History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 164

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298

USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 164
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 164

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Lawyers .- James II. Miner, J. H. Berryman, T. A. Johnston, II. A. & K. W. Eastland, O. F. Black, F. W. Burnham and Michael Mur- phy.

Grain dealers .- D. O. Chandler and A. H. Krouskop.

Lumber dealers .- N. L. James, A. II. Krous- kop and D. O. Chandler.

Draymen .- V. G. Hyatt and H. M. Taylor.

Brick makers .- V. G. Hyatt and J. A. Fer- guson.

Live stock dealers .- Isaac McCann, James Martin, F. P. Bowen, A. D. Lane, W. H. Doseh, G. W. Collins and W. J. Piekard.

Blacksmiths .- James Dove, Wertz & Vree- land, Storms & Leach, B. N. Smith and B. W. Clarke.

Wagon factory .-- N. L. James.

Wagon makers .- James Dove, Storms & Leach and B. W. Clarke.

Tannery .- Fries & Brewer.

Flour mill .- A. C. Parfrey.

Saw mills .- N. L. James and A. H. Krouskop. Dealer in farm products .- II, D. Millard.

HOTELS.

The second building erected on the site of the future metropolis of the county was built by the proprietor of the town, Ira S Hazeltine, and became perforce of circumstances the tavern of the distriet, and was christened by its landlord, Mr. Hazeltine, the American House; it became a general resort for citizens and travelers alike, and, for a long time, was the only house be- neath whose roof the weary could find rest. Mr. Hazeltine continued the popular landlord

of this hostelry until he was succeeded in a couple of years by A. S. Neff. In November, 1862, after raising the general tone of the house, and and after building large additions to the primal building, Mr. Neff sold out his in- terest to William H. Hook, of whom it is said that his vigilant watchfulness earned for the hotel and village a good name far and wide. Sept. 29, 1857, Mr. Hook was succeeded by G. H. Dyke and afterward by J. W. Smith, who removed to the newly built Park Hotel. Several changes now followed in quick succession, for, in consequence of the change in the location of the business center, and the erection of new hotels, the house ceased to be so lucrative as formerly. The name had been changed from the more pretentious American House to the more local one of Richland House. Around its hallowed walls clung many of the memories of pioneer days, and, to very many people in the county, it was the first resting place for their weary heads, the first shelter they knew, when they had newly arrived in Richland county. On the 22d of February, 1877, it was consumed by fire and then passed away one of the old landmarks of pioneer days. Mrs. Haskell was the last landlady.

In 1854 was built the Union House by Has- cal Haseltine, who was its landlord for some- time. Other landlords were: Amasa Haskins, Messrs. Greene, Ingalls and Ingram Rolf. In 1867 it was kept by T. C. McNelly. After many vicissitudes this hotel passed into the hands of Luckey & Co., who changed the name to the Center House. In 1877 Mr. E. Rolfe, the owner, repaired the building, made addi- tions, transforming it into the building now known as the Central House. For three years after its transformation Mr. Rolfe played the part of the jolly host of this first-class hotel, and was well known throughout this and the adjoining counties. The building is large and commodious and is well fitted up for the benefit of the traveling public. In March, 1881, the present landlord, O. P. Peck, purchased the en-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

tire property, and is now (1884) making large additions and repairs preparatory to a thorough refitting of the whole establishment, and a stronger effort for the patronage of the com- mercial travelers.

In 1873 the society of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows commenced the erection of a three story building on the southeast corner of block 5. The size of the building was to be 24x50 feet. The ground floor was to be used as a store, and the upper story to be used as a lodge room. Before the building was completed it was badly damaged by a heavy wind storm and as the society was not in finan- cial shape to refit it, the property passed into the hands of D. O. Chandler and W. D. S. Ross. These gentlemen at once refitted the building, enlarged it to the size of 50x65 feet, and built it three stories high. In December, 1874, the spacious building was opened to the public for hotel purposes and christened the Park Hotel, on account of its close proximity to the court house park. The first landlord was J. W. Smith, who furnished the house and ran it about three years. He was succeeded by C. Tryon and in May, 1883, C. W. Slocum became landlord. In November, 1883, S. J. Smith & Son took charge and are the present landlords. The property is still owned by Chandler & Ross.

POSTOFFICE.

