USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 72
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THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ROCHESTER was organized August 31, 1864, and was capitalized at $50,000. It was the out- growth of a private banking business conducted by John R. Cook in conjunction with merchandising. The stockholders were John R. Cook, Orlen P. Whitcomb, Salathial Olin, Samuel Geisinger and T. Henry Titus, and the first officers were: John R. Cook, presi- dent, and T. H. Titus, cashier. John R. Cook was one of the ablest financiers ever in Olmsted county. Under his wise direction the bank had an uninterrupted period of prosperity and built up a reputation for stability and soundness that has never in the least been shaken. Upon the death of Mr. Cook, in September, 1880, his widow, Mrs. Frances S. Cook, succeeded him as president, and she, in turn, was succeeded by their son, John R. Cook, named after his father, on January 9, 1883. The next and the present executive officer, Arthur C. Gooding, became president September 1, 1908. On November 9, 1870, by a vote of the directors, the capital stock was increased to $100,000. Walter Hurlbut succeeded Mr. Titus as cashier on May 1, 1871, and on January 18, 1892, his successor, T. H. McConnell, was inducted into the office. Mr. Hurlbut, who had resigned to fill an important banking position in Minneapolis, was re-elected cashier June 29, 1895, and occupied the position until he was succeeded by George B. Doty, the present "cashier of the First State Bank of Rochester. Edward F. Cook, the present cashier, was elected to succeed Mr. Doty on April 1, 1909. The First National Bank of Rochester is one of the foremost banking institutions of Minnesota. The statement issued March 29, 1910, is as follows :
RESOURCES.
Loans and Discounts $ 827,114.51
Overdrafts 5,707.86
United States Bonds. 30,000.00
Other Bonds and Securities
48,672.87
Real Estate 1,000.00
Due from United States Treasurer 2,000.00
Cash on hand and due from Banks 242,230.42
$1,156,725.66
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LIABILITIES.
Capital
$ 100,000.00
Surplus and Undivided Profits
51,860.25
Circulation
29,500.00
Deposits 975,365.41
$1,156,725.66
THE FIRST STATE BANK OF ROCHESTER was organized Septem- ber 1, 1909, and on October 4, 1909, opened its doors for business. The first officers and board of directors are the same as at present : Dr. A. W. Stinchfield, president; P. G. Heintz, vice president; George B. Doty, cashier; C. F. Dabelstein, assistant cashier. Di- rectors : A. W. Stinchfield, Christopher Graham, P. G. Heintz, F. W. Schuster, M. C. Lawler, George W. Granger and George B. Doty. This youngest bank at Rochester has outgrown its swad- dling clothes and bids fair to be second to none. Dr. Stinchfield, its president, is one of the oldest and best-known physicians and business men of the county, while George B. Doty, an ex-official of the county, comes with an enviable record from the First National Bank, where, as cashier, he succeeded in vastly increasing the vol- ume of business of that well-known financial institution. In the statement of the First State Bank, issued at the close of March, 1910, the following condition is shown:
RESOURCES.
Loans and Discounts
$295,366.95
Overdrafts
461.73
Bonds
950.00
Furniture and Fixtures
4,333.26
Cash and due from Banks
71,564.29
Total
$372,676.23
LIABILITIES.
Capital
$ 75,000.00
Undivided Profits
4,937.50
Deposits
292,738.73
Total
$372,676.23
EAST ST. OLAF'S CHURCH, at Rock Dell, was organized in 1856 by C. L. Clausen, and five years later L. Steen took charge of the
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congregation, and in 1868 commenced building the church, which was not completed until 1875. November 30, of that year, Rev. B. J. Muus, assisted by several other prominent Lutheran ministers, consecrated the church to the service of the Lord. Rev. A. C. Preus and Rev. Jensen have occupied the pulpit at various times, and since 1869 Rev. J. A. Thorsen has directed the affairs of the organization. The church was a well-built, handsome stone structure, seventy-six feet long and forty-four feet wide, exclusive of the steeple, which was sixteen feet by sixteen feet, and the vestry at the rear, which was sixteen feet by eighteen feet, and had a seating capacity suffi- cient for 700 persons. It was located on section 4, close to the south line of the town of Salem, and was very convenient for members living in that town. On September 17, 1907, this building was struck by lightning and was burned, the walls alone standing as a tribute to the substantial way in which they were constructed. Im- mediately, however, the members of Rev. Thorsen's congregation responded to his appeal, and a new building, costing $9,000, was erected and dedicated on November 10, 1908. The parish has pros- pered numerically and spiritually under the efficient guidance and teachings of Rev. Thorsen, and on their tract of sixty acres, aside from the church, is a school house, built by the congregation for a parochial school, and a burial place for the dead, known as East St. Olaf's Cemetery.
