USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume I > Part 22
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East and West Lake Shore Cities .- In order to demonstrate this statement let us for a moment look at the east and west shores of Lake Michigan. On the east shore may be found a series of small eities and villages while on the west, or Wisconsin shore, are presented a number of important manufacturing cities, including Kenosha, Racine, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Milwanker. True, the Wisconsin shore offers many fine harbors but the Michigan shore has been equally blessed with harbor possibilities.
Thus, the industrial development of the Wisconsin lake cities is due to other causes besides favorable water inlets. Nor can it be held that a rich hinter- land alone has been the main cause for their growth. The interior of the State of Michigan is fully as fertile as is the State of Wisconsin.
While favorable harbor entrances and a fertile baek country have con- trilmted to the growth of the lake shore cities, it was in the main the enter- prise of the population that availed itself of the natural advantages which were at their command.
Admitting all this, we must find the real cause of the power and prestige of these Wisconsin eities in the industrial character of the earlier settlers and of the subsequent immigration that added itself to them. The new comers were mechanies who came from both the old and the new world, while those who settled on the cast shore followed agricultural pursuits. This accounts for the fact that nearly all the important manufacturing cities bordering on Lake Michigan are located on the Wisconsin shore.
An Industrial Population .- The population that settled them not only understood how to build houses and ships, make a plow and shoe a horse, but they also know how to tan hides into leather, saw lumber and grind four. There were butchers, bakers, and basket makers, bookbinders, broom and brick makers, coopers, cobblers and cabinet makers, potters, printers and paper makers, weavers, wagon and wheelbarrow makers.
The young Yankees who came from the New England states and the so- called Knickerbockers who came from New York, were in the main of the commercial class. There were, however, many skilled mechanics among them. The main body of the workmen came from Europe, including Ger- mans, Austrians, English, Irish, Scotch, Bohemian and Dutch. The greater number of the skilled men came from Germany. The Polish, Italian. Hun- garians, Slavonians and Croatians came at a later period.
These mechanies knew how to fashion useful things for themselves and their fellowmen. At first they worked singly and alone, then they were joined by an apprentice and a journeyman. With the passing of time these groups enlarged themselves and the backyard shed grew into a factory plant. Fur- nace and engine, chinmey and smokestack, engine and machinery came upon
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
the scene. Organization was introduced. The area of distribution was widened. The era of quantity production arrived. Great industries became a reality.
Thus, the modest men in overalls, who stood at the workbench themselves. who conceived and constructed their own enterprises, became the founders of mighty industrial enterprises whose prodnets now go to the four ends of the world. They fashioned useful things-things that were classed among the necessities rather than the luxuries of life.
The one factor which lent both stimulus and stability to these industrial enterprises was the pride and sense of honor which characterized these work- ers. They breathed their character into their products. Every article was honestly made. The names that were behind them became synonyms for in- tegrity and honesty.
Secret of Industrial Success .- The younger generation that joined and succeeded them availed itself of the precepts and policies that had been estab- lished. The sons of the founders went into the factories and worked through the various branches of manufacture from the crudest labor to the most skilled arts. Thoroughness became the goal of the recruits. "Start at the bottom and work your way up," became the watchword of their elders.
But. the example set by the early founders was repeated again and again through the years that followed. Men who began life as mechanies in workshops and mills ultimately founded new industries, making small begin- ings and rising to eminence and power as producers. A new idea. an im- provement or an invention usually became the basis for a new industry. Frequently, too, articles hitherto manufactured in the East could, it was found, be manufactured more advantageously at home.
In this connection it is interesting to note many industries, specially those dealing in textiles, which found their origin in the fact that wholesalers and jobbers, who were buying and selling goods made elsewhere, themselves be- came manufacturers. Usually the goods were made in the industrial centers of the New England states which adhered to fixed designs and styles. The western jobber who sold in a competitive market sought a greater variety of goods and the introduction of innovation and changes.
The traveling man, for instance, who sold goods in the Imber and log- ging distriets of Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, came home with practi- val suggestions as to the making of a glove, a shoe, or a garment that would meet the need of climatie and industrial conditions more adequately.
