Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 23: Municipal Albert Lea, 1911

Village Powers Delegated to the Supervisors - Conflict Over Incorporation - Bill Passes Legislature - Accepted by People of Albert Lea - Officers from Year to Year - Story of the City Charter.

Until May 11, 1858, the towns of Freeborn county had no local government. On that date the citizens of Albert Lea township perfected a town government and Dr. A. C. Wedge was elected chairman of the board of supervisors. With the growth of the village, problems presented themselves which could not well be met by the powers conferred by general statute upon town supervisors. According in 1870 a special act was passed by the legislature, giving to the supervisors of the town of Al¬ bert Lea certain powers which were necessary to the conduct of village affairs. This act was amplified and amended by several subsequent legislatures.

It became more and more apparent, however, that the time would soon be ripe for the installation of the village government separate from the township. As the matter reached a head, the usual arguments pro and con were heard. Formal debates were held, the press took the matter up and there was much bitter feeling on both sides. The question of taxation naturally en¬ tered largely into the arguments. The saloon question was also a vital influence, the community at that time being divided into the saloon and the anti-saloon elements. While these matters were being discussed a committee of villagers, consisting of C. W. Ballard, D. R. P. Hibbs, Ira A. Towne, M. Halvorsen, A. M. Tyrer and E. C. Stacy drew up a bill secretly, which was pre¬ sented to the legislature in the spring of 1878, and after a bitter fight passed that body.

The regular town election was to be held the second Tuesday in March. This was really a preliminary skirmish to the battle which was to follow. An all-farmer ticket which received the support of those in the country districts and several skillful politicians in the village, gave diversity to the election, but was defeated. At this election, however, the leaders on both sides were able to feel the pulse of public sentiment.

The election was held at the courthouse the first Monday in April, 1878, in charge of A. C. Wedge, B. H. Skaug and A. E. Johnson. The charter passed by a majority of 72.

The first election of officers under this act was held the second Monday in May, 1878. The people in the first ward voted at the office of W. 1\ Sergeant, on Broadway; the people of the second ward at the old Webber house, corner of Boardway and Main, and the people of the third ward, at the courthouse. The judges of the election in the first ward were William P. Sergeant. William Hazelton and P. T. Scotland; of the second ward. II. Hanson, A. Carlson and J. W. Smith; of the third ward, C. R. Ransom, John II. Anderson and August Peterson.

1879. The officers this year were : Mayor, H. D. Brown ; aldermen - 1, AY. P. Sergeant (president), J. AY. Smith; 2. T. H. Armstrong. Ellend Erickson; 3, William Fenholt, John A. Ander¬ son; treasurer, FI. A. Hanson; attorney, R. AI. Palmer; assessor. D. X. Gates : street commissioner, E. D. Porter ; chief of police, Reuben Williams; surveyor, AYilliam Alorin; justice. E. C. Stacy. In September, Ed Patrick became chief of police. The council took several measures toward protecting the city from fire. Lots were rented, a temporary building was erected, hooks, ladders and pails were purchased, and several cisterns and reservoirs were put in at various points. In the summer a La France lire engine was purchased, and an engine house was erected on block 30, on Alain street, the lots being presented by William Alorin and T. II. Armstrong. The engine house was ready for occupancy in Januarv, 1880.

1880. At the election this year R. C. ATan A^echten was chosen mavor. The new aldermen were: 0. F. Nelson, A\ illiam Alorin and J A. Anderson. E. C. Stacy and IF. 0. Haukness were the justices, and B. II. Skaug was treasurer. AYilliam Alorin was named as president of the council and the following appointments were made: Clerk, John Anderson; assessor, AA . A. Higgins; chief of police, Ed. Patrick ; engiueer, A. Alotzfeldt. Alarch 15, J. II. Parker was appointed attorney for the balance of the year. The council this year was much occupied with the question of Spring lake. From a beautiful sheet of water it had become a dumping ground and stagnant pool. Physicians pronounced it a menace to public health and it was deeded to the citv as a park by AA illiani Morin and wife, Clarence AA edge and wife, and Mrs. Mary F. Armstrong. In December the lake was ordered drained.

1881. The new government was organized May 3, with the following officers: Mayor, Francis Hall; treasurer, B. H. Skaugh; aldermen - 1, 0. F. Nelson; AY. P. Sergeant; 2, Thomas H. Armstrong, William Morin; 3, William Fenholt, John A. Anderson; clerk, John Anderson. John A. Anderson was made president and the following appointments were made : Assessor, Aug. Peterson; attorney, J. H. Parker; chief of police, W. C. Mitchell. The Spring lake matter was again considered. A petition was received protesting against its being drained. August 23. Dr. Charles Hewitt, the state health officer, declared the lake to be a menace to public health. A plat of the proposed drain and park was presented and placed on file.

