History of Milwaukee from its first settlement to the year 1895, Part 68

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. cn
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago and New York, American Biographical Publishing Co
Number of Pages: 840

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In his private business affairs, Mr. Smith was industrious, accurate, honest, and as a matter of of course, successful. He treated everybody in such a manner as inspired their entire confidence in him as an upright business man, and this confi- dence was never abused. After successful busi- ness operations at Fox Lake, as merchant and banker for over twenty years, in 1872 he removed to Milwaukee and established himself in this city

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as a wholesale grocer. On being elected governor of the state, he sold out his interest in that busi- ness, and devoted himself wholly to state affairs. On retiring from official position he again en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, formed a copartner- ship with H. M. Mendell, and his son Ira Smith, in the wholesale grocery trade, and continued in business up to the time of his death. It seemed no trouble for him to pass froming civil life to offi- cial position and back again to civil life. He was so schooled in his habits that business was a mat- ter of course. He could leave the store for the chair of state, and when official duties were done, leave the executive chair and resume duties in the counting-room without the least friction, and he was alike at home in both positions.

In politics, he was in early life an ardent Whig, and upon the formation of the Republican party, became a zealous and influential member of that organization. He acted from honest convictions as to what was right, and always treated his op- ponents with courtesy and fairness. In his per- sonal friendship he was warm and sincere, a genial companion, quick and generous in his sympathies a kind and obliging neighbor, and a conscientious Christian gentleman.

He died February 13, 1883, and not only the entire state of Wisconsin, but the country at large mourned his loss. Resolutions eulogistic of his life and character, were adopted by social, relig- ious, educational and commercial organizations in all portions of the state, and scores of letters and telegrams of condolence came to his family from all parts of the country, testifying to the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow citi- zens. By an official proclamation of Governor Rusk, public business was suspended in the state department at Madison on the day of the funeral and a committee of the most distinguished citizens of the state attended the obsequies as representa- tives of the state government. The press of the state regardless of political predilections, paid tribute to his worth as a man and his high char- acter as a public official, and the following edi- torial utterance aptly delineates his character and summarizes the results of his beneficent existence.

"For over thirty years Mr. Smith had been con- spicuous in the public affairs of Wisconsin, and he brought that long and honorable career down to its close without spot, blemish or suspicion. He carried more actual experience in state craft

into the executive chamber than any of his prede- cessors. He took for his private secretary a care- ful, able lawyer, a passionless analyst, a very expert in vivisection -and the two together studied, weighed and tested every enactment, document and policy with true Scotch tenacity before it received executive sanction. No flaw, job or unconstitutional provision of nugatory acts escaped them. Wisconsin never had and never can have a more careful and painstaking executive nor one charged with fewer errors The state was prosperous while he was governor, and he neglected nothing that seemed likely to make it more so. He visited county fairs and public gatherings, watched the public domain, inspected carefully and frequently every state penal, chari- table and reformatory institution, wrought faith- fully to secure for Wisconsin her balance of the old war debt, went several times to Washington to compel the department of the interior to patent to the schools their full share of public lands, and to induce the treasury to liquidate the overflowed land judgments ; was present at and took deep interest in commencement exercises, looked after the fish hatcheries, encouraged the farmers, was active as a member of the board of immigration, fought the advance of financial heresies, made friends everywhere and asked their advice-in short, was diligent everywhere and always for Wisconsin, whose resources and advantages he never ceased to point out and whose praises he never ceased to sound. No executive ever more thoroughly enjoyed the respect and confidence of his people. They knew him to be honest, careful and safe-they felt like the child who said he had no fear of the storm because his 'father was at the helm.' In all the other public offices Mr. Smith occupied his record is equally clean and honorable. Jobbers and corruptionists could not approach him, nor could their tricks pass nndiscovered and undestroyed under his hand.

" In private life he was an accomplished exem- plar. His perfectly stainless walk was worth, as an example to the young, all the sermons that were preached in his hearing. Socially, he was approached by all, high and low, rich and poor. He was genial, courteous, accommodating and steadfast He never put his hand to the plow and looked back, and his influence was everywhere for the good."

Yours truly ishausen

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

A. F. W. COTZHAUSEN, lawyer, orator, student and reformer, is one of the strikingly in- teresting personalities of Milwaukee. Few resi- dents of the city are so well known to the general public and fewer still have labored with the same tenacity of purpose to achieve brilliant success. The motto over the portal of his Metropolitan block, built in 1890, is "Labor Omnia Vincit," and he has in many ways demonstrated that he is a firm believer in the sentiment of the Latin proverb.

