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 24

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 24

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[For a history of the great fire, see Marinette County.] On January 27, 1873, fire was discovered in the gro- cery and ship chandlery store of Day & Whitney, corner of Washington and Main streets. The flames soon spread to the new brick building (three stories) next south, which was owned by F. R. Schettler. Next came the fine dry goods store of George Sommers. These were all destroyed with valuable stocks, and as the south wall of the latter building fell it crushed the wooden gunsmith shop of H. Hall into fragments. The principal losers were George Sommers $75,000, insurance $52,500 ; Day & Whitney

$68,000, insurance $24,700; F. R. Schettler $12,000, in- surance $5,000. The total loss was $156,000; insurance $82,700.

The most destructive conflagration which ever visited Brown County occurred September 20, 1880, and laid in ashes one hundred buildings in the city of Green Bay. A full and graphic account of the casualty is taken from the files of the Advocate:

Monday, September 20, 1880, will always be referred back to as a terrible day for Green Bay. During the prevalence of a tremendnous gale from the southwest about 2:30 P. M., the dread alarm of fire was sounded. The fire proved to be in the planing mill on the bank of Fox River, near the juncture of Washington and Adams streets. The engine reached the scene as quickly as possible, but the inflammable nature of the building and its contents precluded the possibility of sav- ing it, and the flames quickly leaped to the wooden structures about, and, fanned by the gale, swept onward with resistless energy. The wooden building where the fire started was but a mouthful, and the flames jumped Washington street, licked up the old Bank Building and Conley's ice honse on Washington and jumped Adams street to the Pres- byterian Church and parsonage. The church roof was fired by the burn- ing coals in many places at once, and although a gallant fight was made by men with pails of water, who mounted the roof by means of ladders, it was doomed. The organ was saved, but the men who saved it came near being crushed by the falling plaster. From the church it swept over to Jefferson street westward, still tending to the north, and wiped ont the residences of John Last, Sr., and John Last, Jr., and those of Postmaster Kimball, Dr. Brett and Judge Ellis. Ilere it jumped the street, and on the easterly side took the old Follett residence ; thence northeasterly to Madison street, taking the residences of George Haskin- son, J. J. Tracy, Esq., and M. Gagnon. Here a most stubborn fight was made. On the corner of Madison and Stuart streets, was the Garon residence. Here Omar Harder and others worked vigorously with pails. This locality seemed to be the key to the whole sitnation. The Garon home stood on the corner, and if it burned, the coals would be carried directly over the Methodist Episcopal Church on the north side of Jackson square. On the east side of Jefferson street, was the Baptist Church, in pretty warm quarters with the Moravian parsonage, Moravian Church and another building near it. Had these gone, the fire would unquestionably have jumped Jackson square, and taken a fresh start, sweeping the Methodist Episcopal Church and old Brick Schoolhouse, Louis Schellar's residence and thence on to the Cathedral and other buildings on Monroe street, with the Bishop's residence, old German church and other buildings on Mad- ison street. But happily the fight was successful, and it was stopped here, although the old Brick Schoolhonse was on fire several times. This ended the southern section of the fire.

In the meantime and soon after the commencement of the fire just described, the wind, which amounted almost to a tornado, carrying showers of burning coals with it, lodged a coal on the roof of Charles Kitchen's residence on Cherry street, which was speedily fanned into a flame, and a new conflagration started several blocks distant from the first, and probably the most disastrous of the two in amount of loss and buildings destroyed. The fire spread on both sides, principally to the eastward, quickly jumped Cherry street and burned nearly two blocks on the north side, including three fine brick buildings. Its east- ern limit on this street was the residence of Mr. Preble, on the southwest corner of Cherry and Van Buren streets. The residence of City Treas- urer Kusterman, next south of it, was saved by hard work.

One of the most gallant and successful fights during the fire was that made at the Lutheran Church, on the northwest corner of Cherry and Van Buren. The church was saved by pails of water, almost without a scorch ; and was the key to the safety of a large number of other build- ings.

From Cherry it swept over on Pine street, taking both sides of the street, and including the residence of John D. Williams and J. McDonnell. A most stubborn fight was made at the Pine-street Schoolhouse by a corps of men with buckets under the leadership of School Superintendent Leon- ard. It caught fire several times. The piles of wood and sidewalk about it were partially burned, and also the fence surrounding it. These efforts were successful, and the building, which is the best schoolhouse in the city, was saved almost without damage.

