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 86

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 86

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 Vinton House .-- For a long time this was the lead- ing hotel. At first it was the Williams House, having start- ed in 1869. Mr. Peabody, who afterwards was proprietor, gave it his own name. Mr. W. F. Vinton now is proprietor, having owned it since 1869. It has forty-seven sleeping rooms, a splendid dining room, and a good cuisine.

The Sherman House is an old reliable hostelry, T. F. Kenyon proprietor. Some of the other houses are : The Britton House, Central Exchange, Hart's, Joyce, Kneer, Railroad, Ratzinger, Skandinavian, Star and Upper Valley. The business of the city not unfrequently taxes them to the ut- most.

The Railroad Hotel, at the depot, is everything to be de- sired by the traveling public. Frank Pulte, proprietor.

River Steamers .- The "Ida Campbell " is now the only one on the river; Capt. Monteith.

STAGE LINES.

Mondovi Line .- Leaves the Sherman House at 9 A.M., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; leaves Mondovi Post- office at 7 A.M., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. S. L. Haskins, proprietor.

Whitehall Line .- Leaves Sherman House at 6 A.M., Wednesday and Saturday; leaves Whitehall at 6 A.M., Tues- day and Friday. David Harnden, proprietor.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Rice Lake Line-Make three trips a week, stopping at Sand Creek and Chetek. Tucker & Blyton, proprietor.

West Wisconsin U. S. Mail Line .- Stage for Durant leaves Sherman House at 12 M., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays ; leaves Durant at 7 A.M., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. M. D. Prindle, proprietor.

There are several public squares set aside for park pur- poses.

University Square, on the hill, on the eastern border of the east side. One bounded by Barstow, Farewell, Emery and Earl streets. West Side Park, between Broadway and Niagara streets and Third and Fourth avenues. They are without ornament, except grass and young trees.

Street Railway .- The Eau Claire Street Railway was begun October 14, 1879. Dr. Watkins was the contractor ; Mr. Goff, of Milwaukee, had charge of the track laying. The car-house and stables are near the western terminus of the Chippewa bridge, to the south. The cars began run- ning December 11, 1879. Pres. Woodward and Vice-Pres. Swift were on the first excursion car. John B. Stocking was driver; Fred Anthony, conductor. The contractor was also aboard. The road started with six cars and thirty horses; now has forty-seven horses and seven cars.

Bridges .-- The Chippewa Bridge, crossing the river from the foot of Kelsey street, was opened for travel April 1, 1869. The contract price for its construction, which was paid C. C. & E. G. Smith, the contractors, was $34.946.74 ; other expenses, such as approaches and contingencies, car- ried the total cost to the city up to $37,541.61. The struct- ure is of wood, 569 feet in length, and is supported by the abutments and four piers. At first there was a toll, which is always a source of annoyance, and, in 1873, the agitation for a free bridge was carried on with great spirit, and after an exciting controversy the free bridge advocates prevailed, and the collection of toll was abolished. This was on April 5, 1873.

The bridge on Dewey street was rebuilt, in 1874, at a contract price of $2,497, by the Eau Claire Lumber Com- pany.

There is also a bridge across the Eau Claire, on Barstow street, a wooden structure.

The Eau Claire Lumber Company have two foot bridges, one at the lower and another at their upper mill.

The Chippewa bridge was swept away by the flood of 1880, and was only rebuilt and opened for travel five months afterwards. McIntire & Swift were the contract- ors at $11,000. The east end of the bridge was placed on the old abutment, but the west end was placed half a block up stream, to connect directly with Bridge street. Travel on the bridge was resumed on Thursday, November 18, 1880.

The iron railroad bridge, to replace the wooden struct- ure, of the C., St. P. & M. Railroad, was completed May 1, 1881. The spans are 170 feet, and whole length of bridge 880 feet.

