Chilton Times September 6, 1902
MONUMENT DEDICATED
A Grand Military Event in Which Soldiers and Veterans Take a Prominent Part
A TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS
ANTON KOCHER’S GIFT TO CITY A BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENT
The soldiers’ and sailors’ monument, presented to
the city by Anton Kocher to commemorate our fallen
heroes, was unveiled and dedicated on Tuesday last.
If there ever was an ideal day for a celebration,
that day was Tuesday, Sept. 2. The sun rose bright and
clear, and not a cloud marred the azure beauty of the
sky. The morning was cool at first, but old Sol’s rays
soon warmed the air, and the day turned out to be one
of those ideal Indian summer days that inspire poets to
write and artists to paint.
At about four o’clock the community was awaked
by the booming of cannons. It was the artillery of the
day firing the national salute of forty-five guns.
By the time the salute was fired, almost everybody
was ready to arise, and a large crowd was at the depot
to meet the 8:00 o’clock train. The train brought the
Appleton Fife and Drum Corps, Co. G, W.N.G., SpanishAmerican veterans and many other people. It was a
happy crowd on the platform after they had alighted.
Talking, laughing, embracing and handshaking were decidedly the order of the minute. Finally the procession
was formed, and headed by the fife and drum corps
marched up to GAR headquarters, where the soldier
boys stacked their guns and proceeded to look at the
town. The boys are young, and they felt their oats.
Therefore no grass was allowed to grow under their
feet, and they gave ample evidence of their presence.
At 9:15 they were called together once more and
marched to the depot to meet the northbound train.
On this train arrived the GAR Posts of New Holstein and
Kiel. Hon. L. J. Nash, of Manitowoc, and many pleasure
seekers. The scenes previously described were again in
evidence, and the happy meeting of the old veterans of
the civil war were very touching. As they shook each
other’s hands and threw their arms about each other’s
necks, the burden of years rolled off their shoulders,
and they were boys again, once more living through the
scenes that bound them together and made them like
brothers. The GAR post of Stockbridge and Brothertown arrived early in carriages.
The procession once more marched to the GAR
headquarters, and the young soldiers took possession
of the town. Some of them borrowed a blanket at
Kerker’s livery stable and began to toss several of their
own comrades and they caught a number of small boys
and tossed them in the blanket. They even took hold of
Marshal Schwerzler and wanted to toss him, but Benedict’s dignified mien and haughty bearing made them
reconsider the proposition and they decided it was best
not to subject the zealous guardian of the peace to such
a humiliating position. The boys owned the town during the entire day, and if they did become boisterous
occasionally they were as quickly forgiven, because they
were the city’s guests, and many of them had fought for
the country.
At 11:30 mess call was sounded and the soldiers
marched to the Turner Hall, where dinner was served.
After dinner they assembled at the GAR headquarters,
where they formed in line for the parade. Col. Geo. D.
Breed was commander-in-chief of the parade, and he
was assisted by Sergt. Geo. A. Johnson, GAR; Sergt. Gustav Guenther, DKV. The parade started at 1:00 o’clock.
Upon reaching the monument, the speakers, the committees, the city officials, Anton Kocher, Miss Blanche
Breed, and Hon. J. E. McMullen took they seats on the
platform. The soldiers and veterans formed a hollow
square about the monument, and the vast crowd drew
close to see and hear the ceremonies. It was one of the
largest crowds ever gathered in Chilton and it was at
the same time an exceedingly intelligent, appreciative
and enthusiastic assemblage.
Dr. J. E. Luce’s Speech
Dr. Luce arose to speak, and among other things
said: It has been the custom for centuries to commemorate great events and heroic deeds by erected suitable
monuments. This monument was erected to commem-
orate the deeds of the heroic soldiers and sailors of Calumet County. It will stand for ages to reflect their
goodness ad tell the world of their brave deeds, while
their shortcoming have been buried deep in the dark
recesses of forgetfulness. This monument of cold, inanimate stone will stand like a faithful sentinel to guard
their dust. Though mute and motionless, it tells a wonderful story. It idolizes our soldiers to our hearts, and
passersby will pause and reflect on their heroism and
will strive to emulate their example.
