USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of the state of Wisconsin : being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875 > Part 72
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engaged. He is one of the largest and most successful commercial operators in Wisconsin. He is vice-president of the Kellogg National Bank of Green Bay; Is part owner of one of the largest elevators in North-eastern Wisconsin ; and is interested in enterprises located in various parts of the North-west.
As a business-man he has many peculiarities. His ability to estimate the value of any thing is remarkable. Hence his important connection with the North-western Railroad Company as their purchasing agent. If you have a new enterprise in thought, expiain it to Mr. Fisk, and, if he tells you that it's a success, you may invest your money in it in safety. On the other hand, If he pronounces It of no value, you may, with profit, let it alone. He is, per- haps, celebrated for his knowledge of business; and his ability to estimate the relative extent of demand and sup- ply for any given article has given him an enviable position in the estimation of solid business-men.
Mr. Fisk, with his wife and family, resides in one of the finest residences in Fort Howard, and is now actively engaged with his many extensive busi- ness interests. He is now considered wealthy.
REV. REEDER SMITH. - He was born in Wyoming, Penn., Jan. 11, 1807, and at the age of ten years became a member of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, and of its ministry in 1826, marrying, the same year, Aurelia Kee- ney of Braintrem. On her decease, he ieft the itineracy In Western New York, and In 1840 took charge of the finances of the Methodist-Episcopal College at Albion, Mich., raising it from a greatly embarrassed condition to prosperous independence; thence, in the winter of 1847, obtained from the Territoriai legislature of Wiscon- sin a charter for Lawrence University, and purchased, in connection with Amos A. Lawrence of Boston, Mass., the site of the present city of Appleton, marrying in Boston, the same year. Miss Eliza P. Kimbail, preceptress of a ladies' school in Cambridge.
He erected the first framed dweiling; and in it was born the first male child of Appleton, - A. A. Lawrence Smith,
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now of the Milwaukee bar. Appleton was founded in 1847, and New London in 1852. Each of these places is largely indebted to his untiring energy and skil- ful management for its present posi- tion in the scale of Wisconsin localities. He was endowment-agent of the Law- renee University at Appleton for sev- eral years, In which capacity he wrought a work of lasting good to the State of Wisconsin. Lawrence Uni- versity of Appleton, now one of the most successful institutions of learning in the State, is largely indebted to his untiring Christian zeal for its success.
DANIEL E. SEYMOUR .- He was born in Otsego County, New York, Dec. 22, 1825. He lived and worked on a farm until fifteen years old, attending the district school each winter. Attended the academy at Oxford, Chenango County, N.Y. He then studied one year at the academy in Bloomfield, N.J. Afterward he went to the acad- emy in Hamilton, Madison County, N.Y., where he finished his school- education. Upon invitation of rela- tives, he started for New Orleans In December, 1844, where he was engaged as a clerk in a store for a couple of years. Then had charge of a large mercantile establishment there for two years more. In 1849 he returned to New York State, and was married to his present wife on the third day of July of that year. He then took a trip with his wife to New Orleans, staying there, and at Natchez, Miss., until May, 1850. Then returned to his old home in New York, and engaged in teaching school. In 1852 he removed with his family to Illinois, In McHenry County, where he continued teaching. Becoming siek with ague for a long time, he disliked that country, and became anxious to find a more suitable location. Therefore, in June, 1856, he removed with his family to the Terri- tory of Minnesota, taking up a home- stead, and experiencing the trials and troubles and vexatlous hardships inci- dent to the life of a pioneer. Remained there about seven years, and concluded to see if he could not better his fortunes by making one more change, and mov- ing up among the pines. Consequently he sold out his place there, and came to Chippewa Falls, which he now looks upon as his home. He engaged In his old occupation as clerk in the store of Pound, Halbert, and Co., which after- ward became the institution known as the Union Lumbering Company. Stald with them seven years or more,
when, by the death of a relative, he came into possession of some property sufficient to enable him to open the pioneer banking institution in that place known as Seymour's Bank, which has been successfully carried on for nearly six years, obtaining eredit for, and name of, being a sound and reliable Institution.
