Nobles County MN Archives History - Books .....Chapter XVII Adrian 1908 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com October 17, 2006, 7:26 pm Book Title: An Illustrated History Of Nobles County CHAPTER XVII. ADRIAN. Ranking second in size and importance and fourth in age among Nobles county towns, is Adrian. The village is situated in the western part of the county, in Olney and Westside townships, on Kanaranzi creek, and on the branch line of the Omaha railroad which extends from Worthington to Mitchell, South Dakota. It is eighteen miles west from Worthington and fifteen east from Luverne. The population of Adrian, according to the state census of 1905, was 1184. The town is compactly built and presents an attractive appearance. It has broad streets, lined with substantial business houses and handsome residences. No more beautiful site for a town could be found. It is on land that has a gentle slope toward the Kanaranzi, which flows along the northern border, affording excellent drainage. All the improvements to be found in Minnesota towns of its size are here. It has an excellent water works system, electric light plant, public and parochial schools and churches. For several years after the rapid settlement of eastern Nobles county (following the building of the Sioux City & St. Paul railroad) Worthington was the only town in the county, if we except the railroad stations of Bigelow and Hersey (Brewster), in which only small progress had been made. From 1872 to 1876 a number of settlers had-taken claims and builded homes in the western part of the county, but, being far from railroads and markets, the population was small, and, of course, no attempt had been made to found a town. Conditions were materially changed in the spring of 1876, when, it was definitely determined that the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad company would build a branch line westward from Worthington. New settlers located in the western townships of Nobles county, and when the railroad was built and the site of a new town to be called Adrian was selected, the indications were that the new town would prosper from the start. About the first of April a preliminary survey for the new road was begun and in May grading was commenced. The railroad officials early selected the sites for stations on the proposed road, [1] and the townsite of Adrian was surveyed between the 23rd and 29th of May, 1876, by O. D. Brown for the St. Paul & Dakota Railroad company (later the Worthington & Sioux Falls Railroad company). [2] The original townsite consisted of sixteen blocks, evenly divided by Main street, which is the Olney-Westside boundary line. That part of the plat which was on the southeast quarter of section 13, Westside township, was railroad land; that on the southwest quarter of section 18, Olney township, was on land homesteaded by Albert Campbell, later bought by the railroad company. Although the survey had been made in May, the dedication of the plat was not made until August 28, and the instrument was not filed until October 4. Horace Thompson, as trustee for himself and others, made the dedication. [3] The site was named Adrian in honor of Adrian Iselin, who was the mother of Adrian C. Iselin, one of the directors of the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad company. Mr. Iselin had requested the officers of the road to name some new town along the line in honor of his mother, and the request was complied with when the station on the Kanaranzi was established. It seems strange that there should be any question raised as to the origin of the name of a place of such recent birth as the village of Adrian, but such is the case. The origin of the name is as stated, but it is only natural that the mistake should be made of giving the honor to the director of the road, which has heretofore been done. [4] In some quarters the belief has become current that the village was named in honor of St. Adrian. [6] Although I have made diligent search, I have been unable to find any authentic data that would lead to that conclusion. Adrian was not founded immediately after the selection of the site. The track laying crew reached the point about the middle of August, and during that fall the town came into existence. J. Smith, who had been engaged in the mercantile business at Heron Lake, and George H. Carr, who had been clerking for him, were the first on the ground. They brought lumber and erected the first building on the site. [6] Before the store was opened Mr. Carr bought his partner's interests and became the first