USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 3
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Another who was quite prominent as a wholesale and retail drug- gist in 1847 is Henry Fess, Jr., who came to Milwaukee from Pitts- burg in April, 1846, and opened at what is now 405 East Water Street, from whence he removed, in 1851, to 377 East Water Street, Heidie's Block; and from there, in 1853, to 395 Martin's Block, where he did a large business. Mr. Fess, who is now at 436 Milwaukee Street, is one of our most respected citizens ; and although like many others, he failed to get rich, has the consolation of knowing that he has the re- spect of his fellow citizens. He is of a very quiet temperament, is not aggressive ; in fact, this is his great fault. He is no talker, greets every one cordially, if acquainted, and if he tells you a thing is so, you can depend upon its being true. I have known Mr. Fess intimately for many years, and hope the day is far distant when his pleasant face and lithe form shall be seen upon our streets no more.
Another firm who came first in 1845, was Bosworth & Sons,- Howard Bosworth and Fitch J. and Charles Bosworth,-from Buffalo, and opened a store at 194 West Water Street, just above Spring Street, (This firm will be more fully sketched further on.) And Allen W. Hatch, (afterwards Hatch & Patterson), who the reader will remem- ber was fully sketched in Vol. II, as a partner of the Rockwells, F. Wardner and others, and who was in the dry goods business in 1847, at 397 East Water Street, were among the most prominent druggists. Mr. Hatch is still living although out of business.
Prominent among the book stores in 1847, besides S. L. Rood, and P. C. Hale, who was fully sketched in Vol. II, .page 121, was Isaiah A. Hopkins, (Vol. II, page 269), then at 344 U. S. Block, and Henry Niedecken. Mr. Hopkins took the lead for several years in the book trade, more particularly school books. He also kept a bindery (see cut) and a circulating library. He was a tall, slim man, full of self- conceit and "blarney," knew, everything, or at least thought he did, and was not a very pleasant man to get along with at all times. He was very nervous and excitable, and advertised very largely, some of his cuts being quite expensive. He left for Washington, D. C., many years ago, where he still resides.
Among the hotels were the United States Hotel, the Tremont House, the City Hotel, the Lake House, the American House, the Milwaukee House, Leland's Exchange, Spring Street, all kept by
3
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PAPER WAREHOUSE.
BINDERY.
PRINTINO -- OFFICE.
HOPKIN'S
BOOK STORE.
A
the same landlords as in 1846. Also the Traveler's Home, T. O'Brien, 268 East Water Street ; Eastern Hotel, foot of Huron Street, by J. L. Mitchell; Cottage Inn,* South Side, by Jesse M. Van Slyke; St. David's Hotel, (Welsh), 81 East Water Street, by John Jenkins, and perhaps a few others ; but these were the principal ones.
Jewellers were Wm. Diesbrow, now at Mackinac, 346 East Water Street ; Speer & Edwards,-Samuel M. Edwards and Isaac Speer,- 108 Huron Street ; Abner Kirby, northeast corner of Wisconsin and East Water Streets, (or Kirby and Nathaniel Kellogg); and Samuel M. Gardner, 378 (old No. 180) East Water Street, were the principal ones.
Prominent among the early cabinet makers and who is yet in bus-
*On page 246, Vol. 2, is was stated that this building stood on the south side of Clinton St., midway between Lake and South Water. This is an error. It stands at what is now Nos. 134 & 136 Clinton, next to the corner of Lake, and is used for purposes of merchandise.
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ness was John F. Birchard, who came to Milwaukee from New York City, Septemher 9, 1845. His first place of business was a small, two-story frame shop, erected on the south 20 feet of lot 1, block 71, Fourth Ward, now occupied by the " Birchard Block," on the south- west corner of Spring and West Water Streets, at what is now 179 West Water Street, built by the late Harvey Birchard. This building was subsequently removed to Hill Street, and converted into a dwelling, and a shop erected on the alley directly south of, and con- nected with what is now 107 Grand Avenue, then No. 21 Spring Street, which he occupied for a salesroom. Into this factory Mr. Birchard put a steam engine,-the first one ever used in Milwaukee for the manufacture of cabinet furniture. He also introduced some machinery, his own invention, for making ornamental work, the first ever used in the West. Here he remained until 1869, when he built the store Nos. 121 and 123 Wisconsin Street, into which he removed, and where he has remained until the present time. He subsequently built a factory upon Sixth Street, on the Menomonee Canal, where he . manufactured for several years. This factory is yet standing at the south end of Sixth Street Bridge. Mr. Birchard is a practical and thorough-going mechanic, having been brought up to the business in one of the oldest establishments in New York City. He is also a practical draftsman and designer, and has built up a reputation for good work that no other firm in the West has ever excelled ; neither is it any disparagement to the Messrs. Matthews Bros., or any other institution of the kind in Milwaukee to say that, although they may make equally good, they cannot make any better ; and to be told that such a piece of furniture, (when offered for sale), is Birchard's make, is a guarantee to the purchaser that it will not come to pieces in six months.
