USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume I > Part 8
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Shipping Routes for Lead and Shot .-- The earliest shipments of shot made at llelena were to Galena and Fort Winnebago, though shipments of lead had been made to the east by way of Green Bay in previous years. "The importance of the early shot trade of Wisconsin in developing lines of com- munication with the lake, overland across the state, deserves mention here," says Prof. O. G. Libby in a chapter by him in the "Collections" of the state historical society, for 1895. "The Helena shot tower passed from the owner- ship of Daniel Whitney in 1836, and was bought up by certain Buffalo capi- talists, who held it with but little interruption till 1847.
"Now when we remember, " continues Professor Libby, "that the Missis- sippi markets were monopolized by the shot makers of Missouri, the signifi- vanee of this change of owners will be at onee apparent. Cut off from western markets by the competition of long-established rivals, the only course open was to develop eastern markets, with which the Buffalo capitalists were already more or less familiar. As a consequence of this, the shipments of shot between 1841 and 1844 were made to Buffalo and by no other than the lake route. For at least ten years then, interest and necessity combined to turn the shot trade through Milwaukee."
In the Milwaukee Sentinel for September 18, 1838, it is stated that "it was a common thing to see oxen hanling wagons laden with lead from Grant and La Fayette counties appear at the wharves after a journey of eight or ten days." Even two years before this time the Milwaukee Advertiser an- nouneed that, at Racine, "two wagons, containing 4,200 Ihs, of Pig Lead. arrived there last week from the rapids of Rock River."
Increasing Popularity of the Lake Route .- Following the example of the shot tower owners the lead smelters began sending an increasing proportion of their produet to the lake ports. This movement had begun as early as 1836 and 1838, and in a Madison paper for 1841. cited by Professor Libby, the following statements appear: "The Lead Trade: We are pleased to observe by notices in the Milwaukee and Southport (Kenosha) papers that this trade is beginning to find its way to our lake ports on its way to eastern markets. The Milwaukee Courier of the 4th inst. says: 'Our citizens on Satur- day afternoon were not a little surprised by the appearance on our streets
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THE LEAD MINING INDUSTRY
of four sucker teams loaded with lead from the furnace of Thomas Parish, near Muskoday in Grant County. These teams brought over about ten tous of lead to be shipped to New York.' "
The Madison paper adds to its quotation from the Courier that "the lead which arrived here on Saturday was shipped on the steamer . Madison' on Monday, and will be in New York within twenty days from the time it left the furnace near the Mississippi River; and the owner will get his returns in about four weeks from the time the lead was smelted. A gentleman from Galena recently informed us that he shipped over ninety days since about fifteen hundred dollars worth of lead to New York by the southern route and he had not then got his returns from it. Besides getting a better price for their lead on the lake shore than can be afforded on the Mississippi, on miners can procure their necessary supplies more cheaply, generally, at the lake cities than at Galena or other points on the river where they have been in the habit of trading, and this including the cost of transportation. The teams of which the Courier speaks returned with salt which was obtained at. Milwaukee for about two dollars and fifty cents per barrel, and can be sold at the mines at about seven dollars per barrel."
Influence of the Lead and Lead Mining Industry .- The history of the lead mining industry has been very fully investigated by various industrious in- vestigators whose contributions to this important branch of activity have been printed at different times in the series of the state historical society publications. The preparation of these contributions has required much painstaking research and an adequate presentation of the subject would need a volume or more to contain the details.
The lead was brought across the country to Lake Michigan in wagons drawn by oxen, at a cost of $10.00 a ton. The teamsters found it a profitable business as they got loading both ways, carried their own provisions, and the prairies afforded all the fodder for their cattle at the nightly camping places in the open. The teams would return to the mining regions laden with lumber, shingles, salt and merchandise, which under these circumstances could be obtained from lake shore ports to better advantage than from any other quarter.
In 1842, nearly two million pounds of lead and 2,614 kegs of shot were shipped from Milwaukee to New York ; and in 1843, the shipments from the same point totaled 2,200,000 lbs. of lead and 250,000 lbs. of shot. The ronte from Milwaukee was by way of the Straits of Mackinac, Lake IFuron, and Lake Erie to Buffalo, where it was transshipped on the Erie Canal to New York and from there distributed to Boston and other Atlantic cities.
