Blue Earth County MN Archives History - Books .....Mankato 1882
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Book Title: History Of The Minnesota Valley

CITY OF MANKATO—SETTLERS—TOWN SITE-DIFFICULTIES-EXECUTION OF INDIANS-BUSINESS.

  The first persons to settle within the present limits of Mankato, were Henry
Jackson and P. K. Johnson; both arrived in the spring of 1852, and commenced the
erection of log houses; P. K. Johnson's was on the south-east corner of Main and
Front streets, Henry Jackson's a little further south, between Main and Walnut
streets.

  At that time Henry Jackson had been granted a license by the Indian agent, to
whom he was related, to trade with the Indians, and the two pioneers, joining
together, formed the firm of Jackson & Johnson. Their entire stock of goods did
not amount, in value, to over $300, and the trading post was not, of itself, the
principal reason for their settlement. P. K. Johnson, who knew something about
the country, having been here in 1850, on the excursion steamer "Yankee," an
account of which is on page 165, had been instrumental in organizing, in St.
Paul, a town site company, on the 14th day of February, 1852. It consisted of
Henry Jackson, P. K. Johnson, John S. Hinckley, Daniel A. Robertson, Samuel
Leech, J. C. Ramsey, John M. Castner, Robert Kennedy, William Hartshorn and A.
S. Brawley. Of the above named only the three first settled permanently at Mankato.

  Samuel Leech acted for some time as agent of the company, and resided there
during the summers, returning home in the fall of the year.

   The object of this organization was to make a claim to the town of Mankato.
The claim was made, a survey effected, and platted, by S. P. Folsom, in May,
1852, and recorded in Ramsey county. They were evidently men of large ideas, and
though the Indian title was not yet extinct, each one of the ten claimed a
quarter section of land joining each other, or mostly so. Five hundred acres
were included in the first survey, after which some additions were made to the
plat, so that the total area embraced some 600 acres, all intended for town site
purposes. This plat, of course, did not conform to the government lines, and the
amount of land was in excess of that allowed by congress for town site purposes,
and so when it was subsequently entered it had to be cut down to 320 acres. This
old plat makes a remarkably fine appearance on paper, the streets are all at
right angles and large spaces are marked off for parks and other ornamental and
useful purposes. Two very large squares, designated college grove and capitol
square, were in that portion that had to be left out of the later plats.

   The name of this association was the Mankato Claim Company; in later years it
was always referred to as the "old company," to distinguish it from the "new
company," a rival organization which later on made a claim to the property.

   Its name was derived from the Indian name for the Blue Earth river, which was
Mah-ka-to, or as some say, Mahn-ka-to. The name was suggested by D. A. Robertson.

   From time to time different surveys and plats were made to meet the
exigencies of the various claimants to the property embraced in the present
city. The litigation that resulted from these diverse interests kept lawyers
fighting in the courts for many years and retarded the growth of the town to a
large extent.

   The dates of the record of acknowledgement, of the principal plats are as
follows: S. P. Folsom's, May, 1852; J. T. Everett's, May 23, 1855; E. D.
Bruner's, August 3, 1857; A. D. McSweeny's, December, 1857; C. A. Chapman's,
December, 1857.

   Besides the above, in July, 1853, Daniel F. Turpin made a survey. The plat
was never acknowledged or recorded. Turpin and his party were stopped in running
some outside boundary lines through lands claimed by T. D. Warren. The surveyor
had finished all but the last boundary line, when stopped by Warren, who was
living in the neighborhood.

   Johnson and Jackson came up in the steamer "Tiger," which was chartered by
the company, and lived in Mankato a year before sending for their wives, who
remained in St. Paul, and "a rough time we had of it" says Johnson; "no mail,
precious little whisky, and nothing to eat but suckers and milk."

   Soon after the arrival of these two pioneers other persons put in an
appearance and began to make claims, among the first of whom was John S.
Hinckley, one of the members of the company. There having been no survey as yet
made by the government, to prevent confusion and subsequent disputes arising,
the Blue Earth settlement claim association was formed, an organization with a
set of by-laws and secretary, or recorder, P. K. Johnson being selected for the
latter position. The preamble of this documeut states that: "The subscribers to
this constitution, unite for the purpose of securing each other in the rightful
and peaceable possession of lands by them claimed in the Blue Earth settlement."
The members of this association, twenty-four in all, represented the number of
men comprising the settlement. The records were kept by P. K. Johnson, in an
account book of the Mankato claim company, and in which are written the claims
of the different members of the association and some subsequent sales and
transfers. This same book, at a later date, became the repository of the minutes
and transactions of the first board of county commissioners of Blue Earth
county, and was used for a similar purpose up to as late a date as 1858, by
successive boards.

   When any one made a claim any where near Mankato, he would report it to P. K.
Johnson, who would record it and enter its description. In this way were the
boundaries of all claims preserved until the government survey took place. The
Blue Earth settlement claim association, however, hardly fulfilled the sanguine
expectations of its organizers, for as the land became more valuable and other
settlers arrived, many contests arose as to ownership of different claims.

   At first, however, but slow progress was made in settlement and harmony
prevailed. A good idea of the then existing state of affairs can be gained from
some testimony given by Samuel Leech in one of the many town site cases that
were tried. The case in reference took place at Owatonna, Steele county, in
July, 1859, on a change of venue. He said that he arrived at Mankato, from
below, about May 27, 1853; at the time he arrived he found P. K. Johnson living
in a log cabin, a new one, on lot 1, block 14, by Bruner's survey, which is lot
1, section 7, of the government survey. Johnson was occupying the building with
his family. At the same time he found Evans Goodrich occupying a log house as a
trading post on lot 4, block 15, which lot belonged to D. A Robertson, one of
the company; this lot was in the same lot 1, section 7. Goodrich had some Indian
goods there and had been trading with the Indians.

   Henry Jackson came up to Mankato from St. Paul, he having returned there on
business, with Samuel Leech, at the time referred to. Jackson about this time
removed his family into a log house, on lot 5, in block 14, which was a house
just erected and not quite finished, on the same government sub-division.
Jackson continued to reside in that house with his family until his death August
1, 1857. He (Leach) says that he found Minard Mills on his arrival at the time
referred to, residing there with his family, in a log shanty on a lot owned, or
claimed, by Castner. In this connection should be stated that Mrs. Minard Mills,
now Mrs. Lulsdorff, enjoys the distinction of being the first white woman to set
foot on the soil of Mankato, although Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Jackson arrived
almost immediately after. During the summer several improvements were made at
the settlement chief of which was the commencement of a hotel, for the
construction of which, a hotel company had been formed, consisting of some of
the Mankato claim company and one or two others.

   Samuel Leech before he left St. Paul had been appointed agent of this company
to superintend the erection of the hotel. This hotel was to be built under a
contract made before he went to Mankato, and part of the timber was on the
ground when he arrived there. He employed hands and proceeded with the building
for the company, whose joint funds paid for the same. The size of the house was
32x50 feet, two stories high, with an L 16x24 feet. This is the property now
known as the Mankato House. The building was raised, in the fore part, about the
6th or 7th of July following (1853). Leech had to leave Mankato on account of
bad health, but returned the May following. The building was enclosed that
season, the floor laid, and the partitions set up. Afterward stairs were run up,
and doors hung, but it was not plastered that season. The next spring (1854),
about the 23d or 24th of May, Leech returned to Mankato, and the same month sold
the hotel and two lots, 1 and 2, in block 12, as the agent of the company, to
Henry Shaubut. Up to that time about $2,500 had been expended on the property,
but it was sold for $1,200 in order to have it occupied as a hotel. Mr. Shaubut
went on to partially finish it that year, but did not move his family into it
until the spring of 1855.

