Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 20: Postal History, 1911

Chapter 20: Postal History

Beginning of Postal Service - First Postoffices in Freeborn County - St. Nicholas, Lake Albert Lea, Geneva - Old Stage Routes - Rural Routes - Development of the System - Present Offices - Albert Lea, Alden, Armstrong, Clarks Grove, Conger, Emmons, Freeborn, Geneva, Glenville, Gordonsville, Hartland, Hay¬ ward, London, Manchester, Myrtle, Oakland, Twin Lakes - Former Offices - By Emil Nelson.

The postal service has existed within the memory of every per¬ son living, and is therefore a matter of such every-day concern that probably few persons realize that it is a feature of govern¬ ment as old as the written history of man. The influence and accomplishments of the postal service have practically extended the progress of commercialism throughout the world. So far as history records, a system of communication was evidently con¬ ceived by Cyrus shortly after his conquest of the Persian empire in the year 550 B. C. That systematic ruler sought to keep in touch with the affairs of his vast domain, and to that end required his governors to write to him frequently about their several dis¬ tricts. In order to make these communications safe and expedi¬ tious he built post roads throughout the empire and established posthouses at distances along these roads. The service, however, both in ancient and medieval periods was established for the gov¬ ernment alone and not for the general public.

The first postoffice which was established for the general pub¬ lic was in 1516, between Berlin and Vienna. In 1523 England established a postal system, but it was only used for communica¬ tions between the royal family.

The postal system in America dates from 1639, when the Gen¬ eral Court of Massachusetts, by an ordinance, legalized such a system and directed that all letters brought from across the sea or to be sent to parts of the colonies, should be left at the house of Richard Fairbanks, in Boston, and by him sent to the proper destination. He was allowed a penny compensation for the trans¬ mission of each letter and was accountable to the authorities for any dereliction of duty. The postal system, however, in the early colonial days, was somewhat of a go-as-you-please system. In 1785 the colonies decided to manage the postal Dusmess on men* own responsibility, and appointed Benjamin Franklin postmaster, at $1,000 a year. In 1776 the total number of postoffiees in opera¬ tion was only twenty-eight, fourteen of which were in Massa¬ chusetts. Real developments of the postal service in the United States began in 1789, and the marvelous progress which has been made since that time is a matter with which the public is more or less familiar. In that year there were seventy-five offices, yielding a revenue of less than $40,000. Today we have over 60,000 postoffices, yielding a revenue of over $200,000,000. The service has grown and expanded to such a degree that twenty years ago would have been considered extravagant, and yet the service is practically in its infancy. But it already forms an intricate net¬ work over all our land and extends to the far-off island posses¬ sions, and yet its achievements are not nearly at an end. It is in view of these facts that a short historical sketch of the postal service and its development in this county may be of interest in this work.

The first post office in Freeborn county was established in 1855 at old St. Nicholas village, with Jacob Lybrand as postmaster. It was discontinued in 1858. Mail was brought from Mitchell, Iowa, William Rice, the first mail carrier, being frozen to death while pursuing his duties. That same year a post office was established at Albert Lea, under the name of Lake Albert Lea, with Lorenzo Merry as postmaster. The mail was brought from St. Nicholas. These were the only post offices in the county in 1855.

In 1856 an office was established at Geneva with E. C. Stacy as postmaster. The mail was carried from Austin by D. K. Stacy, and later from Onatonna by the same carrier. The Shell Rock postoffice was established, with E. P. Skinner as postmaster. It received mail in the Mitchell-St. Nicholas-Albert Lea bag.

The year 1857 marked a distinct advance in the mail facilities of the county. Seven postoffiees were established, making nine in the county. Regular stages started carrying the mail. Freeborn City post office was established in section 34, Freeborn township, August 15, 1857, with L. T. Carlson as postmaster. It was dis¬ continued in January, 1859. Freeborn Springs (Itasca) postoffice was established August 15, 1857, with C. C. Colby as postmaster. Trenton postoffice was established September 26, in Freeborn township, with George Watson as postmaster. Fairfield postoffice in Riceland, Sumner postoffice in Moscow, and Bancroft, in Ban¬ croft township, were also established in 1857. Freeborn postoffice was established in Freeborn village with L. T. Scott as postmaster.