Commenting upon this movement of heavy metals, a Buffalo paper said, "Illinois, Jowa and Wisconsin will soon send to this mart an incalculable amount of lead and copper, in addition to the whole of their surplus agrienl- tural products. We already export lead to England, from whence we have heretofore imported many millions of ponds. * Capitalists interested * in the lake and eanal trade should not delay in aiding the construction of a eanal or railway from Milwaukee, or some other point on Lake Michigan. to the Mississippi River."
THE FIRST HOUSE ON THE EAST SIDE OF MILWAUKEE WAS BUILT ON THIS SITE -IN THE YEAR 1800 - BYANTOINE LECLAIREASATRADINGPOSTTHE LOG HOUSE SHOWN ON THE LEFTOF THIS VIEW
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THE LOGCABIN, STOCKADE AND STOREUN THE RIGHT WERE ERECTED BY SOLOMUN JUNEAU IW 1825
IN 1835 JUNERO BURFA FARSE WAREHOUSE WHICH IN 18SI WAS REPLACED BY LODINGTON'S BRICK BLOCK
THE PRESENT BULDING IN 1891
THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE OLD SETTLERS CLUB OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY BY CAPL FREDERICK PABST IN.1903
TABLET ERECTED ON WISCONSIN TRUST COMPANY BUILD- ING (FORMERLY PABST BUILDING). FOOT OF WISCONSIN STREET, NEAR BRIDGE
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THE LEAD MINING INDUSTRY
Milwaukee Merchants Alert for Trade. An advertisement in the Mil- waukee Courier for April 5, 1843. announces that Weeks and Miller of Center Store. MIwaukee, offer goods in exchange "for most kinds of country prod- uce-lead, shot, furs, peltries, ete." A Milwaukee store at Walker's Point advertises that "James Rathbun has just arrived from New York with an extensive assortment of goods suitable to the wants of the country round about which he will sell or exchange at the lowest prices for cash. wheat. shot, copper, lead. flax and timothy seed." A Rochester (New York ) paper, in 1844, says that "Within the last eighteen months an excellent road bas been opened from Milwaukee to the Mississippi, passing through the mining district which will be mich used hereafter in sending lead to the East by way of the lakes."
Mail stages followed close after the freight routes already in use. It was announced in the Argus of September 26, 1844, that "we would call the atten- tion of the traveling publie to C. Genung & Co.'s line of mail stages now running between Madison and Milwaukee, on the old United States road leading from Madison through Cottage Grove, Lake Mills, Aztalan. Summit and Prairieville to Milwaukee." In Lapham's " Wisconsin." referring to the trade of Mineral Point. he says: "The quantity of lead and copper sent from here is very considerable : most of it finds its way to Galena, Illinois, whence it is shipped down the Mississippi and by way of the ocean to New York. Within the last few years, however, much of it is sent by wagons to Lake Michigan, mostly to Milwaukee, and thence sent direct by way of the lakes to New York."
A Milwaukee newspaper published the following item in 1847: "The 'Lead schooners' (a variation of the term 'prairie schooners' as used by the pioneers to denote the great covered wagons carrying the emigrants and transporting heavy freight are constantly arriving here from the mineral region. These singular teams, drawn by six, eight or more yoke of oxen, excite some curiosity in those who are not used to such sights in the East. The teamsters and their cattle sleep under the canopy of heaven beside their camp fires, their meals prepared military fashion, and rising with the early dawn to continue their journey."
Decline of Lead Production .- "Next to the wheat and grain products." says Miss Phelps in her "Story of Wisconsin, " "the minerals of Southwestern Wisconsin brought wealth. This, the oldest settled region, kept for a long time a distinet character allied to the south and southwest. Its population, however, remained nearly stationary. The production of lead reached its highest point in 1844, and thereafter declined. With the decline of mining the old frontier character of the mining region passed away, the shifting populace moved off to new centers, notably to California in 1848. About the middle of the '40s the lines of transportation shifted. Lead began to be hanled to the lake board : by 1847 the bulk of the product crossed the terri- tory in wagons drawn by six- and eight-yoke ox-teams, and was transshipped by steamer to the East.
"With this change in connections the population of the southwestern por- Vol. 1-6
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
tion of Wisconsin began to assimilate to the type of the remainder of the territory. The lead-mining region, however, has never quite overtaken the remainder of the state in enterprise and in the production of wealth."
