USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 9
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
The number of buildings in the city was 2,324, averaging six persons each, besides warehouses and factories.
The fire department, as has been seen, consisted of five companies. There were also four military companies. The Washington Guards, organized January 8, 1845, David George, Captain ; City Artillery, organized 1846, Rufus King, Captain; Milwaukee Riflemen, (Ger- man), known as the " Bob-tails," organized in February, 1847, and an Irish company, known as the Emmet Guards, John White, Cap- tain.
Among the benevolent societies that had been established up to this time, was the Ladies' Benevolent Society, instituted in 1846, Mrs. G. P. Hewitt, President ; Mrs. Joseph Carey, Vice-President ; Mrs. M. B. Taylor, Secretary, and Mrs. E. Cramer, Treasurer.
St. Mary's Charitable Society (Catholic), founded in 1843, Mrs. Edward Hussey, President ; Mrs. Theresa Juneau, Secretary.
St. Ann's Female Benevolent Society, founded October 6, 1844; Mrs. Greulich, President ; Mrs. Dresser, Vice-President; Mrs. End, Secretary ; Mrs Paul, Assistant Secretary, and Mrs. Diensperger, Treasurer.
St. Mary's Benevolent Society, instituted September 14, 1846. Miss Josephine Ladue, President ; Miss Mary Leider, Vice-Prest .; Miss Elizabeth Odenbrath, Secretary ; Miss Mary End, Treasurer. St. Joseph's Benevolent Society for young men. Joseph Phillips, President ; William Schaut, Secretary ; Chas. End, Treasurer.
German Benevolent Society, founded December, 1846. David George, President ; Doctor Wonderly, Vice-President; Dr. Winkler, Treasurer ; M. Smith, Secretary. (These five were Catholics.)
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
Catholic Total Abstinence Society, established 1842. Rev. Peter Mclaughlin, President ; Ed. Hussey, Vice-President ; Thos. Keogh, Secretary ; Thos. Coffee, Treasurer.
Washington Temperance Society (Protestant), established in 1843. G. J. Fowler, President; E. A. Calkins, Vice-President; D. Van . Deeren, Secretary.
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Wisconsin Division, instituted 1846. James P. Greaves, W. P. ; Geo. E. H. Day, W. A .; Rufus King, F. S .; I. A. Lapham, R. S .; M. B. Butterfield, T. ; J. B. Smith, P. W. P. ; B. Henderson, I. S.
I. O. of R.,* founded January 30, 1847. E. G. Dunham, C. R. : Samuel Lindsey, Shd .: Joseph Peirce, R. C. R .; John R. Davis, L. O .; S. Dunham, F. S .; E. Lawrence, I. G .; Geo. Longstaff, O. G.
FREE MASONS.
BROTHERTOWN LODGE.+
L. M. Tracy, W. M .; A. W. Hatch, S. W .; O. Alexander, J. W. : Geo. G. Blodgett, Secretary ; J. Gale, Treasurer ; M. Kneeland, S. D. ; S. S. Daggett, J. D.
MILWAUKEE LODGE, NO. 3.
Byron Kilbourn, W. M .; John F. Rague, S. W .; J. B. Van Al- stine, J. W .; Geo. E. Graves, Secretary ; E. Moseley, Treasurer ; Benj. Church, J. D.
I. O. of O. F. MILWAUKEE LODGE, NO. 2.
M. E. Lyman, N. G .; L. L. Lee, V. G .; Julius White, Sec. ; Wm. C. Disbrow, R. S .; D. C. Van Tine, Treasurer.
WISCONSIN ENCAMPMENT, NO. I.
Wm. H. Metcalf, C. P .; J. S. Pardee, H. P .; M. E. Lyman, S. W. ; Chas. Crane, J. W .; Eli Bates, Jr., Treasurer ; F. G. Tibbets, S.
KNEELAND LODGE, NO. 5.