   In 1853 Basil Moreland built a house, in the fall of the year, on the north
half of the northwest quarter of section 18, on lot 2, in block 6. He went there
by permission of P. K. Johnson. This house was subsequently used for many years
as a storehouse. During the same fall Samuel Leech commenced the erection of a
frame store. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Mills leased block 4 from the company and
occupied it for three years. C. P. Kron built a log house on lot 4, block 17, in
1853, by permission of J. C. Ramsey, one of the company. He also, in a year or
two afterward, built a house for a hotel on lot 5, in the same block, by
permission of J. M. Castner. It was called the Minnesota House.

   Henry Jackson, John S. Hinckley and Samuel Leech built a board shanty on lot
3, section 7, and leased it to Hoxie Rathburn and Levi Sides, by written
agreement, June 6, 1853. Sides did not have his family with him; he went off to
get them and never returned. Rathburn's family moved in within a few days and
occupied it, as tenant of the company. This shanty was upon a hill near the rock
quarry. In the following fall Rathburn took the shanty down and used the boards
in a log house, which he built under the hill, on the same subdivision, and
which he had a right by the lease to do. He occupied this house until his death,
which took place some three years later.

   In 1855 steamboats were running at stated intervals, and supplies and mails
were received regularly. This had the effect of increasing immigration, and
resulted in the erection of a number of houses during the year.

   A saw-mill was built in 1856 by George W. Lay, and continued in operation
until 1863, when it was burned. In 1857 A. D. Seward & Co. built an extensive
lumber and flour-mill, which was run by steam power. This, too, was destroyed by
fire, which occurred during the Indian troubles. It was supposed that it was
fired by the Indians, and, as it was some distance from the centre of the town,
it was burnt to the ground before any one would venture near it, it being in the
night time, and therefore not safe for any one to expose themselves to attack in
the dark.

   Up to 1855 no government lines had been run; but the people seamed to get
along without that usually necessary proceeding without apparent inconvenience.

   The government survey, which was made by John T. Everett, opened the flood
gates of litigation. The initiative was taken by the formation of a new company,
which undertook to "jump" the property claimed by the old company and to hold it
on the ground that they were the first claimants after the government survey.
They obtained the services of the same Everett that ran the government lines,
and had a plat made, which was acknowledged June 4, 1855, and to which were
appended the signatures of the following men: Daniel T. Bunker, Quartus B.
Abbott, George Maxfield, Robert Wardlow, David W. Brauson, Ephriam Cole, Johann
Schreder and Basil Moreland. They claimed possession of the property upon the
ground that the old company were not the lawful owners of the land because they
took possession before the Indian title was extinguished, and before the
government survey was made.

   This action necessarily precipitated litigation, and the succeeding years
proved ones of harvest for the lawyers.

   In this connection it should be stated that about the year 1853 George
Maxfield had settled on lot 3 as an agricultural claimant. This claim was
recognized by the so-called new company, and lot 3 was not included in the
Everett plat, made for their use. In March, 1856, George Maxfield applied to
enter his lot as an agricultural claim, and he gave notice to the old company of
contest. In reply the old company appeared and applied to enter the town site,
including said lot 3. In the hearing of the contest the register and receiver
were divided in opinion, and in consequence thereof the case had to go to the
land commissioner. The latter decided in Maxfield's favor. The old company
thereupon appealed from this decision to the secretary of the interior, who
finally decided that lot 3 was a portion of the town site, and should be
included in the entry of the town of Mankato.

   These transactions took about two years, and in the meantime, as stated
previously, the new company had been formed, and in the fall of 1856 had caused
the entry to be made at the local land office, which entry did not include the
lot claimed by Maxfield.

   While these proceedings were in course of operation settlers were coming in
rapidly, and it was impossible for them to buy lots, as the two companies
claimed the property. The town was long kept back by this uncertainty as to
title, as no one could purchase a lot with any surety of being able to hold it.
The result of this doubtful state of affairs was to make Mankato a shanty town,
as the people were naturally afraid to put up durable buildings.

   To add to existing complications, in 1856 the settlers got it into their
heads that the law, above referred to, was intended for the benefit and
protection of actual, not constructive, occupants; that it was not for the
advantage of land speculators.

   The greatest number of the lots being vacant different individuals commenced
to select places on which to settle, and took possession of them by squatter's
right. This was at the time when the great tide of immigration was rolling into
Minnesota, and Mankato naturally received large accessions to its population.
These new arrivals, joining with the others, a general onslaught was made during
1857, and claim jumping became the order of the day, so that in a short time
nearly all the lots were occupied by "jumpers," as they were termed, in the
language of the day.

   Towards the end of the summer of this year, 1857, the troubles between the
two companies still existing, the settlers combined, and formed for their mutual
benefit and protection, an organization known as the Mankato Settlers'
Association. The first meeting was called to order in the school-house on the
evening of August 31; A. D. Seward was elected president; Samuel Kitchen,
vice-president; W. G. Milligan, secretary, and Leo Lamm, treasurer. A number of
committees were also appointed. They caused a new survey to be made and platted
by C. A. Chapman, who was then deputy county surveyor, which plat did not
include the disputed Maxfield lot. The plat thus prepared was acknowledged
before John A. Willard, the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th days of December, 1857,
and bore nearly two hundred names of actual occupants of claims.

   About this time, also, the old company, by virtue of the secretary's decision
in the Maxfield case, were getting a new plat made, which was executed by E. D.
Bruner, and certified to August 3, 1857, some time before the Chapman plat was
ready. This decision indeed required that a new plat be made, and it was also
that, which stimulated the Settlers' Association to have their plat made.

   Early in 1858 the entry of the town site was perfected at the local land
office, and on July 5, 1858, the members of the old company brought suit against
the occupants of the lots; these suits numbered some 300 in all.

   A decision was arrived at in one of these cases (Castner versus Guenther), in
favor of the old company, which was of great importance, as in that case the
supreme court held that the application to enter the town, though pending during
the two years of litigation in the Maxfield case, took effect March, 1856, when
they claimed the application was made, and therefore, the "jumpers," not being
able to date their settlement prior to that period would be excluded. Although
this case was equal to a test case, and its decision in favor of the old
company, would necessarily involve similar results in all the other oases, the
settlers would not accept it as final, but kept up resistance all the time. The
resultant litigation was enormous and was carried on during period of many
years. Finally, however, by compromise, mutual concessions and otherwise and
partly by the persistent holding of claims, all these litigious troubles were
ended and the property now rests upon a secure basis, so that transfers can be
made without the slightest fear of a cloud resting upon the title.

   During the flush times preceding the great financial revolution of 1857, when
real estate speculation was at its highest flood, Henry McKenty, then of St.
Paul, laid out a paper town a short distance outside of the limits of Mankato,
and called it Mankato City. Many people were induced to buy lots who thought
their purchase was of valuable property in a real, not a paper, town. However,
that too has been absorbed, and is now, in truth, part of the city of Mankato.

   In early days the steamboat interest was an important one. For some time
there was a tri-weekly line of Davidson's boats from St. Paul, and the total
yearly arrivals were quite numerous. In 1858, there only lacked one week of a
season of eight months of navigation; there was that year 179 arrivals. In 1859
the number of arrivals recorded was 131. Of late years the water has been
insufficient for purposes of navigation, except during the end of September and
beginning of October, 1881, when the continuous rains of several weeks duration,
caused higher water than for ten years previously.

   The railway facilities, however, are excellent and afford complete
compensation for the loss of water transit. In opposition to these present ample
means of communication, the rejoicing caused by the establishment of a stage
line is sufficient to cause a smile. The Mankato Record of November 22, 1859,
notices the establishment of a new line, as follows: "Mr. Davis, the
enterprising proprietor of the mail line to Owatonna, informs us that he is
making arrangements to run a tri-weekly line of stages, connecting promptly at
Owatonna with two tri-weekly lines from that point to La Crescent, on the
Mississippi. The fare is $6.50 and time occupied in making this journey but two
and a half days."

