USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 96
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John Karst, hardware. This business was es- tablished in 1877 under the firm name of Karst and Kennemann, and so continued till August, 1878, when the company dissolved. Mr. Karst then conducted the business alone for about a year, when he took as partners Joseph Deiring and his son Charles Karst, under the firm name of John Karst and Company. This continued until March, 1880, when Mr. Karst purchased the entire business and has since been sole owner. He is located on Main street, in a building 25x140 feet, and does a business of $30,000 annually in stoves and tinware, roofing and sheet-iron work, wood and iron pumps, shelf and heavy hardware, carpenter's tools, etc.
A. G. Shuttinger opened a ladies' bazaar in September, 1880, on Main street. He deals in notions and ladies' ready-made clothing, corsets, ribbons, hosiery, etc. Although of recent origin, this bazaar is doing a large business, keeping al- most constantly employed three ladies and two gentlemen. Mr. Shuttinger has done a propor- tionate amount of an annual business of $20,- 000 since commencing.
In 1873, Nicholas F. Schwarz, began business in boots and shoes in a small frame building on Lower Main street; here he continued until 1876, when he removed to his present location on Main street near Nelson. His building is 20x40 feet, and four men are employed in the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes.
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CITY OF STILLWATER-PRESENT BUSINESS.
Ariel Eldridge purchased the book store kept by Martin Johnson, in 1862, and he has since con- dected it. Mr. Eldridge is genial and accommo- dating as a business man, and enjoys a large pat- ronage.
J. O'Shaughnessy began business in boots and shoes in 1862, in a small shop on Main street with one workman besides himself. In 1866, he put in a stock of ready-made goods and increased his facilities, removing to Nelson's block on Lower Main street, but after a few successful years, again removed to the St. Croix building, where he was burned out in 1873. He then occupied a room in Hospes's block until October, 1879, when he took possession of his present place. Em- ploys three men and does custom and ready-made business.
August Buth made a modest beginning in boots and shoes on Chestnut street in 1870. The first two years he had a shoemaker's shop only, but, in 1872, opened retail boot and shoe store in connection. His business soon out-grew his meagre accommodations in this location, and he accordingly moved to his present commodious quarters on Main street. His sale-room is 20x42 feet, and manufacturing department 20x30 feet. Four men are employed, and his business amounts to $12,000 annually.
P. J. Stenstrom began business in boots and shoes in 1872, in a shoemaking shop, but in 1874, added to this business a stock of ready-made goods, in which line he still continues, also in same building has a separate sale-room devoted to the sale of tobacco, cigars, etc. Three men are employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes.
Albert Wilkinson, druggist, established his business in November, 1878, at his present loca- tion on Main street. This is the out-growth of Dr. Carli's old drug store, the first in the city. Mr. Wilkinson commenced business with a cash capital of $2,000, which he has since increased to $6,000. He also owns one-half interest in the North Star Pharmacy on Main street. His store is 22x70 feet, and two salesmen are employed.
Ferguson Brothers commenced business in boots and shoes at their present location on Main street, March 18th, 1878, with a cash capital of only $2,000. Their sales-room is 20x45 feet, and they do an annual business of $22,000. This firm
though comparatively young, ranks among the leading boot and shoe houses of the city.
W. S. Conrad, wholesale and retail dealer in tobaccos and cigars, began business in 1869, on Chestnut street, with a stock of $1,500, doing, the first year, a business of $4,000. He remained there until 1871, and then removed to where Isaac Staples meat market is now located, but the ac- commodation not being sufficiently ample to meet the requirements of his rapidly increasing busi- ness, he, in 1874, again removed to Upper Main street, where he remained until May, 1881, and moved to his present commodious quarters in McKusick's block, at the corner of Main and Myr- tle streets. He has a frontage of twenty-four feet, eighty-five feet deep, and handles tobaccos, cigars and every variety of smoking articles. Four men are employed in the house, and two traveling salesmen, and his goods find a market in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Dakota and Montana. In 1880, he did a business of $80,000.
In 1875, August Hawkenson began business in boots and shoes in this city where Townshends and Company's mill office is located, with O. S. Johnson as a partner. In 1877, they moved to . Mr. Hawkenson's present location. In June, 1879, Hawkenson purchased Johnson's interest and has conducted the business alone, employing from two to four workmen.
