History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 104

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 104

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were other liens upon the property which came in ahead of a second mortgage he held for other ad- vances made since the first loan was negotiated. It then became a question as to whether it was advisable to invest more money in the property and secure control of it, or lose that part, the only security of which was the second mortgage. Owing to the then existing depression in real estate it is more than probable that a forced sale would not have realized more than sufficient, if even that, to cover the amount first loaned. Taking the, bolder course, therefore, he put more money into it and finally became sole owner. C. D. Gilfillan at first had an interest in it, but eventually it became the property of Capt. Potter. As soon as the title was perfected he made many improvements. Two lots were purchased, one on Third and one on Fourth streets, and an addition to the building erected. Another story was ad- ded also to the whole building, the work being done under his own supervision, and was the quickest job ever done in St. Paul, it being ac- complished in the short space of seventy days. Unlike the majority of the wealthy men of St. Paul, Captain Potter was among the few who came here with abundant capital. There is room for more men of this description, who, like Capt. Potter, have their wealth in ready money, and, like him, will invest it in ways that benefit the city.

Samuel Potter, a native of England, was born February 20th, 1832. Came to this city in 1867, and three years later began in furniture business. This has grown rapidly and he now occupies a commodious block, at the corner of Sixth and Jackson streets, 25x75 feet, and three stories high. His trade extends through the North-west.

Peter Pottgieser, son of Christian and Clara (Miller) Pottgeiser, was born in Croev, Prussia. November 24th, 1843. Came to America with his parents in 1849, and located in Chicago. Was educated in that city in the Catholic school of St. Peter's church. Left Chicago in 1857, and lo- cated in St. Paul. Learned the trade of ma- chinist in Minneapolis, working in that city two and a quarter years, then came back to this city, and until 1876 worked as machinist and boiler maker. IIe then became manager of Der Wan- derer. Mr. Pottgieser is one of St. Paul's old

citizens, and has been identified with the growth and prosperity of the city, always ready to lend a helping hand to any enterprise tending to ad- vance its material interests.

Harry S. Potts was born August 11th, 1850, in St. Paul. Was raised and educated in this city, and learned civil engineering and surveying. For the past five years Mr. Potts has been express messenger on the Northern Pacific rail road.

George Powers was born in Liverpool, England, February 13th, 1835. Moved with his parents to Rhode Island when about five years of age. In the spring of 1861 he moved to Niagara, New York, and in the fall of 1863 came to this city. During the following winter he was engaged in hunting and trapping among the lakes on the northern shore of Lake Superior. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the First Regiment Heavy Artillery, and went to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Was discharged in the fall of 1865, and upon his return to this city worked one year in a clothing store, then engaged as carriage trimmer for Quimby and IIallowell. where he worked over eleven years. He then took the trimming shops of A. Nippolt, and now carries on an extensive business of his own. Married in the fall of 1868, Miss Louisa Lashinger, of Dakota county. They have two children: George A. and Fannie H.

Fred. Pratt, of the firm of'F. H. Pratt and Son was born in Prescott, Wisconsin, May 2d, 1859. In 1860, his parents, F. H. and Helen A. Pratt moved to Taylor's Falls, Minnesota, where Mr. Pratt was the first editor of the town. In 1863, the family moved to St. Paul, and in 1868, to Sunrise, and thence to Rush City, where they have since lived. In May, 1881, Fred. became a member of the firm of F. H. Pratt and Son, wood dealers of Rush City and St. Paul.

R. V. Pratt was born in Eden, Vermont, De- cember 14th 1840. Moved to north-west Wis- consin, in April, 1855. August 9th. 1861, he en- listed as private in Company F, First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry under Col. John C. Stark- weather. Was promoted to the band of the regi- ment, and was mustered out at Louisville. Ken- tucky, in September, 1862. Re-enlisted in No- vember, 1863, in Company G, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, and was promoted to chief bugler of the regiment in May, 1864. Served until the war

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ended and was mustered out October 19th, 1865, at Madison, Wisconsin. Came to St. Paul in August, 1871.

