Washington County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (3 of 11 so headed), 1881

Biographical sketches

The village of lliver Falls as we find it to day, located on the banks of the beautiful Kinnickinnic has a population of about fifteen hundred inhabitants. The line between St. Croix and Pierce counties divides the village plat, and onethird 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 congeal its sur¬ face. On its banks are located four flour 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 societies have their pleasant places of worship. The different secret societies have their organizations and com¬ fortable lodge rooms. The public school build¬ ing, located on the west side, is a large imposing structure of brick with all the late improvements, which will accommodate nearly three hundred pupils. The Fourth State Normal School in the south-eastern portion of the village, is built of brick and cost twenty-five thousand dollars, a large portion of which sum was donated by the adjoining towns. A more particular history of their i>ermunent improvements is given in another part of the chapter.

The early settlers of the Kinnickinnic Valley at, and near the village of River Falls. 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 settle in the fall of 1849, were D. McGregor, James and Walter Mapes. In 1850, Mr. Hayes, W. Tozer, Mr. Penn and Ira Parks, settled here. Following them, came N. N. Pow¬ ell and Clark Green and soon after, O. S. Powell and others of the family. Capt. Woods settled on Big River; C. B. Cox, struck his first oil 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 manufacturing centre. The spirit of enterprise came with the new settlers, many, if not all of whom were at this time from New England. With an eye to the future, N. N. and O. S. Powell laid out and platted sixty acres in 1854, a portion of their claim bordering on the river, and called it Kin¬ nickinnic. The same year they erected the first store, which they filled with a stock of general merchandise. In 1 856, they made another plat of one hundred and twenty acres, across the river on the west side. Additions have been made at dif¬ ferent times by others. The first hotel built was by W. II. Winchester; first blacksmith shop by R. Griffith; first wheel- wright, N. Wales; first cooper, C. J. Riker.

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 of the 30tli of January, 1876, fire was discovered in the office of E. B. Homes, next to the postoffice. 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 meichandise; S. G. Dodge, hardware; C. R. Ellis, store ; Messrs. Iledderly 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.

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. II. Win¬ chester, Pomeroy Brothers, and others. The site was donated for the purjKJse 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 subscription. 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 ns 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 fast 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¬ em 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.

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. II. Weld. A Sundayschool 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 Air. Luke Pomeroy's bam, 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:

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

'-lie was a giant in body and a giant in mind; tall of 8tatureand 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 half 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 became 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 ho|>e to be able to com¬ plete their new church during the coining 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, Mis. E. Boutwell, vice-presi¬ dents; Miss R. Taylor, secretary ; Miss Hattie Levings, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. G. W. Farnsworth, treasurer; Mrs. N. T. Blakeslee and Mis. O. S. Powell were chosen to conduct the temperance column in the Journal.

The Fiist Baptist Church of River Falls was organized as a branch of the Fiist 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 Hudson, in 1875, with a membership of thirtyeight 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- 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 lliver Falls was first convened under the labors of Rev. John Wil¬ liamson, a missionary from the Calvary Mission, in 1869, holding services in the school-house. lie 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 thorn occasionally at this time.

Odd Fellows Lodge, number 190, was first or¬ ganized February 2d, 1872, with the following charter members: A. Morse, 13. F. Pierce, J. W. Pierce, II. S. Baker and James Stoddard. They were in a nourishing 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. llodson, treasurer. The lodge is in a flourishing condition at this time, with the following list of officers: \V. S. Ensign, N. G.; C. G. Knowles, V. G.; P. F. Lowell, sec¬ retary; T. Martin, treasurer; W. P. Marshall, permanent secretary.

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. II. Sain, J. D.; C. II. 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. II. 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. I). 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.

The River Falls Temple of Honor was insti¬ tuted May 31 st, 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

The Juvenile Temple of Honor, number 100, was organized March 15th, 1877, with the follow¬ ing ofllcers: W. Dodge, C. T.; Lettie Thayer, V. T.; Hiram Nye, It. S. ; Walter Wales, P. C. T ; 13. 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 800, is dated March 15th, 1877, with sixteen charter members, with the following offi¬ cers: Rev. S. W. Horner, W. C. T; Mrs. 13. 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 the 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 Hudson 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 table lands, the remainder of the road was speedily constructed over the rolling prairies.

Manufactories of the Kinuickinnic 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 Hour mill located on the north branch of the Kinnickinnic river, was built by C. B. Cox In 1854, two and one-half stories above basement; main building 86x36 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 fiour, also adding - another run of stone, and have run it as a mer¬ chant mill exclusively, with a capacity of sixtyfive 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, 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 1868, size 80x60 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 40x76 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 com 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. I). Andrews. The orig¬ inal mill was 30x60, three stones 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 I 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 onesixth 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 nin 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 onehalf stories above the basement, with ware-house connected 82x40 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 postoffice; moreover, the mails had been a source of pleasure in the old home. Quite natural it was 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 otlice 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 ltiver 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 yearn 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. II. Wilkinson purchased Mr. Moody's interest, and the firm appeared as Morse and Wilkinson. Democratic in politics, and has a large list of subscribers.

