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 241

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 241


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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CHARLES A. MAURER, Postmaster, general store, cheese factory and hotel, Sheboygan Falls ; born in the town of Rhine, Sheboygan Co., Wis., Jan. 16, 1851 ; came to Johnsonville, Wis.,


in 1867 ; was employed for three years in a saw-mill and two years in a grist-mill ; afterward in grist-mill at Plymouth, Wis., for a year, and at llingham, Wis., in same capacity for two years ; returned to Johnsonville and was employed in grist-mill several years; then opened a cheese factory and has continued it sinec ; makes 15,000 pounds of cheese per annum ; has been conducting general store and hotel since Jan. 15, 1881. Was appointed Post- master Jan. 20, 1881 ; was School Treasurer for town of Sheboy- gan Falls for 1878-79 and 1880. Married, at Johnsonville, Wis., Feb. 7, 1877, to Minnie Roethen, born in town of Meeme, Man- itowoc Co., Wis .; they have two children-Ida and Laura. Mr. Maurer's father built a custom flour-mill in 1867, at Johnsonville ; ran the same, in company with others, up to August, 1874, when he died. The widow has his interest in the mill, and her son, Will- iam Maurer, has been representing her interest since the fall of 1880.


AMANDUS J. MAULICK, carriage ironer, Sheboygan Falls; came to Wisconsin in 1860; located at Princeton, Green Lake Co., Wis., with parents ; was for some time engaged in hotel business with his father ; then in Fond du Lac, Wis., for three years ; learned trade there and was employed at it ; came to Sheboygan Falls in 1871; was employed three years at trade; then, in same capacity. in Sheboygan City for three years; afterward was in business at Fall Creek, Wis., for about eighteen months ; returned to Sheboygan Falls, and has been engaged in present business for some two years. Was born in Germany in 1854; came to America in 1860. Married, at Sheboygan Falls, in September, 1878, to Lissette Wolf, who was born there; they have two children- Amanda and Louis.


AUGUST F. MEIER, manufacturer of fanning mills, pumps, etc., Sheboygan Falls, came to Wisconsin in 1849 : located at Mil- waukee ; was employed as wagon-maker for two years; then at Addi- son, Wis., employed in same capacity for some fourteen years ; afterward had a saw mill at the town of Herman, Dodge Co., Wis., for three years ; came to Sheboygan Falls in spring of 1867 ; was employed for two years in fanning mill factory ; then engaged present business with A. M. Little and J. Johann, they carried on the business for six years, then Mr. Little withdraw and the two remaining partners continued the business up to spring of 1881, and since that time Mr. Meier has been alone ; was Village Trustee for 1878; born in Germany in 1829; learned trade of wagon-maker there; came to America in 1849. Married at Addison, Wis., in 1852, to Charlotte Meier. She died in 1856, leaving one child-William. Mr. Meier married again at Addi- son, in 1857, to Caroline Lierman ; born in Germany. They have six children-Augusta, Charles, Frederick, Otto, John and Emil.


JOS. OSTHELDER, saloon, Sheboygan Falls, came to Wis- consin in 1852 ; located at Sheboygan City ; came to Sheboygan Falls ; in 1861 enlisted in 4th Wisconsin Infantry ; served three years ; returned to Sheboygan Falls in 1864 ; commenced brewery in company with his mother ; they carried on the business together for a year; he was then in same business for some years with his brother and other partners, and alone from 1870 to 1875, since which time he has been engaged in conducting a saloon ; was a member of Village Board of Trustee for several years, and was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Sheboygan Co .; born in Germany, Sept. 18, 1840. Married at Sheboygan Falls, Wis., in 1866. to Gertrude Miapeter. They have four children-Joseph, Oscar, Alma and Louis.


GEORGE W. PECK, Sheboygan Falls, came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1846; located in Lyndon, Sheboygan Co. ; was engaged farming there up to 1867, when he moved to town of Sheboygan ; farmed there some four years, and in 1871, came on to present farm in Sheboygan Falls, and has been engaged conducting it since; owns 163 aeres of land, he was Clerk of town of Lyndon for two years : Justice of Peace town of Sheboygan two years, and Trustee of village of Sheboygan Falls for one year; born at Sand Lake, N. Y., in 1822; previous to coming to this State, was


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HISTORY OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY.


engaged farming. Married at Lima, Sheboygan Co., Wis., in 1853, to Amy S. Kent, born in State of Vermont.


