USA > Wisconsin > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches > Part 63
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Watertown Bible Society .- Organized, January, 1848, by the election of the following officers : Heber Smith, President; Rev. Melancthon Hoyt, Vice President; George W. Brecken- ridge, Treasurer ; William Dutcher, Secretary. Sub-agents-Mollie Andrews, Andrew Swap,
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Ine. Cowin, Rowland Blackmer, Griffith Griffith, William Dunlavy, Asa Rogers, A. Mead, C. Adams, E. Higgins, O. Bennett, C. Forbes, Mrs. Reed, Miss Gemmy, Dr. Breckenridge, Mrs. White and Mrs. Montjoy. The purposes of the Society, as set forth in their constitution, are " the promotion of the circulation of the Scriptures without note or comments." Article II reads : "This Society shall be auxiliary to the Jefferson County Bible Society, and after supply- ing the destitute within its own limits, shall pay over its surplus funds to that Society to aid in supplying the destitute of other places." The report of the Treasurer for 1870 showed the value of books on hand to be $142; value of books sold during the year, $84.20; donated, $3.85; cash on hand. at the close of the year, $79.48; received from collections and donations, $33.21; paid American Bible Society for books, $130.66; as donation, $20. The present officers of the Society are : C. B. Skinner, President ; Charles Roth, Vice President ; Conrad Dippel, Secretary and Treasurer. Executive Committee, Dr. W. T. Whyte, G. W. Eberle, William Herbst, Sr., A. K. M. Pickert, Hermann Heismann, Prof. A. W. Easterday and D. K. Jones. The Society's Depository is at F. Babenath's bookstore.
MANUFACTORIES.
The perpetual hum of machinery along the banks of Rock River tells the story, and the heavily laden freight cars which leave daily for the East and South reveal the secret of the growth and prosperity of Watertown.
A jaunt through the various mills and manufactories in Watertown cannot fail to impress one with the important part they take in the history of the city. Let us mentally mingle with the wheels and saws.
Empire and Brick Flouring-Mills .- The history of this property presents an interesting study for the chronographer, and, as a matter of record, must prove valuable to the almost num- berless individuals who have been interested in it or identified with its growth. It was first known as the " old yellow mill," which was built by Luther A. Cole and Edmund S. Bailey in 1842, on the east side of the river. In 1843, the firm took in as partners Ebenezer Cole. now deceased, and Linus R. Cady. The next change in the management was the leasing of the entire property by Mr. Bailey and Ebenezer Cole. It continued under this regime for several years, until after the building of the " big brick mill," in 1848, by the two latter gentle- men.
In 1852, Luther Cole purchased his brother's interest in the " old yellow mill," while Mr. Bailey's share was purchased by Mr. Cady. In 1854, Messrs. Cole & Cady sold the prop- erty to H. W. Blanchard. for $26,000. Mr. Blanchard remained in possession of the property until his death, and. in 1871, Fred Miller and J. H. Sleeper bought it of the Blanchard estate. Philip Quentmeyer became the purchaser of Mr. Sleeper's interest, and the firm is now known as F. Miller & Co.
It is necessary to go back to 1848, the year the Emerald (now the Empire) Mill was built by Fay & Cramer, of Milwaukee, on the west side of the river. Various individuals have been con- nected with this establishment, including Messrs. Potter and Ford, as lessces, and Enos Salsich, who purchased it of Fay & Cramer, and afterward sold it to the Bank of Watertown. George Smith and Dr. Hoyt, of Beaver Dam, were the next owners of the property. Mr. Smith subse- quently became the sole proprietor, and, during his ownership, the mill was entirely destroyed by fire. He rebuilt it, and after running it about a year, financial troubles compelled him to turn it over to the First National Bank. Christian May became the purchaser from the Bank, and soon afterward (1874), a consolidation took place between Miller & Quentmeyer and Mr. May, the three mills being operated under one management. Mr. Quentmeyer subsequently sold his interest to Weber & Son, for $18,500. The firm is now F. Miller & Co. The extent of the business trans- acted is given at $100,000. A large quantity of the productions of these mills is sold in Europe. In 1871, twelve men were employed; now there are thirty. In May last, the storehouse con- nected with the mills was destroyed by fire; loss, $5,000.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Eclipse Mills .- Located in the Seventh Ward, at the east end of Boomer's dam. For- merly a saw-mill, built by Lyman E. Boomer in 1847, in conjunction with the dam, a charter for which was granted January 23 of that year, to John Richards, D. W. Kellogg and L. E. Boomer. Several years afterward, Mr. Boomer sold out to James Hill and William S. Taylor, who, on the 9th of March, 1868, disposed of the property to A. Notebohm. In October of the same year, Fred Misegades became the purchaser. He converted the saw-mill into a flour- ing-mill, and on October 11, 1872, sold to Benjamin Nute, Sr., who rebuilt the dam and remod- eled the mill. In October, 1875, the property was rented to George F. Schempf & Son, and in April, 1878, Mr. Nute having died December 1, 1877, it reverted to Benjamin Nute, Jr., and Dwight B. Nute, who still control it, under the firm name of B. & D. B. Nute.
