St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-06

the navy. Such is the skeleton of Alex
ander Ramsey's great career, and from
it the mercst idea may be obtained of
his historical Importance. He still en-
joys the halest of life's winter, and for
many years yet may live among his
friends of st. Paul, honored and beloved
by ali.
Maj. Ii. b. Strait, who at the last
election was elected to the presidency
of the bank, is not only banker of ex-
perience and proficiency, but is as we'll
a man prominent in the states history
and politics. Though Shakopee is desig
mated as his residency, he could well
claim the state at large as his home, and
particularly st. Paul and that portion of
Minnesota known as the Third congress
sional district. He is self-made man,
and from farmer, through legislature to
congress, his career has been that of a
courageous, self-rehant leader, who
boldly trod where others felt their way.
His knowledge of the law and of poll
tics, stood him in good stead, and
when the Republicans of his
district named him for congress in
1880, his election was practically a
walkover. Three times he had the
honor of serving in the National legis-
Iature. and when he retired to devote
little time to himself and his business
affairs, the district was captured by the
Democrats. When, two years later,
Major Strait assumed the reinS again
and placed ID. s. Hall in the field, the
district reverted to its former politics.
Major Strait is a natural leader of
men, and had party differences been
healed by his nomination for governor.
the party would have been in better
shape and strength to-day. Personally,
be is cheerful, intelligent and cordial
gentleman, whose large following is
due entirely TO his personal character
and magnetism.
Charles Friend, who has been in the
harness business on jackson street time
out of mind, is another leading director
of the Germania. Except i'll business
way, he is of retiring disposition, and
seldom appears in public life but to do
his duty as citizen. He is an old resi-
dent of st. Paul, successful manu-
facturer and good citizen. Thoroughly
practical in his methods and knowledge,
he is valuable adjunct to the bank,
and his counses are always on the side
of conservatism. He is a fair repre-
sentative of the large German-Ameri-
eau interest, so successfully conferred
i'll this bank.
p. NJ. KerSt, the assistant cashier, is a
young man who has risen from the
ranks very rapidly and gives promise of
great future capacity and usefulness.
His father. Peter KerSt, is one of the
best known citizens of st. Paul, and his
son is chip of the old block. Mr..
KerSt was formerly in the city treasur-
er'S Office and went to the Germania in
the line of promotion. He has firmly
established himself in the good will of
the officers of the bank and OF its Glen
tele. and will ere long become one OF the
banks guiding spirits.
MIR. kerSt Is perhaps the youngest
bank official in st. Paul and it is not say
ing too much in his praise 10 add that he
has displayed Judgment, tact and dis
cGeti0n far beyond his years.
Charles l.. Horst, the st. Peter street
hardware dealer, is what might be
called young pioneer. In business
life he is already an old hand, and has
built up trade in his section that is
quite creditaDle to his business acumen.
AggreSsiveness and enterprise go hand
in hand with him, and IN the banks
business he carries the same attributes
that contributed to the success of his
personal affairs. OF recent years he
has taken a lively interest in politics,
occupying high seat in his party's
councils and having always been ac-
corded an attentive and respectful hear
ing. No Fourth ward delegation is
complete without him, and in the flu
ture he will be heard from in an en-
phatic way.
Theodore H. Menk, of the firm of
Menk Brothers, the Sixth street COM
mission house, is another practical
member of the board. He is man in
the prime of life and enjoyment of all
faculties, mental and physical. He has
built up a large business and made for
himself a record for honesty and in
tegrity second to none in the city.
Though living in aDemocratic stronghold
the Ninth ward Mr.. Menk evidenced
his popularity last fall by making
great race fer the legislature. His
friends and neighborS, without regard
to politics stood by him in the bustings
and only the ponderOuS majority of the
ward prevented his election. Personally
Mr.. Menk is man of imposing appear
ance and directing mien, but genial
and pleasant in manner. He is a
general favorite wherever known and a
type Of prosperous and happy business
man.
Joseph Haag, one of the old citizens
and prominent figures of the Fifth
ward, occupies seat near the head of
the Germania directorate board. He
has long been in the hardware business
at Ramsey and West Seventh, and has
taken his due interest In city and pub
lie affairs. AS a business man he is
sound and conservative and his opin-
ions, always based on sound reasons, in
evitably command confidence and re-
spect. He is one of the class of strictly
business men on the Germania board
that goes so far to make that sound and
successful, conservative and progress
Siye.
George Mitsch is one of st. Paul's
prominent characters, and who has
lived here who does not know him? He
is German by birth and is in his sixty
sixth year, but is still a hale, hearty
man of business. He began western
life as a blacksmith at Chicago. but
caught the gold fever and spent an
eventful two years in California. 1t
was in 1858 he finally landed in st. Paul,
though he afterward went back to Chi
cago for wife. He located the black
smith and wagon shop on Seventh
street, where it has since remained. He
made many prosperous ventures
in real estate, whence came his
wealth. In politics Mr.. MitSch
always took great interest and his
party frequently hOnOred him with
offices. He was member of the legis-
lature in 1859, and served three years
in council from 1866. In 1872 he was a
delegate to the national Democratic con-
ventIon at Baltimore and in 1888 was
elected a county commissioner, which
position he has since flied. One act of
his life of which he is most proud,
was the organization of the Catholic Aid
society in 1875, which still flOuriSheS
Mr.. Mitsch is Il prudent and conserva-
tive, though enterprising citizen, and a
valuable member of the community.
Adam Decker, another OF the Ger
man-American coterie of the banks
executives, was born in 1887 and came
to this country after his education was
completed. He learned the trade of a
timer at Marietta, o., and engaged in
it in st. Paul in 1854. Five years later
he began the business for himself Oh
Third street. He was burned out the
following year. and then located at his
present site on Jackson street. By judi
ciouS real estate purchases he made con-