History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 103

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998


USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 103


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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1877- J. B. Hemenway, President; W. M. Wells, S. S. Babcock, O. Crosby, E. M. Sharp, I. R. Stall, H. G. Hollister, Trustees; A. II. Kendrick, Clerk; W. H. Nichols, Treasurer; S. W. Menzie, Police Justice: George Cotton, Supervisor; W. J. Devoue, Marshal: L. A. Barnes, Street Commissioner.


1878-0. Crosby, President; N. W. Hoag, E. Wells, H. G. Hollister, C. H. Sturtevant, E. Young, J. C. Shultz, Trustees; S. S. Babcock, Clerk; W. H. Nichols, Treasurer; J. M. Gas- kill, Police Justice; I. Y. Fitzer. Marshal; T. L. Flanders, Street Commissioner.


April 15, 1879, a special election was held, at which time the question, whether the village of Delavan should continue to exist under the special act of the Legislature incorporating the same, or will, be re-incorporated under the general laws of the State, in accordance with Chapter 140 of the revised statutes of 1878. The question was carried in favor of re-incorporation by a vote of 132 to 28.


1879 -L. Von Suessmilch, President; H. G. Hollister, Amos Phelps, E. Wells, C. H. Sturtevant, James Weed, John Shultz, Trustees; A. H. Kendrick, Clerk; I. Y. Fitzer, Treas- urer; C. H. Sturtevant, Police Justice; E. Latimer, Supervisor; L. H. Hollister, Marshal; F. A. Smith, Street Commissioner.


1880 *- J. B. Hemenway. President; W. W. Bradley, John Utter, J. F. Fishman, C. C. Blanchard, F. A. Winn, A. J. Woodbury, Trustees; A. H. Kendrick, Clerk; I. Y. Pitzer, Treas- urer; James Aram, Supervisor; Chauncey L. Sage, Marshal; I. Y. Fitzer. Street Commissioner.


1881-H. G. Hollister, President; John Utter, F. A. Winn, Fred Fishman, C. C. Blanch- ard, John B. Delaney, A. J. Woodbury, Trustees; A. H. Kendrick, Clerk; G. H. Briggs, Treasurer; James Aram. Supervisor; Chauncey L. Sage, Marshal; C. H. Sturtevant, Police Justice; J. M. Gaskill, Justice of the Peace; J. M. Fitzer, Constable.


The first journal of the Board of Trustees was purchased of C. M. McKee for the sum of $3. The by-laws were adopted at a meeting of the board June 2, 1856. The room where James Lewis then kept his office was used by the first Board of Trustees, they paying one-half rent. The purchase of furniture for this room consisted of eight chairs at " 15 shillings and a sixpence," and a table for $6. The first license granted by the board was on May 16, 1856, for the exhibition of Langrishe & Co.'s theater-fee, $5. The second license was granted June 2, 1856, to James L. Perry to set up and use a " Merry-go-round," for one day only-fee, $2. The first committees appointed by the President of the board were as follow: On Finance - James Aram, T. D. Thomas, Willard Isham; on Judiciary -- William C. Allen, J. D. Monell, Jr., Willard Isham; on Folios-William C. Allen, James Aram, Willard Isham; on Fire Do- partment-E. F. Mabie, T. D. Thomas, James Aram; on Printing-J. D. Monell, Jr., W. C. Allen, E. F. Mabie; on Licenses-Willard Isham, J. D. Monell. Jr .. E. F. Mabie; on Streets and Alleys T. D. Thomas, James Aram, J. D. Monell, Jr.


POST OFFICE.


As stated, the post office was first established in 1837, and William Phoenix appointed Postmaster. He held the office until 1845, when he was succeeded by Cyrus Brainard. He held the office but one year, being succeeded by W. C. Allen in 1846. Mr. Brainard was re-


* The records of the village are very incomplete, and in many instances the names of certain village officers are omitted.


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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.


appointed in 1847, and remained in possession until 1849, when Norman L. Gaston was ap- pointed. Mr. Gaston held the office until 1853, when N. M. Harrington was commissioned. He, however, resigned the following year, after having greatly increased the mail facilities. He was succeeded by George Cotton, who held the office for a short time only, being succeeded by J. H. Mansfield, and he in turn by Charles Smith. Mr. Smith was in possession of the office until 1870. when Martin Mulville, the present Postmaster, was commissioned. Mr. Mul ville discharges the duties of Postmaster in a manner to win the praise of the patrons of the office.