Water- Works .-- The subject of water-works for the city has been frequently agitated. March 22, 1880, the City Council went so far as to authorize a contract with Messrs. Gray & Swift for their construction. The estimated cost, including twelve and a half miles of mains. was $170,000. For some reason the work was not entered upon.

The Eau Claire Lumber Company have a Holly pump which supplies its own buildings, the Eau Claire and Gal- loway houses, and perhaps a few others.

Water for domestic purposes is usually obtained from wells, which, as a rule, furnish good water. At the depot, the water is obtained from a well seventy-eight feet deep. On the plateau above the depot the wells are about 100 feet deep, through sand, loam and gravel.

As there is no clay under the city between the surface and the water bearing strata, the filth that life in a city in- volves must percolate down into the wells, and, as a matter of course, the water will constantly become worse and worse, and as a sanitary measure the city will be compelled to procure water outside of its limits.

On the west side there are many drive wells.

General Trade .- To feed the people, there are upwards of thirty grocery firms. Nearly thirty insurance compa- nies are represented, and there are the usual number of business houses, of a miscellaneous character, to supply the wants of the city and country, and while Eau Claire is given to temperance societies and temperance work, there are about forty saloons.

Professional .- There are more than twenty lawyers and a little less number of physicians, and ten or more minis- ters. According to Mr. Meggett, in a Fourth of July ora- tion, the number is inversely according to their usefulness. He, a leading lawyer, advised the people "to go to the ministers more, to the doctors less, and to the lawyers never-if it could be avoided." The Bar is able, the phy- sicians are skillful, and the ministers are popular. What more is required ?

CHURCHES.

The people of the city of Eau Claire are above the average in church going inclination. The pulpit is an able one, and there is little disposition on the part of pastor or people to sever their relations for slight causes. Some of the ministers still here were among the early pioneers, and are firmly established in the confidence of their respective congregations.

First Baptist Church-Rev. Dr. John Y. Aitchison, pastor. Organized in 1861. Rev. A. B. Green was the first pastor. It began with seven members; now has 137. It has a good church, located on Fourth avenue, opposite the park.

German Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart-Rev. Joseph Boehm, pastor. The corner-stone of the present structure was laid in June, 1880, and completed in June, 1881. It is a fine building, with a pleasing interior finish. It is 105x47 feet, has twin spires 105 feet high.

St. Patrick Catholic Church-Rev. Father John G. Col- lins, rector. This church has a school connected with it. There are 300 families in regular attendance. The corner- stone of a new church for this society was laid with appro- priate ceremonies on the 26th of June, 1881. It is located on the west side, and has a large congregation.

First Congregational Church .- This was started as a mis- sion church in 1856. In a few years it became self-support- ing. Rev. Mr. Kidder was the first minister. The church is located opposite the West Side Park, on Third avenue, and has a seating capacity of about 500. It was dedicated in 1859, and enlarged in 1875. Rev. J. F. Dudley is pastor, having come here twelve years ago. Up to that time, the total membership was 143. During the present pastorate 200 names have been added, making a total of 343. Deaths and removals leave the present number of members 250.

Joint Convention of the St. Croix and Chippewa Congrega- tional Association .- This is an institution of interest in Eau Claire. The first session was held in Hammond, in 1879; in Menomonie in 1880, and in Eau Claire on June 21, 1881. Eighteen societies make up the convention. J. F. Dudley is clerk of the Chippewa branch, and W. C. Hicks of the St. Croix.

Christ Episcopal Church .- The church edifice is on Fare- well street, near Jones street, a gothic structure. still incom- plete on the outside; Rev. Dr. Joel Clark, rector. There is a present membership of twenty-nine, with a regular

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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY.

attendance of 250. The church seems to be entering upon a season of prosperity.

Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran, north side, and the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran, west side. This was dedicated on the 15th of June, 1873. These churches are under the pastocal care of Rev. G. Hoyne, and are in a flourishing condition. In 1876, there was a joint member- ship of 373. There are now 580 members.

