USA > Wisconsin > Jefferson County > Waterloo > History of Waterloo > Part 3
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Company A of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteers was organized about one year after Company C was enlisted, with 3 H. W.
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
Bradford Hancock as captain, O. F. Mattice, first lieutenant, and G. W. Weeks, second lieutenant. It is said that the colors which this company first followed was a common Sunday school banner now lodged with the State Historical Society. Com- pany A participated in the work of the armies of the West and a brilliant record on the field of duty marks its history.
All that were left of the soldiers who composed these two companies and represented Waterloo in the war of the 60's re- turned home months after the last echo of cannon was hushed in the silence of returning peace, bearing above them the cher- ished flags which inspired them to greater efforts on many a field of strife, free from stain or other mark of dishonor. Company C's flag was returned to its donors and through lack of care was lost in later years.
Enlistments.
The enlistments of men from Waterloo including the town numbered one hundred and fifty-eight, representing thirty or- ganizations in the military service.
The Roll of Honor.
James Feeney,
Vincenz Blaschka,
Edgar Pierce,
John Donovan,
Newton R. Tousley,
Joseph Haberman,
Isaac Warren,
Melvin Harrington,
John Murphy,
John B. Holden, William Haseleu,
Sanford A. Gilmore,
Eugene B. Wise, Henry Lowry,
Walter C. Winship,
Edwin A. Solomen,
Bartholomew Stoll,
Oscar L. Ray,
William Blaschka,
Robert S. Tousley, Hiram W. Burdick, John Engels,
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
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Henry C. Wise, John A. Foster, Daniel Wise,
Oscar F. Mattice, John Batzell, Alexander R. Mckenzie,
Joseph Blaschka, William Forsythe, Frank Veith,
Franz Hubl,
Alpheus P. Stephenson, Samuel H. Thompson, Felix Bonden,
Stillmand Holden,
Peter Kimmey,
Charles Gottschalk,
Joseph Lutschinger,
William Gallerman,
Jonathan Scott,
Levi Solomon,
Solomon Worden,
Harry Thompson,
Erasmus W. Hill,
Frank Gilk,
Charles Steinford,
Harvey Galloway, William Brink, John Wilson,
Levi Potter, Robert Wademeyer, James P. Squire,
Edward C. Flatherty,
Sylvester J. Conklin,
M. V. B. Hutchinson,
George Miller,
Henry A. Giles,
Benjamin F. Stiles,
Emmet F. Conklin, William A. Smith,
Wenzel Schleiter,
Levi B. Leanord,
Reuben H. Southmayd,
Daniel W. Norton,
Charles Killian, Charles Newman,
Alonzo Harrington, Patrick Shay,
David Sanders,
August Wickman, Charles Kaiser, Ferdinand Newman, Charles Volkman, Thomas J. Barber,
