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Welcome to the portal on the history of Germantown, Washington County, Wisconsin. Here you will find information on the history of the settlement of the Town of Germantown from its beginning to the first quarter of the 20th century. Information was gleaned from historical publications. When possible, the information was copied as is so as not to change it meaning. When it was determined that clarification would help, information was added and this can be identified as it is enclosed with [ ]. From the book HISTORY OF WASHINGTON AND OZAUKEE COUNTIES, WISCONSIN, pages 464-472: The town of Germantown is the oldest settled town in Washington County. It was designated by the Government survey as Town 9, Range 20, and is the southeast town in the county. The surface is nearly level. The land was, in a state of nature, heavily wooded with elm, birch, beach, maple and oak. Being near Milwaukee where most of the early German immigrants first stopped, it early attracted the attention of such of them as sought farming lands for their American homes. Already a large colony of Germans had settled in the western part of the east adjoining town (Mequon), and the proximity of countrymen, already settled in the new country, rendered the location doubly desirable. So it happened that from 1840, when the German immigration first set in, there was a constant flow of German settlers to the township, till they had occupied all the Government lands, and purchased nearly all the land owned by the English and American settlers who had come in a few years prior to their advent. The first purchases of land from the Government were made in 1839, and at the close of 1844 there was scarce an available acre unoccupied in the town. It was fairly settled two years before it was incorporated. Many of the settlers brought sufficient means with them to start their pioneer life under what was considered comfortable circumstances. Milwaukee had grown to be a considerable village and was convenient for supplies. The early settlers of this town found ease and comfort compared with those who pushed farther on, across the unbridged streams and up among the hills of the northern towns of the county. This being the oldest town in the county, the first settler is entitled to the double distinction of being also the first settler of the county. Anthony D. Wiesner and Levi Ostrander each purchased eighty acres in Section 35, March 11, 1839. These were the first two purchases made. [The first settler of record was] Mr. Wiesner's as his name appears first on the land book of entry. [Mr. Wiesner married Katherine Schaetzel and together had five children (1841-1850). The family settled on the E1/2 of the SE quarter in Section 35. Today that would be the northwest corner of Country Aire Drive (Highway 145) and County Line Road. From a historic standpoint, they had the misfortune of expiring early in the history of the township, she at age 30 in 1851 and he at age 41 in 1852.] Levi Ostrander settled on this land, and was for many years a leading man of affairs, both in the town and in old Washington County, and is justly entitled to the distinction of being the [most prominent] first settler. During the same year there were sixteen other entries made, mostly in the southern tier of sections. The only man now living [1881] in the town who came in prior to 1840 is John Coghlan, who took up eighty acres in Section 33, August 8, 1939. He is now the oldest living settler in the town. The other living settlers now living in the town who came in prior to 1844, are John Gilbert and John Jung in 1840; Michael Ballheim, John Brown, Peter Goettelmann, Jacob Holl, Joseph H. Meege, Jacob Schlafer, Jacob Schunk, William Strauss, Philip Zimmerman, 1841; John Diefenthaeler, Henry Frenwith, Robert Fernwith, Frederick Groth, William Hofemeister, Balzar Kripinberger, John H. Schefffler, John Selflow, and John C. Tate in 1843. Among the early settlers who bought land from the Government there were some who were speculators. Noteworthy among them was Alexander Mitchell, then a promising young Stotch banker in Milwaukee, who was, perhaps, looking forward to the time when, having accumulated a competency, he might go on to his "eighty" in Germantown and become one of the leading farmers of the town. His youthful hopes were not realized, although his wealth now comprises more than twice the valuation of the entire county. The town was incorporated 21 January 1846 by act of the Legislature. The first town meeting was held 7 April 1846. The Clerk of the meeting was I.T. Brown the first Surveyor of the old Washington County. He was a ripe scholar and a polished gentleman. Little was known of his early history. A deep-set trouble always seemed to weigh him down with melancholy. He lived for any years in the county and at last, an old man, poor, broken in mind, he took voluntary refuge in the poor house of the county, though offered an asylum and a home by D.W. Maxon and other old friends, and there closed his strange life. The record of this