Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-03-01
THE EARLY
History Of WanWatOSa.

the teachers were Messrs Wenzel,
Clark and Clapp, and Mrs. Sanderson,
Miss Griffin, aiiss Mary Nelson and
Miss Sarah Underwood. The cata-
loguc of Mr.. Wenzels school is now in
the public library. Among the early
teachers OF the village district school,
on the Common, were Miss Addie Par
sons. Miss Breed, Miss Maria Wood
bury, Miss Frink, Mr.. James Stickney,
Mr.. Loveland, Mr.. Geo. Scarrit, and
later, Mr.. Cyrus Damon.
We can hardly mention this school
house, around which so many memories
linger, without thought Of the beau
tiful old elm tree standing by the river
side, back of the r. r. depot. Here
for years. the juveniles used to resort
in summer to enjoy their midday
lunch. We have always felt that
through public spirit, this landmark Of
the town, dear to so many hundred
hearts, should have been protected
but no! it was wooed by our much
abused, but then beautiful Menomonee
and carried no one knows whittier.
Rev. Mr.. Clapp, by private tutoring
prepared several young men for col
lege. Material for full paper, with
much of interest, could be written on
the early schools of Wauwatosa.
Early Wan. had its divorce sensation;
Mr. Speer purchased the Putney
tavern and built large hotel on tie
site of DR.. Fisk home His wife, not
proving an angel Of light, shattered
the family and ali his business inter
ests. 1t was occupied as Il private
residence fora time Rev. Mr. Talford.
an Episcopal clergyman, in visiting
Wauwatosa, decided that here was a
beautiful place to locate his Female
Seminary. lie thereupon rented this
building. The citizens of w felt the
need of an advanced school for bows at
this time, as well as for girls Though
it was not in sympathy with Mr. Tai
ford's desires, he opened department
for boys in the hall of the building
which stood on Greenwood S store corn
er. The boys and girls were not al
lowed any communication whatever,
even If brothers and sisters. This
school was styled "'Wauwatosa Female
Seminary for Boys
Although the cenSer Of the town was
called the Village of Wau it had no
official existence, save as part of the
town under the government of the
Town Board of Supervisors While
seeming thriving village, in absence
of a legal body, the people made many
public improvements.
Perhaps there was no one building,
which forms a more conspicuous part,
in the annals of the town, than the
once little, red store, now owned
by Mr.. Gridley, standing by the Il. r.
track, Though begun fora blacksmith
shop it was first used as IA dwelling
house. 1t was built by DR. HaIstead
in 1854. Mr. T. NJ Riddle purchased
this little building, remodelled it for a
grocery store, put a stairway on the
outside and used the chambers for
storage. This was the only store in
town for many years. What could one
not purchase here? Staple groceries
no fancy es-pinS, tape, needles
school books, patent medicine. hard
ware, farming utensils, etc.
The postOilice was moved herr, in
1855, from MIR WeSSou's kitchen, and
Mr., Riddle commissioned postmaster
He was also notary public This store
was the railroad depot, and in later
years the express office. 1t was also -
place for political gatherings. especial
ly Republican caucuses; also trusting
place for lovers; lounging place for
loaferS; in fact, 1t mas the village.
Here, too, was the Wauwatosa Circu-
lating Library. This library was
formed by large number in the town
contributing dollar each. Not more
is the fiarwood Public Library aonye.
eiated today, than was this first library
generation and more ago. After il
seemed to have outgrown it's useful.
ness, the books were sold at auction
some of which may be seen in differ
ent homes today, Mr. Riddle died in
1862 His son Thomas continued The
business until lS73-maltinc nearly %
years that this little store was held in
the family, 1t then passed into Mr.
Lysander Gridley' possession. the n res.
ent o" ner, who was Postmaster until
+ 1885.
An epoch in the life of DR. Ualstea
the builder, is not without interes,
After years had passed. he sold his
large house tnow Mr., Coulthard'a his
wife died, his goods were scattered
ana he rented the chamber over this
store set up his drugs and Office furn;.