Pipestone County, Minnesota - Chapter 27: Holland and Ruthton, 1911

Chapter 27: Holland and Ruthton

HOLLAND is a bustlino little niiiiiicipnlity of nearly three hundred inhabitants located on the Great Northern I'ailroad some nine miles northeast of Pipestone. The platted portion of the village is on the northeast quarter of section 12, Grange township, and the northwest quarter of section 7, Rock township. Holland is located in the midst of a thickly settled agricultural community, made up for the most part of tlirifty Geruuins and Hollanders, and has developed into a prosperous trade center. The lines of business represented in the village are sufl'iciently diversified to satisfy all demands of the territory from whicli it dinws patronage.

The year from which Holland dates its existence is 1888. Its birth was almost identical with that of Ruthton and the same agency was responsible for the founding of both towns, wdiich came into existence simultaneous with the building of the \Villiiiar i\; Sioux Falls railroad. Town building is always associated with railroad construction; it is a work that

'It was first proposed to name the town Clara City, in honor of Mrs. Janus Huibregtse. a member of the first family that located on the site. To this Mrs. Huibregtse would not agree, but she did appi'ove the name Holland, in honor of her natiye land. The Pipestone County Star of .^pril 27. 18SS. told of the selection of the site: "L, H. Moore, who has the la>ing out of two new towns in the north part of the proceeds hand in hand. A railroad Imilding through a country invites the settling of lands adjacent, and in the scheme of development the jilanting of convenient markets and trading posts becomes a necessity. It was in the operation of tliis theory that Holland, like so many other villages that dot the western prairies, was founded. The new railroad, which is now designated the Great Northern, was built through Pipestone county in 1888, and along its line in Pipestone- county were located a number of towns. In the north half of the county were two, Holland and liutliton. which were promoted by Jte^srs. Moore & Sherman, they having connections with the new road.

The northwest quarter of section 12, Grange township, was the property of Robert M. Doughty until March, 1888, when it was transferred to Moore & Sherman. Immediately that firm commenced the work of placing a new town on the map at that point. In April the site had been selected and (he town-to-be christened Holland.' On May 1.5 the survey was county, on the Willmar & Sioux Falls line, has selected one site on section 12, Grange township, and the town will be called Holland. The name is verj' appropriate, there being a large colony of Hollanders in that yicinity. Depot, elevators and a store building or two will, we are told, be built there this season, and. of course, it will be a 'smart town' - some time in the future."

The railroad was not completed until early in the fall, but several months before that time operations were begnn toward the f(mnding of Holland. The fii'st tiiwn lot was sold in .luly to Janus Huibr(>gtse, a recent arrival from Wiseonsin, and in September that gentleman opened a general merchandise store and became the pioneer business man. In addition to the building he erected,'' two other frame structures were put up before the railroad was completed to the new town: one by William Whittig, a carpenter, which was not immediately occupied ; the other by Henry Bruins, in which that gentleman established an implement business. When the railroad reached the- new town, early in the fall, the company erected a little tool house, which for a number of years answered the purpose of a depot, and the Xorthwestern Elevator company ]nit u|i a grain warehouse and installed L. C. Hoisveen as local manager. So far as I am able to ascertain, no other improvements were nuide in Hollaml in the year of its founding.

The Holland postoffice was establislied in February, 1S89. It was located in the village store and Janus Huibregtse was the postmaster.'' Dr. J. S. MeCabe erected a small building in January, opened a drug store and engaged in the practice of medicine. A little later Eichard Artman opened a harness shop in the Wliittig building. In 1890 there were several clianges and a few additions to the business enterprises of the little town. In May Dr. McCabe discontinued business and the building he vacated was temporarily occupied by J. Giebink with a stock of general merchandise. That gentleman completed a store building in the fall. j\Ir. Pluibregtse closed out his stock of merchandise and converted his building into a boarding house. The implement firm of VaiiBeek ami Ijruins (succeeded later in the year by Larson & Bruins) erected a new building. In September the village's second grain warehouse was opened by the Inter-State Grain company, and the following month a lumber yard was established by Symens & Giebink.

