History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 38

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1220

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In the early days of this club the reference books, when not obtainable in private libraries, were purchased by the organiza- tion, and later, when the Public Library was a reality, the books were donated to that institution. Now our Carnegie and the State libraries furnish all needed material for reference.

At different times there have been given lectures, with illus- trations, of the country being studied. This club federated with the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs in 1895. A banquet and a picnic are the social events during the year.'

This last year-1910-being the twentieth anniversary of the Travel Class, the members celebrated the event by inviting the charter members to a banquet at the home of Mrs. D. R. P. Hibbs, who was president of the class for the first ten years. Twelve of the charter members responded to the invitation, either in person or by letter. Two-Mrs. E. L. Jacobus and Mrs. R. B. Skinner -- have passed into the other life. As a memorial of this anni-

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versary, the class set aside an amount for the purchase of a magazine rack, to be presented to the Carnegie Library.

The present officers of the class are: President, Mrs. T. F. Thurston ; vice-president, Mrs. Alice I. Todd; secretary, Mrs. Earl Dominick ; treasurer, Mrs. H. H. Cook.

Beethoven Club. On the evening of January 6, 1901, an in- formal musicale was held at the home of Mrs. C. D. Cowgill, and later a club was organized to study music. The ladies com- posing this organization were: Mrs. W. C. Farrington, Mrs. Nora Rodli, Mrs. C. D. Cowgill, Mrs. E. Osborne, Mrs. Virginia Skinner, Mrs. H. C. Carlson, Mrs. Eugene Chrisler, Mrs. Hattie Smith Fuller, Mrs. Charles Howe, Mrs. Lora Nelson, Mrs. R. B. Thomp- son, Mrs. Winnifred McAllister, Miss Jessie Simms, Miss Virginia Blair, Miss Alice Hibbs, Miss Lottie Elleckson, Miss Laura Koontz, Miss Frances Geissler, Miss Vera Olberg, Miss Henrietta Emmons, Miss Pederson and Miss Grace Blair.

Beethoven was chosen as the name of this club and the officers elected were. Mrs. Hattie Smith Fuller, president; Mrs. C. D. Cowgill, vice-president, and Mrs. Charles Howe, secretary and treasurer.

From its organization until February, 1907, the club met at the homes of its members. At that time an upright piano was purchased and placed in Library Hall, where the meetings of the club have been held every two weeks, from the first Monday even- ing in October until the last Monday in May.

In the fall of 1902 this club joined the Minnesota Federation of Woman's Clubs.

The Beethoven has been instrumental in bringing many musi- cal attractions to the city. Among the artists brought here are : Mr. and Mrs. Reidelsberger, Mrs. Jessie L. Gaynor, Mrs. Maud Ulmer Jones, Miss Gertrude San Souci, U. S. Kerr, Madame Lan- gendorff, Baxter Perry, Holmes Cowper, Lilla Ormund, Enrico Palmetto; and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra has been here three times.

Through the indefatigable efforts of the president, Mrs. Fuller, the growth of this club has been steady, and increasing until it now numbers fifty-four members.

The Beethoven claims the honor of being the largest music club in the state, outside of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth.

The present officers are: Mrs. Hattie Smith Fuller, president ; Mrs. M. P. Fuller, vice-president ; Miss Ella Hove, secretary ; Mrs. M. L. Robbins, treasurer, Mrs. J. R. Nannestad, critic.

Study Club. In the year 1902 seven ladies, wishing to benefit themselves by study, and realizing "As iron sharpeneth iron, so are the wits edged and brightened by friction with other minds," formed an organization for this purpose.

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A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the name of the Albert Lea Study Club chosen. The ladies signing this con- stitution were: Mrs. Anna Barragan, Mrs. Ella Johnson, Mrs. Elva Wannemaker, Mrs. Jennie Frost, Mrs. Martha May, Mrs. William Homrig and Mrs. J. E. Fitch. From this number Mrs. Ella Johnson was chosen president; Mrs. William Homrig, vice- president; Mrs. Elva Wannemaker, secretary, and Mrs. Anna Barragan, treasurer.

