History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I, Part 50

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

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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).

MEIRE GROVE.

The Meire Grove Farmers' State Bank was organized February 15, 1911, with a capital of $10,000, which was raised to $12,000 one year later. The or- ganizers were Dr. P. A. Hilbert, Clemens Meyer, Niek Weyland, Gerhard Schulzetenberge and Ben J. Wehlage. The present officers of the bank are: P. A. Hilbert, president; Clemens Meyer, viee-president ; Niek Weyland, cash- ier. The officers and directors represent the best mercantile and agricultural interests of their locality and secure for it the highest confidence and esteem. Mr. Weyland, the eashier, before coming to Meire Grove was engaged for fif- teen years in a general mercantile business in Mitehell county, Iowa, and gives to the bank his aetive attention.

Nicholas Weyland, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of Meire Grove, was born in Luxemburg, August 7, 1866, son of Henry and Margaret (Majerus) Weyland, who spent the span of their years as farmers in Luxemburg. Of their twelve children there are now living four, Nicholas, John, Peter and August. Nicholas left Luxemburg for the United States in 1886. At this time he was fairly equipped for life, though but twenty years of age He had at- tended the Progymnase Royal de Luxemburg three years, and had four years' experience as vineyard, hotel and farm employe in the provinces of Marne and Ardennes in Franee. He arrived in Chicago in 1886, and worked for one year for the United States Express Co., after which he went to Fond-du-Lac county, Wisconsin, where he worked a year on a farm. Then he went to Fayette county, Iowa, and was employed in commercial work for three years. In 1893 he took up his residence at Staeyville, Mitehell county, Iowa, where he engaged in the general mercantile business and farming. He was town- ship clerk for ten years, and served in several other town and village offices. In 1904 he went to Kansas for the benefit of his health. After working a while on a farm he opened a store at Greeley, Anderson county, that state. In 1906 he came to Buekman, Morrison county, this state, where he had 1,400 acres of land. It was in 1907 that he entered into the mercantile business at

371

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Meire Grove, in Stearns county. July 1, 1913, he sold out to Michael Theisen. In 1911 he became connected with the Farmers' State Bank of Meire Grove. The officers are: President, P. A. Hilbert; vice-president, Clemens Meyer; cashier, Nicholas Weyland. Mr. Weyland has been notary public for seven- teen years. Mr. Weyland was married in 1892 to Mary Falk, born in Black Hawk county, Iowa. They have ten children, Mary, Peter, Angust, Aloys (died in 1914, age 15), Helena, Elizabeth and Edward (twins, of whom the latter died at the age of one year), Anthony, Frances and Martin.

AVON.

The Avon State Bank. The bank started as the Avon Bank in October, 1905, with Christ. Borgerding, president; Henry Borgerding, vice-president ; Victor D. Himsl, cashier. On October 2, 1907, it was made a state bank and named the Avon State Bank, with Fred Drontle succeeding Mr. Himsl as cash- ier. Shortly after, N. J. Harren succeeded Mr. Drontle and three years later John Stock succeeded N. J. Harren. Mr. Stock remained in office but a few months, resigning to accept a position in the First State Bank of St. Joseph, and N. J. Terhaar came from the Benton County State Bank at Sauk Rapids to fill the office which he now holds. On Jannary 10, 1911, J. H. Spieker, of Melrose, was elected president, and John Borgerding, vice-president, an office held by him for one year, after which he was succeeded by C. C. Schoener. These officers, together with Mr. Terhaar, bronght to the Avon State Bank a large experience in banking and have materially strengthened it by their en- ergy and business ability.

RICHMOND.

