The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 89

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899

USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc. > Part 89

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In due course of time Mr. Haselton returned to Janesville, and was received by his friends with all the pomp and splendor becoming the rank of a Postmaster. There was a conspicuous absence of some of " the boys " from the reception, and a strange disposition on the part of Mr. Haselton to avoid congratulations. The cat was let out of the bag in a day or two, however, when it transpired that the telegram authorizing the jollification bore date of April 1, and belonged to that species of messages known as "grapevine telegrams." Some of "the boys" had had a good time at the expense of a disappointed candidate. The joke was highly appre- ciated by the gentleman then holding the office, he having in the mean time been re-appointed.

In 1856, Postmaster Strong was removed by President Buchanan, D. C. Brown being appointed in his stead. Mr. Brown retained the office but a few months, however. Col. Ezra Miller stepped into his official shoes. During Mr. Brown's incumbency, he removed the post office from the corner of Milwaukee and Main streets, where M. C. Smith & Son's clothing store now stands, to the old Hyatt House, on the West Side. Charles Wendt was Assistant Post- master under Mr. Brown.

Col. Miller came into office, and, before serving out the unexpired term of his predecessor, removed it from the Hyatt House to the Ogden Block, his own property. It was while Col. Miller was Postmaster that he perfected the Miller coupler and railroad-car platform. He also invented and patented the double stamper, now in general use in post offices throughout the United States. Its advantages are in cancelling the stamp and making the postmark at the same time. Col. Miller has grown immensely rich on the income from his car coupler and plat- form. He is now in New York, where he owns a large and valuable farm, and engages his time in experimenting upon the results of crossing wild buffaloes with American cattle. Jerome Crocker was Assistant Postmaster under the Miller regime.

James M. Burgess succeeded Col. Miller in 1860, soon after the lamented Lincoln became the nation's ruler, and remained in the office until the occurrence of the tragic event which shook the world from center to circumference and which made Andrew Johnson President of the United States. William Ruger was appointed by President Johnson to succeed Mr. Burgess, but, the United States Senate not being in session, he was not confirmed. He.held the place for about six months, when the name of Thomas J. Ruger, his father, was sent forward, and

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received favorable consideration. F. Otto Horn was Assistant under Mr. Burgess, and also under Mr. Ruger. In August, 1867, Mr. J. D. King, who had been a clerk and news-dealer in the office for some time, was appointed Assistant to Postmaster Ruger. Mr. King's efficiency and popularity have kept him the position ever since.

When Gen. Grant was placed at the head of the nation's affairs, it was natural to suppose that the appointees of Mr. Johnson would be displaced, the Janesville Postmaster with the rest. Consequently, the field, as usual, being full of ambitious candidates, the inevitable petition was put into circulation. James M. Burgess was the most prominent aspirant, while half a dozen others sought the office in a quiet way. Miss Angie J. King, who had been in the office as a clerk for several years, was urged by her friends to become a candidate for the position, and she did so. The fight finally narrowed down to Mr. Burgess and Miss King. The popularity of each of the candidates only served to embarrass Congressman Hopkins, who represented this district. Mr. Burgess, it is true, had once opposed Mr. Hopkins in a political convention, but, on the other hand, the indorsement of a lady for office was a new departure in the public career of "the gentleman from Wisconsin." These facts, together with the manifest popularity of both candidates, only served to embarrass him, and, as a means of escape from his dilemma, he suggested that an election be held in Janesville, at which all Republicans receiving their mail at this office be entitled to vote ; the candidate for the office of Postmaster receiving the highest number of votes to have the indorsement of Mr. Hopkins.

The election lasted two days, and was the most exciting local contest of which there is any record in Janesville. Boys paraded the streets with banners and transparencies bearing all manner of ludicrous cartoons and mottoes. The following will serve as a sample of the " issues" upon which the battle was fought :

JAMES M. BURGESS, Esq., Dear Sir: The undersigned have heard it reported that in case you are appointed Postmaster, that you do not intend to retain J. D. King as Deputy, but give it to some one else. We believe that Mr. King, from his long experience as D. P. M., has given such general satisfaction, that all would regret his place being supplied by another. Please inform us if such rumor has any foundation in fact.

JANESVILLE, February 11, 1869. W. W. DEXTER, S. H. MARQUISSEE, T. H. HORNICK, W. A. LAWRENCE, VOLNEY ATWOOD,

C. S. HEIMSTREET,

AMOS P. PRICHARD, ORRIN GUERNSEY, FENNER KIMBALL.

