USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
The present officers are: President. Frank H. Ilopkins ; vice president. S. H. Gumpolen ; secretary and treasurer, Philip V. Ploof: assistant. C. O. Johnson. Membership committee, S. H. Gumpolen, A. S. Black, G. A. Rieke, W. A. Fiss, C. O. Johnson. Patriotic committee-C. II. Hopkins, Rev. J. I. Goergen, Rev. Im. F. Albrecht. Good roads and street committee-C. E. Clarkson, Dr. A. M. Crandall. Dr. Geo. II. Walker, Lee R. Pullen, Frank Pullen. Industrial committee-J. C. Braun, E. W. Wigley. W. E. Cleveland. R. II. Quinn. H. E. Grasmon. Entertainment commit- tee-C. W. Heimann, A. E. Carver, H. F. Diekmeyer, J. C. Grams, E. H. Brown. Park committee -- S. E. Dodge. Frank Willett, J. C. Fullerton, Dr. W. W. Brown, Rev. J. A. Rinkel.
Situated in the midst of one of the very finest Minnesota No. 1 hard wheat districts, it was natural that the attention of capital- ists should be directed to the milling industry and in 1891. Daniel Katz, of New Ulm, started a flour mill. This mill, compared to the one now doing business in the city, was a small affair. It was a custom mill, grinding the Farmers' wheat into flour and taking out so much "toll" for the grinding. Fairfax has received many aecessions in business lines since the days that Mr. Katz opened his little mill. With her natural advantages and rich tributary territory, she is bound to secure many more in the future, both in commercial and manufacturing lines, but it is probable that her citizens will never again feel quite as elated as they did in those early days when the Katz mill opened its doors to receive the farmers' golden wheat and the wheels commenced to go round within its walls. It eventually passed into the hands of the Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Co., and is now replaced with a splendid fireproof brick elevator.
In 1898 a new mill was erected by Nichols & Hornberg (Luther Nichols and Albert L. Hornberg). the mill having a daily capacity of 90 barrels. It was operated continuously until the summer of 1900 when it was destroyed by fire.
A newer and larger mill was at once erected. It was known as the Phoenix Roller Mills, and was owned at the time of its de- struction by L. Nichols & Co., the firm being composed of Luther Nichols, president ; A. Leifer, vice president, and A. E. Leifer, secretary and treasurer.
This mill was threatened with fire Jan. 30, 1904. On that day (Saturday) a short time after the evening meal, the Paeifie Ele- vator burned. The Pacific elevator was the first elevator erected
867
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
in the village and was built in 1883, directly adjoining the flat- house erected in 1882. The elevator was round, a style of ele- vator meh in vogue in those days. The manager, Ed. Pehrson, and several friends were bathing in the engine room when fire broke out overhead. The elevator was destroyed entailing a loss of some $7,000. The warehouse was saved.
The Phoenix Roller Mills and the residence of J. C. Fullerton were endangered but escaped the conflagration.
The roller mills, however, were not to be spared, for on the morning of Feb. 4, 1904, fire started under the leed mill at the southeast corner of the mill and the building was reduced to ashes, entailing a loss of some $35,000, aside from $30,000 in notes and papers, the personal property of Mr. Nichols, which, it was al- leged, were in the office at the time. The mill had been running twenty-four hours a day, but had shut down on Tuesday and Wednesday nights on account of the scarcity of coal and grain. It was when the boiler was being cleaned out in readiness for Thursday's work that the fire was discovered.
The circumstances of the burning were believed to be sus- picions. Wild rumors of various natures were afloat. Ineen- diarism was suspected. Criminal proceedings were brought and two trials resulted. At the first trial the jury disagreed. At the second trial the suspect was acquitted. The case attracted more than usual attention on account of the methods employed by the detectives in gathering purported evidence, and also by reason of the prominence of the counsel employed on both sides.
