Fred M. Malzahn came to Bemidji from Niagara, N.D. in 1895 and his shrewd business insight was such that he saw a bright future for Bemidji. He returned home and made arrangements to move to Bemidji, and the following year he came to stay and built his fine block, which then seemed to be ahead of the requirements of the village. He rented the property to other parties for some time, but opened a general store in the corner half of the block in 1898 and has done a prosperous business. He carries a very large stock, consisting of clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, dry goods, groceries, hardware, crockery, farm implements, flour, feed, and farm produce. He also deals in farm machinery and hay. The first year he was here he was president of the village board of trustees, and was afterwards treasurer, and is now a member of the above named board. (Jan 1900)
Bemidji was incorporated as a village May 20, 1896. The first meeting of the village council, of record, was held Aug 24, 1896, at which date Fred N. Malzahn was president of the village council.
Fred and Flora Malzahn had a large farm at Wolf Lake where he made from 150 to 250 tons of good hay each season. In 1905, they were farming in Frohn Township. Two children Bernice, age 7, and Claud, age 4.
Stocking a Sheep Ranch
Fred Malzahn is Putting in a Fine Stock Farm Near Bemidji.
P. M. Malzahn yesterday returned from Buena Vista where he added extensively to his recent heavy purchases of sheep for his sheep ranch at Wolf Lake about ten miles east of Bemidji. Mr. Malzahn has 500 acres at Wolf Lake and he intends to devote the entire farm to a stock ranch and the raising of fine sheep will be his principal venture. Mr. Malzahn’s intention to go into the project on an extensive scale and he will devote his entire time and a good share of his capital to the enterprise. His results thus far have been very good and the farm will in time become one of the finest stock ranches in the northwest. (April 20, 1905)
Paquain, who has been a partner with Fred M. Malzahn in the conducting of the new bowling alleys on Minnesota Avenue near the City Hall, has sold his interest to his partner, F. M. Malzahn. Mr. Paquain was the younger member of the firm and added much life and interest to the welfare of the business. Mr. Malzahn will continue to conduct the alleys as at present and no doubt will enjoy a rushing business during the winter months. (Jan 11, 1910)
He ran on the Socialist ticket and was elected Mayor of Bemidji on Feb 20, 1912.
On April 21, 1917, he placed three classified notices and advertised a seven-room house for sale three blocks north of city hall with a 50×140 ft lot on Irvine Avenue. He also advertised a store building on Minnesota Avenue for sale at a reasonable price, as well as a 5-acre tract east of Bemidji all cleared and ready for a crop. The contact point was F. M. Malzahn at 405 Minnesota Avenue.
Fred M. Malzahn, who has the agency for Oakland and Reo automobiles, Reo trucks, Monarch, Bates Steel Mule and the Beeman tractors, is constructing a modern garage and show room at 405 Minnesota avenue. The garage is being built in the rear of the present show room and will be 25 by 100 feet, making a total depth of 130 feet for the entire building. The structure will be one story only, and will be completed about September 15, according to the plans of the contractors, Louis Lauritzen and David Simons, both local workmen. This building will furnish ample space for a show room in front, storage space in rear of this and a repair service station in the rear, with access from the alley. Repair service will be done on all makes of cars and tractors but more especially on the makes sold by Mr. Malzahn. A wash room will be constructed in the rear part as well as another room for parts and accessories. These will be directly in rear of the present show room. A complete line of accessories, tires and parts for the cars handled by the agency will be carried at all times and Mr. Mahlzahn assures his patrons of first class service. (Aug 5, 1920)
In 1920, he owned a home at 407 Minnesota Avenue, and was a real estate agent. Claude was an electrical mechanic for automobiles at 405 Minnesota Avenue, and Ardis was a student, age 13, still at home.
In 1927, he was a salesman for automobiles at 409 Minnesota Avenue. He still lived on the farm six miles east of Bemidji.
He moved to McAllen, Texas about 1929 and died there on June 15, 1951. Flora had died earlier. His daughter, Ardis, signed the death certificate.