USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume I > Part 75
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INCORPORATED AS A VILLAGE
A charter having been obtained to incorpo- rate, the first town election was held in April, 1865, resulting for the first officers in the selection of Jacob Eggen as president, and Joseph Speckart, Henry Weinheimer, Xavier Suppiger and Frank Appel as trustees, with Berthold E. Hoffmann, clerk, and John Menz,
treasurer. Officers were elected annually thereafter.
Highland had no railroad, and when in 1867 the builders of the Vandalia line pro- posed to run the road through the town if a certain amount of money was contributed, the citizens voted a subvention of $10,000 on August 12, while a large amount was also subscribed for stock in the company by pri- vate parties. The road was completed in 1868. A special tax was levied to meet the gradual payment of this debt, so that all was paid after eight years.
In 1884 an agitation was started to
ORGANIZE AS A CITY
the town then having the required number of inhabitants. The proposition was hotly con- tested for fear that the town might be run heavily in debt, because the law would allow it. The proposition carried by a large vote, however, and the election of city officers on May 6, 1884, resulted as follows: Fred B. Suppiger, mayor ; Alexander Beck, city clerk ; Adolph Mueller, treasurer; aldermen, First ward, J. George Dumbeck and Jacob Grossen- bacher ; Second ward, John Guggenbuehler and John Wildi; Third ward, Adolph Ruegger and John H. Hermann.
The officers of the town have always acted with prudent economy, and though improve- ments went on as they were needed to keep the city in good condition, yet there was no corporation tax levied except for the railroad debt, until a number of years after city organ- ization, because the income from saloon li- censes was sufficient to meet all requirements.
A suitable two-story city hall was built in 1884, the upper floor for meetings and offices, the lower for fire engines and jail. There had been no jail up to this time, because there was very rarely any need for such, and even then usually only for outsiders. There being no stream of water near enough for water
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works, public cisterns are built in the streets, so distributed that all parts of the city can be covered in case of fires, which rarely occur. The fire department consists of two volunteer companies, equipped with one hand engine and a powerful gasoline machine, ladders, etc. In addition to this a chemical engine will be purchased.
Highland was one of the first towns in the county to install electric lights. The plant was first owned by private parties, but after a few years it was purchased by the city, is running successfully, furnishing the citizens cheap light, the income from which almost makes the plant self-sustaining after lighting the en- tire city thoroughly.
PRESIDENTS AND MAYORS OF HIGHLAND
Presidents under town organization: Jacob Eggen, 1865; John Buchter, 1866; J. H. Wil- mann, 1893-94; George Roth, 1895-96; John Kinne, 1869 and 1870; John Suppiger, 1871; Charles Kinne, 1872; John H. Willimann, 1873-77; Moritz Huegy, 1878-79; Fred B. Suppiger, 1880 to 1884.
Mayors under city organization: Fred B. Suppiger, 1884-88; John Guggenbuehler, 1889- 90; Louis Appel, 1891-92; Joseph C. Am- mann, 1893-94; George Roth, 1895-96; John Leu, 1897-1900; Joseph G. Bardill, 1901-02; Robert Kamm, 1903-06; Fred Siegrist, 1907- 08; Henry Lory, 1909-12.
Present city officers of Highland: Henry Lory, mayor, Charles Schiettinger, city clerk; Louis Vaugniaux and Gus. Koch, aldermen First ward; Joseph Wiegand and Ferd. Du- bach, aldermen Second ward; Eugene Schott and Fritz Koch, aldermen Third ward.
INDUSTRIES
Though Highland, for the want of nearness of water and coal, could not be attractive as a manufacturing center generally, yet it has a number of successful industries, the most im- portant and extensive one that helped to make
the little city of Highland and surrounding country prosperous, being the
Helvetia Milk Condensory which manufac- tures evaporated milk-the well-known "Pet" and "Highland" brands, the former being the brand sold to the domestic trade and the lat- ter exported and sold to the army and navy. The business was established in 1885; although for years struggling for its existence, yet per- severance, hard work with prudent manage- ment finally triumphed, so that the company now is enjoying a wide reputation on their product and is from its eight plants turning out from eight to ten carloads of the finished product daily. It certainly is a just cause of pride for those responsible for its success to have developed an industry, in which they were the pioneers, to such proportions, aside from the fact that their success has induced a large number of others to engage in the man- ufacture of similar goods, so that evaporated milk has now become a staple article of food, its manufacture employing thousands of peo- ple and canning the milk of probably a million of cows.