The growth of Holland during the first decade of its history was slow, and from 1890 until 1897 there was practically no advaiuement. During this time it continued to be a trading point of considerable benefit to tlie farmers of the surnuinding country; it was a railroad station and had a postoifice, two grain buying firms and a few stores and shops. It had not nnirli on which to base its claim for recognition. But in the late nineties, in the period of general prosperity and large immigration to Pipestone county, Ifolland became established on a firm footing and commenced to give evidence of a future development into one of the county's important municipalities. The rapid settlement of the adjacent farming country in Grange, Eock. Aetna and Fountain Prairie townships brought the dawn of a new era in the history of the village. Among the business men of Holland in the spring of 1898 were P'dwiii Giles, Fred Bussey and John Mahoney, who were engaged in the general merchandise business; J. H. Bruins, a hardware and implement dealer ; Eichard .\rtman. who

'The Holland postoffice has been in charge of four postmaster.s since its establisliment. J. CJiebink succeeded Mr. Huibregt.se in 1891 and served a four-year term. John Mahoney then received the commission and served until January. 1900, when Edwin Giles, the present incumbent, took office. The one rural route from Holland was established January, 1. 190tj.

Scenes At Holland

conducted a harness sliop ; C. W. Searight, manager of the Holland Lumber company; Henry Kavenaugh, buyer for the Northwestern Elevator company ; Sam Garrett, barber ; John Toutges, who had a blacksmith shop ; Anton Heck and William Whittig, who were carpenters and contractors; E. J. Retzloff, tlie station agent.

So great had been the increase in popuhition and so confident were tlie people that there wnulil he no abatement in the development of their town that steps were taken in the spring of 1898 to bring abiiut tlie incorporation of the village. There was some opposition to this move but it was soon dispelled. Thirty-si:; electors signed a jietition addressed to the Ijoard of county commissioners, requesting the necessary autjiority to proceed witJi the formalities to l)ring about tlie change. The board made favorable answer April 5, 1898, when John Mahoney, Edwin Giles and J. H. Bruins were apjiointed inspectors to conduct an election on ]\Iay 10 to vote on the question.

Twenty ballots were cast and all except one were in favor of incorporation. On ^lay 24 the first village officers were chosen, thirty-four voters participating in the election.'' The first village council was organized May 36. Tho.se who have been elected to office in Holland are as follows :"

°The question of granting license has never been an issue at the polls. The regulation of the Uquor traffic has been left entirely in the hands iif the village council and there have always ijeen salogns.

(irowtli and aihancement, at times .slow but always certain, has been the experience of Holland since it became a municipality - the youngest in Pipestone county. The transition that had taken place in the town within a short time was thus noted by a visitor in September. 1899 : ''Eighteen months ago, where the bustling little village of Holland now stands there were only a couple of stores and a blacksmith shop. Now there are nearlv twenty thriving business establisliments and a fine pi'os]:)ect for more. The buildings are new and attractive and the town lias an air of push and 'get there" that is refreshing to the man who has spent time in the older towns of the east. The town in general sliows more rapid developnu^nt than any oilur town in the county."'

When the federal census of 1900 was taken Holland had a population of 2T>r). That year was one of great growth and was especially marked by the building up of the l)usiness section. The state census of 190.'i showed a slight falling off. I he enumeration giving a population of ".Ml inhabitants. During the last few years no town in I'ipestone county has outstripped Holland in the nuitter of expansion and irii|ii(i\cnicnt. The census oF 1910 g:i\r a po]nilation of v!9;!, making Holland iaid< fourth among Pipestone county muniiipalities.

