USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 8
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 8
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The Grand Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas was insti- tuted September 24, 1894, and Owatonna Council No. 85 the next year on December 28. This will indicate the relative im- portance of Owatonna in this regard and it is worthy of note that this relation is still maintained.
The charter list of Owatonna council contains thirteen well known names of prominent salesmen, one of whom still makes his home here. The charter list reveals the names of R. O. Phil- pot, who was in the employ of a Chicago concern ; J. E. Shipman,
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who traveled for C. Gotzam & Co., of St. Paul; G. E. Hunkins, in the employ of Dunham & Eastman; F. M. Crum, who for many years has been the representative of Selz, Schwab & Co., of Chicago, one of the largest shoe manufacturers in the world; M. Forde, in the employ of C. Gotzam & Co., of St. Paul; R. E. Looker, with J. S. Smith & Co., of Chicago; S. F. McClane, with the Owatonna Nursery Company ; C. M. McLean, with the Pecos Valley Water Elevator Co., of El Reno, Oklahoma ; F. H. Ellis, traveling for the Milwaukee Harvester Co .; A. J. Katz, with Ginterman Bros., of St. Paul; C. M. Irvin, with Mckibbin & Co., St. Paul; E. M. Smith, with Page Fence Co., of Adrian, Mich., and A. A. Snell, with the McCormick Harvester Company, of Chicago.
The first officers selected to manage the affairs of the council were the following, J. E. Shipman, senior counselor ; R. O. Phil- pot, past counselor ; A. A. Snell, junior counselor ; C. M. Irvin, secretary and treasurer; F. M. Crum, page, and A. J. Katz, sentinel. That the foundations of this local council were laid broad and deep, and its early finances handled wisely is evi- denced by its present position and influence, and to these, the founders, a large measure of credit is due, and also to the many men upon whom the later burden was laid. The present officers of the council are as follows, Senior counselor, William Gause- witz; junior counselor, N. S. Jacobs ; past counselor, O. A. Ku- bat; secretary-treasurer, A. L. Smith; conductor, Cline A. Tincher; chaplain, G. J. Anderson ; page, Jud. A. Morgan ; sen- tinel, A. J. Koob ; executive committee, H. K. Tompkins, M. J. Parcher, C. F. Hanson and P. J. Willetts.
The membership roll reveals the names of many men who are among the most prominent in the state, in business, social and political affairs. Among whom may be singled out for prominent mention is Anton Schaefer, who has always been an indefatigable worker in the U. C. T. organization, for many years the very efficient secretary and treasurer of Owatonna Council No. 85, being relieved from that office after the last election by his own urgent request. Mr. Schaefer is active in the affairs of the grand council and holds the important position of chair- man of the grand executive committee which he is filling with great honor and wisdom.
Mr. Schaefer in politics is a consistent Democrat, and was placed on the state ticket of his party nearly six years ago as the candidate for railroad and warehouse commissioner. Later he was appointed as the state public examiner by Governor John- son, which position he is filling at the present with great credit to himself and satisfaction to all the people of the state, as he
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is universally regarded as one of the most efficient and conscien- tious public officials in the state.
The second name to be mentioned is that of Thomas E. Cash- man, a past senior counselor of Owatonna council and a man who at all times may be depended on to advance the welfare of the order to the best of his ability ; an alert, active business man, at the head of the Clinton Falls Nursery Company, as be- fore stated. one of the largest concerns of its kind in existence, always a busy man, he still is finding time to work for his fellow man in whatever way his efforts may seem to best produce results, the present state senator from Steele county who has given such universal satisfaction to his constituents that his return is predicted by an increased majority; just appointed president of the State Horticultural Society which greatly en- larges his sphere of usefulness to society; an ex-mayor of his home city with a record for enforcing civic righteousness that is one of the high marks in the history of Owatonna-this is Thomas E. Cashman as seen by his neighbors.
William Gausewitz, the present energetic and efficient senior counselor of Owatonna Council No. 85, is the third man worthy of special mention in this class, a man who stands high in the business circles of Owatonna, an ex-state senator who filled that office with great credit and left a clean record as a public servant, ready at all times to do his part, and more, in the service of his fellow man. These are notable examples of the personnel of Owatonna council and stamps it as one of the organizations that must be reckoned with in the future of the city.