The State Bank of Richmond was organized by A. G. Whitney, of St. Cloud, and others, in the fall of 1899 as a private bank, called the Bank of Richmond. Mr. Whitney held the office of president and B. Knese was cashier. June 7, 1904, the bank was incorporated as the State Bank of Richmond with the following officers in charge: A. G. Whitney, president ; C. L. Campbell, vice-president ; P. A. N. Vreyens, cashier. In January, 1907, Mr. Vreyens suc- ceeded Mr. Campbell as vice-president, and William Moening, of Belgrade, was elected cashier. Mr. Whitney and his associates disposed of their entire holdings to local parties in 1912, and under the changed ownership, Gerhard Braegelmann was elected president; P. A. N. Vreyens, vice-president; and William Moening, cashier. The bank has been uniformly prosperous, enjoying the esteem and a large patronage of the community, and under the conserva- tive and alert present management will continue to make its influence felt throughont the district. Mr. Moening, the affable and active officer in charge, is a banker of experience and is favorably regarded by the bank's increasing line of customers.

Gerhard Braegelmann, farmer and banker, was born in Alenberg, Ger- many, April 7, 1853, son of Clemens and Elizabeth (Sieverding) Braegelmann. The other children in the family were Anton, Clemens and Henry. Clemens was the first to come to America. He settled in Richmond, this county, in 1866. In 1870 he was joined by Henry. In 1873 the parents and Gerhard and Anton

372

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

came. The parents settled three miles from Richmond in Munson township, where the mother died in 1893 at the age of eighty-seven, and the father in 1895 at the age of eighty-one. Gerhard worked on the farm with his parents three or four years, and then secured a farm of 165 aeres in the same town- ship. Ile built a small frame house and started farming with a pair of oxen. On this farm he spent twenty-four years, inereasing his holdings until he owned 500 aeres, lying in seetions 35 and 36, Munson, and seetion 2, Eden Valley. He improved this farm greatly in various ways, including the eree- tion of a modern home and commodious barns. He also owns a farm of 183 aeres in section 17. It was in 1897 that he retired and moved to a farm of 80 aeres in the suburbs of Richmond. He is a Democrat, and has held sueh offiees as supervisor and treasurer of the township. In 1912 he was elected president of the State Bank of Richmond. Mr. Braegelmann was married May 11, 1880, to Thelke Gertken, who was born August 8, 1860, daughter of Henry and Anna (Neihaus) Gertken, who upon coming from Germany, lived awhile in Illinois, and reached Stearns county at the time of the Indian troubles in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Braegelmann have had ten daughters: Elizabeth (first), Anna and Elizabeth (second) are deceased. Those living are Mary, Catherine, Jose- phine, Margaret, Elizabeth (third), Helen and Frances. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church.

The German American State Bank, organized by local business men, opened its doors June 1, 1904. After six years of successful banking, it moved into its modern and well equipped building. The policy of the bank has been to man- age its affairs conservatively, and to gain the confidence of the community and by these methods has made consistent and steady gains. The officers and directors are as follows: F. H. Wellcome, president; Fridolin Wurst, viee- president ; A. B. Rieland, cashier ; Henry Flindt, assistant eashier. Associated with these officers as directors are John J. Ahmann and M. A. Bussen. The bank is capitalized at $15,000, has a surplus and undivided profits of $12,000, and deposits of $250,000. Mr. Welleome resides in Minneapolis and is presi- dent of the Union Investment Company in that city. Mr. Wurst is the pro- prietor of the Richmond Flour Mills and is prominent in school and publie affairs. Mr. Rieland, the eashier, has had a wide banking experience both in Minnesota and North Dakota, and this coupled with his large acquaintance in and about Richmond has made his serviees valuable to the bank. Mr. Flindt is well-known throughout the distriet and his application and genial dispo- sition have won many friends. Mr. Ahmann until recently has been actively engaged in the general merchandise business and is known as a gentleman of ability. He has been active in publie affairs for many years and for several years was senator from the Forty-Sixth Legislative distriet. Mr. Bussen is the present postmaster of Richmond and has capably filled that position for more than fifteen years. He is also editor and manager of the "Richmond Stand- ard," a weekly newspaper published in that village.

ROCKVILLE.

