Lester Prairie City

Lester Prairie City

Lester Prairie, the youngest village in McLeod county, is located in Bergen township, in the northeast portion of the county, on the Htuchinson division of the Great Northern railway. The village is situated in a beautiful level stretch of prairie comprising several sections, right in the heart of the Big Woods. The location of the town is a prehistoric lake bottom, as is evidenced by clam shells, snail shells, etc., that are found in the sand beneath the surface. The beautiful fringe of timber that still surrounds the town as a line of demarkation of the former lake shore is further evidence that before the advent of the white man the Indian paddled his canoe over the very spot now occupied by this thriving village. In the early days this spot was homesteaded by John N, Lester, father of Frank Lester, who is still a resident here. There was no indication of a settlement here until 1886, when the Great Northern built its Hutchinson line and ran the first train through in December of that year.

The townsite was purchased from Fred Seefeldt by a townsite company and when ©, A. Ingerson, the first depot agent, opened up the "depot" in a handear house, the selling of lots began and the town began to boom. Herman Schwartz, Aug. Logering and G. F. Milbrath were the first to locate in the new town, half a mile west of its present location. Mr. Logering opened up a general store, Mr. Schwartz a thirst parlor and Mr. Milbrath went into the farm machinery business. The following spring the town was moved east to its present location, and Aug. Liebetrau built the first hotel. Milbrath & Hageman erected an elevator and during the course of its erection were buying wheat and loading it into cars from the farmers' wagons. The L. T. Sowle Elevator Co. erected another grain house and grain was handled in the modern way.

The Stillwater Lumber Company, with Fred and George Chambers as their agents, put in the first lumber yard here and furnished the material for the large number of new business buildings and residences which were being erected, Geo. Chambers was also appointed as the first postmaster of the newly established postoffice. Callahan & Hanson, Schmalz Bros. and Heneman & Bergman went into the general merchandise business; Krause & Schwarzkopf and Buehler Bros, opened up hardware stores; H. R. Gerber started the second hotel, one hostelry being unable to handle the large influx of laboring men and mechanics that came to build up the town, Albachten & Mangen opened up a blacksmith shop, while H. Engler, F. Lange, B. M. Burfield and many others came here as contractors and builders. Martin McConahey opened up a drug store and was a few months later appointed the postmaster of the new town. John Zybikowski and Frank Gerard Promptly opened up furniture stores,

The village was incorporated in 1888 and W. C. Schubert was elected as its first president. The first fire department was Organized in 1892, but soon died a natural death. In 1896 the present efficient department was organized with O. W. Lundsten, then cashier of the State Bank, as chief and Henry Emme as assistant chief. The department is at present incorporated under the state laws, as is also the relief assoviation maintained in connection therewith. The apparatus includes two hose carts and hook and ladder, sufficient pressure being obtained from the water works to dispense with the necessity for an engine.

The postoftice was established in 1886 with Geo. Chambers aS postmaster. He served until 1887, when Martin McConahay Was appointed to succeed him. The latter served until the following year, when a change in administrations resulted in he appointment of H. J. Heneman to the office. Four years later, during Cleveland's second administration, Herman Schmalz was appointed postmaster and retained the office until 1896, when Allan Yount was appointed. The latter served until his death, in 1902, when O. H. Smith was appointed to Succeed him. The latter has held the office through changing administrations for fifteen consecutive years and is still postmaster at the time this is written. The first rural free delivery from this place was established April 1, 1904, when two routes were created, G. F. Milbrath was appointed carrier on Route No. 1, and H. F. Schulz carrier on Route No. 2. December 15, 1904, Route No. 3 was established with E. C. Mil- brath as carrier. The latter resigned from the service in 1907 to enter the railway mail service, and Charlie J. Rich was appointed to succeed him as carrier. In 1915 the routes were re-arranged in this section, one of the local routes being discontinued and H. F. Schulz was dropped from the service. At present Charlie J. Rich is carrier on Route No, 1 and Gustavus F. Milbrath carrier on Route No. 2.

The first newspaper established in Lester Prairie was the Journal, the first issue of which was published May 25, 1895. The paper was printed at the office of the Independent at Hutchinson and bore at its masthead the name of S. G. Petergon as publisher and William Kirkpatrick, then principal of the local schools, as local editor. In January, 1896, a printing plant was established here and the Journal was printed and published from its own office, with O. H. Smith as managing editor. During the following summer Messrs. Peterson and Smith traded the Journal to W. E. Talboys for the Glencoe Register and Mr. Talboys assumed charge of the local paper.

