website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Lindon
House
Joseph
Lindon
201 W
Main
Known
as the Mannegold or Old Lindon House property,
at the
corner of West Main and Water streets,
became
site for Carnegie library.
1858
12 02 AN
INSTITUTIONSOF OUR CITY
One of the
institutions of our city is the Beef and Pork Packing establishment of Joseph
Lindon. Whoever may furnish Bacon for
the mind, he can supply bacon for the body to almost any extent, and that is
the main thing when men are hungry and shivering. Few places of the size and population of
Watertown can boast of the extensive business institutions we have here—our
grist mills, woolen factories, grain, produce and meat establishments—prominent
among the latter of which is Lindon’s, on the “West side.” During one week he
bought over three hundred hogs, the average weight of which exceeded three
hundred pounds each. Mr. Lindon has
already this season purchased pork alone to the amount of twelve thousand
dollars. This speaks well for the
business of our city — present and prospective.
It also speaks well for the industry of the farmers and shows that they
have not been idle. The resources of the
country around us are rapidly developing.
Time will surely make all things right
WD
1859
01
27 Beef
and Pork Packing establishment of Joseph Lindon WD
02 05 Pork and Beef Packing Establishment of
Joseph Lindon, West Avenue, Watertown, Wis. [today location of public library],
has constantly in store and for sale, mess pork, mess beef [barreled cured
beef], leaf lard in bbls. and half bbls. [leaf lard has little pork flavor,
making it ideal for use in baked goods], bacon (green and smoked), smoked sugar cured hams, smoked sugar cured shoulders, etc., etc.,
etc., at wholesale and retail. He also
keeps a market where can be had at any time at the lowest cash prices the
choicest pieces of all kinds of meats, as he takes particular
pains to have the best variety constantly on hand. Cash paid for all kinds of stock and
produce. WD
1861
02 01 $16,000 OF PORK
The Democrat says that Mr. Joseph
Lindon has already expended over $16,000 this season in buying pork. It would be a lucky thing for Watertown if she
had more business men like Mr. Lindon.
He is one of our most enterprising citizens and in the
course of a year has very extensive dealings in the produce trade as
well as in that of beef and pork. WR
12 12 THE PORK TRADE
Previous to the late
thaw – which has given us almost spring weather in the middle of December, and banished all traces of winter – there was
considerable activity in the pork trade in this city. The streets were filled with loads of hogs,
which was but the beginning of the business that is yet to be done here this
season. Both buyers and sellers were
plenty and the competition brisk, the prices ranging from $3 to $3.50 per
hundred. Decidedly the best lot we saw
was a load of twenty-three hogs brought from Hustisford by Ira Jones and
purchased by George Peeples. They
averaged 400 pounds a piece in weight, were dressed with
the greatest care and neatness, and were an example of what can be done in
rightly preparing pork for market when proper pains are taken. They brought the highest price that has yet
been paid, and will be found worth all they cost for
packing and making prime pork. Farmers
should be sure not only to have their hogs in good condition when killed, but should dress them in the neatest and best manner
for the market. A cleanly dressed hog
will always have a great advantage over a slovenly half-dressed one, with
bristles standing all over its body. WD
12 26 LINDON’S PACKING
ESTABLISHMENT [before there was a Johnsonville]
The extensive and well arranged pork packing establishment of Mr. Joseph
Lindon, on First Street, is now in full operation for the winter. Mr. Lindon is in the street daily, purchasing
a large proportion of the pork brought here for sale, and putting it up in the
best condition for the eastern markets.
A large part of his pork is packed in a particular way for the British
naval service, where it finds a ready sale.
Other parts are cured for bacon and finds its way to England in that
form. This branch of business gives
employment to fifteen or twenty men, each having a certain work to do, the
whole being carried on systematically, and everything done with perfect
exactness. Pork raising is an important
item in the products of Wisconsin. This
season the hog crop promises to be large and valuable, though the prices are
not as high as they have been some previous years. Pork is now bringing from $3.00 to $3.50 a
hundred. WD
1862
12 11 LINDON’S
One of the most
extensive pork packing establishments in the state is carried on by Mr. Joseph
Lindon of this city. Most of his pork is
cured for the English market and shipped directly to Liverpool in the shape of
bacon.
We were surprised the
other day to see the immense piles of the first class
bacon heaped up about his rooms, notwithstanding the fact that large amounts
are daily packed and shipped. He has
purchased heavily in our streets, paying the highest figures
and brought car loads from Columbus and other places accessible by
railroad. Farmers living beyond
Oconomowoc and Waterloo have brought their pork here for sale,
and disposed of it to much better advantage than they could sell it
elsewhere.
