USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 75
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Acker Post, No. 21, department of Minnesota Grand Army of the Republic, was organized March 8th, 1870, at St. Paul, with forty charter members, and the following roster of officers : commander, Henry A. Castle; senior vice com- mander, Hiram A. Kimball ; junior vice command-
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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.
er, True S. White ; adjutant, Mark D. Flower ; quartermaster, A. R. McGill ; surgeon, Dr. J. H. Murphy ; Tsergeant major, J. S. Dixon ; quarter- master's sergeant, E. H. Judson ; officer of the day, William H. Dixon ; officer of the guard, J. P. Leitner. Total enrollment of members, one hundred and seventy-five. Post was named in honor of W. II. Acker. Present roster of offi- cers : commander, J. J. McCardy ; senior vice commander, F. M. Finch ; junior vice commander, R. A. Becker; adjutant, R. V. Pratt ; quarter- master, E. II. Stevens ; surgeon, Dr. J. II. Mur- phy ; chaplain,"Joseph L. Brigham ; sergeant major, Theodore Sander; quartermaster's sergeant, John Way; officer of the day, True S. White ; officer of the guard, N. Flynn.
The German society of St. Paul is the oldest German society in the state of Minnesota. In 1853 a few pioneer Germans of the small town of St. Paul, in; the then territory of Minnesota, started a reading 'club under the name of the German Reading society of St. Paul, under which name it was incorporated February 23d, 1854. The first officers of the society were: John Peters, president; F. Greiner, treasurer; John Karsher, secretary. On the 28th day of February, 1870, the name of the German 'Reading society of St. Paul was changed by act of legislation to that of the German society of St. Paul, under which name it is now known. The objects of this society are mental and physical improvement, which it aims to accomplish by sustaining a library, lectures, the culture of song and music, and the dramatic art. In accordance with these objects : the mem- bers of the society are divided into three sections; consisting first, of the musical or singing society (Maennerchor) ; second, "the _dramatic section (Thalia); and third, the reading (or passive) mem- bers of the society. The first two sections, Maen- nerchor and Thalia, select their own officers, but the offices of the whole society are managed by the following officers. Present officers: Jacob Mainzer, president; Wm. Platte, vice-president; Gus. A. Limberg, secretary; John Penner, treas- urer; Otto Dreher, general manager; Justus Kah- lert and Chris. Kahlert, trustees; Henry Ahrens, librarian; Geo. IIusse, Fred Oelker, Robert Lufs- ky, refreshment committee. The society owns the Athenæum, corner of Sherman and Pine streets, known as one of the best public halls in the state.
The society lias about one hundred and thirty members, among which are some of the best and most influential German citizens of St. Paul.
The St. Paul Turnverein. This society was organized November 10th, 1858, having its origin among the Germans of St. Paul. The most hon- orable and respectable citizens of that nationali- ity were among its founders and still continue its ardent suporters and members. The names of the founders are as follows: C. Nieher, C. B. Meyer, M. Hall, C. Sauer, L. Mueller, C. Hag- genmiller, J. Overbrok, G. Huhn, C. Schleif, P. Leitner, R, Schoeneman, M. Sternberg, F. Meyer, G. Griebel, C. Heintze, P. Fabel, P. Constans, G. Benz, M. and F. H. Siemers." The object of the society is to develop physical strength and beauty, to cultivate intellectual intercourse among its members, and to aid humanity and liberty in all its phases.
At the breaking out of the great civil war in 1861, the society adjourned sine die because so many of its members were called forth to battle for human rights and liberty. After the close of that terrible struggle, the society again resumed its regular business, but many, very many, who had parted five years before, were not there then, to join heart and hand.
