CHAPTERS
I. Descriptive
1
II. The Indians
8
III. Early Settlement
16
IV. Growth and Foreign Immigration
32
V. Means of Communication
42
VI. Marine
55
VII. Railroads
85
VIII. Military
112
IX. Politics
133
X. Village and City Government
167
XI. Churches
183
XII. Societies and Organizations
227
XIII. Education
243
XIV. The Press
255
XV. The Professions
278
XVI. Banks and Banking
281
XVII Business and Industry
288
Errata and additions
316
Appendixes
293(A), 294(B), 300(C), 313(D)
Index
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CHAPTER X.
VILLAGE AND CITY GOVERNMENT.
Manitowoc county contains two cities, Manitowoc and Two Rivers and two villages,
Reedsville and Kiel, that have been incorporated under the state laws, the former
under special statutes and the villages in accordance with general laws. Both
Manitowoc and Two Rivers had twenty years of village existence before entering upon
a civic life. It is the purpose of this chapter to study the political and
administrative history of each of them.
Manitowoc.
The village of Manitowoc was an integral part of the township of the same name and
indistinguishable from it until March 6, 1851 on which date a law was signed which
authorized its incorporation. Even earlier this step had been proposed as the
township, because of the fact that there was no other legal entity, was obliged to
do much improvement outside of the scope of a rural community. Thus the travel
across the Manitowoc river became so important that in 1848 it became necessary to
supersede the primitive ferry by a bridge. In this first bridge, which was an
inexpensive structure, there was no draw since at the time there was no necessity
for one. At this time the business portion of Manitowoc was almost entirely on
the north side and as many families resided on the opposite side a ready means of
communication
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was very necessary. The charter provided that the village should be divided into
two wards, that portion south of the river to be known as the first and that on the
north side as the second. A president, marshal and treasurer for the whole village
and three trustees and one assessor from each ward were to be chosen the first
Tuesday of each April. The town supervisors were to appoint a polling place for
the first election and all who were qualified voters of the town within the limits
defined were given the suffrage. The president's duties were enumerated, including
the keeping of the seal, signing licenses, justice of the peace powers and casting
votes in case of a tie in the village board. General ordinance powers were
conferred upon the board and it was annually to appoint a clerk, street
commissioners in both wards, four fire wardens, a sealer of weights and measures,
sexton, harbormaster and chief engineer of the fire department.
The first election was soon held, George Reed being chosen president, Gustavus
Richter treasurer and A. Wittmann marshal. On May 12th the first meeting of the
village trustees was held, the chairman of the county board administering the oath.
The membership if this first board consisted of C. Hottelmann, J. f. Zinns and
Evander M. Soper of the first and M. Fellows, J. Bennett and Jarvis E. Platt of the
second ward. At the first session a map of the village was ordered to be made,
by-laws were drafted and S. A. Wood was chosen clerk. The work of the board for
the first few years was largely along pioneer lines. A cemetery had early been
established at what is now the corner of North Eight and Park streets, but this
being too near the center of population a movement for a new one was early on foot,
under the name of the Evergreen Cemetery Association. It was incorporated in 1856
and its rights the village bought out some years later. The ground purchased
overlooked the Manitowoc river and has since been used for burial purposes. The
grading of streets was another problem pressing for solution from the first and
work was immediately begun, the hill on North Eight street being removed in 1854
and other thoroughfares being opened later, although business for some time
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was centered on York and Commercial streets, which were laid out much wider than
any of the others.
George Reed was succeeded as village president by James Bennett in 1852 and the
latter was reelected a year later. During his term authorization was received for
the draining of extensive marshes east of South Ninth and north of Jay streets and
much improvement took place. Fire companies made up of volunteer bands of male
residents were organized and, although at first there was little apparatus,
nevertheless the needs of the day were met. A public square was laid out between
North Seventh, Park and North Sixth streets, later christened Union Park, the
ladies of the city raising enough money in 1852 to fence it in. A few years later
Washington Park was set off on the south side, surrounded by Eleventh, Washington,
Marshal and Twelfth streets. Mr. Bennett was succeeded by William Bach, a Democrat
of considerable popularity. He in turn, after a year of service, gave way to
Charles Esslinger in 1855, who remained in office two years. As the treasurer of
the Manitowoc & Mississippi at the time he received a hearty support from men of
all parties although the elections were contested in the early days, as later,
according to national party lines. A public meeting was held in December 1856 to
ask for incorporation as a city but little came of the movement and the panic of
the next year, coupled with the failure of the railroad plans to materialize, put
a damper on municipal hopes. Up to March 1857 four amendments had been made to
the village charter. The first and second, in 1852 and 1853, changed minor clauses
in the original document, the third in 1856 altered the boundaries and the fourth
in 1857 provided that each ward should elect a representative to the county board.