ST. JOHN'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, of Stewartville, was founded by Rev. J. C. S. Martin in 1892. He altered his ministrations between the Emanuel Church, of Pleasant Valley, Mower county, and St. John's, at Stewartville, and resided in the former parish. He was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Ruhl, and in 1907 Rev. H. F. C. Mueller, the first resident pastor, took charge. When he came there were but nineteen voting members and 125 souls, but his three years' pastorship has proved wonderfully bene- ficial, both as to increase in numbers and spiritual welfare, and the parish now consists of thirty-seven voting members and 267 souls. This shows a remarkable advance in so short a time. The average attendance is 126, equally distributed between the sexes. Rev. Mueller has also established a parochial school in connection with the church, teaching German and general German and religious training in the mornings, and English and all subjects usually taught at public schools in the afternoons five days in the week, beginning September I and ending the middle of May. The enroll- ment this year is expected to reach twenty-two pupils. In connec- tion with the church there is also a parsonage. Much good has been done in the community by this organization, and its success is due in no small degree to the efforts of the present pastor, Rev. H. F. C. Mueller.
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ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STEWARTVILLE
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UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH, ROCK DELL
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HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY
. THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AMERICA, located in Rock Dell township, was organized in 1889 by Ole Golberg, a former member of St. Olaf's Church, who withdrew from that organization owing to differences in belief. In 1890 the present church was erected, and, notwithstanding that it could not be duplicated for $6,000, it cost the congregation but $2,800 cash, as much of the ma- terial used was donated bymembers. There is also a good, substantial parsonage in connection with the church, worth in the neighborhood of $1,200. In years past various pastors have filled the pulpit. In 1891 Rev. R. Anderson came from Rochester to take charge of affairs, and remained three years, then removing to a larger field of usefulness in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he yet resides. For the succeeding two years the church had no regular pastor, but in 1896 Rev. Barikmore took charge and remained five years, poor health compelling him to resign and go South. His successor was Rev. Knute Carlson, who remained until 1909, when he was called to a field in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Rev. P. J. Lunde, the pres- ent pastor, next assumed charge, and under his able teachings and ministrations the congregation has prospered in numbers and spirit- - ual welfare. He is greatly beloved throughout his parish and has done much for the betterment of the community at large. The present officers of the organization are as follows: Nelse Golberg, secretary and treasurer; Martin Hopland, president, and T. O. Thorson, vice president.
In the fall of 1910 the city of Rochester voted bonds to the amount of $75,000 with which to erect a new high school building. Under Samuel C. Furlow, president of the Board of Education, the city will undoubtedly have a new high school building that will be a credit to all connected with it.
STEWARTVILLE, MINNESOTA, is one of the busiest little towns in the state. Everybody is prosperous, and the place is growing rapidly. It has first grade high school, excellent electric light plant, good system waterworks and sewers, five churches, two solid and well conducted banks, large flouring mill, fine lake and park, sub- stantial business blocks, beautiful residences and streets. It is located on Lake Florence, the most extensive body of water in south- eastern Minnesota, and this, together with its natural parks and scenic, beauty, makes it one of the most desirable resorts during the heated term of the summer months. It is surrounded by the most fertile and productive farming section in the state, and this, in con- nection with its excellent markets, shipping facilities and healthful location, makes it a most desirable place for a home or business.
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On Thursday afternoon, September 1, 1910, the Central School Building at Rochester, after forty years of usefulness, accidentally caught fire and was partially destroyed. Insurance was carried to the amount of $40,000, and the loss approximated $20,000. A new building is now in course of preparation, which, instead of four stories, as heretofore, will be a three-story structure of brick on the foundation of the old building.
In 1877, twenty-four Sisters of St. Francis, from St. Francis Convent, Joliet, Illinois, founded in Rochester, Minnesota, the Con- vent of Our Lady of Lourdes. Their object was to conduct educa- tional and charitable institutions in Minnesota and elsewhere, as their number and opportunities might permit. A novitiate was opened for the training of young ladies desiring to co-operate in their work. The congregation now numbers 241 members, who con- duct educational institutions in Minnesota, Ohio and Kentucky, and one. hospital-St. Mary's-in Rochester, Minnesota. A more ex- tended notice of this celebrated institution is given in another part of this work. The Mother House in Rochester is the residence of the general officers of the congregation. Connected with it is an Academy, affording the usual academic courses in letters, science and art; a Normal School for teachers belonging to the sisterhood, and a Novitiate for the training of new members of the Institute. About forty Sisters reside in the Mother House. The number of pupils in the Academy during the year 1909-10 was 302.
