History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 70

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264

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Aside from the printing plants connected with newspapers. there have been various independent plants in Red Wing. At

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the present time Arthur T. Gibson operates the plant of S. N. Gibson & Son, on Bush street, and Russell & MeGiverin (Ray- mond R. and Harry S.) have a plant on Third street. There is a printing plant at the Minnesota State Training School, and at the Red Wing Seminary is the press of the Hauge Printing and Pub- lishing Company, from which is issued several denominational papers and religious books. At one time Peter Sjblom published several boys' magazines here, and in former days Leonard Hodg- man and George F. Enz had amateur print shops.

Jens K. Grondahl, who gives his vocation as "newspaperman." was born at Eidsvold. near Christiania, Norway, December 3, 1869, son of Lars and Inger Margrethe (JJulsrud) Grondahl, natives of that country. The father, Lars Grondahl, was a farmer of limited means but with advanced ideas as to the education and training of his children, a man of warm heart and generous dispo- sition. He died in 1895 at the age of 72. His wife, mother of Jens K., is still living. The subject of this sketch began his . schooling in his native town and continued it in Red Wing, to which city he came as a boy of 11 years. After attending the local publie schools for two years he entered the Red Wing Semi- nary and graduated in 1887 with high honors. During this period he engaged in various boyish business enterprises, which resulted in valuable experience if not always in big profits. Later he attended the University of Minnesota for some time. Shortly before graduating from the seminary he won an oratorical prize of fifteen dollars. With this he opened a small confectionery store and in this connection printed cards. soll rubber stamps, carried papers and acted as correspondent for several Twin City dailies. When the Red Wing Daily "Independent" was started in 1891 he was engaged to conduct that paper, and while occupy- ing this position received considerable newspaper training, do- ing, at times, everything from peddling the papers to turning the press and writing local articles and profound editorials on the nation's destiny. During the summer of 1897 Mr. Grondahl had an experience which, in moments of confidence, he occasionally relates to his intimate friends. Having a little spare time on his hands and having made a success of writing humorous squibs and pathetie verse for the magazines and newspapers, he decided to attempt humorons lecturing, at a season of the year when the most experienced lyceum stars would fail to seenre a hearing. An ex- perience in Hastings, where, instead of beginning his lecture "Ladies and gentlemen," he was compelled to address his audi- ence of one as "Dear sir," and at another place, where a thunder storm vied with his voice in holding the attention of the auditors. convinced the youthful lecturer that summer was not the proper season in which to make a fortune in the lyeeum field. The eam-

JENS K. GRONDAHL

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR. LENOZ AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS السنة

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paign of 1892 found Mr. Grondahl an active worker in the Re- publican ranks. Two years later he became a candidate for the legislature to represent Goodhue county in the lower house. A bitter fight against the "boy" candidate ended in his election by a large majority, he being one of the youngest men ever given a seat in the Minnesota legislature. Ile was successively reelected for two terms, serving six years in all, and declining a fourth nomination. grateful for his political experience, but feeling that he had made all the sacrifices of time and energy in public of- fire which a young man starting out in life could well afford. The real importance of his work in the legislature can best be judged by the future. In 1895 his refusal to accept passes from the railroad companies while a member of the legislature, and his subsequent position on this and kindred matters. was the beginning of the anti-pass legislation, state and national, which has since been enacted. It is needless to say that so radical a departure from prevailing ideas would naturally bring a storm of opposition and ridicule, and many were the wiseaeres at home and abroad who shook their heads and questioned the young man's taet in calling attention to and questioning the so-called courtesies which corporations so freely extended and which public officials so freely accepted. There was a diversity of opinion among the press of the country, but many of the newspapers of the East, as well as the West. particularly the New York "Sun." heartily conenrred in the young legislator's action. This stand, however, did not cost him the loss of the good will of fellow members nor did it impair his influence or usefulness as a legis- lator, as some had predicted. On the contrary, it made him many stauneh friends, with whom he afterwards cooperated in secur- ing progressive legislation. Mr. Grondahl has had the satisfac- tion of seeing men, who scoffed at his attitude then, sit in legis- lative bodies since and by their votes enact laws against receiving favors from the railroad corporations, as demanded by the people and a result of the agitation which had its origin with him in 1895. He was the leader in the campaign for a better system of caring for the chronie insane in this state and, while his efforts did not result in the adoption of a modified and improved copy of the Wisconsin cottage plan, which he advocated. it called at- tention to the need of better methods than those in vogue and resulted in some beneficial changes. While he was not the author of the law establishing the "piece price system" at the state prison, to replace the antiquated and cruel contract system, and one big step in the direction of still better laws, he nevertheless bore the brunt of that successful fight and received the appre- ciation of free labor, with which prison made goods came into competition. ITe had charge of training school legislation and

