USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 45
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In 1911 R. J. Angus was succeeded in the chair by C. M. Hunt, and in the following year, G. W. Frankberg assumed the exalted ruler's station. Mr. Hunt took up the duties of secretary of the lodge, in which position he has been so successful that he is likely to develop into permanent secre- tary. Both he and George Frankberg deserve special mention as having performed yeoman's service in advancing at all times the interests of the lodge and of the order. Since that time, the exalted ruler's station has been filled by George W. Harris, Henry G. Dahl and D. M. Brown, and they too have filled the position with credit to themselves and honor to the lodge.
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Fergus Falls Lodge No. 1003 now ranks as the fifth largest in the state, being outnumbered only by the Twin City lodges, Duluth and Mankato, all of which are old established lodges. In 1912 Fergus Falls lodge enter- tained the State Association and many compliments were accorded from the membership throughout the state on the cordial welcome extended to the visiting brothers and ladies on that occasion. Fergus Falls lodge has a splendid territory from which to draw its membership, and there is every prospect that it will maintain its position as one of the best lodges in the state.
ROYAL ARCANUM.
Fergus Falls Council No. 1529, Royal Arcanum, was instituted, Sep- tember 1, 1893, by the following charter members: G. O. Welch, R. F. Kumler, H. Meads, J. H. Stauffer, C. L. Hilton, E. C. Heard, T. N. McLean, F. J. Evans, W. T. Duncan, E. N. Littlejohn, C. R. Jackson, J. H. Grass, J. A. Brown, I .. Trensdell, F. H. Gray, William McLaughlin, C. H. Allen, A. E. Weatherton, F. L. Waters, S. C. Strand. M. R. Curry and F. G. Dumble.
The first officers were: J. A. Brown, regent; F. G. Dumble, vice- regent; G. O. Welch, orator; C. L. Hilton, past regent ; F. Truesdell, secre- tary; A. E. Weatherston, collector ; J. H. Grass, treasurer; W. T. Duncan, chaplain; R. F. Kumler, guide; E. C. Heard, warden; E. N. Littlejohn, sentry ; T. N. McLean, C. R. Jackson and H. Meade, trustees. The present officers are: F. L. Waters, regent; George Campbell, vice-regent; F. E. Hodgson, orator; A. B. Erickson, secretary; O. J. Anderson, collector ; E. A. Jewett, treasurer; F. H. Gray, chaplain; G. W. Harris, guide; J. H. Grass. warden; M. Benson, sentry.
UNITED COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS.
Fergus Falls Council No. 539, United Commercial Travelers, was organized, May 10, 1913, with the following charter members: A. L. Whit- more. J. P. Anderson, Ole Bondy, L. A. Loomis, Bertram Harris, H. G. Lincoln, P. G. Paulson, C. W. Adair, J. F. Martin. A. H. Denniston, C. E. T. Larson, F. J. Lawrence. O. A. Fetvedt. F. S. Ferguson, C. W. Kaddatz, H. F. Moen. D. L. Brown, Bronson Strain, C. R. Gates. B. A. Clark, P. D. Fish. J. C. Renfsjord. C. M. Hunt, J. L. Chanpline, F. S. Bogen. J. A. Sandin, George W. Campbell and George C. Mantor.
The first officers were: Bronson Strain, past councilor; D. L. Brown, senior councilor : G. W. Campbell, junior councilor; H. G. Lincoln, secre- tary-treasurer : C. W. Adair, conductor ; O. A. Fetvedt, page; J. W. Martin, sentinel: Cyrus Beal, C. M. Hunt, G. C. Mantor and A. L. Whitmore, execu- tive committee.
The present officers are : G. W. Campbell, past councilor ; C. W. Adair,
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senior councilor; A. H. Denniston, junior councilor; George C. Mantor, secretary-treasurer; O). M. Leonard, conductor; L. C. Mathers, page; A. L. Whitmore, H. G. Lincoln, H. E. Moen and Dell Cummings, executive com- mittee.
