USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 13
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
and Freeman townships. It is 4.10 miles long; 43,626 cubic yards were removed; the cost was $6,956; 517 acres were benefited and benefits were assessed at $11,120.
Three ditches are now under way. County ditch No. 18 in Mansfield and Nunda will connect with county ditch No. 5. County ditch No. 23 will be in Alden and Mansfield; and county ditch No. 24 in Pickerel Lake and Albert Lea. County ditch No. 20 is a short private ditch in Hayward.
CHAPTER XII.
PIONEER SOCIETIES.
Associations Which Have Been Formed to Perpetuate the Memo- ries of the Early Days-Interesting Meetings Held-Freeborn County Old Settlers' Association, 1875 to 1882-Freeborn Countý Territorial Pioneers' Association, 1889 to 1911.
The old settlers of Freeborn county who were desirous of perpetuating the memory of the hardships, the trials, troubles and privations on the one hand. and the pleasures and triumphs on the other, of pioneer times and frontier life, joined in a call to all those who came previous to 1860 to meet on July 12, 1875, for the purpose of organizing an Old Settlers' Association. In response to this call a meeting was held at the courthouse on the day mentioned. The assembly was called to order by D. G. Parker, who read the call that had been issued. On motion of John L. Melder, Mr. Parker was made temporary chairman. On motion of F. McCall. H. D. Brown was appointed secretary. On motion of Isaac Botsford. the following committee on resolu- tions was appointed : Henry Thurston, F. McCall and H. G. Em- mons ; on nominations. Isaac Botsford, John L. Melder and Jason Goward. The committee appointed for the purpose reported a constitution which, after discussion and amendment. was adopted. Its provisions were that any old settler could join by paying a nominal sum, who were here previous to January 1. 1859, and the limitation was to be advanced each year so that any one who had been a resident sixteen years can then join the association. The officers elected under this constitution were: President. D. G. Parker: vice-presidents. J. L. Melder. H. Bickford and O. C. Goodnature : secretary, Henry Thurston ; treasurer, H. D. Brown ; chaplain, Rev. S. G. Lowry: financial committee, Ole Peterson, J. W. Avers and the president. secretary and treasurer, ex-officio. The constitution was then signed by thirty-nine persons : John L. Melder. J. Goward, S. Batchelder. Frank Ross. August Peter- son, C. Narveson, L. R. Luce. Ole Narveson. R. Fitzgerald. J. W. Ayers. H. Bickford, N. I. Lothian. H. D. Brown. Ole Peterson, William English, JJohn Colby. Frank Hall. David Horning, G. Gulbrandson. A. W. White. Charles Peterson. A. M. Burnham, . Samuel Eaton. Isaac Botsford, A. J. Anderson. S. G. Lowry. C. Kittelson. Henry Emmons, F. MeCall. E. D. Porter, E. D. Hop-
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V. GULBRANDSON
MRS. V. GULBRANDSON
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
kins, S. P. Beighley, A. K. Norton, J. B. Gordon, T. J. Gordon, H. Thurston, D. G. Parker, Charles C. Ayers and Michael Sheehan.
The second meeting was held June 2, 1876, at the courthouse in Albert Lea. The opportunity was given for joining the society, and sixty-five persons signed the constitution, who had come here previous to January, 1860. Several amendments were presented and adopted, the most important of which was the appointment of a committee on obituary notices. The officers elected for the year were: President, D. G. Parker; vice-presidents, William N. Goslee, of London; D. R. Young, Shell Rock; N. I. Lowthian, Freeman ; H. G. Emmons, Nunda ; Henry Tunell, Mansfield; C. E. Butler, Oakland; Endre Gulbrandson, Hayward; I. Botsford, Al- bert Lea ; J. H. Pace, Moscow ; Lewis Bell, Riceland; William H. Long, Bancroft ; E. D. Hopkins, Manchester; Asa. Walker, Carls- ton; C. E. Johnson, Newry ; J. F. Jones, Geneva; Richard Fitz- patrick, Bath; A. S. Purdie, Hartland, and Jason Goward, Free- born; secretary, H. Thurston ; treasurer, H. D. Brown; chaplain, S. G. Lowry; finance committee, Ole Peterson, J. W. Ayers, the president, secretary and treasurer. E. C. Stacy was appointed committee on the obituaries for the ensuing year.
