USA > Minnesota > Stearns County > History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
John M. Emmel, real estate dealer, of St. Cloud, was born in the city, where he still resides, September 28, 1857, son of Joseph and Kunigunda (Fischer) Emmel. He was reared in this city, and in his youth worked a year in the drug store of C. Schulten. Then he worked for Young & Brad- ford, the dry goods merchants, for seven years. In 1880, he formed a part- nership with George M. Schaefer, under the firm name of Schaefer & Emmel, and purchased the store of Carl Herberger, at Albany, Minn. In 1889 Mr. Emmel was elected register of deeds and served with distinction for twenty years. Since 1900, he has been successfully engaged in his present line of business. Mr. Emmel is a member of the St. Joseph society, the Catholic Or- der of Foresters, the Modern Woodmen and the United Workmen. John M. Emmel married Mary M. Schutz, the daughter of Thomas Schutz, of St. Angusta, this county. They have had six children : Joseph T., John C., Carl A., Othilda K. Amanda G. and Arthur M. Joseph T., who served for some time as deputy register of deeds, died in 1899. John C. married Myrtle Glea- son, has three children, and lives in the state of Washington. Carl A. mar- ricd Georgia Boller, has one child, and lives in Oregon.
Frank Fandel. The stores of a city reflect its business spirit, and few things impress the stranger so much as a busy, modern, mercantile establish-
JOHN M. EMMEL
.
.
FRANK FANDEL
303
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
ment, conducted along progressive lines. St. Cloud is fortunate in the fact that its largest dry goods store thoroughly exemplifies the principles that the city desires to represent. Its owner, whose name heads this biography, is one of the city's most enterprising citizens, is deeply interested in the prosper- ity and success of his adopted home, and is always ready and willing to con- tribute money and services to anything that will benefit the "busy, gritty, granite city."
Frank Fandel was born January 10, 1859, in the city of Echternach, Luxemburg, Europe, son of John B. and Elizabeth (Masenburg) Fandel, who brought him to America, and located in St. Paul, in the fall of 1871. As a youth he was employed for some years in a restaurant in St. Paul, and in this way came in contact with many men prominent in Minnesota history. Later he made a decided change in life. He entered the employ of B. F. Zahm & Co., dry goods merchants, at St. Paul, and worked for them as a salesman there three years. His ability attracted the attention of the heads of the firm, and in 1879 he was sent to St. Cloud to take charge of their branch store here. In 1883, Mr. Fandel and Michael Nugent formed the partner- ship of Fandel & Nugent, and purchased the dry goods establishment of Michael Majerus. In 1895, Mr. Fandel purchased his partner's interest, and has since been sole owner of the business. Mr. Fandel belongs to St. Joseph's Benevolent society, the United Workmen, the Knights of Columbus, and the Commercial Club. He is a director and stockholder in both the First National and the Zapp State banks of St. Cloud. Mr. Fandel was married the first time to Katherine Schaefer, daughter of George Schaefer, the pioneer, and to this union were born six children, Victor, Pauline, Julius J., Eugene M., Sylvester and Hortense. For his second wife, Mr. Fandel married Margaret Marshall, of Shakopee, daughter of Henry Marshall, an early pioneer of Scott county, Minnesota. Victor, and Alfred Kindler, the husband of Pauline, have a dry goods store in Wahpeton, N. D., Julius J. is in his father's store in St. Cloud. Eugene M. is dead. Sylvester is a student of St. John's University, at Col- legeville, Minn. Hortense is a student of St. Benedict's Academy, at St. Joseph, Minn.