This is a fraternal order which provides insurance for commercial travelers and city wholesale salesmen. The council meets the first Satur- day evening of each month. In addition to the stated business meetings the order has an organized dancing club which gives a series of popular dances each winter. The present membership of the council is forty-seven.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES.
The Knights of the Maccabees, of Fergus Falls, was organized on April 2, 1895, with fifteen charter members. The first officers were as follow : J. A. McRorkey, commander; Charles Danstrom, lieutenant-commander ; C. M. Hart, record keeper; John Graham, sergeant; W. W. Drought, physi- cian; J. T. Kidder, master-at-arms; P. L. Finx, sentinel. The present officers are as follow: George P. Wright, commander; A. J. Peferfhey, lieutenant-commander ; Otto D. Benson, record keeper; Philip Backwan. chaplain ; Henry Hames, sergeant : C. J. Herman, picket : R. H. Grossman, past commander. They hold their meetings in a rented hall on Lincoln avenue east.
LADIES OF THE MACCABEES.
Happy Review No. 51. Ladies of the Maccabees, of Fergus Falls, was organized on February 16, 1903. The first officers were as follow: Emma Clifford, past commander ; Malie A. D. King, commander; Mae Lamphere, lieutenant commander ; Minerva R. Nelson, record keeper; Edith H. Part- ridge, finance keeper; Lucinda Castle, chaplain; Helen Knapp, sergeant; Dr. J. A. Freeborn, physician; Nellie Liedal, master-at-arms; Elise Hains, sentinel; Annie Cheney, picket. The present officers are as follow: Hattie Wright, commander; Luella Balfour, record keeper; Jennie Whitson, finance keeper; Susie Hunt, chaplain; Annie Marshall, sergeant; Dr. A. C. Baker, physician ; Amy Kidder, master-at-arms; Martha Fredrickson, sentinel; Annie Langdon, picket; Emma Marshall. captain of the guard. The present mem- bership is sixty.
BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YEOMEN.
Fergus Falls Homestead, No. 1770, Brotherhood of American Yeo- men, was organized in June, 1908, with the following charter members : A. H. Wick. J. T. Kidder, Oll Brandon, Ella Bowen. Maggie Stahl, E. J. Oxlie. Emma Oxlie, John Guwing, William Stahl, Ed Ward, Ida Ward, F. F. Arndt, J. H. Armstrong, William Brandon and Severin Gordon.
The first officers were: Jason T. Kidder, foreman: Ole Brandon,
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master of ceremonies; Ella Bowen, correspondent; Maggie Stahl, Lady Rebecca ; Emma Oxlie, Lady Rowena.
The present officers are: Leonard Erickson, foreman; Otto Naegeli, master of ceremony; Fanny Waters, correspondent; Rosalie Dumke, chap- lain; Claude Johnson, master of accounts; Minerva Nelson, Lady Rowena; Helen Knapp, Lady Rebecca.
The present membership is two hundred and ten. Meetings are held in the Maccabee Hall on Lincoln avenue. This lodge has an organized degree team and last year purchased four hundred dollars worth of regalia. The team is called to put on the work for out-of-town points. Their work is based on the book, "Ivanhoe."
Prairie Homestead No. 1148, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, was instituted on July 26, 1915, at Parkers Prairie, with the following charter members : Rosella S. Cook, Ida Boline, John I .. Boline, William H. Peter- son, Lillian Johnson, Mary Darst, Jennie Perkins. John Salisbury, Clarence Salisbury, Beatrice Salisbury, Marian Campbell, Susan Hendrickson, Law- rence Broshman, Isaac Hendrickson and Carl Linden.
The first officers were as follow: L. H. Brockman, foreman; Charles Cook, master of ceremonies; J. L. Boline, correspondent; Jennie Perkins, master of accounts; Sue Jenkins, chaplain; Susan Hendrickson, overseer. Membership of the order is thirty. The present officers are as follow : Jennie Perkins, foreman; Fred J. Cason, master of ceremonies; J. L. Boline, correspondent; Sue Jenkins, chaplain; Susan Hendrickson, overseer.
