History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 77

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 77

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The Sherman house was first opened by Young and Son, in the spring of 1873. The present proprietor is B. Ferris, Since the opening, this

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house has been a paying investment. In 1880, a fine brick structure, 50x100 feet, and four stories above the basement, was added. The original building was the same size, excepting the height, which was three stories. The house contains one hundred sleeping rooms. It is located on the corner of Fourth and Sibley streets.

The Warren house is one of the old land-marks of St. Paul. It has an unwritten history that would make an interesting volume. The house is located on the corner of Jackson and Fourth streets, two blocks from the depot and boat land- ing. It is conducted by D. A. Miller, and has a good reputation as a house of its class.

The International is a three-story brick struc- ture, on the corner of Jackson and Seventh streets, the entrance being on the latter street. The house contains fifty rooms, and is well kept. The rooms are spacious and well furnished. The pres- ent landlord is II. B. Saynor, a gentleman of long experience in the hotel business, and well quali- fied for the position he occupies. Under his management, the International is enjoying a large degree of prosperity.

Beside the hotels mentioned, there is Upham's hotel, the American house, the St. Paul house, the Commercial, and numerous "smaller houses scattered throughout the city, making not less than twenty hotels, with an aggregate invested capital of upwards of $1.000,000. The leading hotels of St. l'aul rank among the best in the country.

CHAPTER L.

BANKS AND BANKERS-WHOLESALE HOUSES.

The first bankers were Messrs. Borup and Oakes, whose office was in the building which stood opposite the Merchants' hotel where the Prince block now stands. Then followed other bankers, Bidwell, Knox's bank, Parker Paine, Truman Smith, Berry, C. H. Parker, the Cald- wells, Pease, Chalfant and Co., Mackubin and

Edgerton, Starke and Pettis, Wm. L. Banning, &c., &c. Then came along the $5,000,000 loan bill, as a credit to the state to aid the construc- tion of railroads, and upon the credit, or bonds, a few banks were organized. Then when the credit of the bonds went down, down went the circula- tion of the bills, and the money of the old Glencoe and the People's banks will long live in history as an amusing episode in our early banking. Our banking system did not assume any definite shape or great proportions until the incoming of J. E. and Horace Thompson, who occupied a room in the brick building on the corner of Third and Minnesota streets. Under their careful and popular management, the banking business of the city began to grow, until now it has an in- vestment of nearly $4,000,000 capital. The pres- ent banks doing business in St. Paul are as fol- lows:

The First National Bank of St. Paul. This, the leading bank of the city, and also of the North-west, was organized in 1864, soon after the enactment of the law authorizing national banks, and has from the outset enjoyed a degree of pros- perity equaled by few similar institutions. The capital was placed at $250,000, and in 1873 this amount was increased to $1,000,000, the surplus at that time amounting to $200,000. The sur- plus fund is now $260,000, owing to the accumn- lation of undivided profits. The bank has since its organization occupied the spacious and well arranged building No. 67 East Third street. The first officers were J. E. Thompson, pres, and Horace Thompson, cashier. The present officers are II. P. Upham, president, C. D. Gilfillan, vice-presi- dent, and E. H. Bailey, cashier. The board of directors is composed of the following gentlemen, Horace E. Thompson, II. P. Upham, T. B. Camp- bell, P. HI. Kelly, N. W. Kittson, James J. Hill, H. H. Sibley, J. H. Sanders, D. C. Shepard, C. A. DeGraff, C. D. Gilfillan, F. B. Clarke, C. W. Griggs, A. II. Wilder, H. R. Bigelow. This bank is one of the solid institutions of St. Paul, and its present gratifying condition is owing to its able management which has the entire confi- dence of the business public, both in the city and throughout the state.