   A substantial trade was enjoyed at an early period by the merchants of the
village. The Record in an article commenting on the respective future prospects
of Shakopee and Mankato, under date of July 12, 1859, says: "The past growth of
Mankato, considering the disadvantages under which it labored, has been very
rapid, yet it has not grown beyond the proportionate developement of its back
country. We venture the assertion, that to-day more improvements are being made
in Mankato than any other city or town of the state, outside of St. Paul. Its
trade continues brisk, notwithstanding the currency difficulties, and more
freights are brought to this point than to any other two towns on the river."

   Notwithstanding all the excitement attending "claim jumping" the settlers
found other means of occupying their time, one of which was the organization of
a lodge of the Sons of Malta. The order was very strong and flourished lustily
for some time. During the summer of 1859, the members had a midnight parade,
dressed in white sheets, the procession being headed by a loud sounding gong. It
was rumored among the people that it was a celebration that took place, by the
order, only once in a hundred years, and a large number of the inhabitants
waited beyond their usual bedtime to see the parade pass.

   In these early times, too, there was the Mankato Glee Club. During 1858 and
the succeeding year or two, it was in the zenith of its fame. It gave concerts
here and in St. Peter, and was a means of amusement and recreation that was held
in high esteem. The Mankato Lyceum was another institution that was running
prosperously about the same time, as a literary and debating association.

   Mankato has been doubly unfortunate in subjection to causes retarding its
growth. Besides the real estate troubles, and the resultant disturbances that
flowed from such a source of irritation, the Indian events of 1862 were made
disastrously manifest at this point.

   The remembrance of the woeful scenes enacted by the Indians still lingers in
the minds of many. The outbreak forms the saddest episode in the history of the
state. It is a subject treated so fully in the chapters of this work devoted to
a portrayal of the horrible events of that period, that it would be a work of
supererogation to more than briefly advert to the matter in this connection.

   Great excitement prevailed here and in the entire valley, when it became
known that efforts were being made in eastern cities, to save from execution,
the 300 captives, held by military force at Camp Lincoln. This state of feeling
culminated in an attempted raid upon the place where the prisoners were confined
for the purpose of exercising summary justice upon the wretches. The movement
seemed to be spontaneous and without pre-conception. It was rashly attempted and
foolishly conducted, without recognized leaders, and only the good nature and
firmness of the military commanders prevented serious results from accruing.
After this demonstration the Indians were removed to new quarters, adjoining
Leech's stone building, at Mankato. Strong guards were placed around the
building at the entrance and along Main street. The new quarters were
constructed of heavy logs, covered with a board roof.

   At a public meeting of the citizens, held at Mankato, December 3, 1862, a
series of resolutions were adopted, demanding of the president of the United
States, the speedy execution of the 300 convicted savages, then in prison at
that place, and protesting against the action of the society of Friends, who
were endeavoring at that time to dissuade the president from signing their death
warrant. They were denounced as " sickly humanitarians, whose zeal is without
knowledge, as well as impertinent; and who are alike the enemies of the people
of this State, and pernicious advisers of the government." The president's final
decision to sign an order for the hanging of thirty-nine of the condemned
Indians was commented upon by saying that "the precedent this established by the
president we hope will be followed by our State courts in disposing of the
remaining 260. Under date of December 17, 1862, at Mankato, Stephen Miller, the
colonel commanding the 7th Minnesota regiment volunteers, issued special order
number eleven, in which the following appeared: "The president of the United
States having directed the execution of thirty-nine of the Sioux and half-breed
prisoners now in my charge, on Friday the 26th instant— he having postponed the
time from the 19th instant—said execution will be carried into effect in front
of the Indian prison, at this place, on that day, at ten o'clock a. m."

   For the better preservation of order, on the day of execution, the citizens
of Mankato addressed a note to Colonel Miller, requesting him to declare martial
law in the town and vicinity, which was accordingly done, and the sale of
liquors to enlisted men prohibited. On Monday, before the execution, the
thirty-nine Indians sentenced were confined in an apartment separate and
distinct from the others, and the death warrant read to them in English, by
Colonel Miller, and interpreted by Bev. Mr. Biggs, during which very little
emotion was manifested by the Indians, although each listened, several of them
smoking their pipes composedly. The Indians under sentence were then confined in
a back room on the first floor of Leech's stone building, chained in pairs and
closely and strongly guarded.

   On the Thursday night before the execution, a special order was received by
Colonel Miller, postponing the execution of Ta-ti-mi-ma, reducing the number to
thirty-eight. All night long, and up to the hour of execution, persons were
constantly arriving to witness the hanging. The streets were densely crowded
most of the night with soldiers and visitors. A sand bar in the river, the
opposite bank, and all eligible places were occupied by spectators. The military
force present and their numbers, were; Sixth regiment, Lieut. Col. Averill, 200;
Seventh regiment, Col. Miller, 425; Ninth regiment, Col. Wilkin, 161; 10th
regiment, Col. Baker, 325; Captain White's mounted men, 35; first Regiment
Mounted Bangers, 273; making a total of 1,419. The gallows, constructed of heavy
square timbers, was located on the level opposite the headquarters. It was
twenty-four feet square, and in the form of a diamond. It was about twenty feet
in height. The drop was held by a large rope attached to a pole in the center of
the frame. The arms of the condemned were tied; some were painted and all wore
blankets or shawls over their shoulders. The last hour was occupied by Father
Ravoux in religious service. Captain Burt was officer of the day and officer of
the guard. Captain G. D. Redfield was provost marshal. The prisoners were
conducted to the scaffold between two files of soldiers stationed on the route.
Eight men were detailed, one to each section of the platform, to act as
executioners, and two men armed with axes were ready for any emergency. Upon
reaching the gallows they ascended the steps, and as they took their places
commenced singing a death song. When all was ready Major Brown, signal officer,
beat three distinct taps upon the drum. At the third stroke, William J. Duly, of
the Mounted Scouts, cut the rope, the drop fell, and in a second all but one
were suspended by the neck. The rope broke with him and he fell to the ground,
but his neck had been broken in the jerk and fall. He was instantly strung up
again. The majority died easily, but a few struggled violently. As the drop fell
a loud huzzah went up from the soldiers and spectators. Doctors Seigneuret and
Finch were detailed to examine the bodies. After all signs of life had
disappeared they were cut down and deposited in wagons, which were conveyed to
the place of burial, under an armed escort. The place of interment was a low
flat between the river and Front street.

   As a matter of history, also, it should be mentioned that these bodies were
not allowed to remain there long. Physicians and surgeons from all parts of the
adjacent country made efforts to obtain the cadavers as subjects for dissection;
one man wrote from Chicago to ask if he could be supplied with no less than
three of them. His application was too late, for as soon as night fell after the
day of execution the bodies had all been exhumed. Some one of the citizens
finding out the operations of the resurrectionists hastened to Col. Miller and
informed him of the circumstances then transpiring; on this a guard was
dispatched to watch the ground and prevent any more depredations being
committed. It is confidently asserted, however, that every one of them had been
removed prior to the arrival of the military guard. In the great haste made to
get away before the soldiers put a stop to the proceedings one of the bodies was
dropped, some distance from the place of interment, and left lying there. It had
evidently fallen from a wagon, and remained a ghastly refutation of the denial
of their removal.

   When all again was quiet in the valley the natural advantages of Mankato
asserted themselves, and settlers began to come in, and business improved with
the bright prospects of the future; which were greatly enhanced with the ending,
also, of the war of the rebellion.

   Mankato continued under its township organization until March 2, 1865, when
an act was passed giving it a separate corporate existence as a village. The
village organization existed until March 6, 1868, when the first city charter
was -granted. The first city elections were held on the fourth Tuesday of the
same month of March. Since then some two or three amendments have been made to
the original city charter.

   The present city hall, which is a fine brick edifice, three stories in
height, 44x80 feet in dimensions, was built in 1877. It stands on the spot where
the steamboats, in old days, used to make their landing.

   The fire department consists of the Mankato Hook and Ladder Company, which
was organized April 6, 1860, and two hose companies, each possessing hose carts.

   No steamers are necessary as the water works are on the celebrated Holly
system, which afford ample pressure and supply for fire purposes. These works
were completed in 1879.

