History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 46

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 46

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FIRE.

Like most other towns, River Falls has had its drawbacks, which came in the shape of fire and flood. Its worst mishap was the great fire of 1876. At half past one o'clock on the morning

265

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

of the 30th of January, 1876, fire was discovered in the office of E. B. Homes, next to the post- Office. The wind at the time was blowing a gale from the south, which swept the fire with fearful rapidity. There being no fire department or or- ganized company, the fire continued its course un- til it had destroyed some of the most valuable property in the village. The morning light found the labor and savings of years laying in ashes. The following is a partial list of those who were losers in the great conflagration, the aggregate estimate of which was $30,000: G. I. Ap Roberts, general merchandise; S. G. Dodge, hardware; C. R. Ellis, store ; Messrs. Hedderly and Davis ; Mr. Watson, harness shop; the office of A. D. Andrews and Company ; the Odd Fellows hall ; Good Templars hall and several others were included in the general loss. The amount of insurance was very light. The next issue of the Journal was set up, and the forms locked ready for the press were saved, and by the activi- ty and enterprise of the publishers, and the kind- ness of the publishers of the Star and Times, the paper was out on time for distribution that day.

SCHOOLS.

The same spirit of enterprise which had from the first, manifested itself in the early settlers of this beautiful valley in other matters, was manifested in matters of education. The first step taken towards providing the means for the education of their children was the building of a school house in the fall of 1854, at a cost of $500, which amount was contributed by C. B. Cox, G. W. Pratt, N. N. and O. S. Powell, J. F. Nichols, Asaph Pratt, B. C. Flint, W. H. Win- chester, Pomeroy Brothers, and others. The site was donated for the purpose by Messrs. Powell Brothers. The house was 20x30, a portion of what is now known as the Baker Institute. The entire charge of the construction of the house was placed in the hands of G. W. Pratt, then town superintendent of schools. Miss Helen Flint was the first teacher employed and her salary was paid by subscriptson. The next year, district No. 1 was regularly organized, and the school house was transferred to the district board. Miss Laura Pratt was the first teacher under the new regime. The same spirit of enterprise and a desire to es- tablish their reputation for an interest in edu-

cational matters, prompted a few of the leading settlers of the town to take steps toward provid- ing a more thorough course of education. A joint stock association was organized and incor- porated as the "River Falls Academy Associa- tion " in the spring of 1856, and a building was erected during the same year on the west side of the river on a beautiful site, donated by N. N. and O. S. Powell; at an expense of about $5,000; size about 36x66, two stories. Professor Benjamin Wilcox was employed as the first prin- cipal. It was maintained as an academy until 1860, when the clamor for free schools, where the many under all circumstances of life, might enjoy the advantages of a more complete education, in- duced the association to sell the academy build- ings to the joint district No. 1, for a public school at the moderate sum of $1,500. The first prin- cipal employed was Prof. Allen H. Weld, assisted by Mrs. Weld. In the fall of 1879 the house was destroyed by fire. A temporary building was erected, and a school held in it during the next spring and summer, and steps were at once taken for the erection of another building. After much discussion on the different plans, it was at last de- cided to erect a building containing all the mod- ern improvements and large enough to accomo- date 300 pupils. The building is a most beauti- ful structure, built of brick on the site of the old academy, at an expense of $15,000.

CHURCHES.

The Congregational Church of River Falls. The early settlers of this region were accustomed to gather for religious worship at the residence of Mrs. Penn, about a mile and a half north of the village, in the town of Troy, on the farm now owned by Professor A. H. Weld. A Sunday- school was organized in 1853. In July, 1854, Rev. Richard Hall, superintendent of the Home Missionary society of Minnesota and north-west- ern Wisconsin, preached the first sermon in River Falls, in the pioneer store, which had not yet re- ceived its stock of goods. After that, services were held with occasional preaching, sometimes in the store, sometimes in the Prairie mill, and sometimes in Mr. Luke Pomeroy's barn, until the school-house on the corner of Fourth and Maple streets was finished. The church was organized February 3d, 1855, with seventeen members, viz:

266

HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.

Mason Stone, Mary B. Stone, N. Wales, Mary J. Wales, N. N. Powell, H. L. Wadsworth, Ann R. Wadsworth, Geo. W. Pratt, A. Pratt, H. Pratt, Persis Pratt, Eunice C. Pratt, J. F. Nichols, S. H. Nichols, S. M. Pratt, Mrs. P. Pratt and Mrs. S. McHan. Rev. James Stirratt preached for them six months, each alternate Sabbath. In March, 1856, Rev. W. R. Stevens was installed pastor, and remained until 1862.

