Pioneer history of Milwaukee, Part 25

Author: Buck, James Smith, 1812-1892
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Milwaukee : Swain & Tate
Number of Pages: 542


USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 25


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44


In the First ward the contract has now just been let to erect and enclose a house which is to be finished thus far, by the 15th [of August next, in the First ward at a cost of $2650 ; in the Third ward, at $2600 ; including a cupola suitable for a bell, and it is believed that the houses can be finished and furnished throughout for a sum not exceeding $4000 each, to which if we add the cost of all the lots $3538, the snm, total which will then be invested in all the lots and houses will be $23,528, an expenditure of which our citizens may well be proud, when when it is remembered that our city had its first house erected scarce fourteen summers since. This amount to some of our citizens may seem large, for so young a city, but when compared with the amounts expended in some other cities, is very insignificant indeed. In the city of Boston, for instance, the last three common schools erected there including furniture only, and not apparatus, cost over $70,000 each, lots included. This shows what interest is felt there by the people in this respect; it argues well for the condition of their schools.


The following table shows the number of the lots and blocks in each ward, pur- chased by the school commissioners for the use of the public schools and the cost of the same :


Wards.


Lots.


Block.


Cost.


Expd. on Houses.


First


5 and 6


135


1,028.00


Second


9 and 14


25


500.00


Third


1,200.00


Fourth


8, 9 and 10


64


500.00


2,400.00


Fifth


300.00


2,400.00


Paid for recording deeds.


I 00


Paid interest on bonds Marchi, 1849


321 00


Paid 66


1850


568 00


Paid premium on draft to pay interest


9 68


Bonds not negotiated .


4,000 00


Advanced on the Second Ward House


1,200 00


1


Commission to treasurer.


37 70


Amount of loan authorized.


15,000 00


Amount of School house tax, 1849


2,005 89


Amount of tax uncollected


589 28


Balance in treasury.


1,909 98


This board is highly gratified at the result of the late vote upon the subject of the School house loan, by which the city council can procure funds for the com. pletion of the houses already commenced and without which they could not have been completed.


Excavation.


41.00


273


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


While upon the subject of houses, this board would suggest, that the following extract from the city treasurer's report will show the condition of the several funds connected with schools, as his books exhibit them :


SCHOOL FUND.


To balance from old account 1,419 44


To total of school tax for 1849


5,515 58


Tax collected for 1848 3 50


Total


$6,578 52


By orders to finance committee


1,197 14


784 03


School tax due on tax certificates on hand


1,184 69


Uncollected personal tax


281 58


Remitted taxes.


20 17


Balance to new account


1,008 72


Total


$6,578 52


SCHOOL LOAN FUND.


To balance from old account


2,374 00


To amount received from I. A. Lapham (loan)


2,000 00


To draft on Chemical Bank, New York


5,000 00


" Received exchange on same


37 50


" Amount of school loan tax 1849


2,005 89


Total


11,417 89


By vouchers returned to finance committee


5,429 25


" Draft on cashier New York State Bank (for interest).


568 00


" Exchange on same.


5 68


" Vouchers returned to finance committee


4,377 50


" Dues on tax certificates for 1849


468 57


" Uncollected personal property tax


112 64


" Remitted taxes


8 07


" Commission to treasurer on $19,885.18


37 70


" Balance to new account


1,909 98


Total $11,417 89


When the schools are well established in each ward, and are in successful operation, (and this will be, as is believed, at no distant period,) it will be neces- sary to erect a noble edifice and establish therein a central high school, to which the more advanced scholars shall be sent to complete their education after they shall have been properly qualified in the ward schools.


The Text Books adopted and continued by the board, are as follows:


Eclectic Readers, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.


Eclectic Spelling Book. Willson's History of United States.


Willson's Universal History.


Ray's Arithmetics, Mental and Practical.


Mitchell's Geographies, Primary and Large.


Mitchell's Outline Maps.


2,102 19


274


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


Town's Analysis.


