BACKHOMESURNAMES BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER "P" (Page 2)
POWELL,
Nathaniel N, the eldest of the three Powell
brothers, was born at Madrid, St. Lawrence county, N.Y., on May
11, 1826. His parents were William Powell and Lucy Newell Powell,
both of American birth and descending from good Puritan stock.
His paternal ancestors came to America in 1730, those on his
mother's side in 1640. Both of his grandfathers served in the
Revolutionary War. His early life was spent in St. Lawrence
County, where he received a good common school education,
supplemented by some higher training. After completion his course
of study, he taught school for several seasons. Becoming
interested, from glowing reports of the west, in the great
possibilities for young men in that newly opened country, about
the year 1850 he emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in the town of
River Falls, and for a short time engaged in farming. Finding an
opportunity to enter into the mercantile business, he opened a
store in the building owned by himself and his brothers, known
for many years as the Pioneer store. This building was situated
at the corner of Main and Maple streets, in River Falls, and was
used as a store building for several years. In 1852 Mr. Powell
married Martha Ann Hart, and by her had four children, two of
whom died in childhood, the others, Eva L. and Winthrop N.,
surviving him. In politics Mr. Powell was a Republican, believing
in the expression of opinion. He united with the Congregational
church at the age of sixteen years, and was one of the earlier
members of the church established at River Falls. Through his
whole life, from the time he professed his belief in truth, he
was a consistent Christian, and one who commanded the respect and
love of his fellow men. He died at his home in River Falls on
February 7, 1862. A modest monument in the Greenwood cemetery
marks the last resting-place of a faithful and kind father, a
patriotic citizen and an earnest and consistent Christian.
Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley",
published in 1909
POWELL, Oliver S. (and NICHOLS family) was born
June 19, 1831, in Madrid, N. Y., and moved to Augusta, Ill., in
1843, where he lived eight years. His education was obtained in
the district schools. In 1849 he went to Stillwater, Minn.,
bringing the first threshing machine north of Prairie du Chien.
He threshed the first grain in the county in the fall of that
year for Mr. Fisk on a farm three miles below Stillwater. In
November, 1849, he located in River Falls, pre-empting the south
half of the southeast quarter of section 36, town 28, range 19,
land lying north of those claimed by his brother Nathaniel, and
which afterward became a part of the city of River Falls. In 1852
these brothers built the first sawmill, which was situated just
below the Greenwood mill. This was burned in 1876. In 1854 the
village, called at that time Kinnickinnic, was platted by the
Powell brothers, 200 acres being included in the tract. This plat
included the upper waterfalls, which are in the city limits, and
were donated to C. B. Cox to induce him to put a flouring mill on
that site. The name River Falls dates from the establishment of
the first postoffice, in 1854. The first frame building in River
Falls was built in 1852, by N. N. and O. L. Powell, and was used
two years for a dwelling, and afterwards converted into what was
known as the "Old Pioneer Store." "Uncle Charlie
Cox" and Osburn Strahl got the lumber out for it, and it was
sawed at Mr. Cox's mill, just built in Clifton Hollow. Deacon
William Powell and Horace Taylor drew the lumber with ox teams.
Nathaniel Powell died February 7, 1862, before the place had much
of a start. This left Oliver, the younger brother, alone in
charge of the principal affairs of the firm, and as subsequent
years proved, he was an important factor in the building up of
the place, and the general development of the country round about.
Overflowing with energy and good will, he was the head man of the
neighborhood. Mr. Powell was a representative in the state
assembly in 1870-71-72, and in connection with Prof. A. H. Weld,
father of Judge Weld, was largely instrumental in locating the
fourth State Normal school here. As a neighbor Mr. Powell was
obliging and sympathetic, always rejoicing in the prosperity of
his neighbors. He had a helping hand for all. It was natural for
him to be on the right side of things. In his convictions he was
abiding, sometimes intense, but too broad and liberal to be a
crank. His understanding of human nature was unusual, and when he
chose to exert his influence, he was a power. His public spirit
was his pre-eminent quality. Whenever there was an enterprise
afloat looking toward the material or moral good of the place, he
never was too busy or too tired to help. With ready hand, open
pocket, and dauntless eye, he was ever in the forefront of the
effort; and when his useful career was cut short in his cane
mill, September 26, 1888, it was a loss. His place has never been
filled. Mr. Powell married L. Elmira Nichols, of River Falls, Wis.,
September 23, 1860. Mrs. Powell was born in Braintree, Vt.,
January 6, 1841. In 1846 her parents moved to Illinois, and in
1854 came to River Falls. Her education was obtained in the
public schools and the historic "Old Academy." Mrs.
