History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 93

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

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

by William Birge and the water-power much improved. In the summer, arose the magnificent "Emporium Block," Warren Cole, proprietor. It was then the finest establishment in the vil- lage. J. T. Smith, L. W. Cutler and others were added to the business population about this time. Except for the slight setback of the cholera during the summer and fall of 1854, the village continued on the up-grade nntil the hard times of 1857.

Dr. O. C. Magoon, who came to Whitewater in company with Warner Earl, in 1839, was a victim of the cholera year. N. N. Littlejohn, an important business acquisition, came to White- water and started a lumber yard in the fall of 1856. Not only in business but in polities, he has been one of the foremost. In the spring of 1857, two more lawyers were attracted to the village-N. S. Murphy and Edson Kellogg. The former is now a resident of Milwaukee: the

latter died in Whitewater October 20, 1865. A most important event for the manufacturing in- terests of the place occurred this year (1857). George Esterly, who had been mannfacturing his reapers at Elkhorn and Racine, as well as at Whitewater, concentrated his whole business here, erected shops, moved his family to the village and became a permanent and most valuable fixture. Three large Inmber firms were now doing a large business-Littlejohn & Co., Salisbury & Co. and G. Bunker. Previous to the hard times, it was a large shipping point for wheat, 165,000 bushels having been sent over the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad for nine months previous to June, 1857. The high prices and inflated business of war times followed so closely after this depression that Whitewater soon regained her lost ground. Although her growth since the war has not been remarkable, it has been steady, and she now possesses scores of sub- stantial houses in all lines of trade.

Winchester &' Partridge Manufacturing Company .- L. A. Winchester, the senior member of the company, and its President. settled in Whitewater in 1844. He established himself as a black- smith in a small shop located on the ground now occupied by the present extensive works, and near the log house of his friend, Dr. James Tripp. Mr. Winchester took Joseph Rogers into partnership with himself, the connection continuing for three years. For the next five years, he sturdily pounded ont his fortune alone. In 1825. William De Wolf moved in from Heart Prairie and engaged with Mr. Winchester in the manufacture of plows. The firm of Winchester & De Wolf employed seven men the first year, depending upon one horse for their " power." They made fifty plows and melted 1,000 pounds of cast iron per week. The business expanded so much that they put in a small portable engine the second year, at which many of their best friends shook their heads, and ominous whispers of "ruin" went round. But additions were made to the works, as their patronage extended far beyond the limits of the county, and ghastly ruin may have grinned from afar, but kept his distance. In 1857, J. S. Partridge, who had been a resident of Whitewater for twelve years, became a partner in the mannfactory. He has retained his connection ever since, being now the Secretary and Treasurer of the Company. In that year, under the energetic management of Winchester, De Wolf & Co., the business of the firm took a great stride toward its present high standing. In 1864, the mannfacture of wagons was added to their list of goods, and new shops were built to accommodate the growing demand of customers. The first year's manufacture was 350 wagons. In 1867, Mr. De Wolf retired from the firm, and the business continned under Winchester & Partridge. In 1874, the Win- chester and Partridge Manufacturing Company was formed, with L. A. Winchester as President, and J. S. Partridge as Secretary and Treasurer. The manufacture of plows has been discon- tinned, the company confining their efforts to the work of turning ont farm, freight and spring wagons and the Osage corn and cob mill, which are unexcelled for durability and convenience. Since the first year, the firm have manufactured 70,000 wagons, and the quality of their work has been the means generally of raising the standard and lowering the price of these artieles. From that small blacksmith-shop, buildings have sprung up which cover ten acres of ground, used for both manufacturing and storage purposes. The main building is 250 feet in length, two stories. Since the manufacture of wagons was commenced, the "Whitewater Wagon" has acquired a world-wide reputation, being selected for several reasons, both by the United States Government and by the agents of the England's Northwestern Boundary Expedition, for its great superiority over other makes. It has therefore been rightly branded "Government Stand- ard." It was the only wagon to which a medal was awarded at the Centennial Exhibition. The company now employ 160 men, and the works have an annual capacity of 5,000 wagons, instead

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

of 350. Over twenty tons of cast iron are absorbed weekly, and the lumber which is constantly carried in stock would fill 500 cars. In a word, the Winchester & Partridge Manufacturing Company is one of several establishments which has drawn an enormous amount of business to Whitewater and kept it here-an honor to the village and to the men who represent it.

