USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 41
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*Mr. Brodhead, acting as Vice President.
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as such ask for favors, that as a banker he cannot grant. Mr. Camp has a strong voice, quite loud in tone, speaks quick, very distinct and always to the point ; knows just what he wants, and always strikes while the iron is hot. In political faith he is a repub- lican, and a strong one, but is not a politician, does not want and will not hold office, but is at the same time ready to do all he can for the advancement of good government, and is one of Milwaukee's solid, representative men and honored citizens.
Mr. Camp was born at Derby, Vermont, January 27th, 1822.
PFISTER & VOGEL'S TANNERY.
The following taken from the Sentinel of Oct. 15, 1853, will give the reader of these pages, some idea of the infantile days of that mammoth corporation known as the Pfister & Vogel Leather Co. The editor writes as follows :
Persons who often look out from their dwellings or places of business, may have noticed a tall chimney towering above a red building on the south side of the Menomonee Valley. This chimney, which is one hundred feet high, belongs to the tannery of Guido Pfister & Co., their store being at 149, now 347 East Water. This tannery has been in operation about five, years and has done a large business, and will when the present enlargement is completed, have cost $20,000 The main building is 130x40 feet besides the engine room and leach house. The first floor has 63 vats, and the travelers through this subterranean region, checkered with pits of dark colored water, have to be careful or they will get something worse than a fall. The engine is of 30 horse power, built by Bell & McNair, of Buffalo. The second story is for grinding bark and a store room for hides and leather and for stuffing harness leather and calf-skins. The 3d story is for a drying room, rolling leather &c. Just across the river is a small building for tanning sheep-skin. This year the company will work up 15,000 sheep-skins. One thousand two hundred cords of bark are used annually, at a cost $6 per cord. They work 35 men.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
This well known establishment was founded in 1847 by Guido Pfister, a native of Hockingen, Germany, who came to America in August, 1845, and settled at Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained until May, 1847, when he came to Milwaukee, and opened a small leather store on the Market Square, in a small building then standing at what is now 459 East Water Street. He remained here, however, but a short time, as the store was not large enough for his increasing
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trade, and he removed to what is now 413 East Water Street, Knee- land's Block, in the fall of 1849. He certainly was there in 1850 and 1853. His next location was at what is now 349 East Water Street, where he remained but a short time, when he purchased and removed into the building known as No. 288 East Water Street, where he remained until the erection (and removal into) of the present splendid store, Nos. 85 and 87 Buffalo Street.
Previous to this, however, in April, 1848, a partnership had been formed by Mr. Pfister with Frederick Vogel, Sr., and F. Schullkoff, also from Buffalo, and the erection of a tannery commenced on the Menomonee, the nucleus of the present mammoth structure, where the manufacture of leather in all its branches was carried on until 1857, when Mr. Schullkoff withdrew, and the business was con- tinued by Messrs. Pfister & Vogel, until 1871, when The Pfister & Vogel Leather Company was incorporated, capital $200,000, with Guido Pfister, president, F. Vogel, Sr., general manager, Gottlob Bossert, secretary, and in 1876 Frederick Vogel, Jr., and Chas. Pfister were admitted as partners in the corporation, and the present official staff consists of Guido Pfister, president, Frederick Vogel, Sr., vice president, Frederick Vogel, Jr., general manager, Gottlob Bos- sert, secretary, and Chas. Pfister, treasurer, with a capital stock of $400,000 and a surplus of $200,000, since January 1, 1883.
Such in brief in the history of the Pfister & Vogel Leather Com- pany, one of Milwaukee's best and well known industries.
