Lyon County, Minnesota - Chapter 14: Balaton and Russell - 1879-1912, 1912

Chapter 14: Balaton and Russell - 1879-1912

BALATON is an incorporated village on the Dakota Central branch of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. ' The platted portion of the village is on the west half . of section 23. Rock Lake township, and it is fifteen miles west from Tracy. The population of Balaton was 364 when the census of 1910 was taken. Its elevation above sea level is 1528 feet. The site is an exceptionally fine one, being on the south shore of Lake Yankton, a lovely sheet pf water. As a business point the little village ranks well up with the other municipalities of Lyon county, drawing trade from an old settled portion and finely improved tract of farming country.

Balaton was founded in 1879 as a result of the building of the Dakota Central railroad. The rails were laid so far as Lake Yankton in August, but before that date and before the station was located the first business house was established. David Bell, who had been in business at Amiret, sold out in May and the next month erected a store building a quarter of a mile wrest of the future village. For a time his patrons

'The Rock Lake correspondent to the Marshall Messenger of July 1, 1879, said: "The railroad company has located our station on section 23, near Lake Yankton. It is one mile east of the center of the town."

2Additions to Balaton have been platted as follows: First Railway, May 25, 1886,"by Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company; surveyed by J. W. Blake.

were mostly the laborers employed in construction work. The site of the station was made known in the latter part of . I une1 and Mr. Bell immediately moved his store to the site and became the town's first business man, his store being where the Westbee store is now.

The Balaton townsite was surveyed by Albert Jacobi on July 23, 1879, and the plat was certified to by Albert Keep, as president of the Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company, on September 12. Six blocks were originally laid out, divided by First, Second, Third and Fourth Streets and Lake and Central Avenues.2

The railroad was completed to the new station in the first part of August and train service was inaugurated September 29. J. W. Mosher was the first agent. The growth of Balaton in the year of its birth was not rapid. In the fall Albert Parker erected a building and established the second general store. Lumber was sold from the station and grain bought that fall, but the year closed with Balaton a very inconspicuous place.

were started in 1880 and the Balaton postoffice was established with R. E. Town as postmaster.3 William Hamm erected the Balaton House in March and a little later in the same season R. E. Town opened the Lake Avenue Hotel. A grocery and - crockery store was opened by E. L. Healy and placed in charge of J. B. Gibbons. That gentleman a little later bought the store and added a stock of general merchandise. Two lumber yards were conducted during the year and a school house and depot were erected.4

In the spring of 1881 Messrs. Moore & Weberg opened a general merchandise >tore and that summer N. A. Sanders started a hardware store, R. E. Town a furniture store, and J. W. Moore a wood yard. In 1882 there were the following business enterprises: Three general stores, one hardware store, one furniture store, one blacksmith and wagon shop, a hotel, an elevator, warehouse and lumber yard.

For a number of years before the establishment of rural free delivery routes a mail route was operated between Balaton and Slayton, supplying the Current Lake and Lowville offices. Round trips were made three times a week.

Four rural routes are now operated. Numbers 1 and 2 were established December 1, 1900, with Clayton Whiting and A. M. Wheaton as carriers; No. 3, in 1902, with Clarence Wheaton as carrier; No. 4, in 1907 , with S. W. Swihart as carrier.

The growth of Balaton was not rapid, but during the early day.; it provided a convenient trading point for southern" Lyon county and gradually developed into a substantial little village. A correspondent claimed the village had a population of 200 at the beginning of the year 1889.

A fire in the early morning of September 26, 1892, brought destruction to live frame business buildings and several stocks of goods, the loss being about $15,000. The fire originated in the barber shop and pool hall of E. M. Cameron and when discovered was under too great headway to be controlled. The village then had no fire protection. The principal losses, partly covered by insurance, were as follows:

Balaton became an incorporated municipality in 1892. An effort had been made to secure incorporation by legislative act in 1888, but it did not eventuate. On November 3, 1892, a petition signed by George L. Carlaw and thirtynine others was considered by the Board of County Commissioners and favorably acted upon. J. H. Call, William Hamm and C. W. Candee were named inspectors of the election, held December 5, to vote on the question. By a majority of ten the residents decided in

4"We made our first visit to Balaton this week. It is a very pleasant location on Lake Yankton and will undoubtedly be a good town in time, as it is surrounded by a rich country and is thirteen miles from Tracy and fourteen miles from Tyler, so that it will command a fair trade. Several good buildings are already erected there. Mr. Town has up a large hotel building and William Hamm is keeping another hotel. Our former citizen, J. B. Gibbons, has a store there and there is a second store kept by a Scandinavian. The town has also a good school house, good depot, etc. . . . One or two lumber yards complete the business as we saw it in a hurried visit. The town will be a very pretty one in a few years." - Marshall Messenger, October 8, 1880.

