History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc., Part 208

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052

USA > Wisconsin > History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. > Part 208

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The village was laid out and platted by J. D. Trumbull in 1857, he doing his own surveying. The first lots were purchased of him by Joseph Hull.

In 1856, Mr. Trumbull procured the establishment of a special post-office, which received mails at the expense of the Postmaster, save the few dollars received for postage. As the nearest post-office was Wacouta, Mr. Trumbull found his expenses $50 for the year's supply of mails, while the receipts of the office were the large sum of Str. He was succeeded as Postmaster by S. A. Green ; he by George Davis; he in turn by A. P. Merrill, when Mr. Trumbull again assumed the duties of the office, and has been the Postmaster since 1870. The growth of the town continued to be slow, the main channel of Lake Pepin being, accord- ing to steamboat men on the west side of the lake, oppo- site the place, and there being few settlers in the interior

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HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.

to demand the convenience of transportation for crossing the lake and obtaining communication with the outside world. But the energetic disposition of Mr. Trumbull could illy abide by those disadvantages, and so we find him, in 1857, constructing a steamboat, to run regularly on the lake, making Maiden Rock a regular stopping place. This was the first boat that navigated only the waters of Lake Pepin.

The first school-house was built in 1860, and is the same one now in use.

In 1870, James Walsingham erected a building, which was purchased in 1877 by J. D. Trumbull, and converted into a church, the only one in the place.

Maiden Rock Lodge, A., F. & A. M., No. 196, was granted a dispensation May 20, 1873. The first regular communication was held May 31. Their charter bears the date of June 9, 1873. On June 27, the lodge was duly constituted and the following officers installed : J. B. Hull, W. M .; H. M. White, S. W .; J. W. Hancock, J. W .; J. D. Trumbull, Treas .; S. A. Green, Sec .; A. P. Merrill, S. D .; Charles Smith, J. D .; T. B. Otis, tiler. It is now in a flourishing condition, with a large membership.

Maiden Rock Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 268, was organ- ized in April, 1877, by J. A. Young, with six charter mem- bers. Their charter is dated December 7, 1877. It is now a prosperous order, with a good membership.

Maiden Rock Lodge, I. O. G. T., No. 259, was organ- ized January 12, 1877, by Jennie Nash, with thirty charter members. It now is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of thirty-six.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

AMBROSE COOK, lawyer, general collecting agent, and insur- ance agent, Maiden Rock, was born in Vermont on the 12th of June, 1835. He came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1845, and settled in Milwaukee. Here they lived until 1850, when they removed to Dodge County. The subject of this sketch worked at farming for some time and then returned to Milwaukee, where he worked in a ship-yard for two years. Ile then went back to Dodge County where he worked at carpentering for thirteen years, giving his spare time to studying law. He then moved to Juneau County. In 1878 he came to Maiden Rock where he has practiced law ever since. He was admitted to the Bar in Juneau County, March 14, 1877, and has served one year as member of the Town Board of Maiden Rock. Mr. Cook was married, in Dodge County, March 26, 1854. to Miss Elizabeth Sampson, who was born in Rochester, N. Y. They have four children-IIenry H., Alford and Alvin (twins), and Elda S. Mr. Cook is a member of the I. O. O. F., Maiden Rock, Lodge No. 268.

JEREMIAH FULLER, meat-market and stock-buyer, Maiden Rock, was born in Washington Co., Ohio. Jan. 29. 1819. He first came to Wisconsin in 1851, settling on Rush River, about four miles north of what is now the village of Maiden Rock, Ilere he bought a farm of 200 acres from the Government, and immediately erected a small shanty, having brought his family with him. Ifis wife was the first white woman in that vicinity, and it was seven months before she saw another white woman. Continued to live on this farm until 1878, when he moved into the village of Maiden Rock and started his present business. lle has served on both the Town and County Boards where he lives. Ile was maried in Ohio, in 1849. to Miss Ilannah K. Riley, by whom he has four children-William W. Sarah (now Mrs. A. M. Keith). John D. and Lucy II. Himself and wife have been members of the Baptist Church since 1844.