The School

For five or six years after tlu' founding of Holland there was no public school in the village, the small school population being accommodated at a nearby district school. In 1894 a one-room liuilding. still in use. was erected and iliss Fannie O'- Neill was employed to teach the first term of school. The secmid teacher was Sarah Sass. The sec(md building, adjoining and similar in dimensions to the original structure, was erected later. Both biiililings are now in use and the school has a:i enrollment of over sixty pupils.

The Churches

The German Lutheran church of Holland was organized in 1889 by Eev. E. Poetke. of Balaton, and he was the pastor for aliout live vears. The church began life with a iiienibership of twenty, among wIkjiu were -M. Sierks, Albert Wiese, R K'eimers, (iottlieb Wiese, Henry Kleiii, Fred Reikow, Henry Claussen, N.'Schultz, Herman Wiese and Fred Meyer. Services were lield in the vai'ious homes in the country and in the Fountain Prairie school house until 1897. That year a house of woi'ship was ci'ecled in llnUani' at a cost of .$1400. The dedicati(Ui occurred Deeeinber 12, 1.S97'. Pev. Julius Daman was pastor of the cIuiitIi al tiie time the building was erected, lie was succeeded bv Rev. .1. P. l\idni and the latter in 1908 by Rev. J. All)right.

lUiring the summer of 189G and was dedicated free of debt May 9, 1897. The Holland flmi'ch has always been misistered lo by the Piesl)yterian pastur of Woodstock.

The German Baptists, wlio at "iic time maintained a flourishing organization, have held no services since 1907. A church edifice, now unused, was erected during the season of 1901 at a cost of $l(i()0. It wa< dedicated June 15. 1902.

The Lodges

The pioneer fraternal order of Holland is Holland t'amp No. 36G6, Modern Woodmen of America, which was instituted March 34, 189G.i^ The lodge has a home of its own, purchased in May, 1908, at a cost of $1000. '

Fire Department

The fire department of Holland is under the control of the village council. Annually that liody" appoints five firemen and a reserve force of the same number to constitute the membership. Daniel Mahoney was appointed the first fire chief JIny 1."), 1899. The fire fighting ap|)aratus consists of a Watrous gas fire engine, an 1100 barrel water tank, 100 feet of hose and hooks and ladders.

"The charter members of Hiawatha Camp were Julia Arrowsmith. James Arrowsmith, CJus Boehmke, Anna Boehmke. Charles A. Doughty. Henry C. Doms, Lena Doughty, Ettie Ehlers.

The Bank

Harris & Jacobs estalilished the Bank of Holland as a private institution in the summer of 1899. The original jiroprietors were succeeded in Man^li, 1901, liy a company composed of A. T. Sei-nirier, If. \V. Green, P. M. Serrurier and others. I*. M. Serrurier becoming the manager. Two years later the institution was organized under the .state banking laws as the Holland State Bank, with a capital stock of $10,000. It opened for business under the new organization January 30, 19ii:i, with the following officers: A. T. Serrurier, president; R. W. Green, vice ]jresident ; P. M. Serrurier, cashier. Mr. Serrurier was .succeeded as cashier in August, 1910, by Gus. Boehmke. The liank now has a capital and surplus of $25,000.

Pipestone county's fifth town in poinf' of size is I^uthton. Jt is one of the more recent'v established villages but one that has been builded by a wide-awake and enterprising class of citizens. Broad and well-kept streets are a noticeable feature, and in the matter of public improvements no municipality of its class in southwestern Minnesota can eclipse it. lluthton is beautifully huateil. It is in the extreme northeastern corner of the county, a portion of the town lying on either side of the line thai; divides sections 10 and 11, Aetna township. It is a station on the

^''Seventeen new members were added at the first meeting. The nine charter members were Fred W. Giles, William CMles, Fred Bussey, P. M. Serrurier, Palmer Wilkinson, A. E. Schubert, L. E. Ziegler, C. T. Hansen and A. Everson, . Ij _ I

Considerahle enthusiasm was awakened in Pipestone county during the late eighties following tiu' announcement of the proposed construction of the fourth line of railway. The Willmai- & Sioux Falls railroad (now a part cd' the (li-cat Northern system) was an agency that brought Pipestone county i)ito dircrt and desirable communication with a therctnfore inaccessible territory to the north and betterer! the con\enience> fm' shi|iping grain to the twin city and liuluth markets. With the coming of this road in 1888 came the almost simultaneous birtli of four villages in Pipestone county - Rutlitoii, irolland. Ihlen and Jaspei'. The firm of Moore & Shernum was granted the rights of locating and promoting the two first nanu'il of these villages.

