Brooten City

Brooten City

Brooten village, with a population of 562 persons, is located on the "Soo" line, in the southwest corner of the town, and was started with the building of that line through this locality in 1886. It was organized as a village several years later. In 1907 the Duluth branch was built into Brooten. It had in 1914 nine stores - a harness shop, a drug store, a bakery and confectionery, two meat markets, two hotels, four restaurants, a barber shop, an auto repair shop, a garage, a livery, a printing office, a foundry, four grain elevators, one of which is farmers' co-operative elevator. It has two banks, two implement houses, two real estate offices, two lumber yards, two blacksmith shops, and two churches, a Catholic and a Lutheran. The public school grounds of this village are one of the most beautiful in the Northwest The public school has a full high school course; a course in agriculture was added during the school year of 1913-14. Other public buildings are, an electric plant and the waterworks, also a Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery located in the east part of the village. Brooten has been "dry" for a number of years and is one of the leading business places on the "Soo" west of Minneapolis.

Oak township, located in the center of the second northern tier of townships in Stearns county, is well favored for agricultural purposes. Through its extreme western part flows the Sauk river, Stearns county's most important stream of fresh water, which enters the Mississippi near Sauk Rapids. Through its eastern, southeastern and southern part flows GetcheH"s creek, and it is along Getchell creek valley that some of the choicest and most fertile soil is found - soil that still produces excellent wheat crops, the raising of which has to be abandoned in many other localities of the county. But not only in the production of cereals does the town excel; it has also excellent grazing and meadow lands, so that three creameries are operated within its boundaries, while thousands of pounds of cream are annually shipped away from the numerous cream stations. Cattle, poultry and eggs are shipped away at regular intervals from its shipping points, Freeport and New Munich. The population of Oak, according to the census of 1910, was 721.

The earliest settlers in the town of Oak chose the Sauk river valley as their home. As early as 1855 a Mr. Burns and Mr. Sutton built dwellings a few miles south of where the village of New Munich now stands. Mr. Burns conducted somewhat of a "Wayside Inn," and it was at his place that the stage, which carried the mail north and south through the western end of the county, put up for lodging and feeding. A few years later other settlers selected the region in and around the present village of New Munich as their choice tor an abode, among the earlier ones being Henry Hoppe in 1857, and Crist. Borgerding, a Mr. Matto, the Uhlenkotts, Mr. Moritz, Wm. Bohmer, the Vogts, and many others who came in 1858.

A short contest ensued when the selecting of a place for the proposed church was to be made, whether the site should be on the Uhlenkott homestead north of the present village or on the Moritz land south of it. The controversy was settled by choosing a place between the two, this being the present townsite of New Munich. A burial had already been made on the Moritz land, the deceased being a

The name of Oak township originated from the joint name Oak Grove, the two towns of Oak and Grove originally constituting one town under the name of Oak Grove. Later, when this town was divided the eastern part assumed the first part of the name Oak, while the western part retained the name of Grove.

The early history of the town of Oak clusters around the village of New Munich, Wm. Bohmer, during the latter part of the fifties, operated a blacksmith shop in the place as soon as it became the acknowledged center of the settlement. He soon after opene^ a business, which, from its small beginning developed into one that in the early days, and up to the proprietor's death, was known as one of the most prosperous in the county, thereby laying the foundation of a comfortable fortune now enjoyed by the surviving members of his family. A man prominent in the early affairs of the town of Oak was Hubert Rieland, who served as town clerk, assessor, supervisor, and as a member of the state legislature. Among other prominent early settlers in the town were Frank and Henry Benolken, the Hiltners, John Rose, and the Froehler and Frevel families. "A former history gives the following account of the early days in Oak. The first man to make a claim within the present limits of Oak township, was Henry Over, who settled on section thirty-one about 1856. Henry Hoppe was probably the second settler, in 1859. Almon Sutton came the same year and settled on section thirty. Hubert and Antony Rieland came to Stearns county in 1856, and to this township in 1859. Antony Le Vogt settled here in 1861. The town was organized in 1860, and the first election held at the residence of Almon Sutton. The records were not preserved, but the following is a partial list of the first town officers: Supervisors, Almon Sutton (chairman) and John T. Peterson; Mr. Sutton was also justice of the peace and assessor.

