USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 44
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to us the facts in connection with the resigna- tion; the county business had been somewhat loosely kept and the county credit was very much impaired during his administration. It was evi- dent that he had little knowledge of the proper manner of doing public business. One early set- tler remarked, "The Pierce county treasury ac- counts were carried in the top of the treasurer's hat, subject to the four winds of heaven," and no doubt were often disarranged, so much so, that it required the labor of a committee several months to get them settled up.
At a meeting of the board, held November 18th, 1858, it was voted to set off township 26, ranges 15 and 16, which boundary included a por- tion of Pleasant Valley township, into a new town to be known as "El Paso ;" first election to be held at the house of George P. Walker, in said town.
In accordance with an act of the legislature, approved March 15th, 1861, the question of the removal of the county seat from Prescott to Ells- worth, was submitted to the people, with the following result: nine hundred and seventy- three votes were cast, of which six hundred were for removal, the remainder opposing.
At the next session of the county board, the officers went to the point designated in the act, and did business in a board shanty erected for their comfort. Soon after this, there was a meet- ing of the board held at the new county seat, which was the scene of a lively contest. The eastern delegation presented and contended for a bill calling for an appropriation for the erection of permanent buildings. The Prescott faction opposed it, and wished only for those of a tempo- rary character.
No amicable arrangement could be secured and the meeting adjourned "sine die." The fol- lowing year an act was approved calling for an election to return the county seat to Prescott. The effort, however, was a failure, and the seat of government remained at Ellsworth.
Temporary buildings were used until 1869, when their present beautiful and substantial buildings were erected. The same year an appro- priation of $3,000 was made for the purchase of a poor farm, which is located near Ellsworth.
At a meeting of the board, held April 17th, 1861, the sum of $2,000 was voted for the erection
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HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.
of suitable buildings for holding the courts of the county, also for a jail for the use of said county; the buildings to be erected on the following: the south-west quarter, section 17, or the south- east quarter of section 18, or the north-east quar- ter of section 19, or the north-west quarter of section 20, in township 26, range 17 west, on any part of said land as may be determined by the board of supervisors. The vote stood as follows: nine for and five against. At a meeting held June 11th, 1861, it was voted to add $4,500 to the sum already voted. At a meeting held Novem- ber 16th, 1861, it was voted to organize town- ship 25, range 15, into a new town to be known as Union, the first election to be held at the house of Frank Masher. At a meeting of the board, held January, 13th, 1862, a petition was granted asking that the name of the town of Perry be changed to Ellsworth.
At a meeting of the board, held January 14th, 1862, it was voted to form a new town with the following boundaries: township 25, range 16 west, said town to be known as the town of Salem. A petition of the voters of the town of El Paso, asking for the formation of a new town with the following boundary : township 26, range 15, said town to be known as Rock Elm; the first election to be held at the house of J. Pickett.
At a meeting of the board held at Prescott November 10th, 1868, it was voted to form a new town with the following territory: township 27, range 15, said town to be known as Spring Lake, the first election to be held at the house of A. M. Wilcox. A petition of the voters of the town of Martell was granted by setting off a new town with the following territory: township 27, range 16, said town to be known as Deerfield; the first election to be held at the house of Albert Martin.
At a meeting held February 1st, 1869, it was voted to vacate the town of Isabella, township 24, range 17, and attach the same to Hartland, to be known as Hartland; first election to be held at Hodgeman's school-house. At same meeting it was voted to change the name of township 24, lange 15, and township 24, range 16, known as Pleasant Valley, to Maiden Rock. At a meeting of the board beld May 26th, 1869, it was voted to change the name of township 27, range 16, known as Deerfield, to Gilman. A meeting of the board
was called August 9th, 1869, at which time the contract was let to D. C. Hill to build the court- house, his bid being $13,455.
At a meeting of the board held June 19th, 1871, a canvass of the votes of the town of Hart- land had been taken in regard to a division of the town. A majority were in favor of the following division: township 24 north, of range 17 west, to be set off and called Isabella.
At a special meeting of the board called June 17th, 1872, it was voted to issue bonds of the county to the amount of $5,000, for the normal school fund; said bonds payable March 1st, 1873.