Bennett's Thrashing Machine Factory .- Established in 1855 by F. E. Shandrew, who failed during the crash of 1857. The institution then passed to the hands of J. Hall, who soon afterward sold to Taylor & Hill. In 1868, the firm changed to Taylor & Johnson, and in July, 1869, it became Johnson & Smith. In December of the same year, J. B. Bennett suc- ceeded Mr. Johnson, the firm being known as Smith & Bennett until July, 1873, when Mr. Bennett became the sole proprietor. The works have been developed to three times their capac- ity of ten years ago. July 4, 1873, the roof of the establishinent was blown off, one of the massive brick walls caving in at the same time. In July. 1879, the institution was almost totally destroyed by fire ; loss, $10,000; insurance, $3,400. The work of repairing is now going on. It is one of the leading manufacturing establishments in Watertown. The " Watertown Separa- tor " is in general use throughout the State. The mounted horse-power and the portable steam engine are among the implements manufactured at this establishment.
Watertown Woolen Mills .- Established in 1844 by Simeon Ford. It is supposed to be the oldest institution of the kind in the State. About 1858, Daniel Jones became interested in the concern, and until recently was known as its sole owner. In the spring of 1877, D. P. Price leased the factory of Mr. Jones, and, in September of the present year, purchased it out- right. Owing to the inconvenience arising from a scarcity of water in Rock River during the summer months, Mr. Pierce has recently put a 25-horse-power engine, together with a considerable amount of new machinery, into the factory. Cassimeres, flannels and yarns are the chief productions of these looms. The factory has a capacity of 150 to 200 yards a day of this kind of material, and requires from twenty to twenty-five operatives to run it to its fullest extent.
Steam Bakery and Confectionery .- In 1865, M. J. & G. S. Woodard established a steam bakery and confectionery in Watertown, constructing a handsome brick building for that purpose on Water street. The original capital employed was $1,500. In 1868, S. S. Woodard was added to the firm, and a year later it became Woodard Bros. & Stone. In 1871, further changes in the management were made, Mr. S. S. Woodard retiring. The style of the firm then became Woodard & Stone, and has remained as such to the present time. The amount of capital invested now is placed at $60,000. During the past year, $145,000 worth of business was transacted. About forty different kinds of crackers are manufactured at this establishment, together with a full line of confectionery. The trade extends throughout Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan. On the 28th of January last, a fire occurred in the factory, resulting in damages to the extent of $2,500.
Pipe Organ Manufactory .- Established in 1873 by E. C. Gaebler, one of whose instru- ments is how in use in one of the Lutheran Churches of Watertown. It is twenty feet long, fifteen feet wide and twelve feet deep ; contains twenty-eight stops, two banks of keys, one set of pedals, and over fourteen hundred pipes from sixteen feet to three-fourths of an inch in length. Similar instruments sell in New York for $5,000. Mr. Gaebler manfactures them for half that sum. Mr. Gaebler made melodeons in Watertown twenty years ago, but now finds himself unable to compete with machinery in this line.
Soap Factory .- In 1855, Meyer & Pfundheller established a soap and candle factory on the east side of the river, near the county line. In 1856, it passed to the hands of Dinijes &
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Co., who, in 1858. sold to G. Werlich & Co. The latter firm was succeeded in 1860 by G. Eberle & Co., who carried on the institution until 1873, when Philip Schmidt became the pro- prictor, and has remained as such to the present time. The factory has a capacity of 25,000 pounds of soap and candles per weck. Twenty kinds of toilet soap and eight of laundry are now manufactured. Mr. Schmidt makes a specialty of castile and cocoa-nnt oil soaps, which are of a superior brand.