The Helvetia people, although the pioneers in the business, are not the inventors of the principles involved in the manufacture of evaporated milk. They, however, were the first to put into successful practice on a com- mercial scale, the milk experiments of various scientists. It is hard for people that have no experience in the manufacture and introduc- tion of a new article of food to realize the amount of work, thought and study it took to learn the wants and tastes of the consumers and then to aim accordingly. It was during the Spanish-American war that the true merits of evaporated milk was demonstrated, as was so well stated by Dr. N. Senn, the chief of the medical staff United States army, operat- ing in the field.
The Helvetia Milk Condensing Company was organized and established in 1885 with a
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
capital of $15,000 by the leading citizens of Highland and vicinity, at the instigation of a promoter, who claimed to be a milk expert and who was then put in charge of the plant. It soon developed, however, that an evapo- rated milk business, or the manufacture of evaporated milk, could not be accomplished simply by observing formulas worked out at random by experiments in a small way, but that it required some technical knowledge so as to bring the work down to a science to in- sure its success. It thus soon became neces- sary to place the technical management into other hands, and as no such talent was avail- able or to be had, it devolved on the board of directors to take charge of the work, and it thus became necessary for some of them to train themselves for the work.
The first board of directors was composed of Dr. Knoebel, John Wildi, George Roth, Fred. Kaeser and Louis Latzer, with Dr. Knoebel as president and John Wildi as sec- retary and treasurer. Dr. Knoebel retired after the first year and George Roth in 1893. John Wildi, who was the business manager of the Company from the start, retired in 1907 to organize a new condensing company. He was succeeded by Ad. Meyer, who had been with the company for about fourteen years in the capacity as bookkeeper and later manager of the Greenville plant. In 1888 Louis Latzer became president of the com- pany, and Fred Kaeser vice-president, and both these gentlemen have held these posi- tions ever since.
As the business of the company grew and developed it was found necessary to establish branch plants, from time to time, in various parts of the country as was dictated by com- mercial reasons, which now number seven, or eight (with the Highland or parent plant). These plants were built and are located as follows: The Highland, or mother plant, was first located in an old remodeled building in Vol. I-35
the heart of the city of Highland, but in 1905 the present plant was built in another part of the city on the railroad; the Greenville (Ill.) plant was established in 1899; the Delta (Ohio) plant in 1905; the Wellsboro (Pa.) plant in 1907; the Hudson (Mich.) plant in 1909; the Mulvane (Kan.) plant in 1910; the New Glarus (Wis.) plant in 1910 and the Westfield (Pa.) plant in 1911. All of the gen- eral business of the company is transacted at Highland, the general office of the company. All matters relating to the manufacturing and the process for all the plants are directed by the technical manager, Louis Latzer. The present officers and directors of the company are as follows : Louis Latzer, president ; Fred. Kaeser, vice-president; Ad. Meyer, secretary and treasurer; W. T. Nardin and Louis J. Appel. The modesty of the company is char- acteristic of the men in charge, as shown by the fact that it is only incorporated for $50,000, while it is at least a $2,000,000 business.
The Highland Brewing Company has an unusually large establishment and extensive custom for a town the size of Highland. It has a long history. In 1843 John Guggen- buehler and Fr. Weber started a small brew- ery, which soon passed into the hands of Daniel Wild, who in 1854 sold out to Chas. L. Bernays, who in 1856 took Gerhard and M. J. Schott in as partners, but selling his interest to them in 1857. Gerhard next sold out to his sons, Martin J. and Chr. Schott, the latter retiring in 1870, leaving M. J. Schott sole owner, under whose energetic manage- ment it had grown to one of the largest in southern Illinois. In 1884 the business was incorporated as the Highland Brewing Co. M. J. Schott died in 1893, when his sons Albert, Eugene and M. J. Schott, Jr., con- tinued with marked success. Albert retired in 1911, his place being filled by Hans Kalb, an expert brewer, brother-in-law of the other partners. Extensive improvements were
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
made of late, so that now the brewery has a capacity of 75,000 barrels per year, two large ice plants, and underground cellars for storing 10,000 barrels. Their sales extend over south- ern Illinois and nearby states. The officers are Eugene Schott, president; Hans Kalb, secretary ; M. J. Schott, treasurer.
Wicks Pipe Organ Company started a new industry in Highland in 1908, building im- proved church organs. The business proved so successful that they erected, for better convenience and railroad facilities for ship- ments, a concrete building of 250x50 feet alongside the railroad. They have furnished organs to numerous churches in large cities and now employ about 35 men. The officers are: John F. Wick, president ; A. G. Reuter, vice-president ; and Louis J. Wick, secretary and treasurer.