"He was a giant in body and a giant in mind; tall of stature and tall in intellect. We had long been looking for a minister we could all look up to, and he completely filled the bill-for all ordinary mortals had to look up or they couldn't see balf way to the top. Usually sedate, he had an under- current of genuine humor, and often indulged in the keenest sarcasm. These traits were manifest on his first Sabbath with us. Mr. Stirratt, his predecessor, was a very tall man. We had rigged up a sort of three-story desk for him, but in the presence of Mr. Stevens said desk dwindled to most diminutive proportions. It was with a se- vere struggle that he managed to get through his first sermon, and as he came out of the house he said to a brother with a look bordering on despair, 'That desk was so low that I couldn't preach but half my sermon, and that the upper half.' Some men are great without knowing it. Mr. Stevens comprehended every inch, and with the utmost good nature would answer all questions thereunto pertaining. On his way hither he stopped at Prescott over night. The next morning as he was walking near the river he perceived he was the observed of all observers. When one called out, 'I say, stranger, where did you lodge last night?' With the utmost gravity he replied: 'My head lodged in Barker's hotel, my feet in in- finite space.' "

He had much to do with shaping the early his- tory of this region, and during his ministry 116 members were added to the church. The edifice they now occupy was built in 1857 and dedicated in July, 1858. In November, 1862, Rev. W. Gill became pastor and remained until 1875.

In 1867 steps were taken to build another church. Lots were purchased and the founda- tion laid, and the frame erected and enclosed for a house to cost about $10,000, when a huricane prostrated the structure. Not feeling able to re- pair the loss at once, they abandoned the project

for the while. In 1875, Rev. John Ball came and preached one year; Rev. T. C. Jerome one year. In 1879 Rev. N. T. Blakeslee, their present pas- tor was employed and a beautiful parsonage was erected adjoining the church, the whole cost- ing $2,000. The society hope to be able to com- plete their new church during the coming year. Since its organization the church has enrolled 306 members. But with the changes incident to all societies they have but 158 members at this time.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized March 3d, 1881, with a membership of fifty. The following officers were elected : Mrs. N. T. Blakeslee, president ; Mrs. W. E. Kellogg, Mrs. M. Pomeroy, Mrs. E. Boutwell, vice-presi- dents; Miss R. Taylor, secretary ; Miss Hattie Levings, corresponding secretary; Mrs. G. W. Farnsworth, treasurer ; Mrs. N. T. Blakeslee and Mrs. O. S. Powell were chosen to conduct the temperance column in the Journal.

The First Baptist Church of River Falls was organized as a branch of the First Baptist Church of Hudson, April 12th, 1857. Their first covenant meeting was held on the 18th day of April. The following day, the 19th of April, the ordinance of Baptism was administered in the beautiful waters of the Kinnickinnic. June 1st, 1857, Rev. A. Gibson, under the appointment of the American Baptist Home Missionary society, took the pastoral charge of this new field, which in August, 1857, by letters of dismission from Hudson church become an independent church with fifteen members. In 1861, their first house of worship was commenced and completed in 1862. April 6th, of the same year, Rev. Mr. Gibson was given leave of absence to the army. Rev. T. E. Kuley became a stated supply until April 6th, 1863, when Rev. M. Bailey supplied the pulpit for a time. April 7th, 1871, Rev. J. Statthard was called to the church and remained until 1874. June 6th, 1875 Rev. II. N. Hony became their pastor and continued until September 18th, 1875, when Rev. C. K. Colver took the field and remained until July, 1878, since which time they have had no regular service.

The Catholic Church of River Falls was organ- ized under the ministry of Rev. Father Connelly of Iludson, in 1875, with a membership of thirty- eight families. Their fine house of worship was built in 1876. Rev. Mr. Kelley of Hudson has had the church under his charge since its organi-

267

SOCIETIES.

zation, holding services at this place once a month. There are now connected with the soci- ety, forty-six families. They soon hope to have a regular priest.

The Episcopal Church of River Falls was first convened under the labors of Rev. John Wil- liamson, a missionary from the Calvary Mission, in 1859, holding services in the school-house. He also extended his labors to other points. He con- tinued his labors with this mission until 1870, when Rev. A. P. Peabody took his place, preach- ing every alternate Sabbath at a school-house lo- cated in what was known as Glass Valley, four miles south of River Falls. He continued his labors until the spring of 1865, when the services were transferred to the village and held in a hall until the spring of 1871, when Rev. Charles Thorp came and was located at the Falls, and held ser- vices regular. During his ministry the church regularly organized, with sixteen communicants, and the erection of their present beautiful house of worship was commenced and completed in 1872. The building is of brick, about 40x60, and located on the west side of the river. Rev. F. Durlin commenced his labors with them in 1873. Rev. Mr. Langlois preaches for them occasionally at this time.

