The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc, Part 107

Author: Western Historical Co., pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Waukesha County > The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc > Part 107

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In 1849 or 1850, E. Murphy put up a black smith-shop, then close to the edge of Fowler Lake. This and the building next to it are two of the oldest in town, as may be readily seen by their exteriors. They are now used for barber shops and jewelry stores.

In 1850, the Watertown and Milwaukee plank-road reached Oconomowoc, and proved of great benefit to the village. One Nottingham was the originator of the scheme. When the time came for organizing the company and electing officers, the people about Oconomowoc, with J. S. Rockwell as leader, turned out en masse, ostensibly for the purpose of subscribing for stock, but really to elect the President. How well they succeeded, is well known. The fight for locating the plank road was a hard one. On the north, the people of Neosho, Stone Bank, Monterey, and other localities, were working with might and main. On the south, Summit and Delafield were exerting themselves in like manner, but without avail, for the man at the fore was one too many with his supporters, for all competitors. When the Watertown plank-road came through, the slough across Main street, east of the Summit Bank, was bridged to accom- modate the road, and people began taking lots along Milwaukee street. Edwin Hurlbut subsequently circulated a subscription paper, and obtained money with which a dam was run

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across the slough next to Fowler Lake, to keep back the waters of the lake while the low ground was being filled in. In process of time this was done, the street becoming, in consequence, as it now appears.

No sooner had the Watertown plank-road reached the village, than the Mayville plank road project was set afoot. The Company was incorporated in 1850 or 1851, with J. S. Rock- well as President. Stock to the amount of $12,000 was sold along the route, and J. S. Rock- well invested $3,000, and some of the company at the other end of the line put in as much more ready cash. The road work was begun and completed, and did very much to open and improve the country ; but it was a dead loss to the stock-holders, as it never paid a cent. John Metcalf superintended the work on this route.

About the time the plank-road was completed through to Watertown, the necessity for a railroad running through the village west, from Brookfield, on the Prairie du Chien Railroad, was being generally agitated, J. S. Rockwell being, as ever, the moving spirit in the enterprise. Very soon the discussion took material shape in the organization of the Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad Company, with Mr. Rockwell as President. This was a large undertaking, and it required a great deal of influence and sagacity to so manage the wire-pulling as to get the road through here, for this was by no means the most direct route. However, in spite of all opposi- tion, Oconomowoc got the road, and from that time the certain growth and future prosperity of the place was insured. In the summer of 1854, a depot was constructed, it being built of red brick from Pugh's brickyard. In December following, the first engine and construction train put in an appearance, and this point became the western terminus of the road, and remained so for about a year after, the workshops being here during that time.

In May, 1879, a new depot was begun, the old one having been demolished, and by the 1st of July was completed and ready for use. The want of this depot had been long felt, especially during the summer season and fall, when the large throngs of visitors were coming and going.

There have been but few railroad accidents at this place, in all not more than five.

The building now owned and occupied by E. D. Parsons, was built in 1852, by C. M. Smith. It was originally built to provide the Masons and Sons of Temperance with a hall. J. S. Rockwell put in the first stock of goods, and called it the " Plank Road Store."

In 1853, the old oil mill of Cotton & Rockwell, was built. It was three stories high and well fitted with machinery for making linseed oil, but the sinews of war being wanting in the shape of flax-seed. The mill proved a failure and was sold, the building being converted into a dwelling-house and saloon. It finally furnished material for a fire. Cotton afterward went to Adams County.

The store of Rockwell & Randall was built about 1854. The post office was kept here for a long time after W. W. Collins relinquished it, Rockwell being Postmaster.