Ewald Alfred Arthur Frederick William von Cotzhausen is a native of Rhine-Prussia, born July 21, 1838, at "Cambach," an ancient castle near Aix-la-chapelle. In the Gotha Genealogieal Calendar, of 1885, he is stated to be the youngest son of Heinrich Wilhelm Ludwig Freiherr von Cotzhausen-Wedau, who, under the regime of Napoleon I., acted as president du College Elec- toral, and was created a Baron de l'Empire by imperial decree of 1811. His father died while "Fritz" (as he was called after his godfather, the Crown Prince of Prussia), was quite young, and his education devolved on his mother, née von Broich, a highly-cultivated lady of aimable, but firm character. As the feudal estate descended to the eldest son, the boy became early impressed with the necessity of relying on his own exertions, if ambitious of his future position. Opportunity for the best of schooling was, however, not want- ing. From 1847 to 1853 we find him in the Gus- tavus Adolphus College in Moers, and from 1853 to 1856 at the Gewerbe Schule in Cologne. At a public anniversary in 1852, he was presented to the king and given an opportunity to enter the navy, which was then in process of formation, but defective eyesight and a strong desire to in- hale the free air of the far West, prompted him to pursue his collegiate and scientific studies until he came to Milwaukee in 1856.

Admitted to the bar of this eity in 1859, he soon took rank among its leading members, and in a comparatively short time had secured a large and lucrative practice. As early .as 1870 he acted as general counsel for the Lake Shore Railroad, and it was largely due to his exertions that Milwau- kee secured this important northern railway con- nection. His name is identified with a large number of important eases in the local courts, and his patent practice made him for long years a familiar figure in the courts of other states.

By close and assiduous study he has acquired

an extensive knowledge of law, has become thoroughly familiar with the theories and techni- calities of his profession and is lueid and emi- nently practical, in the application of the law to the facts. When he warms up on a subject, how- ever, his acute perception, keen logic and concise dietion denote marvelous intellectnal vigor and his broad culture, lofty ideals, and warmth of delivery impart force and magical power to his oratorical efforts. For thirty years he has prae- tieed continuously at the bar, and constituted as he was it has followed as a natural consequence that he did not laek opportunities for political preferment, although he has held office but once. In 1873-74 he represented Milwaukee in the State Senate, where he served with great distinction. Being then tendered a flattering invitation to ac- cept a nomination for Congress, which was equiv- alent to an election, we find him declining the honor with the remark : "I have never learned to make a public position subserve private ends. I cannot afford to pursue polities as my vocation."

An opposition newspaper once said of him during a political campaign : " Mr. Cotzhausen is not a man of particularly commanding appear- ance, although of dignified presence, courtly man- ners and pleasing address. Short-sighted as many students are, spectacles have the effect of detract- ing from the appearance of his face instead of adding an intellectual expression as they do in some instances. When he first appears among strangers he chills instead of attracting his audiences and has to make his way by sheer force of ability."

It is not often that he appears on the political surface, but when he does there is generally some marked result. In debate he is very set in his ideas and brooks no opposition. One of his open- ing sentences in opposition to the Bennett Law in 1890 characterizes him best. Alluding to his attitude toward the subject under consideration he said: " I think it ought by this time to be fairly understood that I am not particularly in the habit of either drifting with the current or catering for publie favor at the sacrifice of personal convictions. Even my politieal preferences and affiliations are not always sufficiently strong to overcome a certain spirit of independence from party which-as I grow older-becomes almost a second part of nature."

His independence is a distinguishing character- istie, and he has been a conspieious figure in local

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political reform movements. Of late he has retired from the general practice of law and acts as counsel merely in special matters entrusted to his care, spending a great portion of his time in literary pursuits and quiet retirement at his beautiful farm in the town of Greenfield. He apparently enjoys good fellowship, and his genial, social habits attract numerous friends to his home.

GEORGE ABERT was one of the able heuten- ants of Byron Kilbourn in inaugurating many of the enterprises with which that distinguished pioneer was identified, and for many years there- after was prominent in business circles and in public life.