George Esterty & Son .-- The senior member of the firm was born in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1809; came to Wisconsin in 1836, and moved his family to Walworth County in 1837. He commenced the manufacture of his "Header" for harvesting grain in 1844, on his farm in the town of La Grange, and took out his first patent in that year; continued their manufacture until 1855, when he brought out his hand-raking reaper. In 1856, he manufactured his reapers at White- water, at Elkhorn and at Racine, Wis .; in 1857, he concentrated his business at Whitewater, put up shops and moved his family here. As his business increased year by year, he added to his works, which are now represented by the following floors: Blacksmith-shop, 40x80 feet; foundry, etc., 40x70 feet; trip-hammer, etc., 20x45 feet; wood-shop, 40x100 feet; machine- shop, 40x100 feet; carpenter-shop, 40x100 feet; paint-shop, 50x450 feet; warehouse, etc., 40x 160 feet: repair-room, 40x80 feet: steam fire-engine, 20x40 feet: pattern-shop, etc., 20x50 feet: office, 25x30 feet. In 1865, he brought out what is now so widely known as the celebrated Es- terly Broadcast Seeder and Cultivator combined, of which this factory has manufactured more than 20,000. In 1870, he added his present self-raking reaper to his list. In 1872, his son, George W. Esterly, who had had charge of the office for something more than ten years, was admitted as a member of the firm now known as George Esterly & Son. In 1875, they began to supply the public with their "no-canvas" harvester, with which they were. last season, unable to furnish more than half the number ordered. In 1SSO, they are introducing to the public the celebrated Appleby Cord-Binding Harvester, in addition to their other lines of machinery. This firm now employ abont 100 hands, and they put on the market this year goods to the amount of about $120,000. Their monthly pay-roll is about $3,500.

In addition to the above, Mr. George Eaterly is now proprietor of the Whitewater Furniture Factory, which was organized in the spring of 1874. This is a large brick structure, 50x200 feet, having three floors; also has a steam dry-house 40x60 feet, and a shipping-room and storehouse 40x60 feet, with two floors, in connection with the same. This establishment employs from seventy-five to ninety hands and their pay-roll amounts to from $25,000 to $30,000 per annum, and their annual production from $75,000 to $100,000. The product of these two establishments finds market all over the Northwestern States and Territories.

Since 1880, the shops of George Esterly & Son have been very much enlarged and the business greatly extended. The sales of both concerns this year will exceed $600,000, and. to keep pace with the growing demand for their goods, will require the doubling of their present facilities.

The De Wolf Wire Cloth Manufacturing Company was formed three years ago by William De Wolf and Son An experiment was made with two looms, but the business was so success- ful that their new factory now incloses twenty-four looms. It is a large two-story wooden building. 120x32 feet, over thirty-five hands are employed, the nature of the manufacture being wire netting for screens. This year 2,000,000 square feet will be turned out of this busy establishment.

The Whitewater Paper Mills were built by Messrs. Tripp & Crombie in 1860. J. W. Deni- son and L. A. Tanner, present proprietors, came into possession of the property in 1866. The mills were destroyed by fire in 1868, but rebuilt the next year, and increased in capacity. They consist of a large two-story brick building. Some twenty hands are employed, forces being run night and day. The principal manufacture for the past two years has been brown wrapping-paper-between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds being turned out daily.

