USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 34
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
372
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
THE DRAKE BROS., DRUGGISTS.
The head of this firm, John R. Drake, came to Milwaukee in 1851, from Springville, Erie County, N. Y. His first employment was as a clerk for Messrs. Lake & Williams, Dr. Waldo W. Lake, (now in Chicago) and Harvey Williams, at what is now No. 336 East Water Street, afterwards Lake & Hopkins, (William L. Hop- kins). Then Hopkins Bros., W. L. and John F. Hopkins, which position he held up to 1859, when he commenced business for him- self in the Van Dyke Block, southwest corner of South Water and Ferry Streets, in company with his brother Harvey W. Drake. Henry T. Drake being employed as clerk. Here they remained until 1876, during which time they had built up a large trade, when, wishing to increase their business, they removed to what is now No. 386 East Water*, which store had been fitted up by its owner, Clark Shepardson, expressly for them, and where they remained until 1880, when wanting more room, they removed to their present location, Nos. 364 and 367,t the old Phoenix Block, which had been fitted up for their use by the heirs of the late Jas. B. Martin, and where they are to-day. The Messrs. Drake Bros. have been very successful. They are possessed of good executive abilities and always attend strictly to business. They still retain the store in the Van Dyke building, which is under the sole charge of H. W. Drake, and which under his management has made as much money as has the others, in proportion to the capital invested. They have made a good record and are destined to become a very influential firm in the drug business in the coming years, as they understand all the de- tails of the trade. Their present store, 365 East Water, which is a model in its internal arrangement, was all planned by John R., the senior member, and is the result of much careful study ; it is com- piete and cannot be beaten in the city.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
A meeting was held at the Military Hall this year, February 11th, under a call signed by Chas. James, president ; E. Hertzberg, vice-
*And Henry T., was admitted as a partner.
¿This was the old Phoenix building including the adjoining store 367, on the the north, formerly Swift's drug store.
373
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
president ; Jackson Hadley and Henry Kirk White secretaries; and fifty four other leading Democrats in order to perfect an organiza- tion for political purposes.
In gas and windy speeches this meeting would compare favorably with the Charleston convention, when Douglas was running (or im- agined he was) for the presidency. The proceedings aside from the speeches were as follows :
The committee on resolutions were : S. B. Grant,* Isaac Neus- tadtl, Edward Button, Duncan E. Cameron and Stoddard H. Martin.
On permanent organization : S. B. Grant, Herman Heartel, John Evanston, J. E. Force and Richard M. Sweet; who reported for President, Henry L. Palmer ; Vice Presidents, S. H. Martin, F. Huebschman ; Treasurer, F. J. Blair ;t Secretary, Henry Kirke White ; Executive Committee, Ist ward, F. Fratney ; 2d, R. N. Messen- ger ; 3d, J. H. Cordes ; 4th, Moses Kneeland; 5th, Jas. Duffee.
This was the first real organization of the Democratic party, and its baleful effects upon the growth of the City, was felt for years. It was an organization that has worked evil for the people at large. Neither does it matter which party is in power, its effect is to place the control of the public affairs in the hands of a few leaders, over whom the people have no proper check. Politics should never enter into municipal affairs, for if they do, there is trouble; the love of office is strong, and when once a man gets a taste of it, it is very likely to spoil his appetite for any other business.
THEN AND TWELVE YEARS LATER.
A correspondent of the Manitowoc Herald gives his views of Mil- waukee in 1852, and as he found it in 1840 :
FRIEND FITCH : I am now in the city of Milwaukee. I write you from my
*Sanford B. Grant was for many years a very prominent business man and pol- itician, during which nothing of importance was ever undertaken that he was not mixed up with in some way. In military glory, he was the compeer of Maj. Gen. John McMannan, and about as windy. "He finally got into bad ways and died in the poor house, the sure results of following after strange gods," but such is life. He was smart, but not honest to himself or friends.
+It would appear by this that our staunch Republican fellow citizen F. J. Blair, was at that time a Democrat.
46
374
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
stand, in Brown's dagsuerrean gallery,* and I look upon Ludington's and Kirby's, and contrast them with the former buildings, that stood there in 1840, and as I do so, can hardly realize the change. Then I was talking with the surveyor, about the streets running at right angles without regard to the lay of the land, and attending an Indian funeral at the head of Wisconsin Street .; Saw a flock of wild turkeys where the Home saloon now stands, (no he didn't,) killed a " rattle- snake " where the " Red Bird " saloon now stands, (perhaps, but I guess not, ); where snakes of every variety except those with rattles, are being introduced daily into the boots of the unsuspecting " toper," to kill him by inches, (that's so).