The first school was kept by Nettie Sutton in 1861. The first white child born in the town, was Mary Over, in 1858. The first marriage was that of Mathias West

Freeport Village

The village of Freeport is located in the northeastern corner of Oak township, on the line of the Great Northern Railway. It came into existence shortly after the Great Northern, then the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad Co., built its line from East St. Cloud across the Mississippi and thence to Melrose.

It was at this point that John Hoeschen, who had shortly before come from Germany with his parents, seven brothers and two sisters, opened the first store, while his brother Joseph built the first hotel in the village. The two buildings were the first business houses, but previous to this period several farmers had settled around. The townsite was owned by Henry Wahls, and the east end, which later became the church and school-site, by Frank Benolken. Of these Wahls was the first settler. Other farmers that settled in the immediate neighborhood of what is now the village were: The Borgerding family, Henry Hemker and Herman Nieland. The second general store was opened by Anton Rieland in 1884 and the third in 1886 by Joseph Hoeschen, who had then disposed of his hotel business to Joseph Buttweiler. The place was first named Oak Station, but owing to complications arising in the names of Oak Station and Osakis it was changed to Freeport. The new name appears to have been suggested by the Benolkens who came from Freeport, Illinois. Freeport was incorporated as a village in September of 1892. The first officers were: Henry Benolken, president; G. Harren, recorder; Moritz Hoeschen, Frank Borgerding and H. S. Leitch, trustees; John Hoeschen, treasurer; Carl Finken, marshal and street commissioner.

Previous to the incorporation two blocks in the village had been platted, known as John Hoeschen's and Joseph Hoeschen's Block. In order to obtain the population required for an incorporated village the territory had to include several surrounding farm houses, and the corporate limits of the village contain 755 acres. Shortly after the articles of incorporation had been ratified, Mrs. Mary Micklisch, for- merly Mrs. Wahls, had the townsite proper platted and laid out in 16 blocks. Later the two additions, Beste's Addition in 1900 and Schoener's Addition in 1912, have been platted. The first sidewalk, an oak plank walk, was laid in 1894 from the Wolking Hotel corner to the church. The village hall was built in 1895. It was originally a frame structure which was later brick veneered. The steel jail cells were made by Richter & Sons, who then conducted a large blacksmith shop here, and are still' in use. The waterworks system was installed in 1903, and in 1913 a new electric light system was completed. The population of the village as given by the census of 1910 was 450.

The railroad station was perhaps the first building in the town proper. The first agent was Mr. Gates, who was succeeded by an agent by the name of Freetag. In 1885 Henry S. Leitch became the agent and he has now held the office for 28 years.

School District No. 102, comprising the village of Freeport and the adjacent vicinity, was organized in 1874. The first schoolhouse, a small log building, was soon replaced by a larger frame structure, to which it was found necessary to build an addition in 1890, so as to afford place for two rooms. Teachers during the early part of the school's existence were: The two Borgerdings, now Fathers Henry and Thomas, O. S. B., Henry Benolken, Mr. Moersch, John Steichen, Joseph Hilt, Louis Wieber and Joseph Heinen. Prof. G. Harren was the first principal after the two rooms had been arranged for, with John A. Maus as assistant. In 1896, a third room was added, and in 1901 the new brick building, which is now the village's school, was erected. It contains four rooms and basement and is attended by about 225 pupils. Prof. G. Harren has been retained as the principal of the institution since 1890, a period of over 23 j'ears.