Success las crowned the efforts of years, and placed the society in good financial standing, they owning a desirable piece of property on the north-east corner of Seventh and Franklin streets. They have a hall, gymnastical apparatus, and a good library. Society meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of every montlı, meet- ings of officers and committees on the second and fourth Wednesdays. Gymnastic exercises take place Tuesday and Friday afternoons and even- ings. In the event of the dissolution of the soci- ety all the property and effects will be donated for the founding of a free school wherein no dog- matical ideas shall be taught. Present officers are as follows: B. W. Boenisch, president, M. Al- brecht, vice-president, E. Weile, turnwart, (teach- er), L. Bretz, asst. turnwart, (teacher), O. K. Sauer, recording secretary, B. Sittig, correspond- ing secretary, J. V. Haupt, treasurer, L. Rank, asst. treasurer, R. Meile, janitor, C. Mueller, librarian. Present membership, 96.
Concordia, German singing society was organ- ized January 10th, 1875; its object is for social in-
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SAINT PAUL-FIRE DEPARTMENT.
tercourse among its members, and for mutnal improvement in vocal music. The society is in a prosperous condition, financially as well as other- wise. It has a membership of fifty-three, of whom eighteen are trained singers. The first officers were, Robert Schull, president; Henry Neimeyer. director; O. Lorenz, secretary. The officers for 1881, are, Adolph Jarsheshek, president; Anton Jurka, director; Julius Schneider, secretary.
Germania singing society was organized Feb- rnary 5th, 1878, with ninc members; object, vocal music, cultivating the voice, singing, art and ed- ucation in general. The following gentlemen were its first officers: H. Richow, president; A. E. Cof- fers, vice-president; G. C. Passavant secretary; Paul Quehl, treasurer; A. Von Schlichting, mu- sical director. The Germania is in excellent condition, having a membership of forty-four, of whom eighteen active members, are trained singers and twenty-six passive members. The present officers are as follows : H. Richow, presi- dent, E. G. Kramer, vice-president, Geo. Decker, secretary, A. W. Schwabe, treasurer, Wm. Mnel- ler, librarian, Theodor Hinnegar, musical director.
The St. Paul Liederkranz, a German Singing Society, was organized on the 23d of November 1867, by the following gentlemen: Joseph Mos- brugger, Carl Rapp, Joseph Sausen, Joseph Deiring, George Reis, John Wagner, Nick Chris- tophel, John Wagner, Jr., Anton Hoenle, B. Orthaus, Frank Rochler, H. H. Miller, John Schillo, Adam Fetsch and Joseph Hermann. First officers of the society: H. H. Miller presi- dent, George Reis, vice president, Jacob Mos- brugger, secretary, John Wagner, treasurer. Present director, J. T. Kerker. Under the lead- ership of Mich. Esch, the society received the first prize at the State Saengerfest, held at Min- neapolis in 1870. The prize was also awarded to the society at the State Saengerfest held at Stillwater, in 1877, under the direction of the present leader, Mr. J. T. Kerker. In 1873, the society procured a very fine banner, made of white and blne silk. It was embroidered in New York, and is considered to be the finest banner in Minnesota. The society paid $250 for the same. Combined with the male chorus of 25 voices, is a mixed chorus consisting of 28 young ladies. At the last concert, given on the 9th of May, 1881, Romberg's "Lay of the Bell," was
represented to the full satisfaction of the numer- ons attending friends of the society. The hall in which two regular rehearsals per week are held, is on the corner of Exchange and Ninth streets. The society at present consists of twen- ty-five active, sixty-nine passive, and five hon- orary members. The present officers are: John Wilwerscheid, president, Lonis Rosenbaum, vice- president, John II. Bayer, secretary, Sahabert, treasurer. Committee on music, Joseph Hanggi, and C. F. Rapp; musical director, J. T Kerker.
Orion Singing society was organized January 1st, 1877, with nineteen members, and was incor- porated in 1881. The object of the society is the cultivation of the voice and practice of vocal music. Also to provide social and musical entertainments for its members and their familes and friends. The society has at pres- ent one hundred and eighty-six members, of which number, thirty-six are actual members, or trained singers, and one hundred and fifty are passive members. First officers, 1877: Henry Thielen, president, Joseph Hassler, secretary, Carl Hildebrandt, treasurer, Frank Griebeller, musical director. Present officers. 1881: Peter Zimmerman, president, Wm. Strubb, vice-presi- dent, Henry Ernst, recording secretary, Ludwig Armort, corresponding secretary, Gustav Baus- man, treasurer, Wm. Menner, director.
