Jefferson County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1879 (part 16 of 28)

The church was built by the members of the society. Cole, Bailey k Co. donated the land and furnished most of the lumber. Members of all the Protestant denominations subscribed. There being no record of the meetings prior to 1845, it is impossible to give a correct list of the Pastors who presided before that time. The Rev. G. W. Miller, of Milwaukee, is believed to have succeeded Mr. Jones. The Rev. Jabez Brooks, an English minister, came next. He entered serious objection to the use of the pulpit in which he presided by other shepherds of the Lord. The Congregationalists, Presbyterians, etc., were informed by the reverend gentleman that they could no longer worship beneath that roof; that they must seek their Savior in other quarters. This undue and seemingly unnatural proscription riled the adherents of the other faiths, and Mr. Brooks was remonstrated with by a certain Congregationalist, deputized for that purpose.

"We have no writings to that eff'ect," said the Congregationalist, "but we can prove that we helped to build the church, and therefore should be allowed to use it."

The next authentic data we have concerning this Church is in 1858, when the Rev. A. C. Huntley was Pastor. Mr. Huntley was succeeded, in 1860, by the Rev. N. J. Aplin. The following ministers have presided since that time: The Rev. D. 0. Jones, the Rev. H. Coleman, the Rev. J. Searles, the Rev. E. S. Grumley, the Rev. F. F. Allen, the Rev. William J. Wilson, the Rev. George S. Hubbs, the Rev. A. H. Walker, the Rev. A. Moore, the Rev. E. B. Cummings, the Rev. William H. Window, the Rev. E. A. Wanless, the Rev. F. C. Haddock, and the Rev. S. P. Murch, the latter being the present incumbent. Seven years ago, the old frame building was raised, a brick foundation placed beneath it, and brick wtills built around it. An imposing spire now surmounts the structure, and a comfortable parsonage, adjoining the church building in the rear, completes the outfit, the property being valued at about $7,000, free of incumbrance. Present Board of Trustees - J. Q. Hull, H. Flinn, J. Yokes, A. R. Moore, George Ni.xon, A. K. M. Pickert and M. Ambrose. Stewards - Messrs. Hull, Nixon, Pickert, Flinn, Ambrose, Jonas Stahl, A. Ramsey, Mrs. H. Giles and Mrs. S. Yokes.

First Congregational Church of Watertown. - Organized by the Rev. Stephen Peet, agent of the Home Missionary Society, July 13, 1845. The first meeting was held in the only schoolhouse up to that time in what are now the limits of Watertown. The Society was composed chiefly of Presbyterians, but an organization was effected in accordance with the Congregational faith. The first communicants were George Breckenridge, William Dunlavy, O. K. Coe, Nancy Breckenridge, Jane A. Dunlavy, Mary J. Scott, Paulina S. Coe, Maria Shears and Harriet Montgomery. The first Pastor of the congregation was the Rev. B. F. Parsons. During his pastorate, services were held in Cramer's Block. He was followed, successively, by the Rev. J. G. Craighead, the Rev. N. C. Chapin, the Rev. W. A. Niles, the Rev. Charles Boynton, the Rev. W. H. Ryder, the Rev. Charles C. Cragin and the Rev. W. A. Hendrickson, the latter being the present incumbent.

The pi-esent Deacons of the Church are J. K. Porter, John Hardee, N. A. Carpenter and W. D. Parker. Executive Committee - C. B. Skinner, N. A. Carpenter and Dr. W. F. Whyte, Clerk. Board of Trustees of the society - J. T. Moak, President, C. B. Skinner, George B. Lewis, J. W. Mentink, Jesse Stone, Daniel Hall and Joseph Hamlin. A church edifice was erected bv the society in 1850, near the public square, on the East Side, at a cost of §1,500. It has twice since been enlarged : the first time in 1858, and the second in 1872. A. W. Easterday is the Sunday-school Superintendent.

St. Paul's (Episcopal) Church. - For some time prior to 1847, the Rev. Melancthon Hoyt, of Fox Lake, in Dodge County, came to Watertown, in the capacity of a missionary, walking the entire distance (thirty miles), to preach the Gospel to the very small number of Episcopalians then residing in Watertown. During that year, an organization was efi^ected, with Lawrence J. Fribert and William M. Grange as Wardens, and Daniel Jones, James A. Norris, Robert Clifford, David J. Pulling and H. Besley as Yestrymen. The Rev. ^Ir. Hoyt first held services in schoolhouses, and afterward in a building, formerly a bowling-alley, which stood upon the present site of Cole's Block. In 1849, a small church wa.s built on Third street, at a cash outlay of $500 or $600, most of the material and labor being donated. The present church edifice, on the corner of Second and Spring streets, was built in 1860. It is a neat and substantial brick structure, and cost about $6,000. There are at present about sixty communicants in the parish. The highest number of communicants on the record at any one time was one hundred and sixty-three. Between 1856 and 1870, the society was in a most flourishing condition. The Rectors since the time of Mr. Hoyt were the Rev. C. C. Edmunds, the Rev. L. W. Russ, the Rev. William C. Greene, the Rev. W. Dafter, the Rev. Dr. Boyd and the Rev. S. K. Miller. Mr. Miller resigned last April, and the society has been without a Rector since that time. The present officers of the parish are Daniel Jones and W. H. Clark, Wardens, and Theodore Prentiss, Amos Baum, J. B. Bennett, H. S. Howell, William L. Norris, J. J. Moulding and George P. Mathes, Yestrymen. Mr. Jones, one of the original Vestrymen, became Senior Warden in 1853, and has continued as such ever since. He was elected a delegate of the Diocesan Convention the same year, and holds that ofiice to the present time by re-election.

St. Henry s (Catholic) Church. - In 1847, a priest named Gardner came to Watertown, at the solicitation of a few German families professing the Catholic faith, in the capacity of a missionary, and said mass in a small frame house near the site of the society's present place of worship. Father Gardner remained about two years, during which time he built and occupied as a residence and parochial school a small frame, forming an " L" of the church. In 1849, he was followed by the Rev. Father Heider, of Jefl'erson, also in the capacity of a missionary. The Rev. Conrad Beck was the first resident Pastor. He remained two years, being succeeded by the Rev. Franz Uhlemeyer, whose ministry extended over a period of five years ; then came the Rev. George Strickner, one year ; the Rev. Michael Bitter, eight months ; the Rev. Max De Becke, two years; the Rev. P. Fabian Bermandingcr, one and a half years; the Rev. W. Bernard, one and a half years ; the Rev. F. X. Minderer, one and a half years. Father 'Minderer died in Watertown. He was followed by the Rev. F. X. Etschman, who remained nine years, being succeeded by the Rev. George Strickner, the present incumbent, who took charge July, 1878. During the ministry of the Rev. Father Max De Becke (in 1863), the present church edifice was constructed. It is of brick, and cost between $9,000 and $10,000. The communicants number, at present, between fourteen hundred and' fifteen hundred, or about three hundred families.

Grer7)ian Protestant {Evangelical) Church. - This society was organized in 1848. Among the first communicants were Peter Rose, William Roeber, Peter Seaburg, George Meyer and Zacharias Theurind. Services were first held by a Milwatikee minister, whose name is not remembered, in Buena Vista House, on Fourth street. The first regular Pastor was the Rev. Frederick Reutsch, who came to preside over the meager flock in 1850. The same year, a small frame church edifice was erected on Fourth street, near Main, which served the purposes of the congregation until 1866, when the present place of worship was built upon the same site, at a cost of $4,000. The membership at that time was about twenty-five families ; it is now estimated at sixty families. The society is out of debt. Since the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Reusch, the following ministers have been called to the charge : The Rev. Henry Doerner, the Rev. Mr. Joeris, the Rev. Mr. Rettig, the Rev. H. C. Tack, the Rev. John Boesch, the Rev. Gustavus Kuns, the Rev. Mr. Sylla and the Rev. Edward Knaak, the present incumbent.

German Methodist Episcopal Church. - The congregation which worships in this church is known as the German Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was organized in- 1849. The first Board of Trustees was composed of the following persons : Walter Andrews, Adam Eger, Calvin M. Benton, John Knape and Louis Fischer. The first place of worship was the Buena Vista House. Afterward, a small store on Main street, near Fourth, where Mr. Mailer's cigar store now stands, was used for the purpose of holding services. In 1869, the present church edifice was constructed, at a cost of $5. .500, including the parsonage. It is n substantial brick building, located on North Fifth street. The names of the various Pastorswho have filled the pulpit of this church, and the years they came in, are : Revs. A. Kellner, 1849 ; William Fiegenbaum, 1850 ; Philip Borth, 1851 ; Ch. Wenz, 1852 ; Conrad Bernard, 1853; Louis Kunz, 1854 ; Frederick Mertin, 1855 ; Robert Hinners, 1857 ; William Pfoefller, 1858; H. Lenn, 1860; Chr. Loeber, 1862; C. Klenekhahn, 1863; E. R. Inmaker, 1865; Ch. Wenz, 1866; Peter Schaefer, 1868; H. Wegner, 1868 ; I. Bletsch, 1871; C. Hedler, 1874 ; F. Gottschalk, 1876. Mr. Gottschalk is still the presiding Pastor. The parish formerly embraced what now constitutes three circuits with three ministers - Watertown, with 147 members; Lowell, with 104, and another, with 113. The congregation now numbers about three hundred and fifty. The present Board of Trustees is composed of the following gentlemen : Ive Waugemann, D. Heimscher, C. Roth, H. Heismann, Leopold Schmuzler, Ferd. Volckmann and L. Fischer.