The Highland Milling Company .- The mill built by Joseph Suppiger, Dr. F. Ryhiner and Caspar Meyer in 1837 is the second oldest in the state in continuous operation, the Cole Milling Company of Chester claiming to have started in 1836. From 1840 to 1850 the firm was composed of Joseph, Melchior and Ber- nard Suppiger, James Reynolds and David Thorp. After the death of Joseph Suppiger (1862) there were many changes in the part- nership up to 1890, the firm name then being David Suppiger & Co., when the mill was sold to a corporation of local business men, promoted by C. H. Seybt, the son-in-law of Joseph Suppiger, the original builder. Mr. Seybt became its first president, and barring a brief period, has continued its chief execu- tive officer. Adolph Ruegger was elected secretary and treasurer in 1890, and after his death in 1907 Louis Grantzow was his suc- cessor, and since his death on January 26, 1912, Martin Huber has served in that capac- ity. L. E. Kinne was elected vice-president in 1890. There have been various changes
in this office during the past twenty-two years, and since the death of Mr. George Roth on May 30, 1911, Hy. Hermann has filled this office. Two years ago a large concrete eleva- tor was added, and last year a new concrete boiler house, both buildings being of approved fireproof construction. The present milling capacity is 500 barrels in twenty-four hours, and its leading brand, "Highland Beauty," enjoys a good demand and reputation in this country as well as in Great Britain.
Highland Embroidery Works .- This is a peculiar and one of the city's principal indus- tries, founded in 1881 by John Rush of St. Gall, Switzerland, but soundly established in 1883 by J. J. Spindler, Jr., president, John Wildi, Jr., secretary and treasurer, and Alfred Wildi, designer. Mr. J. Wildi soon sold his interest, and later L. J. Ruhr became partner and secretary and treasurer in charge of the office work. The products of this factory rank among the very best in this country, and owing to the superior workmanship and orig- inality and beauty of designs, have gained a national reputation, being purchased by the best establishments from ocean to ocean. The numerous machines, imported from Switzer- land and Germany, are the most up-to-date, with a capacity of about one thousand skilled hand embroiderers to each machine. About twenty-five men and seventy-five to one hull- dred girls are employed. The most skilful operators of the country are here daily turn- ing out new effects in embroideries of all descriptions.
The Stocker Artificial Stone and Gravel Company was organized in 1903, manufactur- ing plain and ornamental building blocks and many other concrete articles, building con- crete sidewalks, bridges, foundations for houses, in fact, anything in the concrete man- ufacturing line, besides operating a large gravel pit. Fred. Stocker is president, and
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Ferd. Krenzer secretary and treasurer of the company. Fifteen to twenty-five men are. employed.
·Other industries: Louis Miller's brick and drain tile works; Leutwiler Brothers (Adolph and Edward) machine shops; The Highland Planing Mill & Lumber Company ; marble works of Ed. Feutz and F. N. Johanntosettel; Louis Brooks' marble works; Charles Beich- el's broom factory; Paul Wiebe's machine shop, and others of minor importance.
Blacksmiths: Henry Lory (formerly John Wiggenhauser's) ; Henry Buchheim (for- merly George Steinegger) ; Stephen Kuster- mann; Peter Grimmer; Jacob Hediger, wagonmaker, successor to Daniel Briner.
Highland F. M. B. A. Elevator .- This is a large plant and a successful enterprise. The founder was Auguste Mojonnier, in 1869, who in 1883 sold to John Guggenbuehler, he to Emile Chipron in 1890, and he in 1891 to the then incorporated F. M. B. A. Elevator Com- pany. The first building was entirely de- stroyed by fire, and the company then erected the present enlarged and improved building.
Soda and Mineral Water Factory was started early in the fifties by Anton Mueller and Jacob Weber ; after some years it was sold to Alfred and Alexander Beck, and after sev- eral other changes in owners was bought by Joseph Wick, who is still operating it.
Jean Baptiste Defontaine's Wind Mill .- This wind mill was one of the show points in this section until it had gone entirely to ruin some years ago after the death of its builder. It was located in the valley of the southeast corner of Helvetia township. Looking down into the valley from Duncan's Pleasant Hill, or from the heights of Sebastopol, the eye passed over as fine farm scenery as can be imagined. This and the many fine farm houses (some having old style French roofs), with the large wind mill in the distance, made
the never-to-be-forgotten impression of being in a beautiful foreign country.