St. John's German Lutheran .- Located on the corner of Barstow and Galloway streets. . Rev. John G. Rocknagel, pastor for the past four years. The congregation is made up of the families of seventy-three members.

Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church .- Norwegian Synod on the west side. Rev. H. Hakonsen, pastor.

Barstow Street Methodist Episcopal Church .- This church came into existence in 1858. William Donnell was the first minister. The present church was built in 1872, through the efforts of Rev. E. E. Clough. It is of brick, 91x42. The corner-stone was laid April 19, 1870. It was dedicated on the 18th of September, 1872, by Bishop Haven. The pastor was A. J. Davis, and there was a membership of about 130. Rev. C. R. Kellerman is the present pastor.

The Lake Street Methodist Church was organized in 1860. Early in 1870, the efforts to raise funds were so far success- ful, that on September 19, the corner-stone was laid, Gen. Fallows officiating. It was constructed of wood, and veneered with brick. The building is transept with corner tower, standing on Fourth avenue and Lake street. It cost $14,000, and was dedicated September 15, 1872, Bishop Haven conducting the services. Rev. John Tresidder is the present pastor. It has a membership of 140.

The Ladies' Mite Society .- Conducted with the Barstow street Methodist Episcopal Church. It has been a valuable auxiliary in the work of the church, especially in building operations. The officers of the Mite Society are : Mrs. F. R. Skinner, president; Mrs. B. C. Dunn, vice-president ; Mrs. O. Walker, treasurer; Mrs. N. S. Buck, secretary. The church membership is about 100.

First Presbyterian Church, Barstow street, Rev. W. H. Lockwood, pastor. This was an early church, having been instituted in the Spring of 1857. Rev. W. W. McNair was the first pastor. Mr. Lockwood has been here as pastor since 1864. The membership is 170, and the seating capacity of the church 400.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The schools of the city are well up to the times, al- though the district system, on account of local interests, is still maintained. There are three districts, one in each di- vision of the city, with six school buildings, and one leased. The number of school children is 2,500, and of this num- ber 80 per cent. attend school.

The schools are graded, and in the absence of a common high school, the higher branches are taught in each of the districts. The number of teachers are thirty.

SOCIETIES.

Masonic .- The members of this mystic fraternity em- braces many of the leading men of the city. The lodges, chapter and commandery are all in a flourishing condition.

Eau Claire Lodge, No. 112, meets on the first and third Monday of each month. William A. Teall is the present W. M. The past masters are William H. Bailey, William Pitt Bartlett, Isadore Cook, C. R. Gleason, Charles P. Mosher, Alexander Meggett, M. E. O'Connell, George C. Teall. It was organized December 30, 1858, under a dis- pensation charter, granted June 15, 1859. Alexander Meg- gett was the first mason made in the lodge.

West Eau Claire Lodge, No. 162. Meetings on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Noah Shaw, W. M.

Past Masters-M. D. Bartlett, Edwin J. Farr, James S. Hus- ton, James F. Moore, N. B. Rundle, Noah Shaw. This lodge was organized August 30, 1866.

West Eau Claire Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M. Meets first Thursday evening of each month. Edwin J. Farr, H. P., Past H. P .- N. B. Rundle, Noah Shaw, Alexander Meggett, M. D. Bartlett, Levi E. Lattimer, George W. James and A. L. Jenks. Organized 1867.

Chippewa Commandery, No. 8. Stated conclaves second Monday of each month. George C. Teall, Em. Com. Past Em. Com .- E. M. Bartlett, Edwin J. Farr, N. B. Run- dle, Noah Shaw. Was instituted in 1870.

Odd Fellows .- Eau Claire Lodge, No. 129, meets on Monday evening at their hall on Barstow street. B. F. Teall, N. G. ; Joel Clark, R. S .; John Powers, P. S.

Frieden Lodge, No. 254, instituted by B. F. Teall, Dis- trict Deputy, May 16, 1876, fourteen charter members. Matthew Kneer was the first N. G. Meets on Thursday evenings, at the Odd Fellows Hall on Barstow street. Present officers in part : H. Rodensleben, N. G. ; H. Scha- fer, V. G. ; F. Schwahn, R. S.

