davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

This is large three-story brick build
ing erected in 1869 by John Thornton,
builder, now of Florida, for John Wright
Sr., who still owns it. 1t was opened
the same year as the .Phelps House. y
by +. b. Phelps of this city, who ran the
hotel for five years, when he sold out the
business to Charles Orion, who ran If
for one year. Mr.. Ira H. Bellows. now
Of the Mansion House, then leased the
house and ran it four years and sold ont
the business TO Mr.. Anton Schmitt. who
ran it two years. In 1882 he disposed
OF the business to j. S. Wright the pres
ent proprietor, who refurnished and rem
ovated the house and opened it Septem-
Der of that year as the Wright House.
SO successful a manager has John
proved to be that his business greatly in
creased, SO that more room was neces-
sary, and in 1888 a large two-story brick
addition was erected, nearly as large as
the man part, making one of the larg
est houses in Southwestern Wisconsin.
1t has proved to be very popular with
the travelling public. 1t is centrally 10
Gated. and has fine sample rooms and n
fat landlord
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

The first court house in Lancaster was
when a new one was built. This now
forms the south wing of the present court
house, In 1866 the front part of the
court house was built and the other
part made considerable higher. The
total cost of these additions was sc, 0S7.
Though built so long ago, it is still a
slightly and creditable public building.
1t is surrounded by fine little park,
beautifully shaded with maple and elms
and carpeted with thick sward of
verdant bluegrass. In the northeast
corner of the square is the Soldiers
monument, a beautiful structure of
white marble, composed of central
obelisk five feet square at the base and
&c feet high, surmounted by a sculp-
tured eagle, perched on q globe and
holding in his beak laurel wreath. On
the sides are appropriate inscriptions.
Surrounding the central shaft are eight
square marble cenotaphs, each sur
mounted with carved cannon These
cenotaphs bear $50 names of Grant
County soldiers who died during the
war. The monument cost $6,577.
Grant County may well be proud of this
monument to her dead soldiers, though
she has far greater reason to be proud
of the monument of the deeds of her
soldiers, dead and living.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

The present High School building has
valuation of about $4,000, as re-
ported by the County Superintendent.
1t was built to take the place of new
school house, which. before it had been
used, was tumbled into heap of ruins
by terrible gale which swept over
Lancaster June Is, 1868. The school
combines graded and High School,
the latter having been inaugurated at q
school meeting held July, 1875. The
graded departments consists of -four
distinct grades primary, second pri-
mary, intermediate and grammar
grades. The whole number of teachers
employed are seven. School matters
are under control of board of three
members, one member being selected
each year, holding office three years
The present board consists of David
Schreiner, President John Lewis, Sec
rotary; and A. III. Barber, Treasurer
Graduates from Lancaster High Schoo
are not excelled in scholarship and men
tai training by the graduates of any
institution of similar grade in the state
A diploma and letter from the primer
pal admits to the Wisconsin University
at Madison without examination.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01
THE GRANT COUNTY HERALD.