The third meeting was June 13, 1877. A procession was formed and marched to the picnic ground in Albert Lea. Prayer was offered by Rev. Walter Stott, one of the pioneers of the county. Twenty-seven joined the association. The officers chosen this year were: President, E. C. Stacy ; treasurer, H. D. Brown ; secretary, Henry Thurston; and a vice-president from each town in the county. The finance committee with officers were J. L. Melder and J. W. Ayers.
The fourth annual meeting was on the second Friday in June, 1878.
The fifth annual reunion. This unusually interesting affair took place June 10, 1879, at Albert Lea. The officers elected for the year were: President, A. C. Wedge; secretary, Augustus Peter- son; treasurer, Samuel Batchelder; and a vice-president for each town; financial committee, H. D. Brown, Henry Thurston, with the three executive officers. Committee on obituaries, H. Thurs- ton. Col. Albert Miller Lea distinguished the meeting with his presence.
The sixth annual reunion was on July 8, 1880. The longest procession ever seen in this city started from in front of the courthouse at the appointed time. Two brass bands furnished the music, and the concourse proceeded to the grove north of Fountain Lake, where a varied program was carried out. Twenty- six joined the association this year. Hon. M. S. Wilkinson was the orator of the occasion, and quite a long historical letter was read from George S. Ruble. The following gentlemen were
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
chosen as officers for the year: President. A. C. Wedge; secre- tary, Augustus Peterson : treasurer, Samuel Batchelder; com- mittee on obituaries, H. Thurston.
The seventh annual reunion was held in Albert Lea on June 14, 1881, and its features were not unlike those of previous years. The Fireman's band furnished the music, and the exercises were on the pienie grounds north of Fountain Lake. David Blakely, of Minneapolis, delivered the annual address. The officers for the year were: President, Francis Hall; secretary, Isaac Bots- ford : treasurer. D. G. Parker ; committee on obituaries, H. Thurs- ton. J. Goward. A. H. Bartlett, J. F. Jones, and S. N. Frisbie.
The eighth annual reunion occurred September 15, 1882, in the grove north of Fountain Lake. The officers for 1883 were : President. I. Botsford ; secretary, H. D. Brown ; treasurer. Gilbert Gulbrandson, and a list of vice presidents.
After this, there were few old settlers' meetings until the Territorial Pioneers organized in 1899.
TERRITORIAL PIONEERS.
The Association of Territorial Pioneers of Freeborn County. The inception of this organization took place August 19, 1899, at the home of Dr. A. C. Wedge, who presided as chairman with G. Gulbrandson as secretary. The chair appointed a committee consisting of D. G. Parker and G. Gulbrandson to draft articles of association and to report them the following month at a meet- ing called for that purpose. September 26. 1899, the members of the association met at Johnson's hall and the articles of association were read, adopted and signed. The following were elected to serve at the regular meeting, as follows ; A. C. Wedge, president : E. H. Ellickson, first vice-president : Rollof Thykeson, second vice-president : G. Gulbrandson, secretary : H. D. Brown, treasurer, and Dr. F. A. Blackmer, historian.
The first annual meeting of the Territorial Pioneers of Free- born County was held at Knights of Pythias hall in Albert Lea. on May 11. 1900. Papers were read by A. C. Wedge and F. A. Blackmer, and a committee appointed to nominate officers for the ensuing year. A. C. Wedge was elected president ; Anthony C. Trow, vice-president : Rollof Thykeson, second vice-president ; W. G. Kellar, secretary : H. D. Brown, treasurer. The president made the following appointments: Historian, F. A. Blackmer : members of the exeentive committee. E. H. Ellickson. D. K. Stacy. F. W. Barlow, John M. Geissler. M. M. Luce, Heman Blackmer and William H. Lowe.
May 10, 1902. At a meeting held in the grand jury room at the courthouse the following officers were elected : President, Dr. A. C. Wedge : secretary. C. N. Ruble ; treasurer. C. B. Kellar.