Mr. Abert was born May 10, 1817, in the prov- ince of Alsace, then in France, now a part of the German Empire. His parents, Philip and Mag- dalena Abert, were also natives of Alsace, where his father owned and operated a grist-mill, and engaged to a considerable extent in the cultivation of lands of which he was also the owner. The father died at the age of thirty-one, and the son was left at the tender age of ten years without paternal care or guardianship. The following year (1829) George's uncle, Martin Abert, decided to emigrate with his family to the United States. At that time George was only eleven years old, but he had shown a strength of character seldom observed in a lad of his age. Ile manifested a de- termined purpose to seek his fortune in America and accompanied his uncle, who arrived in New York the same year, settling at Lyons, in Wayne county, of that state. Here he worked during the summer months and attended the schools, such as they had at that time, during the winter, until he was fourteen years of age. At that time he de- cided to throw off the fetters of boyhood and manage his own ship, and bidding adien to his uncle and family at Lyons, he came west to Columbus, Ohio, where he at once succeeded in finding employment, although the compensation for labor at that time was a mere pittance as com- pared with that of the present time. Ile managed closely, and at the end of three years had saved a small sum of money. At that time he heard much talk of the territory further west, and the spirit which had prompted him to leave his early home caused him to look longingly toward this new field for enterprise and activity. Wishing first to see his uncle and family he returned to Lyons, and after a short visit bade them adieu and

started for Buffalo, New York, where he secured passage on one of the first boats leaving Buffalo for Milwaukee, reaching here in July of 1836.

Here he readily found employment with Byron Kilbourn, assisting him to make land surveys in various sections of the territory, and also in laying out roadways leading from Milwaukee into the interior. One of the first roads thus laid out (still known as Kilbourn road) was surveyed to Rock river, Racine county, the route being marked by notches in trees, and with other recognized land marks.

In 1837 he accompanied Mr. Kilbourn, who had important legislative business to attend to, to Burlington, now in Iowa, at which place the ter- ritorial legislature was in session. Each journeyed on horseback, with packages of provisions and blankets strapped to their saddles, traveling through heavy, thick forests, and a generally wild country, finding such paths and openings as were available, and frequently being obliged to go many miles out of their way to get around a lake, or find a place where they could cross a stream of water. When night came they would unpack their blankets and go into camp, continu- ing the travel when day appeared until their des- tination was reached.

In the winter of 1838 a land grant was wanted for the Rock River Canal, and a trip to Washing- ton, D. C., was necessary, which at that time of the year was beset with many hardships. Mr. Abert was selected to make the trip, and traveled alone from Milwaukee to the capitol in a sleigh. At another time, on other business, he went to Columbus, Ohio, on horseback, returning in the same manner.

Mr. Abert made some entry claims of lands. On one claim of forty acres on Root river, he erected a cabin, and afterward put a tenant into it, supplying him with a small stock of groceries and provisions. Several months elapsing, he went to look after his land, and found that the tenant, stock and all, had departed for unknown parts. In 1839 he purchased a corner lot at the intersec- tion of Third and Poplar streets-which still be- longs to his estate-on which he erected a build- ing in which the first bakery on the West Side was established.

In 1843 he established a pottery in this eity, having secured a practical potter to superintend it. The demand for such articles being very lim-

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ited, it was abandoned after one year's existence. Ile afterwards engaged in general contracting business, making roadways and grading streets, following this business for many years success- fully. Some of the first roads he made partly through lowlands, enting down poplar and tama- rack trees, and then filling earth over them to make a road-bed.

In 1846 when Milwaukee was by charter made a city, he was elected an alderman, representing his ward in the first council of the city govern- ment. In this year a fugitive negro slave and wife arrived in Milwaukee. Mr. Abert sheltered the Negro and wife, building a small cabin for them on his land a short distance from the city. The couple was to occupy it, and in recompense the Negro was to cut cord wood and clear off the land. Becoming alarmed and fearing that his master might discover his whereabouts, "Bill Windfree," as he called himself, suddenly disap- peared after one season's work.

Mr. Abert took a very active part in political affairs at the time Wisconsin became a state, "in 1848." The first proposed constitution met with much opposition, and his influence, along with that of other Milwaukee citizens had much to do with securing its rejection at the hands of the people. A second constitution drafted by a later convention met with favor and was adopted. Mr. Abert was a representative in the state legis- lature in 1861, '62 and '63. He was again elected to the same office for the sessions of 1868, '69, '70 and '72. In politics he was a Democrat of con- servative tendencies, supporting all war measures by his vote in the legislature, and diligently work- ing to secure all necessary legislation for the city of his adoption, and for the general welfare of the state. He also served as Railroad Commis- sioner and acquitted himself with great credit to himself, as well as his constituents.