CHAPTER XLIX.
FIRE DEPARTMENT-WATER COMPANY-CHAM- BER OF COMMERCE-BOARD OF TRADE.
Fire Department. In 1851, Mr. R. C. Knox made an effort to get up a hook and ladder com- pany. This movement of Mr. Knox and others was the little germ which afterwards gave birth to the fire department of St. Paul. The fire de- partment, previous to that date, consisted of a bucket brigade. Money was raised by subscrip- tion, and several ladders purchased. Their lad- ders were carried to a fire on men's shoulders, as they had no truck. As but little could be accom-
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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.
plished in this way, the ladders soon fell into dis- use. After the Pioneer hook and ladder company was organized, in 1855, three of them were recov- ered, and became the property of that company,and were used for over thirteen years. On March 1st, 1855, the St. Paul fire department was organized, by the formation of the above named hook and ladder company, with twenty-eight members. A subscription was raised to purchase a hook and ladder wagon. One which had been used by a company in Philadelphia, was purchased and brought out. It was used by the hook and ladder company up to within a year or two, and did good service. A small fire engine was also purchased by several citizens, and was for several years the only engine in use. The fire department was gladdened in the fall of 1858, by the arrival of two new engines, which the city had purchased at Philadelphia. They were formally delivered to Hope engine company, No. 1, and Minnehaha, No. 2, on November 1st, and did good service for some ten years, when steamers were substituted. November 21, 1859, the working organization of the department consisted of the following force: three engineers, four fire-wardens, one hundred and four members of engine compa- nies, and forty-four members of hook and ladder company, making a total of one hundred and fifty five members. There were two engine companies and one hook and ladder company. There were two engines in good order, and one small engine in ordinary condition, and a hook and ladder truck and apparatus in good condition.
Names of officers and number of members of department: Chas. II. Williams, chief engineer, R. G. Sharp, Geo. F. Blake, assistant engineers, John E. Messen, chief fire warden, HI. A. Schlick, Portus Dodge, Wm. Wagner, assistants.
Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. Isaac A. Banker, foreman, J. W. Stevenson, first assistant foreman. J. Whitman, second assistant foreman, A. Ward, treasurer, W. L. Bartley, sec- retary, with thirty-nine members.
Hope Engine Company, No. 1. M. H. Sullivan, foreman, L. II. Eddy, first assistant foreman, George Dart, second assistant foreman, J. B. Ir- vine, secretary, C. W. Ruhl, treasurer, Portus Dodge, steward; with forty-two members.
Minnehaha Engine Company, No. 2. H. P. Grant, foreman, S. F. Ragnet, first assistant fore-
man, W. F. Donaldson, second assistant foreman, J. J. Hill, secretary, H. M. Shaw, treasurer, Wm. Wagner, steward; with forty-four members. Charles II. Williams, chief engineer.
The total value of property, June 1st, 1881, as appraised, personal and real estate, is $78,305.95. There have been during the year eighty-seven fires and alarms; loss of property, $693,989.90; insurance paid, $520,324.90; loss over insurance paid, $173.665.00. Of the above losses, $592,005 was made by what is known as the Averill and Kelly fire on August 28th, 1880, and the state capitol, March 1st, 1881. There is at this time eighteen miles and nine hundred and thirty-five feet of mains, with one hundred and eighty-one fire hydrants. There are also eighteen cisterns in good condition. The annual force of the department now consists of forty-eight men as follows: One chief engineer, one assistant en- gineer, one superintendent of telegraph, four engineers of steamers, four firemen of steamers, four drivers of steamers, four drivers of hose reels, one driver of hook and ladder, one tiller- man, twenty hosemen, eight hook and ladder men. Members of the department, R. O. Strong, chief engineer, William Delaney, assistant engineer, E. B. Birge, superintent telegraph.