Ever since cold weather
set in the pork trade in our streets has been unusually active. Some days our streets have been crowded with
teams loaded with fattened hogs as solid and heavy as are raised anywhere, and
among the buyers Mr. Lindon is among the most extensive. When the season is over it would be quite
interesting to know how many tons of hams and sides of bacon he has sent across
the Atlantic, to help furnish food for the millions who depend on these
articles for subsistence. Among our
exports, bacon is getting to be among the most valuable and important, as the
commercial statistics published at Washington show. WD
12 25 CHEAP LIVING
We call attention to
Mr. Joseph Lindon’s advertisement in this paper. He is now cutting up and packing immense
quantities of pork and beef, and of course has a large quantity of what are
called fragments left, such as tenderloin, spare ribs, feet and heads, which he
sells at low prices. This presents an
opportunity to all, especially to those who do not always find it convenient to
daily procure fresh meat at the markets, to obtain supplies of this variety of
food at very low prices, and we advise all to avail themselves of it. In every community more or less of this class
is to be found, and while such an establishment exists, none need go hungry or
be in want of something good to eat. In
most other countries such a chance as this would be regarded as very fortunate
at this season of the year. WD
1863
03 12 HOG CROP VALUED
Port and Beef
Packing. During the winter just closed
probably more pork and beef has been packed in this city than ever before, to
say nothing of the increased quantities that have been bought here and sent
away fresh. Mr. Joseph Lindon alone has
purchased and made into bacon 5,000 hogs, the average weight of which was 237
pounds a piece, each hog yielding an average of 25 pounds of lard. He has also slaughtered 500 head of cattle
and salted them down for beef. These
provisions have been cured for both and American and English market – the
larger portion of the pork having been shipped to Liverpool in the shape of
side bacon. These statistics show the
transaction of an extensive business here in this line and we have no doubt
that more will be raised, sold and sent from here
another [during the next] season. The
hog crop is now one of our most valuable and profitable products of export and
is destined to increase in extent every year.
WD
1864
02 11 WATERTOWN
PORK TRADE
The
pork trade for the present season being nearly over, it may be a matter of
general interest to know something of its extent. At this date, Mr. Joseph Lindon has purchased
in this city 2500 hogs, the average weight of which was 230 pounds each, making
a total of 575,000 pounds, at an average of 6 cents per pound, the whole amount
paid out being $34,500.00.
Much of this pork was
of the best quality, though not quite as heavy as that of last year, owing to
the earlier slaughter and the scarcity and cost of feed, caused by the partial
failure of the corn crop. Some of it has
been cut into bacon for foreign countries and shipped abroad, and some of it
packed for home consumption, all carefully put up in the best possible
condition.
The hams, shoulders and
chops have been cured and smoked and those who want either of these articles
can procure them at Mr. Lindon’s packing house, either by the quantity or
singly, and no better can be found in any market.
This is only the
statement of the operations of one buyer in this city, the most extensive to be
sure, but does not fully represent the whole amount of the transactions in this
line carried on here, by any means.
Mr. Lindon’s beef
business has also been large, but we have not the facts to give it in
detail. We are indebted to the kindness
of Mr. G. H. Potter who has acted as Mr. Lindon’s clerk. It will be seen at once that the “hog crop”
is an important one in our local products and this year has brought a higher average
price than it has reached heretofore. It
probably will continue to increase in value and magnitude as the farmers find
it profitable. WD
03 31 We learn that Mr. Joseph Lindon has
purchased the property on the west side of the river known as the American House, formerly owned by Mr. Peter Rogan
and by him used as a tavern some years since.
It is the intention of Mr. Lindon to repair and overhaul the old
building, raise it up several feet, and fit it up for a first
class hotel and occupy if for that purpose. It is conveniently situated on West Avenue
[West Main St.], near the central and business part of the city and no doubt,
under Mr. Lindon’s management, become paying property. WD
04 28 Mr. Joseph Lindon, having purchased the
property on the west side of the river long known as the American House, is now
engaged in repairing and improving that whole concern and its premises. The old building is to be entirely overhauled
repaired, raised fourteen feet, fitted up and renewed with extensive additions,
so as to make it a large, well arranged and convenient
hotel. It is to be known as the Lindon
House. If Mr. C. Crabbeneau’s [sp?
