USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 38
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A resolution was offered at this meeting in Gardner's Hall, by Mr. Kilbourn, which, had it passed, would have accomplished all he wanted, viz: to have the late Levi Blossom (who was chairman of the meeting) cast the railroad vote for the city, which he, Blossom, declared carried. A division of the house, however, was called for, which showed that it was defeated two to one. Upon which Kil- bourn withdrew and issued a call for a meeting at the Market Hall, at which a committee, consisting of Chas. K. Watkins, Garret Vliet, Wm. Stupensky, B. Klien, and Duncan C. Reed, reported a set of resolutions strongly in favor of loaning the city credit to the LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad, which were of course adopted .* The prin- cipal speakers were Chas. K. Watkins and Moses M. Strong. The officers of this meeting were D. A. J. Upham, president; Francis Huebschmann, vice-president; August Kroenor and A. R. R. Butler, secretaries.
The Ross murder, as well as the trial and escape of Ratcliff, had also been the cause of much excitement, particularly the verdict, at which the people felt so indignant, that they were upon the point of marching to the jail, and lynching Ratcliff, (a thing they ought to have done, and then lynched the jury,) as an atonement for the out- raged laws, when the trumpet toned voice of Booth,t was heard
* This vote was rejected at the next session of the Council
*Of all the public acts that Sherman M. Booth ever performed, this certainly was the grandest. For although in justice the lynching of Ratcliff would have been a good deed, yet it is always dangerous for the public to take such a course, to vindicate the outraged laws. His crime was a horrible one, and a curse seemed to follow the individual members of this jury, from that day forth. One of them stated to the writer on the day of the acquittal, that he would give his farm if he could recall his part in that accursed verdict. He subsequently sold that farm and went to California. He could not stay here. But the face of Mr. Booth as he stood upon that balcony, while addressing the crowd below, often comes to mind when passing the place, even now. It was grand.
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from the balcony of the Kirby House, from where he spoke a few moments to the excited crowd, with such effect, as to prevent it. And it was through the machinations of one of this same jury, Wil- liam K. Wilson, that brought about the impeachment of Judge Hubbell. In fact, 1853 was remarkable for political cyclones, grow- ing out of the unusual political disturbance of the times.
But to return. The meeting at Gardner's Hall, was commented upon in the Sentinel, by Gen. King, in a very able manner, January 6th, which paper also contained the proceedings of the meeting held at the Market Hall, (the present City Hall,) in the interest of the Milwaukee and La Crosse Railway,* at which the usual amount of stereotyped bombast was fired off by those who were already directors in the new road, or hoped to be in a few days.
The following allusion to this meeting at the Market Hall, made by one who styles himself a looker on expresses something of the feeling against Mr. Kilbourn at that time, by some of his former friends and associates in the starting of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, as well as by the people at large. It was as follows :
MESSRS. EDITORS : I have read the appeal of Byron Kilbourn, to the Com- mon Council and to the people of Milwaukee, ; and find that he is much frightened, lest the " Jenny Lind Club," shall get control of all the railroads in the State and ruin the city, as well as the State also. He says, beware of the " Jerry Lin- ders," and invokes the Common Council to come to his aid, in these very trouble- some times.
The appeal will be likely to have great influence with that body, when they take into consideration that no longer ago, than Friday evening he charged the members of that body, with being bought up with feasts of oysters and brandy, at the Belden Home Saloon. "Oh beware of the Jenny Lind Club, Mr. Byron Kilbourn."į
A LOOKER ON.
*It was at this time, or shortly before, that Mr. Kilbourn was put out or went out from the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Road, and started the La Crosse. And it was for the purpose of getting control of this meeting at Gardner's Hall, which had been called solely in intent of the Milwaukee & Miss- issippi-that he and his followers came there, their object being to get the city to vote a loan to the La Crosse Road. But upon being defeated in this attempt, he called the meeting at the Market Hall, as stated in the text, claiming that it was a call of the people, (which it was of the people of the west side,) and at which of course they had it all their own way.
+Mr. Kilbourn had issued a call for the people at large as well as the Council to come over to " Macedonia," and help him start the La Crosse Road.
¿The feeling at this time against Mr. Kilbourn, was very bitter, from many of
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CELEBRATION.
