USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 14
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From the establishment of the bank to the present time, it . has at all times made a steady and healthy growth and today has a capital of $50,000.00, with a surplus and undivided profits of $17,929.95, and deposits aggregating $562,967.34, with loans and discounts aggregating $483,195.51; total figures of state- ment showing a footing of $678,290.28.
The Albert Lea State Bank was organized May 16, 1902, and opened for business on that day as an entirely new institution- the first state bank to be opened under the state banking laws in Albert Lea-with a paid in capital of $50,000.00, and with the following officers : D. R. P. Hibbs, president ; V. Gillrup and F. W. Barlow, vice-presidents; D. C. Armstrong, cashier. For a number of months the bank occupied the Blackmer store build- ing, or until the old First National bank building was purchased, and it then remodeled the front and extended the building in the rear to accommodate the business in proper form, and still occupies the building.
In 1909, at the June meeting of the directors, Mr. Hihhs resigned from active work, his desire being to be free to go and
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come as he wished, as he intended spending his winters in the south. At this time, D. C. Armstrong, formerly cashier, was elected president and Mr. Hibbs made first vice-president, Mr. Barlow resigning. In 1904 it was found necessary to increase the office force, and H. F. Wittmer and A. F. Wohlhuter were elected assistant cashiers. On the election of D. C. Armstrong as presi- dent A. F. Wohlhuter was elected cashier, and in 1910 Mr. Wittmer left to take over the management cashiership of the bank at Kiester, Minnesota.
There have been few changes in the board of directors, and the bank has won a good business and standing in the city and county and today has its capital at $50,000.00, surplus fund earned at $10,000.00. the required amount, and has never passed a dividend period, having paid to the entire satisfaction of all stockholders, and the management feels justly proud of the record so made. Its savings department has grown steadily and the abstract business now occupies the time of one man entirely, it having been found advisable to have both Mr. Hibbs and Mr. Gillrup appointed bonded abstractors so that the work could be handled properly and promptly. The management looks for- ward to a steady and solid growth and careful attention to business earns the favorable opinion of all the county.
The Freeborn County State Bank was organized June 1, 1907. with a capital of $25,000.00 and opened for business on August 13. 1907. in the Wiegand building, at the corner of Broadway and William street, in the City of Albert Lea. The incorporators and directors of the bank were: Charles Soth, Charles E. Paul- son and Howard H. Dunn. The first officers consisted of the following: President, Charles Soth, vice-president, Howard H. Dunn : cashier, Charles E. Paulson, and assistant cashier, Robert Anderson. On the death of Mr. Soth. June 9, 1908, Charles E. Paulson succeeded to the presidency, and Henry Soth became a director.
The bank has enjoyed a steady and continuous growth since its organization. The farm loan business of Naeve & Soth and later of Charles Soth has passed under the management of the bank, and this department has the most extensive farm loan business in this part of the state.
The Citizens State Bank of Glenville, was chartered by the state banking department to open for business December 15, 1910, with a capital of $10.000.00.
The bank is a local institution having fifty stockholders among the business men and farmers in and near Glenville. It has a board of seven directors and the officers are: H. Houg, president : C. L. Swenson, vice-president, and A. P. Sawyer, cashier.
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The First State Bank of Glenville. August 1, 1899, A. H. Bender moved to Glenville from Waucoma, Iowa, and with his uncle, W. H. Stone, owner of the Bank of Waucoma, Iowa, as partner, started a private bank at Glenville known as the Bank of Glenville, which commenced business September 20, 1899, and continued till August 1, 1907, when they sold out to the Glenville State bank, which had been organized about two months pre- viously by Charles Soth and others, of Albert Lea, Minn. After being out of business for a year, during which time he took a trip through the west, Mr. Bender came back to Glenville and with Mr. Stone, bought the Glenville State bank, taking posses- sion August 17, 1908. The bank was continued under that name till October 1, 1908, when the name was changed to The First State Bank of Glenville and has continued under that name and the same ownership since.