J. C. Prendergast, of the firm of Prendergast Brothers was born in Ireland in 1834. In 1847, he came to America, and in 1855, to St. Paul. He learned the trade of printer in the St. Paul Daily Times office, and worked at it until 1862. He enlisted in Company II, Tenth Minnesota Infan- try in 1862, and served until he was honorably discharged in September, 1865. He started the Le Sueur Courier in 1867, and the Henderson Democrat in 1869. Sold his newspaper interest in 1873; having founded the hardware and plumb- ing establishment in this city in 1856, he became associated with his brother after disposing of his newspaper. Mr. Prendergrast was chief of the St. Paul fire department four years. He was married in St. Paul in 1861, to Miss Hannah Newell. They have had seven children, all of whom are living.

M. R. Prendergast was born in Ireland, in 1842. Came to America with his brother in 1847, and to St. Paul in 1855. He became associated with his brother under the firm name of Prendergast Brothers, and is at present the junior member of the firm. Was married in St. Paul in 1867, to Miss Louisa Bray, of this city. They have eight children living.

G. H. Prescott was born in Groton, Massacku- setts, in 1832. He grew to manhood in his na- tive town and learned his trade of locomotive en- gineer, which he continued until he lost his left hand by an accident in 1855, after which he en- gaged in running a stationary. Came to St. Paul in 1867, and engaged on the railroad as fireman, and in 1868 he began as engineer in the railway shops. Was married in Groton, Massachusetts, in 1853, to Miss Diantha Woods, who died August 24th, 1879. Fannie E. and Nellie R., both mar- ried, are their children.

B. Presley, a native of Germany, was born in 1822. Came to America in 1829 with his parents and settled in St. Louis. Learned the cigar mak- ers' trade and came to St. Paul in 1849. Opened a cigar and fruit store which he ran three years, and at the end of that time engaged in wholesale and retail grocery trade, which he continued in until 1871. After disposing of his grocery busi- ness he opened a wholesale fruit commission

house on Third street, which is the only estab- lishment of the kind in the state. Mr. Presley is one of St. Paul's oldest citizens, and has thor- oughly identified himself with her growth and prosperity. He has been alderman four years, and was chief of the fire department for the same length of time, and in the latter capacity pur- chased for the city the first steam fire engine brought to the state. Married in 1843 Miss Mary E. Snell, of Quincy, Illinois.

Harriet E. Preston, M. D., is a native of Penn- sylvania, born in Bradford county. She is the fourth daughter of Mark H. and Amanda Avery Preston, of Scotch-English descent. Began the study of medicine in 1864, and graduated from the Woman's Medical college of Pennsylvania, in 1868. Came west the following fall, and first lo- cated in Rochester, Minnesota, then in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and in 1876 came to St. Paul. She was admitted to the Ramsey County Medical so- ciety in 1878, to the Minnesota State Medical society, and appointed delegate to the American Medical association in 1881. She has had encour- aging success as a practitioner, and a varied ex- perience as a pioneer in a comparatively new field of labor.

Richard Price, a native of Ireland, was born in Dublin, May 18th, 1856. Was sent to England in 1864 to attend school, and was at Chester and Hampton for a time, then entered Leamington college, and at the end of his third year went to Wimbledon school in 1871, intending to enter the army. Owing to changed circumstances, he went in 1872, to Germany, and after spending two years in the principal cities of that country, he returned to Ireland. In 1878, he went to Mon- treal, Canada, and entered the veterinary college, under professor McEachran, in connection with McGill medical college. Mr. Price took the de- gree of Veterinary Surgeon, after three years of study. Came to St. Paul in April, 1881, and is the only veterinary surgeon in the city holding a diploma, and holds an honorary fellowship iu Montreal Veterinary Surgical Association.

John S. Prince. One of the most notable ex- amples in Minnesota of a self-made man is John Stoughtenburgh Prince. His father died when the subject of this sketch was but twelve years old, compelling him to leave school and begin earning his own living. His parents were Joseph