HON. M. FRANK. - M. Frank Is a native of the State of New York; born in the town of Virgil, county of Cort- land. He did not receive a collegiate education. His father was a respeet- able farmer of moderate means, and unable to incur the expense of sending his sons to college. His education was in the common schools and academic Institutions in the vicinity of his home. After passing the period of his school- days, his occupation was divided be- tween working on his father's farm in summer, and teaching school in winter. As soon as he had attained to years of majority, he was elected town inspector of common schools, and was re-elected to that office several successive years. He was also elected, two successive years, a member of the county board of supervisors.
He took an active part in the reforma- tory movements in Cortland County at this early period, especially the cause of temperance. In 1829 he gave the first public temperance address, which re- sulted In the organization of a temper- ance soclety in the town where he re- sided. He has ever since been a friend and advocate of the temperance reformn.
In 1836 he went to the town of Pre- ble, in another part of the same county, to reside, where he engaged in the mer- cautile business, and continued in the trade two years. Ile was married In that town In 1837. During his resi- dence in Preble, he was elected a inem- ber of the board of county supervisors, also town elerk.
He moved to Wisconsin in 1839, and settled at Southport (now Kenosha), where he continued to reside, with the exception of a few months at Beloit, until his appointment to a government clerkship in 1870. He still holds his residence in Wisconsin. Southport, at the time he came to the place to reside, contained about two hundred and fifty inhabitants.
In 1840 he became associated with Hon. C. L. Sholes, in the publication of "The Southport Telegraph." There were at that time but few newspapers published In Wisconsin. "The Tele- graph," under the editorial manage-
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ment of Frank and Sholes, became large- ly influential in Territorial politics. Mr. Frank was editorially connected with "The Telegraph " at various periods, both under Territorial and State gov- ernment, equal to a continuous time of about twelve years.
In 1843 he was elected a member of the Territorial legislature (council), for a term of one year, from the district of country now comprising the coun- ties of Racine and Kenosha. He was re-elected to the same office in 1844, for a term of two years. His chief efforts while a member of the Territorial legis- lature were for the adoption of prelim- inary measures to the formation of a State government, and for a change in the common school law of the Territory, with a view to the early establishment of free schools. In both of these measures, he was unsuccessful, but did not relax the advocacy of them through the press, until the public mind was pre- pared for their adoption.
At the first corporation election of Southport, in 1840, Mr. Frank was elected president. In 1850 the name Southport was changed to Kenosha, by act of the legislature; and the village be- came an incorporated city. Mr. Frank was elected the first mayor. This was a year involving much responsibility on the chief officer of the city: in it oc- curred the great "wheat riot" (so called), in which the city was for days kept in intense excitement, and serious consequences impended. It was also a year of frightful visitation of the chol- era.
On the adoption of the State consti- tution, in 1848, Mr. Frank was elected one of the commissioners to revise the laws.
In 1854 Mr. Frank was elected county treasurer of Kenosha County for a term of two years : he was elected to the same office for a second term of two years in 1856.
In 1860 he was clected a member of the assembly, and served during the session as chairman of the Committee on Railroads.
HIc was also, the same year, appointed by the governor to fill an unexpired term on the Board of Regents of the State University ; and was subsequent- ly chosen, on joint ballot of the legisla- ture, to a full term of that office.
six years, he was removed by Pres. John- son for political reasons.
In matters pertaining to morals and religion, Mr. Frank has always main- tained a good standing, ever evincing a readiness to aid in such enterprises as gave promise of public good. He became a member of the Congrega- tional Church at Southport (Kenosha) in 1840, which had then just been organized. His relations to that church continued until his business took him to Washington, where his church rela- tions for the present are.
JOHN DAHLMAN. - He was born at Ruken, in the province of Westphalla, In Prussia, Nov. 21, 1829, and is, conse- quently, forty-six years of age. His father was a small tradesman, in easy circumstances. Actuated by a desire to attain a more considerable success than was possible under the rigid social conditions of the Old World, the family cmigrated to America when the subject of our sketch was thirteen ycars of age. The children were four boys (two of whom are now dead) and one girl.
