History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 45

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota from 1858 to 1881
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis : North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 662

USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 45

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The Prescott Juvenile Temple, No. 108, was organized March 17th, 1877, by Lillie J. Robin- son, and was named Wide Awake. It had ninety charter and twenty-one honorary members. C. Smith was the first superintendent, and held the office for three months, when Nellie Bancroft was elected to the office, which she held until she resigned in February last. The number of ini- tiations since its organization, ninety-six; deaths, three. The children have collected a library of fifty-four volumes through different entertain- ments given by the lodge. Amount of money received aside from library fund, fifty dollars. Twenty-eight members have passed into the sub- ordinate lodge, and fifty-six members in good standing at this time. Great good has been done through this lodge, which is now in a prosperous condition.

The Prescott Temple of Honor was organized December 27th, 1878, with forty-five charter members. The first officers elected were as fol- lows: J. S. White, W. C. T .; H. C. Goodsell, W. V. T .; H. S. Miller, W. T .; T. J. Griffin, W. R .; J. Weeks, A. W. R .; E. G. Babbidge, W. F. R. W. Bosworth, W. M .; John Roddy, P. W. C. T. This lodge has initiated one hundred and three members, and has at times been in a very pros- perous condition. They hold their meetings in Odd Fellows hall each Friday. The offices are held by the same persons mentioned above, ex- cept the W. C. T., which is held by W. Haw.

The Prescott Grange No. 161, was first organ- ized in Pierce Valley, town of Clifton, June 9th, 1873, by state deputy, A. H. Edwards, with twenty-two charter members. The first officers elected were as follows: J. S. Capley, W. M .; John Mozer, overseer; A. B. Ilickox, lecturer; Erastus Tubbs, steward; W. Findley, assistant steward; L. H. Cadwell, chaplain; Edward Ham- mond, treasurer; C. W. Wright, secretary; Ed- ward Walters, gate keeper; Mrs. Maggie Walters

ceres; Mrs. P. Johnson, pomona; Mrs. S. Ham- mond, flora; Mrs. M. A. Wright, lady steward. The lodge was moved to Prescott, July 19th, 1873. They have had as high as ninety-four members; death and changes incident to all such enterprises have decreased their number until but forty-five answer to roll call, in good and regular standing. The society holds its meetings in their finely furn- ished hall in the second story of the Dill block, the third Saturday of each month. The following are the officers at this time: J. S. Capley, W. M .; W. F. McCray, overseer; F. C. Bliss, lecturer; E. A. Brown, steward; E. F. White, assistant steward; A. Watters, chaplain, Thomas Davis, treasurer; Mrs. E. A. Bailey, secretary.

The Pierce County Agricultural Society was or- ganized March 15th, 1859. Officers at the date of organization were, O. T. Maxon, president, with one vice-president from each town; George M. Powell, recording secretary; Oliver Gibbs, cor- responding secretary. The grounds of the society are located about one-half mile east of the city on the higher ground. The grounds are nicely finished with one-half mile race track and build- ings suitable for the display of products of the county. The present officers are, W. T. Bunker, president; Col. D. J. Dill, secretary; Frank C. Ross, corresponding secretary. The meetings of the society are well sustained and fine displays are made each year, with a good attendance from this and adjoining counties.

PRESS.

The first newspaper published in Prescott was in the winter of 1854, by C. E. Young, the first copy of which appeared on the 14th of February, and was given the title of the Prescott Paraclete, republican in sentiment. In the fall of 1855 Oliver Gibbs purchased an interest in the paper, and the title was changed to the Prescott Tran- script. In 1857, Messrs. Lusk, Wise and Bailey commenced the publishing of a democratic paper entitled the Pierce County Democrat. In the fall of 1861, Mr. Lute A. Taylor moved the River Falls Journal to Prescott, and published it as the Prescott Journal until the fall of 1868. when he sold it to Messrs. Flint and Weber, who pub- lished it until June, 1871, when the office with the material were destroyed by fire. The sub- scription list was sold to Messrs. Kimball and

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Morse of the Pierce County Herald, of Ellsworth. In 1873, April 1st, M. B. Kimball commenced the publication of what was known as the Pres- cott Clarion. He sold his interest to E. C. Kibbe, the same year, who changed the title to that of Pierce County Plaindealer. July 1st, 1876, E. H. Ives, purchased the paper, and has pub- lished it since.