George H. Miner, local manager, at East St. Cloud, for the Central Lum- ber Co., has seen much history in the making, has lived among the Indians and the pioneers, and is well acquainted with the movements which have resulted in the modern development of the Northwest. He was born in Yank- ton, South Dakota, November 1, 1866, son of William and Anna Maria (Hoyt) Miner. The oldest of the four children of one of the Dakota pioneer fami- lies he spent a happy boyhood along the Missouri river and at Yankton. He picked up much knowledge of nature, and also received a thorough educational training. He attended Congregational college, at Yankton, and perfected himself in steam and electrical engineering. After passing the civil service examinations he entered the service of the government and instructed the Indians in these subjects. But his attention soon turned to the lumber busi- ness. After working for the Scanlan-Gibson Lumber Co., in Minneapolis for a year, he formed a partnership with E. L. Harkness, in 1901, and purchased the yard of W. T. Clark, at St. Cloud. Five years later they sold out to the
304
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
Balard-Trimble Co., and Mr. Miner became their local manager. When the St. Cloud yard was sold to W. H. Curran, Mr. Miner continued in the same position. During this time, Mr. Miner had purchased land in East St. Cloud, and in 1901 he induced the Central Lumber Co. to establish there a yard of which he is now the local manager. Under his care the business has flour- ished, and enjoys a large trade. As souvenirs of his early years he has many trophies, relics and curiosities presented to him by his Indian friends. For three years he was a member of the city council of St. Cloud. He belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic body, and is also a member of the Elks and of the St. Cloud Commercial Club. For twelve years he was vestryman, secretary and treasurer of the St. John's Episcopal church, and he is now the junior warden. George H. Miner married Adelia, daughter of Sylvester W. and Louise (Stafford) Howe, and they have two sons, William and Clayton Livingston. The father of Sylvester W. Howe was Allen Howe. The grandfather and great grandfather were both named William. Thus, Mrs. George H. Miner is a direct descendant of William Howe, the patriot, who was born in England, served in the Continental army, and founded one of the American branches of the extensive family of Howe.
William Miner, the father of George H. Miner, will be remembered so long as the history of the two Dakotas endures, his name being insepara- bly connected with the growth and development of Yankton county, South Dakota. A prominent figure in the early days, he is still living, he and his wife spending the afternoon of life in Santa Cruz, California, happy in the part they have taken in the development of a new country. Being a sur- veyor by profession he did his first pioneer work in surveying for the Wis- consin Central Railroad. Then he surveyed the Sioux reservation in South Dakota. For a year he was on Plum Island, in Lake Superior, now a part of the state of Wisconsin. In 1860 he walked from Dubuque, Iowa, to what is now Yankton, in South Dakota, and made the first survey there. With D. T. Bramble he opened the first store there and was appointed postmaster by President Abraham Lincoln. He was first sheriff and first register of deeds of Yankton county and was first mayor of Yankton. It was at his store that a meeting was held looking toward the organization of the territory of Da- kota. His years were filled with busy activities. He opened a route to the Black Hills and over this line operated a freight business. He took contracts for supplying the garrisons and the Indians with supplies. He sunk the first artesian well in that part of the country. In fact he took a vital part in every move that had for its object the betterment and progress of the Dakotas. His descendants for many generations will remember that he was chosen to survey and verify the lines between the United States and Mexico, after the Gadsden purchase. Other duties, however, prevented him from ac- cepting the position. Anna Maria (Hoyt) Miner, mother of George H. Miner, is a daughter of Rev. Melancthon Hoyt, said to have been the first resident Episcopal clergyman in the Dakotas.
Peter A. Martin, railroad contractor, of St. Cloud, was born in Tonspur, fifteen miles from the city of Christiania, Norway, April 6, 1855, son of Mar- tin and Enger (Kongel) Martin. He came to America in 1870, in company
P. A. MARTIN
305
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
with a sailor friend, who had assured him of the opportunities and prospects of America. After landing at Castle Square Garden, in New York, he found his way to Minneapolis, Minn., later going to Atwater, Minn. He farmed there for a few months, and in the spring of 1871 went to Ft. Abercrombie by ox team. From there he went up Maple river, "squatted" there for a year or two, and with others, devoted his life to hunting and trapping. In 1872 he became interested in railroad construction, and after purchasing a team, he started work on the line that was then being built from Fargo to Bis- marck, in North Dakota. Even after the road was completed to such a degree that cars were operated in the summer, Mr. Martin drove a stage line be- tween Jamestown, the "half-way" point, and Bismarck, carrying the mail and express in the winter time. When the trains were running regularly throughout the year between Bismarck and Fargo, he moved his operations still further westward. First he went out with a party of explorers bound for the Black Hills. The Indians were hostile, and the little party was com- pelled to barricade their camp each evening. The route to the Black Hills was finally laid out, and for many years Mr. Martin had charge of the mule trains over the trail from Bismarck to the Black Hills and return. He furnished the Black Hills smelters with about 16,000 cords of wood. But after such strenu- ous work, he determined to give himself a rest. Accordingly he returned to his old home in Norway, and spent six months in travel and recreation. Upon again reaching America, he worked for a firm engaged in transporting freight from Pierre, South Dakota, to the Black Hills. The next year he en- gaged in contracting for transportation on his own responsibility. Later he shipped his equipment to Winnipeg, Canada, and worked several years on the Canadian Pacific and its branches. In the spring of 1885 he became in- volved in the Reil Rebellion, but being resourceful and possessed of good judgment, he managed to get 100 teams, with equipment and supplies, through from Saskatchewan to Battleford. In the spring of 1886 he returned to the States and started contracting for the Great Northern. He worked in several states, and assisted in grading the road bed from Havre, Mont., through the Rocky Mountains to Seattle, Wash. Since then he has been em- ployed on the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie, the Northern Pacific, and the Great Northern. Since 1886 he has lived in St. Cloud and since 1889 has resided in his present home, at 605 Fifth avenue, South. This home he built to suit his own comforts. It is one of the finest dwellings in St. Cloud of picturesque architecture and design. He has two large farms in Benton county, this state, where he winters his half-hundred horses and his equip- ment. Mr. Martin is a director in the Security bank, of St. Cloud. He be- longs to the Elks and the Commercial Club, and for twenty years was a mem- ber of the K. of P. and the uniform rank of that body. Coming to this coun- try as a youth of fifteen, he has devoted his life to hard work, and has made a success of all his efforts. He is a splendid example of what a man with brains and energy may accomplish in this Land of Opportunity. Mr. Martin was married January 7, 1889, to Alice E. Stanley, a native of Minnesota. They have had two children, Ray, who died at the age of four years, and Thelma R., who is at home.