State Bank of Rockville was founded by F. H. Wellcome, Bert Winter and J. J. Ahmann. Organized November 26, 1910, with a capital of $10,000, the

JOHN J. AHMANN

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

bank began business and continues under the direction of J. J. Ahmann, president ; John Weismann, vice-president; J. H. Breunig; cashier. In addi- tion to the above, F. H. Wellcome and the Rev. Henry Leuthner serve as direc- tors. Ex-Senator Ahmann is a resident of Richmond, and F. H. Wellcome of Minneapolis. Both are well known throughout the state and have interests in other banks. Mr. Weismann is one of the leading merchants of Rockville and is an efficient officer and business man. He did much toward the organiza- tion of the bank and his influence will tend to strengthen and increase its growth. Mr. Breunig is amply qualified to fill the office to which he has been elected and merits the confidence reposed in him by the directors.

John J. Ahmann, statesman, banker, and man of affairs, residing in Rich- mond, was born in Westphalia, Germany, January 6, 1860, son of Joseph and Magdalen (Schueltenover) Ahmann, who brought him to St. Martin township, this county, in 1875. After one and a half years' clerkship, John J., in 1877, entered St. John's University at Collegeville, where he completed his education. With this preparation he embarked upon a commercial career. For several years he clerked in stores in Richmond, Melrose, Albany and Cold Spring, after which he became manager of a general store at St. Joseph. Later he engaged in the grocery business at St. Cloud. In 1886 he formed a partnership with Frank Lommel and N. L. Ladner under the firm name of Ahmann, Lom- mel & Ladner. The company engaged in the general mercantile and grain busi- ness on a large scale. Three years later Mr. Lommel died, and the firm became Ahmann & Ladner. After six years under this management, Mr. Ahmann became sole owner. In February, 1913, he sold out to his son, Alphonse Ah- mann, and his son-in-law, Paul Backes, and since then, aside from looking after his various interests, he has been engaged in the real estate business. He is president of the State Bank of Rockville, and a director in the German-Amer- ican Bank of Richmond, and the State Bank of Greenwald. Mr. Ahmann was postmaster of Richmond in 1888. In 1906 and again in 1910 he was elected to the upper house of the Minnesota legislature, and is still serving. He was married, June 30, 1885, to Catherine Ladner, and has eight children: Clo- thilda, wife of Paul Backes, a Richmond merchant; Alphonse, a Richmond merchant ; Frank, who is in the First National Bank at Brown's Valley, Minn. ; Agnes, a graduate of St. Benedict's Academy, at St. Joseph, this county ; Nor- bert and Richard, students at St. John's University, Collegeville, this county ; and Benedict and Edmund, who are at home.

GREENWALD.

The State Bank of Greenwald was organized November, 1910, by F. H. Wellcome and Bert Winter of Minneapolis, J. J. Ahmann, of Richmond, and Nick Kraemer and A. H. Von der Haar of Greenwald. The first officers were : F. H. Wellcome, president ; Nick Kraemer, vice-president ; A. H. Von der Haar, cashier. Besides the above John Braun served on the board of directors. Since the organization H. G. Schulte has succeeded Mr. Von der Haar as cashier, and T. G. Wurst has been elected assistant cashier. The growth of the bank has been rapid and indicates the capable management as shown by the line of deposits, which now total nearly $100,000.

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Nicholas Kraemer, postmaster, banker and merchant of Greenwald, and sole proprietor of the Kraemer Hardware Co., dealer in hardware, farming implements, gasoline, engines and live stock, is one of the useful men of the village. He was born in Lake Henry township, this county, February 6, 1884, son of Michael Kraemer. He received a good education in the distriet school, and for two years was a student at St. John's University, Collegeville. Then for eight years he worked in a general store in Lake Henry township. In 1907, he came to Greenwald, and associated himself with Paul Winters in the hard- ware business. In 1911 he purchased his partner's interest and has sinee ear- ried on business alone. He carries a large stoek and commands a wide trade. In June, 1911, he was appointed postmaster at Greenwald, by President William Howard Taft. November 1, 1910, he assisted in organizing the First State Bank, of Greenwald, which started with a capital of $12,000 and the following officers : President J. H. Wellcome, Minneapolis ; vice-president, Nicholas Krae- mer; eashier, Henry G. Schulte; directors, the above with John Braun. Mr. Kraemer was married, November 5, 1907, to Anna Gelting, of Lake Henry township, and they have two children, Alcuin and Leona.

