WILLMAR, A THRIVING TOWN WITH PUSHING BUSINESS MEN
Favorably Located in Kandiyohi County and Enjoying Excellent Railway Facilities – This Enterprising City Is Forging Rapidly to the Front – Some Interesting Facts Concerning Its Manufacturing Establishments, Its Jobbing and Retail Interests, Schools, and Other Public Institutions.
“Kandiyohi” is not the name of a new breakfast food, a cigar, nor a patent medicine, but the name of one of Minnesota’s most prosperous counties.
Kandiyohi is an Indian word, which, broadly translated, means “plenty of water filled with big buffalo,” referring to the numerous lakes abounding in fish, particularly the variety known as buffalo, so called on account of their large size. Kandiyohi county is centrally located in the state and is one of the banner counties of the famous Lake Park region. Its topography is in the north rolling, while in the south it presents the level of the prairie, but with sufficient fall to give excellent drainage.
A chain of lakes circles through the county from the southeast to the northwest, each bordered with groves of timber. Green lake is a short distance from Willmar, has become a popular resort, and every year sees new cottages added to the number already dotting its shores.
Wheat has long been the king of crops, but in latter years there has been a tendency to diversify, and the result is a betterment in a financial way to everybody concerned. It is a well established fact that Kandiyohi county soil will produce anything and everything grown in a diversified farming country, and the writer could cite the reader to numerous farmers who came into this county without means and now own well improved farms and have snug sums in the local banks.
Rich in Dairy Wealth.
It is a natural grass region, which accounts for the attention being given to live stock and dairying. Sleek herds of cattle may be seen in every part of the county, and no neighborhood now is without its creamery. No day passes that does not see shipments of butter from various railway stations in the county. In company with H. A. Sanford, the Great Northern agent at Willmar, the writer visited the railway yards and saw men at work loading 151,000 pounds of butter into cars for shipment to extreme points on the continent; to New York on the Atlantic, and Seattle on the Pacific. It is not unusual to send away a carload of eggs every day for a week at a stretch, and one day recently, three cars of eggs left Willmar for Seattle. These shipments were for the Alaskan trade. It is this constant shipment of a variety of products that brings a regular stream of money into the county, and everybody gets a share.
The lands in Kandiyohi county, which sell for $25 to $50 an acre, are just as valuable, so far as their producing qualities are concerned, and just as near schools, churches and markets, as are those lands in Iowa, Illinois and other states where lands are selling at from $100 to $150 an acre. It has not been clearly demonstrated that life is too short and important for the enterprising young farmer to build up a home on the worn out soil of the East or in the arid regions of the far West. The “bonanza” days have passed away, and cheap lands advertised beyond the rain belt are a delusion and a snare, but there is no uncertainty in Kandiyohi county for men endowed with a reasonable amount of thrift and frugality.
Excellent Shipping Facilities.
The county has excellent shipping facilities. The main line of the Great Northern railway passes through the county, central east and west, while the St. Cloud & Willmar and the Willmar & Sioux Falls cut across it diagonally from the northeast to the southwest. The Soo line touches the northeast corner, while the Milwaukee strikes the southern boundary. The stations on these various lines are the starting points for rural mail delivery and telephone lines, which put every neighborhood in touch with the world. In some respects the farmers of this region have up-to-date conveniences not to be found in older farming communities of the Eastern states, not to speak of the greater fertility of their lands, and the advantages of their superior water privileges, of “wood to burn” and their glorious climate.
Kandiyohi county has several enterprising towns and villages, including Willmar, Atwater, New London, Spicer, Kandiyohi, Hawick and Raymond. Willmar is the chief place and county seat. It has a population of over 4,000, while that of the county is about 19,000.
Willmar Centrally Located.
Willmar is centrally located, and its busy, bustling, every-day business life is evidence of its commercial importance. It has never had a “boom” in the hurrah sense, but from the time of the erection of its first building in 1869, when it took its name from the owner of a part of the townsite, a former bondholder of the railway, living in Europe, to the present time, its growth has been of a substantial and enduring nature. The excellent class of business blocks, most of them of brick, the public buildings and handsome residences, all bespeak the wealth, enterprise and public spirit of the people. Its tributary territory can be excelled by few similar areas in this or other states in present or prospective resources. Almost every acre is susceptible of being converted to human uses.
The division headquarters of the Great Northern railway are located here, and every day, at noon, four passenger trains from as many lines stand at the depot while the passengers are taking dinner. The yard facilities of the railway are very extensive, and being on the direct line of the transcontinental service, an enormous traffic sweeps through the city.
The city owns its electric light plant and water works system and rates are at the minimum. There is an excellent sewerage system, many miles of good sidewalks and graded streets, an excellent volunteer fire department, a public park, a band and baseball grounds, with grand stand and bleachers.
