FIRST TAX ROLL OF ST. CROIX COUNTY, 1848.
ST. CROIX FALLS.
| NAMES. | AMT. PROPERTY. | TOTAL TAX. |
| John McKusick | $1,500.00 | $10.50 |
| Leach & McKean | 5,400.00 | 37.80 |
| Edward Johnson | 1,115.00 | .81 |
| Falls of St. Croix Company | 59,700.00 | 417.90 |
| Dexter & Harrington | 2,585.00 | 18.09 |
| A. W. Russell | 405.00 | 2.83 |
| Edward Worth | 199.00 | 1.39 |
| Peter Lombair | 40.00 | .28 |
| Serno Jonava | 75.00 | .52 |
| J. McLanglin | 2,204.00 | 15.43 |
| [Pg 150]Wm. Town | 144.00 | 1.01 |
| J. Cornelison | 75.00 | .52 |
| George De Attley | 50.00 | .35 |
| S. Partridge | 418.00 | 3.37 |
| Dan Foster | 30.00 | .21 |
| A. Livingston & Kelly | 185.00 | 1.29 |
| John Powers | 21.00 | .14 |
| Thos. Foster | 10.00 | .08 |
| George Field | 45.00 | .31 |
| Adam Sebert | 240.00 | 1.68 |
| Weymouth & Brother | 130.00 | .91 |
| S. S. Crowell | 150.00 | 1.05 |
| Lewis Barlow | 103.00 | .72 |
| I. S. Kimball | 30.00 | .21 |
| Philip B. Jewell | 7,235.00 | 50.64 |
| Kent & Mahoney | 3,631.00 | 25.42 |
| H. Crandall | 219.00 | 1.53 |
| Daniel Coite | 85.00 | .57 |
| M. M. Samuels | 375.00 | 2.62 |
| W. H. C. Folsom | 800.00 | 5.60 |
| W. W. Folsom | 210.00 | 1.47 |
| J. Sanders | 207.00 | 1.45 |
| G. W. Brownell | 1,755.00 | 12.28 |
| Richard Arnold | 205.00 | 1.45 |
| Wm. R. Marshall | 15.00 | .10 |
| Dr. Palmer | 10.00 | .07 |
| Joseph Lagroo | 25.00 | .17 |
| J. Bascan | 25.00 | .17 |
| B. Cheever | 1,100.00 | 7.70 |
| H. H. Perkins | 2,000.00 | 14.00 |
| Levi Lagoo | 50.00 | .35 |
| M. Shults | 2,000.00 | 14.00 |
| Total | $94,801.00 | $1,642.72 |
WILLOW RIVER.
| NAMES. | AMT. PROPERTY. | TOTAL TAX. |
| James Purinton | $800.00 | $5.60 |
| Wm. R. Anderson | 75.00 | .52 |
| Samuel Clift | 15.00 | .10 |
| Joseph Kelner | 15.00 | .10 |
| P. D. Aldrich | 195.00 | 1.36 |
| Moses Perin | 240.00 | 1.68 |
| Ammah Andrews | 409.00 | 2.86 |
| John B. Page | 1,128.00 | 7.89 |
| Lewis Massey | 185.00 | 1.29 |
| Joseph Lagrew | 190.00 | 1.33 |
| Wm. H. Nobles | 299.00 | 2.10 |
| Lemuel Nobles | 40.00 | .28 |
| Milton E. Nobles | 339.00 | 2.37 |
| John Collier | 125.00 | .87 |
| Philip Aldrich | 361.00 | 2.52 |
| Peter F. Bouchea | 136.00 | .96 |
| A. Smith | 105.00 | .73 |
| McKnight | 149.00 | 1.03 |
| Wm. Steets | 143.00 | .79 |
| Joseph Abear | 38.00 | .24 |
| Total | $4,949.00 | $38.71 |
MOUTH OF LAKE ST. CROIX.