WILLIAM WHITNALL. W. A. HARVEY,

Messrs W. W. Dex'er, S. H. Marquissee, C. S. Heimstreet and others : GENTS: Your favor of this date is received. In answer, permit me to say that if I am appointed Postmaster, I shall appoint Mr. J. D. King as my Deputy This has been my intention from the first, and I so informed Mr. King more than two months ago. Very respectfully yours, J. M. BURGESS. JANESVILLE, February 11, 1869.

The foregoing had scarcely made its appearance in the streets, when the friends of Miss King rushed into print with a similar statement, denying a similar rumor.

And so the contest raged through two long, weary days. Miss King, never having been in politics before, served as an excellent lash with which the former political enemies of Mr. Burgess could be revenged; and, metaphorically speaking, they swung it with a relentless arm.

Mr. Burgess' lady opponent was elected by fifty majority ; about eleven hundred votes were cast. She had anticipated her triumph, and, like the thoughtful woman that she is, had filled her new grip-sack, purchased for the occasion, with petitions and letters of recommenda- tion, her certificate of election, duly certified to ; and, after the result of the election was announced, the first east-bound train leaving Janesville bore the victorious candidate to Wash- ington. Here she sought an interview with Congressman Hopkins, but, strange to say, be declined to indorse her. A second conference was had, but the honorable gentleman was firm in the stand he had taken, and, as a last resort, Miss King called and laid her case before Pres- ident Grant. He knew nothing of the circumstances which led to Miss King being the chosen choice of the people of Janesville, and could not act in the matter without the necessary indorse- ment of Mr. Hopkins.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Miss King, disgusted with the workings of the political machine, returned to her home, and at once sought consolation in the pages of Blackstone. Perseverance and a retentive mind subsequently brought her to the bar of the County Court, where she was admitted as an attor- ney-at-law.

Mr. Ruger was not removed, as anticipated, but was permitted to serve out his term of four years, which ended in 1871, and in May of that year, Hiram Bowen was appointed to succeed Mr. Ruger. Mr. Bowen was superseded in 1875 by H. A. Patterson, the present incumbent. Shortly after retiring from office, Mr. Bowen went to Dakota, where he established a post office known as Martella, named for his two daughters-Martha and Ella.

Mr. Patterson was re-appointed by President Hayes in February of the present year. He has given entire satisfaction in the position, and is highly esteemed by citizens of every political complexion. His aids are: J. D. King, Assistant Postmaster ; M. Louise Peterson, Delivery Clerk ; Charles H. Patterson, Mailing Clerk ; Fred. L. Dickerman, Delivery Clerk. The aggregate amount of salaries paid the entire force, including the Postmaster, is $4,800 per annum; that of the Postmaster alone is $2,400 per annum, the smallest sum paid since the office became a money-order office. Mr. Burgess, while Postmaster, prior to his removal by Andrew Johnson in 1866, received $3,800 a year. The salary was reduced from that sum to $3,500; then to $3,200, $2,800 and $2.400.

The office is now a greater source of revenue to the Government than ever before. It remits to the Department an average of $1,700 a quarter, after all the expenses of operating it are paid.

When Mr. Burgess succeeded Col. Miller, he removed the office from the Ogden Block to Lappin's Building, at the east end of the Milwaukee street bridge. It was predicted by almost every one that the exigency of another removal would never arise, or at least not in this genera- tion. But ten years sufficed to prove the fallacy of such predictions. On the 1st day of Jan- nary, 1877, the office was taken to its present location, at the west end of the bridge. The site is central, and for convenience of arrangement the office has few equals in the entire North- west. The property is owned by O. B. Ford and Capt. William MacLoon, and is leased to the Government for ten years, at an annual rental of $1,000.

The office is known as a "complete money-order office "-that is to say, orders can be issued from it on any country within the Postal Union. namely, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada and Switzerland. It became a money-order office February 6, 1866. Five orders were issued on that day by Gage Burgess, the Assistant Postmaster-the first to Jason L. Wells, of Janesville, in favor of Henry C. Bowen, editor of the New York Independent, for $5 (a sub- scription, doubtless) ; the second was to Charles C. Cheney, in favor of J. F. Bowman, of Cin- cinnati, for $10. After the first day business fell off, but eight orders being recorded the first week. At the present date, from one hundred to one hundred and fifty are issued per week. The amount taken in during the first week was $88.35, including fees. For the week ending June 28, 1879, the amount of orders issued was : Domestic, $1,239.30; foreign, $6.25.