Planning for Improved Transportation Lines. - By 1847 the overland lead trade from the mining regions to Milwaukee was well established. Just as in 1839 and 1840 the delays and difficulties of the Mississippi ronte brought about the opening of better and shorter rontes to the eastern markets, so now it began to be keenly felt that improvements minst be made in the means of communication between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. The agri- cultural interests also began to suffer for want of transportation facilities. "The capacity of production has satiated and overpowered the capacity of consumption," wrote a correspondent to his paper: "we need a reliable, liberal market for our inereasing agricultural products."
But men's thoughts tended towards canal navigation as the most desir- able method of transporting products of all description. Railroads were dreamed about and, indeed, oreupied the thoughts of multitudes. Canals, however, had proved successful in several states. Steam navigation on the large rivers and lakes was already established and steadily increasing. Canals Were enormously popular wherever the country was adapted for their con- struction. The Erie Canal in New York State was opened in 1825, and was regarded as the mother of canal transportation. As early as 1826 Ohio began the construction of a canal to join the waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Indiana launched an extensive system of improvements, and Ilinois began the construct'on of a canal between Chicago and the Illinois River in 1836. Wisconsin, then a territory, began a preliminary survey for the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal in 1837 which, however, was destined never to be completed.
CHAPTER VHT
SOLOMON JUNEAU AND HIS FAMILY
An interesting sketch of Solomon Juneau and his family is found in the pamphlet issued in June, 1921, under the title of the "Milwaukee Diamond Jubilee." This sketch is here included in the early history of Milwaukee as it contains many details not readily accessible from other sources, although throughout the pages of this volume frequent mention is made of Juneau in connection with the stirring events of the early day.
More than a century ago, 2,000 miles intervening, two babes were born, a boy and a girl, who were destined to play important roles in the early his- tory of the great Northwest. The boy was born of pure Alsatian French parents, the girl was of French and Indian extraction. The boy was reared in a home of refinement, the girl grew to womanhood amidst the primitive surroundings of the frontier. Fate decreed they should meet.
Across the broad expanse of wilderness extending from the St. Lawrence Valley to the beautiful shores of La Baye Verte (Green Bay), braving the perils and hardships which lay before him, this young man-in all the strength and beauty of youth-came to seek his fortune in this land of vast commercial advantages. It was at the old Indian trading post in historie Green Bay that he met the noble-hearted child of the forest that fate had decreed should be his. Joined in the holy bonds of matrimony, they began their journey through life and together laid the foundation of a city.
At the outbreak of the French Revolution, in 1789, Franeois and Therese La Tulipe left France and sought refuge in Canada, settling in the little ham- let of L'Asumption, near Montreal. As did many others, who left France during those tronblous times, they changed their name from La Tulipe to that of Juneau, trying in a way to obliterate all sad memories connected with hav- ing to leave the land of their birth and of their honored ancestors.
"The French Revolution was a violent reaction against that absolutism which had come in time to supplant the old feudal institutions of the country. It began with an outbreak of insurreetionary movements in July, 1789, inelud- ing the destruction of the Bastile. On January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI was beheaded, the Christian religion was deposed, the sacredness of the re- publie and worship of reason established, and a disastrous reign of blood and terror followed, which was brought to an end in 1794, when Robespierre, himself, suffered the same fate to which he had condemned countless numbers of his countrymen."- Library of Universal Knowledge, Vol. XII. p. 598.
Birth of Juneau .- Solomon Laurent Junean, the subject of this sketch, second son of Francois and Therese Junean, was born at L'Asumption, Can-
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SOLOMON JUNEAU
Milwaukee's first permanent white settler, village president and mayor From an engraving in possession of the Old Settlers Club of Milwaukee County
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SOLOMON JUNEAU AND HIS FAMILY
ada, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, August 9, 1793, where his boy- hood days were spent. On reaching manhood he became imbued with the spirit of adventure so common among the young men of the St. Lawrence Valley in those early days, and during the summer of 1816, at the age of twenty-three years, he left L'Asumption to seek his fortune in the great Northwest, arriving in Maekinae in September. Shortly after his arrival at that place, he met Jacque Vieanx, a French trader, who had trading posts at Mackinac, Green Bay and Milwaukee, and into whose employ he entered at the Green Bay and Milwaukee posts as a clerk, which position he held until the year 1818, after which year he was not connected with Mr. Vieaux in a business way.
