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 108

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 108

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There is at present a German band, started within a short time, now having quite a large membership. They have employed a good German teacher, and appear to take great interest in their practice. They are considered very good players for the length of time they have been playing together.

There has also been a movement on foot for some time to organize a new American band, and take the instruments of the old band, and in all probability this project will soon be carried into effect.

LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

A Library Association at one time existed here, which, it is to be regretted, long since became defunct. It was founded in the winter of 1870, a large number of the prominent pub- lic-spirited citizens taking a part in the movement, and in some instances subscribing liberally to the object. It was hoped and expected that such an institution as a public library, suitably located, where books and periodicals could be obtained merely for the asking, would attract and thereby benefit a great many who could not, or would not, otherwise obtain good reading ; and would also furnish a place for young people to congregate where there would be no bad influen- ces. The intention was good, and the library ought to have prospered, but, like very many good things, it was not properly understood or appreciated. After organizing, the association hired the large front room in Metcalf's Block, which is directly over the store now occupied by Kel- logg & Wilsey, for the library room, this being about the first time it was used after building. The room was furnished with chairs, tables, desk, book-case and stove, and books were contrib- uted by various parties. Drs. Henshal & Wight, and G. P. Gifford, presented the most and best works. The office of the Oconomowoc Times, which had been running then a short time, was on the same floor with the library, in a back room, and the editors kindly allowed the use of their exchange list. By this means, there were an abundance of papers and periodicals always on hand; but, when Ashley D. Harger took the paper he stopped the use of the exchange list, as he wanted the papers for himself. Twice during the life of the association, George Westover, and others, got up concerts and appropriated the funds to the use of the library to pay rent. The regular membership fee was a merely nominal sum, and consequently did not go far toward paying the expenses. When the interest began to die out, of course the supply of funds died out also, and at last, when there was nothing to pay for room rent, fire and lights, D. H. Sum- ner, who had been appointed librarian, resigned ; and finally, in the spring of 1871, after a few spasmodic gasps for life, the Library Association subsided. The books were then taken to George Westover's office, he having been 'one of the leaders in the movement, where they remained until 1876 ; then the fire company boys, thinking they might as well have the use of what books there were, took them over to the engine-house where what is left of them can be seen piled up in the corner of the room. As they are principally Patent Office Reports, it is not

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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

probable that any one will bother with them further. So ends the public library, and it may be added, as a rule, that a library unsupported by a regular tax is usually a failure.

OCONOMOWOC YACHT CLUB.

The first boat built and launched on La Belle Lake, was built by Capt. Budd Parsons, and called the LA BELLE, A. D. 1849. The first boat club, called the La Belle, was organized in 1853, by Dr. James Lewis. The members were the following gentlemen : John Parsons, E. Parsons, W. W. Collins, E. Hurlbut, H. Birdsell, H. G. Jones and G. P. Fay. In the same year another club, called the Scow Club, built a flat-bottomed boat, called the Dimasiptle. The following gents comprised the members : H. P. Lester, D. H. Rockwell, Dr. Wilson and Sam Dodge. In the year 1854, Lester built a sail-boat called the Kalanthe, and in 1855, B. Parsons & Son built a sail-boat called the Flying Fish, and in 1856, Capt. Gassman built a sail- boat for D. H. Rockwell, called the Blue Bird.

Although the excellent opportunities afforded at Oconomowoc, and in its vicinity, for row- ing and sailing, have always been fully appreciated by the inhabitants and summer visitors, and have been largely embraced during the past, yet no organization tending specially to pro- mote these healthful exercises and delightful amusements was effected here, since the La Belle Club was disbanded, until quite recently. Although a yacht club had been spoken of or pro- posed at different times by interested parties, it remained for Mr. Sutton, and a few other leading boatists, to set the movement afoot, that finally culminated, two years ago, in the present yacht club.