Powell's parents were among the early settlers of River Falls,
her parents having come here in 1854. Since her early girlhood
she has been a member of the Congregational church and has always
taken an active part in the church work. Seven children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Powell. Lucy M., wife of Elbridge Currier, of
River Falls; Sarah Hayden Powell; Amy E., wife of Charles H. A.
Bliss, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Harvey O., who was married to
Elizabeth Knox, of Brewster, N. Y.; Newell N., who was married to
Cora A. Houston, of River Falls, Wis.; Lyman T., who was married
to Eleanor McCord, of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; Miriam, wife of Dr. F.
C. Miller, Appleton, Minn. Reference: Taken from "History of
the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909
POWELL (Deacon William) The family is of Welsh
descent. The first one coming to this county in 1730. The first
family motto was "Better death than dishonor." The
Powells were at first Ap Howell, the prefix signifying "son
of." They had a crest and coat of arms, and their motto
later was, "Fame Survives Fortune." Deacon William
Powell, father of the three brothers living in River Falls, was
born July 8, 1784, in Charlotte, Vt. He was married to Lucy
Newell, of Charlotte, Vt., in March 1804, and moved to Madrid, N.Y.,
where he lived many years. He was a very active, enterprising
gentleman, and took an interest in all that would improve the
community in which he lived. He was a member of the
Congregational church from early manhood. Mrs. Powell died in
March 1843, and he was afterward married to Mrs. Ora Taylor,
mother of Mrs. Lyman Powell and Lute and H. A. Taylor, the well-known
journalists. In 1849 Mr. Powell came to River Falls, Wis., with
his sons Nathaniel and Oliver. He was possessed of great will
power, being determined to finish every undertaking which he
commenced. At that time the transportation, which was by boat up
and down the Mississippi, was very uncertain, and finding he was
too late for the last boat of the season, with his son Oliver he
made the trip from Prescott, Wis., to Keokuk, Ia., in a skiff. Mr.
Powell died November 30, 1865, in River Falls, Wis. Reference:
Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published
in 1909
PREBLE,
James A. (Civil War) is a native
of Vassalboro, Me., born September 1, 1850. His parents, Eli and
Martha J. Preble, were born in that state, the former October 28,
1820, and the latter September 25, 1825. The father followed
farming and lumbering until 1853, when he located in Prescott,
Pierce County, Wis., purchasing 160 acres, which he broke and
improved. In 1859 he sold the farm and went to Pike's Peak,
crossing the plains with "Kit" Carson, whose team he
drove. After eighteen months in the West he returned to Prescott,
Wis., and did general work until 1862, when he joined the Union
army, serving in Company F, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry. He did good service and was discharged in 1863. Coming
back to this section of the country, he ran the mail route
between Prescott and Hudson, Wis., in 1865, and then moved to
Balsam Lake, Polk County, Wis. For three years he ran a sawmill,
then pre-empted eighty acres in Lincoln township, Polk County,
Wis., afterward going to North Dakota, where he took up 160 acres.
In 1906 he came back to Lincoln Township and lived with his son,
James A., until his death, April 24, 1908. His wife died February
8, 1906. James A. received his education in the public schools of
Prescott, Wis., and worked in the woods and on the river until
twenty-six years of age, then doing general work for several
years until 1888, when he first rented and afterward purchased
eighty acres in Lincoln township, Wisconsin, which he now
conducts, carrying on general farming. He was married, June 19,
1881, to Anna Jones, born August 7, 1860, daughter of William and
Mary (Lanigan) Jones, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this
work. This union has been blessed with eleven children: Eli W.
was born February 10, 1882; Mary, January 6, 1884; Myrtle, June
27, 1885; Frances, January 14, 1887; Alta, November 4, 1889;
Stella, May 9, 1891; Irma, January 21, 1893; Lloyd, September 30,
1895; Alice, March 22, 1898; Ramona, January 12, 1902, and Leroy,
August 31, 1904. Mr. Preble is a Republican in politics and has
been road overseer three terms. He is a Mason, both he and his
wife being members of the Eastern Star. The family religion is
that of the Baptist Church. "History of the St. Croix Valley",
Volume 2, page 1065, (published in 1909).