About 1855, the village was electrified by the report that C. Y. Reed, who not long before had come here from the East and started in business, had been robbed, his store having been entered by burglars and $1,000 or $1,500 having been taken from the safe. This being the first robbery of any consequence that had ever been perpetrated here, it created an intense excitement, and all sorts of methods of investigation were suggested. Among other things it was proposed to send for a young fellow said to be a remarkable clairvoyant. As there was not a trace left by which to track the thieves, something of this kind seemed to be the only means by which the treas- ure could be found. The young man was therefore sent for, and came and was mesmerized by a well-known citizen of the place. No sooner had he passed into an apparently abnormal condition, than he said a man had entered the house and taken the key to the store or safe and given it to another, who had gone into the store and taken the money, and with still another had gone some distance and concealed it in a hollow tree. The following day, the young fellow professed to identify certain highly respected citizens of the place, as the ones he had seen while mesmerized. This further development cansed still greater excitement. When the young fellow was again mesmerized, he said the parties had become frightened and had moved the

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money, but in doing so had dropped a $2 bill. He went with others, according to his story, to this place, and lo! the money. He then said the stolen money had been sunk in a can to the bottom of the lake. The next thing was to drag the lake ; but to no purpose. A detect- ive was soon after brought from New York, who professed to find a gang of horse thieves and counterfeiters located here. Then the people became frightened, suspicious, and red-hot with anger at the imputations thrown out by the detective, who implicated some of the most promi- nent men in the county as being connected with the gang ; however, nothing came of the whole proceeding, except hard feelings and political rancor, for the politics of the county were for awhile largely affected by these circumstances.

There was for many years a bridge over a waste weir almost directly in front of the pres- ent mill, but it was torn away a long time ago, having become a rickety old affair, and the hollow was filled in. An improved weir was introduced, and suitably covered so that no one would ever know, unless he were told, what a miserable spot on the street that place had been. During the next few years the village built up gradually, there being no very marked changes until 1859 or 1860, when the Dodge building was constructed. It was a fine three-story brick edifice, and stood on the ground occupied now by the Metcalf Block. D. W. Small furnished most of the means for putting up this building. It subsequently burned. During 1859, David W. Small erected the building now owned and used by the city for a city hall. It was built to be used for banking purposes, and during this year the Summit Bank was established. It was a stock bank and was incorporated September 1, 1859, under the State law. The stock-hold- ers were H. K. Edgerton, J. S. Rockwell, D. W. Small, E. W. Edgerton, B. R. Hinkley and E. S. Stone. The original capitial was $25,000. A robbery of the bank was attempted in 1868, but proved unsuccessful. May 1, 1869, the company relinquished its charter, as a stock bank. H. K. Edgerton then purchased the fixtures and good will of the old institution and perpetu- ated it as a private bank. The bank was moved from the old stand about 1870 into Fay's Block, on the southeast corner of Main and Milwaukee streets. This substantial building was erected by George W. Fay in 1869.

During 1859, Col. Birchard, probably the oldest merchant in the county, having been engaged in business here for thirty-five years, came to Oconomowoc from Waukesha and bought a bankrupt stock of goods owned by Marsh & Reed, successors to Loan, Saxe & Co., and in June of 1860 moved from the old red front into Dodge's Block. In 1869, he built his present fine store, and moved into it in 1870.

During the war, business flourished here as it never had before. Although it proved a great calamity to very many, yet the merchants often sigh for such another harvest, if it would only come without bringing with it so much misfortune. About this time, summer visitors began putting in an appearance, the first of whom, it is said, were Messrs. Coffin and Schu- feldt. From that time on, the theme of greatest interest to Oconomowoc people, in all relations, has been' " Oconomowoc as a summer resort; " and certainly they are justifiably proud of that distinction, for it is a beautiful place to live in, as well as being an unusually good point for nearly all kinds of business.

In 1864 or 1865, the first sidewalk was laid here. Soon after, one was laid in front of the stores on the east side of Main street. A deal of trouble was caused by this walk. Each one wanted it to fit the door step in front of his store ; so at first it was up and down all along, but eventually they consented to have the grade established as it yet remains.

In 1869, Odd Fellows' Hall was built and perhaps two or three other buildings. During 1870 '71 the old Globe Hotel was torn down and Mann's splendid brick block was begun on the same ground and finished in 1872. The building comprises three stories, is built of the best Watertown brick, contains an elegant hall used for Masonic purposes, with a separate one used for theatrical performances, public assemblages and social gatherings ; both located on the third floor. The second floor is divided into suits of rooms well arranged, to be used as offices or for other purposes, all of them light, airy and lofty. The first floor is used for business purposes and contains four stores, neatly arranged. One of them, a drug store, located on the corner, is a very

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attractive establishment. During the next few years, the business portion of this place continued to improve, and would probably have been much larger, if not more prosperous, had it not been for two or three very severe fires that destroyed a number of very valuable buildings, and a large amount of merchandise. They occurred as follows : one in 1871; one 1875; one 1879 ; all being wichin a period of eight years.