The first records of the judicial courts held at Prescott, 1854, were kept on sheets of foolscap paper fastened together with wafers, such as were used to seal letters in the days of yore. The first case before the court was as follows: "State of Wisconsin, Pierce county; Wm. Woodruff versus Charles D. Stevens, August Loehmen and Charles Peschke .- In court of said county. In equity. On reading and filing the bill of complaint in this case on motion of S. J. R. McMillan and H. M. Lewis, solicitors for counsel J. S. Foster, it is or- dered that a writ of injunction be issued in the case, pursuant to the prayer of said bill upon said complaint. Some one, in his behalf, filed with the clerk of said court a bond for damages and costs in the sum of $1,700, with surety to be ap- proved by the clerk or judge of said court. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 22d day of May, A. D. 1854. (Signed) Wiram Knowlton, judge of the sixth judicial dis- trict."
ELLSWORTH.
The village of Ellsworth is located on the edge of the "big woods," at about the center of Pierce county. An act of the legislature, ap- proved March 15, 1861, submitted to the people by vote, the question of the removal of the county seat from Prescott to Ellsworth, at the same time designating its location in case of removal. The popular vote decided the change contemplated in the act, and the court house was thus placed near the center of the county in a most beautiful lo- cality. The village has a population of about six hundred inhabitants; surrounded by a fine farm- ing country. The county buildings were erected in 1869, of brick and stone, at an expense of $30,000. There are other small villages located
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CITY OF PRESCOTT.
in different parts of the county, such as Maiden Rock, Diamond Bluff, and Trenton, on the river; and Clifton, Spring Valley, Rock Elm, El Paso, and Martell, located in their respective towns of the same name.
PRESCOTT.
CHAPTER XLIII.
CITY CHARTER -- SCHOOLS -- CHURCHES MANUFACTURES -BIOGRAPHICAL.
In the early history of Prescott we find an or- ganization of some of the leading United States officers located at Fort Snelling, for the purpose of securing the land at the present site of the city of Prescott. This organization was effected in 1827, and was composed of the following par- ties: Major Plympton, Captain Scott, Colonel Thompson, Captain Brady, Dr. Emerson, and Philander Prescott, the latter being an Indian in- terpreter for the government. A claim of twelve hundred acres was made, and Prescott appointed to take charge of the claim until it came into market. The claim was protected until 1841, when an act was passed by congress, denying the right of any organization to hold claims. Under this law Mr. Prescott secured his claim of 160 acres, and a few years later he added one hun- dred more, all of which territory occupied a large portion of the present site of the city of Prescott. In 1838 a trading post was established at this point.
In the meantime, Prescott had been called to the fort in performance of his duties as Indian interpreter. One Reed, a discharged soldier, was sent to hold the claim for the organization, but was afterwards succeeded by a Frenchman by the name of Moshia. The same year, Hilton Doe, S. J. Hodgeden, from Ohio; J. T. Truse and J. D. McBully, from New York, landed at this point.
In a short time Doe was left alone with Reed and a small community of Indians and half-breeds. The settlement grew very slowly from the fact of the company excluding all settlers from their claim. In 1841 William Schaser ar- rived, but only remained for a short time. He, however, returned in 1844, bringing with him his wife, the first white woman in this region. Mr. Schaser claims to have builtthe first frame house in Prescott. Their daughter Eliza was the first white child born in the county. In 1847 additions were made by the arrival of J. R. Rice and family, W. Lockwood, L. N. Harnsberger and Geo. W. McMurphy. Mr. McMurphy was married to a daughter of Mr. Rice April 24th, 1848, which was the first marriage performed in the county. The second was that of H. N. Hol- man in 1853. From this period the settlement began to grow quite rapidly.
We find that the list of early settlers at this date was as follows: Hilton Doe in 1838, who remained for a short time, when he went below on the river and held the position of Indian farm- er for seven years; he returned again in 1845. George Schaser came in 1841 and remained a short time; he returned again in 1844. Thing Broth- ers and the Cornelison Brothers came in 1847; J. R. Rice the same year. Dr. Aldrich came in 1843; W. Lockwood in 1846; W. McMurphy and L. Harusberger in 1848; N. S. Dunbar, Ly- man Smith and J. D. Freeman in 1849; Dr. O. T. Maxon, W. J. Copp and Dr. Beardsley about 1850.
