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M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00828 6418
I. Juneau
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE YEAR 1895.
EDITED BY HOWARD LOUIS CONARD.
VOLUME I.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS ON STEEL.
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK: AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO., H. C COOPER, JR., & CO., PROPRIETORS.
H. C. COOPER, JR., & CO.
1339442
ADVISORY EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS.
WINFIELD SMITH. JOHN G. GREGORY. J. A. WATROUS.
AUGUSTUS J. ROGERS.
DANIEL WELLS, JR.
JOSHUA STARK.
JOHN P. MCGREGOR.
REV. G. FRITSCHE.
EDWARD W. FROST.
MISS EMILY P. DUNLAP.
MRS. WM. PITT LYNDE.
E. P. BACON. THOMAS BOYLE.
REV. C. G. McNEILL.
FREDERICK COOK MOREHOUSE.
REV. HENRY COLMAN, D. D.
CHARLES E. MONROE.
REV. D. W. HULBURT.
REV. HENRY T. SECRIST. RABBI S. HECHT, D. D.
WALTER KEMPSTER, M. D.
SOLON MARKS, M. D.
LEWIS SHERMAN, M. D.
A. M. THOMSON. WILLIAM W. WIGHT. JOHN JOHNSTON. JEROME R. BRIGHAM.
CHRISTIAN WAHL.
NICHOLAS SMITH.
C. C. ROGERS.
A. CRESSY MORRISON.
WILLARD MERRILL.
WILLIAM E. CRAMER.
MRS. LYDIA ELY.
MRS. FERDINAND MEINECKE.
HENRY M. MENDEL.
MRS. JAMES S. PECK.
REV. AUGUSTINE F. SCHINNER.
S. S. SAWYER.
History maketh a young man to be old, without either wrinkles or gray hairs; privileging him with the experience of age without either the infirmities or inconveniences thereof. - Thomas Fuller.
History, as it lies at the root of all science, is the first distinct product of man's spiritual nature; his earliest expression of what can be called thought. - Thomas Carlyle.
They who lived in history seemed to walk the earth again. - Longfellow.
History is the witness of the times, the torch of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life, the mes- senger of antiquity. - Cicero.
The principal office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should bear an infamous reputation with posterity. - Tacitus,
Truth comes to us from the past as gold is washed down to us from the mountains of Sierra Nevada in minute but precious particles. - Bovce.
Examine history, for it is .' philosophy teaching by examples."-Carlyle.
Industrious persons, by an exact and serupulous diligence and observation, out of the monuments, names, words, proverbs, traditions, private records and evidences, fragments of stories, passages of books that concern not story, and the like, we do save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time .- Francis Bacon.
Milwarik is a river where there is a village which has been considerable .- Letter of St. Comes to Bishop of Quebec in 1698.
PREFACE.
66 "H HISTORY makes some amends for the shortness of life," by enabling us to possess ourselves of a knowledge of events other than those which have come within the range of our own observa- tion and experience. It "maketh a young man to be old, without either wrinkles or gray hairs," and opens to all a store-house of wisdom. So brief is the span of human life that although only three score years have elapsed since the foundations of Milwaukee were laid, there are comparatively few persons now living who have been witness to the entire process of its evolution from a frontier trading post into a city ranking thirteenth in size among the cities of the United States.
While no intelligent person will raise a question as to the propriety of committing this history to the printed page, neither will intelligent persons expect to find within these volumes so much of thrilling interest as might be gleaned from the broader field of state or national history or from the voluminous records of older cities. Milwaukee's existence does not date back to what may be termed the heroic age of our national history. The Declaration of Independence awoke no responsive echoes on the western shores of Lake Michigan. No blood of revolutionary pat- riots was spilled on Wisconsin soil. No thrilling stories of Indian warfare have been handed down by the pioneers of Milwaukee to their descendants. Peaceably the aborigines yielded to the inevitable and gave up to the early settlers the lands which they had claimed for scores of years, in pursu- ance of treaty stipulations.
Then began the building of a city and marvelous have been the changes which have taken place since that time. The history of this transformation of a wilderness into a metropolis is a record of continuous commercial, industrial and social progress and development, which, while it may lack something of dramatic interest is nevertheless worthy of preservation. Ignorance of the history of the country, the city or community in which we live is, in this age, " a reproach to any people," and those who think it safe to rely solely upon traditions for their knowledge of family or local history, cherish a sentiment which should have passed away with the aborigines.