CHAS. W. PIERCE, manufacturer and dealer in cheese, Sheboygan Falls ; born in town of Lima, Sheboygan Co., Wis., Aug. 5, 1848 ; was employed with his father, farming, for some years, then in his father's store at Sheboygan Falls, and afterward in his foundry for some eighteen months; in 1873, commenced cheese factory in partnership with I. N. Strong, and they carried on the business for four years ; firm then changed to Pierce & Son, and was condneted by them up to spring of 1881. Chas. W. Pierce is now interested with his brother, William L. Pierce, in two cheese factories in Manitowoc Co., Wis., and is also engaged in buying cheese at this place. Married at Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Oct. 5, 1871, to Alice Cary ; born in Oswego Co., N. Y. They have one son-William C.


LEVI H. PIERCE, farmer, P. O. Sheboygan, was born at Plym- outh, Sheboygan Co., Wis., in 1847 ; was engaged farming with parents for some years ; enlisted in October, 1864, in the 1st Wis. H. A., and served until the close of the war; then farmed for some time in Ontagamie Co., Wis. ; afterward engaged as travel- ling photographer in State of Iowa for some eighteen months. In 1872 he came on to the present farm in town of Sheboygan Falls ; owns 130 acres of land, 60 acres of which are woodland. He was married in Outagamie Co., Wis., in March, 1868, to Mary Turner, born in State of Ohio. They have two children-Edna I. and Sydney C.


HENRY A. PITCHER, M. D., and surgeon dentist, Sheboy- gan Falls, was born at Fond du Lac, Wis., May 22, 1845; was em- ployed some four years as pattern-maker in " Novelty Iron Works ' at Fond du Lac; was a student for one year with Dr. Patchen. In 1867 he went to Chicago, Ill., and was a student at Hahnemann College for two terms; was also, during that time, a student for one year with Dr. Pierce, of Green Bay; graduated at Habne- mann College, Chicago, Ill., in 1869 ; practiced medicine at Green Bay for several years, then at Ahnapee, Wis., for two years ; dnr- ing that time was United States Examining Surgeon for Pensions for the Door and Kewannee Cos. district. Then practiced at Joliet, Ill., over three years in company with M. B. Ogden ; came to Sheboygan Falls in 1876, and has been engaged in the prac- tice of his profession since. He was married at Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1869, to Alma Pitcher, born there. They have one child, Leslie E., three years of age.


OWEN PLATT, Superintendent of Riverside Woolen Mills, Sheboygan Falls, came to Wisconsin in 1866; located at Racine ; was employed in Racine Mills for some three years as foreman of department, afterward Superintendent for seven years. He came to Sheboygan Falls in June, 1876, and been engaged in present capacity since. He was born in England in 1841; learned his trade there ; came to America in 1857 ; was employed in woolen mill, Utica, N. Y., for a short time, then at North Vassalboro, Me., as overseer in woolen mills; was there for five years; again at Utica for two years, and afterward at Cleveland, Ohio, em- ployed in some capacity for four years. He was married at Kent's IFill, Reedfield, Me., in August, 1872, to Mary A. Worthley, born in Maine. She died April 13, 1880, leaving four children- Charles A., William H., Owen Frederick and Laura Mildred. He was married again at Racine, Wis., Nov. 25, 1880, to Mar- garet Geddes, born in Cleveland, Ohio.


