History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 113

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304

USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Wisconsin > Part 113

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).

In the spring of 1859, P. H. Turner bought out Mr. Brown and enlarged some of the buildings. In 1860, the property passed into the hands of E. W. Skinner, who erected the present stone foundry and other buildings that subsequently burned. At this time, reapers and mowers were built there on a large scale. In 1864, O. S. Willey came into the firm, and they immediately engaged very extensively in the manufacture of sorghum-mills and evaporators, which they sent to all parts of the country. So large was this business that, in 1865, their sales amounted to $150,000. In December, 1865, S. D. Hastings became a partner in the firm, which continued until March 3, 1869; then, by act of Legislature, the firm, upon application, became incorporated as the Madison Manufacturing Company. The first regular meeting, for a stock-company organization, was held November 22, 1869. At this meeting, subscriptions were taken for stock to the amount of $40,000, there being forty-five subscribers. A committee was also appointed to draft a constitution, and a board of seven, including officers, was elected, as follows : J. M. Bowman, President; T. Brown, Vice President ; S. D. Hastings, Secretary ; J. L. Hill, Treasurer ; F. J. Lamb, General Superintendent; and Philo Dunning and J. W.

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Hudson. In August, 1870, F. J. Lamb resigned and J. W. Hudson was elected to his place. J. L. Hill resigned in the fall of 1873. S. D. Hastings then became Secretary and Treasurer, remaining in office until Hiram Johnson was elected, in October, 1875. T. Brown died in 1879, and F. J. Lamb was elected, December 11, to fill the vacancy. In the summer of 1879, Will- iam Dudley died; C. L. Dudley was elected in his place October 13 of that year. N. W. Dean, W. Waddle, Wayne Ramsay and Halle Steensland have been on the board also.

On the morning of the 23d of December, 1869, the principal shops, with the appurtenances, were burned, at a loss of about $10,000, with $6,000 insurance. The same day, the Directors met, and started the present building. This is 45x150 feet, built of brick. There is one engine of twenty-five-horse power and another of ten-horse power, with various lathes, drills and other machinery. There is also everything needed in the way of wood-working machinery. In fact, everything is completely arranged for doing a large general manufacturing business. Twenty- five to thirty men are constantly employed, and a business aggregating $40,000 per annum is done.

Dean & Son, Contractors and Builders .- This firm began the business of building and manufacturing combined in 1872. Their shop, located on Main street, is 24x40 feet, and is conveniently arranged. They have a twelve-horse-power engine (located in a separate brick building), a good planer and a large number of improved wood-working machines. The esti- mated value of property is $5,000. They employ from fifteen to twenty hands, and do a flour- ishing business.

Ball Brothers' Foundry .- This establishment was built by Hiram Brown about 1870. It was used by him for the manufacture of feed-steaming machines, but the business did not prove - a success, and after about two years it was discontinued. The shop lay idle for three or four years, then was taken by the firm of Newton & Slater, who did a general manufacturing busi- ness. In the spring of 1877, C. E. Ball bought out Newton & Slater and took R. B. Dudgeon in as a partner. This firm continued for a short time only, then changed to Ball Brothers. The foundry and shops cover an area of 65x150 feet. Twenty men are employed, and a general foundry and machine business is done. The shops are run under the special supervision and management of C. E. Ball.

POST OFFICE.

"On the 27th day of May, 1837," says John Catlin, " I established the post office [in Madison] by appointing Luther Peck as Deputy; and the first mails were opened and the office kept in Eben Peck's house, his being the only family in Madison."

Mr. Catlin was then a resident of Mineral Point, but had agreed to settle in Madison upon being appointed Postmaster at the new capital. "On the 4th of July," continues Mr. Catlin, " Simeon Mills was sworn as Deputy Postmaster." The post office was then transferred to a log building on Lot 8, Block 108, where Mr. Catlin and Mr. Mills kept the first store in Madison. A mail route was established between Milwaukee and Mineral Point at an early day, the mails being carried on horseback. Late in the fall of 1837, two routes were established, which connected with Madison ; one from Galena to Fort Winnebago, the mail being carried in a two horse wagon ; and one from Milwaukee to Madison, the mail being carried on foot or horseback.

