USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 61
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In 1850, the steamer Manhattan entered Duluth Bay and aseended to the trading post of the Amer- ican Fur Company, on the north side of the St. Louis river, twenty-one miles from its mouth. This was the first and only steamer to reach this point on the river.
The early settlement of Duluth has already been noted, and the first claimants named. Others who came in 1855 were, Robert Emmet Jefferson, who made a claim about the Middle of Minnesota Point, and B. Shultz, whose claim extended from Jefferson's south line to the southern extremity of the point. On the mainland, S. C. McQuade, W. W. Kingsbury, and W. W. Whiteside selected claims, extending one and one-half miles along the lake shore. The arrival of "claim-jumpers" oc- casioned some difficulty this season, which, how- ever, resulted in the original claimants maintain- ing their rights. Of several claim shanties built here in 1856, only one, that of Captain Forney, remains. It may be seen on First street, between Second and Third Avenues west.
The first building within the present limits of Duluth was erected in the spring of 1851, by Goorgo E. Nettleton, and used by him as a trading post. It was located in what is now Superior Strect, between First and Second Avenues East. It was of round logs, one story in light, with one door and one window and was in use many years. In this primitive building the first election was held, while this was only a voting precinct, known as the North Shore and Lake Superior precinct. Some who held claims here, claiming this as home, voted at this election, though actually living in Superior. During this and the following year, several additional shanties marked the chosen lo- cations of new comers, who were forced to remove the dense growth of brush and low timber which was impenetrable except in a few already cleared
passages. There is a tradition of an Englishman of capital, who came to Duluth at an early day from Canada, bringing the entire outfit for his ful- ture dwelling by boat, in imitation of William Penn, in the old Colonial times.
'The City of Duluth was platted by George E. Nettleton, J. B. Culver, Orrin W. Rice, William Nettleton, and Robert E. Jefferson, under the town site law of 1844, and the plat filed for record on the 26th of may, 1856. The tract embraced in this plat was what is now known as Upper, or Old Du- luth. Under a provisson of the same act an elec- tion was held, and the following officers chosen: President, George E. Nettleton; Trustees, Orrin W. Rice, William Nettleton, and Robert E. Jeffer- son; and Recorder, J. B. Culver. Lots were sold before the completion of the survey, and upon its completion a small tract of unclaimed land was found between the claims of George E. Nettleton and J. B. Culver, which was taken by the company, and platted as Cowell's addition.
As in individual nativity, so in the birth of this unfledged city, it became necessary to select a name. Anticipating a brilliant future, the found- ers of the city looked with disfavor upon the adoption of any prosaic appellation, and adopted a novel mode by which to secure a name worthy of their future anticipations. A picnic was called, to be held on Minnesota Point, each invited guest being required to present a name. In addition to the sumptuous repast, boats were in readiness to convey visitors from Superior City, and the occa- sion proved one of unalloyed pleasure. After a number of names had been presented and rejected, Rev. J. G. Wilson, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the acknowledged wit and genius of the party, aroso and read from n slip of paper, " Du Luth," following with a fitting tribute to the memory of that hardy explorer, with incidents of his life and adventures in this region; and when at the elose of his address, an expression was called for, a universal shout of assent announced the adoption of the name. Feasting and congratulations fol- lowed, and in the fast approaching twilight, the party dispersed, first drinking to the future pros- perity of the " Zenith City of the Unsalted Scas."
From this time the growth of the place was rapid. In the summer of 1856, George E. Nettle- ton and J. B. Culver erected a steam saw-mill, dwelling-house, boarding-house, blacksmith shop, besides barns and sheds. During the same sen- son, Portland, now a part of the city, was platted
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by A. B. Robinson, James D. Ray, C. Markell, and John J. Post. This plat was on the north shore, and adjoining the Duluth plat. Although the two towns were separate and distinct, their growth was simultaneous. Rice and Jefferson built a hotel in the summer of 1857, and the same year work was commenced on a dock, offices, and a warehouse on the north shore, also a few residences.
In 1868, Duluth, Portland, and Rice's Point, until then three separate organizations, were con- solidated, and all assumed the name of Duluth. Two of the old buildings of Portland are yet standing.