Charboneau?] excellent design is fully carried out, it will be among the
largest public houses in the city and be a credit to the place, as well as to
the enterprise and liberality of its present proprietor. Our hotel accommodations here have always
been good, though not so showy in appearance as in other cities, but hereafter
we shall have public houses whose dimensions will be an indications
of their means to accommodate travelers with all the facilities of first
class establishments. WD
07 28 LINDEN
HOUSE REMODELED
Mayor
Lindon is carrying forward the work on his new hotel, on the west side of the
river. He has raised the building
several feet, put on a large addition, remodeled and
rearranged the interior, and will give a new and improved appearance to the
entire establishment. When completed and
furnished, it will be among the largest and best hotels in the city. WD
10 20 LINDEN
HOUSE NEARLY FINISHED
The
Linden House, on the west side of the river, is nearly finished and in a few
days will be ready for occupation. Mayor
Lindon has done a fine thing for this city in supplying it with such a public
house as he is now engaged in fitting up.
It is large, well arranged, conveniently located, and presents a fine
appearance. We understand it will be
elegantly furnished and everything done to make it a first
class hotel in all respects. We
hope the public will appreciate his enterprise and reward him with liberal
patronage. WD
11 17 LINDON’S
PACKING HOUSE
The
packing establishment belonging to Mr. Joseph Lindon and located on East Water
Street is now in full operation. Pork
and beef is here put up in heavy quantities and in
every style and variety. Prime, Mess,
Heavy Mess and Cumberlands – hams of all descriptions, long English, round,
etc. Extra leaf lard and tallow of the
choicest kinds are to be found at this place. The packing is under the direct
supervision of Mr. John O’Conner, formerly with Patterson, Knapp & Co., of
New York City, and is attended to with that neatness, thoroughness and dispatch
for which Mr. Connor is so justly noted.
Some twenty hands or upwards are employed about the concern, a large
business is done, and an immense amount of money put in circulation thereby. We but reiterate an old story when we say
Mayor Lindon has a world-wide reputation as one of the best and most successful
packers of the West. His establishment
is one of the sources by which many of our laboring class obtain their
livelihood, the business of our city increased, and our prosperity
sustained. WD
Cross Reference:
The pork trade is
very active now. Large numbers of
slaughtered hogs are daily offered in our streets for sale and are now bringing
$12 and $13.50 per hundred, according to quality. The buyers are plenty and the competition
sharp, which makes the price firm and high.
Watertown Democrat, 12 15 1864
12 01 LINDON
TAKES POSSESSION of New Hotel
Mayor Lindon
is now taking possession of his new and commodious hotel on the west side of
the river and will soon have all in readiness for the reception of boarders,
the accommodation of travelers, and the transaction of business generally. This new public house is large, convenient,
well arranged, amply furnished, and will be kept in Mr. Lindon’s best
style. He is an old landlord, widely
known for his generous qualities and desire to do everything in his power to
make all around him pleasant and comfortable. May he be abundantly successful in this new
enterprise and his extensive and elegant establishment prove profitable and
popular. The west side of the river has
now as fine a public hotel as our city affords. WD
1865
01 12 OPENING OF LINDON HOUSE
The reception party given last Friday evening by
Mayor Lindon on the occasion of formally opening his
new hotel, the Lindon House, was a brilliant success, being attended by a large
number both at home and from abroad.
Nothing could be more pleasant and generous than the arrangements the Mayor made for the reception and entertainment of his
numerous guests, who had nothing to do but to enjoy themselves in any way they
preferred. This must be regarded as the
finest affair of the kind that has been witnessed in this city and all went
away delighted with the courtesy and attention of the landlord of the new and
popular hotel on the west side of the river.
Long may it flourish. WD
07 20 “ADAM” GREETED US A SMILING WELCOME
We were shown to the Lindon
House, where the broad and good humored face of
“Adam” greeted us a smiling welcome. The
citizens of Watertown boast of having three as good hotels as can be found in
the state. I did not stay long enough to
try them all, but if the other two are as good as the one I did try, the boast
is well founded. This house has been
recently elevated, enlarged, improved and refurnished,
and the tired traveler who secures an asylum within its walls finds comfort and
rest in its ample rooms, plenty and excellence upon its well-spread
tables. Mine host, Lindon, landlord and
proprietor, is cheerfully attentive to the wishes of his guests, and the
radiant cheerfulness that uniformly beams from the countenance of “Adam,” the
clerk, tempts one to think that he must have received both his name and
disposition from the first Adam, before he partook of the fatal apple.