From Pine street the fire jumped a block to the north side of Main street, strange to say skipped the Schumacher property on the sonth side altogether, and burned the north side, ending on the bank of East River, simply because the wind was blowing, and there was nothing more for it to feed upon. The nearest approach of the fire to Walnut street, was the burning of the barns on the premises of J. B. Wing and Mr. Althof, while their houses on the north side of Walnut street entirely escaped.

The scenes of terror and confusion beggar description. Many build- ings were burned with scarcely an article removed from them. Others removed portions of their goods, and some goods taken into the street

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HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.

were burned there. Men, women and children hurried along, bearing all sorts of articles in their hands; and teams were very busy carrying off the rescued property. A score or more of people removed all their goods from their houses, and the houses escaped, while many others packed their most valuable articles and let them remain.

We presume the origin of the fire is not certainly known ; but it is almost a certainty that it caught from a spark thrown out from the smoke-stack of the Goodrich propeller "Oconto," which just passed. The suspicion is strengthened by the fact that she set several fires down town the same evening, which were fortunately all noticed and extinguished.

Competent judges place the total losses at about $125.000, and insur- ance from $60,000 to $70,000. Messrs. Kimball & Libby had losses in companies represented by them of from $25,000 to $30,000. The following are among the losses and insurance : Presbyterian Church and parson- age $10,000, insurance $5,000; the Crandall Ilouse and barn $4,000, A. W. Kimball, who occupied them, insurance on furniture $1,950; Anton Burkard $4,000, insurance $2,000; the Schuette Building $3.000, insurance $2,500; Mrs. Munroe $3,500, insurance $2,600; the Avery property $3.300 ; N. Schilling on three brick dwellings $11,000, insur- ance $4.500 ; J. Leisch $5,000, insurance $1,500; the Irving library in the Presbyterian parsonage $2,000, insurance $1,300 ; Mr. Prebles $2,500, insurance $1,000.

One of the saddest losses for Green Bay is in the destruction of hundreds of its beautiful shade trees, which it will take a long time to replace. There are those who think that the most northerly fire, which originated in the Kitchen building. did not come from the first, but from a defective flue. The ladies from Fort Howard, as well as from Green Bay, provided abundant refreshments for the workers. On the other hand, there were cases of exorbitant charges for carrying goods. The saving of Pine-street Schoolhouse, in the midst of a cordon of fire, was almost miraculous. It was on fire many times, and put out entirely by pails of water. So close was the call, that ten square feet of the roof had to be reshingled the next day. The janitor and his wife deserve great credit for their efforts. Its destruction would have largely spread the fire. The " Old Brick," or High School, also narrowly escaped ; the fire at one time got under the threshold and floor, and was put out by making holes through the flooring. A daughter of Charles Kitchen, very sick, was re- moved from her home and conveyed to the Cadle House. Old Mrs. Schumacher, on Main street, who had for some time been in feeble health, died from fright, while the property was saved. The small building on School street, next to the residence of Louis Schellar, had an underpinning of sawdust, which caught fire several times, and was kept from burning and spreading by constant watching and wetting.

The steamers did all possible, and the Fort Howard steamers ren- dered efficient aid ; but the fire was altogether too large for the means at hand for staying its ravages.

The escape of some buildings from total destruction was simply won- derful ; for instance, the houses of Mrs. Carabin, George Sommers, J. P. Schumacher, L. B. Godfroy, Mrs. Lochman, Mrs. Garon (Geban place), and perhaps others. All must have noticed the freedom from drunkenness on the streets. Business of all kinds in the city was practi- cally suspended.

THE PRESS OF GREEN BAY.

On the 11th of December, 1833, Albert G. Ellis and J. V. Suydam issued the first paper which ever showed its inky face within the present limits of the State of Wiscon- sin ; its name, the Green Bay Intelligencer ; its size, 16x22 inches ; period of publication, semi-monthly. It was the intention to make it a weekly, but the field presented was not sufficiently fruitful of subscribers. Mr. Suydam erected a little one-story building, which has been so often repro- duced on paper that its appearance is familiar to every one who is interested in the pioneer life of the Northwest. A. G. Ellis became connected with the Intelligencer at once, and came into possession of it in 1834, associating with himself C. C. P. Arndt. In the meantime (August, 1835), Mr. Stevenson had established the Wisconsin Free Press, purchased shortly afterwards by Charles C. Sholes. In August, 1836, the two papers were consolidated, and the Wisconsin Democrat made its appearance ; H. O. and C. C. Sholes, proprietors. After the great fire of 1840, the paper was removed to Southport (now Kenosha). In September, 1841, an association started the Green Bay Republican, pub- lished by H. O. Sholes and edited by C. C. P. Arndt. In 1844, Samuel Ryan, Jr., became owner of the establishment, and changed the name to the Wisconsin Republican. The Phenix, also started in 1841 by J. V. Suydam and Judge J. V. Knapp, was so badly scorched by fire in December of that year that it never recovered.