Unveiling of Monument
siastic applause broke forth and continued for several
minutes, after which Dr. Luce, in behalf of Anton
Kocher, made the presentation speech, and said in part:
Presentation Speech
Although Mr. Kocher did not die for us, he has given not only to the people of Chilton and Calumet County, but to the citizens of the whole United States, his
best services. He offered his life as a sacrifice that his
and future generations might enjoy the blessings of
freedom. This he had already given us and now, in his
old age, he once more comes forward and presents us
After thus speaking, Dr. Luce turned to Miss Breed
and said, “Miss Blanche R. Breed, unveil the monument.” Miss Breed arose and stepped to the front to
the platform. She was dressed entirely in white, and
carried a magnificent bouquet of roses. She was a model of beauty and grace as she stood before the
with this beautiful monument we have today unveiled.
He was inspired by the very best motive that can adorn
a human breast. His kindness will live in our hearts long
after he has passed away, and we will preserve his
memory and keep it green, when all that is earthly of
him has returned to dust.
(Anton Kocher donated this monument to the city in
1902. The article is longer, this is an excerpt.)
large crowd, and the solemnity of the occasion caused a
hush to fall upon the multitude as they gazed in admiration on the fair young lady before them. Miss Breed
pulled the rope that held the canvass, and the white
drapery fell away, exposing to the sight of the people
the beautiful granite masterpiece. A thunder of enthu-
This monument was moved and now stands in front of the Calumet County Court House on Court Street
Joseph B Reynolds GAR
Chilton Times May 30, 1925
STOOD BY OLD GLORY – March Away In Sixty-One to Defend Their Flag and Country
T
hrough the courtesy of Col. Geo. D. Breed, who loaned us a photograph of the post members we have been
able to reproduce the group in this issue of the Times. In connection with this we republish what The Times
of April 27, 1861 had to say about the cause and the band of patriots who gallantly answered the call to the colors:
“We are pleased to chronicle the fact that Calumet County promptly responds to the call of the government for
troops to enforce the laws and uphold the honor and dignity of our country.
During the past week several enthusiastic meetings were held at this place and Gravesville and by noon today, a
full company of gallant fellows will be ready to march at a moment’s warning, to defend the constitution and flag which
has so long been the pride and boast of every true American citizen. It is sufficient for every true patriot to know that a
rebellious faction, in several of the states of the union, are in open rebellion against the government and are attempting
to destroy it, one of the best governments that has ever existed on the face of this earth. They have defied the laws,
robbed the treasury, taken possession of forts and ships of war, the property of the United States and recently compelled the government, through its representative, the gallant Major Anderson, to deliver up his sword.’
As soon as the news reached Chilton by messenger that Fort Sumpter had been fired upon, leading citizens such
as Gen. Harrison C. Hobart, James Robinson, Captain F. H. Magdeburg, John Marigold, George Baldwin, Captain Jos. B.
Reynolds, and many others volunteered their services and under the leadership of Harrison C. Hobart, 130 men joined
what was known through the war as Co. K of the Bonny Fourth and drilled on the commons. They marched to Sheboygan and were accompanied on the march by the late Rev. Fr. Hugh McMahen, then pastor of St. Augustine’s church,
who was a staunch patriot. Later, companies were organized for the Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-first,
and Thirty-second, Forty-eighth, and many joined other organizations, among them the Iron Brigade. These are the men
and others like them that we have assembled today to do honor to.
They were heroes, all of them, and many of them did not return, sacrificing their lives on the alter of their country. It would be impossible to tell the story of Little Calumet’s part in preserving the union and handing it down unsullied in posterity. When peace was restored those who did not return were not forgotten by their comrades nor their
country. On the recommendation of Gen. John A Logan a day was set apart, Memorial Day, on which to assemble and
honor the patriotism of the departed heroes, as we are doing today.
In 1867 there was organized at Chilton a veterans association, at the head of which was James Robinson, as
commander. The organization was followed by the J. B. Sweet Post, No. 46, Grand Army of the Republic established at
Stockbridge in the early eighties. On Aug. 28 1885 the Jos. B. Reynolds Post No. 205 Grand Army of the Republic was
established in this city. Of this organization, which had over one hundred members, there is but a dozen living, nine of
whom reside in Calumet County, namely: Geo. D. Breed, Wm Chesebro, Frank J. Winkler, B. Schemmer of Chilton, John
Tiedjens of New Holstein, Stephan Sommers, Geo. Suhr, Jos. Bartz of Brillion, Albert Ludwig, Stockbridge, Harvey Yule,
Jared Fields, Fond du Lac, Fred Groat of Stanberry, Wis.