The growth of the city was now surprisingly rapid, and hotel and boarding house facilities were wholly inadequate to meet the public want. The Bay View House was built this season, and thronged with guests at four dollars per day, transient rates; and another large hotel was built the same season, besides stores, offices, and a large warehouse and supply store, with docks attached, on Minnesota Point. This was then a base for supplies in the work of railroad construction, and added very materially to the life of the place. The winter witnessed a temporary lull in business, but the summer of 1870 was heralded by an in- flux far in excess of the previous year, and by Au- gust, when the railroad arrived, the population had reached about two thousand. When the Northern Pacific railroad commenced work west- ward from the Junction, with terminal facilities at Duluth, the labor furnished, and the general busi- ness growing out of this enterprise, aided in main- taining the life and further growth of the city. Flushed with present success, and making no doubt of future developments, the people indulged in extravagant anticipations, and contracted im- mouse debts in the way of county and city bouds. St. Louis county pledged her faith to the amount of $150,000, in aid of a railroad to St. Paul; the city of Duluth $50,000, to the same road for har- bor improvements, $30,000 to the blast furnace, $25,000 to the Citizens' Dock, besides numerous lesser sums for other public improvements, which, including the harbor improvements, formed 'an indebtedness against the city of not less than $200,- 000. This was the condition of things when the panic of 1873 swept over the country, crumbling every unsubstantial enterprise, and only sparing such as were "builded upon a rock."
It is useless here to introduce any preambles, or attempt any useless explanations. The simple
fact appears, that Duluth had outstripped her re- sources, and misfortune followed.
The former influx of settlers was more than equalled by the exodus following the general de- pression in business. Some, whose business rela- tions prevented their removal, and others who were not inclined to desert the ship in any event, re- mained, and united their efforts in restoring the place to its former prosperity. Three-fourths of the taxable property of the county was within the city, and holden for a corresponding amount of the county bonds, which, added to the direct lia- bilities of the city, formed an aggregate indebted- ness of alarming proportions, and one which cap- italists were not inclined to assume. To remove, or render manageable this immense burden, and render future progress possible, a new organiza- tion was effected, by which that portion represent- ing the principal wealth of the place, was organized as the village of Duluth, with power to take up such bonds as the holders might surrender, issuing new ones in their stead, calling for one-fourth the original amount. This effected the needed relief, and capital again sought investment here. In the early summer of 1879, Mr. Taylor, of Mich- igan, leased a mill site on Minnesota Point, and soon after James Charnley & Co .; from Chicago, commenced buying pine lands, and the same year a mill was built on Rice's Point, by Graff, Little, & Co., of Grand Rapids, Michigan. From this a general awakening followed. Mill sites were in demand, real estate made sudden advances, and a general revival of business ushered in the day of Duluth's permanent prosperity. With no un- wieldy indebtedness, with superior dock and har- bor accommodations, being the terminal point of the great railroad line of commerce between the fast growing territory west, and the eastern sea- board, the city, to all human appearances, seems destined to live in history as one of the most im- portant commercial centers in the Northwest.
The Government land office is located here, and large business blocks, hotels, schools, and churches furnish evidence of influence, wealth and energy.
The first attorney in Duluth was E. F. Parker, who opened an office in 1868.
The first death in Duluth was that of Mary Culver, daughter of J. B. Culver, April 11, 1857.
The first marriage ceremony occurred on the 27th of April, 1870, the parties united being Cap- tain Thomas H. Pressnell and Miss Cora E. Parker. The ceremony occurred at the residence of the
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bride's father, E. F. Parker, Rev. W. R. Higgins officiating.
A private school wus taught in the upper room of J. B. Culver's store building, in the summer of 1858, by Miss Jennie Woodman, with ten or twelve pupils in altendance. The next year, a rude building was eroeled on the north shore, in the platled portion named Portland, in which Miss Jennie Clark was first installed as teacher. The logs for this building were eut on the southern ex- tremity of Minnesota Point, and rafted along the shore to a point nearest the location of the house, the work being voluntary on the part of the few then residing there.
A Post-office was established as early as 1856, and J. B. Culver appointed Postmaster. Mail was brought from Superior City, which place was supplied by carrier from St. Paul, over the old military road.
Religious exercises were conducted in the sum- mer of 1856, by Rev. John Barnett, in a boarding shanty erected by the mill company. On the last Sabbath of July, 1881, this reverend gentleman, then visiting Duluth after an absence of some twenty-three years, preached in the Presbyterian Church from the sume text used at his first service in 1856: " What unist I do to be saved ?"
The several churches and societies organized at Duluth are as follows:
CHURCHES.