Simeon Mills was contractor on the latter route at $800 per year, and made one trip each week to Milwaukee, but before his time expired he put on a stage and made two trips per week. After Mr. Mills took the mail route, Steptoe Catlin, a brother of John Catlin, became Deputy Postmaster. In 1838, the firm of Catlin & Mills put up a frame building in place of the log house, and moved the store and post office into it. Then again, in 1839, Mr. Mills erected a small building on Lot 2, Block 103, into which the post office was removed and kept until after the inauguration of William Henry Harrison as President, when David Brigham was appointed Postmaster. He moved the office into a building owned by N. T. Parkinson on Lot 16, Block 114, where Brigham also had his law office. He was Postmaster until his death, which occurred in 1843. After Mr. Brigham's death, John Catlin was re-appointed, but resigned in favor of

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his brother Steptoe, who kept the office in a building on Lot 2, Block 104, David Holt being Deputy. In 1845, the death of Stephen Catlin left the office without a Postmaster, and, on the 20th of November of that year, David Holt was formally appointed. With the election of Tay- lor as President, the post office was transferred to the keeping of James Morrison, Mr. Holt being Deputy ; but, for various reasons, Morrison was objected to by Gov. Dodge, then at Washington, and, consequently, failed to get confirmed by the Senate, and finally, after holding the office a few months, he was superseded by Chauncey Abbott. Mr. Abbott continued Post- master until Franklin Pierce's Administration was inaugurated, in 1853, when he resigned and J. N. Jones was appointed. Mr. Jones moved the office into a frame building on his present lot, No. 10, Block 102, where he kept it until the opera house building was completed ' in 1856, when he moved into a room of that block. In 1861, E. W. Keyes was appointed Post- master, and has held the office since that time. Immediately after taking possession, he moved it into the brick building on Lot 2, Block 84, where it was kept until the erection of the post ofice building. On the 1st of February, 1871, the present office was ready for occupation, and possession was taken ; and, on the 1st of July following, the whole building was occupied by the various United States offices. The business done in the post office in Madison during the first quarter of the first year did not exceed $3, although the postage on a letter was from six-pence to 25 cents, and a per cent of this constituted the Postmaster's salary. Now how great a difference ; where one small package of letters was once sent and received weekly, now twenty- one separate pouches of mail are dispatched daily, weighing 1,000 pounds, and the same number are received, weighing 800 pounds.

The amount of business done last year was estimated at $528,347.62, for the transaction of which a Postmaster, Assistant Postmaster and six clerks were required; the salary of the Post- master being 3,000 per annum, and the total of Assistant and clerks $5,600. The office is supplied with 2,000 boxes, and throughout is one of the most commodious and best-arranged offices in the State.

MILLS.

Saw-Mills .- Madison has had four saw-mills-three propelled by steam and one by water. In the summer of 1837, William A. Wheeler, a millwright, came to Madison, and was engaged in the erection of a steam saw-mill on the bank of Lake Mendota, a little west of the foot of Butler street; but as the engine and other machinery had to be brought from Detroit, it was not till about the close of the year that it was set in operation. Much of the timber used in the building of the first capitol was sawed in this mill.

In 1848, Simeon Mills erected, on Lots 6 and 7, Block 116, corner of Main and Blair streets, a steam saw-mill. In three or four years the mill was converted to other uses.

In the spring of 1849, L. J. Farwell commenced making permanent improvements at the outlet of Lake Mendota. A dam was built, and the water in the lake raised about two feet. The Yahara, which connects this lake with Lake Monona, being very circuitous, and its channel obstructed by logs and brushwood, a straight canal was cut from one lake to the other. During the summer, a building was erected having a saw-mill in one end and two runs of stone in the other for grist work.