Jobber Becomes a Producer .- The enterprising jobber in the Midwest made his recommendations to a conservative manufacturer in the East. The latter was slow in recognizing innovations, with the result that the former began to produce at home and found a ready sale for the improved article. In many instances the Milwaukee manufacturers, who aimed to make their product more attractive and at the same time more utilitarian, met with remarkable success.
These strokes of enterprise. together with the constant addition of new lines of production, gave diversity to the industrial activities of the com- munity. The element of diversity also tended towards greater stability in the
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economie progress of the community, steadying the general output, and keeping the workmen more uniformly employed. If the demand for one produet plant laid off men another added them.
The result was that there grew up in time a remarkable industrial con- stitueney. The number and quality of skilled mechanies became a factor that lent momentum and efficiency to production and made the expansion of manufacture a possibility. The manufacturers were enabled to compete successfully, in many lines of prodnetion, with the mannfaeturers of other sec- tions of the country.
Middle of the Last Century .- The status of the manufacturing interests in 1856 is well told in a report made by the Board of Trade during the year following. It reads as follows:
"We have found more difficulty in arriving at a just estimate of the value and extent of this branch of business than any other. A large class of man- facturers are unwilling to give the amount of their business or other essential particulars concerning it.
"But we have been able to gather sufficient accurate information to show that there has been a large increase in manufactures over the year 1855, both in value and variety.
Steam Engines, Boilers, Machinery, etc .- " Under this heading, we find in the city some eighteen shops, employing from 12 to 100 men each, and turning out an aggregate amount of $800,000 of work per annum. Fully one-half the present capital was added the past year, and no less than six of the establishments were new during the year 1856. Extensions and enlarge- ments are contemplated for the present year to the amount of $300,000, besides one or two entire new establishments.
Ale, Beer, Etc .- " There were in operation during the year 1856. in the city, twenty-six breweries, manufacturing 75,000 barrels of ale and beer, the larger portion of which was Lager beer. Of this amount, probably 30,000 barrels were sent from the city. The entire capital employed in this business is little short of .$1,000,000. Enlargements and extensions were made during the year to the amount of $25,000. The member of men employed is about five hundred, at average wage of $8 per week. The increase over the pro- dnetion of 1855 was nearly 50 per cent.
Brick Making .- " Notwithstanding the demand from abroad for the beautiful Milwaukee briek has been unabated, still the consumption at home has been so great that but few have been exported. While we manufactured 20 per cent more-or 35,000.000 in 1856 -- we exported only about 1,000,000. There are eight briek-yards in operation employing about 300 men. It is con- templated to increase the manufacture the coming year to 40,000,000. The pressed brick of Milwaukee is not exceeded in beauty and durability by any made in any other part of the world.
Flouring Mills .- " During the past year large outlays have been made upon the mills of the city, causing them to remain idle a considerable portion of the time. The aggregate amount expended upon them is $50,000, one- third of which consisted in the construction of an immense steam engine and
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THE OLD NEWHALL HOUSE
Destroyed by fire JJanvary 10. 1883. Seventy-five lives lost. Albany Hall. for many years a model meeting place. to the left.
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THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE Corner Third and Cedar street-
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machinery for the Empire Mills. The total amount of flour manufactured by the five mills, aside from custom work, was 116,000 barrels.
Miscellaneous Industries .- "During the past year the first cattle market ever opened in the city was started by Layton & Plankinton. It was com- meneed in August, and they sold, to the close of the year about $60,000. They anticipate a large increase another season.
"The beef packing season is now over, and amounts to about the same as 1855, or about 10,000 bbls. The pork packing is not yet closed, but will evidently fall considerably below the amount packed in 1855. About 100 men men are employed in this business at $1.50 per day for the season.
"There has been a material increase in the manufacture of boots and shoes. The whole amount manufactured the past year was $350,000, against $185,000 for the year before. There are 500 men employed at average wages of $7 per week.
"The manufacture of clothing for the year 1856 was nearly double the amount of 1855, and foots up at $600,000. The number of hands employed by the wholesale house is over 450, at average wages of $7.50 per week.
"A want spoken of in the last Annual Report has been supplied by the establishment of a Lard Oil Manufactory, which has been in operation for several months.
