USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. : gathered from matter furnished by interviews with old settlers, county, township, and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources > Part 67
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The list of those who have sat in the east, west and south since the organization of the lodge is herewith given, and should be carefully preserved as a matter of reference, as the data from which the roster is made is most difficult of access.
YEAR.
M. W.
s. W.
J. W.
1864. S. R. Merrell
Anson Peirce
L. J. Fletcher.
1865. .S. R. Merrell.
L.J. Fletcher . R. Ottman.
1866. . S. R. Merrell.
. C. W. Smyth
W. A. Doe.
1867 . L. J. Fletcher
. W. W. Scott.
.M. L. Hulett.
1868. S. R. Merrell
Anson Peirce C. J. Collins.
1869. .C. G. Ayres
M. L. Hulett
Lafe. Collins.
1870. .W. W. Scott
Rev. G. W. T. Wright ... E. B. Ellsworth.
1871
W. W. Scott
Lafe. Collins
E. B. Ellsworth.
1872
Lafe. Collins.
Oliver Gibbs, Jr.
. Samuel Dale.
1873
. W. W. Scott
M. L. Hulett
Samuel Dale.
1874.
M. L. Hulett.
H. D. Brown
H. Dwelle.
1875. M. L. Hulett.
John Wear
H. Roff.
1876. J. Wear
M. P. Stroup
J. Hassinger.
1877 M. L. Hulett.
M. P. Stroup
H. K. Terre]l.
1878. .M. P. Stroup.
C. W. Crary .
Oliver Young. Oliver Young.
1880. .John Wear
H. Roff
C. A. Hubbard.
1881. H. Koff.
C. A. Hubbard
C. J. Coggswell.
1882. H. Roff.
O. P. Francisco.
J. S. Stanford.
1883. O. P. Francisco
J. W. Kennedy
A. J. Fowler.
1884. .O. P. Francisco
J. W. Kennedy
A. J. Fowler.
1879. . M. P. Stroup.
John Wear
The other officers for the current year are: C. Neal, Treas., who has held that office ten years ; Adebert Wells, Sec., who has held his office four years ; C. C. Lowe. S.D. ; C. H. Hanson, J.D. ; James Lister, S.S. ; F. G. Slocum, J.S. ; James K. Baker, Tyler.
862
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
Hope Chapter, No. 12, R.A. M. - The war had closed, the citi- zen soldiers had returned to their homes, trade had resumed its wonted channels, and peace settled permanently npon all our broad domain ; when, with the return of prosperity and the abiding convic- tion that war's rude alarms would not soon disturb their quiet, the members of the Lake City A.F.A.M., who in other places had enjoyed the privileges of the higher masonic bodies, determined, if possible, to secure the institution of a chapter of the royal arch at this place. A petition was accordingly forwarded to B. F. Smith, of Mankato, G.HI.P. of the G.R.A.C., for dispensation to open a chapter of R.A.M. in Lake City. The petition was favorably re- ceived and the request granted. The dispensation, bearing date February 2, 1867, came duly to hand and on the evening of the seventh day of that same month was read before the following named Royal Arch Masons, who constituted the original members of Hope Chapter, No. 12 : Eduard Anderson, E. F. Dodge, Benj. Dodge, A. H. Beach, John McBride, C. G. Ayres, Geo. K. Saylor, L. J. Fletcher, Benjamin Smith, T. M. Gossard, W. E. Lowell. The dispensation named A. H. Beach, H.P. ; Geo. Saylor, K .; John McDride, Scribe ; Benj. Smith, C. of H. ; C. G. Ayres, P.S., and L. L. Fletcher, R.A.C., to act until the convocation of the G.R.A.C. in the ensuing fall. The chapter thus working under dis- pensation continued its labors until the convocation of the G.R.A.C., October 12, 1867, when the act of dispensation was approved and a charter issued. The G.H.P. not being able to attend in per- son, appointed, as his proxy, companion S. B. Foote, of Red Wing, who, under instructions from the G.H.P., visited Lake City on December 3, 1867, to install the officers-elect and consecrate and dedicate the chapter. In addition to the names already given as petitioners, the list of charter members included the following : B. S. Goodrich, C. W. Smyth, S. S. Whitney, S. B. Munson, Jr., H. K. Terrell, J. W. Van Vliet. The meetings of the chapter were regularly held in Masonic hall and the numbers increased steadily. The whole number of companions who have been borne upon the rolls of Hope Chapter, No. 12, R.A.M., since its institution nearly seventeen years since, has been one hundred and forty-six, and of these ninety-six are now members. Of the original petitioners three have entered within the veil of the unseen temple, the house not made with hands, viz : Geo. K. Saylor, Benjamin Smith and W. E. Lowell.
