USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 35
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The ice however, did not leave the river entirely, except below Walker's Point bridge, until the 24th. Above this, and on the Me- nomonee, where it had lodged, it could have been crossed with a team, (if necessary,) up to the 20th, and perhaps later ; the thermom- eter standing at only 7 degrees above zero on that day.
TROUBLE ..
That old bone of contention, the Red Bridge, was the cause of a pitched battle between the First and Second Wards, March 18th. Some of the residents of the First Ward undertook to repair the vener- able structure, upon which the Second Warders went for them with fists, clubs and stones, and the chances for broken heads were good, when the mayor and marshal put in an appearance and stopped the fight.
These bridges were a terrible " bug bear " to the west side, who in their insane folly, seemed determined to cut their own throats and kill the goose that laid the golden egg for them. The mention of the word bridge would produce the same effect upon a certain por- tion of the then inhabitants of that ward as did the sight of the fiery torch of Roderick Dhu, upon his henchmen, so graphically described by Sir Walter Scott in his Lady of The Lake. At its mention Chestnut street would be instantly filled with the excited clansmen of Mr. Kilbourn (who was their Roderick Dhu, ready for a fight or
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anything else that would cause an eternal separaration (by bridges) with the east side-what folly-but it was true nevertheless. They do better now.
Steamers for this year, from Buffalo, were: Minnesota, J. W. Brett ; Iowa, C. H. Ludlow ; Louisiana, Davenport ; Globe, Pratt ; Wisconsin, D. G. Titus; America, J. A. Bartholomew ; Hendrick Hudson, J. B. Goldsmith ; Lady Elgin, Gil Appelby ; Sultana, C. W. Appelby.
PROPELLERS.
California, Jas. Connolly ; Gen. Taylor, A. E. Hart; Saginaw, C. H. Gibson ; May Flower, C. H. Bryant ; Alleghany, C. Marsden ; Scotia, J. C. Hande.
Not one of these boats, and perhaps not one of those captains are in existence to-day. The boats certainly are not.
GROWTH OF CITIES.
From a table containing the population in 1850, and the ratio of increase within the preceding ten years, of 65 American cities, we take the following figures. Milwaukee, it will be seen, heads the list :
Cities.
Pop. in 1850.
Ratio per ct.
Milwaukee
20,061
1,07I
Chicago
26,963
570
Williamsburg
30,780
504
St. Louis
77,860
372
Lafayette.
J4,190
342
Memphis
8,839
336
Manchester
13,932
350
New York increased 64 per cent., Baltimore 65, Boston 46, New Orleans 16, Cincinnati 149, Brooklyn 167, Albany 50, Pittsburg;120, Louisville 103, Charles- ton 46, Buffalo 132, Providence 19, Washington 71, Newark 124, Rochester 80, Lowell 60, Troy 48, Detroit 130, Columbus 195, Cleveland 180, Savannah 43, Oswego 161.
The above item on the growth of cities is given as an illustration of how rapidly Milwaukee has grown.
The appointment of Mr. E. H. Brodhead as engineer and man- ager of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad :
MILWAUKEE & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.
The directors of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company, in company with Mr. Edward H. Brodhead, took a ride over the road as far as the Eagle Prairie Station, Tuesday afternoon and thenee, a mile or two beyond, on the line
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
of the track. Mr. Brodhead expressed himself highly pleased with the country, and the road, as far as built, and is quite sanguine as to the business prospects. We are rejoiced to learn that the directors of the railroad company have formally tendered to Mr. Brodhead the appointment of chief engineer, and that he has ac- cepted the office. He left here Wednesday morning to go to New York for his family, and will return and take up his residence amongst us about the first of May. We congratulate the railroad company upon their good fortune in having secured the services of so competent and experienced an engineer, and in common with our fellow citizens generally hail this appointment as a good augury for the speedy completion of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad.
EDWARD H. BRODHEAD.
