History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I, Part 48

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 964

USA > Minnesota > Stearns County > History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 48

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The German-American State Bank, established in September, 1913, is, in point of duration of its organization, the youngest of the Melrose banks. What it lacks in this particular is amply compensated for by a management that is mature in judgment and banking experience.

Jolin Kolb, president, has been a resident of Stearns county for forty- five years and his familiarity with the standing of the bank's customers and the conditions governing their interests fit him admirably for the position he holds. Mr. Kolb takes a large interest in educational matters and it is mainly through his efforts that the excellence of the city schools has been contin- ued.

John Hoeschen, vice-president and capitalist, is one of the best known men of the county. His name is familiar not only by reason of his long resi- dence here, but by his business connections. For many years he was en- gaged in the mercantile business at Freeport and later, on moving to Melrose, bought and operated the Melrose Milling Company. Besides his various asso- ciations Mr. Hoeschen is largely interested in the brewing business at Sas- katoon, Canada.

J. H. Welle, cashier, has a wide and varied experience in the banking business of the county and brings to his present office its full benefit. He has acceptably filled the position as cashier in the Freeport State bank, the Bank of North America and the First National bank, of Melrose, and enjoys the respect and entire confidence of his associates and many friends. He is re- garded as careful and conservative in his dealings and his pleasing personality does much to promote the growth of the bank with which he is now connected.

John Kolb, president of the German-American State bank, of Melrose, was born in New York City, July 18, 1867, son of George and Mary Anna Kolb, who brought him to Meire Grove, this county, at the age of one year, and to Melrose, this county, at the age of twelve years. John Kolb received a common school education, and early became identified with the sale of real estate and the development of Melrose. From June 1, 1897, to July 1, 1913, he was postmaster at Melrose, receiving his appointment from William Mc- Kinley, and serving under Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft, and a few months under Woodrow Wilson. September 29, 1913, the German-Ameri-

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

ean State bank was organized and he assumed his present position, He has done valuable service as a member of the village eouneil, and is now a mem- ber of the board of education. He was married May 1, 1890, to Elizabeth Berg, and their five children are: Hilda M., Odelia A., Martin C., Leo and John.

ALBANY.

The Bank of Albany, organized in April, 1896, by H. A. Warner and Ernest Keller, was at that time the only bank on the line of the Great Northern Railway between St. Cloud and Melrose. Continuing as a private bank for ten years it was incorporated under a state charter as the First State Bank of Albany, in June, 1906, with a paid-up capital of $15,000. The officers eleeted were H. A. Warner, president; Peter Kraker, vice president; Ernest Keller, eashier. In June, 1909, Mr. Warner and Mr. Keller disposed of their stoek interests to the remaining shareholders and to John Wellenstein and Andrew Peternell. The official vacaneies, owing to this change in ownership, necessitated a shifting in the executive department and resulted in the elee- tion of George M. Schaefer, president; Peter Kraker, vice president; Andrew Peternell, eashier; A. C. Sehaefer, assistant cashier. Later Mr. Sehaefer re- signed as assistant cashier and was succeeded by J. A. Wellenstein.

In 1911 the bank moved into its substantial new quarters, an artistically designed building used exclusively for its banking business, and located in the commercial center of the village. The active offieers of the bank and the direetorate are sufficiently well and favorably known to insure the continued growth of the bank. Mr. Schaefer is rated as one of the most successful mer- chants of the county and is esteemed not only in business eireles for his ster- ling character, but throughout the county in which he has resided sinee early boyhood. The details and general management of the bank are entrusted to Mr. Peternell and Mr. Wellenstein, young men of energy and business sagaeity, both of whom enjoy the confidenee and regard of the many custom- ers of this well-known bank. The record of the bank since its organization refleets large eredit on those who are interested in its affairs, and situated as it is in one of the most thriving villages of the county it is destined to a bright future.