]\Ioore & Sherman commenced their operations in April, 18S8, several months before the f I'ack-layers, working southward, entered the county. The promoters selected the site of Huthton and before the vni] of Mav pui'cha^ed tlic lanil and let it be known tliat there one of their towns would lie located. '" During May, also, the railroad company issued a table of stations, including those already establislied and others in tlie making, in which foi llie first time was mentioned l-fnthton as the name of a Pipestone county station.'" i\t the time the site was bai'icn of iinpi(i\enicnts.

'""The town of Rutliton. on the XVillniin- & Sioux FaUs. has Ijeeii Ideated im seetioiis 10 and 11. -Aetna township. The town plat will soon be ready to select building lots from, and those wishing Ghoice sites should apply to Mr. Moore early." - Pipestone County Star, June 1. 1S88.

"The name was given in honor of the wife of W. H. Sherman, one of the townsite proprietors. Originally it was the intention to designate the place Ruthven but the name Ruthton was the one more favored by the railroad authorities.

"The townsite was dedicated by Moore & Sherman September 21. Nine blocks were inwas graded, and on June 36 Alfred S. Tee completed the survey of the townsite for iloore & Sherman." All was in readiness for the founding of the town .so soon as the railroad should reach the site. The tiac]< was completed to Huthton by the niiddh- of Se])teinber, and on October 2 regulai' train service was established over that part of the line north of Pipestone.

A few buildings were erected ou the Kuthtoii townsite before the close of the year 1888 and thi'ee or four business enterprises weie [int under way. The first liuHiling erected on the site was a grain warehouse |iut up by the Northwestern Elevator coni|iany. which was in operation early in October. S. fl. Strand was installed as the first buyer and manager, lluring October, also, the railroad company erected a water tank, a small section house ami a |ilitlnrni, which served the purpose of a depot. D. G. Smith moved fiom his farm and conducted a boarding liouse in the little building erected for a section house. J. Rains erected a residence and a blacksmith shop in October and worked at his trade. The townsite proprietors put up a store building, in which (ieorge E. Cooley opened a general store in December, .\bout the same time A. F. Reynolds moved a larin house to the site from a nearby rami, and that completed the activities in the title town for the year.

Xo lioom accompanied the founding of liuthton -. in fact, its growth for the first ten vears was slow. Some, progress was made in ISSi). The postofFice was estabcludcd on the urisiiial plat, of which the streets rinining east and west were named Harrison, Aetna. Main and Cleveland, while those north and south were named Railroad, Smith, Leo and Duluth avenues. The following additions ha\'e l.iecn platted:

During ISSKI there were a few iidditions. 1'. A. ]\Iyllenbeck opened a blacksmith -hi)|i: II. I! ruins engaged in tlie farm implement business, of which John W'headon was the local manager; W. II. Iioss, of Sioux Falls, erected a large shed and c'lgaged in the lumber business, being represented by (ieorge Bingham; in the fall of ISDl a ili'i>ot liuihiing was erected. During (lie next few years Euthton . experienced much the same gradual growth. Eggers & Sierks opened a meat market ; a second general store was established by H. ]\Iartinson ; H. Nelson added to the list of enterprises by opening a hotel.