The Merchants National Bank. This flourish- ing institution dates its organization from August, 1872. Commencing with a capital of $250,000, its

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admirable management so developed its business, that in July, 1873, the capital was increased to $500.000, and in July, 1880, the further addition of $500,000 brought its cash capital up to $1,000,- 000, besides a surplus fund of $200,000. The growth of this bank has been rapid and steady, and the stock, which has always been above par, is eagerly songht, at $1.30. For three years after its organization the bank occupied quarters in the Pioneer Press building, but finding their increas- ing business demanded more room, they removed, in 1875, to the Fire and Marine building, where they have since remained. The first officers were, M. Auerbach, president, Walter Mann, vice-pres- ident, and Charles Nichols, cashier. The present officers are, John L. Merriam, president, Walter Mann, vice-president, and W. R. Merriam, cash- ier. The latter gentleman has held this position since January 1st, 1873. The board of directors is composed of the following gentlemen: John L. Merriam, Maurice Auerbach, C. II. Bigelow, A. H. Wilder, L. D. Ilodge, D. R. Noyes, William Rhodes, F. R. Smith, W. S. Culbertson, Walter Mann, E. F. Drake, John T. Averill, B. Beaupre and W. R. Merriam. In addition to the officers a clerical force of eleven men is employed.

Second National Bank. C. N. Mackubin and Erastus S. Edgerton commenced doing business as bankers, on June 1st, 1854, under the firm name of Mackubin and Edgerton. This firm continued until the 1st of June, 1858, when it was succeeded by E. S. Edgerton, who continued until the business was turned over to the Second National Bank, which was organized in January, 1865. In June, 1881, the bank, which has been in operation over sixteen years, had doubled its capital, though the regular semi-annual dividends, amounting to from twelve to sixteen per cent. per annum, have always been paid. The fol- lowing are the officers: E. S. Edgerton, president, A. S. Cowley, vice-president, II. R. Lyon, cash- ier, E. S. Edgerton, II. Schurmeier, J. II. Stewart, D. A. Monfort, W. B. Dean, F. R. Smith A. S. Cowley, P. Berkey, D. Day, B. Pres- ley, I. P. Wright, Isaac Staples, C. W. Griggs, directors.

The German American Bank. The history of this institution dates from the time when Min- nesota was a territory and the city of St. Paul was in its infancy. In 1856, the firm of Meyer

and Willius established a private bank, and after successfully passing through the commer- cial crisis of 1857, built up a business which was the foundation of the now prosperous German American Bank. The firm of Meyer and Wil- lius was succeeded by Willius Brothers and Dun- bar, and they in turn by the present concern which was organized in 1873, under the general laws of the state. The capital was placed at $200,000, and in 1880, was increased to $300,000, besides a surplus fund of $35,000. In 1879, the bank erected an elegant building at num- ber 64 East Third street. This is the finest bank building in the North-west, is three-stories in height, the front being constructed of Ohio sand- stone with ornamental columns of polished red granite, and is an ornament to the city. This bank makes a specialty of its safe deposit vault, the only one west of Milwaukee.

This steel vault rests upon a solid arch founda- tion of hard stone fourteen feet deep. The vault is composed of courses of welded steel and iron, and is burglar-proof; upwards of 85,000 pounds of steel and iron were used in its con- struction. It contains five hundred safes of dif- ferent sizes, some fitted with combination bank locks, others with pad-locks of a most ingenious construction, no two locks being alike. The en- trance to the vault is protected by a double set of solid steel and iron doors, the outer of which is three and one-half inches, and the inner door two and one-half inches in thickness. The outer door is furnished with a Yale time-lock with all the very latest improvements, preventing access excepting during business hours. The burglar- proof part of the vault is surrounded by a wall of hard-burnt brick and cement interwoven with iron, thus affording absolute protection against fire. The small safes in the vault are rented at low rates, and are a safe deposit for documents and valuables. Private rooms are provided for the use of customers, and also a ladies room with toilet room adjoining.

This institution is undoubtedly the best ar- ranged and most secure safe deposit in the coun- try outside of the largest cities, and deserves the patronage it largely receives.

The officers of the German American bank are, F. Willius, president; J. B. Sanborn, vice-presi- dent, and Gustav Willius, cashier. These gen-

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tlemen have held their respective positions since the organization of the bank.

The business of this bank has been prosperous from the outset, and the future promises even greater results.

The Private Bank of Dawson and Co. The foundation of this prosperous banking institution was laid in 1861, by the formation of the firm of Holland, Berry and Dawson. After continuing one year this firm was succeeded by Berry, Daw- son and Co. who conducted the business with suc- cess until the death of Mr. Berry two years later. Since that time they have been known as "Daw- son and Co.," now the largest private bank in the west. The individual members of the firm are William Dawson, Robert A. Smith, and Albert Scheffer. Mr. Smith has been interested for fif- teen years, and Mr. Scheffer for eleven years. The building occupied is located at 103 East Third street, and is a three story stone structure, erect- ed by Wm. Dawson in 1868. This establishment represents a very large capital, and as the bnsi- ness is always conducted on strict principles of integrity, it enjoys the confidence of the entire community. The business of the bank requires a clerical force of ten persons besides the officers.