First National Bank, Alden. This bank was started in 1892 by M. D. Hawver, president; and J. S. Ulland, cashier, as a private bank. C. L. Todd succeeded J. S. Ulland as cashier in 1893, and Ralph O. Olson succeeded C. L. Todd as cashier in 1894. The bank was organized as a state bank in 1895. Soon after, W. H. Walker succeeded M. D. Hawver as president, and still continues as such. When the bank was organized Peter Hansen was elected vice-president. and still retains that office. Ralph O. Olson continued as cashier until December of 1910, when he was elected vice-president, which office he still holds. The state bank was converted to a First National bank in 1903, with a capital of $30,000.00, and the following officers were elected at the annual meeting in January, 1911: W. H. Walker, president ; Ralph O. Olson, vice-president; Peter Hansen, vice-president ; O. N. Hoel, cashier; Alfred P. Christensen, assistant cashier. Directors are as follows: W. H. Walker, Peter Hansen, John Rasmussen, Matt Olson, Ralph O. Olson, Henry Steele, O. N. Hoel, and Fred Hartmann. The capital and surplus is now $43,000.00.
Security State Bank, Alden. This bank was organized May 4. 1904, with a capital stock of $10,000.00, with James McConnell, E. P. Greeley, W. H. Walker, Matt Olson, and Ralph O. Olson as directors ; E. P. Greeley, president ; James McConnell, cashier. On June 5, 1909, James McConnell resigned and A. C. Paulson was elected in his place. The bank today has deposits of $65,000.00, a surplus of $2,000.00, and is gaining and in healthy condition.
The State Bank of Hartland was incorporated October, 1902. with a capital stock of $10,000. Officers were elected as follows : J. C. Cheney, president; E. H. Stensrud, vice-president; E. O. Nervig, cashier. The first two officers are still in office. E. O.
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Nervig resigned as cashier in January, 1906, and his place was taken by John J. Hanson, who held the position until September, 1910, when he resigned. Helmer Stensrud was then appointed cashier. The bank has a surplus fund of $7,000. The statement rendered at the close of business January 7, 1911, was as follows : Resources-Loans and discounts, $116,936.34; overdrafts, $527.54; banking house, furniture and fixtures, $3,500; cash resources, $35,737.61; total, $156,701.41. Liabilities-Capital stock, $10,- 000; surplus fund. $7,000; undivided profits, $107.01; deposits, $139,594.48 ; total, $156,701.49.
The Manchester State Bank was incorporated October 10, 1906, Charles Soth, A. O. Moen, Ole M. Olson, G. O. Myran, T. E. Noble, Bennett Asleson, P. O. Slette, John Nilson, Charles E. Paulson, H. Christopherson, C. H. Christopherson, Alfred Chris- topherson, K. H. Slette, John A. Severson, G. Haakenson, L. O. Hartz, J. A. Thykeson, Henry Soth and H. H. Dunn being the in- corporators. It has a capital of $10,000 and is located in the village of Manchester, seven miles north of Albert Lea on the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad. The home of the bank is a mod- ern brick building which it has occupied since December, 1907. The first board of directors of the bank consisted of the follow- ing: Charles Soth, O. M. Olson, Charles E. Paulson, Bennett Asleson, G. O. Myran, Alfred Christopherson and Henry Soth. The first officers were: President, Charles E. Paulson ; vice-presi- dent, O. M. Olson; cashier, Henry Soth, and these men, with the assistant cashier, whose office has since been added, are still the officers of the bank. Henry Soth was the active manager of the bank until the fall of 1908, when R. C. Paulson was elected assistant cashier, since which time the bank has been managed by him.
The London State Bank was incorporated on March 24, 1908, with a capital stock of $10,000 and its management vested in a board of six directors. At its organization Fred Crisman was elected as president; G. P. Meadowcroft, vice-president, and George Funda, cashier, to which offices they have each been re- elected at the last annual meeting. The bank is in a prosperous condition, having placed $1,000 in the surplus fund during the two years and pays 4 per cent on time deposits.
