Minneota City

Minneota City

Lyon's Third City - Nordland Postoffice - Frick's Store - "Yellow Medicine Crossing"- Founding the Village - First Business Men - Postoffice History - Townsite Platted Additions - Name Changed to Minneota - History of the Change - Advancement in 1878 - Village Incorporation - Voting on License Question - Village Officers - Directory of 1884 - Census Figures - Schools - High School Graduates - The Churches - Norwegian Lutheran - Catholic - Icelandic Lutheran - Baptist - Evangelical Lutheran - Lodges Library - Fire Department - Banks - First National - Farmers and Merchants 177 county. As a business point it also takes high rank, for it draws trade from an exceptionally fine farming country. Its trade territory is large, extending northward into Yellow Medicine county and westward into Lincoln county. It is a substantially built little city and presents an attractive appearance.

Minneota is in the northwestern part of the county, on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. The platted village is on the southeast quarter of section 25. Kidsvold township. Its elevation above sea level is 1179 feet. The population when the 1910 census was taken was 819.

So early as 1871 located in the northwest corner township in close proximity to the site of the present village. Others came the following year, and in 1872 a postoffice named Nordland was established for their benefit. It was located on section 26, just west of the site of the village, and H. D. Frink, a homesteader, was the postmaster. That office was the predecessor of the Minneota office and Mr. Frink remained in charge until it was moved to the present location in 1875. Mr. Frink

JThe Marshall Prairie Schooner on January 29, 1874, referred to the place as follows: "Upper Yellow Medicine Crossing is a postoffice and store located on also established a little store at his home in 1873 for the convenience of his neighbors, ami about the same time Christian Lee started a blacksmith shop, which he conducted near the Frink store for two years. Mr. Frink operated his store only about one year. The site of these activities was sometimes referred to as Nordland, after the postoffice, but more frequently as Upper Yellow Medicine Crossing, from the fact that there the newly constructed railroad crossed the Yellow Medicine river.1 The importance of the little hamlet on section 26 was added to in 1874 when N. W. L. Jager opened a store there.

It seemed probable that Nordland would gradually develop into a little village, but this was not destined to occur at its original location. The store and blacksmith shop were on the lands of homesteaders and the railroad company decided to locate a station on its own land. On September 22, 1875, a construction train, carrying material and a score or more workmen, was run out to the Yellow Medicine crossing and a sidetrack was laid on the southwest quarter of section 25, land which had been secured under the land grant. At the same time preparations were made for building a warehouse at that point

This improvement warranted the belief that the railroad company would establish a station there and that in time a village would be founded. Before the season closed a few persons located at the new site, established business enterprises, and the new place succeeded to the name Nordland. Mr. Jager moved his store from section 26 and was the first inhabitant. He had only a small stock of goods and housed them in a little shanty he erected close to the river. The warehouse was erected and early in November Ole H. Dahl located there as manager. At the same time that gentleman opened a little store, carrying hardware and drugs.2 The third business man also came in November, 1875, only a few days after Messrs. Jager and Dahl. He was Thomas I). Seals, who moved a store from Marshfield, in Lincoln county/ and opened the second general store. Mr. Seals has ever since been engaged in business in the village.

In December, 1875, Mr. Jager succeeded Mr. Prink as postmaster of Nordland and early in 1876 it was moved from its original location on section 26 to the village and conducted in Mr. .lager's store. At the time there was talk of changing the name of the office to Eidsvold, but that was not done.4 - A Nordland correspondent to

2"01e Dahl has lately opened a store at Yellow Medicine Crossing for the sale of hardware, drugs, etc. He is buying wheat there also." - Marshall Messenger, November 26, 1875.

the county paper in January, 1876, said: ''Our new town in Eidsvold is progressing finely. Three store buildings and two warehouses have been erected since October last. Although the population is very small yet, our business men are both intelligent and industrious."' The same correspondent gave a list of business houses as follows: X. W. L. Jager. dry goods and groceries; O. H. Dahl. hardware, lumber and grain; Dr. T. D. Seals, general store.

