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 Manitowoc County History
HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES; AN EXTENSIVE SKETCH OF ITS
COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES,
THEIR IMPROVEMENTS, INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTORIES; BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN AND EARLY SETTLERS;
VIEWS OF COUNTY SEATS, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO: THE WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY A. T. ANDREAS, PROPRIETOR, 1881.
Transcribed for Genealogy Trails by Debbie Baker
STORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
MANITOWOC
NATURAL ADVANTAGES.
Manitowoc County borders the western shore of Lake Michigan, lying south of Brown and Kewaunee counties, north
of Sheboygan and east of Calumet. It contains an area of nearly 600 square miles. The land is generally undulating,
presenting the usual pleasant diversities of a section which bears evidence of never having been disturbed by any
unusual convulsion of nature. The only marked natural feature of the county is the existence of what are called
the " Potash Kettle Hills," a suggestive chain of elevations, in places rough and broken, which extend
from southwest to northeast. They are supposed to have been formed by glacial action, and are from one to ten miles
in width. The underlying strata of rock are Niagara limestone, the lower coral beds, and those only, being exposed
principally along the valley of the West Twin River, in Cooperstown. This regularity of surface, combined with
the fact that the prevailing soils are a red marly clay, strongly impregnated with lime, make the county a favorable
one for agricultural purposes. The soil is generally strong as well as fertile, and grows easily all the grains,
fruits and grasses. In the valleys it is of a sandy mixture. Oats, wheat, potatoes, rye and barley are especially
prolific, as will be seen by figures which follow. The dairy products are also a source of great revenue to the
farmers of the county. During 1880, 459,565 pounds of cheese, and; 478,068 pounds of butter were made. The surface
of the country is watered by the Manitowoc and Twin rivers, the former draining over half the territory. In its
southern and southwestern portion are numbers of small lakes, such as Prairie, Pigeon, Wilke and Cedar; also little
creeks which serve to add to its natural attractiveness and to its value as a grazing and farming country. The
most valuable of the pine, oak and hemlock forests which formerly covered so large a portion of its surface, have
disappeared before the ravages of saw-mills, ship yards and tanneries. There yet remain, however, for building
purposes inexhaustible beds of limestone and clay of a superior quality. By nature, Manitowoc County is certainly
rich, and as one source of her wealth is being exhausted, another springs to view.
GENERAL HISTORY
The name " Manitowoc" is an Indian word, or a combination of two Algonquin words, translated " The
Place of the Manitou," "The Home of the Good Spirit," or " The Den of the Devil." It is
uncertain whether the good or the evil spirit gives Manitowoc its name, but tradition runs to the effect that a
spirit was wont to haunt the mouth of the river. The earliest tribes said to have inhabited the county were the
Mascoutins, who, according to Canadian voyageurs, hunted the country lying along the western shore of Lake Michigan.
Later came the Ottawas, Chippewas, Winnebagoes, Menomonees and Pottawatomies, who wandered over this region, hunting
and fishing. The Chippewas and Menomonees seemed to have chosen the region near the mouth of Manitowoc River and
along the coast for their "Summer resorts," and in Winter moved further back into the interior. The other
tribes except the Pottawatomies, had either disappeared from this section entirely, or merely held an undefined
claim upon the territory, when the first white men commenced to appear in force. This period may be said to have
commenced in 1822, when the trail from the south along the lake shore was first opened to Green Bay. Explorers
from the North and South, and travelers with supplies for the garrison at Fort Howard, stopped, now and then, at
different points in what is now Manitowoc County, and especially at the mouth of the river. The Indians were generally
peaceable, and when travelers stopped to settle and put up their rough shanties, exchanged their venison and wild
cranberries for the pork with which the pioneers were supplied. Their brisk and quite large settlements at Manitowoc
and Manitowoc Rapids were abandoned, and their cornfields abandoned. The Menomonees and Pottawatomies relinquished
all claim upon their lands, although in some portions of the county a few families remained to cultivate small
tracts of land and obtain their living in a semi-civilized manner. At Cato Falls, in the town of Cato, near the
center of the county, a corn-field was still in process of cultivation by some Chippewa Indians as late as 1837.
This locality was the headquarters of a Chief of that tribe named Mexico, who was a kind and re-assuring friend
to the early white settlers. He died in 1845, and was buried at Manitowoc Rapids. In the town of Schleswig the
Menomonee Indians had planting grounds as late as 1859. After the real settlement of the county commenced in 1835-37,
around Manitowoc. Manitowoc Rapids and Two Rivers, through the Manitowoc Land Company, Jacob W. Conroe and Judge
Lowe, neither Chippewas or Menomonees were seen in any numbers. In 1836, Mr. Conroe built a saw-mill at the Rapids,
and the next year a second one was erected for Theyer, Rouse & Thompson, near Two Rivers, Judge Lowe, of Green
Bay, having entered a large tract of land in that vicinity. A mill was also built by G. Conroe, the same year,
at Neshota, in the western part of the town of Two Rivers. He had bought 5,000 acres in that vicinity, as a member
of the Neshota Company.
The panic of 1837 stopped work at all the mills, except Conroe's, who purchased the establishment operated near
Manitowoc Rapids. After the effects of the panic had somewhat subsided, mills began to spring up again in different
portions of the county. More attention also began to be paid to farming. The early settlers had, of course, generally
raised enough grass and vegetables for their own use, but not until 1841 did the first farmer really follow agriculture
as a means of livelihood. H. Conroe had cultivated a small farm previously, and removed from the county. In that
year, Hiram McAllister, who had previously been engaged as a lumberman and carpenter, purchased a farm in the present
town of Manitowoc Rapids. It was subsequently purchased by John Landreth, and is considered one of the finest pieces
of land in the county. Mr. McAllister was the first bona fide farmer in Manitowoc County, and carried on his farm
for many years. Returning to the general settlement of the county, it is found that the towns of Two Creeks, Cooperstown,
Kossuth and Mishicott, in the northern portion, were being populated quite rapidly by 1846.
Capt. Edwards, formerly the mail-carrier from Sheboygan to Green Bay, settled in Cooperstown in 1840, and in 1847
a saw-mill for Pierce & Bruce was erected. After that, the growth of the town was rapid, although the early
settlers were somewhat troubled by Indians. In 1843, Joseph Poquin came to Kossuth Town, and was for many years
a tavern keeper. The influx of population took place in 1847, and two years later Michael Kellner settled in the
northern part of the town, and gave his name to the village there. Mishicott and Two Creeks, comprising the then
wild country to the northeast of this vicinity, commenced to be settled about the same time. In 1843, P. Rowley
built the first house in the latter town, and K. K. Jones was the first to settle in the village of Two Creeks.
Daniel Smith, the pioneer of what is now Mishicott, built a saw-mill in 1844, and another one two years thereafter.
In 1846, Edward Brown settled in the region now included by the town of Gibson, and three or four years thereafter,
quite a number of families had located. In 1847, a man by the name of Adams located on what is now the site of
the village of Centerville, and K. O. Oppen became the pioneer of the town of Liberty. These facts of early settlement
are stated that the general remark may be borne out that by 1847 Manitowoc County had been mostly populated in
its northern and eastern sections.