"In the ship-building branch of industry the present winter has not witnessed so much advancement. During the first months of 1856 the amount of tonnage launched was 1,600-one propeller and five schooners. About the same tonnage will be launched during the coming season.
"There are many branches of industry that could be spoken of with interest, would the limits of this report permit. It is a satisfaction to notice that our manufacturers are so prosperous and successful. The advancement has been beyond all expectation, and the future bids fair to ontrival the past history of our industrial city.
Table .- Showing the principal articles and their valne manufactured in Milwaukee, for the year 1856:
Articles
Ale and Beer
750,000
Brick
350,000
Barrels 120,000
Boots and Shoes
350,000
Burr Mill Stones.
30,000
Book Binding
25,000
Bread and Crackers 175,000
Brooms
10,000
Billiard Tables
45,000
Clothing
600,000
Cabinet Furniture
225,000
Confectionery
35,000
Carriages
30,000
Camphene and Fluid.
30,000
Cigars and Tobacco
75,000
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INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
Cow Bells 1,000
Daguerrean and Photographs 50,000
Engraving and Lithography 20,000
Flour
696,000
Guns and Pistols
7,500
Glue
12,000
. Gloves and Mits
8,500
Harness and Carriage Trimmings
150,000
Ilorse Shoeing and Smithing
55,000
Iron Manufactures of all kinds
1,500,000
Jewelry and Silver Ware
20,000
Job Printing
75,000
Lumber Planing
250,000
Millinery
75,000
Maps, Charts, &e
6,000
Piano Fortes
9,500
Paper
31,000
Patent Machines
200,000
Pipes
5,000
Pork and Beef Packing
400,000
Rope
20,000
Root Beer
6,000
Railroad Cars
20,000
Rectified Whisky and Spirits
500,000
Stone and Earthen Ware.
26,000
Sheet Iron, Tin & Copper Manufactures
250,000
Soap and Candles.
150,000
Ship Building
140,000
Safes
35,000
Stoves and Hollow Ware
35,000
Saleratus
30,000
Sleighs
90,000
Tanning and Wool Pulling
280,000
Turning, Wood and Brass
50,000
Vinegar
8,000
Umbrellas
3,000
Window Shades
3,000
Wool and Yarn
35,000
Wire Screening
15,000
Total 1856
$8,057,000
Total 1855 5,590,000
Total 1854 4,633,000
Then and Now .- In noting the production ability of the city for 1856 it may be well to observe by contrast the figures presented a half century later. They demonstrate the vitality which the city had assumed as an industrial center. In naming the ten leading manufacturing cities of the United States
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
the United States Census Bureau in 1910 named Milwaukee as the first for that year.
The five leading industries and the value of their production for 1910 was as follows:
Iron, steel and heavy machinery $31,112,555
Leather and tannery products. 24,940,000
Beer and malted tonics 23,510,344
Packed Meats 21,650,000
Railroad equipment and supplies. 12,931,000
Some idea of the vohune the manufacturing interests had then assumed may be formed from the following figures:
Number of manufacturing concerns 4,126
Number of factory employes 109,216
Amount of wages paid. $ 65,853,152
Amount of capital invested 236,558,011
Valne of total year's prodnetion 329,526,667
A summary of Milwaukee industry and commerce during the year 191S was as follows:
Total of all manufactures $741,188,557
Total Capital 392,644,414
Total Wages Paid. 141,455,203
Total Number of Employes.
146,109
Ten leading manufactures in 1918:
Iron, Steel, Heavy Machinery 155,696,044
Packed Meat
68,200.000
Leather 45,000,000
Auto Accessories, Commercial Trucks. 31.000,000
Boots and Shoes.
30,100,000
Coal and Wood Products.
30,100,000
Electric and Phone Supplies.
29,233,000
Malt
21,000,000
llosiery, Knit Goods
12,300,000
Soap
11,475,000
Agricultural Implements 10.800,000
Obsolete and New Industries .- A study of the manufacturing activities of the past half century reveals some interesting changes. Some of the indus- tr'es which led in an earlier day have been reduced to minor importance while others have disappeared entirely.