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized Oe- tober 25th, 1870, with George B. Sargent and J. B. Culver, Wardens; Heury Selby, George W. Cott- rell, William S. Woodbridge, Charles G. Nicholas James S. Smith, and Charles C. Jones, Vestrymen. Services were held some time previous by Rev. Mason Gallagher, and later by Rev. J. A. Gilfillan. During the ministry of Mr. Gallagher the present church edifice was erected, partly through the liberality of Jay Cookc. Rev. Mr. Freeman was called to this parish in 1872, remaining until 1874. Revs. Joseph A. Russell, F. R. Millspangh, and Richard Wainright, successively tilled the pulpit until November, 1878. The present rector, Rev. C. A. Cummings, began his labors here in July, 1879.
THE PILGRIM CONGREGATIONAL CHURON was organized January 18th, 1871, with sixteen mem- bers, and Rev. C. C. Slater, Pastor. During the first six months public services were held in a room in Pendletou's block, Superior Street. The chapel was erected in the summer of 1871, and
dedicated on the 16th of July of the same year The first officers were: Jere Kimball and Wil- liam S. Woodbridge, Deaeous: J. L. Dumont, Clerk; L. H. Tenny, Treasurer; J. D. Ensign, R. S. Munger, O. K. Patterson, E. T. Smith, and I. 11. Tonny, Trustees. Services are held regularly every Sabbath morning and evening. The pres- ent membership is fifty, and Rev. C. C. Slater is still in charge.
CATHOLIC .- A mission. was established Decem- ber 18th, 1869, and a house of worship ereeted next year. The first priest was Father George Keller. Father J. B. M. Genin was stationed here in 1873, and has since remained, except about eighteen months spent among the Indians. The society now claims a membership of 1,800, and their church property is estimated at $12,000. A parochial school was established in January, 1881, with 200 pupils.
ST. PAUL'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH, Was organized on the 11th of May, 1872, with thirty members, under the pastoral efforts of Rev. Johanus Lneder. A church was erected in the summer of 1873. The society has no pastor at present. William the First, Emperor of Germany, sent this church a canon taken in the Franco-German war, in De- cember 1873, which was on exhibition in the City of Duluth for some time, then sent to New York and reeast into a bell, which now hangs in the cu- pola of the church.
NORWEGIAN DANISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN .- This society was organized in 1870, with ten mem- bers, and a church built in 1872, which was blown down about three years later, after which they were without a house of worship until the purchase of their present edifice about a year afterward.
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN .-- This church was organized by Rev. Mr. Cederstam in 1869, and held public service for a time in the school- house. Their church edifice was erected in the sitmmer of 1870, at an estimated cost of $2,800.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organ- ized in November, 1869, by Rev. H. Webb. They worshiped for a time in a schoolhouse and else- where, until the erection of their present church edifice. The following pastors Inve since olli- ciated: Revs. Henry J. Curtis, William MeKuley, J. O. Rich, HI. S. Hill, and L. H. Shumate. The present membership is fifty-eight.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH was organized August 27th, 1870, with twelve members, and supplied with preaching by Rev. J. E. Wood, a
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missionary of that denomination. Rev. J. L. A. Fish became pastor in June, 1872, and the follow- ing year a house of worship was erected, eosting about $4,000.
RICE POINT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organ- ized in the spring of 1873, with five members. Mr. E. F. Ely was the first Elder, and Rev. J. A. Lowry was chosen Pastor, and still remains. A house of worship was erceted in the summer of 1873, at a cost of $2,200.
SOCIETIES.
PALESTINE LODGE No. 79, A. F. and A. M., was organized, U. D., on the 10th of April, 1869, and chartered June 12th, 1870. The first officers were: Joshna B. Culver, W. M .; James D. Ray, S. W .; Franklin W. Ely, J. W .; Albert N. Seip, Sec .; John F. MeLaren, Jr. Treas .; Walter Van Brunt, S. D .; George G. Barnum, J. D .; Herman Oswald, S. S .; Clinton Markell, Tyler.
Masonry is further represented by Key Stone Chapter No. 20, and Duluth Couneil, No. 6. The first meets twice a month, and the second montlily.
SHERWOOD LODGE, I. O. of O. F., was organ- ized on the 25th of Angust, 1870, with five char- ter members. The following were the first officers: T. H. Pressnell, N. G .; David Geiger, V. G .; P. M. Trudell, Secretary; Herman Oswald, Treasurer. This lodge meets every Friday evening.