That this field has not been entirely neglected is true. Other writers have preceded us in pre- paring histories of Milwaukee-the merits of which we do not underestimate-but there ap- peared to be abundant room for improvement in the manner and method of compilation, and no small amount of unused material for a complete and exhaustive history of the city and county of which it forms a part.
Believing that the co-operative plan of writing histories subdivided into topics, is productive of the best results attainable in the preparation of historical works, we appealed to leading citizens of Milwaukee, specially well qualified to deal with certain phases of the city's history, to be- come contributors to this work. The response to the appeal was prompt and generous, and to this co-operation we are indebted for an historical review of the city's development, which begins with an account of the visits of the earliest explorers, and is brought down to the year 1895;
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and presented to the public, as it is, simultaneously with the celebration of the semi-centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the city, it may not inappropriately be termed the Memorial History of Milwaukee.
Each of the contributors to this work has labored earnestly and conscientiously to do justice to the subject under consideration; to bring together the fragmentary accounts already in existence, to collate facts previously unpublished, and to weave these materials into a harmonious whole. As a result of these joint efforts we present to the people of Milwaukee a complete review of the social, religious, educational, professional, political, military, industrial and com- mercial history of the city, a full account of the origin and subsequent development of its monetary institutions, of the origin and development of the various departments of the city and county governments, and of the evolution of the courts and other county and city institutions. To this we have added departments devoted to the personal history of those who have been conspicuous in various walks of life, which can not fail to prove one of the most interesting features of the work.
To preserve all the essential facts of history has been the aim and purpose of the editor and his associates, and of trivial incidents which have found a place in previously published histories of the city, mention has in this-we think wisely-been omitted. Our earnest endeavor bas been to achieve accuracy in everything worthy of mention in this connection, and to this end all the avail- able records have been carefully examined, surviving early settlers have been consulted and care has been taken to verify, as far as possible, every statement made.
That perfection has been attained and that our work will be found absolutely free from error cannot of course be claimed, for-
" Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see,
Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be."
Nevertheless we feel confident that these volumes will commend themselves to fair and just critics, and find favor with an intelligent public proud of the city of Milwaukee, loyal to its inter- ests, and deeply interested in its history.
To those who have contributed to these pages and to those also who have generously aided ns to illustrate this history more elaborately and beautifully than any similar work published in a Western city has ever been illustrated, the editor and publishers desire to return sincerest thanks. This cordial co-operation alone has made the publication of the history possible. The liberality and public spirit which have thus been manifested are kindred to that spirit of enterprise which has given to the city its splendid public institutions, and deserve and should receive the same popular appreciation and commendation.
CHICAGO, Ocr. 1, 1895.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PRE-HISTORIC AND INDIAN OCCUPATION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY .- 1.
Hon. Winfield Smith.
Races whose origin is enveloped in doubt-Artificial mounds discovered and described by I. A. Lapham -The North American Indians and what is known of their origin-Their occupancy of Wisconsin- Division of the territory among the different tribes -Tribal wars and conquests-The country at the mouth of the Milwaukee river a favorite Indian camping ground-Indian wars not a prominent feature of Wiseonsin history .- The Black Hawk war the only notable uprising-Brief account of an in- glorious conflict-Capture of the Indian chieftain on Wisconsin soil-The territory given up to the whites without further struggle.
CHAPTER II.
THE DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF WISCONSIN .- 4. Hon. Winfield Smith.
Jean Nicollet, the first white man to set foot on Wis- consin soil-Coming from Quebec to Green Bay by way of Mackinac-Exploration of the Fox river and Lake Winnebago region-Nieollet followed by Radisson and Groselliers-First settlement of Wis- consin by French Jesuit missionaries-The Upper Mississippi river discovered by Marquette and Joliet -Nicholas Perrot and his army of twenty men-All the first white settlers of Wisconsin were Frenchmen -The first government of the territory under French authority-The British flag raised in 1763-Terri- tory ceded to the United States in 1783-Claimed by Virginia as part of the " Illinois tract"-A part of the Indian Territory in 1800-Made part of Illi- nois territory in 1809-Attached to Michigan in 1818-The territory of Wisconsin created in 1836- Its population and government-Formally admitted into the Union as a state in 1848.
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGICAL AND CLIMATIC FEATURES OF EASTERN WISCONSIN .- S. Hon. Winfield Smith.
