USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume I > Part 24
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Mine Hoists-Constructed the largest mine hoist units in the world, now building one still larger.
Car Works-The third largest locomotive and car works in the United States, the largest owned by a railroad corporation.
Gears and Controls-Milwaukee leads the country in the manufacture of herring-bone gears for power transmission and gasoline locomotives for min- ing and plantation use. Furnished the electrie firing controls for many battleships in the United States Navy and most of the automobile electric controls used in the country.
Refrigeration Machinery-Is an important center for the construction of ice-making and refrigeration machinery.
Enameling-It is one of the largest tinware and enameling producers in the world.
Saw Mills-Manufactures 75 per cent of the heavy saw mills machinery made in the United States.
Boat Motors-Makes more outboard, detachable rowboat motors than any other city in the world.
Motorcycles-Milwaukee leads the world in the manufacture of highest quality motorcycles.
Automobile Accessories-One of the largest general automobile accessory manufacturing eenters in the United States.
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RE-ELECT JUDGE GEHRZ
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THE HOTEL WISCONSIN
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INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
Leather and Shoes-Milwaukee manufacturers a more varied line of leathers than any other eity in the United States. Is one of the leading shoe manufacturing cities in America. Its tanneries are among the greatest in the world.
Temperature Regulation-Was the pioneer in temperature regulating de- viees and leads the world in the manufacture of this line.
Rubber Tires-Maintains one of the leading rubber tire manufacturing plants in the United States.
Dyes-Ilas since the war built up the second largest dye industry in the United States.
Trunks and Grips-Is one of the three largest trunk and grip manufac- turing centers in the United States.
Clothing-Stands as the eleventh city in the production of clothing.
Candies and Chocolates-According to population, makes more candy and chocolates than any city in the United States.
Delicatessen-Sends fresh rye bread daily to nearly all sections of the United States. This applies also to a large variety of fine prepared meats.
Dairy Capital-Is the metropolis of the greatest dairy producing state in the Union.
In bringing to a close this chapter, which must be regarded as the most important in noting material progress, the reader is brought to the inevitable conclusion that Milwaukee is primarily a monster factory town. Moreover, its future must be found in industrial production. It cannot in the nature of things become a successful rival to the world metropolis to the south, either as a great financial or commercial center. Its operations in commerce and finance will always be important and will continue to grow, but Milwaukee's future clearly lies in the industrial field.
As a producing center it has acquired stability and prestige. Its products have demonstrated their utility and value, its markets are established, and its reputation is fixed. The industries are capable of producing efficiently and marketing advantageously. Their future is assured. Just as they have in the past made an ever growing contribution to the material progress and economie stability of the nation so they will continue to grow, and expand and prosper and thus promote the advancement, the well-being and prestige of the City of Milwaukee.
THE TOY THEATRE AND CHINESE RESTAURANT
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疼海上
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INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS SUMMARY .FOR 1920-1921
No. of Firms
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
1920
1921
1920
1921
1920
1921
Metal Trades Industry
377
437
62,125
39,888
$ 96,404.865
$ 51,043,591
Food Industry
116
104
11,271
9,457
15,412,064
12,372,948
Textile Industry
109
125
13,750
14,611
14,459.767
15,444,474
Leather Industry
61
66
12,181
11,144
16,247,853
11,901,955
Chemical, Drug and Allied Industries. . .
51
61
5,712
1,054
10,044,876
6,718,160
Wood Products and Allied Industries. . .
102
107
8,938
7,331
11,924,625
8,942,983
Various Industries
130
156
6,917
5,625
11,728,696
9,083,759
Building Trades Industry.
107
181
4,661
4,659
7,405,267
5,897,338
Total Manufacturing
1,053
1,237
125,555
98,769
$183,628,013
$121,405,208
Jobbing and Wholesale Business.
132
152
5,893
5,687
11,379,132
9,607,115
Grand Total
1,185
1,389
131,448
102,456
$195,007,045
$131,012,323
Capital Employed 1920
Value of Product 1920
Export Business
Metal Trades Industry .
