USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 53
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
On May 24, 1866, he purchased from Charles Lee the lots and buildings and erected a three-story hotel building. The building was on Ferry street, afterwards called Kelsey street, and now Grand avenue east, about fifty feet west of the corner of Barstow street and Grand avenue. The Eau Claire National Bank build- ing and Kepler Company's store cover the site. No buildings excepting the hotel barns were between the hotel and the river. December 21, 1867, Mr. Chandler moved in and the formal open- ing took place on January 1, 1868, with a grand party and ball.
A cafe in the basement was run by George Lang, who served both solid and liquid refreshments. In the spring of 1869 the Chandler House, together with a number of other buildings in the same block, were destroyed by fire. The hotel was not re- built.
The Chandler House, in both its locations, held an important position in the town and was the center of social and political activity.
THE WILLIAMS HOUSE.
This hotel was one of the leading hostelries of the city in the '70s. When first erected it was called the Williams Honse, after George W. Williams, one of the owners of the building. Later the name changed to the Peabody House, and again to the Wind- sor House. The building was located at the corner of what is now Gibson and River streets, on the premises on which the H. T. Lange Company's store building stands.
On November 14, 1854, the land was transferred from the United States to William Reed, and after several changes in ownership, on April 14, 1868, was deeded by Peter Wychoff, an early day postmaster, to George W. Williams, Elvin Fox and Seth Fish. To clear some cloud in the title, Richard F. Wilson gave a quit claim deed on March 10, 1868, to the same parties.
A large livery stable was erected, which was run by Williams & Co. In an advertisement in the "Free Press," they state they are prepared "To convey people to and from different localities
550
HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
anywhere within one hundred miles," and that their "rigs are as good as can be had outside of Milwaukee."
After some time in the livery business the building was re- modeled and converted into one of the finest hotel buildings in the Northwest. A resident of that day states the original build- ing used for a stable was raised up and a new story erected under- neath. The building was two story frame. The hotel opened on September 30, 1869, under the management of S. P. Greenman. George W. Withers was day clerk. Mr. Withers came to Eau Claire for the purpose of taking this position, arriving on Sep- tember 29. He states that on the day of the opening he was engaged in putting up curtains on the second floor, when he dis- covered a fire in the building south of the hotel, bordering on what was then Kelsey street, now Grand avenue east. These buildings were mostly of frame and a number of them were consumed.
In August, 1870, Mr. Fish disposed of his interests in the property and on August 9, 1872, Mr. Williams bought the interest of Mr. Fox.
S. P. Greenman was succeeded as proprietor of the hotel by E. S. Chase & Co. This company was composed of Colonel E. M. Bartlett, Eben S. Chase, at that time postmaster, and J. P. Nelson. Colonel Bartlett had nothing to do with the manage- ment which was largely with Mr. Nelson and Mr. Chase.
In July, 1873, J. P. Nelson & Co. succeeded to the manage- ment. For three months early in 1874 Chandler & Co. appear as the proprietors of the Williams House and on April 14, 1874. were succeeded by Truax & Etter. December 19, 1874, the title to the fee passed to Elizabeth J. Peabody, and the name was changed from Williams House to Peabody House.
February 28, 1881, the fee passed to William F. Vinton, who changed the name of the house again from Peabody House to Windsor House. Dr. Vinton, who had formerly been a practicing dentist, gave his personal attention to the management of the hotel for several years. In the meantime the shifting of business had gradually made the Windsor House less attractive to the traveling public. The building was a frame one, and this also influenced the traveling public in favor of the more centrally located hotels.
On September 23, 1898, after an existence of over twenty- five years, the building was consumed by fire. Several guests had narrow escapes.
For short intervals, on several occasions during the life of the
551
HOTELS OF EAU CLAIRE
hotel, it was closed. The lots are now occupied by the wholesale store of HI. T. Lange Company.
THE HART HOUSE.
The HIart House occupied the property later purchased for the Y. M. C. A. building. In 1857 Shaw and Huntington had a hardware store at this location and later Thomas E. Randall, in partnership with Peter Hart, used the premises for a flour and feed store. In 1869 Mr. Hart turned the store into a boarding house, which was called the American House.