In January, 1901, O. H. Smith, who had shortly before disposed of his interest in the Glencoe Register, came to Lester Prairie and established a second paper - the Lester Prairie News. The new paper had its office in the rear of the building then occupied by the Journal, which is now known as The News block. The first issue of the News was published January 18, 1901. In June of the same year Mr. Talboys discontinued the Journal, sold the subscription list and "good will" to the News and moved the Journal plant to Chisholm, on the iron range, where he established a new paper. The Lester Prairie News has been published continuously since its establishment by its founder and now occupies almost the entire lower floor of the brick building known as the News block. It has a standard linotype composing machine and other up-to-date machinery and equipment and is classed as the best equipped printing plant in any of the smaller towns of this section.

The State Bank of Lester Prairie was organized June 1, 1893, with a paid up capital of $10,000, the authorized capital being $25,000, The first officers were Geo. A. Du Toit of Chaska, Minn., president, H. J. Heneman of Lester Prairie, Minn., vice-president, and O. W. Lundsten of Lester Prairie, Minn., as cashier. The first board of directors consisted of the three above mentioned and in addition H. B. Strait of Shakopee, Minn., and E. A. Schubert, Samuel Truwe, John Kuhlmann, Frank Gerard, and W. F. Volkenant of Lester

Prairie, Minn. The different stockholders had from one to twenty-five shares each. At the time this bank was organized, ithere were no banks in New Germany, Mayer or Winsted, Minn., and this bank had practically all the banking business from those villages in addition to the local business. Having the total banking business of these four villages, the total deposits were less than $10,000 a year after the organization. It is interesting to note that these four villages now have bank deposits of over $1,000,000, In spite of the small beginning the bank did well, making dividends the first year and never passing a dividend since. With but few changes on the Board of Directors, the same officers conducted the business of the bank until January 1, 1908, when O. W. Lundsten resigned as cashier to become president of the bank of Hutchinson, of Hutchinson, Minn. At that time Henry M. Erickson was elected to succeed Mr. Lundsten as cashier, and Herbert G. Heneman was chosen to take Mr. Erickson's place as assistant. The board of directors at that time consisted of Geo. A. Du Toit, H. J. Heneman, O. W. Lundsten, Samuel Truwe and Herman Engler. The deposits at this time were $112,000. On March 10, 1910, Mr. Erickson resigned as cashier to accept a Position with the First National Bank of Carrington, N. Dak., and H. G, Heneman was elected cashier and Gerhard G. Kimbel as assistant. The deposits were then about $155,000. Since that time the same men have been active in the management of the bank, but H. G. Heneman has been elected vicepresident and G. G. Kimpel cashier. The paid-up capital was increased to $15,000. The deposits are now around $260,000 and growing steadily. The directors at this time are Geo, A. Du Toit, H. J. Heneman, H. G. Heneman, W. C. Beise, Herman Engler, A. W. Schubert, O. W. Lundsten and Samuel Truwe. There are about 35 stockholders, about 20 of whom are prom- Ment and! influential farmers in this vicinity. The bank Owns its place of business which is solid brick, erected in 1915. In addition to the main banking rooms, it has a large cusmers' room, accessible both from the bank and from the Street, The building is modern in every way. s The Farmers State Bank of Lester Prairie was incorporated in September, 1913, and opened for business on the fifteenth of © same month and year. The first officers and directors Were: Alvin T. Johnson, president; O. H. Smith, vice-president; George McKenzie, cashier. Directors: John Kuhlmann, Emil Schmalz, Alvin T. Johnson, George McKenzie, John H. Rolf, O. H, Smith and J. B. Clement. A building was pur- chased of Weise & Kuhlmann, brick veneered, and put in good condition for a bank a few months after the organization. On account of the tragic death of Mr. Johnson, while hunting near Benson, Minnesota, the Johnson interest was taken up by Henry L. Simons, of Glencoe, Minnesota, and A. H. Schultz, who previously was assistant cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Silver Lake, Minnesota. Mr. McKenzie, after being with the bank for about eight months, left it to take the office of vice-president of the First State Bank of Gaylord, Minnesota. The officers and directors of the bank since Mr. Johnson's death have been: Henry L. Simons, president; J. B. Clement, vice-president; A. H. Schultz, cashier; A. G. Kuhimann, assistant cashier. Directors: Henry L. Simons, A. H. Schultz, J. B. Clement, Louis Sterner, Emil Schmalz, John Kuhlmann, and H. Klaustermeier. This list of officers and directors dates from November 13, 1914, The bank started with the idea of creating new business of benefit to the town and community, and its methods from the first have been safe, sound, progressive and accommodating. The latest statement of the institution previous to September, 1916, showed the following items: Loans and discounts, $130,- 169.42; banking house furniture and fixtures, £6,030.57; total cash on hand and cash assets, $8,863.30; capital stock, $10,- 000.00; surplus, $2,000.00; total deposits, $146,253.12.