$221,640,613
$207,194,620
$ 330,515,889
$171,051,650
1920 $18,656,878 22.439,015
$ 9,700,491
Food Industry
67,983,848
42,675.396
163.640,564
113,936,824
Textile Industry
26,215,985
30,169,491
76,899,927
61,332,796
1,710,000
1,089,449
Leather Industry
63.463,728
53,974,398
93,452,791
54,694,068
4,723,533
2,718,551
Chemical, Drug and Allied Industries. .
33,345,058
31,088,209
62,269,223
48,251,765
1,074,769
508,869
Wood Products and Allied Industries. .
29,098,237
24,489,405
57,663,390
29,786,186
201,074
60,200
Various Industries
24,546,006
20,282,757
46,746,222
29.430,666
610,730
274,786
Building Trades Industry
5,032,485
7,519,197
22,481,828
21.313,171
8,000
7,000
Total Manufacturing
.$471,325,960
$417.393,473
$ 853,669,834
$529,797,126
$49.423,999
$28.467,820
Jobbing and Wholesale Business.
49,134,250
51,212.795
247,568,416
200,357,324
6,989,117
24,878,171
Grand Total
$520,460,210
$468,606,268
$1.101,238,250
$730.154,450
$56,413,116
$53,345,991
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INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
247
.
1921
1921
1921
14,108,474
248
INDUSTRIAL GROUP STATISTICS
METAL TRADES INDUSTRY
No. of Firms 1920 217
1921
1920 34,947
1921 22,911
1920 $56,769,834
1921 $27,279.619
Agricultural Implements and Farm Equipment .
=.
9
4.417
2,330
6,671,537
4,913,048
Electrical Supplies
21
24
6,294
3,413
7,975.461
4,294,009
Electroplating .
1
81
78
129,780
90.755
*Furnaces and Stove
6
1
2.199
1,459
2.619.140
1,748,542
Hardware
9
16
119
105
126.023
154,921
** Household Utilities
63,466
Motor Vehicles, Parts and Accessories
32
48
8.172
4,510
13,358,013
6.493.898
Plumbing and Steamfitting Supplies
16
17
1,094
1.138
1,697,353
1,563,353
Stamped and Enameled Goods. ....
7
8
2,675
1,703
3.443.010
2.325.094
Structural Iron and Wire Goods. ..
16
18
1,443
1,232
2,636,534
1,905,220
Sheet Metal Goods.
32
49
525
859
757,534
1.103.532
Wire Goods .
+
113
150
157.180
171,600
Total
377
437
62.125
39,888
$96,104.865
$51,043,591
* As no reports wore received in 1920 from furnace and stove manufacturers, the 1919 figures are shown here for comparison. ** No report in 1921.
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
Iron, Steel and Heavy Machinery. .
230
46
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METAL TRADES INDUSTRY
Capital Employed 1920
1921
Value of Product 1920 1921 $177,951,390 $ 73.588.919
1920 $12,065,378
1921 $5,236,986
Agricultural Implements and Farm Equipment
14,822,748
11,168,512
20,913,705
14.900,090
33.000
2.003,500
Electrical Supplies
16,099,947
15,868,144
20,766,694
13.270,294
851.500
421,000
Electroplating .
105,373
169,749
280,098
208,126
#Furnaces and Stoves
6,407,736
3.953,005
8,247,170
4.742,098
.
50,000
Hardware
260,303
524.338
512,538
163,832
4,000
300
** Household Utilities
157,000
248,822
Motor Vehicles, Parts and Accessories
25,030,423
24.482,921
66,557,673
37,288,219
5,569,000
1,845.552
Plumbing and Steamfitting Supplies
2,918,070
3.742,158
5,269,489
5.140,530
10.000
8,000
Stamped and Enameled Goods. ....
11.408,926
9.276,256
15.907,539
8,000,984
24,000
14,000
Structural Iron and Wire Goods. .
4,592,011
5,200,975
10,954,524
6,950,893
100,000
121.153
Sheet Metal Goods.
811,420
3,691,934
2,120,247
5.657,811
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"As no reports were received in 1920 from furnace and stove manufacturers, the 1919 figures are shown here for comparison. ** No report in 1921.