In person, Mr. Birchard is of medium height, compactly built, is always cool and collected, is not much of a talker, and never exag- gerates, or makes any statement that he cannot substantiate. His great mistake, if it can be called such, was in forgetting that the great West was rapidly filling up with a class of people not wealthy; and in not manufacturing an article of furniture that as to cost was within the reach of the masses. By neglecting to do this, he lost a large trade that his competitors have reaped the benefit of; and he is now too
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far advanced in life to recover the ground lost. His last invention is a new style of writing desk, which he has had patented, and by the sale of which he will undoubtedly make money, as it is in many re- ยท spects superior to any other in use. Mr. Birchard was for years an active member of the Old Volunteer Fire Department, and also of the " Odd Fellows " association ; and, although others have distanced him in the race for wealth, yet he has the consolation of knowing that the work of his hands in the shape of cabinet ware will be found in the dwellings of the descendants of the early Milwaukeeans for a century to come.
IIT EMERY'S
0
EMERY'S CONFECTIONERY.
EDWARD EMERY.
The annexed is a cut of this gentleman's confectionery store, as it appeared when first erected on Wisconsin Street. It stood at what is now 88 .* His first place of business was at No. 15 (old No.) ; and,
*This building was purchased by Wm. Thwaites, who removed it to Jackson St. and converted it into a dwelling. It is known to-day as 639 Jackson St.
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as he was quite a character in his day, I will give a short sketch of him. He was a man of wonderful industry and perseverance, always busy ; but, with him as with the hornet, it was not always easy to tell what he was busy about. His first great mistake was in starting off . with his children on a concert tour. Ill luck seemed to follow him ever after. He had lost his prestige as a " caterer " for the public. which he never fully recovered, although he labored diligently so to do. It was gone. Mr. Emery was of a nervous temperament, had a sandy complexion, and blue eyes. He had a pleasing address, and appar- ently was always cheerful; but this was all put on for appearance sake. His bad luck always clouded his mind.
His manner of advertising was somewhat peculiar, as the following which is a fair sample of all of them, (poetry included), will show. It is entitled " The Best Joke Yet is-That the reason that Emery can't sell cheap is because he doesn't keep open Sundays. But the people know better ; and Emery's Confectionery on Wisconsin Street will continue to dispense the good things in the way of candies, cakes, ice cream, jellies and molasses candy, as usual, 'two sticks for a cent '-a piece."* Mr. Emery was a sincere Christian and an un- compromising Republican and Temperance man. He died April 10, 1877, more from grief than from disease. One of his worst faults was a lack of dignity. Peace to his memory !
EMERY'S TOY STORE AGAIN.
We fling our banner to the breeze, Let the weather thaw or freeze, Should sugars or molasses rise, The sticks shall be no smaller size; And let the sugar stock decrease, We'll sell two sticks for a cent a-piece.
Navigation is over ; see the ice; And yet we ask no higher price. Suckcess, surely it can't be otherwise. Must crown the candy enterprise.
*It is related of him that, while selling candies and pies at the old depot, some inquisitive Yankee said to him, "Say don't you think it is rather small business for a man to be selling cakes and pies in this depot?" and got for an answer, "I don't know of anything smaller, unless it is meddling with other people's busi- ness." The Yankee vamosed.
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Whoever visits Emery's store,
If they have n't been there before,
Cannot but remark, that they Must give it up, no more to say. When they see the nice mince pies,
Then is when the purse-string flies. Remember Emery's shop; 'tis he That has the toys you ought to see.
Christmas and New Year's coming along,
He kinder hopes to see a throng. No larger stock, nor nicer goods, Have ever graced these Western woods.