That was pretty good for a Manitowoc editor. He had probably visited the Red Bird just previous to writing his article and killed a few of those snakes, without rattles. The Red Bird was full of them.
In commenting upon the council proceeding at the session held March 4, the Sentinel had the following :
NEW CITY OFFICERS.
The new board of aldermen commenced work in earnest yesterday and most auspiciously. For the several offices in their gift a number of excellent candidates were presented, and their selections strike us as unexceptional. 'The choice for comp- troller fell upon Cicero Comstock, Esq., a gentleman abundantly qualified for the post, entirely trust worthy and universally popular.
Mr. Alfred Johnson, the present efficient city clerk, received the substantial compliment of a re-election. Benjamin H. Egerton, an old resident and experi- enced engineer, was chosen city surveyor ; Mr. S. C. West, the worthy president of the last board, was unanimously re-elected to the post he had filled so well, and the task of framing the city ordinances was entrusted to the competent hands of Hans Crocker and Francis Randall. The board, after a good morning's work adjourned till Saturday afternoon next.
POLITICAL.
The primaries this year were well attended and every thing looked lovely for the would-be "ins," but when the votes were counted Moses Kneeland was left out in the cold, and you can bet your bot- tom dollar, there was trouble, for Moses was ambitious.
*Henry Sanford Brown, now a resident of Medfield, Mass., at that time in the 3d story of Martin's block, southwest corner of East Water and Wisconsin Sts., where he led in the photographing business for years.
+ I think he is mistaken, as no Indians were buried there as late as 1840, if my memory is correct ; he is yarning a little.
#The Red Bird saloon was at that time, at (or near) what is now 417 East Water, it was afterwards removed to where the present National Exchange Bank stands on Michigan Street.
375
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Moses Kneeland, who came to Milwaukee about 1843 or, 44, was one of the most energetic, as well as one of the most aggressive men, both in politics and business, that Milwaukee ever had, he was in the latter respect a good match for Mr. Kilbourn, and could not be kept in the back ground. But this time it happened to him as it did to John White in 1844, he was slaughtered in the house of his friends. He was a man of large frame, strong constitution and possessed an iron will, whatever he went for he usually succeeded in getting. He was very prominent in the infancy of the old La Crosse & Milwaukee railroad, and was for several years upon its board of directors and for a short time its secretary. He was of too positive a character, as well as too fond of money, to make and retain friends ; for this he cared nothing, but if a friend he was a good one, and if he once took a liking to a man, he would stand by him at all hazards. He was a very influential man in his day and always went for an inside seat. I can see him now, in memory's eye, as he looked in life. He was in political faith a Democrat and in religious a Presbyterian and a prominent member of the old First (the present Emanuel) church. He was just the man for a new country and his success finan- cially, fully confirms this statement. He accumulated a very large property, his residence was the present Ricker homestead No. 575 Marshall street,* where he died January 21, 1864.
ELECTION.
Three tickets in the field this spring, People's, Whig and Democrat. The Sentinel in commenting upon it states among other things, that it was admitted on all sides to be the best selection the city had made for years. It was an awful muddle, however. Fifteen of the candidates were on the People's ticket, ten on the Democratic, eight on both and two independents. And all were red-hot for victory. The result was as follows :
Mayor-Hans Crocker.
City Comptroller-Cicero Comstock.
* This house was built by Chas. E. Wendt of the firm of Mahler & Wendt, who kept a liquor store at 286 East Water street, (away back in the fifties). Mr. Wendt sold it to a Mr. Marshall from Kentucky, who sold it to Mr. Kneeland, who enlarged it and from whose heirs it was purchased by its present owner. Mr. Wend returned to Germany.
376
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
City Treasurer-Lucas Seaver. City Attorney-Arthur McArthur. City Marshal-Timothy ()' Brien. City Clerk-Alfred Johnson. Police Justice-Clinton Walworth. City Surveyor-B. H. Egerton.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
First ward-Samuel E. Foot, Wm. A. Prentiss, Henry P. Peck.
Second ward-J. A. Phelps, Francis Huebschmann, J. Neustadtl. Third ward-John Hickey, Wm. Brown, James Reed. Fourth ward-Samuel C. West, A. H. Johnson, John Fishbeck. Fifth ward-Stoddard H. Martin, John Rosebeck, Geo. G. Dousman.
WARD ()FFICERS.