Moravian Church. - While the history of this creed does not belong strictly to a history of Jefferson County, and while it may already be familiar to many, a brief sketch of the trials attending its progress cannot be otherwise than interesting. The faith is similar to - in fact, it may be called that of Martin Luther - the " Unaltered Augsburg Confession." Over one hundred years before the time of Luther, John Huss first preached the Protestant doctrine in Bohemia. History tells us that Huss was burned at the stake as a heretic by the Romanists. His followers contended for the perpetuation of their belief amid many scenes of blood, and the struggle finally culminated in what is known as the Hussite war. The Catholics, being very powerful, succeeded in dividing the followers of the martyred Huss, and arraying each of the divided factions against the other. A very cruel civil strife then followed, which lasted for many years, until about 1457, when the more peaceable and intelligent of the two factions united and their barbarities ceased. By the year 1500, they had over two hundred churches, with :v membership of 100.000 in Bohemia. Upon the advent of Martin Luther, the Hussites bore him friendly congratulations, though they continued to maintain their Church as a separate institution. In the "Thirty Years' War," the Bohemians refused to fight, and the Protestants and their churches were destroyed. In the sixteenth century, a few of those who were left emigrated to Poland, Holland, etc. Some remained and worshiped in secret, but in 1722 they also emigrated, Koing to Saxony. There, in 1727, the '* Renewed Moravian Church " uas formed and Lutheranism, the prevailing religion, acknowledged.

The reader will now return with us to more civilizing scenes. In May. 18.")3, five hundred years since the time of John Huss, twelve families of Moravians resided in Watertown and vicinity. The Rev. John George Kaltenbrunn preached to them until September, 1854, when a congregation, with seven familes in the city, was organized. The first services were held at the residence of one of the members, and soon afterward a small brick church was constructed on Cole street, near Sixth, where the congregation met for worship until 1864, when their present church edifice at the corner of Cole and Sixth streets was erected, at a cost of ^3,000. The Pastors who have preached to this congregation, since Rev. Mr. Kaltenbrunn, are the Revs. J. | E. Wuensche, J. C. Israel, Gustavus Feurig, J. J. Detterer and Jacob Hoyler, the latter being now in charge. There are 200 communicant members at present, and the society is out of debt.

German [Evangelicnl) Lutheran Cliuroh. - In 18')4, the Rev. Christian Sans came to Watertown to succor the spiritual wants of a goodly congregation of Lutherans of the "Unaltered Augsburg Confession," belonging to the " Synod of Wisconsin and other States." Soon after his arrival in Watertown, Mr. Sans returned to Europe on a visit. While there, he raised quite a sum of money to aid in the construction of a house of worship in Watertown and returning in 1855, a large brick church was erected on Jones street near Sixth, costing something like $9,000. Mr. Sans was followed successively by the Revs. John Boding, R. Adelberg, A. Heinrichs and John II. Brockmann, the latter being the present Pastor. He came in 1875, and under his pastorate the congregation has continued to increase, until it is now the largest in Watertown. There are about three hundred families, or over one thousand six hundred persons members of the society. The society is entirely out of debt. Among the early founders of this Church still alive may be mentioned the following : Henry Bertram, Ludwig Eckhoff, Frederick Hart, Carl Marquart, William Frederick Kurtz weg, George Meyer, August Gamra and Daniel Kuscl. The present Trustees are Frank Schleuter, 0. L. Schroeter, A. Zickert, A. Alwardt, Edward Jansen, John Hoge, Geoi'ge Gamm, A. Gevers and Ludwig EckhoS'.

German Baptist Cliurvh. - The doctrine of John the Baptist is represented in Watertown by a congregation of Germans, numbering 105, who worship in a church edifice on County Line street, near Second, erected in 1875. The society was organized in Watertown in 1854, as a branch or dependence of a similar organization in the town of Lebanon, county of Dodge. The Rev. Edward Grimm was the founder of the society in Lebanon, and was the first Baptist minister to preach in Watertown. The first Deacons of the Watertown society were William D. Goetsch and William Jaeger. The presiding Pastors since the time of the Rev. Mr. Grimm, have been the Rev. Rudolph Ilaab, the Rev. William Paul, the Rev. Henry Nogel and the Rev. John Miller. Services were held in the schoolhouses and halls until the erection of the present place of worship in 1875. The present Deacons are the same as above mentioned. The Trustees are W. F. G' etsch. Charles Goetsch and Gotfried Robinhorst. The society is free of debt.

German Adventists. - A society of this denomination, composed of residents of Watertown and vicinity, was organized in 1874. A church edifice was built at the corner of Eighth and East Washington streets, costing about §1,400. Wm. Burrund, Frederick Hartke and Reinhart Kleck were chosen as the Deacons and Trustees of the society, and still continue to hold those positions. Theoilore Schmidt was the first Pastor; Peter Schneider is the present.

German Lutheran {St. John's) Church. - This society was organized in Watertown in 1855. The faith is the " Unaltered Augsburg Confession," and the society belongs to the " Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States." The Rev. Louis Geyer, who lived about seven miles northeast of Watertown, visited the place in the capacity of missionary for a short time. The Rev.

H. Wagner was the first resident minister called to the charge. He came in the fall of 1855, and remained till 1859. During his incumbency, services were held in a small frame building situated in what is now the Sixth Ward. The Rev. C. Strasen followed Mr. Wagner, in 1859, and has been Pastor of the congregation ever since. He continued to occupv the "little church in the Sixth," until June, 1865, when the new church was built. It is a brick structure, and cost about $15,000. The congregation at present consists of 1,405 souls. There are 316 male members over twenty-one years of age. About one-half the congregation lives in the country within a radius of eight miles of Watertown. The church is out of debt.

Cahinistic Afethodists. - Society organized and church built on North Washington .street in 1855. Calvinism took root in Watertown as early as 1847, when William Williams, of Waukesha, came here and preached to a small number of persons endowed with a belief in "particular election and justification by free grace," whatever that may be. Services were held for several years in the house of Richard Jones^ In 1850, Owen Hughes succeeded the itinerant Williams, and, in 1855, tlie date of the society's organization, the Rev. William Roberts was ordained its first Pastor. The first officers of the society were Richard Jones and John Jones, Deacons, and David Rickett, Elias Williams and Richard Jones, Trustees. The successors of the Rev. Mr. Roberts were the Rev. Richard Griffith, the Rev. Thomas R. Jones, the Rev. Thomas H. Jones and the Rev. William M. Jones, the latter being the present incumbent. The present officers of the society are Richard Jones and John Jones, Deacons, and D. K. Jones, John Jones and Richard Jones, Trustees. The society has between twenty-five and thirty members, and is free of debt.

Evangelical Reform Church. - Society organized July 14, 1861, under the Synod of the Northwest. The first Trustees were William Herbst, G. Lohmann, John Kohmetz and Fred Eggert. The first Pastor was the Rev. P. Joeres ; the second. Rev. L. Prackshates ; third. Rev. J. Gruenegen ; fourth, Rev. Mr. Poerner ; fifth and present, Rev. H. H. Meyer. The Reform denomination belongs to the original Scotch Presbyterian creed. Its followers are very numerous in Pennsylvania, Maine, Ohio and Northern Wisconsin. The doctrine was first preached in America about one hundred and fifty years ago. The Northwestern Synod has a Theological College near Sheboygan, in this State, whence a large class of students graduate annually. The present Trustees of the Watertown society are William Herbst, Hermann Harte, A. Dittes, H. Holste, J. Kopfer and C. Dippel. A church edifice and a pastorate were erected in the Second Ward, in 1861, at a cost of $1,370. The society is composed of about forty families, and is out of debt.

Immanuel Lutheran Church. - Society organized and church edifice erected in 1876. The first Pastor was the Rev. R. Vogel ; the second, the Rev. C. Mehrtens ; the present Pastor is the Rev. H. Hoerig. The society belongs to the Iowa Synod, and is composed of about fifty families. The church building is located in the eastern portion of the city, and cost about $2,0i)0 ; connected with it is a parochial school, attended in the summer by from twelve to fifteen scholars, and in the winter by about thirty.

As a matter of history, brief mention must be made of a church organization eftected in Watertown about twelve years ago, by Griffith Evan, a Welshman, who was expelled from the Calvinistic fold in his native country, for conduct unbecoming a minister of the Gospel, viz., abandoning his children, the issue of two wives in Wales, whom he buried there. He came to Wisconsin and led a small flock in the towns of Emmet and Ixonia, where he saw the sod grow green over the grave of a third spouse. Coming to Watertown, he brought with him an innocent young girl as housekeeper, whom he afterward married under circumstances which resulted in his expulsion as Pastor of a small congregation, for the forgiveness of whose sins he prayed from the pulpit of the little church on South Second street. The Rev. Mr. Evan has not yet, it is believed, taken the lecture field.