HENRY PRANGE, contractor and builder, Sheboygan Falls, came to Wisconsin in 1846; located in town of Sheboygan Falls. At sixteen years of age he learned the trade of carpenter and was employed at it up to Sept. 17, 1861, when he enlisted in the 9th W. V. I. and served one year, afterward served eighteen months in the 6th V. R. C .; returned to town of Sheboygan Falls in the Autumn of 1864, and since then has been engaged in present business. He owns 38 acres of land, which his brother farms for him. He was Supervisor of town of Sheboygan Falls in 1873- 74, and elected Town Clerk in the Spring of 1881. He was born in Germany March 30, 1841; came to America in 1846; was


married in town of Sheboygan Falls in 1875, to Barbara Specht, born there. They have four children-Arthur, Theodore, Otto and Anthony.


HON. W. H. PRENTICE ( deceased ), was born in Aurora Co., N. Y., Aug. 6, 1813. He was married at Concord, Erie Co .. N. Y., to Mary A. Sibley, born there. Mr. Prentice was one of the earliest settlers in Sheboygan Falls, and was for many years engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills. In 1862, in com- pany with N. C. Farnsworth, he started the first woolen mill in Sheboygan Co., and was engaged in that business for some years. Mr. Prentice had retired from active business some years previous to his death, Sept. 25, 1881. He represented the Second District of Sheboygan Co .; was in the Assembly for the year 1858, and he had also filled some of the town offices.


EDMUND QUINLAN, rake manufacturer, Sheboygan Falls, came to Wisconsin in 1850; located in town of Greenbush, Sheboy- gan Co .; was engaged farming six months; came to Sheboygan Falls in 1851 ; was employed as a wocd-turner, etc., for eighteen months ; then in the chair-turning business, in company with H. W. Clark, for five and a half years ; afterward engaged in the manufacture of spokes and ax handles for two years ; has been engaged in the manufacture of rakes for the past twenty years. Since 1878 he has been making a patent rake of his own inven- tion. He was a member of the Town Board of Supervisors for six years. He was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., Aug. 12, 1822, and previous to coming to this State was engaged in the wood- turning business at Binghamton, N. Y. He was married in Sul- livan Co., N. Y., in 1848, to Weltha Huntington. She died in 1852, leaving one child, Alfred E. He was married again at Sheboygan Falls, Wis., in 1859, to Matilda M. Richardson, born in Massachusetts. They have two children-Hattie M. and Elsie L.


JACOB RAMAKER, brickyard, Sheboygan Falls ; born at Holland, Sheboygan Co., May 7, 1854 ; at 15 years of age learned the trade of brickmaker, and has been employed at it some five years, then ran a yard in company with his father, J. A. Ra- maker, for one year ; afterward at Milwaukee for three years ; was foreman in brickyard there ; came to Sheboygan Falls in 1878 ; purchased present business, and has been engaged in it since. Married at Lima, Sheboygan Co., Wis., Feb. 20, 1877, to Jane W., Damkot, born there ; they have three children-Josephine, Annie and Jennie.


RICHARDSON BROS., custom saw-mill, planing mill and cheese box factory ; manufacturers of patent farm gates, moldings, brackets, etc., and dealers in pine lumber, lath, pickets and shingles, Sheboygan Falls; this firm is composed of William H. and Egbert Richardson ; they came to Wis- consin and located at Sheboygan Falls with their father, Joseph Richardson, in 1845; the mill property is owned and was formerly operated by J. Richardson & Sons, but, since 1876, has been conducted under the firm name of Richardson Bros. The enterprise was originally inangurated over thirty years ago, consisting at that time of a saw mill alone ; in 1857, a lath mill was attached to the concern, and, in 1864, a circular saw, with cutting capacity of 1,000 feet per hour, was added. Four years later the planing mill was put in place, and, in 1870, the saw-mill department was entirely rebuilt. The concern


employs some fifteen to twenty men, and they manufacture some 60,000 cheese boxes annually ; they also do a general line of' cus- tom work, such as sawing, planing, turning, etc., and manufacture wood work of every description, such as water tanks, hay racks and farm gates. W. H. Richardson was born at Roscoe, Winne- bago Co., Ill., Jan. 1, 1841; Oct. 8, 1861, he enlisted in 1st W. V. I. ; was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga in the left heel and disabled for four months ; served in all some three years. Egbert Richardson was born at Roscoe, III., March 22, 1842. Married at Shell Rock, Butler Co., Iowa, April 29, 1879, to Sarah Fairweather, born in England ; they have one child.