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was instrumental in securing other laws beneficial to the state and county. In 1906, at his first re-nomination as a candidate from the Red Wing district. he received the honor by acelama- tion, there being no opposing candidate. He also received the election without opposition. In 1897 he was a formidable candi- date for the speakership of the House. During his years of political activity Mr. Grondahl did considerable campaigning throughout the state under the auspices of the Republican state central committee. Being able to present the issues of the cam- paigns in either English or Norwegian, his services as a speaker were naturally in demand. Since 1892 Mr. Grondahl has been connected with the Red Wing Daily " Republican, " and from January, 1895. to November. 1898. was editor of the "Nordstjer- nen." a Norwegian weekly issned by the same company. In the spring of 1896 he was elected secretary of the Minnesota Repub- lican Editorial Association, and in 1898 was secretary of the Minnesota Taft Club. He took an active part in the Republican state conventions for several years. In August. 1896. he was chosen as one of the delegates to represent Minnesota in the national convention of Republican clubs at Milwaukee. He is at present editor and manager of the "Republican. " published by the Red Wing Printing Company. He is the president of the Red Wing Commercial Club and a member of the Red Wing Manu- facturers' Association. Hle is interested in a business way in two or three enterprises to which he does not give personal attention. It might be mentioned in passing that Mr. Grondahl is the author of a number of sketches and verses, both humorons and pathetic, written either for pleasure or as a part of his newspaper work. The Spanish-American war song. "Fighting for Cuba, " had a national circulation at that time and is preserved in papers and books of that period.

Henry Ridgway Cobb, managing editor of the Red Wing Daily "Republican." was born in Portland, Maine, and received a classical and literary education in the public schools of his native place. in Tabor College. Iowa, and in the Minnesota State Uni- versity. His early bent was toward a literary life. and as a young man he entered newspaper work as a matter of personal pref- erence. Hle has been connected with several newspapers of lowa and Nebraska. and in 1882 came to Minnesota and established the Hubbard County "Enterprise, " the first weekly newspaper north of the Northern Pacific railroad. between Duluth and the Red River valley. This paper had an important influence on the np- building of Hubbard county. Since 1904 Mr. Cobb has occupied his present position on the "Republican," and has taken an im- portant part in the advocacy of many public reforms. Always an ardent Republican. Mr. Cobb has seen publie service as county

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auditor of Hubbard county. Minnesota, in 1883-84, and as post- master at Park Rapids, Minn., from 1889 to 1893. Prior to coming to Red Wing Mr. Cobb was a Congregationalist, but he now affiliates with the Red Wing Presbyterian Church. He was married January 8, 1884, to Charlotte P. Rieker, and this union has been blessed with four children : John Edward, born at Park Rapids, Minn .. November 28, 1885: Alma May. born at Park Rapids. Min., November 26, 1887; Hazel Isabel. born at Lime Springs, Iowa, August 10, 1895: Helen Avis, born at Park Rapids, Minn., June 14. 1900. Mr. Cobb has a fluent pen and possesses that appreciation of news vahte which is so essential in a news- paperman. His past career in the journalistic field has been a successful one, and his friends predict that he has a still broader field ahead of him. George W. Cobb. father of H. R. Cobb, was born in Maine in 1815, descended from one of the oldest English colonial families of that state. Ile was the largest lumber dealer in Portland, Maine. during the Civil war, came west in 1872 and died in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1909. The mother was of Scotch- Irish ancestry, her forebears having settled in Maine in the seven- teenth century. She was born in Yarmouth, Maine, in 1819, and died in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1889.