business man of Adrian. Besides conducting his store he bought and shipped grain, erecting a warehouse later in the season. A number of other business men were soon on the ground, and before the end of the year, the village boasted of four or five business enterprises. A hotel building, 30x40 feet, two stories high, was erected by the railroad company, and Thomas H. Childs, formerly postmaster of the Hebbard postoffice and proprietor of the "Half-Way House," moved down and became landlord of the Adrian hotel. William Wigham came up from his home in Little Rock township, erected a small building in which he opened a store, and built a warehouse and engaged in the grain business. A depot building (the east end of the present depot) was erected, and George H. Otis was installed as agent, being replaced soon after by Thomas G. Newell. About the first of October the Hebbard postoffice, which had been located a short distance east of the new town, was moved to Adrian. George H. Carr became the postmaster and kept the office in his store. [7] Other buildings erected in the little town before the close of the year were a small shanty put up for a place of residence by H. N. Holbrook, and a small house which was moved over from near the site of Rushmore by Mr. Carr. The few business houses had a prosperous trade, and the predictions that Adrian was to become a good business point were coming true. [8] The country roundabout was sparsely settled, but the new town drew trade from a vast area, extending south into what is now known as the Ellsworth country, and north to the county line, guaranteeing the permanency of the village. During the winter of 1876-77 the town's first school was established, being conducted by Mrs. McCall in a room in the hotel, and the first church service was held in February. [9] Times were lively during 1877, and many new business enterprises were established. In January J. C. Ludlow erected a building and opened a blacksmith, machine and repair shop, and a few months later erected a dwelling house. A. J. Rice, who had been clerking in a drug store at Worthington, located in the west end village and opened a drug store. Hans Dahl started in the shoe repairing business. Benjamin Midboe erected a business house on Main street, which he leased to H. J. Ludlow. The latter opened a hardware store in it, which was under the management of John F. Humiston. A. O. Conde moved down from Hersey village, and, forming a partnership with Captain William Wigham, engaged in the produce and commission business. Henry Davis, the pioneer merchant of Worthington, put up a building in the latter part of the summer and engaged in the general merchandise business. His store was managed by Ulveling Bros., who later bought the store. That the new town was in a prosperous way is evidenced by this activity in starting new enterprises and by the fact, that 100,000 bushels of grain were shipped from the station during the year 1877. The activity continued during the next year. Fourteen buildings were erected during the winter of 1877-78, and in May a correspondent wrote of the conditions in the new town: Business is lively now, and our streets are full of teams nearly every day. Our merchants are nearly all selling agricultural implements and are turning out a great many machines. One firm has sold over one hundred breaking plows. . . . There are two church organizations and one lawyer, but no doctor and only one resident minister. In June a visitor to the town reported the following business houses in operation: General stores by William Wigham, A. M. Becker, Henry Davis (in charge of Mr. Ulveling), and George H. Carr; hotel by T. H. Childs, boarding house (Colony House) by James Naylon, livery barn by Ed. Cooper, furniture stores by F. Wegen and Benjamin Midboe, lumber yards by Small & Carr and James Cowin, hardware store by John Humiston, feed mill by Barber Bros., bakery, restaurant and meat store by L. S. Roberts. The rush of settlers to the western part of the county in 1878, due largely to the operations of the colony company, made prosperous times in the town, and several new business enterprises were started that summer. Among others were a machine and implement house and elevator owned by Peter Thompson and managed by A. M. Crosby, and another general store started by Rue & Langseth. The building improvements for the year amounted to $19,300. For several years after 1878 there was not much progress made in Adrian in a business way. In the town were all the kinds of business enterprises necessary to take care of the trade of the