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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
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M. L.
GENEALCOY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01053 0514
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groftBuck
Pioneer
MILWAUKEE
V. 3
NDER THE
C HARTER,
FROM 1847 TO 1853, INCLUSIVE.
VOLUME III.
1
BY JAMES S. BUCK.
C
INCORP
311846
MILWAUKEE SYMES, SWAIN & CO., PRINTERS. 1884.
1
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1884, by JAMES S. BUCK, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
1
1200011
TO THE MEMORY OF
SOLOMON JUNEAU,
MILWAUKEE'S FIRST PERMANENT WHITE SETTLER,
AND FIRST MAYOR,
Is THIS VOLUME MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY THE AUTHOR.
MILWAUKEE ! glory. of the Lakes ! Thy march is onward, ever onward !
.
PREFACE TO VOL. III.
In coming before the public for the third time as a historian, the author desires to say, that when Vol. II was published, completing the " Pioneer portion " of the city's history, it was not in contem- plation to carry it any further-as the adoption of the charter seemed to be a good point at which to stop. But as the next thir- teen years subsequent to the charter have as much historic value (in some respects) as the "Pioneer portion," and, having been strongly urged thereto by the State Historical Society, as well as by many of his fellow citizens who have read the previous volumes, to go on, he has concluded to do so, and bring it down to the breaking out of the "Civil War" in 1861, which he is working with all his might to accomplish, well knowing his earthly life is rapidly drawing to a close, and that what he intends to do must be done quickly.
. This continuation will be done in two volumes, covering seven years each, thus giving to the city a political, financial, statistical and biographical record, which he flatters himself, although far from being complete or perfect, will be of value, not only to the present generation, but also to the future historian who shall write the city's history fifty years hence, when all who were witnesses to, or who participated in the scenes herein described, shall have crossed the Styx-
And other men their places fill, Other hands their lands shall till, And they shall be forgotten.
All errors (and they will creep into any history) in Vol. I, so far as known, were corrected in Vol. II, and all in Vol. II, in the present
6
PREEACE.
volume. But those in the present (and there are several) have as far as discovered been corrected further on, under the head of "a cor- rection."
There will be several cuts of old buildings in this volume, some of. which, although among the early ones, have not yet passed into obliv- ion, which, if of no particular value to the present generation, will be of some interest to those who shall dwell in Milwaukee fifty years hence, notably among which is a diagram of the east side of East Water Street, between Huron and Michigan Streets, as it appeared in 1835-'36-'37-'38. It will also contain several reminiscial sketches, and an appendix containing matter which the writer considers a complete refutation of the slanderous statements published in the so-called " History of Milwaukee," issued in 1881 by an association known as the " Western Historical Company, of Chicago," about the " home life of Solomon Juneau," as well as the pretended claim of "Jean Baptist Morandeau," with which allegation he will close this Preface, with many thanks to all his Brother Pioneers who by advice, or information given, have aided and encouraged him in this labori- ous undertaking. But particularly are they due to Hon. Lyman C. Draper, secretary, and Daniel S. Durrie, librarian of State Historical Society, as well as to the librarian of the Milwaukee City Library, the Milwaukee Sentinel, and Daily Wisconsin, for courtesies extended and documents furnished.
THE AUTHOR.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
1
INTRODUCTION
Page. 13
CHAPTER I .- 1847 15 Opening Address-Democratic Policy and its Effects-War on the Consti- tution-Meeting of January 30th, at the Council Room-L. P. Crary- S. P. Coon-Job Haskall-Ordinance Passed-Business Directory- Sketch of J. F. Birchard and of Edward Emery-R. W. Pierce-Graf- fenburg Pills-Bridges-Sketch of Hon. J. H. VanDyke-McGregor Female Seminary-August Greulich-Badger Supper-An Old Settler -David Bonham-Political-Noonan vs. King-The Earthquake- Steamers-April Election-Retirement of Solomon Juneau-Reliance Works of Decker & Saville-Sketch-New Board-Jonathan Taylor- Torch Light Procession-Report of School Commissioner-John B. Smith-Incidental-Council Proceedings-Tavern Inspectors-Leon- ard Kennedy, Sketch of-Report of Finance Committee --- Brick Side walks-Painting a Painter -The Empire Mill-Assessments-Legis- lative-Fall Election- William Shew's Speech-Exports and Imports.