"Neglect not the gift that is within thee" was the motto selected by this new club. It was decided to adopt green and white as the club colors.

The regular meetings of this club are held every alternate Monday, beginning on the first Monday in October and con- tinuing until the last Monday in May.

The study of the United States was first taken and continued for four years. The remainder of the time has been given to the British Isles and Germany.

The strength of union and the power of co-operation may bring about results from which every club may realize direct good, so this little club, in 1904, affiliated with the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs, for the purpose of strengthening itself.

The membership list has gradually increased, until it now numbers twenty-one active and four honorary members.

While not a social organization, the Study Club holds its annual open meetings and a yearly picnic, to which the family of each member is invited. The present officers are: President, Mrs. Harry Weeks; vice-president, Mrs. P. H. Muus; secretary, Mrs. G. R. Scott; treasurer, Mrs. L. R. Burton.

The Albert Lea Science Association was organized November 11, 1890, by a number of gentlemen interested in scientific sub- jects and the discussion of them. The promoters of this associa- tion were the late D. G. Parker, R. B. Abbott, D.D., and Clint L. Luce.

The meetings were held in the old Presbyterian Chapel, on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month, from September to June. One paper on a scientific subject was read, and a thorough discussion of it followed.

The growth of this club was remarkable. In 1897 there were sixty-nine active and four honorary members. The interest in the meetings was earnest and exceedingly strong, but through the illness and absence from the city of some of its most interested members this association was allowed to disband.

Fortnightly Club. This club is an organization of gentlemen only, for the purpose of discussing ethical, social and economic questions of the day.

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It was organized March 5, 1907. The membership is elective and limited to twenty-four, and is composed mostly of gentlemen from the different business and professional interests in the city.

The meetings are held in Library Hall on alternating Tuesday evenings from October to June. Two or three banquets during the year, to which the ladies are invited, are the social features of the organization.

The present officers are : Rev. James B. Lyle, president ; W. G. Chamberlain, vice-president ; M. L. Robbins, secretary.

CHAPTER XXIX.

FREEBORN COUNTY VILLAGES.

Story of the Prosperous Trading Centers-Alden, Clarks Grove, Emmons, Freeborn, Glenville, Geneva, Gordonsville, Hartland, London, Manchester-Other Villages-Bancroft and Itasca- Three Former Villages.

Since the earliest days Freeborn county has been blessed with excellent trading points. Some of the villages platted in pioneer times flourished a time and died. Others have survived to the present day. The coming of the railroads was naturally an impetus to the building of villages, and several of the hamlets in Freeborn county had their beginning with the erection of a sta- tion or warehouse. The county is fortunate in the number of its prosperous villages. Alden, Emmons, Glenville and Hartland are incorporated, and several others have a population of several hundred each. Many years ago the little hamlets were grouped about the postoffices. In modern times, with the development of the dairy interests, the settlements cluster about the creameries.

ALDEN VILLAGE.

Alden has often been called the ideal small village. Situated on a beautiful body of water in the midst of a rich farming coun- try, with neat buildings and well kept streets, exceptional school opportunities and adequate church facilities, the village has ad- vantages which make it an ideal place of residence. There is an excellent newspaper here; Methodist, Presbyterian, Danish Bap- tist and Danish Lutheran churches, as well as two German Luth- eran and one Danish Lutheran congregation, two banks, a good hotel, a flouring mill, grain elevators, a city hall, excellent water supply, the best of fire protection, cement sidewalks, electric lights and a local telephone exchange.