Simon H. Fuller,
Silas D. Smith,
John Taylor,
Edwin Smith,
Orla J. Foote,
Albert Beyer,
James R. C. Drew,
Henry Van Slyck,
Amos Squire, Asa T. Brown,
Louis A. Zang, John Burdick, George Gilbert,
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
John Lord,
Charles S. Taylor,
Abner C. Towle,
Newton Wilcox,
William H. Wood,
William Aldrich,
Charles Manning,
David Williams,
Orlando M. Waldorf, Orner Wilcox,
James O. Shino,
Charles S. Bigelow,
Daniel M. Woodman,
John W. Wien,
William J. Mills,
Ignatius Winkler,
James M. Smith,
Pulaski Brown,
Richmond B. Pierce,
Avande Salts,
Edward McDonald,
John Wharton,
Morgan Reed, Charles Perry,
Francis Boynton,
Jesse Shipton,
Hiram E. Smith,
Henry H. Ray,
Henry Reed,
Owen Griffith,
James Lang,
George B. Ingamells,
Lindsay S. Brown,
George D. Haskell,
August Draeger,
Clark Lang, William Nelson Packard,
Patrick Judge,
William R. Roach,
Henry P. Knapp,
Charles E. Sickles,
Reuben Preame,
Nelson Roach,
William H. Sickles,
William H. Tripp, John G. Twining, Alphonso Weed, Darwin Wilson,
Alpheus M. Thayer,
Henry H. Twining, Alonzo Nelson,
Theodore Weed,
Albert F. Mattice, Sidney Welch,
William Squire,
T. B. Squire, Francis McGuire.
Patrick Desmond,
Charles Ingamells,
Joel W. Merrian, Albert M. Waldorf,
Madison Turner,
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
It is impossible to praise to highly the patriotism and valor of these men and boys who so well and at such great sacrifice defended our country in its most sanguinary strife-the Civil war. How little we realize the hardship, the anguish, and the horrors which they endured! Let us never be negligent in lending our voices and hearts to do them honor and justice for their noble deeds, and may their memory be cherished as long as the community lives.
The following soldiers of the Civil War now reside here and in the surrounding country :
H. P. Whipple,
Wentzel Blaschka,
Spencer J. Ward,
Charles Muzzy,
Peter Robb,
H. F. Bump,
E. D. Tracy,
Joseph Lutschinger,
G. S. Sager,
Charles Draeger,
T. A. Williams,
Fred Huebner,
Joseph Blaschka,
Albert Wooden.
August Draeger,
Of the foregoing Mr. Tracy is a survivor of the great battle of Gettysburg.
The Spanish War and the international invasion of China - have given us three veterans of a younger group: Frank Peschel, John Halverson and James E. Trussell.
The passing years are thinning the ranks of the old soldiers. One by one they are answering the last roll call, folding their tents and marching on to join their comrades who sleep beneath the sod.
"The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop,
The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one."
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
CHAPTER VII.
INDUSTRIES.
The industries of Waterloo had an early beginning. Mr. Hill opened his home to the traveling public, conducting a kind of a hotel and thus being credited with starting the first public industry. In 1843 John Walker and E. Penn arrived and started a blacksmith shop. The same year Abraham and Ira Brooks built a dam across the creek, which still exists at the lower mill pond, and erected a saw mill. It is said that Brooks brothers were the first merchants. Charles Topping arrived at this time, purchased from Mr. Hill the lot on which the Com- mercial hotel now stands, built a log house and opened a gen- eral store.
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In the early 40's a Canadian by the name of Mr. Bent started a shoe-repairing business, and was soon followed by Dave Brown who opened a shoe store. In 1844 Franklin Giles came as the first carpenter and mason. In the late 40's K. P. Clark introduced the profession of surveying. About this time Dr. Nelson Walker with a supply of calomel for patients affected with fever and ague and a scalpel for bleeding others, took up his residence in Waterloo and became the first of the physicians.
From 1845 to 1850 the growth of the village was very slow and its promise for the future not assuring. At this early day Portland was a more important place than Waterloo. In 1846 a book on the geography of Wisconsin was published showing
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
that Jefferson county was composed of ten towns, but Waterloo was not of enough importance to be mentioned as one of them. In 1848 there were about forty inhabitants in the village. In this year John Walker erected the first hotel and called it the "Walker House." D. Ostrander speaks of it as "quite a pre- tentious building for that time. It was two stories high and painted." Later the Rood brothers bought this hotel and it was called the Waterloo House. About this time A. F. Mat- tice entered into the mercantile business. In the early 50's two flour mills were erected and in operation.