The family located at Burlington, in Racine County. A tract of eight hun- dred acres of unexcelled farming-land was purchased, and stocked with two hundred sheep, seven yoke of oxen, and two span of horses. The hardy proprietor and his four boys, full of snap and grit, were not afraid of work. They soon made their homestead onc of the finest farms in the State, - a repu- tation which it still maintains. Here John remained for five years. But the aspirations of the boy were not to be satisfied with agricultural triumph alone. At the age of eighteen he set out for Milwaukee, although without a single acquaintance in the city, to take his place at the bottom of the ladder in some mercantile pursuit. Before leav- ing home, his mother had advised him, with excellent good sense, to think little of himself and his merits, but to seek out some good man, in whom the com- munity had confidence, and offer his services for whatever they might be considered worth.
The boy found an opening with John Furlong, Esq., who was then a retail grocer, at 242 East Water Street. From the start, he devoted his whole energies to the service of his employer. He con- sidercd no work difficult, no hours too late, and no attention too close, by which the interests of the concern could be advanced. It was largely due
In April, 1861, he was appointed by Pres. Lincoln postmaster at the city of Kenosha : at the expiration of the term of four years, he was re-appointed; and, after continuing in that office about | to his exertions and efficiency that the
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house became, in a few years, a leading | never been extreme in his views. or wholesale establishment. He sold, and then delivered the goods in person ; kept the books after ten o'clock at night, scarcely ever retiring before midnight; and, as the business was carried on in great part with farmers, he was up again and at work at five in the morning. The salaries which would have been re- quired under less careful management were thus saved, and retained in the business.
On the 1st of May, 1855, young Dahl- man was admitted to a partnership in the house. From that date, his career through a variety of changes has been one of uninterrupted prosperity. After two years, he dissolved with Furlong, and formed a partnership in July, 1857, two months before the great panic, with Edward O'Niel, Timothy Dane, and Anthony Dahlinan, under the firm- name of John Dahlman and Company. In 1862 he bought out the two former gentlemen, but soon after re-admitted Mr. Dane, whom, however, he bought out again in 1868. He then continued the business with his brother until 1872, when, his health becoming impalred, he withdrew from business-cares entirely. The house which he bullt up has been known for years as one of the heaviest. soundest, and most honorable on the street.
Unlike many self-made men, Mr. Dahlman's modesty does not permit him to ascribe his success entirely to his own exertions. He believes much in a special fortune, or an over-ruling Providence, which has directed his ven- tures to an Issue which mere care and industry could not have attained. He has never, from the first, met with any serious losses, and has scarcely ever been disappointed in any of his calcu- lations. Nevertheless, his judgment and promptitude of action, although original endowments of Nature, have been assiduously cultivated; and Mr. Dahlman can fairly claim, as much as any individual may, to be the sole architect of his own fortune.
Mr. Dahilman has made occasional adventures outside of his regular busi- ness, and these have also proved equal- ly fortunate. Among others may be mentioned his purchase of the tannery, now owned by the Milwaukee Hide and Leather Company, which he ran for one year under the firm-name of C. M. Saw- yer and Company.
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We now come to Mr. Dahlman's political career. He has always voted with the Democratic party, but has
inclined to be an agitator. What offices he has held have sought him, and not he them. He was elected to the city council in April, 1866, for two years. He was elected supervisor in April, 1870, and re-elected in April. 1872. In February, 1873. he was ap- pointed by Mayor Hooker city tax commissioner, and was re-appointed by Mayor Ludington in 1875. It is a posi- tion for which he Is eminently qualified by his financial ability and conscien- tious diligence ; and his administration of affairs has given universal satisfac- tion.
In person, Mr. Dahlman is a man of about the middle height, with a blue eye, dark beard, which begins to be touched with gray, and a mild and pleasant expression of countenance. He comes of a hale and hearty family, and may still look forward to a long life of usefulness. His father, now a hundred and four years of age, is au honored inmate of his son's house, and was strong and well enough to vote early at the last election.
