HISTORY OF COMERTOWN, MONTANA

Comertown boomed upon the arrival of the railroad in the fall of 1913. George Onstad of Westby purchased townsite lots from W.W. Comer and opened the first lumber yard, with H.C. Ditmarson as its manager. The first General Store was erected by Wally Thoreson of York, North Dakota, in 1914. The following spring, he sold to Nelson-Sannerud of Westby. They moved the building to a lot just north of its former location. CJ. Severson built a furniture and Hardware Store.

George Onstad erected the first Grain Elevator in Comertown, and purchased a large amount of grain in 1913. The Elevator was sold in 1916 to the Atlantic Elevator Company. Otto Stadig bought grain on the track in the fall of 1913. The second elevator, The Farmers, was built in time for the fall grain in 1916. Wally Thoreson was the grain buyer. The first load of wheat sold by Jess Cook and Guy Harris brought $2.28 per bushel. The Farmers Elevator burned in 1924. That same year, the Occident put up a new elevator.

Postmaster W.R. Vezina received supplies and was in full operation January 1, 1915. The Soo Railroad called the new town "Comer," but the post office department would not accept a name so similar to another town, "Conner." The mail clerks were having trouble reading the scrawled writing of many of the patrons, as "Comer" and "Conner" could not be distinguished. It was then changed to Comertown. Mr. Vezina had to spend much of his time in Dooley, so Clayton Comer, in his mid-teens, operated the post office. Clayton went into the Army in World War I. By then W.J. Thoreson had received his commission from the government making him postmaster to succeed Mr. Vezina, who had resigned. Martin Rostad became postmaster in 1919, a position he held until 1951, when Mrs. Rostad took over the office. The last postmark was stamped Comertown at noon, June 29, 1957, when the post office was discontinued, and mail was delivered by rural route from Westby.

Martin Rostad came from Coalridge in 1915. He purchased the C.J. Severson Hardware Store. The town was growing. In 1914, C.J. Carlson built a Hotel and also served meals there. Mr. Carlson was a homesteader from northeast of Comertown. Another restaurant was owned by Ben Rude. Mrs. Rude managed the restaurant, while Mr. Rude ran a Livery Barn. In those days of the horses and wagon, the Livery Barn was the busiest place in town, especially during harvest time. Many farmers came a long distance to market their grain and had to stay overnight. Many loads of wheat came from the Canadian farmers. They came one day, stayed overnight, and wended their way back to Canada the next day.

Wille Gress had a Blacksmith Shop, and never seemed to run out of work. There were two saloons. One was owned by Phil Bourassa and the other was run by Ted Hanson, and Bartender, Thompson. A Barber Shop was also established, with Phil Vossen as proprietor. Phil had a homestead northwest of town.

Ben Rude sold his Livery Barn in 1916. Eric Olson and Peter Erickson built a Livery Barn that same year, and in 1919, sold it to August Olson. The Olson Brothers partnership was dissolved in 1922, when August bought Eric's share and became the sole owner. The first Meat Market was managed by William McKay. That shop was discontinued in 1918.

In 1916, Otto Pohle came from Saskatchewan, Canada, and set up a grocery store in the Bourassa building. After prohibition, the saloon building, owned by Hanson and Thompson, was moved up on Main Street and converted into a Pool Hall and run under the management of Eric Bjork. The Rude Restaurant was taken over by Bill McGowan. During the influenza epidemic in 1918, Mr. McGowan died. His brother, Dan, took charge of the business until 1921, when a fire destroyed his and several buildings, including Mr. Rostad's store and the Rooming House. Mr. Rostad set up temporarily in Pohle's store, until Mr. Rostad's new store was built in 1922. Rostad now had more room, so he handled groceries, hardware and some dry goods. He had the post office, and for a while dealt in bulk oil, also.

In 1917, Thomas McAfee ran a billiard hall for a short time. There was a Mission Hall, cream-buying station, and a lumber business set up by M. Satern. In 1916, the Clemetson brothers, Oscar and Alfred, built a machine shed and sold the P&O line of machinery. It was abandoned when the War came.

