HISTORIC ACCOUNTS OF CEYLON
June 30, July 1-2, 2000

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MINNESOTA - is located in the geographical center of the continet of North America. It is midway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and also midway between the Hudson Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

MARTIN COUNTY was created May 23, 1857

CEYLON 1900-2000 --------100 years old.....


CEYLON - 50 YEARS AGO

50 years ago, Ceylon was quite a prosperous community. A new addition was to be built on to the school, named for Wilfred Quenett , a superintendent who did not live to see it completed. Many business places graced the streets of Ceylon. Farm families came to town to shop on Wednesday and Saturday nights to sell their and eggs cream and to buy their weeks supply of groceries. The kids went to the theater to watch cowboy shows and the women visited in the cafe and grocery stores while the men went across the street. Those were the good old days when Ceylon had middle of the street parking. A large flag pole stood in the middle of the street in the middle of town. The flag pole was removed when the state highway 263 came to town. That same flag pole stands in the Lake Belt Cemetery today.

GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES

Ceylon , Minnesota is located in the south central part of the state ten miles as the crow flies, southwest of Fairmont, Minnesota , the county seat and two miles north of the Minnesota/Iowa state line. The land surface is fairly level with a few gentle swells. The above sea level varies from 1250 feet to 1270 feet.

The plain was created in the late stages of the Wisconsin glaciation. boulder clay and interbedded seams of sand and gravel covers all of Martin County to a depth of 300 feet.

This is overlayed with bedrock strata of cretacous sandstone and shale. Soils in this agriculurally rich area are 60 to 67 inches of thick dark loam which is poorly to moderately well drained. Area soils consists of loam, silts and clays. The soil is classified as loam mixed with alluvium.

A total of 7 lakes are within 3 miles radius of Ceylon. 3 smaller lakesClear.Fish and Susan are connected in a chain of lakes southwest of town.Clear, Fish and Susan are at a depth of 5 to 7 feet.Bright and Clayton to the east of town have similar depths. Tuttle and Okamanpeedan Lakes to the east, are considerably larger with depths varying from 10 to 15 feet. Several ao the larger lakes are great for boating ,fishing and recreation.

Several waterways are located in the Ceylon area. Flowing through the southwest corner of Martin County is the East Fork of the Des Moines River, 1-1/2 miles north of Ceylon. This waterway flows through Tuttle Lake by an inlet, though Okamanpeedan until just south of the Minnesota/Iowa state line it becomes the East Fork of the Des Moines River.

CLIMATE: Summers are hot and sometimes dry. while the winters are long and cold.

Air quality around Ceylon is quite good except for being an agriculture area, air at times contains airborne dirt and dust from plowed cropland which lowers the qualilty of air. Also at times objectionable oders from feedlots and livestock confinment lot operations are present in the air for limited periods of time.

Located just southwest of Ceylon is located the State Wildlife Management area which provides habitat for a variety of water fowl, songbirds and upland game. Found in the East Fork os the Des Moines river, as well as the lakes are rough fish such as, bullheads, carp,buffalo,suckers, crappies, perch and sunfish as well as small mouth bass northern pike and walleyes.

The lakes and wetlands with its abundant wildlife serves the area residents with a popular hunting grounds.

Ceylon's local economy is dependent upon agriculture related activities and industries. However some of the income is derived from local services and small commercial establishments.

The city of Ceylon maintains it's own electric power distribution. Telephone service is provided by Frontier of Burnville, Minnesota. The telephone lines are burried along with new water lines dug in at the same time Ceylon put in it's 1.2 million dollar sewer system about ten years ago Cable TV was brought into town for the enjoyment of the residents and is being managed by a firm out of Cold Water, Minnesota.

State Trunk highway 263 is the towns major transportation route linking it to I-90 at Welcome,Mn.

Since the Northwestern Rail Road abandoned and removed it's rail line to Ceylon the town has no railroad service. The nearest municipal airport is located at Fairmont, Mn. Fairmont has a bus line stopping to pick up those with no other means of transportation .All that is needed is a telephone call a few hours ahead of time to get a ride anywhere in the county.

