USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc > Part 78
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" The manufacturing interests of Waupun are considerable. The Waupun pump, patented and manufactured by Mr. M. J. Althouse, is the premium pump of the Northwest. Mr. A. came here in the ' early days' of the village, worth but little, as far as pecuniary wealth is con- cerned, but containing within him the indomitable energy and perseverance which have since characterized him as an extensive business manager. He made his first pump with his own hands, and for his own well. Afterward, he made a few for his neighbors, and soon obtained a patent and started a small factory. Enlarging and erecting new buildings, he rapidly won the favor and patronage of the public, and acquired considerable property. But every one must expect reverses in fortune. Mr. Althouse was not an exception. His large manufactory was entirely destroyed by fire last winter, and Mr. A. suffered a loss of $12,000 in stock not easily replaced. Fortunately, he owned a planing-mill separate from this factory, and, building a large addition to this, he immediately converted it into a manufactory. He is now doing an immense business. He employs thirty-five hands, besides twenty-three who are engaged in the sale of the pumps throughout the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Two teams are kept run- ning continually from each of the points, Madison, Mineral Point, Fond du Lac, Appleton and Waukesha, in this State. Mr. A. usually makes about 6,000 pumps annually, but will turn out 7,800 this year. The timber used in the manufacture of these pumps is white-wood, and is
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obtained from Michigan. The machinery is all new, and is run by steam. Besides his manu- factory, Mr. A. has a large building which he uses for a repository and office.
" The mammoth wagon and carriage factory of Messrs. Wells & Co. is an institution in which Waupun justly feels a pride. This firm succeeded that of A. D. Allis & Co. Mr. Wells employs thirty hands, and makes 300 wagons, 100 carriages and 50 cutters annually, selling them chiefly in the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota. He obtains his stock from the East, and gives special attention to light work.
" Messrs. Zimmerman & Geidel are doing a good business in the wagon and carriage line. This firm employs thirteen hands, and manufactures 125 wagons, 30 carriages -nd about 40 sleighs and cutters annually, and finds a sale for them in this State.
" The Prison City Marble Works of J. S. Gee & Son are worthy of mention. These have been established many years at this place, and work of a first-class character is done.
" Mr. Robert B. McElroy has a large door and blind factory here.
" There are four hotels, the best of which are the Carrington and New York Houses, kept respectively by A. Shipman and Charles Simpson.
" There is only one bank-the Corn Exchange-in Waupun. Its capital is $50,000. President, D. Ferguson ; Cashier, W. Hobkirk.
" The flouring-mills of this place were quite useless in the summer season until : Harris & Son put an engine into their mill in order to run it by steam when water was low. The other mill runs the greater part of the year, and Mr. William Warren is doing quite a good business with it. Both mills have two run of stones, one each for flour and feed."
WAUPUN FIRE COMPANY NO. 1.
Early in 1874, the village of Waupun having suffered several losses from fire which might have been avoided had there been an organized fire department, purchased a Champion Chem- ical fire engine at a cost of $2,000, and built a neat two-story engine-house on Main street near the railway crossing for its reception. This building cost about $750. On the 6th of October, of the same year, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a fire department, when the following persons signed the by-laws and became members, to serve without pay: O. A. Morse, Jr., S. J. Morse, Frank Heath, J. E. Stanton, P. M. Pryor, Albert Raymond, George Ray- mond, Ole Oleson, J. W. Oliver, J. A. Baker, W. E. Warren, C. H. Ackerman, P. Weidner, Isaac Thompson, S. Peterson, W. H. Purcell, E. L. Schofield, D. S. Pryor, H. D. Schulte, P. Thompson, Thomas Purcell, J. F. Jones, W. G. Oliver, C. Christophsen, H. O. Shipman, W Blosfeldt, Thomas McDonald. D. A. Lober, W. Germain, F. H. Robinson, E. A. Conrad, James McFarland, J. M. Robbins, B. W. Mentrink, F. R. Pierce, W. T. King, H. McRoberts, H. Hanisch, C. A. Pierce, J. Staub, John Fieldstad, Charles Larson, Charles Hainsch, Charles Dahl and T. W. Gee. At the same time, the following officers were elected : Foreman, J. A. Baker ; First Assistant, W. E. Warren ; Second Assistant, P. Weidner ; Secretary, J. W. Oliver ; Treasurer, W. G. Oliver.