SOCIETIES.

Odd Fellows Lodge, number 199, was first or- ganized February 2d, 1872, with the following charter members: A. Morse, B. F. Pierce, J. W. Pierce, H. S. Baker and James Stoddard. They were in a flourishing condition when the great fire of January 30th, 1876, destroyed the building in which their hall was located, and their charter, together with their furniture and fixtures. The charter was re-issued in December, 1876. The officers elected at that time were as follows: C. Henry, N. G .; M. E. Cady, V. G .; W. E. How- ard, secretary; W. S. Hodson, treasurer. The lodge is in a flourishing condition at this time, with the following list of officers: W. S. Ensign, N. G .; C. G. Knowles, V. G .; P. F. Lowell, sec- retary; T. Martin, treasurer; W. P. Marshall, permanent secretary.

The Masonic Lodge of River Falls was char- tered June 15th, 1859, with the following charter members: Amos Saunders, W. A. Tozer, James A. Short, S. K. Rollins, Clark H. Crossman, P. H. Sain, T. McCleary, Benj. Wilcox, Z. B. Flint

and B. C. Vannatta. Meetings were held in the B. Wilcox hall, which was burned in 1876. The first officers elected at the date of organization, were as follows: C. E. Abbott, W. M .; A. Saun- ders, S. W .; W. A. Tozer, J. W .; J. A. Short, treasurer; Benj. Wilcox, secretary, P. H. Sain, J. D .; C. H. Crossman, S. D .; S. K. Rollins, tyler. In 1860 their place of meeting was changed to the C. B. Cox hall. In 1869 they removed to what was afterwards known as the Masonic hall, in the Wolf block, where they remained until 1879, when they returned to the Cox hall, where they now hold meetings. Their present officers are as follows: T. McCleary, W. M .; Joseph Stephens, S. W .; D. D. Proctor, J. W .; O. Strahl, treasurer; W. H. Saunders, secretary; W. A. Ben- nett, S. D .; Frank Scribner, J. D .; and T. W. Hammond, T.

The A. O. U. W. received their charter June 8th, 1878, and was organized with twenty-two charter members. The organization was effected by the election of the following officers: P. M. W., O. C. Hicks; M. W., E. E. Getchell; G. F., P. F. Lovell ; O., W. A. Burnett; recorder, L. W. Austin; financier, William G. Cheever ; receiver, D. D. Proctor; G., E. G. Farnsworth ; O. W., Manley Healey. The society is in a flourishing. condition at this time, with a membership of thirty-six in good standing. They hold meet- ings in the same hall with the Odd Fellows, over the store of G. I. Ap Roberts. The present officers are as follows : P. M. W., S. J Oakley ; M. W., W. G. Cheever; G. F., O. C. Hicks; O., D. D. Proctor; recorder, W. A. Burnett; financier, E. W. Jackson; receiver, Geo. E. Reed; G., John Scott; J. W., C. P. Butler ; O. W., E. G. Farnsworth.

The River. Falls Temple of Honor was insti- tuted May 31st, 1878, with thirty-five charter members. The lodge held its meetings for a time in the River Falls institute. The use of the Odd Fellows hall was obtained, and the lodge met there, every Monday evening, for two years. Much good has been accomplished by this lodge, in reclaiming the fallen and throwing around the pathway of the young, protection from the evil influences of bad company. They afterwards united with the Good Templars, and the two lodges occupied the hall of the latter on different evenings. The lodge was organized with the

268

HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.

following officers: G. B. Merrick, W. C. T .; J. C. Flynn, W. V. T .; Joseph M. Smith, W. T .; and J. D. Pardee, W. R.

The Juvenile Temple of Honor, number 109, was organized March 15th, 1877, with the follow- ing officers: W. Dodge, C. T .; Lettie Thayer, V. T .; Hiram Nye, R. S .; Walter Wales, P. C. T; B. Hauser, F. S.

The temperance question is strongly repre- sented by the different lodges of the village. The oldest temperance organization of River Falls is that of the I. O. G. T., the first organization of which dates back several years prior to the present organization. Like all temperance so- cieties, its life was spasmodic. The last charter for lodge 360, is dated March 15th, 1877, with sixteen charter members, with the following offi- cers: Rev. S. W. Horner, W. C. T; Mrs. B. J. Knowles, W. V. T .; W. T. Bennett, W. C. The lodge has initiated over one hundred and seventy-five members since its last organization.