Green's Grammar.


Winchester's Writing Books.


Census of children and youth, between four and twenty years of age, appears in the last column, which is the census taken in August, 1849, (two censuses having been taken that year,) and the previous censuses contain the number between five and sixteen years of age.


Ward.


1847


1848


1849


1849 (August 31)


First


588


727


1,189


1,379


Second.


627


720


1,074


1,225


Third.


367


482


818


930


Fourth


250


361


226


605


Fifth


285


573


628


705


Totals


2,717


2,863


3,935


4,844


The number of schools in the different wards are not proportioned to the num- ber of scholars, but schools have been kept and are kept, when places can be obtained, where children can be huddled together, rather than accommodated. The number of such schools, in the different wards, (for the past year and now in operation.) are as follows:


Ward.


Past Year. Present Year. No. of Teachers


Past Year.


No. of Teachers Present Year.


First


3


2


3


2


Second


2


2


3


Third.


I


I


I


I


Fourth


I


I


2


Fifth


2


2


3


3


AMOUNTS PAID TO TEACHERS.


NAMES OF TEACHERS.


Morgan L. Skinner


$400 00


S. Cleveland.


$233 33


D. Van Deren


166 67


Thos. Keogh


400 00


Sisters of Charity.


200 00


Alexander Macy


400 00


Sarah A. Loomis


200 00


Almira Spalding.


250 00


Susan Goodman.


200 00


Charlotte H. Crawford.


200 00


Miriam P. Kennedy


200 00


Mary Peck


125 00


Miss Z. C. Trowbridge


($250 per annum)


114 59


Louisa Sweet


158 33


$3,247 92


4


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


275


Male Teachers


(per annum) ....


$400 00


Female Teachers


do. $200 and


250 00


Aggregate amount of expenditures from School Fund for 1849, as per Secre- tary's Report :


TEACHERS.


No. of days taught in the year.


Average


Aggregate attendance in attendance in the year.


the year.


Morgan L. Skinner


21312


IOI


125


Sisters of Charity


206


78


150


Miss Goodman


21112


9412


IIO


S. Cleveland,


D. Van Deren,


214


117


164


Thos. Keogh


22112


112


138


Alexander Macy


199


116


157


Mary Peck,


Z. C. Trowbridge,


182


100


148


Miss Loomis.


204


561/2


72


Almira Spalding


220


86


94


None over twenty years of age attending school.


About twenty under five years of age attending.


Ward.


Teacher.


When commenced


When closed.


Ist Ward


Morgan L. Skinner.


April 16, 1849


March 30, 1850


Sisters of Charity


66


23,


66


66


66


Miss Goodman


6.


16,


66


Oct. 29, 1849


D. Van Deren.


Nov.


1, 1850


March 30, 1850


66


Miss Spaulding (principal,)


66


66


3d Ward


Thos. Keogh


66


66


66


4th Ward


Alexander Macy


Miss Crawford (assistant, )


66


October 1, 1849


66


Miss Trowbridge


Oct.


15,


66


March 30, 1850 66 66


66


Miss Loomis (principal) .. |April 16,


CITY SUPERINTENDENT.


It has been decided years since by the most able and experienced friends of education, that well qualified men should be employed to superintend the Public Schools, placing no more schools under their supervision than they can attend to, visiting each school once a week. He should be well qualified by education and experience for the great work assigned him; a man of sound morals, well acquainted with human nature, a good and fluent speaker, not only skilled in the art of teaching, but deeply versed in all the sciences taught, and especially well qualified to give lessons and impart instruction, in that least understood but most desirable qualification of a teacher, the "art of governing a school without a resort to corporeal punishment,"-indeed he should be a " man of one work"-the im-


66


66


5th Ward


Miss Peck


2d Ward


S. Cleveland.


Miss Kennedy, (assistant, ) April 16, 1849


276


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


provement and perfection of our Public Schools; then, and not till then may we expect to see our Public Schools in the most improved and flourishing condition. It is believed that the School Fund of this State, when the Public Lands shall have been sold, and the proceeds properly funded, will be sufficient to enable us to employ and support men of the right stamp to superintend our schools.