Chippewa Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F., meets on Sat- urday evening at Odd Fellows Hall, west side. Organized in 1865, with nine charter members. The first N. G. was Ed. Davis. Present membership eighty-four. A. G. Friend, N. G .; Robert Parker, Recorder.

Knights of Pythias .- D. W. Day is the Grand Chancellor for the jurisdiction of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Wis.

Eau Claire Lodge, No. 16, meets on Thursday evening.

A.O. U. W .- Banner Lodge, No. 17, organized in 1879. Present M. W., Dr. E. C. French ; Recorder, Conrad Ender- line. July 4, 1881, this lodge celebrated the day. Hon. Alexander Meggett delivered an eloquent and stirring ora- tion ; there were refreshments, music and dancing.

Eau Claire Temple of Honor, No. 140 .- The temple was organized in May, 1877. A. M. Childs was the first Wor- thy Chief Templar. At one time it was, and it may be now, the largest Temple of Honor in the world. The list of members embraces 675 names. Their hall is in Chappell Block.

Juvenile Temple of Honor, meets on Saturdays at Tem- ple of Honor Hall.

A lodge of the I. O. of G. T. was organized July 4, 1879. It was called Union Lodge, No. 245 ; was instituted by K. B. Dennison. S. A. Robinson was the first W. C. T. It meets Saturday evenings in Temple of Honor Hall. Present officers in part are : J. H. Young, W. C. T .; Miss Tillie Ross, W. R. S.

The Normanna Society .- John Lee, president ; Casper Syverson, secretary ; O. Sherman, librarian. The library has 700 volumes, Norwegian and English.

The Round Table .- A literary society organized in 1880. Rev. Joel Clark, president ; Miss Cora Pond, secretary.

Christian Workers .- This society grew out of a revival in the city several years ago, conducted by Rev. Mr. Couch. The membership included active men who felt that religion was something more than a mere sentiment, that the doc- trine of the Fatherhood of God also embraced its corollary the Brotherhood of man.

Women's Christian Temperance Union .- Was organized in 1879. Mrs. L. Bullard was the first president ; Mrs. J. F. Dudley, secretary. Present officers : Mrs. George B. Chap- man, president ; Mrs. S. S. Kepler, secretary. Meets the first Wednesday in each month.

Ladies' Aid Society .- This association has been in exist- ence and active operation eight years, and has been the means of great good. Several hundred dollars each year are disbursed, in addition to friendly offices in large meas- ure. The membership is from the best society in the city.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

The present officers are: Mrs. S. White, president ; Mrs. A. Vincent, vice-president ; Mrs. J. C. Cass, secretary ; Mrs. M. Harris, treasurer ; Directors-Mrs. W. H. Smith, Mrs. R. Anderson, Mrs. B. Demorest.

Eau Claire Wesleyan Seminary, founded in 1861, George E. Fellows, A. B, principal. Located on the corner of Lake street and Fourth avenue. The corner-stone of this edifice was laid, with the usual ceremonies, an the 9th of May, 1862.

A Bible Society was organized in 1857. Joseph G. Thorp was president; Rev. A. Kidder, secretary; D. H. Ketcham, treasurer. Rev. Mr. Hilton was the moving spirit in the organization.

Eau Claire Medical Association .- This society was or- ganized June 1, 1877, under the laws of the State. W. T. Galloway, president; C. E. Hageboon, secretary ; D. C. Spencer, Augusta, treasurer. Holds quarterly meetings.

Medical Association .- Some of the medical men of the Chippewa Valley got together, on the 16th of May, 1881, and organized a medical association. The following offi- cers wers chosen : President, E. J. Farr, M. D., Eau Claire; Secretary, E. O. Baker, M. D., Durant; Vice-president, Dr. Hutchinson, of Durant; Corresponding Secretary, Dr. Hebard, Mondovi; Censors, Drs. Park, Peck and Hib- bard.