The Oconomowoc Yacht Club was organized in September, 1878, and the following names were enrolled as charter members :

Yacht Club .- Charles T. Sutton, Oconomowoc ; H. Germain, Oconomowoc ; E. B. Birchard, Oconomowoc ; C. Linger, Oconomowoc ; F. E. Wadhams, Oconomowoc ; Charles E. Case, Oconomowoc; D. Mc Miller, Oconomowoc; A. J. Rockwell, Oconomowoc; H. M. Ackley, Oconomowoc; Henry Schuttler, Oconomowoc; D. G. Munger, Oconomowoc; Loren Edwards, Oconomowoc ; John S. Kenyon, Oconomowoc; E. M. Wisner, Oconomowoc; C. B. Draper, Oconomowoc; Ed. C. Shears, Oconomowoc; Hugo Lorleberg, Oconomowoc; J. C. Hitchcock, Oconomowoc ; Fred Parsons, Oconomowoc ; H. B. Anderson, Oconomowoc ; William Jones, Oconomowoc ; A. J. Padgman, Oconomowoc ; John F. Bender, Oconomowoc ; Walter L. Peck, Chicago ; C. I. Peck, Chicago; Ferd W. Peck, Chicago ; George W. Fuller, Chicago; J. J. Knickerbocker; J. H. Westover; W. A. Spaulding, Chicago; George A. Schu- feldt, Chicago; H. H. Schufeldt, Chicago ; Willie Schufeldt, Chicago; S. Cooper, Chicago; Charles A. Dupee, Chicago; H. S. Peck, Chicago; J. R. Robinson, Chicago.

There have been nineteen names added since the organization of the club. The officers elected for 1878, were as follows : Commodore, Walter L. Peck ; Vice Commodore, Charles T. Sutton ; Secretary, Charles B. Draper; Treasurer, D. G. Munger ; Measurer, H. Germain.

There are twenty boats in the fleet, boats of the first class being more than 18 feet in length. There is one steamer, Frolic, owned by H. H. Schufeldt, 35 feet long and 7 feet wide. There are eleven yachts, as follows :

Nautilus-length, 22 feet ; width, 9 feet 6 inches; formerly owned by Charles T. Sutton. Mystic-length, 24 feet ; width, 9 feet 6 inches ; owned by Walter L. Peck.

Buda-length, 20 feet, 9 inches ; width, 8 feet 7 inches; owned by Ferd W. Peck.

Magic-length, 20 feet, 6 inches ; width, 7 feet 8 inches ; owned by Walter L. Peck. Sortie-length, 22 feet; width, 10 feet 5 inches ; owned by G. A. Schufeldt.

Blackbird-length, 18 feet ; width, 6 feet; owned by C. Linger.

Pearl-length, 15 feet 9 inches ; width, 6 feet 3 inches; owned by Charles Sutton. Sprite-length, 13 feet ; width, 6 feet ; owned by Charles Sutton. .

Florida-length, 26 feet ; owned by H. Schufeldt.

Annie-length, 24 feet ; owned by George A. Laurance.

Dolly-length, 11 feet ; owned by Charles T. Sutton.

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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

There are four ice boats, viz. : Flash, Charles Sutton; Whiff, E. C. Shears; Icicle, Walter L. Peck ; Edward H. Tucker, Fred Parsons.

There are four pleasure barges, viz. :

Adele-6 oars ; length, 25 feet ; Charles T. Sutton, owner.

Vesta-6 oars ; length, 25 feet ; Charles T. Sutton, owner.

Gipsey Queen-4 oars ; length, 18 feet ; Walter L. Peck, owner.

May Howey-4 oars ; length, 16 feet ; H. H. Schufeldt, owner.

The Club have a tidy floating club house, which lies anchored just northwest of the city, in La Belle Lake. It is comfortably furnished, and the walls are suitably decorated with marine views. On the top of the boathouse is the judges' stand.

Regattas, with sailing and rowing matches, occur each year at different seasons. The Nautilus has thus far taken the prize pennant.

The Executive and Regatta Committee is composed of Ferd W. Peck, D. G. Munger, and H. M. Ackley.

CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.

The Cemetery Association was organized May 9, 1851, under the provisions of Chapter 48, of the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin. There were twelve charter members from among the best of the citizens. The first cemetery managed by them was located near Fowler Lake, and was called the Oconomowoc Cemetery. Lots were purchased and people were buried here until 1864. Then the association, becoming satisfied that the village would some time require a larger bury- ing-ground, determined to have the old cemetery vacated and a new one established before it became too late. Accordingly, during the winter of 1864, J. R. Carpenter, then a member of the Legislature, presented a bill for this purpose. The bill passed, and the present site was immediately after selected, and named La Belle Cemetery. The Trustees were authorized to allow owners of lots in the old cemetery to select lots in the new one in exchange, and to pay them for moving their dead; otherwise, to locate the lot themselves, and attend to the moving of the dead. The change of the cemetery created a great division of feeling among the people, which it took years to efface ; but it must now appear plain to every one, that the change was for the best, and entirely justifiable. The old grounds were sold in January, 1865, for $1,325, to Messrs. Thompson, Metcalf, Fowler & Hall, and were afterward platted, and are now known as Hall's Addition. Before the Oconomowoc Cemetery was laid out, the people had a burial- ground on what is known as the Henshal Place. The business of the Association is transacted by six Trustees, who appoint a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, from among their number.