The mercantile interests of the city of Prescott are represented by the following firms, viz: John Dudley, E. A. Meacham" and Son, John G. Theurer, Jacob Freese, general merchandise; N. S. Dunbar, groceries ; McGill, and Wilkinson, L. Jurgens, and W. Sesemann, boots and shoes; Carlos McCray, and E. R. Welch, drugs; C. Mc- Cray, books and stationery; George S. Holister, and Joseph Firner, Jr., hardware; H. S. Miller, banker: J. S. White, F. A. Ross, and E. H. Ives, attorneys; Arthur Young and H. C. Colton, physicians and surgeons ; J. R. Gardner, veteri- nary surgeon ; G. H. Miller, Frank A. Ross, and W. H. H. Clements, insurance agents; I. P. Peterson and son, and Arniel Cosminskie, watch- makers and jewelers; M. T. Dill, Redmon and Son, O. S. Hutchinson, E. W. Haviland, Theurer and Rader, and J. K. Havens, grain dealers ; Mrs. J. A. Abbott, and Mrs. P. D. Freese, mil- linery, dressmakers; N. Swanstrom, and John Sheehan, merchant tailors; W. Rittman, Charles Maurer, and Clemens and West, harness makers; J. K. Havens and Joseph Firner, Jr., agricultural implements ; C. E. Meacham, furniture ; John Dudley, lumber; C. O. Boughton, and Krueger and Beeler, meat market; N. S. Morgan, livery stable; A. B. Failing, machine shop and boat building; John Neinstadt, John Murry, Anson Bancroft, and Samuel Elfman, manufacturers of brick.

J. W. Taylor, barber shop; William Miller and Mrs. Bloomer, bakery; E. R. Welch and Joseph Maurer, confectionery; N. P. Husting, brewery; B. Katzenberger, cooper shop; Central house, D. Fielding, proprietor; Union house, John Harwell, proprietor; St. Nicholas, George Shaser, proprie- tor; Prescott house, M. J. Beeler, proprietor; omnibus and steam ferry, W. II. II. Leavitt, pro- prietor; rope ferry, William B. Dibble, proprietor.

Prescott has some fine, substantial improve- ments, among which we would mention the post- office, Dubley, Meacham and J. Freese blocks,

built in 1870, Meincke block in 1871, the Dill, Dun- bar and Theurer blocks built in 1872, the Gray block in 1873, the Holister block 1876, and Ives block in 1879.

The manufacturing interests of Prescott are not as extensive as the good people of the city would wish. Several enterprises have been started, but their life has been of short duration. The location for manufactories is second to no point on the river as a convenient point for river and lake shipment. The history of those now in existence, as far as can be arrived at, is as fol- lows: About 1856 Messrs. Silverthorn and Dud- ley established a portable saw-mill at this point, which they operated until about 1861, when Mr. Dudley purchased Mr. Siverthorn's interest and erected his present steam mills, which consist of a saw-mill, 40x50, with one upright, one rotary and one edger saws. Also, a flour mill, 40x70 feet in size, with two flour and one feed run of stone; used exclusively as a custom mill. The manufacture of wagons and carriages is carried on to some extent by F. Meincke. He established his business, or present shops, at this point in 1862. Ifis main shop is of brick, 24x60 feet; paint shop of stone attached, 26x60; blacksmith shop of wood, 28x60. He turns out of new work twenty- five lumber wagons and fifteen carriages, together with quite an extensive repairing business.

