USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 74
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The Citizens Bank was organized November Ist, 1876, with a capital of $50,000. The bank is located corner of Washington Avenue and Fifth Avenue south, where it has had a pros- perons business since the inauguration of the enterprise. The officers are: N. F. Griswold, president; Joseph II. Clark, vice-president, and
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
George B. Shepherd, cashier. The greater part of the stock is held In citizens of Minneapolis.
PRIVATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
The Bank of Minneapolis was established in 1867. by Thomas W. Wilson and Erastus Byers. and is the only bank in Minneapolis that has conducted business since Js67. without change in name or management. The bank first oreu- pied a room in the old post-office building, with Mr. Wilson. president. and Mr. Byers, cashier. They subsequently moved to the Nicollet House Dock. their present location. The death of Mr. Byers in June. Isso. caused no change in the management. since Mrs. Byers retains the inter- est held by her late husband. Mr. Wilson di- recting affairs as before. A general banking and collection business is transacted.
V. G. Bush. This bank was established by V. G. Bush in Ists. located in the Pence block. cor- per of Nicollet Avenue and Second street. Mr. HJush was interested in the City Bank at its es- tablishment and when that was made a stock bank. withdrew and founded a private bank. He transarts a general banking business and deals in commercial paper. being one of the largest dealers in the state. Mr. Hush has been a resident of Minneapolis fourteen years, eleven of which he has passed in banking. The business has been successful from the start. and for the past year or two has doubled each year. Mr. A. B. Hush occupies the position of cashier in this bank.
The Commercial Bank was established in February. 1680, and although its experience has been short, enjoys a flattering degree of prosperity, occupying the bank building on the East side, corner of Central Avenne and Main street. Davison and Dean, the proprietors, have had a long experience m banking. Robert A. Davison was with the First National Bank, Cedar Rapids, lowa. from the time of its organization. John Dean, a native of this city, has been favora- Is known in connection with the Security Bank from the date of its organization until he became Identified with the "Commercial." They do a general banking business, paying special atten- hơn to kann chy and farm property and in- Vesti1st wu. This is the only bank on the East Side and enjoys the confidence of all the business men of that portion of the city.
Minneapolis Clearing House. The Minneapolis Clearing House was organized January Ist, 1881. and has its place of business in the basement of the Security Bank building. Though recently es- taldished, its operation has proved valuable and satisfactory to the banks concerned. AH banks in the city. excepting the First National. belong to its membership. The officers are : president. J. Dean. cashier of the Security Bank : manager. W. E. Burwell. assistant cashier of the North- western National Bank : directors, J. M. Will- iams, cashier of Merchants National bank, Chas. Med. Reeve, assistant cashier of City Bank, T. W. Wilson, president of Bank of Minneapolis, G. B. Shepherd, cashier of Citizens Bank. V. G. Hush, private banker. Meetings are subject to call of the manager.
THE BOARD OF TRADE OF MINNEAPOLIS.
The Board of Trade of the city of Minneapolis was organized by W. D. Washburn, Il. T. Welles, Richard Chute. John Potts Brown. A. B. Barton. J. S. Walker. E. W. Herrick, Jacob Stone Jr., and W. W. McNair, who associated themselves together October 30th, 1872. as a body corporate under the above name. " The purpose of the as- sociation is to facilitate and promote the commer- cial. mercantile, and manufacturing interests of the city of Minneapolis; to encourage just and equitable principles of trade, and uniformity in the commercial usages of the city: to acquire. preserve and disseminate valuable business in- formation : to adjust controversies and misunder- standings that may occur between parties en- gaged in trade, and to advance the general pros- perity of the city of Minneapolis." The first an- unal report of the association was made in 1876, since which time a daily record of business has been kept. The present officers are : George A. J'illsbury, president ; Samuel C. Gale, vice-presi- dent ; F. W. Brook, second vice-president ; C. C. Sturtevant. secretary ; Valentine G. Hush, treas- urer: N. W. Yerxa, grain inspector.
RAILROADS.
From the arrival of the " Anthony Wayne." the first steamboat at the falls, April 13th. 1550, with Gov. Alexander Ramsey and other distin- guished persons on board. to the present time, the "Common Carrier " by land and water has been intimately associated with every step in the prog-
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RAILROADS.
ress of this city. Steamboats and stages carried the mails. merchandise and limited products of the pioneer. These were looked upon with par- donable pride as a great advance from the days of the uncertain voyageur, or the half-breed courier, pursuing his course through the trackless forests.