The Bank of River Falls was organized Janu- ary 1st, 1874, with Joseph M. Smith as cashier. Engaged in general banking and exchange busi- ness; also, in foreign exchange. They represent several of the leading fire insurance companies. The extensive milling interests of the town fur- nish a large amount of banking business.

Hudson and River Falls railroad. One of tlie most important events in the history of River Falls was the completion of the Hudson and River Falls railroad. The celebration of which occurred October 26th, 1878, by a large excur- sion, composed of many of the leading citizens of St. Paul, Stillwater and Hudson. The benefits of a railroad to this thriving town had been the sub- ject of discussion for many months. How to se- cure the much-desired improvement was the question. The matter began to assume shape in the early spring of the same year, through assistance rendered by some of the leading citi- zens of the neighboring cities. The IIudson and River Falls Railroad Company was organized by the election of the following officers: President and treasurer, Horace Thompson; secretary, C. L. Hall; vice-president, A. D. Andrews; directors, H. Thompson, A. K. Wilder, C. Gotzian, and A. B. Stickney, St. Paul; D. M. Sabin and R. F. Hersey, Stillwater; C. S. Hall and J. Comstock, Hudson; A. D. Andrews and E. R. Stephens,

River Falls, with A. B. Stickney, superintendent of construction, who was also general manager of the St. Paul, Stillwater and Taylor's Falls and West Wisconsin railroads. An arrangement was made with the first named road to operate it.

The intention of the management was to have completed the road by the 4th of July, but un- foreseen obstacles prevented its completion until the date of which we speak, the day long to be remembered by the people of this good town and county. The first three or four miles of the road out from Hudson are up the sides of a high bluff, with a grade of ninety-three feet to the mile, which required an immense amount of labor and time to accomplish. Reaching the tahle lands, the remainder of the road was speedily constructed over the rolling prairies.

Manufactories of the Kinnickinnic Valley. The pioneer saw-mill was erected in 1850, by C. B. Cox, at what is now know as Clifton Hollow. The following year he erected the first flour-mill at, or near the same point. In 1852, N. N. and O. S. Powell built a saw-mill a short distance be- low where the Greenwood mill now stands; this mill was destroyed by fire in 1856. They erected another saw-mill a short distance below the Junction mills in 1865, which was also destroyed by fire in 1872.

Prairie flour mill located on the north branch of the Kinnickinnic river, was built by C. B. Cox in 1854, two and one-half stories ahove basement; main building 36x36 feet, with wing on the south side, with two run of stone. The power was a wooden scroll wheel with twelve foot head of water. In 1856, this was replaced by an over- shot wheel. It was run as a custom mill until 1860, when Mr. Cox commenced to do merchant work. In the spring of 1866, a forty-eight inch turbine wheel was placed in the mill and other re- pairs made. In 1874, J. D. Putnam and Com- pany purchased the entire interest in the mill, and over-hauled it, putting in machinery for man- ufacturing the patent process flour, also adding another run of stone, and have run it as a mer- chant mill exclusively, with a capacity of sixty- five barrels per day. The same year the company built a substantial ware-house and grain elevator, across the street from the mill, 40x60 feet, with a capacity of 45,000 bushels of grain, and large storage room. They have also rebuilt their dam,

269

FLOURING MILLS.

placing it up the stream a short distance on a solid rock foundation, giving them the most sub- stantial dam on the river, with additional power. This season they have added another story to the mill and remodeled the whole inside structure, putting in eight rollers of Stevens' patent, with two run of stone. They expect to be able to turn out one hundred barrels per day.

On the same branch, a short distance to the south, is located the Greenwood mills, built by C. B. Cox and Caleb Green in 1858, size 30x60 feet, two stories, with two run of stone. The first wheel was an old-fashioned central discharge, with eight and one-half feet head, run as a cus- tom mill. In 1873, Messrs. Pomeroy and Bowron purchased the entire interest. In a short time Mr. Pomeroy sold his interest to Messrs. Mckay and Woodruff. In 1877, Mr. George Fortune purchased the entire interest and rebuilt the mill, cutting off ten feet of its length and adding another story, replacing the former wheels with two Leffel wheels, one forty-eight and the other twenty-six inches, also three run of stone; ca- pacity, about forty-five barrels per day. Mr. Fortune keeps a flour and feed store on Main street where he is in daily attendance on custo- mers.