In 1858 Gordonsville postoffice was established, with Peter Beighlev as postmaster; Buckeye (in Manchester township') , with James E. Smith as postmaster, and Moscow, with John G. Dun¬ ning as postmaster.

In the summer of 1857 Hancock & Lowater, of Red Wing, started running a stage from Red Wing, through Austin, via. Albert Lea. August 8 they changed the route to take in Geneva. October 17, 1857, the following mail routes were published as then existing in Freeborn county :

" Albert Lea and Mankota - Stage leaves Albert Lea for Man¬ kato every Wednesday at 10 o'clock a. m. Arrives at Albert Lea from Mankato every Saturday noon. Albert Lea and Mitchell - Stage leaves Albert Lea for Mitchell every Saturday at 1 o'clock p. m. Arrives at Albert Lea from Mitchell every Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. Albert Lea and Winona - Stages leave Albert Lea for Winona (via Chatfield) every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9 o'clock a. m. Albert Lea and Red Wing - Stage leaves Albert Lea for Red Wing (via Geneva) every Thurs¬ day morning at 9 o'clock. Arrives at Albert Lea from Red Wing every Wednesday noon. All of the above are United States mail coaches except those from Winona."

April 18, 1858, Walker, the famous pioneer stage man, started runping a stage line from Hastings to Albert Lea via Chatfield and Austin. From then until the coming of the railroads in 1869 the number of stage routes increased. Then the stage routes began to be gradually discontinued until there is now but one, supplying Geneva, which is not on a railroad.

Rural free delivery was inaugurated in this county November 1, 1900, when a route was established out of Albert Lea, with K. K. Nystuen as carrier. There are now eighteen rural routes in the county : as follows : Out of Albert Lea, 6 ; out of Alden, 3 ; out of Emmons, 2 ; out of Glenville, 2 ; out of Hayward, 1 ; out of Twin Lakes, 1 : out of Hartland, 2 ; out of Oakland, 1. Rural routes also extend into this county from Austin, Wells, Kiester, Bffioming Prairie, Ellendale, Lansing, Northwood, New Richland and Walters.

Present Offices

Albert Lea. The Albert Lea postoffice was established in 1855, with Lorenzo Merry as postmaster, the official name of the office at that time being Lake Albert Lea. Merry distributed the mail from his home at the southeast corner of Washington and M ater streets. When Julius Clark opened his store on the north side of Clark street, east of Broadway, he was appointed deputy and kept the mail on a shelf in his store. He continued as deputy for a while after A. P. Swineford had succeeded Mr. Merry as postmaster. Augustus Armstrong was deputy for a while, and kept the office at his place of business on the west side ot Broad- wav, south of Clark street. Later, with Swineford still holding the office of postmaster, Colonel Samuel Eaton was appointed deputy and removed the office to his store, on the west side of Newton street, between Clark and "William. Colonel Eaton had a ease made, with twenty-four call boxes and four lock boxes. Colonel Eaton himself was appointed postmaster in 1861. He was followed by Dorr K. Stacy, who kept the office in a building on the northeast corner of Newton and Clark streets. In 1868 Albert Lea was made a money-order office. In 1869 Colonel Eaton again became postmaster and kept the office in his store on New¬ ton street. After a time he moved it to a building erected by Charles Ransom on the present site of the Skinner, Chamberlain & Co. store. B. J. House was the next postmaster and kept the office on the southwest corner of Alain and Broadway, where the Lembke store is now located. In the spring of 1876 Gunvold Johnsrud took the office and moved it north to a cement building on the west side of Broadway, between William and Alain streets. H. A. Hanson was appointed in November, 1881. and kept the office on the northeast corner of Broadway and ('lark street.