Freeport postoffice was established in 1879 with John Hoeschen as first postmaster. It was originally known as the Oak Station office. Mr. Hoeschen was followed by Henry Benolken. Then came Moritz Hoeschen, and after him John W. Kuhn, the present incumbent.

school, two banks, two creameries, three general stores, two hardware stores, two grocery stores, one hotel, two blacksmith shops, one shoe and harness store, a millineiT business, electric lights, waterworks, and the usual activities found in a hamlet of this size.

A corn-canning factory was built in 1904 by a corporation of farmers and business men, at a cost of $13,000, but after it had been in operation two years it was found unprofitable. George Uhlenkott, by foreclosing a mortgage, secured the plant for about $5,000, sold the machinery, and the building is used for dwellings and for other purposes.

Thelen Brothers operate a large flouring mill, which was originally built by Anthony Hoeschen in 1898. The mill has undergone many improvements and now represents a valuation of some $20,000,.

In addition to the plants of the Freeport Creamery Association and the Golden Meadow Creamery, there is a cream station which receives and ships a considerable amount of cream to outside dairy concerns, all of which goes to show that the diary industry has gained a strong foothold in this locality, that it is on the increase, and that it is an important source of wealth to our people.

Freeport Creamery Association. - The first steps toward organizing a creamery company in Freeport were taken Aug. 12, 1896. Stock to the amount of $3,100 was subscribed on that date by 41 shareholders and a board of seven directors elected. This board consisted of Henry Blenke, Moritz Hoeschen, Christ. Welle, Anton Schulte, Joseph Borgerding, Bernhard Toenis and Geo. Heidgerken. At the first meeting of the directors the board selected the following members as officers: Henry Blenke, president; Geo. Heidgerken, vice-president; Joseph Borgerding, secretary, and Moritz Hoeschen, treasurer. At the meeting of the board January 16, 1897, bids were received for the erecting of the creamery building, and the contract for the work was let to John Albers as lowest bidder. The building and equipment were perfected by September, and on the tenth of that month Frank Enderle was engaged as first buttermaker.

Frank Enderle was retained as buttermaker until May, 1899, when he was succeeded by Peter Viehauser. He was followed by John Michael in January, 1901. In January, 1902, M. J. Hoeschen became buttermaker, and was succeeded by John J. Micklisch in October of that year. Interesting figures produced by the financial statement in March, 1902, that is after the first five year's business, speak for the wonderful increase of the business up to that date. The statement covering the year from March, 1901, to March, 1902, contains items as follows: Total amount of milk received, 3,381,252 lbs.; butterfat obtained from said milk, 133,648 lbs..; cream received, 23,264 lbs.; butterfat obtained from said cream, 5,316 lbs.; total amount of butter made, 166,328 lbs.; paid patrons for butterfat, $29,962.12.

Taking a stride of ten years in the history of the creamery from the year 1902 to 1912, we find the business steadily increasing. One fact is, however notable, the decrease in milk received and the increase of cream delivered. This is attributable to the fact that many farmers (by far the majority) have installed separators, separate their milk at home, and deliver the cream only.

J. J. Micklisch resigned his position as buttermaker of the creamery three years ago, and J. H. Steinke succeeded him, and the creamery is under his efficient management at the present time.

Thus far the financial statement for the year from February, 1911 to 1912, is as follows: Pounds of milk received, 1,495,- 234; pounds of cream received, 256,666; paid patrons for butterfat, $38,935.66.

The Golden Meadow Creamery. - When J. J. Micklisch resigned his position with the Freeport Creamery Association he, in partnership with M. M. Schlicht, opened and operated the Golden Meadow Creamery, thus giving the village a second creamery. The plant, though doing business on a smaller scale, has paid its proprietors a satisfactory profit. It is now owned exclusively by M. M. Schlicht, with Oscar Micklisch as buttermaker.

New Munich Village

New Munich village is situated in the west central part of township of Oak, east of the Sauk river, on the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway. It is particularly known for its excellent creamery and brewery. It received its name from a Bavarian hunter, who came from Munich, Bavaria, and stayed with the first settlers for several years. In 1856 Henry Borgerding and Henry Marto built a small log house in the neighborhood where now the creamery stands. In 1857 William Bohmer and Anton Te Vogt built another log house in which they later opened up a small store. In 1859 the Rev.