The first order was paid February 13, 1866, to Mrs. Sarah E. Gains, from Joseph Thomp- son, of Green Bay, for $4; the second was to J. A. Blunt, from Reuben Wheeler, of Grand Rapids, Mich., for $11.

The amount of orders paid during the week ending June 28, 1879, was $1,151.03. The total number of orders issued to date is : Domestic, 51,678; foreign-British, 225; German, 128; Canadian, 50; Swiss, 6.

One of the most prominent citizens of Janesville recently ventured to hazard his reputa- tion as a "guesser " by saying he supposed at least $12,000 to $15,000 a year passed through the money-order window of the post office. For the information of the curious, we will state that the sum will aggregate a quarter of a million every twelve months.

Five hundred letters and packages were registered during the past year. There has been a large increase in the volume of business in this department since the adoption of the law per- mitting the passage of third and fourth class matter (merchandise, etc.) through the mails as registered matter.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

The facilities of the office are complete and well adapted to the requirements of the commu- nity. There are 1,685 lock and call boxes, and twenty-three drawers, most of them being rented to individuals with money and wisdom, who prefer paying a small quarterly sum to standing in line at the delivery windows. The stamp sales amount to about $12,000 a year. . Postmaster Patterson furnishes the following statement of the pieces passing through the office for the week ending June 28, 1879, which is a fair average of the volume of business for some time past:

Letters and postals received .. 10,853

Letters and postals forwarded 8,478

Packages received 5,288

Packages forwarded 1,488

Total pieces one week 26,102

Average for one year. 1,857,304

This does not include the numberless piles of letters in transit passing through this office daily, it being a dis- tributing office for four overland routes.

Registered packages in transit for the year ending December 31, 1878. 1,249 Registered letters and packages delivered for same period. 1,411 ' Beside the above, over five hundred registered letters and packages origin ite at this office, making a total mma. ber of pieces of this class of matter handled during the year, of 8,160.

Thus it will be seen that the Janesville Post Office, an ordinary cigar-box forty two years ago, has grown to its present dimensions-a ponderous and profitable institution, than which no better indicator of the progress and prosperity of the people can be found.

CORN EXCHANGE.

The stranger visiting Janesville who makes inquiry for any one doing business on the West Side, is certain of being asked if he knows where the Corn Exchange is. Should he be ignorant of the whereabouts of that important institution, it is necessary that he learn of its locality at once, for then he may be directed one square east, half a square north, or two squares south of the Corn Exchange, as the case may be. This imposing structure is a one-story frame, about 12x24 feet in size, and stands alone in a three-sided esplanade, on West Milwaukee street, nearly opposite the dry-goods house of Mr. George Stockton. It serves as the headquarters for two or three firms of gentlemen engaged in the business 'of buying and selling grain, wool, hay, etc. In early days (probably as far back as 1848), O. W. Norton, J. S. Chapin and J. W. Hobson carried on the grain brokerage business on the streets. About 1856, Hiram Bump and Frank Gray associated in the business, and, in 1858, a small building-a shanty-was erected for the accommodation of the firm at the corner of Jackson and Milwaukee streets. Two years later, the headquarters were located on the present site of the Corn Exchange. Other firms of grain dealers then operating on the street took shelter beneath the roof of the very small building (then containing one room about 12x12 feet). Among them were John Orcutt, William Casar, N. O. Clark, and J. S. Draper of the Red elevator.

Mr. E. D. Murdoch is also interested, he being the owner of the Howe scales, upon which the purchased articles are weighed. Mr. Murdoch buys on commission for other parties. The original structure has been enlarged on several occasions, but is still somewhat smaller than the Liverpool Corn Exchange. Nevertheless, it serves the purpose of an exchange mart for most of the farmers of Rock County, and nets a neat revenue for the individuals operating it.

JANESVILLE HOTELS.

OLD LANDMARKS.

"On the 5th of August, 1837," says Mr. James M. Burgess, the venerable City Clerk, " workmen commenced framing the sills for the old Stage House, which was built upon the site now covered by the Myers House." The Stage House was the first hotel in Janesville, but the

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

traveler found good accommodations before that time in Mr. Janes' log cabin, which was sixteen feet square, and stood at the east end of the ferry, on the exact spot now occupied by the Lap- pin Block. Mr. Aaron Walker subsequently became associated with Mr. Janes in running the " hotel and ferry." Messrs. Janes & Walker were succeeded by Mr. J. P. Dickson, who con- ducted the enterprise until the Stage House was built, when the original Janes caravansary faded from the list of inns.