Among the activities of Alden may be mentioned: Flouring mill and electric works, W. H. Walker Milling Company ; cement works, T. Svendsen; three general stores, A. G. Hall & Son, G. Svendsen, Cash Store (J. E. Clayton, proprietor) ; two hardware stores, Alden Hardware & Machine Company (George P. Valby, manager), H. A. Ebert; two blacksmith shops, Petersen & Pestorious, George Yates; one hotel, the Alden House (H. H. Van Wie, proprietor) ; furniture and undertaking, E. W. Beatty ; two drug stores, James Emerson, Christiansen & Garlock ; lumber and

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coal, Fred Holway (succeeding the Coleman Lumber Company) ; two elevators, La Crosse Grain Company (C. E. Stockman, man- ager), G. A. Swan Elevator Company (Carl W. Nelson, manager) ; livery and garage, C. H. Henderson ; meat market, Herbert Minor ; feed barns, draying and livery, L. P. Hemmingsen, C. A. Hord ; variety store, Peter Hemmingsen; jewelry store, Charles U. Van Winkle; watch repairer, wagon maker, jeweler and general ma- chinist, C. N. Ostrander ; billiard and pool hall, H. E. Case; den- tist, J. H. Gleason ; newspaper, "Alden Advance" (job printing and publishing) ; physicians, B. A. Kamp and James Christiansen.

The Alden Hotel, long known as the Hotel Hazle, was erected in an early day by Daniel Hurd. It was managed by various per- sons until purchased by John A. Hazle, who still owns it, the present landlord being H. H. Van Wie.

The streets are lighted with four arc lights and thirty-five in- candescent lights, the power being furnished by the W. H. Walker Milling Company. This company received the contract late in 1900, and the street lights were installed in January, 1901.

The village citizens voted water bonds to the amount of $5,000 on July 3, 1894. It was decided that the vote was illegal, and the same question was voted upon favorably on September 19, 1894. The original waterworks plant was completed in 1895. In 1908 a new system was installed. The present system consists of a set of mains, an eight-inch tubular well 221 feet deep, a 2,000- barrel reservoir, a twenty-five-horsepower gas engine and a triplex pump. The water is under a pressure of sixty pounds and enables the fire fighters to secure an adequate stream of water from three hose nozzles at once.

In July, 1902, a telephone franchise was granted to B. C. Hazle and J. A. Hazle by the village council of Alden. These gen- tlemen operate a local and rural telephone exchange, and have some 500 instruments in use. For long-distance service it con- nects with the Northwestern. The Tri-State has been granted per- mission to maintain a long-distance toll station here, but is not permitted to operate a local exchange.

The City Hall was erected in 1891 and an addition built in 1908. The building is a two-story edifice, housing the fire depart- ment, the council chambers and the like, and furnishing a fine hall for entertainments and lectures. The jail is in a separate building.

Alden has an excellent high school, housed in a splendid brick building and surrounded with a fine playground. Aside from the teaching of the usual academic branches, the school pays especial attention to agriculture and manual training, the insti- tution being thoroughly modern in every respect. The present building replaced a two-story edifice erected in 1875 and later

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burned. The present Board of Education consists of O. N. Hoel, J. E. Clayton, W. H. Walker, C. S. Johnson and A. C. Paulson.

The Alden cemetery is controlled by the village government, the Alden Union Cemetery Association having turned its property over to the village council January 11, 1902. The village board acts as a cemetery board, the recorder being the actuary.

The village of Alden was incorporated by a special act of the legislature in 1879, and the first meeting of the council was held March 14, 1879. The meeting was called to order by President T. W. Wilson, those present being Trustees C. E. Booth, J: A. Hazle and A. G. Hall; recorder, F. F. Powers; treasurer, A. A. Davis; justice of the peace, L. T. Walker. Since then the presi- dents of the council have been: 1880, H. B. Collins; 1881, L. T. Walker ; 1882-83, H. B. Collins; 1884-85-86, C. E. Booth; 1887, J. C. Johnson ; 1888, L. T. Walker (did not qualify and J. A. Hazle served) ; 1889-90, C. K. Clark; 1891, J. A. Hazle; 1892, C. M. Cannon; 1893-94-95-96-97, J. A. Hazle; 1898-99, John Watson; 1900, I. E. Starks; 1901, Fred Holway; 1902, S. J. Lombard (re- signed), G. Swendsen (pro tem.), Pearl C. Cornish; 1903-04-05-06, Glenn Howard; 1907-08, J. H. Gleason; 1909-10, M. P. Howe; 1910-11, J. H. Gleason.

