USA > Wisconsin > Langlade County > History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, from U. S. government survey to present time, with biographical sketches > Part 26
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Mayor Dailey moved to Birnamwood shortly after his term of office. He passed away on October 21, 1908, at that place. Many prominent citizens of An- tigo attended his funeral.
THE SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF MAYOR I. D. STEFFEN-1899-1901.
Dr. I. D. Steffen was nominated on March 19, 1899 at a meeting held in the old council rooms. The meet- ing was non-partisan in character. A complete ticket was placed in the field by the non-partisans, with P. J. Millard for Clerk, Anton Schultz for Treasurer and Jos. Duchac and J. W. Allerton for Assessors.
The Democrats were lead by Leonard Freiburger, who, like Dr. Steffen, was a pioneer Antigo resident. This contest for the Mayor's office was the most ex- citing political contest ever conducted in Artigo up to that time. Dr. Steffen was elected over Mr. Freibur- ger by a close vote. Peter Chadek defeated P. J. Millard for City Clerk by thirteen majority. Arton Schultz was defeated for City Treasurer by James Wagner, who received 460 votes to 448 for the former.
The city council under the Steffen administration employed Edgar Williams, a civil engineer, of Chica- go, to prepare plans for a sewerage system in Antigo in August, 1899.
An ordinance was passed on August 18, 1899 to bond the city of Antigo in the sum of $10,000 for the erec- tion of a city hall. The same time Edgar Williams of Chicago submitted plans for a modern sewerage sys- tem in Antigo.
The new third ward school was erected during this administration. It was opened for school purposes on February 5, 1900.
Plans of the architect, Van Ryan, for the construc- tion of the city hall were adopted by the city council on October 3, 1899. Mayor Steffen, Fred Ebert, C. O. Marsh and T. D. Kellogg constituted the building committee. The city hall was ready for use in Febru- ary, 1900.
Dr. I. D. Steffen was re-elected Mayor on April 3, 1900 by defeating George W. Hill by 125 majority.
During his second administration Mayor Steffen continued his policies as enunciated when he became a Mayoralty candidate in 1899. His re-election was a vindication of his previous record.
Mayor Steffen served until April 1, 1901, when the city council was reorganized and the reins of the city government were taken over by R. H. McMullen.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF R. H. McMULLEN- 1901-02.
April 2, 1901, R. H. McMullen was again chosen Mayor. He defeated Walter L. Elliott. The first meeting of the city council under his administration was on April 9, 1902, when the following city officials were chosen: President of the city council-Leonard Freiburger, Sr .; City Attorney-E. A. Morse; City Physician-Dr. M. J. Lower; Marshal-John McArth- ur; Deputy Marshal-G. L. Drake; Street Commission- er-A. B. Hanks; City Engineer-B. F. Dorr.
The city hall had been nearly completed during the administration of Dr. I. D. Steffen. The city clock was installed during the tenure in office of Mayor Mc- Mullen.
Antigo's Fire Department at that time had one hose cart, three hand hose carts, 2,800 feet of cotton and linen hose in good condition, 1,400 feet of rubber hose, six hydrant wrenches, ten play pipes, twelve spanners, ten pair of rubber boots, fifteen rubber coats and thir- teen rubber hats for the equipment of the firemen.
At a special election held August 26, 1901, the mat- ter of bonding the city of Antigo in the sum of $18,000 to put in a complete sewerage system was placed be- fore the people. It was voted down by a vote of 273 to 170, or a majority of 103 who were against the measure.
Mayor McMullen served his last term as city execu- tive of Antigo in 1901-02 and was Succeeded by Thomas W. Hogan, who defeated W. L. Elliott, nomi- nated on March 23, 1902. That day nominees were placed in nomination by Republican and Democrat conventions. There were times when, due to some dissension among certain wings of each city political coterie, a coaltion ticket was placed before the elec- torate.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THOMAS W. HOGAN-1902-04.
Thomas W. Hogan was elected Mayor of Antigo on April 1, 1902 by defeating Walter L. Elliott by a vote of 584 to 380. Mr. Hogan was nominated by the Democrats and Mr. Elliott by the Republican city or- , ganization.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
On April 7, 1902, Mayor Hogan outlined his policies to the new city council. He made two suggestions, one that the fire team should sprinkle Fifth Avenue and that the street commissioner should also act as weed commissioner. He ignored party lines in the appointment of city office:s. T. D. Kellogg was chosen President of the council by the aldermen. John McArthur was again named City Marshal with August Vogel and William Berner as his deputies; Dr. Fred V. Watson was elected City Physician and Max Hoff- man as City Attorney. B. F. Dorr and Larry Corri- gan were again chosen for the offices of City Engineer and Street Commissioner respectively. G. O. Palmi- ter was made Chief of the Antigo Fire Department. Miss Maude Beattie was appointed Deputy City Cler'.
