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 239

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 239


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


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HIENRY D. SQUIRE, homeopathie physician, Sheboygan, came to Wisconsin Sept. 1, 1873; located at Sheboygan, and has been engaged in practicing medicine since that time; was City Physician from May, 1880, to May, 1881. Born at Riverhead, Suffolk Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1839. Resided with parents, in Chi- eago, I.l., from 1848 to 1849; then in Rockford, Ill., was em- ployed in post office as elerk for two years. Was educated in medi- cine at Ifahnemann College, Chicago, Ill., and graduated at Hospital College, at Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1864; then resided at Me- Gregor, Iowa; practiced there and at Prairie du Chien, Wis., for some ten years. Married at McGregor, Iowa, Nov. 28, 1866, to Maria E. Watson, born in Sheboygan Co., Wis. They have seven children-Henry D., Mary C., Sarah B., Charles A., Carrie II., Arthur B. and Alice.


F. R. TOWNSEND, President of the Bank of Sheboygan, and Treasurer of the Sheboygan Manufacturing Company ; was born in Troy. N. Y., Aug. 29, 1813 ; resided there until he came


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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.


to Racine, Wis., in July. 1844, engaged in the produce business there until 1851. when he came to Sheboygan ; after coming here he dealt extensively in produce, and continued in that business until a few years ago; for many years he was the largest dealer in grain in this region ; he engaged in the banking business soon after he came here, and has been interested in it most of the time since ; he has been prominently identified with the promotion of the public interests of this city : he rendered valuable assistance in the construction of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway, and was Secretary and Treasurer of that company ; he was the first Mayor after the city organization; for several terms he has been Alderman ; he has been School Commissioner and City School Superintendent for a number of years, being always greatly interested in the educational interests of the place. Mr. Townsend was married in Galesville, Washington Co .. N. Y., Oct. 17. 1837, to Caroline M. Gale, a native of that place : they have one child-Julia G. now Mrs. Harry A. Barrett ).


WILLIAM E. TALLMADGE. agent C. & N. W. R. R., Sheboygan, born at Byron, Wis., Dee. 14, 1852; at ten years of age, went with parents to Fond du Lae, Wis .; learned telegraphy, and was employed by the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac R. R. Co., as baggage master; then agent for that railroad company, for four years, at Sheboygan Falls. Came to Sheboygan City, March 22. 1878, and engaged in present capacity sinee. Is a son of Mont- gomery W. Tallmadge, farmer, residing at Fond du Lac.


GEORGE THIES, musie teacher; came to Wisconsin in 1847 : located at Sheboygan ; was employed as elerk in the mer- cantile business some eleven years ; was elected Sheriff of the county of Sheboygan in the autumn of 1858, and served two years ; was then a year in Germany; returned to Sheboygan and was employed as clerk for a year or so, after which was teaching musie for several years; was then County Clerk for 1873 and 1874; sinee then has been engaged as musie teacher; born in Hanover. Germany, March 24, 1815 ; was school teacher in that country for fourteen years ; came to America in 1816; resided one year in the State of Illinois ; engaged in various capacities. Married at Sheboygan, Wis., June 28. 1849, to Wilheminia Zoermen : born in Germany ; they have one child-Wilheminia . now Mrs. H. Scheer .


ADAM TRESTER, clothing house, Sheboygan, came to Wisconsin, July 6, 1852; located at Port Washington and farmed for three months; then at Milwaukee for two years, employed at tailoring, etc .; was at Portage City, Wis., two years, engaged as eutter in the clothing bouse : came to Sheboygan in 1856, and re- mained for a short time : then engaged in Milwaukee as cutter for over a year ; afterward at Monitowoe, Wis., for four months ; returned to Sheboygan in 1858, and commenced present business. He was Alderman of Fourth Ward in 1871, and Supervisor of city in 1872. He was born in Prussia in 1828; learned his trade there; came to America June 30, 1852: was married at Sheboygan July 5, 1856, to Miss Anna Kroeff, horn in Prussia. They have nine children-Henry W., John G .. Charles A .. Chris- tinia, Anna, Frances, Adam, Kate and William. They have four deceased.