The National Editorial Association, which has become a most influential organization, with members all over the United States, owes its origin to B. B. Herbert, while editor of the " Republican." He became the first president of this organization, has been on its executive committee ever since, and has for many years pub- lished the official organ of the association, the " National Printer- Journalist." of Chicago. On August 22, 1907, the National Edi- torial Association visited Red Wing and dedicated the new home of the "Republican." 435-437 Third street. then in process of con- struction. Mr. Herbert delivered the dedicatory address on "Red Wing, the Cradle of the National Editorial Association," in the presence of several hundred fellow editors and a multitude of other visitors and citizens who were at the same time celebrat- ing "Home-coming Week." In his address Mr. Herbert said : "In 1884 the great Industrial and Cotton Exposition at New Orleans had been undertaken and advertised, and I concluded that the time had come for getting together the newspaper men. who are always foremost in everything designed for industrial promotion. to organize the proposed national body. Propitions was the time, the place and the occasion. Accordingly. I recom- mended the organization in an address. as president, before the Minnesota Editorial Association in the Mahtomedi assembly. on White Bear lake, St. Paul, July 30, 1884. The plan was adopted by resolution at an adjourned session. in the Chequamegon hotel, AAshland, Wis. Iwas chosen chairman of the committee on or-

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ganization and, upon my return home to Red Wing, the real work was begun. Thousands of letters and circulars were sent out and arrangements made for the first convention, which was held in New Orleans in February, 1885. Transportation for delegates from all parts of the United States had been secured by correspondence from Red Wing. The securing of railroad transportation for editors was easier then than now. An or- ganization was perfected February 19 and 20, 1885, and we be- gan to feel how pleasant a thing it is for brothers of the press of a whole nation to dwell together in unity and mutual under- standing. We had there a first taste of American and Southern hospitality. But our newly elected secretary dropped out and our treasurer. Mr. Whitman, of Baltimore, Md., died, so that the second, or ('ineinnati, convention. had to be organized and ar- ranged for from this city. I acted as president. secretary and all the other officers. splendidly seconded by the employes of the Red Wing Printing Company. to whom the work seemed to become. as it had been to myself. a work of love, and they received no extra pay except my highest regard. There were no funds. the absenting secretary having used all that had been collected at New Orleans, and all the work had to be performed with no hope of reward. For over two years the National Editorial Associa- tion was nurtured, nourished and cared for without charge. as is the case with most infants in this 'Desirable City' of hills and dales, enchanting scenery and the majestic river, so that the claim of Red Wing. as being the cradle of the National Editorial Association. is well founded. I think after enjoying the hos- pitality of the people here, the editors of the nation will say the cradling place was not illy chosen by a kind Providence."

County Fairs. The Goodhue County Agricultural Society was organized in 1863 and held its first fair in Red Wing in 1864. In 1870 the fair was held at Hader and in 1874 moved to Zumbrota. It is now held in the latter place. The Mississippi Valley Indus- trial Association was organized in 1878 and the first officers were : President. S. Il. Purdy; vice president. Charles Betcher ; treas- urer, A. Seeback: superintendent, F. W. Cross. Grounds were rented of Mr. Betcher. buildings erected, a race track constructed and other improvements made. The fair was held annually for many years, but was discontinued some time ago. The grounds are now occupied by one of the factories of the Sewer Pipe Works.

The Red Wing Merchants' Association was organized many years ago by the merchants of Red Wing for mutual protection and benefit as well as for the exploiting and development of Red Wing and Goodhue county. Its aim was to secure for the farm- ers the most advantageous rates for his produce and at the same time give him the best advantages in purchasing the goods which

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he needed. It also aimed to keep as much trade as possible with- in the limits of the county. During its existence it has done considerable good, and while at the present time it is not active, plans are on foot for its reorganization and revivification.