surrounding country, and only a few new business houses were established in the following few years. The federal census of 1880 showed a population of 193. In the fall of 1881 the residents of the town asked for incorporation, petitioning the legislature, then in special session, to grant them a charter. The legislature took favorable action, and on November 17, 1881, the bill granting incorporation was approved by the governor. The act, in part, is as follows: An act to incorporate the village of Adrian. Be it enacted by the legislature of the state of Minnesota: Section 1. That the following described territory in the county of Nobles and state of Minnesota, to-wit: the west half of section 18 and the northwest quarter of section 19, all in township 102, range 42, and the east half of section 13 and the northeast quarter of section 24, township 102, range 43, be, and the same is hereby, set apart, constituted, incorporated as the village of Adrian, under and subject to the provisions of chapter 139 of the general laws of 1875, and the inhabitants of said territory shall form and constitute a municipal corporation at common law together with the power granted and conferred by said chapter 139 of the general laws of 1875 and all acts amendatory thereof and the further power herein granted. Sec. 3. [10] That L. C. demons, E. Coleman and John F. Humiston are hereby designated as the persons who shall give notice of and for a meeting of the legal voters of said territory to organize said village and elect officers pursuant to the laws of 1875 aforesaid. Sec. 4. The territory comprised within prescribed limits of said village shall be, and the same is hereby constituted, an independent voting precinct for all election purposes. Sec. 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Approved November 17, 1881. The first village election was held on Saturday, Nov. 26, 1881, when the following citizens were elected to serve as Adrian's first officers: President of the council, T. G. Newell; trustees, John Blesius, James Naylon and John Timmons; recorder, Isaac Small; treasurer, John Krast; justice, U. W. Weston; constable, H. P. Flanagan. They served until their successors were chosen on January 2, 1883. Following is a list of those who have filled elective offices in the city government up to the present time: 1883-President, T. G. Newell; trustees, A. G. Lindgren, Peter Ulveling, J. T. Hosmer; recorder, Thomas Johnson; treasurer, A. M. Becker. 1884-President, M. Sullivan; trustees, A. J. Rice, John Timmons, Thomas G. Newell; recorder, Thomas Johnson; treasurer, A. M. Becker; justice, George F. Hallas; constable, E. Coleman. 1885-President, M. Sullivan; trustees, A. M. Becker, A. G. Lindgren, L. S. Roberts; [11] recorder, Levi Rue; treasurer, F. J. Porter; justice, A. Campbell. 1886-President, Fred R. Robinson; trustees, Albert Campbell, Joseph Roll, O. S. Melick; recorder, Thomas G. Newell; treasurer, F. J. Porter; justices, L. C. Clemons, George Hallas; constable, George Slade. 1887-President, James R. Jones; trustees, R. C. Thompson, E. Cooper, Daniel Ryan; recorder, C. E. Chamberlain; treasurer, Joseph Roll. 1888-President, F. J. Porter; trustees, A. M. Becker, S. J. McKenzie, James Cowin; recorder, Daniel Ryan; treasurer, Joseph Roll; justices, John Kendlen, [12] George Hallas; constables, John Reifenberger, George Slade. 1889-President, John Blesius; trustees, John R. Jones, F. R. Robinson, Levi Rue; recorder, A. M. Feathers; treasurer, Joseph Roll; justice, O. W. Freeman; constable, William Marr. 1890-President, M. Sullivan; trustees, R. C. Thompson, John Faragher, A. M. Becker; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, John Blesius; justice, George Hallas; constable, J. G. Murphy. 1891-President, S. J. McKenzie; trustees, W. R. Faragher, George Tinnes, Richard Sell; recorder, George S. Bell; treasurer, John Blesius; justice, O. W. Freeman; constable, A. G. Mitchell. 1892-President, D. J. Forbes; trustees, J. E. Faragher, A. Campbell, B. E. Smith; recorder, G. E. Tinnes; treasurer, John Blesius; justice, George F. Hallas; constable, William Marr. 1893-President, John Blesius; trustees, John E. Faragher, James Boardman, George Ellsworth; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, J. C. Becker; justice, Levi Rue; constable, J. N. Rupner. 1894 [13] -President, O. S. Melick; trustees, James Boardman, John E. Faragher, G. S. Ellsworth; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, J. C. Becker; justice, James F. Cox; constable, William Marr; street commissioner, John McChord. 