'^97^t^A,.<^-<r/-^ ^puf^^yU^^>^<f>(^ 
 
 F 587 
 
 BEFORE THE 
 
 Id Settler's Blub 
 
 — OF 
 
 Milwaukee County 
 
 January 6th, 1873 
 
 BY 
 
 JUDGE A. G. MILLER 
 
 PRESIDENT. 
 
 PCBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CLUB. 
 
 MILWAUKEE: 
 
 EXTERPRISE I'.OOK AND JOB PRINTING HOUSE; SOUTH SIDE. 
 
 Copy 1 ANNUAL ADDRESS 
 
 M. 
 
 A ^ 
 
ANNUAL ADDRESS 
 
 UTOBB TSa 
 
 lid Settlers' filub 
 
 Milwaukee County 
 
 January 6th, 1873, 
 
 BY 
 
 JUDGE A. G.'MILLER, 
 
 PRE&WENT. 
 
 -1 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OP THB CLUB. 
 
 ) 
 
 MILWAUKEE : 
 
 B5fTfBUPKISI Boot AND JOB PRINTING nOUSB, SOUTH S<I>S 
 
 1973. 
 

ADDRESS. 
 
 Men who voluntarily left the comforts and associatons of th«ir 
 native homes, to make new homes and lay a foundation for a 
 new government \.\\ the far west were public benefactors. They 
 were courageous and self-sacrificing men, worthy the respect 
 and homage of those, who enjoy tho rich results of their enter- 
 prise and labors. 
 
 The old soldier loves to talk about his captain, his colonel, 
 his regiment, and the battles he fought. The old setder is happy 
 in the evening of his days, in tellmg of his journey westward, of 
 his claim and purchase of government land, of his first log 
 cabin, of his first garden patch, of his first yoke of oxen, of his 
 first crop of wheat, of his first neighbor, of his wife and little 
 ones, and of their ultimate prosperity. Men advanced in age and 
 of experience happily speak of the times that tried their energy 
 and courage, as lessons of encouragement to their sucessors in 
 business. With such feelings and emotions, the old settler's 
 club of Milwaukee county was organized, "for the purpose of re- 
 viving old acquaintances and of renewing the ties of former 
 years. " 
 
 Incidents connected wi'h pioneer life are interesting to the 
 actors in the "olden time," and should be equally so to their 
 posterity. Old settlers cherish in their memories many inte- 
 resting circumstances connected witii the improvement of this 
 country, which they love to unfold to each other and to their 
 friends and neighbors. The personal experience of each settler 
 in the aggregate, forms a vast fund of useful knowledge. We 
 may mtlulge in mutual congratulations, that our lots were cast 
 in this Canaan of the Northwest, which we came to posses, and 
 have successfully improved and enjoyed. 
 
There is no money in this club; but there is reputation. The 
 place and date of the birth of every member, the time of his 
 arrival in the territory and of his decease, are recorded in well 
 bound volumes for preservation and reference. The records 
 and proceedings of this club may be appreciated by after gener- 
 ations, as evidence of the good deeds of its members individu- 
 ally, and of the reputation of the first inhabitents of this county 
 for industry and integrity. 
 
 It is not expected, that this association is to tciminate with 
 its present members. Provision is made in the constitution for 
 the admission ot new members annually after a residence of 
 thirty years in Milwaukee county; whereby there maybe a ^fv — 
 tinued increase of members corresponding with the growth of 
 population. Each successive generation of members having 
 knowledge of events transpiring in their own days, should fol- 
 low the example ef the present members, in recording their ex- 
 perience, for the benefit of their successors. The State Histor- 
 ical Society at Madison annually receives and publishes our 
 printed addresses. In fact this club is auxiliary to that society. 
 
 During the lives of the poineers it is eminently pioper, that 
 the annual address of your President, should mainly consist of 
 facts connected with the early settlement of this countiy. I shall 
 therefore confine this address to transactions occurring prior to 
 and during the territorial government of Wisconsin, even at the 
 risk of relating common place matter, in the estimation of some, 
 who do not appreciate the local history o( those times. The 
 device of an Indian wigwam and a lof cabin on our badge sug 
 gests a prominent portion of the following remarks. 
 