In 1847 the flour mill at the upper mill pond was built. It was successively operated by M. P. Caldwell, William Boor- man, W. C. Boorman, T. S. Hayhurst and E. T. Hayhurst. In 1852 the flour mill at the lower pond was built. It was operated by Brooks Bros., Sam and Adam Smith, Dr. Ira Rood, Quin Rood, Fred Geise, Schmidt, Heine & Schuette, and Wm. Follensdorf. Both mills were turned into feed mills when wheat growing in these parts declined. A fanning mill factory was started in 1844. The article manufactured was in general demand in the early days for cleaning grain. This in- dustry, conducted by different persons, among whom may be mentioned George B. Dickinson, Dickinson & Ela, Abram Van Arnem, and Peter and John Helmes, was continued un- til in the 70's. A pump factory was conducted by E. B. Win- ship in the 50's and 60's. A plow and rake factory was started by M. P. Caldwell about 1849 near the present loca- tion of the arch bridge, a dam being built across the creek for that purpose. In 1862 the building used was des- troyed by fire and soon thereafter the dam was swept away by a freshet. At about this same time Dickinson, Van Arnem & Ela also manufactured plows. In the 50's Waterloo pos- sessed a match factory. In 1865 John Farringer and Lavi- nus Bossa started a factory, run by steam' for the manufacture
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
of sash, doors and blinds. In the 70's this industry was sold to G. A. B. Whitney. It was closed in the 70's.
In the 60's there lived in Waterloo an ingenious mechanic named Truman Merriam. At an advanced age in life he in- vented a rotary engine which gave promise of great success. At about this same period C. B. Knapp invented a dovetailing machine for use in making furniture. In 1867 a company was organized by local men, A. F. Mattice being president, to manufacture these machines and operate a foundry. It con- tinued to do business until 1870 when it suspended for want of funds. Later Newton & Slater used the plant for a machine shop. In 1876 Alex Findlay, a Scotchman, began the manu- facture of a reaping machine known as the Rice Harvester. The machine was not practical and the business resulted in a loss to Mr. Findlay.
In 1853 the Wisconsin Gazateer credits Waterloo with a population of two hundred and possessing sixty dwellings, four stores, two hotels, one church, one town pump, one fan- ning mill factory, one cabinet shop, two wagon shops, one plow shop and three blacksmith shops. This was a critical time for Waterloo. The plank road was built from Milwaukee to Portland and the latter place was becoming the center of busi- ness for this section. The turning point in the history of Wa- terloo was approaching. The day of the railroad was break- ing. Both Portland and Waterloo were competing for the railroad building westward from Watertown, and Waterloo finally succeeded in getting it. On the 20th day of January, 1859, the Milwaukee, Watertown and Baraboo Valley Rail- road opened its books at Waterloo and its first regular train passed through the village on schedule time. The coming of the railroad turned the tide of business and population to this village and witnessed an immediate and lively growth. After the first rush incident to the change, and during the war, the
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
growth of the village slackened, doubtless due to the fear of having to pay the railroad bonds and to conditions growing out of the war.
In the 70's business began to be more active. A new group of men began to take up the business activities. Among them may be mentioned C. Failinger, Nicholas and Adam Brand- ner, Alex and Robert McCracken, Fred N. Smith, Felix Spies, John Fischbach, Peter Janisch, Frank Fiebiger, A. J. Humphrey, F. J. Vick, Carl Haese, J. H. Harger, J. J. Mont- gomery, A. P. Stephenson, A. Koblitz, Remegus Langer, L. H. Trayser, C. R. Stone, and later A. J. and W. R. Roach and the Seeber brothers. Most of the substantial business buildings of the village of today are evidence of the business life these men contributed to it.
During the 70's Waterloo was one of the leading grain markets of this section of the state. During the buying and shipping seasons the streets were thronged with loads of grain. McCracken Bros., S. M. Weiner and Mark Hutchinson were the leading grain buyers. On June 1, 1876, the following item appeared in the Waterloo Journal: "25,180 bushels of wheat were shipped from Waterloo last week." The grain market of today is not comparable to that of those days. At about this time a monthly cattle fair was instituted and attracted many buyers and sellers, but soon passed away.
A Building Boom.
At this period the business section of the village began to undergo a transformation and before the close of the 70's Madison and Monroe streets were lined with several of the substantial brick blocks which now lend much to its appear- ance. About this time A. J. Humphrey erected the brick store building occupied by, and long known as The Old Fam- ily Drug Store; John Helmes built the block later sold to and
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
for years occupied by F. J. Vick as a general store and the brick buildings now used by Fox & Zimbrick and H. J. Nei- pert, Frank Fiebiger contributed another block and conducted a store in it for many years; and Peter Janisch erected the hardware store now occupied by his son, Charles Janisch. Shortly thereafter followed the construction of the Brandner, Haese, Grunke and Weddemeyer blocks.