The Brotherhood of American Yeomen at Dent was organized with the following charter members: David Barley, H. O. Boyer, E. C. Boruf, J. S. Elliot, G. Franks, Viola G. Garber, F .. J. Hegge. F. Krehelherz, C. Lofdahl, W. C. Miner, C. H. Perdue, William Perdue, C. H. Rosemeyer and eight others The first officers included E. C. Boruf, foreman, and J. S. Elliot, correspondent. The present officers include E. C. Boruf, E. O. Garber, K. Wonsewicz, Henry Hembsock, Ruth Garber and Mrs. Perdue. The present membership numbers thirty-nine. Their meetings are held in the Arcade hall.
Oak Hill Homestead No. 1413, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, was instituted July 10, 1906, at Maine. with the following charter mem- bers: G. W. Brietenbauch, Martin McNulty, M. E. Cameron, J. J. Haran, Mary Haran, Daniel Fogard, Bessie Fogard, H. F. Brietenbauch, Hannah Brietenbauch. B. E. Bray, W. M. Burns, Patrick Moore, James Moore, B. Moore, T. J. Moore, D. L. Barry, Mortimer Barry and Daniel G. Barry. This lodge was instituted with fifteen benefit members and three social members; since then the membership has increased to thirty-eight. The
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lodge was installed by District Deputy W. L. Ramond, of Detroit, Minne- sota.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
Fergus Falls Camp No. 2302, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized May 23, 1894, with the following charter members: W. W. Adams, S. C. Aarness, J. Bauer, B. F. Brown, W. L. Chappell, L. E. Davenport, S. Desky, W. W. Drought, W. F. Daugherty, J. England, J. A. Head, R. Jensen, J. Leitz, F. McClosky, N. R. Norton, H. Olson, F. B. Swift and E. M. Wright. The first officers were: W. F. Daugherty, venerable consul; W. W. Adams, worthy advisor; J. England, banker; E. M. Wright, clerk.
The present officers are: George C. Olmstead, venerable consul; T. H. Gunerius, worthy advisor; C. E. Swenson, escort; E. A. Brown, clerk; A. G. Anderson, banker; W. F. Hogan, watchman; Fred Rongstad, sentry; E. Holstrom, M. Benson and P. W. Carlson, trustees; W. W. Drought and O. M. Haugen, physicians.
The camp has a membership of three hundred and fifty. Since its organization the camp has paid fifty-two thousand dollars to the beneficiaries of deceased members.
Bluffton Camp No. 11617, Modern Woodmen of America; was instituted on April 29, 1904, with the following charter members: George Barth, Joseph H. Denniston, Paul Fisher, Math Hammes, Joseph Hanson, Ever Johnson, John C. Jones, Michael Noehl, Nick Olk, J. J. Heille, S. M. Howes and Jesse James. The elective officers of the camp for the current year are as follow: Michael Carew, consul; William Grey, advisor; Henry Woehle, clerk; Math Hammes, banker; Ever Johnson, escort; Ferdinand Tabery, sentry; John Jones, watchman.
Altona Camp No. 3352, Modern Woodmen of America, is located in the village of Vergas, and was instituted on September 26, 1904, by authority of the head camp. The following were the charter members: John D. Reiman, Nicholas A. Kraus, Veder G. Buck, Oscar Walde, Charles H. Brooks, Albert Ament, Frank G. Smith, August Eichmiller, Charles Schu- man, Ira McCollum and E. L. Brooks. The names of the elective officers for the current year follow: C. A. Peterson, consul; William H. Baker, advisor ; D. E. Brooks, banker; Fred Kraus, clerk : Peter Meyer, watchman; Thomas Mayfield, sentry; Mord McCasland, escort; E. L. Brooks, C. A. Peterson and John D. Hieman, managers.
