USA > Minnesota > Stearns County > History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 49
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HOLDINGFORD.
The Farmers' State Bank, of Holdingford, was incorporated July 19, 1907, with a fully paid capital of $12,000. Its organizers were Christ Borgerding, of Belgrade, Henry Borgerding and C. C. Schoener, of Melrose. The first offi- cers were : C. Borgerding, president ; Henry Borgerding, vice-president; V. S. Himsl, cashier. On January 14, 1908, the following officers were elected :
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Henry Borgerding, president ; John Borgerding, vice-president; V. S. Himsl, cashier. Following the death of their esteemed president, Henry Borgerding, a meeting held September 15, 1909, resulted in the election of John Borgerding, president ; C. Borgerding, vice-president; V. S. Himsl, cashier. V. S. Himsl resigned his office as cashier on January 1, 1911, and was succeeded by N. J. Harren. On January 11, 1911, following a change of stock interest, J. H. Spieker, C. C. Schoener and N. J. Harren were elected directors and they in turn elected the following officers: J. H. Spieker, president; C. C. Schoener, vice-president ; N. J. Harren, eashier; N. A. Gaida, assistant eashier. In 1914 Mr. Harren resigned to take up other lines of work and Mr. Gaida succeeded him in office. The business of the bank has shown consistent and steady growth from its organization. Beginning with deposits of less than $6,000, the published statements show an annual increase of business at the elose of the first year with deposits of $50,000. Their liabilities have grown until the bank has now on hand over $125,000. The officers are well known through- ont the county as responsible and active bankers.
Nicholas J. Harren, of Holdingford, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank, secretary and treasurer of the Holding Telephone Company, and local repre- sentative of the Northwestern National Life Insurance Company, of Minne- apolis, was born April 28, 1886, son of Gothard and Barbara (Ransch) Harren.
Mr. Harren was married May 18, 1908, to Barbara Buttweiler, daughter of Joseph and Frances (Barthell) Buttweiler. Mr. and Mrs. Harren have two children, Ethel and Mildred.
Mr. and Mrs. Gothard Harren had ten children : Nicholas J., Magdalena, Joseph, Philomena, Anna, Otto, Margaret, Theresa, Barbara and Conrad. The last named, a most promising youth, died at the age of seventeen.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Buttweiler had nine children: Mary, John, Ositha, Joseph, Barbara, Leo, Henry, Alma and Rose. Mary married Herman Schoener. John married Margaret Nixa. Ositha married John H. Wells. Barbara married Nicholas J. Harren.
The Security State Bank, more recently organized, has a capital of $12,- 000, and evidences the confidence of the community by its rapid accumulation of business. The deposits are elose to the $100,000 mark and the energy of its officers indicates a continned substantial growth. The officers are: J. B. Klasen, president; John Philipsek, vice-president ; Joseph Klasen, easliier.
FREEPORT.
The Freeport State Bank. In 1901 George Uhlenkott, holder of large land interests, grain shipper and highly esteemed farmer, organized the Bank of Freeport, as a private bank, and associated with him as eashier in handling its affairs, J. H. Welle. In 1904 Mr. Welle resigned his office and was suc- ceeded by H. H. Uhlenkott, the son of the president. The business of the bank eontinned under this management until 1908, when it was incorporated as the Uhlenkott State Bank, and the services of S. P. Uhlenkott added as vice-president. On July 3, 1912, the Uhlenkott interests in the bank were disposed of to P. A. Hilbert and J. H. Welle, of Melrose. Mr. Hilbert was made president ; J. H. Welle, vice-president ; J. C. Harren, cashier. One month
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later the stock was sold to Moritz Hoesehen, John W. Kuhn, Peter Thelen and Hubert Thelen, and the name of the bank changed to The Freeport State Bank. Under the changed ownership, Moritz Hoeschen was elected presi- dent; J. W. Kuhn, vice president ; J. C. Harren. cashier, While the title and interest of the bank has undergone changes since its organization in 1901, the growth has not been impeded, and under the care of the present competent officers will doubtless continue to make substantial gains. Mr. Hoesehen, the president of the bank, is a pioneer resident of Freeport, and aside from his connection with the bank, owns and manages a large general merchandise and grain business. He enjoys, and merits, the confidence and esteem of all those with whom he has business relations, and his conservative attention to the interests of the bank will do much to make it a bank of the first rating. Mr. Kuhn and Mr. Peter and Hubert Thelen have been identified with the mer- cantile interests of the village for years and their influence is for the good of the bank. Mr. Harren is a capable and efficient cashier and by his person- ality and his active interest has materially assisted in the development of the business.