HOTELS.

Accommodations for summer guests and travelers, in and about Oconomowoc, are excep- tionally good in every respect, being equal to the demands of the most fastidious and exacting. No pains are spared here to make the stay of transient or permanent visitors pleasant as well beneficial. How well the efforts of the landlords and people have succeeded in this respect is attested by the constantly increasing popularity of the place.

Woodlands .- This is the home and resort of D. W. Small, and is a most lovely place, with extensive and finely wooded grounds, from which it takes its name, lying on the south bank of Lac La Belle. It is a delightfully picturesque retreat, and ranks as one of the most attractive places within the city limits, or in the county, and is presided over by a gentleman and lady by whom it is a pleasure to be entertained. The grounds were formerly owned by George Pugh, but were not utilized by him, unless the brickyard, which was in operation here for many years, be excepted. Mr. Small purchased and built first in 1860. In 1873, finding that his house was not nearly large enough to accommodate his constantly increasing patronage, he erected a large addition and remodeled the building, making a very commodious and stately residence. Again, a few years subsequently, he was obliged to build a cottage to keep pace with the demands of his custom. He has now ample room for about 100 guests.

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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

Townsend House .- The first large first-class Hotel erected in the county for the exclusive use of summer guests, was the Townsend House, which was built in 1870. Over $35,000 were expended in building and furnishing, and 100 days were required in constructing and fitting up. On the 19th day of June, 1870, a grand benefit opening was given. A train of cars was run from Milwaukee especially for the occasion, and hundreds of guests from abroad and at home were present. There was a grand banquet provided, and speeches and toasts were offered by some of the most prominent men in the State. The townspeople presented the house with three beautiful flags and a streamer. In the evening, the affair wound up with the most brill- iant party ever given in Oconomowoc. Severance & Williams' band discoursed sweet strains " till the wee sma' hours, " and the moments were annihilated by flying feet and thoughts that took no heed of time.

The first season, the builder and proprietor, Copeland Townsend, took in $14,000, and for several seasons following had a similar run of custom. During the winter of 1875 and 1876, at the urgent solicitation of his many patrons, Mr. Townsend concluded to enlarge the house, and duplicated the first building throughout, at a very large expense. The house is now very large and commodious, there being ninety-one rooms elegantly finished and furnished. It is beautifully located on the east bank of Fowler Lake, and the grounds are large and very attract- ive. The accommodations throughout, provided at this establishment, are not surpassed by any in the country, and the surroundings are such as to invite and charm the most fastidious. It is a very popular and prosperous resort.

Draper Hall .- This hotel, owned and managed by Martin T. Draper, although famous, from Wisconsin to the sea, as a delightful summer idling place, is also a regular hotel, kept open all the year round for the traveling public. The original building, which contains office, hall, sleeping-rooms and winter dining-room, is the old store built by Fay, Collins & Cotton, in 1849; it was built of brick, and strengthened across the front by huge blocks of building stone brought from Waukesha. When the surrounding buildings were either torn down, or moved to the busi- ness part of the village, this, being too heavy to move and too valuable to destroy, was left, and, after its vacation as a store, was opened by Dyer Topliff as a hotel. Mr. Draper purchased the property in 1868, and named it, and began improving the surroundings, and advertising the place as a summer resort. He has been successful from the first, and has been obliged to enlarge the building at different times, besides taking all the rooms he can get in the neighborhood, from year to year, to accommodate his guests. The situation of Draper Hall is delightful ; facing as it does to the west, and on La Belle Lake, a superb view is afforded. Main street passes directly in front and between Draper Hall and its grounds on La Belle Lake. There are several springs near this hotel, one of which, a treble one, is remarkable. The water from it is at 52º Fahrenheit all the year round, never freezing in winter, and no fish have ever been able to live in it over night. The main spring is rank with iron, being of an oily, rusty, red color, and is five feet in depth ; another, twenty feet deep, near the same place, which has an outlet by tubing ; its waters are very similar to those from the Waukesha mineral springs; and a third one, driven twenty-one feet into the earth, is soft and totally unlike the other two. A few feet distant is still another spring, from which the hotel is supplied with drinking water. The sum- mer guests of Draper Hall are in part from Milwaukee and Chicago, but largely from St. Louis and the South, with whom the place is in great favor.