In the last named year James Bennett was again elected president, this time on the
Republican ticket. The year witnessed much dissatisfaction as to the proportion
of taxes the village was obliged to pay under the equalization made by the county
board and an injunction was secured against paying over the funds but it was
dissolved later. It was during Bennett's term also that the village purchased two
new hand fire engines at a cost of
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$5000 and an engine house was constructed on the north side. The Badger Engine
company was formed to man the apparatus, purely voluntary in character, and in
February, 1855 a bucket company was also organized with E. K. Rand as foreman and
C. Esslinger as first assistant. A complete plat of the village was made by Fred
Salomon in 1857 being accepted by the village trustees as official.
President Bennett gave way in 1858 to Charles Esslinger. An amendment passed by
the legislature in that year created the third ward, although it and the first were
united for some years as far as representation in the county board was concerned.
By another amendment passed the next spring the board of the village was given
increased powers over the highways. It was seen by this time that a better bridge
across the river was a necessity and on August 10, 1859 a public meeting was called
to consider the question. As a result a new structure with a draw was thrown
across the river on Eight street, being opened to the public the following February.
Bridges were authorized the same year by the legislature at Ninth and Commercial
streets but they were not constructed, nor was that at the west end of York street,
authorized two years later. The next president of the village after Mr. Esslinger
was S. A. Wood, who was elected twice on the Democratic ticket. During his
incumbency the fire companies, now two in number, reached a more complete
organization, gaining a recognized place socially as well as in their field of
usefulness. Their annual reviews and balls were among the events of the year and
it was not an infrequent occurrence for them to receive and pay visits to and from
similar organizations in neighboring towns. The Badger company temporarily
disbanded in 1861 but was succeeded in the second ward by the Clipper City Engine
company, with Louis Kemper as foreman.
In the spring of 1861 two village tickets were placed in the field, G. B. Collins
representing the Republicans as candidate for president and W. Rahr, Sr. the
Democrats. Collins carried all three wards and was elected. He fulfilled his
duties during the troublous times at the opening of the war
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with great ability and was succeeded in 1862 by James Bennett, now for the fourth
term president. New streets were graded rapidly at this time and an amendment to
the charter was secured facilitating such action. At the next election Oscar Koch,
the Republican candidate, succeeded in defeating Joseph Vilas although the latter
carried the second ward and in 1864 A. D. Jones was honored with the confidence of
his townsmen, he also being a Republican. The activity of the village was consumed
mainly at this time with the raising of bounties and interest was centered in the
war. A new fire company was organized in the second ward during the year, known as
the Union Engine Co. No. 1, Jonah Richards being chosen foreman and among the
members being enrolled many of the most prominent villagers. In 1865 Joseph Vilas
and O. Torrison were the opposing candidates for the village presidency, the former
carrying all three wards, owing to his championship of the harbor projects then
pending. During the last months of his term the charter of the village was
recodified and passed by the state legislature. Few changes of importance were
made, the principal features being the making of the marshal and appointive instead
of an elective office and the addition of several powers to those already possessed
by the trustees, including that over the improvement of parks and increased
financial discretion. In the election of 1866 S. A. Wood, the Democratic candidate,
was elected president, carrying all but the second ward, in which J. D. Markham,
his opponent, was successful.
As the effects of the war disappeared village activity began to take on a more
definite character. Great interest was manifested in the volunteer fire department
which at this time had reached a high standard of efficiency. It consisted of
Badger Engine company No. 2, stationed on the south side, of which F. Becker acted
as foreman, Phoenix Hook and Ladder company, G. Phillips, foreman and Protection
Bucket company, A. Pfeffer foreman. This mode of enlisting citizens in public
service was a beneficent one and formed a remarkable feature of the times. An
important change was made by an amendment to the village charter passed in
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March 1867 by which it was provided that the office of village treasurer and
marshal should be abolished, the town treasurer and constable filling their places
and the assessors were made appointive instead of elective. The latter change was
permanent but the former only temporary, the original provisions being restored a
year later. After a year's service Mr. Wood was defeated and therefore succeeded
by Henry Baetz, the latter remaining in office two years, carrying the village in
1868 over William Bach by a large majority. The legislature granted the village a
new charter in the spring of that year, which was much more complete than any
previous one. Among other things it provided for the creation of the fourth ward
out of territory formerly comprising the western part of the second ward, for the
annual election of a police justice, for the choice of a fire chief by the
department itself and for the appointment by the trustees of a village attorney.