On April 21, 1875, a fire swept away the American House as well as the entire block. Mr. Hart rebuilt and his business pros- pered. In 1879 he purchased from William Newton a portion of the old Eau Claire House and moved it to his own premises and after remodeling changed the name to the Hart House. The por- tion of the building standing at the corner of Eau Claire and Farwell streets was a brick with the wooden addition painted white with green blinds extending south along Farwell street. Mr. Hart continued the business until his death and the estate conducted it for several years thereafter. The property was sold in 1911 and the buildings demolished. The Y. M. C. A. building now occupies the premises.
Peter Hart was one of the first aldermen from the Second Ward and a prominent and much respected eitizen. Ilis death occurred April 17, 1900.
The American Sketch Book, published in 1874, contains the following statement: "During the summer of 1845, S. S. McCann built a log house on the site where the American House now stands, into which he moved his family." In another article on the history of Eau Claire a statement is made that this house erected by Mr. McCann was the first building in Eau Claire.
THE JOYCE HOUSE.
The Joyce House was established in the seventies hy Pierce Joyce, one of the early settlers in Eau Claire. It was located at the northeast corner of what is now the intersection of Grand avenue east and River street. It was a large frame building. Mr. Joyce conducted the house himself for some years and it was well patronized by the traveling public. Mr. Joyce, in the sixties, for several years was roadmaster of the village of Eau Claire and some of the principal streets of this day were first opened under
552
HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
his supervision. In 1873-1874 he served as an alderman for the Second Ward. For some years he was engaged in the meat mar- ket business with his brother. He was a man of sterling quali- ties and loved and respected by all who knew him. After his retirement from the active management of the hotel it was run for four years under the management of James C. Quigg.
OTHER HOTELS OF THE PAST.
Several other hotels are deserving of more than passing mention but space will not permit. Among them are the Bailey House on Water street, the Fox House on North Barstow street, the Greenman House and the Sherman House on South Barstow street, the Farwell House on Farwell street, and the Nicollet House on North Barstow street.
In a business directory of 1872 there is listed eleven hotels, in 1880 fifteen, and in the last directory, 1914, sixteen are listed.
TT
1
EAU CLAIRE HOUSE
CHAPTER XLI. GERMANISM
By REINHOLD LIEBAU.
If we dig deep in the history of America we always find some Germans mentioned, and most of them have been more or less prominent in the different stadiums of this country.
At the time of the first discovery of this continent in the year "One thousand," the first known man who set his foot upon this land, Leif of Greenland, had among his followers a German whose name was Tyrker, and he came from the vicinity of the River Rhein, Germany. After the rediscovery of America by Columbus, in 1492, mainly Hollanders and Englanders have been mentioned, but a good number of Germans have been among them. In the year 1626 the first German name is mentioned again. It was Minuit, born in the eity of Wesel on the River Rhein, and he held the office of governor of New Amsterdam, that is the island of Manhattan. It was he who bought the whole island, containing 22,000 acres of land, for sixty gulden, Holland money, equal to twenty-four dollars in gold. Another governor was the German Johannes Rising, born at Elbing, Germany, and still another, with the name Prince, came from Pommern, Ger- many, and was governor of New Sweden.
From now on we read in history of many Germans among the immigrants, and especially when the state of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia were founded in the year 1682.
Though the Germans were mainly farmers, a good number of them engaged themselves in different industries and professions. Soon we found them also engaged in bigger enterprises. They erected the first paper mill at Germantown, Pa. In 1717 we read of the first printing plant at Ephrata. In 1739 we find reports of establishing other paper mills, flour- and sawmills, other print- ing plants, foundries, bookbinderies, manufacturing of printing ink, etc.
Then at the end of the eighteenth century came the war for the independence of the United States, and we learn again from history that the Germans took a very essential part in it. They
553
554
HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
formed whole regiments, and many officers of high rank were Germans, and the fact that General Washington had a special body guard composed exclusively of Germans, bears witness that he appreciated their faithfulness and reliability. At the time of the Civil War history tells us of the same circumstances, only this time many more Germans took part in that war. Many more regiments of Germans were formed and a great many Germans of high rank and as leaders were named.
But this is not the place to report about the Germans at war times, but rather of this work they accomplished at the time of peace.
The Germans were not in the rear when the wilderness was changed to cultivated land, and the entire country was investi- gated as to which places were best suited for agriculture settlers.
In this way it happened that the state of Wisconsin was preferred by the Germans for settlement. Very probably the fact had something to do with that, that the climate of Wisconsin is much like that of Germany.