QUALIFICATION OF TEACHERS.


It can hardly be expected that persons of the most finished education and high- est order of talents can be procured, when the compensation is so inadequate to the labors and responsibilities of teachers. Four hundred dollars per annum be- ing the price paid to male teachers, and $200 to $250 to the female, yet most of our teachers, we are happy to say, give evidence of good qualifications and great zeal in the work. It it hoped that our means will enable us within a year or two, to add liberally to the salaries of our teachers.


Teaching should everywhere be regarded as an honorable profession, and be as well supported as any of the learned professions, for it has been well said by one who judges correctly : "Give me the education of your children, and I will make your laws."


THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATING THE MASSES.


This is a subject of vast importance, that the now exciting subject of "land re- form and land monopoly," and even the admission of California sink into utter insignificance when compared with it. Let every man, every elector, be well educated and well informed upon the subject of the government, of history, of political affairs, and they would not be seen approaching the sacred deposit of our liberties, the ballot-box, in platoons led by the unblushing candidates for office or their hired and wily agents who traffic in the suffrages of the ignorant. Then the places of election would be quiet, the property of every citizen safe, and the rights of all protected.


BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS AND OFFICERS FOR IS50.


First ward-James Johnson, George E. H. Day, Joseph Curtiss.


Second ward-I. A. Lapham, Francis Huebschmann, D. Van Deren.


Third ward-Rufus King, P. Potter, J. McManman.


Fourth ward-E. D. Holton, Haven Powers, James H. Rogers.


Fifth ward-Daniel Wait, F. B. Putnam, Chas. H. Larkin.


E. D. Holton president, Haven Powers secretary.


Committee on annual report for 1849-George E. H. Day, I. A. Lapham, Haven Powers.


The number of liquor establishments and saloons in 1850 was 400.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


Among those of foreign birth who have risen from the humble walks of life to one of influence as well as affluence, is the Hon. Ed-


277


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


ward O'Neill, now the president of the Merchants Exchange Bank. Mr. O'Neill was born in the county of Killarney, Ireland, March 14, 1820, from where he came to America in 1837, and settled at Ben- nington, Vermont, where he remained twelve years and from where he came to Milwaukee in 1850, and opened a clothing store at 396 East Water, where the Iron Block now stands, which he carried on for several years, when he sold out and engaged in the coal trade, his yard, which was located on the northwest corner of Oneida and River Streets, being the second one opened in the city. This ven- ture, however, not proving as remunerative as expected, was closed out in 1857, and Mr. O'Neill went into the wholesale grocery trade, as a partner with John Furlong, which lasted for five years, when he retired from the grocery trade.


Mr. O'Neill was among those of foreign birth who went early into politics as a leader and was elected to the legislature in 1853, which convened January 11, 1854, and again in 1855; he also served in the senate in 1856 and 1857, during which he introduced the bill estab- lishing the state reform school at Waukesha, and was appointed by the governor upon its board of managers, which position he held for twenty years, nine of which he was president of the board. He was also a member of the board of school commissioners for the city of Milwaukee for nine years, four of which he was its president. He has been elected mayor of Milwaukee four times (viz :) 1863-67-68 and 1869, twice without opposition and twice with; was appointed as one of the board of water commissioners for constructing the present water works in 1870, where he served four years, two of which he was president, resigning in 1874. He was also one of those who in 1870 organized the Bank of Commerce, of which he was elected president, a position he held until 1879, when that and the German Exchange Bank were consolidated and reorganized as the Merchants Exchange Bank, in which he was again elected presi- dent, which office he holds to-day.


