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 Saint Paul Globe, Monday, August 24, 1903, Volume XXVI, Number 236, Page 3)
Secretary of the Northwestern Brick Manufacturers' Association. (Brick and Clay Record, Volume XVI, Number 4, April 1902, Windsor & Kenfield Publishing Company, Chicago, IL, Page 189)
MOLINE, LEWIS, JR., b. in Sweden, Sept. 12, 1866; d. in Willmar, Minn., Oct. 14, 1903. When four years old, he came with his parents to the United States, and to Whitefield, Kandiyohi county, Minn., the same year. He engaged in mercantile business in Willmar after 1887; and was secretary of the Northwestern Brick Manufacturers' Association after 1901. [63*; 237 (28).] (Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, Volume XIV, Minnesota Biographies 1655-1912, Compiled by Warren Upham and Rose Barteau Dunlap, Published by the Society, June, 1912, St. Paul, Minnesota, Page 517)
Special to The Globe. WILLMAR, Minn., Oct. 14. – Lewis Moline, a prominent merchant, died this afternoon from abscess of the brain, after three days’ illness. He was a member of the firm of Johnson, Moline & Co., and the Willmar Brick Manufacturing company. He had served the city as alderman one term. (The Saint Paul Globe, Thursday Morning, October 15, 1903, Volume XXVI, Number 288, Page 3)
Lewis Moline. Lewis Moline, Jr., was born at Mockelind, Nas parish, Koprbergs Lan, Sweden, Sept. 12, 1866. He was the first-born son of Lars and Anna Moline. The subject of this sketch was but four years of age when his parents emigrated to America. They arrived in Kandiyohi county in April of 1871 and settled on a homestead in Whitefield. Here the youthful days of Lewis were spent on the farm. He attended the district schools and proved unusually bright in mathematics. He attended the Willmar Seminary during the winter terms of 1885 and 1886 and finished the business and bookkeeping course with good standings.
On Sept. 29, 1887, he entered the employ of Johnson & Fridlund in the general merchandise business on Benson avenue at Willmar. Jan. 1, 1891, he became a partner in the business, when the firm was known as Johnson, Fridlund & Moline. He also at that time became interested in the Willmar Creamery Company, which had been organized in 1888 by Johnson, Fridlund, Hjort and Lindstrom, and later was moved to Minneapolis. The Willmar firm’s interest in the creamery and commission business at Minneapolis continued until 1896. In October of 1898 the firm of which Mr. Moline was a member moved from their old location into the new Bonde block. Later the company re-organized under the firm name of Johnson, Moline & Company. Mr. Moline also was a part owner of the Willmar brick yard. He became well and favorably known among the brick manufacturers throughout the state. From 1901 until the time of his death he was secretary of the Northwestern Brick Manufacturers’ Association. He was a painstaking and hardworking business man. In 1901 he represented his ward in the city council as alderman.
After a very brief illness Mr. Moline passed away from the scenes of this life at the home of his parents on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1903, at the age of thirty-seven years. His untimely death was deeply regretted by a large circle of friends and business associates, who held him in highest esteem. (Illustrated History and Descriptive and Biographical Review of Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, Published by Victor E. Lawson and J. Emil Nelson of the Willmar Tribune, The Pioneer Press Manufacturing Departments, 1905, Page 425)
Lewis Moline Jr. Passed Away. Breathed His Last on Wednesday Afternoon, Oct. 14. Prominent Business Man and Citizen. His Death a Sad Surprise to a Large Circle of Friends – Was Universally Esteemed by the People of the City and Country. Lewis Moline, Jr., of the firm of Johnson, Moline & Co., of this city, passed away from the scenes of life at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lars Moline, on East Becker avenue, Wednesday afternoon at 3:35 o’clock, after a very brief illness, at an age of thirty-seven years.
The city was shocked last Wednesday afternoon as the news of the death of the popular young business man quickly spread. At the Presbyterian church fully a thousand people were gathered to witness the funeral of two of the victims of the accident of last Saturday. This additional loss was whispered from mouth to mouth and all were awe-stricken under a pall of regret. But very few had learned of his serious illness, and therefore the news of his death was entirely unexpected.