Vining Camp No. 10309, Modern Woodmen of America, was insti- tuted on April 9, 1904. with the following charter members: Dr. C. Car- son, J. S. Comstock, H. R. Haagenson, O. T. Kjorlang, A. T. Lund, E.
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Lund, John Funderrud, Peter Albertson, Samuel Price, Elling Ellingson, Sigrard Aune, Emil Bensinger, Fred Hart, Louis Logberg, George V. Olson, I. P. Rakstad, Nels Houghstad, George Munson, S. H. Uhren, August Wastvedt and Edward Cox.
The first officers were: Dr. C. Carson, consul; J. S. Comstock, advisor ; H. R. Haagensen, banker; O. T. Kjorlang, clerk; A. T. Lund, escort; Ed Lund, watchman; John Funderud, sentry; Peter Albertson, Samuel Price and Elling Ellinson, managers.
The present officers are: Christ E. Berg, consul; Thomas B. Duhn, advisor ; Charles A. Lund. clerk; Oscar A. Lund, banker; A. T. Lund, Jr., escort; J. H. Schmidt, watchman; P. O. Hohn, sentry; J. H. Timroth, H. . R. Haagenson and H. Totz, managers. The present membership of the camp is twenty-three.
Underwood Camp No. 3768, Modern Woodmen of America, was insti- tuted April 20, 1896, with the following charter members: N. O. Bonde- lid, I. N. Hansen, C. Peterson, Otto Hovda, A. J. Anderson, Mathias Lar- son, J. J. Sunds, John Gronner, I. J. Wold, Thomas Sjordal, E. S. Evaen- son, Nils Wilson, C. J. Moen, N. P. Peterson, H. P. Bjorge, H. Hawkins, G. H. Woldy, Gust Sjordal and Soren Jenson.
The first officers were: Engebret Pederson. consul; H. P. Bjorge. advisor; C. J. Moen, banker; E. S. Evaenson, clerk; H. Hawkins, escort; John Gronner, watchman; Nils Wilson, sentry; N. O. Bondelid, H. Hawkins, C. Pederson, managers; Doctor Jones, of Battle Lake, physician.
The present officers are: Consul, Thoe. Sjordal; advisor, E. S. Evaen- son; banker, C. J. Moen; clerk, C. K. Pederson; escort. Conrad Skalman; watchman, Alfred Gronner; sentry, Dan Wick ; trustees, John Gronner, John E. Boen, N. M. Nelson; camp physicians, Doctors Lee and Randall. The order is composed of ninety-six beneficiary members and six social mem- bers. They hold their meetings in their own building, a two-story frame. costing about six thousand dollars, fully paid.
The articles of incorporation of Maine Camp No. 4116, Modern Wood- men of America, were filed for record, August 7, 1896, and on the 21st of that month the camp was organized by the head camp of the Modern Wood- men of America, of Fulton, Illinois. The names of the charter members of the camp were as follow : L. R. Adley, W. E. Barnhard. Daniel L. Barry, F. S. Bickford, Charles S. Blevens, Charles E. Burgess, George C. Chaffee, S. J. Claypool. J. N. Davis, William Douglas, W. S. Fisk, J. A. Gaylord, H. B. Johnson, S. F. Johnson, J. A. Jonson, Edward Nadeau, Charles W. Peterson, Asa Phelps, H. A. Putnam, A. E. Scribner, Carl Shellman, J. S. Scribner. W. E. Thomas, Henry Veazie. C. A. Webster, A. M. Westover.
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W. H. Westover, W. L. Wilson, E. W. Leeper, Frank Zado, C. A. Gabriel, Mike Barry, T. K. Johnson, David Barry and E. A. Bickford.
The first officers of the camp were: W. E. Thomas, venerable con- sul; W. S. Fisk, worthy advisor; C. E. Bingham, excellent banker; H. A. Putnam, clerk; Daniel Barry, escort; Charles Peterson, W. H. Westover and A. O. Chapin, managers; F. A. Bickford, watchman; Andrew Wallace, sentry. The present officers are W. E. Thomas, venerable consul; W. D. Claypool, worthy advisor; C. D. Hubbard, banker; A. O. Chapin, clerk; E. H. Bickford, escort; R. L .. Keefe, watchman; O. Kanne, sentry.
