Sheboygan Press April 29, 1927 VILLAGE OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS PLATTED in 1837; FIRST NAMED ROCHESTER The village of Sheboygan Falls received an independent organization in 1854. In the spring of 1837, R. B. MARCY and Silas STEDMAN platted the land about the falls into village lots, under the name of Rochester. In 1846, David GIDDINGS, B. C. TROWBRIDGE, S. STEDMAN and Albert RAMSERILL, owners of the village of Rochester, re-platted with additional grounds, which became the recognized plat of the village. In 1850, by act of the legislature, the name was changed from Rochester to that of Sheboygan Falls. On May 1, 1834 (?), the first charter election was held. The total number of votes cast was forty-seven and the following officers were chosen: President, John KELLER; trustees, George TROMBULL, A. SKINNER, J. E. THOMAS, and W. D. KIRKLAND; treasurer, H. S. MARCH; clerk, William H. COLE; and marshal, William C. EASTWOOD. BABCOCK FIRST POSTMASTER The first post office at Sheboygan Falls, which properly may be said to have been the first post office in the county, was established in 1837 with George BABCOCK as first postmaster. A post office had been established at Sheboygan in 1836, but was temporarily abandoned the following year when all the families, with the exception of the postmaster's left that port in the spring of 1837. The office was then established at Sheboygan Falls, mail being received by carrier on the regular route between Milwaukee and Green Bay. The first mail carrier, named GRISWOLD, grew tired of the job and committed suicide by hanging himself in 1837. The postmasters who have served in that office since it was established, in regular order of their succession, were: Charles D. COLE; W. H. PRENTICE; L. M. MARSH; J. E. THOMAS; Col. S. B. STEDMAN; James T. BRIDGEMAN (second term); Charles A. SPENCER; Joseph OSTHELDER, Sr.; Ben HEALD; J. B. OGLE; B. H. SANFORD; George A. ROBBINS; George WILDERMUTH; Dr. C. W. PFEIFFER; and Dr. R. M. NICHOLS, incumbent. In 1913 the post office was changed from third to second class. Unfortunately, a few years ago one of the most interesting old landmarks in Sheboygan county was torn away and demolished. This was an old frame cabin which stood on the hill on the east side of the river a short distance north of the interurban tracks, and which was the first school house built in Sheboygan county. In this small building, Horace RUBLEE taught the first class of children, and until the district was organized several years later, some of the most prominent men in the later life of the community received their early educational training in this school house. PIONEER DWELLING REMAINS Another old landmark still stands near the east limits of the city at what was commonly called the Junction. This dwelling house was erected during the pioneer days for William SULLY. At the present time it is occupied by Ben HUELE and his family. The beautiful home of Abner O. HEALD, situated on the north side of the main traveled highway to Plymouth, is a picturesque reminder of earlier days in Sheboygan Falls. This very unusual dwelling, with its spacious grounds, its broad stone wall which extends along the entire road frontage of the lot, and the inviting landscape gardening, was the original home of Samuel ROUNSEVILLE, former nurseryman and prominent resident of the village. The brown-colored frame house which stands at the top of the hill directly north of the interurban station, now occupied by Charles F. HEALD, was originally owned and occupied by John SULLY and his family. The greatest interest surrounding the former industrial life of the village up to 1883, was the old Col. STEDMAN mill, the first to be erected in the vicinity. This sawmill was completed in the winter of 1836, and from that time until it was washed away in the flood of 1883, many of the most important manufacturing industries of Sheboygan Falls were housed in this building at one time or another. STARTS RAKE FACTORY About 1859, E. QUINLAN rented a portion of the building and began manufacturing rakes. Later George W. ARNOLD became associated with QUINLAN, but within a short time afterward ARNOLD withdrew and QUINLAN again became sole owner of the business. In 1871 George SPRATT bought out QUINLAN and carried on the business until the old landmark was washed away. Mr. SPRATT then for a short time after the flood carried on the business in the building now occupied by the FESSLER's store, and in 1864 (Is this date right ?? - K.R.) moved the rake manufacturing business to the city of Sheboygan. In was in this building that George MATTOON, founder of the present Northern Furniture company of Sheboygan, and his brother, Obed, started in the furniture business. They made chair spindles for a few years and after George MATTOON moved to Sheboygan, his brother Obed established a retail furniture store on the ground floor of the three-story frame building located at the corner of Monroe and Water streets. While MATOON was in the STEDMAN mill the boiler exploded with terrific force, causing considerable damage. Charles Mar (??), employed in the factory, had his boots completely blown off his feet by the concussion, but otherwise escaped uninjured. TAYLOR Brothers also occupied part of this old mill as a sash, door and blind factory. Immediately after the flood, TAYLOR Bros. continued their business in a building on Water street, on the east side of the river near the site of the present oil filling station, until the building was destroyed by fire in 1884. The STEDMAN mill was located on the south side of the street at the (?) approach to the new bridge. It was a two-story frame building, typical of early days, mounted upright log supports which rested upon the rock foundation of the river bed. Elsewhere in this historical number of The Press may be found a picture of this mill showing the original dam and other buildings which stood in proximity. BRICKNER WOOLEN MILLS It is interesting to not that the present BRICKNER Woolen Mills were started in the old STEDMAN mill in 1861. The company was originally known as the Sheboygan Falls Woolen Mills and was established by William PRENTICE. Later it was known as PRENTICE & FARNSWORTH, then PRENTICE & HEALD and after that as BRICKNER & HEALD. In 1872 BRICKNER became sole owner of the mills. Among the old landmarks located along the east side of the river is the three-story frame building directly north of the present interurban station, in which MATOON had his furniture store. The hall on the upper floor of this building was used by practically every leading lodge of Sheboygan Falls. It was here that the first temperance society in Wisconsin was organized on September 30, 1847. The name of this society was the "Sons of Temperance No. 1" and the charter was obtained from New York. The organization was succeeded by the Sheboygan Falls Lodge of Good Templars No. 1. Later the society was called the "Alliance Lodge of Good Templars." St. John's Lodge No. 24, of Masons, also met in this hall for some time. This lodge was organized on September 6, 1849, with a membership of ten. The first officers were: Harrison HOBART, W. M.; L.W. DAVIS, S. W.; L. B. BRAINARD, J. W.; V. YOUNG, S.; William TROWBRIDGE, T.; G. H. SMITH, S. D.; (?) ROBERTS, J. D.; and Thomas I. GRAHAM, Tiler. TEMPERANCE HOUSE The large frame building on Water street directly south of the building just mentioned, known as Temperance House, was the second frame building erected in Sheboygan Falls. Dr. SHEPHERD, Sr., occupied the building for a number of years, as did C. D. COLE and his family. Later it was occupied by the VINCENT family. Despite its age, the building is still in a fine state of preservation. The building at the east approach to the bridge, for many years occupied by the News plant, was originally known as STEDMAN hall. For many years this was the most popular public meeting place in Sheboygan Falls. At one time a man named BLOM occupied a portion of the building and manufactured chairs. The hotel located on Monroe street opposite the railway station was built by Col. THORPE, and since his time has been under several different managements and known under many different names. When the first county fair was held at Sheboygan Falls, fruit, vegetables and other articles were exhibited in this hotel, while the livestock was exhibited at Free hall at the top of the hill north of the interurban station. Free Hall was erected in the (??)'s and for many years was a popular meeting place for the inhabitants of that locality. During the Civil war the hall was utilized for drilling men before they went to the front. The hall was later converted into living quarters and since then has been used for dwelling purposes.