Still further to the south on the same branch, we find the Foster mills, built in 1854, as a saw- mill, with an old fashioned flutter-wheel and nine feet head of water, with one upright and one circular and slab saw. He run his first mill un- til the spring of 1868, when he removed it and erected a new mill 40x75 feet, two-stories, plac- ing a thirty-five inch Leffel wheel with one up- right, one edger and one slab saw. In 1877, he added one run of stone and a corn sheller for a feed mill.

At the junction of the north and south branches is located the great flouring mills of Messrs. Freeman and Stevens, known as the Junction mills, which were built in 1867 as a merchant mill by C. B. Cox and A. D. Andrews. The orig- inal mill was 30x50, three stories above basement, with five run of stone, propelled by two Leffel wheels, twenty and twenty-six inches, with twenty-eight feet head. In 1870 Mr. Cox sold his interest to A. D. Andrews. The same year Geo. Fortune purchased one-fourth interest. Three years afterwards A. A. Freeman purchased an

interest in the mill, and the same year an addi- tion was made of 60x60 feet to the main build- ing, also a wing on the west side 30x60, and on the east side 30x50, taking out three of the origi- nal four-foot stones, and adding eight four and one-fourth foot stones; also placing new machinery of the Smith patent to enable them to manufacture the new process brands of flour.

In 1877 Mr. A. A. Freeman purchased the en- tire interest, which he still owns, except one- sixth interest in the business which he sold to E. R. Stephens of Minneapolis. Finding that the water-power was not sufficient to drive the machinery during the entire year, they added to the power in 1879, a Harris and Corliss engine and three boilers which gave the mill a capacity of 400 barrels per day, giving employment to twenty men. In 1880 they adopted the Hungarian roller system, placing in the mills eighteen sets of double rollers, thirteen reels, seven purifiers and six aspirators, with seven run of stone.

They have a large elevator, 50x70 feet, with a capacity of 60,000 bushels, and in addition large storage sheds 30x200 feet. The Hudson and River Falls railroad runs to the mill and takes away the product, which amounts to about thirty car-loads per week. On the opposite side of the river the company have their cooper-shops, which give employment to twenty or thirty men, turning out from 300 to 400 barrels per day.

To the south of the mill, located on the south branch, is the "Cascade mill," built in 1868 by William Barker; size 32x60 feet, two and one- half stories above the basement, with ware-house connected 32x40 feet. The original mill con- tained two run of stone, with a twenty-inch Leffel wheel. In 1876 another run of stone was added. The entire cost of the mill was about $13.000; capacity of about forty barrels per day, used only as a custom mill. For the want of water the mill is obliged to stand still for a por- tion of the year. Mr. Barker being a practical mill-wright has superintended the construction of his own mill.

Among the first thoughts of the people coming to this far away country, is writing back to the loved ones left behind in the dear, old home. This led to early measures for establishing a post- office; moreover, the mails had been a source of pleasure in the old home. Quite natural it was

270

HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.

that they should inquire for the same here. As the settlement increased and facilities for trans- porting the mails improved, the government was importuned, and Charles Hutchinson received the first appointment as postmaster in 1854, and the first office was established in the Pioneer store, N. N. Powell being appointed deputy. It continued thus until the fall of 1858, when Jerry E. Webb was appointed and held the office in the same place until 1862, when W. A. Tozer re- ceived the appointment. He removed the office to the next building south. With a change of administration came the appointment of Milton Webster, October 6th, 1868, which was under Andrew Johnston's administration, whose term was short, and so was Mr. Webster's. In 1869, April 12th, it was transferred to George P. Brackett. The next change was made October 9th, 1871, when J. E. Flint, the present in- cumbent, was appointed.

THE PRESS OF RIVER FALLS.

The River Falls Journal was established June, 1857, under the auspices of Taylor Brothers. Shortly after, Horace Taylor sold his interest to his brother, L. A. Taylor, who continued the publication for a short time, when he removed it to Prescott, where he conducted it until the fall of 1868, when he sold it to Messrs. Flint & Weber. In June, 1871, the material of the Journal office was destroyed by fire and the subscription list transferred to Messrs. Kimball and Morse, of the Pierce County Herald. After fifteen years of conflict with various adverse circumstances, the Journal once again appears on the very soil where it was first planted. This time published by A. Morse & Co., Friday, August 2d, 1872. Novem- ber 15th of the same year it appears, as published under the firm name of A. Morse and Son. No- vember 16th, 1876, J. D. Moody purchased an in- terest in the Journal, and the firm became C. R. Morse and company, which continued until February 24th, 1881, when J. 11. Wilkinson purchased Mr. Moody's interest, and the firm appeared as Morse and Wilkinson. Democratic in politics, and has a large list of subscribers.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.