USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > The history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, containing an account of settlement, growth, development and resources biographical sketches the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 91
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GOVERNMENT.
The village corporation was organized, and a charter secured, by act of Legislature approved March 30, 1854. This charter provided that the voters should meet at the District Schoolhouse, in the village, on the first Saturday of April, 1854, at 10 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of electing officers. Two Judges of Election and a Clerk were to be elected viva voce ; these to superintend the regular ballot election of officers. According to the provisions of charter these officers were, one President, ex officio Trustee, and five Trustees, a Clerk and a Treasurer. Annual elections for ensuing years were to be held on the last Monday in March, for which the Trustees must give ten days' notice, together with place of election.
This charter, it appears, was designed and secured principally for the purpose of enabling the village to obtain funds for the construction of a levee or causeway, from the east shore of the Wisconsin River to and across the island opposite to Sauk City.
The President and Trustees were authorized to raise any sum of money not exceeding $2,500 on the credit of the corporation, and secured by bonds against the corporation, to be expended on said causeway or levee, and in providing such boats and tackle as might be deemed necessary to connect the causeway with the west shore of the river or Sauk City. The rates of toll allowed for crossing were 25 cents for team of horses or cattle and wagon; 15 cents for
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
single horse and wagon or buggy ; 10 cents for man and horse; 5 cents each for horses or oxen, if not in droves ; if in droves 3 cents each ; for foot passengers the same.
On March 9, 1857, an act amendatory to the charter was granted by the Legislature in compliance with a petition of the people of Sauk City. There being no prudential provisions in the draft of the first charter, such measures as were deemed obviously necessary, were demanded and incorporated in the charter, by this act. Among the various ordinances adopted, . one for the establishment of a fire department may be especially mentioned, as it indicates par- ticularly the prudent character of the people at that early date, for many villages in adjacent localities of equal pretensions to advancement, had nothing of the kind then, nor for many years after.
April 26, 1858, an additional act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the President and Trustees of the town to borrow any sum of money not exceeding $20,000, secured by bonds on the credit of the village, for the purpose of building a bridge across the river from the cause- way or levee to the village, providing a majority of the legal voters should indorse the raising of such a sum. The money not to be borrowed for a term of years under two nor exceeding twelve, nor at a rate of interest over 12 per cent per annum.
In March, 1866, another act was passed providing for the maintenance of the bridge.
March 4, 1868, an act was passed remodeling and amending the preceding acts of the Legislature. At this time, a police or municipal court was established, the President being Police Justice, and the Marshal being constituted Constable. The establishing of streets, grades and walks was then particularly provided for, the tax-payers being permitted to pay the road tax in labor, money or material at will. J. S. Tripp drafted this amended charter.
March 8, 1870, another amendatory act was passed, by which the President and Trustees received authority to use the money received from the payment of village licenses for village purposes. This last act has proved a capital one in every respect ; as the money thus obtained is more than sufficient to pay all the expenses of the village government, and laying cross walks, digging drains, etc. After having fairly run the gamut of amendments, the town has at last got a good government.
April 1, 1854, the Judges of first election were Charles Nebel and Simon Snyder ; Clerk J., B. Quimby.
The first village officers elected by ballot were as follows : Simeon Dean, President; J. B. Quimby, Clerk ; Marcus Warner, Treasurer ; Charles Nebel, J. H. Hantzsch, Thomas Cook, F. Halbleib and A. Class, Trustees.
March 26, 1855-J. H. Hantzsch, President; C. Leland, Clerk ; Marcus Warren, Treas- urer ; Charles Halasz, Aug. Scharff, Charles Deininger, Robert Conradi and James J. Heller, Trustees.
March 31, 1856-Charles O. Baxter, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk ; Robert Conradi, Treasurer ; Charles Halasz, W. H. Guett, Max Stingelhammer and J. B. Quimby, Trustees.
March 30, 1857-Charles Halasz, President ; R. Morsbach, Clerk ; Robert Conradi, Treas- urer ; F. Siebenmann, Thomas Burnett, Curtis Bates, W. Nebel, W. H. Guett, Trustees.
March 29, 1858-Charles O. Baxter, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk ; J. H. Hantzsch, Treasurer ; A. Gilmore, C. Spiehr, W. Lenz, J. S. Tripp and J. J. Heller, Trustees.
March 28, 1859-J. S. Tripp, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk ; W. H. Guett, Treas- urer ; A. Gilmore, J. J. Heller, J. Veidt, A. Class and J. Gallard, Trustees.
March 26, 1860-J. S. Tripp, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk; C. C. Buchenau, Treasurer ; A. Gilmore, J. J. Heller, C. H. Deininger, A. Class and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees.