It. had grown at this time to an important office, and had 730 call boxes and 194 lock boxes. Flans 0. Haukness succeeded Air. Hanson and moved the office to the southeast corner of Clark street and Broadway, in the old Hall block, now occupied bv AY. A. Irvin. From 1887 to 1889 Dorr K. Stacy again served and moved t lie office back to the northeast corner of Broadway and Clark. In 1889 Air. Haukness again became postmaster and moved the office to its old site on the southeast corner of Clark and Broadway.

Thomas A!. Blacklin was the next postmaster, and at his death his deputy. S. P. Sorenson, succeeded to the office, which he still kept in the Hall building, southeast corner of Clark and Broad¬ way. Victor Gillrup, who was appointed by President AYilliam AIcKinley, also maintained the office in the same place, as did Emil Nelson, who in January, 1904, succeeded him. Shortly after the appointment of Air. Nelson, however, the office was removed to the southwest corner of Broadway and College street, in the Morin block, now occupied by the Times-Enterprise and the Evening Tribune. December 15, 1905, the office was moved to the beautiful government building which had been erected on the northeast corner of AYilliam and Newton streets.

The new building has a 67-foot front, is 45 feet deep and faces on Newton street. It is of light gray brick with stone founda¬ tion above grade and brick below. The main entrance on the west is approached by a broad flight of steps. There are wide cement walks along Newton and AYilliam streets, with boulevardimr and curbs. There is an entrance to the lot from both streets with a macadamized driveway along the north and east sides of the building. There is a door and partially enclosed porch on the east side for dispatching and receiving mail. An iron railing lias also been provided for hitching teams near the east door.

The cost of the complete building and grounds was about $36,000, of which $30,000 was appropriated by congress under a bill introduced by Congressman James A. Tawney, and $6,000 contributed by citizens to make up the necessary $12,000 for a site for which congress had appropriated but $6,000.

Emil Nelson, the present postmaster, was first appointed by Theodore Roosevelt, January 18, 1904, and took office February 1, 1904. He was reappointed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. Mr. Nelson has proven an able and capable officer, and the efficiency of the service he has maintained demonstrates his fitness for his responsible and often trying position. Mr. Nelson may well be proud of the fact that he Avas the first postmaster in the handsome government building which the office now occupies.

E. R. Hopperstad, the assistant postmaster, has been connected with the local postoffice, AATith the exception of one year, since 1893. He received his present appointment February 1, 1904, and is now on the civil service rolls. His long service and knowledge of postal conditions has been a factor in the success of the local office. J. E. Murtaugh and M. B. Fossum are the mailing clerks ; M. L. Murtaugh is registry and money-order clerk; the other clerks are J. P. Kilbride and D. G. Drommerhausen, and the substitute clerk is G. Leone Wohlhuter.

City delivery was established in Albert Lea April 1, 1899, the carriers being L. P. H. Highby, H. C. McMillen and Thomas I. Bergen, Simon Clement being the substitute. Messrs. Highby, McMillen and Bergen are still serving, and Henry L. Wolfe has been added to the force. Thomas Ahern is the present substitute.

Rural free delivery route No. 1 was established November 1, 1900, with K. K. Nystuen as carrier. August 1, 1902, routes 2 3 and 4 Avere established, with A. IT. McMillen, John G. Forrest and Lester Horning, respectively, as carriers. Route 5 Avas estab¬ lished August 1, 1904, with S. S. Mallery as carrier. Route 6 Avas established January 1, 1905, with L. C. White as carrier. The present carriers are: 1, K. K. Nystuen; 2, J. M. Nelson: 3, P. O. Olson; 4, J. E. Champion; 5, H. E. Ruble; 6, James Tubcrty

Alden. In 1867 this postoffice was established on the farm of E. P. Clark, who acted as postmaster. Later the office was moved into the village of Alden, and in 1870 A. G. Hall was appointed to take charge; he was succeeded by L. S. Crandall, who held the position until 1877; L. T. AValker was next in charge, and was followed by Mrs. A. R. Walker, who has held the position since. This office was originally fourth class, but has been changed to third class, arid there are three rural mail carriers - E. Q. Stanley, H. B. Cottrell and E. K. Howe. Mrs. Walker, who received her appointment in 1893, is ably assisted by her son, Frank L. Walker.