Hook and ladder, A. Betz, Wm. Husted, H. C. Dunbar, J. O. Brian, J. Buckley, foremen; R. J. O'Connell, M. Keleher, Wm. Schnell, laddermen. IIose No. 1, A. Francois, foreman; M. Bischoff, II. Scharffbillig, E. Ervine, A. Rutzen, hosemen, attached to steamer No. 1.
IIose No. 2. John Jackson, {foreman, Wm. Dwyer, D. Sullivan, A. Peterson, Tim. Murphy, hose men attached to steamer No. 2.
Hose No. 3. John Churchill, foreman, M. R. Mattocks, Jerry Strapp, John Brown, hosemen attached to steamer No. 3.
Hose No. 4. A. Martin, foreman, J. Mason, T. Delaney, I. Sevagood, Wm. S. Elkins, hose- men attached to steamer No. 4.
Steamer No. 1. IIenry Tubbesing, engineer, Joseph Wilkie, foreman, Joseph Schmidt, driver, HI. Meyerding, driver of hose reel.
Steamer No. 2. E. W. IIildebrand, engineer, James Mitchell, foreman, John Ryan, driver, James Dorain, driver of hose reel.
Steamer No. 3. F. Guison, engineer, P.
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SAINT PAUL -POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Churchill, foreman, P. II. Smith, driver, Thomas Markley, driver of hose reel.
Steamer No. 4. E. B. Birge, engineer, John Toomey, foremen, S. Guion, driver, James Sulli- van, driver of hose reel.
Hook and Ladder No. 1. P. Murphy, driver, H. Brady, Tillerman.
Chief engineers of St. Paul fire department from 1854 to 1882. W. M. Stees, 1854, C. HI. Williams, 1855-'59, I. B. Irvine, 1859, J. E. Mis- sen, 1860-62, W. F. Donaldson, 1862, L. II. Eddy, 1863, J. C. A. Pickett, 1864, C. H. Wil- liams, 1865, B. Presley, 1866-'68, Frank Breuer, 1868-'70, J. C. Prendergast 1870-'72, R. O. Strong 1872, M. B. Farrell 1873-76, R. O. Strong 1876 to 1882.
The Police department came into existence May 29th, 1856. At that time four policemen were regularly elected by the common council, viz: John Gabel, Nicholas Miller, M. C. Harding and Edward Maher. Wm. R. Miller was city marshal, at that time, and by virtue of his office acted as ex-officio chief of police.
July 22d, 1856, Henry Galvin, (who is a member of the force to-day) was appointed as policeman by the common council.
Angust 12th, 1856, the police force was re-or- ganized and the city divided into three police dis- tricts. Wm. R. Miller, chief of police.
First district: Solomon Walters, captain, Wm. H. Spitzer, Smith Macauly, Joseph Fadden, pa- trolmen. Second district: Birt Mneller, captain, Wm. Ranitzer, Andrew Zanberg, Aspinwall Corn- wall, patrolmen. Third district: James Good- ing, captain, Henry Galvin, M. C. Hardwig, Ed- ward Maher, patrolmen. The rate of compensa- tion at that time was fixed at $2.00 per day for captains, $1.50 for patrolmen.
In 1867 the police force consisted of a chief, one captain, one detective, and fourteen patrol- men. The force met with different changes, and was increased from time to time, until we have the present efficient force, of which Chas. Webber is the chief. 'The following named gen- tlemen have held the office of chief of police since 1854: Wm. R. Miller, 1854 to 1858; John W. Crosby, 1858 to 1860; John O'Gorman, 1860; H. H. Western, 1861; James Gording. 1862; Michael Cummings, Jr., 1863; J. R. Cleveland, 1864; G. W. Turnbull, (resigned 1866), 1865, 1866; John
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Jones, 1866, 1867; J. P. McIlrath, 1867 to 1870; L. H. Eddy, 1870 to 1872; J. P. McIlrath, 1872 to 1875; James King, 1875 to 1878; Charles Web- ber, June 1st, 1878, to 1881, re-elected in 1881.