In person Mr. O'Neill is tall, well formed, of a healthy constitu- tion and one who would be taken for a man of note at first sight. He has an even temperament, a well balanced head, good executive ability and belongs to that class of men who, metaphorically speaking, always obtains an inside seat in every undertaking with which they


34


278


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


may be connected, and who will occupy no other. He knows how to handle money as well as men, and can, like Noonan, when nec- essary, use the latter without their being aware of it. He has a pleasing address backed by good conversational powers, reads char- acter readily, is always dignified as well as gentlemanly, and although he can say as cutting things without giving offence as any man in the city, yet he seldom does so. He looks you directly in the eyes when conversing, during which he is reading you, and will have your measure in a few moments. He is extremely cautious, not easily de- ceived and as the reader has seen, has been in office civil or financial without a break for thirty years. He makes few enemies, always keeps his word, and if a man deceives him once, will never trust him again, neither is it any flattery to say that Ireland has furnished no better representative man to our city than Edward O'Neill. In religious faith a Catholic, in political, a Democrat, yet he has always been more conservative as a politician, than any one of his com- peers-Mr. Keenan excepted-who has ever lived here. He is a good citizen and a good man.


WILLIAM J. LANGSON.


This gentleman, who for so many years past has filled the respon- sible and honorable position of Secretary to the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, also came in 1850, and in 1851 was a student at Professor Buck's Collegiate Institute, upon leaving which he went into business for himself until 1865, when he was elected to his pres- ent office. Few men could be found in any community better qualified for the responsible position he now occupies than Mr. Langson. He is quick and prompt, and under his master hand the work of the office goes on with the regularity of clockwork. His countenance always has a pleasant smile, no matter how unpleasant others may be. He is well liked, is the right man in the right place, and will probably hold it as long as he wishes.


Mr. Langson was born in Dublin, Ireland.


In person Mr. Langson is below the medium size, has a lithe and wiry frame, and is for his weight a very muscular man. He is very quick motioned, has a nervous temperament, walks very fast, and is always looking down as if in a study, which he no doubt is, as all


279


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


the duties devolving upon him must be attended to in their proper order, as well as at the proper time, otherwise all would be chaos with the " bulls and bears," who make so much noise (often to so little purpose) during the hours appropriated to the purchase of the cereals, consequently he always succeeds, where a larger or more phlegmatical individual would fail. He makes every " goal " at the proper moment, chalks down the figures, and disappears. Such is William J. Langson.


The Daily Wisconsin, of November 2, contains a statement, or summary, of the number of buildings erected in Milwaukee in 1850, the whole number being 325. Nineteen were brick stores, of which mention has already been made in the previous pages, and were erected at a cost of $93,000. Four were churches (the cathedral included), at a cost of $75,000. Five were brick school houses, $20,000. Four were warehouses, and 214 were frame dwellings, erected at a cost (including the warehouses) of $115,000, and thirty- nine were brick dwellings, erected at a cost of $78,000. Of these the following-yet in a good state of preservation-remain as origin- ally built, and some that have been remodeled I will describe.


First a two story brick dwelling, northwest corner of Wisconsin and Cass, built by Chas. Waterman, now the eye infirmary of Dr. Houghman. This is in the same condition nearly as when built.


The brick dwelling, northwest corner of Oneida and Astor Streets, built by Chas. H. Bradley, cost when built $7,000. This has been the home of J. M. Durand and Abner Kirby, and is at present the homestead of Geo. Chandler, it has been somewhat remodeled and is to-day one of the finest residences in the city. The architect was John F. Rague. The master carpenter was Robert Johnson. The master mason was Michael Page .*


The original house at the northwest corner of Division and Astor, now the residence of Hon. E. H. Brodhead, was built by Abram F. Clark, at a cost of $5,000. This was also a grand house when built ; it has been so thoroughly remodeled, however, as to leave no trace of its original form. The brick dwelling, northeast corner of Astor and Ogden, was built by E. P. Allis, and was considered first


*All of these men have passed away. Mr. Johnson died in Kansas, Mr. Page in Milwaukee, and of the place of Mr. Rague's death, I am ignorant.