The camp now has a membership of fifty-one. They hold their meet- ings in their own building, a two-story frame, twenty-eight by sixty feet. It cost two thousand dollars and is located on a very desirable site in the village of Maine.
Dalton Camp No. 6068, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized on March 5, 1901, with the following charter members: L. A. Boe, H. K. Brandvold, William Dammier, H. C. Halvorson, Ole J. Hatling, M. J. Lar- son, R. Norheim, F. J. Raatz. J. Tande, N. B. Thompson, J .. Thompson. Olaf O. Vinje and C. H. Weiby. The first officers were as follow: F. J. Raatz, consul; Olaf O. Vinje, advisor; L. A. Boe, banker; Robert Norhein, clerk; Bennie Rustad, escort; Joseph Swanson, watchman; Doctors Vigir and Cowing, physicians; C. H. Weiby, H. K. Branvold and Ole Tande, managers. The lodge has twenty-six beneficial members. The meetings are held in a hall over the hardware store of G. H. Beyers. During the fifteen years the lodge has been in existence it has lost only two members by death. The present officers are as follow: E. L. Risbrudt. venerable consul; M. C. Wick, worthy adviser : Ole J. Hatling, banker ; J. H. Gregory, clerk ; J. O. Hatling, escort; M. E. Bergeson, watchman; Dr. L. A. Davis, physician ; Hans Nesvold, John T. Thompson and Dr. L. A. Davis, managers.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA.
Royal Oak Camp No. 2103, Royal Neighbors of America, was insti- tuted on April 6. 1900, at Fergus Falls with twenty-two charter members. The present membership is one hundred; their meetings are held in the Smith hall on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The present officers are: Emma Marshall, oracle: Mary Whitson, recorder : Amelia Kaulum, receiver.
Constance Camp No. 1508, Royal Neighbors of America, was instituted April 8, 1899. The charter members were Dina Sande, Kaja Woldy, Bertina Sande, Gertie Onstad, Ella K. C. Holbeck, Hannah M. Holbeck Olson, Jennie Bjorge, Inga Sjordal, Matie Pederson. Anna Hawkins. Chris- tine Hoxda, Inga Jorgens. Alvena Jensen, Anna M. Jensen, Emelia Wilson, Inger Grimstad, Mary Thompson, Mathea Ledding, Betsey Pederson and May Bjorge.
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The names of the elective officers for the first year were as . follow : Lola Secoy, oracle; Alvena Hagen, vice-oracle; Anna Hawkins, chancellor ; Olga Gronner, recorder; Marie Pederson, receiver; Florence Kugler, marshal; Oline Olson, inner sentinel; Christina Moen, outer sentinel; Jette Olson and Lena Pederson, managers.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Pelican Lodge No. 153, Knights of Pythias, was instituted at Pelican Rapids, on March 17, 1899, with the following charter members: Charles R. Frazee, James T. McCulloch, Ole N. Anderson, Richard O. Lunke, Fred J. Fleisher, Alfred G. Kinney, Carl O. Anderson, Bennet B. Hovey, Albert E. Haugen, Joakin S. Hammer, Harry H. Farnham, H. E. Frazee, Jesse A. Miller, Ole M. Axness, O. M. Elton, E. P. Adams, P. C. Frazee, G. M. Mills, N. P. Moen, A. Anderson, W. C. Crandall and C. F. Bennett. The names of the first officers were as follow: Orrin J. Morrison, chancellor commander and ex-officio presiding officer ; Frank R. Jacobs, vice-chancellor ; Milton B. Conyne, prelate; Charles R. Frazee, keeper of records and seal; Paul C. Frazee, master of finance; Harry E. Frazee, master of exchequer ; Ole M. Axness, master-at-arms. The first trustees were Ezra P. Adams, Carl O. Anderson and David F. Rae.