It is estimated that at present fifteen millons of Germans live in the United States. That means men, women and children. Six millions have emigrated from Germany. In twenty-nine states the Germans outnumber all other nationalities. Of these twenty- nine states Wisconsin is in the lead. More than half of the whole population are Germans, and of its seventy-one counties Eau Claire has always been in the rank with the others. The last census for 1900 shows a population for Eau Claire county of 32,665. Of these there are 6,326 Germans, with the Norwegian close to follow with the number of 5,924. All other nations falling far back. About two-thirds of these Germans live in the city of Eau Claire, the balance in the smaller cities and villages and on farms. This proves the Germans are mostly farmers.
In the high school of Eau Claire the studying of the German language is accepted as a branch of education. Of the 600 students of that school almost one-third study the German lan- guage. For some years those students have formed a German society (Deutsche Gesellschaft), which arranges several enter- tainments in the interest of the German language during a school year. Occasionally prominent German professors are engaged for lectures about German history, music, poetry and nationality, etc. By presenting of pictures the students are taught of the German art of building and culture of ancientness up to the pres- ent time. Also German plays, oratory and singing is cultivated by those students to keep them in practice. The present teachers
555
GERMANISM
of the German language are the Misses Jeanette Marsh and Ruth Gower.
THE GERMAN SOCIETIES.
It is remarkably characteristic of the Germans wherever they settle that they very soon try to form a kind of a society, and the Germans of Ean Claire county are no exception in that respect. The first of them were known in the sixties and seven- ties as "Schuetzen" and "Turnvereine." They kept practical exercises of shooting and gymnastics. It is to be much regretted few records have been kept abont their existence. They also had a singing section, and when in the year 1874 the two societies dissolved they changed to the German singing society "Ger- mania." This society has been regularly organized and has her own constitution and by-laws. In 1899 the twenty-fifth year of its existence was celebrated in grand style and it is resolved that during the present year 1914 the fortieth year of its existence will also be celebrated in the fall. For twenty years the society has been a member of the great German North Amer- ican Singing Society. Every Tuesday evening is devoted to society work, either for rehearsals or business. During the year concerts, sociables, dances, pienies and other entertainments are arranged for the members and their guests. The society is in agreeable financial circumstances, owns a big hall with business rooms in the city of Ean Claire and a nice pienie ground in the Dells Park in the city limits, with a fine and substantial built pavilion, the latter being a present of one of the members of the society, John Walter. The present officers are: Angust Johannis, president; Anton Korger, vice-president; financial secretaries, Herman Gerke and Angust Stein; treasurers, Fritz Stuewer and Carl Bergmann; protocol secretary and singing conductor, Rein- hold Liebau. At present the society has over eighty members.
Another German society is the "German-American County Verband," a branch of the "National German-American Alliance of the United States of America." That national alliance was founded in the year 1900 and desires to enroll American men and women of German origin within its lines. The principles of that alliance are in a short and condensed way the following :
The "National German-American Alliance" aims to awaken and strengthen the sense of unity among the people of German origin in America, with a view to promote the useful and healthy development of the power inherent in them as a united body for the mutual energetic protection of such legitimate desires
556
HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
and interests not inconsistent with the common good of the country, and the rights and duties of good citizens, to check nativistic encroachments, to maintain and safeguard the friendly relations existing between America and the old German father- land. To read the history of German immigration is to be con- vinced how much it has contributed to the advancement of the spiritual and economic development of this country, and to realize what it is still destined to contribute, and how the Ger- man immigrant has at all times stood by his adopted country in weal or in woe.
Though this branch of the Alliance in Eau Claire county was regularly founded in October, 1913, it has already more than three hundred members, and that membership is constantly grow- ing. Regular meetings are held on the first Sunday of every month.
The present officers are: President, Fred Arnold; first and second vice-presidents, J. J. Auer and Charles Hoehn; treasurer, Albert Hoehn; secretary, Reinhold Liebau.
William Korn, born March 27, 1829, at Wisson on the Sieg, District Coblenz, Germany. Lost his parents in 1840 when eleven years old. Came to America in 1852 and to Eau Claire county in 1858, where he still lives in the city of Eau Claire. He was a tailor by trade. In 1860 he married Catherine Stumm, who was born at Trier, Germany. They had four sons, who live at Eau Claire.