The toys, he thinks, can't fail to suit; 1
And then you have these Rhymes to boot.
Give us a call; a cent from each,
A very nice amount will reach;
And others might a sixpence spend; And here, we think, these Rhymes should end.
To go to dollars, would only serve
To harrow up the pocket nerve. But less will do us; we're very willing, If nothing more, to take a shilling. But all that Emery gets is easy spent,
Some goes for goods, an item for rent, Finally, when the rest get through, The printer gets a scanty pittance too.
ROBERT W. PIERCE.
This gentleman came to Milwaukee from Charlemont, Mass., in 1844, and started a match factory, the first in the city, on Walnut Street, north-east corner of Seventh and Walnut, in the Sixth Ward, where he carried on the business until 1855, when a partnership was entered into with Samuel D. Luscombe for the manufacture of lum - ber, he still continuing the manufacture of matches until 1860, since which time he has dealt in lumber only, and in which both he and Mr. Luscombe have made a large amount of money, and are reck- oned to-day among our solid business men.
Mr. Pierce is one of those quiet, shrewd Yankees who look ahead, and who always win. He is a very unassuming man, not nervous, or easily excited, as is his partner, but one of the kind who always look before they leap, and who always land upon their feet. He is
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not an easy inan to get acquainted with, as his bump of caution is extremely large ; and if he takes a dislike to any one at first sight, the individual against whom it is taken will not be likely to get any nearer to him, as he will not change his first opinion, but will " fight shy," (as the saying is), of that man always. He is, at the same time, one of the kindest hearted men the writer ever knew, and a peacemaker always. It is almost impossible for any one to quarrel with him, if they wish to. He was never a politician in the full sense of the term, although he takes a deep interest in the welfare of his country ; neither has he ever held but one office, viz .: that of Representative to the Legislature, from the Fourth Ward, in 1883, which he thinks will do him for the balance of his life,-no more of that for him. The writer has been intimately acquainted with Mr. Pierce for the last thirty years, and knows him well. He has a large vein of mirth, is always cheerful, is very social with acquaintances, has good conversational powers, is a great reader, and has a good knowledge of the business of the country, as well as of its political status. Such are some of the personal traits of Robert W. Pierce.
GRAFFENBURG PILLS. 1200011
These pills, which are a joy and comfort to man, were first offered to the citizens of Milwaukee by P. C. Hale. They were a great in- stitution ; and for several years no pills ever invented, not excepting Dr. A. J. Stadler's " blue pills," (two of which would make a man think a band of Sioux were holding a war dance in his bowels), gave our citizens so much happiness as did the " Graffenburg ;" and to be the agent was a desideratim sought for by all the book and drug stores in town. Even a. lawyer, in one instance, (F. Ripley, Jr.,) acted as an agent for them. These bills would cure consumption, cholera, asthma, hang-nail, hay fever, " high-faluting," and even lying, if taken in season; but, if the habit was thoroughly seated, the victim was probably a " goner."* Oh, but they were the pills for a new
country !
*The author has never known but one remedy for this disease, when once it got thoroughly fastened upon a man, and that was a charge of buck-shot in the head of the victim. That usually effected a cure. There is an instance on record, however, where that remedy would have failed, viz: that of a " marine" in the English navy who had died of delirium tremens, upon whom the habit was so thoroughly fastened that he undertook to tell a comrade who sat up with his corpse about stealing a musket out of Plymouth Barracks some twenty years pre- vious, six hours after he was dead. His case was beyond the reach of buckshot.
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SPRING STREET BRIDGE.
" Spring Street Bridge broke down Sunday evening, January 3, and the Common Council, out of sheer sympathy, broke down the next evening. They have both proved to be very expensive experiments ; but, as they are both necessary evils, we hope to see them both in working order again in a few days."-Milwaukee Sentinel, Jan. 6th.
This has reference to the meeting of January 4th, at which the Council " played horse," and was what might properly be called an " off night." No one would serve as president pro tem. They had a gay old time throwing spit-balls and things at each other, and told some stories that they certainly never learned in a Sunday School.
JOHN H. VAN DYKE.