The present council consists of: Mayor, J. H. Gleason; re- corder, Alfred P. Christensen; trustees, George P. Valby, Hans Scotte and Fred Pestorious. The village has declared itself for no license for several years past.

In 1871 the town of Alden issued bonds to the Southern Min- nesota Railroad for $30,000 as a bonus for establishing a railroad station. The road, which was completed to Albert Lea in the fall of 1869, came through Alden in mid-winter and was pushed on to Wells in January of 1870. The bonds became due in 1901, and a question was raised as to their legality. A bitter fight was car- ried into the courts and many complications arose. Eventually, however, the bonds were paid, the distribution of the burden being made on the assessed valuation of the property in village and township. While the fight was raging doubts were cast on the legality of the incorporation of the village, and while the people in the village continued to maintain their local govern- ment, they were compelled to resort to the regular polling places of their respective townships to vote upon county, state and na- tional affairs. February 25, 1908, the village was reincorporated under the statute of 1905 and the entire affair is now a thing of the past.

Even before the village of Alden was organized, C. N. Ostrander and a few others banded together to perfect a fire fight- ing organization. In 1881 a hand pump was purchased and a regular company of twelve men organized, with C. N. Ostrander

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as chief. December 20 the present fire department was organized. with R. F. Hazle as chief. He resigned in 1896, and a few months later C. N. Ostrander became chief, a position he has since oc- cupied. Frank L. Walker is the secretary and W. H. Walker the treasurer. The department consists of twenty volunteers, and has two hose carts with about 1,250 feet of hose. The five ladders are carried to fires by the men, this having proved a more satis- factory method than having a hook and ladder truck drawn by horses.

Alden has a number of fraternities, a G. A. R. post, several organizations of women and the usual church societies. Alden Lodge, No. 192, I. O. O. F., was granted a charter February 18, 1892, the charter members being J. P. Peterson, Alexander Noble, Albert Ostrander, E. C. Fisher and J. M. Marlett. Alden Lodge, No. 73, Danish Brotherhood in America, was granted a charter February 7, 1894, the charter officers being H. A. Hansen, Andrew Robertsen, George P. Valby, Gerhart Swansen, Andrew P. Han- sen, Hans Petersen, Hans A. Swanson and Hans Jacobsen. Maple Camp, No. 2325, M. W. A., was granted a charter June 4, 1894. The charter members were : Robert A. Austin, Ray Bryant, Lucius Burton, Theodore J. Burton, Lucien C. Cowles, Henry B. Cottrell, Victor Fink, Frank Landis, J. J. Minor, Ed. Miller, Frank Parr and Frank Wendt. Ivy Lodge, No. 1244, Royal Neighbors of America, was instituted December 22, 1898. Dewey Lodge, No. 460, M. B. A., was granted a charter March 25, 1899. The charter officers were : B. G. Campbell, W. H. Baker, S. J. Lombard, H. E. Case, W. E. Thompson, O. F. Stone, H. Pfeiffer and H. A. Svend- sen. Palme Lodge, No. 82, the Danish Sister Society in America, was granted a charter August 13, 1904. The charter officers were : Gerda Petersen, Mary Hansen, Kristine Elizabeth Olsen, Marie Hemmingsen, Emma Svendsen, Thine Clausen, Lidse K. Nielsen and Kristine Siemssen.