In population, Ceylon grew from 100 people in l900 to 618 in l950. The post war years to l950 were prosperous and the town grew. A few years following the 50's businesses closed, some were torn down,others moved away and population has been on a decline since. 1/3 of the population is senior citizens retired and over 62 years. The 1990 census was 460.

TENHASSEN--HISTORY

In 1856 the Calvin Tuttle clan were the first settlers to enter this area. They journeyed from Fort Dodge and settled in the Tenhassen Woods,

The first wedding was performed by J.C. Hudson. Louise Tuttle was married to Wm, S. Campbell.

The first organized religion in Martin County was established in 1860 by J.C. Hudson at a camp meeting which was held in Tuttle's Grove and lasted a week.

The 1860 census showed that Tenhassen had 13 people living in three households.

From 1863 t0 1902 more families came from New York first stopping in Wisconsin, some located in sections 20-21 and 29.

This became the village of Tenhassen. A postoffice was established in 863. Several other businesses sprung up, a blacksmith shop, a store and a saw mill. For a short time the town of Tenhassen became an important trading center.

A second postoffice existed for a short time. It received the name of Andrew Jackson named for the president. The location of the nenw postoffice moved to the different homes of the postmasters. The first post office was located at the Alphonso Warren's log cabin. He operated a store and took in travelers who needed bed and board. Frank Loveland followed Warren as postmaster. He owned a large tract of timber on the south shore of Bright Lake. There he operated a taveran and a small store.This postoffice was located only three miles from the Tenhassen P.O. Bebause of the great vast area of timber and water streams mail from the Andrew Jackson Postoffice had to be taken by boat to the Tenhassen Postoffice.

Following the impeachment attempt of Andrew Jackson the name of theat postoffice was changed to Benomi because of the presidential scandal.

The Loveland nd Warren families did not survive the grasshopper siege. They soon moved leaving Martin County never to return.

Tenhassen Township had some of the largest groves of native timber, providing and abundance of fuel and lumber for the building of hundreds of pioneer log cabins and houses.

More people moving into the area created problems. Out of this came the Carver -Tuttle fight and the departure of the Tuttle clan to unknown places. The first settler of Martin County did leave his name on the large lake named by the indians, Lake Okamanpeedan, we call this lake Tuttle Lake.

In 1856 Tuttle planted the first field of corn in Tenhassen, which has become the mainstay in this area and Tenhassen yet today.

Tenhassen did not ask to be set aside as a township until 1866. A possible explaination being that most of the male populatiion served in the Civil War 1861-1865. More soldiers were provided by Tenhassen Township in the Civil War then in WW!.

C.D. Personius, JH. Babcock and many others presented a petition at the Fairmont Courthouse asking to form a township which included the area of Lake Belt.The petition was granted and the first town meeting was held at the C.D. Personius home on April 2nd 1866. Tenhassen has a greater water surface then any other county.This includes Lake Okamanpeedan, Bright Lake, Clayton Lake, and several other smaller lakes. Today much of this has been reduced by drainage.

Tenhassen had established 6 rural schools. Today , through the consolidation of Ceylon District 451 with the Fairmont schools the Wilbert high school students all went to the Fairmont schools. Wilbert Parocial School still maintains it's grade school.

In 1890 German settlers built a Lutheran Church and soon after built their parocial school.

Another small group of Germans who were not lutherans estasablished the Reformed Church a short distance south of the German Lutheran Church. When the town of Ceylon wwas established in 1900, this church was moved across the ice on Tuttle lake to it's present site in Ceylon. This church was later named The United Church of Christ.

A creamery was later built near the German Lutheran Church in 1896. In 1989 Frank Kellogg and Wilbert Robinson started what is known as the Wilbert Store. The postoffice was established in 1898 and was named Wilbert after it's first postmaster. A small town came alive, a blacksmith shop was o pened and cloaed in the 30's the creamery closed in the 40's. E.J. Beckendorf purchased the Wilbert Store in 1949 and sold it to the present owners, Ron and Pat Miller in 1971. Mr. Miller closed out the grocery line in the late 70's but continued his fertilizer and farm chemical business from this location.

Residents from Tenhassen are third and fourth generation families who settled the Tenhassen area from 1885 to 1910.