W. B. Clarkson.
Note-The important part that Mr. Clarkson, himself, has taken as a citizen and as a commercial traveler, is related else- where in his biography .- Editor.
OWATONNA HOTELS.
Not only has Owatonna, since the early days, been the home of many commercial men, as related by W. B. Clarkson, in the above article, but it has also been the stopping place of hordes of travelers, both commercial and social, since the first settle- ment. It has therefore been deemed wise to note here, the history of the various hostelries of the city, past and present. It might be mentioned in this connection that the Owatonna House, which is one of the finest hotels in this part of the state, is regarded as home by many commercial travelers who do not maintain residences in the city of Owatonna.
Pioneer Hotel. The first hotel in Owatonna was the Winship
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House, which was opened by N. P. Winship in 1855, on the site which the building still occupies. The structure then was a log cabin, twenty-two by sixteen feet in size, and from the travel that passed through here, this little hostelry became one of the best known landmarks of southern Minnesota in early times. In 1857, an addition, twelve by twenty-two feet in size, was erected. N. P. Winship remained in management til 1894, when his son, Ernest T., became the owner of the property, a Mr. Slonaker conducting the place, as agent, for the next three years. Mrs. Susana Deutschman (widow) then purchased the property, and later rented it to John Vollerson, subsequently assuming man- agement herself. Mr. Healing was the next renter of the prem- ises, being followed a few months later by Otto Stahmer, and then Mrs. Deutschmann conducted the establishment for a period, thereafter letting the place to Hubert Rockwood for several years, subsequently taking charge in person for a short while. Otto Stahmer, the present owner, was the next occupant, coming in in 1905 and purchasing the property the following year. In 1907, he gave the hotel its present name, and has since added many modern improvements and remodeled the building throughout.
Central House. Late in 1855 a hotel was opened in A. B. Cornell's log cabin, by Philo Sanford. It was located on the bank of the river. near where G. F. Albertus' residence now stands. In 1857, Mr. Sanford erected what was then known as the American House, and later as the Central House, which stands just west of the Morehouse block, on Broadway. After a year or two A. Town purchased the property, and it has since changed hands a number of times. M. A. McAndrews became proprietor of the place in the late eighties, and it was later sold to James E. Mooney, who discontinued its use as a hotel after a short experience in that line of business.
Owatonna House (former.) The one time Owatonna House was built and opened during the war by George Leick. Several years later, it was purchased by Mr. Engel, and at the time of his death he was succeeded by his son, William Engel, who car- ried on the business for a number of years, and then disposed of the property to Harry Conklin, ending its history as a hotel.
Norsk Hotel. The Scandinavian House, now known as the Norsk Hotel, was built in 1866 by John M. Joos. For a number of years it was rented, and finally came into the possession of Ole Elton, who conducted the place for a good many years, ably assisted by his wife. Mrs. Elton has had entire charge for the last twenty years or more.
German Hotel. In 1866, John Bartsch erected and opened the German Hotel near the depot. He ran it until the time of his
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deatlı, which occurred in November, 1881, and his widow con- ducted the business for some time afterward, subsequently sell- ing out to John Roach, who continued the hotel until about 1900, when the building was almost totally destroyed by fire. Shortly afterwards, the Washington Tool Company purchased the site and erected the factory they still occupy.
The Arnold House was erected in 1866 by B. L. Arnold. Mr. Arnold sold to Charles Hastings, who conducted it until 1882, when the property was purchased by C. Tryon. Under his management the hotel acquired a large and well deserved custom. After his death, about 1890, his widow conducted tlie business for a year or two, and then married G. Bronson, who was very successful in the management of the hotel, and built up an extensive patronage. In July, 1901, a fire wiped out over half the building, and it has never been entirely rebuilt. After an interval of a few months, Mr. Bronson opened again, but shortly afterwards let the establishment to a Mrs. Smith, who remained as a proprietor three or four months, Mr. Bronson then taking charge for a short period, and subsequently selling to Charles Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler operated the hotel for a little less than a year, and then disposed of the property to D. W. Douglas, who a year later, in 1905, sold to Charles Green, Jane E. Green, Mr. Green's sister, becoming proprietor and remaining as such till the early part of 1910, when the property passed into the hands of the Minnesota Park Association, of Minneapolis, the present owners. The premises were immediately rented to Mrs. John Parclier, the present proprietor.