During the summer of 1876 the Nordland railroad station was established and a depot erected. The company also platted the village, the survey having been made by Arthur Jacobi prior to August 5. Albert Keep, as president of the Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company, certified to the plat August 26. 1876. Ten blocks were included in the Nordland plat. The streets running parallel with the railroad were named First, Second and Third and those at right angles were named AYashington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.5

The pjatting of the site did not result in any great rush for town lots. There was practically no improvement during 1876, the county paper on January 1, 1877, stating that the village consisted of three stores and two warehouses. Likewise, there was little advancement in 1877, but the following year was one of great prosperity in Lyon

The change in the name of the postoffice from Nordland to Minneota (an Indian word signifying "big water") occurred in February, 1878. The change was not brought about without much bickering, jealousy and hard feelings. Owing to the manner of selecting the name great excitement prevailed and enmities were made that took years to overcome. The name Minneota was suggested by T. I). Seals."

The big immigration of L878 and the rapid development of Lyon county during that year brought many improvements to Minneota. A correspondent writing in June said: "Our town is building up very rapidly and promises to he second to none west of New I'lm

6A Minneota correspondent to the Marshall Messenger of February 22, 1878, told of the campaign for the change in name and the resultant excitement over the

"About three or four weeks ago two petitions were put in circulation to solicit signers for the purpose of changing the name of the station and postofEce at Nordland, one for the name Jager, the other for Minneota. ' When Minneota had about twenty-five and Jager seventy-five signers, dissatisfaction was manifested by the people with both names. Tinparties working for Minneota gave it up and called a meeting to get a new name. Horten was adopted by a large majority. Two petitions were made, signed by eighty persons in the vicinity of Nordland, and one was sent to Washington and the other to the railroad company in Chicago. Another party held a meeting but it resulted in nothing.

"Thursday, February 14, there came a report from Washington, . stating that the name Nordland was changed to Minneota. When this was reported from the postoffice Dr. Seals borrowed an anvil, furnished the powder, treated with cigars, and held a grand ' celebration for Minneota. Only a few were present and there was little excitement at the time, of course.

"How this extraordinary trick happened is yet a mystery. The petition for Minneota is still here and nobody confesses to having sent such name to Washington. Somebody has done the play but who it is we all want to know. Two ways are suspected. Someone might have sent a single letter to Washington or copied and picked up names from other petitions without an j' authority. If this is so, it must be revealed, for there is much excitement and agitation among the people in the whole community.

"We have asked our best scholar and professor in the Indian language about the definition of Minneota and he declared it was an Indian name and that it will be very useful as an advertisement for Indian trade."

Nearly twenty-nine years later Dr. T. D. Seals, at whose instance the name Minneota had been selected, gave the history of the incident. It was published in the Minneota Mascot in December, 1906, and was as follows:

"In the fall of 1875 or early in 1876 I wrote to my uncle, J. W. Durr, a New York banker, and asked him to see Senator Straight and request that official to procure a change of name for this little hamlet, which at that time was called Nordland and was not large enough to cut much figure in the commercial world.

One of the improvements of 1878 was the establishment of a large general .-tore by Cunts A: Davidson, who erected the line, t building in the village. Van Duse'n A Company put up an elevator, operated by steam power, of which (i. A. Jacobson had charge. John Carlen opened a hardware and machinery store. G. A. Jacobson and J. C. Peterson opened a lumber yard and dealt in farm machinery. Nels Erickson established the .Minneota House and later engaged in the dry goods and grocery business. J. .1. Wallin opened a furniture store.

I suggested the name Minneota, which, as you all know, is an Indian name and means 'much water.' My request was granted ami our little collection of shanties was officially designated Minneota.

" \\ bile this matter was pending at the national capita] some of our local promoters became impatient and wanted to name the place themselves. Of course they could not agree on a name, each one having some pet cognomen which he wanted to bestow upon the future metropolis. O. L. Orsen wanted Horten. Ole Peterson came to the front with Oslo, and the friends of N. W. L. Jager wanted Jagersville - Jager and I were pretty much the whole cheese in those days.