FOOD INDUSTRY
No. of Firms
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
1920
1921
1920
1921
1920
1921
Bakery Goods
30
27
1,756
1,128
$ 2,317.497
$ 1.587,379
Beverages
13
S
1.422
483
1,855,675
944,814
Candy and Confectionery
26
24
3,147
2,949
2,825,178
2.470,067
Dairy Products
9
6
148
62
238.352
117,975
Milk Dealers
1
1
264
284
414,285
464,992
Packed Meats
8
2,719
2.777
4.798,202
3,965,794
Sausages
10
11
258
292
354,259
361,096
Flour and Cereals
7
6
613
171
1.041.234
698,558
Unclassified
. .
.
.
45
47.694
Total
116
104
11,271
9,457
$15,412,064
$12,372,948
249
INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
Iron, Steel and Heavy Machinery. . . $138,711,656
$128,726.706
389.922
786,000
839.854
Total
. $221.640,613 $207.194,620
$330,515,889
$171.051.650
$18,656,878
$9,700,491
944
966
1.567,382
1.714,579
Ice Cream
6
.
3
Wire Goods .
315,000
Export Business
250
FOOD INDUSTRY
Capital Employed 1920
1921
Valne of Product 1920
1921
Export Business 1920
1921
Bakery Goods
$ 4,930,494
$ 3,701,612
$ 13.303.297
6.831,803
$
. .
Beverages
23.882,160
6.159,950
11,980,369
2,597,901
28.817
Candy and Confectionery
8,293,644
8,724,958
18,536,677
12,175,822
10,000
3,300
Dairy Products
845,736
484,000
3.620,690
2,127,545
Milk Dealers
2,539,410
2.116,883
10,176,332
8,558,965
Ice Cream
1,493,500
2,126,538
3,526,468
3,135,387
Packed Meats
17,808,160
12.747.000
76,342,819
57,649,604
21,760,000
12,910,000
Sansages
799,980
846,814
3,274,887
3,417,521
105,000
50,000
Flour and Cereals.
7,390,764
5,658,197
22,879,525
17,097,276
535,198
1,131,174
Unclassified
109,444
345,000
14,000
Total
$67,983,848
$42,675,396
$163,640,564
$113.936.824
$22.439,015
$14.108,474
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
No. of Firms
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
1920
1921
1920
1921
1920
1921
Clothing . .
40)
47
4,464
4,168
$ 4,931,807
$ 4,395,849
Ilats, Caps and Gloves ..
19
21
1,447
984
1,186.610
1.167,710
Millinery and Straw Goods.
6
832
886
1,130,709
1.086,163
Tents and Awnings.
86
122
113,150
138,079
Bedding
6
8
210
131
283,494
136,952
Knit Goods
28
29
6,398
7,910
6,129,688
8,055,647
Woven Goods
265
288
282,451
329,874
Unclassified
4
48
122
101,858
134.200
Total
109
125
13,750
14,611
$14,459,767
$15,444, 174
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
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TEXTILE INDUSTRY
Capital Employed 1920
1921
1920 $24,162,699
$15,149,537
$ 22,000
$ 45,000
Hats, Caps and Gloves. .
3,507,589
4,326,543
6,496,917
4,648,231
4,700
Millinery and Straw Goods.
1,331,000
1,343,987
4,102.448
3,798,495
13,000
15,000 600
Tents and Awnings. .
234,370
231,473
814,730
702,272
Bedding
874,532
445,120
1,223,250
610,248
Knit Goods
12,282,987
16,072,965
37,852,712
34,955,164
1,675,000
1,024,149
Woven Goods
685,000
606,058
1,679.17I
1,151,849
Unclassified
142,500
184,000 .
568,000
317,000
Total
$26,215,985
$30,169,491
$76,899,927
$61,332,796
$1,710,000
$1,089,449
LEATHER INDUSTRY
No. of Firms
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
1920
1921
1920
1921
1921
Boots and Shoes.
29
31
6,808
6,113
1920 $ 8,292,734
$ 5,682,267
Harness and Saddlery
9
9
77
92
87,500
106,701
Tanneries
17
18
4,865
4,585
7.341.837
5,669,109
Trunks, Bags, etc.
6
431
348
525,782
432,878
Unelassified
. .
. . .
. . .. .