THE GRANT COUNTY HE RAID.
One of the important factors in the
growth and prosperity of Lancaster has
ever been the GRANT COUNTY HERALD.
Its publication was begun in 1S43, when
Lancaster was a little struggling, strug-
CLING village. j. Allen Barber. Nelson
Dewey aud Daniel Banhll purchased a
press and type in Dubuque and brought
it to Lancaster The office was in an
addition to the Boice cabin. L. o.
Shrader was the first editor ii. A.
Wiltse was the next editor and j. ID.
SpauldiDg the proprietor. In 1915
James M. Goodhue, an able writer, be-
came editor of the HERALD. and so con-
tinued until 1S49, when be left it to
found the St. Paul Pioneer
In 1849 j. l.. Marsh took up the pub
LEGATION of the HERALD and continued
it until June, 1851, when it passed into
the hands of Cover & Shrader. Under
the management of j. G. Cover, who
the HERALD became more widely
known and more respected, feared,
loved, praised and blamed than any
other village paper in the United States
1t was most powerful agency in bring
ing Grant County over from pro-slavery
Democracy to anti-slavery Republican
ism. by solid and overwhelming ma
jority. 80
Mr.. Cover, though for time asso-
ciating with him Mr.. n. c. Goldsmith
as publisher, remained the editorial
head of the paper until the summer of
1869, when, having been appointed con-
sui at Fayal, he resigned his place on
the HERALD to his son John. The lat
ter was sole publisher of the paper un-
til December, 1876, when he became
associated with Edward Pollock as pub
Usher. This partnership lasted one
year. when Mr.. Pollock became sole
proprietor and editor of the paper, CON
tinuing as such until January /, 1881.
when he sold out to Joe Cover and II.
ID. Farquharson. The former is a son
of j. G. Cover, and the latter was pub
Usher of the Boscobel Dial, and well
known job printer.
Cover soon withdrew and Mr.. Farqu-
harson, or Gap. Ferg," as he is ia
milIarly known, continued the publica-
ton of the HERALD until January L,
1885, when he sold the paper to Walter
G. Chandler. its present publisher.
The HERALD was printed as 7-col-
umn folio, on Washington hand press.
until June. 1867, when new cylinder
press was put in and the paper enlarg-
ed to eight columns. In 1878 it was
still further enlarged to nine columns,
its present size On the 10th of last
May the HERALD issued number of
six pages, iifty-six long columns-the
largest paper ever printed wholly in
Grant County. On the oath Of the
same month the HERALD issued the
first number of semi-weekly ever
printed in Grant County. We have
said what the HERALD has been; what
it is now our readers can Judge for
themselves. What it is now the pub
Usher intends it shall be-and be tier
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

The subject of this sketch is son of
Rev. Evan Arthur, and was born near
Dubuque. Iowa, June 80. 1850. He
came to Grant County in 1851 and set
tied at Cassville and has resided in this
county ever since. He was graduated
at the Platteville Normal School in 1871:
taught school until 1874. He was grad
uated from the Wisconsin University
Law School in 1875. since then has
been practicing his profession in this
city. He was married in June, 1873,
to Miss Emma Ziegler, of this city, and
has four children. He has fine home,
of which the cut at the head OF
this sketch gives fair idea. He has a
good law practice, and does genral
law, collection, insurance and real es.
tate business; giving special attention
TO buying and selling real estate on
commission. renting property, collect
ing rents, etc. He is Notary Public.
Court Commissioner and United States
Circuit and District Court Commits.
sioner for Grant county. Wisconsin.
See his business card in this paper.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

In the front rank of business houses
of this city, prominent for square deal
ing, enterprise and soundness. is the
house of G. III. Baxter q CO. In point
of history it dates back to the time
when Lancaster was a small hamlet of
few hundred people, but at that time
was conducted under another name
Originally founded by j. Alcorn, Mr.
L. M. Barber soon bought an interest,
and the firm name became Alcorn a.
Barber. In 1866 Mr.. George Howe
purchased the interest of the senior
partner and the firm became Howe 81
Barber. In about a years time the in
terest of Mr.. Barber was bought by
the late Addison Burr, the firm then be-
coming Howe & Burr. In 1858 Mr..
Howe purchased the interest of his
partner and continued the business
alone until 1860, when he associated
with him the late James A. Jones, who
continued partner until 1865 when
Mr.. c. II. Baxter, the present head of
the house, then clerk, bought Mr..
Jones's interest, and the house wheeled
into line as Howe & Baxter, under
which name it rapidly advanced in
favor. In the fall of 1882, having de-
cided to increase their business by the
addition of a stock department, Mr..
Fred. b. Phelps was made manager of
the new department, and the name
changed to Howe, Baxter & Co. This
firm continued until three years ago,
when Mr.. Howe, who had been long a
special partner, disposed of his inter-
est, and the firm name was changed to
G. Ii. Baxter & CO. They carry large
and complete stock and occupy every
inch of space in the large three-story,
brick building on the corner of Maple
and Madison Streets, cut of which
appears above. They deal largely in
grain, wool, hard and soft coal, and
have their own warehouse, stock yards
and coal sheds at the depot. By its ex-
cellent location, large stock and ac-
commodating managers, it early gained
deserved prestige and has always
been favorite place with the trading
public, and well merits the reputation
1t has achieved with that class as a
solid, reliable, and accommodating
house. In the mercantile branch be-
sides the services and immediate super
vision of Mr. Baxter, it employs three
clerks, VIII Orion, c. w. Baxter, Jr.,
and Robert L. Draper. The estimated
safes for the last year in the mercantile
department were about $4,000, and
their sales from live stock, wool, grain,
and coal, amount to between $75, 900
and 100000.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01
JOHN scHREINER.