Watertown Bible Society. - Organized, January, 1848, by the election of the following officers: Heber Smith, President; Rev. Melancthon Hoy t. Vice President; George W. Breckenridge, Treasurer ; William Dutcher, Secretary. Sub-agents - Mollis Andrews, Andrew Swap,

Ine. Cowin, Rowland Blackmer, GriflBth Griffith, William Dunlavy, Asa Rogers, A. Mead, C. Adams, E. Higgins, 0. 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 supplying 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. E-xecutive 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.

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 Flo wring- 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 numberless 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 gentlemen.

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 property 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 connected with this establishment, including Messrs. Potter and Ford, as lessees, 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 subsequently 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 1 1874), a consolidation took place between Miller i Quentmeyer and Mr. May, the three mills being operated under one management. Mr. Quentmeyer subsequently sold his interest to Weber k Son, for $18,500. The firm is now F. Miller & Co. The extent of the business transacted 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 connected with the mills was destroyed by fire ; loss, $5,000.

Eclipse Mills. - Located in the Seventh Ward, at the east end of Boomer's dam. Formerly 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 arid 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 flouring-mill, and on October 11, 1872, sold to Benjamin Nute, Sr., who rebuilt the dam and remodeled 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 sircceeded 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 capacity of ten years ago. July 4, 1873, the roof of the establishment 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 Separator " is in general use throughout the State. The mounted horse-power and the portable steam engine are among the implements manufactured at this establishment.

Watertoivn 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 outright. 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, k Stone. In 1871, further changes in the management were made, Mr. S. S. Woodard retiring. The style of the firm then became Woodard k 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 instruments is now 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 &

Co., who, in 1858, sold to G. Werlich & Co. The hitter firm was succeeded in 1860 by G. Eberle & Co., who carried on the institution until 1873, when Philip Schmidt became the proprietor, and has remained as such to the present time. The factory has a capacity of 25,000 pounds of soap and candles per week. Twenty kinds of toilet soap and eight of laundry are now manufactured. Mr. Schmidt makes a specialty of castile and cocoa-nut oil soaps, which are of a superior brand.

Bretveries. - 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 dai-k you 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.

Fiiermann's Empire Brewery. - This concern was established in 1818 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 requirements 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 icehouse 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.

Oitij Bmoery. - This institution was opened in 1854 by Joseph Bursinger, employing three men and about |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 concern, with a capacity of about two barrels of highwines per day; located on the old plank-road to Milwaukee, and built about 1815 by Tigler & Greve. The successive managers of the concern have been Mr. Gregg, Messrs. Neisser, Jacoby Miller, Toussaint & \'auilel, and J. J. Toussaint, the latter being the present proprietor. The institution has been idle for the past three years. Mr. Toussaint carries on a rectifying establishment in connection therewith, which is located in Watertown at the east end of the Main street 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 li; 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 cities and villages, but the excellence of its productions - especially its Seltzer water, which is declared to be equal to the famous German bramls - places it in the van of this character of manufactories in Wisconsin. Wagon Factories. - Green & Reeil carried on the first wagon and carriage factory in Watertown. 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 eighteen 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 beginning 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 apprentice bench. In 1875, the partnership again ceased. Mr. Misegades has re-established "at the old stand." "There was a time." says Mr. Jone^i, " 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 Victory, 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 falling tree. August Krump, son of the unfortunate Gotfiied, 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. & .1. 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 ; manufiicture 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.

Carriage Trimmer. - About ten years ago, H. F. Cox opened out on First street as a carriage 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 factory. October 6, 1S78, 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 waterpumps 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 woolenmill, 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 & Webster and 0. 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 generally, 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 manufiicture of all kinds of coopers' ware, principally flour-barrels ; 80,000 pieces 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.

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 k 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 k St. Paul Railroad bridge. It was established about 1850, by George Washington Grifiith, who carried it on for a few years and then sold to George Mevis. It was soon afterward 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 similar concern on the east side of the river, in the Sixth Ward, and carried it on till 187-3, 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 conducted 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, findings, etc.

Ci(/ar Factories. - Two millions a year is a fair estimate of the number of cigars manufactured 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, manufacturing 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 additional help. He 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.

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.

Planing-Milh, 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. k G. B. Lewis in 1861. The articles manufactured are doors, blinds, sash, cheese-bo.xes, 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 & Parks.

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.

Lindons Packing-house. - Located on South Water street, opposite the American House. Established in 18.'i5 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-ffouses. - Fifteen thousand tons of ice are now (August, 1879), stored in the icehouses 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 Garden 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 0. 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.

Gas Company

A fair quality of gas is furnished to the people of Watertown. The company was organized in August, 1855, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, the passage of which was secured by Patrick Rogan, at that time a member of the Assembly. The first directory was as follows : A. L. Pritcliard, Daniel Jones, Patrick Rogan, William M. Dennis and William Chappell. The introduction of gas was celebrated May 13, 1856, by a public festival, held at the Planter's House. The present managers of the institution are Gustavus Werlich, Theodore Prentiss. Jonas H. Sleeper, W. H. Clark, and a few individuals living in the East.

Grain Elevators

L. J. Higby, of Milwaukee elevator fame, built the first grain elevator in Watertown, in 1855. It stood near the east end of the Milwaukee & St. Paul bridge, and was purchased by

A. Nichols, who, in 1866, removed it a few rods east of the present passenger depot of that road, where it now stands, the property of W. M. Buchheit. It has a capacity of about twenty thousand bushels, and is fitted up with improved machinery for cleansing and storing that amount of grain.

In 1856, George Peebles remodeled the large railroad warehouse, which stood a short distance west of the Milwaukee & St. Paul main depot, and converted it into a grain elevator. When Mr. Peebles died, in 1870, the property was purchased by John Betz, and on the 14th of January, 1878, it was destroyed by fire. During the summer and fall of the same year, it was rebuilt by the Watertown Elevator Company, and a large lot of grain-cleansing appliances, together with a forty-five horse-power engine, put into it. Jonas Sleeper is the manager, and L. B. Tifft and E. C. Wickert the purchasing agents of this institution. It is 34x36 feet in size, with a warehouse 80x30 feet attached. Tlie first six months of its existence the Watertown Elevator Company shipped 120,000 bushels of wheat.

Pritzlaff & Betz have just completed an elevator and put it into operation near the passenger depot of the Chicago and North- Western Railway Company. It has a full complement of the necessary cleansing and hoisting machinery, driven by a fifteen-horse-power engine The capacity of this elevator is about fifteen thousand bushels.

The Water-Power

Rock River has been made the patient servant of commerce, and the torrent, subdued to man's service to drive the complicated machinery invented by his ingenuity, is taught to leap forth in the morning to its toil, and to glide away at evening to its rest. The " old Watertown dam " was built in 1837, in connection with a double saw-mill (the first mill erected in Watertown), by Charles F. H. Goodhue & Son. There ^ere several parties interested in the construction of this dam, and the prospective proprietorship was the cause of considerable strife among certain early settlers. The work progressed slowly, however, and, in the spring of 1838, tiie feud was settled by an act of the Territorial Legislature which gave a charter to the C. F. H. Goodhue and James Bogan. The material of which the dam was constructed, not being of a very substantial nature, gradually decayed until it became necessary to rebuild. This was done about twelve years ago, the present substantial frame- work being put in. This dam is now the prop erty of F. Miller & Co.

In 1842, the upper dam, known as the Rough and Ready Dam, was built by Joseph and Calvin M. Bouton in connection with a saw-mill which has long since ceased to exist. In 1847, Luther A. Cole and John Richards erected the Rough and Ready Mill at this dam, with three run of stones. The dam was repaired by them, and, in 1865, they disposed of the entire property to Konig ik Benkendorf, the present owners, who have added many improvements.

The lower dam, better known, perhaps, as Boomer's dam, was built in 1847, by L. E. Boomer. Mr. Boomer also erected a saw-mill on the site, whicli was afterward converted into a flouring-mill. The property now belongs to B. & D. B. Nute. A portion of the water-power on the west side of the river is owned by William Taylor, of Green Bay.

Prior to 1853, the business of money-lending, note-shaving, etc., in Watertown. did not exist in accordance with any regular organized method. A person in need of a few dollars, and having the necessary collaterals, could borrow of his grocer or his butcher, and pay the interest with the productions of his farm or garden. The nearest approach to a banking institution in those days was Daniel Jones' broker office. In 1S.53, the Jefferson County Bank was orgaiiized under the State banking laws, with a capital of §75,000. The officers were Charles G. Harger, President ; Daniel Jones, Vice President, and H. B. Gallup, Cashier. This institution suspended in 1862, after liquidating all claims against it, and paying dollar for dollar.