Surriuimled as it was Ijy a fertile agricultural lountry that demanded a convenient market and trade center, it was only natural that in time an important town slyiuld eventuate. And so the turn of events proved. Ruthton, the unpretentious country hamlet, was destined to be roused from its lethargy and transformeil into one of the important countv towns. The beginning of the transformatiiin came in li^rif!. ^fany new buildings were erected, new l)usiness enterprises were established, and there was a large increase in population. A visitor to the town in .\ugust. lS9fi, commented on the ini|irii\ed and thrifty appearance of the place and stated that "Ruthton has all the essential elements for the making of a first-class town and in time will be-

Progress continued through 181)7, building operations having commenced early in the sea.son. The residence district was substantially added to and. several new business blocks were erected. Among the new business firms were W. H. Bowles, who opened a furniture store ; Sandeen Bros., who engaged in the implement business; Olson & Easmussen, who founded the third general store ; and B. Reitelsen,a blacksmith and nmchinist.

Such had been the jirogress that in the fall of 1897 Enthton was incorporateik A census, taken Septembei' 22, showed that there were 185 people living within the limits of the proposed cor))0- ration. The usual petition was presented to the b(i:ird of county commissioners and on September 28 the county law-making body took the necessary action and called a special election for November 2 to vote on the question. The election was held in the jniblic hall and was conducted under the direction of J. F. Hinck, IT. ^Intinson and W. T. Burns, who had l)een named inspectors by the county board. Of thirty-four votes cast, only one ber. 190S; P. .^. Nelson, December, 1908, to the present. A money order department was addeil .April C. 1896. One rural route, established in 1908, is in operation.

was in opposition to incorporation. Tlie fir.st officers for tlic village government were chosen November 16, when thirtyeight votes were cast. The results of the several village elections since Enthton began municipal goverriincnt have been as follows :^°

=°'rhe license question under lln' l(>i;il uption 1.1W has been voted upon several times. Ihe Hrst time in lsil9, when license was authorized by a vote of 36 to 14. Thereafter until 1902 the iiuestion was not again submitted. In 1902 license carried by a vote of 12 to 20. and the following year by a vote of 51 to 18. During the next three years, the question was not an issue at the polls, and license was granted.

The first and only disastrous fire in Euthton's history occurred in the early morning of January 10, 1898. The fire originated in the rear of Olson & Rasmussen's store building and before the flames could lie checked several buildings and their contents in the business part of tlic village were destroyed. The estimated losses were $13,400, distributed as follows: Olson & Ensnnissen, general merchandise store, $7800; Qnestad & Vrenne, hardware stock, $2800; W. fl. Bowles, funiiturc store. $l':i0O: Chris Hogan, store building; $500; W. M. Burns, real estate office. $150. The burnt disliici was iiiiiiicdinU ly ivbuilt, nearly all the work of hauling material, constrnctioii, etc., i)eing donated. The

In 1907 the no license advocates were successful bv a vote of 39 to 22. as they were the next year by a vote of 41 to 26. Since 190S the question has not been submitted and license has not been granted.

Scenes At Ruthton

building improvements for 1898 were not confined to the restoration of tlie destroyed area, several other structures being erected and several new enterprises being put under way- The total improvements for the year amounted to over $20,000. The year 1898 marked the beginning of a very prosperous era in the history of the little village. ^^

For several years there was substantial growth and when the federal census of 1900 was taken the village had a population of 33.3. There was neither gain nor loss in population during the next five years, the state census of 190.5 listing tlie same number of inhabitants.

The opening years of the jirosent ccnlury were prosperous ones' in Ruthtoii and many new enterprises were established. A flouring mill was erected, and in 1901 two new elevators were built, making a total of five in the town. A system of waterworks was installed late in the year 1903.-' More public improvements were made in 190.'). One June li the voters authorized a .$4000 bond issue, and tlie numey thus obtained was used in improving tlic streels. extending tlie watei' system and in the construction of cement crossings and curbings. The census of 1910 gave Kuthton a popuhitinn of 290.