The lodge owns its own building which was erected a few years ago at the cost of five thousand dollars. The trustees of the lodge are Peter Boy- sen, O. J. Morrison and F. R. Jacobs. The present officers are as follow : O. P. Sether, chancellor commander; Hugo Johnson, vice-chancellor; T. Satersmoen, prelate; J. F. Knudson, master of exchequer; M. T. Weikle, master of finance and keeper of records and seal; Howard Williams, master- at-arms; O. N. Anderson, master of work; Guy Nelson, inner guard; George Altnow, outer guard. The lodge now has an active membership of eighty- five.
CATHOLIC ORDER OF FORESTERS.
St. Anthony Court No. 648, Catholic Order of Foresters of Fergus Falls, was organized March 8, 1897, with the following charter members : Rev. Anthony Artz, Joseph Baur, F. J. Pfefferle, Charles Nangle, John F. Nangle, J. E. Metcalf, Leo Schwalen, James McCrossin, Peter J. Bar- beau, D. J. McDonnell, H. K. Grinager, William E. Cawley, John P. Har- rington, John Doyl, Bernard Dess, J. R. Kiewel, Timothy Keaveny, B. W. Barbeau, Michael Seigel, August Mandelke, John P. Barbeau, John H. Lamouren, Joseph Steinberger, Sabastian Dietrich, Joseph Barbeau, Nicholas Schuster, Jacob Taemble, John C. Matzimski, Andrew Renner, Miechel McInany, James J. Delmore and James Doyle.
The first officers were: Chief ranger, John F. Nangle; vice-chief
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ranger, James McCrossin : recording secretary, Peter J. Barbeau; financial secretary, Joseph Bauer ; treasurer, H. K. Grinager; chaplain, Rev. Anthony Artz; trustees, Leo Schwalen, William E. Cawley and J. E. Metcalf.
The present officers are: Chief ranger, Joseph Bauer; vice-chief ranger, George Kreutzer; past chief ranger, Joseph Gander; recording secretary, Leo Schwalen; financial secretary, Alexander J. Frankiviz; treasurer, John Frankiviz; speaker, John Kreutzer; spiritual director, Rev. George Rauch; trustees, H. K. Grinager, Albert Mandelke and J. R. Kiewel.
At the time the court was organized it held its meetings in the building where the Bijou now is located, then known as the Norden hall. The court soon after leased the building from T. N. McLean, owner, at ten dollars per month, and sub-let it to other lodges. After about five years the furniture was sold to Leslie Wade. who converted the place into a pool room. The court then met in the Knights of Pythias hall, which was then in the Hay- market building, now occupied by the Krenten Brothers cigar factory. After a few years the Knights of Pythias leased the Mortenson hall and the court moved there with them and remained until the Knights of Pythias dis- banded. The court then moved to its present location, the Modern Wood- men hall, No. 20312 Lincoln avenue, for which it pays a rental of thirty- six dollars per annum.
DEGREE OF HONOR.
The Fergus Falls Degree of Honor, No. 192. was organized January 23, 1902, with a charter membership of forty-six. The first officers of the lodge included Mrs. Margaret Chapman, Amanda Butler, Cornelia Titus, Emma Clifford, Sophia Holstrom, Luella Balfour, Laura Titus and Edward Brown. The officers for 1916 include Maude Grossman, Albertina Nelson, Ana Hames, Luella Balfour, Tillie Olsen, Ida Olsen and Matilda Young. The lodge, which now numbers ninety-five members, meets in the Macca- bee hall the first and third Thursdays of each month.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.
The Independent Order of Foresters of Fergus Falls was instituted May 27, 1898, with the following charter members: T. N. McLean, A. B. Erickson, Lars Egland. W. P. Bayley, Louis Keene, L. A. Lavorsen, J. L. Erickson, J. A. Clifford, W. E. Stringham, Peter Peterson, C. A. Daley, M. H. Engles, Fred Steigler, E. J. Erickson, N. J. Mortensen and J. R. Greenley.
