Two Rivers Town

Two Rivers Town

The village of Two Rivers was set off from the town of the same name and a charter g-ranted to it on March 31 1858. It was divided into two wards, Washington street being the line of demarkation and the first Tuesday in May was fixed as the annual election da}-. The elective officers included a president, marshal, treasurer and three supervisors and one assessor per ward, while the clerk, harbormaster and minor officers were made appointive. According to the charter the first election was held in May 1858 and H. C. Hamilton, a Democrat was chosen president. He was succeeded by H. S. Pierpont in 1859, Edward Mueller in I860, J. B. Burns in 1861, David Smoke in 1862 and then by John Oswald, who served as president three years. During this time the village was progressing rapidly. In 1862 the legislature authorized bridges on the East Twin at Main street and over the West Twin at Washing-ton, Jefferson and Monroe streets. This act was repealed two years later and the village trustees given all authority over bridges, an authority which they soon acted upon, for the only bridge then in existence was that on Washington street erected by the county in 1849. Structures at a cost of $3600 were built at Washington and Walnut streets in 1865, J. Mann being the contractor. Street improvement was also pushed and adequate means of fire protection devised. Joseph Mann was elected president in 1866, after whom E. Mueller served another term, John Oswald two terms, Andrew Baetz one and J. M. Conine one. Then in 1872 B. F. Richter was honored, after whom Mr. Conine was again elected for two terms, serving until 1875.

In December 1868 the Two Rivers Excelsior Engine company was organized with H. Smith as foreman and also the Dexter Hook & Ladder Co. with George Burnell as foreman. A fireman's tournament was held in the village a year later and these organizations were very active factors for several years. In 1871, however, a steam fire engine was purchased and the department reorganized, a new fire station being erected in 1874 at a cost of $5000, the building also being used as a town hall. Several amendments to the charter were made during these years, one in 1868 in regard to the duties of the clerk and treasurer, one in 1870 containing minor provisions and one in 1871, changing the election day to the first Tuesday in April. Louis Zander became village president in 1875, then J. M. Conine served another term and he in turn was succeeded by B. F. Richter in 1877. A movement was then on foot looking towards the securing of a city charter and efforts in that direction were rewarded by the legislature in the grant of such a document on March 18 1878. By this charter three wards were created, Jefferson street being the dividing line between the first and the second and the third consisting of that portion of the city west and south of the West Twin. Annual elections were to be held on the first Tuesday in April at which a mayor, assessor, treasurer and two aldermen, one constable and one justice of the peace for each ward were to be elected. Each ward was g-iven representation in the couniy board, this being- a change from the system that had prevailed since 1870, by which the village as a whole was given but one representative in that body. The mayor was g-iven no veto power but could cast a vote in case of a tie. The council was given the power of appointing a clerk, marshal, harbor master and other minor officers and also possessed the usual powers given to similar bodies. The city was constituted as one school district and one school commissioner was appointed by the council to represent each ward in matters pertaining to education. The first election held under the charter resulted in the choice of M. Maloy as mayor and E. Hammel as treasurer and the council was constituted as follows: - F'irst Ward, U. Niquette and H. Lohman; Second Ward, R. E. Mueller and Joseph Schwab; Third Ward, Peter Stout and A. Wehausen. For many years the cit}' officers in Two Rivers were kept out of partisan strug-gle, each spring a general caucus of citizens determiningwho should be the candidates and the election being merely a form of ratification. Mayor Maloy was reelected in 1879 and was succeeded a 3"ear later by W. F. Nash, Mr. Maloy beingag-ain chosen in 1881. Next Andrew Baetz held the office for two years, his administration witnessing the construction of anew bridge on Washington street and other improvements. Considerable money was also spent at and before this time in dredging the harbor. Mayor Baetz wassucceeded by William Hurst for two years, who in turn gave way to B. H. Wilkens, who served four terms or until 1890, when B. F. Richter was chosen for a year. In 1891 two tickets were placed in the field, L. C. Traverse being the candidate of the Union Party and R. E. Mueller of the Democrats. The latter was elected, carrying all but the third ward. In this year the charter was wholly revised. Among the changes made were the creation of' the offices of police justice, surveyor and school commissioners, five in number, the latter to be elected by the people and to hold office for three years, and the institution of a board of review, consisting of the ma3'or, assessor, clerk, and one alderman from each ward, whose duty it should be tq equalize the citj' tax roll. Added powers were also given to the ccuncil in the way of maintaining- parks and soon after improvements were made on the public square.

Mayor Mueller was reelected in 1892 and was succeeded by J. E. Hamilton, who held the office two terms and in turn gave way to William Luebke. During Mayor Hamilton's administration an election was held to decide upon the question of voting $17,000 for a new bridge at Walnut street and for harbor improvements. The project was carried by a vote of 241 to 132 and the bridge was built the next ye?ir at a cost of $14,000. The Populist party gained considerable strength in Two Rivers during the early nineties and in 1896 they placed a ticket in the field for the municipal offices. The campaign was an enthusiastic one and the new party succeeded in electing its candidate for mayor, Louis Zander, besides placing in office a majority of the councilmen. In 1897 Peter Gagnon was selected as mayor and has served several years, being succeeded by Peter Schroeder. Two wards were added in 1897, making five in all. In 1900 a vote was taken upon the question of granting a franchise for a waterworks and electric lighting plant and the proposition was carried, but owing to delays on the part of contractors the systems were not installed until 1902. A street car franchise was also granted at the opening of the new century. On the whole the city has been well governed and progressive.

Errata And Additions

Page 298-9 The list of craft built at Manitowoc was compiled some six years ago for a local weekly and upon more recent investigation it has been found that several errors were made therein. Hanson & Scove builders, should have had credit for building the schooners Maxwell, Parker, McLaren, Linerla and Hall and the steamers Hinton and J. E. Hall. J. Butler superintended the building of the May Richards, Lalla Rookh and Rube Richards. To the list should be added

At Two Rivers during the early seventies the following schooners were built by Hanson & Scove: Jo-hn Schuette 289 tons, Mike Corry 380 tons, Granger 366 tons and Bertie Calkins 256 tons.