March 25, 1861-J. S. Tripp, President ; Dr. H. McKennan, Clerk ; C. Buchenau, Treasurer ; A. Gilmore, A. Class, Charles Deininger, J. J. Heller and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees. March 31, 1862-J. S. Tripp, President ; Robert Conradi, Clerk ; F. Schlungbaum, Treas- urer ; A. Gilmore, A. Class, Ch. Spiehr, J. J. Heller and Charles Deininger, Trustees.
March 30, 1863-J. B. Quimby, President ; J. B. Kehl, Clerk; G. B. Burrows, Treas- urer ; J. J. Heller, A. Class, A. Gilmore, Charles Nebel and M. Derleth, Trustees.
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March 28, 1864-J. B. Quimby, President ; J. B. Kehl, Clerk ; G. B. Burrows, Treasurer ; J. J. Heller, A. Class, M. Derleth, Martin Loddi and J. Veidt, Trustees.
March 27, 1865-J. B. Quimby, President ; J. B. Kehl, Clerk ; G. B. Burrows, Treasurer ; A. Class, C. Deininger, M. Stingelhammer, J. Veidt, C. Obrecht, Trustees.
March 26, 1866-J. B. Quimby, President ; H. Kleinpell, Clerk ; C. Bates, Treasurer ; A. Class, M. Stingelhammer, C. Obrecht, L. T. Stowel, and B. A. Jacobs, Trustees.
March 25, 1867-J. S. Tripp, President ; H. Kleinpell, Clerk ; Curtis Bates, Treasurer ; William H. Guett, S. Barnard, Charles Halasz, John Buerke and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees.
March 3, 1868-J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice; H. Kleinpell, Clerk ; John Buerke, Treasurer ; William H. Guett, A. Class, Charles H. Ross, Ch. Spiehr and Stephen Bernard, Trustees.
March 29, 1869-J. B. Quimby, President and Police Justice; J. S. Walser, Clerk : Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; William H. Guett, Ch. Spiehr, Stephen Bernard, A. Andres and C. Nebel, Trustees; Val Sutter, Constable and Marshal.
March 28, 1870-J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice: J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer; Ch. Schumm, A. Billiter, K. Derleth, Stephen Bernard and A. Class, Trustees ; S. Amberg, Marshal and Constable ; J. S. Tripp, Village Representative in County Board.
March 27, 1871-J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice ; John S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; Adam Class, Stephen Bernard, K. Derleth, Phil Hoefer and J. J. Heller, Trustees ; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal; Supervisor County Board, J. S. Tripp.
March 25, 1872-Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; Nick Truckenbrodt, A. Class, William Lenz, J. Thielle and John Buerke, Trustees ; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 31, 1873-Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice : J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; William Lenz, Phil Hoefer, N. Truckenbrodt, John Buerke and J. Thiehle, Trustees ; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 30, 1874-Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer; Ch. Schumm, L. Clement, J. J. Heller, J. Buerke and F. Derleth, Trustees ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 29, 1875-Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; C. Schumm, L. Clement, J. J. Heller, J. Buerke and F. Derleth, Trust- ees; Andrew Williams, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 27, 1876-Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; C. Boller, F. Derleth, F. Commans, William Dresen and John Buerke, Trustees ; M. Leikem, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 26, 1877-K. Derleth, President and Police Justice ; J. Bach, Clerk ; Ed Rend- torff, Treasurer ; William Dresen, A. Class, J. Commans, Ch. Spiehr and C. Schumm, Trustees ; J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March -, 1878-K. Derleth, President and Police Justice . J. Bach, Clerk ; Ed Rend- torff, Treasurer ; William Dresen, J. Commans, A. Class, Ch. Spiehr and C. Schumm, Trustees ; J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 31, 1879-P. Lachmund, President and Police Justice ; J. Bach, Clerk ; Ed Rend- torff, Treasurer ; H. Muehlburg, J. Weisenborn, William Dresen, C. Kouni, C. Schumm; Trust- ees; J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal ; P. Lachmund, Supervisor County Board.
March 28, 1880-Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice; J. Bach, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer; N. Truckenbrodt, George Roeser, M. Molitor, C. Spiehr and William Dresen, Trustees ; A. Morsbach, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
HOTELS.
The present hotels here are the United States Hotel and the Astor House, the latter successor in name to the old Astor House, which is now occupied by N. Truckenbrodt, saloon, which was built by M. Loddi, for C. Schreiber & C. Schneider.
