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 39

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 39

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 village constructed a commodious village hall in 1878, at a cost of about $2,500, the basement of which is now occupied by the Marshal as a residence, together with the village "lock-up." The hook and ladder truck and equipments and hand fire engine are kept in the first story, while the second story is used for a council-room and all public meetings, together with the Village Clerk's office.

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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY.

MANUFACTURERS.

In 1865, a saw-mill, which had been erected at Buffalo City, 1857, by one Michael, was moved to Alma on wagons and flat boats by Charles Schaettle and Frederick Lane. At that time it had a capacity of from 6,000 to 10,000 feet per day, and its present capacity is 20,000. All of the lumber, shingles, etc., manufactured is retailed here. The mill is substantially and conveniently built, and well and economic- ally managed, and in a fair share of public confidence and patronage. It is located in the extreme southern end of the village, and employs about twenty-five hands. Mr. Lane is a thorough business man, and very far-seeing in the management of his mill and all its details looking to its success.

In 1870, Frederick Fisher built a saw-mill in the extreme northern part of the village, of thirty horse-power, and a capacity of 20,000 feet per day. In 1872 he disposed of it to Adam Grams. Mr. Grams did not operate it, but in 1874 disposed of it to a Mr. Williams, of Eau Claire, who put it into operation, and in 1875 sold a half interest to Godfrey Welthey. They increased it to a sixty horse-power and a capacity for 40,000 feet per day. The "Alma Manufactur- ing Company " purchased the property in 1876, and run it for a short time only, when it was again shut down. In 1879, R. R. Kempter purchased it, and in 1880 leased it to its present operators, the "Meridian Mill Company." They employ about forty hands, at a daily compensation of $60, and the lumber is all rafted to down-river points.

Cigar Manufactory .- May 28, 1878, Martin Exel estab- lished a cigar manufactory in Alma, and now manufactures annually between 50,000 and 60,000 cigars, from which his annual sales amount to about $3,000. These cigars are mostly retailed in Buffalo County.

Union Brewery .- In 1855 John Heinrich commenced brewing in Alma. He has each year made extensive im- provements in building and remodeling, and now has one of the best breweries in this section of the State. He em- ploys five hands. The brewery has a capacity of 4,000 bar- rels per year, and represents an outlay of about $15,000.

Alma Brewery-Located on Main street, was erected for a hotel by Philip Kraft, and conducted as such until 1866, when the property was purchased by William Brigga- boos, who, after making various improvements and putting in machinery, converted it to its present use. Mr. Brigga- boos manufactures on an average 3,000 barrels of beer an- nually, which is mostly sold in this immediate vicinity.

SCHOOLS.

The first school, as before stated, was taught in 1856. Nothing of importance was connected with the school until 1867. At the annual meeting, held on September 30 of that year, a committee of three was appointed to make an estimate and plan for a new school-house. After several meetings of the Board and building committee, and also several special and adjourned meetings of the district, it was resolved, in February, 1869, that the erection of a new school-house be at once proceeded with. The following Winter the new house was occupied, with A H. Pfund as principal and Miss C. G. Keith as primary teacher. From this time the school consisted of two departments. At the annual meeting in July, 1873, the district voted that the Board be instructed to engage three teachers, and to make the necessary accommodations in the school building. The town had so increased in population, especially school population, during the next few years, that it was found necessary to enlarge the instructional corps of the school. Accordingly, at the annual meeting in 1877, it was voted to employ four teachers, two males and two females. This

regime is in vogue at present, with all of the departments full. In 1879 an attempt was made to organize the school under the Free High School Law of 1875, but the scheme failed. The progress of the school has been constant, especially during the past two or three years. The course of study embraces all of the branches required for a first grade certificate, except physical geography, and in addi- tion, music and German. Ten months' school are taught each year. In the Spring of 1877 a series of letters was published in the Herald of Mondovi, over the signature "Almaite," reflecting upon the management of the Alma schools, and censuring the School Board and principal. The letters worked the authorities up to such an extent that a special school meeting was called to consider the cause of these anonymous communications. Speeches were made by members of the School Board, the principal and the County Superintendent, all denouncing in unmeasured terms the course the author of these communications had taken. Suitable resolutions were subsequently adopted, expressing the sense of the district, and denouncing the method " Almaite " had adopted in carrying his complaints to other localities, and pronounced them false and instigated for no good purpose. By looking over the records, one will be impressed with the determination of the district to continue the same individuals in its offices. This probably has con- tributed to the success of the schools as much as any other act of the district. The people are interested in their schools, and are determined to make them second to none in a town of its size.

SOCIETIES.