And now as to the personale of its members. Guido Pfister, who founded the house, is in many respects a remarkable man. He is of German descent and possesses all the habits of industry, economy, and love of money, which characterize the natives of that old his- toric land-a nation whose sons never fail to leave their impress upen the character of any land or its institutions in which they may chance to dwell. In person Mr. Pfister is of medium size, with a well formed and muscular frame, dark hair and dark blue eyes in which there is always to be seen an expression indicating firmness of character as well as kindness of heart. He has a nervous temperament, a strong will, that when once a purpose is formed in his mind enables him to carry it out, which he will do if possible. His bump of caution is very large, so large as to always keep him on safe ground. He likes
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to be at the head of large organizations, whether for manufacturing purposes, or for constructing railroads, (in which he has been some- what prominent,) as well as successful. His industry is proverbial, never idle a moment. He walks quite fast, usually with one hand (generally the right one) placed behind his back, and his eyes fixed upon the ground. He seldom looks up when on the street, and yet if you should ask him who he met in his rounds he would probably tell you, as he possesses the faculty to a remarkable degree of recog- nizing every one he meets with whom he is acquainted, apparently by intuition, and without looking up will give them a nod of recognition. This the writer has seen him do a thousand times. He will even converse with you, without apparently losing the thread of the subject uppermost in his mind. He is a perfect gentleman always, and like Lawrence or J. A. Dutcher will never " backbite " any one, or meddle with any one's affairs unless called upon. Such are a few of the per- sonal characteristics of Guido Pfister, one of Milwaukee's solid and most respected German citizens, and whose face is as familiar to our citizens as that of the sun. May the day be far distant when it will be seen no more on earth.
Of F. Vogel, Sr., the writer can only say that his part in the build- ing up of this well known house, has been an important one, as on him more than upon Mr. Pfister, (whose part was more in the finan- cial line,) devolved the duty of seeing that the stock brought into the tannery, was properly manufactured, otherwise no money could have been made. This gentleman has now retired from the arduous labors devolving upon the general manager and is taking it easy, his mantle having fallen upon F. Vogel, Jr., and who is in every way qualified to wear it. He is full of life and energy and keeps things moving. He understands the business thoroughly and is rapidly coming to the front, as one of our best business men. Of Mr. Bos- sert, who is from Wurtemberg, and who fills the responsible position of secretary and financial manager, it is proper to say that no bet- ter selection could have been made. Brought up in the firm, he is conversant with all its wants, as well as the routine of every depart- ment, from the youngest clerk in the office to the manager at the tannery, and the regularity with which the work in his department goes on, is wonderful. Many men, particularly clerks, would get
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angry at the interruptions occurring by the presentation of bills and other matters for collection, when engaged in some financial problem, but he does not. He is always dignified and courteous, and for a man of his years, very active. He is quick to see when anything is wrong in his department, and will correct it quietly. There is no scolding in that office, or fault finding ; go there when you will, you will find it the same quiet but busy place. Your business if you have any, will be at once attended to and you are expected to leave, as they have no time to waste on idle callers. Of Mr. Chas. Pfister, the junior member of the firm, the writer can only say, his training has been excellent, and for one of his age, shows marked business ability. He has begun where his father did, at the foot of the ladder, and if he lives, will ultimately reach the top. He is one of the few young men, born to inherit wealth, in our city, that have shown indications of being useful members of society or of making good business men. Too many of this class, go to the dogs.
RAILROAD EARNINGS.
The following is a statement of the earnings of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, from August 1, 1852, to August 1, 1853:
FREIGHT.
PASSENGER.
TOTAL.
August
៛ 2,570 89
$3,047 33
$5,618 22
September
5,251 65
4,055 50
9,306 15
October
9,674 53
5,397 59
15,072 12
November
8,340 32
4,001 92
12,342 24
December
8,094 34
3,118 30
10,212 64
January
7,605 95
3,195 30
10,801 25
February
5,515 16
3,290 70
8,805 86
March
4,124 78
4,819 60
8,944 38
April
7,736 42
6,213 78
13,950 20
June
10,259 14
8,304 03
18,563 17
July
7,770 21
8,384 64 .
15,154 85
Total
$81,579 47
$57,349 96
$138,528 43
RUNNING EXPENSES.
August
$4,444 39
February
$4,398 04
September
3,778 94
March
4,044 21
October
4,376 31
April
3,421 95
November
4,332 51
May
4,200 45
December
4, 532 64
June
4,331 81
January
3,766 84
July
4,500 00
Total
$25,531 63
Total
$24,993 49
4,636 08
3,521 27
8,957 35
May
In June, 1852, only 36 miles of road were in operation; in June, 1853, 70 miles
56
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were in operation. The business has more than trebled, therefore while the num- ber of miles in operation has been doubled. It is not doubted that when the road shall have reached Stoughton and Madison, next fall, that the monthly receipts will run up to $25,000 or $30,000.
