History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 94

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 94
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 94

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).

Peter V. Plummer, Post No. 37, G. A. R. was instituted July 18, 1882. Daniel Webster, com- mander, Dr. E. J. Eddy, adjutant The mem-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

bership numbers fifty. Meets every first and third Friday of each month. The organization is growing rapidly, and is in a prosperous con- dition.

Star Lodge No. 15, Ancient Order United Workmen, was instituted by district deputy grand master, W. II. Burford, at Prairie du Chien, Oct. 19, 1877. The meeting was held at the hall of the I. O. G. T., in Donsman Block. The charter members were H. R. Farr, Wil- liam Manke, F. W. JIerr, D. Webster, C. W. Plummer, J. A. Newton, J. D. Humphrey, Dr. E. Steiger, L. O. King, John B. Davis, L. Case.

The first officers were William Manke, F .; L. Cherrier, O .; D. Webster, R .; Phil Helwig, G. L. R. and F .; H. C. Poehler, R .; G. W. Foster, Dis. Dep. G. M. The lodge meets every alternate Tuesday in the Odd Fellows' Hall.

The aggregate losses paid to Aug. 1, 1883-4, amount to $8,000. The association is grow- ing and prosperous.

'Trustees were: Short term, L. Case; middle term, J. A. Newton; long term, J. D. Humph- rey ; guide, C. W. Plummer; I. W., F. Herr ; O. W., William Manke. The lodge numbers forty-five members. The present officers are: L. T. Butterfield, P. M. W .; Henry Otto, M. W.

Prairie du Chien lodge No. 106, A. F. and A. M., was instituted with charter bearing date June 11, 1858. The followingwere the appoint- ed officers: John Kennaly, W. M .; I. P. errit Gentil, S. W .; John J. Chase, J. W. First meeting was held Jan. 6, 1858, acting under dispensation of the grand lodge. The first officers elected: Henry Patch, W. M .; I. Per- rit Gentil, S. W .; John Kennaly, J. W .; O. P. Martin, T .; John J. Chase, S .; J. S. Curtis, S. D .; II. Weidmfeld, J. D .; A. C. Dudley, T. The first brother initiated and raised was Ira F. Manuel, Feb. 24, 1858, was made a master

mason. The lodge was worked successfully continuously from its inception to date (1884). The lodge bought an old store building near the old fort grounds, about the close of the war, which they sold to Mr. Herdenberger, who mov- ed it to Bluff street, opposite the Central House, where it is now used as a meat market. Their present commodious hall was built by the lodge; size 28x80 feet. The postoffice is below, offices back, built in 1872, at a cost of $6,000, of mill brick, two stories, situated on north side of Bluff street near Church street.

The present membership, 1884, is 100 master masons. Present officers: A. C. Wallin, W. M .; E. Morrison, S. W .; S. E. Farnham, J. W .; Aaron Denio, T .; George D. Cottrell, S .; John Koch, S. D .; M. Frederick, J. D .; A. Tilmont, S .; R. M. Halsey, T.

Jerusalem Chapter No. 25, (Prairie du Chien) was operated under dispensation of the grand chapter July 11, 1865, and instituted Feb. 20, 1865. The first officers were: U. F. Case, H. P .; J. J. Chase, K .; G. M. Rising, Scribe; A. Coburn, treasurer; E. Johnson, secretary; R. C. Dim- ock, C. of II.

The first officers after the lodge was institut- ed were U. F. Case,H. P .; J. J Chase, K .; G. M. Rising, scribe; A. Coburn, treasurer; R. C. Di- mock, C. of H.

The present officers are R. C. Dimock, II. P .; J. D. Jones, K .; L. F. S. Viele, S .: Aaron Denio, treasurer; A. C. Wallin secretary; L. Canillard, C. of II. The chapter meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

Mississippi Lodge No. 423, (Deutcher Order Harugari of Prairie du Chien), was instituted under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge, which organized in New York city March 9, 1847, and reorganized in Wisconsin, Jan. 25, 1869. The Mississippi lodge No. 423 was chartered May 8, 1880. The charter members were Charles Reinhold, H. Willers, Charles Bracher, Herman Doshe, William Ziel and Christian Griesbach. The lodge has a membership of twenty-two, and is composed

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

exclusively of Germans. The first officers were: Theodore Willers. Ex. B .; Carl Reinhold, O. B .; Christian Greisbach. U. B .; Charles F. Bracher, S .; Thio Willer, T. The present officers are: William Ziel, O. B .; Ferdinand Pflaun, U. B .; Henry Netz, S .; Charles Reinhold T .; M. Menges, D. D. Ex. B. The association is ex- clusively German, and originated in New York city, March 9, 1847. Twelve Germans founded it for the purpose of preserving the German language in America, and for preserving the German National characteristics. Subsequently it was made a benevolent order, and by its laws pays endowments or insurance to the heirs of deceased brothers to the amount of $500, and a sick benefit to sick brothers as fixed by the by- laws. This lodge meets every Thursday even- ing at their hall in Brunson's block.

