Heitman & Becker established a bakery in 1879. Messrs. Muller Brothers established a boat factory in 1873. A vinegar factory was commenced by Ciopac & Tuor in 1875, and is continued by the latter. Of the several livery stables in Stillwater the first was established by C. A. Bromley in 1853.
The Stillwater Building Association, organized under the laws of the State, March 23, 1887, has done much for the prosperity of the city, affording as it does to persons of limited capital an opportunity of building suitable homes and business houses. Private enterprise has done much in the erection of substantial blocks for business purposes. Henry Sawyer, in 1856, built the first stone block in the city. It is located on Main street. Other fine blocks were built by McComb, Eldridge, Bernheimer, Elam Greely, Wm. Holcombe, Schlenk, L. E. Torinus, Hersey & Staples, McKusick, and others. Many of these blocks are fireproof and built of stone, and are fine specimens of architecture, convenient and commodious.
CHURCH SOCIETIES AND BUILDINGS.
Stillwater has sixteen church organizations and fifteen buildings, the latter having a total valuation of $315,000.
The Ascension church (Episcopal) originated in the labors of Rev. E. A. Greenleaf, in 1846. The corner stone of the first building was laid in 1851. Rev. Joseph A. Russell was the first rector. In 1873 the corner stone of the present edifice was laid by Bishop Welles of Wisconsin. This building cost $10,000, and was burned in 1886 and rebuilt in 1887.
The First Presbyterian church grew out of the missionary labors of Rev. W. T. Boutwell, in 1847 and 1848. The church was organized in 1849; Rev. J. S. Whitney, pastor. The first building was erected in 1851, and the second, the armory, in 1857. The present edifice, located on the corner of Myrtle and Third, was built in 1884, at a cost of $22,000, and the total value of building and ground is $30,000.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Dates its beginning from a society formed by Rev. James Harrington in 1850. It was organized regularly in 1853 by Rev. T. M. Fullerton. The first house of worship was a small frame on Myrtle street, between Second and Third streets. It was enlarged and improved in 1862. The present edifice on Third street near Myrtle, with the parsonage adjoining, cost about $4,200. The church has a membership of two hundred.
ST. MICHAEL'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH
Was organized in 1853, the first services being held by Rev. Father Peyragrosse, a missionary. The first edifice was built on Fourth and Mulberry streets, and Rev. Father Fisher was the first clergyman in charge. The building was enlarged and improved in 1857. The present commodious edifice was commenced in 1872 and dedicated in 1875. The church property, including the school parish buildings and cemetery of twelve acres in South Stillwater, is worth $130,000. There are now two resident clergymen, Revs. Murphy and Gaughan.