C. M. Brown & Co., flour and feed mill. This is the old original Dr. Tripp Mill. with the additions made by William Birge, as noted. The wooden portion is 50x60 feet, two stories and a half, the stone portion, 40x50. built by William Birge in 1856, three stories and basement. In 1873, Mr. Brown came into possession of the property, forming a partnership with A. F. and G. S. Bridge. and later with A. I. Dexter in 1881. The capacity of the mill is 75 barrels of flour and 100 bushels of feed per day-four run of stone. Its brands are "Our Best," "O. K." and "XXX."

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IHISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Branch Mill .- This mill was built by Asaph Pratt in 1843, and operated by Ansil Salis- bury and others until 1862. John Lean & Co. have been the proprietors for a number of years. The mill and machinery have been greatly improved, the run of stone having increased from two to five since the property passed from Mr. Salisbury. This mill is situated a mile south of the village, but has an office in Whitewater.

Whitewater Brewery .-- The original one-story brick building was erected by William Mar- shall in 1860. N. Klinger purchased it in 1864. and three years after commenced to make additions to it. His main building is now 42x48 feet, with a nest of smaller edifices near by. The capacity of the brewery is 2,000 barrels of beer per year. Mr. Klinger also mannfactures a small quantity of ale.

Cheese Factories (near village) .- William Marshall, R. Springsteen, H. A. Starin, Will- iam Galloway, firm of Mccutchen, Coburn & Billett.

Butter Factories .- Rann Brothers, H. A. Congar & Son.

Machine Shop and Planing Mill .- J. Vandewater.

Furniture Factory .- H. Stauss.

Carriage and Blacksmith Shops,-Whitewater Union Works, E. J. Morey, proprietor ; M. M. Webb, A. & O. Fowler, W. H. Noyes, Henry Lingermann, J. McGill.

Wood Works .- Daniel McLean, A. McCloy, A. L. Giesey, John McCollins.

Marble Works. -- J. J. Criger, Haskell & Severance.

Brick Yard .- Joseph Dann.

Pottery .- Michael Ohnhaus.

BANKS.

The early banking history of Whitewater varies little, from that of other sections throughout the State during the troublous times of 1857 and 1858. During that prosperous year-1855- A. Graham and A. H. Scoville opened an exchange and banking office in Bower's Block. But the inost noteworthy attempts to establish permanent banking institutions in the village were those which resulted in the formation of the Merchants' and Mechanics' and the Bank of White- water. The former opened her doors to the public in August, 1857, issuing notes of $1 and $2 denominations. These first bank bills were covered with the figures, expressive of the denomi- nation, in red ink. On the $1 note, the vignette in the center represented an old-fashioned husking frolic. At the right end, the figure $1 had a train of cars steaming past it below, passing evidently through rich farming land and brisk villages. At the left, a Goddess of Lib- erty and an Indian guarded another figure 1 from the skillful counterfeiter, and under them the State arms appeared to awe him into a proper sense of his duties as an American citizen, to let. the money of the realm alone. On the $2 bill, the central work of art was a farming scene. The figure 2 appeared over the face of the bill in various positions, but the left, a sailor and a girl-his wife, perhaps-his star-beamed upon the world, dividing a figure 2, as the sum-total of their perceptible possessions. The girl and her sailor was protected by the State arms. A. S. Scoville acted as President, and J. S. Partridge as Cashier. A brief career of a little over a. year closed its sphere of usefulness, the Bank of Whitewater having in the meantime sprung into being under the patronage of S. C. & E. C. Hall. But on April 4, 1865, this well-known firm failed for a large amount on account of an unfortunate " deal " in pork and the general de- cline of prices from the war standard. For twenty years they had been leading business men- foremost in all undertakings for the good of the village. Their failure caused the suspension of the bank.

The village, however, was not left without banking facilities, for, on January 1, 1864, the First National Bank of Whitewater had opened its doors. with Sanger Marsh, President, and C. Morris Blackman, Cashier; other stockholders, L. A. Winchester, J. S. Partridge. William De Wolf, F. F. Farnham and J. A Allen. The first report made on that day exhibited as follows: Capital, $33,471.15; liabilities, due depositors, $75.40.