 The American Indians have been a subject interesting to 
 philanthropists since the first colonial settlements. Savage and 
 untutored races of men, at all times have retired before the ap- 
 proach of civilization and improvement. In the territory'o/ 
 the northwest, wars have been succeeded by treaties of cession 
 of Indian territory to the United States, by surveys by the gov- 
 ernment of the ceded lands into sections and fractions of sec- 
 tions, and by their settlement and improvement. Such followed 
 
5 
 
 the Indian wars in S^ouihcrn Ohio and Southern Indiana. The 
 like followed the war of 1812, with England, in Northern 
 Ohio, Northern Indiana and Michigan. The like also succeded 
 the Black Hawk war, in Northern Illinois and Southern Wis- 
 consin The United States have not treated with the Indian 
 tribes assoverignor independent nations, but rather as gtioai 
 $^ wiirds of the government. The United States, by cession from 
 tne State of Verginia, became the undisputed owner in fee of 
 the northwestern territory subject to the unsettled claims of the 
 Indians. The government as the soverign owner of the terri- 
 tory formed peacful treaties with the Indian tribes, upon princi 
 pies of humanity, providing for a consideration in money and 
 means of subsistence. It was more becoming a great nation to 
 remove the Indians by peaceful negotilions, than by military 
 force. 
 
 The Menominee tribe was peaceful and friendly, and in con- 
 sideration in part of benefits received ofgovernment, they ceded 
 to the United Stales the lands described in the following treaty. 
 
 "The Menominee tribe of Indians in consideration of the 
 kindness and protection of the government of the United State 
 and for the purpose of securing to themselves and posterity a 
 comfortable home, ceded and forever relinquished to the United, 
 States all their ciamtry on the south-east side of AVinnebago 
 Lake, Fox River and Green Bay, decribed in the following 
 boundaries: Begining at the south end ot Winnebago Lake 
 and running in a south-east direction to Milwakey ui/ Minna- ^ 
 wakey River, thence down said river to its moulh, thence north 
 along the shore of Lake Michigan to the entrance of Green 
 Bay, thence up and along Greeen Bay, P'ox River and Winne- 
 bago Lake to the place of beginning, excluding all private land 
 claims, which the United States have heretofore confirmed and 
 sanctioned — and also all the islands in Fox River and Green 
 Bay are likewise ceded, the lands ceded comprising by estima- 
 tion two millions five hundred thousand acres." 
 
 This treaty and a cession from the Pottovvatamles and other 
 tribes included the lands covered bv this ci:v. The mouth of 
 
tlic MiUaukec River was the extent of the Menominees lands 
 on the south. The lands of the Pottowatimies, and other tribes 
 extended from that point south and west The cession of the 
 friepdly Menominees was made in 1831, the year before the 
 Black Hawk war, the cession of the Poitowatamies and of the 
 Sioux and Foxes, which tribes were warlike w^as made in 1833 
 the year after tliat war. 
 
 The very early settlement of Solomon Juneau and Gjorge H. 
 Walker at Milwaukee, made this point a favorite place of 
 Indian resort. They visited the tradmg tents of these gentlemen 
 from all quarters. Indian trails stretching out in every direc- 
 tion fiom this point were visible for years after the removal of 
 the Indians. The trail between Milwaukee and Green Bay was 
 the high road for travel, until the military road was opened in 
 the year 1841, pursucnt to an act of Congress. The time re- 
 quired for traveling between those points was four davs. Port 
 Washington, Sheboygan Falls an d ]M mitowoc were the only in- 
 termediate stopping place55. The postman traveled the trail on 
 foot,delivcringthe mail at the terminus of his route on the fourth 
 day. Returning from holding court in Green Bay, in October, 
 1839. a beautiful indian summer day, between Sheboygan Falls 
 and Milwaukee, I met the mail carrier on foot, who was the 
 only white man observed on the trail that day, but numerous 
 Indians enjoying their hunting season. 
 
