USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 10
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 10
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
ward, George Parrott: Second ward, D. J. Trisko; Third ward, George W. Peachey; Fourth ward, William Gausewitz.
1898-99. Mayor, Leonard Virtue ; recorder, J. W. Rowland; treasurer, J. A. Cotter : street commissioner, Ovid Wood; asses- sor, D. P. Farmer; marshal, Hugh Warren; municipal judge, H. F. Luce ; attorney, C. J. O'Brien ; surveyor, A. M. Mitchell ; superintendent of waterworks. M. B. Pratt ; official paper, "Peo- ple's Press." First ward: Aldermen, O. H. Odell, Carl K. Ben- nett; justice, H. F. Luce; constable, William O'Grosky. Sec- ond ward: Aldermen, C. K. Anderson, P. Brennan; justice, A. S. Bragg; constable. J. F. Finley. Third ward: Aldermen, J. O. Eastman, F. D. Clinger (to fill last year of E. M. Morehouse's term) ; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Aldermen, L. F. Hammel, John Thon; justice, L. B. Fenner ; constable, W. M. Dynes. Board of education: At large, John N. Niles, N. J. Schafer; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Frank La Bare; Third ward, George W. Peachey; Fourth ward, William Gausewitz.
1899-1900. Mayor, Leonard Virtue; recorder, J. W. Row- land; treasurer, Charles H. Stearns; street commissioner, Frank L. Anderson ; assessor, D. P. Farmer; marshal, Hugh Warren : municipal judge, H. F. Luce; attorney, W. F. Sawyer; sur- veyor, H. S. Dartt; superintendent waterworks. J. N. Niles; official paper, "Journal." First ward: Aldermen, F. E. Church, O. H. Odell; justice, H. F. Luce. Second ward: Aldermen, S. S. Green, C. K. Anderson; justice, Steve Hance ; constable, C. C. Chadwick. Third ward: Aldermen, F. D. Clinger, J. O. Eastman ; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward : Aldermen, John Thon, L. F. Hammel ; justice, L. B. Fenner. Board of educa- tion : At large, James W. Connor, John N. Niles; first ward, George Parrott; second ward, Frank La Bare; third ward. George W. Peachey ; fourth ward, William Gausewitz.
1900-01. Mayor, Leonard Virtue; recorder, P. J. Swanson ; treasurer, J. A. Cotter; street commissioner, F. L. Anderson ; assessor, James E. Malone; marshal, C. J. Boley; municipal judge, H. F. Luce; attorney, C. J. O'Brien ; superintendent of waterworks, M. B. Pratt ; official paper, "People's Press." First ward: Aldermen, R. Il. Bach, F. E. Church; justice, H. F. Luce; constable, C. Grabarkwietz. Second ward: Aldermen, C. K. Anderson, S. S. Green; justice, Aaron Bragg; constable, William Rycraft. Third ward: Aldermen, A. J. Lippert, F. D. Clinger ; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Aldermen, C. Butsch, John Thon; justice, L. B. Fenner; constable, J. Misgen, Sr. Board of education : At large, B. E. Darby, James W. Con- nor; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Frank La Bare ;
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Third ward, George W. Peachey; Fourth ward, R. H. Johnson.
1901-02. Mayor, R. H. Johnson; recorder, L. B. Warren; treasurer, C. H. Stearns ; street commissioner, Frank Connell ; assessor, James E. Malone; marshal, A. Mallinger ; municipal judge, H. F. Luce; attorney, C. J. O'Brien; surveyor, H. S. Dartt; superintendent of waterworks, M. B. Pratt; official paper, "People's Press." First ward: Aldermen, F. E. Church, R. H. Bach; justice, H. F. Luce; constable, C. Grabarkwictz. Second ward: Aldermen, S. S. Green, C. K. Anderson; justice, Aaron Bragg; constable, F. Finley. Third ward: Aldermen, F. M. Smersh, A. J. Lippert; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward : Aldermen, L. B. Fenner, C. Butsch; justice, L. B. Fenner ; con- stable, W. S. Boice. Board of education : At large, James W. Connor, B. E. Darby ; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Frank La Bare; Third ward, George W. Peachey; Fourth ward, R. H. Johnson.