The vacancy caused by the fire in 1871 was soon occupied by the present block of C. M. Smith, next to the bank. After the destructive conflagration in 1875, which destroyed Dodge's Block and the La Belle House, John Metcalf soon rebuilt where the brick building stood, but not so large as before. The La Belle House lot unfortunately yet remains vacant, and presents a very bare appearance in so prominent a place in the city. It is just such a spot as one would expect to see occupied by a fine hotel, or block of business houses. The terrible, devastating fire of April 7, 1879, left, in a short time, a very large area covered with charred ruins, where, only a few hours before, life and thrift prevailed. It was the general impression on the morn- ing following the fire, that this space in the center of the town would remain a long while unimproved. Like many similar prognostications, this one also failed of fulfillment. But a little more than a year has passed, and what a change. Substantial brick buildings now cover nearly all of the burnt district; many of them elegant structures that would be a credit to any town in the State, and all occupied by active, energetic business men. Oconomowoc is a highly favored locality in every respect, being a place where business is good, society excellent, and, in fact, where all the chief requisites to happiness exist in prodigal abundance. That her past may be but an earnest of her future development is the acclamation of all.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ACADEMY.

Joint District No. 3, in which was the first school in Oconomowoc, was in keeping with the condition of the place and times. There were very few scholars at first, scarcely enough to make it an object to maintain a school; but the necessity of early education was as well understood by the pioneers as it is by those of to-day, and, although they were poor and had to struggle hard for subsistence, yet it must be noted that in this, and every community throughout the county, the schools and schoolhouses always received early attention. There is no doubt, considering their ability to do and pay, that they did as well in proportion as is done to-day in giving their children facilities for learning. Before the old " barracks" were built, the school here was kept in the log schoolhouse ; after that, the school authorities rented a room in that building, where school was taught for several years.

In 1850, there were but sixty-eight school-children in the place, thirty-six male and thirty- two female.

About this time, the necessity of putting up a respectable public school building. began to be talked of; but the matter dragged along until 1854, before anything decisive was done. During that year, the present lot was purchased, at a cost of $75, and the red-brick school- house was put up. The grounds and building, when completed, were valued at $2,500. This house accommodated the school until 1866, when the number of children had so increased that more room was necessary, and the officers purchased the old Methodist Church property, paying $1,200. At about this time, it was proposed to unite the "Canada " District No. 10, with District No. 3; but nothing came of the project until 1875, when they were united, only to separate in 1877. At that time, the intention was to have a union high school, thereby giving the school a higher standing, and also securing the State fund appropriated for high schools, which, under the present system, cannot be obtained. The present school building was com- pleted in January, 1877, at a cost of $7,094. The building was constructed by adding on to the old one. A great deal of difficulty was experienced by the School Board in getting it erected. A general clash of interests and opinions prevailed for a time, which not only hindered the work and made expense, but caused considerable ill-feeling to enter into the details. There was more than enough of bother. The school is now conducted on the graded system, there being six departments and ten grades. This system was reached in 1879. The present course of study

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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

was adopted in the spring of 1876. There are four rooms in the new or main part, and two rooms in the old part. The teachers employed are a male principal and five female assistants. The present average attendance is a little over three hundred pupils, with excellent standing in all departments.

There have been here, as in all places of any importance, select schools, denominational and other schools. Abont 1868, Rev. E. J. Montague, Pastor at that time of the Congrega- tional Church, induced the people of his church to raise and enlarge the church edifice, and put in a basement to be used for school purposes. In 1869, the work was completed, and what was called the Oconomowoc Academy was started, with D. B. Smith as Principal and Mrs. J. Z. Smith as Assistant ; Rev. E. J. Montague, Teacher of Latin ; F. Gebhardt, Teacher of Ger- man, and Mrs. D. Wilsey, Teacher of Music. The school opened with fifty pupils and increased to one hundred during the year. S. B. Smith, being elected Principal of the Public Schools, the academy was discontinued the next year. In 1873, the Rev. J. Allison opened the school again and kept it running for a short time, and thus ended the academy.