CHAPTER II .- 1848
103
Opening Address-Constitutional Convention-Weather-Pest House- Improvements -- Bad Money -- Badger Supper -- George Chaffee- Henry Middleton-Gustav Streckwald-First Telegraph-Green & Button, sketch of-John Bentley, do-Military Parade-Theater- Storms-S. C. Newhall-Schools-Professor Amasa Buck, Sketch of- Hubbell Loomis-Council-A Sporting Reminiscence -- Edmond Sanderson-Political-The Fur flies-Geo. E. H. Day-Alexander Matheson-Election-Officers Elected-High School-The Bluff-Im- provements-Andrew E. Dibble, Sketch of-Do. Atkins, Ogden & Atkins-Prospects-Author's comments thereon-S. C. West, Sketch of-James Magee, do-Boom at Walker's Point-The old Sweet Ele- vator-Horace Chase Resigns-Sketch of S. S. Daggett-l'. P. Lowns- berry-E. D. Baker-Blue Warehouse-Judicial Election-Grading- S. & D. Adler -- Improvements -- Cowles & Ross-Political-The American Freeman-Embezzlement.
8
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER HI .- 1849
165
Opening address-Improvements-Austin's Block-Political-Hotels- Fire-Mr. Hawkins, memorial sketch of-Marshall & Ilsley, Sketch- Miscellaneous-John Roberts, Sketch-Henry S. Burton-J. S. Fill- more-Hiram Mabbitt-Hotel Changes -- F. Willmanns, Sketch- Political-Reports-J. E. Cameron-Complaints-Geo. Dyer, Sketch of -- Hiram R. Bond-Improvements-Temperance Meeting-Fire Department-Thos. Shea, Sketch-do. H. H. West-Census-Dr. James Johnson-Letter-Bridge-School Board-J. F. McClure-H. N. Hempsted-Manufactures-T. Litell-Cholera-Indian Names- Repudiation-Election-Attempt to Divide the First Ward-J. Van Buren, Sketch of-do. John D. Gardner-Financial-Shipments -- High Proof Whisky-Hunting Deserters-Geo. R. Dyer-Alfred Orrendorff -John Corbin.
CHAPTER IV .- 1850.
225
Opening address-Charter Meeting -- Taxation -- City Government- Improvements-Fire-Leland's Old Home Burnt-Adolph Cramer, Sketch of-do. H. S. Mack-New Warehouse-Hemenway's Bank- Great Storm-Riot-Fire-The Kenosha War-Political-A Lecture -Financial-Pennsylvania House Burnt-A Second " Sam Patch " -- The Bayou -- Phoenix Building-That Bull Calf-Chief Engineer's Report-Municipal Election-S. Juneau's Portrait-Miscellaneous- School Superintendent's Report-List of Saloons-Hon. Ed. O'Neill, Sketch of-Buildings Erected-Imports and Exports-Newspapers- Public Schools-Churches-Orphan Asylum-Benevolent Societies- Military Companies.