JACOB J. VOLLRATH, manufacturer of enameled hol low ware ; was born in the village of Dorrebach, Kr. Krenznach, Coblenz, Rhein-Prussia, Sept. 19, 1821; came to New York City Dee. 25. 1842; was there a short time, then went to Albany, N. Y., where he resided two years, then came to Milwaukee and lived there four or five years; afterward located in Chicago, where he remained about five years. then came to Sheboygan ; he worked at iron molder's trade in Albany, Milwaukee and Chi- cago ; in the latter place he carried on business in partnership with Frederick Letz ; when he came to Sheboygan he was engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements for two years, then for three years manufactured steam engines; later he manufact- ured caststeel plows for four or five years ; in 1874, he sold out that business and engaged in his present business. Mr. V. was married in Milwaukee, in 1847. to Elizabeth Margaret Fuchs ;


she was born March 24. 1821, in the village of Pferdsfeld-Kr. Krenznach, Coblenz. Rhein-Prussia; they have six children- Lillie (now Mrs. John M. Kohler. of Sheboygan . Andrew J., Minnie, Mary now Mrs. John R. Reiss, of Milwaukee . Carl. August W. and Nahidy Deborah. Mr. Vollrath is a member of the A .. F. & A. M. ; in 1880, he was the Republican candidate for member of the Assembly from his district.


ANDREW J. VOLLRATH, molder and enameler ; is a son of Jacob J. Vollrath, and was born in Milwaukee Jan. 20, 1850. He was married at Sheboygan Sept. 24. 1879, to Annie M. Liebl, who was born here Nov. 17, 1859; they have one son- Carl J. J.


.CARL VOLLRATH, molder and enameler ; was born at She- boygan Feb. 26, 1859 ; he has always been employed in the man- ufacturing business carried on by his father. Jacob J. Vollrath.


JOHN WATSON. Superintendent and Secretary of the Sheboygan Gas Company. Sheboygan, came to Wisconsin in 1868 ; located at Milwaukee ; learned trade of steam and gas-fitter, and was employed at it some five years; was then employed by the Milwaukee Gas Co. two years in the works, and for four years as Inspector for the company ; came to Sheboygan City Sept. 1, 1879, and engaged in present capacity ; born in Scotland Oct. 29, 1850. and was employed as gas-fitter for three years; came to America in 1868; married at Milwaukee Sept. 30, 1875, to Alena Bridge, born at Bay City, Mich. They have two children -John H. and Edna S.


ARVIN L. WEEKS, architect and builder. Sheboygan, came to Wisconsin in May, 1848; located at Sheboygan ; was engaged for ten years as contracting builder ; built a saw-mill at Meeme, Wis., in 1858, in company with D. Wheeler and Capt. Charles Norton ; they were burnt out about two and a half years later ; in 1861, built another saw-mill in company with Capt. Charles Norton and John M. Folger : they ran the mill for some years ; then the firm changed to Weeks & Co., the company being J. O. Thayer; they continued for some time together ; then Mr. Weeks took the business, and ran it alone up to 1875; then had a lumber yard for three years, and in 1878 commenced in present business; was Architect and Superintendent of County Court House, and also built the first schoolhouse, besides some of the most prominent business and private buildings; was Superintendent of Sheboygan Harbor for seven years, and was at one time member of School Board for three years; born in Massachusetts in 1811 ; learned business there; was engaged in building at Lynn, Mass., for some years ; afterward at Charleston, S. C., Augusta, Ga .; at the latter place was engaged in ear building for two years ; then at Manchester, N. II., building churches, etc., for two years, and at various other places in the Eastern States; married in Massachusetts in 1840. to Elizabeth Cottle, born in that State. They have eight children-Sophronia, Ellen G., Catherine. Arvin L., in lumber business, Elizabeth (., William C., Sarah, Agnes J .- three children deceased.