In 1854, the Bank of Watertown was organized under the provisionary statutes, with a capital of $25,000, and the following officers : A. L. Pritchard, President ; W. II. Clark, Cashier. The capital stock of this institution is now $50,000, still being under the control of the original officers. It went through the panics of 1857 and 1873 without stopping.

In the spring of 1858, the Bank of Wisconsin was organized, with William M. Dennis as President, and Peter V. Brown as Cashier. Directors - William M. Dennis, Henry Mulberger and P. V. Brown. Capital stock, $50,000. In February. 1865, it re-organized under a certificate of authority, as the Wisconsin National Bank. President, William M. Dennis; Vice President, Daniel Jones ; Cashier, P. V. Brown. Its present capital stock is $50,000, and its officers are Daniel Jones, President, and P. V. Brown, Cashier. Directors - Daniel Jones, E. Johnson, F. Miller, H. Mulberger and P. V. Brown.

Before the days of railroads, the man who couldn't keep a hotel in Watertown, and make money at it, was considered to be a very poor stick, indeed. Watertown was a sort of half-way house between Beaver Dam, Fox Lake, etc., and Milwaukee, with which latter place it was connected by a good plank-road. Farmers and others transporting their produce to the lake shore could bring only ordinary loads over the rough roads leading into Watertown. Here they "doubled up" by putting two small loads on one wagon, and sending it into Milwaukee over the plank-road with " safety and expedition!" Watertown thus became a great central point for this mode of reshipment, the drivers and teams of the empty wagons frequently remaining over until the return from Milwaukee was made with the equivalents of their produce, being on hand to take half of it through the mud and mire to their homes. Mr. Van Alstine says he thought business was falling oil" if he didn't have one hundred persons to feed every day and as many horses to stable at night. But the advent of the iron horse brought a wonderful change. Watertown became a mere station at which only those having business here were compelled to stop. Its hotels, however, have been well patronized, owing to the large number of "traveling men " attracted thither by the increase of trade and the merchant's continuous demand for fresh supplies. The hotel history is one of deep interest and well worth preserving.

Lindon House. - Built by Patrick Rogan in 1845-46, and opened by W. S. Turner in May, 1846, as the American House, the first hotel of any consequence in Watertown. Peter Rogan became the subsequent proprietor. He leased to Potter & Ayres, but within a short time took charge of it himself Theodore Prentiss purchased from Mr. Rogan, and, in 1864, sold to Joseph LiYidon, the present proprietor. Mr. Lindon raised the original building, made additions in the I'ear and christened the structure the Lindon House, the occasion being celebrated by a " flow of soul " and other good things.

Planter s House. - Built in 1846 by A. F. Cady and Gov. Farwell. It stood at the corner of Second and Main streets, on the site of the present post-office block. It was leased by W. C. Greene. W. H. Clark became the purchaser from Cady & Farwell. Among the numerous individuals who succeeded to the management may be mentioned A. B. Gardiner, Mr. Harrington and Nathan Pratt. Mr. Cady subsequently became the lessee, but retired when the property was purchased by E. R. Robinson, who refitted and reconstructed the hotel and called it the Robinson House. Peter Bertholl purchased of Mr. Robinson, and he sold to Franz Gebhardt. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1867 and was not rebuilt.

American House. - Situated on South Water street. Built in 1849 by Michael Owens. Enlarged at various times, until it reached its present size - a three-story frame. Purchased in 1875 by Christopher Smith, its present proprietor.

Buena Vista House. - Built in 1847 by Henry Boegel and opened in February, 1848, by the same gentleman, who had been in the Mexican war, and took part in the battle of Buena Vista, from which event it took its name. In 1849, Boegel sold to William Wiggenhorn, who kept the house about six years. He then rented it to his son, C. Wiggenhorn, and, in 1855, sold the property to A. Meiswinkel. Through the inability of the latter to meet his obligations, the hotel reverted to Mr. Wiggenhorn, who leased it to his son Eugene, and, in 1863, " " ' Franz

Exchange. - Built some time in 1846 by a man named Savage. Kept firs as a hotel by Edward Gilman. In 1848, .J. B. Van Alstine purchased it, and, for the past thirty-one years, has guided its destinies, having made improvements which place it among the best houses in the city.

Commercial House. - Built and occupied as stores and offices in 184-3, and first opened as a hotel in 1847 by Thomas Norris. It was then known as the Watertown House. Norrissoldto J. C. Lewis, and in 1849 it came into the possession of Joseph Lindon. Mr. Manegold succeeded Mr. Lindon and is its present manager. In July, 1879, it was partially rebuilt and called the Commercial House.

Junction House. - Located at the junction of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul with the Chicago k North- Western Railway. Built in 1863 by John Matthews. It was then called the Bay State House. November 12, 1875, it was destroyed by fire. Rebuilt by N. W. Pierce, its present owner.

Washington House. - Built in 18-55 hy Herman Schroeter. Became the property of Fred Kronitz in 1875. Destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1877. Located at the corner of Sixth and Main streets. A brick structure, with twelve sleeping-rooms.

Schweitzer House. - A thing of the past. Built by a man named Bruesch in 1846. Afterward rented to C. M. Ducasse, who carried it on as an "emigration house," to his own profit and the comfort of weary individuals, who had acted under the advice of Horace Greeley, and gone West. Ceased to be a hotel about 1860.

Wisconsin House. - Built in 1874 by L. W. Krueger, the present proprietor. .A. twostory brick, corner of Main and Fifth, containing twenty sleeping rooms.

Among other hotels which have long since ceased to be may be mentioned the William Tell House, which stood in the Fifth Ward, owned by Jacob Baumann ; the Western Star Hotel, corner of Cady and West Water streets, owned by Gotlieb Baumann ; destroyed by fire ; Star Hotel, near the Milwaukee & St. Paul depot, owned by Daniel O'Connor; Boston House, in the eastern suburbs of the city ; Kossuth House, east end of Main street. All have passed away.

The Fire Depart.Ment

Considering the meager appropriation of public funds for the maintenance of this very necessary institution, the Fire Department of Watertown is well organized, and withal very efficient in preventing extensive conflagrations. It was incorporated under an act of the Legislature approved March 6, 1869, with the following officers: President, Leonard Jaehrling; Vice President, Joseph Miller ; Secretary, Gustavus Werlich ; Treasurer, William H. Rohr ; Collector, John Muth. Prior to this time, Watertown had enjoyed but poor protection from "devouring flames," though no serious conflagration had ever occurred. An antiquated handengine was the only implement in the .shape of a " fire-fighter " in the service of the city, from 1859 to 1860. All the boys ran with this machine. The company was known as

Pioneer Engine C'oinpanji, No. 1. - It was organized in 1857 with Albert Herkenrath as Foreman, and Joseph Miller, Engineer. It was re-organized in September, 1859, by the election of the following officers : Foreman, William Quick ; First Assistant, Owen Hogan ; Second Assistant, John Campbell ; Secretary, James McHugh; Treasurer, Michael McHugh ; Hose Captain, John O'Rourke. In 1866, a commodious engine house was erected on First street for their accommodation. It is of brick, '28.x3'2 feet in size.

May 9, 1868, a re-organization under the same name took place, with the following officers : Foreman, Theodore Racek ; First Assistant, George Henze ; Second Assistant, Charles Cech ; Treasurer, John Weber ; Secretary, William H. Rohr. In 1876, the hand-engine was superseded by an Ahrens steamer, which is still in use by the company. The present officers of the company are: Foreman, John Muth ; First Assistant, Ferdinand Buending; Treasurer, Christ Becker ; Secretary, Otto Loeffler ; Hose Captain, W. D. Fischer ; Assistant, William Beissner; Engineer, Ernest Kunert ; Fireman, Frank Kunert.

Badger State Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. - Organized April 17, 1869. First oflScers: Foreman, John Reichert ; First Assistant, Nic Bruegger; Second Assistant, Fred Stylow ; Secretary, Gustav Barthmann ; Treasurer, Carl Goeldner. This Company's truck occupies a portion of the First Street Engine-house. The present officers are : Foreman, Joseph Jungmann ; First Assistant, Nic Bruegger ; Second, Henry Meyer, Jr. ; Treasurer, Carl Goeldner ; Secretary, George Henze.

Pioneer Engine Company, No. 2. - Organized May 24, 1876. First officers : Foreman, Fred Spink ; First Assistant, John E. Weisert ; Second, George W. Hill ; Treasurer, James McGeean : Secretary, Frank Eaton ; Engineer, C. E. Straw. In addition to the above, the following were also among the charter members : F. G. Heinze, H. B. Howe, Ira Howe, C. A. Hascall, John McDonald, Charles Carr, W. J. Emerson, P. D. Walsh, Thomas Foley, N. Murphy, Gus McCabe and William Wilson. The city purchased for this Company a No. 2 Silsby engine, paying $4,800 therefor. The Company was temporarily located in F. Missegades' wagon factory, opposite their present engine-house, which was built and occupied in 1876, at a cost of $2,400. The efficiency of the Company and the completeness of their paraphernalia are entirely due to the individual efforts of the members. Their engine-house and meeting-room are models of order and neatness, being elaborately decorated with pictures and tapestry. The present officers are : Foreman, George Mann ; Assistant, William Emerson ; Engineer, C. E. Straw ; Hose Captain, E. Rogan ; Assistant, Henry Rosthauser ; Treasurer, John Weisert; Secretary, E. M. Wood.