 

 

 

 

 

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CEYLON CHRONOLGY 1900-2000

1900---Ceylon became an incorporated village. Charles Turnell was the first Mayor, Fred Bauman, clerk. The first meeting was held Nov. 19. Nine ordinances were adopted as guides for the village.

l.To regulate and fix time of holding meetings for the village council.

2. To license, regulate and control sale of spiritous, fermented malts or vinous liquors

3.to license billard tables, pool tables, pigeon hole tables and bowling saloon.

4. To license shows, theaters, concerts and other exhibitions.

5. Providing for appointment of the Village Marshalls and defining his duties.

6. To prevent and punish disturbance of peace, riots, drunkness and other offences.

7. Relating to the street commissioner and his duties.

8. Relating to public health.

9. To license peddlers, monte banks, hawkers and aucioneers.

Thirty-one of the present Village ordinances were passed prior to 1908.

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The Congregational Church was the first church to be built in Ceylon

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According to the census , Ceylon's population was 100 persons at this time.

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The tide of immigration swelled into the U.S. and coming to Minnesota were immigrants from Germany, Norway and Sweden.

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Lake Belt Post Office merged with the Post Office in Ceylon March 1.

1901---Tallman Bros started the first newspaper in town, named the Ceylon Herald, the first edition, March 13, cost $1.25 per year.

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School District 29 was a four room school house built on the present site at a cost of $2,667.00. The first winter quarter registered 55 pupils.

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A 16 piece concert band was organized with A,L Kyle as conducter.

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Motion made and seconded to build a village lock-up [jail].

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An ordinance passed prohibiting the serving of meals in saloons.

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It took $35 or $40 to pay for a bell on the new school house. The first bell in town.

1902---F.H. Packard was notified to remove his "hennery" owing to the fact that it was a nuisance.

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Motion made and seconded to pay a man $1.50 a day for working and $3.00 a day for man and horse.

-------Mr. Falb was paid $15.00 a month to care for city lights. They burned oil and wicks had to be trimmed and lights lit each night and snuffed out in the morning

-------H. Rippe was in Minneapolis buying machinery for a flour mill that was being built in Ceylon.

---1903 Ceylon's first water pressure system was installed.

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Liquor license was granted Henry Siems in the corner pool hall.

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Motion made and carried to buy the lot east of the railroad tracks for $100.00 for the water works.

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The new Franklin Reader was used in the 4th grade in District 29.

---1904 Telephone service was installed with 48 subscribers, in the back rooms of the State Bank. Dry cell batteries operated the switch board. Netta Sherman was operater.

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Motion mad and carried, by Mr Haynes that the recorder be instructed to publish notice in the Ceylon Herald that bicyles riding on the sidewalks be prohibited.

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H.P. Andrews was appointed postmaster in Ceylon.

---1905 Robert W, Stewart organized the Community Fire Protective Association containing 3 hydrants and a hand drawn cart.

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Proceeds from a school play netting $19.00 was the start of the school library.

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Evengelical St. John's Lutheran Church was moved from Wilbert across the frozen ice on Tuttle Lake to Ceylon. The church was built in 1895 and is now known as St. John's United Church of Christ.

---1906 A flour mill,Ceylon Cement and Tile Co. , a blacksmith shop another grocery store, 3 saloons and a furniture store was added to the rapid growth of Ceylon.

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The first 2" plank sidewalks were built in the business district.

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Slater and Brutch constructed the first Ceylon Tile and Cement Co.

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German Lutheran church at Wilbert dedicated.

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A large icehouse built in Ceylon.

---1907 Wilbert postoffice discontinued, Edward Steege was in charge.

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Ceylon Farners Elevator became a corporation.

Thursday November 28 was designated Thanksgiving Day by Gov. John Johnson.

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Reasons for doing business with the State Bank of Ceylon is capital stock and surplus is $15,600.00

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An invitation to a basket social goes like this

To know that you are invited

to a basket social gay

On Wednsday evening

The first of May

The C.E's will welcome all

At a place long known

As Cardwell's Hall

---1908 Orville Wright flies his airplane over Fort Myers V.A. Sept. 3.

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From school notes-- It's really wonderful how big and heavy the pupils feet become when they go up the stairs--Girls not included.

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Tuttle Lake's first bridge was built.

