Washington County, Minnesota - Chapter 43: City Charter - 8ciiool8 - Churches, 1881

Chapter 43: City Charter - 8ciiool8 - Churches

In the early history of Prescott we find an or¬ ganization of some of the lending United States officers located at Fort Snelling, for the purpose of securing the land at the present site of the city of Prescott. This organization was effected in 1827, and was composed of the following par¬ ties: Major Plympton, Captain Scott, Colonel Thompson, Captain Brady, Dr. Emerson, and Philander Prescott, the latter being an Indian in¬ terpreter for the government. A claim of twelve hundred acres was made, and Prescott appointed to take charge of the claim until it came into market. The claim was protected until 1841, when an act was passed by congress, denying the right of any organization to hold claims. Under this law Mr. Prescott secured his claim of 160 acres, and a few years later he added one hun¬ dred more, all of which territory occupied a large portion of the present site of the city of Prescott. In 1838 a trading post was established at this point.

In the meantime, Prescott had been called to the fort in performance of his duties as Indian interpreter. One Reed, a discharged soldier, was sent to hold the claim for the organization, but was afterwards succeeded by a Frenchman by the name of Moshia. The same year, Ililton Doe, S. J. Ilodgeden, from Ohio; .J. T. Truse and J. D. McBulIy, from New York, landed at this point.

In a short time Doe was left alone with Reed and a small community of Indians and half-breeds. The settlement grew very slowly from the fact of the company excluding all settlers from their claim. In 1841 William Schaser ar¬ rived, but only remained for a short time. He, however, returned in 1844, bringing with him his wife, the first white woman in this region. Mr. Schaser claims to have built the first frame house in Prescott.- Their daughter Eliza was the first white child bom in the county. In 1847 additions were made by the arrival of J. R. Rice and family, W. Lockwood, L. N. Ilarnsberger and Geo. W. McMurphy. Mr. McMurphy was married to a daughter of Mr. Rice April 24th, 1848, which was the first marriage performed in the county. The second was that of II. N. Hol¬ man in 1853. From this period the settlement began to grow quite rapidly.

We find that the list of early settlers at this date was as follows: Hilton Doe in 1838, who remained for a short time, when he went below on the river and held the position of Indian farm¬ er for seven years; he returned again in 1845. George Schaser came in 1841 and remained ashort time; he returned again in 1844. Tiling Broth¬ ers and the Comelison Brothers came in 1847; J. It. Rice the same year. Dr. Aldrich came in 1843; W. Lockwood in 1846; W. McMurphy andL. Ilarnsberger in 1848; N. S. Dunbar, Ly¬ man Smith and J. D. Freeman in 1849; Dr. O. T. Maxon, W. J. Copp and Dr. Beardsley about 1850.

This county was still a portion of St. Croix county, but in 1849, the town of Elizabeth was set off and comprised what is now the county of Pierce. The fust officers elected at the organiza¬ tion of this new town were Wilson Thing, chairman of the board, Aaron Comelison, L. N. Ilarnsberger, supervisors; Ililton Doe, clerk; George W. McMurphy, treasurer. In 1851, by an act of the legislature, the name of the town was changed to that of Prescott, in honor of Mr. Prescott. The city is located at the junction of Lake St. Croix, with the Mississippi, which forms a large curve or point of land on which the city is built, and which was known in olden times as Lake Mouth. Extending back from the water's edge for some forty rods, the ground has a gentle rise, on which is built the business portion of the city; from the base of the bluff it rises more abruptly, over forty feet to the table lands on which the resident portion of the town is situated. From this elevation the city of Hastings at dis¬ tance and the bold bluff of the Minnesota shore pre¬ sents a scene, both grand and romantic, with the old "father of waters" extending away to the east and west while the placid waters of the lake stretch away to the north. The large stretch of levee on the river and the lake, so well adapted to business purposes, combine to make this point one of the finest locations for a city on the river. Prior to 1850, the improvements were very slow, when Dr. O. T. Maxon and W. J. Copp purcliased the site. Previous to this, Mr. Prescott had sold several lots, Mr. William Lockwood had opened up a small store, and was trading in a small way with the Indinns; afterwards extended his trade by placing a more general stock, as the settlers gath¬ ered in and his trade increased. Mr. Lockwood died soon after; he was the first white person that died, and was buried in the town. Messrs. Maxon and Copp had the site surveyed and platted soon after their purchase. From this time on, im¬ provements began to increase quite rapidly. In 1853, Pierce county was separated from St. Croix county and the county seat established at this point by an act of the legislature of that year.