A gradual growth marked the passing of the 80's and in the 90's a building boom added materially to the growth of business and residence structures. This was especially notice- able in the building of better homes. During this period George Canare, a contractor, moved here from Madison and had a large part in the architectural improvement of the village. Most of the public and private buildings of the village stand as Monuments to the skill and workmanship of Henry and L. A. Giles and Mr. Cnare.
In 1893 E. F. Doering greatly improved the corner of Madison and Monroe streets by erecting his jewelry store.
The erection of the Roach & Seeber Co.'s cold storage and creamery plant on Monroe street in 1894 gave the village its most imposing looking and largest business block.
C. Failinger added his commodious store to Monroe street, and C. F. Becken erected the buildings now occupied by him- self and F. J. Kelling on Monroe street. On the same street John Fischbach built the brick block now occupied as a hard- ware store by Wm. Blaschka. In 1899 the village, under the administration of President A. J. Roach, built its two story brick village hall on Madison street, beautifying what had formerly been one of Waterloo's unattractive spots, and add- ing much to the appearance of that street. During this period D. J. Hoyt and G. K. and F. A. Seeber bought the Dickinson farm south of the built up portion of the village, platted it and began selling off lots, adding a splendid residence section to
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
the village. Since then this section has been almost entirely taken and modern homes built thereon.
In more recent years the business section of the village has very decidedly changed its appearance. C. F. Nisle, Matt Voelker, the Farmers' & Merchants' State Bank, and Wm. Zibell, Jr., have made a marked improvement on the east side of Monroe street by erecting four substantial business blocks. The west side of this street has witnessed the passing of the old frame buildings that long stood between the Brandner and Haese blocks. The modern stores of Leonardson Bros., and of Wm. A. Wendt now fill their places.
After the building of the village hall and the Fischbach block a spell of lethargy followed in the development of Madi- son street until a few years ago when the industry and public spirit of J. D. Knowlton, Alex. Archie, F. C. Stevenson and the Waterloo State Bank gave to the village a row of brick, stone and concrete buildings filling the space between the Brandner block and the creek. One other change worthy of note on this street is the work of J. D. Knowlton in raising and remodeling the Waterloo Opera house built by A. C. Doug- las in the eighties.
In 1908 the village commenced the filling and opening of Monroe street, south of Madison street, by erecting a munici- pal lighting plant in the Mead addition. This venture on the part of the village has been one of the most important develop- ments in its business and public life, and has given such satis- faction that in 1911 a continuous service for light and power was installed to supply the needs of the village, its people and industries. In 1910 the village installed a waterworks sys- tem.
In the last few years much has been added to the residence portions of the village by the opening of Mrs. T. Fischer's addition, and by the building of dwelling houses on Lum's
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
second addition to the village. Mrs. Fischer's plat covers the old Leschinger farm and on it Ernest Fischer has built and sold several good houses. Others have bought lots there and built homes. Credit for the development of Lum's second addition to the village is due L. C. and Z. O. Failinger. They have devoted the last three years to the building and selling of houses in that section. So brisk has been the demand for these houses that they have been sold before completion.
The diminishing supply of timber and the increased demand for buildings created a demand for a lumber yard. Among the lumber dealers who supplied this need may be mentioned George Lewellin, W. F. Lum, J. H. Harger & Sons, Brit- tingham & Hixon, and Wilbur Lumber Co. with J. W. Harger as manager. Another demand created by the changes incident to the growth of the farming community was for improved agricultural machinery. This opened a field that was first sup- plied by such dealers in farm implements and machinery as S. L. Sheldon, and D. J. Hoyt.
Banks.
