Philander Prescott facts for kids

Philander Prescott (born September 17, 1801 – died August 10, 1862) was an important person in early Minnesota history. He was born in Phelps, New York, to Dr. Joel Prescott and Phildelia Reed. When he was 18, in 1819, he traveled west. He first stopped in Detroit, Michigan, for a few months before continuing his journey to Fort Snelling.

Life on the Frontier

Philander Prescott lived much of his life in the American frontier, which was the wild, undeveloped land in the western parts of the United States. He had many different jobs during this time.

Family and Home

In 1823, Philander married Na-he-no-Wenah, whose name meant "Spirit of the Moon." She was also known as Mary Ke E Hi. Her father, Man-Who-Flies, was a leader of the Dakota people and lived near Lake Calhoun. Mary was born around 1804–1806 and passed away in 1867 in Shakopee, Minnesota. Philander and Mary had several children together, including sons William, Hiram, and Lorenzo, and a daughter named Lucy.

His Many Jobs

Philander Prescott was a very busy man. He worked as a government interpreter, which meant he helped people who spoke different languages understand each other. He was especially good at speaking the Dakota language. He even helped during important meetings, like the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux.

He also worked as a miner, digging for valuable minerals. He was a trapper, catching animals for their furs. For a time, he worked on a steamboat that traveled along the Mississippi River. Philander also ran trading posts in different places, where people could buy and sell goods. Besides all this, he was a farmer.

Prescott, Wisconsin

From 1839 to 1862, Philander Prescott ran a trading post along the St. Croix River. This location eventually grew into a town. The town was named Prescott, Wisconsin, in his honor.

His Final Years

Philander Prescott died in 1862 during a conflict known as the Dakota War. He was at the Lower Sioux Agency when this happened. He was buried in the Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. His wife and one of his sons were also buried there later.

Today, you can find many of Philander Prescott's old papers and writings at the Minnesota Historical Society library. They help us learn more about his life and the history of the frontier.