The western shore of Lake Michigan and its peculiari- ties-Streams which flow into the lake and their
effeet upon settlements- The Indians were dwellers at the mouths of these streams-White settlers built towns at the same locations-The site of Milwaukee as it appeared in primitive condition-High bluffs and a wide expanse of marsh its distinctive features -Harbor facilities afforded by the rivers-The phe- nomena of the glacial period-Its effect upon the topography of Eastern Wisconsin-Tendeney of the lake waters-Outlines of the bay-Atmospheric conditions influenced by the lake-A healthful and salubrious climate-Table showing mean tempera- ture at Milwaukee for twenty-three years.
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST WHITE SETTLERS ON MILWAUKEE RIVER -- 13.
The Editor.
Origin of the name-Investigations of Wheeler and Buck-Statement of Lieutenant James Gorrell- Indian statements as to its significance-Joshua Hathaway's conclusions-An earlier settler than Juneau-Jean Baptiste Mirandeau-His settlement on Milwaukee river in 1795-His Indian wife and family-A friend of the Indians and first artisan of Milwaukee-His character and accomplish- ments.
CHAPTER V.
THE COMING OF JUNEAU, THE FOUNDER OF THE CITY .- 15. The Editor.
Solomon Juneau's arrival at Milwaukee-Little known of his early life-The parish record-First heard of in the West at Mackinaw-Engages to Jacques Vieau as clerk-The Vieau family-Junean marries Viean's daughter-Engages in business on his own account- Known as an Indian trader prior to 1835-His log store and dwelling house at the intersection of Wis- eonsin and East Water streets-First frame buildings erected on site of the city-Juneau acquires title to lands lying between the river and lake-Interest therein is sold to Martin and Dousman-Lands platted and townsite named Milwaukie in summer of 1835-Improvements made-Junean's success- His reverses and death-Removal of his remains to Milwaukee-Mrs. Juneau.
VII
VIII
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE.
CHAPTER VI. MILWAUKEE WEST OF THE RIVER -20.
The Editor.
Byron Kilbourn founder of this division of the city- ITis antecedents and early history-Born in Connect- icut and brought up in Ohio -- His connection with the public works of "the Buckeye State"-Appoint- ment as government land surveyor-Explorations in Wisconsin-His first visit to Milwaukee in the fall of 1834- Purchase of lands and platting of town west of the river-His energy, activity and enter- prise as founder and promoter-Sketch of his subse- quent career.
CHAPTER VH.
MILWAUKEE SOUTH OF THE RIVER .-- 23.
The Editor.
First settler on the south side of the river -George H. Walker. a native of Virginia -- His pioneer experi- ences in Illinois -- He comes to Milwaukee as an Indian trader -- Settles on a tract of land, which becomes known as " Walker's Point "- Rival claim- ants eloud his title and retard the growth of his set- tlement -- His public services and later life -- Junean, Walker and Kilbourn compared.
CHAPTER VIIL.
THE NUCLEUS OF A SETTLEMENT .- 26. The Editor.
Milwaukee only a trading station prior to 1834 -- 1t was so designated on the maps of the Northwest Territory- First settlers, as distinguished from In- dian traders -- Four home-seekers join Juneau in the fall of 1833 -- The first female resident who was not of French or Indian extraction -- The "pioneers of '34 " -- Horace Chase one of them -- Brief sketch of his early life and career in Milwaukee Samuel Brown, Morgan S. Burdick and others -Milwaukee becomes known and talked about -- Brown county di- vided and Milwaukee county ereated Slight evi- dence of civilization in the new county.
CHAPTER 1X.
LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS OF A CITY. - 29. The Editor.
Indian treaties and ceded lands - United States survey of the ceded territory A town-site platted in ad- vance of its purchase The Milwaukee settlement assumes an urban aspect First sale of lots First
recorded plat-The first election-An odd official roster and heaped up official honors-Considerable influx of immigrants in 1835-Alphabetical list of the settlers of that year-Taverns built and other improvements made-Post-office established and Junean appointed post-master-"Milwaukee" Smith the first child born of Anglo-Saxon parents-Brief mention of some of the pioneers of "35."
CHAPTER X.
A YEAR OF WONDERFUL DEVELOPMENT.
The Editor.
Premonitory symptoms of land speculation in 1835
The speculative fever epidemie in 1836-Unprece- dented influx of capitalists, speculators and other immigrants-Wisconsin territory segregated from Michigan-Surveys of public lands-Land office opened in Milwaukee-Streets graded and many buiklings erected-Juneau and his partners build a court-house -- The first newspaper established -- A schooner built for Junean-Steamers begin to make regnlar stops at Milwaukee-Where the bulk of population came from-First census of Wisconsin territory -First territorial election-Rivalry between the " East" and " West " sides -- Precedents estab- lished far-reaching in their consequences-"Squat- ters' rights " and "floated claims " -- The claimants union-Milwaukee " Judiciary Committee."