Daniel Gorum built a steam saw-mill on Lake Mendota, near the university grounds, during the year 1853. It was bought by I. E. Brown in 1856, and changed to a foundry- purchased by P. H. Turner in 1859, and by him sold to E. W. Skinner. O. S. Willey became & partner in 1864, and S. D. Hastings in 1865. This establishment did a large business in the manufacture of sugar-mills; in the year 1865, upward of 500 of these mills were sold. The property was afterward purchased by the Madison Manufacturing Company.

Madison City Mills .- The first mill built on the Yahara, at the outlet of Lake Mendota, was erected by L. J. Farwell in 1849 or 1850, and was a saw and grist mill combined, there being a saw and two run of buhrs for grinding. The mill was built very substantially of oak throughout, and of the ame size as the present mill. Governor Farwell run the mill until

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1859, having in the meantime removed the saw and added two run of stone; then the title to the property passed to William Nelson, of New York, on a foreclosure of mortgage for $20,000. In 1860, William Boorman purchased the property ; from him it was purchased by F. Briggs, in July, 1864. Then, in January, 1866, G. H. and Julins Earl & J. H. McNamara became the owners, and held the mill until the following year, when it again passed into the possession of F. Briggs. In January, 1867, James Robbins and C. C. G. Thornton bought in.

On the 19th of October, 1873, the mill was burned, and one of the employes lost his life in it. The proprietors immediately took the preliminary steps toward putting up a new mill ; and, on the 17th of November, the work of erection began, and on the 21st of February, 1874, the mill, with all its complicated machinery, had progressed so far that the feed stone began grinding, and, soon after, it was in the full tide of successful operation.

Externally, the mill is 50x50 feet square, and is four stories high, with unspliced timbers, 50 feet long, on a side ; 4x6 joists, and perpendicular timbers, 46 feet long, also unspliced. It is set up two and a half feet higher than the old mill. The sides are covered with matched boarding, sheathing paper and clap-boarding, thus making the building very warm. It is painted a pearl color, with dark drab trimmings. The roof is flat and thoroughly tinned. It has also an observatory commanding an extensive view. One hundred and fifty thousand feet of timber were used in the mill.

The waters of Lake Mendota furnish a 60-horse motive power, which pours over four turbine wheels, each self-supporting, one of which is 65 inches in diameter, one 56 inches, one 66 inches, and the other 60 inches. There are five run of stone of the best French buhr. Within, the mill throughout is supplied with all the modern machinery found advantageous in making the very best quality of flour, and runs without jar and almost without noise.

The mill has a capacity for grinding 500 bushels per day.

In 1878, J. R. Baltzell bought out Mr. Thornton, the firm now being Robbins & Baltzell. The business done is entirely local.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The first steps taken toward organizing a Fire Department were at the regular meeting of the Common Council, May 14, 1856. It was then resolved that His Honor the Mayor be re- quested and empowered to select and purchase one or two first-class engines, with hose-pipes and appurtenances as he may think fit; and it was also resolved that the Committee on City Property be, and they are hereby, instructed to select and contract for suitable sites for two en- gine-houses, said contract to be subject to the approval of the Common Council. Soon after, the Committee purchased the lots of engine-houses Nos. 1 and 2, for $1,000 each, and, later in the season, by regular order, the engine-houses were built, at a cost of $1,620.88 and $1,620.87 respectively. No. 1 engine-house is situated on Block 102, facing Webster, and en- gine-house No. 2 is located on Block 75, facing State street. During this year, the city also made sundry appropriations for the use of the department, amounting to $3,000, and in August caused the first three tanks to be built.

On the 13th of August, Mendota Fire Company No 1, organized April 10, 1856, reported sixty men to the Common Council, and Madison Fire Company No. 2, organized July 23, 1856, reported the same number soon after. By act of the Common Council, the services of both companies were accepted by the city, with certain restrictions and privileges.

