ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
3051 UNIVERSITY AVENUE STOP 9000
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202-9000

MANNS INC. RECORDS

COLLECTION: OGL #1152

DATES: 1915-1982

SIZE: 2.75 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Manns Inc. Records were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Allan Young, Secretary-Treasurer of Manns Inc., Devils Lake, North Dakota, on August 17, 1987 (Acc. #87-1559).

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

Fred P. Mann opened his first wholesale store in 1891 in Devils Lake, North Dakota. He initially sold only groceries, but later incorporated apparel and other general store items beginning in 1908. The business experienced early success due to Mann's effective advertising and his emphasis on salesmanship. Business volume ran to half a million dollars annually, which impressed business circles when considering that Devils Lake was a town of only 5,000 in the early 1900s.

Manns was incorporated on January 1, 1916. Fred P. Mann served as the first President of the Board of Directors; E. Earl Mann and Frank W. Mann were the other two original directors. In 1920, an amendment increased the Board of Directors to five members. Manns Inc. oversaw operation of the retail business and the renting of apartments and office space at 301-307 Fourth Street in Devils Lake. For the entirety of its operation, Manns Inc. was controlled by members of the Mann family on both the Board of Directors and Stockholders.

The business prospered until 1978 when attempts were made to revitalize the downtown area in order to compete with the mall on Highway 2. The Board of Directors was able to pay only the annual interest on its loans and the retail store suffered annual losses. Manns Inc. responded by raising the rent on its apartments and placing its assets into a higher-interest-yielding savings account. In March 1981 the Board of Directors adopted a motion admitting inquiries to liquidation of its assets. The retail business closed three months later, though ownership of the building remained with Manns Inc. By 1984 the corporation had become delinquent with the steam bills, bank note payments and Ramsey County property taxes. Manns Inc. ceased operation in 1985 and First National Bank assumed the firm's income.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Manns Inc. Records include a biographical pamphlet on company founder Fred P. Mann, minutes from Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings, annual reports, correspondence, financial records, and miscellaneous materials. Three photographs were separated and placed in the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1
Folder

1. Fred P. Mann Biographical Pamphlet, 1928
2. Board of Directors and Stockholders Minutes of Meetings, 1915-1961
3. Board of Directors and Stockholders Minutes of Meetings, 1961-1975
4. Board of Directors and Stockholders Minutes of Meetings, 1976-1985
5. Annual Reports, 1973-1977
6. Correspondence, 1961-1976
7. Mortgage Notes, 1938-1963
8. Certificates of Amendment, 1967-1976
9. Waiver of Notice and Consent, 1972-1979
10. Appraisal Report, 1982
11. Miscellaneous Materials

Box 2
Folder

1. Manns Trade-News, March 1931

SEPARATIONS RECORD

Three photographs were separated and added to the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection. The first is an undated postcard showing the storefront of "MANN MERC. CO." The second photograph is of a 1934 President's Day parade in Devils Lake, North Dakota; Glickson's and Shark's stores are visible. The final photograph is an undated portrait of the exterior of Glickson's Men's Store.

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