The opening of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad to Janes- ville, seventy-one miles, was celebrated January 4, the published proceedings of which filled two columns in the Sentinel and Wisconsin. This was a great day for Milwaukee, as well as for Janesville. And doubtless the railroad men of to-day, who participated in that open- ing, look back from the present to that celebration with about the same feelings as does the man who has become wealthy, or succeeded in reaching a high social or political " plane," to his boyhood days, and wishes he could live them over again. The struggle and hard- ship endured, while reaching his present high position, is remem- bered as his happiest days.
The annexed is the official notice issued by the manager, Edward H. Brodhead, upon this occasion :
MILWAUKEE & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.
On and after Monday, January 10th, two trains will run daily (except Sundays) as follows:
Passenger and freight trains will leave Milwaukee at 7/2 o'clock A. M., and a passenger train at 3 o'clock P. M. for Janesville.
Passenger train will leave Janesville at 8 o'clock A. M., and a passenger and freight train at 1:40 o'clock P. M. for Milwaukee.
Stages will run regularly between Madison and Whitewater, and between Watertown and Forest House, connecting at the two latter places with the railroad.
Passengers will be ticketed through by the Stage Company for five dollars, via Janesville, to Chicago, and by taking the 3 P. M. train from Milwaukee will arrive at Janesville at 7:20 P. M., remain over night there, and take the stage the next morning for Belvidere, or Rockford, as they may choose, the price being the same, and arrive the next afternoon at Chicago. From Chicago they will also remain over night at Janesville, and arrive in Milwaukee at 12:30 P. M. the next day.
EDWARD 11. BRODHEAD, Engineer and Superintendent.
Milwaukee, Jan. 8, 1853.
The weather, through the month of January, 1853, was delightful, only one cold day ; it was not much colder than it has been in the month of May, 1883, so far-for as I write this, May 31, 1883, I am sitting by a good fire. The trees are not vet in bloom, or even in
his former associates. And numerous were the articles of the nature of the above, (and some much more severe) that filled the columns of the Sentinel, dur- ing those stormy times. Some of them were almost too stormy for print.
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full leaf, particularly the oaks. The lilacs, usually the first to blossom, have not done so yet. It is a cold, backward spring.
THE WISCONSIN LEATHER COMPANY.
This well known institution was founded at Cazenovia, State of New York, in 1809, by Rufus Allen, Sr., where it was conducted by him until 1842, when Geo. W. Allen was admitted as a partner, and the business continued under the title of Rufus Allen & Son for four years, when, wishing to enlarge their business, a branch house was established at Milwaukee, in 1846, by William Allen and Edward P. Allis, at what is now 334 East Water Street, which was continued until 1851, when, it being considered that the right place had been found, the whole business was removed to this city, a new store, No. 147 East Water, rented, (146 being too small,) and the name changed (Messrs. William Allen and E. P. Allis being partners) to the Wis- consin Leather Company, under which title it has been known up to the present time.
As one of the main requisites for the manufacture of leather is a tannery, one was at once constructed at Two Rivers, in the county of Manitowoc, soon after which the following appeared in the Sentinel and Gazette, of November 25, 1851 :
THE WISCONSIN LEATHER COMPANY.
We were in receipt yesterday of a calf skin from the tannery of the Wisconsin Leather Company, at Two Rivers. Accompanying the gift was the following letter:
GENL. KING:
Dear Sir: Accompanying this letter is a piece of calf skin, together with an order for its making up, and being among the first fruits of our enterprise is a good indication of what may be expected in the future. Our tannery is now in full blast ; we have expended $60,000, and are just beginning to get returns.
We are yours,
WISCONSIN LEATHER COMPANY,
Office, 347 East Water Street, (old No. 149.)
In 1853 Mr. Allis retired, and the business was continued by the Allens alone until 1862, when such had been their success as to necessitate the erection of an additional tannery at the Two Rivers,*
* This place is now abandoned, the business being carried on at Milwaukee, as the expense of keeping up the tannery at Two Rivers was too great for the income derived.
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in which they continued to manufacture until 1870, when a third one was erected at Milwaukee, and a new partnership formed by the admission of Cyrus Whitcomb and Rufus Alles, Jr., which continued until 1882, when a joint stock company was formed with Geo. W. Allen, president; Geo. C. Allen, secretary; Rufus Allen, Jr., treasurer, and Cyrus Whitcomb, general manager.
