Minnehaha Academy - Antler Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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Cj'ieetuUfL Having been with in the founding of Minnehaha Academy I naturally have many happy memories from that time. Perhaps the greatest joy was in seeing such enthusiastic support on the part of so many friends of the school. It is the privilege of the generation of today to carry on the important work of this institution. May God's choicest blessings rest upon Minnehaha Academy in the future, is the prayer of one who was along at its inception. A. E. Palmquist FIRST BOARD MEETING MINUTES These minutes have been copied from the record book of the first board meetings, and have been translated from the Swedish language into English. Minutes of the North West Association Schoolboard discussion at a meeting called to order by the chairman at the Mission Church in Willmar, May 16, 1913. Immediately after the close of the North West Association's yearly meeting.” The meetings were opened with prayer. It was found that the board consisted of the following who would serve for one year: A. E. Palmquist. St. Paul; N. Isak Nelson. Buffalo; A. J. Orman. Kensington; and C. G. Ellstrom, Minne-cpolis. Those serving for two years were: Aaron Carlson, Minneapolis; David F. Swenson, Minneapolis; Charles Wallblom, St. Paul; A. W. Franklin, Pen-nock; and Swan Anderson, Willmar. Those serving for three years were: S. A. Matson, Minneapolis; F. W. Erickson, Duluth; C. F. Sandstrom, Minneapolis; E. Stolpe, St. Paul; Nathanial Franklin. Minneapolis. At the election of officers the following were elected: Chairman: A. E. Palmquist; Secretary. Nathanial Franklin; Chasier, Aaron Carlson. ' July 2, 1913, it was decided to call T. W. Anderson from Chicago for permanent position of president of the school. It was decided to call Brother Anderson by telegram to come immediately to the Twin Cities if possible. At the time, he was in Murdock. Minnesota. July 21, 1913, Advisory Board Meeting accepted T. W. Anderson's answer to the call as President to Minnehaha Academy, saying that he did not wish to accept the call, except under the following conditions: That he, in the fall, could return to the University of Chicago, and in the spring take the M. A. Degree; and then a year from this fall begin his position as President of Minnehaha Academy. ' July 21, 1913, Decided to call Nathanial Franklin during this school year to devote his full time or part time in the service of the school as temporary President. March 9. 1914. Right after, followed a report about the ' Helping Hands”, the newly organized committee to support the school. Brother A. L. Skoog then told how the organization and its program started. Over seventy people had already signed for membership in the Helping Hands”. The report was accepted with thanks. It was also decided to ask A. L. Skoog to see the Alderman of the 12 ward to see if it would be possible to lay-out the streets and sidewalks of 47 Avenue in the spring and summer.

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Page Savon Mr. and Mr . A. L. Skooq Mr. Skooq, who la now deceased, was a groat benefactor to the school In its early years. Mrs. Skooq, as a tribute to her husband, has very graciously consented to let us print this personal Interview. With MnA. A. Jl. £koo f. “Mrs. Skooq. I'm here in the interest of the 1939 Minnehaha Academy annual, which is this year commemorating the 25th anniversary. Could you. do you think, tell me something about the history of the school as you remember it? To start with, who wero really the rock-bottom-foundors of the school? Well you know. Prof. Magnus picked out the location for the school, and he did a good deal of looking before he decided definitely on the site. Aaron Carlson certainly did a lot toward the school, too, in a financial way. Ho was ready, willing, and able to help the school in many ways, and ho surely did. My husband started tho Helping Hands association, and every single night he could spare lrom his numerous other dutlos ho was out collecting money for the Academy. Why. you know, when he was in tho choir loft directing his choir, and he would spy someone in tho church audience who he thought would donate a dollar to the school, he would Jump right down and run to ask that person if he wouldn't sign his name in his little book. I sometimes would ask him to quit begging money or pooplo would run when they saw us coming for fear wo would be begging donations again. Mr. Magnus, Aaron Carlson, and my husband seem to mo to havo been the most closely related to tho school. I think the original idea, and tho porson who felt most tho need of the school of that type was Prof. Magnus, although all three of those men, and many others that I cannot recall any longer, traveled much in behalf of the school. Tho school seemed to be all they were living for. thero for awhile. It was their one big aim to see the finished product of their efforts. “To speed the work and encourage the workers my husband wrote little songs and put them to music. I remember one that he composed during tho erection of the building. Where the building now stands it was really qui e woodsy at that time. There woro no houses, streets, sidewalks or anything out there. My! it seemed like wo wore really going out in the country when we went to the Academy grounds. Mrs. Skocg, do you romomber how tho school started out? I mean, was it a very encouraging affair did tho peoplo as a whole seem definitely interested in tho project? Oh yes. indeed. I remember it well. It was very encouraging all along. It was something now and was talked of a good doal throughout tho city, and into many parts of tho country. Why. tho first classes wore mostly students from out of town, and I'm sure there were well over 200 right from the beginning. Yes, it was very encouraging. Even at the breaking of the ground my husband did that you know the crowd was largo and definitely interested. I think you've told mo about all I could ask you in definite questions, Mrs. Skooq. but is there anything else you could add yourself that Mr. Skooq contributed to the school? Well, let me think a minute now. You know my memory isn't quite as sharp on some of thoso things as it used to be. Do you still havo a school paper callod The Ouivor? Yos, wo certainly do.” Maybo you would like to know then, that my husband named that paper. I still have the letter they sent him thanking him for it. His reward was a free copy of each issue. That was—let mo soe—I still havo that lottor hore someplace, oh yos—horo it Is- Nov. 8. 1920, and to think tho name ho gave your paper is still being used.

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Pago Nino GlaM l and AdnusttitsuitUyn A classroom in 1913-1914. Instruction in the Day of Beginings. The Class of 1915