From school records it appears that the public school had a library before 1850, and that funds were voted, while it lasted, for the purchase of books. Until September, 1856, the library was under the control of the school clerk. At this time L. S. Warner was elected clerk. In 1858, D. Faurot was elected ; and in 1859, John B. Reynold. He either resigned his charge or left before his time expired, and at the next election, in 1860, a vote was taken that the Board should take charge of the library. Whether they did or not does not appear upon the record, only reports of the clerks following show that the library regulations were not complied with, and at present there is no library to report upon.

FIRES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Oconomowoc was singularly free from fires during the early period of its existence, and, in reality, even after its incorporation in 1865, no very serious fire occurred, until January 31, 1871, when a fire proceeding from the store of Lee & Watson swept away a large amount of property. The block owned by Franz Pumpf, was entirely consumed, and Lee & Watson lost everything. The post office building was partly destroyed, and the Summit Bank building, owned by G. W. Fay, was seriously damaged. R. C. Hathaway lost his library with instru- ments and valuable plats and field notes for surveying. Although the damage was very con- siderable, yet the people were not sufficiently aroused to take steps to secure protection from fires, being yet content to take further risks rather than pay out any money. But from this lethargy they were doomed soon to be rudely shaken. On April 28, 1875, a most disastrous conflagration devastated the place. At an early hour, the La Belle House, one of the oldest and most familiar land marks of the town, was discovered to be in flames. An immense crowd of people soon gathered, but were powerless to prevent the spread of the flames, and the fine three-story brick block owned by John Metcalf, standing next to the fated hotel, was soon enveloped in flames also, and the destruction of the entire business portion of Oconomowoc seemed inevitable. By a seeming dispensation of Providence, in changing the direction of the wind, and bringing a heavy rain-fall, was that terrible calamity averted. But, notwithstanding the rain, the hotel and Metcalf Block were destroyed, and an injury done the place from which it has not yet entirely recovered. On the following day, April 29, 1875, the first meeting was held and steps taken toward organizing a fire company, under the leadership of Henry Howarth. Thirty-two men enrolled themselves as charter members of the organization, and styled themselves the "Ocon- omowoc Hook and Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1." The names and officers elected were as follows : Henry Howarth, Captain ; C. H. Osborne, First Lieutenant ; D. W. Frenz, Second Lieutenant; Gardner Fulmer, President ; A. C. Macrorie, Secretary, and E. D. R. Thompson, Treasurer. The regular members were James Reavely, James Jones, Frank Mil- lard, C. W. Snere, Hans Johnson, Charles Nelson, A. W. Bright, F. W. Kinne, J. D. Reid, J. C. Stelzner, J. A. Wood, J. J. Sullivan, Joseph Scott, Stephen Hubbard, George Olson, C. C. Bowsfield, J. H. Williams, E. W. Tuttle, J. H. Lyman, R. G. Williams, Nick Henessy,

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William Jones, James Fox, E. L. Palmer, George Cole, Matthew Queoghn. The company as organized with officers and men was recognized and its services accepted by the Common Council on October 2, 1875. According to provision of the charter the Council then instituted inquiries for the purchase of some sort of a fire extinguishing apparatus, and, finaly, on December 18, 1875 adopted a resolution accepting a proposition made by the Babcock Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, who furnished a hook and ladder truck with appendages, and chemical engine, known as the Babcock Fire Extinguisher, for the use of the company, which upon arrival in the spring of 1876, was placed at its disposal.

The company struggled along, hardly maintaining an organization, until September 7, 1877, when, being thoroughly disgusted as well as convinced, of the inefficiency of the apparatus, it was compelled to work with, and after having in vain sent in petitions, signed by the most prominent citizens, for something better, the members called a meeting and voted to disband.