Two deaths only have occurred among the members of this firm since its formation in 1809, viz : Rufus Allen, Sr., May 12, 1873, and William Allen, January 20, 1883, a period of seventy-four years. There are not probably twenty business houses in the United States that can show such a record of the longevity of its members, and few that can show a better business record. Their success has been something to be proud of, the result of striking while the iron was hot.
Of the personale of Rufus Allen, Sr., the writer can say very little, as his acquaintance with him was too slight, but that he was a man of energy and good business ability is self evident from the success of the business, from the day its foundations were laid in Cazenovia, in 1809, to the day of his death, in 1873.
Geo. W. Allen, the present head of the corporation, is well known throughout the northwest as one of Milwaukee's most active and energetic representative men, and one whose voice is always heard when good counsel is wanted, and who is ever ready to lend a help- ing hand to any project that will tend to develope the resources of the great West, and whose speeches on political finance are among the ablest ever delivered in this country. In politics he is a republi- can and takes an active part in the discussion of the various issues of the day, and has always been a strong pillar in the party in Wisconsin. He is also a prominent member of Immanuel Church.
William Allen was of a different temperament. He was no poli- tician, but gave his whole attention to his business. In social qualities, however, he was not behind George, and like him was fond of mirth. He had fine musical abilities and was chorister of the First Church (the present Immanuel) for many years, and one of the music com- mittee for more than twenty years. He never sought notoriety in any form. The writer was one of his intimate friends for many years, and remembers with pleasure the many happy hours he has
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spent with William Allen in the " long ago," in the Odd Fellows, Lodge, in Martin's old block.
Rufus Allen, Jr., is different from either of his brothers. He has a sanguine temperament and is always in good spirits, greets you with a loud cheery voice, is a good deal of a joker, at times, and will enjoy one if against himself, which Geo. W. does not. He has good busi- ness tact, and is fast reaching the financial round of wealth's ladder occupied by his elders. He knows the value of money and how to use it to the best advantage. He is no politician, but is all business, ready to do his part in all that helps build up the house and bring money into its coffers. He has a strong will and is very decided in his way, and if he tells you " No!" he means it. He also has another trait of character that all men do not possess, (i. e.) he never med- dles with other people's affairs, and consequently does not get into trouble, enjoys life and whist as he goes along and is always happy.
Board of Trade met in the second story of McCrea & Bell's new building, (now Marshall & Illsley,) this year.
AN ELEGANT STORE.
The Sentinel of November, has the following :
Messrs. Sexton & Wing are moving into their new store just erected for then by James Ludington, on the north 40 feet of lot 41, block 4, Third Ward, (now Nos. 343 and 345 East Water street).
Architect, Geo. W. Mygatt. Theiron columns are from the foundry of Messrs. Turton & Sercomb.
This store was when erected, one of the finest on the street, but was soon eclipsed by the Nazro building.
The firm of Sexton & Crane,* afterwards Sexton & Wing, John Wing-mention of whose arrival and opening in November, 1845, (not 1847 as the Chicago history gives it,) of a wholesale dry goods house at 132 East Water street, (old numbering,) was made in vol. Il., page 241, author's Pioneer History,-were from the day of their arrival, until the death of Mr. Sexton, March 15, 1869, one of the leading firms in the city, as well as throughout the northwest, their store being one of the largest in their line, west of Lake Mich- igan.
*Mr. Crane was a citizen of Hartford, and I think never came here to reside. Mr. Sexton was also from Hartford.
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The want of more room, however, was soon felt, and they removed to 137 (now 335) East Water street, where they remained until 1850. when Mr. Wing* withdrew, and a new partnership was formed. con- sisting of Lester, Loring and Bolles Sexton, under the title of Sexton Bros. & Co. The firm occupied the Ludington store until 1857. when they removed to James B. Cross' block at what is now 330 and 332 East Water. where they remained until the fall of 1859, when they removed to the new building erected the previous summer by Mr. Sexton, (at a cost of $130,000,+) on the southeast corner Broad- way and Michigan St., now the property of the Messrs. Friend Bros .. where they remained until 1863, when Loring and Bolles Sexton, sold their interest to Lester, and a new partnership was formed by the admission of Chas. E. Storm, Jas. L. and William F. Sexton. (the first mentioned being his son-in-law, and the latter his sons,) which continued until 186S. when Daniel Andrews and Robert Hill. were admitted under the title of Sexton & Co., and the business con- tinued until March 15, 1869, when Lester Sexton died, after which it was continued under the same title until 1872, when Jas. L. and W. F. Sexton sold their interest to Chas. E. Storm and Robert Hill. who also subsequently purchased the interest of the estate of Lester Sexton, after which the firm was changed to Storm & Hill. under which the business was continued in Milwaukee, until 18So. when it was removed to Chicago, where it is to-day.