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
It was announced that since the organization in 1899, death had removed two secretaries, G. Gulbrandson and William G. Kellar ; the historian, Dr. F. A. Blackmer; and treasurer. H. D. Brown.
May 11, 1903, the next annual meeting was held in the grand jury room at the courthouse, and the following officers were clected : President, Dr. A. C. Wedge ; vice-president, C. N. Ruble ; secretary, C. B. Kellar.
May 11, 1904, the annual meeting was held in the city hall, and an obituary committee was appointed by the president. Officers for the ensuing year were elected with Dr. A. C. Wedge as president ; C. N. Ruble, secretary, and C. B. Kellar, treasurer. A committee consisting of the president, secretary and treasurer was appointed to prepare papers for the following year. A com- mittee was also appointed to consider the plan of erecting an "Old Settlers House" or "Headquarters" on the county fair grounds.
May 11, 1905, a regular meeting was held in the city hall and F. W. Barlow acted as secretary in the absence of C. N. Ruble. Officers for the coming years were elected as follows: President, A. C. Wedge; secretary, F. W. Barlow; treasurer, C. B. Kellar. President Wedge suggested a historian be selected from each town and they were appointed as follows : Hayward, M. M. Luce ; Bancroft, George H. Prescott; Alden, A. K. Norton; Carlston, Mrs. John Larson ; Albert Lea, John Godley ; Shell Rock, A. W. Trow; Freeman, William Edwards; Nunda, John M. Geissler ; Manchester, Thor Anderson; Albert Lea City, A. C. Wedge; Mansfield, J. M. Emerson. The president was instructed to select names of the historians for other towns. V. Gulbrandson, chairman of the committee of obituaries reported the following deaths having occurred since the last meeting: George Gardner, who came here in 1855, died September 23, 1904; Johanes Gul- brandson, came in 1857, died October 25, 1904 ; John Honan, came in 1857, died September 25, 1904; Mrs. Selina Stage, came in 1856, died April 7, 1905; M. O. Whitney, came in 1856, died October 24, 1904; Mrs. Ase Fossum, who came in 1856; L. J. Thomas, who came in 1857; Nels Nelson Wangen, who came in 1856; Mrs. Jorge Anderson, who came in 1857; Fred Fink, who came in 1856; Clark H. Dills, who came in 1857; Mrs. H. J. Pickard, who came in 1857; Ole O. Styve, who came in 1857 and L. W. Fay. V. Gulbrandson was appointed a committee to make an effort to secure the old log cabin erected in London by S. N. Frisbie, and to have same removed to the fair grounds to become the headquarters of the association.
May 11, 1906, the annual meeting was held in the city hall and all officers of the association were re-elected. V. Gulbrand- son reported the following deaths which had occurred since the
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
last meeting of the association: Andrew Barlow. November 25, 1905; Charles N. Ruble, January 1, 1905 ; JJohn Murphy, June 1, 1905; A. C. Trow, May 12. 1905; Daniel Hurd. October 14. 1905 : Joseph A. Knapp. October 15, 1905 : Mrs. O. Narveson, 1905; Mrs. O. Quenvold, 1905: Reuben Babcock. January 22. 1906; Simon Hanson, January 16, 1906: Mrs. Margaret Wedge Morin, February 11, 1906: Henry Thurston, March 5, 1906: Mrs. B. K. Winjum, March 14, 1906: Even A. Lybeck, March 16. 1906: Mrs. Anfin Anderson, May 9, 1906: Thomas Cashman, May, 1905; George W. Dearmin, June, 1905: Karl Tunell, June 22, 1905; Peter Shuger. July 16, 1905: Ole T. Haugen, August 5. 1905; Daniel Peterson, August 7, 1905: Knute Benson, September 13, 1905: \Martha P. Clifton. 7February 20. 1906; Ole Madson, February 23, 1906: Mrs. Ole K. Morreim, March 12, 1906; Mrs. William Edwards. April 19, 1906.