The city charter of Prescott was granted in the winter of 1856-7. At the election held in the spring of 1857 the following officers were elected: Mayor, J. R. Freeman; aldermen for the First ward, N. S. Dunbar, Thomas Dickenson and Seth Ticknor; Second ward, Hilton Doe, George M. Oakley and N. A. Miller. On motion, George M. Oakley was chosen secretary of the meeting. On motion, Alderman Ticknor was elected presi¬ dent of the council; J. W. Beardsley was elected clerk of the council; J. J. Foster, justice peace of the First ward, and A. Edwards justice peace for the Second ward. A resolution was presented and passed, declaring N. S. Dunbar and Hilton Doe senior aldermen for the ensuing year. On motion, the council elected P. V. Wise, city at¬ torney; William Howes, city surveyor; Thomas Dickerson, superintendent of schools for the city. At the same meeting, C. II. Weigh presented bonds and was declared elected justice peace. It was voted that the city attorney receive fifty dollars for his salary for the year; it was voted to pay the city clerk fifty dollars per annum as sal¬ ary; voted to pay the city surveyor three dollars per diem while engaged. The first division of the city was made in the following manner: First ward, all that part of the city south of Kinnickinnic street and east of the Mississippi river. All north of Kinnickinnic street and east of the Mississippi river to be known as the Second ward.

At a meeting of thecouncil held May 9th, 1857, it was voted that the city treasurer be required to give bonds to the amount of $10,000. Also that the superintendent of schools be required to give bonds of $1,000, said bonds to be ap¬ proved by the council. At a meeting of the council held on the 18th of the same month, the following committees were appointed by the mayor: On finsince, Dunbar, Dickerson and Miller; on auditing, Dunbar, Ticknor and Miller; on schools and school-houses, Dunbar, Oakley and Dickerson; on streets, Dunbar, Doe and Ticknor; on cemeteries and public property, Mil¬ ler, Oakley and Dunbar; on license, Ticknor, Doe and Miller; on printing, Oakley, Dickerson and Doe; as board of health, Dickerson, Miller and Oakley; on ordinances, Oakley, Miller and Tick¬ nor. John Henderson was chosen pound-master, and L. It. Smith city marshal. Thus we find our embryo city equipped with all the legislative power for self government. In 1869 a new divis¬ ion of the city was made, and another ward added, as follows: all that part of the city south of Kinnickinnic street as First ward, and all lying between Kinnickinnic and Cherry streets shall be known as the Second ward; all north of Cherry to the city limits, shall be known as the Third ward - each ward extending back from the river to the eastern limits of the city.