The United States Hotel was built by A. Wilde, in 1850; he previously kept a sort of tavern and boarding house. After passing through various hands, it at last, in 1877, came into the hands of the present proprietor, Fred Meyer. The hotel is built in a substantial manner, and there are ample accommodations for about forty guests.
McFarland, the man who became notorious through killing Richardson, kept a select school, or sort of academy, here, about 1854, in the upper story of the United States Hotel. Besides the United States Hotel, there is but one other in the place, the Astor House. This is also a substantial brick structure, which has been built for several years. It is now kept in a very satisfactory manner by Chas. Weissenborn
MANUFACTURERS.
Although several of the old establishments are gone, there are a few left yet, with plenty of room for more. The breweries date back farther than anything else, and of those there are at present four. The oldest of these is Linckugals, which was in operation as early as 1850. At present it has a capacity of about 1,000 barrels per annum, but not more than 500 are manu- factured. The next one built was by Charles Deininger, who began operations as early as 1851. This brewery was purchased by William Lenz, in 1868. He has enlarged and improved it until it has now a capacity of about 1,200 barrels per annum, but not more than 500 to 800 are made each year. Max Stingelhammer's brewery was built next in 1852, and run by him until he bought the bridge. Since that time it has been run by various parties; George Kazer now owns it. It has a capacity of from 500 to 800 barrels per annum. Joseph Shor built a brewery a little west of the village in 1866. About a year after, Nick Dropon bought in, and within five years was the owner of the institution. His widow now runs it. It has a capacity of from 500 to 800 barrels per annum. The entire product of these breweries is sold here and in this vicinity, and besides, some years there are as many as 500 barrels more brought in from abroad to supply the demand.
SASH, DOOR AND BLIND FACTORY AND PLANING MILLS.
The fine establishment of Philip Hoefer was begun in 1867, the first part, 24x40, being built by J. P. Tarnutzer at that time. In 1870, Mr. Hoefer became owner, and, between 1872 and 1874, he made improvements on the building by adding another story and putting up an addition. His business from the first having been prosperous, he finally determined to increase the capacity of the mill very largely, by putting up a large building and adding the latest and best machinery to be had. Having perfected his plans, he began the first of this year and erected a large building, in addition to what he already had, 40x80, with lean-to 18x40. The machinery, which is very complete in every particular, is driven by a thirty-horse-power engine, which Mr. H. says is the best he ever saw. The engine is thoroughly protected by a substan- tial stone house, 28x32, erected in 1876. The mill has a capacity of fifty doors or 100 sash or blinds per day. This is said to be the finest factory of its kind in the county. Mr. Lachmund has a planing-mill here, established by him in connection with his lumber-yard in 1877. This mill is used exclusively for planing and making molding, and is completely fitted throughout for its work.
PHYSICIANS AND ATTORNEYS.
The following physicians have resided in Prairie du Sac : Dr. Nichols, A. P. Cummings, Stephen Coburn, Corydon Farr, Samuel Bell, Fred H. Conger, D. H. Whitford, Dr. Hooper, Samuel H. Bassenger, Samuel M. Blake, Jonathan Watring and Charles P. Reily.
Attorneys resided in Prairie du Sac : A. Eastland, Alexander Ostrander, R. J. Harvey, Smith S. Wilkinson, H. J. Kelsey, George DeGrow Moore, J. H. Northup, R. K. Wilkinson, William T. Kelsey.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
POST OFFICE.
The post office was established here in rather an original manner. At the time Simeon Dean was appointed, about 1851 or 1852, the office was at Prairie du Sac, and had been there always before that time, but, as Mr. Dean was a resident of Sauk City, it was proposed to move the office down there rather than have the Postmaster move to Prairie du Sac. Accordingly twenty or twenty-five men from Sauk City went up to Prairie du Sac one day and took the office paraphernalia-" will you, nill you ? "-and moved it to Sauk City. The office was kept in Mr. Dean's store until about 1854, when the store burned. It was then moved into a stone ware- house, now a part of Mr. Schoenfeldt's store. In 1854, Mr. Dean resigned, and F. A. Hoffman was immediately appointed. The people were very much displeased at this change, and requested Mr. Dean not to relinquish the office until they could send a petition to the Postmaster General to have some one else appointed. A petition was circulated, and all but seven of the citizens signed it, to have E. C. Watson appointed, which was done soon after. Mr. Watson did not hold the office long before J. S. Tripp was appointed, who kept post office in his present office. In 1861, after Lincoln's election, the Republicans of this section hield a meeting and took a vote as to whom they would like to have for Postmaster ; this vote resulted in the election of William H. Guett, who, being appointed, kept the office where Mrs. Lemm's millinery store now is. Mr. Guett lield the office until 1866, when Conrad Kuoni succeeded him. At that time, C. Obrecht put up a small room, an addition to the store he was then keeping, to be used as a post office. This store is now a tin-shop and the post office room a barber shop. Eventu- ally, Mr. Kuoni, who still holds the office, moved it to his store, where the office now is.
