USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 140
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In addition to the ordinary features of pleasure and pastime, such as is afforded by a fine, half-mile race-course, and elegant billiard and ten-pin hall, and in croquet, base-ball, boating, etc., is the well known Wyant's Museum. His museum is not a mere collection of oddities and monstrosities, but one of great value from a historic and scientific point of view. The museum is especially rich in its collection of relics of the aborigines and the succeeding Indians, and large numbers of interesting articles from the South Sea Islands.
883
HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
PISHCOTAQUA PARK HOUSE,
about five miles up the lake, is owned and managed by Mr. C. F. Hall. The park has an area of sixteen acres, and a lake shore of 100 rods. It has been tastily and handsomely laid out into walks and drives, with plenty of shade in the heavy growth of oaks and maples, where the great- est of comfort may be found. The hotel was built a year ago, and called from an old Indian name of the lake, " Pish-co-ta-qua," signifying " sparkling water." This hotel is the largest on the lake shore, the largest of its kind in the Northwest, and was built upon plans intended to procure the greatest comfort and coolness during the heat of summer. It extends along the lake shore 174 feet long, and is ninety feet deep in the wing, and four stories high, making a build-
ALELLEFL
COMODOHE
PISHCOTAQUA PARK HOUSE
ing that is at once pleasant and homelike in appearance. Every room in the house connects, making them all breezy, comfortable and well ventilated.
The great attraction of Pishcotaqua Park House is the system of verandas by which the whole house is surrounded from every story, and which gives a grand total of over two thousand feet of veranda, twelve feet wide, whereon guests may find at all times of the day a cool and shady spot. A play ground especially for children, is one of the features of the park, and one that will be appreciated by parents. A fine bowling alley, a shooting gallery, and billiard hall offer amusement to all who may desire, while a large fleet of row boats can always be obtained. Plenty of camping grounds of great beauty and convenience can be obtained at the park, and campers are made heartily welcome at all times. A few rods from the hotel are healthful min- eral springs, whose waters have been shown by chemical analysis to be as highly impregnated with life-giving properties as are any of the celebrated springs of either the East or West.
884
HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
PARKS AND CAMPS.
The lover of rustic life may long for more rural scenes than is presented by a modern hotel teeming with life, fashion and beauty. To such, the fullest enjoyment of a summer vacation comes from camping out, or in a semi-rustic life in lake-side cottages. There are many camps and camping grounds about the lake that offer to the visitor every facility for the free enjoy- ment of life, untrammeled by the requirements of society. Among such camps or parks at the command of the public, in addition to those mentioned above, may be mentioned Fontana, or Porter & Montague's Park, Camp Collie, Russell's Park and " Warwick," and private parks- Lakeside, Harvard, Belvidere, Oak Park, Englewood, etc.
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF D. L. HAMLIN, OF CHICAGO, IN ELGIN PARK. AT LAKE GENEVA, WIS.
MARENGO PARK HOUSE.
This hotel is admirably located near the head of the lake in a beautiful grove of oaks. It commands one of the finest views of the lake it is possible to obtain from any point. It is man- aged by Misses Bissell & Reed, who came here in 1880, from Toledo, Ohio. The park is situ- ated directly opposite Fontana, and in addition to the hotel contains a number of cottages owned by people of Marengo, III., which has given the park its name. The hotel is a large two-story mansion with broad piazzas like a Southern planter's home, and the cottages, bathing houses, boat houses, laundry, office, and other substantial buildings which surround it add to that resem- blance. A broad, beautiful lawn of many acres slopes from its front to the water's edge. Swings. croquet grounds, a dancing platform, and numerous rustic benches and decorative flower beds are distributed about it.
885
HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
CAMP COLLIE.
Exactly opposite Kaye's lies Camp Collie, on a high bluff overlooking Williams' Bay. This camp or park was begun in August, of 1868, at the head of Lake Geneva. It was started by a few members of one of the churches of Delavan, Wis., together with their pastor, for their own recreation. In its second year, by a vote of its members, it formally received the name which it still bears. In the summer of 1874, it was, by force of circumstances, transferred to its present locality, and its name followed it. Its principles are these : That vital Christianity sweetens and adorns all right relations among men, and is everywhere the crowning joy and glory of life, of recreation as well as of work and worship. That the simplest pleasures are the best, and that neither pleasure seeking nor dissipation are recreation. That there are places of
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF MAJ. ANSON SPERRY, LAKE GENEVA, WIS.
recreation needed, not only to a retreat from business, but also from the formalities of society. The camp is owned by Rev. J. Collie, of Delavan, Wis., and is open for guests on the 15th of June. He advertises that the camp has " cottages, furnished rooms and boats to rent. Board by the day or week-single meals. Milk furnished-ice and excellent water. A laundry department, with reasonable charges. Stabling for horses. Cook stoves, and wood fitted to them, for those who do their own cooking. Fishing tackle, etc."