The first steps taken in the matter of educa¬ tion, were by Mrs. Olive in the spring of 1851. In connection with her household duties she opened a school in her house, which was a por¬ tion of what is now merchant Ilamsberger's, and gave instruction to all the children that she could gather together in the neighborhood where she was living, which was the first school taught in the county. The first school taught in Pres¬ cott was by Miss St. Mathews in the spring of 1852, in a large log house situated between Main street and the levee. The first district school organization was effected in the fall of 1852, by theelection of the following officers, viz.: G. W. McMurpliy, director; N. S. Dunbar, treas¬ urer; O. T. Maxon, clerk. Said district was composed of a portion of tho towns of Clifton, Oak Grove and l'rescott. The first school taught was by Miss Helen Smith in the spring of 1853, in a portion of the house owned by II. N. Hol¬ man. The first school-house built by the district was a portion of what is now the public school building. From these small beginnings, step by step the matters of education were carried for¬ ward until July, 1859, when the subject of a graded school was agitated. A call was issued to the legal voters in joint district No. 1 to meet at the school-house, July 22d, 1869, and vote on the following resolution, viz.: "Resolved, that the sum of fifteen hundred dollars be raised by joint school district No. 1 for the purpose of building addi¬ tions to tho present school-house in said district, suitable for the purpose of maintaining a graded school." There were 136 votes cast - 76 for and 60 against; 16 majority. Sealed proposals were called for, and four were handed in. The lowest bid was by M. W. Barb, who contracted to erect the building for the sum of one thousand four hundred and ninety-eight dollars, after certain specifications furnished by the board. The schoolhouse, when completed, was valued at twentyfive hundred dollars. The board of officers at the date of building and re-organizing of the schools were L. D. Newell, director; G. W. Mc- Murphy, treasurer; P. V. Wise, clerk. The rel>ort of the superintendent of schools, August 31st, 1860, was that there were residing in the city, between the ages of four and twenty, 355. The number attending school during the year was 273. The schools at this date are in a very flour¬ ishing condition, with five departments under the following board of efficient teachers: G. L. Bow¬ man, principal, with the following assistants: Miss Florence Olive, Miss A. McCray, Miss Allie Ellis, Miss Mary Tabor and Miss Hattie Ives.

The first class in connection with the early his¬ tory of the Methodist Episcopal church of Pres¬ cott was formed in the fall of 1853, under the labors of Rev. Norris Ilobert, a missionary from the Methodist Episcopal conference. The first members of the class were Silas Wright and wife, and Frederick Hyatt, they being the only mem¬ bers of that denomination in the town at that time. Mr. Hyatt being an earnest worker in the good cause, together with his other labor as that of a house carpenter, devoted a portion of his time in forming plans to establish a Sabbath school, which was accomplished that fall, and was the first Sabbath school organized in the county. The first services were held in the school-house, which was located on the present site of the public school, and a part of the same building that is now used by the Baptist society for their church. To this small class of three devoted persons, in the spring were added others from among the new settlers, and during the next year a society was organized, and soon steps were taken to build a house of worship. Their first house was completed in 1856; built of wood, 22x30 feet, and located on the same site of the Lutheran church. In 1858 they added twenty feet to its length. In 1868, during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Richardson, steps were taken to erect their present fine, commodious church, which is of wood, 40x70, and was completed and dedicated September 8th, 1870, during the ministry of Rev. J. D. Searles. Their present membership is eighty; present pastor, Rev. Wm. Haw.

The First Baptist church of Prescott sprang from the early labors of Rev. E. W. Cressey, a missionary sent in 1853 by the American Baptist Home Missionary society, to labor at Prescott and other points. Their first meetings were held in a small unfinished house owned by Mr. Hol¬ man. Afterwards in a building down in the town, used as a tailor shop and law office during the week. During the winter following, the school-house was finished and they were per¬ mitted to occupy it for a portion of the time, which made a more comfortable place to hold their meetings. A church organization was ef¬ fected February 6tli, 1854. Rev. T. B. Rodge was the first regular minister called. The church has labored under many difficulties since its or¬ ganization. They have occasional services.

'/*riie foundation was laid for the establishment of the Lutheran church at Prescott, in 1866, under the ministration of Rev. C. Hftyer, who labored three years, when Rev. J. Schadegg, from Oak Grove, succeeded him, October, 1868. During his ministry in March, 1ST4, the church was organ¬ ized. They held their meetings for a while in the Congregational church. In the fall of the same year they purchased the old Methodist church, which was located on the site of their present church, to which the society have made additions and repairs until they have a due church. Thirty-five is their present member¬ ship.

The Episcopal Church of Prescott was organ¬ ized under the auspices of the Calvary mission about 1872. The first step taken toward es¬ tablishing and maintaining services at this point, was by Rev. John Williamson, a missionary from the above mission, in 1859, who continued his labors two years, when ho was followed by Rev. A. B. Peabody in 1861. Rev. J. L. Breck followed him, preaching occasionally for two years. Rev. T. Wilkinson visited them occa¬ sionally and held services. The church was regularly organized under the preaching of Rev. William Guild in 1872. Rev. Mr. Thorp preached for them occasionally for a slant time. They held services in the Dill hall. In 1860 com¬ menced his labors with them, holding service in the Baptist church. They have at this time twenty-live female communicants, no males.