The Tremont House was built in 1867 by Mr. Cory. Ile sold to John Parcher, and later it passed into the hands of J. Oppliger, who used it as a dwelling house for a time. In 1876, WV. Nickerson purchased the property and operated it as a hotel under the name of the Nickerson House, being succeeded by his son Charles, who was in turn succeeded by William Snyder. About 1890, the building was almost totally wrecked by a terri- fic windstorm, and further damaged by lightning. Shortly after- wards the site was purchased by the Catholic church and the present St. Joseph's cathedral erected.
City Hotel. In 1868, O. H. Wensell and Oliver Nelson erected and opened a house which they christened the City Hotel. A year later it was purchased by E. B. Crooker, and in 1870 he sold to Appleton Hale, who conducted the business for the next five years, and then disposed of the property to James and George Peachey, the place becoming known as the Peachey House. In 1880. George Peachey bought out his brother's interest and remained as sole proprietor till 1890, when G. J.
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Kaplan acquired the property, and after a year or two discon- tinued its use as a hotel.
The Robinson House, then known as the American House, was built in 1875 by James Connell. After changing hands several times the property came into the possession of L. Robin- son about 1880, who conducted the hotel, together with his wife, until his death in 1897. Since that time his wife, Mary B. Robinson, has carried on the business very successfully. In 1901, a disastrous fire destroyed over half of the building, but Mrs. Robinson immediately rebuilt, enlarging the old structure and adding modern improvements throughout, hot water heat, electric lights and other conveniences.
Merchants' Hotel. In 1880, Dr. E. M. Morehouse erected a three-story brick building, which was opened as the Commercial Hotel in 1884, by Elmer E. Cane. Two years later, W. D. Snyder became proprietor, remaining as such until about 1891, when he was succeeded by O. E. Edson, who changed the name of the place to the Merchants' Hotel, and conducted the business for a little over a year. In 1892, the use of the property as a hotel ceased, though five years later a portion of the upper story was fitted and has since been used as an addition to the present Owatonna House.
Church's Hotel, at present known as the Winona Hotel, was built and opened by John Church in 1885. Shortly after- wards. F. D. Albro became proprietor, and in 1890 G. J. Kaplan entered into possession, and the place became known as the Kaplan House. Shortly afterwards he rented the property to John Church, the former owner, and after passing through the hands of several renters-all the time being conducted as a hotel -the premises were sold to Frank W. Steinbauer, who gave the place the name it now bears. April 15, 1909, Jacob Weiler pur- chased the property, which he still owns. Fred Austin is the present occupant, but conducts the establishment as a rooming house only.
Owatonna House. In the summer of 1887, Dr. E. M. More- house began the erection of a magnificent four-story brick block, now widely known as the home of the Owatonna House, one of the most popular hotels in this section of the state among travelers who appreciate the hospitality of the highest type of a modern hotel. The house was thoroughly furnished and fitted in the most up-to-date and palatial manner during the year 1893, being opened with appropriate ceremonies and splendor January 1, 1894, by J. W. Gill, who conducted the business very success- fully until 1898, when he was succeeded by Frank E. Grove. He was followed a year later by the Foster Brothers, who remained until 1900, when the hotel came under its present
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management of Morehouse Brothers and J. W. Adsit, T N. Morehouse acting as proprietor up to 1905. Since that time J. W. Adsit has been in charge, and has continued the progressive methods of his predecessors, firmly establishing himself in the hearts of the traveling public. New improvements have been added from year to year, and the equipment is always main- tained in the highest state of efficiency. The new dining room, added in 1908, ranks with the best in the Northwest in appoint- ments and general arrangement. As evidence of the favor with which this hotel has met, it may be noted that scarcely three years after its beginning, its increasing patronage compelled the opening of a part of the old Merchants' Hotel as an addition.
Depue and Wood. In 1895, David Depue and A. E. Wood opened a hotel on West Broadway, almost directly across from the Owatonna House. They continued in business as joint proprietors-their establishment being simply known as the "Depue and Wood Place"-until 1904, when Mr. Wood retired from the firm. A year later Mr. Depue removed from the prem- ises, ending their use for hotel purposes.
