Plymouth City (part 3 of 3)

In 1856 P. H. Smith resigned as postmaster in favor of John J. Hansen and on July 29, the latter received his appointment. He kept the office in his hardware store until his term expired.

Eberhard Schlaich received his appointment as postmaster May 11, 1861, and with the exception of an interim from October 22, 1862, to December of that year, in which Martin M. Flint was the incumbent, he served the government almost seven years. It is presumed he first kept the office at his hotel, the Central House, which he built in 1858. It was during his administration that mail was received daily. The business of the office for the first year amounted to about $200; this was increased to $375 in the year he retired from the postmastership.

The successors of Eberhard Schlaich in the office of postmaster at Plymouth are the following: Henry Brooks, February 10, 1868; Gustavus Karpe, April 19, 1869; H. W. Hostman, December 28, 1885 ; Michael Sweet, June 20, 1889; Charles D. Eastman, January 10, 1895; Gustav A. Albrecht, January 28, 1899; Charles Pfeifer, April 24, 1908.

The first school taught in the village of Plymouth was by a Mr. Babcock, of Minneapolis, in the winter of 1847-8, in a log house on Milwaukee street, that later gave way to a frame structure which sheltered Mrs. E. L. Clark and daughter Mary, so many years. The first district was organized in 1847. The second teacher was Plautina Stone, who later became Mrs. S. Aiken, of Winooski, and who taught in a log house near where the brewery now stands. J. W. Taylor went on horseback to Winooski for her, walking back, while she rode the horse.

The first frame schoolhouse was erected in 1849, on the site now occupied by the Laack residence. Some of its teachers were Miss Langdon, of Milwaukee, Miss Murphy, of Sheboygan, Messrs. Searles, Harmon, Flint, Cody, Drewry and Littlefield, Misses Martha Dockstader, Franc Taylor and Vashti Eastman (Mrs. R. Gardner). During Mr. Littlefield's excellent work, the first primary was taught by Mrs. Littlefield, a seat placed around the entry way for the little ones. C. B. Briggs taught a term in 1862, in the Quitquioc school, and in 1863 in the other; Alpha Witt, who later became Mrs. William Swart, assisted, being the first assistant known. A new twostory frame structure was erected where the building, put up in 1903, now stands.

School began October, 1867, with Eliza Graves as principal and three other teachers. No grading had been done, so to Miss Graves fell this arduous task. She remained two years and was an excellent educator. Through her efforts all the possibilities of the pupil were brought out. Miss Curtiss and Mr. Wiley followed, and in 1873 A. F. Warden came and held the position with a marked degree of success for two years, when he purchased the Reporter. In 1877 ^^ married Mamie Eastman, of Plymouth. He held many posts of honor while a resident of Plymouth. He gave an address at the dedicatory exercises of the new schoolhouse in 1904. In 1875 W. J. Brier succeeded Mr. Warden, and in 1877, through his efforts, it became a high school and received the first state aid. The first class to graduate was in 1879 and was composed of C. D. Eastman, M. C. Mead, Amasa Burton, Charles Maynard, Will Bradford and Larady Robinson. Mr. Brier remained as one of the strongest and best educators in the ranks for eleven years, when he accepted an invitation to the superintendency in Baraboo, his old home, where he remained three years. He went to River Falls as institute conductor in 1889, and after nine years of service became president of the normal in River Falls. The members of the board were Messrs. H. Boecher, H. Wheeler, Sr., who for twelve years served as cleric, and William Swart, who served twenty-one years as director. Otto Gaffron, who has been a resident of Plymouth since 1875, succeeded Mr. Brier as principal, in 1886. At this time there were forty-one pupils in the high school room and one assistant. Early in 1901 it was placed on the accredited list, with the exception of the classical course. Mr. Gaffron remained as principal until January, 1903, but had taught six years in the grammar department previous to this, making a total of about twentyfive years in the school. He was succeeded by A. A. Thomson, who re- mained but six months, when he became connected with the schools at Two Rivers. He was succeeded by W. B. Collins, under whose direction the school course was changed to meet the state requirements. The course now covers eight years in the grades and four years in the high school. In 1904 a new nine-room structure was completed, at a cost of $26,000, equipped with the Johnson ventilating and heating system. J. J. Enright is the present principal of the school.

