George Kronschnabel opened the Fertile brickyard in 1897.
The Fertile (Minn.) Brick Co., has filed articles of incorporation. The capital stock is placed at $25,000. (Clay Record, Clay Record Publishing Company, Chicago, February 17, 1901, Volume XX, Number 3, Page 28)
The Fertile Brick company is closing its season’s work by burning one of the largest kilns of brick every burned in the northwest. It contains over 100,000 brick. The output of the yard this season will reach 800,000. A tile factory will be added next spring. (The Minneapolis Journal, Wednesday Evening, October 8, 1902, Page 13)
Wanted – A practical tile maker who has sufficient money to insure good faith; this is a splendid opportunity for the right man. Address The Fertile Brick Co., Fertile, Minn. (Brick and Clay Record, Windsor & Kenfield Publishing Company, Chicago, January 1903, Volume XVIII, Number 1, Page 65)
Fertile, Minn. – The Fertile Brick company has closed contracts for a drainage and hollow-block factory. The addition will cost about $12,000. Work will be commenced at once and the factory will be ready by July. Harry T. Zartman, of Perry, Iowa, has been engaged as superintendent and about twenty men will be employed in the factory. (The Minneapolis Journal, Thursday Evening, February 19, 1903, Page 11)
The Fertile Brick company has closed contracts for a draintile and hollow-block factory. The addition will cost about $12,000. Work will be commenced at once and the factory will be ready by July. (Warren Sheaf, Thursday, March 12, 1903, Volume 24, Number 15, Page 6)
Work has begun on the new tile factory in connection with the Fertile Brick company’s plant. (The Minneapolis Journal, Wednesday Evening, April 15, 1903, Page 17)
The Fertile Brick company is boring an artesian well. (The Minneapolis Journal, Friday Evening, May 29, 1903, Page 17)
Harry F. Zartman, superintendent of the new tile factory of the Fertile Brick company, has resigned. (The Minneapolis Journal, Monday Evening, August 3, 1903, Page 14)