Armstrong. The Armstrong postoffice was established in 1882, and located in the east central part of section 4. G. H. Kenerson was appointed as the first postmaster, and B. A. Cady. Henry Springer, Henry Henrichson and Theodore E. Flaskerud have served in that capacity since, Mr. Flaskerud being the present postmaster.

Clarks Grove. The Clarks Grove postoffice is located in the southwest corner of section 35. C. Peterson was for many years in charge of this office, and was succeeded by Adolph Johnson, who is employed by the government at the present time as post¬ master. The office does a good annual business, and Mr. Johnson is an efficient postmaster. This office was established by Mead Clark. It was kept at the farm of C. Nielson for many years.

Conger. This postoffice, which is located in the township of Alden, was established in the early nineties, and Peter Flesah was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by Martin Sprenger, who is serving in this capacity at the present time.

Emmons. The Emmons postoffice had its beginning in the old State Line post office, which was established in the home of the first postmaster, H. G. Emmons, in 1864. Mr. Emmons' farm was located in section 32, Nunda township, and mail arrived once a week from Albert Lea. The present post office was established in March, 1889, and George II. Emmons was appointed to the posi¬ tion of postmaster. He resigned in April, 1895, and C. A. Olien was appointed to succeed him. Twelve years after this Mr. Em¬ mons again became postmaster. During the term of Mr. Olien 's service as postmaster the office was changed from its former loca¬ tion in George II. Emmons' store to the Knutson & Olson hard¬ ware store, but when Mr. Emmons again took charge the office was moved to its former location. In March, 1903, the first rural mail route was established, and another came into existence in 1909. Mr. Emmons is the present postmaster, and the rural mail carriers are Nils H. Edwin and George Rasmussen. This office became a registry office soon after it was established. The first money order was issued to William Torry on January 10, 1889, and the first money order paid was to Fred C. Dennis, February 13, 1899.

Freeborn. Freeborn postoffice is located in lot 7, block 45, viRage of Freeborn, the present postmaster being G. R. Borland. The office was established in a log house on the banks of Free¬ born lake in 1857, with L. T. Scott as first postmaster. The fol¬ lowing year J. Goward was appointed to take charge of the mails, which were received once each week via the Mankato and Otronto (Iowa) route. Henry Lacy was the mail carrier. Following him came A. A. Munn, T. A. Southwick, 0. S. Gilmore, T. A. Southwick, S. P. Sorenson, G. W. Barck, 0. S. Gilmore, George P. Lattin and G. R. Borland. The present postmaster has served about five years. The office became a money order office in 1873. A. A. Munn was postmaster at that time. The first money order was paid July 28, 1873, to Jason Goward. 0. S. Gilmore, who has been postmaster several times, has taken much interest in the growth of this office and has furnished the facts for this sketch.

Geneva. In 1856, through the efforts of E. C. Stacy, a postoffice was established in Geneva, and Mr. Stacy was appointed postmaster. The mail was received once a week from Austin, and Dorr K. Stacy carried it. The first money order was issued October 9, 1895, to Fillmore Brothers, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the first money order was paid December 2, 1895, to Lettie Gahagan. Mona postoffice was discontinued into this February 1, 1902. Svend Svendson is at the present time serving in the capacity of postmaster.