J. Neinstadt also carries on quite an extensive business in the way of manufacturing heavy farm wagons. He commenced his present en- terprise in 1875, then in rented shops. In 1878 he purchased his present shops, which are built of brick, 22x62, with paint shop 20x36. Last season he manufactured about twenty-five new wagons, together with a large amount of repair- ing.

The Prescott brewery, N. P. Husting, was es- tablished in 1866; building 50x60. He turned out about 800 barrels during the past year. IIe finds a market in Prescott and in the country back from the river. In connection with his brewery he is quite extensively engaged in fatten- ing cattle.

The Prescott machine shop was established in 1876 by H. B. Failing, the present proprietor, who erected his shop the same year, of wood, 24x 40 feet. The shop is well equipped with all kinds of machines necessary to enable them to do first-

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class repairs. During the summer months he has a large amount of repairing in connection with the river boats. In connection Mr. Failing man- ufactures row-boats for which he finds a ready market for all he can manufacture, with his other business.

The first bank was established in 1858. May 28th, the bank was organized and chartered un- der the state laws of Wisconsin, and known as the "City Bank of Prescott." Charles Miller president, and W. P. Westfall cashier, with a cash capital of $25,000, which was afterwards in- creased to $50,000. The bank continued to oper- ate under the same title and by the same firm un- til the spring of 1877, after the act was passed "taxing state banks," when the bank succumbed to the pressure and closed the doors. In June, 1877, the doors were again opened under the title of "Bank of Prescott," by H. S. Miller, who is doing a general banking and exchange business.

The first post-office established in Prescott was in 1845, by the appointment by Uncle Samuel of J. R. Freeman, post-master. The means of trans- portation in those days being by the river during the summer months, and on the ice or by a slow and tedious trip through the forests toward the -eastern part of the state in winter, the mails did not reach this point very often. Such being the case no post-office was needed, so to have matters convenient the mail was deposited in the postmaster's hat. So the early settlers say. With change of administration the next in- cumbent of the office was J. M. Whipple; then O. T. Maxon. Next in course was Andrew Rader, then George A. Dill, next William Gates. The dates of these transfers we are unable to ob- tain, as the parties were not at hand. The last appointment and the present incumbent of the office received the appointment 1877.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Parker Adams was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, in 1817, and was reared on a farm. His education was limited to that received at the com- mon schools. In 1855, he settled at River Falls, Wisconsin, making that place his home two years; thence to Prescott where he has since re- sided. He has occupied the office of justice of the peace in Prescott. His marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of ex-Governor Kinney, of Illi-

nois, took place in 1842. They have had three children, two living.

Charles O. Boughton was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, December, 1829, and there remained until nine years of age. He then accompanied his parents to Elyria, Lorain county, Ohio, making that place his home for five years. In 1850, he, with his father went to California, and on returning, after a stay of two years, came by way of the isthmus. They embarked at San Francisco, on the propeller Union, and when off the coast of South California, about seven hun- dred and fifty miles from San Francisco, they were wrecked; the vessel was lost, but all on board succeeded in getting ashore. For seven- teen days they subsisted on clams, when they were rescued by a passing vessel, and crossed the isthmus, embarking in the Brother Jonathan with five hundred passengers; when in the gulf stream the ship took fire, but by the heroic efforts of the crew and passengers it was saved. After reaching home Mr. Boughton removed to Galena, Illinois, and engaged in milling. In 1854 he came to Prescott, and has followed different pur- suits, the past ten years having been in the meat business. His wife was Miss Sarah Kelly, mar- ried in 1855. Six children have been born to them, all living.

Dr. Henry C. Cotton is a native of Maine, born October 17th, 1840. He attended the public schools until nineteen years of age, then entered the medical college at Albany, New York, from which he graduated in 1861. The next year he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-first New Jersey, as a private, serving nine months then joined the Twenty-ninth Maine Veterans as assistant sur- geon and served until honorably discharged, June 28th, 1866. At New Richmond, Wisconsin, he began the practice of medicine, and one year subsequently removed to Prescott, and has since been a practitioner at this place His wife was Miss Emily Edgecomb, a native of Maine, mar- ried in 1866. They have two children.

