Vallender Family - Madison : husband & in-laws of Bridget Smyth
Vallender Family and the Madison Fire Department
Smith Family Genealogy
William Vallender Family
“Irish” John Smith’s sister, Bridget, married William Vallender. Bridget and William had two children – Frank and Mary Catherine (“Catherine”). William and Frank Vallender held important posts in Madison Fire Department’s early days. The chart below shows how the Vallender family ties in with our own family.
Short History - Madison Fire Department
It is not known for sure when William and Frank Vallender started fighting fires for the Madison Fire Department. William may not have been the first firefighter in his family. Quite possibly William’s father, Franz, served as a firefighter since many business people in Madison’s early days volunteered for fire fighting duties.
In the 19th century there were no paid fire fighters and all men were volunteers. Not until much later did Madison formally hire full-time fire fighters for the department.
By July 1, 1901, the department took a giant stride when it reorganized and hired 16 full-time firefighters. Volunteers were still fighting fires until July 1, 1908. After this date all firefighters were paid employees.
In 1870 we know William was attached to the No. 2 Fire Department as the following news article suggests. German residents organized Madison Fire Company No. 2 on June 23, 1856. Although its purpose was firefighting duties, it also served as a business and social group for approximately 61 members.
Until 1870 Fire Chiefs were elected by members of the Volunteer Department. William Farrell mentioned below was the last Fire Chief selected under this method. The 1870 election was a rowdy affair. William Vallender and his mates walked out of the hall after election results were announced. In 1871 Madison’s Common Council appointed William Farrell to this post.
State Journal; Madison, Wisconsin; March 22, 1870
Eventually William Vallender became Fire Chief having been selected for that post in 1882. He served in this capacity from 1882 to 1884. (In addition, William Vallender served as Dane County Supervisor from 1874 to 1876.)
In the ‘volunteer era’ firemen selected Fire Chiefs by popular vote. Fire Chief’s terms were one year beginning in March. Madison’s Common Council began appointing Fire Chiefs annually in 1871. . In 1897 the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners was created. No longer could Fire Chiefs be removed from office without good cause.
In 1870 new Chief Farrell appointed William Vallender as foreman of Andrew Proudfit Engine Company (No. 2) as the following news article suggests.
Wisconsin State Journal; Madison, Wisconsin; Sunday, July 15, 1945
The picture below shows the Steamer Engine for Andrew Proudfit Engine Company (No. 2). Photographed sometime after 1881, this picture was taken in front of the Central Fire Station at 10 South Webster Street in Madison. One of the earliest drivers for No. 2 firehouse was John Engleberger. Could one of the Vallenders be pictured below? The ornate lantern on this wagon now resides with the State Historical Society in Madison. (What was the dog’s name?)
Frank Vallender may have been the second assigned driver for the wagon shown above. Carl J. Eichmann, also known as “Cully”, appears to have been the third driver. “Cully” became driver of the No. 2 wagon after he was hired, at a time when Madison was paying some of its employees. Frank Vallender became the driver after John Engleberger became Assistant Chief. After “Cully” joined the department Frank Vallender was promoted to Captain.
Frank and William Vallender were barbers. Their shop was located right next to the No. 2 Fire Station on State Street. The following news article was taken from the Wisconsin State Journal; Madison, Wisconsin; Sunday, November 14, 1943.
The picture below dated 1902 was taken in front of the Fire Station on State Street. By this time William Vallender would have been in his sixties and probably retired from fire fighting. However, by 1902 his son Frank was Captain of the No. 2 Fire Station on State Street. Is Frank shown in this picture?
The Fire Station can be seen in the middle of this picture. The building to your right was owned by the Vallender family. Frank and William Vallender’s families lived in the second and third floor of this building (127 State Street). The following article was printed in the Wisconsin State Journal; Madison, Wisconsin; Sunday, January 16, 1944:
Death of Frank Vallender
The following article was taken from the Racine Journal News; Racine, Wisconsin; August 14, 1914. Another article suggests Frank was badly injured in a March 1913 fire and never fully recovered. He finally passed away in December of that year.
Other Articles of Interest
Wisconsin State Journal; Madison, Wisconsin; August 27, 1938
The Wisconsin State Journal; Madison, Wisconsin; January 11, 1946
You may wonder why this building was still standing after being sold in 1938. Actually, this building was condemned; however, Madison’s mayor allowed condemned buildings for use during the war years. With war’s end the building could now be razed and a new building could be built.
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August 2009