1895-President, O. S. Melick; trustees, M. S. Boyle, J. E. Faragher, James Boardman; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, J. C. Becker; justice, George F. Hallas; constable, J. G. Murphy; street commissioner, John McChord. 1896-President, J. T. McKnight; trustees, J. F. Timmons, A. Libaire, William Faragher; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, George Ellsworth; justice, A. J. Rice; constable, William Marr; street commissioner, S. Ostram. 1897-President, W. R. Faragher; trustees; George Eppers, A. Libaire, Thomas Dealtry; recorder, Charles Slade; treasurer, Joseph Roll; justices, O. W. Freeman, George F. Hallas; constable, J. G. Murphy; street commissioner, James Mitchell. 1898-President, W. R. Faragher; trustees, George Eppers, A. Libaire, Fred Mohl; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, Charles Libaire; constable, William Marr; street commissioner, James Mitchell. 1899-President, W. R. Faragher; trustees, Fred Mohl, N. P. Hanson, W. J. Bauer; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, Charles Libaire; assessor, William Wigham; justices, George F. Hallas, O. W. Freeman; constable, J. G. Murphy; street commissioner, J. J. Forrett. 1900-President, Fred Mohl; trustees, W. R. Mansel, W. J. Bauer, W. E. Timmons; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, H. E. Swan-man; assessor, William Wigham; justice, E. Goodenough; constable, William Marr: street commissioner. John McChord. 1901-President, Fred Mohl; trustees, W. R. Mansel, W. E. Timmons, Daniel Fritz; recorder, C. A. Sands; treasurer, H. A. Swanman: assessor, William Wigham; justice, O. W. Freeman; constable, J. G. Murphy; street commissioner, F. W. Ellsworth. 1902-President, O. W. Freeman; trustees, John E. Faragher, W. E. Timmons, Daniel Fritz; recorder, C. E. Libaire; treasurer, J. C. Becker; assessor, William Wigham; justice, John G. Gergen; constable, William Marr; street commissioner, F. W. Ellsworth. 1903-President, O. W. Freeman; trustees, J. E. Faragher, J. G. Murphy, William Hitchens; recorder, G. L. Ellsworth; treasurer, J. A. Kennedy; assessor, William Wigham; justice, E. Goodenough; street commissioner, F. W. Ellsworth. 1904-President, L. W. Marston; trustees, W. R. Mansel, R. H. Doe, Frank Ulveling; recorder, Daniel Fritz; treasurer, John Colvin; assessor, William Wigham; justices, E. Goodenough, F. J. Kilpatrick; constable, William Marr; street commissioner, Peter Pass. 1905-President, L. W. Marston; trustees, W. R. Mansel, R. H. Doe, W. E. Timmons; recorder, John McChord; treasurer, John Col vin; assessor, William Wigham; justices, F. J. Kilpatrick, O. W. Freeman; constable James Mitchell. 1906-President, Fred Mohl; trustees, John Reifenberger, Daniel Fritz, Frank Ulveling; recorder, John McChord; treasurer, John Colvin; assessor, William Wigham; justices, James F. Cox, M. E. Carrigan; constable, William Marr. 1907-President, C. A. Sands; trustees, John Reifenberger, A. J. Schaeffer, M. E. Carrigan; recorder, John McChord; treasurer, John Colvin; assessor, William Wigham; justices, James F. Cox, F. J. Kilpatrick; constables, L. G. Chisum, James Mitchell. 1908-President, C. A. Sands; trustees John Reifenberger, M. E. Carrigan, A. J. Schaeffer; recorder, John McChord; treasurer, John Colvin; assessor, William Wigham. During the early eighties Adrian took big strides forward. The grasshopper scourge was a thing of the past; the Catholic colony company had been instrumental in bringing hundreds of new settlers to the lands of western Nobles county; crops were good and the country was prosperous. All these things assisted in the building of a good town at Adrian, which, until the founding of Ellsworth in 1884, continued to draw trade from its original large territory- a territory rapidly filling with settlers. The years 1883 and 1884 were especially prosperous ones for the west end village. During the eighteen months before January, 1885, the building improvements in the village amounted to the snug sum of $52,530, of which $30,000 had been expended in 1884. The town became a shipping point of importance, [14] and business in all lines was good. New enterprises were started, and the population increased, reaching a total of 533 in 1885, a gain of 340 in five years. By the building of the Burlington railroad (now the Rock Island) through the southwestern corner of the county in 1884 and the founding of Ellsworth village, Adrian lost a part of its large territory, but this loss was offset by the rapid development of its remaining territory, and during the latter part of the eighties Adrian continued to be the liveliest town