This gentleman, so prominently and favorably known for the last 30 years, as one of Milwaukee's solid men and honored citizens, and whose arrival, and appointment as chief engineer and general superintendent of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, has just been mentioned, was born at Plattskill, Ulster County, State of New York, Dec. 24, 1809, where his boyhood days were spent, upon a farm; but, like S. S. Merrill, the life of a farmer had no charms for him, and at an early age he left the paternal roof and struck out for himself, choosing for his profession the healthful as well as lucra- tive calling of a civil engineer, a knowledge of which was acquired at West Point,* from where he went forth in 1832, fully prepared to take his place among his fellow craftsmen as a full fledged engineer. And which calling he followed with varying success in New York and adjoining States, until 1852, when, as just stated, he took the responsible position of general superintendent and engineer, as the successor of Hon. Ed. D. Holton, (who up to that time had held the office,) in the construction of this, then pioneer enterprise, which after a hard struggle, had succeeded in reaching Waukesha, (as stated in preceding chapter,) the previous winter, and where for want of money, it seemed destined to remain for a season, if not for good.
The official trust to which Mr. Brodhead had been called, and which he had accepted, was no " sinecure," the undertaking at that early day, being a gigantic one. The want of money, without
*This was under a rule of the war department, allowing private citizens to learn engineering, the fee for which was the perquisite of the teacher. It did not last long, as it soon became apparent that it interfered with the regular classes. Mr. Brodhead is not therefore a full " West Pointer."
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
which nothing could be done, and which at that time, it was almost impossible to obtain, " loomed " up like a dark cloud before him, while the dissensions existing among the then stockholders was another draw-back, (and no small one) to its further progress. But our young engineer was full of zeal, one of the kind who never look back when once he had put his hand to the plow, but whose motto was onward, and who also possessed the happy faculty of not only bringing order out of chaos, but also of enfusing others with whom he may be associated, with a portion of his own spirit and courage. It required no little tact however, as well as energy, to unravel the snarl into which the financial as well as the department of construction of this enterprise had become entangled, on account of the dissensions (previously spoken of,) among the then directors, prominent among whom, as a disturbing element, was the late Byron Kilbourn, who being an engineer of no little prominence himself, was not disposed to yield to the views of his associates, none of whom at that time (Mr. Brodhead excepted) had any experience, as he claimed, (which was true) in a work of that kind, and whose opposition had brought the road to a stand-still. But the firm hand and clear business head of the new chief engineer soon put the machinery in working order again, and " en avant " for the Missis- sippi was the word; neither did the work which he had undertaken under such adverse circumstances cease until the " Father of Waters" was reached at Prairie du Chien, April 15, 1857, when his work being ended, he resigned as superintendent, (his place being filled by William Jervis,) and was elected president, which office he filled for one year, when the large amount of real estate in which he had become interested requiring his undivided attention, he resigned that office, since which time (except as advisory counsel) he has taken no active part in railroad matters.
The construction of this road, now known as the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, was at that early day, a great undertaking, particularly when we consider that from the day of its commencement in 1849, to its completion to the Mississippi in 1857, it was virtually bankrupt,* and shows the good
*This statement may appear incredible, but it is true, as any one who is at all familiar with its history will admit; it was built on faith.
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judgment as well as energy of the gentlemen having it in charge, (who after the retirement of Mr. Kilbourn were all in harmony, and pulled together,) but more particularly of him who was the official head, and who in its construction, under such adverse circumstances, is entitled to be ranked among the best financiers of the day,
Mr. Brodhead is also one of our early bankers, having been one of those to help start the Farmers and Millers Bank in 1854, and in which he was one of the principal stockholders and directors until the retirement of Mr. Holton from the presidency in 1863, when he was elected as his successor, and upon the reorganization of that institution, (the same year) under the National Banking Law, as the " First National," was re-elected to the same office, which he con- tinued to hold up to 1882, when he resigned, his place being filled by the cashier, H. H. Camp, Mr. Brodhead acting as vice president. He was also one of the board of Water Commissioners appointed to construct the present Water Works in 1871, which office he held until 1875, when he resigned, since which time he has held no pub- lic office. Mr. Brodhead is one of the wealthiest men in Wisconsin, and is the owner of a large amount of valuable real estate in Mil- waukee, and could he obtain the desired location,* would add one more block to those he has already erected, which would be his monument. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian, one of the leading men in St. Paul's Church, and has been on its official board for years.
PERSONALE.
In person Mr. Brodhead is in height above the average. He has a large frame, is very broad across the shoulders, has a large head, a large face, a mouth indicating self reliance as well as strong will, and an eye, that when you are in conversation with its owner, seems to read your very thoughts. He has a voice loud in tone, speaks very distinctly with a peculiar prolonged emphasis on the last sylla- ble of each word, giving to the listener the impression that each word uttered has been duly weighed, which is the fact. His step when walking is regular and even, and although apparently when on the street absorbed in thought, sees all that is going on. He is social
* Southwest corner of Broadway and Wisconsin Street.
