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John A. Chadwick

Daniel S. Chadwick

Brick Maker

 

The manufacture of brick, which has grown to be one of the most important branches of industry in this city, was first started here by John A. Chadwick, in 1847, who opened a yard within the present limits of the Seventh ward.  Andrew Willard, now a prominent citizen of Beaver Dam, was the molder of the yard.  Watertown Republican, 05 02 1886

 

1840

Among some of the people mentioned in the record as having been present at the first Fourth of July celebration here are those of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Chadwick.

 

1847

06 30       Messrs. CHADWICK & PLATT have a new yard now yard near Mr. Boomer’s.  We have not yet seen a specimen of their brick, but understand that they are made from a very fine quality of clay.  The brick heretofore made in this village and vicinity, have been of an inferior quality, the proportion of lime they contained being so great as to cause them to crumble to pieces upon their exposure to water.  This difficulty now appears to have been overcome and we are in hopes that of the buildings in the future to be erected here, a fair proportion may be of brick.   Watertown Chronicle

 

07 07       Since writing the above, we have been shown a specimen of brick from the yard of Messr. CHADWICK & PLATT, near this village.  All that we have heretofore said in relation to the good qualities of the Watertown brick may with justice apply to this new article.  It appears to be right in every respect, and as such we cannot too strongly recommend it to the public favor.  Watertown Chronicle

 

Brick Brick !

1858

 

THE SUBSCRIBER has now on hand about three hundred thousand bricks

of a superior quality which he will sell at prices to suit the times.

 

Patent Water Struck Brick,

 

for fronts of buildings, always on hand and sold very low for cash.

I have also a very superior article of brick for sidewalks, which I will

warrant to stand the frost, or the money will, in all cases, be refunded.

Call at my Brick Yard south of the railroad depot

or at the City Treasurer's office near the Post Office.

 

D. S. Chadwick.  June 21, 1858.     [WDem ad]

____________________________________________________________________

1859

04 21       The subscriber, feeling assured he can dig more gold out of his clay bank than he can out of Pike’s Peak, has resolved to continue the business at his old stand for another year at least, where he will be happy to meet all of his old customers and as many new ones as may call upon him.  Bricks of all patterns made at the shortest notice.  I have now on hand about five hundred thousand brick of superior quality, either for building or side-walks.  Patent Water Moulded French Brick always on hand at prices to suit the times.  D. S. Chadwick, first yard south of R. R. Depot.   WD

 

05 05       Sebra Howard engaged in erecting steam saw mill at Hubbleton.  Main building will be brick . . . the brick having been manufactured by D. S. Chadwick   WG

 

09 22       St. Paul’s Episcopal, supplier of brick for   WD

 

1860

03 22       THE BRICK TRADE

The benefit of railroads to one branch of industry that can be extensively carried on in this city now begins to be felt.  One of our most skillful and successful manufacturers of brick, Mr. D. S. Chadwick, has thus early this season made contracts for the delivery of over a million to parties in Janesville, Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh, and probably this is only a beginning of the demand that will yet be made this year.  No better article can be furnished than can be made here to any extent that may be required.  Our material is of the best quality and our manufacturers know how to use it to the best advantage.   WD

 

1863

01 15       CHADWICK RELEASED FROM ALL LIABILITIES; ORDER FOR BRICKS

COMMON COUNCIL NOTE:  The Grievance Committee to whom was referred the petition of D. S. Chadwick, praying to be released from his liabilities to the City of Watertown as Treasurer for the year 1857 and the year 1858, beg leave to report that after giving the same a careful consideration, think it the wisest policy for the Council to release him upon conditions hereinafter named.  That is, 50,000 well burned brick, to be delivered to the City or their authorized Agent upon the first day of June, 1863, and 50,000, same kind of brick, upon the first day of June, 1864. 

 

Resolved, that D. S. Chadwick be and is hereby released from all liabilities against him by the City of Watertown, upon complying with the above named conditions, and giving security to be approved by the Mayor, for the faithful performance of the same.   WD

 

02 19       ORDER FOR 100,000 FOR UNION SCHOOL HOUSE

Ald. Cody, chairman of Committee on Education, reported in favor of the petition of the School Board for the 100,000 brick which the city is to receive from D. S. Chadwick and recommend the adoption of the following resolution:

 

RESOLVED that the Mayor be authorized to deliver to the Board of Education of this city an order for 100,000 brick agreed to be delivered to the city by Mr. Chadwick, said brick to be used by said Board in the erection of a Union School house as contemplated in their communication to this Council.  Report and resolution adopted.   WD

 

1878

01 09       BRICK!  BRICK! 

