History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc., Part 150

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052

USA > Wisconsin > History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. > Part 150

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).

The Public Library .- The Jones Library was founded in 1868, through the liberality of Col. K. K. Jones, now a resident of Quincy, Ill. His donation amounted to $2,000, and the library was at first a private institution. In 1868, the "Jones Library Association " was incorporated. It has about seventy-five members. The library consists of 2,000 well selected volumes.

THE PRESS.

Manitowoc Pilot .- The Herald was established in 1850, by C. W. Fitch, the first numbers being printed in Sheboy- gan. Four years later the Manitowoc Tribune was estab- lished, and in August, 1858, the Pilot, by Jere Crowley. In 1861, the Tribune, then under the management of Capt. Smith devoured the Herald, and the former journal was consolidated with the Pilot, in 1878. The present editors

and proprietors of the Manitowoc Pilot are Messrs. John Nagle and Edward W. Borcherdt, they having assumed the management in April of that year. The journal is issued weekly, is Democratic in politics, and an eight-column folio in form.

Der Nord-Westen (German) was established by Carl H. Schmidt, its present editor and proprietor, in 1855. Its publication was suspended during the war, but was resumed in 1865. This journal is issued weekly, with a Sunday edi- tion ; is Democratic in politics, and a six-column quarto in form. It is the oldest paper published continuously under one name in Manitowoc, and, with few exceptions, Mr. Schmidt has been longer in the service than any of Wiscon- sin's editors.

The Manitowoc Tribune was established in 1879, by H. Sandford, its present editor and proprietor. It is a weekly paper, six-column quarto, and is Republican in politics.

The Manitowoc Journal is a five-column quarto paper, published by W. J. Christie, and is independent in politics.

The Manitowoc Post (German) .- In July, 1881, A. Witt- mann, an old settler of 1848, and well known throughout the county, established this journal. It is a five-column quarto, issued weekly, and is independent in politics.

The Wisconsin Demokrat, a German Free-Soil paper, was established in 1852, by Charles Rosser. When it passed into the hands of A. Wallich, some years afterward, its name was changed to the Union Demokrat. It was sus- pended by him in 1866, and revived again in 1868, by Otto Træmel, under the name of the Zeitung. Fred Heinemann purchased it upon the death of Mr. Træmel, changed its name to the Journal, and suspended its publication in 1877.

Der Buschhauer was published by Carl Pflame, from 1855 to 1857.

A religious paper, called the Concordia, was established in 1875, published for about a year, and then removed to Green Bay.

CHURCHES.

First Presbyterian Church .- A meeting for the organiza- tion of the society was held June 26, 1851, at the house of Fred Borcherdt, village of Manitowoc Rapids. The meet- ing, as stated in the records, was composed of those residing both at " the Rapids " and " at the mouth of the river." Fol- lowing are those who became members : Fred. Borcherdt, Mrs. Wilhelmina Borcherdt, James and Mrs. Isabella Patter- son, Mesdames Sarah D. Herrit, Mary E. Hall, Margaret Al- len, Abagail Sherman, J. S. Reed, Elizabeth A. Sherman and Dennis M. Thomas, Moses Tufts and the Misses Eliza and Hannah A. Tufts. Fred Borcherdt was the first ruling elder. Rev. M. Holmes began his labors as pastor in June, 1855, and in November a house of worship in Manitowoc was dedicated. It was known as " The Tabernacle." Rev. J. M. Craig, the present pastor, has been in charge since August, 1880. About sixty families compose the congregation of the so- ciety. The elegant church edifice in which they worship was erected in 1872, at a cost of $20,000, the money being raised by subscription.

St. Boniface Church (Catholic) .- This church was organ-

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HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY.

ized in 1853. Rev. W. J. Peil is the present pastor. The church has a membership of 250 families. A school is con- ducted in connection with the church, which has an at- tendance of 250 pupils.