The powers of the board were also considerably augmented, they being given control
of the harbor, succeeding the commissioners, of whom mention is made elsewhere and
being assigned the duty of acting as street commissioners in their respective
wards.
Among other provisions were the power to raise a tax for a bridge on Tenth street
and to utilize one fourth of the time in the public schools in instruction in
foreign languages and the creation of a board of equalization, consisting of the
president, treasurer, clerk and assessor. Another amendment was passed a year
later providing for the appointment of one street commissioner per ward and also
authorizing a vote to be taken on the question of consolidating the village into
one school district and of erecting a central high school. An interesting question
came up in President Baetz's administration. An alley in block 262 was vacated by
the trustees and it was sought to legalize the act by means of a special act from
the legislature, which was accordingly granted. Governor Fairchild, however,
vetoed the act after which the senate immediately passed the bill over his head by
a vote of 22 to 3 and the assembly took similar action by a vote of 66 to 22. The
next and last president of the village was Charles Luling, a Republican. Even
before this the
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question of incorporation as a city had been agitated and as a result of efforts
along this line the legislature on March 12, 1870 finally granted a charter. The
document comprised forty-eight pages in the statute book of that year and was quite
complete.
It provided for annual elections on the first Tuesday in April at which a mayor,
treasurer, police justice and three aldermen, one justice of the peace and one
constable for each ward were to be chosen by the voters. The board of aldermen was
given the power to appoint a clerk, marshal, policemen, harbormaster, assessor,
bridge tenders, sexton, sealer of weights and measures, fire chief, city attorney,
surveyor, fire warden and one street commissioner per ward and at first the mayor
had no veto power. The four wards remained as theretofore and four school
districts were also authorized. Limits of taxation were fixed, that of the ward
funds being two per cent and the board of equalization was made to consist of the
mayor, clerk, treasurer and assessor. Petitions for the laying out and vacation
of streets as well as for public park improvement were provided for and full powers
over the harbor were defined. The first election under the charter occurred as
specified, the candidates for mayor being Peter Johnston, Republican and C. H.
Schmidt, Democrat. Johnston carried all four of the wards and thus became the first
magistrate of the newly created municipality, Otto Troemmel being chosen treasurer.
Mayor Johnston was reelected in 1871 over John Franz, the latter carrying only the
third ward. With the beginning of city life came much activity. An iron bridge
was begun over the river at Tenth street, which reached completion in October 1872,
the total cost being $25,000. This structure was 450 by 31 feet and was the first
iron bridge in the county. Considerable improvement at the cemetery was also
accomplished, efforts made at drainage on the south side, notably near Sherman's
Creek and a new fire engine, the Manitowoc, purchased in 1872, after which public
cisterns were placed at convenient places throughout the city. Loans were
necessary to carry out these improvements and legislative authority to borrow was
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easily secured. By an amendment to the charter the city was divided into four
districts for street purposes, each under the charge of a commissioner, appointed
by the board and by another adopted in 1873 methods of fixing salaries were
provided and the power of maintaining a dredge given to the municipality. River
improvement and the fixing of dock lines played an important part in city affairs
at the time as is elsewhere pointed out.
In 1872 Charles Luling defeated S. A. Wood for mayor by 508 majority and was
succeeded a year later by another Republican, A. D. Jones, who was reelected in
1874 by 412 majority over George Pankratz, in 1875 by 267 majority over John Franz,
in 1876 unanimously and in 1877 by 80 majority over E. K. Rand. During Mayor
Jones' administration the work of public improvement continued. A new bridge was
constructed at Eighth street at a cost of $27,000, another steam fire engine, the
A. D. Jones, added to the department, being stationed on the north side and new
engine houses were provided. The department was reorganized on a more modern basis
with Fred Seeger as chief engineer, consisting of Steam Engine company No. 1, Steam
Engine Company No. 2, Badger Engine Company No. 3, Torrent Engine Company No. 2 and
Protection Bucket company. Within a few years, however, the old volunteer
organizations, the Torrent, Badger and Protection companies disbanded. Some
changes in government were made by an amendment to the charter in 1875, the police
justice being made appointive from among the justices of the peace and powers over
street lighting and the regulation of railways being granted to the council. Two
years later the legislature also changed the provision in regard to constituency
of the board of equalization, one alderman from each ward being added. Complaint
was again loud at about this time as before in the fifties as to the injustice
with which the city was taxed by the county board.