863
LAKE CITY.
The officers who have filled the three highest positions in the chapter from the date of its dedication, are as follows :
YEAR.
HI, P.
KING.
SCRIBE.
1868. C. G. Ayres
John McBride B. S. Goodrich.
1869. .S. B. Munson
S. S. Whitney . L. J. Fletcher.
1870. .E. F. Dodge
.W. J. Whitney W. J. Townsend.
1871. W. J. Whitney
W J. Townsend. S. R. Merrell.
1872. .C. G. Ayres
C. W. Smyth J. E. Favrow.
1873. . . E. B. Ellsworth
W. J. Whitney H. H. Dickman.
1874.
WV. N. Vilas
H. H. Dickman. J. E. Favrow.
1875 E. B. Ellsworth
. H. H. Dickman
L. E. Thorpe.
1876.
H. H. Dickman
.M. L. Hulett
L. E. Thorpe.
1877. M. L. Hulett.
J. E. Farrow Calvin Neal.
1878. M. L. Hulett.
Calvin Neal
H. K. Terrell.
1879. M. L. Hulett.
Calvin Neal
G. W. T. Wright.
1880. . W. J. Hahn
Calvin Neal
G. W. T. Wright.
1881
W. J. Hahn
Calvin Neal
G. W. T. Wright.
1882.
Calvin Neal
J. C. Stont.
H. Roff.
1883. J. C. Stout. .
H. Roff.
O. P. Francisco.
1884. J. M. Martin
O. P. Francisco
J. Nute.
The officers for the current year, other than those above given, are : M. O. Kemp, C.H. ; C. A. Hubbard, P.S .; C. C. Lowe, R.A.C. ; C. W. Smyth, Treas. ; Adelbert Wells, Sec. ; J. Cole Doughty, M. 3d V. ; J. W. Kennedy, M. 2d V. ; C. H. Salisbury, M. 1st V. ; Jas. F. Baker, Sentinel.
Lake City Commandery, No. 6 .- The organization of the com- mandery in Lake City followed the institution of the chapter about three years. In the spring of 1870 a petition was presented to E. D. B. Porter, R.E.G.C., for dispensation to erect an asylum in Lake City, and the dispensation, in accordance with such petition, was granted on March 21 of that year (1870). One month later, April 21, 1870, the first meeting of the commandery was held. The Sir Knights to whom the dispensation of R. E.G.C. Porter came, were : E. F. Dodge, S. R. Merrell, F. A. Wells, Henry W. Holmes, Grove B. Cooley, S. Y. Hyde, Chas. H. Lindsley, Richard A. Jones and E. H. Kennedy. Of these, E. F. Dodge was named E.C., S. R. Merrell, G., and F. A. Wells, C.G. In the following June the grand conclave met, approved the work of the Sir Knights and issued them a charter in regular form. On October 31 following, Sir Knight S. R. Merrell, of this city, received orders from the R.E.G.C. to organize the commandery, and on November 12, 1870, the orders were obeyed, and Lake City Commandery of Knights Templar, No. 6, was formally organized. The commandery has had a prosperous existence, and until the trial by fire, nearly two years since, was steadily increasing in numbers, influence and effi-
864
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
ciency. Notwithstanding the organization of Red Wing comman- dery so near their asylum, within less than half the prescribed limits, Lake City Sir Knights have added to their numbers from year to year until one hundred and seventeen have taken the orders of knight- hood in the asylum here, or been received from others. Of this whole number of one hundred and seventeen, only twenty-nine have sev- ered their connection, leaving an actual membership of eighty-eight. Of the twenty-nine who are no longer carried upon the list of Sir Knights connected with this commandery, five have gone out at the orders of the Supreme Commander, to enter the earthly asylum no more forever. Their names are : C. A. Bayard, who died in 1872; Wilbur Carrol, in 1875 ; W. E. Collins, in 1880 ; H. M. Powers, in 1881, and H. P. Krick, who received his summons only last Sep- tember. The three principal posts in the commandery have been held by the following Sir Knights from the organization of the body, in 1870, until the present. In this table the years in which the elections were held are the ones given :
YEAR.