FRANK N. MCVEAN, dealer in hardware and machinery, Maiden Rock, started in his present business in 1876, heing successor to J. D. Trumbull. His business in 1880 amounted to $40,000, which had only amounted to $15,00) the previous year. He also owns a farm of 160 acres in the town of Maiden Rock. He was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in the Spring of [83t. He is a native of Wis- consin, and was born in 1851. He was married, in 1877, to Miss

Kate Green, daughter of S. A. Green, who settled in Pierce County in 1859. Mr McVean is a member of the I. O. O. F., Maiden Rock Lodge, No. 268, being one ol the members who founded it. Is also a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 196, at that place.

ALBERT P. MERRILL, general merchandise, Maiden Rock, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., July 22, 1832. He remained there until 1854, when he came West to the State of Michigan, and became station agent on the Michigan Central Railroad. He afterward taught school, residing there until 1865, when he removed to Pierce County. locating at Maiden Rock, where he established a general merchan- dise store in company with V. C. Clifford, in the building which now forms a part of his present store. It then stood a little west of what is now known as the Lake View Hotel, and was the first store of the kind in the village. In 1866 he moved the building to where it now stands, and in 1869 his present store was completed. He buys and ships grain and also runs a lumber yard, doing an annual business of $35.000. He has served two years as Assessor of the town of Maiden Rock, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church at that place. He is a charter member of the A., F. & A. M., Maiden Rock Lodge, No. 186, and also of the Good Templars Lodge there. Mr. Merrill was mar- ried to his first wife, Catherine Simpson, in Michigan, in 18=5. She died in April of 1857. He was married to his second wife, Miss O. A. Clifford, on the Ist of November, 1857.

HORACE RICHARDS, proprietor of the Lake View Hotel. Maiden Rock, was born in New York State on the 2d of November, IS26. He came to Wisconsin in 1869, first settling at Pepin, Pepin Co. In 1875, he was elected Sheriff of that county. He then moved to Durand, where he was proprietor of the Ecklor House, and lived there until May, 1879, when he removed to Maiden Rock, and took charge of the hotel there. He is at present Constable of the town of Maiden Rock. Ile was married in 1853. in New York, to Miss Mary Morgan, who was a native of that State. Their family consists of six children-Porter A., Laura E., now Mrs. Geo. F. Heslin, of Frontenac, Minn .; Cora, Grant, John M. and Horace, Jr.

JOHN D. TRUMBULL, merchant and Postmaster, Maiden Rock, was born in Massachusetts, Dec. 19. 1823. In the year 1845, he engaged with the Northwestern Fur Co., and in 1846 came to Wisconsin and es- tablished a trading post at Fox Lake, Dodge Co. After remaining there one year he removed to Chicago, where he engaged as a merchant. In 1850 he went to Stillwater, Minn., where he continued as merchant for one year, and then became proprietor of the Minnesota Hotel, at that place, it being then the largest hotel in the city. Here he made his home until 1856. In 1854. he entered the land where Maiden Rock village now stands, and in 1855 began to erect a saw-mill. In 1857, he- gan surveying lots preparatory to starting a village. He built the first sail boat run on Lake Tepin for local trade, and in 1857 built a small steamer to take the place of the "Lottie Lyon." erecting during the same year a grist and shingle mill in connection with his saw-mill, that being the first mill in the town. In 1857. the village of Maiden Rock was or- ganized, and Mr. Trumbull was a member of the Board. He has since been Justice of the Peace for seventeen years, and was School Superin- tendent there under the system of 1856-58. In 1867. he represented Pierce County in the Assembly, and was a charter member of the A., F. & A. M., Maiden Rock Lodge, No. 196, organized in 1873, and also of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 268, organized in 1876. He was married at Batavia, Il1, to Miss Betsey Lyon, the daughter of Col. J. Lyon, an of- ficer in the war of 1812. They have one daughter, Hattie J., now Mrs. E. J. Stevenson.