Col. Daniel J. Dill was born in Dillsburg, York county, Pennsylvania, February 24th, 1830. Re- maining on his father's farm until nineteen years old, he received a good practical education, then was employed as a traveling agent for a whip manufactory in which he continued ten years. In 1859, came to Prescott and engaged in merchan-

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dising until 1877, and is still counted among the leading business men. In 1861, answering to his country's call, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Wisconsin, being appointed captain, served one and one-half years in the Army of the Potomac, then was appointed by Gov. Solomon, of Wis- consin, colonel of the Thirtieth Wisconsin, and was honorably discharged at Madison, 1865. One year previous, he was on the plains under Gen- eral Sully, and assisted with the regiment in building Fort Rice, Dakota. During his last year was provost marshal general of the Kentucky de- partment on General Palmer's staff. He married in 1867, Miss Mary P. Johnson. Three children have been born to them, all living.

George A. Dill was born at Dillsburg, Pennsyl- vania, December 24th, 1831. When fifteen years of age he went to Williamsport and remained in that vicinity three years. He purchased cattle in Iowa in 1853, and brought them to Prescott for sale. The following year he began opening land, which he sold in 1855, and engaged in mercantile and grain trade. In 1868 he and Miss Annie Harvey were united in marriage at Freeport, Illinois. They have one son, George A. Jr.

N. S. Dunbar was born at Fredonia, New York, June 22d, 1820. When a lad of fourteen years, he removed with his parents to Niles, Michigan. In 1840 he began the battle of life, going to Mus- catine, Iowa, there learning the trade of bricklayer and stone-mason. Becoming a resident of Prescott in 1852, he embarked in the grocery trade, con- tinuing eight years; then added a general stock. In 1868, he disposed of his stock and lived a re- tired life two years, then again entered business as a grocer, still remaining. Mr. Dunbar was elected the first sheriff of Pierce county in 1854. He married, in 1842, Miss Amanda Roach. They have two children.

Richard Fielding was born at Bangor, Maine, 1844. When quite young moved with his parents to Massachusetts, where they lived four years; then came to Shakopee, Minnesota. He made that place his home twelve years, thence to St. Paul for four years, and finally located at Prescott and began the pursuit of agriculture. In 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Wiscon- sin Volunteers; was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness in his left wrist, losing his hand from the effects; was honorably discharged in June,

1865. He started the Central house at Prescott in 1880. His marriage with Miss Francis E. Mil- ler took place in 1867. Two children have been born to them.

Joseph Friner, deceased, was born at Baden, Germany, 1827, where he learned the trade of tinsmith. He came to America in 1849, landing in New York city; worked at his trade in that city, also in Cincinnati, New Orleans and St. Louis. Removing to Prescott in 1855, he started in the hardware trade on a small scale, doing all the work himself. He continued in the trade until the time of his death. His wife was Bar- bara Neff, whom he married in 1850. His widow and her three children survive him. Francis, now the wife of Andrew Winter. of Prescott; Joseph Jr. married Miss Nancy Kempf, in 1880; and Theodore.

Henry A. Jay is a native of Allegany county, New York, born May 18th, 1831. At the age of two years his parents removed to Binghampton, and when nineteen years old he returned to his native place. For five succeeding years he attended school, during the time beginning the study of law. During the spring of 1855 he came to Prescott and first gave his attention to the manufacture of brick, then to agriculture and milling until 1858, when he began the practice of law with J. S. White of this place. In 1864 he abandoned the practice of law and took charge of John Dudley's interests, remaining in his em- ploy until 1878. He and Miss Jeanie Houston, a native of Canada, and of Scottish descent, were married October 18th, 1855. At the age of forty- one she departed this life, leaving three children.

