180 years ago, on New Year’s Day, 1846, this amusing woodcut appeared on page 3 of the Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, advertising the shop of pioneering Milwaukee merchant—and local character—Bazille “Uncle Ben” Throop:

That same morning, Jonathan and Mary Clark awoke to their fifth New Year’s Day together as a married couple. Living with them were their first three (of an eventual eight) children: Caroline (5 years old), Henry (almost 3) and Elizabeth “Libbie” (9 months). They were probably still living in their original log cabin home; it would be at least two more years until Jonathan M. Clark carved his name and “1848” in the keystone above the front door lintel of the two-story stone house that is now the Jonathan Clark House Museum.

Did the Clarks see “Uncle Ben’s” ad on January 1st? It’s not impossible, but I’d be at least mildly surprised if our young farm couple spent their earnings on a subscription to a Milwaukee daily newspaper. On the other hand, given their love of lifelong learning, it would not be out of character if they did. But we really don’t know.

B. Throop & Co.

“Uncle Ben” Throop owned and operated Milwaukee’s B. Throop & Co., hat and cap merchants. He must have been doing pretty well, as he was able to afford this large, two column wide, custom-made woodcut. At a time when a daily newspaper consisted of five columns of densely-set type, with the occasional little generic woodcut of a hat or a stove, or whatever, his ad is quite the eye-catcher, and humorous, too.

Click the ad, above, and enlarge the full-size image to enjoy the details. There’s Uncle Ben himself, at the controls of railroad engine named after himself. The engine’s cab is shaped like a top hat, its tender is filled with a pile of “Hats & Caps” instead of wood or coal, and its smokestack is emitting a dense cloud of top hats and ladies fur “Muffs.” A young lad sits on the front of the top hat cab, ringing the engine’s bell, and blowing a posthorn, just so you know that “Uncle Ben” is on the way with stylish goods for 1846. In his own words:

UNCLE BEN is still on the track, and returns his sincere thanks to the citizens of Milwaukie and vicinity for their very liberal patronage during the past 1845. He will still continue to keep on hand the very ne plus ultra of HATS AND CAPS of the latest fashions, and will sell as cheap as ever to all who favor him with a call.

And, furthermore:

Hats and Caps made to order at the shortest notice. Highest price in cash paid for Furs and Skins.

Furs and skins—and especially beaver pelts—were the main materials for many of the most popular men’s and ladies’ hats, caps and muffs of the day.

“I Wish You All A Happy New Year”

Like Uncle Ben, I wish you all a Happy New Year and, as Uncle Ben says,

“Don’t Be Excited, Brothers! But Keep Perfectly Cool!”

Wise words for any era.

I’ll be back soon with more Clark House History. See you soon.

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Postscript:

Just as I was wrapping up this post, I found the obituary for Mr. Throop in the Daily Milwaukee News for Tuesday, 01 Feb 1870, page 5. Bazille “Uncle Ben” Throop, it turns out, was a Vermonter and a near-contemporary of Jonathan M. Clark. And he became, indeed, very successful at his hat & cap business. Here is his obit with the details (click obit to enlarge for easier reading):