USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 13
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Of those who have passed away, two, Watrous and Waite, deserve special mention. Mr. Watrous was of medium size, dark hair and eyes, slow in his movements, dignified in man- ners, had a kindly disposition and a kind word and greeting for every one; he came here in 1836 and settled in Wauwatosa on a farm, where he died many years ago, beloved and respected by all who knew him.
Waite was of medium size, light hair and blue eyes, of an exceed- ing nervous temperament, voice loud and clear, and one of the most muscular men that I ever knew ; he had a grip like a vice; could lift an anvil by the horn from the floor, and place it upon a bench four feet high ; was an excellent mechanic and always busy ; he died three years ago. Peace to their memories.
These personal sketches, although perhaps of no particular inter-
H. BROICH.
ALBERTOTYPE.
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est to the present generation, (to whom the parties are unknown,) yet to myself they help complete the chain that connects the pres- ent with the past,
As backward o'er the vanished years, My thoughts will often go. And memory brings the forms in view Of those I used to know.
JOHN GALE TURNED WHIG.
Why this must have been a mistake, as Uncle John was a cali- thumpian, and a good one, and so were both his boys.
HORACE CHASE RESIGNS HIS SEAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.
To HONORABLE E. WHITESIDES, SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY. SIR : As the Assembly have this day passed a law authorizing the city of Milwaukee to raise a tax for the construction of a harbor at Center street, (the present straight cut) and the said law does not provide for the payment to the owners of the property south of Center street interested in the present harbor (the old one), and knowing that the assembly have passed an unconstitutional law, not only by the constitution of the state, but of the United States, as well as the common law of all civilized nations. And although my associations with the Assembly have been pleasant, I shall forfeit all sense of honor, as well as self respect, should I longer retain a seat in this assembly. I therefore, sir, through you, tender my resignation.
Your obedient servant.
HORACE CHASE.
Madison, August 30, 1848.
Uncle Horace was on the war path when he wrote this. I think he was, perhaps, a little hasty in the matter, but as he was conscien- tious about it, we can forgive him, as legislators are not always en- titled to the credit of being troubled with that useful article.
SAMUEL SLATER DAGGETT.
This gentleman, who was for so many years one of our leading business men and influential citizens, was born at what is now known as Attleborough Falls, Mass., April 19, 1812, from where he came to Milwaukee in June, 1844, and in company with Enos Richardson, opened what was at that time called a variety store in a small frame .. building standing at what was then 149, (now 347) East Water Street. The firm being known as Daggett & Richardson* where the
*Mr. Richardson was a resident of New York City and although visiting us oc. casionally never lived here permanently.
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business was conducted until April 7, 1845, when they, with others, - were burned out, in the great conflagration which consumed all the buildings in that and the opposite block. See Vol. 2, page 235. Their next place of business, after the burnt district had again beèn built up, was at 148, now 346 East Water, upon the site of the old "Cottage Inn," having added jewelry and Yankee notions to their former stock, where they remained until 1848, when they sold out to the late Joseph R. Treat (who continued the business for several years ; Mr. Daggett having been at that time, or shortly thereafter, elected to the presidency of the old Milwaukee Mutual Insurance Company, which office he held until 1858, when his own private af- fairs requiring a large portion of his time, he resigned, and the late Jas. Murray was elected to fill the vacant position. Mr. Daggett's business ability was, however, too well known to allow of his remain- ing out of some responsible position very long, and he was after much solicitation finally induced to take charge of that present well known corporation, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany, at that time located at Janesville, where for the want of a proper head, it was, as the medical men would say, rapidly going into a decline, and for that purpose was elected president, March 7, 1859, after which he proceeded to Janesville and placing the entire official contents of this then youthful giant in a small tin trunk, re- turned to Milwaukee, and commenced the work, which in a busi- ness point of view, resulted in the grandest achievement of his life. To a man of Mr. Daggett's temperament the outlook for the future growth of his newly adopted protege, at the time it came into his possession, cannot be said to have been very encouraging, the whole number of policies then in force being only 139; representing $400,800, with assets amounting to the insignificant sum of $9,324.52. But such was the energy with which the business was pushed from that time on, as well as the ability with which it was conducted for the nine years of his administration that on the first day of January, 1868, the annual report shows the number of policies to be 21,380, representing $36,539,332, and the assets had reached the enormous sum of $3, 141,726.12. This was a splendid showing, and although gratifying in the extreme, must have astonished even Daggett himself, for he could certainly never have looked for such a
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result. He was now, however, approaching the autumn of life, and the effect of the arduous labor, mental as well as physical, through which he had passed to bring his company to the plane it then oc- cupied, began to tell upon his splendid constitution. His work was done, and after a lingering sickness of a few months he passed peacefully away, May 23, 1868, in the 56th year of his age. His last work was the purchase of the site and the approval of the plans for the erection of the present splendid building known as the Insurance Block, which will stand for years to come as a monument to his ability, integrity and labor.