Masonic .- Alma Lodge, No. 184. This order was organ- ized under a dispensation in February, 1872, by A. W. Miller, D. G. M. The charter was issued June 12, 1872. The first officers were : J. M. House, W.M .; W. H.Gates, S. W .; John Moser, J. W .; G. R. Frary, secretary; William Muel- ler, treasurer. The present officers are : F. Fisher, W. M ; John B. Ehing, S. W .; D. W. Hussong, J. W .; John Burgess, secretary ; C. A. Boehme, treasurer. The order now num- bers about forty members.

A. O. U. Il' .- Alma Lodge, No. 52, was instituted January 14, 1879, by Dr. Waterman, with the following list of officers : Richard R. Kempter, P. M. W .; Emil Leon- hardy, M. W .; Martin Exel, G. F .; Albert Weber, overseer; John Buchley, recorder; William Hoefling, F .; Martin Polin, R .; Matthias Fetzer, guide; John Ristow, I. W .; Conrad Newkom, O. W. The present officers are: Anton Braum, P. M. W .; J. M. Leonhardy. M. W .; Conrad New- kom, F .; Julius Wilk, overseer; Emil Leonhardy, recorder ; H. J. Rick, financier; Joseph Schlumpf, R .; Herman Gripp, G .; Herman Schoepp, O. W .; Jacob Battaglia, I. W.

The Shooting Society was organized in 1862, and imme- diately constructed a hall and bullet parapet. This was demolished by falling rocks in 1881. Previous to the ruin- ation of their old hall, a new one was erected in 1880 at a cost of about $600.

The Concordia was organized in January, 1863, by Fred- erick G. Whitehead. Their meetings are generally of a private character. Their present leader is George Sciler. They have a good hall, erected at an expense of about $500. This society was incorporated in 1875.

The Turn- Verein was organized in 1864 and reorganized in 1878. The Turners are strictly a German society, and their object is social intercourse, and teaching the youth morals as well as gymnastics.

These societies are all in a prosperous condition.

CHURCHES.

German Catholic was built in the Fall of 1867, at the cost of $2,500. It now has a membership of about forty

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

families. They have no resident priest, the pulpit being generally supplied by a minister from Fountain City.

German Reformed was built in 1871, at a cost of $1.500. It now has a membership of about thirty. They also have no resident priest, the pulpit being supplied by ministers from abroad.

Evangelical .- This society was formed in 1867, and their present church built in 1869, at a cost of $2,000. It now has 145 members. Their pastor is Rev. Gottlieb Schwants.

What is now the village of Alma was known in former years to Mississippi boatmen by the name of " Twelve Mile Bluff." The rock was situated on the bold point of bluff just opposite Fred Lane's saw-mill in the lower part of the village, and was of such dimensions and stood in such a dangerous attitude that the people of the village, especially, had watched it for years, always believing that some day it would come down. Yet, notwithstanding all this, Mr. Lane continued to run his mill, year after year, almost at its very base, and the Shooting Society a few years previous had erected their targets and bullet parapet almost within its shadow. The rock was a huge one. No one knew its height, although it was estimated at from 100 to 200 feet. Its diameter must have been at least thirty feet. Imagine this ponderous rock standing upon one end, and without any protection, and wonder that it had not fallen years before. One Monday, April 26, 1881, an earthquake sound was heard, and those in the immediate neighborhood, hearing the sound, looked in the direction and saw what seemed to them the whole bluff moving. The boulder started at its base falling north, when it broke into a hun- dred pieces, some going in one direction, and some in another. The place where it fell was well marked. It plowed the side of the bluff for 300 feet, scooping out a regular basin. Three of the pieces, as large as a small house, pointed directly toward the saw-mill, but, striking the barricade of rock and timber at the shooting targets, were caught in the ditch, but completely demolishing the target stand, walls, etc. A half dozen other pieces plowed down the hill-side and lodged on the Shooting Society's grounds, tearing deep holes as they plunged along. The road runs at the foot of the bluff, but only one piece came this far, which stopped just south of the saw-mill and had to be removed by blasting. Otherwise no damage was done, yet had the ground not been soft and wet, Mr. Lane's mill would have been in ruins. Old settlers of Alma, and rivermen of years gone by, well knew where " Twelve Mile Bluff" was located, and pilots on many a dark night, had steered their boats and rafts for miles by its dark form pointing heavenward. Cold, silent and alone it stood, like the mausoleums of Egypt's early kings, a memorial of antiquity that looked back to when the world was young, and from whose hoary top, thousands of years had looked down upon us, but in an instant the doomed rock fell, and " Twelve Mile Bluff" is no more.