He always did his utmost to advance and pro- mote the general growth and prosperity of the city, and many persons were guided and advised in locating shops and manufactories in the city, by his judgment. In 1865 Mr. Abert established the first iron foundry in the Northwest devoted exclusively to the manufacture of stoves and hollow-ware-at that time the only one west of New York state-which was for many years car- ried on successfully.

He was a man of marked individuality and

quick perceptions and a vast amount of know- ledge of things in general. A man of great executive ability he made a success of every enterprise he was actively associated with, and was instrumental in the establishment of many of the most important industries in the city.

He had a vein of quiet humor which made him a very companionable man, was a liberal giver to all worthy charitable institutions and did a wonderful amount of good in a quiet way. Later in life having acquired large landed interests, he retired from the cares of active business and devoted his energies chiefly to looking after his real estate investments.

In July, 1840, he married Lonise Ackerman, a native of Bavaria, who came to Detroit in 1833 with her parents. Mrs. Abert died October 26, 1889, after a well spent life of nearly seventy-one years, and her husband followed her in a little less than one year, his death occurring October 14, 1890, at the family residence erected by him in 1849.

In all the relations of life, as citizen, husband, father and friend, he commanded the respect and won the esteem of all who knew him. He died full of years and of honors, after a well spent life here, and in full faith of the life to come.

HARRISON LUDINGTON was born at Lud- ingtonville, Putnam county, New York, July 30, 1812, to Frederick and Susan (Griffith) Luding- ton, who had fifteen children. His father who was one of the twelve children of Colonel Henry Ludington was born June 10, 1782, and he died July 23, 1852. His mother, who was of Welsh descent, was born September 10, 1794, and died August 22, 1855.

The Ludington family is of English origin, and was first represented in America by one William Ludington, who settled in Bradford, Connecticut, and died there in 1662. Descended from him in direct line were William1, William2, Henry , Henry2 and William3. The second son of the last named, also named William, was born in 1702, and in 1730 married Mary Knowles. Their second child, but first son, was Henry Luding- ton, our subject's grandfather, who was born May 25, 1736, at Bradford, Connecticut, and died Jan- uary 29, 1817. At the age of seventeen he en- listed as a private, and served in the Second Reg- iment of Connecticut troops from 1756 to 1760, participating in the French and Indian War, and

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at the close of the campaign was detailed to con- duct a band of invalid soldiers through New England to their homes. On May 1, 1760, he married Abigail Ludington, his cousin, and the following year moved to Fredricksburg Precint (now Kent) New York, and leased a tract of two hundred and twenty-six acres of land which he bought in 1812, and on which he began building mills. By reason of his military record and enterprising spirit he became influential, and was a leader in his community. On May 4, 1777, he was appointed a commissioner with John Jay and Col. Thomas, to quell riots and subdue insurrec- tions in Duchess and Westchester counties, and directed by the government to co-operate with Robert R. Livingston, Zephaniah Platt and Mat- thew Cantine, a similar committee, with authority to call to their aid the militia when needed. Ilis captain's commission was signed by Gov. Truman, February 13, 1773, and his commission as colonel was dated June 13, 1775, and signed by Gov. Clinton. When the War of the Revolution opened he joined the Patriots and was made colonel of his old regiment by the Provisional Congress of the Colony of New York, his com- mission, dated June 17, 1776, bearing the signa- ture of Nathaniel Woodhull, president of that body. He fought in the battle of Richfield and was aide to General Washington at Whiteplains, and was afterwards complimented by Washington for his efficient service. As indicating his promi- nence it may be stated that Gen. Howe offered one hundred guineas for his capture dead or alive. He served in the legislature from 1778 to 1781, and again in 1786 to 1787.