One of the best indications of the business life of the village may be found in the history of its banks. In the 80's business interests of the village had grown to such an extent that there was a strong demand for banking accommodations. To sup- ply this demand E. D. Knowlton started a private bank in the Brandner block Feb. 1, 1886. From the beginning its pa- tronage was good. In the spring of 1891 the Ryder Bros. bought this banking business and continued it as a private bank until 1905, when, owing to adverse business conditions, they suspended. In 1897 the Farmers' & Merchants' State bank was started as a private bank in the offices of the Roach & Seeber Co. A. J. Roach was its first president and F. A. Seeber its cashier. Its capital stock was $2,000.00. In 1903
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
this bank was reorganized and made a state bank with a capi- tal stock of $27,000.00. In 1912 this capital was again in- creased, this time to $50,000.00.
From 1905 until 1912 Waterloo had only one bank. In that year the Waterloo State bank was organized under the state banking laws. J. D. Johnson and E. J. McCracken were elected president and cashier. Its capital stock is $30,- 000.00. Immediately upon its organization it built a beauti- ful bank building on Madison street.
The healthy and substantial growth of Waterloo's banks indicates a like condition in its industries. The two banks af- ford the village and surrounding country better banking facili- ties than those enjoyed in many larger places.
Professions.
The settlement and growth of Waterloo attracted to it, and to the service of its people, men of various professions. In the field of law the passing of time has enrolled the following men : Jerry Dobbs, Abram Vanderpool, John Mosher, Z. C. Lindsley, Harlow Pease, Henry Hutchinson, Mark Brush, Phillip Bonesteel, S. J. Conklin, S. M. Cone, D. C. Stam, J. J. Johnson, George Keeler, H. H. Blanchard, Geo. Norton, D. A. Seeber, L. K. Luse, Frank Morrell, H. T. Ames, J. D. Ryder, L. T. Davies, Ray C. Twining, R. W. Lueck, M. W. Locke and Jas. D. Hyer.
The ills, aches and pains of the people of the community have been alleviated by the following physicians: Nelson Walker, C. R. Lamb, O. G. W. Bingham, W. D. Smith, Alanson Smith, J. P. Squire, David L. Davis, Ira Rood, C. L. Millington, Frank W. Barker, D. O. Bennett, Frank Bradley, J. A. Masterson, C. Hankwitz, F. W. Moffet, John Davies, O. C. Bailey, George Davies, W. H. Oatway, T. G. Torpey, Geo. J. Fiebiger, J. S. McNeel, W. F. Mitchell, J.
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
Frank Dennis, M. J. Gallogly, M. H. Draper and M. T. Joyce.
The profession of dentistry has been represented by J. W. Harkinson, Joseph Allen, F. C. Brainard, Mr. Wright, Wm. Lyons, J. N. Wilcox, S. H. McEuen, H. R. Abell, F. H. Blaschka, Frank Joyce and John Woelffer. Veterinary prac- tice has furnished the following men: "Pap" Johnson, Stan- ley S. Gudgeon, H. P. Whipple, A. D. Lasher, and Dr. E. A. Reiner.
Another profession that has contributed some interesting characters to the community is that of surveying. John Douglas, K. P. Clark, James Thompson and H. H. Hyer have occupied this field. Mr. Hyer, the last of this group, be- came widely known in this and surrounding counties and placed many a land mark and run many a line to mark corners and boundaries. -
Stores and Factories.