James Kneeland, N. G .; F. Ripley, Jr., V. G .; Chas. Crane, R. S .; J. S. Pardee, Treasurer.
A. S. & R. SOCIETY .¿
Col. J. Christie, President ; S. L. Rood, Vice-President ; W. H. Metcalf, T .; F. G. Tibbets, G. T.
* Independent Order of Rechabites.
+ Now Wisconsin Lodge.
į " Anti-soap and Razor Society, " an incipient 1001, of which I believe Mr. Tibbets, Col. Christie and W. H. Metcalf, are the only survivors.
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RECAPITULATION.
According to McCabe's directory, published in 1847, there were in Milwaukee 17 law firms, 5 auction and commission stores, 4 book stores and binderies, 3 boot and shoe stores, 3 breweries, 1 butcher (this is incorrect, there were at least 20); 6 cabinet makers, 2 car- riage manufactories, 2 confectioners (this is incorrect), 3 copper and tin smiths, 3 dentists, 4 druggists, 19 dry goods stores, 3 fur and cap stores, 4 forwarding and commission houses, 5 wholesale grocers, 3 retail (this is incorrect, there were at least 30), 3 crockery stores, 4 hat and cap stores, 8 hardware stores, 3 foundries, 10 merchant tailors, 8 wine and liquor stores, (this is grossly incorrect and Mc- Cabe must have been drunk when he compiled it. But notwith- standing this his directory is of untold value as being the first one gotten out in Milwaukee. But his enumeration of the wine and liquor stores is certainly incorrect, as their number was " legion " even in that early day.)
CORRECTIONS.
In vol. I, page .24, it is stated that Thos. Holmes built the first frame dwelling, i. e., a two story one, in Milwaukee, in June, 1835, Albert Fowler's office being of one story. This is correct as to the east side. The first frame dwelling erected in the city, however, was erected on the west side upon the northwest corner of second and Cherry streets, by Wm. Burdick, now at Oshkosh, the frame of which was set up March 6, 1835, and was the residence of Paul Burdick until his death.
The failure to mention this building in vol. (1) was an oversight, as the author certainly knew about it, he having been in it often.
In vol. 2, page 318, the eighth name from the top (Geo. D. Dousman), should be Geo. G. Dousman, nephew of Geo. D. He was for a long time the city clerk. Geo. D. Dousman never joined the club.
On page 65, in chapt. I, it was stated in a foot note-when speaking of the appointment of supervisors-that the office was at that time filled by the common council "same as now." This is incorrect as the supervisors are at present elected by the people the
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same as the aldermen-the words same as now being an interpola- tion and should not have appeared there.
In the history of Milwaukee by the Western Historical & Pub- lishing Co., of Chicago, on page 79, the author of this history is quoted as saying that the late Maj-General Lysander Cutler walked upon a certain occasion from the " Penokee Range " to Bayfield and back in some 10 hours, 80 miles, (by land). This mistake was no doubt unintentional on the part of W. G. Cutler (who wrote the sketch and who was wholly unacquainted with the locality men- tioned.) This mistake he has corrected as an act of justice not only to himself, but to the public as well. It should have read to Iron- ton, 22 miles, making with the return trip 44 miles. This was true.
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF EARLY BRICK BUILDINGS.
As no little discussion has arisen at various times in relation as to who erected the first brick dwelling in our city, the writer has con- cluded to re-print all that was given upon this subject in vols. 1 and 2, of his Pioneer History as well as to add thereto such further in- formation as is within his reach upon this part of our history.
1836.
The first brick dwelling was of one story, and was erected by Wm. Sivyer, upon the alley in the rear of what is now 447 Jackson St., in May, 1836. See vol. 1, page 45. The walls of this house were put up in two days. The bricks were from the present well known yard started in 1836 by Benoni Finch, at the foot of 14th St .. 4th ward (see vol. 1. page 47.