CHAPTER V .- 1851
292
Opening address-Hotels-Foundries-Hardware Merchants-Haney & Debow, Sketch-Dry Goods Stores-Thos L. Baker, Sketch of- Warehousemen-Correction for Volume 11-Druggists-Bosworth & Sons, Sketch of-Sketch J. H. Tesch-Cabinet Makers-Friend & Bro., Sketch of-Confectionery, H. J. Goff-S. Bryant, Sketch of-The Excelsior Society-Spirit Rapping-New Bridge-Charter Meeting- The German Letter-Author's Comments -- Meeting at the Court House-Smith & McVicker-Paper Mill-Fire-G. D. Norris, Ship Chandler, Sketch-Jas. K. Webster, Sketch of-C. W. Norris-J. & Andrew Joys, Sketch of-J. Thorsen, Sketch of-S. S. Merrill, Sketch of-Division of the County Attempted-The Burns Supper-The Plank Road Craze-Cowhiding a Local-Editorial Squibs-Taxation-Repu- diation and Its Effects-The "Clay Clubs "-The K. O. Clubs-Fire- Anti-Land Meeting-Opening of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad to Waukesha-Illegal Voting-Finances of Milwaukee-Broke In- Importing a Postmaster-The Old Corner Store-Nationality-Spring Street Female Seminary-The Leahy Riot and What Came of it- Taxation-The Vliet-McGarry Imbroglio-A Ducking-Primary Meet- ings -- Common Council -- Report of Committee on Finance-The Gullen Murder-Schools-Complaints -- David Ross Murdered- Charter Rejected and New Committee Appointed-Special Taxation- Complaints-Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Receipts-A Racy Affair-Land Slide-Belligerent-The McDermot-Powers Imbroglio- Grading-Laying the Corner Stone of the German Lutheran Church- Political-The Judicial Contest-James McAboy-The Jury System- Legislative-Boy Kidnapped-Bridge Tomfoolery-Steamboat Land- ing-Court House Square Impeached-Omnibus Line Started-New Daily Paper-Jas. Crummey-Fire-License-Taxation-Fire Depart- ment-School Census-Improvements-Steamboat Arrivals-Imports -Exports-Statistics-Jailor's Report.
-
CONTENTS.
9
CHAPTER VI .- 1852. 367
Opening address-Ordinance passed appointing Night Watch-Burns Sup- per-Jeremiah H. Zander -- Row in a Liquor Store -- Criminal- Inbusch Bros., Sketch of-New Charter-Vote accepting the sanie -- William P. Young's Block Burnt-The Drake Brothers, Sketch of -- Democratic Party permanently organized-Then and twelve years later -Political-Moses Kneeland, Sketch-Political-Supervisors-School Commissioners-Fire Department-Fire Limits Extended-Postoffice Removed-R. P. Elmore, Sketch-Doctor Payne, Sketch-N. Brick, Sketch-St. Patrick's Day-J. McManman-City Printing-Financial -Great Storm-Troubles about the Bridges-Steamers and Propellers -E. H. Brodhead-Market House-The "Asinine " Society-Michael Page, Sketch-Chas. P. Foote, Sketch-" Lost! Lost!"-Report of Alderman Prentiss-Water Power-Walter Burke, Letter-The "May Fest"-Durand & Lawrence, Sketch of-Spring Street Bridge again- The Awnings Come Down-The Schools -- The License Question- Ratification -- Celebration and its Results -- Migration of Insects- Important to Many-The Menomonee Valley-High-Water-Gas Pipe laid Across the River-Astronomy-Making Voters-Milwaukee's First Depot-Cheek-Improvements-Railroad Meeting-School Census-Taxation -- The ()id Plank Road -- John M. W. Lace, Killed- Political-The Fall Election-Opening of the Gas Works-Incorrigible -Congressional-War between D. McGraw and Billy O'Flamington- Fire Department. 416
CHAPTER VII .- 1853
Opening address -- Railroad Meeting at Gardner's Hall-do. City Hall -- Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad open to Janesville-Weather- Wisconsin Leather Company-An Elegant Store -- Lester Sexton- Niedecken & Sons-John Mitchell-Dutcher, Ball & Goodrich-Mass Meeting-Election-Mills and Manufacturers-Buildings-A Full Jail-Water Works-School-Suicide-Health Insurance-Hiram F. Story-Council-Fond du Lac depot located-Railroad Riot-Im- peachment Trial-Bridges-Consecration of St. John's Cathedral- J. A. Pirie-M. Steever-Chas. H. Perkins-H. H. Camp-Railroad Earnings-Political-Scenes at Election-John White-The Cross Keys-Stimson & Daily.