The Red Wing Building Association was incorporated in April, 1877, and for nearly five years conducted its business upon the plan known as the "premium system," in general use by the building associations in this country. Five years' experience demonstrated that this system, however well it might work in large cities in times of prosperity, were not adapted to periods of depression in smaller communities. In October, 1881, the association adopted an entirely new and original method of loaning its funds. Under this system, known as the "interest system." it loans its money on approved real estate security for terms of from three to ten years; the principal and interest being payable in equal monthly installments. Every monthly payment made by the borrower pays all his interest and also reduces the principal of his debt. Upon the expiration of the term the debt is entirely paid off and the mortgage cancelled. This system has become deservedly popular. It has been the means of securing homes for many citizens, because it has afforded them the easiest, surest and cheapest way of buying a home or paying off an in- eumbrance which has ever been devised. Under this system the association has been remarkably prosperous. The first officers were : President. J. M. Hlodgman : vice president, S. J. Willard ; secretary, B. B. Herbert : treasurer. A. W. Pratt ; attorney, O. M. Hall : directors. J. M. Hodgman, William Howe, B. B. Herbert, A. W. Pratt, J. MeIntire. T. K. Simmons, L. A. Hancock. F. JJoss, O. M. Hall, N. O. Werner. M. Kappel, C. II. Boxrnd. C. R. Brink. The present officers are: President. O. M. Hall; vice president, S. H. Haynes ; secretary, A. P. Pierce ; treasurer, W. II. Putnam : directors, F. W. Kalfahs, O. D. Anderson, O. M. Hall, O. L. Haw- kanson, S. D. Haynes, C. E. Friedrich, P. Jorgenson, A. P. Pierce, William Remshardt, W. H. Putnam, G. Lillyblad, C. S. Dana, Fred Davis and E. C. Erb.

The Scandinavian Benevolent Society was organized February 19, 1869, and incorporated August 1, 1874. The officers at that time were: President. Charles Kempe; vice president, Nicholas Lovgren; secretary, J. G. Gustafson; treasurer, Olaf Peterson. The relief committee was: T. G. Pierson, John Melander, John Swanstrom. B. Dunnell and H. Skoog. The present officers are : President, J. O. Ilanson ; vice president, O. L. Hawkanson : re- cording secretary, John A. Anderson ; financial secretary, John F. Erickson ; treasurer, Andrew Lindgren. The order is purely a local one and has about 225 members.

The Red Wing Humane Society was organized about the year

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1895 and the first officers were Rev. J. II. Sammis, A. J. Meacham, W. H. Putnam and Dr. F. W. Dimmit. Dr. Dimmit as secretary and Mr. Putnam as treasurer still remain in active service in the society. The police officers are ex-officio members. During its existence the society has alleviated much suffering. and has investigated many cases of cruelty to animals and children. Owners of abused or neglected animals are warned in regard to. their treatment of the creatures in their care, and all cases of neglected or illy used children are speedily investigated. and measures of relief adopted. The society is connected with both the state and national bodies.

The Historical Society (Red Wing) was organized on July 12, 1905. for the purpose. not only of awakening and maintaining in- terest in the early history of Goodhne county, but also of pre- serving such records and manuscripts as were already in ex- istence, as well as securing and preserving new manuscript from its members. The society has held meetings from time to time and listened to a number of lectures by various Minnesota his- torians. While of late few meetings have been held. there has recently been a revival of interest which will doubtless result in awakened activity. The first officers were : Honorary president, Rov. J. W. Hancock : president. Judge W. C. Williston : first vice president, D. C. Hill ; second vice president, Mrs. W. C. Williston ; third vice president. Dr. W. M. Sweney : secretary and treasurer, Lucia Danforth; executive committee. Mrs. C. E. Sheldon, Anna Wilkinson and W. R. Putnam: committee on historical articles, E. P. Seeley. Dr. W. M. Sweney. E. P. Neill. C. A. Betcher. The officers elected in 1907 were: Honorary president, Rev. J. W. Hancock; president, JJudge W. C. Williston : first vice president. D. (. Hill ; second vice president. Dr. W. M. Swoney ; third vice president, Mrs. W. C. Williston ; secretary. II. A. Willard; treas- urer, Amelie E. Willard ; executive committee. Mrs. C. E. Sheldon and Frances Densmore. Since that time there has been no election.