280


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


class when built. It is but a shanty now in comparison with some of its neighbors ; it is the residence of the heirs of the late Thomas Knox. A brick dwelling was also erected on Marshall Street, above Lyon, by John Roberts as a homestead. This has been pulled down to make room for a better one.


The two brick dwellings on the northeast corner of Van Buren and Oneida were erected by the late Dr. Jas. Johnson, and although old style, are fine houses to-day. Dr. Johnson was a famous builder and must have erected as many as twenty dwellings and stores in Milwaukee.


A brick dwelling was also erected on Cass, number 495, by John Shadbolt, cost $4,000 .*


The brick dwelling southeast corner of Jackson and Mason Streets, was erected by the late William A. J. Fuller,t at a cost of $6,000. It was the residence of the late Jas. B. Martin for several years, then of the late Josiah A. Noonan, whose heirs own it to-day. This house remains substantially as when builtį and is in a good state of preservation.


A brick dwelling on the northwest corner of Milwaukee and Division Streets, by the late Martin B. Medbery, at a cost of $9,000. This, when built, was the best residence in the First ward and is, in fact, a good house to-day. It is now the home of Mrs. Hattie Finch Papendike, her father, the late Asahel Finch, Jr., having pur- chased it about five years ago, 1879.


A brick dwelling on the northwest corner of Jefferson and Biddle, by Gov. Harrison Ludington. This is an elegant house to-day ; it has been remodeled, however, and is still the residence of Mr. Lud- ington.


The brick dwelling, 429 Jefferson Street, was built by Guido Pfis-


*This house was sold by Mr. Shadbolt to Daniel L. Wells, the railroad con- tractor, who both remodeled and enlarged it, where he resided from 1860 to 1874, when he sold it to Geo. Knowles for $18,000, who has also improved it and it is to day one of the most substantial residences in the Seventh ward.


+Mr. Fuller was at one time editor of the Sentinel. He was a smart, active business man. He went from here to New York City where, I believe, he died about two years ago.


It was upon the site of this house that the frame dwelling stood when the men put the bureau out the window at the fire, mentioned a few pages back.


281


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


ter, and is the residence of that gentleman to-day. It has also been remodeled. The architect was Mr. Schmitz.


A brick dwelling on Market Street, by John Juneau, numbers 561 and 563, yet standing. It is, however, a mere shell, not worth pulling down.


Brick brewery on Main Street, (Broadway) by Michael Stoltz. This I think was the first start of the present Borchert brewery.


Brick dwelling on Prairie Street, Second ward, by Joseph Philips, cost $2,500. Southwest corner of Fourth and Cherry streets, Catholic church corner of Greenbush and Virginia streets, Fifth ward, and the bishop's house on Jackson street, (the present one,) cost $1800, and a dwelling on the east side of Cass street between Biddle and Martin, by a Mr. Dunbar, now the property of Hon. Jason Downer, Cost $2000. This is in a good state of preservation and known as number 520 Cass.


These were the principal brick dwellings erected in 1850. Of the frames the principal ones included in the 214 mentioned were : one on Marshall street, by Wm. Dent ; one on the corner of Van Buren and Martin, by F. Voller (where was it); also one on Jack- son street by James Dent, cost $2000 (gone long ago); one on Mil- waukee street by Geo. J. Fowler, cost $800, now 563 Milwaukee, frame dwelling northeast corner of Broadway and Biddle, by James Hutchens; cost $2000, who also started a brick one on same corner but never finished either.


This man Hutchins ran a singular career. He attempted to build a $10,000 block with $100, he kept this corner blocked up with brick mortar beds and lumber for over six years until the authorities compelled him to stop, and such was his mental con- dition owing to his financial troubles (for he owed every body that would trust him) that he finally cut his throat, and the whole prop- erty came into the possession of Hon. Daniel Wells, Jr., who built it up, and owns it to-day.