In 1878, the city purchased a water engine for $500, and cáused to be made at a local shop. a hose-cart, which is far more light, durable and convenient than those made for that purpose at the regular factories, and its cost was one-third less. The hook and ladder wagon and appurten- ances were also made in Waupun, and are models for neatness, durability and effectiveness. The present officers of the Company are: Foreman, Drysdale Ferguson ; First Assistant, T. W. Gee ; Second Assistant, Frank Heath; Seeretary, J. W. Oliver; Treasurer, O. A. Morse, Jr.
DODGE COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
An act was passed by the Legislature and approved April 17, 1852, incorporating the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company, with Edwin Hillyer, L. B. Hills, Josiah Drummond, B. Hinkley, J. N. Ackerman, George W. Bly, L. P. Preston, N. J. Newton, J. D. Tanner, Joseph T. Hillyer, J. W. Brown, J. Look and Logan Graves, as Directors.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
The act declared that "the corporation shall have power and authority to make contracts of insurance with any person or persons or any body, corporate or politic, against loss by fire of any houses, stores or other buildings whatsoever, or of any goods, chattels, or personal estate whatsoever, for such term or terms of time, and for such premium or consideration as may be agreed upon by them, the said corporation, and the person or persons agreeing with them (it), for insurance. * Every person who shall at any time become interested in said Company, by insuring therein, and also his heirs, administrators and assigns, continuing to be insured therein, as hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed and taken to be members thereof, for and during the terms specified in their respective policies, and no longer, and shall at all times be concluded and bound by the provisions of this act."
The act of incorporation further declared that, when any loss should occur, every stock- holder would. be compelled to pay his proportion of it, according to the amount of insurance on his property ; and the corporation would have a lien upon that property for the amount, what- ever it might be. This was an unconstitutional provision, but it served the desired purpose.
At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, the salary of each was fixed at $2 per day for services actually rendered. The Company began at once to secure business, which con- stantly increased during nearly twenty years. Risks were taken in all portions of the State ; losses were paid promptly, the assessments were light, and misfortune alone was the cause of the Company's failure. As high as $2,500 per year salary was paid to the Secretary and $1,500 to the President, with good compensation to the Directors and other officers. In the latter part of 1870, George W. Bly, the Secretary, conceived the idea of going abroad, and, as he never returned, the Company was finally compelled to go out of business, which it did in 1875, by going into bankruptcy. E. D. Foote was appointed Assignee and E. M. Beach Attorney for the Assignee. About nine hundred premium notes were sued, and a dividend of 10 per cent declared in favor of the stockholders. The notes outstanding amounted to $40,000, but many of
them were worthless. The officers, from the organization down to its death, of the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company have been as follows :
1852 and 1853-President, Edwin Hillyer ; Vice President, J. D. Tanner ; Secretary, L. B. Hills ; Treasurer, George W. Bly.
1854, 1855, 1856 and 1857-President, Edwin Hillyer ; Vice President, C. C. Cheney ; Secretary, L. B. Hills ; Treasurer, George W. Bly. In October, 1857, the President and Sec- retary having resigned, John Ware was chosen President and Edwin Hillyer Secretary for the balance of the year.
1858-President, John Ware; Vice President, E. Barker; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, G. W. Bly.
1859-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, E. Barker; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, John Ware.
1860-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, E. Barker ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer; Treasurer, W. G. McElroy.
1861 -- President, George W. Bly ; Vice President; E. Barker ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer; Treasurer, Logan Graves.
1862 -- President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, E. Barker ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, M. L. Coe.
1863-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, L. B. Hills ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, J. T. Hillyer.
1864-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, Edwin Hill- yer ; Treasurer, L. B. Hills.
1865-President, George W. Bly; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, Edwin Hill- yer ; Treasurer, George Babcock. In July, the President and Secretary resigned, and J. T. Hillyer was chosen President and George W. Bly Secretary for the balance of the year.
1866-President, Joseph T. Hillyer ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W. Bly ; Treasurer, Hanson Ely.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
1867 -- President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W. Bly ; Treasurer, D. C. Brooks.