Waterloo, surrounded by splendid farms peculiarly adapted to dairy pursuits, has been influenced by its surroundings to such an extent that its industries are mainly an outgrowth of the country. Part of its growth, however, is due to its mer- cantile and manufacturing industries, among which may be mentioned the following: C. Failinger, A. C. Hoffman and T. F. Gevers, general stores; C. Failinger, E. O. Whipple and L. A. Towne & Son, drug stores; C. S. Stacy, L. A. Towne & Son and John Spies, grocery stores; F. C. Steven- son, W. A. Wendt and J. Leaver, confectionery stores and restaurants ; Doering Jewelry Co., and E. J. McGraw, jewelry stores; Fox & Zimbrick, meat market; C. F. Becken and John Fox, hotels; Leonardson Bros. and Nisle & Grubb, furniture stores; Miss Katherine Cowen and Miss Marie Scherf, mil- linery stores; J. J. Fischbach, Geo. Stube and A. F. Trotts,
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
boot and shoe stores; A. Koblitz and Robt. Setz, harness shop; G. A. Cone, F. A. Buth, Geo. E. Frey and Ben Al- bright, barber shops; F. J. Doepke, Neupert & Budig, and Fischer & Langer, blacksmith and wagon shops; C. B. Wright and Kluetzman Bros., farm implements and machinery; J. D. Knowlton, Fischer Garage, and Waterloo Auto Sales Co., garages; John Jana, bakery; John Sager, and F. W. Plank, tailors and clothiers; A. Doering, machine shop; Krakow Bros., feed mill; Frank Lutschinger, livery; Chas. Doepke, creamery; Chas. Janisch, Wm. Blaschka and Wm. Zibell, Jr., hardware stores; C. L. Patton, photograph gallery; F. F. Jordan, wood and coal yards; Roach & Seeber Co., Mc- Cracken Bros., and Baby Rice Pop Corn Co., grain and com- mission dealers; Archie Bros., marble and monument works; two creameries; one cigar factory; Northwestern Farmers' Mutual Hail & Cyclone Insurance Co., and Portland, Dan- ville, Waterloo & Columbus Mutual Fire Insurance Co .; Wa- terloo Malting Co., Waterloo Canning Association, Drew Carrier Co., Wilbur Lumber Co., Neupert & Budig, box fac- tory ; Badger Medicine Co.
The Waterloo Malting Co. was an outgrowth of the milling plant formerly operated by the Hayhursts and has a plant rep- resenting an investment of about $100,000. The Roach & Seeber Co., started on a very modest scale by A. J. Roach in 1883, has grown to large proportions, owning and operating seven creameries and two cheese factories, and branch stores at Houghton, Calumet, Ironwood and Marquette, Michigan. In connection with the Houghton branch they conduct an ex- tensive wholesale grocery business. This branch is managed by C. V. Seeber. The Waterloo Canning Association has been one of the most successful industries of the village. Or- ganized in 1902 for the purpose of canning peas, it struggled through a few unprosperous years, and then entered into a
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HISTORY OF WATERLOO
career of continued and growing prosperity until now, in addi- tion to its factory, representing an investment of about $50,- 000.00, it owns and operates six farms.
The Drew Carrier Co. was incorporated in 1902 for the purpose of manufacturing litter carriers. It started on a small scale but has gradually grown until it now occupies a commod- ious and well equipped factory in the Fischer addition in which approximately $75,000 has been invested. With the passing of time it has taken on the making of other articles, such as go- carts, tank heaters, and various barn equipments. It operates in a large field and has a branch established in the state of New York.
The Baby Rice Pop Corn Co. succeeded to the business established and conducted for many years by Matt Voelker. Its principal business is the growing, curing and selling of the Baby Rice brand of pop corn. In addition to this it manufac- tures confections and operates a commission store.
The Badger Medicine Co. was incorporated in 1911 to manufacture and sell patent medicine, flavoring extracts and toilet articles. The growth of this company has been steady and has added to the business life of the village. Since its organization Alex Archie has been its president, J. D. John- son, secretary, L. G. Shepard, treasurer, and W. N. White, manager. Mr. Shepard, a son of L. G. Shepard, late of the town of York, and Mr. White were the active promoters of this industry.
The Mckay Nursery company is one of the most thriving industries of Waterloo. A number of years ago this company - bought the nursery stock and business that had been conducted for many years by Mr. Carter, and since then has very largely increased the capital invested in the business as well as the volume of business done.
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Another industry that has attracted lovers of horses from afar is that conducted by L. Lewellin & Sons as importers and breeders of Percheron horses. They have won a high reputa- tion for their stock both in the horse market and at state and county fairs.
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