Glenville. This office was formerly the Shell Rock postoffice, which was established in 1856. It was the intention of A. H. Bartlett, who laid out the village, to establish a postoffice there at the earliest possible date, but during a business trip east his plans were frustrated by E. P. Skinner, who had the postoffice located in Hayward township, a short distance north of Shell Rock. On the return of Mr. Bartlett, Skinner was offered onefourth interest in Shell Rock, providing that the office should be moved to that point and the proposed townsite abolished. The offer was accepted and the office moved to Shell Rock, and Mr. Skinner became postmaster, with A. H. Bartlett as deputy. For a time the office was located in Mr. Bartlett's house, and later it was moved into the store owned by Skinner & Cottrell. The mail was carried by AVilliam Rice from Mitchell through to Albert Lea, and in 1857 a regular route was established from St. Ansgar to Mankato, with A. B. Davis as carrier. R. A. Cornish succeeded Mr. Skinner as postmaster, and since William Andrews, Edward Town, Victor Gilrup, A. H. Bartlett and Gardener

Gordonsville. In 1858 a postoffice was established in the home of Peter Beighley, the first postmaster. The mail arrived by the way of Northwood and Albert Lea and was carried by John P. Beighley. In 1865 the location of the office was changed to sec¬ tion 28, in the home of T. J. Gordon, who was appointed post¬ master. Some time later AY. H. II. Gordon became postmaster, and he was succeeded by J. AY. Abbott. After him came Hemau Frost, Niem Nelson, Cook Robinson, and then Niem Nelson again. Air. Nelson is a most successful officer and has served a number of vears.

Hartland. As early as 1859 there was a Hartland postoffice in the western part of section 13, Hartland township. Before the village of Hartland was thought of the office was held in various parts of the township. In 1877 J. C. Hoff became the postmaster and was succeeded by Ole A. Seim, who has been followed in succession by Oluf Hovland, Dr. AT. Torkelson, Alargaret Torkelson, R. AL Gardner, Dr. M. L. Head and H. AI. AYulff, who is serving at the present time. In 1905 two rural routes were estab¬ lished, and the present carriers are C. J. Ararvin and Alartin Svbelrud.

Hayward. In 1863 this postoffice was established at the home of Af. AY. Campbell, in section 4, with Air. Campbell as postmaster. It was moved into the village of Hayward in 1870. and Oliver Nelson was appointed postmaster. Since that time the following have occupied the office: J. J. Hove. J. C. Staige and R. E. Dewey, who is the present postmaster. He is assisted by two clerks - E C. Savre and Gilbert Skaug.

The first monev order was issued January 4, 1899, to the Northwestern Telephone Exchange, and the first money order paid was to G. T. Rundin, January 24, 1899. The Sigsbee postoffice was discontinued into this December 31, 1904, and the Lerdal office in February, 1908. A rural route was established January 1, 1905, and II. AY. Anderson is the present carrier.

London. This office was established in September, 1876, with Henry Lang as postmaster, and a short time later Airs. Aleadowcroft was appointed as deputy. The office was located in section 14, and mail arrived once a week from Austin, John Connor being the carrier. In April, 1880, James Lacy was appointed post¬ master, with Alarion Connor deputy, and in 1882 John Alanning succeeded him and the office was moved to his residence in sec¬ tion 15. The postoffice is now located in the village of London, and Nordahl II. Nelson is the postmaster.

of the village, this postoffice was established. H. R, Fossuin was the first postmaster, and he held the office until 1880, when E. H. Stensrud was appointed to succeed him. He was followed by Knute 0. Slette. E. 0. Fossum has served many years and has given excellent satisfaction in the position.

Myrtle. The Myrtle postoffice was long located near the cen¬ tral part of section 8, in London township. Among the post¬ masters who served in this office were A. A. Schumacher, 0. AY. A. Radloff, Daniel S. Hoyt and Hans S. Sorensen. In 1900 the office was moved to the village in section 7. C. AY .Hanson is at present in charge.

is located in Oakland village, in the northeast part of the town¬ ship bearing the same name. George S. AYalker has given efficient service as postmaster in the past, as has also Louis E. Hardy and Mrs. Mabel Harris, the latter of whom is at the present time in charge of the office as postmistress. As early as 1859 there was an Oakland postoffice in the northwestern corner of section 16, Oakland township.