05 18 PORTICO ADDED
During the past few days Mr. J. Lindon has been engaged
in putting the finishing improvements on his new hotel on the west side of the
river. He has added a portico to the
front of his building, which adds much to its fine appearance. Watertown has now the best facilities for
extending to travelers every accommodation that can be desired. Our hotels are not surpassed by those of any
other interior city in the state. WD
10 05 AGRICULTURAL
BALL
On Friday evening, the 6th, after the close of the
fair, an agricultural ball will be given by J. Lindon at the Lindon House. The landlord of that popular hotel is making
extensive preparations to entertain his guests on that occasion in a manner
that will be pleasing and gratifying to all. WD
1873
09 04 JOSEPH
LINDON SUCCEEDED by A. C. Beaurup
Sometime this week we understand, Mr. Joseph
Lindon will withdraw from the management of the Lindon House, and be
succeeded by Mr. A. C. Beaurup who was formerly its landlord, and won an
enviable reputation for courtesy and liberality, and the success with which he promoted the convenience and
comfort of his guests. With his
enterprise and civility, he will maintain the popularity and character of this
hotel, and render, it as heretofore, a pleasant and favorite place of resort
with the traveling public. WD
1875
Later became the Tremont House.
The Lindon was built by
Patrick Rogan in 1845-46 and opened by W. S. Turner in May of 1846. Peter Rogan became the subsequent
proprietor. He leased it to Potter and
Ayres but within a short time took charge of it himself. Theodore Prentiss purchased it from Rogan and
in 1864 he sold it to Joseph Lindon.
Lindon made additions
in the rear of the building and christened the structure the Lindon House.
Other early hotels were
the Planter’s built in 1846 by A. F. Cady and Gov. Farwell at the corner of N.
Second and Main; the American House built in 1849 by Michael Owens on S. Water;
the Exchange built in 1846 by a man named Savage; the Schweizer
House built in 1846 by a man named Bruesch.
1876
02 02 At his packing house in this city, Mr.
Joseph Lindon has been preparing a choice and delicate article for the
table. It consists of the side of the
hog, with just the right proportion of lean and fat, salted and smoked enough
to make it sweet and palatable. The way
to cook it is to broil it in thin slices, and when this is done to perfection
it certainly furnishes a rare and favored dish. WR
12 09 BUILDINGS OCCUPIED BY JOSEPH LINDON
. . . The writer remembers forty years ago or more
[c.1878] when James D. Casey was the whole cheese
in the shop at the corner of Water and Emmet streets. Previous to his
entry into the blacksmith business at that time the shop and buildings to the north of it were occupied by Joseph Lindon
for pork packing. Billy Wilson, a butcher and a member of the 29th Wisconsin regiment
in the Civil War, was the boss packer.
Those were the times you could get a barrel full of pigs
feet—that meant up to the shoulder—for a cent a piece. Eggs were 6 cents a dozen and beefsteak 6
cents a pound. Calf liver was given
away.
1889
12 06 OLD LINDON HOUSE BARN DESTROYED TREMONT
HOUSE
[NOT SAME AS TREMONT HOUSE FIRE, WHICH OCCURRED ON 09
11 1895]
The Old Lindon House Barn with all its contents
totally consumed; James Casey’s Warehouse burned to the ground; Conley’s Saloon
slightly damaged and several other places badly scorched.
Last Sunday morning at about
2 o’clock one of the most disastrous fires that has ever occurred In Watertown
broke out in the
old Lindon House barn
on the West Side, and before the firemen could get the fire under control some
$15,000 worth of property was consumed.
The old barn fired up
like a powder mill and in a few minutes after the blaze was first discovered
over half a dozen places took fire therefrom.
James D. Casey’s
warehouse and contents were totally consumed; Tremont House badly damaged;
Conley's Saloon slightly burned, and all the sheds in that vicinity were
reduced to ashes.
At one time it looked
as though the whole business portion of the west side might succumb to the
flames, but by the heroic and excellent work of the firemen the flames were
confined to the immediate vicinity where they were first kindled. The firemen in all the companies did good
work, especially when it is taken into consideration that two blocks of
frontage had to be protected by them. It
was with difficulty that the American House and barns were saved, also Casey's
blacksmith shop, Conley's saloon and Seager’s barbershop.