in Nobles county. In 1890 the federal census showed a population of 671. Adrian has been remarkably free from fires during its entire history. Its most disastrous conflagration occurred on May 23, 1889, when the Adrian flouring mill and a few nearby buildings were burned, causing a loss of about $18,000. The fire is supposed to have originated from a spark from an engine. The Adrian Guardian of May 24 said of the loss: The mill property cost Gilbert & Nelson $10,000 less than six months ago. New machinery had been put in during the last spring to the value of $3,800. The proprietors had three thousand bushels of wheat in store, with a new barn which went up in smoke with the rest, will swell the loss to $18,000. Cinders were carried all over town, and the residences of John Blesius, George Slade, M. L. DeWolf and Peter Pass were several times on fire (they were over a block away) and only hard work saved them. Had the wind been stronger all of Park Hill must have been devastated by the fire fiend. Prosperous times continued up to the time of the panic of 1893. Most of the business houses had been built of wood before 1891. That year witnessed a building boom, in which, among others, were constructed three handsome brick business blocks-the A. M. Becker store building, at a cost of about $9,000; the Adrian State Bank building, and the Slade Hotel building. The panic of 1893 resulted in only a temporary setback, and during the late nineties Adrian again came upon prosperous times. The population in 1895 was 1,072, a gain of 401 in five years. This was increased in 1900 to 1,258. When the Burlington railroad (now the Rock Island) extended northwestward from Worthington in 1900 it invaded Adrian's northern territory, and the founding of the towns along that line of road resulted in a cutting off of a large and profitable trade. The town's trade territory was now reduced to its immediate surrounding farming country, which is the case with every other Nobles county town. A result of this loss of trade was that Adrian did not continue to advance as it had during its entire previous history. The census of 1905 gave a population of 1,184, [15] a loss of 74 in five years. The personal property assessment for the village as left by the board of review for 1907 was $99,545. The increase in real estate values by reason of improvements was $1,385. This was the increase in assessed valuation only, the full value of improvements having been in the neighborhood of $5,000. A list of the business houses, made by the Nobles County Democrat in June, 1907, showed that there were 87 firms or persons engaged in professiohal and mechanical work in Adrian. The year 1908 witnessed a more prosperous condition of affairs in Adrian than had been the case for several years. A number of new business houses were established and all lines of business were in. a prosperous way. SCHOOLS. It was during the winter of 1876-77, when only a few families called Adrian their home, that the first school was started in the little village. It was held in the attic of the hotel building and Mrs. McCall was the teacher. Thomas H. Childs and William Wigham were instrumental in bringing about the establishment of the school, those gentlemen hiring the teacher and paying her salary out of their own pockets. Eleven children attended this first scohol [sic] in Adrian-three from the family of Mr. Wigham, three from that of Mr. Childs, and five from the family of H. N. Holbrook. The following spring more families came to the town, and the matter of securing a school became a live issue. On April 24 a public meeting was held by those interested, at which it was decided to erect a building and have a school during the summer. Money was raised by subscription, and a frame building, 12x 14 feet, was erected, in which Mrs. McCall conducted the school until the district was formed the next year. When the district was formed in 1878 it included territory extending from the county's western boundary line to the site of the present village of Rushmore. The district was bonded in the sum of $2,000, and a two story frame building was erected. The first officers of the district were Benjamin Midboe, director; William Wigham, clerk; and Thomas H. Childs, treasurer. In this structure the Adrian schools were conducted until the brick building was erected in 1895, when it was sold to Rev. John Schwartz for $600. On July 31, 1893, a special election was held, at which it was voted to issue bonds for the construction of a new school house. Because of the panic and prevailing hard times the matter of