FREDERICK WELLER. contractor, plasterer and mason, Sheboygan, came to Wisconsin in 1861; located at Sheboygan, and has been engaged in present business for twenty years ; built Fire Hall and the foundation of the Catholic Church, and some large business and private buildings ; born in Prussia Feb. 24. 1820 ; was employed as mason and plasterer for some years ; then came to America in 1861; married in Germany in 1850 to Amelia Hilleng, born there. They have six children-Matilda, Hedwig, Frederick, Bruno, Felix and Emil.


JOSEPH WEDIG, Justice of the Peace, came to Wisconsin on May 19, 1849 ; located at Sheboygan ; was employed in mer- eantile eapacity up to 1853 : was elected Justice of the Peace in that year, and has held the office since, and in 1854 and 1855 was also Pohce Justiee : in 1858 and 1859 was Alderman of First Ward, and also Overseer of the Poor for 1859, and in 1865- 66-67-68 and 1869, represented the First Distriet in the Legis- lature at Madison ; also held the office of City Attorney for eleven years, from 1865, and was twelve years Court Commis-


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HISTORY OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY.


sioner ; born in Hanover, Germany, April 26, 1826; was in administrative government there; came to America in 1849; married at Sheboygan in 1850, to Earnestina Gosse, born in Germany. They have one child-Ferdinandinia.


OTIS P. WHEELER, Superintendent of George B. Mattoon's furniture factory, Sheboygan ; came to Wisconsin in March, 1868 ; located at Menasha for one year engaged as a mechanic; came to Sheboygan in June, 1869 ; was employed in chair manufactories for some years. In fall of 1877 opened a shop, and was engaged in making ladders and employed some at turning furniture; con- tinued in that business np to Jan. 1, 1880 ; since that time, have been engaged in present capacity. Born in Huhbardstown. Worcester Co., Mass., March 10, 1846; learned trade of chair maker at Gardner, Mass., in 1865, and was employed at it some three years. Married at Sheboygan Sept. 24, 1871, to Mary Pelton, born in Ohio. They have one child-Mabel T.


AUGUST H. P. WILSON, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Sheboygan; came to Wisconsin in November, 1880; located here and been engaged in his present capacity since. Mr. Wilson was born in Germany Feb. 10, 1848; educated in Hanover ; came to America in 1869; was engaged in a mercantile capacity for two years in Pennsylvania; was ordained at Germantown, Ohio, in 1872; was at Crestline, Ohio, for three years, and had charge of a German Lutheran Church ; was ordained into the Baptist Church at Manchester, Mich., in 1878, and had charge of First Baptist Church there for over a year, then officiated at Clay- ton, Mich., up to November, 1880. He was married at Eaton Rapids, Mich., December 25, 1871, to Alice Lewis, who was born in Michigan. They have two children-Catherina T. and Martha O.


MICHAEL WINTER, lumber, Sheboygan, came to Wis- consin in 1842 ; located at Milwaukee ; ran saw-mills for some twelve years in and about Milwaukee; ran, in 1843, the first gang saw-mill run in the State ; was then at Herman, Sheboy- gan Co., engaged in farming, and carried on a general store for some twelve years ; came to Sheboygan City in 1866 ; was Sheriff of the county for two years, 1866-67. In 1867 he engaged in the lumber business for three years, with Henry Klue, and since 1870 has been alone ; was also, for a short time, in the coal bnsi- ness with J. J. Sneyder; quit that business in 1874; also deals in stucco, cement, etc .; was elected to the Legislature of Wisconsin in 1864 ; was at one time Alderman of the First Ward for several years, and City Supervisor for one year. He was born Prussia in 1825 ; came to America in 1839 ; was employed for some years on the canal at Buffalo, N. Y .; was married at Milwaukee, Wis., in April, 1848, to Miss Bertha Benter, born in Germany. They have five children-William, Arthur, Jesse, Angusta (now Mrs. Kopsel) and Louisa.


WILLIAM M. WINTER, manager for Michael Winter, dealer in lumber, cement and Stucco, Sheboygan; born in Mil- wankee, Wis., Oct. 13, 1851. Came to Sheboygan in 1864, and has been in the employ of his father, M. Winter, since that time. Married at Sheboygan, Wis., July, 1874, to Minnie Raab, born there. They have three children-Erwin, Alfred and Frank.