MARONI WARE, physician and surgeon, Maiden Rock, was born in Grafton Co., N. I.I., Feb. 9. 1843. Ile came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1846 his father buying a farm from the Government in Fond du Lac County, on which they resided until 1856, when they removed to Kansas, his father engaging in stock-raising and farming. The sub- ject of this sketch afterward went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and then returned 10 Eau Claire County, and in Angust of 1864, enlisted in the 5th Wis. Vol. 1., Co. K. serving until the close of the war. Ile received a flesh wound in his left hip at the battle of Sailor's Creek, and after the war returned to Wisconsin and commenced to read medicine with Dr. E. O. Baker at Durand, Pepin Co. lle afterward attended the Chicago Medical College, where he graduated in 1874. Ile first practiced at Lake City, Minn., in company with Dr. Baker, remaining there until 1876, when he moved to Maiden Rock, his present home. He was mar- ried in Eau Claire County, in 1872, to Miss Martha Cooley, who was born in the town of Bornston, Canada, her parents coming to Ean Claire County in 1856. Dr. Ware is a member of the Pierce County Medical Society.

PRESCOTT.

Prescott is situated at the junction of Lake St. Croix with the Mississippi. At this point the bank is eccentric in form, and the land leads back by a gentle rise forty or fifty rods from the water's edge. On this plat of ground the

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

lower city is built, which represents the business portion of the place. From the base of the bluff it rises more abruptly forty or fifty feet, and spreads out into a semi-circular pla- teau, extending back about half a mile. The front of this elevated portion is worn off into scallops, ornamented by frequent Indian mounds. The view from this elevation is grand and commanding. Looking to the south are seen the emerald hills of Minnesota on the opposite shore; the Mis- sissippi with bold and precipitous banks, and inset with is- lands, leading off to the right and left, while the placid waters of the lake stretch away to the north. These, to- gether with the peculiar arrangement of the city, combine to make the spot an attractive one. In the early history of Prescott we find an organization of some of the leading United States officers located at Fort Snelling, for the pur- pose 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 parties :

Maj. Plympton, Capt. Scott, Col. Thompson, Capt. Brady, Dr. Emerson and Philander Prescott, the latter being an Indian interpreter for the Government. A claim of twelve hundred acres was made, and Prescott appointed to take charge of it until it came into market. The claim was pro- tected 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 roo more, all of which ter- ritory occupied a large portion of the present city of Pres- cott. 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 afterward succeeded by a Frenchman by the name of Moshia. The same year, Hil- ton Doe and 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 com- munity 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 arrived, 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 built the first frame house in Prescott. Their daugh- ter, 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 George W. McMurphy.

Mr. McMurphy was married to a daughter of Mr. Rice, April 24, 1848, which was the first marriage performed in the place. From this period the settlement began to grow rapidly.

Prior to 1850, the improvements were very slow, when Dr. O. T. Maxon and W. J. Copp purchased the site. Pre- vious to this, Mr. Prescott had sold several lots, and William Lockwood had opened up a small store, and was trading in a small way with the Indians. He afterward extended his trade as the settlers gathered in, by placing in a more gen-

eral stock. Mr. Lockwood died soon after. He was the first white person who died, and was buried in the town.

Messrs. Maxon and Copp had their site surveyed and platted soon after their purchase. From this time on im- provements began to increase rapidly.

In 1853, Prescott became the county seat of Pierce County. 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 :

J. R. Freeman, Mayor; N. S. Dunbar, Thomas Dicker- son, Seth Ticknor, Hilton Doe, George M. Oakley and N. A. Miller, Aldermen; P. V. Wise, Attorney; William Howes, Surveyor ; Thomas Dickerson, Superintendent of Schools.

The city at this time was divided into two wards. Soon after this all the necessary municipal officers were elected or appointed, and thus we find the embryo city equipped with all the legislative power for self-government. It now contains three wards.

Prescott continued to flourish as the county seat till 1861, when by a vote of the people of the county, it was removed to Ellsworth. This was a great blow to the city, and since that time but little advance has been made. It has a population of about r,ooo, and is well supplied with churches, schools, hotels, and the various industries of a river and agricultural city.