The bank was regularly organized November 12, 1863. Mr. Marsh remained President np to October, 1873, when Mr. Blackman succeeded him. The latter gentleman has retained the position to the present time. In the spring of 1864, the capital of the bank was increased $25,- 000, and, in July, of the same year, another $25,000. Its present condition is represented by the following figures, taken from the report of October 1, 1881: Capital, $100,000; surplus, $33,-

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

000; undivided profits, $5,784.49; national bank-notes outstanding, $90,000; deposits, $360,- 937.38. Its officers are C. M. Blackman, President; Lewis Cook, Vice President; George S. Marsh. Cashier; C. M. Blackman, George S. Marsh, J. W. Denison, Lewis Cook and N. H. Allen, Directors.

HOTELS.

The first hotel built in Whitewater was the Powers House, erected by Joseph and D. J. Powers in 1840, upon land donated by Dr. James Tripp. In October of that year, Freeman L. Pratt became its proprietor, built an addition the next year, and called it the Whitewater Hotel .. In the summer of 1843, Mr. Pratt rented the hotel to E. F. & S. Davis. Eli King, the next pro- prietor, sold out to S. Wintermute in 1850. Ten years thereafter, he enlarged the hotel and called it the Montour House. In 1865, Mr. Wintermute sold it to G. A. Mosher, and, two years later, the hotel was burned to the ground. Upon its site, in 1879, Mr. Wintermute erected a two-story brick building, which he now uses as a livery stable. The Whitewater exchange, now the Kinney House, was completed by Squire Parsons in July, 1842. Its present proprietor is O. G. Bunn. The Bowers House was opened in September, 1880-J. C. Bowers, proprietor. The other hotels are the Courtland House, E. White, proprietor: the Whitewater Hotel, A. Cook, proprietor.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY.

Newspapers .- Whitewater Register, E. D. Coe, proprietor : Whitewater Chronicle, Pitt Cravath, proprietor.

Lawyers .-- Weeks & Steel, J. H. Page, Bishop & Cravath, H. Heady.

Physicians .-- Dr. E. D. Cary, Dr. E. G. Leland, Dr. C. J. Miller, Dr. D. D. Belknap, Dr. H. Warne, Dr. W. Riee. Dr. J. C. Salsman, Dr. H. E. Lindsay, Dr. E. G. Horton, Dr. J. Green. Dentists .- Dr. James Parsons, S. Saxe.

Photographers .- J. P. Whipple, H. P. Goodman.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

Flour Feed, Salt, Etc .- F. B. Hall, R. Coburn.

Butter, Eggs, Etc .- A. I. Dexter.

Lumber, Sash, Doors, Blinds, Etc .- N. M. Littlejohn.

Plows, Agricultural Imptements, Etc .- T. A. Stephens & Son, John Knight, Tostig Halver- son.

Liveries .- S. Wintermute, Foyer & Newkirk, Hull & Black.

Dry Goods, Etc .- O. Crosby & Co., Creighton Brothers, Cook & Bell, Gallt, Bulkley & Co., Cleland, MeBeath & Co., F. Campbell & Co., T. H. Kyle.

Millinery .- Mrs. E. M. Williams.

Clothing Stores. - R. MeBeath, G. Halverson & Son, G. Anderson.

Boots and Shoes .- P. & G. Trautmann, J. Pilon, Harvey Arveson.

Harness and Saddlery .- Joseph Hanbert, J. Scherrer. Hardware .- William De Wolf & Son, Burton & Dewey, W. L. R. Stewart.

Jewelers .- John T. Smith, B. F. Wood, V. Egloff.

Furniture .- Fairchild & Co., Thiele & Goodhue.

Druggists .- H. & H. L. Warne, A. V. Burk.