May 11, 1907, the annual meeting was held in the Hotel Freeborn parlors and the election of officers resulted as follows: President, A. C. Wedge ; secretary. F. W. Barlow ; treasurer. C. B. Kellar. V. Gulbrandson read the following list of deaths of members of the association : Samuel Landis, pioneer of 1857, died May 15. 1906; S. B. Smith, 1857, died May 17, 1906; Henry Wyant, died July 25, 1906; Mrs. Lars Mickelson. died August 16, 1906: Mrs. Christian Pederson. 1857, died November 1, 1906 ; Mrs. K. T. Haugen. 1857, died November 27, 1906: Mrs. E. D. Stacy, 1856, died December 19. 1906: Capt. Asa White, 1856, died January 13, 1907 : Mrs. John Dwyer, 1856, died January 20. 1907; Henry D. Blackmer, 1857. died January 27, 1907 ; John Beighley, 1857, died January 21, 1907; Mrs. Anthony Trow, 1856, died February 1. 1907; Nicholas T. Sandberg. 1858, died February 23. 1907: Mrs. Nels Walaker. 1856. died February 22, 1907; Charles Knapp. 1855, died April 6, 1907: Mrs. Simon Hanson, 1856, died April 19, 1907. On a motion a committee was authorized by the president to serve as committee of obituaries, consisting of the following: V. Gulbrandson, Mrs. John Larson, and F. W. Barlow.
On May 11. 1908 the association met in Odd Fellows hall in Albert Lea and the officers of the preceding year were re-elected. Twelve deaths had occurred since the last year's meeting, recorded as follows: Mrs. J. C. Frost, Jacob Baker, Henry Schneider. Joseph Landis, Ellen Thompson. Elmira Budlong, Edward Murphy, Milton M. Luce, Phillip Herman, John Her- manson, Mrs. John Hermanson, and Thomas Sutherdal.
The next annual meeting was held in Odd Fellows hall at Albert Lea on May 11. 1909. The officers were elected as follows: President. A. C. Wedge; secretary, F. W. Barlow ; treasurer. C. B. Kellar. The president appointed a committee to
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
locate and collect relics of pioneer days and this committee was made up of the following: J. E. Simms, M. V. Kellar and David Colvin. The deaths which had occurred during the past year were recorded as follows: Mrs. Elsie Lunde, Mrs. John Walaski and Thor Anderson.
May 11, 1910, the pioneers held their annual meeting in Odd Fellows hall, Albert Lea, and the following deaths were recorded : Andrew Severson Sjelve, pioneer of 1857, died June 7, 1909; Mrs. Ellen Fitzgerald, 1858, died June 25, 1909; John Geissler, 1856, died July 28, 1909; Thomas Donovan, 1858, died September 1, 1909; Mrs. Henry Emmons, 1856, died February 1, 1910; Henry Emmons, 1856, died October 6, 1909 ; Mrs. Fred Fink, 1858, died January 1, 1910; John L. Melander, 1856, died December 17, 1909; Hans Olson Kjonas, 1856, died October, 1909; William H. H. Gordon, died May 17, 1909. It was suggested that the name be changed to "Territorial Pioneers and Old Settlers Association of Freeborn County," and that any person who has resided in the county for 35 years be eligible to membership. The officers of the preceding year were again elected. John A. Melander, who died this year, had previously been known as John A. Melder.
May 11, 1911, the annual meeting of the Territorial Pioneer Association was held in the Danish Brotherhood hall, Albert Lea, and the former officers were again elected and with them a vice-president, V. Gulbrandson. The committee of obituaries reported the following deaths of members of the association: Anastacia Barlow, pioneer of 1857, died November 2, 1910; Andrew O. Styve, 1857, died February 19, 1911; George H. Pres- cott, died February 19, 1911; Mrs. Mary Dudley, 1856, died March 15, 1911; William Beighley, 1856, died 1910; Mrs. Isadore Campbell, 1857, died August 24, 1910; Mrs. Patrick Farry, 1856, died January 10, 1911; Gulbrand Bagaasen, 1856, died October 29, 1910; Mrs. Harriet Barden, died September 25, 1910; James Lair, 1857, died October 13, 1911. A committee was appointed to arrange for an old settlers picnic to be held later in the season, which was composed of the following members, Mr. and Mrs. M. V. Kellar. D. C. Armstrong, Mrs. David Colvin, Mrs. Heman Blackmer, Mrs. John Godley, Mrs. Dan Horning, Mrs. Isaac Botsford and Bennett Porter.