E.C.
G.
C.G.
1870
E. F. Dodge
S. R. Merrell
Geo. Atkinson.
1871.
S. B. Munson
.S. R. Merrell.
Geo. Atkinson.
1872.
S. R. Merrell
. D. M. Baldwin
Geo. Atkinson.
1873
D. M. Baldwin
W. J. Whitney
W. E. Collins.
1874
W. J. Whitney
W. E. Collins.
W. N. Vilas.
1875
W. E. Collins.
E. B. Ellsworth G. W. Mossman.
1876.
E. B. Ellsworth
.C. W. Smyth
.H. D. Brown.
1877.
E. B. Ellsworth.
.C. W. Smyth
H. D. Brown.
1878
E. B. Ellsworth
.J. E. Favrow
J. C. Stout.
1879.
J. C. Stout.
J. E. Favrow
H. Roff.
1880.
J. C. Stout.
.J. E. Favrow
H. Roff.
1881.
J. C. Stout
H. Roff
C. A. Hubbard.
1882
C. A. Hubbard.
H. Roff
C. J. Stauff.
1883
C. A. Hubbard
H. Roff.
J. Cole Doughty.
The completed roster of the Sir Knights holding office in the commandery here at present are : Rev. James Cornell, P .; James C. Hassinger, S.W .; J. C. Parkhurst, J.W. ; O. P. Francisco, Treas. ; M. O. Kemp, Rec. ; H. H. Dickmann, St.B. ; C. H. Salisbury, Sw.B. ; Calvin Neal, Warden ; J. O. Junkin, 1st G. ; A. B. Kegar, 2d G. ; H. Lorentzen, 3d G. ; R. H. Neal, Sentinel.
Lake City, No. 22, 1.0.0.F .- The I.O.O.F. of this city have had a continuous and prosperous existence of nearly sixteen years. The lodge was instituted here by C. C. Comee, G.M., and C. D. Strong. G.Rep., July 23, 1868. The charter members were: R. H. Matthews, S. S. Whitney, Albert Glines, T. H. Perkins, R. R. Gray and Richard Weeks. The original elective officers were : S.
FRANCIS TALBOT.
865
LAKE CITY.
S. Whitney, N.G. ; Albert Glines, V.G. ; R. H. Matthews, Sec. ; Richard Weeks, Treas. The appointed officers were : T. H. Per- kins, Warden ; R. R. Grey, Guardian.
The first meetings of the Lake City Lodge, No. 22, I.O.O.F., were held in what was then known as Gaylord's Hall, on Washing- ton street, upon the present site of W. E. Perkins' omnibus barn. In December, 1871, they went into permanent quarters in their present location, in the third story of Lyon block. They have a very comfortable hall 30×55 feet, with commodious anterooms, committee rooms, preparation and regalia rooms, and all the neces- sary accompaniments for the regular prosecution of their work.
The whole number of members received into the order here since its organization, both by card and initiation, has been two hundred thirty-two. The present membership is ninety-four. The officers now serving are : W. M. Sprague, N.G. ; J. C. Schmedt, V.G. ; W. A. Stevens, R.S .; C. H. Hanson, F.S. ; A. Koch, Treas. ; R. Clifford, Warden ; D. G. Heggie, Conductor ; L. D. Avery, O.G. ; P. J. Anderson, I.G .; N. C. Pike, R.S.N.G .; H. D. Wickham, L.S.N.G. ; S. W. Webster, R.S.V.G .; S. P. Stettler, L.S.V.G. ; B. W. Dodge, R.S.S .; W. H. Whipple, L.S.S. ; Rev. T. B. Killiam, Chaplain. The trustees are Robert Romick, T. J. Morrow, E. C. Eaton.
The chair of P.G. has been filled since the institution of the lodge by the following members, whose names appear in the order of their succession : S. S. Whitney, A. Glines, R. H. Mathews, A. K. Gay- lord, M. C. Humphrey, Jr., G. W. Fuller, A. H. Taisey, D. C. Estes, R. Weeks, David Walker, E. A. Kelley, H. H. Arnold, J. E. Maas, A. Beardsley, D. G. Heggie, Rob. Romick, J. M. Collins, H. C. Jackson, Edwin Wrigley, N. C. Pike, L. P. Hudson, Gran- ville Clark, N. J. Snow, H. A. Young, Robert Clifford, C. E. Hinkley, C. H. Hanson, John Phillips, Henry Schmidt, C. M. Colby.