Alden has had a number of fires. The mills, the schoolhouse and the store of Hansen, Rasmussen & Co. were destroyed in four serious fires, and the latter conflagration would have spread to many more blocks but for the work of the fire fighters. In 1886 the Hotel Hazle was likewise saved by heroic work on the part of the firemen. September 19, 1896, the great fire came.

The fire, which is supposed to have been started by some care- less or incendiary tramps, originated in Walker & Valby's barn, and when first seen had almost enveloped two frame business houses on the east side of Main street. Mrs. H. H. Thompkins first gave the alarm, but the flames, intensified by the strong southeast wind, leaped and spread and engulfed the buildings with such swiftness that little could be done to stay them. Some hard fighting was done, however, and thereby Hazle's hotel escaped, other

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buildings near by being saved by miracle. Fifteen buildings and nearly all their contents went down to ashes in the relentless holocaust. Among them were the bank, "Advance" newspaper office, Methodist church, bakery, drug store and other prosperous business places. The "Advance" contains the following list of losses and insurance : P. Hemmingsen, building and goods, $15,- 000.00; J. P. Peterson, saloon and contents, $950.00; Morin & Mason's meat market, $25,000.00 ; Booth & Landis, drugs and fur- niture, $3,000.00; C. E. Booth, drug store, $1,200.00; W. C. Colby, building and bakery, $2,500.00; Bank of Alden, $20,000.00; R. O. Olson, personal property, $590.00; Walter & Valby, building and stock, $20,000.00; I. A. Carey, building tools and furniture, $2,500.00 ; Dr. L. C. Cowles, library, etc., $500.00 ; N. L. Whitman, barber, $500.00 ; Morin & Mason's barber building, $1,200.00; A. P. Hanson, shop, stock and building, $1,500.00; Chicago Fair store building, $13,000; M. D. Hawyer, household furniture, $800.00; H. J. Niebuhr, building hardware, etc., $25,000.00; Jenson & Owen, boots and shoes, $1,500.00; Odd Fellows' building, $1,- 500.00; "Advance" printing office, $800.00; H. H. Thompkins' building, household goods, etc., $1,150.00; Methodist church, $2,250.00; Hanson & Swenson, across the street, were damaged about $1,200.00; C. N. Ostrander, N. F. Anderson, J. A. Hazle, M. D. Hawyer, Daniel Rasmussen, Carl Peterson and others lost probably $50.00 to $300.00 each, in most cases there being no insurance. These figures are greatly exaggerated.

The Alden Flouring Mill originated in 1875, having been erected that year by William Wilson. The building was 28x50 feet, a story and a half high, containing four sets of burrs, which are driven by sufficient force, by steam power, to grind fifty-five barrels of flour per day. The mill was located near the lake and cost about $12,000. This building was burned.

For some years Stevenson & Johnson ran a mill here. They disposed of their interest to a farmers' cooperative company and John L. Garlock took charge. The mill was burned. In 1900 the W. H. Walker Milling Company was organized with the following officers: President, Ole I. Opdahl; manager and sec- retary, W. H. Walker; cashier, Ralph Olson ; directors, Benjamin Randall and Ralph Olson. The capital stock is $25,000. The mill is a large structure of corrugated iron and has a capacity of 125 barrels a day. The Pure Cream brand enjoys a large sale, and the White Foam and Silver Plume are also popular makes. D. H. Morehouse has been head miller since the present company took charge. A. L. Fenton has charge of the electric department, which furnishes electricity for the village of Alden.