The county attorney, A. V. Rieke was assisted by Albert H. Hall, a well-known criminal lawyer of Minneapolis. The defense at the first trial was conducted by Frank M. Nye, prominent at- torney and later congressman. At the second trial the prisoner was represented by Daily & Barnard, of Renville. Of this firm, Richard T. Daly is now on the bench of the Twelfth district, while L. D. Barnard is the present county attorney of Renville county.
Fairfax was without a mill for a year or so. Several meet- ings were held by the business men with the idea of securing another mill but the various projects did not materialize. Finally word was received that the mill was to be built by Minneapolis capital on the site of the Phoenix Roller Mills. Work was started in the fall of 1905 and in March, 1906, the present mill was com- pleted.
The property was operated with varying success until several years ago when H. S. Comer took charge. Under his manage- ment many improvements were made at heavy expense, and the headquarters were moved from Minneapolis to Fairfax, the name being changed from the Crescent Milling Co. of Minneapolis to the Creseent Milling Co. of Fairfax. The present manager is
868
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Herman F. Wright. The engineer, E. C. Allen has been an im- portant factor in the building up of the mills.
Fairfax has long been a splendid market, and it is conserva- tively estimated that at least three-quarter million bushels of wheat are handled in this village. Three elevators besides the mill, handle wheat and coarse grain in large quantities. The Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Co., organized several years ago, brings farmers from territory claimed by near-by villages.
As already noted it has a splendid brick fireproof elevator, one of the best along the entire railroad. Christ Bertelsen is the buyer. Ernst S. Hagg is buyer for the Farmers' Grain & Stock Co. Emil Enger is buyer for the Eagle Rolling Mill Co. Ed. Steinberg is buyer for the Crescent Milling Co.
Besides handling grain the two elevators owned by the Farm- ers employ stock buyers and during the past year each of them enjoyed a good business in that line. Frank Brunner is stock buyer for the Farmers' Grain & Stock Co., and Paul Darkow works in that capacity For the Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Co.
The Farmers Grain and Stock Company of Fairfax, Minn., has a capital stock of $12,500. The elevator is a structure built of frame, 28 by 40 feet and 32 feet high, having a capacity of 20,- 000 bushels and cost $5,000. The present officers are: President, Il. Sehmechel; vice president, Einar Nelson : secretary. G. A. Boemmels: treasurer, J. 1. Carson. The manager is Ernest S. Hagg, and Frank Brummer is the stock buyer.
An institution that has been of value to the business man and farmer since its establishment several years ago is the Fairfax Produce Co. This concern at Fairfax and its several branches do a gross business running well into hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. The company has made it possible for the farmer to receive the highest market cash price for all kinds of produce, and the local business men dispose of their produce to it at the close of each day's business. The company is owned by Benjamin E. Weisberg and Max Kaplan. The headquarters have been moved to Minneapolis, the former title being retained. A large business is still done at Fairfax, where the company main- tains its accumulating warehouse.