The second was by Benoni Finch, in the summer of 1836, on the south side of Clybourn St., at the foot of 14th St. See vol. 1, page 47. This dwelling was of two stories, and disappeared in 1878 .*
1837,
The third was a small one story dwelling (part brick, and part
*The west wall of this pioneer two story dwelling was 25 feet east of the east line of 14th street and aboul 16 feet above the present grade of Clybourn street. I make this statement in order that future generations, if they wish, can get at the exact location, as all trace of it will soon be gone. It fronted north and stood about 10 feet back from Clybourn street. Its present number would have been 1341 Clybourn street.
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frame), erected early in 1837 upon or near the south east corner of Hanover and Walker streets, by Thos. Eggleston. See vol. I, page 38. This house had a flat or four cornered roof.
1838.
· There were three brick buildings constructed, viz. ; the old light house dwelling, together with the light house at the head of Wiscon- sin street, (See vol. 1, page 151.) This light house stood directly over the present turn table of the horse railroad, some 80 feet above the present grade, (vol. 2, page 169.)
The second was a two story one erected by Aaron A. Herriman, and is yet standing and known as No. 364 Railroad street.
The third was the rear of the present residence of William A. Webber, No. 461 Jefferson street.
The seventh (and the only one known to have been erected in 1839), was erected by Henry M. Hubbard, and is the main part of the present residence of Dr. David W. Perkins, No. 235 9th street. See Vol. II, page 100.
The eighth was the present residence of Wm. Sivyer, 447 Jackson street, the basement story of which was put up in 1840,* the main walls in 1841, and finished in 1842. The bricks for the basement were from the yard at the foot of 14th street. The balance, except the front, were from the yard at the head of Oneida street, which was opened there by Mr. Sivyer, in 1840. (Vol. II, page 164.) The carpenter work for this dwelling was done by Messrs. Marsh & Ellis. The late Morgan L. Skinner taught school in this basement in 1841- 42 and '43.
1841.
The only one known to have been erected in 1841, was what is now the rear part of 140 and 142 Mason street, by Dr. E. Porter Eastman. It was certainly occupied in 1842-43 by the late Worcester Harrison, one of Milwaukee's well-remembered pioneers.
* It was stated in Vol. I, page 157, on the authority of Mr. Sivyer, that this dwelling was commenced in 1839. This he has since found to be incorrect. It was in the fall of 1840. Among those who went to school in this basement, was our present well-known fellow-citizen, Gideon P. Hewitt, Jr.
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The following incident, which occurred in connection with this house, often comes to mind when passing there :
The house, (which stood a little back from the sidewalk), had a picket fence in front, with a gate directly opposite the front door. Gen. Harrison was at that time the owner of a large, and very sav- age bull-dog, who was in the habit of going for any one who hap- pened to be passing ; and, as a natural sequence, he occasionally caught "aleck," as the saying is, in the way of a club or stone, which retribution, bull-dog-like, he chalked down in his massive brain against the ones who threw them, and had quite a long list, to be ac- counted for some day, laid at the door of the undersigned. In fact, he had become such a nuisance as to cause Mrs. Harrison, (the General being absent most of the time), to be notified to take care of him. She informed the complainant that she thought he could take care of himself, and that we must do the same. And we did, as the very first time B. F. Wheelock, Moses Donaldson and myself, were passing there a few days later, out came Mr. Dog, and in his anxiety to get at us, run his ugly head through the pickets in the gate with such force as to push it open, and send it around against the main fence, and we had him in " chancery." Each of us carried a great stick for his especial benefit, and if that unlucky dog did not regret that he had ever seen us, then I cannot understand dog language. We squared accounts.
The fearful howling he made aroused the neighbors. Mrs. Har- rison rushed to the door, and when she saw how things were, seemed perfectly delighted, and made the remark that she thought that dog would mind his own business after that, and he did, scarcely daring to come out of the yard unless she was along to protect him. That whaling took the combativeness all out of him and he joined the Quakers.
1842.