 The trail of the Indians under lilack Hawk, extending to- 
 wards Bad Axe on the Mississippi river, was pointed out to me 
 in the capitol grounds at Madison by Gov. Dodge, in December 
 1838. The capitol covers that trail. The lands of the Men- 
 ominee cession were very soon after the treaty, surve3ed and 
 brought into market, but those Indians visited Milwaukee annu- 
 ally for years, from their northern possession^, with marketing, 
 such as game of all kinds, and wild berries of every description. 
 They continued to hunt in the forests between Milwaukee and 
 Gr2en Bay as late as 1841. Thclast dance of the Menominees 
 in Milwaukee was in October, 1841, on a bluff in Jackson 
 street. imme:li.it?lv south of Wisconsin street, 
 
.-A's late as i84o ffesh Indian graves were discovered at several, 
 place's in Milwaukee. The lake bluff between ^licliigan and 
 Huron Streets fifty feet above the level of the water, was their 
 favorite place of intering their dead. They seemed inclined 
 to bury their dead braves at a point overlooking the great lake. 
 Patches of corn hills in several localities in and about Milwaukee 
 remained distinct, until destroyed in process of improvement. 
 Low loomy grounds easily cultivated with the hoe, were the 
 points of agricultural operations of the squaws. Working was 
 made the duty of the women. Hunting was die occupation of 
 the men. The brave Indian is a much too self-important in- 
 dividual to make use of any other instruments, than his rifle, 
 tomahawk and scalping knife. It was remarkable the regularity 
 in which the corn hills appeared. They were about of the same 
 size and in straight rows crossing at right angles. 
 
 Soon after the cession of these lands, they were surveyed into 
 sections, as commenced by the government in Ohio, allotting 
 the sixteenth section in each town for school purposes. A land 
 office was established at Green Bay in 1834. The lands em- 
 braced >vithin the boundaries of Milwaukee were purchased at 
 that office, Solomon Juneau purchased the land situate on the 
 east side of the Milwaukee river, Byron Kilbourne, on the west 
 side of the river, and George H.Walker on the south side of the 
 river. By an act of Congress approved June 15, 1836, the 
 Green Bay land district was divided, and the IMilwaukee dis- 
 trict established. The first sale of government lands, at Mil- 
 waukee was in February, 1839. ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ lands in Mil- 
 waukee and adjacent counties were partially settled upon. 
 The settlers occupied their claims under rules adopted by them- 
 selves for their mutual protection. Contracts of purchase and 
 sale of claims under these rules were enforced by the courts. 
 In this respect history repeated itself. In Pennsylvania and 
 other states, improvement rights of first settlers were protected 
 by the laws. 
 
 The census taken in 1S40 was the first census of Wisconsin. 
 It appears by the return of that census, filed in the office of the 
 
8 
 
 court clerk of jMiUvaukee county, that the population of this 
 county, including that part now Waukesha county, was five 
 thousand ftve hundred and seventy-three. Of this number there 
 were in what is now Waukesha county, two thousand one 
 hundred and eighty-two persons — and in the present county of 
 Milwaukee, three thousand three hundred and ninety-one. In 
 the village of Milwaukee there were thirteen hundred and 
 seventy-one persons, in the east ward of the village seven hund- 
 red and ' seventy-eight, and in the west ward five-hundred and 
 ninety-three. And in the towns of Milwaukee county there were 
 two thousand and twenty. Of this population of five thousand 
 five hundred and seventy-three, there were persons under five 
 years of age nine hundred and ninety-nine, between five and 
 ten years, six hundred and eighty-six; between ten and fifteen, 
 lour hundred ani eighty-nine; between fifteen and twenty, four 
 hundred and eighty-nine; between twenty and thirty, thirteen 
 hundred and eighty-five; between thirty and forty eight hundred 
 and eighty-one; between forty and fifty, three hundred and foity- 
 cne; between fifly and sixty, one hundred and sixty-three; be- 
 tween sixty and seventy, seventy-nine, between seventy anc 
 eighty, fourteen, and between eighty and ninety, five; and forty- 
 six free colored persons. That portion of the population, be- 
 tween twenty and thirty years of age comprized one fourth of 
 the whole number, and those between thirty and forty years ot 
 age, were nearly one-sixth of the population, Those between 
 twenty aiid forty years numbered thirty-two hundred and sixty- 
 six, four hundred and eighty over one half of the whole popula- 
 tion of the county. There werc about one third more males 
 than females. This may be considered a fair representation of 
 the population of the territory in the year 1840, except perhaps' 
 the old military settlements at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. 
 With few exceptions, persons over fifty years were not settlers 
 from choice. Their children brought them. Newly married sons 
 and daughters brought them. 
 