The First State Bank of Myrtle, capital $10,000, was organ- ized in the summer of 1907, the stockholders being the local farmers and business men of Myrtle and vicinity, together with prominent business men and bankers of Northwood, Iowa. The president is T. S. Hanson, who is also cashier of the Worth County State bank of Northwood, one of the strong financial institutions of northern Iowa; the vice-president is Peter Nelsen, a promi- nent retired farmer living near Myrtle ; the cashier is E. E. Dunn,
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H. D. BROWN
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
who is very popular in the community and well qualified by many years of banking experience in Iowa and Dakota; the other directors are F. E. Dunn and A. A. Schumacher, substantial farmers living near Myrtle, and C. H. Beckett, who is vice-presi- dent of the Worth County State bank of Northwood, Iowa. That this bank is conducted along progressive lines is attested by the fact that it occupies its own brick bank building, fitted with modern furnishings, a burglarproof vault and safe, and is still further protected by an electrical burglar alarm system recently installed. That this high class equipment and the strength and character of this bank is appreciated is evidenced by deposits of $50,000, which for a young bank in a small town is an eloquent expression of public confidence in the institution. The bank pays good dividends and has at this time a surplus and undivided profit account of $2,000.
The First National Bank of Emmons was organized May 2, 1903, with a capital of $25,000. Its first officers were H. M. Martinson, president; P. M. Joice, vice-president, and N. H. Rasmusson, cashier. October 1, 1903, H. M. Martinson and P. M. Joice sold out their interest and H. H. Emmons was elected president and Alfred Emery vice-president. This institution has made a steady growth and has now an average deposit of $150,- 000 and a surplus of $8,000. The stock is distributed among over forty stockholders, mostly farmers in the vicinity of Em- mons village. The present directors are S. L. Davidson. H. H. Emmons, Alfred Emery, O. H. Knutson, William L. Nenge, Nick Nelson, N. H. Rasmusson, K. N. Troe and T. K. Troe. The offi- cers are H. H. Emmons, president ; Alfred Emery, vice-president ; N. H. Rasmusson, cashier, and T. K. Troe, assistant cashier.
The State Bank of Clarks Grove was organized under the state banking laws September 1, 1903, with a paid in capital of $10 .- 000, the following officers being elected : Alfred Christopherson, president; Hon. J. C. Johnson, vice-president, and Charles E. Paulson, cashier; and they have continued in office to the present time. The above named officers, with Paul Hanson and Robert Anderson, constituted the first board of directors. The busi- ness of the bank has steadily grown, showing the prosperity and good standing of the community, and the venture was a profit- able one from the beginning. In 1904 a substantial brick build- ing was erected for banking offices. The deposits at the present time are over $90,000. The statement under date of January 17, 1911, is herewith given : Liabilities-Capital stock, $10,000; surplus, $4,000 ; profit and loss, $675.25 ; interest received, $303.18 ; exchange, $3.40 ; time certificates of deposit, $56,134.79; deposits subject to check, $30,873.70; cashier's checks, $4,600.33; total, $106,590.65. Resources-Loans and accounts, $75,890.89; bonds,
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stocks and securities, $500; overdrafts. $177.13; expense, $52.74; interest paid. $89.82; banking house, $3,000; furniture and fix- tures. $900; due from banks and bankers, $22,340.26; total, $106.590.65.
The Farmers State Bank of Hayward, was incorporated October 7, 1904, with H. C. Nelson as president, and J. J. Hove as cashier. The directors were C. B. Kellar, V. Gulbrandson, H. C. Nelson, L. O. Braaten and J. J. Hove. On January 16, 1811, the surplus and undivided profits amounted to $2,100.00 and the total resources were $70,000.00.
The Farmers State Bank of Gordonsville was organized in June, 1907, with $10,000 capital. L. Dwelle was elected presi- dent ; H. T. Toye, vice-president, and J. L. Miller, cashier. The institution does a general banking business, and handles foreign exchange, steamship tickets to all the principal ports, insurance, collections and farm loans; and the officials are noted for their courtesy and sound methods. It is the policy of the bank to give its customers the best protection possible, and to this end no expense has been spared. The vault is protected by electrical steel lining and alarms, and is absolutely burglar proof as well as fire proof.
The State Bank of Oakland was incorporated under the state banking laws in February, 1911, with a paid up capital of $10,000, the stock being taken by reliable business men of Albert Lea and some of the residents of Oakland and vicinity. The board of directors are Robert B. Skinner, a retired miller ; Alfred Chris- topherson, cashier of the First National bank of Albert Lea ; Will- iam L. Palmer, M. D. ; Herbert E. Skinner, a successful real estate dealer, and Ben H. Clement, formerly assistant cashier of the First National bank of Albert Lea. The officers are Alfred Chris- topherson, president; Robert B. Skinner, vice president. and James L. Sorenson, cashier. A handsome and substantial brick building is being erected. The institution is one that will be a credit and convenience to the community and will materially assist in promoting the welfare of the section in which it is located.