The city election of 1878 was very close, John Schuette, a Republican defeating
Adolph Piening, the Democratic nominee, by 36 majority. This marked the beginning
of Mr. Schuette's six years at the helm of city affairs for he success-
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sively defeated Edward Conway, Henry Mulholland and George Pankratz, besides being
unanimously chosen in 1881. His administration was marked by great advances,
particularly in street improvement, drainage, fire department affairs and harbor
improvement. The city charter was completely revised by C. E. Estabrook in 1879
and, as amended, was passed by the legislature. By this charter a city physician
was added to the list of appointive officers, the office of police justice was
abolished, the policemen took the place of the fire wardens, salary limits were
fixed and the veto power given the mayor. In 1882 an amendment was passed in
regard to the public grounds, streets and sidewalks, the council's powers in these
regards being considerably augmented. Later in mayor Schuette's term the question
of instituting a system of waterworks was much agitated and a public meeting called
to discuss the proposition but so much opposition was manifested that the project
was dropped temporarily. In the spring of 1884 George Pankratz, the Democratic
nominee for mayor defeated Mayor Schuette by 156 votes, carrying all but the first
ward and a year later he defeated R. D. Smart by 127 majority. His successor was
also a Democrat, Reinhardt Rahr, the youngest of Manitowoc's mayors, who defeated
F. Sixta by 328 majority. The principal issue during his administration, which
was an able one, was the waterworks question. In 1886 eastern capitalists appeared
and at a public meeting held on October 18th it was decided to put the matter of
granting a franchise to a popular vote, which was accordingly done on June 11th of
the next year. By this time Thomas Torrison was mayor, having been elected by a
majority of 141 votes over Reinhardt Rahr. The city divided on the waterworks
question as follows:--
Wards For Against
First 248 24
Second 56 31
Third 283 52
Fourth 136 49
___ ___
Total 713 156
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With this popular endorsement the franchise was granted and the Manitowoc
Waterworks Company formed by the promoters, the system being installed during the
succeeding two years. The pumphouse was constructed on the lake front near the
south city limits, cribs and filters sunk out in Lake Michigan and a steel
reservoir erected on North Water street. From time to time the system has been
enlarged as patronage and public needs made extension necessary. Mayor Torrison
was reelected in 1888 without opposition and continued his work in the advancement
of the city's interests. Efforts were made to get a government building during
his term and although unsuccessful, led to increased postal facilities. Saloon
licenses were raised in amount to $200 at about this time but notwithstanding this
fact for many years the city led all in the state as to the number of these
institutions in proportion to population. It was decided that the city should be
lighted by electricity and in February 1889 bids were received for that purpose.
John Schuette was given the franchise and within a few months had a first class
incandescent system in operation. The new waterworks system also led to a
reorganization of the fire department and this was accomplished under the
administration of Fred Schuette, who was elected in 1889 and again in 1890 and 1891
without opposition. The old steam fire engines were retired to reserve duty and a
brick fire station was erected on Franklin street, a small sub-station containing
a hose cart being placed on the north side. A system of electric fire alarms was
also instituted and the entire department changed from a volunteer to a partly paid
service. By legislative authorization a sewage system was put in, which was
extended from year to year as necessity arose. A new charter was granted the city
by the legislature in 1891 under which, with the exception of certain portions of
the general law the council has adopted, it has since operated. Aldermen were
reduced to two per ward by this act and the elections for city officers were made
biennial. Considerable appointive power, including that over the chief of police,
surveyor and attorney, was conferred upon the mayor and a board of public works was
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also instituted, consisting of the clerk, engineer and attorney. Paving, park
improvement and bridge construction were provided for and other minor changes were
designated. The limits of the city were extended also, the board soon creating
the fifth and sixth wards, the former being the western portion of the third and
the latter the western portion of the forth ward. In the same year the legislature
authorized the city to borrow $30,000 for the building of a new iron bridge across
the river at Eighth street and accordingly the work was entered upon, the contract
being let to the Wisconsin Bridge Company. The bridge at Tenth street was also
rebuilt soon after. In 1892 the seventh ward was set off, consisting of that
territory embraced in the extreme southwest portion of the city.