SUPERIOR LODGE, No. 10, A. O. U. W., was organized on the 3d of April, 1876, with twenty members. Its first officers were: O. J. Johnson, P. M. W .; T. IL. Pressnell, M. W .; C. F. Johnson, F .; Edward Ingals, O .; Frank Burk, R .; W. H. Smith, F .; J. B. Scovill, R. This lodge meets every Tuesday evening, and has eighty members.
DULUTH LODGE No. 58, was organized on the 25th of July, 1878, with sixteen charter members. The first officers were: R. Wainwright, P. M. W .; George La Vaque, M. W .; H. Bnywater, F .; F. B. Smith, O .; L. A. Marvin, R .; J. C. Hunter, R. This lodge meets semi-monthly, and has twenty-nine members.
ZENITH CITY LODGE, I. O. G. T., was organized in October, 1876, with fifteen members. The membership is now sixty-nine, and meetings are held weekly.
FIRE DEPARTMENT .-- A Hose Company was or- ganized in 1870, and an engine purchased by the city. A fully organized Fire Department was formed in 1873, which was substituted by a board of Fire Marshals in 1877, using the equipage of the old organization.
The school interest has kept paee with other matters, and in addition to the Ward schools, the High School of Duluth has been duly enrolled by the State High School Board, and on July 1st, 1881, the contract was awarded for the erection of the buildings.
'the first newspaper here was the " Minnesotian,", published by Dr. Thomas Foster, the initial num- ber dating April 24th, 1869. For the want of a better place, a stable was first used as sanetnm and composing room. In August 1872, Thomas H. Pressnell leased the office, and continued the publi- cation until June, 1875, being assisted a portion of the time by Judge E. F. Parker. At the date last mentioned, the "Herald" was purchased by M. C. Russell and T. H. Pressnell, who enlarged it to a nine column folio, continuing its publication till Angust, 1875, when Mr. Russell withdrew, and Mr. Pressnell continued it alone until September, when he was appointed Receiver in the Land Of fice at Duluth, and sold to E. H. Foster, who con- solidated it with the " Minnesotian."
In May, 1870, the "'Tribune" was established by R. C. Mitchell, and during a portion of 1872, and '73, he published a daily, which was sus- pended during the hard times, but is now resumed. Other newspaper efforts either resulted in failure, or merged into the "Tribune," which still eontin- ues under Mr. Mitchell's management.
The " Lake Superior News" was started in 1878, by W. S. Woodbridge, who still continues its pub- lication.
It is impossible in this volume to note all the points of loeal or general interest, or indulge in a detailed narration of events eonneeted with the varying fortunes and present attainments of the city. Enough is given to show the spirit of en- terprise to which its prosperity is due, and which it is believed points to a future greatness far in ad- vance of the anticipations of its original founders.
ST. PAUL AND DULUTH RAILROAD .- The his- tory of this company dates back to the year 1857, when a charter, dating May 23d, was granted to the Nebraska and Lake Superior Railroad Com- pany, Edmund Rice and Franklin Steele being among the incorporators. No work was done under this charter, and on the 8th of March, 1861, the charter was altered by an amendment to the former legislative aet, changing the title to the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad Company. The first charter contemplated routes, the main line of which should extend from the west end of
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Lake Superior to the Nebraska line, with a branch line from some point on the Mississippi river to Taylor's Falls. The new charter anticipated a line from the west end of Lake Superior to some point on the Mississippi river, with the right to extend to the Minnesota river; and a branch line to the navigable waters of the St. Croix, the main line to be built first. The charter required the Company to survey and locate the road within one year, to grnde at least twenty miles within two years, and to complete the main line within five years. In July, 1877, the title was changed to the present, St. Paul and Duluth Railroad Company.
Work on this line was begun at St. Paul in 1867, and two years later at Duluth. In 1869 or '70 the main line was completed and has since been in operation. The Company also own and operate several branch lines, and are constantly adding to their lines and equipage.
The distance by rail from St. Paul to Duluth is one hundred and fifty-five miles, most of which is through a region unsettled before the building of the road. Since then, several large, and many average size farms have been opened, with satis- factory results. The Edgerton Farm, and Mah- towa Stock Farm, have demonstrated the profits of farming on a large scale, and have inspired others with faith to engage in agricultural pursuits along this line of road.
The provisions of the land grants of the United States and State of Minnesota, gave to this Com- pany nearly one million seven hundred thousand acres of land, of which about five hundred theu- sand are covered with white pine timber.