NEW MUNICH.

In reply to inquiry for information respecting the New Munich State Bank, Mr. Terharr, its genial cashier, offered the following: "In the spring of 1907 the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway Company built a branch line from Brooten, Minnesota, to Duluth, passing through the village of New Munich. The people of the village as well as the people of the surrounding country saw the need of a bank and on November 25, 1907, Dr. P. A. Hilbert, of Melrose, Mathew Pitzl and Herman J. Terharr of New Munich, organized the New Munich State Bank with a capital of $12,000. Dr. Hilbert was chosen president ; Mathew Pitzl, vice-president; H. J. Terhaar, eashier. A solid briek building 24x40 was built for its use and on January 10, 1908, the doors were open for business. No change of officers has been made since its organization. The bank now has a surplus of $5,000, deposits over $120,000, and loans and discounts, $125,000."

The writer of this article, covering the department of banking, agrees with the conclusions of "the people who saw the need of a bank" in New Munich, and believes also that the organizers made no mistake in founding the bank or in placing the present eashier in charge.

Herman J. Terhaar, eashier of the State Bank of New Munich, was born in seetion 26, Grove township, April 24, 1869, son of Gerhard and Dianah (Rie- land) Terharr, the pioneers. He received his early education in the distriet schools of his neighborhood. Later he took courses in the St. Cloud State Normal School and in St. John's University at Collegeville. Thus prepared, he taught school for fifteen years in distriet 119, Grove township. He has also done more or less farming, and still owns a farm of 220 acres. While living in the rural distriets he was town elerk from 1900 to 1907. In 1907 when the State Bank of New Munich was incorporated, he became its cashier, a position he still retains. His personality and worth has had much to do with the success of the institution. P. A. Hilbert is the president and Mathew Pitzl, the vice-president.

NICHOLAS KRAMER

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Mr. Terhaar is president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Association of New Mu- nich, as was his father before him. He has been treasurer of the village of New Munich, and is now serving his second year as president of the village. He is also treasurer of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. He was mar- ried June 12, 1900, to Mary Dobmeyer, of Albany, daughter of Michael Dob- meyer. They have six children, Ida, Marina, Florence, Jerome and Lucas.

Mathew Pitzl, sole owner and proprietor of the Mathew Pitzl Brewing Co., New Munich, was born in Hungary, April 14, 1869, son of Mathias and Anna Pitzl. The mother died in Hungary, and the father brought the two children, Mathew and Teresa, to America in 1887, living first for three years in St. Paul and then coming to New Munich. Mathew worked on a farm for a while, and then became a driver for Michael Frailer, whose father, Michael Frailer, Sr., established the brewery at New Munich. After three years Mr. Pitzł was given outside work. Then he went to St. Paul, and learned the trade of brewmeister in the Shelby brewery. In 1900 he purchased the Frailer brewery at New Munich for $5,500. He has practically rebuilt the place, has put in iron sill girders, cement floors and modern machinery, and has also greatly increased the popularity of the Weiner Lager Beer which he manufactures. From thirteen barrels a month he has increased the capacity to 800 barrels. The place is sanitary throughout, and the storage rooms, malt rooms, brew vats, and other equipment are models of their kind. Having been in the refreshment business for eight years in New Munich, Mr. Pitzl is well acquainted with the trade, and the output of his brewery has met with wide favor. In addition to his business in the village he has a good farm of 80 acres in section 18, Oak town- ship. He was one of the incorporators of the village and was elected its presi- dent. He is also vice-president of the First State Bank of New Munich.