Euthtiin maintains a school system that a much larger town might justly take pride in. The liistory of sciiool district No. ."i.") dates from the spring of 1889. At an election on l\larc1i 9 of that year A. F. Reynolds was chosen director; S.

""Freight receipt.s at this station for tiie month of February, last year, were $45S.n6; corresponding month this year. $925.29. Our agent, Mr. Ayers, says the reeeipts have more than doubled every month during the year, which speal^s vohimes for our little city, which had a phenomenal growth last year, and already new buildings are planned to far exceed our last year's ad\'ancement." - Ruthton Gazette. March 11, 189S.

H. Strand, clerk; and .loliii Wheadou, treasurer; and those gentlemen served as the first governing board of the Ruthton school. At an election on March 23, 1889, bonds for the erection of a school house were voted, and the building was completed in time to open school early in June.^* Mrs. Wilkins was the first teacher.

The present commodious two-stoi'y Iniilding was erected in 1898 on lots donated by L. A. Moore and with money raised by a bond issue. In recent 3'ears new and modern equipment has been added, and the school property is now valued at .$7000. Ten grades are maintained, conducted by five teacliers. The enrollment is about 12.').

Of the three cluivch organizations in Rutliton, that of the Danish Lutlierans is tb<' oldest, having been organized shortly after the founding of the town. There was a large Danish settlement in Aetna townsbi|). nearly all of whom were of the r>iitheran faith, and to these Rev. C. Petersen, president of the Danish college at Tyler, began to minister in 1889. That vear the church society was organized in the new school house, and on October 2R the following were chosen to constitute the first board of trnstees: Erick Peterson, president ; .Tens Peter.son, Rasmus Nelson, O. B. .Tohnson and Hans Carlson. I'lirough this Iwdv the churcli was incor- ])orated as the Danish Evangelical I;utheran churcli of Ruthton.

the annual village election on March 12. 1901. the proposition to issue bonds for installing a water works system was defeated, but the pi'oposition was carried at a special election October 7. 1902, by a vote of 54 to S. A $:>000 bond issue was authoi'ized, which, with the funds already in the treasury, was used in I he construction of the plant, which was turned over to the village December 17, 1902.

the (-(iiii|ilclinn of the Methodist i-hiirch. that hiiildinu- was used by the pioneer organization until tlie summer of 1899, wiien the society erected a home of ilj: own. Paul Sorenson and S. Rertelscn constituted the building committee that supervised tlie construction of the building, whicli cost $1200. A parsonage, erected at a cost of $2000, is now also a part of the cliurch property. . Rev. ('. Petersen supplied the churcli foi' a luiniber of years from Tyler and then took up his residence in Rntliton and bad cliargc of the chiirch until his death. lie was succeeded in 1908 by Rev. R. J. Kristensen.

The .\etna Norwegian I-utheran ehureli was also early established. Before the founding of Rutldon a number of Norwegian i/Milierans of the vicinity were affiliated with a chni'ch of theii' denoiniiKil ion at Florence. An informal organization, comprising about a half dozen members, was made in 1889 under the direction of Rev. H. Magelson. of Ellvton,_ South Da knta, and for several years, at irregular intervals, services were liehl in the 'I'houipson school house, west of Ruthlon. A formal organization of the Norwegian Lutheran church was brought aboul in November, 1892. Rev. H. Aanestad was the organizing clergyman and the following were the first members: ('. (iilhertson, Thomas Thoiup.son. Amlicw I'. Myhre, E. K. Orvte. IT. ^I. Hlv, II. Nelson, II. Mailin-iui. .Folin Sand\ig, Joseph llelland and II. P. Haiverson. .\ chniih building was erected in Ruthton in 1901 and was dedicated in .hdy, 19(i."j. 'I'lie

^The charter members of the M. W. .\. lodge were O. T. Blv. \V. F. Burn.f, .TmcoIj F. Carlson. Theodore Drake, Frank Finloy. A. P. Galliiphpo. .\ndrew Creen. Jesse K. Hinck. Frank Jacohson, Patrick KtUey. N. P. I.arsen, B. IJ. Martinson. B. J. Moone.v, P. Myllenbi-r-k. Thomass Arncson. O. W. Olson. Jaeob Poorfleet. Peder Skaasheim and H. Martinson.

