Bank notes history promoters and movers #2

JOHN BOHMER

Another important promoter and problem solver was also busy managing his bank serving and solving problems of his customers at the same time.  

John Bohmer had been working in Melrose with a banker relative and began searching for a new community that needed a bank.  He moved to Brooten in 1894 to start Bank in Brooten. He also noticed a need for a lumber yard to help local development.

He held many public offices over the span of years. He organized the Brooten flour exchange, he helped organize the Brooten Telephone Company and the Brooten Garage and Implement. He had a hardware store, was a real estate and insurance agent, he was active in the city council and Chamber of commerce. He was Brooten’s first Mayor, and formed Brooten’s fire department. He was president of his new bank for 60 years, a record no-one has ever matched. He was a definite promoter.

It was during these years from the start of Brooten until the beginning of WWII that these two men with clear heads and steel backbones instead of wishbones made decisions that would benefit Brooten.

A huge swamp north and east of Brooten prohibited travel to Brooten from that direction. A big push was made to drain that swamp. It was believed that if the swamp was drained there would be extra land for farming and pastureland, and would allow roads to be built to access Brooten from that direction. They dug a ditch 10 miles long which drained the swamp which was a big benefit for local farmers and for the businessmen of Brooten. Without customers Brooten could not exist. People from all directions needed roads to get to a market.

There were countless problems; laws, rules and ordinances had to be established, fire departments had to be formed, churches and schools had to be organized for their children. Roads had to be built and buildings erected. They had to search for new businessmen that would fill the needs of the community.

There is no difference between one town and another except for aggressive leadership that constantly pursues progress. They were religious people, hardworking people, and were determined to be successful.  They were the strongest and the fittest. After a period of years they stabilized Brooten and a solid core of businessmen settled down. These men were GIANTS during their prime time.

But in the meantime, there were other problems like measles, polio, influenza and tuberculosis that claimed thousands of lives. For instance, the Spanish influenza claimed more lives during WWI than were killed in combat. There were depressions and plagues that had to be overcome and there were other serious hurdles. There were droughts that caused many problems for farmers, businessmen and banks. Financial depression caused by bad prices, stock market failure, and huge unemployment. They all happened during the years before 1941. WWII solved many existing problems but created many new ones which is another story

Do you remember these facts or these men?  Will you remember our Bank or me in the future?

These men were GIANTS during their prime time. Right Dave?