The mother church of the Catholics in Olmsted county is St. Bridget's, organized in Pleasant Grove township in 1859, by Father Pendergast, then stationed at Winona. Father O'Gorman suc- ceeded him and organized St. Mathew's Temperance Society, which has been in existence ever since. It would be difficult to state the good this organization has done the county. Hundreds of men- citizens of the county-have been made better through its influences -not only within the ranks of the Catholic church, but in every walk of life within the county's borders. Particularly were the male members years ago of St. Bridget's Church benefited. Many at the outset were "hard drinkers," but the influences of the society made teetotalers out of many of them and largely checked and controlled the use of ardent spirits. The resident priest at the present time is Rev. Stephen J. Condron.
The Daily Bulletin of October 13, 1910, said: "From the present outlook on the financial side of the 1910 Olmsted County School Fair, the exposition cost in round figures over $5,000. This means that, in order to cover the expense, over 20,000 paid admissions must have been received. The actual figures of the receipts show
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that the total amount of money taken in at the gate was nearly $3,000. About $400 was received for the concession privileges, thanks to O. V. Hanson's managing abilities. Five hundred dollars agricultural aid was received from the state. The county board paid $400 for the rental of the fair grounds. Twenty-five dollars was . donated by Rochester township, making the entire gross receipts total about $4,325. Of this amount, nearly $1,800 was paid out in premiums. The races and other amusements and free attractions cost over $1,000, and the permanent improvements made on the grounds amounted to $800."
In September, 1910, the following communication was presented : To the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Rochester:
Realizing the need of a suitable place for outdoor sports, recrea- tions and civic exhibitions, we, the undersigned, propose to give to the City of Rochester the plat of land which lies east of the river, between Fifth street and the Chicago & Northwestern Railway bridge, and which is more minutely described in document herewith attached, as an addition to Mayo Park, to be known as the Mayo Field. The purposes for which this Field shall be used are to be controlled by a committee of three, to be known as the Athletic Board.
It is the intention of the donors that preference shall be given to the national game-baseball. In addition to the use of the Field for baseball and other sports, it may be used for school and agri- cultural fairs, encampments, Chautauqua meetings, and for the various organizations which may desire it.
The Field shall be free to the citizens of Rochester upon payment of such an amount as will maintain its up-keep and restore such damage as may occur incidental to its use.
W. J. AND C. H. MAYO.
Mayor Thompson appointed the following commissioners to have charge of the tract of land on the east side of the Zumbro river, formerly known as Riverside Park, but by common consent renamed Mayo Field : Thomas Spillane, for six years; Dr. Louis B. Wilson, for four years; Arthur L. Roberts, for two years. These commis- sioners took oath to faithfully administer the trust imposed in ac- cordance with the deed given to the city by the donors. The selec- tion of the mayor was approved. He chose representative men- men who stood for all that is best in athletics, and had a knowledge of the needs of the rising generation. Mr. Spillane's legal knowl- edge, Dr. Wilson's appreciation of the physical training and devel- opment the youth requires, and Mr. Roberts' business judgment and interest in sports made a trio that was most acceptable to the men who made the gift to the city.
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HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY
MUNICIPAL ELECTION (ROCHESTER), MARCH 10, 1908.
George J. Stevens (R.), Alderman at Large.
George T. Joyce (D.), Alderman, First Ward.
L. A. Orr (R.), Alderman, Second Ward, for two years.
W. F. Reidell (R.), Alderman, Second Ward, for one year.
N. C. Pollock (R.), Alderman, Third Ward.
W. H. Hendricks (D.), Treasurer.
E. F. Cook (R.), Assessor.
A. C. Gooding (R.), School Commissioner at Large.
C. M. Johnson (R.), School Commissioner, Third Ward.
Thomas Schacht (R.), City Judge.
J. W. Soule (R.), Justice of the Peace.
ELECTION RESULTS, NOVEMBER 3, 1908, OLMSTED COUNTY.
Kerry Conley (R.), Representative.
Mat Fitzpatrick (D.), Representative.
William H. Mitchell (R.), Sheriff.
George J. Allen (R.), County Attorney.
J. W. Flathers (R.), County Commissioner, First District.
J. A. Clason (R.), County Commissioner, Fifth District.
S. H. Brown (R.), County Commissioner, Third District.
William F. Schmidt, (D.), County Commissioner, Fourth Dis- trict.