This county was still a portion of St. Croix county, but in 1849, the town of Elizabeth was set off and comprised what is now the county of Pierce. The first officers elected at the organiza- tion of this new town were Wilson Thing, chairman of the board, Aaron Cornelison, L. N. Harnsberger, supervisors; Hilton Doe, clerk; George W. McMurphy, treasurer. In 1851, by an act of the legislature, the name of the town was changed to that of Prescott, in honor of Mr. Prescott. The city is located at the junction of Lake St. Croix, with the Mississippi, which forms a large curve or point of land on which the city is built, and which was known in olden times as Lake Mouth. Extending back from the water's edge for some forty rods, the ground has a gentle rise, on which is built the business portion of the city; from the base of the bluff it rises more
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HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.
abruptly, over forty feet to the table lands on which the resident portion of the town is situated. From this elevation the city of Hastings at dis- tance and the bold bluff of the Minnesota shore pre- sents a scene, both grand and romantic, with the old "father of waters" extending away to the east and west while the placid waters of the lake stretch away to the north. The large stretch of levee on the river and the lake, so well adapted to business purposes, combine to make this point one of the finest locations for a city on the river. Prior to 1850, the improvements were very slow, when Dr. O. T. Maxon and W. J. Copp purchased the site. Previous to this, Mr. Prescott had sold several lots, Mr. William Lockwood had opened up a small store, and was trading in a small way with the Indians; afterwards extended his trade by placing a more general stock, as the settlers gath- ered in and his trade increased. Mr. Lockwood died soon after; he was the first white person that died, and was buried in the town. Messrs. Maxon and Copp had the site surveyed and platted soon after their purchase. From this time on, im- provements began to increase quite rapidly. In 1853, Pierce county was separated from St. Croix county and the county seat established at this point by an act of the legislature of that year.
The city charter of Prescott was granted in the winter of 1856-7. At the election held in the spring of 1857 the following officers were elected: Mayor, J. R. Freeman; aldermen for the First ward, N. S. Dunbar, Thomas Dickerson and Seth Ticknor; Second ward, Hilton Doe, George M. Oakley and N. A. Miller. On motion, George M. Oakley was chosen secretary of the meeting. On motion, Alderman Ticknor was elected presi- dent of the council; J. W. Beardsley was elected clerk of the council; J. J. Foster, justice peace of the First ward, and A. Edwards justice peace for the Second ward. A resolution was presented and passed, declaring N. S. D'unbar and Hilton Doe senior aldermen for the ensuing year. On motion, the council elected P. V. Wise, city at- torney; William Howes, city surveyor; Thomas Dickerson, superintendent of schools for the city. At the same meeting, C. H. Weigh presented bonds and was declared elected justice peace. It was voted that the city attorney receive fifty dollars for his salary for the year; it was voted to pay the city clerk fifty dollars per annum as sal-
ary; voted to pay the city surveyor three dollars per diem while engaged. The first division of the city was made in the following manner: First ward, all that part of the city south of Kinnic- kinnic street and east of the Mississippi river. All north of Kinnickinnic street and east of the Mississippi river to be known as the Second ward.
At a meeting of the council held May 9th, 1857, it was voted that the city treasurer be required to give bonds to the amount of $10,000. Also that the superintendent of schools be required to give bonds of $1,000, said bonds to be ap- proved by the council. At a meeting of the council held on the 18th of the same month, the following committees were appointed by the mayor: On finance, Dunbar, Dickerson and Miller; on auditing, Dunbar, Ticknor and Miller; on schools and school-houses, Dunbar, Oakley and Dickerson; on streets, Dunbar, Doe and Ticknor; on cemeteries and public property, Mil- ler, Oakley and Dunbar; on license, Ticknor, Doe and Miller; on printing, Oakley, Dickerson and Doe; as board of health, Dickerson, Miller and Oakley; on ordinances, Oakley, Miller and Tick- nor. John Henderson was chosen pound-master, and L. R. Smith city marshal. Thus we find our embryo city equipped with all the legislative power for self government. In 1869 a new divis- ion of the city was made, and another ward added, as follows: all that part of the city south of Kinnickinnic street as First ward, and all lying between Kinnickinnic and Cherry streets shall be known as the Second ward; all north of Cherry to the city limits, shall be known as the Third ward -each ward extending back from the river to the eastern limits of the city.
SCHOOLS.