There are ten churches representing the leading denominations, four school buildings, a seminary and no saloons. The plans for a Carnegie library are being prepared and in a short time the city will have another institution of which it can well be proud. All of the leading secret and fraternal societies are represented.
Business Well Distributed.
The visitor to Willmar will not find business confined to one large street, but well distributed along several streets, with more structures than are usually found in Western towns. The writer was pleased to see the sign “Commercial club” in front of one of the handsome buildings, and to his delight on being invited to visit its rooms and make himself at home, found quarters which in elegance, comfort and convenience cannot be equaled in any similar club in any town of its size in the country. The Commercial club is evidence of life in the community where it is located. Members of the Willmar club can certainly have pride in taking strangers to their rooms, as the impression given to the visitor has a lasting influence. Senator Clapp, during a recent visit to the city, spent all of his spare time in the club reading and writing room, and complimented the members for not only maintaining such but for the work of the club in watching and promoting the best interests of the city. The club has over 100 members, most of whom are represented on various standing committees. Alton Crosby, editor of the Republican-Gazette, is president; E. C. Wellin, vice president; William T. Markhus, secretary, and M. T. Sandbo, treasurer. No other instrumentality can do as much good for Willmar as this club if it is maintained on the present basis of usefulness.
Every commercial interest is represented in a substantial way, but as the county continues to fill in with new people there will be openings for other enterprises.
Its Banks Are Solid.
The prosperous condition of things in Willmar and the country thereabouts is shown in the solid character of its banks, of which there are three. There is no feature what more fully indicates the importance of a community than its banking institutions. To judge Willmar by this standard gives the city an unusually strong showing. The first one to be organized was the Bank of Willmar, as a private concern in 1873, but which in 1882 became a state bank. The present officers are: A. E. Rice, formerly lieutenant governor, president C. E. Lien, vice president; F. G. Handy, cashier and H. Gunderson, assistant cashier. The capital stock and undivided profits amount to $100,000. The Kandiyohi county bank, officered by Andrew Larson, president; J. F. Millard, vice president, L. O. Thorpe, cashier; and L. A. Vik, assistant cashier, has $50,000 capital, $50,000 surplus, and $25,000 profits. It was the second one organized.
The First National bank was organized June 16, 1902, and at the close of the fiscal year, June 30, 1903, showed deposits in excess of $100,000 and a capital stock of $50,000. The officers are: Russel Spicer, president, Albert Johnson, vice president; Charles W. Odell, formerly sheriff, cashier; and A. L. Markhus, assistant cashier.
Schools of Willmar.
Willmar’s first school opened Sept. 25, 1871, with scarcely more pupils than the city now has in rooms, in the four commodious brick buildings, including a high school, well equipped with library and laboratory, and three ward buildings, named respectively, Lincoln, Lafayette and Garfield. The citizens are justly proud of their public school system, as they are of the Willmar seminary, incorporated in 1882 as the “Minnesota Lutheran Seminary and Institute,” the work of which has broadened with each succeeding year, until its graduates are now found occupying high places in all walks of life. The next term opens in September with over 350 names already enrolled.
To relieve an embarrassing indebtedness, President Hill, of the Great Northern, was one of several who recently subscribed $1,000 to place the seminary fully on its feet. All departments are in the hands of thoroughly competent instructors. In another column is shown a cut of one of the buildings [not included]. The early history of the school was one of constant struggle, but it is now on the highway to prosperity and success.
Has Two Excellent Newspapers.
Another method of judging a city is by its newspapers. Willmar has two very excellent papers, both enjoying a high standing among the publications of a state with many good papers. The oldest journal is the Republican-Gazette, established in 1871, now owned and edited by Alton Crosby, who began work in the office as a boy. Some time ago it absorbed the Argus, after the editor, C. A. Birch, was appointed postmaster. Mr. Crosby, associated with William T. Markhus, also owns the opera house. The other paper is the Tribune, established in 1895, and edited by Lawson & Nelson. The senior member of this firm was chairman of the Populist state central committee, and made his paper a state organ. This firm is now engaged in preparing a county atlas and history, involving a large expenditure of money and effort, which must prove of much value to the whole community.
One of the important concerns of the city and county is the New London Milling company, of which Marcus Johnson, of St. Paul, is president, and W. J. Pinney, manager. The company operates elevators, flour warehouses and lumber yards at various points and handles hundreds of cars of material every year.
Big Cold Storage Plant.
Another enterprise that is bringing lots of money to Willmar is the cold storage and creamery plant of John B. Agen & Co., of which E. Holt is manager. This concern handles annually hundreds of thousands of pounds of butter, and eggs by the carload leave nearly every day east or west.