Until 1859 the mail had to be brought from St Joseph, Joseph Linneman was at that time the postmaster, but in the fall of .1859 a postoffice was established in New Munich and Almon Sutton, the first postmaster, served for the next twenty-five years, when he was succeeded by John Frevel who, after his death, was in turn succeeded by his son George Frevel, who is still the postmaster. In 1861 John Froehler came from Ohio and built a small brewery which today is a large solid brick building owned by Math Pitzl, well known for its excellent beer through the entire county. In the month of March, 1896, the village was incorporated, Henry Hinzen was the first president, G. W. Wieber, Herman Doetkott and Stephen Klapperich were the first councilmen, and John Froehler was the first recorder. The present councilmen are Hermann Terhaar (president), Math Pitzl, J. G. Wieber and Ben Frieler; with George Frevel as recorder. In 1897 a farmer's creamery was built. Its first president was Hubert Rieland; its directors, Herman Terhaar, John Rose and Peter Schlicht. After operating for three years it was sold to Bernard Frieler, and in 1911 it was again sold to A. H. Wester and C. W. Young, who rebuilt it and are still the owners. They have over one hundred patrons; and received 665,296 pounds of cream, 201,291 pounds of butterfat, and 255,128 pounds of butter, and paid out to farmers $73,019.62 the last year.

New Munich was still a small village until the summer of 1907, when the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Company built a branch from Brooten to Duluth, passing through New Munich, which gave it a new impetus. Fred G. Leach was the first station agent, which position he £till holds. Since that time New Munich has grown until it has at present the New Munich State Bank, with a capital and surplus of $17,500, incorporated Nov. 25, 1907 (P. A. Hilbert, president; Math Pitzl, vice-president; H. J. Terhaar, cashier); a postoffice, a Catholic church, a public school, a brewery, a creamery, a bookbindery, a harnessmaker, a garage, a livery and a dray line, an elevator, a lumber yard, a grist mill, a public hall, a drug store, an implement shop, two hardware stores, two hotels, two blacksmith shops, four sample rooms, three general stores and three shoemaker shops. There are many fine dwellings, cement sidewalks, over 900 feet of water mains with an 80 foot water tank, an up-to-date electric light plant, and a beautiful waterfall in the Sauk river, which some day will probably furnish power for the village as well as for factories.

A brief business directory follows: Geo. Frevel, postmaster; Benolken & Rose, general store; J. Bentifield & Co., lumber; Josephine Botz, milliner; John Brandle, shoemaker; Geo. Frevel, general store; Jos. Frieler, livery; John Herbes & Co., hardware; E. W. Kampa, barber; F. G. Leach, railroad agent; H. Ley, blacksmith; J. P. Ludwig, hardware; New Munich State Bank, capital $12,000, surplus $5,500, P. A. Hilbert, president, H. J. Terhaar, cashier; Matt Pitzler, brewer; Jos. Rose, hotel; Frank Tinchert, shoemaker; J. G. Wieber, blacksmith; W. C. Young, creamery.

Still another has been added to Stearns county's long list of creameries. Articles of incorporation of the New Munich Cooperative Creamery Company have been filed. The company is incorporated at $10,- 000. The incorporators are Ben Mumbert, of Spring Hill; N. P. Sand, of Grove; Joseph Hoppe, of Oak; Ferdinand Viere, of Oak; Joseph Rieland, of Oak; Casper Lierden, of Oak; Herman Raeker, of Oak; John M. Thielen, of Grove; Joseph Husmann, of Spring Hill; William Hoppe, of Oak; Joseph Gieske, of Oak; Ben Wiebolt, of Oak; Henry Kraemer, of Grove; Ben Reverman, of St. Martin, and George Metzger, of Oak.