1902-93. Mayor, R. H. Bach; recorder, Lyman Warren; treasurer, C. H. Stearns; street commissioner, Frank Connell ; assessor, James E. Malone; marshal, A. Mallinger; municipal judge, H. F. Luce; attorney, C. J. O'Brien ; surveyor, Harvey S. Dartt; superintendent of waterworks, M. B. Pratt; official paper, "People's Press." First ward: Aldermen, R. G. Nelson, F. E. Church; justice, H. F. Lucc. Second ward: Aldermen, C. K. Anderson, S. S. Green; justice, W. E. Dunbar; constable, Frank Finley. Third ward: Aldermen, A. G. Lippert, F. M. Smersh: constable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Aldermen, J. C. Jahrciss, L. B. Fenner. Board of education : At large, Ellen M. Eustis, James W. Connor ; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Frank La Bare; Third ward, George Peachey; Fourth ward, T. E. Cashman (to fill out last year of R. H. Johnson's term).
1903-04. Mayor, Thomas E. Cashman; recorder, Lyman B. Warren; treasurer, Robert Deinninger; street commissioner, Andrew Erdman; assessor, James E. Malone; marshal, Henry Abernethy; municipal judge, B. F. Hlood; attorney, C. J. O'Brien; surveyor, A. M. Mitchell; superintendent of water- works, M. B. Pratt ; official paper, "People's Press." First ward : Aldermen, F. E. Church, R. G. Nelson; justice, H. F. Luce. Second ward: Aldermen, John Kendall, C. K. Anderson; jus- tice, W. E. Dunbar ; constable, M. A. McAndrews. Third ward : Aldermen, A. G. Kranz, A. G. Lippert; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Aldermen, L. B. Fenner, J. C. Jahrciss. Board of education : At large, A. G. Pinkham, Ellen M. Eustis; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Frank La Bare; Third ward, George Peachey; Fourth ward, William C. Zamboni.
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1904-05. Mayor, Thomas E. Cashman; recorder, Charles Servatius; treasurer, Robert M. Deinninger; street commis- sioner, Andrew Erdman: assessor, Henry Sanders; marshal, Henry Abernethy : municipal judge, B. F. Hood; attorney, W. F. Sawyer; surveyor, A. M. Mitchell; superintendent of water- works. Harry D. Tompkins; official paper, "Chronicle." First ward: Aldermen, R. G. Nelson, F. E. Church; justice, H. F. Luce. Second ward: Aldermen. John Kendall, Ilarvey S. Dartt ; justice, W. Dunbar. Third ward: Aldermen, T. M. Morehouse, A. G. Kranz; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Aldermen, J. C. Jahreiss. L. B. Fenner; constable, Steve Stepanek. Board of education : At large, Ellen M. Eustis, A. G. Pinkham; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Ward Kinyon ; Third ward, George Peachey : Fourth ward, William C. Zamboni.
1905-06. Mayor, Charles Green; recorder, C. J. Servatius; treasurer, Frank Finley ; street commissioner, Andrew Erdman ; assessor, Henry Sanders; marshal, Chas. Misgen ; municipal judge. J. Newsalt; attorney, W. F. Sawyer; surveyor, A. M. Mitchell; superintendent of waterworks, S. S. Green; official paper, "Journal." First ward: Aldermen, J. H. Robson, R. G. Nelson; justice, H. F. Luce. Second ward: Aldermen, N. P. Jefferson, Harvey S. Dartt; constable, Frank Stewart. Third ward: Aldermen, A. G. Kranz. T. M. Morehouse ; constable, E. Liddington. Fourth ward: Aldermen, L. B. Fenner, J. C. Jahr- eiss; constable, Jacob Orlowski. Board of education : At large, Guy B. Bennett, Ellen M. Eustis; First ward, George Parrott ; Second ward, Ward Kinyon; Third ward, Edward Lansing; Fourth ward, William C. Zamboni.
