PRESCOTT, Geroge W. - 1914

PRESCOTT, SCRIBNER, UPTON, TEEL

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2009 at 23:36:39

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

GEORGE W. PRESCOTT.

Throughout a residence of thirtythree years in Meriden, George W. Prescott firmly entrenched himself in the affection and regard of those with whom he came in contact, while his business ability gained him a place among the representative and valued citizens of the community. His life measured up to the full standard of honorable manhood in all things and thus his death, which occurred on June 16, 1906, was felt as a deep and vital loss to the community at large. He was born in Wilmot, New Hampshire, September 28, 1828, and was a son of Jonathan and Sarah (Scribner) Prescott, natives of New York state. The father moved to New Hampshire in early life and engaged in farming there for a number of years, dying upon his property February 1, 1869, at the age of seventysix. His wife survived him several years, passing away December 10, 1877, when she was eightynine years of age.

George W. Prescott was reared and educated in New Hampshire and remained on the farm with his parents until he was twentyone. He then turned his attention to the general merchandise business in Wilmot, operating a store until 1873, when he moved to Cherokee county. He located in what was then Hazard, now Meriden, and established himself in partnership with his son in the general merchandise business, erecting also an elevator and operating a lumberyard. He was one of the early business men of the city and was instrumental in having its name changed to Meriden. After a few years identification with mercantile interests he disposed of all of his enterprises and entered the Cherokee County State Bank of Meriden, of which he was made president, serving in this responsible and important position for the remainder of his life. His ability as a financier, his discrimination, judgment and resourcefulness were factors in making this one of the strong moneyed institutions in this part of the state and they gained for him a place among representative and substantial business factors. Mr. Prescott was also an extensive landowner, having valuable interests in farming property throughout the county.

On the 11th of September, 1849, Mr. Prescott married Miss Lydia Upton, a daughter of Daniel and Asenath (Teel) Upton, natives of Massachusetts. The father was a carpenter by trade and followed this in Wilmot, New Hampshire, for a number of years. He died in that community in 1853 and was survived by his wife until 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Prescott became the parents of three children: Frank, a retired merchant of Fresno, California; Myra, who died June 19, 1872, at the age of twenty; and Nellie, who passed away September 18, 1861. Mrs. Prescott died June 9, 1859, after one years illness, and later the subject of this review was again married, his second wife being Miss Harriett J. Upton, a sister of our subjects first wife. They became the parents of a son, Charles, who died November 29, 1886, at the age of eighteen. Mrs. Prescott survives her husband and owns an attractive home in Meriden. She still retains her interest in the local bank and has valuable property holdings.

Mr. Prescott gave his political allegiance to the republican party and in the course of his long period of residence in Meriden held various positions of trust and responsibility, serving as mayor of the city, as postmaster, school director and treasurer and proving himself a capable, reliable and public-spirited official. He was a member of the Congregational church and was a very ardent worker, both in the cause of religion and education. Mrs. Prescott is also a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Prescott died on the :6th of June, 1906, and his passing was felt as a distinct loss to business and public interests of the county. In other relations of life he was equally successful, being a kind parent, a true friend and a firm upholder of the law, a citizen whose life work made a lasting impression on those with whom he came in contact and upon the community in which he had so long resided