La Belle House .- This hotel was named after the old hotel, and stands facing La Belle Lake, a short distance south of its shores. It was built about ten years ago by D. Topliff. It is a large frame building, that unfortunately is so situated as not to be pleasant for boarders. When shade-trees have grown up about the La Belle House, it will be one of the attractive places of Oconomowoc.

Jones House .- This hotel stands a short distance from and directly between the rail- road and school building. It is the resort par excellence of traveling men, and, with Mr. Jones, the genial and accommodating landlord at the head, it is an excellent place at which to stop. Within a few years, the place has become so rapidly popular that, notwithstanding the several

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additions he has built to the original structure from time to time, he has not enough room. The main building was built in 1872, and three additions were subsequently made. There is a north front of fifty feet and a rear extension of sixty feet with a veranda on the two sides, one hundred and seven feet in length. There are about twenty-six or twenty-seven comfortable, nicely finished, and furnished rooms in the house.

William Tell House .- The William Tell House was erected in the spring of 1858, and was intended at first for a private dwelling, but in the fall of the same year was opened as a hotel. In 1866 or 1867, an addition was built, increasing the size of the building to its present dimen- sions, which are 32x48 feet and two stories in height. About thirty guests can be accommodated, and there is also a commodious barn on the premises. The builder and first owner, Fred Gerber, is the present proprietor. There are two or three other hotels here, besides numerous boarding houses, that appear to be doing a land-office business, providing for the wants of visitors and travelers.

Gifford's .- One and one-half miles from Oconomowoc, on the north bank of Oconomowoc Lake, is one of the most beautifully located and perfect resorts, taken all in all, to be found anywhere. Every requisite necessity for a home, for social enjoyment, and for physical and mental rest, is here liberally provided either by nature, or the ingenious hand of man. There is boating, hunting, fishing, mineral water to drink, and plenty of the best to eat. George P. Gifford, Sr., at the time of purchasing this property, erected a private residence, intending to maintain the place simply as a home, but, observing the facilities attached to the place for comfort, and actuated by an innate hospitality, he invited his friends to visit him during the summer season ; these friends were delighted, and each year visited and revisited the place, until it became necessary to enlarge the private residence, and enlarge again, until it has assumed its present proportions, and become one of the most popular resorts on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Its habitues find easy access to this city, and courtesies with guests of the Townsend House, Draper Hall, and summer residents, are freely interchanged. This resort is a favorite with the people from Southern cities, and many families have made it their summer home for several years in succession. The house contains seventy-five rooms ; fifty guest cham- bers, the remaining twenty-five being divided into parlors, sitting-rooms, dining-rooms, etc. Gifford's station, on the Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, is about seventy rods from the hotel grounds, and all accommodation trains stop here. There is a large dancing pavilion, billiard-room and bar, livery stable, bathing house, boats, etc., in connection with the hotel. In fact everything is provided that any reasonable person can expect or demand. The hotel is under the management of George P. Gifford, Jr.

CHURCHES.

Zion Church .- The services of the Protestant Episcopal Church were celebrated for the first time in Oconomowoc in the year 1841, by the Rev. Lemuel B. Hull, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Milwaukee. He officiated at this place once in four weeks, holding services usually at the log schoolhouse north of the bridge, and once at the residence of Mr. Foster. During the spring and summer, Mr. Hull came on foot from Milwaukee, thirty miles distant, to hold these services. €

In August of the same year, services were held by the Rev. J. H. Hobart, and in September by the Rev. William Adams, now the distinguished Professor of Divinity at Nashotah. These gentlemen, with the Rev. James Lloyd Breck, were then sojourning at Prairieville, now Wau- kesha, contemplating the establishing of a mission school of divinity, which soon after became realized in the founding of Nashotah House.

Only occasional and irregular services were held at Oconomowoc until 1844, when the Rev. Dr. Adams began regular services.

In August, 1846, Zion Parish was duly organized. Dr. Adams continued to officiate during 1847-49. In 1850, the Rev. Dr. Cole, of Nashotah, was chosen Rector, and continued in charge until Easter, 1853. In the summer of 1853, the Sunday school was organized.