This gentleman, who ranks second to none in all the qualities which go to make a perfect man, came to Milwaukee from Detroit, Michi- gan, April 17, 1846, and in connection with Norman J. Emmons, who also came from Detroit, opened an office for the practice of law in a frame building, at what is now 398 East Water Street, under the title of Emmons & Van Dyke, where they remained until October, 1847, when they removed to the new brick building, erected the previous summer by Jas. Christie,* at what is now 360 East Water Street, (old No. 162) and now occupied by a part of Hon. Alex. Mitchell's bank building, where they remained until January, 1850, when they removed to the new building erected in 1849, by the late James B. Martin, upon the southwest corner of East Water and Wis- consin Streets, their office being directly over what is now 399 East Water Street, and where they remained until 1869, during which time they had reached the highest round in the ladder as a law firm-their business being worth some $12,000 per annum-when Mr. Van Dyke was elected president of the Northwestern Life Insurance Com- pany as successor to Lester Sexton, deceased,t which office he filled
*Jas. Christie resided in Milwaukee only a short time, when he returned to England, and is at present residing just outside the city of London, in a magnifi- cent villa. He was a nephew of Geo. Smith of pioneer fame, who besides being the founder of Mr. Mitchell's bank was also a heavy real estate owner in 1836, and up to 1869 and 1870.
+Mr. Sexton died March 15, 1869 having only held the presidency two months and a half as successor lo S. S. Daggett.
H. BROICH.
ALBERTOTYPE.
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with marked ability until 1874, when he retired, and returned to the practice of law. Few men in this city, among the profession, have ever attained the legal or social eminence that has the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Industrious to an unusual degree, never idle a moment, and with ability far above the average, good health and good habits, coupled to a perseverance that never lagged, he could not but succeed. His rules of practice were, first to sat- isfy himself that his client had a just cause, and then go in to WIN. And such was his sense of justice, that he would never undertake any case which had a bad look, for any consideration ; his a im being not to practice law for the purpose of gain alone, but to help the one who was wronged to regain his just rights, a maxim which, if all the lawyers would adopt, there would be less litigation. In person Mr. Van Dyke partakes of the compact and wiry frame of the race from from which he sprung, the Hollanders of the Mohawk Valley. He is very methodical in all his business, never leaves for to-morrow what should be done to-day, thus keeping his business matters well in hand. He looks you square in the face when speaking, while at the same time he reads you like a book. His morals are unim- peachable, neither will he tolerate or associate with those whose are not. He is always dignified, while at the same time he is not unap- proachable to any one. He has few intimate friends, and as far as the writer knows, no enemies. He has become very wealthy, and is in the practice of law more for the benefit of his two sons, who are just entering the profession, than for profit.
Mr. Van Dyke has always taken a deep interest in religion and morality. He is a prominent member of the Methodist church (old Spring Street), and has been upon its official board for years. He also drafted the first constitution for the Young Men's Association, (now the city library), and was the first president of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is yet a member. He has also for years acted as a director of the Female College on Milwaukee Street, and is always foremost in every good work. Such is John H. Van Dyke. His former partner, Mr. Emmons, also a first-class law- yer, and for many years a prominent one, particularly in the trial of marine cases, (for which this firm was noted), was finally compelled, on account of failing health, to go out of business, and is now a
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resident of Detroit, the title of the present firm being Van Dyke & Van Dyke, John H., Geo. D. and William D. Van Dyke, their office being located in the same suite of rooms in the present new build- ing as were formerly occupied by the firm of Emmons & Van Dyke in the old .*
The following cuts are fac similes of the different buildings which have been erected upon this corner.
The first is the office of the Hon. Albert Fowler, spoken of in Vol. I, page 20, as having been erected in 1834, and Vol. I, page 42 in a foot note,-as having been removed from the street (in which it chanced to have been erected) upon the opening of East Water Street in June, 1836, to that corner. It was, as can be seen, a small, one story frame, ahout 12 x 16 feet, and was not only used as an office, but was also used as a prison for a short time, for the safe keeping of Scott and Bennett, who murdered the Indian " Manitou," in November, 1836. See Vol. I, page 80.
The second is the one erected in 1840, by Chas. C. Dewey, see Vol. II, page 202, where one tenement, 395t present numbering, is shown in the cut, representing that portion of East Water Street between Wisconsin and Michigan Streets as it appeared in 1843.