DRIVING PARK ASSOCIATION.

The Prairie du Chien Mechanical, Agricul- tural and Driving Park Association was organ- ized Aug. 22, 1883. H. L. Dousman was elected president; O. B. Thomas, vice president; Wm. Newton, secretary; A. M. Beach, treasurer, and M. Menges, superintendent. The capital stock was limited to $10,000, abont $6,000 of which has been subscribed at this writing. The asso- ciation has bargained with Mr. B. F. Fay for fifty-seven acros in the northeastern part of the city, for the site, being a part of farm lot No. 35; the price to be $3,000. It is the intention on the part of the managers to proceed at once to improve the ground, and construct a first- class race course thereon.

BAND.

The Bohemian band, of Prairie du Chien, originally organized in 1870, comprised eight pieces, with Matt Chapek as leader. The band was composed of Bohemians, and was very pop- ular. About 1877 it suspended for a while, and re-organized in 1881, with ten pieces. The following named parties compose the band: Matt Chapek, leader; M. Tehle, W. Tesar, Joseph Zeman, C. Zeman, Joseph Tehle, Matt Hanzlicek, Fred Bachelder, Charles Pion and

Winzel Strauski. This band have a good out- fit of instruments; are well drilled, and are widely and favorably known.

CEMETERIES.

There are, at this date (1884), four burying grounds used by the people of Prairie du Chien. These " silent cities" have buried, within their numerous vaults, a history which nothing but eternity can reveal. Within these sacred en- closures lie buried the joys and sorrows of two generations of pioneers. Here rest the re- mains of many a bold adventurer and frontiers- man, and by his side has long since decayed the mortal part of scores of gallant soldiers. Here the pioneer has oftimes bent over the coffined form of a darling child, who lived but to lisp, perhaps a single word, then was plucked like a spring flower and transplanted into a better world; others have grown to young man and womanhood, and then been laid low by disease and finally placed beneath the green sod which has been moistened by tear drops from the eyes of a dear father and loving mother, for many a year. Then in time, they too, have been sub- jects of disease, pain and death, and put away at rest by the side of their children so dear. Funeral procession after funeral procession has slowly coursed its way to these burying grounds and deposited the loved ones from out the home circles of this city, and monuments have been reared to their memory, until to-day, these "silent sentinels" stand one against an- other, as it were. The oldest of these ceme- teries is one of the three Catholic burying grounds used by the pioneers. This is situated just north of the city, and contains the remains of many of the departed dead. The only pub- lie and non-sectarian cemetery in the place is located in the southeast part of Lower Town. This contains about eight acres of ground, and was laid out on land owned by John S. Lock- wood, in 1842. This cemetery has been pro- perly cared for and presents to the passer by an index of the culture and refinement of the city populace. Besides the public cemeteries, there

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

659

are numerous private burying grounds in and about the city, where rest the remains of many of the pioneers of Crawford county, some of which are on the highest bluffs east of, and overlooking the city. There are also several interments on land enclosed in what is known as the officers' cemetery, on grounds reserved by the United States. This is near John Law- ler's residence, and contains the bodies of sol- diers and their families, who died at this point when Prairie du Chien was yet a military post. CITY PARK.

Prairie du Chien can boast of one of the prettiest publie parks in southern Wisconsin. It is located just south of Bluff street, which is the main business thoroughfare of the city. Minnesota street runs on the cast, Wisconsin street on the south, the grounds being in block 90 of the Union plat. The land embraced within this beautiful park was purchased of II. L. Dousman, Jr. The principal attraction of this spot is the fountain formed by the perpetual flow of the artesian well, situated within the enclosure of the park. A very neat and sul - stantial fence encloses the grounds, which ar made charming by an abundance of choice shad. trees, including some fine evergreens of symet. rical proportions.

ARTESIAN WELLS.

One of the peculiar and interesting features of the city of Prairie du Chien is its several mammoth artesian wells. To the late Judge Ira B. Brunson belongs the eredit of proposing and urging the undertaking of opening an ar- tesian well at this city. The subject was dis- eussed by the judge in so earnest and hopeful a manner that he soon had other prominent eiti- zens interested in the project.