The Farmers' Hotel was erected and opened by Peter An- derson about 1895. He sold in 1903, to N. P. Christensen, which ended the use of the property as a hotel.
CHAPTER XIX.
OWATONNA OFFICERS.
Incorporated as a City .- Minutes of First Council Meeting .- Changes in City Charter .- City Limits .- Officers of the City. -City and School Bond Issues.
Owatonna's transition from a hamlet to a full-fledged city was made February 23, 1865, when the state legislature passed a bill giving it a charter. George B. Hall, W. R. Kinyon, A. M. Kinyon, Judge N. M. Donaldson, Dr. David Harsha and J. W. Morford were chief among the leading citizens who were instrumental in bringing this about. Section one of article one, reading as follows, best describes the territory included in the incorporate limits : "That all that district of county situate in the county of Steele and state of Minnesota, known and described as sections three, four, nine, ten, fifteen and sixteen, and the west one-half of sec- tions number two, eleven and fourteen, and the east one-half of sections number five, eight and seventeen, in township one hundred and seven north, range number twenty west, shall be a city by the name of Owatonna." During the next twenty years various amendments were added from time to time, those of 1868, providing more specifically as to the election of the city officers and their terms, and entrusted the appointment of a city surveyor and attorney to the council. The year 1875 saw the next changes, the entire charter appearing to have been re-codi- fied, but nothing seems to have been materially changed. An amendment of March 7, 1878, re-divided the city, making four wards of it in place of three, and a year later the boundaries of the wards were placed as they were up to the time of the adoption of the present charter. The special laws of '79 gives it as follows: "The said city is hereby divided into four wards, as follows: By a straight line running from the north to the southi limits of said city, drawn through the center of Cedar street, intersected by a straight line running from the east to the west limits of said city, drawn through the center of Bridge street, and said wards shall be numbered and designated as fol- lows: The southeast division shall be numbered the first ward. The northeast division shall be numbered the second ward. The northwest division shall be numbered the third ward. The south- west division shall be numbered the fourth ward." February 10
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and 13, 1885. amendments were passed by the state legislature, amending the charter of the city of Owatonna by giving the school board the power to submit estimate of money needed for coming year for school purposes, and to have this amount levied. A municipal court was established in Owatonna March 7. 1889. taking the place of the court presided over by the city justice. The same year the council was authorized to assess part of the expense of laying water and sewerage property against abutting property. No other charges of any consequence have since been made, the present charter adopted at the March elec- tion of 1909 remedying all evils thought to be in the old.
The first steps were taken toward the securing of a new charter in 1906, when application was made to the district court for the appointment of a charter commission to draw up a charter for submission to the people under the home-rule law of 1896. Carl K. Bennett, Thomas E. Cashman, Charles S. Cran- dall, William Gausewitz. Patrick J. Kiernan, Harlan E. Leach, Willis F. Sawyer, Wesley A. Sperry, Lewis L. Wheelock, John Smith, John Lynard, Albert L. Sperry, Rasmus G. Nelson, Louis F. Hammel and Benjamin E. Darby were appointed as such commission, and immediately proceeded to draw up a charter which was submitted to the voters at a special election held January 30, 1906, but failed to secure the necessary four-sevenths vote. Another charter was then drafted which met with the approval of the people at the regular March election of 1909. This charter is still in force and has seemed to meet the needs of the city. Another ward was added, making five, only one alderman is elected from each ward in place of two under the old charter, but two are elected at large for a term of four years. The aldermen from the wards are elected for two years as previously. No constables or justices of the peace are provided for. All other officers are elected for two years, excepting the municipal judge who has a four-year term. The city attorney, assessor, engineer, and weighmaster are now appointed by the council. The engineer attends to the duties of the old street commissioner and city surveyor, and is a member of a Board of Public Works, created by the charter and consisting of the mayor, clerk and engineer, which supervises all expenditures of money and has charge and control of the water and sewer systems and other public utilities. Under the present charter the power to grant an exclusive franchise is not given the coun- cil ; no land owner can get land taken out of the corporate limits by petition to the district court, and no person can bring an action for damages against the city for injuries caused by a defective sidewalk unless they have given the council notice of the condition of the sidewalk at least five days previous to the
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accident. Another important provision in the present charter gives the council the right to regulate the rates of corporations dealing in public utilities.