The brick dwelling now standing on the northwest corner of Wis- consin and Jackson streets was erected this year by the Rev. Len- uel B. Hull. This house at the time of its erection was the best dwelling in the city and was the first one that had box window frames and weighted sash. The original contractor was Nathaniel F. Prentiss. He was finally however, compelled to give up the con-
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tract on account of not being able to get any one to work for him. Among the carpenters who worked there were the late John La Point, Robert McKittrick and E. H. Sabin. The brick were laid by Wm. Payne, and the plastering was done by Henry and Samuel Sivyer.
In vol. 1, on page 183, it is stated that this house was erected in 1840. This is a misprint, it should have been in 1841-2, as is stated above.
The main part of the Wm. A. Webber residence, No. 461, Jeffer- son street, was also erected this year. It has also been claimed that the double brick Nos. 460 and 462 Clinton street, was erected this year, but of this I am not certain. It was erected, however, by Alanson Sweet.
1843
This year witnessed the erection of the following: A double two story dwelling at what is now Nos. 466 and 468 Milwaukee street, by Rufus Parks. Burned November 19, just before completion, and never rebuilt. See vol. 2, page 182.
L. J. Higby also erected the dwelling known as Nos. 392 and 394 Jefferson street. This house is yet standing, though in a dilap- idated condition. The rear part of No. 471, Jefferson street was also erected this year by Frederick Wardner. The writer worked upon this building, and it was while there that he was compelled to quit September 27, on account of the heat. The rear part of the old Miter homestead, north west corner of Cass and Mason streets, was I think, erected this year, but am not certain.
1844.
This year witnessed the erection of the Lindsey Ward homestead No. 458 Milwaukee. The Williams Lee homestead, northeast corner of Broadway and Oneida Streets. The old William Turton resi- dence southwest corner of Oneida and Marshall. (Pulled down in 1869). This was a small one story house, with a flat roof. There was also one erected by Luther Childs, one-story, at what is now 319 Hanover Street-pulled down in 1850, and one by James Bon- nell, northeast corner of Cass and Mason Streets. This was a won- derful house when erected. It has lately been demolished and re-
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placed by the palatial residence of our well known fellow citizen Elias Friend.
The brick dwelling on the southwest corner of Jackson and Mason Streets, known as the Dr. J. B. Dousman homestead, was also built. in 1844, by Philetus C. Hale, mentioned in a sketch of M. Hale m vol. 2, page 122, although no date was then given. It was also stated in vol. 2, page 157, that Mr. Lee's dwelling was the sixth one erected. This the writer has found to be incorrect, as has been seen.
1845
The present residence of Mrs. James Murray, 456 Jackson Street, was erected this year and has been occupied by that lady and her daughters up to the present time.
So much for the early brick dwellings, which although it changes the dates of some, and adds several new ones to the list is, I believe, substantially correct.
BRICK BLOCKS.
The first brick block was erected on the northwest corner of Third and Chestnut Streets in 1840, by Hon. John Hustis. See vol. 1, page 183. This block was pulled down in 1876, and the " Cen- tennial Block " erected in its place.
The second was the Chas. C. Dewey's Commercial block, erected in 1842, at what is now Nos. 373-5 and 377 East Water Street. See vol. 1, page 183 and vol. 2, page 119. This building (the pre- parations for erecting which, as well as for the Hull residence on Jackson Street, was made in 1841), has been rebuilt.
The Roger's building, mention of which was made in vol 2, page 220, accompanied with cut, was erected in 1844, burnt August 24, 1854.
The Birchard block, southwest corner of West Water and Spring Street, was also erected in 1844, by the late Harvey Birchard. This was the building previously spoken of as having been commenced by E. D. Holton, who after putting in a foundation on plank, laid di- rectly upon the marsh, sold out to Mr. Birchard, who pulled up the whole thing and put in a pile foundation before erecting his block.
I2
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
This block has, after passing through three fires, been thoroughly re- built, and scarcely a vestige of the old building is now to be seen. .