THOMAS W. HOGAN Elected Mayor of Antigo in April, 1902.
One of the first acts of Mayor Hogan was to order all gambling devices and slot machines removed from saloons, public halls and tobacco shops.
May 5, 1902, a Board of Public Works was created, the first one in the city, and Aldermen M. F. Crowe, Leonard Freiburger, Sr., and Frank P. Ver Bryck were elected. J. F. Albers was then selected City Comp- troller. The suggestion for the Board of Public Works was made by Alderman I. D. Steffen.
A new system of accounting was installed in the city offices in May, 1902 by G. D. Bartz, Wausau, expert.
May 30, 1902, the Board of Public Works recom- mended the installation of a more effective sewerage system in Antigo, but the proposals were defeated by the city council. The report of the Board of Public Works was then amended at the city council's request and was adopted at a meeting of that body on June 17, 1902. August 23, 1902, Harding, Nelson & John- son of Racine, were granted the sewerage contract for $19,000.00.
Antigo's officials, including the Mayor and the city council, took part in the great reunion of the 14th Wis-
consin infantry of Civil War fame, in Artigo June 18, 19 and 20, 1902.
Antigo was connected with Milwaukee by long dis- tance telephone on October 2, 1902. The first tele- phone conversation to leave Antigo was one from the Antigo Republican requesting a supplement from Mil- waukee containing Governor La Follette's speech at Milwaukee.
THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION OF FRED HAYSSEN-1904-06.
Fred Hayssen was elected Mayor of Antigo for the first time on April 5, 1904. He did not have any op- position, receiving 812 votes. The chief event of his first administration was the revision of the charter of the city in 1905.
Fulton Street was opened as far north as the First Ward school in 1905 upon petition of residents in that part of the city.
Alderman Frank P. Ver Bryck and John Olk resign- ed as Aldermen from the First and Sixth Ward re-
FRED HAYSSEN
Twice Mayor of Antigo. First elected in 1904.
spectively on August 1, 1905. W. A. Maertz succeed- ed Mr. Ver Bryck and Thomas Morrissey succeeded Mr. Olk.
Extension of sewers to various parts of the growing city was one of the achievements of the administra- tion.
During the Hayssen administration the City Park, two blocks between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, east of Watson street, was purchased by the city council.
April 4, 1906, the last meeting of the city council under the first Hayssen regime was held. George W. Hill, the incoming Mayor, then took office for the sec- ond time.
Much public building was one of the noticeable oc- currences during the term of Mayor Hayssen.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
THE SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF GEORGE W. HILL-1906-08.
George W. Hill was elected Mayor of Antigo on April 4, 1906, by defeating J. F. Albers. The contest was one of the most exciting in the history of the city. Mr. Hill won by fifteen votes, he receiving 546 to 531 votes for his opponent.
The Hill administration took over the government of the city the following day, April 5, 1906. Mayor Hayssen and the old city council "cleared the deck" and in a few appropriate words the retiring Mayor bid farewell to his former associates. Mayor Hill made a plea for harmony in the conduct of the city and urg- ed all factions to forget differences in the interest of the city's welfare.
In April, 1906, the contract for the remodeling of the second floor of the public library for training school purposes was let to Thomas Solar, at $1,117.00.
The Mary Deleglise park, block 68, city of Antigo, was sold to Mayor Hill on September 21, 1906. This block was platted and soon became an important addi- tion to residential Antigo.
The estimated expense for operating the city of Antigo in 1906-07 according to R. Koebke, J. J. French and G. O. Palmiter, members of the Board of Public Works of that time, were $50,983.00.
During the Hill regime additional powers were ac- corded the Mayor by the city council in the enforce- ment of all rules governing the Artigo Fire Depart- ment.
Another important event in Antigo history happened during this period. November 14, 1906, the old C. & N. W. depot was removed from its foundation to make room for the modern depot now used.
Many blocks of cement walks and extensive addi- tions to the sewerage system were laid during this term.
Mayor Hill served until the spring of 1908 when his former rival, ex-Mayor Fred Hayssen was again elected.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF FRED HAYSSEN- 1908-10.