The drilling of a well was commenced in the latter part of 1875, without any formal organi- zation and before its completion, a publie meet- ing was held (May 26, 1876) for the purpose of organizing a joint stock company.

committee on organization was appointed, con- sisting of B. F. Fay, A. Denio and W. B. Hunt. A second meeting was held June 23, 1876, and the organization was perfected. Judge I. B. Brunson was elected president, and E. M. Wright secretary. A board of directors was chosen, consisting of B. F. Fay, Lawrence Case, T. L. Brower, H. Beach, M. Menges, I. B. Brun- son and W. B. Hant.

Articles of association were adopted, and the capital stoek fixed at $10,000. The association was to be known as the Prairie du Chien Ar- tesian Well Company. Stoek was readily taken, and the work pushed to a speedy completion. The diameter of the tube is six inches, and the well was sunk to the depth of 960 feet, when a powerful stream of mineral water was struck which was found to flow at the rate of twenty barrels per minute, and with sufficient force to rise to the height of seventy feet.

An analysis of the water was made by a com- petent chemist with the following showing per gallon:

Grains.

Bicarbonate of lime. 6222 .

Bicarbonate of magnesia. 10 9739

Chloride of sodium. 90.2007

Chloride of potassium. 3.8064

Bromide of sodium. .1281

Sulphate of soda. 12.7978

Sulphate of lime

15.3699

Bicarbonate of irou .2318

Aluminia. .0610

Silica. 2.8430

Phosphate of soda Trace.

Organic matter. Trace.

The water is said to be a powerful remedial agent in rheumatism, dyspepsia and numerous other diseases. The original cost of the well was $4,200, which was the amount of stock issued. The additional improvements, including mains and hydrants extending down Bluff street to the foot of Main, cost $2,500. A still further expense has been ineurred for copper pipe for lining main pipe to the rock. The present annual income is between $600 and $700. The

Judge Ira B. Brunson was chosen president, and Mr. L. Case, secretary, of the meeting. A company, with a view of developing the business,

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

has granted the sole right of sale of the water for a term of ten years from July 1, 1883 to Henry F. Schultz, of Milwaukee, for a nominal sun.

The present officers, (1884), are M. Menges, president; Wm. Newton, superintendent and secretary.

The well is situated on the northwest corner . of Minnesota and Wisconsin streets. The sur- plus water is conducted to Bluff street and there divides equally and passes down the open gut- ters, which are paved with stone, thus present- ing the curious and agreeable spectacle of two brooklets of clear, sparkling water, flowing one on either side of the principal business street of the city, while at fre- quent intervals open hydrants pour out a never-ceasing stream. Drinking cups and watering tubs supply the thirsty mortal or beast with abundant opportunity for quenching thirst. Two wells of this kind propel a flour- ing mill in the heart of the city, and Mr. T. L Brower has another similar well at Lower Town, which throws an immense volume of water. It is situated in a beautiful private park of Mr. Brower's designing, and supplies a minature lake. Besides the main fountain which forms so interesting a feature of the park, another fed by the well, through pipes, throws its bright waters high in the air, on the beautiful lawn that fronts the owner's residence. Still another no less beautiful fountain than Mr. Brower's, ornaments the beautiful grounds of the Dousman mansion near the river.

MILLS AND MANUFACTORIES.

The first milling done at or near the city of Prairie du Chien, was the grinding of small grain, such as wheat, peas, barley and oats. Two or three farmers would unite in the constuction of a horse power mill. The buhrs were large stones cut from the granite rock, found about the city. The product of these mills was sifted by hand. The first regular grist mill within the limits of the city of Prairie du Chien, was erected by Edward Pelton in 1847.

This was a frame structure, except the engine room, which was built of brick. It was situated on the east bank of the Mississippi river, in the northwestern part of the city. It was still do- ing service in 1884. The original building was 50x50 feet, four stories in height and contained two run of stone. But in 1867 the property passed into the hands of J. Fameshon, who re- modled the building and provided new machin- ery throughout. In 1884 the mill was propelled by a sixty-horse power engine and operated as an exchange mill. In 1878 after the artesian wells of the city were pronounced a lasting suc- cess, TIenry Weniger conceived the idea of securing a power sufficient to propel a flouring mill by means of two of these wells. So he opened one having an eight inch bore and one with a six inch bore. These wells were sunk 1,044 feet, and the streams give an upward force equal to the requirements of this mill, which contains two run of stone with a capacity of grinding 100 bushels per day. This is the only mill known in the world that derives its power directly from an upward stream of water, coming from the earth. This mill is located just north of Bluff street and east of the "slough."