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and Charlotte (Osborn) Prince, who lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the time of his birth, May 7th, 1821. He is a descendent of Rev. John Prince, rector of East Shefford, Berkshire, Eng- land, and is the eighth of the family of the name, John Prince the clergyman being the first. His great-great grandfather, who was the fourth to bear that name, was born in Barnstable, England, in 1677, and died on Long Island, New York, in 1765. The fifth John Prince was born in Barn- stable, England, in August, 1716, and died in Boston, Massachusetts, July 23d, 1786. The grandfather of Mr. Prince was born in Boston on the 22d of July, 1751, and survived his son, who was born in Boston and died in Mindon, November 24th, 1828. When ten years old, young John went to Mindon, and for some- thing over a year lived with his grand-parents, attending school, which ended his school days. He then returned to Cincinnati and began work- ing in a shoe store for two dollars per week, and in 1836 he entered a commission house as ap- prentice, acquiring the most minute details of the business in a few years. During this time he supplied himself with the necessary text books and acquired a good practical education. In 1840 he entered the employ of the American Fur Com- pany, Evansville, Indiana, and two years later when that company suspended operations he en- gaged with Pierre Choteau, Jr. and Company, who assumed the business and he became pur- chasing agent for the company in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and the territory of Wisconsin. In the interest of this company he settled in St. Paul, in 1854, his first duties being to care for the property of the company in this city. He still has charge of all that is unsold, which is known as the Choteau property. Mr. Prince gradually became interested in real estate and met with flattering success. He was one of the corporators of the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance com- pany and of the St. Paul and Sioux City railroad, and is at present one of the directors of the former corporation. In the railroad company he was a director from its corporation until the recent sale, when he disposed of his interest. Both of these companies have been managed according to strict rules of economy and business probity, and have always been closely identified with the interests of St. Paul.

Mr. Prince has been instrumental in the erec- tion of a number of fine stores and blocks in this city, his latest achievement in that direction be- ing the completion of a block of five fine brick dwellings. In public benevolent enterprises he has always been a most liberal supporter, and the poor, irrespective of nationality can always rely upon him for generous aid and sympathy. When the Savings Bank of St. Paul was organ- ized he became its cashier and is now its presi- dent. This institution is regarded as one of the safest of its kind in the state. He was a mem- ber of the constitutional convention of 1857 and was an aide to General Sibley, holding the rank of colonel. Was mayor of the city in 1860, 1861, 1862, 1865 and 1866, and the last time he was elected without opposition. Dur- ing his busy career he has exerted much influence in shaping the municipal regulations of the city, Was president of the Commission on Assessments one year, and of the Board of Public Works three years. He is a man of great local influence, and is energetic and zealous in his endeavors for the welfare of his adopted home, his love for which is unsurpassed. In politics Mr. Prince is a dem- ocrat of the Jefferson school, though he is not intensely radical.

May 2d, 1844, he married Miss Emma L. Linck of Evansville, Indiana. They have had twelve children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Prince and his family are devout members of the Cathi- olic church. As a boy he was industrious, studi- ous and independent, and as a man has always been faithful to the trusts confided in him. Those who reposed confidence in him, and gave him charge of their property forty years ago have died and their descendents still trust him. IIe will leave his family that noblest heritage, an honest name.

C. F. Putnam, manager and buyer in white goods and linen department for Lindekes, War- ner and Schurmeier, was born in Tennessee, in 1842. Went to Boston in 1860, and engaged in the dry goods establishment of Woods, Perry and Company, and was with them sixteen years, as salesman; then spent one year in Chicago, then came to St. Paul, and took his present position in 1878. IIe was married in 1876 to Miss Lucia Cruft, of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Pennock Pusey, a native of Pennsylvania, was

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porn in London Grove, Chester county, Septem- ber 6th, 1825. His parents, Jonas and Hannah Pnsey, were of English descent, and his ancestor, Caleb Pusey, was a leading and trusted co-adju- tor of William Penn, in the settlement of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Pusey was educated at West Town Quaker academy, in Chester county, Pennsylva- nia, and became early interested in the anti-slav- ery movement, during which he traveled in New England and the West, then went to Harford county Maryland, and engaged in farming in 1849. In 1854 he came to St. Paul and until 1862 was with Col. Henry McKenty. He next held the position of assistant secretary of state with Gen. J. HI. Baker, who was then secretary, in which capacity he was also deputy superin- tendent of public instruction, and was afterward commissioner of statistics. When the new law for the supervision of insurance companies was passed in 1872, Mr. Pusey was appointed by Gov- ernor Austin the first commissioner of insurance ' and the intricate labor involved in the organiza- tion of the department devolved upon him, as did the preparation of the new law pertain- ing to difficult insurance problems. In Decem- ber, 1867, he was married to Hattie M. Fowler, a grandniece of the Rev. Titus Coan, the emi- nent missionary to the Sandwich Islands. In December, 1873, he resigned his office to accom- pany his wife to Florida, in hope of restoring her to health, but she died there, in March, 1874. Upon the election of Governor Pillsbury in 1875, he was appointed private secretary, and has held the office since.