1882. The election of May 4, this year, resulted as follows: Mayor, C. AY. Ballard; city treasurer, N. 0. Narveson; city justices, H. 0. Haukncss and E. C. Stacy; aldermen - first ward, Martin Olson; second ward, Yilliam Morin; third ward, John Thompson. T. H. Armstrong, Sergeant and Fenholt held over. An effort was made to have John A. Anderson sit on this council as president, it being alleged that though his office as alderman had expired, he nevertheless held over as president of the council until his successor to that position should be elected. At the first meeting of the council no chairman was elected, the vote on this subject being a tie. This was the famous "dead lock" year. There was considerable bitter feeling and the council was evenly divided on all questions, so that neither faction would consent to one of its numbers being deprived of a vote by being appointed president of the council. The matter was not settled for several months. Finally after many deadlocks and much bitter feeling Alderman Thompson was elected president, December 5. Aiderman Sergeant resigned in November, and D R. P. Hibbs took his place. February 6, 1S83, George Drommerhausen was regu¬ larly elected alderman from the first ward. August Peterson was assessor this vear and John Anderson was clerk.

1883. Francis Hall was elected mayor, and N. 0. Narveson, treasurer. The three aldermen elected were: 1, George Drommer¬ hausen; 2, John G. Brundin ; 3, Y. Gulbrandson. AY ill i am Morin was elected president of the council and other officers were : City clerk, D. AY. Dwyer; attorney, AAr. E. Todd; chief of police, AATlliam Mitchell; street commissioner, M. M. Luce. May 6, a petition was filed asking for a telephone franchise.

2. William Morin; 3, John Thompson. William Morin became president of the council. The other officers were: Justices, E. C. Stacy. John Anderson; clerk, D. W. Dwyer; attorney, W. E. Todd; street commissioner, M. M. Luce; chief of police, H. S.

1885. Dr. A. C. Wedge was elected mayor, N. 0. Narveson, treasurer; George Drommerhausen, alderman from the first ward; A. H. Squier, alderman from the second ward ; and Vegger Gulbrandson, alderman from the third ward. William Morin was appointed president; D. \V. Dwyer, clerk; August Peterson, assessor. The respective merits of gas and electiic street lighting were considered this year. The council decided to construct some cells for prison purposes in the rear of the engine house, and also to add a story to that edifice for assembly purposes. A. G. Wedge succeeded John Anderson as justice, and he was followed in turn by J. H. Parker.

1886. Francis Hall was elected mayor. The aldermen elected were: 1. T. V. Knatvold; 2, William Morin; 3. G. Q. Slocum. A. H. Squier was president of the council. Other officers were : D. W. Dwyer, clerk; W. C. McAdam, attorney; A. G. Brundin, treasurer; Frank Merchant, chief of police; David Colvin, street commissioner; J. Q. Annis, assessor; V . A. Morin, sui\e}or; justices, E. C. Stacy and J. B. Foote. Charles H. Farnsvorth was given a franchise to erect poles and to string wires for an electric light system, providing the system should be in operation by September 15, 1886. October 19, a committee was appointed to contract with C. II. Farnsworth for the installation of six street lights of 1,200 candle power. November 1, a few lights were in operation, and December 6, the system was fully inaugurated. R. C. Van A echten was appointed alderman to fill the vacancy caused by the death of "William Morin, and J. H Parker was appointed justice in place of J. B. koote.

1887. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor ; A. G. Brundin, treasurer; J. II. Parker, justice, and D. G. Parker, L. J. Thomas, W. A. Morin, V. Gulbrandson and L. D. Smith were aldermen. Parker, Slocum and Smith served as presidents of the council. F. Merchant was chief of police; H. A. Morgan, city attorney ; J. Q. Annis, assessor; F. A. Johnson, clerk; C. D. Marlett, street commissioner, and H. II. Wilcox, city physician.

1889. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor. The treasurer was A. G. Brundin and the aldermen elected were : Aldermanat-large, H. A. Hanson; 1, T. E. Richards; 2, A. Wiegand; 3, AY. H. Lewe. H. A. Hanson was president of the council ; F. A. Johnson, clerk; C. D. Marlett, street commissioner; V. Gillrup, assessor; AY. S. Carey, chief of police. C. A. Briggs succeeded F. A. Johnson as clerk. J. B. Foote succeeded H. 0. Haukpess as justice. July 22, 1889, the council decided to adopt a gaso¬ line system of street lighting. October 21 the electric street lights were ordered, removed.

