H. Louis Dousman
Encyclopedia
Hercules Louis Dousman II (April 3, 1848 – January 13, 1886), better known as Louis Dousman, was the son of Wisconsin
millionaire Hercules Louis Dousman I
. After inheriting his father's wealth, Dousman became a prominent Midwestern socialite
and art collector.
Louis Dousman was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
, the son of Hercules and Jane Dousman. As a child he received private tutoring, and he later attended a preparatory school in Madison, Wisconsin
. Louis's education was cut short by the death of his father in 1868, an event which forced Louis to return to Prairie du Chien to take care of his father's estate. In 1870, two years after the death of his father, Dousman began using his inheritance, dismantling the house of his childhood and replacing it with a more modern home. This house, which would be come to be called Villa Louis
in later decades, was designed in the Italianate style by E. Townsend Mix
, but did not function as Louis's home for long. In 1872, Dousman moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota
, leaving his mother to occupy the Prairie du Chien estate. Owing to his wealth and his father's previous association with Henry Hastings Sibley
, who had earlier served as Governor of Minnesota
, Dousman rose quickly in St. Paul's society. In 1873 he married Nina Sturgis, and the couple moved to St. Louis, Missouri
, eventually having five children: Violet, Virginia, Nina, Louis, and Judith.
Dousman's father had also had prominent connections in St. Louis, so here too Louis was able to rise into the uppermost social circles. He began a career as an art collector, amassing a collection of nearly a hundred paintings, mostly Academic art
from France
. In 1879, he constructed a gallery adjoining his St. Louis home to showcase his collection and began opening the gallery to the public. His art collection was eventually published in 1881. Louis received much attention both in St. Louis and across the nation for his collection, and served as art director for the St. Louis Fair for three years. However, in the 1880s Louis' interests began to shift. Following the death of his mother in 1882, Louis sold most of his art collection at auction in New York City, and made plans to return to the Prairie du Chien estate where he had lived as a child. He hoped to convert the property into a stock farm for the breeding of Standardbred horse
s descended from Hambletonian 10
. Dousman had stables and a racetrack built in Prairie du Chien, and began hosting an annual race in July 1883. He named the Prairie du Chien estate the Artesian Stock Farm because of the artesian
wells on the property. Louis and his family moved from St. Louis to the Prairie du Chien estate in 1885.
Louis's plans for the Artesian Stock Farm were never fully realized. In January, 1886, he died unexpectedly of appendicitis
just thirteen days into the new year. After Dousman's death, his wife Nina sold the horses and closed the Artesian Stock Farm. Nina Dousman then renamed the family estate Villa Louis in honor of her late husband. Today the Villa Louis estate is a museum operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society
. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark
.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
millionaire Hercules Louis Dousman I
Hercules L. Dousman
Hercules Louis Dousman was a trader and real-estate speculator who played a large role in the economic development of Wisconsin. He is often called Wisconsin's first millionaire.-Early life and trading activities:...
. After inheriting his father's wealth, Dousman became a prominent Midwestern socialite
Socialite
A socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
and art collector.
Louis Dousman was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
, the son of Hercules and Jane Dousman. As a child he received private tutoring, and he later attended a preparatory school in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. Louis's education was cut short by the death of his father in 1868, an event which forced Louis to return to Prairie du Chien to take care of his father's estate. In 1870, two years after the death of his father, Dousman began using his inheritance, dismantling the house of his childhood and replacing it with a more modern home. This house, which would be come to be called Villa Louis
Villa Louis
The Villa Louis, also known as Dousman Mansion, is a National Historic Landmark located on St. Feriole island in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Today the site is restored to its appearance during the late 19th Century, when it was the estate of the prominent H. Louis Dousman family. At the center of...
in later decades, was designed in the Italianate style by E. Townsend Mix
E. Townsend Mix
Edward Townsend Mix was an American architect of the Gilded Age who designed several buildings in the Midwestern United States. His career was centered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and many of his designs made use of the region's distinctive Cream City brick.-Biography:Mix was born in New Haven,...
, but did not function as Louis's home for long. In 1872, Dousman moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, leaving his mother to occupy the Prairie du Chien estate. Owing to his wealth and his father's previous association with Henry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley was the first Governor of the U.S. state of Minnesota.-Early life and education:...
, who had earlier served as Governor of Minnesota
Governor of Minnesota
The Governor of Minnesota is the chief executive of the U.S. state of Minnesota, leading the state's executive branch. Forty different people have been governors of the state, though historically there were also three governors of Minnesota Territory. Alexander Ramsey, the first territorial...
, Dousman rose quickly in St. Paul's society. In 1873 he married Nina Sturgis, and the couple moved to St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, eventually having five children: Violet, Virginia, Nina, Louis, and Judith.
Dousman's father had also had prominent connections in St. Louis, so here too Louis was able to rise into the uppermost social circles. He began a career as an art collector, amassing a collection of nearly a hundred paintings, mostly Academic art
Academic art
Academic art is a style of painting and sculpture produced under the influence of European academies of art. Specifically, academic art is the art and artists influenced by the standards of the French Académie des Beaux-Arts, which practiced under the movements of Neoclassicism and Romanticism,...
from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In 1879, he constructed a gallery adjoining his St. Louis home to showcase his collection and began opening the gallery to the public. His art collection was eventually published in 1881. Louis received much attention both in St. Louis and across the nation for his collection, and served as art director for the St. Louis Fair for three years. However, in the 1880s Louis' interests began to shift. Following the death of his mother in 1882, Louis sold most of his art collection at auction in New York City, and made plans to return to the Prairie du Chien estate where he had lived as a child. He hoped to convert the property into a stock farm for the breeding of Standardbred horse
Standardbred horse
Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability...
s descended from Hambletonian 10
Hambletonian 10
Hambletonian 10, or Rysdyk's Hambletonian, was an American trotter and a founding sire of the Standardbred horse breed. The stallion was born in Sugar Loaf, NY on 5 May 1849. Hambletonian has been inducted into the Immortals category of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame.-Origin and early years...
. Dousman had stables and a racetrack built in Prairie du Chien, and began hosting an annual race in July 1883. He named the Prairie du Chien estate the Artesian Stock Farm because of the artesian
Artesian aquifer
An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing groundwater under positive pressure. This causes the water level in a well to rise to a point where hydrostatic equilibrium has been reached. This type of well is called an artesian well...
wells on the property. Louis and his family moved from St. Louis to the Prairie du Chien estate in 1885.
Louis's plans for the Artesian Stock Farm were never fully realized. In January, 1886, he died unexpectedly of appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
just thirteen days into the new year. After Dousman's death, his wife Nina sold the horses and closed the Artesian Stock Farm. Nina Dousman then renamed the family estate Villa Louis in honor of her late husband. Today the Villa Louis estate is a museum operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society is simultaneously a private membership and a state-funded organization whose purpose is to maintain, promote and spread knowledge relating to the history of North America, with an emphasis on the state of Wisconsin and the trans-Allegheny West...
. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.