CHAPTER XI.
SPECULATION SUBSIDES AND DEPRESSION FOL-
LOWS .-- 37. The Editor.
Sudden cessation of activity in real estate -- An over- crowded village and consequent suffering-The spring of 1837 fails to revive blighted prospects- The financial panie and its effects- Realty sold for a fraction of its original cost-Ruined investors numerons-Many persons compelled to seek a liveli- hood in other places- Attention of those who remained turned to developing the resources of the country --- Village governments organized on both the East and West sides of Milwaukee river Illusions cherished by the founders of the city Antagonism which engendered much discord in later years-Rival newspapers and heated controversies Organization of the county for judicial purposes -- Opening of a road to Madison in 1838-The first light house -Land sales the leading event of 1839 Combination of settlers to protect their rights - Nearly all sales made to actual settlers The first
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
church erected in Milwaukee-First German immi- grants-First bridge connecting the East and West sides -- The bridge war -- 1833 to 1846 the formative period of Milwaukee's history --- Character of the early settlers -- Tribute to pioneer women -- Close of the pioneer period.
CHAPTER XII.
CIVIL HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT .-- 43.
Hon. Winfield Smith.
Causes of the rapid growth of the city -- Practical wisdom in selection of the site-Easy communication by water-Natural charms of the location-What the early explorers found here-Indian titles and their extinction-Settlers' rights not always respected- The county of Milwaukee segregated from Brown- Later sub-divisions of Milwaukee county- Present boundaries-County and town government-First election of township officers-Record book of the election-Private matters mingled with public records-Roster of officers elected-Natural division of the territory embraced in the present city-Con- troversies between the early settlers-Organization of two village governments-Consolidation of the village in 1839-Walker's Point settlement added to the village in 1845-Preparation for more complete municipal organization-Vote of the people on a city charter.
CHAPTER XIIL. THE CITY UNDER THE CHARTER .- 50 Hon. Winfield Smith.
Legislative enactment of 1846-First election under the charter- Boundaries of the original city- Divided into five wards Each ward a separate township and school district-Annual elections pro- vided for-Qualifications of voters-Powers of offi- cials defined-Jurisdiction of the police justice- The Common Council and its prerogatives-A general grant of power-Authority to levy taxes- The harbor plan approved-Assessments to be equa- lized by the city council-The payment of ward debts-Tax sales and tax titles-Personal property taxation-A two-thirds vote of the people necessary to authorize the city to borrow money-A volunteer fire department provided for-The charter amended in 1847 -- A new charter submitted in 1852-Its adoption and changes thereunder-Code of proced- ure provided for the police court in 1853-Ordinance providing for the appointment of a chief of police-
The office of city marshal abolished-Bridge require- ments under the second charter-The offices of city attorney and city comptroller made elective-Rail- road commissioners for each ward.
CHAPTER XIV.
DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT. 57.
Hon, Winfield Smith.
Public improvements and burdens resulting therefrom -Correction of abuses by legislative enactment- Creation of a sinking fund commission-Limit of taxation for general purposes-Appointment of as- sessors by the mayor The Board of Review-Com- mon Council divided into two bodies Powers of each body-Veto power of the mayor- Office of street commissioner abolished Office of assessor made elective-Municipal Court established-Read- justment of city debt-Commissioners of the public debt-Duties and powers of the Commission-Re- striction of bonded indebtedness-Construction of water-works authorized-Board of Public Works created in 1869-Empowered to take charge of all public works and improvements -- Benefits and damn- ages to abutting lots assessed by this board- Method of letting contracts-Board of Water Commissioners created in 1871 -- Its powers and duties-The present charter of Milwaukee adopted in 1874-Abolition of the double chamber organization of the Common Council-Water commission merged in the Board of Public Works-Present subdivisions of the city gov- ernment -- Fire and police departments under civil service regulations-Salaries of city officials-Names of all the mayors of the city-Riotous uprisings and official aetion.
CHAPTER XV.
EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY .- 67. John G. Gregory.