ASSESSORS.
First ward-E. B. Dickerman.
Second ward-B. Church. Third ward-R. G. Owens.
Fourth ward-John H. Tesch.
Fifth ward-J. C. Smith.
STREET COMMISSIONERS.
First ward-J. Hathaway.
Second ward-I. A. Lapham. Third ward-Elisha Eldred.
Fourth ward-C. H. Williams.
Fifth ward-Martin Delaney.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
First ward-Albert Smith. Second ward-C. F. Bode. Third ward-Wm. Holland.
Fourth ward-Fr. Hamilton. Fifth ward-O. Parsons.
CONSTABLES.
First ward --- August Seifert. Second ward --- Fr. Neuman. Third ward --- John Burke. Fourth ward --- P. Maloy, Jr. Fifth ward --- P. Schreiner.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chief Engineer --- John S. Fillmore. First Assistant --- L. N. Dewey.
377
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTEK.
Second Assistant --- D. N. Neiman.
Third Assistant -- J. M. Smith.
FIRE WARDENS.
First ward-S. S. Daggett and John M. W. Lace.
Second ward-J. W. Luscomb and A. W. Goetz.
Third ward-Edward Button and J. M. Crummey. Fourth ward-John J. Gridley and A. Ely. Fifth ward-S. H. Martin and Thos. H. Norton.
It will be seen by the result that the people, as usual, drew the crow and the Democracy the turkey.
SUPERVISORS.
Greenfield-John Bell. Franklin-J. M. Vedder. Granville-J. S. Brandt. Lake-John Douglass. Wauwatosa -- John Craig. Oak Creek -- Lyman Howes.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
First ward-Rufus King, Joshua Hathaway and Jackson Hadley. Second ward-F. Huebschmann, Benj. Church and Chas. E. Jenkins.
Third ward-Edward McGarry, Hans Crocker and John McManman. Fourth ward-Jas. H. Rogers, Haven Powers and Geo. E. H. Day. Fifth ward-Daniel Wait, J. B. Zander and Andrew Mitchell. JAS. H. ROGERS, president.
HAVEN POWERS, secretary.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Sentinel of March 22, contained a long article upon the course pursued by the common council in regard to the fire depart- ment, signed by J. S. Fillmore, chief engineer; in which he com- plains bitterly (and justly too) of the shameful treatment they had received from that august body ; and calling for a meeting of all the companies on the 23d, for the purpose of talking over matters in reference to the past, and to reorganize the department on a sounder basis. This meeting was well attended; J. S. Fillmore, Pres .; Henry Middleton, Sec .; and the following are some of the wants of the department made known at this meeting :
No. I wanted 25 more members. No. 2, repairs on engine and hose. No. 3 wants hose. No. 4 wanted their rooms partitioned off,
378
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
250 ft. of hose, a bell on engine, and engine house. No. 5 wanted 25 new members, a new bell, and several other things. Among the resolutions passed at this meeting, was one in favor of continuing the volunteer system, and one calling upon the common council to pay bills when presented and properly certified, and not let the offi- cers of the different companies be sued for the city's debt. But little heed was paid to them, which led to a stronger one in November, backed by one from the Underwriters, which brought the common council to time, after which all went smoothly. The following is the one issued by the Underwriters :
WHEREAS, We hear with regret, that the fire department of this city has now become nearly disorganized and disbanded, whereby a large amount of property is exposed to destruction by fire, without any means of arresting its progress, and thereby seriously adding to the risk already incurred by the insurance com- panies that we represent, which must necessarily result in higher rates of insurance, or a complete suspension of business. Therefore
Resolved, That we most respectfully urge upon all, Mayor and Common Coun- cil, to take such immediate action as may be necessary, to restore the department to its former efficiency.
WM. J. WHALING, LEONARD KENNEDY, GEO. J. FOWLER, C. J. CARY, ELIAS WORTHINGTON,
ALLEN WHEELER,
HENRY W. GUNNISON, JOHN P. MCGREGOR.
FIRE LIMITS.
The following is the report of Aldermen W. A. Prentiss, G. Vliet, Wm. Brown, S. C. West and S. H. Martin, upon extending the fire limits.
First Ward. From Wisconsin to Division street, being blocks 2, 9, 10, 1, 54, 55, 56, 53, 52, 57, 58, and 51, and the west 1/2 of blocks II and 12. 2d Ward. Blocks 30, 31, 32, 33, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 49, 50, east 12 of 51, 47, 49, 34, and south 1/2 of 37 and 38. 3d Ward. All that portion lying west of the center of Main street, from Wisconsin to Erie, being blocks 3, 4, 5, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 6, 7, 8, and 155, also west 12 of 13, 14, 15. 4th Ward. Blocks 57, 58, 59, 71 and 72.