Mr. Pitzl's first wife died in November, 1900, at the age of thirty-seven. They had five children, Mary, Tresa, Anna, Louisa and Leo (deceased). For his second wife he married Anna Boyer, of New Munich, daughter of John Boyer. They have five children : Norbert, Chaleder, Rosetta, Joseph and Isa- bella.

ROSCOE. (Zions Postoffice.)

The First State Bank of Roscoe was organized February 18, 1907, the organizers being Anton Muggli, Thomas Sauer, F. W. Hilger, Herman Schae- fer, Joseph Weis, John Weis, Clemens Kost and Peter Roeder. The present officials are: Anton Mnggli, president; Thomas Sauer, vice-president; Peter Roeder, cashier; Louise Muggli, assistant cashier. The directors are: Anton Muggli, Thomas Sauer, Joseph Weis and Peter Roeder. Mr. Muggli, as presi- dent of the First National Bank of Cold Spring, and the officers and directors associated with him, are well known and substantial business men. The bank is managed conservatively and wisely and is assured of continued growth and success.

CONCLUSION.

In concluding this article the writer refers with pleasure to the summary of the condition of the thirty-six banks of Stearns county, showing as it does,

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

total deposits of over nine million dollars and resources of nearly eleven million dollars (June 30, 1914), and ventures the prediction that these banks stand but upon the threshold of their future influence for good and their material assistance in developing the resources of the county.

Acknowledgment is made, with appreciation, of the courtesy extended by the many bankers in contributing data, and to the "Journal Press" and "Daily Times" for the use of their files, in preparing this article.

Report of condition as rendered the Comptroller of Currency and State Banking Department, June 30, 1914 :

Capital, Surplus and Undivided Profits

Total Deposits

Cash on Hand and Due from Banks

Total Resources

First National Bank, St. Cloud.

$ 210,953.74 $1,480,861.34 $ 303,377.12

$ 1,731,815.08

Zapp State Bank, St. Cloud.

148,534.00

921,903.81

164,941.29

1,070,437.81

Merchants National Bank, St. Cloud. ..

119,569.63

653,797.40

118,271.85

823,367.03

Security State Bank, St. Cloud.

114,374.98

440,199.73

83,947.64

554,574.71

Farmers State Bank, St. Cloud.

52,406.78

241,119.48

36,791.75

293,526.26

State Bank of Kimball.

18,492.21

240,047.76

27,462.43

258,539.97

First State Bank of Roscoe.

19,219.95

179,242.95

42,921.22

198,462.90

First National Bank, Sauk Centre ...

80,753.00

458,958.76

66,007.96

589,711.76

Merchants National Bank, Sauk Centre.

35,211.42

249,196.58

55,571.19

309,408.00

First State Bank, Sauk Centre.

31,769.78

218,980.00

32,182.53

250,749.78

Borgerding State Bank, Melrose ..

62,120.15

363,636.02

47,730.28

425,756.17

Security State Bank, Melrose.

26,674.97

285,228.22

37,838.44

312,228.22

German-American State Bank, Melrose.

31,049.19

116,745.35

32,364.90

147,794.54

German-American State Bk., Richmond.

28,874.03

263,993.76

17,614.11

292,867.79

State Bank of Richmond.

12,750.62

156,353.89

12,411.38

169,353.89

First National Bank, Cold Spring

34,860.32

242,835.20

75,363.33

287,695.52

State Bank of Cold Spring

15,333.47

105,835.44

14,538.78

121,168.91

First State Bank, Paynesville.

18,274.61

272,438.26

19,718.45

290,712.87

Security State Bank, Paynesville.

14,647.19

267,727.50

26,453.72

282,374.69

North American State Bank, Belgrade. .

23,482.92

295,924.32

35,716.05

317,924.32

First State Bank, Albany.

21,536.57

240,513.67

34,741.01

262,513.67

Stearns County State Bank, Albany.

15,310.07

111,263.83

19,014.33

126,573.90

First State Bank, St. Joseph.

17,917.36

221,857.01

35,977.64

239,774.37

State Bank of Brooten, Brooten.