Mount Zion Encampment, No. 7, I.O.O.F .- The Lake City Lodge were no sooner fixed in their comfortable quarters in Lyon block than the organization of an encampment, which had been fre- quently considered, was actively entered into. An informal meeting of such patriarchs as were interested in the organization was held on December 23, 1871. Measures were taken to secure the proper authorization from the grand encampment, and on February 20, 1872, the organization was formally effected, with the following as
52
866
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
the charter members : R. B. Gates, Albert Glines. E. A. Kelly, H. A. Young, N. C. Pike, N. T. Estes, A. H. Taisey, A. Beardsley, S. W. Webster and R. W. Clifford. The encampment was instituted by Grand Patriarch C. D. Strong, assisted by other officers of the grand encampment. The officers elect were then installed, viz : Albert Glines, C.P. ; R. B. Gates, H.P .; A. K. Gaylord, S.W .; R. Weeks, J. W. ; E. A. Kelly, Scribe ; H. A. Young, Treas. The appointed officers were: N. C. Pike, Guide ; N. T. Estes, Sentinel ; A. H. Taisey, 1st W. ; R. W. Clifford, 2d W. ; S. W. Webster, 3d W. ; H. H. Arnold, 4th W .; A. Beardsly, 1st G. of T. ; R. Clifford, 2d G. of T. Since the organization of the encampment, Mount Zion, No. 7, has met regularly on the first and third Tues- days of each month, and have just completed the twelfth year of a very prosperous existence. The whole number of members con- nected with Mount Zion since its organization has been eighty-two. The present membership numbers forty-two. The elective officers for the present term are : Henry Schmidt, C.P. ; D. C. Estes, II.P. ; J. C. Schmidt, S.W .; C. M. Colby, J.W .; N. C. Pike, R.S .; R. Romick, F.S. ; J. M. Collins, Treas. The trustees are H. C. Jackson, J. C. Schmidt, C. M. Colby.
Insurance, No. 38, A. O. U. W .- This lodge, having for its object, among others, the payment of the certain stipulated sum of two thousand dollars to the widows and orphans of deceased members, was organized in this city Jannary 19, 1878, with sixteen charter members, namely, George W. Lemley, A. T. Guernsey, G. W. Thayer, C. C. Stone, Wm. Jewell, John Adolph, C. W. Crary, Chas. Funk, L. A. Lemley, Charles Hartman, Wesley Carpenter, Fred. Abraham, John Trobke, Henry Selover, A. N. Curtis, H. W. Banks. The lodge was duly instituted and the officers-elect installed by A. H. Taisey, D.G.M.W., and the lodge was ready for business. A. T. Guernsey was the first M. W. of the new lodge, and William Jewell its recorder ; and these gentlemen, with Dr. C. W. Crary, were the first board of trustees. Dr. Crary was appointed medical examiner to the lodge, a position which he still continues to hold. The organization of the lodge was effected in Rogers' Hall, in the rear of the Academy of Music, but the members shortly afterward took possession of a hall in the third story of Lyon block, and here they continued to hold their regular meetings until September, 1882, when they sold their furniture to the K. of H., who had been burned out in the great fire of the spring previous. Since
867
LAKE CITY.
that date, September, 1882, the A.O.U. W. have held their regular meetings on the second and fourth of each month in the hall of the K. of H., over the postoffice. The present number of members is forty-four. Whole number belonging since the organization has been, as nearly as can now be ascertained, about eighty.
The present officers are : A. T. Guernsey, P.M. W .; M. F. Hills, M. W .; Oscar Anderson, F .; Fred Abraham, O .; G. W. Thayer, Rec .; D. M. Smith, Fin .; G. W. Lemley, Receiver ; Andrew Steel, Guide ; Peter Lindblad, I.W .; F. Lange, O.W.