constructing the building was not at once taken up. The next year bonds to the amount of $21,000 were issued, and on June 1, 1894, the contract for the erection of the building was let to Perry Wysong, of Mankato, on a bid of $18,815. The handsome structure was completed and occupied for the first time on February 26, 1895. Adrian maintains an excellent high school and good graded schools. Besides the public schools are two parochial schools, one maintained by the Catholic church, the other by the Norwegian Lutheran church. MUNICIPAL IMPEOYEMENTS. Adrian's city hall was erected in 1888. It is a handsome building of brick and stone and cost $15,000. The upper story is used for an opera house and has a seating capacity of 400. The lower floor is taken up by the city offices, the fire department and the jail. The water works and electric lighting systems, owned by the city, were installed in 1894. The water system has both direct and gravity pressure. In the power house is installed a Dean compound duplex pump of 750,000 gallons capacity. The water supply is inexhaustible, the water being of excellent quality secured from a deep well. A reservoir, 24x40x20 feet, with a capacity of 4,500 barrels, has been built near the station. The bottom of the reservoir is on a level with the base of the pump. The gravity pressure is forty pounds, and the fire pressure is one hundred to one hundred twenty-five pounds. An elevated tank of 1,000 barrels capacity is situated on the hill west of town and is one hundred feet above the grade of the main business street. There are 4,200 feet of four inch mains, 5,000 feet of six inch mains, and 1,500 feet of eight inch mains, and there are twenty double fire hydrants. The electric lighting plant is combined with that of the water works.' The cost of the systems was $26,457. A fire department was organized in 1895, and the village has first-class fire protection. The department has a membership of 31 and is supplied with all the necessary fire fighting apparatus. BANKS. In Adrian are three banking institutions, the National Bank of Adrian, the Adrian State Bank, and the First National Bank. The first financial institution of the town was the Bank of Adrian, established by James R. and John R. Jones in 1880. These gentlemen conducted the Bank of Adrian as a private institution until February, 1908, when it was reorganized as the National Bank of Adrian. The capital stock is $25,000, and bonds in the sum of $6,500 secure the circulation. The officers and directors are as follows: James R. Jones, president; J. C. Becker, vice president; John R. Jones, cashier; E. J. Jones, Lelia A. Jones, Mary A. Jones, Samuel Jones. The second banking institution in the village was also a private bank. In July, 1884, Mylius Bros. & Co. issued a circular stating that they had opened a real estate and loan agency, being the agents for Close Bros. & Co. For several years they engaged in the general banking business under the firm name of Mylius Bros. & Co., Bankers. In October, 1889, application was made for organization as a state bank, and in 1890 the Adrian State Bank took the place of Mylius Bros. & Co., Bankers. The capital stock was $25,000, owned largely by Mylius Bros. The first officers and directors, chosen at the first election, October 7, 1889, were George C. Eyland, Jr., president; E. H. Mylius, vice president; H. G. Mansel, cashier; A. M. Becker, A. Schaeffer, A. G. Lindgren, P. E. Brown. In 1906 the capital stock was increased to $40,000. Edwin C. Brickson is the present cashier. The third banking institution established in Adrian was the Adrian Exchange Bank, a private bank, which opened its doors on May 26, 1890. Its capital stock was $35,000 and the first officers and directors were F. J. Porter, president; James Cowin, vice president; O. S. Melick, cashier; Emil Graf, George Slade. Besides those who held office, Fred Mohl and O. W. Freeman were stockholders. Temporary quarters were established in a frame building, but the home of the bank was made in the Slade building when it was erected in 1891. The Adrian Exchange Bank was reorganized as the First National Bank of Adrian on November 1, 1905, with a capital stock of $35,000. The first officers and directors were A. G. Lindgren, president; W. R. Faragher, vice president; Charles W. Kilpatrick, cashier; John E. Faragher, Phil Landes. The officers and directors at the present time are C. A. Sands, president; W. R. Faragher, vice president; Charles W. Kilpatrick, cashier; Phil Landes, Fred Mohl. CHURCHES. Four church societies are maintained in