EDWARD L. SARGENT, farmer; P. O. Sheboygan ; came to Wisconsin in May, 1847 ; located at the town of Sheboy-


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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.


gan Falls, and since that time has been engaged farming. Owns a farm of fifty acres ; he was born at Hopkinton, N. H., Jan. 31, 1820, and previous to coming to this State was engaged in farming, and also taught school for a time. Married, at Canterbury, N. HI., April 18, 1847, to Mary C. Colby, born in that State. They have two children-Sarah E. and Emma F.


J. L. SHEPARD, physician and dentist, Sheboygan Falls; born in Genesee Co., N. Y., in October, 1833 ; was employed in the drug business for several years ; came to Wisconsin in 1853; located at Sheboygan Falls ; was educated at Ann Arbor University, Mich. ; afterward at Rush College, Chicago, III., where he graduated in 1864; he then enlisted in the 32d W. V. I. as Assistant Surgeon, and served until the close of the war; returned to Sheboygan Falls July 4, 1865, and followed the practice of his profession up to 1867 ; then in La Grange Co., Ind .. for about two years, where he practiced medicine, and also carried on a drug business for about one year ; returned to Sheboygan Falls in 1869, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession ; the Doctor was at one time in general store business at Cascade, Wis., for a year, and also carried on a drug business at Sheboygan Falls for several years. He was United States Examining Sur- geon for Pensions for seven years, and a member of the Assembly at Madisou for the Second District of Sheboygan Co. for 1877. He married in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1857, to Sarah A. Watson, born in Ohio; they have three children-Guy B., dentist at Fond du Lac, Wis., John L. and Clarence E.


HON. HIRAM SMITH, farmer and cheese-buyer ; P. O. She- boygan Falls; came to Wisconsin in July, 1847; located on present farm in town of Sheboygan Falls, and has been engaged in farm- ing, etc., since ; and, since about 1872, has also been engaged in purchasing cheese for houses in New York. He owns 212 aeres of land, mostly all improved. He was a member of " The Assem- bly " at Madison for Second District of Sheboygan Co. in 1871, and, since 1876, has been a member of the Board of Regents of State University of Wisconsin. Born in Bueks Co., Penn., in February, 1817. When quite young, went to Lewis Co., N. Y., and was for some years engaged with his father in farming and manufacturing plows; afterward, ran the business for two years on his own account. Married in Lewis Co., N. Y., to Catherine A. Conoven ; born there. They have one living child-Lizzie MI., now Mrs. H. K. Loomis, and one son deceased.


GEORGE SPRATT, manufacturer of rakes, handles, etc. ; Sheboygan Falls ; came to Wisconsin in 1851 ; located at Waldo, Sheboygan C'o. ; resided with parents, and was employed on farm with them up to 1863; then enlisted in the 48th W. V. I. ; served fourteen months; held rank of Sergeant of Co. F at time of dis- charge. Came to Sheboygan Falls in 1865, and was employed as carpenter and joiner up to 1871; then commenced in present business in company with G. F. Arnold. They carried on the business for one year. Mr. Arnold then disposed of his interest to E. Quinlan, and he retired after one year. Since then, Mr. Spratt has been in business alone. Employs some eight to twelve men. Factory is run by water-power. Born in England in 1844 ; came to America in 1851. Married at Sheboygan Falls, Sept. 13, 1868, to Mary J. Nichols, born in England. They have two children-John R. and Clara S. ; one deceased.


CHARLES A. SPENCER, Postmaster ; also dealer in station - ery and fancy goods, Sheboygan Falls ; came to Wisconsin in 1858 ; located at Madison; resided with parents; enlisted in 1864, in 40th W. V. I., in Capt. Allen's University Company ; served for three months ; re-enlisted in 47th W. V. I., in January, 1865, as First Lieutenant, and was promoted to Captain in the following July, and served up to October, 1865. Came to Sheboygan Falls in November, 1865; engaged in drug and grocery business ; car- ried it on three years alone; theu in partnership with brother, R. H. Spencer, for three years; then engaged as traveling sales- man for some ten years ; was appointed Postmaster in April, 1880, and engaged in stationery and book business a few weeks later. Has also been express agent since April, 1880. Was Deputy


United States Assessor for 1869-70, and resigned in 1871. Born in Perry ('o., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1846. Married at Sheboygan Falls, Wis., in September, 1867, to Charlotte A. Cole ; born at Sheboy- gan, Wis. They have two children-Clara C. and Mary.