306
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
Bernard Reinhard, a pioneer merchant of St. Cloud, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 28, 1837, son of John and Barbara Reinhard. He came to America at the age of twenty and landed at New York November 8, 1857. He lived in New York, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in Davenport, Iowa, and was in the latter city when the Civil War broke out. Accordingly, he enlisted in Company C, First Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three months and saw active service. Suffering from rheumatism contracted in the army, he went to Rome, New York. From there he came to Minnesota and spent two years teaching school in Scott county. It was in May, 1865, that he came to St. Cloud, and opened a small book and stationery store. This business was successful from the start and in time became an important institution. In time he erected a building on St. Germain street, opposite his original location, and here car- ried on business until 1903, when he retired. Mr. Reinhard has held several offices in the city. He was a member of the city council eighteen years and of the school board for a considerable period. He also sat one term in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature. A friend has said: "Mr. Rein- hard has been a merchant in St. Cloud for thirty-eight years, and in all that period has borne a spotless reputation. He is a gentleman of refinement and good taste, a great lover of children and young people, and takes much pride in his little grand children." Bernard Reinhard married for his first wife, Sarah Miller, who died in 1870, leaving two children, Marie Barbara and Alphonse. Marie Barbara married Martin Molitor, and Alphonse, who is vice-president of the Merchants bank, of St. Cloud, married Celestine Saucier. For his second wife, Bernard Reinhard married Mrs. Minnie D. (Ladehof) Hoeppner, and to this union there have been born three children, Sarah Marie, Ida Marie and Bernard F. Sarah Marie married Frank Haver- lick, and of their five sons, four are living in Billings, Mont. Ida Marie mar- ried Harry Young. They live in St. Cloud and have three children.
John W. Metzroth was born in Kreuznach, Germany, December 3, 1823, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to a tailor. Three years later he started on a tour as a journeyman tailor through Austria, France and Ger- many, this, in those days, being thought a necessary part of learning to be a tailor. At the age of twenty-nine he embarked for America. During the voyage he was in poor health. Greatly benefited by his ocean trip of ninety days, he landed in Charlestown, South Carolina, in the fall of 1852. He was employed there for a while as a journeyman tailor, and then started on a long trip looking for a suitable location. He visited Philadelphia and New York, and reached Milwaukee in a time of financial depression. Finally he reached St. Anthony, now a part of Minneapolis, and formed a partnership with Carl Klein. At this period, Margaret Munck came from Germany to St. Anthony to become his wife. A few years later, Mr. Metzroth severed his relations with Mr. Klein, and with his wife started for St. Cloud. They went by boat to Monticello, and then continued the journey by ox cart. From 1857, the year of his arrival, until 1860, he engaged at his trade as a tailor in his shop on Fifth avenue. In 1860 he added ready-made clothing to his growing business. In 1865 he built a new shop on the same avenue, near St. Germain street. His business improved so rapidly that in 1876 he moved
3
JOHN W. METZROTH
CHARLES J. METZROTH
307
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
to a large building on the corner of St. Germain street and Seventh avenue. That same year he attended the Continental celebration at Philadelphia. In 1888 he sold his business to his sons, Charles J. and Otto F. The winter of 1888-89 he, together with his wife and daughter, Susan M., spent in California. Mr. Metzroth is said to have brought the first sewing machine ever used in St. Cloud. When he came here in 1857 he was accompanied by Philip Waldorf, who still resides in St. Cloud. John W. Metzroth died March 26, 1897; Mar- garet (Munck) Metzroth died March 6, 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Metzroth nine children were born as follows : John W., Jr., of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Charles J., of St. Cloud, Minn .; Mrs. John N. Benson, of St. Cloud, Minn .; Otto F., of St. Cloud, Minn .; Mrs. Susan M. Long, of St. Cloud, Minn .; Mrs. Minnie Lavanseler, who died at twenty-eight years of age; Augusta, who died at six- teen years of age; August, who died at three years of age; and Adolph, who died at eight months.