MANUFACTORIES.


The situation of Delavan, its water-power and access to the markets of the country, make it a good manufacturing point, which at present is only partly developed. The first manufactory of importance was the Phoenix Mills, which were erected by the Phoenix brothers in 1839. The building was 30x50 feet, two stories high, with two run of stone. Caleb Croswell purchased them subsequently, and, after operating them for some time, they were purchased by his brother. Edwin Croswell, who in turn disposed of them to E. F. Mabie. In 1853. Mr. Mabie built a new mill. The old one was squared around with the street, and the new one built against it, putting them both under the same roof, since which time the old mill has been used as a storeroom for grain and grists. Mr. Mabie also put in three run of stone. Amos Phelps purchased the mills in


1869 for $30,000, and they are now known as the Phelps Mills. Mr. Phelps has made various improvements to the amount of $4,000, among which is the addition of one run of stone. The mill is three and a half stories high, with a basement. In the basement is the cockle separator and the water-wheels, two in number; the first floor is the grinding floor; on the second floor, are the purifyers and bolts, and on the third floor are bolts, smutter, separator and dust-room. It has a capacity of 100 barrels per day, and about one-fourth of the flour manufactured is merchant flour, while the remainder is custom work.


The Pump and Wind-Mill Manufactory was built in 1861 by Trumbull D. Thomas. Mr. Thomas manufactured 5,000 wooden pumps per year, besides doing a general planing and re- pairing business. He was succeeded by Wood & McGregory, and in 1865 by D. S. Wood and P. M. Gormley, the firm becoming "Wood & Gormley." They enlarged the factory and in- creased the capacity of the works, continuing together for a few years, when Mr. Gormley purchased Mr. Wood's interest. In 1867, Mr. Gormley admitted A. D. Thomas as a partner under the firm name of P. M. Gormley & Co. They further increased the capacity of the works, and continued the business together until 1871, when J. J. Watson was admitted as a partner, and the firm name became Gormley, Watson & Co. At this time, they commenced the manufacture of iron pumps and the U. S. Star Wind-Mill, and added a foundry and machine- shop. The works were continued under this management until 1873, when A. H. Barnes was admitted as a partner, the firm's name remaining unchanged. In 1878, Mr. Watson withdrew from the firm, and, in 1879, Mr. Gormley died, since which time the business has been conducted under a lease by O. G. Stowell under the firm name of O. G. Stowell & Co. The factory is situated in the southeastern part of the village, near the depot, and has a capacity of 15,000 pumps and 1,800 wind-mills per year. The foundry and machine-shop are built of brick, the remainder being of frame. Thirty-five hands are steadily employed. The motive power con- sists of a sixty horse-power engine. The product of the factory is shipped to all parts of the United States, but more particularly throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.


A cheese factory was built in 1873 by a Mr. Logan, who operated it for a few years and sold out to D. G. Cheever. In January, 1881, it was purchased by J. M. Weeks. The factory is of frame, 24x50 feet, and two stories high, and represents an investment of $2,000. It con- sumes the milk of about 300 cows. In August, 1881, Mr. Weeks manufactured 15,877 pounds of cheese, consuming 103 pounds of milk in the making of a pound of cheese. This cheese is sold mostly at the factory to Eastern merchants. Besides the manufacture of cheese, abont sixty pounds of butter per day are made during the fall.


Cigar Manufactory, No. 725, was established in 1878 by the Van Velzer Brothers. They employ five men and manufacture yearly 125,000 cigars, which are shipped to various points throughout the surrounding country. Their favorite brands are the " Cash," "La Excellencia" and " La Pluma."


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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.


In 1875, N. W. Hoag erected a two-story frame elevator, in size 24x136 feet. It was first operated by horse-power, but the business increased to such an extent that a fifteen horse-power engine was added in 1876. Mr. Hoag ships about 500,000 bushels of grain per year.


SOCIETIES.