Two hand-engines were purchased early in the spring of 1857, and arrived here on the 1st day of April of that year. On the following day, April 2, the Common Council met and re- solved that the Village Clerk be directed to inform the Foremen of the Fire Companies, Nos. 1 and 2, that the apparatus designed for their use had arrived, and, for the purpose of testing the working of the same, the Common Council requested an exhibition of the machinery, on the following Saturday, at 2 o'clock P. M., at the south corner of the capitol park.

On the third Monday in March, 1857, the Fire Department held its first regular meeting for the election of officers. The officers chosen were: John M. Griffin, Chief Engineer; Thomas P. Muldoon, First Assistant; Casper Zwickey, Second Assistant.

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On the 4th of May of the above year, the village authorities purchased two fire-alarm bells, now to be seen on engine-houses Nos. 1 and 2.

Fire Company No. 1 took a trip to the State Fair on the 1st of October, 1857, this being their first appearance away from the city.

In December, 1857, the fire limits were established; also, by this time a temporary hook- and-ladder house was completed, at a cost of $345, and Chief Griffin reported a hook-and-ladder company organized.

On the 18th day of January, 1858, Sack Company No. 1 was organized and admitted into the Fire Department, the company consisting of twenty men, as follows: D. C. Bush, E. B. Adams, Neeley Gray, H. Cooley, S. G. Benedict, D. Flesch, A. A. Albee, T. E. Bird, George E. Bryant, Simeon Dean, Ira W. Bird, William Ripley, Jr., N. W. Dean, D. W. Burwell, J. S. Fuller, William M. Rasdell, E. B. Crawford, E. H. Gleason, P. L. Carman and James Jack.

On the 8th day of March of the same year, Capital Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, was organized, and admitted into the department as an independent company, they having their own truck and appliances. There were altogether forty-seven active men.

In September, 1859, the Madison Fire Engine Company, No. 2, attended the Fair of the State Agricultural Society and the Firemen's Tournament, both being held at Milwaukee, at which they carried off the first prize at the fair and at the tournament, both being silver trumpets. One was inscribed as follows :

" Wisconsin State Agricultural Fair, Milwaukee, September 28, 1859. Awarded to Mad- ison Engine Company, No. 2." The other: "Awarded Engine Company No. 2, by the Mil- waukee Fire Department, on the trial of second-class engine on quality, at the Firemen's Tour- nament, Sept. 29, 1859."

These occupy a prominent place in their rooms, and they may well feel proud of them, con- tending against the best and oldest companies of the State, and carrying off the two first prizes.

During 1860, the City Council adopted the by-laws which govern the department.

August 23, 1864, Madison Company, No. 2, attended the firemen's tournament at Fond du Lac, and carried off the first prize (a banner), but, by the unfairness of the Secretary of the fire- man's association, it was handed to the Water Witch, No. 2, of Janesville, he being a member of the same. The company then challenged the Water Witch, No. 2, which appeared in the daily papers of the city September 10, 1867, but it was not accepted. Whenever the company com- peted with other companies, as a rule they always carried off the first prize.,

On the 14th day of November, 1866, the city bought a second-hand steam engine (the E. W. Keyes) for $5,391.82, and, immediately after, the E. W. Keyes Company, No. 1, was organ- ized with forty-four men, and became a part of the fire department. . The engine was drawn by hand until the city could afford to purchase horses. Madison Hand-Engine Company, No. 2, disbanded December 4, 1866, to re-organize on the 19th of the same month as an aid society.

Soon after this, a new company of fifty-two men that had been organized for the purpose, took their place. This company continued with the old hand-engine until August 1, 1870, when the city bought the Andrew Proudfit, No. 2, steam engine for $4,500, and re-organized the com- pany with twenty men, to be called the Andrew Proudfit Steam Fire Company, No. 2.

During the fall of that year, a four-wheeled hose cart was bought and run by hand until the next year, when a horse was bought for it. At first, the Andrew Proudfit was drawn by horses belonging to the Street Superintendent.