Our subject received a good academic education in his native village, and in 1838, at the age of twenty-six, settled in Milwaukee, and engaged in business as successor to Solomon Juneau, Milwaukee's first white settler. Ile was first associated with his uncle, Lewis Ludington, and Harvey Birchard, their business being located in Juneau's old warehouse on the northwest corner of Wisconsin and East Water streets. Mr. Birchard withdrew a few years later, and a new firm, composed of Lewis, Harrison and Nelson Ludington was formed and engaged in the lumber trade. Three years later this firm dissolved, and our subject associated with himself Messrs. Daniel Wells, Jr., and A. G. Van Schaick of Chicago, and laid the foundations of a business in which he

continued forty years, passing through financial depressions, war panies and various commercial revulsions with credit unimpared, and becoming a leader among the lumbermen of the Northwest. This firm, of which he was the head, owns mills at Menominee, Michigan, and in other places, with large tracts of land in that state and in Louisiana and Texas, and an extensive stock farm on the Brule river in Michigan; and for many years were the largest producers of lumber in the world, their annual output aggregating many millions of feet. Mr. Ludington, also, at one time, was largely interested in the Ludington mine at Iron Mountain, named after him; besides, he owned large real estate interests in Milwaukee, including the corner of East Water and Wisconsin streets, now leased by Captain Pabst for ninety- nine years, at an annual rental of ten thousand dollars. He was a lover of blooded stock, and devoted much time to his farm at Wauwatosa, and was one of the leading promoters of the "Wis- consin Agricultural Society," serving as its effici- ent treasurer many years. He served three years as president of the " Pioneer Association," of which he was an honored member, and was present at its reunion held at the Plankinton House, February 22, 1891.

Harrison Ludington was great, not only in the conduct of his business enterprises, but also as a citizen and public official. He inherited many of the sturdy, rugged and sterling qualities and characteristics of his noted ancestors, and in the management of public af- fairs was an aggressive and leading spirit. He was not an office seeker, but cheerfully responded to the call of his fellow citizens. He was origi- nally a Whig, but became affiliated with the Re- publican party on its organization in 1856 and always stood true to its principles, though he was a patriot rather than a partisan. He was a man of strong convictions and dauntless courage ; broad-minded and far-sighted, with ability to plan great things and conduct his plans to a successful issue. And, because of his straight-forward, practical, unselfish and honorable methods, and his fidelity to manly principles, men confided in him and honored him, and their confidence was never betrayed. He served as a member of Mil- waukee's Common Council in 1861, and again in 1862. In 1871 he was elected mayor, and re- elected in 1873 and held the office till January,

Henry C. Runkel

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1876, when he resigned to assume the duties of the governorship of Wisconsin, to which he was elected the preceding November, receiving eighty- five thousand one hundred and sixty-four votes, as against eighty-four thousand three hundred and seventy-four cast for Mr. William R. Taylor the Democratic candidate. He was the only Republi- can nominated for a state office elected at that time, a fact which was in a nieasure due to his popularity among the German workingmen of Milwaukee, as well as with the strong Irish ele- ment. As governor, he enforced the same prac- tical, prompt and energetic methods, and was guided by the same high-minded and honorable spirit that characterized him in his private affairs, and at the close of his term, such had been his conduct that it challenged the ad- miration of even his political opponents and com- manded the respect of all. He was a man of independent action, able to think for himself, and, by reason of his fidelity to his own convictions of duty, he incurred the opposition of some of the old-time leaders of his party, who prevented his nomination for a second term-an honor,however, which he himself did not seek, having the assur- ance of a good conscience and knowing that he had discharged his duty faithfully and well. His political career terminated with the close of his service as governor, and he at once resnmed the duties of his private business, which thereafter en- gaged his attention. He belonged to that class of Milwaukee's early settlers to whose sturdy enter- prise and clear foresight the present generation is indebted for the prosperity that is theirs. IIe brought thither the first seed wheat from the East, and bought the first load of grain brought to our market. He was a determined and decisive man, whose yea meant yea and whose nay was nav, so it was but natural that he should gain the appellation of " Bluff Old Hal." But, withal, he was a man of broad sympathies, tender-hearted as a child, and among the poor, the oppressed, the unfortunate he was loved for his unselfish chari- ties, and his memory is revered as that of a kind benefactor and trusted friend. There was in his character nothing of meanness; he was plain,simple and outspoken, sometimes even brusque in man- ner, but his heart was right and he was guided by strong common sense and made few mistakes. His fidelity and loyalty to right principles was marked; he despised shams and hated a lie. In

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History of Milwaukee from its first settlement to the year 1895, Part 68

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. cn Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago and New York, American Biographical Publishing Co Number of Pages: 840

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. cn
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago and New York, American Biographical Publishing Co
Number of Pages: 840