George M. Schaefer has been characterized as the foremost eitizen of Al- bany village. He is a friend of every progressive movement, he has many interests, and has shown his faith in the future of the village by his varied investments. He was born in Crown Point, Indiana, April 1, 1857, son of George and Margaret (Klein) Schaefer, who, in 1860, brought him to St. Cloud, where he was reared. At the age of twenty-one he rented the Schaefer house from his father, and condueted it some two years. In the fall of 1880 he moved to Albany, bought out Carl Herberger, and engaged in the mer- eantile business. In 1898 he ereeted a splendid department store building, which his business now occupies. His trade has constantly inercased, and he earries an entire line of the goods demanded in a community of this kind. While this store is a large eoneern, it is but one of the many interests in which Mr. Schaefer is engaged. He is president of the Schaefer-Brandtner Hardware Co., which conduets a large establishment here. He is also inter-

GEORGE M. SCHAEFER

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

ested in the George M. Schaefer Furniture Co. Some years ago he assisted in organizing the First State bank, of Albany, of which he is now the honored president. For twelve years he has been on the village board, and for fifteen years he has been treasurer of the school district. He has been treasurer of the St. Joseph society for the past twenty years. George M. Sehaefer was married to his first wife, Julia Schutz, a native of Carver county, Minn., who died in 1898. To this union there were born twelve children, of whom there are ten living. Lena is the wife of Joseph Sehanoff, and has two children. Thomas is engaged in business with his father. He married Minnie Deiderich. Julia is now Mrs. George Burgmann, and has four children. Henry J. mar- ried Clara Barker, and they have three children. Leo W. married Annie Auer, and they have three children. Anton C. married Susan Auer, and they have one child. Otto F., bookkeeper for his father, married Rose George and they have one child. George A., Roman and Genevieve, are at home. The present Mrs. George M. Schaefer was Lena Marshall, a native of Shakopee, Minn. They have six children: Richard, Celentien, Carl, Edmund, Gertrude and Margaret.

The Stearns County State Bank, organized and incorporated May 28, 1912, is one of the youngest in the family of Stearns county banks. The sub- stantial earnings added to the capital ($12,000) afford additional and ample banking facility to the village and officered, as it is is, by W. J. Bolimer, presi- dent ; M. H. Nett, vice-president, and B. H. Benning, cashier, will elaim a sub- stantial interest in the business of Albany and the surrounding country.

These gentlemen are efficient bankers and their standing and reputation are recognized as of a high order throughout the county.

PAYNESVILLE.

The Bank of Paynesville was organized in 1892, by Harold Thorson, presi- dent; Andrew P. Hanson, vice-president; Stephen Rugland, cashier; Daniel E. Olson, assistant cashier, and with directors other than the above: J. O. Haines, P. V. Nilson, T. T. Lund and C. A. Frank. On June 25, 1909, this bank was incorporated and the name changed to the First State Bank. At present the officers are: Anson Evans, president; F. J. Kennedy, viee-presi- dent; H. H. Holifer cashier. The capital is $15,000; surplus and profits, $12,- 000; deposits, $260,000.

Henry H. Holifer, banker and real estate man, of Paynesville, was born August 12, 1877, in Zion township, this county, a son of Charles Holifer, the pioneer. Henry H. received his preliminary education in the sehools of his neighborhood, and subsequently spent four years and a half at the St. Cloud State Normal school. His business education was received at Vath's Business college, then located at Sauk Centre. Thus prepared he started on a business career. In 1901 he became assistant cashier of the First State bank, of Paynes- ville, and in 1912 assumed his present position as cashier. He is also inter- ested in the real estate firm of Holifer & Peters. Mr. Holifer is a member of Paynesville Lodge, No. 196, I. O. O. F., and Paynesville Lodge, No. 71, A. F. & A. M. He was married May 6, 1911, to Elliee Heffron, a daughter of James Heffron, of Minneapolis.

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

The Security State Bank was incorporated March 31, 1908. Anton Schmitt is president ; P. C. Pilon, vice-president ; W. E. Schultz, cashier ; H. R. Schmitt, assistant eashier. The bank has been uniformly prosperous as is shown by the substantial addition made to the surplus and undivided profit account, and under the capable management which it now enjoys will continue to serve its community as one of the strong banking institutions of the county.

William E. Schultz, cashier of the Security State bank, of Paynesville, was born on the old homestead in Zion township, this county, son of Michael Schultz, the pioneer. He was educated in the distriet schools of his neigh- borhood, and in the St. Cloud State Normal school. After leaving school he associated himself with P. B. Nelson, in the firm of Nelson & Schultz, dealers in farm machinery. In 1895 he became interested in banking, and subse- quently for ten years he was cashier of the Bank of Paynesville, now the First State bank, of Paynesville. After leaving this institution, he engaged in the real estate business for two years. Then he became cashier of the private banking house of Boylan & Carloca & Co. When that institution became the Security State bank, in 1908 he still retained the position. Mr. Schultz has been a justice of the peace, also a member of the Paynesville board of edu- cation. He has been treasurer of the township of Paynesville ten years and of the village of Paynesville fifteen years. Mr. Schultz married Alvina Frank, daughter of William Frank. They have three children: Willard, Maurice and Carrol.