1868-President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W. Bly ; Treasurer, O. L. Olmstead.
1869 -- President, J. T. Hillyer; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W. Bly; Treasurer, W. G. McElroy.
1870-President, J. T. Hillyer; Vice President, O. L. Omstead; Secretary, George W. Bly ; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. Before this term expired, Mr. Bly went on a tour from which he has never returned, and George Babcock took his place as Secretary.
1871-President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, George G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A. Baker ; Treasurer, George Babcock. Before the year ended, the President and Treasurer resigned, and William Hobkirk was chosen President, and George F. Wheeler, Treasurer.
1872, 1873 and 1874-President, William Hobkirk; Vice President, G. G. Marvin; Sec- retary, J. A. Baker ; Treasurer, George F. Wheeler.
1875-President, William Hobkirk; Vice President, G. G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A. Baker; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. In August, Mr. Hobkirk disappeared, and Chester Hazen was chosen President. Mr. Baker resigned in June, and E. D. Foote was chosen Secre- tary in his place.
Five or six days after Mr. Hobkirk left, the Company was declared bankrupt, and it has transacted no business since.
A CONTRAST .*
There is a marked contrast between the times of thirty-five years ago and now, in and around Waupun. Those who now live upon the same farms upon which they settled at that time cannot realize the change. Like the years of man, it has been creeping steadily on. Then the entire country was mostly one unbroken wilderness, streams and prairies. About thirty-five years ago, the great majority of land around Waupun was entered or pre-empted. Though the soil was rich and productive, yet what an amount of determination and courage was required to develop the country to make it a suitable abode for man, those who possessed that determination and courage very well know. With an unflinching hand the commencement was made ; there was no putting the hands to the plow and looking back. The cabin was erected, the home, however homely, was started, the grounds were broken ; then, in case there were funds left sufficient to buy the few necessaries for immediate use, that was a happy home.
At that time, there were no roads laid out or opened. The settler was compelled to travel with his ox team, in some instances, thirty or forty miles to mill, and fortunate was he who had a grist to grind. There were no schools or churches. There were none of the conveniences so requisite to make life in a new country desirable ; there were none of the conveniences and privileges of to-day.
The country was rich in all the natural advantages, yet no country, however fruitful, how- ever rich the soil, can be brought to a satisfactory state of production except by the untiring energies of man.
The commencement was made, the cabins were built, the lands were cleared and broken, and each succeeding year brought in additional numbers, so that in five years there was hardly a piece of Government land to be found.
Many coming in without money sufficient could enter no land. Did they lie down under the misfortune of having no money ? No ; a home they would have, and where there is a will there is a way. They pre-empted a quarter-section, and soon found an opportunity to sell for money enough to pay for an eighth.
Necessity with many of the older settlers was often great, and often became the mother of invention. Who, of this day, would think of building a wooden house without the use of boards. Our latter-day mechanics would tell you that it would be almost impossible, yet it was
*Adapted from an address delivered June 15, 1879, before the old settlers of Waupun and vicinity, by W. H. Taylor.
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sometimes done, with not a board either in floor, door or casing from foundation to ridge, and it was a good, warm and cleauly kept house, and in it hospitality was extended in a regal manner.
Between the old settlers, as they came in and became acquainted (and they did not wait for an introduction), there existed a bond of sympathy, a bond of love. There was a bond of friendship formed which continued for years, and which still exists.
What with all their poverty, their inconvenience, and, in many cases, their entire igno- rance of life in a new country, by their determined perseverance and energy they accomplished more than many in more affluent circumstances would.
In those days manual labor, real backbone, was the great desideratum.
Agricultural and domestic implements were very crude. Contrast the difference between the appliances now used in husbandry and housekeeping with those used thirty-five years ago- those were the days of the bull-plow and crotch-drag, with wooden teeth ; then bone and sinew was the motive power. From earliest morning until late at night the watchword and reply was work, work.
As soon as the land was taken and occupied, so as to have a population sufficient to form a town government, towns were laid out and organized ; roads were laid out and opened ; school- houses, however rude, were built, and schools, the great precursor of all good society, were opened.