Breweries .- The manufacture of beer is one of the principal industries in Watertown. Besides supplying a large local custom, the demand for Watertown brands of this beverage is such as to make its manufacture as profitable as it is extensive. C. M. Ducasse brewed the first beer for the thirsty citizens of Watertown in a rude and diminutive establishment located about four miles north of the village. He made weekly trips to Watertown. with a few kegs in a cart drawn by a yoke of oxen. It is said the fluid was " so dark yon couldn't see a frog in it." It is not disputed. however, that a great many persons were very fond of looking for one, well aware that they never would find it.
Fuermann's Empire Brewery .- This concern was established in 1848 by the gentleman whose name it bears. It was soon enabled to supply the demand in Watertown, and, under the impulse of prosperity, increased its capacity at various times in order to fill the growing require- ments for this particular beverage of the thirsty denizens of Chicago and other villages. Eleven thousand barrels a year is the average production of this brewery. The establishment covers one acre of ground. Connected therewith is an ice-house 52x100 feet and 80 feet high ; also a bottling department with a capacity of five barrels per day. The capital invested is stated to be $100,000.
City Brewery .- This institution was opened in 1854 by Joseph Bursinger, employing three men and abont $2,000 capital, until its success compelled an increase of both. Five thousand barrels of beer is the annual production of this establishment at the present time, necessitating the employment of about $80.000 capital. This beer, it is claimed, is made of pure malt and hops, and has no drug of any kind in it. Shipments are made throughout Wisconsin.
Rock River Distillery .- A hand-mash eoneern, with a capacity of about two barrels of high- wines per day : located on the old plank-road to Milwaukee, and built about 1845 by Tigler & Greve. The successive managers of the concern have been Mr. Gregg, Messrs. Neisser, Jacoby Miller, Toussaint & Vandel. and J. J. Toussaint, the latter being the present proprictor. The institution has been idle for the past three years. Mr. Toussaint carries on a rectifying estab- lishment in connection therewith, which is located in Watertown at the east end of the Main strect bridge.
Eaton's Soda- Water Factory .- Established in 1868. on Water street, for the purpose of manufacturing all kinds of mineral waters. The original firm was Eaton & Green. Mr. Green soon retired from the business, being succeeded by M. J. Woodard. Finally, Mr. S. M. Eaton became the sole proprietor. The enterprise, still a profitable one, has suffered somewhat from the effects of the sharp competition which has grown up in the different eities and villages, but the excellence of its productions-especially its Seltzer water, which is declared to be equal to the famous German brands-places it in the van of this character of manufactories in Wisconsin.
Wagon Factories .- Green & Reed carried on the first wagon and carriage factory in Water- town. It was located on First street, on or near the present site of Doering's mill, and was established about 1842. It has long since gone out of existence.
Richard Jones built and conducted the second institution of this character in Watertown, in 1846, on West Water street. Since that time, Mr. Jones has taught the business to eightcen different persons, some of whom are still following it in Watertown. The first of this number was F. Misegades, who joined Mr. Jones as a partner and assistant in 1847, remaining with him ten years. A dissolution then took place, Mr. Misegades retiring from the old firm and begin- ning business a few doors north on his own account. In 1867, a consolidation took place between the managers of the two interests, Mr. Misegades resuming his place at his old appren- tice beneh. In 1875, the partnership again ceased. Mr. Misegades has re-established "at the
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
old stand." "There was a time." says Mr. Jones, " when my sales reached seventy wagons a year," but competition and hard times have had ill effect upon trade. I shall probably sell fifteen or twenty this year."
Charles Krueger built a wagon-shop, in 1854, on Third street, on the site of Father Hoyt's Church, which was burned down. Mr. Krueger had carried on the business in the rear of the church for several years previous. The establishment is now leased by John Koeler, who learned his trade with Krueger.
Gotfried Krump established a wagon factory, in 1857, near Smith's bridge. In 1862, while in the forest cutting timbers to build a new shop on Sixth street, he was killed by a fall- ing tree. August Krump, son of the unfortunate Gotfried, completed the work, and now carries on the business, in conjunction with Gotleib Sprenger, who rents a portion of the factory and does the wood-work.
S. T. & J. H. Bolles established in this business on South First street in 1859. The firm soon afterward became Weisert & Bolles, and. in 1874, changed to Bolles & Prochazka. Four men employed ; manufacture from forty to fifty buggies and wagons every year.
In 1862, James Killian commenced making wagons on the east side of South First street. In 1870, he moved to the west side of the street, where he has ever since remained ; wagons, buggies and sleighs.