   The first postmaster was P. K. Johnson, who acted in that capacity in 1855.
The succeeding changes were Basil Moreland, ______ Ferdinand,  R. J. Sibley,
Anna M. Sibley, James Thompson, W. D. Griswold, Orville Brown; the latter having
held the position since April 1871.

   Elevators. There are two elevators in Mankato, and another in course of
erection. The one on the line of the Chicago & Northwestern railway is owned by
Messrs. B. D. Hubbard & Co. Its capacity is sufficient to accommodate 60,000
bushels. They also own one nearly conpleted which will have a capacity of
175,000 bushels. The elevator on the Sioux City road, which has a capacity of
about 35,000 bushels, is owned and used by Messrs.  G. W. Van Duzen & Co. as a
cleaning elevator.

   Schools. Mankato enjoys the advantage of possessing efficiently conducted
schools. The first instruction was given by Miss Sarah J. Hanna in a private
house. The first school-house was built in the fall of 1855, of logs, and was
situated in the rear of where the present Union school building now stands; the
first school was taught in this structure by L. G. M. Fletcher, in the winter of
1855-'6. This continued to be the only public school building until 1866, when
the present Union school-house was commenced. Next year the building was
completed and occupied. The first graded school commenced in September, 1867,
the principal of which was Prof. Jennesson. Nine teachers are now employed. The
other public schools are the Pleasant Grove, which was built in 1871, in which
there are eight teachers; and the Franklin, built in 1873, which has four teachers.

   The Second State Normal School is also among the educational institutions of
Mankato. The bill creating it was introduced into the legislature hy Hon. D.
Buck, and was approved in 1866. The act appropriated $5,000 for erecting the
necessary buildings and paying the professors and teachers of the Second State
Normal School, provided the city of Mankato should donate an equal amount for
the same purpose. The city complied with the condition, and the school was
opened in the basement of the M. E. church, September 1, 1868, under the
superintendency of Prof. George M. Gage. On the 26th of October following it was
removed to the second story of J. J. Shaubut's store, corner of Front and Blain
streets. The school continued there until April 26, 1870, when the Normal
building was formally opened and occupied, about one month previous to the
graduation of the first class. Prof. Gage continued in the principalship until
June, 1872, when he resigned and was succeeded by Miss Julia A. Sears, who
served in that capacity for one year. She was succeeded, July 22, 1873, by Rev.
D. C. John, who in turn was succeeded by the present incumbent, Edward Searing,
in 1880.

   Until the year 1874 text-books were furnished to the pupils gratis; since
then they have been required to provide such articles at their own expense. The
total expense of erecting and keeping the building in repair has been nearly
$60,000. The faculty consists of nine instructors. Since its opening nearly
2,000 students have been enrolled in the normal department, and the graduates
number 222. The building has three full stories and basement, the latter of
stone, the former of brick. The towers are of cut stone, with rustic comers,
cupolas and small spires. The building is very ornate in appearance.

   Besides the above schools there is Saints Peter and Paul's parish school in
connection with the Catholic church, and in which some 350 children are being
educated. It has also a high school department, with an attendance of about
fifty. Three male and six female teachers are employed. The Lutherans also have
a school in connection with their church.

   Churches: Father Ravoux, on June 24, 1855, celebrated the first mass in the
county, at a log house belonging to Michael Hunt, situated about four miles
north of Mankato, in Lime township. In 1855 a gathering of people was held in
Leo Lamm's shop, -for the purpose of arranging about the building of a church.
Michael Hunt had bought a block, with the understanding that it was to be used
for church purposes, when the time came, in the winter of 1854-'55. It was
valued at $600, of which the half was paid in cash, and the other half donated
by the old company, the owner of the property. In the fall of 1855 arrangements
were perfected to build a stone church—the foundations were laid and the walls
started. In the spring of 1856 they went on with the work until the walls were
up, but no roof was put on. In October of this year Father Winninger held a
mission, during which he urged the people to put the roof on, which was done,
and the church used for purposes of worship. He closed his mission the same
fall. From the time the first mass was held, Michael Hunt's log house (another
one a mile east of town, not the first house mentioned) was used for church
purposes, and services were held by Father Vivalti. In the summer of 1855 Bishop
Cretin visited the place, and it was through his efforts, chiefly, that the
church spoken of was put up. He himself gave two twenty-dollar gold pieces
toward the project, and a young student, afterward Father Oster, gave ten
dollars. In March, 1856, Father Somereisen came to Mankato as the priest, and
then the people moved Hunt's log house to the church block, where it was used
for church purposes, and as the residence of the priest. After the stone church
was finished the log house was somewhat improved and was used as the private
residence until Father Somereisen built himself a new residence. After he
vacated his old place some sisters of Notre Dame came (in 1864) and used it as a
residence and for school purposes.

   In 1859 an addition was made to the church and another story put on—the upper
part being used as a church and the lower as a school. In 1868 the new church
was begun, the foundations laid, and then nothing more was done for some time.
In 1870 Father Somereisen went on a visit to France, where he was kept by the
war for over a year and a half, during which time Father Wisel held services for
a short time in his place, until Father Holzer relieved him of the charge. The
latter remained until January, 1871, when Father Wirth came as priest, under
whose supervision the new church was built as it now is. In 1874 it was put
under the charge of the Jesuit order, with Father Schnitzler as superior of the
order at Mankato, who soon began and finished the church as it now stands, in
1876, at a cost of $40,000.

   The Presbyterian church was organized August 31, 1855, with seventeen
members, of whom fourteen are still living. The Rev. James Thompson was the
first minister; Amos t). Seward elder. The congregation first occupied the
school-house, the various halls in town and other places of meeting, until their
church edifice, a brick one, was erected, and occupied in an unfinished
condition in the winter of 1864. The church was finished and dedicated
September, 1865. The Rev. James Thompson continued as minister until 1862, when
the Rev. Marcus Hicks succeeded him, who finally became seriously sick, while in
charge, and while away in search of health, he died, in 1864, at Cincinnati.
Then there was no minister in charge until January, 1865, when the Rev. Thomas
Marshall became the pastor and continued as such until 1869, after which the
Rev. Joseph B. Little succeeded and remained in charge until June, 1881, since
when the pulpit has been vacant. The present membership is 300.

   The Centenary Methodist Episcopal church had an organization as early as 1855
or 1856; the meetings, like all the early churches being held in different
places. The present church building, on the corner of Second and Cherry streets,
was erected in 1866. The first regular pastor of the congregation was Rev. W. S.
Gunn, who was in charge from some time in 1858 until February 1859, the
remainder of which year was filled out by B. Y. Coffin. The successive pastors
have been: Revs. John Kerns, Mr. Pence. Mr. Smith, S. A. Chubbuck, Thomas Day,
David Tice, E. R. Lathrop, S. A. Gale, J. R. Creighton, James Door, Thomas
McClary, J. W. Macomber, and C. W. Savidge.

   Baptist Church: It is not known to a certainty who was the first Baptist
minister to preach in Mankato, although it is supposed to have been Rev. A.
Gale, who was state missionary. The first Baptist organization was effected
August 21, 1859, with fifteen members, so it is stated; only the names of
twelve, however, can he found on the records. They are: Rev. J. B. Ash, M. J.
Ash, A. L. Hazelton, M. A. Hezelton, F. T. Waitt, Louisa Waitt, Isaac Andrews,
Uncle Andrews, Mary Ward, Jane Mellard, Eliza Ross and Mary Fowler. The first
deacon was D. I. Andrews, who was succeeded by F. T. Waitt, who now fills the
position. D. A. Thayer and W. P. Gilson, were also selected to be deacons with
him. At first the congregation worshipped at any place they could obtain for the
purpose, at the Masonic hall, a store building on Front street, the log
school-house, etc., until in 1864, under the pastorate of Rev. J. G. Craven the
present edifice was constructed. The next pastor was Rev. E. R. Cressy, who came
May 3, 1868; he was followed by Rev. L. B. Tefft, R. F. Gray, J. W. Reese, J. W.
Whitney and J. T. Merriam February 1881. The last named is the present pastor.
Last summer important improvements and enlargements were made in the church
building at an expense of nearly $1,000.