Within these limits, all material, or party wall must be built of brick and stone or other fire proof material.
379
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Walls not over 24 ft. in height, except for stores, mills, breweries, or warehouses, must not be less than 8 inches thick if of brick, and 14 if of stone; stores, mills, breweries and warehouses, more than 24 ft. high, must, if of brick, be 12, and if of stone, 18 inches thick.
REMOVAL OF THE POST OFFICE TO PRENTISS' BLOCK, NORTHWEST CORNER OF EAST WATER AND MASON STS.
The Post Office was removed this year, May I, to Prentiss' block. Much discussion arose in consequence, many claining that it was entirely out of the way. The matter finally died out, and the office remained there for several years. The objections against its removal, were all obviated by Ed. Emery removing his candy store to Mason Street, and selling candy as usual, two sticks for a cent apiece.
R. P. ELMORE & Co.
This house was founded in the fall of 1850, by Samuel and Rive- rious P. Elmore, from Elmore's Corners, Ulster county, New York, as dealers in hard and soft coal, " pig iron " and foundry supplies gener- ally, and claim to have brought to and sold the first cargo of coal -- 600 tons-ever sold or offered for sale in Milwaukee. Their entire stock for that year only amounting to that insignificant sum. A small affair when contrasted with their present sales, which will aggregate the present year 50,000 tons. This, as far as the writer knows is the only establishment of this kind that has kept in business, without a break, up to the present, or whose financial standing has never been impeached in Milwaukee or even in the State, a record few can boast of making.
This company contracted to, and did supply the city with coal until 1864, when Samuel Elmore retired, and the business was con- tinued by R. P. Elmore, until 1866, when Dr. Edwin R. Paine, was admitted, since which time the title of the firm has been R. P. Elmore & Co. Besides the sale of coal they sell a large amount of pig iron, and from one yard, they now have three, and sell more coal than any other one firm, except it may be the Northwestern Fuel Co., in the city or state.
They are sharp, keen and wide awake business men, and their long experience in the business, has enabled them to get at the true inwardness of all there is to learn, so that they know what they are
-
380
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
about always and never make any mistakes .* Mr. Elmore, who is a man of fine personal appearance as well as great dignity of char- acter, took a high social position when first he came, and which he holds to-day. He is a man well calculated to make and retain friends, as the writer who has watched Mr. Elmore very closely for years, can truthfully say, that there are few business men in Milwaukee, for whom he had a greater respect than for R. P. Elmore. He is a man always, he is also a sincere and conscientious Christian. A prominent member of the Summerfield M. E. church, and one of its official board for years. He dislikes all cant and hypocrisy, or double dealing and wants nothing to do with any one who is not honest from principle and not from policy. In political faith he is a republican, and a temperance man always, and never leaves the com- munity in any doubt as to where he stands politically or morally.
His partner, Dr. Paine,t is of a different temperament. Heis ag- gressive to an unusual degree ; has high political aspirations, and if put up for office would never let his election go by default or leave a stone unturned that if turned would enable him to win. He has good business abilities, but not as good executive ability as Mr. El- more. He is a very active man however, and has represented the 4th ward in the board of alderman ; in which position he .was very efficient. One characteristic of this firm, is the length of time they retain their employees, in that they follow Messrs. Inbusch Bros. and Ball & Goodrich, always a safe rule to follow. Such are some of the personal traits of the gentlemen composing the firm of R. P. Elmore & Co.
NATHAN BRICK.
This gentleman also came this year and opened a cabinet shop at 204 West Water, where he remained until 1869, when he built the brick building known as Nos. 126 and 128 Grand Avenue, in which
*1700 not making a ton with them.
+Mr. l'aine has had an eye on the mayorial chair, which had he been unfor- tunate enough to have reached, he would found to have been no " sinecure." Mayor Stowell has so found it, and he a Democrat 100, neither will any native born American republican ever find it any different, until our whole political sys- tem is changed. With a democratic mayor and aldermen, it is bad enough, God knows, but with a republican mayor and democratic board, it would be much worse-not a good thing to have in a family, too much friction.
