USA > Minnesota > Stearns County > History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 46
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
Thomas Clarendon Mcclure, for over a quarter of a century a leader in St. Cloud affairs, was born in Waldo, Maine, March 17, 1827, son of Thomas and Betsy (Armour) McClure. The father, Thomas, fought in the War of 1812; the grandfather, James McClure, Jr., was a captain in the Revolutionary war; and the great grandfather, James McClure, came from the north of Ireland, and settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire. As a boy and youth, Thomas Clarendon McClure worked on the home farm, attended school for a while, and taught school. In 1853 he went to Millbury, in Worcester county, Mass., and engaged in the leather business. It was in 1857 that he made his first visit to the Northwest. After looking about he located in St. Cloud. It was here that he became identified, in 1857, with Henry C. Waite, an attorney. Mr. McClure had received some knowledge of law in the East, and the two young men started in business together, doing a little law-work, but for the most part dealing in land and land-warrants. In 1859 the young men started a small private bank, the oldest bank in Stearns county, in a room over a store. In 1860, when Mr. McClure became register of the United States land office, Mr. Waite took over the bank. In 1864, when Mr. Waite succeeded Mr. McClure in the land office, Mr. McClure went back to the bank, a line of activity in which he was more or less interested for the remainder of his life. In 1866, Mr. McClure engaged in the milling and lumber business at Sauk Centre. For a time Alexander Moore was his partner. At the time of his death, Mr. McClure was still engaged in the wholesale lumber trade, in part- nership with N. P. Clarke, under the firm name of Clarke & McClure. The company had yards and factories at St. Cloud and Minneapolis, and yards at Manitoba, as well as a sawmill two miles from Perham, in Otter Tail county. With his milling, lumbering and banking, he was also a farmer, having thou- sands of acres of farm lands in Stearns county, as well as much unimproved land throughout Northern Minnesota. He was elected to the legislature
-
TheAll Their
341
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
of 1858, but the session was never held. Mr. McClure died August 14, 1881. This brief sketch gives but a meagre idea of what Mr. McClure meant to the city and state. Shrewd in business, upright in character, a loyal friend and prominent citizen, he left an impress on the life of the community that has not yet been eradicated. Farseeing, untiring, he represented the best type of the successful capitalist of the early days. At the time of his death, the newspapers were filled with appreciations of his life, work and character.
In December, 1859, Clara S. Clark became his wife. She was a native of Worcester, Mass., but at the time of her marriage was living in St. Cloud. Mr. and Mrs. McClure had six children: Clara L. (deceased), Clarendon P. (deceased), Thomas S., Caroline M., Alice C. and John Otis (deceased). Clar- endon P. was drowned while surf bathing in California in 1907. He married Jean O. Hayward, and they had two children: Clara L. (deceased) and Del- phine G. Thomas S. married Ada Snow, and lives in Minneapolis. Caroline married Warren H. Freeman, a son of Daniel H. Freeman. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman live in the McClure homestead, a picturesque mansion overlooking the Mississippi, and surrounded with spacious park-like grounds. Alice C. married Delroy Getchell and they have one son Bayard McClure. They live in Medford, Oregon. John Otis McClure died in 1910 at Medford, Oregon.
Zapp's Loan Bank. The history of this bank, from the time of its found- ing until it was incorporated as a State institution, is largely the personal history of John Zapp, its founder, whose energy, close application and business ability were given to it during these many years. Mr. Zapp's beginning in the banking business was in a small unobtrusive way. At the close of the Civil War, financial matters were naturally very much upset and in a precari- ous condition as a result of the long conflict. Banks were not regarded with the confidence that they are today and people generally depended more upon a trustworthy man than they did upon a bank. In the discharge of his duties as register of deeds, Mr. Zapp came in personal contact with the pioneer set- tlers and often befriended them by service and advice. As a result of this and the conscientious manner in which he attended to the duties of his office, he won their confidence to a marked degree. When some of them began to accumulate a little money, they often took it to Mr. Zapp for safe keeping. Originally he gave them a receipt for it, but after a while gave them his note and then re-invested the money in farm mortgages or other good investments. Thus it came that on January 1, 1870, which is the oldest record that he still has in his possession, he had been entrusted in this way with $5,555 for which he had given his notes. On January 1, 1872, this had grown to $8,153.25, on January 1, 1873, to $9,318.65, and from this small beginning the amount began to gradually grow until when he retired from the register of deeds office and engaged in the private banking business, he had a total of out- standing certificates of deposits of $100,000. With this as a nucleus, on Janu- ary 1, 1889, he began business as a private banker under the name of Zapp's Loan Bank, in the small one-story brick building just west of the courthouse, where the business was carried on successfully for the twenty-five years last past.
