Looking Back: Farmington’s first centenarian Levi Day celebrated his birthday here 75 years ago

Talk about it

50 years ago

From the Dec. 6, 1962

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

City Hall was “cold” again

Driver examiners found the city hall “cold” again Wednesday morning of this week.

They made their weekly trip into Lisle’s Café to find out who can do something about it. The examiner said he would report it to his supervisor.

The city has repeatedly tried to fix the furnace upstairs, and obviously isn’t having much luck.

Last month the chief examiner threatened to pull the driver station out of Farmington if something isn’t done to improve conditions – one of them being a cold building each Wednesday they come to work.

For years, the fire department has asked for a new city hall. Responsibility for caring for the old one is apparently a puzzling question.

Brosseth wins council seat by 377 to 163

Farmington

Out of a total of 544 ballots cast Brosseth won over Hauk with a vote of 377 to 163 for the office of Trustee.

Ken Gerten was re-elected with 454 votes to the office of clerk.

Write-in votes elected John Steffes to the office of assessor with 89 votes. There were also 9 other miscellaneous write-ins.

Robert Morrison received 12 write-in votes for the office of justice of the peace with Verlyn Truaz receiving 9 votes for the office. George Kaisersatt, who had previously been appointed to the office received 41 write-in votes.

18 unhurt as school bus is hit by truck

A Marschall lines school bus, bearing 14 children and boarding a 15th, was struck from behind by a Farmington pickup truck, but no one was hurt at 7:38 a.m. Wednesday of this week.

It happened on Highway 3, about 2 1/2 miles south of Farmington near the Robert Alich farm.

Driver of the southbound bus was Ralph Wenz, 63, of Farmington, who was stopped with sign and flashers operating, highway police indicated. A Thomas youngster was reported boarding the bus at the time.

Also southbound was a 1956 International pickup, driven by John Auge, 21, accompanied by his brother Joe.

The Auge truck was a total loss, and the school bus had $250 damage, according to police estimate.

The case is still under investigation by the patrol.

Commercial Club plans for Christmas

On Saturday, Dec. 15, the Farmington Commercial Club will sponsor a movie and treats for area children.

There will be a free movie at the Lyric Theatre with two separate showings. The first will be for children residing within the village limits at 10 a.m. and the second for rural children at 2 p.m.

Santa Claus will make an appearance at the end of each of the presentations and will give treats to all the boys and girls attending.

Farmington downtown merchants will be giving away free 30 grade A turkeys averaging 12 to 14 pounds as their contribution to the Christmas season.

All downtown stores will remain open for Christmas shopping until 9 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 21, with the exception of Saturday nights when the closing hour will be 5:30 as usual.

Council backs strict police policy here

Gary Day, new Farmington police officer, stopped to get acquainted with the Farmington village council at their meeting here Monday night.

Chief Klotzbeacher had asked Day to come to the meeting for an informal chat about the new policy of stricter law enforcement practices.

Day understood the council to say they were solidly behind the law enforcement.

Police dispelled rumors of arrests for petty items such as jaywalking, driving on a service lane, and being a few inches over a yellow diagonal line while angle parking.

Day said that they were warnings and arresting on only the items mentioned in a recent newspaper article, namely speeding, loud mufflers, stop signs, improper parking, and defective equipment.

75 years ago

From the Dec. 10, 1937

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

McHugh, Godby win; town wet, 510 to 193

Farmington voters flocked to the polls Tuesday and decided decisively in favor of retaining the liquor store which has been in operation here three years. The vote on the liquor question was: For license 510, and against license, 193.

In the same election, Wm. McHugh was re-elected mayor over John Sauber, the vote being: Wm. McHugh, 598; John E. Sauber, 211.

Councilman George Manners was defeated by L.A. Godby, the vote being:

L.A. Godby, 518; George H. Manners, 191.

A total of 727 ballots were cast during the vote storm, one of the largest number on record.

Local friends to visit Centenarian Friday

To celebrate the 100th birthday anniversary of Levi E. Day, only person in Farmington to ever become a centenarian, a four-day celebration is taking place this week beginning with Sunday at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. G.R. Day, where he makes his home.

Mr. Day, a pioneer of Castle Rock township, this county, and a Civil War veteran is very kindly and venerable gentleman, able to be up and about every day.

He is interested in current events, government and above all his enjoyment is to relate happenings of early days, including his army experience when he was a fife player.

Three quarters of a century ago this fife player was granted an honorable discharge in the Union army and was mustered out of service at St. Louis, two years before the close of the Civil War, because of illness.

Medical officials pronounced him consumptive and believed he should return to the Minnesota climate, where it was thought he might live three or four more years.

On Wednesday, Dec. 8, Levi Day, this “sick soldier,” the last surviving member of James A. Goodwin post of Owatonna and one of two Civil War veterans in Farmington, celebrated the usual privilege of being 100 years old.

100 years ago

From the Dec. 5, 1912

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Farmington to have Chautauqua

About 20 business people of Farmington have signed an agreement to raise $600 for a Chautauqua to be held at this place next summer. With a county fair, a homecoming and Chautauqua within 90 days, we are gradually drawing nearer to a model little city.

Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. Frank Doran of St. Paul, who is the Dist. Supt., recently appointed by Bishop W.A. Quale, will visit Farmington Saturday evening and Sunday. Dr. Doran will hold quarterly conference at the church Saturday evening. He will preach at the Methodist church Sunday morning. The public is invited to hear Rev. Doran. He will also speak at Lakeville in the afternoon.

The Methodist Ladies Aid will hold their annual Christmas sale in the basement of the church all day, Thursday, Dec. 12. Dinner and supper will be served also on this day. Many fine articles, suitable for Xmas gifts will be on sale.

School Notes

Blanch Shumway of the fifth grade has left school and gone to Boyer, Idaho, on account of her father’s sickness at that place.

The F.H.S. girls have organized a basketball team and there will be “something doing,” when they get started. If you should happen to see a high school girl running down the road “40 per,” don’t get frightened – she is only training for basketball.

The “victorious” F.H.S. football team returned their suits Wednesday to be laid away for next year. Coach Chapman says that we are going to have “some team” next year.

Tags: community, news, farmington