The first post-office established in Prescott was in 1845, by the appointment of J. R. Freeman as Postmaster. The means of transportation 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 east- ern part of the State in Winter, the mails did not reach this point very often. Such being the case, no post-office was needed, and for convenience, the mail was deposited in the Postmaster's hat. So the early settlers say. The fol- lowing have performed the duties of Postmaster since Mr. Freeman: J. M. Whipple, O. T. Maxon, Andrew Rader, George A. Dill and the present incumbent, William Gates.

The first bank was established in 1858, with Charles Miller, president, and W. P. Westfall, cashier, with a cash capital of $25,000, which was afterward increased to $50,- 000. In 1877, the bank succumbed, but in June of that year the doors were again opened by H. S. Miller, who is doing at present a general banking and exchange business.

Manufactories .- The manufacturing interests of Pres- cott are not as great as the people would wish. Several enterprises have been started, but their life has been of short duration. In 1856, Messrs. Silverthorn & Dudley started a saw-mill, which they operated until about 1861, when Mr. Dudley purchased Mr. Silverthorn's interest, and erected his present steam mills, which consist of a flour and saw-mill. The flouring mill is used exclusively as a custom mill.

The manufacture of wagons and carriages is carried on to some extent by F. Menicke. He established his busi- ness or present shops in 1862. He turns out, of new work, twenty-five lumber wagons and fifteen carriages,

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HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.

besides doing quite an extensive repairing business. J. Neinstadt also carries on quite an extensive business in the way of manufacturing heavy farm wagons. He commenced business in 1875. He also manufactures about twenty-five wagons, together with quite an amount of repairing.

The Prescott Brewery was established in 1866, by N. P. Husting. He manufactures yearly about 800 barrels.

The Prescott Machine Shop was established in 1876 by H. B. Failing. The shop is well equipped with all kinds of machines necessary to enable him to do first-class re- pairing.

Societies .- The Northwestern Lodge, A., F. & A. M., was first instituted in 1856, and worked under a dispensa- tion until June 12, 1858, when they received their charter. E. A. Meacham, W. M .; H. Harvey, S. W .; G. H. Nich- ols, secretary. The present officers are: W. F. McCray, W. M .; John Wicks, S. W .; N. S. Dunbar, treasurer; A. B. Failing, secretary; B. Catzenberger, S. D .; A. M. Ru- dy, J. D .; S. Johnson, tiler. The Lodge is in fine work- ing order, with a membership of fifty-eight.

Prescott Lodge, I. O. O. F., was instituted September 6, 1868, with five charter members. Its first officers were; D. J. Dill, N. G .; S. Small, V. G .; H. C. Colton, secretary; David Lord, treasurer; W. R. Gates, W .; B. F. Paine, C. Its present officers are : E. R. Welch, N. G .; W. H. Leav- itt, V. G .; A. L. Roberts, secretary; D. J. Dill, treasurer ; A. Edwards, W .; N. McGill, C. The Lodge is in a pros- perous condition.

I. O. G. T., Lodge No. 319, was organized September 26, 1876, with eighteen charter members. This Lodge has been in a prosperous condition ever since its organization. They have at present over 100 members.

Prescott Juvenile Temple, No. 108, was organized March 17, 1877, by Lillie J. Robinson. It had ninety char- ter and twenty-one honorary members. The children have collected a library of fifty-four volumes, through different entertainments given by the Lodge. It is now in a flour- ishing condition, with fifty-six members.

Prescott Temple of Honor was organized December 27, 1878, with forty-five charter members. This order is in a prosperous condition, and has initiated 130 members since its organization.

Churches .- The first class in connection with the early history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Prescott was formed in the Fall of 1853, under the labors of Rev. Norris Hobert, a missionary. The first services were held in the school-house. In 1854, the society was organized, and in 1856 their first house of worship was completed. Their present church was completed and dedicated September 8, 1870. Their present membership is eighty.

The First Baptist Church sprang from the labors of E. W. Cressy, a missionary, who was sent to Prescott in 1853. Their first meetings were held in a house owned by Mr. Holman. The society was organized February 6, 1854. The Church has labored under many difficulties since its organization. They hold occasional services.