The inhabitants, wishing to have proper mail facilities, petitioned the general government to that effect, and instead of the postal department sending the commission to some party then a resident of the village, Leroy D. Gage, of An- tioch, Ill., was appointed to the office, which was established during that year, 1854, literally "bringing the office on his back," as it has been expressed by some of the carly pio- neers. Mr. Gage held this position as post- master until in the spring of 1861, when, upon the change of administration consequent upon the elevation of Abraham Lincoln to the chief magistracy, W. H. Downs was appointed his

snecessor. The latter gentleman held the com- mission for the transaction of the postal busi- ness of the town until 1866, when G. L. Laws was inducted into the office and held the posi- tion until 1876. He had for his immediate snc- cessor, J. Il. Miner, so long identified with the interests of the village, and in fact, of the county. In 1881 the present postmaster, D. G. James, was appointed to fill the office. The latter gentleman has now for his deputies J. G. Bun- nell and Carrie Sherman.

During the first few years after the estab- ment of the village, the growth was quite slow, owing, in some respects, to the mistaken policy of the proprietor, Mr. Hazeltine.

PUBLIC HALLS.

Chandler's hall is a fine large room 24x100 feet in dimension, and fitted with stage acces- sories and good scenery. The building was erected by D. O. Chandler, finished and ready for business in November, 1866. It is kept in good repair by that progressive citizen.

Bailey's Opera House was commenced in 1883, the first brick being laid on the 15th of August. It was dedicated on the 27th of De- cember, 1883, by the Masonic fraternity, with a festival and dance. The building is 32x126 feet in size, and the opera room is litted with a commodious stage and convenient drawing and side rooms. Much credit is due to the proprie- tor, Ilenry T. Bailey, for his energy and enter- prise in carrying through the project, and giv- ing to Richland Center an opera house second to but few in this part of the State; and the hall is justly the pride of the citizens as well as the owner.

BANKS.

The story of the banking institutions of Richland Center is but a short one and soon told, and commences in this wise:

The want of sufficient money in all communi- ties has had a tendency to retard the develop- ment and growth of the country, and hamper many commercial transactions that would other- wise benefit the individual and society at large.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Therefore, very early in its history the business men of the incipient city attempted to initiate a bank. · Dec. 16, 1856, witnessed the organiza- tion of such an institution, with the title of the Pine River Valley Bank, and the following offi- cers elected to effect and perfect the organiza- tion and opening of the same for business: Israel Janney, president; D. B. Priest, cashier; Caleb Waggoner, J. J. Shumaker, Leroy D. Gage, Jacob Brimer, W. H. Downs, James II. Miner and A. J. Straight, directors. The bank was instituted under the State laws of that date, and was to be based on real estate as se- curity. The books for subscription were opened at the office of the cashier, who was to receive the same and issue certificates of stock, and at whose office the constitution and by-laws of the association could be seen, and information in regard to it given. The financial panic of 1857, that followed so soon after its inception, how. ever, blighted its prospects and the whole thing was allowed to collapse, and the bank never opened its doors for business. After this no regular banking house was opened in the county seat, or, in fact, in the county, although many of the merchants and others transacted in a small degree the business usually done by banks. Thus the town was without a monetary institution until the initiation of the banking house of George Kronskop. Krouskop's bank is one of the solid institutions of the county. It is the oldest bank at Richland Center, hav- ing been established by George Krouskop in 1870. The bank is a private enterprise, being owned and operated solely by Mr. Krouskop, and has a capital of over $50,000. Its corres- ponding banks are: Milwaukee National Bank, of Milwaukee, and Merchants' National Bank, of Chicago.

The Richland County Bank is the outgrowth of the abstract and collection business of W. H. Pier, and became a fixed fact in 1883, in which year Mr. Pier erected his present bank building. This building is of briek, 28x60 feet, two stories high, and is one of the best constructed build-

ings in the county. The bank is still in its in- fancy but has good prospects. Its correspond- ing banks are-Merchants National, New York; Preston, King & Co., Chicago; and Houghton Bros., Milwaukee.

INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES.

In 1855 Ira S. Hazeltine, who then owned the water power, built a saw mill at the point where the present mill now stands, and the same fall erected a mill to grind corn and feed and some grist, but it was but a poor affair at best. He continued the proprietor of these mills until July, 1860, when the elder Parfrey rented them of him, together with the water power, and run them until in 1863. A. C. Parfrey and J. C. Nichols purchased the property and rebuilt the grist mill and built a new saw mill. In 1870 Parfrey and his partner, Pease, who bad bought ont Nichols' interest, commenced the erection of a new dam, and the present fine merchant and grist mill. This is a large structure, substan- tially built, 50x60 feet in dimension, four sto- ries high, with a warehouse addition of 24x50 feet, having a storage capacity of some 18,000 bushels of wheat The mill has nine run of buhrs and three sets of rollers, and all the most modern improved machinery and has a capac- ity of making 1,000 barrels of flour per week. This mill cost some $26,000 to build and equip. They have also a fine saw and planing mill, which is in constant operation, and capable of making 10,000 feet of good hard wood lumber per day. The interests represented by this gen- tleman-for it is entirely owned and operated by A. C. Parfrey, at present-is one of the most important in the county. The flour from this mill enjoys a high reputation and the brand of "Parfrey's Choice" needs no recommendation to the careful housewife.