Mr. Dahlmam has been twice mar- ried, and has two small children by his second wife. His education has been acquired mainly in the practical school of business-life. He attended school in his own country until his twelfth year, and afterwards enjoyed for one year such facilities as were furnished by the boy district school at Burlington during his farming- days. He is an Interesting talker, and thoroughly posted, especially upon mat- ters of finance; and his ideas upon all subjects never fail to be sound and valuable. Although the owner of forty bulidings and houses, sixty-five acres of the most eligible town-lots in the sub- urbs, eight hundred acres of the finest farming-land in Racine County, and the recipient of an unusually hand- some income, he lives in very unpre- tentious style. His tastes are averse to ali ostentation, His expenditure is only lavish in the matter of charities. To these he has always given in sums that the world will never know of. During his business career, he seemed to be the naturally appointed collector for every charitable movement. No penniless emigrant landed upon the dock but was at once despatched to him for aid. lle was one of the first contributors to St. Mary's Hospital. He has been treasurer of St. Rose's Orphan Asylum for eighteen years. He has contributed to churches and schools without num-
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ber. In religion Mr. Dahlman is a devoted and exemplary Catholic.
GEN. JAMES BINTLIFF. - He was born Nov. 1, 1824, at Salterhebble, near Halifax, Yorkshire, Eng. Ail the school-education he received was at the village school In England, before he was twelve years of age. When he was sixteen years of age, his father emigrated to the United States, leaving him behind. The next year, in the spring of 1842, he came also. He soon after engaged in a woollen factory in New York State. In 1847 he was mar- ried; and soon after he commenced farming. Having accumulated a thou- sand dollars, In the fail of 1851 he moved to Wisconsin, and purchased a farm in Green County, where he re- mained two years, after which he moved to Monroe. After a two-years' residence in Monroe, he was employed as a book-keeper and cashier in a bank- ing-office at that place. In the fail of 1851 he was elected register of deeds of Green County. In the spring of 1860 he purchased a one-half interest in "The Monroe Sentinel," and, one year later, he purchased the whole office. In 1862 he was commissioned to raise a company for the Twenty- second Regiment of Volunteers. He then sold one-half of "The Sentinel" to E. E. Carr, who edited that paper during Gen. Bintliff's absence from the State in the field of battle. We refer our readers to the foregoing account of Wisconsin in the war for Gen. Bint- liff's war record. It will suffice here to say that he won distinction on the battle-field.
Soon after he returned from the war, he soid his one-haif interest in "The Monroe Sentinel," and started for Missouri with the intention of locating there; but, after traveiling all over the State, he found society in so unsettled a condition, that he did not deem it wise to remove any family there, and returned to Monroe, where he pur- chased a book, stationery, and wall- paper business, and continued in it until July, 1870, when he purchased a one-half interest in "The Janesville Gazette,"-of which there is published daily, semi-weekly, and weekly edi- tions, -and became the editor of that journal. He has continued in that position until the present.
During the past five years, he has been a member of the board of trus- tees of the Wisconsin Soldiers' Orphans Home, and, for the past two years, president of the board.
He was a delegate from Wisconsin to the National Republican Convention which assembled in Chicago in 1868, and nominated Grant, and again to the convention which renominated him in 1872 at Philadelphia.
HON. LUCIUS S. BLAKE. - He was born at Burlington, Vt., March 14, 1816. His father's name was Levi Blake. He is of Irish extraction. In 1817 Mr. Blake, with his family, removed to Western New York, and settled in Erle County. He remained there about ten years, during which time his son at- tended the district school during the winter months. At one time Millard Fillmore was his teacher. Mr. Blake again removed his family to Crawford County, Penn., where he engaged in farming for seven years. In 1834 Mr. Blake, with his two sons, Lucius S. and E. Sandford, went to Chicago, which then consisted of Fort Dearborn and a small village. The sons assisted their father In his vocation of contract- ing and building. From this piace, the father, with his sons, emigrated farther west, and established a claim near the present site of Racine. A windowless "shanty" was built, in which Lucius and his brother lived alone for two years. At the expiration of that time, his parents came to live at their new home. The first year after their arri- val, he worked for his father. The next year, he worked at carpentering for Gen. Bullen and Samuel Haie at Ke- nosha (then Southport) for one and a half dollars per day in "store pay." The following year, he commenced business for himseif, and had a small force of men in his employ, one of whom has continued to work for him, and is now at the head of "Blake's Manufacturing Establishment," which was built in 1843. At first his business was limited; but as his capital and his facilities have increased, his establish- ment has become the largest in the world in the specialty of manufactur- ing farming-Implements. He makes shipments to all parts of the United States, and has an agency in Pesth, Hungary. As his means have increased, he has sought opportunities for invest- ing them. He is now at the head of the largest woollen-mills in the West. He Is the largest real-estate holder in Racine, and owns several public build- ings, manufactories, and numerous residences. He was too old to be a soldier in the late war, but visited and gave largely to the armies of the Poto- mac, Virginia, and Arkansas. He is a
