Homeowner History Overview
See the full homeownership history below, all pulled from city directories, along with an attached downloadable and printable overview for easy reference:
1903–1910 · Clyde H. Hardacker
Clyde H. Hardacker and his wife Millie Hardacker were the earliest residents we found recorded at 4534 Blaisdell Avenue, appearing at the address beginning in 1903.
Mildred worked as a stenographer. Clyde’s work changed over the years, but remained closely tied to the emerging electrical and mechanical trades. In 1903, he was listed as an electrician working for Gust Lagerquist. By 1904, the directory associated him with the Electric Repair Co., and in 1907 he worked as an electrician for the Ozone Generator Co. He was listed as a machinist in 1908 and again as an electrician in 1909.
By 1910, Hardacker was advertising electric automobile repairing at 618 3rd Avenue South while continuing to reside at 4534 Blaisdell.
Other people recorded at the home during this period included Clarence Skinner, a carpenter who boarded here in 1906; John K. Lane, a solicitor with Continental Casualty Co.; John D. Sanborn, a bookkeeper; and William A. Ivey, a solicitor.
1911 · The Lewis Household
In 1911, the directories recorded Carl H. Lewis at 4534 Blaisdell Avenue. Lewis worked as a reporter for The Bradstreet Co. Also living at the property was Silas M. Lewis, who worked as a salesman. It is unclear if the two Lewis’s were related.
Mildred Hardacker was also listed, she apparently remained at the address for a short time after the death of her husband Clyde Hardacker in 1910.
1912–1914 · The Curtis Family
By 1912, Frank H. Curtis was recorded as the principal resident of the home.
Frank worked as a salesman for Maurice L. Rothschild & Co. in 1912. The following year he was listed as a clerk for Plymouth Clothing House, and in 1914 as a clerk for The Robitshek Co.
Several other members of the Curtis family lived with him, including George H. Curtis, Mabel M. Curtis, and Susie E. Curtis. Mabel worked as a clerk, while Susie was listed as a proofreader in 1913.
The household also included Raymond E. Davis, who worked as a salesman for L. S. Donaldson Co. in 1912 and as a clerk the following year.
1915–1916 · Marcus and Jessie Ball
Marcus Ball lived at 4534 Blaisdell Avenue in 1915 and 1916 and was listed as laborer.
Jessie A. Ball also lived at the property during both years. She worked as a stenographer for Real Estate Title Insurance Co. in 1915 and Real Estate Abstract Co. in 1916.
1917–1919 · Milo and Mary Bancroft
For three consecutive years, Milo I. Bancroft was recorded at the home.
Bancroft worked as a cashier for Cedar Lake Ice Co., an occupation and employer that remained consistent in the 1917, 1918, and 1919 Minneapolis city directories.
The 1920 Federal Census lists Milo I. Bancroft and his wife Mary M. Bancroft as the residents of the home. Living with them was Ella M. Brooks, who is recorded as their niece.
1920-1950 · The Allen Family
Starting in 1920, various iterations of the Samuel and Mary Allen family inhabited the home, including their children and occasionally their grandchildren.
In 1920 Stanley and Josephine Moore were occupants. Josephine was a daughter of Samuel and Mary. Stanley was the manager of the Masonic Lodge. Also living with them was Carrie Allen, Josephine’s sister and another daughter of Samuel and Mary. Apparently having never married, she retained the Allen surname. Her occupation was listed as cashier at the National City Co.
In 1921 Josephine and Carrie’s mother Mary Allen joined the household, listed as the widow of Samuel Allen.
Through the rest of the 1920s this core group resided in the home, although periodically other members of the Allen family such as Carrie and Josephine’s brother Harry Allen and nephews Samuel Allen and James Allen were also named as occupants.
In 1923 Harry’s occupation is listed as stenographer at Paine, Webber & Co.
Samuel Allen’s career trajectory can be followed through his listings. Starting in 1924 his listing just says “minor”; in 1925 student. In 1926 his occupation was assistant manager at Maurice L Rothschild & Co., and 1927 as a solicitor working for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
From 1930-1933, James Allen was manager at Langford’s Sandwich Shop. Briefly in 1931 he was listed as a restaurant manager at John W Thomas & Co., but by 1932 he was back at Langford's. After 1933 he no longer appears as a resident of 4534 Blaisdell Ave., so it’s unknown how much time he ultimately spent at Langford’s.
In 1934 Stanley Moore passed away. His widow Josephine continued to occupy the house along with her sister Carrie. In 1929 Mary Allen was no longer noted as a resident
In 1933 Harry Allen, Carrie and Josephine’s brother, moved in with his wife Rose. Sadly Carrie Allen passed in 1934 the same year as Harry. The house occupants were now listed as Rose Allen, Harry’s widow, and Robert Allen, her son.
In 1937 a boarder was brought in by the name of Kalvin Blodgett. In the city directory listings his occupation in 1937 was salesman, and in 1938 clerk for the National Tea Co. Kalvin is not listed after 1938.
In 1940, Rose remarried, and her name changed to Rose Blewett. She and her husband Edward Blewett moved into 4534 Blaisdell Ave, and continued to keep the Allen bloodline in the home until 1950.
1953–1955 · The Knaeble Household
By 1953, Robert H. Knaeble and Lorraine A. Knaeble were recorded at the home.
Robert worked as a clerk for Bemis Bag in 1953 and was listed as an accountant by 1955.
Other residents during this period included Clifford Odden, a carpenter; Leo J. Giesen, a student; and Ole Anderson, also a carpenter.
1956–1963 · George and Adeline Rust
The final household found in these mid-century directory records was George W. Rust and Adeline Rust,who appear at 4534 Blaisdell beginning in 1956. George's work was closely connected to waterproofing. In 1956 he was identified as a waterproofer, and by 1957 he was employed by Dry Basements Inc. In 1958 he was listed as the company's manager, and the business itself was also recorded at 4534 Blaisdell Avenue, suggesting the home may have doubled as a business address.
By 1959, George was listed as a driver for the Brock-White Co.
A younger George W. Rust Jr. also appears at the property during this period, first as a messenger for Twin City Optical and later as a car attendant. In 1961 he joined his father at Brock-White as a warehouse manager.
A Home With Decades of Stories
From electricians and machinists at the dawn of the automobile age to stenographers, beauty operators, restaurant managers, railway workers, carpenters, accountants, and entrepreneurs, the city directories reveal more than half a century of everyday life at 4534 Blaisdell Avenue.
The surviving records currently trace residents of the home from 1903 through 1963, preserving not only their names, but glimpses of where they worked, what they did for a living, and who shared the home with them.