The River Falls Press was established July 23d, 1874, by George B. Merrick, editor and pro¬ prietor, with strong republican sentiments. In 1877, Walter S. Fowler bought one-half interest, and assumed the entire control of the mechanical department of the pa}>er. Though much younger than the Journal it still has many warn! friends and a fair list of subscribers, and is flourishing like a "green bay tree.''

The St. Croix Valley Driving Park Association was organized under the statutes of the stale of Wisconsin, September 13th, 1872. The amount of capital stock of said association was $5,000. The following were the members of the associa¬ tion at the date of its organization, viz: I). McGregor and G. P. Brackett of Troy, St. Croix county; W. Taylor, A. II. Lord, G. W. Fortune, F. J. Burhyte, J. II. Lord, Joel Foster, and T. Cleary of River Falls. The object of the associa¬ tion was the improvement of the stock of the val¬ ley and surrounding country. Beautiful grounds were fitted up by the association, on the west side of the river.

The River Falls machine shop was established July, 1872, by the Messrs. Touny Brothers. The power for the shop was furnished at the Foster mills until 1878, when the firm erected a twostory shop in the south part of the town, 24x56 feet. The firm are engaged in the manufactur¬ ing of brass work, turning and lathe work, with a general repair shop. The motive power is a six horse-power engine.

The River Falls lime w'orks were first established in 1868, by Messrs. Oakley and Nichols. In 1869 Mr. Oakley purchased Air. Nicholas interest and run the works until 1879, when Mr. Oakley put in the patent kiln. March, 1881, Mr. J. Hale purchased an interest. It now is run under the firm name of Oakley and Hale. The product of the works during the past year was 20,000 barrels. With the improvements being added, the firm ex¬ pect to turn out 40,000 barrels during this sea¬ son.

Amber cane syrup manufactory. O. S. Powell embarked in this new enterprise in the spring of 1880, erecting a building for the purpose, 42x80 feet, with what is known a steam train for oper¬ ating the same, with a capacity of 500 gallons per day. While last season was very unfavor¬ able for growing the cane, he was among the most succesful operators in the west. He manufactured 10,000 gallons. The quality, when compared with ten other states represented at St. Louis at the Cane Growers association, was pro- nounced as superior. Also at the Cane Grower's association at Minneapolis he received the prem¬ ium over all other manufacturers of syrup. He grew twenty acres of cane last year. Expects to grow forty acres this coming year.

The business blocks erected since the lire of 1867 are: The Burhyte and Wolf blocks in 1867 ; Brackett block, in 1868 ; Howard, Ap Roberts, Bradshaw and Dodge blocks, in 1877 ; Scales, Nel¬ son, Opera, Davis aad Jenson blocks in 1878: Fleming block in 1878 ; McGregor block in 1880.

The business interests of River Falls are rep¬ resented by four mercantile houses carrying stocks of general merchandise, three groceries, three drug stores, three hardware stores, two furniture, two boot and shoe stores, one harness shop, one watchmaker, one book store, three mil¬ lineries, three merchant tailoring establishments, two photograph galleries, four hotels, two restau¬ rants and two livery stables. There are seven blacksmith shops, three wagon-makers, one stave mill, one marble shop, three lumber dealers, two meat markets, three dealers in agricultural im¬ plements, one barber shop and one cooper shop. The professions are represented by five physicians and surgeons, six attorneys and one dentist. There are also five insurance agents.

The compiled statistics of the Hudson and River Falls railroad at River Falls station during the ten months ending December 31st, 1880. The total amount of imports was 8,356,040 pounds. Among the leading articles are wheat, lumber, general merchandise, agricultural imple¬ ments, etc. The total amount of exports foot up to 26,761,357 pounds, among the leading items of which we find wheat, mill stuff, flour, wool, lime, and barrel stock. The grand total for ten months was 35,117,307 pounds. Adding the same pro¬ portion of business for the two months not in¬ cluded in this statement and the business of this station during the year 1880, would amount to i 40,970,266 pounds of freight, out and in, or enough to load 417 cars at 20,000 pounds each, with goods coming in, and 1,338 cars going out; a totnlof 1,755 .carloads during the year- a good showing for a town of its size.

lumbia county, Wisconsin, in 1850, and three years later he began selling goods as clerk for Townsend Brothers, at Fox Lake. He removed to Hudson in 1859, and was employed as clerk by C. E. Darling for one year; after which he came to River Falls, and here made his home until 1862. He then spent two years at Hudson, where he was married to Miss Sylvia Brownell, of Ver¬ mont. During the fall of 1864 he returned to River Falls, and began business for himself. The fire of 1876 destroyed his store, so the fol¬ lowing season his present substantial place of business was erected. Mr. and Mrs. Ap Roberts have six children: Mabel, Eleanor, Percy, Paul, Elizabeth and Robert.