Lester Sexton, whose business history is given above, was a keen. shrewd and far-seeing Connecticut Yankee. Born in a State; where men as well as boys had to work, or starve, he naturally became
*Mr. Wing afterwards went into partnership with Alonzo D. Seaman, in the furni- ture business. He was from some place on the Hudson River, (Peekskill, I think, ) and subsequently returned there. He was a large fine looking man, very quiet, but a good business man. He built the brick dwelling on the northeast corner of Van Buren and Martin Sts., now the homestead of John P. Kissinger.
+Mr. Sexton also erected the store now 317 East Water, in 1855, but as it was too small for their business, that firm never occupied it. I also find it stated in the history of the Western Historical Publishing Co., that this firm was at one time at what is now 268 East Water. This is a mistake, they were never below Huron St.
Į He was born at Somerset, Tolland Co., April 28, 1807. 1Ie was one of that class who always exercise a great influence in community simply by weight of character. His benevolence was unbounded, of which fact many yet living can truthfully testify, Simple in manners, gentle in spirit, never putting himself for- ward, and, like Mr. Van Dyke, was always one of the foremost in every good work.
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imbued with those peculiar traits of character for which the citizens of that portion of our country known as New England are noted, (viz :) industry, economy and business tact, and of course knew how to make as well as how to handle money when made, and as a natural sequence left a large estate for his day.
He lived in elegance and occupied a high social status in the community. His residence was the present Robert Eliot home- stead, which he purchased of Wm. B. Hibbard, by whom it was erected, and where he died, as previously stated, March 15, 1869.
In person he was of medium height, had a strong, wiry frame, and a good sound constitution. He had an even temperament, was not easily excited, had splendid executive abilities, and belonged to that class of men who are born to rule, or be leaders, particularly in business, and no " one-horse-store," so to speak, would suit his ambi- tion. He wanted to stand at the head of the column in his line, and furnish the brains while others furnished the muscle. His voice was loud and strong, he spoke very deliberately and very distinctly. He had a wide forehead, light brown hair and blue eyes, and a face upon which a self-satisfied expression was always to be seen. He was an over indulgent father, altogether too much so in fact. He was no politician and would hold no public office under any circumstances. He was one of Milwaukee's valued and honored citizens in life, and like the lamented Daggett, whom he was elected to succeed in the management of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, will live in memory for years to come.
Such in brief is the history of one of Milwaukee's pioneer whole- sale dry goods houses, now passed entirely from the control not only of the original founders, but also from their lineal descendants, not one of whom is in possession of any portion of it. There is one of its former employes, however, P. B. Mills, still with us, by whom the memory of Mr. Sexton (in whose service his whole business life in the West was spent) is held in grateful remembrance.
Of the present proprietors it can be truthfully said, that if the honors and prestige of the house must pass into other hands, that no more worthy or competent successors could have been selected to wear the mantle of Lester Sexton than are Chas. E. Storm and Robert Hill.
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H. NIEDECKEN & SONS.