Moritz Hoeschen, president of the Freeport State Bank, was born in Alten- becken, Westphalia, Germany, August 28, 1864, son of Anton and Julia Hoeschen, and grandson of Moritz Hoeschen, Sr. In 1876, fourteen members of the Hoeschen family came to Freeport. The party consisted of the grand- father, the father and mother, their ten children and Benedict, Sr., a brother of Anton Hoeschen, In their home town, in Europe, the Hoesehen family numbered among the prominent ones, the father, Anton Hoeschen, having for years served as chief magistrate of the community. In that capacity he was often called upon to represent his town in public and municipal gatherings, and after having emigrated to this country he often took pleasure in relat- ing reminiscences of meetings with prinees and other high personages dur- ing his official career in the old "Fatherland." And they were by no means straitened conditions that prompted the family to emigrate to the New World; they were well to do tillers of the soil, but as there were eight boys in the family it dawned upon the mind of the intelligent parents that America would offer them superior facilities for their future. And their surmises were grandly fulfilled, for after having been here a few years, they acquired a ter- ritory of land comprising over 800 aeres, all in the immediate neighborhood of Freeport, and land of a quality that is unsurpassed by any in the state. Grandpa Moritz Hoeschen, Sr., who is mentioned above as the oldest member of the family to emigrate, lived to the extreme old age of 99 years, spending the latter part of his days with his oldest grandson, John Hoeschen, at Mel- rose, Minn. Anton Hoeschen, the father of Moritz, and Julia, his mother, died within two years of each other, the former dying February 24, 1888, at the age of 64 years, and the latter February 12, 1890. All the children had by this time been well provided for. John, the oldest, a stepbrother of the others, as he was the only child of Mr. Hoeschen's first marriage, became the first leading business man in the new village of Freeport; Joseph, the second son, was also well established in the mercantile business, and all the other boys had good farms to their names. The two girls in the family were: Mrs.
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Christ Welle and Theresia, who afterwards became Mrs. Hy. Blenke. Of this family :
Moritz Hoeschen, the subject of this mention, was a member, and at the time of the family's emigration he was twelve years old. He appears to have been predestined to gain prominence in the business circles of the county. He received a very primitive education, but by constant practice and adher- ence to business matters he acquired an ability of note as his success in his business career goes to prove. For a year, 1889, he was engaged in the general merchandise business in company with his brother, John, and Henry Benolken. When his mother died in 1890, he took charge of the old farm, which through her will was put in his care. In 1892 he exchanged this farm for the business of his brother, Joseph, the latter taking charge of the farm and Moritz becoming proprietor of the store. Besides holding the controlling interest in the bank, of which he is president, he still, at the present time, is in the mercantile business at the old location, his associate being John W. Kuhn, who is also postmaster of the Freeport postoffice. During the first year of his second business venture, 1892, Moritz Hoeschen married Carrie Bockholdt, daughter of a prominent family of New Munich. Of this marriage six children were the issue, namely : Francis, Pauline, Julia, Monica, Boniface, and Moritz. Of these, Monica died in 1903, and Boniface died as an infant. Mrs. Carrie Hoeschen died in 1908, at the age of 36 years, and in February, 1910, Mr. Hoeschen was united in marriage to his second wife, a widow, Mrs. Mary Wochner, of Royalton, Minn. Mrs. Wochner had one daughter from her first marriage, Miss Helen.
In his business career Mr. Hoeschen has been most successful. After go- ing back into the mercantile business he soon took up grain-dealing and in addition to these branches the lumber business. In 1902 he ventured into the real estate line and in 1905 he became one of the organizers of the Ger- man-American Land Company of Humboldt, Canada. The other members of the company were: John Hoeschen, his brother, H. J. Haskamp, and Rev. Bruno Doerffer, O. S. B. In all these lines of business the subject of this sketch has been eminently successful, accumulating a substantial capital. When in 1912 the Uhlenkott State Bank was offered for sale Mr. Hoeschen, in company with John W. Kuhn, his associate, in the mercantile business, and the Thelen brothers, of the Freeport Milling Company, purchased the bank, of which he is now controlling shareholder and president. The other officers of the bank are: J. W. Kuhn, vice-president; James C. Harren, cashier, and Peter Thelen, director. In the organizing and financing of local public enter- prises, especially in the founding of the local creamery, Mr. Hoeschen took a most prominent part. To the local church he has donated most liberally and for many other reasons he may well be considered one of the foremost citizens of the little village of Freeport.