Cigar Makers .- G. R. Horne, T. H. Packard.

Barbers, -A. Hahn, R. J. Pelzer.

Grocers .- Bortle & Thayer, Ed. Engebretsen, W E. Spooner, N. Steenson, Bridge Bros., S. Barns, J. C. Cox, Helgeson Brothers, H. N. Inman, "Chicago Branch Store " (L. Ericson).

Meat Markets .-- Ewing & Dunn, Charles Fose, William Smith.

RAILROAD COMMUNICATION.

?In September. 1852, the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad reached Whitewater and sup- plied a long-felt want. This is now the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road. There was a probability that more direct communication would be opened with points to the north and south by the construction of the Wisconsin Central Air-Line, in

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY,

1857. How this project and all other railroad schemes affecting Whitewater and the county at large finally turned out has been fully explained in the history dealing with general county topics. The old scheme-the Wisconsin Central, and later, the Chicago & Northern Pacific -- is now vigorously revived in the Chicago, Portage & Superior Line, which is expected to run from Superior City to Chicago via Chippewa Falls and Portage.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

NATHAN H. ALLEN. He was born in Mercer. Kennebec Co .. Me., June 23, 1808; is the son of John and Susan Allen. He was brought up a farmer. When 19 years of age, he moved to Orono, Penobscot Co., where he engaged in the lumber business. He subsequently became interested in banking, and for several years was President of the Orono Bank. He was elected to the Legislature of Maine in 1852. He was married, in Orono. Nov. 3. 1836, to Miss Char- lotte Read, daughter of John Read. Four children were born to them-Lauraette, died July 30. 1855, aged 17 years; Margaret C. is the wife of D. M. Platte, of Red Cloud, Neb .; May R. is Mrs. Edward Morris, of Savannah, I. T .; Harriet R. died in infancy. Mrs. Allen died April 9. 1852. Mr. Allen was married again, May 3, 1853, to Mrs. Maria F. Frees, widow of Ben- jamin M. Frees, whose death occurred Dec. 6, 1846, at his home in Orono: they were married Dec. 5, 1844. Mrs. Frees had one child, a son, Benjamine M. (see sketch.) She is the daughter of Col. Samuel and Mary Buffum, and was born in Palermo, Waldo Co., Me .; her father was an officer of the war of 1812. In 1856, Mr. Allen closed up a prosperous business and moved to Wisconsin, in hopes of benefiting his wife's failing health. They made their home in Monroe. where Mr. Allen engaged in the lumber business, which he continued till August, 1863, when he moved to Whitewater. On coming to this place, he entered upon his former line of business -lumber -- and continued it until 1874, when he sold out and retired from active business. They have one child by their present marriage, a son, Charles F., now a lumber merchant of Guide Rock, Neh. He is married to Miss Alice M. Burrows.

GILBERT ANDERSEN is a native of Norway, the son of Andrew and Sarah Gulbrandsen; was born in Norway Sept. 4, 1838. He came to America in 1853, and directly to Whitewater. where he has since resided. In 1862, he commenced in the clothing business. He carries a good line of ready-made clothing, hats. caps, gents' furnishing goods and merchant tailoring: also, agent for steamship lines to and from Europe. He was married, in Whitewater, Wis .. Feb. 14, 1865, to Ellen C. Falk, daughter of J. Falk, Mrs. Andersen is a native of Norway, and came to America in 1864. They have one son and four daughters-Albert J., Ida S., Emma M., Emilie and Clara.

HARVEY ARVESON, dealer in and manufacturer of boots and shoes. He was born in Norway May 28, 1841; is the son of Hans and Ester Arveson; came to America with his parents in 1844, and directly to Whitewater, where his father purchased a farm five miles south of the village, where his mother still resides. His father was engaged in farming there till his death, which occurred Dec. 29, 1873. His farm consisted of 280 acres of land. Harvey Arveson con- tinued on the farm till he was 25 years of age. He then spent some years in clerking and farm- ing alternately, till April, 1879, when he embarked in his present business. He has a well- stocked store, and employs a number of workmen. He was married. July 4, 1871. at Elkhorn, to Carrie, daughter of Christian Mason. Mrs. Arveson was born in Norway, and emigrated to America in 1845.