The second cut shows the whole building, best known in those days
*The Martin building was pulled down in ISSI and the present magnificent structure erected upon its site by Max Mack, of New York city, who, as stated in vol. 2, page 204, had purchased the property of Mr. Martin several years pre- vious for $50,000, and who has expended $130,000 in the erection of the present one. It is his monument. This building is occupied by a branch of the well known firm of Browning, King & Co., "Golden Eagle Clothing Store," on a ten years lease, at $10,000 per year. Russell T. Goodrich, agent.
+It was here that F. Wardner's powder came so near getting on fire, and Jo- seph Ward was struck by lightning. (Vol. 2, page 88.)
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as the Sentinel building, the upper story of which (or at least a portion of it was used for the publication of that paper for several years .*
WIEMDEWEY !!
HIGBY & WARDNER
CARY & TAYLOR
It had a front of 46 feet on East Water Street and a depth of about 60.
MARA & RICHARDS
ENGRAVERS' ON WOOD.
CLOTHIERS
WITT GENTS FU
SHING
MARRERICHNET.DEMILLE
The third is the Jas. B. Martin block erected in 1849, with a front of 60 feet on East Water Street and a depth of 80-see Vol. II , page 264-and which at the time of its erection, was the finest build- ing in the city. It was a vastly greater improvement upon its pre- decessor than its successor was upon it; neither was it expected that
*This building was removed to the south side of Huron street between East Water street and Broadway just east of the alley, where it was burned in 1857.
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its superior would be found in the city for the next twenty years. It has had a wonderful history. It was worn out, however, and pulled down in 1881, and the present magnificent structure (No. 4) erected upon its site.
GOLDEN EAGLE CLOTHING STOREGOLDEN EAGLE CLOTHING STORE
ENGRAVING.
There is also one more well known firm, now occupants of the Mack building, who were also occupants of the Martin building, viz: Messrs. Marr & Richards, John Marr, and Geo. L. Richards, engravers in wood and metal. Mr. Marr, who is a native of Ger- many, came to Milwaukee in 1855, and in 1857 went into partner-
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ship with P. L. Mossin, under the title of Mossin & Marr, their place of business being at what is now 86 Wisconsin Street, (old No. 14) which partnership continued until 1865, when it was dissolved . and Mr. Marr remained alone until 1876, when a new partnership was formed with Mr. Richards, under the title of Marr & Richards, their place of business being in the Martin building until its demoli- tion in 1881, when they removed to the Iron block, No. 398 East Water Street, where they remained until the completion of the present building, when they returned to the same quarters in the new build- ing formerly occupied in the old, except that their rooms in the old were in the third story, while the present ones are located in the fourth.
This firm are at the head of the profession in Milwaukee, and are doing an immense business and making money rapidly. They un- derstand their business thoroughly, and their work never fails to please.
Mr. Marr, the senior partner, is a natural engraver, and as a de- signer, Mr. Richards, who is an American, (and the managing part- ner) has no superior in the West. He has good executive abilities and under his supervision, the work of their twenty-five employees goes on with a regularity not always obtained in an institution of this kind. He has an eagle eye and nothing escapes his observation, whether in his shop or on the street. And the house, under his supervision, has become very popular. Mr. Marr, although ap- proaching the autumn of life, is always to be found at his post, and when a piece of work has left his hands, it is safe to say that it is finished. He is above the average height, has a large, bony frame, a large head, a high forehead, very wide, large deep-set blue eyes, sandy complexion and sandy hair, inclined to stand erect, he is a very quiet and undemonstrative, very reticent, never puts himself forward, and is a useful citizen. Mr. Richards, who is below the medium size has a dark complexion, dark hair and eyes, a face oval and beardless, is aggressive, and would succeed where many others would fail; the " key-note " for which is, " that he has faith in himself, and his vocab- ulary (like that of a sailor), contains no such word as can't. The writer has watched Mr. Richards closely for several years, and will bet money that the best planned confidence game in vogue, would
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have a poor chance for success if tried on him, as he is always on his guard. He is now just in his prime, has a brilliant future before him. And with Mr. Marr as " aide-de-camp," the house cannot fail to become one of the most popular in the profession in the west.
FEMALE SEMINARY OPENED,
South east corner of Jackson and Oneida Streets, January 18, 1847, Henry M. Lowe, A. M., John P. McGregor, A. M., principals ; Miss Eunice Jones, assistant. Terms of instructions per quarter as follows :
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