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Al Stahn opened a furniture in Ceylon.

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For sale strained honey at 30cents a quart Mrs G.W. Gideon.

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George A. Clark received 5 bushels of fine wheat seed from Washington which he plans to seed.

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The "Grippe" is having it's inning in this section of the country this past week.

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After March 1, free copies of the Ceylon Herald will not be sent in the mail because of new postal regulations.

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Mr, Ed Steege, owner of Wilbert Store went to Wyoming to erect some buildings on his claim, Mrs. Steege and M:iss Ella Muth will run the Wilbert Store.

---1909 The Lake Belt Cemetery Association was organized.

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Alton Plummer were owners of the Ceylon Livery Stable.

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Gustav Utter reported Saturday that a sneak thief stole one of his sheep and replaced it with a dead one. Mr. Utter discovered the difference immediately because he had his sheep marked.

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Wilbert reports owing to the bad weather and bad roads the mail did not deliver for a week.

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G. F. Bigot of Triumph made a deal with Henry Senf in which he will become the owner of the Ceylon Meet Market.

---1910 The tile factory gang of ditchers are keeping busy these days putting the finishing touches on Ditch 13. The Boys work in spite of the weather,Ceylon Herald dated January.

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While driving across the railroad tracks Henry Leiding's sleigh stuck on the rails, but his horses kept on going, Henry hung on to the lines and followed quite a ways until he decided his stomach didn't make a good running gear and let go of the lines. The horses tried to break the speed record going through main stree ending in a big drift of snow west of John Ray's Blacksmith Shop.

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There are 4 saloons in Ceylon in which temperance people of Ceylon are anxious to put out of business.

---1911 The telephone switchboard was moved to the Corner Grocery Store with Serena Wiltse as telephone operater.

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A.D. Palmer served in the Minnesota State House of Represenatives.

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The Strickland Bros. secured a new horse shoer J, E.. Ray, so now we have five blacksmiths in town.

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Mrs Gotfried Schmidt's team become frightened ran through main street narrowly missing the depot platform as well as several teams tied in front of business places. They crashed into a hitching post and broke away from the wagon. Mrs. Schmidt, fortunately was not injured.

---1912 $45 a month was minimum teacher's wages.

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Dagne Tveidt began his delivery of milk in bottles, first by horse then by truck.

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Free movie pictures were shown on the streets of Ceylon.

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City council purchased quilts for the Village jail amounting to $2.15.

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F. Theobald, Village policeman was paid a monthly salary of $50.00.

---1913 H.A . Saggau served in the Minnesota State legislature.

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The Minnesota legislature passed the first workers compensation.

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Red barn paint as low in price as 65 cents per gal. at Christensen Hardware.

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Lake Belt received the honor of having the finest corn in the country, E.G Kittleson of that township was awarded the silver cup at the Martin County Fair.

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J.E. Ray had a new foundation abuilt by masons. He will do all of his blacksmith work in the new building and will use the old building for his woodworking shop.

---1914 Dr. G.W.Utter veterinarian, announced that he will move to Sherburn. Dr. A.C. Schmidt came to replace him.

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Mr. and Mrs C.S, Champine wed in Boumanville, Canada on June 4 1854, 60 years ago.

-------A band of dirty gypsies hit this burg last Friday morning and endeavored to put in practice their usual stunts, begging,fortune telling and stealing but were ordered to move by Marshall Theobald.

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Get your new percale dress material at Prust-Boehne at 35 cents per yard.

-------Dr. Farrish decided to locate in Ceylon.

---1915 Dr, H.C. Baily, new phycian and surgeon arrived in Ceylon, formerly from Jackson.

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Robert W. Stewart was appointed postmaster of Ceylon.

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The new bandstand will be octagon in shape, screened and painted so that it will be an ornament to main street. It will set in the square at the intersection of Main and Center Street.It will be the pride of the village built by the boys.

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Mrs Foster, is the new proprieter of the Ceylon Hotel, operated a resturant in Ceylon.

---1916 Alton and Saggau purchased the lot west of Follet Store to build a new garage on Main Street . This building is now the newly remodeled City Hall, County Library and City Museum.