THE CISCO.
Lake Geneva is also the natural home of the cisco, a beautiful silver-scaled fish about eight inches long, and which resemble greatly a herring. These fish are caught for a few days only in each year, generally in the full of the moon in June. At that time a peculiar fly is seen hovering in the air and over the water in immense swarms. The fish run in schools, and immense quantities are taken. Captain Newberry took 614 in one day, and his catch during the run of a week was about 3,000.
8 86
HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
SOCIETIES.
Union Chapter, No. 28, R. A. M. -- Dispensation granted September 24, 1865 ; charter granted February 7, 1866.
First officers: John T. Wentworth, H. P .; C. B. Carrington, King; S. E. Johnson, Seribe.
Present officers: F. A. Buekbee, H. B. ; C. P. Taylor, King ; D. H. Moody, Seribe; F. Brownell, Treasurer; W. H. Hammersley, Secretary; C. G. Read, C. of H .; E. L. Gilbert, P. S .; Thomas H. Price, R. A. C. ; W. H. Lawrence, M. 3d V .; Ole Eagleson, M. 2d V. ; H. C. Wood, M. 1st V .; S. C. Sanford, Gnard.
Number of members, fifty-two.
Meetings, Mondays, on or before the full moon in each month.
Geneva Lodge, No. 44, A., F. & A. M .- Dispensation granted August 10, 1852; charter granted June 16, 1853.
First officers: John W. Ames, W. M .: Thomas Beeden, S. W .; Lafayette Chesley, J. W. Present officers: Thomas H. Price. W. M .; W. H. Lawrence, S. W .; P. L. Kelly, J. W .; E. L. Gilbert, Treasurer; B. B. Scott. Secretary; C. G. Read, S. D .; F. Brownell, J. D .: S. C. Sanford, Tiler.
Number of members, seventy-seven.
Second and fourth Tuesdays each month.
VILLAGE DIRECTORY -- 1882.
Publie Hall-Ford's Opera House, erected by Miss C. L. Ford in 1876; 120 feet long. two stories and basement, the upper part being the Masonic Lodge room.
Hotels -- Lake House, Orville L. Blakeslee, lessee; Whiting House, W. W. Watson, lessee; St. Denis Hotel, George Ransford, lessee; Union House, John Kohn. proprietor.
Bank of Geneva-E. D. Richardson, President; C. E. Buell, Cashier.
Flour-Mills -- Gilbert & Barber, proprietors.
Agricultural Implements -The John Haskins Manufacturing Company; William Brown, dealer in agricultural implements.
Furniture-S. C. Burdick, manufacturer; T. J. Hanna & Son, dealers.
Carriage Manufactory-C. L. Clark, M. S. Gould & Son.
Blacksmith and General Repairing Shops-J. D. Marlott, D. Locke, W. Sawyer.
Contractors and Builders-Austin Moody, O. T. La Salle & Son.
Boat Builders-F. C. Viele, Kaye & Napper, Rankin & Manson.
Coal Dealer- H. Durkee.
Lumber Dealer- C. Palmetier.
Ice Dealers - Gross & Brooks, Washington Ice Company of Chicago.
Hardware Dealers T. C. Smith & Co., Ingham & Moore.
Agents -- Express company, O. Seymour; railroad, F. L. Murray.
Postmaster C. A. Noyes.
Lawyers-James Simmons, J. B. Simmons, C. S. French, Daniel Sherman, H. T. Sharp. Surveyor-Warren Beckwith.
Physicians-B. O. Reynolds, J. C. Reynolds, George E. Catlin, John A. Macdonald.
Dentists-O. S. Carman, J. M. Barker.
Veterinary Surgeon -- A. Streeter.
Liveries - - J. W. & W. W. Sherman, William Overton, E. McGraw, R. D. Short. Boatmen - Sanford & Moore.
Barbers -- F. E. Libbey, Carlton & Fluker.
Billiard Hall - Henry Moore.
Cigar Manufacturers-John Lichtey, Blakeslee Bros.
Harness-Makers- J. M. Hicks, Briegel & Burns.
Shoemakers- B. T. Paine, G. S. Nethercut, William Dobbs.
Tailors -F. Buhre, A. Donaldson, A. J. Weatherwax.