The offices of the Company are at St. Paul, as are also their main sheps, round-house, ete. They have an engine house and repair shops nt Rice's Point, one mile south of Duluth, and own the depot at Duluth, which is also used by the North- ern Pacific Railroad Company. The general offices in St. Paul are at the corner of Fourth and Wa- couta streets, and shops, etc., at foot of Fourth street. The present officers are: James Smith, Jr., President; W. H. Rhawn, Vice President; E. . Q. Sewall, General Superintendent; P. S, Harris, Secretary und Treasurer; F. S. Ilsley, Auditor; A. M. Eddy, General Freight and Ticket Agent; and W. D. Kelly, Road Muster.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ITERMAN Buna is a native of Germany. In 1852, he enme to America, located in Detroit,
Michigan, and resided four years. Then, after liv- ing two years at Duluth, he removed to Ontonagon county, Michigan, remaining until 1866. In the latter year he went to Lake Vermillion, and was em- ployed in the mines until coming to Superior City. In 1870, he returned to Duluth, and opened the Lake Superior Meat Market, which business he still continues, supplying many of the boats at the head of the lake, besides a large city trade.
CARL BERKELMANN was born in 1849, in Ger- many. He came to America in 1864, residing for six years in New York. Then coming to Duluth, for five years he was employed in a grocery store. In 1875, Mr: Berkelmann moved to Bismarck, and remained four years. Returning to Duluth, he has since been engaged in the furniture business.
GEORGE BERKELMANN was born on the 16th of September, 1844, in Germany. He came to Amer- ica, arriving in New York in July, 1861. Three years later he came to Minnesota and was em- ployed in the coal mines on the upper Cotton- wood, and alse participated in the explorations of Walnut Grove. On the 15th of December, 1865, Mr. Berkelmann came to Duluth and was in the employ of the Minnesota Gold Mining Company, working for some time at Lake Vermillion. In 1868, he and three friends cut forty miles of the Duluth and Vermillion road, and also assisted in the building of the Duluth and Oneeta county road. Then, after another exploring tour down the North Shore with Prof. R. M. Eames and H. Mayhew, he was employed as axman and later as commissary of the Engineer corps on the nortli- ern division of St. Paul and Duluth railroad. For two years Mr. Berkelmann was Town Clerk, and in 1870, acted as policeman, then as chief of police, filling the lutter office under the first three Mayory of Duluth. From 1873, to '77, he served as County Sheriff and since as County Auditor.
ALBERT BLOCK is a native of Germany. He came to America in 1873, spent a few montlis at Boston, Massachusetts, and then came directly to Duluth. For about three years, he was engaged in different occupations; then, having learned the baker's trade in the old country, he opened a bakery, and has since followed that business, his brother going in as partner a short time ago.
ALEXANDER CRAWFORD, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, was born on the 22d of January, 1837. He learned the machinist's trade in his native land, come to America in 1855, and located in Detroit, Michigan, where he was employed at his trade
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during the first winter, after which, for twenty- one years, he was employed as engineer on the lako steamers. In 1880, he removed to Duluth, and has since been engineer at Elevator B, in this city.
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WILMAAM CURTIS was born in 1855, in England. He came to America when a child, living in Chi- cago until coming to Duluth in 1871. Mr. Curtis is now fireman of Elevator B, of this place.
ALBERT S. CHASE is Station Agent at this place for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, a position which he has held since the completion of the road to this point.
FRANK E. CULVER, son of J. B. Culver, who is one of the carly settlors of this city, occupies a position with the Northern Pacific Company.
E. J. CROSSETT is a native of Vermont. In 1865, he moved to Watertown, Wisconsin, remain- ing but a short time, after which he entered the employ of the United States Express Company, and for a few months was messenger between St. Paul, Minnesota; and La Crosse, Wisconsin, then between St. Paul and Prairie du Chien for eight years, and finally, between St. Paul and Duluth until April, 1879. Since the latter date Mr. Cros- sett has been Agent at Duluth.
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HENRY A. CAMPBELL, a native of Nova Scotia, was born in 1850. At the age of nineteen years he removed to Reading, Massachusetts, remaining for one year in tho boot and shoe business, and then came to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The two years following he was employed on the Northern Pacific Railroad, going from place to place as the road advanced, and keeping a small stock of boots and shoes. Then, until April, 1880, he was en- gaged in the general merchandise business at Brainerd. In the latter your he came to this place, where in connection with boots and shoes he keeps a line of dry goods, hats, caps, clothing, &c., being a member of the firm of Campbell & Smith. Their increasing business obliged them to enlarge their store, and they are now having a heavy trade.
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