For instance, brick making was a thriving industry in the '50s of the last eentury. The cream colored brick made during that period attained great popularity and led to the city's nickname of "Cream City." It was used as a l'ace briek for some of the best structures, and many of the older bnikdl- ings of a substantial character, seen in Milwaukee today, were made of the famous cream colored brick. But the industry declined gradually until the kilns were reduced both in size and number. The cream color faded par- tially with time and exposure into a dusty gray and the brick lost its popu- larity. Only common brick is now being made. The face brick employed in
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modern bu ldings and construction work usually comes from other sections of the country. Willow basket weaving, which was at one time a flourishing industry, has practically gone out of existence. .
The brewing of beer and ale was one of the earliest and remained for many years one of the most important industries, ranking third and fourth in the value of annual output. In 1856 the city already boasted of having twenty-six breweries and a capital investment in them of over one million dollars. Gradually the number of breweries was reduced but those remain- ing in the business increased their capacity from year to year until some of them were classed among the largest in the United States.
The rapid development of this industry may be accounted for in the fact that while the brewers in most American cities prodneed for local consump- tion only the Milwaukee brewers built up a national and even international trade. Through ingenions advertising and efficient sales organizations the output grew into enormous demands. The slogan "The Beer that Made Milwaukee Famous" became a national by-word and gave the city extensive publieity as a beer prodneing center.
It created the impression in many sections of the country that beer making was Milwaukee's leading industry, whereas its steel and iron indus- tries, its machinery and engines, meat packing and leather products were always in the lead. Those who ehafed under the erroneous impressions which had been gained throughout the country frequently boasted that the water pumping machinery produced by Milwaukee factories pumped more water throughout the United States in a single day than the beer produced by all . the breweries in a year.
Decline of the Breweries. This by no means argued that the industry or its owners were nupopular. Their product was locally sold in 2,200 saloons. The brewers were regarded as publie spirited men, who were concerned in the progress of the community and who gave liberally to civic, educational and charitable projects. They had large property holdings in the business section of the city and manifested at all times enterprise in building up and beautifying the city.
The annual production of beer had run into many millions of dollars in value when the dry wave strnek it and practically rendered the industry obsolete. Buildings and machinery, constituting enormous investments, were rendered idle and thousands of men were thrown out of employment. Some of the breweries were dismantled, others engaged in the manufacture of near beer and non-alcoholic beverages, still others were thrown open to other industries. Those who were formerly engaged in the brewing industry are gradually directing their energy and capital into other fields of production.
In an article diseussing industries that are no longer pursued in Milwaukee, and at the same time describing some of the newer and somewhat unique articles produced, a writer in the Sunday Milwaukee Telegram of February 12, 1922, says the following :
"Now that beer is out of the way and the spread of Milwaukee's fame in that direction has ceased to be a jarring note to the ears of a certain part of its citizenry, there arises a question as to just what has taken or is taking,
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THE MEDFORD HOTEL Third and Sycamore streets
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INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
or even will take the place of the foaming beverage, as a rallying product of this tremendously industrious eity.
"Some hard headed individuals point to the fact that Milwaukee is char- acterized by its production of iron fabrication, leather, packinghouse spe- cialties and textile goods. It is a fact that these products lead in Milwaukee industries. More than that, the first three have led the brewing industry, in value of product, for many years. Still, even when these industries stopped brewing. there was no life to the ery: 'Milwaukee leads in iron goods,' or 'Leather is making Milwaukee famous,' or 'The packinghouse product that made Milwaukee made the world sit up!'
"Things like iron, leather or meat do not lend themselves readily to tuneful slogans. The beer epigram was an inspiration. And, incidentally, it cost several millions to tell the world about it.
"There must have been a little romantie flavor to the word 'beer,' to make it the basis of so popular a ery. Perhaps some people thought the word just a little naughty, and used it with a tinge of mischievous pleasure. At any rate, the reaction of the epigram on many Milwaukeeans was quite similar to that caused by flying a crimson searf before a maddened bull. But still it prevailed until Volsteadean days sheared it off, as a waste page in a ledger is removed.
"Upon what subject is Milwaukee now gaining fame? What do they manufacture here that characterizes the town in such a way that the popular mind will take to it. Is prestige and the value of free advertising to go, just because beer is not ?