William L. Leavitt was born at Naples, Maine, 1841, where he made his home until 1861. Com- ing to Prescott at that time he followed farming until enlisting in Company I, Twelfth Wisconsin, in 1863. Was honorably discharged at Madison, in 1865, and returned to Prescott. He was elected city marshal in 1868, which office he held until 1880, then was chosen alderman of the first ward. Since 1878 he has given his attention to steamboating. IIis marriage with Lydia P. Jones, took place in 1860; their union was des- tined to be a short one, for she died in 1866, leaving two children. His present wife was Mary A. Smith, who has borne him seven child- ren, six of whom are living.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

Carlos McCray, born at Ellington, Connec- ticut, June 23d, 1826. When a lad of twelve years, he accompanied his parents to Allegany county, New York, remaining six years, and dur- ing the time attended school. He engaged in farming in Walworth county, Wisconsin, from that time till 1854, then removed to Prescott, where his father died in 1872. Engaging in agri- cultural pursuits until 1861, he then embarked in the drug trade, and was also appointed post- master. He was married in 1849 to Miss R. A. McKeen. They have five children living.

Captain Edgar A. Meacham, born May 31st, 1832, at Brandon, Vermont. Here his childhood days were passed, and on attaining majority he began the mercantile trade at his native place, con- tinuing, until removing with his parents, to Prescott in 1856. On their arrival, he, in com- pany with his father, Col. A. A. Meacham, purchased a steam saw-mill, which they op- erated one year; then sold, and established a sash and door factory. In 1871 his father disposed of his interest to another son. Mr. Meacham, in 1876, opened a general store in this place and formed a partnership with his son, Edgar L. He enlisted in 1862, and was appointed first lieuten- ant of Company F, Thirtieth Wisconsin; the next year was promoted to the rank of captain of the same company, receiving his discharge at Camp Randall in October, 1865. He was united in marriage with Eliza Belknap in 1854. They are the parents of four children living.

Griffin H. Miller, a native of Westchester county, New York, was born in 1821. His educa- tional advantages were somewhat limited during his youth. Remaining at the old homestead until 1848, he then retired from agricultural pur- suits, and engaged in the loan and discount busi- ness at Cross River, same county. In 1857 he came to Prescott and has since been engaged in the same business, although at times giving his time to agriculture, standing to-day as one of the leading capitalists of Prescott. Mr. Miller be- came identified with the Methodist Episcopal church when twenty years old and has since been one of its staunch members. His wife was Miss Joanna B. Silkman; married in 1842. They have six children living.

E. N. Redmon was born in 1827, in Scott county, Illinois. He was employed in his father's store

as clerk until reaching man's estate; then went to California and engaged in mining and trading until 1852. Returning to his home he tarried only a brief time, then removed to Daven- port, Iowa, and for five years was in the dry goods trade with his father-in-law, Frederick Knapp. In 1857 he became a resident of Pres- cott, and embarked in grain speculation, buying and shipping the first bushel from this landing, and has been connected with the grain trade since. Mr. Redmon owns and cultivates a farm near Prescott; also owns three thousand acres in Dakota, one thousand of which are under culti- vation. IIe has held the office of sheriff of Pierce county two years. His marriage with Sarah A. Knapp took place in 1852. They have three sons.

Frank A. Ross, a resident of Prescott nearly his whole life, was born in Grundy county, Illi- nois, March 24th, 1856. When a babe of one and one-half years, he came to this place with his parents, and attended school until eighteen years old. He then taught the district school of Pres- cott; afterwards read law with J. S. White. De- cember, 1872, he was admitted to the bar. One year previous he married Miss Hettie Newell of this place.