The first school house in Lester Prairie was built on the corner opposite the present city hall, and here many of the present day leading citizens of the town received the rudiments of their education. In 1908 the district decided to erect a new building and a portion of what is now the splendid solid brick structure was put up. In 1913 an addition of two rooms was built and the following year the district was changed from a common to an independent district known as District No. 70. The first officers of the independent district were O. H. Smith, president; Henry Emme, clerk; and Dr. J. B. Clement, treasurer. The same year the school was changed from a semi-graded to a full four-year high school. It is expected that manual training will be introduced in 1918. There are now (Feb., 1917) 22 pupils in the high school and 100 in the grades, with J. R. Oberg, superintendent.

At the present time Lester Prairie has four large general atores, one exclusive grocery store, two of the largest hardware stores in this section, two banks, two meat markets, two blacksmith shops, one flour mill, one saw mill, two furniture stores, one modern three-story brick hotel, one garage, one livery stable, one drug store, one newspaper, two pool and billiard rooms, three saloons, one millinery store, one photo gallery, one barber shop, two machine dealers, two confectionery stores, one lumber yard, two coal dealers, one elevator, one cash produce store, one cigar factory, two dray lines, two oil distributing stations, two shoe shops, one jewelry store, one bakery, one doctor, one dentist, one real estate dealer, one moving picture show, three churches, Masonic, Woodmen and Workmen lodges, a band of 25 members, and other social and fraternal organizations. The town has a municipal gas plant, as well as electric service furnished by the Northwest Light & Power Company. It has a splendid water system, good Streets and sidewalks, in fact, everything that is necessary to insure the security and comfort of its residents. The village hall is a substantial building, the upper floor of which is used for general purposes, the ground floor being occupied py the council room and the fire department. In September, 1916, the Lester Prairie Automobile Club was organized.

In the summer of 1892 Erie Anderson, a young Scandinavian butter-maker, arrived here from Minneapolis and announeed that he intended to start a creamery in Lester Prairie. He built a small frame building in what is now the best residence Portion of the village, equipped it with a churn and a steam engine and opened up for business. At that time the farmers of this section were not interested in dairying to such an extent as they are today. Few kept more than enough cows to furnish milk and butter for their own use, As a consequence, the young creameryman found that the volume of business awaiting him was hardly large enough to warrant keeping the plant running. But he did not give up; he had a world OF perseverence and confidence. He induced the farmers to Purchase more cows and pointed out to them the benefits to be derived from the dairy business. He purchased a team and Went through the country every day to gather up the milk, doing the bulk of his churning during the night. Gradually he business began to increase and eventually he was com- Delled to enlarge his creamery, Then he built a station in Winsted township, where milk was taken in and hauled to the local creamery. Later he purchased the Bergen township creamery from the Farmers' Co-operative Company and the milk from this station was also brought to the local creamery. He then, in 1901, built the magnificent solid brick structure at the outskirts of the town, where an equipment was installed that was large enough to handle the product of the entire three stations. In 1900 Mr. Anderson retired from the business and disposed of the plant to the Metropolitan Milk Company, of Minneapolis, who are the present owners. A portion of the product of the local plant is shipped to Minneapolis in the shape of cream, while the balance is churned into butter and retailed in the city.

On August 19, 1916, a number of farmers met at the village hall and organized the Lester Prairie Farmers' Co-operative Creamery Association. A committee on constitution and bylaws made their report and submitted a draft which was gone over section by section and adopted or changed to suit the majority of those present. A board of directors was then elected composed of Moody Holcomb, Allen Schrode, Frank Westup, Louis Larson, William Damman, Christ Gebhardt, Jv.. and T. Ochu. From the members of this board were chosen the officers, namely: Moody Holcomb, president ; William Damman, vice-president; Allen Schrode, secretary; Louis Larson, treasurer. The meeting instructed the board of directors to enter into negotiations with the Metropolitan Milk Company, of Minneapolis, for the purchase of the local creamery and the skimming station in Winsted and Bergen townships. In the event that these could not be purchased at a reasonable price the board was instructed to arrange for the purchase of suitable sites on which a creamery and skimming stations can be built. So far, however, this enterprise has not proceeded beyond the initial steps herein recorded.