In 1846, the Green Bay Advocate was established by Charles D. and A. C. Robinson, natives of Marcellus, N. Y. The former was first upon the ground, and in a few days the material for the office was on its way from Buffalo, safely stowed on the steamer "Columbus." The initial number ap- peared August 13, a six-column sheet. It so met the wants of the people that it has lived and grown to this day, there hav- ing been but one change in the firm, the admission, of Dorr Clark, son-in-law of the junior partner, A. C. Robinson, on March 8, 1875. During the latter part of 1847, Samnel Ryan, Jr., removed the Republican to Fond du Lac, thus leaving the Advocate a clear field. With the exception of Col. Robinson's service as Secretary of State in 1852-53, his absence in the military service during the war, and his trip to Europe for his health in 1868, the management of the Advocate by the Robinson brothers has been continuous and personal. It was and is Democratic in politics, and during the Rebellion was a vigorous upholder of the Union.

In 1866, the Green Bay Gazette was established by Col. Geo. C. Ginty and Dwight I. Follett, the first number ap- pearing on March 3. In September Col. Ginty purchased Mr. Follett's interest, and conducted it alone until 1867, when Wm. B. Tapley, of Racine, became an equal partner. Fire destroyed the Gazette's office in February of the next year, but could not burn out the energy of its proprietors, who not only purchased an entire new outfit in forty-eight hours from the time of the disaster, but soon enlarged the paper from six to eight columns. In May, D. I. Follett re- connected himself with the Gazette by purchasing Col. Ginty's interest. Under the management of Tapley & Fol- lett it continued for a year and a half, the former selling out January 1, 1870, to Geo. E. Hoskinson. Messrs. Hos- kinson & Follett changed the name to The State Gazette, and commenced to issue their daily in November, 1871. Mr. Hoskinson being appointed United States constil to Kings- ton, Jamaica, left for the scene of his labors in January, 1876, retaining his interest in the paper. Both weekly and daily have been enlarged. The Gazette has always been Repub- lican in politics, and stands in the front rank of the political journals of the State.

Green Bay Globe .- This is a weekly journal, established in February, 1874, by Messrs. Root and Kimball. The former disposed of his interest to M. D. Kimball, who is its present editor and proprietor.

Concordia was formerly a German, Catholic, Democratic, weekly paper, which was established at Manitowoc, Octo- ber 30, 1874. by Rev. Jas. Fessler. It was consolidated with the Wisconsin Staats Zeitung, of Green Bay, August 5, 1875, and removed to this city, Fred. Burkard being its editor and proprietor. Mr. Burkard died March 29, 1880, and the Concordia was carried on by his son, H. A. Burkard, until May 29, 1881, when it was purchased by J. Buergler, its present editor and proprietor. The Concordia is now independent in politics.

Other papers have lived and died in Green Bay, the foregoing being those in existence in 1881. In 1828, Morgan I .. Martin made an attempt to start a newspaper, and several subscription lists were in circulation, but no journal ever came of it.

The first printing done west of Lake Michigan was ac- complished at Green Bay, the "press " being a printer's "planer." This was in 1827, the job work being some lot- tery tickets. which were printed by A. G. Ellis to help John P. Arndt out of losses by fire.

THE CHURCHES.

Green Bay has a number of flourishing churches. The Catholic element, however, decidedly prevails, this city be- ing the center of the diocese. The Cathedral, a magnificent two-towered structure of red brick, and an imposing two-

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HISTORY CE NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

spired edifice for the accommodation of the French Catho- lics, bear testimony to the wealth and power of that denom- ination.