The Soo Line used a box car for their first place of business. On December 1, 1916, a Depot was asked of the R.R. Commission. The State R.R. Commission ruled that the Soo Line must erect a Depot and place an Agent no later than July 1, 1917. Comertown gave the Soo Line $32,000 worth of business in 1916. Mr. Lee was the agent until Frank Schilling arrived to take charge.

J. Twet came and set up a Grocery and Dry Goods business. Emil Austad, a brother-in-law, came to clerk in the store. Emil's sideline was the shoe repair shop. Jake Twet also managed a small lumber yard.

During the drought years, many people moved elsewhere in search of employment and never returned. Most of the houses have been moved away. There is one grain elevator remaining, and it is privately owned by Jim Syme. The Martin Rostad house has been purchased by B. Rice.

Today the streets are being trodden by cattle and the town looks forlorn.

The country has changed - the old hometown is gone, but wouldn't be fun to go back and live some of the old times over?

 ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

Among the early pioneers who came to the Comertown community were many Lutherans, who longed for a church of their faith. Their first services were held in the Martin Rostad home, with Rev. J.B. Kilnes as pastor. He came by horse and buggy from Westby, and during the winter of 1915-16, when the roads were snowblocked, Rev. Kilnes walked the

12 miles, coming on Saturday night and returning to Westby on Monday morning. Later, services were held in the schoolhouse, until the new gymnasium was built.

George Onstad donated 5 lots to be used for the church. On December 27, 1923, a meeting was called for the purpose of considering the possibility of erecting a House of Worship. The following were present: Carl Magnusen, Peter Bruvold, Jacob Twet, Oscar Clemetson, Alfred Clemetson, Fred Torno, Oline Rostad and M.L. Rostad. Zion Lutheran Congregation was organized and the following officers were elected to serve: Carl Magnusen, 3 years; Oscar Clemetson, 2 years; Fred Torno, 1 year; Carl Magnusen, Treasurer; Jacob Twet, Secretary and Martin Rostad, Chairman. The question of building a church basement was discussed. On

April 8, 1937, it was finally decided to build. Bids were opened May 21 to build a chapel with basement (unfinished). Peter Hjelm's bid was accepted.

We had our first services in our new church in November that same year. Mrs. M.L. Rostad was our organist throughout the life of the Zion Church. The Church was dedicated October 2, 1938, and the cornerstone was laid. The Church basement was finished in 1942.

The Ladies Aid was organized in the home of Mrs. M.L. Rostad March 1, 1917. The last meeting of the W.M.F. was May 12, 1962.

The first couple to be married in the Zion Church was Willard Howell and Buelah Joyes, on October 1, 1939.

We had over 20 blue stars on our service flag of our youth in the service of their country. There was one Gold Star placed in memory of A.M.M. 2/C Kenneth Erickson.

The Zion Lutheran Church was moved to Brush Lake Bible Camp in November 1962, to be used as a chapel for the young people.

For those who served in Zion an appreciable portion of their lives, the Church proved to be a good tool through which to serve God. To many of us, the years of its life were filled with inspiration, light and happiness. About thirty families lived in Comertown at one time.

In 1915, the Comertown Library Social Club was founded. On August 24, 1926, the Park Club was started and lots were purchased from Mrs. Phi Comer for a Park, at the cost of $400. The following spring, work got off to a good start at the Park. On June 10, 1927, the breaking of sod in preparation for the planting of trees got underway. The labor cost $16. On May 1, 1928, the ground was disked, fertilized and made ready. On May 11, five bales of trees from the Wildrose Nursery were delivered at a cost of $112 plus express charges. A fence was set up, and walks were graveled. A kitchen was erected and a lean-to shelter for dining, tables and benches were provided.

In 1941 it was voted to name the Park "Comer Park" in honor of Mrs. Comer, founder of the Club. In 1951, the kitchen was wired for electricity and a yard light was installed.

Various ways of raising money were ice cream socials, talent shows, etc. The club members met once a month. In the summer, they met at the Park, and in the winter they met in the homes. Clean-up day and a picnic were annually held on Memorial Day. Grass was cut, and the Comertown cemetery, east of town, was cared for.

The Park was the scene of open-air Church services, Sunday school picnics, social, and family gatherings.

Much destruction and vandalism has occurred the past few years at the Park.