Among the mercantile establishments
of Lancaster none do a larger or safer
business than the house of John Schrein-
er. This house was founded by Mr..
Jacob Nathan in 1860 Mr.. Nathan
continued the business until 1864, when
Mr.. Adolph Nathan and John Schreiner
were taken into copartnership and the
style of the firm changed to j. Nathan &
Sons. Two years afterward the elder
Nathan disposed of his interest to Mr..
Joe Nathan and the house became known
as Nathan. Schreiner 4 Co, until 1881,
when Mr.. Adolph Nathan withdrew to
become a member of the wholesale firm
of Kuhn, Nathan q Fischer, 126-132
Market ST., Chicago, and the other two
partners continued the business about a
year under the name of Nathan & Schrei-
ner. In February, 1882, they separated,
Mr.. Nathan taking the market and farm
business and Mr.. Schreiner the mercantile
department. and has since continued the
business under his own name. The
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01
were $4,000,

Mr.. Ziegler, the founder of this firm
has, we believe, the honor of being the
Oldest merchant now in business in this
city. He commenced business here in
about 1850, when our present thriving
city was very small fraction of its
present size. In that year the
firm of Ziegler g. Thompson commenced
business in building on the present
site of the Mcdonald building and opened
the first hardware store and tin shop in
Lancaster. The junior member of the
firm caught the California fever soon
after and Mr.. Ziegler associated with
himself Mr.. Dodge and the firm became
Ziegler & Dodge. In few years Mr..
Ziegler again became sole owner. buy
ing out his partners interest. In 1865
the firm of Ziegler & Dillon was formed
and continued until 1870, when the firm
again became M. NJ Ziegler. In Janu-
airy, 1882, Mr.. Will NJ. Ziegler bought a
half interest and the firm of M. NJ Zieg-
Ter Il Co. was organized, and has since
continued. The house has always been
noted for its strict business principles, ex-
cellent work and accommodating spirit.
Its growth has been steady but constant
and to-day it stands in the front rank of
prominent business firms of the CITY,
The firm, besides the two partners, en-
ploys Walter Bellows in the mechan-
zeal department and Charles Ziegler
book-keeper and clerk. Business with
them is good.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

1851 -
Il ! n q IL M
Mfln iIIM lIlMIA
AtE1IT - ! ~ e 40 p
TILE INSANE ASYLUM.

This fine county building is situated
about three miles south of the city, on
the county poor farm, in beautiful To-
cation. Ii is 44X10S feet in size, two
stories and basement. and is built of
brick. 1t was built during the summer
of 1882. AT its annual session in 1881
the county board decided to build a
county asylum and appropriated sl0,-
900 for that purpose. Geo. W. Ryland,
j. G. Clark, H. Robbins, Herman
Grimm, Chas. Rodolf and T. n. Hubbel
were appointed building committee.
They found that no contract could be OBJ
tanned to build such building as the
board contemplated within the appro-
priation, and the contract was let for
$40, 400 without furnace or furnishing.
At its annual session in 1882 the board
made a further appropriation to COM
plete and furnish the building. which
was done. making the total cost S2l,-
357.6S. At a special session of the board
on the 10Th of last month IS, 500 was APP
propriated to build an additional struc-
ture of brick two stories high S6x66 and
brick building 16x24 for laundry.
A building committee consisting of John
Macarthur Geo. W. Ryland and Z. l.
Kidd was appointed. At the last annual
report of the Superintendent the asylum
contained 80 male patients and 30 fe-
males-a total of II. Thirty of these
were from other counties, for the keep.
ing of whom Grant County receives s.
a week. The institution is highly cred
table to Grant County, and its compar
atively low cost is equally creditable tC
the care and fidelity of the building com
mittee.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