One of the hustling young business men of the city is William T. Markhus, who does a general insurance business, and whose popularity and activity are shown by his filling the position of secretary of the Commercial club and secretary of the Street Fair association. He is now serving his fourth term as a member of the city council. He is also a member of the firm of Crosby & Markhus, owners of the Willmar opera house. He is a native of the county, the son of a pioneer minister who was active in founding the Willmar seminary, which has become one of the important educational institutions of the state.
Cigar factory No. 229, District of Minnesota, owned by Person & Johnson, gives employment to twenty-five men, with a business extending into neighboring states. It is now in its fourth year, and the output last year exceeded 600,000 cigars.
Flour Mill of 200 Barrels Capacity.
The Willmar Milling company, of which Peter Hong is president, with whom is associated A. K. Omlie and T. O. Kiland, operates a roller mill having a daily capacity of 200 barrels of flour, for which a regular market is found in Boston.
The Willmar Jobbing and Manufacturing company, incorporated for $50,000, of which C. H. Johnson is president, H. L. Johnson, vice president, and E. A. Johnson, secretary and treasurer, is one of the coming industries of the city. They make and import confectionery, crackers and bread, and have four salesmen on the road with trade already extended throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas.
J. D. Wolpert came to Willmar fourteen years ago from the Twin Cities, and began the clothing business in a modest way and, by careful attention to the wants of the public, has built up a large trade, having a stock from which men and boys can clothe themselves from head to foot.
The Willmar Gasoline Engine works, now in its fourth year, of which Lars Halverson is president and H. J. Ramsett, secretary and treasurer, has a trade extending into other states and even Canada. Several of their engines are at work in the Twin Cities. They invite correspondence from persons in need of power. Mr. Ramsett is also a clerk of the district court. Among other good friends of The Globe in the court house is O. Jorgen, who is now serving his second term as register of deeds.
Peterson & Quale are the leading lumber dealers of the city. They handle everything in the form of lumber, sash, doors, blinds and building material. Mr. Quale is also mayor of the city, and besides his interests at Willmar, has yards at other points in the county.
Do an Extensive Business.
Carlson Bros. (S. B. and C. B.) & Frost are dealers in drugs, books, stationery, glass, wall paper and fancy goods, and make an attractive showing of stock and do a large business. Dr. E. S. Frost, of the firm, is the pioneer physician of the city, and has long been local surgeon of the Great Northern railway. The firm has been in existence for fifteen years, and is one of the reliable and popular concerns of the city.
The S. E. Stansberry Implement company, of which S. E. Stansberry is president, J. H. Martin, vice president, and O. J. Paulson, secretary, is one of the strong firms of the city, and handles anything in the way of machinery that may be needed on the farm.
The J. H. Wiggins company do the leading plumbing and heating business of the city, and knowledge of the meritorious character of their work has gone out until they have a business that extends throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas. They are now putting in heating apparatus in a number of public and private buildings in other cities.
One of the strong business firms of the city is that of Berkness, Peterson & Co., dealers in general merchandise. They carry a fine stock and are as popular in a business way as they are as citizens.
The Big Store.
The Page-Lindquist company carries on what is known as “The Big Store,” being successors of P. H. Roise & Co., for many years dealers in dry goods, clothing, shoes and groceries. Mr. Roise who remains as president of the company has been a resident of Willmar for 30 years.
Anderson Bros. have been leading jewelers and opticians for eleven years and have one of the neatest stores of the kind to be found anywhere. They are time inspectors for the Great Northern railway.
For fifteen years Lewis Johnson and Lewis Moline have been in business in Willmar as dealers in general merchandise. Both have served the public in official capacity, the former as county clerk, and the latter as member of the city council.
The Jones Clothing company, composed of J. G. Jones and Abel Anderson, carries a fine line of clothing, furnishing goods and shoes, with everything up to date. Mr. Jones was in business for eighteen years in St. Paul before locating at Willmar.
The Fred W. Segerstrom Supply company is incorporated for $25,000 and S. E. Stansberry is president, G. H. Stephens, vice president, and Fred W. Segerstrom, secretary and treasurer. They deal in musical instruments, furniture and undertakers’ goods. Their motto is “your credit is good with us.”
The Palace Cash Store has been in operation for a year, making a specialty of crockery, china, ware, notions, etc. Mrs. E. L. Hazle, the manager, reports a constant increase in sales by reason of live and let live prices.
The firm of P. C. Peterson and E. C. Wallin is one of the large merchandising concerns of the city. Individually, each is active in promoting the best interests of Willmar, the former at this time being clerk of the school board, and the latter vice president of the Commercial club.
