Biermann, Fred 1884 - 1968

BIERMANN, CHRISTOPHER, OLSON

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/17/2014 at 11:23:09

Fred Biermann, proprietor and editor of The Decorah Journal, is representative of the modern, aggressive newspaper man of the times, one whose success is based upon innate ability and most careful education and preparation. Although yet a young man—or just because he is a young man—he occupies a position of importance in Decorah and Winneshiek county and again justifies the modern idea of the young man who proves his ability by the result he obtains along lines of a progressive policy. Not only is he foremost, however, in local newspaperdom but he has become a powerful factor in democratic politics, demonstrating his ability along that line in such a way that he not only plays a preeminent role in the district but even in the state.

Born in Rochester, Minnesota, on March 20, 1884, he is a son of Ewald Elliott and Martha Christina (Christopher) Biermann, both of full-blooded Viking stock. The father was born in Christiania, Norway, on January 1, 1853, and was a son of Carl Henrik and Anne Mathea (Olson) Biermann. The mother of Fred Biermann was born in Springfield township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1854, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jens Christopher. The father was educated at Nissen's school in Christiania and in 1870, with about fifty other young Norwegians, enlisted as a volunteer in the French army in the Franco-Prussian war. In the same year he came to America and a few years subsequent to that event became deputy county auditor of Olmsted County, Minnesota, under his brother Adolph. Subsequently he was, under his brother, deputy internal revenue collector during Cleveland's first administration and in 1890, when Adolph Biermann was elected state auditor—the first democrat ever elected to a state office in Minnesota—Ewald E. Biermann became his deputy. The father died in St. Paul on August 13, 1893. His wife was a student in the Decorah public schools and the University of Wisconsin. She preceded him in death, passing away in Decorah on September 1, 1889.

When a boy of but five years Fred Biermann came from St. Paul to Decorah and found a second mother in his aunt, Mary Christopher, with whom he has ever since made his home. Mr. Biermann enjoyed the best educational advantages obtainable. He graduated from the Decorah high school in 1901, attended the University of Minnesota from 1901 to 1904, and then entered Columbia University of New York city, from which he graduated in 1905 with the degree of B. A., attended Valder Business College of Decorah during the winter of 1905-6 and studied law at Harvard University during 1907 and 1908. In August, 1908, he entered the employ of Myers & Holmes, proprietors of The Decorah Journal, and one month later, on September 8, 1908, bought out the interest of Mr. Myers, continuing in partnership with Mr. Holmes until March 1, 1911, when he bought out the latter and has since been sole proprietor of the Journal. The newspaper is a powerful instrument for good and progress in the community, its editorials being clearly set forth and couched in such language as to leave no doubt in regard to the policy of the paper. The Journal is widely read and popular in Winneshiek County and as its circulation list grows its advertising columns have increased, it now being considered one of the most valuable mediums of publicity by the commercial and mercantile fraternity of the section. The news columns of The Decorah Journal are carefully prepared and contain the important items of interest and it gives particular attention to local events and such occurrences as affect the advancement and development of the community. From every point of view it is an up-to-date paper, one of the best representing the country press in Iowa, loyal in its policy to the section and honest in its opinions.

The political record of Mr. Biermann is most noteworthy for one of his years and foremost be it said that he is a democrat, and as he would express it himself, not a Bryan democrat or a progressive democrat or a conservative democrat, but just an ordinary, plain democrat. In 1908 Mr. Biermann aided in the organization of the Johnson Club of Harvard University to give support to the auspicious and conspicuously favoring pretensions of the governor of Minnesota toward the democratic nomination for the presidency. Through the courtesy of George Fred Williams of Boston he went to the democratic state convention of Massachusetts in 1908, at Faneuil Hall, Boston, as proxy for the Fall River delegate. In the campaigns of 1908, 1910 and 1912 he took active part through the medium of his paper and in 1910 and 1912 was democratic county chairman. In the pre-convention campaign of 1912 he was fourth district manager for the Iowa Wilson League and attended the democratic national conventions of 1904, 1908, 1912 and the Iowa conventions of 1910 and 1912. To give an idea of the earnestness of his purpose it may be stated that in 1906 he drove twelve miles to Dog Tooth post office in North Dakota to vote for John Burke, then first elected governor of the state. In 1912 Mr. Biermann was also secretary of the Burlington convention. Although he does not carry membership in any religious society or organization, he frequently attends the Methodist church. As member of the Decorah Norske Selskab he upholds the traditions of the family and as member of the Harvard Iowa Club keeps alive the spirit of his alma mater. While at the University of Minnesota he was a member of the Scandinavian Literary Society and the University Liberal Club and at Harvard belonged to the Edda Club, the Choate Law Club and the Democratic Club. Fraternally he affiliates with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. Recognizing the era of prosperity that would set in over the great northwest. Mr. Biermann, in November, 1905, filed on a claim in southern Morton County, North Dakota, fifty miles from Mandan, that state, the nearest railroad point, and in May, 1906, took up his residence there with only one neighbor in sight and proved up his land in February, 1907, still holding title to his one hundred and sixty acres. Standing but on the threshold of his career, Fred Biermann has attained already such conspicuous success that great things may be expected of him, his contemporaries and fellowmen readily conceding that he is gifted with qualities of mind and character which will guide him to a distinguished position. His conspicuous and eminently resultant political activity has been recognized and rewarded by the present administration, for on the 2d of June, 1913; Mr. Biermann received from the president the appointment of postmaster of Decorah, taking over the office on June 16. There is no doubt that in the discharge of his new duties he will not only prove highly efficient but will find occasion to make many new friends.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

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