1896 - President, J. H. Call; trustees, O. K. Wilhelm. W. S. Whiting, Charles Bergstrom; recorder, W. H. Estee: treasurer, J. A. Moore; assessor, Charles Germo; justices, D. A. Hardin, A. J. Estee; constable, James Abernathy.

5The license question has brought forth many close contest.- in Balaton. In 1890-91-92, before the village was incorporated, the question was submitted to the voters of Rock Lake township and each time the no-license advocates wen- successful. During the twenty years Balaton has been an incorporated municipality licensed saloons have been conducted nine years and the town has been "dry" eleven year-. License was granted in 1893, and thereafter until 1908 the matter was decided by vole each year under the local option law. The question has not been submitted since 1907 and license has not been granted Following were the results of the several elections: 1S'.)4 - For, 41 ; against, 13.

Balaton has not advanced as far as some of the other municipalities of Lyon county, but its growth has been steady and it has developed into a prosperous little business point. The population was 222 in 1895. 209 in 1900. 350 in 1905, and 364 in 1910.

to Balaton on February 8, 1908. The losses were as follows: James Murrison, stock of hardware and implements, $6000; O. C. Eng, store building and machine shed. $2500; .Miss Lena Eng, store building, millinery stock and household goods, $5000; M. L. Stewart. library, $300.

The School

Balaton was only a few months old when the first school was taught in the spring of 1880. Alice Gibbon- was the first instructor and the pupils were L. E. Town, Julius Town, Grace Pierce, George O'Gara. William O'Gara, Nellie O'Gara. Helen 8'earles and William Glotfelter. The second instructor was C. W. Candee.6

The first school house was put up in the fall of 1880 and was in use until the fall of 1892. when it was replaced by a larger structure. That in turn became inadequate and in 1907 the present brick school house war- erected at a cost of $14,000. During several years prior to that time efforts had been made to build and the voters had on several occasions authorized bond issues for the purpose, but because of technical errors the work was not put under way sooner.

About 130 pupils arc now enrolled in the Balaton schools, which are in charge of Charles F. Pecholt. The members of the Board of Education are Dr. Charles Germo, secretary; F. J. Brcening. treasurer; and Guy Brock way.7

The Churches

The first religious society in the village was a free Will Baptist church. It was organized December 19, 1879, with ten members and was formed through the efforts of Rev. C. H. Richardson, of Marshall, and that gentleman was the church's first pastor. A church edifice was elected in the spring of 1889 and was used jointly with the Methodists. The Baptists maintained the organization several years and then the church went out of existence.

The Methodist church was organized in 1880 by Rev. J. X. Liscomb. The initial members were J. W. Hoaglin and wife. J. W. Linderman and wife. E. I). Bartlett, Anna Davie. Emma Crouch, Mrs. W. Pierce and Phoebe Pierce. A parsonage wa erected in 1885 and after 1889 service, were held in the Baptisl church. The pre ent edifice was erected in 1898 and was dedicated December 4 of that year by Pre: iding Elder Han- - com. The trustees of the Methodist church are James Hall. J. W. Searles, E. I). Bartlett, Willard Pierce, David Swihart, Tolof 01 on and Charles Anderson. The pastor is Rev. J. Hanna.8

The First Presbyterian Church of Balaton is also one of the older societies of the village. It was organized in the early eighties largely through the e .'torts of Robert Riddell.9 The first services of the society were held in the waiting room of the depot by the first pastor, sThe following haVe served as pastors of the Methodist church of Balaton: Revs. I. H. Snell. < >. C. Gregs, W. A. Tickner, William Copp, Marquist, Goodrich, U. P. Olin, Webster, II. Jones, C. A. Maine, D. H. Carmichael, S. II. Brown, E. S. Gilbert and J. Hanna.