The first steam mill at Richland Center was that known as the Shumaker mill. It was formerly located in the town of Rockbridge. It was purchased by John Walworth and moved here in 1860. He sold an interest to Amasa Haskins, and a few years later the mill was

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

burned to the ground. Upon the same site an- other mill was erected by Smith, Laws & Wal- worth. Hattleberg & Johnson soon afterward purchased Mr. Walworth's interest and the busi- ness was conducted under the firm name of Smith, Laws & Co. They engaged extensively in the manufacture of lumber and furniture- principally bedsteads. They built flat boats and sent their goods to St. Louis by water. On one of these trips Mr. Laws purchased a steam- boat and came back with it. Upon his arrival at Richland Center he met with a grand ova. tion, the citizens presenting him with a gold- headed cane, in honor of the occasion. The saw mill continued in successful operation until 1871, when it was destroyed by fire.

The saw mill on the west side of the river is now operated by Norman L. James. In con- nection with the mill Mr. James runs an exten- sive wagon factory, having furnished the mill with all the necessary machinery. The estab- lishment furnishes steady employment for about thirty hands.

In 1865 A. C. Parfrey erected a bedstead factory. In 1868 he associated D. E. Pease as partner and operated the business until 1871, when it was discontinued. The factory, while it was in operation, furnished employment to from sixteen to thirty-five hands, and was an important industry in Richland Center.

In 1873 Parfrey & Pease established a stave factory, which was operated with good success by them for about four years, when the business was discontinued.

In 1876 William Hill erected a small planing mill near his residence. This proved to be too small, and in 1880 he erected his present mill, which is 30x50 feet in size, besides engine and boiler rooms. The mill does an extensive busi- ness in planing, turning, scroll sawing and join- ing work.

In 1883 A. Il. Krouskop erected a large steam saw-mill near the Parfrey mill. It is equipped with all the latest patterns of machin- ery, first-class engine and other accessories.

ARTESIAN WELL.

The village board, as early as 1875, agitated the question of boring an artesian well for the purpose of increasing the facilities for extin- guishing fires and for the supplying of good water generally. But nothing definite was reached until February, 1876, when a contract was entered into by them with Maurice O'Con- ner and Daniel C'anfield, of Venango, Penn., who engaged to drill a well on lot 3, in block 8; the said well to be tubed its entire length, which was not to exceed 1,000 feet; and the price agreed on and put into the contract was $3 per foot.

These gentlemen at once set to work and soon had a hole in the ground, but when they had reached the depth of 744 feet the drill en- countered igneous rock, in the form of granite, and knowing that no water veins exist in that the matter was given up for the time. Water was reached long before that depth had been attained, but no flow. The well now stands with the water in it up to within a few feet of the surface, and a project is on foot to put up a system of waterworks, having for a base of sup- ply this artesian well, as the supply of water is inexhaustible. One or two other attempts have been made in the county to get a flowing well, with like results.

VILLAGE GOVERNMENT.

In September, 1866, a movement was put on foot to secure the incorporation of Richland Center, as a village, under the statutes of the State. And was so incorporated in October of the same year. The first meeting of the trus- tees of the newly organized village was held Feb. 1, 1867, in the room over D. L. Downs'store. The officers who were present were as follows: D.L. Downs, president; D. E. Pease, G. Il. James, C. Waggoner, John Fitzgerald. C. H. Smith aud L. D. Gage, trustees; after the organiza- tion of the board, they proceeded to eleet Fred. II. I'uttle, clerk; J. L. McKee, treasurer and Thomas Choferton, marshal. The board then appointed a committee consisting of D. L.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Downs, L. D. Gage and C. H. Smith to draft by-laws and to make a design for the village seal. The first ordinance passed by this august body was one for the prevention and extin- guishment of conflagrations in the village.

1867-The officers elected were: D. L. Downs, president; G. H. James, C. Waggoner, John Fitzgerald, C. H. Smith and L. D. Gage, trustees; Fred H. Tuttle was re-appointed clerk and J. L. McKee, treasurer. Joseph McMurtrey was also appointed marshal and R. R. Hamil- ton, street commissioner. In October, however, Fred. H. Tuttle resigning his position as clerk, and McMurtrey that of marshal, Gilbert L. Laws was appointed to the former, and Peter E. Brewer to the latter office. We have a re- port of the village finances for the year as filed by the treasurer March 23, 1868, by which we may find the following.