From 1847 to 1850, and thereafter, immigration was brisk. The interior of the county settled up rapidly. In 1850,
Ira Clark built a saw-mill and a grist-mill on the Manitowoc River, in the town of Cato, which was the basis of
the thriving settlement of Clark's Mills. In the same year, D. Able located within the present limits of the town
of Schleswig, and the villages of Kiel, Rockville and Millhome sprung up. The regions now comprised by the towns
of Meeme, Rockland, Franklin, Newton and Maple Grove had, between 1847 and 1850 received their pioneers and first
settlers, and were preparing, with the other portions of the county, to grow and flourish. One other important
region within the present county bounds remains to be accounted for-the town of Eaton. The town itself received
its name from C. Eaton, who engaged in lumbering in 1849-50. Its prosperity, however, dates from the time that
Rev. A. Oschwald organized a colony from Baden, Germany, and planted it here in 1854. A saw-mill and a grist-mill
were erected, a church and convent erected in 1858, and the settlement soon bore
the marks of prosperity and growth. Later the colony became the Catholic Association of St. Nazianz. Thus, in general
terms, has been given a picture of the early settlement of Manitowoc County. Those details which have merely a
local interest, and have no bearing upon the general county history have been omitted.
POLITICAL
Manitowoc County was created by act of the Legislature, December 7, 1836. It did not include the towns of Gibson,
Cooperstown, Two Creek, or Township 21, Town of Mishicott, which were taken from Brown County and attached to it,
by legislative act of February 9, 1850. The county seat was fixed at Manitowoc Rapids, the county being attached
to Brown for judicial purposes. In 1837 it was set off as the town of Conroe, and was organized for county purposes
December 17, 1838, the whole territory, being included in one voting precinct-Conroe's. The first election was
held at the house of P. P. Pierce at Manitowoc Rapids. Benjamin Jones headed the Manitowoc party, and J. G. Conroe
the Manitowoc Rapids faction. There was the greatest rivalry between these places, and the canvassing and voting
caused much excitement. Out of the thirty-three votes cast, the Conroe element received seventeen-one majority-and
rejoiced exceedingly. H. Conroe, J. G. Conroe and John Rigney were elected County Commissioners; Peter Johnson,
Treasurer; O. C. Hubbard, Assessor, and J. W. Conroe, Register of Deeds. The first meeting of the Board was held
at the house of J. G. Conroe, Manitowoc Rapids, March 15, 1839, the Legislature having set' off the county
into the town of Manitowoc during the previous week. It was also divided into two precincts- Conroe's and Two
Rivers. During the Summer of 1840, J. W. Conroe completed the county building, a little one-story frame house,
at a cost of $650. It was built on the hill to the north of the Rapids, and was destroyed by fire in 1852. In the
Fall of 1849, a jail was built, which cost $235. It was not a very secure affair, and the next year, in the cause
of public security, its timbers had to be spiked together and its windows barred more heavily. When the county
building burned down in 1852, Manitowoc had so far gained the popular heart that her claims to the county seat
were soon legalized by a vote of 498 to 60. This was in April, 1853. In May of that year, the Board of Commissioners
held a special meeting to decide upon the erection of suitable county buildings. After some indecision, it was
decided to locate them on the present site on Eighth street. Disagreements with the owners of the property and
contractors delayed the work, so that it was not fully completed until 1857. John Meyer was the contractor.
The cost of the courthouse, jail and sheriff's house, was $10,000. The county offices, a plain brick and stone
structure adjoining, was erected by Benjamin Jones in 1860. The court-house is a substantial, conveniently arranged
three-story brick structure.
The county officers for 1881 are: Judge,M. Kirwin; Sheriff, M. H. Murphy; Clerk of the Court, Hubert Talge; District
Attorney, W. A. Walker; County Clerk, Henry C. Buhse; County Treasurer, Gottleib
Damler; Register of Deeds, A. D. Jones; Superintendent of Schools, John Nagie; Surveyor, John O'Hara; Coroner,
Franz Simon.
As Manitowoc County remained attached to Brown for judicial purposes, until Wisconsin became a State, no Territorial
term of court was held here. On September 25, 1848, Ale W. Stow, Judge of the Fourth Circuit, held a session of
court in Manitowoc Rapids, being, under the State constitution, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court. Nothing
was done further than to appoint E. Ricker, Clerk, and O. C. Hubbard, Sheriff, continue one case, and admit E.
H. Ellis, James L. Kyle and J. H. W. Colby to practice. After the removal of the county seat to Manitowoc, in 1853,
sessions of the court were held in that city. Manitowoc County is now a portion of the Fourth Judicial Circuit,
Norman S. Gilson, of Fond du Lac, Judge. Sessions of the court are held in the city of Manitowoc the second Monday
in January and the first Monday in June. The County Judge is M. Kirwin.
EARLY HISTORY
As has been intimated in the general early history of the county, the present site of the city of Manitowoc was
occupied at different times, previous to the advent of white settlers, by several tribes of Pottawatomies, Menomonees,
Chippewas and Winnebagoes, who disputed with each other the right to the territory. The Winnebagoes had nearly
disappeared from this locality when travelers first commenced to pass over the future site of the city, at the
mouth of the Manitowoc River, on their way along the shores of Lake Michigan, to the settlements of Fort Howard
and Green Bay. The Pottawatomies, who are supposed to be the aborigines of this portion of the country, held an
undefined claim upon the western shore of the lake, but by the treaty in Chicago, in 1833, relinquished it. Their
presence was little noticed near the site of the city of Manitowoc for some years before that date, but the Chippewas
and Menomonees were quite plenty, and had several settlements at the mouth of the river as late as 1822. A trail
had been established by white men over nearly the same route now taken by the Chicago & Northwestern and the
Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western, from Chicago to Milwaukee, from Milwaukee to Sheboygan and Manitowoc, and
thence to Green Bay, the important difference being that Green Bay, and the settlements which had grown around
it, and the garrison at Fort Howard, were the pivotal and starting points for the line of travel which set in before
boats ran regularly or railroads were thought of. Four years before this trail had been opened, Col. A. Edwards
made a trip from Green Bay to Chicago in a canoe, exploring the coast as he went. When he arrived opposite the
mouth of the Manitowoc River, the site of the present city, he found many Indians busily engaged in spearing whitefish,
and there must have been quite a settlement there in 1818.
In 1821, Col. Ebenezer Childs took passage from Chicago on one of the Mackinaw boats, which were then making irregular
trips, landed at Manitowoc, and then proceeded on horseback to Green Bay. Although generally peaceable, the old
Indian spirit of revenge upon the "pale face" sometimes cropped out. It was about the same time that
Col. Childs made his journey to Green Bay that Dr. Wm. S. Madison, army surgeon at the Fort Howard garrison, obtained
a leave of absence to visit his family in Kentucky. The party which accompanied him was some distance in advance
when the present site of Manitowoc was reached, and hearing the report of a gun, returned to find that a Chippewa
Indian had shot him from his horse. Before medical assistance could arrive from Green Bay Dr. Madison had expired.