John W. Kuhn, member of the general merchandise firm of Hoeschen & Kuhn, at Freeport, was born February 28, 1874, at Meire Grove, Stearns county, Minn. He is the oldest son of Simon Kuhn and Margaret Sieben, both of which are still living and who reside at present in the city of Melrose. For some years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Simon Kuhn lived at Hastings,
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Minn., coming to Melrose later, where Mr. Kuhn engaged in the brewery business. He afterwards went into the general merchandise business at Mel- rose, and it was here where the young John W. received his first training in the mercantile line, elerking in his father's store. He received his education in the parochial and public schools of Melrose, and in 1894 he came to Free- port, entering in the Moritz Hoesehen store as elerk and bookkeeper. Four- teen years ago Mr. Kuhn entered into partnership in the merehandise busi- ness with his brother-in-law, Herman Schoener, which firm, however, dissolved after a year's career. He continued elerking and bookkeeping for Mr. Hoesehen as before until in 1907, when he associated with Joseph P. Benolken, in the Hoeschen store, which firm dissolved in 1912. He then became a mem- ber of the present firm of Hoeschen & Kuhn, which firm is doing an extensive business along the general merchandise line. John W. Kuhn is vice-president of the Freeport State Bank, formerly Uhlenkott State Bank, which bank be- came the property of its present owners in 1912. The other officers of the bank are: Moritz Hoesehen, president; Joseph C. Harren, eashier, and Peter Thelen, director. He became postmaster in 1905, which office he still fills to the satisfaction of all. Mr. Kuhn married Barbara Schoener, a daughter of the well-known Schoener family of this place, in 1898. They have been blessed with the following children: Gilbert, who died in his infaney; Coletta, Cybilla, and Beatrice. He has the following named brothers and sisters : Anna, now Mrs. Peter Koenig, of Wabasha; Mary, now Mrs. Neid, of St. Paul ; Margaret, residing at St. Paul, and Joseph N., traveling salesman, for Griggs, Cooper & Co., making his home at Detroit, Minn.
The Farmers' State Bank, while young in years, has already evidenced its sturdy eharaeter. Organized in February, 1913, with a capital of $10,000, it began business under the management of the following officers: Herman Rose, president; Niek Hoekert, vice-president; Frank Rieland, eashier; and with directors in addition to the above, Mike Kraker and J. M. Rieland. The working capital of the bank has been inereased $2,000 by its aeeumulated sur- plus and undivided profits. The personnel of the bank is made up of gentle- men well and favorably known throughout the distriet which this bank serves and arc men whose interests are identified with the growth and development of the village.
Frank Rieland, eashier of the Farmers' State Bank, of Freeport, was born in New Munich, in the same township, November 24, 1870, son of Hubert and Helen (Thelen) Rieland. He attended the distriet schools of his neigh- borhood, and subsequently took courses in the St. Cloud State Normal school. With this preparation he taught school two years, and then took courses in St. John's University at Collegeville. Then after working a year in the eom- mercial line in Melrose, he taught school in his home district four years. After this he took a course in musie in the Pio-Nono College, at St. Francis, Wis., after which he again taught school four years in his home distriet. For a year and a half he elerked in Bisbee, North Dakota. Subsequently for a year and a half he owned and operated a hardware store there. In 1904 he opened a store in Freeport, where he eondneted the hardware business in the build- ing now occupied by the bank. In 1913 he assumed the duties of his present
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position. His personality, his list of friends, and his character have already been an important feature in building up the institution. Mr. Rieland was elected village recorder in 1911, and has since been continuously re-elected. He is now treasurer of school district 102, and his experience as a teacher has been vital in bringing the school to a high standard. For two years he was assessor of Oak township. Mr. Reiland was married February 10, 1902, to Veronica Ley, of Spring Hill. They have three children, Elizabeth, Helen and Lauretta. Elizabeth was born January 8, 1905, and died July 24, 1909. Helen was born September 21, 1906. Lauretta was born August 13, 1909.
ST. JOSEPH.