"Finally the advocates of these different names got together and decided to hold an election and let the people decide what name they wanted. This was done, but before the polls closed John Swenson drove in on his little mule, carrying a sack of mail. This mail contained a letter from Washington, which brought the local authorities notice that the new-born city had been officially designated Minneota. This put a damper on the proceedings and excitement ran high for a while.

"Just as the tellers were ready to co.unt the votes, which had been deposited in the cigar box, duly guarded during the day by reliable officials, I am told Lewis Anderson marched into the polling place, seized t he ballot box, and made his escape before anyone had time to raise voice or hand in restraint. He walked out into the street, where he smashed the box and trampled the ballots into the mud - and to this day no one knows which faction was victorious at the first election ever held in the village of Minneota. There are only a few of the old timers left, but we dare say that they all remember that election. All were intensely interested and for many weeks the election was the talk of the neighborhood.

"I remember the incident as plainly as if it were yesterday. Of course, there is reason for my recalling it so vividly. When the mail brought the news that the name Minneota had been selected at Washington, O. L. Orsen made the remark that there was evidently among us a wolf in sheep's clothing - referring to the man who had, without consulting anyone, fastened this name upon the town and thus completely checkmated the advocates of the other three names. I did not know Mr. Orsen then as I do now, and for three days I did not venture out of my store. After that the excitement gradually died down and I began to muster up courage to speak to my fellow-townsmen. Hut for a time I was a scared man."

In June, 1879, Minneota's business houses comprised four general stores, two hardware stores, two shoe shops, two hotels, two blacksmith shops and three elevators. The village then boasted of a new school house. Among the new business men were Sidney Fuller, blacksmith shop; T. Hanson, variety store; George Duffy, livery barn; and Peter Pickles, meat market.

A few new stores and shops were opened in 1880. Among the new enterprises was a lumber yard established by Youmans Brothers & Hodgins, of which John Dobson became local manager. The census of 1880 gave the little hamlet a population of 1 13.

Although only a few over a hundred persons were living in the village proper, they were an ambitious few and in 1880 asked for incorporation. A bill authorizing Minneota to begin local government was passed by the Legislature and approved by the governor January 21, 1881. The first village election was held February 7, and two days later the Village Council was organized. The corporate limits, as determined by the Council February 9, 1881, were all of section 25, the north half of section 36, the northeast quarter of section 35, and

"In 1879 the people of Eidsvold township declared in favor of licensed saloons by a vote of 42 to 19. After the incorporation of Minneota license was granted by the Council each year without the question having been submitted to vote up to 1891. From 1891 to 1900, inclusive, the license question was voted on under the local option law, with the following results:

1882 - President, G. A. Jacobson; trustees, N. W. L. Jager, Anton Winter, J. H. Frost ; recorder, A. D. Davidson; treasurer, T. D. Seals; constable, Swen Peterson.9

INS? - President, J. N. Lee; trustees, G. A. Dalmann, G. ( '. Mantel, A. L. Rye; recorder, Frank Johnson; treasurer, William Davidson; justice, S. O. Brenna.

1894 President. M. Ferguson; trustees, ( '. P. kenvon, T. X. Mvlire, Henry Moe; recorder, St. Gilbertson; treasurer, .lames Steels: justices, l0"A law portion of the immigrants tt> this county for the pasl three or four years settled about Mi unci it a. and as a consequence the country tributary to that town is the most thickly settled of any in the county. Minneota is constantly realizing benefits of various

Minneota's progress during the early eighties was substantial. Its growth «a : proportionate with the settlement and development of the surrounding country and was augmented by being made the center of the Catholic colony established by Bishop Ireland. The location of the colony of Icelanders in the vicinity also added to the growth of the village.10 In the spring of 1882 the following lines of business were represented in Minneota: One bank, five general stores, two hardware stores, two hotels, three saloons, one drug store, one wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, one harness shop, one livery stable, two lumber yards, one "rain elevator, two grain warehouses, one feed mill, two dealers in agricultural implements, one lime house, one coal dealer, one meat market, one church and parsonage, and one school house.