1893. T. Y. Knatvold was elected mayor and the new aidermen were : Alderman-at-large, C. M. Wilkinson; 1, T. E. Rich¬ ards; 2, A. AYiegand; 3, W. H. Lowe. C. M. Wilkinson was president of the council, and the other officers were : Fred S. Hayes, treasurer ; C. A. Briggs, clerk ; John Anderson, attorney ; C. M. Hewitt, assessor; AAA A. Morin, surveyor; S. F. Chamberlain, chief of police ; C. D. Marlett, street commissioner. Some repairs were made on the engine house and a bell tower added. December 20 a telephone permit was granted F. B. Fobes. The council declared itself in favor of free text books.

2. A. G. Brundin; 3, A. M. Gilbert. C. M. Wilkinson was presi¬ dent of the council and the other officers were: A. S. Hayes, treasurer; R. 8. Clements, clerk; George A. Boye, street commis¬ sioner; W. A. Morin, surveyor; E. C. Stacy and E. A. Church, justices; C. 1). Marlett, chief of police; John Anderson, attorney; M. M. Luce, superintendent and engineer of water works; Syl¬ vester Messinger, assessor.

1895. Victor Gillrup being elected mayor, his place as aiderman from the first ward was taken by R. B. Skinner. The newly elected aldermen were: Alderman-at-large, Charles Jorgenson ;

1. William S. Krebs; 2, W. A. Morin; 3, V. Gulbrandson. Charles Jorgenson was president of the council and the other officers were: A. S. Hayes, treasurer; Charles A. Briggs, clerk; 0. S. Edwards, attorney; E. E. Remington, surveyor; F. M. Church, street commissioner; A. E. Ransom, chief of police; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works; C. M. Hewitt, assessor. June 24 a contract was let for draining Spring lake, the work being completed in August.

1896. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor and the newly elected aldermen were: Charles Jorgenson, alderman-at-large; 1. R. B. Skinner; 2, A. G. Brundin; 3, A. M. Gilbert, diaries Jorgenson was president of the council and the other officers were: B. H. Knatvold, treasurer; E. C. Stacy and G. V. Hop¬ kins, justices; C. A. Briggs, clerk; C. S. Edwards, attorney; F. M. Church, street commissioner; C. M. Hewitt, assessor; S. F. Cham¬ berlain, chief of police; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. The city voted no license this year. In spite of this fact, five saloonkeepers applied to the city council for licenses, but

1897. Charles M. Wilkinson was elected mayor and the newly elected aldermen were : Charles Jorgenson, alderman-at-large; 1. Simon Strauss; 2, W. A. Morin; 3, Henry (?. Wohlhuter. Charles Jorgenson was president of the council and the otliei officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; J. R. Halverson, clerk; C. S. Edwards, attorney; F. IT. Fisk, surveyor; S. F. Chamberlain. chief of police; A. Wiegand, assessor; F. M. Church, street commissioner; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. The sewer system Avas installed this year and various telephone fianehises granted. The city was ''no license'' this year.

1898. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor and the newly elected aldermen were: "V . S. Jones, alderman-at-large: 1, J. V . Veness: 2, A. C. Sorenson; 3, Alf. Anderson. ML A. Morin was president of the council and the other officers were : C. B. Kellar. treasurer; D. K. Stacy and R. S. Clements, justices; J. R. TTalvorsen, clerk; C. S. Edwards, attorney ; h . H. Fisk, surveyor; Emil Nelson, assessor; W. H. Lowe, street commis¬ sioner; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. The sewer system was extended and the water works equipment improved. Rolla Farnsworth took the place of C. S. Edwards as attorney. J. Q. Annis took the place of Alt*. Anderson, as alderman. E. S. Hammond took the place of R. S. Clements as justice. The city returned to license this year.

1899. T. W. Wilson was mayor, and the newly elected aidermen were: E. W. Knatvold, alderman-at-large; 1, James C. Jensen; 2, W. A. Morin; 3, J. Q. Annis. E. W. Knatvold was president of the council, and the other officers were : C. B. Kellar, treasurer ; E. S. Hammond, justice ; C. S. Edwards, attor¬ ney ; J. R. Ilalvorsen, clerk; W. H. Lowe, street commissioner; Emil Nelson, assessor; F. H. Fisk, surveyor; J. J. Sullivan, chief of police; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. A new city hall was proposed this year. Charles Jorgensen took the place of E. W. Knatvold as alderman. The city voted no license this vear.