The state bank of Plymouth was organized first as a private concern by J. W. Dow, who came to the city in 1873 and opened a bank, which he conducted for his own individual profit until 1890, when with others he secured a charter from the state and in the year last above mentioned the Plymouth State Bank began operations, with a capital stock of $25,000. The first officials were: J. W. Dow, president; August Schmidt, vice president; E. A. Dow, cashier; H. W. Hostman, assistant cashier. After the senior Dow's death his son, E. A. Dow, succeeded to the presidency and Mr. Hostman also took a stride forward and assumed the duties of cashier, which position he still ably holds. In 1904 the capital stock was increased to $50,000 and in 1906 the capital was further enlarged to $60,000. The home of the bank is a beautiful structure with a stone front tastefully and attractively designed. The interior has all the essentials of a modem bank, having spaciousness, safety vaults, burglar-proof safes, etc. The capital stock and surplus are $1 20,00a; ..undivided profits, $27,000; deposits, $808,000. The present officials are: E. A; Dow, president ; August Schmidt, vice president; H. W. Hostman, cashiei5'>^i4;/W.iD0W,.ai5^istant cashier.

The above named financial institution Was organized as a state bank, May 6, 1886, and capitalized at $25,000. W. C. Saemann, Frances Taylor, Mary F. Behnke, Henry Nickel and others were the chief promoters of the enterprise. The first board of directors consisted of W. C. Saemann, F. W. Behnke, Adam Wolf, Frances Taylor, Henry Nickel, R. R. Wilson, John J. Koch. Officials : W, C. Saemann, president ; Henry Nickel, vice president ; O. Osthelder, cashier. Mr. Osthelder remained cashier until September 30, 1902, when he resigned, and Henry Garbisch was elected in his stead. Mr. Garbisch only retained the position about six weeks, when he voluntarily gave way to R. H. Koehler, the latter taking charge of his position January i, 1903.

W. C. Saemann died September 12, 1904, when R. R. Wilson assumed the duties of the office, but, at the regular meeting of the board of directors, held January 10, 1905, C. D. Eastman was elected to the presidency. The present handsome bank building was erected in 1905 and its beautiful outlines would grace a city of much more pretensions than Plymouth.

Fraternal Orders

Cassia Lodge, No. 167, A. F. & A. M. was organized June 11, 1867. J. C. F. McNeal was the charter worshipful master and A. E. Stoddard, senior warden. With modest beginning the lodge has grown and prospered, having now a membership of eighty-five, and headquarters especially designed and furnished in the new Plymouth Exchange Bank building. The present officials are: W. M., O. W. Timm; S. W., J. H. Wheeler; J. W., W. L. Kaestner; S. D., E. J. Larson; J. D., G. T. Larfeld; Treasurer, H. W. Hostman; Secretary, C. W. Jackson.

Plymouth Union Lodge, No. 71, L O. O. F., was organized January 21, 1887, with the following charter members: O. Treadwell, Hiram N. Smith, William Elwell, Ernest Kaestner and Robert Hotchkiss. The lodge now has a membership of fifty-two, all of whom are strong in the tenets of the order and work faithfully to keep it in the front' ranks. The officials for 1912 are : N. G., John F. Goelzer; V. G., Peter Staley ; Secretary, Edward Fox; Financial Secretary, H. E. Haugh ; Treasurer, R. H. Koehler. The lodge meets in rooms in the Dow block.

Alice Lodge of Rebekahs, No. 155, an auxiliary of the Odd Fellows, Was organized June 5, 1907, with the following charter members : William Graef, G. W. Ubbelohde, Louis Feld, Ben Feld, Fanny Feld, Rose Feld, Abe Feld and Elvyn Goelzer.

The Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 724, was organized May 31, 1898. The charter members were: A. G. Glenn, T. J. Lahl, C. F. Delo, Charles Huson, H. N. Shadbolt, H. F. Flagg, George M. Huson, George C. Sweet, Michael Gaffron, Byron A. Huson, G. L. Hostman, H. W. Timm, J. H. Gihnan, M. M. Kaestner, L. J. Wittenberg.

Royal Arcanum, Hiawatha Lodge, No. 520, was organized April 13, 1881, with twelve charter members. There is also a lodge of Royal Neighbors, which meets in the Dow building in the same room as the Odd Fellows and Woodmen.