CHAPTER XIII.
BANKS AND BANKING.
Story of the Financial Institutions of the County-Location, Or- ganization, Officers and Standing-Written by C. B. Kellar.
The first effort of the pioneer was to secure his location and to there ereet a habitation. The question of livelihood was one of immediate importance and no sooner was the pioneer and his family provided with a place to live, however poor or tem- porary, than he began to break the ground for crops. Mills for grinding the grain and sawing lumber were also an early necessity, and as there were many articles of daily need which the soil did not produce. the establishment of general stores could not long be delayed. But even in the most primitive com- munity money is a vital need. The money lenders followed fast in the footsteps of the pioneer. Before long it became apparent that there must be some sort of an institution of financial ex- change. Private banks were usually established as an adjunct of some other business. Some continued for a few years only, but others gradually assumed the importance of national or state institutions. This to a large extent is true of the early history of Freeborn county. Today the county is on a sound financial basis and the prosperity of the community is shown by the financial statements of the various banks which handle the money of the people at large. The county now has four national banks and fourteen state banks.
The First National Bank of Albert Lea is the pioneer bank of southern Minnesota. Starting as a private bank, it has grown to its present proud position. Its growth and prosperity has been contemporary with the growth and prosperity of Albert Lea. Its officers never lost sight of the fact that Albert Lea had a great future; that it was destined to be the metropolis of southern Minnesota, and they have been foremost in aiding any and every enterprise which would contribute to that end.
Beginning in a small way, when only a village of a few hun- dred inhabitants, the late Frank Hall started a small bank in the year 1867 in the corner of his store in the same building now occupied by the Irvin cigar store, giving it the name of the Banking House of Frank Hall. with C. B. Kellar as his cash- ier. He later built a one-story brick building on the corner now
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C. B. KELLAR
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
occupied by the First National bank, moving his bank into this new building. Mr. Hall having so many kinds of business run- ning at the same time, found it impracticable to give much of his time to the banking business and soon after moving into the new building, disposed of his interests to the late Hon. H. D. Brown, who ran the business as a private bank under the name of the Banking House of H. D. Brown, retaining Mr. Kellar as his cashier. The business continued increasing rapidly, when a few years later D. R. P. Hibbs, now the efficient president of the Albert Lea State bank, was taken in as a partner and the busi- ness continued in the same building under the name of H. D. Brown & Co., they retaining Mr. Kellar as their cashier.
In 1892 the H. D. Brown Company's bank was merged into the Albert Lea National bank, with H. D. Brown as president, D. R. P. Hibbs as vice-president and C. B. Kellar, cashier. It had a very successful period of ten years, paying large dividends at the beginning and the stock doubling in value, when it con- solidated in February, 1902, with the First National bank, with Harry Jones, president; D. R. P. Hibbs and Vegger Gulbrand- son, vice-presidents ; C. B. Kellar, cashier, and Alfred Christo- pherson, assistant cashier, the combined capital and surplus of the two banks being $120,000.
The latter bank was the one established by the late Hon. Gilbert Gulbrandson in September, 1886, and was very success- ful from the start. At the time of the consolidation Harry Jones was president; Vegger Gulbrandson, vice-president, and Alfred Christopherson, assistant cashier; the office of cashier had been vacated previously by the death of the late lamented August Paulson. In January, 1903, Harry Jones, president, and D. R. P. Hibbs, vice-president, resigned their official positions in the con- solidated First National bank and C. B. Kellar was elected presi- dent; Vegger Gulbrandson, vice-president, and Alfred Christo- pherson, cashier.
The bank has been conservatively managed and the business has increased rapidly, as will be shown by the following compara- tive statements in periods of about ten years, more or less :
Report of condition September 21, 1872-Resources : Loans, $5,554.37; banking house furniture and fixtures, $3,738.85; cash and due from banks, $6,485; revenue stamps, $99.64; total, $15,- 877.86. Liabilities : Capital, $2,040.01; surplus and profits, $926.08 ; deposits, $12,911.77 ; total, $15,877.86.