The personal property tax payers in Fairfax for 1915 are as follows: Im. F. Albrecht, Anton Altman, Al. Aamot, Aamot & Huelskamp, A. G. Anderson, Ang. Schell Brg. Co., W. F. Borth, Frances J. Biebl, John Biebl. Geo. A. Biebl, Joseph Biebl, Bene- dietine Sisters, M. D. Brown, O. P. Bakke, Ed. HI. Borth, Ed. Borth, Ed. J. Brunner, John Brunner, A. S. Black, John C. Brann, ('. B. Bertelsen, E. H. Brown, E. W. Boyes, F. C. Boethling, Jos. Brunner, W. W. Brown, A. G. Briese, Jas. E. Burk, John Bianchi, Bregel Bros., Jos. Barthel, Anrelia Borth, E. G. Borth, Geo. F. Borth, Frank Bregel, Citizens State Bank, Clarkson & Johnson,
869
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Caven Bros., Wm. Caven, JJ. A. Carlson Theo. Case. II. J. Carson, J. 1. Carson, Ada Carson, Crescent Milling Co., A. M. Crandall, A. E. Carver, Mrs. Alb. Darkow, Chas. F. Dale, John Durbahn, F. C. Diekmeyer, H. F. Diekmeyer, Louis Diekmeyer, Diekmeyer Imp. Co., Wm. Diekmeyer, Annie Diekmeyer, Fred A. Dallman, V. Drexler, F. Daselmer, E. A. Enger, Eagle Roller Mill Co., Lena Fenseke, A. E. Fenseke, C. A. Fenseke, Wm. M. Fritz, Fairfax Produce Co., W. A. Fiss, Fairfax Cooperative Store, Fairfax Co- operative Elev. Co., Fairfax Ildw. Co., Fairfax Cooperative Creamery, Fairfax Dept. Store, Standard Printing Co., Math Finley, Wenzel Frank, J. W. Frank, Fred Frank, J. C. Fullerton, Harry Fullerton, Farmers Grain & Stock Co., J. J. Goergen, E. H. Grasmoen, I. E. Grasmoen, S. H. Gumpolen, C. J. Grams, G. A. Gabrielson, R. H. Greer, Fred llamann, Hauenstein Brg. Co., C. W. Heimann, Huelskamp & Pullen, Leonora Hensel, Ernest Hagg, Henry Huelskamp, Henry lahselbruch, J. M. Hinderman, 11. Ilin- derman, Frank Hopkins, Gladys Hopkins, Hauser Lumber Co., R. J. Henderson, Illinois Oil Co .. John lago, Rose lago, Joe Iulius, Emil Just, Martin Johnson, Theo. Kaegbein. Jos. Kolb, Wm. Kiehn, C. O. Knudson, F. A. Kretsch, Willie Lenz, Ferdinand Lenz, I. J. Landsteiner, Landsteiner & Co., Ben Lammers, H. C. Lammers, Chas. Lammers, Chas. Marwede, Al Mangen, Clara Marti, L. H. Miller, Al. O. Mundahl, S. O. Mundahl, Midland Lbr. & Coal Co., John Meyer, Palma Nelson, N. P. Nelson, Nelson Bros., John Nealy, John Nestande, Sam Otley, Bert Olson, Henry Olson, Olson Bros., Myra Palmer, Mary Palmer, Ed. Palmer, L. L. Palmer, Alb. Pahner, Lee R. Pullen, Wm. H. Pullen, Frank Pullen, Phil Ploof, Peoples Store, G. A. Rieke, A. F. Rieke, Lonisa S. Rieke, Geo. Rieke, Gustave Renner, J. A. Rinkel, R. G. Reinke, Otto Reinke, Albert Rund, Dave Rondahl, F. J. Roberts, Ellen Russell, Jos. Ranweiler, Levi Smith, John A. Sell, Myrtle Sell, Standard Oil Co., H. Schipplick, Mabel F. Sell, August Sell, L. L. Swartz, J. W. Schramm, Emilie A. Sell, Isabella Schei, I. P. Schei, L. J. Stewart, Reuben Sell, John Schweiss, George Seesz, John Schroeder, Fred Sell, E. H. Sehroer, St. Andrews Church, Geo. J. Saffert, State Bank of Fairfax, Henry Scheve, First National Bank, Frank Vait, Annie Wendorff, Fred Wendorff. E. W. Wig- ley, G. H. Walker, Louis Wellner, Jos. Winkler.
The Ben Franklin Post, No. 116, Department of Minnesota, G. A. R., was organized in 1888. The charter members were : L. H. P. Faus, 10, Mich. (dead ) ; Reinhold Hummel, B, 15, Penn. (dead) : John Kelly, F, 19, Wis., Morton ; Jacob Brell: Henry Discher (dead) ; Wm. MeGinnis (dead) ; Embrie Olson, D, 43, Wis. (dead) ; Peter Thompson, E, 22, Wis. ({lead) ; Ormond Otterson (dead) ; Otis W. Newton, F. 41, Wis., Morton ; Charles Knapp, 11, 14, Wis., Franklin ; George Yantz, G, 2, lowa Cav., Redwood Falls; Peter Yantz, H. 22, Wis., Redwood Falls: Clement Treadbar. C. N. Y.