The Indian, whose name was Ke-tau-kah, could give no reason for committing the cowardly act. The murder, which
was the first to occur in the city or county of Manitowoc, was committed in the Spring of 1821. Ke-tau-kah was
taken to Detroit, and after a trial in which no extenuating circumstances appeared, was executed December 27 of
that year. After the trail had been opened along the lake shore in 1822, the presence of a white man to the Indians
at the mouth of the Manitowoc River became less a rarity. In 1825, Col. Wm. S. Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton,
passed along the route with a drove of cattle for the Fort Howard garrison, and in 1827 Col. Childs again made
his appearance on his way to Green Bay. It would seem that the native tribes began to understand that the white
man "had come to stay," for in February, 1831, the Menomonees ceded their lands to the General Government,
and gradually abondoned their corn fields, hunting and fishing grounds at Manitowoc. As stated, in 1833 the Pottawatomies
relinquished their claim, and explorations from Green Bay, Chicago and Milwaukee commenced with more earnestness.
During that year, Daniel Le Roy, Morgan L. Martin and P. B. Grignon explored from Green Bay south to Milwaukee.
Even then a small Indian village stood upon the present, site of Manitowoc. In 1834 a land office was established
at Green Bay, the first entries being made by Louis Fizette and Wm. Jones at Manitowoc. The latter was the brother
of Benjamin Jones, who is regarded as the father of the village and city of Manitowoc. Fizette sold his lands,
which comprised the present site of the city, to John P. Arndt, of Green Bay. During the wild land speculations
of 1835-36, the latter disposed of the property for $100 an acre. Jones's' tract extended south three miles along
the lake shore. The land survey of the county had been made by A. G. Ellis, of Green Bay, in 1835, and the region
comprising and around Manitowoc was soon alive with surveyors and agents of land speculators, who, in 1836, indulged
in the wildest dreams over the possibilities of the entire country lying along Lake Michigan. Rumors of extensive
gold deposits in Kewaunee were about on a par with a supposititious railroad to the Pacific, which was to directly
benefit Manitowoc. It was at this time that John P. Arndt sold the land he had purchased from Fizette, and his
was no isolated case.
In the Spring of 1836, William and Benjamin Jones, of Chicago, and other land speculators, mostly from the former
city, organized the Manitowoc Land Company. All of the present site of Manitowoc had come into their possession,
being now mostly held by Benjamin Jones. The company was best known by the firm, name of Jones, Clark & Co.
They at once made energetic preparations to establish settlement at the mouth, of the Manitowoc River. Mark Howard,
E. L. Abbott and Farnham were sent to clear away the dense forests of tamarack which obstructed the site of the
future Manitowoc. The timber, rrincipally along the river banks near Sixth and Seventh streets, was felled, and
cut up into wood for steamboats which had not yet appeared. The town was platted in the Summer, stakes marking
the sites of future cities were being planted in the dense woods all around, land was bought and sold at fabulous
prices- in fact Manitowoc was taken with the fever which ravished the country for the next year. The settlement
at the mouth of the river was the particular pet of Jones, Clark & Co. They purchased quantities of lumber
from Jacob W. Conroe, who had erected a rough saw-mill at Manitowoc Rapids, and that which they did not use in
the erection of buildings was shipped to Chicago, the first exported from the county. In April, 1837, the company
sent a force of forty laborers, besides carpenters, to Manitowoc to erect buildings, among others being Moses and
Oliver Hubbard and D. S. Munger. A frame house was built for Benjamin Jones, senior member of the firm Jones, Clark
& Co., then resided in Chicago, a contemporary with William B. Ogden. It is still standing on the northeast
corner of York and Seventh streets. At the time that Mr. Jones was about to make this important move, both for
himself and Manitowoc, he was in his forty -third year, had been four years a resident of Chicago, having previously
lived in Buffalo. When but a mere lad, he had seen service in the War of 1812, and all his various experiences
had been such as to make him sturdy, brave and enterprising.
In July, 1837, his dwelling house having been prepared, he arrived in Manitowoc. He had become the owner of 2,000
acres of land comprising the present site of the city, and immediately commenced its up-building, which he made
his work for forty years. With him, on the schooner "Oregon" came P. P. Smith, then a boy of fourteen,
whom he took into his family. His brother William remained in Chicago, became wealthy, and was one of the founders
of the University of Chicago. The arrival of the head of the firm which had already accomplished considerable for
the settlement, put additional life into it. Building continued, new settlers came in, and lots were selling
before the financial crash as high as $1,000 or $1,200. In the Spring of this year, Mr. Jones' daughter Addie was
born. She is now the wife of Dr. S. C. Blake, and was the first white child born in Manitowoc and the county. Mr.
Jones commenced the "National Hotel," adjoining the present "Windiate House" during this year.
In July, 1, L. Abbott, one of those sent out by Jones, Clark & Co., to clear away the town site, was united
in marriage to Maria Smith, sister of P. P. Smith, who was also a member of Mr. Jones' family. Benjamin Jones married
the couple himself, having been appointed the first Justice of the Peace and the first judicial officer of any
kind. But in the midst of this prosperity of a growing village, in the midst of the joys of christenings and marriages
the dark panic of 1837 rushed over Manitowoc. Flourishing settlements had grown up at Two Rivers and the Rapids,
so that the population of the county was 160. Manitowoc was the metropolis,
however, with sixty souls. The money crash came almost like a clap of thunder, and the population of the whole
county was reduced to sixty. All the mills shut down, with the exception of Conroe's at the Rapids, workmen were
leaving in alarm with their families, the prices of land fell to their normal level and far below, and a general
stagnation settled over the formerly brisk and prosperous settlement. Only four families were left in Manitowoc-those
of Benjamin Jones, Oliver Hubbard, D. S. Munger and Joseph Edwards. In 1839 the first school taught in the county
opened under the tutelage of S. M. Peak. P. P. Smith, then sixteen years old was one of the dozen scholars in attendance.
The building was near Sixth street.
After the panic up to 1846, the arrivals practically ceased. Those who did come were mostly lumbermen and French
fishermen, who had no intention of making a permanent settlement. From 1848 to 1850, and thereafter up to the commencement
of the war, the city and surrounding country rapidly increased in population. In 1854, Manitowoc received a temporary
set-back in the form of the cholera, which proved unusually fatal that year. It had been slightly visited during
the seasons of 1849-50, but during 1854 it caused much alarm, being especially prevalent on the north side of the
river.
THE WAR PERIOD
The county center of organization and excitement during the war was, of course, Manitowoc. When the news from Sumter
was fairly digested, not only was a company of home guards raised to keep order in town, but a company of volunteers
was formed. Temple Clark was elected captain, the organization becoming known as Co. A, Fifth Regiment Wisconsin
Volunteers. Co. B, of the Ninth Regiment (German), F. Becker, captain; a company which joined the Fourteenth, and
another (Norwegian) the Fifteenth; a fourth which fought with the Twenty-first, and a fifth with the Twenty-sixth
(German), Henry Baetz, captain; two companies for the Twenty-seventh, and many mustered in as artillerymen and
cavalrymen, marched from Manitowoc during the early portion of the struggle, and did good service in the cause.
Later three companies were raised for the Forty-fifth, Forty-eighth and Fifty-first regiments. The large volunteer
force raised made but one draft in the county necessary, and that took place in the city of Manitowoc.
Among the higher grade of officers who went from Manitowoc were Maj. Gen. Fred. Salomon, now United States Surveyor
in Utah; Lieut. Col. Ten Eyck, G. Olmsted (deceased), Maj. Charles H. Walker (deceased), and Maj. Henry Baetz,
of the State Board of Emigration, Milwaukee.
MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
Travel by water is unimpeded to the adventuresome. The trail of 1822, along the lake shore of Manitowoc County,
and to which reference has been made, was the first regular course laid out through her borders. Later, private
parties found it necessary to cut roads through the county for their own convenience. In 1839, a county road was
surveyed from the mouth of the river to the Rapids and Two Rivers, J. W. Conroe being appointed by the Board of
Supervisors to superintend its construction. As the county became more thickly settled roads were extended in all
directions, and the subject of railroads became the one uppermost in the minds of the pioneers. For twenty-two
years, the people of Manitowoc County strove to obtain connection by railroad with southern and western points.
If the Chicago, Milwaukee & Green Bay project had not been abandoned, in 1850, she would have obtained connection
with Milwaukee. George Reed's schemes, a few years later, to make the place the nucleus of a grand system of railroads
to connect with the Pere Marquette steamers, likewise came to naught. Work upon the Manitowoc & Mississippi
Railroad was commenced m 1855, upon the section between Manitowoc and Menasha, but the line was abandoned in 1857.
Although the people were enthusiastic and confident, so scant were their purses that they were obliged to abandon
the task of connecting these points by means of a plank road. During all this period, however, they were discussing
with more and more earnestness the necessity of improving the harbor and river of Manitowoc, and after repeated,
but not disheartening, failures were enabled, in 1866, to see the work fairly begun. This subject is fully treated
in the history of Manitowoc City. Having thus opened one avenue of relief, the county seemed to have paved the
way for better fortune. In 1872, communication was opened with Appleton, and the prosperous section tributary thereto,
while the next year by the extension of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western line from Sheboygan, it was enabled
to receive the benefit of direct rail communication with the Cream City of the South. This line is now its most
important means of communication. The road extends northeast along the shore of the lake, passing through Centerville
and Manitowoc City; thence northwest and west through Reedsville. The southwest corner of the town of Schleswig
is cut off by the Wisconsin Central Railroad, which touches the flourishing village of Kiel. There are forty-three
miles of railroad in operation, the machine shops and round house of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Company
being located in Manitowoc. Water communication, north and south, by means principally of the Good-rich Transportation
Company and the Chicago & Lake Superior lines, gives the county the benefit, with the railroads, of connections
with all the commercial points. Telegraphic communications with Milwaukee was established in 1864. A line had previously
been partially established between Manitowoc and Green Bay, but was abandoned.
Mail routes were in existence almost as soon as the first trails were broken through the woods. But the first regular
post-office was established at Manitowoc Rapids while J. W. Conroe was building his mill. That gentleman received
the appointment of Postmaster. The mail-carrier was one Francis Flinn, a hardy Irishman, who made two round trips
a week from Green Bay to Milwaukee. This feat he accomplished on foot. In 1889, the business of the route had so
increased that Capt. Henry Edwards assumed the task of keeping these sections of the State in communication, and
accomplished it on horseback. The post-office remained at Manitowoc Rapids for ten years, when it was removed to
Manitowoc, G. Malmrose receiving his commission as Postmaster. To enumerate the offices established at all points
in the county, would be tiresome, as well as uninteresting. With the advent of railroads, communication by letter
increased in the usual ratio.
For the year ending December 31, 1880, there were exported from the county, 614,000 of brick; 466,310 pounds of
butter; 161,698 dozen eggs ; 988 tons of feed; 2,927 tons of hay ; 8,400 posts ; 40,652 bls. of flour; 6,000 bushels
of wheat; 15,016 cords of wood 18,745 bls. of peas.
As assessed by the town and city assessors, and finally equalized by the committee of the Board of Supervisors,
August, 1881, the following figures represent the total value of all property in the county of Manitowoc: Cato,
1549,335; Centerville, 421,569; Cooperstown, 343,054; Eaton, 335,266; Franklin,403,-063; Gibson, 408,255; Kossuth,
668,848; Liberty, 437,211; Manitowoc, 422,924; City of Manitowoc, 916,175; Manitowoc Rapids, 814,751; Maple Grove,
436,908; Meeme, 564,799; Mishicott, 487,189; Newton,------; Rockland, 295,663; Schleswig, 479,175; Two Creeks,
102,732; Two Rivers, 212,809; City of Two Rivers, 201,327. Total, $8,863,966.
The bonded indebtedness of Manitowoc County amounts to $216,000, which sum was voted to aid .the construction of
its railroads. Of the $129,818.30 indebtedness incurred by its towns, cities and villages, $114,000 was appropriated
to the same purpose.
The Federal census enumeration shows that the increase in population from 1850, which practically ends the early
history of the county, has been as follows: 1850, 3,702; 1860,22,416 ; 1870,33,369; 1880,37,381. The detailed table
of the last returns is found below:
City of Manitowoc, 6,324; City of Two Rivers, 2,052; Town of Cato, 1,875; Eaton, 1,635; Franklin, 1,867; Gibson,
1,739 ; Kossuth, 2,165 ; Liberty, 1,385; Manitowoc, 1,276; Manitowoc Rapids, 2,076 ; Maple Grove, 1,523; Meeme,
1,609 ; Mishicott, 1,554; Newton, 1,867; Rockland, 1,236 ; Schleswig, 1,994; Two Creeks, 630; Two Rivers, 1,326;
Centerville, 1,548; Coopertown, 1,700 ; total, 37,381.
In January, 1842, the County Commissioners granted the petition of the citizens of Manitowoc Rapids, that the town
hall be used as a school-house, when not needed for town purposes. In July of the next year a tax of one-half a
mill on a dollar was levied throughout the county for educational purposes. In the Fall of 1844, two School Commissioners,
Oliver Clawson and E. L. Abbott, were appointed. They divided the county into three districts, No. 1, including
Two Rivers; No. 2, Manitowoc Rapids, and No. 3, Manitowoc. On October 10, 1844, elections were held for the different
district officers, and the school organization was fully effected. The system continued substantially the same
until the creation of the office of Superintendent of Schools. As the State increased in population, however, the
original three districts were of course subdivided.