Harmony Lodge, No. 12. A., F. & A. M., was organized previous to 1854, but the charter was surrendered in 1859, and Delavan Lodge. No. 121, was instituted. Their dispensation was granted by G. M. Tracy, Grand Master, October 1, 1859, and their charter is dated June 13, 1860. The first officers were: L. H. Nichols, W. M .: Isaac Y. Fitzer. S. W .: Charles H. San- born. J. W .; Charles Smith, Secretary: Newton McGraw. Treasurer: J. W. Patterson, S. D .; W. L. Daggart, J. D .; David Lynus, Tiler. The present officers are: L. H. Nichols, W. M .; F. D. Goodrich. S. W .: A. J. Woodbury, J. W .; T. J. Smith, Treasurer; F. L. Von Suessmilch, Secretary: James Davidson, S. D .: M. Vedder, J. D .: David Lynus, Tiler. The order at present numbers seventy-two members. They have fitted up a hall at an expense of about $300, and their meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.


Delar in Chapter, No. 38, R. A. M., was instituted November 26, 1867, under a dispensa- tion granted November 7 of the same year by David H. Wright, G. H. P. The charter mem- bers were N. A. Keeler, F. L. Von Suessmilch. Volney Brundage, Stephen D. Searl, Silas W. Bowker, Lucius W. Conkey, James Stryker, David A. Christie and Thomas P. Ford. Their charter is dated February 5, 1868. The first officers were: N. A. Keeler, H. P .; Stephen D. Searl, K .: James Stryker, S .; T. J. Smith, Treasurer: F. L. Von Suessmilch, Secretary; E. S. Patterson, C. of H .; George H. Downie, P. S .: George Marsh. R. A. C .; David Lynns, G. : L. H. Nichols, M. 3d V .; H. W. Worth, M. 2d V .; C. H. Blair, M. Ist V. The present offi- cers are: S. S. Paul. H. P. : Isaac Y. Fitzer. K. ; D. B. Devendorf, S. ; T. J. Smith, Treasurer: F. L. Von Suessmilch. Secretary; K. N. Hollister, C. of H .: H. C. Gaskell. P. S .; J. B. Will- iams. R. A. C .; David Lynus, G .; M. Vedder, M. 3d V .; A. J. Woodbury, M. 2d V .: James Davidson, M. 1st V. There are at present forty members. Their meetings are held in the hall of Delavan Lodge on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.


Olive Branch Lodge, No. 9. I. O. O. F., was instituted July 14, 1871, with Isaac Y. Fitzer, H. B. Dunham, T. Q. Low. David Lynus. Newton MeGraw and C. Low as the charter mem- bers. Their charter is dated December S. 1871. The first officers were: Isaac Y. Fitzer, N. G .; T. Q. Low. V. G .; Silas W. Menzie. R. S. The present officers are: T. Q. Low, N. G .; Elias Dewey, V. G. : F. A. Smith. R. S .; T. Moore, P. Sec. ; A. H. Kendrick, Treasurer. There are at present sixty-five members, and their meetings are held every Friday evening. They have rented and fitted up a hall at an expense of $500.


George H. Thomas Post. No. 6, G. A. R .. was organized November 25. 1879, with the fol- lowing-named persons as the charter members: Elias Dewey. Martin Mulville. Dr. H. D. Bul- Iard. F. W. Hutchins, Rev. Joel Clark. E. B. Judson. W. A. Knilans. Dr. C. C. Blanchard. A. Corbin. W. P. Webster. Thomas Mosher. Evan Jones. W. B. Moffatt, Dr. D. B. Devendorf, I. C. Abbott, H. C. Clark, N. C. Williams. Charles Van Wagner, Peter Nelson and James Will- iams. Their charter is dated November 25, 1879, and the first regular meeting was held on December 3 of the same year. The first officers were: Elias Dewey. Com .; Dr. D. B. Devendorf, S. V. Com .: F. W. Hutchins, J. V. Com .; Dr. H. D. Bullard, Adj: Martin Mulville, Q. M .; Dr. C. C. Blanchard. Surgeon; Charles Van Wagner. O. D. : H. L. Clark, O. G .; Rev. Joel Clark. Chaplain. They have fitted up a hall at an expense of $75. and have one of the most prosperous institutions of the kind in the county. From the Ist of October to the 1st of June, meetings are held every Saturday evening, and, on the first and second Saturdays of each month during the remainder of the year. The present officers are: Elias Dewey. Com .: George C. Clark. S. V. Com .; H. L. Mallery, J. V. C .; Dr. D. B. Devendorf. Surgeon; Martin Mulville, Q. M .: R. S. Miner, O. D .; Charles Burr, O. G .: -- Schilling, Chaplain. The institution at present numbers eighty-two members.