THE BRIDGE.
The first method of crossing the Wisconsin here was on a sort of flatboat, built by B. Hany in 1839, which had to be poled over. This institution, with rights and privileges, was pur- chased by Count Haraszthy after he came. This method of transportation was largely improved by him, but was not then, or for many years subsequent, satisfactory or desirable. But when the first charter was granted, in 1854, a radical improvement was made by construct- ing a levee from the east bank of the river, and by running a convenient ferry-boat from the island over the principal channel to the town. This method of transportation satisfied the people for a time, but, as Prairie du Sac had a bridge, they wanted one also. This the Upper Town folks opposed, but at last, by the amendment of 1858, they secured the right to raise funds and build a bridge. Immediately after the righit was granted by the Legislature, bids for building were advertised for by the town authorities, and within a short time the contract for doing the work was let to J. B. Woodruff. Mr. Woodruff went to work and succeeded in getting two spans done next the west bank, then failed. The bridge interest then passed into the hands of Marcus Warren. In August of 1860, the bridge was finished. After Warren, H. Miller and Mr. Worthington had control of it, and eventually Miller became sole proprietor. He soon after sold to Charles Nabel. Mr. Nabel had had the bridge but a few weeks, when on came a freshet and swept out two spans ; he then sold back to Miller. Soon after this, in July, 1866, Max Stin- gelhammer bought in; they then rebuilt the two spans, and also replaced the draw. The follow- ing year, Mr. Stingelhammer bought out Mr. Miller. In 1878, a terrible storm came, and so affected the draw and two west spans that they had to be rebuilt. This time they were built of iron by a Milwaukee firm, the cost, with repairing of piers, etc., being about $9,000. The village advanced $4,000 on bonds, and gave $1,000 toward this work. The whole cost of repairing and rebuilding since Mr. S. has been connected with the bridge has been $32,000. The old part of the bridge will be replaced by iron eventually. The rates of toll are provided by the charter. The bridge paid from $5,000 to $6,000 per annum at one time, but does not now pay more than $3,000. The village furnish the funds necessary to maintain it in part and take security on the bridge. At some future day it may become the property of the corporation ; then it will proba- bly be a free bridge.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The records of this school (District No. 5) date back to 1847 only. But, as previously stated, there was a school here as early as 1841. Who the first teacher was, or what the num- ber of pupils, remains unknown. The first male teacher, recorded as having been employed here, taught in the winter of 1850-51. The schoolhouse at that time was valued at $500, with half an acre of land on which it stood. It had two rooms, with entry.
In 1860, a committee of carpenters and masons was appointed, at the annual meeting, to draft a plan for a new schoolhouse and make an estimate of costs. This being done, and the tax-payers approving, a contract was let to Charles Nabel, Jan. 27, 1861, to build according to plan. The house is a substantial structure, built of brick, having two rooms and entries. It was finished in 1860, and cost, when completed, $2,096.22 In January of 1862, it was conse- crated by a celebration in honor of educational interests, on which occasion F. G. J. Lueders was principal speaker. In 1871, and in 1874, additional frame buildings were erected. The one erected in 1871 cost about $750; the other, with hall, cost about $650. In 1877, a high school department was established, the Principal having supervision over the lower departments, which are three. The estimated value of the property is at present $3,825, besides a school library con- taining 326 volumes. The first recorded treasurer's bond was $200, now it is $6,000. Total money raised in 1850, for school expenses, was $250.17; on the other hand, the sum expended on the school this year (1880), amounts to $2,123.68. The number of male school children in 1850 was 85, females 88; the average attendance 97. . Now the number of school children in the district is 185 males and 217 females, with an average attendance of 262. The first male teacher received $50 for teaching the winter school in 1850. Now the Principal here commands from $800 to $1,200 per annum. Several meetings were held this year (1880) for the purpose of making arrangements for erecting a commodious new school building. However, nothing has been accomplished thus far. It should be mentioned that a French and English boarding- school was opened here in the spring of 1854 by H. J. Turner, which run a few years, accommodating not more than thirty pupils at any time.
FIRE COMPANIES AND FIRES.
Previous to 1854, there was neither a fire extinguisher nor fire company in Sauk City, much as they may have been needed, and then, in all probability, there would not have been either, had not J. J. Heller, on realizing the unprotected condition of property, had a small hand-engine constructed, during the early portion of that year, for his individual use. This extinguisher though small and somewhat rude in construction, was, nevertheless, quite ingeniously gotten up, embracing the salient principles embodied in the best of engines, and was vastly superior to no engine at all.