From the last report made to William C. Whitford, State Superintendent of Schools, by the Superintendent of Manitowoc
County, are taken the following statistics which show the present condition of the district schools better than
could any general language. There are 108 school-houses in the county, and 137 teachers are required. Of the 15,919
who are of school a2e 8,403 have attended. The buildings will accommodate 9,901 pupils. The total valuation of
school-houses in Manitowoc County is $104,366; of sites, $12-437, and of apparatus, $6,043. These figures, it will
be remembered, represent merely the district schools of the county. There are besides, a number of private and
parochial institutions, which have an attendance of several hundred. In addition to the money raised by taxation
throughout the county for the support of her district schools in 1881, the apportionment of State money which has
been made for this year amounts to $6,606.38. The whole machinery of the county system (which embraces the city
schools), glides along smoothly under the guidance of John Nagle, the present Superintendent.
The business and commercial center of the county. The industrious and thrifty German element prevails, and since
the land has been cleared of timber, saw mills and ship yards have given place, under its influence, to every variety
of manufacturing. Flour mills, foundries and machine shops, breweries, planing mills, tanneries, carriage works,
etc., etc., have sprung up on all sides. Mercantile houses, which walk side by side in thrift with manufactories,
are substantial and prosperous in Manitowoc. The resident portion of the city is chiefly on the North Side, where
are situated many fine residences. Here is also its magnificent public school, which, with the Presbyterian Church,
is one of the prominent landmarks of Manitowoc. The grounds adjoining the buildings form, in all essentials, a
beautiful park. Two public parks, Washington Square on the South Side, the North Side Park, and a number of private
gardens.
The first meeting of the Board of Trustees, under the village charter, was held May 12, 1851, the Supervisors being:
John Zinns and Charles Hottelman, First Ward; M. Fellows, James Bennett and J. E. Platt, Second Ward. It was ordered
that a set of by-laws be drafted for the village government, and that a map be made of its chartered limits. George
Reed was chosen President, and S. A. Wood, Clerk. The village of Manitowoc was first platted in 1856, by F. Salomon.
The plat was recorded on May 25 of that year, and acknowledged by H. Baetz. Manitowoc retained its village organization
until 1870, when it was incorporated as a city.
Manitowoc is a place of over 6,000 inhabitants, situated on Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Manitowoc River.
The city lies on both sides of that river, the land gradually rising both from it and the lake, thus providing
a beautiful location and effective means for drainage. Manitowoc is add to the attractiveness of the city, and
besides its business interests, its schools, its churches, its public and private gardens, and its societies, which
all have their part in forming a complete city, Manitowoc has a public library of 2,000 volumes, which is a credit
to the city. Having thus given a preliminary and general sketch, the details will be found following.
The city of Manitowoc was incorporated March 12, 1870, and the first meeting of its Board of Aldermen held April
13, of that year. Peter Johnston was elected its first Mayor, and served two terms. Charles Luling was chosen to
the office in 1872. A. D. Jones was the incumbent from 1873 to 1877 inclusive, and John Schuette from 1878 to 1881.
By the city charter, the municipal government is managed by the usual officers: Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, City Attorney,
the heads of departments, which consist of a Board of Health, Police, Fire, and Public School Department, and the
Board of Aldermen, representing four wards. There is also a Harbor Master, Assessor and Street Commissioner. Mayor
J. Schuette is one of the rich and popular Germans in which the city of Manitowoc abounds. Its health is in the
hands of Drs. R. K. Paine and Frederick S. Luhman, while peace and order is preserved by Hugh Morrison, Chief of
the Police Department and the force under him. The City Treasurer for 1881 is Charles Gelbke; City Attorney, C.
W. White; Clerk, Fred. Heineman; Surveyor, Charles Ertz.
Fire Department.-The first engine house, a frame building, was erected in 1857, on the North Side. During the same
year the South Side house was built. The Third Ward structure, built of brick (?), was erected in 1875, at a cost
of $1,400. The department, the Chief Engineer of which is William Stephani, consists of the Manitowoc Steam Engine
Company, No. 1 (North Side), the South Side Steam Engine Company, No. 2, and the Phoenix Hook and Ladder Company.
A company was first formed in January, 1857, after the village of Manitowoc had been incorporated about six years.
The present organization was effected in 1872, the second steam engine being purchased in 1876. The department
numbers forty members.
Public School Department.---The public
schools of Manitowoc are under the general supervision of the County Superintendent, John Nagle. There are four
buildings devoted to educational purposes, the most prominent of which is the magnificent edifice, corner of North
Seventh and State streets, erected in 1872, for the accommodation of joint school district, No. 1, and the fine
building in the First Ward, corner of South Eighth and Hamilton streets, erected in 1871. The former is a three-story
and basement brick building, surmounted by an elegant and lofty cupola, surrounded by extensive play grounds, and
is, all in all, one of the finest structures of the kind in the State. J. M. Rait is principal. The First Ward
building, convenient and tasty, was built at a cost of $25,000. Its principal is F. W. Young. There are two buildings
in the Third Ward, one, corner of South Thirteenth and Marshall streets, the other on South Twelfth street. The
former, of brick, cost $1,500; the latter, a frame building, was built at a cost of $1r,2oo. O. S. Brown is principal
of the district. Other salient facts in regard to the general condition of the schools of the city and county,
have already appeared.
The Public Library.-The Jones Library
was founded in 1868, through the liberality of Col. K. K. Jones, now a resident of Quincy, Ill. His donation amounted
to $2,000, and the library was at first a private institution. In 1868, the " Jones Library Association "
was incorporated. It has about seventy-five members. The library consists of 2,000 well selected volumes.
THE PRESS
Manitowoc Pilot.-The Herald was established in 1850, by C. W. Fitch, the first numbers being printed in Sheboy-gan.
Four years later the Manitowoc Tribune was established, and in August, 1858, the Pilot, by Jere Crowley. In 186T,
the Tribune, then under the management of Capt. Smith, devoured the Herald, and the former journal was consolidated
with the Pilot, in 1878. The present editors and proprietors of the Manitowoc Pilot are Messrs. John Nagle and
Edward W. Borcherdt, they having assumed the management in April of that year. The journal is issued weekly, is
Democratic in politics, and an eight-column folio in form.
Der Nord-Westen (German) was established by Carl H. Schmidt, its present editor and proprietor, in 1855. Its publication
was suspended during the war, but was resumed in 1865. This journal is issued weekly, with a Sunday edition ; is
Democratic in politics, and a six-column quarto in form. It is the oldest paper published continuously under one
name in Manitowoc, and, with few exceptions, Mr. Schmidt has been longer in the service than any of Wisconsin's
editors.
The Manitowoc Tribune was established in 1879, by H. Sandford, its present editor and proprietor. It is a weekly
paper, six-column quarto, and is Republican in politics.
The Manitowoc Journal is a five-column quarto paper, published by W. J. Christie, and is independent in politics.
The Manitowoc Post (German).-In July, 1881, A. Wittmann, an old settler of 1848, and well known throughout the
county, established this journal. It is a five-column quarto, issued weekly, and is independent in politics.