The first Minnesota railroad, opened for traffic, was the St. Paul and Pacific, June 28th, 1862, on the line commenced by the Minnesota and Paci- fic Railroad Company, which was chartered May 22d, 1857, as a land grant road. This road was only ten miles in length, extending from St. Paul to St. Anthony, and had its terminus and depot near the foot of Central Avenue, running thence along the river bank, and striking the present line near the University. Upon the completion of the proposed union depot and iron railroad bridge, much of this ground will be again devot- ed to railroad use.
The branch line was completed to Anoka, Jannary, 1864, and in the fall of 1867, to Sank Rapids. In the winter of 1866 and 1867, a bridge was built and a depot located on the west side. Cars by this line were run into Minneapolis the latter part of March, following, and to Wayzata the same year. December 31st, 1868, the road was completed to Howard Lake. E. F. Drake was contractor for the first ten miles, and Edmund Rice was president at that time. J. P. Farley operated the road for some years, as general man- ager and receiver.
The St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Rail- way Company, organized in 1879, with George Stephen, president; R. B. Angus, vice-president; and J. J. Hill, general manager, now owns and operates these and other roads. A branch to Osseo is in process of construction.
The next road, in point of time, operated from Minneapolis, was that now known as the Towa and Minnesota Division of the Chicago, Milwau- kee and St. Paul. the first record of which is a charter, dated March Ist. 1856, to the Minneapo- lis and Cedar Valley Railroad Company, organ- ized October 9, 1860. Name changed March 6, 1863, to Minnesota Central Railroad Company. This company built and operated the road and re- ceived the land grant. August 5th, 1867, the main part of the line was transferred to the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company
and on February 15th. the eleven miles south of Austin was sold to the same corporation. By the terms of the sale, the Minnesota Central Com- pany continue to own the lands granted to aid in construeting the road. All Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul trains to St. Paul and Chicago, were formerly run over this road as far as Mendota but during the year 1880, a double track short line to St. Paul was constructed. This road erosses the Mississippi at Meeker's Island, three miles below the falls, on a magnificent iron bridge, and was opened for passenger traffic from September 6th to the 11th, and November 20th it was per- manently opened for business. The same year a "ent-off," extending thirty miles south-west, to connect with the Hastings and Dakota Railroad, was built. Extensive shops, employing four hundred men, and round-house, are located at South Minneapolis. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Company generally own and run their own sleeping cars. The express business is done by the American and United States express companies, but no concessions are made to fast freight lines.
The Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway origi- nated in a charter by the legislature of the Terri- tory of Minnesota March 3d, 1853, as the Minne- sota Western Railroad Company, to build from some point on the St. Croix river to St. Panl and St. Anthony, thence across the Mississippi river to the western boundary of the state. The name of the corporation was changed by vote of the board of directors, May 27th, 1870, to the Min- neapolis and St. Louis Railway Company, and in 1871, twenty-seven miles were finished to Merriam Jumetion. The road was completed to Albert Lea, 108 miles November, 1877. This company never had any land grant, but recieved $250,000 in bonds from the city of Minneapolis. They have a permament lease of the Minneapolis and Duluth Railroad, and a lease for use of track from the St. Paul and Duluth Company. The general offices and shops are located at Minneapolis. Work was commenced on the Minneapolis and Duluth Road April. 1871, and August 15th it was opened for traffic.
The Northern Pacific Railroad Company, char- tered by congress July 2d, 1864, re-organized September 29th, 1875, have no road to this place, but run their trains and do a regular business in
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
connection with their main line by a lease for ninety-nine years of the Western Railroad of Minnesota, 60,5 miles, and a permanent contract with the St. Paul. Minneapolis and Manitoba Company for the use of their track from St. Paul to Sauk Rapids, 75.5 miles, paying for this privi- Jegr $40,000 per amuun, and a portion of expen- ses. The Northern Pacific Company do their own express and sleeping-ear business.
The Chicago, St. Paul. Minneapolis and Oma- ha Company have a freight depot and extensive yards at the foot of Fourth Avenue north. re- ceiving and sending ears over the Manitoba line. having no road in Hennepin county.
The Minneapolis and Eastern Railroad was in- corporated June, 1878. and completed in the spring of 1879. It is used jointly by the Chicago. Milwaukee and St. Paul and Chicago. St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha companies for switching and running cars to and from the mills. Cost. $175.000. for about two miles of track.