"Those admitted to membership at the tine- "I organization were Messrs. and Mesdames Robert Riddell, William Riddell, A. C. Dresser. James Abernathy, William Livingston, George 1.. Carta w, James Murrison ami Mr-. Jeanette Carlaw. The first trustees

Rev. Ransom Wait,10 and thereafter for some time in the school bouse. The church was erected in 1885. The corner stone was laid with ceremonies in July by Revs. Gregg, Jamieson and Herrick ami the building was dedicated January H>. 1886, by Rev. Wall. The cost of the structure was about &2000. A parsonage was completed in 1902. The present membership is about 100. The Trustees are Dr. Charles (lernio. A. M. Moore and .J. B. Carlaw.11

The German Lutheran society was organized February 8, 1885, and has ever since maintained an active organization.12 For a few years there was no re idem pastor, but since 1888 ministers of the Lutheran faith have resided in Balaton. Rev. R. Poethke occupied the pulpit from 1888 to 1900, Rev. R. Fehlan from 1901 to 1904, and Rev. J. P. Scherf from 190.") to 1912. The church home was erected in 1900 and the parsonage in 1902. Nearly fifty families are now affiliated with the church and the present trustee- are C. W. Teufel. F. W. Teufel and William Stibbe. A parochial school is conducted by the pastor.

For several years before the organization of their church the Swedish Lutherans field services occasionally, conducted by vfsiting clergymen. The

10Pastors who have occupied the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church of Balaton have been Revs. Ransom Wait, John N. Williams, G. N. Wodsworth, B. Hall, M. F. Sparks, J. A. Clark, M. A. Linglie, L. Mclntyre, G. S. Pinney, J. Russell Jones, Brooks Hitchings, Arthur A. Palmer, Joseph C. Mapson and Robert L. Vance.

11 In the same charge with the Balaton church is Easter Presbyterian Church of Sodus, with a membership of forty-five. It was organized October 17, 1894, with the following members: Mr. and Mrs. II i iiili Neil, Margaret Neil, Elizabeth Neil, Mr. ami Mrs. Robert Neil, Buelah Neil, James A. Dick, Mary Ford, Air. and Mrs. Louis Nelson, Margaret Ford, Agnes Firmage, Jane Ford, Clara D. Thurston and Robert Ford. The first elders were Louis Nelson, Hugh Neil and Robert Ford.

12The initial membership of the German Lutheran church was as follows: John Goltz, Gottlieb Goltz, Ludwig Luedke, William Wichmann, August Frost, August Smerling, August Tank, C. W. Teufel, John pastor of the Sillerud Swedish Lutheran Church of Scandia township, Murray county. Rev. Ardahl has ever since had charge of the Balaton church.13 For two years the congregation worshipped in the German Lutheran church and in the summer of 1909 a church home was erected at a cost of $2700. The society now has a membership of about 100 and services are held every other Sunday. The present trustees are Nels Hanson, C. W. Nord and H. A. Anderson and the deacons are Nels Truedsson, A. W. Nelson and John Blomquist.1 '

The Lodgks

The oldest fraternal order of Balaton is the lodge of the Ancient Order United Workmen, which was organized November 4, 1889, with a large membership.15 - The lodge is an active one and has over fifty members. Meetings are held in Westbee Hall. Nonpareil Lodge No. 49., Degree of Honor, was organized September 10, 1895, with ten members.16 The membership is now forty-seven and meetings are regularly held.

Breening, William Loeck, Ludwig Mitzner, Emit Plagens, Julius Mitzner, A. Mitzner, F. W. Teufel, Michael Meyer, Peter Swann, John Swann. The first trustees were Ludwig Ludke, John Breening and William Wichmann.

14A Sunday School, organized in 1901, is maintained in connection with the church. Nels Truedsson was the first superintendent. Twenty-five pupils are enrolled and the teachers are Mrs. O. Sandquist, Miss Sadie Nord and Nels Truedsson.

15Charter members of the Workmen lodge were J. H. Call, D. F. Sanders, George L. Carlaw, J. P. Estee, R. E. Town, J. A. Moore, W. S. Whiting, G. Willielm, Charles Brandt, A. S. Town, J. Dickinson, E. II. Weeks, J. Murrison, T. A. Graham, D. McErlain, G. A. Tate, H. C. Shaffer and II. A. Bates.

Lillian Tate, Hattie Call. .Mary Willford, Eva Moor . Sarah Town. Jeannie A. Graham, Laura Willford. Mahel Whiting, Jane Weeks and Rachael Murrison.

April 27, 1896. 17 Eighty-one members are now on the rolls of the lodge. Lake Yankton Lodge No. 5005, Royal Neighbors of America, was instituted September 27, 1907, with a large initial membership18 and is still an active order.

The Banks

Two banks are conducted in Balaton, the First State Bank and the First National Bank. The former is the older and the successor of the first financial institution of the village.