meeting was written by Mr. Brown in a plain angular hand peculiar to educated men of the old school, and reads as follows: In accordance with the provisions of the act of Legislature incorporating the town of Germantown, the citizens assembled in town meeting at the house of John Mattes, 7 April 1846; Levi Ostrander was chosen unanimously as Moderator and I.T. Brown as Clerk. The meeting then adjourned one hour in order to obtain the ballot boxes belonging to the town, which being obtained, the polls were opened by proclamations, and nine votes received as per poll-list numbered from one to nine inclusive. The meeting then took a recess of fifteen minutes to debate on the proper sum to be paid to town officers for services not otherwise provided by law, and the sums necessary to be raised for the current year for the support of the poor, for the support of roads and bridges, and for the support of schools; also, for the appointment of Road Supervisors in the eight road districts, numbered one to eight inclusive, the results of which was as follows: All town officers whose salaries shall not otherwise be provided for by law shall be entitled for their services, $1.00 per day. For the support of the poor, $150; for roads and bridges, $100; and for the support of schools, $400 was voted to be raised. The vote for Road Supervisors stands as follows: John Beggarly, for Road District No. 1; Levi Ostrander, for No. 2; John M Curtiss, for No. 3, John Young, for No. 4; Jacob Slaver, for No. 5; Jacob Regenfuss, for No. 6, John Baseman, for No. 7; John Brienogal, for No. 8. The meeting then took a vote where the next annual town meeting should be held, which resulted in the choice of John Mattes house on Section 36. The voting (by ballot) for town officers, for or against State Government, for the temporary location of the county seat, and for or against raising a tax of $1,000 to be expended on county buildings, then progressed until 6 o'clock P.M., when by proclamations of the Moderator the polls were closed, and, on canvassing the votes, the following was found to be the result of the election. The whole number of votes polled were 123, of which there were in favor of "State Government" 118; against State Government 9. For temporary location of the county seat, the county farm on Section 2, Town 10, Range 20, received 116; the center received 1 vote, and Range 20 received 1 vote. For raising by tax $1,000 for county buildings there were 99 votes, and none against it. The vote for town officers was as follows: Chairman of the Board of Supervisors - George Koehler, 31 votes; William Green, 14; Jonas P. Vaughn, 3; and John Hubenthal, 1. For Supervisors - Nelson Burst, 30 votes; Samuel W. Cole, 34; William Wasmuth, 19; Michael Hyre, 10; Peter Leith, 3; Henry W. Thomas, 1. For Town Clerk - Levi Ostrander, 34 votes; Henry W. Thomas, 14. For Treasurer - George Koehler, 33 votes; John C. Hubenthal, 12; Henry W. Brink, 12. For Collector - George Brill, 30 votes; John C. Hubenthal, 7; and Henry W. Brink, 9. For Commissioners of Highways - John Mattes, 49 votes; Adam Bookman, 46; John M. Curtiss, 46; John McGarth, 3; Henry W. Thomas, 3. For School Commissioners - Levi Ostrander, 49; Michael Hyre, 37; George Gelser, 9; Conrad Strassman, 9. For Constables - George Brill, 44 votes; John M. Curtiss, 4; Henry W. Brink, 6. For Sealer of Weights and Measures - George Koehler, 46 votes. For Justice of the Peace - Levi Ostrander, 37 votes; Samuel W. Cole, 45; George Koehler, 38; William Green, 12; Jonas P. Vaughn, 4. For Assessors - John McGarth, 46 votes; John Goelzen, 34; Abram Laiesy, 33. I certify that the within account of the town meeting and election, held in the town of Germantown, as aforesaid, is correct and true. Signed Levi Ostrander, Moderator and attested by I.T. Brown, Clerk. The first poll-list preserved of the voters of the town, is that of the general election held in November 1846. It does not contain the names of over half those men settled in the town, as they were slow in taking out naturalization papers. A good number had, however become American citizens even at that early day. The list contained the following names: Christopher Adler, Barnard Barlonda, John Baseman, John Beggarlee, H.W. Beink, John Boden, Adam Bookman, Michael Bookman, George Brill, Nelson Burst, John M. Curtis, Philip Dhine, Adam Eifler, George Emerich, John Gelser, John Gelser, Sr., John Gilbert, Roma Grislan, Charles Haffring, Christopher Hayburn, Anthony Hoben, Michael Hoye, John C. Hubenthal, John Hufendifer, Colas Kastler, George Koehler, Frederick Knauth, John Knauth, Galtus Kniffelbergen, John Lynch, Philip Marloch, John Maths, Peter Maths, Francis B. Metz, William Miller, Alfred B. Ostrander, Levi Ostrander, Marvin Ostrander, Philip Pah, Nicholas Peter, Philip Pfeil, Jacob Rodsmond, Adam Staats, Valentine Staats, Jacob Samhart, Jacob Schaetzel, Valentine Schaetzel, Jacob Snider, Philip Snider, P.M. Sneider, Jacob Stanitz, William Straub, Conrad Strassman, Charles Tesch, Dieta Thuier, John Tields, Patrick Toland, J.P. Vaughn, Francis Waldermbe, William Wasmuth, William Weller, Jacob Wolf, John Wood, George Woolf, - total 64. Germantown, during the war, kept her quota full by bounties, only eight soldiers being on the State records as having done personal service. Ninth Infantry - Edmund Weimer, Jacob Wasserburger (Musicians), Valentine Henrich