Adrian-the Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Norwegian Lutheran and Peoples. St. Adrian's Catholic church has the largest membership and was the first established. It was founded in 1877 with a small membership, and for many years was under the pastorate of Father C. J. Knauf. A frame building was erected in 1878 at a cost of about $700, which was furnished by Bishop Ireland, and this served as the house of worship until 1889. The society was incorporated July 24, 1882, the incorporators being Thomas L. Grace, bishop; Augustin Ravaux, vicar general; Christian J. Knauf, pastor; Michael Sullivan and Michael Becker. In the fall of 1887 a more commodious church edifice was commenced, and the building was dedicated by Bishop Ireland in July, 1889. It was a brick veneered structure, and had a tower which extended far above any other building in the town. It had a seating capacity of 500 and the cost was about $15,000. The building was entirely destroyed by fire on December 24, 1899. Plans were at once made for a new house of worship, and in 1901 was completed the present magnificent edifice, which cost over $30,000. It is one of the most attractive as well as costly structures of its kind in the state, and has a seating capacity of over 800. In connection with the church is the parochial school, taught by the sisters of St. Francis, of Rochester, Minn. The Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's society are societies maintained in connection with the church. The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1884, when the present church building was erected. The church society also has a parsonage, the value of the church buildings being about $3,000. The Norwegian Lutheran church was dedicated June 16, 1900. The Peoples Church of Adrian was incorporated November 29, 1898, with the following board of trustees: A. M. Feathers, D. J. Tinnes, Mrs. Clara B. Swanman, Mrs. Lucy A. Porter, C. C. May. The incorporators, in addition to those named as trustees, were Anna M. Childs, Ottihe Hallas, Eva C. Tinnes, Lavina Libaire, G. E. Tinnes, Patience Tinnes, Eliza T. Wilkes, Laura Lindgren, May G. Campbell, Byola A. Randall, Kate Kilpatrick, Mamie Goodenough, Charles Kilpatrick. For a number of years the Baptists maintained a church organization at Adrian. The First Baptist church of Adrian was incorporated May 31, 1889, with the following officers. C. H. Max-on, supplying pastor; Roger Jones, deacon; Lottie Swanman, clerk; George Ellsworth, A. S. Meacham, John R. Jones, trustees. A church building was dedicated December 5, 1889, when Rev. Mr. Moore was installed as pastor. The organization was maintained for several years. LODGES. Adrian is a strong lodge town, and a great many secret and fraternal organizations maintain lodges. ENDNOTES [1] "We learn that there are to be two stations on the branch between here and Luverne. One will be in Dewald near the farm of Mr. Bedford, and the other at the Kanaranzi. Parties have already gone out to lay out a town on the Kanaranzi, part of which will fall on the claim of Mr. Campbell."-Worthington Advance, May 25, 1876. [2] A correspondent to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, writing in July, 1878, told a pretty story of the selection of the site. The only fault to he found with the story is that it cannot be true, for the selection had been made and the plat surveyed two months before the time assigned. The correspondent wrote: "Two years ago, in the last days of July, the tracklayers on the Worthington & Sioux Falls railroad reached the banks of the Kanaranzi. It was midway between Worthington and Luverne. The site was 'beautiful for situation.' The country surrounding it was rich and inviting. From the summit of the bluffs that bordered the river the eye turned north, south, east and west, over hill, prairie and stream-a vision of beauty. 'What a grand site for a new town,' was the exclamation, of the leader. And it was then and there decided that a town should be on the spot." [3] Additions to Adrian have been platted as follows: First-Surveyed by Leonidas L. Palmer, civil engineer, for Worthington & Sioux Falls Railroad company; dedicated July 6, 1881; filed July 27, 1881. South Side-Surveyed by M. S. Smith between September 3 and October 9, 1891, for M. Sullivan, F. R. Robinson, E. H. Mylius, John Ireland, A. M. Becker and A. Libaire; dedicated Oct. 9, 1891; filed Dec. 8, 1891. Campbell's East Side-Surveyed by M. S. Smith in September, 1891, in compliance with an order of the county auditor; dedicated by Albert Campbell, Frank E. Hoskins, Fred