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with acquaintances, but when with strangers is not inclined to talk, being more inclined to listen. Is always dignified, and is one of that class who will always command respect from others; is not easily excited or taken off his guard; is fond of books and works of art, for both of which like Mr. Metcalf, he spends money freely ; and his private residence, like that of Mr. M., is a " miniature art gallery." He is also one of that class who always do as they agree, neither has he any respect for the man who does not. His bump of caution is very large ; has a strong sense of justice, that being in fact one of his most prominent characteristics. Another of Mr. Brodhead's characteristics, is his greit fondness for that noble animal, the horse ; and he is the owner of some of the finest as well as the fleetest in the State; which he takes great pleasure in speeding occasionally on Grand Avenue and that sportsman's paradise, Whitefish Bay Road. He is also fond of hunting the festive prairie chicken. And although well advanced in life seldom fails to take his full share in that excit- ing sport with every returning season. In political faith he is a republican, but takes no active part in the political issues of the day. And although often solicited, will not accept any municipal office, having no affinity with the trickery usually practiced by those who are so anxious to serve the public for nothing and board themselves, and who in " Free America," are as the grasshoppers for multitude. He prefers a quiet life.
The writer has watched Mr. Brodhead very closely for many years, and can truthfuily say that although Milwaukee can count among her representative men, many who are eminent for their mental abil- ity, as well as for their wealth, yet among them all, few could be selected who are held in higher estee 11, or who have made a better record, than has Edward H. Brodhead.
THIRD WARD MARKET HOUSE.
Some public spirited citizen wanted a market house in the Third Ward and suggested that the old Milwaukee House, northeast corner of Broadway and Huron Streets be taken for that purpose, but the matter fell through.
Abram B. Van Cott came this year and opened a jewelry store. Mr. Van Cott had rather a checkered life while in Milwaukee. He was finally compelled to leave as the place was too hot for him.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
A new society was formed this year which, if I am not mistaken, (and I don't think I am) has a large membership to-day, it was called the Asinine Club.
A public cistern, yet in use, was built this year at the court house square by Michael Paige. Mr. Paige was an Irishman and a master builder. He erected quite a number of brick buildings in the city, but his intemperate habits were a drawback to his success. He was a genial, whole souled fellow, and quite a politician, but not suffi- ciently educated to fill any responsible place. He died many years ago, a mere wreck, leaving a wife, and a little property,mostly on the south side.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHAS. P. FOOTE.
This gentleman, who has for years been one of Milwaukee's prominent carpenter master builders, came from Buffalo, N. Y., in June, 1852, and commenced work as a journeyman for Messrs. Shadbolt & Spaulding (mentioned in previous chapter) working at the same bench with the writer until 1856, when the partnership be- tween Shadbolt & Spaulding was dissolved and a new one formed by the subject of this sketch and Mr. Spaulding, under the title of Spauld- ing & Foote, which continued until the death of Mr. Spaukling in 1858, after which Mr. Foote connected himself with Thomas Mason, under the title of Foote & Mason, which continued for eight years, since which time Mr. Foote has carried on the business alone. The following are among the buildings upon which the carpenter work has been done by him.
A dwelling for the late Louis Ludington, at Carnmel, Putnam county, N. Y .* (1856,) brick dwelling for John Lockwood at north point, now known as the Sherman House, in 1857 and '58. Cook's bank building on Michigan street, now the National Exchange bank, 1857 and '58. The present residence of Chas. F. Illsley, 572 Marshall street, 1859. Brick dwelling for Wm. B. Hibbard, now the residence of Robert Eliot, Esq., 525 Marshall, street 1861. Hon. Wm. P.
* The material for this building was all prepared by Shadbolt & Spakling, in their shop on the northeast corner of Biddle and Van Buren streets, in this city, shippd and erected as above.