1900. H. H. Dunn was mayor. The newly elected aldermen were: P. C. Johnson, alderman-at-large; 1, T. J. Wanek; 2, A. C. Sorenson; 3, P. C. Jensen. P, C. Johnson was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; D. K. Stacy and E. S. Hammond, justices ; Charles E. Brainerd, clerk ; A. U. Mayland, attorney ; W. H. English, street commis¬ sioner ; G. M. Wilcox, surveyor ; James J. Sullivan, chief of police ; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. W. S. Jones took the place of A. C. Sorenson as alderman.

1901. II. H. Dunn was elected mavor, and the newlv elected aldermen were: Augustus Armstrong, alderman-at-large; 1, James C. Jensen; 2, C. L. Swenson; 3, W. Wohlhuter. Augustus Armstrong was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; C. S. Edwards, attorney; F. H. Fisk, surveyor; Emil Nelson, assessor; W. H. English, street commissioner : C. E. Brainerd, clerk ; Edward Carey, chief of police ; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. The building of a new city hall was again seriously considered, and it was also voted to continue the tilling of Spring lake park. A vote was passed encouraging Frank Moore Jeffery in the establishment of a gas plant.

Barneck. surveyor ; Edward Carey, chief of police ; AY. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works. A contract was let for the building of a city hall, fire station, engine house, city prison and city offices combined, on North Broadway.

1903. E. AY. Knatvold was elected mayor, and the new aldermen were : at large, C. L. Swenson, M. M. Jones, AA . A. Morin and T. E. Schlender; 1, D. C. Armstrong; 2, Adam AVie^and; 3, Chris. Anderson. C. L. Swenson was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; C. E. Brainerd, clerk; Claude E. Southwick, attorney; D. K. Stacy and E. S. Hammond, justices; Emil Nelson, assessor; AA . H. English, street commissioner; Edward Carey, chief of police; AY. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works; AYilliam Barneck, engineer. Various matters in connection with the laying of the gas mains were considered. The new city hall was completed in November, 1903.

1905. L. 0. Greene was elected mayor, and the aldermen elected were: at large, C. L. Swenson, M. AI. Jones, N. P. Soren¬ son and C. R. Brundin. 1, H. E. Skinner; 2, A. C. Sorenson; 3, J. A. Gustaveson. C. L. Swenson was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; C. E. Brain¬ erd. clerk; C. E. Southwick/ attorney ; J. Q. Annis, assessor;

E. S. Hammond and D. K. Stacy, Justices; E. A. Spoon, street commissioner ; Edward Carey, chief of police. H. C. Higgins be¬ came clerk in place of C. E. Brainerd, November 16, 1906. February 7, 1907, the city signed a five-year street lighting con¬ tract with the Albert Lea Light and Power Company.

1907. The officers this year were: C. L. Swenson, mayor; X p. Sorenson, alderman-at-large; 1. M. M. Jones, H. E. Skinner; 2, A. C. Sorenson, Robert Anderson; 3, John A. Gustaveson, John

1909. The officers this year were: L. O. Greene, mayor; Henry J. Harm, alderman-at-large ; 1, M. AI. Jones, N. C. Soren¬ son; 2. Robert Anderson, AYilliam Nelson; 3, J. A. Gustaveson. J. J. Aerkvam ; C. B. Kellar. treasurer; Charles J. Dudley, clerk; T. V. Knatvold. attorney; J. Q. Annis, assessor; E. S. Hammond, I) K. Stacy, justices; Patrick Dolan, street commissioner; Ed¬ ward Carey, chief of police; AY. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works; AYilliam Barneck, engineer; M. M. Jones president of the council. The first street paving in Albert Lea was done during this administration and has continued to the present time. November 13, 1909, J. A. Gustaveson resigned as aiderman and John Hanson took his place. August 31, 1910, Robert Anderson resigned from the council and his place was taken by A. C. Sorenson.

1911. The officers this year are: C. L. Swenson, mayor; Henry J. Harm, alderman-at-large; 1, N. C. Sorenson, Martin Blacklin; 2, William Nelson, Henry Soth ; 3, G. A. Clausen, J. J. Berkvam ; C. B. Kellar, treasurer ; Charles J. Dudley, clerk ; J. 0. Peterson, attorney; J. Q. Annis, assessor; Christ Hanson, street commissioner; E. S. Hammond, D. K. Stacy, justices; Peter Fosse, chief of police ; W. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works ; William Barneck, city engineer; A. F. Wohlhuter, chief of fire department; James T. Swenson, weighmaster; "The Evening Tribune," official paper; board of health, Dr. AY. A. Bessensen, Alexander McKee and Charles Jorgensen. Henry J. Harm is president of the council.