On the Fourth of July, 1854, the oldest house in town caught fire, while the tenants were away celebrating, and before it was discovered, it had so far advanced, that, had not the little engine come to the rescue, it must needs have perished. Thus to the work of this primitive affair is Mr. Rendtorff indebted for the preservation of this relic of by gone days. It is said that troubles never come singly, and sure enough, again this year, on November 21, there was another fire. This time Simeon Dean's store, tin-shop, barn and four horses were destroyed, and Charles Nabel's house and store and Mr. Klutch's cooper-shop were also burned. This fire, for so young a town, was a very large one, and caused the men of the place to think it about time that they should prepare some sort of a defense against this common enemy. Accordingly, a public meeting was held December 26, 1854, to consider the question. Charles O. Baxter and Cyrus Leland were elected President and Secretary, and a committee was appointed to consider a plan of action. The committee, after due deliberation, recommended an organization consist- ing of four departments ; first, an engine corps ; second, hook and ladder ; third, bucket company ; fourth, rescue and protection, with a Captain of entire company, and Captain to each depart- ment. The second meeting was held January 2, 1855, when the previous recommendations
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were acted upon, and the company permanently organized. John A. Hantzsch was elected provisional Captain of the company ; J. J. Heller, Captain first department ; W. Cook, Captain second department ; F. Frenzel, Captain third department. The fourth department was filled Soon after this the company, out of September 20, 1857, the company by the rifle company, who volunteered to supply the place. personal funds, provided hooks, ladders, and tin buckets. was recognized, and incorporated by the town authorities, in conformity with the provisions of the amended charter of that year. In August, 1859, a hook and ladder wagon was purchased. With these few appliances the company got along for nearly three years more, then $225 was raised, partly by subscription, to purchase a small hand-engine. This was bought in Mil- waukee, and arrived here on the 21st of April, 1862. Then the company for the first time felt that they were prepared to render really efficient service. The balance of the money needed to pay for the engine was raised by giving a picnic in Stingle- hammer's grove. The company also purchased a lot for their use this spring (1862), and succeeded in persuading the town authorities to build an engine-house. A few years subsequent, the village purchased a large hand-engine, and various equipments, from the Madison Fire Department, costing about $1,200, so that now, considering the needs of the place, the company is very fairly provided for. The company has on all occasions given evi- dence of willingness to do and has, through its exertions, has saved a good deal of valuable property at different times. About the first house saved was J. J. Heller's, in May, 1862. In 1867, Mr. Hoffman's house, now the Catholic priest's dwelling, was saved. Very soon after the company succeeded in putting the fire out at Lenz's brewery. While Viedt & Lachmund were keep- ing store where Van Eschen now is, on May 2, 1875, the building caught on fire and was saved. When the fire of June 3, 1877, broke out, and burned Charles Nebel's store, erected in 1851, and William Phillips' and Nick Truckenbrodt's buildings, south of the old Astor House first known as the Leibig house, the fire company managed to save the hotel, which is yet standing, and Mr. Conradi's drug store. Taken all in all, the record of the company is first-class.
SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
Singing Society .- German social life is never complete without social singing, or singing societies ; and nothing conduces more to harmony of feeling than engaging in evoking the almost divine harmonies of sound that have been evolved by the master minds in music during past ages. Germany is the land of great composers, and where the people are all lovers of the sublime art, and her sons and daughters, wherever we find them, still maintain the national excellence in this particular. When the first gathering for social singing was convened here, no one can tell, but doubtless at a very early day ; and even the exact date when a permanent organization was formed, cannot be given, as the Secretary's books were burned in Trucken- brodt's fine hall three years ago. However, the society is about twenty-six years old, being one of the oldest in the State. The first members were, as nearly as can be ascertained, Robert Morsback, John Klutch, Edward Rendtorff, Max Stinglehammer, H. Schlegelmilch, Edward Kuehn, Theodore Schramm and D. Heick. Robert Morsback was Leader. There are now forty-six members, twenty-five of whom are singers, the remainder being passive members. Charles Naffz is Leader. The present officers are H. Schlegelmilch, President; Max Stingel- hammer, Vice President ; John Buerki, Secretary ; Edward Rendtorff, Treasurer; Edward Stadel- mann, Librarian ; H. W. Thede, Standard Bearer. The officers are elected annually. The first standard was presented by the ladies in 1862. Last New Year's the society celebrated for their twenty-fifth anniversary.
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