48
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Lynde's residence, 1864. The present residence of Hon. Angus Smith, 244 Martin street, and the residence of the late Greenleaf D. Norris, 566 Van Buren, both in 1867. The Follansbee block, Nos. 113, 115 and 117. Wisconsin street. The dwelling of Wm. G. Fitch, Esq., No. 9 Waverly place. Rebuilt the Walker House, now the Kirby House, and finished the Plankinton House in 1869. Also in 1869, a store, 329 and 331 East Water, for Messrs. Rice & Fried- man and a brick dwelling for O. McFarland, northeast corner of Grand Avenue and 29th streets, now the residence of Col. Joseph McBell. In 1870 a dwelling No. 70 Prospect avenue, for Royal D. Jennings. One northwest corner of Mason street and Lake avenue, for Edward P. Bacon (rebuilt). Dwelling for John T. Gilbert, northeast corner of Martin street and Waverly place and in 1872 and '73; was engaged in helping re-build Chicago. In 1874 built a brick dwelling for A. P. Kasson, present No. 524 Van Buren street, now the residence of Louis A. Shakman, and in 1875, a brick block for Messrs. Jewett & Sherman, southwest corner of Broadway and De- troit streets. The Pierce & Luscomb block, Nos. 120 to 128 West Water street. The Birchard block, 149 to 159 West Water, and re- built the Blair & Persons store, No. 354 and 356 East Water, (now Blair & Andree.) In 1877 the store Nos. 423 Milwaukee street, for John C. Stevens. In 1878 one No. 425 and 427 East Water, for Edward H. Brodhead (the Iversen store), and one Nos. 248 to 252 East Water for Fredrick Vogel, Jr., (now occupied by Bernard Leidersdorf, as a tobacco manufactory, and south wing of the Insane asylum at Oshkosh. In 1879 a dwelling for Joseph M. Holmes, No. 421 Cass. In 1880 built the library block, northwest corner of Grand avenue and Fourth street. A double dwelling, Nos. 135 and 137 Nineteenth street, for A. R. R. Butler, and one do., for the late Frank Charnley, No. -- Twenty fourth street, northwest corner of Twenty fourth and Cedar.
This is a pretty good record for Mr. Foote as a master builder. He is a first class mechanic and a first class man. Mr. Foote is of med- ium height, compactly built, not nervous, or easily excited, looks a project all over before he invests in it, is social in conversation and strictly honest. He is a true friend, likes old acquaintences and makes few new ones. He has good executive ability, and can work a
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large gang of men to good advantage. He is now a member of the board of public works, a position he is competent to fill with credit to himself and profit to the city.
LOST.
Lost ! Lost ! Lost ! was the heading of an article in the Sentinel and Gazette of May 1, 1852, giving to the anxious public the sad intelligence that some scamp, who was probably hungry, (as scamps usually are) had stolen the meat out of the stove oven in Edward Emery's kitchen, while the family was at church. Query. Can that thief be saved? Mr. Emery thought not*, and what was more heart rending, Prof. Jesse Epps of "sable" memory, had his dog poisoned the same day. Some unregenerate scamp was mean enough to think the dog was the thief who stole the meat?
REPORT.
Among the proceedings of the common council at their meeting held May 9, was a report from alderman Wm. A. Prentiss against re- funding the orders, drawn on the Fourth and Fifth ward docking and dredging fund, also one fixing the salary of the marshal at $800 and recommending the public square in the First ward and the river ends of the streets in the Third ward as the proper place to hold auctions, with a fine of $20 for holding them elsewhere. Adopted. As far as the auction business is concerned, however, this ordinance was a "dead letter," they sold wherever they pleased, "alle-sam-ee."
FIREMEN'S REVIEW.
There was a firemen's review May 17th, 254 in number compris- ing hose company No. 1, hook and ladder No. 1, Juvenile hook and ladder, Milwaukee No. 1, Neptune No. 2, Oregon No. 3, Rough and Ready (and they were rightly named) No. 4, Ocean No. 5, who all marched to Chestnut Street bridge where they squirted, as only those old volunteer firemen could squirt, burst their hose, and stich firemen-like acts, after which they went home to blow about how they washed each other, for a week. Gay old times the fire men used to have on the Fourth of July, and such occasions, with their engines decorated with banners, upon one of which would be seated as many
* This was an actual occurrence and Mr. Emery lost his dinner. Moral- Never leave the house alone with meat in the oven on Sunday. Too much going on.
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young ladies as there was states in the Union. The handsomest one being the "belle," and all dressed in white with wreaths of flowers upon their heads ; it was certainly a beautiful sight, never to be witnessed again in Milwaukee.
WATER POWER.