The Hubbard House is the largest
hotel in Lancaster. It was built by
Henry Horstman in 1884, aud it to-
gether with its belongings is valued at
$4,000. In January, 1886, the prop
erty was purchased of Chicago parties,
who had previously acquired it of Mr..
Horstman on trade, by w. Ii. and F.
w. Hubbard, who carry on the business
successfully and with perfect satisfac-
ton to their guests-the travelling pub
lie. The house is elegantly furnished
and situated at convenient point for
the accommodation of commercial men.
Two dollars will cancel your board bill
every day. Special rates to regular
boarders.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

Reuben Black soon withdrew and the
old firm name of Trowbridge & Morse
was resumed.
The receipts of the creamery business
alone last year amounted to $50, 600.
The firm paid out last year to farmers
for cream, butter, eggs and poultry,
$4,000. In March, 1886, they pur-
chased the meat market and provision
store of W. S. McCord. which they are
running in successful manner. At
present they have in their employ ii. II.
Oppermsn, buttermaker; Chas. Griffin,
driver; Chas. Weller. driver; j. w.
Bradley, driver; Geo. Bresee, driver;
Harry Tresham, butcher. In the sea-
son of poultry-dressing they employ
from fifteen to twenty hands. Both
gentlemen of the firm are straightfor-
ward, conscientious dealers and they
have the respect of all men with whom
they deal. Commodious quarters arc
now being fixed up for their meat mar
ket in John p Lewis's building, which
they will occupy in few days.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01


house enjoys a large trade and is de-
servedly popular with its patrons. The
firm has done its share toward building
up the general and commercial prosper
ity of our city, the different members of
the fir4 in the past, and at present, be-
ing always ready to respond promptly to
any call tending to the improvement and
advancement of our city to position of
commercial prominence. Besides Mr.
Schreiner's careful management and at
tention to the business, he is ably as
sisted by his sons Adolf j. and Frank
Schreiner and Joseph Woolstenholme.
The sales in the mercantile branch of the
house aggregated between $4,000 and
100000 during the last year, while the
sales from, wool, produce, etc., did not
fall short of 800. 600.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

Chas. H. Basford, formerly in business
at Glen Haven, bought half interest
and the firm name of Thomas & Basford
was swung TO the breeze. and has so
remained ever since. AS a firm they
have become popular for probitY and
right dealing. They have steadily
grown in the popular favor ever since
the start, until they reached their pres
ent high mercantile standing. Besides
the two partners who are always on
hand to attend to the wants of their
customers in person, they are assisted
by Miss Wing and Halle Kinney. The
estimated sales of the house for the last
were $4,000.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

The building formerly occupying the
site of the present large stable was
built by ID. Griffith about the year 1860.
and used as blacksmith shop. In
1865 he sold the building to Phelps &
Fox, who occupied it rs a livery. Fox
& Phelps sold out to VIM. Powers, he
to VIM. Adams, he to Jared Barnett,
he to James Kilbourn. and in December
1878, Greene Bros. purchased it of MIR.
KilbUurn Dan Greene sold out his in
tsrest and TING. Wiley became part
ner Of Sam Greeue's Lust wear
Greene II Wiley erected the fine new
stable illustrat ii above. At present
twenty horses feed a. iis manyer-:
twenty wheeled vehicles throw dirt and
gravel on Grant County roads, and
twelve sleighs lie in reserve in The loft,
waiting for a Snnwsiurm. These be-
longings Of the stable are valued at
$1,000 The building, together with
the land. is worth $500. ). K.
Greene is now sole owner of The bnsi-
ness. He has an army of friends who
will back him against any liyeryman in
the state, where good nature and pluck
to accomplish difficult feats of driving
over bad roads are concerned. He has
in his employ as drivers and barnmen,
Jasper Sbipton. James Harcleroad,
Victor Bartlett, Thos. Pratt, Will Gar
ner, all gentlemen of ability at handling
the ribbons"
TROwBRIDGE & MORSE
In the year 1879 NJ S. Trowbridge
came to Lancaster and established a
butter, egg and poultry business in the
basement of the HERALD building,
which steadily grew into business of
much importance, especially to the
farming community. Soon after. A.
+. Morse bought half interest and tile
business was continued until the fall of
1882, when Mr. Morse withdrew from
the tirm of rrowbridge & Morse and
with Emerson DePuy bought out the
creamery plant and business of Hoar.
DePuy & CO.. which firm continued
until August, 1888, when Mr. DePuy
sold his interest and the creamery bust
ness was united with Mr.. Trowbridge's
produce business, and the firm became
! Trowbridge, Morse & Black. Mr..
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

Attorneys AND LOWRY Attorneys
at Law-o1lce over Thomas and Orton's store.
east side OF Court House square
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01
GEO. w. RYLANp.