When we remember that where Alma now stands, prior to 1848 was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and Indians: it but shows the characteristic pluck and enterprise of its citizens. As before shown, it now contains three neat little churches and a graded school-the necessary auxiliaries of a refined and cultivat- ed civilization. They who enjoy these advantages owe them to the hardy pioneers, who, severing the ties of home and kindred and early association, plunged into the then almost unexplored wilderness of the West, and carved from the rugged forces of nature the comfortable homes they now enjoy. To them all honor is due.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

AVERY T. ALLEN, log book-keeper for Beef Slough Co., Alma, was born in Nantucket, April 8, 1851. He has been quite a wanderer. He was a seaman and has sailed into nearly all foreign ports. For the past few years he has been employed as clerk in different places. In IS78, he engaged with Beef Slough Co., which position he still occu- pies.

ERIK ALME, County Treasurer, Alma, was born in Bergenstift, Norway, Jan. 29, 1837. He immigrated to America in 1854, and landed in New York City, His first permanent location was in the town of Nelson, this county, in 1856, on Sec. 11, 23, 13, and his occupation has been farming, until he took the duties of County Treasurer, which posi- tion he was elected to in 1879. He was also a member of the County Board in 1870. He was not burdened with cash on his arrival to this country, but by industry and economy he has accumulated considerable money, and is in comfortable circumstances. He married Ellen Erik- son, Oct. 6, 1860. She was born in Norway in 1835. They have seven children-Annie, Christie, Erik, Carrie, Thomas, Emma S. and John O. Members of Lutheran Church.

J. G. AUER, merchant, Alma, was born in Switzerland, June 24, 1840. In 1866, he came to America and his first location was in the city of Washington, D. C., and for a year was engaged as carpenter and builder. In 1867, he removed to this town and continued in the same line of business until 1873, when he established himself as a dealer in furniture. He has since added to his business groceries and confection- ery. In 1869, he married Barbara Moser, a native of Germany. They have six children-George, Lydia, Bertha, William, Alice and Clara.

W. C. AVERY, blacksmith, Alma, was born in England, Jan. 17, 1847. He came to America in 1854, and settled in Lake Co., Ill. In 1868, he came to this county and established a business at Mesha Mokwa. In 1875, he removed with his family to Alma. He has been twice married. First, to Margaret Evans, of Illinois. She died in 1872. They had two children, Martha and Minnie. Married again to Susanna Lutschan, a native of Canada. They have three children - William, Samaria and Victoria.

CHIARLES A. BOEHME, merchant, Alma, was born in Muegeln, Saxony, Germany, May 27, 1823. In September, 1851, he landed in New York City, and his first location was in Buffalo, N. Y., and was engaged in tailoring. Two years later he removed to Terre Haute, Ind , and was engaged in the same business until 1859, when he removed to Buf- falo County and settled in Buffalo City. Was engaged in merchandis- ing and also owner of a saw-mill. He afterwards removed to this place. In 1862, he married Eleanor Kempter, a native of Germany. They have eight children - Flora, Charles, Emma, George, Adolpb, Julia, Robert and Alma. Mr. B. has also been Postmaster in this village eight years.

WILLIAM BRIGGEBOOS, brewer, Alma, was born in Germany, Jan. 30, 1834. When he was twenty years of age he came to America and first located in Galveston, Texas. The following year he came to Alma and until 1866, he was engaged in the wood business, when he purchased the Alma Brewery, of which, since been proprietor. He married Ursilla Menly, a native of Switzerland, in 1861. They have three children-Christina, Julia and Meno.

HON. JOHN BURGESS, County Clerk of Buffalo County. Alma, was born in Scotland, May 26, 1829. When he was twenty-four years of age he embarked for America and landed in New Orleans, He did not make a permanent location until 1856, when he settled in the town of Nelson, this county, and until his election to the position of County Clerk, his time has been occupied as a farmer. Although not an office- seeker Mr. B has held quite important positions ; a member of the State Legislature in 1864, and has been Chairman of his lown four years. He married Rachael Evans, a native of Pennsylvania, in IS6o. They have six children - Ann Jane, William A., George E., Hattie, Mary, and John. Mr. Burgess has for many years been a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

M. T. BUTLER, saloon keeper, Alma, was born in Nova Scotia, July 12, 1845; came to the United States in 1868, and settled in the State of Maine, and was in the employ of a lumber company one year. In 1871, he came to Wisconsin and settled in Eau Claire, and was en- gaged in lumbering. In 1877. he came to Alma and engaged in his present business.