The Chippewa Valley Workingmen's Association was or- ganized in Eau Claire, October 9, 1879. President, R. H. Copeland; J. L. Johnson, treasurer, and Charles Warner, secretary.

Old Settlers' Club .- On the 11th of July, 1881, the first meeting was held, at the parlors of the Galloway House, for the purpose of organizing an old settlers' club. T. F. Randall was chairman, and Arthur Smith acted as secretary. About thirty of the pioneers were present. At a subsequent meeting, an organization was completed, the membership to consist of those who have resided in the county twenty years or more. Alex. Meggett, president ; William P. Bartlett, treasurer; C. R. Gleason, secretary.

Agricultural Society was organized in 1859. The first fair was held in Augusta, in the Autumn of 1860, and was considered a great success. Annual fairs have since been held at various places in the county. The first provisional officers were: A. W. Bosworth, president; Carlos Clough, Secretary. The first permanent officers were : J. G. Thorp, president ; S. H. Peabody, secretary, and Delos R. Moor, treasurer. It is a useful society, well managed, and the receipts and expenditures now run into the thousands. In May, 1880, Mr. James J. Clement leased the fair grounds and fitted them up with stables for a training park.

The Eau Claire Sporting Club, organized for the protec- tion of game, to assist in the execution of the State laws, and for individual and collective enjoyment in forest and stream, came into existence July 9, 1879. J. F. Moore was the first president ; C. Hueber, treasurer, and B. J. Phillips, secretary. It started with a membership of fifty-seven.

The Eau Claire Irish Land League was organized Feb- ruary 10, 1881. Frank McDonough, president ; Col. John Kelly, treasurer; Thomas F. Frawley, secretary.

The City Band .- Early in the history of the village, a band was in existence which had been organized by James Bonell. It was re-organized in May, 1880, by John F. Hanck. George Burt is now the leader. It has eighteen pieces, and is a most creditable organization.

The City Guard, a fine military organization under Capt. N. B. Rundle, is a credit to the city.

The Free Library and Reading-room .- This institution deserves more than a passing notice. It is located on River street, in the post-office building, and is open at con- venient hours, and it is gratifying to know that it is freely

patronized by the people of the city. It was founded under the laws of the State, in October, 1875. It has sev- eral thousand volumes, and a good supply of magazines and newspapers. It is managed by nine directors. H. C. Howland is president, and F. W. Woodward, treasurer. Miss C. Edna Sears has been librarian from the first.

Cemeteries .- There are four rural cemeteries in Eau Claire: Lakeview, Forest Hill, Lutheran and Catholic. The only unfavorable criticism in regard to them is that, if the city continues to grow in the future as in the past, they will soon be uncomfortably near.

GENERAL ITEMS.

During the year 1880, there were 210 buildings erected by private individuals, at a cost of $215,400. The public improvements for the year aggregated $77,000. Total, $302,000.

In 1881, the number of buildings erected will approxi- mate 400. Many of them large and substantial business blocks.

To show the growth of the city, the improvements by the corporation and by individuals from 1870 to 1875 is here presented : 1870, $538,732 ; 1871, $250,000; 1872, $366,000 ; 1873, $593,000; 1874, $527,000 ; 1875, $314,421.

The valuation of the city in 1880 was as follows : real estate, $2,432,165 ; personal property, $1,025,843 - total, $3,458,008.

The bonded debt is $103,000; all other debts, $1,442; school district debts, $5,906-total, $110,348.

In 1873, the business of Eau Claire had reached over $6,000,000.

The lumber sawed in the city was 146,259,000 feet, which, at an average price of $13 per thousand, would give, in round numbers, $1,901,367. Lath manufactured, 33,- 000,000 ; shingles, 27,590,000-which, at the average prices at that time, would foot up a total of $2,037,162.

Of railway freight, 13,627 tons were received, and 3,000 forwarded.