Those rude schoolhouses served a double purpose : a place where the old settlers held religious service, as well as for schools. Contrast the difference between those attending service and the style and manner of that service, at that time and now.
Thirty-five years ago, those who desired to attend religious service in the style of the day, their conveyance would have been a lumber wagon, drawn by a yoke of oxen, and happy was he who could indulge in that luxury.
Think of a man at this day loading his good wife and family into a lumber wagon, and driving to either of our churches ! No matter how devout ; no matter what the circumstances ; no matter if he had no mortgage upon his farm, and determined to have none, the universal expression would be, that man is a boor, his wife a slave, and both unfit for society.
As the years rolled on, the settler, by his industry and frugality, was enabled to exchange his cabin for a home more commodious. The farms were improved and soon began to return to the husbandman a surplus.
Milwaukee was then the only market. Men, to-day, complain of the prices paid for their produce. Thirty years ago, many a load of wheat was drawn by ox teams to Milwaukee, often requiring ten or twelve days to make the trip, and sold for four shillings per bushel.
Those were times that tried men's perseverance. Some fell by the wayside ; others, with that determination characteristic of the brave man, met with that signal success born of valor and zeal. Mechancis began to come in, and, in almost every department of mechanism, the arti- san had something to do. Mills were built, thereby relieving many of the terrible inconven- iences the old settlers had to contend with.
As soon as the farms began to produce more than required for the family, thereby having something to exchange for merchandise, stocks of merchandise were brought in and opened.
From the earliest settlement up to twenty-five years ago, the settlers had kept on in the even tenor of their ways ; contentment and thrift, peace and good will, among and with all were kindred associates. Our own beautiful village (now city-mark the change !) was being built up. Men of the different professions found a place where to lay the foundation for reputation and wealth. Most signally have many of them failed to reach the mark aimed at, while others, more successful, are enjoying the fruit of their labors, and wear their honors well.
About that time that memorable enterprise so well remembered by most of you, to wit, the building of a railroad from Milwaukee northwest, to run through our section, was started.
Many still living have a recollection of the ease with which they could mortgage their homes to aid in that enterprise. Many, who had so mortgaged their farms, will remember the hardships and difficulties encountered in redeeming their homes.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
Up to this time there had been no marked distinctions in society, no graded classes. The honest poor man was a peer with the more affluent. Then poverty was no crime, there was that fraternal feeling existing between all the people, which characterized them, and which left an indelible impression upon the mind that can only be eradicated by death.
From twenty-five down to twenty years ago, there had been no very marked change; the industry and frugality that had characterized the lives of very many of the first settlers were then prominent, and I can truthfully say is a marked feature with them to-day. As industry and fru- gality were with them the cynosure to success, so it will be with any and all people.
Railroads opened into the county, new branches of enterprise started, an influx of men who had nothing to lose, but everything to gain, bent upon getting a living and wealth by their wits, and too often at the expense of every moral principle. Teachers of almost every creed known, either social, political or moral, setting forth their peculiar dogmas, teaching a new order of things, the influence of which was then deeply felt, and in some instances to-day lamentably deplored ; all these with many other influences brought to bear, it is not strange that a radical change should have been produced upon society.
From the earliest settlement to twenty-five and even down to twenty years ago, the wants of the settler were few and easily supplied. That which they could not buy and pay for they went without, but now a change was approaching, and, indeed, we may say a change had come.
The county being settled up, the farms better improved, society of a grade said to be more refined introduced; the children, growing to manhood and womanhood, anxious to adopt the advanc- ing style of the day ; schools of a higher grade established; fine churches built, whose pulpits were occupied by salaried ministers ; the means of communication being supplied ; agricultural and domestic implements of a higher and more costly grade being introduced in place of those
now worn out. The consequent attendants of an additional and heavy expense in supporting all these, it is not strange that a change should come. Under the rigid economy of the old set- tler, with his determination to be free and untrammeled from debt, too many of them were seem- ingly compelled to succumb to the influences, the demand and seeming necessities of the times, and, as Adam yielded to the importuning of Eve, to eat the apple, and thereby fell from his high estate, so, in some instances, we find the old settler who had a home free and unincumbered, a fireside around which he could rally his family and say, this is my possession, listened to the siren song sung by all these influences, and, listening, fell, a slave to style, a slave to things external and perishable, a slave to his own folly.