COLD SPRING.

The First National Bank. The first bank opened in Cold Spring was under the charter granted the First State bank, in 1902, with a capital of $10,000. Business was conducted as a state bank for four years, until 1906, when it was re-incorporated as The First National Bank with a paid-in capital of $25,000. Anton Muggli, the founder of the bank, continued his capable management as president with the First National and had associated with him, John Muggli, vice-president, and Fred V. Stein, cashier. He is reeog- nized as a man of fine character and business ability and merits the confidence of the community in which he has lived so many years. His personality is felt not only through his banking institution, but in the village and throughout the rich farming seetion in the vicinity of Cold Spring. The active manage- ment of the bank is entrusted to the faithful and capable direction of Mr. Stein, who has amply demonstrated his fitness for the responsible position he holds.

Anton Muggli, banker and man of affairs, is a notable example of that true success which may be achieved by hard work and devotion to duty. A promi- nent factor in the financial integrity of this part of the state, a substantial friend of progress and education, the father of such a family as blesses the life of but few men, he is indeed a notable figure in the life of Stearns county. Anton Muggli was born in Switzerland, April 6, 1852, son of Anton, Sr., and Barbara (Monn) Muggli, who brought him to Stillwater, Minn., in 1854, and to Stearns county in 1858. He received such education as the primitive schools of his time afforded, and remained on the home farm, in Munson township,

ANTON MUGGLI AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

until 1877. With the small savings of his boyhood he then bought a farm of 160 acres, lying on the line between Farming and Munson townships. Hc worked early and late, saved as he could, and as time passed achieved pros- perity. In 1884, in order that his growing family might have the advantages of better school opportunity, he moved to a farm of 160 acres, which he had purchased near the village of Richmond. He continued, however, to operate his original farm also. Later he purchased a farm of 200 acres in the town- ship of Luxemburg, which he rented. In 1897 he purchased the Cold Spring Roller Mill, which he conducted in connection with his farms. He sold the mill in 1904. In the meantime, in 1900, he had given up extensive farming, and had purchased a home and forty acres in the village of Cold Spring, to which he moved. In 1905 he bought an interest in the First National bank, of Cold Spring, and was made president, a position he still holds, owning at the present time 177 of the 250 shares of that institution. In 1907 he organ- ized the First State bank, of Roscoe, of which he is the president. The same year he organized the Merchants' State bank, of Richardton (North Dakota), of which he is a director. He stands high in the community, is thrifty, honest and upright in all his dealings, and takes a very active interest in all things that pertain to Cold Spring and Stearns county. Mr. Muggli was married November 13, 1877, to Elizabeth Weniger, a native of Luxemburg, born Sep- tember 6, 1858, daughter of John and Susan Weniger, the former of whom died June 30, 1901, and the latter November 10, 1910. Mrs. Muggli, through- out all their married life, has been a good and faithful wife, a true helpmeet, and a loving and understanding mother. While statistics on the subject are not available, it is believed that Mr. and Mrs. Muggli have a larger family of living children than anyone else in the Northwest. The children number eighteen, and are as follows: Anton E., John, Susan, Lucas, Margaret, Bar- bara, Louisa, Agnes, Vincent, Joseph, Zitta, Ida, Zeno, Isidor, Gerhard, Ern- est, Clara and Stephen.

Anton E. is the president of the Glen Ullin Roller Mills, of Glen Ullin, North Dakota. He was born November 7, 1878, and was married October 24, 1904, to Susie Theisen, who was born February 24, 1882. Their children are : Edmund Anton, born August 26, 1905; Cresentia Kate, August 13, 1906; Law- rence John, November 25, 1907; Regina Agnes, November 10, 1908; Marie Theresia, April 17, 1910; Victor Vincent, December 28, 1911; Meinrad Zeno, April 4, 1913.

John is cashier of the Merchants' State bank, of Richardton, North Da- kota. He was born November 8, 1879, and was married January 17, 1906, to Anna Rian, who was born September 3, 1881, and died July 11, 1913. They had three children : Ethel Cecelia, born August 21, 1908; Evelyn Anna, July 11, 1911, and Margaret Bertha, March 21, 1913.

Susan was born June 12, 1881, and was married April 20, 1903, to Mathew Britz, a merchant of Roscoe, born November 17, 1873. They have six children : Marie Elizabeth, born December 28, 1904; Raymond Fred, born December 27, 1905; Louise Margaret, September 14, 1907; Zitta Josephine, February 19, 1909 ; Aloysius Peter, April 15, 1911; and Alphonse Jacob, November 8, 1912.