The Lyndale Railway Company was organ- ized as a stock company under the general laws of the state, the object being the construc- tion and management of a suburban excursion line. The company was incorporated in June, 1×78, with a capital stork of one hundred thousand dollars. They secured the right of way. and May 19th. 1579. commenced the con- struction of the line. June 26th. a little more than one month after the commencement of op- erations, trains were running regularly to Lake Calhoun. a distance of four miles from the term- inus in Minneapolis. During the first year, over three hundred thousand people were carried over this line, and in Isso the number reached three hundred and seventy-five thousand. June. 1850. the line was extended to Lake Harriet. The same company run a steamer on Lake Calhoun in connection with the Lyndale line. The line is eunique with six passenger cars, three that cars, and two motors, operating four and a half miles of road. all cars being furnished with the Eames Vacuum brake. At Lake Calhoun are sheds for the cars and motors when not in nse. also cottages for the employees and their families. Trains start frion the terminus, corner of Hennepin Av- enue and First street, and from the corner of Washington and First Avenues south, making trips regularly every hour and a half. Business offices
of the company are located over the Northwestern National Bank. So great is the eare taken in the management of the road. that there has never been an accident. Property along the whole line has greatly advanced in value, and no streets in the city show more new buildings than those which the Lyndale road follows. The Minnea- polis and Lake Park Railway is projected, and will be in operation Angust Ist. ISS]. This line extends from Minneapolis to Excelsior and Lake Park. and will be operated in connection with the Lyndale road. The officers of the road are as follows: C. W. MeCrory, president; R. S. Innes, secretary; S. E. Neiler, treasurer.
The Minneapolis Street Railway was incorpo- ated June 21th, 1873; incorporators, D. Morri- son, R. J. Mendenhall. W. W. Eastman, W. D. Washburn, W. P. Westfall, R. B. Langdon, William S. King. J. C. Oswald. W. W. Me- Nair. Paris Gibson. September 2d, 1875, the road was opened for travel and the first car started. The first officers were Philo Osgood. president; Thomas Lowry, viee-presi- dent: William S. King, secretary; James Tueker- man. treasurer and superintendent. The com- pany have at present eleven and a half miles of track, twenty-one ears and 150 horses, giving em- ployment to about one hundred men. Plans are made for about eleven miles of additional track. with corresponding increase of cars and horses. during the coming season. The present officers of the company are Thomas Lowry. president; Clinton Morrison, vice-president: C. G. Goodrich Jr .. secretary: W. W. Herrick, treasurer; D. At- wood, superintendent.
INSURANCE COMPANIES.
The Minnesota Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Association. The incorporators of this associa- tion were. J. P. Plummer, R. J. Mendenhall, A. Chambers, E. W. Grindall, J. A. Coleman, H. II. Smith and W. W. Woodward. The organization was perfected July 15th, 1865, and incorporated under the laws of the state. The present assets amount to $151.188,61 ; receipts for 1880. $38,- 110.36; expenses $29,235.13: liabilities $15.310.39. This is exclusively a farmers insurance company. and its officers and members are scattered throughout the state. Officers: J.Q. Farmer, presi- dent; Ole Peterson, vice-president; W. A. Nim-
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INSURANCE COMPANIES.
oeks; secretary; C. A. Nimocks, deputy secretary; C. MeC. Reeve, treasurer.
Millers and Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company of Minneapolis. This company was organized and incorporated under the laws of the state in Febuary, 1881, with the following officers : E. V. White, president: 11. M. Carpen- ter, vice-president; V. G. Hush, treasurer; C. B. Shove, secretary; directors : E. V. White, II. M. Carpenter, James A. Lovejoy, D. M. Gilmore, E. R. Barber, C. J. Martin, R. P. Russell, Charles E. Holt, V. G. Hush, C. B. Shove, D. M. Sabin, W. P. Brown, George W. Newell, Jolm T. Ames. HI. G. Page.
The Masonic Mutual Aid Association. This association was incorporated June 16th, 1877, and the following were its officers: J. II. Thomp- son, president ; Charles Reeve, treasurer ; E. A. Gove, secretary; A. II. Salisbury, M. D., medical director. The purpose is to provide for the pay- ment of a sum of money to the widow, children mother or assigns of deceased members. The sum paid is levied on the surviving members in accord- ance with by-laws, which distribute the amounts to be raised equitably among the surviving mem- bers. The present officers of the company are: J. H. Thompson, president ; D. M. Goodwin, vice- president ; Charles Reeve, treasurer ; E. MeDer- mott, secretary; A. H. Salisbury, medical ex- aminer.