Milwaukee county an independent political organiza- tion-First county officers-The township of Mil- waukee created on St. Patrick's day. 1835-First congressional delegate chosen The first legislative delegates-Personal and local considerations gov- erned the choice of these officials-Colonel George W. Jones elected to Congress-Division of Milwau- kee county in 1836-Hatred of land speculators and "wild cat money"-The Sentinel started as a Democratic newspaper-First election of county commissioners in 1838-Objections to the county
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE.
commissioner system-Its abolition when Wiseonsin became a state-Opposition to secret societies-Di- vision of Wisconsin Territory-Opposition to the re- election to Congress of George W. Jones-The Cilley-Graves duel a political issue-Jones defeated by James Duane Doty-The Rock River Canal in politics-The government grant of eanal lands ---- Crisis in the canal company's affairs-Failure of the enterprise-Canal bonds and "repudiation resolu- tions"-Final adjustment of canal matters.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE EVOLUTION OF POLITICAL PARTIES .- 73.
John G. Gregory.
Preparations for partisan divisions-The Sentinel's at- taeks on Jackson and Van Buren-Criticism of Gov- ernor Dodge-The Advertiser's defense of the administration-Kilbourn and Doty as congressional candidates-Democrats defeated by Democratie-Re- publicans-Whig sentiment in the territory-Declar- ation of the Sentinel in favor of "Harrison and reform" in 1840-Public celebration of the election of Harrison and Tyler- Jonathan E. Arnold orator of the day-A feast prepared for Whigs eaten by Demoerats- Organization of the Whig party in Wis- consin-The machinery of party organization- Democratic organization in 1841-A dinner at the Fountain House on Washington's Birthday-".Demo- eratie-Whig" and "Democratie-Republican" Terri- torial Convention of 1841-Jonathan E. Arnold and Henry Dodge nominated for congressional delegate -A spirited campaign conducted on party lines- The Whigs deprived of a party organ-Arnold de- feated by Dodge -. . Off years" in territorial times- A workingman's ticket placed in the field-Session of the legislature in 1843-George H. Walker elected speaker-E. D. Holton elected sheriff of Milwaukee county-An "abolitionist" and a teetotaler Demo- eratie supremacy in connty affairs -- A "free soil" candidate for Congress-Milwaukee opposed to a state government- First election under the city charter The first Constitutional Convention- Ileated argument for and against the adoption of the constitution submitted to the people Its defeat en- compassed by an "anti-banking" section-The see- ond Constitutional Convention Its work ratified by the people at the special election of 1848 -Election of state officers The Democratic candidates chosen - Isaac P. Walker of Milwaukee elected a United States Senator.
CHAPTER XVII.
POLITICS AND POLITICAL ISSUES BEFORE THE WAR .- 80.
John G. Gregory.
Early campaign issues-Immigration and its effects- Passage of a drastic anti-liquor law by the legis- lature-Opposition to its enforcement in Milwaukee -An emphatic protest against " blue laws "-Sup- porters of the law defend its provisions and demand its enforcement-Continued agitation of the liquor question-Prohibition submitted to vote of the people of Wisconsin-The vote of Milwaukee overwhelmingly adverse to it-Carried in the state-Saloon closing orders of Mayor Phillips and Mayor Stowell in later years The presidential election of 1852 -Foreign born citizens vote with the Demo- erats-Political curiosities of the early days- " Land limitation" proposed in the legislature -Defeat of the proposition-The bank issne finally disposed of-First presidential campaign of the Republican party-Its strength in Mil- waukee in 1856-Foreign born voters appealed to by both political parties-W. A. Prentiss the first Republican mayor of the city-Carl Sehurz in Wis- eonsin politics -A Republican elected governor of the state-Slavery the leading issue of the campaign of 1859-An episode of the campaign in Milwaukee -Abraham Lincoln's visit to the city-The political activity of 1860-Visit of Stephen A. Douglas in October of that year-Galusha A. Grow's speech for Republicans- Heavy Republican gains at the ensu- ing election-Campaign of 1861-The " Ryan ad- dress" of 1862.
CHAPTER XVIII.
NEGRO SUFFRAGE IN THE CONSTITUTION .- S9.
John G. Gregory.
Attitude of the people toward slavery-The under- ground railroad and its managers-Ante-war epi- sodes-The "Glover rescue"-Negroes elothed with the right of suffrage under Wisconsin laws in 1849 -This faet not discovered until 1865.
CHAPTER XIX.
POLITICAL CHANGES OF A HISTORIC DECADE. -- 92.
John G. Gregory.
War issues dominant in politics from 1861 to 1865 The congressional campaign of 1862-Questions propounded to the Democratic candidate Ilis elec-
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