Sack Company, No. 1. - Incorporated, in 1876, for the purpose of attending fires in the capacity of a special police and taking charge of property. First officers : Foreman, Leonard Jaehrling ; Assistant, Leopold Kabet ; Secretary, Eugene Wiggenhorn ; Treasurer, Joseph Blifenicht. Present officers : Foreman, William H. Rolir ; Assistant, Daniel Platz ; Secretary, F. Rosenbaum ; Treasurer, Joseph Blifenicht.

The present officers of the Fire Department are : President, Eugene Wiggenhorn ; Vice President, August Fuermann ; Chief Engineer, William Schulte ; Assistant Chief, William Stone; Secretary, Chris Becker; Treasurer, Carl Goeldner. Each company is represented in the Department by two Trustees. The Department officers are elected once a year, by ballot, the members of the different companies only voting. Each company selects its own officers. There are at present about one hundred and thirty-three members in the Department.

The authorities will some day realize the necessity for keeping teams of large and powerful horses to draw their engines to fires without delay, instead of relying upon overwoi'ked and broken-down animals which are invariably half a mile from the engine-houses when the alarm is sounded. Three instances of this kind have come under the observation of the writer within as many weeks. A stitch in time saves nine.

Watertown Post Office

This important Federal institution was established in tlie fall of 1837, with William M. Dennis as Postmaster. The people of Watertown, prior to that time, obtained their mail from Aztalan. which was for a long time the point of distribution for many other new settlements. The letters and jiapers for Watertown were brought by the mail carrier from Aztalan in a pockethandkerchief. Including I\Ir. Dennis, there have been twelve Postmasters in Watertown, as follows: P. V. Brown, Patrick Rogan, Benjamin F. Fay, John F. Kimball, Jacob J. Enos, Myron B. Williams, Jas. Potter, Peter Rogan, Jacob Jussen, Henry Bertram and Justus T. Moak.

In 1856, the monotonous arrival and distribution of mute mail matter was varied by tl receipt of a small dog, carefully tied up in a gunny bag and properly addressed to a well-kno\i citizen. It is believed to have been the first occurrence of the kind in the history of any po office. Commenting upon the affair, a local editor said that, in his opinion, it was "no worse perversion of the design of the postal system than the practice of some Congressmen of sendir their washing home, under the mark of public documents and with their frank of postaj free."

In January, 1856, Postmaster Williams removed the post office to Second street, in "qu;i ters enlarged and much improved." In August, of the same year, the office became entitled Presidential appointment, the commissions having reached $1,000 a year. Myron B. Willian was appointed Postmaster by President Pierce. In July, 1858,- Mr. Williams was supersede by Gen. James Potter, under Buchanan's administration. Gen. Potter removed the office to tl Democrat building, on Main street. April 29, 1859, the office was again removed, this time the corner of West avenue and Water street. Two months before the expiration of Preside! Buchanan's term. Gen. Potter was relegated to private life by the appointment of Peter Roga: who, in March, 1860, established the office in Cramer's Block, on the West Side. After fou teen months of official life, Postmaster Rogan was retired in favor of Jacob Jussen, who receivt his appointment under President Lincoln. Postmaster Jussen removed the office to L. R. Cady block on Second street, the place formerly occupied by it. Mr. Jussen was re-appointed in Ma; 1866, by Andrew Johnson, but in September, of the same year, was replaced by the appoin ment of Henry Bertram. Justus T. Moak succeeded to the position in March, 1867, and hi remained in the office to the present time.

The Watertown Post Office was made ''a complete money-order office," in 1866. The fir order was issued in February, of that year, to Henry Steger in favor of William Johnson, ( Dubuque, Iowa, for $7. The whole number of orders issued during that month was less tha the number sometimes issued now in a single day, the total being twenty-four orders, amountin to $384.42. The number of orders drawn upon the office during the same month was elevei amounting to $191.93. At the present time, quitean extensive foreign money-order business transacted, orders being obtainable upon Germany, Great Britain, Canada and Switzerland. Tl; records now show an average issue of 100 orders per week, aggregating $1,200. and nearly thi number and amount being paid. The general business of the office is quite large, requiring tl constant personal attention of Postmaster Moak and three clerks.

Other Federal Officers. - The following named gentlemen have, at various times, filled tb positions herewith accredited to them : Assistant Assessors, Harlow Pease. D. D. Scott an Calvin Cheeney ; Deputy Collector, Calvin Cheeney ; U. S. Ganger, William L. Norri; appointed in 1868, who, prior to that time, held the office of Inspector of Spirits and Cigai until that office was abolished. Of the large army of gangers, Mr. Xorris is one of less than dozen who have remained in office successively, and against whom no charges have ever bee brought. Storekeepers, George W. Perry and James McCann. The latter now resides i Rome, in this county. Court Commissioners, J. J. Enos and Calvin B. Skinner.

Public Halls

The first hall where public gatherings were held was (and is still) in the attic of the o! American House (now the Lindon). It was used for all kinds of entertainments for severe years, until John W. Cole's block was built, and a large hall opened therein.

Music Hall, on North First street, was the next place of the kind opened for such pui poses. It is under the management of the Musical Society.

Der Viehmarkt

This is an institution peculiar to the cities and villages of Jefferson County, and particularly to Watertown. It is what may be termed a stock fair, and has its origin in a cistom still in existence in Germany. It was introduced in Watertown twenty years ago by Leopold Kadisch, and has been kept up ever since.

On the second Tuesday of each month, hundreds of farmers assemble in the city or village nearest their homes, bringing with them horses, cattle of all grades and descriptions, hogs, dogs, poultry, dairy products, etc., all of which are displayed in the principal thoroughfares, for sale. Dealers from Milwaukee and Chicago meet them, and purchase sometimes largely of particular exhibits. It is a day of sharp bargains and amusing scenes. Farmers' wives and daughters drive both the cattle and the bargains, and can twist the caudle appendage of an unruly calf with a grace and effect that would turn an Arkansas " bullwhacker " green with env}'. The last three months of the year are the most fruitful of extensive displays. Third, Fourth and Fifth streets, for two blocks on either side of Main, are on occasions of der Viehmarkt the scenes of great animation. The merchant often reaps a rich harvest from those who are successful in disposing of their particular articles. Venders of peanuts, candies, etc., prize der Viehmarkt as highly as they do a circus, and the festive monte man is generally on hand, in search for victims : but. as a rule, those who become ensnared in his net do not always belong to the rural classes. There are gudgeons and gudgeons !

Secret And Other Societies

The Masons. - At an early day, a Lodge of Masons was organized in Watertown, known as Tuscan Lodge, the records of which cannot be traced, though they doubtless exist. The Lodge was short-lived and soon became a thing of the past.

The Odd FeUotvs. - Watertotvn Lodge, No. 31. - Organized September 1,1848, by Grand Master Wilson. First officers : S. Stirapson, Noble Grand ; M. W. Glines, Vice Grand ; W. H. Besley, Recording Secretary ; B. F. Fay, Permanent Secretary ; W. C. Green, Treasurer ; T. Ten Eycke, Warden ; Charles Billings, Guardian. January 5, 1856, the Lodge suspended. The oflScers at that date were: A. H. Nichols, N. G.; F. H. Dodge, V. G.; J. F. Chatfield, P. S ; Charles Wood, R. S.; H. Maes, T. In February, 1875, it was resuscitated, with the following officers, working under the old charter: John Davis, N. G.; E. R. Evans, V. G.; S. G. Roper, R. S.; Charles Wood, P. S.; M. N. Barber, T. The present officers are: A. Sollidav. N. G.; W. B. Squires, V. G.; E. S. Cunningham, R. S.; J. Hammon, P. S.; M. N. Barber, T.

Watertoivn Lodge, No. 77. - Organized April 10, 18.54. with the following charter members : Henry Mulberger, Andrew Peterson, John Baker, Henry Bertram and Christian Bretscher. John Baker was the first Noble Grand. The charter members originally belonged to No. 31 (the American Lodge), but national dissensions caused a rupture, resulting in the formtion of a new Lodge. The present officers of No. 77 are: William Krueger, N. G.; Fred Fischer, V. G.; Jacob Weber, R. S.: Leonard Jaehrling, P. S.; Jacob Koerner, T. There are ninety members in the Lodge.

Rachel Lodge. - In 1869, a Rebecca Degree Lodge, composed of the wives of Odd Fellow in Watertown, was formed, the present officers of which are : Mrs. Stjlow, X. G.; Mrs. Rose V. G.; Mrs. Fischer, P. S.; Mrs. Hoffman, R. S.; Mrs. Jaehrling, T.