APPENDIX.
Milwaukee's First Permanent Settler. 463
List of Vessels Built at Milwaukee 485 Climate of Milwaukee 489
ERRATA.
On page 87, thirteenth line from the top, for " that," read " has." On page 128, sixth line from the top, for " Geo. Hough," read " George G. Houghton."
On page 146, (Bath House,) for " the," in first line, read "these."
On page 301, for " William H. Willmanns," read " William H. Williams."
On page 349, fourth line from the top, for " Edwin H. Bridge- man," read " Edwin Bridgeman."
On page 367, for " Chapter VII." read "Chapter VI."
On page 413, eleventh line from the top, for " foul expression," read " foul aspersion."
On page 416, third line from the bottom, for " their charter," read " the charter."
INTRODUCTION.
Whoever attempts to write a local history for the purpose of gain, will as a rule, not get rich. And if he write for fame, he will before reaching the entrance to the temple of that fickle goddess, be pretty sure to tread upon a thorn-in fact, he will find the pathway thereto thickly strewn with them. His work is sure to be criticised, by every one who feels aggrieved, or who may not find his name occupying a prominent place therein. By some he will be accused of unfairness, and by others of partiality, or of saying too much of this one and too little of others. And to write such a book and not make some enemies would seem to be almost impossible. Such, at all events, has been the author's experience ; but as an offset to this he has made the pleasing discovery, that from those who by their ability, integrity, correct lives and force of character have reached a high social, finan- cial or moral plane in the community, no complaint ever comes- true merit never seeks the highest seat, it is no Pharisee-but from those whose record is best known to the Police Court, it often does. Consequently a historian in order to be just to all of whom he writes, must state things as he sees them from his stand-point, always taking . care to be truthful. This the author of these volumes has endeavored to do, and if his delineations of character seem in some instances to be harsh, it should not be taken by the party mentioned as an insult, for it was not so intended, and he will bet nine dollars that he is right every time, and put the money up now.
The introduction of politics into the municipal affairs of any city is always the one great drawback to its prosperity, neither I think will it be claimed that Milwaukee has been exempt from its baleful
14
INTRODUCTION.
influence. And as the writer is well known to be no Democrat (although some of his warmest personal friends are members of that organization), as well as to be very outspoken, it is barely possible that in commenting upon what he considers the rascality of some of its leaders, and the injury the city has suffered at their hands (refer- ence to which will be met with occasionally in the book), he may have said things not found in " Pilgrim's Progress " or Fox's " Book of Martyrs," for all of which if such should prove to be the case, he is perfectly willing to be forgiven. Could a more generous offer than that be expected of him ? I think not. And as he goes back to first charter and comes down to the present, memory, whose eye never slumbers nor sleeps-asserts its kingdom, causing the well remembered forms of the long list of those who entered the political arena in 1846, who have filled a drunkard's grave, or who proving defaulters have become criminals, as well as all those whose feet in their efforts to obtain an inside seat, have slid in due time, and who in consequence thereof have passed down the political incline to that bourne (oblivion) from whence no politician has ever returned, pass like a panorama in review before him. It is sad, but it is true, that political gambling will ultimately bring a man to shame. Will it ever stop? I fear me never.
THE AUTHOR.
CHAPTER I.
1847.