On July 1, 1907, Zapp's State Bank was incorporated under the state
342
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
laws with a capital of $50,000 and a surplus of $1,000. The first board of directors was John Zapp, Edward Zapp, Theodore Bruener, Frank Fandel and Math. Weirens. The officers were John Zapp, president; Theodore Brue- ner, vice-president; Edward Zapp, cashier; George Rosenberger, bookkeeper. At the close of the first year's business on July 1, 1908, the bank had total deposits of $417,516.74 and a surplus of $2,000. On August 8, 1913, the capital stock was increased from $50,000 to $100,000 and the surplus on July 1, 1908, which had been $2,000, was increased to $25,000.
The certificate of deposit account with which John Zapp started in busi- ness on June 1, 1870, of $5,555 has grown until at this time the bank is paying interest on over three-quarters of a million dollars and shows according to the last statement of condition, total deposits of $950,000. The present officers of the bank are: John Zapp, president; Theodore Bruener, vice-president ; Ed- ward Zapp, cashier; George J. Meinz, assistant cashier. On the board of direc- tors appear the well-known names of John Zapp, Edward Zapp, Theodorc Bruener, Frank Fandel and J. B. Himsl.
In 1914, the offices of the bank were moved from the modest quarters known to so many, immediately opposite the court house, to the beautiful building erected by the bank on St. Germain street. The present banking quarters are among the most beautiful, most convenient and most modern in the county. The active management of the bank has fallen from the shoulders of its esteemed president and is now placed with Edward Zapp, who has proven, by the continued growth of the bank, his efficiency and a high order of business ability. All of the officers are well and favorably known and their attention to the affairs of the bank insures its continued prosperity.
John Zapp, founder and president of the Zapp State Bank, was born June 10, 1830, on a small farm in Schoenecken, Kreis Precum, Prussia, Germany, received his education in the public schools of his native hamlet, and learned farming and engineering from his father. He came to America in 1854, and was employed as an engineer at a foundry in Newark, N. J., when he met Orrin Webb, who engaged him as engineer for his sawmill in Chicago. In the spring of 1855, Mr. Webb bought a sawmill at Sauk Rapids, in Benton, county, this state, and sent Mr. Zapp to operate it. Mr. Zapp conducted this plant for three years, working as engineer during the summer and working with his men in the pines during the winter. After the sawmill was converted into a flourmill in 1858, he remained in his former capacity for a year, after which he became a clerk in the general store of Proctor & Clarke, St. Cloud. In the fall of 1861 he was elected register of deeds of Stearns county. Taking office in the following January, he served for several terms thereafter. At about this time began his financial career which has just been mentioned.
Of Mr. Zapp it has been said: "The name of John Zapp is intimately associated with the story of St. Cloud and Stearns county. For over half a century he has been one of the leading men of the city and county, and a great measure of his success has come from public confidence in his integrity, ability and unquestioned honesty. Confidence is the cornerstone of successful banking, and it is this confidence that has given him his present place in the banking world. This is evidenced by the deposits that have come to him
343
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
unsolicited. His location on Court House square was off the main business street and yet business men and depositors went out of their way to give him their money, because it was John Zapp, the man, that they trusted. Per- sonally he was one of the most modest of men. He has been a good friend to his friends and to the city, but he has gone about it quietly. What he has done, he has done cheerfully and unostentatiously. But he has that quiet reserve, and that pleasant personality that inspires confidence, and back of it all is sound judgment. He has never misused the confidence placed in him, and has always kept faith with his customers, so that confidence and respect has grown with the years. No man in the community is more honored than is John Zapp. His career has been one of steady success, and there have been no spectacular rises. It has been his faithful attention to business day after day, devotion to the trust imposed in him, and his unfailing courtesy, that has counted. He is a man of strong convictions, but he respects the views of others as he expects his own to be respected. To have lived so long in this growing Northwest, to have played so important a part in its progress, and to have merited the wide-spread confidence and esteem of the people of a prosperous city and of a great county, is after all the best suceess that can come to any man, and measured by this standard, John Zapp has been a most successful citizen. Best of all, his great wealth comes to him with clean hands. There is not a penny of it that has the slightest taint of greed, selfishness or grinding cruelty.