17,482.50

132,888.35

18,272.76

150,888.35

Scandinavian State Bank, Brooten.

15,637.01

91,451.21

12,573.74

107,451.21

Security State Bank, Eden Valley.

15,639.02

124,466.51

13,912.40

140,466.51

New Munich State Bank, New Munich.

16,167.14

138,945.26

7,824.53

155,945.26

Security State Bank, Holdingford. ..

13,316.18

111,804.89

13,310.68

125,121.07

Farmers State Bank, Holdingford.

12,437.03

148,309.35

12,406.78

160,737.38

State Bank of Greenwald.

10,832.47

104,451.07

10,329.51

119,853.72

Freeport State Bank, Freeport.

11,507.40

91,766.72

3,872.90

103,274.12

Farmers State Bank, Freeport

12,271.59

50,744.23

3,800.96

63,015.82

State Bank of Rockville ..

14,630.16

82,637.72

6,155.41

97,267.88

Meire Grove Farmers State Bank

11,671.28

74,838.42

3,796.30

87,838.42

Avon State Bank, Avon

13,116.05

68,608.94

5,589.46

90,724.99

Farmers State Bank, Kimball.

10,458.82

17,003.98

987.45

30,869.93

Total for whole county. ... .$1,329,283.61 $9,266,576.93 $1,453,790.28 $10,790.786.82

ALBERT H. TURRITTIN

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Albert H. Turrittin, Minnesota State Superintendent of Banks, and for- merly treasurer of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, a citizen of Sauk Rapids, Benton county, but during his term of office maintaining his head- quarters in St. Paul, was born in Kasota, Minn., July 12, 1874, son of James B. and Wilhelmina (Zwanziger) Turrittin. In 1894 he graduated from the Mankato State Normal School. He has been president of the First National Bank of Royalton, Minn., of the Rice State Bank, of Rice, Minn., and of the State Savings Bank at Ortley, South Dakota, as well as cashier of the Ben- ton County State Bank, at Sauk Rapids. He was a director in the Merchants' State Bank, of St. Cloud; president of the State Bank of Long Lake, Minn .; and president of the Farmers' State Bank of Bruce, South Dakota, before his appointment as superintendent of banks. Mr. Turrittin was married on June 22, 1905, to Bessie Lonsdale Bouck. They have two children, Hugh Lons- dale, age eight years, and Phyllis Asenath, age three years. Mr. Turrittin was presidential elector on the Republican ticket in 1908. He has occupied offices in various places where he has been located, and has taken a promi- nent part in the affairs of Sauk Rapids, having been president and trustee of the village, and a member of the school board. He is now president of the Benton County Agricultural Society. Among the numerous organizations to which he belongs may be mentioned the Masons, Elks, Knights of Pythias, Eastern Star, Modern Woodmen, Red Men, Odd Fellows and the Automobile Club.

James B. Turrittin was born in Letterkinney, County Donegal, Ireland, and came to America in 1846. He was a carpenter by trade but spent a con- siderable portion of his life as a farmer. After living in Ohio, Michigan and Kansas he came to Minnesota. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Sev- enth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and during his three years and three days of service followed the fortunes of that regiment in the South and in the Northwest, being present at the hanging of the Sioux Indians at Man- kato. For merit he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. For nine years he was U. S. mechanic for the Indians at the Sisseton agency. He spent his declining years on his farm near Kasota, in this state. James B. Turrittin married Wilhelmina Zwanziger, and they were the parents of seven children : Frank E., Susan B., Lillian M., William R., Albert Hugh, Ida V. and Arthur A. Frank E. is married, has four children, and lives at Belling- ham, Wash. Susan M. married Freeman B. Crossfield, of Kasota, and they have four children. Lillian M. is the wife of J. A. Anderegg, of Long Lake, Minn., and they have six children. William R. is married and has four chil- dren. Albert Hugh is married and has two children. Ida V. is the wife of Roy R. Dragoo and they have four children. Arthur A. is married and has one child, Nathan.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I, Part 50

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