Charles J. Metzroth. When the city of St. Cloud passed under the com- mission form of government in the spring of 1912, the new system was entirely untried, and was new to the citizens. Many indeed were doubtful as to the results. Above all it was necessary that the men chosen to occupy the offices should be ones of wide experience, sound integrity, and staunch temper- ament, ready to adjust themselves to the new circumstances, and to bear the turmoil of the readjustment. A capable board was chosen, and in the words of one citizen, words fail to express the great benefits that the commission form of government, and the new board of commissioners have brought about. One of those who will long be remembered in this connection is the man whose name heads this sketch. Charles J. Metzroth was born in St. Cloud, April 17, 1859, son of John W. and Margaret (Munck) Metzroth. He attended the public schools and the model school of the St. Cloud State Normal school. At the age of fourteen he went to work in his father's clothing store. In 1888 he and his brother, Otto F., purchased the business of their father and conducted it until 1906. That year Charles J. took up the real estate business, in which he is now engaged on an extensive scale. He was elected a city commissioner, April 12, 1912. Mr. Metzroth is a member of the Commercial Club, and of the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Court of Honor. On May 25, 1891, Mr. Metzroth married Emma L. Schaefer, daughter of George and Margaret Schaefer, and they have two children, Emeline and Carl F.
Otto F. Metzroth, proprietor of the Metzroth Clothing Co., one of the best establishments of its kind in the city of St. Cloud, was born in this city, April 22, 1866, son of John W. and Margaret (Munck) Metzroth. He received his education in the schools of his native city, and at business college and he has spent his whole life, thus far, in this place. As a boy of fourteen years, he en- tered the store which his father had established in 1857 as a tailoring estab- lishment and had converted into a retail establishment in 1860. He learned the business thoroughly as a young man, and in 1888, he and his brother, Charles J., purchased the store of their father. They conducted it until 1906, when Charles J. withdrew from the firm. Since that time Otto F. has been the sole owner and proprietor. He is a member of the Elks and of the Com- mercial Club. Mr. Metzroth was married July 17, 1894, to Henrietta M. Ball,
308
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
who was born in St. Cloud, December 9, 1872, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Ball. To Mr. and Mrs. Metzroth have been born three children : Harriet, Forest and May.
Anthony L. Riley, railway contractor, living in St. Cloud, was born in Pennsylvania, August 30, 1858, son of John and Jennett (Fawcett) Riley, who brought him to St. Cloud in 1861. He passed through the public schools and was employed a number of years as a woodworker. Later he became inter- ested in railroad construction. He is now associated with A. Guthrie & Co., St. Paul, railway contractors, with whom he has been associated for the past twenty-seven years. He has financial interests in St. Cloud, and is a director of the Security State bank. For thirty-four years he has been a member of North Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he is also a member of the local lodge of the B. P. O. E. Mr. Riley married Agatha Blattner, born in Ontario, Can- ada, youngest of the twelve children of Christopher and Catherine (Snyder) Blattner, who brought her to St. George, Benton county, in 1871, the former of whom died in St. George in 1882, and the latter of whom is still living at the good old age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Riley is a graduate of the St. Cloud State Normal school. Mr. and Mrs. Riley have two children : Gladys M. and Harold W.
