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         The stores of Louden correspond well with the general improvement of the village. On December 8, 1869, a disastrous conflagration destroyed nine business and dwelling houses, and a great amount of other valuable property. The block on which Petersen Brothers’ store was situated was completely burned. In 1870, this firm built a fine large brick block of two stories, 58x80 feet in size, at a cost of $15,000. This firm, consisting of Julius, Emil and Herman Petersen, has been in business since 1862, and has done much to increase the growth of Louden. They have an elevator and warehouse, 150 feet long, built in 1876, and carry a large, general stock of goods (including agricultural implements, furniture, hardware, tin shop, banking business, insurance agency, American express agency and grain dealing. They have also a similar establishment at Wheatland, five miles east.

         In 1872, Wm. F. Hahn, druggist, built a substantial brick building of two stories, on the opposite corner from Petersen Bros., at a cost of $6,000. There are many other good frame business buildings.

         The present business interests are represented by the following firms: Petersen Bros., general merchandise, banking and grain; Banks & Bennett, dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes and grain; William Kohler, general merchandise and grain; W. F. Hahn, druggist and apothecary; August Petersen, lumber, coal, lime, cement and grain; N. D. Henry, lumber, coal, lime and cement; Wm. F. Rice, saddles and harness; D. Foche, John Stocker, L. Riedel, boots and shoes; Klein & Cameron, blacksmiths; John Kelier, blacksmith and wagon maker. H. Belter, harness maker; M. Crandall, feed and livery; J. D. Allen, meat market; Hall & Wall, meat market; Claus Drerman, Eureka barber shop, cigars, tobacco and candies; D. W. Baird, Postmaster, Notary Public, books, notions, cigars, fruits, confectionery, flour, etc.; J. P. Sackett, railroad eating house; Wm. Bruns, St. Cloud eating house and saloon; H. Guths, beer and billiards, manufacturer of lemon beer; Misses Collins, milliners and dressmakers; P. R. Pine, M. D., physician and surgeon; Dr. B. S. Boydston, eclectic physician; J. Fred. Esher, M. D., physician and surgeon; J. W. Todd, attorney at law and insurance agent; V. A. Bennett, lawyer; Korup & Anderson, agricultural implements; E. Johnson, Weigh master; Alex. Bleyer, watchmaker; O. F. Cutler, station agent; D. Kimball, stock dealer and feeder; J. P. Read, K. Wiggins, Wm. Cook, F. Tome, Henry Putwick, Claus Petersen, carpenters; Harvey Swanger, Claus Fauss, Uriah Fleagle, draymen; James Van de Boyert, house, sign and carriage painter; August Baumgartner, plain and fancy painter; Samuel Heck, Wm. C. Hoskins, masons and plasterers.

Pg 507

         The population of Louden is principally German. At the census taken in 1875, there was 439 inhabitants, representing 101 families, and having an equal number of residences. There were 149 persons between 5 and 21 years and seventy-eight voters.

         Land in this vicinity is unsurpassed for farming purposes, and two large stone quarries furnish an abundance of building material.

         Sunday, June 23 (1878), after the above historical sketch was written and in the hands of the printer, a fire occurred, destroying nearly two blocks in the business part of Louden, including the large establishment of Petersen Brothers. The principal sufferers were Petersen Bros., $40,000; Aug. Petersen, N. Whitney, Gerchen, Flinn, Mrs. Curry and Mrs. Dugan. The total loss was about fifty thousand dollars, on which the Petersens held some eighteen thousand dollars insurance, and other parties $4,000. Nineteen buildings, in all, were burned.