Section three of chapter one of the charter best gives the ter- ritory included in the respective wards. "The city shall be div- ided into five (5) wards, as follows: The first ward shall in- clude all that portion of the city lying east of the center line of Cedar street and south of the center line of Main street and south of the center line of what is known as the Rice Lake road east of the point where said Rice Lake road intersects said Main street.
"The second ward shall include all that portion of the city lying east of the center line of Cedar street, north of the center line of Main street and the center line of the Rice Lake road east of the point where the said Rice Lake road intersects said Main street, and south of the center line of Rose street.
"The third ward shall include all that portion of the city lying west of the center line of Cedar street and north of the center line of Bridge street.
"The fourth ward shall include all that portion of the city lying west of the center line of Cedar street and south of the center line of Bridge street.
"The fifth ward shall include all that portion of the city ly- ing east of the center line of Cedar street and north of the center line of Rose street."
The first meeting of the Owatonna city council of which there is any official record occurred April 10, 1865. The minutes are as follows: "Meeting of council, April 10, 1865. Council called to order by mayor. Present : George B. Hall, mayor ; W. H. Willsey. W. R. Kinyon, J. B. Crooker, J. A. Oppliger, John Donaldson and William Scruby, aldermen; and A. M. Kinyon, recorder. Moved and seconded that we proceed to canvass the votes of the election held April 4, A. D. 1865. Carried. Pro- ceeded to canvass votes. The following named men were de- clared elected to the offices hereafter named, to-wit: mayor, George B. Hall; city justice, A. N. Stoughton ; city recorder, A. M. Kinyon ; assessor, James W. Dryser ; school director at large, D. S. Harsha and C. L. Tappan ; alderman first ward, W. H. Willsey for two years, W. R. Kinyon for one year ; alderman second ward, J. A. Oppliger for two years, J. B. Crooker for one year ; alderman third ward, William Scruby for two years, John Donaldson for one year; school director first ward, Setlı Hotchkiss; school director second ward, A. Town; school direc- tor third ward, D. W. Burch ; justice of the peace first ward, A. Chambers; justice of the peace second ward, G. P. Reyner ;
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justice of the peace, third ward, Philo Bliss ; constable, first ward, James Cornwell; constable, second ward, William Curtis; con- stable third ward. J. B. Hooker.
"Proceeded to appoint officers as per charter, to-wit: J. B. Hooker, city treasurer ; J. B. Searles. city attorney; F. Bixby, city surveyor ; W. Wheaton, city marshal.
"Moved and seconded that the recorder be instructed to procure a suitable book to keep city records in and stationery for the use of the common council. Carried.
"Moved and seconded that the compensation of the city attorney for the ensuing year shall be twenty-five dollars. Car- ried.
"Moved and seconded that the recorder be allowed seventy- five dollars per annum for his services. Carried.
"Moved and seconded that the city treasurer be required to give bonds in the sum of $1.000.00. Carried.
"Moved and seconded that we adjourn to seven p. m., April 17, 1865. Carried.
"George B. Hall, Mayor. "A. M. Kinyon, Recorder."
The officers of Owatonna have been as follows :
1865-66. Mayor, G. B. Hall ; recorder, A. M. Kinyon ; asses- sor, J. W. Dresser; treasurer, J. B. Hooker; city marshal, W. Wheaton; city justice, A. N. Stoughton ; city attorney, J. B. Searles; city surveyor, L. Bixby ; official paper, "Plaindealer." First ward : Aldermen, W. H. Willsey, W. R. Kinyon ; justice, A. Chambers; street commissioner, S. N. Sargent : constable, James Connell. Second ward : Aldermen, J. A. Oppliger, J. B. Crooker ; justice, I. P. Requa ; street commissioner, A. Odell; constable, Wm. Curtis. Third ward: Aldermen, W. Scruby, J. Donaldson ; justice, Philo Bliss; street commissioner, M. H. Franklin; con- stable. J. B. Hooker. Board of education : At large, D. S. Har- sha, C. L. Tappan ; first ward, Seth Hotchkiss; second ward. A. Town; third ward, D. W. Burch.
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