Report of condition May 27, 1881-Resources : Loans, $43,- 605.31; banking house furniture and fixtures, $2,653.59; cash on hand and in banks, $40,888.41; total, $87,147.31. Liabilities : Capital, $19,250; surplus and profits, $682.69 ; deposits, $67,214.62; total, $87,147.31.
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Report of Condition May 25, 1892.
Resources : Loans, $131,629.41; U. S. bonds, $14.562.50; real estate, furniture and fixtures, $1.000.00; overdrafts, $1,893.00; cash on hand and in banks. $163,159.71: total. $312.244.62. Liabilities : Capital, $50,000.00; surplus and profits. $1,192.94; deposits, $249,801.68; circulation, $11,250.00; total, $312,244.62.
Report of condition July 15, 1908. Resources: Loans and discounts, $661,862.68; overdrafts. $1,890.56; U. S. bonds, $152,600.00; banking house, furniture and fixtures, $30,000.00; (due from banks. $171,077.14; cash on hand, $39,569.51), $210,646.65: total. $1,056,999.89: Liabilities : Capital stock,
$100,000.00: surplus and profits, $58.479.59 : circulation, $100.000.00: deposits, $798,520.30: total. $1.056,999.89.
The new home of the First National bank is modern in its equipment. is provided with the latest improved safes. fireproof vaults, with burglar alarm attachments, and carries a large line of burglar and hold-up insurance. In addition, its officers and employees are all heavily bonded, offering to its patrons the most perfect seenrity in their dealings with the bank. Its directors are composed of the most careful and conservative business men that can be found in the city, men who have great faith in the future development and prosperity of the city, as is evidenced by the erection of the handsomest as well as the most commodious bank building to be found in Minnesota outside of the Twin Cities.
C. B. Kellar, the president of the bank, was born in Wisconsin, moved to Minnesota with his parents in 1856, settling on a farm near this city. After serving an enlistment in the army he attended Oberlin College and afterwards began work in the banking business where he has since continuously served for forty-four years, probably being the oldest banker in the state in point of service.
Vegger Gulbrandson, the vice-president, while not active in the management of the bank's affairs, adds much to its strength. He is one of the wealthiest residents of the county. Aside from his banking interests he has large farming interests, and also has many other investments in this city and county.
Alfred Christopherson, cashier of the First National bank of Albert Lea, Minn .. is an Albert Lea boy. being born and raised in that city. On the completion of his school work he entered the employ of the First National as clerk, during the presidency of Gilbert Gulbrandson, and has been connected with the institution since being promoted to the position of cashier in 1903. He has been actively engaged in the banking business and has organized and is directing several of the smaller banks in the vicinity, hold- ing the office of president in the State Bank of Clarks Grove and
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
in the State Bank of Oakland. He is also more or less identified with other financial institutions and has been the means of assist- ing several that are a credit to Albert Lea. He is a trustee and the treasurer of The Albert Lea College, one of the few educa- tional institutions in the northwest that are devoted to the educa- tion of women only.
The Citizens' National Bank, of Albert Lea. In the month of February, 1893, T. V. Knatvold and H. N. Brown formed a co-partnership and organized a bank firm known as Knatvold & Brown, with a capital of $10,000.00 paid up in cash. In the spring of 1894, C. L. Swenson was taken in by the firm and served as its cashier. They continued in business until in the spring of 1900 when they sold to one C. A. Ransom, who con- ducted the business as a private bank with C. A. Ransom as president and C. L. Swenson as cashier, A. C. Erickson, assistant cashier, and Alberta Mann, stenographer, until in the spring of 1902 when the bank was organized and incorporated into a national bank with a capital of $50,000.00, surplus $5,000.00, with the following officers: C. A. Ransom, president ; B. H. Knatvold, vice-president ; C. L. Swenson, cashier ; A. C. Erickson, assistant cashier. In January, 1904, Edward Olson succeeded C. A. Ran- som to the office of president, and the business of the bank has been conducted since the year 1904 with the following officers managing: Edward Olson, president; B. H. Knatvold, vice- president; C. L. Swenson, cashier; A. C. Erickson, assistant eashier; Alberta Mann, stenographer; A. C. Hartz and Oscar Olson, book-keepers.
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