PRESCOTT,
Philander, for whom the city of Prescott is
named, was born at Phelpstown, Ontario county, N. Y. Late in the
year 1819, he went to Fort Snelling and from that time onward
continued to be a resident of this locality. He learned to speak
the Sioux language, being in fact related to that people by
marriage his wife being a Sioux woman. This fact, added to his
influence among them, and being a man of high character, wide
education and intelligence, was able to render the officer of the
fort much service. He made a translation into the Sioux language
or dialect ast it may more properly be called fo a number of
French and English hymns for the use of the mission schools near
Prescott. He gave his children an English education. In 1835,
while acting as Indian interpreter, he came to the present site
of Prescott, and as already noted, in conjunction with several
officers of the fort, he acting as their agent, laid claim to
considerable territory and made some improvements in the way of
clearing and erecting log buildings. When the army officers were
sent to other posts, Mr. Prescott purchased their interests and
held the claim. In 1849, after the government survey, he pre-empted
sixty-one acres and laid out what he called the city of Prescott.
He resided in Prescott and at the fort alternately until his
death, which occurred in 1862. He had been sent by the government
on a peace mission to the Indians in rebellion, met them at a
point near Mankato, and was cruelly assassinated by those to whom
he had proven a true friend, and whom he had every reason to
suppose were friendly to him. Reference: Taken from "History
of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909.
PURVES, William D. was born in
St. Lawrence county, New York State, June 14, 1831, and is a son
of William and Jeanett Purves. He worked on his father's farm and
attended the district schools. In 1861 he came to River Falls,
Wis., and found employment the first summer with Oliver S. Powell.
He then went on a farm and worked about a year, at the end of
this time he purchased a 200-acre farm in Troy Township, St.
Croix County. He broke up every foot of this land and there he
made his home, until about eight years ago, when he rented the
farm and moved to River Falls, Wis., about 1899. While he was on
his farm he raised some fine horses and cattle. Mr. Purves is a
Republican in politics and served as assessor of Troy Township
for four years. He married Esther Kern, May 12, 1867. She was
born in Madison county, N. Y., daughter of George and Esther (Tooke)
Kern. Her parents were born in Ireland, and the family came to
America when he was six years old. He grew to manhood in Madison
County, New York, and lived there until his death. He was a
farmer. The mother died in 1841 at the birth of her daughter, Mrs.
Purves. Mrs. Purves was educated in Madison county, New York, and
came to St. Croix county, Wisconsin, in 1862. The parents of the
subject of this sketch were natives of Scotland. The father was a
weaver by trade, and came to the United States with his wife
almost immediately after their marriage. He was born May 21, 1789,
settled in St. Lawrence county, New York, and died there November
24, 1849, and his wife died April 23, 1876, in St. Croix County,
where she lived with her daughter. They were the parents of ten
children. Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Purves six are
now living. They were all born in St. Croix County, on a farm,
all attended the district schools, and graduated from the State
Normal at River Falls. John W. is the first child born, and
resides in Adams county, Wisconsin. He married Ina Gunning and
they have one child, Mabel. Bertha is the wife of A. A. Tucker,
of St. Louis, Mo. He is engaged in the wholesale millinery
business, and has three children, David, Irvin and Robert.
Margaret is married to Charles Stone, of Menomonie, Wis.; George
K. is a physician and surgeon, a graduate of the Northwestern
University of Chicago, and has one son Hiram L. He resides at
Wichita, Kan. Charles is a graduate of the State University of
Wisconsin, and is a lawyer residing at Seattle, Wash. Esther May
taught at Wausau, Wis., for five years. She now makes her home in
New Mexico. Cora J. was the seventh child, and died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Purves reside on the corner of Pine and Third
streets, in a pleasant home, which was built by Oliver Powell in
1859. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley",
published in 1909