ORRIN TREADWELL, of O. Treadwell & Co., proprietors, River Side Woolen Mills, Sheboygan Falls ; came to Wisconsin in 1851; located at Beaver Dam ; resided there one year ; was engaged loaning money, etc. ; then at Plymouth, Wis., engaged farming and dealing in grain up to 1875, when he came to Sheboygan Falls, and has been engaged in present capacity since. The mill was built in 1865, and run by Hills & Clark up to 1875, when the German Bank of Sheboygan took it. Mr. Treadwell pur- chased an interest at that time, and the mill is now run under his management. They employ about forty hands ; manufacture shawls and ladies' dress goods. Production, 1,200 double shawls, and 500 yards of dress goods per month, consuming from seventy- five to eight thousand pounds of wool per annum. Mr. Treadwell was born at Oneida, N. Y .. May 8, 1819; commenced business life at Utica, N. Y .; was employed in a mercantile capacity some five years; afterward, in New York City, engaged as traveling salesman for five years. Married at Cortland, N. Y., in 1850, to Elizabeth C. Brusie; born in Connecticut. They have two children-Ella and Mary.


JAMES L. TROWBRIDGE, farmer, P. O. Sheboygan ; came to Wisconsin Sept. 8, 1837; located at Sheboygan Falls ; was employed in lumber business some three years, and since that time has been engaged in farming. Owns a farm of 160 acres. Born at Worcester, Mass., Aug. 18, 1822. Married at Sheboy- gan, June 15, 1846, to Mary Cole ; born in State of New York, died in 1848. Married again at the same place Nov. 2, 1853, to Mary L. Cobb, born in State of New York. They have three children-Thaddeus, Sarah and Charles.


CARL L. G. WEDEPOHL, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes Sheboygan Falls; came to Wisconsin in 1853; located at Sheboygan Falls, and was employed as shoemaker for one year, then commenced present business, and has carried it on since; born in Germany in 1825; learned trade there and was employed at it for some years ; came to America in 1853; married in Sheboygan County (Town of Lima) September, 1855, to Jane Tendolle, born in Holland. They have seven children-John G., Gertrude, Will- iam (molder ), Charles (printer), Hannah, Louisa and Edward.


D. H. WENGER, attorney, Sheboygan Falls; born at Ligonier, Ind., March 28, 1854; was educated at Hillsdale College, Hills- dale, Mich., then taught school in La Grange and Noble Counties, Ind., for five years. Was a student with James A. Frazer, attorney, Warsaw, Wis., for two years; was admitted to the bar at that place in 1879, and practiced there for a year, then at She- boygan for a few months; came to Sheboygan Falls in January, 1881, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession sinee.


LOUIS WOLF. boots and shoes, Sheboygan Falls. Came to Wisconsin in 1848; located at Sheboygan ; was engaged in boot and shoe business and continued up to spring of 1851, when he came to Sheboygan Falls, and commenced present business in April, 1851, and has carried it on since. Was a member of the Assembly at Madison for the Second District of Sheboygan County for the years 1864, 1874 and 1876. Represented the Twentith District of Wisconsin in the Senate at Madison for the years 1878 and 1879. Born in Germany in 1825; came to America in 1837 ; resided at Utica, N. Y., for eleven years. Learned trade of shoemaker there and was employed at it some years. Married at Utica, N. Y., in 1845. to Augusta Kaestner, born in Germany. They have five children-Barbara, William, Christinia, Lissette and Louis.


PLYMOUTH.