The election of 1893 witnessed a partisan contest for mayor Joseph Vilas
representing the Democrats and Joseph Willott, Jr., the Republicans. The former
was elected by 451 majority, carrying all but the second ward. City progress was
largely retarded by the effect of the bank failures and the general panic during
the years of his administration but towards the end the Wisconsin Central projects
awakened a new interest in the future. Municipal ownership of lighting and
waterworks was much discussed at the time, although no results followed in the way
of a general public movement. Mayor Vilas was defeated by Thomas Torrison in 1895
by a majority of 424, the latter carrying every ward but the seventh. He was
reelected two years later without opposition. During his term of office the city
was particularly active in harbor improvements, the river being dredged at the
expense of many thousands and extensive docking projects being carried out, of
which mention is elsewhere made in these pages. Other improvements also went on
apace. In 1899 the Democrats placed William Rahr in nomination for the mayoralty
and he defeated George Burger, the Republican candidate, by 790 majority. Two
years later Mr. Rahr was renominated, this time by the Republicans and defeated
Henry Mulholland, his Democratic adversary, by 841 majority. His administration
was one of remarkable vigor and was marked by great
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advancement. Among the improvements instituted were the reorganization of the
police department, the installation of the police telegraph system, the placing of
arc lights on the main streets, the renovation of the city parks, the paving of
Eight and Commercial streets with vitrified brick at a cost of nearly $40,000, the
building of an engine house on North Eighth street at a cost of $10,000, the
granting of street car and gas franchises and the opening of a public library. The
question of building a new city hall was agitated but it was not thought advisable
to go to that expense, although the rooms used for the city offices were thoroughly
remodeled. Harbor improvements were also continued and additions made to Evergreen
cemetery. On the whole the watchword of the city in recent years has been progress.
In the spring election of 1903 Dr. W. G. Kemper, a Democrat was by a compromise
agreement, unanimously chosen as mayor while the Republicans secured the city
treasurership, the former incumbent, John Mahnke being reelected. Chief among the
projects of moment engrossing the opening of his term were the building of the
$25,000 Carnegie Library. A list of city officials of both Manitowoc and Two
Rivers will be found in Appendix D.
TWO RIVERS.
The village of Two Rivers was set off from the town of the same name and a charter
granted to it on March 31, 1858. It was divided into two wards, Washington street
being the line of demarcation and the first Tuesday in May was fixed as the annual
election day. 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 1869, 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
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bridges on the East Twin at Main street and over the West Twin at Washington,
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. R. 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
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peace for each ward were to be elected. Each ward was given representation in the
county 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 given 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:--First 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 city officers in Two Rivers were
kept out of partisan struggle, each spring a general caucus of citizens determining
who should be the candidates and the election being merely a form of ratification.
Mayor Maloy was reelected in 1879 and was succeeded a year later by W. F. Nash, Mr.
Maloy being again chosen in 1881. Next Andre Baetz held the office for two years,
his administration witnessing the construction of a new bridge on Washington street
and other improvements. Considerable money was also spent at and before this time
in dredging the harbor. Mayor Baetz was succeeded 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 mayor, assessor, clerk, and
one alderman from each ward, whose duty it should be to
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equalize the city tax roll. Added powers were also given to the council 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 year
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.
REEDSVILLE.
The village of Reedsville was incorporated under the general law on January 29,
1892, having reached the required size to enable it to become a separate entity.
The vote taken on the matter resulted in 86 for and 24 against the proposition. The
village had been in existence since early days, having been named after George Reed
but it did not grow until it was made a station on the M., L. S. & W. At the first
election W. H. Noble was chosen president and August Schmelter treasurer and soon
the village government was well started. The following gentlemen have officiated
as village presidents:--
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1892-1894 W. H. Noble
1894-1896 A. C. Maertz
1896-1897 J. E. Schultz
1897-1899 F. C. Stelling
1899-1901 F. C. Maertz
1901-1903 F. F. Stelling.
1903 Dr. Louis Falge.
KIEL.
On June 15, 1892 the village of Kiel in the town of Schleswig was incorporated
and as such was given representation in the county board. Considerable public
improvement has taken place and the locality has been served by its best men in
public offices. The following is a list of the presidents of the village since
its organization:--
1892-1893 Charles Heins
1893-1895 Simon Hollensteiner
1895-1897 William J. Guetzloe
1897-1900 John Duecker
1900-1901 Michael Wagner
1901 H. J. Ammann
1902 J. B. Laun.
1903 H. J. Ammann.