Opening Address-Democratic Policy and its Effects-War on the Constitution- Meeting of January 30th, at the Council Room-L. P. Crary-S. P. Coon- Job Haskall-Ordinance Passed -- Business Directory -- Sketch of J. F. Birchard and of Edward Emery-R. W. Pierce-Graffenburg Pills-Bridges -Sketch of Hon. J. H. VanDyke-McGregor Female Seminary-August Greulich-Badger Supper-An Old Settler-David Bonham-Political- Noonan vs. King-The Earthquake-Steamers-April Election-Retirement of Solomon Juneau-Reliance Works of Decker & Saville-Sketch-New Board-Jonathan Taylor-Torch Light Procession-Report of School Com- missioner -- John B. Smith -- Incidental-Council Proceedings -- Tavern Inspectors-Leonard Kennedy, Sketch of-Report of Finance Committee --- Brick Sidewalks-Painting a Painter -The Empire Mill-Assessments- Legislative-Fall Election- William Shew's Speech-Exports and Imports.
If there's a hole in a' your coats, I rede you tent it; A chiel's amang you taking notes, And faith, he'll prent it.
Milwaukee in 1847 had, as stated in Vol. 2, attained the proud position of a municipality, and taken her position as such among her sister cities in the west. Up to this time her march to wealth and influence as a commercial emporium had been slow, but from this on it was to be much more rapid. Her unrivaled advantages were beginning to be appreciated by men of capital, and as a natural sequence, investments were made in real estate, that were destined to make millionaires of those who made them. And it is those who came at that time, as a rule, who are the most wealthy to-day. But as has been stated, with the close of 1846, her pioneer history had ended, and she had now settled down to the business of life in earnest. A new era had also dawned upon her politically ; she had always been Democratic, the leaders of which party (among those to the " manor " born), had up to this time been able to keep the reigns in their own hands, and the offices too, by continually warning the foreigners against having anything to do with the " awful " Whigs, who they assured them were the
16
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
exact counterparts of the "feudal lords and barons " of their own native land,# and who would reduce them to the same state of vassalage in this, their adopted country, as they had endured there, and even worse if they could. But the foreign element had now become too strong as well as politically too hungry to be kept in leading strings any longer. They had (to use a homely phrase) " raked the chestnuts out of the fire," for their self-appointed instructors long enough, and with the change of government from the old trustee to the aldermanic system, came a desire on the part of that element, for political honors as well as political spoils, that metaphorically speaking, made "Rome howl" for the next ten years, and the baleful effects of which are visible to-day in the broken health and blasted reputations of some yet living who were the leaders in the Democratic party in 1847. Theirs was a case of self destruction, for as it came to pass with the Hindoos when under Mohammed Ali, Nawab of Arcot, they called upon the English army to aid them in their intestine wars with the Nawabs of the Pretty Kingdomst (into which like as was Ireland in ancient times-that sunny clime was then divided), so it came to pass with them. Their guests became their masters and have held the fort. Neither from that time to the present has any native born
*The evil consequences of the course pursued by the Democratic leaders towards the foreigners when they first came this country are felt throughout the land to-day. Perhaps they were not aware of the natural effects of such a course as they pursued, their object being to keep in power, which they saw they were in danger of losing if left to contend with the Whigs on equal terms, and took the dangerous course of removing all restrictions to naturalization, thereby giving the most ignorant peasant from Europe the same political rights immedi- ately upon his landing on our soil, that it took a native twenty-one years to acquire. Was there ever in the history of any nation greater injustice done or geater folly committed than this !
¡It was wholly by the intestine wars among the petty chiefs of the divided Ireland that the English first got a foothold there, and the same foolish policy gave them India. The Hindoos as well as the Irish saw their mistake, but only when it was everlastingly too late.
It has been said that when Surajah Dowlah, Nawab of Bengal, who took Calcutta from the English in 1756, and thrust his prisoners into the black hole, was in his turn defeated in 1757 by the English under Lord Clive and became convinced that the invaders had come to stay, offered as an illustration of what he would give them to vacate the country, to build a bridge across the Hoogly (there about three-fourths of a mile in width), the piers and abutments of which should be of gold mohors $7.50 each, or rupees fifty cents each. And they to have it all; but they would not.
The writer who spent the winter of IS35 '36 in Calcutta has seen the place where this black hole stood, (at that time) occupied by the Custom House.