HAROLD DAHLEN
CHAPTER XIV.
COUNTY SCHOOLS.
State and County School System-First Schools and First Districts in Freeborn County-State Aid-Equipment- Literary Societies-Meetings for Officers, Teachers and Pupils -Exhibits and Contests-Institutes and Summer Schools- Parochial Schools-Story of the Districts-Prepared with the Assistance of Professor Harold Dahlen.
In the story of American civilization, the establishment of the school and the church has been coincident with the building of home.
However, at the formation of the Union, and later, when the federal government was established, there was no definite line of action as to public education, although at the same time that the Constitution was adopted the last session of the Continental Congress was being held in the city of New York, and the Ordi- nance of 1787 was passed, regulating the affairs pertaining to the Northwest territory, including that portion of Minnesota lying east of the Mississippi river. In this ordinance much attention was given to the question of providing a means of public educa- tion, by giving one section in each congressional township for educational purposes. Later, when the purchase of Louisiana was effected, and Minnesota sought admission into the Union, still further provision was made for education by giving two sections in each congressional township for such purposes. This gave impetus to the natural tendency toward educational mat- ters, and we find that. one of the first efforts in the new settle- ments was to prepare to educate the children. The church and the school building, when not one and the same, were practically always found side by side. The hardy pioneers of the Great. Northwest-of which Minnesota was a part-did not wait even for a territorial government, but set to work at once to establish, schools. The first one in Minnesota, for the education of white' children, was organized by Dr. Williamson, at the present site of the city of St. Paul. We are told that investigation demon- strated that there were about thirty-six children in the settle- ment who might attend a school. A log house, 10x12 feet, covered with bark and chinked with mud, previously used as a black- smith shop, was secured and converted into a schoolhouse, and
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taught by Miss Bishop. Here, then, while the United States troops were gaining such signal success in the war with Mexico, was begun the system of education which has become one of the best in this great nation. In this same little schoolhouse, in November, 1849, was held a meeting for the purpose of estab- lishing a system of public education, based upon the congressional act of March, 1849, establishing Minnesota territory. Alexander Ramsey. of Pennsylvania, when appointed governor, proceeded at once to assume the duties of his office. In his first message to the territorial legislature, in the fall of 1849. he emphasized the need of wise measures looking to the establishment of a system of public education in these words: "The subject of education, which has ever been esteemed of first importance in all new American communities, deserves, and, I doubt not, will receive your earliest and most devoted care. From the pressure of other and more immediate wants it is not to be expected that your school system should be very ample, vet it is desirable that what- ever is done should be of a character that will readily adapt itself to the growth and increase of the country, and not in future years require a violent change of system."
In response to this appeal for legislation in school matters, we find that a committee on education was appointed, and a very able report was made by the chairman, Hon. Martin McLeod. This report was formulated into an act relating to public schools in Minnesota, which act was passed on the last day of the session, November 1, 1849. It organized the territory into districts, of which the township was the unit, and provided that if.a township had within its limits five families it should be considered as one district, but if it contained ten families it should be divided into two districts. Tax levy was provided, and a system of manage- ment arranged. The first superintendent of common schools for the territory was Rev. E. D. Neill, who served till 1853. His salary was $100 a year.
The first school instruction in Freeborn county was given in the pioneer homes by mothers, who, though they had come to a new country, did not wish their children to grow up in ignorance. The public system in the county started in 1857.
The first schoolhouse in the county was erected in Shell Rock, and completed August 18, 1857. Emily Streeter was the first teacher employed in this district. During the following year another schoolhouse was erected in the county, making but two in 1858.