Total
61
66
12,181
11.144
$16,247,853
$11,901,955
LEATHER INDUSTRY
Capital Employed 1920
1921
Value of Product 1920 $44,028,565
1921 $27,613,760
1920 $ 568,533
1921
Boots and Shoes.
$16,902,948
$17,838,839
Harness and Saddlery .
172,538
357.875
586,300
500,000
Tanneries . .
45,836,045
35,128,607
47,022,646 1,815,280
25,406,611
4,155,000
2,576,500
Trunks, Bags, etc.
552,197
609,077 40,000
.
.
.......
. . . . . .
Total
$63,463,728
$53,974,398
$93,452,791
$54,694,068
$4,723,533
$2,718,551
251
INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
Value of Product
Export Business
1921
1920
1921
Clothing . .
$ 7,158,007
$ 6,959,345
.
.
. . . . .
11,000
1
6
Export Business
$ 142,051
Unclassified
1,073,697 100,000
252
CHEMICAL, DRUG & ALLIED INDUSTRIES
No. of Firms 1921
No. of Employes
Wages l'aid
1920
1920
1921
1920
1921
Chemicals, Drugs, ofe.
17
23
1,671
611
$ 4.044,830
$ 938,806
Dyeing
6
6
365
305
391,625
440,896
Gasoline, Oils, etc.
13
13
1,312
928
2,052,145
1,683,175
Paints and Varnish.
8
6
751
526
1,030,591
599.848
Soap and Toilet Preparations
11
1,430
1,616
2,271.489
2,943,185
Glass ..
2
183
68
254.196
112,250
Total
51
61
5,712
1,054
$10,044,876
$6.718,160
CHEMICAL, DRUG & ALLIED INDUSTRIES
Capital Employed 1920
1921
Value of Product 1920 $11,986,113
1921
$ 3.725,237
$
1920 109,042
$ 83,869
Dyeing
520,922
320,518
950,114
848,447
Gasoline, Oils, ofe.
9,750,283
7,070,786
23,451,239
21,424.769
14.000
225,000
Paints and Varnish ..
5,578,814
4,615,771
7,812,340
4,330,000
451,377
Soap and Toilet Preparations.
5,946,888
7,912,055
17,360,713
17,613,312
500,350
200,000
Glass
1,010,000
1,025,000
708.704
310,000
.......
Total
$33,345,058
$31,088,209
$62.269,223
$18,251,765
$1,074,769
$508.869
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
Export Business
1921
Chemicals, Drugs, etc.
$10,538.151
$10,144,079
WOOD PRODUCTS & ALLIED INDUSTRIES
No. of Firms
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
1920
1921
1920
1921
1920 $ 4,313,483
1921 $3,142,468
Caskets
2
2
113
96
178,000
158,800
Furniture
19
18
1,486
1,009
1,902,860
1.252,481
Millwork
18
21
1,268
1,386
1,935,894
2,089,926
Musical Instruments
10
12
691
485
1,021.825
610,351
Paper and Pulp Articles
9
10
691
555
710,394
621.337
Wagons, Automobile Bodies Wooden Boats .
16
16
1,167
790
1,862,169
1,067,620
Total
102
107
8,938 .
7,331
$11,924,625
$8,942,983
WOOD PRODUCTS & ALLIED INDUSTRIES
Capital Employed 1920
Value of Product
Export Business
1921
Boxes and Containers
$13.207,540
1921 $ 8.832.822
1920 $28,378,326 690,000
1921 $11,562,658 585.000
1920 $. . . . . ..
$ 3,500
Caskets
558,000
525,000
Furniture
3.803,585
3,594,756
6,834,479
3,557,276
69,500
Millwork
4.285,037
5,032,597
7,119,646
6,236,544
8,085
36,000
Musical Instruments
2,173,630
2.100,056
4,629,810
2,198,661
78,489
Paper and Pulp Articles.
1,350,212
1,132,994
4.060,000
2,462,986
25,000
20.700
Wagons, Automobile Bodies
and
Wooden Boats
4.092.647
3,271,180
5,951,129
3.183,061
20,000
. .
..
Total
$29,098,237
$24,489,405
$57,663,390
$29,786.186
$201,074
$60,200
.