Grand Army Of The Republic

Henry G. Davidson Post, G. A. R., No. 212, was organized November 9, 1895, and had twenty-seven charter members. As death has been very busy with veterans of the Civil war, keeping the ranks of the lodge from thinning out has been a losing fight. It is, therefore, but a question of time when the last member of this patriotic band will be commanded to answer the final roll call.

The Iroquois Club is a social organization that came into existence in 1905. It now has fifty-five members and meets in beautifully appointed rooms in the Exchange Bank building. The officers are : president, O. W.

Industrial Plymouth

This city has many inducements that should attract to its confines manufacturing concerns desiring a good location. As it is, there are industries here that should be given special mention.

In 1895 a number of business men subscribed for capital stock and the Plyniouth Refrigerating, Water, Light & Power Company was organized. H. E. Dow was its president and the capitalization was $20,000. A large three-story building was erected, but the patronage having increased so rapidly another story was added in 1896 and the capital stock increased to $50,000. The plant was built for the dry storage of perishable goods and when first remodeled its capacity was equal to 75,000 boxes of cheese and 5,000 cases of eggs, besides meat and other articles. In 1899 C. D. Eastman became president and additional storage room was added to the plant. Several warehouses have been built by the company to accommodate its customers - ^principally large cheese dealers - and having a well equipped water, steam and electric plant attached, is capable of meeting the wants of all who may deal with the company.

The Schwartz Manufacturing Company, makers of kitchen furniture, cabinets, etc., was organized in 1891 and was under the management of William Schwartz until his death, which occurred in 1903. In August, 1903, the business was incorporated under the name of The Schwartz Manufacturing Company, with G. A. Albrecht, president; H. Hostman, vice president; and E. Eastman, secretary and treasurer. In 1904 fire destroyed one of the buildings located on Staiford street, but was soon rebuilt. This concern's product is in great demand and it finds employment for about forty hands.

The Schwartz Foundry is a long established industry of Plymouth. Carl Schwartz, who settled here in 1847, started the business in a small way many years since and today his sons, William, Carl and John, are continuing the work begun by the father so long ago, in a new shop built by the elder Schwartz in 1905.

The Plymouth Roller Mills is an historic institution of this region and will be so recognized by the reader when its original name, Quitquioc, is mentioned. As will be seen elsewhere in this work, the Quitquioc mill was built by H. I. Davidson in 1849, ^"^ completed by R. H. Hotchkiss in 1857. Rudolph Puhlman became a partner of Mr. Hotchkiss and the mill became known as the Hotchkiss & Puhlman Mill and so continued until 1889, when it was purchased by William Schwartz. In 1901 Gottlieb PfeifFer became owner of the property and has so improved the mill that it meets all demand by its patrons of the present day.

The F. Thurmann & Company foundry and machine shops are important adjuncts to the business interests of the community. The shops were established in 1886. The proprietors were John and Carl Schwartz and Fred Thurman. In 1889 Thurman withdrew and for eighteen years thereafter employed his time in blacksmithing. In 1885 another foundry had been started by G. A. Albrecht, Charles Fuchs and Charles Knauer. Knaiier disposed of his interests the same year to William Thurmann, son of Fred, and later the Thurmanns and G. A. Albrecht acquired the plant, the latter retiring from the firm in 1902. The Thurmanns make feed cutters, plows, castings and do general foundry work.

There are other industries astir in Plymouth and, in a way, probably as important as those given space here. There are other factories, lumber firms doing a large business and their managers being men of affairs and influential in the counsels of those who have the best interests of Plymouth at heart. There is the Plymouth brewery established by G. Weber in 1865, still in operation and giving general satisfaction to its many patrons ; there are numerous mercantile establishments, all keeping pace with the rapid times; and there are the newspapers, true and honest reflectors of the sentiment and character of the bailiwick. All of these cannot be individually sketched. Many of them have found a place in the second volume, while others are mentioned in one or more chapters in this one.