 Milwaukee county was divided, and Waukesha county organ- 
 ized pursuant to an act of the Legislature approved February 2 
 
1846. The city of Milwaukee was incorporated in January of 
 the same year. As before stated, the population of the village of 
 
 ilwaukee in 1840 was 1,371, and of Milwaukee county within 
 its present boundaries, including the village, 3,391. In 1850. 
 the population of the city of Milwaukee was 19,963, and of the 
 county, nicluding the city, 31,077. In i860, the population 
 of the city was 45, 140, and of ihe county, including the city, — 
 62,518. In 1870 the population of the city was 71,440, and of 
 the county including the city. 89,930. 
 
 By th3 census returns of 1840 there were in Milwaukee 
 county two weekly n2wspapers, one of a capital of twenty -five 
 hundred dollars; and the other of sixteen hundred dollars, em- 
 ploying four men in one, and three in the other. There were 
 three grist mills and four saw mills in the county; and the 
 amount of manufactures was 11,350 dollars, by eight men em-- 
 ployed, and the capital invested was 12,800 dollars. The tolal 
 capital invested in manufactures in the county, was $23,100. 
 
 Tne proprietors of Milwaukee commenced platting their land 
 into village lots, in the autumn of 1835, aud they completed th 
 plats and filed them in the court clerk's office in 1837. In 1830 
 speculation ran high, and town lots commanded enormou 
 prices, even while there were no marks designating then- bound- 
 aries, or the lines of the streets, but the surveyors pins. The 
 small number of buildings erected in the years 1835, 1830 and 
 1837, were mostly of wood, and very few exceeding one and a 
 half stories. In 1836 the old frame Court House was built;front- 
 ing the square dedicated to the county by the honest and large 
 hearted first settler, Solomon Juneau, whose memory we ven- 
 erate. The first brick block of stores, on the west side of East 
 Water Street was erected in 1842. In 1847 there ^were not ex- 
 ceeding six brick dwelling houses of any importance in the city. 
 The natural surface of Milwaukee was [very broken and un- 
 eaven. The bluff at the lake shore north of Huron street was 
 fifty feet above the water, and increased in height as it extend- 
 ed northward. The government lighthouse was first erected 
 on this bluff, in the centre of Wisconsin street ' anJ was for a 
 
10 
 
 time about the principal public institution in the village. 
 
 From the blufls flowed springs of pure water, supplying the 
 people; there not being wells, The bluffs were abrupt. A bluff 
 extending from Broadway along Michigan street to the lake 
 lerminatcd the high ground southward. The whole of the 
 third ward south of that street was a duck pond. A bluff at the 
 ciossingof Broadway and Wisconsin street was cut down twelve 
 feet. In east water street near the city hall, there was a bluff 
 much in the form of a mound, nearly twenty-live feet high. A 
 bluff on the summit of Spring street was imoassable by teams 
 for several years, West Water street existed mticly m name, 
 being covered with water ior years, from north of Spring street 
 southward to the Menomonee river, and up this river for two 
 miles extended a wet marsh. One half of the fifth ward was 
 a marsh. Not much work was done on the streets prior to tlie 
 organization of the city government. The city authorities verv 
 soon entered upon the grading process, and reduced the bluffs 
 into inclined planes, and filled up the marshes. 
 