There was trouble between the millers when the water was let into the canal after the dam was repaired this spring, and the Hydraulic Company, Messrs. Medbery & Hoover refusing to pay full rent, upon which the company filled up their flume with stones. This bred a ruction and ended in the company being compelled to clear it out again at their own expense. The Sentinel had a spicy article about it, which was replied to as follows :
THE WATER POWER.
Mr. Editor :
The city papers, particularly the Sentinel, seem determined to injure the busi- ness of the canal by false representations. See notice in yesterday's Sentinel and the Democrat. Now the truth is that we have been at work these three days, dur- ing which we have carded 500 lbs wool into rolls. And all the shops and mills except Medbery & Hoover (who were the only ones in dispute) were at work yes- terday.
It is very clear that the Sentinel makes up the story itself or that some one is pulling the wool over its eyes or perhaps they got the news by the lead team .* All hands were at work yesterday no matter what the papers say. The graveling is being done as fast as it can be, and every load raises the water in the canal. Neither are any of the lessees, except Medbery & Hover, quarreling with the Canal Company. WALTER BURKE.
Walter Burke, mention of whom was also made in Vol. 2, page 159, was a prominent business man here for a number of years, and in connection with his brother William, started the first wool carding and cloth mill in Milwaukee. It occupied the site of the present Milwaukee Milling Company's mill on the east side of the canal and north of Cherry Street. He was a quiet, unpretending citizen, but a smart one, and who ever got the better of him would need to rise pretty early in the morning. He was wide awake and as fond of a joke as Col. Sawyer. Mr. Burke was a fine looking man. I can
*Referring to an old joke that was occasionally played by the editors upon each other, when one did not get the news until it was three days old, they would say it came by the " Lead Team " (via Janesville).
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see him now as he looked in 1846, at that time a prominent Odd Fellow. His son, the present deputy comptroller, is the exact counterpart of his father in his personale as well as in characteristics, and is one of the best, if not the best, accountant in the city.
THE MAY FEST.
The festival known among the Germans as the " May Fest," was celebrated this year with great pomp upon Mr. Jas. Kneeland's grounds on Spring Street, on the 31st of May, where all sorts of tom-foolery were gone through with, such as climbing a greased pole fifty feet high after a snide watch, or a pair of stogy boots, suspended from a cross-beam at the top, which one half-drunken fool attempted to do in vain. He would get up about three feet and slide down again. He sanded the legs of his pants, spat upon his hands, and swore fearfully, but it was no use-it could n't be did. Chasing a shaved and greased pig, jumping in a bag, and other foolish exploits, all tending to improve the mind, and fit a man for congress. Among the speakers on this occasion were the late Judge E. G. Ryan, and Mr. Korner, (a German.) Mr. Ryan's speech filling two entire columns in the Sentinel .* Maj. Gen. McManman was also in the crowd in full uniform. The purpose for which this " Fest " was held was to show the Americans that they were far behind the Germans in the practice of manly sports, but it was a complete failure. They were all, with the exception of those who were cater- ing for votes, thoroughly disgusted with the whole affair. How it must elevate the mind to climb a greased pole, chase a greased hog, and jump tied up to the neck in a bag! Big thing.
The editor of the Wisconsin, however, let himself out about a feet, when commenting upon this affair. Hear him :
The prominent feeling that possessed us in witnessing such a gathering was one of pride in our country and in our free institutions. Here men of all nations, and of all creeds-political, religious, and social-meet on an equal footing and pursue the common ends of freemer .- (i. e.) climb a greased pole, chase a greased pig, or jump tied up in a bag, if they wanted to, and could. It was, he said,
* This speech was intended to make political capital for the coming fall election, but it was a failure, as any one who will take trouble to read it will not fail to see. Mr. Korner, being a German, might be presumed to be in sympathy with it.
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the greatest exemplification (I think that was what he called it) of the Bible truth (viz:) that of one blood hath God made all men to dwell on the face of the earth.
Oh, " William E.," " William E.," how could you do so, and you not running for office.
Milwaukee was blest with a class of office seekers, in those days, who were ready to climb a greased pole, jump in a bag-or jump into the river, for that matter, to get votes. They were as " ubiquitious " as the pesky flea, and as persistent in their efforts to get a place upon the political slate, as a wood tick is to burrow in your flesh. Had they been half as diligent at any honest or respectable calling, they would have been " millionaires " in ten years. Some of them are alive to-day, with broken health and blasted reputations, wrecks in humanity's form, upon the rocky shores of our political seas. Will others learn wisdom from the lesson ? I expect not.
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