The Bank of Balaton was established as a private institution in the middle nineties by R. H. Martin & Son and was sold in January, 1899, to H. O. Oarlock & Company. It was succeeded in May. L901, by the First State Bank, which was organized by M. Lauritsen, president; J. N. Westbee, vice president; C. W. Candee, cashier; J. H. Carlaw and Charles Germo. It began life with a capital stock of $10,000. The banking house was erected in 1901. The present officers of the First State Bank are Charles Germo, president; J. H. Carlaw, vice president; A. M. Moore, cashier; and .1. A. Moore, Jr., assistant cashier.

The First National Bank succeeded a state bank organized in 1902. The officers while the institution was operated under a state charter were George A. Tate, president; A. J. Rush, cashier; and N. H. Olson, assistant cashier. The capital stock was $15,000. The reorganization occurred in June, 1903, when the First National Bank opened for business with a capital stock of $25,000 and the following officers: George A. Tate, president; August

17The charter members of the Woodmen lodge were L. L. Cornwell, W. H. Estee, W. Glotfelter, A. Goohall, A. S. Moline, Robert Steele, Nels Strnberg, Nels Wahlgren, E. F. Whiting and E. W. Whiting.

lsThe following were charter members of the Royal Neighbors lodge: Lucy Anderson, Chafles R. Anderson, Delbert J. Bailey, J. H. Breening, Wilhelm Bevens, Myrtle E. Beck, Eliza B. Bailey, Blanche A.

Swanson, vice president; F. W. Ruliffson, cashier; and U. Wilhelm, assistant cashier. The present commodious banking house was erected in 1909. At the annual meeting of January 30, 1912, a change was made in the management of the bank and the officers are now as follows: James Hall, Sr., president; U. Wilhelm, first vice president; August Swanson, second vice president; F. W. Ruliffson, cashier. The directors are C. M. Hommerberg, August Swanson, H. J. Tillemans, James Hall, U. Wilhelm, L. Redding and N. H. Olson.

Fire Insurance Company

For the purpose of insuring its members against loss by fire or lightning the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Balaton was organized in June. L894. The incorporators were as follows: A. N. Daniels, who was the first president; J. 1'. Estee, who served as the first secretary; James Murrison, W. II. Estee, William Livingston, T. J. Skaug, R. R. Roberts, Fred Lochman, A. G. Bumford, Julius Frost, William Klukas, John Goltz, William Teufel, L. Ludke, William Frost, Ludwig Arndt, Julius Mitzner, F. W. Teufel, O. F. Persons, J. N. Harvey, 0. W. Candee. Robert Riddell, Evan C. Jones, Charles Livingston and Jerry Dickinson.

The business of the company' lias grown until late in 1911 the amount of insurance in force was over two and one-quarter million dollars. The present officers and directors are J. A. W, Shand, president; E. M. Hamm, secretary; A. M. Moore, treasurer; L. E. Peterson, J. C. Taylor, William Bruell,

Robert -Will. I'. Johnson and I'. II. Fligge. J. P. Estee was the first secretary of the company and he was succeeded for short terms by A. X. Daniels. James Murrison was then elected to the office and served eleven years. He was succeeded by the present -ccrotary, E. M. Hamin.

Lyon county's sixth municipality in point of size is Russell, a village of 202 people, according to the last census. It is a station on the Great Northern railroad and the platted portion is on the south half of section l'.l. Lyons township. Russell draws trade from quite an extensive and very prosperous territory and as a business point takes rank equal to the other villages of like size in the county.

Russell was founded in 1888 and had its inception as a result of the building of the Willmar & Sioux Falls (Great Northern) railroad. Before the road was built, in the fall of 1887 it became known that one of the stations was to be located there19 and in May, 1888, the railroad officials announced that the station would be named Russell, after Russell Spicer, son of one of the promoters of the Willmar & Sioux Falls.

The track was laid to the site during the early fall of 1888 and train service was begun a little later. The plat was surveyed by C. L. Van Fleet and was

19"The fifth station in the county will be Clear Lake, on the center of section 19, town of Lyons, thirteen and one-half miles from Marshall, and here will be another beautiful townsite and the station will be an important one, both in beautiful location and as a shipping place." - Marshall News-Messenger, November 11, 1887.

dedicated by Henry M. Burchard on January 1<>. 1889. The original plat consisted of only tour blocks, divided by First, Second and Third and by River and Front Streets.-'0

During the month of October, 1888, the Northwestern elevator and a section house were erected and about the same time Ephraim Skyhawk put up a twostory building. On the ground floor he opened a little store and he and his family lived on the second floor. Mr. Skyhawk was the pioneer business man of Russell and for some time he and his family were the only residents of the new village. The postoffice was established in February, 1889, and was conducted in Mr. Skyhawk's store.21

In March, 1889, Herman Ristow erected a little house and became the second resident of Russell, taking a position as section hand. Albert Ristow, born July 29, 1889, was the first child born in the village. There was practically no advancement during 1889, but the following year several improvements were made.