Dry Goods Dealers - C. B. Holmes & Co., E. C. Brown, Wachter & Ford, C. S. Rosenberg.
Daniel Locke
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
Ready-Made Clothing, Boots, Shoes, Etc .- P. H. Moore.
Milliners-Miss A. Wheeler. Mrs. J. D. Nish, Misses Elmondorf & Turner.
Notions, Etc .-- M. A. Pendleton, Miss Mary Speaker. Jeweler-Charles E. Buhre.
Photographic Gallery aud Artist -- John Bullock.
Stationers and Druggists-W. H. Hammersley, R. B. Arnold.
Groceries-Williams & Gilbert. Ira Williams, D. D. McKay, L. Curtis, W. H. Seymour. Bakeries, Confectioneries and Restaurants -- Addin Kave (Kave's Bazaar), H. C. Cornne. General Stores-A. Walker. F. Baack.
Meat Markets-W. H. Seymour, B. A. Walker, W. C. Davis.
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF JULIAN S. RUMSEY. LAKE GENEVA, WIS.
In the summer of 1872, Julian S. Rumsey, of Chicago, erected a spacious and handsome residence on the eastern shore of the bay. It is located about half a mile from the village center, but in the village limits. A road formerly ran between the lake and where the house now stands, but Mr. Rumsey persuaded the Town Board to locate the road further back where it now is located. The house stands in the midst of a fine grove of large oaks, and is a charm- ing place for the busy Chicagoan to take his otium cum dignitate during the summer days.
FISH CULTURE.
Through the untiring efforts and generosity of Hon. N. K. Fairbank, of Chicago, a large hatching house has been established in the village at the outlet of the lake, with breeding
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
ponds at the head of the lake, from which the lake is being annually supplied with some of the choicest fish known. Over fifteen million young fish have been imported from California and other parts of the Union, and through the personal attention of Mr. Seth Green, Thomas Welsher, Albert Lytle, B. B. Scott, Frank and William Welsher, the lake is becoming known to sportmen as one of the finest fishing grounds in the country. Fishing is free, and in the proper season is enjoyed by all, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, citizens and visitors.
GENEVA LAKE.
Enough has already been written of the lake to give the reader a definite idea of its loca- tion and extent. The natural beauty of the lake itself. as well as of its surroundings, were known and appreciated from the earliest settlement.
SUMMER HOME OF ED. AYERS, OF HARVARD, ILL., AT LAKE GENEVA, WIS.
It is surrounded by a fairly marked but not abrupt shore, heavily wooded. It is a spring- fed lake, deep, clear, cold. and abounding in all the game fish common to Western waters: pick- eral, pike, bass and perch have always been plenty. Its peenliar fish, for which it is celebrated, is the "Cisco," a species of herring not found elsewhere in the inland lakes. It inhabits deep water and only comes up once a year, generally in June, to feast on the June fly that swarms in vast numbers at that time. They come in immense schools, and bite ravenously for a few days, then disappear, being seen quite infrequently and in small numbers during the remaining months of the year. The cisco season is an event on the lake. As soon as they appear, the fact is telegraphed to Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and all points within a radius of 1,000 miles. For two weeks, the lake is literally covered with fishing craft. Probably 20,000 per- sons enjoy the sport each year.
Since the completion of the railroad to Geneva in 1873, the lake has become the great summer resort for the affluent citizens of Chicago. The lands are mostly owned by non-resi- dents, who make their temporary summer residences along the shore.
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MANNING POINT
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892c
HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF L. Z. LEITER, LAKE GENEVA, WTS.
N. K. Fairbank began the erection of his residence in September. 1874. Though situ- ated on rather low grounds, a fine view in all directions is obtained from this point which has been improved so that now there is no more beautiful place on the lake shore. The building first erected was burned in the winter of 1875 through a defective ffue, but work was at once begun on a new residence which, in every detail, is exactly like the one destroyed. Austin Moody, of Geneva, was the builder of both houses. It is one of the handsomest places on the lake, the grounds having been improved and ornamented by time as well as by money. Mr. Fairbank is one of the most popular of the summer residents, and the citi- zens have long since shown their liking for him by calling him " Commodore."
The summer residence of L. 7 .. Leiter, of Chicago, was built in the summer of 1879. It is pleasantly located on the west side of Geneva Bay, between the residences of Messrs. Shelton Sturges and George Sturges, and within half a mile from the post office. It is built of brick, and is more substantial than the generality of summer residences. The grounds contain thirty-seven acres, hand- somely laid out into walks and drives. A large Dutch wind-mill, and a small, but com- plete astronomical observatory are features of interest. The house is finished off in hard woods, and is said to be the finest in the State in artistic design and effect.