The Willmar Hardware company, incorporated, of which Albert Lund is president, O. B. Olson, vice president and S. P. Johnson, secretary and treasurer, does a wholesale and retail business. Mr. Johnson is a councilman and his firm is one of the reliable ones of the city.
Ohsberg, Selvig & Co. deal in hardware, stoves, paints, glass, pumps, sporting goods, etc., and operate a tin shop. They have been in business for over ten years. Mr. Selvig is a member of the city council.
Everybody in Willmar knows and likes David N. Tallman, president of several long distant telephone companies and an active worker for his home town. He is also president of the library association, and it was mainly through his efforts that the city secured the Carnegie donation.
Three Land Companies.
The Spicer land company has a paid up capital of $300,000. The president is John M. Spicer, former president of the Willmar & Sioux Falls railway, and chief promoter of the St. Cloud & Willmar railway. Mason W. Spicer is vice president and Russel Spicer, secretary. They make loans, buy and sell lands and have farms to rent.
George Muller, or Judge Muller, as he is familiarly known, has been an attorney and counselor in Willmar since 1880, and has filled several official positions in county and city. He was connected with the St. Paul & Pacific railway at St. Paul from 1872 to 1879.
The Anderson Land company, of which A. A. Anderson is manager, has for sale improved and unimproved lands in Kandiyohi and adjoining counties, at prices ranging from about $30 an acre, besides lands in Canada as low as $8.50 an acre. Write him for information.
The Home Livery, of which J. J. Downs & Co. are proprietors, are prepared to supply commercial travelers, prospectors, hunters, anglers and pleasure resorters with teams and drivers on short notice.
The Benton Land company, composed of some of Willmar’s prominent men, including State Senator L. O. Thorpe, and of which S. L. Benton is the active field representative, deals in Canadian lands, located near Redvers, Assiniboia. They have bargains and ask homeseekers to write for information.
The drug store, of which A. E. Mossberg is proprietor, was established in 1879 and Mr. Mossberg entered its employ as a boy, and has grown up to ownership and a complete knowledge of all details of an exacting business.
The Back Bay Mining company, of which G. P. Karwand is president; A. C. Crawford, vice president; M. G. Rigg, treasurer, and a directory composed of other representative men of Willmar, own over 100 acres of land underlined with copper ore, on the north shore of Lake Superior, with navigable water coming right up to their mines. They own in fee their entire property, have shafts and tunnels constructed, with no debts, and a lead ten feet thick, showing assays averaging $20 a ton. They need money to aid in putting up machinery and will sell a limited number of shares at less than par value. For full particulars as to the property and prospects, address the secretary at Willmar.
The firm of C. Ackerman & Co. is a well-known one in Willmar, having been in business for over twenty-two years, and that they sell good meats at right prices is shown by their having many of the same customers now that they had when they first opened their market.
Skoog & Anderson, of the Metropolitan meat market, have been selling fresh and salted meats at the old stand for the last eleven years, and they expect to continue as long as they are on earth.
The Willmar Provision company is a new candidate for the favor of the public. The firm has just opened and will carry everything needed by the public in the way of fresh and salted meats, and ask for a share of their patronage. The manager is Peter Hawkinson.
The Delmonico café, in the Gilger block, 407 Pacific avenue, passed under the management of Swenson & Rustad on July 7, and they have thoroughly refitted everything. The new proprietors are familiar with their calling, and are prepared to cater to the wants of the inner man in a way to keep their customers with them.
Two First-Class Hotels.
The principal hotels of the city are the Merchants and Central, both under one management, Minton S. Bryant. They occupy corners just opposite the Great Northern depot, and are up-to-date in everything demanded by the traveling public.
For five years Sandven, Crawford & Co. have been in general merchandising, and their store has long been one of the popular ones of the city, customers not only finding good goods, but right prices and cordial treatment.
The Willmar Steam laundry is now under the management of O. A. Ferring, who has put in new machinery and otherwise improved things, until most of the work that went to the Twin Cities is now done at home.
No mention of Willmar is complete without a notice of J. T. Cramer, who for seventeen years has shaved and dispensed justice to the people. His barber shop is the oldest in the city. His worth as a man has been recognized frequently in an official capacity, having been president of the school board, member of the city council and at this time serving as justice of the peace.
“For a good shave, hair cut or a shampoo, go to Kent’s barber shop,” will be found on J. W. Kent’s business card which has been circulated at Willmar for the last twelve years. Everybody says Kent has keen razors, and people who shave themselves, take their razors to him to be ground and honed.
Source:
The Saint Paul Globe
Monday Morning, August 24, 1903
Volume XXVI, Number 236, Page 3