Present organization of St. Paul police force as per report of Charles Webber, chief of police, June, 1881; Charles Webber, chief, John Clark, captain, Thomas Walsh, sergeant, Isaac D. Morgan, sergeant, John Bresett, detective, John J. O'Connor, detective, Jno. Cuniff, pound-master, Edward Shields, pound-master, William Dowlan, bailiff, H. N. Clouse, bailliff, John Jessrang, jailor. Number of patrolmen, twenty-eight, as follows: Henry Galvin, John Mitchell, Robert Palmer, John Casey, John Vogtle, Charles Rou- lean, Thomas Kenally, William O'Kefe, Denis Murphy, A. M. Lowell, James Nugent, Ole Nygaard, Thos. McMahon, George DeCorsey, Phillip Gibbins, William Hanft, Frank Gruber, August Baer, Frank Brosseau, IIenry Bahe, Wm. F. Bremer, John W. Cook, John E. Newell, Jno. Zerkelbach, John Klecacky, John Lynch, Barth Moriarity, Oluf Larson. Total number of ar- rests, 2,441, of which 2,158 were males, and 283 females; amount of fines and costs collected $10,- 515.45; amount of licenses collected for 1880, $34,322.00. Property stolen and recovered. Value of property stolen, $5,329.00; value of property recovered, $4,184.00.
St. Paul Gas Light Company was incorporated March 1st, 1856. They have fifteen miles of mains, about eight hundred private consumers, about two hundred and fifty public lamps. Di- rectors of the company at time of incorporation. Joseph IIoy, Alex. Ramsey, Wm. L. Banning, Edward Rice, Charles H. Oakes. Present direc- tors, N. W. Kittson, II. II. Sibley and A. J. Good- rich. Officers, HI. HI. Sibley, president, N. W. Kittson, vice-president, A. J. Goodrich, secretary and treasurer.
ST. PAUL WATER WORKS.
The project of supplying St. Paul with an abundance of pure water had been discussed for a dozen of years previous to 1870, and though the necessity for such an undertaking was mani- fest to all classes, no steps were taken in the di- rection of its accomplishment, until 1865, when Col. C. D. Gilfillan, the present president of the St. Paul Water company, took hold of the mat-
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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.
ter, since which time he has given the enterprise his undivided attention. The preliminaries hav- ing been completed, in August, 1868, the work was actually commenced, and pushed forward with a rapidity which is almost without a par- allel.
The numerous lakes about St. Paul, connected with each other, furnished an abundant supply of water, so that all that was needed was a strong mind to carry to success the enterprise. The lakes which are thus tributary to St. Panl, with their area in acres is as follows: Phalen 237, Gervais 210, Vadnais 560, Lambert 750, Pleasant 730, White Bear 3,600, Bald Eagle 1,280, Bass lake 400, Otter lake 400, other lakes 560. Total number of acres of water, 8,727; add to which other lakes available, and we have 10,000 acres of water, with which to supply St. Paul. A single super- ficial foot of this immense area would furnish 4,000,000.000 gallons of water, or a barrel per day. for three years, to 100,000 people. These lakes are the center of a water shed of sixty thousand acres. The quality of the water is superior in all respects to any in the West, and is probably, in regard to purity, unsurpassed in the country.
The analysis of Prof. Silliman shows that the water from Lake Phalen contains but six and two-tenths grains of solid matter to the gallon, while that of the great lakes contains eleven grains. The well water of this city shows twenty- three grains.
The city is now supplied by two mains, one twenty-four inch main and one sixteen inch main. The company has twenty-two miles of pipe laid. There are one hundred and eighty-five hydrants, and one hundred and sixty water valves. Three and a half miles of water mains are laid in tunnels excavated in the sand-rock, and used exclusively by the water company. One hun- dred and fifteen meters are used to measure water for large consumers. Have eighteen hundred consumers. Number of men employed average thirty. Cost of work, $500,000. Officers for past ten years: Charles D. Gilfillan, president; John Caulfield, secretary; directors, William Lee, N. Myrick, James Gilfillan, Charles D. Gilfillan, and John Caulfield.