George Borrowman, harness maker, began busi- ness in 1878 at the corner of Stimson's alley and Chestnut street, manufacturing collars only, but he was soon enabled, by careful industry to en- large liis business and secure more commodious rooms; he accordingly established himself in his present location on Main street. He now manu- factures all kinds of light and heavy harness. Three men are employed, and the business amounts to $12,000 annually.
Kilty Brothers' grocery and meat market was opened in March, 1878, by the Kilty Brothers on Fourth street, between Goodwood and Churchill, in a building 14x20 feet. They remained there until 1879, when they leased the building they now occupy on Fourth street corner Churchill. They enlarged their stock and opened a meat market in connection with their grocery depart- ment. Their rooms consist of a grocery depart- ment 26x33 feet a meat market 24x26 feet, and a feed store 18x26 feet. In 1880 they also started
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
a general commission house on Chestnut street, in Green's block, dealing in grain, flour, feed, etc. These brothers deserve much credit for their pluck and perseverance in business, actually starting with a borrowed capital of $200. They now do a business of $20,000 annually.
W. M. Capron, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware. The nucleus of this business was formed in 1854, when A. A. Capron, a brother of the above named gentleman came to this city and bought out a man named Putz, and established the business with a man named Morris, the firm being Capron and Morris. This firm continued a number of years, and sold out to Edward Cap- ron, the father of A. A. and W. M. He con- ducted it awhile and sold to the present proprie- tor, who afterwards sold to his father Edward, and again re-purchased in October, 1878, since which time he has carried on the business. He has recently moved from the old stand on Chest- nut street, and is centrally located on Main street. He keeps four men constantly employed in the work-room and does a business of from $15,000 to $18,000 annually.
* The firm, Staples and Kearney, blacksmiths, consists of Edward Staples and Andrew Kearney. The business was begun by Mr. Staples in 1871 in a building directly opposite their present location, but the following spring the shop where they now do business, was completed and the business moved thereto. In 1874, Kearney purchased an interest, when the present firm name was adopted. Their shop is 28x61 feet two-stories, they have three forges and all the necessary appurtenances on the first floor. The second floor is rented to, and used by Keene for wagon and repair shop, etc.
Thomas Dunn opened a confectionery, fruit, tobacco and cigar-stand, in 1876, on Main street, opposite the Stillwater flouring-mills, where he keeps a fine assortment of the best in the market. Baskets of fruit and refreshing, healthful cor- dials are furnished.
Miss Fannie E. Jordan opened a millinery and fancy goods establishment on Chestnut street, between First and Second, where she continued until June, 1880, when she removed to her pres- ent location on Main street, between Nelson and Chestnut streets. Here she enjoys a liberal trade and carries one of the most complete stocks in the city.
The manufacture of organs was commenced by C. W. Hitchcock, in the spring of 1880, on a small basis, which admitted of the construction of two organs per month. At this time, about one year from the beginning of the enterprise, the business has been increased to manufacture ten per month. Mr. Hitchcock is sole proprietor, and his store is located on Second street, between Chestnut and Myrtle, where he keeps organs of his own make, pianos, and a general stock of musical merchandise. The manufactory is on Olive between Third and Fourth streets.
David Bronson started a dry goods and grocery store in 1859, in a store on Myrtle and Main streets, continuing until January, 1866, when David Cover, Wm. G. Bronson and E. A. Folsom were admitted, under the firm name of Bronson, Cover and Company, and in the spring of that year moved into the store now occupied by Isaac Sta- ples. They continued two years, when they were succeeded by Bronson and Folsom, David Bronson and E. A. Folsom. In 1872, Hersey and Doe were admitted, under the firm name of Hersey, Bronson, Doe and Folsom, and the company moved into the store now occupied by Rees' clothing-house. Two years later they sold out to Hersey, Bean and Brown.
In 1877, David Bronson, E. A. Folsom and George O. Haskill formed a partnership under the firm name of Bronson and Folsom, and carry a general stock in a store on Main street.
Schulenburg and Boeckeler Lumber Company, established their store at its present location in the year 1856. The building was, at that time, 16x20 feet, and one and one-half stories high. In 1859 they enlarged it to 16x38, and added a ware-room in the rear, 12x38. In the summer of 1871, they again enlarged it, making it this time, 16x54, and increased the ware-room to 25x54. They carry a line of general merchandise. In 1871 they built an office and vault on the south side of their store, 16x30 feet, where the business of the whole establishment is transacted. The one-half story above is used as a store-room.
