware that were it not for the wide-awake and progressive farm- ers in the vicinity, present conditions would be greatly changed.
The following is a business directory for the year of 1916:
Auto garage, Edward Mohagen; banks, Farmers State Bank, First National Bank; blacksmith, Andrew Solem; barber shop, E. H. Shoemaker ; elevators, Osborne-McMillan, Farmers Elevator Company ; furniture dealer, L. C. Bergen, L. O. Sand; general dealers, E. Naftalin & Son. T. A. Boyd, Dybdal, Pikop & Skinnemoen Company ; harness shop, C. N. Lillemoen ; hard- ware dealers, L. C. Bergen, L. O. Sand: hotel, Andrew Lystne; implement dealers, Sletten & Thorsen, C. E. Stikney; jeweler, T. A. Dybdal; lumber dealer, Edward Mobraaten ; livery, Nels Olson ; meat market, Ben Simonson; moving picture show, C. E. Stickney; newspaper, Wendell Tribune, A. R.
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McManus, proprietor; physician, Dr. T. P. Rothnem; restaurant, Johnson Cafe; telephone, Wendell Telephone Company.
ASHBY.
Ashby, fourth in population among the villages of Grant county, is located in Pelican Lake township, on the main line of the Great Northern, in the extreme northeastern part of the county. The village is situated upon the land which was formerly owned by K. &. O. Melby, the original plat having been filed by that gentleman in 1879.
From its inception, Ashby has been of more or less importance as a commercial center, and notwithstanding several serious reverses with which the village has met, it is still one of the most important trading points in the district, being favored with an extensive patronage by residents over the lines in Otter Tail and Douglas counties, as well as from the northeastern townships of Grant county. Ashby has a thrifty population of about four hundred people, neat dwellings, attractive and commodious business houses and additional ones in the course of construction. The merchants as a whole are progressive and enterprising, who endorse and support any measure that bears the stamp of merit.
The date Ashby began its corporate existence is uncertain, as, owing to the early records being destroyed by fire, no account of the first organization is at hand. The management of the municipal affairs at the present time is vested in the following men: A. M. Randall, president; George Vange- ness, clerk; Svert Aasang, treasurer; C. E. Thorsteson, J. O. Western, George Huggett, trustees: Herman Balgaard, constable and marshal; Ross Beardsley, justice.
In 1893 the village was visited by a very destructive fire which laid in waste over half the business district. Rebuilding began almost imme- diately and ere many years had passed new and modern buildings had taken the place of the ones destroyed.
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