LOUIS WOLFF, foreman of binding department " She- boygan Manufacturing Company," Sheboygan ; born in Herman, Sheboygan Co., Oct. 19, 1859 ; resided with parents np to Oeto- ber, 1871, when he came with them to Sheboygan City. In 1874, commenced with Sheboygan Manufacturing Company ; employed six years with father in carpenter-shop. In present capacity since April, 1880. Is the eldest son of Jacob Il. Wolff, in the employ of Sheboygan Manufacturing Company.


JACOB HENRY WOLFF, Foreman of machine depart- ment of Sheboygan Manufacturing Company, Sheboygan ; came to Wisconsin in 1856; located in Sheboygan County, and was engaged as carpenter and millwright for twelve years, and four years in same business at Manitowoc Co., Wis. ; came to Sheboy- gan City, October, 1871, and engaged in present capacity since. Born in Germany in 1833; learned trade of cabinet-maker, and


was employed at it for some years ; came to America in 1856 ; resided in New York for four years employed as cabinet-maker. Married at New York Sept. 19, 1855, to Kate Pusch, a native of Germany. They have five children-Mary, now Mrs. Van Schwent Skofski ; Louis, Henry, Lizzie and William W.


LUDWIG WOLFSEN, surgeon and dentist, Sheboygan ; came to Wisconsin in 1873; located at Green Lake; was a Congrega- tional clergymen and had charge of First Congregational church for two years; then at Plymouth, Wis., had charge of church there for two years, and at same time studied dentistry ; went to Milwaukee and graduated in dentistry with Dr. D. W. Perkins ; returning to Plymouth, Wis. ; preached for some eighteen months ; came to Sheboygan City in May, 1879, and been practicing den- tistry since that time; born in Germany, October, 1840; came to America in 1861 ; enlisted in 87th New York Infantry in 1861 ; served in that regiment up to second battle of Bull Run, in which the regiment participated, and was afterward, in the 40th New York Infantry ; in May, 1863, was wounded at battle of Chancel- lorsville ( thigh fractured ) and was left on the battle field for fourteen days; was discharged in October, 1864; was at Andover, Mass., studied for ministry ; graduated in 1871; was in Fergus Falls, Minn., employed on missionary staff. Married at Sears- mont, Maine, in 1864, to Louisa Brown, now deceased. They had one child-Herbert. Married again at Searsport, Dec. 2, in 1867, to Clara M. Small, of that place. They have two children -Edith and Ludwig.


FREDERICK ZIMMERMANN, retired farmer and merchant, Sheboygan, came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1848; located at town of Wilson, in Sheboygan Co., and was engaged farming for four- teen years, and during that time held the following offices : School Director three years, Town Treasurer two years, Chairman of Board of Supervisors for three years, Town Clerk for one year, and one year Assessor ; in the autumn of 1862, came to Sheboygan City ; was elected County Clerk in 1862 ; re-elected in 1865, and again elected in 1867. In spring of 1869, entered into the boot and shoe business with J. Ohde, and was in that business for four years ; was afterward, an insurance agent for four years; since 1877, has been engaged on his farm, and during 1880, was em- ployed as Census taker ; born in Prusssia, Nov. 24, 1825; was employed as gardener for some years; came to America May 5, 1848. Married at Wilson, Wis .. September, 1852, to Christinia Brehm, born in Germany. They have five children-Edward, Minnie, William, Bertha and Amelia.


THEO. ZSCHETZSCHE, tanner, was born in Saxony, Jan. 10, 1820; came to America in 1850; located at Sheboygan ; he was engaged in carpenter and joiner business until 1859, when he engaged in tannery business in partnership with Christian Heyer ; continued with him until 1872, when the present firm of Theodore Zschetzsche & Son, was organized. Mr. Z.'s wife, Frederika Gerlach, was also born in Saxony.


CARL L. ZSCHETZSCHE, of the firm of Theodore Zsehetz- sche & Son, tanners, was born in Saxony, Ang. 20, 1847 ; came to America with his parents in 1850. He was married at St. Paul, Minn., May, 20, 1872, to Emma Stahlman, a native of Cin- cinnati, O. They have four children-Theodore, Lnln, Frederick and Emilie.