"The charter members were C. P. Carlson. Ida L. Carlson. Flora A. T)ubay. S. B. Duea. .\niia Fisher. William Fisher, Mary Ginzel. Mario S. Mad.sen. .\melia S. Meier. Herman Meier, Clara

|ias|iirs of the chureh have been IT. Magelson. 1S89; 11. .\anestad, 189(1 to 1901: A. Soi'enson, 1901 to 1903: A. Nervig, 19();5 to 1906: A. Bergh, 1906 to date. The churches at Florence and Current Lake are supplied by the Ruthton jiastor. A Jlethodist class was formed in Ruthton in 1891 by Kev. .\i-ininius Davis, and a church organization, which united the classes at Tiuihton and Woodstock, was perfected Xo\cinber 7. 1892, by Rev. John V. Hawk. On that occasion the following became niemhers: James Shields, Samuel Parks. W. T. Warren, Abram Snider, Nellie Snidei'. James Oilfillan, D. (!. Smith, Fred Knist. E. C. VanWalker and ilrs. f5arrt)ws. 'i'he Methodists erected the first church building in the village, dedicating it August 8, 1897. Its cost was about $1000.

The Lodgks

Liuicl Cii,i|iter Xii. 16.">. Order Eastern Stai-, became an organization March 23, 19o:!, and was instituted October 21 of the same ycai'.-'*

=".\mong the charter members were Zoe Diehl, Minnie Calderwood. I.. Martinson. Mrs. C. M. Christensen. Mrs. 11. B. Kelson. Emma Carlson. Ella .-Anderson. Laura Kyler. Josie Smith, C. Jensen. Mrs. Bice and M. J. Calderwood.

The Danish Brotlierhood has an active organization in Puthton. Hope Lodge No. 2.53 was instituted February -2."'). l!inr, bv Frederick Petersen, of Tvler.="

At a pulilic meeting lield ^larch 'i'.K inos, eigiit men enlisted as volunteer firemen, and of the number H(dger Pedersen was chosen chief. The initial organization was not long-lived. A reorganization was brought about May IS, IfllO, when the following were chosen officers: H. Harders, chief ; E. 0. Ageton, president ; George Stevens, secretary ; Nels Bertelsen, treasurer. The department consists of ten members.

The Ruthton State Bank is th(> only bank in the village. It is the successor of the First National Bank, which, in turn, was the outgrowth of a private banking house established during the fall of lS9r by :\r. J. Evans, of Sac City, Iowa.

-"Of the cliarter membership the following were elected to office at the time of organization: Laurids Soren.sen. C Jensen. Martin Pedersen. Viggo Jensen. Mads Jorgensen. T. P.

The First National Bank of Ruthton was organized in May, 1!H)1, by M. J. Evans, E. N. Bailey, L. W. Felter, Lottie Felter and M. H. Evans. It was capitalized at !i;-^xOOO and M. J. Evans was the president, which office he field until May, 1903. At that time he sold a controlling interest to C. Diehl and M. J. Calderwood, who became, respectively, president and cashier.

A second bank, the t.'itizens Bank, was establislied by Pipestone capitalists in February, 1903. Init it was merged with the First National in July of the same year. In November, 1901. there was a com])lete change in the management of the First National, E. W. Bavies becoming president and S. B. Duea, cashier. Early in 1910 the First National Bank of Puthton became the State Bank of Rutht(ui, ca]iitalizcd at $30,000. Business was begun under the state banking laws March 1, 1910, with the following board of directors: S. B. Duea, E. W. Davies, T. P. Hermanson, S. Bertelsen, 0. B. John-