T. L. Phelps (R.), County Auditor.
John J. Fulkerson (R.), Treasurer.
Walter Eckholdt (R.), Register of Deeds.
George F. Howard (R.), County Superintendent of Schools.
Henry O. Christensen (D.), Judge of Probate Court.
F. R. Mosse (R.), Coroner.
Charles H. Armstrong (R.), Surveyor.
For President, Taft beat Bryan 851 votes; for Governor, John- son (D.) beat Jacobson 133 votes.
MARCH 9, 1909.
J. C. Thompson (R.), Mayor.
S. C. Furlow (D.), School Commissioner at Large.
Thomas P. Hall (R.), Treasurer.
James Kelly (R.), Assessor.
F. D. Rommel (D.), Alderman, First Ward.
W. F. Reidell (R.), Alderman, Second Ward.
Ellis Bratager (R.). School Commissioner, First Ward.
Charles H. Elliott (D.), School Commissioner, Second Ward.
C. M. Johnson (R.) and W. F. Lenz (D.) were tied for Alder- man of the Third Ward, each having received 163 votes. A recount
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HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY
was made, and Mr. Johnson was declared elected, he having received 165 votes and Mr. Lenz 162.
Since 1858 the following named persons, in consecutive order, have served as Mayor of Rochester :
M. W. Fay.
Dr. W. W. Mayo.
F. A. Olds.
Samuel Whitten (two terms).
W. D. Hurlbut.
O. S. Porter (two terms).
John Clark.
A. Nelson (two terms).
L. B. Bliss.
O. S. Porter.
Abram Ozmun.
D. Darling (two terms).
J. V. Daniels.
O. P. Stearns.
L. B. Bliss.
Dr. W. A. Allen.
Dr. H. H. Witherstine.
Daniel Heaney.
Burt W. Eaton.
O. P. Whitcomb.
J. A. Melone.
G. W. Van Dusen.
Dr. E. L. Sinclair (two terms).
D. H. Williams (two terms). A. C. Stevenson.
D. A. Morrison (three terms).
Martin Heffron.
D. H. Williams.
Julius J. Reiter.
L. E. Cowdrey.
J. C. Thompson.
Samuel Whitten (two terms).
The following is from the Rochester Democrat of September 13, 1910: "The primary election contest of September 20 will go down in history as one of the greatest that Olmsted county can remember. The Democratic vote was light, as there was no contest in that party for any office. With the Republicans it was different. With a few exceptions, there were exciting contests for all offices. Chief among these is that of Congressman.
"Sydney Anderson won over James A. Tawney by 3,000 plural- ity. Winona and Lanesboro met in a head-on collision, and the man who has been returned to Washington for eighteen years has for the first time tasted the bitterness of defeat. A lawyer from a back- woods town has risen up and downed one of the best-known men in America, the potential candidate for the Speaker of the House of Representatives. And all because he got out of touch with the people he was sent to represent.
"Credit must be given to Thomas Fraser, of Rochester, who has practically been Mr. Anderson's campaign manager, and untiring in his efforts to defeat Mr. Tawney both in Olmsted county and in the district.
"Scarcely less interesting was the contest for State Senator. Mr. Stebbins is one of Rochester's most public-spirited citizens, always
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Dr. H. H. Witherstine (three terms).
F. T. Olds.
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willing to go out of his way to help Rochester, and it hurt many of his friends to have him singled out as a target for those who believe in county option as the best remedy for liquor problems. Mr. Spencer was the avowed county option candidate, but his defeat was not due so much to opposition to that cause as to friendship for Mr. Stebbins under fire. W. W. Parkinson, of Pleasant Grove, was running on the Prohibition ticket, but a very small vote was cast.
"There were three candidates for Representative who made a neck-and-neck race, Conley and Hoffman pulling down the honors, with M. F. Doty, of Eyota, not far behind. Mr. Conley has served one term in the State Legislature, and his course has been straight- forward, as even his most bitter adversaries admit. Mr. Doty is a man of fine character and ability, but he could not overcome the opposition. A. J. Schoby received scattering votes as candidate on the Prohibition ticket, he standing squarely for that principle.
"Four picturesque runs were made by four county officers hold- ing down the north half of the Court House. The Republican majority registered their wish to retain the present incumbents without an exception, and not to try new candidates. County Auditor T. L. Phelps, Treasurer John Fulkerson, Register Walter Eckholdt and Clerk of Court George Hanson are again in the run- ning for the seats they have adorned the past terms.