St. Mary's Church (Polish Catholic) .- The society was organized in 1875, and a building purchased the same year from the German Lutheran Congregation. Rev. J. Mus- chelevitch is its present pastor, and 100 families are under his care. The school, which has been established in con- nection with the church, has an attendance of 120 pupils.

St. Francis Convent .- A convent was organized in 1869 by Rev. Father Joseph Fessler. In 1873, a more commo- dious structure than had been occupied was found neces- sary, and a large and beautiful building was commenced on a high eminence overlooking Silver Lake, about four miles southwest of the city. Up to the time it was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire (September 1, 1881), eighty- seven sisters had been received and professed. Twenty- seven of them came from Germany with their private for- tunes, being expelled from that country by its laws. A boarding school was attached, and about twenty of the sis- ters are now engaged in teaching in different localities. The church building was erected in 1872. The building was the most costly in Northeastern Wisconsin, the loss upon it being $65,000, and the insurance only $5,000. Steps were at once taken to raise the necessary funds to rebuild.

St. James' Episcopal .- The society was organized in Feb- ruary, 1848. A room was rented for purposes of worship, and fitted up with benches to accommodate about fifty fam- ilies. Thomas H. A. Edwards and Alden Clark were elected the first wardens. Rev. G. Unonius became the first pastor of the society. By 1851, the church member- ship had so increased that it became necessary to erect a house of worship. A subscription of $1,745 was at once raised, a lot was donated by Benjamin Jones, and in Sep- tember of that year, the corner-stone was laid. The church has at present no settled pastor.

The First Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1853, with about twenty members, Rev. C. F. Goldammer being in charge. One year afterward a day school was es- tablished. During the pastorate of Rev. P. Kœhler, who succeeded him, a second school was established. In 1873 a church building was erected at a cost of $16,000. The present pastor in charge is Rev. R. Pieper. The congrega- tion consists of 300 families, and 260 pupils attend the two day schools.

German Methodist Episcopal Church .- Organized in Sep- tember, 1855, Rev. F. Klueckhohn became the first pastor of the church. The present congregation, consisting of ninety members, is in charge of Rev. C. Iwert.

Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in September, 1849, by Rev. J. A. Ottesen. The church was built in 1867, and the property is valued at $2,575. The present membership of the society is about seventy families ; its pastor being Rev. C. F. Magelssen.

There are besides the above, a small Norwegian Metho- dist, pastor, Rev. Hougen, of Sheboygan; and the " Augus-

tana Church" (Lutheran), consisting of twenty families, under the charge of Rev. Andersen. A small German Re- form " Hoffnung's" church is also in existence, but without a settled pastor.

The Evergreen Cemetery, north of the river, near the city limits, is municipal property, and is used as a park, although known under the above name. It consists of forty acres of land, the city having purchased all but a small portion of this amount in 1873.

The Catholic Cemetery consists of a tract of ten acres of land, on South Main street, which is the property of the dif- ferent churches of that denomination.

SOCIETIES.

Masonic .- The representatives of this order are Manito- woc Lodge, No. 65, and Manitowoc Chapter, No. 16. They are in a flourishing and growing condition.

Odd-Fellows .- Chickerming Lodge, No. 55, organized in 1850, has a membership of 125. Manitowoc Lodge, No. 194 (German), organized in 1871, has a membership of 107.

A. O. U. W .- There are two lodges belonging to this order, Clipper City Lodge, No. 48, and Mozart Lodge (Ger- man), No. 73. They are both strong.

Knights of Honor .- Hope Lodge, No. 393, is the only organization of the kind in the city.

Der Herman Sochne .- Thusnelda Lodge, No.7, organized in 1857, has ninety-four members. Kæner Lodge is the only other local organization.

Manitowoc Turnverein .- The society was incorporated in 1860, and its hall, corner of South Seventh and Washing- ton streets, erected in 1865, at a cost of $8,000. It has a membership of 100.