PERSONAL.
In person Mr. Daggett was of the Jacksonian type. In height six feet, had a large frame, broad shoulders, was possessed of great muscular power, and wonderful power of endurance. He had a large head, a large face, a high forehead, a clear expressive eye, in which a mischievous smile was often seen lurking, when its owner was in a cheerful mood; his hair was dark and inclined to stand erect. He possessed great will power, and could not be easily turned from his plans, when once they were formed. He had good executive ability, far above the average, as his success, not only for himself, but also in his management of the large force in the employ of the North Western Mutual Life, fully proved, and like his immediate suc- cessor, the late Leicester Sexton,* the Hon. John H. Van Dyke, and the present efficient head the Hon. Henry L. Palmer, belonged to that class of men who were born to rule and whom others are born to obey. Mr. Daggett was always dignified, and possessed large amount of what some term pride, but what is in reality, self-respect. He was not a man that strangers would ever be likely to take liberties with, for, notwithstanding he was social to an unusual degree with friends and acquaintances, yet, there was always a reserve about him which would check any undue familiarity. He was fond of money, knew how to make it, and how to use it, when made. He never exaggerated, or made any attempts to deceive, was strictly honest and conscien- tious, and could under no circumstances be induced to do a wrong
*Mr. Sexton filled the chair but a short time, two and one-half months, having been elected January 1, 1869. He died March 15th.
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act knowingly. His advice was often sought by those in trouble, and was always freely given except it would compromise others, in which case he would decline to advise, neither did he ever meddle with other people's affairs, and always kept his business matters en- tirely to himself. He was a prominent and active fireman under the old volunteer system and chief engineer one or more terms, and trustee for several years, was alderman and councilor from the First (and Seventh wards) for several terms, where by good judgment and strict integrity, he aided largely in keeping the city finances in a healthy condition.
He was also a prominent Free Mason, and for many years was the treasurer of the Grand Lodge, during which time he had all the funds (some $20,000) in his possession, and as the reader who shall peruse these pages has seen, was from the time of his advent in Milwaukee, to the day of his death, one of her representative men, and one whom her citizens delighted to honor.
In political faith he was a Republican, and in religious a Congre- gationalist of the old Puritan stock, and one of the leading men in the Plymouth Church. Such was Samuel S. Daggett, a man who did his whole duty faithfully, and who has left a record that when care- fully analyzed, few of our citizens will be found to have equaled.
NEW GROCERY.
Edward D). Baker, (afterwards Baker & Isham,) 431 East Water. Mr. Baker was an Englishman of the conceited kind ; he had the im- pression that he was too smart for the Americans, but they beat him all the same. He left for Chicago several years ago. Mr. Isham also went to Chicago where he still resides.
This firm was quite a prominent one for several years as liquor dealers at 279 East Water. This store was built by Mr. Baker. I believe he is dead.
S. K. Hibbard, 231 East Water (now 429) boots and shoes. I re- member this man well. He was tall, of a light complexion, dark hair, hazel eyes, and a pleasant smile nearly always on his countenance. He was also at one time at 201 West Water.
Russell Wheeler removed to Holton's block, Goodrich & Easton's old stand, this year, May I.
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BLUE WAREHOUSE.