      500,000 on hand

I have now on hand 500,000 of the best sand struck brick [*] ever made in this market and fully equal to Milwaukee Pressed Brick.  My bricks are perfectly free of lime particles, which is so destructive to a good face brick.  This is something that but few brickmakers can boast of.  Parties who contemplate building in the spring will do well to examine my brick before purchasing elsewhere.  Office over the Post Office where samples may be seen. D. S. CHADWICK.

 

[*]  Brick produced by molding relatively wet clay (20 to 30% moisture); if the inside of the mold is sanded to prevent sticking of clay, the product is SAND-STRUCK BRICK; if the mold is wetted to prevent sticking, the product is WATER-STRUCK BRICK.      - McGraw-Hill Dictionary

 

Death of John A. Chadwick

1888

05 09 1888

 

Chadwick, Jane M., b. Aug 14, 1827, d. Apr 15, 1898 

Chadwick, John A., b. Nov 9, 1810, d. May 8, 1888

 

This week we are called upon to record the death of one of the very earliest settlers of Watertown, John A. Chadwick, the sad event taking place at his home in the Third ward, Tuesday afternoon, May 8, 1888, in the 78th year of his age.  Yesterday morning he arose in his usual good health and after breakfast he went out to do some work. While thus engaged, at about eleven o’clock he received a paralytic stroke and lingered until 3:25 o’clock P.M., when his spirit took its flight to the world beyond.

 

With one exception, that of John W. Cole, Mr. Chadwick was the oldest settler here, coming to Watertown, March 12, 1837.  Mr. Chadwick journeyed from Beloit to this place on foot, following the bank of Rock River.  At this time Janesville and Beloit had each one house.  Mr. Chadwick arrived at Fort Atkinson a few days after Dwight Foster and wife had settled there, and he stopped over night with this hospitable pioneer couple.

 

In 1842 Mr. Chadwick married Jane M. Johnson, daughter of the first white settler of Watertown, the late Timothy Johnson, who with one son, Allen H., of Minneapolis, Minn., and Miss Mary E. and Miss Nettie A., both residing at home survives him.  Deceased taught school here somewhere between 1838 and 1840, and could lay claim to being the first teacher in Watertown.  Mr. Chadwick claimed to have been the first to start a brick yard here in 1847, Andrew Willard, now living at Beaver Dam, being the molder.  He had been connected with Watertown Lodge F. & A.M. for 37 years, and at the time of his death was its oldest member. 

 

Mr. Chadwick was born at Bradford, Vermont, November, 1810.  He was a man of unblemished reputation, upright in all his dealings, and a fine type of the old pioneer now so rapidly passing from our midst.  During his residence here of many years he had always been met with the kindliest of feeling in recognition of his warm, friendly attachments for those with whom he came in contact, and his memory will be long cherished by a wide circle of acquaintances.  In their affliction his family has the warm sympathy of the entire community and may they find consolation in the knowledge of his pure and unselfish life. 

 

Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery

 

CHADWICK HOME

  

1965 / John Chadwick home (traditional name) / 519 West Street (removed)

Mr. Chadwick arrived in Watertown, March 12, 1837.

In 1842 Mr. Chadwick married Jane M. Johnson, daughter of the first white settler of Watertown, Timothy Johnson.

 

 

Death of Jane M. Chadwick

1898

04 20 1898

 

The announcement of the death of Mrs. Jane M. Chadwick last Friday was a shock and a surprise to our people.  Few of whom knew of her illness, which was only a few days' duration.  About a week previous she was taken with a severe cold, which later developed into acute bronchitis, resulting fatally at 8:30 Friday morning.  She was in her 71st year.

 

Mrs. Chadwick was widely known in this vicinity as the earliest living resident of Watertown.  She was a daughter of Timothy Johnson, the first white man in Watertown, who settled here with his family in December, 1836, and founded the village of Johnston's Rapids.  His daughter Jane was then 9 years old.  This sparse settlement soon began to grow and Mrs. Chadwick has watched its development as each succeeding step was taken.

 

Her reminiscences of embryo Watertown were of great interest and have often been recounted by her at old settlers' meetings and occasions of a like nature.

 

Mrs. Chadwick was born in Rochester, N.Y., August 14, 1827, and when she came to live in her father's log house on the banks of the "raging Rock," near what is known as the Crangle spring, nothing but primeval forest, the uncivilized Indian and prowling wild animals were in evidence.  Amid this scene she grew to young womanhood and in 1842 was married to John Chadwick, a well-known citizen employed for many years by the St. Paul Railway Company, and who died some ten years ago.  She was a person of true womanly worth, fine qualities of mind and character, and one who was greatly beloved by all who knew her . . .    WR

 

1936

July          CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE POSTCARD

       

Richards and Chadwick arrive at the settlement.

 

 

 

Cross Reference:

                Cordes Brick Company

 

 

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