The Stage House was the property of Charles Stevens ; was 30x40 feet in size. and two stories high. The lower floor was the scene of great animation. In one corner was a bar, where " a full line of the choicest liquors" was dispensed from a single black bottle. In the opposite corner was the post office, express and stage office. The place was a general rendez- vous for the idle during the day, and for all classes at night. The structure was torn down in 1859. A portion of the building was purchased by Mr. Burgess, and moved to his present residence, where it is now used as a barn.

The next hotel built was the American House, in 1840, corner Court and Main streets, on the site now occupied by the Court Street M. E. Church. A Mr. Hathwood was the first proprietor. He was followed, as lessee, by a Mr. Blood, who disposed of his interest to James M. Burgess. J. M. Haselton succeeded Mr. Burgess, and, in 1867, it was destroyed by fire.

The Stage House having passed from the control of Mr. Stevens, that gentleman, deter- mined to run a hotel, went to the West Side, and, in the fall of 1846, began the construction of the Stevens House, on the corner of Milwaukee and Franklin streets. It was of wood, three stories high, and the ne plus ultra of pioneer hotels. Churchill & Sibley, of Milwaukee, were the lessees. It was burned in 1853, on the day of the first charter election in Janesville, when the wind blew a hurricane.

The Hyatt House was built upon the ruins by A. Hyatt Smith. This was a colossal struc- ture, five stories high, and costing $150,000, a portion of which sum was raised by subscrip- tions. In February, 1867, it met the same fate as did the Stevens House, being entirely destroyed by fire ; no insurance.

Soon after the destruction of the Stevens House, Mr. Stevens returned to the East Side, with his indomitable enterprise, and erected another hotel, on North First street, above Main. It was remodeled, and soon after, passing from the hands of Mr. Stevens, the name was changed to the Union House, which is now in operation.

The New England House was built in 1850, by Rev. Mr. Snow, who was succeeded by John Kimball, on Franklin street, West Side. It was conducted as a temperance house, but soon passed to the hands of Chancy Stevens, the present proprietor, and is now known as the Stevens House.

The Janesville City Hotel was built by John King in 1851. Mr. King died in 1852, and the hotel suspended until 1854, when a Mr. Sherman opened it as a temperance house. The management proved a failure, and John Morsh leased the property and opened out under aus- picious circumstances, calling it the Janesville House, and connecting with it a bar. A Mr. Steinmitz then came upon the scene. Marcus Schuyler was the next individual to lease the concern, and the name was changed to the Schuyler House. Henry Austin succeeded Mr. Schuyler as lessee, and he was followed by E. B. Richards, who swung a huge board from a gallows-like frame in front of the house, bearing the inscription : "Farmers' Hotel." Lorenzo Dearborn, the lessee of the Pember House, superseded Mr. Richards, but soon gave way to John P. Goss. Eleven years ago, Thomas Graham took charge-and thus ends the history of a much-leased hotel.

In 1861, Marcus Schuyler constructed a two-story frame building on Bluff street, north of Court, and called it the Schuyler House. He sold to a Mr. Dearborn, and he to a Mr. Edwards. During Edwards' management, the building was partially destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and another story added, soon after which, Reuben Pember bought the property, and it is now known as the Pember House.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

The Merchants' Hotel-now the Ogden House-was also among the earlier institutions for the accommodation of the public. The management has been quite varied. A Mr. Hovey was the earliest lessee. He was followed by Mr. Edwards, John Watson, Law & Bessler, William Burgess and Charles Dorr, Jesse Mills, Stanford Williams and Capt. Mckinney.

The Myers House, now the principal hotel in Janesville, was built in 1861 by Peter Myers, and stands upon the historical ground once occupied by the Stage House. It is four stories high, of brick, contains 100 rooms, and cost about $60,000.

The Davis House, on the West Side, near the depot, owned by G. Davis, was built in 1861. It is of wood, with a brick addition, and three stories high.

At the corner of Milwaukee and High streets, there is now in course of construction a three- story brick. It is the property of David Jeffries, and will be known as the Jeffries House. It will contain about fifty rooms. James Shearer is the builder.

BANKS.