1906-07. Mayor, Harvey S. Dartt; recorder. C. J. Servatius; treasurer, Frank Finley; street commissioner, William Kottke; assessor, J. M. Schafer; marshal, Chas. Misgen; municipal judge, J. Newsalt ; attorney, W. F. Sawyer; surveyor, A. M. Mitchell; superintendent of waterworks; S. S. Green; weigh- master, Wilford Vinton; official paper, "Journal-Chronicle." First ward: Aldermen, R. G. Nelson, J. H. Robson; justice, H. F. Luce. Second ward : Aldermen, O. E. Williamson, N. P. Jef- ferson. Third ward . Aldermen, F. J. Wenel, A. G. Kranz; con- stable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Aldermen, F. M. Hoffman, L. B. Fenner; constable, Joseph Belina. Board of education : At large, R. H. G. Netz. Guy B. Bennett ; First ward. George Parrott; Second ward, Ward Kinyon; Third ward, Edward Lansing; Fourth ward, William C. Zamboni.
1907-08. Mayor, Charles Green; recorder, C. J. Servatius ; treasurer, Michael Leary ; street commissioner, William Kottke; assessor, James Malone; marshal, Chas. Misgen; municipal
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judge, Jacob Newsalt; attorney, W. F. Sawyer; surveyor, A. M. Mitchell; superintendent of waterworks, Karl P. Theimer; weighmaster, Wilford Vinton; official paper. "People's Press." First ward: Aldermen, Guy J. Clefton, R. G. Nelson ; justice, H. F. Luce. Second ward, Aldermen, N. P. Jefferson, O. E. Williamson; justice, Oscar G. Cedardahl; constable, J. F. Fitz- gerald. Third ward: Aldermen, William Hart, F. J. Wencl ; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Aldermen, L. B. Fenner, F. M. Hoffman. Board of education : At large, Guy Bennett, R. H. G. Netz; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Ward W. Kinyon ; Third ward, Edward Lansing; Fourth ward, Will- iam C. Zamboni.
1908-09. Mayor, C. I. Reigard; recorder, Chas. Servatius; treasurer, M. Leary; street commissioner, Edward Austin ; as- sessor, Jas. E. Malone: marshal, Chas. Misgen ; municipal judge, F. A. Dunham : attorney, W. F. Sawyer; surveyor, A. M. Mitchell; superintendent of waterworks, H. S. Dartt; weigh- master, Wilfred Vinton; official paper, "Weekly Journal- Chronicle." First ward: Aldermen, R. G. Nelson, Guy J. Clef- ton; justice, II. F. Luce; constable, A. C. Sanders. Second ward: Aldermen, O. E. Williamson, N. P. Jefferson; justice, Oscar G. Cedardahl; constable, F. J. Finley. Third ward : Aldermen, F. J. Wenel, William Hart; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Aldermen : F. M. Hoffman, L. B. Fenner. Board of education : At large, R. H. G. Netz, Guy Bennett; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Ward W. Kinyon; Third ward, E. W. Lansing; Fourth ward, William C. Zamboni.
1909-10. Mayor, L. F. Hammel; recorder, Chas. J. Serva- tius; treasurer, M. Leary; street commissioner, E. J. Austin; assessor, Jas. E. Malone; marshal, A. Mallinger; municipal judge, F. A. Dunham; attorney, WV. F. Sawyer; engineer, Ed- ward Austin; assistant engineer. A. M. Mitchell ; weighmaster,. Frank Finley ; official paper, "People's Press." First ward : Aldermen, Guy J. Clefton, R. G. Nelson ; justice, Karl P. Thei- mer. Second ward: Aldermen, L. C. Brown, O. E. Williamson ; constable, M. A. McAndrews. Third ward: Aldermen, William Hart, F. J. Wenel; constable, Cord King. Fourth ward: Alder- men, L. B. Fenner, James Orlowski (for one year to fill out unexpired term of F. M. Hoffman) ; constable, II. Conklin. Board of education : At large, G. B. Bennett, R. H. G. Netz ; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Ward W. Kinyon; Third ward: E. W. Lansing; Fourth ward. William C. Zamboni.