The people felt the effects of that change then, and it is felt to-day.
The query arises, Are the people to-day more happy, more prosperous ? Is society better ? Is the standard of morals higher under the enhanced cost of living and supporting caste and style than were the old settlers in their honest industry and frugality ? In short, are the people more happy ? Are they more contented ? Do they enjoy themselves better with a " plaster " on their farms and homes, though they dress in style and ride in a coach, than did the old settlers with homes free and unincumbered, though they dressed in homespun and rode in lumber wagons ?
One thing is certain, and that is that manual labor and the demand for it is the measure of a people's prosperity. In the earlier days, the farmers' sons were educated for farm work, the noblest of all professions ; to-day they are educated for all other professions, and, in every other kind of business, there is an over-supply of labor. The farms are deserted by the farmers' sons, and- machinery takes their place, the result is the country is filled with idlers and tramps.
When, by the introduction of any of the appliances, the demand for labor is cut short ; when we see honest labor go begging for work and none to be had, then we may readily conclude that our country, in its financial condition, is not prosperous.
No country can be prosperous in all its enterprises where the masses have only employment and wages sufficient to enable a man to support his family and educate his children.
No country can be prosperous where labor does not receive its just reward, or where the expense of living is greater than the income.
Eli Hawks
JUNEAU
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
That there are errors in our system of living is a foregone conclusion. The question for old settlers to consider is, What is the remedy ? It is suggested that a strict adherence to those habits of a rigid economy, industry and punctuality that so characterized the fathers; a strict adherence to honesty and sobriety ; a fraternal regard for all ; a strict observance of these rules `will place us on a higher plane, and mark our distinction among our fellow-men.
WAUPUN SCHOOLS.
District Number 1 .- The first school opened in Waupun was taught in 1844, by Charles Cleveland, in a small wooden building, situated on the line between Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties, near where the railway crosses Washington street. The schoolhouse was large enough to seat thirty scholars, but there were by no means thirty school children in Waupun at that time. The district was No. 1, and composed the territory of the present city of Waupun, a portion of the town of Waupun in Fond du Lac, and a portion of the town of Chester, in Dodge County.
In 1847, the original school building having become inadequate to satisfy the demands made upon it by the rapidly increasing numbers of school children, a new frame building was erected on the corner of Madison and Jefferson streets, where the Episcopal Church edifice now stands, in the South Ward. This served for District No. 1 until 1853, when the building now used by Utter as a warehouse, on Washington street, was built. On the 23d of September, 1853, $1,000 was pledged for the erection of a schoolhouse, and A. K. Starkweather, E. Mun- ger, John Ware, Charles Smith and B. B. Baldwin, were appointed a building committee, with instructions to purchase not less than one acre of land for a site. They purchased the land on which the present South Ward building now stands, and erected the building now owned by Mr. Utter.
On the 22d of October, 1860, by a resolution offered by Eli Hooker, District No. 1 was divided into two districts, the line between Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties separating them.
The Clerks of District No. 1 were W. H. Taylor, Eli Hooker, S. K. Vaughn, B. Hink- ley, B. B. Baldwin, A. K. Starkweather, Jesse Hooker, Charles Smith, Cromwell Laithe and William Euen.
The South Ward School .- After the division, in 1860, of District No. 1, that portion lying in Dodge County was called the South Ward School and continued to use the school build- ing that had served the undivided district. The number of school children continued to increase, and, in 1872, $10,000 was voted for a new building of brick and stone. Thomas H. Green, of Fond du Lac, furnished the plans, and the contract for constructing the edifice was let to A. Wisnom, of the same city. The building is a handsome two-story structure of brick, with basement and cupola, and contains four commodious schoolrooms, capable to accommodate 400 scholars. It was finished in 1872, and the old school building was sold to Graves & Nor- ton. In 1877, a high school department was organized, and money for its support is obtained annually from the State. The average in the South Ward is 220, divided in four departments- the high school, grammar, intermediate and primary, requiring five teachers. In the high school department, all the higher branches and languages are taught. The average wages paid to male teachers is $80 per month, and to female teachers $31.25 per month.
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