Fred Hayssen, a pioneer Langlade County resident, who in an early day, before his residence in Antigo, had been in business at Bryant, Price township, was elected Mayor of Antigo on April 7, 1908. He de- feated three other candidates, Leonard Freiburger, George W. Hill and A. F. Brehmer. Mr. Freiburger was his nearest rival, receiving 418 votes to 507 for Mr. Hayssen. Hayssen was elected on a platform of rigid economy in the conduct of the city and took ad- vantage of the dissension in the ranks of his political rivals.
The license of saloons was again voted upon. For license again proved victorious. The vote stood: For License-770; Against License-451.
The city council under the Hayssen administration organized on April 21, 1908. Mayor Hayssen plead for harmony in the conduct of city affairs, making it plain
that he would oppose any appropriations for improve- ments unless the money was provided previously.
James Steber was elected President of the city coun- cil, William Coblentz was elected Chief of Police, S. J. McMahon was elected City Attorney, Dr. G. W. Moore was chosen City Physician and B. F. Dorr as City En- gineer.
June 20, 1908, the Antigo Water Company refused to give the city officials a test of the system. Four days previously the city council instructed the Board of Public Works to engage a competent engineer to furnish estimates of the cost of a complete water works for the city of Antigo. This was a direct defy to the Antigo Water Company. The test was made at a lat- er date.
The law suit of the City of Antigo vs. The Antigo Water Company was argued before the railroad rate commission in 1908. The suit was instituted because the city was not satisfied with the company's program of improvements. The railroad rate commission sent four experts to Antigo on July 14, 1908, to make an examination of the water plant. A partial decision was handed down by the railroad rate commission in which the finding was "the testimony shows that the present water supply of the Antigo Water Company is inadequate." The company was given three months to take steps necessary for securing and maintaining a reasonably adequate supply of wholesome water. The order, however, was a provisional ore, supplement- ed later by a more elaborate discussion.
August 4, 1908, the Board of Public Works of Antigo was authorized to advertise for bids for paving Cler- mont Street from Fourth to First Avenue.
September 17, 1908, the city council began plans for the erection of a sewerage disposal plant and John W. Alvord of Chicago was instructed to make estimations and recommendations relative to the erection of such a plant.
Hayssen served until the election of Burt W. Rynders.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF BURT W. RYNDERS -1910-12.
Burt W. Rynders, who had served in the Hayssen administration as Acting Mayor for many months, was elected Mayor of Antigo on April 5, 1910. He defeat- ed George W. Hill by a vote of 648 to 622 in a hot fought contest. Both men appealed for support on the merits of their past records. The license question was again voted upon at this election and, as usual, was defeated by the overwhelming vote of 823 to 337.
Inadequate fire protection for the city was one of the chief questions confronting the Mayor and city council during the Rynder's administration. January 3, 1911, the fire and water committee of the council was ordered to investigate the cost of a modern fire engine.
The city council, February 7, 1911, delivered an ul- timatum to the owners of the Antigo Water Company in which it was declared that "unless the said company does not comply fully with all the terms of its fran-
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
chise on or before July 1, 1911, court proceedings would be instituted in the courts of the state or before the Railroad Rate Commission in order that the city and its inhabitants may be adequately supplied with water for the purposes of fire protection and for do- mestic use." This was but a part of the long fight between that concern and the city and which eventual- ly led to the purchase of the water works by the city.
In the spring election, April 4, 1911, little interest was manifested.
April 8, 1911, the city council took favorable action on a petition of abutting property owners on Clermont Street between First and Fourth Avenues in which they
BURT W. RYNDERS Mayor of Antigo in 1910-12.
requested that the street be paved. Westrumite as- phalt was laid the following summer.
The Department of the Interior selected the post office site in April, 1911.
March 1, 1911, a petition signed by many citizens called upon the city of Antigo to cor.struct and main- tain an entirely new water system in Antigo, "because the present mains and pumps are not of sufficient ca- pacity to furnish the necessary water and pressure for adequate fire protection."
Dr. G. W. Moore was elected City Health Officer and H. F. Morson chosen City Attorney to succeed City Attorney S. J. McMahon in May, 1918.
Extensive improvements were inaugurated by the Antigo Water Company, under the supervision of F. C. Robinson, expert waterworks man of Manitowoc, Wis., on June, 1911.
Work was started on the new sewerage disposal plant in Rolling township in June, 1911.
A water test by the Antigo Water Works was ac- cepted by the city on June 29, 1911.