Not only the mill, but the owner himself was also a curiosity in appearance. Jean Baptiste Defontaine came from France in 1858. He built the mill entirely of wood, without using a nail or screw, the cogwheels even being of wood. He also used the power to saw wood and small lumber, the saw being the only piece of metal in the whole construc- tion. He ground wheat and corn. Besides being a miller, he was also a watchmaker, and made wooden shoes and the bricks for his house. He died at the age of 87 years in 1890.
BANKS
The First National Bank was evolved from the bank of Kinne & Pabst and the Highland Bank. Kinne & Pabst started in June, 1890, and in June, 1891, incorporated the "High- land Bank," with L. E. Kinne, J. C. Ammann, George Roth, Louis Grantzow and Caspar Kamm, directors; L. E. Kinne, president ; J. C. Ammann, vice-president ; Selmar Pabst, cashier ; capital $25,000. On March 5, 1903, it was changed to the First National Bank of Highland, with a capital of $50,000; in- creased to $100,000 in September, 1908, the officers being: L. E. Kinne, president; S. Pabst, vice-president ; J. C. Ammann, cashier, and C. T. Pabst, assistant cashier. The pres- ent directors are: L. E. Kinne (president), Charles F. Tuffli (vice-president), Joseph C. Ammann (cashier), Eugene Schott, Robert Kamm, and M. D. Tibbetts, with Charles T. Pabst and Leo Ammann assistant cashiers. The last statement shows resources of $1,094,- 185.22, surplus $50,000, and undivided profits $20,796.27.
The State & Trust Bank, organized May 3, 1903; capital $75,000. First board of direct- ors and officers : John Wildi (president), L. J. Ruhr (vice-president), Louis Blattner (cash-
1
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
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OLD WIND MILL AT HIGHLAND, BUILT BY JEAN BAPTISTE DEFONTAINE
JEAN BAPTISTE DEFONTAINE
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ier), Louis Latzer, J. J. Spindler, J. G. Bardill and A. H. Labhard; Louis Koch assistant cashier. Present financial standing: Capital, $75,000 ; surplus and profits, $42,000 ; deposits. $517,000. Present board of directors and offi- cers: Fred Siegrist (president), J. G. Bardill (vice-president), Louis Koch (cashier), Louis Latzer, Adolph Meyer, J. P. Streuber and M. J. Schott.
The East End Bank. Organized October 28, 1908; capital, $25,000. Board of directors and officers : Edward Feutz, president ; Louis Miller, vice-president; Frank Zolk, secretary; L. A. Schreiber, cashier. Directors: Albert J. Kleiner, John L. Mannhard, Joseph Buch- heim, John Leu, Fred. Schrumpf, Ed. Feutz, Louis Miller and Frank Zolk. Surplus, $2,000; deposits, $71,000.
STORES AND HOTELS
C. Kinne & Company .- This is the oldest and largest general department store in High- land. Twelve years ago it celebrated its golden jubilee. It was started in 1856 by Charles Kinne in a room of his dwelling house. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster and had the postoffice in the small store. In 1866 L. E. Kinne and S. Pabst became partners in the business, and that year an additional building was erected, and a still larger one of three stories in 1870, while the older buildings were remodeled and enlarged, so that the busi- ness now has a floor space of 30,000 square feet instead of the 900 feet of the original store. In 1881 Charles Kinne retired and the firm then incorporated as C. Kinne & Com- pany. Louis E. Kinne, the president, has been connected with the business from the start, and mainly to him and his able manage- ment the firm owes its wonderful success, so that it is now one of the largest in southern Illinois. The present officers are: L. E. Kinne, president; J. B. Menz, secretary and treasurer. Directors: A. A. Beck, C. J. Huegy and Jacob Menz.
The Highland Store Company also has a large department store about like three good sized stores, also grown from a small begin- ning; started in the early sixties by John Menz, who later put up a large brick building. In 1876 his business passed into the hands of Ammann & Wildi, and later to the Store Company, which gradually brought it to its present size of three lower and three upper floors. Joseph G. Bardill is the president of the company, an able and successful manager of the business. The other officers are: M. Matter, secretary and treasurer; Fred Neu- bauer, vice-president; John Zimmermann, director.
The East End Mercantile Company has also a good sized double general store, with A. J Utiger at the head of it as president and manager. Ed. Schmetter conducts an exclu- sive clothing store at Louis Grantzow's old stand. Harry Carp has "Carp's Cash Store," a notion, millinery and variety business.
Grocery Stores: A. Urban, Hy. Neukom and H. W. Pattberg & Co.