The Minnesota Savings association was organ- ized under special law of May 13th, 1867. The trustees elected were, W. R. Marshall, H. H. Sib- ley, L. Allis, Chas. Mellrath, and John S. Prince. Officers elected were, II. II. Sibley, president, W. R. Marshall, vice-president, J. S. Prince, treasurer, and Chas. Mellrath, examiner. In January, 1873, Messrs. Sibley, Allis and Mc- Ilrath resigned, and in March, 1873, by act of legislature the name of the institution was changed to the Savings Bank of St. Paul, and the capital stock fixed at $100,000; 25 per cent. paid in. Gov. W. R. Marshall was elected president, and John S. Prince, treasurer. In 1875 Gov. Marshall resigned, and John S. Prince was elected president, Gen. R. W. Johnson, vice-president, and H. Sahlgaard, cashier. The present trus- tees are, John S. Prince, E. F. Drake, II. R. Brill, Bartlett Presley, and II. Sahlgaard. The present officers are, John S. Prince, president, and H. Sahlgaard, cashier.

The Capital Bank of St. Paul. This institu- tion was organized under the general laws of the state, in October, 1880, with a paid up capital of

$100,000, and though but a short time in the field, its vigorous growth promises well for the future, and it bids fair to rank among the first banking establishments in the city. The bank is located at 95 East Third street. The system of this bank differs somewhat from the older institutions, as it pays no interest on deposits, but is based on sound and practical principles, which meet the approval of all who transact business with them. The officers are: L. E.Reed, president; W.D. Kirk, cashier; both gentlemen of long experience in banking, and well qualified to fill the positions they occupy. Mr. Reed was formerly vice-presi- dent of the First National Bank, and has for twenty-five years been connected with St. Paul . banks. Mr. Kirk was in charge of the discount and collection department of the First National for eleven years previous to the organization of the Capital bank. The directors are the follow- ing well-known gentlemen: L. E. Reed, Reuben Warner, J. H. Sanders, Kenneth Clark and W. D. Kirk.

The Farmer's and Mechanics Bank was located on 181 West Third street, and was organized with a capital of $50,000. It failed in 1880.

WHOLESALE HOUSES.

Auerbach, Finch, Van Slyck and Company, wholesale dry goods, woolens and notions, one of the leading houses in this region, was founded in 1861 by J. L. Forepaugh and M. Auerbach, who continued until 1868, when Mr. Forepangh retired and the firm became Auerbach, Finch and Schef- fer. In 1875 the firm was again changed to Auerbach, Finch, Culbertson and Company; in January, 1881, Mr. Culbertson became a silent partner and the firm has since been Anerbach, Finch, Van Slyck and Company. This house began on Third street, between Robert and Min- nesota streets. In 1877 they went to the David- son block, on the corner of Fourth and Jackson streets. This building, 110x150 feet, four stories high above basement, was filled from basement to garret. In March, 1880, this building and al- most the entire stock were destroyed by fire, en- tailing a loss on the latter of about $750,000. However, with great energy, the firm leased va- cant ground on the corner of Third and Wacouta streets, and within eleven days of the fire had a large two-story wooden structure 200x150 feet,

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filled with a complete stock and business was in full operation as if nothing had occurred. In the fall of 1880 they purchased a lot fronting on Sib- ley street, extending from Fourth to Fifth, and are erecting a building 70x300 feet, five stories above basement. The height will be one hundred feet from the ground to the top of the cornice, and the extreme height to the top of the clock tower will be one hundred and fifty feet. The foundation and piers rising to the water tables will be selected St. Paul stone. The water table and all cut stone trimmings of Kasota sand stone. The Fourth street corner, twenty-four feet each on Fourth and Sibley streets, will be stone to the fourth story, an iron lintel capping the first story piers, extends along the three fronts. The walls are faced withi St. Louis brick and occasional panels and ornamentations in terra cotta and black brick. The main entrance on the corner of Fourth and Sibley streets is thirteen feet on each street, reached by five iron steps leading to a plat- form, thence to the doorway by four circular steps. The building will be supplied throughout by elevators, fire-proof vaults and all modern im- provements and conveniences, and will cost when completed $125,000, exclusive of ground.