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Republican, and was a delegate to the | of Regents of normal schools. His an- National Convention which nominated cestors have always been Democratic. Gen. Grant. While attending to his private affairs, he has not been neglect- ful of his publie duties, and probably no man has given more liberaily of his time and means in improving Racine than Mr. Blake. He was one of the first trustees under the village govern- ment, and succeeded his father as treas- urer of Raeine County. During 1863-64 he served as provost-marshal of Racine County. He was chairman of the first finance committee, and has been a member of the city council for several terms, and at present is the president of it. In 1870 he was a member of the legislature, and secured the passage of several bills of importance to his con- stituents and to Racine City. His wife is an English lady, whose maiden name was Caroline Elliott. They have three children, and two are dead. He and his wife beeame members of the First Baptist Church of Raeine in 1843. Mr. Blake is not desirons of holding office, but consents to do so, when, by so doing, good may be accomplished. He has led a laborious life, and deserves to richly enjoy the results of it.
HON. IRA B. BRUNSON. - He was born in Ohio. In 1836 he came to Prairie du Chien, Wis. He was a member of the Territorial assembly in 1837, 1838, and 1839. He has been judge of Crawford County sinee 1853.
FREDERICK WILLIAM COTZHAU- SEN. - He was born at Cambach, an ancient castle near Aix-la-Chapelle in Pepine, Prussia, July 21, 1838. He received private tuition at home till he was ten years of age, when he entered the Gustavus-Adolphus College at Meurs, where he remained until 1853. After graduating, he removed to Co- logne, and devoted himself for two years at the Academy of Arts and Commerce, especially to the study of mathematics, natural science, and modern languages. Having again graduated cum laude, he emigrated to the United States in 1856, and settled at Milwaukee, where he has resided ever since. He is by profession a law- yer, and confines himself closely to the pursuit of his vocation. He was a candidate for office but once, and was elected, almost without opposition, in 1872, to represent the third district in the senate. He refused a renomina- tion. He is the public administrator in and for the city and county of Milwau- kcc. He was a member of the Board
JUDGE WILLIAM S. PARDY. - He was born in Carlisle, Sullivan County, Ind., Aug. 28, 1822. His father died when he was eleven years of age. Previous to this time, his opportuni- ties were limited to subseription schools. From this time he assisted his mother, who was left with insuffi- eient means to support a large family of children. At the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the saddler's trade, which vocation he followed for about eleven years. He came to the Territory of Wisconsin in 1845: after spending all his money in mining, he worked in Minerai Point. at his trade, for about six months. He married in Indiana, and settled in Highland, Iowa County, this State, where he remained for one year. He removed to Bad Axe, Crawford County (a portion of which now constitutes Vernon County), where he has sinee resided. He followed farming for ten years, when he was elected clerk of the circuit court; which position he held for eight years. He represented Crawford, Richland, and Vernon Counties in the senate for one year. While on the farm, he filled nearly all the different town offices. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar. He was elected county judge in 1869, and is now serving his second term. He was married, in 1846, to Jane E. Lemen. He has buried two children, and has two girls and six boys living. He was a member of the Whig party while it was in existence. He is now a Republican, and has always been an active politieian.
HON. ENOCH CHASE, M.D. - He was born at Derby, Vt., Jan. 16, 1809. He worked on the farm till he was sixteen years of age, when he met with an accident which unfitted him for working on a farm, and eaused him to study medicine. In 1831 he graduated from Dartmouth College. In July of that year he settled at Coldwater, Mich. He was appointed adjutant in the Michigan militia, in 1832, in the Black-Hawk war. He removed to Milwaukee, April 9, 1835. His family was the first to settle on the south side of Milwaukee River. He was the only practising physician in Milwaukee till 1836. He was secretary of the first publie meeting held in the place, and drew up the first memorial sent to Congress for an appropriation for a harbor. The first religions service by a Methodist was held in his house in
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