John Ferschweiler, for many years a resident of Le Sauk township, now of St. Cloud, was born in Trier, Germany, October 28, 1843, son of Peter and Lucy (Borne) Ferschweiler. The mother died in Germany. After her death, the father married Margaret Kepinger, and to this union four daughters were born. The father died March 3, 1895, at the age of seventy-six, and his wife died October 13, 1905, at the age of ninety-three. In 1857 the family came to America, fonnd their way west to Stearns county and settled in section 29, Le Sauk township. The father, with such help as the son could render, broke the land, and brought the wilderness under control. Thus John grew to man- hood. August 17, 1864, John Ferschweiler enlisted in Company G, 11th Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, went south with that regiment, and was mustered out at Ft. Snelling, July 11, 1865. After the war he returned to Le Sauk town- ship and started to farm on seventy-eight aeres presented to him by his father. From time to time he purchased land from the government, from the railroad and from private owners, until he now has three hundred aeres. In the fall of 1913, retired from the farm and is now building a fine residence on Seventh avenue, North. Mr. Ferschweiler has occupied many township offices, including the assessorship and the town chairmanship, both of which posi- tions he held for long terms. He was school treasurer for thirty-nine years. Mr. Ferschweiler married Catherine Iten, a native of Switzerland. This union has resulted in ten children, Peter, Frank A., Mary, Susan (deceased), Martin, Kate and Jennie (twins), Rose and Margaret (twins), and Louise. Peter is at home. Frank A. works in the Watab Paper Mills, at Watab, Minn. He married Cloudy Schindler, and they have five children. Mary married Michael Theisen. They have three children, and live in Le Sauk. Susan married Jo- seph Hersehfeld, and had one son. Martin lives at home. Kate married Bert Young and has two children. Jennie lives at home. Rose married Matt. Heinan. Margaret and Louise are at home. Mr. Ferschweiler comes of an
JOHN FERSCHWEILER
309
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
old and honored German family. His unele, John Ferschweiler, was an early settler and one of the first commissioners of Stearns county. He lived on a farm on the Sauk river, now oeeupied by Jacob Lahr.
Balthasar Rosenberger, one of the earliest settlers of St. Cloud, was born February 7, 1811, in Sehimborn, near Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, and was there reared. September 17, 1839, he left Bremen for Baltimore, Maryland, where he arrived November 1, after a voyage of forty-five days. He remained in Balti- more for a brief period, and then removed to Cumberland, Md., where he resided for fifteen years, part of the time engaged in the mercantile business. December 26, 1841, he married Elizabeth Roth, with whom he had been ae- quainted in his native land. In 1855, he determined to try his fortunes in the West. Accompanied by four others, he made a trip through Kansas and Missouri, and finally journeyed north to Minnesota, and reached St. Cloud. Here he decided to settle. Upon returning to Maryland, he left $100 here with John W. Tenvoorde, with which to buy property. Mr. Tenvoorde pur- ehased for him a piece of ground, 132 feet square, on what is now the corner of St. Germain street and Sixth avenue. The land is now the site of stately buildings, and aside from the value of the structures, is now worth about five times as much a front foot as was paid for the whole traet. In the spring of 1856, Mr. Rosenberger returned to St. Cloud bringing his family. For two years he worked at tailoring. Then he formed a partnership with Joseph Edelbroek in the general mereantile business. Later he engaged in lumbering. In 1866 he went into the hardware business, with his son, Henry J. Rosen- berger, as a partner. In the fall of 1868 he sold his interest in this business to another son, John M. Rosenberger. He then made a trip to Maryland and spent the winter there. In 1872 he bought a book and stationery store for his son, W. L., to whom he transferred it in 1875, in the interim, on aeeount of his son's youth, condueting it himself. He then retired from aetive busi- ness. A great sadness eame into his life, July 1, 1883, when he lost his be- loved wife. Mr. Rosenberger died May 23, 1892. At the time of his death it was written of him: "Belthasar Rosenberger has been in poor health for the past sixteen or eighteen years. For many years he vainly sought a eure, visiting Maryland, Hot Springs, St. Paul and other places, where he secured the best treatment and medical advice obtainable. Twelve years ago, blind- ness overtook him, and for the past seven years he has been unable to rise from his bed. Although his suffering was intense, yet, through it all and nearly to the last, his mind was elear and his recollections of early events wonderfully aeenrate. He liked to talk about the early days of St. Cloud, many ineidents in the history of which was familiar to him, and in some of which he was an active participant. No man among the early pioneers of St. Cloud stood higher than he in the estimation of his neighbors as a man of striet integrity, sterling honesty and reetitude of purpose. He was a devout Catholie, and ever ready to do good and lend his fellow man a helping hand." Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberger had six children, John M., Henry J., William L., Mary A., wife of Theodore Steinburg; Anna M., wife of Gerhard Leiser, and Elizabeth, who died in the late sixties. There are also numerous children and great grandehildren.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.