870
IHISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Cav., Franklin; Peter J. Latty, D. 1. Minn. Il. A. (dead) : Anton Shott, G, 2, Min. Cav. (dead) ; John Traey, C. 2, Minn. Cav. (dead ) ; John Thompson, D, 8. Min., Franklin ; Hans Jenson, E, 2, Minn. (dead) : Leroy A. Gilbert. Il, 21, lowa (dead) : Christo- pher C. Coffee, F, 4, Wis. Cav .. Excelsior; Horris G. Eaton, G, I, Minn., Morgan; Frank Billington, K, 1, Wis. (dead ) ; John F. Frank, A, 4, Minn. (dead) : Samuel Shirwin, 1, Minn. H. A., Mor- ton : Erie Erieson. E. 38. Wis. (dead) : Sam Sherman, 18, N. Y. (dead ) ; Lewis Owen, F. 19, Wis., Taylors Falls: W. L. Walburn, E. 174, Penn. (dead ) ; Peter Ilenry, I. 8, Min. (dead) : Libbeus White. II. 6. Min .. Minneapolis : John Foley, A. 2. Wis .. Franklin; -Jerry P. Patten. IJ. 6. Min .. Morton: John Tracy, 1, 27, Iowa (dead ) : Robert Henton. 1. 11. Minn. (dead ) : Joseph Smith. E. 2, Minn. (dead) : Wellington I. Dresser, G. 21, Wis., Morgan : J. K. Deming. D. 1. Wis. Cav. (dead ) : Louis Thiele. E. 6. Min. (dead) ; Charles Il. Ilopkins, 13, Wis. L. A.
Those who have joined since then are: O. E. Hogue, E, Ohio, Murdock ; E. M. Anderson, D, Brackett's Bat. (dead) : George H. Miller, H, 14, Wis., unknown : Joseph Preston, R, 21. Vt. (dead) ; Lewis Walker, A, 6 Minn., unknown; Ileury Blume, F, 64 111., Morton. Minn .: Joseph Thompson, G. 5 Min. (dead ) : Michael Brazill, F, 4 Minn. (dead) : Orren Tubbs, A, 61 N. Y. (dead) ; Reinhold IIummel. B. 15 Penn. (dead) : John Melntosh, I, U. S. Dragoons (dead ) : Knute T. Rye, A, 1 Min. (dead) : James Lydden. K. S U. S. Reg. (dead ) : Daniel M. Hall, E, 41 Wis. (dead) : Seymour Stevens, M. 1 Wis. II. A., Russell, Manitoba. N. W. T .; Win. Chalk, I, 27 Iowa (dead) ; Chas. Bird. F, 9 Minn. (dead) ; Peter Ileak: Patrick Gallaher, H. 16 Wis. (dead) : Louis IIan- son. 1, 51 Wis. : Wm. E. Chaffee, N. Y. H. A., unknown : Jas. Ful- lerton, K, 4 Minn. (dead) : Walter Doheny, I. Minn. H. A. (dead) : Alfred Rouque, D, 5 Minn., Morton ; E. M. Jurin, G, 10 N. Y., Puyallup. Wash .; Elbert Vanornum, D, 1 Vt. Art., Bird Island ; Wm. Brown, D, I Minn. Cav. (dead) : Fred Blume, 13 Ill. (dead) ; Ow. Davis, I, 12 Vt., Edmonton, Alberta. N. W. T .; John T. Cos- sentine, C. 12 Wis. (dead ) : Michael Murphy. C. 2 Mo. Cav. (dead) ; Patrick Heffron. I. U. S. (dead) : Win. McGowan, I, Minn. Mt. Rangers, Morton : Nelson V. Campbell, II, 51 Wis., North Yakima, Wash .; Dennis Oshey, I, U. S. L. A. (dead ) : Andrew J. Bliss. I. 8 Minn. (dead) ; Daniel Aldrich, D. 39 N. Y. (dead) ; James Al- lison. Marine Service, Franklin: Thomas Davana, D, 17 Wis. (dead) ; John Lane, 10 U. S. Reg., St. Paul; Frank Shermer, I, 8 N. Y. (dead) ; II. D. Jackson, D, 1 N. Y. Art., Mpls .; Edelberty Corey (dead) ; John Swoboda, I, 26 Wis., Olivia; Silas Brooks, Milk River, Alberta, N. W. T .; George Cory; James Blake; An- drew Saylstrom, B, 1 Minn. H. A. ; Soloman Anderson, A, 1 Minn. ; Isaiah H. Snell, II, 2 Minn. Cav., Morton.
