The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-09-12

health failed noticeably. He return
ed home about the first of August
and for the past two weeks had been
failing gradually. He was confined
to his bed but two days. The fun
eraI will be held tomorrow Iafterno VI
at 2:30 o'clock from the family
residence at Clark street. Rev. -.
Ross Paden will officiate at the
services and interment will be made
at Glenwood cemetery.
Early Settlers in Mankato.
Myron G. Willard was one of the
carly settlers in Mankato and dur
ing the early days when the village
was spreading out into a larger town
as well as later when the city grew
materially, he was one of the prog
ressipe and far sighted businessmen
who did much. for the growth and
progress of the community.
Deceased was born at Holland
Patent, N. Y, in 1912, being seven
tysix years of age at the tine of mis-
death. He attended the country
school near Holland Paten:, later
went through abe academy at White
stown and following the completion
of his course there taught for one
year in the school of his home dist
rict. In 1868 Mr.. Willard graduated
from the regular classical course at
Hamilton college, with nigh honors.
Three years later he received the
degree of Master of Arts from his
Alma Mater.
After leaving college he completed
the law course which he had been
carrying on in connection with his
literary studies and in 1868 was
admitted to practice in New York,
passing the general examinations at
Syracuse, N. Y. For e time he prac-
ticed law in the office of Senator
Francis Herman of Utica, n. u
In the fall of 1868 MIR. Willard
other members of his family to Man
kato. In partially completed au-
photography, written last summer for
the Hamilton college\ annual, 1r.
Willard related how well he remem-
bered arriving in Mankato at five
o'clock one December morning in
1868 in rafting old stagecoaoh. On
the same day that he arrived in
Mankato he was admitted to the bar
in Minnesota.
Successful at Law.
Opening a law office here he be-
came successful in the practice of
corporation and real estate law. He
was associated for a time with the
late r.. r. Pfas:, ST.. and later with
Thomas Hughes. Mr.. Willard gave
,,,> Ii To-, IN I'm c,J;
1885, and embarked in the n.anufact-
uriIfg business. He became manager
Of a firm incorporated under the
name of the Standard Fiber Ware
company. In 1892 he became asst c.
lated with the erection or Il plant for
the manufacture of hosiery, o.erated
as the Mhukato knitting mills.
During the following years of fin
ancial panic the two new business
concerns were severely buffeted by
the waves of financial difficulties. In
1897 the fibre plant and the knitting
mill both were closed for a time.
Within a year however the knitting
mill started again with William Xix
on as manager of the concern and
Mr. Willard as manager. In 1902
Mr.. Willard sold his interest in the
concern and retired from active
business, engaging in the insurance
loan and investment Business.
In 1870 Mr.. Willard left Mankato
going back to Holland Patent, where
!, he was united in marriage with Miss
Julia Knowlton. Two children
| Charles KA Willard of Heron Lake
and f. G. Willard of this city sur
e-ive this union. In 1876 Mrs. Willard
died and four years later, in 1880 Mr.
Willard married Miss Mary Willard
also of Holland Patent niece OF
General Halleck Three children
were born, Miss Clara Willard Of
! This city. being the only member Of
the family who survives. One broth
er, d. G. Willard OF this city also
ls,~-;vcs Mvron G. Willard.
nod az, of Mr.. Willard sewers
one of the links that connected the
rast in Mankato 18th the present
He was one of those who had al
Everlasting faith in this city's deye.