Delaran Cornet Band. - June 2. 1868, a meeting was held at the room of K. N. Hollister for the purpose of organizing a brass band. K. N. Hollister was made Chairman of this meet- ing and D. B. Barnes, Secretary. The organization was effected with the following members: K. N. Hollister, E. S. Patterson, Joseph Hall, D. B. Barnes, F. A. Winn, E. Thomas, R. Will-


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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.


iams and H. Clark. The officers elected were K. N. Hollister. President; D. B. Barnes, Secre- tary; E. S. Patterson, Treasurer; Joseph Hall, leader. Instruments were soon afterward pur- chased by the band at a cost of about $350. Their advancement in musical skill and science was so great that they soon had the reputation of being one of the best in this part of the State, and their services were generally in request on public occasions. This organization existed until 1876, when it was abandoned. April 28, 1880, the band was re-organized by the election of F. Burrows as President; F. Hemenway, Secretary; W. C. Van Velzor, Treasurer, and E. Baluff, leader. F. A. Winn was soon afterward elected leader in place of Mr. Baluff, who moved from the village. This organization has purchased an entire new set of instruments at a cost of about $300. The present members are: F. A. Winn, Fred Burrows, Howard Williams, E. F. Williams, Charles Crary, George Briggs, Charles Shultz, George Camp, Charles Briggs, James Parsons, R. Laughlin, Ed Leech and G. L. Collie. The officers are: F. A. Winn, leader; Fred Burrows, President: Howard Williams, Secretary; E. F. Williams, Treasurer.


Fire Department .- In July, 1876, a mass meeting was held in "Maple Grove Park, " at which time the subject of the organization of a fire department was discussed. A committee was appointed to await upon the Board of Trustees and request them to purchase fire apparatus, etc. They subsequently purchased a Babcock fire-extinguisher, together with 300 feet of hose, for $2,200. Delavan Company, No. 1, was duly organized July 8, 1876, by the election of D. B. Barnes, Foreman; A. W. Pierce, First Assistant Foreman: G. F. Hemenway, Second Assist- ant Foreman; D. T. Gifford, Engineer; N. O. Francisco. Assistant Engineer; H. Gorman, Captain of hose; G. H. Sturtevant, First Assistant Captain of hose: W. H. Decker, Second Assistant Captain of hose; C. J. Walton, Secretary; L. H. Nichols, Treasurer. At the elec- tion of officers in 1877, D. B. Barnes was elected as Foreman; L. H. Nichols, First Assist- ant Foreman; J. E. Menzie, Second Assistant Foreman; C. J. Walton, Secretary; W. B. Munsell, Treasurer. At the election of officers in 1878, F. A. Smith was elected as Foreman; L. H. Nichols, First Assistant; S. W. Menzie, Secretary; W. B. Munsell, Treasurer. At the election in 1879, S. W. Menzie was elected as Foreman; J. Davidson, First Assistant Fore- man; L. H. Nichols, Second Assistant Foreman: J. Devendorf, Secretary: J. B. Bossi, Treas- nrer. In October, 1879, Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2, was organized with L. H. Nichols, Foreman; W. H. Decker, First Assistant Foreman: M. Vedder, Second Assistant Foreman; J. E. Mosher, Secretary; C. A. Sage, Treasurer. The Board of Trustees had made, at a cost of $300, a hook and ladder truck, which is now equipped with 142 feet of ladder, hose reel, buckets, etc. At the election of officers for Delavan Company, No. 1, in 1SS0, C. J. Walton was elected Foreman: F. A. Winn, First Assistant Foreman; C. T. Isham, Second Assistant Foreman; E. Madden, Jr., Secretary; J. B. Bossi, Treasurer. The officers of Pioneer Company, No. 2, for 1879, were re-elected in 1880. The present officers of Delavan Company, No. 1, are F. A. Smith, Foreman: F. A. Winn, First Assistant Foreman; J. R. Will- iams, Second Assistant Foreman; E. Madden, Jr., Secretary: J. B. Bossi, Treasurer. The present officers of Pioneer, No. 2, are M. Vedder, Foreman: Will Blanchard, First Assistant Foreman; F. C. Van Velzer, Second Assistant Foreman; F. W. Hoag, Treasurer; Bert Webster, Secretary. The first fire that occurred after the fire department was organized was a large barn belonging to H. B. Worth, which was struck by lightning and entirely consumed at a loss of $400. The second fire was a dwelling house belonging to the same person, which occurred in April, 1878. This, however, was extinguished. The loss was $150. The third was at the ele- vator of N. W. Hoag, in September. 1878, which was extinguished with but a small loss. Soon after this occurred the company received the following notice:


F. A. SMITH, Foreman:


Dear Sir-Will you please accept a small contribution ($10) herewith inclosed, for the benefit of your company, as a matter of gratitude for the prompt manner in which the company responded to the call on the alarm of fire at the new elevator, running half a mile, from the engine house to the elevator, in just three and a half minutes from the first tap of the gong.


JAMES ARAM.


At the same time. N. W. Hoag presented the company with an elegant brass trumpet, on which is neatly engraved the date of the fire. The next fire that occurred was the residence of George Leach, in January. 1879, which was also extinguished, the loss amounting to about


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IFSTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.


$100. The next and the last fire was the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, in September, 1879, the building being entirely consumel, at a loss of nearly $40,000. In May. 1880. the office of Fire Marshal was established. S. W. Menzie was elected to that office and re-elected in 1881.


Delavan Temperance Society .- Probably the first temperance organization in Wisconsin. " At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Delavan, convened at the house of Milo Kelsey, on the 29th of December, 1538, for the purpose of forming a temperance association, a pre- amble and constitution was adopted. The following officers were elected: Solomon Thomas. President; Charles S. Bailey, Vice President; C. Brainard, Secretary." The first twenty-four names of members recorded are: Ichabod Brainard, C. S. Bailey, Edwin Brainard, A. B. Par- sons, W. A. Bartlett. E. G. Warner, Samuel F. Phoenix, Daniel Gates, Franklin K. Phoenix, Milo Kelsey, Oscar Mitteson, Henry Phoenix, Susan H. Phoenix, Ann Phoenix, Hannah Older, Mary A. Phoenix. Mary C. Phoenix, Mary A. Bartlett, Caroline B. Foster, Mary Bruce, Amanda Lippert, Batsey Thomas, Jane Pepper, Sarah A. Phoenix. A list of 305 members is given on the records up to January 1, 1843, without dates of admission. From that date, January, 1843. to December, 1847, 246 additional members are recorded. The first move to unite temperance and politics was made at a meeting of the society at Milo Kesley's house, held March 30, 1839. On motion of Edward Norris, the following resolution was adopted:


Resolved, That the friends of Temperance and lovers of philanthropy should, regardless of party politics or sectional interest. as they go to the polls, cast their votes for Temperance men instead of others, other things being equal.


This resolution was rescinded February 12, 1840.


Probably the first move toward prohibition in the Territory of Wisconsin was made at a meeting held February 12. 1840, at the house of Alonzo E. Grows. Meeting opened by prayer. The following resolution was offered by E. Norris and adopted:


WHEREAS, Believing the present law of this Territory licensing the retail traffic in alcoholic drinks as a beverage to be immoral in its tendency and destructive in its influences, not only upon our political and moral but upon our social institutions, therefore


Resolved, That this Society recommends the Territorial Temperance Society to take measures at or pre- vious to the next session of the Legislature of this Territory, to secure not only the repeal of the law above named, but the passage of a law prohibiting the retail traffic in alcoholic drinks as a beverage in this Territory.


A revised constitution was adopted instead of the old one, at a meeting held in the Bap tist Church, December 29, 1841.


May 2, 1844, a resolution was adopted prohibiting members of the society from stopping at a tavern where intoxicating drinks are sold, when any temperance house is accessible.


Minutes of last meeting noted in book of records, as follows:


July 28, 1847 .- The society met agreeable to public notice. Opened by prayer; a song by S. R. La Bar. The meeting then listened to an address by S. S. Barlow, Esq. Song by A. B. Parsons. Edward Norris ap- pointed speaker for the next meeting. Then adjourned.