A. J. Cowie took a position as grain buyer for the Northwestern Elevator Company early in 1890 and sold farm machinery as a side line. The Inter- State Grain Company put up a flat house and furnished competition for the pioneer grain firm. During the summer S. W. Galbraith, formerly of Balaton, erected a store building, moved his family to Russell, and engaged in the hardware and grocery business.22 He

21Russell has had only two postmasters. Ephraim Skyhawk served from the time of establishment in February, 1889, until 1896, and F. S. Purdy from that date to the present time.

One rural route is operated from the Russell office. It was established February 4, 1904, and G.H.Thurston was the carrier until 1907. He was succeeded by Charles O. Johnson, the present carrier.

22"Sam Galbraith, of Balaton, is locating in Russell, where he is building a store. Hereafter when Eph. Skyhawk comes to Marshall he will not have to lock up the town during his absence." - Marshall News- Messenger, September 26, 1890.

remained only about a year and then sold to William Bnel.23 In the fall of 1890 a little shack of a building was brought to the station on a flat car and for several years was used as the depot. Late in the same season Fellows Brothers opened a feed mill and a little later a blacksmith shop.

A harness shop was opened in 1891 and a pool hall was started, which a little later was replaced by a hardware store. During the same season three residences were erected. In the spring of 1892 A. A. Fifield put up buildings and opened a lumber yard and later in the same season Scott Carlisle built and opened to the public the first hotel. Before the close of the year ten more dwelling houses were put up and Russell began to take on the appearance of a thriving little village.

The hard times of 1893 interrupted progress to some extent, although a few residences were erected and a pool hall was started. A church was organized that fall. The Marshall News-Messenger of November 3, 1893, said: "Russell has a dozen stores, hotel, two elevators, lumber yard, etc. Russell is a wheat market from the word go and this fall has shipped to Minneapolis seventy cars."

More business enterprises were established in 1894. In May a large twostory double store building was erected and Messrs. Fawcett and E. L. Cross established stores. Dr. Treat located in the village for the practice of his profession. Several residences were erected, there were a few changes' of ownership of the business establish-

24The license question has been an issue at nearly every local election. During 1898 and 1899 no vote was taken and license was granted. Since then the results of the elections under the local option law have been as follows: ments, and a few other enterprises were started. A creamery was built in 1S95. In 1896 Messrs. Chamberlain & Hickput up a building and engaged in the general merchandise business. F. S. Purdy erected another building in which he established a hardware store and kept the postoffice. The upbuilding of the little town was rapid during the prosperous days of the late nineties and there came a demand for local government.

So early as .January, 1895, an effort was made to secure incorporation and meetings were held with that object in view. No decisive action was taken, however. In December, 1896, the residents claimed a population of 180 for Russell ami there was again talk of asking for municipal government. In the summer of 1898 those interested pushed the matter to a successful conclusion. The petition asking for an election to decide the question was favorably acted upon by the county law-making body July 18, 1898, and August 30 was the date set for holding the election. F. S. Purdy, R. A. Bigham and C. W. Hicks were named inspectors of the first election. Those favoring incorporation were successful by a majority of three votes. For the selection of the first village officers the election was held in Workmen Hall on September 13.

Russell Scenes

2iThe pioneer Presbyterian chureh was many miles from any settlement when it was built and for a score of years it was the place of worship of the people inhabiting a large scope of country. The chureh was

The growth of Russell has not been great, bill it has been substantial and the village lias never taken a backward step. The population in KM).") was 275 and the census of 1910 gave it a population of 262.

Russell has had one serious conflagration in its history. On the night of June 25, 1907, the fire fiend brought a loss of $8000. The hotel owned by William Murphy and Leased to J. N. Jones, the hotel barn, the meat markets owned by Krick Bergman and George Beasley and two ice bouses adjoining were destroyed.

Russell has a first-class school, which lias been maintained for the last twentytwo years. The first building was a little structure erected in 1890. A few years later the voters of the district authorized a $2500 bond issue, the bonds were sold, and the present building was put up.