Bohemian Turnverein has forty-five members. Its hall on North Seventh street was built in 1864. The society's property is valued at $2,000.

Manitowoc Temple of Honor, No. 69, was organized in 1876, and Sprague Lodge, 1. O. G. T., in 1850.

The Lake Shore Council (Royal Arcanum), and the Bo- hemian society, Slovanska Lipa, completes the list of socie- ties, whose length is sufficient excuse for a less particular mention.

HOTELS.

As partaking partly of the social and partially of the commercial nature, the chief hotels of Manitowoc may be fitly placed as they are now seen.

Windiate House .- The first hotel at Manitowoc was com- menced in 1837, by Benjamin Jones, and called the Na- tional Hotel. The building was not fully completed till some years afterward. It is a three-story, old-fashioned, frame building, and presents the marks of old age. Adjoin- ing it is the Windiate House, on York street. This is a three-story brick structure; was commenced by Thomas Windiate, in 1857, and completed in 1864. Mr. Windiate is still carrying on the business.

Franklin House .- This house was the next hotel built after the National, it being erected in 1841. The building then stood near the lake shore, but was moved to its present location, on Franklin street, in 1852. It then assumed its

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

present name. William Nollau has been proprietor since 1863.

Williams House .- Next in chronological order of the early hotels now standing, comes the Williams House, built in 1850. Mrs. Williams, the widow of its builder, owns the present three-story structure, which was erected by her in 1867. During the previous year, the original frame build- ing burned. H. A. Reuss is proprietor of the hotel.

Northwestern House .- This hotel, a three-story brick building, was erected by M. Kettenhofen, its present pro- prietor, in 1866-69. He had previously been engaged in the hotel business in Neshota, Manitowoc Co., and as pro- prietor of the Williams House in this city. He is one of the oldest and most successful landlords in Manitowoc.

COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGES.

In early days, Manitowoc was the center of the ship- building interests of the State. But, as has been stated, since the clearing of the timber from the county, this line of industry has been deteriorating. Her good situation as a commercial point also early called the attention of her people to the necessity of improving her harbor.

Manitowoc Harbor .- The present project for the im- provement of the harbor was adopted in 1866, and modified in 1872. The object of the improvement is to afford a channel of navigable width, and of not less than twelve feet in depth at the shoalest part. Before the present project was adopted, $8,000 was appropriated by the General Gov- ernment. Up to June 30, 1880, the amount appropriated, $228,117 49. The estimates made originally and since to extend the piers to 18-foot curve, with dredging, amount to $248,142.54. It is estimated that for the completion of the present project, $8,362.54 will have to be expended for the fiscal year ending Jnne 30, 1882. The piers of the harbor extend 1,500 feet into the lake, a light-house is at one side of the entrance, and there is at its mouth an average depth of 17 feet.

Although the General Government has been liberal in the amounts expended upon Manitowoc harbor to bring it to its present good standing as a refuge from the lake storms, the city itself has done its full share. Its labors in this di- rection are detailed in the following extract from a memo- rial addressed to Congress by its Board of Aldermen :

" In 1866 the city built a dredge and scows at an ex- pense of about $20,000, and allowed the contractor doing Government work the use of the same at a nominal rent, by reason of which the Government was able to have the work of excavating 117,913 cubic yards done at the rate of 20 cents per cubic yard, while the same kind of work was paid for at other ports along the lake shore at the rate of 40 cents per cubic yard, being a net saving to the Government in one year on the cost of excavating, the sum of $23,582.60. That the city has, at its own expense, done dredging at various times as follows :

"In 1868, 47,070 cubic yards ; 1869, 20,000 ; 1870, 19,000 ; 1871, 18,000 ; 1872, 41,490 ; 1873, 33,665 ; 1874, 32,700. That the city has also built about one mile of docks at an expense of about $50,000."

During the year ending December 31, 1880, 461 steam- ers arrived in the Harbor of Manitowoc, and 470 departed ; 342 sailing vessels arrived, and 359 departed.