1910-11. Mayor. L. F. Hammel; city clerk, C. J. Servatius ; treasurer, M. Leary; municipal judge, F. A. Dunham; chief of police, Adolph Mallinger; attorney, Il. E. Leach; assessor,
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James E. Malone; weighmaster, Jacob Ciecimerowski; engi- neer, Harvey S. Dartt : official paper, "People's Press." alder- man at large for four years. L. C. Brown; alderman at large for two years, R. G. Nelson. First ward: Alderman. Guy J. Clefton. Second ward : Alderman, O. E. Williamson. Third ward: Alder- man, William Hart. Fourth ward: Alderman, L. B. Fenner. Fifth ward: Alderman, Anton Seykora. Board of education : At large, R. HI. G. Netz; First ward, George Parrott; Second ward, Ward Kinyon; Third ward, E. W. Lansing; Fourth ward, William C. Zamboni; Fifth ward, Anton Seykora.
CHAPTER XX
OWATONNA IMPROVEMENTS
Parks-Central Park-Dartt's Park-Mineral Springs Park- Second Ward Park-Cemeteries-City Waterworks-Sewer System-City and Firemen's Hall-Owatonna Library- City Hospital-Lighting and Heating System-Theater.
Owatonna has been particularly fortunate in her public im- provements. The lighting and heating, sewer and waterworks systems contribute to the comforts of every-day life, while the parks add not only to the beauty of the city but also promote the health of the citizens. The cemeteries are beautifully located and convey that impression of secluded peace with which we are wont to associate the last resting place of the dead. The City and Firemen's Hall is one of which the city may well be proud, and the library has had an important part in the development of the higher life of the community. The hospital has alleviated much pain and suffering, and has justified its establishment. The theater, while not owned by the city, may nevertheless be men- tioned among the public improvements.
OWATONNA PARKS
Owatonna is justly proud of its parks, which are unexcelled by any in this part of the state. A city's beauty is largely meas- ured by its parks, and Owatonna's rank as a beautiful city is ably maintained by this fact. Much credit is due to the men who have been instrumental in the development and manage- ment of the parks. For many years the duties of caring for the city's playgrounds had been left to the common council, a park committee appointed by the mayor having immediate charge. This system remained in vogue until November 5, 1907, when an ordinance was passed vesting the management of the parks in a committee of nine citizens, to be appointed for a term of three years by the mayor, subject to the approval of the council. The present members are as follows: C. A. Tincher, A. N. Wright, C. P. Sahler, J. F. Fitzgerald, C. J. Clefton, C. H. Rose- brock, C. K. Bennett, M. J. Brown and T. E. Cashman.
Central Park. When the city of Owatonna, then but a rude village, was platted, in 1855, the space now occupied by Central
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Park was forever reserved as a public square, and as such it was used until the early seventies, answering the purposes of a hay market, ball ground and a general get-together place. About 1873, however, it was felt that the needs of the community would be better served by a park, and after much laboring by Clarke Chambers, Dr. Harsha, and other public-spirited citizens, the council came to see it in that light, and arranged to have plans for a suitable park drawn by John Abbott. In spite of consider- able delay and some opposition, the grounds were laid out and fenced, trees planted, and a fountain and a band stand con- structed. The park has been especially valuable as a place for the Saturday night band concerts, and under its shady trees the dust and glare of the surrounding streets are forgotten. Numer- ous improvements have been added from year to year, and during 1909 hundreds of dollars were spent in raising the level of the park and in laying the cement walks which encircle and bisect the park. A new fountain was also added, which helps to make this beauty spot the more charming.