The first officers were: W. P. Bayley, Louis Keene, C. A. Daley, A. B. Erickson, L. A. Leverson and N. J. Mortinsen. The present officers include W. P. Bayley, C. A. Daley, A. B. Erickson, L. A. Levorsen and N. J. Mortinsen. The present membership is twenty.
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FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES.
Fergus Falls Aerie No. 888, Fraternal Order of Eagles, was instituted on November 4, 1904. The charter members of the Aerie were, K. Gurvin, Soren Nordberg, Henry B. Hanson, J. P. Greenagle, William Braatz, I. A. Gunderson, O. G. Brandt, Nels Nelson, C. J. Bender, R. F. Sherman, F. L. Robbins, Julius Locker, Olaf Th. Sherping. Herman Shelberg, P. G. Hedin, H. Linberg, R. H. Rudd, Martin Carlson, T. J. Melquist, John A. Roland- son, J. E. Elridge, Lars Stangvick, J. C. Wilson, P. L. Zinn, C. J. Schott, Albert Nelson, J. W. Peterson, Jorgen J. Kjer, Matt Mattchinsky, John Egland, H. Nockelby, D. L. Brooks, G. R. Hetterington, F. A. Breyitte, B. C. Nohe, W. H. Parsons, Thomas Agern, O. Grimstad, B. H. Monson, F. A. Allen, J. Straus, C. T. Cofer, J. R. Kiewel, J. J. Carroll, Frank Grouws, A. P. Frankberg, O. A. Solberg, H. W. Kock, M. H. Call, J. P. Flatten, J. L. Owens, M. Knudson, O. A. Jelmo, George N. Ackerman, F. W. Jolitz, Olaf Straus, Thomas N. McLean, -J. H. Wige, H. G. Dahl, G. F. Fitzmeyer, J. P. Thompson, Christ Dahl, T. J. Wilson, A. Niebels, Ed. Thurneau, J. H. Bryon and John Bauer. The first officers were as follow : J. W. Peterson, junior past worthy president; John A. Rolandson, worthy president ; H. G. Dahl, worthy vice-president; Henry Winther, worthy chap- lain; George W. Frankberg, worthy secretary; Thomas Agern, worthy treasurer; Jason T. Kidder, worthy conductor; Julius H. Bender, inside guard; William Devaney, outside guard; T. N. Kittleson, physician; C. J. Bender, Soren Field and B. H. Monson, trustees.
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L. R. ADLEY.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
EDUCATION.
By L. R. Adley.
The efficiency of a school or of a school system depends upon its patrons' love of learning and the amount of money at the disposal of the institution or the system. The intense love of learning in an individual may give him an efficient education in even a poor school or without the advan- tage of any school. Abraham Lincoln is an example of efficient education without schooling. But there are few Abraham Lincolns and the rule holds true that the love of learning plus the means of furnishing the train- ing is the index of a school's efficiency.
Measured by the last standard alone. the early schools of Otter Tail County might have been thought by the superficial observer to have been inefficient. and indeed, from our present-day standpoint, they actually were inefficient. The early settlers of the county were poor. Many a young man came here to take a claim and make a home for his aged father and mother or the wife that was to be. The few dollars in his pocket and the axe and blankets strapped upon his back were all he possessed, leaving out of account a good physique and abundant grit. Even the richest had but a few hundred dollars, a team, a wagon, a plow and a little stock. ' Surely such a people could not found schools.
"It will be difficult." said an early county superintendent, "for many of our later settlers to fully realize the conditions under which the early educators undertook to build up the school system in this county without a dollar in the school fund in any district in the county before 1871." (From an address delivered before the Old Settlers' Association of Otter Tail County in 1915 by Hon. E. E. Corliss, the second county superintendent of schools of Otter Tail County. ) But they did. The bonds which caused the settlers to act together were the common frontier hardships and a com- mon love of learning.
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