The first saw-mill at Prairie du Chien was built in 1857, for the purpose of cutting hard wood Inmber. It stood near the site of the present round house. Soon after its erection, it was burned down, and through aid derived by private subscription, it was rebuilt and con- tinued a few months.

The next saw-mill in or about Prairie du Chien, was that owned by Stauer & Co., which was operated in McGregor for about a year, and in 1872 moved over to Prairie du Chien, in order to get more yard room in which to operate on a larger scale. This mill is one of the largest between Minneapolis, Minn., and Clinton, Iowa. Its propelling power is a 125 horse-power en- gine, which drives machinery sufficient to cut 85,000 feet of lumber per day. At this mill, I besides the immense quantities of lumber

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

sawed, there is one of the largest shingle and lath mills in the county.

The location of this mill is on the east bank of the east channel of the Mississippi river, just northwest from the railway depot of the C. M. & St. Paul railway, the track of which passes through the mill yard.

Most of the logs used by this mill are rafted from Stillwater and the Chippewa country; and the major part of the mills produet finds a market in Iowa and Dakota.

The first brewing done at Prairie du Chien was in 1855, by Theodore Schumann and Otto Georgii, who operated in a small wood building near the base of the bluffs, where they exea- vated a large cellar which was stoned up and arched over. In 1870 M. Menges bought into the company, as the successor of Fred Kalpel, who had purchased Mr. Georgii's interest a year or two before. On the 29th of April, 1872, this brewery was destroyed by fire, causing a loss of $8,000, while $12,000 of its value was covered by insurance.

A few weeks after this fire a new brewery was commenced, which was still running in 1884, and known as the City Brewery. This concern fronts Church street from the west side, and is situated in block No. 1, and is the prop- erty of Theodore Schumann and M. Menges. This building is 45x160 feet, two and three stories in height. It is a stone and iron struet- ure, erected at a cost of $23,800, including ma- chinery. It has a capacity of 6,000 barrels per year, which finds market in Wisconsin and Iowa, where eight salesmen are constantly em- ployed. This concern uses from 12,000 to 14,000 bushels of malt of their own manufact- ure, and from 1,000 to 3,000 bushels imported. It also consumes 1,800 tons of ice per season.

Harris & Benson are manufacturers of steel plows and cultivators. Their business was es- tablished in 1855, by D. G. Harris, and condueted by Mr. Harris, and various partners, till 1871, when he formed a partnership with II. J. Ben- son. This firm does an extensive business in

the manfacture of steel plows and cultivators, of which they make several varieties. For the year 1882, they made 4,000 plows and cultiva- tors. The senior partner has had thirty-four years' experience in the business, while Mr Benson has devoted several years to the same line of work. Their plows and tools are sold throughout the west, and are held in high favor.

Just before the Civil war, H. H. Hall found money for Capt. Chase and Alonzo Pelton to put in operation a soap factory, which they con- tinued to run till April, 1864, when they sold to J. D. Ilumphrey, of Galena, Ill., who operated successfully until Jan. 12, 1883, and then sold to Haskins & Wallan, who carried on the busi- ness until December of that year, when Mr. Haskins purchased his partner's interest; the eoneern then going under the name of Leroy Haskins' soap and candle factory.

No little importance is centered about indus- tries of this character ; indeed, they are the vi- tality of any city. Five standard grades of laundry soap are here manufactured-"Eureka," "Palm," "Old English," "Favorite" and "Econ- omist." The capacity of these soap works is 11,000 sixty-pound boxes per annum. These soaps find market in Iowa, Wisconsin and Da- kota, in which States salesmen are constantly employed. This factory is situated in one of the pioneer buildings of the city. It was form erly the "Rioleto louse," kept by a Frenchman at an early day. It was next used as an office for the Indian agent, and later still, as a select school. Since 1870 this concern has been su- perintended by Jeremiah Cannon, an experi- enced soap maker.

The Vinegar works, of A. II. Reitemeyer, another enterprise of manufacturing industry of Prairie du Chien, was established in 1870, in the three-story briek business house, in Lower Town, built in 1857 for a bank. Up to 1879, the product of these works was made by use of spirits, which were imported ; but at that date Mr. Reitemeyer, put in new machinery and has since produced the best grades of vinegar,

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

by the "vaporizing process," employing spirits obtained from malt, corn and rye, purchased and extracted at his works. The capacity of these works is 1,000 barrels per year ; however, the average amount produced is about 600 barrels, which is sold to the retail trade of Iowa, Min- nesota and Wisconsin.

