George Smith purchased Lots 11 & 12, Block 4 and also Lots 11 & 12 in Block 3 for $470 on June 20, 1904. I don’t know what happened to the original house, but according to the realtor’s records, the current house was built in 1968.
George Smith and family lived here at the time of the 1905 census, along with youngest daughters Edith and Georgia. He was listed as a contractor.
In the fall, Mr. and Mrs. Galchutt were living there. “The one-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Galchutt, 1101 Minnesota avenue, died yesterday morning, the cause of the death being convulsions. The funeral will be held tomorrow, and the remains will be interred, in Greenwood cemetery.” (Oct. 8, 1905)
This was listed as the residence of George and Mary Smith until his death in 1920, although others lived here from time to time. He was a Civil War veteran, born in 1840 in Maine, so they were already an elderly couple in Bemidji.
“Fire of unknown origin at two thirty o’clock this morning caused nearly $1,000 damage to the home of George Smith, 1101 Minnesota avenue. The house was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ira Botting who suffered a big loss on account of damage to furniture. The entire inside of the house was gutted. Mr. and Mrs. Botting were not at home at the time the fire was started, having been called to the home of Mrs. Botting’s mother, Mrs. H. J. Lawler, who was sick, a short time before the fire was noticed. An unknown person who was passing the house discovered the fire and reported it to Mr. Smith who lives next door. The fire department was called and did good work. The entire inside of the house was burning when the department was called. The loss is covered by insurance.” (Nov 22, 1915)
George Smith died Mar 4, 1920 and his tombstone in Greenwood reads 1st Sgt. Geo. Smith, Co. H, 15 ME, INF. Prior to his death he was a local president of the G.A.R. Mary died in 1925. He and Mary had 5 daughters, Mabel, Mary E (Smith) Woodbury, Harriet T (Hattie), Edith E (Smith) Hand, and Georgia Ora (Smith) Cummer.
For Sale: Beautiful bungalow, large living room, dining room, kitchen pantry, 2 bedrooms, bath, closets on first floor large bedroom and 3 closets on second floor concrete basement, garage and wood house. Lot 87.5 ft. by 140 ft. Corner Minnesota Avenue and 11th street. Price $5,250 (1920)
J. C. Coe lived here in 1921-1922.
Valentine H. Detling and wife Agnes Detling lived here from about 1924-1928. He was a carpenter. They moved to America Avenue before 1930. Their son Daniel was murdered in 1927 in Iowa. His marker at Greenwood Cemetery reads “Corp. D. H. Detling, Co. K.
206 Inf.”
206 Inf.”
Eugene Olson (1934-35)
Tillman L. Harris (1946)
Jerry W. Shanahan (1953)Jerry and Ruth Shanahan lived here in the 50s. Jerry was part owner of the Hamms beer distributorship. Ruth was a talented pianist and gave lessons from her home.
Vacant (1956)
This property was owned next by Gilbert Neumann. He is first listed here in a city directory in 1958. He was employed by the state of Minnesota as a driver’s license evaluator in Bemidji from 1954 until he retired in 1981. He remained in Bemidji where he loved to hunt, fish, travel with his motor home and spend time with his family. His wife Lucille worked as secretary to Smith, Carpenter, Petterson & Bailey.
Richard and Denise Gotaas (1995)
Ellen and Virgil Lannas (1997