This old relic of former times, was built in the summer of 1848. the foundation having been put in the previous winter (and spring) by the author, the last pile being driven on the 8th day of May. It was built by Dr. L. W. Weeks for John Webb, (now living in Ver- mont,) by whom it was occupied for several years. It is now the property of Messrs. Mann Bros., and used principally for the storage of wooden ware. *
A three tenement brick block was erected this year by the late Nelson Ludington, upon the south east corner of Milwaukee and Mason streets, known as 431, 433 and 435 Milwaukee. This was by far the best residence block in the city, when built. It has had its day, however, and has been pulled down, and a large business block erected upon its site by our well known and enterprising fellow citizen, Chas. Munkwitz.
GEO. P. GIFFORD.
This gentleman, whose familiar face and form has been seen almost daily upon our streets for the past 35 years, is a native of Boston, Mass., where he was born in 1820, and from where he came to Mil- waukee in the fall of 1848 as an agent for the sale of a stock of boots and shoes. This, however, was soon accomplished (lasting only one year) when a partnership was formed with A. R. R. Butler and the late Chas. K. Martin, under the title of Butler, Martin & Gifford for the practice of law (Mr. Gifford having been bred to that vocation) and collection of debts for eastern parties, in which they were very successful for a few years, when the firm was dissolved and a new one formed with Gov. Alex. and Edwin M. Randall, under the title of Randall & Gifford, which firm did a large law and collection business several years, and in fact, up to the breaking out of the rebellion, when all business of that nature being nearly at a stand still, he accepted the position of aid-de-camp upon Gov. Randall's staff with the rank of colonel. He also held the office of assistant provost marshal at Milwaukee during the last years of the war, for which office he had a peculiar fitness.
*It was in this warehouse that the famous case of ventriloquism occurred, which will be related in its proper place.
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In 1870 Mr. Gifford became proprietor and manager, for the State of Wisconsin and northern Michigan, of the commercial agency known throughout the Union as the Tappan & McKillop Agency, and through its extensive reporting and collecting branches, his name became familiar to almost every business man and lawyer in the Northwest, and many other states of the Union.
During his residence in Milwaukee, Mr. Gifford dealt consider- ably in real estate, and built several houses, one of which, on the corner of Eighth and Spring Streets, he occupied sixteen years .* He subsequently moved to his Oconomowoc lake property, of which, through an early purchase, he was the immediate successor to its aboriginal owner, and where (although his business headquarters are in Chicago) he still resides at a point known as Gifford's, on the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, thirty miles west of Milwau- kee.
Mr. Gifford belongs to that class of men who think twice before they speak, and who think to some purpose. He is keen, sharp and shrewd, neither is it easy to get the better of him.
He is one of that class of men who always learn all they can of others, but of whom others learn very little. He reads a man like a book, and as a rule always correctly, and has a more thorough knowledge of the true inwardness of our political system and of the lives of our public men than most people are aware of, as there is nothing in that connection that escapes his observation. And if he lives, he will yet make a record that will go down the pages of his- tory as a grand work. He is no talker, he is a worker, and a dili- gent one. The writer has watched Mr. Gifford for the last 25 years very closely and knows whereof he speaks, and will venture the as- sertion that if ever Mr. Gifford's recollections of Milwaukee shall see the light that some of its prominent public men will be furnished with a family tree that will astonish them more than anything the author of this volume has ever written. He is the soul of honor and of morals unimpeachable, and as true to his principles as the needle to the pole.
*The house, upon which the writer worked, is now directly in the rear of 801 Grand Avenue. It stood originally upon the corner fronting north as 801; it now fronts east and is known as 145 Eighth Street.
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Mr. Gifford never sought for nor held any civil office in Milwau- kee, although several times nominated by the Republicans (then in the minority) for the state legislature. Milwaukee being a strong Democratic district, but few opportunities were afforded political ad- vancement to old-line Whigs and anti-slavery Republicans, but he has been a frequent contributor to the press. He is a liberal in religion, and a Republican in politics, and maintains that as the will of the people makes the laws of the land, every individual should be properly educated, if not voluntarily by friends, then compulsorily by local authority, and, where necessary, in our common schools at the public expense.