For the fine work of
the firemen, they are deserving of great praise from our citizens. . . . WG
1890
12 12 LARGE HOG DELIVERED
One of the largest hogs delivered here in some time
was sold to Jos. Lindon last Wednesday by Wm. Triplet of Emmet, weighing 775
pounds. WG
12 17 LARGE HOG DELIVERED
William Triplett, of Emmet, delivered a hog at Joseph
Lindon market last week, which weighed 775 pounds, one of the largest raised
about here. It was a Berkshire and
Poland—China mixture, 21 months old. WR
1895 LINDON'S MEAT-MARKET
03 06 Thieves effected entrance to the smoke house
in the rear of Lindon's meat-market Monday night and got away with about
seventy-five pounds of hams, which were being smoked for customers. WR [Joseph Lindon Meat Mkt, 208 W Main,
res. same, 1895]
1900 HOTEL IN MILWAUKEE
08 03 Jos. Lindon is now conducting a hotel
at 970 North Water Street, Milwaukee, and reports that he is doing a large
business. Though about 87 years of age,
Mr. Lindon is still full of vigor and energy, and says that he is ill at ease
unless engaged in some business. He is
certainly a remarkable man for his years.
WG
1908 DEATH OF JOSEPH LINDON
(1814-1908)
05 08 Death on Saturday night, May 2, 1908,
claimed one of Watertown’s oldest and best known
residents, Joseph Lindon, who died at about 9 o clock that night, at the home
of Miss Maggie Brennan, 409 North Church Street, where he resided for a number
of years past. The cause of his death
was general debility. About a week
before he died he expressed a wish to see a Catholic
priest, was baptized in that faith by Rev. Father O Leary, and made careful
preparation for death.
Mr.
Lindon was one of the best-known residents of this section of Wisconsin. He was born in England, October 3, 1814, hence
was in his 94th year when he died.
In
1841 he came to America and located in Vermillian Co., Ill., engaging in
farming and cattle buying. In 1844 he
removed to Milwaukee and for a time conducted a meat market in East Water
Street. In 1849 he came to Watertown and
made it his home till his death. Shortly
after arriving here he purchased of Thos. Norris and
J.C. Lewis the Watertown House,
which stood on the present site of the New Commercial Hotel. He retired from the management of that hotel
in 1864 and bought the hotel built by
the late Patrick Rogan in West Main Street on the present site of the
public library.
He
enlarged and conducted the house for many years as the Lindon House, and under
his management it was known as one of the most popular hotels in
Wisconsin. He kept the hotel till 1881
when he disposed of it and engaged in the meat market business in the Dennis
block in West Main Street, retiring from business in 1897.
While
proprietor of the Lindon House he was also engaged in the cattle and packing
house business. For a time
he conducted a packing house in the Davis building in First Street, and later
in the building in Water Street now occupied by James D. Casey as a blacksmith
and wagon shop. He also operated a fine
farm in the town of Emmet, and was an extensive hop
grower.
In all
his dealings with the public he was strictly honest, and he had the reputation
of paying the highest market price to the farmers for their stock, and he was
exceedingly popular in the rural districts.
He always took considerable interest in public affairs, and in the
advancement of our city.
He was
mayor of the city two terms-1863 and 1864; was alderman of the Third ward in
1867 and 1878, and in 1880 was an independent candidate for sheriff, being
defeated by John R. Messerschmidt, of Palmyra, the democratic candidate. It may truly be said of Mr. Lindon that he
was one of Watertown s early benefactors, for to his energy and enterprise
Watertown owes much for which he did in the early days in attracting attention
to our city and in the way of giving employment to our people.
One
daughter survives him, Mrs. Mary Bearup, of Chicago, and one stepdaughter, Mrs.
Clark Rainus of Janesville. Robert
Lindon of Grundy Center, Iowa and Gregory Lindon of Clear Lake, Iowa former
residents of Watertown, and nephews of the deceased, also survive him. Tuesday morning Mr. Lindon s funeral was held
from St. Bernard s Church and his remains were interred in St. Bernard s
cemetery. In honor of his memory the flag
floated at half-mast on the city hall from Sunday till after his funeral on
Tuesday. Gregory Lindon, of Clear Lake,
Iowa, Mrs. Bearup of Chicago, and Mrs. Rainus, of Janesville, were in attendance at his funeral. Rev. Father O Leary, president of the Sacred
Heart College, read the funeral Mass, and in a brief sermon paid a well-merited
and eloquent tribute to the memory of the departed. WD
1911
10 05 DEATH OF ANDREW BEARUP
Andrew C. Bearup of
Evanston died on September 29, 1911. His
remains were interred at Janesville last Sunday. Deceased was a former resident of Watertown,
having at one time been proprietor of the old Lindon House. He was a son-in-law of the late Joseph Lindon, and will be kindly remembered by many of The Gazette patrons. WG
Cross
References:
Habhegger
Slaughter House & Cold Storage
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin