USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 8
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All the details of the main building show great architectural taste and skill.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
The arrangements for elevating, securing and feeding the wheat, as well as for cooling, bolting and packing the flour, are equally complete and convenient. A peculiar feature in the machinery, is that the bolting reels are all made without shafts, a light frame work of iron being substituted for the shafts, and answering the same purpose.
The mill is protected against fire from without, by a coat of plaster beneath the shingles, and by laying the cornice upon pins outside the walls. A warehouse for storing flour, is to be erected " brick lined." (This is the present rear part). The mill is intended for four run of stone; it started, however, yesterday, with one, the second will be ready next Monday, and the others in about five weeks, and when all are in operation, it is expected that they will turn out 350 to 400 barrels every twenty-four hours, nor do we hesitate to predict, that the brand of the " Empire Mill, Milwaukee," (for that was the mark) will soon win its way to the top of the market. Assuredly if the good wishes of their fellow citizens can avail anything, Messrs. Medbery & Hoover will reap abundant and increasing profit from their costly enterprise,-Ed.
Such is a brief sketch of the present Empire Mill as it appeared in 1847. It was a big thing then, but a small affair compared with some of its congeners of the present day. It has, however, been a very lucky mill and has made a large amount of money for its orig- inal owners, as well as their successors, and is doing a good business to-day.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Martin B. Medbery, who was the moving spirit in this early enter- prise, was a keen, sharp and enterprising business man, and has made a good record. He came I think from Saratoga, N. Y., and from the day of his landing until his death, always exercised a strong political as well as social influence in the community. He was tall and of commanding appearance, never allowed any one to get too intimate with himself, or his affairs. He had few intimate friends, and as far as I know, no enemies. To these few friends with whom he was intimate, he was true as the needle to the pole. He had what all men want to give them prestige in a new country, viz., money, and he kept it moving. He built the brick dwelling known as No, 633 Milwaukee Street,* where he lived in elegance until he left the city in 1881, for a residence in Oconomowoc, where he died
* This beautiful house was sold in 188o to the late Asahel Finch, Jr., who oc- cupied it until his death, April 4th, 1883. And it is now the residence of his daughter Mrs. Martha Finch Papendike.
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March 21, 1882, and was buried at Forest Home. Mr. Medbery will live in memory for many years to come. He was born Septem- ber 13th, 1809.
The writer's acquaintance with John W. Medbery was too slight to allow of an extended sketch. It is sufficient to say, that like his brother, he was a good business man, and a good citizen, and has left a good record. He died in Washington, D. C., January 17th, 1870.
Jacob A. Hoover, who left for California many years ago, was a different man from the Messrs. Medberys. He fell into bad ways, which finally brought him to poverty and disgrace. Where he is now I do not know, but the last news I had of him, he was keeping a saloon in California. He was a smart business man when he first came to our city, and had he followed a different course, he could like his partners have died honored and respected.
I remember him well, and now in memory, often see him as he appeared the day he left the city for California, there to begin the world anew. But such is life.
Some go for wealth, or earthly fame, Some seek to leave an honored name. Others consider both too tame, And waste their strength on women.
There are two of the first employees of this mill, now living, one of whom, S. H. Seamans, as can be seen by this sketch, has been connected with it from its first start to the present time, and the other, Mr. S. B. Humphrey, (now of the city mills), for the first twenty years. Both are competent and practical millers; and to the skill and good management of Mr. Seamans is due, more than to any other cause, the wonderful record made by the old Empire Mill of the Messrs. Medbery & Hoover. Through all the changes it has undergone, both in reconstruction and ownership, during the last thirty-six years, he alone has remained, a statement that cannot be truthfully made of any other miller in the city. Heis a native of Alleghany, N. Y., and being possessed of a pleasing address, as well as gentle manners, has, of course, won the friendship of all who know him, and his honorable course in all his business transactions has gained him the confidence of all the business men of the West. He never makes a promise that he does not intend to keep.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
He is now just in the prime of life for usefulness, and will, unless some accident, (like turning politician) befall him, be a man of mark among the milling fraternity, for many years to come.
Mr. Humphrey is also counted among our best millers, and if he has not succeeded in reaching as high a plane as has Mr. Seamans, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done much to develop the milling business, and is as active to-day, and as earnest as are any of his brother craftsmen to help sustain the reputation of Milwau- kee as the primary wheat and flour center of the northwest.
This mill was burned Dec. 15, 1860. See annex :
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE .- On Tuesday morning, between five and six o'clock, a fire broke out in the Empire Mill - a large five story stone building, owned by Messrs. Hayt and Seamans and run by Messrs. Medbery and Hayt, of this city, situated on the canal in the Second Ward. The fire was first discovered by the watchman, and is supposed by many to have been caused by the friction of a belt on a pine axle. Although the alarm was given, the efforts of the firemen to sub- due the flames were of little avail, and the two upper stories were entirely con- sumed, the second story partially, and the first story uninjured except by water. At the time there was a good deal of stock in the building, consisting of one thousand bushels of white winter wheat, mill feed, twenty-five tons of shorts and several hundred barrels of flour, estimated in the aggregate, to be worth from $12,000 to $15,000.
The Mills were said to be worth $70,000. There is an insurance on the build- ing and stock of $38,000.
It is the intention of the proprietors to commence rebuilding immediately, and in a very short time the Empire Mills, we hope, will be in running order again.
The following data relative to the changes of ownership in this mill since its erection, were furnished the writer by Mr. Seamans :
The title for the site as well as the lease of the water power of the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal Co., was obtained by John W. Medbery, who came first for that purpose on the 13th day of Sept., 1845; and the mill, when completed, was operated by Messrs. Med- bery & Hoover until April 21, 1856, when M. B. and J. W. Med- bery and Mr. Hoover, sold their interest to the late Samuel Hayt, March 15, 1858. Hayt transferred his interest to Messrs. H. H. Harrison and O. Chapin (for whom in fact, it was purchased by Hayt); and August 23, 1858, they transferred their interest to M. B. Medbery, Samuel Hayt and William J. Whaling, and the business continued under the title of Medbery, Hayt & Co., until November
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II, 1862, when Hayt retired, and a new co-partnership was formed by M. B. Medbery, Catherine M. Stevens and Wm. J. Whaling, under the title of Medbery, Stevens & Co., ( Geo. C. Stevens, * agent for Catherine M. Stevens), until May, 1863, when Whaling sold his interest to M. B. Medbery, Cath. M. Stevens and S. H. Seamans, who operated the mill until August, 14, 1878, when M. B. Medbery retired and the business was continued under the name of Seamans & Stevens, until October 24, 1879, when M. B. Medbery purchased the interest of Catherine M. Stevens, and in April 15, 1880, the mill was sold to Caspar M. Sanger, Samuel Rosendale and S. H. Seamans, and operated under the title of S. H. Seamans & Co., until Dec. 1, 1880, when Rosendale sold his interest to C. M. Sanger, the title of the firm remaining unchanged, and that so con- tinued until the present time, Milwaukee, June 17, 1883.
Elijah Butterfield came and opened a large liquor store. Mr. Butterfield is yet with us, and will probably be sketched in Vol. IV.
WALKED OFF THE BRIDGE.
Capt. Dixon, of the brig Iroquois, Peter N. Cushman, and two others whose names I have forgotten, having been out to see a man, Sept. 6, on their way home walked directly into the " raging Mil- waukee," at the foot of East Water street, " ka-lunge, O," the bridge having been pushed open by a passing vessel. They were all finally fished out with " pike poles " a wetter if not a wiser crowd. I remember this affair very well. It was a narrow escape for all of them. Cushman's wooden leg helped to float him.
NEW STEAM MILL.
A steam mill was erected this year (or rather it was the old Put- nam warehouse converted into a mill) by Messrs. Henry Nichols
" Geo. C. Stevens was the son of Horatio Stevens, who built and operated the old north pier in 1843. Geo. C. was for many years a prominent man in Mil- waukee. He owned the famous Russell Sage farm in Wauwatosa, where he raised famous horses. He was also Collector of the Port of Milwaukee, under Gen. Grant. He was a sharp, keen and successful business man. He died Aug. 15, 1879, and was buried in Forest Home Cemetery. In this matter he was simply looking after the interest of his wife, Cath. M. Stevens, who was the real owner.
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and Orrin E. Britt, on the southeast corner of South Water and Ferry streets. Burned Dec. 31, 1859. *
It was not rebuilt as a mill. Mr. Britt is still with us, and is one of our well-known business men, and respected citizens. Mr. Nich- ols died many years ago. He also was in life one of the best men the writer ever knew, and in memory's eye oftens comes to mind. He was a splendid looking man, and a gentleman always. His death was a great loss, not only to his friends, but to the city.
TAXATION.
The valuation upon which the assessment for 1847 was levied in the different wards in the city was as follows :
Lots Improvements Personal
Total
First
193,344
134,760
77,090
408, 194
Second
. 154,415
96,476
15,250
266, 138
Third.
351,865
151,815
160, IIO
564,790
Fourth
157,450
43,125
17,470
218,045
Fifth.
. 120,0II
24,746
14,490
159,247
$ 1,616,414
Compared with 1846 this shows an increase in the appraised value of real estate of $84,840, improvements, 88,654 and in personal property of 14,550; whole increase over 1846, $188,044. The amount levied upon valuation was, for school 1-5 of 1 per cent, being in round numbers $3,200; police 14, in round numbers $4,000; health 14, $4,000; total 11,200,
There was also raised for ward, old debts, bridge &c .: First ward $2040.97, Second, 1823.59, Third 3526.73, Fourth 5461.12, Fifth 1990.83. Total $14,843.18. This was at an average rate of 2-10 per cent in the First, 112 in the Second and Third, 2-1-10 in the Fourth, and 2 per cent in the Fifth, not much different from to-day.
LEGISLATIVE.
The members elected in Nov., 1846, for the Legislature, which convened at Madison January 4, 1847, and adjourned February II,
* The engine for this mill was built by Messrs. Menzel, Stone & Co., (the then proprietors of the Cream City Works of J. M. Stowell & Co., ) as an experiment, and proved a very expensive one, for Messrs. Nichols & Britt. It was an up. right, like the propellers, i. e., the cylinder was on top. It cost too much for fuel, and was in fact, the indirect cause of the fire. Mr. Menzel is now at Min- neapolis. Mr. Stone died many years ago.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
were, to the Council, Horatio N. Wells ; and to the Assembly, Wil- liam Shew, Andrew Sullivan and William W. Brown. There was also a special held, commencing October 18, 1847, and which ad- journed October 27, the members from Milwaukee being to the Coun- cil, Horatio N. Wells, (who held over), and for the Assembly, Isaac P. Walker, James Holliday and Asa Kinney, who with John F. Cameron, Register of Deeds; Sidney L. Rood, County Treasurer ; James McCall, County Surveyor ; Leverett S. Kellogg, County Cor- oner, and Chas. P. Everts, County Clerk, were elected September 6, 1847. The place for holding this election was, for the First Ward, Military Hall ; Second, at the Mansion House; Third, Tremont House, corner of Broadway and Michigan streets ; Fourth, Council Room; Fifth, Phoenix Hotel, the present Niagara House. The number of votes cast at this election were, for Holliday, 1426; Wal- ker, 938; Kinney, 819; Cameron, 881 ; Rood, 887; McCall, 765 : Kellogg, 886; Everts, 880.
The Convention met at Madison, Dec. 15, 1847, and adjourned Feb. 1, 1848. The Constitution was submitted to the people on the second Tuesday, the 13th of March, 1848, and adopted. Morgan L. Martin, of Green Bay, was elected President of this Convention. The number of votes cast at the election for delegates to the second Constitutional Convention was as follows: Byron Kilbourn, 1344; Rufus King, 1105; Chas. H. Larkin, 1146; John L. Doran, 1159; Garrett M. Fitzgerald, 1244; Moritz Schoeffler, 1205; Albert Fowler, 1333; of this band, all but Larkin and Doran have crossed the dark river.
The following is the Abolition ticket : Edward D. Holton, David McDugal, Edwin Palmer, Samuel Brown, L. B. Potter, G. J. Fowler, E. D. Underwood. Abolition was at a discount in those days. The highest vote received was forty-eight.
First snow fell November 25th, an inch in depth. River closed on the 28th of November. The last boat down was the Patchen, Nov. 30th, the latest that any boat had ever made the run before.
THE FIRST CAB.
The first cab ever seen in Milwaukee, was brought here by Thos. Christianson, Oct. 27th. This was quite a popular mode of convey-
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
ance for a short time, but finally became unpopular, and went out of use. I think James Egar had the second one. I know that he drove one for a short time.
Geo. Hastings came and opened a grocery at 377 East Water- old number 179. Mr. Hastings, Sr., died long ago. The son lives in Kenosha, but is the owner of real estate on the South Side yet.
ST. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL.
The corner stone of this edifice was laid Dec. 5, 1847. See an- nexed :
THE NEW CATHEDRAL. Through the courtesy of Bishop HENNI, we are enabled to add a few more particulars in relation to this new structure.
In the Corner Stone, in addition to the names mentioned yesterday, was de- posited the name of the present SOVEREIGN PONTIFF, PIUS IX, and the year of American Independence, with the following transcript : "The Rt. Rev. JOHN MARTIN HENNI, D. D., First Bishop of Milwaukee, assisted by the Very Rev. Martin Kundig, V. G., the Rev. Peter Mclaughlin, Pastor of the Cathedral, and the Rev. Michael Heis, Pastor of St. Mary's, solemnly blessed and laid the Corner Stone of this new Cathedral, consecrated to the supreme and holiest God, under the invocation of St. John the Apostle-2d Sunday of Advent, December 5th."
The church is to be 155 feet long by 75 feet wide. The shape will be oblong. The style purely Grecian-the height of the wall 50 feet. The elevation of the tower not yet determined. The basement is to be of Waukesha limestone, a sub- stantial and beautiful article, and the superstructure of our pressed brick which all acknowledge, with its rich color, is material for a public building, almost equal to marble.
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MR. SHEW'S SPEECH.
While in the Legislature in 1840, at Madison, Mr. Shew, who was a representative from Milwaukee, delivered a speech on the Canal question, then a war cloud between the people and the Canal Com- pany, which was commented upon in the Advertiser, of Feb. 8, 1841, in no very complimentary language, which brought the follow- ing reply from the Sentinel on the 11th of the same month :
The editor of the Advertiser has published Mr. Shew's speech, as reported by Mr. Kilbourn. We venture to say however, that no such speech was ever heard in the Legislature, nor does any one suppose that the editor himself ex- pects people to receive so vulgar an effusion, of his Lord and master, (meaning Kilbourn) as the sentiments and expression of Mr. Shew. Will Mr. Kilbourn favor the public "with the neat, well-posted," "calm, clear," (O dear) comprehen- sive speech of his servant Mr. Longstreet?
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To this Mr. Richards replied in his issue of the 15th as follows :
The Sentinel "affects to believe, that no such speech was delivered in the Legislature," by Mr. Shew containing the sentiments given in our report last week. Now we appeal to every member of the House, present at the time, as well as to the six or eight gentlemen from this town, who were not members but who were present and heard the speech, for the truth of the sentiments "expressed --- if not the very language." The editor of the Sentinel "would no doubt be happy to escape from his position as well as from the odium of opposing the canal by denying that Mr. Shew ever made such a speech." But he cannot thus escape. There were too many present who heard Mr. Shew's remarks, and the editor of the Sentinel (Harrison Reed) committed himself by encouraging Mr. Shew, in his letters from an editor, in which he very singularly and boastingly states, that the canal company would be left to go on with their own money. And that it would require 56 locks, and cost $2,500,000. We suppose he would deny the author- ship of these letters next-or that Mr. Shew ever submitted a Bill for the abandonment of the work, or that the money accruing from the sale of the canal lands should be laid away to keep, instead of being disbursed for the benefit of the farmers.
The following is the speech :
Mr. Speaker. - I am opposed to the passage of the bill that is now before the House .- I do not think it would benefit the people of Mil- waukee much ; and if we go on and expend the money the land sells for, Congress may call on us for it at the expiration of ten years if the canal should not be com- pleted. I think the money to be expended in Milwaukee county would benefit our citizens some, but then we might at some future day have to tax the rest of the Territory to raise the money to pay over to Congress if they should require it, -and I therefore think it not good policy to do any thing about it.
Mr. Speaker, I think it would be better policy to collect the money the lands have been sold for to the settlers, and place it in the hands of the Receiver agree- able to the Bill I reported to this House a few days ago. The settlers can pay in this money and it would be laid away safe .*
Mr. Speaker-It appears to me, it would be bad policy to go on with this canal -it will cost a good deal of money, and I am not certain it can be made-I should think it would cost at least three million and a half dollars, and I don't think there would be much business on it after it was done-I don't think it would pay for tending the locks-I don't pretend to know much about canals, and have not ex- amined the canal line, and shouldn't know much about it if I had ; but still 1 think it is bad policy for the territory to apply the land to that purpose which Con- gress has granted. We had better sell the land to the settlers for two dollars and a half an acre or as much as we can get, and lay up the money to keep ; -- and not
*If Mr. Shew meant that for a joke it was not a bad one, but if he was in earnest then I think he was altogether too confiding.
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spend it in making the canal. Because we don't know as the canal will ever be finished, and I therefore think we had better never begin it. .
Mr. Speaker : I have nothing to say against the canal company-I think it's likely they have done every thing so far, as cheap as could be done by anybody, and I shall agree with the gentleman from Milwaukee, (Mr. Wells, ) that they have probably done it as well as the Territory could. And I don't know but they will build the canal cheaper than could be done by the Territory ; but it will cost a good deal anyhow, and I don't know as I can tell how much,-I, therefore, think we had better stop where we are and not do any more, except to hold on to the money agreeable to my Bill. It wouldn't do much good to spend the money in the country, and might get the Territory into difficulty.
Mr. Speaker-The reasons that I have stated, and some other reasons that I have not stated, I consider sufficient, and I shall vote against the Bill offered by the gentleman from Milwaukee, (Mr. Longstreet, )-as a substitute for mine."
After making this intellectual effort, Mr. Shew took his seat and wiped his face. Mr. Longstreet then addressed the House in a neat and well-pointed speech, re- viewing in his usual calm, clear and comprehensive manner, the history and pro- gress of the canal, as a measure involving the best interests of the country ; point- ing out, and demonstrating by strong and incontrovertible argument, the direct benefits which must flow to a very large portion of the interior and eastern por- tions of the Territory, from the accomplishment of this measure ; which he as clearly showed to be perfectly feasible. He also took occasion, in his remarks, to advert to a rumor which had been circulated out of doors, by which it was un- derstood, that Mr. Shew had stated that he was acting under instructions from his constituents- and called on him to know if such was the fact ; stating that if any such instructions had been received, he considered himself and other members from Milwaukee county, as much bound to obey them as Mr. Shew. He had not heard of any such instructions and hoped the gentleman would inform him as to the facts.
When Mr. L. had closed his remarks, Mr. Shew rose, but did not say one word as to the matter of instruction either pro or con. He did not say that he was or was not instructed, but as usual, went off full tilt against the canal, in substance, as follows :
"Mr. Speaker-Another argument I have to offer against the canal, is, that it will bring the people of Rock river on a par with the people of Milwaukee county in getting to the Milwaukee market with produce. I, therefore, think that it would not be any benefit to our farmers, but, if anything, rather an injury. I shall, therefore, oppose the Bill.
PERSONAL.
In person Mr. Shew was of medium height, large head, dark hair and large dark eyes, complexion slightly florid, voice quite soft and musical in tone, spoke slowly and distinctly, and always looked you
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squarely in the face when addressing you. He was very broad across the shoulders for a man of his weight, 180 pounds, and must have been, when in his prime, possessed of great muscular power. He had a kindly disposition, and was very social. He was much in office in his day in town and county, and represented his district in the Legislature in 1840-45-46 and '47, serving the last session as Speaker; and if not successful in obtaining what legislation he deemed best for his constituents, it certainly was not for the want of zeal.
True, in oratory he was not a Henry Ward Beecher, or a Cicero, as this speech fully shows. But that he was the peer, if not the superior, of many of his associates in those early times, will not be denied; neither was his honesty of purpose ever questioned.
MARINE.
The number of arrivals at the Port of Milwaukee in 1846,* from July Ist to Dec. 31st, were, steamboats, 227 ; propellers, 119; brigs, 62 ; schooners, 190 ; number of passengers landed, 19,817; barrels bulk freight, 32,540 ; tons of merchandise, 17,069. The clearances were 225 steamboats, 118 propellers, 59 brigs and 161 schooners.
The shipments were 213,448 bushels wheat, 15,756 barrels flour, 9,384 bushels barley, 1,635 bushels corn, 1,770,630 pounds lead, 107,145 broom corn, 50,420 brooms; excess of wheat shipped over 1845, 117,948 bushels; and of flour, 8,256 barrels, an increase of over 100 per cent.
EXPORTS.
There was exported in 1847, 598,011 bushels wheat, 34,846 bar- rels flour, 634 beef and pork, 12,960 hides, 127,635 pounds ashes, 1, 160,694 pounds lead, 43,215 pounds wool and 171,951 pounds of sundries, an increase of nearly 100 per cent. over 1846.
CENSUS.
The official returns of the census, made by Henry Bielfeld, were :
First ward, 4,401 ; second ward, 3,868 ; third ward, 2,973 ; fourth ward, 1,452 ; fifth ward, 1,364; total, 14,06o.f Same in 1846: First
* Omitted in Vol. II.
+ McCabe gives it as 11,000 in 1847.
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ward, 2,845 ; second ward, 2,291 ; third ward, 2,218 ; fourth ward, 1,059 ; fifth ward, 1,095; total, 9,508; increase 4552, or 50 per cent.
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