R. J., J. L., and W. H. H. Wheeler formed a partnership April 1st, 1875, under the firm name of Wheeler Brothers, carrying a general line of groceries, in the Bernheimer block. In January, 1881, J. L. and W. H. H. Wheeler formed a partnership with Durant, Wheeler and Company,
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CITY OF STILLWATER-BUSINESS HOUSES.
under the firm name of Wheeler Brothers and Company, and now occupy a room in the Grand Opera House block, 21x120 feet, with basement for storage, and have now one of the finest stores and stocks in the city, and are doing a business of about $100,000 per year.
Ludwig Kahn, formerly of Chicago, established his stock of dry goods and carpets in Stillwater, in the Holcombe block, in April, 1877. In March, 1881, he moved to a store in the Grand Opera House block, 24x120 feet, two stories and base- ment; basement used for carpets, second story for manufacturing and storage. He is one of Stillwater's most enterprising business men. He is also a member of the firm of Charles Con- haim and Company retail clothers. This house was established in the spring of 1880, in Wolf's block, and in the spring of 1881, moved into the Holcombe block, and does an extensive business in the clothing line.
Phillip Potts established his wholesale liquor store September, 1874, in a building built by him corner of Main street and Nelson Avenue, 24x70, two stories, using both stories for his business; carries a general line of liquors, and does a business of $30,000 per year.
John Kenny, Jr., established his confectionery store in Main street, in a building 16x30, one story high, in the spring of 1877, and carries a stock of about $600, doing a very fine trade.
Hardware-E. L. Hospes and W. K. Wurde- man, proprietors. This business began Novem- ber, 1874. In May, 1875, Mr. Hospes purchased Mr. Wurdeman's interest, and conducted the business alone, employing Mr. Wurdeman as a clerk. This continued till April, 1876, when W. McPherson became a partner, and the concern was known as E. L. Hospes and Company. In March, 1880, McPherson withdrew, selling his in- terest to Hospes and Wurdeman, or E. L. Hospes and Company, who continue the business to the present time. They have a sales-room 20x70 feet, and two ware-rooms; employ three salesmen. They deal in shelf and heavy hardware, etc.
Sawyer, Wallace and Company. This estab- lishment began in 1876, under the firm name of Sawyer and Company, on Bridge square, in a building 20x40 feet, with a capital of two hun-
dred dollars. The next year they removed to Union block on Main street, demanding more room. Here they remained two years, when the firm was changed, T. W. Wallace becoming associated, and was known as Sawyer, Wallace and Company. Soon after this they moved to their present location on Main street, near Nelson. They occupy a room 30x100 feet and a basement, employing five men in the shop and three sales- men, and doing a business of about $25,000 per annum, dealing in hardware, stoves, house fur- nishing goods, etc.
Wm. E. Thorne established a general store in 1855 on a small scale in Nelson's block. In 1859 he moved to bis present location, corner Main and Chestnut, in a building 25x60. Since 1860 he has carried dry goods exclusively.
Hardware-Westing and Torinus established, in 1859, a general store, on the west side of Main street, between Chestnut and Nelson Avenues. In 1864, L. E. Torinus succeeded to the business and moved to the old Nelson building. In 1867, the firm changed to Torinus and Staples, and moved to the present commodious store, 25x110 feet, three stories in height. In 1868, Wm. G. Bronson was admitted under firm name Torinus, Staples and Company. In 1873, L. E. Torinus succeeded to the business, and changed to exclu- sive hardware. From 1875 to 1878, the firm was Torinus and Wilkinson; since then, L. E. Tori- nus. Carries a general line of hardware, nails, iron, stoves, etc., and is doing a business of $80,- 000 per year. Mr. Doe, formerly of Hersey and Doe, has charge of the business, and to him is due a great deal of the credit of the prosperous condition of the enterprise.
Thomas Francis established his ice cream par- lors on Main street, and continued for some years, adding a restaurant business for a time; then added a stock of fancy goods and toys, in connec- tion with his ice cream parlors. In this latter business, he has secured a fortunate business. In 1879, he removed to the corner of Chestnut and Second streets, where lie opened his present con- . fectionery and ice cream parlors, and may be found in one of the pleasant centers of the city of Stillwater.