The Wisconsin Demokrat, a German Free-Soil paper, was established in 1852, by Charles Roesser. When it passed into
the hands of A. Wallich, some years afterward, its name was changed to the Union Demokrat. It was suspended by
him in 1866, and revived again in 1868, by Otto Troemel, under the name of the Zeitung. Fred Heinemann purchased
it upon the death of Mr. Troemel, changed its : name to the Journal, and suspended its publication in 1877.
Der Buschhaiier was published by Carl Pflame, from 1855 to 1857.
A religious paper, called the Concordia, was established in 1875, published for about a year, and then removed
to Green Bay.
CHURCHES
First Presbyterian Church.-A meeting for
the organization of the society was held June 26, 1851, at the house of Fred Borcherdt, village of Manitowoc Rapids.
The meeting, as stated in the records, was composed of those residing both at " the Rapids " and "
at the mouth of the river/' Following are those who became members : Fred. Borcherdt, Mrs. Wilheimina Borcherdt,
James and Mrs. Isabella Patterson, Mesdames Sarah D. Herrit, Mary E. Hall, Margaret Allen, Abagail Sherman, J.
S. Reed, Elizabeth A. Sherman and Dennis M. Thomas, Moses Tufts and the Misses Eliza and Hannah A. Tufts. Fred
Borcherdt was the first ruling elder. Rev. M. Holmes began his labors as pastor in June, 1855, and in November
a house of worship in Manitowoc was dedicated. It was known as "The Tabernacle." Rev. J. M. Craig, the
present pastor, has been in charge since August, 1880. About sixty families compose the congregation of the society.
The elegant church edifice in which they worship was erected in 1872, at a cost of $20,000, the money being raised
by subscription.
St. Boniface Church (Catholic).--This
church was organized in 1853. Rev. W. J. Peil is the present pastor. The church has a membership of 250 families.
A school is conducted in connection with the church, which has an attendance of 250 pupils.
St. Mary's Church (Polish Catholic).-The
society was organized in 1875, and a building purchased the same year from the German Lutheran Congregation. Rev.
J. Muschelevitch is its present pastor, and 100 families are under his care. The school, which has been established
in connection with the church, has an attendance of 120 pupils.
St. Francis Convent.-A convent was organized
in 1869 by Rev. Father Joseph Fessler. In 1873, a more commodious structure than had been occupied was found necessary,
and a large and beautiful building was commenced on a high eminence overlooking Silver Lake, about four miles southwest
of the city. Up to the time it was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire (September 1, 1881), eighty-seven
sisters had been received and professed. Twenty-seven of them came from Germany with their private fortunes, being
expelled from that country by its laws. A boarding school was attached, and about twenty of the sisters are now
engaged in teaching in different localities. The church building was erected in 1872. The building was the most
costly in Northeastern Wisconsin, the loss upon it being $65,000, and the insurance only $5,000. Steps were at
once taken to raise the necessary funds to rebuild.
St. James' Episcopal.-The society was
organized in February, 1848. A room was rented for purposes of worship, and fitted up with benches to accommodate
about fifty families. Thomas H. A. Edwards and Alden Clark were elected the first wardens. Rev. G. Unonius became
the first pastor of the society. By 1851, the church membership had so increased that it became necessary to erect
a house of worship. A subscription of $1,745 was at once raised, a lot was donated by Benjamin Jones, and in September
of that year, the corner-stone was laid. The church has at present no settled pastor.
The First Evangelical Lutheran Church was
organized in 1853, with about twenty members, Rev. C. F. Goldammer being in charge. One year afterward a day school
was established. During the pastorate of Rev. P. Koehler, who succeeded him, a second school was established. In
1873 a church building was erected at a cost of $16,000. The present pastor in charge is Rev. R. Piep.er. The congregation
consists of 300 families, and 260 pupils attend the two day schools.
German Methodist Episcopal Church.-Organized in September, 1855, Rev. F. Klueckhohn became the first pastor of
the churchi The present congregation, consisting of ninety members, is in charge of Rev. C. Iwert.
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church
was organized in September, 1849, by Rev. J. A. Ottesen. The church was built in 1867, and the property is valued
at $2,575. The present membership of the society is about seventy families; its pastor being Rev. C. F. Magelssen.
There are besides the above, a small Norwegian Methodist, pastor, Rev. Hougen, of Sheboygan; and the " Augustana
Church" (Lutheran), consisting of twenty families, under the charge of Rev. Andersen. A small German Reform
"HoffhungV church is also in existence, but without a settled pastor.
The Evergreen Cemetery, north of the river, near the city limits, is municipal property, and is used as a park,
although known under the above name. It consists of forty acres of land, the city having purchased all but a small
portion of this amount in 1873.
The Catholic Cemetery consists of a tract of ten acres of land, on South Main street, which is the property of
the different churches of that denomination.
SOCIETIES
Masonic.-The representatives of this order are Manitowoc Lodge, No. 65, and Manitowoc Chapter, No. 16. They are
in a flourishing and growing condition.
Odd-Fellows.-Chickerming Lodge, No. 55, organized in 1850, has a membership of 125. Manitowoc Lodge, No. 194 (German),
organized in 1871, has a membership of 107.
A. O. U. W.-There are two lodges belonging to this order, Clipper City Lodge, No. 48, and Mozart Lodge (German),
No. 73. They are both strong.
Knights of Honor.-Hope Lodge, No. 393, is the only organization of the kind in the city.
Der Herman Soehne.-Thusnelda Lodge, No.7, organized in 1857, has ninety-four members. Keener Lodge is the only
other local organization.
Manitowoc Turnverein.-The society was incorporated in i860, and its hall, corner of South Seventh and Washington
streets, erected in 1865, at a cost of $8,000. It has a membership of 100.
Bohemian Turnverein has forty-five members. Its hall on North Seventh street was built in 1864. The society's property
is valued at $2,000.
Manitowoc Temple of Honor, No. 69, was organized in 1876, and Sprague Lodge, I. O. G. T., in 1850.
The Lake Shore Council (Royal Arcanum), and the Bohemian society, Slovanska Lipa, completes the list of societies,
whose length is sufficient excuse for a less particular mention.
HOTELS
As partaking partly of the social and partially of the commercial nature, the chief hotels of Manitowoc may be
fitly placed as they are now seen.
Windiate House.-The first hotel at Manitowoc was commenced in 1837, by Benjamin Jones, and called the National
Hotel. The building was not fully completed till some years afterward. It is a three-story, old-fashioned, frame
building, and presents the marks of old age. Adjoining it is the Windiate House, on York street. This is a three-story
brick structure; was commenced by Thomas Windiate, in 1857, and completed in 1864. Mr. Windiate is still carrying
on the business.
Franklin House.-This house was the next hotel built after the National, it being erected in 1841. The building
then stood near the lake shore, but was moved to its present location, on Franklin street, in 1852. It then assumed
its present name. William Nollau has been proprietor since 1863.
Williams House.-Next in chronological order of the early hotels now standing, comes the Williams House, built in
1850. Mrs. Williams, the widow of its builder, owns the present three-story structure, which was erected by her
in 1867. During the previous year, the original frame building burned. H. A. Reuss is proprietor of the hotel.