SHEBOYGAN FALLS.


On March 29, 1835, the upper half of Section 36, on which the village is now located, was conveyed by the United States Government to Randolph B. Marey, who thus became the first owner of land in the village and town of Sheboygan Falls. Mr. Marey, however, never settled here, and Col. Silas B. Stedman, of Massachusetts, who bought a part of Mr. Marcy's interest on December 1, 1835. was the first to settle within the town limits. Col. Sted- man, with a view to utilize the valuable water-power which the Sheboygan River here affords, contracted to have a saw-


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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.


mill finished for him by June, 1536, but on moving here with his family at that time, he found it incompleted, and it was not till the following winter that it was ready for use. On March 10, 1838, David Giddings, who had superin- tended the building of the mill, bought the northeast quar- ter of Section 36. In 1839, Charles D. Cole, with his family, moved to Sheboygan Falls, but it was several years before the settlement contained any considerable number of inhabitants.


A list of people in the town in 1840 would include Charles D. Cole and family, Silas B. Stedman and family, Quincy Hall and family, David Giddings, Albert Rounse- ville, John McNish, and on a farm west of the village, Wm. Trowbridge and Wm. S. Trowbridge with their families.


The first frame house was built in 1837, and occupied by John MeNish.


The first marriage was that of Samuel Ashby in 1840; the first white woman to die in the county was Dorothy, wife of William Trowbridge, who died June 1, 1844, and was the first person buried in the town.


In 1841, Herman Pierce and Samuel Rounseville joined the settlement. The village at that time contained four dwellings and about twenty-five inhabitants.


The first grist-mill was built in 1842, but a rude set of stones had previously been in operation in Col. Stedman's saw-mill.


In 1844, a double saw-mill was built on the west side of the river, where G. H. Brickner's woolen-mill now stands, and owned by A. J. Littlefield and David Giddings.


The first German settlement in the county was made in the spring of 1845, under the auspices of Ilenry C. Heide, of Milwaukee, and included N. Heide, George Theirman, Deidrich Bartles, E. Logerman and others. George How- ard, William Whiffen, Newton Goodell, Henry Williams and W. Peck also settled here in 1845.


A post office was established in 1837, with George B. Babcock for first Postmaster. A list of Postmasters in the order of their succession would include about the following names : George B. Babcock, Charles D. Cole, W. Il. Prentice, L. M. Marsh, J. E. Thomas, Col. S. B. Sted- man, James T. Bridgeman, Emmett A. Little, James T. Bridgeman and Charles A. Spencer.


The agricultural resources of the town assure it a place in the first rank of farming towns in the county, while the business industries of the village have acquired for it an en- viable reputation for prosperity and enterprise among busi- ness inen.


The village received an independent organization in 1854. On May 1st of that year, the first charter election was held. The number of votes cast was 47, and the fol- lowing officers were chosen : President, John Keller ; Trustees, George Trombull, A. Skinner, J. E. Thomas and W. D. Kirkland ; Treasurer, II. S. Marsh ; Clerk, Will- iam II. Cole ; Marshal, William C. Eastwood. The num- ber of votes cast in recent elections has been about 280, and the present village officers are : President, J. E. Thom- as ; Trustees, J. II. Reysen, M. Guyett, William Rensis Thomas Relfe : Clerk, J. W. Hanford ; Treasurer, D. P. Rounseville ; Marshal, N. S. Goodell; Justices of the Peace, N. S. Pierce and D. F. Cogswell : Assessor and Street Commissioner, David Goodell.


A high standard has always been maintained in the public schools, and a liberal system pursued with reference to them. The present handsome graded school building


was begun on October 6, 1870, and completed in April, 1872, at a cost of about $11,000, including grounds. It contains seven well ventilated and convenient rooms, and all the schools in the village are gathered into it.


Newspapers .- The first newspaper in the village was called the Free Press. It started about 1851, with J. A. Smith for editor and proprietor. After about a year, it removed to Fond du Lac, where it became the Common- wealth.