The amount of money raised for war purposes was $31,295 which was expended in procuring volunteers and substitutes, as the exigencies of the times required. Few towns have had so peaceful and uneventful a life as Germantown. It has silently kept the even tenor of its way, unvexed by the tumult of the outside world. The history is in the lives of those who have lived and still live within its borders. It has grown from a thickly matted forest to show all over its extent broad acres of field and orchard, garden and pasture; is the richest and most productive farming town in the county, and is one of the best in the State. It has no considerable village within its borders. Two railroads, the Milwaukee & St. Paul, and the Chicago & North Western pass through the town, giving it the full advantages of the markets of the neighboring city of Milwaukee, of which it may be called a farming suburb. The only considerable industry, outside of agriculture pursuits, is that of lime-burning, which is extensively carried on at Rockfield, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, by Fred Dix, and at South Germantown, by Frank Schlaefer, and the Germantown Lime Company. The lime is excellent quality, and finds a market at Milwaukee, Chicago, and other points along the lines of the railroads. There is one brewery in the town on Section 22 [northeast corner Freisdadt and Hwy 145]. It is owned by John Staats for twenty-eight years. He died in November 1880, since which time the business has been continued by Ph. G. Duerrwaechter, administrator of the estate. A small local trade centers at each post office. At Meeker Post Office, on Section 19, the Postmaster, Mattice Becker, has a store. At Rockfield Post Office, on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Section 9, in addition to the lime works, Fred Dix, has a store kept by Jacob Kraetsch. At South Germantown Post Office, in addition to the heavy lime business before mentioned, Ph. G. Duerrwaechter has his depot for the sale of Agriculture implements, lumber, sash, doors, and other building material, in connection with which he does a large business as a building contractor throughout the county. There is also a store at this point kept by Messrs. Goelzer and Schwalbach. The only cheese factory in the town was started in May, 1881 and is owned and carried on by Schneider & Eimmerman. The central offices of the Germantown Mutual Fire Insurance Company, one of the most reliable in the State, are on the northeast quarter of Section 17 [Dheinsville]. The executive officers are President, Andrew Martin; Secretary, Martin Schottler. The only lodge in the town is Sons of Herman, Franklin Lodge No. 39. It was organized 19 April 1879. Its first officers were President Jacob Braun; Vice President, Jacob Straub; Secretary, PH. G. Duerrwaechter; treasurer, Adam Diefenthaeler. The present officers are President, Herman Berger; Vice President, Adam Diefenthaeler; Secretary, Ph. G. Duerrwaechter; Treasurer, William J. Goelzner. There are three churches in the town, one on Section 8, Lutheran; one on Section 20, St. Boniface Catholic; and one on Section 35, Lutheran. The school districts, whole and joint, are ten in number. There are ten school houses costing $4,500. The scholars number 806, taught by eleven teachers. The amount expended for school purposes in 1880 was $2,812. The population of Germantown according to the census of 1880 is 1,943. The latest official reports state the average crop to be as follows: wheat, 70,000 bushels; corn, 37,000; oats, 64,000; barley, 26,000; rye, 76,000; potatoes, 20,000. The amount was raised on 8,852 acres of cultivated land. The town had 5,414 acres of growing timber, 323 acres of apple orchards, 8,981 fruit bearing trees, 1,209 milk cows which produced 14,000 pounds of butter. The present town officers [1881] are: Supervisors, Jacob H. Goelzer, Chairman, William Hayes, Mortimer Hubenthal; Town Clerk, Ph. G. Duerrwaechter; Assessor, Philip Schneider; Treasurer, William Staats. Contributed by Donald Joseph Schulteis: Germantown The oldest settled town in Washington County was Town Nine - Germantown. The town was incorporated 21 January 1846 and held its first town meeting on 7 April following. The Town consisted of 36 sections, each contained 640 acres. In total then, the Town consisted of 23,040 acres with six miles distant from one border to the other or 36 square miles. The land area was level and heavily wooded. First purchases of land were in section 35, the southeast corner, was 80 acres each by Anthony D. Wiesner and Levi Ostrander on 11 March 1839 and 160 acres in section 31 by Benjamin Church on 29 May. In the fall of 1839, land purchases were made by Jefferson Kinne in section 25, Daniel Allen in section 30, and Joshua Gifford in section 32. The town was settled in the years 1840-1843. By 1846 all land had been settled and was valued at $50, 233 or $2.18 an acre. In 1849 the land value had gone up to $3.30 per acre, the highest in Washington County; Mequon was $3.22, Cedarburg, Port Washington, and Saukville were $2.70, while Jackson, Richfield and Hartford were $2.39. In 1859 the road system was sporadic. There were two east-west boarder to boarder roads within one mile of one another, Friestadt and Mequon. There was one north-south road, Goldendale. There were other roads running north-south and east west the longest being 3 1/2 mile, most being one to two miles in length. The Minnesota Line later called the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Line was constructed in 1849-1855. It ran in a diagonal direction southeast to west through sections 36, 25, 26, 23, 22, 21, 16, 17, and 18. North Fond du Lac public road, the major arterial north to south had not yet been completely build. Some construction was completed, about 2 1/2 miles in the south central portion of the town and about 1 1/2 miles in the north east. In total, the town had some 43 miles of road. In 1873, North Fond du Lac public road had been completed. Additional roads were built outlining sections and now 17 of the 36 sections were outlined. In total there were some 50 miles of road. A second railroad line, Chicago & Northwestern ran through the town southeast to north northwest through sections 36, 25, 26, 23, 14, 15, 10, 9, 4 and 5. In 1876, the following communities were located in the Town of Germantown: Dheinsville at the corners of sections 8, 9, 16, and 17 (north central), Meeker in section 19 (south west), and South Germantown in section 22 (south central). Just to the east there was a community called Germantown Freistadt. Each of these communities had a post office. A school review in 1880 found students between 4 and 20 years, 431 male and 375 female. There were five male teachers receiving a salary of $35.00 a month and 6 female teachers receiving $25.00. In 1892, the area surrounding the train station in town Nine was known as South Germantown as opposed to as second Germantown located along the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad line in a northern County. There also ma Germantown in Juneau and Sawyer Counties. South Germantown consisted of Main Street, North Street (no longer existing, ran along west side Gehl Dairy from Main to Fond du Lac), and North Fond du Lac public road. Ownership of the area: A.L. Schlaefer owned the land north of Fond du Lac H.B. Bond & Company owned all the land, less a few acres, in a triangle made up of Park Avenue, which did not exist then, Fond du Lac, and Main street Germantown Lime Company from Park Avenue west J.K. Schwalbach the triangle from Park Avenue to North Street south to the railroad track Valentine Schwalbach owned all the land south of the railroad tracks on a line North Street to about one block west of the railroad track J. Braub owned the land south of main west of V. Schwalbach The following also owned property: H. Berger, Jno Bluem, Jacob Staats, P.H. Brown, H. Wolf, J. A. Dotzler, J. Kuehn, John Walterlin, J. Beck, Schlaeffer, P. Schneider, P.G. Duerrwaechter, A. Schmeling. In 1892, roads had almost completely surrounded the perimeter of the township; 32 of the possible 36 miles. Three roads now ran north-south and three roads east-west. In total there were 87 miles of road. In 1915 there were 91 miles of road. Germantown completed the building of their new State Graded School in 1924. It was a brick two room school house located northeast North Fond du Lac Public Road and a road yet to be named (now Pilgrim Road). The old one room cement and field stone school had been located on the southwest corner of the unnamed road (Pilgrim) and Freistadt Road. Population of South Germantown was 243. This was the year the Village of Germantown was incorporated. First President was Herbert Walterlin and Henry Snyder was Clerk. When Henry resigned, Oliver Gehl became Clerk. In 1929 Charley Schuster was elected President with Frederic Mehre, the Village Clerk. Fred held that position until 1954 some 25 years. On 11 March 1927 South Germantown became the Village of Germantown. Eleven citizens of South Germantown had petitioned the Washington County Circuit Court for incorporation of 300 acres in section 22. The petitioners were: Father Banholzer, Adam Diefenthaler, Benn C. Duerrwaechter, Alvin Gronemeyer, Edward Rintelman, Joe Rosecky, Arthur Schmidt, Charles A. Schuster, John A. Schwalbach, Joseph J. Siegl, and Aaron Walterlin. Population of South Germantown, now Germantown, was 243. 1854 - Senate: Baslthus Mantz, Meeker; Assembly: Philipp Zimmerman, Germantown
As remembered by Fred Mehre Jr. in 2005: The first Village Marshall was George Brucker, then came Wilber Hensler, then Leroy Walterlin, then Rueben Schaetzel, and lastly John Walterlin. Constables were Melvin Kelling, Fred Mehre Jr., Richard J. Barnes, and Harold Spurgin. The first Chief of Police was Fred Mehre Jr, then Frank Reimer. |