Some difference between then and now, (1883,) the number of miles in operation being in round numbers 5,000, and the monthly receipts $2,000,000.
POLITICAL.
As the time for the fall election drew nigh the fur began to fly. Lies were thicker than blackberries. The editors would tell a lie one day and take it back the next. Three tickets were put in the field, one of which was led by Henry S. Baird, for governor, whig. The temperance by Ed. D. Holton ; and the purely democratic by Bars- tow and the balance. The contest was mainly upon the temperance question. In the Ist Ward, Jackson Hadley led the democratic ticket for the Assembly, and William E. Webster in the 5th-the latter giving a pledge that, if elected, he would not vote for the pas- sage of the " Maine," or any other law which would aid the temper- ance cause. This pledge was entirely superfluous, as any one who ever knew Mr. Webster can testify. He was as big a drunkard as ever lived here, and that is saying a good deal. Although of good abilities, and for a while after he came a prominent and successful lawyer, whisky got the better of him and he died in the gutter, despised by all and mourned by none. But to return. Party feeling ran higher than any previous year. S. M. Booth was put in nomi- nation in the 4th Ward for the Assembly, and a resolution passed by the convention that the same be published in all the papers that would print his name. This was pretty rough on Booth, but he was not troubled about it. Like Noonan, he was always on the watch for a head to hit, and always ready to hit it. Oh, there was fun this year.
In reference to the candidacy of Mr. Holton, the Wisconsin, of the 2d August, had the following, calling him the Temperance and Abolition candidate. The article was entitled :
THE MORALS OF THE COALITION.
The Sentinel's committal to Mr. Holton, and the repudiation of Judge Baird, are among the startling events of the campaign. A few weeks since it puffed Henry S. Baird to the skies, after he had been fairly and unanimously nominated
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by the Whig State Convention. And now, without any fault on his part, the Sentinel has attempted to slaughter him practically in a most dishonorable and ungentlemanly manner. There is also another person on the Whig ticket, and that man is Elisha Starr, who has been treated even more shabbily. In this case the ingratitude is more signal, because Mr. Starr has done as much to build up the Sentinel as any man in the State. And yet he is coolly tossed overboard for the coalition candidate " Selah Booth." Whigs of Milwaukee, do you approve of this treachery to Mr. Starr ? It is the more flagrant in his case as he is a resident of Milwaukee.
It would appear from the above that the Sentinel played " roots," so to speak, against its own candidates and party.
The following political squib upon the course of the Wisconsin, and the News,* appeared in the Sentinel, who, it claimed, were for " Peter one day, and Paul the next," (or words to that effect.) Here is the squib :
Two " ORGANS" IN MARKET.
The Morning News, emulous of the Evening Wisconsin, "tenders the use of its columns to the Whig party." The Wisconsin had made the same offer, in advance of the News. Both these paper, therefore, are " up for Cowes and a market." They can be had at a bargain. If the Whig party wants one or more "organs," and will take the usual buyer's risk, here is a chance for them. It is not often that such an opportunity for speculation occurs. Enterprising gentlemen of small means and large necessities will find either of these organs exactly to their taste. They are warranted to play and tune, if the purchaser will only find the " wind " to fill them. The only difficulty is, that they can never be made to play together. There is radical discord between them. If the News occasionally sings sharp, the Wisconsin invariably sounds flat; though there is little choice between the flats of the one and the sharps of the other. Such as they are, however, these "organs" are now offered, cheap for cash. Will somebody start them? Do we hear a bid ? Two "organs " going! going! going!
No election had ever been so hotly contested, the liquor question overshadowing all others. And the scenes of this day will not be forgotten, at least by some of the actors while they live. It was held November 8th. It was " Pierce and King," in Milwaukee, and free whisky.
The Germans always jealous of their liberties, were fearful if the
* The News was of course intensely Democratic, and the Wisconsin nearly as bad in those days, particularly when under the control of Win. II. Sullivan, and Wm. E. was not always to be found on the Whig side of the fence, although often sitting astride of it.