| NAMES. | AMT. PROPERTY. | TOTAL TAX. |
| Thomas M. Finch | $176.00 | $1.23 |
| Mrs. Lockwood | 1,181.00 | 8.27 |
| Freeman, Larpenteur & Co | 300.00 | 2.10 |
| Frank Trudell | 50.00 | .35 |
| Louis Barlow | 600.00 | 4.20 |
| Fog & Crownenbald | 2,625.00 | 18.39 |
| I. L. Minox | 183.00 | 1.26 |
| J. R. Rice | 545.00 | 2.81 |
| G. W. McMurphy | 425.00 | 2.97 |
| H. Doe | 340.00 | 2.38 |
| Wm. Kimbrough | 60.00 | .42 |
| W. H. Morse | 135.00 | .61 |
| Wilson Thing | 385.00 | 2.69 |
| W. C. Copley | 50.00 | .35 |
| Willard Thing | 164.00 | 1.15 |
| George Shagor | 1,000.00 | 7.00 |
| George Barron | 180.00 | 1.26 |
| Joseph Monjon | 235.00 | 1.64 |
| Joseph Monjon, Jr. | 60.00 | 42.00 |
| Henry Thaxter | 75.00 | .52 |
| Aaron Cornelison | 325.00 | 2.27 |
| James Cornelison | 265.00 | 1.85 |
| Lewis Harnsberger | 75.00 | .52 |
| Totals | $9,434.00 | $68.91 |
The above roll was published in pamphlet form, certified to by Wm. R. Anderson, clerk of board of county commissioners, and an order issued to Moses Perin to collect such taxes, and pay over to the treasurer of St. Croix county. The amounts were duly collected.
HUDSON CITY.
The first settlement in St. Croix county was made on the present site of Hudson city in 1838 by Peter Bouchea, Louis Massey, Wm. Steets and Joseph Lagroo, Frenchmen, who subsisted chiefly by hunting and fishing, but who also raised garden crops of corn, beans and other vegetables. These people were contented and jovial, fond of dancing and social enjoyment. Beyond the mere pleasure of living they seemed to have but little care and were without enterprise or ambition. More enterprising and industrious people followed them to the new settlement, and as the public lands were not open for entry until 1848, settled upon the lands and made some improvements, awaiting patiently the time when they could acquire a legal title. The original claimants of the town of Buena Vista in 1848 were Peter Bouchea, Louis Massey, Wm. Steets, Joseph Lagroo, Joseph Lenavil, —— Revere, Ammah Andrews, W. H. and M. V. Nobles, John B. Page, Philip Aldrich, and W. R. Anderson. These parties, after the survey and prior to the entry of the land, made an equitable division of their claims. Peter Bouchea and Louis Massey were then delegated to purchase the lands, which they did, Bouchea purchasing the southwest quarter of southeast quarter of section 24, township 29, range 20, and Massey, the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 24, township 29, range 20. Deeds were then made to the various claimants according to the original agreement. The first individual survey of lots was made on Massey's entry, Harvey Wilson, of Stillwater, being the surveyor. The village thus platted was at first called Buena Vista, but some confusion arising as to the title of lots in 1851, the legislature changed the name of the town and village to Willow River, which, by vote of the people in 1852, was changed to Hudson. The original proprietors of the village of Buena Vista were Paschal Aldrich, James Sanders, Moses Perin, James R. Patten and Joseph Abear. Additions were surveyed in 1849 and 1850 by Gibson, Henning and others. To avoid confusion we shall discard the earlier names applied to what has since become the city of Hudson and speak of it solely by its later and better known name.
In 1840 the locality, as seen from a passing steamer, seemed a wilderness of orchard oaks and maples, filling the valley of Willow river, and clothing the slopes of the hills. A closer view might have revealed an occasional shanty, a cabin of the first French settlers, with small gardens, the whole inclosed by high picket fences as a protection against strolling Indians. Seven years later loggers were at work on Willow river under Capt. J. B. Page. The same year a couple of frame houses appeared in the oak openings. The first was built by W. H. Nobles, which is still standing and is occupied by Mrs. Col. James Hughes. The second was built by Ammah Andrews and is now occupied by Horace Champlin. In 1848 James Purinton commenced a saw mill and dam at the mouth of Willow river, which were not, completed until 1850. In 1848 Wm. H. Nobles started a ferry over the lake. James Purinton opened a store and Moses Perin built a hotel and boarding house, which stood opposite Champlin's present livery stable. In 1849 Miss Richards, from Prairie du Chien, taught the first school. Mrs. A. M. Richardson, the wife of the Methodist minister, the second. A school house was not built until 1855. John G. Putman built the Buckeye House, corner of First and Buckeye streets. Horace Barlow built a residence. Mr. Stone also put up a store building. The first attorneys, Daniel Noble Johnson and Col. James Hughes, commenced practice in Hudson in 1849. The first public building stood on the lot now occupied by the Methodist church. It burned down in the spring of 1851, and an account of the fire, as published at that