871
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Peter Henry, 8th Minn. Vol. Inf., was the first commander in 18SS. Since then the commanders have been: Joseph Smith, E. 2 Minn., 1889-90; Jerry Patten, HI, 6 Minn., 1891 ; Chas. Il. Hop- kins, 13 Wis., L. A., 1892-93; John Foley, A, 2 Wis., 1894; An- drew J. Bliss, 13 Wis. L. A., 1895; Chas. H. Hopkins, 13 Wis., L. A., 1896; Louis Thiele, E, 6 Minn., 1897; J. K. Dem- ming, D, 1 Wis. Cav., 1898-99; Eric Ericson, F. 38 Wis., 1900: Otis W. Newton, F, 41 Wis., 1901-05; Sam Sherman, 118 N. Y., 1905-10; J. K. Demming, D, I Wis. Cav., 1911-12; John Kelley, E, 19 Wis., 1913-15.
Charles H. Hopkins was the first adjutant. Ile served until 1891, and since then the adjutant has been Jerry P. Patten.
In the above list of regiments, Volunteer Infantry is under- stood where no other branch of the service is specified.
Fort Ridgely Circle of Ladies of the Grand Army of the Re- publie of the Department of Minnesota. On January 26, 1911, Department President Emma J. Hicks, of Duluth, Minnesota, or- ganized and installed the officers of Fort Ridgely Circle No. 81, with a charter membership of 21, and Veteran Chas. H. Hopkins, a social member. The following officers were elected and duly installed : Mrs. Effa Wallace, president ; Gladys Hopkins, senior vice-president : Mrs. Mary Carver, junior vice-president ; Mrs. Anna Olson, treasurer; Mrs. Susan M. Hopkins, chaplain; Mrs. Emma Anderson, conduetor; Mrs. Catherine Otley, assistant con- ductor; Lena Fenske, guard ; Agnes Otley, assistant guard ; Mazie Wallace, secretary : Mrs. Emma Henderson, patriotie instructor. Mrs. Jennie Greer, Mrs. Emma Marlow, Alma Fenske, Ida Fenske, Mrs. Elizabeth Kennedy, Mrs. Ellen Russell, Mrs. Carrie Pullen, Mrs. Catherine Blake, Mrs. Helen Robberts, Martha E. Lulare.
On May 26 three new members were added. On Jan. 26, 1912, Mrs. Mary Carver was installed as president and Mrs. Ellen Rus- sell as secretary for that year.
On Jan. 13, 1913, Gladys Hopkins was installed as president and Mrs. Ellen Russell as secretary for that year by Past Post Commander Chas. H. Hopkins, as installing officer. There were added in 1913, thirteen new members and two sons of veterans. On .Jan. 8. 1914, Mrs. Ellen Russell was installed as president and Mrs. Jennie Greer as secretary by Past President Mrs. Susan M. Hopkins. On Jan. 14, 1915, Mrs. Ethel Pullen was installed as president and Mrs. Mary Rienke as secretary, by Past Presi- dent Mrs. Ellen Russell, as installing officer. Three new mem- bers were added this year and seven sons of veterans, making a total membership of 41. On Jan. 13, 1916, Mrs. Jennie Greer was duly installed as president and Mrs. Ellen Russell as secretary, by Past State Department Commander Chas. II. Hopkins.
This cirele is enlisted to work in the interest of the Fort Ridgely State Park, and have taken part in all the exercises on
872
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Decoration Day each year and celebrations on anniversary days, and will continue to give its influence in helping develop this his- toric ground to its full merits.
FRANKLIN VILLAGE.