Thor Rye, hardware and tinware. Frost & Peterson, groceries. Wimer Brothers, drugs. Dennis Cahil, groceries. George Mantel, shoes. Anton Winter, harness. T. D. Seals, meat market. G. A. Dalmann, feed mill. C. P. Kenyon, farm machinery. P. Ferguson, hotel. S. B. Leland, blacksmith. Arney Rye, blacksmith. Swend Peterson, saloon. W. Hester, saloon.

Minneota had attained a population of 325 when the census of 1890 was taken. At the beginning of that year the following were engaged in busines s and the professions, according to a list prepared by the Marshall Reporter: Ferguson Brothers, groceries, shoes and agricultural machinery; G. S. Sigurdson, who managed the Verzlunarfelag Islendinga, a co-operative general store; Thomas Hanson, general store, warehouse and bank; T. D. Seals, general merchandise store: X. W. L. .lager, the pioneer store; James Steel, the Bank of Minneota; R. M. Addison, a branch hardware store; George Mantel, grocery and shoe store; G. A. Dalmann, grocery store; Kile & Winter, harness shop; C. J. Wimer, drug store and stationery; Olof Rye, jewelry store; Mary Rye. tin shop, stoves and furniture: S. B. Leland, wagon and blacksmith shop; William Kitzinger, Tremont Hotel; Sy vert Most, shoe shop; J. C. Peterson, who had charge of the Laird-Norton lumber n"We wen somewhat surprised last week on a visit to Minneota to see the marked improvement the village has made this season. About, twenty newbuildings have been erected, some of them expensive residences. Several new two-story business houses have also sprung up, and a four-story roller mill is being built by a stock company. It will have a capacity of about 100 barrels a day\ with power and room for more when needed. A -late bank has also been organized and Minneota is making a creditable

During the early nineties, prior to the panic and the beginning of the hard times period. Minneota made steady progress. The year 1892 was an exceptionally progressive one and many improvements were made.11 For a few years in the middle nineties the village was at - a i tandstill because of the prevailing financial stringency. The population was 512 in 1895.

Minneota Inn. progressed steadily during the last fifteen years of its history and has taken its place as one of the up-to-date, wide-awake little villages of Southwestern Minnesota. It has a number of public improvements, including a waterworks system installed in 1901. The population had increased to 777 in 1900, and five years later it was 954. The census of 1910 showed a slight falling off, the enumeration disclosing a population of 819.

The Schools

as the school house until 1879. The great progress made by the village in L878 brought a demand for better school facilities, and in October of that year the school board was authorized by the voters to issue bonds to the amount of $1200 to build a school hou e. Thi ; was- done and in the spring of 1879 a school lion e was completed.

In 1893 a four-room brick school home was erected, bonds to the amount of $6000 having been voted for the purpose the year before. Seven years later the voters of the district authorized the expenditure of $5000 more to provide additional school facilitie

The Minneota schools were organized under the independent district plan May 1, 1900, and a little later a high school course was added. The first class was graduated in 1904.13

About 300 pupils are now enrolled in the Minneota schools. Prof. Arnold Gloor is superintendent of the schools and the following are the present instructors: Olive Norgaard, principal; Johanna Hognason, science teacher; Bessie M. Jackson, Elizabeth Nicholson, Margaret - Lambert. Lillian "Wat kins, Anna Welch, Frieda Gilbertson. Dora V. Askdal and Jennie M. Frost. The Board of Education is composed of the following named gentlemen: G. B. Bjornson, president: A. B. Gislason, secretary; H. J. Tillemans, treasurer; L. M. Lerwick, James McGinn and H. N. Dahl.