The deceased had felt a little out of sorts for a day or two. Friday evening last he spoke of probably having taken a slight cold. Saturday morning he did not go down to the store but stayed at home about the house. On Sunday he did not feel any better, but dressed and was up about the house. On Monday he also was up and dressed. Dr. McLaughlin had attended him and the case was diagnosed as being erysipelas. Monday evening he appeared to be somewhat better. Rev. G. Peterson, of the Bethel Lutheran church, called during the evening and had a talk with him. He thought it needless that anyone stay up with him during the night. Early Tuesday morning his mother went to his room and was startled to see him already up, and she saw at once that he acted strangely. The doctor was summoned at once. Mr. Moline, Sr., states that when he saw him that he at once began to dread the worst. Lewis spoke the last rational words with his father during the morning. He inquired about the sickness, its probable duration, etc. He grew more delirious as the day passed. Drs. McLaughlin and Rains were in consultation during the morning and again later in the day. The case had developed into brain fever or meningitis.
The deceased did not regain consciousness before he died. Wednesday morning Dr. Peterson was also summoned on the case. The contributing cause of the fever was an abscess of the brain above the left eye. After noon an operation was performed in the hope of relieving the patient, but he breathed his last as stated at thirty-five minutes past three o’clock. All members of the family had been summoned on Tuesday. His Svea relatives came on Tuesday morning and his other absent sisters came up from Minneapolis on the evening train.
Lewis Moline, Jr., was born at Mocklind, Nas, Fahlun (or Stora Kopparbergs) lan, West Dalarne, Sweden, September 12, 1866. He was the first-born son of Lars and Anna Moline. When the deceased was but four years old, his parents emigrated to America. They arrived at New York on the Brooklyn, of the Inman Steamship Line, on July 5th, 1870. They located at Scranton, Pa., were they remained until April 1, 1871, when they left for the great northwest to find themselves a home. After a brief stay at St. Paul, while the father was looking about through Swedish settlements for a suitable place to locate, they arrived in Kandiyohi county in the latter part of April, and settled on the old homestead in Whitefield, near Svea. Here Lewis attended the district school. He was always good at calculation and figures. In 1885 and 1886 he attended the winter terms of the Willmar Seminary. He made very rapid progress and finished the business and bookkeeping studies with good standings. On September 29, 1887, he entered the employ of Johnson & Fridlund in the general merchandise business on Benson avenue, at Willmar. He became a partner in the business January 1, 1891. He also at that time became interested in the Willmar Creamery company, which had been organized in 1888 by Johnson, Fridlund, Hjort & Lindstrom, and had later been moved to Minneapolis. The firm’s interest in the creamery and commission business at Minneapolis continued until some time in 1896. October 27, 1898, the firm of which Mr. Moline was a member moved from their old location into the Bonde Block. The present firm, Johnson, Moline & Co., is made up of Lewis Johnson, the deceased, Ole Rogen and August Norman. The deceased was also a part owner of the Willmar brick yard. He was well and favorably known among the brick manufacturers throughout the state. For the two years last past, he was the secretary of the Northwestern Brick Manufacturers’ Association. He was a painstaking and hardworking business man. Attending strictly to business he denied himself ofttimes the recreation he should have had. That he possessed the respect and confidence of the people of the city is abundantly testified to by the expressions THE TRIBUNE has gathered and presents in this issue. This list might have been continued indefinitely, for Lewis Moline was liked by all. He served as alderman from Third ward in 1901. But he sought no honors. He was quiet and unobtrusive, but yet wielded an unconscious influence about him – larger than he thought.
Besides the grief-stricken parents, seven brothers and sisters survive him, viz.: Erick Moline, of Svea, Minn.; Sarah – Mrs. Peter Olson of Svea; Anna – Mrs. August Norman; Tillie and Louise, who have been at Minneapolis; and Edwin and Hulda who live at home.
The funeral services will be held next Sunday morning. They will begin at the residence at 9:30 o’clock. At ten o’clock the services will be held at the Swedish Lutheran Bethel church. Rev. G. Peterson will speak, both in the Swedish and English languages. On account of this occasion the services at the Mamrelund Lutheran church have been postponed until two o’clock p. m. The remains will be taken to the Svea Lutheran cemetery, to be laid to rest in the family lot, where three brothers and a sister, all of whom died in their infancy, are buried before. Those who wish to view the remains may do so at the residence before the time set for the funeral. The casket will not be opened in the church. (Willmar Tribune, Saturday, October 17, 1903, Volume 9, Number 70, Page 1)