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.

The commercial interests leading to the foundation, and subsequent development of a city, which must of necessity, receive the at- tention of the historian, is attended with many difficulties and uncertainties unknown to those who have never undertaken the collection of such matter, Especially is this true of a city dating back to so early a time as Prairie du Chien. Few of the early business men of the place are now living, and to the memory of the few surviving ones, years that have passed are but as fleeting hours, and the reports given by these pioneers are often at antipodes in relation to vital points, such as names and dates of those who first embarked in business. Notwithstand- ing these obstacles, the task has been under- taken, and the result is here given as a matter of record, to be handed down to succeeding gen- erations, that they may know who founded the business of a city whose proportions shall in- crease with the incoming years, and the magni- tude of its commerce outstrip the most sanguine hopes of its projectors.

In this connection it will be the aim of the historian to give, as far as possible, the names of the first representatives in each line of busi- ness, together with a brief history of their busi- ness and then in conclusion, show the advance- ment made by a business directory of the city in 1883.

As the earliest trading at this point, has been spoken of at length, in former chapters, in con- nection with the French and Indian trading post, no special mention will be made of the city's business until the American settlement com- menced.

BUSINESS OF "LOWER TOWN."

The first merchandising done at this point, was carried on by John S. Lockwood, who opened a general store in 1839, and continued till abont 1844, when he moved the stock to Upper Town, and a few years later died. Sam- uel A. Clark was the next to embark in trade in the Lower Town. He commenced in 1840, and continued until 1862 and then moved his goods to Viroqua, Vernon county, where be built a fine store building, which a few years later, he sold to Mr. John Tate, who was still in trade there in 1884.

The first hardware dealer of the place was G. C. Cone, who finally moved to McGregor, where he died. Succeeding him in this line, came Oswald & Hopkins in 1856.

Frank Jackish run the pioneer meat market of this part of Prairie du Chien.

A bank was established in 1856, under the state banking laws, by a man from Milwaukee, who continued some few years. This bank was kept in a large three story brick block erec- ted by Allen Reed for that purpose. In 1883, this was utilized as a vinegar manufactory.

In 1857 the principal trade of the place was in the hands of the following:

T. L. Brower, wholesale and retail drug store. Mr. Osborne, grocery store.

H. Baldwin, ship store, which he kept in the railroad depot.

Samuel A. Clark, general store.

William Hawkins, groceries and provisions.

At this date there were eight hotels of vari- ous kinds, which changed hands many times and several of these were destroyed by fire, it is supposed to obtain the insurance, which was placed upon them.

In the winter of 1862-3, the long talked of removal of the depot, to a point up the river, near what was the "Main Village" of early date, was finally effected and with this change of railroad business, all other branches of trade commenced to center at Upper Town, many

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

of the business men removing their goods from "Lower Town."

"Lower Town" contains at this time (1884) but one store, which is operated by the pio- neer, T. L. Brower.

Aside from the Vinegar works of A. II. Reitemeyer established in 1870, this constituted the business of this part of Prairie du Chein.

The C. M. & St. Paul have their round house and repair shops here, also a passenger depot.

BUSINESS OF "UPPER TOWN."

The earliest trading done bere, was carried on at what was then known as "Main Vil- lage," on the island, near where the Milwaukee depot now stands. The building used was a solid, stone structure, which is still standing. This was head-quarters for the Indian traders, among whom were Donsman & Brisbois, agents for the American Fur Company.

In 1839, Edward Pelton opened up a general store.

In 1847, Thomas A. Savage and Martin Nein- hardt engaged in trade; the former in a general stock, and the latter in exclusive grocery stock.

O. P. Martin embarked in the drug and gro- cery trade, at about the same time.

Gaillard & Famechon, began business in 1849, running a large general stock, then called and still known as the "French Store." In 1855, they erected a spacious stone building on Bluff street where Mr. Famechon is still (1884) doing business.

The first to engage in the hardware trade at this point was Mr. Frisbie, who sold to B. F. Fay, in 1857. Beach & Weber engaged in the same line in 1858.

The earliest dealer in furniture was Christo- pher Greeley, who commenced business in 1850, in a shop near the site of the present Commer- cial Hotel. This business is still (1884) carried on by his son Charles.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 94

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