The American La France steam engine for the An- tigo Fire Department was purchased during the Ryn- ders administration. The old dispute between the city and the Antigo Water Works was settled.
Mayor Rynders served until in April, 1912. George W. Hill was then elected Mayor for the term 1912-13.
THE LAST ADMINISTRATION OF GEORGE W. HILL-1912-APRIL 20, 1913.
George W. Hill was again elected Mayor, defeating Burt W. Rynders for that office on April 12, 1912. Four days later the new city council was called into session. Mayor Hill advocated strict economy in the administration of the city. He took the office of May- or following the farewell address of the retiring Mayor B. W. Rynders.
James Steber was elected President of the city coun- cil. F. Reindl, John McGreer and J. J. Laughlin were then made members of the Board of Public Works.
A proposal to establish a fire alarm system in Antigo was voted down by the city on July 1, 1912.
July 8, 1912, the Antigo Fire Department received a new team, which was purchased from the Ullman Sales stable.
H. F. Morson, who resigned, was succeeded as City Attorney by R. H. Smelker on July 16, 1912.
An ordinance for the building of a $30,000 trunk line sewer to relieve flood conditions in the northern part of the city was defeated at a special session of the city council on October 16, 1912.
Mayor Hill served as an efficient officer until his death at Montague, Muskegon County, Michigan on April 20, 1913. He was born on March 15, 1857, the son of Homer and Elizabeth Hill and came to Antigo in 1882. Mayor Hill was active in city and county politics from then until his death. His body lay in state at the M. E. Church until the funeral April 24, 1913. His eulogy was read by Rev. M. L. Eversz.
The following day Leonard Freiburger was elected Mayor of Antigo.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF LEONARD FREI- BURGER, SR .- 1913-14.
Leonard Freiburger, Sr., a member of the city coun- cil from the Sixth Ward, was elected Mayor on the seventh ballot at a meeting of the council, April 25, 1913. He was officially notified of his election by G. O. Palmiter, City Clerk, the following day. Mr. Frei- burger had previously served for sixteen years as an Alderman from his ward. His nearest opponent for the office was Lee Waste of the second ward.
Among the important events of the Freiburger ad- ministration was the platting of Clermont Heights by Morse & Tradewell Co. This addition to the city was approved by the city council on May 6, 1913.
In 1912 the first experiments with street oil were made on Fifth Avenue. During the Freiburger re- gime the sprinkling of all city streets with oil was pro- posed in May, 1913. The applications then were plac- ed on streets, upon request of citizens in the form of a petition. Then oil was applied for the following rates : One application ; 12 foot roadway-75c; 18 foot roadway-$1.10; 24 foot roadway-$1.50; two appli-
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
cations-12 foot roadway-$1.50; 18 foot roadway- $2.20; 24 foot roadway-$3.00.
The old Antigo Commercial Club was very active in 1913. I. A. Herrick, then Secretary-Manager, was the leader in a movement to establish a public market square in Antigo.
Antigo's first modern moving picture theatre was erected by Harvey Hanson, who on May 17, 1913, pur- chased the Lee Waste Fifth Avenue property.
The city council appropriated funds for the pur- chasing of lighting standards for the high school park. The lighting system was installed during the summer of 1913.
It was during this administration that the Board of Public Works presented to the city council satisfactory
LEONARD FREIBURGER Chosen Mayor of Antigo following the death of George W. Hill. Served in 1913-14.
plans for the division of the city into storm sewer districts.
L. P. Tradewell was awarded a contract for the con- struction of two blocks of concrete pavement on June 3,1913. The streets paved were Fifth Avenue, from Superior Street east to Field Street and Superior Street, between Fifth and Fourth Avenues. The con- tract was let for $11,897.00.
June 7, 1913, the city of Antigo and Langlade Ccun- ty acted as hosts to the Merchants and Manufacturers of Milwaukee, who visited the city. The Cream City people were given a splendid reception by the Antigo business men.
The old homstead of F. A. Deleglise was moved from its original location to a spot on the public library grounds to be preserved. The city council authorized its removal to save it from being torn down.
The first municipal street sprinkler was purchased in 1913. Previously the merchants made arrange- ments with private organizations for sprinkling streets.
The completion of the sewerage disposal plant was inaugurated during the Freiburger regime.
During the term of Mayor Freiburger the city pur- chased the Antigo Water Works, which it has since successfully operated.
Mayor Freiburger served until the election of Dr. I. D. Steffen, the first Mayor to serve as such under gov- ernment by commission, March 24, 1914.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF MAYOR I. D. STEF- FEN-FIRST UNDER COMMISSION GOVERNMENT-1914-15.