The diocese of Green Bay was included in that of Mil- waukee until March 3, 1868, when it was formally estab- lished by order of the Holy See, the Right Reverend Joseph Melcher being called to the Bishopric. Bishop Melcher was Theologian to the Bishop of St. Louis, and most prom- inent in the council which convened at Baltimore in 1866 and recommended the formation of two new dioceses within the State. Bishop Melcher was consecrated by the Arch- bishop of St. Louis July 12, 1868, and continued to pre- side over the diocese until the time of his death, December 20, 1873. Very Rev. Father Francis E. Daems, Vicar- general of the diocese, became administrator. The pres- ent Bishop, Rt. Rev. Francis Xavier Krautbauer, formerly chaplain of the convent of Notre Dame, Milwaukee, was consecrated June 29, 1875, and immediately commenced preparations for the building of a new cathedral commen- surate with the strength and importance of the diocese. This includes all that region lying north of the Fox and Manitowoc rivers and east of the Wisconsin River, con- taining a Catholic population of 64,200. Ofthe 110 churches in the diocese nineteen are located in Brown County.

The Cathedral Church .- The congregation now worship- ing in the Cathedral is successor to that of the old St. Mary's Church, established in 1854, and which was an off- shoot of the French Church. The corner-stone of the fine edifice was laid October, 1, 1876, in the presence of Bishop Krautbauer, ten priests of the diocese and a large con- course of people. Located on the corner of Monroe and Doty streets, it is of the Romanesque style, built of red brick, and cost $40,000. It is 146 feet in length, transcept seventy-two feet, nave fifty-two feet, side wall twenty-five feet. It has two towers, not yet completed, and four bells.

Under the care of the Sisters of Notre Dame, and con- nected with the Cathedral organization, are the Cathedral parish and select schools, 200 pupils, St. Willibrord's ninety, and St. John's (French) with the same number.

St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum was founded June 29, 1877, and incorporated in December, 1879. The building and half block on which it is located was formerly known as the Ursuline Academy, and is situated on the corner of Webster avenue and Crooks street, the property being val- ued at $7,000. The structure is of brick, three stories and basement, sixty-six by forty feet. In the rear are the chapel and house of the superintendent, Father Kerstan. Attached to the asylum is a farm of 130 acres, twenty of which are under cultivation. Instruction is given in Ger- man and English, and particular attention is taken to form industrial habits in the lives of the pupils. When first established three sisters were put in charge of the asylum and had seven pupils. Now there are seven sisters and eighty-four children from all parts of the diocese. Sister Mary Melania is directress.

The French and English Catholic Church of St. John the Evangelist was organized about two hundred years ago. The first records were kept in 1832. From that date until 1834 Rev. Father Sandrel was its pastor. From that time until May, 1880, twenty-five pastors, at different periods, have been in charge, among others the well-known Father Bonduel, who died in 1861, and was sincerely mourned by Protestants and Catholics alike. Flags all over the city and Fort Howard were hung at half-mast, and more than 3,000 people on foot and in carriages followed his re- mains, two miles and a half, to Bellevue cemetery. In his will, made several years before his death, he bequeathed his real estate to the Catholic Orphan Asylum, Milwaukee, the venerable Father being the first priest who ever said mass in

that city. In May, 1880, Rev. Joseph J. Fox, the present pas- tor, commenced his labors. The first church building was lo- cated on the present site of the Astor Engine-house, near the Fox River and cemetery. The second church was built where is now the cemetery, in the town of Allouez, three miles between Green Bay and Depere. The third building was purchased from the Methodist denomination, and was lo- cated on the same lot and east of the present church edi- fice, on Milwaukee street, between Madison and Jefferson. The building is sixty by 130 feet, with 120 pews, three altars and two side altars. The ceiling is vaulted in the middle and supported on the sides by two rows of pillars. A chapel is attached to the sanctuary. The church is built of brick in the Canadian style, with two steeples, at a cost of $25,000. The society has a membership of 300 families. The Sabbath school, which was established in 1880 and has an attendance of 105, is in charge of two Sisters of Notre Dame from Milwaukee.

The Holland Catholic Church of St. Willibrord's, was organized February, 1864, with a membership of forty-six families. Rev. H. L. Haffen was the first pastor. He was succeeded in 1875 by Rev. C. De Louw. The present pastor, Rev N. Kerstan, began his labor in March, 1879. The church has a membership of 200 families.

The church edifice was originally the old court-house, 30x100 feet, which was enlarged and improved. It is lo- cated on the corner of Adams and Doty streets. In 1880, a two story brick building was erected for the parish school, on the same lot with the church and parsonage. It fronts on Doty street, and has an average attendance of 130 scholars.