William Barker was bom at Wakefield, New Hampshire, in 1814. His early life was passed in Maine, moving there at the age of ten. and re¬ mained until 1857. He also learned the trade of mill-wright, and was engaged in milling at Brooksville. In 1857 he came to River Falls and began in the pursuit of his trade. For tlxree years he held the office of sheriff of St Croix county, Wisconsin, and afterward built the Cas¬ cade mill, which he still owns. His marriage with Eliza Walker took place in 1848; her death occurred in 1880.

Dr. R. R. Bourn is a. native of Massachusetts, where he was bom November 29th, 1816. At an early age, moved with his parents to Geauga county, Ohio, remaining there until 1845, when he came to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Here he made his home about four years, then returned to Ohio and began the study of medicine, and graduated from the State Medical Institute of Ohio in 1868. He afterward praticed in Columbia county until 1870, then located at River Falls, where he has since practiced homeopathy. He married Myra J. Rockafellow in 1838, who has borne him two children.

George Fortune is a native of Scotland, bom in 1840. When quite small he came to America with his parents and located in Lower Canada, where he made his home until the spring of 1857. Removing to River Falls he began working in the mills, and being successful purchased the Green¬ wood mill in 1877. His wife was Mary J. Fra¬ zier, to whom he was married in 1873. Three children have been born to them, all of whom are living.

G. R. Griffin was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, April 6th, 1829. Here he learned the trade of blacksmithing, and in April, 1851, came west, landing at Hudson, Wisconsin, with forty-one others from his native town. He made that place his home until 1853, when he removed to River Falls and l>egan blacksmithing as a journeyman, which he continued during the first winter. The spring following, he opened his shop and has since been doing a good business. Mr. Griffin has been twice married ; his first wife was Mary A. Wal¬ den, who died, leaving two children. lie married Miss C. 0. Fuller in 1882. They have one child living.

A. II. Lord was born in Greenfield, Hancock county, Maine, 1839. At the age of twelve years he moved to Stillwater, Minnesota, with his pa¬ rents. Two years later he removed to River Falls on a farm, where he lived with his parents until 1871. He then moved to the city and bought a livery stable, in which he has since been engaged. He was elected to the office of sheriff of Fierce county, January, 1881, also held the office of deputy sheriff four years previous. He married Miss Louisa Backus in 1861, who has home him two children.

Lyman II. Merrick, deceased, was bom in New York, 1802. He was located at Painesville, Ohio, for several years engaged in milling. In 1852 he came to Prescott, Wisconsin, and until the time of his death was a prominent citizeu. He married Betsy C. Pa^e in 1825, who died five years after. His second wife was Cornelia M. A. Whelpley, who bore him seven children, three of whom are living: Elizabeth P., George B. and Samuel W.

Abner Morse, deceased, was a son of Calvin and Elvira Morse, and was bom at Randolph, Orange county, Vermont, October 31st, 1819. He was the oldest of eight children, three of whom, David M., of Galesburg, Illinois, Edwin and Betsey Woodbury ,of Bethel, Vermont, survive him. When Abner was three years old his father removed to Bethel, Windsor county, Vermont, where he purchased a farm and reared his family. The sons grew to manhood as tillers of the soil, consequently Abner's opportunities for acquiring an education were somewhat limited. After having reached his eighth year, his schooling was confined to three months' attendance each year at the district school until attaining his eigh¬ teenth year, when he attended a select school one term. The winter following, lie taught one term and afterward attended the Royalston Academy two terms, closing his studies at the age of twenty. During the following ten consecutive winters he pursued the vocation of teaching, llis sympathies were ever with the down-trodden and oppressed, and though his father was a strong democrat, he himself esjioused the aboltion cause and became an active member of that political creed. Upon the organization Of the republican party he entered its ranks and remained true to its principles. Mr. Morse was first married in 1843 to Miss Julia A. Smith, but this union was destined to be of short duration, the young wife dying of consumption in the autumn of 1844. He was remarried in 1846, at Braintree, Vermont, to Miss Mary Randall. He removed to the west in 1854, and located at River Falls, where hp con¬ tinued to reside until his death, with the excep¬ tion of a brief residence in Minnesota. He was for about one year editor of the Green Mountain Herald, published at West Randolph, Vermont. For five years he maintained an active connec¬ tion with the River Falls Journal, and, in 1877, suffered a paralytic stroke that rendered him in¬ capable of further participation in the active du¬ ties of life, and from the effects of which he never fully recovered. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1871, and had acquired an extensive local practice at the time of his sad misfortune. Air. Morse was ever active in the interests of any community with which ho identified himself; generous, and possessed of a social and hospitable nature; always ready to relieve the distressed, and we fain would believe that his great misfor¬ tune, and that his death, also, is mourned by all who knew him. He leaves a wife, son and daughter, who have bestowed upon him the tenderest solicitude and care, unceasing in their efforts to lighten, as far as possible, the burden of his life, and who now mourn his departure to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.