STEPHIEN CALLAHAN, saloon keeper, Alma, was born in Roch- ester, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1845; came to Wisconsin when he was four years of age, and located with his parents in Milwaukee. From thence they removed to Green Bay, thence to Oconto. In IS73, he came to Alma and engaged in his present business, He married Mary Phillippi, a native of Wisconsin.

MARTIN EXEL, Alma, manufacturer and dealer in cigars, No. 141, 6th District, was born in Germany, Feb. 5, 1843. In 1868, he

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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY.

came to America, and first settled in Eau Claire, and was employed as a cigar maker for nine years. In 1877, he removed lo Alma, and estab- lished his present business. Married Clara Theisen, in 1874. She was born in this State. They have four children - Mary, Sopha, Matilda and Martin.

FREDERICK FISHER, lumber dealer, Alma, was born in Ger- many, Oct, 16, 1835; came to America in 1841, and located with his parents in Maryland. In 1866, he came to Alma and was employed for a number of years by Mr. Lane. He married Jennie Little, in 1864, a native of Philadelphia.

SAMUEL FUOTER, saloon, Alma, was born in Switzerland, Nov. I, 1846 ; came to America in 1868, and located in Alma. He married Margaret Ming, a native of Switzerland. They have four children - Anton, Christ, Samuel and Lillie.

HENRY GINZKEY, druggist, of the firm of Ginzkey & Hunner, Alma, was born in Austria, Aug. 20, 1842. He came to America in 1856, and his first location was in La Crosse where he attended school for two years. In 1864 he settled in Alma, and has been engaged in various business since, and is now a member of one of the leading firms in the city. In 1871 he married Christena Mann, a native of Kentucky. They have four children-Frank C., Aurilla, Rosa and Alfred.

JULIUS GINZKEY, saloon, Alma, was born in Austria, Jan. 23, 1845. He came to America in 1857, and settled at Alma. He attended school at La Crosse two years, he then went to St. Louis, from there to Quincy, 111., he was afterwards in La Crosse three years, where he learned the trade of harness making, and in 1864, started a shop in this place. He has been Postmaster two years. He married Julia Berg, a native of New York. They have two children, Raymond and Aima Nora.

JOIIN HARRY, dealer in grain and wood, was born in Switzer- land, June 20, 1847. In 1851, his parents came to America and settled n Dubuque, la., four years later they removed to this county. In 1869, Mr. Harry engaged in business for himself, in which he lias since con- tinued. He married Annie Beaver, a native of Wisconsin. They have four children - Eddie, Clara, Jobn and Frank.

ANDREW HEMRICH, butcher, Alma, was born in Germany, March 25, 1832 ; came to America in 1851, and settled in New Jersey, and was engaged in butchering ; in 1856, he came to Alma and continued in the same business. He has been married, and has seven children - Matilda, Frederick, Andrew, Melissa, Annie, Lydia and Frank.

WILLIAM HOEFLING, grain dealer, was born in Germany, Jan. 5, 1845. He came to America in 1862, and went to Manitowoc, and enlisted in Co. F. 26th Wis. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He afterwards attended college in Milwaukee, and then was employed as book-keeper in Chicago. In the Summer of 1869, he made a trip to Germany, and on his return he located in this county. The following Spring he established his present business. lle has been Justice of Peace, two years, and Village Clerk, four years. In 1874, he married Addie Saltman, a native of Germany. They have three child- ren-Elfa, Orma and Luida.

SILAS V. HOLSTEIN, superintendent of Meridean Mill Co's mills at Alma, was born at Rock Island, Ill., Dec. 25, 1839. He has been in the lumber business for the past twenty-two years. Ile located at Alma Feb. 16, 1880. March 13, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily C. Johnson, a native of Ohio.

LOUIS P. HUNNER, druggist, of the firm of Ginzkey & Hunner, Alma, the son of John and Doratha Hunner, natives of Germany, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Feb. 7, 1850. When he was fourteen years of age, his parents came to this county, and he has since resided here. He established his present business in 1873. under the firm name of L. P. Hunner & Co. In 1876 he took Mr. Ginzkey for a partner, and by close attention to business and good management they have enlarged their business, and are doing an exchange banking business. Mr. Hunner married Lucella Smith in 1869. She is a native of the State of Iowa. They have three children-Richard, Edward and Adella.

THOMAS IRVINE, superintendent and secretary of the Beef Slough Boom Co., Alma, was born in Toronto, Canada, July 2, 1841. When he was twenty-six years of age he went to Muscatine, Iowa, and was engaged in the lumber business with Mr. Herschie. He is also sec- retary of the Chippewa River Improvement Log Driving Co. He mar- ried Emily A. Ilills, a native of Connecticut. They have one child, Horace H.