SYLVESTER BARNS. grocer, was born in Stonington, Conn .. Feb. 22, 1823; is the son of Amos and Margaret Barns. When 10 years of age, he moved with his parents to Central New Vork (Oneida County). He was brought up a farmer, and also learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. In 1855, he emigrated to Whitewater. Wis., and for ten years worked at his trade in that place. He then engaged with the Winchester Manufacturing Company, under contract, on wood work, and continued that connection fifteen years. In April, 1881, he entered upon his present business, that of grocer and dealer in provisions. Mr. Barns has never been an office-seeker, the public positions he has held being that of Village Treasurer, and one of the Board of Village Trustees. He was married, in Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y., Oct. 7, 1848. to Miss Cornelia E. Parker, daughter of Ephraim Parker. They have two daughters-Carrie

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL,WHITEWATER,WIS.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

P. and Maggie D. Although only a short time in mercantile business, Mr. Barns is buikling up a very satisfactory trade.

LEWIS BENNETT, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Whitewater; has 120 acres; was born in Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y. When 3 years of age. he moved to the town of Cort- land; and 19 years old, to Tompkins County, where he made his home till 1848, when he moved to Wisconsin and made his home in Whitewater and engaged in the chain-pump busi- ness, being the first to introduce that style of pumps into nse in Wisconsin; followed that busi- ness about three years: made his home in the village of Whitewater till 1866, excepting one year spent on a farm. In 1866, he moved to his present farm, on Sec. 16. He was married, in Palmyra, Wis., Nov. 2. 1850, to Miss Mary A. Kriger, daughter of John Kriger. Mrs. Ben- nett was born in Ontario, Canada, and came to Wisconsin in 1846. They have three sons and two daughters-Alfred S., Eliza A., Alvin C., Jessie H. and Clarence B. Alfred S. married Ella Peacock, and lives in the town of Whitewater: Eliza A. is the wife of Winfield Kanouse. of Livingston Co., Mich. Mr. Bennett served in the late war as a Government employe in the engineer's department, at Nashville, Tenn.

SETH M. BILLINGS, deceased, was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1814; was brought up a farmer. He was married, Feb. 16, 1835, to Miss Lena Markle. In 1839, he emigrated to Whitewater. Being a man of excellent business ability and executive talent, he was frequently called upon to accept positions of public trust and honor. He was elected Sheriff of Walworth County, and served during the term of 1861-62. In all matters of public interest, he was ac- tive and liberal. In his private and social life, he was courteous, kind and generous. He was a conscientious member of the Congregational Church. His death occurred Jan. 18, 1880.

GEORGE R. BIRGE, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Whitewater; has 80 acres in Whitewater and 40 in Cold Spring: was born in Columbia Co .. N. Y., Oct. 14, 1819; is the son of Elijah and Mary Richmond Birge; learned the carpenter's trade, serving his time in Kinderhook, N. Y .; worked at his trade in New York City several years; went to Sing Sing, where he was in charge of the construction of the south wing of the State Prison; came to Whitewater, Wis., in 1858, and engaged as a builder and contractor; had charge of the building of the first normal school at Whitewater: went to Chicago right after the great fire, and had charge of several large buildings in the rebuilding of that city. He also had charge of the building of the Bidwell Honse at Palmyra. Wis. In 1863, he purchased his present farm in Whitewater, but did not occupy it until 1876. He was married. in Columbia Co .. N. Y .. Nov. 2. 1841, to Miss Alice Palmer, daughter of Ahira Palmer. They have two children, a son and a daughter- William W. and Libbie M. In politics, Mr. Birge is a Republican.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 93

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

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