Sons of Hermann. - Guttenbery Lodge, No. IS. - The Sons of Hermann is a secret Order but not of a very mysterious nature. Its object is the insurance of its members, each of whom upon joining the Order, takes a thousand-dollar policy, payable to his family, or whosoever h may direct, when he dies - a sort of life insurance association, minus the high-salaried officers No. 13 is strictly a German-speaking Lodge. Its first officers were: Theodore Bernhard, Presi dent; L. Jaehrling, Vice President; D. Blumenfeld, Recording Secretary; W. H. Rohi Financial Secretary ; C. H. Ahrenberg, Treasurer. Trustees - A. F. Manegold, S. Melzer an< John Heymann. Present officers: Philip Schmidt, P.; C. H. Wendtland, V. P.; Otto Lindc P. S.; G. H. Wenk, F. S.; Julius Goeldner, T. Trustees - D. Blumenfeld, Emil Gaebler an S. Melzer. There are sixty-seven members in Guttenberg Lodge.

Watertown Turn-Verein. - Organized August 21, 1860, ''for the purpose of the cultiva tion and improvement of the faculties of the body and mind of its members, and the managemen of musical and theatrical entertainments for the benefit and amusement of the society an^ others." Charter members - Charles Lotz, H. Pamperin, John Weber, E. Schuenemann, F Fetsch, J. Leinberger, John Berg and F. Giegerich. First officers : H. Pamperin, President Charles Lotz, Secretary ; John Weber, Treasurer. Present officers : Henry Bieber, President Charles Wendtland, Vice President ; Ed Neumann, Secretai-y ; Emil Kramer, Correspondinj Secretary ; M. J. Schubert, Treasurer ; William Steinman, Assistant Treasurer; Nic Brueggei Turnwart. A large hall was erected by the society, in 1869, on South Third street, at a cos of $28,000. Louis Kehr is the agent. The first company of Watertown volunteers to enlist ii the cause of the Union was composed almost entirely of members of this society.

German Order of Harugari. - Rock River Lodge, No. Ji.OJf.. - Organized January 7, 1877 Charter members and first officers : Charles Wendtland, 0. B. ; William Krebs, U. B. ; Emil Kramer, Secretary ; Henry Loehr, Treasurer ; Louis Beese, Hermann Birr, Louis Ulrich George Mann, Henry Jaeger and Nicholas Bruegger. Present officers : Emile Kramer, X. B. William Krebs, 0. B. ; Nicholas Bruegger, U. B ; Henry Rosstauscher. Recording Secretary Hermann Graeve, Permanent Secretary : George Mann, Treasurer. There are twenty-threi members in the Lodge.

Unitg Council, No. 330, Royal Arcanum. - Organized January 4. 1879, for the purposi of mutual insurance, regulated according to the expectancy of life, based upon the Carlisle table First officers: Dr. W. F. Whyte, Regent: Dr. H. T. Ebcrle, Vice Regent : Nelson W. Pierce Past Regent ; M. C. Ambrose. Orator ; G. A. Stallmann, Secretary ; F. B. Tuttle, Collector Sanford Cromwell. Treasurer. Trustees - Eugene Goeldner, Edmund Goeldner and Fran! Woodard ; Medical Examiners - Dr. W. C. Spalding and Dr. W. F. Whyte. Present officers H. T. Eberle, R. ; Eugene Goeldner, V. R. ; G. B. Lewis, P. R. ; D. B. Price, 0. ; M. C Ambrose, Secretary; F. B. Tuttle, C. ;'John W. Mentink, Tre;isurer ; Trustees and Medica

Ixaminers the same as above. Unitv Council has about twenty-two members. The initiation )e is $5, examination $1. Upon the death of a member, $3,000 is paid to the wife or whoever e may liave nominated in his application for admission. As an evidence of the efficacy of the ^stem, it is only necessary to state that the managers of the leading life insurance companies re warring a relentless war against it.

Young Men's Association. - Watertown has not been without her literary lights. An rganization of ambitious and public-spirited citizens existed at an early day, whose purpose as mutual mental improvement and the cultivation of oratory. But a lack of enthusiasm roved fotal to the objects in view, and the association ceased to exist until 1857, when, through le effisrts of the editor of the Democrat, it was re-organized, with the following officers : 'resident, W. C. Spalding: Vice President, R. S. Little; Secretary, D. W. Ballou, Jr.; Treasrer, W. H. Clark. The Association was duly incorporated, by an act of the Legislature, Febnary 24, 1857, and opened reading and debating rooms in the Watertown Bank Block. In October of the sameyear, the Association took up its quarters in Cole's Block, and, in conjunctiou -ith the manager of Cole's Hall, undertook the work of getting up a course of lectures. Among le notable men who filled dates in the course were Horace Greeley and Carl Schurz. Under lese auspices, on New Year's night, 1858, Mr. Greeley appeared before a large audience and elivered his then famous lecture, " Europe as I saw it." Commenting upon it, the editor of le Democrat said : " A donkey could just about as easily roar like a lion as the renowned hilosopher of the press could succeed in appearing and speaking like an impressive and gracei\ orator. It was the matter and not the elocution tliat pleased everybody." Carl Schurz ictured twice before the Association, his subjects being " Democracy and Despotism in France," nd "Americanism." The Association soon ceased to exist, and has not since been revived, 'his result, we believe, is not attributable to the "efl'orts" of the present honored Secretary of le Interior.

St. Bernard's Temperance and Benevolent Society. - Organized March 24, 1867. Presient ex officio, Rev. Dr. J. W. Norris, Pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic Church ; President, Pilliam D. Stacy ; Vice President, Thomas Moor ; Secretary, Michael Norton ; Treasurer, 'hilip Hackett. In 1868, under the presidency of M. J. Gallagher, quite an extensive library as purchased for the benefit of the Society, Patrick Hackett being appointed Librarian. The resent officers are: James B. Murphy, President (Rev. P. J. Colovin, ex officio President); oseph Brooks, Vice President ; James Prindergast, Secretary ; Thomas Sullivan, Treasurer ; lichael Murphy, Librarian ; William Dervin, Marshal.

St. Henry's Benevolent Society. - Organized July 15, 1867, with the following officers: leinhard MuUer, President (the Rev. Bernhard, ex officio President) ; Bernhard Koch, '^ice President ; Anton Schumacher, Secretary ; Charles Hahn, Vice Secretary ; Ferdinand better. Treasurer ; Trustees - John Deutz, Fridolin Rusch and Joseph Brehm. Present

Fenian Brotherhood. - Organized June, 1866, with the following officers : Patrick Rogan. Center ; Edward Sweeney, Secretary ; Michael Owens, Treasurer ; Committee of Safety - Thomas Moore, Philip Hackett, M. Hennessey, John Little and T. Dervin. Most every Irishman in Watertown belonged to the organization, but "their patriotic intentions were sadly blighted after the grand Fenian explosion in New York in 1867.

The Germans are nothing if not musical. Wherever the language is spoken, the not?5 of the accordion and the harmonica are to be heard. The most renowned sinjiers the world has known were of German extraction. The art of music belongs to them : it is a pari of their nationality. The first German singing-society in Watertown was fonnded by Frit2 Meyer, in 1847, at the Rock River House. Its members were G. Baumann, J. Hoeffner, J. Schubert, H. Bertram, Mr. Hassenfeld, A. Rhiner, U. Kuhn and F. Meyer, President and Director. The first concert was held at the Planter's House, and the second in the Methodist Church, to celebrate the German revolution in 1848. The latter was a part of the proceedings of a great gala day, which concluded with a torchlight procession. Mrs. K. Schubert was the prima donna of the occasion. The society removed soon to the Buena Vista House, and afterward to Boegel's Hall, where it increased and flourished, especially after the Jussen family joined it. Mrs. J. Jussen and Mrs. E. Jussen (the latter a sister of Carl Schurz) were both excellent vocalists, and took a lively interest in the welfare of the society. Here it was that Charles Stoppenbach, now of Jefferson, created a great sensation by turning a rocking-chair intc a musical instrument, and drawing, seemingly with a violin bow, beautiful strains of a peculiar origin and sound out of it. The music was produced by Mr. Stoppenbach's mouth by means oi a comb and a piece of thin paper. After an existence of eight years, the society began to decline, and it disbanded in 1861.

A new musical society had been started in 1860, by F. Hoeper, and in the spring of 1861, E. C. Gaebler, the present popular musical instrument dealer, organized the Philharmonic Society. In the fall of 1861, the two societies were consolidated, under the direction of Mr. Gaebler. At their first concert in January, 1862, they performed Haydn's oratorio, ''The Creation," and gave a concert every month during that winter. A difference of opinion having arisen between the active and the honorary members of the Society about its management, the former seceded, and on the second Saturday of July, 1862, organized the present Concordia Society. Mr. Gaebler has been the Director, with two short interruptions, up to the present time. Besides a large number of miscellaneous concerts and several operettas, the Concordia has performed two oratorios (Haydn's " Creation " and Romberg's " Song of the Bell,") and the following well-known operas : " The Village Barber," " The Magic Flute," '' Fra Diavolo," and " The Daughter of the Regiment." " The Magic Flute " was very successful, and the excellent manner of its rendition attracted wide attention. The cast of characters is well worth preserving: Sarastro, William H. Rohr ; Tamino, E. C. Gaebler; Papageno, P. Schmidt; Queen oi Night, Miss E. Butterfield (now Mrs. Walworth, of Omaha) ; Pamina, Mrs. Eugene Wiggenhorn ; Papagena, Mrs. D. Blumenfeld ; Priests, F. Fischer and Charles Arenberg ; Ladies, Miss Sarah Bellack, Mrs. H. W. Rohr, Miss E. Hermann and Miss Emile Bertram.