 The Milwaukee and Rock river canal company was incorpor 
 ated by the Territorial Legislature in 1838; and the same year 
 Congress granted lands along the route of the contemplated im- 
 provement to enable the companj to prosecute the building of a 
 canal between Milwaukee and Rock river. A dam was construc- 
 ted in the Milwaukee river in 1842. which by means of a canal 
 created water power, to the essential benefit of the city. The can- 
 al has not been extended further than the dam, and probably never 
 will. 
 
 In 1840 there was not a church edifice in Milwaukee. The 
 Oongregationalists and Presbyterians, at first united in worship in 
 a small vacant bulding on the west side of the river. In 1841 they 
 occupied an ^'upper room" of a building on the corner of Sprinp; 
 and AVest Water streets. In 1842 they divided and commenced 
 building churches, the Oongregationalists on the west side of the 
 river and the Presbyterians on the east side. The Episcopalians 
 worshiped in the court room. The Methodists worshiped in a 
 small building on the corner of East Water and Huron streets. 
 St. Peters Catholic church was commenced in 1841 and finished 
 
11 
 
 the next year. St. Paul's Episcopal Church was built in 1844. 
 These churches have been enlarged to double their original 
 size. A Methodist church on the corner of Spring and West 
 Water Streets was erected about the year 1845. This church 
 was burned, and from its ashes have arisen two beautiful church 
 edifices, on Spring and Van Buren streets. The Catholic 
 Cathedral was consecrated in 1853. In i85o the erection of 
 Plymouth Church was commenced. 
 
 In 1840 there were no means of passing to and from steam 
 boats anchored in the Bay, but by hghters andbatteaux. In 1842 
 a bridge pier was extended from the foot of Huron Street; 
 which in a short time was followed by another. These piers 
 have not been used since the harbor extension from the river in- 
 to the Bay. The IMilwaukee river was crossed by means of two 
 rope ferries, at the foot of Wisconsin and East Water Streets, 
 mntil the erection of abridge in 1842, from Division to Chest- 
 nut Streets. The construction of this bridge excited the local 
 jealousy and prejudice of the residents of both sides of the river, 
 which continued with much bitterness until the organization of 
 the city government. At the present time, eleven bridges span 
 the IMilwaukee river, and seven the Menominee, within the city 
 limits, including two rail-road bridges. The rivers being navi- 
 gable from the lake, navigators of vessels have a paramount 
 right over land travel, hence the necessity of constructing the 
 bridges with draws. 
 
 The first German colony, in number about eight hundred 
 men, women and children landed at Milwaukee late in the sum- 
 mer of 1839. They brought the necessary housekeeping uten- 
 sils, and encamped on the lake shore south of Huron street. 
 They immediately commenced in a business way, to carry out 
 their object in coming to this new country. They examined 
 the government plats in the land office; and having ascertained 
 by all the means in their power; where lands well timbered 
 and. watered could be purchased, they entered lands bound- 
 ing on the Milwaukee river and on the division line between 
 Milwaukee and Washington counties. A smaU number of 
 
12 
 
 \hx. colony remained in the village, but the nust cf ihem em- 
 ployed themselves without delay, in cleaiing and cultivadng, 
 their lands. Tho:5e pioneers formed the nucleus of the ^ery 
 extensive, influential and wealthy German element of the popu- 
 lation of this county and state. By their practical sense and. 
 industrious habits they have largely contributed towards the- 
 growth of this city, and the wealth and improvement of this- 
 county and state. The german portion of our population are 
 the proprietors and occupants of one half the terriiory of IMil- 
 waukee city and count}. They are prompt tax payers. They 
 perform the duties of good citizens, and they are faithful in the 
 discharge C)f the duties of offices of public trust. The male 
 mend^eis of the first colony, ^vithout delay, declared their in- 
 tentions to become citizens of the United Slates, and in due 
 time, they were naturalized in the territorial court, in Milwau- 
 kee, every man to the number of seventy in one day, signed his 
 name to his petition. The first German paper in this county 
 was published in 1844 by Moritz Shoeffler, svho continues the. 
 publication of the Banner and Volksfreund. 
 