In 1857 the county commissioners organized 16 districts. . District 1. organized April 6. included sectio.is 33, 34, 35 and 28, also the southwest quarter of section 27, in township 103, range 19. now Moscow. District 2 was organized April S, and embraced
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sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, and 32 in the township of Moscow. The boundaries of district 3 are not given in the records. District 4 was in Shell Rock township. District 5 was also in Shell Rock township. At the request of George P. Hoopes and others district 6 was set apart, embracing sections in Hayward and Albert Lea townships. District 7 was set apart in Bancroft township at the request of Alf. P. Swineford and others. The next district located was number 8, and this in the townships of Newry and Moscow. District 9 was created in September and was located in Bancroft township. District 10 was created in Moscow, October 5, as the result of a petition of. J. M. Stage and others. District 11 ivas located in the townships of Bath and Geneva. District 12 was located in Moscow township, October 7. District 13 was organ. ized in Freeborn township at the request of John W. Ayers and others. On November 16, district 14 was created in the township of Oakland. District 15 was organized September 9, and included a part of Albert Lea, Bancroft and Manchester townships. District 16 was created September 9 and included sections of Carlston and Freeborn townships.
In 1858, sixteen districts were organized by the board of county commissioners. District 17 was created in February and comprised about two-thirds of the township of Bancroft. In April, eight school districts were authorized. District 18 was located in Manchester and Carlston townships. District 19 was established in Pickerel Lake and Nunda townships. District 20 was organized in the townships of Nunda and Freeman. District 21 was located in Nunda. District 22 was created in Bancroft township. District 23 was the south half of Shell Rock township, and district 24 in Riceland and Bancroft townships. District 25 was in Pickerel Lake. District 26 was set apart in September and included the whole township of Hartland. In October dis- trict 27 came into existence and was in Freeborn township. District 28 was organized at the same session and located in Hartland township. On the same date district 29 was also organized in Hayward. District 30 was organized at this time in London, and district 31, in Geneva. In the fall of 1858 district 32 was created in the townships then called Liberty and Spring- field, now Manchester and Carlston.
In 1859 the board of county commissioners met and organized thirteen new school districts. District 33 was organized with others up to and including number 37, January 13, 1859. Their locations were to be in Freeman, Manchester, Carlson, Bancroft and Geneva. The following September more districts were organized, making a total of 45, which included the whole number in the county at that time.
In July, 1865, the county schools were placed under a super-
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intendent, and the present system firmly established. A new numbering also took place, so that the present districts cannot be identified by their original numbers.
The schools in the counnon districts are under the immediate supervision of a board of trustees in each district, consisting of three members. the special and independent districts having a board of education, consisting of from five to seven members. The county superintendent has general supervision of the schools in the county. It is his duty to visit the schools, advise teachers and officers as to the best methods of instruction, the most im- proved plans for building, improving and ventilating school- houses and ornamenting school grounds ; conduct teachers' and officers' meetings and make reports to the state superintendent of publie instruction.
The state grants special aid to schools coming up to certain standards of requirements-$1.750 to high schools, $600 to graded schools, $300 to semi-graded schools, and $150 to first class rural schools. Second class rural schools open seven months receive $75 and those open eight months receive $100. Freeborn county at present receives special state aid for two high schools, three graded schools, five semi-graded schools, seventeen first class rural and twenty second class rural schools.
Progressive educators hopefully look forward to the time, in the near future, when the country boys and girls will be afforded facilities equal to the best in the cities-when as a result of con- solidation and the establishment of local agricultural, graded and high schools, no teacher will be required to teach more grades than she can handle to best advantage, and the pupils be enabled to secure a good elementary and high school education without leaving home. With the new law granting special state aid to seven-month schools, the number of schools on the state aid list is rapidly increasing.
There are 133 organized districts in the county. Of these, two. Albert Lea and Alden, are city schools with first class high schools. The Albert Lea school has an agricultural and normal department. Three are graded schools, Glenville, Hartland and Geneva, each in charge of four teachers. Five are semi-graded, Freeborn and Emmons, each with three teachers, and Gordons- ville, Hayward and district 16 Carlston township, each with two teachers. The others are one-roomed schools. There are eleven districts joint with other counties and in five of these the build- ings are out of Freeborn county. One school has an enrollment of less than ten pupils, and twenty-seven have an enrollment of from ten to twenty. The largest enrollment is fifty-three pupils, in distriet 20. Bancroft township, and the smallest is eight pupils in district 68. Albert Lea township. During the past year four-
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