"Things to Be Proud of .- Well. there are a number of things that appear susceptible to segregated fame in connection with the city-things that might be picked up and singled out and parted from the hum of industry, and placed upon a pedestal before which America would stand in admiration.
"For instance there are taeks; there are birdeages: there are runless silk stockings which the girls wear; there are amazing fabrications in flowers; there is tempting mayonnaise ; there are beautiful mannequins; there are -- well, there are rye bread and there are sausages. And the greatest of these is sansages!
"Sausages! Spicy, savory, tasteful sansages! Sausages for every race, creed and personal preference ! Sausages given a zip by round black peppers ; sausages which are given a flavor of garlic.
"Is it possible that this, to the average mind, humble and prosaie tid-bit will mount upon a commercial steed and ride gloriously tilting through the world with flaunting banners, emblazoned with its emblems, heralding the fame of Milwaukee as the supreme master of the art of sausage-making ?
"Will the flavor of romance achieve ascendeney over the flavor of garlic ? It looks as if it would, and as a matter of fact Milwaukee today is recognized from coast to coast and from Canada to Mexico (and even into the interior of those countries) as the monarch of the sausage kingdom.
"Amid the blare and eonfusion of hundreds of Coney Island resorts, the shouts of waiters for 'Milwaukee sausages' burst above the clang and clamor of orchestrion and 'leedle German band.' At Revere beach, in staid Bos-
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WISCONSIN STREET, LOOKING WEST Showing the postoffice, Pabst Building, Wells Building, Hotel Pfister, Northwestern National Fire Insurance Company Building and the Milwaukee Gas Light Company's office.
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INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
ton, the 'hot dog' purveyor who gets the cream of the business is able to bark 'Milwaukee frankfurts!'
"The Cliff House in San Francisco echoes the fame of Milwaukee as sausage producer par excellence. Forest Park Highland at St. Louis is a big consumer of this Milwaukee prodnet. And along the beaches at Venice and Santa Monica, at the Minnesota State Fair in the Twin Cities, on Belle Isle at Detroit, and at Atlantic City, the prestige of the Milwaukee sansage has become a watchword with vendors, in season, and the one-time fame of Milwaukee on the playgrounds of the big cities is being superseded by a more substantial, if more pungent and less 'heady,' reputation for excellence. It is extremely unlikely that an anti- hot dog' amendment will ever be placed upon the federal constitution.
" Both Chicago and New York City are large consumers of Milwaukee sausages and in thousands of markets and delicatessens in those cities preference of the trade for the Milwaukee produet is manifested by proud placards denoting its presence in stock.
"And in this connection-literally-the fame of Milwaukee rye bread is not to be sneezed at. Milwaukee rye bread is a standard preference in hundreds of cities. How many people here know that big shipments of 'Milwaukee rye' are made every day in the year to New York, Washington, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Seattle and intermediate points ?
"It is a fact, nevertheless. Rye bread and frankfurt sausages make a partienlarly appetizing combination, especially with mustard added. It ap- peals to the masses, and the masses are responsible for slogans and epigrams becoming a part of ordinary speech.
"It all comes to conclusion of fact that Milwaukee excels in industrial effort. If the government suppresses the manufacture of an excelling beer which the populace acelaim by giving credit to the city, the spirit of supremacy manifests itself in another direction-the preparation of excel- ling sausages and rye bread.
"Milwaukee is bound to be noted for something. Away back in the early days Milwaukee was known nationally as the 'Cream City.' This was not on account of the creamy frothiness of the beer made here, as some have believed in later years. It was on account of a certain type and color of building brick made here. And the name continued until the certain kind of clay with which the bricks were made ran out and Milwaukee's brick industry shrank to an unimportant place.
"Milwaukee used to produce great quantities of pottery- the clay was brought here from Ohio. But many years ago the potters went to the clay banks and Milwaukee subsided as a pottery center.
"Right after the Civil war Milwaukee was quite a center for the manufac- ture of coffee essence. This article, besides being a popular substitute for coffee, which was searee then, made a great hit with the 'kids' as a means of fooling parents, teachers or friends with the fiction that tobacco was being 'ehawed.' The public preference for coffee, however, wrecked the business and several essener factories in Milwaukee were elosed. One of
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