The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-03-16

ures. Mr, Widell put up the Daisy
mill at Superior. and built the Broad
way bridge at ST. Paul. These are
q few 'of his numerous contracts,
which have been mentioned from time
to timesin these columns.
While engaged upon a contract for
road in Illinois four years ago, the
work being mostly through slough,
MIR. Nldell caught cold that stayed
by him and from which he never re-
covered. He had a narrow escape
from death at that time, and the
cough remained by him ever since.
The deceased was married in 1882,
and the Wedlock has been blessed with
three children, two Of whom are living
He leaves three brothers and one
sister in Mankato, Gus. Claus and
John, and Mrs. Halstrom. There is
one brother in Sweden. Mr.. Widell'S
parents also reside in Mankato, having
been given spacious cottage at the
quarry by their son, Fred. The latter
was kind to his parents, and was a
loving husband and an indulgent
parent. He took great delight in his
fireside.
The deceased was member of Can
ton Colfax, and carried So, 900 OF life
insurance in the Odd Fellows. He
also had $4,000 in the New York
Life. This is more than sufficient to
liquidate all Indebtedness, and will
leave the estate in good shape. Gus
Widell will probably be appointed
special administrator, and will carry
on theIStone business. He is amply
qualified by his long experience to do
this, and there is no doubt but that he
will make a success of it. He has
been associated with his brother in
the business for many years and as
sisted him in making contracts, besides
having full charge OF the men. He is
d thorough master Of ali the details Of
the work, and will be in the field for
contracts very shortly.
Mr.. Widell was a man whom Man
kato can i'll afford to spare. To him
more than to anyone else is due the
wide reputation of Mankato stone,
and where others have failed, he has
made conspicuous success of the
stone quarry business. He possessed
all the qualities which MADE him
popular with his men, was prac
tical man at the business, and could
figure Gu lower margins OF profit than
anyone else. BY taking a large num-
Der Of contracts he was enabled to
make good profit. During the past
few years he has seldom employed less
than POO men during the season and
often many more, sometimes having
large gangs at work indifferent places.
At such times he Travelled a great
deal, visiting one piece OF work and
then another. He was good pay
master. and in all his dealings he was
thoroughly honest and honorable. He
acquired the confidence Of the rail
road officials and others, and when he
secured a contract every one knew
that the work would be well and faith
fully done. All of his work remains
monument to his ability, and will con-
tinue to be such for centuries, perhaps.
MIR. Widell was kind hearted and
generous. He gave largely to charity,
and ne was a large subscriber toward
the SwedishLutheran church on Main
street. He was public spirited and
gave his time and money to advance
Mankato. Through the big pay rolls
at his quarries he has distributed
hundreds of thousands Of dollars, to be
spent in Mankato. Mr.. Widell's name
will always be held in memory coupled
with pleasing "reminiscences, and he
will be indissolubly coupled with the
growth of the city. He had hosts OF
friends all over the state who will join
with the citizens of Mankato in sim
cere regret at his early taking off, at
a time when his future gave every
promise of the most splendid success,
and will join in extending sympathy
to the afflicted family.