This postcard from the early 1900s has a pencil-written note on the back: “Jens Flaaten & the Minnesota band from Duluth.” As noted at zenithcity.com, Flaaten’s funeral was held 100 years ago today — Aug. 9, 1922. He died on Aug. 5 when he was struck by a motorist while crossing Superior Street at Fifth Avenue West.
The biographic note on Flaaten from the University of Minnesota Duluth Archives and Special Collections reads:
Jens H. Flaaten came to Duluth about 1888. He was 1st Lieutenant in the 3rd Minnesota Regiment and directed the band in that organization for 16 years. Mr. Flaaten was also Director of the Lyceum Orchestra, the Normanna Chorus and the Orpheus Singing Society.
