The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-03-19

The announcement that Mr.. Gran is
| to sever his relations with the Y. NJ
{. y. i'll Mankato, came as surprise to
most people. Outside of the board OF
directors of the local association few
persons were aware that he intended
making a change.
On Feb. last, Mr.. Gran was called to
La Crosse and met with the board of
directors of the associate there. A
call to the position of general secretary
was extended him. He looked the
field over and was impressed with its
excellent possibilities, but it was not
until a week ago that lie decided to
accept the unanimous tender of the
La Crosse association.
Will Begin Work There in June
Mr.. Gran will begin work in his new
field of labor the first part of June,
although the new 100000 Y. NJ. C. A.
building there will not be completed and
ready for occupancy until about the
fore part of September. The building,
by the way, is a four story structure,
and is the gift of the wealthy men
of La Crosse to the association. 1t
will be fire proof structure, and
will be one of the finest equipped as
ISOLATION buildings in the country. No
expense will be spared to furnish it
with all the paraphernalia necessary
for the work which the association has
undertaken.
Mr.. Grams Work in Mankato.
Mr.. Gran became general secretary
OF the Mankato Y. NJ. c.. A. on July
|, 1901, succeeding T.. W. Martin. At
that time the association was occupy
ing cramped quarters on South Front
street The membership was less than
200 and interest in tine work was lag
ging somewhat, due more to the lack
OF adequate rooms than any thing else
During the following year the member
ship was increased considerably, and
the result of Mr. Grams labors made
1T apparent that more commodjous
quarters were All absolute necessity.
Agitation for a new building was be-
gun, and Mr. Gran gave his efforts to
the end that the new structure became
a reality. The membership reached
It's highest point-more than 5OO-about
a year ago, but since that time fall
ing off has occurred, due to the cpl
delnlc of last summer. Mr.. Gran was
among those VINO were stricken for
weeks with the fever, and Y. NJ. C. A.
work was necessarily neglected. Of,
late. however, the membership has tax
EN- on an increase
Relations Have Been Cordial.
During the almost eight years that
MIR, Gran has been in Mankato, his re-
lations with the officers and directors
of the Y NJ. C. A. have been most cor.
dial, and he has been given every
support that it was possible to extend
one in his position. He has been favor
ed by the citizens generally. something
that is highly appreciated by Mr.. |
Gran.
Mr.. Grams heart and soul has been
III HIS Work. lie is gentleman of !
broad mind and is tireless laborer in |
The association which has for its OBJ
ect the saving of young men-to keep
hem from becoming contaminated. |
MIR. Grams co-workers and many friends
will regret his going away, but they
Will all be pleased to know that he is
'bout to take up the work in larger
'ity and his usefulness will extend
'ver wider field with more far
catching results.
Seeking a Successor.
A committee from the local board
II directors-consisting of George M.
'almer, W. ID. Willard and j. NJ Me-
been intrusted with the
luty of selecting a successor to Mr..
iran. This committee have several ex-
client men in view, but no decision will
re reached for the present. 1t may be
hat other applications will be consid-
red.