Cash received from various parties .. $233 80

paid out on orders 102 80

" balance in treasury. $131 00

1868-James H. Miner, president; D. E. Pease, Caleb Waggoner, A. B. Weigley, W. H. Downs, James Tuttle and Gilbert L. Laws, trustees; James HI. Waggoner was appointed clerk; James L. McKee, treasurer; Peter E. Brewer, marshal; G. I. Morton, street commis- sioner, and W. II. Hook, pound-master.

1869-Gilbert L. Laws, president; Dr. A. W. Bickford, James Tuttle, G. N. Matteson, G. N. Mickle, M. V. Dustan and G. H. James, trus- tees; Samuel C. Hyatt was appointed clerk; J. L. McKee, treasurer; J. W. Leik, marshal and pound-master; Seth Bayse, street commissioner. In November the village board, by resolution, declared the office of marshal vacant, and ap- pointed Erastus Rolfe to fill the vacancy. It was this board that succeeded in instituting the present fire department, and purchased the ap- paratus therefore.

1870 - Dr. A. W. Bickford, president; W. H. Downs, G. N. Mickle, C. II. Smith, James Tut- tle, A. Durnford and H. T. Bailey, trustees, who proceeded to appoint the following officers:

James Fogo, marshal; W. H. Downs, clerk; J. L. McKee, treasurer; E. Rolfe, pound-master.

1871-J. L. McKee, president; Norman L. James, W. H. Pier, G. N. Mickle, A. S. Fries, W. F. Tuttle and II. Freeman, trustees; who appointed W. H. Downs, clerk; N. L. James, treasurer; E. II. Liscum, marshal and G. N. Dyke, pound-master. During the administra- tion of this board, a ballot was taken at the fall election whether the village should surrender its charter as an incorporated village, which was defeated by the vote of the qualified elec- tors, there being 109 against 'such surrender, and sixty in favor of it.

1872-D. G. James, president; D. H. Burn- ham, II. Freeman, Henry Toms, G. N. Mickle, George N. Matteson, and A B. Weigley, trus- tces; W. H. Downs was appointed clerk; Henry Toms, treasurer; A. Crosby, marshal and N. G. Leonard, street commissioner.

1873-D. G. James, president; Henry Toms, G. N. Matteson, James Tuttle, Samuel C. Ilyatt, William F. Tuttle and James Lewis, trustees; W. H. Downs was appointed clerk, Henry Toms, treasurer; John Boyle, marshal; Seth Bayse, street commissioner.

1874-D. O. Chandler, president; A. C. Par- frey, Seth Bayse, Elihu Pease, John Wertz, James Tuttle and Thomas Cholerton, trus- tees; Gaylord Freeman, police justice and J. L. Fogo, village constable. Alice Pease was ap- pointed clerk, (this being the first instance on record of a lady holding that position); Elihu Pease made treasurer; J. L. Fogo, marshal, and Seth Bayse, street commissioner.

1875-II. W. Fries, president; George Krous- kop, J. L. McKee, N. W. Bailey, John Wal- worth, George N. Matteson and Warren C. S. Barron, trustees; E. H. Liscum, village consta- ble; Kate G. Downs was appointed clerk; George Krouskop, treasurer; E. H. Liscum, marshal and J. L. Sweet, street commissioner. This board, in the interests of temperance, fixed the license for saloons at $125 and for drug stores $40. Permission was also given by the

M.m. Logo.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

board this year to the railroad company to use certain streets of the village for their tracks.

1876-HI. W. Fries, president; George Krous- kop, John Walworth, J. L. MeKee, N. W. Bai- ley, George N. Matteson and Warren C. S. Bar- ron, trustees; James Tuttle, police justice; R. D. Robinson, constable. Kate G. Downs was appointed clerk; George Krouskop, treasurer; E. Il. Liseum, marshal; S. C. Carpenter was appointed to the office of street commissioner, but not qualifying, John Walworth was ap- pointed in his stead.

1877-A. G. James, president; T. Hart, J. W. Lybrand, John Wertz, A. S. Fries, J. F. Walker and James Tuttle, trustees; W. H. Downs, po- liee justice; R. R. Hamilton, village constable. Kate G. Downs was re-appointed clerk; F. Walker made treasurer; E. Stevens, marshal and street commissioner. During the adminis- tration of this board there was a second move- ment to vacate the incorporation of the village, and a resolution to submit the matter at a spe- cial election was passed by the board. In July, 1877, the election was held, in accordance with the above ordinance, and again defeated, the vote standing: For dissolution, 46; against dis- solution, 137.