Firemen's Life Association of the State of Minnesota. This institution was organized and incorporated February 2d, 1876, for the purpose of furnishing life insurance to the members of fire departments throughout the state of Minnesota, and is a mutual benefit association. The board of directors consists of one for every twenty mem- bers. The election of officers oceurs annually. The board meets at their office. corner of Second street and Third Avenue north, on the second Tuesday in each month. Officers: R. O. Strong, president ; W. M. Brackett, secretary; Frank Brewer, treasurer,
The Widows' and Orphans' Protective Associa- tion. This association was organized November 16th, 1879, and incorporated under the general laws of the state. The purpose of the association is indicated by its name and it conducts its busi- ness in accordance with mutual principles, mak- ing assessments, upon the death of members, in
aeeordance with the terms of certificates issued. The membership is rapidly increasing; no deaths among its members have yet occurred. Officers: C. A. Pillsbury. president : O. C. Merriman, viee- president ; E. MeDermott, secretary; Charles Reeve, treasurer ; A. Il. Salsibury, M. D., medi- cal director ; P. M. Babeock, attorney.
The North-western Relief Association. The first meeting for the organization of the North- western Relief Association was held April 28th, 1880, when articles of association were approved. April 30th, following, the organization was per- fected and incorporated under the general laws of the state of Minnesota. The affairs of the association are under the control of a board of nine direetors. The objects of the association are mutual aid to families of deceased mem- bers and mutual aid to members in physical dis- tress, furnishing insurance at as near actual cost as possible. The officers at present are: C. M. Loring, president ; A. C. Rand, vice president ; R. W. Laing, secretary; C. McC. Reeve, treas- urer; L. Loring, acting manager; W. D. Law- rence, medical director.
CHAPTER LXVIII.
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES -- LOAN ASSOCIATIONS-MILITARY COMPANIES -AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-MEDICAL SOCIE- TIES-ATHENAEUM.
When the North-western Telegraph Company first projected its lines to Minneapolis, it opened its office in St. Anthony, and afterward in a room over R. J. Baldwin's bank on bridge Square. In February, 1866, L. C. Robertson took charge of the business, in Dayton's block, now St. James hotel, in a room also occupied by the Minnesota Central Railway Company. At this time the company seriously contemplated closing the office as unprofitable, the monthly receipts being only $140. The commercial and railroad business was transacted over one line, in one oflice, and required but one operator, and no messenger
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
boys. The line extended from St. Paul to Fari- bault, via Minneapolis. When the Minnesota Central Railway built their depot in 1868. they provided rooms for general offices, and the rail- road and commercial telegraph business were separated. the latter going into the Warner block. opposite the Nicollet. and thence into the city hall building, where it now remains. Here are em- ployed eleven operators, two chiefs and the man- ager. The company's lines extend all over the north-west. and the receipts of this office for one month in 1850. were $1,700.
Telephones were first introduced in this state in 1877. by R. I. Hankinson, who had been ap- pointed exclusive agent of the Bell Telephone Company for Minnesota and Dakota. The first line built was that of the Monitor Plow Works, connecting the factory and offices. In December, 1676. Mr. Hankinson organized the Northwestern Telephone Exchange Company, which immedi- ately established the exchange at Minneapolis and st. Panl. and opened in March following with tifty-three subscribers in Minneapolis and thirty- seven in St. Paul. The first officers elected were: John Watson, president : R. I. Hankinson. vice- president and general manager : F. B. Jilson. ser- rotary : 1. M. Towne, treasurer. The present officers are : 11. M. Carpenter, president : Jom Watson. vice-president and general manager : F. B. Tilson, secretary : 6. 1. Prior, treasurer : L. M. Towne, auditor. During 1850. exchanges were established in Stillwater. Winona and Du- Inth, and others will be started during the pres- ent season. The number of subscribers in Min- in Hennepin county 1,000 instruments are in use. In Minnesota and Dakota 2,200 are used, and the number is constantly increasing.
Hommepin County Catholic Building and Loan Association. limited to twenty years, was incor- prorated August 14th. 1871. The object is to ar- cumulate a fund from the savings of its members with which to purchase real estate. build residen- ces, mal invest in such other channels as may be dermed advisable. The first issue of stock was hunted to 1,500 shares, payable in monthly in- Ntallinents of $1.05; this number has been increased to 2.206. The original officers were: president, Matthew Wall; secretary. 1. 1. Toner; treasurer. J. F. O'Neill; managers for a
term of five years. M. W. Glenn, B. MeElroy and P. J. Callaghan: for two years, John Fewer, M. Kennedy and M. W. Nash; for one year, MI. Hoy. Stephen Cody and W. E. Nannary. Meet- ings began August 20th. 1874. and are held on the first Thursday after the 15th day of each month, until every share shall end and be deter- mined. The present officers are: M. Walsh. president: John MeGovern. first vice-president; John Fewer, second vice-president: Peter Me- Cormick. secretary: J. C. Seallon, assistant secre- tary. Wm. MeMullen, treasurer; managers. first section. M. W. Nash. John Fewer and John Hlayes: second section. Michael More. James Cullen and J. C. Scallon: third section. J. P. Courtney, B. Monso and Thomas Mulcaley: stew- ards. J. Lahly. James Sweeny and John MeEl- roy: attorney, J. T. Burns.