There have been two successful saengerfests (musical conventions) held in Watertown under theauspices of the Concordia Society, one in 1867, and the other in 1875. The Society has twice competed for prizes; the first time in 1866, in La Crosse, and again, in 1868, at Milwaukee. It carried off the first prize in each instance - a silver goblet at La Crosse, and a diploma at Milwaukee. In 1866, the Society erected Music Hall, and, in 1874, the four-acre island in Rock River, between Smith's Bridge and Rough and Ready Bridge, was purchased by them, and named Concordia Island. About $1,000 worth of improvements have been made on the island, including a bridge across the river from the main land, a double bowling alley, a platform 24x48 feet, for dancing, etc. Two thousand shade-trees have been planted on the island, and other improvements are in contemplation. In 1862, the Society was presented with a beautiful blue silk flag by the ladies of Watertown. The banner was the handiwork of Mrs. Wm. H. Rohr. Watertown Cornet Band. - Organized in 1870, with John Miller as Leader. The band is composed of the following members : Charles Noack, B flat clarionet ; William Summerfield, E flat clarionet ; Charles J. Wenck, E flat cornet ; A. Gritzner, B flat cornet ; Otto Noack, alto ; Alex. Noack, alto ; William Roeder, tenor ; Fred Pohlmann, baritone ; A. Schuelermann, tuba ; Frank Kartak, bass-drum ; John VVeissert, tenor-drum. The band also composes the string orchestra of Watertown.

Local Militia

Watertotvn Rifle Company. - "In time of peace, prepare for war" was their motto. They organized in May, 1851, calling themselves the Watertown Rifle Company. Oflicers : Henry Boegel, Captain ; Gotlieb Baumann, First Lieutenant ; C. W. Schultz, Second Lieutenant ; Jolm Reichert, First Sergeant. The war broke out in 1861, and when the first call for 75,000 volunteers was made, the " Rifles " disbanded, turned their arms over to the State, and became peaceable citizens. Lieut. Schultz's military mien had won for him frequent promotions, and, at the date of disbandment, he filled the honored rank and graceful uniform of a Captain. The old veteran is still a resident of Watertown.

Watertotvn Artillery. - Organized in 1853 with the following oflicers : Benjamin Campbell, Captain; John Willans, First Lieutenant; Henry Mulberger, Second Lieutenant. The patriotism of this company found so very few opportunities for expression that the organization was frequently threatened with dissolution. In 1859, new ardor was infused into its ranks by the election of the following officers : Henry Mulberger, Captain ; Jacob Hoeff"ner, First Lieutenant ; Charles Riedinger, Second Lieutenant. It was also re-christened, and called the Govsrnor's Artillery. Disbanded when the war broke out.

Government

Prior to February, 1839, what is now Jeff'erson County belonged to the county of Milwaukee, "for judicial and other purposes." There was no real local government, under the statates, for the early settlers of Johnson's Rapids. In November, 1838, Luther A. Cole was ippointed Deputy Sheriff under Owen Aldridge, Sheriff" of Milwaukee County, and remained IS such until February following, when Jeff'erson County was set oflT from Milwaukee County by let of Legislature.

Alvin Foster was the first Sheriff" of the county, being appointed to that office by Gov. Dodge. At the solicitation of Patrick Rogan, Peter Rogan, James Rogan, Judge Hyer and several others, who were originally residents of Watertown, Jeff"erson County, N. Y., the Legisature which passed the Division Act, gave the same names to Johnson's Rapids and the new ;ounty. At the next session of the Legislature, Jeff"erson County was duly organized and luthority given for the formation of a county government. John G. Oilman, a resident of IVatertown, was the first County Supervisor elected from this section. Dr. L. I. Barber was ;hosen County Clerk at the same election.

Town Government

Watertown continued under the county system of government until the spring of 1842, ivhen, in April of that year, the first election was held for town officers. The proceedings of

" At the first annual meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Watertown, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin Territory, held in pursuance of public notice, as required by the statute, on the 5th day of April, A. D. 1842, at the house of Benjamin Labaree, in said town, the following proceedings were had, to wit: John C. Gilman was appointed Moderator, and Silas W. Newcomb, Clerk.

-' It was voted that the electors present determine by ayes and noes the number of assessors and constables which should be elected in said town. The meeting then voted to have two constables and two assessors elected.

" The meeting then proceeded to vote by ballot for town officers, and, upon canvassing the votes, the following persons having received the greatest number of votes were declared to be duly elected to the offices placed opposite tlieir respective names, to wit :

"Town Supervisors - John Richards (Chairman), John T. Bailey and David Temple; Town Clerk, Silas W. Newcomb ; Assessors, Daniel W. Kellogg and Patrick Rogan ; Treasurer, Luther A. Cole ; Collector, John A. Chadwick ; Road Commissioners, Benjamin Labaree and John B. Geaudern ; School Commissioners, John Richards, John W. Cole and John A. Chadwick ; Constables, Harris Gilman and Eli H. Bouton ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, John C. Gilman."

1843 - Supervisors, John Richards (Chairman), John T. Bailey and David Temple; Town Clerk, John A. Chadwick ; Collector, John Gift ; Treasurer, Luther A. Cole ; Road Commissioners, Edmund S. Bailey, Timothy Johnson and Patrick Rogan ; School Commissioners, John Richards. Heber Smith and George Breckenridge ; Assessors, John C. Gilman and Silas W. Newcomb ; Constables, Eli H. Bouton and Harris Gilman ; Sealer, James L. Fisk.

1844 - Supervisor, George Breckenridge (Chairman), John W. Cole and David Temple. Justices of the Peace, (Jeorge Breckenridge, Ebenezer W. Cole and Silas Hathaway ; Town Clerk, John A. Chadwick; Assessors, Silas W. Newcomb and Edmund S. Bailey; Treasurer, Luther A. Cole; Collector, John Gibbs ; Commissioners of Highways, Joseph Bouton, Truman D. White and Benjamin Fuller ; School Commissioners, John W. Cole, Heber Smith and William R. Perry ; Constables, John Gibb, Otis M. Wilder and Thomas Noyes ; Sealer, George Smith; Overseers of Highways, Royal L. Mason (District No. 1), Isaac De Coursey (District No. 2), James Rogan (District No. -3), Eli H. Bouton (District No. 4), Jacob Lawrence (District No. 5); Fence Viewers, Jesse Dekoy, Calvin M. Bouton and Thomas Mullin.

1845 - Supervisors, Myron B. Williams, William R. Perry and James C. Johnson ; Town Clerk, William Vogonitz ; Treasurer, Stephen Stimpson ; Justices of the Peace, Myron B. Williams, John T. Bailey and Benjamin Morrison; Assessors, John A. Chadwick and Frederick McQuivey ; Commissioners of Highways, Patrick Rogan, Hazen M. Morrison and Sylvester Rudd ; School Commissioners, Stephen Jones, James C. Johnson and George Breckenridge ; Collector, Virgil D. Green ; Constables, Otis M. Wilder, Elisha M. Brown and Virgil D. Green ; Sealer, James L. Fisk ; Overseers of Highways, Zalmond Griswold (District No. 1), Edward Gilman (District No. 2), Timothy Johnson (District No. 3), Levi Cornic (District No. 4), H. B. Hawley (District No. 5) ; Fence Viewers, Thos. Gilmore, Roger Cooly and Dudley M. Hart.

1846 - Overseers of Highways, Pliny Bassford (District No. 1). Isaac De Coursey (District No. 2), Asher H. Nichols (District No. 3), Levi Cornic (District No. 4), Silas Hathaway District No. 5), John McLaughlin (District No. 6), Otis M. Wilder (District No. 7). Supervisors, Myron B. Williams (Chairman), William C. Goodenow and Sylvester Rudd. Town Clerk. Charles C. Hamlin; Treasurer, Stephen Stimpson; Justices of the Peace, John C. Gilman, John Gibb and Elisha D. Thompson ; Collector, Thomas Noyes ; .Assessors, Aaron Shultz and Asher B Nichols ; Commissioners of Highways, Truman D. White. Zalmond Griswold and John T. Bailey ; School Commissioners, DeWitt C. Hamilton, John G. Wolcot and Barrett Coon. Constables. Thomas Noyes, Harris Gilman and Orlando Gifford ; Sealer, James L. Fisk.

1848 - Supervisors, E. W. Cole (Chairman), Olcott Cheney and H. B. Hawley; Town Clerk, Charles W. Daniels; Treasurer, Barrett Coon ; Justices of the Peace, John D. Gilford, John D. Reynolds and E. W. Cole ; Assessors, William Nelson and John Richards ; Collector, Timothy J. Kelly ; Constables, Eudorus G. Thompson, George W. Crandall and Timothy J. Kelly ; Commissioners of Highways, Timothy Johnson, Peter De Coursey and Seth Higgins ; School Commissioners, Jonathan Crouch, J. G. Craighead and William C. Fountain ; Sealer, Seth Chapin.