Ship Building .- While the great oak forests of Calumet and Manitowoc counties "held their own " against the in- roads of ax and saw, ship building continued to be the leading manufacturing industry of Manitowoc. The bulk of the building has been done to supply the wear and tear of the immense traffic carried on by the Goodrich Trans- portation Company. In 1847 the "Citizen " was built by Capt. Joseph Edwards. It was of but sixty-tons burden, and is worthy of notice only as being the first of a long line of descendants. She was lost on Lake Michigan. In 1860-61 the "Union," the first propeller, was built by Bates & Son for Capt. Goodrich. Its cost was $25,000. Next came the "Sunbeam," by the same, for the same, costing $40,000. G. S. Rand & Co built the steamer " Northwest' for the Transportation Company in 1866. This was consid- ered the finest craft of its kind on the lake, was of 1, 100 tons burden, and cost $120,000. Since then the same yard (now Rand & Burger) have built a dozen steamers for the same line, at an aggregate cost of nearly $2,000,000, besides numbers of sailing vessels for other parties.

From the time that Capt. Joseph Edwards built the " Citizen," in 1847 (64 tons burden), up to June 30, 1881, during which year James Butler built the steam barge " Reuben Richards " (815 tons), and Rand & Burger, the schooner barge " A. A. Carpenter" (541 tons), 123 sailing crafts of all varieties have been turned out from the ship yards at Manitowoc. Most of the schooner barges for the large lumber companies in Marinette and Menomonee, such as the "A. A. Carpenter," "S. M. Stephenson," "Henry Witbeck," and " J. Stephenson," have been built by Messrs. Rand & Burger. The following table shows the number of vessels, by classes, which have been built in Manitowoc from 1847 to June 30, 1881 :

Class.

No.

Tonnage.

Schooners

18,900

Schooner-Barges

3,756

Steam-Barges.

1,523

Tugs

240

Propellers

4,109

Side-Wheel Steamers

5.686

Total. 123

34,214

A sketch of the two oldest and the principal ship-yards of the city follows:

Rand & Burger .- The predecessors of this old estab- lished yard were G. S. Rand & Co., and G. S. Rand. Mr. Rand commenced ship building in Manitowoc, in 1853. The firm, G. S. Rand & Co., was formed in 1871, and that of Rand & Burger, in 1873. The yard employs 100 men. on an average, doing an annual business to the amount of $100,000.

Hanson & Scove .- These yards were established in 1866. under the firm name of Jones & Hanson. The present partnership was formed in 1868. They employ about sev- enty men, and average $60,000 worth of business annually. The schooner, "Thomas L. Parker," launched from this

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HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY.

yard in August, 1881, is one of the finest vessels which has been built in the city.

Besides these yards, the Goodrich Transportation Com- pany has its stocks mostly for repairing boats of its own line. Jonah Richards also does some building, but only for him- self.

Bridges .- Manitowoc River is navigable to within a quar- ter of a mile of the Rapids bridge, to vessels drawing six feet of water. Up to Peter Larson's ship-yard it has an average depth of twelve feet. It is spanned by a number of bridges, the most substantial of which are the Main and the Eighth Street bridges. The former was built in 1873, at a cost of $25,000, and the latter for $12,000, in 1875.

BANKS.

Richter & Volmer established the first private bank in 1852, carrying on the business for several years. Both of these gentlemen died in 1857.

William Bach carried on a successful private institution from 1855 to 1857.

The Lake Shore Bank was started by Adams & Bro., who continued in the business from 1858 to 1860. During the latter year, the Manitowoc County Bank was removed from Two Rivers to Manitowoc, and failed like its prede- cessor.

The First National Bank was established as a State in- stitution in 1856. C. C. Barnes became its president in 1858, having purchased a controlling interest in the Bank of Manitowoc. In 1865, it was organized as a national bank, under the above title, Mr. Barnes retaining the presi- dency. Charles Luling has continued to act as its cashier. It has a capital stock of $50,000, and a surplus of $8,500.