1878-Warren C. S. Barron, president; Jacob W. Lybrand, John Brimer, D. O. Chandler, Ang Schmidt, N. W. Bailey and John Walworth, trus tées; Seth Pennell, police justice; A. D. Laws, village constable. William Wulfing was ap- pointed clerk; Aug. Schmidt, treasurer; N. W. Bailey, street commissioner and S. C. Carpen- ter, marshal.

1879-D. O. Chandler, president; Daniel Storms, A. B. Weigley, J. L. MeKee, L. B. Smith, J. W. Lybrand and M. C. Pease, trustees; Caleb Waggoner, police justice; Oliver G. Munson, clerk; W. 11. Pier, treasurer; G. E. Moody, marshal; W. G. Hyatt, constable.

1880-A. G. James, president; D. E. Pease, HI. L. Burnham, G. R. Mitchell, H. St. John, Daniel Storms and A. G. Saltsman, trustees; W. II. Pier, treasurer; Oliver G. Munson, clerk;

Wiley II. Waters, marshal; G. M. Clark, con- stable.

1881-Henry Toms, president; W. C. S. Bar- ron, Norman L. James, II. T. Bailey, A. II. Krouskop, G. H. Strang and Frank Sanford, trustees; William Wulfing, clerk; T. M. Hart, treasurer; W. H. Waters, marshal; George Jarvis, police justice; George Spangler, consta- ble.

1882-Henry Toms, president; Warren C. S. Barron, Norman L. James, G. H. Strang, Frank Sanford, George Krouskop and H. B. Allen, trustees; C. C. Fries, clerk; T. M. Hart, treasurer; George L. Spangler, marshal; George Bennett, police justice; John Houston, constable. Mr. Fries not qualifying, William Wulfing was ap- pointed in his place.

1883-J. L. MeKee. president; A HI. Krons- kop, R. C. Lybrand, E. A. Dove, James Il. Miner, D. O Chandler and R. N. Mckay, trus- tees; J. H. Yeaman, elerk; T. M. Hart, treas- urer; L. Leonard, police justice; G. 1 .. Spangler, marshal; W. F. Fogo, village constable.

The contest this year was one of the most exciting that has occurred for a number of years past, on account of the element of tem- perance in the matter. For the past two years it seems that there has been license granted to several saloons to deal ont intoxicating liquors, and the friends of temperance determined to make a strong effort and turn the scale and have no licenses. granted. A strong prohibition ticket was placed in the field and elected, as given above.

The ladies were out in foree, and worked from early in the morning till the polls were closed, distributing tickets and soliciting votes for the no-license ticket. The effect of their labors was manifested in the result, and they felt highly elated over the success which crowned their efforts, as victors naturally do.

The majorities for the no-license ticket ranged from sixty-seven to eighty-nine, and were by far the largest given on either side of the issue in many years. Several of the gentlemen

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

whose names were on what was known as the license ticket, declared that they had not given consent to the use of their names, and would neither qualify nor serve if elected, and they voted the other ticket, thus swelling the majori- ties.

The first regular meeting of the new council was held May 14, 1883.

A petition was presented to the board, signed by a number of young men, requesting that no license be granted for the running of billiard tables, which, being read in full, was referred to the committee on judiciary, who, after a short deliberation, submitted the following report, which was adopted:

"We, the committee to whom was referred the petition and remonstrance requesting that no license be granted for keeping billiard tables, and remonstrating against such license and against the sale of intoxicating liquors, have had the same under consideration, and most respectfully report the following and recom -. mend its adoption:

"WHEREAS, Considering the large majority of votes giving expression of their views at the recent election upon the issue well understood, whether license or no license should be granted, and in compliance with that expression and the large and respectable petition signed by the young men and others of the village, against the granting of license, therefore:

"Resolved, That the board grant the petitioners their request, and it is further

"Resolved, That no license be granted to any person for the keeping of billiard tables, pigeon- hole alleys or bowling saloons within this vil- lage."

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

At a meeting of the village board, held Aug. 16, 1869, a bill was brought up appropriating the sum of $300 for the purpose of purchasing a Babcock chemical engine for the extinguish- ment of fires. Although this bill was then laid upon the table, from it may be traced the pres- ent efficient fire brigade that is always on hand

when the demon of destruction sweeps with fiery besom through this beautiful village.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 164

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1298

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298