253
INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
Boxes and Containers
28
28
3,529
3,010
and
254
VARIOUS INDUSTRIES
No. of Firms
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
1920
1921
1920
1921
1920
1921
Artificial Limbs
4
3
24
14
28,518
$ 26,361
Brooms and Brushes.
8
9
191
158
221,074
189,788
('igars and Tobacco.
13
22
626
713
732.534
756,622
Dental Supplies ..
-
3
40
40
65,227
66.827
Precision Instruments
2
3
54
26
67,467
32,755
Printing and Allied Trades
86
94
3,097
2,895
4,257,624
5,471,297
Rubber Goods
3
3
2,555
1,400
5,820,000
2.000,000
Unclassified
12
19
330
379
536,252
540,109
Total
130
156
6,917
5,625
$11.728.696
$9.083,759
VARIOUS INDUSTRIES
Value of Product
Export Business
Artificial Limbs .
61.710
$ 35,700
$
1920 118,280
$ 56,151
$ . . . .. .
$
Brooms and Brushes.
270,800
347,253
655,665
552,045
9.700
Cigars and Tobacco.
1,396,391
1,710,717
5,807,235
6,006,233
5.130
4,000
Dental Supplies .
29,300
29,300
122,355
129,355
Precision Instruments
95.236
106,250
148,049
69.568
Printing and Allied Trades
6,030,402
6,736,458
13.842,978
11,552,580
67,950
9.258
Rubber Goods
15,400,000
10,000,000 1,317,079
22,400,000 3.651,660
9.000,000
475,000
250,000
Unclassified
1,262,167
1,828
Total
$24,546,006
$20,282,757
$46,746,222
$29,430,666
$610,730
$274,786
.
Capital Employed 1920
1921
1921
1920
1921
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
......
2,064,734
62,650
BUILDING TRADES INDUSTRY
No. of Firms
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
1920
1921
1920
1921
1920 $4,895,846
1921 $2,461.575
Building Materials ..
25
36
535
691
857,747
899,452
Electrical Contractors
11
449
411
526,631
713,516
Painting and Decorating.
18
30
239
465
712,080
670,797
Paving, etc. .
5
6
83
369
67,706
263,000
Plumbing and Heating Contractors.
28
63
198
521
345,257
792,083
Art Glass and Mirrors.
. .
. .
. .
1
20
29,915
Total
107
181
4,661
4,659
$7,405,267
$5,897,338
BUILDING TRADES INDUSTRY
Capital Employed
Value of Product
Export Business
1920
1921 $2.486,281
1920 $12,869,589 5,574,026
$ 8,369,568
$ . . . .
$ .. .
Building Materials ..
1,632,829
2,223,603
4,888,837
Electrical Contractors
761,000
892,200
1,803,264
2.179,000
Painting and Decorating.
281,600
524,990
754,530
1,691,489
8,000
Paving, etc.
121,800
355,000
434,700
1,310,000
Plumbing and Heating Contractors.
448,845
837,536
1,045,719
2,581,277
....
...
Art Glass and Mirrors. .
96,000
223,000
Unclassified
103,587
70,000
7,000
Total
$5.032.485
$7,519,197
$22,481,828
$21,313,171
$8,000
$7,000
.
·
....
INDUSTRIAL BEGINNINGS AND ACHIEVEMENT
Contractors and Builders. .
22
29
3.157
2,125
1921
1920
1921
Contractors and Builders.
$1.786.411
. .
.
.
4
....
255
57
67,000
Unclassified
256
JOBBING AND WHOLESALE BUSINESS
No. of Firms
No. of Employes
Wages Paid
1920
1921
1920
1921
1920
1921
Coal and Coke.
10)
13
1,897
1,642
$ 3,614,314
$2,880,738
Drygoods .
8
8
281
344
597,914
586,250
Groceries and Produce. .
47
54
1,368
1,400
2,840,963
2,277,547
Grain, Flour, Feed. Seeds.
36
38
864
804
1,858,049
1,252,496
Hardware and Machinists' Supplies.
3
5
633
871
1,105,000
1,547,080
Lumber
19
19
639
340
972,072
432.830
Paper
9
10
211
254
390,820
558,990
Unclassified
. .
. . .