T. C. Shove's Bank is a private establishment, founded in 1858, by Mr. Shove, the present owner. Its capital stock is $25,000.

These two are the only banking institutions in the city.

MANUFACTORIES.

Following are sketches of Manitowoc's leading manu- factories, bearing out her claim to commercial prosperity and importance. Her important business houses, and the story of the lives of her business men, have a place in the biographical department.

Oriental Mills were erected in 1869, by John Schuette and August Wahle. Both building and machinery have undergone many improvements since, until now the mills have ten run of stone, and a capacity of 200 barrels of flour per day.

Wisconsin Central Mills were erected in 1871-2, by August Wahle and L. Haupt. Upon the former's death, Messrs. Jacob Fliegler and Louis Haupt, present proprie- tors, became the owners. An eight-run mill was established in 1878. Two years afterward, the capacity was increased to ten run of stone. The mills now turn out from 50,000 to 60,000 barrels of flour annually.

Manitowoc Mills were erected by H. Truman, in 1874. They are operated at present by the firm of Truman & Cooper; capacity, 200 barrels per day. Attached to the

mills is a hay press. The dock of the Chicago & Lake Superior steamers is also at the mills, so that this vicinity presents a scene of unusual business life.

William Rahr's Malt House and Brewery .- This estab- lishment is one of the largest of the kind in the State. William Rahr, Sr., erected a small brewery and malt house in 1849. A few years later it burned down, and he com- menced to rebuild in the same modest scale. By a cau- tious industry, however, he gradually added to his facilities, until, in 1878, he finished the malt house and elevators on Washington street, which now present so striking and sub- stantial an appearance. The storage capacity of the ele- vators is 180,000 bushels, and the malting capacity of the house is about 150,000 bushels per annum. The capacity of the brewery is 5,000 barrels of beer per annum. After the death of William Rahr, Sr., in 1880, William Rahr, Jr., assumed the management of the business, and is at present conducting it.

Pautz's Brewery was built in 1849, by Mr. Hottleman, he being the first to brew beer in the county. G. Kuntz pur- chased the brewery of him in 1865. Messrs. Fred. Pautz and John Schreihart became the owners in 1875. In No- vember, 1878, the former purchased the interest of the lat- ter, and is now conducting the business alone. The capac- ity of the brewery is about 1,600 barrels of beer per an- num.

Schreiharts's Brewery .- In 1879, John Schreihart estab- lished himself in business, and is now conducting a brewery on Washington street. He has been brought up in the business and understands it.

Sherman & Son, Tanners .- In 1851, L. Sherman started a tannery, which is now being conducted by himself and son. It is one of the oldest in the county. About 3,000 hides are tanned annually.

F. Schultz's Tannery was built in 1861, and he has since been at the head of the business. Its annual product is from 4,000 to 5,000 hides.

H. Vits's Tannery .- M. Vollendorf erected the tannery in 1869, which, three years later, came into the possession of Messrs. Vollendorf & Vits. In 1879, Mr. Vits became sole proprietor. The establishment turns out 3,000 hides annually.

Charles Dobbert's Tannery was built in 1865, he coming into possession of it the next year. It tans, on an average, 3,000 hides annually.

The Smalley Manufacturing Company .-- In 1857, E. J. Smalley established a small manufactory for the making of agricultural implements. He continued to do a successful business, and although the building was destroyed by fire in 1873, another was at once erected. The territory in which the company operates has expanded from local dimensions into the limits of several States. About thirty men are em- ployed, and an amount of business is transacted aggregating $40,000 annually. In August, 1881, the Smalley Manufac- turing Company filed articles of association at Madison, the incorporators being E. J., C. F. and C. C. Smalley. Its capital stock is $25,000.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Richards's Iron Works and Foundry were established by J. Richards, in 1864. The business is still conducted by him and H. C. Richards, his son. The works are princi- pally employed in the manufacture of engines and agricult- ural implements. Some twenty hands are employed. The annual amount of business transacted is $25,000.