The Charter. The original charter of the city of Albert Lea passed the legislature March 11, 1878, and was accepted by the people the first Monday in April of the same year. The boun¬ daries of the new city were to be as follows: The southeast quarter of section 8 ; all that part of the northeast quarter of section 8 lying south of Fountain lake; all that part of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 8 lying south of Fountain lake and east half of southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 8; the southwest quarter of section 9 ; the south half of the northwest quarter of section 9 ; the north half of the northwest quarter of section 16 ; the north half of the northeast quarter of section 17 ; all in township 102, range 21.

After the first election the elections were to be held t lie first Monday in May. The term of the mayor was fixed at one year; the treasurer at one year, and the two justices at two years. Six aldermen were to be elected, two from each of the three wards. Three of these aldermen were to serve for one year and three for two years. After the first election each ward was to elect one alderman every year, each alderman to serve for two years. Other officers were to be appointed by the council. Various minor changes were subsequently made and in 1885 the boundaries were changed.

February 19, 1887, various important changes were made. The boundaries were again altered and election day was desig¬ nated as the first Tuesday in April. An alderman-at-large to be elected each year and to serve for one year was added to the city council.

consolidating and amending the previous charter and amend¬ ments. This charter was the work of Henry A. Morgan, then county attorney. The elective officers of the city were to be the same as under the previous charter. A new feature was the creating of a board of public works, but this provision was afterward repealed.

November 8, 1898, the people of the state accepted the con¬ stitutional amendment abolishing special legislation, and the amendment was proclaimed by the governor December 29. 1898. In 1899 the state legislature passed an act called Chapter 251 of the General Laws of 1899. This act provided for the appoint¬ ment by the various district judges of a charter commission for such cities in their districts as were already incorporated and for such villages as desired to incorporate; these commissioners to have charge of framing charters and charter amendments in

Under this act Judge Nathan Kingsley appointed fifteen men to serve as the charter commission of Albert Lea. They were A. C. Wedge (president), Clement S. Edwards (secretary), Henry A. Morgan, D. R. P. Hibbs, S. Strauss, I. L. Ingebritsen, IT. G. Wohllmter, Henry C. Carlson, H. G. Day, 0. J. AA ulff, J. H. Menefee, Ray C. Blaekmer, T. Y. Knatvold, C. W. Ransom and A\ illiam A. Morin. The charter prepared by this commission was rati¬ fied by more than the necessary four-sevenths of the voters, April 1, 1902. and with the exception of certain amendments, the city

This charter provided for a two-year term for each elective officer. Each ward was to have one alderman and four were to be elected at large. The other elective officers were to be mayor, city treasurer, street commissioner, city attorney, assessor, city clerk and two justices of the peace. In 1906 the charter was amended so that two aldermen are now elected from each ward and one at large.

In 1908 further important amendments to the charter were made, but their import is beyond the scope of this history. At this time two vacancies had occurred in the commission and George Drommerhausen and Yegger Gulbrandson had taken the place of IT. G. Wohlhuter and Ray C. Blaekmer.

The present charter commission consists of C. S. Edvards, H A. Morgan, D. R. P. Hibbs, II. C. Carlson and William AYohlhuter, first ward; O. J. AVulff, J. IT. Meneffee, S. P. Swenson. W. S. Jones and A. C. Sorenson, second ward; Yegger Gulbrand¬ son. A. IT. Mayland, George Drommerhausen. C. AV. Ransom and Chris Berthelson, third ward.

the east half of the northwest quarter of section 17; the south¬ west quarter and the south half of the northwest quarter of section 9 ; the northeast quarter, the northwest quarter, the south¬ east quaitei and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 8; the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 5; also the following*, to-wit: Commencing at a point on the sec¬ tion line betw een sections 5 and G, twenty rods north of the noitheast corner of the southeast quarter of the southeast quar¬ ter of section 6, and running thence west twenty rods, thence southeasterly to the northwest corner of the south half 'of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 5; thence east co the center of the upper Shell Rock river ; thence north¬ westerly along the center of said river until it strikes the west line of said section 5, thence south along said section line to the place of beginning, all in township 102, range 21.