In the spring and early summer about one carload of eggs is shipped from Lester Prairie each week, the farmers of the vicinity receiving weekly from $1,500 to $2,000 for this product during the egg season.

The Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company, of Lester Prairie, was organized in 4911 and during 1915 handled 125,000 bushels of grain. The concern occupies a frame building having a capacity of 15,000 bushels. The officers are: President, William Machemehl, of Winsted township; treasurer, Oscar Burtman; secretary, Clemens Otto, or Winsted township; manager, Frank Schmandt.

H. J. Heneman founded his mercantile establishment in 1887, coming here from Plato, where for three years he had been engaged in conducting a general store with D, Bergman. The partnership continued until the following year, Mr. Bergman continuing the store in Plato, and was then dissolved, since which time Mr. Heneman has been proprietor of the business in Lester Prairie, which he has built up to large dimensions. A mill was started in Lester Prairie in 1880 by Newstrom Bros. & Sandy. In 1908, William A. Newstrom came to Lester Prairie from Minneapolis and became a member of the Newstrom Milling Company, proprietors of the Lester Prairie Roller Mills, the other two members of the firm being J. A. and Charles F. Newstrom, the latter having become associated with the business in 1891. They manufacture flour and feed, their "Lester Prairie Best" being a favorite brand of flour. In 1891 N, August Peterson came to Lester Prairie from Norwood, Minn., and started a photograph gallery, which he has since conducted, In 1897 he also engaged in the furniture business and has built up a good trade in that line. The firm of O. L. Day & Co. was established in Lester Prairie in 1896 by the present head of the firm, O. L. Day, who for a few months previously had conducted a drug store here, and, at an earlier period, had been engaged in the hardware business in Hutchinson with J. E. Lawson. The firm of which he is now proprietor, deals in groceries, confectionery, ice cream, cigars and tobaceo. J. BE. Lawson, Mr. Day's former partner, is a member of the concern. In or about 1897 Paul E. Kaniess bought the shop of W. F. Kohler at Lester Prairie and established himself as proprietor of the Lester Prairie Harness Shop, which he has built up into a prosperous concern, He occupies the first floor of the old Weise and Kuhlmann building, having purchased the building in August, 1914. Alphonse Schmid entered into the drug business in Lester Prairie in 1890. After his death in 1916, his drug store passed into the hands of Jos. Friauf, who has since moved the business into the former O. L. Day building and opened up a modern drug store. Jacob P. Krauss started the implement business in which he is now engaged in the fall of 1915 and has since taken rank among the leading merchants of the village.

One of the largest and most enterprising mercantile concerns of McLeod county is the firm of Weise & Kuhlmann, of Lester Prairie, dealers in hardware and farm implements, Whose store occupies a prominent location on the main busi- Ness street of the village. The concern was started in 1904 in the new brick building across the street from the Present location, The present store building, a substantial two-story building erected in 1914, has a floor space of 76 by 76 feet, the upper story of the building being divided into offices. The firm manufactures some of the farm specialties in which they deal, having a factory in the village for that purpose, which was formerly operated as a fence manufactory by William Volkenant. Besides a comprehensive line of general hardware the firm carries paints, gas engines, and electric fixtures and does plumbing, steam fitting and electric wiring. Their farm specialties, in which they have a large trade, inelude barn ventilators, cattle stanchions and stalls, feed and litter carriers, cattle pens, feed boxes, feed cookers, tank heaters, stake irons, hayrack loops, ete. The farm implement and machinery business carried on by William C. Beise was started by him in Lester Prairie in 1903, he having then arrived in this village from Hennepin county, where he had been engaged in farming. His business has grown, so that in 1915 he was enabled to erect his present brick building, an ellshaped structure, 20 by 34 and 36 by 70 feet in dimensions. The Lake Superior Produce Co. is a concern dealing in poultry and eggs, which is doing a large and growing business, In 1915 they bought 8,000 cases of eggs and 1,000,000 pounds of poultry, which they quickly disposed of. Paul T. Basel, who has been connected with the business since 1900, has been its manager since 1908. The Lester Prairie Garage occupies a frame structure, 44 by 100 feet, and one story in height, and is equipped with everything essential for up-to-date garage work. Noerenberg Bros, are the present owners.