In 1870, the E. W. Keyes Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, was reduced to twenty men, and a team was bought that year to haul the engine, John Engelberg being appointed driver.

On the 25th of May, 1874, the S. U. Pinney Supply Hose Company organized and ten- dered their services to the department, and were accepted. A hose cart and appliances were bought this year at a cost of $650.

On the 6th of February, by act of the Common Council, the number of men to the different companies was fixed as follows : E. W. Keyes, Steamer No. 1, fifteen men ; Andrew Proudfit,

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Steamer No. 2, fifteen men ; S. U. Pinney, fifteen men ; Supply Hose Company fifteen men, and Hook and Ladder Company, twenty men.

On the 1st of May, 1875, the Common Council, by resolution, gave the Chief Engineer, Mayor and Street Superintendent authority to drop any man from his company's rolls when they saw fit. To this the E. W. Keyes Company, No. 1, took exception, and gave the city notice- that they would disband, and did disband at that time. They then tendered their services for thirty days, until the city could form a new company, and during that time attended three fires.

Immediately after, the new E. W. Keyes Company was organized.

In 1877, a new hook and ladder house was built on Block 84, facing Monona avenue, the house and lot costing $3,599.43.

Previous to this, in 1866, a new hose cart and fixtures were purchased, costing $500.

On the 15th of September, 1880, the property known. as the Billings Plow Factory, on Block 102, facing Webster street and adjoining the lot of Engine House No. 1, was purchased at a cost of $3,500, to be occupied by No. 1 Steamer and the S. U. Pinney Hose Company. A team was bought this year for the Andrew Proudfit. After the plow factory is prepared and the room in the city hall is vacated, it is to be used in connection with the library.

To sum up, the department commands two good steam fire-engines, one hook and ladder truck and equipments, four hose carts and 3,000 feet of hose, and two Babcock fire extinguishers. The water supply is obtained from fifteen tanks located in different parts of the city, and three large railroad water tanks. The smallest of the tanks. holds 300 barrels, the largest 1,200. Taken altogether, they hold 11,800 barrels.

Department Officers .- 1858-E. B. Chadwick, Chief; Julius White, First Assistant; William Gennett, Second Assistant.

1859-William Gennett, Chief; D. M. Burwell, First Assistant; Fred Southoff, Second Assistant.

1860-D. M. Burwell, Chief ; Fred Southoff, First Assistant ; G. F. C. Memhard, Second Assistant ; Andrew Sexton, Treasurer, and C. G. Mayers, Secretary.

1861-C. H. Billings, Chief Engineer ; Arnold Huchting, First Assistant ; Thomas B. Mul- doon, Second Assistant ; Andrew Sexton, Treasurer ; Charles G. Mayers, Secretary.

1862-C. H. Billings, Chief Engineer ; Arnold Huchting, First Assistant ; George B. McGie, Second Assistant ; F. B. Huchting, Treasurer ; W. G. Pitman, Secretary.

1863-George B. McGie, Chief Engineer ; J. E. Fisher, First Assistant; A. Kentzler, Second Assistant ; Fred B. Huchting, Treasurer ; Ed Sumner, Secretary.

1864-F. G. Tibbits, .Chief Engineer ; Martin Henrichs, First Assistant; A. Huchting, Treasurer ; Ed. Sumner, Secretary.

1865-W. H. Holt, Chief Engineer ; W. T. Fish, First Assistant; J. C. Reidburger, Sec- ond Assistant; John H. Slavan, Treasurer ; Edwin Sumner, Secretary.

1866-Martin Henrichs, Chief Engineer; Frank M. Dorn, First Assistant; Anton Steinle, Second Assistant ; John H. Slavan, Treasurer ; Andrew Sexton, Secretary.

1867-J. E. Fisher, Chief Engineer ; C. G. Mayers, First Assistant; John Wise, Second Assistant ; J. M. Slavan, Treasurer ; Andrew Sexton, Secretary.