II. M. SANDFORD, Sec.


Of those mentioned at this meeting, La Bar and Parsons only are living. Mr. Parsons is authority for the statement that that was the end of the society as an organization. Others suc- ceeded it, of which we have no account.


The Delavan Christian Temperance Union was organized November 26. 1881. Silas W. Menzie, President; E. W. Conable, F. D. Goodrich and James Parsons. Vice Presidents; H. L. Clark, Secretary: Miss D. Johnson, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Libbie De Wolf, Treas- urer. Membership. January 23, 1882, 850. This organization is doing a grand work and pros- pering beyond all expectations.


.


The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is an organization that has been in operation some time.


BANKS.


The Walworth County Bank was established in about 1856, with W. C. Allen. President, and W. H. Dinsmore, Cashier. This continued to flourish, doing a heavy banking business until 1865, when it was succeeded by the National Bank of Delavan, which was incorporated June 9 of that year. The incorporators were W. Aug Ray. Anson H. Barnes, Sarah P. Kel- sey, W. C. Allen, D. B. Barnes, Milo Bell. A. D. Thomas, L. Pitkin, James A. Bell. Otho Bell. Henry M. Ray, Ebenezer Latimer, Ira Ford, J. Mabie, Charles T. Smith, Salmon Thomas and


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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.


W. W. Sturtevant. Its first President was Otho Bell, with W. Ang Ray as Cashier. The amount of capital stock was $50,000. Mr. Bell was succeeded as President by Charles T. Smith and he in turn by E. Latimer. The bank continued to exist until January 8, 1880; oppressive taxation, gradual decline on Government bonds, expense attending the redemption of circul i- tion, etc., being the principal reasons for its closing. It was succeeded by the banking house of E. Latimer & Co., this organization being an unlimited partnership. The parties at its organi- zation were E. Latimer, F. L. Von Suessmilch and A. H. Kendrick. March 16, 1881, N. M. Harrington, James Aram and J. J. Johnson were admitted as equal partners, increasing the re- sponsibility of the firm to over $300,000 -- an amount not equaled by any banking institution in the county, and making it one of the strongest banking institutions in the State, and for this reason, viz., that each and every partner is individually responsible to every depositor, and that such responsibility is not limited to an assessment simply, as is the case in all national, State and stock banks. In other words, every depositor in this banking institution has the same security for his money that he would have had he a promissory note signed jointly by its six partners. The President of this bank is E. Latimer, with A. H. Kendrick, Cashier.


The Citizens' Bank of Delavan was organized early in the year 1875, by a number of the leading citizens and capitalists of Delavan and surrounding towns. Prominent among the con- stituent stockholders of this bank were Edgar Topping, Otho Bell and Hon. Willard Isham, all since deceased. Others were S. R. La Bar, C. H. Sturtevant, A. T. Parish, Frank Leland, James H. Camp, J. H. Goodrich, of Delavan, with John De Wolf and Charles S. Teeple, of Darien; T. P. James, of Richmond; H. G. Reichwald, of Janesville, and others. These are all stockholders


at the present time. The bank was legally organized February 24, 1875, and commenced busi- ness in the building it now occupies March 11 of the same year. Its first President was Hon. Frank Leland, who served the bank efficiently three years, when he resigned to accept the ap- pointment of United States Consul at Hamilton, Canada. On the retirement of Mr. Leland, the stockholders elected Hon. George Cotton to the vacant presidency, which position he has since and still fills with honor and efficiency. T. P. James, of Richmond, is Vice President; Charles B. Tallman was elected Cashier at the first meeting of the stockholders and has been unani- mously re-elected at each successive election. Mr. Tallman has given to the bank the best energies of a young but well-disciplined business man. The bank was organized by and under the statutes of Wisconsin, and is what is known as a "State Bank." making semi-annual reports to the State authorities. It took a leading position at once in the community upon its organi- zation, and its business has steadily increased until now there are but few banks in the State ontside of the large cities that do the volume of business done by this bank. It is managed upon the most conservative principles, never speculating or investing its funds in speculative paper. It is chartered to February 24, A. D. 1900.




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