The German American National Bank was organized July 9, 1883, with the following named officers and directors : A. C. Hull, president ; F. E. Searle, vice-president ; J. F. Stevenson, John Coates, J. E. West, John Cooper, Wil- liam Westerman, J. E. Hayward, E. W. Truesdell, C. A. Howe, Marcus Maurin and F. E. Searle, directors, and continued in business at No. 18 Fifth avenue south until May 13, 1897, when its consolidation with the Merchants' National was effected.
The Merchants' National Bank, with a capital of $100,000, dates its organi- zation from August 15, 1892, at which time the following directors were chosen ; A. Barto, M. Majerus, J. W. Wolter, C. M. Hertig, O. H. Havill, Jesse Long and Delroy Getchell. These directors elected C. M. Hertig, president; M. Majerus, vice-president ; O. H. Havill, cashier. Temporary business quarters were provided at the corner of Sixth avenue and Fourth street south pending the erection (1893) of their present well-appointed bank building located in the center of the business district on St. Germain street.
Under the adjustment of affairs occasioned by the merger of the German American with the Merchants' National (May, 1897) the newly-elected officers were : Timothy Foley, president ; C. M. Hertig and O. H. Havill, viee-presidents ; John M. Schwartz, cashier. On May 1, 1899, Mr. Havill succeeded to the presidency and A. H. Reinhard was elected cashier. These executive officers administered the active affairs of the bank until the time of Mr. Havill's resignation, August 7, 1911, when John N. Bensen was appointed president ; A. H. Reinhard, vice-president; C. O. Bensen, cashier. These appointments were all ratified by election at the annual meeting held in January, 1912. Dur- ing the year 1912 the bank renewed its charter for an additional twenty years
344
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
and in 1914 forwarded its application for affiliation with the Federal Reserve Bank. The present officers and directors are: John N. Bensen, president ; George E. Hanscom and A. H. Reinhard, vice-presidents ; C. O. Bensen, cashier ; E. G. Hagberg, assistant cashier. The directors are: John N. Bensen, George E. Hanscom, R. B. Brower, A. G. Whitney, I. W. Bouck, James J. Ponsford, C. O. Bensen, Carl Kropp and A. H. Reinhard. The bank has a paid-up capital of $100,000, surplus $16,000, and total assets practically $800,000. O. H. Havill, associated with the bank for many years in an official capacity, and whose resignation was presented to the bank in 1911, was widely known throughout the banking circles of the entire state. Besides being the first president of the Sixth District Group, M. B. A., he was honored with the highest office of the Minnesota Bankers' Association, and later served on the Executive Committee of the American Bankers' Association.
Mr. Bensen, the present ranking officer, by his personality and the large measure of confidence reposed in him by his wide acquaintance, has done much to maintain the favorable regard of this well-known bank, and his in- fluence has materially aided in furthering its prosperity.
Mr. Reinhard, who has been with the bank since its organization, and whose ability as a practical, systematic banker is well recognized, has done much to upbuild the business by his integrity and conservative-progressive policy, and has won universal esteem.
George E. Hanscom came to the Merchants' National from the State Bank of Foley, Minnesota, in 1913, and with his associates secured a large interest in the stock. Since then he has devoted his time largely to the interests of the bank and brought with him an added clientage. Mr. Hanscom has filled many offices of trust and responsibility and by his experience is admirably equipped for the business of banking. He has been honored in the banking fraternity and is at the present time the newly elected Minnesota vice-presi- dent of the American Bankers' Association. Besides his interest in the Mer- chants' National, Mr. Hanscom is associated as an officer and director in the state banks of Watertown, Mayer, Maple Plain, Long Lake, the First State Bank of Stewartville and the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of Sedan.
C. O. Bensen, as cashier, has by his genial manners and the confidence reposed in him, added to the growth and success of the institution.
(Later. January 1, 1915. Mr. Hanscom became president of the bank and Mr. Bensen chairman of the directors.)