Badger State Bank .- McCrea, Bell & Co. was the firm name of the first money-lending institution in Janesville. The gentlemen composing it were H. C. McCrea, W. J. Bell and E. L. Dimock. The association was formed in 1850, but it was not regularly organized until 1853, when it was incorporated under the State banking laws by the above-mentioned gentlemen as the Badger State Bank. The capital stock was $50,000. Business was conducted in a small apartment on Milwaukee street, a few doors west of Roberts' drug store. E. L. Dimock was the first President, and afterward acted as cashier, also. A son of O. B. Matteson subsequently became cashier. In September, 1857, the bank closed its doors, on account of a lack of suff- cient business to justify its continuance. Messrs. McCrea and Bell were also interested in sim- ilar enterprises in Fond du Lac, Racine and Milwaukee, the latter place being the headquarters of the firm.

" Money to Loan."-During 1852-54, J. B. Doe, who was engaged in the general mer- chandise business at the northeast corner of Milwaukee and River streets, conducted a private banking enterprise in connection therewith, accommodating his customers both with the necessa- ries of life and the means to purchase them with. As a result of his liberality, he grew rich and happy.

First National Bank .- On the 29th of August, 1855, the Central Bank of Wisconsin was duly incorporated under the State banking laws, with a capital of $50,000, which was afterward increased at various times, until it reached $125,000. The corporators were W. H. Tripp, J. F. Willard, E. A. Foot, Jonathan Cory, Warren Norton, S. G. Williams, F. S. Eldred, L. J. Barrows, O. W. Norton, J. B. Doe, W. A. Lawrence, J. D. Rexford, J. H. Ogilvie and Z. P. Burdick. O. W. Norton was President, and W. A. Lawrence Cashier. A general banking business was carried on until September 14. 1863, when the institution received a certificate of authority, organizing it into a national bank, and it now stands No. 83 on the record as such. Mr. E. R. Doe, who afterward became its President, was among the first to make application and file his bonds in Washington. The first Board of Directors under the new system was com- posed of the following gentlemen : E. R. Doe, S. G. Williams, Joseph Spaulding, H. K. Whi- ton, H. S. Conger, F. S. Eldred and J. D. Rexford. The officers were E. R. Doe, President; F. S. Eldred, Vice President ; J. B. Doe, Cashier. The capital stock stands the same as it did before the re-organization into a national bank. The only change in the management, since the above, has been the election of J. D. Rexford as President.

Rock County Bank .- The organization of this bank took place October 16, 1855, with the following corporators : John J. R. Pease, L. E. Stone, Timothy Jackman, J. B. Crosby, J. L. Kimball, Andrew Palmer, Benjamin F. Pixley, M. C. Smith. S. W. Smith and J. C. Jenkins. Timothy Jackman was the first President ; Andrew Palmer, Vice President, and J. B. Crosby, Cashier. Capital stock, $50,000. On the 13th of January. 1865, it was re organized ass National Bank, with the following officers, the Directory remaining as above: Timothy

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Jackman, President ; J. J. R. Pease, Vice President; J. B. Crosby, Cashier. Capital Stock, $140,000, with a surplus of $47,000. The present management is as follows : Directors, S. W. Smith, B. B. Eldredge, J. B. Cassoday, C. S. Jackman and C. S. Crosby. Officers-S. W. Smith, President ; B. B. Eldredge, Vice President ; C. S. Crosby, Cashier; C. S. Jackman, Assistant Cashier.

Janesville City Bank .- H. B. Bunster and J. P. Hoyt conducted a small banking and exchange institution in 1857-58, known as the Janesville City Bank, but a lack of patronage closed its doors forever.

Producer's Bank .- During a portion of 1858, Gov. W. A. Barstow and E. M. Hunter carried on a general banking business. The capital stock was $100,000, the concern being duly organized under the State banking laws. Its demise resulted from the same cause as the preceding.

Merchants and Mechanics' Savings Bank .- This is the youngest banking institution in Janesville, having been established in 1875. The Directors are Henry Palmer, L. B. Carle, William Macloon, David Jeffris, Frank Leland, A. A. Jackson, H. G. Reichwald, A. H. Shel- don and Seth Fisher. Henry Palmer is President, and H. G. Reichwald, Cashier. It is organized under the State laws, with a capital of $100,000.

AMUSING ERRORS.

During the administration of one of the earlier Mayors and his Council, at a period in the heated term when hydrophobia was abroad in the land, a strangely worded ordinance was passed by the City Fathers in all the seriousness of sober proceedings. It reads as follows :

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 89

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 899

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899