Compendium of History and Biography
of
Polk County, Minnesota
Maj. R.I. Holcombe, Historical Editor
William H. Bingham, General Editor
Copyright 1916
by
W.H. Bingham & Co.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Kiehle Library
University of Minnesota
Technical Institute
Crookston, Minnesota
977.695
H699c
Page 161-62
Charles L. [Leslie] Conger
Charles L. Conger, cashier of the Citizens State bank at McIntosh, [Minnesota,] was born at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, January 17, 1869, the son of William and Susan (Wright) Conger. He is the descendant of revolutionary and colonial stock, the Congers having been soldiers and patriots since the settling of the colonies by England, the residence of the family dating from 1640. In 1667 a John Conger located on land in New Jersey, near Woodbridge, and about a century later, in 1770, Gershom Conger, the great-grandfather of Charles L. Conger, removed from that state to Vermont. He was one of the followers of the Quaker faith who by their sturdy qualities played such an important part in the building of the nation, but despite his religious beliefs gave valiant service during the war for independence and died in Vermont in 1835.
His son, Asher Conger, was born in Danby, Vermont, in 1799 and his death occurred in 1852, in his native town, which was also the birthplace of his son, William Conger, who was born November 10, 1819. The latter went to Wisconsin in 1867, two years before the birth of his son, Charles Conger, and later removed to Northwood, Iowa, where he died on August 16, 1898. He is survived by his wife, a native of Utica, New York, born May 19, 1835. She now makes her home with J.P. Foote of Crookston, who is her son by a previous marriage.
Charles L. Conger was two years of age when the family removed to Northwood, Iowa, and was reared and educated in that place. In September, 1891, he came to Crookston, where his half-brother, Mr. Foote, resided, and in the same month secured the position of assistant cashier in the Citizens State bank of McIntosh, of which Mr. Foote is president.
Mr. Conger has since devoted his business career to the able discharge of his duties as cashier, his successful association with this institution winning him recognition in the financial circles of this section.
The position of assistant cashier of the Citizens State bank has fitted a number of the influential bankers of the state for more important positions; among the former occupants of these positions are, Alfred Hoel, now vice president of the First National bank at Gilbert; First National of Biwabik, Minnesota, and State Bank of Arura, Minnesota; Charles Hoel, cashier of the Miner's National bank at Eveleth; A.J. Hoel, assistant cashier of the First National bank at Cass Lake; A.I. Solberg, cashier of the Farmers State bank at Winger, and T.A. Thompson, who was the first assistant cashier appointed in the McIntosh bank and has held the office of registrar of deeds of Polk county for ten years.
Mr. Conger is further identified with the business interests of the county as a landowner and farmer and is the proprietor of two farms, of 240 and 160 acres, and several tracts of land in St. Louis and farm lands in Pennington counties. He takes great interest in the management and the direction of the work of improvement of his farms, which are occupied by tenants. He is a member of the Democratic party and is widely known for his services in the political field and is active in conventions and in the direction of party affairs, he has never sought the honors of office, but has served as mayor for the past seven years and as treasurer for the past fourteen years, and has also served on the school board. He was appointed by Governor Hammond to the board of visitors to the state institutions but recently resigned from his membership in that body.
Mr. Conger's favorite recreation is a good game of the national diversion of baseball, which he enjoys from the standpoint of a former player, and he has given his support and influence to the encouragement of local enthusiasm and the home team.
In fraternal circles he was one of the organizers of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is Past Chancellor and a member of the Grand Lodge. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Elks lodge at Crookston.
Mr. Conger was married at Litchfield, to Leona Halverson, and her death occurred on September 14, 1902. His second marriage was solemnized with Louise A. Heiser of Albert Lea, Minnesota, December 8, 1903. He has one child, William L. Conger, who was born in 1901 and is a student in the junior year of the McIntosh high school.
Mr. Conger is a member of the board of managers of the Minnesota Society of the Sons of the Revolution. He is also a member of the executive council of the State Bankers association from the Ninth congressional district, and has served as president of the Ninth district group of bankers. He also served as vice president and director of the Northern Minnesota Development association and as president of the Commercial club.
[Note: Paragraph breaks added by researcher, Richard E. Henthorn on 24 July 2013. Mr. Henthorn makes the observation that the paragraph listing the other assistant cashiers of the Citizens State bank is very unusual in this type of biographical sketch.]