George E. Hanscom, president of the Merchants National Bank, of St. Cloud, was born September 4, 1872, at Eden Lake, Stearns county, son of David J. and Lizzie C. (Abbott) Hanscom. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district school, and later took courses in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He also attended the Curtis Commercial Col- lege, at Minneapolis. Then with a partner, he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness under the firm name of Smith & Hanscom. He entered the Eden Valley Bank in a clerical capacity, and when it was incorporated as the State Bank of Eden Valley, he became a stock holder and was elected assistant cashier. Later he became cashier of the State Bank of Watertown, Minn., and subse- quently occupied a similar position with the State Bank, of Foley, Minn. In September, 1912, he became vice president of the Merchants' National
GEORGE E. HANSCOM.
JOIIN N. BENSEN
345
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
Bank, of St. Cloud. Mr. Hanscom belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Sauk Rapids. He also belongs to the Elks and the Court of Honor at St. Cloud, and is an active worker in the St. Cloud Commercial Club. Mr. Hanscom was married in 1891 to Sadie C. Ponsford, and they have three children, Louise, David and Lucile.
John N. Bensen. The character, reputation and integrity of its officials are the most important factors in the success and stability of a banking insti- tution. The personality of the working force brings depositors to its doors, dollars into its coffers, and business onto its books. Therefore an institution which has at its head one who has been known in the community for fair business dealings through many decades, is sure to command a great measure of the people's respect and confidence. The Merchants' National Bank, of St. Cloud, has such a man in the subject of these notes.
John N. Bensen was born in Odisheim, Hanover, Germany, June 23, 1850, son of Claus Henry and Anna (Schade) Benson. He came to America in 1870, was employed as a grocery clerk in Brooklyn, N. Y., for a year, spent eighteen months in St. Paul, and in the fall of 1872 came to St. Cloud and engaged in the grocery business. A few months later, he took his brother, Andrew J. Bensen, as a partner, and the business thus continued for more than thirty years under the name of Bensen Bros. In 1903 he engaged in the real estate business. In 1908 he succeeded O. H. Havill as president of the Merchants' Bank, still remaining a director of the First National Bank of St. Cloud, a position he has occupied for thirty-three years. He has been alder- man and mayor of St. Cloud, and is a member of North Star Lodge, No. 23, A. F. & A. M., and of the B. P. O. E.
On August 13, 1883, Mr. Bensen married Elizabeth C. Metzroth and to them have been born five sons, Henry W., Carl O., John A., Eugene L. and George N. Henry W. married Lulu Hall and they have one son, Wilbur John. They are operating a ranch at Missoula, Montana. Carl O. is cashier of the Merchants' National Bank of St. Cloud. John A. is a student at the St. Paul Law School. Eugene L. is a student of St. Cloud High School. George N. is a student of the Union school at St. Cloud.
The Stearns County Bank, organized by H. J. Haskamp and Fred Stangl, commenced business at 603 St. Germain street with a capital of $50,000, July 1, 1902. The officers were H. J. Haskamp, president, Fred Stangl, cashier ; M. Robischon, assistant cashier. In 1907 Charles J. Metzroth and John C. Crever purchased each an interest in the bank and Mr. Metzroth was made vice-president. Business was continued as a private bank until January 1, 1909, at which time, owing to the desire of Mr. Haskamp to relinquish his active interest in commercial affairs, it was decided to place the bank in voluntary liquidation and the entire assets, together with the good will, were disposed of to the First National Bank January 9, 1909. During its six and a half years continuance in business the Stearns county made a good record, and conducted a safe and profitable business, and transferred to the purchasers deposits of about $260,000.
Following the liquidation Mr. Haskamp moved to Los Angeles, California, where he now resides. Mr. Stangl was elected cashier of the Security State
346
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
Bank here. Mr. Metzroth, one of the largest owners of city real estate, was honored, two years later, by election to the board of city commissioners. Mr. Crever is president of the First State Bank of St. Joseph and Mr. Robischon is the efficient secretary and general accountant of the Great Northern Flour Mills Company at St. Cloud.