In general business the aggregate was $5,719,202, aside from railroad, express, post-office and real estate.

In 1875, the real and personal property of Eau Claire was valued at $4,044,070.25.

Many people at that time became impatient of the delay in obtaining authority to build the dam, and, hopeless as to the future, left the city, and in 1876, the total valuation was reduced to $3,945,413.25

In 188t, a Philadelphia firm numbered the buildings of the city, bringing order out of confusion. Before this time several streets of the same name existed in different divis- ions of the city. This was also remedied.

The streets of the city were first sprinkled in the Sum- mer of 1871, the last year of its village life.

Stephen Marston brought the first stock of furniture into the valley, and the first piano.

The commercial drummers report that Eau Claire is a good town for trade. The merchants buy well and pay promptly.

There is a single forty acre lot of government land, within a few miles of the city, not yet entered.

There is a month's difference in the time that the boats are able to come up the river in different years. In 1860, the first boat got up on the 13th of March, while in 1866 it did not come up until April 13.

The mean temperature of Eau Claire is the same as at Manitowoc, on Lake Michigan, forty miles further south.

The epizootic, which swept over the country at that time, afflicting so many horses, was in Eau Claire during the first weeks in December, 1872.

So late as September, 1878, a large black bear was killed

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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY.

in the Fourth Ward This was the second one that season, and was perhaps cruising about in quest of its mate.

So late as 1861, deer-hunts in the vicinity of the city were not uncommon.

Ole Bull, the celebrated violinist, married a daughter of one of the leading citizens of Eau Claire.

The first couple married in church in Eau Claire were H. C. Putnam and wife, in the Presbyterian Church.

The Register reports that there were 225 marriages in the city in 1880.

Music Hall was built in 1870, by Mr. P. Truax. M. G. Nichols was the architect.

WAR INCIDENTS.

During the War, when recruiting was going on, in Sep- tember, 1863, a citizen of Eau Claire, J. Peter Bellinger, was down at New Lisbon, and got into an altercation with some soldiers there; they took exception to his expressed sentiments, and finding the soldiers getting exasperated, he undertook to escape their threatened vengeance by running, but he was hunted down and shot to death.

There was a flag and testament presentation to com- panies of the Eighth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth regiments, on the 22d of September, 1862. Miss Anna Wells presented the flags, and a gentleman presented the testaments. Capt. Geer and Lieuts. Buckman and Reed received them in be- half of their commands, and Alex. Meggett responded in his usual felicitous manner.

When the war was nearly over, a great sanitary fair was held in Chicago, for the benefit of the crippled de- fenders of their country. Old Abe, the war eagle, was kindly loaned for the occasion, and his pictures sold for ten cents each, in sufficient numbers to realize $10,000 to- ward the object of the fair.

In August, 1862, a rousing meeting to encourage recruit- ing raised $3,000, and $2,000 more was raised in the county towns.

The company from Eau Claire in the Eighth Regi- ment had eleven killed in the battle of Corinth.

After the Seven Days' Fight, Gov. Solomons tendered a colonel's commission to J. G. Thorp.

A Soldier's Aid Society was formed by the ladies in 1862. Mrs. J. T. Wilson was president, Mrs. S. Brown, secretary. It did a large amount of work, while the neces- sity remained.

Up to September, 1863, Eau Claire County had sent to the front 337 men. This was thirty-six more than her quota under all previous calls for troops.

Old Abe .- The famous Wisconsin war eagle, which was kept in Madison so long after the war, having been pre- sented to the Governor by Capt. Victor Wolf, of Company C, Eighth Regiment Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, on the 27th of September, 1874, was, while Company C was being recruited in Eau Claire, brought down from the Falls by Steve McCann, who had procured him of an Indian, who took him from his nest somewhere up the river. He was purchased for $2.50, by a Frenchman by the name of Milch Cheveraux, who kept a saloon, and by him presented to the company. The ladies procured a perch, and he was carried with the colors wherever the regiment went, on the march, into camp, or in battle.

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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