Frank Pomeroy was born in Steuben county, New York, October 25th, 1824. He remained at his native place until twenty-six years of age, en¬ gaging in the pursuits of lumbering and farm¬ ing. In 1851, he removed to River Falls and be- gan working for his brother; two years later, he purchased a farm of eighty acres, and soon after added forty acres to it. lie erected a saw-mill on Rush river, and operated it two years, since which time he has pursued the quiet and inde¬ pendent vocation of farming, at River Falls. lie married in 1859, Mary Shepard, a native of Massachusetts. Six children have been born to them, five of whom are living.

Oliver S. l'owell was bom in St. Lawrence county, New York, June 10th, 1831. He re¬ moved to Hancock county, Illinois, at the age of twelve, with his father, and for the next seven years made his home with his sister in that county, attending school. In 1860, he came to St. An¬ thony, Minnesota, where his brother had located one year previous. During the fall of the same year, the two brothers came to the present site of River Falls, made a claim and pur¬ chased and kept in operation a threshing machine, the first north of Prairie du Chien. During the winter Mr. l'owell attended school at his old home, and with the spring-time returned to River Falls, bringing with him a drove of cattle, which proved very profitable to him, owing to their scarcity. Ho was elected to the state legislature in 18C9, and was instrumental in locating the normal school at River Falls. He married Miss E. Nichols in 18(50. They have seven children.

John D. Putnam was bom in Windham county, Connecticut, 1837. Until twenty-one years of age, he remained at home, acquiring an educa¬ tion, and during the time attended the state nor¬ mal school of Connecticut. In 1859, he came to Wisconsin and located on a farm near River Falls. Enlisting in the First Wisconsin Infantry as a private in 1861, he served until appointed regimental commissary, in which rank he re¬ mained one year, then received his honorable dis¬ charge in 1864. Returning to civil life, he re¬ mained on his farm until 1873, then vented the Prairie mill at River Falls, and the following year purchased an interest. His wife was Miss Catherine Lovell, whom he married in 1859. They have six children living.

E. R. Stephens was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, 1847. lie began in the miller's trade when thirteen years old, in which he con¬ tinued, in his native place, until the age of twenty. He then removed to Iowa City, Iowa; after a short time came to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and worked at his trade until locating at River Falls in 1877. Having purchased an interest in the Junction mill, he has since made this city his place of residence. He was married to Elma Drown in 1871, who has borne him five children.

II. L. Wadsworth was bom in Erie county, New York, July 10th, 1821. At his native place he gained a knowledge of the shoemaker's trade, and in 1846 came west and made his home at Reloit, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the shoe trade six and one-half years He then followed the independent life of farming, nineteen years, near River Falls, after which he began his trade in the city. He represented his district in the legislature of 1867, and has also held many town offices. His marriage with Miss A. R. Baldwin occurred in 1841. They have eight children

Professor Allen II. Weld was bom at Braintree, Vermont, September 7tli, 1809. He graduated from Yale College in 1836, and soon after¬ wards commenced teaching. During the first six years he was principal of the Academy of North Yarmouth, Maine, which, while under his supervision, attained a favorable reputation throughout the whole state. While at that city he published "Weld's Grammar," "Weld's Latin Lexicon," and other well-known text-books. Going south to Maryland, ho taught a large school for six years, then returned and assumed cha rge of the Ladies' Seminary at West Lebanon, New Hampshire. In 1867 he came to River Falls, and has since been engaged chiefly in farm¬ ing, having a fine homestead near the city. He was county superintendent of schools several years and for nine years was a member of the board of regents of normal schools. In 1832 he married Harriet Wood, and by her had two children, one of whom, A. P. Weld, is a resident of River Falls.

Allen P. Weld was born at North Yarmouth, Maine, 1839, his father being Professor Allen II. Weld. He graduated from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, with the degree of A. B., in 1859. The same year he came west and passed his time chiefly on his father's farm until 1864, when he determined to pursue the profession of lawyer. Graduating from the Albany Law School, in 1866, he opened an office two years later at River Falls, and has since given his almost exclusive attention to his practice.