The First State Bank of St. Joseph was organized in November, 1904, by F. P. Leisen, Nick Muller and John Lauermann, with a capital of $10,000. In 1908, the interests of Mr. Leisen and Mr. Lauermann were purchased by John C. Crever, who was made cashier of the bank. In 1914 Mr. Crever further added to his stoek interests by purchase from Nick Muller and became the president of the bank. The officers at this time are: John C. Crever, presi- dent; Martin Loso, vice-president; John Stock, cashier. The directors of the bank are: J. C. Crever, Martin Loso, F. J. Schroeder, Martin Schroeder and John Schroeder. With a capital of $10,000, surplus and profits of $14,000, and deposits of $220,000, the showing of the bank manifests the exceptional capa- bility of the officers. Mr. Crever gained his first experience in banking in the First National Bank, of St. Cloud, and added to his acquaintance and familiar- ity with conditions throughout the county by employment in the county treas- urer's office and his service as auditor of Stearns county. Mr. Crever is aggressive, familiar with the farm mortgage business, and possesses a large measure of ability as a banker. Martin Loso, one of the best known mer- chandise dealers in the county, and having a high commercial rating, enjoys the implicit confidence of the community. Mr. Stock, the cashier, had previ- ous banking experience before assuming office in this bank, and by his close application to business and his genial personality, has added to its popularity. A study of their statement of condition will show the assured position this bank now holds, and will continue to maintain, as one of the leading banks of the county.
John C. Crever, president of the First State Bank, of St. Joseph, was born in St. Wendel township, March 5, 1876, son of Casper C. and Anna G. (Weyrauch) Crever, the former of whom was born in St. Mary's, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of whom was born in St. Louis, Mo. John C. Crever attended the district school of his neighborhood, and the St. Cloud High School. He also took a commercial course in the Sauk Centre Academy. Thus prepared, he taught school in the townships of Getty and St. Wendel. In May, 1897, he was appointed deputy eounty treasurer. February 1, 1899, he became bookkeeper for the First National Bank, of St. Cloud. June 1, 1901, he assumed the duties of business manager of the Nordstern Publish- ing Co., at St. Cloud. In the fall of 1902 he was elected county auditor, and entered upon his duties in January, 1903. He served for six years. In Jan- uary, 1909, he became cashier of the First State Bank, of St. Joseph. In
.
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addition to this, he engaged in the lumber and implement business. He is a leading man in the town, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and St. Joseph Benevolent Society.
Mr. Crever married Theresa L., the daughter of Wendlin and Caroline Merz, of St. Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Crever have three children, Claudius R., Clara and Virginia.
Martin Loso, merchant of St. Joseph, was born in the village where he now resides, April 23, 1860, son of Peter and Margaret (Fiedler) Loso. He at- tended the neighborhood schools, and also took courses in St. John's Univer- sity, at Collegeville, this county. He then worked for his father for a while, and afterward conducted a business of his own. In July, 1886, he and Joseph Linnemann engaged in the general store business. Since they dissolved part- nership, Mr. Loso has conducted the place as sole owner and manager. He has a large establishment and carries a good stock, well suited to the needs of his growing list of customers. He takes an active share in the affairs of the village, is vice-president of the First State Bank, of St. Joseph, and a stockholder in the local creamery. He belongs to the Catholic Order of For- esters.
Mr. Loso married Mary Horsch, and they have six children : Martin, Oliva, Walter, Arthur, Loraine and William.
John Stock, cashier of the First State Bank, of St. Joseph, was born in the town of St. Wendel, May 30, 1882, son of Menne Stock and Mary (Sand- berg) Galama-Stock, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm in sec- tion 25, St. Wendel township, and remained with his parents until eighteen years of age. He became an educator, and taught school successfully in Le Sauk and St. Wendel townships, and in Freeport village. He has been in his present employ for some four years. Mr. Stock is a member of the Cath- olic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus.
BELGRADE.
The North American State Bank was established in 1889 by C. Borgerding, as the Bank of Belgrade, and was incorporated in May, 1905, under the title shown above. The officers are : C. Borgerding, president ; A. Linderholm, vice- president ; J. W. Koetter, cashier ; H. C. Borgerding, assistant cashier. This bank has a paid-up capital of $20,000; surplus and undivided profits, $5,000; deposits of nearly $300,000; loans and discounts, $260,000. No better evidence of the effi- cient and capable management of this bank or of the confidence reposed in it is needed than is afforded by an examination of their statement as shown at the conclusions of this article.