Erich Leidiger was born March 31, 1832, in Saxony, Germany. His wife was Anna Stallman, born October 3, 1833, in Hannover, Germany. Both came to Eau Claire county in 1860 and settled on a farm in the town of Lineoln, where they lived up to 1885, when they sold the farm to their son, William Ernst Leidiger, who lives there today. Both parents live at present at Fairchild and are still well and hearty.
Philip Treiber was born at Heidelberg, Germany. Came to America in 1871, and to Eau Claire county in 1872, where he still lives in the city of Augusta and conducts a lively business by dealing in sewing machines and musical instruments.
Leonhart Ludwig Arnold, born September 25, 1844, at Michel- stadt, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany. Came to America by steamer Atlanta from London, England in 1865, and to Eau Claire, in Eau Claire county, in 1868. He was a millwright and building contractor by trade. Several times he lost all his property by floods and fire. For many years was a member of the German singing society "Germania," and of the "Herman Soehne." IIe
557
GERMANISM
was married in May, 1868, to Marie Schuhmacher, who was born in 1842 at Offenbach, Germany. He married a second time in July, 1884, Bertha Ulrich, who was born in 1858 in Germany and came to Eau Claire county in 1884. They had eight dangh- ters and one son. The latter, named Louis George, being born in 1887, was a graduate of the Eau Claire high school and of the University of Wisconsin. Served four years as city engineer of the city of Chippewa Falls and lives now at Eau Claire, a civil engineer.
Wilhelm Arnold, born in 1841 at Michelstadt, Hessen Darm- stadt, Germany. Came to Eau Claire county in 1864. Lived in the city of Ean Claire ever since, following his trade as a mason. Married to Susanne Schuhmacher, who was born in 1843 and died at Eau Claire, May, 1914. They had five children, of which three are living. A son, Fred Arnold, is a veteran of the Spanish- American War of 1898. Is a lawyer and practicing his profession in the city of Eau Claire and has held the office of district attor- ney for ten years. Ile belongs to the F. R. A. and Free Masons and also is a member of the German singing society "Germania" in the city of Eau Claire. In 1905 he married Miss Louise Moess- ner. In 1913 he was elected president of the Eau Claire county branch of the German-American National Alliance.
Albert Ulrich, born in 1856 in West Preussen, Germany. Came to this country in 1880 and to Eau Claire county in 1882. Ile has lived since in the city of Ean Claire following his trade as a a tailor. He married in 1883 Miss Auguste Schroeder, who was born in 1863 in Pommern, Germany. Member of the German singing society "Germania" in the city of Eau Claire.
August Pritzlaff, born in Pommern, Germany, 1850. Came to Eau Claire county in 1882 and lived since in the city of Eau Claire, where he followed his trade as a tailor. He has for many years been treasurer of the German Lutheran St. John's congre- gation. Married in 1877 Anna Kuchenbaecker, who was born in 1876 in Pommern, Germany.
John Jacob Auer was born June 12, 1847, in Unterhallau, Switzerland. Started for America in 1865. Came to New York, April, 1866. Lived at Washington, District of Columbia, and Durand, Wisconsin. Was teacher of the German language and bandmaster and engaged in a number of enterprises, and since 1892 has been managing editor of the German paper "Der Herold" at Eau Claire. Served as city treasurer at Durand, Wis- consin, in 1887, and as assessor, park commissioner and member of police and fire commission. Has for many years been an active
558
HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
member of Odd Fellows and Maccabees, also of the German sing- ing society "Germania." Married second time February 6, 1883, Miss Louisa Kneer, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Two sons, Frank and Norman, both following the printing trade.
Charles Keiser was born in Saxony, Germany, January 22, 1862. Came to America in 1873 and settled in Waukesha county, Wisconsin. Then came to Eau Claire county in 1885. His parents were born at same place in Germany and came to this country and county same time. His father was Frederick Keiser and his mother's name was Amalie Bertram. The latter is still living in Eau Claire county. He married Miss Julie L. Welke February 21, 1889. They have three children : Martha, Emma and Arthur. Mr. Keiser served as district clerk, agent and director of Fall Creek Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and director of Pleasant Valley Creamery Company. He owns and works a nice farm in the town of Pleasant Valley.
William Bartig was born December 7, 1859, at Wolsko, Prus- sia. Germany. His parents were both born at the same place, and were Christoph Bartig and Louise (Wahrman) Bartig. He came to America and settled in Eau Claire county in 1882 and has followed farming ever since. Married April 22, 1888, Miss Augusta Lange, of Eau Claire city. They have six children : William, Arthur, Walter, Ruth, Herman and Henry.