The town of Plymouth is finely located for farming purposes, and has become justly noted for the extent of its dairying interests. The Potash Kettle range of hills


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HISTORY OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY.


crosses the western part of the town, and forms a section on which wheat is chiefly raised. The Mullet River fur- nishes numerous water-powers, which are utilized for mill- ing and manufacturing purposes.


The first survey of the town was made in 1835, by United States Engineer Mullet, after whom the river, flowing through the town, was named. When the land was offered for sale in 1836, the first purchaser was John Law, of London, England, who bought part of Section 1, on August 13, of that year. On August 23, Thomas Mar- grave of London, bought Section 5, which still belongs to heirs of the original purchaser. The first sale for actual settlement was made to Cyrus Johnson, on June 7, 1845.


The first settlers came here from Tioga County, Penn., in May, 1845. Their names were William Bowen, Isaac, John and Rensellaer Thorpe. In the fall of the same year, Henry P. Davidson came from Hartford, Conn., with his family, and built a log tavern near the Cold Springs, in the west part of the present city. It was on the road from Sheboygan to Fond du Lac, and well patronized by emi- grants to the central and western part of the State.


By the close of 1845, the following persons, in addition to those already mentioned, had become residents: Avery Childs, Thomas Davidson, Cyrus Johnson, John D. Briggs, James De Groff, Bradbury Robinson, Abner Walton, Jacob Mantz, Ezra Andrews and Almon Andrews.


The first frame house was built by Martin M. Flint, in the fall of 1846.


The first white child born in the settlement was a daughter to Cyrus Johnson, on February 8, 1846.


The first death was that of an infant son of Jacob Mantz, in September, 1846.


Religious services were held in Isaac Thorpe's cabin by "Father " Cole, an English Methodist, as early as the sum- mer of 1845. Occasional services were also conducted by "Elder" Hitchcock, the Baptist preacher at Sheboygan Falls.


The first Postmaster, Thomas I. Davidson, was ap- pointed in September, 1846, and kept the office in his log tavern. The receipts of the office for the first quarter, were 82.50.


It is supposed that the first school in town was taught by Miss Plautina Stone, in Reuben Clark's house. A school district was organized in the fall of 1847.


The first marriage was that of S. V. R. Thorpe and Jane Van Patton, on March 12, 1847.


The first saw-mill was built by Henry I. Davidson, and began running July 1, 1848.


Organization for town purposes did not take place till April 3, 1849, and the list of the first town officers is as follows : Supervisors : Elon W. Baldwin, Daniel Hyatt and Francis Krackenberger ; Clerk, James Cleveland; Treasurer, Hi- ram Bishop; Superintendent of Schools, Franklin Bond; Justices of the Peace, J. F. Moore, Erastus C. Sessians, Henry Giffen and Julius Wolf. Ninety votes were cast.


The city of Plymouth is pleasantly located in the val- ley of the Mullet River, near the center of the town and at the junction of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac and Wis- consin Central Railroads. It has excellent water privileges and is conveniently situated for shipping its manufactured and natural products to markets elsewhere. It forms a natural center for the western part of Sheboygan County. The census of 1880, showed the population at that time to be 1,052, largely Germans.


The organization under a city form of government, was effected in 1877, when the present charter was adopted. A complete list of all who have held offices under the city gov- ernment is as follows : Mayors, II. H. Iluson and Otto Puhlmann; Clerks, D. M. Jackson, L. K. Howe and L. T. Bishop : Treasurers, E. A. Dow, H. C. Laack and H. C. Bade; Police Justices, G. W. Barnard and Adam Wolf; Councilmen, B. L. Nutt, C. Baker, William Frentel, D. S. Bagley, F. J. Detling, G. Weber, H. W. Fischer, P. H. Smith and August Scheibe : Supervisors, J. W. Taylor, William Schwartz, H. W. Fischer and G. W. Barnard ; Marshals, H. H. Bowers, Conrad Fischer and William Fischer; Assessors, William Schwartz and Carl Schwartz; Street Commissioners, W. W. Huson, William Schwartz, Jacob Keuper and Paul Fischer; Justices of the Peace, H. E. Cottle, G. W. Bannard, Adam Wolf and J. Rooney.




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