Washington County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (2 of 11 so headed), 1881

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

The first bank was established in 1858. May 28th, the bank was organized and chartered un¬ der the state laws of Wisconsin, and known as the "City Bank of Prescott." Charles Miller president, and W. P. Westfall cashier, with a cash capital of $25,000, which was afterwards in¬ creased to $60,000. The bank continued to oper¬ ate under the same title and by the same firm un¬ til the spring of 1877, after the act was passed "taxing state banks," when the bank succumbed to the pressure and closed the doors. In -June, 1877, the doors were again opened under the title of "Bank of Prescott," by II. S. Miller, who is doing a general banking and exchange business.

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

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

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

Dr. Henry C. Cotton is a nativo of Maine, born October 17th, 1840. He attended the public schools until nineteen years of age, then entered the medical college at Albany, New York, from which lie graduated in 1801. Tho next year he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-first New Jersey, as a private, serving nine months then joined the Twenty-ninth Maine Veterans ns assistant sur¬ geon and served until honorably discharged, June 28th, I860. At New Richmond, Wisconsin, he began the practice of medicine, and one year subsequently removed to Prescott, and has since been a practitioner at this place Ilis wife was Miss Emily Edgecomb, a native of Maine, mar¬ ried in 1866. They have two children.

Col. Daniel J. Dill was bom in Dillsburg, York county, Pennsylvania, February 24th, 1830. Re¬ maining on his father's farm until nineteen years old, he received a good practical education, then was employed as a traveling agent for a whip manufactory in which lie continued ten years. In 1S59, came to Prescott and engaged in mcrehan- dising until 1877, and is still counted among the leading business men. In 1861, answering to his country's call, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Wisconsin, being appointed captain, served one and one-half years in the Army of the Potomac, then was appointed by Gov. Solomon, of Wis¬ consin, colonel of the Thirtieth Wisconsin, and was honorably discharged at Madison, 1865. One year previous, he was on the plains under Gen¬ eral Sully, and assisted with the regiment in building Fort Rice, Dakota. During his last year was provost marshal general of the Kentucky de¬ partment on General Palmer's staff. He married in 1867, Miss Mary P. Johnson. Three children have been born to them, all living.

George A. Dill was born at Dillsburg, Pennsyl¬ vania, December 24th, 1831. When fifteen yearsof age he went to Williamspoi't and remained in that vicinity three years. lie purelmsed cattle in Iowa in 1 853, and brought them to Prescott for sale. The following year he began opening land, which he sold in 1855, and engaged in mercantile and grain trade. In 1868 he and Miss Annie Ilarvey were united in marriage at Freeport, Illinois. They have one son, George A. Jr.

N. S. Dunbarwasbom at Fredonia, New York, June22d, 1820. When a lad of fourteen years, he removed with his parents to Niles, Michigan. In 1840 he began the battle of life, going to Mus¬ catine, Iowa, there learning the trade of bricklayer and stone-mason. Recoining a residentof Prescott in 1852, he embarked in the grocery trade, con¬ tinuing eight years; then added a general stock. In 1868, he disposed of his stock and lived a re¬ tired life two years, then again entered business as a grocer, still remaining. Mr. Dunbar was elected the first sheriff of Pierce county in 1854. He married, in 1842, Miss Amanda Roach. They have two children.

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

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

Joseph Friner, deceased, was born at Baden, Germany, 1827, where he learned the trade of tinsmith. ' lie came to America in 1840, landing in New York city; worked at his trade in that city, also in Cincinnati, New Orleans and St. Louis. Removing to Prescott in 1855, he started in the hardware trade on a small scale, doing all the work himself. He continued in the trade until the time of his death. His wife was Bar¬ bara Neff, whom he married in 1850. II is widow and her three children survive him. Francis, now the wife of Andrew Winter, of Prescott; Joseph Jr. married Miss Nancy Kempf, in 1880; and Theodore.

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

William L. Leavitt was horn at Naples, Maine, 1841, where he made his home until 1861. Com¬ ing to Prescott at that time he followed farming until enlisting in Company I, Twelfth Wisconsin, in 1863. Was honorably discharged at Madison, in 1865, and returned to Prescott. He was elected city marshal in 1868, which office he held until 1880, then was chosen alderman of the first ward. Since 1878 he has given his attention to steamboating. His marriage with Lydia P. Jones, took place in 1860; their union was des¬ tined to be a short one, for she died in I860, leaving two children. Ilis present wife was Mary A. Smith, who has borne him seven child¬ ren, six of whom are living.

Carlos McCray, born at Ellington, Connec¬ ticut, June 23d, 1626. When a lad of twelve years, he accompanied his parents to Allegany county, New York, remaining six years, and dur¬ ing the time attended school. He engaged in farming in Walworth county, Wisconsin, from that time till 1854, then removed to- Prescott, where his father died in 1872. Engaging in agri¬ cultural pursuits until 1861, he then embarked in the drug trade, and w»as also appointed post¬ master. lie was married in 1849 to Miss R. A. McKeen. They have five children living.

Captain Edgar A. Meacham, born May 31st, 1832, at Brandon, Vermont. Here hip childhood days were passed, and on attaining majority he began the mercantile trade at his native place, con¬ tinuing, until removing with his parents, to Prescott in 1856. On their arrival, he, iji com¬ pany with his father, Col. A. A. Meacham, purchased a steam saw-mill, which they op¬ erated one year; then sold, and established a sash and door factory. In 1871 his father disposed of his interest to another son. Mr. Meacham, in 1870, opened a general store in this place and formed a partnership with his son, Edgar L. He enlisted in 1862, and was appointed first lieuten¬ ant of Company F, Thirtieth Wisconsin; the next year was promoted to the rank of captain of the same company, receiving his discharge at Camp Randall in October, 1865. He was united in marriage with Eliza Belknap in 1854. They are the parents of four children living.

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

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

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

Lyman R. Smith is a native of Onondaga county, New York, born July 5th, 1814. Remain¬ ing at his native place till 1836, then came westward to Niles, Michigan, and located on a farm, engaged in tilling the soil until 1845; then went to Muscatine, Iowa, where he worked as a stone-mason. Five years subsequently he visited California, and there embarked in mercantile trade, also in mining. In 1852 he became a resi¬ dent of Prescott. Except ten years spent at Fari¬ bault, Minnesota, this place has been his home. He has been twice married; in 1840 to Miss Leah Van Vleet, who died in 1813, leaving two child¬ ren. Ilis present wife was Miss Mary Amorett Dunbar, who has borne him three children, one living.

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

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