Twin Lakes. This office, which is located in Nunda, was the first postoffice established in the township, being opened as Nunda postoffice in the spring of 1859, with Patrick Fitzsimmons as post¬ master. The office was held in the home of Mr. Fitzsimmons, in section 16, and mail arrived once a week. In June, 1866, Fred¬ erick McCall was appointed postmaster and the office Avas moved to his residence, in section 14, mail at this time being carried by Allen B. Davis. In 1877 the office was again moved and this time to Twin Lakes, in section 12. On July 1, 1881, the name Avas changed from Nunda to TAvin Lakes, and Mr. McCall is at present postmaster, having served for many years in this office to the entire satisfaction of the people of the toAAmship. He is said to be the oldest postmaster in the state.

Former Postoffices

Among the discontinued postoffices in Freeborn county may be mentioned Bath, Buckeye, Clover, KnatArold, Lerdal, Mansfield, Moscow, Newry, Sigsbee and Trenton.

Bath. This office Avas established in 1876 at the residence of L. P. Carlson, on section 36. Mr. Carlson Avas appointed as the first postmaster and held the office for about tAVO years. A. H. Peterson has since been appointed to the position, and later James St. John. The office was discontinued about 1907.

Buckeye postoffice Avas established in 1858, and the office Avas held in the home of the first postmaster, James E. Smith, on sec¬ tion 30, Manchester township. In 1860 a mail route from Alankato to Otronto Avas established, and S. B. Smith appointed to take charge of the office. Some years later A. G. Hall became postmaster and the office was moved to his residence, where it was discontinued about 1870.

Clover. The post office was established in 1890, with TV i lli am P. Pickle as postmaster. Originally the office was called Adair, but on account of its resemblance to the word Adrain it was changed to Clover. After Mr. Pickle came William TYohlhuter, Frank Yost, Peter Flescli and George Enser, the latter of whom was serving when the office was discontinued. Mail is now received bv rural route from Albert Lea.

Knatvold post office was established in Freeman in the early nineties, with Thomas E. Flaskerud as postmaster, and he was succeeded by Erick K. Flaskerud. The office has been discon¬ tinued into Albert Lea.

Lerdal postoffice was located in the west part of section 17, Riceland township, and among the postmasters who have served in that office were H. Evenson, Martin 0. Broten and Oluf Jorgen¬ son. The office was discontinued about 1909 and mail is now sup¬ plied from Hayward.

Mansfield. In 1875 this office was established, and James M. Emerson appointed to serve as postmaster. Among those who have been appointed to the position since that time are C. J. Flescli, Henry C. Becker, Henry J. Smith and Frank Becker. The post office was discontinued about 1909, being now supplied from Alden.

Moscow. A postoffice in the village of Moscow was established in 1858, and John G. Dunning was appointed as the first post¬ master, the office being located in the home of David Farr, in sectipn 22. In 1860 Mr. Farr became postmaster, and he held the office for two years, after which Evan Morgan was appointed. Since that time K. Ryan has served as postmaster, also Emma Darlev. The office has been discontinued and the mail is supplied from Austin.

Newry. In 1874 the postoffice at this place was established, with John Herron as postmaster, and the office was located in his home in the northwest part of section 9. The office has been dis¬ continued and mail is supplied from Blooming Prairie.

Trenton. The Trenton postoffice was established in September, 1857, with George Watson as first postmaster. The office was located in the northwest part of section 10, Freeborn township, hut in 1858 when John TV. Ayers was appointed postmaster was removed to section 3. T. S. Devoid was the last postmaster, the office having been discontinued some time ago.