17
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
American citizen, unless he would out-herod Herod in catering to the wishes of his self invited masters, ever been able to get his name upon the Democratic slate, and never will. Politically they have cut their own throats.
The right to vote, hold office and sit upon the jury* was a new thing to our foreign born citizens, and they went in for both with a vim. Gay old times were those early municipal elections. when Albert Bade, G. M. Fitzgerald, John White, M. Schoeffler, Herman Schwarting, Francis Huebschmann, Ed. McGarry, Richard Murphy, Andrew McCormick, Daniel Kennedy, John Rosebeck, and per- haps a few others were the Democratic leaders among the foreign population, all of whom, with the exception of Rosebeck, McGarry and Schwarting, have crossed the "dark river " and are at rest. But this greed for office, which is in fact nothing but a disease, a kind of political ague, ran itself out, to a certain extent, after a few years ; to be an alderman now is no great credit to any one, and financially, if the would-be alderman is honest. it is a curse. But so it is ever in a new country with a population as heterogeneous as was ours, and whose first political leaders were the demagogues, and in some instances the demijohns, from among those to the manor born, and who met the immigrants on their arrival upon our shores with a smile so child-like and bland, ready to instruct them in the art of self government. Consequently 1847 was politically a stormy year. The Mexican war for the extension of slavery was also in full blast,
*I think it will not be denied by any one who is at all familiar with our courts, that for years after the adoption of the charter our jury system was, to a great extent, a farce, as it often happened that many of them were not only ignorant of the language, but also ignorant of the law, and that consequently many ludicrous scenes were enacted in and about the old court house, that if related would not add much to the dignity of the Bench or the Bar, one of which, however, I will relate, viz : that of a case brought from Racine county in which to the writer's own knowledge, two of the panel at least were unable to tell which was the plaintiff or which was the defendant, and one of whom, a Mr. McCarthy, had not the remotest idea of the nature of the case he was supposed to be trying, and who backed into a corner of the jury room busily engaged in · lighting his old dudeen (a clay pipe as black as ink), naively asked of the writer " what in the divil all this fuss was about, we'd been listening to the day." He was a nice juryman, but then it was probably his turn.
The phrase " his turn," arose from an election held in the third ward many years ago, at which one of the citizens of that ward (yet living) was a candidate for the office of constable, and who when asked how he expected to get along with it (as he could neither read nor write) replied that he didn't care a d -- n, it was his turn.
18
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
the music of the soul-stirring fife and drum being constantly heard in our streets as the brave volunteers were marched to the steamers which were to carry them to the land of the Montezumas, from whence more than half of them were destined never to return. The whole of which was well calculated to remind them of their own land of standing armies and military display. So that in place of finding in their newly adopted country a haven of rest, they found themselves upon their arrival in a country filled with turmoil and engaged in unholy war, into which many of them were induced to take a part and where they found a grave. Neither were they at all backwards in enrolling themselves under the flag of their adopted country to help the " slave power" crush out the last vestige of human liberty from the land, for the war was certainly brought about for that and for nothing else, not knowing in their ignorance what they did. But they know now, and in the late rebellion have, as well as the native born, had a baptism of blood that has washed them from all their former sins, and (with a few exceptions) clothed them with republicanism as with a garment.
But I digress. Another subject breeding contention at this time was the adoption or rejection of the new state constitution, formed the previous year at Madison, a thing of joy to the locofoco* wing of the Democratic party, but one that the majority of that party rejected with as much contempt as did the whigs, principally on account of the hard money clause and the want of a proper exemption clause, and from January to April, when it was to be voted upon, both sides were continually assailing each other in the papers, and holding meetings, some of which at least were not "love feasts," and in which the antics of the would-be leaders resembled those of the howling dervishes of Constantinople, more than of rational beings, as will be seen further on. But the April election settled all that at last by defeating the "blarsted thing," as the Englishman would say, after which peace again spread her white mantle over us for a season.t
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