Lucas is secretary and treasurer of the Glen Ullin Roller Mills, of Glen

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Ullin, North Dakota. He was born October 18, 1882, and was married April 9, 1907, to Mary Theisen, who was born October 12, 1883. They have had four children: Secunda, born January 10, 1909, and dicd October 6, 1909; Marcus, born March 12, 1910, and died August 5, 1910; Lawrence, born Feb- ruary 7, 1911; and Renilda, born May 30, 1912.

Margaret, born November 18, 1883, is now Sister M. Renilda, O. S. B., located at St. Joseph, this county.

Barbara was born February 11, 1885, and was married September 6, 1904, to Fred V. Stein, a Cold Spring banker, born May 9, 1876. They have six children: Albert Anton, born September 4, 1905; Aloysius John, born Decem- ber 23, 1906; Laura Mary Elizabeth, born February 13, 1908; Benjamin John, born June 2, 1910; Anges Renilda, born March 18, 1911; and Daniel Fred, born January 3, 1913.

Louise, born April 14, 1886, is assistant cashier of the First State bank, of Roscoe. Agnes, born July 19, 1887, is assistant cashier of the First National bank, of Cold Spring. Vincent, born June 22, 1889, is engineer and miller in the Glen Ullin Roller Mills, at Glen Ullin, North Dakota. Joseph is the assistant cashier of the Merchants' State bank, of Richardton, North Dakota. He was born August 31, 1890, and was married May 13, 1913, to Barbara Schmidt, born October 18th, 1892. Zitta, born April 21, 1892, is a student at St. Josephi's college, at St. Joseph, in this county. Ida, born July 14, 1893, is at home. Zeno, born December 22, 1894, is a student at St. John's Univer- sity, at Collegeville, this county. Isidor was born September 7, 1896, and is a bookkeeper at the Glen Ullin Roller Mills, at Glen Ullin, North Dakota. Gerhard is a student at St. John's University. He was born March 2, 1898. Ernest, born February 22, 1900; Clara, born April 11, 1902; and Stephen, born January 3, 1905, are at home and attend the local schools. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

Fred V. Stein, cashier of the First National bank, of Cold Spring, was born in Columbia, Penn., but has spent the greater part of his life in Stearns county. His father, Fred Joseph Stein, was employed as a young man in the German postal service. At the age of twenty-five he came to America. At Columbia, Penn., he wed Mary Litgenberger, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, of Bavarian ancestry. The family came to Stearns county some thirty-five years ago, and located on a tract of wild land, a mile north of Cold Spring. They erected a frame building and became successful farmers. The father died in 1907 at the age of sixty-two. The mother now makes her home in the village of Cold Spring. Of the eleven children in the family, seven are still living. Fred W. Stein came to this county with his parents and was reared on the farm. He spent about a year in the West, looking over the country, and viewing some of the wonders of his native land. On October 1, 1906, he became assistant cashier of the First National bank, of Cold Spring. January 1, 1907, he was promoted to his present position. Mr. Stein is a member of the village council. He is secretary of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mr. Stein married Barbara Muggli, the danghter of Anton Mug- gli, president of the First National bank, of Cold Spring. They have six children : Albert Anton, Aloysius John, Laura, Benjamin, Agnes and Danicl.

PETER P. MAURIN

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

The State Bank of Cold Spring. Additional banking facilities were af- forded Cold Spring, November 1, 1906, by the organization of a private bank known as the Bank of Cold Spring, under the management of interests as- sociated with the Maurin estate. This bank was granted a state charter in 1908, and the name changed to the State Bank, of Cold Spring. The officers elected for the management were: Mary A. Maurin, president; Nicholas C. Wenner and A. J. Peters, vice-presidents; Peter P. Maurin, cashier; M. J. Maurin, assistant cashier. In August, 1912, F. H. Welcome, of Minneapolis, purchased an interest in the business and associated this bank with the chain of banks controlled by him throughout the state. At the time of this associa- tion the official changes made Mr. Wenner president ; Mr. Welcome, vice presi- dent, and Peter P. Maurin, cashier, N. A. Welle, succeeding M. A. Maurin as assistant cashier.