(ANDSF)
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF N. K. FAIRBANK, OF CHICAGO, AT LAKE GENEVA, WIS.
HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
In 1870, Shelton Sturges, of Chicago, pur- chased ninety acres of land, beautifully located on the western shore of the bay, of Mr. Gur- don Montague, and, in the following year, he built a handsome residence which he still owns. It was one of the first of the many beautiful summer homes that now border the lake, and, being situated on a high hill over- looking the village and bay, it was and still is a handsome and conspicuous landmark. It is the first summer residence on the shore, on leaving the village.
893d
RANOM NALLY CO.
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF G, L. DUNLAP LAKE GENEVA, WIS
The residence of G. L. Dunlap was built about the same time as that of Mr. Rumsey, and the parks surrounding each join without a dividing line. It was built as was that of Rumsey, by Austin Moody.
COUNTRY HOME OF SHELTON STURGES, OF CHICAGO, AT LAKE GENEVA, WIS.
894e
HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
The metropolitan character of the resort is shown in the following: There are during the summer plying daily on Lake Geneva four steamboats for publie convenience, and nine steam- ers owned by private citizens. The fleet of ISS1 was: Public steamers -- Commodore, G. W. Van Slyke; Lneins Newberry and Lady of the Lake, Fred Wilson: Lady Anna, Sanford & Moore. Private steamboats-Dora, T. J. Schneider, Chicago; Cisco, N. K. Fairbank: Passaic, R. T. Crane; Daisy. L. Z. Leiter: Arrow, George Sturges; Whitecap, B. F. Norris; Piseator, Dr. Hunter, Chicago: Dot. Dr. Hunter, Elgin; Gertie, George L. Dunlap, Chicago. There are now (winter of 1SS2) building one public and three private boats, which will be added to the tleet of 1882.
In addition, there are not less than two hundred sail-boats for hire, and perhaps as many more owned by private parties.
The lake on its shores is now a succession of public parks, hotels, private residences and camps. There are not less than thirty piers or landings in eoasting up the lake on the north shore and returning on the south shore.
Starting from the dock in front of the Whiting House, going along the north shore, the landings are as follows:
(1) Dock for private boats; (2) George Sturges: (3) L. Z. Leiter; (4) N. K. Fairbank: (5) J. T. Lester: (6) Henry Strong: (7) H. L. Gay; (S) E. Burk: (9) T. J. Schneider: (10) Judge Withrow; (11) O. W. Potter : (12) Elgin, Ill., Club House: (13) new Elgin, Ill., club; (14) R. T. Crane: (15) Pisheotaqua Hotel, C. F. Hall, proprietor; (16) Camp Collie, a resort for ministers and their families, on the point west of Williams Bay; thenee returning around the head of the lake and down the south shore is (17) Russell's Park, public; (18), Belvidere Park, owned mostly by residents of Belvidere, Ill. : (19) Fontana, public, Porter & Montagne: (20) N. K. Fairbank. fish pond: on the south shore (21) Marengo Hotel: (22) A. Sperry's Landing; (23) Harvard Park. owned by citizens of Harvard, Ill .: (24) Prof. Nightingale's Landing: (25) Bon Ami Club, Chicago: (26) Englewood Camp. Chicago Club; (27) Kaye's Park. public, with hotel; (28) Warwick Park: (29) J. S. Runnsey, private, (30) Geo. L. Dunlap; (31) J. C. Walter. The last-named landing is immediately south of the Whiting House doek.
Thus it will be seen that the whole lake, with Genova Village as its metropolis, has be- come a populous living-place for the denizens of Chicago.
THE WATER-POWER.
The water-power at Genova is utilized at two points. For the upper privilege, now owned by Gilbert & Barber, the water is drawn from the ontlet of the lake by an open canal to the grist- mill, where there is a head and fall of fifteen feet. This is the old original power, first discov- ered by Payne and improved by Goodsell & Warren.