A comparatively recent list of business enterprises in Lester Prairie, including the professions, gives the following items: Carl Almquist, shoemaker; William C. Beise, farm implements; Emil Witte, jeweler; the City Hotel; John B. Clement, physician; Mrs. A. M. Daugherty, milliner; O. L. Day, groceries and confectionery; P. E. Eggena, dentist ; Herman Engler, lumber; A. Hirsch, saloon; Farmers Co-operative Elevator Company, Frank Schmandt, manager; Farmers Co-operative Shipping Association (live stock) ; Farmers State Bank; John Froh, confectionery ; HW. J. Heneman, general store; Paul E. Kaniess, harness; Klatt's Hotel (Klatt Sisters, Martha and Lydia, proprietors); Fred W. Kolbe, cigar manufacturer ; Jacob Krause, farm implements; Lester Prairie Gas Company, R, Splettstazer, manager; Lester Prairie Improvement Association; Lester Prairie News, O. H. Smith, publisher; Lester Prairie Produce Company, Paul Basel, manager; Lester Prairie Water Works, R. Splettstazer, manager; Metropolitan Milk Comapny (creamery) ; Julius Mueller, tailor; Newstrom Milling Company (John A., Charles F., and William 0. Newstrom) ; Nela A. Peterson, furniture; G. A, Rogers, railroad, express and telegraph agent; A. J. Rudolph, general store; Schaumberg & Jeneke, meats; Max Schiff, general store; Emil Schmalz, general store; Joseph Friauf, drugs; H. E. Schultz, cement worker; Joseph Schulz, saloon; Julius Seefelt, sawmill; Splettstazer & Briesmeister, livery; State Bank of Lester Prairie; Weise & Kuhlmann, farm implements ; Noerenberg Bros., garage; Edw. Wiggs, barber; Aug. Wolf, shoes ; William Zumach, blacksmith; Alb Zumach and Otto Fillbrandt, blacksmiths. In addition to the above, Ed Beise carries on a city dray business, established in 1910, and is agent for the Standard Oil Company; G. J. L. Rattenstetter is agent for the Manhattan Oil Company and has conducted a heavy draying business since 1903,

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lester Prairie, Services of this denomination were first held in the month of March, 1866. Allen Yount, a local preacher, organized a class, and the organization was perfected April 7, 1866, when the following persons were enrolled as members: Robert Callahan, Naney Callahan, John Packer, Ellen Packer, Isaac Packer, Martha Packer, James A. Piper, Sarah J, Smith, Rebecea Piper, Rebecca Packer, Sarah E. Piper, Nancy E. Pounder and

- Peterson. The Rev. Allen Yount was the first pastor and the Rey, J. T. Chaffee the presiding elder, In 1867 Tiger Lake and Lester Prairie were attached to the Glencoe circuit, with the Rev. Levi Gleason as pastor, services being held in a log schoolhouse. In 1882 Lester Prairie was attached to Nor- Wood, with the Rey. J. B. Ogle in charge, followed by the Rev. Mr. Healy. In 1883 the Rev. J. W. Martin was appointed and during his three years of vigorous labor the church was connected with the Glencoe circuit, but when the Rev. Mr. Wolf Was appointed, in 1886, it was again connected with Norwood, and this connection has so far been permanent, Will Morgan became pastor in 1887, he being the last one to preach in the old Piper school house. On May 19, 1890, the church in the Village of Lester Prairie was dedicated by J. J. Hingely, pre- Siding elder, assisted by Rey. Briggs, of Glencoe, and Rev. Satterlee, the pastor in charge. At this time Lester Prairie Was given first place and Norwood second, and it has since been known as the Lester Prairie-Norwood charge. The folwing pastors have occupied the pulpit since that time: G. Pickard, H. L. St. Clair, Frank Higgins, McCrea, Rupert Swinnerton, H.L. Miller, H. W. Barkuloo, J. A. Ewing, T. H. Smithers, A, Hopkins, Olsen, M. A. Soper, and F. C. Gilchrist, now in charge. The parsonage, a six room building, was erected during the time the Rev. Mr. Barkuloo was pastor in charge.