Mechanics' and Workingmen's Loan and Build- ing Association. organized September 7th, 1874. The price per share of the stock is $200, and when it started five hundred were immediately taken. In February the number of shares taken was 1,- 250. The association now issues semi-annual series of shares. in March and September. This corpora- tion has for its object the investment in lands and residences, of the savings of its members. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month. in the board of trade rooms in the city hall. The present officers are. president, S. L. Brearly; secretary, O. M. Laraway: treasurer. F. S. MeDonald: attorney, Charles Robinson. The managers are. W. H. Stickney, C. N. Boardman. F. M. Dunn, Ralph Bees, W. M. Tweedie, Selah Matthews, A. J. Hart. John Walker and J. J. Jeffery.
The Minneapolis Mutual Benefit Building As- sociation was incorporated in January, 1871. for the accumulation of a fund. by the savings of the members, for purchasing of real estate and build- ing of residences and such other investments as may be decided upon. The capital stock was first fived at 2,500 shares, with power to increase the same from time to time. The first meeting i was held on January 31st, and the regular meet- ings have been held every fourth Saturday since. The present officers are president, R. E. Grimshaw : secretary, W. P. Northway ; treasurer, O. M. Laraway : attorney. G. W. Chowen.
The Turners' Building Association was organ-
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MILITARY COMPANIES.
ized in September, 1877, held their first meeting October 5th, and filed their articles of incorpora- tion, October 10th, following. The first officers were, George Thele, president; Ilerman Hein, vice- president ; J. Monasch, secretary : William Mas- solt, treasurer; Anton Grethen, attorney. The first issue of stock amounted to 868 shares; since then four series have been made, amounting in all to 3,440 shares. 670 of which have been with- drawn.
MINING COMPANIES.
The Bristol Silver Mining Company was or- ganized December 2d, 1879, with a capital of $50,000, and the first officers were George II. Keith, president; Frank A. Lewis, vice-presi- dent; R. J. Baldwin, secretary and treasurer. The capital has been increased to $200,000, and the officers are unchanged excepting secretary and treasurer, who now are F. Hughes and W. D. Ilale. . The mines are in Lincoln county. Ne- vada.
The Lincoln Mining Company was organized in October, ISSO, with a capital of $250,000. The mines are in Lincoln county, Nevada. The officers are Wm. Windom, president; C. C. Jones, vice-president; H. M. Goodhue, secretary; R. S. Jones, treasurer; G. J. Goodhue, manager.
The Arizona Northern Mining Company was organized in March, 1880, with a capital of $70,- 000. They own the "Cerbat," "Connor" and "Snowflake" mines in Mohave county, Arizona, and are rapidly developing them. The otlicers are: Anthony Kelly, president; R. J. Baldwin, secretary; T. S. King, assistant secretary; J. K. Sidle, treasurer.
The Minneapolis Gas Light Company was or- ganized February 24th, 1870, with D. Morrison, president ; W. P. Westfall, treasurer; George II. Rust, Secretary ; and a board of directors con- sisting of D. Morrison, W. P. Westfall, Il. S. Southard, S. C. Gale and F. S. Gilson. The com- pany has continually extended its gas mains, and now has twenty-five miles laid in the various streets of the city. The present officers are : A. C. Rand, president; II. W. Brown, superin- tendent ; A. T. Rand, secretary. The office is at No. 413 Nicollet Avenue.
The North-western Globe Gaslight Company was incorporated in 1877, with a capital of $100,- 000. Its object is to light private grounds and 28
streets with gasoline. The business is extensive, sixty per cent. of the city being lighted by this process. The officers are Dorilus Morrison, president; A. M. Reid, vice president ; S. A. Ilarris, secretary and treasurer, G. A. March, general manager. The directors are D. Morri- son, A. M. Reid, S. A. Harris, W. W. McNair and G. A. Mareh.
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