KIMBALL.
The State Bank of Kimball was organized July 15, 1901, by George E. Sherwood, Eliel Peck, Walter Dixon, H. C. Bull, Claude D. Brower, Franklin Lloyd, Simon Johnson, Chris Block, Henry Steichen, Joseph Scheelar, Ole L. Berg, W. D. McDonald, L. Cofield, August A. Zech and L. R. Williams. On February, 1905, Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Curtis purchased the controlling
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interest from Walter and C. W. Dixon, and George G. Sawyer was elected cashier. In 1908, C. M. Buck, E. E. McGrew, C. D. Brower, L. E. Larson and Olof L. Olson purchased the Sawyer and Curtis stock and Mr. Brower was chosen cashier, a position to which he has been annually re-elected since that time George E. Sherwood, the well-known Kimball physician, holds the office of president, and E. E McGrew, who has been cashier of the Bank of Dassel for the past twenty-four years, is vice-president. Mr Brower before coming to Kimball was postmaster at Kingston for eight years and treasurer of Meeker county for five and one-half years. He is regarded as an especially competent and efficient banker and by his personality and popularity las ma- terially aided in the rapid growth and high regard of this bank. A. H. Lof- strom, the assistant cashier, received his first banking experience in the First National Bank of Litchfield and has acceptably held his present position since January 1, 1909. The board of directors consists of Henry Steichen, M. C. Loesch and George W. Linn, well-known Maine Prairie farmers, George E. Sherwood, physician, Leonard Engel, for many years a successful merchant of Kimball, and E. E. McGrew, of Dassel and C. H. March of Litchfield, Minn., both well-known bankers. Since its start this bank has had a steady growth. The volume of business has doubled since the present officials were chosen four years ago, and the bank contemplates increasing its capital stock to $25,000 in the near future. Other stockholders not holding office are: Wil- liam H. French, Eliel Peck, L. E. Larson and Olof O. Olson.
Claude D. Brower, cashier of the State Bank of Kimball, was born in Kingston, Meeker county, Minn., September 28, 1871, son of Adam and Flora (De-Coster) Brower, early settlers of Meeker county, now living retired lives in Kimball. Claude D. received an excellent training in the district schools of Kingston, and began teaching at the age of sixteen years. Later he be- came postmaster at Kingston. At the age of twenty-one, he had been elected justice of the peace, and had tried over one hundred cases, in none of which cases were his decisions reversed by a higher court. For five and a half years he was treasurer of Meeker county. It was in 1908 that he came to Kimball, and took up his present duties in the bank. He has closely identified himself with the growth and progress of the village. Two of the additions which he has platted bear his name, and he is now interested in the Sherwood addition. He is treasurer of the township and village as well as of the school board. One of his pet projects has been the modernizing of the educational system of the village. In order that certain advantages of location might be given to the school, he deeded the present site of three and a half acres to the district in exchange for the old district site, the old site being less valuable and less suited for its purpose. On the new site was erected a thor- oughly modern schoolhouse, surrounded by an excellent playground where the children may obtain health and recreation. Mr. Brower is a member of Plumb Line Lodge, No. 173, A. F. & A. M., of Kimball, and has been a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America for about twenty years. He was married June 27, 1897, to Elsie A. Vincent, daughter of Orlo J. Vincent, of Kingston township, Meeker county. This union has been blessed with two sons, Donald B., and Orlo F.
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The Farmers State Bank of Kimball was granted a charter September 18, 1912, with a capital of $10,000 and a paid-up surplus of $2,000. The officers are: Thomas H. Hoskins, president; John P. Block, vice-president ; J. M. Ar- rowood, cashier. The directors other than the above are Henry Hinz and Thomas Moore. The stoek of this bank is in the hands of over 40 shareholders.
EDEN VALLEY.
The Security State Bank of Eden Valley was organized January 9, 1910, by T. F. MeClure, O. H. Campbell, Joseph Powers, F. C. Meier, Frank Rolfes and others and was incorporated with a paid-up capital of $15,000. This bank eommeneed business July 19, 1910, with Frank Rolfes, president ; George Tom- pers, vice-president ; F. C. Meier, cashier. Since that time P. J. Enright has been made assistant cashier. That the officers of this bank have proven their ability and seeured the confidenee of the district in which their business is conducted, is shown by the large line of deposits they have accumulated and the resources held further evidence a continuance of growth for the bank.
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