Prominent among our German fellow citizens who have grown to wealth and influence in Milwaukee, is the well known book store and bindery of Henry Niedecken & Sons. Mr. Niedecken came to America from Prussia, in 1839, and settled at first in Jefferson City, Missouri. Came from there to Milwaukee, in 1847, and opened a small book store and bindery, on the southwest corner of East Water and Mason streets, in a small frame building, then standing upon that corner. From there he removed in 1849, to what is now 372 Third street, into a building he had erected for a store and dwelling. Here (and for a short time in one of Mr. Lapham's buildings, a few doors above Chestnut street,) he remained until his business interests demanded a change, and he removed to 370 East Water street, (Friend & Bros., store,) and from there across the street to the Heidie block, now 377 and 379 East Water. His bindery being lo- cated in Prentiss block, northwest corner East Water and Mason streets. A few years later, more room being wanted, he purchased the brick store known 415 East Water, and took in Chas. Giesberg as a partner. This partnership however, was of short duration. Mr. Giesberg not liking the business, retired after two years, and more room still being wanted, Mr. Niedecken removed to the south- west corner of East Water and Michigan street, his bindery being located in the second story, and Henry J. and Edward Niedecken were admitted as partners. Here they did a large business until 1881, when they removed to Holton's block, Nos. 338 and 340 East Water, which had been fitted up for them, and where they are to-day, and their success is the sure result of good management, economy and fair dealing. Mr. Niedecken, Sr. has now reached the autumn of life, and has given up the most laborious part of the business to his sons, Henry and Edward, himself superintending the bindery. Their store is a model of order, and is conducted on the German plan, each one having his part to look after, for which he is held to a strict account. Such is a brief sketch of this long established house, the head of which is one of the most respected German business men in the city. A pleasant faced, genial and gentlemanly old man, whom it is a pleas- ure to know, one who can look back on a long and successful busi-
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ness life, with pride, and whose sons will be among our best busi- ness men in the coming years.
JOHN S. MITCHELL.
Among our Irish fellow citizens who have made something of a record, is John S. Mitchell, who came in 1853, from Galway, Ireland. Mr. Mitchell is by trade a wagon-maker, but like many of his coun- trymen, he has a great passion for a political life, and never worked at his trade in Milwaukee. His first prize in the political lottery, was the office of delegate, in 1853, to the convention, (city.) And from that time for over thirty years was in office as constable, deputy sheriff, under sheriff, marshal, court crier, &c. Mr. Mitchell has the dark complexion of the Celtic race, and is a thorough son of the ould sod. He has been a good citizen and has the respect of all classes, both native and foreign born, who have known him. He has now retired from active life, is living upon the fruits of his labors, having accumulated quite a property.
DUTCHER, BALL & GOODRICH.
This well known grocery house was founded by Peter W. Badgley, who came to Milwaukee from Poughkeepsie, Duchess county, N. Y., in 1846, and opened a wholesale grocery and liquor store, at what is now 387 East Water street, where he remained until 1850, when this store proving too small for his increasing trade, he removed to what is now 293 East Water, L. J. Farwell's old stand, now oc- cupied by Anthony Dahlman, as a wholesale grocery, where he con- tinued the business until 1853, when upon the completion of and removal into his new store, now Nos. 301 and 303 East Water, (the present store,) John A. Dutcher, a former clerk, was admitted as a partner, and the business continued under the title P. W. Badgley & Co., until 1854, when upon the death of Mr. Badgley,* the late Kel- logg Sexton became a partner, and the firm became Dutcher & Sexton, which continued until 1857, when John R. Goodrich, who came to Milwaukee in 1851, their then book-keeper, was admitted as a partner, and the business continued under the same title until 1859, when Mr. Sexton retired, and the business was continued by
*Mr. Badgley died March 2, 1854.
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Messrs. Dutcher & Goodrich, under the name of J. A. Dutcher & Co., until 1862, when Edwin H. Ball, of East Troy, Walworth County, was admitted, and the firm name became Dutcher, Ball & Goodrich, until 1869, when Mr. Dutcher retired, and the business was continued under the name of Ball & Goodrich, until the present time. The interest of Mr. Ball, whose death occurred Sept. 7, 1878, passed to his wife, Mrs. Sarah E. C. Ball, who retains it to-day.
Such in brief is the origin of and continuation of this popular house, from its infancy to the present time, a period of 37 years, without a break, its present senior member having been with it 32 years.
Of Mr. Badgley, the writer can say but little, as his acquaintance with him was too slight. He remembers him however, as a man rather below medium size, with a keen sharp eye, dark brown hair, very quick motioned and impulsive, of good business ability, and al- ways to be found at his store during business hours. He was not much of a talker, took no interest in politics, his whole mind being given to his business, so much so, in fact, as to injure his health, and bring him to an early grave. He has left one son, Chas. W. Badgley, treasurer of the Thomas, Badgley Manufacturing Co., 170 and 172 West Water, who is in many respects the counterpart of his father. And one daughter, Mary W. Badgley, now the wife of Robert W. Wells, Chicago.
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