The firm who have occupied the wooden struc- ture described, since the fire, have increased their business from $200.000, in 1861, to over $3,000,000, in 1880, and find their quarters altogether inade- quate to their needs. They carry an immense stock of dry goods and fancy goods, silks, notions, duck and Mackinaw, awnings, tents and carpets, and employ about one hundred men, twelve of whom are traveling salesmen.

The manufacturing department employs 400 sewing machines, which are operated by the same number of girls, and eight cutters. This branch was started in 1865, and among their manufac- tures are plain sacks, export bags, all sizes of oat and bran sacks, tarpaulins, wagon covers and awnings. They produce from four to six thou- sand bags daily. A complete printing office is kept in operation, for bag-printing, etc. A spe- cialty is made of contractors' outfits-tents, cots, bed-ticks, comfortables and everything of the kind which is used. In the upper stories of the manufacturing department are the cutters, sew- ing girls and others employed in the manufacture

of underwear, duck sporting goods and Macki- naw goods.

In the latter department mentioned there are seventy-five girls, six cutters, several machinists, boys and men. Fifty sewing machines are kept constantly running by steam-power; and in the course of a week turn out an immense amount of work. The resources of the firm are at present taxed to their utmost, to keep abreast of their orders, as they are so inconvenienced by their present accommodations. Three large ware-rooms, besides the one on Third street, are filled with their goods. A large retail establish- ment is also maintained by the firm, at numbers 19 and 21 West Third street. The members of the firm are M. Anerbach, George R. Finch, W. H. Van Slyck, A. H. Winslow, and E. A. Young.

Lindekes, Warner and Schurmeier's wholesale dry goods and notion house was established in July, 1878. Their business, which amounted to over three-quarters of a million dollars the first year, grew so rapidly that soon their quarters, at Nos. 137 and 139 East Third street, were found to be inadequate, and arrangements were accord- ingly made to erect the large, fine building which the firm now occupies. In the summer of 1880, a lot on the corner of Fourth and Sibley streets, was secured, and the supervision and planning of the structure placed in the hands of William Lin- deke. Before undertaking the enterprise, Mr. Lindeke visited the larger eastern cities, to study the latest improvements in similar establishments there. Upon his return he placed his informa- tion in charge of E. P. Bassford, who drew thie plans of the affair. From any direction, the build- ing strikes the eye as beautiful in design, massive but symmetrical. The ground covered is 101 by 128 feet, and the height from the lowest floor to the top one hundred and twelve feet. The build- ing has six floors, each one devoted to a different department. The topography of the site is such that no floor, not even the sub-basement is wholly below the surface, and under ordinary circum- stances, daylight answers every purpose of con- ducting business, except at night. Taking the floors from the ground up, the sub-basement, which is nine feet high, is occupied by the motive and heating apparatus and duplicate stock. The floor is of solid concrete. The steam is furnished by two fifty horse - power boilers, which, besides

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distributing heat to every portion of the building, works an engine of fifty horse-power. The boilers . and engine are from DePew and Lawson's Wash- ington iron works, and are fine examples of me- chanical skill. The steam heating apparatus was put in by Thomas Davis, an experienced practical engineer. It is on the combined high and low pressure system, which is largely recommended by all those who have tested it. From this floor to the top, two Reedy elevators travel at a low and always safe rate of speed. One of these has a load capacity of 4,500 pounds, and the other 3,000 pounds. A two-inch water pipe extends the entire height of the place, and one hundred feet of hose on each floor will extinguish any in- cipient conflagration which may occur. This pipe also meets the water conveniences of each floor.

The basement, or second floor, is eleven feet in height, with ample window light. A portion of it is devoted to the receiving, packing and ship- ping department. This opens upon a broad alley, and the doors are upon dray level, affording every convenience for the entry and exit of goods. The greater part of this floor is given to the de- partment of domestics, including denims, cheviots ducks, sheetings, warps, blankets, comforters, tickings, corset jeans, cambrics, silesias, cotton- flannels and so on. This department is under the immediate charge of Mr. Kreiger, assistant of A. H. Lindeke.