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One thousand feet of illegal net was captured and burned, boat and outfit also cremated. Wardens Altenberg and Thomsen made a triip to Tuttle Lake Monday and found the boat near the residence of a prominent farmer. The illegal fishing had been going on openly and brazenly and it was known there were always a ready market for the fish over the line in Iowa.

---1917 2,046 men in Martin County between 21st and 31st birthday registered under the Selective Service Act.

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The Commissioner of Public Safety imposed an absolute prohibition of liquor in Ceylon until 3 days following the Armistice.

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The committee during WW1 was to take vigorious action toward suppression of disloyal outbreaks in communities where German citizens lived.

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Blow outs, punctures, broken parts repaired here. states an ad from the Auto Hospital operated by E.W. Wiltse and Sons.

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The school supplies arrived Tuesday, Sept. 27. The most important missing, the football.

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aA Lake Belt Farmer, Herman Schley looses barn, hay and machenery in a fire, covered partialy covered by insurance.

---1918 The first graduates from Ceylon Highschool were George Brutch and Ted Roehrs.

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Minnesota contributed 123,325 troops to WW1.

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Partnership of Fred Alton and C.H. Wessel known as C.H. Wessel Land Co. has been disolved..

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The war is ended by signing the Armistice between Germany and the Allies Nov. 11.

---1919 A new brick highschool was constructed.

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Andrew Halvorson purchased the produce business from John granger who started the business in l913.

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The second year Ceylon Highschool graduates were Gladys and Florence Rouse.

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After returning from 16 months in Uncle Sam's army, Andrew Keltz returned to reopoen his Harness Shop.

---1920 John W. Finke started his produce business.

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Schueler addition was added to Ceylon creating 40 building sites.

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Fred Kately, son of Mr. and Mrs Lucius Kately was lone graduate from Ceylon High Schools newly built Dist. 29.

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Minnesota Amendment adopted to provide state trunk highway systems.

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The Ernest G. Nassen Legion Post organized. They built the pavilion for their legion meeting hall. and later turned it over to the to the village of Ceylon.

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The new brick schoolhouse,District 29 was dedicated Mar. 4, l920

-------A.H. Halvorson remodeled the cottage bought from John Granger . He plans to move his family from Lakefild as soon as posible. Mr, Halvorson bought the produce business from Mr. Granger.

-------Ceylon Legion basketball team tool Fairmont 44-14.

---1921 A 48 - 80 foot pavilion was used by Ceylon Highschool for basketball games, for dances and community day activities.

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The First Bank building was built in the space now occupied by the Ceylon Community Building, was first called the German American Bank.

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Ceylon defeated Comfrey ,30-27 in basketball.

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Miss Collyn Keith of Ceylon one of the stars in the girls unbeaten basket ball team the past 2 years has brooadened her field, has become a swimmer swam across Clear Lake then swam from Gateswood Pier across Lake Okaboji to Des Moines Beach.

The first unknown soldier of WW1 arrived at Arlington Cemetery.

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Clarence Hamblen admistered Strychnine to his wife. Lulu [Riser} causing her death. He served life a sentence in Stillwater prison.

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Robbers entered 3 business places in the wee small hours of the morning. City Meat Market run by Franzenberg $2.00 was taken,Anderson Hardware and Furniture , $6.35 a winchester and shells and Rautenkranz Barber Shop and Billard Hall , 1/2 box of cigars, his pet razor and refreshed themsrlves from the stock of drinkables.

---1923 Sirloin and T-bone steak will be on special at 20cents per pound at the Independent Meat Market.

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Arthur Ditz received severe burns on his arms Sunday. Some ladies returning to town ran out of gas, Arthur went to assist them. While the gas was running he lit a match to see if the gas was running. The gas was running.

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The epidemic of ills always brings a new disease. The other day Dr. Bailey sprung a new one on us when he told us about a fellow being laid up with the "clothing sickness". Doc said he had a coat on his tongue and his breath came in short pants.

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Ceylon Band were planning a Concert at the Pavilion. Funds will go toward buying new uniforms.

--- 1924 Ceylon's first electric fire siren was installed.

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Ceylon's first Community Day was held. Free lunch was seerved at the pavilion paid for by the businessmen.

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Sheriff Carver searched for illegal moonshine stills on a farm near Ceylon, but found no evidence.