The First Congregational Church of Prescott was organized at Point Douglas, February 15th, 1852, under the ministrations of Rev. R. Ilall, who was laboring at ditTerent points in Wiscon¬ sin and Minnesota in the employ of the Home Mission society. Owing to the arrival of settlers and the changes made by the opening up of new Helds, the church was removed to Prescott, De¬ cember 22d, 1854. Rev. Mr. Ilall continued his labors with them until 1856, when Rev. Mr. Boutwell, also a missionary, labored with them for a time. The church held their services for a while in the school-house. Steps were taken in 1855, toward the erection of a church, but it was not completed until 186S. Rev. II. W. Cobb was the first minister called to labor with the church ; he remained one year. They have a line church edi¬ fice built of stone, 40x50 feet, with tower and bell. Removals and death has so thinned their members that they are unable to support preach¬ ing at this time.

1866. Change incident to all new countries has seemed to withdraw a large portion of its support; under these circumstances preaching is not main¬ tained at this time.

The Catholic Church of Prescott was organized under ministry of Rev. Father Vervais. The society erected their present church, which is of wood, 24x60 feet, in 1868. The membership con¬ sists of about lifty families. The Rev. Father Hansas, living in the town of Oak Grove, holds services once in two weeks. Their house of wor¬ ship is located on the bluff, commanding a line view of the surrounding country.

The North-western Lodge A. F. and A. M. of Prescott was first instituted in 1856, and worked under a dispensation until June 12th, 1858, when they received their charter. E. A. Meach¬ am, W. M.;II. Harvey, S.W.,and G. II. Nichols, secretary. The lodge held its first meetings in a building on the comer of Orange and Front streets owned by A. II. Young and Company. They now occupy rooms in the third story of John Dudley's store, fitted up in fine style. Their present olticers are as follows, viz: W. F. Mc¬ Cray, W. M.; John Wicks, S. W.; N. S. Dunbar, treasurer; A. B. Failing, secretary; B. Catzenberger, S. D.; A. M. Rudy, J. D.; S. Johnson, tyler. The lodge is in fine working order, with a membership of fifty-eight.

The Independent Order of Good Templara, Lodge No. 319, was organized September 25th, 1876, with eighteen charter members. The first offlc.ra were: J. S. White, W. C. T.; Miss J. D.

Societies And Press

The Prescott Juvenile Temple, No. 108, wasorganized 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, ami 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 Grange No. 101, was first organ¬ ized in Pierce Valley, town of Clifton, June 9th, 1873, by slate deputy, A. II. Edwards, with twenty-two charter members. The first officers i elected were as follows: J. S. Capley, W. M.; John Mozer, overseer; A. B. lliekox, lecturer; Erastus Tubbs, steward; W. Findley, assistant steward; L. II. Cad well, 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, 1878. They have bad 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 18G8 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

Morse of the Pierce County Herald, of Ellsworth. In 1873, April 1st, M. 11. Kimball commenced the publication of what was known as the Pres¬ cott Clarion. He sold his interest to K. C. Kiblte, the same year, who changed the title to that of Pierce County Plaindealer. July 1st, 1876, E. II. Ives, purchased the paper, and has pub¬ lished it since.

J. W. Taylor, barber shop; William Miller and Mrs. Bloomer, bakery; E. It. 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.

built in 1870, Mcincke 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 1870.

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. Silverthom 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 carnages is carried on to some extent by F. Meincke. He established his business, or present shops, at this point in 1862. His main shop is of brick, 24x60 feet; paint shop of stone attached, 26x60; blacksmith shop of wood, 28x60. He turns out of new work twentyfive 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 1860; building 50x60. He turned out about 800 barrels during the past year, lie 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 II. B. Failmg, 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-