   Welch Calvanistic Church: Was organized in the fall of 1865, under the
auspices of Bev. Joseph Bees, of Butternut valley, with about twenty-five
members. The erection of a structure for church purposes was commenced the same
fall and finished the next spring. It is a frame and cost about $2,000. Until
1872 the church was included in a circuit, but since that time Rev. R. F. Jones
has been stationed here as local pastor. The present membership is about fifty.

   St. Johns' Episcopal Church: The meeting for the purpose of incorporating the
society was held July 9, 1866. Its corporators were Rev. Alpheus Spor, A. T.
Lindholm, C. S. Dunscomb, N. Finch, P. B. Sparrow, J. Hollenbeck, J. C. Jones,
E. D. B. Porter. Services had been conducted at Shoemaker's hall and elsewhere
for some time previous. The church was built in 1867. Its membership has grown
from a number in 1866 barely sufficient for organization to about sixty at
present. The first services held at Mankato, before the church was built were by
Rev. Blow in 1863; the next was Rev. Tanner in 1865, who was succeeded by Rev.
Alpheus Spor in 1866. The next rector was Rev. G. W. Dunbar, followed by Rev. F.
C. Coolbaugh, Rev. S. J. Yundt and William Richmond. The latter resigned
September 21, 1881, since when there has been no regular pastor.

   German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation U. A. C. was organized in
1866. The church building was erected the succeeding year, at which period the
membership consisted of thirty families. Rev. W. Vomhof was the first minister
of the congregation, who arrived September 1, 1867. On the 7th of July, 1868 he
moved to Davenport, Iowa, and the Rev. A. Kuhn was called to the office of
pastor, in April, 1869, and has since continued to officiate. The present
membership of the church is ninety families.

   Jerusalem church of the Evangelical association of North America, was
incorporated in 1868 with a very few members. They gathered together in private
houses, the log school-house and other places until 1873, when the present
church was erected on Second street. The following is a list of the various
pastors, many of whom came as missionaries before the church organization was
perfected. Rev. August Huelster, in 1860; Rev. E. A. Healscher, together with
Rev. William Geasy, F. Emde, A. Strohmeier, P. Botte, W. Oehler, G. Knebel, F.
Sahr, Hermann Ohs; the latter is the present pastor.

   The Norwegian Evangelical church was organized in 1867 with about twenty-five
members. Rev. T. H. Dahl was the first pastor. Up to 1875 they rented the German
Lutheran church, which they occupied when not in use by its congregation, and
then erected their present church building at a cost of $7,000. The present
membership is about 100. The pastors since Rev. T. H. Dahl have been Rev.
Hatrem, Rev. H. G. Stubb, and Rev. M. Borge, who now officiates.

   Trinity Lutheran Evangelical church: Norwegian. This society was organized in
1869, and the first meetings held at the court house hall. The first regular
pastor was the Rev. Nels Olson, who continued as pastor for about five years,
when N. S. Heggerness, in 1875 took his place, and has since continued to occupy
it. In 1875 the congregation built the church now used.

   Congregational church. The ecclesiastical society of the First Congregational
church met for the adoption of a constitution and organization October 29, 1870.
An organization was soon after perfected and a church built. The Rev. C. H.
Merrill was pastor from 1870 until Rev. L. W. Chaney succeeded him, in 1873, who
remained until the spring of 1881, when Rev. Joseph A. Freeman was called and
has since remained.

   First German society of the Methodist Episcopal church. The first missionary
was the Rev. J. C. Jahn, who was stationed at Mankato September 29,1873, at
which time Rev. E. E. Schuette was presiding elder of the district in which
Mankato was situated. At this date there was only one family in Mankato that
belonged to this church. The first meeting was held in the same house in which
the minister lived, and up to May 18, 1879, all meetings were held in private
houses. The quarterly conference, held August 15, 1876, passed a resolution that
a meeting house should be built at Mankato which should cost about $1,000. The
members not being able to make up that sum Rev. E. E. Schuette, the presiding
elder, went abroad in the spring of 1877, to collect funds with which to build.
This resulted in the building of a church edifice at the corner of Broad and
Spring streets, 30x50 feet in dimension, brick veneered, in gothic style, which
was commenced in May, 1878. The church was dedicated May 1.8, 1879. The cost of
the same was $3,200. The present pastor is Rev. E. E. Schuette; the present
membership, 58. Between the officiation of the Revs. Jahn and Schuette, from
1876 to 1877, Rev. Chris Mauer, and from 1877 to 1880, Rev. W. H. Rolfing, acted
as ministers.

   The Swedish Lutheran church was organized in 1873 under the auspices of the
Rev. Lundell, of St. Peter. A lot was obtained and next year, 1874, the present
church edifice was constructed of brick. The first regular pastor was Rev. J. G.
Lagerstrom, who commenced his pastorate in 1874. The ministers since have been
Rev. J. P. Nyquist and Rev. A. Anderson, the latter being the present pastor.
The present membership is about fifty.

   Seventh Day Adventists. This sect built a church on ground given, in 1874, by
J. R. Tinkcom. This was the first Seventh Day Adventist church built in
Minnesota. The first to occupy the pulpit was Ferdinand Morse. At present no
minister is in charge, although meetings are held regularly every Saturday.

   Christian church. This organization dates back some twelve years. The first
to fill the pulpit was Rev. A. B. Council, the second, Rev. E. T. C. Bennett,
and the third Rev. Edwin Rogers. The latter was pastor, commencing in the fall
of 1875 and continued for two and a half years. Since the retirement of the
latter no regular pastor has been in charge. Meetings, however, are regularly
held. The membership is about seventy.

   Societies. On March 10, 1856, a dispensation was granted Mankato Lodge, No.
12, A. F. and A. M.; January 6, 1857, the lodge was duly chartered. The first
meetings were held in a room over the store occupied by Robert Wardlow. During
1857 quarters were secured in a log house on the corner of Hickory and Second
streets, which is still standing. Subsequently the meetings were held for some
time in rooms in the building used as a city hall, until better accommodation
was obtained in the third story of White & Marks' building, which was used until
1877, when the second story of the building on the comer of Hickory and Second
streets, was leased for a period of ninety-nine years. There are 120 members.

   Blue Earth Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted in 1863. Present
number of members, sixty.

   Mankato Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, was organized in 1865; number of
members at present, sixty.

   Cereal Chapter, No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized in 1871;
number of members, forty.

   Osiris Lodge of Perfection, No. 5, of the ancient and accepted Scottish rite,
was instituted July 16, 1880; present number of members, seventeen.

   Mankato Lodge, No. 15, I. O. O. F., was instituted November 17, 1866, with
six charter members. At first the meetings were held in Higgins' store building.
In 1868 they moved into their present commodious quarters in the Barr building.
The lodge at present consists of ninety-eight members.

   Schiller Lodge, No. 29, I. O. O. F., was formed by the withdrawal of a number
of those who preferred to work in the German language. It was instituted August
27, 1870, with twelve charter members; at present it consists of fifty.

   Blue Earth Encampment, No. 8, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 6, 1872, with
eight charter members. There are now nineteen members.

   Mankato Lodge No. 2053, K. of H., was organized in the winter of 1879-'80
with twenty-five charter members.

   Mankato Lodge No. 27, A- O. U. W., was organized September 24, 1877, with
twelve charter members.

   Mankato Union No. 355, of the Equitable Aid Union, was organized with
thirty-two charter members, August 18, 1881.

   The Ladies Aid Society is composed of the members of various churches of the
city, and has for its object the assisting of poor families. It has a large and
active membership and has been organized about ten years.

 The Old Settlers Society was started by J. S. Hinckley. It originated in 1870
at a gathering of old settlers held at Mr. Hinckley's house. An organization was
effected and the year 1855 was set as the date previous to which it was
necessary to have been a settler in order to join the society. This date has
since been changed to the years of 1856-'7, and the time when Minnesota became a
state.