Public Library

The first organization for library purposes was at the home of H. N. Smith, January 21, 1870. This society was formed to put on plays, the proceeds to be used to purchase books. The first officers were : president, R. H. Hotchkiss ; vice president, J. L. Dockstader ; treasurer, Helen Taylor ; secretary, E. H. Bowman. The first librarian was Mrs. P. H. Smith and the library was kept in her home. In 1877 this society, called the "Hub Club," had successfully presented about thirty of the standard plays, the gross receipts in round numbers being two thousand dollars. November 15, 1901, the present public library was opened to the public. For nearly two years prior to this time the ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps had maintained and kept up a public reading room, with hopes of merging this into a public library. They petitioned Mayor A. H. Schram to make an appropriation for the purpose. The members of the Hub Qub, with the same interest at heart, would donate the Hub Club books. Upon this basis and decision the public library was brought about, according to state, city and free library commission rules.

The first officers were: President, E. A. Dow; vice president, Mi.ss Franc Taylor ; treasurer, E. D. Dennis ; secretary. Miss Mary Clark. The beginning was with about 1,100 books. There are now two thousand.

County Fairs

The first agricultural society in Sheboygan county was organized July 4, 185 1. Suitable grounds were secured and fairs were held for a number of years. Interest in the meetings finally waned, the grounds and buildings were disposed of and the society went out of existence. On the loth of October, 1896, in Turner Hall, in the city of Plymouth, a number of influential nien of the county assembled and organized the Sheboygan County Agricul- tural Association. H. Wheeler, Sr., was elected president ; Noah Saemann, of Adell, vice president; Otto Gaffron, Pl)anouth, secretary; E. A. Dow, Plymouth, treasurer. Directors: M. Gottfried, Elkhart; E. B. Robinson, Lyndon; George Wolff, Rhine; F. B. Hesler, Glenbeulah; A. McDonnell, Scott.

A purchase was made *of twenty acres lying northeast of the Weeks' property, and two hundred shares of stock of the par value of ten dollars each were sold, a part of which was paid for in labor performed on the grounds. The first fair was held in 1897 and since then the annual meetings have been well attended and from year to year the interest has been maintained. The present officers are: P. K. Wheeler, president; N. Saemann, vice president; O. Gaffron, secretary; E. A. Dow, treasurer; R. A. LaBudde, Rhine; H. W. Timmer, Lyndon; J. E. Brogan, Mitchell; R. B. Melvin, Glenbeulah; George Nohl, Johnsonville, directors. J. O. Parrish, Lima, general superintendent; H. J. Goelzer, Plymouth, superintendent of speed; H. F. Thiedeman, Plymouth, superintendent of grounds.

Chronology Of Plymouth Town

The first clerk of the town was James Clark in 1849, ^^^ the first treasurer, Hiram Bishop ; the first superintendent of schools, Franklin Bond.

First Congregational Church

This society was organized in 1855 and was then called the First Congregational church of Lyndon, its meetings being held at the homes of the members or at the Mulleton schoolhouse. It seems, however, that several years prior to 1855 a number of Christian families living near the town line between Plymouth and Lyndon met at their homes and later at the schoolhouse for divine worship. At a meeting held January 14, 1855, Samuel Reed was elected a delegate to attend the Winnebago convention which met the same month at Rosendale, Wisconsin, and to make application for admission to that body. January 3, 1857, C. W. Wilder and Joseph Bamford were chosen a committee to "make a plan of a meeting house, estimate the expense of building and report at some subsequent meeting."

The First Congregational society of Pl)rmouth and Lyndon was organized December i, 1857, to have charge of the business and legal matters appertaining to the church. C. W. Wilder, Elijah Dawley and Joseph Bamford were elected trustees ; M. Benson, clerk ; and O. Treadwell, treasurer. A preparatory lecture was delivered in the schoolhouse in Plymouth, Saturday, July i, 1858. This seems to have been the beginning of a movement to move the church from the town of Lyndon to the village of Plymouth.

During 1859 the congregation was engaged in building a house of worship in the village of Plymouth. This was dedicated December 17 of that year, and is still in use, having been from time to time repaired and remodeled, and an addition of twelve feet has been added to the front of the church. A new pipe organ was installed in the summer of 191 2. The parsonage, which was built in 1866, has also recently been greatly improved and remodeled and it is now a modem and convenient residence. The value of the church property is $18,000.

The present membership of the church is one hundred and sixty, while the Sunday school numbers one hundred and ninety-eight members. There is also a Ladies' Society, a Priscilla Society, composed of the young ladies of the church, a society called the King's Daughters, composed of the young girls of the congregation and a Christian Endeavor Society, all of which are in a thriving condition.