"To succeed Judge Christensen, who retires from the Probate Court, M. D. Halloran, of the city, and John L. Brin, of Stewart- ville, aspired. The latter, though a young man and not well known, made a spectacular race and finished with a healthy plurality.
"Now the forces are lined up. The Republicans have yet an- other election contest to face. By virtue of our primary election system, the winners have but gone half way. They must now gird their loins for the election of November.
"The following is a complete list of all the candidates who have been nominated :
'REPUBLICAN.
"Senator -- A. T. Stebbins.
"Representative-Kerry E. Conley.
"Representative-Henry A. Hoffman.
"Auditor-T. L. Phelps.
"Treasurer-John J. Fulkerson.
"Clerk of Court-George S. Hannon.
"Register of Deeds-Walter Eckholdt.
"Judge of Probate-John L. Brin.
"Superintendent of Schools-W. L. Mercer.
"Sheriff-William H. Mitchell.
"County Attorney-George J. Allen.
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"Coroner-Dr. J. E. Crewe.
"County Commissioner, Second District-H. I'. Christensen.
"County Commissioner, Fourth District-J. C. Bierbaum.
"DEMOCRAT.
"Senator-J. I. Vermilya.
"Representative-Jacob Leqve.
"Representative-Matt Fitzpatrick.
"County Auditor-Fred D. Rommel.
"Register of Deeds-J. Frank Kennedy.
"Judge of Probate-P. J. Scanlan.
"Superintendent of Schools-William Brainerd.
"County Commissioner, Fourth District-William F. Schmidt.
"County Commissioner, Second District-William G. Roeder.
"PROHIBITIONIST.
"Senator-W. W. Parkinson.
"Representative-A. J. Schoby."
The Rochester Bulletin of October 28, 1910, said: "Olmsted county schools are in a flourishing condition, both financially and otherwise. The total enrollment of the county schools, both graded and district, is 4,940 pupils. One hundred and forty school houses are located within the boundaries which, in connection with the sites. are valued at $355,200. The apparatus, seats and desks are assessed at $26,905. The increase over last year in number of libraries deserves special mention. Twenty thousand books are in use for the young men and women in the Olmsted county schools. The value of these many libraries amounts to nearly $12,000. Because of the dry season just passed, no trees were planted by the districts. The indebtedness of educational institutions in the county is about $7,000. The following is an account of the money received by the county for school and the amount of expenditures paid out during the last fiscal school year :
RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand.
Graded. $21,085.15
Common. $17.378.17
Apportionment
9.916.69
12.943.56
Special taxes
50,046.05
35.223.72
One mill tax.
3,227.88
7.985. IT
Special state aid
7,665.00
10.212.04
All sources
4,195.53
3,705.10
$96,136.30
$87.447.70
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EXPENDITURES.
Teachers' wages
$44,675.81
$46,965.07
Fuel and school supplies
5,089.18
5,458.75
Repairs and improvements
6,868.38
3,557.15
Houses and sites
5,126.25
1,321.31
Bonds and interest
1,420.85
1,560.31
Library books
166.84
511.90
Text books
949.71
962.28
Apparatus
360.65
1,070.72
Transportation of pupils
437.00
All other purposes
8,068.74
5,299.40
Cash on hand
23,409.89
20,303.81
$96,136.30
$87,447.70
At the town elections in March, 1909, the following townships voted thus :
Eyota township, $400 for general purposes; $800 for good roads and bridges.
Rochester township, $700 for general purposes; $1,300 for good roads and bridges.
Haverhill township, $400 for general purposes; $800 for good roads and bridges.
Viola township, $800 for general purposes; $800 for good roads and bridges.
High Forest township, $300 for general purposes; $1,000 for good roads and bridges.
At the same election the following officers were chosen: At Byron-J. L. Troth, Chairman, R. A. Tubbs, C. D. Root, Council ; Charles J. Webb, Clerk; W. A. Rickert, Assessor; J. D. Cutting, Treasurer : Frank Allard, Justice ; Ed Briggs, Constable.
At Dover-E. T. Rank, President, L. A. Groby, A. A. Dale. F. C. Bush, Councilmen; D. M. Robertson, Clerk; F. J. Cotterell, Assessor ; H. Brown, Treasurer; D. W. Drake, Forest Henry, Jus- tices; E. L. Davis, G. R. Busian, Constables.
At Stewartville-A. O. Anderson, President, E. J. Stoyke, J. J. Aupperle, T. Erickson, Councilmen; C. F. Cutting, Clerk; M. E. Murphy, Assessor; W. E. Smith, Treasurer; George Wilkins, Justice ; Lewis Crumb, Constable.
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