The Churches

Five active church societies are maintained in Minneota, namely, the Norwegian Lutheran, Catholic, Icelandic Lutheran, Baptist and Evangelical Lutheran. All have houses of worship and hold service.; regularly.

The first religious services in the village were conducted in the Nordland section house by Rev. J. Berg, a Norwegian Lutheran pastor. Under the direction of Rev. Berg, the Immanuel Congregation of the Norwegian Synod was organized and the pioneer preacher occupied the pulpit for a short time. He was succeeded by Rev. Knute Thorstonson, who preached once a month for about two years. The next pastor was Rev. Olof Hoel, of Canby, who served until 1892. Rev. Andrew Kleven had charge of the church from 1S!»2 to 1909, and Rev. E. J. Henderlie ha^ been pastor since 1910. The Norwegian Lutheran church of Minneota has about 450 members. The church trustees are Henry Furgeson, Ole Esping, H. O. Skogen, N. B. Nelson and Louis Anderson. '

The Catholic colony of Minneota was opened to settlers in the spring of 1SS0. Previous to that year His Grace Archbishop John Ireland, then coadjutor bishop of St. Paul, had begun to advocate the cause of Catholic colonization. By means of lectures delivered in the middle and eastern states and through his writings in the public press of Canada, Ireland, England, Belgium and

1910 - G. Arthur Larson, Fred A. Geiwitz, Nellie B. Dorr, Carvel E. Erickson, Bjorn Winger, Petrene S. Johnson, Magnhild Orsen, Cora A. Geiwitz, Leslie V. Dahl, Susan A. Mullen, Luella B. Hanson.

Holland, he made known to Catholic multitudes the possibilities of a healthy and happy home on the virgin plains and amid the undeveloped resources of the big and bountiful state of Minnesota. He was acquainted with the dire distress of the downtrodden masses in the congested districts of large cities. He knew that in lands beyond the sea good men starved in slavery and fear, and. like another Moses, he determined to lead them from their environments to the light and freedom and the future peace and prosperity which he foresaw Would reward their labors in this Land of Promise.

With prophetic foresight His Grace also realized that if the Catholic church was to grow and keep pace with the growth and progress of Minnesota, it could only be by the incoming of Catholic settlers from other lands. Therefore, for the future happiness of the people, for the advancement in these parts of the faith he professed, he heralded the call to Minnesota throughout the world. In answer to that call many came, and those who came and persevered through the privations of pioneer days have good reason feo bless the hour they came and the great prelate whose voice had called them hither.

The first Catholic settlers began to arrive in the summer and fall of 1880, and Father M. J. Hardy was appointed to act as their pastor and to help in locating them on their lands.14 He said mass in the Minneota depot and in the old log house west of Minneota where

1 'The heads of families which constituted the initial membership of the Minneota Catholic church were as follows: Michael Cain, Barney Agnew, Philip Lynch, Thomas Rogan, Walter Walsh, Martin Finnegan, Patrick McGinn, Robert Culshaw, James Kiley, Hugh Bowden, Pat Creeden, John O'Connor, Barnie O'Hare, Garrett Ahern, William Salmon, John Boulton, Peter Tumulty, Francis McMahon, Daniel Mullen, Patrick Langan, James O'Brien, Martin » Langan, William Garrety, Joseph Whitwell, John Braken, William Lyons, Hugh McNamara, John Buckley, Michael Bunce, Bernard Cassidy, John Malone, William he resided with a number of the colonists until their homes were built. Father Hanly was succeeded by Father L. Cornelius in August, 1881, and soon after his appointment he set about building the church and parish house. The church was dedicated under the name of St. Edward the Confessor, owing to the fact that many of the first colonists were English or had lived some time in England.