32
51.184
Total
132
152
5,893
5,687
$11,379,132
$9.607.115
JOBBING & WHOLESALE BUSINESS
Capital Employed
Export Business
1920
1921
Coal and Coke
$16,657.362
$18,203,092
$ 49.074,645
$ 38,190,065
Drygoods
2,228,246
2,399,600
9,068,469
8,005,000
Groceries and Produce.
7.602.053
7.999,442
47,132,201
45,393,990
120,713
Grain, Flour, Feed, Seeds
11,252,831
10,415,500
115,027,617
81,728,631
6,868,404
24.878,171
Hardware and Machinists' Supplies
5,555,000
8.162,600
13,855,200
15,250,000
Lamber
4,193,982
2,160,000
7,974,559
4,716,466
Paper
1,644,776
1,597,561
5,435,635
3,500,172
Unclassified
275,000
573.000
Total
$49,134,250
$51,212,795
$247,568,416
$200,357,324
$6,989,117
$24,878,171
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
1920 $. . . .. ...
$. .
.
.
.
. .
....
.
Value of Product 1920
1921
1921
.
5
CHAPTER XIX
COMMERCIAL RISE AND EXPANSION
The earlier records dealing with the activities of Milwaukee do not always elearly distinguish between trade, commeree and industry. The figures relat- ing to production and distribution are not only imperfect, as might be expected, but frequently too interwoven to afford accurate deductions. Then, too, the business man of the last century was less inclined to submit figures regarding his operations than is the modern business man who, through tax laws and governmental regulations, has been taught to lay all his cards on the table. Besides the old-time merchant was less thorough in the keeping of his business accounts.
Those who were inclined to occasionally summarize the trade activities of the community, in order to demonstrate economie progress, preferred to speak in terms of imports and exports. The figures here employed were designed to demonstrate commercial importance without any attempt at showing what the trade balance in favor of or against the community might be.
It is an economie law in international trade that nations cannot buy more than they can sell. This applies to communities as well. Yet some of the old time records would go to show that Milwaukee usually imported much more than she exported. This, of course, cannot be true. The constant growth and development of the city would prove that the products of its labor were advantageously marketed and that it bought wisely, and kept expenditures well within its means.
. The commerce of Milwaukee had its earliest beginning in the Tur trading engaged in between the Indians and the white men. The latter were the French who came from Canada to gather the trophies of the savage man and carry them back to the marts of civilization. The consideration usually con- sisted of trinkets and articles that appealed to the faney and appetites of the Indian until money became a medium of value and enabled him to purchase what he pleased. When civilization brought its general commercial parapher- nalia, giving the Indian his choice of purchase, he began to appreciate the value of money and exacted it.
The young Yankees who came from the New England States and the young Knickerbocker coming from New York State were decidedly commercial in their inelinations. They soon ontmimbered the few French Canadians who had arrived before them. They were not only traders but builders as well. In the course of time they constructed mills and warehouses, ships and road- ways and railroads. They also became the founders of banks and insurance
257
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EAST WATER STREET NORTH OF WISCONSIN STREET
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COMMERCIAL RISE AND EXPANSION
enterprises. They became the land speenlators as well as the constructors of their time.
Imports and Exports .- A report made by Secretary Andrew J. Aikens of the local Board of Trade in 1856 is interesting not only in that it reveals the character of the imports and exports of that period but also because it deals with the comparative value of the two factors.
Articles Imported at the Port of Milwaukee, for the year 1856
Lumber, joists, etc., feet. . . 84.000,000
Tea. chests
21,519
Lath, pieces
18,382,000
Raisins, boxes
16,317
Shingles
21,000,000
Candles, boxes 22,503
Shingle bolts, eords
7,249
Glass, boxes 46,720
Wood, cords
2,000
Nails, kegs
117,720
Park, cords
3,628
Axes, boxes
7,120
Square timber, feet
339,000
Candy, boxes
16,572
Railroad iron, tons
19,846
Starch, boxes
14,000
Coal, tons
20,000
Riee, tierees
2,000
Horses, number
5,000
Tobacco, pounds
2,952,000
Salt, barrels
94,277
Soap, boxes
33,473
Salt, saeks
180,000
Oil, barrels
9,000
Plaster, barrels
8,800
Saleratus, boxes
13,153
Oats, bushels
150,000
White lead, kegs
48,000
Corn, bushels
250,000
Cheese, pounds
1,347,000
Barley, bushels
10,000
Steel, tons
210
Potatoes, bushels
20,000
Bar iron, tons
6,539
Sugar, hhds.