The foundation was laid for the establishment of the

Lutheran Church in 1865, by Rev. C. Hayer. In March, 1874, the society was organized. In the Fall of that year, they purchased the old Methodist church, in which their services are held. Their present membership is thirty-five.

The Episcopal Church was organized under the auspices of the Calvary Mission, in 1872. They have at this time twenty-five communicants.

The Congregational Church was organized, February 15, 1852, by Rev. R. Hall. They first held their services in the school-house. Their church was commenced in 1855, but not finished until 1858.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1855. Their church was erected in 1866.

The Catholic Church was organized by Rev. Father Ver- vais. The society erected their present church in 1868. The membership consists of about fifty families.

Schools .- The first steps taken in the matter of educa- tion was by Mrs. Olive, in the Spring of 1851. She opened a school in her house, and gave instruction to all the chil- dren she could gather together in the neighborhood. The first school-house built by the district was a portion of what is now the public school building. In 1859, the subject of a graded school was agitated, and a commodious school- house was subsequently erected, and now valued at $2,500. The schools are in a flourishing condition, with five depart- ments, under supervision of a corps of efficient teachers.

RIVER FALLS.

The village of River Falls, located on the banks of the beautiful Kinnickinnic River, 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 con- geal its surface. On its banks are located four flouring 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 by rail to distant markets. Various religious socie- ties have their pleasant places of worship. The different secret societies have their organizations and comfortable lodge rooms. The public school building, located on the west side of the village, is a large, imposing structure of brick, with all the late improvements, and will accommodate nearly three hundred pupils. The Fourth State Normal School, in the southeastern portion of the village, is built of brick, and cost twenty-five thousand dollars, a large por- tion of which was donated by the adjoining towns. A more particular history of these institutions is given elsewhere.

The early settlers of the Kinnickinnic Valley, at and near the village of River Falls, will next claim our atten- tion. 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 set- tle in the Fall of 1849, were D. McGregor, James and Wal- ter Mapes. In 1850, Mr. Hayes, W. Tozer, Mr. Penn, and

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Ira Parks, settled here. Following them came N. N. Powell, and Clark Green, and soon after, O. S. Powell and others of the family. Captain Woods settled on Big River, and C. B. Cox 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 manufactur- ing center. The spirit of enterprise came with the new set- tlers, many, if not all of whom were at this time from New England. With an eye to the future, N. N. and O. S. Pow- ell laid out and platted sixty acres of land, in 1854, a por- tion of their claim bordering on the river, and called it Kinnickinnic. 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 since been made at different times by others. The first hotel was built by W. H. Winchester; the first blacksmith shop by R. Griffith ; first wheel-wright, N. Wales; first cooper, C. J. Riker.

Among the first thoughts of the people coming to this far away country, is writing back to the loved ones left be- hind in the dear old home. This led to early measures for establishing a post-office. As the settlement increased and the facilities for transporting the mails improved, the Gov- ernment was importuned, and Charles Hutchinson received the first appointment as Postmaster in 1854, and the first office was opened in the pioneer store. The following have since served as Postmasters: J. E. Webb, W. A. Tozer, Milton Webster, George P. Brackett and J. E. Flint, the present incumbent.

The Bank of River Falls was organized January 1, 1874, with J. M. Smith as cashier. They are engaged in general banking and exchange business, also in foreign exchange. The extensive milling interests of the town furnish a large amount of banking business.

Like most other towns, River Falls has had its draw- backs, in the shape of fire and flood. Its worst mishap was the great fire of 1876. The fire broke out at half-past one o' lock on the morning of the 30th of January, in the office of E. B. Homes, next to the post-office. The wind, at the time, was blowing a terrific gale from the south, which swept the fire with fearful rapidity. There being no fire de- partment or organized company, the fire continued its course until it had destroyed some of the most valuable property in the village. The morning light found the labor and savings of years lying in ashes. The aggregate esti- mate of losses in this great conflagration was $30,000.

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Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1052

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052