Northwestern House.-This hotel, a three-story brick building, was erected by M. Kettenhofen, its present proprietor,
in 1.866-69. He had previously been engaged in the hotel business in Neshota, Manitowoc Co., and as proprietor
of the Williams House in this city. He is one of the oldest and most successful landlords in Manitowoc.
COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGES
In early days, Manitowoc was the center of the shipbuilding interests of the State. But, as has been stated, since
the clearing of the timber from the county, this line of industry has been deteriorating. Her good situation as
a commercial point also early called the attention of her people to the necessity of improving her harbor.
Manitowoc Harbor.-The present project for the improvement of the harbor was adopted in 1866, and modified in 1872.
The object of the improvement is to afford a "channel of navigable width, and of not less than twelve feet
in depth at the shoalest part. Before the present project was adopted, $8,000 was appropriated by the General Government.
Up to June 30, 1880, the amount appropriated, $228,117.49. The estimates made originally and since to extend the
piers to 18-foot curve, with dredging, amount to $248,142.54. It is estimated that for the completion of the .
present project, $8,362.54 will have to be expended for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882. The piers of the
harbor extend 1,500 feet into the lake, a light-house is at one side of the entrance, and there is at its mouth
an average depth of 17 feet.
Although the General Government has been liberal in the amounts expended upon Manitowoc harbor to bring it to its
present good standing as.a refuge from the lake storms the city itself has done its full share. Its labors in this
direction are detailed in the following extract from a memorial addressed to Congress by its Board of Aldermen
:
"In 1866 the city built a dredge and scows at an expense of about $20,000, and allowed the contractor doing
Government work the use of the same at a nominal rent, by reason of which the Government was able to have the work
of excavating 117,9(3 cubic yards done at the rate of 20 cents per cubic yard, while the same kind of work was
paid for at other ports along the lake shore at the rate of 40 cents per cubic yard, being a net saving to the
Government in one year on the cost of excavating, the sum of $23,582.60. That the city has, at its own expense,
done dredging at various times as follows:
"In 1868, 47,070 cubic yards; 1869, 20,005 1870, 19,000; 1871, 18,000; 1872 41,490; 1873, 33,665; 1874, 32,700.
That the city has also built about one mile of docks at an expense of about $50,000."
During the year ending December 31, 1880, 461 steamers arrived in the Harbor of Manitowoc, and 470 departed 342
sailing vessels arrived, and 359 departed.
Ship Building.-While the great oak forests of Calumet and Manitowoc counties " held their own" against
the in, roads of ax and saw, ship building continued to be the leading manufacturing industry of Manitowoc. The
bulk of the building has been done to supply the wear and tear of the immense traffic carried on by the Goodrich
Transportation Company. In 1847 the "Citizen" was built by Capt. Joseph Edwards. It was of but sixty-tons
burden and is worthy of notice only as being the first of a long line of descendants. She was lost on Lake Michigan.
In 1860-61 the "Union," the first propeller, was built by Bates & Son for Capt. Goodrich. Its cost
was $25,000. Next came the " Sunbeam," by the same, for the same, costing $40,000. G. S. Rand & Co
built the steamer "Northwest'' for the Transportation Company in 1866. This was considered the finest craft
of its kind on the lake, was of 1,100 tons burden, and cost $120,000. Since then the same yard (now Rand &
Burger) have built a dozen steamers for the same line, at an aggregate cost of nearly $2,000,000, besides numbers
of sailing vessels for other parties.
From the time that Capt. Joseph Edwards built the " Citizen," in 1847 (64 tons burden), up to June 30,
18S1, during which year James Butler built the steam barge " Reuben Richards " (815 tons), and Rand &
Burger, the schooner barge " A. A. Carpenter" (541 tons), 123 sailing crafts of all varieties have been
turned out from the ship yards at Manitowoc. Most of the schooner barges for the large lumber companies in Marinette
and Menomonee, such as the "A. A. Carpenter," "S. M. Stephenson," "Henry Witbeck,"
and "J. Stephenson," have been built by Messrs. Rand & Burger. The following table shows the number
of vessels, by classes, which have been built in Manitowoc from 1847 to June 30, 1881:
Class No. Tonnage
Schooners -- 90 -- 18,900
Schooner-Barges -- 7 -- 3,756
Steam-Barges -- 4 -- 1,523
Tugs -- 7 -- 240
Propellers -- 6 -- 4,109
Side-Wheel Steamers -- 9 -- 5,686
Total -- 123 -- 34,214
A sketch of the two oldest and the principal ship-yards of the city follows:
Rand & Burger.-The predecessors of this old established yard were G. S. Rand & Co., and G. S. Rand. Mr.
Rand commenced ship building in Manitowoc, in 1853. The firm, G. S. Rand & Co., was formed in 1871, and that
of Rand & Burger, in 1873. The yard employs 100 men. on an average, doing an annual business to the amount
of $100,000.
Hanson & Scove.-These yards were established in 1866. under the firm name of Jones & Hanson. The present
partnership was formed in 1868. They employ about seventy men, and average $60,000 worth of business annually.
The schooner, "Thomas L. Parker," launched from this yard in August, 1881, is one of the finest vessels
which has been built in the city.
Besides these yards, the Goodrich Transportation Company has its stocks mostly for repairing boats of its own line.
Jonah Richards also does some building, but only for himself.
Bridges.-Manitowoc River is navigable to within a quarter of a mile of the Rapids bridge, to vessels drawing six
feet of water. Up to Peter Larson's ship-yard it has an average depth of twelve feet. It is spanned by a number
of bridges, the most substantial of which are the Main and the Eighth Street bridges. The former was built in 1873,
at a cost of $25,000, and the latter for $12,000, in 1875.
BANKS
Richter & Volmer established the first private bank in 1852, carrying on the business for several years. Both
of these gentlemen died in 1857.
William Bach, carried on a successful private institution from 1855 to 1857.
The Lake Shore Bank was started by Adams & Bro., who continued in the business from 1858 to i860. During the
latter year, the Manitowoc County Bank was removed from Two Rivers to Manitowoc, and failed like its predecessor.
The First National Bank was established as a State, institution in 1856. C. C. Barnes became its president in 1858,
having purchased a controlling interest in the Bank of Manitowoc. In 1865, it was organized as a national bank,
under the above title, Mr. Barnes retaining the presidency. Charles Luling has continued to act as its cashier.
It has a capital stock of $50,000, and a surplus of $8,500.
T. C. Shove's Bank is a private establishment, founded in 1858, by Mr. Shove, the present owner. Its capital stock
is $25,000.
These two are the only banking institutions in the city.
MANUFACTORIES
Following are sketches of Manitowoc's leading manufactories, bearing out her claim to commercial prosperity and
importance. Her important business houses, and the story of the lives of her business men, have a place in the
biographical department.
Oriental Mills were erected in 1869, by John Schuette and August Wahle. Both building and machinery- have undergone
many improvements since, until now the mills have ten run of stone, and a capacity of 200 barrels of flour per
day.