Mr.. Ryland was born in Selbysport,
Maryland, Dec 10, 1927. He came to
Wisconsin in 1858, settling in Lancaster.
He was engaged in mercantile business
for a number of years, and during Lin
coin and Johnson's administration he
held the Office of postmaster. He has
been a member of the County Board of
Supervisors since 1870, with the exeep-
ton of one year, and is now serving his
thirteenth year rs chairman of the board
His efficient service TO the county in this
capacity is well known to the readers of
the HERALD. He has always been a
staunch Republican and u firm believer
in the principles of the party. He was
sent as a delegate to the Republican
National Convention at Philadelphia in
1872. In 1879 he was elected State Sem
ator by large majority over two other
candidates, and discharged the duties of
that office with marked ability. He is
now the foremost candidate for nomina-
ton TO the office of Lieutenant Governor
of the state. He is known to be, both in
public and private affairs, a safe and re-
liable man, in whom the most implicit
confidence can be placed. Since 1867
he has been engaged in the banking bus
mess. and is now the senior member of
the banking house of Geo. w. Ryland g.
Co. Mr.. Ryland is entirely self-made
man. Starting in this town with moth
ing, he has, by course of honorable
business and economy, amassed com
Portable fortune His residence, which
is here represented, has recently been re-
modelled and is one of the finest in the
city 1t stands in the middle of a block
Of ground, and is surrounded by fine
shade trees, which are not represented
in tho picfurn
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01
NUMBER IS.

store formerly occupied by George UT
now by L. A. jackson. He continued
there for some years and January /.
1885, he bought out Mr.. Benedict in til,
Mcdonald Block, opposite the Wright
House. He carried full line of gen.
eral merchandise. BY careful man.
agement and strict attention to the wants
of his customers, Mr.. Mccoy has built
up good substantial trade which speaks
well for his success as business man
and his future prosperity, as it is bound
to continue and grow. He carries a
stock of something over $4,000, and the
estimated sales of the house are several
times that amount.
BARBER, M'NAIR & co.
This ilrm, though new one under
its present name, is carrying on an old
established business. In 1866 the late
James A. Jones started here in the drug
business. In 1882 he sold half inter-
est to +. w. Bryan. who subsequently
bought the other half and continued
the business until November, 1885, when
he sold out to the present proprietors =
DR.. A. I'll. Barber, Fred w. McNair and
II. A. w. McNair. They carry all
kinds of drugs, paints. oils. fancy toilet
articles, stationery, etc ;sell soda-water,
lamps, artists materials and wall paper.
They enjoy the confidence of large
number of customers and report no
falling off in their trade since the depar-
ture of the genial Bryan. ave have
an average drug trade" is one of the
firms cautious way of putting it when
questioned in regard to the amount of
yearly sales. Their honorable methods
of doing business certainly bespeak an
increase of business in the future.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01
GRANT COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
STATISTICS

Population. .:.................... s7,s5s
Area in square miles. .-..........-. ,0S6
State valuation Of property for 1882. Si2 OO9 06s
GRANT COUNTY, one OF the Oldest and largest
counties in the State, is situated in the extreme
southwest corner-in size being about the same
Element dates back to 1927.
The County now ranks sixth in population
and twelfth in wealth. The principal products
are Corn, Oats, Cattle and Hogs, Of the Latter
immense quantities are shipped every wear
GRANT COUNTY, to settlers, still offers adyan-
tages equal If not superior to any County in the
state, and Is destined to grow in the future as in
the past. - ~
inc County Is traversed by four Railroads, on
the County Seat. n
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-01

on the decadence. From the cupola of
the court house the view is very extern
sive and beautiful. Far away on every
side stretches the wide, high plateau,
waving with grain and meadow grass,
checkered with corn-felds and dotted
with little groves and fringes of the
more distant woods. From this eleva-
ton the plateau seems almost level, for
the little valley of the Pigeon and the
lesser hollows seem mere wrinkles on
the broad green surface.