The Herald was started by Littlefield & Connor in 1868, and after about two years was removed to Sheboy- gan, where it is still published. The Sheboygan County News was moved from Sheboygan in May, 1878, and pub- lished by F. J. Mills, Sr. In September, 1878, John E. Thomas became proprietor. The editors are John E. Thomas and Miss Mary E. Thomas, W. C. Thomas busi- ness manager. The paper is a six-column quarto, Inde- pendent in politics, and has a large circulation in the county. It is the official organ of the dairying interests.


Manufacturing .- The first tannery was built by J. D. Gould in 1855. In 1866, he was succeeded by Charles S. Weisse, who still carries on the business. The present large tannery building was put up in 1880. From twenty to twenty-five hands are employed, and the yearly business is estimated at $100,000.


This village is the only place in the county where woolen goods are manufactured. The Sheboygan Falls Woolen Mills were started on the east side of the river about 1861 by William H. Prentice. The different firm names have been William H. Prentice, Prentice & Farnsworth, Prentice & Heald, Brickner & Heald, and, since 1872, G. H. Brick- ner. The present mill on the west side of the stream was built in 1879-80. and first operated in April, 1880. Em- ployment is given to thirty or forty hands, and a business of about $75,000 done yearly.


The Riverside Woolen Mills were built in 1865. O. Treadwell & Co. bought the mills and began operating them in the spring of 1875. The manufacture of shawls is exclusively followed, and the mills have facilities for turn- ing out 11,000 shawls per month. About forty hands are employed, and the business is estimated at 880,000 yearly.


The creamery and cheese factory of H. K. Loomis is one of the largest in the county. Twelve thousand pounds of milk are received daily, and the value of the yearly produc- tion is about 820,000. The factory is provided with all the modern conveniences for making butter and cheese.


The first foundry in the village was built in 1846 by Horace Trowbridge. For some years this was the only one in all the region between Milwaukee and Green Bay. The present foundry building was erected in 1850. B. E. San- ford bought the business in 1875, and has since carried it on under the name of the "Phoenix Iron Works." The principal business is the manufacture of plows and water- wheels-the Walsh double turbine. From twelve to fifteen men are constantly engaged in the business.


The foundry of Demand & Iluyek, near the depot, was built in 1881. All kinds of iron work are done.


The manufacture of rakes was begun about 1859 by E. Quinlan. The business was taken up in 1871 by George Spratt, who still carries it on in the saw-mill built by Col. Silas Stedman in 1836. It is the only place in the county where the same kind of manufacturing is done. About ten hands are employed, and the business amounts to $10,000 annually.


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HISTORY OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY.


William Servis began the manufacture of wagons and carriages in 1854, and has steadily enlarged his business from the start. A large brick block and several other buildings are used for the manufacturing. About fifteen men are employed, and fifty sleighs and one hundred car- riages turned out yearly. The annual business is estimated at $15,000. The work of this factory has taken first pre- mium at six successive State Fairs.


H. Schuman began carriage making in 1869. Ile employs from from six to eight men in making carriages and sleighs, of which his yearly production is about fifty. He works on orders largely, and does a business of about $5,000.


The first mill on the site of the present Rock Mills was built in 1848, and began running in the spring of 1849. Since then the mill has been several times rebuilt and enlarged. Heald, Reysen & Co., the present owners, do a large merchant and custom business estimated at $50,000 yearly.


The hub and spoke factory of Hill & Clark was burned in 1865, and that of Mr. Skinner in the same year. In 1868, a business block was burned ; in 1869, Joseph Osthel- der's brewery ; in 1875, Owen M. Sprague's fanning-mill and pump factory; in 1877, Henry Dicke's brewery ; in 1879, Odd Fellows' Block ; in 1880, G. H. Brickner's grist-mill and Taylor Bros. sash and blind factory. A hook and ladder company was organized in 1867, with Joseph Osthelder for Foreman. A hand engine was bought, and an engine company organized in 1869, with Charles Miller for Foreman. The present Foreman of the hook and lad- der and engine companies are Joseph Guyett and A. G. Maulich, respectively.




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