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temperance party were successful, that all their fun would be at an end, were greatly excited, and under the leadership of Albert Bade, were marched up to the polls in solid phalanx, and made to show their vote before depositing it in the box, and of course the Maine Law was defeated. The result in the city was as follows :
First Ward, for, 370; Second, 124;' Third, 122; Fourth, 188; Fifth, 73; total, 877. Against, First Ward, 824; Second, 1064; Third 478; Fourth, 299; Fifth, 322 ; total, 2984 ; majority against, 2107 .
The large vote in the Second Ward, is accounted for from the fact that the population was all (or nearly all,) Germans. Several rows occurred there, and many who wished to vote the temperance ticket, were driven from the polls with clubs, and even knives were drawn upon some who wished to vote that ticket,* wagons and drays were driven through the streets filled with men who were drinking beer from kegs set upon the drays and wagons, hooting and yelling like so many demons. Some ludicrous as well as some rough scenes were enacted in the First Ward. There was a band wagon driven up to the sidewalk in front of the Murray block, on Market Square, now Nos. 450, 452 and 454, East Water, and halted, the band play- ing all the while. Among those standing there listening to the music besides myself, was a young fellow, a gas fitter, who worked at that time for Lansing Bonnell, he and I being the only persons standing at that point, and not 6 feet from the wagon. I noticed his eyes be- gan to glisten as he watched the trombone player, who seated upon the side next to us was putting in the appoggiaturas the best he knew how his cheeks puffing out as he took in the wind, every few seconds, until suddenly and without a word being spoken, my companion sprang from the sidewalk and gave him a clip behind the ear, that laid him
*Several warrants were issued by Justice Bode, made returnable at the Police Office, for assault and batteries committed upon election day, one of which was against three men (names not known) who were charged with assault and battery upon Avery Hill, at the polls in the 2d ward. One of the defendants applied for and obtained a warrant against Hill. A warrant was also out against John Ry- craft for assault and battery upon Louis Ott, at the Ist Ward polls. A general fight took place at the last named polls and in sight of Sheriff Page and some of his deputies, who looked on the while without interfering-Under Sheriff Con- nover interfering a short time before having got his clothes torn and his hat (nearly a new one) smashed up. A warrant was also issued against George Spooler, for assault and battery upon Frederick Wiegleb.
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out, and was back in his place again before any one but myself, saw what he had done. This accident caused the band to stop playing in order to ascertain who had struck " Billy Patterson," but not being able to get any information upon that point, they finally started for the west side, and as they turned into Oneida street at the Grand Central Hotel, the trombone man's head still lay upon his breast, upon which it had fallen when first hit, neither could he raise it. It was the worst lick I ever saw a man get before (or behind, either for that matter,) and took all the wind out of Herr Vanderspreyken or whatever his name was, in short order. All that I could find out in regard to the gasfitter, was that his name was Jack, and he certainly jacked that musician up in good style. Shortly after this a German who was full of benzine, got into a two horse wagon and drove di- rectly through the crowd-full three thousand in number, upon a keen run. How they all got out of the way, was a mystery, but they did. Ex. sheriff, John White, who was upon the ground gave chase but could not catch the fellow. I have often laughed at the ludicrous appearance of John White, upon that occasion. He had on a white overcoat or surtout, as that style of coat was called, a white stove-pipe hat, and white neck tie, and the figure he cut while running with the long tails of that coat sticking straight out behind him, his arms all the while working like the blades of a wind mill, (which they were just then,) was one not to be easily forgotten, and as he came panting back after his fruitless chase, he exclaimed in his usual elegant style, " Be Jases if ide got hoult of that chap, would n't I fixed him," or words to that effect, at the same time jerking up his shirt collar. It was rich .* John White was one of the few Irish leaders who could never be satisfied unless in office. He was tall and straight as an arrow, walked with a quick military step, spoke short, and with the national accent strong, was fond of pomp and show, and had his full share of self esteem. He was democratic to the core. He was much in office, was collector for the government under Pierce, and made a very good one, but like all those old time politicians, he filled an early grave, but I often think of John White, and in
*Mr. White had a habit of taking hold of his shirt collar with his thumb and fore finger when talking, and giving it a jerk, why, I do not know except to em- phasize his words or make the more emphatic.