The Security State Bank of St. Cloud was incorporated and opened for business on August 6, 1902, with a paid-in capital of $50,000. The first board of directors were A. L. Riley, Charles F. Ladner, Charles S. Crandall, P. A. Martin, J. A. Senn, J. D. Sullivan and C. L. Atwood ; who elected C. L. Atwood, president ; C. S. Crandall, vice-president; H. A. MeKinzie, cashier. President C. L. Atwood, Vice-president C. S. Crandall and Directors A. L. Riley, C. F. Ladner, P. A. Martin, J. D. Sullivan, C. L. Atwood and C. S. Crandall have been re-elected each year until the present time. In 1907 the Board of Di- rectors was increased to nine members and in 1914, the capital stock was increased to $75,000. The bank has been very successful ever since its organization, having never sustained any serious losses, paying 7 per cent dividends for the first six years and 8 per cent after that; and in addition has accumulated $40,000 surplus and undivided profits, which shows that the directors and officers are careful, conservative business men. In addition to the regular banking business the bank has done a very large mortgage loan business, loaning millions of dollars for hundreds of investors on farm mort- gages and they boast of the fact that no investor ever lost a dollar on any loan made by them. The following well-known gentlemen constitute the present board of directors: C. F. Ladner, president of C. F. Ladner Hardware Com- pany, St. Cloud; A. L. Riley, railroad contractor and builder, St. Cloud; J. D. Sullivan, state senator, attorney, St. Cloud; C. S. Crandall, ex-senator, director of First National Bank of Owatonna, Owatonna, Minn .; J. B. Rosenberger, secretary and treasurer of St. Cloud Iron Works; E. W. Atwood, book and stationery merchant, St. Cloud; Niek Libert, hardware merchant, St. Cloud; P. A. Martin, railroad contractor, St. Cloud; C. L. Atwood, president, farmer and land owner, St. Cloud.
President C. L. Atwood has resided in Stearns county since 1860; taught school for six years, was principal of the Melrose schools for three years; studied law; was engaged in the mortgage loan and real estate business in this city for twenty years, during which time he was for a number of years a director of the First National Bank and Merchants' National Bank of this city ; has held many positions of trust; was member of the city council for fifteen years and board of Education for four years and is now resident director of the State Normal school. While chairman of the water works committee he financed and purchased for the city of St. Cloud the water works plant for $47,000, now valued at $250,000, saving many thousand dollars for St. Cloud tax payers. Mr. Atwood is a great believer in Minnesota and is largely interested in farm lands.
In 1907, H. A. Mckenzie resigned as cashier and Fred Stangl was chosen to the responsible position which he has held ever since. Mr. Stangl is a man of large experience and a most careful and conservative banker. He was elected register of deeds of Morrison county and held prominent positions
(. L. ATWOOD
347
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
in the First National Bank of Little Falls, Minn .; Bank of North America, Melrose, Minn .; Minot National Bank, of Minot, N. D. He organized and managed very successfully the Stearns County Bank of this city.
A. A. Weber, assistant cashier, son of Prof. Andrew Weber of Richmond, this county, is a very capable young man. The bank expects to erect a new modern bank building in the near future.
Clarence L. Atwood. The ranks of the building fraternity have been re- cruited from many walks of life. Some of the successful financiers have been trained in the institutions of which they are now the head, some have come from the mercantile business, some find their way to the counting house through the real estate and loan office, while some of the best have come from the teach- er's desk. Others have been versed in the law. The subject of this sketch had experience not only in one but in several of these lines before becoming president of the Security State Bank, of St. Cloud, the position he now occu- pies.
Clarence L. Atwood was born August 11, 1859, in Buffalo, Heart Grove, Sangamon county, Illinois, son of Edwin H. Atwood. Resolved to obtain a good education, he passed through the district school of his neighborhood, and then entered the St. Cloud High School. Thus prepared, he entered the St. Cloud State Normal School. Having secured his certificate, he started teaching, filling positions in Ramsey and Ottertail counties, this state. As the result of this experience he was appointed superintendent of schools at Melrose, Stearns county, a position he retained for three years. His educa- tional work in Melrose is still remembered. For a year he read law, and then engaged in the real estate and mortgage loan business with Hon. D. E. Myers and later with his father. It was in 1902 that Mr. Atwood organized the Security State Bank, of St. Cloud, of which he is now the president. Mr. Atwood is widely known as the resident director of the St. Cloud State Normal School. He has been a member of the board of education for several years and for fifteen years served on the city council of St. Cloud. Possibly no one thing has meant more to the people of St. Cloud than the purchase by the city of the water works for $47,000, a measure which was accomplished and financed under the direction of Mr. Atwood while he was chairman of the water works and fire protection committees of the council. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Shrine of the Masons, and of the Elks, Modern Woodmen, Royal Arcanum and Court of Honor. Mr. Atwood married Mary Elizabeth Crandall, and they have four children; Marjorie H., Crandall C., Allen A. and Frederick Charles.
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.