time, stated that the "court house, Methodist, Baptist, Congregational and Episcopal churches, together with the high school buildings, were all consumed." It is but fair to say that there were no regular church organizations at this time, but occasional services by local and transient ministers. Rev. Lemuel Nobles, a Methodist minister, preached the first sermon in 1847. The first society organization was that of the Baptists, Rev. S. T. Catlin, pastor, in 1852. In the same year Rev. A. M. Richardson was regularly appointed as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1855 the First Presbyterian church was organized under the pastorate of Rev. Chas. Thayer, and Rev. Wilcoxson became the first rector of the Episcopal church. In 1856 Rev. Father McGee took charge of the Catholic church. In 1857 Rev. C. H. Marshall was called to the pastorate of the Congregational church. A Norwegian Lutheran church was organized in 1876. All of these church organizations have good church buildings, and the Catholic church has a flourishing school connected with it. School interests were not neglected by the early settlers. A good school house was built in 1855 and graded. The first deed recorded covering Hudson property was by Louis Massey and Frances, his wife, to Wm. H. Nobles; warranty; consideration, $67.18; situate in east half of southwest quarter of section 24, township 29, range 20.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Hudson was incorporated as a city in 1857, and the first municipal election was held in April of that year. The city was divided into three wards. A. D. Gay was the first mayor. The following were the first aldermen: First ward, James B. Gray, Milton V. Nobles, J. M. Fulton; Second ward, Alfred Day, R. A. Gridley, Chas. E. Dexter; Third ward, Chas. Thayer, N. P. Lester, N. Perry. The remaining city officers were: City clerk, O. Bell; city attorney, Cyrus L. Hall; surveyor, Michael Lynch. At the first meeting of the city council, after the appointment of committees on by-laws, bond sales, salaries, etc., license for selling intoxicating liquors was fixed at fifty dollars per annum for hotel keepers, two hundred dollars for wholesale dealers, with various grades for retail saloons. The first license issued was to John Cyphers, for keeping saloon and billiard hall.
MAYORS OF HUDSON CITY.
1. A. D. Gray,
2. Alfred Day,
3. Silas Staples,
4. John Comstock,
5. S. N. Clough,
6. A. D. Richardson,
7. C. R. Coon,
8. H. L. Humphrey,
9. J. H. Brown,
10. Simon Hunt,
11. Lemuel North,
12. C. H. Lewis,
13. H. A. Wilson,
14. A. J. Goss,
15. P. Q. Boyden,
16. D. C. Fulton,
17. M. A. Fulton,
18. Samuel Hyslop,
19. Sam. C. Johnson, M. D.
20. Wm. H. Phipps.
CITY SCHOOLS.
Graded schools were established in 1859. They have ever maintained an excellent reputation. In 1860 Charlotte Mann was chosen principal, and taught the eight ensuing years. A new school building was completed in 1887 at a cost of $25,000. This building is devoted to high school purposes. The schools of the city are graded. There are eleven departments and twelve teachers. Each ward of the city has a separate building. The school fund amounts to about $5,000 per annum. The schools are under the control of six commissioners.
A MILITARY INSTITUTE
Was organized at River Falls by Prof. J. R. Hinckley, and shortly afterward removed to Hudson, and a building worth $7,000 erected for its accommodation. In 1880 it was purchased by the Catholics, and it is now known as St. Marys Academy.
MILLS AND MANUFACTORIES.
The first saw mill, as already noted, was completed in 1850. It was known as Purinton's saw mill. Other saw mills were built, but destroyed by fire. We have no record of ownership and losses, but estimate the aggregate of the latter as near $100,000. The Willow River mills, built in 1867, consist of two flouring mills, with a capacity of four hundred barrels per day. Connected with these are a large elevator and cooper shop. The present proprietors are Cooper, Clark & Co. The invested capital is $150,000. The Hudson Lumber Company, in 1883, built a saw mill, below the steamboat landing. This mill has a capacity of 18,000,000 feet per annum, and has a planing mill attached. It is complete in all its departments, manufacturing all classes of lumber, from timber to mouldings. The capital stock amounts to $100,000. The officers are H. A. Taylor, president; C. R. Coon, vice president; M. Herrick, secretary; F. D. Harding, treasurer; S. W. Pierce, superintendent. The Hudson Foundry and Machine Shop was established in 1870. The North Hudson Foundry and Car Shops are doing a fine business. The Hudson Carriage Works were established in 1885, and the Hudson Furniture Manufactory in 1883. The amount invested in this enterprise is $180,000, and it furnishes employment to one hundred men. C. R. Coon is president of the company. There are two breweries—Moctreman's, established in 1857, and Yoerg's in 1870.