In person he is rather below the medium, has a well knit, muscular frame, a large head, a high forehead, a large face and an eye which has the faculty of reading your thoughts. He is always self poised, and cool. He has a will like iron, coupled with energy to back it, and when he has made up his mind to do a thing, will not be likely to fail. He has caution largely developed, which enables him to ac- complish things by strategy that would otherwise be impossible, and taken as a whole, is one of the most remarkable as well as one of the least understood men who ever lived here. Such are some of the characteristics of Geo. P. Gifford.
Another firm who came this year was that of L. & J. Hart, suc- cessor to Geo. Bowman, 383 East Water .*
IMPROVEMENTS.
Among the improvements made this year was the grading of Fifth Street from Spring to Sycamore, Sycamore from Fifth to Seventh, Spring, from Fifth to Eighth, Third from Sycamore to Spring, on the west side, and grading Division from Jackson to Market, and Oneida from Jackson to Broadway, on the east side.
JUDICIAL ELECTION.
The election for circuit Judge, this year, August 7th, was a very
** This firm, the members of which are with us to-day, was not very successful in business, principally, I think, on account of not watching one of their clerks, by which neglect they lost nearly all their capital, or in other words, the clerk had the capital and they had the experience. Such is often the case when a merchant employs a clerk who plays billiards and other games as this one did.
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hotly contested one, there being three candidates in the field, Alex. F. Randall, Levi Hubbell and Abram D. Smith. There were serious charges made against Mr. Smith in connection with the pur- chase of the "Purkey property," by which it was claimed that Sol- omon Juneau was defrauded out of his just rights. It was a bitter newspaper warfare, and resulted in the election of Hubbell.
BATH HOUSE.
The was a bath erected this year in the First ward, upon the lake shore, the first in the city, by E. Alba. It was quite a place for re- sort for several years, when it was abandoned on account of the coldness of the waters and a new one was erected at the dam.
A new saloon called the Climax, was opened this year on Main street (Broadway) just below Huron, a place that many of the the present Milwaukeans will doubtless remember. It was an incipient Marble Hall.
THE GRADING MANIA.
A correspondent of the Wisconsin complained bitterly, in an article in that paper, of September 13th, about the grading down of the bluff in the then First ward, (now the Seventh) in order to obtain earth with which to fill up the marsh in the Third ward, claiming that it was done solely for the purpose of giving the Democrats of that historic locality a job, at the expense of the property-holders, and wants to know if this work is going to go on, why in hell that hole on Wisconsin street above Jackson was not filled up.
Some people are never satisfied, and the probabilities are that this man would not have been if the hole was filled, he would then most likely wanted to know what in hell they filled it for. The same paper also complains about the wet weather, saying that so much rain had fallen as to cause the dirt in the streets to swell like an alderman.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Among the clothing establishments to start in 1848 yet in business was the present well-known house of David Adler & Sons. The house was founded by Solomon Adler, under the title of Steinhart* &
*Jacob Steinhart.
-
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Adler, in 1848, which continued until 1852, when David Adler came and opened in the "Cross-keys," (the first story of which had been fitted up for stores,) Mr. A., being its first occupant. Here he re- mamed until 1857, when he bought out Solomon and went into part- nership with his brother Jacob,* which continued until 1859, when, Solomon re-purchased Jacob's interest and the firm was S. & D. Adler until 1870, when Solomon withdrew (going to New York City), and H. W. Mendel, now of Smith, Mendel & Co., became a partner, and the business was continued in the name of Adler, Mendel & Co., until 1878, when Mr. Mendel retired and a new partnership was formed under the firm name of D. Adler & Sons, which is the style of the firm to-day.
The business of this house is the manufacture and wholesaling of clothing, in which they have been very successful and have become very wealthy, their business extending all over the North West, in- cluding the Lake Superior country, and are among the few in their line whose good name has never been tarnished by any dishonest act in all the thirty five years they have been in business. Mr. Adler, who ranks among the best German citizens, is still active, although he has given up the management of the house mainly to his sons and is taking it easy in his autumnal years, but his pleasant face can be seen daily on our streets, where let us hope it will con- tinue to be seen for years to come.