Dr. James A. Quinn, a native of Pleasant Plains, Illinois, born Dec. 8th, 1855. Attended Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Illinois, and the State University of Minnesota, but on account of failing health he was obliged to leave in the spring term of the junior year. In 1876, he began the study of medicine and surgery with Dr. J. H. Murphy, of St. Paul, and attended lectures, and graduated at the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons of New York city. The doctor is a member of Alpha Nu chapter of the Chi Psi society.

Abraham M. Radcliffe was born in New York city in 1827. His parents, Christopher and Sarah C. Radcliffe, were both born in New York city in 1786. The education of the son Abraham, was

acquired at the academy of his native city, where he also took up the profession of an architect. Was in the employ of Edward A. and R. L. Stev- ens, at Hoboken, New Jersey, as architect and superintendent of building, until 1849. At that time he went to Elmira, New York, remaining until 1852; was in business at Fort Wayne until 1857, then left there for Minneapolis. Minnesota He opened the first architects office in the city. finally located in St. Paul in 1858, still in the pur suit of his profession. Married at Elmira, New" York, in 1850.

IIon. Alexander Ramsey, first territorial gov- ernor of Minnesota, is a native of Dauphin coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and was born near Harrisburg on the 8th of September, 1815. He is of Scotch- Irish descent on his father's side, and German on his mother's. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Kelker) Ramsey. His grandfather, Alexander Ramsey, was born in eastern Pennsyl- vania, his father, near the town of York, in York county, on the 15th of June, 1784, and was an officer in the war of 1812-'15, dying when the son was ten years old. Left an orphan, Alexander was assisted in his education by a grand-uncle, Frederick Kelker, in whose store in Harrisburg young Ramsey assisted as a salesman. Subse- quently, for a short time, when about twelve years of age, he found employment in the office of register of deeds, of Dauphin county, mainly for the improvement of his penmanship. At eight- een years of age he attended school at Lafayette college, Eaton, Pennsylvania; commenced read- ing law in 1837 with Hon. Hamilton Alricks, of Harrisburg, went thence to the law school at Car- lisle, and was admitted to practice in 1839. The political life of Mr. Ramsey commenced in 1840, the year of the Harrison campaign, when he was quite active in the whig cause, and was made sec- retary of the electoral college which cast the vote of the state for the hero of Tippecanoe. The next year Mr. Ramsey was made chief clerk of the house of representatives of Pennsylvania. He was in the lower house of congress from 1843 to 1847, the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth con- gress, and during those four years he exhibited those qualities of mind which gave him much prominence and a high reputation throughout the state. So much confidence had his political confreres in him, that in 1848 he was made

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chairman of the whig state central committee, The campaign of that year resulted in the election of General Zachary Taylor to the presidency, and immediately after his inaugu- ration he appointed Mr. Ramsey governor of the territory of Minnesota, the commission dat- ing April 2d, 1849. IIe moved to St. Paul, the capital of the territory the next month. When Governor Ramsey took his seat as the executive of the territory, then embracing all of the pres- ent territory of Dakota to the Missouri river, it contained less than five thousand white people; he has lived to see it expand into a sovereign state of over a million in less than thirty-two years. The territorial government was organized on the 1st of June, 1849, and eleven days later, the Gov- ernor issued his proclamation establishing three judicial districts, and providing for the election of members to the first legislature. This body met on the 3d of the next September, using the din- ing hall of the Central hotel, St. Paul. In his message the Governor asked congress to extend the pre-emption laws to unsurveyed lands, and to limit the sale of public lands to actual settlers, to which the national legislators gave a prompt and favorable response. Thus Minnesota has been measurably free from the curse of non-resident ownership of her lands. During his administra- tion the Governor made several important treaties