Government of the city of Antigo was changed from the aldermanic system to that of government by com- mission by an overwhelming vote of the people. The primary election of that mayoralty contest was held on March 24, 1914. Candidates for election were Leon- ard Freiburger, Sr., Dr. I. D. Steffen, E. R. Gibbons, E. H. Palmer, T. J. Roberts, B. W. Rynders and L. P. Tradewell. E. R. Gibbons and Dr. I. D. Steffen, hav- ing the greatest number of votes, were declared nomi- nees.
The contest between the primary election and the general election, April 7, 1914, was one of the most spectacular elections in the history of the city. Dr. Steffen defeated Mr. Gibbons by a vote of 730 to 693 and was thus elected the first Mayor to serve under the commission form of government in Antigo. He is call- ed the father of that form of government in the city of Artigo. G. O. Palmiter and Frank Dvorak were both elected councilmen in the new government. They defeated John Callahan, and Thomas Daskam, the other two rominees. The cther candidates for coun- cilmen at the primary election were N. R. Babcock, James Cody, D. P. Corbett, William Kirg, John Mc- Greer, Lee Waste ard Joseph Skibba.
With the inauguration of government by commission the veto power of a city executive was abolished and a majority of the city council constitutes a quorum. This system also eliminated many committees and the ad- ministration of city affairs progressed rapidly.
The city council, Mayor Steffen, City Clerk G. O. Palmiter and City Treasurer Frank Dvorak, took over the reins of the city on April 21, 1914, when they held the first council meeting.
The late F. J. Finucane was selected City Attorney during the Steffen Administration and the stable foun- dation of that form of government in Artigo, is, in a large measure due to Attorney Finucane's wise coun- sel and advice.
The city took over the Antigo Water Works in April, 1914, and Frank Dvorak was made manager of the institution.
Dr. Steffen was elected to the office of Mayor upon his previous record as a public servant, extending over a period of years since 1887. He deplored faction- alism in the city. The rigid enforcement of the law, particularly that city ordinance pertaining to Sunday closing of saloons, was one of his strong planks in his platform for election.
During his administration of affairs taxes were re- duced in the city, the water department operated at a ยท profit, an extensive street improvement program was
.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
inaugurated, many feet of cement sidewalks were laid, new streets and alleys were opened for public con- venience, all city ordinances were enforced, water mains were extended in many parts of the city, the old busi- ness of the aldermanic system was closed and the city was placed upon an entirely new and economic founda- tion.
Dr. Steffen served efficiently until September, 1915, when at a special election he was defeated by C. Fred Calhoun. The election was given state wide atten- tion.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF C. FRED CALHOUN -1915-1917.
C. Fred Calhoun, Superintendent of the Frost Ve- neer Seating Company plant in Antigo, was elected Mayor of Antigo at a special election in September, 1915. He presided over the city council as executive of the city, for the first time on Wednesday, Septem- ber 29, 1915.
Mayor Calhoun proved to be a capable city officer. Among the important achievements of his administra-
C. FRED CALHOUN Mayor of Antigo-1915-17.
tion was the settlement between the city council and the National Surety Company of New York relative to the repairing of the Westrumite paving on Cler- mont Street between Fourth and First Avenues. This settlement was made on October 15, 1915, when the city council accepted $1,000.00 from the National Surety Company with which to repair the street.
Before his election as Mayor, Mr. Calhoun was a member of the Board of Education from the Sixth Ward and he resigned from that body on October 14, 1915. B. H. Strong was chosen to fill the vacancy.
A contract was let, previously, to John Mulholland to lay 653 feet of water mains on south Clermont Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. This work was completed during this administration.
December, 1915, the city purchased a tank from the Standard Oil Company. The tank is used to store street oil and has a capacity of 12,500 gallons.
While not a municipal affair, with which the city council had much to do, it is important to state that the Antigo Post Office was included, December 6, 1915, in the estimates submitted to Congress by Secre- tary of the Treasury Wm. G. McAdoo for the operat- ing expenses for the year 1916. Thirty-four thousand dollars was listed as the amount needed to further the construction of the Antigo Post Office.
Twenty thousand square yards of macadam streets were resurfaced and thirty blocks were graded during the Calhoun regime.
New sewers were laid, extensions were made to water mains, and 8,785 feet of cement walk was put down by contractors, working for the city.
The valuation of the city of Antigo in 1915 was $4,707,752.00 while in 1914 it was $4,566,973.00.
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