James R. Van Buskirk, established a paint shop on Third street, between Myrtle and Mul- berry in March, 1875. He does both house pain
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
ing, sign painting and frescoing. His bnsi - ness increased gradually from the time of estab- lishing himself here to the present. At first he employed bnt one helper, gradually gaining a reputation in business until in 1880-'81, he em- ployed fonr helpers. The proceeds of business has aggregated about four thousand dollars per annum for the last two or three years. He ranks. among the prominent men in his line of trade.
E. Rhiner is the proprietor of the St. Croix ice house. He established this business in 1863, beginning small and enlarging from time to time as the trade demanded. The first building was 24x40 feet, the present one is large enongh to store away abont three thousand tons and help enough is employed to store the ice and distribute it in the summer.
Henry Staples and Company, general merchan- dise. This firm was established in 1854, and consisted of Samnel F. Hersey, Isaac Staples, D. C. Hall, J. Brooks Tenno and J. P. Whitney They started their business in which is known as the Columbus building. They remained one year and went to their own building on the corner of Main and Myrtle. About this time the firm name was changed to Staples, Bronson and Company, by which it was known until 1858, when the old name was adopted. In 1861, the style of the firm was changed to Hersey, Staples and Hall. In the fall of 1866, it made another change, tak- ing in A. K. Doe, Chas. and Jacob Bean, and was then styled Hersey, Staples and Doe. This continned for five years and was then changed to Staples, Doe and Hersey, which lasted until An- gust, 1875. Samuel F. Hersey died in 1874, but in August, 1875, Dudley H. Hersey, a son, and A. K. Doe bonght the business. The same fall they consolidated with Bronson and Folsom, and it was styled Hersey, Bronson, Doe and Fol- som. This partnership was dissolved in Novem- ber, 1877. This firm did a business of $190,000 to $265,000 per year from 1866 to 1877, larger than any other in the city in the merchantile trade. They had six clerks besides A. K. Doe, who managed; at the above mentioned time, they sold to Hersey, Bean and Brown, who run the store in the Hersey, Staples' block until the summer of 1879. In 1878, they erected their new buildings at the mill, where they are now located. The store room is 28x40 feet, two stories
both used for their business. To this there is an "L" on the south, 26x40 feet, and two stories. The first floor is occupied by Hersey, Bean and Brown as an office for their lumber and mill de- partment. The second floor is occupied by Her- sey and Bean as an office for their logging and land department. Each floor is furnished with a commodious vault 8x12 feet and fire proof. In the store are two clerks.
Isaac Staples, general merchandise. In 1875, after Hersey and Doe, bought out the old firm, Isaac Staples, began business in what is now used for the general office. In the summer of 1876, he moved the goods to their present location, corner of Main and Myrtle, stone block. Their store is 30x80 feet, three stories and basement, all used for the business. There are six clerks em- ployed to do the business.
The city of Stillwater is beautifully and ro- mantically located at the head of Lake St. Croix, twenty-five miles above Point Donglas. When settlement began here, the platean near the lake was of limited area, and little elevated above the surface of the lake. In shape the tract resembles the segment of a circle, the bluffs forming the circumference and the bank of the lake the se- cant line. The bluffs above are high, and ra- vines indicate that streams once flowed from lakes and streams above to the lake below. The level tract, where settlement began, now occu- pied by the business portion of the town, may have been reclaimed from the lake by gradual filling from the high blnffs during a long period of years previous to settlement, or by some rapid action, analagous to the land-slide of 1852. For many years residences and business houses were bnilt only on this low land, and its adaptation for building sites was greatly enlarged by the land- slide above referred to, and by the artificial fill- ing done by public and private enterprise. Some of the bluffs have been graded down to a level with the higher portion of the low land. Some of the present citizens can remember when the bluffs rose proudly up, embracing Myrtle street at its junction with Third, when from its summit one could look down on the roof of Myrtle street church. From a point a little north, the ob- server could look down in a similar manner on the Methodist church. The gradnal ascent from Myrtle street on Third is now about forty feet
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CITY OF STILLWATER-SCENERY.
lower than at the time to which reference is made. That portion removed has been deposited in low and marshy places along Main street. In 1852, natural causes produced the land-slide which ex- pedited the filling most effectually. These changes have materially altered the appearance of both the bluffs and the land along the lake. The deep ravines have nearly disappeared, and some are found who cannot see in the artificial changes the beauty that once existed in the ab- rupt bluffs and irregular ravines in a state of nature. However this may be, a full equivalent for beauty lost is paid for by utility gained. Enough is left to mark this still as a point of rare beauty.