Charles Acker was born in Posen, Germany, and came to America in 1882 and lived in Eau Claire county ever since.
Carl Otto Fischer was born August 21, 1862, in Saxony, Ger- many. His parents were Carl and Charlotte Fischer, who came to Eau Claire county in July, 1879. Carl Otto settled on a farm in the town of Washington and has lived there since. Was mar- ried to Rosine Prill in 1884, who died in 1911. Remarried to Elsie Marie Volkman in 1913. He served as town supervisor, road commissioner, town chairman and town clerk. Is secretary and manager of the Washington creamery and secretary and treasurer of the Farmers' Co-operative Produce Company at Ean Claire.
Friedrich Klawiter, born in 1827 in Posen, Germany. Came to Eau Claire in 1872. Two sons, Wilhelm and Herman, machin- ists, and Fritz, a mason. All of them except Hermann still live in Eau Claire connty.
William Prigge, born in 1864 in Hannover, Germany, came to Eau Claire county in 1886.
John Wagner, born in 1853 in Prussia, Germany. Came to Eau Claire county in 1882.
559
GERMANISM
David Stuewer, born in 1828 in Stettin, Germany. Married Marie Zank, born in 1827. Came to Eau Claire county in 1882. Died in 1911. Ilis son, Fritz Stnewer, born in 1854, came to Eau Claire county in 1883, and has been employed by the Omaha rail- road ever since.
Carl Heinrich Bergman was born in Sachsen, Germany, Decem- ber 9, 1855. Came to Eau Claire in 1880. Ilis trade is miller and millwright. Owns a grain and feed elevator, a good number of real estate properties and has a thriving business. He was married in 1883 to Emilie Portig, who was born in 1868, also in Sachsen, Germany.
Albert August Hoehn was born May 4, 1862, in Neuwedle, Brandenburg, Germany. Lived as farmer in the town of Wash- ington. Served for four years as town supervisor, nine years as town chairman and has for twelve years been town assessor, also president of the Bracket Co-operative Creamery Company for nine years. Came to Eau Claire county in 1880. Married to Emma Mathwig in 1888. Have two children.
John Ernest Henning, born June 13, 1845, in Germany. Attended the publie school in Marquette county. Came to Ean Claire eounty in 1878, where he still is engaged in general farm- ing and stoek raising. Served seven years as town constable and belongs to the "Temperance Union." Was married to Minnie Krueger in 1870. llave five children: Wilhelm, Henry and Her- man are farmers, Ernest is a railroad man and Louise hotel superintendent.
Gottfried W. Paul, born August 19, 1857, in Geisig, Prussia, Germany. Served as city treasurer of the city of Augusta for eleven years and as president of the school board for six years. Is a member of the Masonic lodge and lodge of Modern Wood- men. He married Jennie Howe at Black Earth, Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1879. Came to Augusta, Eau Claire county, in 1881, and has lived there ever since, and is engaged in real estate and insurance business.
Joseph Spehle, born in 1840 in Wuertemberg, Germany. Came to Eau Claire county in 1859 and settled on a farm in the town of Brunswick, where he lived until his death in 1912. Ile attended only the common school in Germany. In 1865 he served as mem- ber of Company G, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. In 1860 he married Walpurga Hepperle, who died in 1888. They had two children : Joseph and Delia. Both still live on the old farm. Our subjeet was town supervisor, assessor and chairman, also school clerk for many years. He was a member of the
560
HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
"Farmers' Grange" and the German singing society "Germania" of Eau Claire. He died 1912.
Friedrich Wilhelm Mueller, born April 16, 1840, at Lipin, Bromberg, Germany. Came to Eau Claire county in 1869 and settled on a farm in town of Lincoln and lived there ever since. In 1909 he gave the farm to his son August Mueller. He married in 1863 Miss Friederike Ernestine Laube. Remarried in 1885 Henriette Sich. Had eleven children.
Louis Spehle, born in 1829 in Wuertemberg, Germany. Came to Eau Claire county in 1856 and settled in the town of Bruns- wick. Served in Company G, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, from February 14 to December 13, 1865. He married in 1857 Selesia Hepperle, also born in Wuertemberg, Germany. He died in 1871 and his wife died in 1888. Their three children still live in Eau Claire county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.