He attended the village school at L'Asumption, later entering a Catholic college where he completed his education. He was well educated in French. and was in this country but a short time before he mastered the English language which he spoke finently, and was well versed in many Indian dia- leets, especially the Menomonee tongue.
Solomon Laurent Juneau was a man of rare personality. Of commanding figure, in height he was six feet four inches, he had brown curly hair, clear ent features, and large gray eyes. While of a jovial temperament, he never for a moment lost his natural dignity ; of a kind and benevolent nature, he was the friend and confidant of all. The Indians looked upon him as a father, and whatever advice their beloved "Solomo" gave them, was accepted and followed in every detail. His word was sarred, and onee given, nothing conk make him change his promise either in publie or in private life.
During the year 1818 the American Fur Company established a trading post at Milwaukee and Mr. Juneau was their anthorized agent up to the time of the removal of the Indians in 1838. To, however, continued in business on his own account in Milwaukee until 1852, when he removed with his family to Theresa, Wisconsin.
As agent of the American Company he settled in Milwaukee in 1818, at which time he erected the log house, corner of East Water and Wisconsin streets, which he occupied as his residence until the year 1835, when he erected a dwelling house on the southeast corner of Michigan and East Water streets, where he resided a number of years, later building the commodious dwelling, corner of Milwaukee and Division (now Junean Avenue) streets where he lived until 1852.
During his many trips as an Indian trader between Milwaukee and Green Bay, he was attracted to a pretty spot on the banks of the Rock River where during the early '30s he established a trading post, which in later years became a prosperous village. Mr. Junean named the post Theresa. in honor of his mother, whose memory and early teachings he held sacred and were his guiding spirit in all dealings through life with his fellow men. Mr. Juneau's mother died February 2, 1815. His father died in 1828.
In September, 1820, Mr. Junean married Miss Josette Vieaux, of Green Bay. Seventeen children were born to them, three dying in youth. Seven of their children were born in the old log house. Mr. and Mrs. Juneau resided con- tinuously in Milwaukee for thirty-two years.
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
White men had visited Milwaukee trading with the Indians prior to the advent of Solomon Junean, but their stay was of short duration. To Mr. Juneau must be conceded the honor of being the first permanent white settler, as well as the first land owner, he having acquired title to a large tract of land. Ile was known as the most successful of all the Indian traders and in and around Milwaukee, being closely connected with the commercial life of that region.
Ile was closely identified with every step in the progress of Milwaukee. In 1835, when a postoffice was established, he was appointed postmaster. which office he held for a period of nine years. In 1837, when Milwaukee was incorporated as a village, he was elected president. In 1846. when Milwaukee became a city, he was chosen its first mayor. He encouraged every under- taking that could benefit the community. He was a member of the State Historical Society. and was liberal in his contributions to its archives and pieture gallery. Aside from his interests on the east side, he had property on the west side. He and Byron Kilbourn were warm personal friends and close business associates in many enterprises. Hle assisted Mr. Kilbourn in the platting of the west side. Mr. Kilbourn was an intimate friend of Mr. Juneau's entire family.
Mr. and Mrs. Junean were generous in their gifts to the city which they founded. He built the first courthouse, and with the land upon which it stood. they presented it to the county, that the people might have a temple of justice. They gave the land upon which St. Peter's Catholic Church stood (corner Martin and Jackson streets), and the material for building, that their family, the incoming white population and the Indians might have a place to worship; they gave largely to St. John's Cathedral, among which was a strip of land between the pastor's house and the Cathedral. for which they and their deseendants were forever to have two seats in the church : they gave the land for the first Government lighthouse at the head of Wisconsin Street : they gave the land, corner of Milwaukee and Division streets, whereon a eollege was erected. All this they gave that their city might be as other eities. To those who were too poor to buy. they gave land and in many instances the material for building, that their poor might have homes.
Generous Hosts .- They were fond of entertaining their friends and pos- sessed the virtues of hospitality and that warmth of heart which was char- acteristic of those good old pioneer days. The few remaining old settlers look back with fond recollection to those ties of friendship and good cheer which at all times prevailed in and around the Juneau home.