The bluffs, both at the north and south of the town, come down to the lake so as to admit only a narrow roadway for railroads and carriage road between their abrupt walls and the lake. At some points, as near the Sawyer house, the ascent is steep until it reaches a bench, or flat surface of considerable elevation, where the city hall, churches and many dwellings are erected. The citizens have taken advantage of the natural topography to adorn their grounds with beautiful terraces. The effect of these attractive places, and the public buildings on the rising bluffs, when seen from the lake is very striking.
The scenery which the citizen enjoys from these sightly residences is grand, for the bluffs .on the Wisconsin side of the lake are bold and high. The still water of the lake which lies between, amidst this grandeur, affords a beauti- ful foreground to the landscape, ever varying in the scenes it presents. Now, it may be, one of the great Mississippi steamers is seen on its waters, or many smaller steamboats, adapted to the shallow waters of the St. Croix river. Again it may be covered with rafts of logs, built up with a superstructure of lumber and shingles, at which a spiteful tug boat is puffing, straining and screaming. Barges, row-boats, sail-boats and other crafts of all kinds are seen plying on its waters, for this is not alone the highway for com- merce with the world at large, but it is the place of recreation and pleasuee.
From south hill a fine view of the city is ob- tained. If a stroller along these bluffs could, at the same time that he takes in the present pros-
pect, carry a picture of Stillwater as it was a little more than thirty years ago, the contrast would be almost incredible. On his picture he would see the old mill building and a few rude board shanties. Where now block eighteen is, with its wealth of business blocks, the picture has a quagmire. Where now stand the churches and public buildings, near the crossing of Myrtle and Third streets, the old picture shows the bluffs rising up abruptly forty feet or more. Elegant residences have usurped the place of hastily constructed dwellings, and poor shanties. Here is the new city hall, Myrtle street, the Methodist and Episcopal churches. Further up the north hill, more fine dwellings and the school building. The bluffs here have been cut down on Third street about forty feet, varying some- what to suit the grade to the topography. A little to the west of the school building is Isaac Staples' residence, prominent on a point of the bluff in block eight, corner of Cherry and Second streets, looking down the lake, affording a mag- nificent view of the entire lake. Here the once rugged and steep face of the bluff has been trans- formed into a succession of giant steps, built of solid masonry, rising one above the other until the summit is reached, on which the residence is located. On the plateau below, the eye rests on the state prison, the most prominent feature where extensive business is carried on, at the same time that criminals are made to suffer the penalty of the law; the C. N. Nelson Lumber Company's mill, while further up the lake is Schulenburg and Boeckeler's large . saw-mill, near the spot where in early days stood the old Tama- rack house, and the old court house. At this old court house Judge Dunn appeared in 1842 to hold a session of court in J. R. Brown's time. On the approach of the judge, it is said, Brown disappeared, whether ashamed of the coarse hospitality which he should be obliged to extend, or the fact that at his solicitation his town with- out inhabitants had been made the county seat, this deponent sayeth not. The judge, however, received such hospitality as Mrs. Brown could give, and slept in ignorance that Mr. Brown had been skulking in the bushes on the bluff. In the morning the judge determined not to hold a term of court, and departed.
The climate of Stillwater is like that of Minne-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
nesota at large. The uniformity of the tempera- ture and the dryness and quietness of the air make the winter's quite endurable. Variations from this rarely occur. In 1877, a marked exception occurred. Spring and fall had been as usual, and people had settled down to the realities of winter. But scarcely had the frost king turned his icy key, before the south wind opened the door to a few summer days, taking away at the same time the snow and ice. The steamer Ida Fulton left the wharf at Stillwater, December 28th, 1877, for the falls of St. Croix, with a large excursion party, amid the waving of handkerchiefs and the cheering of the crowd on shore assembled to see them off. Linen coats and straw hats formed a part of the attire of many of the excursionists. Some of the jolly party imagined they had dis- covered a mosquito, awaking from slumber to learn what was happening on the old St. Croix, which it had left more than a month before, locked in the grasp of King Winter. The Ida Fulton returned to Stillwater on the 29th of De- cember. The first day of 1878, this freak of na- ture ceased, when King Winter again ascended his throne to rule by virtue of his office.
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