The first steps taken in the matter of educa- tion, were by Mrs. Olive in the spring of 1851. In connection with her household duties she opened a school in her house, which was a por- tion of what is now merchant Harnsberger's, and gave instruction to all the children that she could gather together in the neighborhood where she was living, which was the first school taught in the county. The first school taught in Pres- cott was by Miss St. Mathews in the spring of 1852, in a large log house situated between Main street and the levee. The first district
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CHURCHES.
school organization was effected in the fall of 1852, by the election of the following officers, viz .: G. W. McMurphy, director; N. S. Dunbar, treas- urer; O. T. Maxon, clerk. Said district was composed of a portion of the towns of Clifton, Oak Grove and Prescott. The first school taught was by Miss Helen Smith in the spring of 1853, in a portion of the house owned by H. N. Hol- man. The first school-house built by the district was a portion of what is now the public school building. From these small beginnings, step by step the matters of education were carried for- ward until July, 1859, when the subject of a graded school was agitated. A call was issued to the legal voters in joint district No. 1 to meet at the school-house, July 22d, 1859, and vote on the following resolution, viz .: "Resolved, that the sum of fifteen hundred dollars be raised by joint school district No. 1 for the purpose of building addi- tions to the present school-house in said district, suitable for the purpose of maintaining a graded school." There were 136 votes cast-76 for and 60 against; 16 majority. Sealed proposals were called for, and four were handed in. The lowest bid was by M. W. Barb, who contracted to erect the building for the sum of one thousand four hundred and ninety-eight dollars, after certain specifications furnished by the board. The school- house, when completed, was valued at twenty- five hundred dollars. The board of officers at the date of building and re-organizing of the schools were L. D. Newell, director; G. W. Mc- Murphy, treasurer; P. V. Wise, clerk. The re- port of the superintendent of schools, August 31st, 1860, was that there were residing in the city, between the ages of four and twenty, 355. The number attending school during the year was 273. The schools at this date are in a very flour- ishing condition, with five departments under the following board of efficient teachers: G. L. Bow- man, principal, with the following assistants: Miss Florence Olive, Miss A. McCray, Miss Allie Ellis, Miss Mary Tabor and Miss Hattie Ives.
CHURCHES.
The first class in connection with the early his- tory of the Methodist Episcopal church of Pres- cott was formed in the fall of 1853, under the labors of Rev. Norris Hobert, a missionary from the Methodist Episcopal conference. The first
members of the class were Silas Wright and wife, and Frederick Hyatt, they being the only mem- bers of that denomination in the town at that time. Mr. Hyatt being an earnest worker in the good cause, together with his other labor as that of a house carpenter, devoted a portion of his time in forming plans to establish a Sabbath school, which was accomplished that fall, and was the first Sabbath school organized in the county. The first services were held in the school-house, which was located on the present site of the public school, and a part of the same building that is now used by the Baptist society for their church. To this small class of three devoted persons, in the spring were added others from among the new settlers, and during the next year a society was organized, and soon steps were taken to build a house of worship. Their first house was completed in 1856; built of wood, 22x30 feet, and located on the same site of the Lutheran church. In 1858 they added twenty feet to its length. In 1868, during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Richardson, steps were taken to erect their present fine, commodious church, which is of wood, 40x70, and was completed and dedicated September 8th, 1870, during the ministry of Rev. J. D. Searles. Their present membership is eighty; present pastor, Rev. Wm. Haw.
The First Baptist church of Prescott sprang from the early labors of Rev. E. W. Cressey, a missionary sent in 1853 by the American Baptist Home Missionary society, to labor at Prescott and other points. Their first meetings were held in a small unfinished house owned by Mr. Hol- man. Afterwards in a building down in the town, used as a tailor shop and law office during the week. During the winter following, the school-house was finished and they were per- mitted to occupy it for a portion of the time, which made a more comfortable place to hold their meetings. A church organization was ef- fected February 6th, 1854. Rev. T. B. Rodge was the first regular minister called. The church has labored under many difficulties since its or- ganization. They have occasional services.
The foundation was laid for the establishment of the Lutheran church at Prescott, in 1865, under the ministration of Rev. C. Hayer, who labored three years, when Rev. J. Schadegg, from Oak Grove, succeeded him, October, 1868. During his
17
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HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.
ministry in March, 1874, the church was organ- ized. They held their meetings for a while in the Congregational church. In the fall of the same year they purchased the old Methodist church, which was located on the site of their present church, to which the society have made additions and repairs until they have a fine church. Thirty-five is their present member- ship.