The fifth was at what is now No. 115 Clinton Street, in 1845, by John Shields, now in California. If there were any others they are unknown to the writer. And as he does not claim infallibility, it is possible that there may have been others erected prior to 1846. But he thinks not.
CHAPTER II.
1848.
Opening Address-Constitutional Convention-Weather-Pest House-Improve- ments-Bad Money-Badger Supper-George Chaffee-Henry Middleton- Gustav Streckwald-First Telegraph-Green & Button, sketch of-John Bentley, do-Military parade-Theater-Storms-S. C. Newhall-Schools- Professor Amasa Buck, Sketch of-Hubbell Loomis-Council-A Sporting Reminiscence-Edmond Sanderson-Political-The Fur flies-Geo. E. H. Day -- Alexander Matheson-Election -- Officers Elected-High School- The Bluff-Improvements-Andrew E. Dibble, Sketch of-Do. Atkins, Ogden & Atkins-Prospects-Author's comments thereon-S. C. West, Sketch of -James Magee, do-Boom at Walker's Point-The old Sweet Elevator- Horace Chase Resigns-Sketch of S. S. Daggett-P. P. Lownsberry-E. D. Baker-Blue Warehouse-Judicial Election-Grading-S. & D. Adler- Improvements-Cowles & Ross-Political-The American Freeman-Em- bezzlement.
Milwaukee in 1848 had got fairly upon her feet as a full fledged 1 and prosperous city. Her two years of municipal life had been successful ones commercially as well as in increase of population ; but politically, as has been seen in the previous chapter, it had been stormy. The ill feeling engendered between the two wings of the democratic party on account of the hostility of the majority of that party towards the new constitution, which they united with the whigs to defeat, (which the reader has already seen was of the intensest kind,) had not wholly subsided. as the new one pre- pared the previous winter at Madison, which was to be submitted to the people on the second Tuesday of March, 1848, was a new casus belli, and for the defeat of which the loco-focos were nursing their wrath and laying pipe. But they were again doomed to dis- appointment, for, as will be seen, it was adopted by the people and ratified by the first legislature held under its provisions,* (in
*The election resulted as follows : For, -First ward, 416 ; second ward, 443 ; third ward, 327 ; fourth ward, 150; fifth ward, 167; total, 1503. Against, -- First ward, 61 ; second ward, 8 ; third ward, 20 ; fourth ward, 37 ; fifth ward, 21 ; total, 147. Majority for, 1356.
Last year the vote on the constitution was 1146 for, and 1435 against. Ma- jority against, 289.
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June following,) which left the advocates of a specie currency, (to use a slang phrase,) out in the cold, high and dry upon the rocks of commercial despair. It was the adoption of the second constitu- tion that settled the future of Wisconsin, as well as of Milwaukee, and gave the latter the prestige she has held up to the present time, and is destined to hold in the coming years commercially as well as intellectually. For had the first one been adopted, Milwaukee would have been but a small village to-day, without railroad connec- tions with the east, and a one horse town in fact as well as in name.
The following were the places for holding the election for the vote upon the constitution, March 13, 1848: First ward, Engine house, Wisconsin street ; second ward, Mansion house ; third ward, Engine house foot of Detroit street; fourth ward, council rooms, Spring street ; fifth ward, Phoenix hotel, (the present Niagara house, kept at that time by John Mason.)
At the first legislature in 1848, convened February 7, and adjourned March 18. H. N. Wells was in the council, and I. P. Walker, Jas. Holliday and Asa Kinney, in the house. This was under the territorial government.
UNDER THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
The first legislative assembly under the constitution convened at Madison, June 5, 1848, and adjourned August 21, 1848.
The following, elected, as provided in the constitution, May 13: 1848, were sent from Milwaukee : Senate .- Asa Kinney and Riley N. Messenger. Assembly .- Edward Wonderley, August Greulich, William W. Brown, Leonard P. Crary, Andrew Sullivan, Horace Chase and Perley J. Shumway.
