I wrote of John Hormel’s first marriage a couple weeks ago. After only three years of marriage, John became a widower, and in honor of his late wife, John presented a pipe organ to the Central Presbyterian Church. The church stood next door to the residence of George and Lillian at the corner of Water and St. Paul Streets, (now Fourth Avenue and First Street NW).  Some of you will remember that this church burned down in 1953, so the organ no longer exists.

John remained single until his marriage to Meta Fox on June 12, 1912. The Austin newspaper article announcing this marriage stated the following:

“Austin friends have received announcements of the marriage of Miss Meta Minnie Augusta Fox and Mr. John G. Hormel which occurred in Red Wing at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. Charles Sargeant. They will be at home in Austin after Aug. 1. The announcements came as a great surprise to Austin friends. The bride is the youngest daughter of Mrs. Charles Fox Sr.  She is one of Austin’s best girls and will make an ideal homekeeper.  The groom is one of Austin’s most respected and prosperous business men, and friends of both parties rejoice in the marriage and extend congratulations.”

The couple adopted two children, Juanita Gertrude and John, in December of the same year as their marriage.

John and Meta enjoyed a long marriage and great prosperity.  They resided on High Street (First Street NW) until they built their beautiful home on Fairview Drive (Fifth Avenue SW). Both were great supporters of the Central Presbyterian Church, which later became the current Westminster Presbyterian church.

John was also instrumental in the development of a Sunday school program in the Crane Addition of Austin.  It was his desire to establish a place to reach the children in that area “where the gospel would be clearly presented and where those who found peace in Christ could be joined together in Christian fellowship.”  Mr. Hormel’s vision came to life with the creation of The Gospel Mission in July of 1935.

John retired from Hormel after more than 40 years of service and moved to California where he lived out his days in Bel-Air and Palm Springs.  He died on Oct. 2, 1960, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery here in Austin.  Meta remained in California, until her death on Dec. 3, 1975.

John was the last of the siblings of George A. Hormel to pass away living only a few months longer than Ben Hormel, the family’s youngest child. A generation of great Hormels were gone but their contribution to your community lives all around you.

 Autism Awareness Night

at the HHH

April 7, 2015

Sponsored by Austin’s Community Education Program, the event will have a large group session focusing on ASD basic facts (Autism 101), followed by breakout sessions focusing on: The Power of Visuals; Setting Kids up for Success; and Sensory Sensitivities and Interventions. Participants will select two of the three breakout sessions upon registration. CEUs are available upon request when registering. Register at https://austin.revtrak.net. Click on the community education button and the program number is WS901. Cost is $16 per person paid to Community Ed not the HHH.

 History Happy Hour

April 13, 2015

Austin’s early influence on poetry and literacy with a focus on Richard Eberhart and the Ladies Floral Club presented by Pat Nicolai and Pat Stevens.

Social time starts at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and a cash bar available. Event is free to members of the HHH, the Mower County Historical Society and the Friends of the Library. RSVP appreciated, walk-ins welcome. 507-433-4243