Mr. Jean Pierre Husting, Mayville, Wis., once said of Mr. and Mrs. Juneau: "They united in their personality those qualities of unselfishness, generosity. Christianity, nobility of purpose and good will toward all mankind. rarely. if ever, found in any one individual."
After his removal to Theresa. Mr. Junean engaged in many business pur- suits, among which were a general merchandise store, saw and grist mill. and trading with the Indians. Ile was postmaster of the village. At the time of his death he was reputed to have left quite a fortune. Aside from his business enterprises, he had large real estate holdings. Mr. Junean lived to
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SOLOMON JUNEAU AND HIS FAMILY
see his Indian trading post at Milwaukee develop into a thriving city, which from the very first had been his highest ideal.
In the early part of November, 1856. Mr. Junean left Fond du Lac for the Indian Reservation at Keshena, near Shawano, Wis., to attend the ammal payment of the Indians. Ile had not been well for some time, the death of his wife had completely crushed his spirit and broken his health. His daughter, Mrs. Frank Fox, at whose home he had been visiting in Fond du Lac prior to his departure for the reservation, tried in vain to persuade her father to abandon the trip, but all effort on her part and that of her husband were of no avail. Owing to his indisposition and the inelement weather, he was taken very ill shortly after his arrival at the reservation, and he continued to grow worse until November 14, when he passed away.
All that medieal aid and careful nursing could do was done for him. Doctors Hlubsebmann and Wiley did not leave his bedside until death came. To Doetor Hübschman he gave his dying messages for his children, and he proved a faithful messenger. With him at the time of his death were Doctor Ilubsehmann, Indian agent : Doctor Wiley, Ilon. Geo. W. Lane, B. Uunkins, Edward Outhwaite, Wm. Johnson, Wm. Powell, Chas. Corron and others. At the time of his death Mr. JJuneau was sixty-three years, three months and five days.
When the announcement of his death reached Milwaukee, it was a great shock to the citizens and in faet to the entire country from Green Bay to Chicago. The Indians were broken hearted over the loss of their beloved "Solomo." He was buried on the reservation, the Indians would have it so. Ilad not the "Great Manitou" claimed his spirit. Why then did they not have the right to efaim his body. The spot selected by the Indians was on a knoll just back of the Council House. But there were others who claimed him -his grief-stricken children and the citizens of Milwaukee.
The funeral on the reservation was held from the Catholic Church, fol- lowed by a large concourse of white men and Indians. Four of his pall- bearers were Indians, one of whom was the famons Chief Oshkosh. During the services at the grave, the deep and solemn grief of the Indians, both men and women, over the loss of their "Solomo," was indeed pathetic.
When the news of Mr. Juneau's death reached Theresa, his sons, Nar- eisse and Paul, and his son-in-law, Frank Fox, left for the reservation to con- vey the remains to Milwaukee, the trip both ways being made by team. The Indians accompanied them as far as Shawano, loth to give up all that remained of their beloved friend.
On arriving at Mitwaukee his remains were taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. K. White. The funeral was held on November 26, from St. John's Cathedral, Reverend Riordan officiating. Interment was in the Catholic Cemetery at the head of Spring Street. This, however, was not the final resting place of Solomon Juneau and his wife. After a period of six- teen years their remains were removed to Calvary Cemetery.
The monument erected to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Juneau in Calvary Cemetery bears the inseription: "In memory of Solomon Juneau, Founder of Milwaukee, Born August 19, 1793, at L'Asumption, Canada."
THE SOLOMON JUNEAU MONUMENT Located at the lake front. Juneau Park
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SOLOMON JUNEAU AND HIS FAMILY
On the reverse side, "JJosette Junean, Wife of Solomon Juneau, Born at Fort Howard, 1803." In 1906 members of the Old Settlers' Club of Milwaukee placed marble markers at the head of the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Juneau.
Mrs. Solomon Juneau .- Josette Vieux was born at Fort Howard, Brown County, Wis., April 16, 1803. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Vieux and was the granddaughter of an Indian chief. Ah-ka-ne-po-way. Her girlhood was spent amidst the primitive surroundings of the frontier. She was taught to read in French. Reared a Roman Catholic, she began at an early age to do mission work among the Indians, which work she continued for many years after her marriage. She was of medim height: her black hair and eyes, clear olive complexion, low sweet voice and courteous manner, gave evidence of her French and Indian origin.
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