The Episcopal Church of Prescott was organ- ized under the auspices of the Calvary mission about 1872. The first step taken toward es- tablishing and maintaining services at this point, was by Rev. John Williamson, a missionary from the above mission, in 1859, who continued his labors two years, when he was followed by Rev. A. B. Peabody in 1861. Rev. J. L. Breck followed him, preaching occasionally for two years. Rev. T. Wilkinson visited them occa- sionally and held services. The church was regularly organized under the preaching of Rev. William Guild in 1872. Rev. Mr. Thorp preached for them occasionally for a short time. They held services in the Dill hall. In 1880 com- menced his labors with them, holding service in the Baptist church. They have at this time twenty-five female communicants, no males.
The First Congregational Church of Prescott was organized at Point Douglas, February 15tl), 1852, under the ministrations of Rev. R. Hall, who was laboring at different points in Wiscon- sin and Minnesota in the employ of the. IIome Mission society. Owing to the arrival of settlers and the changes made by the opening up of new fields, the church was removed to Prescott, De- cember 22d, 1854. Rev. Mr. Hall continued his labors with them until 1856, when Rev. Mr. Boutwell, also a missionary, labored with them for a time. The church held their services for a while in the school-house. Steps were taken in 1855, toward the erection of a church, but it was not completed until 1858. Rev. Il. W. Cobb was the first minister called to labor with the church ; he remained one year. They have a fine church edi- fice built of stone, 40x50 feet, with tower and bell. Removals and death has so thinned their members that they are unable to support preach- ing at this time.
The Presbyterian Church of Prescott was or- ganized in 1855. Their church was erected in
1866. Change incident to all new countries has seemed to withdraw a large portion of its support; under these circumstances preaching is not main- tained at this time.
The Catholic Church of Prescott was organized under ministry of Rev. Father Vervais. The society erected their present church, which is of wood, 24x60 feet, in 1868. The membership con- sists of about fifty families. The Rev. Father Hansas, living in the town of Oak Grove, holds services once in two weeks. Their house of wor- ship is located on the bluff, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country.
SOCIETIES.
Prescott Lodge, I. O.O. F., No. 154, was insti- tuted September 6th, 1868, with the following charter members, viz : Daniel J. Dill, David Lord, Samuel Small, Isaac W. Pierce, Henry C. Colton. Its first officers were as follows: D. J Dill, N. G .; S. Small, V. G .; H. C. Colton, R. secretary; David Lord, treasurer; W. R. Gates, W .; B. F. Paine, C. Its present officers are as follows, viz: E. R. Welch, N. G .; W. H. Leavitt, V. G .; A. L. Roberts, R. S .; D. J. Dill, treas- urer ; William Lessman, R. S. N. G .; Paul Freese, L. S. N. G .; A. Edwards, W .; N. McGill, C. The lodge is in a flourishing condition. It holds its meetings weekly in their nicely fur- nished hall in the Meacham block.
The North-western Lodge A. F. and A. M. of Prescott was first instituted in 1866, and worked under a dispensation until June 12th, 1858, when they received their charter. E. A. Meach- am, W. M .; H. Harvey, S. W., and G. H. Nichols, secretary. The lodge held its first meetings in a building on the corner of Orange and Front streets owned by A. H. Young and Company. They now occupy rooms in tlie third story of John Dudley's store, fitted up in fine style. Their present officers are as follows, viz: W. F. Mc- Cray, W. M .; John Wicks, S. W .; N. S. Dunbar, treasurer; A. B. Failing, secretary; B. Catzen- berger, S. D .; A. M. Rudy, J. D .; S. Johnson, tyler. The lodge is in fine working order, with a membership of fifty-eight.
The Independent Order of Good Templars, Lodge No. 319, was organized September 25th, 1876, with eighteen charter members. The first officers were: J. S. White, W. C. T .; Miss J. D.
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SOCIETIES AND PRESS.
Newell, W. V. T .; George N. Ross, W. C .; Clara McCray, W. S. E. C .; Dr. E. S. Akers, W. F. S .; Ada Covell, W. T. R .; Frank A. Ross, W. M .; Lottie Newell, W. D. M .; Ida Rubey, W. I. G .; J. W. Howes, W. O. G .; Gertie Ives, W. R. H. S .; Hattie V. Newell, W. H. S .; A. Gray, P. W. C. T. This lodge has been in a prosperous condition since its organization. They have at this time over one hundred members.
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