The first Presbyterian church erected in Lyon county was located in Lyons township, not far from the future village of Russell. It was erected in 1873 and before a society of that denomination was organized in the village the people of Russell attended that church.25 built by Rev. Ransom Wait, the pioneer Presbyterian minister of the county. It was sold on February 10, 1894, to satisfy a mortgage of $400 held by the Presbyterian Church Extension Society.

Balaton, and Superintendent Knutsen, of the Mankato Presbytery, were the organizers. Meetings were held in private homes, in the depot, and later in the little school house.

Steps were early taken to effect a church organization and on May 14. 1891, Rev. N. H. Bell, superintendent of churches for the Presbytery, and Rev. John Sinclair visited the place to look the field over. Prior to that time $400 had been raised by subscription toward a church building and the church authorities promised to assist in the organization of a church and the erection of a building. It was not until 1894. however, that these things were accomplished.

In November, 1893, Rev. J. W. Hood began holding services in Russell and the following February he and his sister. Miss Bella Hood, held evangelistic services there. As a result the Russell Presbyterian church was organized with thirty-six members. Rev. Hood was installed as pastor in June, 1894, having charge also of the church in Island Lake township.26 The following fall a church home, 30x50 feet, was completed and dedicated practically free from debt.

The Lodges

26Rev. J. W. Hood was pastor of the Russell church until February 12, 1903. He has been succeeded in turn by the following: Revs. Davies, C. D. Van Wagner, A. E. Evans, J. A. Lumley, H. P. Gray and T. C. Hill.

27The charter members of the Workmen lodge were M. S. Fawcett. M. F. Cadwell. Jay Peterson, R. A. Bigham, F. S. Purdy, Hans Peterson, Frank Zvorak, C. W. Wilson, Ernest Smith and Ephraim Skyhawk.

-xTln- present office holders of the Degree of Honor lodge are Florence Hall, Nina Burckhardt, Sadie Roberts, Augusta Purdy, Mabel Hackett, Lucinda Bigham, Lurline Johnson, Carrie Hanson, Ida Bergman, Ellen Larson, James Zvorak, Grace Johnson and Stella Carlaw.

The oldest of the fraternal orders is the AVorkmen lodge, which was organized June 22, 1897, with ten charter members.27 The lodge now has a membership of fifty and owns a lodge building.

Russell Lodge No. 138, Degree of Honor, was organized January 25, 1899. It now has sixty-four members and meets regularly in Woodmen Hall.28

The Modern Woodmen of America lodge began its existence on November 13, 1900, with twelve members,29 which has been increased to sixty-six at the present time.

Coteau Lodge, A. F. & A. M., began its existence under dispensation in 1901. A charter was granted by the grand lodge in January, 1902, and the lodge was regularly constituted March 19 of the same year.31 The order now lias fifty-seven members.

The Bank

The First State Bank of Russell is the successor of the first banking house of the village, a private bank denominated the Bank of Russell. D. S. Phillips was president and G. W .

30The charter members of the Royal Neighbors lodge were Kate Jones, John A. Johnson, Mary B. Rice, Margaret Bergman, Emma Bergman, Mary E. Owens, Anna A. Wilson, Sarah Moore, Margaret Willard, Kate E. Marsden, C. S. Willard, Charles Burt, Teresa Blanchard, C. Wilson, Guv Walker, Hugh Walker, E. L. Hall, Lucy Jones, L. Holden, W. S. Morgan, Effie Buell, Mrs. E. Burt, Kate Holden, Viola Thurston, Nellie Hippie, D. S. Owens and Gertrude Blanchard.

31The charter members of Coteau Lodge were Jacob Rouse, F. S. Purdy, M. F. Cadwell, J. W. Andrews, F P Willard. W." IX Hackett, A. Holden, Ephraim Skyhawk, E. Metcalf, E. Smith, W. E. West. G. W. Cochrane, C. P. Eastman, Nels Rossen, Hans Peterson and R. A. Bigham.

Cochrane cashier of the pioneer institution. The First State Bank was organized January 1, 1903, to continue the business and had a capital stock of $15,000. Among the incorporators wore ,1. G. Schutz, ('. B. Tyler. I). I). Foil.-. V. B. Seward. .1. C. Burchard and J. C. Lawrence, of Marshall, and I). S. Phillips and Hans Peterson, of Russell. The officers were as follows: E. X. Bailey, president; J. H. Tate, vice president; G. W. Cochrane, cashier.