Among the prominent members, past and present, should be mentioned Callahan, Piper, Holcomb, Packer, Lundsten, Daily, Shrode, Anderson, Yount, and Heneman families. As to pastors, it should be mentioned that the Rev. Will Morgan, now a famous pastor in New York City, began his career here, while Rev. Mr. McCrea, now of Detroit, Minn., and the late Frank Higgins, ''the famous Sky Pilot," both preached their first sermons here. In connection with the church, there is maintained a Sunday school which is both an instructive and interesting branch of the institution.

The German Lutheran Church, of Lester Prairie, is an offshoot from the German Lutheran Church in section 4, Bergen township, which was organized in 1871. In those early times there were comparatively few settlers and money was scarce, go the first building erected by the small congregation for religious worship was a log structure, which was in use until 1887. In that year, or the preceding, they built a frame church, in which services were held until 1892, when it was struck by lightning and burned down, after which the present church edifice was erected. In the meanwhile, in 1886, a part of the congregation separated from the rest and built a new edifice adjoining the one already in use, in which they worshiped for a year or more. They then moved the building into the village of Lester Prairie, where it now stands and where services nave since been held. Rev. Chas. L. Pitzler was first pastor of the mother church in 1886 and remained four years, being followed by Rev. Henry Nau. Two years later he was succeeded by Rev. C. J. Reichert, who served the congregation three or four years, after which the Rev. Charles Pitzler was pastor again until 1900. About this time and for several years there was a marked decline in zeal on the part of the members, which threatened the life of the church, but on February 7, 1904, a reorganization took place and matters began to assume a better aspect. Rey. J. 5. Hertrich, from Plato, served as pastor for one year, after which the congregation called Rev. Martin Weinhold, who was pastor from 1905 to 1911. June 29, 1911, Rev. William Greve assumed charge and has since remained as pastor. The church has now about 75 voting members and 250 communicants, the number of souls or baptized members in the parish being 350. The parochial school, built in 1908, has an attendance of about 22 acholars. The value of the church property is now between $4,000 and $5,000. In 1887 the parsonage was built at a cost of $1,500, which is much less than the same building would cost at the present time. In recent years the church has had a healthy growth and has been an important factor in the religious and moral development of the community.

The German Evangelical Church, is a neat frame building with a stone foundation. The congregation includes 44 or 45 families, or about 180 members. The recent pastor, the Rev. Mr, Dallmann, left in September, 1916, and was sueceeded by the Rev. C. C. Joern, from Lake Elmo.

under dispensation April 6, 1901, the charter being granted January 28, 1902. The charter members were Felton Vollmer, Ovette L. Day, John Heneman, William E. Piper, M. E. Chambers, Herman J. Heneman, William C, Muhley, E. A. Schubert, William W. Kirkpatrick and W. E. Talboys. The charter officers were Felton Vollmer, W. M..; Ovette L. Day, S. W.; John Heneman, J. W. The lodge now has 30 members, the present officers being as follows: H. G. Heneman, W. M.; G. G. Kimple, S. W.; C. F. Newstrom, J. W,; George A. Rogers, secretary; William A, Newstrom, treasurer, The lodge does not own its own building. The past masters of the lodge, with their present places of residence, are as follows: Felton Vollmer, Winsted, Minn.; 0. L. Day, Eau Claire, Wis.; John Heneman, Pembina, Minn.; Hans Brandser, Winsted, Minn,; J. J. Buska, Silver Lake, Minn.; J. J. Birkebak, St. Paul, Minn. . _ Lodge No, 173, A. O. U. W., of Lester Prairie, was organized in 1898, its charter being dated November 14th. The charter Members were N. A. Peterson, George M. Berry, Joseph Hahn, Marshall E. Yount, John Heneman, A. E. Shindoll, Casper Spies, John P. Swanson, Fred Howind and Helmuth Gerber. The lodge has now about 40 members.

Lodge No. 115, Degree of Honor, of Lester Prairie, which is the ladies' auxiliary of the A. O. U. W., has now about 15 Members, The year of its organization does not appear in the charter, having been accidentally omitted. The charter members were: Lillie L, Heneman, Amy L. Peterson, Nellie M. Yount, John Heneman, Minnie Millbrath, Celia A. Day, Eva M. Miller, Anna Howind, Ida Krant and Emma Schultz. Meetings are held in the room used by Lodge No, 173, A. O. U. W.