Still nothing was done until after the devastating fire of April 7, 1879, had visited the place. The fire originated in the brick store built by David Henry Rockwell, on the present site of Mr. Hugo Lorleberg's splendid hardware store, about 9 o'clock in the evening. The store was occupied by Case & Co., as a dry-goods store. The contents of the store must have been dry, for in less than fifteen minutes the roof had fallen in, and in two hours, eight business houses were in ashes. The poorly equipped fire company worked manfully, but was powerless with the "saleratus syringe " to stay the ravages of the flames, and had not an engine and com- pany, in response to a telegram for help, come out from Milwaukee, in all probability a much larger amount of property would have been destroyed. The losses, besides the building in which the fire started, were as follows : E. C. Hartwell, frame two-story building, occupied by Daniel McArthur, as a drug-store; loss, $2,000; no insurance. Mrs. William Wagner, frame grocery store ; loss, about $2,000 ; insured. Hugo Lorleberg, two story frame building, used as a hardware store; loss about $5,000 ; insured. David W. Small, two-story frame building, occupied by Mr. Johnson, as a harness and trimming shop; loss on building, $500; no insur- ance ; stock mostly saved. Fred Wollin, restaurant and dwelling ; loss, about $2,000 ; insured. Mr. Bloedel, frame store and dwelling; store occupied by Mr. Bloedel, as a dealer in country produce ; loss, $1,500 ; insured. A frame building next south of Mr. Wollin, formerly owned by Thomas Honey, and occupied by James Leavitt, as a grocery store, the basement occupied by William Beeberman, as a shoe-shop. The building and Mr. Leavitt's stock were insured, but Mr. Beeberman lost nearly all he had except his family. This fire was all that was needed to induce the city fathers to purchase a steam fire engine ; and on May 12, 1879, a unanimous vote was passed, accepting a proposal made by the agent of the Silshy Manufacturing Com- pany, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., for a rotary steam fire engine, fully equipped, with 1,000 feet of hose, costing $4,500. This engine is a perfect beauty, and took the premium for engines of its class at the Centennial, and is undoubtedly one of the best, as well as handsomest in the State. On the 17th of May, 1879, the Hook and Ladder Company disbanded, and immediately re-organ- ized under the name of "Silsby Volunteer Company No. 1," and elected officers.

Immediately after organizing, the company tendered its services to the city, which were recognized and accepted by the Council July 9, 1879.

The Silsby Volunteer Fire Company is a fine body of men, and has shown a ready willing- ness and proficiency at all times, either at practice or parade. They are suitably uniformed and when out in a body present a truly fine appearance. The present officers are : W. B. Fay, Foreman ; George Olson, Assistant ; E. D. R. Thompson, Secretary ; Joseph Scott, Treasurer; Stephen Hubbard, Captain Hose Cart No. 1; B. S. Young, Assistant ; Gardner Fulmer, Captain Hose Cart No. 2; R. C. Moore, Assistant. There are about forty-four members in the company.

BRASS BANDS.

The first steps toward organizing a brass band here were taken as early as 1852. A subscrip- tion list was passed around, thirty-two persons signing to the amount of $172.50, to purchase instru- ments. Harry P. Lester gave $25, D. H. Rockwell, $20, and W. W. Collins $15, the remainder

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being paid in sums of from $1 to $10, by the different contributors. The first meeting was held January 27, 1853, when a permanent organization was effected, and a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The original members were R. C. Hathaway, J. T. Woodruff, Orville Hathaway, D. H. Rockwell, James Luck, E. H. Parsons, H. P. Lester, W. W. Collins and J. M. Brown. R. C. Hathaway was elected Musical Director. From this time, the band was maintained with various changes of members until 1859, when, having become very much run down, they disbanded. In 1860, they re-organized, but continued together only for a short time. This organization was known as the " Oconomowoc Saxe Horn Band." After it ceased to operate, nothing further was done in this direction for several years, and, in the mean time. their instru- ments, which were purchased new at the time of organizing, were scattered and lost. Event- ually, Dr. Linger proposed to some of the young men that another band should be started. The suggestion was acted upon, and a subscription taken with the understanding entered into with the subscribers, that an incorporated body should be instituted, for the purpose of mutual protection, and for purchasing and caring for the instruments. The instruments were purchased hap-hazard, and, although steps were taken to incorporate the organization. nothing binding was effected. This band continued for a time ; then, like its predecessor, subsided.

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The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc, Part 107

Author: Western Historical Co., pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Western Historical Co., pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1050