 In our j.rimitive days in this country, every log cabin by the 
 way-side was a country tavern. Travellers rode up to a log. 
 cabin with as much confidence of a cordial reception, as if they 
 observed inscribed on the door "entertainment for man and 
 horse.' The best the establishment afforded was soon made 
 ready, by the host and hostess. Frequ<jntly by night-fall the 
 cabin became crowded, when the e^uery, passed around 
 where are these persons to sleep. Supper over, that cjueiy was 
 readily answered. In the first place, the only visible sleeping. 
 eslabli:jhnient was divided up, giving to each one a little, as far 
 as it was capable of distribution. Ladies were depo^ite 1 in a. 
 corner of the cabin loft, behind a temporary screen. To' 
 each man a portion of the ground floor, or of the loft 
 was assigned, with the privilege of selccung the softest plank. 
 If a presumptuous person appeared to be one of the crowd, he- 
 soon became the but, and had to submit to hard treatment, as a. 
 creature without friends. The wives of ihe settlers pleasantly con- 
 
13 
 
 versed of their paternal homes, their youthful comforts and happi- 
 ness, their school days, and early associations, all which they 
 surrendered for the love and affection of their husbands, whom 
 thiy loved and aided in making for themselves and their child- 
 dren habitations in the wilderness. They did their full share in 
 improving this country. 
 
 Prior to the day of railroads; the most travel from the East 
 was on steamboats, which arrived almost daily from Buffalo, 
 During the season of navigation, business in Milwaukee was 
 satisfactory, and the population mpidly increased. After the 
 close of navigation, times became dull. We had only a tri-weekly 
 mail taking ten to twelve days in bringing mail matter from the 
 East. The tediousness of the winter was in a great measure 
 relieved by the social habits of the villagers. The ladies did 
 their part in this respect Scarcely two families were connected, 
 but the people favored mutual intimacy and friendship, and in- 
 dulged in innocent amusements. Tea drinkings and danc- 
 ing parties were generally observed throughout the win- 
 ter. Class distinctions in society were ignored. There were not 
 many public places of resort or amusement. Families in com- 
 paratively comfortable circumstances were wont to dwell and 
 receive their jovial visitors, in very small houses, very scantily 
 furnished. If we had not realized the disposition and habits of 
 the people in those days, we should wonder to hear of the 
 readiness of the young wives, to enjoy life in their new homes, of 
 discomfort. But they were equal to th2 emergencv, they were 
 help-meets indeed. 
 
 From the census returns of 1840, it appears, that families 
 consisted of about five persons. 01 the population of the present 
 Milwaukee county, there Were about sis hundred and seventy 
 men. There are enrolled as members of this club one hundred 
 and seven, who eettled in Milwaukee county before 1^4 0, about 
 one sixth of those heads ol families. Three of our members 
 are over eighty jears of age^ several are seventy and upwards. 
 The vQungtst naember is thirty-four years 0/ age, v^ho with 
 four others, are jM^tirc^ 0/ this couqtv. Omivting those five, 
 
14 
 
 the average of the ages of the pioneer members is sixly-tlirce. 
 Ten members have departed this life, the average of whose 
 ages, was sixty-four. 
 
 The pioneers of this county, were not of that class of men, 
 
 ''who [left their country for their country's good." In the 
 
 prime and vigor of manhood, poor in purse, but rich in courage, 
 
 industry, faith and enterprise, and moral principles, they bid 
 
 adieu to their native homes, their friends, their associates, and 
 
 their early associations, for this western wilderness. They made 
 
 their pilgrimages westward in the usual modes of travel in 
 
 those days. Seme travelled on steamboats, some on sail vessels 
 
 some with horse teams, some with ox teams, and many on 
 
 foot. They came to this Mestern land to possess and enjoy it 
 
 and by the blessings of God they have witnessed its great im- 
 
 provenient. From comparative poverty, they have become rich 
 
 in all the blessing of life. They are blessed with peace and 
 
 plenty, blessed m their homes and families, blessed as founders 
 
 and builders up of this beautiful city, and great state, blessed with 
 
 free schools and liberal laws. And many are favored with days 
 
 of rejoicing, in the prosperity and happiness of their 
 
 children and their children's children. 
 
 ''Praise God from whom all blessings flow." 
 
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