Colvill Park. In the winter of 1906-7 a proposition was made to the city of Red Wing for the purchase of the Colvill home- stead, situated on the Mississippi river in the eastern part of the city. a short distance below Barn bluff. The board of public works favored the buying of this property to be used as a public park and bathing beach. A petition urging its purchase, signed by representative business men, was presented to the city coun- cil. but that body looked unfavorably upon the project and re- jected it. The board of public works. as constituted at that time. resigned and Colvill park proposition was put to sleep. But its slumber was rudely molested in the summer of 1908 by the drowning in the bay of a young high school student. Several

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accidents of a similar nature had occurred in the same place. This particularly sad drowning emphasized strongly the impera- tive need of a public bathing beach where there would be no danger of sacrificing lives. This need resulted in an active cam- paign on the part of the ladies. Mrs. D. M. Neill became its leader and it had for its purpose the securing of the Colvill property for park and bathing purposes. Mrs. Neill put all her energies of heart and mind into the project and secured the co- operation and aid of the ladies of Red Wing in promoting it. On the evening of July 18. a public park meeting was held in the library building. It resulted in the organization of the Colvill Park Association, with the following ladies serving as officers : Mrs. D. M. Neill. president : Mrs. H. L. Hjermstad, first vice presi- dent : Mrs. C. E. Friedrich, second vice president; Mrs. G. E. Gates, third vice president : Mrs. Jennie Lovgren, secretary ; Mrs. Hugo Herder. treasurer. The executive committee was com- posed of Mesdames S. E. Hasler. C. Steaffens. C. S. Dana. II. R. Cobb and Miss Helen Graham. On July 27 another meeting was held and the announcement was made that the $1,500 necessary for the purchase of the thirty-acre tract desired had. after a vigorous campaign, been raised. On July 31 the money was paid over to G. E. Freeman, of whom the property was bought, and the deed delivered to the association. Colvill park was opened for the public on August 1 and numerous improvements were at once made. It proved an exceedingly popular resort for the Red Wing public during the remainder of the season. This season (1909) it has been even more popular and its place as the real recreation park of the people has been fully established. The young men and boys have found it a delightful place for bathing. Suitable bathing houses have been erected and as high as 250 have taken advantage of its bathing facilities in a single day. A caretaker was employed from the outset to watch the young people and prevent any possible accident. The park is located about two miles below the city on a point projecting into the river, and can be reached both by land and water. The present officers are: President, Mrs. D. M. Neill ; vice-president, Mrs. C. E. Friedrich ; second vice-president. Mrs. S. E. Noble; third vice-president, Mrs. G. E. Gates; secretary, Mabel Miller; treasurer, Mrs. Hugo Herder. The members of the executive committee whose terms had expired were re-elected. These were Mrs. Sarah Hasler. Mrs. C. Staoffens. Mrs. I. R. Gates was elected to fill a vacancy in the executive board. The other members of the board are: Mrs. E. C. Erb. Mrs. Nels Tufvesson. Mrs. C. S. Dana and Helen Graham.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

LIVES OF LEADING MEN.

Principal Events in the Careers of Pioneers Who Have Now Passed Away-Biographies of Men Who Are Still Active in Business, Professional and Commercial Interests-Gathered with Care from Various Sources, Carefully Compiled and Submitted for Approval.

It has been said that the true history of any nation or locality lies in the biographies of its men and women. To a great extent this is true. In order that the principal events in the lives of the pioneers, and in the careers of the men still active in the af- fairs of the county, should not be forgotten by future generations the publishers of this work have gathered from various sources biographies of the leading men of the county, past and present, for insertion in this chapter. In the cities and villages the men whose lives are told are those prominent in professional, busi- ness and manufacturing endeavor, while in the farm districts the men included are those who by hard work have tilled the soil and by bringing their farms to a high degree of cultivation have laid the foundations for the prosperity of the county. It is be- lieved that the following list is a truly representative one, and that this chapter will stand for all time as a story of successful endeavor and an inspiration to countless generations to come, that they, too. like those whose stories follow, may make the best of the conditions in which they are placed, and however great the obstacles, become successful and respected citizens. The following sketches of living men have been submitted to the subjects of the sketches and have. with a very few exceptions, been corrected and approved. The sketches of the pioneers now deceased have been submitted to those best qualified to judge of their correctness. Many biographies not included in this list are found scattered through the various chapters in different parts of the book.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 70

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1264

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264