   The Library Association was one of the few incorporations effected under the
territorial legislature, which was obtained in 1857. Its real organization was
not perfected until some years later. It obtained the nucleus of a good library,
but the difficulty pf obtaining suitable rooms, and some one to act as
librarian, caused the association to turn the books over to the Y. M. C. A. At
present it exists merely in name.

   The Mankato Driving Park was incorporated in 1873, by several energetic
individuals, for the purpose of holding fairs, and other cognate objects. A
large plat of ground belongs to the association. About a year after its
inception the South-western Minnesota Poultry Association was organized and held
its first annual exhibition on their grounds.

   The Mankato Cemetery Association was incorporated July 15, 1869, for the
purpose of creating Glenwood cemetery. Twenty-five acres of ground were
purchased, about a mile in a south-eastern direction from the city. The land was
laid out and the plat recorded January 2, 1870. It is being improved, and is
getting to be a very handsome place.

   The Mankato Mutual Building and Loan Association was organized February,
1881. The general purpose of the corporation is the raising and accumulation of
funds to be loaned to its members to enable them to build houses and purchase
real estate.

   The Young Men's Christian Association was first organized in the year 1868,
with G. B. Cleveland as president and Dr. A. C. May secretary. A reorganization
was effected December 15, 1874, and E. M. Pope elected president and J. S.
Robinson secretary. It has, since the last date, been in active operation, has
had a reading-room, has had the library of the Mankato Library Association in
charge since 1875, has sustained mission schools, held jail services, and held
weekly meetings during all the time. Under its auspices lecture courses were
maintained for a number of winters.

   The Board of Trade was organized September 16, 1868, the first president
being J. H. Barr. It is simply an association of prominent business men, who
bold meetings for the consideration and furtherance of matters and projects
likely to prove of benefit to the city. It possesses no executive functions.

   Newspapers: The first newspaper to be printed in Mankato was the Independent,
which was started in 1857 by the firm of Hensley & Gunning. Mr. Hensley died in
1862, and the paper was con-, ducted until the fall of the same year by Mr.
Gunning, when Mr. C. H. Slocum, now of Blue Earth city, purchased the entire
outfit and started the Mankato Union, which was continued by Slocum until 1865,
when he sold it to W. B. Griswold, now of Chaska. In 1872 he sold an interest to
Judge Cleveland, and the paper was conducted by the firm of Griswold &
Cleveland, who continued until it .became the sole property of Judge Cleveland,
who in 1877 sold it to George W. Neff, who in turn sold it to General J. H.
Baker, who afterward merged it and the Mankato Record into the Free Press.

   The Free Press was started by General Baker in 1879. He sold an interest
subsequently to J. Lute Christie, now of the Blue Earth City Journal. In
September, 1880, the firm of Woodard & Foss became the owners of the paper and
conducted it until the spring of 1881, when George C. Chamberlin, formerly of
the Jackson (Minn.) Republic, bought Foss' interest, and the firm of Woodard &
Chamberlain was formed. In the fall of 1881, Mr. Chamberlain retired on account
of failing eye-sight.

   The Mankato Review is the successor of the Record, which latter was
established as a democratic journal July 5, 1859, by John C. Wise. It was then
an eight column weekly, 24x36 inches in size. It was continued as such until
July 3, 1860, when it appeared as a semi-weekly, and was issued as such until
August, 1862, when it became again a hebdomadal publication. In November, 1868,
Mr. Wise sold the paper to Mr. Orville Brown (the present postmaster of
Mankato), who ran it as a republican journal until it was merged into the Free
Press by General Baker, who purchased it, in October, 1879, and then started the
Free Press.

   In the meantime E. C. Payne and Mr. Wise formed a partnership, in 1869, and
started the Mankato Review. The firm continued in existence for one year, at
which time Mr. Wise purchased his partners interest and has since conducted the
Review alone. The Review is democratic in politics, is issued every Tuesday,
possesses a large circulation and wields much influence in the county. It is
well edited and independent and outspoken in all things.

    The Public Spirit, a weekly independent republican journal now published at
Mankato, was first established at Lake Crystal, in December, 1879, by J. D.
Quane. In December, 1880, he removed the office, material, etc. to Mankato,
where he located on the corner of Mulberry and Front streets. In May, 1881, he
removed to his present location, number 45, South Front street. Much enterprise
has been displayed in the management of the paper, which has resulted in
building up a very good circulation. An editor is still maintained at Lake
Crystal, so that it may be considered to be divided into two departments.

    The Minnesota Beobachter is the outgrowth of a German paper published first
in 1873 by L. Schramm. It was only continued for a little longer than a year
when John M. Broome purchased the property and changed its title to the above.
He has since continued to edit it. Its size is 24x36.

    G. W. Neff, who formerly was one of the proprietors of the Mankato Union, is
engaged in business as a general book and job printer at 63 South Front street.
He started the enterprise in March, 1880. C. B. Boeck, in May, 1880, established
a book bindery.

    Hotels—The Mankato House, as previously stated was the first hotel erected
in the settlement. It was owned and occupied by Henry Shaubut until 1860, when
it was rented to F. C. Roosevelt, who had been a clerk for some time. The house
was conducted by various parties until 1863, when G. C. Burt and D. F. Law
bought the house. Mr. Burt obtained entire control in 1864 and has since owned
and carried on the house alone. In 1870 the house was completely rebuilt and
refitted. In 1881 another addition was made necessary by the increase of trade.
The house is of brick, three stories in height and is 60x66 feet in dimensions.

    The Merchants' Hotel was opened as a first-class hotel by the present
proprietor, Miner Porter.

    The Minnesota House was originally a log building put up in 1853 by Clemens
Kron. In 1856 Mr. Kron erected a new building which he occupied until 1870, when
he built the present structure. The family still own the house but rent it to J.
C. Klein. Mr. Kron's son, Joseph, born May 21, 1854 was the first child born in
Mankato.

   The Clifton house was first opened by M. T. C. Flower and has passed through
many changes in ownership and management. S. S. Ingram is the present proprietor.

   The City Hotel was opened in 1868 by H. Himmelman, the present proprietor.
The Gates House, owned by Richard Gates & Son, was built by Andrew Donnelly
about 1867. The house was leased to Mr. Pratt in September, 1881. The Minneopa
House was erected in 1858 by the West Mankato company. It was sold and removed
to its present site; A. Baker now conducts it. Besides the above mentioned,
there are the Union House, American House, Washington House and several smaller
ones.

   The first livery business was started in connection with the Mankato House by
Shauhut & Hudson in 1856. In 1857 a stable was built by Hanna & Ayers, but they
failed in 1858 and the stable was taken charge of by B. D. Pay, who ran it
several months. In 1858 Tyner and Hoover started a stable. In 1862 B. D. Pay
became a partner with D. H. Tyner and the business was continued until 1873 when
the stable was burned. About 1864 a man named Swain started in the business
which he sold the next season to C. Kron, of the Minnesota House, who closed it
out about a year later. About 1866 Tompkins & Quinn started business in the
Mankato House stable. The firm underwent several changes, Frank Tompkins
retaining his share. In 1869 E. L. Rosebrook became his partner and the firm
continued until June, 1881, when the present firm of Rosebrook & Phillips was
formed.

   In 1864 B. D. Pay started his present livery business. In 1866 sold to Tuttle
& Zuel and in January following bought the latter's interest, and the following
summer secured entire control and has since conducted the business. His present
premises are very fine and in every way adapted for their special purpose. The
entire edifice was completed in 1881. The City livery and sale stable of George
W. Monks, is the outgrowth of the stable conducted by C. J. Klein in 1871. The
barn was burned in 1873 and soon after, Mr. Monks obtained full ownership and
has since continued the business alone.