-------Ceylon Highschool Basketball team beat Rosemount and Elkton at the state before losing to Montrose in semi-finals.

---1925 Lawrence Larson brought his 8 tube radio to school so students could hear thre first broadcast of presidential inauguration over WCCO

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Frank Ross, Lou Lenz,Ervin Prust Max Keith, Freigh Jennings and coach Herb Behm were district champions and runner up state champions in basketball.

-------Ceylon dentistoffice went modern with the installation of a new x-ray machine. Dr. R.V. Hansen was dentist.

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Ceylon Creamery installed a new 300 gal. pasteurizing vat and 6 h.p. boiler. Patrons were getting 46cents a pound for butterfat.

---1926 A new 10 acre park at Lake Okamanpedan was dedicated and marked commerating the campground of old army units was placed by the D.A.R. Chapter.

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The Ceylon Protective Association purchased it's first motoriized firetruck., a Reo which is still owned by the fire department and is used in parades.

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Walter[John] Schmidt won County Corn Husking Contest Championship State title. He went on to Fremont Nebraska where he finished 9th.

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Charles Schimidt placed 2nd in the State Corn Husking Contest.

---1927 Charles A. Lindberg made his trans-Atlantic flight from New York to Paris.

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Our Savior's Lutheran Chusrch replaced the wood structured church located in the northwest part of town with a new brick church on Main Street. The old structure was sold to S.I. Palmer to be moved and used for a family dwelling.The Rev. Paul Mueller was pastor.

---1928 Walter 'Fritz' Mondale born Jan 5 to Rev. and Mrs. Theodore Mondale. Rev. Mondale was minister of the Methodist Church from 1927-1932

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Martin County Historical Society was organized by 40 persons.

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A Ceylon lady reports that the last time she had some extra money, she hid it in her sewing machine drawer. Her husband found it. Now she is hiding it in her bible..

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24 inches of snow fell the month of April, reported that snow drifts on the road were 6' deep. Twenty Tenhassen farmers turned out to help the gang shovel the roads open.

---1929 H.A. Saggau served as State Senator.

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Former graduates gathered at the Ceylon Hotel for an annual get together. Landlord Furtney and his committee served a four course banquet.

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Mr. O.E. Kittleson, deputy hotel inspector notified the newspaper and offered congratulations to the village for having a first class hotel in every respect. Kittleson says in past years Ceylon was a thorn in the side of the inspection Dept. Hotel manager was J.A. Furtney.

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It's called 'Dirty Politics' , the untruthful news that August Saggau was dangerously ill with pneumonia. undoubtly Saggau's opponent wanted to swing the vote. Mr. Saggau was and is in the best of health and at his job at the Capitol.

---1930 State of Minnesota population was 2,563,953.

Census for Ceylon was 475 persons. 242 males,233 females, 239 native parentage, and 74 foreign born.

Population of Tenhassen was 650, Lake Belt 585, Martin Co. 22,401.

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Oliver Brodale , the new proprietor of the City Meat Market arrived in Ceylon preparing to take over his new business Feb.1.

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The Unity Club met at the Ceylon Hotel to discuss the Community Day program.Ceylon will celebrate it's 6th Community Day, March 13.

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H.P. Andrews Community Day Specials---4lbs coffee, 98cents ,wallpaper 8cents a double roll,Swifts lard 2 lbs. for 25cents.and raisins 19 cents a lb.

---1931 Sinclair Lewis, Sauck Center, Mn won the Nobel Prize for his literature,"Main Street."

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J.C. Frase disposed of the balance of his stock in his clothing store due to ill health, he found it necessary to retire. He was the first manager of thre Rippe Elevator Co.

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District 47, known as the Ed Fritz school house was completely distroyed by fire.

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This past week Lucius Katley and Charles Lubenow were seriously injured by mad bulls.

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Stock Dip 89cents a gal. at Schneider's Drug Store.

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L.M Holldorf became owner of Jennings Shoe Service and Sporting Shop.

---1932 Closed durning WW1, The German American Basnk had it's name changed to First National Bank. It closed on this date never to reopen.

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Because of the snow the north bound gasoline passenger train was 5 hours late.