The First Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. Cutting Marsh, of the Stockbridge Mission, January 9, 1836, with twelve members. The meetings were held in a small frame house on lot fifty-seven, on the west side of Adams street, and three lots north of Doty street. Rev. J. C. Marsh preached every two weeks until October, when the pulpit was regularly supplied by Rev. Moses Ordway. Soon after his coming the lower story of a building on the north side of Walnut street (lot twenty-four in Navarino), between Washington and Adams streets, was fitted up and used until September, 1838. In October, 1837, Rev. Stephen Peet, accepted the pastorate, and the church was built and dedicated September 9, the year following. The site was lot fourteen, in block fifteen. Mr. Peet's pastorate closed in October, 1839, he being succeeded in June of the next year by Rev. Jeremiah Porter, who remained eighteen years. From 1859 to 1869, during which a number of pastors served, the church membership continued to in- crease. On May 20, of that year, Rev. W. Crawford ac- cepted a call, and with the exception of fourteen months spent abroad, continued his pastorate until January, 1881. On September preceding, the church and parsonage were destroyed in the great fire, and the society at once secured Klaus's Hall for a place of worship. In the Summer of 1881, a call was extended to Chas. L. Morgan, of Springfield, Mass., the present pastor. The new church edifice, nearly completed on the old site, is early English in style, the main auditorium being 66x54 feet, with vestry and class rooms 63x32 feet. The spire, surmounted by a cross, is 120 feet in hight. The society is one of the most flourish- ing of the Protestant denominations.

Christ Church was organized October 21, 1829, and is the oldest Episcopal Church in the State; having been in- corporated by the Territorial Legislature. The names of the incorporators are, David Whitney and A. G. Ellis, wardens ; James Doty, Wm. Dickinson, John Lawe, Alex- ander J. Irwin, John P. Arndt, Samuel W. Beall, Robert Ir- win, Jr., Henry S. Baird and Rev. Richard F. Cadle. The latter was the first rector, and resigned in 1837.

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HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.

The mission among the Menomonees was established in 1829, and $20,000 were expended in buildings. Camp Smith was the site chosen, a high promontory three miles up the Fox River. In this work, Mr. Cadle acted as superintendent.

The Indians then owned all the lands ; these were sold at the end of five years to the whites, and the mission was broken up. In 1860, by which year the pastcrate had changed into the hands of Rev. Daniel E. Brown, Rev. Ben - jamin Ackerly, Rev. Wm. Hommann and others, the church building was enlarged to nearly twice its former capacity. During the Rev. Lewis P. Tschifely's incumbency, 1865 to 1868, the parish schoolhouse was built, and during the pas- torate of Rev. Wm. P. Tenbrock, 1868 to 1870, two chapels were built as missions, one at Fort Howard and the other at Duck Creek. Rev. Geo. W. Harrod, the last pas- tor, resigned in April, 1881, having officiated since De- cember, 1877. The present congregation number about one hundred families and 150 communicants ; with an attendance of 250 to 300. The Sabbath school has fifteen teachers and an attendance of 300.

The Cadle Home is a charitable institution under the charge of the parish, belonging to the church, but in no way sectarian, located in the rear of the church edifice, on the same lot. It receives its support from the community at large, and is always open to the sick, needy and unfortu- nate, without distinction. There is constantly an average of about twenty inmates. Besides its hospital department, it affords a steady home for elderly ladies and young chil- dren. The average attendance for one year is over one hundred persons. Connected with it, and three miles up Fox River, is a farm of sixty-five acres. The new hospital building is 50x60 feet, three stories, and cost $3,000. The Home and the hospital are under the control of a board of managers and trustees.

St. James (Episcopal) was organized December 21, 1871. The church edifice, which fronts on Webster square, corner of Monroe avenue and Lawe street, was completed in 1876 at a cost of $10,000. The church is at present without a pastor.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Green Bay, was or- ganized December 21, 1862, by Rev. C. G. Reim, with a congregation of forty families. The church was first erected in 1862, and dedicated October, 1863. In 1877 it was en- larged, and the steeple added in 1880. Its seating capacity is between 600 and 800. The present school building at- tached to the church, and on the same lot with the par- sonage, has accommodations for 120 pupils. The school has two teachers and is under the care of the present pastor, Carl E. G. Oppen, who has filled the pastorate over five years. The property is located on the corner of Cherry and Van Buren streets. The church has a congregation of 154 families, and the Sabbath school an average attendance of ninety scholars.

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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