Dartt's Park. This park was enjoyed as a pleasure ground by the citizens of Owatonna through the generosity of E. HI. S. Dartt, one of its most unselfish and public-spirited men of affairs. Mr. Dartt became the owner of this property, located in the northeastern part of the city, during 1896, and at once took steps to make it an ideal resort for the weary and city-surfeited. Maple creek, which wound through the park, was dammed in judiciously selected spots, greatly increasing the depth of the water and making a wide lagoon. Bathing houses were erected. arched bridges spanned the creek, a baseball diamond was laid out, and a grand stand and band stand built. Without cost or admission of any kind, these premises were thrown open to the public. A boat house was later erected, and a gasoline launch and barge added much to the pleasures of the resort. Mr. Dartt experienced much difficulty in building dams capable of with- standing the ravages of the spring freshets, and spent thousands of dollars in keeping up the park. It is believed that he would have been glad to donate the park to the city. under certain con- ditions as to its maintenance, but nothing was done. After his death, in 1903, the property rapidly went to pieces through freshets and lack of attention, and its once well deserved name of "Dartt's Paradise" became rather a misfit. In 1907, after fruitless attempts to sell it to the city, the property was sold to J. M. Diment, and is now known as Diment's Park, but has never been restored to its former splendor.
Mineral Springs Park. As far remote as the early seventies the remarkable curative properties of Owatonna's celebrated springs, situated a mile and a half northeast of the city, began
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to be recognized. Simon Case, the owner of the land, succeeded in getting many of the prominent citizens of Owatonna inter- ested, and about 1875 the Owatonna Mineral Springs Company was organized, with N. M. Donaldson president, M. L. Strong secretary, and Edward Donaldson treasurer. "General" HI. A. Beers also did much for the early development of the springs, the spring from which the celebrated Owatonna vichy water is taken being named after him. The company procured the serv- ices of an expert chemist, Professor Enno Sanders, who analyzed the waters and pronounced them very similar to those of the famed vichy springs in the Ardennes of France. A circular was published giving the analysis and expatiating on the marvelous health-giving qualities of the waters, and it was hoped that a health resort would be started. Finally the city council was persuaded to buy the property for a public park, which was consummated July 3, 1877. February 6, 1883, an adjoining tract was purchased from Jacob Oppliger, the transaction being vir- tually an exchange of land between Oppliger and the city. During 1901, a two-acre piece was added, bringing the park up to its present area of twenty-four acres. For diversity and charm of scenery, it stands unsurpassed, being surrounded with wooded hill and fragrant with the natural flowers for which this part of the state is noted, making one of nature's most restful and lovely garden spots. Little could be done to enhance its God-given beauty. A large pavilion which has been recently remodeled adds to the comforts of picnickers and visitors, as do numerous tables and benches. The springs are too numerous to mention. Several of them are arranged to flow into cement drinking foun- tains. The present Owatonna Mineral Springs Company, con- trolled by Dr. Warren S. Briggs, who received an exclusive twenty-five-year franchise for the sale of water from the springs in 1903, has done much in the way of advertising the springs and also the city of Owatonna, its water having a rapidly grow- ing sale throughout the Northwest. It is supplied to the dining cars on many of the railroad lines, and thus its fame has spread all over the United States.
No description of the springs would be complete without mention of the "Big Rock," a relic of the glacial period, and one of the largest boulders in this section of the state. Many improvements have been added to the springs within the last few years, new dam, bridges and fountains having been installed. The opening of a new and shorter road to the park, in 1906, a beautiful driveway, makes the journey worth the while in itself.
Second Ward Park. During the late nineties the little park, just south of the Mineral Springs avenue railroad bridge, was
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opened. It was never officially christened, but is known as the "Second Ward Park." While very small in point of area. it serves to break the monotony, and has helped Owatonna to earn its name of the "Beautiful City."
OWATONNA WATERWORKS.