1849 - Supervisors, Edward Gilman (Chairman), John Q. Hull and Alonzo Piatt; Town Clerk, Charles W. Billings ; Assessors, Patrick Rogan ; Treasurer, T. J. Kelly ; Superintendent of Schools, Melancthon Hoyt; Justices of the Peace, J. J. Enos, Seth H. Higgins and William T. Butler; Constables, H. Gilman, A. Streeter and T. J. Kelly; Sealer, Jacob Baumann.

1850 - Supervisors, Michael J. Gallagher (Chairman), John Q. Hull and David Montgomery ; Town Clerk, Sylvester H. Taylor ; Treasurer, T. J. Kelly ; School Superintendent, Melancthon Hoyt; Justices of the Peace, Seth H. Higgins, John T. Bailey, Corbian A. Abel and Adolphus Menges ; Assessors, John D. Gilford, John Farmer and Peter Rogan ; Constables, T. J. Kelly, G. W. Crandall and Aaron Streeter ; Sealer, Joseph Fisher.

1851 - Supervisors, John Richards (Chairman), Thomas Mullen and John Q. Hull ; Town Clerk, S. H. Taylor; Treasurer, Aaron Shultz; Justices of the Peace, Francis Smith and William Giben ; School Superintendent, James Covey ; Assessor, T. J. Kelly ; Constables, William Powers, S. N. Walker and N. E. Nichols ; Sealer, J. W. Jones.

1852 - Supervisors, P.V.Brown (Chairman), Thomas Mullen and Samuel L. Walker ; Town Clerk, E. W. Cole ; Treasurer, George D. Breckenridge ; Superintendent of Schools, Melancthon Hoyt ; Assessors, Walter Pease, Jr., Jonas Narracong and Ed. Mulick ; Justices of the Peace, Adolphus Mengis and E. W. Cole; Constables, Samuel N. Walker, Lucius Brugger and J. M. Bryant ; Sealer, Edward Gilman.

1853 - Supervisors, John T. Bailey (Chairman), Edward Mulick and Robert Hass ; Town Clerk, H. H. Winter; Treasurer, Francis Smith; Superintendent of Schools, H. Winter; Assessor, John M. Clark ; Justices of the Peace, John T. Bailey, James Stafford, V. B. Mead and Otis M. Wilder; Constables, Frederick Schwitzkey, John Revel, John Bailey and Clark M. Whitney; Sealer, John Q. Hull.

1854 - Supervisors, John Q. Hull (Chairman), V. B. Mead and Robert Hass ; Town Clerk, H. H. Winter; School Superintendent, H. H. Winter; Assessors, James Stafford and John Young; Justices of the Peace. H. H. Winter, James Stafford and Francis Smith; Treasurer, Francis Smith ; Constables, William Nelson, Thomas Newman, Owen Collins and Michael Farley ; Sealer, John Q. Hull.

1856 - Supervisors, A. H. Nichols (Chairman). Seneca Fuller and Charles Wollensack ; Town Clerk, John Kelley ; Assessors, A. H. Nichols, Charles Wollensack and T. Lenhallen ; School Superintendent, Charles Wilkins ; Treasurer, N. Nichols ; Constables, C. M. Whitney, John McLaughlin and T. Lehman ; Sealer, J. Q. Hull.

1858 - Town Clerk, William Moach ; Treasurer, Brayton Whitney ; School Superintendent, Justin R. Porter ; Assessors, James Lean and Anson Hans ; Constables. Brayton Whitney, Isaac Grover and Robert Hass ; Justices of the Peace, Chr. Meffert, John O'Connell and James Stafford ; Sealer, John Young.

1859 - Supervisors, John Q. Hull (Chairman), V. R. Mead and William Emerson; Town Clerk, Chr. Meffert; School Superintendent, John Kelley; Treasurer, Michael Nary; Assessors, Joachim Cordes and John Kelley ; Justices of the Peace, John Young, James Stafford and Edward Mulick ; Coustables, John O'Connell and E. D. Thompson ; Sealer, H. H. Winter.

1860 - Supervisors, H. H. Winter (Chairman), V. R. Mead and Robert Hass; Town Clerk, Chr. Meffert; Treasurer, Fred Lehmann ; Assessor, Fred Lehmann ; Justices of the Peace, Chr. Meffert, James Stafford and Chas. Wilkins ; Constables, Delos Haling, August Strehlow and Dennis Crowley ; Sealer; Henry Byff.

1861 - Supervisors, H. H. Winter (Chairman), Robert Hass and John Kelley ; Town Clerk, John Shinnick ; Treasurer, Adam Brick; School Superintendent, Charles Wilkins; Assessors, James Stafford and John F. Schultz ; Justices of the Peace, Orin Barnum, Ernst Hans and Charles Wilkins ; Constables, Delos Haling and Theodore Veidler ; Sealer, John Young.

1862 - Supervisors, James Stafford (Chairman), Robert Hass and John Young; Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, Gotleib Strehlow ; Assessor, J. Q. Hull ; Justices of the Peace, J. C. Kelley, William March and Robert Hass; Constables, Delos Haling, Emil Zeidler and John Rolk ; Sealer, Christopher Howmann.

1863 - Supervisors, Robert Hass (Chairman), Fred Strehlow and Adam Brick ; Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, Peter Shena ; Assessors, James Stafford and John Fink ; Justices of the Peace, Robert Hass, John F. Schultz and F. Wagner ; Constables, August Gills and William Wigand ; Scaler, John Young.

1864 - Supervisors, Robert Hass (Chairman), V. R. Mead and Edward Mulick ; Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, Joseph Ubinger ; Assessors, Edward Pfenninger and John Fink ; Justices of the Peace, William Emerson and John Young ; Constables, Fred Sydow and Edward Pfenninger ; Sealer, Gotleib Strehlow.

186.") - Supervisors, William Emerson (Chairman), John Young and Emil Zeidler; Town Clerk, Peter Kelley ; Treasurer, William Kind ; Assessors, John Fink and Andrew Eppindorff; Justices of the Peace, Francis Smith, C. B. Wilkins and John Fink; Constables, Adam Brick, Hermann Schroeder and Idels Huber ; Sealer, Henry Ohm.

1866 - Supervisors, Edward Mulick (Chairman), Emil Zeidler and Ludwig Cordes ; Town Clerk, Peter Kelley ; Treasurer, Fred Sydow ; Assessor, John Fink : Justices of the Peace, John Young, John Fink and Ludwig Cordes ; Constables, Thomas Shinnick, Hermann Weyman and Adam Eppindorff; Sealer, Fred Schwitzkey.

1867 - Supervisors, Francis Smith (Chairman), C. H. WoUensack and Emil Zeidler; Town Clerk, W. D. Stacy ; Treasurer, Jacob Widman ; Assessor, John Fink ; Justices of the Peace, C. H. WoUensack, W. D. Stacy and Emil Zeidler; Constables, Peter Scherrer, Adam Eppindorff and Adam Brick ; Sealer, H. Ohm.

1868 - Supervisors, Thomas Shinnick (Chairman), C. H. WoUensack and V. R. Mead ; Town Clerk, Peter E. Kelley ; Treasurer, George Spungenberg; Assessor, John Fink; Justices of the Peace, W. D. Stacy, Peter E. Kelley and John Fink ; Constables, James McGeean, George Spungenberg and John Wahl ; Sealer, Charles WoUensack.

1869 - Supervisors, John E. Kelley (Chairman), V. R. Mead and William Wigand; Town Clerk. Thomas Shinnick; Treasurer, Peter Boetcher ; Assessor, John Fink; Justices of the Peace, W. D. Stacy, Thomas Shinnick and Frank Smith ; Sealer, Peter Scherrer.

1871 - -Supervisors, C. H. WoUensaek (Ohairman), Fred Bucholtz and Peter Scherrer ; Tov?n Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, Chr. Straus ; Assessor, John Fink ; Justices of the Peace, W. D. Stacy, William Wigaiid and Fred Sydow ; Constables, Aug. Lehmann, Jacob Weldmann and Peter Scherrer; Sealer, Hermann Scliroeder.

1872 - Supervisors, C. H. WoUensaek (Chairman), William Boetcher and Fred Butler ; Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, John Klaush ; Assessor, John Fink ; Justices of the Peace, Frank Smith, Jacob Weidmann and Aug. Lehmann ; Constables, Charles Burchard, Joseph Indra and William Loefler ; Sealer, H. (_)hm.

1873 - Supervisors, Fred Bucholtz (Clmirman), Jacob Weidmann and Peter Boetcher; Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Assessor, John Fink : Treasurer, Charles Reuner ; Justices of the Peace, Francis Smith, Ernest Henning, Emil Zeidler and John Klaush ; Constables, John Nary, Fred Schwitzkey and Franz Frederick ; Sealer, H. Ohm.