The next is the main floor of the house. It is a magnificent room, with an eighteen foot ceil- ing, and has two fine entrances set obliquely in the main corners of the building, one at Fourth and Sibley, slightly above the level of the street, and the other at the south-east corner, at the top of an easy flight of stairs. This large hall is chiefly devoted to dress goods, over which, from purchase to sale, A. H. Lindeke has the direc- tion. The eastern front of the main floor is cut off by the offices and counting rooms, which occupy space 14x90 feet. These include, first, from the north, an apartment for customers and general salesmen. Next, in the order named, the private offices of A. II. Lindeke, Reuben Warner, William Lindeke and T. L. Schurmeier. Next comes the HIall's Safe and Lock company vault, 10x16 feet, and lastly the large apartment for the cashier and accountants. The only entrance to the vault and the cashier's and book-keeper's

offices is through the office of Mr. Schurmeier. This plan insures those officers from interrup- tions, yet leaves all these departments and their inmates within easy access of Mr. Schurmeier, who has them in charge. These offices are set off by beautiful semi-walls done in native cherry, with panels of a unique gum wood, French plate glass, and decorations and name boards in ebony. The private offices are richly carpeted and the whole arrangement is in a style of rich simplicity. The light of this floor is admitted through enor- mous French plate glass windows. The support- ing columns are of fluted iron, with rich capitals, and the goods counters, of neat design, are in white bases, with black walnut tops. The broad expanse, 101x128 feet, containing numberless piles of parti-colored goods, the long aisles, mas- sive doors and windows, light, clean walls, ele- gant offices and rich combinations of woods, make a picture which to be appreciated must be seen.

Next above this is the fifteen-foot story allotted to the all-embracing notion department, which is under the supervision of II. C. Jones, a gentle- man widely known to the trade in the North-west. At one side is piled about two car-loads of cor- sets, flanked by about the same amount of buttons, which are made a specialty in all possi- ble staples and novelties. Then come stacks of parasols, sun-umbrellas, spool cottons, and silks, stationery, brushes, combs, perfumeries, hair oils, soaps, cutlery, pipes, and some important special- ties in knitting cotton, paper collars, oil cloth and window goods. In this department great atten- tion is given to gentlemen's furnishing goods, such as linen collars, suspenders, neckwear, dress and colored shirts and underwear. In ladies' furnishings among the chief attractions are ex- hibited lace and silk neckwear, new styles of trimmings, cords, gimps, fringes, elastics, satch- els, pocket-books, and leather ware.

Above is a fourteen-foot story, the white goods department, conducted by C. F. Putnam, a gen- tleman of eastern business education among the original makers and importers of these lines. Here are immense stocks of hosiery, linens, laces, and kindred materials, all of which are direct im- portations. Besides these this department makes a specialty of buck gloves. The house buys the

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entire product of several eastern makers, for whom it has the sole north-western agency.

At the top of the building, the sixth floor, in a thirteen-foot room, is located the manufacturing department. IIere, in charge of Mr. Fraumbauch, 125 sewing machines, operated by as many girls, are used in making overalls, tents, awnings, tar- paulins, cottonade pants, and miners' and lum- bermen's outfits. The sewing machines, driven by steam-power, from the line-shaft, and arranged in long rows, the entire sweep of the room, pre- sent a lively scene, familiar to all who have fre- quented the busy New England cotton mills. One article of Messrs. Lindeke's, Warner and Schur- meier's manufacture, has an immense sale throughout the Northwest. This is the patented continuous-fly overalls, of which they are the only makers in the state. The strong point of this article is, that they will neither rip nor tear in the place where such garments usually give way. These goods have an immense sale. The white goods and manufacturing departments are closely related, the former selling the product of the latter, and their great development is largely due to Mr. Warner, who has charge of, and di- rects the policy of the two.

The care and thoughtfulness everywhere shown in the new building, are well illustrated in the apartments set off for the exclusive use of the machine operators, in which are wash and toilet rooms and general wardrobe, with large mirrors, lavatories and general conveniences. The com- plete system which marks every feature of the firm's business, enabled it to accomplish complete and expeditious removal without the slightest in- terference with business. A broad bridge was built from the old building to the new. Every preparation was made, and the removal began on Wednesday, March 30th, and the Saturday fol- lowing was entirely accomplished. Meanwhile, orders were even larger than ever, and all orders were promptly filled up to date, with no interrup- tion of business, and save for the occasional pres- ence of a mechanic or bit of material for the final touches, a casual observer would note nothing extraordinary.

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