The first steps were taken for the establishment of a suit- able system of city waterworks. February 7. 1888. when a peti- tion was presented for the erection of such a plant and accom- panying mains. This request of the citizens was favorably received. the council deciding to have the question of issuing $40,000 bonds for waterworks purposes submitted at the next March election. After canvassing the returns it was found that the bonds carried by a majority of but eight, and numerous rumors as to voting frauds made the bonds unsalable. Owing to the expense incident to determining the matter in the courts. nothing was done until about a year later, when the council took steps to obtain authority from the state legislature in order to change Owatonna's charter so as to allow for the assessing of part of the cost of sewerage and watermains against the abutting property. April 2, 1889, a committee composed of C. Tryon, C. W. Hadley and C. J. Kinyon, aldermen, was appointed to look up facts and data regarding a system of city waterworks. At a special election held June 18, 1889, the citi- zens authorized the bonding of the city to the extent of $30.000 for a waterworks system.
Work was immediately started, the present site for the engine house purchased, and the contract for the drilling of the well let to F. P. Rust. W. W. Curtis, an engineer, was chosen to draw up the plans and specifications, and April 9, 1890, the contract for the erection and fitting up of the plant was given to Harrison & Hawley, of St. Paul, consideration $28,889.60. Less than a year later the plant was in running order, and water was being supplied to all sections of the city-wherever there was sufficient demand for it-as fast as the mains and piping could be laid. Every year has witnessed an extension of the water service, and the city now has over fourteen miles of mains and nearly a thousand consumers of city water. The total cost of the plant and mains has been in the neighborhood of $90,000. About 1895, the west side was piped. During the past year-1910-1911-the water mains have been greatly ex- tended, several thousand feet of piping having been laid.
Artesian wells supply the water, which is of unexcelled purity. The original well which supplied the city alone until 1898, is between three and four hundred feet deep. About
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1898, three other wells were added, varying in depth from eighty-three to eighty-nine feet. Water from these is pumped into a large reservoir and thence into the mains, but the water from the original well is pumped direct. A stand-pipe, located in the southeastern portion of the city, over a hundred feet in height, keeps the pressure strong and uniform.
All that goes to make up a first-class plant of its kind is included in the city's pumping station. Two engines with boil- ers, sixty feet by sixteen, developing over eighty horsepower apiece, furnish adequate power for all conditions ever met with. The pumps are of the most modern make, one being a Smith- Vail and the other a Smedley, together having a pumping capa- city of 700 gallons per minute.
Isaac Sorsoleil was the first engineer proving himself an efficient and faithful employee during his eleven years of service. He was succeeded by the present engineer, E. J. Crawford, in August, 1901, Mr. Crawford having previously worked several years as an assistant. His careful and judicious management has always met with the approval of the city fathers. Frank Orlowski is now assistant engineer.
Much is due to the men who have had charge of the business end of Owatonna's waterworks system. Up till 1898, the water- works committee of the city council appointed a man from year to year to keep the books, collect rents, etc. S. M. Byrne served in that capacity for several years, being succeeded by S. S. Green. In 1898, M. B. Pratt was elected superintendent of waterworks by the council, and held the office with few inter- ruptions for five or six years. The other superintendents who have filled this office for varying periods of time are, J. N. Niles, Harry D. Tompkins, S. S. Green, Karl P. Theimer and Harvey S. Dartt. Since the adoption of the new charter, in 1909, the duties of this office have been borne jointly by the city clerk and engineer, C. J. Servatius and Harvey S. Dartt.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS, GAS AND HEATING.
The progressive citizens of Owatonna began to realize about 1889 that an electric plant would mean much for the growth and development of the city. Steps were taken to induce a company to come in, but the population of the city was hardly sufficient to make a paying proposition assured. Henry Birkett, George R. Kinyon and other prominent men of affairs succeeded in getting a franchise from the council, March 16, 1889, for the establishment of an electric plant, the papers being in Mr. Birkett's name, and the idea being to offer the franchise gratis to any company that would use it. This was never done, how-
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ever, and June 15, 1897, it was officially revoked by the city council, it having been null and void for years on account of non-usage. During 1890, a franchise was granted by the city council to an outside corporation, headed and managed by two brothers of the name of Pierce. and electric lighting and other conveniences speedily became a reality for Owatonna. The first electric street lamps was installed, and the court house and other public, as well as private buildings wired. This company continued until about 1900, with various changes in the man- agement, the quality of service also fluctuating.
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