Franklin is one of the thriving villages of Renville county. It is a pleasant hamlet of good homes and busy business streets, with many more shade trees than are usually found in a town that is so comparatively new. The village is located on the Mine- apolis & St. Louis, at the corners of sections 11 and 12, 1 and 2, Birch Cooley township.
It was platted in the fall of 1882, the land being the home- stead of Halleck Anderson, an early settler. In the winter of 1881-82 work was commenced on the railroad grade through the village and the grade was completed, rails laid and the first train service established in the first part of November, 1882. A box car served as the first depot. The first business house was built by E. S. JJolmson on a street extending south from the depot, but after the town was platted this was found not to be the main thoroughfare and Mr. Johnson moved his building to the south- west corner of block 1. In moving, the building was wrecked by a severe wind storm just as it was nearing its new foundation, being thrown over and split into several sections. A "bee" was organized and the building was again put together and placed on its foundation, after which it was occupied by the postoffice, E. S. Johnson, postmaster, and the firm of Hohle Bros., who con- dneted a general merchandise business. A blacksmith shop was built by Nils Anderson in block 2. A hotel was built by Peter Johnson on the northwest corner of block 5. A general store building was built by Peter Henry on lot 20, block 2. T. Mackin- tyre and I. M. Johnson also built a general store building which ended the building in the fall of 1882. Ed. H. Anderson had built the first residence building that year.
During 1883, J. A. Bergely, T. Tweet, M. Casey, U. Tibbits and John Frieze built each a business building.
Martha E. Johnson, now Mrs. J. L. JJacobs, was the first child born in the village, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Johnson.
The first school house was started in 1883 and completed in 1884. This was a frame building of two rooms. In 1899 a 56 by 60 brick structure two stories high was built. This is a modern eight-room building. The addition of a manual training hall was made in 1914, when the Woodmen hall adjoining the school house block was purchased.
Electric light and power service was established in Franklin in 1914, when the Wherland Electric Co., of Redwood Falls, Min., extended their lines to this village, giving a 24-hour service a day.
873
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
A complete waterworks system was put in about 1896. The supply tank is of 1,000 barrels capacity and rests on a tower eighty feet high. The tower was first constructed of wood, but later changed to steel.
The Citizen's Milling Co. of Franklin was organized in 1907 to take over the old mill and property of the Franklin Milling Co. The old mill was completely overhauled at that time and new machinery put in, bringing the plant up to date in every respect. This plant was operated until June. 1913, when it was destroyed by fire. As soon as possible after the fire the stock- holders were ealled together, plans for rebuilding the present mill were formulated and Jan. 1. 1914, the new mill started grind- ing. The first officers of the company were: B. F. Weber, presi- dent ; A. S. Eriekson, vice-president ; A. J. Olin, treasurer; C. A. Fleming, secretary. The present officers are: A. S. Erickson, president ; J. II. Elstad, vice-president ; Geo. Forsythe, treasurer ; C. A. Fleming, secretary. The plant is located on a private side- traek of the M. & St. L. Ry., and is of 100 barrels' capacity wheat flour and 50 barrels' capacity rye flour. The capital stock is $25 .- 000. Credit should be given the business men and farmers around Franklin who made this plant possible by investing their funds when money was needed to rebuild the burned plant.
The Franklin Lutheran Cemetery is located in the southwest corner of section 8, in Camp township. The school house is lo- cated in the extreme southwest corner of the section, and north of the school grounds is the cemetery. The cemetery is controlled by the Norwegian Lutheran church of Franklin and was laid out in the winter of 1867.
Franklin is ninety-five miles southwest of Minneapolis, has a population of about 550. It has Catholie, Methodist, Norwegian Lutheran churches, two banks, a hotel, four grain elevators, and a flour mill. A weekly newspaper, the Tribune, is published.