Among the improvements made this year was the erection of the block on the north west corner of East Water and Detroit streets, by D. Wells, Jr., the enlargement of the Lake House, E. B. Dickerman's new block, Nos. 348, 50 and 54 East Water, burnt in the fire of August 24th, 1854. Its first occupants were C. Wells, dry goods, Coles & Ross, clothing, and Hale & Chapman, books, (P. C. Hale and Silas Chapman.) Mr. Hale as stated in vol. 2, page 121, is now in the insurance business, Mr. Chapman is in the map business and is one of the most in- dustrious men in the city, always to be found at his place of business and if he has not got rich in dollars and cents, which seems to be the only aim of life in our day, he is rich in his own self-
*Who also came in 1848, as clerk for Steinhart & Adler, and to whom Mr. Steinhart had sold his interest, I think in 1849 or 1850.
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respect, as well as in that of his fellow citizens, and a good name, the wise man hath said is better than "gold or precious ointment."
He has always been a temperance man, and is true to his prin- ciples.
Mr. Chapman is well posted, and if he would, could tell of some things which have occurred in relation to the early history of our city that will now doubtless pass into oblivion, as he is very close- mouthed. Heis a keen observer of men and their ways. His maps are the standard throughout the state, and will keep his mem- ory green long after he shall have gone to the better land.
The firm of Coles & Ross, John E. Coles and Clark S. Ross, were for several years quite a popular house, as clothiers, as well as one of the largest in the city. They went to the wall, however, in the crash of 1857 with others and never re-opened. Mr. Ross, whom the reader has no doubt discovered was something of a politician, was of medium size, had very dark hair, small dark eyes, a sharp thin face and a sallow complexion, he walked slow and was usually in a study, particularly in the street ; he was no talker and not at all aggressive. He married a daughter of the late Col. L. M. Gates and went to Australia, where he is still living. He was an English- man.
Mr. Coles was of a different temperament. He was aggressive and kept things a booming. He was a short, stoutly built man and would succeed where where Mr. Ross would not. He went from here to California. I remember both these gentlemen well.
There were three brick stores erected this year on East Water street, two by the late Doctor Jas. Johnson and one by Richard Murphy. These stores were the present Nos. 307, 311 and 313. The two last were first occupied by Thompson Litell, as a wholesale grocery and the former by the owner as a liquor store. These stores (which at the time of their erection, were thought to be models of architectural beauty) are yet standing, 309 being occupied by Anson Bros., and 311 and 313, by Messrs. Smith & Chandler, as wholesale grocers.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
In pursuance of a resolution of the board of supervisors, adopted May 10th, 1848, directing the clerk to cause to be published so much of the proceedings of the board
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and the fiscal concerns of the county as he should deem of public interest. The following statement is submitted, to wit :
At the first meeting of the present board in May last, it was ascertained as per report of the committee on treasury, that the amount of county orders outstanding and which showed the indebtedness of the county at that time, on accounts audited and allowed by former boards, was : $3781,60.
That there were also due the State of Wisconsin, on Territorial tax of '46, the sum of.
I347,02
And to the several towns on delinquent town taxes collected by the county treasurer and not paid over, as follows :
To the town of Milwaukee,
$531.01
66
Franklin,
382.90
Oak Creek, 288.94
Greenfield, 68 59
66
Lake,.
33.81
Wauwatosa,
5.68
66
66 Granville, 3.77
Making the aggregate indebtedness of the county at that time. $6443.33
The accounts allowed by the present board, upon which orders have been issued, are as follows :
For the support of prisoners in the county jail from Feb. 13th. to Sept.
Ioth, 1848, $335,88 less $190, amount paid by county for State pris- oners, and $26,97 fines collected by sheriff.
$318.91
For services of assistant jailor from Oct. Ist, 1847, to Sept. 10, 1848 ... 203 75
For rewards for arresting prisoners escaped from county jail 100.00
For sheriff's fees from Feb. 13th, to Sept. 10th, 1848 288.29
147.86
For grates for jail windows
127.72
For expenses of coroner's inquests
192.88
For constable's fees
64.87
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