with the Indians, Sioux half-breeds, Dakotas and Chippewas, by which the Indian title to large tracts of land was commuted, and these lands were opened to white settlers. In his last mes- sage to the territorial legislature, the governor predicted great progress for Minnesota in the way of settlement, railroads, etc., and time has shown the correctness of his predictions. He was succeeded in the gubernatorial chair in May, 1863, by Willis A. Gorman. Governor Ramsey was mayor of St. Paul in 1855, was the republi- can candidate for governor in 1857, and by a fair count of the vote was believed by his friends to have been elected, and two years later was chosen by a majority of nearly four thousand votes, in a total vote of less than forty thousand. He was re-elected in 1861. During his administration,he promptly responded to the call of the United States goverment, made in April, 1861, for one thousand men to aid in putting down the rebellion, and to subsequent calls, amounting to near twenty-

five thousand in all; and he speedily quelled the out-break of the Sioux Indians in 1862, showing great executive ability in the discharge of all his duties. By his prudent forethought and sagacity, he rendered invaluable service to the state in suggesting the best methods for disposing of the school lands, thus saving for educational purpo- ses hundreds of thousands of dollars, which have . been largely squandered in one or two other states. No man ever looked after the interest of Minnesota with greater vigilance. In January, 1863, before the expiration of his second term, Governor Ramsey was elected United States sen- ator, and re-elected in 1869, serving twelve years. He heartily supported all measures for the prose- cution of the war against the southern insurgents; warmly advocated as chairman of the committee on post-offices and post-roads, the abolition of the franking privilige, an act effecting that end, be- coming a law on first of July, 1873; as a member of the committee on railroads, assisted in secur- ing aid for the building of the Northern Pacific railroad, which now stretches across the northern part of Minnesota, favored the project for three trunk lines between the Mississippi and the Pa_ cific states, and the general plan of aiding lines of such thoroughfares by .devoting alternate sec- tions of public lands for their use. He was espe- cially active in securing the survey and improve- ment of the upper Mississippi river and branches by the general government. In 1880, was ap- pointed secretary of war by President Hayes, and served during the remainder of his term. He la- bored earnestly and continually for the interests of the great North-west, and his services to this section and to the country, as a whole, will be gratefully remembered long after he has passed away.

On the 10th of September, 1845, Miss Anna Earl Jenks, a daughter of the late Hon. Michael HI. Jenks, a judge for many years of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and at the time a member of congress, became the wife of Senator Ramsey, and they have three children, two sons and one daughter, the sons, Alexander and William Henry dying in infancy. . Marion, the daughter is the wife of Charles Eliot Furness, of Philadelphia Senator Ramsey resides in the western part of the city, and has one of the most elegant man- sions in St. Paul. Its surroundings are tasteful

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and very inviting; he is living at his ease, and apparently free from political aspiration; is the very impersonation of health and good cheer, and the mellow autumn of his life seems to be flooded with golden sun-shine.

A. Rank, a native of Germany, was born Janu- ary 28th. 1844. Moved with his parents to West Bend, Wisconsin, in 1850. Nine years later he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and worked at the painter's trade until 1867. Coming to St. Paul that year he started in business, associated with Mr. Beck, under the firm name of Beck and Rank. They have a good shop at 135 East Fourth street, and do an extensive business in frescoing, house, sign and scene painting. They are first class workmen and employ twenty men. Mr. Rank was married in May, 1870, to Miss Alvina Betz of St. Paul. Two sons and one daughter have been born to them.

J. G. C. Rank was born in Germany in 1832, where he received the educational advantages of the public schools. IIe was a stock dealer in company with his father in his native land. Came to America in 1852, locating first in New York. In 1854 came to St. Paul; was employed by Thomas Yardley and Brothers as surveyor of lumber a few years, then started a feed store. He soon after changed his location to Minneapo- lis, where for three years he manufactured brick. Removing thence to Greenleaf, Meeker county, he engaged in mercantile trade, also held the ofii- ces of town clerk, assessor and justice of the peace. After returning to St. Paul he engaged in the liquor trade, then opened the Farmer's Hotel in West St. Paul; in connection is a large barn and stock yards. Mr. Rank was the inven- tor of the broad cast seeder, which was patented in 1868. At St. Paul, in 1857 he married Ger- trude Hish, who died in 1875, leaving six children.

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