The name of Charles D. Gilfillan will be, for generations, identified with the St. Paul Water
Works. To his undaunted confidence, untiring industry and unflagging energy, the people of the city are indebted for the inception and partial consummation of our magnificent system of water supply.
POST OFFICE.
In 1846, a petition for establishing a post-office at St. Paul, was forwarded to the post-office de- partment at Washington, and favorably consid- ered, and the 7th of April, 1846, the first post-office was established, and Henry Jackson received the appointment of postmaster. Mr. Jackson made a strong effort to establish post-office regulations and conveniences, and so set about making the first case of boxes, or pigeon-holes, that the St. Paul post - office ever possessed or used. This case was constructed out of an old packing box and odd boards, was about two feet square. con- taining sixteen pigeon-holes. These were labeled with initial letters. This case of sixteen pigeon- holes, was (after St. Paul became a flourishing town and could afford more stylish boxes) pre- sented to the Historical society, as a relic of early days. Mr. Jackson was postmaster for three years and three months. During the three years of that time it hardly paid Mr. Jackson for con- ducting it, as the business was very small ; but there soon came a change. With the rush of population and business came also a great increase of mail matter. and it soon became necessary to lay aside the letter case of pigeon holes, and pro- cure more expanded facilities for serving the pub- lic, and Mr. Jackson, accordingly, fitted up a new post-office. This was in a frame building about where No. 105 East Third street now is. There were about two hundred glass boxes in his new equipment ; a number considered sufficient for present needs and future too.
On July 5th, 1849, Mr. Jackson was removed by the Whig party, and Jacob W. Bass appointed in his place. At that time St. Paul had only one mail per week. Mr. Bass moved the post-office to Jackson street, about where the Merchant's hotel now stands. Mr. Wallace B. White acted as Mr. Bass' deputy during most of his term. There were continual complaints of poor mail fa- cilities. The breaking up of the winter of 1849- '60 rendered the ice on the river, which was at that time the public road, very insecure, and many accidents happened, several persons being
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drowned. On March 29th, a mail was received, the first for twenty days, says the Pioneer ; a de- privation that must have been sorely felt, in the isolated condition of the community then. The Pioneer, of February 27th, adds : " The number of letters passing through the post-office at St. Paul, averages nearly seven hundred per week. The mail to St. Anthony alone, is larger than the whole mail of the territory was one year ago."
With the incoming of President Pierce's ad- ministration, Mr. Bass was succeeded by William H. Forbes as postmaster, his commission being dated March 18th, 1853. Mr. Forbes bought out the fixtures of Bass' office, and removed them to a one-story frame building, situated about where Nelson's brick block on Third street nowis. The glass boxes of Bass' time were extended so as to reach across the room, and a door in the middle of this partition gave entrance to the duly sworn em- ployes, to the workroom in the rear. Mr. Forbes appointed as his deputy, John C. Terry, who re- tained his position as assistant during several changes of incumbency, and in 1870 bade adieu to the postal service, after 18 years of faithful labor. to embark in a more healthy and profitable occupation. Mr. Wallace B. White was, if we remember right, employed a short time after Mr. Forbes' term began, and Bob Terrell, a lad then, assisted for a time. After Terrell left, Andrew Welch, was employed. Welch remained in the service until the winter of 1858-'59, when he died of consumption.
The St. Paul of 1853 was not the St. Paul of 1881, by considerable. Around the post-office of that time were hazel-bushes and trees. Stand- ing in the door of the post-office one day in the fall of 1853, Mr. Terry shot three prairie chick- ens which had lit about where the Pioneer Press office now stands, and were scratching undis- turbed by the presence of man. Contrast the silence of those days with the busy tide of hu- man life that whirls by that spot now. On March 11th, 1856, Mr. Forbes was succeeded by Charles S. Cave, as postmaster. Mr. Cave held the office four years, but left it poorer than he entered. IIe now lives in Missouri. W. M. Corcoran was ap- pointed postmaster March 12th, 1860, and held the position one year. He was succeeded in April, 1861, by Charles Nichols. March 14th, 1865, Dr. J. H. Stewart was appointed, and in
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