Father Cornelius went to Europe in the winter of 1882 to promote the cause of colonization amongst the Belgians and Hollanders and he returned in the spring of 1883 with many colonists. Most of these settled on the lands seven miles east of Minneota, and, having received a priest of their own nationality, they originated the present parish of Client.15 Father Cornelius was succeeded by Father Edward Lee in March, 1X83. Father Lee was pastor seven years and during those years endeared himself to the people by the zeal with which he ministered to their spiritual welfare in spite of the privations he had to endure. Father Lee was replaced by Father H. Victor in April, 1890. Father Victor cleared off the debt that was incurred iii building the church and then went to live in Marshall, from which place he attended Minneota as a mission.

.Minneota remained a mission from 1890 to August, 1901, and during that period it was attended by Fr. Victor (1890-93), Fr. F. Jager (1893-95) and Fr. A. J. Vanden Heuvel (1895-01). In response to a petition from the people and a promise to support a resident

15The Belgian and Holland families who remained members of St. Edward's parish were those of Charles DeSutter, John Tillemans, Ferdinand Wambeke, Peter Jennen, Peter Stassen, Frank Buysse, Louis Traen, Anthon Bankers and Peter Moorse.

History Op Lyon Cot Nt V.

pastor, Archbishop [reland appointed Father Murlowski to the pastoral charge of St. Edward's congregation in August, 1901 . At that time the people rebuilt the parish house, expending thereon $1251. Father Murlowski died after an operation in Rochester in January, L903. Father A. Schaefer became pastor the same year and guided the destinies of St. Edward's until September 10. I'M).-), when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Father W. J. Stewart.

The parish has progressed rapidly under the administration of Father Stewart. Owing to his tireless activity during the years of his pastorate the Catholic cemetery has been enlarged and beautified, the church has been repainted without and redecorated within, the assessment of $2200 for the new cathedral at St. Paul has been paid in full. $13,300 has been subscribed toward the building of a new parish church, and a block of land - one of the finest in the village - has been purchased on liberal terms from John O'Connor as the site for the future developments of this progressive parish. The congregation at the present writing consists of about 350 members. The church trustees are Philip Ahem, secretary, and Harry J. Tillemans, treasurer. Mr. Tillemans succeeded Robert Culshaw, who died May 7, 1912, and who for thirty years was treasurer, organist and conductor of the choir of St. Edward's parish.

An Icelandic Lutheran society was organized so early as 1880, but St. Paul's Church was not founded until October 27, 1887. The first members and church officers were G. S. Sigurdson,

16The first members of the Baptist church were Nathan N. Smart, Rebecca Smart, Nellie Smith, Mrs. A. M. Olson, Mrs. Alice Cole, Mrs. Richard Bliss, Mrs. Rhoda French, Mrs. C. J. Wimer, Miss Pratt, Mr. and Mrs C. D. Bremer, George W. Carpenter, William Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. North, Mrs. John Ferguson, W. F. Smith, Agnes Miller, Charles M. Anderson, Miss Gertrude Barlow, C. R. Bremer, Miss Anne Bremer, Miss Erne Bliss, Frank W. Carpenter, Miss Hester president; J. II. Frost, secretary and treasurer; F. 1!. Johnson, C. (1. Schram and St. Gilbertson. Rev. X. S. Thorlaksson was the first pastor and served from 1887 to 1894. Rev. B. B. Jonsson has been pastor since that time.

St. Paul's Church was incorporated July 24, 1891, and the parsonage was built that year. The church home was built in 189") and dedicated December 8 of that year. Rev. Sigurdson, of Winnipeg, Rev. Jonsson, of Minneota, and Prof. Sanders, of St. Peter, conducted the dedicatory services. The value of the church property is $7000. The present membership is 250. The members of the church council are G. B. Bjornson, B. Jones, G. A. Anderson, H. G. Johnson, K. S. Askdal, P. P. Jokull and A. R. Johnson. Auxiliary societies maintained are Sunday School, Luther League and Ladies Aid Society.

