Montrose City

Montrose City

The history of the splendid school here is especially interesting. H. G. Wright, elerk of the district, furnishes the following information: ''The first school taught in this vicinity was in 1862 by Catherine Hainor, the second by her daughter Annie in a little round log one-story building situated about 100 rods west of the present site. George M, Wright and John Young were the first school board. I was about six years old at the time and was one of the scholars, The second school building was a hewed log structure right opposite on the other side of the road on father's and Mr, Young's land, one-half on each, the building being right on the line. Then after the village of Montrose was incorporated in 1881 the board secured the present site and built a two-story frame two-room school. Afterwards it. was enlarged to four rooms and brick veneered. In 1904 it burned and the present school was built in 1905. It is in the village of Montrose, common school district No. 35. The valuation is about $75,000. The building is of pressed brick with six rooms, besides the library, principal's office, ete. It has a steam heating plant and is equipped with a good library, manual training tools, sewing machines for sewing, chemistry apparatus, ete. The building is finished in Georgia pine and cost about $14,000. There are six teachers, including the principal, teaching twelve grades, with a four-year high school course. The first teachers in the present building were Herman Georgies, principal; Kate McKay, Adeline Fairacy, Ida Curry and Anna Shumacher. M. W. Melvin, one of the principals that taught here, instituted and started the four-year high school course. The names of the present school board are H. G. Wright (clerk), W. G. Michael (chairman), E. W. Swanson, treasurer.'' The committee in charge of building the splendid school edifice consisted of Hara W. Farrell (director), F. E. Belden (clerk), and Fred G. Miller (treasurer).

Montrose was surveyed and platted in 1878 by J. F. Miller, T. S. Gunn and J, N, Haven, The plat included the southwest quarter of section 35 and the southwest quarter of section 36, The proprietors opened a grain house and a general store and did a big business in grain, lumber and ties.

Montrose was incorporated in 1881, and officers were elected as follows: President, W. H. Mapes; trustees, G. Burner, G. M. Wright, W. P. Holbrook and James Scott; justice of the peace, Thomas Weekly; constable, James Snyder.

At different times three newspapers, the News, the Graphic and the Banner, have been published here. The latest attempt was the Banner, which was issued from spring to fall in 1913 by Elen Turngren.

Edward P. Hawkins, M. D., physician and surgeon of Montrosé, is one of the most useful citizens in Wright county, and his general practice, his hospital and his training school, have done much to alleviate suffering, lengthen life, and promote sanitation. He was born in Carthage, Ill, August 9, 1863, son of William R. and Julia (Wright) Hawkins. He received his preparatory education in the schools of his native town. In 1887 he graduated from the Adventist College, at Battle Creek, Mich. With the class of 1897 he completed his course in the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. In the interim he had taught school for several years. In October, 1897, he located at Montrose, and opened an office. His suecess was assured from the start. His skill, his sympathy, his knowledge won him friends from many miles around, and his practice soon grew to large proportions. People from the country pleaded to be taken into his home for operations, and finally he established a hospital. As a natural outcome of this came the Incorporated Training School for Nurses, in which are six young ladies in training. Dr. Hawkins has a sightly residence, and a roomy hospital building, He is a skilled surgeon and is assisted in his operations by Dr. E. A. Warner, of Waverly. His head nurse is Christine Olson. Dr. Hawkins has traveled extensively, and has made wide research and deep studies. He has done good service as school officer and health office of Montrose, and has also served the village in other capacities. Dr. Hawkins was married January 15, 1889, to Vesta Miller, of Battle Creek, Mich., a classmate of his school days. They have an adopted daughter, Fern Leona.

A recent publication says of Dr. Hawkins: ''With a deep love for his profession, and broad humanitarianism, Dr. Hawking has devoted his life to a calling which may be regarded ag the most important to which a man can direct his energies. In his practice in Melrose he has demonstrated his right to be classed with the foremost representatives of the medical profession in central Minnesota. That he has even had a deep interest in his chosen work, from a scientific standpoint, and that a helpful, generous spirit prompts his best efforts in behalf of the sick and suffering, is shown by the fact that he has erected an elegant structure which he uses as a hospital, where all is done for the patient that medical skill knows or kindness prompts. He has patients from the surrounding counties, including St. Paul and Minneapolis, which speaks well not only for his ability, but also for the institution which he conducts. He possesses a social, genial nature, and is also a man of literary taste, who has ever been a lover of good books. He is a broad reader, and spends many of his most pleasant hours in the companionship of the best writers of the past and present.''

The Montrose Hospital, with Dr. E. P. Hawkins as chief surgeon, is beautifully located in the pretty village of Montrose, in the center of a rural community noted for its healthful climate. Velvety lawns surround the Hawkins buildings, and sightly trees give shade and comfort. The hospital itself is equipped with the most modern methods of heating, lighting, ventilation and sanitation, and fitted with the most recent of scientific appliances, The institution was opened in March, 1903, in response to an immediate need for a place in the community where surgical cases could be treated amid the best surroundings. There are now twelve beds and six nurses. Only prospective surgical eases are admitted. Although a private hospital it is open for use by other physicians. In connection with the Montrose Hospital, the Montrose Training School for Nurses is maintained. It was incor. porated in 1914 with Dr. E. P. Hawkins as president; Dr. EB. A. Warner as vice president, and Mrs. E. P. Hawkins as secretary. Christine Olson is the head nurse. A full, three-year course of training is given,