The first pastor to serve the church was Rev. Josephus Morton, who came in 1855 and remained until his death, September 15, 1859. His successors have been: Thomas Wadsworth, 1860-63; Henry Avery, 1863-64; James D. Todd, 1864-67; Sidney H. Barteau, 1867-70; J. N. Powell, 1870- 75; L. Wolf sen, 1875-77; David Wirt, 1877-79; Gilbert Rindell, 1879-85; G. J. Webster, 1885-88; G. B. Hubbard, 1888-98; F. C. Bliss, 1898-1901 ; George H. Marsh, 1901-05; Charles Mcintosh, 1905 until his death in November, 1906. The church was then without a pastor for a few months, when A. J. Wilson came in February, 1907, and remained until 1909; William Lodwick then served from May of the latter year until 191 1, and he was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. Winf red Altvater, who assumed charge in December, 191 1.

The organization of St. John's Lutheran church was perfected in 1856, with the following charter members: John Adams, John W. Hueppchen, Henry Boecher, Christopher Bade, J. G. W. Hueppchen, J. J. Keuper, Michael Eberhardt and Henry Borges.

The members built the first church in 1858, which was dedicated the following year. This served its purpose until 1890, when the building gave way to a new one, which was erected at a cost of $14,000. The dedication took place March 8, 1891. The church has two bells in its tower and also the city clock. The interior is beautifully finished and decorated.

The pastors who have served the church from the time of the organization to the present time are: Revs. G. Steinbach, 1856-58; E. Rolf, 1858-62; F. Ottmann, 1864-84; J. Herzer, 1884-91; W. Matthes, 1891-95; H. F. Proehl, 1895 until he resigned a short time prior to his death, which occurred April 8, 191 1. The church was then without a pastor for a short time when Rev. Martin Schmidt assumed charge and is still with the church.

German Reformed Church

The organization of this church was perfected March 6, 1896, with seventeen families, among whom were Henry Schwalenberg, John Kroeger, Henry Zwerg, Christoph Ploetzke, Herman Ploetzke, Carl Hecker, John Stallmann and Huldreich Witzel.

In the same year the congregation began the erection of a house of worship, which was completed and dedicated on the i8th of October, 1896, the dedicatory services being in charge of Rev. Vriesen, of Sheboygan Falls. It is a neat frame structure, with a seating capacity of three hundred, and stands on the corner of Smith street and Forest avenue. The parsonage adjoins the church property and the value of both properties is $6,000. The present membership of the church is 262, while the Sunday school numbers 130.

There have been but two pastors in the church. Rev. Steinecker serving from the time of the organization until his death in 1902, when the present pastor, Rev. F. W. Beisser, assumed charge.

German Evangelical Church

The German Evangelical, also known as the German Methodist church, was organized about forty years ago and among its first members were the families of Greenisen, Corta, Kunst, Kook, and Fischer. The first meetings were held in a schoolhouse two rniles west of Plymouth, and about five years after the organization of the society, a church was built at the corner of Pleasant street and Western avenue. It is a small frame structure, valued at $2,800. This has always been a mission, supplied by pastors from other towns. The first to serve the church was Rev. Deede and at the present time

The congregation of St. John the Baptist's at Plymouth, was established in 1861, by the Rev. Father Schmitting. Prior to this and even as far back as 1848, the people in this vicinity received occasional visits from the Revs. F. Schraudenbach and Rehrl, who were among the pioneer missionaries of the northwest and who said mass in the homes of different settlers. Of these Rev. Schraudenbach is credited with having been the first to say mass at Plymouth. The congregation at this place was attended as a mission by Fathers Stehle and Haider between the years 1863 and 1868, services being held during that period once every month. After them came the Capuchin Fathers from Mt. Calvary, who ministered to the spiritual wants of these people until 1888, when Rev. J. P. Van Treeck, located at Sheboygan, visited Plymouth every three weeks. This he continued to do until 1890, when his brother, J. A. Van Treeck, taking charge of his congregation during his sickness and absence, administered to the wants of these congregations. Upon his return in August, 1891, Rev. J. P. Van Treeck again took charge of the congregation, his first services as resident pastor being held August 9 of that year at which time the congregation numbered but twenty-two families. This number has since been greatly increased.