The lower power, some half a mile below, has a head and fall of eight feet, as now used. The early history of it, as given by Mr. Simmons in 1875. was as follows:
"The lower power within the village limits was originally claimed, as we are credibly in- formed. by P. O. Sprague. Whether Van Slyke, whose name we have before mentioned in con- neetion with it ever made any claim there seems to be quite doubtful: at all events, it at some time came into the possession of Sidney Sage, from whom its recent owners purchased it in 1542. In 1843, they built a saw-mill, which was for many years in constant use, but of late it has suspended operations, either through the growing unpopularity of oak humber, or the want of logs on which to exercise its sharp teeth, and it now works only intermittingly, when ocea- sion requires. They subsequently added carding and eloth-dressing works, which tind good employment in their season; also an oilmill. There is here a fall of twelve feet, secured by building a dam some twenty-five rods in length, and there is at all times a sufficient supply of water to propel a large amount of machinery. The MeKaig power was originally elaimed by Thomas MeKaig, S. W. Spafard and others, and is now owned by Dr. Tolman Wheeler, of Chi- cago. At this point. there is a fall of eleven feet, regniring an artificial dam of only about thirty feet, nature having furnished a substantial barrier for the remaining distance. Possibly, in the ante-historic ages, this barrier extended across the whole river bottom, and was the northern boundary of the lake. Here, some years since, a large building was erected by a man named Murray, to be used as a paper-mill. but the owner. having left this part of the country
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
before its completion, never returned, and, the property having been sold under a mortgage, the project never was carried out. The building has since been removed. The peculiar advantages of this location rendering it comparatively easy to control and apply the power, and the ex- treme purity of. the water flowing to it from the lake. make it very desirable, and ought to in- sure its improvement for that purpose, as there is here everything requisite for the manufacture of the finest quality of writing paper."
January 30. 1875, a corporation was formed under the name of the Crawford Manufacturing Company, and the present works for the manufacture and repair of agricultural implements were started on the power above described. The corporators were John Haskin, A. C. Hoga- boom, James Haskin, John T. Mathews, Amos Fellows, E. C. Salisbury, J. Simmons, G. Mon- tagne and J. G. Sherman.
RAILROADS.
The village has had the rare experience of having railroad connection with Chicago for several years, and then being deprived of the same-so she ought to be, if she is not, better qual- ified to judge of the local advantages and disadvantages arising therefrom than most towns who have never had it but once.
The only section of the old Wisconsin Central Railroad ever built reached Geneva in 1856. It was only by the aid of individual effort and subscriptions that it was brought into the village, as the road failed in the crash. with the rails laid within sight of but not into the village. For four years, trains arrived and departed from Geneva to Chicago daily. In 1860, the rails were worn out and trains ceased running, and for an interim of thirteen years thereafter, the village relapsed into its former state as a country town. In 1873, railroad connection with Chicago was re-established essentially over the old line, abandoned so many years before. Full infor- mation as to the railroad appears in the railroad history of the county.
Since the re-establishment in 1873, and dating from that time, Geneva has come to be the great summer resort and home of the prosperons and wealthy citizens of Chicago.
The lake on either shore has been studded with elegant rural homes, hotels, parks, camp- ing-grounds, and all else to render it the most delightful summer resort in the West. This has given to the village a metropolitan air and character it had not before. It has now its opera house (Ford's) and its daily paper. All through the summer, steamers ply the lake in such numbers as to rob it of all solitude, and the hum and bustle of city life is transferred there from Chicago through all the summer months.
THE JOHN HASKINS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The John Haskins Maufacturing Company is the successor of the Crawford Manufacturing Company, and still conducts essentially the business first started in 1875. They manufacture mowers, reapers, corn cultivators, hay rakes; also a variety of wood work. and castings. The annual products of the establishment aggregate $40,000.
GENEVA LAKE MILLS.
The Geneva Lake Mills are situated on the site of the first grist-mill built in the town. The present mill was built by R. W. Warren in 1847. He sold it to one N. L. Stont in 1857, but subsequently came again into possession and ran it till 1856, when Joseph Case and S. O. Ray- mond became proprietors. This copartnership lasted till 1861, when Elisha D. Cogswell bought Mr. Case's interest, and for awhile Raymond & Cogswell were proprietors, S. O. Raymond being the resident partner and active business proprietor. While under this proprietorship, the mill was run by various parties; who furnished the wheat and paid for grinding. Among the man- ufacturers were Samuel Farrar, Daniel E. Sherman and others. In 1863. E. L. Gilbert bought an interest from S. O. Raymond. and in 1864 Raymond & Gilbert bought the entire interest of Elisha D. Cogswell, and became the proprietors of the mill. The firm of Gilbert & Raymond conducted the business till 1870, at which time Joel Barber bought the interest of S. O. Ray- mond. Since then, the firm of Gilbert & Barber have been the sole proprietors of the mill.
The mill has been always fitted up with the most modern appliances. It has at present five run of stone and one set of rollers, and all the latest improvements for the manufacture of flour by the patent process (so called). Its capacity is, for merchant work, 15,000 barrels pe
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
year. The mill has an enviable reputation on its merchant brand, "Geneva Lake," and does a large local business.
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