HON. R. R. KEMPTER, dealer in grain and agricultural imple- ments, Alma, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Feb. 7, 1837, came to America with his parents in 1849, and located in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1858 he came to Alma, and was employed as clerk by Charles Schaettle. In 186t he enlisted in Co. F, g'h Wis. I., and served two years. lle was commissioned second lieutenant. lle has been Clerk of the Court, and in 1880 was elected a member of the Legislature. Ile has been twice married-first to Julia Huebsch, a native of Bohemia. They had six children -- Richard A., Frank, George, Julia, Amelia and Anton. Ilis second wife was Caroline Gaab, a native of this county.

DUNCAN P. KENNEDY, agent for W. & J. Flemming of Mc- Gregor, Iowa, Alma, was born in Quebec, Canada, March 26, 1845. Previous to his coming to the United States he was engaged in the lumber business on the St. Lawrence River. He came to Alma in 1871. He was for some time foreman for the Mississippi Logging Co. In the Fall of 18So he becameagent for his present employers. He married Mary Colburn, a native of New York. They have one child, Duncan H.

LAURENCE KESSINGER, teacher, Alma, was born in Baden, Germany, Aug. 10, 1826. He came to America in 1853, and first located in St. Louis. He remained there six months. He then went to Terre Haute, Ind., where he was employed as teacher for one year. In 1855, he came to this county, and settled in Buffalo City, and was still engaged as teacher ; in 1865, was elected County Surveyor, which office he held two terms. He was also Superintendent of Schools three terms. In 1870, he removed to Alma, where he has since resided. He is a gradu- ate of the Meersburg Normal School, Germany. He married Mary Schneider, a native of Switzerland. They have four children-Alice, Mary, Charles and Matilda.

FRED. LANE, lumber dealer, Alma, was born in Germany, Jan. 15, 1833. He came to America in 1852, and his first permanent settlement was in Buffalo City, where he erected a steam saw. mill. In 1865, he re- moved to Alma, where he built another extensive mill, and still contin- ues in the lumber business. His mill has the capacity-25,000 feet per day. He employs about twenty-five men. He has been twice married, first to Julia Horst, a native of Germany. They had five children, three of whom are now living-Laura, Matilda and Julia. His second wife was Margaret Mason, a native of Kentucky ; they have five children- Frederick. Eddie, William, Adolph and Charles.

C. W. LAWRENCE, proprietor of livery barn, Alma, was born in Ticonderoga, N. Y., April 16, 1854; came to Wisconsin in 1858, and located with his parents at New Lisbon, where they remained two years, and then removed to Alma, where they have since lived. He married Katie Hoffer, a native of Jefferson County.

ROBERT LEES, attorney at law, Alma, was born in Scotland, July 3, 1842. When he was four years of age, his parents emigrated to Amer- ica, and settled in Waukesha County : seven years later they removed to this county, and located in the Town Cross. He enlisted in Co. H, 6th Wis. Inf., in 1861, and was discharged on the 16th of July, 1864. He married Mary Baertsch, a native of Illinois. They have five children- Edward, Mary, Isabella, Andrew and Alice.

J. M. LEONHARDY, Register of Deeds, Alma, was born in Swit- zerland, Feb. 3, 1843. When he was sixteen years old, his parents emi- grated to America, and for a period of one year resided in Canada, when they removed to Sauk County, and only remained there a short time. In 1861, they located permanently in the town of Alma. Mr. Leonhardy had only the advantages of a common school education, but his early life was spent in teaching during the Winter, and farming in Summer. In 1869, he settled in the village of Alma, and has been in various busi- nesses since. Although not an office-seeker, he has been chosen by the people to act as Sheriff one term, and in 1879 was elected to his present position. In 1873, he married Veronika Fuoter, who was born in the same place, in 1851. They have one child, Alma.

EMIL LEONHARDY, proprietor of Massasoit Ilouse, Alma, was born in Switzerland, Aug. 16, 1847. In 1859, he removed with his parents to America, and for a few months lived in Canada. They re- moved from there to Sauk County. Soon after they located in the town of Alma, and his parents are still residents of that town. In 1870, he engaged in business for himself in the village of Alma, dealing in agri- cultural implements and insurance. He was appointed special agent for C. Aultman & Co., which position he held for three years, when he pur chased the Massasoit House. He has held the office of Deputy Sheriff and Register of Deeds, under his brother. In 1872, he married Mary Bruegger, born in this State in 1849. They have five children-Annie Alma, Paul E., Clara, Lydia, Belle.

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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