The First Baptist Church of Minneota was organized in 1896. Prior to that time services were held occasionally, conducted by visiting clergymen and theological students. The organization of the Minneota church was brought about through the labors of Rev. E. R. McKinney, then pastor-at-large for Southwestern Minnesota, and Rev. E. R. Pope. It began with a membership of thirty-four.16 N. N. Smart and C. D. Bremer were the first deacons and P. O. French was the first clerk of the society. Rev. E. R. D. Hollensted was installed as the first pastor.17

A Baptist church edifice was completed in the spring of 1897 at a cost of $1200. The church now has a membership of twenty-five. Services are held

Cummins, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Dale, Mrs. B. C. Franzen. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gee, Miss Gertrude Gee, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Goodrich, Miss Ethel Goodrich.

every other Sabbath, the pastor also having charge of the church at Canby. The deacons of the church are P. O. French and John Yeo. Mrs. French is clerk and Mr. French treasurer of the society.

The church of the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Min-» neota, affiliated with , the Norwegian Synod of North America, was organized April 18, 1898, by fourteen families.18 The first officers of the church were H. N. Dahl, president; G. C. Lee, secretary; O. J. Wignes, treasurer; I. N. Olevson, S. P. Hegdahl and W. H. Deen, trustees.

A. J. Nervig was installed as pastor and the pulpit has since been regularly supplied.19 The church home was Good Templars' Hall for two years, and in the summer of 1900 the present house of worship was put up at a cost of $2400. The present membership is about fifty and the following are the church officers: Rev. B. B. Jonsson, president; Ole I. Lee, secretary and treasurer; W. H. Deen, I. N. Olevson and John (!. Geiwitz, trustees. Services are held every third Sabbath.

20The charter members of Minneota Camp were John E. Berg, Charles D. Blaker, G. B. Bjornson, H. L. Champlin, J. M. Collins, G. A. Dalmann, Nels P. Frederickson, Martin Furgeson, St. Gilbertson, Walter

B. Gislason, Frank Hinkley, Frank R. Johnson, Ole I. Lee, James Meaghan, M. H. Marcuson, Samuel J. Swenson, Saras Sorenson, John Stephenson, S. E. Sanderson and Dell M. Walrath. The present members holding office in the lodge are A. E. Arntson, J. G. Geiwitz, J. F. Finnegan, S. B. Erickson, H. G. Johnson, George Benson, M. F. Klaith, P. M. Berg, W. H. Deen and Martin Peterson.

The Lodges

Minneota Camp No. 2385, Modern Woodmen of America, is the oldest fraternal order in Minneota. It was organized August 20, 1894, 20 and has had a prosperous existence. The present membership in good standing is 151.

Minneota Lodge No. 200, Independent Order Odd Fellows, was instituted February 9, 1901, by Grand Master Alex Van Praag. It was organized with a small membership22 but has had a prosperous life and now has twentythree members.

Equality Lodge No. 238, A. F. & A. M., was organized April 4, 1901, with ten charter members.23 Thirty-two members are now on the rolls and regular meetings are held at Masonic Hall.

Homestead Lodge No. 778, Brotherhood American Yeomen, was instituted September 14, 1901, by W. D. Bryant.24 The present membership is thirty-nine.

22The following were first members of the Odd Fellows lodge: J. G. Hunter, J. B. Gardner, S. Magnuson, P. O. French, K. K. Mohn, D. M. Walrath, M. B. McAIister, J. E. Berg, A. E. Walrath and P. M. Berg. The principal officers at present are L. M. Lerwick, G. H. Jonathan, S. B. Erickson and P. M. Berg.

24Charter members of the Yeomen lodge were J. J. McGinn, K. K. Mohn, O. C. Spillum, W. H. Lewis, Andrew Anderson, G. S. Sigurdson, Nels A. Anderson, Edwin O. Ageton, J. B. Gardner, C. A. Knutson, Cornelius Kiley, W. M. Flemming, G. B. Bjornson, Lewis L. DeSutter, G. Rofnson, Frank O'Neal, Bert O'Neal, C. V. Arneson, August Princen, Albert J. Johnson, Elmer O'Neal, A. J. McGinn and John A. Peterson. The present members holding office are P. M. Berg. T. P. Culshaw, A. J. McGinn, 6. H. Werpy, C. E. Culshaw, A. W. Berg, Mrs. O. H. Werpy arid Mrs. P. M. Berg.

tember8, 1904, by Deputy Blissenbach, chemicals, one hook and ladder truck, of Mankato.25 The lodge at present has and 1200 feet of hose, fourteen members.