   Banks: The first attempt to start a bank in Mankato was made by eastern
parties, about 1854 or 1855. They went as far as to print their notes and send
on their cashier to perfect arrangements. A published account of the attempt
says, but "on account of some unforeseen difficulty the organization was never
made, and the cashier pre-empted a farm across the river and went to splitting
rails. A pair of shears with which the victimized official proposed to cut the
note-sheets, and a few of the blank notes, may still be seen in a down town
insurance office."

   R. J. Sibley, in 1857, assumed the title of banker. His business, however,
could hardly be called that of a banker in the proper sense of the word, as he
did very little, if any, bank business. His principal pursuits would come under
the heads of conveyancing, brokerage and notary public.

   The first real bank was that started by the late Major Edward Randolph Parry,
under the firm name of Parry & Brother, his brother, Richard Randolph Parry,
being associated with him in the enterprise. The firm was possessed of ample
financial means, drew its own bills of exchange on Europe, and was in all
respects a solvent institution. It was established in 1856, and continued for
several years, when the bank was closed on account of there not being sufficient
scope for its operations. Both the brothers were from Philadelphia, Pa.

   When the state railroad bonds became a basis of banking, a bank was started
at Garden City, known as the Garden City Bank. About 1860 it was removed from
there to Mankato, its name changed, and an attempt made to do business, which,
however, failed, from the fact that the city was then not far enough advanced in
wealth and population to maintain a bank. It was closed up and its circulation
all redeemed.

 ' The firm of E. H. Smith & Co., which subsequently became Smith & Tinkcom, was
another of the early banking institutions, which flourished from the fall of
1862 until about the latter part of 1863 or the beginning of 1864.

   In October, 1865, the firm of J. J. Thornton & Company, composed of J. J.
Thornton, John N. Hall, M. S. Wilkinson and Mrs. Katie A. Hubbell, was organized
for the purpose of engaging in the banking business. John N. Hall was the
manager, and the capital invested was about $10,000. This was continued until
Sept. 10, 1868, when the First National Bank was organized, with a capital of
$60,000. The amount of circulation issued was $54,000. The first officers were
A. C. Woolfalk, president; John F. Meagher, vice-president, and John N. Hall,
cashier. The latter continued to fill the position of cashier until 1880, since
when H. C. Akers has acted in that capacity. The amount of capital has since
been increased to $75,000. The present president of the bank is John A. Willard.

   In 1866 another banking house was established by Lewis & Shaubut. In the
spring of 1867 J. H. Barr was admitted into partnership, when the firm name
became Lewis, Shaubut & Co., and continued so until the spring of 1868, when Mr.
Barr sold out his interest, and the firm again became Lewis & Shaubut. On
October 1, 1876, H. M. Hamilton was admitted into partnership, and the firm
became known as Lewis, Shaubut & Hamilton, since which it has remained the same.
The institution is known as the City Bank, enjoys the confidence of the
community, and does a good business. The first building occupied was where the
Mankato post-office now is. The next was the brick building opposite the Mankato
House, in which the Odd Fellow's Hall is situated, which was built by the firm.
On October 1, 1877, they bought, and afterward remodeled, the present premises
used, which are in every way adapted to their special purposes.

   The Citizens' National Bank is the most recent of Mankato fiscal
institutions. It was organized in July, 1872, with John F. Meagher as president,
who has since continued to fill that position. The name of the present cashier
is J. H. Ray. The capital invested is $70,000.

   Manufactures—The Mankato Linseed Oil Company manufactures linseed oil and oil
cake. The company was established in 1872, with a cash capital invested of
$150,000. The buildings occupied are well constructed, of brick, and are of
large dimensions. Employment is furnished to about twenty men. The officers of
the company are, J. A. Willard, president; R. D. Hubbard, treasurer and general
superintendent; G. Palmer, secretary.

   The large flouring mill built in 1878-9 by the Mankato Mill Company is now
owned and operated by R. D. Hubbard & Co. The senior member of the present firm
was the principal owner in the old company, there being two other members each
with only small interests which were afterwards purchased by R. D. Hubbard. In
1880 F. L. Waters bought an interest in the concern, the corporate name still
remaining as the Mankato Mill Company; this latter was changed to its present
style in 1881. The capacity of the mill is 500 barrels of flour daily. The
roller process is the method used in production. An average number of
thirty-five hands are employed.

   Messrs. Sage operate the Farmers' mill, which is engaged in the production of
custom work. It is an old established mill, and contains two run of stone.

   Septimus P. Morrison conducts a steam feed mill, which has been in operation
by him for some six or seven years.

   J. B. & W. Wittrock are largely engaged in the manufacture of flour and other
barrels and turn out 400 barrels per day.

   Richard Bros. are also engaged in business as coopers, their location being
in the upper part of town. The business was established in 1880. The firm
employs from ten to fifteen hands and turn out an average of 125 flour barrels
daily.

   The firm of John G. Dauber Jr. & Co. was established September 15, 1881. They
are proprietors of the North Star Plow Works which business was originally
founded in 1869, by Moher & Dauber.

   The pump works now operated by W. D. Tomkins were established in 1867 by
Tomkins & Phelps.

   The Mankato Carriage Works, of which A. M. Smith is the proprietor, were
established by Mr. Smith and Hiram Shaw in 1866. All descriptions of carriages
and wagons are manufactured and a large trade enjoyed.

   Messrs. Jensen & Hoerr are engaged in the production of carriages, wagons,
etc., besides doing a large amount of general blacksmithing. The business was
established in 1871 by H. P. Jensen and A. Miller at the present location,
corner of Second and Jackson streets. The business furnishes employment to ten men.

   There are several other firms and individuals engaged in business as wagon
makers and blacksmiths, among whom should be mentioned Williams & Beach, A.
Mayer, A. Mayer, Jr., F. Lorentz, Lorentz & Mayer, Hellesheim & Lorentz,
Helleshiem & Roll, J. Meihofer, J. A. Pepper, C. Vosbeck, Dougherty Bros, and
some others.

   James Cannon, should also be mentioned in this connection as a dealer in
wagons and carriages, He has been engaged in business since 1858.

   Mankato Machine Company: This enterprise was established as a stock company
in 1874. The shops are quite extensive and contain all necessary appliances and
machinery. The principal articles of manufacture are plows and other
agricultural machinery, of which a large number are annually turned out. The
officers of the company are L. G. M. Fletcher, president; Robert Roberts,
secretary; H. K. Lee, superintendent and treasurer. There is another machine
shop at the other end of the city, located near the Sioux City railroad depot.
It is conducted by Fred. Boegan, who has been engaged in business for quite a
number of years.

   S. Le Chilson manufactures steam boilers, his location being at 177 South
Front street. The enterprise was established by himself in the fall of 1876.

   Mankato Woolen Mills: This business was first established by Jacob Bierbauer,
about 1867, when he built the present structure at a cost of about $20,000. In
1874 Mr. Ross obtained possession and has since conducted the enterprise
successfully. The business is about equally divided between merchants and custom
work. In connection with the mill is a store, situated at number 177 North Front
street. The business is conducted by the Mankato Woolen Manufacturing company,
the capital stock of which is $25,000. Of this amount $22,000 is owned by Mr. Ross.

   The production of brick is quite an interest in Mankato, there being four
yards in active operation. There are also several stone quarries worked and
several lime kilns.

   The brewing interest is represented by three breweries. Gassler & Co., of
West Mankato, commenced in 1874. Their business was established by Messrs. Wolf
& Traut, and has passed under several ownerships until it came into possession
of the present firm. They brew from 1,100 to 1,400 barrels per annum. The firm
consists of W. Gassler and John Nagle.

   The brewery now owned by Messrs. Graber & Co. was also built by Messrs. Welch
& Wolf. After several firm changes it became the property of the present
proprietors in the fall of 1879. The present structure was rebuilt in 1874.
About 500 barrels per annum is the amount produced.

   The brewery conducted by Joseph Ibach, which is situated in the south-east
portion of the city was established in 1868 by Conrad Boeckle. In 1876 he sold
it to A. Jacoby, who, in 1878, disposed of it to Joseph Ibach.