Steinkoening, Josiah .Hoskins, Edward Gray, Casper Becker and Thomas Tangleson Nov. 4, 1891; filed Dec. 8, 1891. Schneider's-Surveyed by M. S. Smith between Nov. 9 and 18, 1891, for Albert Campbell, Anna Maria Schneider and John Alley; dedicated Dec. 12, 1891; filed Jan. 2, 1892. Faragher's-Surveyed by M. S. Smith in November, 1891, for John E. Faragher: dedicated Nov. 25, 1891; filed Jan. 2, 1892. Lot 1 (ne 1/4 of nw 1/4, section 19, T. 102, R. 42) -Surveyed by M. S. Smith for John E. Faragher and William R. Faragher; dedicated Dec. 31, 1891; filed Jan. 2, 1892. Porter & Mohl's-Surveyed by W. N. Davidson June 2, 3 and 4, 1891, for F. J. Porter; dedicated June 13, 1891; filed April 14, 1892. Jones'-Surveyed by W. N. Davidson Aug. 17, 1891, for James R. Jones and John R. Jones; dedicated Feb. 14, 1892; filed Dec. 11, 1893. Blocks 2 and 3, Original Plat Campbell's East Side Addition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith April 12 and 13, 1895, for George F. Hallas, administrator of the estate of Albert Campbell; dedicated May 1, 1895; filed May 27, 1895. Blocks 4, 5, 6 and 7, Campbell's East Side Addition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith Nov. 14, 15 and 16, 1895, for George F. Hallas, administrator of the estate of Albert Campbell; dedicated Dec. 5, 1895; filed Dec. 7, 1895. Spartz's-Surveyed by M. S. Smith Nov. 8, 1899, for Jacob Spartz; dedicated Dec. 23, 1899; filed Dec. 26, 1899. Block A-Surveyed by M. S. Smith March 19, 1903, for Joseph Cowin; dedicated April 6, 1903; filed April 6, 1903. [4] A history of the origin of place names connected with the Northwestern railroad, recently issued in book form, says: "This town [Adrian] was started in 1876 and was named for Adrian C. Iselin, of New York city, who was a large holder of the earliest issued stock and bonds of a railroad that passes through this vicinity." E. F. Drake, who was the president of the Worthington & Sioux Falls road, wrote at the time of the founding: "Adrian is named for Adrian Iselin, of New York, one of our directors." The Worthington Advance of June 8, 1876, said: "The village is named Adrian, the name, being that of a heavy European stockholder." [5] "Adrian was named on the suggestion of Rev. Father Knauf, the first Catholic priest of that charge, in honor of St. Adrian. Certain ones wish to give the honor to Adrian Iselin, of New York, but facts disprove their claims."-Ellsworth News, 1907. [6] The front part of the building on Main street now occupied as a restaurant by Ed. Libaire. [7] Adrian's postmasters, with the dates of service, are: George H. Carr, 1876-1882; Elton Clapp, 1882-1885; M. Sullivan, 1885-1889; S. J. McKenzie, 1889-1894; John E. King, 1894-1899; S. J. McKenzie, 1899-1906; Joseph Cowin, 1906 to date. [8] "Adrian starts off very well and is destined to excel the other stations between Worth -ington and Luverne . . . The Kanaranzi valley is destined to be one of' the richest portions of the county, and Adrian will be a busy place."-Correspondent in Worthington Advance, Nov. 9, 1876. [9] "We had preaching services in our village last Sabbath for the first time. Mr. Bunce, of Luverne, was the minister. Quite a large company were present. The meeting was held in the office of the hotel."-Correspondent, to Worthington Advance, Feb. 15, 1877. [10] Section 2 granted five special powers to the village council. [11] Resigned. Albert Campbell appointed March 12, 1885. [12] Resigned and was succeeded by O. W. Freeman, who was elected at a special election. [13] At this election a vote was taken on the license question. For license received 165 votes; against license, 21. [14] "During the year 1884 we forwarded 16,317,140 pounds of freight, on which the charges were $28,579.80; and received 9,846,982 pounds, on which the charges were $20,051.88. These charges accrued on our own road-no 'advanced charges' being included therein,"- Adrian Guardian, January, 1885. [13] This population was divided as follows: Native born, 434; Minnesota born, 567; foreign born, 183. The foreign born population was divided as to countries of birth as follows: Germany, 74; Sweden, 8; Norway, 41; Canada, 7; Ireland, 22; Denmark, 3; England, 18; Scotland, 2; Austria, 2; other countries, 6. Additional Comments: Extracted from: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY MINNESOTA BY ARTHUR P. ROSE NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA PUBLISHERS 1908 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/nobles/history/1908/anillust/chapterx25gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/ File size: 37.0 Kb