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Frank Balder
was a member of the Little Giant Engine Company of St. Cloud. The first meeting of the department
was held at the courthouse in 1864. In November of 1865 the first company of real firefighters was
organized, and a small hand-tub -- the "old Prince" machine -- was purchased secondhand from St. Paul.
Over the years the city fire department continued to grow by moving from an old barn for storage of the
equiptment to its own headquarters. In 1871 they bought two bells and by 1873 the city had bonds issued
to buy a first-class Hanneman hand engine and 600 feet of hose.
In 1878 the Hook and Ladder Company was organized with a
farm wagon, a set of old ladders, and men to man the equiptment. When the water works system for the city
was completed, Hose Company No. 1 was created, with a fine cart and 1,000 feet of hose. Hose Company #2
was organized in 1886.
An article in the St. Cloud newspaper August 18, 1919 stated:
'Members of Little Giant Engine Co. of St. Cloud; Names found in the Belfry of Hose House.'
Apparenty while the old fire hall belfry was being torn down, the workmen discovered the names of the members of the
Little Giant Engine Company [formed in 1882]. The firemen of the era prepared a list and will place it in the belfry
of the new belfry which was being built. The name of Frank Balder [brewmaster] was
on the original list of 1882. Also among the names of the successors to the Little Giant Co of 1886 were Robert Balder
and Nic Weber [Balder's partner]. On Frank's funeral day the entire membership, in full uniform, turned out for his
funeral at Holy Angels Cathedral.
-- provided by Connie Balder Mickolajak
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