   The North Star marble works were established in 1876 by A. R. Eckle. In 1879
J. T. Odegard became a partner and the firm is now A. R. Eckle & Co. Theodore
Scattergood began in 1866 to manufacture fanning mills, and afterwards added
sulky rakes and similar articles to the products. Since 1879 Mr. Scattergood has
been county auditor, and but little manufacturing has been done.

  The only tanning establishment in the Minnesota valley is run by Edwin Grubb.
The business was started in 1872.

  N. Webster & Co. have recently commenced the manufacture of separators and
other kinds of mill machinery. Henry Boegan conducts a saw, planing and feed
mill. There is another planing mill, not in operation at present.

  Business interests—G. E. Brett, fancy and staple dry goods, established
business in 1868, and moved to his present store in 1880. The firm of McConnell
& Co. began dry goods business in 1878. Boots and shoes, millinery and carpets
have since been added to the lines carried. Frink & Brown are wholesale and
retail dealers in dry goods: business was established in 1872 by D. A. Jones,
Jr. Christenson Brothers, dealers in dry goods and groceries, was begun in 1859
by H. P. Christenson. Miller & Busch conduct a large business in dry goods,
groceries, etc. Mrs. J. P. Krost carries on a general dry goods and grocery
trade, dating from 1871. F. Kron has dealt in dry goods and groceries for the
past five years.

  R. J. Thomas has been in the grocery business for sixteen years. Other dealers
in groceries are: John Glavin, J. A. Presley & Son, B. F. Davis & Son, Clements
& Piper, Allen & Pardy, G. M. Ray, T. J. Pierce, J. Fresholtz, N. S. Karmany, M.
A. Sherk & Son, W. J. Martin, John Mahowald. Stephen Lamm, an old settler,
started business in the same block in which he is now located, in 1856. He has a
prosperous trade in dry goods and groceries.

  Besides those above mentioned, are others engaged in similar lines of trade,
among them Joseph Menth and E. O'Leary; the latter is also engaged in the
commission business.

  Leo Lamm, an early settler, has been in the boot and shoe business in his
present location since 1855, and with the growth of the town has built up a good
trade. Griebel & Brother is a boot and shoe firm that has continued business
without change since 1865. C. H. Austin & Son, dealers in boots and shoes;
business started in 1866. J. G. Andrews commenced the sale of boots and shoes in
1879. Peter Larson began business in 1864 as boot and shoe maker. Besides the
above, B. Kohler and several others are engaged in business as boot and shoe
makers, of whom E. Oglesby is one of the oldest established, having commenced in
1857.

   The hardware business is represented by five houses. John F. Meagher is one
of the oldest, having started in 1858. L. L. Davis is the successor of the
business established in 1863 by P. B. Sparrows. Gerhard Lulsdorff has been in
the hardware business for thirteen years. Weis & Gebhard was established in 1875
by J. Gebhard & Son. Benjamin Tuttle, dealer in hardware and agricultural
implements, began in 1870. I. N. Dean deals in farm machinery. J. D. Fireston is
the general agent of C. Aultman & Co., farm machinery. Gebhard & Schweitzer are
agents for D. M. Osborne & Co.'s agricultural implements. H. E. Howard and Pope
& Mohr also deal in farm machinery.

   Isidor Longini & Co., proprietors of the Star clothing house, carry heavy
stocks of clothing, gents' furnishing goods, trunks, valises, etc. The business
was established in 1872. Pond Brothers occupy a fine brick building and opened
in Mankato in September, 1881. They carry a full line of clothing. L. Henlein
runs the Philadelphia clothing house. W. B. Smith, dealer in clothing and
merchant tailor, is successor of Samuel Randall, established in 1863. Other
merchant tailors are Jorgensen & Modson, M. O. Sundt, O. Mickelson and Dentinger.

   The business of John A. Samborn is the combination of three drug houses. It
was formerly Samborn & Walz. The former business of D. A. Condit and Frisbee &
Shepard are also merged with it. The latter house was the first drug business in
Mankato and dates back to 1859. A large stock of drugs is carried, and musical
instruments, music and sewing machines are also goods handled.

   W. Hodapp is the successor of the drug firm of Hodapp & Tollman, established
in 1872. J. R. Jones, druggist, succeeded to the business started by Warner
Bros, in 1861. He carries a good stock and also manufactures some proprietary
medicines. N. Webster succeeded to the business formerly conducted by G. W.
Austin, who began in 1870. Snow & Andrews are located at 100 South Front Street.

   E. A. Tiffany conducts a well arranged store for the sale of books,
stationery, music, sewing machines, etc. J. H. Chapman carries a full stock of
china, glass, crockery and stationery. Manderfeld & Williams deal in paints,
oils and paper hangings.

 C. D. Taylor carries a fine assortment of jewelry, watches, clocks, etc. P. K.
Wiser, jeweler, commenced in 1866. S. B. Martin began jewelry business in 1877.

   John Klein opened a furniture, carpet and upholstery store in 1869. J.
Kreutzer is also engaged in the furniture business. There are five saddlery and
harness shops—W. B. Walker & Co., G. Schmidt, L. C. Nelson, W. T. Liedloff and
H. Guth.

   The bakery and confectionery business is represented by Levi Bancroff, Arnold
Goesman, Jr., R. W. Beebe, T. F. Phelps, H. A. Moos. There are three
photographers—E. F. Everitt, D. D. Ingram and W. Davies.

   A. B. Todd deals in millinery and milliners' goods at wholesale and retail.
Mrs. M. L. Foulke, Miss Carrie Stephens, Mrs. Levi Sudermann, Mrs. M. Dittman
and Mrs. F. H. Fowler are also engaged in the millinery business.

   J. H. Long & Co. are engaged as butter and egg shippers. Cargill Bros, are
grain dealers; P. E. Pirath and A. S. Bouse & Son deal in flour, feed and grain;
Nicholas Lang, hide and wool dealer. Staples & Winship are large lumber dealers;
Laird, Norton & Co. also have a lumber yard here.

   P. H. Carney since 1873 has succeeded in building up a very extensive trade
in wines and liquors, which he deals in at wholesale and retail. He has a very
large stock of all descriptions of wines, liquors, cigars, etc., and handles
only first-class articles.

   Evans Goodrich, an old settler in Mankato, also carries a good stock of
liquors. In 1880 he bought out the business, started in 1871 by S. S. Ashby.
Besides the above there are over twenty saloons in town, in addition to those
connected with hotels.

   Isaac Marks for many years has been engaged in handling and preparing
ginseng. It is quite an extensive business, and has been so for many years. It
is shipped direct from Mankato to China, where it is much esteemed.

   There are six meat markets, of which the leading two are those of J. H. & J.
S. Davis, and that of J. M. Karmany.

   The Singer Sewing Machine Company is represented by A. J. Winters, who has
represented the company since May, 1880. L. C. Schroeder deals in sewing machine
parts.

   W. Boeck and Charles Tesch conduct a laundry. J. W. Fowler keeps a paint shop
and does general painting. Wickersham & Brown, since May, 1881, have been in
business as plumbers.

   Roberts Bros., since the fall of 1879, have been dealers in all kinds of well
pumps.

   The legal profession is well represented by the following named attorneys: M.
G. Willard, John C. Noe, W. L. Coon, O. O. Pitcher, C. W. Gilmore, Thomas &
Washburn, Waite & Porter, S. F. Barney, Brown & Wiswell, F. W. Muff, W. B.
Torrey, Freeman & Pfau, J. F. Walsh, P. A. Foster and Hon. Daniel Buck.

   The following are the names of the practicing physicians: C. F. Warner, S. F.
Snow, William Frisbie, C. J. Davis, T. G. Vincent, W. R McMahan, Oscar Trinkler,
J. L. Dornberg, Z. G. Harrington, E. H. Foster. The dentists are Drs. McGrew,
Curryer and Wood.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from 

History of the Minnesota Valley
Minneapolis: North Star Publishing Co. (1882)


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