A. F. Dumke's Foundry and Machine Shop was estab- lished by him and John Klein in 1865. Charles Haverland and William Wilharms purchased Mr. Klein's interest, and business was continued thus for five years, when Mr. Dumke became sole proprietor. A. C. Dumke, his nephew, is now in partnership. As Mr. Dumke is a practical millwright he has made the building of engines for flouring mills a spe- cialty. His business amounts to $8,000.

Willott's Edge Tool Factory is the only establishment of the kind in the State, and was founded by Martin & Wil- lott in 1872. The former retired from the firm, and the business has since been carried on by Joseph Willott & Sons. The factory turns out 1,200 dozen axes annually, be- sides other edge tools, which find a market chiefly in Wis- consin and Minnesota.

Pankratz & Co.'s saw mill was built in 1871. The old one on its site was erected in 1855, by Lester Bros., and burned during that year. The mill is doing a good busi- ness.

Edward Zander's planing mill and sash, door and blind factory were built by him in 1870. He is conducting a business amounting to $10,000 annually.

Charles Zander's planing mill and sash, door and blind factory were built in 1866. His business amounts to $5,000 annually.

Henry Greve's planing mill and stave factory were estab- lished by him in 1873. He employs twenty hands and trans- acts business amounting to $25,000 annually.

Clipper City Carriage Works are the only ones of the kind in the city. Frank Shimek established the manufac- tory in 1872, and his brother Joseph afterward became a partner. The business is good and growing.

The cream-colored brick, for which Milwaukee has be- come so noted, are also manufactured in Manitowoc. Ferdinand Ostenfeld, who has the largest yard, established his business in 1876, and makes 1,250,000 annually. The product is shipped mostly to Lake Superior and Mich- igan. Also engaged in the same business are H. Wehausen, who makes over 500,000 annually, and G. Fricke, Adolph Kugler and Ferdinand Veith, who carry on the manufac- ture on a smaller scale.

Marble Works of Manitowoc .- In June, 1866, John Mandlik established the works, and has conducted them since. He has expended considerable money in the county in searching for good building stone, having discovered some of superior quality in the town of Rockland. His works are the largest in the city.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, light-house keeper, born Dec. 29, 1825, in Norway ; August, 1844, came to Racine, Wis .; in 1845, came to Chi- cago ; July 5, 1846, came to Manitowoc ; started a tailor shop which he continued several years. He afterward bought a vessel which he sailed

several seasons, then sold and bought a farm where he worked about seven years. He then removed to Manitowoc and followed teaming about two years ; afterward ran a threshing-machine two seasons. He then opened a boarding-house which he continued till 1876, when he was appointed to his present position. Married, in 1866, to Sarah Torrison, of Norway. They have two children, one son and one daughter. He has four children by a former marriage, three sons and one daughter.

JAMES S. ANDERSON, attorney and counselor at law, Manitowoc, first settled in Kossuth Township, Manitowoc Co., September, 1852, with his parents. He lived at home until he was about eighteen years of age. He enlisted in Co. A, 5th Regt. Wis. V. I., April 22, 1861, and served three years and four months, being in the battles of Antietam, Gettys- burg, and many of the important battles participated in by the Army of the Potomac. He received several slight wounds, but same out sound, and was mustered out at Madison, Wis., August, 1864. He returned to Appleton and attended the Lawrence University, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1870, after which he studied law and was admitted to the Bar in Manitowoc, December, 1871 ; then he began the practice of law. He was born in Kelvin Haugh, near Glasgow, Scot- land, Dec. 25, 1842. He married a daughter of the Hon. J. T. Mills, of Grant County, Miss Eva M. Mills, July 17, 1873. She was born April 15, 1846. They have two children, Minnie H. and Joseph M.

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Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1052

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052