The Library

The Minneota News and Art Club founded a library in 1901 and conducted it two years. The club then turned it over to the village and its management has since been vested in the Village Council. The library, which contains about 1000 volumes, is on the second floor of the city hall and is open to the public on Wednesday and Saturday evenings of each week. Librarians who have been in charge since it has been conducted by the village have been Hannah Dahl, 1903-04; S. Hognason. 1904-05; Edith B. Seals, 1905-12. The library board is composed of Edith B. Seals, president; E. T. Sanderson, secretary; H. J. Tillemans, treasurer; Ella Benson, B. B. Gislason, S. B. Erickson, Hannah Hognason, Arnold Gloor and B. B. Jonsson.

The Fire Department

The Minneota Fire Department is one of the oldest fire fighting organizations of Lyon county. It came into being as a result of a fire in the summer of 1885 which destroyed the Van Dusen elevator. The department was organized September 15, 1885, with W. A. Crowe as chief. A little apparatus was purchased at that time and a small buildingerected to house it.

The department now has forty members and the following are the principal officers: P. M. Berg, chief; O. I. Lee, secretary; W. P. Tillemans, treasurer. The apparatus is housed in the city hall and consists of two hose carts, two

25The charter members of St. Edward's Court were A. J. Kelley, Rev. Schaefer, H. J. Tillemans, C. Culshaw, G. F. Ahem, M. F. Ahem, M. J. Finnegan, E. B. Kiley, J. Wemerskeshen, W. J. Moughan, Edward

The Banks

Minneota has two banking institutions, the First National Bank and the Farmers and Merchants National Bank. The banking history of the village antedates the establishment of either of these institutions, however. In the early eighties William Davidson and A. D. Davidson founded the Bank of Minneota and conducted it as a private banking house for a number of years under the firm name of Davidson Brothers.

The State Bank of Minneota, the predecessor of the present First National Bank, was established in 1892. John Swenson was the first president and he has ever since been at the head of the institution. O. L. Dorr was the first cashier and he continued in that position until after the reorganization into the First National Bank. L. M. Lerwick was made cashier in July, 1910. The building occupied by the bank was erected in 1902. The capital stock of the First National is $30,000.

The Farmers and Merchants National Bank was organized in 1903 with a capital stock of $25,000 and with the following first officers: W. A. Crowe, president; C. J. Wimer, vice president; E. I. Leland, cashier; F. M. Ahern, assistant cashier. Mr. Crowe retained the presidency until January, 1912, when he was succeeded by A. J. Kile. Mr. Wimer was succeeded as vice president in 1906 by C. K. Melby, and the latter a year later by A. J. Kile. M. F. Ahern was made cashier at the beginning of 1905, C. K. Melby in March,

Langan, D. F. Salmon and Frank Tiemesson. The present office holders of the order are H. J. Tillemans, Edward O'Connor, A. J. McGinn, E. G. Langon, T. P. Culshaw, J. Rogan and F. Tiemesson.

1905, and H. J. Tillemans, the present cashier, at the beginning of 1906. Mr. Tillemans succeeded Mr. Ahern as assistant cashier in 1905 and the next year S. B. Erickson succeeded to the office. The home of the bank was erected in 1903.

The growth of the business of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank has been rapid. According to a statement made November 10, 1905, just before Mr. Tillemans became cashier, the resources of the bank were only $87,- 902.04. A statement made April 18, 1912, showed that the resources had advanced to $433,914.49. The deposits at that time were $365,430.06. The bank has a surplus and undivided profits of $25,000, and is rated one of the sound institutions of Lyon county.