J. D. Casey established on South Water street in 1873; employs four men; makes the Casey wagon.
Edward Davis, South First street : established fifteen years ago; wagons and buggies.
Carriage Trimmer .- About ten years ago, H. F. Cox opened out on First street as a car- riage trimmer. He was succeeded by J. T. Pierce in 1876, who located on the east side of the street, and, after a brief period, removed to the west side in Bolles & Prochazha's carriage fac- tory. October 6, 1878, he went back to the east side of the street. His business is principally retopping buggies.
Pump-Making .- W. M. Ames and Edward Cohen have manufactured and repaired water- pumps on South First street at various times, individually and collectively, for the past twenty years, turning out from one to five hundred annually.
Cooperage .- Nathan Beckwith built the first cooper-shop in Watertown, and manufactured the first barrels in 1846. He was located in what is now the First Ward. George E. Nixon was employed by Mr. Beckwith for a short time, but in 1847 went into business on his own account, building himself a "four-hand shop" on the west side of the river, near the woolen- mill, in the midst of a dense forest, being compelled to cut away large trees in order to obtain a site. Mr. Nixon has made several additions to his original shop, until now it has a capacity of 10,000 pieces a year-lard-tierces, butter-firkins and flour-barrels. Mr. Nixon manufactures largely for the Chicago market.
In 1852, Green Bros. built a saw-mill in the Sixth Ward. Atwater & Co., Bessler & Web- ster and O. B. Sanford were the successive proprietors. Mr. Sanford made various additions to the mill, putting in machinery for a stave-factory, and building a cooper-shop. In 1869, he sold to Chris. May and Fred Miller, who put in a new engine and fixed up the property gener- ally, adding to it a department for the manufacture of bedsteads, which they rented to Peter May. Messrs. May & Miller have greatly enlarged the cooper-shop, where they now employ twenty-four men in the manufacture of all kinds of coopers' ware, principally flour-barrels ; 80,000 picces a year have been turned out at this establishment, but this number has been greatly diminished since the introduction and use of flour-sacks by the millers. Fifteen hands are employed in the stave-factory and saw-mill when in operation.
In 1854, D. Kehr established a cooper-shop at the corner of Second and Cole streets, where he still continues to manufacture barrels, etc., on a small scale.
Charles Ahrenberg established in 1856, at the corner of Sixth and Cady streets, where he now employs five men, and manufactures between two and three thousand pieces a year, most of them being shipped to Chicago pork-packers.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Andrea Ammen, corner of Eighth and County Line streets, established in 1861; pork and flour barrels ; 1,000 a year.
Andrew & John Zickert, established in 1865, near the corner of Jones and Fifth streets. In 1876, John Zickert withdrew from the firm. From six to eight men are now employed in the manufacture of pork-barrels and lard-tierces, between four and five thousand being made annually.
In 1865, Bertram & Wegner erected a steam saw-mill, heading and stave factory and cooper-shop, on West avenue, near the North-Western depot. The partnership closed in 1866, and, in March, 1867, the property was deeded to Benjamin Nute, George W. Perry and Daniel Hall. Two months later, Mr. Perry withdrew, the firm becoming B. Nute & Co. Mr. Nute died December 1, 1877, and the property was transferred, by quitclaim deed of heirs, April 12, 1879, to Benjamin Nute, Jr., and Horace Nute, the firm now being known as B. & H. Nute.
S. Bumgartner, corner of Second and Green streets ; L. Giese, Hustisford street, near Chester ; L. Prochazka, Third and Spring streets, and W. Whidoft, Hustisford, near Lynn streets, complete the list of coopers in Watertown.
Tanneries .- The first institution of this character in Watertown was located just below the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad bridge. It was established about 1850, by George Washing- ton Griffith, who carried it on for a few years and then sold to George Mevis. It was soon after- ward destroyed by fire.
In 1856, Jacob Cech and Martin Hopf owned and operated a tannery on the west side of the river, in the northern part of the city. In 1859, Mr. Cech withdrew and established a sim- ilar concern on the east side of the river, in the Sixth Ward, and carried it on till 1873, when it passed into the hands of his son, Charles Cech, the present proprietor. Mr. Cech also deals in leather and shoe findings, on North Second street.
In 1866, A. Wegemann and A. Gardwohl built a tannery in the Sixth Ward, on the east side of the river. In 1868, Mr. Gardwohl retired from the business, and it has since been con- ducted by Mr. Wegeman, who, in connection therewith, carries on a wholesale establishment at the corner of Madison and Second streets, where he deals in all kinds of leather, hides, find- ings, etc.