Drug Stores: Fred. Kempff and Carl Metzger.
Saddlers and Harness Makers: Theo. Schmidt (successor of Xaver Suppiger's Pio- neer shop) and Ed. Stoecklin.
Lumber Yards: S. Marti, Highland Lum- ber Co., F. M. B. A. Lumber Department, Highland Planing Mill & Lumber Company.
Hardware and Farm Machinery: Kuhnen & Siegrist Hardware Co. In their building H. M. Thorp and Sam Mason started a gen- eral store in 1866, and in 1871 Kuhnen & Roth moved there with their hardware business. The partnership dissolved; C. F. Kuhnen con- tinued until the present firm was organized, which now has a very large business. The other old and large business is the Hagnauer & Knoebel Hardware Company, preceded by the founder P. C. Chipron in 1875, then by George Roth until in 1890 the Hagnauer & Knoebel Hardware Company was started.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Hotels : The Western, Stoecklin, the Columbia, (the old "Eagle"), and several smaller ones.
INSTITUTIONS
The St. Joseph's Hospital, a Catholic insti- tution, is one of the best of its kind in the state. It is a large handsome brick building with modern conveniences to accommodate at least 100 people.
The Old Folks' Home, non-sectarian (named Altenheim), completed and opened this year, is another institution of which High-
A CITY IN A PARK
Highland is often called a city in a park, because there are so many shade trees along the streets, and shade trees and shrubbery in the gardens give it that appearance, enhanced by nicely kept lawns and flowers in front of the houses. And where there is space in the rear, berries and vegetables are raised for family use.
The streets are macadamized and graveled, with concrete sidewalks over nearly all parts
ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, HIGHLAND
land can be proud. It was built by a society organized for that purpose many years ago, and is a lasting monument for the devotion, perseverance and sacrifices of the members for a good cause.
The Highland Madison County Fair, held annually in this rich agricultural section at Lindenthal Park (this year on August 29th, 30th, 3Ist, and September Ist), has always been a decided success since its beginning fifteen years ago. It is made so attractive in every way that people come here with their families from far and near. The newspapers of Highland are spoken of in Chapter XIII.
of the town, brick walks being changed to concrete walks so rapidly that soon they will all be of this kind throughout the city. Many streets are oiled instead of being sprinkled, and the city intends to oil all streets next year.
The whole aspect of Highland is that of a thriving comfortable community, as is rarely seen. The population is a quiet, industrious class, now numbering 3,000, everybody being busy and working during the day, steady and regularly as clockwork. There is not a beg- gar, and no loafers and idlers are seen on the streets. For that reason the town has a some-
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what quiet aspect during the day, but after the ing, the city furnishing electric light and day's work the young people, especially, ap- . benches for the audience. Visitors, especially pear upon the streets in their good clothes. There is no rough element and no rowdyism, which would not be tolerated. traveling men, are heard to say that they have not found another town in the country, every- thing considered, that can compare with Highland.
There is not one negro in the town. A col- ored barber and a hostler were here many years ago, but both remained only a short time, unable to overcome their forlorn feeling.
Ragged people are not seen, unless they are from elsewhere. There are but few families who do not own their homes. It is character- istic of our people to save up enough to ac- quire their own homes. They are also known to be the best taxpayers, it having frequently happened that every cent was collected, and usually very little remains unpaid.
Highland has many saloons, but they are well regulated. Intoxicated men are rarely seen, and if so are usually outsiders. The city is well policed and burglaries and thefts have not been heard of for years.
There is not a shack or dilapidated building in town, all being kept in good order. The streets and alleys are clean, the city removing refuse. Some towns have clean-up days : Highland has cleaning up every day.
Until about twenty years ago all children on the streets could be heard to speak only Swiss-German, including those of native American parents. This, of course, has changed, for the obvious reason that there is not any more much German taught in the schools, and immigration having stopped al- most entirely.
The great attraction in connection with the renowned Lindendale Park is the grand ave- nue leading to it, nearly a mile in length, with four rows of majestic maple and elm trees, a driveway in the center and walks on either side. When the trees were planted in 1868 all members of the Sharpshooters' Society and other citizens turned out to help in the grand work. The park itself, famous for its beauty, strikes the lover of nature with delight when wandering over the paths through the natural forest of majestic oaks, lindens, elms, hick- ories, walnuts, etc., with constantly changing pleasant scenes, due to its peculiar romantic topography. The various buildings - target house, entertainment hall, exhibition build- ings, etc .- add to its attraction and comforts.
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