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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

During Dr. Cole's rectorship, the church building was erected, at a cost of about $5,000. It is a substantial brick edifice, 25x50 feet, pleasantly situated on a point of land that juts into Fowler Lake. The church was built largely by money advanced by Mr. John S. Rockwell, and, together with the point of land on which it stands, was conveyed by him in a deed of trust to Dr. Cole, who, some years afterward, viz., in the year 1869, relinquished it by quitclaim deed, to the Rector, Wardens and Vestry, of Zion Church, Oconomowoc.

On Christmas Eve, 1853, the first service was held in the new church by Bishop Kemper, and subsequently, until the following Easter, services were maintained by the Rev. Lewis A. Kemper, and the Rev. E. S. Peake, of Nashotah. On Easter Monday, 1854, the Rev. Dr. Cole resigned the rectorship, and the Rev. E. S. Peake was chosen Rector. Mr. Peake con- tinued in charge until the autumn of 1855 ; September 1, 1855, the Rev. L. W. Davis was chosen Rector, and continued in charge until October, 1861. During the years 1862-65, the Rev. Lyman Phelps, a graduate of Nashotah, was Rector. He was succeeded in the Rectorship by the Rev. Ezra Jones, for the years 1866-69. In 1870, the Rev. A. A. Fiske was chosen Rector, and continued in charge during the five years following, or until the summer of 1855. For two years succeeding Mr. Fiske's resignation, the rectorship, of necessity, remained vacant. During this interval, the Rev. L. W. Davis, former Rector, now residing in the parish, was invited by the Wardens and Vestry, from time to time, to officiate as minister in charge. In 1878, Mr. Davis accepted a formal call to the rectorship of the church, and has continued in charge to the present time.

The Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Methodist Episcopal Church was first started by the Rev. Frink, who came here while preaching on what in an early day was known as the Watertown Circuit. The first class was composed of Mr. George W. Williams, leader; and Mrs. George W. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Day Dewy and Jonathan Dorrity, in the fall of 1841. Their services were held over the cabinet-shop of Day Dewy and Jonathan Dorrity, as a rule, although in after years, they at times used the schoolhouse. Mr. Frink was succeeded by Rev. Father Wheelock. After him, in 1843, the class was connected with the Prairieville Cir- cuit, and shared the ministry of the Revs. L. F. Moulthrop and S. Snover.

The ministers who did work on the circuit here in pioneer days, were supported prin- cipally by missionary funds, although the settlers contributed as liberally as their means would allow; yet, had it not been for said funds, it would have been many years later ere they could have enjoyed religious services. During Mr. Moulthrop's time, they had their first revival.

The first church enterprise was commenced during the pastorate of the Rev. S. W. Martin, 1849. The prime movers in the undertaking were George W. Williams and Father Washburn. A lot was donated by. John S. Rockwell, and the lumber and timber, with the exception of a few sticks, was supplied by Mr. Williams, also a part of the glass. This lumber and timber Mr. Williams had prepared to build a barn, but, for the sake of having a church, gave up the barn until four years later. Mr. Washburn furnished the stone to lay the foun- dation, drawing the same from his farm a mile distant, besides doing various other things to aid in building the church.

The church was ready for dedication by the 3d of February, 1850, when the Rev. W. G. Miller, D. D., who was preaching on the Watertown Circuit, came and performed that ceremony. From this time the church prospered, until a wolf in sheep's clothing got into the fold, in the person of the Rev. Mr. Maxon. He had been here but a short time, when his true character began to develope; he was heard by different members, using profane language, and he was also accused of other immoral practices. At first, some of the members remonstrated with him, but this only had the effect of incensing Maxon, who would not listen to any of the protests offered. Charges were then preferred against him by some of the members. At this, he went around and obtained signers to a remonstrance, both among members and outsiders. The Sunday following, he read out the names of some of his accusers, declaring that they were dropped from the church. The charges were ignored, although those who preferred them were prepared with proofs of his perfidy. The Sunday following this, twenty-one of the regular members withdrew,

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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

and within a month eighteen more left, making in all thirty-nine withdrawals. This so prostrated the church that Maxon had to call on two classes, one that had been established on Chatham street, and the other at Monterey, these being under his charge, to come and hold their services here. From this time until the departure of Maxon, and even for years after, the society was at "sixes and sevens," only gradually recovering strength with the addition of new members.

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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 108

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