Cigar Factories .- Two millions a year is a fair estimate of the number of cigars manufac- tured in Watertown. Of this number, Wiggenhorn Brothers, the proprietors of the second largest factory of the kind in the State, and the oldest now in existence in Watertown, make about a million and a half. This factory was established in 1858 by Eugene Wiggenhorn, who, for some months afterward, was the solitary workman in it. In 1862, his business had increased to such an extent that the services of ten men became necessary. In July, 1868, Constanz Wiggenhorn became a partner in the concern, the firm thereafter being known as Wiggenhorn Brothers. They now employ from forty to fifty hands in the work of manufacturing, packing, etc. Their goods are sold throughout Wisconsin and in parts of Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.
In 1861, A. F. Miller commenced the manufacture of cigars on the north side of Main street, near Third. The business grew slowly but permanently into a profitable enterprise, and now requires the services of seven men. Mr. Miller does an extensive jobbing trade, manufac- turing about a quarter of a million cigars annually.
In 1873, Louis Kehr opened a cigar factory on North Second street, and conducted it on a small scale until 1876, when increased trade compelled him to seek larger quarters and addi- tional help. Ile is now located on Main street, near Second, where he employs three workmen, and turns out about one hundred and twenty thousand cigars a year. He ships throughout Wisconsin.
In the spring of 1879, Charles Becker, set up in business as a cigar manufacturer in the Sixth Ward.
The most recent institution of this character, which "hopes to solicit a share of the public patronage," is that of Schlueter Brothers, established July 10, 1879, at the east end of Main street ; capacity, 6,000 a month.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Planing-Mills, etc .- There are three institutions in Watertown where the steam planer sings its deafening and monotonous song, and the frisky buzz-saw reaps its periodical harvest of fingers and thumbs. The first of these was established by R. E. & G. B. Lewis in 1861. The articles manufactured are doors, blinds, sash, cheese-boxes, honey-boxes and beehives. In 1870, G. B. Lewis purchased his brother's interest, and, in October, 1878, took into partnership Charles E. Parks, the style of the firm now being Lewis & Park3.
Sometime during the same year, Chr. Meyer built a similar institution on the present site of Doering's mill. In 1864, he purchased 100 inches of water, and located beside Bennett's foundry, where he conducted the business till the spring of 1875, when he discontinued the wholesale trade and entered into the business of a contractor and builder, manufacturing articles for his own use in his mill, and filling a few local orders. Mr. Meyer learned the business with Dart Brothers in Buffalo, N. Y., coming to Watertown in 1856, and working at the carpenter's trade until 1861. Employs an average of eight men.
Eleven years ago, Philip Heinrichs commenced making bedsteads and chairs in a building adjoining Chris May's stave-factory. More recently, he put in machinery for the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, etc., and now employs eighteen men. He makes frequent shipments of various articles of furniture to Iowa, Minnesota and different parts of Wisconsin.
Lindon's Packing-house .- Located on South Water street, opposite the American House. Established in 1855 by Joseph Lindon. The business has been somewhat variable, depending largely upon the local supply of hogs and the prices abroad. In 1863, the business reached its maximum, about $100,000 worth of bacon, hams, etc., being packed and shipped to Europe, New York, Chicago, Milwaukee and the pineries of Wisconsin.
Ice-Houses .- Fifteen thousand tons of ice are now (August, 1879), stored in the ice- houses of Watertown. S. M. Eaton built the first establishment of this kind in Watertown in 1870. He has two buildings, one in the rear of his soda factory, and the other half a mile up the river, with an aggregate capacity of 15,000 tons. A Chicago firm erected a large building near Mr. Eaton's upper repository, last winter, where they now have 10,000 tons stored. Large shipments are made to Chicago during the summer. Near the close of the ice harvest of 1876, when there was a prospect for a decided scarcity of this article in Chicago, several enterprising individuals of that city came to Watertown, and, marshaling every available man and horse in the community, commenced the work of gathering ice from Rock River and shipping it to the Gar- den City. Over two hundred men were employed in the work for several weeks, about $10,000 being invested in the enterprise. On one occasion, while this army of men were being paid off at the saloon of O. Auwers, near the North-Western depot, the floor of the saloon gave way, and thirty or forty persons were precipitated into the cellar below. No one was injured, however, but several very laughable incidents occurred. One man was " doubled-up like a jack-knife in a barrel of soft soap. Another was stopped suddenly in his descent by a basket of eggs.
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