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memory's ever sleepless eye can see him as he appeared in his palmiest days. I once heard him say that Americans should not hold office, they were not competent ; foreigners he said should hold office. He died July 27, 1863.
There is also another incident which occurred at that election, that often comes to mind when thinking of those exciting times, which was this : As a natural sequence of the result of their ticket they were, when night had put her dark mantle over the earth, (to use a slang phrase) in " high feather," and the saloons were all packed with an excited crowd who were filled with joy and " phisky and lager," and yelling for Pierce and King. As I was standing watching the antics of the crowd, a couple of lads, not probably over sixteen years old, whose interest in the election was evident from the way they walked, came reeling out of a saloon on Market Square about 9 P. M., and commenced hurrahing for Pierce and King, which they did several times, when one of them, probably wishing to give those gentlemen a boom, or being unable longer to contain the patriotism with which he was overflowing, placed one hand upon his companion's shoulder, raised the other straight in the air, and lifting one foot, (just as a dog does), drew in his breath and shouted, " Hoorah for Piz and King," (meaning Pierce and King) in a tone of voice that was probably intended to be heard in Washington, D. C., bringing his foot down at the word King with such force as to send the mud, which was at least two inches in depth, flying in all directions.
The war between the Sentinel and Wisconsin was very bitter at this time. The only thing upon which they did agree was to fight Noonan, who was the Mordecai of all the editors in the city, and who in spite of all they could do, HELD THE FORT for several years. So intense was this hostility as to cause the Wisconsin to call upon every one in the State who ever had any dealings with him, or who knew any anything against him, here or in Michigan to open up and let him have it. But Noonan was always enough for Wm. H. Sullivan, Wm. E. Cramer, S. M. Booth, or Gen. King. And one reason for their hatred was the fact that they could not beat him. It took John J. Orton to do that.
There was a libel suit against the Wisconsin, growing out of the
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publication of an article in that paper on the 11th of November, signed " A Democrat," in which some heavy charges were made against Noonan, who sued them for it. This feeling was further in- tensified by an attempt on the part of the Catholics (at the supposed instigation of Noonan), through Edward McGarry, to divide the school money, during which there was what the unregenerate would call a " hell of a time," among the editors and politicians. It was a little too early, however, to attempt a division of the school fund.
The fict of Noonan's getting and retaining the post office, was a sore thing to all the editors as well as to many of the citizens, who, while they could not say that he was inefficient, disliked to see him there. It was a bitter dose for all the Whigs, as well as a goodly number of his own party, to swallow. But, like the spiders that the writer fed to the frogs at the Lake House, (mentioned in previous chapter,) they had to stand it.
OPENING OF THE CROSS KEYS.
Bailey Stimpson gave a regular old fashioned "house warning," at the opening of this then popular hotel, (now used wholly for mer- cantile purposes,) December 16, 1853. This house is yet in a good state of preservation, although its former glories have departed, as well as its famous landlord, Mr. Stimpson, who was quite a character in his day. He was a very large and rough looking man. He had a large head, covered with coarse, dark brown hair inclined to stand erect. He was cross-eyed-in fact his eyes were the worst crossed of any I can remember to have seen, (except the man Bumgartner, men- tioned in Vol. I, page 130,) and no person would be very likely to mistake him for an Adonis, or a dude. But " Uncle Bailey," as he was usually called, was a very useful man in his way. Neither was his compeer and boon companion, Daily of the Pennsylvania House, an Apollo Belvidere. He was over six feet in height, three-fourths of which was legs, had a slim grayhound-like body, crowned with a head nearly as long as a horse's and thin in proportion. The first impulse felt by any one upon seeing him was to laugh. He and Mr. Stimpson would get on a tear occasionally, and when they did there was music, as Daily, with his long face, and Stimpson, with his cross- eyes, would create a sensation in the town. I believe both are dead
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long ago, but I often think of them as they appeared when out for a little fresh air.
A brick store, No. 286 East Water Street, was built this year by Messrs. Mahler & Wendt, (Jacob Mahler and Chas. E. Wendt.)
First snow fell this year, October 24.
The river closed this year, December 19.
St. John Church, (Episcopalian), Rev. David Keene, rector, north- west corner of Hanover and Pierce streets, was dedicated on Dec. 27th, of this year.
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