9,072
Cider and vinegar, barrels.
5,201
Sugar, barrels
38,508
Alcohol, barrels
10,000
Molasses and syrup, barrels
18,243
Oranges, boxes
14.790
Codfish, boxes
7,107
Lemons, boxes
27,300
Coffee, bags
28.440
Prunes, pounds
200,000
Mackerel, barrels
4,266
Spices, pounds
240,000
Dried apples, bushels
105.675
Nuts, pounds
600,000
Dried peaches, bushels.
14,582
Pipes, boxes 10,000
Apples, barrels
33,790
Wooden Ware, doz.
25,000
Comparative Value of Imports
Total, 1854
$11,124,000
Total, 1855
18,649,832
Total, 1856
27,974,748
Articles Exported from the Port of Milwaukee During the Year 1856
Wheat, bushels
3,097,000 Beer, barrels 12,000
Oats, bushels
14,000
White fish, barrels 500
Barley, bushels
20,400
lIams 580
THE OLD PLANKINTON HOUSE.
Grand Avenue between West Water and Second streets, which was razed to give place to the Plankinton Arcade.
-
A
THE NEW PLANKINTON HOTEL Corner West Water and Sycamore streets
261
COMMERCIAL RISE AND EXPANSION
Malt. bushels
32,250
Paeon, boxes 990
Grass seed, bushels
10,300
Soap, boxes
3,100
Cranberries, bushels
1,464
Fish, boxes
1,700
Flour, barrels
213,451
Packing barrels 12,700
Pork, barrels
12,000
Ashes, easks
260
Beef, barrels
5,200
Hides
25,550
Vinegar, barrels
546
Pelts
26,305
Lime, barrels
5,900
Wool, pounds
850,000
Lard, barrels
2,800
Briek
560,000
Beans, barrels
220
Broom corn, bales
1,500
Whiskey, barrels
8,000
Hops, bales
500
Peas, barrels
40
Pig iron, tons
200
Tallow, barrels
50
Ship knees
300
Provisions, barrels
2,000
Staves
800,000
Corn meal, barrels
500
Comparative Value of Exports
1854
$ 7,709,571
1855
17,329,531
1856
20,274,300
"By the above it will be seen that the ratio of increase on imports has been about 50 per cent on the year 1855, while the increased exportation is somewhat less. The same circumstances that explain the deficieney of east- ward bound produce on the railroads, will explain this want. of a larger increase. Besides the rates of freights for the last three months of navigation were unprecedentedly high-ranging from fifteen to thirty cents per bushel for wheat from Milwaukee to Buffalo.
"The tables of imports and exports will be defective until Congress makes some requirement of inland ship masters and ship owners in regard to reports made at the Custom houses. Every steamer, propeller and vessel should be compelled to give a duplicate copy of the bill of lading to the collector of each port. The board should take some action in the matter, and see if such a law could not be passed.
"The Lake Commerce now amounts to $700,000,000, and seems to us is of sufficient importance to attract the attention of Congress. The imports and exports for the year 1856 amount, as given above, for the Port of Milwaukee, to the sum of $48,000,000. This does not represent the entire traffic of the city by many millions of dollars. We estimate that the entire imports and exports by lake and railroad. amount to $75,000,000 or about one-filth of the entire commerce of Lake Michigan.
"As soon as our railroads are all in operation from the lake to the Missis- sippi River, the traffic will at onee double or treble its present extent. Not only shall we drain a vast and new region of its products, but we shall receive their supplies of eastern merchandise at our doeks and forward it over onr various and diverging lines of railway.
GRAND AVENUE EAST FROM SIXTH STREET
4
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4
DORE
NO.
*+ SENT DE FLOGA FOR RENT
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URUTIRO
UxYO'12
CREAN
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. 1211. 17
263
COMMERCIAL RISE AND EXPANSION
"Speculations upon the future prospects, however well founded, are not the purpose of this report, and we leave them for a simple record of what Milwaukee has done in the past."
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