THE WEATHER.
The weather the previous fall had been quite mild, the river re- maining open until the 28th of December. But early in January the "frost king" assumed control and winter set in in earnest, upon which the Sentinel of the 12th inst. has the following :
The weather yesterday was the coldest of the season so far. At eight a. m. the thermometer was at 4° below zero ; at noon 3º above ; at 21/2 p. m. 6° above ; at 5 p. m., 2 ° above, and at 6 o'clock that morning, (the 12th,) 7º below and at 12 m., 16 above. 1
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It came off warm, however, the latter part of the month and con- tinued so for the balance of the winter months, so warm in fact as to cause our ice men here, as well as in Chicago, to fear they would get no ice. But it came cold in March and ice was obtained, but of no great thickness.
PEST HOUSE.
In the Sentinel of January I was an article commenting upon the fearful condition of things at the Pest House, by some one who signed himself Q. D., which gave the common council "Hail Col- umbia" for not looking into the matter.
There was, no doubt, just cause of complaint about the Pest House, which was a disgrace to any city, if reports were true, but, as a rule, our Pest House was as well managed as could be ex- pected.
IMPROVEMENTS
The Wisconsin of the 5th when in speaking of improvements in progress upon the west side, in connection with the opening of West Water street, has the following :
FACTORIES IN THE FOURTH WARD .- Quite a number of important manufacturing establishments have been started on the west side of the river, in the second and fourth wards, within the past six months. We have already described at length the paper mill of Messrs. Ludington & Garland, * which has been busily engaged ever since it commenced running, in converting rags into paper. There is also the extensive soap and candle factory of Messrs. Ludington & King f now in the full tide of successful experiment and turning out a prime article. Still more re- cent, is the steam planing mill of Mr. S. V. R. Ableman, # on West Water street,
" This was Joseph Ludington, no relation, however, to the governor. Mr. Garland probably never lived here, as his name does not appear in the directory for that or any other year.
+ The soap factory here mentioned was built by Robert Ludington and Henry U. King, which, as the Sentinel claimed, besides turning out thirty-three boxes daily, made enough soap to cleanse the whole city. This factory stood just be- low Buffalo street bridge, upon the ground now occupied by a part of the iron shed of the Anchor line of steamers.
# Col. Ableman was for a number of years a prominent business man in Mil- waukee. He was of giant frame, full of mirth and kindness. He was United States marshal in 1854, during the Glover rescue. Later he removed to the vil- lage of Baraboo, where he died about four years ago. I knew him well.
This was the mill afterwards operated for so many years by Smith & Mc- Vicker, and lastly by J. B. Smith alone. And which, though a perfect fire trap, stood without any insurance until so rotten as to be unsafe, and was finally pulled
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fronting the river. The main building is 50 by 30 feet, two stories high, bricked up from cellar to garret, and substantially put together. The engine room is 20 by 30 feet. On the lower floor of the main building are two planing machines, a patent saw and other machinery. The second floor is also to be filled with ma- chinery. All sorts of planing, matching, grooving, &c , can be done in this mill with remarkable dispatch. A man wishing to build a house has but to step in there, of a morning, and leave his order for all the dooring, siding, panelling, sashes, doors, &c., that he wants, and within forty-eight hours his order can be filled. The motive power is the steam engine of the Trowbridge, which, having labored faithfully for "Milwaukee on the water, is now doing it many a good turn on the land. The mill stands on lots owned by James Kneeland, Esq., who owns an interest in it, and is making other valuable improvements in the neigh- borhood. Among these, is a large building So by 40, with an addition 30 by 50, designed for a stoneware factory. It is to be occupied by Mr. William Sanderson, late of Ohio, who has supplied this market with stone ware for several years past, and now transfers the manufacture of the article to this city. The raw material is imported from Ohio, to be worked up here. This is an important branch of manufacturing industry and will give employment to many hands.
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