BANKS.
The St. Croix Valley Bank was organized in 1855. It was a bank of issue, payable at Gordon, Wisconsin. It closed in 1857. The Hudson City Bank, organized Sept. 10, 1856, went into operation under the general law of Wisconsin, capital stock $25,000, secured by Michigan and Missouri state stocks. J. O. Henning was president and M. S. Gibson, cashier. It soon closed. The Farmers and Mechanics Bank, a state bank, went into operation in 1857 and closed the following year. The Hudson First National Bank was organized in 1863, with a capital of $50,000. The first officers were John Comstock, president; Alfred J. Goss, cashier. The officers in 1888 are John Comstock, president; A. E. Jefferson, cashier. The surplus fund is $53,000. The directors are H. A. Taylor, H. L. Humphrey, John C. Spooner, A. L. Clark, F. D. Harding, A. T. Goss, and W. H. Crowe. The Hudson Savings Bank was organized in 1870, with a capital stock of $50,000. Alfred Goss, president; A. J. Goss, cashier. Alfred Goss died in 187—, but the bank is in successful operation, the son still retaining his father's name as head of the firm.
THE OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES HOSPITAL.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES HOSPITAL.
The beautiful private hospital which takes the name of America's popular poet, Oliver Wendell Holmes, was opened June 7, 1887. The credit of this hospital scheme is entirely due to Dr. Irving D. Wiltrout, of Hudson, who for some years has been assiduously at work maturing the plans. The owners are Dr. Wiltrout and the Johnston Brothers, of Boardman. The site is upon a beautiful wooded slope of Willow river, about a mile from its mouth, overlooking Lake Mallalieu, an expanse of the river, and a broad sweep of the St. Croix with its undulating banks, commanding the most delightful and extensive views. The building is lighted by the Mather self regulating, incandescent system of electricity. The dynamo, engine and boilers are located in a fireproof brick structure, some distance from the building proper, communicating with the hospital by an underground passageway. The hospital is under the direction of the following board: President, A. J. Goss; first vice president, John Comstock; second vice president, John E. Glover; secretary, Thomas Hughes; treasurer, Rev. M. Benson.
WATER WORKS.
The Hudson water works, supplied from Lake St. Croix, are situated upon Liberty Hill, in the rear of the southern part of the city. They are owned by W. S. Evans. The hill is two hundred and seventeen feet above the lake, and commands a magnificent view of the surrounding country. The summit is easily accessible. The city is also well supplied with water from artesian wells, which were sunk to a depth of five hundred feet, and afford a flow of two hundred gallons per minute.
HOTELS.
The principal hotels are the Chapin House, first built in 1867, but twice destroyed by fire. The last structure was erected in 1879, by H. A. Taylor. The Tracy House was built in 1867, the Seely House in 1873, the Commercial Hotel in 1875, and the Central House in 1876.
THE GREAT FIRE.
May 19, 1866, Hudson city was visited with a destructive conflagration. Sixty-four business houses and twenty-five residences were destroyed. It was probably the result of accident or carelessness. It commenced in the rear of H. A. Taylor's furniture rooms and printing office, and spread with such rapidity that it was with the greatest difficulty that merchants and others were able to save their valuable papers. The wind blew a gale and the flames spread and caught in every direction. The fire occurred fortunately in the daytime or it might have been attended with a frightful loss of life. As it was, there were many narrow escapes. The total losses from this fire were $325,000, on which there was but $75,000 insurance. A destructive fire occurred in 1872, destroying the Chapin Hall House, valued at $50,000, and other property to the value of $35,000, on which there was but $15,000 insurance. During the same year another fire occurred, destroying 30,000 bushels of wheat and the furniture of the Chapin Hall House, which had been saved from the previous fire. The loss was estimated at $60,000 with $16,355 insurance.
SOCIAL AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.
St. Croix Lodge, A. F. and A. M., founded 1855; Colfax Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., founded 1856; Hudson City Lodge, No. 486, I. O. G. T., founded 1867; Ladies' Library Association, founded 1868; St. Croix R. A. Chapter, founded 1874; Y. M. C. A., founded 1875; Nash Lodge, I. O. G. T., founded 1877; Temple of Honor, founded 1877; St. Croix Commandery, founded 1879; St. Croix Lodge, A. O. U. W., founded 1880; Equitable Union, founded 1880. In addition to the foregoing there is a volunteer fire company, a boat club, an old settlers' club, a bible society, a building and loan association, and a cemetery association.