Wisconsin Central Mills were erected in 1871-2, by August Wahle and L. Haupt. Upon the former's death, Messrs.
Jacob Fliegler and Louis Haupt, present proprietors, became the owners. An eight-run mill was established in 1878.
Two years afterward, the capacity was increased to ten run of stone. The mills now turn out from 50,000 to 60,000
barrels of flour annually.
Manitowoc Mills were erected by H. Truman, in 1874. They are operated at present by the firm of Truman & Cooper;
capacity, 200 barrels per day. Attached to the mills is a hay press. The dock of the Chicago & Lake Superior
steamers is also at the mills, so that this vicinity presents a scene of unusual business life.
William Rahr's Malt House and Brewery.-This establishment is one of the largest of the kind in the State. William
Rahr, Sr., erected a small brewery and malt house in 1849. A few years later it burned down, and he commenced to
rebuild in the same modest "scale. By a cautious industry, however, he gradually added to his facilities,
until, in 1878, he finished the malt house and elevators on Washington street, which now present so striking and
substantial an appearance. The storage capacity of the elevators is 180,000 bushels, and the malting capacity of
the house is about 150,000 bushels per annum. The capacity of the brewery is 5,000 barrels of beer per annum. After
the death of William Rahr, Sr., in 1880, William Rahr, Jr., assumed the management of the business, and is at present
conducting it.
Pautz's Brewery was built in 1849, by Mr. Hottleman, he being the first to brew beer in the county. G. Kuntz purchased
the brewery of him in 1865. Messrs. Fred. Pautz and John Schreihart became the owners in 1875. In November, 1878,
the former purchased the interest of the latter, and is now conducting the business alone. The capacity of the
brewery is about 1,600 barrels of beer per annum.
Schreiharts's Brewery.-In 1879, John Schreihart established himself in business, and is now conducting a brewery
on Washington street. He has been brought up in the business and understands it.
Sherman & Son, Tanners.-In 1851, L. Sherman started a tannery, which is now being conducted by himself and
son. It is one of the oldest in the county. About 3,000 hides are tanned annually.
F. Schultz's Tannery was built in 1861, and he has since been at the head of the business. Its annual product is
from 4,000 to 5,000 hides.
H. Vits's Tannery.-M. Vollendorf erected the tannery in 1869, which, three years later, came into the possession
of Messrs. Vollendorf & Vits. In 1879, Mr. Vits became sole proprietor. The establishment turns out 3,000 hides
annually.
Charles Dobbert's Tannery was built in 1865, he coming into possession of it the next year. It tans, on an average,
3,000 hides annually.
The Smalley Manufacturing Company.-In 1857, E. J. Smalley established a small manufactory for the making of agricultural
implements. He continued to do a successful business, and although the building was destroyed by fire in 1873,
another was at once erected. The territory in which the company operates has expanded from local dimensions into
the limits of several States. About thirty men are employed, and an amount of business is transacted aggregating
$40,000 annually. In August, 1881,the Smalley Manufacturing Company filed articles of association at Madison, the
incorporators being E. J., C. F. and C. C. Smalley. Its capital stock is $25,000.
Richards's Iron Works and Foundry were established by J. Richards, in 1864. The business is still conducted by
him and H. C. Richards, his son. The works are principally employed in the manufacture of engines and agricultural
implements. Some twenty hands are employed. The annual amount of business transacted is $25,000.
A. F. Dumke's Foundry and Machine Shop was established by him and John Klein in 1865. Charles Haverland and William
Wilharms purchased Mr. Klein's interest, and business was continued thus for five years, when Mr. Dumke became
sole proprietor. A. C. Dumke, his nephew, is now in partnership. As Mr. Dumke is a practical millwright he has
made the building of engines for flouring mills a specialty. His business amounts to $8,000.
Willott's Edge Tool Factory is the only establishment of the kind in the State, and was founded by Martin &
Willott in 1872. The former retired from the firm, and the business has since been carried on by Joseph Willott
& Sons. The factory turns out 1,200 dozen axes annually, besides other edge tools, which find a market chiefly
in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Pankratz & Co.'s saw mill was built in 1871. The old one on its site was erected in 1855, by Lester Bros.,
and burned during that year. The mill is doing a good business.
Edward Zander's planing mill and sash, door and blind factory were built by him in 1870. He is conducting a business
amounting to $10,000 annually.
Charles Zander's planing mill and sash, door and blind factory were built in 1866. His business amounts to $5,000
annually.
Henry Greve's planing mill and stave factory were established by him in 1873. He employs twenty hands and transacts
business amounting to $25,000 annually.
Clipper City Carriage Works are the only ones of the kind in the city. Frank Shimek established the manufactory
in 1872, and his brother Joseph afterward became a partner. The business is good and growing.
The cream-colored brick, for which Milwaukee has become so noted, are also manufactured in Manitowoc. Ferdinand
Ostenfeld, who has the largest yard, established his business in 1876, and makes 1,250,000 annually. The product
is shipped mostly to Lake Superior and Michigan. Also engaged in the same business are H. Wehausen who makes over
500,000 annually, and G. Fricke, Adolph Kugler and Ferdinand Veith, who carry on the manufacture on a smaller scale.
Marble Works of Manitowoc.-In June, 1866, John Mandlik established the works, and "has conducted them since.
He has expended considerable money in the county in searching for good building stone, having discovered some of
superior quality in the town of Rockland. His works are the largest in the city.
MANITOWOC Milwaukee Free Press (13 December 1912) submitted by Diana Heser Morse Because of its excellent communication with the Atlantic seaboard, via carferry lines to Michigan, Manitowoc is called the "Gateway to the East". The harbor, one of, if not the best on the lakes, is the city's best asset. It has besides a natural harbor, one of the few arrow type harbors on the Great Lakes. With that the city most prides itself upon the high class labor employed in its industries. William Rahr, Sr., is the city's most public spirited citizen. he has the interest of Manitowoc at heart. During the time he was mayor he was the first executive to give the city paved streets and beautiful parks. Mr. Rahr is at the head of the Manitowoc Malting company. The Manitowoc Shipbuilding and Dry Dock company, and the Manitowoc Boiler works, combined concerns under the same management: are the city's chief industries. They employ about 600 men together. The chief public building is the county court house, a beautiful structure occupying nearly a full square block and costing $275,000. It was completed in 1908. Three beautiful parks grace the city. The St. Boniface Catholic church is most largely attended of the city's edifices. The finest residence in the city is that of May Rahr Sr., of the William Rahr Sons' company. Manitowoc is fast becoming known as an aluminum manufacturing center, there being no less than five factories and foundries dealing in that metal here. Manitowoc is one of the few cities of the country which is under a Socialist administration. Mayor Henry Stolze is serving his second term, not consecutive, however. He is an advocate of municipal ownership, and under him the city has purchased the water works and may buy the electric light plant. Because of his fight for municipal ownership Mayer Stolze has become the city's most prominent citizen, but by far, not the most popular to all classes and factories.
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