1868-W. S. Fish, Chief Engineer ; Frank Dorn, First Assistant ; James Ledwith, Second Assistant ; J. E. Moseley, Treasurer ; Andrew Sexton, Secretary.

1869-A. R. Jones, Chief Engineer ; T. C. Botsford, First Assistant; L. Gutman, Sec- ond Assistant ; J. E. Moseley, Treasurer ; C. F. Kreuz, Secretary.

1870-William Farrell, Chief Engineer; Frank Dorn, First Assistant; Robert Livesey, Second Assistant ; James E. Moseley, Treasurer ; Arthur Mills, Secretary.

These were the last officers elected by the department, except secretary and treasurer. The Council appointed chief and assistants after that.

1871-William Farrell, Chief; Frank Dorn, First Assistant ; Robert Livesey, Second As- sistant ; James Moseley, Treasurer ; B. S. Bush, Secretary.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

1872-H. A. Dyke, Chief; Anton Conrad, First Assistant; William Bowen, Second Assistant ; James E. Moseley, Treasurer ; John Nolden, Secretary.

1873-H. A. Dyke, Chief; William Bowen, First Assistant ; Frank Zehnpfenning, Second Assistant ; James E. Moseley, Treasurer ; John Nolden, Secretary.

1874-H. A. Dyke, Chief; William Bowen, First Assistant; Frank Zehnpfenning, Sec- ond Assistant ; James E. Moseley, Treasurer; A. C. Taft, Secretary.

1875-H. A. Dyke, Chief; William H. Bowen, First Assistant ; Frank Zehnpfenning, Second Assistant ; James E. Moseley, Treasurer ; A. C. Taft, Secretary.

1876-H. A. Dyke, Chief; William Bowen, First Assistant ; Frank Zehnpfenning, Sec- ond Assistant; James E. Moseley, Treasurer ; A. C. Taft, Secretary.

1877-Martin Henrichs, Chief; William A. Bradley, First Assistant; William Hughs, Second Assistant ; James E. Moseley, Treasurer; A. C. Taft, Secretary.

1878-Martin Henrichs, Chief; Frank Zehnpfenning, First Assistant; N. A. Crampton, Second Assistant; James E. Moseley, Treasurer; A. C. Taft, Secretary.

1879-Martin Henrichs, Chief ; W. A. Bradley, First Assistant; N. A. Crampton, Second Assistant ; James E. Moseley, Treasurer ; A. C. Taft, Secretary.

1880-William A. Bradley, Chief; N. A. Crampton, First Assistant ; Ed Quamman, Second Assistant ; M. Beohmer, Treasurer, A. C. Taft, Secretary.

Mendota Fire Engine Company, No. 1, was organized April 10, 1856, and at the next meeting, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Foreman, S. G. Benedict ; First Assistant, I. L. Elliott; Second Assistant, O. C. Buck ; Secretary, W. H. Holt; Treas- ursr, Thomas J. Thomas. S. G. Benedict served from May, 1856, to May, 1857, as Foreman. W. Babcock served as Foreman from May, 1857, to March, 1859, he having resigned at that time. C. H. Billings was elected to fill vacancy, and served as Foreman from March, 1859, to May, 1860. Charles G. Mayers served as Foreman from May, 1860, to December, 1861, at which time he resigned to enter the service of the Union. James E. Fisher was elected to fill the vacancy, and served from December, 1861, to May, 1862. Frank A. Stoltz served from May, 1862, to September, 1862, at which time he resigned. C. W. Olney elected to fill vacancy, and served from September, 1862, to May, 1863. William Buckley served from May, 1863, to May, 1867. Charles G. Mayers was again elected May, 1867, and continued in office until the hand engines having been superseded by steamers, the old engine was sold about 1872. The company kept up its organization for some time as a lyceum, but it was found that this was not a sufficient bond for a company of stalwart men who had jumped at the tap of the bell for sixteen years, and who will tell stories and point out scenes where their skill and courage conquered the common enemy, fire, as long as one of them survives.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 113

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1304

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304