381
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
he carried on the business until 1880, when he sold out and in com- pany with his son Frederick opened a sale-room at 381 East Water street, where he is to-day. Mr. Brick, who is a native of Worcester County, Mass., was a sailor in his youthful days in which capacity he made several voyages to the South Pacific in pursuit of the cachalots, or sperm whale, during one of which he was the shipmate on the Martha Washington, of New Bedford, of the late Capt. Jas. Wilkinson (who commanded the Lady Elgin in 1857-8 and 1859. Mr. Brick has been quite prominent as a politician and has served his ward (the 4th) in the council several terms, and was on the board with the writer in 1868, where he made a good record. He is very methodical in all his ways and in his dress, always wearing a suit of black and a plug hat. He is slow in his movement, and in his style of doing business too old fashioned to ever get rich, as he will never sell anything for less than it cost him, no matter how much out of style it may be, if he keeps it a hundred years. He is a good citizen, however, and an honest man, a Republican in politics and a Liberal in religion. He has dark hair, dark blue eyes, a strong voice, walks slow and erect, is a pleasant companion and always a gentle- man.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN THE MORNING.
St. Patrick's day was celebrated this year by our Irish fellow citi- zens in general, and by the City Guards, John White, captain, in particular. They were presented with a banner by the mayor upon this occasion, after which, in company with the Hibernian Benevo- lent Association, they marched to St. Gall's where they attended high mass, winding up with a supper and ball at Gardiner's Hall, where Lucas Seaver, Maj-Gen. John McManman, John White, Rev. Mr. Raymond, Sherman M. Booth and a few lesser lights made windy speeches about the American Eagle and what he has done and was yet to do. Oh, but those were the days for military dis- play, and if Gen. McManman was not the greatest military genius of the age, then he was mistaken. He once made the remark that the world had never produced but three really great military men. The first was Hannibal the Carthagenian, the second was Napoleon Bonaparte, but the name of the third-modesty forbid him to men- tion. He was a generous, good fellow as ever lived, but as full of
47
382
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
wind as a bushel of beans, and very conceited about his own ability as a military man. He kept a liquor store for several years and sold a kind of bitters (his own make) that were quite popular. He died December 1, 1871. Peace to his memory.
CITY PRINTING.
The Free Democrat (English) and " der Banner " (German) were selected as the official papers for 1852. Here is the ballot and the comments made upon it by the Sentinel :
FEELING BAD ABOUT IT.
We regret to see that our neighbors of the Wisconsin and Commercial take on so because a Democratic Board of Aldermen have given them both the go-by, and selected the Free Democrat to do the city printing. It was, to be sure, an unkind cut, but crying won't mend the matter. ,The Wisconsin, in particular, ought not to complain, for it received the compliment of one vote, which is one more than anybody supposed it would get.
Too MODEST BY HALF.
The Wisconsin publishes the ballot in the council to select an English paper, thus :
Sentinel, 2 ; Free Democrat, 7 ; Scattering, 3.
The world ought to know that one of these " scattering " votes was cast for the Wisconsin, but the perpetrator of the joke refuses to own it.
The election of these two papers as the official organs for the year was an awful dose for the Daily News to take, and made both it and the Wisconsin sick.
The News had up to this time, had a corner so to speak, on that plum, the city printing, ever since its birth, in fact, that was the " teat " from whence all its support had been derived, and of course, it was hard to lose it. But it had put on so many " airs," and been so dictatorial to the Aldermen, that they concluded to teach it a lesson. Booth had no more expectations of getting it than of being appointed minister to " Dahomey or Salt Lake." But he filled the bill, and the News had to feed on husks that year.
An attempt to oust Booth as city printer by the council, at their meeting April 3, was a failure. He and Mr. Schoeffler held the " fort " much to the disgust of the News.
THE STORM.
A terrible storm occurred the second week in March this year,
383
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
upon which the editor of the Sentinel writes as follows, in that paper of the 15th :
The storm of last week came on Saturday night, and a strong south wind is now blowing that is drying up the mud, blowing down chimneys, and playing circus generally. The lake has been in a terrible commotion all day, and the mass of ice in its descent Saturday night, accumulated in such quantilies at the bridges that it became necessary to open the draw (the old box pattern) for their relief, but so strong was the current, loaded down with its gelid freight, that to close them again was impossible for several hours. The river had iisen to a height it seldom reached, and as a natural consequence the cellars along the river are mostly flooded. The Humboldt bridge is gone. The dam has also given way, i. e., the east end. And North River Street is flooded causing much damage.
This freshet (which was a big one) was caused by the melting of nearly a foot of snow, which with three days steady rain made things boom. I remember it well.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.