------- A reproduction of a circular , sent to all police chiefs of the U. S,. indicates the search for the kidnapers of Charles Augustus Lindberg Jr. has become,"officially," nationwide in scope.

---1933 Legislation by Minnesota's congressman, Andrew J. Volstead repealed prohibition.

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As the depression worsened, federal and state programs were implemented to assist unemployed and state farmers.

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Tests taken for oxygen content in Tuttle Lake by Iowa authorities show that fish are safe ,Feb 25.

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A blood clot ends the life of John H. Dettman . On Feb. 4th.. he suffered a painful injury to his leg, crushed and broken by a falling tree. He unexepectly developed pleursy and died.

---1934 Because of the depression a Minnesota amendment to exempt all household goods and farm equipment from the tax roll.

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Walter Milow purchased Peoples Coop Oil Company which under his management became The Independent Ceylon Co-op Oil Company.

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Henry A.C. Saggau was appointed Poatmaster at Ceylon.

---1935 Mrs. Grace Vohs was in the process of having her main street home remodeled. A flat roof on the building was replaced by a gabled roof.

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A horse was injured in a runaway at the Harvey Ross farm east of town, when he got tangled in a barbed wire fence. The team got frightened when the disc they were pulling hit the corner of the barn. The driver Jimmie Ross was not hurt.

------- 1936 A National Cemetery at Fort Snelling was made into law by the signature of the president.

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J.. Nuwash , druggist from St. Paul moved to Ceylon and opened Nuwash Drug Store.

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A tornado which crossed Martin County and northern Iowa did terrifc property damage, 5 persons were killed, 75 injured. Hands Park, " The Gay Paree" dance hall was completly demolished, among a 1000 buildings wrecked and damaged.

---1937

---1938

---1939 Ceylon's principal streets were blacktopped eliminating the dust filled air.

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Ceylon decided to have it's first Fall Festival featuring the Art B. Thomas Show, Sept 16.. with free acts, A ball game, band concert and a dance following.

An interview by the editor: Art B. Thomas--"Ceylon is one of the best towns in which my shows have been exhibited. We were treated with greatest of courtesy by everyone and wish to congratulate the people of your enterprising little village on it's enterprise and hospitality. "

Dr. R L Mondale 35, son of Pastor Theadore Mondale became pastor of All Souls Unitarian Church of Evandton, Ill.

---1940 Herb Prust drew the first number in the selective service.

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WARNING tractors with lugs are prohibited on oil roads . Punishable by $25.00 fine and costs.

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A new road being built, Lake Belt town board and County Commissioners announced. The road will start at the Iowa line run north into Ceylon along RailRoad street to intersection Main Street at the C&D Co-op Station.

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June 23, Truman will come to Ceylon to play the local Reds when the new ball diamond will be opened. Arrangements were made by manager , Walt Prust.

---1941 The Minnesota National and Naval Reserve were ordered to duty with the armed forces of WW!!,

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Armistice Day Blizzard , 45 deaths in Minnesota a terrific loss of livestock and wildlife,Nov., 11 ,l941.

-------Thomas A. Suhr , the man hho is given credit for giving Ceylon it's name revisited the community with his wife from, Grand Forks, N.D. They reminisced about the past.

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Battery "H" 215th C.A., 153 men and officers entrained at Fairmont for Camp Haan,Ca.

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In the early hours of Dec,7,1941 a Japanese assult force communicated the words"Tora tora,tora," code for tiger, meaning the surprise attack for Pearl Harbor was a success.

---1942 Nicol Slater, foemer resident of Ceylon died in California. Mr. Slater was a cabinet builder. He helped build many of the business buildings in Ceylon including the Ceylon Herald building.

-------President Roosevelt ordered a 40 mile per hr. speed limit during the World War 11 to save gas.

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Ray Stolzenberg and his Cowboy Band provided music for the Firemen's Dance.

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M.N Johnson of the County Rationing Board, stated that it was making it easy for the ladies to apply for their canning sugar. Just go to your local postoffice in Fairmont and fill out your application..

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Complying with the war effort, bring in your scrap rubber to Goeringer Garage, Milow Co-op Filling Statiion,Miller's Fillilng Station, and Harvey Meschke Standard Bulk Station. The government will give you 1 cent a pound.