Lake City, No. 576, K. of II .- This organization, differing little in its general features from the A.O.U. W., has had an exist- ence in this city of very nearly seven years. It came into being at Odd Fellows' Hall April 4, 1877, under the hand of J. S. Marvin, D.S.D. The charter members numbered fourteen, and all of these were necessary to fill the several lodge offices save Messrs. R. Hanisch, H. A. Young and F. J. Kopplin ; and of these Messrs. Hanisch and Young became trustees. The names of the original officers who, with those mentioned above, constituted the charter members were : A. K. Gaylord, P.D .; R. B. Gates, D .; R. Romick, V.D .; J. Dobner, A.D .; HI. L. Smith, Rep .; C. F. Kircher, F.Rep .; Chas. Wise, Treas .; J. E. Maas, Guide ; Frank Doughty, Guard .; W. L. Doe, Sent .; C. W. Crary, Chap.
The lodge subsequenty removed to a building near the corner of Main and Center streets, and were burned out in the spring of 1882, when they rented of the A.O.U. W. for some months, finally pur- chasing the furniture of that body and fitting up a very pleasant hall for themselves in their present location over the postoffice. Since the organization of the lodge sixty-seven members have been carried upon their rolls, and of these forty-seven still retain member- bership with the lodge here. The others have removed, died, demitted, or dropped out. The K. of H. are all included in one general beneficiary dispensation ; the A.O.U.W. have separate beneficiary jurisdictions largely corresponding to state lines.
Lake City, No. 576, K. of H., is officered as follows : J. H. Gillett, P.D .; E. H. Warner, D .; G. Rossler, V.D .; L. Schindler, A.D .; J. B. Johnson, Ge .; F. Cotter, Chap .; Robert Romick, Rep .; A. Krall, F. Rep .; R. Hanisch, Treas .; J. C. Schmidt, Guide ; H. Gil- lett, Sentinel.
S. S.H.F .- The Scandinavian Relief Association was formed in 1874 by a number of the Scandinavians of Lake City, with the object
868
HISTORY OF WABASHIA COUNTY.
of helping poor emigrants, and also its members. The members meet once a month to pay their dues, and has at present twenty-eight members. At the last annual meeting the following officers were elected to serve for one year : O. Chinberg, president ; C. E. Carl- son, vice-president ; A. Anderson, treasurer ; Edward Edholm, secretary.
BANKING IN LAKE CITY.
Lake City, like all new towns in the west, had no lack for men of enterprise and push. Following close in the wake of the pioneer, and before he had scarce made a beginning on the frontier, the mer- chant and business man, with his stock of goods or eastern bank account, also put in an appearance. Among the first to do anything having the semblance of a banking business, was C. P. Cogswell, a young man from the east, who opened a bank in 1858 on the corner of Main and Marion streets, in a very pretentious and expensive building (for that early day), erected for banking and office purposes in the summer of 1857 by Dwelle & Tibbetts. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Cogswell turned over his agency of the Phoenix Insurance Co. to Mr. A. T. Guernsey, and left here for some place of more metro- politan pretensions. He was succeeded by E. Chamberlain & Co., from - no person seems to know where, who conducted a (pretended) flourishing banking business ; however, only for a few weeks, and would, perhaps, by this time have been forgotten here if he had paid a small bill due the village printer. About this time Mr. H. F. Williamson (now merchant in Duluth) established a large general merchandise store here, carrying a full line of such goods as were best suited to a pioneer trade, and taking in exchange therefor every staple article produced on the farm. He also, as a matter of con- venience to himself and friends, connected with his business a com- mercial exchange. This was principally done by purchasing checks, drafts and other commercial paper having a par value, from traveling men and newly-arrived emigrants.
In 1863 the grain and commission firm of Bessey & Doughty, who were then doing an immense business, added a banking or commercial exchange department to their house, not so much as a matter of profit to themselves, but as a matter of convenience in their growing trade. They were also agents for, and did a large traffic with, the old northern line of steamboats on the Mississippi, and in this way found the convenience of a banking system almost indispensable. This commercial enterprise prospered without event
869
LAKE CITY.