Hutchins' fate should be a warning to others, not to undertake im- possibilities.


Frame dwelling northeast corner of Tenth and Spring streets, by Abram D. Smith, cost $1700. The master carpenter was Michael Weis. This was the house that was afterwards occupied by W. S.


282


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


Candee, then by Chas. E. Fowler who had purchased it, and who refused to sell it to Mr. Alex. Mitchell, (who wanted to square his ground) whereupon Mr. Mitchell fenced him out by erecting a brick wall 12 feet high, which finally froze him out at some $3000 less than Mr. M. first offered him, and the old house was sold to Louis Rindskopf, who removed it to Fifteenth street, between Wells and Cedar, where it stands to the present day.


A frame dwelling on Fourth street north of Spring, yet standing, by E. D. Holton ; No. 130 and 132.


One on Second street by Daniel Upton. This house stood on what is now part of the St. Gall's school property, when this house was built it stood right in the marsh and could only be reached by a team in the winter.


These are a few of the principal frame dwellings erected that year.


SATISTICAL.


The amount of stock in steam and sail vessels, owned in, and sailing out of the port of Milwaukee in 1850, was in tonnage 8,542. There were 39 vessels owned here, all in the freighting business.


The business done at the port of Milwaukee for 1850, may be seen by the following tables :


IMPORTS.


Merchandise (tons)


27,68I


Barrels


90,548


Cider


66


1,084


Salt


11,648


Pork


66


2,30I


Oysters


66


1,300


Fish


66


985


Dried apples


700


Water lime


686


Whisky


66


10,680


Building stone (tons)


875


Grindstones


703


Coal


900


Butter and cheese (pounds)


448,000


Lard and hams


230,000


Live hogs (number)


1,500


Corn (bushels)


5,442


Oats


10,472


Potato (bags)


2,000


Salt (sacks).


20,000


Hops (bales)


250


Green apples 66


15,IIO


283


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


Reaping machines.


200


Locomotives and tenders


2


Railroad iron and spikes (tons)


5,015


Car wheels (pairs)


120


EXPORTS.


Wheat (bushels)


207 578


Barley 66


15 270


Oats


2 100


Corne 66


5 000


Flax seed "


1 012


Flour (barrels).


100,017


Salt


2,300


Pork


66


476


Beef


1,426


Fish


66


438


Whisky 66


450


Grain seed (bags)


42


Beer


1,700


Linseed oil 66


75


Barrels (bulk).


3,959


Ashes


(tons)


270


Saleratus


129


Pig iron 66


29


Merchandise (tons)


Lead (pounds)


1,050,000


Shot


150,000


Copper


50,000


Wool


126,595


Broom corn (bales)


2,975


Rags


66


313


Flax


66


1,700


Deer hair


IO


Mill feed (bags) -


37,000


Hides (number)


12,552


Brick


750,000


Wooden ware (pieces)


27,000


There were also received and manufactured at the different yards in this city during the year :


Lumber (feet).


30,004,336


Shingles


17,004,000


The number of passengers landed were, from


Reed's Line.


31,343


Ward's 66


18,643


Propellers


4,788


Total


54,774


.


1


The value of animals slaughtered for the year ending June 1, 1850, was $156,500. And during the past fall and winter there have been slaughtered and packed 1,935 barrels of beef and 2,925 of pork.


. Amount of capital invested in the different manufacturing interests in the city, in 1850, was


284


MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.


Capital $564,720 00


Raw material used. 834,825 00


Value of the products. 1,801, 123 60


Not a bad showing for a city four years old.


NEWSPAPERS.


There are seven papers issued from the different offices in the city, six of them being dailies. The number issued per week is as follows :


Sentinel and Gazette (daily, tri-weekly and weekly).


9,500


Wisconsin


7,250


Commercial Advertiser 66


5,578


Free Democrat


66


5,000


Volksfreund


2,792


The Old Oaken Bucket


2,000


Wisconsin Banner




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