Ramsey County History – Spring 1988: “The American National Bank and the Bremer Brothers”

The American National Bank and the Bremer Brothers
Author: Thomas J. Kelley

Many entered the field of banking in the 1880s, but due to the Depression of 1893, many of these institutions folded. The American National Bank was opened in 1903 by local businessmen led by Otto Bremer, owner of the Schmidt Brewery. Otto’s brother, Adolf, was its president. The “country banks” were in trouble after World War I, and the American National Bank supported them, taking a controlling interest in many. To help out, the brewery became a major investor in the bank in 1936. Otto, who became president of the Jacob Schmidt Brewery after Adolph died, passed away in 1951. At the time the article was written, the American National Bank was the largest commercial bank based in St. Paul.

PDF of Kelley article