---1943 Ceylon Herald celebrated it's 34th birthday. Bob Stewart, editor stated that in all this time he missed only press days.

H.P. Andrews, prominent merchant died at the age of 63 years.

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Five Leiding grandsons were home for their grandfather's funeral, Conrad Leiding Sr. They were Cpl. Edwin Leiding,Cpl Vernon Leiding, Pvt. LeRoy Leiding, Pvt Lloyd L. Leiding and Pvt. Sylvan Theisse.

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Jorstad Imp Co. International Agency are now located in the Muth building. M. A. Young , manager came from Wawllingford, Ia.

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Truman Tallege was missing in action since June 25. Notice came to his mother Pearl Tallege.

---1944 A special session of the legisllature allowed Minnesota soldiers in the armed services to vote.

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C.G. Nelson and crew installed a new 1000 lb. capacity churn at the Nelson Creamery.

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Sad news received in Ceylon that Fred[Sonny] Plenge 19 was killed near Metz Germany.

---1945 News reached Ceylon that an early resident, Hattie Phillips died in St. Paul. Her father started the Methodist Church in Ceylon. She taught in Ceylon a few years later.

-------Ceylon was hit by a 5 3/4 inch rainJune 14, the heaviest in 40 years. Streets basements and fiellllds were flooded. The railroad tracks between Fox Lake and Ceylon were washed out.

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St. Peter's Lutheran Church celebrated it's 50th Anniversary.Seven charter members were present, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lubenow Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fenrich, Mrs Augusta Lubenow, Mrs. Lena Jurs, and Mrs. Louise Hagen.

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The Evangelical and Reformed Church of Ceylon Celebrated it's 50 Anniversary, Pastor Harold Ott was in charge. A noon dinner was served at the pavilion to 200 people.

-------Henry Saggau bought thr Andrews Store.

-------1946 The first lighted ball park in the area with a roofed grandstand was dedicated, in Ceylon by Cedric Adams on his WCCO 10:30 news

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The Nassen Detert Post 529 was organized following WW!! The post home waws on the north side of the street back of the old postoffice.

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Robert Stewart sold the Ceylon Herald to Marie and Frank Uhlig.

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Meyer Bros bought Reiman Hatchery,Kermit Trusty opened his paint and paper shop, and Ernie Thompson purchased the Top Hat Cafe and turned it into the Ceylon Variety Store.

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Many public events were cancelled because of the polio epidemic.

---l947 The Ceylon American Auxiliary was organized.

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The Ceylon Reds team, managed by Walt Prust played in the State Tournament.

-------The Milk Bar and Ice Cream Palor was opened by K.W. [Bill] Koenke and Bill Gardner.

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A new ball diamond was dedicated at Wilbert.

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U.S. Post Office Department proposed to double the price of the penny postcard, which sold for 1 penny since 1872.

---1948 Flags flew at half mast Memorial Day , through out Martin Co. for the 87 young men and women who lost their life in wWW11.

-------May 22 the State Bank of Ceylon was robbed by Haroldson and Bettin.

-------A Minnesota Amendment was passed to pay WW!! Veterans benefits..

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Lake Belt and Tenhassen Townshippurchased a new GMC fire truck with fire fighting equiptment with a fog nozzle.

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First Girl Scout meeting held

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Harry Brodt purchased the Ceylkon Hotel and intends to put in a Gamble Store.

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Nassen -Detert Post 529 sponsored a Donkey ball game at the Ball Park.

-------1949 An appreciation party was given Kathey Follet, first grade teacher for 27 years of uninterupted service, Wayne Lindell a former student was master of ceremonies. The party was held at the pavilion.

-------Otto Beseman was given credit for the publication of the first Huskie annual.

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Martin County adopted the Community Chest plan with 24 member board of directors.

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:ep A Milow served as County Commissioner of 3rd District, died at his Tenhassen home.

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Ceylon Legion Nassen-Detert Post sponsored the 1949 Centennial float, depicting the flag raising at Iwa Jima. The float appeared in many parades.

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Einor Christensen waws elected Mayor of Ceylon.

-------Alfred Briggs opened a barber shop in Ceylkon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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