till one morning in the summer of 1866, when the town was startled by the announcement on the streets that the bank had been robbed. The rumor was authentic ; the bank had been burglarized, and as no mystery surrounded this (to Mr. Doughty) unfortunate affair, he con- cluded to forego the profits and advantages of conducting a banking business under the circumstances in Lake City. The already great commercial interests and still growing enterprises at this important point created an urgent demand for a commercial exchange. The opening soon found a capitalist, and Lake City dates her first per- manent banking house, as established here in 1868, by C. W. Hackett (now of St. Paul). This was a private enterprise, but one that enjoyed the entire confidence of the people, and did an exclusive banking business. In 1870 Mr. Hackett sold out to Joel Fletcher, Esq., of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, who continued it as a private enterprise till 1873. It was then incorporated according to state laws, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Joel Fletcher was its first president, Hon. Sloan M. Emery, vice-president, and C. A. Hubbard, Esq., cashier. Mr. Fletcher died in 1875, and Samuel Doughty, Esq., was then elected to the presidency, and still fills the position. Mr. Emery resigned the vice-presidency, when he became connected with the Jewell Nursery in 1879, and no vice- president has since been elected. Mr. C. A. Hubbard still fills the position of cashier. Its present board of directors is composed of G. F. Benson, Samuel Doughty, C. A. Hubbard, J. M. Underwood, Robert White, W. E. Perkins, J. W. Ray and S. M. Emery. In April, 1882, the bank building (corner of Lyon avenue and Wash- ington street), a fine three-story brick structure, in size 60× 82} feet, was destroyed by fire. The office and vault on the corner, with the two upper stories burnt off, remained standing and uninjured. A temporary roof was put on, and business continued unobstructed, and the same season the block was rebuilt and finished as a two-story structure.
First National Bank .- This bank was organized in 1870, ac- cording to the United States laws, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars and the following board of directors : L. II. Garrard, L. S. Van Vliet, John W. Willis, Wm. S. Timerman, G. F. Benson, H. Center, and J. B. McLean. L. H. Garrard was elected president, G. F. Benson, vice-president, and L. S. Van Vliet, cashier. The bank building, a substantial two-story brick, is sit- uated on the corner of Washington and Center streets, and is the
870
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
third building, its two predecessors having been destroyed by fire, without the loss of a paper.
The present board of officers and directors consists of C. F. Young, president ; L. S. Van Vliet, cashier; A. Basey, C. F. Rogers, G. H. Grannis, J. C. Hassinger, D. M. Smith, directors. These two banking-houses are a credit to not only Lake City, but the county, and are institutions in which the people feel a just pride. They are as permanent as the foundations of the city, inasmuch as they are under the directorship of its most honorable and wealthy men. Personal sketches of them appear further on in this work.
NURSERY.
One of the interests of which Lake City has just reason to be proud, is known as the Jewell Nursery. It is situated on the upper bench of the Lake Pepin bottoms, west of the city, and now contains about one hundred acres of growing trees and shrubs. The varieties grown have been selected with great care, having a view to adaptability to the climate in which they are sold-the west and northwest. The proprietors, Messrs. Underwood & Emery, are men of sound judgment and business habits, and are determined to make it one of the permanent institutions of the state. "The firm has three hundred acres of land adapted to this purpose, and is steadily enlarging the plant. More fruit-trees will be set from this nursery in the spring of 1884 than all others in the state combined, and more than are grown in any nursery west of Ohio. This industry was founded in 1868, by Dr. P. A. Jewell, now deceased, and thus derives its name. Ten acres of oak grub-land were set at first to fruit-trees, and additions were made from time to time, reaching eighty acres in extent at the time of the doctor's death. The business was managed by J. M. Underwood, who became sole owner in 1878, and next year associated with himself Mr. S. M. Emery, constituting the firm above named. The location commands a view of the city and valley, and is one of the most pleasant that could be imagined. Messrs. Underwood & Emery also give a great deal of attention to stock-raising, and have one of the finest herds of pure-bred Holstein cattle in the northwest. By lease they have control of five hundred acres additional, and carry on extensive farming operations. The influences of these enter- prises are destined to be powerfully felt throughout this and adjoin- ing states in the near future. It is well that such men live, for
871
LAKE CITY.
they have a tendency not only to build up and enrich themselves, but also to enhance the value and elevate ont of the old-time "ruts" of other days a vast expanse of country surrounding them.
On February 26, 1884, this already immense enterprise was or- ganized into a joint stock company and incorporated under general laws of the State of Minnesota, with a capital of one hundred thou- sand dollars, for the purpose of propagating and selling nursery stock, as well as importing, breeding and dealing in pure-bred Holstein cattle, and the transacting of a general real-estate business. The management of the incorporation is vested in the following board of officers : President, J. M. Underwood ; secretary, S. M. Emery ; treasurer, J. Cole Doughty, with principal office at Lake City and a branch in Richland county, Dakota.
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