A brief business directory follows: P. A. Brown, automobile agent : Citizen's Milling Co. (A. S. Erickson, president ; Henry Blulnn, secretary; George Forsyth, treasurer), flour mill; Citi- zen's State Bank (capital, $17,000; president. Henry Halverson ; vice-president, Edw. F. Johnson ; cashier, Otto Erickson) : Herman B. Cole. physician : Otto Erickson, insurance agent ; Albert Erland- son, general store ; William Fox, fuel ; Franklin Farmers' Eleva- tor Co. (J. C. Farrell, president : Geo. Forsyth, secretary ; A. J. Anderson, treasurer: Osear Johnson, agent) ; Franklin Farmers' Co-operative Creamery Co. (Wm. A. Johnson, president ; J. C. Farrell, vice-president ; Fred Tower, treasurer; Wm. Fox, seere- tary) ; Franklin Automobile Co. (H. B. Cole, C. E. Freeman, A. J. Olin) ; Franklin Farmers' Co-operative Shipping Association (F. II. Gallery, manager) ; Farmers' Equity Shipping Association (O. M. Schott, manager) ; Franklin Independent Elevator Com-
874
HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
pany (William Fox) ; Franklin Local and Rural Telephone Co .; Franklin Mereantile Co. (A. S. Erickson, president ; Jno. Curran, secretary and treasurer), general store: Franklin Produce Co. (Benjamin Weisberg, Max Kaplan), J. B. Tweet, manager; Frank- lin Tribune, Julius L. Jacobs, publisher: Chas. 11. Gilbert, res- taurant ; Great Western Elevator Co., Julius H. Anderson. agent , William L. Grimes, livery ; Henry Halvorson, garage ; Hanser Lum- ber Co. (Henry Hauser, president; Chas. Lammers, secretary ; G. A. Rieke, treasurer) : Julius L. Jacobs, publisher of the Frank- lin Tribune ; Johnson Bros. (Edward, Martin and Andrew), shoes and jewelry : Edwin S. Johnson, postmaster : buke II. Kirwan, drugs; Andrew Lund, harness ; Lynch & Son (Jas. W. and Chas. L.), real estate : S. O. Mundal, bakery; Geo. Nelson, blacksmith; Olaf Nelson, blacksmith ; U. G. Orris, pool hall ; Pacifie Elevator Co., Vie Lindquist, agent ; Andrew HI. Pederson, barber; Poss and Freeman (A. Poss, hardware; C. E. Freeman, lumber and furniture, undertaker) ; Jos. C. Sampson, general store: State Bank of Franklin (capital, $15,000; surplus, $15,000), Anthony Poss, president ; A. J. Olin, cashier ; Geo. Steen, shoes : S. Steffen- son, tinsmith ; Clarence J. Wagner, meats; Jacob C. Wagner, con- fectionery ; Wellington and Birch Cooley, Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co. (Jno. Drury, president ; Jno. Head, secretary) ; B. F. Ziegler, railway express and telegraph agent.
Village lots in Franklin were first assessed in 1883. The prin- cipal owners were Ellen M. Anderson and a party who was desig- nated by the term "Unknown." Those who had already seeured lots were: Jacob Friess, lots 13 and 14, bloek 1; Edwin John- son, lots 15 and 16, block 1; Thomas Tweet, lots 17, block 1; lots 17, 18, block 2; Henry Jenson, lot 19, block 1; T. P. MeIntyre, lot 20, block 1: John M. Johnson, lot 21, bloek 1; Maggie Ander- son, lots 15 and 16, block 2; Peter Henry, lots 19 and 20, block 2: Fuller & Johnson, lot 21, block 2; H. L. Ihle, lot I, block 4; John Dixon, lot 5, block 4; Peter H. Johnson, lots 13 and 14, block 5; J. A. Bergley, lot 10, block 6; George O. Steen, lots 12 and 13, block 6; Margaret Casey, lot 14, block 6.
(Note. The above history of the early days of Franklin has been prepared for this work by Julius L. JJacobs.)
HECTOR VILLAGE.
Ilector, an attractive and enterprising village, is eighty miles west of Minneapolis on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road. The famous "Yellowstone Trail" from Chicago to Seattle runs through here and by road it is eighty-seven miles From Min- neapolis.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.