Lyman R. Smith is a native of Onondaga county, New York, born July 5th, 1814. Remain- ing at his native place till 1836, then came westward to Niles, Michigan, and located on a farm, engaged in tilling the soil until 1845; then went to Muscatine, Iowa, where he worked as a stone-mason. Five years subsequently he visited California, and there embarked in mercantile trade, also in mining. In 1852 he became a resi- dent of Prescott. Except ten years spent at Fari- banlt, Minnesota, this place has been his home. He has been twice married; in 1840 to Miss Leah Van Vleet, who died in 1843, leaving two child- ren. His present wife was Miss Mary Amorett Dunbar, who has borne him three children, one living.

N. Swanstrom, a native of Sweden, was born 1832. Here he learned tailoring, after having at- tended school until twelve years old. In 1868 he came to America and after a residence of short duration at Point Douglas became a citizen of Prescott, which place he still makes his home. Working at his trade as a journeyman a short time he finally in 1870 opened an establishment

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for himself. In May, 1856, he married Annie . Anderson, who died in 1867, leaving four child- ren.

Samuel C. Williams, born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, 1834. During early life he learned the printer's trade, and worked on several Ohio and Pennsylvania newspapers. In 1857 he came westward to St. Paul, Minnesota, and was for a time in the old "Pioneer" office. The year fol- lowing he began farming in Minnesota along the Crow river, and in 1861 answered his country's call by enlisting in company F, First Wisconsin, serving until honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. Since returning to civil life he has been a painter at Prescott. In 1858 his marriage with Isabel Chinnock took place ; they have three children living.

RIVER FALLS.

CHAPTER XLIV.

EARLY SETTLERS-FIRE OF 1876-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES - BIOGRAPHICAL.

The village of River Falls as we find it to day, located on the banks of the beautiful Kinnic- kinnic has a population of about fifteen hundred inhabitants. The line between St. Croix and Pierce counties divides the village plat, and one- third lies in St. Croix county. The river goes dashing through the central part of the village with a current so swift that the frosts of winter are unable to check its course or congeal its sur- face. On its banks are located four flour mills and one saw and feed mill, which are propelled night and day by the power gathered from its water. Quite an extensive merchant flouring business is done, and the flour shipped hy rail to distant markets. Various religious societies have their pleasant places of worship. The different secret societies have their organizations and com-

fortable lodge rooms. The public school build- ing, located on the west side, is a large imposing structure of hrick with all the late improvements, which will accommodate nearly three hundred pupils. The Fourth State Normal School in the south-eastern portion of the village, is built of brick and cost twenty-five thousand dollars, a large portion of which sum was donated by the adjoining towns. A more particular history of their permanent improvements is given in another part of the chapter.

The early settlers of the Kinnickinnic Valley at, and near the village of River Falls. First came Joel Foster in the fall of 1848, to this, then wild, but beautiful spot, which had hardly been visited save by the red man of the forest. Next to follow and settle in the fall of 1849, were D. McGregor, James and Walter Mapes. In 1850, Mr. Hayes, W. Tozer, Mr. Penn and Ira Parks, settled here. Following them, came N. N. Pow- ell and Clark Green and soon after, O. S. Powell and others of the family. Capt. Woods settled on Big River; C. B. Cox, struck his first oil in Clifton Hollow. The settlers now began to come rapidly, each making his claim. The Powell brothers made claim of a large portion of the land on which the village now stands. Quite a nucleus of settlers were gathered around this point, which, with the valuable water-power made it a desirable location for a manufacturing centre. The spirit of enterprise came with the new settlers, many, if not all of whom were at this time from New England. With an eye to the future, N. N. and O. S. Powell laid out and platted sixty acres in 1854, a portion of their claim bordering on the river, and called it Kin- nickinnic. The same year they erected the first store, which they filled with a stock of general merchandise. In 1856, they made another plat of one hundred and twenty acres, across the river on the west side. Additions have been made at dif- ferent times by others. The first hotel built was by W. II. Winchester; first blacksmith shop by R. Griffith; first wheel-wright, N. Wales; first cooper, C. J. Riker.

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