Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-08-08
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Wlmott)
(By Judge Wilmott)

houses narrated in my last chapter,
there stood a stone building built in
the fOrties, by whom, and for what
purpose, the writer is unable to say.
In 1855 or SO Matthias Eslinger ana
John Sweeney, two early pioneer cab
met makers, formed a partnership
with the intention Of establishing
furniture factory in this building A
steam boiler and engine were INSTALL
ed, but their capital ran short, and
not being able to borrow money to
purchase the other necessary ma
chinery, the proposition fell through.
The building, afterward was used as
a barn and other purposes. 1t was
torn down few years ago and the lot
on which it stood remains vacant.
Adjoining this was a two-story log
building that, l believe was built by
a cabinet maker named Gerhard Field
haar, who had come to POtosi at a
very early date and occupied the same
as a cabinet shop and living rooms for
his family. The building was after
wards framed over and made very
respectable looking residence, the
shop being in the rear. Mr.. Feldhaar
then built large two-story frame
building for a shop and sales room.
The lower part was later converted
into hall and for many years was
known as Feldhaar hall. Following
the death of the old pioneer, the prop
erty passed into the hands OF other
parties Chris Zeller, a son-in-laW,
owned and occupied the property for
many years. He sold to Nicholas
Bonn and removed to Sheldon, Ia. Mr..
Bonn occupied the premises to the
time of his death. Henry DOser then
become owner of the property and
made great improvements to the
premises. The two-story building
used as a hall was remodeled and
made into a handsome dwelling that
Mr. Doser occupies with his family.
The log dwelling house was torn
down by Mr.. Doser and nice two
story dwelling was built on the lot,
that is now occupied by Mrs. Rosa
Millen, sister to Mr.. Doser.
A short distance north of the first
mentioned building, there stood
one-story log house that was bait
in the early forties, it was, in the
course of existence, used as dwell
ing, and occupied by different fam
lilies. In the course of events it be-
came a copper shop, operated by Au-
gust Huntemer, who thereafter re-
moved to Lancaster, and subsequently
to Dell Rapids, S. d., where he died
some year ago. The old log house
was in later years used as a stable.
1t was taken down some few years
ago.
Across White street as designated
on the map Of the village OF Potosl.
John T. Sweeney, an early Potosi
cabinet maker, built one and one
half story log building in about the
wear 1912. 1t was on White street on
knoll a few feet back from North
street. Mr.. Sweeney conducted
chair factory in this building lie
had also built a two-story frame
dwelling on North street that he oc-
cupied with his family. Il beg TO
correct myself, this building was built
bv T. d. Conner, bTother-ln-IaW 10
Sweeney though Sweeney and tam
ily occupied it, This building eVentd-
agily became the property OF James W.
Seaton. Sweeney in the meantime
had retired from the char making
business and moved his family TO the
log building, that they occupied for
q number of years, or until ABOUT
1870. when they removed to Montana.
The old log building had been trained
over and made to look more respect
able.
A few years later August FRANKIE,
tailor by trade, and his wife came 10
Potosi from some part OF Germany,
and purchased this property. In TINS
huilding was born to them eight emil
dren. seven sons and one daughter, all
are living, except one son, Kew RI
Philip FRANKIE, who died few years
ago at La Crosse, Wis. All the chill
dren grew to manhood and woman
hood in Potosi, and are occupying re-
sDonsible positions elsewhere Ben IS
an engineer on the burlington ran
road and lives at La Crosse; CharleS
is a farmer, l believe, and lives near
LYONS, Ia; August, grocer IN p.
PAM: Henry a railroad conductor, re-
siding in st. Paul; Theodore, tallof'
in Chicago; Joseph, an engineer on
the Great Northern, makes ms nome
in Minneapolis; Hannah, the onIy
daughter, became the VIE Oh Ut. JOHN
McGovern, and lives IN minneapolis
The parents have passed 10 the pc
vond. This building has been ma0e
into nice dwelling and is occupied
and owned by Mrs kirgous as a resi-
dp0Ce and CCI6pHOu6 SASA"ASS 0i
Across North street opposite the
nresent telephone exchange once anu
where George Hudson's blacksmith
shop stands, Isaac spmngston openea
I'm the first blacksmith shop in Snake
Hollow. He continued in the business
here until 1850, and with many others
from Potosi went to the gold lelos OF
california with his family, where ne
vas successful. One day he ana
comple of others while seated at their
.camp. a large grizzly bear interrupt
81 their conversation by appearing IN
yiaw within a few feet from them;
Mr. Bear stood up on his hind feet ana
vas ready for battle. Sprlngston,
VIII Bowie knife in hand, advanced
nm the bear and soon there was
Struggle between man and bear with
chances going in favor OF the man. |
The bear in his last efforts, IN dlelnS
Struggles, caught Springston on me
rbesf with one fore foot and Utterly
tore him open. This ended the battle
with Sprngston and the bear aeaC'
-. NOnCn~ m, Sweeney TWO- /