Peter P. Maurin, banker, postmaster, business man and real estate pro- moter, is one of the foremost men of Cold Spring, in which village he was born June 29, 1870, a son of Marcus Maurin. He received his early eduea- tion in the public school of Cold Spring, and then entered St. John's Univer- sity at Collegeville, from which he was graduated in 1888. Later he matricu- lated in the law department of the University of Minnesota, where he was graduated in 1893. Thus prepared for life, he returned home, remained about a year, and then entered the employ of the Merchants' National bank, with whom he remained nine years. At the death of his father he again returned to his native village, and was instrumental in organizing the State bank, of Cold Spring, of which he was made cashier. He is one of the organizers and partners in the Swasteka Spring Water Co., which he and Albert J. Peters established in 1908. He is serving his fourth year as village treasurer, and has recently begun a term as postmaster, having been appointed by President Woodrow Wilson, February 11, 1914. He belongs to St. Cloud Lodge, No. 516, B. P. O. E., and also to St. Cloud Council, No. 961, Knights of Columbus. Mr. Maurin is intensely loyal to his village, and is always willing to lend a helping hand to anything that is for the benefit of the town or county. IIe was married June 6, 1899, to Elizabeth Boley, of Owatonna, Minn.

BROOTEN.

The Bank of Brooten was established April 23, 1894, with a capital of $15,000, and opened for business with John Bohmer, president, and M. J. Kolb, cashier. Assured of a prosperous future and to better facilitate the work in the bank, a brick building 24 by 70 was erected the following year. In 1902 Mr. Kolb resigned as cashier in order to give undivided attention to his per- sonal affairs, and I. E. Foss, who had previously acted as assistant cashier, was elected to fill the vacancy, J. B. Wall succeeding Mr. Foss as assistant cashier. The management continued in this way until 1904 when Mr. Wall resigned and John Schaefer was elected assistant cashier. On its fifteenth birthday, or to be more exact, February 26, 1908, The Bank of Brooten incor- porated under the name it now bears, the State Bank of Brooten, and added the name of W. J. Bohmer as vice-president to its official family. Since the incorporation H. O. Imsdahl has succeeded Mr. Foss as cashier.

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

The State Bank of Brooten is granted to have capable, wide-awake and sound management, one that is alive to the needs of the community and means to continue its creditable history. Mr. Bohmer is a gentleman of large ac- quaintance, interested in several other banking institutions and does a com- mercial business in various lines. He very acceptably filled the office of presi- dent of the Sixth District Group, M. B. A., for one term and is rated as an experienced and dependable banker. The other officers of the bank are well and favorably known, and their personality has aided materially in strength- ening and building up the business this bank now enjoys.

John Bohmer, president of the State Bank of Brooten, was born in New Munich, Oak township, this county, February 16, 1877, son of William J. Bohmer, a blacksmith by trade, who came to New Munich in the early days and there opened a store. John Bohmer was educated in the district schools and has devoted his life to various lines of industry. For the past twenty years he has been engaged in the banking and lumber business. He is sole proprietor of the Bohmer Lumber Co., of Brooton & Ogema, and as noted above, president of the State Bank of Brooten. This bank, which was the out- growth of his private institution, was incorporated February 26, 1908. The original officers were: President, John Bohmer, Brooten; vice-president, W. J. Bohmer, Melrose; cashier, I. E. Foss, Brooten. The present cashier is H. O. Imsdahl. Mr. Bohmer is broad in thought and in action. He is a member of the village council, and has been one of the most important factors in the building up of a village at this point. For several years he was president of the village council. Mr. Bohmer takes especial delight in his beautiful "Pal- istina" cottage, built in 1909, on the northwest shore of Scandinavian lake, in Pope county, thirteen miles southwest of Brooten. The place is an ideal one in every respect, with beautiful grounds, a stately grove, a beautiful shore line and other attractions. A special feature is the seventy-five foot flowing well, which throws a continuous two-inch stream of sparkling water. Mr. Bohmer was married in November, 1893, to Dena Haskamp, born in Melrose, Stearns county, daughter of Joseph Haskamp. Mr. and Mrs. Bohmer have had five children: Albert, Querin, Wilfred, Otto (deceased), and Joseph (deceased).

The Scandinavian State Bank of Brooten was organized in June, 1905, with a paid-in capital of $10,000, and enjoying a prosperous business has ac- cumulated a surplus and undivided profits fund of $6,000. The officers are : P. J. Chelgren, president; Ole Larson, vice-president; J. B. Wall, cashier; C. O. Knutson, assistant eashier. This bank is well established in the confi- dence of the community and the efficiency of the official foree is shown by the excellent statement they make.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I, Part 48

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843- Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper Number of Pages: 964

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 964