Alden was laid out and platted by William Morin and H. W. Holley, the former of Albert Lea and the latter of Winnebago

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City. After a short time Mr. Morin purchased the interest of Mr. Holley. The first business of any kind opened on the village site was the postoffice, which A. G. Hall moved from his place in section 1. The first actual business establishment was started about the time of the arrival of the railroad, in 1869, by a Mr. Terrill, who opened a stock of general merchandise. He shortly after took into partnership J. H. Sherwood, who in a few months purchased the entire establishment and continued it about two years. A. G. Hall erected the first residence in the village just prior to the opening of this store. The station was commenced by the railroad company and by the first of January, 1870. the track was completed to the village. Next came the business house of George Whitman. Holley & Morin erected a store building, which was rented to Mr. Whitman, and he moved a stock of gen- eral merchandise in the building and placed the same in charge of Joseph Green and Victor Gillrup. This store was finally moved to Delavan. Dell Miller erected a suitable shop and conducted a blacksmith shop about a year until his death. Arthur Trigg came about the same time and opened a blacksmith shop, which he con- tinued for some time. Soon afterward L. T. Walker started a general merchandise store under the firm name of Walker & Co., Mr. Walker having several different partners. About the time that the above establishment originated, A. G. Hall, who is men- tioned as really having been the first resident of the village, erected a store building in connection with his dwelling house and opened up a large stock of general merchandise. This firm is still conducted under the name of A. G. Hall & Son. Shortly after- ward H. N. Burnham purchased the old Whitman building and opened a general merchandise store, which he conducted for two years and then closed out. Later on Charles .Pfeffer started a store in the same building. Armstrong & Wheelock opened a store here, but were finally closed out. H. B. Collins was the first law- yer in the village and later opened a general merchandise store. At an early day a doctor named R. D. Barber located in the village and remained about a year.

In the early days a dam was built near the present site of the village of Alden, this forming a beautiful sheet of water some twenty-five acres in extent. In 1883 and 1884 C. N. Ostrander, working for W. A. Morin, filled up some four acres, thus forming the land upon which the city hall and a number of other buildings were located.

CLARKS GROVE VILLAGE.

Clarks Grove village is located in section 34, Bath township. It is a thriving place with a bank, a creamery, a church, a school, many residences and the usual business houses. Among the activi-

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ties of the village may be mentioned: The Clarks Grove Mercan- tile Company, general store ; J. W. Peterson, general store ; Clarks Grove Hardware & Implement Company, hardware and imple- ment store; Western Elevator Company, elevator; Clarks Grove Lumber, Fuel & Stock Company, lumber and fuel; J. P. Larson, stock buyer; W. E. Stowell, confectionery store, hotel, barber shop and jewelry store ; Lars Larson, meat market; Chris. Larson, livery ; Mrs. Charles Anderson, ice cream parlor ; George Larson, feed mill; Andrew Peterson and Peter Jenson, blacksmith shops ;. the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association of Bath. The history of the churches, banks and creameries appears elsewhere.

The settlement known as Clarks Grove long antedates the es- tablishment of the village. J. Mead Clark came to this locality in the early days and settled in a grove a mile east of the present village. His grove being a conspicuous feature of the landscape, a territory some two miles square soon came to be called the Clarks Grove neighborhood. Among those who lived in or near this vicinity in the early days may be mentioned: Michael Sheehan, James Sheehan, A. Opshall, Gudmund Olson, O. C. John- son, J. E. Johnson, C. C. Johnson, Erick Johnson, G. W. Skinner, Chris. Kiel, J. W. Peterson, J. P. Larson, Nels Larson, Jens Peter- son, Chris. Nelson, Thor Thompson, Peter Peterson and others.

The village of Clarks Grove had its beginning in 1890, when the incorporators of the Clarks Grove Cooperative Creamery se- lected the northwest corner of P. C. Christianson's farm as the · site for the creamery. One year later, pleased with the success of the cooperative idea, a cooperative mercantile company was organized and a store erected near the creamery. Near by was the residence of Charles Peterson, which thus became the first house in the new village. P. C. Christianson's house was about a quarter of a mile away. The postoffice was moved to the new village and quite a settlement sprang up there. In 1900 the rail- road came through, and since then the growth of the village has been steady and satisfactory. The village site occupies portions of the farms of Mrs. Charles Peterson, the Christianson brothers and Jens Peterson.

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History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 38

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1220

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1220